Southwest Standard Issue 10

Standard outhwest

Vol. 3 Issue 10 May 2013 Overland Park, Kansas

Seniors are graduating on May 19, check out where they’re headed.

Pg. 12-13

Inside this issue: Senior signings Pgs. 5–6

MS walk Pg. 8

Netflix reviews Pg. 11

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Editor’sNote:

PrintEdition: n

12-13

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15 9

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Defending the peace -opinion Green school?

-staff editorial

Summer concerts -special sections The universal smile -special sections

Photo Illustration on cover by Anna Glennon.

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ell folks, this is it. The last issue of the 2012-2013 school year.

To you guys, 10 issues may not seem like that many, but trust me - it was. There was more than one occasion when I was ready to yank out my own hair. However, getting a paper together and ready to share with our school is a cool concept. The even cooler thing about the Standard is, behind each issue, is a deeper story that you guys don’t even know about. Our own story.

Issue one consisted of a mad dash to just have a paper for that first day of school.

Issue two was all about these hockey boys and making sketchy innuendos with their slang terms. I mean what else were we supposed to do with “dangler?” Oh, and memes.

Issue three well... we don’t talk about that one.

Issue four encompasses our belief that we needed to go take on the district.

Issue five was all about reaching that halfway point.

Issue six was a miracle where we managed to put together a paper (writing, designing and editing) in five days. Trust me, that’s not an easy feat.

Issue seven (i.e. issue six round 2) self-explanatory.

Issue eight I revealed to the staff my desire to be an exotic dancer (trust me, I’m not serious).

Issue nine we discovered cat videos and the importance of standing up for people.

And the issues and back stories add up to a dysfunctional family that loves cats, hiding food from the yearbookies, jamming out to sketchy music, chocolate Fridays and snap circles, trying to find Jordon, Carl’s dirty little secrets, Snuggies, immigrant programmers, tattoos, piercings, getting our poop in a group and avoiding deadlines whenever possible.

We don’t expect you guys to understand what it’s like in Room 118, and if you did you might realize we are all crazy.

It’s been a pleasure sharing your stories, and writing has definitely given me something to appreciate. I hope, for you, reading them has done the same.

OnlineEdition: Tips to stay busy this summer

Theater company

Keep putting off those summer assignments and find activities to have fun.

Learn about senior Hersh Ellis’ studentrun local theater company.

Music reviews

Twitter

Staff writer Caroline Fronzcak reviews artist Trevor Jackson.

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Check out @bvswnews on Twitter.

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New Film Cameras, Digital Cameras and Lenses available!

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Summer destination: Australian adventure

Tyler Alexander and students plan to spend summer overseas by caroline fronczak news editor

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ummer 2013.

For some, the hot days of June, July and August will be spent relaxing by the pool, hanging out with friends or checking off various items on their bucket list. But for seven upperclassmen, summer 2013 will be filled with a trip outside of the JoCo bubble.

Tyler Alexander, co-department chair of social studies department, through June 6–18, will be taking juniors McKenna Oldson, Sarah Niebergall, Marissa Muro and Ellen Winkel, along with seniors Danielle Stoops, Jamie Nyffeler and Lindsey Peterson to Australia.

“A few years ago I made a bucket list with 100 places I wanted to visit, or that I wanted to do before I died, and Australia was number one,” Oldson said. “Ever since I saw “Finding Nemo” I have always wanted to visit because

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just based on the movie, it looked extremely pretty, and the ocean looked fantastic.”

While the group is there they will be snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, going to a rainforest, sheep shearing, getting a tour of the bay around the Sydney Opera House and attending a luau, along with spending a few days in New Zealand.

“Honestly I am most excited to experience the culture there,” Oldson said. “It’s similar, yet completely different than here in America.”

Although Australia is on the other side of the globe, Stoops thinks of Australia as similar to America.

“I have never traveled abroad before, but I really enjoy different cultures,” Stoops said. “Even though Australia isn’t what you would think of as culturally unique, I think it’s a step in the right direction.”

However, the trip to Australia is not school sponsored; but’

Stoops still hopes to get an educational experience out of it.

“I want to learn about everything I can,” Stoops said. “I’m just looking forward to having fun in another country and explore everything and see the sights.”

For most, a summer abroad with their peers, leaving their parents back at home while they travel through a new country, may sound like fun, but for Stoops it isn’t the case.

“I’m actually traveling with my mom on this trip,” Stoops said.

“She’s always wanted to go to Australia; we have tons of travel books on the place and when I found out about the trip, I immediately asked for her to come with me.”

With the summer ahead of the group, anticipation grows.

“I did a lot of research on the animal and plant life when I was little,” Oldson said. “And now, I’m looking forward to getting to see the research I looked about the Great Barrier Reef in real life.”

Photo by Olga Lednichenko.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.

top sights to see on the trip: n Sydney Wildlife World

n Sydney Harbour cruise

n Great Barrier Reef

n Sydney Tower

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Out of bounds: problems athletes face by sawyer like staff writer

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Student athletes deal with physical and mental obstacles in high school sports

igh school has a lot to offer to students, allowing them to express themselves through activities, a major being sports. Sports give students the opportunity to express themselves while playing a game they enjoy. Athletics can get pretty intense, and sometimes lines are crossed.

Some students feel the pressure to succeed, not just from themselves, but from their coaches as well.

Former Rutgers coach Mike Rice was recently fired from his position as head basketball coach after bullying his players. Rice was proven to have shoved, kicked and verbally abused them.

“The incident at Rutgers should never have happened,” head football coach Bill Lowe said. “He was way out of bounds by doing that.”

Every coach has his own way of getting the best out of his players. Some nurture players, building up confidence and rewarding hard work. Others put teams through hardship, building a brotherhood between the players. The question stands: Where is the line drawn? At what point does coaching turn into abuse? ““There must be a time where a coach must ask

themselves if they are harmfully affecting their players.”

Don’t get it twisted, coaches are supposed to push players. This is not only to get results, but to teach them valuable life lessons.

Sports allow students to learn key life skills that will help them when the days of high school are far past, such as cooperation, discipline and perseverance. There are some lessons that cannot be taught in a classroom, and sports allow students to pick up on these lessons while allowing them to have fun as well.

“There is a lot of life lessons that can be learned playing sports,” assistant soccer coach Tyler Alexander said. “I think sports should encourage people to try new things, challenge themselves to push outside their comfort zone and to take a risk that they may fail.”

Physical or verbal abuse is not the only thing that can get to athletes. Pressure to win or excel can also take a toll on those who partake in competitive athletics. While sports are meant to be a source of enjoyment, athletes also experience pressure from their coaches, their teammates and themselves to succeed.

“I feel like I put too much pressure on myself, and at times it affected how I

played,” junior Jack Raybuck said.

Student athletes don’t only feel the pressure to represent their team, but to represent their school as well.

“Sometimes I feel as if I have to be perfect sometimes since our athletics represent our school,” freshman Megan Price said. “But other times I don’t feel pressure at all because everyone is supporting you.”

The pressure to succeed is not always a bad thing. There are athletes that embrace the pressure, enjoying being under the lights or having a crowd cheering for them.

“I think it [pressure] made the games more exciting,” Raybuck said. “When I played well, it always made the games fun.”

Where the line falls can differ for every athlete. Some athletes enjoy the pressure of the sport, while others play exclusively for the sport.

Some people handle the expectations better than others, which doesn’t mean that one has to be able to meet expectations to be an athlete.

“It goes too far when it’s not about what’s best for the kids,” head wrestling coach Cody Parks said. “There must be a time where a coach must ask themselves if they are harmfully affecting their players.”

