The Tiger Print — February 2019 by The Tiger Print

THE TIGER PRINT

last known location parents use technology to keep tabs on their teenagers, read about it on page 15

photo illustration by charlie trent

2 | february 2019 | contents

Contents NEWS

New year, new tech Check out what advancements you can expect to see in the technology of 2019.

FEATURE

Listen up, future leaders! Senior Carson Foley explains his experience creating and branding his own podcast.

ENTERTAINMENT

More than meets the eye Valentine’s day isn’t the only holiday worth celebrating this February.

OPINION

Live action fail Staff writer Claire Powell shares her thoughts on the Disney reboot of Kim Possible.

| DESIGN BY NOMA KREEGAR

//TIGER PRINT THE

editor-in-chief Noma Kreegar managing editor McKenna Cole design editor Nick Lamberti

staff members Chloe Browning Cassidy Carpenter Jaron Cole Emily Cummings Josie Cuthbertson Aubrey Herrin Molly Holmes Maddy Kang

Erika Kolseth Anika Kreegar Frannie Lamberti Shay Lawson J.D Loftin Tymber Moody Spencer Norman Vince Orozco Kate Oudejans

Liya Patel Claire Powell Lauren Reddin Olivia Sherlock Charlie Trent adviser Michelle Huss

“The Tiger Print” is an official publication of Blue Valley High School, an open forum distributed to all students eight times a year. This publication may contain controversial material. Kansas law prohibits the suppression of a student publication solely because it may contain controversial matter. Blue Valley Unified School District No. 229 and its board members, officers and employees may disclaim any responsibility for the content of this publication; it is not an expression of school policy. Student authors and editors are solely responsible for the content of this publication. Letters to the editor are encouraged for publication. “The Tiger Print” reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content. Letters should be submitted to Room 450, emailed to thetigerprint@gmail.com or mailed to: The Tiger Print Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th St. Overland Park, KS 66085

OFF the

news |february 2019 |

RADAR

A picture of an egg became the mostliked photo on Instagram On January 4, an account by the name of @world_record_egg posted a picture of an egg with the caption “Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram.” Previously, the record belonged to Kylie Jenner, who’s birth announcement picture garnered over 18 million likes. The egg currently has over 50 million likes and 2.5 million comments. The owner of the account, who has decided to remain anonymous, has continued to post pictures of the egg beginning to crack. Serghei Platanov, the man who took the photo of the viral egg, has been taking pictures for shutterstock since 2009. “My goal was to take a simple picture of an egg. For fun. Never ever I could think that it would be a sensation like this,” Platanov said.

Indiana Mayor announces intent to run in 2020 race The 37 year old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has announced his intent to run in the 2020 presidential race as a democrat. Pete Buttigieg, who attended Harvard College, will be the first openly-gay elected official to run for presidential office. In an essay published in the South Bend Tribune, Buttigieg wrote “Being gay has had no bearing on my job performance in business, in the military, or in my current role as mayor. It makes me no better or worse at handling a spreadsheet, a rifle, a committee meeting, or a hiring decision. It doesn’t change how residents can best judge my effectiveness in serving our city: by the progress of our neighborhoods, our economy, and our city services.”

Government shutdown causes problems for airline safety The longest government shutdown in history, which started on Saturday, January 22, has caused a multitude of problems for federal workers. Among those are about 50,000 airline security workers, who, due to the government shutdown, are working without pay. According to president Donald Trump, he is not planning on reopening the government unless he is granted funding for a wall along the southern border of the United States, which amounts to around 5.7 billion dollars. In a statement made to the unions representing air traffic controllers, the Federal Aviation Administration said that “[They] have not observed any appreciable difference in performance over the last several weeks compared to the same periods during the previous two years.” | PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE | WORDS & DESIGN BY NOMA KREEGAR

4 | february 2019 | news

Wrestling an opponent, senior Brandon Freeman competes at the Johnson County Classic. “There’s a brotherhood that goes on,” Freeman said. “We just develop relationships with each other.”

Tipping off, freshman Jordan Jackson reaches for the ball. The girl’s basketball team has a record of 4-8 as of Jan. 25 and will play its next game against St. Thomas Aquinas at home on Feb. 1.

Going up for a basket, junior Jonathon Jackson warms up for a game. The boys basketball team place fifth in the Valley Center Tournament and will play its next game against St. Thomas Aquinas on Feb. 1.

| PHOTOS BY GABBY ARNETT, MOLLY HOLMES, | DESIGN BY MOLLY HOLMES SHAY LAWSON, OLIVIA SHERLOCK

Senior Gehrig Westermajer swims. “I like being able to compete in highstakes meets, he said.

Swimming the butterfly stroke, junior Yifan Yu practices on the swim team. “The team is really small so we get to know everybody,” Yu said.

news|february 2019 |

Performing at the girls basketball game, sophomore Grace Poeschl dances one of the dance team’s competition

routines. The Tigerettes competed at the Miss Kansas dance competition and won Best in Contest.

Pinning his opponent, sophomore Luke Hyland wrestles at the Johnson County Classic. “My favorite part is competing alongside my teammates,” he said.

Releasing a bowling ball, senior Carly Kaster practices with the team. “I like being competitive and have fun at the same time,” Kaster said.

Jumping in the air, sophomore Jazzy Klinge tries to make a basket. “My favorite part is playing with the older girls,” Klinge said.

6 | february 2019 | news

Nothing’s Sweeter

Students prepare for sweetheart dance class competition Every year, the week before Sweetheart, every grade level participates in a class dance competition. The Student Council members worked to create the most eye-catching dances and the catchiest song mash-ups for their dance in order to outshine the other classes.

Wang is s Annie er clas Junior be in h ance o t y p ss d hap The cla se “ . e c n da ecau , r fun b is supe we’re juniors t a h t now ple are ore peo a lot m oing it and . yd actuall n,” Wang said fu g in v ha

rdley is rooke E t the B r io n Ju bou ning cited a very ex hances at win e v c ’ s h r k we a junio “I thin ce to r. a e y this han good c ix a really ave a great m lp he eh w ld , u o in w ich sh h w s aid. g s of son ces,” Erdley n a h our c

|PHOTOS BY OLIVIA SHERLOCK | DESIGN BY TYMBER MOODY & OLIVIA SHERLOCK

xckson e acob Ja ciation J r io n Ju re his app pressed ng lasting BV lo ances for the Class d for “ . n io way tradit ally fun are a re show off their to classes e moves,” nc best da aid. s n Jackso

ner has a Gard espite m m E ls d Junior ehearsa for mance. r e h t t fun a e he per about t ed because th nerves it s c u nervo ally ex “I’m re ood, but I’m e is g f th dance front o r said. in m r fo ardne to per ool,” G h c s le who

news |february 2019 |

TECH TWENTY-NINETEEN New developments in technology to come this year From synthetic embryos to 3D metal printing, 2018 was a pretty incredible year for technological advancements. However, 2019 will be even bigger. Here are a few new gadgets and tech developments planned for 2019.

