Volume 23 Issue 3 by Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT Volume 23, Issue 3

WHAT’S INSIDE... Starbucks Review (Pages 6 & 7) Seasonal Depression (Pages 12 & 13) Senioritis (Pages 14 & 15)

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELLA RATIGAN

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS With the first semester coming

to an end, the Newspaper staff is very excited to announce our third edition of the 2023-2024 season, all about Winter! All of the students involved in newspaper put in so much of their care, time, and effort into their pages. It has been amazing watching them grow into the reporters they are and become more comfortable writing stories and designing throughout the year. Your decision to read the third edition of “Spotlight” means a lot

to all of us. We hope you enjoy the vast variety of articles, editorials, and photo galleries in this edition. We also hope you continue to read future editions. So sit back, relax, and begin to explore what we have to offer. Your Editors in Chiefs,

Rebeca Flores Luna and Laney Bossi

Policy Statement Spotlight is printed at least six times per school year for BV West students and the

community. It’s goals are to inform, entertain, and interpret through bylined articles, opinions, and editorials, while providing an open forum of communication for the diverse student population. Spotlight aims to be fair, accurate, and impartial. The content of the print publication, online news site and social media account is determined by its student editors as determined by the Kansas Scholastic Press Act and may contain controversial subject matter as the staff exercises their First Amendment rights. (Spotlight does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty advisor, the administration of BV West or USD 229.)

STAFF

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WINTER

CLOSING

Page 4: Holiday Cooking Page 6: Starbucks Review Page 8: Winter Clothing Page 10: Winter Movies Page 11: Holiday Songs

Page 28: For Nolan Page 29: Staff Page 30: Student Spotlight

STUDENT LIFE Page 12: Seasonal Depression Page 14: Senioritis Page 16: Jag Life

SPORTS/ ACTIVITIES

ON THE COVER In this year’s production of The Outsiders, Max Albert portrays a Soc who is looking at the greasers before a ‘rumble’.

Page 18: Jag Life Page 20: Winter Guard Page 22: Boys Swim & Dive Page 23: The Outsiders Page 24: Wrestling Page 26: Basketball

3 Rebeca Flores Luna

HOLIDAY TREATS

As the holiday season starts, we for decorating; creating a fun get to see our favorite holiday foods being made by family, friends, and loved ones. No matter what you celebrate or what you believe, we can all come together to share our favorite holiday foods. On Christmas, it’s tradition to leave delicious cookies out for Santa Claus to have a quick snack along with milk and carrots for the reindeer. Homemade sugar cookies are the perfect treat to leave out for Santa and even to take a few for yourself. Along with leaving cookies out for Santa, another tradition families celebrate is decorating gingerbread houses and men. This treat allows you to create your own gingerbread

Olivia Snyder

challenge of assembling. One of the most recognizable foods for Hanukkah is latkes. Latkes are fried potato pancakes that symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah. The next thing I made was my personal favorite, challah, which is thick fluffy bread with a crispy outer shell. Challah is a type of bread that is representative of the manna sent by gods to assist the Jewish people as they wandered into the desert. This is a staple food item in the Jewish community and you would likely see it on a standard Hanukkah table.

Rating

Olivia Snyder

STARBUCK WINTER ME

Holiday Drink Edition Holiday drinks are a big fan

favorite with many Starbucks customers. Starbucks rolls out with iconic drinks such as the peppermint mocha and sugar cookie latte. This year they also have the Caramel Brulee Latte, Gingerbread Chai, and the Chestnut Praline. The peppermint mocha has been one of the most popular drinks with BV West students. 2023 is going to be the 21st consecutive year that it has been on the menu. The Gingerbread Latte was also released in 2000 and has been on the menu for 23 years and still a fan favorite. Along with the different holiday flavors, Starbucks also has their

annual Red Cup day during the winter season. Every year on the 3rd Thursday of November Starbucks gives out red cups to every customer who orders a holiday beverage. They also have seasonal food items including a Gingerbread Loaf, Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop, Cranberry Bliss Bar, Snowman Cookie, and Sugar Plum Cheese Danish. All these different winter drinks and food items bring unique flavors to the menu.

MS+AF

Cranberry Bliss Bar

6 Allie Friesz + Mady Starkey

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALLIE FRIESZ

37%

PEPPERMINT MOCHA

27%

SUGAR COOKIE LATTE CARAMEL BRULEE

Sugar Cookie Latte

KS ENU

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE STARBUCKS HOLIDAY DRINK?