Cartoon by Matt Forster.

What are the responsibilities of a coach regarding the treatment of players?

“I’m not sure whether a coach should be responsible for their players well being outside of their athletic programs. The coaches job is to help the players reach their full potential as an athlete.”

- senior Matt Mcwhorter “He [coach] should teach his players the right ways of playing whatever sport they’re in.”

- junior Tavon Alleyne “I think the coach should watch over his players, and not get mad at them. There’s a line between yelling at the players and telling them what to do.”

- freshman Chloe Kirkpatrick

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sportssignings Boys

Baseball

Mitch Thorman— Missouri Western University Bradley Bullock— Neosho County CC Brady Childs­— Neosho County CC Alec Alvarez — JCCC Colin Frederick— University of Central Missouri

Soccer

Brandon Betsch­— Benedictine College Aaron Lippert— Benedictine College

Soccer

Aaron Lippert­— Benedictine College

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arsity soccer goalie Aaron Lippert was pleased with his decision to attend Benedictine College. Lippert liked the soccer program the school has to offer as well as what other students had to say about the school.

“The school is at a far away range that is still close,” Lippert said. “The school had a lot of great reviews on their soccer program, and Coach Pendleton is good friends with the Benedictine Photo by Anna Glennon. coach, which made me happy.”

Lippert at some point hopes to be a starting player on the team as well as win a conference title. Lippert wants all athletes looking for a school to attend to search for the school that feels right.

“Make sure to look at a lot of different options,” Lippert said. “Find the one that fits you, and only you, at the school that will make you feel most at home.”

Aaron Ramsey— South Dakota Drew Tommelein— Hastings College Kyle Pepper— Central College

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Baseball

Mitch Thorman— Missouri Western State University

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he hope of being drafted is something pitcher Mitch Thorman plans to make a reality through his hard work and determination to the Missouri Western baseball team. Since his early years playing the sport, Thorman has had the want and desire to make it to the big leagues. He also plans to make the most of his college career while reaching his dream.

“I just loved the atmosphere at Missouri Western,” said Thorman. “It’s close enough to come home and far enough away that I didn’t feel like I had to. The baseball team is really good and I can Photo submitted by Mitch Thorman. really see myself playing there.”

As Thorman begins to look forward to his future baseball seasons, he has also started to make goals in order to reach his dream of being drafted to the majors. As a team, he plans to win an MIAA title, make first team all MIAA and when a national championship.

Drew Tommelein— Hastings College

Baseball

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by mariem towakoli sports editor

Football

Bradley Bullock— Neosho County CC

Football

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itcher Bradley Bullock has been looking forward to playing college baseball as long as he can Photo submitted by Bradley Bullock. remember and knew Neosho was the school for him as soon as he got the offer.

“It was my first real offer, and I fell in love with what they are trying to accomplish there,” Bullock said. “The coaching staff demands hard work to achieve, and I love that atmosphere.”

Bullock strives to achieve multiple goals, after recovering from a recent shoulder injury, while at Neosho that will benefit him when he decides to transfer to a university.

“I hope to improve on my skill set and ultimately move on to a four year school where I can produce and be a major factor,” Bullock said.

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icking a college to attend was a difficult task for Drew Tommelein.

After multiple offers came in, Tommelein was content to finally announce his commitment to Hastings College.

“I picked Hastings because it was far enough away where I will be on my own, and they have a great football coaching staff,” Tommelein said. “The school was just a great fit for me academically and athletically.”

Tommelein intends to help take his team to the next level as well as grow academically.

“I plan to work hard towards my major and then play to the best of my abilities with my teammates,” Tommelein said. “I want to play to the best of my abilities and help my team win the conference.”

With it being his senior year of high school,Tommelein relates with those trying to find a college to attend. Tommelein encourages those who are caught with making a decision to choose a college that’s right for them.

“Find a place that feels like home and fits what you want,” Tommelein said. “If you’re stuck between schools, don’t overthink it, and go with your gut feeling.”

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Photo by Anna Glennon.

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Soccer

Volleyball

Emily Eldridge— Central Missouri

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mily Eldridge was proud to announce her commitment to the Central Missouri soccer team. The decision was quite simple to make, and Eldridge knew UCM was the right choice from Photo submitted by Emily Eldridge. the start.

“They have a great soccer program and coach, which made my decision easier,” Eldridge said. “They are an athletic based school and that is something I really wanted in a college.”

Eldridge also enjoys the tight-knit community that surrounds the Central Missouri campus and how everyone tends to get involved in activities or athletics. Eldridge is fervent to begin her soccer career at UCM and commence her training that will help Eldridge reach her future goals.

“I hope to gain a great education, which will help me find a job right out of college,” Eldridge said. “I also hope to earn a starting position during my freshman year and become an impact player.”

Soccer

Hunter Thomas— Northern Arizona University

aroline Hayes is eager to begin her season training with the Avila University soccer team. Hayes considered Avila her first college pick because it had everything she was looking for in a Photo submitted by Caroline Hayes. school.

“The soccer coach made me feel that I would be very impactful when I got there and welcomed me,” Hayes said.

“I want to play where I can make a difference on the team, and I felt more comfortable here.”

Hayes has high hopes for when she steps on the turf next season and wants to increase her abilities as well.

“I want to bring something new to the team,” Hayes said.

“I plan to increase my efforts on the team as well as grow close with my team and people at the school.”

Now that her senior year is almost up, Hayes is earnest to accomplish her personal goals while she attends Avila.

“I hope to gain the knowledge I’ll need to succeed in the real world,” Hayes said. “I plan to come to compete every day in soccer and have a memorable college experience.”

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lyssa Phelps not only wants to better her skills on the volleyball court, but aims to academically progress while at Cornell.

“I really want to get a good education and prepare myself for what the world has to offer,” Phelps said. “I’m mostly excited for the opportunities that Cornell has for me to really grow as a person and a student while playing volleyball.”

As Phelps progresses toward Photo by Lauren Zahner. playing her favorite sport at Cornell, she also wants others looking for colleges to put their heart into the college they choose.

“Find a college that you want to go to and then see if you can play your sport there too,” Phelps said. “Don’t settle, and find a college that you truly love.”

Basketball

Caroline Hayes— Avila University

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Alyssa Phelps— Cornell University

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hen Hunter Thomas went for her campus visit, the feeling of home surrounded her. The basketball team and coaching staff was very welcoming, and from that point on, Thomas knew Northern Arizona University was the right pick for her.

The range between the rocky mountains and the beach is a contributor to why NAU became a great choice for Thomas. She also plans to achieve excellence while she attends NAU and becomes a superior athlete and individual.

“I hope to become a better overall person and athlete,” Thomas said. “I hope to make new friends and perform to the best of my abilities on the basketball court. It’s an exciting challenge, but I’m ready Photo by Kate McCrossen. for it.”

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Girls Soccer

Taylor Baum— Baker University Gabby Betsch—Baker University Emily Eldridge—University of Central Missouri Caroline Hayes— Avila University

Volleyball

Alyssa Phelps— Cornell University

Softball

Megan McGuire— Iowa State University Emily Rademacher— Central Methodist University

Basketball Hunter Thomas— Northern Arizona University

sports signings may 2013

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Searching in strides

southwest

Students and staff partner with Walk MS, a local fundrasing event for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Graphic Illustrations

by Morgan Vietti.

