5 minute read
Editor’s note
If someone told me four years ago that I wouldn’t get a normal ending to my senior year, I would have not believed it at all. For the past month and a half, I spent the time reflecting on how fast things go by, realizing how much I enjoyed going to school, learning and spending time with the people I have known the past four years. While I wish we could have spent this last week together and seeing everyone’s reaction to the senior issue, I know the past 3.75 years were some of the best memories I have.
High school is one fast ride. Southwest has helped shape me into the person I am today. I have been given many opportunities to become involved, share my voice and make my mark, all of which have given me great accomplishments in life. Along the journey, I encountered room 118 not knowing it would become my second home for the past four years. From my first day of newspaper, to publishing my first article and now as editor, I have made many milestones in that classroom. Little did I know being the only underclassmen on staff my first year lead to the greatest thing ever: new friends. I am so grateful I was able to share my experiences with the original newsie gang as well as a new family this year. It was the best thing I received from it all.
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While I did not get a proper goodbye to many things, I will say one of the hardest will be to The Standard. Thank you to all of our newspaper fans,and Snapchat contestants — it meant a lot to me and the staff by just looking through the pages of the issues and being engaged. To my newsie family, thank you for letting me be your mentor this year. Even though we were unable to create this last issue in-person, you all have amazing talent and are going to do great things. I hope I helped spark your love for the newspaper and wish you all the best! Most importantly, I couldn’t have gotten to where I am without the support, advice and presence of Churbs. I am so glad to have had you as a teacher for all four years. My passion and drive to make the newspaper wouldn’t have been there without learning it all from you.
So, as I am ready to embark on a new journey in Washington, D.C., I am going to leave with some advice. Make the most out of high school; take in every moment because you never know when it will be gone in the blink of an eye. Be social, go out every weekend with your friends, try a new sport or club, go to that school dance and just enjoy life. Leave your mark on Southwest so you can look back at it and always remember. While it is still school, I will tell you hard work, 100% pays off. Don’t give up even if the task at hand is difficult, always persevere. Lastly, live in the presence of your senior year because you only get one high school experience and one ending.
I guess this is me signing off for the last time as editor in-chief. Thank you Southwest for the lifelong memories and friendships. Peace out.
The Standard
editor-in-chief isha patel
staff writers luke hottovy karley kent sydney wilson siri chevuru sahar baha rebecca suku maddie sack keithan sharp jamie malmkar ellie phillips josiah davis
adviser rachel chushuk
The Southwest Standard is published seven times a year for students, faculty and surrounding community of Blue Valley Southwest. It is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions expressed within this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration of Blue Valley Unified School District #229. Letters to the editor and reader responses are encouraged for publication. The Southwest Standard reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content and encourages letters to be no more than 350 words. All letters must be signed and names will be published.
The Standard 17600 Quivira Road Overland Park, KS 66221 Website: bvswnews.com Email: bvswnews@gmail.com
Living legacies
For seniors Niko Helixon and Maddie Pieropan, debate has been a part of their lives since middle school. Although only a hobby at first, over time it turned into something much bigger. Since the start of their partner-work, the duo has received national recognition, winning many medals and awards. In the process, they gained a lifelong friendship, new connections and left behind a memorable high school legacy.
There every step of the way was Niko’s mom, Natasha Gacpar’Helixon.
“I am incredibly proud of Niko. He’s worked so hard, and I just am very excited about everything he has accomplished,” Natasha said. “It required a lot of after school practice. It required a lot of trips... but it was well worth it.” Natasha said learning to debate is a skill that will help students now matter what they decide to do.
“Being able to speak for yourself or speak with somebody who can speak for themselves is definitely a skill that will go noticed,” Natasha said.
Niko’s success in high school debate was not his first brush with excellence — he won his third grade spelling bee championship at Ramstein Elementary School and placed as a regional finalist. Niko went on to became a four-year debater who experienced success from the moment he entered the program.
“He was the first, and only, sophomore in the state of Kansas to get a bid to the Tournament of Champions,” debate coach Ryan McFarland said. “Niko took the responsibility of the middle
school debate club, leading all of the lessons and activities that the middle schoolers participated in the last two years.”
McFarland became the debate coach during Helixon’s junior year, and the two have worked together closely since.
“Niko inspires me because he has always been so passionate about the program’s future,” McFarland said. “He is always wanting to help the younger students get better, constantly answering every question they might have. He is a role model for the younger debaters.”
Alongside Niko in his high school debate success was Pieropan, who agreed with McFarland about her debate partner. Seniors Maddie Pieropan and Niko Helixon smile after qualifying for the national tournament.
