spotlight suicide knows volume 17 issue 6
march 22, 2018
{blue valley west}
16200 antioch rd., overland park, Kan.
age race
ethnicity
religion location
popularity name gender i n intelligence come appearance
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sexuality
INSIDE | senses pg 14 | suicide pg 16 | track pg 20 | disney review pg 26 |
LETTER T
from the editors
his is the final time you will be hearing from this year’s E.I.C.’s. Starting next edition of the Spotlight, new editors will be in charge and begin to create their own legacy for the paper. It has been an absolute privilege to serve as the editors of this year’s Spotlight. We have found immense joy through getting the privilege to be the voice of BV West students. We hope that you have enjoyed getting the paper, even if that means just flipping through before throwing it away. While we have learned a lot of lessons as this year’s editors, particularly the importance of caffiene, our biggest takeaway has been the diversity and pride that fills our school. While it may be surprising to many, everyone at this school has a story to tell. Whether it is a group of kind-hearted brothers, a freshman who rides horses or seniors who are graduating early, every single student here has important things to say. It is up to us as the student body to encourage people to use their voice in a proactive
and respectful manner. In this issue of the Spotlight, we cover a variety of topics that are currently affecting students including adderall abuse, the consumption of Geneticially Modified foods and the presence of unique traits that are affecting the way people sense. We are also covering the current problem of suicide that exists in our community. We have talked about covering this in the past, but struggled to find a way that would add helpful dialogue to the situation. We hope that by including this article in this addition of the Spotlight, we can raise awareness to this problem that has plagued the Blue Valley community in the past few years. Again, it has been a privilege to be this year’s editors. We reflect back on this year with pride and we hope you do too. Your E.I.C.’s,
Rachel Pickett Mikaela Schmitt
POLICIES Spotlight is printed at least six times per school year for the BV West students and community. Its goals are to inform, entertain and interpret through editorials and bylined articles while providing an open forum of communication for the diverse student population and
faculty members. 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
SPOTLIGHT
17-18 staff
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Rachel Pickett Mikaela Schmitt
WEB EDITOR
Hannah Holladay
MANAGING EDITOR Jonah Park
ILLUSTRATOR Jaden Dudrey
REPORTERS
Sofia Adinolfi Jacob Braun Kolbie Christensen Hannah Cole Jillian Dunlay Natalie Fiorella Kevin Glenn Mel Koerner Behr Kitts Natalie Lindmark Chelsea Park Lauren Prehn Lanie Render Jaden Webster Rachel Zimmerli controversial subject matters 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.
in this
ISSUE
o o o o o 4
12
NEWS
04 dance team nationals 05 slippery weather 06 luck of the Irish
FEATURE
08 LEO Club 09 SAGA Club 10 aderall usage 11 cost of photagraphy 12 Jeff Baxter 14 suffering senses 16 suicide
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24
28
OPINION
19 GMO’s in food
SPORTS
20 track and field 22 softball
A&E
23 fortnite 24 book/movie clubs 26 Disney review
PHOTO ESSAY
28 zoomed in
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4 NEWS
BVWNews.com
LEAPING INTO NATIONALS Crimson Cats Competition Team travels to NDA Nationals for the first time
NATALIE FIORELLA reporter spotlight.nataliefiorella@gmail.com
F
or the first time ever, the BV West Crimson Cats Dance Team got to compete in the National Dance Alliance (NDA) Nationals in Orlando, Florida. Getting to participate in the competition was not only an important moment for the team, but also for the BV West community. “It was awesome to be able to put our name out there and represent BV West,” junior Macy Talkington said. Up until now, the team has mainly performed during assemblies, sporting events and at local competitions. It has always been a goal for the team to get the opportunity to go to a tournament like the NDA Nationals. This year, the Crimson Cats Competition Team got the chance to fulfill the dream. They competed in the small varsity category alongside several other teams. While the team was at Universal they were able to watch other teams perform in between competing and rehearsing. “We got to see all the other teams from all across the country, which was awesome,” Talkington said. One of the categories they competed in was the team performance
dance. This dance consisted of four different styles - jazz, pom, kick and hip-hop. In this routine, they placed sixth overall after advancing on to the finals.
The atmosphere was so positive and supportive of everyone. SENIOR KIA WARREN The other dance the team brought was a pom routine. In that division, there were over 30 teams that they competed against. They made finals in this dance as well after their first performance, placing 10th overall. After that, they were able to
compete to win the national placement title. While they did not win the title, the Crimson Cats Competition Team still made a stunning debut, taking home two titles in their first year alone. The competition was impactful for the whole team, including Senior Kia Warren. “It was nothing like I have ever experienced before,” Warren said. “The atmosphere was so positive, all the teams were so supportive of each other. I’ve honestly never been to a competition so emotional.” Warren is beyond proud of everything that her team has accomplished. “There were tears of joy after each performance as we knew our team went out there and did the best we possibly could do,” Warren said. “I am so proud to be on the team.” BV West Crimson Cats Competition team celebrates making the finals for their pom routine at the NDA Nationals Competition. Photo courtesy of Crimson Cats Twitter
GOT
LICENSE
Earning a learner’s permit, restricted or full driver’s license comes with great responsibility. The words “be safe” are shared often but the specifics on how to be safe are not. No one wants to get in a wreck. Driving tips:
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@BVWSpotlight
KEVIN GLENN reporter spotlight.kevinglenn@gmail.com
FOG:
• • • •
drive at slower speeds use wipers and defroster use low beams or fog lights follow the center and shoulder lines • leave more room between cars
WIND:
• drive at slower speeds • both hands on the wheel • look out for big trucks and SUVs swerving into your lane
RAIN:
• slow down 5-10 mph • wipers on = lights on • leave more room between cars • turn around don’t drown
SNOW:
• slow down a lot • leave more room between cars • speed up and slow down gradually • don’t stop on a hill • stay home
(Roads are slickest right when it starts raining.)