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by jessica skaggs managing editor

aturday April 27, 2013 marked the 25th anniversary of Walk MS. Walk MS: Greater Kansas City, set a goal of raising $250,000 with the help of those participating. As of April 29, $257,546 had been raised.

Two students strived to get the word out about not only this event, but the cause behind it.

Juniors Megan and Nick Edwards created a team of 80 people named Walk This Way and represented the fourth largest team in the greater Kansas City area.

But they represented much more.

On the back bib of each of the team members read one phrase: “I walk for Mama Edwards.” Megan and Nick’s mom, Lori Edwards, was diagnosed with MS in 2007.

While on a MS drug in 2011, it mutated and caused her to get chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Community support is key to successful charity events, and the Edwards are grateful for the support they have received.

“It’s cool that there are people our age who are willing to walk in the rain and cold weather for the cause,” Megan said.

Of the Walk This Way team, 60 of the members were from Southwest.

“It’s more than a charity walk,” Nick said.

“It’s amazing how so many people can come Top: Members from Walk This Way team gather around Lori Edwards for the traditional together to support the cause. In my case, the group-photo prior to the beginning of the walk. The walk took place at Sporting KC park and fact that so many of our friends, family, and kicked off at 10 a.m.

Bottom: Juniors Megan and Nick Edwards stand with their mother Lori Edwards after participating in the 5K walk. Photos by Jessica Skaggs.

Learn more about MS and how you can partner with the National MS Society by scanning the QR code.

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some teachers do it shows what a great community we have.”

Junior Jenn Kealey continued her commitment to the walk this year.

“I started going to the MS walk two years ago when the Edwards made a team for their mom,” Kealey said. “I’m really close with their whole family so I wanted to be a part of the walk team because it’s really important to them.”

Junior Zach Case is also a returning Walk This Way team member.

“I’ve seen how it has impacted her, and the family in general, and it’s simply devastating,” Case said. “So last year, when I got asked to do the walk, I was excited and agreed because this was a way we could all bond and make a difference.”

Assistant principal Lisa and her freshman daughter Tori Wilson participated for their first time Saturday.

“The best part about it is going to be seeing everyone rally for a cause,” Lisa said.

As the search for a cure persists, the need for community support will still remain.

“I’m hoping that it will continue to grow,” Case said. “The more people we have, the more money we can raise, and the closer we get to a cure for MS.”

What is MS? Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision.

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Information courtesy of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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senior section

SENIORS www.bvswnews.com

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by anna welch special section editor

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was sitting in class one day, and all I could think about was never seeing any of these people again. Kids I’ve gone to school with since elementary school and playing recreational soccer together, friends I’ve gotten in trouble with and strangers who I’ve gotten stuck working together on a class project.

I didn’t know if this idea of not seeing the majority of my graduating class scared me or just excited me. As the end

is getting closer, I know that I’m excited to never see these people again. Of course I’ll see some here and there, but it’s strange to think that we’re going our separate ways from the kids we’ve known since kindergarten. They were actually only in our lives for a short time.

I don’t know if all of this is normal, for me to be so excited about not seeing people ever again.

But, I hope that some of the other seniors feel the same way as I do. I hope that everyone has just a tiny bit of them that is ready to move on and

leave this school. I know it’s been hard for a lot of people who are facing the reality of growing up but nothing makes me happier than finally getting to start my life. Creating my own adventures and finding my own way to live. I want to meet different people who grew up hundreds of miles away from Kansas. I want to explore different countries and just literally suck the marrow out of life.

For everyone who is graduating; I hope you share the same excitement and thrill as I do. If you don’t, I hope you proceed to live your life to the fullest and make whatever situation you’re in the best time of your life. We will all go through our own struggles and challenges that growing up comes with, but I want everyone to make the best of it by going skydiving if you want or flying across the country to visit your best friend. Take the chances and risks that life will offer you, don’t stick to what you know best, become your own person and live a life you would’ve of never dreamed of.

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senior columns

by meg huwe editor-in-chief

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elieve me, I’ve always been an odd individual.

I find chocolate disgusting (minus Reese’s). I have to sit at certain places. I always write the word “of ” in cursive. Lastly,I have this weird tendency to speak in a British accent with certain words and phrases.

I don’t rightly know - said in a British accent - why.

A lot of you may already know those tidbits about me — and a lot of you may not, which is a shame.

My goal throughout high school has been getting to know the people around me. However, I

by jessica skaggs managing editor

reshman year, I was the choir girl without a voice.

Sophomore year, I was the new girl (along with the rest of the high school population) and in a moment of sheer determination to be a part of something, I signed up to be a basketball manager with my best friend.

Junior year, I was even more determined to take chances. I abandoned my safety net, and became a novice debater and Journalism 1 student.

Senior year, I found my voice. I became a staff member of the Southwest Standard.

The last two years have felt a lot like playing catch up. If you had told my 14-year-old self that I was going to be the managing editor of a high-school paper, I would have assumed you were insane, and in an awkward fashion, slumped away. And although a part of me wishes my resume read something more like; four year newspaper-staff member, four year basketball manager, and four year State-debater, I am proud of the accom-

wasn’t always like that. I don’t know if I could categorize myself as “shy,” but for awhile I was cautious to share my opinions.

It was not until freshman year, when that changed. I made all these wonderful new friends and was comfortable being the goofball that I am.

And then this place opened.

This stupid new school.

I’ll be honest, I hated it. That first week I was ready to go back to my “best friends,” until I met some pretty magnificent individuals here.

Through cross country and newspaper, I met a great group, and that group continues to be extremely important to me.

I kept in contact with

a handful of my close friends from Blue Valley.

Maybe I’m not texting them every day, but they matter.

People will come and go out of your life, and letting go of friendships sucks. I could give you that baloney about how the important people will stick around, but that doesn’t make it any easier to cope with.

However, if there’s anything I’ve learned: it’s to not be afraid to care about people. The friends you have in your life now will mean something for this moment in time.

Maybe they helped you grow or change in a way you needed to, and maybe you were just meant to be friends temporarily. That doesn’t decrease his or her importance.

I’m excited to see what friendships I keep once I leave for college. Regardless, I have the population here at Southwest to thank. The people who know but still don’t get that I don’t like chocolate unless it’s Reese’s. The people who join in with my British accent. The people I was privileged to meet, my Timberwolves.

plishments I have made in a short amount of time.

I am proud to have finally found myself.

Because from here on out is only the beginning of the rest of my life.

If you’re reading this, I encourage you to take more risks. To stop being afraid; to fail and to succeed. This is high school, and you have every opportunity to make the most of it, if you choose to. It doesn’t matter if you are an upperclassman or an underclassmen, you still have time to be who you want to be. To make something of yourself.

Don’t associate yourself with anyone who tries to hold you back from being your best. Ignore the voices both in and outside of your head that tell you, you’re too late, or that you’re no good. Trust me, you don’t want to get caught up in the hindsight of what you could’ve been.

These four years are yours. They aren’t your parent’s.

They aren’t your teacher’s. They belong to you. Take charge of them, and allow them to help you discover who you are, and who you want to be.

You just may surprise yourself.

