Southwest
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Vol. 3 Issue 5 December 2012 Overland Park, Kansas
Inside this issue:
Abusive relationships Pg. 8-9
Tips to survive the end of the world Pg. 12
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12-13
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Cover photo: Before the whistle is blown, junior Sawyer Like looks his opponent in the eye and shakes his hand. Like and the varsity wrestlers competed against the Piper Pirates in a home dual on Dec. 5. Photo by Anna Glennon.
Abusive Relationships -doubletruck End of the World -special sections
Recycling -opinion
Managers -sports
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by mark maas opinion editor
ertainly, readers are thinking that this issue is just going to be the obligatory, cookie-cutter issue that every high school newspaper does in December: the holidays are here, have a good time, here are some traditions that students have, etc. Well, the Standard has put extra effort this year into making a different product than one would expect this time of year. There are many repeated atrocities that are overlooked and are reoccurring in our society, and, unfortunately, Southwest contains such atrocities at times. Whether or not high school dating is worthwhile is debatable, but it is clear that abuse does exist in teenage relationships. If this person is supposedly loved and treasured more than anyone else in the world, abuse should never really occur. If abuse happens, it is clear that the relationship is not meant to be, and that it should cease immediately. It does neither partner any good to remain in this state, as either the abuser or the abused. A truly prosperous relationship will never even consider physical violence or abuse. While teenage dating violence is often ignored in our society, there are other subjects that are receiving far too much attention. The idea of an oncoming apocalypse has been anticipated — again — this month, just as it has been anticipated countless times in the past. Public paranoia has arisen simply because a certain influential person said that the world might end soon, whether his or her supposed “evidence” is derived from Nostradamus, the Mayan Calender or historical and religious figures. All of this ties in to an overall ignorance and naivety that society has fallen victim to. There are subjects that we refuse to address, such as violent discrimination and, of course, abusive relationships. Meanwhile, there are subjects such as celebrity life or predicted doomsdays that receive far too much attention from all of us. Don’t let yourself conform to society’s flaws. Work actively to force people to address these inevitable issues that we all deal with.
OnlineEdition: Finals Study Tips
Cheer Festival
QR Codes
Storify
It’s not too late to check out some last minute tips to study for final exams.
Look for new QR codes throughout this issue to access additional online content.
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Check out the cheerleaders photogallery from their latest festival.
View a social media collection of the tweets during the first basketball game on Nov. 30.
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briefs news
by madison parr & mariem towakoli sports editor managing editor
Baking Club gets festive
NHS gives back
AP CA IV performs play
Debate pushes ahead
What: Each meeting has a designed theme to go with what the club will be baking that day. The past December meeting was designed around a Christmas theme with lots of baked goods. The next meeting in January will be winter themed with plenty more decorative treats. Senior Paige McKinzie would like more students to get involved in the baking activities because it’s a fun way to be apart of something. “The main goal is to have fun by sharing helpful tips and delicious recipes,” McKinzie said. “It’s great meeting new people who enjoy a similar passion for baking.” Next meeting: First Tuesday of every month Time: 3 p.m. Location: 504
The senior AP CA IV classes taught by Marilyn Brewer decided take a new approach to the novel “The Stranger.” The novel features an existentialist man from Algeria who gets drawn into a superfluous murder. In each class, the students were assigned to write their own scripts and to create scenes in which they would collaborate and act out as a class. Brewer’s idea for the play caused students to step outside of their comfort zones and learn about leadership. “Honor students are really good at taking order and listening,” Brewer said. “However, this project forces the students to step outside their comfort zone, take leadership and collaborate with others. I am excited to see who emerges as a leader, and to see what the students have created.” The plays took place Dec. 12 and 13 in both the PAC and Blackbox.
Currently ranked in the top ten in the state amongst all programs, not just 5A, the debate team has acquired countless wins. The team’s focus this year was transportation infrastructure investment, which focuses on how the federal government should address or not address our transportation needs. Head coach Jared Zuckerman had high standards for this year’s team. “Debate is a work medium - you get what you put into this activity,” Zuckerman said. “ I would like to think we work harder than any other program in Kansas, and hopefully that will provide us with external rewards at the end of this season.” The last regular season tournament was Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
Communication arts teacher Mariyln Brewer directs students in class during a reading of the script for “The Stranger” play. Students performed on Dec.12 and 13. Photo by Madison Parr.
