the
TIGER PRINT newspaper
Blue Valley High School — Vol. 45 — Issue 2 — September 2014 — Overland Park, Kansas
Stressing over Testing: Test anxiety affects students’ success, self-esteem, Pages 15-18. Photo by Alyssa Hess.
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inside this issue NEWS 2 COUNTING THE HOURS Online community service form aids students, sponsor page 3
OPINION 6 AP: A PROBLEM? Newly offered class discourages healthy academic development for freshmen page 10
FEATURES 11 ACT ACHIEVER Student scores 36 on standardized test, offers advice to other students page 12
ENTERTAINMENT 20 BV DEFINED Popular slang dictionary inspires school-centric handbook page 22
SPORTS 27 MOVING ON UP Football joins other BV sports in 6A division page 27 Visit bvtigernews.com for extra stories, pictures and more
national news explained
EBOLA OUTBREAK
This summer recorded the largest outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus since its discovery in the 1970s. The virus doesn’t show symptoms until two or three weeks after contraction, which increases chances of unintentional transmission. Thankfully for health workers, the virus can only be transferred through bodily fluids. However, there have been certain cases among animals which may indicate an airborne strain, seeing as two animals in separate cages with no contact transmitted the disease to one another. There is also no known cure, and the one experimental drug, which had a positive effect on the two Americans who were being treated at the Center for Disease Control (CDC), ran out due to limited resources. Why is this a big deal? Ebola is the one of the most deadly diseases, killing the majority of those who contract it. It is spreading rapidly throughout African countries with the highest reports in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria. Recently, the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen two cases as of Sept. 16, confirming health workers’ fears that it is spreading far beyond the West African region. Many of the top doctors
THE ISLAMIC STATE
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or, as some know it, The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), have made themselves known to the United States as a threat even more violent and powerful than Al Qaeda. On Tuesday, Aug. 19, American freelance journalist James Foley was decapitated by a member of this extremist group in a viral video that has been declared authentic by the U.S. Department of Defense. Foley appeared to be coerced into denouncing the U.S. government’s airstrikes in his last moments. Later, the black-clad executioner directed a statement to President Barack Obama, threatening to harm the other American hostage Steven Sotloff if the president did not stop attacks on ISIS. Those threats turned to reality when Sotloff was murdered 14 days later by the same extremist as Foley. The executions by this group have formed a pattern with a hostage
and health physicians working for the World Health Organization (WHO) have been exposed to Ebola and fallen victim to the deadly virus. The poor conditions and unsophisticated medical equipment make treating large numbers of patients difficult. Also, if a person dies from Ebola, the body is highly contagious, causing problems concerning disposal in rural African villages. More than 5,300 people have Ebola and, with over 2,600 deaths as of Sept. 18, the governments of Liberia, Nigeria and Guinea have declared a state of emergency. Senegal has closed its borders to any ships or aircrafts originating from those three countries. All African airlines are on high alert to symptoms, and the WHO is using all resources to stop the deadly virus. On Monday, Sept. 15, President Barack Obama visited the CDC to discuss aid strategies and potential military support for countries combating Ebola. This plan includes the construction of treatment centers, 400,000 kits to at-risk households and up to 500 trained health physicians being sent into areas of infection. With this increased aid, officials hope other developed countries will do their part in this deadly fight.
being murdered and a new victim being threatened on video once every two weeks. Why is this a big deal? The group has numbers higher than Al Qaeda ever did, reaching more than 10,000. While their extremist values are not in favor of the United States, there have been reports of U.S. citizens pledging themselves to ISIS. This creates a dangerous situation for America since those with malevolent intents toward the United States have legal passports and do not raise much scrutiny. There have been many avenues of thought on how to deal with this situation. As of Sept. 17, the U.S. government has launched airstrikes in Syria, brought in more than 400 military advisers and started training Syrian rebels. Even though officials say an actual attack from ISIS is fairly low, they have shown us we should not take their threats lightly. Page designed and stories by Sheila Gregory.
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FCA name removed from club to encourage participation meganhegarty staff writer The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is no longer active at Blue Valley. The name FCA was changed to Tiger Cross to encourage the participation of those who aren’t athletes. FCA is a nationally-sanctioned group for like-minded people to pray and to do service activities together. Participants did not have to be athletes to come to FCA, but Tiger Cross sponsor K. Dean Snell said many students who weren’t athletes didn’t feel comfortable going to the meetings. “We felt like we could
reach out to more people if we took the name FCA off [the club],” Snell said. Tiger Cross stands for Tiger Christians Reaching Out Spreading Spirituality. The club meets on Wednesday mornings in the Aux Gym, has coed bible studies every other Tuesday and hosts male bible studies on Thursdays. Their next meeting is Wednesday Oct. 1. Snell said Tiger Cross is not going to look much different, if at all, from FCA, aside from the name change. Some students are trying to bring back an official FCA program, but there was Sophomores Zack Willis and Ryan Jones read the Bible after Tiger Cross. Both students participated in FCA last year. “We have a really good-sized group of people coming to not a faculty sponsor as of Tiger Cross [now],” Jones said. Photo by Isabelle Allen. Sept. 19.
Electronic Efficiency
Online service log replaces thousands of handwritten forms isabelleallen staff writer & photographer Many students who participate in community service are familiar with the old-fashioned, pen-and-paper method for turning in volunteer hours. But, in the last five months, that process has changed. Community Service Sponsor Kristoffer Barikmo said entering more than 3,000 forms over the course of last year was plenty of work for only one teacher to do in his spare time. To make the task a little easier, a new method was introduced to Blue Valley. “Blue Valley Southwest [made the changes] last year,” Barikmo said. “They were the leaders in creating the system, and [last] spring, we jumped on board and made that our system for submitting hours for community service starting May 19.” Barikmo said the community service
directors across the district decided a new online method would be more efficient for logging community service hours. “Now, essentially, all of the information is still the same, but everything is submitted online,” Barikmo said. “It goes into a general database that makes it easier for us to transfer over to transcripts.” The community service form can be found on the BVHS website’s homepage. Students still need to have supervisors’ signatures to turn in along with the online form. Since the change, Barikmo said he has found the new method to be more beneficial for students who are active in community service. “You can sit down at your computer instead of having to [handwrite] all of these forms,” Barikmo said. “You can just keep a record of it and keep it in the database.” Not only has the new method been easier for students, but it is also less time-con-
suming for the community service directors across the district to log and track hours, Barikmo said. “It is more efficient for me because it puts the work of the data entry on the shoulders of the students,” Barikmo said. “Now, instead of the students filling out the sheet of paper, they are typing in all the information, which saves a lot of work on my end.” This year will be the transition period for the online forms, but Barikmo said he expects to use only the new system in the future. “We will only accept the paper forms until the end of September,” Barikmo said. “If [students] give me a form past then, it will be returned to them, and they will be asked to fill out the online form instead.” Sophomore Alex Roberts said she prefers the online method. “I think the change to online is simpler, especially for students to log their hours and be sure they are accounted for,” she said.
Page designed by Megan Hegarty and Isabelle Allen.
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arking roblem
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charlotterooney staff writer
Construction trucks roll into the parking lot, sending the taste of exhaust into innocent bystanders’ mouths. Cars become dusty, and the gravel road is muddy. Blue Valley will have to live with this for the rest of the school year as construction surrounds the parking lot. Residents in nearby neighborhoods have called the school, complaining about students parking on side streets. Parents work, and some students don’t have another option besides driving to school because unless students live more than three miles away, they have to pay $250 to ride the bus. There were only 28 parking spots available for sophomores this year as opposed to the almost 100 parking spots used in previous years. Though construction “will be ongoing throughout the school year and the summer,” Student Resource Officer Dennis Randall said students can look forward to a com-
Ongoing construction causes lack of parking
pletely new parking lot for the 2015-2016 school year. There is no set completion date for the continuous projects at BV, but Randall said it should be ready by the next school year. Plans include adding a roundabout to the furthest east and west entrances and a parking lot at the top of the hill behind the school. New parking spaces will be wider than the current spaces, and the current spots will be repainted to be this new width. Randall said the gravel road will be redone and repaved and estimates BV will have 750-900 total parking spots. After the construction is complete, Randall said he expects BV to have enough spots for seniors, juniors and sophomores. Randall said there was an issue with students parking on both sides of the street in nearby neighborhoods last year. Residents called to complain about difficulty getting out of driveways and driving down the street. “This year, [students] are only parking on one side, which will eliminate most of the problems,” Randall said. Officer Ken Braden drives around the
surrounding neighborhoods every day to make sure students follow the parking laws. If someone has a parking violation, Braden must contact the violator. Sophomore Brenna Stroud was given a warning the first day of school. “I got a slip of paper, and I had to talk to Officer Randall,” Stroud said. “He said I had blocked a driveway, and if I had another violation, I would get a ticket.” Randall also spoke to sophomore Daniel Hegarty about his parking. “I got a warning for a $200 ticket on the second day of school because I parked behind someone’s driveway,” Hegarty said. Randall said he has warned several students parking in the neighborhood who had blocked a driveway. “We run their license plate number through our computer system and find out who the owner of the vehicle is,” Randall said. “Then, we look up that last name on Synergy.” Randall said students can avoid tickets by following parking laws set by the state and by the school.
avoiding tickets
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Always park in your assigned spot, if you have one.