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senior superlatives

Most Twitter crazy

Most likely to win an Academy award

Hunter Ashley & Anna Hickok

Will Barboza &Christina Granzow

photos by anna glennon photo editor

Most artistic

by anna welch special sections editor

Matt Forster & Kayla Yi

Worst case of senioritis

Zach Wiedner & Melissa Parcell*

The next Mother Teresa Alex Meiser & Courtney Hensler

*Not featured

Most changed since Southwest opened

Anthony Miller & Maddy Hisle

Most likely to become President Chris Cowan & Jessica Skaggs

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Most likely to be on Broadway Hersh Ellis & Katie Keck

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senior section

Maine University of Maine Elise Powers

Illinois

Missouri Central Methodist University Emily Rademacher

Northwest Missouri State Jamie Nyffeler Missouri State Danielle Stoops

Columbia College Chicago William Barboza

Missouri Western State University Mitchell Thorman

Northwestern University Garrett Becker

Southwestern Missouri State University Chloe Marshall

New York

Cornell College Addison Dickens

Cornell University Alyssa Phelps

Iowa State Megan McGuire

University of Missouri Abigael Anstine

University of Central Missouri Emily Eldridge Colin Frederick Anthony Miller

University of Boston Kayla Yi

Liberty University Jessica Skaggs

Central College Kyle Pepper

University of MissouriKansas City Nicolas Basore Eric Gunnarson Jamie Arreola

Massachusetts

Virginia

Iowa

Oklahoma

Pace University Hersh Ellis

Oklahoma University Megan Rowe

North Carolina

Arkansas University of Arkansas Christopher Cowan Royan Black John Kendrick Morgan Mosby Stephen Purdum Abigail Weidner Anna Welch Rebecca Williams

Duke University Lauren Tobin East Carolina University Madison Kupchin

Donnell Bronson Ashley Henington Tyler Lesiak Kyra Sprenger Blake Ware Kyle Williams

Off the map

Erik Alenfall- Lund, Skane Erik Berge - University of Stockholm Sarah Kowalski- Germany Frida Leknas - Norway Benedetta Mattei- Italy Cathrine Ruud- Norway

Armed Services Abigail Brake - Navy Tucker King- Marines

Students, schools, and stats 206 students in graduating class 57 schools 65 directions $7.2 million in scholarships

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Access Program Sean Donovan

Avila University Caroline Hayes Baker University Taylor Baum Gabrielle Betsch Madison Hisle Benedictine College Brandon Betsch Aaron Lippert Butler Community College Dominique O’Connor Devry University Brandon Bauer Emporia University Daniel Rappard Heritage College Madeline Hampton Johnson County Community College Taylor Allman Alec Alvarez

Oral Roberts University Ethan Malone

Kaleigh Bennett Veronica Buendia Brianna Bogdan Brittany Bogdan Matthew Decker Paul Grieco Alexander House Alexander Meiser Tony Nguyen Courtney Schutz Maycie Sharon Lucas Owens Isabel Quinn Madison Rohrer Jessica Ryan Kendall Small Jeffrey Stevens Laura Vanderheiden Kelsey Worley Kansas City Art Institute Caroline Herbig Kansas State University Hunter Ashley Kaili Barbour Krista Blackwood Matthew Boyd Andrea Davidson Michael Dula Jackson Dykman

by meg huwe and jessica skaggs editor-in-chief managing editor

Tennessee Belmont University Maxwell Hudson

Nebraska

Sewanne University Hunter Moseley

Hastings College Drew Tommelein

Southern Nazarene University Nicholas Larson

Colorado School of Mines Maleigh Pagenkopf University of Colorado Grant Poje

Georgetown University Adrienne Taylor

Undecided

Oklahoma Wesleyan University Colton Miller

22:1

The Standard takes a look at the graduating class of 2013, splitting off to 22 different states and countries, yet remaining united.

Colorado D.C.

Kansas

Oklahoma State University Paige Mckinzie

Washington Washington State University Katherine Templeton

Neosho County Community College Bradley Bullock Brady Childs Pittsburg State University Alexandra Dunn Matthew Farris Anthony Fitchett Courtney Hensler Trevor Jones Kelsi Kirwin Ryan Meiners Lydia Pine Rachel Price Zachary Rogers Daryle Rowland Morgan Vietti Alexandria Wernicke Jadie Veatch University of Kansas Hannah Angell Jack Becker Kyle Cumberland Katie Curry Hannah Dyer Jordon Fields Christina Granzow Madison Hisle

Meg Huwe Elizabeth Johnson Bumjin Jung Misha Khan Carson Lee Joseph Lemiuex Samuel Lemiuex Mark Maas Devon McGowan Jessica McKean Jacob Moulton Jacob Novicoff Elizabeth Ragsdale Aaron Rogers Brenden Rolf Zachary Rosenkrans Manuel Salazar Jessup Schons Christopher Shields Grant Stephens Cord-Michael Trees Skyler Yee Allison York Liran Ziegelman

University of Nebraska Robert McReynolds Ian Ostrom

Michigan

California Harry Farrell Joshua Garber Kaitlyn Hoover Katie Keck Nicholas Leiker Ben Lewis Brityn Like Tanner Lund Matthew McWhorter Hannah Michael Steven Murray Sarah Newell David Norvell Dylan O’Dell Kelly O’Keeffe Melissa Parcell Lindsey Peterson Karissa Rayburn Cody Riley Cooper Rottinghaus Blake Sanders Cody Schlitzer Chelly Spahalski Hunter Sprong Hayden Svancara Thomas Swickard Zachary Wiedner Adam Wilmes Jason Wilson Brett Young Luke Zahner

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Michigan State University Katie Kirkpatrick

California Polytechnic State University Megan Becker San Diego Christian College Scott Anderson

South Dakota University of South Dakota Aaron Ramsey

Florida

Texas

Hillsborough Community College Marisa McClemens

Midwestern State University Elizabeth Upton Ocean Corps Trade School Severance Hill Texas Christian Univesity Anna Hickok

Arizona

Northern Arizona University Hunter Thomas

Wichita State University Samantha Murry

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senior superlatives

Attached at the hip

Most likely to change the world

Joe & Sam Lemieux Allie Wernicke & Abby Anstine

Michael Dula & Lauren Tobin

Brighten your day Ben Lewis & Anna Rasmussen

Most school spirit

Nick Leiker & Madi Kupchin

Most likely to win the hunger games Aaron Ramsey & Hunter Thomas

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Most likely to be an Olympian Grant Poje & Hannah Angell

Best person to bring home to mom & dad Tanner Lund & Alyssa Phelps

may 2013

7

senior columns by matt forster photographer

H

igh school is one big personality experiment. A voyage through finding out who you really are, and I know it sounds cliched, but high school really does help you find your true self.

Freshmen year is the beginning of an awkward transition. You’ve only been a teenager for a couple years and you haven’t reached adulthood yet. It’s like a jungle and you’re at the bottom of the food chain.

People are just trying to fit it, but nobody is really comfortable with themselves.

Sophomore and junior year is when you are exploring new aspects on what your life could

T

by jordon fields staff writer

ake a seat, I’ve got a story to tell. So it’s fourth quarter of seventh grade, my family and I have just returned to Kansas from; let’s just call it a rather disappointing family endeavor. I’m starting seventh grade at new school. Even with everything that’s happened, I just look at the whole situation as a chance to start new. When I was at school—prior to our family crisis— I wasn’t like scary weird, but I didn’t fit in.

I got around with a tight knit group of friends of fellow weirdo’s and that was it. Aside from that I wasn’t comfortable with anybody else, and I don’t really think people were comfortable with me.

The moment I stepped out of my mom’s car and looked at my new junior high school, I knew that was my chance to start anew. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t like I was desperate to fit in, just to change the vibe I gave off to people.

In a way, I wanted to be the kid that I had always wished I was friends with; that was the goal essentially. I eventually fell into a group of people that I was fond of, I met Paul Grieco who was assigned by the counselors to show me the school and how things worked there. We bonded a bit and we stuck together, and I got ‘blessed’ into his group of friends and it went like that for the last month or so of my seventh grade year.

