The Express- January 2017

THE

Express

Challenging gender Social norms are changing.

People are becoming more comfortable with who they believe themselves to be.

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volume 24 | issue 5 | February | BLue Valley Northwest High School

co nt en ts

Cover: A male body casts a female silhouette, symbolizing that gender can be more complex than what initially meets the eye. (Photo illustration by Justin Lehtinen).

Top: Make your own donuts at Donutology, located in Westport in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Nicky Lentsch).

Bottom Left: At Wayside Waifs, junior Zoe Lauer interacts with shelter dog Piggy, wearing one of the bandannas she donated for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. (Photo by Ellen Bruce).

Bottom Right: Juniors Ally Monaghan and Joe Kavanaugh have been dating for more than a month and enjoy getting food in their free time. (Photo

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THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5| FEBRUARY 2017

FEatures

from a 04 LEssons legend 10 Hugs & Quizzes 12 perspectiveS 16 FINDING A HOME 18 Challenging gender

news

look into the 07 aCabinet

Reviews

22 DO’s and doughnuts 24 Life Styled 26 opinion

Interactive

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30 Express your love 31 Puzzle

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LESSONS FROM A LEGEND Varsity basketball head coach Ed Fritz has coached youth and high school basketball for more than three decades.

A few members of the two-time state championship team that graduated in 2014 discuss their time with Fritz.

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ong before his days at Northwest, former BVNW basketball player and 2014 graduate Clayton Custer made a monumental decision. Up until the third grade, Custer and fellow 2014 graduate David Salach played against BVNW head basketball coach Ed Fritz’s second grade team.

Fritz’s team, which included 2014 graduates Ben Richardson, Kyle Harrison and Fritz’s son, Vince, beat Custer and Salach’s team countless times. Despite the fact Custer was only in second grade at the time, and on one of the top two teams in the area, he said he quickly grew tired of losing to Fritz’s team.

“I don’t know if it’s the most honorable thing to do,” Custer said laughing. “But I decided I wanted to be on their team, so I switched.”

Eventually the team grew together, playing in tournaments across the country before coming to Northwest.

“It was just kind of a fun group to coach and to work with and spend a lot of time [with],” Fritz said. “We traveled all over the country playing, we won a tournament in Las Vegas, played in Indiana, [and] played all over the United States.”

Although Custer, Vince and the rest of that group graduated with two state championships in 2013 and 2014, Fritz can still be found spending his time coaching youth and high school basketball teams. Fritz currently coaches a sixth and seventh grade youth basketball team, along with the varsity team at BVNW. Vince said his dad’s approach to coaching did not change much from youth basketball to the high school level.

“To be honest I don’t think he coached [us when we were younger] that much differently,” Vince said. “Always from a young age he held us to a very high standard. Obviously it wasn’t as

thorough and as hard as he was in high school.”

Whether it be coaching at the youth or high school level, Fritz said being able to share a wealth of knowledge with his son brought him a joy that he continues to have to this day.

“Everybody that has expertise always wants to share it with their kids, no matter what it is,” Fritz said. “So being able to do that and have fun together and do something we love is always worth it.”

Custer said playing with Fritz from a young age taught the group a strong sense of how to play the game the right way.

“He taught us all how to play basketball the right way,” Custer said. “He taught us how to move the ball. We all played defense like he taught us how to play defense.

We really shared the ball and that’s why we were good, that’s why we had a good team when we were growing up because we were more fundamentally sound than most of the other teams.”

With the amount of time spent together over the years, Custer said at some points their group frustrated Fritz.

“I know he probably got frustrated with all of us at times just because we had played for him for so long, and we kind of already knew what he was going to say before he said it,” Custer said. “I don’t know if we reacted the way he wanted us to react to some of the stuff he said, just because we knew him for so long, but we respected coach Fritz so much.”

Fritz said coaching the younger teams is different because of the change in skill sets at the lower levels. Because of the gap in talent, Fritz said teaching the basics of the sport is more important.

“The youth kids are not quite as skilled or advanced so you have to do a lot more

“He taught us all how to play basketball the right way.”

-Clayton custer

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THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

Right: Head basketball coach Ed Fritz coaches the boys varsity basketball team during the game against Blue Valley North Jan. 24. The Huskies defeated the Mustangs, 61-59. (Photo by Justin Lehtinen).

Bottom: During his youth basketball team’s practice, Ed Fritz encourages a player to cut left while running drills.

Fritz currently coaches two youth basketball teams (Photo by Jordan Devorak).

fundamentals and a little bit of repetition with the youth kids,” Fritz said. “You kind of break it down a little more.”

Vince said his dad’s persistence for excellence is part of what makes him a great coach.

“He works harder than anyone I know and goes in with the mindset that he’s gonna outwork his opponents,” Vince said.

Even with the success Fritz has earned over the years, Custer said his work ethic remains the same.

“He’s not stuck in [his ways],” Custer said. “I think he’s good at kind of changing the way he does things to best fit the team that he’s coaching at that time.”

Fritz said being able to try things out at the youth level gives him the opportunity to experiment and see what new methods work.

“The neat stuff is with my youth teams I’ve tried things out that I maybe wouldn’t try out with the high school,” Fritz said. “A new offense or a new wrinkle, and a lot of times I end up using them in high school.”

