TIGER PRINT THE
BLUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Vol. 43 Issue 1 August 2012 Stilwell, Kan.
NEW FACES, NEW PLACES Incoming teachers adapt to BV atmosphere, plan to carry on tradition page 2 CONTROL ISSUES In light of the Colorado shooting, student analyzes gun control regulations page 3 CHANGE OF PACE Former teacher, coach prepares for new administrative tasks page 7
Back in the swing
Handling the start of school: pages 4-5 Photo by Bailey Outlaw.
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inthenews
August 2012
Incoming teachers anticipate new atmosphere, classes abbybamburg entertainment editor
With many teachers not returning for the fall semester, Blue Valley will be welcoming 26 new teachers to its halls. New business teacher Ashley Scheuerman said things fell into place when she got the job at BV. “I have heard nothing but great things about this place,” she said. “Everybody has said, ‘You’re going to love it there, you’re going to love it there.’ Being in this district is pretty prestigious, so it’s a fantastic opportunity.” Scheuerman taught at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan. for the last three years before getting married this summer. New Spanish teacher Steve Dean taught in California for 17 years before moving to the area. “My wife and I were looking for a better place to raise our children,” he said. Sophomore Erin Schaper said she is excited for all the new teachers this year. “There will be more teachers for students to build relationships with,” she said. Dean said he can’t wait to get back in the classroom. “I very much enjoy my job,” he
Events calendar Aug. 17 — All-School Picnic Senior meeting with Jostens Freshman Class Activity Day Aug. 21 — Tiger Sports Night Fall Sports Pictures Aug. 22 — Back to School Night, 6:30 p.m. School Pictures Aug. 23 — School Pictures Class Ring orders Aug. 24 — Class Ring orders
From Aug. 3 to Aug. 9, new teachers to the district attended a new teacher orientation workshop. There are 26 incoming teachers this year. “This is one of the finest schools in the entire United States, and I’m very honored to work with such great students,” incoming gaming teacher Blake West said. Photo by Ellie Fehlig.
said. “I love teaching Spanish. I love being in front of the kids. A year of subbing was more like baby-sitting.” Schaper said she expects the incoming teachers to add a new twist on things. “They don’t know the teaching style of the [returning] teachers at our school,” she said. “They will shake things up.” As long as the students are working hard and doing what they are supposed to be doing, Dean said he is fairly easy-going.
“My classroom is fun,” he said. “I’ve had teachers who visit my classroom say that I walk a fine line between a classroom that is in control and getting the job done and at the same time a very pleasant and fun atmosphere.” Scheuerman said she hopes to provide a fun classroom environment for students to grow. “I hope it’s open with communication and excitement,” she said. “I hope I can pass on my excitement for what I teach to the kids.”
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Aug. 31 — Yearbook Senior Ad Deadline Sept. 3 — Labor Day, No School Sept. 7 — Senior night varsity football game, 7 p.m. Sept. 12 — Homecoming Bonfire, 6 p.m. Sept. 14 — Homecoming Parade, 1:30 p.m. Homecoming varsity football game, 7 p.m. Sept. 15 — Homecoming Dance, 8-11 p.m.
