The Tiger Print — May 2005

Special senior section starting after page

BV says goodbye to several educators

TIGER

the blue valley high

P R I N T

Issue 9 Vol. 34 May 6, 2005

6001 W. 159th Stilwell, Kan. 66085 (913) 239-4946

three-legged

Freshman Melissa Biagioli and senior Michael Cobb participate in the threelegged race portion of the Relay for Life held April 15-16 in the gym. the event, co-sponsored by BV and Barstow raised over $22,000. All funds go to the American Cancer Society.

“I was happy with the turnout,” event coordinator Kate Reno said, “and I think everyone had a good time.

American Cancer Society employee Heather Gustafon told Reno she was pleased with the event and excited to work with Blue Valley again.

Relay

for Life

Participants in the three-legged race prepare to start early in the Relay for Life event. Photo by Brandon Lutz.

Greene to be sent homework due to pending court case Kyle Rogers Editor-in-Chief

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or sophomore Erik Greene, school looks different following his release from a juvenile detention center last Monday. Greene has been charged in Johnson County District Court with one count of aggravated battery with great bodily harm following an alleged stabbing at a party in Stilwell April 16.

After a preliminary hearing April 25, Greene was released to his parents under conditions of house arrest pending trial. Greene is able to work, but his parents have chosen to have school assignments completed at home for the rest of the semester. counselor Keith “We are coordinating the successful home Elmore school completion of his credits for the remainder of the school year,” counselor Keith Elmore said.

“It’s a team effort really, between family and school. There is no one that doesn’t want him to continue to get his homework and his credits.”

The alleged victim, 18-year-old Matt Guerrieri, attends Blue Valley North and was taken to the hospital by helicopter after the incident.

Greene’s family maintains Erik’s innocence and is confident he will be exonerated of the charges.

“There is no one that doesn’t want him to continue to get his credits.”

“I believe Erik acted in complete self defense,” father Ben Greene said, “and when the facts of this case become known, he will be completely vindicated.”

The family started a website, www.erikisinnocent.com, where witnesses are asked to come forward with any information.

“As of today, this site has been created just as our way of trying to get people who have ANY information about this case to stand up and say something,” reads the website.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Aristocrat Investigations, LLC at 913-780-2007 with information.

Attempts to reach the Guerrieri family were unsuccessful. Guerrieri has been released from the hospital.

Though the school is not involved in the discipline side of the case, Principal Scott Bacon said he is concerned.

“I’ve talked to a lot of kids lately about stuff that’s going on on the weekends,” Bacon said. “I told them: I hope it doesn’t take a tragedy before people take a good serious look at what’s going on on the weekends, and then this happens.”

The party was held at 18105 Canterbury in Stilwell. Liz Baird, the mother of the students who held the party, chose not to comment on the case itself but said many inaccurate stories exist.

Ben Greene agreed on his website.

“I can say that I’ve heard many things and even seen news reports that are completely false,” he said.

Congratulations NFL forensicators who qualified for the national event held in Philadelphia in June

Shabbir wins Star’s scholarship Kyle Rogers Editor-in-Chief

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apping on his bed, Adil Shabbir, the Tiger Print’s co-sports editor, was recovering from a long school day. His cell rang, and seeing the number, he decided to answer.

“It was someone that I didn’t know who it was, so I decided to answer it and what do you know, it’s Craig Nienaber,” Shabbir said.

He tried to wake up, realizing this was an important call.

I’d like to congratulate you; you are one of our scholarship winners.

Bam. Shabbir was now awake. He had just been named co-winner of the Kansas City Star ’s Moorhead scholarship.

The scholarship for students planning to study journalism at Kansas, K-State or Missouri is worth $4,000 over four years.

Shabbir participated in the finals, reserved for three students from the metro with professional journalists from the area. Nienaber was one of the finalist panel members.

Each finalist answered questions, then interviewed the panel to determine who asked better questions.

“My first question was ‘am I actually interviewing you for a story, and if so, what’s the angle or am I just asking you for fun?” Shabbir said.

Journalism I worked; Shabbir knew the first rule in journalistic writing: Know the story’s angle.

Apparently, the interviewing went well. Shabbir and Ryan Spencer from Belton won.

“I’m planning on going to MU in the fall,” Shabbir said, “to pursue broadcast journalism. Although I enjoy doing both, I like broadcasting more. I like the on-camera side.”

Front page edited by Kyle Rogers

Senior countdown: days

2 NEWS May 6, 2005

Page Edited by Maneeza Iqbal

Faculty proposes new schedule to promote student learning Maneeza Iqbal Editor-in-Chief

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ere we go again. Students may face a new weekly schedule with a major change in tutorial times next year if the faculty approves a recently proposed plan. Why a new schedule? According to Principal Scott Bacon, only five percent of the students attended tutoring sessions this year. The teachers and administrators did not feel that students were taking advantage of the time.

“The hope is that students not yet taking advantage of [morning tutoring] will take advantage by flipping [tutoring] to the afternoon,” counselor Sandy Fryer said.

The proposed schedule is similar to the current schedule. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will not be changed. Next year, Tuesdays start at 7:45 a.m. and tutorial time and the faculty Think Tank is at the end of the day, alternating weeks. Students that don’t need to talk to teachers or get help may go home early; however for students struggling in classes or needing to do make-up work, they will have better access to teachers.

Developing

“The goal is to make learning and help more systematic,” Fryer said. “As long as we have F’s, we’re not doing our job.”

Another change is with Thursday. Thursdays will be on seminar schedule every week. School will start around 8:30 a.m. and get out early for tutorial time every week after school. After second hour, the freshmen will go to freshmen advisory and the upperclassmen will go to Tiger Time. Tiger Time will include seminar and a career exploration unit where students will take career-interest surveys and explore careers. “[The surveys] align interests with skills and put them together with careers,” Bacon said. “Students then have shadowing opportunity.”

Another proposal is that students who are making D’s and F’s will be required to attend tutoring time at the end of the day, like an eighth hour, where attendance will be taken.

The change in the schedule was sparked by two events. First, at the beginning of the school year, BV was awarded the Learning Communities Grant. The school needed to figure out a way to have teachers meet with small groups of students on a weekly basis because of low attendance figures, the change was initiated.

ago.

Development has hit southern Overland Park’s once scarce regions over the last decade, skyrocketing it into an economic boom.

This surge has drawn a range of new citizens, from businesspeople to small families.

All of these developing regions, specifically 135th Street , 151st Street and Metcalf have made Overland Park one of Money Magazine’s hottest towns. Overland Park exMayor Ed Eilert governed in Overland Park for over two decades, and he sees the region’s success as just the beginning (Carl Gerlach was elected Overland Park’s mayor April 5).

“Overland Park offers a low property tax The construction on 135th Street and Metcalf is adding new businesses. rate, excellent employment opportunities, a Work is also being done to make I–69 more accessible as the surrounding public infrastructure maintained at the higharea develops. The highway work will add a new ramp and widen the est levels and outstanding educational instiarea. Photo by Brandon Lutz. tutions,” Eilert said.

Students agree that while it may be a hassle Matt Galloway to get around before and after school, southern Staff Writer Overland Park’s development has made it much easier to get resources and have a better time in omewhere between the traffic jam before the area. school, the job application at the local strip “The mornings and the late afternoons are remall, the run for smoothies and the short ally hard to get around in due to [the developtrip back home, it begins to sink in. This isn’t ment of Southern Overland Park],” junior Mike your parents’ Overland Park. Or for that matter, Vaught said. “But all of the people driving are it isn’t even the Overland Park of just a few years

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Speaking Briefly Tiger TV recently won second place at the Student Televison Network National competition. Sam Stilley’s and Matt Wiggins’ “Arrgh” won the clay-mation category.

“Arrgh” aired in the March 31 edition of Tiger TV. Tiger TV also has won first place in the Johnson County Community College Cavalier Film Festival. Peter Kellerman’s Option Day won the animation/experimental category, which aired in the March edition of Tiger TV. Kellerman and Sarah Moore provided the voiceovers for the short film.

The thirteenth-annual Headrush art magazine was released Wednesday in Communication Arts classes. After weeding through over 400 student submissions, the 65-page mini-museum returned bigger and more colorful than ever, according to Headrush sponsor Joyce Katstra.

“It’s a new size, it has more color, and it has a dramatic cover,” Katstra said. “I am very happy with the final product and how well [the artists] made it.”

Artists, sponsors and parents filled the library Tuesday for a reception to honor the staff’s hard work and effort. The work was on display throughout the library.

New businesses catch students’ attention going to jobs that make the area stronger and more enjoyable.”

Overland Park also received awards for “Second-Best City in America to Live,” “One of the Best Places to Conduct Business” and “Second Smartest City in America” by various magazines.

Perhaps this, alongside the advantages of marketing to high school students, is why young business people like Smoothie King owner Jeff Jenkins are developing here.

“We had a lot of young people request that we open up a shop on 135th Street,” Jenkins said.

“Those same high school students provide us with our busiest hour, right after school ends.”

Other recent additions to the area include a Ben and Jerry’s, the Sprint World Headquarters and the Applebee’s International building.

According to the 2000 Census, Overland Park’s median household income is in the upper half of the AAA-bond rated cities. One-third of the households rake in earnings in excess of $100,000.