HOT CHOCOLATE

11% 26%

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MADY STARKEY

Hot Chocolate PHOTOGRAPHED BY MADY STARKEY

Peppermint Mocha PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALLIE FRIESZ

7 Allie Friesz + Mady Starkey

WINTER CL Trends and Cold Weather With the temperature dropping

fast, people are trying to find a balance between staying warm and maintaining a good style. Some trends this holiday season have been puffer vests, simplistic sweaters, and turtlenecks. Fashion trends for men have been Carhartt sweatshirts and Nike sweats. Finding “cuter” outfits can be a huge struggle during this season because often comfort is a higher priority. With Friendsgiving passing and winter activities approaching more outfit inspiration has been shared. Students at West show their creativity and personality within their styles and winter gives people a great excuse to dress up.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AVA HEFNER

8 Mady Starkey

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SKYLA HALDEMAN

LOTHING PHOTO PROVIDED BY KELSIE GANA

CELEBRITY UGLY SWEATERS

TONIGHT SHOW... On his show, host Jimmy Fallon holds up an ugly sweater for the holiday season.

BETTER TOGETHER... Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins, dressed up for a holiday party.

9 PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOSIE PETERS

Mady Starkey

WINTER CLASSICS Christmas Spirit Movies The holiday season is the perfect time to wrap up in a comfy blanket and enjoy a good movie with friends and family. A Charlie Brown Christmas is the perfect classic Christmas movie to watch to get into the holiday spirit. Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning behind Christmas after being sad about the commercialization of Christmas. Charlie Brown decides to get a small Christmas tree for a production he and his friends are putting together but then is criticized for the tree he chose. Eventually his friends realize that Christmas has a deeper meaning and that there is more to the scrawny tree than they think. A Charlie Brown Christmas is the perfect movie to watch to get into the holiday spirit. Charlie Brown and the Peanuts are a timeless group that brings joy and entertainment to the holiday season.

Aubree Bowsher

OTHER HOLIDAY SPIRIT MOVIES 1. ELF 2. The Grinch 3. Home Alone 4. Klaus 5. The Polar Express

HOLIDAY SONGS TOP RANKED SONGS FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Out of all the songs of the holiday season, We asked BVW students which songs were their favorites and out of those, we chose 4 songs and had the students at West rank them.

1. ALL I WANT FOR

CHRISTMAS IS YOU

2. SLEIGH RIDE

3. 4. IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL LET IT SNOW! TIME OF THE YEAR

11 Rebeca Flores Luna

SEASON DEPRES

Seasonal affective disorder

When Winter begins, there tends Winter depression can prove to

to be a spike in depression and depressive episodes. Seasonal Affective Disorder About 5% of all U.S (SAD), is a diagnosable condition adults suffer from SAD that is commonly described as “seasonal depression” which can cause an individual to be more depressed during a specific season. Although there is Spring-onset seasonal depression, the most It typically lasts for about 40% of the year common type of SAD is Fallonset. Having Fall-onset SAD means that the person is struggling with symptoms more in the Fall and Winter. Finals and a new semester are already common stressors for It is more common in all students at West, but when women than in men struggling with SAD, they can be Statistics provided by Psychiatry.org even more difficult to manage. Academic anxiety mixed with

Mallory Love

be an issue for individuals with SAD. It can be difficult to study and prepare for a new semester when dealing with depression, but it’s not impossible. There are ways to cope and manage the Winter depression and stress. Spending time in the sun, exercising, and avoiding isolation by spending time with friends and family are ways to minimize symptoms of depression. School counselor Derek Thompson encourages people to cope with SAD or seasonal depression in healthy ways. “Having those different strategies and skills that they can pull from and then just the people around them that they know they can talk to are both really helpful,” Thompson says.

NAL SSION

Signs someone is struggling with SAD

SAD can get quite overwhelming. Thompson reminds people that they can reach out for help when feeling depressed “There’s Johnson County Mental Health, their crisis line, or 988. These are ways to get in touch with mental health professionals that are also anonymous,” Thompson says. It’s important to West that all Jags feel like a part of the family. A conversation with a school counselor such as Mr. Thompson about strategies for test-taking and studying while dealing with SAD or depression in general could also be beneficial.

