Southwest Standard Issue 2

Southwest

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Vol. 3 Issue 2 September 2012 Overland Park, Kansas

Five athletes devote their lives to furthering their abilities on the ice pg. 12-13

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Editor’sNote:

PrintEdition: 12-13

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Fashion -A&E

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Debate -feature

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Learning Lair -news

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Russell Stover hockey -doubletruck

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by anna glennon photo editor

t rushes through you, that sense of doing something right, that feeling that you are right where you belong, doing what you should be and pursuing that in which you love. Whether it be sports, music, the arts, dance; whatever your calling, as human beings, each of us has a passion. Sometimes our passions are so deep that even others can’t understand them, this devotion is a piece of our lives. It instills dreams within us, giving us hope for the future. It teaches us how to overcome obstacles with determination and perseverance. It makes us who we are.

Whatever it is that you dream, whatever it is that makes you feel whole chase it. Don’t let the fear of falling hold you back. As you turn to the center of this issue, you will see three weeks of my hardest work in front of you.

Don’t simply glance at the pictures or scan over the page; I want you to read, because the five stories I tried to tell you in my own words, have taught me something. While I am not a hockey player nor could I ever be, these five hockey players have taught me that no obstacle should stand in the way of pursuing what I love. I learned that in order to feel positive about my own abilities and performance, I have to put forth the effort from the beginning, and fight until the end. Most importantly, five rowdy, hard-working hockey lovers, taught me that the training and the work may be tough, but getting further into what I love will always outweigh that. While I was just the girl asking annoying questions and pointing a camera at them, they wouldn’t have guessed that seeing their passion changed my outlook. While each of our dreams are different, we all aspire to achieve them, and put forth our best effort with every step. So I suggest – actually encourage you – to dance when you feel the rhythm in you, sing when the music rises in your heart, run when your feet can’t stand still, paint when the canvas calls you and chase whatever dream your heart puts inside you. Don’t look back on these youthful years and wish that you pursued it further – take your dreams and run with them.

*Cover photo: Squatting low, sophomore Max Kerner blocks a puck launched at the goal. “I’m a little excited after blocking a shot,” Kerner said. “But I’m so used to it I just get ready for the next shot. Half the time I don’t even see the puck or have time to react, my body just does it for me.” Photo by Anna Glennon

OnlineEdition: Synergy

Romeo and Juliet

Choir at Kauffman Stadium

New Teachers

Learn about the grading system that replaced E-Sis and how to use it.

Relive the choir’s performance of the national anthem at a Royals’ game.

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The Theater Department prepares their modern rendition of a classic Shakespearean tragedy.

Meet the newest additions to the faculty.

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Policy forbids taking photos in bathrooms and locker rooms

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by caroline fronczak staff writer

ith the new school year underway a change in school policy affects some students and their typical bathroom pictures. The everyday photo, usually including a group of people crowding around a mirror, making faces and throwing up peace signs, is no longer permitted in school (at least not in the bathrooms anyway).The school is enforcing the “No Picture Policy,” meaning that no one is allowed to take any sort of picture or video in a school bathroom or locker room.

“No one is allowed to take a picture in a restroom or locker room,” Principal Scott Roberts said. “Also nothing is allowed to be filmed in a classroom without a teacher’s permission.”

For returning students, this policy creates a change from last year. The annual talk assistant principal Lisa Wilson gives to all communication arts classes at the beginning of the year had an additional point this year.

“There’s just too much stuff going on in there,” counselor Kristi Dixon said. “There’s no need to be taking pictures in the bathroom, especially with all the privacy issues and concerns.”

While snapping a photo in the bathroom mirror may seem harmless, one could never know who else could end up in the photo which then causes the issue of whether or not one has their permission to post this photo on a social media network.

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“I understand when it comes to people taking inappropriate pictures of others changing clothes or being in the stalls, but if you and your friends want to take pics in the mirror it shouldn’t matter at all,” junior Rachel Rutledge said.

Although the rule is set in place, some students, like Rutledge, feel that it’s not that big of deal especially with the type of photos they are taking.

“I don’t think students will follow this because it’s kind of a ridiculous rule,” Rutledge said. “No one is taking inappropriate pictures, so they are going to keep taking pics with their friends wherever they want.”

Even though the school itself cannot enforce any sort of punishment, other than a disciplinary speech, a lot more is at stake when breaking the policy. Later on in life, when a student tries to apply for a job or has to have a background check, any sort of photo that has been taken in a bathroom or locker room and shows up on a social media website, can be examined and have the consequence of that person becoming a sex offender. That will remain on a personal record.

The “No Pic Policy” relates to rules that other districts, such as Olathe, have tried to enforce, which banned girls from wearing yoga pants. Although taking pictures in bathrooms is a more punishable escapade, students are still not fans of this.

“It makes the school look paranoid,” junior Alex Peuser said. “The fact that they don’t want us taking photos at school is ridiculous. Cause we all know what sexting looks like and it involves clothes off. Not one with some friends.

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Graphic by Matt Forster.

We understand sexting is bad.”

Trying to combine capturing a moment with friends and not breaking the school rules can be difficult for some now, but the bathroom is certainly not the only place one can pose for a picture.

“The solution to this problem is easy,” Dixon said, “You flip the camera on your phone, step out into the hallway and take your picture there.”

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briefs news

southwest by ananda bhatia features editor

Timber Trauma Team:

SNHS (Spanish National Honor Society):

What: A new science career’s club, focusing on whatever the students want to learn.

“It will allow students to have a hands-on opportunity to explore careers in science as well as health care,” Dr. Chris Jenson said. “It’s really student driven. We’re trying to let them decide what they’re interested in.”

When: Every other Thursday from 3-4:15 p.m.

Next meeting: Sept. 20

What: A club mainly focused on “spanish-based community service in which we can utilize our knowledge of the language,” club president Lauren Tobin said.

Members must have a 3.5 GPA or higher (weighted or unweighted), be enrolled in Spanish 3 or higher, and committed to taking Spanish for the rest of their high school career.

When: Twice a month on Wednesdays at either

Chris Jenson

Where: Room 304 Upcoming events: The Timber Trauma Team will run Hoops for Hope this year, a project that raises money for under insured kids and kids with no insurance for the Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Last year it was run by Jenson’s CAPS students. They had about 160 people participate and they raised about $27,000.

Jenson thinks this year it will be even bigger and better.

KAY Club:

Carolyn Zeligman What: A community service club that focuses on a different service project each month (September is Harvesters) as well as weekly events such as recycling, court yard cleanup and teacher treats (usually all on Fridays).

KAY also runs Relay 4 Life, an overnight event held in early March to raise money for cancer research through the American Cancer Society, which will be held at Southwest this year.

When: Every other Tuesday

before school at 7:15 a.m. or after school at 3 p.m.

Next meeting: Sept. 25 Where: Room 708 Upcoming events: The Harvesters project is taking place during Homecoming Week. Students can bring canned food to donate, which can be put in the big Harvesters buckets out at lunch. The grade with the most donated food will win spirit points.

Kick off for Relay 4 Life will take place on Oct. 11.

REbeL Club:

Carolyn Zeligman

French Club: Emilie Grant

7:20 a.m. or 3 p.m.

Next meeting: Sept. 26 Upcoming events: The group is currently collaborating with El Centro, a dominantly spanish-speaking school, and the Blue Valley Multi-Service Center, a local food pantry. They plan on working with the Christmas Bureau, Aubry Bend, and a few other organizations throughout the semester.

@BVSWfrenchclub on Twitter (Instagram coming soon)

What: A club designed to study French culture through French food, movies and language. “[Our sponsor] is from France, so we get to learn tons about the culture that we wouldn’t otherwise,” club president Devon McGowan said. “We’re really looking to get new members.”

When: Meets every other Thursday after school at

3 p.m.

Next meeting: Sept. 20 Where: Room 706 Upcoming events: There will be plenty of French (and non-French) desserts at the next meeting to help recruit new members.

The marching band season began on Sept. 15. Their first competition will be in Webb City on Sept. 22 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. They will also be playing at the home

game against Blue Valley North on Sept. 21 and at the Homecoming game against Bishop Miege on Sept. 28.

also:

what are the freshmen most looking forward to?

25 20 15 10 5 0

Homecoming

Student activities Relationships

Field day

Assemblies/Spirit week

Lindsay Hogan

What: A club dedicated to spreading positive and uplifting messages throughout the school.