Overland Park’s income levels, along with the city’s strong growth, make it one of the most sought-after consumer markets in the nation.

“Upcoming development of that area over the next two years will be dynamic,” Jenkins said.

“That factors into our decision to create more companies in the area. [Overland Park] is a great economic community.”

TEACHERS’ FAREWELL3 May 6 , 2005

Page Edited by Maneeza Iqbal

Katstra gives up the teacher’s chair but not her love for books Adil Shabbir Asst. Sports Editor

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s she relaxes in her typical “teacher’s chair,” you know the ones with the wheels and the armrests, she tells a story of an extraordinary adventure. Her “I love you Grandma” coffee mug sits firmly in her gentle hands.

She smiles, laughs and takes a long look at her empty classroom. After a refreshing, deep breath, Joyce Katstra begins her reflection on her time at Blue Valley High School.

“I started here in 1981 teaching freshmen and sophomores,” Katstra said. “I didn’t have a desk or a room. All I had was a cart.”

And a cart was all she needed. She took what she had and made the best of it. Years later, she started teaching seniors in the Advance Placement English IV class. Katstra went on to teach the class for 15 years, and looking back, she says it was one of the most fun things she has ever done.

“It was a treat to get paid to discuss literature with interested students,” Katstra said.

Throughout her time at BV, Katstra has developed two additional activities for interested writers.

Twelve years ago, she started Headrush, a literary magazine for the students by the students.

It started off as an after-school activity but got so popular and so time consuming that it moved to a semester class and ultimately to a full year course.

Katstra was also the anchor in starting up the class known as a Writer’s Workshop, a class that gives students the opportunity to do creative writing.

“Anytime you give students the freedom to write, great things happen,” Katstra said.

Indeed, throughout Katstra’s career, great things have happened.

In 1990, she was named teacher of the year by the Blue Valley PTO, and in 1991 was recognized by the Blue Valley Board of Education for her “Excellence in Education.” In addition, she has repeatedly achieved the Teacher Recognition Award from the University of Kansas.

The awards Katstra has won can literally cover a wall, but the thing she feels is her best achievement is her lasting friendship with students and faculty of Blue Valley High School.

“I really loved being here,” Katstra said. “I don’t think there are very many schools that you can work at for 25 years and say something like that.”

Over the 25 years, Katstra has developed a sincere friendship with fellow English teacher Betty Klein.

“Mrs. Klein and I are really good friends,” Katstra said. “No matter how many miles away I go, we will always be good friends.”

“I will really miss not having a best friend right next door,” Klein said.

As for the future, Katstra will enjoy her retirement.

She is returning to Virginia to be close to her family, specifically her three grand children.

“I’m going to read, write and play with my grand-

Dunlap marches out of BV Jessica Katzenstein Staff Writer

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hirty-one years of directing bands. Nineteen years at BV alone. Twenty-second place out of hundreds of bands at the 2002 BOA Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, sixth place at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl Championship in Phoenix, straight Division 1 ratings at the 2005 state band contest. Dr. Martin Dunlap, BV’s band director and performing arts department chair, is leaving BV, after years of service, with a stunning legacy.

“I’ve been doing this long enough,” Dunlap said. “I’ve been watching this program grow from 48 kids when I came here to what it is now.”

Dunlap’s original Blue Valley band may have been small, with only 650 students in the school, but it was strong.

They received Division 1 ratings at every contest. By the 1991-92 school year, the band had expanded to 150 students but retained its talent and skill.

The program continued growing, moving on to greater heights, such as the marching band’s win at the 1994 Music Bowl.

“That was one of my favorite memories,” Dunlap said. “It brought us to a

new level.”

“Then in 2001 the schools split and we lost half our band to West,” Dunlap said.

However, the marching band has continued to experience success in competition, recently winning the Festival of Champions in Warrensburg, Mo., with a Best Auxiliary caption. The symphonic and concert bands have consistently received good ratings at local competitions as well Dunlap, who was eligible to retire last year, chose to stick it out both to help the drill team adjust to a new coach and because he didn’t find a better job opportunity last year. From now on, he will do consulting work and clinics for other bands. His wife, Paula Dunlap, will stay with the program, along with directing her own band at Harmony Middle School.

“I’m happy to be retiring, just for a change,” Dunlap said. “But BV is special, with great memories and great kids. I’ll miss that. I’ll miss the students the most.”

Dunlap takes an optimistic view of the status of the program without him.

“It’ll be fine. It’s all about the kids and people’s attitudes,” Dunlap said. “The seniors will do well.”

BV’s new band director is Avian Bear.

“She is awesome,” Dunlap said. “She has lots of experience in BOA and is a really good teacher.”

Dunlap’s long tenure at BV will conclude with a party thrown by the parent band boosters on May 13. The band may get donuts in the morning.

Retiring teacher Joyce Katstra discusses William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with her freshmen class.

Photo by Shay Alford

children,” Katstra said.

As she starts another chapter of her life, Katstra will live a calm, go-with-the-flow life. One that will not have her teaching, for she feels that teaching somewhere else would be step down.

Mallicoat phones out After two generations Mallicoat retires Brady Skjervem Staff Writer

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magine seeing your two children and two grandchildren graduate before your very eyes. With two more grandchildren on their way to graduate from Blue Valley High school, secretary Janis Mallicoat is retiring from a school where she has had some sort of connection from the very beginning.

Her first son graduated from Blue Valley High School and even attended class during the first days of the school, 35 years ago. Mallicoat has paid her dues and is finally done. She has de-

cided to retire and leave this stage of her life behind. She started as the copy aide 15years ago, and is now the office secretary everyone has come to know and love. She has always been there to answer the ridiculous questions of the Blue Valley students, whether it was where a student has class during a particular hour or when and where an event may take place. She was never far from the office and always had a smile on here face when one walked through the office doors.

“I will miss it a lot, but it is just that time to go,” said Mallicoat.

Rantz leaves BV for promotion Jessica Katzenstein Staff Writer

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ssistant principal Lyn D. Rantz, who has been at Blue Valley for two years, is leaving to take a job as principal of Prairie Star Middle School.

“I’m very mixed about leaving,” Rantz said.

Rantz has been striving toward a job as a principal for a long time, yet said she will find it hard to say goodbye.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the staff, the students and the traditions here at Blue Valley,” she said.

Being part of BV’s success has been very important to Rantz

Also Leaving BV Special Education Wade Ladd, special education teacher, will also retire at the end of this year. Ladd has called BV home since 1999 and his fellow faculty members view him as a true professional.

“He’s definitely an advocate for students,” teacher K. Dean Snell said.

“Teaching is not just a vocation for him.”

“I don’t think everyone realizes just how great our accomplishments are – like those Standards of Excellence on the state assessments,” she said. “I’ll miss being a part of all of that.”

Rantz’s favorite BV memory took place at the 2004 Relay for Life, where her then 15-month-old son walked around the gym with the students.

Rantz began her career in education as a coach and social studies teacher.

She taught for four years, then moved on to become an assistant principal at Columbus Middle School in southeast Kansas and Oxford Middle School.

“This is a new opportunity and a new challenge for me,” she said.

Comm ArtsTeacher Amy Hurley, sophomore and senior English teacher, who has been at BV for three years, is leaving BV at the end of the semester. Hurley is going to Omaha, Neb. to teach at Westside High School and Grave University.

“Taking part in all of the senior events has been fun. I loved class competition day and community service day with [the seniors],” Hurley said.

4 OPINIONS May 6, 2005

Page Edited by Adam Lary

Letters:

New opportunity

Dance team priorities confused What a disappointing experience reading an article about a performing group that seems to have its performance priorities all confused (“Hopes for world washed away,” March 5, 2005). Besides many inaccuracies, either the writer and/ or the writer’s sources are confused about what performing is all about, or they don’t have an understanding of what it means to attend national events.

Having spent over 30 years teaching young people about performing, the primary component ignored in this article is the real meaning of performing. Somehow the people involved in this endeavor seem to believe that going to some special event makes performing worthwhile and is a waste if you do not go. People with this mentality are thoroughly confused about performing. You perform because you want to express yourself in a way that only the talented can do. You learn teamwork, discipline, goal setting, decision making and problem solving, among other things.

Then, after you have reached a point to where you can present your talents, you perform for others. But, the performance is really for you. You receive the satisfaction and enjoyment that comes from learning something really well that has challenged you beyond your norms when you get it right. The best performance times aren’t at some event. They are in your practice times. If you don’t know that, then you’re confused about the reason for performance.

The Stridin’ Tigers performed all over the country during the 19 years I have been director. It was 10 years before they attended a national event. And then it was another five years before they went to another national marching event. Our focus was never on some event. We learned that performing a great show was the ultimate experience when you got it right. Some of our best performances were at practices when everyone knew we had just nailed a great show. Attending national or local events is kind of an “icing on the cake.” If special events become the main reason people join or practice, they missed the point. What if you go to a national event and “stink it up?” What’s the value? Are national events fun? Yes! But performing is deeper and more meaningful than an event. Until that is learned, there will be a lot of unfulfilled “want-to-be” performers complaining about the wrong things.

