December 2015 Issue by SMS Patriot

THE

PATRIOT VOLUME 50

ISSUE 4

DECEMBER 2015

630 MINUTES

Prepare yourself for finals with this informative guide. SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH 5800 W. 107th ST, OVERLAND PARK, KS, 66207

(913) 993-7500

EDUCATION INSPIRES DREAMS. WE PROTECT THEM.

You are doing the work. Are you getting the credit?

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Save money on four-year university tuition by earning college credits in high school. Sign up for JCCC College Now classes this spring. See your school counselor for details, visit jccc.edu/collegenow or call 913-259-7447.

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ON THE COVER PHOTOS BY JENNA FACKRELL Grab your binoculars and a copy of The Patriot to prepare for finals. Next week, students can use all the help they can get to prepare for dreaded final exams.

STAFF

CONTENTS NEWS 4

Cocoa and Cram News Briefs

Early Graduation

A&E 19

Fashion Revival

The Local: Park Place

Spirit Ball

Street Style: Lisley Muchiri

ACT, SAT Revisions

Twitter Contest: Dynamic Duo

Photo Essay: Mr. AmeriCAN

Review: Hoverboards

Staff Editorial

Debate: Holidays at School

OPINION

SPORTS 25

Photo Essay: Winter Sports

Crowd Control

Guest Column

Q&A: Margo Hunter

Cover Story

Quiz: Which obscure sport should you play?

Q&A: Miah Clark

Sleep Deprivation

Generation Gap

MISSION

FEATURES

THEN AND NOW

Emily Wilkinson Editor-In-Chief Opinion Editor Lauren Rosenstock Assistant Editor-In-Chief Sports Editor Rose Pollina Features Editor Infographics Editor

Jenna Fackrell Photo Editor Savannah Morgan Photographer Maxie Crimm Photographer Hannah Carter Photographer

Amelia Holcomb News Editor

Michael Castellon Staff Writer

Kate Anderson A&E Editor

Mark Holland Staff Writer

Jacob Cox Web Editor

Max Holmes Staff Writer

Sophia Belshe Ads Editor

Jacob Robertson Staff Writer

Kendall Barker Copy Editor

Joe Stoermann Staff Writer

Casey Mispagel Editorial Cartoonist

Keeli Ward Staff Writer

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 Opinions section. These pieces are labeled and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff as a whole, except the Lead Editorial, which represents the views of the editors. 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, but they will only be published if signed. The editor-in-chief reserves the right to refuse or edit any letters for reasons of grammar, length and good taste.

For extended content, reviews and photo galleries, check out http://smsouthnews.com.

CONTENTS DEC. 2015

NEWS BRIEFS

This month’s must-know news stories

by SOPHIA BELSHE, ADS EDITOR AND AMELIA HOLCOMB, NEWS EDITOR

>>> WORLD

The Nov. 13 terrorist attacks on Paris shocked the world but the resilience of the French people came out in the events that followed. “The events were very tragic and everybody came together to support each other,” French teacher Rebecca Haden said. The hashtag “porte ouverte,” which translates to “open door” served as a beacon of hope for those without shelter the night of the attacks and showed that the people of the world, not just Paris, weren’t going to cower in fear.

>>> NATIONAL

University of Missouri students protested responses to racial discrimination after a series of racially charged incidents. Protesters and members of the football team called for the removal of the president of the University of Missouri System, Tim Wolfe. Wolfe resigned, but the university is still working to address problems in its atmosphere. “It was a good example of democracy in action,” Counselor Dave Mesh said.

>>> SCHOOL

The student body surpassed its goal of 12,000 cans by collecting 5,577 cans and $4,657.34, — the equivalent of 14,891 cans. “Five and a half thousand cans and $4,600 is a lot when you think about it, and I know the Johnson County Christmas Bureau will put those donations to good use right here in our own neighborhood,” StuCo sponsor Cynthia Hartwell said. To reward the students’ collection, Principal Todd Dain will host a school cookout and students will be given the opportunity to tape athletic director John Johnson and assistant principal Nicholas Platko to the wall.

NEWS DEC. 2015

THE FINAL PUSH story by Keeli Ward staff writer

PTSA organizes a finals study session.

photo illustration by jenna fackrell

n opportunity to cram in some more practice for finals will be Monday, Dec. 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Teachers and peers will be in the library or other classrooms to help students study efficiently for finals. “I believe that students that do well on finals will always do well on finals. Students who struggle with finals will still struggle. Cram and Cocoa just shows the culture that we are going to work together on and it uses a collaborative effort to help everyone do their best. I think that culture is more important the ultimate score,” Principal Todd Dain said. This will be South’s first year of having Cram and Cocoa. PTSA presidents and the principals from the Shawnee Mission School district got together and were trying to come up with ideas for events that will get students more involved in school and will help them academically. So they came up with Cram and Cocoa, a fun way to get some extra help for finals and socialize with peers. If there is a good turn out this year and everything goes well, Cram and Cocoa will happen in the future years. Most students find that studying does make finals easier. The school board is hoping to persuade the students, who may think they don’t have to study, to improve their outlook

on their finals. “Don’t wait until the last minute to study and use the study guides,” senior Victoria Smith said. Many resources are available to help students study including flashcards, Quizlets or study guides. Most teachers will give out a study guide that will show students what they need to study to succeed on that class’s final. “Some teachers use the studies guides as extra credit which could help your final score,” Smith said. Another way South is helping the students get prepared is the Finals Exam Study Plan. The school sent out an email with a document attached containing a schedule to study for all of your finals and a chart to fill out based on your classes. In the chart you put your class, your grade in the class, the percent of the final, what you need to prepare for the final and the topics covered on the final. “I think making additional effort to study will help the outcomes of the scores,” PTSA President Anna Smith said. Snacks, coffee, cappuccino and hot chocolate will be available at the event. All of the food and drinks will be donated by Cosentino’s Price Chopper. PTSA members will be at the event giving out snacks and drinks. Even with the snacks and drinks students are expected to be serious to get some efficient studying done.

STORY by Amelia Holcomb NEWS EDITOR photos by Maxie Crimm

EARLY DIPLOMAS Students make plans to finish high school early to work or start college.

For these students, high school will be cut short as they continue with the next step in their lives. They have completed their credits by taking summer school or online classes, and planned a schedule that meets all the district’s requirements for graduation. Here they share their plans for the future or their reasons for choosing to graduate early.

