Southwest Standard Issue 9

Standard outhwest

Vol. 3 Issue 9 April 2013 Overland Park, Kansas

Pgs. 8-9 Inside this issue: Privacy policies Pg. 4

Taking responsibility Pg. 12

Player profile Pg. 15

2

southwest

Editor’sNote:

PrintEdition: n

11

4

16

n

n

n

10

Beauties and the boys -feature Privacy policies -opinion

Shadows in the Asylum -photo essay Concussions -feature

“

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Why many in society continue to buy into this outright lie baffles me.

While working on this issue, I noticed a common theme within the stories, as well as within my own life.

Words can hurt. They do hurt. Even when masked as joke.

Although I know that writing this editor’s note won’t eradicate every mean word said, my hope is that does create an environment of understanding.

A disability is not an insult. A sexual orientation is not an insult. A race is not an insult. A gender is not an insult.

They are what make us who we are.

People.

Beautiful people. People with potential. Potential that can change the world for the better.

And that is no laughing matter, or something to slight.

The differences we each possess are what make us each unique. Without them, we would all be the same. What a boring world that would be.

Embrace the differences that make us special. Don’t allow them to divide us. While I know that may sound a little “kumb-ya-ish” I really do believe a better, less painful world is possible.

Differences and all.

As Aristotle said, “it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

As you read this issue, I hope you take some time to think about not only your actions, but your words. While actions do tend to speak louder, words do play a huge role. Allow your words to have a lasting impact. One that encourages others around you.

Cover photo: Day of Silence on April 19. Photo Illustration by Anna Glennon.

OnlineEdition: Atrophied advisory

Is this class a waste of time, or meant for something more?

Web exclusive stories from Journalism 1 students

Check out the future newspaper and yearbook writers.

news

www.bvswnews.com

Sports scores Keep up to date with sports scores on bvswnews.com.

Twitter

Check out @bvswnews on Twitter.

april 2013

newsbriefs

3

standard

Black Box performs its annual Rep. Theatre Show “Shadows in the Asylum” was held March 28-30 as the annual spring Black Box production put on by the Repertory Theatre.

“It was so different playing a patient in an asylum compared to the sweet, bubbly girls I’m used to playing in musicals,” junior Lauren Mylin said. “I loved how strong and stubborn Kari was. But it was hard sometimes having to keep a blank, creepy stare for most of the show. There was also a lot of screaming and bruises.”

The show followed a young girl Kari

Hansen, played by Mylin, who was admitted into an insane asylum where she began having “vivid hallucinations” while Dr. Marsh (played by senior Hersh Ellis) began believing these were true.

“Our last show we sold out, added more chairs, and still had to turn more people away,” Mylin said. “I had people in the audience an arm’s-length away from where I was.”

“Maul of the Dead” is the next time to see a production by the theatre department on April 25-27 in the main theatre.

by caroline fronczak news editor

Freshman gets opportunity to reach her dreams

School Library Month takes place throughout April All during April, the library will be celebrating School Library Month.

“We’re really hoping this brings more attention to the library,” junior Marriam Hassan said. “People don’t understand how awesome our library really is, and this is just a chance to showcase it even more.”

Even though students use the library for school projects and the computers, the Breakfast Club hopes this encourages students to

news

come to the library for entertainment and not just because they have to.

“The library staff does so much to help give students the resources to succeed,” Hassan said. “This is just a chance to give back to them and hopefully gain some more members to the Library Breakfast Club, too.”

The club meetings are held on late arrival Thursday.

Izabella poses with the founder of Disney’s Dreamers Academy, Steve Harvey, while in Disneyworld. Photo Submitted by Izabella Borowiak-Miller.

www.bvswnews.com

Over spring break, freshman Izabella Borowiak-Miller was chosen to attend Disney’s Dreamers Academy, which helps youth harness the power of their dreams.

Borowiak-Miller comes from a family of 12 and based most of her essay off of her own experiences.

“While I was at the academy I met several people who gave me tips about the future,” she said. “I want to help people in some way.”

Out of several thousand applicants, only about 100 were chosen to go to the Disney’s Dreamers Academy.