Never park within 10 feet of a driveway.
Park within one foot of the curb.
Don’t park within 15 feet of a mailbox.
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Page designed by Charlotte Rooney.
September 2014
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Frequent indifference toward everyday life comes with severe consequences
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Gray sheilagregory news editor I have heard these sentences more times than Principal Scott Bacon has yelled, “I’m fired up!” “I don’t care.” “This doesn’t matter.” “I’m so done.” “I’m not even going to try.” I don’t know where this lack of emotion toward seemingly everything came from. Students apparently are so beaten down that the only way to survive is to hold the world at an arm’s length in a gray apathy. And, being real, I’ve said all of those sentences on my off days or even when I’m annoyed, but I didn’t understand the weight those words carry. We as students don’t realize how thinking, “I’m not going to study for my Biology test — this won’t matter,” really affects our minds. We don’t do our homework, which leads to not studying, causing grades to drop. Now, this isn’t a sure-fire model, but there is a lot of truth to how the dominoes fall. As a general rule, high schoolers are full of angst. Unwarranted, all-consuming, overly-dramatic angst. Yes, you are so consumed with other things that the “silly” ACT isn’t worth studying for. That your future shouldn’t be decided by some standardized test. That the education system is so flawed it’s
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not even worth trying. So, that’s what you can tell a future employer in a job interview when applying to be a fry cook. Like it or not, it will pay off to care about your grades. Angst won’t be a legitimate reason you’re struggling to pay bills. Our future is most likely decided by the amount of effort we put in now. I would rather do the heavy lifting during high school than in a couple of years when even the semblance of a dream job is out of sight. As corny as it sounds, actually caring will help achieve your aspirations, and, personally, I find it much more interesting to be around people with a passion for life. Apathy is boring, and — sidetracking a bit — I’ve noticed when people get so wrapped up in their indifference to school or whatever it is they don’t care about, it bleeds into other aspects of life. Suddenly friends aren’t as important, and that sport you used to pour your heart and soul into is just another obligation after school. Is that how our generation will be remembered? As a series of shrugs and noncommittal grunts? Was it really so difficult to see the meaning in things you once held dear now that nothing is even worth a second glance? Stop not caring because it is such an awful way to live. Check up on friends you haven’t talked to in a while. Actually do your homework, not because it is exciting, but because it could make life better when it gets you an A on that test. Find something you are passionate about, and pursue it with all you have. Stop using the flaws in our education system as an easy pass on not trying because at the end of the day, they aren’t the problem — you are. Once there is something in your life you care about, it is amazing how color can return to the gray world you’ve locked yourself up in.
DRESS TO REPRESS
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Enforcement of dress code creates negative effect
rileymiller opinion editor All throughout high school we have been told we are and will be treated as “young adults.” So, why are we as “young adults” told what not to wear by those who supposedly respect us? Teachers and administrators constantly articulate the fact that they so often see outfits that are “inappropriate” for school and even went as far as creating a “thumb rule.” The only thing I find to be inappropriate is that a teacher who doesn’t even know my name is able to walk up to me and ask, “Do you have something to put on over your dress?”. When a teacher overhears my friend complaining about the climate of the school, I certainly should not expect for her to sneer, “Well, maybe you should put some more clothes on,” in response — but now, I do. And, not to mention, if girls like me, who were so unfortunately blessed with extremely long, lanky limbs follow this new “thumb rule,” we, along with our bermuda shorts, will be banished back to the fourth grade. Day after day, I hear girls repeating teachers’ comments in regard to what they were wearing. I find it not only disrespectful but embarrassing for all parties involved. The school’s female population is being punished because a little skin creates a
“distracting learning environment” for male students. It’s only continuing to perpetuate the idea that, rather than teaching boys to control themselves, girls should change. When it comes down to it, if a boy is attracted to me or interested in me (I know, good joke), it is not because my shoulders were showing at school the day before. “Spaghetti straps” do not mean I’m trying to divert a guy’s attention to me instead of the lecture going on in the front of the room. High-waisted shorts do not imply that I sleep around nor that I am willing to. And a top slightly more lowcut than others surely does not entail that I have no self-respect. I wear the clothes I wear because I like them, because they make me feel good, because this pair of shorts cost me four hours of babysitting the spawn of Satan, and I am going to get my money’s worth. Lack of a dress code will not send the girls of Blue Valley on a spaghetti-strap-high-waisted-shortswearing rampage. I’m not asking that as girls we be able to show off all of our bits and pieces. But, when we’re around teachers and administrators, we shouldn’t have to hike down the same shorts that our parents complimented us on that very morning. I am not going to go out and buy the overpriced floral-patterned potato sack that is Lilly Pulitzer just so the boys around me can focus.
Page designed by Riley Miller.
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staffeditorial TIGER PRINT newspaper the
editor-in-chief Sally Cochran
adviser Michelle Huss
managing editor Gennifer Geer
photographers Isabelle Allen Alyssa Hess Sophia Ragomo
photo editor Molly Johnson news editor Sheila Gregory opinion editor Riley Miller features editor Maddie Davis
Cartoon by Christine Rice.
Physical Education requirement unnecessary for student athletes staff editorial
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Sixty minutes a day will keep the doctor away. If this is true, then why are athletes at Blue Valley required to do any more? In order to graduate, students must have at least one full physical education credit on their transcripts. The only reason P.E. is a class at all is to teach students to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to support daily workouts, but athletes are already getting all of this through their respective sports. Between morning work-
outs, after school practices and weights, students who participate in sports are getting more than enough exercise for one day. So, why do they need more in the form of a couple measly laps around the track in gym class? Changing the P.E. requirements for student athletes will likely influence more students to try out for sports and stick with them throughout high school. For each season of a sport a student participates in, he or she would earn P.E. credit. Influencing more students to play sports opposed to taking a year of gym could greatly improve their health and even change their lifestyle overall — also known as the ultimate goal. And as much as it seems like a disadvantage for the
students who don’t play sports and won’t consider doing so, it would take a lot of the petty competition out of P.E., which would create a much more comfortable environment. No one likes that kid who goes all-out during soccer, especially because, for whatever reason, he usually aims for the face and then continues to win every single game for his team. No one wants to feel bad about a mediocre mile time when the athletes in their class are basically breaking world-record mile times. If student-athletes were given P.E. credit for participating in sports, there would be much less pressure for non-athletic students to impress in gym class, and athletes wouldn’t be wasting their time on a gym credit.
entertainment editor Rachel Lock sports editor Matt Antonic
cartoonists Mandy Novicoff Christine Rice staff writers Chloe Breau Hope Brown Courtney Carpenter Megan Hegarty Makayla Nicholis Cassie Nichols Charlotte Rooney Ifrah Sayyada Meredith Strickland
The Tiger Print, published seven times a year, 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 are encouraged for publication. The Tiger Print reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content. Letters should be submitted to room 450, emailed to thetigerprint@yahoo.com or mailed to: The Tiger Print c/o Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th Street Overland Park, KS 66085
Page designed by Sally Cochran.
