Eagle's View Volume 12, Issue 1 by Eagle's View

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Volume 12 Issue 1

October 2021

your package has arrived

Fall trends

OG teachers

Fall sports recap

Table of Contents

NEWS CHECK US OUT ON

4 October News

Instagram @ln_eaglesview

EAGLE’S LIFE 6 OG North Nation and E-Sports Club

and Twitter! @LN_EaglesView

8 Driving Test Tips and Career Prep

CULTURE 10 Fall Trends and Thrifting 12 Mamma Mia! and Culture Spotlights

INDEPTH 14 Online vs In-Person Shopping

SPOTLIGHT 20 Spotlight on Liberty North Students

OPINION 24 School Schedule Changes 25 Mullets: Yay or Nay?

Thank you for your subscription to the Eagle’s View Newspaper!

SPORTS 26 Fall Sports Recap

Gayle Krieger Kevin Scott Pamela Scott

FUN & GAMES 30 Halloween Crossword

Table of Contents

from LETTER the EDITOR

elcome back Eagles! Welcome to the first issue of the 21-22 Eagle’s View! We’ve been working hard to bring you interesting and relevant stories about Liberty North and our local community. Coming off of the 2020-21 school year, slipping back into a regular school routine has taken some readjusting. Balancing multiple APs, extracurriculars, and a job is certainly a challenge, but one I’m excited to be taking on! The fall season is underway! It’s cooling down outside and as a huge fan of sweaters and layering, I couldn’t be happier. Spooky season is one of my favorite times of the year, full of candy, costumes, and cheesy horror movies. As a huge ABBA fan, I cannot wait to see Mamma Mia this November here at North. This issue we wanted to discuss something we’ve seen not only in our community but the world: the rise of online shopping. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to buy anything with the click of a button and have it delivered to your house certainly has its appeal. I am partial to in-person shopping, though. Nothing beats the feeling of finding exactly what you’re looking for! I hope you enjoy this issue and I hope to bring you guys an incredible year of the Eagle’s View. Until next time! -Sami Binning

Eagle’s View Staff Editoral Board

Ava Henry Samantha Binning Ian Toney Morgan Griffin

Graphic Designer Madelyn Hartman

Designers

Makena Dickens Alison Engelage Madison Tucker Caitlyn Scott Bryson Prindle Lyndsey Cooper Ava Wilson Vivian Seley

Reporters

Violet Richards Justin Scott Scott Beeton Ava Powers Laine Kelly Gianna Elizalde Mak Morgan Trinity Mueller Kaitlyn Von Gunten Jack Bendure Kate DeGarmo Maia Gaddis Alexis Helms Justice Williams

Photographers Rorey France Brieanna Green

Adviser

Jennifer Higgins

News

OCTOBER

NEWS

Texas Abortion Ban Update written by: Ava Henry

As of October 13

n recent weeks, Texas’s abortion ban has been both temporarily blocked and reinstated. This new abortion law, known as Senate Bill 8, bans all abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which usually occurs six weeks into the pregnancy. Many other Republicandominant states- North Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ohio, and Missouri- have all attempted to enact similar bans on abortion but have either been blocked or shut down as they were deemed unconstitutional. Texas’s law was able to be passed due to a clause in the bill that leaves enforcement up to private citizens through civil lawsuits instead of criminal prosecutors, which does not violate the fourteenth amendment. This means that any Texas citizen, involved in a case or not, can sue an abortion provider or any individual who aids a person getting an abortion for a minimum of $10,000; however, the person who gets the procedure cannot be sued. This method of enforcement is completely unprecedented in the United States, and according to the PEW Research Center, “legal scholars predict that state lawmakers will start including citizen lawsuit provisions in other types of laws with the same goals: evading established photo from: AP Newsroom judicial review.” Though the law was passed in early September, more debate has arisen with the law being blocked then reinstated after just one day. The temporary suspension of the law was issued by US District Judge Robert Pitman as he deemed it unconstitutional. The following day, the New Orleans-based appeals court quickly granted Texas’s request to set aside Pitman’s order for now while the case is reviewed. The Biden justice department is set to respond to the review by Tuesday, October 19, 2021. photo from: AP Newsroom

News

Gabby Petito Remains Found

abby Petito and fiancé Brian Laundrie set off on a country-wide trip. living out of their van. Two months later, the Moab, Utah police investigated the couple on a case of domestic violence. They were told to separate with one staying in a motel for the night and the other in the van. Petito’s family told the police that they last had contact with Petito during the last week of August. On September 11, Petito’s family reported Petito missing, starting the investigation. Police interviewed Laundrie but were told to contact their lawyer. After getting Laundrie’s parents to talk, they said they had not seen Laundrie since September graphic by: Madelyn Hartman 14. Many local police and the FBI have started to search for Laundrie where he was last seen. On September 21, the FBI found the remains of Petito in the Bridger-Teton National Park. The FBI and police are still looking for Laundrie as he is their number one suspect.

written by: Morgan Griffin

Conflict in East Asia

n Saturday, October 9, Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly stated in a speech that he seeks peaceful reunification with Taiwan, stating that “The task of complete reunification of China must be achieved, and it will definitely be achieved.”Despite never having ruled Taiwan in their entire history, the Chinese Communist Party views the island as their sovereign territory, and have sought reunification for decades. Ever since the Chinese Civil War between the Communists and Nationalists ended in 1949, the defeated Nationalist government has ruled Taiwan, gradually transforming from a reactionary dictatorship to the democratic republic it is today. Polls have shown Taiwanese citizens have shown growing support for staying independent from the Chinese mainland. In response to China continuing to threaten Taiwan with shows of force near their airspace and borders, Tsai stated on Sunday, October 10: “We will continue to bolster our national defense and demonstrate our determination to defend ourselves in order to ensure that nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us,”.

