August 2019

THE PATRIOT

SEPTEMBER ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 55

Shawnee Mission South High School 5800 w 107th st, Overland Park, KS 66207 913.993.7500

BEING TOO...

smspatriot smspatriot smsouthnews.com

Students and teachers reflect on their character and insecurities. page 11

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Patriot Staff

Table of Contents

Editors

News

Nichole Thomas Editor in Chief Alma Harrison Editor in Chief Evan Shibel Asst. Editor in Chief & Sports Editor Gini Horton Online Editor Ansley Chambers Copy Editor & Opinions Editor Annalie Polen News Editor Katie Heibl Features Editor McKenna Pickering Arts and Entertainment Editor Naomi Mitchel Photo Editor Trinity Clark Asst. Photo Editor Emma Harding Asst. Photo Editor Reese Woods Multimedia & Video Editor Catherine Gunnigle Ads Editor Abby Cox Social Media Editor

03. South Schedule 04. Construction Chaos 05. Scheduling Blunder

Sports

06. Rising Stars | Next Chapter 07. Hot Sports Summer | Parent Athlete

Features

08. Tale of Two Schools 09. Trumpet Triumph 10. The Workin’ Way

Opinion

11. Being too...

12. Climbing the Ladder

Arts and Entertainment

14. Quite Frankly the Band 15. Why You so Obsessed with Me?

Reporters

Mission Statement The Patriot is a news magazine that aims to objectively present topics affecting Shawnee Mission South High School, as well as connect with readers on issues concerning the student body. Staff members reserve the right to express their views in the Opinion section.

These pieces are labeled and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff as a whole, except the Staff Editorial, which represents the views of the editors. Each section editor designs their own section’s pages, unless otherwise specified. Under the First Amendment and Kansas Law, The Patriot staff is entitled to freedom of the press and neither the school nor district is responsible for any content or coverage. The staff encourages letters to the editor; they will only be published if signed. The Editors in Chief reserve the right to refuse or edit any letters for reasons of grammar, length and good taste.

Ben Curtis Elias Henderson Nathan Judd Miles McKenna Sarah Ohlde

Photographers Kyla Hunter Nic Camburako Haley Carter Paige Lambert Julian Peeple Landrea Van Mol Jack Wagner

On the cover

BEING TOO...

Students reflect on their character and insecurities.

Insecurities overwhelm every single one of us. We all have baggage - things we carry with us and deal with everyday. But we keep these things to ourselves, afraid to show weakness or imperfection. Sometimes we forget that we aren’t the only people who are self conscious. We forget that others have baggage too. We need to remember that everyone has struggles and insecurities. Nobody has their life perfectly together.

You never know someone else’s story unless you ask them. page 11

3 | NEWS

DESIGN BY NICHOLE THOMAS

SOUTH SCHEDULE Date

Event

Time

Location

9.6

Fall Pep assembly

10:00 am

Main Gym

9.6

Football: Varsity game

7:00 pm

SMS Stadium

9.9

Board of Education Meeting

6:00 pm

Center for Academic Achievement

9.14

Band Mattress Sale Fundraiser

All Day

SMS Gym

9.14

ACT Exam

8:00 am

9.14

Cross Country: Varsity Classic

6:00 pm

ODAC

9.17

Soccer: Boys Varsity Match

7:00 pm

SMS Stadium

9.19

Volleyball: Girls Varsity Dual

6:00 pm

Shawnee Mission South

9.21

Tennis: Girls Varsity District

8:00 am

TBA

9.21

Cross Country: Varsity Invitational

10:00 am

Central College

9.21

Soccer: Boys Varsity Match

4:00 pm

Shawnee Mission South

9.21

KC Champions Marching Festival

TBA

Blue Springs South High School

9.23

Board of Education Meeting

6:00 pm

Center for Academic Achievement

9.24

Tennis: Girls Varsity match

3:30 pm

103rd and Marty courts

9.26

Volleyball: Girls Varsity Dual

6:00 pm

Shawnee Mission South

9.27

Debate Tournament

3-9 pm

Shawnee Mission South

9.28

Debate Tournament

7:30-4:30 pm

Shawnee Mission South

9.28

Overland Park Parade

10 am-1 pm

Clock Tower Plaza

10.1

National Honor Society Meeting

7:00 am

Cafeteria (seniors only)

10.3

Soccer: Boys Varsity Match

7:00 pm

SMS Stadium

10.4

Homecoming Assembly

10:00 am

Gym

10.4

Homecoming Parade/Pep Rally

1:40 pm

10.4

Oktoberfest and Kidfest

4:30-6:30 pm

Outside of main gym

10.4

Football: Varsity Homecoming

7:00 pm

SMS Stadium

Only Varsity (home) events are on the calendar. For all other sporting events, check out the Sunflower League calendar: Helpful tip!

