The Standard Vol. 4 Issue 1

thestandard vol. 4 | issue 1 | august 2013 | bvswnews.com | blue valley southwest | overland park, kansas

global trips pgs 8-9

roof damage page 11

printedition|

content|

| feature

courtyard beautification

¬ loss of seniors

| arts&entertainment ¬ summer assignments

newly adorned courtyard gives school grounds new life

| feature

¬ students around the globe

pg 12

| opinion

¬ school flimsiness

editor’snote| This summer I studied at a college where everyone scored over 200 on the PSAT and was the president of seven clubs. I was the odd one out, and needless to say, it didn’t do much for my self-esteem.

The worst was the pity party I received when out of the 25 people in my dorm entryway, I was the only one who didn’t score a 5 on the AP test.

But I reminded myself that I was learning something more important than how to get into college — I was learning about myself. I love philosophy. I love living near cities.

I’m even worse at dancing than I thought. And I never would have discovered these things if I hadn’t left my comfort zone. I decided that it’s true what they say: change is good.

This year holds many changes for the Standard. It’s our first year as a full-color news magazine, and the paper is coming out less frequently so we can print longer stories.

This also means that bvswnews.com is expanding quite a bit, now that most coverage will be online.

I hope everyone both enjoys the changes to the Standard and the changes in their own lives. Take my advice and dive right into the new year without the fear of trying something new, because you never know when the opportunities you have now will be gone.

photo by charlotte davis. cover photo by ciara murphy.

features editor

onlineedition| back to school information

fall sports preview

Check out what’s happening this school year.

Find out how the sports teams are preparing for the upcoming season.

2 | aug. 2013 | southwest | www.bvswnews.com | inside this edition

vol. 4 issue 1 aug. 2013 the standard

students with professions teens learn the importance of time management

Only 24% of teens have jobs.

1.3 million teenagers are looking for work.

44% of teenagers who want summer jobs don’t get them or work fewer hours than they perfer.

Job-hunting tips for teens: Teenage job seekers face tough competition in the crowded employment market. Here are some tips from Alison Doyle, a job-search expert to help teens stand out.

1. Get your papers. Before you apply for a job, make sure you have an employment certificate, which New York State requires for anyone under 18.

School officials issue the certificates, known informally as working papers.

2. Create a resume. Highlight your experience, including baby-sitting, mowing lawns and volunteer work.

3. Tell friends and neighbors you’re looking for a job.

4. Be flexible.

5. Be gracious.

aking up at 5 a.m. is never easy, W but he’s become used to it. That’s really when junior Blake Shinkle’s

selves with activities because I the various activities they are faced with. have to watch my time,” McFeeters said.

“The stress of balancing a job and my “I can’t put assignments off or wait to day begins. He has come to realize busy schedule can sometimes be come do something important- I have to plan there are hardly enough hours in a day. too much for me to handle,” Shinkle ahead. Time management is key.”

He stays up until midnight- sometimes said.

For some students who are new to later- just to finish what he’s working Shinkle is taking Anatomy, Drafting employment, it can sometimes be hard to on, and when he wakes up in the morn- 2, and Advanced Algebra during this get into a routine. Sophomore Hannah ing, he picks up where he left off. When school year. The estimated time for that that’s finished, he moves on to the next homework alone is four to six hours a activity he has scheduled. Sometimes night. In addition, Shinkle plays basethat’s baseball, sometimes it’s summer ball for Next Level Baseball; the team assignments. Any extra free time he practices Mondays and Tuesdays and has, he spends it at BCS Design in his has tournaments that usually start on office, working.

Thursdays and go through Sunday.

“During summer my schedule is crazy enough, but when honors classes and school projects are added into the mix I hardly have any time left over,” Shinkle said. “It’s stressful because all the extra free time that I do have goes to my job, and then I have to miss out on a lot of fun McFeeters works carside. This is things like hanging out with friends.” her main job at Applebees.

For some students, balancing their school work, social life, extra curricular Harrick started working at Smoothie activities and job has become a routine King this summer, but with her many and part of their day to day life. Senior commitments such as cheerleading Abby McFeeters has learned how to camps, cheerleading practices and onprioritize and manage her time so that line classes, she was only able to work a she is able to enjoy waitressing at Ap- maximum of 10 hours a week. plebee’s and also maintain good grades.