written by: Ian Toney

photo from: AP Newsroom

Eagle’s Life

BLAST FROM

the past

OG North Nation Misty Black Jeff Braden Kimberly Brownlee David Chatlos Doug Davis Kurt Gates Stefan Frank Shane Fuller Brian Hartman Tara Harvey Jennifer Higgins Shianguu Hsieh Jamie Jacob Connie King Sean Nicewaner Steve Person Lindsey Plaster Chablis Sanchez Martin Laura Sorens Ronna SparksWoodward Stephanie Taylor Sara Turner Mark Warner Jessica Williams Barbara Williams Roselynn Zicarelli

Rewind time to the opening year of Liberty North High School almost 12 years ago

written by: Violet Richards

he year is 2010. The up and coming rapper Drake is still (relatively) married and hitting the top of the charts, Blockbuster Video is at it’s peak, and Apple just released their first iPad. Amidst these pop culture milestones and utter chaos, LNHS starts its first year. The core of the building was there, but many of North’s more recognizable features came later. According to teachers, North’s first year was quite different. “The main difference between now and then is the students. We didn’t have seniors or freshmen here, so it was a lot smaller,” ELA teacher Sara Turner said. The lack of freshmen and seniors put a dent in North sports. “We didn’t do too hot that year in sports. There wasn’t women’s wrestling that year either, that’s pretty new to LNHS. It was a bad year for sports,” Turner said.

The smaller student body had its benefits. “Everyone knew everyone. I could recognize all the students and teachers. I remembered all their names,” Turner said. Sophomores and Juniors mingled considerably more that year because of mixed classes, due to the lack of seniors and freshmen. “A lot of the classes had multiple years in them, because we didn’t have enough teachers or rooms. The foreign language classes especially, such as Latin 3-4-5 all in one class,” Turner said. Many elements of North have changed since its opening, but Turner believes one core aspect has stayed the same. “What never changed was the focus on innovation. It was such a small school when it started, and we grew along with it,” Turner said.

First Year memories

*photos from 2010-11 Ayrie

OG teachers reminice on the first year at North.

“The first basketball game was ‘cozy’. We didn’t have a field house and we played in the AUX gym. I kept hearing the visiting team say ‘Isn’t this a new school? Why is the gym so small? Why are there no bleachers?’,” teacher Stephanie Taylor said.

“We had a fire that year in a dryer, but we didn’t know it. And one of the boys disappeared. They were looking all over for him because they didn’t know if it was a real fire or not. Turns out he got in his car and went to Quik Trip,” teacher David Chatlos said.

“By the time Homecoming came around, most students knew what a wonderful place North was. There was a lot of spirit and excitement. We were all crammed into the AUX gym, and it felt like each student knew they were part of something new and special,” teacher Ronna Sparks-Woodward said.

GAME ON Eagle’s Life

E-Sports is finally being recognized globally and it has reached Liberty North Written By Justin Scott

sports is a global gaming phenomenon that has taken the world by storm over the past decade, and it has made its way to Liberty North, esports club led by club advisor Jeff Knold and senior club captain John Harris. The esports club competes in different video games like League of Legends and Rocket League. “League of Legends is known as a MOBA game, and it’s a team of five, and they all come together work together to defeat the other team, Rocket League is a game where you pass the ball between each other while driving cars and try to score it into the goal similar to soccer,” Harris said. One of this year’s starters on the Rocket League team is Kiefer Bratcher, a junior who has been playing Rocket League for years and has achieved the rank of Champ 1. “What I enjoy most about Rocket League is just being able to play as a team. I like the team aspect, and all the passing plays that you can do in the game. I just think it’s really fun to see like different play styles,” Bratcher said. For Bratcher, the esports Club has given him the opportunities to show off his skills, and make an impact here at Liberty North. “It has given me the ability to show that video games have an impact on people and that people have talent while playing video games. In that, I’m able to show like what talents I have while playing video games.” Bratcher said. The club’s teams have been competing virtually through the live streaming platform Twitch but with lightened restrictions, they plan to play in-person and hold in-person competitions. “In the springtime, we’re planning on putting together an in-person tournament in the Fieldhouse, with League of Legends and possibly Rocket League,” Knold said.

Club members watch a Rocket League match on September 3. They meet every Thursday at 4:00pm. “The community grew up playing video games. I like the fact that you you can participate anywhere,” Gabriel Santiago said.

While most of the club is centered around the Rocket League and League of Legends teams, they plan to create opportunities for people who aren’t on one of the teams. “We’re trying to build an Esports community. And what that is, is online presence. So on our Twitch page, LNEagleEsports, you now have the opportunity to come to me or come to John and say, hey, I want to put a show up on your twitch channel, and you can make your own twitch show and become a content creator. The second thing is we’re teaching amateurs how to put together their own tournaments,” Knold said. But most of all Esports club is here to give students who share the same interests the opportunity to collaborate with each other. “We want to give kids the opportunity to compete competitively with video games with teamwork, and just other abilities that they could use in life. And we support that wholeheartedly,” Harris said.

Eagle’s Life

Driving: A Rite of Passage Getting a driver’s license is a big step for many highschoolers. How do Liberty North students feel about it?

written by: Ian Toney

or many teenagers, the ability to drive is a rite of passage that signifies the next step into adulthood - but in order to get this privilege, one must take a test first. “So, I took my driver’s test on August 13, and I did pass on my first try. My dad taught me himself, he was my instructor throughout the whole time and I learned a lot from him,” Sophomore Alyson Klug said. Klug had to practice frequently in order to be prepared for her test, especially when it came to parallel parking. “I definitely practiced parallel parking, and I drove everywhere we (my family) went so I could get used to all kinds of roads. A couple days before my test I went to the place I was going to take it and drove around that area, so that when I took it I would be used to the roads,” Klug said. Many Sophomores and Juniors tend to enlist their parents to help them to drive, rather than hiring professional driving instructors. “I didn’t take any driving classes, but my dad has been teaching me, and I have been driving everywhere I can to get all the practice. They have been coaching me along the way about

points where I can get better. Just driving around town is the biggest thing for me,” Sophomore Grace Flener said. Not everyone only relies on their parents. Lauren Watt, another sophomore that passed her driver’s test in August, found help in a Liberty North Driver’s Ed program. “I practiced with both of my parents, but I did take a Driver’s Ed course over the summer. It was through the school, my parents signed me up for it,” Watt said. The LPS-hosted Driver’s Ed program provides 12 courses covering each skill drivers need to pass their test, state-certified instructors, and individualized experiences for each learner. “I did not pass on my first try. My turns were very wide on my first test. I plan to improve through lots of practice, practice makes perfect,” Watt said.

