The Tiger Print — December 2009

the

print TIGER BLUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL bvtigernews.com

Vol. 40 Issue 5

December 2009

Stilwell, KS

inside Math and science grants

Organization donated $8,000 to these departments, plan to use on new equipment page 3

Braden Hofen

Young boy’s battle with cancer brings community together, foundation started page 17

2009 Wrap-up

Survey of BV students reveals the best and worst of the year in pop-culture page 21

inthenews

in the halls...

1. Enrollment begins early

Enrollment for 2010-2011 school year at Blue Valley and Blue Valley Southwest will begin Jan. 11- 19.

All Blue Valley students will enroll the same way they have in the past.

However some students are required to go to BVSW this coming year. These students are identified by the computer and all their information will be sent to BVSW. The BV students choosing to go to BVSW are required to turn in the declaration form by Jan. 6.

If students do not turn in the forms then the computer will send the information to BV. On the day back from winter break all BV students will attend an enrollment fair showcasing possible classes they can take next year.

“The potential classes at BV and BVSW are identical,” counselor Sandy Fryer said. “However it’s supply and demand.”

The more students that sign up for a class, the more likely it will be taught at BVSW. Students do still have the option of taking unavailable classes at another school in the Blue Valley District.

The declaration form is available in the office or it can be downloaded from the district Web site.

By Carlee Ray.

2. First semester final dates Semester finals are as follows: Wednesday, Dec. 16: Hour 1 7:45 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.

Hour 2 9:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.

Hour 3 10:45 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 17 Hour 4 7:45 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.

Hour 5 9:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 18 Hour 6 7:45 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.

Hour 7 9:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m

By Caitlin Holland.

3. Second semester important dates

Start penciling in these important dates of the second semester: Monday, Jan. 18- NO SCHOOL — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Saturday, Feb. 13- Sweetheart dance

8 p.m. in the Commons Monday, Feb. 15- NO SCHOOL — President’s Day Monday, March 1- Spring sports begin March 11-19 - SPRING BREAK Wednesday, March 24- National Honor Society Induction

7 p.m. in the commons Friday, March 26- Relay for Life

7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Thursday, April 8- Academics Awards Breakfast

7:15 a.m. in the Commons and PAC Thursday, April 22- Senior-Faculty Challenge Friday, April 23- Community Service Day for juniors and seniors Friday, May 14- Senior picnic/ Yearbook distribution Thursday, May 20- Senior Awards Night

7 p.m. in PAC Friday, May 21- Senior Class Day Sunday, May 23- Graduation Ceremony

1 p.m. at Kemper Arena Wednesday, May 26- Last day of School (if no snow days used)

By Allison Kohn.

on the cover...

Many factors go into an education. For more on public vs. private school, competition between grades and for help on preparing for finals, see pages 12-13. Photo illustration by Stephanie Roche. Photo

by Jackie Lippert.

0 2 DECEMBER 2009

Dunkin’ Donuts creates jobs, traffic jams sambrennan staff writer A new addition to the 151st Street strip caused traffic jams and long lines — the grand opening of Dunkin’ Donuts. The big day was Nov. 12.

“It was extremely busy, a big success though,” said Charleme Goodmen, a manager at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Senior Jaclyn Callison, an employee at Dunkin’ Donuts, and her co-worker junior Tony Davidson, both put in long hours during the opening.

“I worked without a break from four ‘till close which was about 10:30 p.m.,” Davidson said.

The long work hours put in by employees helped Dunkin’ Donuts sell over 1,600 dozen donuts on opening day.

“It was absolutely crazy, people came in screaming, ‘I’ve been waiting for this to be open!’” Callison said. “It’s just crazy to see how exited people get over a donut.”

Davidson agrees on the madness of opening day.

“It was hectic, and absolutely crazy,” Davidson said. “I think we did an excellent job though. I only worked the evening shift, but it was constant customers. We had people in the back making new donuts and coffee.”

Crowds of people wait in line on opening day. “We never slowed down all day, it was crazy,” senior Jaclyn Callison said. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

After two weeks of training online and on-site Callison and Davidson were ready for the long lines.

“I was definitely ready for the mob,” Callison said.

New employees grind and brew coffee, mark expiration dates and take care of customers.

The success of opening day came with a few rough patches.

“We ran out of chocolate frosting and had to use vanilla, but I think the customers understood since it was opening day,” Davidson said.

Davidson and Callison admit the long hours are difficult but the

location is convenient.

“I quit Ben and Jerry’s for a job that was closer, had more hours and higher pay,” Davidson said. “I get paid $7.40 an hour, with halfpriced donuts, merchandise and free coffee.”

Lines still crowd the Stanley location and Davidson doesn’t see business slowing down any time soon.

“We really want to keep the stamina up,” Davidson said.

Dunkin’ Donuts plans to open 20 more stores.

“We are hoping to grow in the Kansas City Metro area,” Goodmen said.

12 under 12 group brings BV one step closer to dream janewebb staff writer Representatives from the 12 under 12 network visited Blue Valley the week of Nov. 9. During their visit, representatives evaluated how Blue Valley compared to the other schools in the network.

12 under 12 is a nationwide network of schools sponsored by the National Staff Development Council [NSDC]. Blue Valley High School’s participation in this network helps get BV one step closer to being the best school in the country.

“Back in 2000, shortly after the No Child Left Behind Act was put in place, they [NSDC] put a challenge out to schools across the country,” Bacon said.

“They were looking for 12 schools across the country to reach 100 percent proficient in reading and math within 12 years.”

Blue Valley is currently 98.3 percent proficient in reading and 96 percent proficient in math.

“I think we are definitely heading in the right direction,” Bacon said.

BV is one of the four high schools that took on the 12 under 12 challenge along with four elementary schools and four middle schools.

Neuqua Valley, Reagan, and Santa Fe High Schools are the others participating in the program.

According to Neuqua Valley Principal Bob McBride, his school and BV have a lot in common.

“Our schools are similar — and much more than having the word ‘valley’ in their names,” McBride said. “We are both suburban. Naperville is outside of

Chicago and Stilwell is right outside of Kansas City.

This means that we have less diverse populations than some urban schools.”

During the recent visit to BV, different schools’ officials shared ideas to help improve the schools.

McBride and Connie Berger, principal of Reagan, agree that BV’s teachers and students have good relationships and optimism.

“They want to be the best school possible and they want to be collaborative with each other,” McBride said. “The energy of the way they approach their work is very powerful.”

Berger noticed the pride BV students and staff evoked.

“Everyone I met and spoke to loved their school and felt like it was a great place to learn,” Berger said.

The representatives found BV’s academic interventions to be a step in the right direction.

“We are impressed by how your school has used time with block scheduling, professional learning communities, Overtime and Taking Care of Business all to improve the experience students have,” McBride said.

The schools involved get the opportunity to learn and improve their environment by what they learn from the others.

“They challenge us to continue to work in engaging students in learning and not just teacher-led instruction,” Bacon said. “We should try to move away from the lecture format.”

Bacon believes that BV’s participation in the network is very beneficial. By using the feedback from the other schools, BV is on the way to becoming 100

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Foundation donates $8,000 to BV science, math programs rachelmccullough entertainment editor The door swung open while voices of cheer spread throughout the classroom.

Physics teachers John Holloway and Aaron Ballew beamed as they were presented with a physics grant.

Blue Valley High school was awarded with over $8,000 in grants by the Blue Valley Educational Foundation's surprise squad.

The grants were given to the Physics department, the Science Outreach program and to Principal Scott Bacon to purchase Steady Island, a learning tool for state assessment practice and pre-testing.

Before receiving these grants, there was an application process through the BV Educational Foundation Web site.

Proposals were submitted mid-September and awarded in early November to each of the BV schools.

Overall the BV district received about $48,000 in grants.

Holloway and Ballew said the proposals included the goals of the grant, a timeline, and the projected impact the grant would have on the physics department.

The department was awarded with $4,167.83 that will be used to buy 12 Lab Quest Interfaces.

These Interfaces enable physics students to use motion detectors, temperature probes and similar probes without requiring the use of computers.

These portable detectors can be used inside, outside or can be checked out to go home with students.

"Science doesn't just happen in the science lab," Holloway said. "We will have a wider range of experiments for us to do since we’re not limited to the classroom.”

The possibilities of where students could take experiments excite Holloway.

“Students could take the temperature probes home, put them in different rooms of their house and see how efficient heating is over time,” he said.

Holloway believes this will encourage students to think creatively about the experiments they produce, and encourage students to find new ways of learning beyond what they are learning right now.

“We will be able to do more types of labs than before with a lot fewer restrictions and allow more

“Science doesn’t just happen in the science lab.

We will have a wider range of experiments for us to do since we’re not limited to the classroom” physics teacher John Holloway

Blue Valley Education Foundation treasurer Todd Louis and Wal-Mart manager Keith McEnany hand the check to physics teachers John Holloway and Aaron Ballew. The Blue Valley Education Foundation granted $4,167.83 to the science department. From right: Louis, McEnany, Holloway and Ballew. Photo submitted by Blue Valley Education Foundation.

independent projects,” he said.

Among these independent projects, Holloway foresees the new technology being used in personal science fair projects.

“We’re just very thankful to the Blue Valley Educational Foundation for their support," Holloway said. “We think it’s going to make a difference to physics and science at BVHS.” Bacon shares Holloway's view, and found software that can benefit every BV student.

With the plan of purchasing Steady Island, a software used to prepare for State assessments, Bacon submitted a proposal as well

to the BV Educational Foundation.

He received $1,200, and plans to impliment this software during this year.

"Students will be able to access it from school or from home and get very quick feedback on how they are doing," Bacon said.

Along with this program there is extra tutorial practice and Classroom Performance System (CPS) capabilities so teachers can utilize this new software in the classroom.

Since feedback is so quick, teachers will be able to see where students’ problem areas are and help them to get extra practice before the state assessment.

Bacon feels this program will help provide practice for students who are struggling with these concepts.

"Parents can sit down with their child at home and work on a particular concept using this program," Bacon said.

He believes this software is a great tool to help students who are struggling and personalize instruction.

"We're learning more and more about this as we go. It's a new tool that has a lot of capabilities," Bacon said. "We will start what it has to offer and use it even more effectively as we continue to develop it."

DECEMBER 2009 0 3

payin’thebills

0 4 DECEMBER 2009

Drive safely, BV inthenews

The winter season is filled with snow, ice and freezing temperatures. These hazardous weather conditions could be dangerous to drivers and put a strain on motors. It is essential for every driver to take precautions to ensure safety for themselves and others when on the road. jordanhuesers staff writer

pre-season car prep pre-season car prep

pre-season carstranded... prep if you get

Engine tune-up in the fall.

Check lights to ensure they are working.

Adjust the breaks.

Check battery and voltage regulator.

Make sure all fluids are at proper levels.

Clean wiper blades. Consider changing to winter wiper blades.

Be sure to have appropriate tires for all weather conditions.

