The Patriot Issue 2

T H E PATRIOT

Shawnee Mission South Overland Park, KS Volume 55 Issue 2 Mar. 12th

IMMEDIATE IMPAC T

Only three years in, and head coach Derek Berg has had a significant influence on The SM South Read about it on page 10 and 11 swim program.

OPINION

FEATURE

A & E

NEWS

Check out our website for a recent debate column on the hot topic of climate change.

Wonder what it is like to be going through the college decision process during a global pandemic? Take a look.

The Patriot staff add three new members this semester. Learn more about them on the back page.

smsouthnews.com

Page 4-5

NHS has set up the SMSD4T project to be completed in April, with a concert afterwards. For more info, check our website. smsouthnews.com

Page 12

TABLE OF C ONTENTS 2-3

TOC/Skipping out on Seniors

4-5

College is Coming up

6-7

Skipped Season

8-9

Bringing Back the Bunch

10-11

Immediate Impact

12

Fresh Faces

Follow us on social media: Twitter:@SmsPatriot Instagram: @smspatriot Website: smsoutnews.com

MISSION STATEMENT The Patriot is a newsmagazine 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 sections pages, unless otherwise specified. Under the First Amendment and Kansas law, The Patriot staff is entitles 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 grammar, length, and good taste.

STAFF Head Editors McKenna Pickering - Co-Editor-in-Chief Evan Shibel - Co-Editor-in-Chief Katie Hiebl - Assistant Editor-in-Chief Section Editors Annalie Polen - News and Opinion Editor Katie Hiebl - A & E and Features Editor Nathan Judd - Sports Editor Management Editors Reese Woods - Multimedia Editor Evan Shibel - Ads & Management Editor Photo and Deisgn Editors Trinity Clark - Photo Editor-In-Chief L andrea Van Mol - Assistant Photo Editor Jack Wagner - Assistant Photo Editor Repoeters and Photographers Annie Caswell Jake Foil Simon Cox Noel Mohamed Elliot Calvert

SKIPPING OUT ON SENIORS The class of 2021 is hopeful for a normal last semester.

I

n these unprecedented times, typical end of school year plans are going to be different than a normal school year. With graduation and prom just around the corner, the South community is unsure of how they are going to take on these events. There are already rumours among students of a possible prom.

STUCO Co-President Grace Vavak said, “We are trying to communicate with Dr. Johnson, but we don’t know much about what is happening. Our idea would be to do a senior

ERIK SMITH

Senior

celebration on the football field that is like a carnival with fun games, prizes and music, but at this point we have no information on what we are allowed to do.”

Class of 2021 has been let down this year by being deprived of attending sports events, pep assemblies, dances and even just simple connections with teachers. SMS is hopeful that this year’s seniors will at least be able to have just one event that can make high school as close to normal as possible.

“We took our student events for granted. I remember all of high school. I’ve looked forward to my senior year and playing basketball in front of a huge crowd. No crowds, no dances, no senior trips, everything was just gone in a snap without us being able to do anything about it.”

“I’ve been looking forward to my senior year for a while now; I’ve gone through 12 years of school to get to this point. It’s not even a real year.”

ANDREW BREWER

Senior

GRETCHEN SHULTZ

Senior

“Making the most out of everything is what I would take away from this senior year. We couldn’t have the dodgeball tournament either so I was mad about that.”

COLLEGE IS COMI Just under two months away from the National Decision Day, seniors make

A

s we get further into the second semester, seniors begin applying to and visiting colleges. This is yet another avenue impacted by COVID-19. One of the most affected steps in the process is people’s list of colleges. Because of COVID, many students are looking closer to home this year. Reasons for this vary, but the most important are the possibility of a campus closure or a home emergency. In-state colleges can often come with a smaller price tag, which matters more for some this year than it has in the past.People who planned on in-state all along have not hit as large of a roadblock, but going out-ofstate this year takes a whole lot more planning and preparation than normal.

“Since COVID hit, it has been difficult to organize college visits,” senior Ewan Wagner said.

Ewan happened to go on a couple visits in his junior year, so it is not too bad for him. However, for those who had not planned or made any visits before COVID are not so lucky. Visiting an out-of-state college during COVID comes with many considerations. The CDC’s COVID guidelines recommend a seven day quarantine upon returning from out-of-state travel, even after a negative COVID-19 test. For those who don’t get tested, the guidelines suggest a ten day

quarantine.

“Most colleges offer virtual tours, but those aren’t the same,” Ewan said.