Driving Test Tips 1. Remember which way to turn your wheels when parking on a hill. 2. Memorize the locations of buttons in the car you will use. 3. Lock your doors before you go into the building to take your test. 4. ALWAYS use your turn signals! 5. Relax! You’ve got this!

Eagle’s Life

College

Preparations

As college enrollment approaches, seniors are preparing by completing college and scholarship applications.

Prepped and

READY

What some seniors have done to prepare for college

written by: Scott Beeton

ollege enrollment season is coming fast. College scholarships could be a great opportunity for Liberty North students to potentially save thousands of dollars on college tuition. One example is the Liberty Public Schools Community Scholarship program. “The Community Scholarship Program will kick off on December 1st, 2021 and will run through February 3rd, 2022,” guidance counselor Lauren Eikel said. Students can apply for multiple scholarships to assist with the payment of tuition, boarding, and other college expenses. “The advantage to applying for scholarships is free money. Scholarships are available for students who plan to attend a 2 year college, 4 year university, or a trade or technical school,” Eikel said. Students may also apply for external scholarships offered by individual colleges and the federal government through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. “There are hundreds of opportunities out there! When students fill out a FAFSA application, it can determine eligibility for federal need-based grants.” Eikel said.

Jazlyn Summers “I applied for Mizzou, and I’m applying for automatic scholarships for GPA and ACT. I’m also applying for the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) scholarship. APIA is for one person and can be from $2,500 to $20,000 dollars,” senior Jazlyn Summers said.

photo by: Brieanna Green

Josh Wilson “I applied and got in for Northwest. I didn’t apply for any scholarships, but I got academic merit for $1,000 dollars. I had A+ hours and had a 3.0 GPA throughout high school. For Northwest, I didn’t have to write a entrence exam, just filled out forms,” senior Josh Wilson said. The FAFSA opened up on October 1. Seniors are now able to fill out scholarship applications. “The advantage to applying for scholarships is free money,” guidance counselor Lauren Eikel said.

Culture

Nifty Thrif writt ty en by

: Kate

any people thrift for fun or for functionality. Sophomore Brijet Sun is used to thrifting for functionality. “I’ve been thrifting since I was...seven. I used to really not like thrifting. I wanted to go to Forever 21 or something, but we were poor, so now I just thrift because we’re still poor. I feel like I can find good things, it’s just kinda hard because you have to thrift for a long time to find the good stuff. I’m there for a couple of hours sometimes,” Sun said. There are many people who will do clothes hauls off of fast fashion websites, and then donate it to thrift stores not much later. These clothes are typically not built for extended use, which makes it harder to find longerlasting clothes. “I hate it because all these rich girls buy a ton of stuff off Shein or whatever, and they give it to Goodwill a month later. Don’t do that because you’re just creating high consumption and high waste. Even if you’re giving it to a thrift store it’s still not good,” Sun said. There are also people who will go to thrift stores and buy clothes for the cheap prices offered and resell them online for a lot more money. This is especially hard on people who thrift for functionality, because this raises the prices of clothes.

From style to sustainabilty, thrifting is a bandwagon worth jumping on

DeGa

rmo

“Those are the same girls that have Depop. They’ll go to thrift stores and they sell the sweaters for like 70 dollars that they got for like 5 bucks. They’re taking good stuff too. Nobody wants your 100 dollar sweater, put it back on the shelves. It’s raising the prices in thrift stores and making it a lot harder for people who actually need to buy from there,” Sun said. While Sun tends to thrift because of money, Junior Alayna Pickard thrifts to be environmentally friendly and is conscious of overconsumption. “I tend to thrift pretty often, maybe around once a week, but sometimes I don’t buy anything. While thrifting is very environmentally friendly, I think we have to keep in mind that overconsumption is still a large issue, even in a thrifting environment,” Pickard said. Pickard has not been thrifting as long as Sun, because Sun has been thrifting from a young age, while Pickard thrifts as a personal choice. “I mostly thrift because of money and environment. While thrifting is definitely a cheaper option, it’s a much better alternative to fast fashion sites that are also on the cheaper side, especially since you can still find a lot of current trends at the thrift store,” Pickard said.

Culture

Liberty North “Shows Shows Again” Again Theatre fever returns as “Mamma Mia” will grace the stage this fall written by: Laine Kelly

iberty North students are thrilled for their upcoming musical: Mamma Mia. “I was ecstatic, Mamma Mia is an extremely fun show to be in, no matter what part you get... You gotta get into it. Get into the story and the plotline. It’s so much fun to watch,” junior Lianna Morelli said. Mamma Mia is about a single mother named Donna, preparing for her daughter Sophie’s wedding. Upon preparation, Sophie invites three men who were in Donna’s past to attend as an attempt to meet her father before her wedding day. “I love being on stage...I’m always really excited for shows. We’ve been working on music and solidifying our parts and doing a lot of blocking,” sophomore Eliana Ross said. Rehearsals can take up a lot of time in the students’ lives, going from after school to later in the evening. During these times the cast can be found working on choreography, memorizing the script, rehearsing musical numbers and songs. As well as blocking out the stage to find where they will be acting once performance time comes. “The big dance numbers are going to be really fun. I’ve been really enjoying them,” freshman Caden Barner said. The crew can be found working on technical programs, lighting, spotlight cues, and stage painting. Other jobs within the crew include costume crew, stage directors, sound crew, and more. If interested in getting involved with the crew, see one of the theatre teachers, Mr. Vandyke, or Mrs. Lenger. “I am the lead lighting designer for Mamma Mia. I get to work with all different types of lighting instruments, which means I get a lot of creative freedom to portray whatever I consider the atmosphere of the show.