Tesla Model 3

While the Tesla Model 3 is technically currently available, many have been placed on the wait list due to problems with meeting the demands on the manufacturing end. However, 2019 should be the year when the wait is over. The car boasts a range of 310 miles along with Autopilot which features a 360-degree sensor area, which allows the car to act autonomously to prevent collisions or adjust speeds on long drives. The car starts at $35,000 and is set to be one of the leaders in the future of electric vehicles and autonomous driving.

Lab-Grown Meat

It’s quite clear that animal agriculture is a significant factor in global climate change. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, the raising of animals for meat, dairy and eggs contribute to 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, greater than all transportation emissions combined. It also a leading cause in deforestation and water pollution. Needless to say, the practice of animal agriculture is a very resource-intensive and environmentally damaging practice, let alone unethical. However, lab-grown meat might be the solution for the stubborn carnivore. By utilizing animal cells, scientists have been able to grow animal tissue without the damaging process of actually raising animals. This would solve the issues generated by the animal agriculture industry. One company, Just, plans to release its lab-grown chicken by the end of 2018 and early 2019 in restaurants outside the U.S. This will be another step in the path toward a much more environmentally responsible humanity. However, unlike the other things on this list, you don’t have to wait to experience meat substitutes. There are currently many options for meat substitutes that are plant-based. Companies such as Impossible and Beyond Meat are leading in this market, and their products are practically indistinguishable from real meat. So don’t just wait for lab-meat — make a change for the better now.

Commercial Spaceflight

Currently, space travel is handled through government agencies. However, companies such as SpaceX and Boeing will do their uncrewed launches in both January and March, respectively. If these uncrewed flights go as planned and meet the requirements set by NASA, they will begin with crewed flights with Boeing planning them for June. The success of these flights will be pivotal for the future of space flight. By opening up space travel to non-government organizations (NGOs), the push toward the final frontier will no longer be subjected to the whims of states. By allowing for more operation of NGOs in space, there will be a greater rate of discoveries and will be the next step in the mission to Mars. | DESIGN & WORDS BY VINCE OROZCO

8 | february 2019 | feature

Black History Month Student club makes plans for annual celebration

September 4th, 1957 Part of the Little Rock Nine, Elizabeth Eckford walks to an all-white high school, while a hostile crowd of angry parents and students approach her.

| WORDS BY CLAIRE POWELL & CHARLIE TRENT | DESIGN BY CLAIRE POWELL

his month, the National History Honor Society (NHHS) will spread awareness of black history throughout the school. “We’ve talked to [assistant principal Mollie] McNally a little bit about helping out,” co-president senior Atrik Patel said. “Heading into February, we’re going to be talking to her specifically about how we can help the school prepare [for Black History Month].” Patel said this is the first time NHHS is doing something like this directly with the school, but they have done things together as a club. “We’ve watched a documentary specifically about topics with Black History Month,” Patel said. In order for students to have a more diverse experience about Black History Month, Patel said they brainstormed ideas. “We want to invite [previous speakers] again and maybe new people we want to branch out to,” Patel said. “We’re going to be looking at how we can best utilize Tiger Paws [and] different times to get involved.” Patel said he expects Black History Month to be successful among students. “Using National Hispanic Heritage Month as an example, with

just a small documentary, we had students that weren’t in the Honor Society come in and watch it,” Patel said. “If we do that on a larger scale for Black History Month, I think we’d have a positive response because students selling [the idea to] other students might be a more effective manner than having administration tell students to get involved.” Though he wasn’t aware of Black History Month during middle school, Patel said he became much more educated in high school. “I first learned about it in Tiger Time,” Patel said. “When I became an officer for National History Honor Society, I’ve been able to be involved in it and look at the different impact that African Americans have had in the United States. That’s really opened up my eyes to a different culture, and I think the same thing can happen to students who get involved.” Patel said it’s important to know more about different cultures and to get out of your own little bubble. “Having the opportunity to take time out [of your day] and look at these different cultures is a good way to think more about others rather than yourself,” Patel said.

feature|february 2019 |

Behind The Scenes

BV students discuss roles in tech crew for musical

Stage Manager Senior Cat Farrell said as a stage manager, communication is key to ensuring things run smoothly. “The stage manager is the bridge between the directors, the cast and the crew,” Farrell said. “They are in charge of getting information to people and organizing things.” She said the level of responsibility her job entails can be difficult to manage. “[You have] to know so much information and be able to get it out to people,” she said. “Being able to answer people’s questions with accuracy and not having to second guess yourself [is necessary].”

In addition to 10-hour rehearsals on the weekends, Farrell said she dedicates 15 hours during the school week to musical practice. “I do a lot of work outside of the rehearsal time, whether that’d be paperwork or getting props together,” she said. Farrell said she enjoys the relationships she builds along the way. “I love connecting with so many different people,” Farrell said. “Getting to know the directors and work closely with so many great people has always been a lot of fun.”

Audio Crew Sophomore Veronica Peterson is a member of the audio crew for the spring musical. “I run the soundboard primarily, but I also prep microphones,” Peterson said. “I put them on the actors and switch [the microphones] between scenes if we don’t have enough [for every actor].” Although she is not required to attend every rehearsal, Peterson said she prefers the extra time to practice her sound cues. “[I go] to get a feel for the show,” she said. “I have to turn the microphones on for each scene for specific actors. I have to know what

goes on in the actual story.” Despite not often being recognized by the public for her contribution, Peterson said the audio shouldn’t be noticed. “That’s the point — you’re not supposed to remember [the audio] or say, ‘Oh wow. It’s sounded so good’,” Peterson said. “You’re just supposed to be immersed in the story. It would be nice if [my work] would be acknowledged a little bit more, but I still have fun. I still feel rewarded in the end.”