College visits can have a huge impact on a student’s choice. On a real visit, you would get to experience the atmosphere of the school; the environment, the students, etc. A virtual visit is mostly just informational, which while helpful, is not enough to tell if it’s the college, according to Ewan.

“The colleges I was looking at all had videos of the campus and dorms,” senior Ella Buss said. “That was the only way I got to see the inside of many buildings due to COVID.” Ella was able to visit the University of Colorado, but was only able to walk around the campus on her own. Most colleges don’t currently have tours due to COVID, according to Ella.

Above: Senior Ewan Wagner poses for picture in front of academic building at Belmont University.

Left: Ella Buss takes in beautiful mountain views at CU Boulder.

Photos courtesy of Ewan Wagner and Ella Buss

ING UP

last ditch efforts to visit schools in some atypical ways.

Left: Senior Evan Shibel captures still moment at the Farmer School of Business on the campus of Miami (Ohio) University.

Bottom left: Senior Ewan Wagner sets up for photo in front of the student union at Belmont University.

Below: Senior Evan Shibel takes photo of the student center at Butler University with Blue the Bulldog.

Photos courtesy of Ewan Wagner and Evan Shibel

SKIPPED SEAS N Running towarsds the ball, senior Dylan Ziegler scrimmages with some of her teammates on the second day of tryouts.

Photo by Katey Eichorn At the first day of tryouts, junior Jordan Upton warms up and listens to directions from coachs with the rest of the track team.

Photo by Katey Eichorn

Spring sports start after a shortend season.

Written by Annalie Polen News Editor

S

pring sports are finally starting after a long break off. With covid hitting right at the beginning of the spring season last year, many returning players are coming back for the first time since two years ago. As this season starts up many players are excited to continue what they missed last year while getting through the season safely.

“Having the season canceled was hard because everyone had been looking forward to it for a while and there was a different kind of vibe in the air last year”, junior and member of the baseball team, Miles Mckenna said.

Playing this year without last year’s seniors and new freshmen has made it so that teams have had to adapt to the new changes. Not only have the South teams changed greatly since the last full spring season, there is an uncertainty about how good all the other school teams will be as well.

“There are so many unknowns about what other schools have coming back in terms of players and talent. Our varsity guys have been continuing to play over the last year so they are ready to go,” head varsity tennis coach, Kurt Hodge said.

Although the teams are having to adopt this year there is also a strong chance for success as everyone is eager to begin playing again as well as having more practice under their belt.

Focused on hitting the ball, senior Chase Davids volleys back and fourth with his partner.

Photo by Katey Eichorn

“I think not having a season last year will make everyone work even harder this season and will bring everyone closer”, junior and track member, Anna Kreamer said.

With a strange year at hand, the fall and winter sports were able to make it through their term without having to end early. The same hopes are held as each athlete participates in covid safety measures to retain the length of a normal spring season.

“I think this season will be pretty normal despite COVID but people will need to make sure they are staying safe so they don’t end their season or their teammates’ season early,” Kreamer said.

The past year has had some silver lining even through all the changes. After missing out on so much, getting the chance to do what would have been normal, like playing soccer, has given everyone a new perspective and gratitude.

“Without a season last year I didn’t realize how much I missed it until this year after being back with everyone. This season I’m looking forward to just appreciating every moment I have on the field for the last time,” senior and soccer player, Dylan Ziegler said.

BRINGING BACK T For the first time since March of 2020, students will be back in the building

T

he Shawnee Mission School District recently announced that all students currently enrolled in hybrid learning will make the switch to full inperson instruction on March 22. The administration has worked with staff as well as students to ensure the safety of all returning educators and learners.

Precautions such as extended lunch periods and seating arrangements will take place in order to keep students and staff safe. While there is no way to guarantee a full six feet between every student and staff, the district and faculty are trying their best to provide the spacing needed in every situation. Many are excited to be back in the classroom and finally have the opportunity to fill the hallways again.

“I feel pretty excited to go back full time because it’s my final chance to be in the classroom with everyone I’ve been in school with since middle school. Going back to school is a good way to bring everyone together again for a few months, but I’m not sure how long it will last for. I’m optimistic though,” senior, Dylan Ziegler said.

Even though many students look forward to returning to school some have mixed feelings about the number of people crowded into one building.

“I think that there are aspects that are good and bad

Freshman Tristan Kelly navigates his way around the new round about in the main hallway on the first day back in the hybrid model.

Photo By Katey Eichorn

Junior Haley Carter, handling bags for her many activities, moves towards the arts hallway.