We are very privileged to have a wide variety of materials in our facility to achieve pretty much anything we can put our minds to,” senior Emma Dyser said. Getting involved in school is important for many students, having a place to belong can be very influential in students’ lives. “I’ve loved theatre my entire life. It makes me feel like I have a home. Not just theatre, but the people,” junior Lianna Morelli said. After all of the time and energy the cast and crew have been putting into the show, they are anticipating a great performance. Tickets are now available for their November 11, 12, and 13 shows and can be found on the LPS Fine Arts website.

photos by: Brianna Green

Cast members getting ready for opening night, from building the set to learning choreography

Culture

// Now Trending //

From food to fashion, autumn dictates more than just the weather patterns

written by: Ava Powers

Social media plays hand and hand with autumn trends, speaking of, the hashtag #spookyszn is once again on Twitter. Many are excited for the cool weather and fall festivities. Social media platforms like TikTok are buzzing with fall related content, and movie streaming platforms like Netflix have started advertising their fall and scary movie collections. A big trend that’s popped up this fall When the fall weather starts to hit, we go from involves TikTokers taking the 2007 T-shirts with shorts to flannels and boots. Comstarburst commercial jingle “Berries bining different prints, textures and warm colors and Cream” and remixing it with othare one of the biggest fall staples. er songs such as Bohemian Rhapso“I grew up in the 80’s, and that preppy look dy by Queen, and MONTERO (Call was cool back then. Those granny chic sweater me by your Name) by Lil Nas X. vests, tight polo shirts, big platform shoes, and Trends like the “ghost trend’ (where mom jeans. I want those mom jeans to go out. tik tokers would wear a sheet as a You have to understand your body type before ghost costume and pose in random buying good quality jeans, ” FACS teacher Traci places), don’t seem to be slowing Silvey said. down anytime soon either. Pairing flannels with mom jeans and Doc Mar“Last year I did the ghost trend with tens, or a big knit sweater and some leggings my friends, and put a sheet over my can make for the perfect autumn outfit. Most head pretending to be a ghost. My clothing stores have begun to advertise their fall favorite thing to do with my friends attire like American Eagle, Forever 21, H&M, in fall is carve pumpkins and watch Target and Old Navy. scary movies. We really like ‘it’, “ “If something looks good on you and it gives Freshman Alyssa Noland said. you a little spring in your step, it’s your style. It’s all about confidence,” Silvey said.

Autumn Apparel

Foodie Favorites

graphics by: Maddie Hartman

#fallvibes

With Thanksgiving around the corner, fall foods are returning to kitchens everywhere. From classic pumpkin flavored desserts to warm comfort foods like chicken noodle soup. Seasonal food dishes like pot roast and mashed potatoes are making their way back to restaurant menus. Chains like Starbucks have been promoting their new fall drinks, including new Pumpkin Spice Coffee Frappuccinos, and Apple Crisp Macchiatos. Of course, they didn’t forget about a fan favorite: the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Culture

what’s what fall 2021

Book Briefing

Snapshots written by: Gianna Elizalde

Jane Harper’s “The Dry” is an action filled book that has recently been adapted as a movie in January of 2020. “A murder/suicide rocks a small town, and the childhood friend of the man who died comes back for the funeral. He has become a detective, and he ends up helping to investigate the crime. You learn about a crime from the men’s teen years and some additional conflicts that make solving the crime difficult,” ELA teacher Katie Mitchell said. The book itself is skillfully constructed, however it may fail to keep that same energy at the end. “I didn’t guess the ending, which I always appreciate. However, I think the beginning of the story was stronger than the end. The resolution seemed a little anticlimactic based on the rising action,” Mitchell said.

Music Moment

written by: Gianna Elizalde

Lil Nas X’s ‘Montero’ album opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart on September 17 and has been gaining a considerable amount of traction since the original release of the single Montero (Call Me By Your Name). “I Think Lil Nas X’s album fits into his own kind of music genre...He’s definitely a mix of pop and rap and maybe a hint of country like when he did that Old Town Road song,” sophomore Avery Estes said. “Lil Nas X himself is such an original character, he literally throws so much effort into his work and his music,” she said. The Montero album is very unique, as proven in the original ‘Montero’ music video itself as he includes many controversial concepts. Lil Nas X had grown up disliking his sexuality, however in this album he takes full ownership for who he is after having to feel the need to conceal his own sexuality for so long.

Shop Small

written by: Kate DeGarmo

Many small businesses use online resources to sell their products, like Depop and Etsy. Junior Meadow Robertson sells jewellery on Depop and she takes commissions as well. “I would give jewelery as presents, and the librarians here encouraged me, because I had these coffee cup earrings, and they went crazy for them. I try to keep it unique. I started freshman year, before winter break, and I’d made a small account for a while, but I got bored of it and I thought it was so embarrassing to sell my art. After a lot of encouragement and wanting to get back into it I finally did, and I don’t regret it,” Robertson said. Robertson does not label herself as a small business owner and tries to make her products unique through upcycling. “I don’t like selling my stuff at a high price... unless there’s a crazy demand, like if I get crazy famous one day. I put a lot of time and effort in, but I still don’t like charging that much. I think one of my pieces is at 10 and most of the stuff I use is recycled,” Robertson said.

“I prefer online shopping just because I feel like I can never find my size in stores and I can never find things that I like. Especially if I am picky about something and I want a specific style, a lot of stores don’t have it, and stores that do are smaller online stores,” junior Chase Zeller said.

phtoto by: Rorey France

Indepth

THE

Online vs. In-Person SHOPPING DEBATE Is online shopping better than in-person? written by: Makena Dickens

nline shopping has risen in popularity, causing some people to lose their favor for in-person shopping. With stores being able to ship a person’s clothes right to their doorstep, in-person shopping has declined. Another factor of in-person shopping decreasing could be the recent pandemic. COVID-19 has effected businesses in multiple ways. During COVID-19, online shopping became extremely popular, and some people still use it today. “I like online shopping because there is more variety. There are just more choices and there are lots of websites, and they all ship to you so you do not have to leave your house,” sophomore Nicole Chen said. Even with the tremendous amount of benefits

that come with online shopping, some people prefer the experience and ambiance of in-person shopping. “It is kind of like a mix. I like thrift stores a lot, so I usually go there. Sometimes I will go online shopping to see what I can find there, but I like going in-person so I can try on the clothes,” senior Ethan Decker said. If a store does not have room, or simply just does not want to carry it, they can usually put the item in their online store, hopefully satisfying customers and their budget. Because of online shopping and the recent pandemic, stores have been closing around the Liberty and Kansas City area. This could limit the amount of places to go around the area, and could cause some people to lose hangout spots that they frequent with their friends. “I think it sucks because I love to