Lighting Crew

Senior Keelan Moegerle acts as light designer and the head for the lighting crew. He said his job requires a lot of critical thinking. “You need to be good at time management,” Moegerle said. “You need to be good at organization, you need to have strong leadership and you need to be able to think on your feet and fix problems when they come to you.” As a light designer, Moegerle said he works with the musical directors and stage managers to ensure there is a correlation between the light and sound. “I start by making a light plot, so I make a scale model of the stage,” Moegerle said. “I plot down all the lights that we want to put in

for the show, and then I lead my crew through hanging the lights [and] focusing the lights. I choose coloring [and] I choose any special effects we do with the lighting. Then, when it comes to the show, I watch the show, go through it and set cues.” Moegerle said his favorite part of his job is the creative freedom it allows. “It’s really fun to add another type of creativity to acting,” Moegerle said. “But with light design, you can really affect the mood of the show, you can get a good reaction of the audience and you can put a lot of emotion and energy into the show.”

| WORDS BY JOSIE CUTHERBERTSON & MCKENNA COLE | DESIGN & PHOTOS BY SPENCER NORMAN

THE FUTURE & YOUNG Senior starts business podcast to motivate other teens

The online presence of podcasts has been steadily growing — series like Slate’s “Slow Burn,” and Sarah Koenig’s “Serial” have helped pave the way for many other creative minds to dive into the world of podcasting. Among those minds is senior Carson Foley, who released the first episode of his podcast April 18, 2018. Foley’s series, “The Future and Young,” is a business and economics podcast aimed at creating content to inspire others his age. “I was looking into podcasts, and I wanted to find something about student leadership,” Foley said. “There’s a lot of adult-oriented leadership. If you want to learn how to lead as a marketing director, you can find that exact content.” Foley said his search to find content suitable to himself and other student leaders inspired him to create his own show. “I was looking for something more applicable to me — I don’t care about how to lead in the corporate world,” Foley said. “I want to be a leader here — in high school.” Foley’s podcast requires microphones, editing software and a considerable amount of time spent on editing. “You get people coming back and saying, ‘Hey, I listened to this episode; I thought it was great,’ Foley said. “Those

conversations are the whole reason why you do it in the first place.” Foley said his podcast is rewarding because he gets experience marketing a product of his own. “I want to go into business, [and] all of those things give you this experience that you won’t find in a classroom,” Foley said. For Foley, inspiration comes from a range of sources, such as articles on LinkedIn or a word in a Twitter post. “[One episode] I recorded was [about] keys to communication,” he said. “I was [inspired] because I listened to a TED talk, and I liked the way that [the speaker] talked. It’s finding those small things in [everyday] life [and] being able to communicate the message I’m trying to deliver.” Foley said his main focus is to denounce the pinned mantra of his generation. “[This generation is called] entitled, lazy — unfairly,” Foley said. “There’s a group of them that might be like that. There’s also a group of hard working, focused, motivated, driven people. I didn’t want our generation to have that exact title. I do that with myself now, but I can try to make the efforts to give our generation a completely new face.”

“I was looking for something more applicable to me — I don't care about how to lead in the corporate world. I want to be a leader here, in high school.”

| WORDS BY MCKENNA COLE & NOMA KREEGAR | PHOTO & DESIGN BY NOMA KREEGAR

feature|february 2019 | Foley is also the founder and creator of TeenLyfe Ministries, a faith-based online resource collection, where students can write sermons for public use. Foley said when creating his podcast, having a completely Christian oriented channel could result in losing possible listeners. “[In my podcast,] I will talk about my faith,” said Foley. “I will bring Bible references in and use [them] as a resource to enhance my message, but I won’t say that this is a biblical podcast because I don’t want to take away the value.” Foley said his family is supportive of his podcast venture and often contribute to his content.

“They like to throw their ideas at me,” Foley said. “The inspiration for some episodes comes from my parents. We’ve had discussions and arguments about things that I’ve said that they didn’t agree with. It’s been great for some back and forth conversation and that’s what I hope to bring and get out of it. If people are having conversations because of the episodes, it’s all worth it.” Foley said anyone looking to hear a different perspective should give his podcast a listen. “If you’re looking to grow as a leader or looking to grow as a person, definitely check it out,” Foley said. “If you want to lead in the future, I recommend it.”

“It’s been great for some back and forth conversation and that’s what I hope to bring and get out of it. If people are having conversations because of the episodes, it’s all worth it.”

Scan the QR code to listen to ‘The Future and Young’

12 | february 2019 | feature

the

Knocking down

Competition Girls bowling has high hopes for the season ahead

shay lawson, maddy kang & cassidy carpenter staff writers The new year is the beginning of several sport seasons, one being girls bowling. After tryouts on Dec. 5 and 6, 13 female students made the varsity or junior varsity teams. Among them, senior Carly Kaster, returns after being on the team her freshman year. Kaster said she had heard about girls bowling from coach Mark Mosier. “My friend and I were bored, so we decided to do it,” Kaster said. “We thought it’d be fun.” She decided she would tryout again this year after not competing her sophomore or junior year. Kaster said of the 13 girls who made the team, one is an alternate. “[At tryouts,] you average your score of two games, or you can just go to one [day], she said. “Then the highest six are on varsity and the lower six make JV.” Kaster said though tryouts are

fairly laid back, Mosier does not appreciate jocular comments about the team. “I learned not to joke about bowling,” Kaster said. “Mosier takes it very seriously.” Through her experience, Kaster has picked up some new tricks. “Freshman year I learned about what the lines on the [bowling] lanes actually mean and how you can use them,” Kaster said. “I go from one side [of the lane] to the middle.” Kaster said the team practices at Olathe Lanes East. “We hang out and bowl,” Kaster said. “It’s not too structured or anything — it’s fun.” Kaster said she likes to bowl because she’s a competitive person. “I can be competitive, but it’s still laid back, and it’s not crazy hard,” Kaster said. “It’s just a fun experience and a good way to be involved.” Girls bowling has a meet today and Monday at Olathe Lanes at 2:45.

| DESIGN BY CASSIDY CARPENTER, MADDY KANG & SHAY LAWSON

Senior Carly Kaster goes for a strike. This is her second year on the bowling team. The team is doing well with scores as high as 148, as of Jan. 18.

feature |february 2019 |

ya like

jazz?

easy listeners club allows students to unwind during school day

hen you think of Dr. Shah’s room, Room 604, you usually think about science — chemistry, earth space and astronomy. As stressful as those classes can be, during Tiger Paws B, Room 604 is a place where a certain group of students likes to relax by listening to music. The group is called the Easy Listeners Club, and every Monday during Tiger Paws B, they unwind by listening to jazz. The club was recently started by senior Max Piero and junior John Oldroyd. Science teacher Neerav Shah is the sponsor of the club. “It’s a place where we can all take a break from our daily life and enjoy some jazz together,” Oldroyd said. “The Easy Listeners club is a collective of jazz lovers, jazz enthusiasts and friends.” One important part of the Jazz Club, Piero and Oldroyd said, is inventing a ‘jazz name.’ A jazz name, according to

