March 2016 Issue

THE

PATRIOT VOLUME 50

ISSUE 7

MARCH 2016

FIRST COMES LOVE

Teen pregnancy rates fall in states where comprehensive sex education is required.

SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH 5800 W. 107th ST, OVERLAND PARK, KS, 66207

(913) 993-7500

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

ON THE COVER

PHOTO illustrations BY JENNA FACKRELL

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, pregnancy is the number one reason girls drop out of school in the U.S. With these statistics in mind, different programs offer resources for teen mothers to finish their high school education.

CONTENTS NEWS

OPINION FEATURES

4

Financially Lit

9

5

Lab Assistant Changes

10

6

Louder Than a Bomb

8

Photo Essay: The Sweet Life

12

Staff Editorial The Debate: Students Excused from New Classes Contributing Column: Ellie Bartlett

A&E

SPORTS

13

Olivia Mark

20

The Local: Brookside

26

14

Cover Story: Teen Pregnancy

22

Street Style: Alex Ledbetter

27

Eligibility Rule Changes

18

Q&A: Mimi DeLuca

24

Reviews

28

Q&A: Trent Burch

25

Post Concert Depression

29

Dance and Cheer Credit

State Statistics

Photo Essay: The Year in Cheer

30

THEN AND NOW

32

Photo Essay: Generation Gap

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

Amelia Holcomb News Editor

Jenna Fackrell Photo Editor

Casey Mispagel Editorial Cartoonist

Lily Wagner Staff Writer

Kate Anderson A&E Editor

Savannah Morgan Photographer

Mark Holland Staff Writer

Keeli Ward Staff Writer

Jacob Cox Web Editor

Hannah Carter Photographer

Max Holmes Staff Writer

Avery Woods Staff Writer

Sophia Belshe Ads Editor

Maxie Crimm Photographer

Jacob Robertson Staff Writer

Julie Fales Adviser

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.

MISSION

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

CONTENTS MARCH 2016

03

NEWS BRIEFS

This month’s must-know news stories

by lily wagner STAFF WRITER

>>> WORLD

The United Nations called for a ceasefire between rebel forces and the Syrian government forces led by President Bashar al-Assad.

The ceasefire began at midnight on February 27. The United Nations hopes to begin peace talks and provide aid to those still living in the areas where fighting has occurred.

“I’m hopeful when any side is willing to negotiate but peace does not seem close at hand,” social studies teacher Joseph Laurenzo said.

>>> NATIONAL

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died in Texas Feb. 13 of natural causes. He was a conservative justice who served for nearly 30 years after being nominated

by President Ronald Reagan. His death has brought up the issue of whether President Barack Obama or the winner of the 2016 election should nominate the next justice.

“The Senate should only approve if they agree with his nomination, democracy is a compromise,” social studies teacher Doug Weaver said.

>>>SCHOOL

Seniors will no longer be allowed to be exempt from finals starting in the 2016-2017 school year. These decisions were made at the Jan. 25 school board meeting. The decision states that students in any graded, full-year course are required to take a final. Only students who take the Advanced Placement test will have the option to be exempt from finals given by the classroom teacher. “It makes me really frustrated because it doesn’t change college standings,” junior Colleen Bontrager said, “It’s nice to have one year where you don’t have to [take finals].”

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NEWS MARCH 2016

Students work during their Financial Literacy class. PHOTO BY maxie crimm

FINANCIALLY LIT by jacob robertson STAFF WRITER

Financial Literacy to replace Computer Applications as a graduation requirement.

T

he board of education decided to take away the required credit of Computer Applications and replaced with Financial Literacy.

Teachers, counselors and building level administrators have been actively involved in generating the proposed changes for the Board of Education’s review.

High school students currently enrolled will be exempt from these changes and can neglect taking either classes and still graduate on time. The freshmen of 2016-17 will be the first class that this change will affect.

“I don’t really think that [Computer Apps] was really needed to be taken, kids of this generation can find their way around any computer without any classes,” junior Olivia Beisiegel said.

Students can benefit from the class and use the skills that they learn immediately out of high school.

“Financial Literacy is something continually asked to do more of when we do senior exit surveys. It’s something the students are asking for,” associate principal Ryan Flurry said. “With your MacBook’s you have exposure to those types of programs all the time.”

Making Financial Literacy a graduation requirement will give all students the knowledge on how to manage money. In the class students learn basic economic and financial concepts like distinguishing between wants and needs. Currently there is one Finance Literacy class at South taught by business teacher Bryce McElroy It may not seem to an underclassmen that managing money is a necessity. But because seniors will be dealing with scholarships, loans and college tuitions and planning to live alone, being financially savvy is essential.

“A lot of the graduates I know are complaining about how they were completely unprepared for the real world. I think it’s a good change, and it’s smart,” Beisiegel said One of the most important issues facing households is personal debt.

With the finance class mandatory with the incoming freshmen, students have the ability to transition on their own easier and even if a student doesn’t want to take the class, they now have to so they are able to graduate.

Ultimately, taking a financial literacy class will help students at South be more prepared for their future, but computer skills may be lost.

“We are in an awesome world of Apple which is great, but what students don’t know [is that] outside these walls 85 percent of the world is using Microsoft Office,” Computer Apps teacher Todd Nafus said.

Photo by Maxie Crimm

K CREDITS CANCELLED

Seniors Mallory Reynolds, Alex Peterson and Brayden Pascoe chat and work on homework during their lab hour in the counseling center. Offices and teachers use labs to help them carry out tasks throughout the day.

teachers, the benefit of labs occurs within the workload: students can help with paperwork, filing, organizing, and cleaning.

Certain classes will still need labs, such as sciences and Lab Assistant program and credits art classes that need help cleaning up. The office and the reorganized for next year. counselors will also still require labs next year. abs, once used as an extra study hall or a chance to “We can’t survive without lab assistants,” principal’s bond with teachers, will no longer be available for secretary Donna Callewaert said. credit. Starting next school year, students will no The lab course will still be available; the last two weeks longer receive a K credit for taking a lab. However, labs of May, forms will be available in the counseling office to will still be available as a class – they just don’t show up as apply for labs. Teachers will receive their schedules and a credit on Skyward. choose which classes need labs, and then students who “Labs are a K credit; they have no point value, so they apply for a lab course will be distributed among them. are the same as a failing grade,” head counselor Mike Heil “I would love to have students interested in lab said. assistants next year, but This means that because a K “We can’t survive without I would understand if credit does not receive an actual students wanted to earn lab assistants.” grade, it may bring down a GPA credit instead,” social because it is the equivalent to an -principal’s secretary studies teacher Joseph F. Laurenzo said.

Donna Callewaert Other classes that were a K Heil doesn’t expect credit included drill team and many students to take labs next year, but students have cheerleading. However, next year those classes will count expressed interest for the 2016-2017 year. for an actual grade. Labs are the opposite; next school “When you’re not running passes, you can relax,” year they will have no effect on a student’s grade. sophomore Starr Gonzalez, lab for the office, said.