Sincerely, Dr. Martin Dunlap, Jr. BVHS Band Director

TIGER PRINT STAFF 2004-2005

Staff Editorial

Proposed schedule changes tutorial time

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n the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast and if you don’t stop and look around, you’ll miss it.” Well, Blue Valley, we just missed it. The faculty has been working to create a new schedule for the 2005-2006 school year. A schedule that will put tutuorial times at the end of the day, freshman advisory during the day and no 9:15 a.m. starts.

The new schedule puts tutorials at the end of the day on every other Tuesday rather than before school. This way students will already be here and the last 25 minutes will be there for teachers to offer help. Thursday mornings have school starting at 8:30 with Learning Communities between 7:30 and 8:30 and a weekly freshman advisory program during school, and a weekly tutorial time ends the day. In essence, the administrators are switching a few things around to boost participation numbers during tutorial time.

We can’t begin to complain; we took the opportunity to have that extra time in the mornings away from ourselves. Too many rooms that offered help sat vacant week after week after week the last years. Yeah, the new schedule doesn’t offer support to our Tuesday and Thursday morning breakfast stops.

The schedule reform will enable the faculty to strongly suggest that students come in for help during the last 25 minutes of the school day. The reform will make it so that rooms don’t sit quite as vacant.

Opinions Editor: Adam Lary

Editors in Chief: Maneeza Iqbal, Kyle Rogers

Entertainment Editor: Kim Hieber

In-Depth Editor: Andrew Robinson

Features Editor: Michaela Cross

Sports Editors: Michael Johnson, Adil Shabbir

Photo Editor: Brandon Lutz

Most schools don’t even have such a time built in to their schedule. While Blue Valley does, students take it for granted, and take advantage of it in the “Too many rooms wrong way.

Maybe we will find that offered help that the change is good, sat vacant week because to be honest, after week after we are fine with the reform. Why start school week the last a half an hour later or year ” even an hour later if no one is doing anything during that time to better his/her academic life?

Imagine football coaches offering the weight room during the summer very early in the morning, and only a very small percentage showing up each day. It probably really isn’t worth the coaches’ time. Our athletes are dedicated; now our classmates need to learn the concept of utilizing great opportunities given to them.

Additionally. there is another way to look at it. The early release is a way to reward students.

Twice a week students get to leave early; plus it recognizes those who have kept up with their school work. Those with a C or better aren’t required to stay.

High school only comes once, and we have to take what is given to us because someday it might not be there when we want it.

Artist: Garrett Griffin Staff Writers: Nick Speed, Matt Galloway, Emily Kuykendall, Jessica Katzenstein, Brady Skjervem Photographers: Shay Alford, Kendra Kruse, Autumn Fuller, Emily Kuykendall

Adviser: Susan Agee

The Tiger Print is published nine times a year for the students, faculty and the surrounding community of Blue Valley High School. It is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions expressed wihin this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration or Blue Valley School District #229.

OPINIONS 5 May 6, 2005

Page Edited by Adam Lary

Sound off:

Students, faculty respond to proposed new schedule

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It gives me less ‘Paddy Time’ on Tuesday mornings

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I don’t think it’s a very good idea I think stu dents are more likely to get help in the mornings than after school

I think it makes perfect sense to move tutorial time to the end of the day It’s a much more practical use of student time

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I believe it’s a positive influence on the students RUN TO FINISH!

teacher Mark Mosier

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freshman Allie Proll

junior Patrick Cocherl

sophomore Alex Nichols

photo poll compiled by Kendra Kruse

Senior pranks lack taste Hybrids the way of the future Lack of reasons to rebel prove ‘pranking’ to be difficult task Brady Skjervem Staff Writer

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hat ever happened to the good ole days when greased pigs, paddled freshman and naked blurs plagued our school during the final days of classes? In past years seniors have become less innovative when attempting senior pranks, and, in fact, have stopped doing them all together.

They have tried and failed to a point of tasteless stupidity. Last year, for example, a group of seniors, in horribly bad taste, keyed and let the air out of several junior tires who were parked in the senior parking lot after graduation. True, some may refer to these outrageous acts as pranks, but in all reality, it was just plain vandalism. Nothing has been done in taste since the flight of the pheasants in ’98.

The problem students may be having with pranks is there is nothing to rebel against anymore. The reason for a senior prank is for seniors to give the final “up yours” to this stage in life, but in the past years, seniors have had less and less to gripe about and the number of senior pranks has dwindled.

The faculty has found a way to listen and comply with seniors to a point where seniors haven’t had a great need for rebellion. Athletic Director Bob Whitehead said that the school, including the students and faculty, focused more on important issues than before. The entire school has moved toward a focus on grades, test scores and academics in general.

“We have tried to recognize more and more students by having assemblies for all sorts of clubs and teams, not just sports,” Whitehead said to the question about senior pranks.

He added that seniors are given many perks other schools don’t give, like a senior lunch room and Class Day where seniors just hang out for the day. He sees senior pranks as thing of the past, and because the cooperation of the faculty and seniors, there is a more professional attitude in school and less reckless behavior, he said.

The fact is a prank is a prank, and if done in bad taste is repulsive. I hope we are past the point of lameness and have moved on to either a good classy prank or not even doing one at all. The faculty works hard to provide an enjoyable environment, and I believe the seniors need to respond accordingly.

Rising gas prices put more emphasis on oil conservation, search for alternative energy Melanie Troutman and Ellen Thomas Journalism I

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ames pulls into the gas station Monday morning to fill up a tank and stops in shock as the price rises on the meter.

He can remember a time when he could fill up his tank for $20, but now it’s $30. A major rise in gas prices has caused mayhem for the average driver. Simple things such as getting to work, paying bills and buying food are all becoming more of a challenge.

Gas prices are currently about $2.28 a gallon. Gas prices are topping the charts for the fourth week. For a country using 29.9 million barrels of oil a month, oil price increases are important. If drivers would convert to hybrid cars, the demand for oil would decline, resulting in lower costs for gasoline and other consumer products.

Instability in the Middle East gives us higher energy costs. Currently, a barrel of oil costs $52.28. These costs are dictated by OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Gas prices have hurt the American economy over the years, affecting many industries. Industries have been forced to make tight budget cuts and resulted in price increases for consumer products. The prices for goods transported by semi-trucks have also increased due to increasing diesel fuel costs.

The automobile industry is also affected.

The Ford Motor Company had to cut its earning forecast in 2005 because of the situation. Interest in gas-guzzling SUV’s that Ford is known for is waning while interest in hybrids is on the rise.

Americans, however, are naïve about high gas prices. In Europe, paying $5 to $6 for a liter of gas is the norm. Hybrid vehicles are being introduced all over the world. Taiwan is resorting to making new automobiles, recently coming out with a new vehicle running on compressed air and electricity.

New hybrid vehicles can benefit the consumer with up to 63 miles per gallon for a Honda Insight. In May 2002, the IRS declared a tax cut benefiting these vehicles in the 1993 Energy Policy Act. The deduction ceiling began at $2,000, with a tax deduction set to end in 2005. Pres. George Bush has proposed extending that cut.

When the general population starts to convert to hybrid cars, the oil prices will drop because demand for oil will decrease, benefiting consumers and industries. Hybrids will help the economy in many unexpected ways. The gas-guzzling cars of today are too costly to continue into the future. People need to get over their fears of the new and see that the hybrid is what will drive them into the future.

6 FEATURES May 6, 2005

Page by Brandon Lutz

2004-2005...

All photo illustrations by Brandon Lutz

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r e b m epte

October

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st August: Junior Lauren Fitzpatrick gets the crowd riled up during the all-school picnic held Aug. 19. The picnic is an annual event to commemorate a new beginning for the student body. September: Junior Chrissy Ewell puts the finishing touches on the run-through for the home opener against Great Bend, a game which the Tigers won, 48-24. Photo by Brandon Lutz.

October: Motivational speaker Steve Fitzhugh gets the crowd involved in an assembly designed to get students to make the right decisions. Whether it be a party or on a everyday basis, Fitzhugh emphasized to think before you do. Photo by Brandon Lutz.

y r a u n Ja

Ma

January: Just when you thought it was time for students to return to school, Mother Nature threw a curveball...and she threw hard. With a little bit less than a foot of total snow overall, BVHS returned to school two days later. Photo by Brandon Lutz.

February February: Senior Sara Kellerman paints a sign that will later be hung in the senior hallway as part of the Sweetheart Hall decorations. Every year, each class decorates a hallway in the school to try to win points for the class competition.

The seniors took first place, successfully gaining 80 points for their class. Photo

by Kyle Rogers.

May: As the end of the year dr high school life. At left, senior photographer. Getting senior pi distributed to family, friends and A representative from Kansas U tives from colleges all over co answer their questions on colle

FEATURES 7 May 6, 2005

Page by Brandon Lutz

A Year In Review December

November: During a dress rehearsal, juniors Laura Cline and Tosin Morohunfola practice for Blue Valley’s fall production of Grapes of Wrath. The fall play was held Nov. 4-6. Photo by Shay Alford

r e b m e v o N

May

aws to a close, seniors prepare to move on to postSean Kosednar gets his senior pictures taken by a ictures is an unwritten senior tradition. Pictures are d maybe even teachers. photo by Kyle Rogers. Right: University speaks to a group of seniors. Representame to BVHS to give students information and to ege life. Photo by Casey Stewart

December: Sophomore Garrett Griffin displays his holiday gift from his Secret Santa in Newspaper class.