Student Council volunteers Planning the sweetheart dance, wolf games and participating in community service, student council has been more than busy organizing activities for the student body. This includes preparations for the movie night in the PAC showing Avengers on Dec.14, as well as participating in a community service project called Christmas Bureau, which provided holiday assistance to low-income residents of Johnson County. Other activities planned by student
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What: NHS members have been working hard with community service and making multiple opportunities possible to get involved with the school and the community. The organization just finished working at the Luminary Walk held at the Overland Park Arboretum and created Holiday Mail for Heroes. These are cards for those serving overseas who can’t be home with their families during the holiday season. The next event on the to-do-list is an ongoing project to clean after all home basketball games, as well as tutor after school at Aubrey Bend. Next meeting: Thursdays before after school Time: 8:15 a.m. or 3 p.m. Location: Fixed Forum
council include winter and spring sports assemblies, all homecoming events and various activities throughout the school. Senior class stuco representative Paige McKinzie advises students to speak up and take an active role. “We hope that the student body enjoys the activities we have planned thus far, and if they have specific ideas they should talk to a representative or a sponsor” McKinzie said.
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See your Instagram photo here of a BVSW sporting event when you tag @bvswnews and have the most likes.
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Mindy Nold’s advisory volunteers at Johnson
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County Christmas Bureau
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by anna welch special sections editor
iving back to the community has always been a priority for mathematics teacher Mindy Nold. On Dec. 4, she took her advisory students to the Johnson County Christmas Bureau ( JCCB). With 3,000 community volunteers helping with this event, students such as junior Lexie Logue and sophomore Tristin Lair have benefitted from their time spent organizing the shop and helping prepare for the month of shoppers. “I do a lot of community service throughout the year,” Logue said. “This was my first time helping out at JCCB and I loved being with my friends from advisory. Some [people] I have no other classes with except on Thursday, so it was good to catch up and have fun while giving back to the community.” The students had a choice on what job they wanted to take on at JCCB. They could either help customers shop, or help organize clothing and other items in the store. “Each student benefits in their own way,” Nold said. “Some will bond with another student that they may not usu-
ally talk to; some will realize that their teacher is just a normal person who cares about them; some will realize that there are lots of people right in their own neighborhood that are in need. Overall, they learn what it means to care.” JCCB is a place that helps lowincome families of Johnson County prepare for the holidays and can shop for groceries, clothing, household supplies and gifts to bring home for their families. It is open from the middle of November to the middle of December. “My friend and I decided to go because we had nothing else to do on a Tuesday night,” Lair said. “But after I went, I want to come back because it was fun helping people shop.” Nold has been going to JCCB for five years and says that each time is a new experience for her and also her students. “I absolutely love seeing my students find so much joy out of helping others,” Nold said. “I see them every day as students, and they completely change when they are at JCCB. I get to see who they truly are.”
Junior Lexie Logue sorts donations and takes off price tags for the teen gift department at JCCB. Photo by Anna Welch.
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wintersports briefs
by jordon fields staff writer
Wrestling serves the community In order to earn a varsity letter for wrestling, the boys must complete a certain number of community service hours. One of the opportunities for the boys is Hoodies for the Homeless. Hoodies for the Homeless started on Monday, Dec. 3 and will last until Friday, Dec. 14. All students are encouraged to donate. “We wanted to take our team to the next level and see how truly blessed we are,” sophomore Cole Kedney said. As far as the season goes, the wrestling team went undefeated at Fort Scott on
Saturday, Dec. 1. “[There are] areas that need improving; you can always improve and become better,” senior Paul Grieco said. The next wrestling meet is on Friday Dec. 14 at Blue Valley High for the Johnson County Classic. “My hopes are that I do as well as I did this last weekend, and that the team will do the same,” Grieco said. “I think that as hard as I’m working I’ll get the same outcome as the last tournament.” Check out the Southwest wrestling team’s twitter: @bvswwrestling.
Boys varsity basketball’s undefeated season As their teammate pushes through his race, sophomore Bradon Spitler yells along with other swimmers to encourage the team. Photo by Anna Glennon.
Boys swim and dive takes off with a splash The next meet will be the Olathe Invitational. “I should be ready by Friday, but before that I have to learn a reverse dive, a reverse double or a reverse one and a half. This is going to be very challenging but I should get it,” senior Daryle Rowland said. Rowland will be the only diver competing for the 11 meet invitational.
“I hope I make it; it’s like you do six dives, then you do three, then you do two or something like that. I think I’ll make it past the six and then do good on the three but not make it to the two,” Rowland said. Rowland hopes to get at least eighth out of 20 participants in the Olathe invitational.
Bowling tryouts start rolling Tryouts for girls bowling were on Dec. 10-12. Only 12 players made it on the team; six on varsity and six on junior varsity. The team practices two to three times a week for around two hours. The first game was held at Mission Bowl
in Olathe. “I had a lot of fun with the team, plus K. Spence is awesome” senior Andrea Davidson said. Davidson is returning for her second year of bowling. “I’m excited for what’s
to come,” she said. “I can’t wait to be able to reconnect with the other girls on the team again. It’s a fun way to let loose during the week as well. This year I hope to improve some more on my game.”
