The Standard Vol. 7 Issue 1

students and staff show support for a local farmers market feature pages 8-9

standard the

blue valley southwest | volume 7 | issue 1

2 | contents / the standard / aug. 2016

CO NT EN TS

12

volume 7 / issue 1 www.bvswnews.com

10

06

|3

08

FEATURES

06 08 14

Operation Occupation Fresh Out of KC Ramadan Kareem

NEWS

05 10

Transportation Transformation Standing Proud

SPORTS ON THE COVER: Students visit the River Market located in downtown Kansas City to purchase locally grown produce. photo illustration by lillie hoffart and delaney oliver

12

A Change for Cheerleading

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Gallery : Freshman Orientation

editor’s note 4|

THE STANDARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lost motivation. The disease that has infested the brains of each and every one of us. An unceasing offer to take the easy way out rather than putting all distractions aside to further your skills and better your chances of prospering. Whether that may be stopping taking care of yourself or avoiding your personal responsibilities such as editing photos or completing summer homework, the strife to stay afloat never ceases to make you feel like you are drowning in the sea of unaccomplished tasks.

Staring at blank pages and approaching deadlines, I felt the repercussions of this self-attributed disease while building my first issue as the editor-inchief. With the allurement of the summer sun and boundless adventures calling my name, I lost motivation to discover and share stories within our community to create an issue that opened the minds of our readers while also informing and entertaining all that have given us a chance. That is, until I read the stories of my new staffers.

A frequent victim to the disease of lost motivation, I have found the only worthy opponent becomes a self-reliance and a constant reminder of what is to come when the oh-so-satisfying ending is met. As rough drafts were due and I began editing each story, while they were not yet formatted in exact journalistic style, reassurance was met with astonishment at the work my staff had produced. With each story, a product of motivation and dedication, the battle against lost motivation became less intimidating while the process became more indulgent. Each meeting with my teams, two staff members working together on one story, showed me how their self-reliance had produced a piece that revealed their voice as a writer as well as the stories of their peers in a light that can’t be seen without devotion to investigation.

In our case, each turn against lost motivation is a step toward a paper for you, our readers. While developing this issue, each of us faced the battle against deadlines and not only did we learn to close the app and open the computer for ourselves and the rest of the staff, but for you, to fulfill our promise to deliver a newspaper that dives into the depths of each and every story. We have committed to finding people who have not let the disease of lost motivation turn them away from living their passions and creating opportunities for themselves, and we look forward to sharing their stories with you.

delaney oliver

ONLINE EDITOR donna armstrong

ASSOCIATE EDITOR lillie hoffart

STAFF WRITERS lainey dow megan flood jenna hope summer lyon emma olinger elianna oliver arielle singer

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS austin patterson taylor falkner

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 Phone: 913-624-2262 Website: bvswnews.com Email: bvswnews@gmail.com

news / the standard / aug. 2016 | 5

Transportation transformation

3RD

streetcar opens up new opportunities to travel downtown

B

5TH

7TH

9TH

12TH

14TH

16TH

19TH

MAIN

oarding the Kansas City streetcar, junior Rachel Holzer looks around to find an array of unfamiliar faces. The doors close as the conductor announces the next stop on the route toward the River Market and the car begins to move along its tracks. She looks out the window as the city flies by. Finally reaching her stop, she exits the car to the final destination along the streetcar tracks, and begins to explore.

With summer opening up more free time for students, some have journeyed downtown to discover a new addition to the city streets: the Kansas City streetcar. The streetcar began operating May 6, in time to work out a few bugs before the summer season. At no cost, the streetcar offers opportunities for anyone to ride. Covering a two mile route, the streetcar provides 16 different drop off locations and free wifi provided

by Sprint.

Due to its popularity, the streetcar has found itself ingrained into city life.

“The downtown community, events, VisitKC, etc, have all embraced the streetcar as well and are using it as a marketing tool for their individual needs,” communications manager for the Kansas City streetcar Donna Mandelbaum said.

