Southwest Standard Issue 8

Standard outhwest

Vol. 3 Issue 8 March 2013 Overland Park, Kansas

breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. breast cancer. carcinoid tumor. esophageal cancer. plasma cell. liver cancer. acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. oacute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. oacute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melanoma. kidney cancer. leukemia. melanoma. lung cancer. neuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. pancreatic cancer. skin cancer. thyroid cancer. oacute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute myeloid leukemia. appendix cancer. bone cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. bonchial tumors. eye cancer. heart cancer. intraocular melaneuroblastoma. oral cancer. ovarian cancer. thyroid cancer. bile duct cancer. brain tumor. eye cancer. plasma cell. liver c

Inside this issue: Programmers Pg. 6

Lunchroom etiquette Pg. 11

“Setting aside rivalries and coming together as a community sends a strong message to those affected by cancer, that there is an entire community behind them in their fight. I know together we will finish the fight.� –Relay for Life Representative Lauren Lineweber Pg. 4

Saving the sport Pg. 13

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Places to visit -doubletruck

Music in our schools month -photo essay Chlobug’s Cookies -features Books to read -arts and entertainment

by ananda bhatia features editor

I know what it’s like to be the unfamiliar face at the front of classroom.

Everyone else knows one another; you’re the odd one out. It’s entirely up to them whether to accept you or not.

I also know that the people at our school are different than most. When I moved to California, I truly felt like an outsider — everyone already had their friends, and they weren’t looking for any new ones. But moving here was completely different. Right on my first day, I had people from all different groups asking me about where I’d moved from, what I thought of the new school, or if I needed someone to sit with at lunch. Not because they had nothing better to do, but because they really wanted me to feel welcome. And I did.

So why aren’t we like that for substitute teachers?

Here’s the thing: it’s no secret that when the regular teacher is gone, students don’t get a substantial amount of work done. And maybe I shouldn’t be writing this in the paper, but I don’t exactly have a problem with that.

However, there’s no reason to take your bad day out on the substitute.

There’s this idea that since the normal teacher isn’t there, no harm can come from messing around because you can’t get into trouble. But the reality is, you’re causing a lot more stress on the substitute than you think (anyone who’s ever babysat can confirm this), and they haven’t done anything to deserve it.

Instead of focusing on whether or not you’ll get in trouble, think about what you’re doing to someone else. Because long-term and short-term substitutes are facing the same thing as a new student on their first day, and your five seconds of fame could lead to a lot of problems for someone else.

Cover photo graphic by meg huwe.

OnlineEdition: KMEA

View the results of two choir students at the Kansas Music Educator’s Association.

Music Reviews

Staff writers Jordon Fields and Matt Forster review Austin Mahone’s new single.

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Spring sports briefs Despite all the snow, spring sports are finally getting started.

Twitter

Check out @bvswnews on Twitter

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REbeL hosted Fat Talk Free Week by meg huwe editor-in-chief

March 4 - 8 the REbeL club members hosted a Fat Talk Free Week.

The goal of this event was to eliminate talking negatively about anyone’s body, including their own.

“It’s a week to take a break,” sophomore Nikki McCurdy said. “Around school everyone hears fat talk. We should stop it because both guys and girls do it. Girls want to be skinnier and guys want to be manlier.”

The week started with Mirrorless Monday on March 4 when club members decided to cover up the mirrors in all of the bathrooms with positive messages.

On Wednesday, March 6, REbeL club members posted statistics around the school about how fat talk affects

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by molly sharp staff writer

Allegro choir goes to Washington DC The Allegro Children’s Community Choir con Brio sang on Dec. 4 at the White House.

One of the members is junior Hannah Smith.

Not only did she sing at the nation’s capital, she sang alongside 25 other members for President Barack Obama and his family. The performance was part of the Joy to All event held by the Obama administration.

“It was absolutely amazing,” Smith said.

“It was also kind of stressful because of all the security.”

A lot hard work was put into the trip and the performance.

“Brio worked very hard and it was so worth it,” Smith said. “So many people enjoyed it, and we got so many positive comments.”

An opportunity like this is hard to come by.

society.

On Friday, during lunch, students could sign a poster and pledge to eliminate fat talk. After they signed it, they were welcomed to take a photo holding a white board with their pledges.

