Volume 18 Issue 4
Blue Valley West
16200 Antioch Road Overland Park, Kan. 66085
INSIDE
TEACHER STRESS...PG. 4 WINTER SPORTS.....PG. 10 SHOOTINGS..............PG. 14 KINDNESS..................PG. 23 MOVIE REVIEW........PG. 26
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MASTHEAD LETTER FROM THE EDITORS end of the first semester is Tthehenear. Finals are right around corner, then the holidays will follow. In this issue, we cover a wide spectrum of topics that reflect the changing of season. Light hearted, festive stories are also accompanied by heavier yet important stories. This balance reminds us that everyone deserves a break at some point. The holidays allow us to refresh ourselves from the monotony of routine and spend time with family. This much needed
break will allow us to come back in January and attack the second semester with new energy. Reality can be harsh sometimes. Take a break every once in a while.
Your E.I.C’s,
Chelsea Park Jonah Park Lauren Prehn
Spotlight is printed at least six times per school year for BV West students and the community. Its 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 accounts 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 adviser, the administration of BV West or USD 229.
ON THE COVER
T
he holidays are right around the corner. It is also the season of giving to those we love and telling them how much we appreciate them. The cover features a simple yet meaningful phrase: “Be kind and give.” This is a message we can all benefit keeping close to heart. Editor-in-chief Lauren Prehn reflects on the importance of exhibiting kindness. She explains how one act of kindness can result in a wave of giving to others. Read about her thoughts on kindness on page 23.
lue Valley West High School B 16200 Antioch Road Overland Park, Kan. 66085 913-239-3700 email: bvwspotlight@gmail.com Web: www.bvwnews.com Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram: @bvwspotlight
18-19 STAFF EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Chelsea Park Jonah Park Lauren Prehn MANAGING EDITOR Hannah Cole PHOTO EDITOR Rae Zimmerli ILLUSTRATOR Jaden Dudrey REPORTERS Nick Bartley Kolbie Christensen Darrelyn Dollar Natalie Fiorella Kevin Glenn Kennedy Kramer Natalie Lindmark Ally Madden Brenna Morrison Kyler Murphy Kiley Peterson Jaden Webster
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IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 4..................Teachers' Stress 6..................Seasonal Depression 8..................Christmas Lights SPORTS 10.................Winter Sports Preview 12.................Anna Katherine Marquette Photo by Natalie Lindmark
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FEATURES 13..................Student Profile 14..................Experiencing a Shooting 18..................Henry Lam OPINION 20.................Sleep Deprivation 22.................Locked Bathrooms 23.................Kindness
10 Photo by Lindsi Banker
A&E 24.................Traditional Recipes 26.................Christmas Movies Review PHOTO ESSAY 28.................Luminary Walk
28 Photo by Rae Zimmerli
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NEWS
MENTORS with an INFLUENCE
NATALIE LINDMARK
Teachers express surprising stresses of job
reporter
S
tudent stress is a subject discussed daily, especially with finals approaching. Do students ever stop to wonder about teacher stress? Lesson planning, professional collaboration and grading are at the forefront. Yet the stress not only comes from “the work,” but also from focusing on students’ needs and making connections. According to a 2017 survey by the American Federation of Teachers, more than two-thirds feel their jobs are “always” or “often” stressful. Math teacher Jan Berghaus and English teacher Paige Mulvihill echoed the survey findings, expressing their concerns around having a relationship with their students and balancing school with their families. “The hardest part is building relationships with your students, because you don’t really get to hear their heart or their ideas so much as how they process numbers and variables,” Berghaus said. “You have to work harder to build relationships.” Berghaus’s position as a math teacher puts her at odds with students’ preconceived ideas about their own abilities. “In math, there’s not much middleground, and our job is to bring the middle ground,” Berghaus said. “Along with students not being able to do it is them feeling like they can’t do it, so helping them figure out that they can, is another big part of my job.”
Helping students thrive in math is a full time job, especially for Berghaus, who not only teaches Algebra, but also Math Strategies, a class for kids who may need extra help with math. “I think for me [the hard part] is the constant decisions you have to make,” Mulvihill said. “You make momentary decisions, you make short terms decisions and decisions for later in the week and the month and the year.” Mulvihill’s hope is that all decisions will work out so that her students can grow. “Whenever we give homework, we get homework [having to work at home creating, choosing and grading the material],” Berghaus said. “There’s a lot of outside prep and work involved with being a teacher.” Approaching the end of the semester, students and teachers feel overwhelmed. Student stress often centers around personal performance but teachers like Berghaus and Mulvihill worry about making assessments which reflect growth and the personal performance of every student. “Grading is also a big part,” Mulvihill said. “Wanting to give kids feedback and then think, ‘are they understanding and reading this feedback’ [is a big part]. Sacrificing time with my husband and family and friends [to grade] and being able to give you guys all the time you deserve while at the same time still being able to live [life].”
Teacher Jan Berghaus reviews with her class for an upcoming algebra test. Photo by Natalie Lindmark
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NEWS
The stress students are under includes balancing schoolwork with extra activities and having a social life. Teachers also have busy lives and many also have their own children to nurture. “A lot of our outside activities still involve kids [and] our students,” Berghaus said. “I think the biggest thing I had to work at was balancing my own personal childrens’ activities and needs along with what I need to do for school.” Aside from the social and family aspect, “the work” of being a teacher can be emotional and intense, especially when they care about student performance. “Two things [are] at play here,” Berghaus said. “We have to get through the material we have to get through, and the second part is as our students finish, they are approaching that finish line and we are leaning in and cheering harder and worried because we want them to be successful, so we start working extra hard to help them get there and help them achieve what they
Teacher Traci Rhodes hides beneath a pile of papers expressing her stress about a large amount of student work to grade before finals. Photo by Natalie Lindmark
want to achieve.” Students can be overwhelmed with the stresses of high school. Teachers like Berghaus and Mulvihill are just as stressed about
“
If we didn’t struggle and it wasn’t hard for us, then we wouldn’t
relate to you and everything you go through. TEACHER JAN BERGHAUS
wanting students to succeed. The sacrifices they are willing to make speaks volumes about the character of these professionals. Driving
through the staff parking lot at 6 a.m. or 5 p.m. is a quick reflection of a unique dedication. “For teachers, we have been through this before, so we can manage it and it’s a different stress,” Mulvihill said. “As for kids, they’re worried about their future. Our day-to-day job does not directly impact the next step of our life [like theirs does]. For teachers, I think the stress is ‘are we doing a good job’ and it’s more philosophical stress.” Berghaus sums up the sacrificial philosophy that drives teachers to absorb the stresses of the job. “We have a normal life just like anybody else. When bad things happen to us or hard things happen to us, we have to use a lot of extra to serve you,” Berghaus said. “The majority of teachers are capable at setting aside themselves for the needs of their students, but no doubt there are times where we only have X amount to give, and we all struggle with that, but it can help us relate to our students. It builds compassion.”