Embracing the streetcar, passengers have begun using it not only for their personal agenda, but for exploring the area as well. On average, 6,365 passengers ride the streetcar each day, but on Saturdays, the busiest day of the week, anywhere from 9,000 to 11,000 people use this new transportation resource, according to RideKC. “We knew visitors to the KC region and those that live downtown would use it, but the number of users we’ve seen from way out of town, as well as our closest suburbs, has been extraordinary,” Mandelbaum said.

The streetcar was originally introduced as an alternative to driving and allowed for lower-income people to access transportation. Mandelbaum said offering a free public transit service was “a part of the ballot measure that approved this project in the first place.”

With the opportunity to drive less, the streetcar has opened up possibilities for students or tourists who are unwilling or unable to travel through the downtown area. While on board, passengers have the opportunity to interact with other riders, creating a social aspect for the streetcar.

“The streetcar has impacted the way people travel and explore downtown Kansas City,” Mandelbaum said. “They drive less, no longer looking for parking spots, walk more, visit more venues and restaurants, explore new parts of downtown, etc. The streetcar is also a social scene in which passengers engage with one another, speaking together and swapping streetcar stories.”

ST For Holzer, the streetcar has enabled her to travel

downtown with friends, something she was not previously able to do without the convenience of free transportation. Holzer suggests that more students use the streetcar to their benefit to adventure through the Kansas City area.

“I am most excited for being able to go downtown with my friends and being able to see new parts of the city for free,” Holzer said. “People from Southwest will have greater access to events that happen in downtown Kansas City. I don’t think people at our school take advantage of downtown Kansas City as much as they should.”

Like Holzer has suggested, freshman Jessa Boutte plans to begin to use the streetcar in the near future.

Boutte has not yet traveled on the streetcar, but considers it a valuable part of the city that has helped create a new atmosphere.

“The streetcar is different from other transportation because it’s relatively unique,” Boutte said. “Streetcars aren’t uncommon, but there’s not an excessive amount of cities that have them. It makes Kansas City even more unique.”

Along with the uniqueness of Kansas City’s new addition, Boutte anticipates easier travel for people who don’t necessarily have the means to own a car.

The practicality of the streetcar has exceeded its expectations, reaching beyond the city limits to tourists while also benefiting many locals, including Boutte.

“Personally, the streetcar sounds like a lot of fun, and I’m excited to go try it eventually,” Boutte said. “I think it’s great Kansas City is doing something this big and I hope more fun things keep being added.”

| ariellesinger | meganflood

KEY Main & Pershing Union Station 19th & Main

Crossroads

16th & Main

Kauffman Center

14th & Main

Power and Light

12th & Main

Metro Center

9th & Main

Library

7th & Main

North Loop

5th & Main

City Market

3rd & Main

RiverMarket

6 | special sections / the standard / aug. 2016

Operation OCCUPATION

| donnaarmstrong | delaneyoliver

students share their summertime volunteer and work experiences

S

ummertime brought more than just time away from school for senior Renita Wilson. In the beginning of June, Wilson began volunteering at Olathe Medical Center (OMC) in the Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Wilson aims to be a pediatric surgeon when she is older. Since volunteering at OMC, she has seen all the work that goes into the surgery center.

“Seeing all the dedication and effort put in by all of the staff members at OMC has made me recognize the immense amount of teamwork that goes into providing the best care possible for each patient,” Wilson said. “Being able to be a part of that system has solidified my desire to work in a hospital environment, specifically in the surgical field.”

The Ambulatory Surgery Center is typically used for same-day surgery patients. According to Wilson, the center includes pre- and post-operation areas as well as six operating rooms. On a typical day Wilson might help the post-op nurses turnover discharge rooms in between patients or clean beds. From time to time she also will help out with charts, paperwork and inventory checks. However, the most notable experiences while volunteering at OMC for Wilson have been when she has been given the opportunity to observe a few live surgeries.

Not only is Wilson grateful for the experiences she has gained though OMC, she is also thankful for the new skills she has obtained, along with the staff members she has met.

