The Express - October Issue

BREAKING BORDERS

MOVING HALFWAY ACROSS THE WORLD AND GETTING OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONES, THESE THREE STUDENTS SHARE THEIR CULTURALENRICHING STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCES.

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VOLUME 27 • ISSUE 3 • BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST

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THE EXPRESS STAFF

EVENTS VOLLEYBALL STATE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF - ETHAN KNAUTH

NOV. 1, 2

MANAGING EDITOR - EMMA JOHNSON PRINT EDITOR - OLIVIA DOWELL

DESIGN EDITOR - BEN HOBBS

MARCHING BAND GLOW SHOW

PHOTO EDITOR - MADDIE BEISCHEL

NOV. 2

ONLINE EDITOR - MAGGIE McCREADY

A&E EDITOR - IZZE LENTFER

HOOPS FOR HOPE

OPINIONS EDITOR - BELLA RINNE

NOV. 4

SPORTS EDITOR - JONNY ISAACSON SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR - LOLA SHIPMAN

FALL PLAY

CHIEF WRITER - JENNA WEYFORTH

NOV. 7, 8

CHIEF DESIGNER - EMMA GAU

BASKETBALL GAME

ASSISTANT ADVISER - AMANDA FORD

BOYS DEC. 6

ADVISER - JIM McCROSSEN

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

BASKETBALL GAME

WRITERS

GIRLS DEC. 7

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

SWIM MEET

DEC. 10

DESIGNERS ERIN REECE - SOPHIE DELLETT

BASKETBALL GAME

ONLINE

news

BVNW @BVNWNEWS

BVNWnews.com

GIRLS DEC. 10

BAND CONCERT

DEC. 10

ORCHESTRA CONCERT DEC. 10

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Above: Lead singer of Mad Libby, Jennifer Roswold, flips her hair while performing Oct. 8. “It really shouldn’t make a difference...if you can move your fingers, sing or whatever, it doesn’t matter whether you’re male or female,” Roswold said. (Photo by Rachel Sarff) Cover: Exchange students and seniors Gabriella Alves and Charles De Meerleer pose together with the flags of their home countries, Norway and Belgium, painted on their faces. (Photo by Mitri Krishna)

BEHIND PAWS THE FOR A SCREAMS CAUSE

GAMES GALORE

THIS MOM ROCKS

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Exp. 11/30/19

ADD BVNW NEWS ADD NEWS ON BVNW SNAPCHAT ON SNAPCHAT

Exp. 11/30/19

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10.31.19 | Issue 3

STAFF EDITORIAL

I

THE TRAVELING INEQUITY

said many students had the opportunity to fundraise n some elective programs at BVNW, there are through a parent club called the Bandwagon, a group opportunities for students to travel abroad as a way that manage finances and fundraising for the program. to experience their interests in an entirely new setting The fundraising consisted of sales from coupon books, and culture. Whether it’s traveling to London with the band, Rome for Latin class or a trek across Europe with where students could raise money for their $3,400 trip.

According to Lundine, some students were able to cover a the art department, the programs at our school do not significant portion of their trip based on this method. This fall short of providing cultural enrichment for students. fundraising was optional, so it allowed students and their However, the $4000 price tag expected to be paid out of families to determine what method of payment worked pocket inhibits many students from participating in the trips. This financial burden should not deter students from best for them. The payments were also laid out over a year, which allowed for both a lower price each deadline a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and programs should and more time to gather the money, rather than only be accountable for fundraising and financial aid to allow having six to eight months to pay. students a fair opportunity to travel.

The key to solving this imbalance of privilege for all A lack of financial aid creates a divide between those organizations in terms of these huge who can afford the trip and those payments lies in an organized plan who cannot, limiting the pool “THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN with opportunity for fundraising of students who can actually SHOULD NOT DETER STUDENTS and scholarship, mimicking the participate. band’s method of payment. Providing When a trip abroad is announced FROM A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME alternative ways to pay for the trip for students in these programs, EXPERIENCE.” will help students realize the daunting only a fraction of enrolled students sticker price is not necessarily what usually participate in the trip due they will actually pay, as fundraising can cover a large to its financial burden. Orchestra director Michael Arbucci amount of the overall cost. Other organizations need said the high cost was a limiting factor for a number to do the same for their students, so they will then be of students, as less than half of the students in the two more inclined to participate in a potentially life-changing orchestras went to Germany and Switzerland for their experience abroad. international trip in June 2019.

Traveling internationally and experiencing another Likewise, only a small group of students are going culture firsthand is an indispensable experience, as it to Spain with the advanced Spanish classes; only ten allows students to better their understanding of the people out of well over a hundred eligible students are world. Having the opportunity to travel is beneficial to participating, possibly due to the hefty $4,300 price. students both in and out of the classroom, but forcing Heather Martens, Spanish teacher and coordinator of this them to pay huge amounts of money results in an trip, agreed that a lack of financial aid hindered a large exclusive group of travelers who have the money to afford number of students participating in this trip, despite it. We need to make traveling abroad strong interest expressed by students. Though there are easier for the student body to limited scholarships from the private traveling afford, and it is imperative that company, the huge cost creates a barrier each elective organization for lower-income families adopts a more and limits them from the structured and cultural experience. aid-based plan For the band’s to create equal trip to London in opportunity for December 2018, all students to band director attend.

Adam Lundine

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OPINION

THE LATEST TEEN OBSESSION: THEMSELVES

BY BELLA RINNE

I

n a world of selfies and Tik Tok fame at one’s fingertips, it’s no surprise that the ever-growing presence of social media has contributed to the recent report that teens are more narcissistic than ever. According to a research conducted

by Jean Twenge, an associate professor of psychology at San Diego State University, social networks have significantly influenced the development of narcissism in young people. Over half of college students admit either they or their peers use social networking sites for “self-promotion, narcissism, and attention-seeking.”

Whether social media is the cause or effect of inflating one’s own worth,America has been labeled as a nation with a narcissism problem.

The 21st century has marked a huge development in terms of its technology and its impact on teen life. Social media is a heavy influence on teenage entertainment and interaction, and the associated addiction leads to a multitude of effects, one of the most prominent being narcissism, both in terms of overconfidence and a need for validation.

Think about the last time you went through your Instagram feed or For You page on TikTok: how often do you see another facetuned bikini selfie or a sultry E-boy glaring at the camera in hopes to go viral? This growing obsession with oneself has astronomically increased due to one collective idea: putting one’s face online and getting a couple thousand likes equates to self-worth.