Custer said no matter which team he was coaching, Fritz was able to bring them all together as a group.

“Playing for coach Fritz was the time of my life and he was a huge part of that,” Custer said.

“He brought all of us together, we were best friends, and he was always our coach. When I think about ‘my coach’ I think about coach Fritz.”

Vince said the process of playing with his dad prepared him extremely well for his time playing basketball at Missouri Southern State University now.

“He definitely prepared us, the intensity at Northwest and what he demanded from us was similar to a college-level,” Vince said.

“The understanding he gave me of basketball definitely prepared me probably better than what most high school programs could ever

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

prepare you for college basketball.”

One of the things Custer said remained consistent through the years was Fritz’s expectations for his teams.

“I think the biggest thing was just that he never sugar-coated stuff,” Custer said. “He was tough on us, and he knew that playing basketball at the next level was going to be tough too so he did a good job of getting us all ready to play.”

When coaching at the youth or high school level, Fritz said learning how to get the best out of each kid continues to challenge him.

“Every kid is different,” Fritz said. “You have got to find out what it is that makes those guys receptive to learn and be coached.”

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THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

A look into the cabinet With President Donald Trump officially in office, his Cabinet is beginning to take shape. Confirmation hearings for Cabinet secretaries began Jan. 10 and will continue throughout this month.

BY LAUREN FISCHER

introduction to the cabinet

T

he president’s Cabinet consists of a group of advisers and secretaries who advise the president and oversee their bureaucratic agency.

The Cabinet was established by President George Washington, and it has since grown into 15 secretary positions and advisers. Government teacher Ken Thomas said the Cabinet acts as an advisory body for the president. “[Washington] nominated four individuals to head four departments that had been created by Congress: the Department of State, Treasury, the Attorney General’s office and the Department of War, as it was referred to at that time,” Thomas said.

Thomas said each secretary has an equal amount of power within their own agencies, but as far as accessibility to the president goes, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security will generally be asked to advise the president more often. “[Depending on the president], there are meetings of the president and the Cabinet at certain

intervals [and] those intervals can vary,” Thomas said.

“Generally access is as a need basis arises.”

Thomas said controversy over Cabinet picks is common as a new president prepares to take office.

“The pick of Cabinet members are generally individuals that have...developed some sort of rapport, and also the idea that they have some experience in the area that they are moving into,” Thomas said. “You’re always going to have some dissatisfaction with certain groups.”

MIKE PENCE Vice President Mike Pence was elected to Congress six times as a representative from Indiana, beginning in 2000. While in Congress Pence worked to make the government smaller and more effective. He also helped reduce government spending, and worked to return government power to the state and local governments. In 2013, Pence left Congress to become governor of Indiana.

(Photo illustration by Xiqing Wang).

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CABINET secretaries* *Information for this story is from government websites and the New York Times as of Jan. 27, 2017.

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he Secretary of State advises the president on foreign affairs and relations. He or she is the United States’ top diplomat and helps negotiate treaties and agreements.

Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson worked at oil company Exxon Mobil for 41 years. Through Exxon Mobil, Tillerson worked with many world leaders to make deals for the company.

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he Secretary of Treasury acts as the main financial agent for the government and is on the president’s national economic council. The secretary helps create the financial, economic and tax policy for America and abroad.

Secretary of the Treasury nominee Steven Mnuchin was the National Finance Chairman for Trump’s campaign.

Some of Mnuchin’s experience is working as a partner at Goldman Sachs for 17 years, creating his own hedge fund and working as a movie financier.

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he Secretary of Defense advises the president on defense policy. The department controls the military, oversees military facilities and supervises defense operations.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis may call for a more assertive military position in the Middle East.

Mattis believes ending the Iran Nuclear Agreement would be hurtful to the U.S., a position that clashes with some of Trump’s previous statements. Mattis plans to work closely with the nation’s allies to enforce United States military policies.

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T

he Attorney General represents the U.S. in legal matters and advises the president when needed. He or she guides the Department of Justice to enforce federal laws.

Jeff Sessions was a senator from Alabama for almost 20 years, and is now the nominee for Attorney General. He worked 16 years as a federal prosecutor and state attorney general. Sessions believes the government has been too soft on crime, and objects to what he views as unjustified criticism of police behavior.

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he Secretary of the Interior oversees American land, water and conservation of wildlife. The department runs the National Park Service and encourages American youth to learn about the importance of the environment.

Ryan Zinke was a Navy SEAL for 23 years and since 2014 has been a representative of Montana.

He is now the nominee for Secretary of the Interior. He believes climate change is not a proven science.

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he Secretary of Agriculture helps rural America thrive and preserves the country’s national resources. He or she provides leadership of food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development and nutrition.

Sonny Perdue is President Trump’s nomination for Secretary of Agriculture. He was elected governor of Georgia in 2003. He previously ran a grain and fertilizer business, and also campaigned for Trump in the final months of the presidential election.

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he Secretary of Commerce is the voice of American business in the Cabinet. The department promotes job creation by working with businesses and communities and works to create conditions for economic growth.

Wilbur Ross is a billionaire investor who holds 82 board positions in various organizations.