Don’t...

Warm up the car by running the engine for a long period of time.

The proper way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it.

Do not exit your vehicle and wander around or get lost.

Run the engine for heat once every hour.

Clean the snow from around the end of the tail pipe, this will prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

Make sure the vehicle is not air tight. Crack the window a little.

Clear outside heater vents.

Let other vehicles know you are stranded by using flares, flashlights, or by tying a bright colored cloth to your antenna.

Firestone Complete Auto Care recommends that students always drive the speed limit and focus on the road.

“Especially with all the texting and new technology going on these days, kids need to be extra careful while out driving,” a Firestone employee said. “All it takes is a few seconds of looking away from the road to crash a car.”

It is recommended to get a winter check-up from any local car repair shop. These check-ups are a comprehensive test to make sure your car will be prepared for the weather conditions winter brings.

pre-season carforprep supplies the car Snow shovel Scraper Tow chain or strap Tire chains Flashlight (with extra batteries) Jumper cables Candles Sleeping bags or blankets Extra pair of warm clothing First Aid Kit Compass Salt or sand Non-perishable food

pre-season car unstuck prep how to get

Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way. Keep a light touch on the gas and ease forward. Do not spin your wheels.

You can also rock the vehicle. However, this can damage the transmission on some cars.

Shift from forward to reverse, and then back again. Each time you are in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Photo by Haley Hickman.

BVSW Student Advisory Board to accept applications in January annieburress staff writer

focus issues mentoring vision programs

environmental

dances

sustainablilty academic support spirit week

mission advisory

communtiy service

meet new people, like the kids from West, and the faculty.”

Roberts said the group’s membership will be capped around 25 students to keep discussions manageable.

“It’s the same way with adults — if you get too big of a group, it’s harder to get things accomplished,” he said.

Administrators will try to include a variety of students, provided their essay is reflective of their enthusiasm for the new school.

“We really don’t want to be selective,” Roberts said.

Once the school opens, Student Council, which will be elected within the first few weeks of the school year, will fill the role of the Student Advisory Board.

school’s mission

On Jan. 6, the first day of second semester, a mass e-mail will be sent out to all students attending Blue Valley Southwest inviting them to join the Student Advisory Board.

The Student Advisory Board will be a group of students that meet during the spring semester with administrators from the school.

The group will collectively discuss the school’s vision, school dances, community service, spirit weeks and many more topics as questions arise.

“We really want their input as we do this, so that they have a say in their school,” Roberts said.

Students interested in being on the board must apply. Details will be included in the e-mail.

“I really love writing, so what we’re going to do is have the students write a short essay about why they want to be involved with the Student Advisory Board,” he said. “We want the really enthusiastic students to be a part of this.”

Sophomore Ellie Stewart wants to apply for the Student Advisory Board to feel more like a part of the school.

“I just want to help get traditions started, things that I like about BV,” she said. “And to

pep assemblies

DECEMBER 2009 0 5

outloud

Keeping the glass half-full

Despite childhood tragedies, senior’s positive attitude inspires When senior Jessica McCrary arrived home from a Brownie meeting on Nov. 18, allisonkohn 1999, the editor’s notes house didn’t seem right.

“It felt strange. The house was dark and I couldn’t understand what was wrong,” Jessica said.

Jessica’s mother, Wendy, had died. The breast cancer she had removed three years earlier had metastasized to her brain, lungs and kidneys.

After fighting the cancer for two years, Wendy died at home while Jessica’s younger brother, Jacob, was asleep on the couch.

“I was so young. I just didn’t understand, “ Jessica said. “I can still hear it in my head, my dad’s gut-wrenching sobs, crying because of my mom.”

Jessica was in second grade when her mother passed away. Her brother was only five.

A few years later, Jessica’s father remarried. His new wife was pregnant with a baby girl.

However, the unborn child was diagnosed with hypo-plastic left heart syndrome.

The doctors didn’t believe this baby would be able to live once she was born. Kristin lived to be eight months and 11 days old.

She only made it home once, for 14 hours.

Kristin was never able to see the pink baby room her parents decorated for her.

Jessica was in sixth grade when her new half-sister passed away.

“Because I was older, I understood what was going on,” Jessica said. “I remember my parents coming in to my room and waking me up to tell me what happened. I just kept crying, ‘no, no.’ It hurt a lot more right away.”

Jessica, now a senior, recently moved out of her parents’ home because of multiple disagreements. On Oct. 31, Jessica’s 18th birthday, she officially signed the documents

my voice

stating she was independent of her parents.

She now resides down the street from her parent’s house with the Francis family, receiving no monetary support from her parents.

“I couldn’t keep myself surrounded by all the negativity,” Jessica said. “The house was a reminder of the pain. I was feeling bitter about my sister’s memory. Now, with the Francises, I live in a much more positive atmosphere. Everyday when I walk into the house, I feel like it’s home.”

Jessica’s story is long and heart-wrenching. The amount of pain this young woman has faced is more than most people can even comprehend.

However, Jessica’s positive attitude remains alive. Her bright smile, loud laugh and sunny disposition are contagious. She radiates warmth and grace.

With such a difficult past, McCrary’s strength and perseverance remains vigilant.

“I stay positive by making sure I tell myself that good can come from the bad,” Jessica said. “Someday, you’ll benefit from the bad things you go through, whether you realize it now or not. You build strength from the experiences.”

The support and love of her friends has truly made the difference in Jessica’s life.

“A lot of my inner strength has come from others,” Jessica said. “I’ve been able to build this strength from the ones that love me. It helps me become a stronger person knowing how much support I have from the people in my life.”

Jessica’s faith carries her positive mindset.

“I hear people say ‘I hate my life’ and I say it too,” Jessica said. “But I don’t hate my life. I hate the things that have happened in my life. Life is a gift that can be taken away with the snap of a finger. Why hate something that is so blessed? Everyday you wake up is a blessing.”

She has been accepted to all of the colleges she applied to, with offers for different scholarships.

Jessica hopes to major in education and to someday become a music teacher.

“Music has been such a big part of my life

Senior Jessica McCrary plays the violin in the school orchestra. She is also in the Classy Ladies Show Choir, the senior class vice-president and a member of the Relay for Life committee. Photo by Emma Mosier.

forever,” she said. “It’s carried me through a lot. Music heals and expresses things words or actions can’t. I want to share that with others because I think it can change lives.”

As Jessica proves, a positive attitude is a powerful thing. With a strong support system and belief in herself, she has been able to push through the darkest of times.

Jessica’s inspiration has taught me that the attitude I choose to have is truly up to me.

Thinking negatively and doubting myself

cannot accomplish the things a strong, positive mindset can. I shouldn’t waste time constantly knocking myself down. In the end, things will turn out the way I believe they will.

“I’m so motivated to make something of myself, “ Jessica said. “I feel the need to prove to myself that I can do anything. I can take the bad things in my life and use them to make something better. The darkness motivates me to make light, to make something beautiful.”

Senior reflects on her three years as member of Tiger Print Twenty-four. That’s the number of issues of The Tiger Print I’ve worked on, including the fine publication you’re holding in your grimy little swine-flu-germ-infested hands.

It’s also the number of torifreisner crash-courses l’ve gone through while working on this newspaper — good, bad, painful, embarrassing, hilarious. And all of them have been rewarding.

While it may not have seemed like it at the time, life has a funny little way of turning mistakes into learning experiences. And that’s something you can’t gain if you never try to find what you’re passionate about. If you never try, you’ll never learn.

I remember walking into room 450 on the first day of

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0 6 DECEMBER 2009

sophomore year and seeing all of the upperclassmen.

They looked about 20 — I was terrified.

First semester progressed with the typical ups and downs, but eventually I got into the swing of things and realized that, for the first time in high school, I really felt like a part of something. As hard as it is to believe, it’s been three years since I joined The Tiger Print, and there are so many memories.

Interviews, weekly beat checks, InDesign, late nights followed by Chipotle with some of my best friends, GoogleDocs, deadlines, font nerds, sarcastic columns, terrifying editor interviews, claiming to quit after every semester, constantly being compared to Tiger TV, “your mom” jokes and one editor with a very non-vegan penchant for cheese and college fight songs (ahemMitchellSmithahem).

If there’s one thing I got right in high school, joining the Print was definitely it.

The key to high school is finding your niche. Whether

that niche is newspaper, marching band, StuCo, Bollywood Club, or playing Magic the Gathering in the senior hallway, we’re lucky enough to go to a school that gives us so many opportunities.

Don’t pass up an opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know, or to try something new.

Make a new friend or learn something.

Next time you see someone hanging up their Digital Imaging project in the Avenue of the Arts, ask them about their work. If you see kids sleeping in boxes outside of the school to raise awareness about homelessness, ask them what you can do to help. Don’t let high school pass you by.

So this is my last issue. As I’m typing it, it’s my last late night. And the day you read this will be the last day my hands are smudged with ink from counting papers.

But no matter what, I’ll always remember the lessons I’ve learned and I’ll keep in touch with the friends I’ve made.

After all, that’s what high school’s all about.

outloud

raise your voice What forms of disrespect are most common within our school?

Senior Tyler Goff

“A lot of people disagree and argue with their teachers.

I think it’s wrong and they should respect their elders.”

Illustration by Emma Mosier.

Level of disrespect in school contradicts Blue Valley virtues staff editorial 25

agreed

4

disagreed

If a student were to ask a custodian when the last time he or she heard a “thank you,” what would you expect them to say?

How about someone who works in the lunchroom? Or the teacher that works the extra hours after school to make sure all of his or her students succeed?

Although Blue Valley prides itself on being a safe and respectful place to learn, it seems that many of us have forgotten what “respectful” really means.

In classrooms, it’s common for a student to talk back to a teacher.

People push, shove and cut each other in the lunchline without a second thought.

Derogatory language seeps through the halls during passing periods.

When did these become acceptable in our school? Our teachers and administrative staff aren’t receiving the respect they deserve, nor are our peers.

BV is a school of deep-set traditions with one of the best reputations in the country. The lack of respect towards others may fly at other schools, but not here.

Think back to elementary school, when teachers preached the “Golden Rule,” — treat others the way you want to be treated. Sound familiar? Even if someone wasn’t your best friend, you still had to share your crayons and glue sticks. But that didn’t seem to matter because you knew that if you asked the kid next to you to borrow his scissors, he wouldn’t mind.

As we moved on from elementary school, we lefto our respect for others behind. It’s something every one of us deserves. We all come to school to learn and be with our friends.

Yes, there are times when it’s necessary

to stand up for yourself against a teacher or administrator. But think about the way you present yourself. If you want to receive respect, you first have to show it first. Speaking in a controlled manner, clearly getting your point across and not interrupting the speaker are the most effective ways to make yourself understood.

We don’t come to school to be shoved in the lunch line or called a hurtful name.

The teachers don’t come to school to listen to an obnoxious student argue over a petty complaint.