“The doctors and nurses at OMC are very appreciative of the student volunteers, and I love being able to help them out in any way I can,” Wilson said. “They do so much for our community, and knowing that I can provide some help is very satisfying.”

| seniorrenitawilson

H

aving previously held a job that required up to 30 hours a week, senior Lauren Semple obtained a new job as the only high school student employed by the Blue Valley branch of the Johnson County Library system. Shelving books and assisting patrons, Semple said her job can become a little monotonous, but would still recommend it to any student in search of a new occupation.

“My job is very self-motivated,” Semple said. “I show up and do whatever I think needs to be done.

It works for me because I can be independent but there is always another employee ready to help me if I need it.”

With this independence comes balance, as Semple is dedicated to work 16 hours each week, no more, no less. For Semple, this means going straight to work after school three of five days of the week and giving up time she would otherwise spend watching Netflix or hanging out with friends.

“Having a job and being a student is not easy, but it is important,” Semple said. “You definitely give up some of your free time but you also gain a lot of independence. You no longer have to rely on someone else to pay for everything you need, and I think it’s really beneficial to have experience going through the application and interview processes.”

| seniorlaurensemple

|7

A

F

or some students, volunteering is more or less a way to fill up space for their resumes. However, sophomore Matt McCabe has a special reason for volunteering at Special Olympics Kansas.

“I started volunteering with Special Olympics because of my twin brother, Jack [McCabe],” Matt said.

“Jack was born with Down syndrome. This organization serves people like my brother. I want to do all I can for my brother and people like him.”

Matt has been a volunteer with the organization since he was 8 years old. Currently, he is the chairman of the Youth Activation Committee. His responsibilities as chairman include organizing and overseeing the Unified Strategy for Schools in the state of Kansas and organizing Unified Sports initiatives. Additionally, Matt coordinates Polar Plunge initiatives and R-Word campaigns for more than 46 schools.

Not only is Matt beholden to the organization for the memories he has gained from it, he said he is thankful for the opportunities it has given him. One such opportunity was the chance to travel to the South Central Region Special Olympics Program Conference.

At this conference, Matt had a chance to see how important the work he did truly was.

“A mom of a child with a developmental disability told me, after a panel I spoke at, that when her child was born she wasn’t allowed to see him for two months,” Matt said. “She went on to say that what I said on the panel gave her hope for her child. That means a lot to me. I work to change lives daily.”

| sophomoremattmccabe photo submitted by matt mccabe

fter venturing roughly 1,800 miles to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, sophomore Anna Lee and nine other volunteers from her church spent one week volunteering at a children’s home run by the LAMB institute. The LAMB institute website explains they are focused on “educating, protecting, and empowering those suffering extreme poverty, abuse and exploitation in Honduras.” During her stay, Lee painted a house for children supported by the program. She also had a chance to build a first-hand relationship with the children.

“My favorite part of my mission trip to Honduras was playing with the kids,” Lee said. “When you are playing with them, they get to act like any kids would, even though they have been through things most people will never deal with.”

Realizing the difference in the way Lee and the children she was helping grew up, Lee said she sometimes found it painful to see the way they lived. With this understanding of the difficulties some of the children were facing, Lee found her work very rewarding.

“My favorite part of volunteering is the effect it can have on the people that you help,” Lee said. “It might not mean anything to them, but it could also mean the world. I think that volunteering is really important because just wanting the world to change doesn’t solve anything. Taking abstract ideas and creating actual results is rewarding, even if it’s the smallest change.”

These same ideals and concepts can be applied to other kinds of work that do not take place 1,800 miles away from home. Lee said she thinks it is important to find a way to help, whether it is the community or another country.