August 2012
reat Gun The
debate
Colorado shooting raises questions, concerns about current gun laws kellycordingley editor-in-chief
To think, they all just went to see a movie. The senselessness that was the shooting in Aurora, Colo., made history as the worst shooting in modern U.S. history,
according to abcnews.com. The man charged with 24 counts of murder and 116 counts of attempted murder shouldn’t get to see his name plastered on most media outlets. He should never get to see the light of day, for that matter. According to The Columbus Dispatch online, 6-yearold Veronica Moser-Sullivan was shot and killed during the Dark Knight Rises midnight premier. Her mother was paralyzed from the shooting and miscarried her baby in the aftermath. According to the Denver Post online, Jon Blunk shielded his girlfriend amidst gunfire. He wasn’t the only person to lay down his life for someone. Some people stayed to comfort the wounded instead of fleeing for their lives. It is amazing that while the worst of humanity is rearing its terribly hideous head, the bright spots of humanity shine. Maybe looking at the tragedy in this light is the only way to wrap one’s head around what happened. There is no way to profile every person with capacity for evil. It is impossible to separate all the good eggs from the
outloud
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bad in the world. People are flawed — this much we all know. However, access to weapons that wreak this much havoc are obviously too available. The gunman spent months stockpiling bullets and buying full body-armour via the Internet, according to the Huffington Post online. These types of purchases didn’t raise a red flag to anyone, either. Maybe that’s what frightens me the most — that almost anyone can access weapons capable of such destruction. The Second Amendment grants Americans the right to bear arms. I’m not arguing against the Constitution, but surely our Founding Fathers didn’t intend for civilians to be able to access what the New York Times online calls “a semiautomatic variation of the military’s M-16 rifle.” At 17 years old, I might not have enough information on the ‘great gun debate’ to say outright that no person should be able to bear arms, it is a right. I do know there must be more regulations on guns. It is the only way to prevent another deranged individual from causing such a tragedy.
Freshmen should embrace high school rather than fear it haileymcentee design editor
Cartoon by Becky Winegarner.
As I walked down the hallway on my first day of high school, I had a million things running through my head: What will high school be like? Will my classes be hard? What group of friends will I hang out with? Who will I sit with at lunch? Will I get a date to homecoming? I thought high school was going to be the scariest thing ever. After watching Mean Girls, who wouldn’t be afraid? I pictured people trying to shove me in a locker and girls judging me for everything I did. But in reality, high school isn’t scary at all — it’s a blast. You get to meet new people, go to dances, find out what job you might want to have someday and take classes in which you are truly interested. High school is filled with laughter and new experiences. The classes aren’t bad, just as long as you do your work and pay attention. Sure, there will be some stress, but it’s all just preparing us for college and beyond. Meeting friends isn’t a problem. There are so many people at Blue Valley, you’re bound to find a group you fit in with — just be yourself. If you don’t do this from the start, then you will never be seen for who you really are. Showing your real personality is the best way to make friends. When you walk into the lunchroom, there is nothing to stress about. You can meet some people in fifth hour and sit with them at lunch. As for getting a date for homecoming, it’s nothing to stress over. I promise it will not be the end of the world if you don’t go to the dance with someone.
TIGER PRINT
The
staff
When you look back on your four years of high school, you’re probably not going to remember who you went with anyway. You can always just go with your friends and still have a night you will never forget. High school is what you make of it, but it’s not necessarily the best years of your life. Once you graduate it won’t matter how popular you were — no one later will care. High school is just a small chapter in life, so don’t waste your time worrying about what’s to come — embrace it.
editor-in-chief Kelly Cordingley
news editor Hailey McEntee
entertainment editor Abby Bamburg
website editor Odi Opole
design editor Hailey McEntee
opinion editor Caroline Meizenbach
photo editor Bailey Outlaw
features editor Maddie Jewett
sports editor Jansen Hess
circulation manager, ads manager and managing editor Anna Wonderlich cartoonists Becky Winegarner Katie Wells
staff writers Raine Andrews John Carpenter Sally Cochran Colin Gregory Meghan Kennedy Riley Miller Mitch Sundquist
photographers Megan Ball Ellie Fehlig Alex Kontotpanos adviser Michelle Wilmes
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indepth
August 2012
backto
b
black & gold
backtobusy
backtopress
Procrastinators must read this. Now, not later. High school is awesome — we all know that. However, it can also be difficult and, at times, straight up stressful. But believe it or not, all the homework horror stories can be avoided, if you follow a few basic rules.