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NEWS
CURING S.A.D.
KENNEDY KRAMER reporter
Defining Seasonal Affective Disorder and finding treatment
S
easonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is characterized by major depressive episodes in fall and winter, but few if any symptoms in spring and summer. SAD hits teens lives hard and goes beyond sadness, even though the initials suggest otherwise. Most commonly referred to as seasonal depression, it is a type of depression or bipolar disorder that occurs and ends around the same time every year. It tends to come and go with the colder seasons, so spring and summer are less common times for the disorder to happen. Symptoms can include anxiety, extreme mood changes, increased or lack of appetite, insomnia, oversleeping, crankiness and the inability to concentrate. During the school year, teenagers mainly have issues with abnormal sleep patterns. A strenuous workload from school may affect a student’s mood as well School psychologist Lisa Donn helps students with SAD and researches its causes. “Melatonin [is] a hormone that influences our sleep patterns and mood,” Donn said. “Reduced exposure to sunlight through shorter days in winter knocks our melatonin balance out of order. I think that if teens got out into the world more often and were better able to speak up about things, we’d
all be in a better place.” Besides going outside more, there are various types of medication-free treatments for SAD. Simply sitting near windows or exercising outside are good for personal health. Other notable treatments include: learning relaxation techniques, eating a well-balanced diet and talking to a trusted friend or adult to raise social skills. A therapist or
“
Feel free to set up an appointment with me at any time, or just drop by whenever you need.
PSYCHOLOGIST LISA DONN
medication may become necessary for some to make the dark hours a little brighter. While the disorder is relatively unknown, it’s likely people know someone who experiences these
issues. Left undiagnosed, SAD affects those in every age group. The student body has several options to help make the best of the chilly forecast. The Spot sells coffee and hot cocoa for a reasonable price and participating in school activities can help. Currently, students are participating in basketball, bowling, swim and dive, wrestling, the school musical, recycling and more. Getting out to support those activities can also help raise melatonin levels. It’s been scientifically proven that active kids and teens are often happier. When stress becomes overwhelming, it is important to take steps to relax. Exercise is just one way to help increase one’s mood. The more that’s known about conditions like SAD and its treatments, the more control people have over their emotions. No matter the season of the year, no one is ever alone. “My door’s always open, room 259 on the second floor,” Donn said. “Feel free to set up an appointment with me at any time, or just drop by whenever you need.” Rain or shine, trusted adults are throughout the school. A change in weather is merely a change of the times; another opportunity to live one’s best life. Keep pressing on.
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NEWS
*Data courtesy of mayoclinic.org
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NEWS
STRINGING JOY
Community members come together to share tradition of holiday lights DARRELYN DOLLAR reporter KOLBIE CHRISTENSEN
M
onths before any winter holiday begins, Christmas music starts to play, the holiday commercials begin and Christmas lights burn bright in neighborhoods throughout our community as holiday traditions begin. One uniquely Kansas City tradition is the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The Plaza shopping district hosts the annual event on Thanksgiving night and includes not only the lights, but also fireworks and a concert. This year it was held on Nov. 22 and the lights will stop glowing on Jan. 13, 2019. 2018 marks the 89th anniversary of the lighting ceremony. A switch is flipped every year to signify the start of the holiday season when the lights come on and the Plaza is lit up. Not just anyone is given this honor, generally a local celebrity like Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith, actor Rob Riggle, or Royals player Alex Gordon are among those selected to flip the switch as the clock ticks down. The 2018 honoree was Kansas City, Mo. mayor, Sly James. Tens of thousands of people attend to watch the highly anticipated Kansas City tradition. Another lesser known Christmas tradition is Paulie’s Penguin Playground, which is a homemade
Christmas display full of different holiday penguins Paulie’s Penguin Playground located in Olathe, Kan. off of Indian Creek Parkway. The tradition was started by Paul Craig. He decorates his house and front yard with penguin inflatables, lights and a projector playing penguin related films on his driveway. He started this tradition in 2004 with only 15 penguin inflatables and a couple of strands of lights. Currently the display features more than 200 inflatables and thousands
reporter
of lights. Craig created this display to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society after his mom passed away from leukemia. “It started as a joke on my wife since she collects penguins,” Craig said. “And then just grew from there was kind of the catalyst to pull me out of my funk about the holidays since I lost my mom around Christmas in 1999.” The display is free, but donations are always welcome. Hundreds of
Inflatables crowd the front of Paulie Penguin’s Playground. Photo by Kolbie Christensen
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NEWS
Jack Tenbrink’s impressive Christmas lights display at night. Photo by Jack Tenbrink
thousands drop by on the weekends. Craig has raised more than $49,000 over the 10 years it has been done. Another light show to check out is displayed by senior Jack Tenbrink. Tenbrink has had a passion for Christmas lights for years and has awed his neighbors and many more ever since. “Ever since my dad started putting Christmas lights up when I was a little kid, I was always fascinated by putting up lights and showing off my holiday spirit,” Tenbrink said.
His dad’s tradition of displaying Christmas lights soon turned into his own. Five or six years ago, I started putting them up myself and I found that my house was very mediocre and the same as everyone else’s,” Tenbrink said. “I wanted to go above and beyond and decided to start investing money into creating my own light show.” The display takes Tenbrink three Saturdays to assemble, but the work is worthwhile. Although Tenbrink’s display may not attract as much attention as the Plaza lights, his favorite part is to have friends and
family come to view his house. “My passion for Christmas lights came from wanting to have the best looking house on my street,” Tenbrink said. “My neighbors have a very funny joke that they call me ‘Clark’ from the Christmas Vacation movie.” Tenbrink’s tradition brings his community together to watch the lights each year. Christmas lights, whether setting up the display or just viewing, continue to bring joy to everyone around. This form of celebration is one that many make a tradition and enjoy participating in every year.