“When school starts there will be “My work schedule doesn’t change so much more going on and so many Shinkle works part time. He deafter school starts,” Mcfeeters said. “I more time commitments, I don’t know if signs for BCS Design. always work 20 or more hours a week. I’m going to be able to find the time to I keep my schedule the same because it work,” Harrick said.

Aside from relaxing poolside during helps me manage my time better.”

These students have discovered difthe summer, students also have to focus Using time management, the student ferent ways to keep up with busy schedon their busy schedules. However, when can prioritize the most important to the ules. school starts and schedules become least important activity. According to a “There’s always just so much to do more hectic, these students will realize in so little time,” Shinkle said. “Summer the hardships of taking on more than was never about relaxation for me- it was they can handle. All the while, they always ‘done with one activity, now on give as much extra free time as they can to the next.’ I really learned how to dedevoting themselves to their jobs. cide what was worth my time and what In order to balance their various acwasn’t. Now with school starting, it’ll get tivities, students often have to cut back harder to prioritize the most important hours at work. During the summer, Shinto the least important, because all of kle worked five days a week for around the things that I do matter to me. I hope 25 to 30 hours. However, due to extra I don’t get lost in the maze of my busy commitments during the school year, he schedule.” will work three days a week and will only

have about 10 to 15 hours. | lexitarter

McFeeters also works as a hostState organizations recognize the ess.

She does any job her staff hardship of balancing school and work.

According to the Kansas Department of needs her do.

Labor & Industries, during non-school weeks, the most a teenager can work is study done by Kansas State University 48 hours. However, on school weeks, the on time management for students, one most a teenager can work is between 16 hour of planning will save ten hours of to 20. Even though working over the set doing. amount of hours is illegal by law, teens “I think it [working full hours] acstill struggle with overworking them- tually helps me with school and other

feature | www.bvswnews.com | southwest | aug. 2013 | 3

BIGGEST sENIOR EDITION

LOSER

An overview of the outcome of activities and athletics predicted by students.

I

n every sport or activity this past school year, there was a senior showing off what they are made of, making the most of their last year in high school activities. They took programs at Southwest farther than ever before. With hard work and dedication, the 2014 seniors can take those programs just as far, if not farther.

Girls swimming won State. Debate got 2nd in State for four speaker and 3rd in State for two speaker. Football had a 5-4 record.

Gardner-Edgerton got defeated. Washington was conquered. Blue Valley North got wiped out. All by none other than the football team here.

“We lost 20-some seniors last year so we have some shoes to fill,” junior and varsity football manager Katie Seitz said. “I don’t think we’ll be as good as last year because we have such a small team, but we have many talented players to make up for it.”

On the other hand, volleyball, debate, girls soccer and boys basketball have bright-looking futures, according to students.

“There shouldn’t be any drop-off this year,” senior varsity basketball player Mark McCafferty said. “If we make it to state, anything can happen from there.”

The senior class of 2014 is much different from the class of 2013. According to some student athletes, seniors need to “step up their game.”

“Being a freshman last year, I thought the seniors were intimidating and serious,”

Football players line the field at the BVSW vs. BVN game at BV. sophomore and varsity cross country runner Abby Ragsdale said. “This year’s senior class is sillier and they don’t take charge as much as last year.”

The change is even larger for the boys basketball program.

“I’m the only senior this year,” McCafferty said. “We will be lacking leadership and varsity experience. Hopefully after a few weeks we can make up for what’s missing.”

Girls soccer will be lacking in leadership also, after losing four starting seniors.

“I think we will have to make up for lack of leadership,” senior and varsity soccer player Nikki Lynch said. “We have always had senior captains step up and send out texts to get us ready for games.”

No matter what, there will be students in the stands of the football stadium and in the bleachers of the gym wearing their Southwest spirit and cheering on their favorite players.

Nothing can stop the Southwest Superfans.

Spectators always like to believe that the best will happen.

According to Ragsdale, their optimism is what keeps the athletes going so they don’t let down their biggest fans. Even without last year’s seniors, people are hopeful.