The first game of the season was a home game against William Chrisman high school. The team won with an overwhelming amount of points. The score was 81-45. “I feel like we all came out with the same intensity,” senior Dominique O’Connor said. “I feel like that made us go out and go hard. The first home game of the season, it’s something to prove. We went out we and represented the name on the front of the jersey.” In the second game
versus Shawnee Mission, Southwest went undefeated yet again, with the varsity team scoring 75-52 and the junior varsity team 48-41. “At the beginning of the game we didn’t come out with the intensity because I feel like we underestimated them,” O’Connor said. “But once we figured out it was time to get focused and time to play, we ended up winning by double-digits.” This year the boys are living by one motto. Together we stand. This frame of mind al-
lowed the team to pull out their latest victory against BVW, the final score being 66-55. “We’ve got to work hard in practice to get what we want, and what we want it just doesn’t come easy. And we are bringing that intensity to practice and that’s what we’re going to bring to the game,” O’Connor said. Check out the boys basketball team’s twitter: @BVSWHoops, and check out the girls basketball team’s twitter: @LBWolves.
For more photos of boys swim and dive go to bvswnews.com sports
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Time management. Appreciation. Empathy. Leadership. What do these traits have in common? These are all characteristics of a sports manager.
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Photos by Kylie Norcross.
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Checklist to be a manager: Time Management Skills Empathy with athletes
Scan the QR code below for more Myth vs. Reality on Pinterest:
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Keep statistics of the game Organization
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What does a sports manager do? Myth Reality vs.
Appreciation for the sport
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Riley Magee Junior
“I would think they just get water for the players since that’s all I ever see them doing, but I’m sure there is more to it than that.”
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Kayla Gruenhaupt Junior
“In soccer we shag balls, keep practices running, sort through things in the cages and record games. As a tennis manager, we have to stay after to pick up all the balls and keep book of all the matches and challenges for practice.”
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Students Graduate in December
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by royan black web editor
College-bound students go through extra effort to start their college lives early.
or most, graduating means looking forward to a summer filled with flip-flops and sunblock before starting college. It means waiting for May and passing time by trying to get through four seasons of math tests, prom and finals. However, when the final bell rings and seniors shove through the halls for sweet freedom, there
Senior Madison Parr is one out of eight confirmed students graduating early from Southwest. Parr was accepted into the engineering school at Kansas State University.
Why did you decide to graduate early?
will have already been students out of school for an entire semester. To graduate early, students must initially approach their guidance counselor to look into the possibility of graduating earlier than their classmates.
Senior Courtney Schutz plans on graduating early and then finishing the year at Johnson County Community College before heading on to a college of her choice and pursuing photo-journalism.
What pushed you to decide to graduate early?
“I had the option to, and I felt ready to move forward and dive into the next chapter of my life.”
“I decided to graduate early because I wanted to get a jump start on my college education, and the majority of my friends graduated last year, so I found no reason to stick around.”
How did you find out about graduating early?
What does graduating mean to you as a Southwest student?
“I approached my counselor about it and I took a few classes online and also a summer class, so I was able to graduate early.”
What does graduating early mean to you as a Southwest student? “Graduating early represents all the hard work I have accomplished in order to start college in January. It’s much more to me than an ‘early out’ of high school; it is the start of my new life that I have working so hard to get to. Graduating early means new goals and a new start.”
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“Graduating from Southwest means a lot to me as a senior because I can say I was part of the school’s foundation in creating new traditions and getting up on their feet.”
Who was the most supportive of you in your quest to graduate early? “My best friend, Anne Domniguez, was the only support I had because my parents wanted me to fulfill my whole high school experience. She helped me make the decisions for what I should do with my free time during second semester.”
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Senior Shannon Hill plans on graduating early at the semester before heading on to Kansas State University. Hill plans on pursuing kinesiology in a pre-health field.
What made you want to graduate early?
“I didn’t think that messing around my last semester of high school would have been beneficial to my education.”
Was it harder than you expected to graduate early? “I think it’s more stressful than people realize. You have to do all this work to get these credits that you need to graduate, but it was worth it.”
What’s a pro and a con to graduating early? “A pro to graduating early is that I get to leave high school and pursue a major while starting my life. A con, though, is that I have to leave all my high school friends.”