SHAWNEE MISSION GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

senior Bethany Applegate

“I’m just kinda done here and I wanted to get a headstart on JuCo before I go to school somewhere.“

senior Zach Reynolds

“I’m graduating at semester because I want to start JuCo early, start college. ”

senior Corey McKee

“All my friends graduated two years ago and there’s nothing I have left for me anymore.”

Language Arts English 9 English 10 English 11 English 12

Mathematics

3 3

Social Studies 3 World Regional Studies United States History American Government Social Studies Elective Science 1 biological science 1 physical science

Physical Education 1 Physical Education and/ or Naval Science

.5 1

Health

Fine Arts

sophomore Gabriel Andrew

“I plan to graduate the end of my junior year. I was kind of ready to start a new point in my life.”

junior Rachel Mintz

“I don’t enjoy high school and I’m done. I’ll probably miss the fun of graduating with my grade and everything but like, I don’t care.”

junior Hannah Campbell

“I want an extra year to work and make money and I want to get all my freshmen classes out of the way at JCCC.”

Core Classes Electives

15.5 7.5

Total Required Credits:

{____________} ><><><>< To CoNgRaTs ><

Seniors Emily Wilkinson, Jenna Fackrell, Mona Jahani, Rachel Field and Casey Mispagel for being nominated for the 2016 Shooting Star Awards, sponsored by the Arts Council of Johnson County. Winners of the scholarships will be announced in April.

Sophomores Samah Boullaouz, David Muirhead, Devin Palmer, Bethany Ward, juniors Anna Trofimoff, Alexandra Rutowski, Josh Buss, Tearrra Haskins, Ian McCalmon, and seniors Rose Smithson and Leah Thomas for scoring highly in the national Wordwright competition.

Junior Jonathan Huhn, sophomore Cora Selzer and senior Ian Warshaw for making first chair in their instruments in the Northeast Kansas District Band.

NEWS DEC. 2015

THEY’VE GOT SPIRIT by Keeli Ward Staff writer

South hosted this year’s formal dance exclusive to spirit teams.

W Cheerleaders freshman Bergen Cooper, senior Alora Cain and junior Trisha Olson stunt during an assembly. photo by Jacob Cox

The varsity Pacesetters perform at the fall pep assembly. photo by Jenna fackrell

UR O Y K MAR NDER! E CAL

NEWS DEC. 2015

December

The varsity cheerleaders prepare to perform their routine in front of the school. photo by jacob cox

hen the Pacesetters and cheerleaders walked into the gym Nov. 21, they saw that it had been transformed into Hollywood. The atmosphere was bright and fun. The gym was decorated for the Spirit Ball. The Spirit Ball is a formal dance hosted by Shawnee Mission cheerleaders and drill team members. Every year the dance is hosted by a different Shawnee Mission school; this year was South’s turn. “We had a really good turnout and all of the girls and their dates had fun,” JV Pacesetter captain Audrey Reynolds said. The team members were allowed to bring a date to the dance. Tickets cost $20 for a single and $40 per couple if purchased before Oct. 31. The couple’s prices went up to $50 after that and single went up to $25. Each school from Shawnee Mission attended the Spirit Dance. “[The squads will not be performing] it’s just a formal dance. Our boosters [decorated] it all and [did] the before hand stuff and [supervised] it. It’s just an event where the girls can come and have fun,” Pacesetter coach Allie Stankewsky said. The Spirit Dance could be compared to Homecoming, except every Shawnee Mission school was invited. This is the second year that a Shawnee Mission school hosted the dance. Last year the dance was at Shawnee Mission Northwest and was called Chill Ball. The booster club sets up all the decorations for the dance and they were also there as chaperones. The theme for this year’s Spirit Ball was Hollywood. Over $5,000 was collected at the dance. All of the money that was collected from the tickets was split between the Pacesetters and the cheerleaders. The teams choose what they want the money to go towards, whether it’s for new uniforms or shoes. Even though the cheerleaders and the Pacesetters had different dinner parties, picture groups and after parties the teams came together as a whole group when they arrived to the dance. An estimated 300 people attended the dance. “It was fun to do something with the whole team and hang out with all of my friends,” Pacesetter Emma Shenefield said.

Finals Week

Tues. 15: 1st hour final & hours 2, 4, 6 Wed. 16: 2nd & 3rd finals, 10:50 release

Thurs. 17: 4th & 5th finals, 10:50 release Fri. 18: 6th & 7th finals, 10:50 release

BY AMELIA HOLCOMb NEWS EDITOR

STANDARDIZED STRESSED

How the SAT and ACT have changed, what to expect and how to study. The two most common, nationwide college placement tests are the ACT and the SAT. They are both offered multiple times a year at South and can be used to earn scholarship money to help pay for college. The SAT has been redesigned and the new test is full of slight changes that may affect how students score. The ACT also underwent slight changes to the writing section, but remains largely the same.

CURRENT SAT

(Dec. and Jan. test dates)

NEW SAT

(starts with March test date)

ACT

(Next test on Dec. 12)

Emphasis on reasoning and logic.

emphasis on reasoning and the effects of word choice

emphasis on areas taught in schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; curriculum

Math, critical reading and writing tests.

Required essay, guessing penalty.

Obscure vocab questions.

math, reading, writing and language tests

optional essay, no guessing penalty

definitions based off words in context, longer reading passages

math, reading, science and English tests

optional essay, no guessing penalty

How to study: >>>Prep Classes

South is offering free ACT preparation classes leading up to the Dec. 12 and April 9 test dates. The sessions are currently held Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the library from 3 p.m.-4 p.m.

>>>Khan Academy

The website khanacademy.org offers free SAT practice questions and tests, along with explanations. The website has study material for both the current and new SAT. Questions are grouped into smaller categories and can be helpful for anyone intimidated by the amount of content.

>>>Study Books

January

Numerous companies publish study books for each test, which can be purchased or found at the library. They go in-depth in every aspect of the tests from strategy to content.

First D ay of 2 nd Seme ster 5 Hall of Fame Night 8

South g Wrestlin al Invitation 9

Orchestra Pops Concert 10

A new ACT essay was introduced this year. Instead of the previous format, which was to pick a side on a prompt, this format offers three takes on an issue. Students must analyze each perspective, come up with their own argument, and be able to explain the relationship between their perspective and the ones given. Information gathered from actstudent.org and sat.collegeboard.org.

ting

NHS Mee 12

No School 15, 18

NEWS DEC. 2015

WE CAN CAN-CAN

Every November StuCo hosts the canned food drive to support the Johnson County Christmas Bureau. From National Arts Honor Society, Mr. AmeriCAN, and other events, students helped contribute for a good cause.

