The Tiger Print — April 2014

TIGER PRINT newspaper the

BLUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Vol. 44 Issue 6 April 2014 Overland Park, Kan.

WE’VE GOT SPIRIT

Lack of school pride sparks StuCo reaction, prompts increased participation page 9

DO IT FOR THE VINE Juniors create popular Vine account, obtain ‘on the rise’ status

page 14 MARCH MADNESS Underdog teams upset higher-ranked teams, cause bracket-busters

page 31

Tracking their Success:

Track and Field team epitomizes variety in athletic ventures, displays talent in many events Pages 16-19.

Photo by Raine Andrews.

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inthenews

April 2014

Events Calendar April 5 — Music Regionals April 8 — Spring Band Concert, 7 p.m.

April 10 — Spring Rep Theatre Show, 7 p.m. in the Black Box April 11 — SWITCH Dance, 8-11 p.m. in the Commons April 12 — ACT Test April 14 — No School, Professional Development Day April 16 — Senior Signings, 3 p.m. in the Commons April 21 — EKL Art Festival at Gardner April 22 — Blood Drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym April 24 — Senior/Faculty Challenge, 2 p.m. in the gym

Spring Play, 7 p.m. in the PAC April 25 — Spring Play, 7 p.m. in the PAC April 26 — Spring Play, 7 p.m. in the PAC April 28 — Jazz Night, 7 p.m. in the PAC April 29 — Orchestra Concert and Banquet, 7 p.m.

April 30 — Senior Awards Night, 7 p.m.

May 2 — Raku Party Fifth Wall Show, 7 p.m. in the PAC May 3 — State Forensics State Journalism Spring Band Concert, 7 p.m.

May 8 — Senior Cap and Gowns delivered, 12:30-1:17 p.m.

Rep Theatre Show, 7 p.m. in the PAC May 9 — Yearbook Distribution May 10 — REbeL Walk, 9 a.m. at BVNW May 16 — Class Day, 9-11 a.m.

national news explained

CONFLICT IN THE UKRAINE

After conflict for months in Ukraine, President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia, leaving the country to scramble for leadership.

The majority of Ukrainian citizens wanted to modernize and become a member of the European Union (EU), leaving the Russian influence behind. But due to that influence, Russia had invaded Ukraine province Crimea, essentially taking it over and re-annexing it back to themselves. Crimea had been a part of Ukraine from 1954 to 1991 when it became an autonomous republic, or a state, under Ukraine’s rule. Now Ukraine has pulled its troops and their families out of Crimea since Russia now has control over two major naval bases there. According to a vote among Crimean citizens, they had no problem joining back with Russia.

HOUSE BILL 2453 CONTROVERSY A Kansas House Bill sparked controversy when it passed the House of Representatives but was closed by the State Senate. House Bill 2453, short-titled “Protecting religious freedom regarding marriage,” would have allowed individuals and religious organizations to refuse service to those who violate their religious beliefs — specifically concerning same-sex marriage. If this bill was passed, people who don’t believe in same-sex marriage wouldn’t be forced to recognize those marriages as legal. However, government employees would still have to provide services to same-sex couples or ensure those services are provided if employees don’t do it themselves. Supporters of the bill, such as Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, said it was necessary to protect religious freedom, but opposers question the relevance of the bill.

HOBBY LOBBY CASE

Arts and crafts store Hobby Lobby went up against the Supreme Court on the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that companies provide contraceptive drugs. It is not the first case of its kind but will set a precedent for the future of religious freedom arguments. If Hobby Lobby doesn’t win and refuses to offer contraception for their female employees, then they will be fined $100 per person, per day

Why is this a big deal?

The United States and EU stand behind Ukraine’s independence and decision to rid itself of Russian influence. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not spoken of plans to take Ukraine but since Russia gets the majority of their oil from Ukraine, conflict could arise and bring in other allies to a war.

Ukraine has been building up its military to combat any potential breaches in security. Leaders are taking various measures to stop Putin before he spreads Russia’s power grab to other countries. The Global Eight had been scheduled in Sochi, Russia, but was called off and left Russia out of the new meeting. Many view Putin as a threat to global security and want to deploy troops into Ukraine to ensure safety. There is still much speculation as to what will happen to Ukraine though hopes aren’t high that this conflict will resolve itself.

Why is this a big deal?

A bill allowing religious individuals to delegitimize same-sex marriage seemed hardly necessary, considering same-sex marriage is illegal in Kansas regardless.

Protesters have spread negative feelings of the bill, saying the bill legalizes discrimination. Because of the public outcry, Senate Vice President Jeff King said the Kansas Senate will not consider the bill. However, religious liberty remains a key issue.

In March, the Judiciary Committee heard testimonies concerning LGBT rights and religious freedom, but the stance solidified.

Senate President Susan Wagle, a Republican, said the hearings didn’t convince her Kansas needed further legislation regarding religious freedom. Because of this, Kansas Legislature has pushed the issue to debate in 2015.

resulting in $475 million in one year.

Why is this a big deal?

If Hobby Lobby doesn’t have to offer contraceptives, this case can be used to pass other companies concerned with religious right infringement. This case in itself, if Hobby Lobby wins, will not drastically affect the Affordable Care Act.

Stories by Sheila Gregory and Gennifer Geer. Page designed by Anna Wonderlich.

April 2014

Construction improving, widening 159th Street to begin during 2015 school year rachellock staff writer The backed-up traffic on 159th Street at the beginning of the school day is an issue many students face each morning. A new plan for resolving this traffic problem has been proposed — the widening of 159th Street from two lanes into four and the addition of two new roundabouts.

Student Resource Officer Dennis Randall said the new construction plan will be beneficial to students and staff.

“It’s going to be a mess, but the traffic pattern and flow will be a whole lot quicker and easier,” he said. “Students will be able to come into school a lot quicker.”

The construction is expected to begin the 2015 school year and continue until the start of the next year. Randall said he hopes the construction will be finished before the football

season starts or else it will be a nightmare for games.

There will be two threepoint roundabouts — one at the West entrance to the school and the other on the far East side. Randall said this will affect the route to school slightly.

“The difference would be the center route — where people come into the center to drop off.

They will have to come from Metcalf and come through the circle when they come in. If they come the other way, they are going to have to come past it and go through the circle and come back in,” he said. “[The staff and band parking lot is] going to be closed on the parking lot side. So the only way to get into that lot will be through the roundabout.”

In addition to the new road construction, the parking lots will be worked on as well. The gravel road and parking lot are going to be paved, and parking

spots are going to be added.

“I think it’s great — I think it will help the school out immensely,” Randall said. “It’s going to go all the way around the back of the school, and the other road is going to come from it out the side of the building.

There [won’t just be] one way in and out — you will have two ways in and out.

And we will also have two loops around the school — one existing loop right now, and then there will be the far loop that goes around.”

Despite the complications of construction, Randall said he believes this new plan will fix the traffic flow on 159th Street.

“It should be a pretty good deal,” he said. “It’s going to be a headache during the construction phase. It’s going to be just very problematic — that’s just something we will have to deal with. But after it’s completed, it’s going to be nice and smooth.”

photo of the

month Sophomore Matthew Wise executes the necessary steps for long jump at an afterschool track practice.

Photo illustration

by Raine Andrews.

inthenews 3

New Plaza safety regulations address disturbances downtown rachellock staff writer

Recent disturbances at the Country Club Plaza have raised concerns with authority about the safety of customers. With the majority of these citations involving teenagers, this violence is a major problem for anyone on the Plaza. This major problem has been met with new regulations regarding Plaza safety.

Police Chief Darryl Forte’s new plan includes an increase in undercover police officers, portable cameras, citations issued and a “no more warnings” policy. Other precautions include a curfew for unaccompanied youths, positive nighttime activities provided, as well as encouragement of parents to watch their children while on the Plaza.

Mayor Sly James has also been concerned about the safety of Plaza customers and has worked closely with the police chief to resolve the issue. This issue is not only in the Plaza, but widespread across the Kansas City, Mo., area.

In 2013, teens between 16 and 18 were cited for 63 curfew violations in the entertainment districts. Of these, 21 teens were found guilty and their parent or guardian fined. In the entertainment districts, there is a special curfew from Memorial Day weekend to Sept. that requires all unaccompanied minors to leave by 9 p.m.

The Feb. 15 incident on the Plaza resulted in the arrest of three teens who refused to get on the sidewalk after being asked to by police officers. The police force claims they were disrupting traffic flow by jumping in front of cars, causing major problems.

More severe problems include shootings and fights, one of which occurred on a Saturday night last August right next to James when surveying the area for possible dangers.

Three teens were shot when hundreds of other youths were passing through the district, making it unclear who the shooter or shooters were. This happened 50 yards away from the mayor, who was pushed into a bed of flowers by police officers to avoid the gunfire. The mayor was unharmed, and none of the three teens’ wounds were fatal.

With police cracking down on the issue, it is expected that the amount of violence and disruptions on the Plaza will decrease significantly.

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SWITCH

inthenews

April 2014

Q&A with NAHS co-president senior Meghan Fitzgerald

scrunchie

Story by Sally Cochran.

sunglasses

neon tank

beads

tutu

Question: Why was SWITCH moved to April?

Answer: “Usually, we would have it in the winter, and that’s what we preferred, but it got overbooked this year.

[SWITCH] was originally scheduled for a Saturday night, and we didn’t think we’d have as big of a show out on a Saturday versus a Friday, so we found an open date in spring to do it on a Friday night.”

Q: What can students look forward to at SWITCH? A: “We are going to have a room where people can take a break from dancing and hang out, and that is where the food and drinks will be. We will have a fashion show as usual. There will also be body crayons and beads for sale, and we always pass out glowsticks for everyone. As usual, the dance will have lots of lights and strobes.”

Q: What makes SWITCH different from other dances?

A: “SWITCH is different because it’s a lot more casual.

You don’t have to feel like you have to get really dressed up or worry about finding a date. You just come out with your friends, and you dress really crazy versus fancy. It’s just a fun event.”

Q: Why should students attend SWITCH? A: “Students should attend SWITCH because it’ll give you something to do on a Friday night, and it’s different than all of our other dances. People always remember SWITCH as ‘the neon dance.’ It’s really fun because [Mix 93.3 disk-jockey] Steve Serrano comes out. There’s a lot of different stuff to do while you’re there, too.”

neon tennis shoes

Q: What are some ideas for SWITCH outfits?

A: “Tutus are always seen at SWITCH. Crazy colored leggings or anything with glitter on it. Some people come out with face paint. Just anything neon and bright.”

Photo illustration and page designed by Sally Cochran.

April 2014

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outloud

April 2014

Social skills valued more than test scores, grades

alexkontopanos photo editor Your GPA. Your test scores. Your grades.

Your resumé. It’s all colleges look at.