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ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raises money but not knowledge
sallycochran editor-in-chief Chris Kennedy had a genius idea, even if he didn’t recognize it at the time. “But, who is Chris Kennedy?” you ask. In July, Kennedy, a professional golfer, started the trend for the popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. According to a Fox News Affiliate, Kennedy received the dare and posted his video online, which led former baseball player Pete Frates, who has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), to join in. Before Kennedy knew it, the challenge had become viral. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has done a world of good. As of Aug. 23, donations to the ALS Association had reached $94.3 million from the challenge. But, even with all the donations that the Ice Bucket Challenge has generated, it isn’t the perfect fundraiser. First, the premise of the challenge is somewhat flawed — pour ice over your head or donate money. The act of doing the challenge permits participants to avoid donating money, which is something that will actually fight ALS. So, congrats. You have a video on your Facebook wall or a
picture on Instagram showing how much you truly care but have made no actual effort to support the fight against ALS. It’s a hard fact of life: No matter how many people say they want to combat the disease in videos on the internet, those videos don’t actually “strike out ALS.” When Blue Valley West challenged Blue Valley to a fundraising competition, the whole point of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was successfully kept in view. Although Principal Scott Bacon won the honor of dumping ice water on Blue Valley West Principal Brett Potts and BV students received ice cream at the Aug. 29 soccer game, the focus was kept on raising money for ALS. Really, only doing that — donating money to the ALS Association, which researches the disease and supports those who have it — truly supports the cause. Many argue that even though not everyone who dumps a bucket of ice over his head donates, the Ice Bucket Challenge helps spread awareness of ALS. However, from watching Ice Bucket Challenge videos, it’s hard to really tell if participants even know what the disease is. Hardly any of the videos have information about ALS or display any knowledge about it. It’s hard to say that the challenge is “spreading awareness” when it really only teaches the acronym “ALS.” Knowing the disease exists is better than nothing, but the challenge would do more good if it taught what ALS is. No one can claim the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is harmful in any way. But, when trends like this one go viral, we as a society must keep in mind the difference between actually supporting a cause and posting a video on the internet.
So, what is ALS?
“Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease,’ is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.” — ALS Association
Want to donate to the ALS Association? Visit www.alsa.org/donate
Principal Scott Bacon smiles as he dumps ice water on Blue Valley West principal Brett Potts. BV raised $3,503. Photos by Isabelle Allen. Page designed by Sally Cochran.
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Free the Freshmen rachellock entertainment editor Think back to your freshman year. For some of you, it began just last month. Your first day of high school, regardless of when it was, was probably a major culture shock. Crowded, unfamiliar hallways. Weird policies and traditions. Rooms that seem to — like the staircases in Hogwarts — change location just as the bell rings. Lockers that are out to get you. Ridiculously tall football players with beards. Not to mention the new expectations in
New AP class offered to freshmen questioned; stress deemed unnecessary
the classroom. During my freshman year, though I sometimes felt overwhelmed, my classes seemed like just the right transition into high school. I cannot imagine on top of all the other changes happening freshman year, taking an Advanced Placement course, AP Human Geography. Let’s get one thing straight — I am in no way insulting the intellectual capacity of the freshman class. I am only questioning the necessity of this kind of pressure so early on in high school. AP classes are full of rigorous coursework, excessive amounts of homework and deep analysis of information. They’re structured differently than anything students saw in middle school, and throwing that onto the pile of new things freshmen have to tackle over the course of the year is not an ideal way to introduce the new expectations for school work. When going into AP European History as sophomores, we were told that our
Scammed out of Summer makaylanicholis staff writer There’s 104 days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it. But the annual problem for our generation is we don’t actually get 104 days of summer vacation. This past summer, Blue Valley School District offered us 70 feeble days off before sucking us back into the halls of schedules and homework. And if they thought they could snatch an entire month away from us unnoticed, they can consider
themselves busted. Because when I was in elementary school, I didn’t even worry about going back to school until Labor Day weekend. When my mom was a kid, classes after Memorial Day were unheard of. Now, school’s rolled around before we even have the chance to say, “Hey, where’s Perry?” So, what happened? Supposedly, summer is meant for rest, so the brain can properly function when it’s time to use it again for school. However, summer is also an opportunity to take a break from preparing for life so we can actually live said life. We’re getting less than a fourth of the year to experience the world before getting thrown back into the pit for more mental development. How am I supposed to build a rocket, create a backyard beach, defeat a bully, become a superhero, compose a one-hit-wonder, get the band back together and possibly have the best day ever if I hardly even have the time to take a nap before school starts back up again? The summertime months include June,
Page designed by Rachel Lock and Makayla Nicholis.
brains weren’t developed enough to process information at the AP level when we were freshmen. Does this age requirement just change based on the circumstances? Have humans managed a massive feat of evolution in a matter of years, causing their brains to develop more quickly? According to totalregistration.net, in 2014, 29.5 percent of students scored a one, and 18.4 percent of students scored a two on the AP Human Geography exam. Why offer a class that students, on average, are not succeeding in? AP classes are a great opportunity for students to obtain college credit and stretch their academic capabilities. Therefore, an introductory course to AP or even just an honors class should be offered to freshmen. In this setting, they could be exposed to AP tasks to get them ready for the real thing next year instead of just throwing them to the wolves.
Popular Disney cartoon causes grievances for staffer July and August, and that’s still only three out of twelve months of the year. All students want is enough time to make some of the best memories they’ll ever have before it’s too late to make them. After high school graduation, some of us may never even get another summer break again. We have to enjoy these opportunities while they last, which is pretty hard to do when we have to worry about going back to school the moment the final bell rings. Pretty soon, summer vacation will be no more than a three-day weekend to enjoy, and then it’s back to the books we go. BV needs to clean up this mess before mom gets home because I refuse to believe Disney Channel is lying to me about how much summer I should be getting.
September 2014
Jillian Brooke
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JILLIAN BROOKE JUNIOR CREATES PERSONAL BLOG, RECEIVES MORE THAN A THOUSAND VIEWS BROWSE AND WONDER meredithstrickland staff writer Grabbing her camera, she shoots what catches her interest. After brainstorming the setup of her subject, she finds the perfect lighting. Loading the picture onto her computer, she uploads it onto her blog. She creates a caption and explanation of her post. She now shares her content with the world. Junior Jillian Bode created her blog jillianbrooke.weebly.com at the beginning of the summer, featuring her interests. “I decided to make a blog because I was constantly looking at other people’s blogs, and I was getting a lot of inspiration from them,” Bode said. “So, I just decided to go for it and make my own.” Bode said she created her blog by searching for blog websites and then signed up to create a theme she liked.
DIY: DISTRESSED JEANS 09/06/2014
On her blog, she shares several different types of posts about hair, food or traveling accessories. “The ideas for different posts usually come from new hair ideas that I have seen on someone else and want to try,” Bode said. “I use [hair ideas on the blog] if they turn out well. A lot of the things I see on Instagram and Pinterest inspire me, or [I post] anything I think is worthy of being shared.” Maintaining her blog is not an issue for Bode as she said she posts whenever she would like to. “I usually come up with new ideas about every week, but I’m not posting on any certain day of the week,” she said. “It is mainly random updates.” Bode said she loved making her blog and aspires to use it in her career. She said she is inspired by two different bloggers that captured her attention. "I really like barefootblonde.com and caraloren.com," Bode said. "[The bloggers] are super stylish, and I love
what they post." Each post on Bode’s blog usually includes one picture with a description of why it was posted or what it is. Bode said she wants her blog posts to be high-quality, so she uses her Canon SX500 IS to take pictures. "I edit some of the photos I put on the blog with some photography apps on my phone, just to make it look a little better," Bode said. Bode said she is proud of how successful her blog has become. "I'm not sure exactly how many people have seen my blog, but a few weeks ago, I got a notification that it hit over a thousand views," she said. "I get comments from friends and people at school saying what they liked." Bode said she tries to be different with her blog to inspire others to try new things. "I try to make my blog somewhat unique by posting hair ideas and just sharing other posts that I personally would want to click on if I was looking through someone else's blog," she said.
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WELCOME Photos submitted by Jillian Bode. Page designed by Meredith Strickland.
