May Edition

Spotlight MAY 9, 2013

The Lake Legacy est. 2007

BLUE VALLEY WEST

BON VOYAGE •Jim Andra •Ken Bingman •Linda Kapfer •Tony Lake •Class of 2013

BV West says goodbye to highly adored teachers and administrators

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uring 12 years of academic excellence, BV West has seen many great teachers come and go.

This year, BV West is losing five very special educators. The Spotlight discusses the highlights of their journeys as well as their various plans for the future. These teachers have all impacted BV West students.

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A New Chapter: With adored BV West principal leaving, there are big shoes to fill.

Spotlight informs students about BV West’s new principal Brett Potts and what is to be expected for years to come.

volume Twelve, number TEN

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Viral Violence: Spotlight reporter Lauren Pino discusses the newest disturbing Youtube trend in which Youtubers post videos of themselves playing daring games with knives.

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Senior Countdown

9

Days Until Graduation

16200 Antioch road, overland park, kan. 66085

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Letter from the editors...

or our last issue of the Spotlight, we had a lot of fun with our senior mag, which highlights our senior editors. Meanwhile, we enjoyed watching our juniors take the lead in putting the rest of the paper together. We know that the paper is in good hands for next year. Although we won’t miss the “bleeding and/or on fire” days before the paper goes to press, we know that there are a lot of things we will miss about Room 233.

On the brighter side, we are really excited to graduate and we know that the rest of the seniors are too! We couldn’t believe that there were only 9 days left on the countdown when we laid out the page. It seems like only yesterday when we were typing “241” days into the senior countdown in the September paper. In our center spread, we acknowledge that we are not the only ones leaving this year, and that many beloved staff members are leaving as well.

We hope that you enjoy our last edition for the year of the Spotlight and we wish you the best.

Have a great summer!

Meghan Ketcham and Maddy Wilson

Important Dates

•May 5-10: Teacher Appreciation Week •May 10: Follies •May 10: Senior Picnic & Yearbook Distribution •May 14: Band Concert •May 13-16: Senior Finals •May 15: Senior Video & Time Capsule Opening •May 17: Class Day •May 18: Graduation & Commencement Ceremony •May 24, 28-30: Finals for Underclassmen •May 30: Last day of class Cover photo captions: Clockwise from Top Right: Counselor Jim Andra works on papers in his office. Andra has worked at BV West since the opening. Photo by Coleen Bost. • Principal Tony Lake speaks to the student body of BV West at an assembly.

Lake has been principal at BV West since 2007. Photo by Ashely Oades.• Assistant Principal Linda Kapfer sits at her desk in her office. Kapfer has been at BV West since the opening in 2001. Photo by Coleen Bost. • Ken Bingman feeds a cow at his home farm. Bingman has been a teacher here since the opening.

Photo by Michelle Brox.

Visit our updated website: www.BVWNEWS.com Look for the following stories: *Debate and forensics headed to Alabama. *Pictures from After Prom. *A preview of Follies. *Totals from Theater Olympics (May 4 and 5). *Look at this paper- online! *Kate Price’s ref lection on heading into her senior year. @BVWSpotlight

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Web Editors in Chief: Tucker Paine and Abby Krstulic

Preparing for Potts

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Dr. Brett Potts to fill the role of principal during the 2013-2014 school year TAYLOR LAKE Reporter

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ith the news of BV West Principal Tony Lake accepting a job as an Executive Director at district office, the students of BV West were anxious to find out who would take Lake’s place. After many interviews with potential candidates, Lake selected the current principal of Pleasant Ridge Middle School Brett Potts to receive his position as the BV West principal.

“I think Dr. Potts will do a great job,” Lake said.

“He is very kid friendly and kid centered. He will bring an expertise to work with the staff and help them improve the school. He definitely has what it takes, and I do not think we could have hired a better person.”

Potts wanted to make the transition from middle school to high school and saw the opening at BV West as his opportunity.

“I really enjoyed being at the middle level, I was not in a big hurry to become a high school principal because being a middle school principal was fantastic,” Potts said. “But when Dr. Lake decided to move on I felt that it was a natural move for me being at Pleasant Ridge and already having a feeling for the families in the community.”

The shift from the middle school level to the high school level is not without challenges. Potts’ major concern about taking the principal position at BV West is the school’s rapid growth.

“BV West will continue to grow fast so being able to stay on top of the numbers but still keep the school small so kids have a good experience and feel they are treated as an individual, that’s the challenge,” Potts said.

Although BV West’s growing numbers will be a challenge for Potts, he looks forward to being a jaguar.

Potts is anticipating his new position at BV West because nothing is the same day to day and so many students are involved in a variety of activities.

“There is something about a high school, the energy and the activities. It is just a great job because no two days are the same,” Potts said. “You get to hang out with kids that are just doing amazing things.”

As Potts makes the transition from middle school to high school next year, Lake will move from high school to district office. Although Lake will miss the atmosphere at BV West he is anticipating the new responsibilities that will come with being an executive director.

“Right now I supervise adults and kids,” Lake said.

“My new job is more supervising principals and working with them to help schools grow and improve at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. I think that is what excites me the most.”

Although Lake looks forward to taking on his new position at district office, he will miss spending time

with students on a daily basis.

“I will miss interactions with the kids the most, just seeing their smiles and their faces light up when they are successful.” Lake said. “I will miss being a part of that.”

Not only will Lake miss being around the students at BV West, the students will miss being around him.

“My favorite thing about Dr. Lake was his personality,” BV West sophomore Yoshiki Otani said. “He was so eager to make BV West a great school. Additionally he was kind to everyone and made lots of people smile.”

Just as he will miss the students, it will be difficult for him to part from the faculty.

“The teachers and the staff at West are great,” Lake said. “I am really going to miss them as well. I think they do a great job of creating an environment that is just awesome for kids.”

Potts Profile Favorite Food:

A big steak with a loaded baked potato

Favorite Sport:

Football

Favorite Movie: Braveheart

Favorite Book:

Undaunted Courage

Favorite TV Show: Modern Family

Favorite Subject: School

Favorite Music Genre:

Classic Rock

Favorite Sports Teams: Brett Potts makes one of his first appearances to the students at BV West at the April pep assembly.