For iPhones use your built in camera app to scan the QR codes found throughout this issue.

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4 | NEWS

N O I T C U R T CHAOS CONS

Students try navigating the new parking lot.

By Sarah Ohlde Reporter

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onstruction over summer tore up the old parking lot and workers paved a new one. The new lot layout has brought major changes to the way traffic flows.

There are separate circle drives for buses and parents picking up their students. The goal is to minimize congestion and help students get out safely.

“It’s safer for everyone,” science teacher Derek Berg said.

Although the intention for this new parking lot is to make it easier for everyone to get out, some aren’t sold on it just yet.

“Traffic from 107th to the parking lot is designed to be slow for safety and for people walking to school,” principal Todd Dain said.

“People don’t really know how to use it,” junior Ella Buss said. “Parents are confused and it’s hard for new drivers.”

Parents dropping off and picking up in the incorrect area is the source of much frustration.

“We are trying to provide some resources with students to tell their parents,” Dain said.

The parent loop will open next semester, following completion of the flex theater, but for now, parents can drop their students off in the gym circle drive or the bus circle

drive after 7:20 a.m. Communication between students and their parents is key.

When students get dropped off or picked up in the parking lot areas, it creates extra congestion before and after school.

Despite student frustration, the new lot has shown some traffic improvement.

“We are more efficient with buses than ever,” Dain said. “Buses left Thursday, August 22 at 2:48 and were out by 2:50.”

The new parking lot will be more efficient for everyone, even if it doesn’t seem like it now. It’s helping students get to and from Raider Family Focus

Frustrated parents and students wait in long lines to use the western exit to the new parking lot.

Photo by Jack Wagner

school safely, allowing buses to exit faster, quicker drop off and a decreased amount of tardies.

“We have a lot less tardies, a lot less students late,” Dain said. “It’s going to be really awesome when it’s all done.”

August 16, 2019

Check out the KSMS parking lot report at smsouthnews.com:

5 | NEWS

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JACK WAGNER

COUNSELING CONUNDRUM

Counseling department worked overtime to accommodate students’ schedule requests.

By Gini Horton Web Editor

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id-July started the chaos as students got their schedules and rushed to get them changed through a Google form sent out by the counseling center before the August 2 deadline. Some had incomplete schedules, some had classes they weren’t supposed to be in and some just didn’t like their schedule.

“The beginning of the year is extremely busy with new enrollments… schedule fixes [and] changes and trying to balance the teachers’ classes as best as possible,” counselor Nichole Dosland said.

“Counselors easily work 60-70 hours a week the few weeks before school starts trying to get everything ready to go.”

Students have run into problems working out their schedules or requesting changes.

According to Dosland, almost 700 students sent in requests through the Google form.

“It is extremely important for students to choose classes in the spring that they want and are willing to take the next fall,” Dosland said. “The master schedule is created to accommodate those original requests.

Unfortunately, sometimes conflicts exist

and students have to choose between two courses offered the same hour. Usually this happens when the student has a lot of singleton classes - meaning their other choices are only offered one particular hour.”

Counseling has predicted this tightness in the schedule, which is why they began to tell students to think of the classes they would take this year last fall to prepare for the spring.

“We just don’t have a ton of flexibility in the schedule this year and if we had moved more students around, it would have created much larger classes or overfilled them. It would have been too much for teachers and students,” counselor Kelly Lillis said.

They have run into the most issues with the Senior Class because of the amount of specialized classes only offered for one or two hours. Upper level courses like foreign languages and math have been causing these issues.

Lillis described creating the teacher schedules as a puzzle; they have to make

sure that all the classes fit together. The schedule is created when students send in their schedule requests in January. Classes are based on how many students sign up for a course.

“Say we have 100 students who request to be in APUSH, then we go in and create the number of sections of APUSH that would accommodate 100 students,” Lillis said. “Then if we have 20 students in August come in and say they changed their mind over the summer and would like to do APUSH, we often don’t have the space. So our choices are to either overfill classes or say, ‘no.’”