At the week’s end, the wish was that people would view themselves more positively.

“I hope people will have a better self image,” McCurdy said. “You’re beautiful just the way you are, and nothing needs changed. You’re unique and amazing.”

As far as upcoming events, the REbeL clubs from Blue Valley schools will be holding a 5K Walk to Rebel on Saturday, April 27. Participants of all ages are welcome, and the cost to get in is dependent on when they sign up.

On March 3 - 5, DECA competed at the Until April 1, registration is $25 for State Competition hosted at the Overland Park adults and $20 for students.

Marriott. The teams took 8th at State, placing in two categories: Entertainment Marketing/Team

DECA places at State

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Photo courtesy of Caroline Boyer.

The choir earned this by sending in recordings from their past performances. Out of many other groups the Allegro con Brio Choir was chosen to sing.

Decision Making as well as Travel/Tourism.

“For such a young team it was great for them to place at the state competition,” DECA sponsor Perri LaTerza.

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dream BIG hope BIG relay BIG students relay together to fight for a cure against cancer

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lmost 30 years ago, a man decided to pick a fight with one of the world’s most devastating health issues. That man was Dr. Gordy Klatt.

In 1985, Klatt ran and walked around a track near his home in Tacoma, Washington, and raised $27,000 for his local American Cancer Society. While circling the track, Klatt dreamt about the impact others could make in the fight.

With the help of his family and friends, he organized what is now known as Relay for Life.

On March 8 - 9 Timberwolves, Jaguars and Tigers teamed up together to join in that fight against cancer.

Junior Committee Chair, Connor Davis is just one of many students working behind-thescenes for this year’s Relay.

“This year, communication has been our biggest chal-

• Cancer is the second leading cause of death in America • Relay for Life is the largest annual non-profit fundraising event in the world.

• In 2007, nearly 4,700 communities held Relay for Life events in the U.S. • The American Cancer Society fights cancer on four fronts: Research, Education, Advocacy and Service

*Information courtesy of the Center for Disease Control and the American Cancer Society

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managing editor

committee meetings were held throughout the year.

“My favorite part about Relay is the fact that everyone comes together for one central reason,” junior food committee member Nick Edwards said. “To raise awareness and money to fight cancer.”

Junior team captain and cancer survivor Jake Louis has organized a group of his friends to relay throughout the night with him. “‘No child should die in the dawn of life.’ Danny Thomas, founder of St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital said that, and that’s why I want to give back,” Louis said. “As much as I can give back to kids like me, to save lives, then I am doing something right. That is why I relay.”

Relay is more than just a fundraiser. It is a fight.

“My hope is that all those who participate in the event can truly see what a difference they are making in the fight against cancer,” Community Manager Income Development Lauren Lineweber said.

At any moment, it can strike, its weight felt and carried by loved ones of the diagnosed. Cancer doesn’t choose its victims based on gender, age, color or creed.

But anyone can chose to make a difference.

To learn more, visit relayforlife.org

Graphic by Matt Forster

$112,250 www.bvswnews.com

*as of Wednesay, March 6

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lenge,” he said. “But we have been able to work through it and work well with the other schools.”

This year, Southwest has more than doubled the number of teams participating.

With more overall participation, organizers are not only looking forward to the impact they will make in the fight against cancer, but also the bond they build with other students in an all-night relay.

“It’s probably the only event that really combines all three schools and makes us work together,” Blue Valley High Relay co-chair senior Jason Entgelmeier said. ”There’s always stereotypes about the other schools. [It] makes you realize students from other schools are normal people.”

It’s this bond that allows the Blue Valley Youth Relay to yield so much success. As a result the Division Youth and Youth Adult Work Group will be in attendance.

Each high school takes responsibility for a portion of the night, as well as organizing different committees. High has prepared the opening ceremony to kick-start the relay, while Blue Valley West has prepared a “fight back” ceremony to rally the relayers on their opportunity to make a difference.

Southwest has prepared a “Luminaria ceremony” to honor those who have lost their fight, or those who are continuing their fight against cancer. It’s a special part of the evening, as it allows participants to remember the loved ones whom they are fighting for.

Senior co-chair Michael Dula, who has overcome thyroid cancer, has been working closely with the Luminaria committee.