HEAT:
• • • •
watch temperature gauge if light comes on pull over and wait don’t take off the radiator cap! NEVER leave a kid or pet in the car even for a “second” - even in the garage
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BVWNews.com
Luck 1 Irish A look into St. Patrick’s Day and Irish culture in America
of the
LAUREN PREHN
reporter spotlight.laurenprehn@gmail.com
E
ach year around the middle of March, images of leprechauns, rainbows, shamrocks and more fill social media and marketing platforms in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day. While St. Patrick’s Day is widely known as an excuse to party in America, the origin of the centuries-old holiday has a very different meaning to it. Celebrated annually on March 17, the holiday is the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in the fifth century. The celebration of the holiday began in the early 17th century when it became an official Christian feast. St. Patrick, who was born in Roman Britain but taken as a slave to Ireland at age 16, is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland after escaping back to his homeland to become a priest and then returning
k
to “enlighten” the Irish. St. Patrick’s Day festivities can be traced back to the early 19th century in America, but the first united celebration joining multiple Irish communities came in 1948 in New York City when Irish immigrants threw a parade commemorating the holiday from their homeland. The parade still takes place every year, and nearly three million people line the 1.5 mile course to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are not nearly as popular in Ireland as they are in America. In Ireland, the focus of the holiday is more about honoring St. Patrick and his contributions to Ireland. While St. Patrick’s Day parades can now be found in Ireland, they target tourists more than the
locals. In America, St. Patrick’s Day revolves much more around the parades, partying and drinking rather than the religious aspect. The celebration of Irish culture and heritage goes further than just St. Patrick’s Day, as cities across America hold Irish festivals which feature Irish food, music, dance, and more. Among these festivals is Kansas City Irish Fest which is held annually at Crown Center on Labor Day Weekend. An assortment of live entertainment showcases talents from Ireland as well as local bands and dancers, and multiple food trucks serving Irish cuisine line the sectioned off streets where the festival takes place. A Catholic Mass is held on Sunday morning followed by Irish Breakfast before the final day of festivities commence.
Fun Facts
St. Patrick explained the Holy Trinity using the three leaves of a shamrock
5
A myth states that green makes one invisible to leprechauns who will pinch anyone they see
St. Patrick was originally depicted wearing blue in paintings, not green
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@BVWSpotlight
Northern Ireland
Eire
"Ireland" in Gaelic
ÂŁ
Currency: Pound Sterling
Part of the United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
â‚Ź
Currency: Euro
An independent state
d 78.3% Percentage of Irish (Republic of Ireland) who are Roman Catholic
10% Percentage of redheads from Ireland
Green in the Irish flag stands for Catholics, white for peace and orange for Protestants. These colors convey the wish for harmony between these two denominations, as there is a long history of violence between them.
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8 FEATURE
WE SERVE BVWNews.com
LEO Club goes beyond the school to benefit the community through service
JACOB BRAUN
said. “LEO Club often works with the Lions for different projects or conventions. We serve people who ommunity service is an import- need us.” ant component of a well-roundThe BV West chapter of LEO Club ed scholar. One club at BV West is unique as it is the only one in the that emphasizes this involvement is Blue Valley School District. While LEO Club. LEO stands for Leader- this is a significant achievement, it ship, Experience and Opportunity. can hinder the connection between Each of these aspects are clearly the high school club and its internaexpressed by its member’s time and tional counterpart. dedication to the community. “A couple of times a year we do LEO Club is a high school club events with the Lions, but it would that is sponsored by Lions Club, an be great if we could work closer international organization com- with Lions Club,” Weber said. “We posed of adults who have a passion have students who went to Chicago for service. Lions Clubs can be found last year and Hawaii who got to see in over 200 countries throughout Lions Club on an international level. the world. It’s a chance to meet people from all “Both clubs go out and serve over the world.” through community service and The club itself is run by a group helping people in need,” LEO Club of student officers. The officers are sponsor and teacher Jennifer Weber responsible for putting together a calendar of all of the service opportunities available. At meetings, they then explain what each event is to members so they will know more about the projects. “Meetings are used to inform members about stuff that is coming up, whether it’s events or conferences,” presiSenior LEO Club members Lexi Moyer and Megan Mayer clean the dent of LEO Club Chicago River. Photo courtesy of Gaby Moyer and senior Delreporter spotlight.jacobbraun@gmail.com
C
aney Bredehoeft said. Some of the service projects offered include: helping at Deanna Rose, the arboretum, Community for Kids, Matthew’s Ministry, SOAR, Relay for Life, and Head Start by babysitting. The Firemen’s Dinner is another unique opportunity where members prepare food for the fire station across the street from BV West. “Members have to serve five hours of community service each month,” Bredehoeft said. “They choose from the events on our calendar to earn those five hours, because we want them out there in the community serving others.” If a member is unable to serve their required hours, the club will also accept donations. Even if someone cannot give their time, they are able to help people as service organizations are in constant need of donations. For anyone interested in joining LEO Club next year to better serve the community, sign ups for membership will occur after Labor Day. “I don’t always know if they see the impact that they’re making in our community, but the community needs them,” Weber said. “If you like to help people and have a good time doing it, join.” LEO Club is a unique opportunity for those who are willing to give some of their own time to serve those around them. A club focused solely on benefiting others is a great way for students to reach out and give back to the community.
EMBRACING
PRIDE
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@BVWSpotlight
JILLIAN DUNLAY reporter spotlight.jilliandunlay@gmail.com
Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club works to establishes accepting school community
T
hough living in the JoCo bubble is typically associated with a lack of diversity, BV West has more variety within its student body than one might assume. Each classroom contains students of various religions, races, sexualities and genders. Nonetheless, a vast number of different identities can often lead to some feeling like they are excluded and misunderstood. The Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club (SAGA) has recently been founded as an attempt to bridge this gap of isolation and encourage acceptance. The purpose of SAGA is to create a secure atmosphere for those who fall under the queer umbrella. During a typical club meeting, members have guided discussions about different LGBTQ+ issues. One of the leaders of these meetings is sophomore Natalie Page, a founder of the club. “I wanted to start SAGA because I always wanted to be a part of one after seeing other GSA’s being established at other schools,” Page said. “I also mainly wanted to create a safe space for people who aren’t out to all their friends and family. SAGA gives those people an opportunity to meet other queer people and ask them how to cope with unaccepting friends or parents.” High school can already be tough enough with AP and honors class-
es, extracurriculars and standardized testing. One can only imagine dealing with the struggle of understanding sexuality and gender on top of the daily stress teens endure. SAGA provides a outlet for LGBTQ+ students; a way to socialize and connect with those who are also experiencing what they are going through. However, one does not need to identify as queer in order to join SAGA. Sophomore Elsa Harmon identifies as straight, and is a current member of the club. “Natalie had been wanting to start the club for awhile, and she was always talking to me about it and asked if I could go,” Harmon said. “When I went, I thought it was super cool because it’s everyone talking about their personal experiences, and you get to see some of the things people have to go through. Plus, I’ve been the only straight person in the club, which means I can provide an outlook on things.” Page also encourages students of various sexualities and genders, including those who are heterosexual or cisgender, to be a part of SAGA. “People should join SAGA because it’s such a cool club to be a part of even if you aren’t queer,” said Page. “Joining the club is a great way to help us get recognized as a group.” Page and the members of SAGA are already planning to broaden the
club’s representation at BV West. Specifically, Page hopes to implement sexuality and gender as a part of the diversity that is often promoted within the student body. “There’s no queer representation at West,” Page said. “The diversity assembly is something I’m hoping to become a part of and make SAGA a part of. Being queer isn’t a part of racial or religious diversity, but it is a huge part of diversity as a whole and I really want people to recognize that.” In today’s society, though still a controversial issue, the idea of identifying as queer has gradually become more accepted. There is still progress to be made in terms of abolishing the heteronormative stereotype, but it is leaders like Page and the other members of SAGA who are taking steps in this progressive direction. “I hope that everyone can come to SAGA and walk away with a better understanding of what it means to be queer,” Page said. “Some queer people are still in the closet because they don’t understand what it means to be queer, and I want to reach those people and help them understand.” SAGA meets in room 270 during B session of JAG on Wednesdays. The club is open to anyone of any sexuality and gender.