• They aren’t hanging out with friends or family as much as they typically do • Relying on drugs and/or alcohol • Not completing tasks (homework, job expectations, chores) • Complaining about feeling sick or sore an abnormal amount • Significant weight loss or gain • Slower speech and movement

How to help those affected • Learn about their symptoms • Take their feelings seriously • Avoid defensive language • Take care of yourself • Encourage them to seek support

Mallory Love

SENIORITI

Getting to the Finish Line During one’s senior year of high

important. They also tend to drop hard classes since they school, it is easy to fall into a aren’t necessary anymore. slump and lose motivation to All of this can stem from the do your work. As more students safety net college acceptance receive college acceptance creates. It allows students to letters and make their final feel comfortable in their current decisions as to where they will position, so they no longer spend their next four years, the need to try as hard at school. harder high school becomes. While getting senioritis is nearly Academic advisers at Southern New Hampshire University found inevitable for many students, there are still steps that can be that students tend to care less taken to avoid the symptoms about school once they know of it. Senior year is a time to the finish line is close, the finish make memories and enjoy every line for seniors in high school moment, whether they are easy being graduation and going off to college or whatever path they or hard. choose to follow. LA Usually, once a student decides their plans for the next four years, slacking off becomes easier. Signs of senioritis are seen through students skipping class because they won’t miss anything important or turning in the bare minimum of assignments because their grades have become less

14 Lamya Alam

10 TIPS TO AVOID THE SYMPTOMS OF SENIORITIS 1. Create realistic short term and long term goals. 2. Take classes that keep you interested in learning.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATIE GILLIAN

3. Set a schedule that is easy to manage and follow. 4. Surround yourself with people who are motivated and working hard. 5. Change your routine up if something is not working for you. 6. Take breaks when necessary, rest is important.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAYLIN BERGERON

7. Remember what you are putting the work in for. 8. View college acceptance as something to work towards, even when you get in. 9. Avoid procrastination. 10. Enjoy the moments you are living in now and have fun during your last couple months of high school.

Lamya Alam PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAMYA ALAM

J A G

16 Lexi Reeder

L I F E 17 Lexi Reeder

WINTER GUARD

A Unique Sport at West The Blue Valley West Color Guard is fundamental to the Red and Silver Brigade. However, after the marching season ends color guard continues into their winter season. Winter Guard is similar to Color Guard with the biggest differences being that it is inside on a tarp and the Winter Guard performs to recorded music instead of live alongside the band. Winter Guard combines athleticism with performing, and that’s what some students like about Winter Guard. “My favorite part about Winter Guard is putting a story together through movement and music,” junior Avery Black said. Winter Guard provides an opportunity for Blue Valley West students to try a unique sport and make new friends like other sports and activities at West. “Having such a unique sport to train together in really makes the time we spend together truly special. The relationships I’ve formed through Winter Guard are some of the strongest I have, and the family we’ve fostered as a team continues to

support each other every day,” Sophomore Sumedha Sangem said.

“The whole team is great, and having the people we do makes the acwtivity so much better.” Sophomore Josephine Einziger-Lowicz

“I’ve met and grown closer to some of my best friends through Guard. I couldn’t imagine how different my life would be without my favorite girls.” Sophomore Sumedha Sangem

“Winter Guard is entirely a cohesive team effort. There is no one sitting out, there is no substitute, we are one is essence and it’s really a neat outcome on the tarp and off it as well.” Junior Avery Black

“It is truly like a family, everyone trusts one another and tries to push each other each other to the best of their abilities.” Junior Annabelle Hjortshoj

Photos provided by Melissa Mills

Aubree Bowsher

SWIM&DIVE PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEREDITH COHEE

“I dive because I love doing flips, and I also like being in the pool, so it’s a good mix of both. I love the team, and the atmosphere during meets, and it’s so awesome to compete against such supportive people.“ COLLIN MONTGOMERY

“Pain is temporary, success is forever.“ JUDAH HANSEN PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEREDITH COHEE

“Everyone is excited about the season so far. Everyone’s bringing in the hype and giving 110% to make that state banner ours.“ AIDAN STEENKAMP PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEREDITH COHEE

20 Lexi Reeder + Mady Starkey

THE OUTSIDERS

BVW Theater wants you to “Stay Golden” The Outsiders ran November 10

through 11 with two showings. The Outsiders tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis. Ponyboy is a part of a gang called the Greasers who are known to cause trouble. Ponyboy’s life gets thrown off course when he gets into an altercation with his rival gang the Socs and forces him to go into hiding. The rest of the story follows Ponyboy and the Greasers and their lives after the unfortunate incident. “I KNEW I WANTED TO DO THIS SHOW REGARDLESS OF THE ROLE I GOT BECAUSE IT WOULD BE ONE OF MY LAST OPPORTUNITIES AT WEST, BUT GETTING TO PLAY CHERRY WAS A CHALLENGING AND FUN EXPERIENCE“ LILY SEITZ

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANDY DUARTE

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELLA RATIGAN

“SOMETHING I REALLY ENJOYED ABOUT THE OUTSIDERS WAS THE SENSE OF FAMILY ON AND OFF STAGE “ HALEY HELLINGS “I HAD A BLAST DOING THIS SHOW! DOING A SHOW LIKE THE OUTSIDERS WAS REALLY FUN BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE SO EXCITED TO TELL THE STORY THEY HAD READ IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND THE AUDIENCES RECEIVED IT REALLY WELL“ KATIE COUGHLIN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIAN DUARTE

Olivia Snyder

WRESTL Girls Wrestling

Girls Wrestling started in 2021. This year is the third year of girls wrestling. They have won EKL two years in a row with just a few girls. The past three years the wrestling team has slowly been growing.