“I want kids who are getting bullied to find friends,” she said. “For example when you see someone at lunch who is sitting by themselves go sit by them. I also want other people to know that if you have a dream you can achieve it all you need is a little help to start it.”

april 2013

4

southwest

Privacy policies: school folders and e-mail by ananda bhatia features editor

In February, about 70 students were expelled from Harvard University for Poll of 100 students taken at all lunches on March 29.

inappropriately collaborating on an open book, open note and open internet test.

Administrators searched the e-mails of resident deans in order to discover who leaked the information about the cheating scandal to the media. The public

was in an uproar­­­­­­­ — could staff e-mail accounts be searched without informing the owners? Was this an invasion of privacy?

What privacy expectations should Blue Valley students and staff have?

teacher e-mail

student folders 1) No reasonable expectation of privacy 2) Student use of computer networks can be restricted or denied 3) Violation of Board of Education’s acceptable use policies may result in disciplinary action 4) Teachers and administrators have complete access to student folders 5) The student doesn’t have to be informed about a search

student e-mail 1) No reasonable expectation of privacy 2) Student use of school e-mail can be restricted or denied 3) Violation of Board of Education’s acceptable use policies may result in disciplinary action

1) No reasonable expectation of privacy 2) The district may restrict access to communication technologies 3) Employees will be subject to disciplinary action in the event that they misuse communication technologies 4) The district reserves the right to access electronic files and account information (employee e-mail and voice mail) on district owned computers

Graphics by Matt Forster and Brianna Bogdan.

What do you think the privacy policy should be for student e-mail?

““

Everyone needs to be treated equally in the school, and cheating is not equality for students. I think the school board should have the power to look through people’s e-mails if they think something fishy is up. It’s just a matter of what is right.”

Sophomore-Romaric Keuwo

news

““

I think there should be rules.

Like if a student cheats or plagiarizes or something, they should have their email checked. I think they’re [rules] there, but I don’t really know because a lot of people don’t use their student e-mail.”

Freshman-Swetha Jasti

www.bvswnews.com

“

If they feel like something should be taken care of, then they should take care of it. Some would argue that it’s kind of an invasion of their privacy, but it’s your school e-mail, not your personal e-mail.”

Junior-Matt Cornell

april 2013

5

standard

advertisements

www.bvswnews.com

april 2013

6

southwest

Twitter: Helpful or hurtful ?

Number of BV Twitter accounts explodes

A

nother week, another Twitter account. That’s how most students feel whenever they log into Twitter. Recently, a new trend has popped up amongst students in the Blue Valley School District.

Students are creating anonymous Twitter accounts and giving their opinion on events happening around the district. Whether these opinions are positive or negative depends on the account.

Although focusing on students in the district, every account has had its own spin on things. One will tear people down, another will build them up. Some show that there are still kind people who are always willing to cheer someone up. Others make me embarrassed to go to the same school as people who can say such terrible things.

Being anonymous, people are able to tweet what they wish without the worry of dealing with school counselors. These accounts rarely last, however, with most being deleted after a few weeks.

The main problem comes not from the content, but from the opinion of the viewer. I’ll be honest, I’ve certainly laughed at some of the tweets posted on these accounts. I may have even re-tweeted them a couple of times, and I feel confident saying that I’m not the only person who has found some of these tweets funny.

However, when you’re the butt of the joke, then it becomes a differ-

BV Truth

The most recent account to sweep the school district, @theBVtruths is an account where one can post secrets anonymously and they will be tweeted.

These secrets can be as harmless as to who has a crush on who to as hurtful as insulting someone or revealing secrets that a person would rather have kept private.

“I think they are pointless because they do compliment some people but they also make people cry,” freshman Luke Brown said.

special sections

ent story. Suddenly, you’ve become the thing everyone’s laughing at. The majority of students are perfectly fine with making jokes about other people, so it only makes sense that everyone should be able to deal with being on the other end of the joke every once in awhile.

Bullying, however, is something different, and shouldn’t be encouraged nor tolerated within our school district.

The best thing anyone can do is simply think. With social media easily accessible, words are weapons, and one must ask themselves, who will this affect? Can I get in trouble for this? Is this going to hurt someone?