Kansas is one of seven states to grant student journalists specific rights for their publications. In 1987, the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier case was argued in court. The school had censored material they deemed not suitable for a school publication, which the plaintiffs felt violated their First Amendment rights. In the end, the court sided with the school district on the grounds that students do not have the same rights as adults while in school and should adhere to the school environment. However, with the Tinker v. Des Moines case in the near future, students’ First Amendment rights were soon to be defended. The Tinker siblings wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War, and
Become organized— If you have a teacher who eliminates small forests with the amount of worksheets he or she assigns, find a way to keep them organized and in one place. Do not, I repeat, do not put any papers in your locker unless they are encased in a binder, folder or other organizational device. The locker fairies won’t return your paper or presentation notes until at least late May, and by then you won’t need them any more. Plan your time wisely — If you don’t already have one, create an after-school routine that works well for you. For most people, the school year is a busy time — sports practices, club meetings, homework and friends make balancing your time effectively a must. Don’t put off long-term projects — Most of us are probably already suffering from putting off our summer assignments, and those are due within the next couple of weeks. All-nighters are a direct result of not starting early, and coffee at 4 a.m. does not taste as sweet as success and a good night’s sleep. Ask questions — If you’re iffy on a due date or an assignment requirement, ask. If you think there’s a test approaching, find out. Then, find out what you need to study and whether you need help or not. Knowing in advance will make the school year much easier.
Stories by Kelly Cordingley and Odi Opole.
when the school officials asked them to remove the armbands, they refused and were subsequently suspended. When the case went to court, the court stood by the students, arguing students “do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gates.” In 1992, the Kansas Student Publication Act was passed, which grants student journalists in Kansas added protection against administrative censorship. The Tiger Print is published 10 times per year for Blue Valley students, staff and the surrounding community. It is an open forum for student expression and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of BV high school administrators or those of the BV School District.
backtomore To find more interesting back-to-school content, visit us online: Take our polls and enter in drawings to win prizes Get to know The Tiger Print staff with ‘Meet the Press’ and our online staff profiles Find links to the BV website, important summer assignment dates and the school event calendar Find coverage of back-to-school activities such as Freshman Class Day and the School-Wide Picnic Submit feedback and letters to the editor to room 450, or email thetigerprint@yahoo.com
August 2012
backtoBV
indepth
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backtobasics
Cartoon by Becky Winegarner.
A device is only as smart as its user, so keep the smart phone — or regular phone — smartly in your purse or pocket. Otherwise, it’ll probably be kept safe for you in your teacher’s desk, instead.
Get to know your teachers before you bring food to class. What’s cool in fifth-hour Biology probably won’t be OK in first-hour Computer Applications.
If you feel uncomfortable in what you’re wearing, double-check the dress code before coming to school. If it’s too short or too revealing, you will probably be asked to change — or pull up your pants.
Standing in the middle of hallways is a no-no. We’ve all done it, but we’ve also all dealt with it. Try to have conversations as close to the side of the hallway as possible.
Once you know where all your classes are, pick a route and stick with it. The best way to get around BV quickly and efficiently is to know where you’re going and how you plan to avoid traffic jams.
If you choose to listen to “Call Me Maybe,” that’s up to you. If the rest of us can hear it, we will ask to be part of the volume-level decision.
If you have a large backpack, please be aware of us lesser beings. Mass occupies space, and when you have more mass on your back, it follows that you will occupy more space behind you and accidentally hit people who are trying to occupy that same space.
A more detailed version of this cartoon can be found on bvtigernews.com.
backto.com
The Tiger Print can be accessed online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and through the website, bvtigernews.com. These resources help make content available in a variety of ways. The Tiger Print and its staff encourage feedback from readers in the form of comments, tweets, wall posts and letters to the editor. Any and all feedback will help us create a better product for our readers. Submitted material is often considered for publication either in an online format or in the print publication. However, the staff reserves the right to edit or omit comments that contain content that exposes The Tiger Print or the Blue Valley community to public scorn, embarrassment or ridicule. Such content includes but is not limited to statements displaying racism, coarse language and personal attacks or statements that do not have an obvious connection to the target story. In short, feedback is welcome, as long as it is polite and related to the paper in some way.