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BVWNews.com
ADDER-ALL OR NOTHING AD r
all X dder
A
The growing obsession of Adderall among teens
HANNAH COLE BEHR KITTS
A
dderall is becoming more and more popular among teens today. The drug was originally intended to be prescription use only but is increasingly being abused. “The use of drugs like Adderall and other so-called ‘study drugs’ has skyrocketed over the past two decades,” according to center4research.org. One reason for this, is that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a version of the drug, Adderall Xr, which lasts much longer than other prescription stimulants. In fact, over the past decade, the manufacturing of prescription stimulants has increased by nine million percent. Adderall contains Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine which are stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves. Stimulants are a class of drug that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body. Adderall can be used for a number of diseases such as narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “[Using Adderall for ADHD] is counterintuitive to what most peo-
reporter spotlight.hannahcole@gmail.com
reporter spotlight.behrkitts@gmail.com
ple might think,” psychology teacher Kevin Bandy said. “People who have ADHD are hyperactive, so why would they use a stimulant?” Bandy further explains that Adderall helps people with ADHD to focus and stay awake, so that the user, for example, might do better in school. This is the primary reason as to why so many teens abuse the drug today.
“I’ve been prescribed Adderall since I was in second grade,” senior Cameron Cowen said. “I can study without Adderall but it helps me stay on task and makes studying go quicker.” However, some teens are using Adderall without a prescription, potentially posing a serious problem.
Teens believe that using Adderall might help them to achieve certain tasks. For example, many teens abuse this drug around finals week when they need to cram in last minute studying. “I took Adderall because finals were around the corner and I needed help staying up to cram for my tests,” an anonymous student said. While some see the drug as a quick fix, the abuse of Adderall is not to be taken lightly. The use of Adderall without a prescription is illegal. It is a prescription drug offense that could lead to a class A nonperson misdemeanor. This is punishable by up to one year in the county jail, a fine of up to $2,500 or both. Not only is non-prescribed consumption of this drug illegal, it is also very dangerous to one’s health. Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means there is a high risk for addiction or abuse. This may seem like an easy way to get work done but this drug could pose a serious health risk if used in the wrong way.
SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE... Anxiety
Sleep Problems
Nausea and Pain
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@BVWSpotlight
COSTS PHOTOGRAPHY of film
An overview of the money needed to run the film photography class
MIKAELA SCHMITT
editor-in-chief spotlight.mikaelaschmitt@gmail.com
alt. process .00 : $119 0 b l u b chemicals, t feligh $49.0 bulk film loader, sa ght filter: li pitchers, cable safe $173.00 .85 r: release, touch-up time l: $53 0 e s a e l .0 pens, squeegies, meta l: $62 .00 e s a e hand-coloring glass trays: $49 supplies, goggles, tongs & tte: $1.25 era sse print dryers, tape, film ca focuser, cam toners, gloves, matte Grain gative rint e n , s board, camera cases, batterie s, tripod, p rs er magnifying loupe, etc. preserv s, containe rver prese
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p 9 ints er $154.7 p 0 pr o l 0 e 0 , 18 ev ps film d 2.27 dvflfilm o $2400 rolls
bath stop 6 dvlpslm $6030.1rolls of fi 3,0
10
35mm SLR film cameras New: $569.95 Used: $399-$649
developing reel & tank
$32.00
lps 2 dovf film .9 3 $10300 rolls 3,
film ISO 5 0 0 1 69.9
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12 FEATURE
BVWNews.com
BAXTER GIVES BACK
Teacher Jeffrey Baxter offers new class and has had two exciting accomplishments already
SOFIA ADINOLFI
reporter spotlight.sofiaadinolfi@gmail.com
P
assion, purpose and compassion are a few characteristics that English Language Arts teacher Jeffrey Baxter focuses on incorporating into each and every one of his classes. New this year, Contemporary Communications is a class created and taught by Baxter where students learn and develop skills to prepare them for the future, and even the present. Baxter focuses on teaching students the importance and relevance of communication and its impact on society. Students practice writing college application letters, studying social justice issues and practicing a new concept called genius hour. During a typical genius hour session, students will choose and research any topic of choice to open their minds and in the end students turn their research into some sort of choice project. “It gives me the opportunity to explore things that are important to me and my future,” senior Anna Ferguson said. “Most classes restrict what you research but with genius hour you can learn about things that you are truly interested in.” Baxter invests countless hours dedicated to helping his students
“More Than One Way Home”, a novel written by Jeffrey L. Baxter.
truly understand each lesson. During a class with Baxter, he focuses on making his students know they are valued. “Character is more important than test scores,” Baxter said. “I love creating ‘A-Ha’ moments and getting students to realize that what we’re doing here isn’t just to pass a test, it’s for a larger purpose.” Just recently Baxter had his book published after writing and editing it for many years. “More than One Way Home” is a memoir of Baxter’s life. He specifically writes about his biggest role model in life, his grandmother, and how she has shaped his love for reading and writing. The book also covers how Baxter overcame several life altering obstacles and how he struggled with depression. Baxter is very proud that his novel is finally printed and published because he has put in years of hard work. “Even though I’d knew I’d written all of it, I knew that I’d submitted the entire manuscript, I knew that it had all been approved, until I opened the box and saw the book, it just wasn’t real,” Baxter said. Not only has Baxter published a book this year but he is also semifi-
nalist for the National Teacher Hall of Fame. Baxter was nominated by his family because of his previous teaching awards and accomplishments such as a Distinguished Leadership award issued by Jaguar Pride Coalition in the spring of 2017. “He is the sweetest person,” senior Audrey Lunn said. “Every time he opens his mouth your heart automatically fills with warmth because he genuinely cares about his students so much and wants them to succeed. I’ve learned more practical skills from his class than I have from any other class at West because his goal isn’t to waste our time but to help us actually gain the tools that we will need in the future.” Baxter arrives at school at 5:30 a.m. every morning to prepare for the day and adjust his lesson plans, focusing on making each day successful and meaningful for the students. He pushes students to reach their full potential and try their best. “I will never hand out busy work because I don’t believe in it,” Baxter said. His meaningful life lessons inspire students and he is a role model and inspiration to many students across the BV West community.