Anonymity should not be reasoning to bully someone. If everyone could think before they tweet, Blue Valley would be known as the school district where everyone is accepted, rather than the place where students attack each other under the guise of anonymity.

Of course bullying would not end if these accounts were discontinued, but it would make the district much safer if everyone would think before they post. Besides, if most of these accounts last fewer than a couple of weeks, there is not necessarily a reason to worry about being targeted.

If everyone just took the time to think before we type, we could make high school a much better experience for everyone.

It’s hard to condemn @BlueValleyTruths because the things it tweets can be both hurtful as well as positive. A lot of tweets focus on crushes or whose good at sports.

The administrator of the account can also delete tweets if they are found to be offensive. It’s a double edged sword that can either applaud people or hurt them.

by sawyer like staff writer

Cartoon by Matt Forster.

Bvsw sweetheart While many of the BV Twitter accounts offend people, @BVSWSweetheart is an account dedicated to complimenting people. The account sends people encouraging tweets, and offering advice for everyday issues.

“I thought it was a great way to offer advice to people that were maybe having a bad day,” junior Kassidy Currence said. “ It’s just a little pick of a pick-me-up to just make them feel good.”

After seeing @BVSWSweetheart, I felt proud that someone from my school finally made an account dedicated to complimenting others instead of tearing them down.

If there were more of these accounts for other schools, the district would be a much better place.

Bad luck brian bv

Based on the popular Bad Luck Brian meme, @BadLuckBrianBV is an account that tweets about things occurring all over the district on a daily basis.

The account makes fun of multiple things happening around the school district, “I think it’s funny,” junior Mikki Wright said.

“I get a kick out of it, occasionally.”

Number of Followers:

www.bvswnews.com

Unlike most accounts, @BadLuckBrianBV has lasted a relatively long time, with another account surfacing in Olathe.

Posting things occurring all over the district, @BadLuckBrianBV tweets about a variety of schools, so names are not frequently mentioned.

@BVSWSweetheart: 127 @BadLuckBrianBV: 990 @BVTruth: 398

april 2013

Death of standard

W

ith more than one billion users all over the world, Facebook has been known as the king of social media. However recent numbers suggest that its rule may be starting to wane with contenders like Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest making their own grabs for the crown.

Tumblr announced that it had reached 5 billion total posts and over 17.5 million total blogs on May 1, 2011, hitting 10 billion in September. This meant that the service doubled its total output in just four months and doubled it again in a little over six. According to social media tracking company SocialBakers, Facebook lost nearly 1.4 million users in Decem-

7

by brianna bogdan staff writer

system and the ability to search for users around the world.

“It’s annoying when people post about themselves too much, it makes you seem obnoxious,” sophomore Hannah Seyl said.

The same generation that’s participated in Facebook’s growth, is simply growing bored of the site. U.S. comScore’s August data shows that groups 12-17 declined 42 percent and 18-24 declined 25 percent.

“I think it’s more of the older generation using it to talk to old high school friends, and not so much our generation anymore,” junior Victoria Haas said.

ber.

Facebook prides itself on allowing users to connect with friends and family as well as other users worldwide to promote ideas and share experiences — all while sitting comfortably at home.

“It’s a good way to contact people,” senior Alex Meiser said.

“If you can’t contact a person through phone or e-mail, your last resort is Facebook and it usually works because people are always checking it.”

But the unlimited social connection that Facebook offers is not without its downfalls. The website features a constantly updating newsfeed, access to friends’ complete timelines, a private and instant messaging

Graphics by Anna Glennon and Brianna Bogdan.

special sections

www.bvswnews.com

april 2013

08

L T G B esbian

ay

09

southwest standard

Students stay silent in order to stop the silencing of LGBTQ peers

ransgender

U

isexual

S

hut it.

Hear that? That’s the sound of silence. Like the movie theater saying, “silence is golden,” implies, sometimes people use silence to get away from the cacophonous sounds of everyday life. It shows up in various ways societally: through basketball fans at Taylor University’s Silent Night, through the audience members in John Cage’s 4’33”, and through noise cancelling headphones.