You’re just another number. They’ll never know about how your eyes light up when you talk passionately about something or the great advice you give when your friends are in need of it. Yes, the higher your ACT score and the better your GPA, the more opportunities you have right after high school.

More doors open up for you.

But no matter which door you walk through, there are certain skills a test score and a mere summarization of your accomplishments in high school can’t replace

— the most important being social skills.

More often than not, who you know is more significant than what you know.

Now, this depends on what career path you choose.

If you plan to work in a research lab on your own, maybe you don’t need to be social.

If you aspire to work in a cubicle calculating numbers and statistics all day, then you probably don’t need to master the skill of public speaking.

However, the majority of jobs in America do require those skills.

Teamwork, leadership, public speaking, breaking the ice and keeping your cool during awkward situations are valuable dexterities that will take you farther than your super-scored ACT. Trying your best in high school is important.

When you’re a sophomore, that AP European History class might seem like an insurmountable mountain of review packets, and you will probably feel (around five hours before they’re due) that all this labor is

completely pointless.

Contrary to popular belief, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Your hard work will pay off.

If you’re not going to listen when your teachers or parents say it, maybe it’ll mean something when I do.

The more appealing your transcript looks, the more chances you have of getting into your dream school, maybe even with a scholarship. But although these opportunities are significant, you can enrich your life by focusing on the social aspect of college or the workforce.

How you treat your peers, how you eat politely at a business dinner or how you choose to experience a new culture when you study abroad are assets that will reflect more about you to your future employers and those who learn or work around you.

The opportunities that become available to you as you grow and advance into your higher education are temporary.

The social skills you develop and utilize to succeed are permanent.

Biased media hinders well-rounded opinions on news, politics

gennifergeer sports editor Think all the way back to October. Who caused the government shutdown? Well, the answer depends on where you got that information.

Liberals pinned the shutdown on uncompromising Republicans, and conservatives accredited it to President Barack Obama stubbornly refusing to negotiate the Affordable Care Act. But these news sources are objective, right? They report the cold, hard facts without any bias.

In reality, the only cold, hard fact is no second-hand account is totally unbiased.

No news report, especially political news, is without political slant. Even seemingly nonpartisan news sources slip in mild propaganda — an adjective here, a descriptive verb there.

With this subtle political slant, media can

change your outlook on almost anyone in the government.

Simply by running a story about one politician giving back to the community or replaying a clip of another civil servant with his foot in his mouth can greatly affect your view of that politician — or of his or her party overall.

Not only that, but we can be cut off from important issues by exposing ourselves only to media we know will just feed us our own opinions and interests.

Sure, by scouting liberal media, you’ll reaffirm how terrible that conspirator Chris Christie is with his web of lies and plots to extract revenge, complete with clips of Christie stroking a cat and laughing maniacally.

But you won’t catch word of Obama purging top military officials whose strategies had a triumphant trend. At the same time, coverage of poverty and protests can affect your perception of social issues in our country.

Hearing about teens on the Plaza resorting to violence because they have nothing better to do could lead you to support youth programs, whereas hearing the story of an innocent attacked by those same teens could lead you to support severe restrictions.

And if you’re more of an E! News kind of person, you’re still susceptible to the media’s

influence. Paparazzi tells you who to like, and celebrities you like can tell you who to vote for. After all, Obama owes a huge portion of his presidential campaign to the one, the only, Oprah Winfrey.

I’m not saying your morning news anchor determines everything you think about politics, but the information from any given source can draw focus on some topics and avoid others.

All people are capable of making their own decisions — drawing reasonable conclusions is one of the human race’s prime qualities.

But reasonable conclusions are hard to make when you only see the side of the story the media wants you to see.

So, mix it up. Don’t always watch the same station and get the same bias. Read into foreign affairs, domestic issues and even celebrity gossip. Be aware impartial sources can still give you colored information.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on politics, but there’s always reason to be ambivalent.

If you see how the other half lives and you still don’t agree, then your opinion is all the better thought out — and maybe you won’t be so quick to believe news illuminated in just one light.

it’s your choice rileymiller opinion editor A crowd stands outside a women’s health clinic, waving signs in the air that read, “Stop abortion now” and chanting, “Abortion is murder!”

Inside, a girl who just pushed her way through the frantic crowd sits in the waiting room, arms wrapped around her stomach.

She has no money to support herself, let alone a child.

She’s gathered what little cash she has in order to pay for the operation.

And now she’s been convinced that she’s a terrible person for “murdering” an unborn fetus within the first trimester of her pregnancy.

Those who are pro-life typically stand behind the solution of putting an unwanted baby up for adoption — and a great solution it is — if the woman can actually afford to be pregnant.

Contrary to how it is shown in the plotline of “Juno,” putting a baby up for adoption is not as easy as opening your local paper and choosing a couple to take the baby off your hands, as well as cover all costs of your pregnancy.

Another human being obviously comes with its expenses, but so does the actual process of bringing another human being into this world.

Prenatal care can cost thousands of dollars alone and even more for women who don’t have health insurance.

It is recommended that pregnant women see their doctor at least 12 times throughout the duration of their pregnancy. These appointments include anything from standard physical checkups to blood tests and ultrasound exams in order to reduce the risk of any sort of complications.

April 2014

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Certain circumstances present necessity for turning to abortion; women must not be forced into motherhood, having children It’s also suggested that pregnant women take a various number of vitamins, follow a healthy diet and completely eliminate alcohol, drug and tobacco use to keep themselves and their babies healthy. If a pregnant woman is unable to afford or even just live up to all of these said requirements to good prenatal care, it’s likely the baby will have more health complications in the long run.

Now, some who are against abortion may say that a woman who is irresponsible enough to get pregnant in the first place simply deserves to deal with the consequences of her actions. Unfortunately, the logic behind that doesn’t quite make sense. Other words associated with the word irresponsible are “unreliable,” “immature” and “neglectful.”

So, in short, a woman who is irresponsible, unreliable, immature and neglectful is expected to be forced into motherhood? Or she is even expected to properly care for herself for nine months until the baby can be put up for adoption?

One fact in particular is often pointed out by those who are pro-life.Out of the 55 million abortion procedures that have been completed, “only” about 1% have taken place because of rape.

That’s “only” about half a million.

Meaning “only” about half a million women shouldn’t have been given the right to terminate a pregnancy caused by a man who attacked, abused and entirely diminished her as a human being.

Meaning “only” about half a million babies should have lived and grown up with the extremely high possibility of having some sort of mental disorder passed onto them by their biological fathers.

Aside from the fact that some pregnant women can’t afford to bring a child into this world, some are simply too “irresponsible” to do so and some actually are raped, having an abortion procedure is and always should be a right for all women. Although an aborted baby may have turned out to be an Olympic athlete, or the president of the United States, considering most circumstances, the odds don’t always seems to be in its favor.

by the numbers Annually, about

14,000

women have abortions following rape.

Each year,

2 out of 100

women have an abortion.

An estimated

43 percent

of women will have at least one abortion by the time they are 45 years old.

The risk of death associated with childbirth is about

10 times

as high as that associated with abortion.

Information from MIT.edu. Page designed by Maddie Davis and Rachel Lock.

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April 2014

Popularity is overrated, causes loss of self-identity

haileymcentee co-editor As I scroll through Twitter or Instagram, I see countless pictures of classmates acting as happy as can be. They are dressed in trendy outfits with smiles on their faces. They are at a party or other event. They look like they are having so much fun.

Their life seems so perfect.

But, in reality, most of these people are just striving for popularity that will leave them feeling empty inside.

I went into high school with the mentality that being popular is overrated.

I’ve stuck with that idea since I walked down the halls for the first time, and I couldn’t be happier that I did.

I’ve had friends chase the limelight of popularity way too often. They lose sight of who they really are and end up crawling back to their true friends every time.

And that’s what I don’t understand.

If you have people who genuinely care about you and love you for who you are, then why would you look past them to try to fit in with a different crowd?

Why would you need anything more?

It’s like having 100 pennies instead of four quarters. It’s better to have a few people who care about you and who are your best friends. Having 100 friends who really don’t care about you definitely is not going to be as fulfilling and

long-lasting.

The people I’m friends with know me inside and out. They know my hopes, fears, dreams and passions. I’d take that kind of friendship over popularity any day.

And that brings up the question — what exactly is “popularity”?

According to dictionary.com, to be popular is to be “regarded with favor, approval, or affection by an acquaintance or acquaintances.” That should come from being yourself — not by trying to act in a way that doesn’t represent you.

Not to mention, high school is only four years of your life.

Once you graduate, no one is going to care if you were “popular” in high school. So don’t waste these four years acting like someone you’re not just to fit in.

Staffer shares experiences of vegetarian lifestyle

mollyjohnson photographer Becoming a vegetarian sounded really hard, and it took me a long time to finally commit, but I do not regret it at all. I thought I would miss meat a lot, but I don’t. There are so many options for recipes to use in place of meat or meat-based products. Instead of using chicken broth, use vegetable broth. A great source for meat-free products is Morning Star, a vegetarian and vegan brand. They offer divine veggie burgers and have a large variety.

Getting protein wasn’t a big concern for me when I decided to become vegetarian, but it’s apparently a big deal for a lot of people. There are many ways to get protein without eating meat. While Page designed by Sheila Gregory.

meat offers more amino acids than most vegetables, if you keep a variety in what you’re eating, you will be fine.

Many vegetables even offer more protein than meat. Veggie burgers are a great source of protein if that’s something you’re concerned about.

Animals have done nothing to you — I don’t understand how hunting is okay. I don’t understand how killing animals is considered a legal sport. You killed the deer with the longest antlers?

Here’s a trophy and a scholarship to the college of your choice.

How does that make sense? How does violence earn a reward?

Even if you don’t hunt or fish, but you eat meat, you are supporting violence.

You don’t lose anything by attempting to be meat-free. If you feel like you can’t do it, try giving up meat one or two days a week, and gradually decrease your consumption of meat. Maybe you’d hate being a vegetarian, and maybe you’d love it — but you won’t know until you try.

7.3 million

Americans are vegetarian

59 percent

are female

41 percent are male

42 percent

are 18-34 years old

3 billion

animals were slaughtered in 2013

April 2014

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staffeditorial TIGER

9

the

StuCo members notice lack of spirit, encourage more student involvement

PRINT newspaper

Cartoon by Caroline Kalmus.

staff editorial

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agree

4

disagree

It used to be that the upperclassmen bombarded the incoming freshmen with the fact that it was an absolute-must to have school spirit, but now the freshmen are just stuck on the fact that it’s “embarrassing.”

It used to be that Blue Valley football games were an event that all students attended, but now they’re just something to do on Friday nights before something else comes up.

It used to be that the halls were filled with students dressed up on spirit days, but now there are only a few who actually go all out.