Ross would divest at least 80 investments to avoid conflict of interest if appointed to Secretary of Commerce.

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

T

he Secretary of Labor works to improve working conditions, helps employers find workers, guarantees workers’ rights to a safe workplace, sets a minimum wage and protects Americans from employment discrimination.

Andrew F. Puzder is the chief executive of fast food restaurants Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr and President Trump’s nomination for Secretary of Labor. He is a critic of raising the minimum wage, because he believes it would hurt small businesses and lead to job losses.

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he Secretary of Health and Human Services works toward creating a beneficial healthcare system and provides services to people with health disadvantages.

Before he was a representative of Georgia, Tom Price worked as an orthopaedic surgeon and a physician. If appointed secretary, Price would lead the administration’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

T

he Secretary of Housing and Urban Development supports home ownership, access for affordable housing especially for low-income families, improves public housing and works to end homelessness.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development nomine Ben Carson shares the generally conservative belief that welfare leads to dependency, and discourages people to work hard. Carson is an author, philanthropist and a retired neurosurgeon.

T

he Secretary of Transportation oversees the formation of a national transportation policy, enforces airline passenger protection and prepares transportation legislation.

One challenge for the new secretary would be reaching an agreement on how to overhaul the nation’s infrastructure.

Elaine Chao worked as Secretary of Labor under George W. Bush for all of his presidency. Chao also worked under Ronald Reagan as a White House Fellow and under George Bush as Deputy Secretary of Transporation.

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he Secretary of Energy maintains nuclear safety and security.

They encourage the U.S. effort in science and engineering.

The Department of Energy addresses environmental, nuclear and energy challenges.

Former Governor of Texas Rick Perry is President Trump’s nomination for Secretary of Energy. Perry ran for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2012. At one of the 2012 debates, Perry claimed he wanted to dismantle the Department of Energy, but forgot the name of the agency.

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he Secretary of Education is the president’s adviser on education-related federal programs. The department prepares American students for global competitiveness in education and works to provide equal access to education.

Betsy DeVos has spent much time and money encouraging enrollment in charter schools through vouchers, which is seen as a way to move students away from public, government schools. She is against Common Core and tried to take away the influence of teacher unions.

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he Secretary of Veterans Affairs advocates for health care, benefits and social support for all those who served in the armed forces and their families.

David J. Shulkin is the current head of the veterans health care system. He was appointed by former President Obama, and Shulkin faced the challenge of decreasing wait times in hospitals for veterans. If appointed, Shulkin would be the first secretary to lead the department who is not a veteran.

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he Secretary of Homeland Security deals with the security of the country’s leaders, borders and cyberspace. The department runs the Transportation Security Administration and Secret Service.

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly would be the first non-civilian to oversee the department. Kelly has experience in the Southern Command, which is responsible for U.S. military activities in Central and South America.

(Illustrations by Xiqing Wang).

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Hugs & quizzes

BY Walker Johnson Three BVNW couples test their knowledge of their significant others by answering questions about their partners. Incorrect answers are marked with an “X.” Final scores are out of 10 questions.

MORGAN & Lecki IAN Lewis Seniors Ian Lecki and Morgan Lewis met at the beginning of their junior year and Lecki said he soon asked her to the BVNW Homecoming Dance. Lewis said at that point she had sworn off boys, but he was so nice she began to like him anyway.

The couple began dating on Oct. 9, 2015 and enjoyed their first date at Worlds of Fun during the Halloween Haunt.

Q: A:

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Ian, What’ is morgan’s favorite pizza topping?

Cheese correct: pepperoni

morgan’s Score: 5 ian’s Score: 3

Q: A:

MORGAN, What would IAN TAKE to a deserted Island?

ME

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

Bottom left: Seniors Morgan Lewis and Ian Lecki have been dating for a year and four months. The two enjoy watching movies and playing video games with each other in their free time. (Photo

by Madi Allen).

Bottom center: Northwest teachers Laura and Nicolas Deffer have been married for about six years.

In their free time they enjoy biking. (Photo by Madi Allen).

Top right: Juniors Ally Monaghan and Joe Kavanaugh have been dating for about a month. In their free time, they go out to eat. (Photo by Madi Allen).

ally & Kavanuagh Joe

Monaghan

Juniors Joe Kavanaugh and Ally Monaghan kicked off the New Year’s with a relationship when they started dating on Jan. 1. Monaghan said they have known each other since their freshman year and have always been easy-going and had fun around each other. Monoghan said it was not until this year that they began their relationship after she asked Kavanaugh to the Cheer Ball.

Ally’s Score: 7 joe’s Score: 7

Laura Deffer & Nicholas Deffer

After meeting while working as counselors at the same summer camp in 2007, Blue Valley Northwest technology integration specialist Nicholas Deffer and math teacher Laura Deffer began a long-distance relationship later that year. Nicholas said they got married three and a half years later on March 19, 2011.

Nicholas said they have always had a lot of similarities and currently share a passion for biking.

Laura’s Score:

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nicholas’ Score: 4

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Q: A: Q: A:

JOE, WHAT APP DOES ALLY SPEND THE MOST TIME ON?

Q: A: Q: A:

NICK, WHAT WOULD LAURA do wiith $100,000?