Photo by Ashley Oades.

Pittsburg State Gorillas, KC Royals, KC Chiefs

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Honorable Occupations Students trade free time for full time summer jobs

ERIN WALKER Reporter

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s summer vacation quickly approaches, BV West students become anxious to find new jobs or return to previous employers. Johnson County provides countless unique options ranging from being an umpire to working at a summer camp.

Although summer jobs often have a negative reputation, they can provide entertainment and opportunities to meet new people.

Summer jobs offer a wide variety of options for all different hobbies and personalities.

For example, outdoor jobs attract those like freshman Jacob Shafer, who do not want to be cooped up during the warm summertime. Shafer enjoys being close to nature, therefore chose to be an animal care attendant at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.

“Having an outdoor job gives you the opportunity to appreciate the weather rather than being stuck inside,” Shafer said.

“There are bad things though, like allergies and really bad farmers tans.”

Shafer’s largest responsibility is to assist children onto horses and walk them around the Farmstead’s trail, however he has various other small tasks he must complete each day.

“In the mornings I let the animals out of their cages and put them out where the public can view them,” Shafer said. “I also groom and saddle horses, then de-saddle them at the end of the day.”

Throughout the workday Shafer also stays occupied with any animal care needed that involves feeding, watering and cleaning.

“I think it’s fun because I get to work with animals and earn money while doing it,” Shafer

said.

Working at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is just one of many locations that allows teens to enjoy their summer while working in a field that involves their interests.

Senior Kyle Fecteau also has a rather unique job. This summer Fecteau begins his fifth year as an umpire and league supervisor for Olathe Youth Baseball, Triple Crown Sports, USSSA Tournament and KSHSAA. “It actually started when I decided to quit baseball because I wanted to focus on golf,” Fecteau said. “The opportunity for an umpiring job came up and I decided to take it because I still wanted to stay involved in some way with baseball.”

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“It is very time consuming and frankly exhausting, but I am passionate about it.”

that excite them, yet provide a decent salary. Senior Jackson Knappen is one of the lucky exceptions. This summer Knappen will work as a camp counselor at Lutheran Valley Retreat located in Woodland Park, Colo.

“I got the opportunity to work at Lutheran Valley Retreat because I had gone to the camp myself the summer before eighth grade and the summer before my junior year,” Knappen said. “Then I went into the counselor-in-training position for two summers; the one before my junior year and the one before my senior year.”

Lutheran Valley Retreat is a camp that provides children to teens a positive environment filled with Christian encouragement. However, the campers also get the chance to participate in fun activities that regular summer camps offer. This will be Knappen’s first year as an official counselor and he is looking forward to the adventure that awaits.

“New kids will come in every week, and I will basically be in charge of them and there to assist with whatever they need,” Knappen said. “It will be a great place to work, I love the camp itself, so being paid to be there in the summer will be awesome.”

Knappen will also be in charge of helping out with multiple recreational activities such as rock climbing, water rafting, fishing and much more.

“It is an ideal job for the summer because it is in an isolated location surrounded by beautiful nature,” Knappen said.

Although the average student may view a summer job as a boring obligation, finding the right place can provide the opportunity for priceless memories and money, all in one.

Shafer holds a baby goat in Deanna Rose Farmstead’s dairy barn. Feeding and caring for the Farmstead’s animals is just one of Shafer’s many responsibilities.

Photo courtesy of Jacob Shafer

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KYLE FECTEAU Senior

Fecteau can work up to 50 hours a week on some occasions, but to him it is worth the extra effort.

“It is very time consuming and frankly exhausting, but I am passionate about it,” Fecteau said.

Many students would shudder at the thought of working such long periods during their beloved summer vacation, but to sports lovers, jobs like umpiring can seem more like recreation than actual labor.

“It’s definitely a great summer job because it’s outdoors and I have the opportunity to meet a bunch of new people, from baseball fans to players,” Fecteau said. “I get to work with family a lot, too which is nice. My brothers are also into baseball and my whole family loves the sport.”

It is often a struggle for teens in high school to find jobs

Fecteau undergoes another long workday on the field. Although the long hours can be gruelling, Fecteau enjoys his work very much.

Photo courtesy of Kyle Fecteau.

Knappen and fellow camp members explore the Colorado wilderness. This upcoming summer Knappen will lead his many campers on similar journeys.

Photo courtesy of Jackson Knappen.

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All You Need Is Love Students spend their time volunteering with animals at local shelter

KATE PRICE Reporter

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s summer approaches, many BV West students are searching for volunteering options for the summer, hoping to cram most of their required service hours in before their school schedules once again fill. One popular volunteering spot for BV West students is Wayside Waifs in downtown Kansas City.

According to American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), over five to seven million cats and dogs enter shelters every year. Out of that number, three to four million of these domestic animals are euthanized each year. However, non-euthanasia centers are springing up around America. Wayside Waifs, a no-kill animal shelter since 1994, is the largest pet adoption center in the Kansas City area.

According to their website, Wayside Waifs places over 5,400 animals in homes every year. It is the largest no-kill campus in the Kansas City area, hosting no time limits for animals in their care before they are adopted. Cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are available for adoption, and volunteers are always welcome. Several BV West students are drawn to these abandoned animals and donate their time to help at the shelter.

“I like being with animals,” volunteer junior Ashley Hodges said. “The ones who have had a hard life are my favorite, because I can show them that they are loved and that not all humans are evil.”

A strong love of animals is a popular mentality among Wayside Waifs volunteers, young and old. The minimum age to volunteer is 13 with a parent, but 16 to go without an adult, making this a popular place for high school age kids to volunteer. ”My favorite part of volunteering is that is makes me happy,” junior Meredith Mullen said. “It helps relieve stress from school and dance, and I love the way the animals make me feel. It’s such a good feeling to know that you’re giving love to animals that deserve it, and they give you a lot of love back. “ Volunteers also contribute by walking the dogs and playing with the animals.

However, volunteering is neither as fun or as easy as simply taking time out of the busy summer of a high school student to play with a cuddly animal. Besides simply playing, volunteers have to watch out for the well being of the animals, along with cleaning cages. They learn these skills during training.