This year, especially, it seems school spirit has been lacking at BV, or maybe it’s something we’ve been lacking for a while, and we’re just starting to notice.

Lately, the energy at school events has been at an all-time low.

Fewer students have been dressing up for spirit days, and even fewer actually put in 100 percent of their effort.

Ultimately, the upperclassmen as a whole have failed to carry on the school spirit that once was.

Student Council member senior Connor Lotz, along with about 15 other students, attended a leadership confer-

co-editors Hailey McEntee Anna Wonderlich

photographers Mollie Hogan Molly Johnson

photo editors Raine Andrews Alex Kontopanos

cartoonists Caroline Kalmus Kiet Phan

news editor Sally Cochran

staff writers Matt Antonic Rachel Cannon Maddie Davis Sheila Gregory Alyssa Hess Bridget Howard Meghan Kennedy Rachel Lock Makayla Nicholis Cassie Nichols Tori Pippins Meredith Strickland

features editor Maddie Jewett

ence in February dedicated to building school spirit among high schoolers and persuading others to get involved with school activities.

There were several motivational speakers and group activities to give the attendees a chance to share ideas about how to get their classmates involved.

“Basically, [the speakers] told us that school spirit starts with the students, and all it takes is one lone nut to start a movement,” he said.

After the conference, the students put their plans and ideas into action.

“We had a two-hour debriefing with the administration when it was all over, and that’s when [seniors] Rachel [Jenkins], Aubrey [Jeffries] and I decided to actually start doing something about...school spirit at Blue Valley,” he said.

Lotz said they shared ideas with the teachers and administration in order to improve school spirit at BV. “We are focusing on getting more people involved with cross-strand activities — having the football kids go to the choir concert and vice-versa,” he said.

Lotz said the conference and the meeting with the faculty made him come to a realization

about his high school experience.

“Quite honestly, I don’t want to leave a [bad] legacy,” he said.

“I’ve come to realize it’s not the grades or tests I’m going to remember — it’s the experiences I have at my high school with the kids that I grew up with.

“It’s my last quarter at the high school ever. I want to go out leaving behind the pride that I came in with. My freshman year the senior class was amazing — they attended everything and pumped up the crowd regardless of winning or losing. Unfortunately, that’s not the same with my grade. We don’t have participation in any activities or sporting events. So, we’re trying to restore the faith that was once the Blue Valley Tiger tradition.”

School spirit is so much more than conveniently wearing a black shirt with gold earrings on a black and gold spirit day or being able to brag to students at BV West by simply saying, “State.”

School spirit is about carrying on traditions, supporting our fellow classmates in their sports, arts and other talents, and continuing the legacy that BV is a first-class school that is always 100 percent “fired up.”

entertainment editor Danielle Williams opinion editor Riley Miller sports editor Gennifer Geer

adviser Michelle Wilmes

The Tiger Print, published seven times a year, is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions expressed within this paper do noat necessarily reflect the views of the administrations of Blue Valley Unified School District #229.

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@ yahoo.com or mailed to: The Tiger Print c/o Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th Street Overland Park, KS 66085 Page designed by Anna Wonderlich.

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upclose

April 2014

Les Fables en Français

French students create original stories, travel to charter school to share with children maddiedavis staff writer

A typical day at school — you talk to your friends during passing period, listen to lectures in class and hear the announcements.

But wait — it’s all in French?

Kindergarten through eighth grade students at local total-immersion charter school, Académie Lafayette, experience this every day. Students are taught every subject entirely in French, and the use of English is not allowed.

Blue Valley students enrolled in French 3 and 3.5 classes recently experienced this after completing the “fables” project and taking their stories to Académie Lafayette. They presented to the French-speaking students and teachers and then later observed classes taught all in French.

BV French teacher Carol Bar explained the “fables” project and how much it means to her.

“After we study some African and French fables, students work in groups and create an original fable in the form of a children’s book,” she said. “After we finish the project, we go out into the community and present them to students [at Académie Lafayette].

I love this project — it gets students to take French out into the community and experience an authentic situation where French is used as the main language. It also gives them a chance to practice their writing skills, use their speaking skills and use their listening skills during the question and answer segment following the presentation of their story.”

French 3.5 student sophomore Abigail Krump described the plot line of her fable.

“Our main character is a chipmunk named Thomas,” she said. “He is persuaded to take the most beautiful flower in the forest to his home. He sits and admires it while three different woodland creatures visit him, wondering where the flower is. Each one is negatively affected by the absence of the flower. The once beautiful flower slowly dies. Thomas then walks to the piles of dirt where the flower used to be and reflects on his mistake.”

Krump said she agreed the project was enjoyable but said there were difficulties involved as well.

“It was a lot of work, and there wasn’t a lot of in-class time,” she said. “So, it was a little stressful, but the end product was really cool.

Our group also got a little side-tracked, but it was a lot of fun.”

French 3.5 student sophomore Tyler Elmendorf Hands held high, students at Académie Lafayette ask questions about a short said the project story. French 3.5 students from Blue Valley created and read the stories to the was beneficial to his children for a project. Photo by Alex Kontopanos. learning. love having us. Our students enjoy the proj“It helped my ect very much because they get to use their vocabulary a lot because you had to put all French outside of the classroom — so that’s of your previous and current knowledge the best part of it.” together,” he said. “It also helped with public Krump said she thought it would be an speaking and with my French fluency.” interesting experience to attend Académie Krump said her group used a variety of Lafayette. art supplies to depict their fable.

“I think I could be extremely successful at “We used watercolor for the illustrations,” Académie Lafayette, but I don’t have a parent she said. “But first, we started with a pencil that speaks French,” she said. “So, I would sketch I did, and my other group members only use it at school, and then later I would finished it up with the paint. We then bound lose the ability. However, I think it would it inside a scrapbook photo album.” be awesome to attend the school because I Bar said the projects have progressed and would get to meet other students that are become much more elaborate over the years. “[The fables] have definitely gotten better,” somewhat fluent in French and have a conversation with them.” she said. “We’ve gone from very simple illusElmendorf said it was nerve-wracking trations with construction paper pages to a to read his fable to the French-speaking more elaborate scrapbook project with beaustudents. tiful, creative illustrations. Most importantly, “[The Académie Lafayette students] speak the stories themselves have gotten better and fluent French, and when I messed up a little more detailed.” bit, I think they noticed,” he said.

Elmendorf said he thought the students at Bar said she hopes to continue the project Académie Lafayette enjoyed his story. in future years.

“They loved our story because it was fun “With the change of curriculum next and simple,” he said. “They also loved the year, I hope to continue the project and to main character, a polar bear, and all the other incorporate it into our curriculum,” she said. animals in our story because they got to see a “We will be creating a new curriculum this large variety of unique animals.” summer, so it’s just a question of trying to Bar said the relationship between BV and find the space to put it. I love the project very Académie Lafayette is important to both much, and I know the students do, too. I schools. think it’s important to offer opportunities to “We have a long-standing relationship students where they can use French outside with Académie Lafayette,” she said. “This is of the classroom and get outside of the textthe 10th year we are taking the students over book a little bit. It’s something I’ve enjoyed to present their projects. The students there doing, and I hope to continue.” always look forward to it, and the teachers Page designed by Maddie Davis.

mind over matter

April 2014

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11

Right-brained, left-brained lifestyles contrasted; tips provided for life success

Disclaimer: Although it was disproven in 2013 that “right-brained” people use the right side of their brains more (and “left-brained” people use the left side of their brain more), the classification of people as left-brained and right-brained can still hold true for their personalities. The scientific theory of being left-brained and right-brained originally came from studies in the 1960s and 1970s.

sallycochran news editor I’m left-brained.

I tend to rely on facts, and when things don’t follow a logical order, it bugs me.

I enjoy working with numbers — that is, when they make sense.

I like rules and hate exceptions.

Yet, here I am on newspaper staff attempting to write something interesting and creative, something that will make my readers think.

Oh boy.

Although, as it states in the disclaimer, the theory of being left- or right-brained has officially been disproven, I identify with being left-brained. Of course, the idea that I use the left side of my brain more than the right side is silly and outdated, but I can see the classification of people into these categories.

(In fact, classifying is a characteristic of left-brained people.)

Even though I do fit in the leftbrain stereotype, I have trouble remembering certain types of facts. I’m much more likely to be able to recall a certain person’s favorite color than any date — birthdays, holidays and important dates in history are all a struggle for me.

A characteristic left-brained person may have difficulty with being creative, but approaching it in a logical manner might make the task easier. When trying to brainstorm, try to define relationships among ideas. For example, list causes and effects or steps in a sequence.

Left: rules, language, strategy, rationality, logic, details

Right: images, chaos, creativity, fantasy, intuition, curiosity

makaylanicholis staff writer I’m right-brained.

Spacing out is a real problem I have.

Call it daydreaming, musing, stargazing or "being rude," but I just can't help it — I blame it on the right side of my brain.

Being right-brained implies a nature of creativity, the overuse of imagination and a nearly dangerous curiosity. No, we're not all scatter-brained, but our minds do wander. We have a hard time focusing on a single thing at once because our heads are too far away, floating in the clouds or stuck between the pages of a book.

Artistic people tend to be considered right-brained. Organization is not our forté, but we can whip up a nice picture.

However, this can sometimes make it rather difficult to be successful in a classroom environment. The outdoors is a much more entertaining place because everything is alive and constantly growing and changing.

So, how can a right-brainer triumph in school? For one, take the studies inside. Sure, everything may be bland and dull in there, but you'll find your brain having a much easier time honing in on one task. Although charts and lists are clearly wastes of a beautifully blank piece of paper, they may be necessary. Assembling information visually is a fantastic way for right-brainers to take in facts they might normally perceive as mundane. Remember, you can make anything an art project. Write a song, a short story or a funny acronym to help you remember material for tests.

And, above all else, never, ever, attempt to tame that brilliantly wild creature of inventiveness inside your noggin. It is your absolute best source of originality and ingenuity — even if you do have to paint some guidelines for it every once in a while.

Information from the Huffington Post.

Illustration by Gennifer Geer. Page designed by Anna Wonderlich.

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April 2014

closer to the cure maddiejewett features editor The lights go out, and approximately all 1,000 people in the Johnson County Community College gymnasium go silent.

Around the track, paper bags filled with neon glow sticks illuminate the darkness.

As all of the teary-eyed participants begin walking the track, they reflect on those they know in their lives who have struggled with cancer.

Relay For Life (RFL) is an organized, overnight community fundraiser for cancer.

This year, the Blue Valley Youth Relay raised nearly $150,000 to help find a cure.

In one participant’s case, she walks directly beside her mother who recently won her eight-month battle with cancer.

Senior Lindsay Miller’s mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 Inflammatory Breast Cancer on her birthday, Feb. 4, 2013.