1 2

photo by jenna fackrell

photo by savannah morgan

3 4

photo by jenna fackrell Senior Jack Curtis rolls in on a platform pulled by fellow senior TJ Ball. Curtis played two saxophones at the same time for the talent portion in the Mr. AmeriCAN pageant.

photo by jenna fackrell

NEWS DEC. 2015

1 2 3 4

National Arts Honor Society (NAHS) filled up a wall in the front of the school out of cans to remind students to bring in cans for the canned food drive. Senior Connor Hill dunks over senior Remy Gordon for the talent portion of Mr. AmeriCAN. The Mr. AmeriCAN contestants finish the evening with money thrown in the air after performing a group dance. Mr. AmeriCAN was senior Ryan Wagner, Mr. Latin.

STAFF EDITORIAL

ree branches rattle menacingly on windowpanes. The ground quakes beneath our feet in the ominous wake of monsters marching through the darkness as grey clouds gather hundreds of feet above our heads. A whisper rolls through the wind, uttering the unspeakable: “common core curriculum.” Unfortunately for this story, Shawnee Mission South is not a haunted house. Common core is not a boogeyman out for blood, but a reallife policy adopted by most schools nationwide. Teachers tolerate it, or at least in the presence of their students, and most high schoolers are not quite sure what to make of it. Can common core really be the horror story most presume it to be? At its core (pun intended), the idea of this common core is a simple one: teach the same curriculum in every school across America. In theory, a student moving across state lines during the school year would learn the same material they would’ve been taught at another school district. As a government program, schools are encouraged to take part, regardless of whether or not it’s believed to be the best option. However, with the idea of unifying curriculum across the board, how

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY CASEY MISPAGEL could schools be opposed? teachers. Here’s where it gets tricky: just as Common core is not the big, bad schools themselves have curriculum monster in the closet, although it has that must be adapted to common core, an inherent set of red flags. How can other factors must be adapted as well. a blanket curriculum possibly suit College Now and Advanced Placement the diverse needs of students from (AP) classes have their own sets every unique background in the of guidelines for how coursework United States? Why should schools be should be taught and tested. Since penalized and lose funding over being many College Now classes are also unable to adopt the coursework? AP, providing students college-level However school districts choose coursework while also preparing to tackle these questions, the fact students for the AP exam at the end of the matter is that education is of the school year and adapting to constantly shifting in this country. common core requires a complete Fearing change is not the answer, overhaul in how teachers teach but continuing to ask questions and their classes. If three different sets remain level headed can help school of curriculum require studying districts begin to solve these problems three completely separate schools of far more efficiently than blindly thought, then one could argue that clawing through the dark to ward off none of these areas can be studied monsters that may or may not be as nearly as thoroughly altogether. big of a problem as we imagined in As much as students may gripe the first place. about the idea of a standard set of coursework viewed as less 9/9 editors agree with individualized to their needs, the truth is, if the student body wasn’t the views expressed aware of the changes presented to in this editorial. their teachers, most wouldn’t even know they were there. Many may not see the current state of education as ideal, but in its own right, common core can be seen as an impressive testament to the flexibility of our

OPINION DEC. 2015

THE

DEBATE PHOTOS BY MAXIE CRIMM

YES: BY MARK HOLLAND STAFF WRITER hristmas is an age old tradition that people have held to. It’s a time of joy, gift-giving and celebration. Why should students be deprived of the right to celebrate a tradition that holds meaning to them? The meaning of words like “Holidays” and “Christmas” are different from person to person. But for some of South’s population, these words are important. For many students, celebrating Christmas is a great way for them to enjoy their cultural traditions, whether it be their heritage or their own personal belief system. It’s a time when they can meet together in celebration and happiness. Why should they not be allowed to bring this to school? One reason that people might be hesitant about allowing holiday celebrations in school is because of the controversy it could cause. Sure, these celebrations may cause some disagreement, but who’s to say that it will always be negative disagreements? It is possible for people to disagree on a certain subject and yet still be civil and nice to each other about it. It is healthy for the student body to learn to peacefully celebrate different religious and traditional beliefs around Christmas. South is a brimming hub of ethnicities and belief systems that will show up around December holiday times. Whether it be with secret santa exchanges or worship services, people want to have the right to celebrate. To be honest, some of these are being given more attention in school than others. For instance, the Santa story is emphasized more than the “Christ” of Christmas. People talk about having tolerance for certain belief systems, but that tolerance is not always being shown for everybody. All students should have the freedom to celebrate their traditions. However, just because students are allowed to celebrate Christmas, that does not mean that they should be required to do it. Everyone should have the freedom to choose. Isn’t that the founding principle of America? Freedom? Because of this freedom, students should be allowed to celebrate their December holidays if they want to.

THE RESULTS ARE IN... YES 17%

OPINION DEC. 2015

NO 83%

Students voted on whether the SMSD bullying referral app makes a difference in negative student behavior.

Visit The Patriot Online at smsouthnews.com to vote for your opinion in this month’s Debate.

SHOULD STUDENTS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES DURING SCHOOL?

