Volume 3, Issue 1

v

e

eagle’s view | august 15, 2012

students get more

BANG FOR THEIR BUCK

by shopping at second-hand stores the 2012 summer

DROUGHT

affects students, adults and businesses

>>

viewers across the country are locked on the

OLYMPICS

volume 3 | issue 1

>>contents

23

food & life

[04] ODD DIETS

Have an inside look into student’s peculiar diets

[05] YOGA Namaste.

student life

[07] STUDENT LINGO

Learn what all the cool kids are saying.

[08] NORTH’S GOT TRAILERS New year, new trailers.

[09] SECONDHAND STORES Get your new look at a low price.

a&e

[10] FIBER OPTICS

Google Fiber: coming to a town near you?

[11] BOYBANDS

And you thought they said “bye, bye, bye.”

8

indepth

[12] THINGS ARE HEATING UP

Get to know how the drought’s affecting you.

spotlight

[16] KEEGAN SHARP

Learn more about Sharp’s unusual lifestyle.

opinion

[18] NETFLIX v. REDBOX Which do you prefer?

[19] COLUMNS

Your favorite editor-in-chiefs tell it how it is.

[20] STAFF ED

Get into the staff ’s mind.

sports

[22] 2012 OLYMPICS

See how many gold medal’s USA’s bringing home.

[23] HOT SPORTS

Just how hard is it to train in excessive heat?

9

eagle’s view editors-in-chief

Savana Morrison Kelsea Graham

online editor

Shelby Grego

ads manager Mark Oyler

deisgn editor

Bailey Reardon

copy editor

Austin Robbins

tech guru

Ian Lane

12

photography editor Katelynn Downey

photographers Joe Perez

David Roelsfz

section editors Cassidy Warne

Summer Prather Chris Kandlbinder Cortney Snyder Ally Payne

Madi Saunders Bailey Reardon

reporters

>> our view Our mission for the 2012-2013 school year is to create a quality magazine that informs our readers as well as provide a professional journalism experience for all members involved. The Eagle’s View is a public forum of student expression.

Tim Falleri Shelby Grego Katelen Permenter Joe Perez Ben Whalen Rachel Wigand Mitchell Warne Becca Saffier

AlexClaire Kampman DeVry Olivia Brown

Austin Robbins Claire Devry

>> food & life

Many students use diets to watch their weight, and often it is not healthy written by Olivia Brown | photos by Cortney Snyder

W

hen live crab is being cooked in a pot of boiling water, they pull down on each other to try to get themselves to the top. This scenario is similar to the twenty-first century’s new obsession with losing weight.

Versions of the perfect weight are the pictures everyone sees of celebrities and photo shopped models. Though these images of perfection are not realistic, some will strive to look like these models.

“It’s mostly like, magazines and TV shows that make me feel like I need to be skinny but I personally just see it as a motivation to eat and look healthier but I know some people just take it way to far,” Sophomore Madelyn Kretsinger said.

Every culture has had its own idea of skinny, but no society has ever pushed its citizens to perform such actions of desperation to be “beautiful” as much as today’s.

A celebrity-endorsed diet is the “Vinegar Shots” diet.

Supporters like Megan Fox and Fergie claim that taking a small shot of vinegar before each meal flushes fats from the colon while eliminating the desire to continue eating.

“I think all crazy diets do is play with your head and get your hopes up, especially the vinegar shots diet. Some diets like that just cannot work, all that will do is leave a bad taste in your mouth,” sophomore Jena Pennington said.

A diet that some scientists do not condone is the “Air Diet”, otherwise known as a publically allowed way to be anorexic.

“Followers put food on their plates, cut it, dig their fork into it, and hold it up to their mouths to savor the scent—never tasting it,” US Health News said.

“I know anorexia is a mental disorder by people who think they aren’t skinny enough. They resort to just not eating and ultimately its horrible for you and unhealthy, it is way too dangerous to do it for just a sport or at all” junior Nate Angle said.

As obesity boils like water beneath, Americans strive to pull themselves to the top of the pot, and take drastic measures just to escape. Though, another thing crabs and today’s citizens have in common, is that they seem to forget there’s a lid on that pot.

dying to diet

>>north speaks

eagle’s view | page 4

“Dieting can be a great thing, especially for keeping yourself healthy. However, not eating in order to lose weight is not the right way to do it,” senior Micaela Patterson said.