“My mom was experiencing discomfort and swelling beginning in December of my junior year,” she said. “She first visited the doctor the day after Christmas, which was

Annual Relay For Life event takes on new meaning for senior Committee member, raises record-breaking funds

Photos by Alex Kontopanos, Alyssa Hess and Raine Andrews.

Page designed by Anna Wonderlich.

followed by multiple MRIs, biopsies and CAT scans.”

Miller said watching her mom go through chemotherapy was the most challenging thing to do.

“It was difficult watching my mom go through chemotherapy, lose her hair, have a double mastectomy and receive radiation all within eight months,” she said. “It’s a blessing to see her healthy and cancer-free today, though. This experience has definitely helped me appreciate the little things in life.”

Miller said she wished she could have helped her mother when she was sick.

“I’ll always remember feeling helpless when my mom was sick,” she said. “There was only so much I could do to help her. I couldn’t lessen the pain after her chemotherapy or the double mastectomy, and that was an awful feeling.”

Miller said she has learned a lot from her mom’s struggle with cancer.

“I’ve learned what it’s like to stay strong and remain positive throughout any of life’s hardest obstacles,” she said. “My mom had an amazing attitude during all of the chemotherapies, surgeries and radiation.”

Miller said RFL has a much deeper meaning for her.

“I relay in honor of anyone who has or had cancer but especially for my mom and everything she has overcome this year,” she said.

Miller’s mother attended the Survivor Dinner and the Luminaria Ceremony this year.

“The luminaria ceremony was very sentimental for me this year,” Miller said.

“Not only was I lucky enough to be on the Luminaria Committee, but I was also able to walk right next to my mom. The greatest feeling was reflecting on how far my mom has come since last year’s Luminaria Ceremony.”

Miller said everyone who participated in RFL made a difference.

“Everyone should know how much of an impact they’re making,” she said.

“Raising nearly $150,000 to help eliminate cancer is something to be proud of.”

Miller gave her advice for anyone battling with cancer in their lives.

“For anyone whose family member is struggling with cancer right now, I would tell them to never lose hope,” she said.

April 2014

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14

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April 2014

Sam and Colby

Two juniors create Vine account to become famous 67,897 FOLLOWERS • 39 FOLLOWING

Following 35 LIKES

70 POSTS meredithstrickland staff writer Two teenage boys walk into Walmart holding a saxophone. People watch as one boy pulls out his phone. One records the other as he begins to play catchy notes.

They follow a man and continue to record him. He turns around to yell at the two boys. “Would you stop that?” he yells.

“Please. Stop.”

Juniors Colby Brock and Sam Golbach created a Vine account to become famous.

"We wanted to become known, so we thought the best way and the fastest way to do that was to be funny on Vine," Golbach said. "We just decided to do Vine videos to get our name out there."

The two had 30 thousand followers from Vine Feb. 25. Despite the amount of followers, they said they are not famous.

Within a month’s time, Sam and Colby now have over 62 thousand followers.

“Well, maybe around this area [we are famous] because not many people Vine," Golbach said. "But nationwide, we're not even close. This is just the beginning. We consider ourselves 'on the rise' now."

Brock said he considers one of his Vines to be famous — the first “Following Fat People” Vine. It reached over 170 thousand likes and over 198 thousand revines. “‘Following Fat People’ was the most famous because it was really controversial,”

Golbach said.

‘Following Fat People’ was the Vine that involved Golbach following a larger man playing the saxophone in the middle of Walmart. The man turns around and yells at Golbach to stop.

This Vine sparked many comments adding up to over 17 thousand. Both said they have received hate, but they try to ignore the hurtful comments.

“Hate means nothing to me at all,” Brock said.

Golbach said many people will comment rude things about the two and their families.

“For doing the big Vine ‘Following Fat People,’ we got death threats every day,” Golbach said. “Everyone would hate on us and would say we’re terrible people and our parents were terrible people. They wanted us to grow up, get fat and die. I just shrug it off because more people say ‘I love you guys’ and ‘You’re so funny.’ That makes it easier to cope with.”

The two said popularity has come with creating all of the Vines. They aren’t just famous on Vine, but even the hallways have changed when they pass.

“It’s pretty sad that once ‘Following Fat People’ came out, a bunch of popular people started talking to us,” Golbach said.

“All of the sudden they were like, ‘Oh, you’re famous,’ or something like that — ‘I’m going to treat you with respect.’ It’s kind of sad for me because that’s all they

Photo submitted by Sam Golbach. Page designed by Meredith Strickland.

pay attention to.”

The pair get asked by many people to be featured in the popular duo’s Vine.

“Lots of people have asked every single day [to be in our Vines],” Brock said. “I don’t even know who they are, but they come up and talk to me to be in Vines.”

Their support doesn’t only come from followers — they said their families support them and think their Vines are hilarious.

“They’re just like, ‘Wow, you guys are pretty popular,’ because they didn’t know about it until they saw it,” Sam said.

They said creating the Vines can be a lot of fun, but it has gotten the two into some trouble. Multiple Vines feature the boys wearing banana and gorilla costumes in local businesses. They’ve knocked down stands of grocery items in several different stores as well.

“I think our record is four grocery stores we have been kicked out of in one day,” Golbach said. “We get kicked out every week of places — people get so mad.

But it’s OK, and it’s all for fun once people know it’s just stupid stuff.”

Golbach said they are collaborating on future Vines with Kansas Viner Jake Webber to gain more followers. Their Vines are becoming more popular every day. The amount of followers continues to grow as the days progress.

"We had a strategy in the beginning to go onward and upward,” Brock said.

April 2014

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15

inside the academy Academy students settle misconceptions about alternate BV school; discuss differences in educational systems toripippins staff writer Three girls in oversized sweatshirts and leggings quickly walk to their first hour math class.

Later, a boy walks through the halls on his way back to the library from the bathroom.

A table of girls gossip about their weekend plans during lunch.

After school, students get help with questions over what they did in class.

This is a typical day at the Blue Valley Academy (BVA).

BVA, otherwise known as The Academy, is a school system specially designed to suit the students who attend classes there. Longer but fewer classes allow students to satisfy graduation requirements more quickly than at a traditional high school. Students are able to fulfill half of a credit in only nine weeks, which is only half of the normal semester.

“BVA’s main goal is to provide struggling students with an opportunity to find success in the educational environment,” principal and art teacher Valerie Jennings said. “Our team is dedicated to providing a personalized approach to learning in a small, non-judgmental and safe environment in order to promote academic, personal and social successes.”

Jennings said BVA is a lot more than meets-the-eye.

“Students that decide to come here typically find a “home” and choose to not return to their home high school for the remainder

of their high school experience,” Jennings said.

BVA graduate Miranda Cleavinger said the personal connection with the teachers was her favorite thing about BVA. “The teachers are all amazing there,” she said. “They see [us] not only as students, but as people. They know you personally, so they can tell if you’re having a bad day. I consider myself very blessed to know them.”

BVA junior Brian Hudgens said that, unlike other high schools that he has attended, he received respect from his teachers at BVA. “The Academy is probably one of the greatest schools I’ve ever been to. [It] lets you be you. Other high schools look at you as just any other student, and don’t think about or consider your feelings, or if you’re succeeding.”

Cleavinger said BVA is a place where a person can be themselves and not be judged “People are afraid of those who go outside of the crowd, who don’t fit in,” she said. “At the home schools, you have to fit into a certain group or clique, but at the Academy we are family, so that doesn’t exist.”

Jennings said BVA helps students academically, socially and personally and also helps to re-establish purpose and connection.

“If a student has not found success at the home high school, yet has a goal and desire to graduate with a high school diploma, then Blue Valley Academy may be a good fit for them,” she said. “Reasons for enrolling range from struggling to keep up with homework, feeling very stressed and in need of a smaller,

more personalized environment, being credit short for graduating with one’s class, or moving to BVSD from somewhere else and feeling that they are able to successfully manage in the traditional BV high school.”

This doesn’t mean BVA students didn’t do well in class at a traditional high school.

Cleavinger said her academics weren’t the problem.

“I got by,” she said. “I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, so it’s hard for me to be in large crowds or crowded hallways. With a smaller community, I was able to relax more and focus on my academics.”

Cleavinger wasn’t the only student who benefited. “[BVA helped] me look at the educational system on a much different standpoint, which makes me love learning,” Hudgens said. “I get the help I need when I ask. It’s more of a one-on-one learning experience with the teachers.”

Cleavinger said she believes the Academy is looked down on.

“A lot of students think we are drop-outs when that’s very far from the truth,” she said.

According to BVA’s website, “Students who struggled in a traditional high school setting thrive with smaller class sizes, tailored instruction and personal attention.”

To attend classes at BVA, students are required to consult their counselors. If an administrator decides BVA would be the best choice of action for an individual, then that student is required to speak with BVA’s student advisor Chris Cullinan.

Photo by Raine Andrews. Page designed by Tori Pippins.

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indepth

April 2014

track on the right

meghankennedy staff writer

Constant clapping and screaming rings from the crowd as they cheer on the team.

On the track, you see the athletes down in ready position, eager to take on the competition.

The seconds seem to turn into years as they await for the signal to go.

You look to your right and see a huge group of athletes practicing their jumps.

On the field, javelins soar, shot-puts float and discuses fly.

Sprints

You look to the left, and you see a small group of people walking around, only having a long pole as their equipment.

The team stands on the sidelines chanting each other’s names, encouraging them to finish strong.

Once the signal is given, the athletes jump up and run as fast as they can.

Their arms pump, hoping to gain the momentum needed to win the race.

After a few quick steps, the jumpers force themselves off the ground and float through the air as if they’re weightless,

Junior Annie Little participates in the 100-meter sprints, 200-meter sprints and 4-by-4 relay.

Little has run track for seven years, starting through a Catholic Youth Organization team. Little said track takes up a large time commitment.

“We have practice from 3-5 [p.m.] every weekday and then sometimes from 10 [a.m.] - 12 [p.m.] on Saturdays at the beginning of the season,” she said. “When we have meets, which are typically on Fridays or Saturdays, they last anywhere

only to land a few seconds later.

The throwers take their needed steps, bring their equipment behind their head and propel it forward as they patiently watch to see where it lands.

First comes the run, as the pole vaulter generates as much speed as possible.

A few seconds pass and, before you know it, they’re midair and their life is in the hands of a slender piece of fiberglass.

The crowd erupts with cheers as they support each athlete on the Blue Valley Track and Field team.

High Jump Senior Josh Washington competes in the high jump, in addition to the 200- and 400-meter sprints.

Washington has been participating in the high jump event since eighth grade at Prairie Star Middle School.

“The high jump coach almost didn’t let me jump in eighth grade either because I was only 5’2”, but I talked her into it,” he said. “It ended up working out great.”

Washington said he likes high jump because it’s one of the few events that doesn’t make him tired.