Piero, is any word that comes to mind when “you let your soul experience jazz through interaction with the music.” “Jazz names get us in the mood,” Piero said. “It really gets us in the mindset to listen to jazz and think about things differently.” Piero said the club isn’t just about the appreciation of jazz music but also about discussing the feelings and imagery jazz music conveys. “I bring in a speaker, and [each member suggests] a song we can listen to,” Oldroyd said. “We all get in a circle and say how we feel about it.” To the club members, jazz music is more than just music that sounds good — it’s also about how jazz influences the listener. “We always ask [how jazz music] makes you feel,” Piero said. “We like to talk about the meaning of the lyrics and melodies. Jazz music can create a lot of imagery — it’s very beautiful and intricate.”

scan the qr code to find the easy listener’s club playlist

| PHOTO BY NICK LAMBERTI Sitting in a circle, Oldroyd plays music for the club. “It’s a time to unwind and enjoy the art of jazz with a great group of people.”

| DESIGN BY NICK LAMBERTI

14 | february 2019 | ads

fountain.corp16@gmail.com

mark your calendar:

BlueValleyHS_print_3_3x4_67_eg_newspaper.indd 1

12/20/2018 9:56:42 AM

may 3 is yearbook distribution day

students who pre-ordered a book will receive theirs may 3. seniors may purchase one at the senior picnic if they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pre-order. freshmen, sophomores and juniors may buy one during tiger paws may 7.

on the cover |february 2019 |

last seen at Blue Valley High School at 7:45 A.M.

TRACKING Parents use technology to keep tabs on teenagers

he emergence of mass tracking technology and applications comes with the risk of error and inaccuracy. BV parent Beth Dickey first downloaded Life 360 in order to track her newly-driving son, freshman Cole Dickey, and has been using it for a couple months. “Cole was getting up early for football weight workouts,” Beth said. “I got up and checked my phone, and it looked like he did not make it to school.” Beth said his location appeared to be in a river off the road. “I panicked and sent his dad to go look for him,” Beth said. “But in the meantime I was waiting at home.” While her husband Eric Dickey was gone, Beth was getting nervous and decided to go ahead and call 911.

“[The police] understood, and we talked about Life 360 and how it sometimes glitches,” Beth said. “That’s what ended up happening.” Eric went to the location the phone was reporting to be at and found no phone. “It turns out we think that [Cole] either shut [his phone] off at that point by the river or [Life 360] glitched and showed he was stuck at the river,” Beth said. However, despite this experience with Life 360. Beth continues to use the application. “I do think it’s very helpful without interrupting the driver while they’re driving,” Beth said. “But now I know instead of immediately thinking the worst, I wait to see if the app catches up with where they’re driving or realize that maybe it’s not always accurate.”

words by cassidy carpenter, molly holmes, maddy kang, noma kreegar & shay lawson design by charlie trent & kate oudejans

16 | february 2019 | on the cover

Students who are Tracked With new tracking apps, it is much easier for parents to locate where their children are at all times. Multiple Blue Valley students, whose parents have placed a tracking app on their phone, feel that their parents don’t trust them and dislike the idea. Junior Jane Ryan said her parents use the tracking app Find My Friends. “They want to make sure that I'm not skipping school,” Ryan said. “It’s really annoying, and it makes me feel like my parents don’t trust me.” Just because a parent tracks their child, doesn’t mean that they are fully under their microscope. Ryan said by turning your location off, the tracking app will be unable to identify where you’re located. When students find ways to disable their parents from tracking them, they take advantage of the newfound freedom. “I do more risky things,” Ryan said. “Things that I know I shouldn’t be doing.” Although Ryan feels annoyed about being tracked, she still informs her parents her whereabouts in order to stay out of trouble. “I’m pretty open with my parents about where I'm going,” Ryan said. “But if my friends want to go somewhere that I know my parents will be like, ‘Where are you?’ then I usually just text them ahead of time.”

Senior Sydney Stewart is also among the majority of students who are tracked. She said initially she was shocked by her parents, not knowing if they didn’t trust her or if they were just worried about her. “Obviously I don’t like it, but it’s OK,” Stewart said. “I’m pretty trustworthy, and I tell my parents where I’m going all the time.” Although she is tracked, Stewart said she still sees why her parents keep track of her location. “It’s a pretty good system,” Stewart said. “If I didn’t trust my kids, I would probably use it.” Stewart’s parents use Life 360. Stewart tells her parents where she’s going but is aware of the ways to avoid being tracked. “I have found ways to get around it, but it alerts them as soon as I turn it off,” she said. “You can set your location to a place, and then you can leave it. Then you can put your location on again when you get to a different place, but it doesn't work.” Stewart does tracking of her own using the location feature on Snapchat called, Snap Maps. “I do it to get to people’s houses if they don’t give me their address,” she said. “Also, I like to know where my friends are.”

Students who do not get Tracked On the opposite end of the spectrum are BV students who do not get tracked by their parents. One of these students is junior Vishnu Avva. Avva said he does not get tracked by his parents because his mom has a lot of trust in what he does and where he goes. “She says as long as I give her updates, she won’t track me,” Avva said. With this, Avva’s opinion on parents tracking their kids differs from most. “I feel like parents should be able to track their kids but not

have a lot of strict rules on tracking,” Avva said. “But they shouldn’t harp on [their teenagers] wherever they go.” Avva said his actions would not change even if he were tracked by his parents. “For me, I don’t do anything bad and I always tell [my mom] where I go anyways — it’s just more of a confirming kind of thing,” Avva said.

on the cover|february 2019 |

guide to tracking apps

mSpy

• Monitoring software for parental control • Monitors calls, texts, gps location, and appsmonitors without child knowing • According to TopTrackingApps, mSpy can track them without their knowledge, which means that users can secretly view the call logs, text messages, apps, contact numbers, GPS location, and other information from your kid’s cellphone in a stealth mode. • $29.99 per month for the basic plan; $59.49 per month for the premium plan • “By installing mSpy, you confirm your intention to use this software legally, i.e. you install mSpy on your own device, the device of your underage child or the owner of the device agrees to be monitored.”

spyera • Remotely monitor Android Phone, Android Tablet, iPhone, iPad, Windows PC and Mac OS • More spying features than any competitors • Award-winning undetectable Spy Phone and PC Spy • Keep track of your kids and understand their world • Track and control your employees to protect your business • 10 days money back guarantee • Easy installation and user friendly web control panel • Free updates and remote upgrades

Life 360

• View real time location of friends or family members on a private map • Receive real time alerts when friends or family arrive or leave home, work and school • Protect your family while they’re driving with our Crash Detection service, which shows shows top speed • Track a lost or stolen phone • Can receive notifications when someone in your circle leaves or arrives at home or school • Shows battery percentage at all times • Used by 17 million users around the world