“I think our team will be very successful this year,” Junior and varsity volleyball player Ana McMullen said. “If we put in a lot of hard work, I believe we can qualify for state.”

Senior and varsity debater Emma Stewart has similar expectations.

“I am really confident about our team’s success this year,” Stewart said. “We have a ton of talent and have worked really hard so I know we will do really well.”

Despite the lack of leadership and all around athleticism that the last senior class had, students still have an optimistic outlook for the future. All that’s needed are some spirit-filled superfans.

“We have been a strong team the last three years,” Lynch said. “I think we can carry on that tradition this year.”

| ericagood

Seniors in 2013 Programs:

Girls soccer players pose for a picture after a big win.

Photo submitted by Sue Lynch.

4 | aug. 2013 | southwest | www.bvswnews.com | news

Volleyball-3 Debate-3 Cross Country-5 Wrestling-7 Girls Swimming-18 Baseball-11 Boys Soccer-8 Football-5 Boys Basketball-5 Track-15 Girls Basketball-3 Softball-4 Girls Soccer-4 Band-9

photos taken by Lexi Oatman.

debaters had no days off four debaters attend camp in Michigan

A

s summer begins to come to a close, many BVSW students find themselves relaxing in the sun, working their final shifts of the summer or even rushing to finish up the summer assignments that they’ve been procrastinating for the past two months. However, for four BVSW debaters, the lazy days of summer are over.

Seniors Lexi Oatman and Katie Super, along with juniors Chris Fry and Jacob Hegna spent the final weeks of summer listening to lectures, researching and sharpening their debate skills at month-long debate camps. What separates their camp experience from other debaters that go to local camps is that they had to travel over 700 miles to get there.

Oatman, Super and Hegna all traveled 776 miles to go to the Michigan Classic debate camp at the University of Michigan, while Fry embarked on the 732-mile trek to attend the Spartan Debate Institute (SDI) at Michigan State University. Their reasoning for traveling so far for camp revolved on the desire to have an edge over the debaters they will face in the coming season at national-level tournaments.

“There are really good camps in Kansas that I’ve gone to in previous years,” Super said.

“But the advantage of going to Michigan is that it attracts debaters from all across the country that I could likely see at national circuit tournaments.”

Even if they haven’t made it to the national circuit, debate coach Jared Zuckerman sent teams to Michigan that he believes to have the potential for greatness.

“I never really expected to go because I never thought that I could be that competitive on the national circuit,” Hegna said. “Near the end of the school year when the top teams were choosing camps, our coach said that we should go, so I guess that’s how the decision was made.”

To improve their skills, debaters spend each day at camp sitting through lectures and attending labs,where college debaters instruct campers and have practice debates. These activities are standard at debate camps, but what sets SDI and Classic apart is that, according to the SDI camp

“I feel like this is my new home.” page, there is a greater emphasis on improving each individual’s skills, not just teaching through mass lectures. The difference isn’t entirely debate-oriented, but personal as well.

“I’ve made so many friendships that I will carry around through the season,” Oatman said. “My lab has gotten incredibly close and I feel like this is my new home.”

Aside from improving their skills and fostering new friendships, debate camp has also provided valuable life and college experience.

“I’m now used to living in a dorm and using public showers,” Oatman said. “Also, having to ration out my money and be smart since I have a limited amount to last me four weeks.”

Though the thought of spending four weeks at camp seemed daunting to some, it wasn’t too hard for these debaters to settle in.

“I felt somewhat nervous right before camp because many of the debaters who go to Michigan are significantly better than me,” Super said. “But I’m not really nervous any more because camp is fun and relaxed.

Unlike Super, Fry and Hegna didn’t experience any pre-camp jitters, so they began to appreciate camp right away. For Fry, the most enjoyable part of camp was “significantly developing my skills on a higher level.”

Hegna, however, had other reasons to enjoy his time at camp.

“I don’t really want to go home because living on a college campus with a decent amount of money and not much responsibility is quite fun,” Hegna said.

Despite having different initial reactions to camp, all four debaters are likely to remember their camp experience long after they pack up their bags and head home.