Narcissistic teens are omnipresent in the media: feeds consist of meticulously edited or photoshopped

pictures to look the “best,” girls Narcissism, spread out on a beach to show off a however, newly toned summer body, or selfies is often that are deleted if it only reaches portrayed 100 instead of 300 likes. Tik Tok is as an notoriously known to extrapolate this unhealthy drive to be known as the twisted mindset by making particular best, only focusing on oneself. In this videos “viral,” gaining hundreds of case, altering photos to shed a more thousands of views, even if it’s just a appealing light on yourself and your boy looking pretty. This addiction to lifestyle, or especially your physical posting pictures appearance, highlights of oneself to a fundamental issue in gain followers this generation: they "ENJOYING THE for validation is want to be the best, the becoming almost FLEETING MOMENTS hottest, the most athletic disturbingly and any other superlative OF AUTHENTIC common. imaginable. This growing ENGAGEMENT WILL But where is affinity for superiority BENEFIT MUCH MORE the line drawn is the driving force of between using the narcissism in today’s THAN ANY NUMBER OF social media society.

LIKES WILL." as a means of Shedding the empowerment narcissistic tendencies and becoming social media implicitly reliant on it as a measure of selfidentifies as the “norm” will not worth? Or, on the other hand, is only allow for more compassion and social media damaging body image by servitude among the new generation, making easily doctored depictions of but it teaches them that there’s more “perfection” so popular? to life than selfies. Delete facetune It’s important to determine and put the phone away: focusing on how self-esteem differs from each other and enjoying the fleeting narcissism. Self esteem is built on our moments of authentic engagement achievements and values, creating will benefit much more than any a platform for successful growth number of likes will. and reason to share it with others.

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BY RAABIA QUERESHI

Beijing’s defense, praising its human rights record. As a Muslim myself, I’m ashamed on behalf of each country which signed off on the letter in support of Beijing. It’s one thing to stay few weeks ago, Travis silent and speculate, but it’s another to Scott and Kylie Jenner willingly act as cheerleaders in support called it quits--and now of China’s gruesome behavior. that I’ve grabbed your The truth is, a collective statement attention, there are much successfully brings the issue to the more pressing matters to discuss. table, but that’s about it. No single Almost 80 years ago, the world country has taken the responsibility said “Never again” after witnessing of leading the operation because none one of the most horrendous periods of the signatories are willing to risk of time: the Holocaust. Today, that creating tension between themselves phrase is needed more than ever as and China. Clearly, economic and the Chinese government committs political interests take precedence over cultural genocide against the Uigher endangered lives.

Muslims.

In the US, the Trump Administration Within the western region of has recently imposed Chinese Xinjiang, China, officials at highly visa restrictions. Moreover, the secured compounds the Chinese administration placed sanctions on government call "voluntary resignificant government and business education camps" strip hundreds organizations assisting with China’s of thousands of Ughier Muslims of campaign to eradicate the culture of their cultural identity, both physically Uighur Muslims. and psychologically. Physical torture But none of these actions will be and sexual abuse are only two of the sufficient until the Uighurs are freed. tormenting methods that occur on a The most disappointing aspect of day-to-day basis, all in the effort of it all is, as a generation often utilizing “ridding China social media as a means of of all terrorist calling out abuse of power, and extremist "WE'RE ESSENTIALLY we are silent. China’s goal thoughts,” TOLERATING THEIR is to suppress the voices of Chinese its victims and manipulate ACTIONS AND government the world into remaining officials claim.

FALLING IN LINE WITH silent. By failing to take What is even THEIR GOAL OF OF advantage of our rights more appalling ESTABLISHING SILENCE." to free speech, we are is the deafening essentially tolerating their silence from actions and falling in line other countries. with their goal.

In July of 2019, 22 countries, mostly In the past year, a greater number Western, criticized Beijing for its of news outlets have taken deliberate "disturbing reports of large-scale measures to explore the truth about arbitrary detentions" and "widespread what’s occurring behind the gates surveillance and restrictions" of China’s so-called “re-education through a joint statement to the camps.” However, the Uigher Muslims High Commissioner of the United have been subjected to these camps for Nations’ Human Rights Council. almost four years. Why has it taken the No more than a day later, 37 mostly media four years to finally cover such a Muslim countries swooped in to gruesome violation of human rights?

A

OPINION

WHY SO SILENT?

No, the Chinese government won’t stop because of an Instagram story, but the world should be informed about what’s going on. Last April, after a devastating fire tore through Notre Dame, one of the most historically-prized cathedrals in the world, social media sprang to life. People who didn’t watch news reports of the fire on television quickly became informed of what happened. Every other Instagrammer was quick to express their concern about the partial loss of a concrete building, but they tend to turn a blind eye to the endangerment of Chinese Muslims. The worst part is that people seem to only show concern when the issue pertains to them or their values. I have yet to see somone outside Muslim culture raise awareness about the Uighers.

Now, as thousands of lives are on the line, it’s the media’s responsibility to dedicate that same energy, if not more, into spreading awareness about what’s happening to the Uigher Muslims.

Instead of remaining caught up in the news regarding stardom and other trivial matters, people should educate themselves about the issues that matter most, the ones endangering actual human lives.

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BEHIND THE

S CRE A M S

Graduating in the class of 2017, BVNW alumnus Blake Priebe acted and modeled in advertising for “American Horror Story’s” new season, “1984.”

BY MADDIE OLIVER

Design by Courtney Krebs

Priebe models in ads for the upcoming “1984” season of American Horror Story. (Photos courtesy of the FX Instagram account)

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Priebe poses for the Youtube cover photo in one of the season’s teaser trailers. (Photo Illustration by Courtney Krebs)

B

eginning his career by modeling for a Gatorade commercial at the age of 17, 2017 BVNW graduate Blake Priebe said he never thought his modeling job would journey to acting. However, Priebe ended up being cast to pose and act in the teasers for “American Horror Story: 1984” (AHS) on FX. Priebe’s talent manager, Jana Banker, said the email for the “American Horror Story” casting called for “hot, attractive guys with great bodies and fun personalities.” She said she believed Priebe would make a good fit because he is approachable and that is the type of quality people want to work with in the entertainment industry.

After receiving the casting email from Baker, Priebe said he went through the audition process and was later cast for FX. However, he said that he had no idea that the job was for “American Horror Story”, mainly because the casting was listed as “FX Summer Promo.”

During the audition, Priebe said the competition was high because there were lots of people vying for the same part he had. “[The casting directors] asked questions, took pictures and videos,” Priebe said. “There’s a ring of hundreds

of other people who are there for the same reason you are and you’re just doing what they ask to the best of your ability.”