According to Heil, removing K credits from labs So even though there aren’t going to be credits for will provide more opportunity for electives and bring labs, students can still sign up for them this May. This is a up students’ GPA. Some benefits of labs are to work change to the curriculum, but it isn’t a big one. Labs will with teachers with whom students have developed a still be available to those who want to take them as a class, relationship, says Heil, or to work on homework. For and teachers will still get help from students.

by Avery Woods staff writer

L

{____________} ><><><>< To CoNgRaTs >< seniors Ryan Conley, Remy Gordon, and Isabel Holcomb for being named three of Shawnee Mission’s 14 National Merit finalists. They scored highly on the PSAT their junior year, and will now be considered for substantial scholarships this spring.

senior Mark Overman for finishing third place in JAVA programming at the Business Professionals of America state competition in Wichita in February. Overman also placed in the top ten in the open competition in Computer Programming Concepts.

sophomore Ashlee Thao for earning second place in the varsity division of the Kansas Regional Braille Challenge at the Kansas State School for the Blind.

NEWS MARCH 2016

05

photos by Hannah Carter

Senior Adric Tenuta works on copying down the group poem for the upcoming competition.

Team members put the finishing touches on the group poem about politics, inspired by the upcoming election.

LOUDER THAN A BOMB EXPLODES Slam poetry team takes first in prelims.

T

he competition season for Louder Than a Bomb (LTAB), South’s slam poetry team, is well underway.

The team has been working for about a month on the spoken word poetry pieces they will perform in the city wide competition.

“Right now, the mood on the team is pretty serious, because we know we have a lot to do,” junior member Cinthia Romo said.

The team, made up of five poets, works after school every day on a group piece as well as individual pieces. Four members will represent the team with individual pieces, and four members will come together to perform a group piece.

The first competition stage was the preliminary bout March 3. South beat out three teams to take first place and move on to the semifinals. Senior Emily Wilkinson posted the highest score of the competition with a 9.9 on her solo piece. The group poem was also a top scorer.

While LTAB Kansas City has a

UR O Y K MAR NDER! E CAL

06

NEWS MARCH 2016

large following, LTAB goes beyond KC. The organization started in Chicago and has expanded to cities across the country.

“It’s the biggest team high school poetry competition in the country, and it’s pretty cool to be able to compete [in] poetry for your school,” English teacher and sponsor Caroline Ewing said.

The team has also inspired other school events throughout the year. In October, there was the Trick or Speak poetry festival in the courtyard, and there are plans to do another schoolwide slam like the one held last year.

Students who do well in the schoolwide slam have the opportunity to go on to the district slam in April.

“I expect the [LTAB] kids to all compete, but last year they didn’t all even make… the district slam,” Ewing said. “It was a variety of kids that made it, so that’s kind of cool that kids all over the school… have a chance to go to the district slam.”

Tryouts for the team were held in early February. Poets performed in front of a three judge panel and were graded on originality, performance and content.

“I watched and went along with

March

by sophia belshe ads editor

the... team last year and just watching them perform, it looked like so much fun, and I just like to share my poetry,” sophomore member Tara Phillips said.

Last year’s team was able to come in second overall, and this year’s team hopes to follow their success, but there is an added pressure to win. “[Last year] we were just surprised to exist,” Ewing said. “But this year… it’s a little different, because they know how good the team could be.”

Many students followed and supported last year’s team, and the team hopes that support will continue through this season.

“I think Louder Than a Bomb celebrates [South’s] culture, and gives an opportunity for kids who maybe aren’t necessarily athletes, or even academic scholars… to shine for the school,” Ewing said. “The whole school gets behind the team, and it really is unifying... Nobody fights or argues over the best way to do things, people just listen, and appreciate, and I think that’s huge.”

The team will compete in the semifinals March 28 at the Jazz Museum. Finals will be April 2, if the team qualifies.

ak e r B g SMSD Ch Sprin 18 oral Festival 1424

National Art Honors Society Boat Race 25

Junior Owen Swanberg sketches and researches a project in his Intro to Engineering class.

Teacher Vince LaVergne explains planetary revolutions to his Aerospace Engineering class.

PHOTOS BY JACOB COX

ENGINEERING NEW COURSES by keeli ward staff writer

More specialized classes will be offered next year.

N

April

ext year there will be new Career and Technical Education Pathways & Courses offered to students in the Shawnee Mission School District. This is just a start for new CTE classes, which help students decide on a career they want to pursue.

“The pathways are designed to prepare students for real world jobs,” associate principal Ryan Flurry said.

Some of the new courses include: Business Management, Computer Science Applications, Computer Science and Software Engineering, First Aid/CPR-EMR, Foundations of Hospitality Management and Event Planning, Introduction to Global Services, Introduction to Public Service, Robotics, and Table Service Internship. “[CTE classes help with] career exploration. Students can gain

knowledge of careers they are interested in, plus potentially eliminating careers that they find out they don’t like,” assistant director for curriculum & instruction Michael Schumacher said.

District-wide, each school may have its own CTE classes based on how many students enroll. South hosts the signature program Project Lead The Way (PLTW). PLTW is a course that introduces students to what they need to know to pursue a career in engineering. Each of the courses that are involved in PLTW have an exam that students can take that may give them credit at various universities.

“Personally, I don’t know if I am going to go into engineering but I feel like if I did I would be more prepared for it since I started taking engineering classes in high school instead of waiting to start in college,” sophomore Elena Kernan said.

Math teacher Vince LaVergne is learning a new program over the summer to help him teach one of the engineering classes next year. The class he will be teaching is Computer Science and Software Engineering

Sprin gS Asse ports mbly 1

South Relays 2

(CSE) which is a course provided by PLTW. Right now, LaVergne teaches the Aerospace Engineering class along with math throughout the day.

“I think you get a chance to see if that type of material is something you really enjoy and you get to see if you are good at it. Another benefit is getting to experience that even before you get to college,” LaVergne said.

The Intro to Public Service class came about because the city is having trouble finding and recruiting firefighters, police officers and paramedics.

“The city came to us to help grow some firefighters and police officers,” Flurry said.

The school district partners with businesses and other organizations that will help a certain CTE course. For example, the law courses at Shawnee Mission East partners with UMKC so that students could transition into law in college.

Eventually, most of the CTE classes will move to the new Center for Academic building that is being built by the district.

ACT test 9

Louder Than a Bomb finals 2

NHS

Mee ting 5

NEWS MARCH 2016

07

THE SWEET LIFE Being crowned Sweetheart king or queen, winning a tournament, or receiving a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift are just a few of the “sweet” things that happened in February.