“Eating healthy to lose weight is the only right way to diet. Not eating and starving yourself isn’t dieting, it is only harming the body,” senior Lincoln McCoy said.

>> Many students use diets to control their weight, but it is important to not harm the body while dieting.

“Floating food in front of your starving body is not healthy, mentally of physically. When you’re hungry you should eat, just watch how much food you intake. It is pointless and unhealthy to not eat in fear of gaining weight,” junior Beth Damgar said.

peace of mind

food & life >>

Yoga naturally relaxes the mind and body through flexibility.

Written by Mitchell Warne | Photos by Cassidy Warne “Yoga releases the tension in the or people who can bear a muscles. With no tension in the muscles, few moments of discomfort, it makes your body relax and the stress yoga will do wonders for the just goes away and stays away for the rest body. Yoga is for anyone, athletes and of the day,” sophomore Regan Hill said. non-athletes, looking to stretch out their This peaceful exercise is recommended muscles after a hard day. Many stressful for people of all ages and interest. situations occur during one’s career, but “Used properly, yoga can be an effective performing yoga is a way to release the tool for calming oneself. With so much stress from the body and to maintain a work going on at school, students and healthy lifestyle. teachers do not have much time to simply There are several positive affects this ‘BE’. Even just a few minutes of BE-ing, activity can do for the body, even as opposed to DO-ing, can relieve stress, intellectual help. reorient a person with their bodies and “Yoga can decrease stress, providing a minds, and increase clarity and focus,” calmer mind and body. Some studies communication arts teacher Kimberly have proven that yoga may have a Brownlee said. positive effect on learning and memory,” Preforming yoga is a great exercise physical education teacher Laura Sorens activity for everyone. Yoga has the ability said. to increase the body’s flexibility and People who use yoga to decrease stress provide a better opportunity to obtain a notice a difference throughout the day. sound mind and body.

F

Communication Arts teacher Kimberly Brownlee performs the >> Left. warrior pose. The warrior pose is a yoga position meant to train the

>>

legs and adjust the center of balance in the body.

Right. Brownlee completes the tree pose. The tree pose is meant to ensure that balance between legs is equal so that one does not lean too much on one leg at a time.

eagle’s view | page 5

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student life >>

Students use different lingo that adults may not understand

Written by Shelby Grego t is a frequent occurrence that adults may overhear students chit-chatting in the hallways. However, it is even more frequent that adults may hear these conversations, but really not understand the meaning of them. This is because of the trendy slang that is currently being used inside the high school aged demographic.

I

p r o b s h e a t

A short abbreviation of the word probably. “I probs won’t be able to make it tonight, I have tennis,” sophomore Ashley Forstner said.

What one would say when an object was especially enjoyable. “Liberty North basketball is heat,” junior Ian Sanderford said.

s k e t c h d e u c e s k i

l

When a situation or person seems like nothing but trouble. “That party last night was super sketch,” senior Hattie Zelenak said.

Another way to say peace out. “As I left the classroom, I threw up my deuces,” junior Brad Slobodink.

l e d i

t

When someone accomplished something well. “I was playing baseball and killed it at the plate,” junior Paul Sherwood said. eagle’s view | page 7

>> student life

teaching in the trailers This year Liberty North is gaining more classrooms in trailers Written by Shelby Prather | Photos by Cassidy Warne

W

hen a person enters Liberty North High School they often find themselves overwhelmed. As they walk down Eagle Avenue they see the many hallways, the high ceiling, the large lunch room, and the state of the art field house. This year when students exit the building they will be greeted by the newest addition to the school, trailers.

To account for the large class of sophomores coming up to the school, trailers have been added for extra classroom space. The trailers will be located outside the field house. Mr. Clark and Mr. Gates will be teaching World History and Government in the trailers.

Students at Liberty North have mixed emotions about trailers being added. Some believe they’re unnecessary and should not be needed to such a new school, others think they will do no harm to the learning environment.

“I think it’s annoying because the school is so new, and it will be frustrating having a class in the trailer and having to walk in and out of the building,” junior Hannah Pirrello said.

Many students are confused at why a brand new school needs to have trailers. Liberty North is gaining 316 students in the sophomore class this year. To accompany this, many trailers had to be added.

“I think it’s silly that there are so few trailers. But I do believe that it is a perfectly fine learning environment,” senior Melissa Stockwell said.

The trailers make for smaller class sizes which are more suitable for children and teenagers to learn in.

