Free Press: Issue 4, Edition 19

THE FREE PRESS ISSUE 4

Photo by Sam Goodwin Cover design by Sydni Beeley and Lacey Windholz

10 December 2015

EDITION 19

CONTENTS

Page by Cooper Mumford

STAFF

print editors in chief online editors in chief design editor photo editors

copy editors

multimedia editor managing editor social media editor business editor senior ad design editor designers

Sydney Gard Trenna Soderling Maame Britwum Libby Stanford Adelaide Wendel Rose Arachtingi Christina Craig Sam Goodwin Lauren Brittain Hala Hamid Kaya Shafer Jake Clark Haley Van Vleck Elizabeth Patton Sydney Vogelsang Julia Pfannenstiel Sydni Beeley Sophia Bone Tori Karlin Caroline Kelton Cooper Mumford Drake Riner Atticus vonHolten Lane Weis Lacey Windholz

photographers

reporters

multimedia

student info clerks

Ali Dodd Morgan Edman Anna-Maya Hachmeister Kylie Hawkins Alexis Luinstra Nicola Santangelo Klaire Sarver Tierney Thompson Margaret Uhler Gabrielle Wheeler Madi Engnehl-Thomas Evan Frook Darby Gilliland Maya Hodison Mariah Houston Allie Knapp Juna Murao Reagan Sullivan Jackson Barton Aubin Murphy Samantha Spencer Paul Bittinger Nate Strathman Drew Vereen

Resigned SAT 3 Online Textbooks 6 Gender Neutral Bathrooms 8 Editor’s Columns 12 Bird’s Word 19 Profiles 20 Reviews 22 Most Popular Names 24 Infographic Style Column 26 Artists of the Month 28 Photo Essay 30

Clinton Co-Op

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STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

Students discuss feeling “stuck” as the middle of the school year approaches Written by Sydney Gard, Darby Gilliland and Elizabeth Patton

Former U.S. President discusses the importance of cooperation

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Written by Maame Britwum

Barah’s Boot Camp Girl’s soccer conditioning teaches players the importance of dedication

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Written by Mariah Houston

Not on Fire(birds) Lack of enthusiasm frustrates editor Written by Kaya Shafer

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10 December 2015 Page by Atticus vonHolten

News

Photo by Kylie Hawkins

Working on a practice SAT packet, junior Santiago Trejo prepares for the real test. Trejo has yet to take the actual SAT, but has been keeping up in his studies while he waits. “I have not heard about any changes to the SAT,” Trejo said.

GETTING TO KNOW THE NEW SAT

Students react to redesigned SAT and its changes Written by Juna Murao

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lairvoyant,” “ephemeral” and “fraught” are some words think according to gifted education teacher Larry Wolf that junior Katie Lane may never come across outside “The changes will decrease the value of simply being a logical the SAT test. However, changes will take place for the thinker and able to figure things out, but they will increase the imSAT in March 2016. One of the alterations is the elimination of portance given to knowing your mathematical formulas and how to vocabulary words without context and the addition of more famous apply them,” Wolf said. documents.

The math section as well will change to have a calculator and no “I know I’ll be focusing on less on vocab because they’re doing calculator section.The test will also have an emphasis on graphs and it more in context than just ‘oh, do you know this specific word that charts based questions. you would never use?’” Lane said.

“Math is more based on graphs and charts,” I do like the changes Junior Jaja Wang believes the changes will Wang said. “They [College Board] give real because … they do try to benefit the students who are taking the exam. world examples with calculator and no calculamake an effort to make “I do like the changes because I think they do tor sections instead of just logic problems.” [the test] more appropriate try to make an effort to make it more appropriate Despite the changes, Wang believes towards the school curriculum. towards the school curriculum,” Wang said. his preparation for the exam will not - junior Jaja Wang drastically change.

In addition to the context with the vocabulary, the test will give the students no penalty for the answers they get wrong.

“I don’t really think it will change my prep,” As a result, Wang predicts “… people will be more comfortable Wang said. “I think the only key to success is to practice, so as long with answering questions,” Wang said. “The scores should go up.” as I keep practicing I know I’ll get better.”

Scores for the new test will vary depending on the way students

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Photo by Sam Goodwin

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10 December 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

News

CLINTON CO-OP Former U.S. President discusses the importance of cooperation Written by Maame Britwum

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n Nov. 23 former President Bill Clinton accepted the 2015 speech on Nov. 23. Junior Emily Hopkins was in the crowd with Dole Leadership Prize in front of over 2,000 people at the her brother, after her parents recommended they attend.

Lied Center.