Zona Rosa has been impacted by COVID-19. It is a outdoor shopping mall in KC. “A lot of buildings are closed. It looks like no one is there,” sophomore Maddie Steiger said

shop and I think it is fun to go with your friends. I do like online shopping, but it is not really the same, because you do not really get to look at the stuff,” senior Elaine Drottz said. COVID-19 could also be a key reason as to why some stores are closing. With customers not able to go to stores due to the pandemic, that might have affected some businesses’ revenue, especially if they do not have an online store.

photos by: Rorey France graphics by: Madelyn Hartman

Indepth

“It is definitely a lot of small businesses that are closing and that can be really bad. But I do not really notice it because I shop online almost exclusively when I do shop or I just go to Target,” junior Chase Zeller said. Small businesses could also be feeling the effects of online shopping. With the recent pandemic, traffic in brick-andmortar stores has already slowed down, and adding online shopping, small businesses could be feeling some strain. “I would say maybe small businesses, but not necessarily bigger brands. If anything it is probably

helping the bigger brands,” senior Connor Benson said. If customers exclusively shop online, and a smaller business does not have an online option, then that business could suffer, and not be able to generate as much revenue as they could have if they had an online store. “I feel like if stores cannot have an online part to their store, then they might not do very well. Especially clothing stores, because you only have so many people that can come into the stores, but if you were online you can probably do whatever you want,” Zeller said.

Malls to the Halls What were malls like when you were a teenager?

ELA teacher

“I grew up about an hour from Kansas City, but it was a big deal for us when we got to go to “the city” and shop at the malls.”

Greg Wickham

Math teacher

Stephanie Taylor

Math teacher

Chris Becker

“Malls were everything. It is where we hung out all the time. You would get dropped off with your friends, and you just walked around the mall.” “They were always crowded and where everyone went on the weekend to do their shopping. It was always a treat. It was exciting since it was one of the first places I was allowed to go by myself. ”

Zona Rosa has experienced a loss of stores. They have recently opened a new part.. “There aren’t many stores left, lots have closed” senior Elaine Drottz said.

Indepth

Business is

Booming

Back in Time Comics and Toys has had success during COVID-19 written by: Makena Dickens

ack in Time Comics and Toys is a local business in Liberty, MO that has benefitted from the recent pandemic, and has been able to move from a completely online store to a brick-andmortar business. It is run by Avid teacher Lisa Nicewaner and her husband, deabate teacher Sean Nicewaner “It is a retail store where we sell vintage comics and vintage toys. People can sell us their items, we also have a trading system,” Nicewaner said. Back in Time is located here in Liberty, and their extensive collection of vintage items is very impressive. With the recent pandemic, some business have been suffering, but for Back in Time, the pandemic has had the opposite effect. “COVID-19 has been good for us. There has not been Comic-Cons up until recently, so the entire time it was shut

down, people were just dying for this kind of nitch. We are making 200% more than what we thought we would be making,” Nicewaner said. The Nicewaners were able to move their business into a brick-and-mortar store in July of 2020. Like for some big transitions, there were some things that needed to be done before the in-person store could open. “We had to get insurance to make sure that if there was an accident or if something would catch on fire we would be able to recoup damages. We also had to set up an LLC which means that we can claim our business name. We did not know everything that we had to do to set up a business. There was a lot of googling, a lot of asking other people,” Nicewaner said.

COVID-19 did not effect Back in Time Comics negativley. At the moment, both the physical store and online shop are open. “It has been really wonderful to meet all these new people,” Avid teacher Lisa Nicewaner said.

Photos courtesy of Lisa Nicewaner

Back in Time Comics opened in July 2020. They sell vintage toys and comics.“Going into a phyical store has helped expand our customer base,” Avid teacher Lisa Nicewaner said.

Experience freedom. Be informed. If you think you may be pregnant, we can help. Call (816) 415-9415 or Text (816) 866-3939

www.experiencingfreedom.com 1532 NE 96th Street, Suite B | Liberty

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Spotlight

SENIOR

Ava Wolesky written by: Justice Williams

“There will always be ones that are more challenging then other plays and musicals but the hardest ones are the most rewarding,” Wolesky said. Since Wolesky has been a part of theater since she was younger she’s done a good amount of shows and definitely has the experience. “Susical was the first show I ever had a lead in when I was around 11 and it was just such a blast and a perfect show for a little kid because of these bright sets and the blaring orchestra, and all these stories I’d grown up with,” Wolesky said. Theater can be such a close family of people where everyone loves what they’re doing and love spending time with other people who enjoy the same things as them. “I love the community aspect of theater and the connections you make with other people on stage and it’s just so much fun,” Wolesky said.

eing on stage is not something that everyone enjoys, but for some, it is fun and inspiring. “I was a fan of theater for a long time before I actually started participating in theater and I see performances all the time that inspire me and that spark the desire to go out and create. There’s a ton of artists that inspire me, and a ton of classmates here at North and that inspire me as well,” senior Ava Wolesky said. Wolesky has been a part of theater for a good portion of her life, she enjoys spending time on stage with her friends and getting to create. “I did my first show when I was in third grade, so I was about seven or eight years old,” Wolesky said. There are plenty of other ways to participate in theater outside of the school, especially with the amount of local theaters we have around here. “Most of the theater that I’ve done has been outside of school, I started school theater when I was in elementary school I did a show at Liberty Junior High. I’ve done theater all over kansas city, local theater like Starlight, CYT, Gladstone, the Coterie, etc.,” Wolesky said. Challenges are something that most people experience quite often and different people have different ways of getting through them. Something that’s challenging for one person may not be as challenging to the next, Five Facts About Me it differs person to Favorite place to eat: Jerusalem Cafe. person. Favorite music genre: Alternative Favorite type of book: Classic books and realistic fiction books Favorite dessert: Churros Favorite sports team: Space Jam: Toon Squad