“I’ve gotten close to so many people here,” Oatman said, “It’s been such a positive environment and I know I will never forget this summer simply because of all these amazing people.” | laurenstone

feature | www.bvswnews.com | southwest | aug. 2013 | 5

helping hands

students spend time volunteering over the summer

O

n a scorching summer afternoon sophomore Taylor Massey arrives at work at Ko Martial Arts (KOMA). Massey sits down in her chair behind the counter at the front entrance of KOMA. She answers phone calls, enters information into the computer, restocks merchandise and snacks and answers students’ questions. Like many other high schoolers, Massey found work to keep busy during the two and a half months off from school. However, unlike other teens who find jobs over the summer, Massey doesn’t get paid for her work.

Like other teens, Massey enjoys putting summer’s prolonged amount of free time

Sophomore Taylor Massey works behind the counter at KOMA. She answers the phone and helps students among other tasks.

Photo courtesy of Taylor Massey

to good use and making the most out of it through community service.

“I volunteer at KOMA whenever there is a major event such as testing or a tournament and work behind the counter,” Massey said.

On days that a tournament is held, she arrives early in the morning to set up equipment. Massey then stays for the tournament to keep score and makes sure it is running smoothly. Her volunteer work hasn’t gone unnoticed and has impacted both the staff and the students.

“I have affected the staff by supporting them and helping finishing tasks,” Massey said. “I am also there for the students if they need help or have a question.”

While some high schoolers would rather relax during the summer, Massey enjoys going to work and helping the staff and students.

“I volunteer there because it is a com-

fortable environment for me, and everyone is so kind,” Massey said. “I have met a lot of people there and have a ton of fun while I’m there.”

Massey, who is an active member of the KAY Club, enjoys volunteering during the school year and over the summer.

“I spend time volunteering because community service is important to me,” Massey said. “It is a lot of fun. I get to spend time with friends and family while helping out.

Most people think of community service as an obligation instead of something that can be enjoyable.”

Other students don’t have to go out of their way to find community service opportunities.

Sophomore Gabbi Miller is an avid swimmer who has swam for the Kansas City Blazers for three years. Not only does Miller compete for the Blazers, but she also volunteers for events hosted by the Blazers.

“If I’m helping out at a swim meet I might time [races] or announce the meet,” Miller said. “Or if I’m at a triathlon I would pass out waters or help at the finish line.”

Miller said that each team member of the Blazers has to complete 20 hours of community service. However, this isn’t the only factor that motivates her to volunteer.

“I volunteer because the Blazers needed volunteers, and I had times on my hands,” Miller said. “The work my team has put in has brought us closer together as a team, and it shows the community that we are always there to help.”

While many students have found volunteer opportunities right at home, others have traveled across the country to help those in need.

In June sophomore Abby Yi went on a four day long mission trip to St. Louis through her high school ministry at her church, the Christ Community Church. Yi and other high school students renovated a children’s center and women’s center for those who are affected by abuse.

Yi and her fellow volunteers worked in the sweltering summer heat to revitalize and revamp the exterior of the children and women’s centers.

“The condition of the children and women’s centers were really run down,” Yi said.

“Before we worked, the fronts of the build-

6 | aug. 2013 | southwest | www.bvswnews.com | feature

ings did not look inviting at all.”

As she and her fellow volunteers worked at the centers, they were able to meet the owners and see how their work affected them and their businesses. However, the appreciation of the work they did wasn’t limited to just the owners, but to other members of the community. “[The owners] were so grateful for us to come help them,” Yi said. “The owner actually went down to the hardware store to get some more supplies and overheard people talking about seeing teenagers working on the rundown kids’ center.”

While renovating the children’s and women’s centers, Yi wasn’t able to meet the residents, but she’s optimistic that the work she did improved their lives in a positive way.

“I hope we somehow affected [the women and children’s] lives for the better by helping create a safe place for them,” Yi said.

Whether it’s in his or her community right at home or in another state, students have found ways to make the most out of their free time during summer and enjoy doing it, too.

“I like doing community service because it’s a great feeling knowing you contributed to helping others,” Yi said. | margojohnson Sophomore Abby Yi (second from right) and her fellow volunteers repainted the children’s center ‘s fading and chipping exterior. Along with painting, the volunteers also gardened the overgrown plants.