Eighth grade, I still felt as if I was new at the school, and I started meeting and talking to more people and I eventually found myself socially embedded with the stoners.

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be. You’re struggling to become independent but at the same time being popular is also a mind set, which causes controversy and drama.

And finally, there’s senior year. You’ve grown to accept the person you are and everybody around you has finally gotten over the want to be liked. You

I liked their attitude I guess; the attitude of “I am who I am and ‘screw’ anybody that doesn’t like that” and surprisingly enough, I’ve found that the stoners are the most accepting group of people you’ll find, even more accepting than the social ‘rejects’. From then, I decided that I was going to be who I wanted to be, weird or not. I was going to do and talk to who I wanted, regardless of some status quo that I wasn’t— and have never really been— privy to. That’s when things in my life started to get ‘interesting’ I’d say. 8-10 grade, I’m not going to get into the specifics of, but let’s just say I found myself and a lot of situations that I never thought I’d be in, doing, seeing, and hearing of things that would have flabbergasted me years before, and not in the good way, and that’s putting it lightly.

The experiences I’ll admit; changed me, and in hindsight I’m not sure if it was for the better. I started to see life in a grotesquely pessimistic way— heck, and I still haven’t really dropped that bit completely. Things were always hopeless, so I started living 90 percent of my life ‘in the moment.” I had my place in the social side of life and, in that aspect I was satisfied, but I felt out of place, anxious for no reason. I had, by all means, become the ‘social butterfly’ I had always wanted to be. I had gathered the life experience I thought I needed at the time, yet I wasn’t right, I didn’t feel like.

Then another ‘predicament’ came up, and again we had to move. Majority of my summer was spent in preparation of moving into my deceased grandmother’s house— a different story for a different time— the place I currently call home. Life had given me yet another chance to start fresh.

found out who your real friends are, and the ones you had freshman year aren’t going to be the ones who you celebrate graduation with.

So, don’t waste your years here, forcing yourself to conform.

Because in the end, the only thing matters is making yourself happy.

Upon entering Blue Valley Southwest for the first time, I immediately felt the difference, in just about everything.

People here are different— some not in a good way— their vibe is off, basically everything is different. No narcissism intended, but I found it amusing to see people be so sheltered, I guess. The way Blue Valley and Johnson County would describe fear, is substantially different from how the rest of the world would describe it, I’m not speaking down on this place though, it’s not bad, it’s just different. And that difference is what finally allowed me to ‘tone it down’ and look at the full picture—or at least what I perceive to be the full picture, now— and I realized, that I was way off track from the person I wanted to be, and that I didn’t need all of those ‘experiences’ to be the person I wanted to be, to ‘find myself ’.

No, what I discovered was that the person I wanted to be—as cliché is this is going to sound— is the person I was all those years ago, I’m still that weird kid I used to be.

Somewhere along the road I finally accepted myself, and if I had realized that my 8th grade year, I might have saved myself some heartache. Though I can’t do anything about the past, I realize it now, and I’m a lot happier because of it.

And even when I’m not happy, I’m content with myself, a hard feeling to describe, but I’ve found peace in it.

Turns out, I’ve been the person I’ve always wanted to be friends with this whole time (narcissism intended). You can take what you’d like out of this, I wasn’t trying to teach anybody a lesson about anything. It’s just a story; my story.

And this is just the beginning...

may 2013

8

I

by royan black web editor

t’s not easy moving to a new state halfway through my high school career. Leaving friends, leaving home, leaving everything that I knew was one of the worst experiences I ever went through.

BVSW is a bit smaller than where I came from, but never had I felt so dwarfed by the people around me. I was lonely, scared, intimidated and from my opinion, isolated from others. How was I, some junior from Ohio, supposed to find a way to merge in with the other kids in my class?

And, to be honest, I didn’t merge in.

Not at first.

It didn’t matter how I styled my hair or what I wore or what I said, there was always that feeling of being an outcast, but as the months passed and I grew more comfortable in the halls of Southwest, I grew more as my own person. Back in Ohio, always surrounded by my friends and what they liked and what was “right,” I never actually took the time to sit down and think ‘what do you want, Royan?’ Coming in to Southwest gave me the chance to re-examine myself and choose who I wanted to be. It gave me the opportunity to choose new hobbies, find out what I liked and to find out what I didn’t like (like touching). It’s cliche to say it but moving to Kansas changed my life, and even if I didn’t realize it before, it changed it for the better. I’m not going to spew lyrical comforts about how my life is A++ because I’m in Kansas and know who I am because I go through those days where I hate life, but those are only some days.

I

by brianna bogdan staff writer

came here from a school where the graduating class was only made of 18 people, where we all wore the exact same uniform in the exact same shade of green, and our mascot was a recycled Barney costume that was supposed to be a dragon. Our yearbook was nothing more than a CD that nobody bought, and our volleyball team had never won a single game, ever. Detention didn’t exist and the only rule was, “tuck in your shirt.” The lone skill I needed to know was how to politely smile and nod when everyone else was speaking Spanish.

My class acted like brothers and sisters, and I was under the impression that high school drama was just a Hollywood myth. So, after moving here, I nearly suffered culture shock because — What?! There is a pool inside the school? Why is everybody blonde? What happened to all the good food and “Hola Mija’s”?

I was terrified, more so than I

It’s not to say that it wasn’t hard to move to Kansas or that I don’t sometimes still miss Ohio, but moving to Kansas also prepared me for what I’m going to have to do later in life. It prepared me for college. As we all know, even if you’re just going to a college thirty minutes away, college means leaving your home, leaving most of your friends and starting over someplace new and while it seems daunting, it’s also a place to discover thyself and to re-define yourself. So if you’re reading this right now and are hating your life because you’re new to the Blue Valley District, don’t despair.

had been during any of my other moves. I never thought I would miss the sting of desert sand in my eyes or the shadows those ugly brown mountains cast on everything. I thought I would be prepared, this being my fourth time at a new high school, but just like all the other times — wasn’t. For a while, I was really down about this and wondered why I couldn’t just adjust properly like the rest of the population. Everyone else seemed to know exactly what they were supposed to be doing, and I felt like I was the only one who had missed out on some secret how-to-live-life seminar. I don’t know how to grow up, form a thick skin, and carry on as if I was I’m adult; as far as I’m concerned, I’m still way too young for anyone to call me a “senior.”

But that’s okay.

It’s okay to be scared and weak, and it’s okay to miss things. You don’t have to be perfect or suave, and you can stutter and shake as much as you want. I don’t want to pretend — and can’t anyway — that I’m a grown-up and that I have any

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senior columns

by morgan vietti photographer

H

igh school has held some of my most cherished moments, and arguably some of the worst.

But in my experience, I have learned a few things: never

look back at something you might regret, remember the positives, you have the power to overcome whatever stands in your way, set goals, look to the future, find your true friends, get involved, and never forget who you are and what you are capable of.

Getting involved is probably one of the most overused pieces of advice, but it is one of the best. The first two years of high school I focused on school, never going out with friends or trying sports. My junior and senior years I joined golf and bowling and instantly enjoyed school more. I had something to look forward to each day. I had found the path I wanted to follow, and the friends I wanted to be around.

All that is left now is graduation.

idea what I’m doing.

But being apprehensive about a new beginning only means that you once loved something enough to miss it. It proves that you were happy, successful, comfortable and most importantly, it’s the proof that you have the capacity to do it all over again, which is really the most hopeful insurance that I could ever ask for.

may 2013

9

standard

The universal

smile A

by brianna bogdan staff writer

new study led by University of WisconsinMadison psychologist Seth Pollak suggests experience can alter how people perceive emotions.