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ACT
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courtneycarpenter & ifrahsayyada staff writers
For most students, school is a place where they’re trying to stay on top of their schedules. Constantly stressing about AP classes and the big tests coming up. The ACT — also known as the ticket to college. Sports, clubs and extracurriculars. These things on top of each other can weigh a person down. However, one student maintains a 4.62 GPA, got a perfect score on the ACT and still has time to be involved in his school. Senior Arjun Prakash said he is focused on the big picture of his future. He recently scored a perfect 36 on his ACT, something only less than half of a percent of test-takers achieve. Prakash said the types of classes he has taken helped him prepare for the standardized test. “I started studying three to four weeks ahead of time, but the reason I didn’t start well in advance is because I had been studying for the SAT,” he said. “[The ACT and SAT are] pretty similar in the amount of
Senior Arjun Prakash wears the 36 jersey he received at the 2014 school picnic. Prakash earned a perfect score on his ACT in June 2014 by completing practice tests to raise his score. “I was a little embarrased, but I was very excited [to receive my jersey],” Prakash said. Photo by Molly Johnson.
work you have to put in. The ACT/ SAT class at school is a good idea, but since it didn’t fit into my schedule, I didn’t end up [taking] it.” Prakash said the secret to his success was practice tests. “I took about one [practice test] a weekend, and right before the test, I was on summer break, which made studying easier,” he said. “In total, I took about seven to ten practice tests before the actual ACT, and that helped me a lot.” Walking away from the test, Prakash said he knew he had scored fairly high. “I was expecting to get between 34 [and] 36 because that was the score I was getting on practice tests,” he said. “I knew if I would have gotten a 34, it would’ve been because I made simple mistakes here and there.” Prakash said his biggest academic inspiration is his parents. “My parents are first-generation immigrants, so the entire reason they came here was to allow my brother and me to have better opportunities in our educations,” he said. “Education is something that’s valued in my culture, and it’s valued in my family as well.”
Arjun’s Schedule: 1. Symphonic Marching Band 2. Advanced Debate/Forensics 3. Gifted Education/AP U.S. Government and Politics 4. Honors Multivariable Calculus 5. AP Physics 1 6. AP Spanish Language 7. AP Literature
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Senior achieves perfect ACT score, shares academic advice Prakash’s Tips for Academic Success: Tip #1: Get your work done. “Don’t put anything off,” Prakash said. “You’re going to have to do it eventually, so you might as well fin ish it and get it done when it’s assigned.”
Tip #2: Don’t sweat the small stuff. “I know people who obsess over the details of an assignment that is worth maybe 20 points,” Prakash said. “If you can put in about ten minutes doing an assignment or put in an hour doing the same assignment — getting the same grade, of course — then why waste the time? If it’s a major project, then, obviously, it requires effort, but I see no point in spending unnecessary amounts of time on things that should take minimal time.”
aks.
Tip #3: Take bre
ving free , watching TV, ha ily m fa y m to g n elps],” “Talki from studying [h k ea br a g n ki ta l for two time [or] just the same materia at g n ki oo “L . id n it Prakash sa ing help me lear go ot n is s ur ho to or two and a half then coming back d an k ea br a g n faster. I like taki it.”
Tip #4: Use practice tests. “They have an ACT practice test that’s free in the office that you could pick up. You can [also] get the red book — the official ACT manual, which has three tests in it — and I also had the Princeton review book which had another three [practice tests].”
Page designed by Courtney Carpenter and Ifrah Sayyada.
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September 2014
Picture Perfect
Student opts to have friend take her senior portraits hopebrown staff writer Senior pictures. For some, these words evoke excitement for a day filled with makeup, hairstyling and modeling new outfits. But for others, these words represent a time of stress, awkward poses and expensive payments to a professional photographer. After her original plans fell through, senior Kyana Tehrani avoided the hassle of senior pictures by having her friend take them. “Initially, I was going to have [senior pictures] done by a professional,” Tehrani said. “But [my parents and I] went into consultations with the professionals, and all of them were booked until after the senior ad [due] date.” When Tehrani discussed the horror of senior pictures with her friend, senior Delilah Hsu, Hsu offered to take them for her. Hsu has a photography background, having taken Digital Imaging, Photography I and Photography II. “It didn’t matter to me if I got them done with a professional or a friend,” Tehrani said. “So, it ended up being cheaper and more efficient to get [pictures] done with a friend.” Despite not getting professional pictures, Tehrani said she still received the complete senior picture experience. Tehrani said she even enjoyed the same preparation routine as those who purchased professional pictures. “My mom and I went out, and we bought some really cute outfits,” Tehrani said. “I had some things from my closet, and I just put them together. Also, the day of my senior pictures, I went out and got my hair and makeup done.” Because of Hsu’s photography background, Tehrani said she expected professional-looking pictures. To obtain a photo quality similar to that of a professional, Hsu used a Canon EOS 60D digital camera. “There was pressure because [Tehrani and her family] had expectations of it being profesPage designed by Hope Brown. Photos submitted by Delilah Hsu.
sional,” Hsu said. On the day of the photo session, Tehrani and Hsu drove around Kansas City looking for photoworthy backgrounds. When they found a spot they liked, they stopped Hsu and took pictures. “We went to a bunch of places [in downtown Kansas City], but some of the places were sketchy,” Hsu said. “[If we were to do this again] we might change the location because we got lost.” In addition to a location change, Hsu and Tehrani said they would change the time of day the photoshoot took place. “I would do it earlier in the morning because it was so hot,” Tehrani said. “We had to go to McDonald’s and buy water.” Although the location and weather weren’t ideal, Tehrani said her expectations of professional senior pictures were met with Hsu behind the camera. “If I could describe it in one word, it would be ‘fun,’” Tehrani said. “It was really comfortable because Delilah is one of my close friends, so we just had a lot of fun doing it.” Because of the success of Tehrani’s photo session, Hsu said more of her friends have asked her to photograph their senior pictures. Hsu took Aviane Zamudio’s pictures and plans to take Natalie Romo’s photos also. Hsu said when searching for a photographer for senior pictures, consulting a friend is the way to go. “It’s more fun taking [them] with a friend,” Hsu said. “You’re more relaxed and comfortable. With a professional, it might be awkward. Plus, it’s really expensive for senior pictures, and for a friend, you take [them] for free.” Tehrani said she is happy with her decision to have Hsu take her senior pictures. “They’re just as good as the professional pictures, and it was not expensive at all,” Tehrani said. “I love my pictures.” Senior Kyana Tehrani poses while senior Delilah Hsu takes her portraits.
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pressure Palms sweating. Vision blurring. Heart rate increasing. Trouble breathing. These are all symptoms an anonymous Blue Valley student diagnosed with anxiety has every time she takes a test. “The worst experience I had with test anxiety was freshman year,” she said. “It was the first math test of the year, and I knew the information like the back of my hand. I suddenly got to a question
and became so overwhelmed, I couldn’t even read it. I knew the answer, and I knew how to get it, but the one second of hesitation that I had — where I thought I didn’t know the answer — caused the anxiety attack. I physically could not breathe, I was bawling and I felt horrible. I went up and asked the teacher if I could step out of the room. I didn’t even wait for an answer, I just walked out of the room and tried to calm myself down.” Continued on page 16.
Pages 15-18. Stories by Maddie Davis and Sally Cochran. Photos by Alyssa Hess. Pages designed by Sally Cochran, Gennifer Geer and Maddie Davis.