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southwest standard
Signs of an unhealthy relationship: If he or she... is jealous or possessive
SHATTEREDTRUST Idealized, mainstream depiction of love leads to abusive relationships in the rest of society
is constantly checking your whereabouts calls you names gets violent or is physically threatening
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makes you cry prevents spending time with family and friends is inconsiderate embarrasses you in front of others
Signs of a healthy relationship: If he or she... treats you as an equal
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always tries to understand how you’re feeling is truthful with you likes that you have other friends admits to being wrong communicates feelings without fearing negative consequences listens to you
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takes responsibility for his or her behaviors
*Information courtesy of loveisrespect.org
abusive relationships
33%
Photo illustration by Anna Glennon.
report knowing a friend or peer who has been physically hurt by his or her partner
of teens who are in an abusive relationship have told someone about it
80%
of girls who have been abused in their relationships continue to date their abuser
1.5
million individuals experience physical abuse from a dating partner annually
*Statistics courtesy of Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships (T.E.A.R)
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by meg huwe editor-in-chief
hey met at a party. It was that stereotypical and clichéd love at first sight encounter. After a brief interaction, the two decide their love for each other requires getting married within 24 hours’ time. Some events occur which require them to be separated and when this separation becomes permanent, they ultimately commit suicide. “It’s the ‘ultimate romantic story,’” counselor Kristi Dixon said. “[But] it’s just not. Had they actually spent a whole four seasons together, they might have decided they hated each other. In the meantime, they got married and died.” The story to which Dixon is referring is William Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet.” It was written over 400 years ago, and, to this day, is considered a romantic tragedy. In actuality, how the story is told through building a relationship off of the belief that one can’t survive without the other is a sign of an abusive relationship. “Romeo and Juliet” is just one example in the media. Another more recent one is “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer. “Twilight” tells the story of a girl who falls in love with a vampire. There are many dangers within their relationship since her boyfriend wants to kill her, but the abusive aspect is each one believes he or she cannot live without the other. “It’s totally okay to ask my boyfriend to kill me so we can be together forever,” Dixon said. “[We have] ideas of what relationships are supposed to be. Sometimes the ideas that we’re taught are twisted and really wrong.” An unhealthy relationship occurs when either a boyfriend or girlfriend exerts power and control over his or her dating partner. This is not limited to
physical violence but also encompasses that, in order for a relationship to be a series of behaviors including extreme valid and real, it has to be full of drama jealousy or possessiveness. Dixon thinks and strife and all of this awkward stuff,” this occurs over time. Dixon said. “It doesn’t have to be that “Dating abuse is a process,” she said. difficult.” “People that are abusive are master maAs a result, this misconstrued idea nipulators. They are really good at this of what a relationship is supposed to be whole psychological game.” can interlace itself with unhealthy, even On the guy’s spectrum, it’s a matter abusive relationship behaviors, and thus of constantly needing to be aware of be ignored. The results of unhealthy where his girlfriend is. He’ll incessantly relationships can lead to situations of text or call and then get upset when his abuse. girlfriend does not spend time with him. Once that threshold is crossed, a “It’s interpreted, as ‘I just love you whole new set of problems arises, esso much I pecially when the miss you,’” victims don’t talk. she said. “’I “First of all, was thinkshame unforing about tunately exists,” you. We’re coordinator of a couple I advocacy services Counselor Kristi Dixon at MOCSA Jessie should always know Funk said. “There where you are really strong are.’” feelings of guilt or blame when that’s Dixon says that girls, on the other further from the truth. There’s a lot of hand, are more likely to want to be in victim blaming. Lots of people also may control in a relationship. This includes not come forward for fear of safety, like being upset about whom her boyfriend if you told anyone you might be harmed. is talking to and, as a result, manipulatOr, he/she may just be embarrassed.” ing his friendships. Funk started working at MOCSA “Jealously is not a sign of love,” (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Dixon said. “It’s a sign of ownership.” Sexual Assault) after volunteering in Many of these unhealthy relationother domestic violence organizations in ships are traced back to how kids are high school. taught about love and intimacy. “I have a strong commitment to “We socialize all of our kids from a providing support and awareness to really young age to think that relationan issue, especially in relationships to ships have to be complicated in order sexual and domestic violence,” Funk for them to be real,” Dixon said. “There said. “No one should have to go through are discussions and disagreements, and this experience alone. People receiving it’s healthy. It’s not healthy to have more support and positive reaction end knockdown all-out screaming matches. up, often times, going through a better It doesn’t have to be you and me against and faster healing process. Sometimes the world.” we can find PTSD or psychological There’s also an emphasis on the distress.” dramatic aspect of dating. Many people, especially in high “We do such a disservice [to kids] school, believe that these sorts of probbecause you are taught at a young age lems only arise in the adult world. This
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Jealousy is not a sign of love; it’s a sign of ownership.