When: Two Thursdays a month: the second Thursday in the morning at 7:30 a.m. and the fourth Thursday after school at 3 p.m.

Next meeting: Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.

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Where: Library Events: On Sept.13, in honor of Homecoming, they met after school to put up positive messages around the school (compliments and encouragement to be comfortable with who you are).

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2012 election coverage

Meet the candidates by jessica skaggs news editor

democrats

political party basics and quick facts on all four running

republicans

vs.

issues:

believe in government action to stimulate the economy President Obama

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Courtesy of Creative Commons.

Served in the Senate for three years Passed the Affordable Healthcare Act Was essential in the killing of Osama bin Laden Extended emergency rescue loans to the American auto industry, which saved over 1 million jobs.

Passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act- which cut taxes for small businesses and 95 percent of working families Created 4.5 million private sector jobs

source: http://www.barackobama.com/about/ barack-obama?source=footer-nav

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teen unemployment 23.8 percent rise in prices of gas $3.77

Vice President Joe Biden

• • • •

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Graphics by Matt Forster.

believe in private sector ability to stimulate the economy

Gov. Mitt Romney

Courtesy of Christopher Dlts.

At 29, was one of the youngest people ever elected to the Senate Served in the Senate for 36 years Was the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee As Vice President he has been essential in the Obama administration’s major foreign and domestic policy actions Has used foreign policy experience to aid in advising the President on international issues.

source: http://www.barackobama.com/about/joebiden?source=footer-nav

Courtesy of Mnassal.

• •

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Became governor of Massachusetts in 2002 Spent “intimate” time in the private sector, which he argues, allows him to know how the economy works Founded the investment firm Bain Capital in 1984 Head of 2002 Winter Olympics Committee If elected president, would seek to lower taxes, federal spending, regulations and government size

source: http://www.mittromney.com/learn/mitt

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Congressman Paul

Ryan

• • •

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Courtesy of Roger Barone.

Wisconsin representative of the 1st Congressional District Chairman of the House Budget Committee In 2008, Ryan gained public attention when he released his “Roadmap for America’s Future” which involved a budget to eliminate the federal debt, simplify the tax code and preserve government entitlements.

In 1999, Ryan was the youngest freshmen entering Congress at the age of 28.

source: http://www.mittromney.com/learn/paul

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Learning Lair opens up to district

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by meg huwe editor-in-chief

lue skies, green grasses, chirping birds and a dead stuffed coyote. Welcome to Room 504, the host of Southwest’s latest innovation – the Learning Lair.

The Lair began last year with an idea from science department chair, Dr. Lynn Martens and help from science teacher Dianne Dunn.

Martens attended a school district where many of the high schools had environmental labs and that inspired her to want to create something similar here.

“I wanted to establish something like what I had available in the Shawnee Mission district,” she said. “There is no reason we can’t have something at least as good, if not better.”

Thus Martens began work on gaining support from the principal.

“I couldn’t even dream of doing this until Scott Roberts had okayed it,” she said.

After Roberts backed it, Martens presented the idea to the students who were supportive from the onset.

The next most pressing matter became funding. The Blue Valley Foundation of Education donated $5,000.

Other various items and funding came from teachers and students.

With funds and supplies, Martens requested the help of her students in designing it.

“At first it was kind of hard to see what her vision was for it,” senior Kayla Yi said. “I thought it was kind of going to be teachers displaying what their respective classes were. Now I think this will help kids gain a better understanding of science and gain appreciation for it.”

Last year’s AP Biology class decided they wanted grasses and the sky and clouds for the overall encompass-

ing decor. They worked on every detail in setting it up.

Preparations began as early as spring break, but didn’t really go into full swing until after AP testing. However, there were always features being added, including taxidermied animals.

“It was pretty funny to see Doc get overly excited about bidding for taxidermy,” Yi said. “Every time she won something she’d pull it up and show us. We had a lot of dead stuff in the classroom for a while.”

Working on this project created a relaxed atmosphere for classmates.

“With all the people in that class we got really close because we were working together,” she said. “We were already on close terms because it was such a small class, but that got everyone more comfortable working with each other. It was really fun to help build the Learning Lair.”

The Lair houses 12 stations beginning with the ‘tools of science’ progressing to fossils and organisms and so on until the final station which is pollution and human’s carbon footprint on the earth. The Lair follows the kindergarten through eighth grade curriculum.

On Sep. 13 the Lair opened up to the district. Students were able to volunteer and give tours to guests.

“The opening was awesome,” junior Sarah Murphy said. “A bunch of teachers came in and signed up to look at the place and to have field trips at the Lair.”

Schools within the district can sign up to take their students to see the Lair. During these visits Southwest students may give tours. There will be trainings for potential tour guides.

“I think it’s a really great idea,” Yi said. “It’s something different and not a lot of high schools have it. It will help incoming freshmen get a better understanding of what teachers look for in science classes at the high school level.”

Letting Tuttle and Ninja out of their habitat to roam, sophomore Brandon Spitler keeps an eye on them. Tuttle and Ninja are land turtles and were donated by one of Dunn’s former students. Photo by Anna Glennon.

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Features of the Lair

• 12 stations following Earth’s chronology • An original Morse Code machine

• Live animals including:

- zebra finches

- turtles

- anole lizard

• Beaver lodge students can crawl through

• Taxidermied animals including:

- badger

- armadillo

- fox

- opossum

- raccoon

• QR for smartphones

• 16 different kinds of animal tracks

• Meteorite from Arizona

The birds and the bees (although this time truly only the birds)

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our Zebra Finches. Three females. One male. Lots of drama.

A special part of the Lair is the live animal section. Included in this group are the birds. There are four and each of their names start with a ‘G.’ The only male was named Gregory Peck (after the actor), and the females are named Gidget, Grace and Greta.

What Dr. Lynn Martens did not anticipate was the male, Gregory, would reach sexual maturity at such an early age. With three other females in the same cage, there was definitely some ruffled feathers until Gregory picked Gidget for his mate.

“He started showing her the nest and picking at Grace and Greta,” Martens said. “We had to separate the two. It was better than watching the Bachelor. I even sent emails to update the staff.”

There were, however, still some conflicts even after Gidget had been chosen.

“It was major drama at first. He [Gregory] lined the nest with all soft stuff and he started plucking out Gidget’s feathers. We came back and she was bald, so we put some cloth in there.”

Gidget ended up laying five eggs, three of which have for sure hatched.

“We saw some ugly baby birds,” Martens said. “But they are wonderfully attentive parents. If one goes out, the other will jump in the nest to keep them warm.”

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A dancer’s dream Breann Veney makes her way into the spotlight A

by maddi parr managing editor

s she stepped into the spotlight for her first dance solo and looked out in front of a sea of people, she then knew at that moment, that she was destined to be a dancer. Junior Breann Veney’s passion for dance started when she was just three years old, and it’s continued to grow into a lifestyle.

"Breann eats, sleeps, and breathe dance.”

Breann’s mother, Melissa Veney said. “It is a huge part of what makes her the person she is.”

Since being a dancer at the Jody Phillips Dance Company, Veney has had opportunities, including being featured in upcoming recording artist, Nate Evans’ music video.

Veney was recognized for her talent and asked to be in Evans’ music video, along with a few other girls from Jody Phillips Dance Studio. Singer, songwriter and dancer, Evans conducts hip-hop and dance music with an electronic pop sound, and has been featured on Billboard’s Top 100. The music video will debut late September.

“This was my first music video,” Breann said. “It was a new experience which is really exciting.”

Not only has Veney been featured with Evans, but also American dancer, choreographer, and actor Misha Gabriel. Gabriel has danced in shows of Janet and Michael Jackson, as well as played the role of Eddie in the Step Up Revolution movie. This is Veney’s third dance piece with Gabriel, one of which was the Plaza Lighting in Kansas City. Gabriel has visited the Jody Phillips Company numerous times and knows

Veney’s dance coach. Veney was recognized and asked to participate in Gabriel’s upcoming dance piece, which will debut in October or November.

“Breann is very fortunate to belong to a studio who brings in well known teachers in the dance industry to teach master classes,” Melissa said.

Veney and her dance studio have traveled to dance competitions across the U.S. including: Oklahoma, Branson, St. Louis, Orlando, and have plans on commuting to New York next year.