Do you put up holiday lights outside?
82%
18%
No Yes
Out of 87 votes on Twitter conducted by @BVWSpotlight on Nov. 29.
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SPORTS
INTER SPORTS Off-season conditioning and try-outs are behind them, the winter sports coaches are conducting practices and preparing their teams. Each were asked the same questions about team goals, leadership, talent and culture.
BOYS BASKETBALL
GIRLS BASKETBALL
HEAD COACH: Ryan Hintz
HEAD COACH: Richard Strecker
ASSISTANTS: Nick Babalola, Don Cameron, Adam Johnston, Todd Kurimsky, Pat Sullivan
ASSISTANTS: Paige Lankford, Jennifer Stanley
RETURNING PLAYERS: Spencer Bain, David Brown, Matt Cairns, Ben Coates, Greg Riddle, Scott Riddle, O’mar Stanley
RETURNING PLAYERS: Kate Bandre, Lauren DeWitt, CiCi Forcellini, Shaun Holmes, Neva Longhofer, Alexa Pittman, Hanna Strombom NEW VARSITY PLAYERS: Liv Ensley, Brenna Morrison
NEW VARSITY PLAYERS: Jake Cummings, Wyatt Stull, Nick Swarts, Luke Vaughan COACH’S FORECAST: We want to learn how to win and be able to compete with every team in Kansas. By the end of the season, my goal is to be one of the best teams in the State. We aren’t there right now, but if we have fun and get better each day this season, we could be.
MESSAGE TO FANS: The studentathletes on the boys basketball team have dedicated themselves to improving and representing our school in a positive manner. Our style of play will be fun to watch and we’d love to have the support of the student body. Also, we got new uniforms. Photos by Zoey Greenberg
COACH’S FORECAST: We are looking to continue improving our performance and record, move up the ranks of the Eastern Kansas League and qualify for the State Tournament. MESSAGE TO FANS: We look forward to the continued support of the greatest student body in the state, along with our fabulous cheerleaders, pep band and dance team.
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SPORTS
PREVIEW
NICK BARTLEY
reporter
Boys and girls basketball, bowling, boys swim and dive, and wrestling anticipate seasons
KEVIN GLENN
reporter
BOWLING
BOYS SWIM & DIVE
HEAD COACH: Denise Young PROMISING PLAYERS: Nadia Alam, Hassani Bockelman, Irina Mykos SEASON MOTTO: Have fun, be good sports and do your best. *Bowling try-outs are held in mid-December. Check out bvwnews.com for season updates.
Photo by Katie Gildemeister
WRESTLING
HEAD COACH: Tobin Sample
HEAD COACH: Randy Lowe
ASSISTANTS: Chris Stack, Russ Ingold (Diving)
ASSISTANT COACHES: Alan Isom, Mike Nelson
RETURNING ATHLETES: Trevor Baier, Sam Foster, Jason Garlett, Kevin Glenn, Dylan Hawley, Ben Kim, Sam Kratochvil, Chase Lane, Dylan Logsdon, Sam Pankratz, Jonah Park, Lucas Park, Jake Seager, Trevor Sinclair
ATHLETES TO WATCH: Logan Caldwell, Logan Cole, Ben Freeman, Ashton Demitt, Sam Kirk, Tate Marcum, Joseph McElwee, Graham Miller, Ryan Schram, Zach Schram, Cade Sumner Fans should look out for how the team has improved. Check for results from the meet in Nebraska and the JoCo Classic to gauge their potential.
COACH’S FORECAST: We will be in a position to battle with the top teams at the State meet. And I think we will have several State qualifiers this year.
MESSAGE TO FANS: Should be an exciting year for our team. The athletes goals are to break several records and finish as high or higher than previous teams at State and the league meet. We have three home meets this year, Nov. 29, Jan. 10 and Jan. 24.
Photo by Grant Sasenick
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SPORTS
CATCHING UP WITH AK ALLY MADDEN
reporter
Sophomore Anna-Katherine Marquette shares her experience playing a sport every season
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S
ome student-athletes specialize in one sport, but sophomore AK Marquette competes in a fall, winter, and two spring sport. “It’s really fun,” Marquette said. “I like being involved in all the different [sports] because I get to be involved in different aspects of the school and get to know a ton of different people.” Though it may sound fun, being extremely active and busy has its downsides. “It’s really hard to go from one sport to another without getting super tired and sometimes even getting injured,” Marquette said. However, overtime, AK has developed time management skills that has helped her succeed.
Photos by Molly Bechtel and Lydia Berutti
“I talk to all my coaches and let them know about all the conflicts I have,” Marquette said. “I also do all my homework during JAG so I don’t have to do it after school when I have practice or a game.” One part of becoming an all around great athlete is having good relationship with teammates. Fellow cheerleader, Lauren Kirk, explains how Marquette’s attitude affects the team. “AK’s a great teammate because she always helps improve other people skills,” Kirk said. “Anytime, especially during cheer, when a stunt falls, she tries to help the stunt.” Marquette was inspired to join cross country and track by alumni
Jack Losier. “I had some former West students talk to me about running when I was in middle school,” Marquette said. “I tried it out freshman year and I really liked it.” Despite the conflicts, Marquette wouldn’t change her hectic schedule for anything. “Doing sports every season has been a great experience to meet new people and be a part of different teams,” Marquette said. “[It is also great to] be able to have success in those different sports.” With her courage and perseverance, AK has made a big impact on the BV West family.
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FEATURE
FRESHMAN FOOTBALL FAMILY JADEN WEBSTER reporter
E
verybody has a story to tell. Sometimes, an individual’s story can go unnoticed due to the size of our student body. It is important for everyone to have the opportunity to tell their stories. This is the story of a freshman who was randomly selected using a number generator. He may already be known to some here at BV West, but his story of community and commitment is one worth sharing. Freshman Gage Roach made a sizable impact on the freshman football team. His hard work
Quarterback exhibits the family cornerstone payed of when he was given the opportunity to play a varsity game. “This year I started my first game for varsity and it didn’t go very well,” Roach said. “Still, it was a good memory and a good learning experience. I’ve just learned a lot through football.” Roach plans to play other sports during the school year, but football stands out from the rest for him. “Football creates a different atmosphere than any other sport,” Roach said. “[Nothing can replace] the crowd and the Friday night lights.”