“I’ve been working with the Luminaria committee, writing the scripts and preparing a surprise to make the ceremony even more special than before,” Dula said.

The committees that have been established within each high school allow the work to be distributed as evenly as possible.

In preparation for Relay, many different

by jessica skaggs

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Sophomore Chloe Davis runs her own cookie business by ananda bhatia features editor

his isn’t a girl making a buck or two baking cookies for the neighbors. This is a girl who currently sells to over 250 people. In less than two years, she’s earned over $2,000, making more money a month than she would working seven hours a week at McDonald’s. Sophomore Chloe Davis started from scratch, but she created a full-fledged business.

Chloe and her mother Roni Davis originally started baking for their neighbors, like Jennifer Eckert.

“For a while they were definitely tweaking [recipes] and trying to get them just right — we tasted a lot of sugar cookies,” Eckert said. “Her decorating is so precise, and she definitely makes them very personalized. For my family, it wouldn’t be a celebration or holiday without her cookies.”

When family friend Kari Lipscomb ordered cookies for a welcome home party for her nephew returning from Afghanistan, Lipscomb jokingly suggested for Chloe to start a real business, and she jumped at the opportunity. Chloe’s

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cousin, a graphic designer in New York, created a logo, and shortly after, Chloe and her mother made business cards.

“My sister-and-law always called Chloe ‘Chlobugs,’ so we played around with the name,” Roni said. “I was really excited because I share that same passion for baking that she does, so it was something that we could do together.”

The business took off when Lipscomb ordered cookies for a party she hosted for GO Jammies, a part of the Global Orphan project. GO Jammies sells pajamas handmade in Haiti, and all of the proceeds go to the Global Orphan project. Lipscomb and her daughter became very involved in the Global Orphan project after visiting Haiti in 2008, so when they decided to host a party to sell GO Jammies, they asked Chloe to make pajama-shaped cookies.

“The pajamas exactly matched the cookies that were sold,” Lipscomb said. “There aren’t a lot of cookie places around this area, and especially ones that have such beautiful cookies and designs. They were just incredible.”

Chloe’s name and contact information were added to the Global Orphan website, so word of her business quickly spread. Shortly after, Chloe went from baking in her spare

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*913-526-9610 *chlobugscookies@yahoo.com *Facebook: Chlobug’s Cookies Cookies are $14 a dozen.

time to juggling orders of almost 170 cookies each month.

“At the beginning, it was really just like family friends and friends of friends, but now I get people I don’t even know,” Chloe said. “I had one lady from New Jersey try to order, and I was like, ‘I don’t ship cookies’ .”

Chloe and her mother intend to stay in business until Chloe graduates, and until then, Chloe is always open to a new challenge.

“Our motto is to ‘bake your first impression,’ and our goal is to keep improving and keep making the best cookies,” Chloe said. “I’m always open to trying something new.”

Photos and graphics submitted by Chloe Davis.

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by grant laster opinion editor

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ell phones. Computers. Social media. Video games. Each of these modern conveniences is considered to be an everyday necessity. Yet, they can be extremely complex and deceptive in their outward simplicity.

Behind the user-friendly interfaces lies a much more daunting-looking chunk of lines of text, commands and symbols. Behind the outward appearance lies a series of lines of code that have been slaved over and finetuned for hours.

While there are many different languages, many styles of programming that can lead to an end result, they all dictate what a program can do, given certain circumstances and parameters. A community of students at Southwest is exploring this potential for knowledge and has taken the initiative to learn coding, to learn languages that are embedded in society.

Many from this relatively underground community, including senior Chris Cowan, think that programming is beneficial for personal growth. In fact, programming has begun to appreciate a meteoric growth, both in population and in the workforce, that exist to accommodate programmers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for programmers will increase by 22 percent, by 47,000 jobs, in the next 7 years. And well

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Mastering digital languages High school programmers create alternate realities on their computers

renowned universities, such as Harvard, have encouraged their professors to cater to the growing online community by posting coding lectures on YouTube.

“I think the programming I have done has helped me in terms of logical thought processes and problem solving,” Cowan said.

“The basics of programming give you a good understanding of how to think through problems rationally.”