Photo courtesy of Abby Yi

Left: 108 Mentors look on as Principal Scott Roberts reviews Southwest’s mission statement. Right: The incoming freshmen join their mentors in preparation for a 14-ttep scavenger hunt of the building. Bottom: The Aug. 7 night came to a sweet closes with cookies and refreshments as the prospective students socialized.

Photos by Grant Laster.

news | www.bvswnews.com | southwest | aug. 2013 | 7

helping others across the globe students spend their summer volunteering for others W

hile the majority of students were spending their summer socializing, a slight handful decided to donate their time to mission trips and organizations to help others.

Senior Amanda Creason took time out of her summer to benefit the lives of others. Creason spent five days interacting with orphans who wouldn’t have very many friends their age to talk to otherwise. With the trip organized by Global Orphan Project, Creason appreciated the opportunities had to travel to Haiti for a second time.

Creason enjoyed traveling to Haiti and surrounding herself with kids that only have the clothes on their backs and no place to call home.

“It’s just a blessing to see how happy these kids are with absolutely nothing,” Creason said.

“They don’t ever see teens or kids close to their ages and most of the time they just want to be held and loved.”

Creason visited a total of seven orphanages this summer and spent time with 25 to 45 orphans per orphanage. She plans on returning to Haiti in the future to visit the new friends she has made.

Creason says she will never forget her memories and the people she was able to help.

“I will always remember going back and having one of my favorite kids remember me when I walked into the orphanage,” Creason said. “The kids would surround the bus; and when you got off, kids would grab you by the hand and show their love and joy for us.”

Senior Kayla Gruenhaupt also attended a trip to Haiti this summer. Gruenhaupt has traveled to Haiti four times now and is already booking her next trip for this school year, giving her over 800 hours helping orphans. Even though Gruenhaupt and the orphans are not able to communicate since they can’t comprehend English, Gruenhaupt is able to play interactive games or make art as well as sing and dance.

“We definitely have to get creative when making games that we can both play and understand,” Gruenhaupt said. “It’s really difficult sometimes since they don’t know what I’m saying, but I can tell just by their emotions that they enjoy the company.”

While visiting Haiti, Gruenhaupt was able to tour the areas affected by the 2010 earthquake.“The first time I visited the Mass Grave Center was very overwhelming for me and it’s not something I’ll ever be able to forget seeing either,” Gruenhaupt said. “It

What was on your summer bucket list?

“

I wanted to learn how to cook this summer.” seniorKaraKatona

“

Take a selfie with a kangaroo.”

photos courtesy of amanda creason, kayla gruenhaupt and jack ayres. just so sad to see how many people’s lives were cut short because of this disaster and just how many people it truly affected.”

Gruenhaupt is expecting to return to Haiti in late November or early February to see the orphans she has been helping for four years now and to benefit the lives of more children.

Traveling six and a half hours, senior Jack Ayres spent his summer on a mission trip to Puerto Rico. Ayres was able to visit Arecibo and San Juan to help male teenagers struggling to control their life harming addictions through Teens Challenge. By applying biblical principles, Teen Challenge endeav-

8 | aug. 2013 | southwest | www.bvswnews.com | helping across the globe

ors to help people become mentally-sound, emotionally-balanced, socially-adjusted, physically-well, and spiritually-alive.

Enjoying the time he had to help these teenagers, Ayres renovated the facility as well as lead worship centers for the teenagers to come and pray.

While leading worship, Ayres learned how to sing songs in Spanish and interact with the locals more.

“This trip was a great experience for me to really help people and understand why they are in the place they are now,” Ayres said. “I thought that, since I was more involved with the teenagers during the worship centers, that I somehow made an impact

on their lives.”

Through this experience, Ayres has now realized just how troubled some peoples’ lives can get, and that most just need encouragement and faith to help them though the problems they may face.

“I know that what these guys are all going through are hard addictions to break and it’ll take some time before they are free from it,” Ayres said.