The custodians don’t come to school to clean up leftover Gatorade bottles or trash that’s been scattered throughout the hall.

The cafeteria staff doesn’t come to school to serve lunch to ungrateful students.

Our school should strive to be the best at everything we do, including the way we treat others.

Sometimes a small “thank you” to a custodian or “excuse me” to a student in the hall is all it takes to make a difference.

Junior Breanna Dowling

“Teachers can be annoying, but sometimes students take things too far with them.”

Senior Tyler Kalmus

“Talking during assemblies, people would want to be respected if they were being recognized.”

The Tiger Print co-editors-inchief Allison Kohn Stephanie Roche

entertainment editor Rachel McCullough

multimedia editor Tori Freisner

sports editor Ryan O’Toole

news editor Caitlin Holland

photo editor Jackie Lippert

opinions editor AJ Barbosa

ads manager Jacob Pruitt

features editor Katie Louis

circulation manager Chris Roche

Haley Schroer James Statham Jane Webb

staff writers Sam Brennan Emily Brown Annie Burress Connor Cape Brice Goldenberg Matthew Gruber Matthew Holloway Jordan Huesers Jordan McEntee Sara Naatz Carlee Ray

photographers Haley Hickman Christian Huesers Maegan Kabel Emma Mosier adviser Jill Chittum

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

Letters to the editor and reader responses are encouraged for publication. The Tiger Print reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content and encourages

letters to be no more than 350 words.

Letters should be submitted to room 450, e-mailed to thetigerprint@ yahoo.com or mailed to: The Tiger Print c/o Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th St. Stilwell, KS 66085 phone: 913-239-4800 The Tiger Print also encourages guest photography. Photos should be submitted to room 450 with information pertaining to the photo.

DECEMBER 2009 0 7

outloud

Tigers, tigers,

how do you feel?

Fan support strong during football, should continue for other sports my voice

jordanmcentee Football games are insane.

The sea of black is overwhelming. Hundreds of crazed Blue Valley students are chanting, shouting, yelling and cheering on their fellow classmates.

That’s what we do. We stand all game, every game and support our Tigers.

But football’s over. What now?

Does this mean we stop showing our Tiger pride? Of course not.

Just because football season has come to an end doesn’t mean our BVHS spirit should decrease.

There’s still boys and girls basketball, wrestling, swimming, debate, Rep. Theatre and so many more activities that we can go out and support. Football is not the only sport here.

Remember all the times that you totally decked yourself out in black and gold for those BV home football games? Well, don’t put that wardrobe away because all the other teams deserve your support, too.

Last year I played JV soccer, and you have no idea how much it means to the team to see people come out to support us and cheer us on. Just hearing the fans encouraging us and motivating us makes a big difference.

So now, even though football’s over, there are still plenty of teams and activities that need our encouragement, spirit and enthusiasm.

We should want to be known as a school that supports all of our activities and not just the football team. Yeah it’s great, but there’s more to high school sports than just football.

Props to the football team for winning state by going undefeated in 2006, but also to the debate team who won state in the 2- and 4- speaker divisions last year, the baseball team won state in 2008, and BV tennis player Ashley Tiefel got third in state this year.

This shows we obviously have talent in activities other than just football.

So let’s show some respect and cheer on all the amazing teams we have here at BV. Now’s our chance to show some school spirit. The boys basketball team has no returning starters from last year, which means they’re going to need some serious sup-

BV students dress up for the lifeguard-themed girls varsity basketball game on Dec. 3. The Lady Tigers won 50-38 against the Olathe East Hawks. The level of fan support shown in this picture is crucial for all winter sports and activities. Photo by Maegan Kabel.

port from all of us.

Also, we have some amazing wrestlers like reigning state champion senior Parker Madl and state-placer senior Nick Pearch.

They need our encouragement, and since anyone can attend the wrestling tournaments, we should

all try to make it out there to support them.

So don’t be afraid to get into it.

Just because they don’t give out Superfan awards for wrestling or swimming doesn’t mean that we can’t be crazy Tiger fans.

My point is: you’re only in high

school once, so live it up while you’re here.

Bust out all your crazy Tiger outfits; maybe lose your voice a few times from chanting so loud.

We might look like freaks, but we’re freaks for Blue Valley High School, and that’s what matters.

Stereotypes inherently define district schools, some should be embraced If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard, “You go to BV... where’s your Carhartt?”

I’d be rich ajbarbosa enough to fit in at West.

First, let me get it clear. We are more than fortunate to live in a community like we do.

The Blue Valley School District is easily one of the best in the metro area, and undeniably one of the premier districts in the country.

But boy, do we have our interesting stereotypes.

We’re the rednecks. Just because there aren’t too many prim and proper subdivisions located south of 159th street, we’re all assumed to have lips full of chew, cowboy boots and Carhartts. Oh, and you don’t have a truck? Get out of here.

North are the Jewish kids. According to

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0 8 DECEMBER 2009

the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, North has the highest concentration of Jewish students in the metro area, and it is located in the city’s largest Jewish neighborhood. Their football team is sometimes forced to play a day ahead of Jewish holidays to avoid the conflict.

Well, no one cares about Northwest.

They’re just lucky because they have a Sonic right across the street.

And it all comes down to West. Easily the most widely-loathed amongst our student body— they’re the rich kids. Their red parking tags are hard to miss, considering you were gawking at their shiny red Mustang in the first place. The girls always have designer bags, the guys always have the nicest basketball shoes and they always make us sick.

No matter how inaccurate or ridiculous the stereotypes are, they’re never going to be escaped by any of us.

Trust me, I’ve been irritated before when people accuse me of being a redneck, even though I’m half-Mexican, listen to alternative and rap music and wear Nike shoes.

It’s pretty hard for me to be a redneck.

If you think about it, though, we don’t really have any of the dirty, smelly, drawl-slurring deadbeats who are rarely seen without a pinch of Red Man in their cheek­— the true rednecks.

Many of us may hunt and fish all the time and sport the Ducks Unlimited stickers on the back of our trucks, but we’re smart and nice people.

Like how not every North student is Jewish, we aren’t all rednecks either.

However, without stereotypes we’d lose one of our school’s finest traditions. Instead of dressing up as the smelliest hicks this side of I-435, we’d just wear our regular black and gold attire to the basketball game against West.

What fun is that? Plus, we get to see all those hot girls from West dressed up in short plaid skirts and polos.

Try finding a male student who has a complaint with that one.

With our redneck stereotype also comes an inherent intimidation factor amongst

other schools. If you were stuck in an empty alley with a prep, a Jewish kid, a kid with a Sonic cup and a redneck, which would you be more scared of?

Trust funds and cherry limeades aren’t that intimidating.

It’s not just us either, even our mothers are more intimidating than those Volvo-driving soccer moms up around Town Center.

Whether you look at it as a negative or a positive, it’s nearly impossible to escape the stereotype determined by what school you attend.

Instead of complaining about it and doing everything to contradict them, we need to sit back and have fun with them.

It took me three years of high school to realize that caring about petty things like that is futile. See the humor in it. A battle is what these people expect when they mock us, so simply embracing our partially country roots gives them the opposite of what they wanted.

Enjoy it while you can, too, because next year those Southwest tree-huggers arrive.

Rope n’ Ride bricegoldenberg staff writer Anxiety hangs in the air as the rider waits for the event to start. The calf is set behind the gate. The horse is rearing to go as the crowd begins cheering. The rodeo is about to begin.

Junior Zoey Sharp began training for rodeos at the age of seven, but has been attending them since she was even one year old. Sharp carries on the tradition started by her father, now her teacher.

"My dad has taught me a lot about rodeos," Sharp said. "He has been a huge help."

Her dad, Bryan Sharp, taught her to train horses and how to rope and ride.

She attended her first youth rodeo when she was only seven, and has been competing ever since. Zoey’s dad still practices with her, and helps her with her horses.

"Rodeoing is very family oriented," Zoey said. "We do everything together."

She practices outside every day, no matter the weather and competes in rodeos every month of the year.

She competes all across the nation including the American Royal.

"There is no cooler feeling,” Zoey said.

"Getting ready to compete in front of a huge cheering crowd."

Zoey has won many of her events. There is prize money given out, and some rodeos have some added money in the purse, which is the prize money that is won.

Some also give out extra prizes to the winners, such as valuable belt buckles or new saddles.

Zoey loves to go to rodeos because of the experience she has there: it’s her world.

"Rodeoing is truly a way of life," she said.

Zoey competes in two events at the rodeo, breakaway roping and barrel racing.

This takes a lot of training and practice, however, she remains dedicated.

Before each event, she warms up and stretches her horse so they don't get injured.

Barrel racing is where the horse and rider have to complete a pattern around preset barrels in a set time.

“There’s a rush to the barrel race,” Zoey said. “It’s very exhilarating.”

Sharp The rider who completes the pattern the quickest, within the set time, is the winner. This event tests the athletic ability of the horse and the horse handling skills of the rider.

She also competes in the breakaway event.

"I like that this event is so dependent on the skill of the rider," Zoey said. "It is very challenging."

Breakaway roping is where the rider has to lasso a calf. The calf is released from the gate when the rider is ready, getting a ten foot head start.

The rider has a rope on the saddle horn and the rider has to get the loop of the rope around the calf's neck.

Once the rider has the rope around the calf, they stop their horse as fast as possible, and when the rope snaps the time is stopped.

Zoey enjoys the events that give her more of a challenge.

"I like the breakaway event better," she said. "It tests the rider's decision and handling skills more than the horse's athleticism."

Both of the events that Zoey competes in are timed.

Her best time for the barrel race is 13 seconds and her best time for the breakaway event is 2.6 seconds.

"There is no better feeling than winning," Zoey said. "Especially on a horse that you trained yourself."

She is committed to rodeos 100 percent — training and breaking her own horses.

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Student competes nationwide in breakaway roping, barrel-racing rodeo events year round

Junior Zoey Sharp lassos a calf while participating in a breakaway rodeo event with her horse, Jetta.

Sharp’s best time for the this event is 2.6 seconds. Photo submitted by Zoey Sharp.

To break and train the colts, she has to work with them on the ground first, so they can get used to her. After she has finished and thinks that the colt is ready, she starts riding it.

When colts are being trained they like to try and buck off their riders and flip over with the rider still on.

The horses are kept on her wide expanse of land.

She has many horses, but mainly rides two of them in the rodeos.

Zoey has had Star, her 12-year-old roping horse for 10 years. Jetta, a six-year-old barrel racing horse has worked with Sharp for four years.

A lot of supplies are needed to compete in rodeos, for the protection of the horse and rider. The rider has to follow a certain dress code.

Zoey wears a long-sleeved, button-up western shirt and jeans.

She also wears a cowboy hat, boots, a belt and buckle.

Depending on the association sanctioning the rodeo, a number might be worn on her back.

The horse has to have a saddle, bridles, protective boots and a wrap.

When Zoey turns 18, she wants to start competing in professional rodeos.