Every year, the newspaper and yearbook classes have a holiday party to celebrate their efforts for the first semester, as well as to take a break from all of the journalism stress. Photo by Brandon Lutz

April M a r c h

April: Senior Kathleen Ayers and junior Ryan Kirkeby enjoy a dance during Prom, held April 2. The theme and decorations were chosen by the junior class, led by Diane “Dobbers” O’Bryan and Tonya Merrigan. The theme of this year’s most formal dance was “When The Clock Strikes Twelve.” Photo by Brandon Lutz

March: Students from each grade, including faculty, enjoyed their time off during spring break, which began on March 10 and ended on March 21. Some locations visited during the time off were as close as Olathe and as far off as the Cayman Islands. Photo

by Brandon Lutz

May

8 ENTERTAINMENT Page Edited by Kim Hieber

Upcoming Concerts Who? The Shins Where? Liberty Hall When? May How Much? 

Who? Lenny Kravitz Where? Memorial Hall When? May How much? 

Who? The Killers Where? Uptown Theater When? May

How much? 

Who? Green Day Where? Municiple Auditorium When? May How Much? 

Who? Keane Where? Uptown Theater When? May How much? 

Who? Mae Where? Granada When? May How much? 

Who? Kasabian Where? The Bottle neck When? May How much? 

Who? Get Up Kids Where? Uptown Theater When? July How much? 

Who? Rascal Flatts Where? Verizon Wire less Amphitheater When? July How Much? 

Who? Jack Johnson Where? Starlight Theater When? August How Much? 

May 6, 2005

Summer Blockbusters Brand new flicks hitting theaters in May Adam Lary Opinion Editor

from the Central Park Zoo: a lion, a giraffe, a zebra and a hippo. When one of them goes missing, the other three break out to look for

A

s the school year comes to a close, stu dents look forward to a nice, relax ing summer vacation. But what is there to do on those long, hot summer days?

How about a sitting in a nice, cool theater munching on some popcorn and enjoying a good movie? This summer movie watchers can expect a few major blockbusters, and here is a preview of what you can anticipate.

Ridley Scott, director of Gladiator, is determined to direct another award winner today with the release of Kingdom of Heaven. Orlando Bloom takes the lead role in this film about the Crusades as a young blacksmith who has just lost his wife and son. The film traces the story of Balian (Bloom) as he rises to knighthood and protects the city of Jerusalem.

It might also be time to get out the camping gear and head to the theater, as Star Wars: Episode III opens on May 19. Director George Lucas hopes to draw a crowd in this final installment of the Star Wars legacy. Fans can expect to see Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) again as he travels further down the path of the Dark Side. The fate of the Old Republic will be revealed and the Clone Wars will continue.

The animated movie Madagascar hits the box office on May 27. Playing off the success of other animated films, Madagascar stars the voices of actors like Ben Stiller and Chris Rock.

This flick follows the lives of four animals

From left to right, the voices of the animals starring in the new movie, Madagascar are: David Schwimmer, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller and Jada Pinkett Smith. Photo courtesy of www.imdb.com

him, eventually leading all four to the shores of Madagascar. Here, each of the animals learns its true role in the wild.

Tom Cruise will return in another film directed by Steven Spielberg entitled War of the Worlds. The film is based off of H.G. Wells’ sci-fi classic novel. The story is told through the eyes of one American family fighting to survive in the post-apocalyptic world.

So this summer, instead of lying around the house, go out and see one of these potentially thrilling movies. Who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised.

THIRSTY?

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Entertainment May 6, 2005

9

Page Edited by Kim Hieber

‘Songs for Silverman’ has now arrived Ben Folds’s new album is finally up for sale in local music stores Brady Skjervem Staff Writer

S

ongs for Silverman has finally arrived and it’s about time. Ben Folds has been releasing EP’s over the past year including the “Sunny Side” and “The Bens,” but none of them were more than four songs long.

The new album is a disappointment. It is lacking the Ben Folds flare that gives him the edge everyone has grown to love. The problem is he has grown up a little too much. His lyrics are missing the oomph that pushed his solo career to its present height.

It’s as if he hit a mid-life crisis. The reason Ben Folds has been so amazing was that he never cared how old he got, and that he was still the same old nerd with an attitude. Now he is singing songs about his wife and daughter and seems to be calming down.

The only real song in the album that reflects past Folds enthusiasm and sarcasm is “Give Judy My Notice,” which is about a guy who is sick of being his girlfriend’s little boy toy and he has decided he isn’t going to open the door for her and such.

The cynical side of Ben doesn’t seem to surface in the new record, until “Jesus Land,” where he pokes fun at how unJesus America is and yet it is still a Jesus land.

I give props to Ben Folds for making an album using the old

school Ben Folds Five set up—a piano, drums and a bass, but the album, nevertheless, feels empty. Any fan of Ben Folds will see where I am coming from, and most likely still buy the record. Just know the album doesn’t have the flare his past solo album did. The more one listens to the songs, the more the songs grow on the person, but it still isn’t a record anyone will fall in love with.

10SPORTS May 6, 2005

Page Edited by Michael Johnson

A balancing act

3 students accept soccer scholarships Matt Galloway Staff Writer

I

n soccer, a player’s worth is judged by the goals they score on the field. For the good, soccer is just a “fun game” to play and nothing more. But for three Blue Valley High School students, their great skills at scoring goals on the field has given them the chance to accomplish their goals off of it.

Seniors Kyle Luetjen, Austen Lucansky and Sean Kosednar all recently accepted soccer scholarships after their final season of soccer. Luetjen was accepted into the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Lucansky signed to Ottawa University and Kosednar signed with Park College.

Coach K. Dean Snell witnessed each player evolve during the past three years, and he is proud to see their individual struggles pay off.

“It was rewarding to see their hard work pay off on the field,” Snell said. “It helped them make it to the next level of their academic lives.”

For Luetjen, being accepted by the United States MerchantMarine Academy was a bigger relief than a joy. His seven goal, eight assist and 22-point season gave him the push he needed to get into the only school he tried to attend. Luetjen was third on the team with 61 tackles and 43 steals. Luetjen also provided a different kind of relief for his team: comic relief.

“Junior year I went to practice in a brown wig, and coach Snell just stared at me puzzled,” Luetjen said. “The players gave me the nickname Buddy while I was in the wig.

You pretty much had to be there to see the expression on [Snell’s] face.”

Goalie Kosednar had an 80 percent save percentage in his final year with BVHS. Kosednar was the first player to play on the C, junior varsity and varsity teams. He was the most improved player in his time at BVHS, according to Snell.

“Obviously Sean is a great academic kid,” Kosednar ’s counselor Keith Elmore said.

“He takes AP courses, he’s active in broadcast class, he’s high in his class rank. He should do very well in college; he deserves it.”

Lucansky was the standout player on the squad, leading in goals (eight). His seven assists boosted him to 23 total points.

Snell spoke with Luetjen and Kosednar’s college coaches before they received their scholarships, giving a coach-tocoach perspective on their talent. But Snell also recommended them as a teacher, something that says a lot for their all-around deservedness of their scholarships.

Ferguson balances competitive gymnastics, academics Michael Johnson Sports Editor

W

hile majority of athletes look forward to high school to dive into varsity competition, one freshman entered high school with many major accomplishments already behind her. Megan Ferguson just recently took first in the Missouri Level 10 State Championship in all four of her gymnastic events, and she looks forward to competing in Nationals next week.

Like most great athletes, Ferguson started young. She has dedicated the last eight years of her life training at Eagle Gymnastics, seven of which were spent in the midst of intense competition.

“I train four hours per [weekday],” Ferguson said. “I train six hours on Saturdays.”

The long hours of training have paid off so far. Two years ago, Ferguson was crowned the Level Nine Western National Champion. She won Regionals this year as well, which put her in good standing to go on and conquer State.

“My goal is to become an elite gymnast,” Ferguson said. “But it’s [challenging] because I make school a priority, too. It’s really important to me.”

When Ferguson isn’t in Martin City working with the balance beams, bars or floor routines, she studies to keep her grades up to par. Ferguson concluded her first semester in high school with a weighted 4.4 GPA. She currently stands with a 4.0.

Profile by Autumn Fuller Player selected by coach

Name: Andrew Vance Sport: Baseball Favorite sports movie: Field of Dreams Nicknames: Vancy Favorite superhero? Why? Batman because he is rich but generous.

Future goals: Play baseball in college

“My main goals is to get a college scholarship,” Ferguson said.

With her academic record backing her gymnastics accomplishments, she is on the right track for achieving her goal. She has other hopes, as well. Ferguson considers trying for the Olympics one day in the near future.

“I would like to [compete in the Olympics],” Ferguson said.

“But it’s a lot of hard work.”

Ferguson has always been interested in sports activities, but

Megan Ferguson competes in Chicago during a Level 10 tournament last February. She scored fifth on that day.

(Below) Ferguson poses for her team shot. Photos submitted by Megan Ferguson

refrained from taking on too many commitments. She started gymnastics at the age of seven because her parents noticed she had lots of energy as a kid. From there, it skyrocketed into a passion she will continue to pursue.