“Before working, I had to take a training class as well as taking classes before actually being able to volunteer,” junior Anna Rieckman said. “I volunteered for about four months and then I fostered kittens for nine weeks. When I volunteered, it was about two times a week for about three hours each time.”

Wayside usually hosts around 300 animals at a time. Potential new animal owners have to fill out a questionnaire before scheduling an appointment to come and interact with potential new pets. If families are not able to permanently bring a pet into their homes, foster care is a popular option for many as a way to help nurture an animal before sending it on to a new loving home. Waysides Waifs is not only a smoothly run business considering most of their help is volunteer-run, but is also an enriching part of many lives. Sometimes, the adoption of an animal from a shelter leads people to volunteer with the organization that gave them their newest family member.

“I haven’t had the chance to foster animals yet, but I’m hoping we will do that this summer,” Mullen said. “My friend fostered kittens last summer and she asked me to babysit one of them for her while she was in New York. The kitten was only a few months old and I fell in love with her. I decided to adopt one of the kitten’s brothers from the litter. His name is Leo and he is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Volunteering with homeless shelter animals is a job well worth time and energy for many. For some lucky animals, they form a powerful bond with their foster family and become a part of a stable household. Despite their pasts, many animals are able to find happy, caring homes with loving families.

“We began fostering a dog named Scarlet about 3 years ago,” volunteer and BV West parent Sally Lahasky said. “She was turned into the shelter with a large abscess on her back, and after surgery on the abscess the shelter found a canine tooth embedded in the wound. Obviously, she had been bitten by another dog. For that reason, she had become fearful and aggressive toward other dogs. She was very stressed living in the shelter surrounded by dogs.”

After a previous choice to foster a dog did not work out, the Lahaskys began fostering Scarlet in hopes of getting her ready to go home with a new family, despite the unique challenges that Scarlet faced.

“When we brought her home, she needed time to adjust to a new environment and was uneasy around people,” Lahasky said. “We fostered her for an entire year (much longer than any other dogs that we would have for 2-6 months) and she made unbelievable progress. She began to trust people, and was even getting used to having other dogs around.”

Over the course of a year, the Lahaskys developed a strong bond with Scarlet. In the end, they were unable to give her up for adoption.

“There were a few potential parents that came to visit, but we could not seem to find her the perfect home,” Lahasky said. “We finally realized that she was already in the perfect home and we could not release her. I made a bold move and adopted Scarlet without consulting my husband to give her to him as a ‘fathers day gift.’ After a few sleepless nights worrying how my husband would react, we put a big bow around her neck and although my husband did not show it, he was thrilled. Scarlet became his best friend and they are now inseparable. She is such a sweet dog and loves people; she just needed a second chance at life. “

Above: Daughter of Sally Lahasky, Jessica Lahasky poses with their dog, Scarlet. Scarlet has been a family member for three years. Photo courtesy of Jessica Lahasky.

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Adventures Afar

Students venture beyond the states in search of summer fun Emily Moore Managing Editor

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aying out by the pool is a typical leisure activity during the summertime. Summer holds a great deal of freedom and with that, free time. Many BV West students are taking advantage of the abundance of free time this summer and traveling to foreign, faraway places. These students will return more culturally aware, with unique stories to share that they may remember for the rest of their lives.

Sophomore Natalie Behnen understands the importance of this chance because she is visiting France and Italy this summer alongside her parents.

“This trip is different from other students plans because of the eye opening experience it offers,” Behnen said. “Many of my friends are going to a beach or lake, but I think this is special because it opens you up to different areas in the world. I cannot wait to learn about each country.”

People go on vacations for many different reasons. Some travel for entertainment and experience, but some travel with motives much deeper than that.

For junior Carolyn Willis, it is a matter of believing in a higher calling and retuning to a place she once visited and fell in love with. In fact, in many cases a previous experience can shape the desire to return.

“This summer I’m going on my second mission trip to Haiti,” Willis said. “I’m returning because God called me to do so, and I have no business disobeying Him. The Haitian people have captured and pierced my heart. Their stories and lifestyle have challenged and changed me. Pursuing Jesus led me to Haiti two years ago, and this summer, I believe that I have been called to the same.”

Some opportunities presented in other countries are ones that may never be available in the United States. There are many landmarks and memorable locations across the globe that some only get to see once in a lifetime.

“I am most excited about being in the midst of a new culture,” Behnen said. “I also cannot wait to see the country and famous places such as the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa.”

Junior Ariel Mittleman shares Behnen’s enthusiasm to encounter the joy of the distinctive cultural aspects that make one country diverse from another.

Mittleman is traveling to Israel for the entire month of July with her youth group

Willis holds a young orphan, Dalin, she befriend during her first visit to Haiti.

Photo Couresy of Carolyn Willis.

so that she can develop a better understanding of her roots.

“It’s not as much of having a fun time, even though I will,” Mittleman said. “It’s going to be more of learning a cultural aspect of my background.”

Mittleman’s trip is particularly focused around culture and she considers herself lucky to have the chance to experience it firsthand.

“We start in the north of Israel and take a bus all the way down and stay in different places,” Mittleman said. “Our final destination is Jerusalem and one weekend we stay with a family and see what they do in their daily life.”

Willis will also have a lot of human contact with natives of the country. In fact, there is one person she is most looking forward to reuniting with from her last trip to Haiti.

“The first time I went to Haiti, I fell in love with a six year old boy named Dalin,” Willis said. “He has the biggest smile and the most joyful heart, but each day he drowns in the memory of his parent’s deaths in the earthquake. I pray for Dalin everyday. I couldn’t even tell you the number of times I’ve imagined being reunited with him. That first hug… that’s what I’m most excited about.”

Another aspect of trips to foreign locations includes reaching outside of the comfort zone formed at home. The adventurous nature of a vacation can be the enticing aspect of it. Leaving the United States is just the way that some pursue that feeling of excitement.

“This trip is definitely out of the ordinary,” Willis said. “And I’ll be the first to admit that I’m downright scared about it, but that’s what makes an experience like this so meaningful. A trip like this requires total abandonment of my comfort zone, something not so easily done during a summer in the States.”