The One Spy • Track children without them knowing • 3 types of bugging: Live audio, real live video, photos • Track, record, and listen to all phone calls • Compatible with android and iOS

Are BV Students Tracked by their Parents? not anymore(3.2%) yes (46.5%)

no (50.3%) | DESIGN BY CHARLIE TRENT & KATE OUDEJANS

18 | february 2019 | feature

Wrassle Tassle

BV wrestlers participate in winter season jaron cole & olivia sherlock staff writers

restling is an ancient sport, which started in 708 B.C. during the Greek Olympiad. Wrestlers would strip down to their birthday suits and go head-to-head in an intense match until one of the competitors would die or could no longer compete. Starting in 1904, when wrestling became a professional sport, wrestlers have had to follow stricter safety guidelines, which includes wearing equipment such as clothing called singlets and headgear to cover the wrestler’s ear. Athletes train to reach their ideal weight class. With these safety rules applied, wrestling has evolved into a much more popular and safe sport for teenagers. Wrestling has gotten a bad reputation for being a dangerous sport but doesn’t even land close in injury statistics to other sports, like soccer, lacrosse and cheerleading. Last year the wrestling team went to State, and this year the team is hoping for a win. “My expectations for the end of the season are hopefully for our team to place at the State tournament and then maybe an individual place for myself, and additionally academic first team AllState as a team,” junior Evan Taylor said. “State is interesting because it’s multiple days of consecutive tournaments, so every day is about eight hours long over | PHOTOS BY MCKENNA COLE | DESIGN BY JARON COLE

the course of three days so that ends up being about 24 hours of wrestling.” The meets can be very demanding for the wrestlers. “Meets can be tough; they tend to be hours long, you usually will have anywhere from three to five matches in a day,” Taylor said. “They have to be spread out by at least an hour. Sometimes, even though you aren’t wrestling in a round, you still feel obliged to go and support your teammates and cheer them on from the side lines.” The team is coached by Kale Mann, a science teacher here at Blue Valley. “I really like wrestling for Coach Mann — he really knows his stuff, he’s a great coach, he understands that most of us haven’t been wrestling for a very long time and he takes his time during instructions,” Taylor said. “If someone doesn’t get something, he becomes a little bit more of a hands-on coach and really takes you through step by step until you get it.” Taylor said the wrestlers are pushed hard during the season. “Practices are super intense, super fast paced, not a whole lot of stopping and walking around — we’re almost always moving,” Taylor said. “We wrestle each other to the best of our ability; that’s really the best way to get better at wrestling.” The team is very tight-knit and work well together, Taylor said. “I really enjoy this group of kids; it’s a really fun group to work with,” Taylor said. “Coaches are great, but the reason I came back was just because of the people around.”

Junior Trevor Lister pins his opponent to the mat. “My favorite part about wrestling is my teammates and coaches,” he said.

Exhausted after the win, junior Evan Taylor walks off the mat. “My favorite memory of wrestling is the Norton Trip,” he said.

Sophomore Luke Hyland escapes his opponent. “My favorite part of wrestling is the competitive nature,” he said.

a&e |february 2019 |

Where Are All the Aliens? Solutions to the Fermi Paradox seek to explain the lack of alien contact vince orozco staff writer We’ve all seen the doomsday sci-fi movies. Aliens come down and threaten to destroy our world, and it’s up to the collective might of humanity to defeat the interstellar invaders. Yet, thankfully, these scenarios have yet to be realized. According to Space.com, there are between 100 to 400 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone. In addition to this vast amount of stars, there are approximately 100 billion planets. Of those stars that are like our sun, about 22 percent have planets about the size of Earth and are potentially habitable. These numbers don’t even come close to capturing the

The Great Filter

Throughout the history of life on Earth, there have been five mass extinctions. Each one ended from 75 to 96 percent of all life. Despite these periods of extreme devastation, life pulled through. This has led people seeking to answer the Fermi Paradox to conclude that there is something known as the Great Filter. This filter represents a barrier in the process of the development of complex life that is very difficult to pass. From this theory, there are two possibilities. The first is that life on Earth has already passed the Great Filter, and we will go on to progress and thrive. If the Great Filter does exist, this

The Dark Forest

This scenario is quite unsettling. In this solution, life is actually quite abundant in the universe, but nobody wants to talk to each other. This is because they simply don’t know how other civilizations will respond to their existence. Like hunters in a forest, they have no knowledge of each other’s motivations or goals. And even if they stated them outright, how could you trust them? In a universe of finite resources with an ever-expanding population, survival comes first. So when one civilization discovers another, rather than risk their own destruction, they destroy the other civilization unlucky enough to have revealed itself. Unfortunately for us, our radio signals have now covered

size of the Observable Universe, which contains hundreds of trillions of stars and planets. Yet with all this data showing that within the immense reaches of space, there should be someone else out there, our little blue world hasn’t received a message from the void. So where are all the aliens? This is the basis of the Fermi Paradox. It is the problem of why we haven’t made contact with aliens, despite the statistics being on our side. This has sparked debate amongst sociologists, astrobiologists, ethicists, sci-fi writers and everyone in between. The result of this debate has not provided a conclusive answer, but it has provided possible solutions.

is the best outcome. To prove that we have passed the Great Filter, we would need to find fossilized primitive life on other planets. This would show that the Great Filter is something that happens early on in the development of life and that we have made it. The second possibility is much more grim. In this scenario, we have yet to reach the Great Filter. This filter occurs during the development of complex civilizations. To prove we have yet to pass the Great Filter, we would need to find the ruins of ancient super-advanced civilizations. If this is the case, humanity is most likely doomed to the same fate.

a distance of around 100 light years. Within this circle of 100 light years in diameter, there are many star systems, including the Alpha Centauri star system, which is only four light years away. Perhaps a civilization has heard our signals and is preparing to destroy us. Or perhaps they’re less advanced and are not responding out of fear of us destroying them. In a twist on this scenario, instead of a forest of hunters, there is only one hunter and the rest are prey. There may be a significantly advanced civilization that goes around destroying life once it is advanced enough to send out signals into space, and the reason we aren’t hearing anyone is because they are hiding. Either way, let’s hope the universe is not a dark forest.

| DESIGN BY VINCE OROZCO

20 | february 2019 | a&e

Can Money Buy Love? How much is too much to spend on the people you love? emily cummings & liya patel staff writers Every Valentine’s Day, more than $18.2 billion is spent on candies, cards and other loving gifts. But how much are you willing to spend on the day of love? Should showing affection break the bank or stay within a reasonable limit? Valentine’s Day started out as a way to express your love for your partner, but nowadays everyone and their grandmother’s dog is participating. Although, you don’t have to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Many single people have started to buy gifts for their co-workers, friends and family members, which has caused the overall spending on Valentine’s Day to

Are you most likely to spend money on...?

skyrocket. But where does the spending stop? For most high school students, money only comes from jobs or allowances, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for lavish gifts. Even though it might be fun to splurge on the people you love, many students have started to cut back on their Valentine’s Day spending. According to a poll of 160 students, 80 percent of students are willing to spend up to $30 on Valentine’s Day gifts. Some of the gifts included in this price range are chocolates and candies, which 77 percent of students voted to be their favorite go-to gifts for Valentine’s Day. In the end, we are just really trying to spread the love, and everyone has a different thing that makes them happy. No matter how much you spend, make sure it means something from your heart.