“I love traveling with my team and getting to do activities together,” Breann said. “Getting to compete against different studios in different states is a lot of fun.”

Dance competitions consist of multiple categories including: ballet, acro, modern, tap, lyrical and many more. They are performed before numerous judges as they complete a score sheet of the dancer(s).

“Every song brings something different to the piece,” Breann said. “If it’s lyrical or contemporary and it’s a sad song, it makes it easier to become one with music, and if it’s hip-hop, it’s easier to hear the back beats and hit the accents.”

Veney’s dance competitions, pieces, and lifestyle have led her to want to continue dancing throughout the rest of her life. In hopes of becoming a professional, Veney

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will continue to train to assure that dance will always be a part of her life.

“I hope to get a scholarship for college and from there to go on being a professional dancer,” Breann said.

While dancing over fifteen hours a week, along with tennis and schoolwork, Veney still makes time for her passion.

“Her drive, passion, and dedication and love for dance will push her to become the dancer she wants to be,” Melissa said.

Above: Veney points her toes as she leans into a tilt kick.

Right: With a smile, Veney poses beside Misha Gabriel on the set of the music video.

Above right: Tilting her head back and throwing her hands up, Veney throws herself into a ring jump. Photos courtesy of Breann Veney.

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september 2012

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Welcome “benvuelto bienvenido willkommen välkommen” to the five foreign exchange students and two guest residents

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by anna welch special sections editor

n hopes to be a part of the American culture, seven students from different countries have joined the student body. From Santiago,

Dominique Dabancens

by meg huwe editor-in-chief Chile to Bologna, Italy they are all here from different parts of the world with the common goal: to experience America.

What is the difference between BVSW and your school?

Grade: 12th From: Santiago, Chile Host Family: Becker family

“Chile has over 10 million people and I lived in an apartment in Santiago. At my school we wore uniforms and we start in March and end in December. Our summer is in between December and February. So everything is flip-flopped.”

Why did you want to be a foreign exchange student?

What are you involved in at Southwest?

“I wanted to be away from my family and explore a different language and country.”

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve been asked?

“Someone asked me if I can speak English. Do you know English?”

Sarah Kowalski

Grade: 12th From: Hamburg, Germany Host family: Petermann family

What is the difference between BVSW and your school?

“Southwest is much bigger than my school in Germany. We don’t have lockers, and sports aren’t right after school.”

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“I am on the cross country team because I love to run. I did track in Chile. ”

What is different about our customs compared to Chile’s?

“We greet people we know with a kiss and a hug, if we don’t know them we shake hands in Chile. Here you just say Hello. ”

What is different about our customs compared to Germany’s?

Cathrine Ruud

Grade: 12th From: Trondheim, Norway Host Family: Holloway family

What is the difference between BVSW and your school?

Erik Berge

“I wanted to learn a different culture. I have been to the US before so I wanted to improve my English.”

Grade: 12th From: Stockholm, Sweden Host Family: Sanders family

What is the difference between BVSW and your school?

“First and foremost the lunch is free. No school fees are set out, you don’t have to pay. We only

Erik Alenfal

What are you hoping to gain?

Grade: 12th From: Lomma, Sweden Host Family: Sweeney family

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve been asked?

What is the difference between BVSW and your school?

“I want to gain friends, good English and school spirit.”

“Do you speak German?”

Why did you want to be a foreign exchange student?

“I guess it was because of my siblings. I have three older ones and they have all done something similar and we have even housed

have three years in high school, but we have one extra year of school. Our school days are longer (8:20-4:30).”

Why did you decide to come here?

“People are more friendly here than they are in Germany.”

Why did you want to be a foreign exchange student?

“The overall system and how it works with teachers in class.

Classes are only 60 minutes and there are only six class periods in a day. Everyone has lunch at the same time. Also some classes are mixed between ages here, it’s only in your grade level [in Norway].”

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“I went to the United States in sixth grade and after that it just became a dream of mine to go here and experience the US as an American. It is very different from everyday life. My father did in the ‘70s and inspired me to.”

[foreign exchange students] in our house.”

Why did you want to come here?

“I’d like to try something new and different. I wanted to meet new friends and experience the American culture.”

What is the most ridiculous question you’ve been asked?

“Do you have these clothes in Norway too?”

overall system and how it’s built.

Religion is a bigger factor here.

Everything is just different. I’m getting shocked everyday. There’s always new stuff. The first week was crazy.”

Activities:

Soccer, chambers, and jazz band (plays bass).

What is the most ridiculous question you’ve been asked?

“Do you talk Swedish?”

What are some differences?

“The food. I’d think it wouldn’t matter but I miss old food. The

“Southwest is half the size and much easier to find things here.

In Sweden, they don’t have sports and meals are free.”

“I have been here before, so I wanted to work on my English and get a better experience of America.”

What is so different about our customs compared to Sweden’s?

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve been asked?

“It is very similar. We don’t go to church in Sweden. We don’t really have manners.”

“Do girls in Sweden shave their armpits?”

Why did you want to be a foreign exchange student?

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Guest Residents: There is a rule that allows a family to host a student from outside of the Blue Valley district and with the district’s permission they are allowed to attend a Blue Valley school. Seniors Frida Leknes and Beneditta Mattei are both considered

guest residents though both of them are from outside of the United States.

“They [my host parents] knew that Southwest was a good school and had a good reputation,” Leknes said.

school and choose one direction for your life. These schools don’t guarantee acceptance either. It’s almost like choosing what you want to do for a living. I’m in design, art and media.”

Frida Leknes

Grade: 12th From: Kristiansand, Norway Host Family: Forney Family

What are the differences between BVSW and your school?

“Norway has 13 years of school. I will have two senior years. High school doesn’t begin until 11th grade and there are three years. At these schools you cannot pick and choose subjects. You pick the

Why did you want to be a foreign exchange student?

“There were magazines for teens. I used to read blogs about it and it seemed like fun.”

What’s the most ridiculous question you’ve been asked?

Do you guys speak a different language in Norway?

Beneditta Mattei

Grade: 12th From: Bologna, Italy Host Family: Sanders Family What are the differences between BVSW and your school?

“There are five years in high school. Subjects aren’t up for choice. There are different types of schools for specific career paths. I prefer this school.”

“It’s like my dream to live in the American culture and with American people. I get to see how different it is from my country.”

What do you think about the school?

“It’s wonderful, I love it here. The people are so nice. I get to take classes like drawing and ceramics and personal fitness. I love this school. ” What is the most ridiculous question you’ve been asked?

“You come from Italy, do you speak Italian?”

Why did you want to be a foreign exchange student?

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Photo illustration by Morgan Vietti

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september 2012

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southwest

Rebuild or reload

Debate team seeks third State title without the leadership of last year’s seniors

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by grant laster staff writer

ocking back and forth, flying through articles at a breakneck pace in semi-falsetto voices, stand multiple sophomores and juniors. Their coach, Jared Zuckerman, hands out pointers on a speech given more rapidly than most students can think.

It is a routine day for the debaters in Room 115. With the success over the past two years, winning State titles has become part of the team’s reputation. But after the graduation of Lauren Arney, Pavan Kota, and Ross Marine, 75 percent of last year’s State team is now just a distant memory. Skeptics now question whether they can continue their success or not; whether they can three-peat.

The departed seniors from last year were still adjusting to the idea of leading a squad. A similar challenge faces the fledgling core of leaders in debate.

“I think that it changes our dynamic and roles,” junior Jack Ayres said. “I think our team is making a shift to be more competitive in fast debates in the absence of our seniors. This does disrupt some of the success we’ve had at tournaments like fourspeaker State.”

With roles on the debate team up in the air, the pressure to up the ante increases, which sophomore Charlotte Davis thinks creates an environment of healthy competition that keeps motivation high. Having lost the work ethic, experience, and direction of the class of 2012, every member of the squad is pitching in to defy all odds, to take down ‘Goliath’ once again.

Spending almost three hours each day after school, you can always find this group of dedicated students living by its one creed: every day better. This motto, even used by former Kansas Jayhawk, Thomas Robinson, epitomizes

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the debate squad’s attitude for the next year. If each individual improves something every day, then the eventual goal of winning state for the third consecutive year becomes achievable.

Whether improvement means practicing speed reading drills, redoing a speech that could use a bit of work, or simply researching this year’s topic, the way to win is to outwork the competition.