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she said. “By then, I’m shaking and trying to calm myself down, but it doesn’t work. This has caused me to forget all the information I learned for the test. It sets me into full-on panic mode. I’m a perfectionist, and so when I know the information and it won’t come to me, it’s so frustrating. Sometimes I just can’t even answer the question because I get so mad at myself.” Timed tests, she said, make her anxiety even harder to manage. “Timed tests are worse because if I need to stop and calm down, there is no time for me to do that,” she said. “There’s always the ‘tick, tock’ of the clock in my head. I have to go through a lot of preparation for the ACT, SAT and AP tests, like telling
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The student described her highest point of anxiety during testing situations. “In class, when the teacher is handing out the test is when my anxiety is the worst,”
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myself that it doesn’t matte know it does. I just have to first 20 minutes of any stan I’m practically shaking. Eve prepared for a test, it still d feel vulnerable.” After suffering from test the AP European History t had to change her plans for es. “Last year, I had such a b in the AP Euro exam that h taste in my mouth now,” sh out of taking [AP U.S. Hist cause my fear was that I wo to study, wouldn’t do well o and would be incredibly st time, which is how last yea She said she was surpris weren’t as sympathetic as s “My teachers don’t act h would when it comes to tes said. “I’ve asked a few teach step out of the room, and t no. When I asked, I was ha breathing, so when I was tr was sputtering and my face visible signs of an anxiety a me to go sit back down and The student said her par portive at first. “Sometimes it’s hard for stand what’s going on and r
According to The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the mo
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control the panic attacks,” she said. “They want me to stop, but they don’t realize that I want to stop, but that I can’t. I think they think I’m faking it or trying to get attention. It took them awhile to understand I wasn’t lying and I wasn’t in control.” Even after handing in a completed test, she said she still has anxiety. “I have a frequent fear that I’ve missed an entire page and that I’ll fail the test,” she said. “When I hear people talking about what they put for certain questions in the hall, I get freaked out when they say they answered something differently because I automatically think I’m wrong.” She said she not only experiences anxiety during tests but also for other high-stakes events. “I had a sports tryout, and we were getting ready to play when the anxiety hit me,” she said. “We were doing warm-up jogs, and I started feeling like I wasn’t going to be good enough and that I wasn’t going to make the team that I wanted. I felt so bad, and it made it worse that everyone saw and was judging me. It affected my entire tryout.” After having many experiences like these, she said she decided to see a psychologist for help. “It was my idea to see a psychologist,” she said. “It was not related to test anxiety when I originally went — it was for other anxiet-
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rom test anxiety during History test, she said she plans for future AP class-
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n’t matter, even though I have to keep going. The any standardized test, king. Even if I feel really it still doesn’t help. I just
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student to manage test anxiety ies. [My anxiety] caused such a bad response that I felt dizzy and about to pass out whenever certain topics, such as tests, were talked about. It worried me that even comments about certain things could set me off.” The student said her psychologist gave her strategies to alleviate her anxiety. “When I step into a testing environment, the first thing I do is sit down,” she said. “I don’t talk to very many people so that I can start to focus. I go through one of my strategies — mental meditation. It takes preparation before to get this down, but you think of your favorite place in the world. You use imagery to also think of calming events, like stepping into a pool or whatever will calm you down. The way I practice is actually what helps the most. I think about it every night before I go to bed so that my mind and body get used to thinking, ‘OK, she’s thinking of this, so it’s time to slow the heart rate, stop sweating and relax.’ Since I practice so much, I’m able to do it effectively before a test.” She said practice is the key to managing her anxiety. “If you haven’t practiced controlling the anxiety attacks, you just have to go with it,” she said. “It’s like a roller coaster — if you get on and you hate it immediately, you can’t get off right away. You just have to wait until it’s over. And that’s why I practice, so I never have to have that feeling.”
he most common mental health diagnosis — even more common than depression.
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Experiences with students’ test anxiety give psychologist insight on school population
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munity understand the largeness of anxiety in our population these days,” she said. “I think we treat anxiety appropriately when people are willing to come forward and share their difficulties with it and ask for help.” Seitter said students who feel they’re experiencing test anxiety should ask her, a counselor or a teacher for assistance. “A lot of the adults in the building have experienced test anxiety, too, and have strategies of their own that they could pass on,” she said. Seitter said she feels teachers are sympathetic to the disorder. “I have worked with lots of teachers regarding students and their anxiety,” she said. “Teachers have been very flexible and helpful.” Seitter said students can request accommodations — such as taking exams in a separate room — on standardized tests to help relieve anxiety. “They have to fill out paperwork and provide documentation through medical personnel of that anxiety,” she said. “They would always require that the student have either a 504 Accommodation Plan or an Individual Education Program that would then legally give them accommodations. In most cases, they would have to provide documentation from the school that they use that accommodation regularly due to their anxiety.” Seitter said test anxiety can be rooted in pressure to do well on exams. “In this community, there’s a lot of pressure on students to perform well,” she said. “Sometimes it comes from the student themselves, and sometimes it comes from outside sources. It’s important for students to remember that one test does not define them, and they’re worthy and important no matter what. Just being alive makes them important. Realistically, look at your fear about a test that you’re getting ready to take. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t do as well as you want to on it. As long as you do your best, then that should be satisfactory.”
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Tests. For BV students, they’re a regular occurrence. However, for some students, they transform into nightmarish experiences, worse than any other day-to-day activity. School psychologist Julie Seitter said anxiety before an exam can actually be beneficial for students. Seitter “Not all test anxiety is bad,” she said. “A little anxiety before a test gets us motivated to prepare — it gets us motivated to focus. When test anxiety becomes negative is when it interferes with your performance.” Seitter said most people who feel nervous before testing can overcome that anxiety by themselves. “I think it’s pretty common to hear [students] say ‘I’m anxious about a test’ or ‘I have test anxiety,’ but it has to impact you pretty significantly for it to be test anxiety that you would need to get help with through therapy or medication,” she said. “[For] most test anxiety, there are a lot of strategies that anybody could use that help to diminish [it].” Seitter has worked with many students to ease all types of anxiety, including test anxiety. “I teach relaxation techniques,” she said. “If it’s a situation where it’s pretty significant and we have data to indicate that it is ongoing, then sometimes a student will come into my office to take a test. Then, they’re not feeling that extra pressure when they’re in the classroom with others around them. Sometimes just getting out of that testing environment can help tremendously.” Seitter said therapy can help people with extreme cases of test anxiety. Seitter said she thinks anxiety is treated properly at Blue Valley. “I think our medical community and our mental health com-
So, what is an anxiety Seitter’s tips for fighting test anxiety: Why would testing cause anxiety? disorder? Get a good night’s sleep the night before. “[Test anxiety’s] symptoms are rooted in “Anxiety disorders include Eat a good breakfast that day. your biological ‘fight or flight’ response. disorders that share features Prepare adequately. For whatever reason, your mind likely of excessive fear and anxiety Join a study group. perceives an upcoming exam as a and related behavioral Do deep breathing an hour before the test. threat and then initiates a cascade of disturbances. Fear is the Focusing on breathing in and out takes hormones that prepare the body for emotional response to real your focus away from the test. quick reaction in the face of this threat.” or perceived imminent If possible, stretch or do physical activity — testpreview.com threat, whereas anxiety is an hour or so before. anticipation of future threat.” — Diagnostic and Statistical Symptoms: increased heart rate, digestive problems (nausea, diarrhea, cramping or Manual of Mental Disorders, heartburn), jittery feelings, sweating, shaking and shallow breathing. 5th edition
Lots of
Laughs
September 2014
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School comedy troupe hosts first show of the year
1. Taking a cue from director Jeff Yarnell, sophomore Kailey Meacham takes over the story from her fellow improvers. Meacham is new to Fifth Wall this year. “At my first ever rehearsal, three whole people touched my tongue,” Meacham said. “Clearly, we are all super close pals.” 2. Clinging to sophomore Tate Clemen, senior Jefferson Harwood screams in fear. Every Fifth Wall scene is constructed from audience members’ ideas. “I really like Fifth Wall because we get to make fun of ourselves and so does everyone else,” Clemen said. 3. Signaling their scene partner, sophomore Kelsie McFadden and junior Olivia Carter act out the audience’s suggestions. Fifth Wall scenes are made up on the spot. “I think it is the only group at the school where we can all be our crazy, weird selves and not have to worry about who’s cool and who’s not,” Carter said. 4. Freezing in position, senior Jefferson Harwood and junior Joey Wiederholt wait to start the next scene. Fifth Wall’s first show was on Sept. 5, and their next show will be on Nov. 13. “Our Friday night shows are the best cheap entertainment around,” Harwood said. “You’re bananas if you don’t come witness the spectacle.”
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Design and photos by Sophia Ragomo.
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Wearing the Fall 2014 Runway
Cameras flash. Popular tunes blare through the speakers. Models confidently walk down the runway, wearing clothes you admire but could never pull off. Or can you? This fall, the runway trends are easily transferrable to the halls of Blue Valley, ranging in everything from heavy knits to retro.
The Trend: Shearling What it is?: The wool or fleece from a sheep accenting an article of clothing. Key Pieces: Vest or jacket with shearling collar, boots with shearling lining Shop The Look: ASOS.com, Guess, Piperlime.com Pulling It Off: Choose one piece with a shearling element. Pair the piece with basics such as a T-shirt or a solid color button-down and jeans. Seen at: Prada, Burberry Prorsum, Alexander Wang, Coach, Marni, Reed Krakoff, Emilio Pucci, Isabel Marant, Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel Black Gold, Polo Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Etro, Rebecca Minkoff
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The Trend: Chunky Sweaters What is it?: A heavy cardigan or pullover sweater. Key Pieces: Oversized pullover, long neutral-colored cardigan Shop The Look: American Eagle Outfitters, H&M, Altar’d State Pulling It Off: Chunky sweaters can be paired with almost anything as long as the sweater is a neutral color. Wear with a dress and tights, a skirt with boots and socks or jeans and a T-shirt. Seen at: Céline, Michael Kors, Lanvin, Stella McCartney, Calvin Klein Collection, The Row, Nina Ricci, Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, Chloé, Alexander McQueen, Salvatore Ferragamo, Suno, Sonia Rykiel The Trend: Sixties Mod What is it?: The trendy style of dress in the 1960s. Key Pieces: Color-blocked shift dress, flats or boots, solid-color straight-leg pants Shop The Look: Modcloth.com, Anthropologie, Forever 21 Pulling It Off: Keep accessories simple. A color-blocked shift dress can be matched with plain neutral colored loafers, and solid-color straight-leg pants can either be paired with a boxy top or simple button-down. Seen at: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Miu Miu, Christopher Kane, Carven, Mary Katrantzou, Erdem, Tory Burch Design, sketches and story by Sophia Ragomo.