Getting the role of the “nice guy,” Priebe said the shooting process lasted four days, which varied from eight to 12 hours on set. During filming, Priebe said due to a non-disclosure agreement, he wasn’t allowed to have technology on set; this allowed him to interact with the other actors between takes, which was a good experience for him in the long run.

“We didn’t have our phones [and] we didn’t have any service or WiFi,” Priebe said. It was honestly a really cool experience; it’s the coolest job I’ve been a part of so far within this industry.”

Seeing him in magazines and on billboards, Priebe’s mom, Suzanne Wallace said she is proud of Priebe’s accomplishments on AHS [American Horror Story] and that he has come a long way with his career.

“I am so proud of him for getting the AHS job,” Wallace said. “I was a smidge shocked [that he got the role] because

there were many modeling agencies in LA that sent models to audition. He was up against steep competition.”

Currently, Priebe said he is a sophomore at the University of Kansas studying finance. He said he isn’t studying acting because it only happened spontaneously and out of the blue. Priebe said that he wanted to balance both school and booking jobs in California, mainly because lots of actors don’t come back to finish school once they start booking jobs.

Knowing her son will accomplish much more, Wallace said that she is excited for what is coming for Priebe and that anything he pursues he will excel in.

“I am confident that whatever he chooses to pursue in the future, he will be successful,” Wallace said. “He is so smart, that whether he pursues modeling, acting, or starting his own business; he has the tools to make a difference.”

“HE WAS UP AGAINST STEEP COMPETITION.” -SUZANNE WALLACE

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FALL SPORTS SENIOR PICKS Fall sports senior leaders share their thoughts on their sport’s season thus far, and memories from Halloween.

BY IZZE LENTFER

WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR SEASON THIS YEAR?

WHAT TEAMMATE WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND?

“Becoming captain and beating Harrisonville.” --Nicholas Schwarz “Beating Harrisonville in overtime.” --Jake Dolesh “Making the game-winning catch against Harrisonville.” --Evan Ranallo “Beating SME in doubles.” --Annabelle Nitz “Probably just getting to play the sport I love with the girls on the team because it’s my last season on the team and I’ve grown up these last four years playing with them by my side so it was really sentimental for me.” --Danya Radhi “Being a senior captain playing the best I ever have before and spending time with my other senior leaders.” --Kelsey Faubion “Going to Arkansas for the XC Chile Pepper Festival.” --Gabriela Meriano “Fighting through adversity and beating the odds.” --Meiko Pearson “Breaking my record!” --Lauren Naber “Qualifying for state and getting to hang out with my friends from other schools.”

--Beth Shniderson

“John Fischbach.” --Dylan Colle “Evan Ranallo.” --Nicholas Schwarz “Nick Schwarz.” --Evan Ranallo “I would take Maddie Clark with me because she knows how to lighten a mood and make the best of a bad situation.”

--Katelyn Young “Mia.” --Alisa Prinyarux “Mia Demarea.” --Annabelle Nitz “I would probably take Annabelle Nitz because she’s a genius and I feel like if anyone could save us it would be her. She’s also one of my closest friends so I know we’d have a lot of fun.” --Danya Radhi “Lauren Naber.” --Kelsey Faubion “My sister, Alayna Pearson.” --Meiko Pearson “Beth!” --Lauren Naber “David Westerhaus, since he is an Eagle Scout.” --Rohan Chinalachaiagari “Ryan Callahan.” --Jake Dolesh “Delaney.” --Camryn Dillavou “Drew Coble.” --Jackson Million

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WHAT’S THE BEST HALLOWEEN COSTUME YOU’VE EVER HAD?

HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES IN A HAUNTED HOUSE?

“Hulk costume with muscles.” --Dylan Colle “Bob the Builder.” --Nicholas Schwarz “Hannah Montana and Lola with my sister in third grade.” --Katelyn Young “Being a inflatable cow.” Alisa Prinyarux “Ron Burgandy-5th grade.” --Brock Barthol “I wore a goat sweater with a goat head.”

--Gabriela Meriano “Sloth in a Flash costume.” --Rohan Chinalachaiagari “Poop emoji.” --Danya Radhi “Greaser from ‘The Outsiders.’” --Evan Ranallo “Monster High Doll.” --Kelsey Faubion “Elvis.” --Jackson Million

“Yeah, that was the first time I put my hand around my girlfriend. Insane.”

--Nicholas Schwarz “Accidentally kicking one of the workers who was crawling on the floor.” --Katelyn Young “A lady cussed me out because I told her she wasn’t scary!” --Brock Barthol “I absolutely hate haunted houses and one year I went through one and cried the whole way through.” --Meiko Pearson “No one knows this, but I peed my pants at the first haunted house I ever went to when I was 10.” --Lauren Naber “I once punched a random guy that tried scaring me at Haunt... I found out it was some random person there and not even someone who worked at World’s of Fun.” --Rohan Chinalachaiagari “I always peed myself when I went to The Beast downtown, lmao.” --Jackson Million

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU WILL NEVER FORGET ABOUT NORTHWEST? “The ‘family’ feel to it. I feel like Northwest has created a very close knit atmosphere where everyone for the most part feels loved and included in some sort of way and it’s really helped shape the person I’ve become these last four years.”

--Danya Radhi FOOTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

GOLF

XC

SOCCER

TENNIS

Nicholas Schwarz Jake Dolesh Evan Ranallo

Katelyn Young Meiko Pearson Camryn Dillavou

Kelsey Faubion Lauren Naber Beth Shniderson

Brock Barthol Gabriela Meriano Rohan Chinalachaiagari

Dylan Colle Jackson Million

Alisa Prinyarux Annabelle Nitz Danya Radhi

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PAWS FOR A CAUSE Through the organization K-911, freshman Carly Worden has fostered nearly 30 puppies with her family, receiving a new puppy virtually every month.

BY NATALIE POLICKY

T

he feeling of coming home to many of her foster puppies is one of the best moments of freshman Carly Worden’s day. Especially after a long day of school, Worden enjoys opening

Design by Sophie Dellett the door to see the puppies full of energy, ready to spend time with her.

The organization K-911 is a fosterbased rescue of Kansas that rescues dogs from a variety of states, primarily including Kansas, Missouri, and

Oklahoma. The Worden family fosters a puppy from K-911 every 1-3 months.

“They are one of my favorite families to work with,” K-911 founder Lindsey Lee said. “Carly is super sweet and [she] comes to the events if she can.”