1 2 3 4

1 2 3

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NEWS MARCH 2016

4

Everyone watches as senior Tegan Goodson is crowned Sweetheart Queen. photo by maxie crimm Escorted by his parents, senior Bailey Obersteadt walks to the end of the court where he is soon to win Sweetheart King. photo by maxie crimm Shawnee Mission South choir is visited by Slugger as a gift to accompanist Amy Cramer from her husband for Valentine’s Day. photo by jacob cox Walking towards the center of the gym, senior Lawson Yang prepares for his final Rock Paper Scissors match. He was followed by Pacesetters showing their support. Lawson won first place in the tournament. photo by hannah carter

STAFF EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL CARTOON BY CASEY MISPAGEL e are Raider Nation. called social transgression manifests To the opposing team, it’s physically in the form of a baby just a chant. But for students bump. People stare, whisper amongst who live by that sentiment every themselves. It’s public knowledge day, it’s more than mere theatrics now. and school spirit. Raider Nation is According to the American Civil unexclusive. It doesn’t discriminate Liberties Union, pregnancy is the based on appearance or age or creed. number one reason girls drop out of This faction only requires basic school in America. Combined with the attendance and the understanding new responsibilities of motherhood on that its members will take care of the horizon, along with the potential one another and be the best versions shame and bullying received from of themselves that they can be. her peers, high school frequently These principles of acceptance becomes uninhabitable territory for are the building blocks of what great pregnant teenagers. communities are founded on. High We aren’t allowed to turn our school is a time for personal growth, heads and claim that this would knowing that no matter how far we never happen in our school. It has may stumble, we have the arms of happened, and as long as teenagers Raider Nation waiting to catch us. engage in sexual activity, it will That’s how school spirit is supposed continue to happen. The solution isn’t to work, right? forced abstinence, and sex education Among the taboos of our teenage only goes as far as the effort Kansas years, it’s extremely likely that a schools put in to teach it -- which fellow student will become pregnant. historically is not much at all.

These occurrences are as unexpected The choice for a teenage girl to and plausible as any other mistake keep or terminate her pregnancy, made during adolescence, yet we or to raise or put her baby up for behave as though it is the be-all adoption is an extremely personal and end-all of someone’s life. Almost choice that we, as outsiders, have no always, it is the girl in the relationship right to weigh in on. However, it’s our who catches all manner of judgment, responsibility as Raiders to support attacks or critiques of her character. our fellow students, regardless of “What a slut.” how we feel about their choices.

“She had it coming.”

Raider Nation is unconditional. When “Does she know who the father is?” we support each other and provide Meanwhile, the evidence of her so- resources when a fellow student is in

need, we can accomplish incredible things.

Faced with a young child and less than a high school education, girls who drop out during their pregnancy are likely to face extreme economic hardship throughout their lives. This is a reality that’s felt throughout our community, but together, we can attempt to close the social isolation between pregnant teens and their peers.

School spirit is about more than pep and sporting events. It’s about supporting a community that would do their part to help if our backs were against the wall as well. Offer to babysit your friend’s kid. Pitch in on the costs of prenatal care or support a friend through an abortion. We don’t have to turn our backs on our peers.

After all, if a baby is a part of the end result, that’s another human life that is still in need of love and support just like the rest of us, another integral piece of our community, another member of Raider Nation.

8/8 editors agree with the views expressed in this editorial.

OPINION MARCH 2016

09

THE

DEBATE YES:

BY ROSE POLLINA FEATURES EDITOR, INFOGRAPHICS EDITOR

N

ot many will argue that Computer Applications was an important class. Most will say that they’re glad it’s finally gone. In its place for a required ½ credit for graduation, we now have Financial Literacy. Unlike Computer Applications, this course will actually be relevant for years to come, and it is unfortunate that students won’t be required to take it until the class of 2020.

Senior exit surveys and community feedback have shown a strong demand and need for all students to learn financial literacy skills. Your financial literacy skills can make or break you in your adult life. That’s why it’s important to develop them sooner rather than later. Students should take Financial Literacy for their own good.

Sadly, most aren’t going to take it of their own volition. That leaves a big gap of students between now and the graduating class of 2020.

The school staff will provide multiple ways for students to meet the financial literacy requirement. Some examples may include summer school, online offerings, and test-out to waive the credit. Spending a whole class period every day doesn’t have to be the route a student has to take if they have little or no interest in the class.

In many high schools, financial literacy is not always required, and when many parents fail to teach their children important money skills, it leaves the left out students in a difficult position; something that could be fixed by making all the students in the gap years take the class.

Students will be able to pick up the financial skills they can use in real life situations by taking the course. A solid introduction to financial literacy skills can go a long way even to college, which means an understanding of opening accounts and how to evaluate loans and loan terms. It can go even further and teach credit-building, how to use credit cards responsibly, the basics of investing and distinguishing between a “need” and a “want” when money is involved.

Teaching students about money has a great impact on their future. Even the most basic lessons in the Financial Literacy course will help students, especially the ones who don’t learn them from their home.

THE RESULTS ARE IN...

YES 88%

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OPINION MARCH 2016

NO 13%

Students voted on whether SMSD should unblock more websites on the MacBooks.

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

SHOULD THE CLASSES OF 2017-2019 BE REQUIRED TO TAKE COMPUTER APPS OR FINANCIAL LITERACY?

T

NO:

BY LILY WAGNER STAFF WRITER

he school board decided to replace the requirement for Computer Applications with Financial Literacy starting with the class of 2020. However, the classes of 2017-2019 aren’t required to take either class for credit, and some students are angry.

The district’s decision follows a growing number of schools in the country who require students to take personal finance classes to graduate. 17 states have personal finance requirements for schools. That said, Kansas is not one of those states.

Even though Computer Applications will still be offered as an elective, many students will find no use in taking a computer class as an elective if we use computers every day.

For that reason, the district picked Financial Literacy, a class that where they thought students would learn valuable skills for later in life. However, the requirement doesn’t affect the current juniors, sophomores or freshmen, so they are left without needing to take Computer Applications or Financial Literacy.

People are upset that these students aren’t required to take either course, but why should they be? It is unfair to expect a student who has already taken computer applications to take financial literacy. They already spent one semester taking a class they probably didn’t want to take, and now that class isn’t even required. Some students feel like they wasted their time taking Computer Applications. Some students plan out the classes they take years in advance and wouldn’t even have room for Financial Literacy in their schedule.

Students in the classes of 2017-2019 who haven’t taken Computer Applications are not required to do so and won’t have to take Financial Literacy either.

It’s best to just consider the classes of 2017-2019 lucky. They aren’t missing out on anything after all.

OPINION MARCH 2016

11

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX. PHOTO BY JENNA FACKRELL

BY ELLIE BARTLETT CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

T

o start this off, I recommend that you listen to “Let’s Talk About Sex” by Salt-N-Pepa.

Not only will it bless your ears and make you a happier person, but it will also prepare you for the topic we are discussing, as well as help you understand the many cheesy references I make to the song throughout this piece in an attempt to lighten the mood. Okay, here we go.