is not the case. “Important thing is, that if you look at that situation and trace it back, you realize there’s a pattern that was established years ahead of time,” Dixon said. “Even in high school.” High school does include Southwest. “At Southwest I see boys and girls who don’t recognize what they deserve,” Dixon said. “Or, they have low expectations for themselves. Therefore, relationships kind of follow that path. So if you are not feeling good about yourself and you meet somebody who at first makes you feel good, who tells you you’re wonderful, smart and beautiful [it seems right].” Students agree that these incidents exist. “They [abusers] don’t realize that what they’re doing is abusive because they never talk about it,” junior Calvin Dahms said. “They don’t know that the partner views it that way. There is a lack of communication and understanding. The person being abused needs to speak up.” Though the current circumstance may seem minor, there can be lasting effects. “It really has to be the decision of the victim to speak up,” Funk said. “It’s a personal decision that will affect his or her life, and he or she shouldn’t be pressured to do so.” Dixon thinks victims should seek help. “It’s one thing to find yourself in a situation and go ‘holy crap’ and then you ask for help,” Dixon said. “Get support. Do your best to extricate yourself. It’s another thing to find yourself in a situation and think ‘this is where I’m comfy.’ [If you] grow up with enough drama, get comfy with drama, and [then] not having it starts to feel really strange.”
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southwest
Failure to recycle causes refuse instead of reuse story and graphics by brianna bogdan staff writer
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lthough janitor Brian Hansen is instructed to recycle because of the campus being a “green” school, he would do it anyway. “For the sake of my kid’s future,” Hansen said. Despite this dedication, the custodial staff can’t do it alone, and there’s one material that seems to be difficult for students to recycle: plastic. “Here, the recycling bins are more convenient for paper,” sophomore Emily Dixon said. “But, you have to clean plastic bottles, so a lot of people don’t bother.” This obstacle is what makes plastic one of the fewest materials recycled. When coupled with the fact that plastic is also one of the most frequently manufactured products, this becomes a big concern. So much is being made and so little reused. “Students recycle, but not as much as they should,” founder of the Environmental
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Club senior Lauren Tobin said. “They don’t know what can and can’t be recycled and how to prepare it.” Tobin thinks that the first step to increasing the amount of plastic recycled is educating students on the appropriate way to do so. Earth911.com advises that individuals first remove caps, rinse bottles and, if possible, crush the container to save space. Unfortunately, it’s just so much easier and quicker to throw bottles in the trash. “It would make my job easier not to recycle, but I don’t do that because it’s the incorrect thing to do,” Hansen said. So despite the work, Hansen thinks it’s important to recycle and that most of the kids here understand that responsibility. “Maybe if we told students that they have to recycle or they don’t get to eat, then it would be successful,” sophomore Justin Hicklin said.
2010 research collected from The United States Environmental Protection Agency
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New season, new mood
The change in season affects certain aspects of one’s behavior
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by caroline fronczak staff writer
s the temperature drops and the leaves begin to fall, a new season is not the only thing on its way. With each new season comes a change on how the human body operates and the mood one displays. Although most would think that winter time brings out depression and summer time is associated with joy, it just depends on each person’s temperament. Junior Brianna Betsch says winter time is her favorite season because she enjoys the snow. Contrary to what most would associate winter with, it makes her happy because of the holidays. However, not all students share the same thoughts as Betsch, and, according to livestrong.com, some individuals notice a decrease in energy levels during the winter and require more sleep as light decreases. Other potential behavioral changes include isolation from family and friends or an increase in the consumption of food and caffeine. The summer also poses a threat of extremely high temperatures. Sophomore Wyatt Hendrickson thinks that the temperatures above 70 degrees is what causes him to dislike any other season besides winter.
Graphic by Matt Forster.
“Some people may think I am crazy, but the winter cold makes me feel alive, energetic, and extremely happy,” Hendrickson said. Just because the lack of Vitamin D is more common during winter doesn’t mean that everybody experiences these changes. Most of the time, it just depends on the person and specific genes. “Seasons are seasons,” Betsch said. “I can’t even tell the difference, and I don’t think people should use the change
in seasons as an excuse for a change in behavior.” Although research has been conducted on all seasons to see if moods differ, chances are, seasons affect each person differently. Whether the snow makes one happy, or the hot, warm sun, a change is a change. “Winter is my busiest season,” Hendrickson said. “I guess it all depends on what kind of person you are and what season fills your time the most.”
Tips to avoid seasonal mood changes
1. Make your house light and bright. Raise up the curtains and blinds so daylight can freely enter the house. 2. Spend at least half an hour daily outside of your house (Mall, outdoors, etc.) 3. Exercise regularly, preferably outdoors, but, when the weather is inclement, switch to an indoor exercise program. 4. If your circumstances allow, take a mid-winter vacation, preferably in a sunny climate. 5. Laughing for 15 minutes, thanks to a comedy or slapstick humor tape, can get you going. (dailystrength.org)
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december 2012
12
southwest
Apocalyptic preparations
by grant laster staff writer
12/21/12. 12+21+12 = 45. 45 is one eighth of a circle, which is the shape of the Mayan Long Count calendar. Dec. 21 will mark the end of the Mesoamerican calendar with a cycle of 5,125 years, and, although most cyclical objects revolve constantly and infinitely, this circular calendar is completely different. Just because. In the written history of mankind, there have been 165 recorded doomsday predictions, all of which mankind has survived. In fact, the average
Ti ps
for surv iving
A
yan the impending Ma
d ms o do
ay
lthough security is not critical to nutritional sustenance, it is essential to have a location and plan ready in the event of an emergency, such as the apocalypse. Firearms, a human networking system and first aid are all tools helpful to navigating the disintegration of society— a society where only the most capable survive. “In a worst case scenario such as an EMP that crippled the power grid and the government, we’d have an economic collapse,” professional prepper David Kobler said. “Communities, and even neighborhoods, would be on their own. I’ve seen that before overseas—it would look a lot like Iraq.”