How much are you willing to spend on Valentine’s Day?

77% Chocolates and Candies

17%

23% Flowers and Cards

| DESIGN BY EMILY CUMMINGS & LIYA PATEL

83% $0-$10 spent

$31-$100 spent

a&e |february 2019 |

No Partner? No Problem. 5 things to do if you’re single this Valentine’s Day tymber moody staff writer Every year when February rolls around, if you aren’t in a relationship, it seems like there’s roses, chocolates and couples everywhere you turn. But there are many things for singles to do on Valentine’s Day that don’t include binge watching Netflix and

eating chocolates. Some people think Valentine’s Day is unnecessary and annoying because they’re single, but it’s a holiday about love, which doesn’t mean you have to be in love with someone to celebrate it.

1. Go for a night out with your single friends Go and have fun with all your friends — no couples allowed. You could go to dinner,

2. Make it a day for yourself

Treat yourself. It’s a holiday about love, so who says you can’t spend it loving yourself ? Just hang out and enjoy the fact that you don’t have to deal

3. Have a “singles only” party

Who says you have to be alone on Valentine’s Day? Invite your single friends over for a party.

4. Laugh it up

If you’re feeling a little down this holiday, laughing will automatically help brighten your mood.

5. Have a movie marathon

Sometimes it’s good to sit back, put your feet up, and relax for a couple hours and watching some

shopping, see a movie or do something else that you all enjoy.

with anyone’s issues but your own. Your relationship with yourself deserves just as much celebrating as people’s relationships with each other.

You could even exchange Valentine’s Day gifts, similar to Secret Santa.

Go to a stand-up comedy show, or watch one on Netflix like “Kevin Hart: Laugh at my Pain.”

of your favorite movies is a great way of doing that.

| DESIGN BY TYMBER MOODY

22 | february 2019 | a&e

Every Way to Say Happy Valentine’s Day cute, unique ways to hit up your valentine

Be mine because you’re fine.

You must be a beaver because all I think of when I see you is dam.

Are you French? Because Eiffel for you.

Are you WiFi? Because I’m feeling a connection.

I lost my number. Can I borrow yours?

Did it hurt when you fell from a vending machine? Because you a snack.

You know what’s on the Valentine’s Day menu? Me-n-u.

| DESIGN BY KATE OUDEJANS

Hey, tie your shoes. I don’t want you falling for anyone else.

Cupid called. He says he needs my heart back.

a&e |february 2019 |

Can You Hear Me Now

One of the latest trends: Audiobooks j.d loftin staff writer

ere at Blue Valley, we have a vast amount of books in our library. However, there is more than one way to find and read a wonderful book. Audiobooks are very popular in recent trends as there are more than $2.5 billion in sales as of 2017, according to GoodEreader.com. Audiobooks have quite a few benefits, some of which are for auditory learners. For instance, it is easier to learn how to use new

vocabulary. However, that can have drawbacks by not knowing how to spell the word. Or in some instances, it can give the characters more life to them through speech than it would in the text. The narrator sets guidelines by having a set tone for the character; it helps the listener picture the characters better. Audiobooks allow you to listen to a book when you usually wouldn’t be able to read one — if you are driving or working out, you can’t read a book, but you can still listen to one. You can also listen to one while waiting to get out of the parking lot or taking a long flight. There is a large selection of audiobooks just like regular books. It is like having a virtual library at your

command. As long as you have either downloaded it or have WiFi, you can listen to an audiobook of your choice. However, audiobooks are not for everyone — they can get expensive. You can subscribe to a service to get discounts on books or get some for free. Audiobooks also take up a lot of space compared to e-books. An e-book is just a book but on technology like the Kindle. Some books also have audio option with them so you follow along with the text. The audio will stop playing once you turn off the device. The audio compared to sites specified to audio books can lose their tone and sense of wonder for the character, so choose your audiobook platform wisely.

listen do students at BV to audiobooks?

13% YES 87% NO *based on a poll of 160 students

| DESIGN BY J.D LOFTIN

24 | february 2019 | a&e

fresh

fun February holidays More Ways to Celebrate

Groundhog Day

If you are looking for ways to celebrate the month of February besides the standard Valentine’s Day or Presidents Day — look no further. This list of holidays will help you to find a reason to celebrate all month long.

Each year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil steps outside his burrow. If he sees his shadow, he’ll rush back inside his home as a way of declaring six more months of winter. Of course, a groundhog can’t tell if America will have six more months of winter or an early spring, but the holiday is still well known throughout the country.

2 28

National Love Your Pet Day

National Public Sleeping Day

What may this holiday be about? You guessed it — appreciating your pet. This holiday is a reminder for pet owners all around the country to give their pet some extra loving. A way to show you love your animal friend is to get them a treat, or if you have a furry canine, to take them on nice long walk.

Tired after a long, boring lecture? Well, on Feb. 28, you can take a nap in public, and it will be somewhat acceptable. The best way to celebrate this day is to take a nice power nap. You can do this by a tree with great shade, on a bus, or if you are willing to miss what x equals, at your desk during math class.

20 | WORDS BY CHARLIE TRENT & CLAIRE POWELL | DESIGN BY CHARLIE TRENT

a&e|february 2019 |

February almost everyone can celebrate

Stuffed Mushroom Day

Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbors Day

For the select few who enjoy mushrooms, this is just the right holiday. Obviously, the best way to celebrate the day is to eat stuffed mushrooms, whether it’s finding your own recipe for a night in or going out to a nice restaurant with a couple of friends or family.

Have an unspoken hatred for your neighbor? Well on Feb. 7, you might have a problem because this day is all about loving thy neighbor. Put all of your matters aside and give a warm smile and friendly wave to your neighbor. You may even realize that they’re a really cool person, and you’ll forget why you hated each other in the first place.

7 12

National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

Darwin Day

Though the name seems to give away what this holiday is about, it actually doesn’t. National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day is a day to be optimistic and positive. The holiday actually comes from a proverb from 1659, saying “No weeping for shed milk.” It means you can’t change what has already happened, and you have accept it.