“Let’s talk about sex.” Oh wait, we’re not supposed to do that in Kansas because society has brainwashed us to think that it is inappropriate? But “we shouldn’t decoy, avoid, or make void the topic” because, whether you like it or not, sex is actually one of the most natural parts of human life, and we absolutely need to talk about it. When 99% of the population experiences sexual attraction, it should be at the top of our list to educate youth about sex, protection, and contraception.

When we fail talk about these

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OPINION MARCH 2016

things, youth can become extremely vulnerable during or after sexual situations.

Unfortunately, many educational programs misdirect and misinform youth by promoting abstinence-only philosophies.

Despite studies proving them unsuccessful, 69 (haha) organizations in 25 states continue to implement these programs and ideas into their education curricula.

“That ain’t gonna stop it.” This line pretty much sums up the public response to these abstinence-only programs. Studies show that teens

are no more likely to delay sex, have fewer sexual partners, or abstain from sex after receiving abstinenceonly education.

Sex is going to happen. You can’t stop it by shaming and guilting students into believing sex is dirty and immoral. We need to inform the public on safety measures and precautions so that they can protect themselves from unwanted situations.

“Let’s tell it how it is, and how it could be.” Research actually shows that abstinence-only education has the opposite effect than intended.

Falsehoods regarding reproductive health and misrepresentations of contraceptives, gender traits, and science lead to the spreading of ignorance in our society, and because little information on protection and contraception is given, abstinenceonly education programs lead to increased rates of STDs and teen pregnancy. We have a responsibility to our youth to provide them with factual and educational information so that they are able to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from avoidable situations. Our society needs us to, so...

“Let’s talk about sex, baby.”

STICKING WITH THE CODE

BY MARK HOLLAND STAFF WRITER

Junior Olivia Mark impresses with her ahcievements in technology.

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ver the years, women have integrated themselves into the world of technology. For junior Olivia Mark, this is an important subject that she is devoted to.

“I think it’s a shame that there’s such a minority of women in the field…” Mark said.

Mark has been actively involved in programming for many years, and her interests and accomplishments have only grown.

It all started a few years ago.

“I have been playing around with computers ever since I was about 4, and I don’t even remember honestly how somebody told me about Code Day, but I did it for fun,” Mark said.

This Code Day she referred to was a 24 hour hackathon, where students would stay up, eat food, and build a website. Mark went that first day and won, ever since then computer programming became her hobby. It was through her shadowing at Think Big Partners that she learned about other women in technology.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JACOB COX “It was crazy how many women are in technology and I got introduced to so many awesome women in Kansas City Women of Technology, and it was just awesome seeing all these women who were older than me who have such successful careers in technology,” Mark said.

Inspired, Mark set out on a path that would get her noticed by many.

“I created a website for a percussion studio,” Mark said. “And it was my first website and it was not the best, but I did it and then I got a drum set, so I was pretty stoked and ever since then I’ve designed a personal fitness blog, I’ve designed a local clothing business, and I also have my own website, and yeah Its pretty fun, I actually interned, freshman year, for a web-developing business and that was lots of fun, I got lots of help with that.”

Along with her web-developing, Mark is on Honor Roll, and she has interned for a large corporation.

“Freshman year I interned for Four Lights Web Development with Lisa Woodruff I did that for about 3 months and I also shadowed at Think Big Corporation. I’m in the midst of getting a super secret internship that I will not release yet,” Mark said.

Mark is highly devoted to her success as well as others’ successes in school. “...She’s done a lot. She’s been a mentor for lots of kids younger than she is in terms of programming,” computer teacher Ramona Weigel said.

Recently, Mark applied for the Aspirations in Computing Award and won. Weigel thinks that she is headed for big things some day.

“She wants to combine her computer and science skills,” Weigel said. “And she’s a biologist… she loves koalas, she wants to use her programming skills to help that population remain stable. That’s her goal, programming is gonna be useful for her in all the fields that she chooses, I don’t know if she is gonna be a programmer, but she’ll know how to use programming in anything she does.”

FEATURES MARCH 2016

13

FIRST COMES LOVE

BY EMILY WILKINSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, OPINIon EDITOR

Teen pregnancy rates fall in states where comprehensive sex education is required.

I

t starts with a missed period. A test at the doctor’s office. Two pink lines. Pregnancy stories entangle with the same set of experiences, the same tense moments.

However, the emotional Cinderella story of pregnancy varies dramatically depending upon the woman’s age and preparedness for motherhood. According to social worker Erin Burvee, the first step for many teenagers is at Planned Parenthood, only a few streets away from Shawnee Mission South.

“Planned Parenthood provides free pregnancy tests,” Burvee said. “You don’t need parental approval or notification if you are under the age of 18 to get a pregnancy test.”

Parental consent is required from both parents if a girl under the age of 18 chooses to undergo an abortion.

This process can be waived by a judge through a process known as “judicial bypass,” but this can be difficult to obtain depending upon the ideologies of the judge.

“I would recommend an open dialogue with those around [the teen] that they care about who support them,” Burvee said. “While they’re trying to decide what they’re going to do, if they’re going to keep the child, put the child up for adoption, if they’re going to look into abortion, it’s important to have some very real conversations with those around them to help get them to that place.”

These conversations are admittedly not the easiest to have, however.

“The supports around the pregnant teenager are one who are going to be with them after this decision is made.

It’s hard if you’re making a decision that those people around you are not at all comfortable with. You have to really feel well set with what you’re going to do,” Burvee said.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, pregnancy is the number one reason why teenage girls drop out of school in America. In the Shawnee Mission School District, resources are available to keep this effect to a minimum.

“Horizons High School has a program where a student who has a baby can bring them there and place them in childcare services,” Burvee said. “Part of their classes are focused on child-rearing classes, and they can be in the

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FEATURES MARCH 2016

daycare area with their child at times throughout the day.

Pregnant teens can also attend Horizons and be a part of those child-rearing classes as well.”

Pregnant teens and teenage mothers are still granted the ability to continue their education at South but with fewer resources provided.

“They obviously wouldn’t be able to bring their child to school, but there’s no issue with a student who has a child to continue their schooling here,” Burvee said. “As a social worker, I provide resources. I would be encouraging [pregnant teens and teenage mothers] to go to those around them to help, and that could be professional resources, through Planned Parenthood or other places.”

Though schools can offer many resources for pregnant teens and young mothers, there are some conditions that cannot be accounted for as easily, including bullying and social isolation.

“When a 16-year-old girl becomes pregnant, she needs your support, and it doesn’t help that people are calling them a hoe or irresponsible or unfit to be a parent.

Feminism is an issue of the equality of the sexes, and branching off of that, it’s about stopping girl-hate,” junior and co-president of Feminism Club Marin Sanders said.

“Girls can often be their own worst enemies. If we start supporting pregnant teen girls, then we can begin to stop girl-hate, and as soon as that happens, we can stop guys hating on girls too.”