“It may be the case that physically abused children develop a broader category of anger because it’s adaptive for them to notice when adults are angry,” Pollak said.

Pollak’s study examined the difference between how nonabused children aged 8 to 10 and abused children categorize expressions such as happy, sad, angry or fearful. In the experiment, each child was shown pictures of two expressions digitally morphed together and were then asked to choose which emotion appeared most prevalent. As a result, the children who had been abused identified more of the photos as being angry, instead of fearful or sad.

“Environment definitely affects how we see other people,” school psychologist Cathy Kerr said. “We start expecting kind of what we know, so if we live with people or see people who are happy all the time, then we are going to expect other people to be pretty pleasant. If we live with people or see people who are unkind to each other, then we’re going to expect other people to be unkind.”

Because of this adaption it is common for children to

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act out inappropriately with fear or anger in response, which causes problems in school or other social situations.

“I think it’s because we start expecting what we see,” Kerr said. “In a hostile environment where people are being mean or hostile, then a neutral face gets associated with the behavior that follows after.”

Because of Pollak’s study it is hoped that better techniques in avoiding the formation of future behavioral problems, which are more common in abused children, can be developed. This includes reteaching adolescents how to correctly decipher expressions.

“I think we can learn in different ways,” Kerr said.

“Sometimes stuff like that has to be directly taught, where kids are shown a face and told that this is neutral – that this is neither happy nor sad – and given examples of that, instead of learning it by just picking it up. Sometimes things can be specifically taught.”

Or attempts at school can be made to help others experience an atmosphere that is positive.

“Facial expressions are absolutely infectious,” Kerr said. “Kind of like the people you’re around, if everyone is smiling at you and saying good morning you’re prob-

ably going to smile back and say good morning even if you’re not feeling well. And then there’s people that walk in and look down and are all tired and frowning then pretty soon you’ll be frowning, too.”

Psychologist Paul Ekman and his colleagues provided evidence in a Science paper in 1983 that if an individual forces his or herself to make certain facial movements it produces the same physiological response as those asked to recall a highly emotional experience. A later study by psychologists Fritz Strack, Leonard Martin and Sabine Strepper found that most people rate cartoons funnier when holding a pen with their teeth in order to force a smile.

“Act as if you’re happy, and pretty soon you will be.” Kerr said. “A smile is pretty universal.”

Pollak’s study appears in the June 18 early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In Pollak’s study, when shown a face that displayed

60 percent fear and 40 percent anger, abused children would indentify the expression as anger.

www.bvswnews.com

may 2013

10

southwest

Upcoming concerts provide a soundtrack for the summer

photo courtesy of taylorswift.com

by royan black online editor

Red Tour:

C

ountry’s favorite pop princess is back and making her way to Kansas. The Red Tour is the ongoing third concert tour of Taylor Swift, and, she’s taking over the Sprint Center, but not just for one night.

Swift will be singing songs off her new album Red which features hit singles such as “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “22”.

Swift’s fourth album, Red, was released in 2012, and the opening sales for the album reached $1.2 million.

“I’m super excited that she’s coming to Kansas City because I have liked her music for so long.” junior Lauren Zahner said. “For girls, she writes songs that are easily relatable because we are teenage girls, crazy over teenage boys.”

Save Rock and Roll:

photo courtesy of falloutboy.com

One Direction:

More than a few fans were overjoyed when rumors of Fall Out Boy getting back together reached the public.

The band previously had been on a two years hiatus from 2010 to 2012.

On Feb. 4, 2013, the band officially announced that their hiatus had ended before they announced a new album, Save Rock and Roll and a tour.

For those unknowing, Fall Out Boy is made up of vocalist/guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley.

Joining Fall Out Boy in their tour is the American rock band, Panic! At the Disco.

Featured on their new album, and thus their new tour, are some of Fall Out Boy’s hit singles, “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)” and “The Phoenix.”

Fall Out Boy lands in Kansas City on June 25 at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, MO. The Save Rock and Roll Tour will go from May 14 to June 30.

arts and entertainment

Swift will be joined at the Sprint Center by opening acts of Ed Sheeran, Austin Mahone, Casey James, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line and Joel Crouse on her tour that will go from March 13 to Sept. 21.

Swift is set to perform at the Sprint Center two nights in a row on Aug. 2 and 3, and if that’s not enough, she’s also going to be in Wichita on Aug. 4 at the Intrust Bank Arena.

So far, Swift’s concert is proving to be the most expensive of the bunch with good seats priced near $88.

Moving away from indie and rock and into pop, the hit English-Irish pop band, One Direction (slang name 1D) is traveling across the Atlantic Ocean to bring their music to the United States.

Taking over the Sprint Center on July 19, this will be the first time that 1D has ever traveled to Kansas City as a band.

“I got so excited when I heard they [One Direction] would be coming to Kansas.” sophomore Sydney Tenholder said. “I’ve been waiting to hear them since I first heard them on the radio.”

One Direction is comprised of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne.

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photo courtesy of onedirectionmusic.com

Joined by Australian pop band, 5 Seconds of Summer and American Pop singer Camryn, the One Direction concert is projected to be one of the most exciting

concerts of the summer.

Tickets for the One Direction concert range from $27 to $77.

may 2013

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by grant laster opinion editor

They’ll leave you heartbroken, uplifted or snorting with laughter. You could be watching them over a jar of Nutella, hunched over a computer or lying in bed at 3 a.m. Regardless, of where, when and for how long Netflix marathons last, finishing off any series is a great way to kill summer boredom, and it gives the prospective viewer a sad, and somewhat undeserved, sense of accomplishment. But instead of re-watching One Tree Hill or scrolling incessantly in hopes of spotting a movie you haven’t seen before, expand your horizons a bit and take one of these under appreciated shows for a spin.

30 Rock

6 seasons 123 episodes 45 hours

11

NETFLIX

the best

Shows you’ve probably never seen

NBC features shows like “American Idol”, “Saturday Night Live” and “The Office”. But this glorious show was cancelled only to have garbage shows like “1600 Penn” receive air time. Take a look into a spoof show of NBC’s that is always overshadowed by its sister programs. Check out cast members Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan that have attracted guests like Jason Sudeikis, Jon Hamm, Steve Martin, and Oprah Winfrey. Words cannot even describe the glory, hilarity, jokes, quotable lines and under appreciated talent that lie within this show just waiting for you to watch it.

the league

This improvised show is a perfect compilation of sports, comedy and nutty fandom. Starring Nick Kroll and Jon Lajoie, the YouTube personality who is an “Everyday Normal Guy”, “The League” puts nerdiness, fantasy league competitiveness and the NFL in one glorious made-for-TV package.

Watch this to see a group of adults that always seems to go a little too far just to pick the right starters for Thursday Night Football. In other words, this show is a grown up version of “Blue Mountain State”.

3 seasons 32 episodes 12 hours*

Doctor who

Arrested Development 3 seasons 53 episodes 19 hours

This is genuinely the greatest television show ever made.

The sad thing is, it never quite found its niche. It has sugar, spice and everything nice: comedy, mistrust within a dysfunctional family and a cast full of stars like Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi and the Ron Howard.

The show about a family’s bankrupt contracting company in California that built their fortunes from a Marina Del Rey frozen banana stand. It’s quirky. It’s hilarious. And most importantly, it’s addicting.