Created in 2003 in honor of scientist Charles Darwin’s birthday, Darwin Day was created. Thanks to the foundation called the International Darwin Day Celebration and the American Humanist Association, this holiday can be celebrated with several activities on the official website.

26 | february 2019 | opinion

self love isn’t selfish caring for yourself is necessary key to happiness maddy kang staff writer

Since Valentine’s Day is nearing, it’s important to remember the value of self-love, especially if everyone around you is in a relationship. Sometimes, when everyone around you is falling in- and out-of-love, it is easy to forget the meaning of loving yourself. Self-love is “love of self ” or “regard for one’s own happiness or advantage,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Being able to care for yourself and your own happiness is the most important part of self-love. Some may say loving yourself is narcissistic or vain — but it isn’t. Being able to love yourself and all of the qualities that come with you is not selfish at all. Being in love with yourself in a way that makes you feel superior or more important than others is narcissistic. Self-love is not just being mentally aware of your happiness, but loving your physical aspects as well. Taking care of your body is also imperative to loving yourself. The body you were born with is perfectly made and should be cherished and loved just as much as your mind is. This care could be as simple as enjoying a sweet treat, going on a hike or scheduling a massage for tired limbs. There is a reason that people who take time for themselves seem less stressed — they are taking the time to do what makes their souls and bodies happy. Some other simple ways to practice self-love are to dress and present yourself in a way that makes you feel confident, doing something for yourself without guilt, trying something new, pampering yourself at a salon, giving yourself a day off and constantly remembering that you are perfect and valuable the way you are. Self-love is of dire importance to everyone. It is being content with your entire being. Loving the way you are and the way you live isn’t selfish — it is the key to happiness.

| DESIGN BY MADDY KANG

opinion |february 2019 |

im Possible Kim

Live-action Kim Possible movie expected to be a flop claire powell your position

Some of you have seen the trailer or sneak peek of the new live-action “Kim Possible.” From what I have seen, it is a total disaster. The fight scenes are trash, the characters are barely even a shadow of what they once were, and don’t even get me started on the fact that Kim Possible isn’t even wearing her infamous, fighting crop-top. Though it was only a cartoon, the original characters of “Kim Possible” had depth and angles. Kim was not your average girl. She cared about people and was headstrong. She knew right from wrong and didn’t think twice about telling others. Ron Stoppable was an oddball but he had heart. Even when he was scared of a mission, he never turned his back. Although we don’t see much of Ron in the

trailer or sneak-peak, it’s easy to see Ron is going to be more of the dorky guy with a very vague personality. In the original series, Ron became friends with a naked mole rat named Rufus, a creature most wouldn’t even look at. However, Rufus is nowhere to be seen, and there has been no response from Disney as to where the not-so-furry little creature is. If there is no Rufus, live-action “Kim Possible” will be pushed further down in the trash can. Looking at the characters from the live-action, Kim may be caring, but she doesn’t have the vibe of anything like the original character. The girl wears clothes that look like they’re from “Justice,” and she hardly matches the famous outfit cartoon Kim wore to every mission. The pants aren’t baggy and again, no black croptop. She shouldn’t be in an “action” movie; instead, she should be on the cover of a Party City costume. The fight scenes are garbage. Kim literally does the same move in every single fight — a jump kick. Does Disney expect us to be impressed? If so, I don’t hear any applause. The original “Kim Possible” was extraordinary; it had characters that almost everyone could — and still can — relate to. The live-action “Kim Possible” movie is just a way for Disney to make some extra money and feel like they did their part to help several young adults relive their childhood — when in reality, they’re destroying it.

Are you excited for the new Kim Possible liveaction movie?

lizzy peeples, 10 “I saw a couple episodes of the original ‘Kim Possible’ TV show, and I’m excited to see it in live-action.”

braden funk, 12 “I don’t want to be harsh, but I feel like it will tarnish the name of the TV show. The series was so good, and I don’t think the movie is going to live up to it.”

| DESIGN BY CLAIRE POWELL & NICK LAMBERTI

28 | february 2019 | opinion

SOCKS WITH SANDALS:

fashion do or fashion don’t? olivia sherlock staff writer

When you think socks and sandals you think “40-year-old, balding man, wearing Hawaiian shirt,” which is just not cute. I like mustard and I like ice cream, but I’m definitely not going to eat them together — some things are just better separate. Not only is it ugly to wear socks with sandals, but it is also gross. Walking outside with sandals on without socks, you are freer to step wherever you please. If you step in a puddle without socks on, your feet will get a little muddy. With socks on, you now have to deal with you moist dirty socks all day — and nothing is worse than moist socks. Plus, wet socks can cause athlete’s foot. Some people may argue that feet are ugly, but if your feet are uglier than socks with sandals, then you have another problem. Without socks on, you can simply bathe, and your feet are clean. But after a long day of walking around in wet, squishy socks, you must wash your socks. On top of that, your socks are now dirty and mold-ridden. If you truly would rather have comfort over fashion, just don’t wear sandals. Sandals are to give air flow and coolness to feet, so wearing socks with them completely defeats the purpose. If it’s too cold to not wear socks, then it is too cold to wear sandals. If it’s too hot to wear shoes that aren’t sandals, it’s too hot to wear socks. Let’s de-feet the problem of socks with sandals and put on some regular shoes.

noma kreegar editor in chief

OK. I’ll admit it. I wear socks with sandals. The first time I stepped into the world of socks with sandals, it was actually as a joke. In a strange twist of fate, Tacky Tourist day marked the first time I was introduced to a whole new world of comfort and function that I had previously been deprived of. Socks and sandals is what had been missing from my life for all of these years. And sure, you can make arguments about how sandals paired with socks is a fashion faux pas, but think about it this way. If I’m wearing socks with sandals — in public — do I seem like the type of person who cares about trivial fashion do’s and don’ts? Absolutely not. On top of that, the oldest known surviving pair of socks were actually designed to be worn with sandals and are currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the United Kingdom. The people of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, undoubtedly knew what was up in 250 A.D., and they sure were a step above everyone else at the time. Additionally, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that anyone who’s even remotely anti-socks and sandals obviously hasn’t had the pleasure of experiencing the heavenly combination. Hey, you know what they say — don’t knock it till you rock it. So, I challenge skeptics to go ahead and toe the line. Walk a mile in my shoes, but tread lightly, because you’re guaranteed to be head over heels for socks and sandals in no time.

| DESIGN BY NOMA KREEGAR

opinion |february 2019 |

josie cuthbertson staff writer

Netflix and Hulu are often what comes to mind when regarding popular streaming services. Although Netflix is hailed as the more popular out of the pair, Hulu reigns in both quality and quantity. Hulu offers live TV streaming, including sports, which Netflix does not provide. A study done by Sabienna Bowman on ReelGood.com reveals Hulu ranks number-one in the amount of TV shows, with 1,784 shows as

of September 2018 — passing every streaming service, including Netflix. It has fewer originals but many more popular TV networks than Netflix. Netflix makes subscribers wait for new episodes of TV shows after the next season is aired, and movies take a long time to arrive as well. However, Hulu has TV episodes available within a day of airing episodes, with movies being added to Hulu’s catalog quickly. According to the study, Hulu features the highest number of shows with a

rating above 8/10 on IMDb. When the two most popular streaming services are put head-to-head, Hulu comes out on top.