“Having trailers means that we are gaining more students, and it’s great that our student body is growing bigger,” senior Hattie Zelenak said.

This coming year Liberty North will have more students than ever.

The student body will continue to grow and the school unity can only get stronger.

Whether a student supports having trailers at Liberty North or not, the trailers will be there. We need the trailers and there is no way to get around them. The best interests of the students will be kept in mind as the faculty creates a quality learning environment.

by the >> numbers $2 billion is spent on portable classrooms

24% have ventilation issues

28% have noise problems 300,000 portable classrooms across U.S

850 construction companies

>>Top. Students have many different

opinions about the new trailers. “If we need the space, trailers are better than having crowded classrooms,” junior Mackenzie Stapleton said.

eagle’s view | page 8

bang

more

for your

buck student life >>

Second-hand stores provide students with great deals on popular brands Written by Becca Saffier | Photos by Becca Saffier

T

he time for back-to-school shopping has arrived. And who does not like going back to school with some awesome new clothes to wear? Everyone knows the big name brands: American Eagle, Hollister, Aeropostale, Abercrombie; for back-to-school, these and more are the hot spots, and expensive hot spots at that. But who knew that one could find name brand clothes that are in style… for 50-80% cheaper?

Second-hand stores—such as My Best Friend’s Closet, White Clover, Plato’s Closet, and Ditto—can be full of surprises. White Clover, which just opened near the old Price Chopper, is a women’s boutique that sells high-end clothing.

“You can find fabulous things at great prices and save a lot of money,” owner Cathleen Jones said.

Students who shop second-hand know that one never knows what they may find. That can be a good thing, especially for anyone who likes having a uniquely different, yet stylish wardrobe, and likes paying less for it, all at about the same quality.

“My favorite thing about second hand stores is the fact that you can get more for less,” senior Hannah Love said.

Second-hand stores and consignment stores differ from thrift stores. While thrift stores generally take donations, second-hand and consignment stores pay people for their clothes and therefore pay much closer attention to the quality of the clothes they accept. My Best Friend’s Closet, located across from Retro Bowl, follows this process.

“We make sure it has no spots, holes, or missing buttons. It has to be within two years of the current fashion, because that’s typically what customers are buying,” owner Taylor Clark said.

If it is a consignment store, like both White Clover and My BF’s Closet, people can sell their clothes to them and receive their percentage of the profits as soon as the item sells, generally around a 50-50 or 60-40 split.

“You can find really cute clothes there that no one else has, that you know will be different, and you can get them much cheaper too,” sophomore Samantha Heston said.

For anyone who prefers to wear what everyone else has, then that may not be up their alley. But for anyone who still like looking for stylish clothes for cheap, then why not check out some second-hand stores this season? They seem to be popping up around Liberty lately.

“Go into the store with an open mind because you never know what you’re gonna find. And just have fun looking for stuff,” Heston said.

Purses and stylish bags are typically expensive. >> Top. “Purchasing purses and bags at second-hand stores saves a lot of money,” senior Kylie Callura said.

Most students look for name-brand clothes while >> Middle. back to school shopping. “I love finding popular styles at

>>

second-hand stores. I save so much money,” sophomore Lexi St. John said.

Bottom. TOMS are an in-style shoe brand that run about $50 a pair. “At second-hand stores, I can find TOMS that are almost brand new for about half the price,” junior Haley Mead said. eagle’s view | page 9

welcome to google fiber K

>> A&E

Written by Katelen Permenter | Photo by David Roelofz ansas City is home to many unique attractions: the Sea Life Aquarium, the Sprint Center, the Kauffman Performing Arts Complex, and Lego Land. Google has now brought the next big thing, starting in Kansas City: Google Fiber.

“I was super excited for the super fast Internet when I found out about Google Fiber. Downloads will be much faster helping me get more done,” senior Tyler Gray said.

Google Fiber is a fiber-to-home network that offers speeds up to one gigabyte per second, 100 times faster than one’s average broadband connection today. Downloads are instant, crystal clear HD is now obtainable, and many other endless possibilities. Google Fiber allows one to search, record and save shows without worry.

One will never have to worry about missing any shows, due to the eight concurrent downloads available at once. Google claims that it will arrange construction in neighborhoods -- now called “fiberhoods” -- in which residents show the most interest. Google Fiber has its own website where residents interested in the services can preregister for the service for a small fee of $10. When a “fiberhood” reaches a set number of consumers.