But some individuals throughout history have embraced the absence of noise as a form of protest. Mahatma Ghandi often abstained from speaking for days to declare his message of Indian independence from Britain. The nine students at Little Rock Central High School in 1957 remained silent in the face of screams and insults. And now, high school students across America elect to not speak in honor of an annual event, the April 19

Day of Silence. microaggressions, not outward is to raise awareness and hopeEach year, over 500 thouhate crimes, but everyday fully end lesbian, gay, bisexual, sand K-12 students come to words and actions that jab at transgender and questioning school silent in order to protest people of non-heterosexual bullying and suicides,” junior for lesbian, gay, bisexual, orientation, subtly. According Herrick said. “It’s becoming transgender, and questioning to the Gay, Lesbian & Straight a national epidemic. I don’t (LGBTQ) peers who have Education Network’s 2011 want any of my friends or been silenced because of bul“National School Climate Sur- even myself to go through lying, discomfort in the school vey,” 84.9 percent of LGBTQ losing someone because they setting, or fear. students heard homophobic were bullied because they love The movement that began remarks used frequently in someone different than what in 1996 at the University of a negative way at school. others think they should.”

Virginia has now grown into Additionally, 63.9 percent of Much like staying up all the largest student-led night for Relay for I don’t want any of my friends Life requires focus, event toward creating a safer school environto go through losing someone keeping silent through ment for every kind of day is not always because they were bullied asomething person, regardless of that all because they love someone students are accustheir sexual orientation or gender identity. different than what other think tomed to. According “I just think it’s to the American Civil they should.” Liberties Union, a important for anyone to feel a sense of comstudent cannot remain Junior Emmalee Herrick silent if a teacher asks munity and a sense of belonging,” Spanish them to speak. They teacher and supporter of LGLGTBQ students reported suggest talking to teachers BTQ Alyson Kilcoyne said. being verbally harassed, and ahead of time, in order to avoid “I really admire the students 27.1 percent reported being upsetting staff members and that come to me, especially in physically harassed. Yet, 60.4 administration. a speaking class, language class, percent of those students never However, participants where you know that you have reported these incidences to are allowed to use any form to speak for part of your grade, school personnel. of writing to help teachers, and let me know that they are Students, like Gay-Straight students and non-participants participating. Because that Alliance co-leader Emmalee alike understand why they takes some guts, still.”

Herrick, have seen these staare silent. This includes using One such issue that partistics affect her own life and whiteboards, T-shirts, postticipating high schoolers will the lives of those close to her. ers, stickers, texts or even sign attempt to address is that of “The reason I am doing this language.

“

2/3

Students claim that bullying at school targets sexual orientation

day of silence

“That day I’ll have a piece of paper to give the teacher that tells them why I am not talking during their classes,” junior Sarah Niebergall said.

“Day of Silence is just a way to get the message out there.

We’re trying to get people to understand and recognize that this does happen. LGBTQ people are bullied and they don’t feel safe in schools. The first step to changing that is awareness of the problem.”

Taking a stand against LGBTQ issues has created opposition for the Day of Silence and its participants. The Alliance Defending Freedom, in 2005, created a response to the Day of Silence, the Day of Truth. Saying that they wished to “counter the promotion of homosexual agenda and express an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective,” the ADF encourages its participants to protest with an opposing day after the Day of Silence.

“It’s [the Day of Silence] taking a stand,” Kilcoyne said.

“It takes a stand openly on something that continues to be controversial. And they [nonparticipants] would rather blend in. So on this kind of day, blending in is talking.”

3/10

www.bvswnews.com

about current events and issues as well as try to work on awareness of what all of this means, and get a stable amount of people to come.”

Another aspect of the organization is a trust factor. Students are not required to talk, but if they do, what they say will not be shared.

“We accept everybody and you can come in and you don’t have to say a word,” Barnhart said. “We have a mentality of what happens in the room, stays in the room. We want people to feel that they can come talk to us. They can have their questions answered by people who have been through what they are going through even if they aren’t ready to come out to the rest of the student body of even their family. They could just be questioning because the LGBTQ society is a relatively new concept to a surprising number of people.”