“I don’t like getting tired because it’s no fun at all, unless you get to sleep afterward,” he said. “I picked it because I’ve just always been able to jump high. For example, I dunked my first basketball when I was 5’8”, so I thought I should give this a try, and it ended up being my best event. My high jump teammates and I have a special bond with each other and [track coach Peggy] Rose.”

Washington said the

from 5-8 hours.”

Little said her practices vary from day-to-day.

“If we’re inside, we run laps around the school and do push ups, squat jumps and stuff like that,” she said. “If we’re on the track, on Mondays we do 300s usually.

On Tuesdays, we do shorter sprints like 60-meter to 150-meter. On Wednesdays, we run ‘Oregons’ which are 400s, and we have to get them in a certain time zone.

Thursdays are typically pre-meet days, so we’ll do the same workout as Tuesdays but

practices are his favorite par about track.

“They are so much fun,” he said. “Just everyone is so comfortable around each other, and the funniest stuff happens. People are always doing something crazy, and everyone is so goofy — it’s just hilarious.”

Washington said the high jump group has great team chemistry.

“Everyone who does high jump is really close to each other,” he said. “It’s just a fun group to be around. We all are really relaxed around each other, and that’s just how you have to be to do high jump — relaxed. Peopl may think teammates don’t matter in this event, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Being around my teammates is great simply because everyone there all cares about each other, and they are all behind each othe 100 percent. When I got hur at Regionals my sophomore year, my teammates were right there behind me to let me know I would be all

less intense. We’ll practice our starts and handing off the baton if we’re in a relay.

Fridays we have meets, usually.”

Little said she chose to run sprints because she doesn’t enjoy distance running.

“I strongly dislike running distance, which is funny because I run cross country, but it keeps me in shape,” she said.

“I’m just better at sprints than distance.

My body is just built like that.”

Little said the sprinters share a close bond.

“Some of the hurdlers and middle-dis-

Photos by Molly Johnson and Raine Andrews. Page designed byAnna Wonderlich and Hailey McEntee.

tance r all sup said. “W practic Litt track is achievi “It’s are clo to do b great — coach M and su

te part

fun,” is so ach t stuff ways y, and — it’s

e high eam

es high each ta d. We ound ust do People don’t ut that m d my mply e all , and h other ot hurt more ere to e all

April 2014

right.”

Washington said his main goal is for the team to have a successful season.

“I want all the high jumpers to be able to go to State,” he said. “Personally, I want to be healthy all season and be consistent with my jumping. Since I was constantly battling a knee injury sophomore year and then it got worse at Regionals, so I couldn’t do track at all junior year, I just want to be injury-free all season and see my teammates do well.”

Washington said his coaches have greatly influenced him in his event.

“Coach Rose and Coach [Eric] Driskell were the first coaches who really made me feel wanted, and they really cared about me,” he said. “It was the first time where a coach really pushed me to be my best, and they made me feel like I was important.

Even when I don’t feel like trying my best, I always will because I know that’s what they want me to do, and I can’t let them down.”

ance runners are also sprinters, so we’re ll super supportive of one another,” she aid. “We push each other at meets and at ractices.”

Little said her favorite thing about rack is seeing her training pay off and chieving her goals each week.

“It’s great all the sprinters on the team re close, and we can all push each other o do better,” she said. “The coaches are reat — [Eric] Driskell and [girls sprints oach Manal] Siam are so encouraging nd supportive of me.”

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Track and Field team members discuss respective events, value team chemistry Hurdles

Junior Mattie Stafford participates in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles and the 4-by-4 relay.

However, she said 100-meter hurdles is her favorite event.

Stafford said she has hurdled since eighth grade at Prairie Star Middle School.

“It was a total joke,” she said. “I was so bad, and everyone knew it. I went into track freshman year thinking it would be fun and a great way to get in shape, but then I some how turned out to be good. Everyone was laughing and making jokes about how bad I was in eighth grade and how I just came into it with this overnight talent or something. It was so funny.”

Stafford has been on varsity since her freshman year. She said her 2013 season didn’t end the way she had hoped.

“I pulled my hamstring mid-season, which took a lot of time off for my season,” she said. “I made it to State, but didn’t perform as well as I hoped, or as well as I did my freshman year. However, I was, in fact, the Regional champion taking first place in the 100-meter hurdle, which

is what qualified me for State.

That was really cool because the year before I battled for that but became runner-up, so it was a really good feeling this year to hold that place.”

Stafford said her weekly practices consist of sprints on Mondays and Wednesdays and hurdles on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Thursdays are pre-meet days, so you work on your specific events to prepare yourself for the meet the next day,” she said. “We work harder our first day back, then ease off when it comes closer to meet day. Stretching and warm-ups are so important in track, and it’s taken very seriously — a good 45 minutes is just warming up and stretching. If you get hurt, your whole season is thrown off, so that’s why the coaches stress warm-ups so much. Same with cool-downs — we have to run half a mile and stretch before we can leave practices.”

Stafford said her goals for this season consist of being EKL champion and Regionals champion. Also, she said she wants to make it to the State finals.

Stafford said her favorite part about hurdles is the

adrenaline and excitement.

“Not many people take the risk to run them because they’re so afraid of getting hurt, but I don’t fear it at all,” she said. “I have such a passion for it, and it’s something I can do on my own. I’m my own team. I’m only competing with myself, and that pushes me to work harder to strive for more. Also, just being able to say, ‘I run in a straight line and jump over bars that stand up from the ground.’ I love it.”

Stafford said she looks forward to track every year because of the family atmosphere.

“I look forward to track season for the group of athletes that I am surrounded by who enjoy running just as much as I do,” she said. “We all become so close because we spend every weekday and every Friday night together.

When you spend that much time together and long bus rides, you learn to talk about stuff other than just track and build new relationships. You open up to one another with people you never thought you would come that close with.

It’s a special bond that makes going into track season so exciting and ending so hard.”

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April 2014

Distance

This is senior Rachel Campbell’s second year participating in the distance event, but she has run track all four years of high school. “[Running cross country] helps because you build up more endurance and have a good base of training,” she said.

Junior Ryan Edmonds competes in the 4-by-8 meter relay, the 4-by-4 meter relay and the open 400 meter. He said he initially did not plan on running in distance events.

“I was going to run sprints,” he said.

“Our coach, Coach [Diana] Huber, had been looking at me and decided to see how well I would do in the 800 meter. I ended up getting a pretty good time for never having run it before. There are high expectations this year, especially coming from such good seasons the previous years.”

Pole Vault

Senior Amy McClain has been pole vaulting for two years.

“I was introduced to pole vaulting in the summer [before] my junior year,” she said. “Then, I continued practicing at an indoor facility during the off-season and went out for the BV track and field team that spring, and I’ve continued.”

McClain said she wouldn’t be competing in the pole vault event if it weren’t for her coaches.

“It was actually [track coach Manal]

Relays

Sophomore Matilda Brooks participates in the 300-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles, 4-by-1 relay and 4-by-4 relay.

She ran relays in middle school, but she said she began to take it more seriously her freshman year.

Brooks’ relay group consists of juniors Annie Little, Mattie Stafford and Gabby Gunnerson.

Brooks said she really enjoys being apart of a team event.

“I think my favorite part about relays

Campbell said this event takes a lot of endurance, running six days a week.

“Our practices usually last from 3:155:30 p.m.,” she said. “We run a one mile warm up, and then we either do a track workout or run off site — usually four to five miles.”

Edmonds said he hopes to improve his times, make it back to the State meet and qualify for the University of Kansas Relays. He said the coaches are always there to give support and advice.

“The coaches have been phenomenal in their motivation,” Edmonds said. “It doesn’t matter whether they are your coach or a coach from another area of events. Each coach pushes the entire team, always being optimistic and wanting you to improve.”

Campbell said her goals this year are to run a sub-six minute mile and to

personal record in the 800-meter. She said the distance group has an unbreakable bond.

“We are all really close because when you run mile after mile after mile together, it creates a really tight bond between us all,” she said. “We call ourselves the distance clique. It’s what I’m best at — it’s fun, and I love all my distance girls.”

Edmonds said his favorite thing about track is the people.

“My freshman and sophomore year I had so many great memories with that group of runners,” he said. “Every practice is always different in terms of what goes on, but overall they’re just an amazing group of people. Everyone pushes one another to become a better athlete, whether it’s running side by side in practice or on the field yelling at you while you run.”

Siam that encouraged me to try out,” she said. “Coach [Tyler] Lasche is also the stage lights manager, so I met him through Drill Team Spring Show. I was always intrigued at it, and he offered free summer lessons, which also encouraged me to try out even more.”

McClain said she enjoys the pole vaulting atmosphere.

“It’s very relaxed, and I love the feeling of going in the air over a bar,” she said. “Also, I like how there are different

aspects of pole vaulting than just running for miles.”

There are only two returning vaulters this year.

McClain said other athletes interested in pole vault should still try out even if they are intimidated by the sport.

“It isn’t as bad as it looks,” she said.

“I think it’s really fun being able to go in the air using a pole. It’s a lot of technique, and it’s very unlikely for someone to get hurt. It’s really low key and super fun.”

is that it’s different from any other event,” she said. “You work as a team to reach your goal instead of running individually.”

Brooks said it can be difficult to get the technique down when running relays.

“It definitely takes a lot of tries to get the hand-offs and steps right,” she said.

“You have to be very dedicated, and we practice our hand-offs and steps every day during the season.”

Brooks said her individual goal for the season is to work on her personal records. As a team, she said she hopes to see her relay group qualify for State.

Brooks said her favorite memory is making new friendships through her experience.

“We are definitely a family,” she said.

“Everyone is so supportive of one another, and we push each other to reach new goals. We push each other to do our best, and we all have become very close.”

Photos by Molly Johnson and Raine Andrews. Page designed byAnna Wonderlich and Hailey McEntee.

April 2014

Throwing

Junior AJ Harris competes in the shot-put and discus events. He has done shot-put since kindergarten and discus since third grade. Harris said his dad acts as a mentor and coach in his events.

“My dad’s whole family threw shotput and discus, so he started teaching me when I was in kindergarten,” he said.

“He comes up to my track practices for the high school. It means a lot that he’s always there supporting me, and I know he’ll make me better every time he trains me.”

Senior Caleb Kjergaard also competes in discus, shot-put and the throwers’ 4-by-1 relay. Kjergaard said he started track in fifth grade.

“I was really chubby, so I wasn’t fast enough to run,” he said. “Since jumping events are a battle against gravity, and I wasn’t light enough to jump very far, I figured throwing events were an area I could excel in. I just stuck with them for eight years.”

Kjergaard said a typical practice consists of stretching, throwing and minimal running.

“I usually warm up by doing some fake stretching and hiding in the bathroom when we have to run to get loose,”

he said. “Then, AJ ‘Crazy Horse’ Harris and I go up on the hill and joke around with the coaches for a while and pretend to do some work. I usually get about 20 throws in for both shot-put and discus, and then I go home and eat.”