Sanders’s counterpart and co-president of Feminism Club junior Kelsey Karpowich says that most of this girlhate can be eliminated through education.

“Feminism is about education in a certain way, and knowing how to be safe with your body and your partner’s body is a globally recognized need. It’s a feminist issue,” Karpowich said. “Abstaining from sex isn’t the issue. They think not teaching your kids about sex means they’re not going to have it, which is really untrue.”

Kansas state law requires sexuality education, though local school boards decides when and how it must be covered. The 2016-2017 SMSD High School Program of Studies describing its curriculum as “abstinence-based human sexuality,” a methodology in sex education that Karpowich strongly disagrees with.

“It’s proven that [abstinence-based education] doesn’t work. Kids who are only provided abstinence only education are more likely to become pregnant, get STDs, STIs, unexpected pregnancies. It comes with a lot of uneducation,” Karpowich said. “We had a guest speaker come into Feminism Club to talk about the prevention of STDs and STIs by bringing in condoms and educating us on contraceptives.”

Ignite Club has also worked healthy sexual relationships and teen pregnancy into their meetings.

“The main way [to support pregnant teens and young mothers] is to realize that these things can happen to anyone. Chances are it was just a mistake that happened.

It shouldn’t have to affect our view of someone,”

sophomore Lauren Bass said. “Just because it happened to her, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen to you too.”

As well as providing resources about teen dating violence, Ignite Club provides relevant information on healthy relationships to all students, regardless of gender or current relationship status.

“Technically, there are three ingredients to a healthy relationship, and if you take one of those out, then like any recipe, it’s not right,” Bass said. “and those ingredients are boundaries, communication and respect. Those are the three things to keep in mind with any relationship, not just romantically but also relating to friendships and family.”

With a host of resources available to pregnant teenagers and young mothers in the area, Karpowich sees the biggest threat in this social issue as a lack of education and even the judgmental nature within teen girls themselves.

“I work with a bunch of teen moms, and they’ve told me that they went into [parenthood] unknowing,” Karpowich said. “They don’t see their children as mistakes, but it basically just comes down to education. Women have always been shamed for their bodies. I feel like girls are always judging each other, and since it’s coming from guys too, why not just unite and make each other feel loved?”

TEEN PARENT RESOURCES: Planned Parenthood (913) 345-1400 4401 W 109th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, KS, 66211

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JENNA FACKRELL

Synergy Services (816) 505-4811 400 E 6th Street, Parkville, MO, 64152

Mother’s Refuge 816-356-4797 3721 Delridge, Independence, MO 64052

FEATURES MARCH 2016

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WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU WEREN’T EXPECTING:

Stats from: American Civil Liberties Union StayTeen LiveScience Insider Monkey DoSomething

THE STATS

Top 5 states with highest rates of teen pregnancy (2015): 1 NEW MEXICO 2 MISSISSIPPI 3 TEXAS 4 ARKANSAS 5 LOUISIANA

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FEATURES MARCH 2016

Pregnancy is the #1 reason girls drop out of school

3 in 10 American girls will get pregnant at least once before age 20

A sexually active teen who doesn’t use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year More than half of all mothers on welfare had their first child as a teenager About 25% of teen moms have a 2nd child within 24 months of their first baby

More than 50% of teen moms never graduate from high school

ABOUT THOSE DADDIES...

8 out of 10 teen dads donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t marry the mother of their child

Teen dads are less likely to finish high school than their peers

Teen dads face a lack of teen parent programs to help them

Teen dads are more likely to have economic and employment challenges and are more often economically disadvantaged than adult fathers Despite stereotypes, many teen dads want to be (and are) involved with their children, though the involvement may not always include financial support

Top 5 industrialized nations with highest rates of teen pregnancy (2015): 2 UNITED KINGDOM 1 UNITED STATES

3 NEW ZEALAND 4 SLOVAKIA 5 HUNGARY FEATURES MARCH 2016

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PHOTOs courtesy of MIMI DELUCA

A &

Q with

MIMI DELUCA

BY AMELIA HOLCOMB NEWS EDITOR PHOTO BY JACOB COX

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FEATURES MARCH 2016

F

rom a young age, senior Mimi DeLuca has been interested in performing arts. Her hobby has developed into a passion that has helped shape her high school experience, as well as college and career plans.

What made you first interested in theatre?

When I was a little kid I just really liked movies and stuff and we did a kindergarten play of “The Mitten”... I got really interested in performing and from there I did a bunch of stuff. I did “Annie”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, and then a children’s production of “Oklahoma” in middle school. I just kept doing shows and then I started getting into it in school. I really wanted to take the class and I take classes at other theaters and I’m involved with Shakespeare in the Park and all that.

So I’ve just gotten more involved with it after starting in kindergarten.

What do you do for Shakespeare in the Park and the other theaters?

It really just depends on the year and what I’m doing. The past couple years for Shakespeare in the Park I’ve done their summer program and then I’ve also helped with the show. The show is a professional show by adults, but you can help out and sometimes there’s a spot where you can be a member of the chorus or just in the background, or you can be a stagehand. So I’ve been doing that and getting experience backstage while also we got to do our own performances and learn Shakespearean acting. And then I’ve been taking classes at the Coterie Theatre, which is a children’s theatre. And that’s just technical classes where you learn how to do all sorts of different things. Through there, I also did an outreach program where we worked on performances for students in schools, and I did that a couple years ago.

What’s your role in South’s theatre?

My junior year I was the props crew head and this year I became one of the company managers. I’m one of three and we basically do event planning for the theatre, we kind of deal with any social or personal issues that the any of the crew heads might have or any disputes between the crews so that everything runs smoothly. We prefer that issues go to us before they go to Mr. Swezey because it makes it easier for him to deal with stuff and working on shows and things like that. We also pick up paperwork and slack that other crews don’t have time for, we help out wherever we can. We mostly plan events and deal with interaction between groups.

How has theatre influenced your high school experience?

It’s done many things. It’s definitely given me a social support system, which is nice, it’s like being part of a sports team.

It’s also enabled me to deal with very high stress situations where you’re told you’re responsible for something and you are held accountable for what happens. I’ve definitely grown a thicker skin and can deal with a lot more rejection, disappointment, or being told you haven’t done things right and having to re-do them until you do get them done. It teaches you really well how to work in a professional, stressful environment. But it’s also really fun and a good creative outlet, too.

What are your plans for after high school?

I’m going to Depau University in Chicago as part of the honors program. I’m working in the film, media, and music management and producing industry. I’m really interested in that aspect of that and I like seeing my vision followed through with in that area. I still want to do theatre, but I want to do more community theatre for fun because I don’t ever want to be professional with it and lose my love of it or lose my artistic integrity, because I think community theatre lets you keep part of that.