While students may be unsatisfied with their end result, counseling worked overtime to get ready for school. On top of a majority of the school sending in schedule requests, there were 85 students who transferred by the second week of school.

“It makes the long hours so worthwhile when we see the smiles on your faces,” Dosland said.

6 | SPORTS

RISING STARS

Young Raider athletes talk about their goals and future.

By Annalie Polen News Editor

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outh is home to many student athletes who may not find themselves starting, but are sure to be very successful. Many of the athletes are not as heard, but put in the effort that will likely put them at the top in the near future. As the school year begins, we welcome fall sports into our schedule. Each fall sport provides diligent athletes who are ready to one day prove their spot on the team.

Sophomore Blake Barnes is a wing, someone who attacks up the sideline, on the boys soccer team. He is on JV/Varsity and works very hard to prove his spot on the team as just a sophomore. He also thinks that playing up gives him valuable experience.

“The juniors and seniors help me and give me advice, plus they are pretty cool,’’ Barnes said.

Sophomore Connor Dillon also feels similarly about the opportunities that are held from playing with experienced upperclassmen.

“They are better, so you just have to

NEXT CHAPTER

Football team works to prepare for first game.

By Miles McKenna Reporter

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fter one of the best football seasons in three decades, many Raider fans are left wondering how the current players will continue that success. The waiting is almost over as we prepare for the first football game.

All of the players, and especially the seniors, have been working hard to hopefully have a successful first game that will carry through the whole season.

“It’s going to be a great year for the Raiders. We have all put in a lot of work. We have a really good team chemistry. [It’s the]

play with them to get better,” Dillon said.

Dillon is a wide receiver for the football team.

Freshman Carleigh Wissel is a setter on the volleyball team here at South. In order to make her mark on the team as a freshman, Wissel has spent lots of time and dedication on volleyball.

“I’d say I put a lot of time and effort into it. I was at all the summer weights and practices and when I get home I do drills because I know that I need to do that to get better,” Wissel said.

Knowing how hard she has worked now as a freshman, Wissel looks forward to the future of the team and what it can hold after even more experience and practice.

Seniors Sitting Senior Parker Minnick sits on the water cooler waiting for “As a senior, I see our team the next play. Many seniors are being selected to be hopefully winning and overall on Varsity, but not getting much playtime. just being able to work really well Photo by Trinity Clark together,” Wissel said. last year for the boys,” senior Mac Wissel said.

Many of the Raider seniors have been playing together for their entire highschool career and have built a bond on and off the field that can hopefully contribute to the Raiders success this year.

“We’ve been working really hard. Now it’s time to get paid,” senior Ethan Offutt said.

Many of the players are confident that after all the hard work that has been put in, the first game should hopefully be a win for the Raiders.

“I think the first game will be a victory on our side,” Wissel said.

The players hope they can continue the success that last year’s team had.

“Last year’s season definitely put a chip on our shoulder,” senior Parrish Bruce said.

“It let us know that we can be better than we actually are. It let us know that we can go far. Now we are all determined to be better than we were last year so we are all working harder.”

Preseason Scrimmage Freshman Donovan Willis tackles freshman Montgomery Hales at practice. The freshman and Varsity boys held a scrimmage on August 24 to prepare for their first game.

Photo by Trinity Clark

7 | SPORTS

GRAPHIC BY NICHOLE THOMAS

HOT SPORTS SUMMER

After a long summer of workouts, South sports are starting to heat up.

By Catherine Gunnigle Ads Editor

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t 7 a.m. every day the silence of a school in the summer would be broken by blaring rap music and the determined athletes working out to it.

Football coach Robert Ray’s echoing voice could be heard around the school, while the sound of heavy iron bars banging against the rack gave every indication that summer weights was in session.

Like many athletic programs, football was just another sport training in the off season. Both boys and girls basketball, boys soccer, football, baseball, cross

country and cheerleading had certain times in the weight room and on the practice fields.

After weights, practice would be held for four to five hours a day.

“I’d have my girls working out with me for four hours a day and we were in a summer basketball league on top of that. So every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday they would be playing two or three games a night on top of practice and weights,” girls Varsity basketball coach Mark Western said.

Through camps, early morning practices, weight sessions and summer leagues, South’s athletic programs didn’t stop after school got out.

“I am confident in the work my boys put in this summer and all of the lessons and skills they learned on and off the field,” Ray said.

Off season work can make or break seasons for both players and teams. With fall sports starting, we will see whether the hard work South athletes have put in this offseason will be put to the test.