Roach enjoys being out on the field with the crowd behind him and his teammates beside him. “I like having the team run through the banner,” Roach said. “It’s cool to have that experience and run through there as the crowd is cheering for you.” Roach and his teammates worked hard to make this a great season. They spent a lot of time practicing together so they could give each game their all. “People just see the results on Friday nights, but we practice three hours every day, every week since the start of summer,” Roach said. “The upperclassmen work with the underclassmen and the coaches work with us, so that always helps us develop as players.” Roach enjoys the rush of being out on the field, but he also enjoys the sense of community that comes with being on the football team. “Before the game, all of us are in the weight room and we all listen to music to get ready for the game and we just get prepared that way,” Roach said. The football team is a tight-knit family that Roach is glad to be a part of and work with during Friday night football games. “It’s just a really cool feeling to be out there on the field and trying to make your school proud,” Roach said. Roach looks forward to playing football again next year.
Freshman Gage Roach works hard on and off the field to win games. Photo by Lydia Berutti
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FEATURE
A SHATTERING REALITY CHELSEA PARK
editor-in-cheif
Student and staff member share first-hand experiences with gun violence
W
hile many are aware of the prevalence of gun violence in America, the issue is a distant reality. Shootings may seem to occur in faraway areas of the country. However, gun related incidents have affected and continue to affect members of the community. Choir teacher Kimberly Modelski and junior Kess Wieser share their personal experiences with shootings and how it has affected their lives.
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KE SS’ STO RY
FEATURE FEATURE
“Never forget.” It is a phrase often utilized by the masses to show sympathy for those lost in tragedy. A phrase that can often be attached to school shootings, like the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting. For some, the phrase is redundant. However, when something so monumental and life-altering happens around you, you can’t forget. I remember almost everything from Dec. 14, 2012. My fifth-grade class was sitting in groups when we were told, that we would have indoor recess. I couldn’t grasp why and ranted to my friends about how unfair this was because I was certain that we would be able to go outside after the snow finally melted. My teacher seemed a little out of our lessons and constantly checked her phone with the same solemn look fixed upon her face. My classmates kept getting checked out of school one-by-one until only half of my class was left at the end of the day. I didn’t realize how strange it was because I was only eleven and a lot of stuff went over my head. When I got home, my mother told me what had happened in the most PG manner she could manage. I now understood why I didn’t have recess that day. All of the schools in the same district as Sandy Hook were on silent lock down since 10 am that morning, and my school was in that district. Mrs. Minor kept checking her phone to receive updates on the shooting because her daughter was watching the news at home. My classmates kept getting checked out of school by concerned parents, even though the school sent a mass e-mail describing, how actually, if the students could go home in their normal fashion, it would be a safer choice for the students. But the version of the story my mother told me was not completely accurate. The true story about a mentally disturbed individual who shot his own mother at home then proceeded to go to an elementary school where he shot and killed six administrators and 26 seven-year-olds with a Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle that he shouldn’t have had access to, was something my mother did not want to burden an eleven-year- old girl who still did not know how to divide fractions with. At the time, I did not understand the loss that their
13,591 26,277 GUN RELATED DEATHS IN 2018
326
GUN RELATED INJURIES IN 2018
44% OF ADULTS
MASS SHOOTINGS IN 2018
58
KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN SHOT
53,089
TOTAL GUN VIOLENCE INCIDENTS IN 2018 https://www.gunviolencearchive.org
https://everytownresearch.org/gun-violence-america/
DEATHS AT THE 2017 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA MASS SHOOTING WORST NATIONAL MASS SHOOTING
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FEATURE
families, friends, and the whole community felt that fateful day. For me, the most impactful part of all of this was the reaction that rippled across the United States. Monroe, the sister town of Newtown, and where I lived for five years, donated the old middle school, Chalk Hill to Sandy Hook so those students who survived would not have to go back to the same school where their classmates were murdered. The old building got torn down and rebuilt so that the students could finally return in August of 2016. Every day students would have to explain in detail to the officers stationed there what they were doing at school, how long it would take, and etc. Cameras were added at every entrance and main hallway, every door was replaced with new doors that locked automatically to keep intruders out, there was no longer such a thing as propped doors, and substitutes did not have access to keys to rooms to ensure no intruder could ever get in. Things changed, not just physically, it could be felt it in the air. Teachers were not allowed to talk about the shooting to the students, and shooting drills became recurrent. Community support for the victims and their families was a main focus. Donation booths were everywhere, Bella Rosa-(the local Pizza place), even a yearly vigil held in remembrance of those lost and how the community will never forget them. Even former President Obama dropped everything and gave a speech for the families of those lost and for stricter gun laws. My perspective has blatantly been altered by the event that transpired on December 14, 2012. I was a child when the shooting happened, I didn’t have a political agenda compiled in my mind, I was not some activist for or against anything, I just living my life. Just like those 23 children were trying to do, just like we all do, just like I am still trying to do now. Living life should be the main goal of any man, woman, or child. No citizen, no human being should ever have to be concerned with dying at the hands of a military grade weaponry. No one should be concerned with becoming simply another statistic in history as another gun violence/death per year. Yes, I will never forget what happened and the aftermath. Nor will I attempt to do so. It is an important part of the past worth remembering and Sandy Hook and all other shootings are an essential part of changing the future.
MRS. MODELSKI’S STO RY
I live in Olathe about a mile from the Austin’s Bar and Grill restaurant. My husband Marc, my two daughters Sophia and Helen, and I go there for dinner usually once a week. My dad and his buddies are there almost every evening watching sports and winding down from the work day. We went to Austin’s as a family on Feb. 22, 2017 for dinner like we had done hundreds of times before. We were sitting together on the bar side of the restaurant at the very 1st table, which is in eye sight of the patio and front door of the restaurant. I overheard that a man had been there earlier and was insulting patrons of Indian descent on the patio. He caused a scene and was asked to leave the restaurant. We were enjoying ourselves, chit chatting about the day, coloring on the kids menu…etc. About 30 minutes into our dinner we heard a crazy loud explosive sound and I saw the glass wall on the patio shatter. I have never heard the sound of a gunshot ever in my life and I could feel the power of it within my body. Before I even realized what was going on, I heard people screaming, “Get down, he’s got a gun, run, look out!”