Kjergaard said his favorite part of throwing is dominating the other kids at meets with Harris.

“Either that, or, like, when it gets to be really nice weather outside and I’m just spinning in circles throwing implements somewhat far,” he said. “It’s relaxing.”

Kjergaard said he enjoys throwing more because he’s so close with his teammates.

“AJ and I love each other,” he said. “He sets me up with a bunch of babes, and I try to entertain him with jokes and stuff.

We have rap battles quite often during practice and bus rides. He’s an incredibly good athlete and a good competitor. We throw basically the same distance, so it’s always a good competition.”

Kjergaard said there is a strong team chemistry among the throwers.

“We all have a common hate in running, and there’s never any drama,” he said. “AJ and I become best friends from the start of the season until the end of

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the season. Once the season is over, we basically break up with each other, but, in the end, we all love one another.”

Kjergaard said his goals are to break his old personal records, win EKL and Regionals and place at State. “[Last season] I got first in discus at the EKL meet and third at Regionals,” he said. “I haven’t ever done well at State, and I’ve been there three times already.”

Last season, Harris broke the school record for shot-put with a throw of 53 feet and eight inches.

“I finished fourth at State for shot-put and fifth for discus,” he said. “I want to break the discus record and make to the State meet.”

Kjergaard said his coaches have motivated him to improve by keeping him working hard.

“Even though Coach [Eric Driskell] isn’t my event coach, he’s been a huge influence on me the past four years, and we’ve become pretty close,” he said.

“Coach [Paul] Brown is basically the nicest and smartest person I know.

Coach [Lew] Rowe is my favorite coach to mess around with. They’re all great coaches, and I wouldn’t have made it this far without them.”

(Top Left) Stretching her legs, junior Mattie Stafford jumps over a hurdle at track practice. Stafford has been on varsity since her freshman year.

(Bottom Left) Swinging around, junior AJ Harris throws a discus at an after-school track practice. Harris placed fifth in discus at State last year.

(Right) Pumping his arms, junior Ryan Edmonds runs at an after school track practice. Edmonds originally was going to run sprints is trying distance running this season.

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April 2014

Junior finds passion with automotive photography, hired to take pictures of expensive cars daniellewilliams entertainment editor For most teens, after school jobs include working at fast food restaurants or maybe babysitting.

But for junior Ricky Shull, his source of some extra cash is a highly demanding job as a automobile photographer, which includes his own website as well as many paying customers.

When he was in middle school, Shull began photographing these cars and sharing them on various car websites as well as with his peers.

“I carried around a cheap little camera, and I took pictures of the cool cars I saw on the streets,” Shull said. “Eventually, I got frustrated with the quality of my pictures and wanted to start improving that.”

After five years of practice — three as a paid professional — Shull said he is frequently hired to artfully capture a variety of cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and even boats for commercial or personal use.

“Some people trade service for service, give discounts or offer money in return for my work,” he said.

Shull said he has had a passion for cars ever since he was born, largely due to his exposure from a young age.

“One of my grandfathers owned a Ford dealership for decades,” Shull said. “My other grandfather sold custom wheels in Chicago for awhile. They were both always bringing me the latest hot wheels and getting me magazines.”

Shull said he looks at the automotive world as much more than just a form of commuting — it can be a form of expression, freedom and opportunity.

“The culture of the automotive world, no matter what kind of car, is really welcoming and encouraging,” Shull said.

Shull said the time he dedicates toward his work varies with each season.

“Spring and fall, I spend five hours [a week taking pictures] — school is my priority then,” Shull said. “In the summer, I usually dedicate nine or ten hours [a week].

Winter sees the fewest hours because of

school, tests and poor weather.”

While most automotive photographers want to work with Ferraris and Lamborghinis, Shull said he prefers to capture custom cars because they are unique.

“The newest Ferrari is what everyone wants to see, but when all the photographers of the world shoot the car, it becomes nothing special,” he said. “Anything custom is the best because you get unique details new cars don’t have.”

Shull said his passion lies with vintage cars and trucks.

“Seeing the custom coachwork and details in an old Ferrari or Cadillac or the worn leather and rusted body panels is really exhilarating to me,” he said.

Shull has worked with cars ranging from a custom Volkswagen to Lamborghinis to a multimillion-dollar Ferrari.

“My favorite car I’ve worked with would be the Gulf Oil-Liveried Superformance Ford GT40,” Shull said.

Shull said he has taken some inspiration from a few websites — however, most of what he knows is self-taught.

“It has been a combination of practice and looking to other photographers for inspiration,” he said. “That has helped me create my own style that continues to develop and change.”

Shull said he hopes to create and own a small business. Although he is not sure what type of business, Shull said he believes this hobby has taught him many necessary lessons that are vital to entrepreneurship.

“Working through high school as a photographer has helped me learn about networking, marketing, sales and all the other aspects of the business world,” he said.

Shull said automotive photography has taught him how to communicate professionally with adults.

He said the most important thing he will take away is a strong work ethic.

“The people I work with are successful businessmen, lawyers, doctors and entrepreneurs,” Shull said. “They’ve built themselves from the ground up, and knowing them has instilled that motivation inside of me.”

April 2014

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Photos taken and submitted by Ricky Shull.

capturing cars Page designed by Danielle Williams and Anna Wonderlich.

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April 2014

know your rights maddiejewett features editor

It’s the typical Saturday night.

You put on your new crop top shirt and favorite pair of jeans.

Applying your makeup takes an extra five minutes, as you will likely see the boy you’ve been crushing on since freshman year.

9 p.m.

You hear your friend’s car pull into the driveway, and the music is blasting a little more loudly than you would have hoped considering your parents are awake in the living room.

You yell goodbye as you rush out the door, anticipation growing.

Your friend pulls up to the party and parks down the street a little ways.

Photo illustration and page designed by Hailey McEntee.

School police officer clarifies Kansas rules, regulations on illegal behaviors for teens The two of you walk in.

The party has already started, and there is plenty of alcohol for everyone there.

You are not drinking, but the people around you are beginning to get extremely intoxicated.

The night progresses, and more and more people show up to the party.

This means more and more cars are parking all around the house.

First case of reasonable suspicion.

Everyone is dancing around and screaming.

The iPod speakers are booming with the newest hits.

Second case of reasonable suspicion.

As the party continues, a concerned neighbor looks out his window after hearing a great deal of commotion next door.

After seeing what seems to be hundreds of cars parked all along the street, he decides a quick call to the police department couldn’t hurt.

The party goes on.

The cops pull up to the house and quietly get out of their car.

They walk around the house looking for any signs of illegal activity, but none are found.

They knock on the door of the house, just waiting for someone to answer.

Downstairs, dozens of teenagers await what seems to be one of the worst nights of their lives.

Q &A

April 2014

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with School Resources Officer Dennis Randall

Question: What should you do if you’re at a party and the cops show up?

Answer: “First of all, be honest. If you take off running, and you get caught, then you’ve compounded the circumstances.

But if you’re there, and you haven’t been doing anything, and you’re respectful, then they may believe you. The old adage is if you’re at a party and there’s alcohol there, technically everyone at that party under the age of 21 can be charged with a [Minor in Possession]. Does it happen a lot? No, because the officers are going to look at each individual circumstance. In my humble opinion, if you go to a party and there’s alcohol there, you need to leave. Don’t stay there. Do not put yourself at risk.”

Q: What happens if you run from a cop?

A: “It’s considered resisting arrest, and it just compounds your circumstances. If you hadn’t done anything wrong, then why are you running? You can get resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace. Plus, you’re still going to get an MIP even if you hadn’t been drinking.”

Q: What happens if you’re at a party and you get caught drinking?

A: “You’re going to get charged with MIP. In Johnson County, there are several different consequences. You could get put into an alcohol program. This is for a first time offense, and if you are cooperative and show lots of remorse, you will get put in this alcohol program. You go to classes, and you go through different programs that Johnson County has. After you complete that successfully, [the charge] has been removed [from your record] like it never happened. Johnson County really tries to help their young people. However, each [offense] is more restrictive to you as an individual. You could have a curfew, and it makes your parents pretty responsible for you.”

Q: If you’re at a party and you haven’t been drinking, what would you suggest a teenager do?

A: “Don’t take off running. Be respectful to the police officer.

Say, ‘Hey, I wasn’t drinking. I was just here at the party.’

Chances are you may not get charged with MIP. However, you may get charged with MIP through association because you’re somewhere you shouldn’t have been.”

Q: Are police officers required to give you a breathalyzer if you request one?

A: “Police officers don’t have to give you a breathalyzer for an MIP. The only time a police officer is required to use a breathalyzer is for a DUI. So, if you’re at a party, they don’t have to give you a breathalyzer if you ask for one. If you look at it from our point of view as police officers, if you’re at a party and there’s 50 kids there, am I going to give all 50 kids

breathalyzers? The chances are it is not going to happen.”

Q: If your car is parked outside of a house that is having a party and the cops see your license plate number, will they track you down?

A: “It’s a possibility, but just because your car is parked out on the street where there is a party doesn’t necessarily mean [you were involved]. Now, if they bust the party, and they look for everybody, and they find out who is who, and you took off running, then they’re going to find out who the vehicle owner is and call the vehicle owner.”

Q: What are the rules for a cop entering a party?

A: “Whenever we’re working the street, [we need] probable cause. Now, if we get a call from the neighbors about a noise complaint, and we pull up and hear people in the house and knock on the door, if no one answers, we can’t come in. But, if we get called the second time and go there the second time, that’s a whole different thing — the reasonable suspicion has gone up. If we see an illegal activity, that brings our probable cause way up. You have to understand that with Kansas having the law about hosting, if you have a party at your house, not only are you putting yourself at risk, but you’re also putting your parents at risk.”

Q: What’s the difference between probable cause and reasonable suspicion?

A: “Probable cause is something that’s very highly probable that it’s going to happen. So, at school here, [Principal Scott] Bacon only needs to have reasonable suspicion that something illegal is happening. If an anonymous source comes up to him and says, ‘Jimmy Joe Bob has illegal drugs in his locker,’ that’s reasonable enough suspicion for Mr. Bacon to go look in that locker. But it’s not probable cause for me to look in his locker.

Police officers have to operate on probable cause which is a higher level of evidence.”

Q: If the parent knows that kids are drinking at their house and the cops show up and bust the party, what happens to the parents?

A: “The parents would be possibly charged with hosting because if they acknowledge that illegal activity is going on, they are responsible for their own house.”

Q: What if the parents don’t know there is a party going on at their house?

A: “The parent still could have some consequences because you have to supervise your kids. They could get [a] contributing [charge]. However, unless it can be proven that they knew you had a party, probably nothing will happen to them.”