Try following tips from the popular Hollywood movie, Zombieland: #1 – Cardio
#2 – The Double Tap #3 – Beware of Bathrooms #4 – Seatbelts
#7 – Travel
Light
#17 –
Don’t Be A Hero
#18 – Limber Up #22 – When In Doubt, Know Your Way Out #29 – The Buddy System #31 – Check The Back Seat #32 – Enjoy The Little Things
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high schooler has survived 28 apocalypses in his or her lifetime. Yet, of 164 past predictions, there is no reason to assume that this 2012 phenomenon is a scam. There are multiple scientific theories to explain how humankind will be obliterated from the face of the Earth, and all of them ensure death. Essentially, preparation is futile because the elimination of the human race is unavoidable. But, if there is a huge pile of money burning a hole in your pocket, and you wish to have virtually no life (just to protect the hopes of eventually saving your hide), try these tips on how to alleviate your worries before the end of days comes.
Editor’s Note: This piece is satirical and meant to entertain. It is not to be taken seriously.
t may only be made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, but water, according to National Geographic, is the single most important substance to the sustenance of human life. Furthermore, every item on the food chain, in which humans are toward the top, depends on H2O to flourish. Needless to say, you’ll need an ample supply. Professional end times prepper from the show, Doomsday Preppers, Scott Hunt suggests a three-pronged approach to quenching your thirst. “Ninety-five percent of our present water supply is dependent upon electricity, chemicals and/or transportation,” Hunt said. “So if those [sources of electricity] vanish, so does water.” The three steps to ensuring a lasting water supply include stocking up on hundreds of gallons of stored water, finding a resupply source in the vicinity and obtaining a way of purifying the water from a freshwater source.
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he average male consumes just under 2,500 calories a day, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to National Geographic, if a cataclysmic event that disrupted the agricultural industry and the supply system for food occurred, su- permarket shelves might quickly empty, and we could go from feast to famine. Therefore, it is essential to not only stock your pantry with hundreds of pounds of non-perishables but also to have a renewable source of food. This could mean that you will need to rely a little on your gardening skills. When society collapses, having an abundant supply of food will ensure durability through the chaos.
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nstead of focusing merely on survival against threats, Hunt advises preppers to put more thought into how they’ll actually live in a structure for extended periods of time. “Shelter means a lot of things,” he said. “You have to think about how you’re going to heat it, how you’re going to cook, how you’re going to generate electricity, how you’re going to collect water. Your shelter has to be sustainable.” Hunt also advises picking a location in a valley, near a water source and woods, and ideally close to arable cropland where a prepper can grow food as well.
Notable apocalypse scares: 2800- B.C. Assyria 1284- Crusader kingdoms 1504- as predicted by Botticelli 1524- as predicted by Johannes Stoffler 1780- Judgment Day in New England 1881- Great Pyramid of Giza February 1910- Halley’s Comet reappearance 1982- Galactic alignment in March
2000- Y2K Bug
2000- Large Hadron Collider creating black hole
december 2012
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it’s the
END
13
of the
WORLD
as we know it
by ananda bhatia features editor
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he world ended on Jan. 1, 2000. It was a computer calculation error: a simple mistake that damaged technology worldwide. If only dates weren’t automatically abbreviated to two digits. Even the software and hardware purchased by many couldn’t stop the disaster. The world ended again on May 21, 2011. Radio preacher Harold Camping had all the facts, straight from careful numerical calculations applied directly to Bible readings, which proved Judgment Day was approaching. He shared his findings and the stockpiles piled up, but it wasn’t enough. The world ends again on Dec. 21, 2012. The sun will cross points with the midpoint of the Milky Way, a powerful lineup that will create a pole shift or a huge black hole, or maybe Planet X (Nibiru) will collide with Earth. Perhaps solar flares will erupt from the sun, disrupting the global power grid. Of course there’s proof: if everyone’s saying it, it must be true. And everyone knows the world is going to end. “The world is not going to end,” sophomore Anurup Krishna said. “Since people have preached about how the world has ended in the past ten times before, it’s obviously not going to happen now. There’s really no scientific evidence behind it. I guess they [people] automatically don’t look into it; they just immediately assume things.” Okay, so maybe people have accepted the truth. Let’s face it: the stomach-churning fear that swirled around the time “2012” came to theaters has finally subsided, and people are beginning to recognize reality. Dec. 21 is not doomsday, and, more importantly, finals still count. But there was a time when the planet was abuzz with gossip and haunted by fear, and there are still people today preparing for the end. Even those who have lived through three apocalypses will hide away in fear the second a new date is set. The bigger question is what causes people to stray from
