Spotlight on Liberty North Students

SENIOR

Ava Wolesky

written by: Justice Williams

Being 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, it differs person to person. “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.

Five Facts About Me Favorite place to eat: Jerusalem Cafe. 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

JUNIOR

Paige McCubbin

written by: Trinity Mueller

Most people listen to music every day; whether it be to relax or get hyped for the day, but most people don’t consider creating their own music. That’s not the case for junior Paige McCubbin, who has been making music for a long time. “The first song I’ve ever produced, my last ELA teacher told me that I needed to show people so I did and it’s alright but I’ve definitely come a long way in terms of what I can do using the software so it sounds more professional,” McCubbin said. McCubbin’s favorite genre of music to listen to 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.” “I do choir for help with music theory and notes staff. But for producing it’s been just on my own,” McCubbin said. In terms of playing instruments, McCubbin can play a variety of instruments. She can play electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, and piano. Majority of the time McCubbin uses electric or acoustic guitar for producing, putting in other instruments like drums with software. “I learned to play guitar four years ago, I am self-taught, I watched videos to help me along the way,” 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, but I’ve started to look at more colleges where they’ve told 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.

Five Facts About Me Favorite place to eat: Le Fou Frog Favorite music genre: Alternative Rock Favorite type of book: Historical Fiction Favorite dessert: Ice cream Favorite sports team: I really like watching the Cheifs play

photo by: Brieanna Green

SENIOR

Jackson Williams

written by: Justice Williams

Being 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, our state capital, and met with the mayor of Jefferson city, the Missouri state highway chief of police, and some lead advisors from the department of elementary and secondary education. I also met Mike Parsons as well, the governor of Missouri,” Williams said.

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. Five Facts About Me Favorite place to eat: Buffalo Wild Wings

Favorite music genre: Can’t pick one, I love all music

Favorite type of book: History/War Favorite dessert: Cheese cake Favorie sports team: Chiefs, of course.

photo by: Justice Williams

SENIOR

Mitchell Smith

written by: Kaitlyn Von Gunten

According to the AAA State Of Play, football, track and field, and basketball are the most popular men’s high school sports in the country but senior Mitchell Smith does something a little less conventional: fencing. “I was eight years old when I started to fence. At the time my mom was just trying to get me in something and I said I want to do curling and she said, we don’t have curling in Kansas city. Then I said fencing, she said, well I give up. Low and behold, she gets a Groupon email a month later to Kansas City Fencing Center. I become super 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 twice a week. “I’ve started to cross-train on my off days so I’ll weight lift at the gym five days a week and then I’ll practice two days a week at my club. But when I’m there I’m focused, on a mission,” Smith said. It seems fencing was destined to find Smith somehow. As stated by Smith, fencing takes plenty of physical strength and determination, but fencing also takes a great deal of mental focus and ability. “My coach calls [fencing] chess at the speed of boxing because you’re having to make all these very intentional intelligent decisions ... because everything happens so fast,” Smith said. As his senior year progresses, Smith is looking into options for his upcoming college years. He has visited multiple schools across the country. “I went to Boston College and I got to meet the fencing team there and walk around the campus with the coach and fencing team,” Smith said. 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.

Five Facts About Me Favorite place to eat: Blue Nile Cafe Favorite music genre: Bossa Nova Favorite type of book to read: I love to read historical books Favorite dessert: Dark chocolate Favorite sports team: Chiefs

photo by: Brieanna Green