English teacher Jeffrey Baxter speaks to his class. Photo by Ryan Barrett
@BVWSpotlight
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14 FEATURE
BVWNews.com
MIKAELA SCHMITT editor-in-chief spotlight.mikaelaschmitt@gmail.com
KASSIDY LIDGETT hearing
SUFFERING Students succeed despite unique sensory defects
J
unior Kassidy Lidgett was born with a hearing disability, and has had to wear hearing aids since she was young. “I have 60% decreased [hearing] in my left ear and 40% in my right,” Lidgett said. “I have hearing aids with blue-tooths in them and I can play music in them.” She struggles to communicate or hear people in loud settings or quiet speakers. She has learned to read lips to compensate for her hearing difficulty. “It sounds like you have a pillow over your ears or one of those squishy [sound-canceling] ear buds, but [with] no music playing,” Lidgett said. Lidgett will tell others when her inability to hear impairs their communication, for example, asking them to repeat what they said or clarifying what song is playing that they are discussing. She does not let her hearing disability stop her from enjoying life’s pleasures. “When I got my new hearing aids… I went to Disney World,” Lidgett said. “Before that I had been several times [but] when I went the last time on the ride “It’s a Small World” I could hear a lot more of the voices and sounds that weren’t there, and it was really funny almost because my parents didn’t know I couldn’t hear them.”
J
unior Cora Sorenson developed nerve damage her freshman year during a color guard rehearsal. During a toss, a bone in her wrist shifted and crushed nerves connected to her right hand. “I went to a chiropractor and he moved the bone in my wrist back into place, but it keeps moving back,” Sorenson said. “Eventually it crushed the nerve enough that I cannot feel my fingertips in my thumb, my forefinger and my middle finger, and the rest of it I can barely feel anything. I’ve also been to a bunch of physical therapists and they’ve said I have carpal tunnel and I have a very stressed rotator cuff.” Sorenson is right-hand dominant, causing daily actions such as writing, typing and playing an instrument to become more difficult. “[When] writing, feeling a pencil becomes really difficult and I have a very bad habit, since I can’t feel my fingertips, [of pressing] really hard on the pencil [which] wears me out easier,” Sorenson said. “I also play flute so… playing fast and things like that became more difficult; I have a hard time every time playing it.” She describes the sensation as feeling like getting your mouth numbed at the dentist. She recognizes the object is there but cannot feel textures and does not have the full sense of control and feeling. Sorenson struggles with her nerve damage daily, fighting to overcome the obstacles it poses. “I have to write slow because otherwise you won’t be able to read it or it will just pain me,” Sorenson said. “A lot of people kind of make fun of me for it but it’s not anything that I can help.”
CORA SORENSON touch
KATE S BANDRE smell/taste
S
ophomore Kate Bandre was born without the ability to smell, and thus has a diminished sense of taste. “I have never gone to a doctor to confirm it,” Bandre said. “Basically my whole life, people like tell me to smell things but I wouldn’t feel a difference. My parents really didn’t believe me for a long time.” The absence of this less influential sense has affected Bandre every day, from not knowing if she smells bad, to not recognizing when diapers need to be changed when babysitting, to more dangerous situations like not being able to smell a gas leak or fire. “[Smell is] really hard for me to understand,” Bandre said. “They describe it as like tasting but with your nose. That’s the best description I’ve gotten.” Bandre’s lack of smell also majorly diminishes her ability to taste. 80 percent of taste is related to smell, as receptor nerves in the noses combined with taste buds on the tongue complete taste. Without smell, taste is limited to salty, sweet, sour, bitter and savory, with little distinction between the types of food. “Basically lots of similar foods all taste exactly the same,” Bandre said. “Like if you gave me chicken and steak it tastes exactly the same to me. [Although] I can tell it apart now because of the texture. All soft drinks, all ice creams, they all taste the same. ...it just makes it really easy to like food because it’s all the same. I really just base my [likes] on texture.”
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FEATURE 15
@BVWSpotlight
enior Laken Snowdy was born with microphthalmia, causing her left eye to not fully develop. She now wears a glass eye in place of her real eye and lacks all sight from it as well. “I can still see my real eye when I take my fake one out,” Snowdy said. “It’s blue but it’s just smoky.” Her fake eye stays in throughout daily activities and does not suddenly fall out, however she is able to remove it to clean the eye. Her brain has adjusted and relies on her single functioning eye, diminishing major sight issues. “Everyone always thinks I see black, but I don’t,” Snowdy said. “I just don’t see anything. It’s basically seeing what you see but shorter and not as wide. All my friends always put one hand over their eye and try to go a day and see how it is.” Snowdy takes protective measures to ensure the health of her remaining eye. She does not wear contacts and has to wear goggles in sports to avoid the risk of injuring her functioning eye. Her unique situation has prompted Snowdy to find new ways to do things that she may not have with normal vision. She has discovered unique situations where her sight poses an issue, especially regarding her lack of depth perception, and finds adaptations to compensate. “Driving [is] not the best,” Snowdy said. “I have little blind spot things but I can’t see out of the left side so [it is hard]. 3D movies also suck. My mom took me for my birthday party one year to see Jonas Brothers 3D and I couldn’t see a single thing.”
LAKEN SNOWDY sight
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depressi o nfai l u painlurepai anxietynianxi solatetiyondeisola onfai depressi o nfai l urepai n anxi e ianxi solatetiyondepressi o nfai l urepai i s olat i o ndepressi o nfai repai n anxi e t y i s olat i o ndepres ianxisolatetyiodepressi ndepressionfaionfailurepai lurep ailurepaionfainanxilurepai etyisolatnanxiionde depressi solat ondepressi paiionanx nianxi etlurepai yisolatonfaiinoanxndl lataiilourepai ndepresna FACING AN OFTEN nanxi e t y i s ola depressi o nfai l u HIDDEN PROBLEM painanxietyisolat BVWNews.com
suicide:
Suicide survivor and staff members discuss suicide’s impact and next steps in the mental health crisis
HANNAH HOLLADAY
T
web editor spotlight.hannahholladay@gmail.com
he world changed for senior Mel Koerner when she attempted to take her life in October, 2017. For many of her friends and family, her suicide attempt was a shock. For Koerner, it was the culmination of a year of mental health struggles and feelings of isolation. Although she felt alone, her story is one that is becoming increasingly common. “I started feeling very anxious about coming to school, just depressed,” Koerner said. “I didn’t want to do anything. I didn’t have the motivation to even do homework. I just felt like I was very alone and very enclosed. I definitely hid my feelings a lot for that year and I always tried to laugh and make other people happy, make people smile and make it seem like I wasn’t struggling inside even though I was.” With multiple students in the Blue Valley School District (BVSD) taking their own lives in the past
18 months, the word suicide has increasingly made its way into conversations among students and at schools. As suicide continues to impact the community, BVSD is searching for a solution.