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FEATURE
My husband sprang to his feet and flipped our table upside down so fast to shield us from the shooter on the patio. I quickly got behind the table and covered my daughters with my body. My daughters kept crying and screaming, “What’s happening, what’s going on?” There was another gunshot at that point. I tried so hard not to show my fear, because I wanted to comfort my kids. My husband was moving around and trying to see how to escape out of the restaurant. Marc came and grabbed Helen, my younger daughter in his arms and Sophia, my older daughter, quickly followed. For some reason I slowly stood up and felt like I just couldn’t move fast enough. I had lost a shoe and took a moment to gather my cell phone. I realized quickly that I was practically the only one in the restaurant at that point. Soon, I was ushered out the back door by the kitchen by someone I didn’t know. I noticed that my husband and my daughters were not on that side of the building. I heard that someone had pinned down the shooter on the front side. I was not allowed to run around and try to reconnect with my family. For about 15 minutes, we were separated. I hoped my husband got my girls to a safe area, but didn’t know where and if they did. I kept asking, “Can I please just go find my kids?” I started crying hysterically at that point and felt trapped. At some point the shooter got away and I was escorted by police to the front of the restaurant. I saw my family standing right by the many police cars and instantly ran to them. There was blood on the patio and a lot of chaos. An ambulance was there, and I became aware that someone was killed and others were injured. The moment we got home, my husband turned on the news and the footage and continuing story was on every local channel. I discovered that the shooter was the man that had been dismissed from the restaurant earlier. He came back with a gun in his hand and apparently told the Indian man on the patio to “Get out of my country” before he shot and killed him. I was shocked to discover that the shooter escaped and made it all the way to Clinton, MO, where he later confessed to a bartender at Applebee’s what he had done. I was still in a bit of shock, but immediately went into what I call “Go Mode.” It’s the busy mom mode that often distracts me from something bothering me. I definitely didn’t sleep much and kept checking my phone for updates on the story. I found comfort, however, in knowing that my entire family was safe in my room. The aftermath of the event was much more traumatic than I thought it would be. Sophia, who was a 4th grader at the time, began to develop some real unrealistic fears throughout the day, which made it hard for her to make it through a normal day at school without a visit to the nurse or school counselors. She had some major PTSD. Helen was a little bit easier because she was so much younger and didn’t fully grasp everything that happened. I remember Sophia saying very plainly, “It was a hate crime, Mom. People should never hurt others or treat them badly because of their race.” She made me so proud. Her convictions regarding social justice were very evident despite the fact that she was in a state of fear and worry. I had a really difficult time at All-State Choir in Wichita which was the day after the shooting and ended up needing to leave the All-State Choir weekend early. I felt a lot of separation anxiety, probably due to the time when I was without my kids, not knowing if everything was okay. I also struggled in public places for a while. Every time I went to a restaurant, grocery store, and even at school, I couldn’t help but look around and wonder if someone was going pull a gun out of nowhere and start shooting. It was a feeling I had never experienced before. It has been over a year and a half, and I still have moments where I feel affected by it. Out of nowhere, I’ll suddenly have a panicked feeling that I’m not safe and that someone could try and hurt me or my children. The experience I went through definitely changed me. I am naturally a pretty trusting person and try to always see good in others. Going through this took away some of that in me. I witnessed the evils of humanity in a really personal way and that will forever impact my view on the world.
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FEATURE
HENRY LAM: WORLD CLASS FIGHTER JONAH PARK editor-in-chief
H
enry Lam is in a league of his own. Over the summer, he placed seventh in the Points Fighting Junior World Championships in Venice, Italy. He had the opportunity to represent the United States, an honor he earned through years of practice and dedication. “When I was training for the World Championships in Italy I was training everyday,” Lam said. “I tried to do two or three times a day. First time would be running on the track, second time would be doing a bunch of drills, then third time would be actually sparring.” Lam practices at the Amerikick martial arts studio in Overland Park. There, he has met many talented training partners and coaches who have helped him reach the highest level in the sport. “I have a friend who went to Spain three years ago for the same competition, the Junior World Championships,” Lam said. “My coach went to Hungary for the seniors’ [World Championships] last year.” To qualify for the World Championships, competitors from across the United States fight in the KC challenge every March. Only the top two athletes are chosen to compete at the Junior World Championships.
“It was an unbelievable feeling [to represent the US],” Lam said. “It’s really hard to describe, but I felt a sense of pride. I wanted to prove that the United States was home to the best fighters in the world.” Lam performed well at the World Championships, defeating fighters from Canada, Chile and Germany to make it to the fourth round against Hungary. “In order to get points, two out of the three judges have to score your way,” Lam said. “I feel like I got screwed over in the fourth round because two of them were Hungarian.” Lam still proudly accepted the title of being seventh in the world. The result was the product of 10 years in the sport. “I’ve learned that you can do anything if you put your mind to it,” Lam said. “Because before, I had the talent, but I didn’t have the work ethic. I feel like the World Championships forced me to pull the work ethic out of myself and put the two together.” After the World Championships, Lam competed in Minnesota, where he gained even more recognition for his performance. “Right after the World Championships, I went to Minnesota and I did really well,” Lam said. “I was offered a sponsorship by this company but they can’t pay me yet to compete because I’m still under 18. They can still pay for gear and some expenses so that’s opened up some opportunities.” Lam hopes to continue competing after he graduates and take his talent to the next level. However, he is unsure if he will be able to yet. “I want to [continue fighting], but mixing in school and training and work - it’s going to be really hard. I’m going to try to keep doing it,” Lam said. If he continues in the sport, he might be able to reach an even higher level.
Although points fighting is not an Olympic sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is taking steps to make it one. Point fighting gained recognition by the IOC on Nov. 30 and could be competed at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. “It is this close to being an Olympic sport,” Lam said. “I definitely would want to be a part of the team.” The 2024 Olympics are five and a half years from now, but Lam has not ruled out the possibility of competing then. He placed top two of all 18 and unders in the country over the summer, so the potential is definitely there. He has set big goals for himself. “[I am focused on] winning more national tournaments and making sure I qualify for the US national team if they put point fighting in the Olympics,” Lam said. Lam will fight in Chicago next month, then Atlantic City. Whether he is fighting domestically or internationally, Lam will be striving towards his goals. He has already represented the United States as a 17 year old, but wants to continue showing the rest of the world what he is capable of.