photo by: Brieanna Green

Spotlight

JUNIOR

is alternative rock or indie rock and McCubbin uses the music she listens to as inspiration to her own projects. McCubbin likes to put her music in the alternative category. So far the favorite song McCubbin’s written is called “Miss You.” written by: Trinity Mueller “I do choir for help with music theory and notes staff. But for producing it’s been just on my own,” ost people listen to music every day; McCubbin said. whether it be to relax or get hyped for In terms of playing instruments, McCubbin can the day, but most people don’t consider play a variety of instruments. She can play electric creating their own music. That’s not the case for guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, and piano. Majority junior Paige McCubbin, who has been making of the time McCubbin uses electric or acoustic music for a long time. guitar for producing, putting in other instruments “The first song I’ve ever produced, my last ELA like drums with software. teacher told me that I needed to show people so I “I learned to play guitar four years ago, I am did and it’s alright but I’ve definitely come a long self-taught, I watched videos to help me along the way in terms of what I can do using the software way,” McCubbin said. so it sounds more professional,” McCubbin said. Currently, the only platform McCubbin McCubbin’s favorite genre of music to listen to can share her music is on Instagram. But by Christmas, McCubbin hopes to be able to share what she’s made on all platforms. “Honestly this is kinda new, as in like the first five years because it Five Facts About Me wasn’t really on my radar, everybody told Favorite place to eat: Le Fou Frog Favorite music genre: Alternative Rock me that it was too Favorite type of book: Historical Fiction hard and I couldn’t do it, but I’ve started to Favorite dessert: Ice cream look at more colleges Favorite sports team: I really like where they’ve told watching the Cheifs play me I can make music,” McCubbin said. “I really hope so, because I’ve been looking at colleges that will enhance my education. I really like Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. I like to visit there sometimes because it’s full of music,” McCubbin said. Currently, the only platform McCubbin can share her music is on Instagram. But by Christmas, McCubbin hopes to be able to share what she’s made on all platforms. “Honestly this is kinda new, as in like the first five years because it wasn’t really on my radar, everybody told me that it was too hard and I couldn’t do it” McCubbin said.

Paige McCubbin

photo by: Brieanna Green

Spotlight

SENIOR

Jackson Williams written by: Justice Williams

Being a part of SkillsUSA is all about working on finding ways to get better every single day, all while working towards a dream career. “I like to work out because I enjoy making myself better and better every single day as much as I can, and if I’m not in the gym then I’m learning something. If you don’t learn something every day it’s one step closer to the grave,” Williams said. Keeping a normal life is a little more difficult with a high responsibility such as the president, and Williams takes his role very seriously. “I’m going to be missing a week of school to go to Washington. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, just need to put extra work into it, and that’s all SkillsUSA consists of is extra work. It’s affected my life by keeping me busy but not much else,” Williams said.

eing a public speaker does not come naturally for a lot of people, but for some, practice definitely makes perfect. SkillsUSA is a program that highschoolers can take to help improve their skills for the career path they want to follow “SkillsUSA is honestly a lot of public speaking, we’re trained on how to be professional public speakers and we often talk in front of a lot of important people which is very well emphasized in our training,” senior Jackson Williams said. Williams has been a part of SkillsUSA for his junior and senior year, becoming president at the beginning of his second year in the program. “I love talking to people, I really love talking to people. I like to get up in front of crowds and really move them. I think I’m good at that, which is definitely my favorite part about being president,” Williams said. Being the president comes with many responsibilities, and traveling around to meet important people from around the state is just one of them. “About a month ago, I went to Jefferson City, Five Facts About Me our state capital, and met with the mayor of Jefferson city, the Favorite place to eat: Buffalo Missouri state highway Wild Wings chief of police, and Favorite music genre: Can’t some lead advisors pick one, I love all music from the department Favorite type of book: of elementary and History/War secondary education. Favorite dessert: Cheese cake I also met Mike Favorie sports team: Chiefs, of Parsons as well, the course. governor of Missouri,” Williams said.

photo by: Justice Williams

Spotlight

SENIOR

passionate about it. And then like last year I was like top 100 in the US for my category,” Smith said. The lack of fencing gurus in liberty forces Smith to travel almost an hour to practice. Because of the distance, Smith is only able to practice written by: Kaitlyn Von Gunten twice a week. “I’ve started to cross-train on my off days so I’ll ccording to the AAA State Of Play, football, weight lift at the gym five days a week and then I’ll track and field, and basketball are the most practice two days a week at my club. But when I’m popular men’s high school sports in the there I’m focused, on a mission,” Smith said. country but senior Mitchell Smith does something It seems fencing was destined to find Smith a little less conventional: fencing. somehow. As stated by Smith, fencing takes “I was eight years old when I started to fence. plenty of physical strength and determination, At the time my mom was just trying to get me in but fencing also takes a great deal of mental focus something and I said I want to do curling and she and ability. said, we don’t have curling in Kansas city. Then “My coach calls [fencing] chess at the speed of I said fencing, she said, well I give up. Low and boxing because you’re having to make all these behold, she gets a Groupon email a month later very intentional intelligent decisions ... because to Kansas City Fencing Center. I become super everything happens so fast,” Smith said. As his senior year progresses, Smith is looking into options for his Five Facts About Me upcoming college years. He has visited multiple Favorite place to eat: Blue schools across the country. Nile Cafe “I went to Boston College Favorite music genre: and I got to meet the Bossa Nova fencing team there and Favorite type of book to read: I walk around the campus love to read historical books with the coach and fencing Favorite dessert: Dark chocolate team,” Smith said. Favorite sports team: Chiefs Due to his fencing talents, Smith has been scouted out by colleges to enroll and join their fencing teams. “I have gotten letters from coaches from Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, MIT, University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, University of North Carolina, Ohio State University, but as far as where I’m going to apply, it’s probably gonna be either Princeton or the University of Pennsylvania,” Smith said.