After high school Zoey plans to go to college on a rodeo scholarship. She is looking at many southwestern schools.

Her parents completely support her choice to rodeo professionally.

Zoey’s parents were the ones who encouraged her to start doing rodeos.

"I love rodeoing," she said. "I plan to do it for the rest of my life."

Youth doesn’t prevent student from pursuing career in aviation caitlinholland news editor A 15-year-old behind the wheel of a car is one thing. A 15-year-old flying a plane is entirely different.

Sophomore Dylan Green hopes to some day join the Air Force but decided to start his flying career a little early.

Dylan said it took three years of convincing his parents to let him prepare for his pilot’s license.

“I want to make a career of it, so I told them, ‘If I want to make a career out of this, why can’t I do it?’” he said.

Dylan’s flight instructor Jordan Davis said that although parents can be very concerned for their students’ safety, younger students are usually very fast learners.

“Often the parents are more nervous than the students,” Davis said. “The parents don’t

Green

quite understand what’s going on.

To them it seems like just one day, all of the sudden, they’re flying by themselves when, in reality, it’s quite a process to get to that point, and when they do fly by themselves

they’re definitely ready.”

Dylan’s parents finally gave in, and now help him pay for lessons. Dylan also works at Jimmy Johns to cover the expenses.

It costs students $110 to use a plane for one hour, and another $35 an hour for the instructors’ services.

Dylan attends either ground school or flight lessons.

In ground school, Dylan reviews weather

and structural basics.

“I’ve been doing a lot of ground school, and so I’m just working on getting to the air,” he said.

According to Davis, many flight students quit before getting their license because of the cost of lessons, as well as other factors.

“The main thing is they have to be dedicated to studying and learning by themselves outside of the lessons,” Davis said. “There’s only so much I can do in the two hours we’re meeting for each lesson.

Determination and flexibility, because you’re so dependent on the weather, and sometimes you have issues with the aircraft, those kinds of things.”

In order to get his license, Dylan must log a total of 40 hours of flight time, 15 to 20 of them without an instructor in the plane.

He will be able to fly solo when he is 16 and allowed to carry other passengers in the plane when he is 17.

Dylan spends a majority of his time now, however, working with Davis.

“Dylan definitely loves to fly with him,” Dylan’s mom Robin Green said. “We’re very fortunate to have Jordan on our side.”

Although Dylan already has a career in the Air Force in mind, Davis said there are plenty of career options for pilots available.

“There’s quite a variety of aviation jobs out there,” Davis said. “Most people, the first thing they think of, of course, is the airlines.

But there’s quite a lot of options.”

Davis is a commercial pilot as well as an instructor, and believes both are good options for young students interested in flying, like Dylan.

“I love the teaching aspect of it,” he said.

“I love getting a student out there to the airport and seeing them fly for the first time or seeing their family there and how proud and amazed they are that their loved one’s up there flying by themselves.”

DECEMBER 2009 0 9

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a view of her own

Senior mixes work and play by creating a business out of passion for photography katielouis features editor 2008 BVHS Photo Club Contest 2008 Johnson County Library Photo Contest 2009 Scholastics Gold Key Award 2009 Hidden Glen Arts Festival Scholarship ...just to name a few. Senior Audrey Scherer has already made quite a name for herself.

Since winning a photo contest in the eighth grade, Scherer has known that she wants to be a photographer.

“I think it kind of shocked people because no one really knew who I was,” she said about the win. “I decided I didn’t want my photography to be cliché. I wanted my own style and my own sense.”

Scherer’s photography is definitely not seen anywhere else — the ideas for her photos come from her dreams.

“What I do is really more dreamlike,” she said.

“I’ve never spent a night not dreaming and I always write them down. Later I go back and mesh them together into artwork.”

Scherer also meshes together things she sees around town.

For example, when she saw a girl crying and smoking at a coffee shop she was inspired and pulled from it to make her next project.

“It’s objects and dreams that just create these ideas,” Scherer said. “It’s not about emotions — no emotions.”

Scherer has been a photography student at Blue Valley since freshman year.

She has taken Digital Imaging, Photography I and took Photography II four times.

1 0 DECEMBER 2009

Scherer

Next semester will be her fifth.

“I think probably her greatest strength is her imagination,” photography teacher Michael Johnston said. “And her ability to come up with imagery that is connected to her but also different enough to be interest-

ing to most viewers.”

Scherer’s photography experience isn’t limited to school work.

“She puts in a lot of hours outside of class on her own doing elaborate projects,” Johnston said.

“Her work habits serve as a good role model for other students. She has been successful because she works so much.”

Scherer has interned with local photography businesses. She said she learns the most from spending time with the professionals and getting hands-on experience.

“A lot of them are head photographers in KC,” she said. “They give me their help and facilities for my assistance. I have to clean, run errands and make phone calls, as well as the fun stuff. It’s an awesome work experience, though, so it’s worth it.”

Some of those head photographers include Vedros and Associates Photography as well as rushwade2. Currently, Scherer has a finalized internship with Versluis Photography.

“I’m there three days a week and I love it,” she said. “They let me use the studio whenever. So I can use it for senior pictures or whatever I need.”

On the side, Scherer has a small business of her own for senior portraits. Her clients know her as Audrey Scherer Photography.

“I’m pretty lenient,” she said. “I charge $100 per sitting because I’m not trying to scam people. I really try to customize the portraits for the people, so they bring as many outfits as they want and we go for as long as we need.”

Scherer admits photography is not a cheap hobby. She said a good camera costs around $3,000, a lens is $200-$500, and light equipment can cost $800.

“It’s a big investment,” she said. “And you want to go with the good at the beginning so you buy the best. That’s why it costs so much to get portraits done.”

However, Scherer has her eyes set on the future and has allowed herself a slew of options as to how she wants to further her photography studies. Her first pick is Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla. “It’s pretty much my dream right now,” she said. “It’s a sweet school.

Although there are a few other art colleges I am interested in.”

Scherer already met with Senior Audrey Scherer’s photography is inspired a representative by what she sees around her. Clockwise from top: from Ringling and “Mother War,” “In the Light,” and “The Bird’s Head.” feels she has what Photos submitted by Audrey Scherer. it takes to go there.

“Right now, my small dream is come back to KC and make my own studio,” she said. “But after college I will probably photo-assist somewhere first, wherever it takes me.”

However, Scherer isn’t under any disillusion about how much work it will take to achieve this “small dream.”

“I know I won’t be big for a very long time,” she said humbly. “It takes a lot of photo assisting and other stuff first.”

The work will be worth it in the end for Scherer, though. She would not have it any other way.

“Photography to me is life,” Scherer said.

“Through it, I show people what goes on in my head. Photography is just what I live.”

a lasting impression bricegoldenberg staff writer The deadline for Headrush is approaching quickly. The literary deadline has come and gone; but if you wish to have your artwork shown, turn in your submission by Jan. 15.

Headrush is BV’s literary magazine. It showcases students’ artwork, poems and stories.

There are ten members in the club this year who work to produce the magazine.

Senior Aziza Moolla is the editor.

“Headrush is a good way for people to get recognized for their work,” Moolla said.

Students are completely responsible for putting together Headrush each year. Club advisor, Keil Pittman, is just there to observe.

The club holds two meetings a month to discuss the next steps for the magazine and to decide what entries will go in the magazine.

Each club member has a binder of all Headrush submissions.

Pittman and club members judge each entry on its creativity and new ideas. The members then vote on what should go in the issue.

According to Pittman, usually less than half of the submissions are rejected, and literary submissions have a better chance of getting in because there are always less of those than artwork.

The staff tries to choose original or unique pieces of work to put into the magazine.

“Our goal is to give recognition to students who don’t usually get it,” Pittman said.

“We want to show work that has an interesting or different perspective.”

Students submit work by putting it into one of the folders in all communication arts and art rooms.

Artwork is the most common entry, making it difficult to decide which pieces are published.

Depending on the budget, the magazine is made up of 40 to 50 pages.

“We get a lot of really good entries,” Moolla said. “I wish we could put some more in.”

After selecting pieces, the next step in the production process is designing spreads.

The students use computer software like Adobe InDesign CS, PhotoShop and Scanjet Scanners to design their pages.

The last step of production for Headrush is for it to printed and distributed.

Headrush members’ goal is to send off the magazine to be printed before spring break.

The literary magazine has been carrying out this process for many years. Former English department head, Joyce Kastra started the magazine 16 years ago and Pittman took over three years ago.

Headrush used to be produced in a class, Literary Magazine. However, it is now a club and all work is completed outside of school hours.

“We had to change Headrush to a club because of costs,” Pittman said. “It was very expensive.”

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Literary magazine showcases students’ artwork, writing

Headrush members Ashton Curry and Jessica Childers create a display for the bulletin board in the main hall that advertises the deadlines for the literary magazine. Photo by Christian Huesers.

Over its 16 years of existence, Headrush has won 15 awards. Its most recent award was last year, placing second in the National Council of Teaching English competition.

BV is not the only school with a literary magazine.

The Muse is Blue Valley Northwest’s literary magazine.

Pittman thinks that it rivals Headrush, and thinks that BV’s magazine may even be at the same standard as college literary magazines.

“The members work really hard to put out the best magazine they can,” Pittman said. “It is great and has a lot of potential.”

Students struggle to make up work missed while sick annieburress staff writer Missing one day of school can quickly turn into a nightmare.

It can take days to catch up on all of the work missed.

Between labs, presentations, notes, tests and homework, simply missing one day can be overwhelming.

Now, just imagine that one day’s workload — times 15.

Sophomore Emma Rodlund is one of multiple BV students living this scenario. She has missed 112 class periods so far this year.

“I get migraines,” she said. “Like, really bad ones. And I’ve had both flus — swine and regular. I just have a really bad immune system.”

Making up all of this work can affect one’s social life as well.

“I spend my weekends doing homework, and I have to stay after school all the time,” Rodlund said.

“And after I finish here, I have to go take an Anatomy test. Ironic?”

Senior Erin Pham agrees. After missing a month and a half of school due to contracting mono

and swine flu simultaneously, she feels constantly overwhelmed.

“It’s impossible,” she said. “With AP classes, extracurriculars and other commitments, there’s no time left to sleep. Or breathe. It isn’t one particular class that’s difficult to make up for, but it’s actually the combination of all of the classes pulling you in different directions.”

Sophomore Daniel Hough is forced to miss school for doctor’s appointments to monitor his asthma and has realized just how hard it is to catch up.

“Missing school is really tough for kids that are taking rigorous classes,” he said. “I have some pretty challenging classes this year, and so the workload is doubled when I’m not there. Although, with the make-up sessions that BV offers, it’s not as difficult to catch up as it would be without them.”

Junior Emily Turner has missed so much school that she is on homebound, a program where a teacher goes to her house every couple days to help her catch up on her work.

“I’ve missed about 50 days so far this school year, I believe,” she said. “Last year I missed almost the whole second semester, due to a staph infection, for which I was in the hospital for a period of time.”