6 seasons 119 episodes 89 hours

Don’t start screaming and ripping up this paper just because you may have heard of this show, or because you’re obsessed with the TARDIS. Calm down. For those of you who aren’t Anglophiles, here’s a brief description of what you’re missing out on: an alien Time Lord, the last of his kind, named the Doctor travels through time and space in his blue police box defeating Daleks and saving humans. Britain’s most popular science fiction show sounds confusing, so you’ll just have to take my word and go watch.

skins

Freaks and geeks

1 season 18 episodes 13 hours

If you’ve ever heard Childish Gambino’s most famous song “Freaks and Geeks”, you are already somewhat familiar with this show. This classic high school depiction- on which many other cliches about high school are built- features a star-studded cast led by megaproducer Judd Apatow. This show is worth watching for its cast alone- a cast that features Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jason Segel, Martin Starr and John Francis Daley. Despite only having one season, this cult classic has been critically recognized as one of the “100 Greatest Shows of All Time” by a 2007 Time magazine list.

Comedy

sports

“Portlandia” “Little Britain”

“Blue Mountain State”* “Friday Night Lights”

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6 seasons 55 episodes 44 hours*

More shows *This show is rated TV-MA and is not appropriate for everyone

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Don’t immediately shun this show because you remember MTV’s short-lived, controversial and awful Americanized version. This is British, therefore it is immediately superior. If you like high school drama’s filled with pregnancy, tears and living youthfully, are a fan of “Degrassi”, “Glee” or “Awkward”, then this is the more awesome version of those shows. The cast is replaced every two seasons, so the story lines and character development always stay fresh, not mention this show has killer music.

Drama

sci-fi

“Weeds”* “Breaking Bad”

“The Walking Dead” “Twin Peaks”

Information and photos courtesy of imdb.com

may 2013

12

southwest

A plea for pride: rallying the junior class

Juniors must unite as a class and take leadership over the school by saywer like staff writer

L

et’s face it, the current junior class is lacking in school spirit.

At assemblies, we can barely mumble our way through a chant, and it’s evident to the rest of the school. There are a select few who wholeheartedly support their class, while there are others who won’t even raise their voice a decibel to show some pride in their grade.

“I feel like people are really shy and aren’t comfortable with showing off spirit,” junior Hayley Cape said. “Or they think spirit is overrated.”

The lack of spirit baffling to me. High school is supposed to be the best years of one’s life, so why can’t we muster even a small sense of pride for the Class of 2014?

There’s no one reason for the juniors lack of school spirit but many contributing factors.

While class competitions are meant to be lighthearted fun between grades, juniors don’t rise to the occasion to let their voices be heard. From the perspective of a student, this is how a typical assembly goes. As the student body begins to sing the Alma Mater, ones eyes are drawn to the junior class. This is not because they are louder or more spirited than the other classes, but because they are acting like they don’t even want to be at the school.

As they complete the junior chant for the class spirit contest, something very strange becomes noticeable. Half of the junior class is cheering out of excitement and pride, while the other half halfheartedly mumbles along, acting like they’re being forced to show pride in their class.

“I feel like we have spirit, but not enough,” Cape said. “A lot of people are too shy to show it off.”

There is a very noticeable rift in the junior class. While its expected for there to be cliques, it makes no sense why we can’t collectively cheer for our class as a whole. I’m not saying we all have to hold hands, singing Kumbaya, but we can at least come together to cheer for our grade.

This problem isn’t new, either. Our class had this same problem last year as sophomores, but it seems to be getting

Cartoon by Morgan Vietti.

worse every year.

One simply needs to look to the other classes for examples of class pride. The current seniors are a paragon of class pride, showing up to nearly every sporting event and blowing out everyone in the class spirit competition.

“I think the reason we have so much spirit is because our class is so close,” senior Betsy Upton said. “Everyone is friends with everyone and we all want to win the competitions.”

We’re going to be seniors next year, leaders of the school.

Do we really want our class’ legacy to be that of disinterested mumbling and boredom? I personally would like the see the junior class showing every other school why every

day is a great day to be a Timberwolf.

We will miss these times as we get older. High school is the best years of one’s life, so why would we not end our last year of high school with a bang?

The class of 2014 is the first class to attend BVSW all four years and it’s about time we started realizing it. Although it may be nearing the end of the school year, we still have one more year to lead the student body.

While we may complain about high school now, we will miss it when its over. The best the junior class can do is celebrate the time we have left, and make sure we leave our pawprint on Southwest.

What can be done to improve the spirit of the junior class?

“If everyone dressed up for spirit days, I would dress up.”

- junior Maria Welsh

opinion

“We need to make our own original spirit days instead of using ones from the past or other schools.”

- junior Adam Pelfrey

www.bvswnews.com

“The junior class needs to start coming together and learn to be more open with each other.”

- senior Max Hudson

may 2013

13

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Defending the peace

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world.”

-Mr. Rodgers

Photo by Craig (thebudman623) Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

S

by caroline fronczak news editor

teve Silva.

To most, that name means nothing special.

Now what if I told you Steve Silva witnessed the Boston Marathon bombings, what would you think? That he was a victim, or a person who helped the terrorists? Most likely, you automatically thought the worst.

As a society, we tend to focus on the negative parts of a horrific situation, like the bombings in Boston, while we should be concentrating on the positive aspects involved in these acts of terror.

While there is nothing positive about five people dying and hundreds being injured during the week of April 15, people, like Silva, helped to bring the situation to light.

Silva was a reporter for Boston Globe and was recording the finish line of the marathon when the bombs exploded.

Instead of running the opposite direction, he moved closer, racing to get footage of the explosion that just occurred.

He was the first person to post a video of the incident and thanks to him, the whole world was clued in on the happenings in Boston.

However, you don’t see Silva’s name plastered across the television on the nightly news or even recognized for his heroic actions and along with the other first responders, nothing was mentioned at all. Of course, the media has

opinion

thanked the first responders for racing to help the injured but in no way are their names as recognizable when compared to Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. The media is so caught up in attending to every last detail of these alleged terrorists that the “helpers” get passed up.

There’s only so many times I can hear the same information about how “the bad guy is on the loose” before I lose interest. What I don’t understand is, why does the media keep focusing on the bad stuff over and over again and not take time, while the guy has still not been caught, to inform the masses on the heroes of the bombings instead of the villains. If the terrorist hasn’t been caught yet, and nothing significant has come up, why do I need to hear the same, repetitive information, yet again? I don’t.

Although the bombings in Boston are the most recent tragedies to surface the media, the situations in Newtown, and even at the “Dark Knight Rises” premiere, received the same negative stories from the public. The center focus was around the shooter, of course, but it got to the point where the shooter was all anyone talked about. The victims became names we just honored and the shooter became the center of our attention.

But what about Allan Pantar? Or Joe Andruzzi? The regular citizens standing nearby who raced to help keep the injured alive. And sure, there were probably thousands of helpers’ names the media never got ahold of, but instead

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of giving the terrorists the attention they don’t deserve, we should be praising the ones who attempted to help instead of harm.

Just like the Boston Red Sox who, during one of their games invited law enforcement officials, first responders, race participants and volunteers for the opening ceremony, to honor their heroic actions. The whole time there was no mention of the Tsarneav brothers and for three hours the city shifted its attention to a baseball game played solely in honor of the people who shed light in a time of darkness.

In times of crisis, we need to remember that just because a tragedy happens doesn’t mean that everyone involved was either a victim or perpetrator. There are helpers out there and by all means I don’t mean that each and every one of them needs a gold medal of honor or even a full hour of nightly news discussing solely them. However, instead of tweeting about how horrible the incident in Boston was or posting your feelings on Facebook about the terrorists, take a moment to pause and reflect on the positive people involved. The ones who saved someone’s life or recorded the first footage to inform the world.