NO: T

BY SOPHIA BELSHE ADS EDITOR

he end of December marks one of the major holiday seasons for people of many religions. However, celebrations for these festive events need to stay at home. I think it’s safe to say that the majority of South students celebrate Christmas, whether it be for religious reasons or not. And while they make up the majority, we can’t ignore that people who celebrate other religions often go unspoken for. Secret Santa gift exchanges have become somewhat of a common thread in many clubs and sports, but these kinds of activities can leave students who don’t celebrate the holiday in an awkward position. Students who don’t celebrate the traditional winter holidays often feel pressured into gift exchanges like Secret Santa. If clubs and activities are going to plan these, they need to make sure they do it in a way that offers another option for those who may not want to participate. No, Santa Claus is not a religious figure. He’s a fictional, fat, bearded man in a red suit that brings children gifts. He’s nothing but a personification of the materialistic tendencies of the “season of giving,” but it’s naive to ignore his obvious connection to Christmas. We go to a public school for a reason. Students come from an array of different backgrounds and religious traditions, and if we can’t find a way to incorporate everyone, then it seems insensitive to focus on one group. Throughout elementary school, children across the district join together in festive holiday sing-a-longs that usually include what I like to call the token Jewish song. It usually makes at least five references to dreidels. And usually only about 10 kids actually understand the practices of Hanukkah. But has anyone ever thought to consider that while some students don’t celebrate Christmas, they usually have at least a vague idea of what the holiday is about? As ambiguous as school parties, concerts and other celebrations try to be, it’s inevitable that some holidays and groups are left unrepresented. Religious freedom is something ingrained in our society, and that means that students should feel free to express their religion, but that also means that students should feel free to opt out of activities that they don’t feel comfortable with. Things like Secret Santa are usually not mandatory, but that doesn’t mean that students don’t feel pressured into participating. Don’t get me wrong. The holiday season brings many fun events and opportunities to spend time with friends and family, whether you celebrate religiously or not, but these celebrations have no place in a public school if we cannot find a way to give everyone a chance to express their religion, or lack thereof.

OPINION DEC. 2015

A TOUGH ‘ACT’ TO FOLLOW PHOTOS BY JENNA FACKRELL

BY REMY GORDON CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

OPINION DEC. 2015

ll right, let’s clear the air. The ACT sucks and we all know it. It’s complicated, it’s confusing, and it can feel like it’s going to have a monumental impact on your life. There are, however, ways in which you can improve your score should you not be satisfied on your first attempt. The first and most important step is to just relax. It is important, but at the same time, it’s not going to make or break your entire future. Coming to terms with this will ease your mind on test day and allow you to focus more on the questions and less on your desire to drop out of high school. Now, when it comes to tangible study tips, the best advice I can give is to practice once, practice twice and then practice some more. The key to conquering the beast that is the ACT is to understand the types of questions they will ask as well as what these questions are looking for. The test is constructed in a very specific and predictable way such that you can actually get “good” at taking it. You’ll see the pattern that the questions follow, making it that much easier to get them right. So, if there’s a subject you’re struggling with, get your hands on as many practice problems as you can. Take the tests as if it were game day. Set a timer and push yourself to finish within the allotted time. This will help you grow accustomed to the timing and you won’t feel so rushed when it comes to the real deal. If you feel like self-studying isn’t the path for you, try studying with a friend or taking an ACT-specific class. OK, so you’ve spent countless hours studying and you’re finally ready. Now it’s time for some pre-test rituals to get your mind right. Get enough sleep and eat a hearty breakfast. I can’t emphasize these enough. You’re going to need energy and that means you need sleep and food. The rest falls on your shoulders. Good luck, because you’re ready to kill the ACT.

630 MINUTES: A GUIDE TO FINALS

Prepare yourself for finals with this informative guide.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JENNA FACKRELL

FEATURES DEC. 2015

IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

TAKE NOTE “Get some extra sleep the night before, because if you’re exhausted you’re not going to focus very well.”

- Senior Remy Gordan

“Do not wait until the last minute. Little bits of review at a time.”

- Science teacher Kurt Hodge

“I always get breakfast the day of finals. I like eat three waffles and I never eat breakfast.” - Junior Anna Trofimoff

FEATURES DEC. 2015

BY ROSE POLLINA FEATURES EDITOR, INFOGRAPHICS EDITOR

he Patriot’s Finals Survival Guide is the perfect companion to planning how to tackle finals. Finals are the stress inducing nightmare every student fears. For 630 minutes or 10.5 hours, minds will be wrung for lessons taught at the beginning of the semester. Study guides abound, adding hours of studying to already stressed students’ schedules. Some are worth extra credit or a curve on the final. If you have the opportunity to get either one, don’t pass up the easy points. On the other hand, if the study guide isn’t worth anything extra, complete what you struggle with most first. If you’re overwhelmed by the daunting amount of time that it will take to complete them, then only finish what you absolutely have to in order to pass the final. Prioritize. Don’t waste time studying a whole bunch for a final in biology if you have a 98 percent in the class. Spend time on the classes that you have borderline or near failing grades. If you have an 89.5 percent and really want to keep that A, then it’s time to buckle down and study. Most students don’t sleep enough. The experts recommend 8 to 10 hours of sleep, but finals week should be the time students should follow their advice. The mind doesn’t function well when it’s sleep deprived and an hour of sleep can be the difference between a B and a C on the final. There’s also the factor of being less irritable which can go a long way when you’re stuck in classroom for the day doing nothing but filling out scantrons. Treat yourself to a full breakfast each morning as well. Ask questions. If you want to know if there will be a short answer or essay portion then ask your teacher. If you need help studying, now is not the time to be shy. Teachers will help you. All you have to do is ask. If you don’t want to walk up to them during class with your peers then send them an email. Maybe you don’t need help but you see someone else struggling, offer your help. Helping others study is a great way to study and cement the information in your brain. During the test don’t look ahead to see how many questions there are. Don’t pick up the test and feel how thick it is, it’ll only wear on your nerves. Set a reasonable pace for yourself. If you know there will an essay section then allot more time towards it than the multiple choice. Finals aren’t fun. Prepare as best you can and be as optimistic as possible. Remember that it will be over before you know it.

NIGHT BEFORE THE TEST -Eat a full breakfast.

-Double check and make sure everything you’ll need for the finals is in your book-bag.

-Sleep at least 8 hours.

-Relax and clear your mind before you fall asleep.

DURING THE TEST

-Don’t let the length of the test scare you; if you have to look, then take it one question at a time. -Bring some hard candy to eat. -Take a brief breather if you feel anxious. -Remember that it’s almost winter break. -Answer the questions you feel most confident with first. -Try not to cry. check out smsouthnews.com for the finals schedule and more tools to help you succeed.

PH O T O B Y JE N

N A FA CK RE LL

FEATURES DEC. 2015

A &

Q with

MIAH CLARK BY JACOB ROBERTSON Staff Writer PHOTO BY JACOB COX

FEATURES DEC. 2015

PHOTOs BY maxie crimm

reshman Miah Clark, an aspiring author is involved with The Coterie, a theatre company based in Kansas City, MO. She is a member of the Young Playwrights’ Roundtable, an invitationonly teen writing club. How often do you meet in your playwriting group?

It’s a group for high schoolers in the Coterie Theatre. Every other Sunday we all get together and share what we have written.

What kinds of things do you write for your group?