More people, such as Class of 2012 graduate and successful coder Chris DiNitto, have outwardly advocated the personal benefits of coding.

“It isn’t just the coding that changed me as a person,” DiNitto said. “It was facing a challenge and taking the initiative to overcome it. That’s what changed me. It is like solving an incredibly difficult puzzle with pieces that continuously change. It takes a special mind to be able to do something like programming, and it’s vastly under-appreciated.”

While those like DiNitto advocate vocally for their passion, students such as sophomores Jacob Hegna and Wesley Caldwell continue to keep to their coding community, creating games and programs for nothing more than self-gratification.

Not every coder will end up like DiNitto, whose program was bought out by Monster,

or like Arash Ferdowsi, BV Northwest graduate and creator of the $4 billion enterprise, Dropbox. But more often than not, kids are being implored to code for fun.

And that’s exactly what students have been doing. Hegna and Caldwell began their virtual expeditions by writing scripts to create calculators and games of Blackjack, but they have now moved on to more complex, more time-consuming and more rewarding programs like BrickBreaker and Zelda.

All of these programmers are working toward a goal, although they vary from person to person, crouching over their computers, continuing to code for satisfaction.

“We are in one of the most exciting times for programmers because the opportunities and capabilities in technology have reached an all time high,” DiNitto said. “Programmers are now major contributing factors to advancements in medical technologies and lifestyle advances that are changing the world in every way.”

At the end of the day, many coders, like Cowan, try to put their passion into a larger perspective.

“Programming is what basically controls our entire world from a computing standpoint,” Cowan said. “Without it, you have no technology.”

History of coding languages

Photo Illustration by Anna Glennon. Graphics by Matt Forster and Brianna Bogdan.

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Preparing for the future

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Students use AVID as a tool to become better prepared for college

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by anna welch special sections editor

he day has come. First day of freshman year. The last three years in middle school were a breeze, and when the first bell rings, syllabuses, homework and stress takes over. The change can be drastic for some, exciting for many and dreadful for a few.

Fortunately, one program helps students make that transition and prepare for bigger alterations in life is Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID).

AVID started in one classroom with 32 students and now impacts 700,000 students across the United States. It spans through elementary to high school and is designed to increase school wide learning and performance and also helps students prepare for college.

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“I have learned a lot of tips and tricks for studying, taking tests and taking notes that will help me next year at University of Arkansas,” senior Gus Purdum said. “AVID helped me to become more introduced to colleges and their atmospheres by taking us on college trips and having speakers come in and talk to us about the college that they represented.”

AVID isn’t a class anyone can just sign up for at the time of enrollment. Students are recommended from their 8th grade teachers and are sent a letter from the school expressing interest for the student to join.

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Junior Aleksei Cohee solves a math problem on the board with help from avid tutor Sarah Newell. “I wanted to become an Avid tutor because it is a great opportunity to teach these younger students what I have learned through my close to four years of high school,” Newell said. Photo by Anna Welch.

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destination staycation

“I like Snow Creek because it gives you a place to snowboard without traveling some place far away. The terrain park is fun; there are some cool jumps and rails.”

-senior Ben Lewis recommends Snow Creek

g . acin 10p.m t R or gh Indo y: Noon Midni S s r da le e, K nSad Thurs y: Noo Olath da day Satur en Rd n u S y& 2 -L a N Mur 606 d i r 6 F 25 3

by mariem towakoli

sports editor t’s that time of year again; teachers are getting tired of grading and students begin to daydream about anything and everything unrelated to school during class. Spring break is less than 24 hours away and the beach is sounding more and more tempting each and every day. Once the last bell rings at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, some students will be rushing for the doorways to get ready for a flight to a new destination, while others linger through their normal routine. At this point, vacations already have been planned and those without a trip see spring break as two weeks of unconditional boredom.

Spring break can still be thrilling even in the Kansas City area. With the amount of entertainment, museums, restaurants and attractions, Kansas City is considered one of the best places in the midwest to visit.

To plan the best staycation, here is a variety of places to visit within the Kansas City area that can make a spring break at home entertaining.

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Lions, tigers and bear s oh my! The Kansas City Zoo is located in the historic and beautiful Swope Park.