While the swine flu has kept many students out of school this year, sophomore Erin Browne has an additional reason to stay home.

“In addition to catching the flu multiple times, I tore my rotator cuff,” Browne said. “So I’ve been going to MRIs and doctor’s appointments. I’ve probably missed about two weeks of school, total, and with surgery, I’ll only miss more.”

These students each have their own game plan for when to call it a day.

While Rodlund sometimes comes to school solely for the reason of not missing Spanish 3.5, Browne weighs the risks of coming at all and Pham often comes for half of the day.

“When I’m really sick, I generally don’t come at all,” Browne said.

“I don’t want to get other people sick. But, for my shoulder, I come late and I leave early; I just try to be

here as much as I can. Yesterday, I only came for math and anatomy, and then I had to leave.”

With Rodlund’s migraines, a situation where other people cannot become sick by being around her, the circumstances change a little bit.

“I can either miss school completely or come to school and perform poorly,” she said. “I would rather come in after school, work with a teacher, learn everything and actually understand it, than be totally out of it during class.”

Turner said missing numerous days of school negatively affects the high school experience.

“As far as being out for a long period of time, it is far from worth it,” she said. “Not being able to see your friends and interacting with people and going to the games is really hard to deal with.”

Pham, who contracted mononucleosis, couldn’t attend school for six weeks.

“For a month and a half, I couldn’t go to school at all,” she said. “I would sleep 20 hours in a day, so I really had no choice but

not to come. I would have just been asleep at school anyway.

Now I go half days; sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon. I try to switch off. I only come half days because I can’t handle the full days. I still get too tired.”

These students agree that making up work is very difficult.

“It’s really hard to get caught back up and it’s really not that much fun staying after school every single day,” Browne said.

Rodlund’s transcript has taken a hit from all of her days missed as well.

“I had to drop out of AP Euro, so that relieved a little stress — now I’m just in Western World,” she said.

“Most of my teachers have been really understanding. I do as much homework as I can at home, but I have a lot of tests to make up.”

Pham said everyone has been really understanding of her situation as well.

“Everyone has been so sympathetic and accommodating,” she said. “BVHS is a very understanding school.”

DECEMBER 2009 1 1

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Junior to venture overseas for semester

O

saranaatz staff writer

ver the past few years, French high school Lycee Henri Martin has sent students from their school to Blue Valley.

Next semester, for the first time, BV will send a student to them.

Junior Anthony Orwick will embark on a foreign exchange program that lasts from the beginning of the second semester to July 3.

Anthony decided to take this opportunity because of his love for the language and culture of France.

“I like exploring things beyond my boundaries,” he said. “I enjoy experiencing other cultures and other kinds of people.

I’m looking forward to the different laws with more leniency and to getting acquainted with different kinds of people.”

Anthony’s dad, David Orwick, thinks that foreign exchange is a good path for his son and will make high school even more worthwhile.

“I think it will really broaden his education and provide experiences outside of normal high school,” David said. “He’ll learn all about another country and culture.”

The idea of spending a semester in France came about with the foreign exchange program offered to Anthony’s French class second semester last year.

“It all started very nonchalantly,” Anthony said. “My initial reaction was like ‘I can do this. It can change how I think about life and the way I think about society.’ It was also a break from the monotony of Kansas.”

Anthony’s French teacher, Carol Bar, said there weren’t many people that applied because the program is so new.

“Everyone is thrilled that he was chosen and they were supportive,” she said. “We’re going to miss him greatly but we know he is going to shine in France.”

Anthony’s mom will be spending the first week in France with him in order to help him get situated.

“It’s good to have support from my parents, of course,” Anthony said. “My mom is being really maternal about it, but she’ll be okay.”

Anthony has a two-week break from his school in France during Blue Valley’s spring break, and his parents are planning their break around a trip to France to see him.

“He and I are really close, and we’re a really close family,” David said. “It’ll be tough for us but a good experience for him. We’re really close-knit.”

Anthony’s parents won’t be the only ones who are missing him during the six months he’s away.

“There won’t be any more random parties at my house and no one texting me random things,” one of Anthony’s friends, sophomore Lauren Burns said. “Just less randomness.”

Anthony feels like the other students are encouraging.

“I’ve had people come up to me because they know,” he said. “Everyone thinks it’s cool but my friends are going to miss me.”

Burns says he’s perfect for the program because he’s outgoing, exciting and will do whatever it takes to learn.

“I like exploring things beyond my boundaries. I enjoy experiencing other cultures and other kinds of people.” junior Anthony Orwick

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Saint-Quentin

Paris

Above: This map of France shows where junior Anthony Orwick will be staying while an exchange student — Saint Quentin.

Below: Orwick poses here at BV. Next semster he will be making news at a new school. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

“He likes geography and he’s really serious about French,” she said. “He’s always speaking it to me even though I have no idea what he’s saying.”

Bar also believes this is a great opportunity for Anthony, and admires him for traveling so far away by himself.

“Anthony is a very motivated and passionate student of French,” she said. “He loves speaking French and learning about its culture.”

French high schools are set up to have three years, as opposed to the four years in the U.S. “High school there sets you up for college and life rather than just college,” Orwick said. “They have three different paths you can take in high school: math and science, language and more of a liberal arts-type program. College there is paid for by the government.”

The setback — when Anthony returns to BV first semester next year, he will be taking classes like pre-calculus that he couldn’t learn while on foreign exchange.

Anthony’s host father is a doctor and his host mother is a chef. He will have four “siblings,” two of whom are adopted from Ethiopia.

He will be staying with them in St. Quentin, France, which is about two hours north of Paris.

Anthony’s parents know that his semester in France will allow him to do even more with his life in the future.

“Fluency in French is something that could help him in his life and career,” David said. “It just opens up so many doors of opportunity. I think when he gets back he will be more mature and just have this experience that will make him more confident and more worldly.”

payin’thebills

DECEMBER 2009 1 5

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Living without their

company

Families cope with relatives who serve in the military

saranaatz staff writer

THE GUARD: Girard Whether it’s leaving your parents and siblings for basic training or preparing to leave your wife and daughter to go to Iraq, Andrew Mellen has done it.

Mellen is the older brother of junior Kendra Girard and sophomores Steven Girard and Ashley Girard. He joined the National Guard in March of 2004, and is still actively involved.

“It’s a little different when you leave for basic training,” Mellen said. “It was exciting and not that big a deal. When I was going to Iraq it sucked because I had a wife and daughter.

I don’t know how to explain it. It was just really emotional.”

Mellen says that joining the military was something he had thought about since he was young.

“Every little boy plays army,” he said. “I just decided to do it for real.”

Mellen’s family wondered if the Guard was the safest Alicia McCauley hugs her brother Justin Dion. branch of the military for him and if joining was the right Photo submitted by Alicia McCauley . choice at all.

THE MARINES: McCauley “They all wanted me to join the Navy ‘cause it’d be safer,” Mellen said. “Some were supportive and some just thought it Justin Dion, brother of sophomore Alicia McCauley, was stupid.” made the decision to change his life around and join the However, Steven seemed to think the Guard would be less military in late 2008. As he struggled under the intense dangerous for his brother, but he still missed him just as much. system of boot camp, his family strained to cope with his “He was just going into the Guard so we knew he wouldn’t absence. be under fire on duty,” Steven said. “But we’ve always been re“I didn’t have a problem with it because he needed the ally close and when he was gone it was pretty hard. The house discipline, but my mom had anxiety issues,” Alicia said. “It’s didn’t seem as full without him and his friends.” hard knowing we could wake up one day and that would Twice Mellen prepared to go overseas, and twice the plans be it.” fell through. He was almost sent to Iraq and Kuwait.

Alicia’s mother, Beth McCauley, knew there was Steven sees the changes in his brother since he joined the always the chance her son wouldn’t make it home. military almost six years ago.

“It’s worrisome because of the danger, and you never “When he came back he was more patient,” Steven said. know what’s going to happen,” she said. “There’s always “He was less angry. I guess they teach a lot of discipline there. the unexpected. I begged him to stay and then I wanted He was just more mature.” him to go into the Air Force because they don’t really get Mellen looks back on the past several years and sees the sent over.” changes in himself as well.

Changes around the house seemed to keep Dion on “I’m much more self-disciplined and have a better grasp of the family’s mind. what I want,” he said. “I have different views of things. All my “It changes the way you think,” Beth said. “It’s a differfriends are just graduating from college and don’t have all my ent atmosphere and a whole different way of thinking of life experiences.” things. It’s always in the back of your mind.”

Though the military is a lot of blood, sweat and tears, MelHabits that may have seemed normal in everyday life len believes it’s worth it. left a very apparent hole in his vacancy.

“It was a lot of hard work,” he said. “But you’re glad you did “For me it was different because he always played it. You’re strong for it.” video games late at night and it always helped me go to sleep,” Alicia said. “It just felt like something was off without it.”

The only way Dion was able to communicate with his family was through letters.

“I was surprised and never would have guessed he would write letters in-depth,” Beth said. “It was a whole new side I didn’t know was there. Letter writing is more detailed and you can hang onto it.”

Alicia agrees it was a much different side of her brother and believes it came from the time he had to himself.

“I grew up with him keeping to himself,” she said. “It’s nice to have moments when he just opens up.”

Though Dion received a medical discharge from stress fractures in his ankle and was sent home over the summer, his family saw a tremendous difference in his personality and behavior.

“I don’t worry any more because he’s a totally changed person,” Alicia said. “He steps in when my dad’s not there instead of just shutting himself in his room.”

Beth sees the positive effects of the military on her son as well.

“He is definitely more focused, attentive and organized, and it’s just in the way he processes things and Andrew Mellen pictured above. appreciates them more,” she said. “It’s all those little things Photo submitted by Steven Girard. that didn’t seem important before.”

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Amy and James Moyes pictured above. Photo submitted

by Amy Moyes.

THE ARMY: Moyes

At the end of the day, English teacher Amy Moyes rushes to gather her belongings and head home. She isn’t tired of grading and students. Going home means spending time with her husband before he is deployed to Afghanistan for another 12 months.

The couple has lived in North Carolina, Missouri, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii and Kansas and will move to Germany next year.

James Moyes joined the Army in January 1996 to pay off a scholarship the military had given him to attend Truman State University.

“In ‘96, we weren’t at war with anyone,” Amy said.

“We just thought ‘Piece of cake! We’ll go live in some cool places and figure it out from there.’”

One of James’s first assignments was a six-month deployment to Haiti followed by a stay in Georgia and later, Hawaii.

“We were only in Hawaii a few months, but then Sept.

11 happened and it changed everything,” she said. “All of a sudden it was that part of the Army he always knew could exist but wasn’t what he joined. It’s not a bad thing. We knew it could have happened but, I mean, what do you do?”

After a while, James became an infantry officer. This means he is constantly in the line of fire and in danger of losing his life.

“I go from living with the potential that he could get deployed and get hurt, to thinking I could be a widow,” Amy said.