“I think that everyone should look for an opportunity to volunteer, even if it is as simple as helping out at school or giving up some time to help at a local charity,” Lee said. “It isn’t important that you go as far away from home as possible, because you can usually find opportunities to help through clubs at school like KAY club or student council.”

| sophomoreannalee photo submitted by anna lee

I

t’s a warm Sunday morning in Kansas City, the kind of morning that gives early City Market shoppers a small reprieve from the excessive heat and humidity that surely will come later in the July summer day. Corner musicians play their guitars and flutes for any spare change, and fragrant spices from the international spice market intermingle with the smell of the Italian sausages sizzling on the grill a few stalls down.

The River Market is a historic neighborhood located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Since its start in 1857, the City Market has become the largest farmers market in the region and boasts produce, flowers and other items every Saturday

Similar to Smith, assistant lead custodian Robert Perez said he visits the farmers market for the unique atmosphere. He enjoys spending time with friends and family at the market and supporting local farmers by using fresh produce to make his own salsa.

“It’s good to give back to the community, making sure that we keep it here instead of going to outside sources,” Perez said. “I think it’s a great place to take your kids, take your family, friends, first date, whatever. Just go enjoy yourself.”

With access to a variety of fresh produce from local farmers at the market, Atkins has a new appreciation for what the farmers do to help the community.

students and staff show support for a local farmers market

Fresh Out of KC

Support Your Local Farmer

8 | feature / the standard / aug. 2016

Support Your Local Farmer

and Sunday.

“My favorite thing at the farmers market would have to be seeing all the cool people selling things and the live music that they have going on there,” sophomore Grace Atkins said. “It’s also very interesting to people watch there.”

Vendors tend to their flea market stations, selling kitschy antiques and vintage clothing. Children squeal in delight as they exit the bounce house. Flower peddlers, grabbing stems tucked in the back of their vans, arrange floral bouquets, and local farmers proudly display seasonal fruits and vegetables.

“I like how it’s filled with color and antique things,” sophomore Kennedy Smith said. “My favorite thing to buy is flowers because they are a summertime tradition and symbol for me. I highly suggest going to the River Market.”

Smith said she enjoys the market not only for the physical appeals, such as the different stands and merchandise, but also for the diverse atmosphere. With homegrown goods and fresh produce, Smith is able to enjoy an array of food items while experiencing different cultures and avoiding the stereotypical grocery store.

“I think because local people sell it, it really shows that where we live, everything is kind of the same and when you go to the market you see different types of things and different cultures and different kinds of food there,” Smith said.

| jennahope | laineydow

“I think the work they do is worth the time and effort because many people appreciate their work and what they do for the local farmers market,” Atkins said.

“It’s better to support local farmers than supporting food and produce that is shipped in from somewhere else.”

In supporting local farmers, by buying local products, Atkins said one can leave a positive impact on the community as a whole. She encourages other students to try new things like the River Market for a fun, meaningful experience.

“It gives our community fresh and new foods to try that are healthier than things you would buy at the grocery store,” Atkins said. “I think most people at Southwest know about the farmers market, but I’m not sure that everyone’s given it a try. I think it’s something they should definitely try.”

|9

10 | news / the standard / aug. 2016

Standing Proud students share how they celebrate pride in their everyday lives.

1

2

4

(1) Sophomores Marie Oddo, Shannen Fahrnow, Brandon Lefert, and eighth grader Liam Olinger show their pride with facepaint depicting pride flags.

(2) A hostess smiles at bingo night at Hamburger Mary’s, a restaurant located in Kansas City, Missouri. It offers “a flamboyant dining experience” and nightly events such as “Dining with the Divas” drag shows and “HamBingo Mary’s” charity bingo

3

nights, according to hamburgermarys.com. (3) Two members of the American Civil Liberties Union smile. This organization advocates on a wide platform of issues, including government survalence, incarcerations and LGBT rights, according to the orgainization’s website. (4) As patrons enter Hamburger Mary’s, they are greeted by a statue holding a gigantic hamburger.

| 11

H

aving arrived for a family vacation in Orlando on June 12, sophomore Marie Oddo and her family were headed to Universal Studios. They were met with workers who had silver ribbons attached to their uniforms and visitors with rainbow stickers.