This is one of those things that doesn’t know age, race, gender, anything. It can literally affect anyone. SENIOR MEL KOERNER Dr. Mark Schmidt, Assistant Superintendent of Well-Being and
Support Services, is one of many district members researching and implementing strategies for mental health support and suicide prevention. In addition to coordinating the FLIGHT team, a group of BVSD employees that volunteer to respond and support a building during emergency situations, he has advocated for additional resources to help students. He is also involved in the efforts to provide schools with educational materials about suicide. “We’ve just recently revisited all of our procedures and processes,” Schmidt said. “We just purchased new curriculum that we’re going to use every year to get more information in the hands of the students so that they can be engaged and help friends that might be suffering. We also revamped our intervention procedure, but probably the biggest thing is the follow-up. If a student is suicidal today and they might go in
and be evaluated or even be hospitalized, when they come back, we are going to have a wrap-around to really provide support for that student in the days, weeks and months moving forward.” According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ongoing intervention following a hospital discharge can correlate with an up to 50 percent reduction in further suicide attempts. Having a support system and getting proper treatment in the months after her suicide attempt made a significant impact for Koerner. She has made progress through the help of medication, a psychiatrist and her school counselor. BVSD’s new policies hope to provide similar comprehensive support for struggling students. Part of a greater challenge involves figuring out how to identify those at risk to begin with, especially when the signs are difficult to read. “I think a lot of people like to reside in something that’s tangible, and this isn’t like, ‘I got a cut on my arm,’” Koerner said. “This is kind of like a thing that they can’t really see. This is one of those things that doesn’t know age, gender, race, anything. It can affect literally anyone.” As suicide attempts and deaths occur in BVSD and other local schools, it is evident that suicide can impact anyone. Even when a student seems to thrive, suicidal thoughts can be hidden behind a facade of happiness. It is a reality that is frequently faced, especially in Johnson County.
BVSD has a reputation as an affluent district that fosters superior academic achievement. According to the Kansas State Department of Education, 92 percent of students are considered non-economically disadvantaged and the district retains an average ACT score four points higher than the state average. Economic and academic success is common, but this atmosphere can also make students susceptible to comparison and pressure. “In a community like Johnson County, where we’re very fortunate, sometimes we look around and look at everybody’s best and think that we personally ought to have [these] qualities,” Schmidt said. “When you don’t have [everything they have], you feel less than. I think we suffer by comparison when we do that.” Feelings of incompetence or a lack of self-worth that build over time can be damaging to mental health. Rather than letting negative thoughts accumulate, increasing the potential for a suicide attempt, a proactive approach may be needed. “If we all knew that on a regular basis we needed to go see a therapist [or] counselor, [you could] spend some time just talking about what’s going on with your life,” said Lisa Donn, school psychologist and FLIGHT team member. “[You could talk about] what skills you have to cope with some of the difficult things that have maybe come up, instead of waiting until something happens and then seeking help.” Promoting and normalizing pre-
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ventative mental health care is one step toward ending the stigma and prevalence of suicide. Koerner is also looking to break down the stigma through a popular platform: social media. While she feels it has significantly contributed to the rise in suicides, she believes it could also be part of the solution.
Sometimes we look around and look at everybody’s best and think that we personally ought to have [these] qualities from people. DR. MARK SCHMIDT An avid social media user, Koerner sees the platform used to cyberbully others and paint pictures of artificial happiness that she believes influences an increased number of suicides. She hopes to use social media as a way to promote positivity and help others, rather than tear
a significant impact
654 DEATHS BY SUICIDE IN JOHNSON COUNTY OVER 10 YEARS
SUICIDE
THE NATIONAL SUICIDE RATE HAS RISEN 25 PERCENT
IS THE
SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE AGES 15 TO 34
IN
15
YEARS
According to nimh.nih.gov and kansassuicideprevention.org
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them down. A little over a month after her suicide attempt, Koerner shared her story and personal thoughts on mental health publicly
couple moments when I backtracked and was like do I really want to do this, is this really worth everything,” Koerner said. “I soon realized, through hard work and working on myself, that it wasn’t worth it.” There is no definitive way to pre-
gives suicide its far-reaching power, but the hope is that with education and conversation, progress will be visible. It takes the collaboration of survivors, friends, families, physicians, educators and a community to actively seek solutions and move
BVSD HAS
fli g ht t e am soci a l school school workers counselors 64 24 psychologists 35 members 5
on Facebook and Instagram. “Any time that I get nervous about that post, because I still sometimes will look back at it, I just remember the people that told me that it helped them, and how it helped me get [my thoughts] out there,” Koerner said. “A lot of times people say that the first step to recovering from something is admitting that you have the problem. I felt like that was my kind of thing to everyone saying that I do have this problem but it’s not a bad thing to have, it shouldn’t have this negative stigma behind it.” Suicide can feel like a daunting issue to tackle, and the steps toward breaking the stigma and finding a solution are often unclear. Donn believes that education and promoting awareness are steps in the right direction, and that students have a powerful influence. “You are the ones that are going to have the impact going forward,” Donn said. “You’re going to be our new leaders and the ones that are going to carry this message forward and be able to create change through your interest and your voice and campaigning for the kinds of things that you think are important.” With the impacts of suicide continuing to reverberate through Johnson County and beyond, many are working to help advocacy and hope prevail. “As much as it feels like the world is caving in on you, the moment I remember when I was in the middle of attempting suicide, there were a
vent suicide, nor is there a way to precisely pinpoint who will be affected, or why. Uncertainty is what
toward an ultimate goal. One day everyone will realize that suicide is never worth it.
seek help NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE:
1-800-273-8255
JOHNSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH BLUE VALLEY:
(913) 715-7950
It’s okay to struggle and it’s okay to ask for help.
AT SCHOOL:
SENIOR MEL KOERNER
COUNSELOR OFFICES: Room 315
PSYCHOLOGIST AND SOCIAL WORKER OFFICES: Room 259
DISTRICT STUDENT RESOURCES: WWW.BLUEVALLEYK12.ORG/STUDENTWELLBEING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: WWW.JOCOGOV.ORG/SUICIDEPREVENTION
GMOh No?