PARENT ATHLETE

Adult influence in youth sports impacts student athletes.

By Ben Curtis Reporter

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n America youth athletics participation is declining. About three out of four of American families with children in elementary school have at least one playing an organized sport; however, at age 15, as many as 80 percent of these kids have quit. Many children cite a loss of enjoyment and increasing pressure and criticism as a reason for quitting a sport. This increase in pressure often comes from the parents, who are generally paying for membership on teams, better coaches and additional services such as batting cage time. Often these expenses entitle a parent to over reach their boundaries.

“I recently officiated a game where a parent ran on the field and... yelled at us,’’ Junior Reid Venable, a referee for youth

soccer matches said. “We had to stop the game. There was about a 15 minute break where we had to get field marshals to kick the parent off the field.”

That sort of behavior ruins the experience for the athletes on the field. Adults are the role models for athletes and players will mirror their parents’ behavior on the field.

Of more than 750 survey respondents, 96 percent said they had “witnessed adults at a youth or high school sporting event behaving in a manner that made you feel uncomfortable.” Athletic director John Johnson can remember several instances where coaches would be screaming and jumping the whole game and then scold their athletes when they couldn’t stay poised and calm.

However, when the parents are removed from high school sports, the parents culture for a large part turns positive. South’s booster clubs support the sports by fundraising and providing the team with perks. Johnson is “incredibly proud of the parent culture” we have at South.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NAOMI MITCHELL

8 | FEATURES

TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS

Is the South culture divided between involvement levels or are we all united?

By Ansley Chambers Copy Editor & Opinion Editor

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t’s assembly day. The green and gold gym walls echo the band’s fight song.

Cheerleaders welcome you in to enjoy an hour of KSMS’s introduction videos to each sport. Students sit with their friends, watching pep club recognize all sorts of students - athletes, musicians, actors, artists.

But not everyone fits into those categories.

“There’s a lot of people that like getting involved and have a lot of school spirit,” senior Hayden Polen said, “But also you can see the flip side of people who are here at South that don’t get involved.”

While South offers a variety of clubs and activities, we aren’t all a perfect match for every activity. For some, that’s by choice and for others it’s due to outside obligations such as work or family matters.

“People who are not involved might have a reason financially or just they can’t make it, even though they want to be involved,” senior Catherin Cardona said.

Participating in a sport or activity builds character, although it is not the only way.

“The idea is to be involved in something that I think I’m going to benefit from and have a good time in and… become more well rounded,” senior Will Kelley said. “I think if you have the opportunity, it creates a well rounded student and a well rounded school.”

Being involved in one activity seems to connect us to the rest of the school.

“I’m connected to the people in tennis, but then the larger community of sports,”

Kelley said. “I’m connected to Link Crew and everybody in that or KSMS and everybody in that, but I’m also connected to the whole culture of South.”

You make friends with the people in your activity who introduce you to their other friends, and before you know it, you have a tight-knit group of friends who have some shared connection.

“I think that when I’m involved in stuff it certainly helps to meet new people,” Kelley said, “And for people I already knew, to build a closer relationship with them. And even with classes, I think it does kind of shrink the pool of people there, but it helps make more close relationships… People who are taking certain classes, generally they’ve chosen to take that class…It kind of provides something to have a conversation about.”

Taking the same classes as your peers allows for strengthening of relationships based on time spent together and shared interests.

“I think that it’s easier to make friends with people you’re around a lot… It’s somewhat of a convenience factor,” senior Eleanor Jones said. “It’s a little bit difficult to keep up a friendship if you’re not talking to them.”

Taking certain classes means you’ll be in the same classes with the same people for most of high school.

“In the honors and AP classes… people make friends with each other [easily] and it gives you an easy way to connect because you’re working on the same stuff and you

work together [with] people that you might not have been friends with at first,” senior Hayden Polen said. “Once you take these AP classes, you tend to be in the same classes as everyone throughout your entire high school career so you get closer to these people.”

Many students get involved as early as middle school, but over time passions change and people quit, leaving them with plenty of time and a fear of joining something new.

“I want to be involved in book club because I was involved in that in middle school,” senior Catherin Cardona said, “But when we were freshmen they didn’t really have that… It just came about last year… and it feels awkward to join it so late in the game.”

Some uninvolved students wish they were involved and others are content as is. It doesn’t matter how many activities you can add to your resume as long as you are happy with yourself.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal not to be involved, especially if you’re happy with not doing everything, but if you want to, you should,” Cardona said.