“I was just shocked that someone could do that to so many people, because he’s not only affecting them but he’s affecting the whole community and all of their families,” Oddo said.

Oddo saw firsthand the reactions that people in Orlando had as they mourned the deaths of their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) brothers and sisters.

Omar Mateen killed 49 people and injured at least 53 others in a gay night club called “The Pulse” in Orlando, Florida at around 2 a.m., according to CNN.com. Although repercussions of this were felt across the country, Orlando natives were the ones directly affected by this attack.

“You could tell the people who lived in Orlando were hurt by it a lot more than the tourists that were there,” Oddo said.

In 2015 Oddo attended KC Pride, an annual celebration of equality held at Berkley Riverfront Park during the month of June. Similar to what she felt in Orlando around the time of the shooting, Oddo said she appreciated the connectivity in the atmosphere at KC Pride.

“I was sitting in my living room watching TV when it came on the news. it was really shocking to hear.”

-Brandon lefert

“I was on the plane ride to Orlando for a vacation to Universal Studios, and I was looking on my phone when I saw it online.”

-Marie Oddo “At Pride, no one was a stranger,” Oddo said. “There’s no hate and no one can worry about people judging them.”

Like Oddo, many students have begun fighting against injustices similar to the Orlando shooting by taking a stand for equality in the community. Sophomore Shannen Fahrnow said she celebrates Pride to show she is proud of who she is.

“We aren’t afraid ... and we are proud to be the way we are and to love who we love, no matter what,” Fahrnow said.

With 220 shootings as of Aug. 4, according to gunviolencearchive.org, millennials like Fahrnow have become familiar with mass shootings. Fahrnow said she hopes that the shooting will change perspectives on violence in the community as well as the country.

“I hope that it shows younger people that violence is never the answer and that a human is still a human no matter what they decide to do with this life,” Fahrnow said.

“I’m hoping it’ll show people that we are just as important as anyone else and that they have no right to tell us how to live.”

The Gay-Straight Alliance is not a stranger to the celebration of LGBT pride and has celebrated in the past with involvement in weekly meetings to discuss issues. Senior GSA member and representative Emily Magness said she was focused on sending her love and

support to whomever needed it after the shooting while also celebrating pride in her community.

“I think it’s important to celebrate pride because it’s a remembrance of the LGBT people and activists from the past who didn’t have the rights that LGBT people have today and I think it’s also a celebration of how far LGBT rights have come,” Magness said. “And, of course, it’s a statement that LGBT people exist and they have a place in the community.”

The GSA hopes to continue spreading awareness through things like the rainbow door project they did last year.

“I think it might help people understand that LGBT people are people too, and that discrimination and hatred have no place at Southwest or in [Johnson County],” Magness said. “That being said, everyone has different beliefs and opinions, and they’re all totally valid.”

According to Magness, although the Orlando shooting may change some people’s minds about LGBT rights, the GSA has a primary goal.

“We’ve really just been focused on sending our love and support to whoever needs it,” Magness said. | emmaolinger photos by austin patterson

“I was just lying in bed scrolling through buzzfeed when I saw it and I went downstairs and told my mother about it.”

-Shannen Fahrnow

12 | sports / the standard / aug 2016

a change for cheerleading two boys join cheer team for first time in school history

| 13

W

alking into the gym on April 8, junior Johnny Peguero felt the pressure. He did not “want to fail.” One standing back tuck, roundoff back handspring and dance later, Peguero walked out feeling as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Cheer tryouts were over, and the wait began. An hour later, after receiving a call from a fellow teammate sophomore Kaylin Huttie, he got the news: he had made the varsity cheer team.

“I think I might have blown my mom’s ear drums,” Peguero said.

Originally a male sport, cheer has evolved into a traditionally female sport at the high school level. According to the news website wgntv.com, as of 2014, 97 percent of high school cheerleaders were female. It wasn’t until this year, when the team welcomed two males, that this stereotype was broken within the cheer team at Southwest.