Name: Kirsten Rottinghaus Sport: Swimming Favorite sports movie: Remember the Titans Nicknames: “Huge” Favorite superhero? Why? Wonderwoman because she is amazing Future goals: To go to college and get a good job

Profile by Emily Kuykendall Player selected by coach

SPORTS 11 April 15, 2005

Page Edited by Adil Shabbir

Sports in Short Baseball The baseball team traveled to Gardner today to take on Gardner-Edgerton High School. Results were not available at press time.

On Tuesday, May 3, the Tigers split a doubleheader against Saint Thomas Aquinas. Pitching for the Tigers in the first game was junior Jon Teel and senior Kyle Boomer in the second. The team came up short in the first game losing 8-10 but came back to win the second 7-6 The Tigers faced their rival Jaguars on April 26. Teel started on the mound and gave up only two earned runs. It was a close game up to the sixth inning when West scored four runs. The Jags went on to win 6-1.

“West had two stud pitchers,” thirdbaseman Jacob Tupper said. “They will be a tough team to beat.”

1

Track and Field Baseball Blue Valley’s track athletes finished in the top half

Senior Andy Lavender takes a pitch against Blue Valley West on April 26. The Jaguar baseball team is currently ranked in the top 25 in the nation and is favorite to win state. The Tigers lost 6-1. Photo By Katie Swatek.

Boys’ Tennis The tennis team will compete for the EKL title this coming Tuesday at the Plaza tennis courts.

This past Wednesday the team hosted the Tigers of Lee’s Summit. Senior Chris Constant and freshman Kolbe Joens came up with wins, but as a team the Tigers lost the dual.

On April 25, The Tigers headed over to Blue Valley West for their seventh dual of the seaon. Singles winners included senior Tanner Miller, junior Andrew Robinson and freshman Jared Schmeichel. The doubles team of Schmeichel and senior Zach Yarrington also cashed in with a win.

The Tigers came out swinging in their dual season, winning five straight duals, but recently they have lost to Blue Valley Northwest, Olathe East and Blue Valeey North.

last Friday at the Belton High Invitational. The girls, competing against 16 teams, placed third while the boys, competing against 17 teams, placed seventh.

Scoring points by placing in the top 8 for the girls were Stephanie Sparling, Whitney Coulas, Mindy Moeller, Leah Brown, Jennifer Hansen, Kristen Daschke, Elizabeth Minoofar, Masha Ryn, Val Hughes, Stephanie Krull and Emily Funk.

Boys who placed in the top eight were Amr AbuAlnada, Nathan Lane, Michael McDonald, Scott Pinney, Nick Speed, Andy Gillard, Patrick Cooley and Kyle Rogers.

Long-time girls head coach Peggy Rose announced she will not be the head coach next season. She said she wants to focus on coaching her events, hurdles and high jump, more than handling administrative tasks she currently is in charge of.

Girls’ Soccer

Boys’ Golf

This past Monday the Lady Tigers faced the Raiders of Shawnee Mission South. The Tigers went up 30 in the first half. Sophomore Erin Lewis cashed in with the first goal. Freshmen Elizabeth Baldwin and Brianne Burlin each tacked on another. Things got interesting in the second half when the Raiders put two in the back of the net. The Tiger defense held on to pull out a 3-2 win.

The team defeated Bishop Miege 1-0 on Thursday April 28. Burlin scored the lone goal in the second half. The shutout went to freshman Sara Ster.

The Tigers currently have a record of 6-4-2 and are ranked 5th in state in the 1A-5A division.

“We are closer to demonstrating our true abilities than we have ever been in the four years that I’ve been here,” coach K. Dean Snell said.

The second round of the East Kansas League race was held at Falcon Lakes this past Wednesday, but results were not available at press time. Entering that tournament, the Tigers were 13 strokes behind Blue Valley West for the East Kansas League title.

This past Monday, the team took 2nd in the Shawnee Mission East Invitational at Meadowbrook Country Club.

Last Friday, the Tigers traveled three hours to the Hutchinson Invitational. Junior Adam Blue led the team, finishing second with a score of 72. Senior Bandon Hermreck closely followed with 73. The team finished second to EKL rival Blue Valley North in this 36 team tournament .

“I think we have a great chance of winning state, playing on our home course (Ironhorse),” Hermreck said.

Softball

Cheerleading

Girls’ Swimming

The softball team will play Blue Valley West on Monday and Atchison on May 12. Both games will be at Blue Valley West.

They played Basehor-Linwood yesterday, but results were not available by press time.

The team lost its ninth game of the season, 6-0, on April 28 against Saint Thomas Aquinas Saints. They now have a record of 5-9.

Injuries have set the team back some key players.

Senior and leading hitter Jaimie Florance fractured her right ring finger while fielding a ball, but will return to the diamond next week. Sophomore Alex Solis, a middle infielder, hurt her rotator cuff and is currently on the bench.

“We have all worked really hard,” Florance said.

The cheerleading squad held its annual tryouts for the 2005-2006 season from April 25-29 where over 50 new and returning girls competed for a spot on the squad.

Next years varsity squad includes seniors Hope Aguilar, Kelly Bubeck, Kristen Burchett, Chrissy Ewell, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Erin Goode, Stephanie Imber, Kaitlyn Kruse, Tiffany Mitchell, Kristin Parrish, Danielle Scarafile, Courtney Smith, Jenna Southerland and Nicole Sowden. The juniors include Vanessa Abenoja, Amanda Dirks, Chelsea Ehinger, Taylor Haggerty, Eryn Hardison, Ashton Kostelec, Melissa LaFuria, Allison Paryse and Lauren Schroer.

The squad will be losing seniors Jennifer Bantham, Cecily Halloran, Kendra Kruse, Cecily Miller, Jennifer Pilney and Ally Ross.

The girls’ swim team competed in its last regularseason meet earlier this week and now faces the EKL meet on May 10-11 and the state contest in Topeka on May 20-21.

“Our team has worked hard this season and we’ll have a good competition,” freshman Laurel Hill said.

The team competed at Chisholm Trail Junior High on April 26, where diver Sammy Southerland re-qualified for state. The divers compteted in the BV Quad on April 19 as well as the Olathe Invitational on April 2.

Members of the swim team remain optimistic about their chances for success.

“We’ll have tough competition, but our team is prepared,” senior dive captain Katie Loughlin said.

12 FEATURES May 6, 2005

Sophomore finds her passion in performing Friedlander makes her mark in recent Rep production of ‘The Nerd’ and Fall Play, ‘The Grapes of Wrath’

“It’s

just that Thor gets so difficult some times. And then Ticky gets angry, and angry with me, and it’s all I can do to,” she begins digging through her purse while acting in The Nerd.

Lauren Friedlander, Blue Valley sophomore and actress in the production of The Nerd, has found her passion: performing.

“I’d never thought about [acting] much,” she said.

The first time Friedlander realized she loved to act was in the play Circus of Words; she was only eight.

Since then, she has attended acting camps and gained leading roles in other school plays.

“In middle school, I played Chief Powhatan of the Algonquin tribe,” she laughed as she remembered performing a male role. “I was told I was more manly than the guys—that’s not good news for me or them.”

It’s unimaginable for anyone to describe Friedlander as manly. She has the poise of an actress, stunning dark hair and a bright, eye-catching smile. And she is not afraid to make fun of herself.

“I’m like miles below everyone else,” Lauren said jokingly about her height. “Seriously, I can only play the roles of hunched old women.”

And she did just that. In The Grapes of Wrath, Lauren pulled off an amazing performance as Ma. “She’s awesome. She has natural talent,” sophomore and good friend Jenny Bernard said.

Last year as a freshman, her talent as an actress took her to State Festival in forensics. But Friedlander still has concerns about herself as a performer.

“I really can’t dance or sing,” she said seriously.

“And I can’t make myself cry. I’m jealous of people who can make themselves cry.”

She claims the reason she can’t make herself cry is she has nothing to be sad about, which definitely shows in her energetic and always cheerful personality. But she should not have anything to cry about.

She has plenty more talents aside from acting.

Friedlander does well in school and also includes writing, music, and, of course, eating as her other hobbies.

“If it looks good, eat it,” she said jokingly again, while crunching on cereal. “Make sure you include that I live by the five-second rule.”

Now acting is a top priority for this young entertainer, but she does not see continuing with it in her future.

“I probably wouldn’t like to [act] professionally, maybe just through college for fun,” she said.

She is all about having fun and still manages to work hard.

“I think she’s very dedicated in her work and strives to be the best,” sophomore Ellen Thomas, her friend, said sincerely.

Her talent, willingness to work, and positive attitude have paid off. Friedlander is only concerned with having fun for now. Her goal is “not living life to the fullest, just living,” she said. She only wants to be happy with her future and doesn’t seem at all worried. Ever.

Friedlander laughed, “This is the turning point in my career,” she said as she packed her finished homework away and headed to first hour. It’s off to another long day of hard work, but she doesn’t complain once.

As she walks to class, she turns around, flashes another bright smile, and says, “You better make me look wise.”

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In practice and actual production , sophomore Lauren Friedlander plays Ma in the Fall Play, The Grapes of Wrath. The play was presented Nov. 4-6. “I can only play the roles of hunched old women,” Friedlander said. Photos by Shay Alford

Senior News May

Page Edited by Maneeza Iqbal

Almost across the stage Numerous events send seniors off with something to remember p.m. on May 15.