“My parents thought it’d be a good experience to experience a Clinton, who has been to Lawrence once before in 2004 to president speak,” Hopkins said. speak at the first Dole Lecture Series, was honored for his bipartiHopkins most enjoyed seeing a former U.S. President. sanship during his two terms as president. The prize comes along “I guess there’s the awe factor that he was president for some with $25,000 that Clinton returned to the Dole Institute. time,” Hopkins said.

Since its founding in 2003, the Dole Leadership Prize has been Senior Brett Carey was also in attendance. awarded to former President George H. W. Bush, former South “I thought it was a great [chance] to hear someone who’s very African president Nelson Mandela, a nobel laureate and multiple important and has had a great impact on our country speak,” senators and organizations, to name a few.

Carey said.

Associate Director of the Dole Institute of Political Science Clinton briefly talked about the policy success of his adminDr. Barbara Ballard describes the selection process as a group istration, but chiefly stressed the importance of interdependence effort between the director, senator Dole and the rest of the Dole and cooperation.

Institute staff.

“We have one remaining bigotry: we don’t I really liked how he “Senator Dole and President Clinton are want to be around anyone that disagrees with touched on political friends and have worked together, so we were us,” Clinton said during his speech. polarization in America hopeful that this would help persuade President Clinton focused on how much Americans and how there’s Clinton to come to campus to accept the disagree with one another, citing that the most a need for compromise.

Leadership Prize,” Ballard said. recent Human Genome Project found that all - senior Brett Carey humans are 99.5 percent alike.

Because of limited space at the Dole Institute, the staff decided the Lied Center was better suited for such “Don’t we all spend 99 and a half percent of a large event. our time thinking about the half of a percent of us that’s differ“We chose the Lied Center because it would provide more ent?” Clinton questioned in his speech. opportunities for people to attend the event,” Ballard said.

The former president willed Americans to cooperate despite The Dole Institute made sure that tickets to see the former increasing political and social polarization. Carey plans to implePresident speak were given free to the public. ment Clinton’s compromise sentiment more into his life.

“It is important to the Dole Institute to offer free admission to “I really liked how he touched on political polarization in our programs and events,” Ballard said. “It provides opportunities America and how there’s a need for compromise,” Carey said. “I for KU students, faculty, staff and community to attend regardless already do this, but I’ll even incorporate it more so to hear what of ability to pay.” the other side of … the story.”

The Lied Center was packed in anticipation for Clinton’s

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Former president Bill Clinton speaks at the Lied Center to a full house.

He was presented with the Dole Leadership Prize for providing leadership that inspires others. “I always liked Clinton; I admired his intelligence,” teacher Marsha Poholsky said. “He is the only president in recent memory that had a balanced budget.”

6 LET’S GET 10 December 2015 Page by Drake Riner

News

PHYSICAL (TEXTBOOKS)

Students, teachers push back on use of online textbooks Written by Lauren Brittain

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unior Luke Winchester logs out of Cengage.com. He attempts to log in again. He shuts down his laptop and considers throwing it at the wall. The AP Chemistry digital textbook website is malfunctioning again, and Winchester is not surprised.

“I think [online textbooks are] great if I forgot my textbook in my locker or something and I need to do homework, but I find them very difficult to use a lot of the time,” Winchester said.

The transition from hard copy textbooks to digital editions at the start of the year threw students into a seemingly unplanned adjustment period due to the technology disparities among the student body and websites or apps used.

“We can’t wait a few weeks for [issues] to get resolved,” AP U.S. History teacher Jordan Boyd said. “We have a chapter a week and we cannot deviate from that schedule.”

Informed of the transition at the end of the last school year, history and science classes were the main targets for online editions.

Speaking up through the chain of command takes time for teachers when difficulties arise. Additionally, unreliable internet access or not having a computer at all are roadblocks students are often afraid to come forward about.

“There’s the perception that the student body is richer and wider than it really is,” Boyd said. “And there are so many problems with that mindset going forward. There’s a lot of economic diversity and cultural diversity here.”

More than just lack of access, some student’s preferred learning styles are not always conducive to an online textbook.

“It stresses me out too because you can’t flip through the book as easily and I’m a very visual learner,” junior Sabrea Platz said. “I memorize Having had multiple courses that use a digital textbook doesn’t always eliminate students’ reluctance to go digital. Junior Jessica Ellebracht has taken many classes with regular and online textbooks, such as math and history classes. “I prefer a hard copy textbook because the computer hurts my eyes if I am on it for a long time and I like the book right in front of me to where I can physically turn the pages,” Ellebracht said.

“The computers don’t always work either.”

Photo illustration by Klaire Sarver

where stuff is on the pages and and you can’t do that with online textbooks.”

When it comes time to read thirty or more textbook pages, even those with access were hesitant.

“Personally, it hurts my eyes to stare at a screen for that long when I’m reading something,” Winchester said. “[Also] I put bookmarks where the solubility table is or where my reactants chart is [in the physical book] ...It’s helpful to know where that is and just be able to open up to the bookmark.”