SNAPCHAT ALLY , what is JOE’S favorite thing to do together with you?

Eat or Watch movies

buy clothes Correct: save it LAURA, WHAT IS NICholas’ FAVORITE COLOR? GREEN

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PERSPECTIVES Photos of Husky life

1.

1. Drawing a graph, math teacher Megan Geenens discusses a lesson about inequalities.

Geenens is also the head cheerleading coach.

“I really enjoy helping students that struggle, [but] when they do understand a concept, I feel like we have jumped a huge hurdle,” Geenens said. (Photo by TJ Vore).

2.

3.

2. In support of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, junior Zach Wiedenmann wears a Make America Great Again hat and Trump campaign t-shirt. Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States in Washington, D.C. Jan. 20. “I was surprised because I didn’t think he would get elected, I thought [Hillary] Clinton was gonna win,” Wiedenmann said. (Photo by Justin Lehtinen).

3. Rehearsing with the Chamber Singers, senior Ryan Simeon sings Jake Runestad’s “Alleluia.” Chamber Singers is the top choral ensemble at the school. “I think it’s a really great experience. You have a group of people that you become close with,” Simeon said.

(Photo by TJ Vore).

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4.

4. During her Ceramics II class, junior Payton Million forms a bowl out of stoneware clay on a pottery wheel Jan. 16. “Centering the clay is the hardest for sure…I still ask Mrs. LaValley to help me center the clay, but other days I can get it on the first try,” Million said.

(Photo by Jordan Devorak).

5. Swimming coach Kyle Farrington instructs Northwest swimmers during their meet against North Jan. 26. (Photo by Jack Oxley).

6. At the Blue Valley Northwest Blood Drive, senior Johnny Sprinkle prepares to give blood Jan. 18. During the drive, 177 people gave blood with 154 total pints being collected.

(Photo by Ellen Bruce).

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6.

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7.

9.

7. In John Butcher’s fifth hour Jewelry I class, sophomore Muhammed Faseeh-Chatta learns to cut metal by making a book mark.

“Jewelry is a fun class because I like working with metal and being creative,” Chatta said.

(Photo by Nicky Lentsch).

8. During math teacher Sarah-Nicole Harper’s Geometry class, freshman Grady Vap participates in an activity involving stations about special triangles. “I liked this activity because it was pretty easy and fun to go through the stations,” Vap said. (Photo by Madi Allen).

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8.

10.

9. Shooting in the Commons, sophomore Jace Gillis takes a picture for a project. The assignment was to learn about basic camera functions. “It was a fun experience because you got to take pictures of anything you thought was interesting,” Gillis said. (Photo

by TJ Vore).

10. During Melanie Mikel’s fifth hour Painting I class, sophomore Payton Williams learns the proper way to mix paints. Williams was working on her still life project. (Photo by Nicky Lentsch).

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11.

12.

11. Rallying her team, bowling coach and science teacher Sarah Derks talks to the varsity girls bowling team at their first meet of the year. The team had their season opener at Olathe Lanes East Bowling Center in Olathe Jan. 11. (Photo by Jack Oxley).

12. During sixth hour Anatomy and Physiology, teacher Keri Schumacher shows students the major arteries in a pig heart.

Students had to cut open the heart of a pig and point out the major arteries and how they function. “The purpose of the lab was to see the physical structures of the heart that we have been learning about,” Schumacher said. “We used pig hearts because they are the closest to a human heart.” (Photo by TJ Vore).

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Finding a Home

BY SARA ROONEY

At Wayside Waifs, junior Zoe Lauer interacts with a shelter dog named Piggy. Piggy is wearing one of the bandannas Lauer donated. (Photo by Ellen Bruce).

BVNW students volunteer their time at local animal shelter Wayside Waifs in hopes of helping the animals get adopted.

B

rownie, Fargo, Milo and Sunny are four of the 70 dogs currently up for adoption at the Kansas City location of Wayside Waifs. This animal shelter is where senior Ella NordellMorris and junior Mackenzie Clark have spent time as animal socializers.

Nordell-Morris said she has volunteered at the shelter for six years now and has been a cat and dog socializer. Pet socializers work directly with the animals by playing with them and fulfilling their basic needs.

“We got my cat from Wayside Waifs a really long time ago and so I knew that you could volunteer there,” Nordell-Morris said. “I just started because I wanted to and it seemed like a good thing.”

Clark said she is a dog socializer and has volunteered since September. In order to volunteer at Wayside Waifs, Clark said volunteers must commit to two hours of volunteering per week for three months.

Multiple classes are required in order to volunteer.

“You first go to an introduction class and then you go to classes where they specifically explain the types of jobs you can volunteer for,” Clark said. “Then you

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choose the job of your choice and are trained in the area you chose.”

Nordell-Morris said the adoption process at Wayside Waifs begins with a person finding a dog of their interest. They are then introduced to the dog and given the opportunity to begin the finalization of the adoption process. She said the next step in the adoption process is to introduce any current animals in the home to the animal.

A series of medical exams are done before the animal is adopted. After the series of steps are completed, the animal is ready to be adopted.

Junior Zoe Lauer said shelters, such as Wayside Waifs, make sure a dog is a good fit for the family before they complete the adoption process.