Google will then offer services in that particular area.

“I imagine that Google Fiber will allow us to stream movies easier. With my current Internet provider, both Hulu and Netflix are jumpy and not a pleasant experience,” French teacher Leigh Zerr said.

Within the first week alone, the response to the Google Fiber outbreak was huge. According to Google, thirty-one percent of the eligible households in Kansas City have qualified for the “fiberhoods”. Upon registering for Google Fiber one will receive not only the standard cable box, but also a Google Nexus Tablet. One can also add an optional Chrome Book. With many new and special features, Google Fiber is still an affordable option for many. Prices range from $120 per month to completely free Internet with a one-time charge of construction fees.

“I’m not happy with my current Internet and cable provider, the idea that I can fire them and get a better product for less money is exciting,” Zerr said.

eagle’s view | page 10

>>

“Google Fiber is the fastest network that Kansas City has ever had. Not for long, but for now,” custodian Brian Deal said.

Google Fiber sparks interest in KC area

backstreet’s Boy bands take the world by storm

A&E >>

back

Written by Austin Robbins | Photos by Jennifer Higgins

T

he assemblage of people was barely contained within the gargantuan walls of the Sprint Center; even with the 617,000 square feet of space, the stands were still overflowing with concertgoers, eager to see the headlining band: Big Time Rush.

Boy bands like Big Time Rush, such as Hot Chelle Rae, The Wanted and One Direction have taken the music industry by storm, reintroducing the concept of boy bands back into the business.

“Boy bands are awesome because the boys in them are all cute,” senior Alexis Spiegel said. “One Direction is my favorite; they play a lot on radio Disney and I love radio Disney in the first place, so the fact that they play on there is great.”

Hits like “Windows Down,” “One Thing” and “Glad You Came” propelled these once thought outdated bands back on the charts.

These bands were compared to NSync, Backstreet Boys, and New Kids On The Block.

However, not all students expressed a positive opinion about the on-the-rise boy bands.

“Everybody seems to be freaking out how amazing bands like One Direction are, and I honestly don’t care,” junior Emily Spittler said. “They make a huge deal out of them and I don’t really see the appeal.”

While some students saw no appeal in the boy bands, some had a downright negative opinion on the small groups of young men.

“They use simple melodies, and their songs are way overused,” senior Josh Brooks said. “The topics they sing about are very common and aren’t unique at all. While I can respect their music, it’s not the type of music that I like.”

top-selling boy bands 1 backstreet boys

6

the monkees

2 jackson 5

7

boyz II men

3 new kids on the block

8

4

the osmonds

5 bay city rollers

9 10

westlife

Big Time Rush took >> Top. the stage on July 17 at the Sprint Center. “Big Time Rush has some very catchy songs. They are perfect summer music,” junior Mikayla Wistrom said.

take that n sync

provided by enote.com

eagle’s view | page 11

>> InDepth

welcome to the desert

Temperatures this past summer did not appear to slow in their rise to the triple digits; with some parts of the country reaching up to 117 degrees Fahrenheit, the drought continued to test the will of students. Kansas City laid in the heart of the drought, 2012 being the 7th driest season. The dryness of the 2012 summer nearly reached that of the Dust Bowl, nearly suffocating those brave enough to leave their houses.

source: climate.missouri.edu

eagle’s view | page 12

InDepth >>

>> Junior Beth Hemenway and senior Melissa Stockwell observe an abnormally dry field during one of the hottest parts of summer.

>>

eagle’s view | page 13

Things Are

>> InDepth

>

Heating Up

Written by Alex Kampman | Photos by Katelynn Downey Summers are hot, but this summer has been extremely hot. The temperatures have been in the three-digit rage constantly and have been breaking records across the nation. The 2012 summer drought has affected everything from the environment to the activities the people in the community take part and the food being purchased at the grocery store.

This June has been the driest since 1988.

The rainfall for June was three inches below normal. The limited amount of rain and the sweltering temperatures have led to huge impacts on the environment. Plants and animals depend on water and with the inadequate amount of rain this summer there can be very adverse side effects. When the drought began water supplies acutely shrunk and animal habitats were damaged.

According to University of Missouri Climate Center, the damage can be temporary and the habitats, food and water supply can return to normal after the drought is over. When the drought is long term, like this summer, the damage can be long lasting (Missouri Climate Center).