STREAMING SERVICE

SHOWDOWN emily cummings staff writer

Out of all the live-streaming programs, Netflix is the best. Netflix has a skyrocketing 125 million monthly subscribers. The heavy fanbase is an indicator of how amazing Netflix is. Some people argue Hulu is better because it streams new episodes of TV shows immediately, whereas Netflix takes a

bit longer. However, Netflix has its own original productions that include award-winning TV shows such as, “Stranger Things” and “Orange is the New Black.” Netflix has many more productions to choose from, including over 100,000 movies and TV shows. Netflix is available in 190 countries, but Hulu is only available in United States Territories and Japan. Hulu also has commercials, unless you spend the extra money to eliminate them. Overall, Netflix is the best option for a streaming service because of its availability and amount of movies and TV shows to watch.

| DESIGN BY JOSIE CUTHBERTSON

30 | february 2019 | opinion

SERIAL SPORT or

mckenna cole managing editor

Three reasons why students at Blue Valley should refrain from indulging in the frightening activity of hunting:

IT’S BORDERLINE PSYCHOTIC If we are going to question the morality of hunting, perhaps we should take a closer look at the morality of the hunters themselves. I understand hunting for food is crucial for survival. Hunting for sport, however, is creepy. Sport Hunting refers to intentionally killing wild animals for enjoyment, fulfillment or relaxation. What kind of person finds pleasure in taking another being’s life? Well, serial killers do.

Think about it — both take time to plan their kill and stalk their prey. Furthermore, they both take victory in their kill and show virtually no remorse for it. The comparison might seem drastic, but it is realistic. Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer and Robert Hanson are all known serial killers who started their journey by hunting and killing animals. I’m not saying every hunter is a serial killer, they just happen to share the same pastimes.

MODERN HUNTING ISN’T REAL HUNTING The claim “hunting is natural” is false. What is natural about night vision goggles, lightning-speed crossbows or soundproof rifles? What is natural about heated tents, blow-up mattresses or portable phone chargers? You are not roughing it. You are not getting back to nature. You are not fooling anyone. The claim “hunting is fair” is also false.

What is fair about hunting reservations where animals are trapped by fences? What is fair about the hunter being armed with state-of-the-art artillery? You are already bound to win against a threepound rabbit, an AR 15 just seals the deal in only 45 rounds a minute.

ANIMALS ARE NOT FOR PROFIT When you look at an animal you should see a beautiful and essential creature, not a price tag or trophy. According to People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the majority of hunting takes place on private land, where laws that protect wildlife are difficult to enforce. These private lands are set up as for-profit hunting reserves or game ranches so hunters can pay to kill native and exotic species in “canned hunts.” This “trophy hunting” has evolved into a

large business; according to PETA there are 1,000 game preserves in the U.S., with some 5,000 so-called “exotic ranchers” in North America. Hunters can make thousands of dollars off a single kill. People are making money off the murder of another living being. This doesn’t sound like an act of survival — it sounds like very demented profession.

| DESIGN BY MCKENNA COLE | ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANIKA KREEGAR

staff ed |february 2019 |

| CARTOON BY KEATON BUCHERT

Keeping digital tabs on teenager’s locations is unjustified, invasive; fosters sense of distrust If you want to start a heated debate, ask students what they think about parents using technology to track their location. Many teens detest the idea, while many parents question why any other loving parent wouldn’t track their children. Students are usually tracked as soon as they start driving, around sophomore year. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, while most adults don’t location-track their teenagers, 16 percent of parents do. However, just because children can be tracked via apps like Life 360 or Find My Friends, doesn’t mean they should be. Location tracking, a concept that might seem beneficial at a glance, actually generates many problems, such as the invasion of a young person’s privacy or the disbandment of trust between a child and parent. Keeping digital tabs on teen’s location also disrupts an

adolescent’s development to manage life without adult supervision. As reported by the New York Times, research shows teenagers who believe their parents have invaded their privacy go on to have higher levels of conflict at home — and teenagers who resent being trailed digitally sometimes turn off location features, allow their phones to die or leave their phones at a friend’s house to disable their parent’s ability to locate them. Simply put, when parents don’t track their child’s every move, it tells the child that they are responsible for their own decisions they make when away from their parents. Parents should always be available to help their children, but, along with the negative aspects that come with it, tracking locations is pointless because, at a distance, the child cannot be protected from the choices they make.

Forty-six percent of BV students say their parents track their location, and with a quarter of BV students graduating this year, adulthood and independence is coming quicker than we realize. By age 18 or earlier, parents should ask teenagers if they are OK with being digitally located. Especially when young people head off to college, sometimes in a far away state, being responsible for themselves is a vital part of growing up. Raising teenagers comes with guaranteed discomforts — sometimes parents don’t know where their children are, what they are doing or if they are telling the truth. While location tracking allows parents to address some of these concerns, it exacerbates the way parenting is supposed to happen: Keeping your children safe and maintaining a loving connection, all while fostering their independence.

This staff editorial is the representation of the opinion of The Tiger Print staff.

news|february 2019 |

CANNONBALL CONTEST 32 | february 2019 | news

WINNERS

Freshmen Cole Dickey

On Jan. 16, Tiger Pride hosted a cannonball contest during Tiger Paws A in order to promote the boy’s home swim meet happening that day. At least two students from each grade level competed. Student’s cannonballs were judged by three teachers and the winner from each grade level moved on to compete against the other grade level-winners. Senior Max Piero was the overall winner, cannonballing blindfolded and sporting pirate attire.

SophomoresOlivia Sherlock JuniorsSeniors

Tyler Warrell Max Piero

OVERALL WINNER MAX PIERO Cannonballing, freshman Cole Dickey competes in the cannonball contest. “I was surprised about how many people were cheering for the freshmen,” Dickey said. “It was really fun.”

| DESIGN BY MOLLY HOLMES | PHOTOS BY CLAIRE POWELL