Plays, monologues or anything we have written and sometimes we have a big main project with an end goal. Right now we are doing monologues or dialogues that we send in and get the opportunity for our piece to be turned into an opera and performed, which is amazing and such a great opportunity.

How many pieces have you written?

I’ve written about four pieces that I’ve shared with the group, but I’ve always written so many things on the side that have not been shared.

How did you hear about the coterie theatre group a with the Coterie Theatre?

They have workshops that go around middle schools and high school and teachers that think certain kids would be good for it get sent and participate in the workshop. They spend the whole day with someone who works with the Coterie and write prompts and really see what you’ve got.

What happens if you do well in the workshop?

You can get submitted to the Coterie if they think you are good writer and have what it takes. Then you can get interviewed by the big corporate guy who’s in charge of the Coterie Theatre and he decides, after that you can stay for all four years of high school or leave if you want to.

Is it stressful on top of school?

It definitely requires a lot of time from my schedule because you have deadlines and you have to have certain things in the works and then ready to share with the group, like I’m also in creative writing and I’m writing a separate play piece that also has a deadline on top of all my other classes and it’s just all over the place.

Is writing a career goal for you?

Of course! Ever since the second grade I’ve had this affinity for writing, like there was this weird competition called Kindergartners Going on College that I entered in and then that’s when I really decided what ever I do end up deciding to do as a career it will have to do with something in writing.

FEATURES DEC. 2015

STOP ALREADY, I’M SLEEP DEPRIVED BY MARK HOLLAND STAFF WRITER

The presence of sleep deprivation in teens is ever growing.

ith jobs booming and homework looming, students don’t always have enough time to get the needed amount of sleep. But some students

do try. “I go to bed at 9 and wake up at like 6:30 in the morning. If I have a test, I wake up earlier to study and boost my metabolism...You should have a sleep schedule,” freshman Haley Hill said. According to AP Psych teacher Heather Sheppard, not getting enough sleep can be unhealthy for a student’s mental state. “Emotionally you have a harder time dealing with stress. Coping is hard. Sometimes we get cranky and short tempered. Cognitively it’s hard to focus, things that are easier to do are more difficult. Mental tasks are difficult,” Sheppard said. Sheppard also mentioned that sleep deprivation can be harmful to a student’s physical health too. She said

There is a Southbuzz survey available at smsouthnews.com, to find out if you’re sleep deprived.

FEATURES DEC. 2015

that when people don’t get enough sleep, their immune systems will weaken because of the overworking of their bodies. In “Snooze or Lose” by Dr. Helene A. Emsellem, the president of the Center for Sleep and Wake Disorders in Chevy Chase, Md, it is explained that students are more likely to get sick when they don’t get enough sleep because the number of T-cells, which keep the body healthy, decrease by 30 to 40 percent. Emsellem said that teens are more likely to get headaches when they are sleep deprived. She also said that students who receive C’s in class get less sleep than students who receive good grades, and that the less sleep students get, the more likely they are to use drugs or alcohol. Other reasons that students aren’t getting enough sleep are jobs and homework, because of this, students can’t always get as much sleep as they would want to. “I usually work till 9:30 or 10 p.m. and I don’t have the option of doing homework before work, so I have to do it after work, which is not fun,” senior John Holland said. He receives around 1-2 hours of homework per night. Teachers and bosses are aware of the sleep deprivation and are doing what they can to help it. “Teachers are pretty gracious regarding jobs, and my bosses aren’t too strict, so it’s working out,” Holland said. Though some people would say that school doesn’t affect sleep that much, others would disagree. According to betterhealth.com, adolescents need around nine to 10 hours of sleep per night. Most of them are only getting seven or eight hours. The Washington Post’s Valerie Strauss explained that the early start times for schools are not helping. While some people would say that sleep deprivation is avoidable and should not ever happen, Sheppard thinks that that is not entirely true. “Sometimes you have to stay up a night if you have a job. Sometimes it’s unavoidable. Sometimes we do it to ourselves...there will be nights that you have to stay up for school,” Sheppard said.

Adolescents need around nine to 10 hours of sleep per night.

Sleep deprived students are more likely to be sick due to reduced number of T-cells.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAh CARTER

TERRIFIC TRENDS

by jacob robertson staff writer

Not everyone has a style, but everyone can get one. Trends come and go, but they always seem to be come back in the present day high fashion.

rends within the fashion world that explode within a year, whether it be choker necklaces, Doc Martens or leather biker jackets, seem to always disappear. Almost 20 years ago clothing items like those were some of the hottest things to wear. If you owned a pair of the expensive Doc Marten designer shoes you were “The bomb dot com,” but as soon as they went out of style, “Ugh, as if!!!” However, where do all the clothing teens wore in the past go? They seem to just come back. For centuries people have used clothing as a way to express themselves. In the dark ages certain colors and accessories were a sign of power, wealth or royalty. In the 21st Century public school students may feel that the way they dress is a distinct part of their lives they have full control over, and can dress however they want. The way you dress in high school is highly regarded. Student newspapers like The Patriot feature whole sections dedicated to people who dress according to trends and have style. In some cases fashion has been a way to grab others’ attention, to look stunning or even shock people. In the media, people like Madonna in the ‘80s, Nirvana in the ‘90s or Miley Cyrus in today’s world use fashion to grab attention and shock the world, changing styles and inventing new trends.. In 1984 Madonna took to the stage of the MTV Video Music awards and performed “Like a Virgin” wearing a lacy wedding dress and the infamous “Boy Toy” belt that turned heads around the world. A small wedding dress and the words “Boy Toy” were not a popular trend. Most women were expected to cover up, but Madonna changed the fashion world and encouraged women to dress more of how they want. The same thing goes with Miley Cyrus, on her “Dead Petz” tour. Cyrus jumps around stage in some of the most bizarre and shocking outfits and pieces. The beauty of it is that’s how she claims to express herself. It’s her doing whatever she wants. That’s the magic of fashion. Sophomore Tara Phillips agrees that the way she dresses is a big part of how she expresses herself. Many people

“invent” their own unique style that fits their character just right. Getting inspiration from your interests that you enjoy is the most important thing about finding out your style. “I get my inspiration from lots of classic rock stars like Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell. I also watch a lot of movies from the ’80s and ’90s and kind of go off that but make it more my own,” Phillips said. Not only does it make certain styles as their own, but it helps their true personality come through. “Yeah, I definitely feel like it’s a way for me to show people who I am as a person and my hobbies and interests,” Phillips said. In many ways, fashion allows people to express their creative freedom. Using your imagination and your own likes and dislikes you can create and craft your own unique style. So get out there and get shopping and become your own personal canvas.