Carly Worden holding one of the dogs she fosters, Oakley. Fostering the dogs has taught Worden all about “different breeds [of dogs] and how to take care of them,” Worden said. (Photo by Ethan Minter)

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Carly Worden’s dog, Joey, was a foster fail, meaning instead of getting adopted by another family, the Wordens kept him. “He was very timid and scared when he first came to our house...so we didn’t want to make him start over at a new place, so we just decided to keep him,” Worden said. (Photo by Rachel Sarff) Worden’s family decided to start fostering, Worden said, as many fostering dogs after her old dog, Oscar, puppies that come to K-911 have passed away. Oscar had lived with the contracted Parvovirus. According Worden family since Carly was born. to Lee, Parvovirus is a vaccineKristen Worden, Carly’s mother, said prevented disease that affects the dog’s that the opportunity came up to foster gastrointestinal tract and can be fatal if some of the siblings not treated. of a new puppy they Despite this, adopted from K-911, Lee said the foster “YOU DON’T HAVE TO after losing Oscar. families like the FOSTER A BUNCH OF The Worden Worden family are family had begun the reason why most PUPPIES. YOU CAN JUST began looking to of the puppies turn DO ONE IF YOU WANT adopt a new puppy, out to live end up AND SEE HOW IT WORKS and Lee suggested living. Foster families that they adopt a like the Worden WITH YOUR FAMILY, puppy from their family take the time BECAUSE IT SAVES A LOT organization. There to properly care for a OF DOGS’ LIVES.” happened to be a sick puppy and give foster home that it treatment, whereas -CARLY WORDEN most shelters do not no longer became suitable for foster have enough money puppies to live in, so to help cure the the Worden family took the litter from puppies. the foster home and took care of them.

One of the puppies fostered by “The person that was fostering their the Worden family, a Jack Russell litter at the time got mold at their terrier named Pete, grew to be a house so we had to take the litter,” family favorite, Worden said. Pete was Carly said. “And ever since then, we’ve diagnosed with Parvovirus, and the just fostered for them.”

Worden family was initially informed There are various drawbacks to that he would not make it. Today, he is

13 living with a new family and Worden noticed said that he is very happy.

Fostering can be challenging for both older dogs and puppies. Fostering is a challenge when it comes to older dogs, as they don’t get adopted as easily, Worden said Older dogs don’t get adopted as easily, Worden said. In addition to this, it is a time commitment and the foster pet owner will have to make changes to their daily routine, such as dedicating an entire room to the puppies.

Fostering puppies can also interfere with a family’s social life and when they are allowed to go outside the house.

“Sometimes I can’t have friends over at my house because we have a lot of dogs,” Worden said.

Despite this, foster owners like Worden’s family get to experience the reward of saving puppies’ lives.

The best part about fostering puppies, Worden said, is getting to play with them and learn their personality as well as watching them find new homes. The Worden family’s best moment of fostering was adopting out every puppy in their litter after 3 months.

“Once [they were] all adopted, it just made you feel happy that they all have homes,” Worden said.

In addition to this, Lee said that the main benefit families take away from fostering is that it is completely rewarding, and the foster family doesn’t lose anything from saving an animal’s life.

Worden’s family and Lee both suggest that every family should try fostering an animal at some point in life.

“It could be two dogs a year, but that’s two dogs you are saving,” Lee said.

Furthermore, Worden said that it would leave an impact on the foster family’s life because of the puppies that they save, no matter how many puppies it is.

“You don’t have to foster a bunch of puppies,” Worden said. “You can just do one if you want and see how it works with your family, because it saves a lot of dog’s lives.”

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BREAKING BORDERS

Hoping to improve their cultural foundations, three students are studying abroad this year.

BY KATHRYN CASE & JACK NITZ

Design by Erin Reece

Foreign exchange students senior Gabriella Alves and Charles De Meerleer represent their home countries of Norway and Belgium, showing their pride for their countries. (Photo by MItri Krishna)

NEXT STOP... NORTHWEST

Sharing their experiences as foreign exchange students, two seniors arrived in America a few days before the school year began and noted differences between America and their lives back home.

BY JACK NITZ

W

hen given the opportunity to come to Blue Valley Northwest this school year, seniors Gabriella Alves Tosmø, Norway and Charles De Meerleer from Hoeilaart, Belgium, made the life-changing decision, leaving their homes in Europe.

De Meerleer said he had mixed

emotions about coming to America, not exactly knowing what to expect, but eager to experience new opportunities.

Having arrived in the U.S. on Aug. 11, just four days before the start of the school year, De Meerleer said he had to quickly adapt to American life.

Alves arrived in America on July 27 and felt confident about what to

expect. “I didn’t prepare too much to come here because I felt like if I had, I would’ve held back,” Alves said. “I’d seen a lot of American movies and TV shows, so I felt like I knew a little about what to expect.”

De Meerleer’s host mother, Nancy Diebel, was able to meet De Meerleer in Belgium before he arrived. De

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Gabriella Alves warms up with a soccer ball on Oct. 15. “I like that there are a lot of activities you can choose from, [in Norway] if you wanted to do something you had to do it outside of school,” Alves said. (Photo by Maddie Clark) Meerleer’s grandmother was an exchange student who lived with Diebel’s great grandparents many years ago.

Diebel, who has two children who previously graduated from BVNW, said it was an adjustment for her and her husband, but she loves having another teenager in the house.

“The whole BVNW community has been very welcoming to Charles and that has been great,”Diebel said. “Charleshad never watched a football game until he came here, but he’s become a big fan.”

Alves’ host sister, sophomore Aniela Cabrera, said she was very excited when she found out Alves was going to be living with her for the year. When arriving, Cabrera said she and Alves connected easily despite different backgrounds.

“The first time I met Gabriella was through a Skype call and I was nervous that there would be a communication barrier,” Cabrera said. “When she arrived, I realized that her English was great, but I did teach her some of the English slang that she didn’t understand.”

Having studied English school in Norway, Alves said she didn’t have any struggles communicating when she came to America. English isn’t the native language in Norway, but Alves said by studying it in school, she has become nearly fluent.

Belgium’s main languages are Dutch and French causing De Meerleer to face a language barrier that he said wasn’t difficult to overcome. Also being multilingual has given De Meerleer an advantage,with the abilityto speak French,

Charles de Meerleer cheers with friends at a varsity football game on Oct. 11. De Meerleer said that his favorite part of BVNW is the school spirit and being able to get involved by going to the sporting events. (Photo by Maddie Clark)

Dutch, German and English.

“I’ve studied English since eighth grade, so it isn’t too hard for me to speak,” De Meerleer said. “There are some times when I have to translate a word or find a good synonym.”

The seamless transition into a foreign culture was something Alves and De Meerleer said they appreciated.