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April 2014

it

classy

Preppy trends currently in style for high school students; favorite brands, trends highlighted Southern Tide

Fraternity Collection

Patagonia

From their pocket tees to their tailgate koozies, Fraternity Collection has risen to the top of the prep world. While preparing for upcoming Greek recruitment season, Nathan Pearce and Peter Rafferty wanted to create a true southern “Party Shirt.” Their most commonly purchased product is the pocket tee with which you can choose the pattern. Their prices range from $5 to $100. You can find their products at fraternitycollection.com.

Patagonia is a high-end outdoor clothing line that started in Ventura, California. The company’s roots focused mainly on rock and alpine climbing and has since moved to ski, surfing and regular outdoor apparel.

There are currently 53 Patagonia locations worldwide, 26 of which are located in the United States. Their prices range from $20 to $400. There are currently 30 U.S. locations, none in Kansas, but you can visit their website at patagonia.com.

Lilly Pulitzer

Vineyard Vines

Sperry

Vineyard Vines started off in Martha’s Vineyard by brothers Shep and Ian Murray. The brand began with ties and expanded into shirts, belts, hats, jackets, pants and other accessories. Their product prices range from $5 to $300. They currently have 23 stores and eight outlet locations.

Locally, you can find Vineyard Vines at Von Maur and Halls on the Plaza.

After slipping on a boat, Paul Sperry decided he would create the perfect non-slip boat shoe. The Sperry Topsider was then introduced. Although they are known for their classic boat shoe, the company also features boots, loafers, sandals, heels and slippers.

Their prices vary from $6 to $200.

Sperry shoes are featured in more than 2,000 stores across the United States. To find Sperry’s, you can visit their website at sperrytopsider.com or their store on the Plaza.

Lilly Pulitzer is a high-society brand featuring women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, footwear, bedding, stationery and an exclusive bridal collection. The woman behind this brand was indeed Lilly Pulitzer herself, otherwise known as the “Queen of Prep.” Currently there are 37 Lilly stores, but her products are sold in retailers all over the country. The Lilly line is locally featured in the store, Under the Palm Tree in Town Center or online at lillypulitzer.com.

Information collected by Bridget Howard.

Pictures and page designed by Alyssa Hess.

Founded in Greenville, SC in 2006 by Allen Stephenson, this brand features shirts, shoes and accessories for men and women.

The companies biggest success has been the Skipjack Polo shirt, which is very popular among students for it’s versatility and comfort. They are featured in over 750 retailers Their prices range from $2 to $200.

April 2014

“I really like Guy Harvey because you can’t get them here unless you go online. They are different types of shirts that you don’t really see around Kansas because it is deep sea fishing apparel. I like it because nobody wears the brand besides a couple of people in our school.”

“My sisters are my main motivation because they are what I like to call ‘fashionista’s.’” ­— senior Kyle Kupchin

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“I like oxfords, loafers, and anything Lilly [Pulitzer]. I love my Tory Burch Reva Flats and my bright pink Lilly Pulitzer dress I wore to Sweetheart this year.”

“I think the investment in great quality clothing will be worth it because if you take good care of your clothes, they’ll last forever.” ­— junior Gracie Fredrick

26 centerstage

April 2014

loving it live

Students share experiences, passion for attending concerts

meredithstrickland staff writer

Music is not just a band or a song to certain people. It can be one’s inspiration, savior or therapy. Concerts can change lives for some people and become the best moments of pure enjoyment.

“I just think the experience is so unforgettable, and it's like my cloud nine,” junior Peyton Marek said. “I sell clothes at thrift shops to get concert tickets sometimes. I feel like an experience is much better and much more valuable than a material."

Marek and junior Brandon Fordiani are both self-proclaimed concert junkies. Fordiani said he has been to at least nine concerts within the past two years.

Marek has also attended numerous concerts.

“I saw the Mowglis three times last year, and I saw Lady GaGa last year,” Marek said.

“I saw Ben Rector, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, The Neighbourhood, The Lumineers and The Cold War Kids. This year I've seen Huey Mack, Kitten and Rev Gusto.”

Both have been to many concerts, making it hard to pick favorites. Fordiani and Marek have each met different members of bands during all of their concert experiences.

Marek said her claim to fame is her dad giving the Mowglis guitar lessons.

Fordiani said his favorite concert was when he met the lead singer of his favorite

Mareck

Fordiani

band. “[My favorite concert] would probably be the House Party Tour in Lincoln, NE,” Fordiani said. “That’s also when I got to meet [A Day to Remember lead singer] Jeremy McKinnon. Although, I just went to the American Dream Tour with Bring Me the Horizon and Of Mice and Men. It was pretty cool, and I was front row, too.”

They said all of the bands they see leave different impacts on their lives. Fordiani said bands affect his style and appearance.

“I get my hair cut based on [guitarist] Neil [Westfall] from A Day to Remember,” Fordiani said. “I have probably spent well over, like, $3,000 on band merchandise and traveling or going to see concerts. It’s like my social life — all of my friends usually like it.”

According to Marek, experiencing an artist or band live is completely different from listening from an iPod. “I love seeing Lady GaGa because she's very theatrical like Taylor Swift,” Marek said.

“I love Mowglis concerts because you always walk out of the venue feeling much happier.

DIVERGENT

cheap and unrealistic, even for a dystopian film.

Tris seemed whiny, not defiant, and half the time looked like she was about to cry for I am skeptical of books some reason unbeknownst to turned into movies. I was the audience. unsure of how I felt about the There are scenes and small film adaption “Divergent” after parts of the film that are acceptseeing it because it was unlike able, and the fact that the film anything that I had expected. adaption stays mostly true to the And no, I did not commit an book is desirable. unforgivable sin by seeing the However, most of it did not movie before I read the book.

The way the movie attempted live up to expectations.

Overall, the movie gave the to bring the story to life wasn’t accurate to the feel of the book, book no justice.

So here’s my advice: if you and the sets didn’t seem quite haven’t already, read the book, the same as described in the read it. Then, see which one you book.

The whole thing seemed a bit like better.

maddiedavis staff writer

Just by listening to their music, you can tell that they're always being spirited.”

Even though Fordiani and Marek have separate music tastes, both said that different concerts are incredible.

“I basically listen to everything, but I really like alternative and indie music,” Marek said. “I also go to rap concerts because my boyfriend loves those.”

Fordiani said he hated metal music the first time he heard it.

“I had just gotten off a plane, and I had a headache,” Fordiani said. “With a two-hour drive home from the airport with my headache, I was listening to these guys scream at me, and I was like, ‘Turn it off.’ But then, I liked it afterward.”

Twitter allows Marek to find out which bands and artists are coming to town.

“I’m going to the Mowglis and Lorde over spring break and maybe Young the Giant,” Marek said. “I think I’m going to Schoolboy, G-Eazy and Grouplove, hopefully. I’m also going to see Miley Cyrus.”

Fordiani and Marek said they would travel anywhere to see a certain band or artist. Fordiani will travel far when he goes to California for the Self Help Festival to see A Day to Remember with VIP passes.

Marek said she would travel to Nashville to see festivals and camp out just to experience a band.

“Honestly, I would travel as far as I needed to because if it's a good band, then it's worth it,” Marek said.

sheilagregory staff writer Yes, it has been called desperate. Yes, it bears striking resemblance to “The Hunger Games.” Yes, it has adopted “the female hero with the attractive man who falls head-over-heels in love with her making all other females wonder what they are doing wrong” plot-line.

But “Divergent” manages to stay true to the book and brings the dystopian future to life. It creates suspense and heart-pounding moments with visually dynamic shots

and mind-bending fear landscapes described in the book.

Leaving out characters is the major flaw of this movie.

But what the story lacks in supporting characters, performances by Shailene Woodley and Theo James pull through, bringing their romance to life and staying true to the novel’s story-line.

One of the high points for me was the prudent casting of aesthetically pleasing Theo James. I enjoyed the movie overall and would generally recommend it to fans of the actual book itself. But dystopian story lovers would probably like it, too.

April 2014

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April 2014

HITECH Health Information Systems

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Thanks to Senate Bill 155, Kansas high school students can enroll in Introduction to Health Information Systems (HCIS 230) for free. Classes are online or in a hybrid format, and are 5 weeks in length. Visit www.jccc.edu/ high-school/sb-155.html to learn more.

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love game for the

of the

meghankennedy staff writer The sweat drips off his forehead as the sun beams down upon his face.

Walking slowly back to the baseline, he contemplates his next move.

After a few deep breaths, he gets in serving position.

As he bounces the tennis ball, he stares down his opponent as an unbreakable concentration overcomes him.

He gracefully tosses the ball in the air and brings the racquet around in full swing.

After a breathless moment, the two come in contact, and the ball soars across the court.

The opponent desperately chases after the ball, but does not succeed in returning it over the net.

Ace. Senior Andy Porter said he has enjoyed tennis because he has made friendships with people he otherwise would not have met.

“It's really loose during practice and in between matches,” he said.

“When someone's on the court during a match, everyone goes over to support him. We have team dinners throughout the year, and we all just hang out and get to know each other better.”

Junior Anil Patel said the group has strong team chemistry.

“Everyone gets along very well with each other and are good friends,” he said. “Especially for doubles, that's very important for chemistry to be there. Though tennis

April 2014

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Boys tennis team fosters strong team leadership, hopes to qualify more athletes for State match

is an individual sport, a good team is definitely a focus and very important.”

Porter said the time commitment for tennis varies on level of play.

“For school, it really isn't that much,” he said. “Most guys who take it seriously will go to their clubs either after practice or in the mornings to hit with their coaches.”

As a captain, Porter said he runs fitness and indoor practices and sets the tone.

“For tennis, I think I'm more laid back most of the time,” he said.

“There are some times when I think we need to do more work, so I'll make us run more and work harder.

Coach [Nelson Elliot] sets up the matchups on who is going to play against each other, but, other than that, it's basically all athlete-led.”

Patel said the team has strong leadership, which helps guide the younger athletes.

“We have a team captain that runs the warm up and keeps everybody on task,” he said. “The older or more experienced players get respect from the less experienced and are listened to well. I never see anybody complaining about being bossed around. There is a good sense of everyone's role on the team.”

Patel said his responsibility of being an upperclassman is to make sure everyone stays focused.

“I mainly just make sure everyone is on task at practice and lead by example because lowerclassmen will look up to the upperclassmen,” he said. “I answer any questions they have for me. I just stay flexible with my time to help them with strategy

or technical things. I stay very open to giving advice.”

Porter said his favorite memories of tennis are qualifying for State sophomore year, being on the court every day and just having fun.

Patel won State his freshman year.

“All of my preparation really just came together for me when I needed it to,” Patel said. “I had no complaints on how I played — just complete satisfaction for my performance.”

Last season before the Regional semi-finals, Patel suffered from recurrent shoulder tendonitis.