Overall students have the chance to return from these foreign adventures with unforgettable stories to cherish and pass down to further generations. Traveling outside of the United States can offer many prospects that one cannot obtain within the States.

“It’s not about us and them,” Willis said. “It’s playing soccer on a dirt field. It’s flying a kite made of a plastic bag. It’s about holding an orphan in your arms as they fall asleep. When I go to Haiti, I won’t be ‘helping.’ I’ll be loving and caring and breaking down the language and socioeconomic barriers.”

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• Top, Mona Lisa displayed in The Louvre in Paris, France.

Bottom: Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock.

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Ken Bingman MADDY WILSON Editor in Chief

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or 50 years, Ken Bingman has been more than just a teacher. He has been a mentor and a friend to the countless students and teachers that have surrounded him, and continues to be an integral part of Blue Valley West. This year will be his last year; he has made the tough decision to retire.

“It was an extremely difficult choice,” Bingman said. “I think the thing that put it over the top was that there are some things I want to do besides teaching.”

Bingman has a busy life on his farm, where he plans on continuing working, fishing, hunting, and petting his dog Hubbs (appropriately named after the telescope). There is no doubt that the hole he will leave in BV West will be a big one; he is, after all, irreplaceable to both his students and colleagues.

“What didn’t I learn,”

biology student teacher Kevin Winkley said when asked what Bingman has taught him. “I have learned so much that I can’t even tell you.”

Bingman’s lessons to those around him have included teaching science in a way that is relative to kids, among other things. His favorite part about teaching is the interaction with his students, which is perhaps why he is so dear to the BV West community.

“I’ll miss a friend, a mentor, somebody who’s just a master at what he does,” said biology teacher Ben Meyers. “[Bingman] is a good sounding board when we talk about what the students should be doing and learning. His philosophy on education has greatly inf luenced me.”

Nearly everyone who has met Bingman cannot name their favorite thing about him; they simply say “everything”.

Needless to say, BV West will miss their hall of famer immensely.

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Dr. Tony Lake TUCKER PAINE Online Editor in Chief

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r. Tony Lake has served as BV West principal for the past six years, helping to shape the BV West community. Lake will leave his position at the conclusion of this school year, ushering in a new school administration while Dr. Lake moves on to a new position at the District Office.

“I’ll really have a much more expansive role in the new job,” said Lake. “I’ll be in charge of a lot more schools but I won’t be there everyday like I am here.”

Dr. Lake will serve as an Executive Director of School Administration at the Blue Valley District Office, located at 151st Street and Metcalf Ave. “I’ll be in charge of ten elementary schools, four middle schools, and three

high schools.” said Lake.

Lake will share the position with another person, and they split up the 34 schools equally; 17 apiece. Lake will not be in charge of any of the schools that feed into West next year.

“I’ll have the entire Northwest and Southwest attendance area,” said Lake.

“And we will be splitting the Blue Valley High attendance area down the middle, and I’ll be in charge of the high school [BV High] as well.”

Lake will be sad to leave BV West, but moving to the new position will be bittersweet for him, as he takes the next step towards his eventual career goal.

“I think everyone really has a goal in their career for themselves,” said Lake.

“My goal is to become a superintendent for a school district, and to make that dream come true, this is the next step.”

Jim Andra KATHERINE BYRKET Features Editor

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hether he’s organizing AP tests, writing counselor forms for seniors, or helping new students adjust to BV West, counselor Jim Andra still manages to find time to talk with students and help them through their problems.

After working as a counselor for a total of thirty-nine years, Andra finally decided that this was his last year. Although he has been in the career for a long time, he has only been at BV West for ten years. He has, however, always lived in Kan. “I grew up on a 400 acre farm in Conway Springs, Kan.,” Andra said.

“I have three sisters and four brothers. I also have a twin brother named John.”

As a teenager, Andra was very involved in his own high school. His involvement in sports helped him make great friendships, and his involvement in the school community is what made him and his date prom king and queen senior year.

Aside from all of his memories

from his high school, he has made a lot of memories at BV West with his fellow students and staff members.

“My favorite memory from West is attending commencement and seeing the students who I have worked with celebrating their graduation day together,” Andra said.

“It is a culmination of a lot of hard work and sharing of good times, and not so good, as students have progressed through high school.

It is very rewarding to see students grow personally and academically.”

As Andra and the senior class prepare to leave the school, Andra hopes to give some life advice to both present graduates and future graduates.

“I would say that there are a lot of temptations to do the wrong thing, and you need to stay focused and grounded. Do not be afraid to ask for help when needed because no one is immune to having problems.

Whether you want to ask counselors, teachers, or parents, people want to help. Do not let mistakes ruin your life. You need to learn from them and move on.”

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Linda Kapfer MEGHAN KETCHAM Editor in Chief

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fter 36 years of teaching, Assistant Principal and Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Linda Kapfer, will retire from the state of Kan. at the end of the school year. Since 2001, when the school opened, Kapfer has taught and been a member of the administrative team.

With such a long history at BV West, Kapfer will miss the individuals the most.

“I’ll miss the students and I’ll miss the teachers that I’ve made friends with here over the years,” Kapfer said. “I always miss the students. Even at graduation time, I miss the ones that leave us.”

Over the past 12 years, Kapfer has taught and helped many students. Watching them grow is one of her favorite parts of her job. During her first two years at the school, Kapfer served as the

director of theater. Some of her favorite memories came from establishing the theater department and watching students mature.

“Every time they set foot on the stage in a new show, you just saw a whole new level of confidence and skill in what they were doing up there,” Kapfer said.

“I think that was very rewarding because it doesn’t happen often in education that you can actually see the growth.”

Kapfer appreciates both the experience of being a teacher and being an administrator at BV West.

“I’ve learned a lot here and I’ve been given a lot of tremendous opportunities as a professional that I know will carry with me through the next steps of my journey,” Kapfer said. “I really appreciate what Blue Valley Schools can do for me as a professional and for my children that went through school here.”

The Next Chapter

BV West says goodbye to members of its beloved staff

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A Piece of Cake

Culinary Arts I classes learn cake decorating techniques DANIELLE JACOBSON Web Master

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amily and consumer science (FACS) is one of those classes every Blue Valley student has to take in middle school. Students sew pillowcases and make simple foods.