The decision can be attribOpinion Editor uted to No Child Left Behind s graduation nears, most selegislation. The NCLB prohibniors can think of nothing its schools and districts from else than what awaits after sponsoring religious baccalauthey leave high school. In just four reate ceremonies. Seniors months, many will be attending throughout the district are their choice of college. But as their welcome to attend and are exhigh school career comes to a close, pected to be in their graduaa number of activities are available tion robes. The ceremony usufor seniors to reflect on their time ally consists of a short introduction spent at Blue Valley High, as well and a speech by the teacher of the as look to the future. year, as well as a student speaker.

This year marks the first year that On some occasions in the past, a BV will not be having its own orgalocal guest speaker has also been nized Baccalaureate program. Inpresent. stead, the Blue Valley Ministerial “I think it’s a good thing that they Association will sponsor this event are still having it,” senior Krista at the Church of the Resurrection, Coulas said. “It’s a tradition.”

137th and Roe. The event is for all Last Thursday, seniors took on the high schools in the district at 1:30 faculty in the infamous Senior/Faculty Challenge. The faculty continued its undefeated record. In an effort to raise money for the Cultural Diversity Scholarship, communication arts teacher Linda Eagleton raised the most money, followed by assistant principal Mark Dalton, as both received a pie in the face at the Challenge.

As winners of the class competition with a score of 640 points, the seniors went bowling today at AMF College Lanes. During the day of bowling, seniors will open their time capsules from freshman year, created during their CAI classes Teacher Matt Ortman dribbles past senior Chris Lee during “I’m looking forward to seethe basketball half of the Senior/Faculty challenge. The chal- ing what my friends wrote to lenge gave the seniors a chance to show the teacher, who’s re- me freshman year,” senior ally the boss. However, like previous years, the seniors lost to Katie Beye said. the faculty. Photo by Brandon Lutz .

Next Friday, May 13, the Senior Picnic will be held at

Adam Lary

A

Shawnee Mission Park at shelters one and two. The picnic begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Yearbooks will be distributed and the senior class picture will be taken. All seniors are expected to be there, and attendance will be taken.

The final activity before graduation is Class Day on May 20. All seniors are expected to attend and must report to the auxiliary gym at 8:15 a.m. in their caps and gowns.

Families are welcome to come. The ceremony will be held in the main gym from 9-11 a.m. Seniors Kyle Rogers and Kristen Trum will speak at the ceremony.

The graduation rehearsal will follow Class Day. Graduation will be at K e m p e r Arena at 1:30 p.m. Seniors are required to arrive at 12:30 p.m. Sen i o r s Top to Bottom: Senior Brett Farmer wipes off part of a pie after teacher Linda Eagleton took pie from her face and applied it to A m a n d a Farmer’s. Farmer won a drawing, enabling him to pie a teacher Payton and during halftime at the senior/faculty challenge. Senior Andrew Esther Kim Vance dribbles down the court after the faculty made a basket. will speak at Seniors Ryan Wallace and teacher John Holloway were commentators at the challenge. Photos by Brandon Lutz. graduation.

Senior News May

Page edited by Maneeza Iqbal

With Honors . . .

Class of 2005 graduates with many awards Emily Kuykendall Staff Writer

T

wenty-seven local awards plus department and student scholarships were presented at the thirty- fifth annual Senior Awards Night April 27. Approximately 300 people made up of family and friends watched faculty and special guests present various honors to the 2005 seniors for their accomplishments.

“I’m very honored to be recognized by my teachers and peers,” senior Charlie Haren said. Among other awards, Haren received the The Kathy Adriance “Passionate Living” Award. “It’s pretty cool because I guess I got awards not just for the work I’ve done, but just for being who I am.”

While some seniors saw their senior year as a time to take it easy before taking that next big step to college, others saw it as an opportunity to step up their game and work even harder.

“The work load has shifted a lot. I still work hard and even though it’s difficult, it’s still fun,” Haren said.

Nick Biagioli, who was a winner of numerous awards, used his senior year as a way of working harder also.

“I took a full schedule so it was tough, but there’s more freedom as far as teachers go,” Biagioli said.

“Since this is the last year of high school, everything means more and I want to just do my best in everything.”

Biagioli earned the most in scholarship money,

$60,000, from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

“I was very relieved because we have three kids in college already and all the money I can get helps. Without that, I wouldn’t have been able to go,” Biagioli said.

Applying for all of the scholarships wasn’t easy though. Like many others, Biagioli did hours of essays, community service, resume building and had to appear as a wellrounded person.

“He’s earned everything he’s got,” senior Ryan Wallace said.

“He’s the most active person in this school with his academics, being a football captain, basketball captain and student body president. You just can’t say Senior Amanda Payton receives an award for being an AP Scholar. Counselor Keith Elmore he doesn’t derecognizes senior AP scholars. AP scholars received a score of three or more on three or more serve everyadvancement placement tests. Senior Katie Beye and Kristen Trum were recognized as AP thing.” scholars with honors. Photo by Emily Kuykendall.

Thanks from The

Tiger Print

For all the News

Senior Send Off May

Page Edited by Michaela Cross and Jessica Katzenstein

Hasta La Vista, B-V Baker Butler Emporia JCCC KU KSU

SBU CMSU Drury Longview MU NWMSU

McPherson MU-KC Ottawa Pittsburg Washburn Wichita

Park U MU-Rolla SWMSU Truman Washington U

Concordia Northland Bible Colleg

Macalester College

Oregon U

Creighton University

Drake University Iowa State Indiana U

Brigham Young University

U.S. Air Force Academy

University Kentucky Tulsa University Arkansas U John Brown

Arizona State Scottsdale CC

Arizona State University Stacey Castor Michael Gari Connor Humphrey Michael Pittman Ashley Steele Baker University Luke Stalcup Baylor University Kimberly Foster Kayla Harrison Berklee College of Music Griffin Malnar

Baylor Southern Methodist University of Texas-Austin Butler County Community College Robert Bennett Nicholas Speed Central Missouri State University Peter Brown Michael Johnson Katherine Matson Michael Schober Creighton University Christine Wang

Boston College Daniel McGillivray

College of the Holy Cross Danielle Bacon Kaitlin Loughlin

Brigham Young University Erin Hamrick

Concordia University Melissa Webb

Drake University Rachel Cecil Michaela Cross Drury University Cecily Miller

Iowa State University Ellen Tangen

Emporia State University Caysey Caywood Krista Galyean Jessica Pearce

John Brown University Lucas Heinrich

Georgetown University Kristen Trum Indiana University Nicholas Biagioli

Johnson County Community College Joshua Affholder Christopher Anderson Kelly Baker Danielle Billings Samantha Boyd John Brooks

James Byars Christopher Constant Melissa Cosgrove Erika Crews Jenna Culver Lynn Droegemueller Thomas Ellison Andrew Fine Abraham Gerber Danielle Goodwin Neshall Halliburton Cecily Halloran Alexander Hoffman

Most Likely to Live in Stilwell

S E N I O R V O T E S

Vanderbilt

Most Artistic

Bobby Bennett and Mallory Mackey

Biggest Flirt Kendra Kruse and Jon Baldwin

Ralashell Hubbard Alex Hughes Derek Huston Jesse Jewell Corey Johnson Michael Keating Peter Kellerman Jennifer Kellert Ashden Kranker Dana Lykins Brandon Lutz Mitchell Marion Louie McClendon

Charlie Haren and Lauren H

Friendliest Mandie Payton and Andy Lavender

Senior Send Off May

Page edited by Michaela Cross and Jessica Katzenstein

Seniors leave for life after high school, from college, to military, to work

Baptist ge University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

y of

Pittsburg State Tanya Adams Shay Alford Rebecca Criger Casey Donahoo Kendra Kruse Brandon Marcurella Jessica Prelogar Eugene Waters

NYU Syracuse US Merchant Marines

Scottsdale Community College Erica Christian

College of the Holy Cross Southwest Baptist Berklee University Boston College Diane Copeland

Georgetown Liberty U

Charles Miller Andrew Naglich Kaleigh Nold William Ryan Corin Schedler Patrick Simmons Cory Stockman Jessica Stokes Andrew Thomas Katherine Thomas Andrew Werth Charles Wismer Carly Woods Sandy Yang

Ryan Wallace Tyler Wisdom Liberty University Brandon Loveless

Kansas State University Katherine Anderson Kevin Atherton Darcey Ball Jennifer Bantham Katherine Beye Kyle Boomer David Borgerding Stephanie Brady Aaron Brockmeyer Jennifer Burki Matthew Conway Elizabeth Ewell Brett Farmer Danielle Hamilton Jeffrey Heine Heidi Ide Ryan Kaman Sara Kellerman Jenna McAtee Steven Melton Christina Miller Tanner Miller Lyndsey O’Malley Austin Proll Alexandra Ross Kirsten Rottinghaus Justin Runyon Amanda Schiappacasse Jennifer Snyder Nathan Steinwart

Longview Community College Jonathan Baldwin Macalester College Esther Kim Marines Jameson Zakoura McPherson College Kevin Felix