“The transition was pretty quick and people were really nice,” De Meerleer said. “[My friends] helped me a lot with getting to know everything and showing me around school, proposing places to eat, and stuff like that.”

“Everybody at this school was very nice and helpful so I felt very welcomed here,” Alves said. “Also, the weather when I got here was very nice and warm and I loved that.”

Alves is planning on trying out for the BVNW soccer team in the spring, continuing one of her favorite activities from Norway.

The differences between the accessibility of transportation in Kansas compared to their respective countries was something Alves and De Meerleer mentioned.

“You never see people walking here, because they drive to go everywhere,”

Alves said. “Back in Norway, people either use public transportation or walk to get places.” “Here in America, teenagers are very lucky because they are able to drive when they are 16,” De Meerleer said. “Back in Belgium, you have to be 18 to drive but here you can drive wherever you want.”

Alves and De Meerleer said that being thousands of miles away from their family has been one of the hardest changes, but the pair are able to contact their families a few times a week.

“There have been a lot of times where I’ve been very homesick,” Alves said.

“My birthday week was very difficult to get through, because it was hard to not spend it with my family back home.”

Having high hopes for the school year, Alves and De Meerleer believe being an exchange student has been and will continue to be advantageous to their respective futures by exposing them to many perspectives on life.

“I believe that my experiences as an exchange student can be very beneficial for me,” De Meerleer said. “I’ve improved my English skills and I’m challenged socially every nday.”

“I hope that being an exchange student will help me out in the future,” Alves said. “Being a foreign exchange student, you’re kind of living on your own in a way and I think that has helped me grow

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LIFE OUTSIDE THE LINES

Traveling to a completely new continent and scarcely understanding the language spoken there, a junior is spending her second to last year of high school studying abroad in Germany.

BY KATHRYN CASE Deciding to move across the world and leaving everything behind, this may seem unfathomable to some highschool students, but not to junior Lauren Briscoe, who is spending this school year studying abroad in Husum, Germany.

Having grown up listening to stories about her father, Chad Briscoe, who also was a foreign exchange student in Rio De Janeiro, inspired Briscoe to also study abroad. She said she wanted to experience the same wonderful things her father did.

When Briscoe first mentioned traveling to her mother, Kris Briscoe, she was interested in studying abroad, her initial reaction was absolutely not, Briscoe said, but she eventually came around to the idea. “[Lauren] reminded me how responsible she is and how she handled

things on her own most of the time here,” Kris said. “Her dad was also an exchange student and it was a good experience for him and Lauren told me she wanted the same opportunity as he had had.”

After Briscoe decided she would also like to experience studying in a different country, she said there were multiple steps needing to be taken in order to make this dream a reality, such as filling out forms, writing essays and multiple doctor visits.

When Briscoe got the news she was accepted into Youth For Understanding, an international educational exchange organization, she said she was anxious to move, but knew that it would be a great experience.

“I was nervous, but at the same time I was pretty excited. I didn’t know what would happen when I got there and

Lauren Briscoe canoes with friends on Aug. 24. Briscoe said the people in Germany have been super welcoming. “They invite me to everything so that I can get to know them more,” Briscoe said. (Photo courtesy of Lauren Briscoe)

everything would be new,” Briscoe said.

Before she left, Chad said he gave her some advice and told her to make the most of her time while she was over there.

“I told her to take advantage of every opportunity that she had. Even if she wasn’t sure or didn’t think it’d be fun, she is still getting the chance to try something different,” Chad said.

Despite her worries about living in a new environment, Briscoe said when she first arrived in Germany, it was quite similar to America.

“It wasn’t as different as you’d expect,” Briscoe said. “It is pretty clean, extremely peaceful and everyone is super nice and helpful.”

After the first couple of weeks of living life in Germany, Briscoe said she started to get accustomed to her new school, Husum Gymnasium, where the exchange students mostly did orientation and got adjusted to the language change. Briscoe said she didn’t do much language preparation before moving, because she wanted to learn the native language while staying in Germany “For the first three weeks there we had a language orientation,” Briscoe said. “Our class mostly messed around, but we learned quite a bit in three weeks. However, we definitely weren’t creating our own sentences and asking questions by the time we were done.”

As the first couple of weeks went by with Briscoe being away from home, Kris Briscoe said she thought about her constantly and naturally worried, but knew her daughter was learning important life lessons.

“I don’t think you can ever have a world perspective unless you have learned to walk in someone else’s shoes,” Kris said. “Additionally, I think it’s taught her a huge amount of flexibility and diplomacy in dealing

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Lauren Briscoe poses for a photo with her first host family during her three week language course on Aug. 18. Briscoe said that people in Germany were super excited to have classes with her. “They want to help me learn a lot, so I can have a fun time here,” Briscoe said. (Photo courtesy of Lauren Briscoe) with situations.” to know multiple languages and will Being in Germany, Briscoe said give me more opportunities,” Briscoe has allowed her to experience first said. “I think it will look good on hand the similarities and differences applications to show I took in a new compared to life in America. In culture and I am not afraid to take Germany, Briscoe said their lives aren’t risks and seek out challenges.” as busy compared Having also to America and studied abroad, “WHAT I LOVE IS THAT IT’S there is more Chad said he hopes time to relax. she learns some of PEACEFUL HERE, THERE IS “What I love is the lessons he also PEACE AND QUIET MOSTLY that it’s peaceful experienced.

EVERYWHERE YOU GO.” here,” Briscoe “You learn to be said. “There independent and -LAUREN BRISCOE is peace and make decisions, but quiet mostly you also learn the everywhere you go.” consequences of your decision,” Chad When it comes to environmental Briscoe said. “You are making your health, Germany is far more advanced own decisions and have to figure it out than America, Briscoe said. The use of yourself.” renewable energy is much larger than Taking great pride in her daughters in America, Briscoe said, and Germans outgoingness, Kris said she hopes prefer to walk or bike compared to Lauren gains a new perspective of life driving. away from Overland Park.

“It’s really expensive to get your “I hope she gains a more realistic license here, because they don’t want picture of what the world is like,” Kris to make it seem like you need a car for said. “I feel like in Overland Park we everything,” Briscoe said. have a very unrealistic but beautiful For her future plans, Briscoe said picture of life here. I hope she gets a she is certain that this experience chance to see the way lots of people live of studying abroad will be beneficial in different ways.” towards her future carriers.

Living in a new continent as a “For future jobs, it will be important teenager, Briscoe said has showed her

a variety of obstacles she wouldn’t have faced otherwise.