Although the class is required in middle school, the vast majority of the student body does not continue into high school FACS. While most assume they’ve learned all there is to know, one thing the middle school does not teach is cake decorating.

Luckily for some students, BV West offers a class that does a unit on cake decorating. Once a student takes Culinary Essentials, they can enter into Culinary Arts I, where they learn a lot about the decorating of delectable desserts. For many, cake decorating is an art; BV West is lucky to have a professional in the FACS department, Pam Graverholt.

Graverholt professionally makes wedding cakes, in addition to teaching the craft in Culinary Arts I. Her dual talents in teaching and decorating allows for each of her students to learn and excel

in this marketable craft.

“I may look into cake decorating as a summer job,” freshman Allison McClausland said.

McClausland has taken a summer class over cake decorating at Saint Thomas Aquinas, as well as she is currently enrolled in Culinary Arts I at BV West.

A new trend in the Johnson County area has recently become popular in the last few years; cupcake shops. Whether it’s Smallcakes Cupcakery, Three Women and an Oven, or Gigi’s Cupcakes, one can be sure to know another Blue Valley student that works at one of these specialty shops.

Jobs include baking and frosting cupcakes, which is a skill Graverholt teaches in her Culinary Arts I class.

“We learn the basics,” Graverholt said. “They learn to make wedding cake icing, and learn to ice without getting crumbs. We learn writing, figure piping, and borders.”

Katie Kelly, a senior at BV West, took Culinary Arts I her junior year, and took a shining to the art of cake decorating.

“I’ll decorate cakes for special occasions, like parties,” Kelly said. “It usually takes about two

hours.”

While some cakes may take longer than others to decorate, the experience of decorating cakes, especially for special occasions, can leave a lasting impression on the artist.

“When you’re a cake decorator, you get to connect to the big celebrations in peoples lives,” Graverholt said. “I have students that call five years after they graduate, getting married, asking, ‘Mrs. Graverholt, do you still do wedding cakes?’ That’s cool.”

Graverholt feels a special connection to cake decorating as her artistic outlet.

“It’s a fun, artistic expression,” Graverholt said.

While many students throughout BV West struggle to find classes they want to take after moving up from middle school, it is hard for most to deny the delicious call of food coming from the FACS room. Yes, it’s true; students get to eat all their creations after putting them together. While cake decorating is not the only unit Culinary Arts I offers, it is a unique experience that satisfies graduation requirements as well the sweet tooth.

FACS Classes Offered at BV West: •Food Decisions: focuses on basic meals, healthy food choices, and puts an emphasis on nutrition •Culinary Essentials: focuses on baking basics, meat preparation, professional food preparation. Fulfills a fine arts graduation course and is the pre-requisite for Culinary Arts I •Culinary Arts I: focuses on advanced baking, complex dishes, cake decorating, and makes a Thanksgiving meal. Fulfills a fine arts graduation requirement •Culinary Arts II: focuses on chocolate usage, advanced pastries, garnishing, and does a catering project. Fulfills a fine arts graduation requirement

Allison McClausland practices the shell border technique that she learned in class.

Photo by Coleen Bost.

Different Icing Decorations: Dots:

Lines:

Artists of A

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s the senior class Alexa Henderson, prepares itself for Stephanie Liang, next year, many students look & Cheyenne Jones forward to four more years of calculus or biReporters ology. However, for a few students, their future is filled with classes designed to further Photo of Caroline Distler their passion: art. Three students, Caroline

by Elise St. Louis Distler, Rylee Nordstrom, and Evin SagPhotos of Rylee Nordstrom and duyu, are pursuing art at the collegiate level Evin Sagduyu by Coleen Bost this coming fall.

Art Courtesy of Caroline Distler and Evin Sagduyu

the MonthCaroline

Distler

Parsons the New School for Design (New York City, NY)

E

ven as a child, senior Caroline Distler always found herself drawn to fashion.

“I was always a diva about what I wanted to wear as a child,” Distler said.

As she grew up, her childhood love evolved into a passion that would one day decide her future career. BV West’s wide number of art classes helped to hone her skills that eventually led to receiving highly competitive scholarships at a number of prestigious fashion schools.

Distler’s accomplishments were supported by the BV West Art Department.

“I have seriously loved all the art classes I’ve taken,” Distler said. “We have access to the best art teachers here. Mrs. Waldorf and Mr. Ensor have especially helped me improve in a variety of areas.”

In addition to the inspiration of these inf luential teachers, Distler drew motivation from the work of many fashion idols. She admires Chanel’s legend and

R

ylee Nordstrom had always known that she wanted to work in the fashion industry, and fashion school was her chance to make her dreams come true. Her decision to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) was primarily shaped by a desire to learn more about the fashion industry and receive hands-on-training. However, the entry project she had to submit is what pushed her toward her final decision. The project, which required Nordstrom to alter existing fashion designs from another store and then propose a marketing plan for selling her designs, was unlike anything Nordstrom had done before.

“Knowing I had worked so hard and having the admissions officer tell me he loved [my work] made me feel like it was my calling,” Nordstrom said.

Nordstrom is excited for all the opportunities available to her at FIDM and cannot wait to be surrounded by others who share a common love for fashion.

“I hope to learn so much and one day become very successful in the fashion industry.” Nordstrom said.

She will attend FIDM to major in merchandise product development. With Nordstrom’s talent, ambition, and drive to succeed, the future holds nothing but good things.

how Lagerfield has carried her name, as well as the innovative genius of Alexander McQueen. All of these figures, coupled with hard work and dedication, helped Distler become the artist she is today.

As for the future, Distler recently decided to attend Parsons the New School for Design next year. She plans on majoring in creative directing or sales representation and hopes to one day become a part of the fashion marketing industry.

Rylee

Evin Sagduyu The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (Milwaukee,WI)

S

enior Evin Sagduyu is one of the few who will be attending an art school this fall. He chose the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) after meeting their admissions counselor when they visited BV West.

“Overall, I would say I just want to end up freelancing, to get on a professional level, develop my skill a lot more,” Sagduyu said. “So, I don’t have to end up working for someone in the end.”

When it comes to art, Sagduyu has dabbled in almost everything: painting, drawing, and graphic design.