“I really hope that I made an impact on these guys through faith and religion to help them get through this.”

| mariemtowakoli

“

seniorMcKennaOldson

This summer I really wanted to stargaze and go to a summer concert. juniorChelseaSchupp

helping across the globe | www.bvswnews.com | southwest | aug. 2013 | 9

freshman survival guide helpful tips on what to expect freshman year

| nicolebecker

Ah, freshmen, you are no longer the top dog, but, in fact, the bottom of the food chain. Welcome to high school. This is a critical four years of your life, and freshman year is devoted to figuring the whole “high school” thing out. To tell you the truth, none of us really have everything figured out. I was in your position just a year ago, and I have definitely learned so much. If I would’ve known half the stuff I do now, my transition from middle school would’ve been much smoother. But what’s high school without your awkward freshman year?

You’ll figure it out, I promise. As of now, you may not know exactly what to expect, but let me help you out with some tips on how to survive freshman year.

Step out of your comfort zone

Be you

In middle school, you got in a comfort zone, but I encourage you to go beyond what you’re used to. Be friendly to everyone, even if they aren’t someone you would usually talk to. Friends will come and go, and you never know exactly who you will end up with. Simply having a conversation

You’re always told that in order to enjoy high school you have to fit in. Well, let me tell you that is a big, fat lie. High school is all about figuring out who you are and you can’t do that if you’re constantly trying to impress everyone else. Not every person in the school is going to like you, so you should focus on pleasing the one person that truly does matter--yourself.

with someone can open up a lot.

Get involved

So much to do, so little time

Too Too cool cool for for school school

This may be the first time you hear this, but definitely not the last. Get involved with as much as you can. Even if you aren’t athletic, get involved with clubs and find something you’re interested in. Activities allow you to meet new people and discover what you really like to do. Being involved makes you more invested in the school and really enhances your high school experience.

Your time in high school will be divided between school work, activities, a social life and sleep. The two words “time management” will becoming a daily struggle, so it’s important that you get in good habits early. You will get pretty busy, so you’ll have to figure out how to balance everything. Find out a good schedule that works for

Alas, your days of blowing off assignments with no consequences are gone. First semester freshman year can be a rude awakening for some.

Soon you will find yourself checking StudentVue daily to get a grade update in each class. GPA are three simple letters that will determine your college future. So, reflect

you and stick to it.

your work effort now on what your desire is for college.

10 | aug. 2013 | southwest | www.bvswnews.com | opinion

In the halls “Don’t be afraid to get involved! People who don’t get involved with the school are the kids who don’t like it.”

-Junior Justin Hicklin “Enjoy freshman year, even though you get the ‘frosh’ label, live it up because it’s going to go by so fast.”

-Sophomore Mikayla Murphy “The workload increases, but so does the fun. All of the assemblies, sports game and school events set high school apart.”

-Senior Nick Edwards

ready to crumble roof collapse two months ago raises concerns on the durability of building

staff vote yes - 8 no - 4

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

“

Ladies and gentlemen, the pilot has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign, as we are entering a patch of slight turbulence,” the flight attendant on my late-night flight home from LaGuardia in New York said.

The ride got a little bumpy while flying over Kansas’ rigid grid of fields and tracts of land. My water, in it’s flimsy, shallow cup, rippled slightly, a few bags shifted around in the overhead bins, someone had to hold on to the seat backs as they proceeded to the bathroom.

I n e v er would have imagined that, at this very time on June 16, the mild and completely normal winds I was experiencing thousands of feet in the air would also rip a part of the roof off a school.

Out of concern and curiosity I turned to Instagram and Twitter to see what my friends might know, but after finding nothing, I had to wait one night to see what had happened. The

morning paper on my front steps confirmed that the pool’s roof had been dismantled by the winds from a severe thunderstorm. But nothing more.

Looking further into this matter, I found that the National Weather Service reported winds on the night of the storm, at the location of the pool, to have a maximum wind speed of 49 miles per hour.

Trying to understand just what that meant, I likened it to the moderate speed at which any car might go. But to truly grasp what 49 mph of wind is, I looked to the tried-and-true wind scale of Francis Beaufort, a famous hydrograph, whose scale classified the same winds from June 16 as only a strong breeze. Perhaps strong breezes normally crumble buildings...