Some impacts that this summer’s drought has already had on the environment are lack

eagle’s view | page 14

of food and drinking water for wild animals, migration of wildlife, lower water levels in rivers, lakes and ponds, more wildfires and poor soil quality. The drought is not only affecting the environment it is also affecting everyday life. The sports student’s play are seeing changes as well.

“The drought is really affecting the soccer fields,” sophomore Nat Davis said. Davis is a sophomore playing varsity soccer, which means he has spent time on the soccer field this summer.

“The drought usually makes the field we play on pretty hard and dry. That often times makes our touches on the ball suffer,” Davis said.

The soccer field is not the only place being affected, though. The softball players are also taking a hit this summer.

“Outside it is hot and dry so during tournaments I get dehydrated much faster.

We also have to take five minute game breaks every thirty minutes because of the heat,” junior Olivia Atkinson said.

Sports outside of Liberty North are also having difficulties with the heat. The owner of Midwest

InDepth >>

record numbers

Average high in July was 98.2 degrees 90 degrees 29 of 31 days

From 41 Action News Brett Antony

Sports Production and United States Specialty Sports Association, Doug Morrison, is also taking extra steps to help players defeat the heat.

“The drought is affecting some fields in Kansas City because they are having water shortages. They cannot water the fields as often. We are also taking five minute breaks during the games,” Morrison said.

At the tournaments they have also been setting up tents and sprinklers to make sure tournament Spectators stay cool. Sports are not the only thing being affected by the drought.

The local markets are also experiencing changes due to the drought.

“The drought is affecting the prices of our produce greatly. Here at Price Chopper, we are having meat sales. Large numbers of cattle are being slaughtered because there is a shortage of grain for them to eat. Corn prices on the other hand, will be rising. Corn is a major ingredient in many different foods. Due to the drought, the corn crop will be significantly reduced, causing all prices of corn produces to rise.” Price Chopper Manager Lou DeMarco said.

The drought this summer has really hit home for some students and teachers at Liberty North.

“My grass is really dry because of the drought. On the Fourth of July, when my family was shooting off fireworks, sparks got on the grass and caught fire. Luckily my sister hand a glass of water to put out the fire or else it could have spread,” sophomore Laken Kroge said.

People in the community have started to see their air conditioning bills rising because of the drought.

“I just paid my highest air conditioner and electric bill. I live in a two-bedroom apartment and my bill was over two hundred dollars.

Also my grandparent’s gave up on their garden for the first time this summer because of the drought. They couldn’t handle being out in the heat for long periods of times. So they had to stop working out it,” said chemistry teacher Jessica Robinson.

This summer’s drought has greatly impacted students and faculty at Liberty North as well as the nation. It is a possibly that in years to come people will still be talking about the drought of summer 2012.

>> spotlight

>>

eagle’s view | page 16

Sophomore Keegan Sharp meditates on a park bench to reflect on events from the day. “I meditate because it helps me sort out things and focus on what I need to do, how to do it right, what would make people happy, and sometimes I just do it to clear my head,” Sharp said.

spotlight >>

band, beatles and buddha Sophomore Keegan Sharp shares his special interests in his unique interests, beliefs, and customs

T

ie-dying, abstinence from meat products, and practicing the teachings of a large Asian man; these three subjects were what made up the inner workings of one sophomore Keegan Sharp. Three simple words made up the label formed from these practices: a vegetarian Buddhist hippie.

While opinions varied on the reasoning behind vegetarianism, Sharp’s reasoning was a way to protect the lives of animals.

“I decided to be a vegetarian to lower the demand for meat to save animals,” Sharp said.

“It’s cruel to them. If more and more people stop eating meat, I think that we can save animals’ lives.”

Buddhism was based on the teachings of Buddha, the iconic man who traveled across southern Asia and taught people to eliminate negative practices from their lives.

“I chose to be Buddhist because the idea of Christianity is too corrupt for me,” Sharp said.

“It helps me live life in harmony with others.

I meditate a lot, and I also think about what would make the world a better place, even if I couldn’t accomplish the things myself.”

“Hipsters” in the 1960s were not the same as hipsters today. Rather than beards, scarves, and tight pants, these “hippies” were those who practiced flower power ideals, such as meditating and wearing bright colors.