Leather Jacket The timeless jacket can be worn in all three of the four seasons and luckily enough it adds just enough edge to any outfit to be complete.

Choker Necklace Born in the ’90s, the customizable choker necklace makes its way back into our hearts and the look lives on.

<<<

Earrings Never forget to accessorize. Psychedelic clothing items throwback to the times of Nirvana and Sublime give a clean finish look to any retro outfit. #tbt

A&E DEC. 2015

PARK PLACE I

By Kate Anderson A&E Editor Photos by jenna fackrell

n the center of Leawood lies a charming shopping district. Park Place offers quality local, regional and national venues. One-ofa-kind boutiques line the street, where the owners are fully invested in their customer’s experience. There are restaurants to cater to any desire — from gourmet sandwiches to elaborate dishes designed by celebrity chefs. Specialty food and desserts appear as a work of art. Park Place offers retail, dining, office and residential. In the middle of it all sits beautiful Barkley Square, a community green space featuring year-round activities. In summer, enjoy lively concerts while sipping a refreshing drink on one of the surrounding restaurant patios or rooftop decks. Currently, the area has transformed into “The Ice,” Johnson County’s only outdoor ice skating rink. Throughout the year, various activities add to the vibrant community, such as an annual street fair, an outdoors market expo with 90 vendors, a summer concert series and a “Taste of Park Place.”

A&E DEC. 2015

The Ice at Park Place 11565 Ash St, Leawood, KS 66211

Restaurant: BURGERFI

11635 Ash St, Leawood, KS 66211

urgerFi prides itself in being more that just your run-of-the-mill burger joint. Yes, there is something homey about a greasy shack selling local burgers, but sometimes there is a need for something a little more classy. Although the prices were a little steep for the average high schooler’s wallet, but the food was incredible. BurgerFi’s take on the veggie burger was interesting and their classic cheeseburger brought on a new look to the ordinary. I didn’t feel like I was walking into a Subway or Wendy’s when I went to BurgerFi. It was definitely an experience that I would like to have again. BurgerFi holds firm to the idea of the “gourmet burger” in a casual environment. It delivers higher-quality ingredients and better experiences while staying simple, refined and casual. Their menu includes four kinds of burgers, two veggie burgers, hotdogs, frozen custard and delicious sides. You definitely don’t go to BurgerFi for a light dinner. If you’re looking for a restaurant with class but a fun atmosphere, BurgerFi is sure to please you.

Cafe: PARISI COFFEE

5245 W 116th Pl, Leawood, KS 66211

hink about how many pivotal conversations you’ve had over a cup of coffee. How many memories have you revisited? How many unforgettable moments have you experienced? Parisi takes coffee seriously and it shows. The coffee is wonderful and takes some of the winter chill out of your body. The Parisi cafe has clean lines and a post-modern feel. At first thought that sounds harsh and uninviting, but the kind staff and comfortable chairs are sure to lure anyone in.

“Art from the cup.”

Store: ETIQUETTE BOUTIQUE

5275 W. 116th Pl, Leawood, KS 66211

tiquette Boutique is a cute corner that sells fashion-forward clothing and accessories. Right now, the boutique is stocked with perfect holiday party outfits. The prices tend to be a little high, but you’re getting a quality, high-end product, so it is well worth it.

A&E DEC. 2015

senior

street style LISLEY MUCHIRI

“ SHIRT | WALMART PANTS | VIVA FASHION SHOES | CHARLOTTE RUSSE SCARF & JACKET | SAVERS

A&E DEC. 2015

Photos by savannah morgan

JACKET & SCARF| FOREVER 21 SHIRT | WALMART

BRACELET | KENYA

Fashion means everything to me. It’s how I express myself.

“

>>>

SHIRT | CHARLOTTE RUSSE JEANS | JC PENNY EARRINGS | WALMART

TWITTER PHOTO CONTEST Students tweeted @smspatriot picture of their “dynamic duo” and The Patriot staff picked their favorites. The winner will receive a gift card. Next Twitter photo contest theme will be “things to do during a snow day.”

Senior Andrew Duffy @PizzaSorcerers

Senior Rose Smithson @Rosie73241217

Senior Mia Duncan @MiaDuncan98

Senior Bailey Cook @baileyacook

A&E DEC. 2015

REVIEW by Lauren rosenstock assistant editor-in-chief, sports editor

‘HOVER’ YOUR TRACKS PHOTOS FROM SOLOWHEEL.COM

A growing trend, hoverboards use technological advances to produce a superior product of transportation costing from $200 to $1,495.

n “Back to the Future,” Marty McFly is thrown into 2015 where he encounters numerous technological advances and innovations. One of the first things the viewer sees is a hoverboard zooming across the screen. Funny enough, it is 2015 and hoverboards are one of the most popular technologies on the market. No other item allows the user dozens of sensations, reaching all senses and emotions, in the same way a hoverboard does. There is much excitement for being “in the future” (in some people’s eyes), and there is the fear and threat of falling, but only momentarily. The sensation of hovering is obviously present while riding. I have Matt Roberts from Power Sales & Advertising to thank for giving me the opportunity to test one of these complex and exciting Hovertrax Hover E-Ride. Of course on the first try, I fell. The board isn’t hard to get used to, but even on my second attempt, I fell. Roberts is a pro. Let me say that.