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y e l l a y V r a e n u o o valē ərbən dikSHəˌnerē) Bl n Dicti(blo͞ a b r U
APUSH: Literally, a push off the cliff of sanity into the pit that is Advanced Placement United States History.
Mechanical Pencils: Something you never actually buy — you just kind of get them off the floor.
Aux Gym: The Mini-Me of the regular-sized gym.
Mobiles: BV trailer park.
Band Hall: Also includes the somewhat estranged cousins of the band — choir and orchestra.
No. 2 Pencils: Fond kindergarten memories...that the ACT is holding onto far too tightly.
Bathroom Passes: “Get Out of Jail Free” cards.
“No Cell Phones” Policy: More ignored than the “Terms and Conditions” page.
BV Air Conditioning System: Polar Vortex wannabe. “Can I have a piece of gum?”: The equivalent of walking up to a stranger and casually asking for a piece of his or her soul. The Cages: Likely poltergeist residence. Class Competition: A quest to answer the age-old question, “Who has the most school spirit?”, even though we “know” it’s always the seniors.
PAC: Don’t call it “the pack.” Don’t. Parking Lot: A place where cars are snug as a bug in a rug — with fender-benders. School Center: The way teachers get away with giving way too much homework without causing a massive student uprising. Scotty B: Our homie principal, broski. What, what?
Fired Up: 1.) A common phrase used by Scotty B (see other entry) to indicate the need for students to amp up their enthusiasm. 2.) To describe the burning passion in your soul for Tiger Spirit.
Senior Study Hall: Exit Visa to an unknown, exotic location.
Fixed Forum: Like ketchup, it goes well with anything.
TCB: A half-hour in which you can be really productive or, as usual, not.
“Freshmen are so annoying.”: Something all sophomores get really excited to say. Fourth Lunch: That feeling when you see your waiter bringing out food, but it’s not yours. Then, he puts it in the back for a half-hour before remembering it actually is yours. HELA: The awkward nickname for the class formerly known as CA that the subject gave itself. Junior Pod: Like walking through molasses. With human-sized chunks. That have large backpacks.
The Swim Unit: Social exploitation in its lowest form.
Tornado drills: A sardine simulation on the days when everyone seems to have forgotten to wear deodorant or have any semblance of personal hygiene at all. Tradition: A really good reason to hate West. Twitter: Definition blocked due to restricted content. Windowless Classrooms: No sunlight indicating the passage of time. Your Best Effort: Optional senior year.
Story and page designed by Gennifer Geer and Rachel Lock. Cartoon by Mandy Novicoff.
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Pure Simple
Underground world of natural foods unearthed
In a world where processed food runs rampant and people struggle to pronounce ingredients, where totalitarian allergies steal any ray of hope for eating like a normal person, one journalist rises from the dust of pesticides and reaches out one pure, organic hand to the plastic-wrapped pleas for help.
Sprouts Farmers Market
The first time I entered this store, I cried. This beautiful alternative to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s stocks just as many options with better prices. Along with organic produce, Sprouts has natural medicine, a bakery and other groceries. They sport a well-sized gluten-free aisle and have vegetarian options galore — even gelatin-free Jell-O imitations. If you ever have a question, the store associates are happy to assist, making useful suggestions or simply helping you find something.
“We want good food!” they cry. “But we want it good for you, too!” This journalist hears you, pitied people. She knows a better way. She knows the ins-and-outs of local, natural food. She bows to her moral obligation to share those with you, to save your health and your taste buds.
Mama Resch’s
Although this bakery brands itself as “gluten-free,” all of Mama Resch’s products are also made with no dairy, soy, nuts or other common allergens. Their baked goods range from bread and crackers to cookies and cupcakes. They make custom orders, and everything can be made vegan. However, in comparison to a regular bakery, pastries bought individually seemed more expensive without any superior taste. That being said, their treats were delightful to eat — great news for any special occasions for those with allergies.
Metcalf and 135th by Von Maur. Price Range: Slightly more than average grocery stores
127th and Metcalf by Natalie M. Price Range: $3.99 to $10.50
Sheridan’s Unforked
Glacé Artisan Ice Cream
Based on the slogan “honest clean food,” Unforked has a diverse menu including tacos, quesadillas and burgers. Their salads are more than tossed iceberg lettuce and croutons — they instead feature goodies like kale and red miso dressing. Madefrom-scratch smoothies and fresh frozen custard are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, and their fries are heaven on earth.
Come for the locally-made, natural ice cream — stay for the array of flavors. Though “goat cheese and wildflower honey” may sound strange, it’s one of Glacé’s best-sellers. Anything you may have a taste for comes in a friendly frozen form. Unlike other popular ice creameries, Glacé also has creative dairy-free sorbets, including coconut and chocolate.
119th and Metcalf across from Hobby Lobby. Price Range: $3.80 to $8.70
119th and Roe near the Apple Store. Price Range: $3.65 to $6.99
Page design and story by Gennifer Geer.
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September 2014
Sampling
Sushi
Local Japanese restaurants offer variety of cuisine, pique interest Sushi Haru
Where: State Line Road and West Blue Ridge Boulevard. Near Planet Sub. Description: The chefs at Sushi Haru are constantly creating new rolls, so there is always something different to try. If a member of your party doesn’t like sushi, there are other options available such as salads, soups, rice, noodles and much more. Sushi Haru is a more casual place to enjoy sushi while still getting a quality taste. Price Range: Most rolls are between $9.50 and $12.99. Taste: The sushi here is fresh, delicious and not overly “fishy.” My personal favorites include the Tangy Roll (deep-fried shrimp
Drunken Fish
Where: Roe Avenue and West 119th Street. Near the Apple Store. Description: Winner of the 2014 Open Table Diner’s choice, Drunken Fish should not be missed. It offers a diverse menu and hosts events such as Karaoke Night. The dessert rolls are also a must-try and light enough that you should still have room to eat them after dinner. Price Range: Most rolls cost between $9 and $14.50. Taste: Drunken Fish serves sushi with a clean and refreshing taste. My personal favorites include the Starburst Roll (crab,
and crabmeat topped with avocado, shrimp, pineapple and white hamachi sauce), Firecracker Roll (spicy crab, spicy scallop, topped with spicy tuna fish and chili oil), Nigiri Salmon and Nigiri Yellow Tail. Seating: The restaurant has small tables for romantic dinners, larger tables for family or business settings and rooms that can be reserved for bigger parties. Ambiance: Sushi Haru is definitely more low-key than places like RA and Drunken Fish. You can’t wear sweatpants, but you don’t need to be in a ball gown either. A flashlight is not required to dine here, and the background music fits the casual mood.
Japanese mayo, shrimp tempura, avocado, tamago and masago wrapped in soy paper and topped with honey-wasabi mayo and spicy sauce), Drunken Fish Roll (shrimp tempura, Japanese mayo and asparagus topped with red tuna, eel sauce, masago, tempura crumbs and sprouts) and Sashimi with a Kick. Seating and Ambiance: Drunken Fish is a more popular place for dinner — however, it is open for lunch as well. The ambiance of the restaurant is much better at night as the lights are lower, and everything looks more sophisticated. Bar, booth, table and lounge seating are available.
Sushi Glossary Edamame: Unripe, green soybeans that are steamed or boiled in their pods, often served as an appetizer.
Sriracha Sauce: Bright red, multi-purpose hot sauce. Used as a condiment in mainly Asian cultures.
Ginger: Served with sushi to help clear your palate.
Sushi: Any dish made with vinegar rice and topped or filled with ingredients like raw fish, shrimp, mollusks, caviar or vegetables.