Debaters always have more work to do and their time commitment is never as much as it should be. Members of the team are often finding pertinent information in the wee hours of the morning, hunched over a laptop, scouring the internet for the perfect card that could win them a round. In the defense of their championship, the debate team is working to improve every day in the hunt for a third title.

Winning without the graduated seniors requires not only effort but time. Lots of time. The average varsity debater spends about 15 hours per week honing their skills, leaving little time for other activities, school work or relaxation. In addition, these word warriors can be found sacrificing their Friday nights and Saturdays in the pursuit of wins and trophies.

“I made the sacrifice,” sophomore Chris Fry said. “It is worth it. Sacrifice is validated by the effort you put in, regardless of the outcome.”

Another concession made by state-bound debaters involved spending two or three weeks and hundreds of dollars over the summer in a classroom setting, getting better. Instead of sleeping in, tanning or watching Netflix, these committed students woke up at 7 a.m. every day, learned debate theory and strategy for hours on end, and competed in a camp tournament. All of this commitment is to overcome obstacles such as Blue Valley High and Blue Valley West for the title.

The most important piece to

this transition year has been and will continue to be the squad’s coach, Zuckerman. The communication arts teacher instructs each debater personally, from his or her novice year to the very last tournament, how to effectively argue a point. In doing so, Zuckerman often stays at the school until 6 or 7 p.m., leaving hours later than most teachers.

In addition, the debate coach handles over 100 students, a number that normally requires an assistant coach. With a daunting task at hand, Zuckerman has set his team of new leaders up for success with a case that could be a juggernaut, an unbeatable force.

He manages the team by doing twice the work of any debater with half the staff of a squad this size.

“We have to change our roles and step up,” Ayres said. “The seniors did a ton of work for us, so that just means we have to step up and fill their void.”

Debate Dictionary:

1AC: The first speech in a debate; gives the affirmative team’s stance on the topic Negative: This team must negate the affirmative team’s stance Transportation Infrastructure: The topic of the 20122013 debate year Flow: The way debaters

track arguments made in a round Paperless: A digital approach to debating “Pick Me Up”: A judge’s decision to vote for a team Block: A speech structure that allows the negative to speak for 13 minutes

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Above: Sophomore Jacob Hegna, juniors Greer Banks, Katie Super cut cards in the debate room as junior Tristan Locke gives a speech.

Below: Locke flies through a practice speech on a makeshift podium in preparation for this year’s season. Photos by Kylie Norcross

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Defining the lunch menu Skipping fruits and vegetables at lunch will hurt your wallet Fast Facts: • Cost $11 billion to implement • Costs $3.2 billion a year to maintain • Irrelevant to any profits the cafeteria or administration may obtain • 67 percent of parents think school cafeterias are not to blame for childhood obesity • Before the policy, 63 percent of parents thought school lunches were sufficiently nutritious

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by mark maas opinion editor

t Southwest, as well as around the entire country, the White House has began requiring all schools to define what a meal plan is. Starting this year, all students who order food from the school cafeteria will be required to include fruits and vegetables in their meal if they want to receive a significant discount on their purchase.

In theory, this would make meals healthier for the average student, but there’s a catch: this policy, created and developed by none other than First Lady Michelle Obama, has cost, according to an article from the New York Times, 11 billion taxpayer dollars to implement.

Essentially, students are going to throw their fruits and vegetables into the nearest trash can, simply to save a few dollars. Such a policy must be revoked for the greater good of the national financial budget, for in reality it is up to our parents and their teachings to determine whether we eat well or not.

Healthy eating is all good, obviously, but should the government be spending a fortune for something that will likely have little to no influence?

Many students will be buying fruits for their own healthy lifestyles, regardless of whether this policy is in place or not. However, other students will be taking fruits and vegetables exclusively to get the meal discount, leading to a waste of valuable resources and government funds.

Kitchen manager Willie Brown keeps track of everything there is to know about the cafeteria.

“Not a lot of fruits are discarded,” Brown said.

“They are rewashed and sold the next day. For vegetables, there are maybe a couple of pounds per day that get thrown away from the salad bar.”

Even with this recycling system in place, fruits will eventually accumulate over time, forcing the cafeteria staff to throw out fruits if too many of them are saved.

Senior Rachel Price buys her meals from the cafeteria every day.

Photos by Morgan Vietti “I don’t know if [the new policy] is going to work.” Price said. “I normally get fruits anyway. I think some students will embrace it, but some will just throw away the fruit.”

Junior Devon Penrod is yet another student who agrees with the majority.

“The new policy will only cause students to throw their fruits and vegetables away,” Penrod said.

“It will not make them healthier; it will make them more wasteful.”

Many of us have jobs, meaning that we will be

paying for this policy to continue through taxes.

Let’s make our citizens healthier, not our trash cans.

Contact the White House at www.whitehouse.gov/ contact or your local politician to protest this unnecessary waste of the money we all pay for. Johnson county’s congressman, Rep. Kevin Yoder can be contacted at yoder.house.gov/contact-me/. All of us can do our part to help the national debt, it’s just a matter of typing an e-mail.

Statistics courtesy of Gallup, Inc. http://www.gallup.com/

opinion

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september 2012

hunger for hockey

12

cutting-edge commitment

hockey away from home

players’ love for hockey burns hot on the ice by anna glennon

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southwest standard

photo editor

hey won’t be found on the football field, in the stands on a Friday night or just hanging out at home after school. The soundtrack to their school nights is the scraping of blades and hockey sticks against ice while their breath fogs up the air around them. Five faces that walk the halls have committed themselves to one of the top hockey teams in country. The Russell Stover hockey team is known for its excellence and success as one of the top 25 teams in the country. Sacrificing their free time and social lives, these players have dedicated themselves to pursue a sport they all love, a trade off where they believe the value outweighs any setbacks.

Ready to attack any opponent who nears the goal, senior Garrett Becker keeps the opposing team at bay as a defenseman for the 18 and under Stover hockey team.

Between school and hockey, time-consuming activities keep him busy but he isn’t overwhelmed by the responsibilities.

“Being on the team teaches a lot about time management,” he said. “It’s like being in college in the way that you have to be in charge of yourself and know what you need to be doing.”

Becker has been a Stover hockey player for three years. This year his family is hosting a player so that he can play for the Stover 18 and under team.

Skating quickly, air rippling through his jersey, he keeps the puck in front of him, eyes darting from player to player, searching for an opening slot that leads to the goal. Coming to Stover from Minnesota to live with Becker, senior Alex Durand plays as a wing for the team.

As a wing, Durand is constantly chasing after the puck to score as many goals as he can. Russell Stover has a tradition of well-trained athletes, requiring certain commit-

hunger for hockey

ments of their players; players have agreed to be tested at a moment’s notice for drugs or alcohol, they also have a curfew that must be kept.

“The requirements, like curfew and stuff really aren’t that bad,” Durand said. “It’s not like I’m doing anything other than hockey.”

After the 18 and under players shuffle off the ice and the zamboni makes its sweep to erase their tracks, the 16 and under team takes the ice for its practice.

Stick in hand, he dodges opponents and makes his way toward the goal. His efforts are met by the banging of sticks against the ground from the sidelines. In order to step up his game, sophomore Brant Millerborg and his family moved to Overland Park from Wichita, Kansas this year to become involved in Stover hockey.

Attending nightly practices and off-ice workout sessions has proven to be beneficial to him.

“I’ve improved twice as much since I started playing here,” Millerborg said. “I’m faster, stronger, quicker and an all-around better athlete.”

Like Durand, Millerborg plays as a wing, focusing his time on making goals and his sitck handling. The Millerborg family is currently hosting one of the 16 and under players so that he can play for the team this season.

His eyes never leave the puck as it travels from player to player; he barrels ahead as he moves to steal the puck from his opponent. Like both Millerborg and Durand, junior Jack McClelland also plays as a wing. McClelland is being hosted by the Millerborg family this year in order to play for Stover. Coming from Wichita, Kansas, McClelland has made changes to his game, improving with each swipe of his stick due to the differences between Stover and his old hockey team.

“The coaching is a big difference maker,” McClelland said. “My speed, quickness in my feet and strength on my feet have improved along with my awareness on the ice.”

He’s the last line of defense against the opposing

two students pursue their passions on their own Top left: With the puck suddenly at his feet, senior Garrett Becker uses his hockey stick to stop it before passing it to a teammate.