After witnessing first-hand how words and bullies can impact someone because he or she is different, Halfmann thought it was important to sponsor a club such as GSA. “In my mind, every human being is who they are,” Halfmann said. “[It’s] not by choice. It’s based on biology. To think otherwise is failing to understand science.”

On top of the club’s participation in the Day of Silence and forms of social activism, it stands for self-acceptance.

“One of my biggest fears was knowing I was different and that might not be okay,” Peuser said. “I had the great luxury of my cousin going here [Southwest]. I know for some people, coming into high school, or being different in general, isn’t something they can 2012 n do themselves. It’s important for us to be here and help people.”

ntil this year, there was not a Gay Straight Alliance [GSA] at Southwest. Previously, graduate Gabrielle Hespe had put together a group that worked with Blue Valley High School’s GSA, but this year marks the first time the club has had meetings here and a sponsor, counselor Kevin Halfmann.

“We couldn’t ever get an organization piece of it, so going along with someone else who already had it established was an easier way to do that,” junior co-leader Alex Peuser said.

Peuser’s hope is with him and his co-leader, junior Emmalee Herrick, establishing the club and running it for two years, that the underclassmen will be able to keep the momentum of GSA going.

GSA’s around the school district have struggled to maintain after the graduation of the 2012 senior class because of how heavily involved they were.

While both Peuser and Herrick have had leadership experience, they have found it is sometimes difficult to express their meaning.

“What we want to do is such a touchy and controversial topic,” Peuser said.

“While it shouldn’t be, we cannot change everything. We do face the challenge of presenting our ideas and stances to people in a way that is neutral and isn’t too ‘in your face.’”

To accompany the difficulty of the club spreading its message in an unbiased way comes the most common myth: that one must be gay to join.

“It’s just getting the word out,” junior Bailey Barnhart said. “You don’t have to be gay in the Gay Straight Alliance. They hear ‘gay’ and feel like they’d be judged by other people. If you just want to learn about what it is or how they deal with circumstances or to support them. It’s not just for people who are gay.”

Club members meet the first and third Tuesday every month at 7 a.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.

“The main goal is to be a safe place for anyone that needs it,” Peuser said. 1996 n n “That means anyone. [We] talk

Information courtesy of Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the Day of Silence. Photos Illustrations by Anna Glennon; graphics by Morgan Vietti and Brianna Bogdan. by grant laster opinion editor

by meg huwe editor-in-chief

LGBT students skipped school out of fear for personal safety

Day of Silence growth n

n n

n

n

2006

n

2001

9/10

LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school

april 2013

10

A

Impact by meg huwe editor-in-chief

line drive soars into the outfield.

Junior Andy Lindsey jumps up to catch it, but falls back and lands on the bottom of his head.

This move earns him his second concussion in two weeks — enough to take Lindsey out of a sport he has played since age four.

Two weeks after his first concussion, the doctor cleared Lindsey to resume practice.

His first practice back was when he got his second concussion.

“My case is very rare with two concussions in two weeks,” Lindsey said. “You never really hear about that, especially in baseball. If you have two within a year that can have a really bad impact.”

Athletic trainer Krista Westerkamp expressed the second impact syndrome is a major concern for athletes. A second concussion can be responsible for lifelong injuries.

In 2011, Minnesota Twins player Justin Morneau got his second concussion 14 months after his first. However, after sitting out for a season, he has made his way back onto the field.

As a precautionary measure, Lindsey had to see a neurologist once a week and had to go at a slower pace than his classmates. This year he had to repeat Algebra II because he couldn’t remember anything.

“It’s been more difficult,” he said. “ It’s

southwest

Concussions take toll on athletes on and off of the field

harder for me to stay focused and understand things the way I used to.”

Lindsey and his family decided it would be best for him to give up playing baseball because if he were to get another concussion there would be much more serious results.

“I went from playing baseball all my life to having to give it up,” he said. “It’s been really hard. It’s always hard to give something up that you love. I really enjoy tennis; it’s just not baseball.”

Concussions can occur from a fall, hit or any injury that shakes the brain inside the skull. Getting a concussion won’t necessarily result in fainting; sometimes symptoms may not even be notable.