“It’s taught me how extremely difficult life can be. Eventually I’ll overcome the language barrier, but it will take time and getting frustrated isn’t the answer,” Briscoe said. “It’s also a completely different and new experience that many people don’t take. Instead of just learning about a culture from a book or movie, I’m actually there and learning their ways of life.”

FOR THE ACTOR’S BENEFIT

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BY OLIVIA DOWELL

Design by: Emma Gau

With two plays coming up as well as the musical this winter, BVNW students work behind the scenes of the shows, along with the actors and theater teacher Steve Landes.

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hile senior Nikhil Mathur wants to do work with commercial aviation upon graduation, he said the skills he has picked up from his work on tech crew to adapt to sudden changes such as quick turn arounds between sets or a part of the show being completely changed, that he will have to have as his future career as a pilot.

“It gives me an ability to adapt and react quickly to things changing,” Mathur said. “Things change so quickly and sometimes lines are skipped or something breaks, and I have to deal with it instantly.”

Technical theater, or tech crew, works with everything goes on behind the stage, Mathur said. There are sub-groups in tech crew, Mathur said, including stage crew, which works with changing everything between scenes.

Then there is the production crew, which Mathur is mainly in-charge of, which works with mics as well as lighting for the production itself.

After becoming involved with tech crew as a seventh-grader at Harmony Middle, Mathur wanted to continue working with the tech crew once he began high school. He said he worked the spotlight in his first high school

production for “Aida”, the musical The time the tech crew begins work produced by BVNW in, February 2017. with a show depends on the length of There are no prerequisites for the show, with three days for a small joining tech crew and the application play or three weeks for a musical. process includes giving their With the shorter amount of time they availability for the schedule of the have to work compared to the actors, show, Mathur said. For him as a Mathur said working on the tech crew freshman, he said can be stressful, the joining the tech crew people he works with was very open and makes it enjoyable “I lOVE MY CREW AND easy for him. While and fun.

WORKING WITH THE they want to try “I love my crew and find a spot for and working with the PEOPLE WHO DO IT everyone wanting to people who do it and AND JUST HAVING FUN work on the show, just having fun along Mathur said they the way,” Mathur ALONG THE WAY.” sometimes have up said. “Everything we -NIKHIL MATHUR to 20 students trying do is for the actor’s to get a spot on the benefit.” show.

Senior Ava Choir teacher Beth Andersen starred as Richey-Sullivan doesn’t work with the a kleptomaniac named Pearl in act one musical or plays, but said she has seen and a teenager obsessed with Shawn a lot of the tech crew’s work and how Mendes in act two of the play, “Check, they coordinate with her for Husky Please” on Oct. 17 and 18. As she has Showcase and other choir concerts been involved in theater productions throughout the year. all four years of her time at BVNW, “They are so incredibly responsible,” Andersen said she appreciates all the Richey-Sullivan said. “Anytime I asked tech crew does for the shows in limited for a change it happened quickly time and believes they should receive and immediately. It surprises me more recognition. sometimes that high schoolers are so “Everyone on tech crew is so awesome.” dedicated and I’m so thankful for them because we honestly couldn’t have a show without them,” Andersen said.

“I wish that we would give them more recognition because I think they do as much, if not more than the actors on stage.”

If students would like to get involved with tech crew or one of the groups within it, Mathur said they are always willing to take on new members.

“If you’re interested, we’d love to have you in the chat and get you on the show,” Mathur said. “It’s a ton of fun, you get to do some cool things that a lot of kids don’t ever really see.”

Junior Declan Franey and Mr.Landes work on the sound for the show. “Doing tech like sound and lights is really cool because you get to watch the show while also helping it. It’s fairly stressful, because messing up can really hurt the show, but with this being my first time doing it, I really enjoyed it.”(Photo by Mitri Krishna).

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HUSKY HIGHLIGHTS Junior Charles Poolman rehearses for Chamber choir alongside senior Rohan Chinalachaiagari. “[Choir] has given me a new perspective and amazing people that I can spend my time with,” Poolman said. (Photo by Rachel Sarff) Sophomore Sam Shoemaker plays the guitar with the Big Dog Jazz Band. “My favorite part about being in the jazz band is the freedom of expression in the music.

There isn’t anything tying you down to the page, except chord changes and an idea of a melody. It’s like you are the only ones in the room and the music just flows freely,” Shoemaker said. (Photo by Mitri Krishna)

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HUSKY HIGHLIGHTS Freshman Reese Gaston sketches her three point perspective project to better represent how people visualize things in real life on Oct. 14. “At first it’s kind of hard, but then you get the hang of it, so it makes it fun,” Gaston said. (Photo

by Alyssa Peterson) Senior Adam Wilcutt and The Howlin’ Husky Marching Band walk through the hallways during the Dawg Walk on Sept. 27. “My favorite part of the BVNW Band is the environment it creates. Once you join the band and get to know everyone, you put yourself into a 200+ people family that all loves you and doesn’t judge you for your problems and your differences,” Wilcutt said. (Photo by Mitri Krishna)

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Senior Julia Boepple signs the Husky paw located by the senior doors. “It is something I looked forward to since I was a freshman because it marks the start of a new era,” Boepple said. (Photo by Rachel Sarff) Sophomore Jack Rost prepares to release his egg drop project above the main staircase during Michaelyn Podany’s seventh hour Physical Science class on Oct. 9.

Rost said that the goal of this project was to protect the egg while dropping it from different heights, “I like that it was hands on, and you could choose what you wanted to build,” Rost said. (Photo by Maddie Clark)

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HUSKY HIGHLIGHTS Junior Katelyn Foster plays the piano with the Big Dog Jazz Band. “I really enjoy this class because it’s a nice break in my day where I can forget about all the tests and quizzes and just play some jazz. It’s my favorite class, besides yearbook of course,” Foster said. (Photo by Mitri Krishna) Senior Jake Dolesh cheers at the Homecoming Spirit Assembly. “It was different for me as a senior because it was my last homecoming assembly and I wanted to have fun and enjoy everything going on since I wouldn’t have another one,” Dolesh said. (Photo by Rachel Sarff)

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Junior Alton Stanford observes the eco-column he made in AP Environmental Science. “[My favorite part about APES] is the interaction with all the nature,” Stanford said. (Photo by Emma Johnson) Sophomore Cameron Naber participates in the fire lab in Taylor Hogan’s 6th hour Chemistry class. “My favorite part of the experiment was to burn the elements to reveal the colors they would produce,” Naber said. (Photo by Rachel Sarff)

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Sophomore Olivia Ryan does paperwork for her family’s game business. “It’s just something fun we can work on, it helps my family and I get some extra money,” Ryan said. (Photo by Savannah Bridges)

GAMES GALORE

Operating under her parents, a sophomore has found a job working for a tabletop roleplaying game company, Monte Cook Games for the past nine months.