“At first, being called a hippie was an insult because I was into the Beatles and nobody else was,” Sharp said. “Now I’ve grown used to it and try to embrace it. I think what people think makes me a hippie is my love of wearing tie-dye and rainbows, my love for animals, meditating, and trying to find the good in every situation.”

Although Sharp’s label as a vegetarian Buddhist hippie was not expected of a usual high school environment, his anticipations were high as he dove into the upcoming year.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and getting to become closer to friends who are already there,” Sharp said.

“I think I’m going to fit in pretty well. I love hanging out with my band friends; they’re all very accepting of others, and I have a feeling that I will be more accepted and less judged than in junior high.”

eagle’s view | page 17

>> opinion

Joe:

Many Americans are avid television viewers and many don’t have a lifestyle of lounging around all day to watch the popular shows being aired. Over 25 million Americans have turned to Netflix for its convenience to catch up on shows and watch movies. For thousands of titles to choose from, Netflix makes it a steal at eight dollars a month. A season on iTunes can cost 20 dollars, and Hulu Plus limits you to television shows with commercials, which gives Netflix the advantage providing more for less.

The simplicity makes it easy to loveNetflix. It doesn’t take a genius to use it. It can be used via Internet, television, and gaming systems. The layout separates titles by genre. There is also a search option incase you are looking for a certain, which can be added to an instant queue (similar to a favorites folder), allowing you to find the title with more convenience. T The convenience continues with the wide variety of titles to choose from. There are family shows, dramas, and comedies, even gruesome horror movies. Whether you have a night of babysitting, or a date, Netflix can cover all types of moods.

No matter how hectic your schedule may be, that should not allow you to shell out Netflix, especially because Netflix will work around your schedule. The variety of titles and the convenience is all well worth eight dollars a month. There is no purpose flipping through channels mindlessly when a certain movie or show is not on when Netflix can be your solution.

netflix

Claire DeVry reporter

redbox

Claire:

Joe Perez

reporter/photographer eagle’s view | page 18

I do not have a Netflix account nor do I plan on getting one. Redbox is a cheaper and faster option for people to watch movies. It only charges one dollar per movie, and you can buy as many as you like. You can watch and rewatch your movies from Redbox, and easily return the movies the next day.

Netflix is not as simple as it is portrayed. You pay eight dollars a month for only certain movies you can watch “instantly”, buffering included. You pay eight more dollars a month to get only one movie sent to your house at a time. I rent movies from Redbox almost every weekend to watch with my friends, and so far I have not been begging my parents for more money.

In the time it takes to return and receive one new movie from Netflix, you could have already watched many movies from Redbox. Netflix says there are no due dates or late fees, only because you have already paid the additional money a month to cover late fees. Even assuming you did turn in your movies the day after delivery, you would still have to wait for another to be delivered. The total cost of one month with Netflix is equivalent to 16 movies from Redbox. That is a lot of chick flicks for my weekend movie marathons.

Not only is Redbox the more affordable option, it’s is also found in convenient locations such as Price Chopper and McDonald’s. If you want to save money and watch more movies faster, go to a convenient Redbox location and get started.

opinion >>

chick-fil-what’d-you-say?

I

Savana Morrison Editor-in-Chief

’m sure just reading Chick-fil-A in my headline causes a stir. It seems as though everyone and their judgmental mothers have an issue with something related to the now controversial restaurant chain. The Chick-fil-A supporters encourage the conservative views of the fast food chain’s president, Dan Cathy. However, while doing so they automatically disrespect the views of those who support homosexuality. But the humorous thing about all of this is that the pro-gay community lashed out on a man who was simply stating his beliefs; the very same thing they’re fighting for. Both sides are fighting for what they think love should be, but in doing so, both sides show an outrageous amount of hate. Our society is constantly fighting a battle for love with the main weapon being hate. This concept is senseless and producing an extreme amount of hypocritical hatred.

It is time that our society smartens up and accepts the fact that not everyone is going to have the same beliefs. If one expects to have their beliefs accepted, they must in turn be open to other’s beliefs. This is called not being a hypocrite.

So no matter which side you are it is my wish that you take a minute and understand the fact that in your lifetime someone is going to have different beliefs than you. So for Pete’s sake, just eat the chicken if you like it!

it’s a love story (with taylor swift)

S

ince I’ll be having a column every issue now, I suppose I’ll slowly wean you into my madness.