“I do all of them, but I would say I like traditional stuff the best— painting and drawing,” said Sagduyu.

Art is something that comes naturally to him. People complimented and encouraged his art; he practiced and continued to improve.

“For me, drawing has always been more of an internal thing.” Sagduyu said. “I’ve never been really inf luenced to draw. “It’s always been something I did. Generally I am able to channel my thoughts into what I draw.”

For many people, Sagduyu included, it is the lack of guidelines that encourages freedom of expression and creativity. It is this need for freedom that attracted him to art and is what drives him to be a freelance artist.

Nordstrom Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (Los Angeles, CA)

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Sibling Success

Brown siblings, Justin & Molly, have success in completely different sports LAUREN HANSEN Reporter

S

enior Molly Brown has been on the varsity swim team all four years of high school. Swimming has been her passion for several years, due to the challenge it presents her, and she has continued to participate in swimming through high school.

“Swimming is more difficult than anyone could imagine,” Brown said. “Even the best runners or football players would be surprised at the difficulty of swimming. It is unlike any other sport and that is what I like about it the most.”

Injuring her shoulder caused Brown to have to choose between staying on her competitive swim team and joining the swim team at BV West, where she joins the team in practices for around two hours everyday and attends morning practices once or twice a week.

“I have been swimming since I was six years old,” Brown said. “I was a part of the Kansas City Blazers for five years until eighth grade when I injured my shoulder. When I injured my shoulder, I took a year off to recover and then decided to just swim high school,” Brown said. “Since I was six, swimming has been my passion. When I practiced at Blue Valley North high school as a Blazer I always saw all of the stuff for high school swimming and I dreamt of the day where I would be a part of the BV West swim team. When I was a freshman, there was no hesitation or thought process. I knew I was going to be part of the swim team for all of high school.”

Making memories with the swim team has been a highlight of Brown’s four years of high school.

“My favorite memory from swimming was my freshman year,” Brown said.

“We hosted EKL at Blue Valley West and ended up winning. Even though half of us were in our clothes, when we found that out we won the coaches, swimmers, and managers all jumped in the pool to celebrate. I will never forget that moment.”

However, Brown is not the only member of her family that is involved in sports a BV West. Her younger brother, sophomore Justin Brown, is a member of the track team. While many siblings would develop a rivalry about who is the best in their respective sports, the Brown siblings have become closer and try to attend each other’s events.

“Justin grew up being dragged to all of my swim meets and having to sit

through them so I was really excited for him to start track,” M. Brown said.

“Even though [track and swimming] are in the same season I still try to go watch him since he watched me all those years.”

J. Brown supports his sister with her swimming ventures. He also acknowledges the difficulty in the sport of swim.

“Normally people would think of swimming as an easy sport, but it’s not,” J. Brown said. “It is a lot harder than it seems. There are a lot of different strokes that are hard to do. All in all it is a very interesting sport to do.”

Even though their sports are vastly different, M. Brown supports her brother in the sport that he decided to try.

“Track is a really unique sport in itself,” M. Brown said. “Justin does pole vaulting, where he basically launches himself into the air with a pole, and hurdles where he has to jump over them without hitting them. Not a lot of people can say that they do that every day.”

J. Brown practices outside of school, where he usually runs three miles or goes to school to do hurdles, in addition to the time he spends practicing with the team to prepare for his three events-pole vault, 110 meter hurdles, and 300 meter hurdles. He decided to join the track team after experimenting on the hurdles during middle school.

“In eighth grade during PE we had a free day,” J. Brown said. “There were hurdles set up so we were all racing. I liked it a lot, but because it was too late in the year to do middle school track I decided I’d do it freshman year. I really liked it so I kept doing it this year.”

Practicing is important to J. Brown. It helped him achieve his personal record of nine feet in pole vaulting. It also created a challenge for him that he aspires to achieve before his sophomore season is over.

“I enjoy all the friendly people and the supportive coaches [at track],” J. Brown said. “Not only is it a lot of fun, but it’s amazing to watch all of the different events. My favorite memory from track is the first meet of this year I got a [personal record] on pole vault and 110 hurdles. I felt really good about that.

Even though I know I could be better, I set a new goal to beat by the end of this season.”

Although the sports that they chose are very different, both the Brown siblings agreed that supporting each other in their respective sports is important.

“We both support each other in our sports and try to go cheer each other on

Spring Signings

Conley Wilkins Football

Drake University

Ryan Sipes Soccer

Drury University

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Athlete of the Month JACOB PASCHAL Section Editor

A

perfect game is a rare feat that has been achieved by a very short list of pitchers. Getting all 21 batters out without any hits, walks, or hit by pitches completes a perfect game. As years go by, the chances of encountering a perfect game become smaller and smaller.

On April 13, BV West senior pitcher Derek Hurt successfully completed a perfect game against division rival Blue Valley. Hurt was a perfect 21 up, and 21 down. The week after, Hurt was named the Kansas City Star’s “Athlete of the Week.”

“It was surreal. Everything was working for me,” Hurt said. “I actually had no idea that I was throwing one until about the seventh inning.

Once I got that final out, I was ecstatic. I’ve always dreamed about throwing one and I finally accomplished it.”

The 11-3 boys baseball team has been riding their strong pitching rotation through the season, and hope to continue their trend of strong pitching throughout the State tournament. Luckily for the Jaguars, Hurt has been lights out. So far, Hurt has thrown 25.2 innings in five appearances with three complete games. Hurt’s impressive numbers also include him not giving up a run all season.

Photo by Elise St. Louis.

“Our pitchers have been doing awesome this year. If they keep this up, I believe that we can go pretty far in the State tournament,” junior Daniel Reilly said. “Our team is pretty solid this year. If we continue to play like we have been playing, I think it will be hard to stop us. I’m excited to see what the future holds for us.”

Although Hurt has been successful throughout his baseball career, he could not of gotten to where he is by himself. With the support from his parents and coaches, Hurt has molded himself into a successful pitcher and all around good person.

“I can’t thank my parents enough. They have supported me through everything,” Hurt said. “Even though it’s tough for them to make it sometimes, they still manage to come and watch me play. They’re the prime reason that I’m able to play baseball.”