“I couldn’t practice as I had been before State,” he said. “It was a struggle to play, but I ended up getting sixth place. I couldn't be too disappointed with the circumstances.”

Since Patel was the only player who qualified for State last season, Porter said he hopes to see more of the team qualify and be successful.

“As an individual, I would like to qualify for State,” Porter said. “Also, [I want to] just enjoy my senior season. As a team, I would say if we could finish third or fourth in the EKL it would be really good for us and to qualify more people to State than we did last year. We have the hardest Regional in the state.”

Patel said he hopes to remain healthy throughout the season and finish strong.

“Individually, I see my chances for a State championship [as] very good,” he said. “Hopefully I can capitalize on the opportunity. As a team, I hope we will keep working as we have. If we keep that, good things will happen.”

Photo by Molly Johnson. Page designed by Anna Wonderlich.

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April 2013

Girls soccer team reflects on past season, looks forward to future success meghankennedy staff writer Confidence boils in the minds of the 2013 Blue Valley girl’s varsity soccer team.

One overbearing thought clouds their minds — State.

The perfect season, the perfect team, the perfect ending are all put on the line.

Eyes looking forward as the next eighty minutes will decide the team’s fate.

The clock ticks down as the opponent holds a strong lead on the game.

A seemingly perfect season is about to come to an abrupt end, crushing the hopes for a State title.

One final burst of energy.

One last dying effort to add a goal to the board.

The final buzzer sounds as the athletes desperately try to hold back tears.

They walk off the field, already looking forward to reclaim the title the’ve been dreaming of.

The team lost to BV Northwest in the Regional Finals, ending their best season in years with a record of 15-3 and 12 shutouts.

Senior Brooke Zimmerman said losing to BVNW in the playoffs last year has motivated the team to have a strong season.

“It was heartbreaking knowing that we were winning all these games, and it had to come to an end,” she said. “The returning varsity players know that it’s tough to lose.

We know that we just have to keep working hard because of how close we came to going to State last year.”

Head coach K. Dean Snell said it is hard to pick out what the team did wrong in their loss to NW because they did many things right.

“It was a tough pill to swallow,” he said.

“We lost to a worthy opponent who ended up being the eventual State champions, so we know we didn’t beat ourselves. It wasn’t the way we wanted to end, but it’s over now and we know we never want to feel that way again.”

Senior Taylor Daniels said she hopes to have a successful season that ends in a State championship.

“[Last season], we had the potential to go all the way, but now it’s just more incentive to win it all this year,” she said. “I think everybody wants a season just as fun and successful as last year, and we know we’re going to have to put in the work in order to do that this year. I want to make sure the team keeps a positive attitude and works hard throughout the season. I also want to create multiple opportunities for team bonding so that the chemistry shows on the field.”

Sophomore Kat Retz said last year was so successful because of the team chemistry.

“We got really close off of the field, and it showed on the field,” she said. “We played as a team and not just 11 individuals. We wanted to work hard and play for each other, not just ourselves. It was mainly tough [ending the season] because that meant it was our last game together as a team. That has pushed us to try and make sure that we don’t feel like we did after the game and to cherish our time together because it can end so suddenly.”

Last season, the team created the slogan “Everybody Loves Everybody” to help promote a drama-free season.

“We came up with this because in past years there has been tension and cliques,” Zimmerman said. “Last year, we decided that wasn’t going to happen, and everyone would love everyone. We trusted each other a lot more and felt comfortable around each other. We didn’t yell at each other when we played, and we connected on and off the field.”

Snell said last year’s team had better team chemistry than most teams in the past.

“Last year, the girls got along very well,” he said. “The functioned very well as a unit on the field and they didn’t care who scored a goal as long as we had more on the board.

They were all very unselfish.”

The 2014 captains are Daniels, Zimmerman and senior Hailey McEntee.

Daniels said the captains all vary in leadership styles.

“Brooke is definitely a leader by example

Page designed by Hailey McEntee. Photo by Alyssa Hess.

because of her skill level,” she said. “Hailey is as well because she has a great work ethic and can help the team focus. I think I am more of the vocal leader and try to keep a positive attitude within the team.”

Retz said having seven seniors on the team is beneficial because it will give the team a lot of varsity experience and leadership.

“We have quite of few seniors this year, so there will be a lot of leadership,” she said.

“Some people lead with their actions on the field, and some lead vocally. It will be a good mix of both this year. The team is a great group of girls, and, knowing what an impact it had last year, I’m sure the season will be great.”

Zimmerman said she will work as hard as she can while encouraging the younger athletes to do the same.

“I include them and make sure they feel comfortable,” she said. “Once they do, they eventually just play soccer and aren’t nervous.”

Retz said the upperclassmen on the team act as mentors to the younger athletes.

“The upperclassmen have shown me what it takes to have a successful season and how important working together is,” she said. “They are really just there to support you and be there for you on and off the field. Because of that, you really just want to work for them and play hard.”

Zimmerman said her high school career has helped her prepare to play at the collegiate level at Missouri State University.

“High school has forced me to have patience because it’s way different than club,” she said. “It will help me adapt to getting ready to play on a new team with new players, considering, in high school, you get new players every year.”

Daniels said the coaching staff has motivated her to be the best athlete she can be.

“They’re excited for the season, which gets the players excited, and they remind us that we need to focus on this season and work hard every day to be successful,” she said. “They challenge us every day to get better.”

TIGER April 2014

MARCH MADNESS

MISSOURI TIGERS — BRUSHED ASIDE For most Missouri Tiger fans, the ending to this season couldn’t come soon enough. Missouri finished sixth place in a weak SEC and missed out on the NCAA Tournament. After sneaking by Stories by Matt Antonic.

Davidson in the first round of the NIT, Southern Miss mercifully stopped the bleeding, knocking off Mizzou 71-63 in the second round. Missouri’s lackadaisical effort allowed Southern Miss to dictate pace, and Mizzou trailed for most of the KANSAS JAYHAWKS — game, attempting to come back on several differROCK CHOKE (AGAIN) ent occasions. Each time, poor defense and deciFor the fourth time in the last five sion-making let Mizzou down, and Southern Miss seasons, Kansas basketball fell out of the capitalized on the mistakes. On three separate NCAA Tournament to a lower seeded occasions in the second half, Mizzou made a big team. The Jayhawks were picked by run to close the gap, and each time, Southern Miss some to reach the Elite Eight, possibly responded by brushing the Tigers aside and going even the Final Four. After coming back on a run of their own. Southern Miss nailed five of six free throws in the final minute to seal the deal. in the second half to put away Western For Mizzou and its fans, it’s on to football season.

Kentucky in the first round, No. 2 seed KU faced No. 10 seed Stanford in the KANSAS STATE WILDCATS — second round and promptly ended FROSH PIT its season in maddening frustration.

The No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed matchup is theoretiWithout star Joel Embiid, KU lost a cally the most evenly-matched game in the openlarge chunk of its inside game. After ing round of the NCAA tournament, but for KanTarik Black fouled out with 5:25 left, the Jayhawks frontcourt was rudderless sas State University, the game could not have been a bigger mismatch. The Wildcats were thrown against Stanford’s stiff zone defense. It didn’t help that KU shot only 33 percent up against Kentucky and its starting lineup of five freshmen, all McDonald’s All-Americans. from the field, and regular-season leading scorer Andrew Wiggins scored Kentucky had three starters taller than Thomas Gipson, KSU’s tallest player: Julius Randle at 6’9, a laughable four points. After coming back to tie the game at 49 with 5:10 left, Dakari Johnson and Willie Cauley Stein at 7’0. the Jayhawks went almost four minutes Instead of a fast-paced, scoring-oriented match, this one was a polar opposite. Right away, it was without a field goal, and Stanford hit clear the game was going to be slow and ugly — clutch free throws to put the game on the two teams combined for 23 points in the first ice with 30 seconds left, leading 58-51.

10 minutes. KSU struggled against Kentucky’s Then, Conner Frankamp came off the frontcourt and picked a very bad game to shoot bench and nearly saved the day for only 36 percent from the field. Kentucky slowly KU, hitting back-to-back threes in 15 pushed KSU away, steadily building a lead that seconds to give KU a fighting chance. peaked at 13 with just under one minute remainFrankamp had a shot at the buzzer to tie, but Mario Chalmers’ magic was no ing. Will Spradling and Marcus Foster hit back to back threes, but the comeback attempt was far too where to be found this time, and Stanlittle far too late, and KSU was sent home, 56-49. ford emerged 60-57.

MERCER vs. DUKE A quick look at Bracketology said this Bears team was the biggest bracket-buster. An experience but overlooked No. 14 seed, Mercer stunned No. 3 seed Duke, 78-71, behind 20 points.

HARVARD vs. CINNCINNATI The No. 12 seed Harvard was finally ready to end the “smart guys” label by fans and media and get down to some winning. The Crimson upset No. 5 seed Cinncinnati, the second NCAA Tournament win in Harvard’s entire history.

DAYTON FLYERS Say hello to the NCAA Cinderella run of 2014. Dayton, as No. 11 seed, is bound for the Elite 8. The Flyers squeaked by Ohio State on a game-winner from Vee Sanford, held on for dear life to stun No. 3 seed Syracuse, and handled No. 10 seed Standford in the Sweet Sixteen by 10 points to reach the Flyers first Elite Eight in 30 years.

tigerturf

31

TURF BV SPORTS

sports in brief TRACK AND FIELD Previous Action:

3/28 @ JCCC Indoor Upcoming Action:

4/5 @ SM South Relays

4/11 Blue Valley Relays GIRLS SOCCER Previous Action:

4/1 vs. Seaman Upcoming Action:

4/4 @ Pembroke Hill

4/8 @ BV West GIRLS SWIMMING Upcoming Action:

4/5 @ Greg House Invitational

4/8 @ Blue Valley Southwest SOFTBALL Previous Action:

3/28 vs. Seaman

4/1 vs. Lansing @ BVRC Upcoming Action:

4/7 @ Piper

BASEBALL Previous Action:

3/22 @ Bishop Kelly (22-10 W)

4/1 vs Gardner-Edgerton Upcoming Action:

4/4 @ Gardner-Edgerton

4/8 @ Blue Valley North Record: 2-0 BOYS TENNIS Previous Action:

4/2 @ Lee’s Summit North Upcoming Action:

4/4 @ Olathe East Invitational BOYS GOLF Previous Action:

3/31 @ EKL (1st Leg) Upcoming Action:

4/8 @ Gardner-Edgerton Results current as of March 31.

Page designed by Anna Wonderlich.

32

snapshot

April 2014

time tailgate for a

Upperclassmen stay up late for tailgate-themed After Prom event to play games, win prizes on March 30 Photos by Alex Kontopanos and Raine Andrews.

Page designed by Anna Wonderlich.