When we update: The website is updated at least four times a week and offers a wide selection of topics. Facebook and Instagram are updated at least once a day, and staff members will use Twitter to tweet sports results. Where to find us: Facebook - The Tiger Print Twitter - @bvtigerprint Instagram - @bvtigerprint Email - thetigerprint@yahoo.com What you’ll find: If you missed receiving the newspaper, you can find a digital copy of The Tiger Print on our home page or on issuu.com. All stories from the print publication are uploaded the same day as paper distribution. The website also includes web-exclusive content including movie reviews, up-to-date news and photo galleries.
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upclose
August 2012
Transitioning fromprivate
to
maddiejewett features editor
public
Every student chooses what they want to wear. The girls can wear makeup, nail polish and dangly earrings. Cafeteria staff serves hot lunch in the cafeteria every day. This will be a completely new experience for the numerous Blue Valley freshmen that previously went to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish. More freshmen are coming to BV from St. Michael’s this year than ever before. Freshman Sam Kalmus attended St. Michael’s since kindergarten. BV will be the first public school he’s ever attended. Kalmus said he chose BV for the welcoming atmosphere. “[BV is] close to my house, and I shadowed there last year,” he said. “Right away I felt really at home, and the people there catered to my needs.” Freshman Madeline O’Donnell also attended St. Michael’s from kindergarten through eighth- grade. Although she shadowed at other Catholic high schools, O’Donnell said BV was the right fit for her. “I just felt the most comfortable at Blue Valley,” she said. “Also, it’s right down the road from where I live. Ever since I was little, I’ve been able to hear the band and see the football games. BV was more inviting than the other schools, and it felt like everyone was very welcoming and excited.” Former St. Michael’s student junior Kelly Nicholson said she has found only positive things about the switch from private to public school. “The teachers here seem a lot more friendly and helpful,” she said. “I love all the school spirit and new people. There really isn’t anything that I dislike about BV.” This is the first year the incoming St. Michael’s students won’t attend church during school or take a religion class. “It’ll be weird without that regular [religion] class and what it teaches, but I’ll still go to church,” Kalmus said. “I’ll get to learn about different religions and understand everyone more, but I won’t be able to grow in my own faith at school as much as I would like to.” Having worn a uniform to school for the past nine years, O’Donnell said picking out her outfits will be a new experience. “If you wear [uniforms], you just have to get up and put on your uniform,” she said. “But then you don’t get to wear all your fun, new clothes. I’m a little worried about having trouble picking out what to wear, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.” O’Donnell said joining the dance team helped her get to know the school better.
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Unprecedented number of former private school students find their niche at Blue Valley
Freshman Madeline O’Donnell practices with her team during band camp. O’Donnell previously attended St. Michael’s; this is her first year of public school. “I can ask upperclassmen anything about school,” O’Donnell said. “Coming from a private school, all my classes were in the same hall, so it’ll definitely be an adjustment.” Photo by Ellie Fehlig.
“I’ve definitely met some new people, and all the girls on the team are so nice,” she said. “Since we have practice indoors and outdoors, I’ve gotten used to being in the building. I have a better understanding of the layout of the school now.” O’Donnell said she’s excited to expand her friendships during high school. “I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” she said. “Going to St. Michael’s, I’ve always been with the same group of people, so now I’m excited to find my own little place in BV.”