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Brookside I

f you live in the KC Metro area, chances are you have heard of Brookside. The quaint neighborhood is home to many diverse and interesting shops and restaurants. Located in the area of 63rd Street between Main Street and Wornall Road, Brookside is the perfect area to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.

Brookside, planned and built in 1920, was the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first suburban shopping area. Designed to serve the automobile set, it boasted specialty, grocery and drug stores, medical offices, even a special community center, as well as the first south side police and fire stations. Brookside is home to more than 70 shops, restaurants, and offices, all unique and in keeping with the original neighborhood charm and architecture.

The Art Annual is the first art show of the year and is known for its festive atmosphere, hospitality and convenience to the public. Last year alone, it drew over 70,000 people from the entire KC Metro area.

This year, you can catch the Art Annual April 29, 30 and May 1. A more recent event coming up is the St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Parade. This is a fun family-friendly event that will happen March 12 at 2 p.m.

Fiddly Fig

22 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64113

The Unbakery

614 E 63rd St., Brookside, Kansas City, MO

By Kate Anderson A&E Editor Photos by Jenna fackrell

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Restaurant: BELLA NAPOLI 6229 Brookside Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64111

B

ella Napoli brings a taste of authentic Italian cuisine to Kansas City. Heavily influenced by his Italian-native mother and travels around Italy, Jake Imperiale opened Bella Napoli in 2001 to satisfy KC’s need for an authentic Italian experience. It is not only an amazing restaurant, but also acts as an Italian grocery, deli and coffee shop.

The menu hosts a wide variety of traditional dishes that all sound amazing. I ordered a Soreta sandwich from the deli. As a vegetarian, I had no trouble finding

a meal that was both satisfying and fulfilled my dietary restrictions. The cost is generally reasonable and Bella Napoli is fine for a high schooler’s budget if visited sparingly.

This restaurant’s atmosphere was so relaxing and calm that it might have become my new favorite spot for reading or getting together with a friend. The barista was great as well making Bella Napoli a perfect spot for studying with a cup of coffee and a pastry. This authentic Italian eatery is a must-go spot in Brookside.

Cafe: THE ROASTERIE CAFE

T

6223 Brookside Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64113

here’s no denying the power of a good cup of coffee. The Roasterie understands that and serves amazing drinks in a cozy environment. The Roasterie in Brookside is a fairly large space filled with many comfortable seating areas and work tables. On the walls are photos of early Kansas City which adds a nice touch of historic resonance to the place. The Roasterie was actually started right here in Brookside, out of Danny O’Neill’s basement in 1993. The Roasterie still believes in partnering with farmers at the origin of the coffee bean, making the selection of beans the best of the best.

While some of the food did not particularly impress me, I would highly recommend the coffee and specialty drinks. The Roasterie bring a feeling of KC warmth and homeliness that anyone from the area can enjoy.

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street style PHOTOS BY SAVANNAH MORGAN

sophomore

ALEX LEDBETTER

RING | GEM AND MINERAL SHOW

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NECKLACE | THRIFTED

JACKET | JCPENNY

“

When you are comfortable with who you are and you don’t care about what other people think, your personal style becomes a form of expression... an expression of who you are, what you think or more simply, just what you feel like wearing on a particular day.

“

BRACELET | FUEGO

NECKLACE | FUEGO SHIRT | KOHL’S SKIRT | WINDSOR SHOES | DSW

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REVIEWS ALBUM REVIEW: THE 1975

by Jenna Fackrell Photo Editor he long anticipated sophomore album from The 1975 released Feb. 26. The album itself has 17 songs. “I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it” follows a much more intense ‘80s inspired sound with socially relevant lyrics.

The title of the album is long and exhausting but it’s full of song after song that haunts me with guitar riffs, saxophone solos and intense vocals so I guess I’ll let the corny name slide. Front man Matty Healy enjoys challenging people’s perceptions of music and genre and this album is his way of rebirthing pop, giving it the life it had in the ‘80s.

It’s an anthem for “the new emo” as Healy calls the people who associate with his music. It’s about the teenagers who don’t feel like they fit in anywhere and like they’re being belittled by the world for being smart, involved and educated. Listening to Healy’s words kind

T

of feels like reading a college essay with his immense vocabulary and the social issues he brings up. Sure the music itself is incredible but take a moment to read the lyrics and you’ll see the true masterpiece behind this band and why teenagers feel so connected to it.

The sophomore album is a welcome change as far I’m concerned, the pop of pink on the cover and even more saxophone solos from John Waugh, funky bass from Ross MacDonald, innovative guitar riffs from Adam Hann, and beats

by George Daniels set this album apart from their last and set The 1975 up for a solid career ahead of them.

“I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It” is out now on Apple Music, Spotify, and in stores.

The 1975 will be playing at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri May 3. Tickets start at $30.

To read a track-by-track review, go to smsouthnews.com.

ARCADE REVIEW: TAPCADE

by Max Holmes staff writer

I

f you like good food and inexpensive fun, then Tapcade is the place for you. With a $5 “all-you-can-play” arcade, it’s a great place to go if you’ve got a free weekend.

As you walk into the fairly small establishment, to your left is a plethora of gaming titles. They feature old classic games, such as Pacman, Donkey Kong and many others.

On top of that, they have a few, more modern games, like a Star Wars flying game and 3D racing games. Sometimes they also have today’s consoles, like XBox and Playstation, and project those games on the big screen while you play.

You just pay $5 per person, get a wristband and then you just get to play. Each game is programed to have an unlimited amount of credits, so even if you fail, you can keep playing without paying. The games usually get swapped out every couple of days, so there is always a fresh game in.

Great food is the only way to top great games. On the other side of the room, is the table area, which has a few other games near the back wall.

Their menu is full of gamers’ choices, like

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wings, nachos and other quick eats. I highly suggest the wings. The menu is also well written, with quite a few video game/movie jokes, such as Koopa Troopa Wings, Dang Quesadillas and other comedic food choices.

Tapcade is located at 1701 McGee St #200, Kansas City, MO. They are open from 3-11p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11a.m.-1a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11a.m.-11p.m. on Sunday. There are a few other video-gaming places around KC, such as SoProGaming, which has more modern games rather than old school classics and is located at 9240 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS.

P O S T CO N C E RT DEPRESSION by mark holland staff writer

Your step-by-step plan for knowing what to do when recovering from a late night concert the next day at school.

I

t happens to everybody. You go to a late night concert of your favorite band, and in the morning, you feel the blues. Exhaustion seeps in, you can’t think straight. The day goes by in a blur, your emotions are stirred, the only thought that keeps you going is how much you enjoyed to concert. The diagnosis for this problem is the notorious illness known as post-concert depression.

However, there are a few key steps that you can take to cure such an atrocity.