Even if you don’t dedicate all of your time to being a face of the school, you’re still a valuable part of South. “[The culture of South is] really crazy, especially during games or assemblies,” Cardona said. “You can just feel the vibe of everything and the culture. You can see it, especially during pep assemblies and games in the student section.”

PHOTO BY NAOMI MITCHELL

9 | FEATURES

TRUMPET TRIUMPH

A look into the talent and success of freshman Christopher Petrella.

By Abby Cox Social Media Editor

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itting in the awards ceremony, waiting for his results, then eighth grader Christopher Petrella watched as the announcer called up the top three solo performers in his category. Petrella wasn’t one of them.

“I wasn’t really surprised,” Petrella said. “I didn’t think I would win.”

However, just as he was going to leave, the director of the Fountain City Brass Band texted Petrella to say there was a miscommunication. Petrella was not only in the top three, but beat all of his competition, winning first place.

In April the Fountain City Brass Band went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a competition hosted by the Northern American Brass Band Association. Petrella performed “The Maid of the Mist” by Herbert L. Clarke.

“It felt pretty good,” Petrella said after his performance.

Turns out he was right.

Petrella has been playing the trumpet for about five years, having started in fifth grade. He was the first chair trumpet player in both seventh and eighth grade. Petrella has been a part of the Fountain City Brass Band for one year and is now a member of South’s Rompin’ Stompin’ Raider Band.

“He is something special talent wise and work ethic wise,” South’s band director Steve Adams said.

Petrella played with the symphonic band at a concert last spring, playing “a piece that is very appropriate for a college music major and he did it as an eighth grader,” according to Adams.

“Just the fact that he’s already as good as I am and he’s only a freshman, really shows he has such insane potential,” trumpet section leader and senior all-state musician Julian Duff said.

However, this is his first year as a part of marching band, which requires a lot of new and different skills.

“He’s also a freshman guy with lots of energy; he’s learning a lot of new things,” Adams said, “But boy, right away, I’m seeing a real increase in his maturity, his focus.”

While it’s still very early in his trumpet career, Petrella expressed his desire to play in the future.

“I’d like to do that...probably play in the symphony,” Petrella said.

Petrella is recognized by his peers and mentors as a truly talented and already accomplished musician, with a bright future ahead of him.

PHOTO BY NAOMI MITCHELL

10 | FEATURES

THE WORKIN’ WAY

Students struggle to balance the stress of having jobs and keeping up with school work.

By Nathan Judd Reporter

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estaurants such as Andy’s, Winstead’s and Panera are hotbeds for student workers. Some jobs students do in the school year are washing dishes and cashiering.

“Closing when I’m leaving [is my favorite part]. Walking out, you feel like you did it. After you are done washing dishes all day, I’m just ready to go home and shower,” senior Parrish Bruce said.

Most students have jobs that are close to their houses so they don’t have to drive far.

Students

work anywhere from 10-20 hours a week during school and some only work on weekends. There are positive and negative aspects of having a job during the school year. Some of the difficulties students face when working during the school year are juggling sports, grades, work and their social lives at the same time. Sometimes students also have to deal with difficult customers.

“I haven’t had very many difficult customers, but when I do, the customer is always right,” senior Maria Beach said.

One of the positives of having a job during the school year is gaining adult experience in the real world. Jobs impact students’ futures by developing certain personality traits like responsibility and work ethic. It also helps them develop time and money management skills - when to save money, when to spend it and how to use their time wisely, which all helps to prepare them for the real world. Students can also start to save for college so they don’t have to spend most of their adult life with college debt. Another positive to working as a teenager is meeting new people and working on social skills. Your teenage years are very crucial in human development, making it important to gain things like work ethic and responsibility early on.

Jobs are not for every teenager though; some people can’t handle work and school at the same time, especially if they are in extracurriculars. Some teachers or parents also think that it can affect students’ grades because they don’t have enough time to do their homework.

It can also be interesting when you see other classmates at work.

“It’s kind of embarrassing sometimes because I’m the athlete that works.

Usually athletes don’t work; they are just dedicated to football, but I’ve got to do

what I’ve got to do,” Bruce said.

Jobs can also help develop students’ relationships with bosses earlier along with teaching them how to manage the stress of work at a young age. It teaches them how important it is to go to college to get a good job so they can get a better job in the future. In the end, jobs can be just as important in a teenager’s life as sports or other extracurriculars and help teach them real world skills.