A&E DEC. 2015

The board itself isn’t challenging to ride, but the awestruck feeling and the dozens of emotions all at once, is the hardest thing to grasp. The Hovertrax (created by SOLOWHEEL) includes a battery that charges in about 30 minutes, giving the board a long ride-life. The Hovertrax uses pauses, braking and downhill riding to conserve energy. Standby mode and SOLOWARE, “take advantage of every opportunity to save energy by recharging the battery during braking and downhill riding,” stated on the SOLOWHEEL website. Hovertrax can reach speeds from five to nine miles per hour. The board is sturdy, at 17 pounds, but leaves the user feeling weightless. After my attempts to ride on the office carpet, Roberts rode it to the warehouse (a smooth and dark floor) where he demonstrated just how fast the Hovertrax can go on a smooth straightaway. The Ultra lightweight design of the Hovertrax makes for a simpler transition from one terrain to another, as well as over cracks and unevenness in pavement. The Hovertrax is built with three-axis gyro sensors and accelerometers. A gyro sensor determines

orientation. An accelerometer is designed to measure nongravitational acceleration. When applied simultaneously, one gauges orientation and the other checks measures acceleration. Another part of the seamlessness is brought by the two versions of balancing software; the design of this software can transition the board on multiple types of terrain. I felt as balanced as a newborn giraffe. There was a sensation of hovering, but also complete lack of control. In a hilarious way, the movement of the board was still swift and smooth despite my lack of balance. To protect the battery, motor and wheels from the elements, the cover of the Hovertrax is made of highpolymer polycarbonate, which is touch and lightweight is available two styles: red and black or red and white. Truly innovative, stylish and advanced, Hovertrax is high powered, and energy efficient. Hoverboards are being used as transportation around campus and other public places, as well as for entertainment. The board provides endless entertainment, mobility and freedom to the user.

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GAME TIME

Before finals and holiday break, winter athletes practice for fast-approaching games and matches.

1 3 2 4

Senior Joe Stokes and sophomore Joe McAtee take a break from

1 laps during swim practice. PHOTO BY MAXIE CRIMM Between drills at basketball practice, juniors Maddy McAvoy Liz Holmes stand with the team and listen for instruction. 2 and PHOTO BY JACOB COX Sophomore Jacob Obeidat and freshman Seth Yost battle their

Find more sports stories, galleries, scores and updates at smsouthnews.com.

to wrestle offs to see who makes the varsity spot. 3 way PHOTO BY SAVANNAH MORGAN

Preparing to get a rebound, sophomore Michael Brooks waits for the ball after sophomoreTodd Hayes drives the lane for a layup. PHOTO BY HANNAH CARTER

SPORTS DEC. 2015

DAMAGE CONTROL

Posing and showing her anger, senior Erin Bunker stands next to juniors Michael Carter and Josh Buss. PHOTO illustration BY HANNAH CARTER

BY EMILY WILKINSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, OPINION EDITOR

Male-dominated Crowd Control traditionally provides school spirit for male varsity sports T h e sideline of any sporting event is a fountainhead of school spirit, a pillar of community amongst students and families alike. At its center, an unofficial club incites and eggs on the cheerful chaos. Crowd Control was informally created in 2007 to maintain good sportsmanship and a sense of community at sporting events. For many, Crowd Control’s continued devotion to South sporting can be seen as a unifying bond within the student body.

SPORTS DEC. 2015

“Sports unite people. I was a freshman when we won the State championship in basketball, and in that moment, there was no controversy. The school felt so much more united around one central thing: basketball,” senior and member of Crowd Control Matt Cashman said. “Crowd Control is that school spirit. We organize students and get everyone to dress up and get hyped about the games.” For others, the club’s presence does more than raise spirits, but a couple eyebrows too. “Most years, [Crowd Control] are guys who act like they’ve been supportive of every single sports team, but in reality, it’s a couple of guys who have dropped out of their sports who only support football or basketball,” senior Erin Bunker said. “I think Crowd Control is selective over who can be in it and who can participate.” During its years of operation,

Crowd Control has never had a female student as a member. Students cannot apply for or freely join the club, which is described by athletic director John Johnson as “officially unofficial.” Each member is a senior and is chosen by the previous senior members of Crowd Control. “The senior guys last year picked out the current senior members who went to, for the most part, as many games as they could,” Cashman said. Although the presence of diversity amongst Crowd Control members has historically been lacking, Cashman does not believe there is any malicious reasoning behind it. “We’re just looking for people we can trust to go to the games. I do think there’s some bias in the selection process… but I guess I don’t like to look at the political side of it. I just want people to have a good time at the games,” Cashman said.

Late in the evening, fans fill the student section while they wait for the game to resume. Bunker attributes the lack of female members to a culture-wide view of women in sports. “I think their reasoning is that since it’s male sports, males should run it,” Bunker said, “the same way that ESPN broadcasters are most often men. But now that we’re seeing women taking over in different fields, it’s obvious women are just as capable taking charge of pep and school spirit. Unless there was a boy’s game right after, I’ve never seen Crowd Control at a girls basketball or girls soccer game. The only reason they pick male sports is because of the stereotype that girls sports don’t matter, like it’s a joke or there as a filler.” The historical lack of attendance at girls’ sports is a phenomenon that Bunker says affects the morale of female athletes. “For myself, [in games] I can use that as a catalyst, knowing that no one expects me to work as hard as a man or be faster, fitter or more competitive than a man. For a woman, being competitive has this connotation of being bossy or controlling, but for a man, it’s just in their nature,” Bunker said, “so if you tell girls that them being competitive is a joke, it almost brings down their mindset of going to the next level.” This disparity in attendance between male and female dominated sports, Johnson says, is undeniably reflected in ticket sales. “I guarantee we would have a huge crowd, boys or girls, if they

The student section dressed according to the theme: America during the home football game against SM East, Sept. 11.

were undefeated or going for a State championship,” Johnson said. “If we had a girls basketball team running the table like our boys basketball team, my guess is we’d be packed. It’s not a matter of boys or girls sports. People have a tendency to follow winners.” Senior Tegan Goodson says that seeing less attendance at girls’ games than boys is a disappointing fact of life for most female athletes. “The volleyball team won first round of Substate, which hasn’t happened in a long time, and to see no one there at a Substate game… it hits you hard,” Goodson said. “There are people who have better records in girls’ sports than guys, so to hear that people don’t show up to our games because we’re ‘worse’ doesn’t really make sense to me in my eyes. It’s mostly just disappointing, because we want support too.” Goodson believes that since Crowd Control is seen as the role models to students sitting on the sidelines, their presence at girls’ sporting events would set the tone for encouraging more students to attend girls’ games as a whole. “I think it would make a difference to see Crowd Control maybe go all out for a girls basketball game or soccer game,” Goodson said. “I know it’d mean a lot to the female athletes and South as a whole to say, ‘Wow, Crowd Control is kind of stepping out of their boundaries and attending events that they normally wouldn’t do.’”

Search smsouthnews.com for the full story.