I’ll start by sharing with you all a deep, dark, confession. Usually, I prefer my music to be filled with talent, passion, and some rad double bass. I love me some melodic metal and I especially love old school pop punk. Yet, lately, all I want to do is jam to some T. Swift. Yes, after years of calling her music garbage I finally admit that I love Taylor Swift.

Sure, her songs basically have the same message.

The thing is though I just don’t care. Any teenage girl who’s had a relationship knows the feelings she shares with the world. And to be honest, I love blaring “Mean” and belting it with my best friend.

It’s basically the next best thing for moody females since chocolate bon-bons. I guess lately I’ve been branching out with my music taste. And switching from a Lamb of God song to Taylor Swift always gets me weird looks from my metal head friends. Maybe someday they’ll get used to it, or maybe indulge in Swift’s greatness with me. Until then, I’ll save my guilty pleasure for myself.

Kelsea Graham Editor-in-Chief

eagle’s view | page 19

>> opinion

elementary days

D

on’t get me wrong; high school contains some important years of your life, but the time that you really develop into the person that you are starts much earlier.

I remember being five years old and skipping into my babysitter’s house, excited to be away from home. I’m not sure as to why I enjoyed it so much; she made me rub lotion on her feet every day. It was not all that bad though. At the time, I loved it more than anything, although looking back I realize it could be considered borderline child abuse (rubbing old lady feet every day was downright evil!). That babysitter was also a dog breeder. She was probably the main reason I have such a love for dogs now, and I would never want to change that. She was even the one who gave me my first dog before I went off to kindergarten. She was a huge part of my simple, 5-year-old life.

My next few years were filled with Junie B. Jones books and meeting my current best friend way back in second grade. That was the year I developed my love for writing, so much so that I even shared my journal that was filled with pointless stories to my entire class. I learned that I love anything art related, with my teacher who had a love for crafty projects and 3D sculptures. On a different note, I learned that I should stick to the jungle gym at recess because basketball is not my sport. Skinning my knees on the concrete was a regular occurrence, and I discovered several sports that are not for me. Although high school has been important academically, I learned way more about myself when I was younger.

The most important years of my life are from just before kindergarten to fifth grade. Sure, it was also easier back when life was as simple as making penguin sculptures for a second grade project and deciding what picture from your coloring book to color, but that’s not my point. We are so busy that we barely have time to remember the years that made us the weirdos we are today. Including the ones who gross out at the thought of feet, thanks to their unconventional babysitters.

Ally Payne opinion editor

staffsay ed:no to trailers

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oth Liberty and Liberty North High School have become overcrowded with too many students and not enough classrooms, resulting in trailers being placed outside of the school for makeshift classrooms.

They are called “learning pods”, even though they are not anything more than a decent sized trailer. As the Eagle’s View staff, we feel that having class in a normal classroom is much better than in the trailers.

Though people think they provide a break from the typical, boring classroom environment, trailers usually cause students to be distracted and not pay as much attention to what they should be learning. It is a lot easier to get caught up in staring out the window, wishing you were outside in the sun, while your teacher drones on and on about the algebra lesson. Personally, our experience with classes in trailers has included difficulty connecting to the internet. There were even several instances where the air conditioning went out, which makes class uncomfortable and difficult to work in.

Liberty North opened just 3 years ago, and there are already students being pushed outside and into trailers

eagle’s view | page 20

because we are overcrowded. The school is already having trouble finding room for all the classes and students, and the freshmen have not even came to the high schools yet. Seeing and hearing all the excitement about the brand new high school for our district is kind of short-lived when you drive by and see trailers parked outside.

Having class in a trailer located outside of your school takes longer for you to get to and from class, and it is extremely inconvenient if you have to run to your locker or the bathroom during class. In addition, students constantly being late to class takes away from class time.

Teachers complain about students taking a long time to go to their locker during class, but if their locker is on the opposite side of the school from the trailer, it is going to take even longer and they will miss even more of the lesson.

As a whole, the staff thinks we are better off keeping to regular classrooms instead of the trailers. However, if trailers must be added, then there needs to be a slightly longer passing period to allow students to get to class without being late.

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lockedon >> sports

the

london olympics

The summer Olympics, in London, brings athletes from across the globe together to compete for their country Written by Ben Whalen | infograph by Summer Prather

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any very talented athletes competed in the 30th Olympiad. They come from different cultures and backgrounds, but they all have the same goal.

They strive to win gold and be the best.

The record for Olympic medals awarded to an individual before the 2012 Olympics was 18.