11 | OPINION

Being Too...

Students and teachers reflect on their character and insecurities.

By Ansley Chambers Opinion & Copy Editor

G

rowing up I was always told to be polite, mind my manners, watch what I say. Now that I’m older, it’s always the opposite. “Stop apologizing.” I answer by saying sorry. “What do you want to eat?” I say that I don’t care; I’m up for anything. “Speak up.” I rarely do.

The world is full of things to have a stance on; why waste energy on small things?

If something isn’t harming me, why do I need to state my opinion on it? If someone wants something more than I do, why do I need to fight for it, especially if it won’t affect me? If nobody in a group conversation has addressed me, why chime in, especially knowing everyone will continue talking over me? There’ll always be people who have it worse than I do, so what gives me the right to complain?

This has been my thought process for years. I’m starting to see the negative side. People walk over me, assuming I don’t care, assuming I’ll let them have what they want.

But sometimes it upsets me.

I get my hopes up and when I find myself disappointed I keep it to myself because I don’t think that bringing it up will do anything more than cause unnecessary drama.

And the really bad part: I don’t believe that I deserve more..

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any times throughout my life I’ve given up due to thinking my work wasn’t good enough. In many cases, this drive to succeed can create strong leaders in sports, high achieving scholars and detail-oriented artists. But learning how to overcome this constant self-criticism is hard; it requires a lot of self-reflection and work.

Chasing perfection is just unattainable.

In elementary school art class, I’d start art projects two or three times because one mistake would constitute a failed piece to me. During my club swim days in elementary and middle school, I’d cry after every race because I didn’t drop enough time or my stroke wasn’t as perfect as it could be.

This is a deadly way of thinking. I set standards for myself that are too high to obtain and not needed to succeed.

I’ve come across many people in my life who think similarly. We are talked about as pessimists. We are treated as “do-gooders.” In reality, we just want to succeed and failing is something we avoid at all costs.

By Nichole Thomas Editor-in-Chief

By Elias Henderson Reporter

T

ony Budetti has been a teacher at South for over 20 years and during his tenure has built up quite a reputation. A large part of his reputation is his confrontational tendencies. Confrontation is standing up to differences, especially amongst challenges.

Confrontational people have a tendency to rise to conflicts in comparison to people who are shy and avoid conflicts.

“I would 100 percent agree [that I am confrontational],” Budetti said.

It has its benefits being so fearless, but it’s not always the best trait to have in every situation.

“I’m not afraid of anything in day to day experiences.

It has helped me because I’m not afraid of anything, [but also] because I don’t know when to back down, [it] has hurt me,” Budetti said.

People with strong personality traits are often polarizing, which is especially evident in teachers.

Confrontational tendencies add an interesting dynamic in a classroom and can create a very open, discussionbased classroom or it can turn and create fear and a lack of participation. This can be seen in how many students adore Budetti, avidly discuss and excel in his classroom while others prefer different teaching styles and tend to remain quiet in class.

ILLUSTRATION BY NATHAN JUDD

12 | OPINION

CLIMBING THE LADDER

How getting disadvantaged kids into top schools helps the American dream.

Staff Editorial 8/13 editors agree

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ollege admissions is one of the biggest issues affecting high schoolers across the nation. College Board’s recent discussion of the addition of an adversity score to some student’s portfolio caused panic among high schoolers worried about another cog in the application process.

However, it only affects students who take the SAT. This score is on a 100-point scale that combines 31 factors about a student’s school - the rigor of coursework, neighborhood, poverty levels, crime rates.

A higher number indicates more adversity faced by a student.

This score is extremely beneficial and could balance college admissions, helping lower-income students. Research from Georgetown University has found that the most disadvantaged students, on average, score a whopping 784 points lower on the SAT than the most advantaged.

This program is specifically tailored to highly selective schools such as Ivy League or private schools with low admission rates.

Elite colleges don’t normally do much extra, but if you’re not rich, white or a guy, the elite-college effect is huge. It’s proven to increase earnings for minorities and lowincome students. At a time when social mobility in the United States is terrible in comparison to other developed countries, this could vastly improve our ranking. Social mobility is the ability of individuals, families or groups to move up or down the social or economic ladder in a society, such as moving from low-income to middle-class.