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Discussing genetic modifications to our food and the repercussions
LANIE RENDER
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reporter spotlight.lanierender@gmail.com
hen biting into a delicious, succulent apple, all that seems important is the satisfaction of the hunger burning in your stomach. How that apple got to you is the least of your concerns. But that is precisely the problem. The lack of knowledge surrounding genetically modified food is concerning. Despite the unknowns surrounding genetic modifications, they are not as scary as they sounds. According to the Non-GMO Project, a genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. The idea of the food we eat being experimented and tested in a laboratory raises concerns. Gone are the days when the produce you munch on is completely chemical free, but these chemical have proven themselves to be virtually harmless. The majority of people do not know what they are putting into their bodies. According to Pew Research Center, nearly 88 percent of American Association of Advancement of Science members said it is generally safe to eat GM foods. On the other hand, 37 percent of the general public believes this to be true. The wide differences of opinion over GM foods is connected with a broader public discourse over the role of science research and, perhaps, scientific expertise in understanding and crafting policy solutions. While the majority of scientists have faith in genetic modification,
their knowledge has been lost in translation to the public. Scientists hoped to continue their modification to improve the quality of our food; fruit with more antioxidants or rice with more vitamins could be in our future. Genetically modified food actually has the possibility to drastically change agriculture for the better. It is understandable why people find it difficult to have blind faith in scientists when dealing with our food. Despite their reassurance, many are convinced that this increase in chemicals against our produce can be linked to a significantly larger amount of diagnosed autoimmune diseases and illnesses. As a result, an organic life is quite attractive to many. Unfortunately eating solely organic, Non-GMO foods can be not only taxing to manage but also to afford. Genetic modification allows for more effective agriculture and in turn, produce goods at cheaper prices. To give up GMO means no more gigantic and delicious apples, or perfectly crafted strawberries. The point is, many people can not comprehend how difficult
taking genetic modifications out of the equation is. “Going organic” is difficult and next to impossible for the average family. The cost and time it takes to devout to a GMO-free life is simply not worth the resources. The debate still rages on regarding GMO’s, yet before engaging in the discourse, it is imperative to investigate. It is easy to regard the words “genetic modification” with disgust when associating it with your food. However, there is much more to the process that only the scientists know. As society progresses, it will be interesting to discover the path agriculture takes in producing.
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TRACKING SUCCESS IN ALLFIELDSOF BVWNews.com
COMPETITION
Track and field provides students a community of unity
CHELSEA PARK
R
reporter spotlight.chelseapark@gmail.com
un, Jump, Throw. Track and field embodies the basis of an active life. As it possesses a broad range of athletic skills, an extensive scope of students are members of the BV West track and field team. Dedicated sprinters, jumpers, and throwers return to the sport each year, however, a handful of students from other athletic backgrounds join track and field, as well, when the spring season rolls around. Although similarities in all types of athletic training overlap in some ways, track and field workouts touch on multiple training aspects of other sports in particular. Track and field at BV West boasts a high membership of 139 students this year, and this sport’s versatility caters to many different athletic interests as it offers 18 different events per gender. In track there’s a wide spectrum of throwing, jumping, and sprinting [events]. “It’s very open,” junior Jada Davis said. “And it is good that at the beginning of the season the coaches make [new members] try everything, so that [they’re] not so closed minded”. Of the numerous track and field members, a select few plan to compete in their event(s) in college. Davis started the sport in middle school. Amidst her peers who did not take it very seriously, she decided to put her speed to the test. Discovering her talent in sprinting,
she anticipates running in college. “Kids [like me] that actually want to go on to college to run will typically run for their [high] school and do preseason training,” Davis said. “I run year round, [not] just in the spring. I’ll start in the summer running with a club team. Coming into the winter season, I’ll do indoor track and nationals, continuing to condition and train. And then I’ll go straight into the spring season.” In addition to the athletes who plan on competing in track in college, several track and field members come off of cross country, football, soccer, etc. to become multi-sport athletes who cross-
train to stay active for the next season of their primary event. Of these multi-sport athletes, cross country runners are the most likely to cross train through track in the spring in comparison to any other sport. Although cross country is a distance running oriented sport and track carries long distance events, the two offer different experiences. Senior Hayes Patiedl is one of the captains of the cross country team but also participates in track in the spring. “A big difference is how divided the group is for track,” Patiedl said. “In cross country, everybody competes a 5k, that’s it. But in track, there’s so many different
Junior Jada Davis charges towards the finish line as the anchor leg for the 4 by 100 meter relay at the Junior Olympics with her club team. Photo courtesy of Jada Davis
events. [As a distance runner] track doesn’t have much for me other than the two mile. And that’s usually just eight laps on the track. [But] track is great because it has a little something for everyone.” Additionally, while running is a significant aspect of both track and cross country, the training aspect of each sport differs greatly. Nonetheless, cross country runners are bound to learn new skill sets in track while continuing to hone traditional skills for next fall. Junior Kalea Chu is a dedicated cross country runner and first-time track competitor looking to stay in shape for the cross country season. “Training for track, in comparison to cross country, has a lot of speed workouts and interval training,” Chu said. “You go fast and you go hard for short amounts of time and it’s very taxing when you do that for an hour. [For cross country,] we practice two to three times a week off of campus, and we train starting midsummer, at 6 a.m., five days a week. So that takes up a lot of time and we cover a lot of ground. Track is a lot shorter so far. We get out of practice before it’s dark”. Cross country athletes are not
THROWING EVENTS
the only ones to benefit from cross training through track. Diverse skills are exhibited in track by athletes of numerous backgrounds. “Throwers are usually your strong people, [like those] trying to stay in shape for football, distance runners are usually your cross country kids that are trying to stay in shape for cross country, and sprinters and jumpers are usually a mixed bag,” Patiedl said. “They are fast twitch muscle people.” Despite separations that lie between the many track and field events, members of this sport experience similarities through valuable experiences. “The best part for me was when I just let everything go and trusted myself,” Davis said. “[Before state] I was so worried, but then, when I finally just let it go, everything worked to my favor and I got my personal best and two titles. The most rewarding part of it is the coaches and teammates who [are] by my side.” The versatility of track makes it a unique sport that not only encompasses a lot of different events but also a lot of different people, providing unity amongst its members.