“Animal shelters keep track of what the dogs look like and act like so that they can post that on the website so people that want to adopt can already have an idea of what the dog is like and how they will act around certain families,” Lauer said. “That helps with the adoption process.”

To help shelter dogs increase their chances of being adopted, Lauer said she created her project, Houndannas, which are bandannas for dogs. Lauer began the

The Express | Issue 5 | February 2017

project to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, which is similar to the Eagle Scout Award for Boy Scouts. Lauer said the award requires 80 hours of community service, which she achieved.

“I wanted to do it so that the dogs would have a better chance of being adopted.”

Lauer said. “If they look presentable, they look ready to be adopted.”

Although Lauer said she already considered making the bandannas for her Gold Award, a separate project inspired her to solidify the project.

“I just love dogs in general so helping any animal shelters would be nice,” Lauer said.

Clark said adopting dogs from a shelter is important.

“Not only is it cheaper to adopt rather than buy, you know you’re getting an animal that really needs a home,” Clark said. “Dogs at Wayside Waifs need to be adopted and have either been out on the street or they were abandoned by their family, I think they need a home more [than bred dogs].”

Nordell-Morris said volunteering not only benefits the shelter, but also the volunteers themselves.

“It’s obviously great to go out and volunteer and it is just something I enjoy so I can volunteer and at the same time enjoy what I’m doing,” Nordell-Morris said. “It’s also relaxing just to hang out with cats and dogs all the time.”

* Information from WaysideWaifs.com

Wayside Waifs Statistics Wayside Waifs can shelter up to 800 animals.

*

ANIMAL SHELTER

need home

In 2011, Wayside cared for more than 6,500 abandoned, abused and homeless pets.

The Express | Issue 5 | February 2017

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CHALLENGING GENDER

By Anna Levine (Photo illustration by Kaitlyn Noon).

As more people explore their gender identities, the transgender community gains acceptance.

I

n recent years, gender and gender identity have become recognized by society as spectrums and not black-and-white as they were viewed in the past. With the inclusion of transgender model Hari Nef in L’Oreal’s new campaign and transgender hockey player Harrison Browne’s acceptance in the National Women’s Hockey League, respect for those outside of the gender binary seems to be on the rise.

2014 BVNW graduate Dorian Greer identifies as agender (a lack of identification with any gender) and uses they/them pronouns. Greer came out to the Gender Sexuality Alliance during their time at Northwest as trans masculine. Trans masculine is identifying out of the traditional binary, but presenting in a masculine manner. Despite their openness about their identity, they said not everyone at school was accepting.

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Editor’s Note: The Express is following Associated Press style that says “Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics of the opposite sex or present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth. If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly.”

“Even people in the GSA were very, ‘oh well you wear dresses, how could you be trans if you wear dresses?’” Greer said. “I also found myself forcing myself to be as masculine as possible to the point that it was uncomfortable, because of that reaction.”

Greer said that a common problem among people they came out to was the fact that most people were not well-informed about what different gender identities mean.

“Not to necessarily bash the children who were raised in the spaces that they were, but a lot of people are very uninformed,” Greer said.

“A lot of people were judgemental, but not necessarily from a space of hate, but a space of ignorance.”

Another member of the transgender community at BVNW is junior Griffin Mathews.

He came out as a transgender male his freshman year of high school, which he said he found to be a mostly positive experience.

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“[Coming out] was actually pretty easy,” Mathews said. “The school was really accepting. My parents and friends were all super cool with it. The teachers and staff handled it really well, but some of the kids were a little wary at first, I think. There was some negative comments said but that kind of cleared up once people were kind of educated.”

At Mathew’s home, he is still referred to with feminine pronouns, but his mother, Liz Mathews, said the family has been overall accepting.

“I’ve been raising her for 16 years, so I don’t just flip overnight,” Liz said. “But I call her ‘Gee’ instead of Griffin.”

Mathews said he is understanding when it comes to feminine pronouns at home because he was raised as a female. Liz said referring to Mathews as “Gee” has been well-received.

“We’ve been pretty accepting...” Liz said. “We love her no matter what, so that’s really gone pretty well.”

A guide to pronouns •She/her: referring to someone who identifies as female. Example:

“When you have somebody who breaks [gender] boundaries down, it’s really difficult for people to understand because our culture is so ingrained in gender.”

“She goes to BVNW.”

-Monica Symes, BVNW Psychologist

•They/them: referring

Even with a positive experience coming out, Mathews said that people could have been more understanding and knowledgeable about what it means to be transgender.

“It would have been a lot better if I actually educated the people [I came out to] a little bit more, cause some people didn’t really understand where I was coming from,” Mathews said. “I think if I actually sat down and told them what trans people are...it would have been a lot easier for them to understand.”

BVNW psychologist Monica Symes said that for people to understand the different genders on the spectrum, education on different ideas and ways of self-expression should come first.

“I think [number] one is education, and sharing and being open to ideas and being open to selfexpression, cause it goes so much deeper than just gender,” Symes said. “I think being respectful and empathetic of individuals and who they are and seeing them as a person and not their gender, and to embrace differences, and to see differences as not a threat but a way of enlightening all of us...I think that’s really important.”