Helpers are everywhere but we seem to forget about them or just overlook their accomplishments because we are too busy reading up on every last detail about the terrorists.

may 2013

14

Asking for help

southwest

When students need help but the teachers just don’t believe they deserve it

S

Graphic illustration by Matt Forster.

itting in class, utterly by molly sharp constaff writer fused, is one of the worst feelings. So what do you do? Raise your hand and ask a question. But the reaction isn’t always fantastic and helpful.

Sometimes, the response is belittling.

Asking for clarification doesn’t mean students aren’t paying attention, but, some teachers think

so. All of us have had the moment when you ask a teacher to clarify something and they look at you like you are crazy.

“There are times when it is OK to ask for clarification,” chemistry teacher Melissa McCarty said. “I would rather the students ask than miss it.”

What teachers don’t always realize is that sometimes all it takes is one or two more examples to understand a concept. When a majority of the students aren’t understanding something, then it is the teacher’s job to help.

“They say if you would pay attention you

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

wouldn’t have to ask,” junior Travis Holt said. “I lose respect for the teacher when they say these things.”

There seems to be no specific class in which students get this reaction. But the majority of the time, kids react the same. They will drift away from the class and lose interest.

“I end up sitting farther back in class because the teacher makes me feel dumb,” junior Michelle Cowles said.

Having a teacher get upset with you for asking a question is very off-putting. When this happens to me, I tend to stop asking questions and lose interest in learning. To some people it feels like the teacher doesn’t care about those of us who have difficulties in their class.

What can a teacher do to help with this problem? Teachers who are willing to help during class makes all the difference. Students can be afraid to come in and ask for help outside of class.

“The best thing to do is to come in outside of class, such as during HUBS,” McCarty said.

If you are faced with this situation there are a few things you can do. One is addressing the problem with the teacher. Tell or show him or her you are paying attention but you just do not understand what you are learning.

Another way is to go in after school or before to get help from a different teacher. This is very helpful if you don’t get along with your assigned teacher.

One way to look at this is the old standby “respect your elders”. Teachers try very hard everyday to teach us new things. We need to put in effort ourselves to learn. Everyone has bad days, so maybe your teacher snapped at you last week because something happened. Maybe the next time this happens, suck it up and try to hold it all in.

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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Math Lab 6:50 - 7:40 a.m.

Monday: Room 512 Tuesday: Room 509 Math Lab 3 - 3:50 p.m.

Monday: Room 502 Tuesday: Room 512 Wednesday: Room 507 Thursday: Room 502 CA help 3 - 4 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday Room 311 World Language help Spanish 3 - 4 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday Room 708 French 3 - 4 p.m.

Monday Room 706

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.

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here are many things the student body does extremely well. Being green is not one of them.

The foundation for being a green school is there. At least 10 percent of the building materials are made of recycled content, and at least 10 percent came from within the region. All lights use daylight harvesting, meaning when the light outside gets brighter, the lights inside dim. And demand-controlled ventilation senses the amount of carbon dioxide in every room in order to regulate fresh air.

“I would say the yes - 15 building is defino - 1 nitely designed to save your vote energy,” Executive Director of FaciliGo online to ties and Operations bvswnews.com for the Blue Valley to cast your School District Dave vote for this Hill said. “We had month’s editoto prove when it was certified that we would rial question.

Read other stu- use 24.5 percent less energy than a similar dent responses building not built with and comment eco-friendly materials. on the editorial. Make your But even though it uses a little more energy, voice heard we want to ensure the at www. bvswnews.com. students and teachers have fresh air. Our or mention us goal is to optimize the on twitter learning environment @bvswnews for you.”

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And there are some students actively involved in helping the planet. Sophomore Nick Foulon and the other four members of the Environmental Club created a compost machine that 10 clubs have already agreed to help operate. Within the next few weeks, designated bins will be set up in the cafeteria for biodegradable foods.

“As a school, we use a ton of electricity every day, as well as sending too much biodegradable material into trash cans and placing them out in landfills,” Foulon said. “By composting, we can actually put those biodegradable materials back into the ground and create new things for our environment.”

However, the majority of the student body is not actively involved. For example, approximately 40 students are members of KAY Club; yet, not everyone participates.

There are typically only 5 to 10 kids who recycle, if even that. The week of April 7, not one person showed up to recycle in the morning or after school. All of the money that the school would’ve made from the recycled products was thrown away. Literally.

“There have been countless posters, announcements, and even Wolfbyte segments on how important recycling is for our school,” KAY leader and senior Sarah Newell said. “I think people just get busy and don’t think about how important it really is.

Editorial cartoon by Morgan Vietti.

If students took a moment each day to put their paper and plastic in the correct recycling bins, we would improve immensely. Until we start putting effort into our recycling, we can’t truly be called a green school.”

This isn’t just a problem for the environment. Being “green” directly affects everyone at the school. It’s difficult to enjoy the beautiful courtyard, for example, when it’s littered with the remains of school lunches.

“I think that the people who built the school made efforts to make the school more green, like the big windows and all of the recycling bins everywhere, and all of the lights that are off when your aren’t in the room,” junior Kelly Urschel said. “But I think that we’re not utilizing it and that

students take it for granted.

Like, nobody really recycles. I don’t think it’s as big as a focus as it should be.”

This is purely an issue of sheer laziness– it’s amazing how many of the bottles discarded end up in the trash can directly beside the recycling bin. But that also means it’s an unbelievably easy problem to solve. Surely, the members of the student body can handle the two seconds required to determine whether the object they’re holding is paper or plastic.

This may not be a “green” school now, but everyone has the potential to help make it one.

Do you think we’re a green school?

We’re at least much more so than other Blue Valley schools.

Our lights turn off automatically if someone isn’t in the room, and we use a lot of environmental lighting instead of artificial lighting.”

-Sophomore Emma Lucas

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We have a lot of environmental things. The school is made out of local materials. But I guess we wouldn’t be entirely because we use a lot of lighting.”

-Junior Nathan Hansen

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“Yes, because we recycle, but not everyone recycles or puts things that can be recycled in the recycling bin. A lot of people leave their trash outside.”

-Freshman Harrison Carney

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ake some time to look back at a few shots that captured moments throughout the school year. This page does not have enough space to portray the 2012-2013 school year through photos; several stories are

left untold. If you don’t see an important moment on this page, be sure to scan the QR Code at the bottom to get to Smug Mug, which is a site to purchase photos that have been taken by newspaper and yearbook photographers throughout the year.

Top left: Alongside a few other coworkers, science teacher Deborah Sisk devours a pie as a part of the teacherversus-student pie eating contest at the fall sports assembly. Middle Left: Arms spread wide, senior Dan Pemble competes in the butterfly stroke during the swim meet against Blue Valley Northwest.

Middle right: Meeting eachother for the first time, Romeo, played by sophomore Caleb Jenkins and Juliet, played by junior Lauren Henke, share a moment under the stage lights during the performance of “Romeo and Juliet.” Bottom left: Seniors Aaron Ramsey and Anthony Miller argue with referee’s call during the varsity football game against Blue Valley West. Bottom left: Senior Ben Lewis celebrates with the crowd of students behind him as the Timberwolves take the lead against the BVW boys varsity basketball team on Dec. 7.

BVSW News on Smug Mug

best of the best

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Photo Essay by Anna Glennon.

may 2013