19
FEATURE
Top: Lam lands a blow to the head of
his Canadian opponent at the World Championships
Bottom: Lam and other members of
the US Junior National Team proudly don the American flag
Photos courtesy of Henry Lam
20
OPINION
SLEEPING
HANNAH COLE
managing editor
Students find it difficult to prosper in school without adequate sleep
W
ake up, get out of bed, leave for school, learn, homework, sleep. Exhaustion. Unfortunately, the lengthy tasks that encompass a typical day for high school students leave little time for rest. As homework and responsibility pile up, students find themselves sleeping less and worrying more. This issue only increases throughout grade levels and without prescribed amounts of sleep, teenage students experience damaging effects. “According to my doctors I get an inadequate amount of sleep,” junior Abhinav Cheedella said. “Five hours on a good night.” Cheedella realizes that his lack of sleep is attributed to homework,
procrastination and worrying. The homework load every night prevents him from going to sleep early, but the constant, underlying thoughts of school create stress, inhibiting the calm state of mind necessary for rest. This lack of sleep then engenders negative effects on a students learning. “I’ve fallen asleep in chemistry,” Cheedella said. “That is a class you don’t want to fall asleep in.” Falling asleep in class due to overwhelming fatigue hurts students and their ability to learn. The continued overdose of homework
advances the problem. Some assignments and tests are unavoidable but unnecessary busy work that is simply hurtful rather than helpful. “I think the workload should be lessened but I know that with today’s curriculum, everything is so fast-paced that it’s necessary to give homework,” Cheedella said. “I still think teachers should assign homework more directly related to the curriculum in class.” Cheedella suggests that homework related closely to the test feels beneficial while the onset of busy work, just takes up valuable time. Students like Cheedella experience inadequate amounts of sleep but extreme sleep deficiency is not present for all kids. Nevertheless, many students fail to meet the appropriate threshold of sleep. “Are [students] getting enough sleep? No,” psychology teacher Kevin Bandy said. “However, are they all insanely sleep deprived? No.” Bandy assessed sleep reports by students as a part of his psychology course, finding certain trends in sleep among individuals and groups. He then evaluated
21
OPINION
the effects of a poor nights sleep. “Without adequate sleep, kids get sick, their immune system and attention in school tank,” Bandy said. “There’s a certain drowsiness without sleep.” Like Cheedella, students find it difficult to pay attention in class, unable to focus and therefore incapable of learning properly. In other cases, the sleep deficit grows and students can no longer remain awake in class. Both instances unfairly restrict students’ education because of an issue they cannot control. “There’s always a noticeable difference when I get a lot less sleep than usual,” junior Tess McChesney said. “It’s a lot harder to focus consistently in class, so I end up with some lower scores on quizzes and tests.” This problem, however, falls upon a number of different groups. Teachers and students both need to be held accountable and strive to improve. Potential actions are available to our educators. Teachers could aim to complete the majority of their lessons during the class period, alleviating some of the homework burden. Teachers could also communicate with other departments in an attempt to avoid an overload of homework from all classes in just one week. Similarly, our educators could communicate more with their students. If a student is able to openly talk about their homework stress, teachers may
feel compelled to be more lenient on an assignment, helping students to receive a proper amount of sleep. Teachers aren’t the only ones to be held accountable. “Teenagers, by nature, are procrastinators,” Bandy said. “They have so much technology to take them off task, 15 years ago we didn’t have Netflix and many sleep studies have said ‘I was watching Netflix til late,’ so the technology in the room is a big hindrance to sleep.” Students must take control of their own time and lives. While there will always be homework, proper time management and sleep could ease the problem for teens. Administration acknowledged the impacts of sleep deprivation then took action to help
students achieve an adequate amount of sleep. The new schedule implemented in 2017, granting two late arrival days during the week, demonstrated one example of recognizing student’s needs. The administration should continue looking for innovative solutions so students achieve their full potential, especially when that full potential depends on good night’s sleep. Sleep remains a vital factor in the lives of teenagers, a needed supplement to success in school and in life. Sleep should not be collateral damage, a factor not accounted for or dismissed as unimportant. Sleep is necessary for healthy mental and physical development.
22
L
OPINION
KYLER MURPHY reporter
I
CKED OUT
Thoughts on the locking of bathrooms during JAG
t’s that time of year again, the bathrooms are locked during JAG. This was decided upon by the administrative team here at the school. “What we started to see were some issues regarding vaping going on in our restrooms,” Assistant Principal Bryan Brutto said. While vaping in the school bathrooms is a problem, there has to be another way. The administrative team’s views seem completely outof-touch with how students feel about this subject. “We want [to see] students that are just going to the restrooms just to use the restrooms, [but] unfortunately they are going in and being made to feel uncomfortable because students are doing something illegal or against school rules,” Brutto said. As a student who has never vaped, I dislike students vaping in the bathrooms, but I don’t feel uncomfortable. All I want to do is to be able to go to the bathroom that is closest to where I sit during JAG. My biggest issue is even after JAG is over, the bathrooms are locked. I shouldn’t have to go out on a field trip to find the closest unlocked bathroom. There are three restrooms that are consistently unlocked. “What we have unlocked is the restroom that is near the counseling suite, 315,” Brutto said. “Then the
other ones [we have unlocked] are the ones that are located near the commons, and the ones located near the performing arts center.” While these restrooms are spread out so everyone can get to them and I’ll admit it’s as nice as having only three bathrooms unlocked can be, the situation is unfavorable. Though it is important
to talk about how administration is trying to minimize the number of kids vaping in the bathrooms, there are better solutions. “We wanted to be able to monitor restrooms a little more closely,” Brutto said. “While we fully believe that students are entitled to privacy,
we also think that proximity is something that deters the use of vapes in the restroom.” The issue of vaping is serious, but our school is not addressing this issue in a smart or effective manner that respects student’s privacy. Investing in vape detecting devices would allow nearby teachers or administration to recieve alerts when it is detected someone is vaping. The school’s new solution to address vaping in bathrooms must end. It is ineffective and creates more problems between students and their teachers. If the administration really wants to put an end to vaping in the stalls, they should create harsher punishments for people who are caught vaping. Kids just want to go to the bathroom, closing restrooms does not entice them to turn in vapers; it only makes them mad at administrators for making a rule that hurts people who haven’t done anything. There are better solutions to the vaping issue than locking the bathrooms.