Nigiri: A small oval block of cold rice topped with a thin slice of fish and sometimes held together with a small band of seaweed. Sashimi: Raw fish cut into very thin slices.
Sushi Roll: Sushi with a seaweed wrapping. Tempura: Seafood or vegetables dipped in batter and deep-fried. Wasabi: Green, very hot Japanese horseradish.
September 2014
Starburst Roll @Drunken Fish
Tangy Roll @Sushi Haru
RA Sushi
Where: Nall and West 117th Street. Near Gordon Biersch. Description: Located in the happening and upscale Park Place, RA is no exception to the collection of quality restaurants in the area. Happy Hour — Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m. — is a great time to go get more food without spending as much money. Select sushi and appetizers are $3.29 to $8.99, and Happy Hour is a popular time to visit RA and brings in a lively crowd. For more of a casual dinner, the sushi bar is a fun place to sit. Price Range: Most rolls cost between $10.25 and $13.25. Taste: The sushi at RA has an exquisite and enticing taste. My
Price Chopper
Where: Metcalf Avenue and West 151st Street. Near First Watch. Description: Although it is primarily a grocery store, Price Chopper does have a sushi bar. The product can be eaten in-store or taken home. There is also the option to have fresh rolls made right in front of you, which is an experience often unparalled anywhere else. The sushi bar is open at Price Chopper seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — just in case you’re craving some sushi for breakfast.
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California Roll @Price Chopper
Viva Las Vegas Roll @RA Sushi
personal favorites include the Yellow Monkey Roll (mango, roasted red pepper, marinated artichoke and cream cheese rolled in rice and seaweed, drizzled with a kiwi wasabi sauce), Viva Las Vegas Roll (spicy tuna, crab mix, sliced lotus root, crab and cream cheese rolled in rice and seaweed, topped with sweet eel sauce and spinach tempura bits) and Tuna Nigiri. Seating: RA has booths, tables, lounge and bar seating available. Ambiance: More trendy and formal than Sushi Haru, RA is an elegant dining experience. Although open for both lunch and dinner, RA is a more popular destination for dinner. However, if you don’t like a lot of noise, RA isn’t for you.
Price Range: Most rolls cost between $6.99 and $7.99. Sushi Taste: The sushi here is fresh, but there aren’t a ton of flavors to thrill your taste buds. If you like your sushi simple, this is the best option. My personal favorites include the California Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll. Seating and Ambiance: Obviously as a grocery store, the ambiance is not Price Chopper’s main concern. However, if you’re looking for a casual place to grab a quick assortment of sushi, this is the fastest and most convenient choice. Design, illustrations and story by Maddie Davis. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.
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September 2014
Upcoming Bands New music groups reviewed, recommended for listening
MAGIC!
Genre: Pop Label: RCA Records Debut Album: “Don’t Kill the Magic” Release Date: June 3, 2014 Songs to Hear: “Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool,” “No Evil,” “Little Girl Big World,” “Rude” Description: Ever wondered what it sounds like to honestly not have a care in the world? With the wonder of his flawlessly lazy vocals, Nasri Atweh brings the beach to your bare feet and the sound of summertime nights to your ears. In a reggae style that strays from the pop genre, drummer Alex Tanas, guitarist Mark Pellizzer and bassist Ben Spivak evoke memories of simpler times through distantly spaced chords and slow rhythms. And what’s more — these pop artists can actually play instruments. Similar Artists: Parachute, Heymous Molly, Bob Marley
This Void
Genre: Indie/Britpop Label: Devil Duck Records Debut Album: “Crystals” Release Date: Feb. 28, 2014 Songs to Hear: “Help Me I’m Okay,” “Awakening,” “Watered Mouth,” “All Of Us” Description: Taking the beauty of melancholy and punching it into a hard fist with blunt ridges, this German-based band adds an electro arpeggio to the classic instruments for a prime listening experience. High school friends Keno Potthast, Daniel Mobes, Christian Lindemann, Max Schlake and Lukas Ernst were working their way well into the hearts of German festival-goers by the time they got signed for their first professionally-recorded album. With the help of Sony BMG, they carry on the memory of the British Invasion, 51 years after the initial incursion. Similar Artists: The Beatles, The Strokes, Radiohead
Alive Like Me
Genre: Rock Label: Rise Records Debut Album: “Only Forever” Release Date: Oct. 7, 2014 Songs to Hear: “Searching For Endings,” “Start Again,” “Slip Away” Description: Clad in black, vocalist Jairus Kersey, bassist David Knox, drummer Joel Riley and guitarists Brandon Banton and Dakota Dufloth come together to express brutal honesty through unique chord progressions and edgy vocals. After performing as
Story by Makayla Nicholis. Page designed by Rachel Lock and Makayla Nicholis.
an opening act for the Rise Records and Friends Tour and then traveling with the Vans Warped Tour this past summer, Alive Like Me was invited to travel with Beartooth through Oct. 31, 2014. The sum of their spot-on sound and general love for their audience is a sure-fire combination that will bring about the band’s success with Rise Records. Expect more. Similar Artists: I the Mighty, Sleeping with Sirens, SECRETS
Residual Kid
Genre: Alternative Label: Sony BMG Debut Album: “Faces EP” Release Date: Oct. 9, 2012 Songs to Hear: “Lost Cause,” “Friend,” “Purple Shoes” Description: Like Green Day with the alluring rasp of a wannabe Brit, Residual Kid takes the seventh string and stereo vocals to an angsty state that will suck you in and never spit you back out. Their name can be taken as literally as you please — the band is made up of drummer Ben Redman, vocalist Max Redman and guitarist Deven Ivy — all of whom had barely breached their teenage years by the release date of their first EP. But don’t underestimate this trio — it takes more than just guts to perform as the youngest band at University Musical Society. With such young talent, we can expect much more from the members individually in the future, though the band may not make it through puberty together. Similar Artists: La Dispute, Cage the Elephant, The Neighbourhood
Sleepwave
Genre: Rock Label: Epitaph Records Debut Album: “Broken Compass” Release Date: Sept. 16, 2014 Songs to Hear: “Through the Looking Glass,” “The Wolf ” Description: With the voice of a tortured angel, former lead vocalist for the band Underoath Spencer Chamberlain takes on band mate Stephen Bowman to create condiments for your ears. Thicker and smoother sounding than his previous band, Sleepwave calms down to haunt you with revocations of lyrics spat into the microphone for more consistent melodies and a heavier baseline to blend with his Grammy-nominated vocals. For the lovers of singers Austin Carlile, Oli Sykes and Ronnie Radke, here’s a new delight for you. Similar Artists: Parkway Drive, Escape the Fate, Falling in Reverse, Bring Me the Horizon
September 2014
Serving up Success
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Standout doubles team returns for new season, ready to defend State championship title chloebreau staff writer Many Blue Valley athletes strive to compete at State, but going to State with one of your best friends is a whole other story — and a reality for tennis players senior Morgan Steffes and junior Alexa Tiefel. “Playing doubles with Alexa was fun because we are pretty good friends and go to the same tennis academy outside of high school tennis,” Steffes said. “We compete in the same section all year round.” Not only did Steffes get to play side by side with one of her closest teammates, but they shared the win as well. “We started out a little shaky, but we killed them in the last round,” Tiefel said. In the final match, the pair beat Shawnee
Mission East competitors Aidan Epstein and Stephanie Wilcox 6-0 in the first game and 6-0 in the second game. The tournament took place in Wichita, Kansas, at Maize South High School in the 6A division. “We ended the season with a 15-1 record,” Steffes said. “We only lost five games in our four matches we played at State.” Tiefel said she has high hopes for this year’s girl’s tennis team. “This year will be different because Morgan and I will be playing singles instead of doubles,” she said. Steffes said she will miss playing doubles with Tiefel. “I also like the fact that I get a chance to play on my own and find out how well I compete by myself,” Steffes said. The pair decided to split in order to grow even further as tennis players. Tiefel also
said splitting up would help the team be more successful — playing as singles instead of doubles allows them to earn more wins toward the season. “We really want more girls to qualify for State because last year it was just Morgan and me,” Tiefel said. Both girls are hoping for more qualifiers to bring a stronger force to next year’s State tournament team. “The entire tournament was just really exciting,” Tiefel said. Steffes and Tiefel said they both enjoyed their time in Wichita, Kansas. They said they look forward to the upcoming season and the hard work that lies ahead of them on the path to this year’s State Championship. “It was a fun thing to be a part of, and getting to experience it with Alexa made it even better,” Steffes said.