Then again, Blue Valley West, a building less than four miles away from our school on a hill, had nearly the same architect and contracting team as us, and is the second youngest

school in the district. It was unscathed by the thunderstorms on June 16, as was the Center for Advanced Professional Studies, a building just as young as ours, covered almost entirely in glass, and once again made by a similar arrangement of the four building firms.

Hopefully our district’s authorities, higher-ups, can recognize the formula that created a more costly fix than they had ever imagined because bonds for a new middle school that feeds into Southwest will be proposed in the coming years. Maybe, just maybe, history won’t be repeated.

Story continued at bvswnews. com.

| grantlaster

op-ed | www.bvswnews.com | southwest | aug. 2013 | 11

Courtyard Charm Top left: During the early summer, a birdhouse was placed in the courtyard across from the library. “It was a good touch to an otherwise birdless courtyard,� sophomore Sarah Towakoli said. Left: By the main office lay pink, orange and yellow azaleas that have flourished from the summer sun and courtyard sprinkler system. Bottom left: Foliage now covers the grounds of the courtyard, to which the recently-graduated Class of 2013 plans to add a mobile statue as their senior gift. Bottom right: What once used to be a colorless metal statue is now a yarn-bombed tree adorned by art teacher Shawn Stelter, who hopes to finish winding colors around the statue soon.

| charlottedavis

12 | aug. 2013 | southwest | www.bvswnews.com | photo essay

fake it ‘til you make it how to forgo your summer assignments

photo courtesy of Jinx!, creative commons

A

dmit it. You’ve done it. We’ve all done it.

Even though everyone has had all summer to complete the homework assigned to us in May, we’ve procrastinated until now and the due date is rapidly approaching.

Yes, it can be difficult to pull yourself away from the sunshine to sit down in front of a blank Microsoft Word page or read a dreary book from the 1800’s, but despite the list of excuses, you’ll either have to toughen up and struggle through the assignment or pretend that you did. Or as I’d like to call it, fake it ‘til you make it.

When utilizing this phrase to find success, there’s a fine line between impersonating a pilot like Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Catch Me If You Can to get ahead and googling “good angles on APRs” like the protagonist in Confessions of a Shopaholic.

With that, in order to find actual success when faking summer assignments, all you need to do is: fake the effort, your knowledge and your interest.

In addition to fakFirst, fake the efing the effort, it’s imperative that fort. No teacher wants to see that you fake your knowledge. If you plan not only did you not complete the packon not reading anything, then you must et, but you didn’t even attempt to. make your English teacher believe you “I would say the best thing to do A t can analyze The Glass Castle when dealing with packets last, all you need now is from cover to cover. would be to do each type to fake your interest, to really make “I would personof problem,” senior it look like you spent all summer slaving over ally just Google Lauryn Bogseth your assignment and just can’t wait to share it with the higher levsaid. “Teachthe class. el concepts ers usually Make sure to participate in class discussions over the that would be put multiple books, or ask questions over the review packets. Make it look there,” junior questions like you care. And most importantly make it look like you want to Wyatt Henfor a certain be there. Be confident and people will start believing you actually drickson method, so are. So, fake it ‘til you make it. said. “This do one of You tried your best (you have the stars next to the questions to way I could each, then prove it), you’re prepared to write all about the symbolism in your appear to have you don’t book and how it affects the author’s tone (if you count writing a higher level have to put in about what John Doe said as accurate) and now you’re comprehension, effort in for the ready to stand up and give the best book sell of your even though I did rest.” life. Without actually reading the book. not do it.”

Another deWith multiple vice to use is starring | carolinefronczak ways to gather informaquestions that you ‘don’t tion, Google, SparkNotes and know.’ This way it looks like random blogs will become your best you wanted to do the problem, but the friends when gathering information. concept just slipped your mind.

Bogseth also suggests if you have a list A study by Duke University, showed of books to pick from, then pick a book students lose skills over the summer. But, you’ve already read or one that has aldoing math sheets without help; and inready been made into a movie. correctly is not the answer.

special sections | www.bvswnews.com | southwest | aug. 2013 | 13

new faces around Southwest | sarinaacharya

Brittany HardingScience Teacher

Experience- First Year Recently graduated from University of Central Missouri Ms. Harding enjoys hiking and the outdoors in general.