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logical thoughts. Should we blame the media? After all, it is the fastest way to spread news, entertainment and fear. “We complicate things with science fiction stories and movies that display the end,” school psychiatrist Cathy Kerr said. “All these things have us looking at our world and perhaps realizing that it cannot survive forever.” Should we blame psychology? According to the International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, humans are the only creatures thought to understand all life inevitably ends, and it isn’t surprising that dying is a common fear among them. “Fear of death is really the fear of the unknown,” Kerr said. “Even people with strong religious beliefs of an afterlife may fear death or the dying process. It is scary because it is unknown, unexperienced and final.” Should we just blame humanity itself ? Maybe believing anything seen or heard is simply human nature. And it wouldn’t be unrealistic to assume that people create apocalyptic scares simply for attention. “Older cultures, if you go back thousands of years, made up stories to explain natural phenomena because they didn’t understand the science,” band teacher Ed Protzman said. “We actually do the same thing in reverse. We think that they knew something about the end of the world in a mystical way because we just don’t have enough information about them.” Unfortunately, the end-of-the-world scares are just the beginning of the thoughtlessness society now encourages. Politics are turning into cat fights, and voters are antagonizing whoever has been called more names. Whether it’s deciding who to vote for or believing in a doomsday, people have stopped thinking for themselves. The more technology we accumulate, the more it happens—throughout preschool and well through adulthood. Now, we can push these problems away until tomorrow. Or the next generation. Not to say all faith in humanity is lost; not every prediction has caused such chaos. No one worried about George Orwell’s prediction in his novel “1984,” where the government could control people because they believed anything they heard. Then again, that’s a ridiculous idea.
Illustration by Matt Forster.
What’s your opinion on the end of the world?
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Last year I was a little afraid that it would [end]. But there’s no warrant on the argument of how the world is actually going to end. I think people are just paranoid, and they just want to have something to worry about.” -junior Emma Stewart
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The Bible says that no one knows the day or the hour—there’s a verse about it. If someone tries to predict it, it obviously isn’t going to happen.” -sophomore Victoria Clark
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People might be crazy if they think it might actually end, but it’s not. It’s like a myth—they see it on TV basically.” -freshman Ian Andrews
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I don’t believe in the end of the world—NASA doesn’t even think that. They [people] think it’s 2012 the movie.” -sophomore Fardin Vousoughian
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Wasn’t the world was supposed to end on 6/6/6 and 3/3/3? And didn’t that old religious guy say that? So why is it supposed to end now? I think some people hope it’s gonna end or hope something’s gonna happen. But if the world does end, YOLO comes into play.” -junior Tristan King
december 2012
staffed: 14
W
hile the Timberwolves fan base proudly advertises to the rest of Johnson County that, “We bleed green,” the school hallways still seem to be lacking color. “When I go to other Blue Valley schools, the walls are full of color, “ junior Riley Clark said. “That makes the school seem like it has more school spirit while ours is nothing but gray walls and glass.” Groups of students have organized themselves to give life to the building, from adding plants, framing photos, and even creating a tree-sculpture in the courtyard. However, even with these additions, students still want more. “I think in order to give our school more color, we should paint the walls and do things like murals and just let Mrs. Stelter loose on the school,” Clark said. Rather than sitting on the sidelines of a boring school, one group is encouraging students to become a part of a “creative campaign.” President of National Art Honor Society senior Matt Forster has started the campaign to bring about awareness of a solution. One that he thinks everyone can be a part of. “NAHS is trying to give Southwest a personality. We agree with the rest of the student body,
southwest
sick of a boring building? join the “creative campaign”
Illustration by Matt Forster.
that our building is boring. But that’s where it ends for most people,” Forster said. “We want to be the solution and make a change. And more members with that same vision could make that change possible.” Sophomore Charlotte Davis is one student who decided to be a part of the change. “I want to change everyone’s mind set that we are the ‘boring school’ and instead be known for having an aesthetically pleasing school,” Davis said. The National Art Honors Society wants to begin making offers to teachers as soon as possible. The only thing they are lacking, are ideas. And members. National Art Honors Society is accepting new members and new ideas, as they seek to develop the school’s unique personality. So if you want to be a part of the solution, then do it. Join the “creative campaign” and be the change you want to see in the hallways.