Bringing the A-Game
Tiger football program completes transition to 6A, looks forward to new opportunities, new opponents mattantonic sports editor With the season in full force, the Blue Valley football program has made the move up to the Kansas 6A division official. The Tiger football team has joined all other Blue Valley sports in the 6A Division, the largest in the state of Kansas. While all other BV sports moved to 6A last season, football’s move was pushed to this season. Athletic Director Matt Ortman said this delay was due to football’s layout. “Football is on a two-year cycle basis because it has a unique scheduling system,” he said. Ortman said the state has a simple proce-
dure for determining how BV was placed in 6A. “Kansas takes the 32 schools with the biggest populations and puts them in 6A,” Ortman said. “We’ve grown enough that for the next two-year cycle, we’re moved up to 6A.” During the regular season, the Tigers will continue to play all of their EKL and district opponents, resulting in a relatively similar schedule each year. In the playoffs, however, the game changes completely. In the past, BV saw playoff opponents from mainly independent districts, Topeka or the four other Blue Valley Schools. Now, a whole new group of competitors are in the mix, including teams from larger districts such as Shawnee Mission, Olathe and Wichita.
For the most part, Tiger football fans won’t need to worry about long road trips until the playoffs roll around, when a trek to Wichita or Hutchinson might be in order. Coach Eric Driskell said while the team is moving to a larger division, it isn’t changing its approach to the game. “We are still trying to be the best team we can be, and we like to measure ourselves against ourselves,” Driskell said. The Tigers will be facing teams they haven’t played in nearly a decade — or even at all. Driskell said the team looks forward to its chance to face the unknown. “It’s exciting to play some new people,” he said. “Obviously, there is some apprehension about it, too, because they’re not known opponents, but we’re excited for the opportunity.” Page designed by Matt Antonic.
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Setting for State up
1. Getting in position, senior Kennedy Etheridge prepares to set the ball to sophomore Courtney Carpenter. Tigers won the first and third sets to seal the win. “I hope that we can come together more as a team [this year] and hopefully win State or at least place top three,” Etheridge said. Photo by Alyssa Hess. 2. Senior Mary Hastert digs the ball after a hard hit from the other team. She said the team loves when there’s a large student section at their games. “When the crowd is loud and involved, it pumps us up and makes us play better,” Hastert said. “We really appreciate when people come out and show lots of school spirit to cheer us on.” Photo by Molly Johnson. 3. Waiting for the serve, junior Liz Allen, sophomore Lauren Stubbs and senior Mary Hastert get low to return the ball. As the libero, Hastert specializes in defense and digging. “We’re always working hard [to get better] and never give up on each other,” Allen said. Photo by Alyssa Hess. 4. Senior Haley Koenig and junior Liz Allen extend their arms above the net to block a hit. The Tigers faced off against Olathe South on Sept. 9. “I’m really exicted for what our team is going to do this year,” Koeing said. “We’ve been working really hard all season and summer.” Photo by Alyssa Hess. Pages designed by Alyssa Hess.
September 2014
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September 2014
the
Hunt
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Blue October
cassienichols staff writer
Oct. 26, 1985. The sky is lit by floodlights illuminating what was then known as Royals Stadium. The smell of fresh popcorn fills the crisp fall air. It’s the bottom of the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals are up 1-0. Utility player Jorge Orta sends a grounder to Cardinal first baseman Jack Clark, who flips the ball to Cardinal pitcher Todd Worrell, covering first. Instant replay shows that Worrell beat Orta to the base, but the first base umpire calls Orta safe. First baseman Steve Balboni takes advantage of the call with a single to left field on the very next pitch. Orta moves to second base after a dropped ball between Clark and 1982 World Series MVP catcher Darrell Porter. Catcher Jim Sundberg attempts a bunt but fails, resulting in Orta getting thrown out at third. Outfielder Hal McRae is next to bat, and Porter, who had played four seasons with the Royals, allows a passed ball, letting both Kansas City runners to move up a base. Fear is growing in the heart of Cardinals fans around the country as they anxiously await for the result of the play. McRae walks, loading the bases. Outfielder Dane Iorg pinch hits for pitcher Dan Quisenberry, and his single to right field drives in two runs, giving Kansas City a 2-1 win. This sent the team to game seven the next night, which they
won 11-0. The Royals win the 1985 World Series. If you ask any Kansas City Royals fan over the age of 35, he or she can probably recite most of this final sequence of events as if it recently happened. The images have been ingrained in their memories for decades. Of course, the ‘85 Series ranks as one of the most important stories in Royals history. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much success after that autumn evening. Twenty-nine long, hard years have passed. Since then, there have been terrible trades, numerous managers, 100-plus loss seasons and blooper highlight reels on ESPN. But fast-forward to the summer of 2014, and this Royals squad is writing their own chapter after a long MLB post-season drought and a generation of agony for the Kansas City faithful. New legends such as first baseman Billy Butler, pitcher Greg Holland, catcher Salvador Perez and outfielder Alex Gordon are capturing the hearts of Kansas Citians in record numbers. They seem to be playing for more than just being another footnote of a decent Royals team that came close, but in the end, did little to make their mark. With this new optimism, fans are banking on these young men. Three members were named to the 2014 All-Star game, the pitching staff is considered by
Royals give fans something to cheer about after 29-year slump
sports experts to be among the best in baseball, and the team reached a mark of 14 games over .500 on Sept. 21. They spent the last weeks of August in first place in the American League Central Division ahead of the preseason favorite, the Detroit Tigers. After a mid-season slump that left fans ready to start following the Chiefs Training Camp, the Royals turned it around, posting the best August record in the majors. All of a sudden, they became relevant, and the city had a team to cheer for heading into October for the first time since 2003. That year, injuries took their toll, and they stumbled to a third place finish in the AL Central Division. But, there is something different about this season. We don’t know how this baseball season will end. Will the team remain strong and win the division? Can the Royals hold on for a wild card spot? Or, true to form, will the boys in blue fade down the stretch? The older sports fans around us seem to be trained to expect failure and heartbreak. On the radio, people talk as if they are waiting for the usual outcome. Whatever track the team takes, they have played well and have given their fan-base hope for a playoff appearance. It’s an exciting time to be a Royals fan. After a 29-year wait, at least there is hope.
Page designed by Cassie Nichols and Meredith Strickland. Photos by Chloe Breau and Alyssa Hess.
TIGER
TURF BV SPORTS
September 2014 1. Junior Ian McKenzie dribbles the ball down the sideline in his first game of the season. The team lost to Blue Valley West 3-0. “I really liked how we got to start the season strong even though we came [out] with a loss,” McKenzie said. Photo by Isabelle Allen. 2.Throwing the ball, senior Matthew Zimmerman practices prior to the game against Blue Valley West. The team trained four days a week for about three hours a day. “I do it because it shows you how to work hard,” Zimmerman said. Photo by Molly Johnson. 3. Junior Alexa Tiefel serves the ball. She has played tennis since she was 3 years old. “I’m
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really looking forward to Regionals and State,” she said. “Hopefully we can qualify as a team.” Photo by Alyssa Hess. 4. At the start of the race, sophomore Marie Young runs at the Paola invitational. The team finished second out of seven teams. “I like all the people I run with,” Young said. “They’re all like family.” Photo by Sophia Ragomo. 5. During practice, junior Alexis Vance aims the ball onto the green. Vance has played on the Blue Valley golf team for the past three years. “It is important to always practice chipping and putting before the tournament,” she said. Photo by Molly Johnson.
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Check out bvtigernews.com for more fall Tiger Turf photos.
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September 2014
spectacular show
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Third annual talent show features students, teachers, raises money for charity
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1. Junior Jack Weber engages with the rest of Blue Valley drumline. BV drumline placed in the top three. 2. Senior Allison Gliesman placed in the top three with BV drumline and Motion Picture. “I like how [music] makes you feel,” she said. “You can listen to a song, and no matter where it’s coming from, you can relate to it and know you’re not the only one feeling that way.”
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3. Playing his guitar, mathematics teacher Richard Gill sings a love song. The third annual talent show took place on Sept. 20. 4. Junior Lance Jewett sings a solo. Proceeds from the show went to MOCSA, which supports victims of rape and sexual assault. Photos by Alyssa Hess. Page designed by Sally Cochran.