For her, one of the most difficult things about having a husband in the military is the major gap in communication that can occur when he is in a remote place, such as the outposts of Afghanistan.

“His second time in Iraq, I heard from him every day,” Amy said. “His first time in Afghanistan, I only talked to him 13 times in 13 months and only for 15 minutes each. We never had privacy because he would always be in line with other soldiers waiting for their turn to talk.”

Amy relies heavily on other military wives and families because they understand and relate to her situation.

“It’s a different sense of community,” she said. “I think he’s special and I think everyone who serves is special and should be valued.”

Amy feels it’s important for people to view the military in a positive light.

“I really think the Army, Marines, Navy and Guard are very good choices for young people and strengthen character and promote unselfishness,” Amy said. “ I don’t think it should sound like it’s all fire and brimstone. It’s not. You just have to be faithful.”

B A

upclose

rave Knight Braden

Boy fights cancer with help of family, community

maegankabel staff photographer

five-year-old boy sits on the floor amidst a pile of foam blocks of different shapes and colors.

He carefully stacks them, then knocks the pile down. With three blocks in his hands, he tosses them up, arms reaching into the air.

As they land around him, he smiles, laughs and looks at his mom who laughs and celebrates with him.

This boy, Braden Hofen, acts like any other kid. What he has been through, however, isn’t quite as average.

On Dec. 28, 2007, after a day of playing in the snow, Brian and Deliece Hofen took their son to the emergency room, concerned about breathing problems coupled with asthma.

A chest x-ray showed a gray mass extending from his right side to his left hip.

“Upon having the ER doctor advise it could be a tumor, I felt instantaneous relief that there might be a reason, followed by immediate panic that the tumor could mean anything from a low-risk benign mass to a very high-risk malignant mass,” Brian said via e-mail. “With the history of cancer on my family, the odds were not good for an easy path for Braden.”

The next day Braden was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer found in infants and young children.

He was given a 30 percent chance of survival over a five-year period.

“So few words can describe that,” Deliece said via e-mail. “It is a state of disbelief, worry, and most of all it is absolutely heart wrenching. Realizing your baby only had a 30 percent chance of survival is a horrible thing to have to try to deal with.”

After a year filled with six rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, radiation treatments, oral chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor, doctors declared Braden in remission.

However, scans to get cleared for future treatments showed that the cancer had already returned after five months.

With the returning neuroblastoma, Braden has a 10 percent chance of survival.

For one last shot, the Hofens turned to MIBG treatment, an experimental therapy provided by only five hospitals in the United States.

They flew to Philadelphia to receive the treatment, where Braden was exposed to a highly radioactive isotope that bonds to the neuroblastoma cells.

The hope is that, at a high enough dosage, the radiation will kill the cells.

The treatment was done in a lead-lined room.

After receiving the MIBG, Braden was

Deliece relaxes with Braden after tossing blocks and traipsing around the room. The family is currently waiting until Dec. 28 when Braden’s scans can be taken. With a positive result, there will be more treatment options. Photo by Maegan Kabel.

Andrea Luker, Alyssa Luker’s mom, signs Braden’s book during the Pilgrim Pacer. The book was available for participants and friends to leave comments and notes for the Hofens. Photo by Maegan Kabel.

confined to a bed between lead shields.

Until his radiation levels were low enough, there was minimal contact allowed.

“The hardest part was not being able to touch or hold him,” Deliece said. “That feeling is just awful.”

Jill Hanna, whose daughter attended Stanley Elementary while Deliece was principal, wanted to help the Hofens.

“I wanted to do a Stanley-based run, but with the time factor it wasn’t possible,”

Hanna said.

The third annual Pilgrim Pacer run provided the opportunity Hanna was looking for.

The Pilgrim Pacer, a run benefiting Harvester’s, consists of a 5K, 10K and halfmarathon.

Hanna knew Pilgrim Pacer coordinator Ben Holmes through local running events, and he added the Braden Hofen Fund as an additional charity to the race.

This allowed runners to donate money in addition to their registration fees, as well as adding a way for people to donate through the Pilgrim Pacer Web site.

“A lot of people donated who don’t even know who the Hofens are,” Hanna said.

The Braden Hofen Fund received $1,500 in donations and the Pilgrim Pacer directors decided to match that amount.

“It’s unbelievable,” Deliece said. “Absolutely unbelievable.”

Senior Alyssa Luker ran the Pilgrim Pacer 5K. Deliece was her elementary school principal and her mother’s close friend.

“I usually do the Gobbler Grind,” Luker said. “But I do have that connection with the Hofen family and I thought it was the best way to give back to them.”

The Hofens use CaringBridge, a Web site that keeps friends and family connected during times of serious medical issues.

“We are so isolated because we’re in the hospital, and when we’re at home we’re pretty isolated to avoid germs,” Deliece said.

“That whole virtual world has been our connection with people.”

Through CaringBridge, the Hofens are able to post journal entries and updates on Braden and his treatments.

A guest book allows others to leave supportive comments for the Hofens.

“I can’t tell you how many days would be really, really bad days, but then somebody posts something and you’re like ‘Okay, we can do this,’” Deliece said.

Barb Biel met Deliece when her children attended Stanley Elementary. Biel and Deliece have been friends for 11 years.

“It’s inspiring to see the Hofens draw such strength from their friends, family and their faith,” Biel said via e-mail. “They have taught us all so much about the value of life and living every second to the fullest.”

Braden is home until Dec. 28, when the family will return to Philadelphia for scans to see if he responded to the treatment.

If the response is positive, more treatment options will be available for Braden.

However, if there is no response there are no other treatments available, and Braden will most likely die within in a few months.

“There are good days and bad days,” Deliece said. “But it’s one of those things where if you let the sadness control it, you can’t live when there’s a chance to live. We don’t want to get to the end and say ‘We should have.’”

DECEMBER 2009 1 7

upclose

Putting the ‘gift’ back into season of giving

Students, teachers enjoy, anticipate snow days jamesstatham staff writer

my voice

emilybrown I spent most of the previous night putting on the finishing touches.

Bright bows and colorful wrapping paper covered the gifts.

The next day, after I hauled at least five pounds of presents through the school door, I regretted all of my hard work.

I was the only one of my friends that brought gifts and the only one who bothered to show that I cared.

My excitement for the holiday season disappeared in an instant.

They all had varied reasons why I wasn’t getting anything in return: the struggling economy, not enough time, they couldn’t think of any ideas.

Don’t give me that.

The truth is pretty obvious.

People who didn’t bring any presents last year were just too lazy.

And because of this selfishness, the people that actually did bother to give are hurt.

Lame excuses didn’t deter me from getting presents for my friends last year and they won’t this year.

Money isn’t a problem because I strongly believe that homemade gifts can be better than store bought ones.

Homemade gifts prove that, even during this busy season, you got off your butt and spent time making something for the people you appreciate.

The only thing that matters is the effort you put into it.

I’m not asking you to unleash your inner Martha Stewart or anything.

Nobody wants you to agonize over making complicated crafts or matching woven bracelets for your buddies.

But why not type up all your funny jokes and draw illustrations?

What about a list of songs your friend needs to buy or a list of stuff you need to do before the end of high school?

Anything other than that same old, and truthfully boring, hastily bought iTunes gift card.

If you have no artistic talent at all there are always cheap things you can buy.

It’s called a dollar store, people. It will save you time that is precious before finals.

Pick up few plastic light sabers for a reenactment of Star Wars, silly string or any other random item that makes you laugh.

So before you shrug off the possibility of buying presents for your friends, give it another thought.

You will be surprised to find that even the smallest of gifts can mean a lot to the receiver and you might even brighten up your own holiday season with the mere act of giving.

1 8 DECEMBER 2009

Here come the

Holidays It’s the most wonderful time of the year – time for students to enjoy snow days, hot chocolate, gift giving and other holiday traditions.

The best of the best (and the worst of the worst)

“

Junior Jacob Bortniker Best: “An Xbox 360, because it was the newest trend out there, and it’s an Xbox.”

Worst: “A girl’s shirt that my grandma got for me. It had like a whole bunch of animals on it and really lame sayings.”

Senior Hope Piernick Best: “I got toe socks with teddy bears on them from my sister.

They’re really dorky but I love them. The year before that I got ones with peanut butter and jelly on them.”

Worst: “My grandma gave me this really tiny jewelry container one year. It’s so gaudy and ridiculous.”

Sophomore Austin Williams Best: “Probably an electric scooter, because [Eduardo Seput and I] got the same ones and it was awesome.”

Worst: “Someone bought like four of the same sweatshirt and gave them to everyone.”

It’s 10 minutes earlier than you normally wake up for school. You turn on the TV to a news channel. The names roll across the bottom of the screen. Atchison, Basehor-Linwood, Belton, Blue Springs, Cameron, Center.

There’s something missing.

Where’s Blue Valley?

This can leave a feeling of disappointment among students and teachers across the district.

But sometimes, the luck turns in the other direction.

It’s time to break out the sleds and go have fun on the new blanket of snow or just go back to sleep.

NBC weather anchor Gary Lezak predicts that this winter will be an above average one, as far as precipitation goes, for Kansas City. The average amount of snow for the KC area is around 20 inches, and Lezak predicts 20 to 32 inches of snow and at least a few snow days for each school district.

For some students there are traditions on these days.

“First, you find a friend, then go sledding and then come home and have hot chocolate,” sophomore Sydney Lenz said. “It’s just what you do.”

Lenz said there is a certain routine for potential snow days.

“We get up at 5 a.m. and look at the TV, then if it’s not there we get up at 7 a.m. and check then,” Lenz said. “Or someone will just text you, then you’ll know.”

Lenz said she’ll always do her homework on the nights before a potential snow day.

Senior Jimmy Smith said that he has special traditions on snow days as well.

“I snowboard and go sledding and then make a fire outside in our fire pit,” Smith said.

“Then we go make some hot cocoa.”

Smith says that he does have some snow day superstitions.

“I put a fork under my pillow, then pray to the snow gods,” he said.

Communication Arts teacher Britt Qualls says teachers enjoy the snow days as much as the students do.

“I love them,” Qualls said. “It’s one of the best things about being a teacher.”

Qualls said she receives a phone call early in the morning on snow days.

“Mrs. Bakalar is always the first one to call me,” Qualls said. “Her dad works at district office so we get to know before everyone else.”

Qualls said she isn’t superstitious about snow days but her dog is.

“My dog knows when it’s going to be a snow day,” Qualls said. “She senses it and she’ll start jumping on the furniture again and again, which she’s not allowed to be on, a day or two before the snow day.”

She said last year her dog, Rita, gave her a false alarm and there wasn’t a snow day.

On snow days, Qualls said she and her husband, who is also a teacher, will just relax.