RUNNING EVENTS
Top: Ben Kim leaps over a hurdle during track. Bottom: Kate Bandre jumps into the school’s sand pit during track. Photo by Gillian Boehmer
JUMPING EVENTS
~ Discus Throw
~ Sprints: 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters
~ Long Jump
~ Hammer Throw
~ Middle Distance: 800 meters, 1500 meters
~ Triple Jump
~ Javelin Throw
~ Long Distance: 1 mile, 2 mile
~ High Jump
~ Shot Put ~ Hurdles: 100 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles ~ Relays (Sprints and Hurdles): 4 x 100 meters relay, 4 x 400 meters relay
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~ Pole Vault
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Softball gets new coaches before the start of the new season Photo by Kaitlin Comstock
KOLBIE CHRISTENSEN reporter spotlight.kolbiechristensen@gmail.com
NATALIE LINDMARK reporter spotlight.natalielindmark@gmail.com
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s the spring sports season arrives, softball is back and ready for a new start. The team has introduced many new changes this year. These changes are not only affecting what is happening on the field, but are also affecting the team off the field. The team has a new coach joining, Britney Lang, along with former head coach, Tiffany Warnes, who has come back this season to be an assistant coach. These new additions have already benefited the team, bringing new ideas and outlooks to the sport. Warnes and Lang both have an exceptional softball background to them. “I have played softball my entire life,” Warnes said. “In high school I played at Blue Valley Northwest and then continued my softball career at Washburn University.” Lang has also had 19 years of previous softball background. “Softball as well as other sports
GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS have been a major part of my life for many years,” Lang said. “My experience with college softball has given me multiple opportunities to further my career in the sport. Also, I have met some of my best friends and made memories through the sport of softball.”
She pushes our girls to focus on the fundamentals every day. TIFFANY WARNES Both coaches have also had experience with coaching the sport before. Warnes has been a teacher at BV West for five years and when she was asked to be the head coach for the softball team in her earlier years of working at BV West, it was a no brainer for her. “I was the head coach for 3 years, but then I decided to step away from the sport,” Warnes said. “I got the opportunity to return this year
as the assistant varsity coach.” Lang was also a volunteer assistant for softball previously while she was in graduate school. This is her first official head coaching job. She was looking for a teaching or coaching position when she saw that BV West was looking for a head coach and an assistant coach, so she applied for the job. Both coaches are very excited for the upcoming season working with each other and the girls of BV West. “Coach Lang is extremely knowledgeable about the game,” Warnes said. “She pushes our girls to focus on the fundamentals every day. The most important thing I would tell students is that she is a positive leader that wants the best for all her student athletes.” The first softball game of the season is March 27.
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THE RISE OF
With over 45 million players, Fortnite: Battle Royale has quickly become one of the most popular games ever
JONAH PARK managing editor spotlight.jonahpark@gmail.com
Students brought extension cords, TVs and game stations to Relay For Life to play Fortnite during the event. Photo by Jolie Barnhart
Y
ou have probably seen it. Snapchat stories picturing the words “Victory Royale” on a TV screen. Fortnite: Battle Royale has taken over the gaming world. It is becoming one of the most grossing games of 2018 despite being free to download. While many have been playing for months, some still do not understand why the game is so popular. “You could say I’m a little obsessed,” junior Andrew Couse said. “Probably three or four times a week I’ll go over to my friends’ house to play Fortnite. I play every time I go to a friend’s house because currently I don’t have an Xbox.” The game rose to popularity quickly, gaining 10 million players within the first two weeks of its release. Now, it has gained over 45 million fans who play regularly. One of the reasons for its popularity is its easy access to gamers. Fortnite is available on just about every gaming console and on top of that, it is free. Once one person finds the game and shares it with his or her friends, they can easily start playing in a matter of minutes. “I think it’s popular because it
spread from maybe one kid in the school,” Couse said. “Once you tell your friends and whatnot it kinda just catches on to all the people in BVW then spreads everywhere.” Additionally, the game itself is addictive because of its exciting gameplay. Junior Trevor Baier has been playing Fortnite since winter break, and plays almost every night.
“You could say I’m a little obsessed. Probably three or four times a weeek. JUNIOR ANDREW COUSE “[The objective is] to win,” Baier said. “You try to be the last one alive and kill a ton of people so you feel like a badass. I think it’s so popular because it takes some strategy and a lot of skill to make it to Victory Royale.” Although Baier has been playing for a few months now, he still has not achieved a solo Victory Royale.
A Victory Royale requires one player to outlast the ninety-nine others and be the last man standing. However, he has won in duo and squad games, which are similar to the solo mode, except the player has teammates. “It takes more skill than I have to win in solo,” Baier said. “I choke at second place all the time. I always choke. [I have won] only in squad and duo but I get one almost everyday in duo.” Despite Fortnite’s overwhelming popularity, some students have not played the game before and do not intend to. “Every time I see Fortnite, it’s a Snapchat story with a caption like ‘got the dub,’” junior Kradon Zhao said. “I find it really uninteresting and I question how people can find enjoyment out of doing so.” Like it or not, Fortnite does not seem to be going anywhere soon. “I believe that it’ll be popular for about a year or so until a new trend begins and it’s left as a legendary game of the past,” Couse said.
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BOOK CLUB Students celebrate literature during book club
JADEN WEBSTER
MEL KOERNER
reporter spotlight.jadenwebster@gmail.com
reporter spotlight.melkoerner@gmail.com
T
he school’s Book Club at BV West is dedicated to literature and letting its beauty shine through. The group has members from all grades who gather in meetings to read books and discuss them. Similar to ELA classes, this club utilizes Socratic Seminars while reviewing each book read. The members of the club are given a month and a half to complete the set book. A relatively important topic they discuss is how a book they read is applicable to everyday life. Junior Mahal Younes, a member for her three years at BV West, believes that everyone should be apart and take notice to this upcoming popular club. “I believe this club is an applicable part to every student here at West,” Younes said. “We all are required to take an ELA class each year of high school and this club is a helpful re-
source to prepare you for the books you read in class and the inevitable nature of Socratic.” Book Club over the years has expanded the amount of members and followers it has. The books the members read and assign range from genre to genre and vary in length and reviews from different critics. The sponsors and president read the reviews gathered by reliable sources before going in and reading them. A meeting in Book Club consists of a gathering of the members in Catherine Madderon’s classroom during JAG to review and discuss the book and their personal thoughts on the novel as a whole. “Occasionally book reviews and meetings can get intense with arguments between a person who approves and disapproves of a book,” Younes said. “But the beauty in that is we get to see the mindset of the
various people and how our diversity can outline our thoughts of a novel and how it is written.” Often times, members of the club will go and research the novel and authors background before assigning the new book to read, in order to add context to the novel. The creative nature of these authors is admired by the members of the club and is always a topic they incorporate into their discussions. Book Club is an inclusive and knowledge boosting club that teaches history along with the main portion of literature. The Book Club has meetings every month on a set Wednesday after school. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join this club to excel not only in their academics but to review and read literature that has impacted history and can still apply to today.