Now that more research is being released revealing the consequences of these head injuries, school athletic coaches are trying to keep them from happening. Last spring the girls soccer team invested in headgear and continue to wear them this season.

“Recent evidence showed how to prevent it [concussions],” assistant coach Tyler Alexander said. “Also the idea was it’s better to be precautious as opposed to watching it happen.”

In the instance that athletes, or anyone gets injured, it’s best to tell someone.

“Athletes, report and be honest to prevent lifelong injuries,” Westerkamp said. “[They] always say it’s better to sit out a couple games or two to three weeks rather than end [your] season forever.”

Photo Illustration by Anna Glennon.

Symptoms of a concussion Sleep • Sleeping more or less than usual • Having difficulty falling asleep Thinking and remembering • Not thinking clearly • Feeling slowed down • Inability to concentrate • Not capable of processing new information

Physical • Headaches • Fuzzy or blurry vision • Nausea and vomiting • Sensitivity to light or noise • Balance problems • Feeling tired or having no energy Emotional and mood • Easily upset or angered • Nervous or anxious • More emotional Information courtesy of WebMD.

features

www.bvswnews.com

april 2013

standard

“

Beauties and the boys

I’m too fat.” “She’s too skinny.” “He’s too ugly.”

All these phrases are echoing our halls. It doesn’t matter the gender, chances are someone will hear those words at least once throughout the day.

According to PsychologyToday.com, body image is the mental representation we create of what we think we look like; it may or may not bear a close relation to how others actually see us.

Expectations of body image are widespread among American females, but the idea of body image is speculated to be one of the driving forces in eating disorders, feeding an idea that it can only be fixed by dieting.

“Views on body image come from so many different places,” REbeL sponsor Lindsay Hogan said. “Society, media, family, friends. One comment can have a huge effect on the way a person sees themselves.”

Beautiful women are seen all the time on television; whether it be cheerleading for a football team or walking the runway during the Victoria Secret Fashion show.

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reported that 69 percent of girls in grades five through 12 were influenced by magazine

features

11

by royan black online editor

taking a closer look at body image

pictures, believing that this is the perfect body type.

“I think that someone might love their body, but, because of bullying and society, they are pressured to think they are ugly.”

REbeL member and junior McKenna Oldson said.

It’s not to say that these worshipped women in the magazine or on television don’t have to deal with body image or weight discrimination like everyone else — Baltimore Ravens cheerleader Courtney Lenz, 23, was reportedly barred from the 2013 Super Bowl because she weighed too much. Body image perception isn’t’ simply a woman’s issue either.

According to the Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, over 50 percent of teenage girls and 33 percent of teenage boys are using restrictive measures to lose weight at any given time.

On a daily basis, boys are introduced to media and society’s perception of ‘beefy’ men such as the tanned, muscles of Jersey shore or Channing Tatum, previously named by People magazine as the Sexiest Man Alive.

“Men most definitely deal with body image as well as girls, but in different ways.”

Oldson said. “They deal with more muscle

and abs than weight and beauty.”

Body image discussions are making their way to the halls, as are steps to promote healthy body images. Students have recognized this as a universal problem and have taken the initiative to spread the awareness through the REbeL Club.

The REbeL Club is a student-led education and prevention program designed to address eating and body image concerns.

www.bvswnews.com

Photo Illustration by Anna Glennon.

“It really saddens me to see anyone hate their body,” Hogan said. “There is such amazing, diversity in our body shapes and sizes and it’s so beautiful. How boring would we all be if we all looked the same?

I wish more people could see their uniqueness and be happy with that.”

To read the rest of this article visit bvswnews.com

april 2013

12

southwest

Take control of your role The benefits of being honorable and taking responsibility for one’s actions by jordon fields staff writer

T

aking responsibility for one’s actions can be one the most virtuous things somebody does.

When a situation goes awry, the problem can only get worse for those who try to blame their faults on other things or people in their life.

Not taking responsibility for one’s actions shows a lack of maturity and an overall weakness in character, a weakness that will no doubt come back to harm those people in the future.

“It’s a rare to see a person taking responsibility for their mistakes because it’s so easy to blame someone else,” sophomore Anna Dickerson said.