Symes said she wanted to highlight that students are welcome to come to her or any counselors and social workers at BVNW. “I think sometimes students see their counselors as people who set up their schedule, and yes, they do that, but they also have training and are able to do a good job of dealing with social [and] emotional concerns like that,” Symes said.

Greer said it is important to accept transgender and gender-nonconforming students in a school environment.

“Having safe spaces for trans students is

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

•He/him: referring to someone who identifies as male. Example:

“He goes to BVNW.”

to someone who identifies as nonbinary. Example:

“They go to BVNW.”

“. . . I don’t think a lot of people like using (they/ them) because it’s not a singular pronoun, But it’s still a pronoun that’s going to respect the people who use it, so they need to.”

-Griffin Mathews *There are many more pronouns, but these are the ones most commonly used.

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The pants mnemonic •Sex: what is in your pants •Gender identity: what pants you would like to wear •Gender expression: what pants you are wearing •sexual orientation: whose pants you want to get into

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This mnemonic was provided by school psychologist Monica Symes. The analogy was used in a presentation to BVNW staff members about gender identity.

important,” Greer said. “If you notice that someone is exploring their gender...finding what they need and moving forward from there is extremely important.”

Symes said society puts a huge emphasis on traditional gender roles. She said she thinks it can be difficult for people to accept someone who does not fit into traditional gender roles. She said she thinks it can be difficult for people to accept someone who does not conform to the traditional gender binary.

“When you have somebody who kind of breaks those boundaries down, it’s really difficult for people to understand because our culture is so ingrained in gender,” Symes said.

Mathews said he thinks being a good person is more than simply addressing someone by their

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

Junior Griffin Mathews wears a name tag indicating his preferred pronouns.

(Photo by Jack Oxley).

preferred pronouns. Mathews said acceptance of someone’s identity as a whole is crucial. “[Using the right pronouns] is something that you have to do because in order to respect that person you have to respect their pronouns and gender,” Mathews said. “[Being transgender] is not a fad or just something cool. It’s [someone’s] identity and you gotta respect that.”

Symes said the biggest piece of advice she would give to people at BVNW is for both students and teachers to be willing to hear new ideas about gender and gender identities.

“My advice would be to approach it with an open mind,” Symes said. “There’s a lot of preconceived notions.”

Symes said as the district progresses and educates employees, awareness will become

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

more prevalent. She said mental health is also an important aspect to keep in mind, and that many of the students she speaks with do not come to her until they are experiencing more serious issues.

“Ignorance is an enemy,” Symes said. “...I think the more all of us know [about gender identity] in general leads to better mental health.”

Despite what reactions other people may have to say about gender identity or self-expression, Greer said people should experiment with their identities.

“If you want to chop all your hair off be a little careful cause you’re in high school, but it is so fun,” Greer said. “Honestly if you want to try a skirt on, even if it’s like kind of a joke, go for it and look at yourself. Look in the mirror. Take it all in, babe.

Really let yourself get out there, to the extent that you can and will be safe.”

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BY XIQING WANG

Donut King

2320 Armour Rd, North Kansas City, MO 64116

Donut King gives off small-town, traditional doughnut shop vibes.

Pricing doughnuts at $1 a piece and $10 a dozen, their doughnut game is both solid and economical.

The store itself is very small, with one long table with a few chairs constituting the seating area. They offer an overwhelming variety of doughnuts ranging from flavors like plain to seasonal specials like red velvet and spice cake, in addition to other pastries like cupcakes. I chose the red velvet cake doughnut. The doughnut itself was very sweet, and it definitely toed the line of being overly sweet.

The cake itself was moist and dense, but looking at the doughnut, I noticed its inconsistency in

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Three doughnut shops in Kansas City were visited and rated on the basis of doughnut presentation, doughnut taste, pricing and store atmosphere.

The total score for each doughnut shop is given out of five doughnuts and is based on the average of each restaurant’s four subscores.

These doughnuts are from the Doughnut Lounge in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Nicky Lentsch).

texture. Nevertheless, Donut King is a budget-friendly option when seeking a higher quality doughnut than mainstream chains such as Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’ Donuts.

The store’s main appeal is in its price-to-quality ratio rather than its atmosphere.

Presentation: 3/5 Taste: 3/5 Price: 5/5 Atmosphere: 2/5 Total: 3.25/5 THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

Donutology

1009 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111 Donutology stands at the cross section of the logic and ingenuity of Bill Nye the Science Guy and the childlike creativity of Master Chef Junior. Rows of colorful Erlenmeyer flasks line the counters in the shop; doughnuts and geometric shapes form vibrant murals symbolic of a starry galaxy. Globular, blackrimmed, vintage-looking light bulbs hang from multicolored wires attached to sleek, black pipes. The environment of Donutology may be a science hipster’s dream, but the doughnuts - arguably the most important component of a doughnut shop - could attract virtually anyone. They offer a “Build Your Own Donut” (BYOD)

in addition to regular-sized, pre-made doughnuts. The BYOD ordering process is simple: grab an ordering sheet, indicate the number of mini doughnuts that you want and for each doughnut, mark the cake, icing, topping and drizzle of your creation. The one downside to this is that only four types of cake are offered - white, chocolate, blueberry and seasonal specials - and the chocolate and blueberry flavors are only available on Saturdays and Sundays. However, there are a plethora of icings, toppings and drizzles available to choose from.