Photo By Katey Eichorn

THE BUNCH five days a week at SMS. because going fulltime helps you get more work done and understand what you’re doing but also it’s a lot of people in one place I guess. But then again they’re putting out the vaccine so,” freshman, Alayna Baron stated.

Not only are students excited to return back to the green and gold colored halls but so are the teachers that support Shawnee Mission South.

“Well, it’s gonna be easier to do some of the lab activities for my particular classes that haven’t been able to. So I think that will be a positive,” science teacher, JJ Wannamaker said.

The change to full in

A group of students check their phones for their schedules to find what class they are headed to next.

Photo By Katey Eichorn

“Honestly I think a majority of the people are very excited about going back to school full time. The parents and the students that signed up for remote are still in remote, so the parents of students that have signed up for in person are getting you know what they hoped for and what they wanted,”

Joe Gilhaus said.

person learning is meant to help students feel more connected to one another and of course receive a face-to-face learning experience.

In person learning is a big step towards higher grades and more student attendance.

“Honestly I think a majority of the people are very excited about going back to school full time. The parents and the students that signed up for remote are still in remote, so the parents of students that have signed up for in person are getting you know what they hoped for and what they wanted,”Joe Gilhaus said.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Only three years in, and head coach Derek Berg has had a significant influence on The SM South swim program.

Written by Nathan Judd Sports Editor

S

MS Swim & Dive head coach Derek Berg recently won coach of the year for his teams performance this year after ending as 5th place in 6A. This isn’t his only award for swimming either, winning the 2011 Girls Kansas 6A Coach of the Year, 2011 National Federation of High Schools Midwest Sectional Girls Coach of the Year, 2016 Boys Kansas 6A Coach of the Year, and 2016 NFHS Midwest Sectional Boys Coach of the Year. After his latest accomplishment coach Berg should definitely be considered one of the best swim coaches in the state “This year was hard, with so many things being different, many traditions being changed or canceled, dealing with covid protocols, etc, but they handled it all so well, kept themselves and each other safe and healthy, kept working hard through it all, and just kept improving, putting themselves into position as one of the top teams in the Sunflower League and State,”coach Berg said after being asked about how this season was different from others.

One of the most special moments of this swim season, and one of coach Bergs’ proudest moments as

a coach was at the prelims session of the Sunflower League Championship, when every single swim was a personal best.

“I’ve had meets where we have had season best swims before, but I don’t think I have ever in my career had a meet where EVERY athlete got their lifetime best like we did in that session. It was amazing to watch.” Berg said.

The team got better throughout the course of the season and ended up taking fifth at state.

“Berg is a great coach, he really knows what he is talking about. He gave all of us a pep talk before state and you could really tell how much he cares about each of us and the team as a whole.” Senior and first year diver Tyler Welch said.

At the end of the day South swim & dive is one of the best programs in the sunflower league and up there with the best in the state. Each year coach Berg continues to show that he is one of the best coaches in the state, racking up award after award backing up that statement each year.

COACH BERG’S ACCOLADES • 2021 Boys Kansas 6A Swim Coach of the Year • 2011 Girls Kansas 6A Swim Coach of the Year • 2011 NFHS Midwest Sectional Girls Coach of the Year • 2016 Boys Kansas 6A Swim Coach of the Year • 2016 NFHS Midwest Sectional Boys Coach of the Year

Screaming encouragement, swim coach Derek Berg cheers on his South swimmers.

Photo By Landrea Van Mol

After an intense race, coach Berg pats senior Owen Krussow on the back.

Photo By Landrea Van Mol

FRESH FACES

The Patriot staff welcomes three new members.

Written by Evan Shibel Co-Editor-In-Chief Hey I’m Annie Caswell! I am a freshman at South and I play soccer for the team here at South! I love to write and am thrilled to be apart of The Patriot staff.

“I am so excited to be working on the newspaper this year as a freshman! I have always loved journalism since I was little and I love being apart of this community!” said Annie.

What’s up? My name is Simon Cox. I am a freshman this year at South, class of 2024. I love to write. I am a member of the track team and am a sprinter. I own two shirts and 96 sweatshirts.:) “I think newspaper is a great opportunity to learn new skills that will help me in so many differnet avenues in life. I am super excited to do more and write more!’ said Simon.

Hi! I’m Reece Howard, a current sophomore and I’m a reporter on staff ! I love to play ukulele, spend time with friends, take photos, and of course writing! Also I am super swag :)