The school has recently closed the backside bathroom on the third floor indefinitely for the rest of the semester. Signs have also been added to the bathroom doors that explitcitly say no vaping in the bathrooms.
23
RIPPLE
Random acts of kindness create ripple effects and positive impacts LAUREN PREHN
A
editor-in-chief
smile is worth a thousand words. As trivial as this may sound, even simple displays of kindness have the potential to spread an abundance of happiness. It works like the ripple effect of a pebble thrown into a lake. The seemingly insignificant rock hits the body of water and creates wave after wave. Replace that pebble with a smile and a “good morning” to a stranger in the hall on your way to math class. That brief interaction brightens their day, and in some way or another, they pay it forward and positively influence someone else. Each interaction we have with others has the potential to spread kindness. It can be easy to become consumed in our own lives while paying little attention to the wellbeing of those around us. By dedicating a few moments each
OPINION
FF KINDNESS
day to positively impact the lives of other people, both the benefactors and beneficiaries come away happier. No kind gesture is ever too small. From picking up a fallen scarf, to writing positive messages on sticky notes, to volunteering at a food bank, there are endless ways to spread positivity throughout the community. Acts of kindness can also be extended to benefit the environment. Give back to the planet by planting a tree, cleaning up a local park or recycling old papers. In a society riddled with conflict and divisiveness, kindness acts as a middle ground capable of unifying strangers. No matter the magnitude of the gesture, any act of kindness leaves the world in better shape than it was found. Be the positive change, spread happiness and create ripples felt far and wide.
GET INSPIRED
Implementing acts of kindness into everyday life is made easy by groups like the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Dedicated to changing society through kindness, the foundation’s website provides an extensive list of ways to give back to the community. In addition, the website shares the experiences of others who commit random acts of kindness to inspire others.
Sprinkle of Winter
24
A&E
KILEY PETERSON reporter
BRENNA MORRISON
Easy-to-make winter treats that you and your loved ones can enjoy
reporter
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Sugar Cookies
1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. 2. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour or overnight if preferred. 3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. 4. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Icing 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (375g) 5. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven and completely cool. 3-4 Tablespoons milk Icing 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup Combine sugar, 2 Tablespoons of milk, corn syrup, and vanilla ex1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract tract in a medium-sized bowl and stir until combined. If frosting is Gel food coloring optional too thick, add more milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until the frosting is thick but pipeable. If you accidentally add too much milk, add powdered sugar until desired texture is reached.
Ingredients
3 candy canes 3/4 of a pound of milk chocolate candy 1 pound white chocolate 1 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Peppermint Bark
Instructions
1. Spread 1/3 of the peppermint candy over a 9x13-inch baking pan lined with wax paper. 2. Melt milk chocolate, stirring frequently, just until melted. 3. Pour the melted chocolate over peppermint candy in the prepared pan. 4. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the candy on top of the milk chocolate. 5. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. 6. Melt white chocolate, stirring frequently. 6. Stir in the oil-based peppermint flavoring. Pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate, then spread the remaining 1/3 peppermint candy on top. 7. Refrigerate until the white chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Cut or break into pieces to serve.
25
A&E
Puppy Chow
Ingredients
Instructions
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 box (12 oz) rice chex cereal 3/4 c. peaunt butter 1/2 c. unslated butter 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 two lb bag powdered sugar
1. Place cereal in a large bowl or garbage bag and set aside 2. Place chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a large microwave safe bowl 3. Microwave for 60 sec. and stir and repeat every 15 seconds 4. Stir in vanilla extract 5. Pour over the cereal mixture and stir 6. Pour powdered sugar to your liking over mixture 7. Lay out on wax paper to cool, then enjoy!
Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Instructions
1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup baking cocoa Pinch of salt 1/3 cup hot water 4 cups milk 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Marshmallows, Whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, crushed peppermint, these are all optional
1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. 2. Add water then bring to a boil. 3. Cook on medium and stir for 2 minutes. 4. Stir in milk; heat until it is warm (do not boil). 5. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. 6. Whisk until frothy. If desired, garnish with whatever you like
Ingredients 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked 3 egg yolks, beaten 1 1/2 cups white sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups milk 1 tablespoon butter 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
Meringue
4 large egg whites 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/4 cup sugar
Chocolate Cream Pie
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, cream together egg yolks and sugar. Mix in cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt. 2. Add milk and stir gently. 3. Pour mixture into a large saucepan and cook over medium heat, stir constantly, until boiling. 4. Remove from heat. Stir in butter or margarine and vanilla extract. 5. Cool, then pour mixture into pastry shell. Chill before serving, then garnish with whipped topping.
Meringue
In an electric mixer, whip egg whites with cream of tartar, then slowly add the sugar and mix on high until there are high peaks. Add to top of pie and finish baking until the meringue peaks are golden.
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A&E
CHRISTMAS M VIE REVIEWS
Guide to the best and worst movies to watch this holiday season NATALIE FIORELLA reporter
RACHEL ZIMMERLI photo editor
The Santa Clause (1994): 5/5
T
he Santa Clause” is a festive Christmas movie about how divorcée Scott Calvin, who prior did not want to be close with his son, accidentally became Santa Claus. After putting on Santa’s suit and delivering presents on Christmas Eve with his son
Charlie, Calvin finds out that when he put on the suit, he unknowingly agreed to the ‘Santa Clause’, making him the new Santa. Throughout the movie, Calvin’s relationship with Charlie improves, mainly because of Charlie’s fascination with his dad’s new job. However, Charlie’s growing interest becomes a problem when he tells everyone he can about the new Santa. Including his dad being the new Santa, which worries many. As a whole, the movie is light hearted, mainly focusing on Calvin unknowingly turning into Santa. He gains 40 pounds in one week, his hair turns white one minute after he dyes it, and has a white beard to
match that grows back right after he shaves. Comical scenes such as these contribute to the overall festive movie. The importance of family is consistent throughout the film, making it enjoyable for all ages. In the beginning family was portrayed as a hassle, like when Calvin made no effort to get along with his exwife’s husband. That changes by the end of the film, when Calvin gets along with his extended family. “The Santa Clause” is a funny but sweet film that leaves the viewers grateful for their family and excited for the holidays.