“I think this is the first time that boys have joined the squad because the social stigma that cheerleading is a ‘girls sport’ is beginning to lift,” coach Morgan Styer said. “I find this stigma to be hilarious though because it was actually a group of men who formed the very first cheerleading squad.”

Team members, such as senior Mallory Reasoner, who have previously cheered coed, have welcomed Peguero and sophomore Royce Ferneau with no hesitations.

“It doesn’t really phase any of us that much because they want to be there for the same reasons as us,” Reasoner said.

Despite their apprehensions about being the only males on the team, both Peguero and Ferneau have found that they have been accepted into the team. In addition, the boys have opened up the team to new possibilities, such as new routines with coed stunts and competing in coed competitions.

Not only is their presence changing the structure of the cheer program, but their personalities contribute to a new demeanor within the team.

“They both bring so much to the table, such as hard work ethic, humor and fun, that I don’t believe the squad would be the same without them,” Styer said.

“They are also helping to keep the vibes at practice positive and humorous. Johnny even received a special award at camp called ‘Pin It Forward’ in which the staff at camp “I really hope that Johnny and Royce inspire others to follow their passions as they did and not be scared of the social stigmas that exist in this world. I believe everybody should be able to do what they love no matter what and I believe that they should be loved and supported just the same.” | coach morgan styer handpicked individuals who were displaying a positive attitude and great leadership skills.”

Having previously cheered with Kansas Gymnastics and Cheer freshman year, Peguero said he is excited to explore cheer in a new perspective while surrounding himself with a new and unique group of people. He has expressed his appreciation for the coaches

and the effort they have put into getting to know him as not only an athlete, but also as a person.

“It’s the most amazing experience I’ve had,” Peguero said.

“Cheer to me is just an amazing skill, spirit and experience.”

While Peguero joined because of his past experiences with cheer, Ferneau said he joined to stay in shape and dance. They both agree there is something for everyone in cheer, whether it’s involvement, relationships, fitness or personal enjoyment.

Ferneau credits teamwork with bringing everyone together.

“To me, cheer means teamwork and friendship,” Ferneau said.

“Cheer is not a one-man sport. If you don’t have any teamwork, then you’re a team gone wrong. You need to work together and make it through the routine.”

With the addition of Ferneau and Peguero, Southwest sports have the opportunity to become more diverse, whether it’s another boy wanting to cheer or another girl going out for wrestling.

“I really hope that Johnny and Royce inspire others to follow their passions as they did and not be scared of the social stigmas that exist in this world,” Styer said. “I believe everybody should be able to do what they love no matter what and I believe that they should be loved and supported just the same.”

| eliannaoliver photos by taylor falkner and delaney oliver

14 | feature / the standard / aug. 2016

Ramadan Kareem definition: the name of the month of Ramadan, also a greeting during this time