“By doing so, you relieve your guilt or think you will get less of a punishment. In the end, it just

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

makes you look like you can’t own up without making excuses.”

Unbeknownst to the irresponsible people, their excuses all sound alike.

“When people aren’t responsible for their actions, they blame it on others, their circumstances, their surroundings,” Dickerson said. “Normally anything but themselves.”

Indeed, the traits of a truly responsible person are hard to come across in this day and age, especially in high school, but there might be a way to teach these qualities to people who do not already possess them.

“Obviously they don’t want to take responsibly for themselves and they blame it on other people, because they’re scared.” junior Tavon Alleyne said, “and don’t do something that you’d need to blame somebody else in the first place.”

Responsibility is something people have to learn over time, but there are those who display these things at a young age, while there are others who have lived well past their prime who seem to have skipped this life lesson.

“Money is a factor in the decrease of responsibility in today’s society. For example; kids don’t have to get a job because their parents will pay for everything, or they don’t value the things they own because the have enough money to replace them,” Dickerson said, “It’s hard for someone to practice responsibility if they have nothing to be responsible for.”

So in an interesting turn of events it would seem that people with less money and possessions turn out to be the more responsible individuals.

New quote “It’s hard to say, people who want to get out of the more poverty prone places are willing to work for it. They do something about their situations and take responsibility for getting themselves

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.

www.bvswnews.com

to a better place” Dickerson said, “the need to be better and make others proud is what gives you responsibility for yourself.”

Though life doesn’t have to be hard and miserable for somebody to be responsible, it just something people must learn.

“I’m definitely not the most responsible person, [but] I would consider myself a responsible person most of the time,” Dickerson said. “I have three younger siblings so I have to be responsible for them and lead by example. I have no other option but to be responsible for all of us.”

Taking responsibility for one’s actions can be a very difficult thing to do, especially when the threat of getting in trouble comes into play.

“One time I rode with my best friend in a car when I wasn’t supposed to. It wasn’t a big deal, but to my mom it was” Dickerson said “By fessing up and saying sorry, I wasn’t punished as harshly as I would have been if I hadn’t taken responsibility for my actions.”

Something should be said to the irresponsible people so that they understand that being responsible — though more difficult to get around to doing — is easier on the individual in the long run.

“I’m not really in a position where I feel like I could give advice, I think taking responsibility now will prepare you for the independence of being an adult,” Dickerson said. “You’ll be ready to maintain a job, be a good student, taking care of things you own, etc. Not being responsible now will hurt your chances of success in the future.”

It’s goes without saying that somebody who is responsible for their actions is more trustworthy and safe than somebody who does not know how to take accountability for their actions.

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.

april 2013

13

standard

staffed:“That’s so gay”

the truth behind this common saying

A

ccording to thinkb4you‑ speak.com 86 percent of LGBT(lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) students have experienced verbal abuse.

At school the phrase “that’s so gay” has become a social norm.

An act of verbal abuse with no single person as a target, but a minority.

Many people don’t even understand how idiotic this phrase is.

When broken down to a literal sense, it means that an inani‑ mate object, project or act is “gay.”Although when someone says this, they don’t actually mean gay, they mean stupid.

We think a common phrase can’t hurt people.

The truth is, it can. There are many people in the world who are struggling with their sexuality because they are told being gay is wrong and immoral.

staff vote

yes -15 no - 0 your vote Go online to bvswnews. com to cast your vote for this month’s editorial ques‑ tion. Read other student responses and comment on the edito‑ rial. Make your voice heard at www. bvswnews. com. or men‑ tion us on twitter @bvswnews Editorial Cartoon by Morgan Vietti.

In 2009 an 11 year‑old boy hung himself after constant bullying at school. He was called gay, daily. There have been at least four middle school suicides similar to this situation between 2008 and 2009.

There are people that think it is just a harmless say‑ ing that has been taken too seriously. But it isn’t a joke.

Saying this can make them feel scared to be who they truly are.

The harm isn’t only emo‑ tional and verbal but also physical. In the past year, 22 percent of LGBT students have been physically abused at school.