Center left: Hockey stick in hand, sophomore Brant Millerborg concentrates on an opponent with the puck. Center right: Receiving the puck from a fellow teammate, senior Alex Durand steadies himself before moving toward the goal. Top right: Using a shoulder, junior Jack McClelland slams one of the St. Louis Blues’ players into the glass. Photos by Anna Glennon.

team, the player who stands guard against opponents who are after what he protects – the goal. As a part of the 16 and under team, sophomore Max Kerner plays as goalie. Playing for Stover for the past three years, his love for hockey hasn’t wavered by the pressures of daily training.

“Coaches and teammates, we all push each other,” Kerner said. “The older you get in hockey the more serious it gets. This is the start of being really serious.”

His life is a balance of school, hockey and sleep; finding little time to spend for his social life. Some teenagers cringe at the thought of missing weekend fun, but Kerner became a part of the team knowing this and finds that sacrifice is worth improving his abilities in front of the goal.

This tight-knit family built on the foundation of a passion for hockey can be seen in the school halls; jokingly chirping someone’s flow, or ranting about last night’s workouts. While their ages split them into separate teams, this group has bonded over the short amount of time they have spent together. Each player supporting the team from their own position, pushing themselves every second of a game and working together to put themselves further than before.

“We all have the same dream we want to achieve,” Millerborg said. “As a team we are willing to go through anything to get it.”

Hockey Holler - lingo for learners Sauce - “Sauce me the puck!” A pass that hovers across the ice.

Twig- “I love my twig.” A hockey player’s most prized possession - their hockey stick.

Flow- “That guy’s flow is sick.” A hairstyle.

Bucket- “If he weren’t wearing his bucket, I would have spilled his brains on the ice.” A hockey player’s helmet.

Apple- “That guy made so many apples this game.”

An assist.

Gino- “I can’t believe the goalie managed to stop that guy from scoring a gino, that was sick.” A goal.

www.bvswnews.com

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by anna glennon photo editor

hey packed their belongings, said their goodbyes and laced up their skates with one thing on their minds – hockey. To pursue their passion of the game, senior Alex Durand and junior Jack McClelland have moved away from home.

While they may have left their families, they have found a family on the ice as a part of the Russell Stover hockey team.

Durand is from the town of Blaine, Minnesota. Last season, he played as a wing for the Blaine High School hockey team. Russell Stover is a AAA Tier 1 hockey team, sought after by players interested in taking hockey to a college or professional level. Durand was no newcomer to high-level hockey as he was a wing for the Wisconsin Fire – a team that played all over the nation and ranked 2nd in the country while he was a member in 2008-2009. While Durand played with the Wisconsin Fire, his neighbor, Michael Shibrowski, left midway through his senior year to play for Russell Stover. Four years later, Durand tried out for Stover, following Shibrowski’s path.

“I was hoping to get away from high school hockey,” Durand said.

“I just wanted to try out AAA hockey.”

Last winter, Durand was contacted by Russell Stover coach, Tom Rudrud, who asked him to join the team. Even though opportunity was knocking, Durand decided not to join at that time.

“At the time, although honored by the invitation, we were not ready to have Alex leave home,” Alex’s father Jamie Durand said.

“Alex wanted to go but was understanding of our wishes. Alex never gave up on the desire to play for Russell Stover, and as spring drew near he began asking if he could try out for the team for the upcoming year.”

The following July, Alex tried out for the Stover hockey team.

A few days later he was told he made the team. Rewarded by his patience, he was ready to play.

“Our thoughts and feelings at the time we found out were very mixed,” Jamie said. “We were excited for the opportunity this gave Alex, yet we shed a tear or two about his leaving home. I think most

parents are close to being emotionally and mentally prepared that when their child graduates from high school they will be leaving home, this came a year earlier than that.”

After the final preparations were made, Alex moved in with fellow Russell Stover teammate, senior Garrett Becker and his family. As a new member of the team, Alex has enjoyed having teammates of high skill levels from different areas, forming a well-balanced team.

McClelland is originally from Toronto, Ontario. He has moved across North America due to his father’s job as a hockey coach. From Toronto, he moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland then Mississippi and Colorado, his family now lives in Wichita, Kansas. With each town came a new team; before Stover, McClelland played for the Wichita Warriors hockey team. He received a call from the coach of the Stover hockey team, who was looking to recruit him. After the decision was made, he moved to Overland Park. He now lives with his fellow teammate, sophomore Brant Millerborg. McClelland’s love for hockey comes from an inspiration his father has instilled in him.

“I want to follow in my dad’s footsteps and get far into the sport I love,” McClelland said.

His father, Kevin McClelland, played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers. During his time as a player, the team won four Stanley Cups (1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988).

“I was very impressed with Jack’s decision to chase his dream and also proud of him for having the courage to start all over again in another city,” Kevin said. “Living with a host family, going to a new high school, making new friends, and living life so far away from his family, that’s not an easy thing to do.”

Durand finds that being away from home has added an edge to his game, making him focus on hockey. He hopes to pursue hockey at a D1 college or play for the United States Hockey League. He will live with the Becker family for the duration of his senior year. As a junior, McClelland will be staying with the Millerborg family for the remainder of the school year. He is considering staying for his senior year to play for Stover again.

“I feel like this decision is definitely going to impact my life, “ McClelland said. “I mean, I miss my family a lot and moving away at 15 is hard, but maybe later on in life this decision will be for the better.”

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You only live once. . .

Students misinterpret the true meaning of the common phrase Y.O.L.O

Photo by Morgan Vietti.

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by maddi parr managing editor

hat started out as a simple song lyric has now made its way into an epidemic. YOLO, you only live once. It seems to be the modern day Carpe Diem, to seize the day, and has taken place on t-shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, you name it.

Our generation has the wrong definition for the phrase and we aren’t using it correctly.

YOLO isn’t an excuse to drive drunk, sleep around or act like a complete idiot. It isn’t a calling for our generation to live recklessly and carelessly. It should make you want to make the most of your life, to do something you normally

wouldn’t do, to make a better life for yourself.

Here are a few appropriate YOLO quotes: “I decided last minute to go see London and Paris, I have always wanted to go and I finally have the time, YOLO.” “I have never tried squid, but I might as well while I have the opportunity, YOLO.” “I am really shy, but I think I’ll go up to him and introduce myself first, YOLO.” And here are the quotes I never want to hear: “I honestly didn’t have that much to drink, I can still drive, YOLO.” “I really wanted cereal this morning but the milk is a month old, oh well, YOLO.” “I have no idea how to drive a stick shift, but I’m going to practice on my dad’s Porsche while

The Southwest Standard editor-in-chief meg huwe

features editor ananda bhatia

managing editor madison parr

opinion editor mark maas

web editor royan black

sports editor mariem towakoli

news editor jessica skaggs

special sections editor anna welch

photo editor anna glennon

opinion

photographers matt forster kylie norcross morgan vietti staff writers brianna bogdan jordon fields mackenzie kivett grant laster adviser heather lawrenz

he is gone, YOLO.” While they both have similar messages, Carpe Diem means to “seize the day” to take the day that you have been given and make it the absolute best that you possibly can, to live positively but also productively.

These are the years of our lives, and it’s important to make the most out of everyday, focus on the present and you are certain to have a better future. Whether it be YOLO, Carpe Diem, or Hakuna Matata, make it a goal for yourself to live each day to the fullest and make the most of what you are given. Strive to make each day a new adventure and a new opportunity to better yourself, as well as your outlook on life.

The Southwest Standard is published ten times a year for students, faculty and surrounding community of Blue Valley Southwest. It is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions expressed within this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrations of Blue Valley Unified School District #229.

Letters to the editor and reader responses are encouraged for publication. The Southwest Standard reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content and encourages letters to be no more than 350 words. All letters must be signed and names will be published.

www.bvswnews.com

similar phrases • • • • • • • •

No day but today When in Rome Now or Never Life is too short Que Sera Sera C’est la vie Seize the day It is with the day

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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3 things I wish I knew freshmen year

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reshman year of high school is … weird. It’s a little scary, a little nerve-wracking, and a little intimidating. Looking back, freshman year was really fun but there are some things I wish I had known.