The 202 acres are nestled inside valleys and rolling hi lls and is home to more than 1,000 animals. Pick one or all of the thre e paths to take your adventure on. Make a day trip down or voluntee r your free time at the zoo.

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Photos and graphics by Anna Glennon and Morgan Vietti. only

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“Sadlers is a great experience.

The staff is very friendly and it’s very exciting that you can get your cart to go about 45 miles per hour.”

-Sophomore Owen Dahm recommends Sadlers Indoor Racing

or e f out: d Co heck R Q to c e h t es an plac c S re mo

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Book recommendations for those boring car rides

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hen Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she doesn’t expects to witness a murder — especially not a murder committed by three teenagers covered with weird tattoos and holding strange weapons. This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding

how to understand zombie physiology and behavior, the most effective defense tactics and weaponry, ways to outfit your home for a long siege and how to survive and adapt in any territory or terrain. The Zombie Survival Guide offers complete protection through trusted, proven tips for safeguarding yourself and your loved ones against the living dead. It is a book that can save your life.

“Safe Haven”

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“A Clockwork Orange”

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hile we might not have heard about the author, but chances are that most have heard about the thrilling, dark novel “A Clockwork Orange”. A vicious fifteen-year-old is the main character of this classic, whose story was told in Stanley Kubrick’s film. In Anthony Burgess’s

osh Duhamel, yum yum. No doubt that a few of us are going to drool about him when we sit in the movie theaters watching the latest Nicholas Sparks installment, but check out the book too. When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past.

nightmare vision of the future, where criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, who talks in a brutal invented slang that brilliantly delivers his and his friends’ social pathology.

“A Clockwork Orange” is a frightening story about good and evil, and the meaning of human freedom.

“Warm Bodies”

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The Southwest Standard

Photo Illustration by Morgan Vietti

arts and entertainment

by royan black online editor

“City of Bones”

“The Zombie Survival Guide” t’s easy to joke about what to do in a zombie attack, and no doubt that a lot of our jokes consist of hitting up the nearest armory. But all jokes aside, what are we supposed to do when the dead rise? “The Zombie Survival Guide” is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now. Illustrated and detailed, this book covers everything you need to know, including

southwest

e all know the zombie legend, some of us even fear the zombie legend, but this warm, funny novel puts a new twist on the zombie legend in both book form, and now a major motion picture.

R is a zombie. He has no memories and no identity, but he has dreams. He is a little different from his fellow

the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a like an angel and acts like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours, Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon, but this is only the beginning of Clary’s introduction into a world she never expected to exist.

Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner; and another with her neighbor, Jo. But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her — a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to Southport.

Dead. After experiencing a teenage boy’s memories while eating his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward and strangely sweet friendship with the victim’s human girlfriend, Julie. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole world.

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Book covers from goodreads.com

march 2013

standard

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lunchroom laws A guide to proper etiquette

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graphics and story by brianna bogdan staffwriter

Getting Your Food

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hen students are feverishly rushing toward their favorite dishes, eager to slap a mountain of mac and cheese and chicken strips onto their trays, things tend to get a little chaotic. Very quickly it becomes obvious who is practicing good etiquette and who is too blinded by their hunger to notice the freshman they just elbowed in the face. Twice.

“I’ve been bumped into and had

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or those interested in being extra fancy during lunch, etiquette expert and creator of tableetiquette.com Bille-Ann Nolan offers some advice.

“Knowing your way around a table setting is important — especially when you are trying to make a good impression.” Nolan said. “The skills and knowledge needed to navigate your way

around a complex table setting show discipline, attention to detail, and a respect of etiquette that is sadly lacking in this day and age. These values make a fantastic impression on just about anybody.”

The general rule for correctly setting up your utensils is to start from the outside of your place setting and work toward your main plate going spoon first, then knife, then fork.

Eating

One of the basketball players was messing around and got apple sauce all over his warmup.” freshman Erica Good said, “And since I’m a manager I had to wash it for him later, it was not good.”

Many lunchroom mishaps can be effortlessly avoided when practicing correct manners, but as it turns out that’s an easier feat than it sounds; although long standing rules of etiquette state never to put your elbows on the table or eat with your hands,

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food spilled all over me,” sophomore Maddie Snow said, “it was so disgusting.”