“The people who say it are uneducated and don’t seem to be able to think of an adjective,” junior Catherine Dunn said.

Put yourself in the shoes of someone who is targeted by this expression - to be judged by people you don’t know is very hurtful.

“I try to not hang out with the people who say it,” senior Eric Gunnarson said.

by molly sharp staff writer

We hear it so often that many of us have stopped even caring. If you say some‑ thing, the response is often “I didn’t mean it that way.”

You should be able to find a synonym, or say nothing at all. It can be hard to say something to someone when we have only overheard what they say.

“I hear it five or six times a day, T.V. included,” FOCUS Para Jo Oliver said. “It makes me angry and think less of the people who say it.”

One way to help stop the use is by going to www. thinkb4youspeak.com. This is a website meant to inform students on the effects of the phrase, “that’s so gay”. You can go on and sign a pledge to use an alternative word.

The next time you hear someone say this think about what it really means, how it could affect someone who is at the brunt of the saying.

Stand up for the victims.

Ask the one who is saying it to use another word.

What is your opinion on using the phrase,“that’s so gay” loosely?

““

My friends and I use it in a joking matter, not seriously.

Sophomore- Jon Wakefield

opinion

““

Talking about acting gay I get really upset, but when it is joking I just laugh.

Freshman -Madeline Hoyt

www.bvswnews.com

““

I think it is stupid because I know a lot of gay people who are awesome.

Sophomore -Jordan Dunklee

april 2013

14

briefs sports spring

southwest by anna welch special sections editor

Softball works on becoming a family to achieve season goals While trying to make amends with practicing indoors, softball girls are ready to hit the field instead of the gym for a change. The girl’s are prepared for their biggest rivals, BVHS on April 4 that ended the first game with a win 12-2 and the second game ending 2-5. This was the first loss of

their season. Now, they are looking forward to beating their other rival, BVW on April 22.

“Becoming a family on and off the field is super important,” senior Megan McGuire said. “Now, it is this years seniors who are hoping to impact the most.”

This year is the year we’ll be seeing a lot of state winners due to our seniors. They’ve worked together for three years now and have spent their off season practicing for their last season together. The team has also gained some freshmen that will fill the senior’s

shoes once they’re gone.

“It makes it easier to extend this bond to the whole team, especially having quite a few new freshmen this year,” senior Megan Becker said.

Swimming makes its way to State

spring sports

Graphic by Morgan Viette

Track team laps competition Track isn’t just going to settle for making it to state. They want to win state.

Junior Bailey Blood is determined to get her relay teams perfect and bring home a state title.

www.bvswnews.com

“Everyone has become better friends,” Blood said. “To have good chemistry really helps with relays which I feel are going to be one of our best events this year.”

april 2013

profiles player

15

standard

by mariem towakoli sports editor

#8 T.J. Martin – Junior

FRESHMAN YEAR-

Catcher, 1B B:Right T:Right

doubles

triples homeruns

batting average- .459 hits- 34 RBI’s- 22 stolen bases- 1 runs scored- 15 walks- 5

SOPHOMORE YEARdoubles

sports

triples homeruns

batting average- .455 hits- 36 RBI’s- 26 stolen bases- 4 walks- 8 runs scored- 19 www.bvswnews.com

= one hit

Photo by Morgan Vietti.

april 2013

16

shadows in the asylum

southwest

Top Left: Speaking her mind of Dr. Charles Marsh’s practices, Nurse Blackburn, played by junior Tori Loepp, argues with Dr. Claire Morris, played by Amanda Miller. Bottom Left: With the spotlight shining down on him, senior Hersh Ellis channels his role of Dr. Charles Marsh’s as he flips through documents on stage. Above Left: Staring off into the distance, Kari Hansen, played by junior Lauren Mylin, tells the doctor of the shadows that come after her. Above Right: Stuttering as he rambles about young girls being chased by a monster, junior Tristan King plays Darrell Covey, a young man plagued by hallucinations. Above: Kari is shocked out of her vision by Dr. Charles Marsh’s return. “Shadows in the Asylum” opened on March 28 and was presented by the theatre department. Photo Essay by Anna Glennon.

www.bvswnews.com

april 2013