With the season coming to an end, the Jaguars look to finish on a good note and keep their winning streak alive.

Since this is Hurt’s last season of baseball, he wants to go out strong.

“I’m no different than anybody else. If you throw strikes and have good command, you’re going to be successful,” Hurt said. “You have to have faith in your defense and not let adversity get to you. Most importantly, you need to make sure that you’re having fun.”

Derek Hurt

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l a Vir olence vi

Teens engage in risky activites found online

W

hen things go viral on the internet, it can increase awareness and activism, bringing together the international community in the best kinds of ways. However, there are two sides to every coin, and viral fame is the same, with recent viral videos and trends that have led to self-harm and serious injury. The newest viral monstrosity, the “Knife Song,” highlights the growing trend of dangerous acts instigated by the internet.

The “Knife Song” builds off the “knife game,” also known as the “five-finger filet (FFF)” and “bishop.”

The game itself first came to teenage American audiences in 1986 with the movie, Aliens, where a character named Bishop plays the knife game (which is where the alternative name of the knife game, “bishop,” probably comes from). It also has appeared in video games including Assassin’s Creed III (2012).

The game consists of putting your hand palm-down on a table with your fingers spread out and using a knife, or other sharp object, to stab back and forth between your fingers with increasing speed. The goal is simple: do not stab yourself or cut off a finger. The addition of a corresponding song, supposedly created in 2011 by YouTube user Ben Steele (“Rusty Cage”) made its viral success possible.

However, the main catalyst of its current rise to viral fame was a Norwegian girl’s successful attempt at the game in which she also sang Steele’s “Knife Song.”

The video was taken down from YouTube when Steele claimed copyright infringement on the song. The girl, 16-year-old Hanna Fylling Ellingseter, posted the video in March, and since then, hundreds—if not, thousands or more—of knife game and song attempt videos and parodies have been uploaded to YouTube.

Unlike Ellingseter’s attempt at the game which resulted in no noticeable injuries, not all uploads showed the same success, many attempts resulting in blood and bandages. There have not been any self-inflicted amputations publicized at this point, but there are enough uploads with cuts and stab wounds to assume that some hospitalizations have taken place.

The “Knife Song” follows in the footsteps of other

self-harming viral trends, like the “Cinnamon Challenge” and the “Salt and Ice Challenge.”

The Cinnamon Challenge, where you try to swallow a teaspoonful of cinnamon, can potentially cause coughing, vomiting, choking, hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), pneumonia, and even lung collapse. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Cinnamon Challenge has produced at least 30 hospitalizations, and asthmatics are at greater risk for developing serious medical problems and repeated hospital visits when trying this “challenge.” The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that 222 calls to poison control centers were related to the Cinnamon Challenge in 2012, from 51 calls in 2011.

The Salt and Ice Challenge consists of pouring salt onto the skin and then holding ice on the spot for as long as the person can withstand the pain of the resulting second- and third-degree burns that are similar to frostbite. Some challengers hold the ice on the salt-covered spot for much longer and get more serious burns because the severity of the pain can be diminished by the extreme cold causing nerve damage and lack of sensation. In June 2012, a 12-year-old boy in Pittsburgh gave himself second-degree burns in the shape of a cross on his back because he did the Salt and Ice Challenge and kept the salt and ice on his back for 20 minutes. Last March, a Virginian woman was charged with felony child abuse for doing the challenge with the nine-year-old girl she was babysitting, whose burns were discovered by school officials.

Even more, the pointless, yet generally harmless, “planking” trend claimed a life in 2011, and a homemade swing on a natural sandstone arch caused a Utah man’s death just last March, a stunt that was inspired by a highly popular YouTube video.

What makes these people do senseless and obviously risky things because they saw someone do it online?

Some people say by copying these dangerous acts, people are trying to steal a bit of the viral fame spotlight; others insist it is for acceptance or because of peer pressure.

I say that all this risk-taking is a result of the times.

The technological culture makes most of today’s youth

Lauren Pino

Section Editor turn away from exploring the world in person because the world and all its mysteries are literally at their fingertips. Nowadays, most kids are not out doing lifeendangering jobs, exercising outside, or even walking to school. The US Department of Health and Human Services has reported that the death rates of adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 has dropped from about 275 deaths per 100,000 in 1935 to around 75 deaths per 100,000 in 2007. Safety is up, while risk is down.

However, that leads to a different problem.

“We don’t give our children enough roaming space to help them test their limits or to help them become confident in their physical skills,” Temple University psychology professor Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek said in Sumathi Reddy’s “Playing It Too Safe?” for the Wall Street Journal. “Sometimes when we protect people too much they never learn to take healthy risks.”

Teenagers are practically wired to be thrill-seeking and to push limits, but extensive safety practices leave them with very few opportunities to be adventurous.

Today, many get their “risk fix” from doing illegal things, like abusing drugs and alcohol or stealing, while others seek more legal options and come up emptyhanded. So when the internet began to fill with viral challenges and things that call for perilous acts, they jumped at the chance. In addition to satisfying their risk fix, it can be appealing because they can be “internet famous” and possibly glorified by their peers.

Viral self-harm is growing, and there are very few things that can be done to stop it. It can only be treated like an illegal drug, with parents and schools advising against attempting these risky viral trends and explaining their potential hazards. I would hope that common sense would hold back most people from harming themselves, but I have a horrible feeling that this infatuation with self-harm through the internet will only continue to make horrifying things, like the knife game and song, go viral. If you still want to try the knife game, even after everything I have said, go ahead.

Maybe the lack of a pinkie will make you think twice before copying viral violence.

social

Reporter

John wilson @Jwilson497

falsities

Viral, false posts plague the Internet

I

am very opinionated person, which explains why I’m writing this. A topic I feel very strongly about is the fact that people start rumors on social media websites for attention.

Getting “retweets” on Twitter or “likes” on Facebook is fine, but when you lie or tweet something false for the sake of popularity it’s f lat out wrong. There have been many instances where false posts end up being cruel or even damaging to something or someone.

Twitter is a privilege that can be taken away on nearly any grounds. Twitter can suspend or terminate an account for pretty much any reason they want to, and instances like false tweeting could easily cause this. This may not be seen very often at BV West, but when it does happen, it is unfortunate for the owner of the page and those who followed him or her.