Now an American, Michael Phelps holds that record, with 21.

“Michael Phelps is one of the best Olympians ever and I’m glad that he’s retiring after setting the record. It gives other great athletes motivation to break it,” sophomore Douglas Martin said.

After winning a record eight gold medals in Beijing, Michael Phelps finished up his Olympic career with 6 more medals in London, four of those being gold. Phelps was not the only American to break Olympic records, however.

“Gabby Douglas and the rest of the women’s gymnastics team performed great. It’s amazing how good they are at what they do even though they are just teenagers,” junior Kayla Wistrom said.

No female African American had ever won gold in all around gymnastics. Now Gabby Douglas has accomplished that feat. The US women’s gymnastics team, also known as the fab five, won gold in the team final. There was two ways for Americans to learn this news on the day of the event. They could have found out on the Internet right after it happened or they could have watched during primetime on NBC, hours after.

“I wish the spoilers wouldn’t have happened but I don’t think it’s really an issue that can be solved. Not many people are going to watch if the Olympics are on at four in the morning,” senior Jordan Donner said.

Because of the time change between the US and England, the Olympics would occur from early in the morning to the early afternoon.

NBC would show the Olympics live as much as they could, however they would also show the Olympics at night during primetime.

“The Olympics were very fun to watch. The US athletes represent our country and it gives the feel that we, as a country are competing against the world,” junior Alex Parkins said.

The Olympics were very eventful with many records broken by some of the greatest athletes in the world. In this year’s Olympics many great athletes, like Gabby Douglas, became stars and stars like Michael Phelps continued to shine.

>> U.S.A gold medal count swimming:

>>As of August 9

eagle’s view | page 22

16

tennis:

3

rowing:

gymnastics:

3

1

shooting:

3

beat the

heat

sports >>

Liberty North athletes are forced to deal with the excessive heat of the summer

Written by Tim Falleri | Photos by Katelynn Downey ore than forty thousand “The heat for our sport, Cross daily heat records have Country, exhausts us even more. been broken around the During two-a -day workouts, this country this year, according to the heat makes it harder to stay hydrated National Oceanic and Atmospheric running both in the mornings and Administration. It has been evenings. When it gets too hot, we abnormally hot here in the United have to cancel evening practice, States,Kansas City, not being which doesn’t allow us to get any an exception. Students can take better,” senior Danny Blackwell precautions such as, staying inside, said. taking advantage of air conditioning, With temperatures climbing well or just drinking plenty of water. For above the century mark, tough student athletes, returning to school practices will be the norm. Athletes means returning to their respective rounding the bases for softball, sport, and sometimes, taking a running a 5k in cross country, punishment from an abnormally beating heads in football, or just hot time of year. Students know trying to continue the volley in well from summer practice, heat tennis, the beating sun makes will play a factor. The real question cowards out of many athletes during for these athletes is how to minimize early fall practices. Every outdoor the suffering. sport is just that much harder, “I think the heat has really when intense heat waves enter the prepared us for the intensity of conversation. competition this fall. It’s helped us “Softball will be affected by the to be the best that we can be when heat because everyone will have the going gets tough this football to suffer through how hot it is and season,” junior Peyton Reid said. just focus on the game to get the job Students have to find ways to done. It might make us all a little treat practices the same way they tougher through the experience,” normally would, even with excessive junior Hannah Pirrello said. heat. Alterations to certain sports Though athletes are well coached must accompany this fall season, on how to handle this excessive foreshadowed by the record breaking heat, Mother Nature cannot be heat seen in the summer. Trying controlled. Athletes from many to control the weather would be a schools will have problems created wasted aspiration but, the next best by the heat, and North has to do Top. The football team fights through thing is quite achievable. Drinking its best to defeat its first real test the heat. “We have two-a-days for plenty of water, eating healthier, of the year. Liberty North Athletes our first week of tryouts. We do our and maintaining tough persona will have not faltered yet, but the record best to ignore the heat and work help. breaking heat offers an obstacle. hard,” senior Jase Willhite said.

Bottom. Tennis players know the importance of keeping hydrated.

Middle. Girls fight through a four hour “There is nothing more important then staying hydrated in tennis softball tryout. “Tryouts are really because it keeps us at your best when the courts are extremely unenjoyable when it is extremely hot hot,” senior Jessica Wawiorka said. eagle’s view | page 23 out,” junior Hannah Pirrello said.

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