Love Actually (2003): 3/5
L
ove Actually” is a tale of nine lives that all somehow get tangled up together. Set in England, the movie follows romantic and nonromantic relationships such as a crime writer and his foreign maid, a widowed step-father and his lovesick step-son, and a washed out rock star and his fed-up manager. The story starts a few weeks before Christmas, introducing the characters while also developing a festive feeling. When the characters are first introduced in their respective opening scenes, all is happy and well. That’s before characters morals became questionable. Like, when the friend was in love with his best friends wife, he stayed
quiet about his feelings prior to the wedding but after she sees that he only recorded her in his wedding video, he elaborately confesses his love for her. At least he emphasized that he doesn’t expect anything to happen from his confession. Another unsettling plotline is that while a boss of an office is trying to play matchmaker for his two employees he’s also flirting with his secretary while married. At first it could be deemed as harmless, but then he buys her a gold necklace and only gives his wife a CD. Acts such as this don’t make it as cheerful as a Christmas movie should be. There are some pure stories that have happy endings, such as
when the step-son got a kiss from his crush before she flies back to America and when the rock star passes up Elton John’s party to spend the day with his manager. Those happy moments should’ve been more common because the general feel of Christmas is lacking.
27
A&E
Christmas Vacation (1989): 4.5/5
T
he funniest thing about “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is how utterly relatable it is. The film features Clark Griswold as he tries to create the perfect Christmas for his family and unsurprisingly, things go awry. He faces a variety of challenges from picking out the perfect tree, to dealing
with his hick cousins who show up unannounced, to accidentally causing a massive power outage with all of his Christmas lights. The reason it’s so funny is because while all these characters are eccentric and outrageous, they are based on real characters everyone can connect to their own families. From the uncivilized cousins, to the out of touch grandparents, inlaw rivalries, “Christmas Vacation” keeps viewers somewhere on the line of laughing their hearts out and watching through their fingers. The Christmas spirit is better represented in “Christmas Vacation” than any other Christmas movie.
Unlike children’s Christmas movies, “Christmas Vacation” does not shy away from the negatives of the holiday. The fact is that Christmas is frankly stressful more often than it is joyful. So stressful that by the end of the movie, Clark Griswold loses his mind. However, at the end of the day, Clark still desperately wants that perfect Christmas for his family and despite his many comical failures. “Christmas Vaction’s” spirit acknowledges that stress in a comical way and in away, tells its audience no matter what goes wrong with their Christmas celebrations, it can still be a joyful time.
A Christmas Prince (2017): 2/5
T
his one is not one to watch alone. It’s not that the film is scary, it’s that the only value one can get from “The Christmas Prince” is to make fun it with a few friends. The main character, Amber Moore, who has the look, sound and emotional complexity of a Barbie, was a struggling journalist when she got a career making assignment-to report on controversial Prince Richard of a made up European country. When she arrives at the palace, she poses as a tutor so that she can get even closer to the prince. Throughout the film, the royal family’s and specifically the prince’s view of journalists is particularly hateful. They see journalists as individuals who would do anything
for their scoop and exist only to cause controversy, a stereotype to which the heroine is no exception. As a journalist, watching other journalists being represented in this way is upsetting. Since the movie’s main audience is children and young adults, it plants a poor view of the press into youthful and malleable minds which is, in a time where the press is heavily criticized by leaders in the government, a frankly dangerous move. This film has no Christmas spirit. The time line and plot of the “The Christmas Prince” just happen to correlate with Christmas rather than the movie actually being about Christmas. This film has about as much Christmas spirit in it as
“Die Hard” does. Overall, the film is laughably horrible and pretty predictable.
28
PSA
LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS? Here are some convenient opportunities at BV West and in the Kansas City area for community service.
RECYCLING Meet in Mrs. Waldorf’s room (601) after school every Thursday to collect each classroom’s recycling.
HARVESTERS Sign up to volunteer for various community service opportunities by scanning the QR code. Activities include food drives, packing food, and distributing food.
WAYSIDE WAIFS This animal shelter helps homeless companion animals find new homes. Sign up for a volunteer information session on December 28 by scanning the QR code. After attending, you will be able to volunteer anytime.
19TH ANNUAL
LUMINARY WALK RACHEL ZIMMERLI photo editor
T
o start off each holiday season, the Overland Park Arboretum hosts a Luminary Walk. They light thousands of candles that illuminate over a mile of sprawling pathways within the park and wrap Christmas lights around trees, bridges and buildings. Along those pathways, guests can listen to live musicians, drink free Louisburg cider, ride on a horse-drawn wagon and children can meet Santa Claus. All ticket proceeds benefit the Arboretum. Photos taken Nov. 23.
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PHOTO ESSAY
30
COMIC
TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE JADEN DUDREY illustrator
31
INTERACTIVE
CHRISTMAS NICK BARTLEY reporter
Every
MAD LIB
Fill in the Mad Lib with comical and nonsensical words, then read the story aloud for the full effect
we
(TIME FRAME)
though,
a tree with (VERB)
. This year, (NOUN)
decided to
us all the way to (VERB)
(PERSON)
for Christmas. I’m
(PLACE)
because I want a
(ADJECTIVE)
for (NOUN)
Christmas but I’m not sure whether I’m on the (ADJECTIVE)
or
list. In my opinion, I’ve been a
(ADJECTIVE)
this
(ADJECTIVE) (NOUN)
year because I helped my
clean the
and I
(RELATIVE)
took out the
(NOUN)
whenever I was told. Hopefully (NOUN)
leaves (PERSON)
in my stocking because that would
(PLURAL NOUN)
make my Christmas very
!
(ADJECTIVE)
BV West Spotlight 16200 Antioch Road Overland Park, Kan. 66085 bvwnews.com @bvwspotlight
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2018 was a great year to be a Jaguar! See you in 2019. Spotlight Staff
Photo by Diane Kershaw