One of the most cruel and f lat out disrespectful tweets I’ve seen is the one of the “8 year old

girl runner” on Twitter supposedly running in the Boston Marathon. At first, it seemed like a good-hearted person who cared about a child that was horrifically killed in a bombing was expressing their condolences, but it turned out that the entire thing was a hoax. In reality, it was an eight year old boy who was killed, and the false information that circulated on Twitter could easily have been offensive to the family of the child. This tweet about the girl this was obviously just an attempt for someone to get attention. Posts like this are one of many reasons I dislike social networking.

Way back when I used Facebook, my feed was full of “Share this to spread the word about this cancer patient” or “Every like this gets will donate a dollar to these kids in Africa who are dying.” Now, don’t think I’m a terrible person for not liking or sharing these photos, I just know that they’re fake and I’m not going to waste someone

Spotlight is printed nine times a year for the students and the BV West community. Its goals are to inform, entertain, and interpret through editorials and bylined articles and to provide an open forum for communication for students and faculty members.

Spotlight aims to be fair, accurate and impartial. The content of this publication is determined by its student editors and may contain controversial subject matter.

Spotlight does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty adviser, the administration of Blue Valley West, or USD 229.

ONLINE at BVWNews.com

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else’s time by putting this my wall. The posts have absolutely no validity, and people don’t even bother to search whether or not the information is true. The extent to which people believe things they see on the internet is embarrassing.

Recently, there was a tweet sent out by the Associated Press saying “Breaking: Two Explosions in the White House and Barrack Obama is injured.”

Within minutes, the stock market dropped 145 points. This brief ly erased 200 billion dollars in investment value. Luckily, the stock market gained back its losses quickly after the AP released a tweet claiming that the tweet was fake. Regardless, the damage was done, as a result of a stupid tweet. These harmful acts were caused by ignorance and immaturity on behalf of the perpetrator. Unfortunately, viral tweets regarding authority figures are not the only mishaps.

Students are often affected as well.

Reporters: Rebecca Abraham, Lauren Albers, Derek Bullis, Lauren Hansen, Alexa Henderson, Marissa Hotujac, Cheyenne Jones, Taylor Lake, Calvin Lee, Stephanie Liang, Connor McGovern, Justin Madden, Ashley Oades, Ethan Paine, Kate Price, Tomos Ridenhour, Jack Rogoz IV, Harrison Whitney, Ryan Williams, Erin Walker, John Wilson

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Above is the false photo that circulated on social networking sites. Posts falsely claimed that this child was killed in the boston bombing.

With all of the kids in our school district, there are many tweets about friends and peers that are false. Personally, I just look past them even if they are about me. But since I’m a small fish in a big pond, I know that there are definitely kids who see these posts and get false impressions of others. Even worse, they see posts about themselves and become devastated.

I know that administrators and police see our tweets and they take action like they should, but that doesn’t change the reaction by students and rumors that are spread. The damage is already done once something is posted. We jump on the false information that “so and so blacked out this weekend,” or “so and so did this.”

Close friends see these and laugh knowing that the post is fake, but many get the false impression that the false tweets are real.

It could cost the victim a college admission, or a potential job.

There are so many consequences

Photojournalists: Coleen Bost, Libby Frazier, Lea Puech

that could result from a fake post that students are too quick to believe.

Since nobody can control this madness, it is important to look past those who do these things.

Do not participate. There will always be someone who decides to tweet rumors or news that isn’t real, but that’s expected with social media. Be smarter than the idiots that believe or post these tweets. If someone’s really convinced there’s a chance that Justin Bieber died in a car accident, they should Google it before spreading it around. 99% of the time it’ll come up with “ Twitter hoax: Justin Bieber is not dead”. Also, make sure the news comes from a credible news distributer, not “Life As A Bro” or “Common White Girl”.

This topic is really important to me because this stuff happens every day all the time. Its tough to dodge but at the same time people can learn to ignore it. It’s important that people become more online-savvy.

SPOTLIGHT HONORS

Photo Editor: Elise St. Louis Web Master: Danielle Jacobson Business Manager: Emily Binshtok

Assistant News Editor: Mitchell Bird Adviser: Debbie Glenn Section Editors: Katherine Byrket, Emily Binshtok, Jacob Paschal, Lauren Pino Managing Editor: Emily Moore Online Editors in Chief: Abby Krstulic, Tucker Paine Editors in Chief: Meghan Ketcham, MaddyWilson

Blue Valley West High School 16200 Antioch Road Overland Park, Kan. 66085 Advertising: (913) 239-3904 Fax: (913) 239-3880 Adviser: (913) 239-3730

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spotlight photo essay

Spring Awakening Teacher Ken Bingman’s AP and honors biology classes study imprinting

Design by Elise St. Louis From top left clockwise: Freshman Donya Jahandar’s chicken cuddles with the object it believes to be its “mother”. This phenomenon of birds imitating and following a “mother” is called imprinting. • Jahandar takes her chicken out to test if it has imprinted to her toy. If a chick has successfully imprinted, it will follow the toy anywhere at any risk. • A new baby chicken breaks free of its egg and looks for an object to identify as its “mother”. The baby chicks started hatching on April 23rd, followed by the ducks, turkeys, and geese the following week. • A duck takes in excited students with curiosity. Despite what object they have imprinted too, the birds are very friendly with students. • Teacher Ken Bingman and senior Taylor Troester display the effects of imprinting to the first block AP biology class. Troester led her chicken around all of the desks so every student could see her chick following its “mother”.

• A new born duck listens carefully to its surroundings to identify a “mother”. Birds that are exposed to a toy immediately after they hatch have a better chance at successfully imprinting. • Senior Macy McKee’s duck chirps at the camera. The birds let out a high-pitched distress chirp whenever they lose sight of their mother or feel endangered. • Bingman led his first block AP biology class to the hallway to watch senior Lindsay McCausland’s chicken chase its mother. For fun, students with an imprinted bird can race down the hall and see which bird follows its mother the fastest. • Bingman tosses a chicken in the air joking with his class that chickens can fly. Photos by Coleen Bost and Elise St. Louis