students spend portion of summer celebrating Ramadan

W

ithout thinking, sophomore Rand Alazzeh opens Those who fast during Ramadan break their fasting twice a her refrigerator door and grabs a snack to eat. day. The first time occurs at sunset or, as it is officially called, Usually this would be a nonchalant, everyday iftar. The next time fast is broken is when it is time for suhoor, activity, but this month is different. She hesitates, putting which is a meal that occurs early in the morning. the food back into the fridge and closing the door, reminding For sophomore Nada Bayazid, participating in Ramadan herself to wait until the evening. It is June 6, the first full day is a celebration shared among family and friends with special of Ramadan. traditions. She spends iftar meals alongside kith as they Ramadan is an Islamic holiday celebrated in late summer in prepare a meal together. the ninth month of the lunar calendar. This holiday is observed “For iftar, we usually have a really big meal and we usually as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is invite people over all the time during marked by prayer, charity and fasting, Ramadan because it is more fun,” Nada which occurs from dawn to sunset, for said. “For suhoor, we wake up around 30 days. Rand celebrates this holiday a.m. and we eat anything that can “To me, it’s a reality check. I 3:30 every year along with her friends and stop the hunger.” family. sacrifice things that I am used to Nada started celebrating Ramadan “You fast from sunrise to sunset in along with her family when she was order to appreciate everyday things every day, and I am reminded that 11. Although the average age to start that people in poverty do not have like some people live like this every fasting is 12, some people, such as Rand, food and water,” Rand said. “To me, it’s participated when they were much day.” a reality check. I sacrifice things that I younger. am used to every day, and I am reminded “I started celebrating Ramadan at |sophomore rand alazzeh that some people live like this every day.” around 7 years old,” Rand said. “Usually Stomach rumbling, Rand reluctantly for kids you start later, but I saw my checks the clock. It is only 1 p.m. She older cousins participating and copied sits down and pleads for time to go more them.” quickly. She tells herself that there are only a few more hours Nada said some younger children who want to participate left, sighs and stands to go find something to do. in fasting for Ramadan may wait a few hours instead of going Ramadan could be celebrated for a variety of reasons. the whole day without eating or drinking. She also said fasting “You view things more positively,” Rand said. “Since you is more than just not eating. It teaches her to be grateful. just spent a month deprived of food and water, it keeps you “I think I am more grateful for all of the food we have,” from doing everyday things. Now that it’s ended, you are Nada said. “We fast for all of these days and we have all for this happier.” food and we are grateful for what we have.”

| 15 According to Dictionary.com, fasting is defined as “abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance.” Rand’s mother, Nadia Alazzeh, said the biggest struggle for her would be the fact that she could not be as physically active as before when she was fasting. Her daughter has found her own challenges with fasting.

“You would expect hunger to be a struggle, but not being able to take a drink of water is the hardest,” Rand said. “Also, not being able to go swimming in the heat or going to the gym [is difficult], stuff that you would usually take for granted.”

Also, when Ramadan overlaps with the school year, students celebrating the holiday face new challenges. For Rand, in past years, it was difficult to refrain from eating during the school day, but her self-control has grown with time.

“I did fast during school, it was hard at first but, since Ramadan was at its end in the beginning of the school year, it was okay,” Rand said. “I would sit in the library and read but, as I got older, I would sit with my friends in the cafeteria and talk.”

To pass the time more quickly, she focuses on other things to keep her minds off the fasting. She will go to the movies or hang out with friends. Rand also has an additional tip for getting through a long day.

“Smelling food is just as good as eating it, in my opinion, so smell everything tasty,” she said.

Although there are challenges getting through a month of fasting, for Rand and Nada, Ramadan is part of their culture.

Adults of the community, such as Nada’s father, Bassam Bayazid, have celebrated all of their life. Bassam said he does not struggle with it because he has celebrated for so long.

“We are so used to it, so it’s absolutely normal to us,” Bassam said. “I, personally, don’t face any difficulty; I don’t even feel the hunger or the thirst. I might feel a little tired, because of the lack of nutrition, [but the fasting] becomes a habit.”

Ramadan helps people improve themselves by challenging them to practice stymieing bad habits and remembering gratuity and compassion. It, according to Bassam, is a “boot camp” that should carry one through the rest of the year.

“Ramadan is a training period for you to cleanse your body, cleanse your mind, cleanse your thoughts and your tongue.

During the month of Ramadan, it’s not only fasting, but it’s also abstaining from saying bad things,” Bassam said. “It’s a training period for you to become a better human being.”

| lilliehoffart | summerlyon photo submitted by Rand Alazzeh

Ramadan Report

| 16

During Ramadan

Do Don’t Pray

Five Pillars of Islam Shahada

Testifying to God’s ‘one-ness’

Hajj Salat

Prayer

Fasting

Giving charity

1 billion people celebrate Ramadan, or 2 out of every 15

Read the Quran

Pilgrammage to Mecca

Sawn Zakat

Fight, argue or use obscene language

Muslims fast for approximately 15 hours a day

Smoke Give to charity

Spread kindness

Eat or drink during the day

information from www.theguardian.com