But it’s a problem easily fixed if students can calm their loudly complaining stomachs and just wait in a single file line for each buffet. Not only is this way less harmful towards scrawnier inhabitants of the school but it also makes the process go more efficiently, thus much faster as well.

Setting the rable

in a setting like the school lunchroom the only real guidelines that need to be followed are what fellow students are seen doing. Because the very definition of etiquette is “the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group,” there is no practical need to follow rules that others aren’t.

It all boils down to common sense.

But by no means, ever, no matter what anyone else is doing, is it acceptable chew with an open mouth.

Because ew.

Cleaning up

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ery much like the process of receiving trays, returning them can also cause a lot of chaos. But the main concern is leftover debris from the food storm that just took place. The polite thing to do would be for everyone to discard their bottles and containers in the correct place, saving custodians the trouble.

But, because this isn’t a perfect world, it would be totally acceptable for students to help each other out by picking up things left behind.

“One time I accidentally threw my tray into the trashcan,” senior Trevor Jones said. “I don’t think anyone saw though, or, at least, I hope nobody saw.”

EFFICIENCY

=

useful energy output/ total energy output Instead of holding up the line chatting up servers or slowly scooping up that canned fruit piece by piece, hurry up and make that energy useful in order to improve your efficiency.

opinion

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march 2013

12

staffed: Act by caroline fronczak news editor

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espect. Responsibility. Compassion.

Self-discipline. These are all the virtues we’ve been taught since kindergarten.

Basically reminding us of how we are supposed to treat others the way we’d want to be treated, or as others would simply put it: the golden rule.

However, it seems students are losing a little respect, and their self-discipline seems to fade when they walk into class and see a substitute sitting in the place of their normal teacher.

What makes us treat a substitute differently than our teacher?

They are both there to help us learn. It’s not like the sub is out to get us and planned some long assignment we have to complete in order to make us suffer. Our teacher is the one who planned it and the sub is just there to enforce it.

Although they may look or act differently, we should still respect them. Not to mention, that the sub has never done anything to us and we barely even know them, but yet we treat them like they are below us.

Despite the situation they’re our elders and we should show

them that we aren’t some inconsiderate generation who couldn’t care less about anyone other than ourselves.

“Sometimes, it makes it difficult to respect the sub because we know that that person isn’t our teacher,” freshman Gabbi Miller said. “This way, kids can mess with them and think they won’t have any long-term consequences.”

Although it does depend on who is standing before us on a certain day, the treatment from the students to the subs is all the same. We think that because our teacher isn’t there that we can do whatever we want, just sit in class and gossip with our friends or play Temple Run on our phone and not do anything that requires lifting a pencil. We think we can make our own rules and the sub can’t do anything about it.

“The thing I don’t like about subs though is that, when they write a report, they usually blame the whole class for the bad behavior,” Miller said.

Ever heard of the saying, “what goes around comes around?” By us disrespecting our sub, they then tell the teacher and therefore it only results in us getting in trouble.

However, if we give subs the same respect we give our regular teacher, the sub wouldn’t have to

The Southwest Standard editor-in-chief meg huwe

features editor ananda bhatia

managing editor jessica skaggs

opinion editor grant laster

web editor royan black

sports editor mariem towakoli

news editor caroline fronczak

special sections editor anna welch

photo editor anna glennon

opinion

photographers matt forster kylie norcross morgan vietti staff writers brianna bogdan jordon fields sawyer like molly sharp adviser heather lawrenz

your age southwest

staff vote

yes - 8 no - 2

your vote 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

Graphic by Matt Forster.

write a bad report. It’s a two way street and this is exactly where our kindergarten virtues come into play. Respect our elders by treating

others the way you’d want to be treated.

It’s not that hard to suck it up for a class period and behave like

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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the mature young adults we are.

We aren’t in elementary school anymore so we should stop acting like it.

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.

march 2013

Saving the sport standard

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Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling must continue to be Olympic events

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t’s one of the by sawyer like oldest staff writer sports in the Olympics — one of the oldest in the world. Olympic wrestling has been in existence since its introduction in 708 B.C.E., being a key sport in every Olympics, until now. Recently, the International Olympic Committee stated that Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling would not be planned for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

According to a New York Times article, the decision was made by a secret vote held in Lausanne, Switzerland, by the International Olympic Committee.