“We’ll be lucky if we get out of our pajamas,” Qualls said. “It’s just like a Saturday or Sunday.”

payin’thebills

Expires 1/31/2010

Expires 1/31/2010

DECEMBER 2009 1 9

centerstage

KevDev Nev’ lets down Brooklyn artist comes to Record Bar in Westport torifreisner multimedia editor Let’s get this out of the way: I was inches away from Kevin Devine.

Had I wanted to, I could have easily reached out, grabbed a lock of ginger hair, and instantly become best friends with the one person redeeming gingers.

And then we would frolic into the distance while bonding over liberal ideals and veganism, all while soft indie music played in the background.

But since that didn’t happen — my stalker skills are apparently sub-par — I had to settle for the next best thing: hearing Mr. Devine play to a crowd of less than 100 people.

Since the show was 18+, my dad had to tag along to The Record Bar in Westport. Immediately after entering the building, I told him to sit in the back and not talk to anyone.

While this may seem harsh, the man was wearing a turtleneck. A turtleneck. He had it coming.

First up were The Mansions, a band from Louisville, Kentucky.

While the band was enthusiastic, there were a couple of moments when I was pretty sure the bass player was going to fall over drunk into the crowd where my friend and I were standing.

Drunk, smelly hipster + 5-foot-tall teenager = oh, crap.

Miraculously, he

hung in there until the last song was sung through the lead singer’s emo bangs, which were so 2005.

Fashion critiques aside, the Mansions are the kind of fresh-faced, enthusiastic band you’d listen to on MySpace once or twice.

All in all, I think the most I’ll remember about Louisville is that Elizabethtown was set there and it doesn’t seem like a place I’d ever want to be.

Next up was the main event: KevDev. Since the Record Bar is a bar with a giant block of wood stashed in the corner to act as a stage, we were thisclose to his band as they loaded up their gear and soundchecked.

I was afraid the show was going to be all tender-hearted-indie-boy-with-an-acousticguitar, but I was wrong.

Although backed by only two other musicians, KevDev managed to add a new life to his songs and make them electrifying live.

The best tracks of the night were “Just Stay,” “Cotton Crush,” and my personal favorite, “Another Bag of Bones.”

Seeing a band live has a special way of re-energizing songs you’ve heard countless times. It adds another dimension to them that makes each new listen special.

And being less than 6 inches away from someone who I consider one of the current best songwriters?

That was just the icing on the (ginger?) cake.

x o F . r M c i t s a t n Fa

Photo courtesy of image.net.

p, and Owen Wilson

George Clooney, Meryl Stree

Wes Anderson’s first movie into the animated world can be best described a success. Fantastic Mr. Fox goes beyond any kind of animation experience 2009 has seen. The movie is based off of the story book written by Roald Dahl in 1970.

The stop-motion style gives texture and vibrancy to the movie.

The hour-and-a-half movie centers on a family of foxes, Mr. Fox voiced by George Clooney, Mrs. Fox voiced by Meryl Streep, Ash voiced by Jason Schwartzman, and Kristofferson voiced by Eric Anderson. The A-List cast also stars Bill Murray as Badger and Owen Wilson as Coach Skip.

The plot centers around Mr. Fox going through an animal mid-life crisis. After 12 fox-years, Mr. Fox buys a new tree and reverts back to his thieving ways. After raiding three despicable farmers, all the animals are thrown into a conflict.



With a master plan the animals work to out-wit the fumbling farmers.

Fantastic Mr. Fox couples good humor and amazing graphics to turn out a great movie. Wes Anderson creates an animated movie that the entire family can watch together. The subtle adult humor coupled with the quick-moving plot creates a movie gem.

The dry wit throughout the movie can get monotonous, but overall presents a lovable style of humor.

Fantastic Mr. Fox brings a fresh twist to stop-animation filming. The movie has texture that can be seen in the ruffle of fur or the wind blowing — which cannot be seen in any other film. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a bright-as-sunshine film that is one of the best animation experiences of 2009.

By Sam Brennan.

Mission Impossible: Finding the best video games this holiday season chrisroche staff writer

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

Guns are firing, the game is down to the final kill, both teams trying to win, the player looks around and sees the enemy in the open, looks down his sight, pulls the trigger.

Victory.

Then they look up at the clock and realize it’s 1 a.m. and they haven’t finished their homework.

You all know the game I am talking about, Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.

Set in a fictional war between the ultra-nationalists of Russia and the United States, this game spikes a thrill in gamers that has not been felt in a few years since Call of Duty 4.

The sequel brings the thrill by bringing back a great multi-player gaming experience, adding new guns and accessories, and continuing their epic story line in the single player campaign.

It makes it the game to own for the holidays. No matter if you are a kid who picks up a video game once a month, or if you pick them up every day, there is no excuse for you not to have this game.

This is one of the rare games that you don’t need to spend a lot of time on to be “elite.” You can pick up this game

2 0 DECEMBER 2009

and have fun no matter how you play first-person shooter.

Final thought — Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 is easily the best game of the year and will be the best choice for you to spend your holiday money on.

Left 4 Dead 2

If you have ever wanted to stand in the middle of the street, zombies surrounding you, and do nothing but spin around in a circle with your chainsaw going, Left 4 Dead 2 has fulfilled your needs with this zombie outbreak game.

Set in the southern region of the United States, you follow the story of four survivors during a zombie apocalypse.

You fight your way through endless hordes of zombies, try to find your way to survival and avoid being turned into the thing you just lit on fire with a Molotov.

The multi-player aspect of the game makes for a grand time. It is a round of four missions, one side being humans trying to reach the end of the mission, while the other four people are zombies, with one goal: to kill all four humans.

This game becomes repetitive quickly and you will most likely end up asking yourself “how many zombies can there really be?!” by the end of the campaign.

Final thought — Left 4 Dead 2 is a great game to mess around with your friends in, but won’t give you much single player value. If you already have Modern Warfare 2, then this

is a great game to buy. Otherwise, jump on the bandwagon.

Assassin’s Creed 2

Assassin’s Creed 2 is a game where your main character, Desmond, is a modern-day assassin.

He is sent back in time through a machine to relive the memories of his ancestors during the Renaissance period.

He does all this to find out about the history of the assassins creed he is a part of.

Since it is the Renaissance period, during this game you will see some similarities to that stuff in your History of the Western World textbook.

One of the locations you visit is Venice, Florence; you even get to visit Leonardo DaVinci in his workshop while planning an assassination of a corrupt person in the town.

This game does a great job of improving from its first game and upgraded the graphics, making it a game that is amazing to scale the rooftops of and plunge down to the streets.

There is no multi-player in this game so if you buy it, don’t plan on any Assassin’s Creed parties any time soon.

Final thought — Assassin’s Creed is a good game to play by yourself when you have nothing else to do, but for the most part, it would be a better investment to spend your holiday money on one of the other two games.

preview

centerstage

2009

What was the most memorable event at BV? BVW football halftime show 60% Olathe North Sub-State Loss 36% Debate 6A Champions 3%% Other 1%

BV students choose favorites of the year Who was the best new song artist?

What is the most overplayed song on the radio?

Owl City 39% Justin Bieber 31% Lady Gaga 12% Other 19%

Just Dance 36% Climb 33% No Air 18% Other 14%

What was the most popular trend?

Ugg Boots 36% Plaid Shirts 35% Big Handbags 14% Other 15%

Promotional poster of Justin Bieber.

Browse our extensive selection, or sell us your old stuff. We’ll give you cold hard cash, or even more in store credit with the cooler than cash card!

8416 W. 135th St. Overland Park, KS 913-681-1999 2 4 MAY 2009

What was your favorite movie?

The Hangover 39% New Moon 28% The Proposal 18% Other 13%

What was your favorite song?

Party in the U.S.A. 47% Gotta Be Somebody 18% Paparazzi 24% Other 10%

What was your favorite new TV show?

Glee 36% Modern Family 19% Flash Forward 15% Other 29%

What was the most memorable U.S. event?

Kanye v. Swift at VMA Awards 45% Michael Jackson dies 38% Obama Inauguration 12% Other 5%

Information gathered by Matthew Holloway and others. Survey of 150 BV students.

The best place to buy, sell and trade your favorite stuff. Video games, movies, music everything that matters!

92nd and Metcalf Overland Park, KS 913-648-8999

Everything you need, right at your fingertips!

12280 Shawnee Mission Pkwy Shawnee, KS 913-268-4399 DECEMBER 2009 2 1

tigerturf

Hitting the Floor Boys basketball begins season with fresh perspective matthewgruber staff writer This season, the boys basketball team will face something like never before.

The Tigers began their season on Dec. 10, hosting the annual Blue Valley Shootout, without any returning starters.

After losing all five starters, including 2009 graduate, All-Metro team member Ryan Magdziarz, the Tigers will look to junior co-captains Hayden Murray and Paul DeBey Jr. to play a key role in the team’s leadership. These two players have received minutes in some game situations last season.

The inexperienced players will have to adapt to the varsity spotlight, including the crowd noise and duties that come with putting on the varsity uniform.

“They haven’t played against the bigger crowds...against bigger, stronger, more athletic teams,” coach Chris Hansen said.

Despite the team’s lack of experience in Friday night match-ups, the team has a competitive edge.

“The guys like to play with each other, they’re compatible,” Hansen said. “I know they like to compete. Guys that

compete don’t like to lose.”

The younger team will look to the fans for encouragement throughout the season.

“Every little bit’s gonna help,” Hansen said.

Murray said he expects the team to play very hard this year and improve as the season goes on.

“I’m pretty excited about the season this year because we really have nothing to lose with basically no returning varsity players,” he said. “We’re a very scrappy team.”

Murray said the team this year is very strong physically, most of the varsity players were football players who spent a lot of time in the weight room.

“But we need to learn to play together,” he said.

In the EKL, Murray said Miege is going to be a very good team, and Blue Valley North has a lot of returning players, but the rest of the teams seem to be down this year.

Murray is optimistic about the team’s chances at a playoff run.

“Well, everyone in Kansas gets at least one game in the playoffs, and how the regular season goes will dictate who we play in the playoffs,” he said. “But if things go as planned, we could have a team, come playoff time, that nobody wants to play.”

Junior Alex Newell shoots baskets at varsity basketball practice on Dec. 4. Newell is one of the new varsity faces looking for playing time. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

Student questions state of sports today, looks to professionals for answers my voice

ryano’toole “NFL fines Bengals’ Chad Ochocinco $20K for attempted ‘bribe’”.

Another day, another several K. For Cincinnati Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (formerly Johnson) a week doesn’t go by before one of his jokes is blown out of proportion and his base salary is knocked down several thousand dollars.

Most recently, he was seen during a game carrying a $1 bill out to a referee who was reviewing the play.

In the past, the NFL brought the

gavel down on him for posing for a ‘photo’ taken by a teammate and using an end zone pylon to putt a football several feet.

He has been described by pundits as childish, immature, egotistical and an attention-hog.

But the 6’1” child has something he can teach us all. He’s keyed into something that 90% of the world has forgotten these days: sports are fun. Fun to watch, fun to play, fun to love, fun to hate.