Southern Methodist University Emily Funk Southwest Missouri State University Theresa Fox Michelle Geary Syracuse University Jessica Parker TEC, Mexico Maria Contreras Truman State University Alicia Pollock

New York University Tulsa University Andrew Baldwin Amanda Payton Leanah Heather Northland Baptist U.S. Air Force AcadBible College emy Scott McQuinn Brad Chinery Northwest Missouri U.S. Merchant State Marines Academy Sara Erickson Kyle Luetjen Holli Goode Oregon University Zachary Yarrington Ottawa University Austen Lucansky Park University Sean Kosednar

University of Arkansas Hillary Freeman University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Kaitlyn Davidson

University of Kansas Deidre Birtchet Marissa Brooks Emily Bruschi Kyle Byard Paul Cantin Vanessa Caudill Laura Cecil Kati Chinery Britney Chrisco Krista Coulas Matthew Crist Matthew Crooks Devin Dougan Joseph Edwards Jonathan Evans Carly Fogle Veronica Foltz Kasie Fore Charlie Haren Jenny Hartz Lauren Heist Kimberly Hieber Alicia Hopkins Megan Johnson Steven Karlin Sarah Kormanik Emily Kramer Todd Lair Chris Lee Domenick Leto Derreck Mayer Sarah McRoberts Mikhail Mendizabel Colin Mermey Whitney Moore Salar Pankonin David Phillips Nicholas Pressler Cory Rabe Jonathan Rasa Joshua Rasa Katherine Reno Matthew Schons Rehaan Shaffie Brady Skjervem Allison Souders David Tafreshi Jessica Teel Sylvia Yang Graham Yohe University of Kentucky Kathleen Ayers University of Missouri Maneeza Iqbal

Kaitlin Morris Adil Shabbir

University of Missouri-Kansas City Stacy Griffin University of Missouri-Rolla Andrew Vance University of TexasAustin Robert Bernard Vanderbilt University Michelle Kim Vocational-Trans Am Trucking Anthony Miller Washburn University Katherine Schute Stephanie Woehrle Washington University Lisa Skultety Wichita State University Brandon Hermreck Kyle Rogers Larissa Sadler Zak Smith Undecided Michael Cobb Katie Joens Mallory Mackey Brett Matthews Michael Owens Ricky Pinney Evan Schiwetz SoHe Son Work Adam Goscha John Waller This list is based on information from the counseling office. If there was no information regarding your choice by April 29, we could not include you.

Most Likely to be Famous Kaitlyn Davidson and Zak Smith

Heist

Most Athletic

Kaley Miller and Jay Vaglio

Most Likely to Succeed Katie Beye and Nick Biagioli

Senior Columns May

Page Edited by Andrew Robinson

What will you miss about high school?

“Seeing all my friends everyday.”

Cecily Holloran

“Seeing Kaley Knowles everyday.”

Ashden Kranker

“I’ll miss playing sports.”

Michael Pittman

“I’ll miss the people.”

Kaitlyn Davidson

In

Retrospect

The END means goodbye to traditions, friends Adil Shabbir Co-Sports Editor

T

he end of the year: a time of completion, a time of celebration, a time of reflection. As the year comes to an end many students can’t wait to finish school and start summer. But for the class of 2005, finishing this year marks the end of their time as a Blue Valley High School Tiger.

BV is known for its traditions, and knowing that you are no longer able to participate in them is something the senior Tigers are forced to deal with. Although graduation is a time of celebration, seniors can’t help feeling a little somber, for they know there time at BV has come to an end.

As we say goodbye to BV, we say goodbye to Mexican Mondays, overpriced chicken fingers and our daily slice of pizza. No more pep assemblies, no more spirit days, no more pizza

It’s all over

dances. It’s all over.

When school starts up in August, and everyone’s excited to share their summer stories, the class of 2005 will be long gone, in a different school with different students and different teachers.

They won’t be here for the all-school picnic that first school Friday in August, nor will they be showing up hours before the football games to play their own game of parking lot football.

As they gather next week to sign yearbooks and say goodbye, this time, for a lot of seniors, it’s for good.

The typical “see you next year” and “have a great summer” are replaced with “I’ll miss you” and “Keep in touch.”

Our domination of the class competitions will come to an end, and we’ll listen to our last daily announcements.

The final bell will ring, and we’ll clean out our lockers. People will hug, people will cry. The year will end.

It’s been real... It’s been fun... It’s been real fun.

Opportunity needs to be taken advantage of Kyle Rogers Editor-in-Chief

H

igh school is what you make it. I could eas ily have complained and whined my way through my time at Blue Valley, but I chose not to do so. Some students are only in high school long enough to get to college, and many look back years later with regret. Don’t do that to yourself.

Our school is one of the most accommodating, friendly places around; don’t waste that. Each teacher and administrator here is more than happy to help any student in need. The academic, athletic and social traditions here make an environment that allows every student full opportunities to enjoy oneself. All one has to do is grab what is laid out before him or her.

I chose to invest myself to the fullest, participating in sports, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

I could not choose one that has made the most profound impact on me, for each has added a dimension to my life I would otherwise not have.

Soccer taught me how perseverance through adversity makes success so sweet in the end; newspaper

taught me how to continue a tradition of excellence, and Student Council showed how a small group can make a difference for the masses. KAY club satisfied my urge to help others; NHS recognized me for years of hard work, while track made me work hard to succeed.

Clearly, I have done a lot, but many activities aren’t necessary for a well-rounded good time. The biggest key to enjoying high school is to want to enjoy high school. I would never have joined any of these activities and without the desire to fill my time with meaningful, enjoyable experiences. Since I wanted to

fill my time with enjoyable activities, I enjoyed my time.

True, some students are way beyond this school’s walls. They have set their sights on college and will not let go until they step foot in their dorm rooms. I see this mindset as dangerous. If a person is constantly living for the future, they will die without ever living.

The same students that wait for college to begin will wait for their first job, will wait for their marriage, will wait for their first kid, will wait for their children to graduate, will wait for death. With all that waiting, they will never be satisfied with life, for they feel they haven’t caught up with it yet.

For me, this philosophy is ultimately disappointing, so I decided I would avoid the mistake of living for the future. I embrace my future and my goals, but I do not live in them. I am wholly a Tiger, and next year, I will be wholly a Shocker. Living for the moment and keeping the future in your peripheral view makes high school fun.

Time at BV can be whatever you want it to be. Make it good.

Senior Columns Page edited by Andrew Robinson

May

Admittance to

Independence High school proved success is at our fingertips Michael Johnson Sports Editor

I

t seems as though each transition in life is greeted by worry about the difficulties that lie ahead.

“High school won’t be like middle school,” they told me as I took the leap from the comfort of eighth grade to the confusing high school scene. “Teachers don’t accept late work in the big leagues.

You’re on your own.”

I look back on my high school years, and I can’t remember a single piece of late work being denied.

“You better have your braces off before you hit high school,” they threatened. “The seniors will make fun of you.”

I have never seen a student with braces get bullied.

“You better enjoy sports while you can. High school is too competitive for you.”

I qualified for state wrestling twice.

The list goes on. Each worry, each suspicion that flooded my mind as I took my first step into Blue Valley, escaped me once I fell into the high school routine. “This is easy,” I thought as I enjoyed new friends, welcoming teachers, a wrestling team, clean bathroomsthings I thought I couldn’t have. Most importantly, I had an optimistic outlook on school and life.

The four years were phenomenal. I got involved, I succeeded, and I had fun beyond my wildest dreams (this year especially). I got close to friends, I enjoyed my share of girlfriends, and I developed special bonds with teachers. I discovered a passion for journalism, an ability to produce good grades and a ridiculous love for Prince. I grew up.

Now I venture into another unfamiliar world, and I am again filled with worry.

“You won’t get yourself up on time without Mom around to wake you.”

“You’ll party too hard and get yourself in trouble.”

“An aviation degree is tough to get. I hope you can get through it.”

If high school has taught me one thing, it is to not limit yourself to what you can do. I was too intimidated as a freshman. I questioned my ability to write well enough not to embarrass myself on the high school newspaper staff. I questioned my athleticism when it came time to try out for wrestling, a sport I never even knew existed in high school. But I pursued them both and did fine, ending up with state recognition in both activities.

So while I worry if the college rumors are true, I am comforted by my confidence that I can succeed. I will maintain my optimistic attitude as I set out to tackle university life. Bring it on.

Last minute choices can lead to love Michaela Cross Features Editor

T

here are exactly 14 days till graduation and exactly 88 days till I move into the freshmen dorms at Drake University to start my college life.

Surprisingly, if you would have asked me at the beginning of the school year where I was going to college, I would have given you a blank stare. While everybody around me could ramble off a list of colleges he or she was considering, including the teacher to student ratio, average ACT scores and national rankings of each in order, I was just in the process of contemplating the fact that I was in my senior year of high school.

Once October rolled around, I figured I might try and put in a little effort into my future.

Almost immediately I fell in love with Northwestern University in Chicago.

Yea, doesn’t everybody?

My friend and I made elaborate plans on how we were going to visit the campus, fall in love with the campus, apply, then live happily in the gorgeous dorms. I have to say I do dream pretty well.