BY MATTHEW LEMKE

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orking for your parents is not something many students get the privilege of, however that is exactly the case for sophomore Olivia Ryan. Monte Cook

Design by Tessa Regan Games is a roleplaying game business run by Ryan’s family. RPG is a genre where players assume the roles of characters in the game in a fictional setting,” a book about roleplaying

written by Monte Cook Games.

Monte Cook Games was begun in 2012, Ryan’s father, Charles Ryan, said.

Charles is one of the owners and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Monte

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Cook Games. As COO, Charles directs weekdays very busy packing orders warehouse manager will give her new most of the marketing and business with the rest of the workers. experiences and a better look at the management.

“On average, we try to get a couple business world. Ryan looks to continue Monte Cook Games has created four hundred orders a day done,” Ryan said. working for Monte Cook Games after regular tabletop roleplaying games, “It takes about one or two days to just high school, continuing to move up in and one children’s tabletop roleplaying get an order out of the warehouse.” positions. game.

Not only working with packaging, Ryan said she enjoys her time with “No Thank You, Evil!” is a children’s Ryan is learning other useful skills the company because she gets to work tabletop roleplaying game made for such as working with the software used and spend quality time with both of her kids as young as in the warehouse and parents. Working under her parents 5 years old. When online store. makes her job a little less stressful and "OLIVIA IS A VERY HARD Olivia was about After working more fun to work.

20 months old, she for nine months at “I like working under my mom a lot,” WORKER. SHE IS VERY unintentionally Monte Cook Games Ryan said. “I love hanging out with her DILIGENT AND KNOWS named this game, warehouse, Ryan is at work, it makes work a lot better and A LOT ABOUT THE Ryan’s mother, looking to move up in a lot more fun.”

Tammie said. Ryan the family business.

PRODUCTS” and her younger “I’m being trained to -TAMMIE RYAN brother, Rowan take over the position Ryan, eighth grader of my mom. My mom at Oxford Middle wants to work on School, are the two main characters in other things for the company. So I’ve the plot of the game. been trying to take over as the official Having a very busy schedule, Ryan warehouse manager,” Ryan said. works hard to balance school and Ryan said that becoming the official work. Working almost every day after school, Ryan said she has obtained a large responsibility working and managing the warehouse for Monte Cook Games.

“I pack books and other orders. I also manage the inventory and orders in the warehouse,” Ryan said.

Ryan has been working for her parents’ business for nine months, she said.

“Olivia is a very hard worker,” Tammie said. “She is very diligent and knows a lot about the products.”

One of Ryan’s co-workers, sophomore Elizabeth Enslin said working for Monte Cook Games has helped her establish great connections with people. Working together, they overcome difficulties and handle new and temporary workers.

“I know Olivia pretty well, we’ve been friends for about a year,” Enslin said. “We’ll have temporary workers come in every once in a while, so you get used to [working] with people.”

Tammie said both Ryan and Enslin spend lots of time working in the warehouse togethe where they learn business skills.

“Both of the girls are very diligent; I would say they are very hard workers,” said Tammie.

Olivia Ryan and Elizabeth Enslin work together to create their final game product.

With lots of orders going through “We usually work from after school to five or six. We get food and listen to music, so it the warehouse, Ryan finds her is pretty fun,” Ryam said. (Photo by Lauren Kline)

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THIS MOM

ROCKS

Lead singer of local band Mad Libby and BVNW Parent perseveres past stereotypes of women in rock and recently opened for rock hall of famers Joan Jett and the Blackheart and Heart.

BY JENNA WEYFORTH

C

heers are heard as red smoke explodes into the dirty blonde hair of the lead singer and BVNW parent, Jennifer Roswold. As her guitar blasts and the drumsticks slam to the heavy rock beat, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are backstage, preparing to perform.

Design by Ben Hobbs Roswold plays guitar and has been a part of the Kansas City based band, Mad Libby, for the last eight years. The band plays rock and roll and features original songs written by Roswold, with help from the band members, including “Tell” and “Four Leaf Clover.”

“This band is all original,” Roswold said. “We throw in a couple songs

people know every once in a while, but for the most part, we play all originals.”

Drummer Dana Scott said Mad Libby’s music style sounds like Joan Jett meets the Foo Fighters with Beatles harmonies. Scott said she and Roswold both grew up listening to Joan Jett, and Jett’s attitude and passion were inspirations for their band. This

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connection, she said, brings them full Roswold said. “It has gotten a lot better, mine. So I’ll sit at the piano and that’s circle as they now get to open for Joan but it’s kind of cool to surprise people. my inspiration, right? For her it’s like Jett and the Blackhearts as well as It really shouldn’t make a difference the guitar.”

Heart, led by Ann and Nancy Wilson. though; if you can move your fingers, Roswold said her relationship with “You’ve got Joan Jett and the sing or whatever, it doesn’t matter her daughter is similar to a typical Blackhearts and then you’ve got Heart, whether you’re male or female.” teenager, so she doesn’t often give her both two iconic female-fronted bands Although the current members input, but loves listening to her play and that are both in the Rock and Roll Hall of Mad Libby came together slowly create songs. of Fame,” Scott said. “That’s kind of a throughout the years, Roswold said they “I think she really likes rock, but big deal to us, to be able to say, ‘Hey, we have been lucky to receive the success she’s not [going to] ever admit to it.” opened up for these two rock icons;’ it they have. Since they formed, they have Roswold said. “I can see her in the [was] probably our biggest show so far.” received numerous Project Backstage future being the lead singer of a band.

Joan Jett, the female Music awards I’m pretty proud of all the stuff she was rock singer and including No. 2 doing. But, I let her go and I don’t play a songwriter, became Rock Band in the huge part in that because I don’t think “IF YOU CAN immensely popular Midwest in 2012. right now she wants to hear my input.”

MOVE YOUR throughout the 1980s “They really like Performing a few times with Mad with nationwide hits to make an impact Libby as a child, Emily said she had FINGERS, SING OR “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” on the audience so extreme stage fright at first, but her WHATEVER, IT and “Bad Reputation,” that they’ll want mom helped her to engage in music and as a part of Joan Jett to come back,” her become more comfortable performing.

DOESN’T MATTER and the Blackhearts. daughter, junior “I’m a little bit more logical, practical, Continuing to release Emily Roswold, and she’s more emotional and followWHETHER YOU’RE songs and perform said. your-heart type thing, but when we MALE OR FEMALE.” around the country, “They always come together I think we bring out the Joan Jett and the want to make different parts in ourselves.” Emily said.