by jessica skaggs news editor
What would you like to see in staff vote the hallways of Southwest? yes - 14
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no - 1
I think fun, crazy artwork like we did for the lip dub is the best. Obviously giant papers hanging around the school doesn’t last long and will get ripped down, but it was so cool to walk down the hallway and see huge banners supporting our school.” Senior-Abby Weidner
““ opinion
We need to have posters of the varsity seniors around the school to show our school pride.” Freshman-Zach Novicoff
your vote
Join the “Creative Campaign”
Go online to bvswnews. com to cast your vote for this month’s editorial question. Read other student responses and comment on the editorial. Make your voice heard at www. bvswnews.com or mention us on twitter @bvswnews
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Want to let your voice be heard? Use your smartphone and scan the QR code, then leave your thoughts in the comment box. Don’t have a smartphone? Head on over to http://www.bvswnews. com/opinion/2012/12/05/ creative-campaign/
december 2012
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Resourceful recycling Students fail to acknowledge the importance of recycling, as well as the reduction of their carbon footprints.
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median income for nearly a decade. When one fails to recycle, they are not only wasting plastic, they are throwing away money. Recycling plastic could benefit energy as well. Every pound of recycled plastic reduces energy used in plastic production by 84 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 71 percent. One may not think that one plastic bottle can make a difference in the world, but unfortunately, millions of others think the same. Recycled plastic can be used to create shirts, cars, furniture, and many other beneficial items. Paper also plays an important role in the recycling process. We go through thousands of papers throughout the school year, and it is our duty to recycle them. We could potentially be an even greener school, but the student body has to act upon the recycling movement and to think greener. In 2010, Americans trashed enough paper to cover 26,700 football fields or 17,800 soccer fields in paper three feet deep. Recycled paper can be made into many items such as newspapers, cardboard, and drywall. We, as students, could make a large impact in the reduction of paper and plastic waste by making one simple change: putting our papers into the recycling bin. It is not a difficult task. If we don’t change our ways now, our environment and future generations will Illustration by Anna Glennon. suffer.
by madison parr managing editor
he importance of recycling seems to be understated throughout the halls of Southwest, considering the trash cans always seem to be full of water bottles and paper, leaving the recycling bins empty and ineffective. In a school where we have access to plentiful amounts of paper and plastic, it is vital to give back to the environment and put our waste into the appropriate bin. According to waste prevention site greenwaste. com, less than one percent of all plastic products are recycled in the US. Americans throw away 250,000,000 plastic bottles every hour. When one fails to recycle, they are putting the environment in danger. Plastic take about 700 years to decompose and ends ups destroying sea and marine life at an estimated 1,000,000 sea creatures per year. Recycling helps the environment and also helps the economy. According to waste reduction and recycling website, kab.org, in 2009, $485 million worth of plastic was wasted in the United States. That’s enough for 1,000 households to live on the U.S.
Living greener www.treehugger.com A one-stop shop for green news, solutions, and product information.
www.dosomething.org
Educates students about the impact of their carbon footprints and how to calculate them, as well as numerous ways to live greener.
The Southwest Standard editor-in-chief meg huwe
features editor ananda bhatia
managing editor madison parr
opinion editor mark maas
web editor royan black
sports editor mariem towakoli
news editor jessica skaggs
special sections editor anna welch
photo editor anna glennon
opinion
photographers matt forster kylie norcross morgan vietti staff writers brianna bogdan jordon fields grant laster adviser heather lawrenz
www.greenstudentu.com One of the largest online organizations in the US for teens and social change.
The Southwest Standard is published ten 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 administrations 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.
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www.whatsmycarbonfootprint. com
Advises eco-friendly products, calculates your carbon footprint, and teaches about the negative impacts of carbon footprints.
Letters should be submitted to room 118, emailed to bvswnews@gmail.com or mailed to: The Southwest Standard c/o Blue Valley Southwest High School 17600 Quivira Overland Park, KS 66085 The Southwest Standard also encourages guest photography. Photos should be submitted to room 118 with information pertaining to the photos.
december 2012
16
southwest
winter sports take the stage
December brings spectators back to the stands for more athletic action
Top: Under the mat light, junior Trevor Watson forces his opponent face down on to the mat. The wrestlers had a home dual against the Piper Pirates on Dec. 5. They defeated the Pirates with a final score of 68-12. Bottom right: Making his way around an opposing player, senior Colton Miller makes his way down the court. The Timberwolves played the Blue Valley West on Fri. Dec. 7, where they defeated the Jaguars with a final score 66-55. Bottom left: Seconds before touching the wall, sophomore Alex Fish brings his arm back while swimming the butterfly stroke. The boys swim and dive team competed against Blue Valley Northwest on Dec. 4. Bottom right: Photo essay by Anna Glennon.
winter sports
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december 2012