The start of high school can be quite a challenge if you have no idea what to expect. Some of you might just be getting over the fact that there are no bullies who give you swirlies in the bathrooms or shove you into compacted lockers. High school is definitely not how the movies portray it to be, but I’m quite sure we all knew that. If I had known half the advice I do now, the transformation from middle school to high school would have been a little smoother. To make things easier for those freshman out there who are having a little trouble, or anyone else who needs it, here is my advice to you.

1 by mariem towakoli sports editor

Being out is better than being in

Everyone is told that high school is all about fitting in and being “popular” is the only way to make friends; well, I am here to tell you that this is a lie. A lesson I have learned throughout my years of high school is that the “cool crowd” isn’t that cool. Be friends with everybody; expand your horizon. Be who you want to be and true friends will stick with you. Losing a friend is painful, stressful and a downright terrible experience, but losing a friend is a part of life. You could be best friends with someone one day and mortal enemies the next. No one prepared me for this and I expected that my best friends who entered high school with me would be my best friends who would graduate with me. I do not regret losing the friends I’ve lost. Also I have met some different kinds of people through those experiences that I have now become very close to that I wouldn’t have if I was still stuck on my old friends. It is okay to be upset about the loss of a good friend, but if they were a true friend, wouldn’t you still be friends?

2 3

To slack or not to slack?

As a freshman the workload will not be as difficult in comparison to the years ahead, but slacking off on homework and classwork will catch up to you in the end. As many might believe that teachers just assign pointless homework to keep us from doing things we actually care about, this really isn’t true and all of this “pointless” homework will be very beneficial in the end. You can be dedicated to your studies and make time for fun. Tipping the scale and spending all your energy on just one aspect of the high school life won’t help you get the most out of your freshman year. Learning to do your assignments on time and correctly is a great skill to practice and will help you all throughout high school. I know you might think doing your essay the night before at 10 p.m. sounds like fun, but let’s think about this. End this habit while you are a freshman because it will eventually end up carrying over to your junior year, which will be your hardest year of them all. Putting things off until crunch time will be your biggest mistake, trust me.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

One of the potentially bad things about high school is that people get introduced to new things. I’m not talking about trying out for a new club or activity, which is advised for freshman or any student to do. Let’s just say if your Red Solo Cup is filled up with anything other than soda, then you should re-evaluate the choices you are making. This is very important and should be to all freshmen because you face situations like this a lot in high school. If something doesn’t seem right to you or that voice in your head starts telling you to not do something, listen to it. We all know what seems comfortable to us and what isn’t.

By listening to your intuition, you can avoid making a decision that you may later regret.

opinion

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Here are some helpful tips from the seniors to get you through the first year and clear up some of your worries.

“Don’t make decisions based on what you think your friends want and never worry about what other people think because you will be far happier if you only focus on what you know is right for you.”

megan rowe

“Take school seriously for as long as possible and don’t slack off if you can because it will catch up to you in the end. I wish I would have known how bad it is to procrastinate or leaving things to the night before and I definitely do not recommend it.”

jake novicoff

“Everyone says this to you, but you don’t really understand it until you’re a senior.

These four years of high school go by so fast, so enjoy it because it will be over before you know it. High school is so much better when you manage your time between your friends and your school work.”

taylor baum

“Make the best out of your high school career by getting involved because it goes by a lot faster than you think and you don’t want to have any regrets.

I wish I would have realized how important my high school grades are to colleges too.”

aaron rogers

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staffed: Giving our school its own identity by meg huwe editor-in-chief

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ell Timberwolves, by now you should be back in the swing of things, given up on the lovely days of laying out and tanning or sleeping in until noon. Or, maybe, those are still your weekends.

Like every school year, this one turns a fresh leaf.

We can make what we want out of it. We have had a month under our belts, but there’s one thing we’ve yet to do: make a name for our school.

This is the year we should make that happen.This is the year we decide what we want to be known for.

We’ve had the past two years to adjust to the high school atmosphere and

let go of the Tiger and Jaguar articles of clothing (or keep them buried at the bottom of our closets).

Those of you still here should want to be here.

We’ve accomplished a number of amazing feats these past few years, from creating the first ever Blue Valley lipdub, to taking The Laramie Project to the State Thespian Conference, to winning both debate State championships and regionals with our football team.

Clearly we know how to work hard and we deserve some recognition and to not be known as the “reject school.” In fact, we deserve some credit for how great we are.

This is why we should avoid being the “orange school” or the “hick school” or the “green school.” Maybe this will sound strange, but let’s

just be known for being Southwest, the school too cool to care about a label.

Something that would also be nice to see within our community is the encouragement of all sports and activities. You don’t have to be a senior to be a “superfan.” The opportunities are available to be supportive of all events.

Maybe it’s a little ambitious to anticipate 1,000 students to be cheering on the cross country, golf or volleyball teams, but you don’t have to go to show support. Wish a student luck as you pass him or her in the hall. There are plenty of little things we can do.

Our school doesn’t need a stereotype to be great. We already are.

Cartoon by Matt Forster

staff

What stereotype does our school have?

““

People who didn’t like their other schools so they came here.

news

Senior-Lydia Pine

““

Just a bunch of people getting together, dont really care about who’s who.

Junior-Justin Smith

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““

vote

yes - 15 no - 0 your vote

Everybody gets along but its just a mixture of people.

Senior-Paul Grieco

Go online to bvswnews. com to cast your vote for this month’s editorial question. Read other student responses and comment on the editorial. Make your voice heard at www. bvswnews. com. or mention us on twitter @bvswnews

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Albums break through to make the school year count

Artists and bands release their new music in the midst of fall

North: by royan black online editor

Battle Born:

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fter a four year break between albums and a 1 1/2 year hiatus, the Killers are back and with a brand new sound on their latest album, ‘Battle Born’. Released recently, the new single from the album, ‘Runaways’ is a very different sound compared to their former albums. ‘Runaways’ opens with soft

and simple piano chords and talks of a teenage blonde, only to have the band pick up momentum faster than Kim Kardashian’s marriage.

In the song, The Killers, fronted by Brandon Flowers, seem to have embraced their inner-Springsteen, leading to the song being voted as the song of the summer in Readers’ Poll: The Top Best Songs of Summer 2012. After that single, excitement for the new album has been building and ‘Battle Born’ was released into stores on Sept. 17.

Anyone who hasn’t heard Matchbox Twenty’s latest single, ‘She’s So Mean’ needs to hit up YouTube and find out what exactly their newest album, ‘North’ has to offer them. This will be the band’s more recent album since 2007. After five years, we’re a little eager to see what this particular band has to offer us.

above: photo courtesy of matchboxtwenty.com below: photo courtesy of davematthewsband.com

Away From The World: Even for someone who isn’t that big of a Dave Matthews Band fan, if you’re looking for an album to spend your money on after the ‘Imagine Dragons’ soundtrack sells out, then definitely check out Dave Matthews Band’s newest album, ‘Away from the world’. The first released single from their album, ‘Mercy’ sets the standard for the rest of the album and the standard is high. First debuted the delicate acoustic number on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” The album ‘Away from the World’ is destined to be a fan favorite with its serious tunes and the haunting lyrics of Dave Matthews.

photo courtesy of thekillersmusic.com

The Truth About Love:

No one can forget the feisty singer with the colorful name and vocals strong enough to remain in your head for days.

P!nk is releasing her first album in two years and with her first single already causing cars to vibrate, it’s safe to say that this album will be as noteworthy as the others. Her first single ‘Blow Me (One Last Kiss)’ is classic P!nk with it’s fiery and energetic lyrics that remind listeners of the tiresome process of dealing with an ex. She’s always been opinionated about her exes and this is no different.

The veteran pop star has fans raving for the album, which dropped Sept. 18.

photo courtesy of pinkspage. com/us/photos

arts & entertainment

While not filled with earth shattering singles such as ‘Unwell,’ this album still offers variety of new songs to dance to with your friends and turn up the radio in the car. ‘North’, was released on Aug. 28 gives whoever wants to hear Rob Thomas’s distinctive, languid vocals what they ask for, but it’s a definite back burner for the favorite albums released by Matchbox Twenty.

Night Visions: Most people have heard the single off of Imagine Dragons’ new album ‘Night Visions’s ‘It’s Time.’ It has been blasting from car radios with its infectious rock beat mixed with an introduction of something sounding like clapping and mandolins, and lead singer Dan Reynold’s sudden voice causes the listeners to want to bob their heads in the car while merging into the next lane. Similar to The Fray and OneRepublic, Imagine Dragons is an indie rock band originating from Las Vegas after first being discovered in a battle of the bands competition in 2009.