I decided on three customized doughnuts, and paid $2.25.

Overall, the doughnuts were good, but not amazing, and they

were more centered around customizability than taste. At Donutology, every doughnut is unique to the customer, which, conceptually, exceeded my expectations. Holistically, Donutology ranks the highest.

*For more information on Donutology, check out the story Husky Headlines did now available on BVNWnews.com.

Presentation: 5/5 Taste: 3/5 Price: 4/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Total: 4.25/5

Doughnut Lounge

4117 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111

Going to Doughnut Lounge felt like entering a Caribou Coffee and a J. Alexander’s all at once. The entrance’s woodsy theme is cute, but looking a little deeper into the store, something just seems a little out of place. There is a bar located directly to the left of the doughnut display cases and the register. The walls are abstractly painted with bright colors and juxtaposed awkwardly with a classy but massive black leather booth. The rest of the seating area and front of the store is comprised of wood furniture and vintage light bulbs. The sharp transitions between the doughnut showcases, the seating area and the bar were awkward

and confusing rather than smoothly eclectic. In comparison to Donutology’s consistent theme, the environment of Doughnut Lounge felt disjointed. However, while the atmosphere felt a little wrong to me, the doughnuts felt relatively right. Offering classics at $1.75 each and signatures at $3.25 a doughnut, Doughnut Lounge makes for an expensive but interesting doughnut-eating experience. This store offers raised, cake, gluten free and vegan options, with flavors ranging from glazed to Dolly (cheese custard, root beer glaze and fresh basil). I especially liked the variety of their menu items. I tried two classics, orange chocolate and apple

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

Presentation: 4/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 3/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Total: 4/5 cider, and one signature, boston cream. The doughnuts were well balanced, and each cake was simultaneously fluffy enough and dense enough. The doughnuts were also sweet, but not overly sweet - something that is rare to taste. All in all, Doughnut Lounge makes high-quality, innovative doughnuts, and while I would repurchase their doughnuts, you would not find me lounging around too often in this restaurant.

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LIFE STYLED

BY Sara Rooney & Nicky LEntsch

jean jacket

Available at: american eagle, pacsun and urban outfitters price range: $20-$80

The jean jacket is a 90s comeback and can be worn with most outfits.

The jean jacket is a lightweight denim jacket that can be worn with anything from a casual jean outfit to a dress. Jean jackets can be purchased at many stores and they can even be found at thrift stores.

Thrifting a jean jacket would be an affordable way to get one that is gently used and still wearable.

Burgundy Lipstick

Available at: Mac, Sephora, CVS, target and Walgreens price range: $20-$80

Burgundy lipstick was a major hit in the 90s. Actress Drew Barrymore was a key star in starting this trend.

The color burgundy has become so popular in not only lipstick, but clothing too as it was the color of the season in 2016. Burgundy lipstick can make an average outfit exciting.

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Top Left: Junior Sophia Perkin models a jean jacket from an online store with a singer Kanye West-inspired graphic on the back. (Photo by Nicky Lentsch).

Top Right: Perkin models a leather jacket. Leather jackets are available at various retailers including Free People, Forever 21, Nordstrom and Top Shop. (Photo by Nicky Lentsch).

Bottom Right: Levi jeans are folded to display the label. (Photo by Nicky Lentsch).

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

Leather Jacket

Available at: Free People, FOrever 21, nordstrom and top shop price range: $20-$80 Another key trend coming back from the 90s is the leather jacket. Influenced by the military, leather jackets have been around since the 1920s and haven’t gone out of style since. However, they found their peak in the 1950s, ‘80s and ‘90s with a big comeback in 2008 and again in 2016. The leather jacket has journeyed from the military,

‘50s heartthrob, punk, 80s popstar and grunge to today’s more modern look. Given the timelessness of this trend, it’s an investment piece that should be kept, as it never goes out of style. Leather jackets can be layered over simple shirts and are perfect in the winter in place of a big heavy coat.

Levi Jeans

Available at: Nordstrom, thrift stores and etsy price range: $50-$180 The classic Levi jeans have been around since the 1870s.

Although Levis have always been popular in the 80s they took a backseat to designer brands. This all changed in the 90s. The 501 men’s Levis were being worn by women which reflects the boyfriend style that is popular today. Levis come in many styles from a boyfriend style to a skinny style and can be paired with anything. The distressed, rustic look that Levi

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

jeans exhibit are one of the key aspects of their popularity then and now. Levi has a vintage style of jeans offered mimicking the exact style worn in the 90s.

25

OPINION THE HARD-HITTING TRUTH

A

beloved athlete in the sports world, Bo Jackson, recently voiced his concerns about the dangers of football. Jackson said he “would have never played football” and “there’s no way [he] would ever allow [his] kids to play football today” if he knew everything that has recently surfaced about the lasting effects of head injuries. Coming from arguably the best athlete to ever live, this should be a wakeup call to Americans that the game we love is not safe.

It is important to address the fact that obviously football isn’t the only sport where concussions are common.

However, it is one of the only sports where direct head-to-head contact is a part of literally every play. With that being said, youth football has seen a dramatic decrease in participation in the past five years, and rightfully so.