I continued to make a list of colleges including Colorado at Boulder (this was before I’d heard about all of the scandal), Nebraska at Lincoln, University of Kansas (of course), Arizona State, NYU, Yale, Berkeley, and Northwestern (the best for last).

I think I overestimate my academic abilities.

That was my first mistake, I think, as

I had too big of a list of colleges that would most likely not accept me. I knew of people with 4.0 GPAs and higher, that dedicated themselves to theater and music, helped the community and still didn’t get into NYU and Yale. I needed to make a few revisions.

Around December I thought I should probably make use of my winter break and apply for my hefty load of colleges.

I should have started earlier, but I’m a procrastinator. For future applicants, take note and apply early. It reduces stress.

Well, the application process began and my list of colleges dwindled. They ended up being: Nebraska, Colorado at Boulder, KU and Drake.

Drake?

As a last minute addition by my mom, I applied to this little college in Iowa that I knew nothing about.

Well, after all my materials were in it was time to wait.

Waiting is the worst part. You realize your future is in the hands of a select panel of “intellectuals” who will decide if you’re cut out for their rigorous program.

And, the envelopes came.

Beginning in mid-March I received letters from all of my colleges saying I was admitted. Of course KU was a given, but I had actually been accepted by all of them. However, Drake was the only one to give me any substantial scholarship money.

So, I had to look into this college that I had heard nothing about. I visited the website millions of times, then I finally went to the college itself.

I fell in love.

After all this time, I came to love this private college in Iowa, of all places. So, maybe my mom can be right sometimes.

“I applied to this little college in Iowa that I knew nothing about ” Only sometimes.

Well, my time as a high school student is coming to an end very quickly. Like

all the rest of the senior class, I’m ready to get out and move on, but I’m still sad.

I’m leaving behind comfort.

But, I am stepping into a college that I feel comfortable with and will find myself at home. Even though choosing college can be a horrible, stressful, hairpulling time, I came to see it’s a time to chose a place where you’ll be happy, not about the most popular, Ivy League college. Wherever you end up should be a great place for you.

What are you looking forward to about College?

“No parents and being able to do whatever I want.”

Andrew Parkman

“Just being on my own.”

Pete Brown

“Late nights and being able to go to class without teachers noticing.”

Graham Yohe

Senior Columns May

Page edited by Kyle Rogers

Drama is everywhere in high school; though it shouldn’t be Kim Hieber Entertainment Editor

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rama: A situation or succession of events in real life having the dramatic progression or emotional effect characteristic of a play.

Apply that definition to an adolescent’s social life and you have a typical high school student.

The purpose of going to school every day is to learn something new, but a lot of times the new information learned is who cheated on whom at last weekend’s big social event. Not that these kind of actions don’t continue to occur, because they will play out repeatedly for most of any one person’s life. But it’s the maturity with which people handle these situations that makes it all just a little ridiculous.

Freshmen aren’t much of the problem. Their lack of individual freedom and privileges tends to keep them from bearing witness to “drama” as often as they would probably like. Sophomore year is when it all really starts because of the license factor. You start to make your own decisions, and you are on the social scene a lot more frequently. Junior year, it only gets worse. By senior year, you’ve been exposed to about every situation any one could possibly think of, and therefore, you would think that most of us could handle things a little more maturely. But a lot of times we don’t. A lot of times we make decisions that will only worsen everything for everyone involved. Feelings get hurt, grudges are held, enemies are made and friends are lost. It’s like a soap opera right off of the television lineup.

Every little thing that occurs, whether it be anyone else’s business or not, gets blown way out of proportion.

When a girl’s boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend, that is something that is between those three people only. Unfortunately, by lunchtime on the day after, the whole school knows some version or another about who was involved, when it happened and all the circumstances surrounding it. Then the talk circulating from the event can cause even more problems. Trash talking, bad-mouthing, stretching the truth or just straight out lying about something is the number one way to ensure at least one extremely pissed off person exists by the end of the day.

How do you avoid this during your high school career?

You can’t. It will always be around, and most likely, you will be involved in something at one point or another. There are some ways to lessen the pain of it all, though. First of all, do not believe anything that people say unless it is coming from the person that the talk is about, and even then, you can’t believe everything someone says. For instance, you want to know where the guy/girl you’re dating was last night? His/her best friend can easily give you a warped version of the truth. Your friend says they talked to him/her, but even they can twist his/her words around into something else. My advice? Believe what your significant other tells you to be true until he/she proves to be disloyal to your own eyes. Trust in a relationship is everything. Unfortunately, most people aren’t very trustworthy at this age. Also, when you have problems between you and another

Don’t completely piss all your friends off with this little amount of time in the semester left.

person, talk them out, and listen to the other person. Then try to work on what it is they are concerned with. If both of you do your part in this, the problem will more than likely get better. If you keep ignoring the problem however, it will continue to come back. It only causes worse drama when it does this too.

The good news? Even though drama doesn’t completely go away, it gets a lot easier in college. Relationships work out a lot easier, because the people involved are starting to get some idea of what they want; whereas in high school, students have no clue and therefore change their minds a lot more often. People just mature in general, thankfully.

More advice? Don’t go to the same college all your friends are going to for that reason only. If you really want to get on with your life and move away from all the drama, you will branch out and meet new people. Not saying that you have to forget all of the old, just open your eyes to new things.

For those of us who are graduating in less than a month, the closeness of this less socially complicated life is just around the corner. Don’t completely piss all your friends off with this little amount of time in the semester left. For those of you who don’t have this luxury coming right up, do yourselves a favor and handle tough situations with more maturity. You’ll thank yourselves if you do.

The chronicles of Barnacle Jones related to BV Pirate used to analyze high school love, or large lack thereof Brady Skjervem Staff Writer

O

nce upon a time on the high seas of the Atlantic, a pirate named Black Barnacle Jones sailed for riches.

His crew looted booty from British trade ships and very large round vessels, full of plentiful lush booty.

While the Barnacle Brigade stole and lived in constant action, the infamous Admiral Phillips Wadworth, of the British navy, was hunting down Black Barnacle.

Unknown to Barnacle, a spy had infiltrated his Barnacle Brigade and told the Admiral, using several pigeons with notes attached, that the pirate leaves all his booty on a tropical island in the Caribbean.

After a recent pillage on a coastal island along the British Isles, Barnacle realized his ship had a bountiful supply of booty, and he needed to head back across the Atlantic to store it all.

Unbeknownst to Barnacle, the Admiral Phillips Wadworth was waiting with half the British fleet to take out Barnacle’s infamous brigades.

Barnacle was pulling down the sails and readying the anchor to send out the rowboats full of booty, when they were viciously attacked.

Flying cannon balls destroyed barnacle’s ship, and all the crew died in the sea. After being knocked out by a deflected piece of

wood, he opened his eyes to find the Admiral’s ships setting sail.

Lazily sitting up, Barnacle found a piece of paper tied to his left wrist. He tried to make out the letters and words, but then he remembered he couldn’t read.

So he then took the time to blow his nose with the parchment.

Scouting the island he came upon a beautiful mermaid. She smiled at him and then disappeared into the depths. He tried to follow her, but her

Barnacle was pulling down the sails and readying the anchor to send out the rowboats full of booty, when they were viciously attacked. flippers made her very agile in the water. He came up for air and realized she had swum down below and came up behind him. He introduced himself as the amazing Black Barnacle Jones. She just laughed and kissed him on the cheek.

The two lived for several weeks together and began a burgeoning love. But one day the two finally realized their love could never last and had to break apart, for the two of them were much too different.

She couldn’t talk, well at least

English, and he didn’t know French. Eventually their love dwindled away and fell apart.

She left with the tide along with a dolphin, and he bought his way onto a merchant ship passing by with the large quantities of island fruit he had acquired.

Students of Blue Valley, high school love is only a whim. Be careful and don’t fall too deeply into someone’s heart, because you never know how truly different you might actually be. It’s not that you, as a student, shouldn’t have feelings for someone, but understand that we are all still growing up and people change. We may think we have the perfect thing, but you might not. You can’t be afraid to break away because there is so much out there in the world than in this tiny little habitat of school. Don’t be afraid to change and don’t let others get you down because of it.

So much can happen in the four years of high school and school is only the beginning of life, therefore, don’t fall too deeply in love.

This is my two cents for you.

Friends form comfort zones Maneeza Iqbal Editor-in-Chief

M

y parents got divorced this year.

Jan. 8, 2005, the day before my sister’s birthday, I was helping my mom move into her apartment.

I was smiling and laughing that day. Not a single tear.

My whole life was going through this major change; my parents won’t be living together, the legalities of the divorce were just beginning, and all I could think about was how one of my friends tripped over a big box.

Looking back, high school taught me about friendship.

In middle school, a friend was someone I went shopping with, and saw at parties. To tell you the truth, I barely talk to the people I considered best friends in middle school.

Not until junior/senior year did I understand the concept of friendship. One of my friends was having family problems; two other friends and I took our friend out and we talked. The four of us haven’t separated since.

The four of us are unique. When we fight we don’t talk to each other for a couple of days, but if we find out that one of us is having problems, we drop all hostility and run to help our friend.

We can be horrible to each other and laugh about it.

My parents’ divorce didn’t hurt as much because my friends were there. They were the ones saying everything will be fine, don’t worry. In high school I learned this: friend are important.