Two years later, they were signed by Interscope Records in 2011. After releasing a few EP’s with songs such as ‘It’s Time,’ ‘Radioactive’ and a

www.bvswnews.com

personal favorite, ‘Demons,’ Imagine Dragons’ album arrived in stores across the country on Sept. 4. photo courtesy of imaginedragonsmusic.com

september 2012

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Inside the closet of Lindsey Peterson by mackenzie kivett staff writer

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by anna welch

special section editor

ome may notice the fashionistas that strut the hallways everyday in trendy clothing.

Anyone interested in fashion will notice senior Lindsey Peterson has her style put together. Peterson not only loves to be fashionable but uses it to express her personality.

How are you using your passion for fashion?

“I am starting a Fashion Club through a school called Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Anyone who has a love for fashion can join. We will meet once a week and either do Do It Yourself (DIY) projects, talk about this month’s fashion trends and hopefully help everyone discover their own unique style.”

What are some of your hobbies?

“I have been a cheerleader for eight years and right now I am on varsity cheer at Southwest. I enjoy cheering at the football games and getting to go to a lot of the soccer and basketball games. I’m also in choir so I love to sing, especially country music.

Of course shopping is one of my favorite hobbies and I also like to cook.”

What are your favorite shopping destinations?

I have a million places I love to shop, but I mostly look for very uniques pieces. I don’t like Forever 21 or Love Culture because they mainly have basics. But, the boutiques such as Trendz, SouthernBlu Style, 2 Chic Blvd. and Frankie & Jules are my favorite places to find pieces that not everyone will have. I also like J.Crew, Nordstroms, and Von Maur.”

arts and entertainment

How does your style reflect your personality?

“I have a personality that is very bold. I’m not afraid to wear anything that is in my closet. I think my style reflects that because my clothing is girly, colorful and very sophisticated.”

Who is your style icon?

“Every tuesday night I watch “Pretty Little Liars” and Ashley Benson, the girl who plays Hannah, is my ultimate fashion icon. All her outfits are put together well, she doesn’t just wear a T-shirt.

She wears blazers, wedges, statement necklaces, skirts – multiple things that I have in my wardrobe too.”

How often do you shop?

“Usually once a week, if I get bored then sometimes twice.”

Who is your favorite designer?

“I’m loving the Lauren Conrad line at Kohls.

It’s really cute and affordable. I also like Steve Madden for shoes, J. Crew and Tommy Hilfiger for clothing and of course Tory Burch.”

What do you like about this outfit?

“The maxi skirt is my favorite because I love the colors and its also super soft and very comfortable for a day at school.”

Do you have any fashion tips?

“Statement necklaces are my all time favorite Lindsey Peterson is wearing a color blocked maxi skirt from Trendz paired with a denim button down pieces to dress up any outfit. All you do it take a from Pac Sun, tan tear drop statement necklace basic fitted T-shirt with some mint green jeans and from Trendz and a rose gold watch from Norda statement necklace and your outfit is perfect.” stroms. “I love my closet because I love to express myself with my clothes,” she said. Photo by Anna Welch.

Left: A favorite feature of Lindsey Peterson’s closet is wedges. “My favorite shoes are wedges,” she said. “I think they are so cute and they go with everything and complete every outfit.”

Middle: A dominant part of Peterson’s wardrobe is her collection of 30 shoes.

Above: Peterson thinks every wardrobe should have a staple item. “My favorite piece of clothing in my closet is my cut off jean jacket,” she said. “It’s simple but its something everyone needs.” Photos by Anna Welch.

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Fall

Trends • Oversized Sweaters • Collared Shirts • Patterned Jeans • Blazers • Cardigans • Ankle Booties • Loafers • Animal Print • Plaid

september 2012

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Eats and sweets by brianna bogdan staff writer For those interested in becoming a vegetarian, or simply living healthier, Sheridan’s Unforked, located at 7337 W.119th Street, may be a delicious option for you.

This locally owned and operated restaurant prides itself on its support of regionally grown food.

The staff exclusively uses meat that is delivered daily and doesn’t contain any hormones or steroids.

In addition, the menu features a considerable amount of glutenfree or vegetarian items so there is something for every diet.

As you pull into Unforked, you can already tell that it is a stylish establishment. Even the drivethrough along the side of the building is nicely decorated. So, you already start to get a sense of the mood of the place. When going through the revolving door of the restaurant, you’ll immediately see the smiling face of an em-

opinion

ployee at the counter. On the day I visited, the woman taking our order was very welcoming and eager. I even saw her asking several customers as they were leaving how their meals were and telling them to have a nice day.

Consequently, visitors left with a smiling face, which impressed me because it was a serve-yourself situation and she was the only one up front. Although we did not have somebody periodically filling up our drinks and checking up on us, the employee did give the place a very welcoming feeling.

Toward the entrance, a supply of menus were hanging up on the wall for you to take and look over.

The three most popular items on it were the Barking Pig Taco, the Conquistador Taco, and the Cali Taco. Take those options into consideration while deciding.

When ready, simply order at the front desk then you will be free to pick your own seat. You will also be given a remote device to notify

A restaurant review of Sheridan’s Unforked

Scores Atmosphere- 8 Seating- 8 Employees- 8 Cleanliness- 9 Variety in the menu- 10 Correct portions- 8 Health- 10 Taste- 8 Presentation of food- 8 Overall satisfaction- 8 The Hunk of Love sundae on the dessert menu at Sheridan’s Unforked.

Photo by Brianna Bogdan.

you when the order is ready.

The casual, no waiter environment might seem cheap at first, but the atmosphere in the place totally dissolves that notion.

Soothing, yet modern music is playing in the background, and the place is well decorated in warm tones of brown, white,

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tan and details of wood, which contrast interestingly with the industrial accessories around the room. Overall, I felt relaxed and the scenery was nice to enjoy while waiting for my order.

TOTAL: 85/100

After your remote buzzes and you collect your food, you’re ready to eat. To read the rest of this article visit bvswnews.com

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southwest

Varsity volleyball quad:

Sept. 13

Timberwolves varsity volleyball went head to head against three other schools, Gardner, Bonner Springs and Spring Hill in a tournament on Sept. 13. After winning two of three games, the varsity volleyball team fell to Gardner, putting them in 2nd place overall. Head coach Scott Dowis thinks the loss was a learning experience for the team “We started very slow against Gardner,” he said. “But the girls competed much better in the second set. There were some very teachable moments that we will learn from that game. Each day we strive to get a little better and I think we accomplished that.”

SW vs. Spring Hill 25-17, 25-14 SW vs. Bonner Springs 25-12, 25-19 SW vs. Gardner 12-25, 18-25

volleyball

Left: Jumping high, junior Kelsie Bartlett serves to the opposing team during the first game of the quad. Top: A few moments before the beginning of the game, head coach Scott Dowis says a few words of encouragement to the team. “Overall we played very well,” he said. “We had an opportunity to get some of our less experienced players some playing time and they played well as a whole.” Above: Dropping to one knee, sophomore Kiersten Graham dives to save the ball before it hits the ground. Photos by Anna Glennon.

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Top left: With her arm extended, junior Jessica Pollitt hits the ball back toward the opponent after it skimmed over the top of the net. Top right: Senior Aaron Rogers leads (from left to right) junior Trevor Watson, senior Joe Lemiuex, junior Sawyer Like and senior Tommy Swickard in the ‘I believe that we will win’ cheer during one of the games. Bottom left: In a ready position with her eyes forward, junior Grace Wood concentrates on the opposing team’s server, ready to react when the ball comes her way. Bottom right: After tossing the ball above her head, senior Alyssa Phelps prepares to serve. Photos by Anna Glennon.

volleyball

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september 2012

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briefs sports

football: Bill Lowe

Football coach Bill Lowe is eager to take on the challenge of creating a strong, united team in order to tackle the season head on.

At the beginning of every season, it’s important for teams to become a family and learn to mesh in order to accomplish goals.

Lowe is hoping the team can make these connections quickly because they have strong senior leadership.

In addition to becoming a family, it is essential for the team to regain its health. With a couple injuries marking the beginning

While some teams are struggling with a lack of depth, other teams are overflowing. This is proving to be a challenge in itself, at least for the cross-country team.