1. First on the agenda is energy. Concerts can really take the energy out of you, and deprive them of sleep, so it would be a good idea for you to introduce some type of energy to your morning diet. Whether it be a nutrient rich breakfast or a minty fresh gum or mint, Anything that could give fuel should be ingested. On the subject of gum, it’s helpful to be chewing it throughout the day, to keep your mind alert and working. You could also drink energy drinks, like Five-Hour Energy.

photo illustration BY HANNAH CARTER

2. You should stay active throughout the day. When you’re sitting in a classroom, there is a strong temptation to put your head down and rest your eyes. That is a 100 percent NO-NO. It may seem comfortable to rest on the desk, but when you do that, even when you are not trying to fall asleep, you’re opening the door for exhaustion to take it’s natural course. It’s better to stay upright in the chair. It may not always be comfortable, but it would be really hard to fall asleep in that position.

3. Just pay attention. It is really hard to pay attention in school when you’re sleep deprived, but it is possible. Work hard to understand the lesson and get any help needed.

4. Don’t stay up again the next night. When you finally get home, the best cure you can use is to regain lost sleep (after homework is done of course). A major problem among high school students is staying up too late. Even when you’re tired there is always that temptation to put another Netflix show on, or play another match of that one game, NO! This will make you feel even worse the next morning. You must resist the temptation, if you suffer another night sleep-deprived, then you will sink deeper into your affliction, and health problems can occur. Sleep is the ultimate cure to post-concert depression, so you should always find time to do it.

5. How it can be avoided. If you don’t want to even contract this problem,you should try to not go to concerts on school nights, If you can, book them on weekends.

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Just before the state competitions Feb. 19 and 20, the swim team works to prepare.

PHOTO BY MAXIE CRIMM

BY MAX HOLMES STAFF WRITER

Winter sports are concluding, but not after the state competitions; state swimmers and wrestlers talk on the team’s efforts at state.

W

ith the winter sports season coming to a close, it’s good to look back on the progress and accomplishments that the teams have achieved.

Each winter sports team has worked hard to get where they are right now. Coaches, athletes and every overexcited mom has helped these teams move forward throughout their season.

One of the biggest achievements for a high school team is being able to go to substate and state to compete against the best athletes from dozens of other schools from across Kansas. One of South’s teams that attended state earlier this year Feb. 19 and 20, was the boys swim team. Coached by Bruce Bove, nine Raiders went on to state. Senior Joe Stokes was a medalist in the 100 free and a finalist in the 50 free. Junior Josh Buss was a finalist in the 100 backstroke. Buss, junior Spencer Brown, senior Thomas Ott and sophomore Joe McAtee were finalists in the 200 Medley relay. Brown, McAtee, senior Greg Strobel and Stokes combined to reach the finals in the 200 free relay. Stokes, McAtee, Brown and junior Noah Birkel reached the finals in the 400 free relay. Senior Jacob Cox and sophomore Jeff Nasse were also team members who competed in February. The team had quite a few underclassmen going to state, but that will only help them in future seasons.

“I think it’s cool for our team... [underclassmen] being at State will make them even more prepared for the next couple of years,” Stokes said. “...it’s good for them to gain experience at state and big meets like that.”

The second team who has gone to state is the wrestling team. Led by head coach Joel Rios, five athletes placed fourth and above in the Regional meet in order to qualify for state. These qualifiers were freshman Dalton

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SPORTS MARCH 2016

One of the state qualifiers from wrestling was junior Isaias Olson. He was joined on Feb. 26 and 27 by his teammates freshmen Dalton Dawkins, Gabe Smith, Seth Yost and sophomore Max Holmes.

PHOTO BY SAVANNAH MORGAN Dawkins, weight class 106 lbs; sophomore Max Holmes, 113 lbs; junior and captain Isaias Olson, 120 lbs; freshman Gabe Smith, 138 lbs; and freshman Seth Yost, 195 lbs. While only Dawkins made it to the second day, overall, the team has had a successful season.

“I am very proud of our team leading up to state,” Olson said. “I feel like we could’ve done better at state, but the competition there was real tough and some of us just got real bad draws. But up to state, I was real proud of our team.”

The bowling team’s season is slowly coming to a close as well. The regional tournament was Feb 25, resulting in a single state qualifier. Junior Andrew Broockerd competed at state March 3. Results from this event are to come.

The boys basketball team still had a possibility to go to their state tournament as of print deadline. The girls team faced a loss against Shawnee Mission West Tuesday, March 2. The boys team defeated Olathe Northwest 68-53 Thursday, March 3.

State results and future competition dates will be posted to the Shawnee Mission District homepage as well as the Sunflower League homepage.

ELIGIBILITY CHANGES

BY AVERY WOODS STAFF WRITER

Raider athletics adjust eligibility regulations to fit other schools in the district.

S

tarting this spring season, yellow eligibility cards will no longer be necessary to show student-athlete eligibility for sports.

Coaches will no longer be required to collect the cards weekly.

Previously, eligibility cards had to be signed weekly, or until the coach deemed necessary, to show that a student was passing at least five classes and had satisfactory behavior in every class. Each teacher of a student-athlete would sign the eligibility card for the studentathlete.

Most athletes only had to get their eligibility card signed at the beginning of the season; freshmen had to get theirs signed for the majority of the season. Not anymore, though.

With the introduction of Skyward, eligibility cards have been discarded for a more efficient and accurate system. Now, coaches can sign up to receive emails about their players’ grades and behavior.

“It gives the coach a chance to intervene,” athletic director John

PHOTO Illustration

BY MAXIE CRIMM

Johnson said.

According to Johnson, Skyward will send out reports every Monday to coaches about their players. The reasoning behind this, Johnson says, is that Skyward is easier to use and coaches will have an easier time when attempting to discipline their players. The new Tobacco/ Alcohol/ Drug Abuse Agreement that all student-athletes had to sign this year, outlines the importance of input by the coaches in the discipline of their players. All players will be at the mercy of the coach, principal and athletic director after the offense.

Skyward will make it easier for the coaches to discipline their players.

Even coaches are excited about the change.

“They’re [eligibility cards] a good thing if there’s a problem, but they’re bad if the teacher has a grudge against a student,” football coach Chris Kiblen said.

Coaches aren’t the only ones relieved – students will have a lot less responsibility on their shoulders now that Skyward does the work for them.

“I think it’s good because a lot of people are irresponsible and don’t get them [eligibility cards] signed, and then they aren’t eligible for sports… and they can’t lie [about their

More revisions to the 2016-2017 academic and athletic regulations can be found at the Shawnee Mission School District website.

eligibility] now – those little cheaters,” freshman Faith Danaher, cross country and soccer player, said.

Though students won’t have to worry about getting the eligibility cards signed, they will still have to worry about their marks and conduct.

“Even without the eligibility cards, behavior and grades will still be considered,” Johnson said.

Skyward records a student’s recent behavioral mishaps as well as their grades – even if the eligibility cards aren’t there to remind students to stay on task. Coaches will still be notified if anything goes awry and given the permission to discipline their athletes as they see fit.