The reasoning behind this action has baffled the wrestling community, with many referring to the number of viewers as evidence of wrestling’s popularity. The viewers of Olympic wrestling are double that of the modern pentathlon, averaging 23 million viewers tuning in to wrestling compared to the 12.5 million the pentathlon receives.

The international rules for wrestling, however, confuse many and may have played a role in the removal of wrestling from future Olympics. These rules involve picking a ball out of a bag to determine position as well as the unfair “clinch,” rules that are hard for a common spectator to understand.

The number of wrestlers has only risen in recent times, with a 40,000 person increase in high school wrestling, with over 250,000 high school wrestlers and over 8,000 female wrestlers.

Turkey’s Istanbul, a city bidding to host the 2020 Olympics Summer Games, wishes to include wrestling in the games if chosen to be host.

“I think it’s ridiculous to cut a sport

with so much history,” senior Kyle Pepper said. “The fact that there are sports like speed walking but not wrestling is crazy.”

Wrestling is one of the hardest sports one can do. There are no cheerleaders to encourage you, and there are no teammates to blame a loss on. A person may be able to deal with the bumps, the bruises and the cuts, but the most strenuous part of wrestling is the isolation. It’s just you and another wrestler. There can only be one winner, and you have to assume the guy you are up against is going to put you through the wringer while you try to secure the win.

However, what wrestling gives back is worth the hours you put into it. There’s a quote that says everything is easier after you have wrestled. This is not true. Nothing got easier, you are just able to rise to the challenge and meet whatever comes your way. You learn to become excited to be challenged, and you get excited to take on the guy everybody said you couldn’t beat. The things you learn from wrestling will not just make you a better competitor, you learn life skills that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.

“Wrestling has taught me that you get out what you put into it,” Pepper said. “If you work hard then a good outcome will happen.”

Excluding wrestling from the Olympics will do more harm than good. There are thousands of kids who dream of winning a gold medal at Olympic wrestling, and who is anyone to deny them the ability to try to live their dream? While it may be unrealistic that there can be thousands of gold medalists in wrestling, the things that can be learned from the sport of wrestling may be more important than the medals themselves. If you’re working your heart out for the sport you love, then the journey is more valuable than the destination.

Photo illustration by Anna Glennon

What do you think of Olympic wrestling not being included in the 2020 Olympic Games?

“I think it’s really unfair to all of the athletes who participate in Olympic wrestling and all of the fans associated with it.”

“I think it should be in there because I enjoy watching it.”

-junior Austin Mcbee

opinion

-junior Mickey Brown

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march 2013

14

southwest

recap sports winter

winter sports wrap up

Top left: Seconds before winning his match, junior Trevor Watson slams his opponent down on to the mat at the varsity dual against the Piper Pirates on Dec. 5. Bottom left: Bringing his arms back to complete his stroke, senior Dan Pemble swims the butterfly relay during the varsity swim and dive meet versus Blue Valley Northwest. Top right: sophomore Steven Anderson attempts to keep opposing Blue Valley West senior Joey Lillis away from the goal. Photos by Anna Glennon.

Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Wrestling

Season: 13/7 In the EKL: 7/7

Season: 14/8 In the EKL: 7/7

EKL: 3rd as a team Regionals: 4th as a team State: Sawyer Like took 2nd place

winter sports

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Boys Swim and Dive State: 6th place out of 39 teams

Bowling EKL: Varsity 3rd place Junior Varsity 2nd place Regionals: Varsity 9th place

march 2013

15

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march 2013

16

Listen to

the

southwest

ound

In honor of Music in Our Schools month, the talent of the performing arts department is highlighted through photos.

Above: During one of the Chamber Choir’s practices, senior Erik Berge sings along with the other boys in the group. Photo by Anna Glennon. Top right: Dragging their bows across their instruments, sophomores Lauren Stone and Sydney Carnes play through a piece with the help of their director, Adam Keda. Photo by Matt Forster. Bottom right: Senior Steven Murray and sophomore Sean Bennett keep syncronized as they play their trumpets along with the rest of the band. Photo by Morgan Vietti. Graphics and Photo Essay by Anna Glennon.

music in our school

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march 2013