The team has 58 runners, and only 2 coaches. Head coach Richard Wilson and coach Aaron Ballew have accepted the challenge of managing such a large team, and are hoping to lead them to victory.

of the season, Lowe is hoping the boys can stay strong throughout the rest of the fall.

The guys will have their district play in the final weeks of the quarter. Depending on how they play this may lead them into the playoffs.

“While every game is important, the district play is what we are really working toward,” Lowe said.

The next football game with be the Homecoming game against Bishop Miege on Sept. 28.

Key runners this year include Grant Poje and Tristan Eastham for the boys, and Maleigh Pagenkopf and Alyssa Yarbrough for girls.

The next big race will be “Rim Rock” in Lawrence on Sept. 22.

Following Lawrence, the team will be hosting a league meet at Lone Elm on Oct. 11.

Coach Kristin Niehus is excited and hopeful about the girls’ tennis season, despite losing players.

“We lost a few top players to graduation and transfers, but we also added a lot of new players to our roster,” Niehus said. “Every season has its own personality and qualities-I look forward to see what this season will bring.”

sports

Jason Pendleton

The football team is not alone in struggling to maintain health at the start of their season. Coach Jason Pendleton shares the same concerns about this season. The boys soccer team has been “banged up” and has faced several injuries, including concussions and broken bones.

However, Pendleton is still hopeful in the boys’ ability to play their game and work toward their season-goal of the EKL. “We want to string more victories together and be better than last year,” Pendleton said.

In order to gain these wins, the team will rely heavily upon

key players, including seniors Brandon Betsch, JD Kendrick, Aaron Lippert, and sophomore Payton Gore. Oct. 18 is a date to keep on the calendar, as they face off Blue Valley High School, whom assistant coach Tyler Alexander thinks they have good chance of defeating.

Scott Dowis is hopeful for their season to bring home more victories.

“The girls have a really tough conference with a lot of new girls, and a lot of girls are returning,” Dowis said. “It’s important that the team learns how to mesh.”

Their practices have been

more intense this season in order to become a family and to enhance their skills.

“The difference between starters and non-starters is very minimal, which we can use to our advantage,” Dowis said.

The next big game will be on Sept. 20 at 5 p.m.. against Blue Valley Northwest.

removing over 20 strokes.

“Many of the girls have stopped playing other sports to commit themselves 100 percent to golf,” she said. “Their dedication is showing with an improvement at each tournament this season.”

Despite golfing for six to seven hours in unbearable heat

this fall, the girls have stuck it out and continue to improve with each round. In doing so, the girls placed 2nd at the Blue Valley Cup on Sept. 4.

“I am looking forward to seeing how well our team can perform against the best teams in the state,” Weber said.

volleyball: Scott Dowis

Cross-country is not the only team with substantial depth this season. While it’s a challenge for the runners, the volleyball players are using their depth to their advantage.

With strong senior leadership, seniors Megan Becker and Alyssa Phelps set the bar for the rest of the team. Coach

girls golf:

Courtney Weber

girls tennis: Kristin Niehus

by jessica skaggs news editor

boys soccer:

cross country: Richard Wilson

southwest

On Sept. 11, the varsity team took first place at the GardnerEdgerton quad.

The girls will play one of their biggest tournaments of the season, EKL on Sept. 29, with doubles teams playing at Blue Valley West and singles teams playing at Blue Valley High.

Girls golf coach Courtney Weber is excited about the level of commitment her girls are showing, and is confident that some of the golfers will achieve a Top 10 finish at State.

Weber hopes sophomore Nikki McCurdy reaches the Top 10. She has improved her average from last season by

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doubling doubling up up

by ananda bhatia features editor

athletes face the pressure of juggling two sports

Junior Sara Collins stares at her bed.

It’s only three feet away — deceivingly close.

But willpower is a strong part of her and she fights the temptation to call it a night. She allows herself to tear her eyes away from her books long enough to glance at the clock. It’s 1:30 a.m.

Sara is a full-time club soccer player and varsity cross country runner, and she still has to keep up with her school work. For her, getting over five hours of sleep at night is a comodity.

“I’ve told her before: you can be status quo if you want to be, but if you want to be excellent at something then it’s going to take some sacrifice,” her mother Linda Collins said. “So far I think she wants to.”

Every day, Sara drags her way through the first four hours of school, snagging a bite to eat from the cafeteria if time allows before rushing off to I-Media CAPS. Following CAPS, she darts off to practice number one — Sara often arrives at school well after the dismissal bell rings, grabbing a protein drink from her mom’s classroom. She races up the stairs, arriving out of breath before the rest of the cross country team has even begun.

Her day isn’t even halfway over yet. The workout — ranging anywhere from a ‘leisurely’ 8-mile run to a long hill workout in 90 degree humidity — doesn’t end until 5:30 p.m. From there, Sara only has a half hour to change and eat before she has to leave for soccer practice, 90 minutes of drills, scrimmaging, and laps or sprints. Arriving home around 9 p.m., it’s straight to the books for the next three to four hours. She is allowed even less sleep on Tuesday nights, where she is reluctantly forced to set her alarm for 5 a.m. in order to swim the next morning for a cross country recovery day.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself — I always want everything to be perfect,” Sara said. “I want to show the best of my abilities and I want people to see me for how hard I work. I just have to push through everything and teach myself how to deal with both sports.”

Sara’s situation is not at all unique. Although having many opportunities available is an advantage to attending a well-rounded high school, it also makes it easy for students to commit to more

“

sports

than they can handle.

Sophomore Brandon Spitler swims at school in the winter and sprints during track in the spring. He is also a part of the Kansas City Blazers swim team, a high performance club team of which Olympic gold medalist Shannon Vreeland (among other top-notch swimmers) were once part of.

“Brandon is a kid who needs to be pushed,” Brandon’s mother Katherine Spitler said. “If he’s not pushed and challenged he’s going to be bored and he’s not going to do his best. He is ridiculously overly competitive in all arenas, which can be a bit of a weakness. It gets in his head and it can be detrimental. But I also think it can be a great strength because it forces him to work harder than I think he would.”

Brandon’s bedroom walls are covered with accomplishments: over 36 medals on the track wall alone, mirroring the varsity swim plaque and two school records (among several other awards) he earned as a freshman.

Stacks of Splash magazine are piled on his dresser and Usain Bolt workouts hang in his closet. He certainly takes after his father, Scott Spitler, who played baseball as well as various other sports through high school and college.

“We try to emphasize doing the best you can, but to me it’s important to be competitive and to leave it all on the field knowing that you didn’t hold anything back,” Scott said. “He puts a pretty good amount of that pressure on himself too.”

The challenge lies in the fact that the students don’t just want to participate in many different activities, but they want to excel in everything that they do.

“I live by everything affects everything,” Brandon said. “Swim affects track, track affects school, school affects family, family affects church . . . so I need to start doing better in everything.”

Achieving this perfection has proven to be difficult. The school year has just begun, and already Brandon has been forced to give up cross country and his busy schedule has “affected his grades in a negative way.” But Brandon is determined to not only do everything, but to also be the best at what he does.

“It’s not necessarily a tangible goal,” he said.

“But I think I can make it one.”

I put a lot of pressure on myself—I always want everything to be perfect.

-Sara Collins

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Sara Collins rushes toward the goal while trying to escape a Topeka Sieman player. The varsity team won 10-0 during Southwest’s first year open. Photo submitted by Linda Collins.

Brandon Spitler makes an open turn at the championship meet for the Kansas City Blazers. He swam a 1:09.52 in the 100 breastroke and he placed 10th. Photo submitted by Katherine Spitler.

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fall sports assembly:

students and staff come together to show school spirit

Top left: With a facefull of pie, science teacher Deborah Sisk takes part in the teacher versus student pie eating contest. Top right: With the rest of the senior class, senior Scott Anderson ‘rumbles’ during the class Stop, Drop and Rumble competition, their efforts brought them the win and points for their class. Bottom right: After strutting across the gym, juniors Bailey Blood and Ellie Buriss point toward the freshmen while they represent the mentors in the fall sports and activities fashion show. Above: Senior Matt McWhorter receives thunderous applause from the crowd after winning the final round of the pie eating contest against head volleyball coach Scott Dowis. Photo Essay by Anna Glennon.

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september 2012