PHOTOS BY HANNAH CARTER

CROWD CONTROL: TREVOR AHRENS BRADY ANDERSON MATT CASHMAN RYAN DUBINSKI DOM ESPARRAGO CJ HILL GRANT HOLTFRERICH JAKE MANKIN DANNY MCGEE ZACH MCQUEEN BAILEY OBERSTEADT COOPER PATTERSON ALEX RENFREW SKYLER RUDY

SPORTS DEC. 2015

QA WITH SOPHOMORE

MARGO HUNTER

BY Max Holmes Staff Writer

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARGO HUNTER

Hunter practices rowing, a seasonal sport, with Kansas City Rowing Club outside of school.

Do you enjoy rowing?

I like it a lot. I’ve been doing it for three years now. I started when I was in eighth grade, which is actually a year younger than you’re supposed to be, but they let me in because I’m tall and that body shape is best for rowing.

In what seasons do you compete? It’s a year round thing, but your only on the water during fall, spring and summer. You can’t do it in the winter because of safety. You could flip. It’s kind of a common thing. You could flip your boat and the water is really cold and it’s not really safe.

Who inspired you to row?

I actually do Cross-fit... and there are some adults at my gym that row. We have rowing machines at my gym, and they were like “You’re pretty good at it. You should try it out.”

We practice with (the rowing machines) and then we just lift weight, and do other strength and conditioning stuff.

and I’m the person in the front… I set the pace and everyone else follows me and we’re synchronized. The word for it is “Stroke.”

Describe a regular competition.

What do you do as the ‘stroke?’

In the morning, there is a coaches and coxswain meeting, where... Anyone who’s bowing or a coxswain in a race goes... They explain the rules of the course... There is different buoys that mean different things, and you can get penalties for crossing buoys into the race lane or the practice lane... Then you get the boats together and in order so everyone is ready and everyone has their oars set out. Between races you hang out and bring shoes to people who are getting out of their boats and help carry boats down to the water... Sometimes you go from one race right to another, which is called ‘hot-seating,’ and then thats like all hands on deck, because you are literally getting out of one boat and getting into another.

I control the speed of the boat... You have a monitor in front of you that has your ‘Stroke-per-minute.’ And you try to keep that up.

What accomplishments have you achieved in this sport?

It’s difficult to measure, because you’re not always up against the same people, but I have quite a few medals. This year, at the regatta in Des Moines, I caught second in a quad, which is four people without a coxswain and everyone has two oars. I got second in that race, which is pretty good.

Future plans for the sport; What are you doing to prepare college? during the off-season? What position on the boat are I want to row in college, but it’s a long you? Is there a name for your process, because practices are really early in the morning, and then it’s position? pretty competitive in college. I want

SPORTS DEC. 2015

There’s a coxen, which sits towards everyone. Everyone that is rowing is mostly facing backwards,

to go out of state for it. Either Bucknell of The University of Washington in Seattle.

BY LAUREN ROSENSTOCK ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, SPORTS EDITOR

POWER PLAY

To play sports, or not to play sports? These athletic activities may seem unheard of, and they may seem impossible, but take the quiz to find out which obscure sport you should be playing or training to play. How much exercise do you get on a weekly basis? 0-1 days, I’ve definitely have better things to do.

A B C D

1-2 days, I get to the gym when I can. 2-3 days, I consider myself healthy but also lazy.

3-4 days, I take working out seriously.

Which show are you most likely to binge watch over break?

A B C D

Psych How I Met Your Mother Master of None Portlandia

Mostly A, and B

CHEESE ROLLING Purchase a wheel of cheese. Roll it down a hill and try to catch it. It’s that simple, just like you. You may enjoy the simpler things, but you know how to entertain. And if people disappoint, at least there’s the cheese. Photo from Lists 25.com

Which mascot do you like best?

A B C D

Dolphins, Miami Bills, Buffalo Jets, New York Patriots, New England

Which movie do you like best?

A B C D

Nightcrawler Django Unchained Silver Linings Playbook Pulp Fiction

What season do you like most?

A B C D

Fall Winter Spring Summer

ANSWERS

Mostly C

SPORTHOCKING Similar to extreme sitting, sporthocking introduces an original new way to skateboard, parkour and sit. In this case, 2+2=5. Is it intriguing? Does it make any sense at all? No, but if one of the elements of sporthocking are your true passion, follow it. Photo from SportHocker.com

Mostly D

EXTREME IRONING Extreme is your middle name. You can easily transform an average situation into an EXTREME situation. You don’t hesitate to show of your skills in a flashy way. Photo from Lists 25.com

SPORTS DEC. 2015

RED WING STORE 8920 W 95TH ST OVERLAND PARK, KS 66212 913-648-7860

Driver Education at Johnson County Community College

Drive Safe, Drive Smart • Kansas Board of Education certified instructors providing comprehensive training • 6 hours of driving • 6 hours of observation • 30 hours of classroom instruction • Focus on defensive driving • Automobile fleet includes a Toyota Prius hybrid car and Nissan electric car, which lessens the program’s carbon footprint while promoting sustainability Course fee: $369. Register today for classes that begin in January, February, May, June and July. Online course coming summer 2016! For class dates and times visit www.jccc.edu/ce or call 913-469-4446. Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd. Overland Park, KS 66210

SoPro Gaming. Now in Overland Park.

A live video gaming center with all of your favorite games. PC Gaming! Console Gaming! Tournaments! Lock-In’s! LAN Parties! Birthday Parties!

One Month Free Membership Membership includes discounted game time and discounted tournament entry fees. SoPro Gaming 9240 Metcalf

(in the same shopping center as Micro Center)

soprogaming.com 913-703-5183

Limit one per customer. Must redeem by 1/31/16. Some restrictions may apply.

Need a summer job? The City of Overland Park Outdoor Pools are now hiring! Pool Cashiers start at $7.25/hour! Lifeguards start at $9.00/hour! This includes a $1.00/hour bonus if contract is fufilled. Assistant Swim and Dive Coaches start at $10.00/hour!

For more information and job applications, visit www.opkansas.org

THEN 2013

Class of 2014 senior Calvin Freeman performed in Mr. American as Mr. Patriot. For the talent portion he danced around in a tutu and Tinkerbell pajama pants to Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball.”

Photo by Jenna Fackrell

GENERATION GAP NOW 2015

Taking the same route as previous student Calvin Freeman, senior Jesse York performs to “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus for Mr. American. York won Mr. Talent for his performance. York was performing as Mr. Yearbook. photo by jenna fackrell

GENERATION GAP

DEC. 2015