Book Club member reads aloud to the class a summarization of the upcoming novel. Photo by Megan Wenzl
Club member reads background about her book. Club sponsor Catherine Madderom discusses the most recent book read from the members. Photo by Megan Wenzl Photo by Megan Wenzl
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FILM CLUB
Students gather to discuss and share their passion for movies
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V West is home to creative students willing to express their love and admiration for various things through clubs and activities. A recent club in school history has been the Film Club. The Film Club at BV West is home to the people who enjoy reviewing and watching classic films. The club decides on a movie to watch, typically choosing from a list of critically acclaimed movies. After watching it, they discuss the movie and its successes and failures. During their meetings on Wednesdays during session B of JAG, they plan a deadline for when the movies should be watched and discussed. Senior Gib Corcoran is the president of the Film Club this year and puts forth many additions to the club. “I am very honored to be apart of
Film Club meets to discuss the next movie that they will review. Photo by Lexi Dechant
something here at West,” Corcoran said. “I believe art comes in many forms and a personal favorite of mine is the film adaptations, the visuals can bring something to life.” This club contains many dedicated members and is an all inclusive group. Corcoran speaks highly of his fellow members in the club for the work they put forth to the art and appreciation of film. Their appreciation for film’s artistic factors is revealed when they discuss which film to watch next. During their conversations before and after the viewing the group discusses the underlying meanings of the films. “Our movies that we choose are based on popular topics throughout the world right now, the hot topics in the news that correlate with movies,” Corcoran said. “We can watch anything from controversial topics
President of the film club and senior Gib Corcoran engages members in a conversation reviewing the movie. Photo by Lexi Dechant
to silly genres, the range is wide to pleases our members.” Corcoran believes that this club can be essential for people who want a simple introduction into film as an art form. They dive into the work that actors, directors and storytellers put into their art, examining its brilliance and flaws. The club strives to use its extra-curricular status to introduce new people to movie analysis. They also provide an outlet for students who have an interest in reviewing or creating films. They are inspired by how movies have affected history and championed freedom of expression, learning to do the same with modern hot topics.
Members discuss the background of their movie in preparation for viewing of the film. Photo by Jaden Webster
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CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE REVIEW A review of classic Disney Channel Original Movies
RACHEL PICKETT
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editor-in-chief spotlight.rachelpickett@gmail.com
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h hh h h
erhaps the most iconic Disney amp Rock is without a doubt the emonade Mouth is uniquely PSchool Channel Original movie, High Cmost overrated Disney Channel Lcheesy and almost unbearable to Musical stands as a pop cul- movie. Disney utilizes some of their watch without cringing. Each charture symbol for those born at the turn of the 21st century. And for the most part, it holds up on the rewatch. The music is vibrant and diverse, and while the acting is not Oscar-worthy, it is not bad for a Disney Channel movie. The biggest problem with High School Musical is the blandness of the movie’s lead characters, Troy and Gabriella. Watching them interact is like watching milk spoil, however their chemistry does get better over the course of the two sequels. Luckily, the supporting characters at East High provide an array of fun personalities that provide some much needed energy to the film.
most famed actors in the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, but is unable to deliver a fresh movie that is not a discounted version of High School Musical. The music, which is a central part of the plot, is uninspiring and bland. However, the soundtrack is not as soul-sucking as the acting. Joe Jonas’s performance is particularly horrendous as he relies on his reputation more than his acting chops. I wish I could say that Camp Rock redeems itself in its plot or character development but it is utterly brutal to watch and leaves the viewer wondering why this movie was ever considered good in the first place.
acter is more boring and two-dimensional than the last, and the bond that is formed among the group makes no sense and feels extremely forced. But despite all of these flaws, Lemonade Mouth is still an okay movie. While most Disney Channel Original movies have themes of unity and accepting others, Lemonade Mouth uniquely explores defying authoritarian figures. While it is a difficult lesson for some young people to learn, it is important to realize that just because someone is in power that does not mean they are always right. If nothing else,the movie gives power to young people, which is critical.
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Disney Channel Original Movie Whitney Houston was an executive director for the Cheetah Girls movie.
h h hh h
Ashley Tisdale originally auditioned for the part of Gabriella in High School Musical.
h h hh h
fun facts: In 1983, Tiger Town became the first Disney Channel Original movie.
hhhhh
ump In! is one of the forgotten imilar to Lemonade Mouth, the rincess Protection Program is an Jmovie movies of our generation. The SCheetah Girls follows a group of Punderrated Disney channel movis unique in the foundation of high school students who have their ie. Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato the plot. While many Disney Channel movies are set around some kind of music competition, Jump In! lives in the world of double Dutch jumprope. While the jump-rope scenes can become tiresome, the story itself is sweet and filled with sympathetic characters that face realistic struggles. The main character Izzy is particularly level-headed, if a bit timid, and it is a fun experience to watch him grow into a confident young man. If the plot was a little more compelling and the characters a little more dynamic, then this movie would have withstood the passing of time, but unfortunately, it has not.
own struggles but are bound together by music. The soundtrack of the film, which celebrates independence and the power of girls, is better than expected, even if it is quite cheesy. Where the film shines is in Raven-Symone’s charisma and star power. While the characters and fashion stand out, the plot of the film leaves much to be desired. The peaks and valleys of the Cheetah Girls is predictable and eye-roll inducing. While the first film is shaky, the sequels are where the Cheetah Girls movies really get their groove and become Disney cult classics.
make a cohesive, charming pair. The plot of the film is vibrant and pits two opposite worlds against each other. One of the biggest problems with Disney Channel movies is that the characters take their situations too seriously. In Princess Protection Program, the stakes of the film match the serious tone of some scenes. Overall, the film wraps up nicely and has an exciting, climatic ending. Princess Protection Program, like High School Musical, is a model film for Disney Channel. It has great Disney stars, comedic moments and an important message.
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28 PHOTO ESSAY BVWNews.com
BV WEST PIXEL CHALLENGE RACHEL ZIMMERLI
1.
reporter spotlight.raezimmerli@gmail.com
Each picture was taken somewhere within BV West and then zoomed in to a pixelated level. Guess where the picture taken then check your answers using the QR code here.
3.
2.
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@BVWSpotlight
8.
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JADEN DUDREY illustrator spotlight.jadendudrey@gmail.com
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ETFLIX SHOWS
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INTERACTIVE 31 @BVWSpotlight Bring your completed crossword to Room 233 for a prize!
Can you guess these popular Netflix shows based off of where they take place?
CLUES Across 6 Albuquerque, New Mexico 7 Riverdale 8 Litchfield, New York 9 Scranton, Pennsylvania 10 Portland, Oregon 11 Point Place, Washington
Down 1 Canaryville Neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois 2 Seattle, Washington 3 Pawnee, Indiana 4 Lima, Ohio 5 Stars Hollow, Connecticut
Blue Valley West Spotlight 16200 Antioch Road Overland Park, Kan. 66085 bvwspotlight@gmail.com Web: www.bvwnews.com Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram: @bvwspotlight