The NFL tries to act like it’s a serious business with no room for messing around, but it’s not. At the end of the day, it’s entertainment.

The players, entertainers.

The seriousness that the NFL is treating the game with has trickled down into the masses and sports are no longer fun.

Fans base the value of their life on how their team is doing. Stu-

dents give up all aspects of their life to improve their game.

High schools like ours are defined by their football program, and losing seems like a fate worse than death.

Our football team started losing early and people stopped going to the games, and a sense of apathy developed in the school. Once they strung together a few playoff wins everyone was suddenly into football again.

People only wanted to be a part if it meant a winning team that held up to the BV “legacy”.

It’s not specific to our halls either.

Parents are getting in fist-fights at little league games, while their children swing towards their fifteenth consecutive strikeout, with a smile on their face.

A parent of a high school stu-

dent in Texas shot - yes, shot - the football coach in a dispute over the kid’s playing time.

I get it. It’s rough out there. It’s hard to see how anything these days could not be life-or-death.

Which is exactly why everyone needs to see the true nature of sports. They are a way to escape the daily grind.

An event, unlike war or legislation, in which the outcome truly doesn’t matter long-term.

An event, unlike recession or Miley Cyrus, that you know comes to a definite end.

Something, anything in this world we can grasp to for a sliver of hope.

Even I was sick of sports.

I hated watching, because it was hard to watch the Chiefs lose week in and week out.

I hated playing because I lacked

natural ability, started late and everyone seemed to be miles ahead.

I had hit a low point as far as the sports world goes. I didn’t watch a single Chiefs game through the 2008 season.

I dropped my running program and stopped working on soccer.

Games had become too serious and I didn’t need any more serious in my life.

But then something clicked.

I stopped caring that I sucked at soccer or that the Chiefs were atrocious.

I allowed sports to drop from my top priorities.

And with the pressure off, the love returned.

I started running again and have watched every minute of Chiefs football this year.

Like Ochocinco, I started to recognize sports as fun again.

Sports In Brief Boys Basketball

Record: 0-0* Key Athletes: Senior Anthony Abenoja, juniors Paul DeBey and Hayden Murray Upcoming Action: 12/11 Home Tournament TBA

12/12 Home Tournament TBA

Boys Swimming

Previous Action: 12/2 @ Lawrence Free State 4th/5 Key Athletes: Senior Andrew Fraser, junior Adam Chinery, sophomore Austin Averkamp Upcoming Action: 12/14 @ Shawnee Mission East

1/2 @ Blue Valley Norh

2 2 DECEMBER 2009

Girls Basketball

Previous Action: 12/3 Olathe East W(50-38) Record: 1-0 Key Athletes: Senior Nicole Gloor, junior Aerial Smith Upcoming Action: 12/11 @ Olathe South Inv.

1/05 Shawnee Mission South

Wrestling

Previous Action: 12/5 @ Gardner Edgerton Record: 0-0 Key Athletes: Seniors Nick Pearch and Parker Madl Upcoming Action: 12/11 @ Eudora

12/11 @ Eudora *as of December 7

tigerturf

The return of a

Coaching Legend After two years away, well-known coach makes a comeback sambrennan staff writer His name is on many of the state championship titles that fill the Blue Valley gym.

He is the only boys swimming state championship coach in school history.

And after a two-year hiatus, he’s back.

Coach Greg House is returning to BV once again to be a football and boys swimming coach.

House started his career in 1983, coaching and teaching for three years at BV. When Blue Valley North opened, House moved his teaching and coaching skills there for seven years.

House moved once again upon the opening of Blue Valley West in 2001.

At the time BVHS had the only pool and shared with North and Northwest.

“I coached swimming for all the sites,” House said. “We all trained together but competed against each other.”

After many years House decided to retire from both teaching and coaching.

“It took me about six months to miss everything, I missed teaching, I missed coaching, so here I am,” House said.

House made the choice to return to coach at BV because of the community atmosphere.

“BV has a strong sense of community,” House said. “I like that this is the original. We used to call it BV Classic.”

During the football season House coached the defensive line and led pregame visualization.

He was impressed by the positive attitudes and pride of the football athletes.

“We were one and six and we had still hundreds of people at games. I really liked

that,” House said.

“The kids never quit, I never saw negative or cynical, they just kept working and getting better.”

In 1986, BVHS won its first and only State SwimHouse ming title, and is House’s most memorable championship.

“Our goal was to finish fifth, but as the season went on I got greedy,” House said.

“Three to four weeks before state I told the guys, ‘I think we can win this’.”

The boys State swim meet was close.

BVHS was tied with Shawnee Mission East, the defending state champions, going into the final relay of the meet.

“It all came down to the 400 meter freestyle relay. The fourth swimmer, our sophomore anchor, passed the SME senior anchor with 80 meters. We won state by four-tenths of a second,” House said.

The dramatic finish brought huge applause and cheers from both the swimmers and fans.

“The screaming was so loud I thought the pool would explode,” House said.

Troy Smith, a member of the ‘86 championship team, recalls the excitement of the win.

“Everyone was really excited. A lot of hard work went into it and the school was behind us which was cool, and of course we threw him in the pool,” Smith said.

Smith viewed House as a valuable coach and friend.

“He was a guy you could talk to about a personal issue,” Smith said. “Coach House

Coach Greg House watches the boys swim team begin their practice on Dec. 3. House coaches the varsity, junior varsity and freshman swim teams. Photo by Jackie Lippert. was a great coach, mentor and friend.”

As a coach, House worked the team every moment of practice, pushing his athletes to their fullest potential.

“He demanded the best and he got the best out of you,” Smith said. “He could always squeeze every second out of time possible.”

The road to the championship was filled with tough work-outs and determination.

“I remember this one set was one hundred, one hundreds, and he would put fruit at the end of the lane so when you had five or six seconds you could shove a banana in your mouth,” Smith said.

House also felt it was important to keep his swimmers motivated.

Visualization was the most effective way to keep the team mentally prepared.

“Before every meet we would always do visualization and talk about PACE: positive, aggressive, confident, and explosive,” Smith said.

House has ambitious hopes for the cur-

rent boys swimming season.

“We haven’t had a lot of success for a long time,” House said. “I want to dramatically increase the work ethic and the positive bond and as a team have appreciation for one another.”

Ben Herbel, a junior member of the boys swim team, views House as an improvement from past years.

“He is a lot better than coaches I’ve had in previous years, and he knows what he is talking about,” Herbel said. “At times though he can be really tough.”

Although coaching is a large part of House’s life, his students and teaching will always come first.

“I want to be a classroom teacher and then be a coach,” House said.

House’s enthusiasm spawns from his own childhood coaches.

“When I grew up coaches were inspirational,” he said. “My best coaches were also my best teachers.”

Complicated bowl system frustrates fans, alternative necessary jamesstatham staff writer Mathematical equations and several different polls make up college football’s complicated BCS (Bowl Championship Series) ranking system.

As the impending bowl season arrives, the yearly questions and opinions are expressed about the BCS in and out of class.

First off, there are three components that make up the BCS standings: The USA Today’s Coaches Poll, the Harris Interactive College Football Poll and the average of six different computer rankings.

But there’s more to it.

Each part has its own separate points system based on ranking, a decimal number according to wins and losses, the conference record and many other factors.

All of those numbers averaged out is the final BCS ranking.

The higher the overall decimal is, the higher the ranking in the weekly BCS poll.

Each of these components make up one-third of a team’s overall BCS ranking.

Junior Cody Prochaska, who is an avid fan of college football, said that the BCS can be very complicated at some points.

“I think that it’s pretty confusing,” Prochaska said. “There should be a bracket system.”

The teams that finish number one and number two in the final BCS standings will play in the BCS National Championship game. This year, the game will be played at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, CA. However, the BCS system doesn’t allow schools in smaller

conferences an equal chance at making it to the National Championship game.

Government teacher and football coach Rich Troxel doesn’t like the BCS system and thinks a playoff system would be better.

“I think it’s an artificial system,” Troxel said. “I’m not a fan of a bunch of numbers deciding which team will play the championship.”

He also said that the bowl games could become the playoff games themselves -- meaning that the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl and Fiesta Bowl would become the playoffs and the championship game would be between the two teams that are left.

“It would eliminate arguing about who is number one,” Troxel said.

Troxel also has a few plans devised for a playoff system in col-

lege football.

“Each team would drop one non-conference game on the schedule, the top four teams would get a bye, and the other eight teams would play,” he said.

Troxel also has a plan that has each at-large conference, like the Big XII, and Big Ten, getting their top team into the playoffs.

But to also incorporate the BCS in the mix by allowing the top four teams in the BCS poll to get into the playoffs, or the next highest ranked team.

“Then each conference can’t whine and complain because they didn’t get representation,” Troxel said.

He said that in his opinion, there is a way to make a playoff system work.

Prochaska says that the BCS system is fair but believes a less

complicated system would be better.

“I think that they should go by their rankings in other polls and by their actual record,” Prochaska said.

“I really don’t like the system now, so I’d do something to change it if I was in charge.”

But does the National Championship game take some of the air away from the big bowl games?

“It does take away from the other bowls,” Prochaska said.

“There’s so much sponsorship and advertising for it.”

Prochaska thinks that the Florida Gators will win the National Championship this season.

“They’re really the best team out there,” he said.

It would be the third National Championship in four years for Florida, with the other going to the LSU Tigers.

DECEMBER 2009 2 3

preview Wednesday

16

Finals 1, 2 and 3

Good luck on day one of finals. We hope you studied!

Early release at 12:05 p.m.

Thursday

17

Finals 4 and 5

Day two of finals. Winter Break is in sight don’t get distracted you still have one more day of finals.

School is 7:45 a.m.-10:35 a.m.

Friday

18

Finals 6 and 7

Last day of finals. Finish the year strong.

School is 7:45 a.m.-10:35 a.m.

Have a fabulous break.

Wednesday

23

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The holiday show is at the Sprint Center with two performances, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$60.

Tickets sell fast so be sure to buy yours early.

Saturday

26

National Candy Cane Day

Wear your red and white stripes in support of delicious candy canes everywhere.

Senior Eryn Johnson shows off her tie-dying skills at a National Art Honor Society meeting. Photo by Emma Mosier.

January Tuesday

05

School Resumes

Welcome back. Spring break will be here before you know it. Seniors, start counting down the days until graduation.

Monday

18

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day No school.

“I have a dream...”

Tuesday

19

Professional Development Day

No School. Enjoy your day off while teachers are back at school.

Thursday

21

Owl City concert

Sing along with Adam Young as he sings his charttopping song “FireFlies” at the Beaumont Club. 7:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $14.

Friday

22

Senior Tyler Disney kneels with the team after a heartbreaking loss against Olathe North in the substate game. Photo by Jackie Lippert.

2 4 DECEMBER 2009

State Debate

When you see our amazing debaters in the hallway, wish the defending state champions good luck.

DECEMBER

20 09