-JENNIFER ROSWOLD Blackhearts were it a different “Even though we have different points inducted into the Rock experience and talk of view about things, when we come and Roll Hall of Fame to the audience to together, we have a great dialogue.” in 2015. make it more personal.” “[ Jett and the Wilsons] were Emily, who is a part of the theater trailblazers for women of rock and and choral roll and we’re continuing the fire.” programs at Left: Jennifer Roswold raises the microphone into the air while Scott said. “We’re keeping the trail hot.

BVNW, said performing at Starlight Theatre Oct. 8. Roswold said opening for They’re the real deal.” everyone in Joan Jett has been a dream of hers. (Photo by Rachel Sarff) Mad Libby’s project manager, her family is Below: Junior Emily Roswold (right) sits with her mom, Jennifer, Daphne Timberlake, first found the passionate about and older sister Zoe in 2004 (Photo Courtesy of Emily Roswold) band during one of their sets at a gig, music, so they and said she was instantly drawn in by can appreciate their stage performance. Soon after, the music and the she started managing the band and courage it takes planning gigs for them to play. for her mom to “Joan Jett has been kind of an idol of perform original the band for years, so when I heard that songs.

Joan was coming into town, I reached “Genetically, out to Starlight and asked if we could we both are very play,” Timberlake said. “They originally creative people, turned me down, and then he called me and I always have about a week later and asked if we could found it very still play. Let me check my calendar. inspiring that she Yes!” writes all of her The four-piece rock band is made own songs and up of Roswold, Scott, lead guitarist Rob how quickly she Adams and bass player Alisa Jefferson. does it,” Emily As Roswold said, rock has been said. “When I stereotyped as a genre created by and found out she had catered to men, and said their band has been writing her faced some adversity with having three own songs, that’s female members. when I kind of “[Rock is] tough as a woman,” started writing

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10.31.19 | Issue 3

CANDY CRAZE

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As Halloween is quickly approaching, Editor-In-Chief Ethan Knauth and Online Editor Maggie McCready rate popular Halloween candy. Each candy is rated out of four pumpkins.

BY ETHAN KNAUTH AND MAGGIE MCCREADY

PUMPKIN KIT KATS- MAGGIE

These seasonal Kit Kats These seasonal Kit Kats are orangecolored, white chocolate creating a Halloween theme to pair a generic, yet loved candy. (Photos by Lauren Kline and Alyssa Peterson)

Although this candy is marketed to be “Pumpkin Pie” flavored, the only flavor that can be tasted is the overwhelming amount of cinnamon spice coming from thise bright orange candy bar. There is a chocolate coating over the KitKat wafer but it gets lost in the flavor of the powerful spices.

The only thing connecting this Halloween themed Kit-Kat to the original candy bar, is its recognisable shape and name but other than that the original Kit-Kat still reigns supreme.

SPOOKY MINTS - ETHAN

These unique Junior Mints alternate between a popping orange color and black color in the center creating a Halloween vibe.

In an attempt to cash in on the holiday festivities, Junior Mints decided to incorporate a new type of candy into their rotation. Despite offering promise with the ability to mix and match filling colors and flavors with the traditional chocolate outer shell, Spooky Mints were an outright dud.

Second rate at best, the black filling utilized was far from the gooey concoction you would expect, and instead is chewy, boasting a poor aftertaste. The orange center wasn’t much better, but at least they got liquefied filling part right.

All in all, if you’re looking to permanently scar your perception of mint-like candies this Hallows Eve, Spooky Mints might be just right for you.

Design by Sophie Dellett

CANDY CORN- MAGGIE

The nostalgic look of the candy corn along with the seasonal pumpkin candy accents will add fall festivities into your everyday life.

Candy corn is the epitome of Halloween flavors, with its tri-colored appearance and sugary, sweet flavor.

Often coming in multiple shapes, candy corn offers a great variety in appearance with its pumpkin and chocolate tri-colored candies.

Although it may be one note at times, this Halloween classic is the perfect candy to put out as both decoration and as for a nice, sweet snack.

CANDY CORN- ETHAN

A metal bowl of a variety of Halloween-themed candy corn sits on a table.

Staying true to its name, Candy Corn really is the vegetable of sugary sweets. Possessing a plasticy exterior and smelling similar to a four-year-old’s crayon, the candy does itself no favor at first glance. Once you work past their initial perception, Candy Corn doesn’t exactly satisfy, but at least isn’t as off-putting as the outer appearance.

All things considered, Candy Corn crumbles satisfyingly under your bite and has recently added chocolate to its lineup of flavors, making it at least a respectable Halloween candy.

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COME JOIN US FOR AN EARLY NUTRITIOUS BREAKFAST AND FOR AN AFTER SCHOOL STUDY ENVIRONMENT! 12591 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66213

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WHAT HALLOWEEN COSTUME SHOULD YOU DRESS UP AS? Since today is Halloween, take this quiz to see what costume you should dress up as based on your answers on this Halloween-themed quiz.

BY MAGGIE MCCREADY 1.) What is your favorite Halloween treat?

A. Starburst

B. Mini cheese balls

C. Crunch bar

D. Reese’s

6.) What are your Halloween plans?

A. Baking Halloween treats

B. Hanging out with friends

C. Watching a scary movie

D. Going Trick-or-treating

2.) How do you decorate for Halloween?

A. Jack-o’-lanterns

B. Halloween inflatables

C. Smoke machines and sound effects

D. Pumpkin candles

7.) What is your favorite type of Halloween movie?

A. Children’s movies

B. Comedy

C. Horror

D. Halloween classics

3.) What is your favorite Halloween color?

A. Yellow

B. Green

C. Dark purple

D. Orange 4.) Where do you normally get your costume ideas?

A. Pinterest

B. Your closet

C. Thrift Store

D. Movies 5.) Which word most describes you?

A. Artistic

B. Funny

C. Mischievous

D. Energetic

8.) How would you describe your style?

A. Vintage

B. Comfy

C. Edgy

D. Classic 9.) Which movie villian is the most iconic?

A. Scar

B. Darth Vader

C. Pennywise

D. Thanos

10.) What is the best part of Halloween?

A. Dressing up in costumes

B. Eating lots of candy

C. Haunted houses

D. Trick-or-treating

Answers: Mostly A’s - DIY M&M costume Mostly C’s - Clown costume Mostly B’s - Bob Ross costume Mostly D’s - Superhero costume

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

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