Social mobility is mostly used to describe changes in personal wealth, but it can also be used to describe social standing or education. Upward economic mobility in our country has been declining since the 1940s and the US is one of only four high-income economies amongst 50 economies with the lowest rates of relative upward social mobility. A low-income individual without a college degree will very likely remain in the lower part of the earnings distribution, whereas a low-income individual with a

college degree has an almost equal chance of landing in any income section, including the highest.

A study of a pilot program involving eight selective universities suggests that when admissions officers have that information, they are more likely to admit disadvantaged students. Higher education has always been a key way for poor Americans to find opportunities to transform their economic circumstances. In a time of rising inequality

and low social mobility, improving the quality of and access to education has the potential to increase equality of opportunity for all Americans. The only people that should be worried about these innovations are wealthy or privileged students who could lose their spots to lower-income students who work harder or deserve these spots more than them. If used properly, this could help thousands of students and change their lives for the better.

13 | PHOTO ESSAY

DESIGN BY NAOMI MITCHELL

SOUTHPRE

SEASON

South athletes prepare for the fall sports season.

Pre-season Practice At a scrimmage on August 24, freshman Nick Breckenridge runs the ball down the field. In preparation for their first game, the football team has been working hard at practice and will be playing in the Green and Gold Jamboree on August 30.

Photo by Trinity Clark

First Day Fun As the drumline plays traditional South tunes, junior Carina Swanson dances along with the other Pacesetters to welcome students back to school. On the first day, students walked into school along a red carpet as cheer, Pace and teachers welcome them.

Photo by Naomi Mitchell In a Pickle At one of the first pickleball club meetings, freshman Quinn LaTessa hits the ball to his opponent. Pickleball club was started by juniors Chase Horner and Hayden Spratlin this year and has rapidly gained popularity with 91 members and counting.

Photo by Haley Carter

LOGO COURTESY OF QUITE FRANKLY

14 | ARTS & ENTERETAINMENT

Five kids show off their musical talents at their concert on August 28.

Nichole Thomas Editor-in-Chief

R

ain and wind did not stop the electric performance of Quite Frankly the band on August 24.

With nearly 20 South students in attendance, the crowd was in for an entertaining night. All band members are under the age of 18; everyone was in for a surprise.

On bass guitar was sophomore Scout Matthews and the singer was freshman Carolyn Armstrong. The rest of the band consisted of Nate Gregory on guitar, Jolson Robert on vocals and alto saxophone, and Cael Duff as a substitute drummer. The band covered many classic songs such as, “Carry on my Wayward Son” by Kansas, “Jolene”

by Dolly Parton, and “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

A big hit for the night was one of their originals titled “Roommate” sung

by Armstrong. Hitting difficult notes with ease, the song fit the personality of the band perfectly. When Armstrong wasn’t singing lead vocals, she’d grab a tambourine or dance around the stage.

As for Matthews, she played bass like a natural. Standing to the left of Carolyn, they would go back and forth with each other many times throughout the show interacting with such excitement. A tradition for the band is the playing of the national anthem at each of their concerts. They do this in honor of Mattew’s brother who is currently deployed for the Marines.

The biggest excitement of the night was when Robert brough out his alto sax. His upbeat improvised solos drew everyone’s attention. Kids grabbed immediately for their phones, getting a video on snapchat as quickly as

On stage sophomore Scout Matthews and freshman Caroline Armstrong perform with Quite Frankly the Band.

The band played their set at Old Shawnee Pizza at Repeal 18.

Photo by Haley Carter

possible. A couple sitting in the back stood after his first solo with looks of amazement. Undoubtedly Robert had a well practiced talent. Throughout the night he took a few turns playing drums as well.

Another big hit for the crowd was the solos played by 14-year-old Gregory, the youngest member of the band. With his neon green jeans he was already enough to draw attention from the crowd, but playing the guitar behind his head was sure to guarantee the eyes of everyone in attendance. He played many challenging guitar solos and nailed every one.

To support your classmates in Quite Frankly the Band, check out their music on Spotify. Listen to their original song “Tear it up”. Also, check out their concert video on our website at www.smsouthnews.com.

15 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

NUTRITON EXPEDITION A rundown on what local nutrition shops have to offer.

By Sarah Oldhe Reporter

O

ver the summer, you might have noticed that local nutrition shops have become very popular. Places like 913 Nutrition, Vibe Nutrition and Energizing Mission have recently.

Energizing Mission shakes contain vitamins, minerals and nutrients, at least 18 grams of protein and can be used as meal replacements. Teas have metabolismboosting properties and aloe that soothes the digestive system and assists with hydration and increases nutrient absorption.