August 2012
Former teacher, coach handles new tasks mitchsundquist staff writer Just before students and staff left for spring break last year, baseball and girls golf coach Matt Ortman found out he would replace Athletic Director Bob Whitehead. Ortman, who will also serve as an assistant principal, coached baseball for 13 years and girls tennis for two years. Ortman said he saw the open position as an opportunity to work more closely with the current BV staff. He specifically looks forward to working more with Principal Scott Bacon. “[Bacon] has been very instrumental in my entire educational experience and was one of the big reasons why I got into education in the first place,” Ortman said. As Athletic Director, Ortman will oversee all of the athletic programs
at BV, as well as hire and evaluate coaches. His new responsibilities will give him the chance to attend more sporting events than he has in the past. “I’m really looking forward to being able to get out and watch all the sporting events,” Ortman said. “That will definitely be the most enjoyable part for me.” Due to his new position, Ortman began to see changes in his routine early in the summer. “I haven’t been up at the school as much doing weights and workouts,” Ortman said. “When I have been [at BV], it’s been in the office and on the computer.” The baseball players Ortman has spent countless hours coaching felt his absence over the summer, but were happy he was given the job. “I was surprised and a little skeptical about the future,” senior Brendan Janes said. “But I was also
Ortman’s new responsibilities Overseeing all athletic events Assistant principal Evaluating and hiring coaches
very happy that he was able to land such a big job.” Ortman said his job is difficult when he doesn’t know how his predecessors have handled the tasks he’s now responsible for. However, he said he overcame these early difficulties with Whitehead’s help. “I’m just trying to figure out how we’ve done it in the past and trying to continue to do it that way,” Ortman said. “I spent the month of June shadowing Mr. Whitehead, just going through all of the stuff he’s been doing and trying to figure out as much as I could.” Ortman won two state championships and finished second at State last year as coach of the baseball team. His players are confident he will be able to spread that success to all sports. “I think he will make every program better as opposed to just making a great baseball team,” Janes said. Although Ortman said he is excited about his new position, he said he will miss coaching baseball and the relationships he has developed with his players. “Not being around them quite as often,” Ortman said, “I’ll definitely miss that the most.”
tigerturf
TIGER
TURF
BV SPORTS
sports in brief FOOTBALL
Upcoming Action: 8/31 @ Gardner 9/7 vs BV North 9/14 vs Salina South 9/21 @ Miege
VOLLEYBALL
Upcoming Action: 8/25 @ St. James 8/28 vs Olathe East, Topeka Seaman 9/6 @ Lansing 9/8 @ Lee’s Summit West, Mo-Kan Tournament 9/11 vs BV North, St. Thomas Aquinas 9/18 @ Gardner
BOYS SOCCER
Upcoming Action: 8/24 vs Shawnee Mission West @ BV West 8/27 @ Mill Valley 9/4 @ KAMO Tournament at the DAC — TBA 9/8 @ KAMO Tournament at the DAC — TBA 9/11 @ BV Northwest at the DAC 9/17 vs Gardner at BV West 9/18 @ Miege
CROSS COUNTRY
important info Upcoming events: Varsity football Senior Night is at 7 p.m. on Sept. 7 during the game against BV North. The Homecoming game will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 14 against Salina South. The cross country team will run at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 in the BV/Olathe District Meet at Lone Elm Park.
The varsity volleyball team will play on Aug. 28 at home against Olathe East and Topeka Seaman.
The boys varsity soccer team will play on Sept. 4 and 8 in the KAMO Tournament at the DAC.
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Upcoming Action: 8/30 @ BV/Olathe District Meet at Lone Elm Park 9/8 @ Paola Invitational 9/15 @ Blue Springs at Lake Jacomo 9/20 @ Prairie View HS
GIRLS TENNIS
Upcoming Action: 8/25 @ Wichita Collegiate 8/27 @ LSN 9/10 @ Shawnee Mission West 9/15 @ Mill Valley
GIRLS GOLF
Upcoming Action: TBD
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incolor
August 2012
Perfecting performance
Practicing throughout the summer, BV’s band prepared for the upcoming football season
Overlooking band practice, the tiki head serves as a point of reference for the wind instrument players. During football season the horn instruments point towards the press box during routines. “During practice we don’t have a press box to point towards,” band member, senior Sarah Hill said. “This is what they aim for.” Photo by Megan Ball.
“
We’re rehearsing our prestigious techniques. We’re going to kill it this year.
(Right) Running routines, the band practices the halftime show for football games. The band began practicing on July 23. “They’re doing fundamental tests so they can have a spot in our drill. It has to match their ability level,” band member, senior Courtney Hyland said. Photo by Megan Ball.
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(Above) Taking a break from the heat, band members practice in the gym. During the summer the band works on marching to a timed beat. “It’s very physically demanding,” freshman Sam Cordes said. “My favorite part is learning new music.” Photo by Megan Ball.
— Senior band member Gage Brock