Mitchell Smith

photo by: Brieanna Green

Opinion

Silenceof the bells? Liberty North made some big schedule changes this year, such as silent bells, early out Wednesdays, and Flex hour. written by: Kate DeGarmo and Ava Henry

here were many schedule changes this year, and Flex was probably the best one. Yes, the hours are shorter to accommodate, but having an hour to relax, study, or even go home if you are an upperclassman is great for our focus. If we forget something at home, we can go home to get what was left in case our parents are unavailable; some people use it as a free period as well. The upperclassmen who leave during eighth-hour flex every day also help with the traffic at the end of the day. The people with first-hour flex can stay home until second hour which helps with morning traffic. It also gives you more time to focus on schoolwork if you need it. It is especially good if you have afterschool activities, like a job or extracurriculars. It gives you more time to be present when you get home at night. Flex also has spaces for you to socialize with your friends when you have schoolwork done. I really like that it can be whatever you need it to be. It is very versatile. It is also very nice that we have an hour early release on Wednesdays. It is really helpful for out of school activities because we can go to work or practice sooner. photo by: Brieanna Green

photo by: Brieanna Green

ersonally, I have mixed feelings about the new schedule changes at Liberty North this year. For one, I am not a fan of the new bells. I do not dislike it as much as I did at the start of the year, but I still think as a whole, Liberty North functioned better with the old system. Even without dealing with the “the bell doesn’t dismiss you, I do” teachers who will continue to keep students as long as they like, forgetful teachers or individual students who don’t watch the clock are at risk without the loud reminder. The old bells were also a big help in passing periods, providing a nice warning that half of the time was over. Another big problem I have with the changes is the new lunches. They have all seemed overcrowded this year, and instead of providing a solution to the packed lunch lines, the new schedule only makes things worse. Lunches are shorter without designated passing periods, so some students have been forced to spend a majority of lunch standing in line for food, as well as being subjected to crowded halls on the way back to class.

Opinion

Mullets :

comeback or go away? Business in the front, party in the back! Mullets are coming back into style. Should they stay or should they go back to the past? written by: Jackson Bendure and Mak Morgan

n recent months we have seen a return of the infamous mullet hairstyle. While many do not want to see the return of the mullet many are thrilled to see this hairstyle return. But it does beg the question, Is it worth the daily slander and fun poking? Many would say no but I would disagree, The mullet is one of the best hairstyles ever. It allows for breathing room around your ears but a beautifully long flow in the back. The mullet is a hairstyle which features long, curly hair on the top of the head and around the back but a shaved area around the ears. The mullet originated in the 1980’s and when it did it went absolutely gangbusters. The mullet also made appearances in major stars like David Bowie, Zendaya, Billy Ray Cyrus, Hulk Hogan and even Ellen DeGenerous! The Mullet has taken on many looks and forms over the years. In the 80’s the mullet was known for its straight, long flow but recently it’s taken form in a curlier thicker version. This change could be due to stars like Patrick Mahomes who is known for his curly brown hair that inspires others to curl their mullets. photo by: Brieanna Green

photo by: Brieanna Green

absolutely seriously strongly very much despise mullets. I honestly don’t know how to tell you how much I despise them. The mullets hairstyle originating in the 80’s didn’t look good then, so why would it look good now? Not even David Spade in the movie Dirt made my hatred for mullets disappear. As much respect I have for stars who had this hairstyle, especially David Spade, the moment I saw them in a mullet I had to promise myself that it did not change anything. And sure, these actors and the kids at Liberty North are good people and good at what they do, but when did any of those things require them to have probably the worst haircut in history? I mean out of all the styles in the 80s, why this one? I believe that those of you with mullets need to question your choices in style. Maybe y’all just had clouded judgment and wanted to be cool like the tiktok stars or maybe your hairdresser messed up the haircut. But hey, mullets can be cut!

Sports

SPORTS SPORTS

he 2021 Cross Country season has been eventful for the team. With the conference meet on October 16, runners are working to beat their past records and compete for a spot to move on in the coming weeks. “We have been impressed with the improvements from the whole team this season and are excited to see their hard work pay off during our Championship meets,” coach Lindsey Plaster said. Liberty North Cross Country took on the Kearney Invitational Meet. They walked away champions taking 1st overall for men’s varsity and 1st for women’s varsity. Sophomore Sage Wilde took first overall, beating the course record, with a time of 15:37 running the entire race well ahead of the field of competition. “I think that we are working really hard as a team this year and the competition between teammates when were running is crazy but also really fun. The family and the bond that we have created is also an amazing thing to be a part of,” sophomore Jayden Johnson said.

XC XC

photo by: Rorey France

written by: Alyson Klug

#28

TENNIS TENNIS TENNIS

he 2021 Women’s Tennis season came to a close on October 4 with the Team District Tournament, where the North team faced off against the Liberty Blue Jays. “The match we normally all look forward to is Liberty’s, as the competitive spirit between the rival schools is infectious. Unfortunately, we fell short this year, but I’m especially excited to see how we play against them next season,” junior Madison Tucker said. A star player of the 2021 season was Olivia Carter who won All Conference and All District Honors in singles with a record of 17-4. With the season closed, Coach Doug Davis reminisces about his favorite match against Ray Pec. “[It was a] close match. The team all played really well. The team really came together and Ray Pec didn’t see it coming. Nor did I, but it was great. Definitely my favorite,” Davis said.

photo by: Rorey France

written by: Mak Morgan

Sports

RECAP RECAP

he Liberty North Girls Rugby team is 1-2 after emerging victorious against the Liberty Blue Jays in their first competition. Unfortunately the team lost to Independence High School and the Park Hill Trojans in their second and third competitions. The team is looking forward to an exciting season with the opportunity to travel to Texas and Minneapolis to compete out of state and test their abilities. With rugby being a less popular sport on the state level, the team is forced to travel out of state for competition. “We’re excited to compete and show what we can do and hopefully inspire others to start their own programs on the state level,” Assistant Coach Brodie Orth said. Due to injuries. the last two scheduled competitions were canceled. The team is scheduled to compete against the Liberty Blue Jays Girls Rugby team on October 16 at Liberty High School. “It sucks not being able to compete but it provides us time to get better and prepare,” Orth Said.