The rules for eligibility that were defined at the beginning of the school year still apply – students must be passing at least five classes and have good behavior in those classes. Also, students can’t be caught with drugs or alcohol.

Nothing much has really changed, except for the responsibility of eligibility cards lifted from studentathletes’ shoulders. Students will still need to be eligible, and coaches will still have access to their players’ grades – just in a more efficient way.

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& QA WITH SOPHOMORE

TRENT BURCH

BY JACOB ROBERSTON STAFF WRITER Photos courtesy of Trent Burch

In the photos above, there are pieces of the equipment for when Burch rides.

Such items usually include, his helmet, gloves, caps, spurs and spur straps.

Sophomore Trent Burch answers questions about his sport called bareback and his a passion that he plans to pursue out of high school.

PHOTO BY SAVANNAH MORGAN

Do you wear any protective gear when riding?

Depends on the day, sometimes I wear a helmet sometimes I don’t, sometimes I wear chaps and sometimes I don’t, depends on how tough I’m feeling.

Have you ever been hurt riding? What did you do?

I’ve been hurt more in football. I hurt my spine four weeks ago, [but] I didn’t go to the doctor; they just told me it was really bruised and I’d be OK. Whenever you land badly you get knocked out, but no biggie.

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Does eight seconds go by slower when you are on the horse?

It feels like 30 min, everything feels like [it’s in] slow motion. The first two seconds go the fastest.

[To ride] horses the youngest is 9th grade, [but] I’ve seen 50 year olds. At this school called Sankey Rodeo I went to get ready for this season there was a 72-year-old man riding bulls for his bucket list.

What goes through your head during those 8 seconds?

What kind of training do you get when starting out?

Lots of stuff, anything and everything.

You just concentrate on just making sure you’re spur is right [urge (a horse) forward by digging one’s spurs into its sides.] because that’s what wins you points

Does it hurt more to hit the ground or actually staying on and being thrashed around?

If you’re in rhythm, it feels like you’re riding a rocking chair, [and] if you aren’t in rhythm, it feels like you’re dropped off a waterfall in a barrel.

The adrenalin is so high [that] you can’t feel it. I once walked around in just a t-shirt after riding when it was freezing because my adrenaline was so high.

Is there and age limit?

I did Mutton Bustin when I was about 5 which is holding onto a sheep trying not to get thrown off. You can’t ride horse until you are in high school though.

Does it require a lot of traveling?

Where have you been?

I’d like to say it’s about anywhere in a 200 mile radius. When you turn 18, however, you get to go all over the country. This summer I hope to go to Wyoming for the National High School Rodeo Association State Finals, last year they were in Iowa.

What is the best advice you can give to new riders?

Go to a riding school first, if you don’t you will get seriously hurt.

KEEPING UP WITH K-CREDIT

BY KEELI WARD STAFF WRITER

Drill teams and cheerleaders will earn different P.E. credit, instead of K credit.

I

nstead of receiving K credit for their class, the cheerleading squad and the Pacesetters will have their class count towards a physical education credit and/or a fine arts credit. This will finally allow the Pacesetters and cheerleaders not to have to take and extra P.E. class.

“It’s really exciting, because before it wasn’t really an hour wasted, but I had a few other credits that I needed to get like a P.E. credit. But now that’s something I don’t have to worry about. I can just do something that I enjoy and it will count as a credit,” junior and Pacesetter Megan Berning said.

In conjunction with the marching season, the Pacesetters will enroll in the band course to receive their fine arts credit first semester. To receive the P.E. credit, they will enroll in the dance class that is available for everyone to take second semester.

“I think it’s good because it will help their GPA. They work hard so they deserve a good grade,” P.E. teacher and JV pacesetter coach Sue Williams said.

While many think that having the class count toward graduation requirements is helpful because they are getting extra practice junior cheerleader Alissa Morales has a different opinion.

“I find it kind of odd because we have always had practice and it is an extracurricular activity,” Morales said.

While there is no cheerleading class second semester, Pacesetters will still have a class. Pacesetters have a class and the cheerleaders

At the Sweetheart Assembly, junior Emma Elliot tucks as her teammates divide into staggered movement. PHOTO BY JACOB COX

Transitioning in their routine, seniors Thais Bede and Anna Audley dance at the top of the pyramid during their hip-hop song. PHOTO BY HANNAH CARTER don’t because the Pacesetters need to prepare for Extravaganza, their spring dance recital. Junior varsity and varsity work on different routines which vary from team routines to one with the faculty joining the Pacesetters in a dance.

South Alumni and boys also join the Pacesetters in a dance. This year, Extravaganza will be April 15.

“It’s just a fun little recital show that showcases the team. It’s a closing of our year to kind of bring it all together,” Pacesetter coach Allie Stankewsky said.

More revisions to the 2016-17 school year will be posted on the SMSD homepage and also at the Shawnee Mission South homepage.

For the cheerleaders, first semester will count as a P.E. credit.

The cheer team also practices after school.

“I’m glad it counts as a credit because girls do put in a lot of effort, but also at the same time, it used to not be anything because it was after school practices and what not,” cheer captain Tamera Thorton said. “I don’t know if it should be counted as credit because you learn stuff, but it doesn’t really help the ‘cheer is not a sport’ type of thing.

SPORTS MARCH 2016

29

THE YEAR IN CHEER

F

eatured in a team duel at the Sweetheart assembly, the cheer teams and Pacesetters are brought together.

PHOTO BY JACOB COX

1 2

1

Pacesetter senior Carson Schroeder stands with varsity cheerleaders during a Pacecheer duel dance at the Sweetheart assembly Feb. 12. Photo by hannah carter Freshman

cheerleader

Blake

Hardesty

and dances with the freshman cheer 2 smiles team at the start of the Sweetheart assembly.

Photo by hannah carter

Seniors Emma Shenefield and MacKenzie

lead their team of Pacesetters into 3 Spaulding the beginning of their group piece with the cheerleaders. PHOTO BY JACOB COX

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3

DID YOU KNOW? JCCC offers a variety of classes to meet your needs. Explore your options.

Affordable • Flexible • Engaging Visit jccc.edu/college-bound to learn more.

Submit to Lit The Literary Magazine, Inscriptions, is now accepting submissions until Friday, April 1 drawings paintings sculptures mixed media photography poetry prose etc.

Send submissions to smslitmag13@gmail.com

3.5” x

THEN 1975 Suzanne Luecke receives the crown as Southâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sweetheart Queen.

Bill Tiegreen escorts Suzanne Luecke to her throne.

PHOTOs from the 1975 heritage yearbook

GENERATION GAP NOW 2016 Sweetheart Queen Tegan Goodson and King Bailey Obersteadt smile for photos with their first attendants Tamera Thorton and Connor Hill and Second Attendants Grace Wilson and Ryan Conley.

PHOTO BY HANNAH CARTER

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GENERATION GAP

MARCH 2016