Liz ChoppLibrarian

Experience- 4 years

She believes that “you should always do something you like” and that’s why she chose teaching as a profession.

Last held job- Teacher at Oxford Middle School Ms. Chopp’s favorite author is Jhumpa Lahiri

Neal Doolin-

Favorite Genre: Young Adult Hobbies- cooking, traveling and working out Ms. Chopp is excited to get to know the students and the staff at Blue Valley Southwest. She loves literature and thinks that connecting is “pretty rad”.

Math Teacher

Experience- First Year Recently graduated from The University of Kansas Mr. Doolin is extremely excited to teach for his first time.

He enjoys role-playing video games such as League of Legends in his free time.

Jim FaccianoMath Teacher

Sarah McKee-

Visual Arts Teacher

Experience- 3 years Last Held Job- Teacher at Shawnee Mission North High School Ms. McKee will be teaching drawing, painting, and photography this year.

As a student, Ms. McKee got straight A’s in school and she was a dancer.

14 | aug. 2013 | southwest | www.bvswnews.com | feature

Experience-40 years Last held job- teacher and later, administrator in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Having spent most of his life in northern Idaho, Mr. Facciano loves spending time outdoors.

If Mr. Facciano wasn’t teaching, he would be doing architecture instead.

Amanda Durnal-

| michaelmagyar

English Teacher

Experience- 8 years Last held job- Teacher at Blue Springs Freshmen Center

Charles Golden-

Mrs. Durnal enjoys running and spending time at home with her daughter.

English Dept Chair Experience- 13 years Last held job- Teacher at Blue Valley NW

Kelley Alexander-

“My goal as a teacher is to make the distance between absolute novices and experts as short and as stress free as possible,” Golden said.

Math Teacher

Experience- 1 year

Last Held Job- Teacher at Sumner Academy Mrs. Alexander decided to become a teacher after being a software engineer at Garmin

Dustin Loechner-

Shauna RinearsonEnglish Teacher

History Teacher

Experience- 15 years

Experience- 13 years

Last held job- Teacher in Claremore, Oklahoma.

Last held job- Teacher at Lawrence Free State High School.

Mrs. Rhinearson loves getting to know her students better. She also loves spending time at home with her dogs.

Mr. Leochner enjoys water sports and “anything outdoors”

| thesouthweststandard editor-in-chief grant laster

photo editor anna glennon

adviser heather lawrenz

managing editor mariem towakoli

features editor ananda bhatia

photographers sarina acharya sam billman charlotte davis erica good ciara murphy

web editor caroline fronzcak news editor caroline fronzcak

opinion editor nicole becker sports editor sawyer like special sections editor lauren stone

staff writers margo johnson michael magyar lexi tarter

The Southwest Standard is published Letters should be submitted to seven times a year for students, faculty room 118 emailed to bvswnews@ gmail.com or mailed: and surrounding community of Blue Valley Southwest. It is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions exThe Southwest Standard c/o pressed within this paper do not necessariBlue Valley Southwest High School ly reflect the views of the administration of 17600 Quivira Blue Valley Unified School District #229.

Letters to the editor and reader reOverland Park, KS 66085 sponses are encouraged for publication.

The Southwest Standard reserves the right The Southwest Standard also to edit all submissions for both language encourages guest photography.. and content and encourages letters to be no more than 350 words. All letters must be signed and names will be published

feature | www.bvswnews.com | southwest | aug. 2013 | 15

Strange Humors Top left: Senior Ian Dennin thinks marching inside is great because “it gives us the opportunity to get better without the heat or rain”. Top right: Senior drum major Jack Ayres “loves the responsibility of being drum major and all the behind-the-scenes work.”

Middle left: Sophomore Lindsay Green practices backwards marching inside the commons during a hot spell.

16 | aug. 2013 | southwest | www.bvswnews.com | photo essay

Bottom: Junior Alexis Jalbert, three year member of the Glitter Girls, tossed a flag in practice for this year’s show, “Strange Humors”. The Emerald Regiment began its practice on July 22 to incorporate new members; it has over 100 members this year. | ciaramurphy