But, parents continue to start kids out in football at ages where they are nowhere near comprehending the full repercussions of playing a seemingly innocent game.

Why are we allowing kids who barely know how to read and write to tackle other kids by any means necessary?

These kids, who don’t know any better,

BY BEN BROWN

just want to play a game with their friends, which seems harmless.

Let’s face it, nine year olds aren’t known for being the hardest hitters. However, we may want to rethink this notion of “harmless” youth football based off of a popular show “Friday Night Tykes.”

This show goes in-depth about teams in the Texas Youth Football Association, where countless head injuries are shown regularly, spanning anywhere from mild concussions to hits to the head that end kids’ careers.

These are kids in elementary school who are getting hit so hard they have to be rushed to a hospital.

Seems a little extreme doesn’t it? This TV series proves that as kids continue to get bigger and stronger at younger ages, head injuries become more significant and frequent.

Jackson is one of countless former NFL players who have come out against football. Others like the late Junior Seau endured a much harder outcome, suffering from chronic brain damage that led to suicide. These memorable players are proof that no matter how much enjoyment or money comes from football, none of that is worth players’ lives being completely altered for the worse.

While football may be here to stay, we at least need to explore safer options, such as flag football, where kids are taught necessary skills to build a solid fundamental foundation.

At the very least, we need to reassess the age at which kids are able to make a conscious decision with their parents about whether the benefits of football outweigh the risks.

(Illustration by Eden Kurr).

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THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

Submit photography, art, and written work such as poetry, short stories and lyrics bvnwmuse@gmail.com khillstock@bluevalleyk12.org Room 110

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

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

PHONE: (913)-514-4383

27

AMERICA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL INVITES YOU TO TOUR OUR CAMPUS

Tour our state-of-the-art facilities and residence halls, learn what it’s like to be a student at American’s most influential art and design school, and experience the energy of Chicago, our urban campus.

To reserve your space or to tour SAIC’s campus online, visit: Undergraduate Admissions | 312.629.6100 | ugadmiss@saic.edu

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saic.edu/tour

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

STAFF EDITORIAL Disagree, respectfully We are in the middle of a class discussion about politics when someone states an opinion that we strongly disagree with. It would be easy to jump in and state our own beliefs and quickly get into a heated argument. Before criticizing, stop and think.

Are we really as open-minded as we believe ourselves to be?

It’s easy to say that we have an open mind when we surround ourselves with only the opinions of those we agree with.

If we only read or hear one side of an issue, we aren’t in a good position to have a discussion about it.

We know it’s not wise to go into a final exam without studying the material. The same goes for a controversial discussion.

We should never get into a conversation without knowing what we’re talking about and being prepared to respect other’s opinions. We don’t have to agree with their opinions, but we do have to respect the people themselves.

The election of President Trump was very polarizing to the country, and that polarization translated back to BVNW in

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

the form of heated disagreements.

There’s a difference between politely disagreeing and blatantly attacking someone for their views. If we never give someone a chance to speak up, we forfeit our opportunity to be credible and respectable. By allowing others to state their views and by listening and respecting their right to those viewpoints, we gain their trust.

It’s OK to disagree. It’s OK to challenge someone’s viewpoint. Just make sure we are still listening to them and valuing them as a person. We don’t have to value their opinion, we do have to value them as people. Don’t let disagreements over controversial issues get in the way of friendships.

Respect is important to us in any discussion, especially those of political opinions. We need to respect others around us and their right to have their own views, and we need to respect ourselves enough and to be confident enough in our own opinions to be respectful to others, regardless of their opinions.

29

Express Your Love

The

BY Kaitlyn Noon

Cut out these Valentines day cards and give them to your special someone.

you’re a gem

SHUt up & kiss me

talk nerdy to me

more than

i love you in the all the stars Sky

YODA BEST

you’re just my

You’re Hot

type

I’m stuck on you!

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hey you

THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

Puzzles Start

OKU

MAZ

SUD

E

by Brandon Fagen

6 9 1

5 3 2

Finish

2 1 3 4 2 9 3 8

6

by Brandon Fagen

7 1 2 8 4

7

1 5

6 8

9 3

4 THE EXPRESS | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2017

5

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Contact Information

Mailing address: 13260 Switzer Rd, Overland Park, KS 66213 Phone: 913-239-3544 Website: BVNWnews.com

Responding to the Publication

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

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 February issue of Volume 24. Subscription rates are $10.

The Express is printed by The Sedalia Democrat, 700 South Massachusetts, Sedalia Mo. 65301.

Disclaimer

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.

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

THE EXPRESS STAFF REPORTERS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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

Emma Bruce

MANAGING EDITOR Eden Kurr

DESIGN EDITOR Kaitlyn Noon

FEATURES EDITOR Jack Oxley

ONLINE PHOTO EDITOR Justin Lehtinen

SPORTS EDITOR

Madi Allen Ellen Bruce Jordan Devorak Nicky Lentsch TJ Vore

ASSISTANT ADVISER

Gabe Swartz

Kimberly Hillstock

CHIEF WRITER

ADVISER

Xiqing Wang

PUZZLE COORDINATOR

Jim McCrossen

Brandon Fagen

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