PHOTOGRAHED BY ALLIE FRIESZ “THIS SEASON I’M WORKING ON MAKING GOOD MEMORIES WITH MY TEAMMATES AND HOPEFULLY A SUCCESSFUL SEASON“ ZETTIE HJORTSHOJ PHOTOGRAHED BY ALLIE FRIESZ

PHOTOGRAHED BY ALLIE FRIESZ

Allie Friesz

“ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I’VE LEARNED FROM THIS SPORT IS TO TAKE EVERYTHING WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. IT’S A TOUGH SPORT WHEN YOU ARE TRAPPED IN A TOUGH SITUATION OR SOMETHING FRUSTRATES YOU, BUT BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS AND TAKING CRITICISM WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND” SANA REDDY

LING Boys Wrestling

The boys’ wrestling 2023-2024

season has officialy began here at West. The season opened with a tournament at Spring Hill High School with a dominant preformance by the jags. In this season, West is looking to make a run to the state championship. “ IF YOU WANT SOMTHING YOU NEVER HAD, YOU MUST BE WILLING TO DO SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE“ LOGAN MEINHEIT “THIS SEASON IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE IT IS MY FINAL SHOT AT ACHIEVING CAREER GOALS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE OVER THESE PAST FOUR YEARS. BEING A SENIOR APPLIES A GO BIG OR GO HOME ASPECT TO THE GAME THAT YOU CANT GET ANY OTHER YEAR“ BRADY WATTS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LILLIAN HAMMER

Olivia Snyder

BASKET “I believe this team is very special and has a chance to make a run.“ MYLES EWELL PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAYLIN BERGERON

“This year we are focused on coming together as one to get to Wichita.“ GAVIN HARVEY PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAYLIN BERGERON

“We’re all hyped for this year, this team is going to be special!“ BLAKE KILLIAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAYLIN BERGERON

24 Lexi Reeder + Mady Starkey

TBALL “I love playing basketball at West because I love the competitive atmosphere and our team this year works well together.“ MAKENZIE GALLIART

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ADITI MEHRA

“The team chemistry is really good this year and I think we’ll have a lot of fun this season.“ KYLIE CLARK

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ADITI MEHRA

“This season is the best start we’ve had in a long time because of how hard everyone is working and the leadership our seniors have shown. “ ADDIE DAVIS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ADITI MEHRA

25 Lexi Reeder + Mady Starkey

IN REMEMBRANCE OF NOLAN DAVIDSON

This Spotlight is dedicated to the Davidson family. Please keep the Davidson family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this devastating loss.

26 STAFF

BV WEST

SPOTLIGHT STAFF

EDITORS IN CHIEF: LANEY BOSSI & REBECA FLORES LUNA SENIOR REPORTERS LAMYA ALAM & ALLIE FRIESZ

JUNIOR REPORTERS KELSIE GANA, MADY STARKEY, OLIVIA SNYDER, LEXI REEDER SOPHOMORE REPORTERS AUBREE BOWSHER, MALLORY LOVE MRS. SINCLAIR ADVISER

PHOTO CREDITS:

PAGE 20: WILL BENSMANN. JULIAN DUARTE. ADITI MEHRA. KAYLIN BERGERON. MORGAN MAGEE. PAGE 21: KAYLIN BERGERON. ADITI MEHRA. MORGAN MAGEE. JULIAN DUARTE.

27 Rebeca Flores Luna

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Lydia Ungashick Graduating at

semester for soccer, Senior Lydia Ungashick shares her decision on starting college early.

“This made me realize how real my commitment was turning out to be and how close I am to being there.“ LYDIA UNGASHICK

Quinn Bryant

On November

10th & 11th, the BV West theater put on The Outsiders. Playing the lead role, Junior Quinn Bryant shares his experience playing Ponyboy Curtis. “The play gave me the opportunity to dig into the original book by S.E. Hinton!“ QUINN BRYANT

Elle Wysong

Being one of four

freshman on the girls basketball team, Elle Wysong gives advice to others hoping to succeed like her. “My advice would be to show up to everything that you can and give 100% effort!!“ ELLE WYSONG