RUGBY RUGBY

photo courtesy of: Jeff Knold

written by: Jack Bendure

VOLLEYBALL VOLLEYBALL photo by: Rorey France

s of October 7, Varsity Volleyball continues to impress as their record is now at 22 to 2. According to coach Katie Dowden, they don’t plan on stopping there, pushing to gain a state title for the second year in a row. “Our overall goal has always been to win State. We’re just going to take it one game at a time but that’s our goal and we’ll build on it from there,” senior Addison Beagle said. After the October 7 game, varsity fought to win all three sets against Liberty. The first set was close, winning 26 to 24. Getting stronger, they took the second set 25 to 14. Finally, the third set ended at 25 to 22, allowing them to claim yet another victory. “What makes our team strong would definitely be our bond, our bond is great. Whether you are on or off the court, you get along with each other. Also, being able to play for each other. We’re not a selfish team, no matter winning or losing, we are still doing it for each other and with one another. With our end goal of state, no matter what happens we will persevere and push through

everything,” senior Ellie Staatz said. written by: Maia Gaddis

SPORTS SPORTS Sports

his has been a strong season for Liberty North Varsity Softball. As of October 13, their record is 21-11, with one game left in the District Championships scheduled for October 14. “The last few games have been going very well. On October 12, we played Oak Park in the first District game and beat them 10 to 0. October 13, we played Liberty and beat them 6-5 with a walk-off hit by Haley Klebenstone. Then on October 14, we won districts against St. Joe Central, and will play on October 21 in state sectionals,” Coach Amanda Self said.

SOFTBALL T

written by: Mak Morgan

SOCCER photo by: Rorey France

photo by: Rorey France

he men’s soccer season of 2021 has been filled with highs and lows, and with few injuries and many wins. “This year’s soccer season has gone by well so far. We’ve had very few injuries and we’ve played pretty well. Nothing terrible has happened thus far. The best thing that has happened is that we got down to 2-0 in Springfield to a really good Ozark team and showed a lot of character and heart to tie the game up and force it to penalty kicks. My biggest achievement is keeping everyone healthy heading into conference play,” head coach Art Smith said.

written by: Alexis Helms

he Liberty North Men’s Swim season of 2021 has started off well. On September 15, the team competed in a match between 31 teams that scored and tied for 14th in the final standings. “The season is going really well. Our team isn’t really big but despite that, we are placing really well at meets for how many people we have swimming and everybody is swimming their best. My biggest achievement this season is my 100 breaststroke because cutting it down from a time I have struggled with for a while is something that is really pleasing,” senior Andrew Augustine said.

written by: Alexis Helms

SWIM

photo by: Rorey France

RECAP

Sports

he Eagles are 5-0 after a first game exhibition loss to the nationally ranked Bentonville Tigers 43-30. The Eagles went on to beat their cross town rival, the Liberty Blue Jays 44-13. The Eagles went on to beat the defending State Champs, RaymorePeculiar Panthers 42-14. The Staley Falcons were exposed to Covid-19 in week three. In week 4, the Eagles competed against the Park Hill Trojans and emerged victorious with a score of 42-3. They then went to the undefeated Lee’s Summit North Broncos and came out victorious. “Every game presents a new obstacle and a new difficulty, each week you have to prepare for whatever you’re going to see that week. In football every team runs different things so every week we have to be ready to rock and roll,” Head Coach Greg Jones said.

written by: Jack Bendure

FOOTBALL FOOTBALL

photo by: Madelyn Hartman

GOLF

his has been a successful season for Women’s Golf, going undefeated in matches. Their season isn’t done yet as they drive to secure their spot as 2021 state champions. “For this season, the whole team is going to try and win state. It’s definitely going to get busy,” junior Kate Braden said. On October 4, Varsity won the conference tournament with Averi Mickelson getting first for the third year in a row. Next up were the district and state tournaments. With the intent of gaining a state title, each player has done work to keep them sharp during the season. “The majority of our varsity players play tournaments on a national level all summer long. They also play at some bigger local events. Those girls have just put in a tremendous amount of work in preparation for this season,” coach Jeffery Braden said.

photo courtesy of: @LNEagleGolf

written by: Maia Gaddis

Fun and Games

halloween CROSSWORD

Be the first to bring in a completed crossword puzzle, sudoku, and maze to win a prize! Bring your completed puzzles to room 305 to claim your prize!

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Across

1. Which Celtic festival inspired the modern tradition of Halloween? 3. What vegetables were originally used to make jack-o-lanterns? 4. What household item does a witch fly on? 6. What is the day after Halloween called? 9. What do you call a group of witches? 11. What animals are traditionally associated with witches? 12. What does the old English word “Hallow” mean? 16. In the film The Witches, what does Eva’s magic potion turn children into? 18. What colour is most often associated with Halloween?

2. Which Shakespeare play has witchcraft at the heart of the story? 5. What would you find at the center of a barmbrack, a traditional Halloween cake filled with raisins? 7. What do you bob for at Halloween parties? 8. Which famous magician died on Halloween? 10. What Halloween film features the Sanderson sisters? 13. Which country celebrates The Day of the Dead instead of Halloween? 14. “anthem rig” is an anagram of what word? hint: You might wake with a start! 15. What is another word for a ghost? 17. What is the highest-grossing horror film of all time? 19. On Halloween, if a black cat crosses your path, what will you receive?

Fun and Games

TIC TAC TOE Play with a friend and tweet us a picture of your completed games @LN_EaglesView

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EV D E S O L C

Eagle's View Volume 12, Issue 1

Articles inside

Halloween Crossword

Mullets: Yay or Nay?

Fall Sports Recap

School Schedule Changes

Spotlight on Liberty North Students

Fall Trends and Thrifting

Mamma Mia! and Culture Spotlights

Online vs In-Person Shopping

OG North Nation and E-Sports Club