“You can come in and try things from the menu and 99 percent of the time customers are going to start feeling better,” Lisa Augi, employee of Vibe Nutrition said.

These shops all have one goal: to help their customers focus on their nutrition and health long term. The shops all have similar offerings, but students have their own personal preferences.

“Vibe’s location is the most convenient for me and I really like the staff,” senior Brinley Pace said.

Vibe Nutrition is located at 127th and Antioch. Energizing Mission is located at Johnson drive and Lamar.

“At Energizing Mission, they’re nicer than the other places and they talk to you about normal things,” junior Emily Hays said.

While Hays prefers Energizing,

sophomore Jillian Phillips favors 913 Nutrition.

“At 913 I really like the people and staff and they know me really well. I like their shakes better than Energizing, but that’s my opinion,” Phillips said, “It’s a safe and welcoming environment and they have tables to study [at].”

These nutrition shops have lots to offer South students.

Continue reading online for more content and reviews:

WHY YOU SO OBSESSED WITH ME? What started as a joke has become Generation Z’s latest, greatest addiction.

By Ali Harrison Editor-in-Chief

I

t’s the summer of 2014. You’re bored, so you decide to try out this new app called Musical.ly. You set up an account and start scrolling through the “Featured” page. Eventually, you gain the courage to make your own lip-syncing video. You do this for a few months. After a few years, everyone except Loren Gray has stopped using the app and it fades from society.

Then, suddenly, comes Tik Tok – same app, different name, better purpose.

Over the summer, Tik Tok revolutionized Gen Z. While there were still lip-syncing videos, the app’s creators mostly focus on comedy. The funniest videos ended up on the “For You” page where they can be viewed by anyone on the app, even if they don’t follow the creator. This is the pathway to fame for anyone from celebrities to high school students in Overland Park, like junior Brett Conner.

“I downloaded it kind of ironically,” Conner said. “One of them made it on the

‘For You’ page, so I was like, ‘I’m just gonna make more.’ I made some more, then it started being more of a joke. I like doing it.”

Similarly to Conner, senior Kate Herrmann downloaded it as a joke just to see what the hype was about. They ended up liking it and decided to make their own videos and they’re not afraid of anyone judging them for it.

“I think my bio is like, ‘This is just for giggles,’ but I work really hard on the giggles, so I want people to like them, but it’s fine if you don’t. Just don’t be mean,” Herrmann said.

In all seriousness, the app is a good way for anyone to be creative and show it off. Whether it’s art or a short comedy routine, users work and think about their content. It has influenced teen culture by joking about “VSCO girls” and “E-boys,” the modern equivalent of “white girls” and “emos,” and making easy dances – that

everyone and their brother knows – to songs by up and coming artists.

Overall, Tik Tok has become a way for everyone to bond. You can either talk about the trends with your friends or break out in a synchronized dance that anyone who uses the app has seen too many times to not have memorized.

Photo Illustration by Emma Harding

DESIGN BY ALMA HARRISON

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WHAT’S ON THE WEB See more online.

www.smsouthnews.com

BEING TOO...

Students and teachers reflect on their characteristics and insecurities.

By Katie Heibl Features Editor

Photo By Kyla Hunter Photographer

Growing up I didn’t really pay too much attention to what people thought of me. I don’t really remember what happened in elementary school – I just hear random stories from parents, family and friends.

As I have gotten older, what people think about me consumes my thoughts. I think about every little thing I do...

NEW TEACHERS

Short glimpses into the lives of new staff.

By Nic Camburako Photographer & Landrea Van Mol Photographer

There are 10 new teachers this year and even one returning teacher.

Here is a snapshot into what brought them here, what they want to accomplish this year and what they are like as a teacher.

ADVERSITY SCORE AVERSION

The College Board’s unnecessary potential addition.

By Alma Harrison Editor-in-Chief Photo Illustration By Emma Harding Asst. Photo Editor

Standardized tests, like the SAT, are used widely across the country in college admissions. They’re an easy baseline to analyze a student’s knowledge of common core academics.

PICKLEBALL

Students reflect on their characteristics and insecurities.

By Haley Carter Photographer

Photo By Haley Carter Photographer

Tied game neck in neck. Paddle gripped tightly in his right fist, junior Chase Horner drops the ball and smashes it to the other side of the court. Horner’s doubles teammate junior Hayden Spratlin waits for the opposing team to hit the white pickleball back.