Taking both AP Chemistry and AP U.S. History, Platz was was given two online textbooks.

“I talked to my teacher, I got a note from my doctor and I got it signed by my parents that said I needed [a physical textbook], because it’s true,” Platz said. “It was causing me to get migraines and I can’t handle that with the classes I’m taking.”

Platz noted that had she received physical textbooks from the start, she would not have visited the optometrist.

In the first few months of the school year, both teachers and students alike found additional ways around the online textbooks.

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10 December 2015 Page by Drake Riner

News

Continued from page 6 Extra physical copies were checked out to students despite the push to go online and PDFs of chapters were put on websites.

“You could tell that the teachers were very annoyed with [the online textbooks],” Platz said. “They didn’t like it as much as we did …. a lot of people were unfairly angry at the teachers, even though they couldn’t do anything about it. In both of my classes, the teachers made sure we really could get access to the online textbook.”

As the district attempts to adapt to this change, more access is being provided.

“Many students with problems have either been provided with a laptop and wireless hotspot, we have a couple AP students that took us up on that, or they have a physical textbook,” Boyd said.

Teachers and students alike are working through the transition.

The way the online textbooks were introduced, rather than the for-

mat itself, may actually be the enemy.

“Instead of just saying we give you a classroom set and then they have their online book to use at home, give them an option between using both and then just gradually try and pull away from doing that,” Winchester said.

Winchester noted that the online textbook has its plus sides, including the ability to turn in homework online and added resources. Unfortunately, with not all students able to access the online editions, not all resources necessary for AP students are readily available. Boyd’s priority is adapting as fast as possible in order to preserve learning.

“I just want my kids to learn AP and to learn to love history, and any way that I do that, I’m going to,” Boyd said.

Photo illustration by Klaire Sarver Students have differing takes on the initiative to use more digital textbooks. Junior Cooper Rasmussen has not taken many classes with an online textbook even though he prefers to use them. “I like using online textbooks because you don’t have to carry around a textbook,” Rasmussen said. “It’s way more convenient.”

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10 December 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

News

FLUSHING TRADITIONAL CONCEPTIONS Students, staff advocate for inclusive bathrooms Written by Evan Frook

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enderfluid freshman Nathan Russell is often forced to avoid to get out and that it’s really embarrassing because they feel like a the women’s restroom until it empties. Russell faces ridicule guy is in there with them,” Russell said. “Sometimes I want to go in in the women’s restroom and feels unable to use the men’s. the guy’s bathroom, but I really can’t. I’d feel a lot more comfortable The building has six single-occupancy restrooms: one in the in the same bathroom as the gender I want to be. I usually just wait nurse’s office, one near the gym and four locked in the hallways. until everyone is done going to the bathroom, and then I go when no Principal Myron Graber says that these are locked for and tend to be one is in there.” used by special education students.

Graber acknowledges there is room for improvement but defends Gender neutral bathrooms provide facilities for students who do the school’s efforts as well. not feel comfortable in either the men’s or women’s restrooms due to “I would say we are meeting the basic needs,” Graber said. “I am their gender identity, but none of the six restrooms in the school that sure we could always improve accessibility, location and signage. We could fulfill this need are as convenient as the classically designated have made a genuine effort to respond to the needs of our students restrooms. given the limitations of an existing facility.”

The debate over gender identification rights is raging in public For Russell, the private bathrooms are a good idea, but lack in conscience across the country and making its way into legislation. publicity. Russell didn’t know of them before.

The argument for gender neutral bathrooms reverses the stance of “They should have a sign that says something like ‘gender neutral’ the civil rights fought for by Brown v. Board of Education, that sepa- on the private bathrooms, or on the announcements they should say rate but equal is not equal. In this situation, gender neutral students ‘we have private bathrooms if you don’t feel comfortable going into are asking for the exact opposite. They seek separate facilities tailored the other bathrooms,’” Russell said. “They should be unlocked for to them, but with equal convenience and capability. sure.”

The restroom located in the nurse’s office sees use many time a Private, neutral bathrooms for anyone who feels inclined to use week according to nurse Paula Hatcher. A wide array of students use them are more inclusive and equal for everyone, and the school it, including special needs students and those who are anxious about should bear the responsibility of involving everyone, Russell argued, public restrooms, as well as gender neutral and transgender students. but Graber says he knows only of the directives for handicapped “I don’t question anyone who comes in to use individuals set forth by the Individuals with I’d feel a lot more [the restroom],” Hatcher said. “Anyone can.”

Disabilities Education Act. comfortable in the The bathroom in the nurse’s office has been Governments should mandate public same bathroom as around for all 19 years of Free State’s existence and schools to include such facilities, and the the gender I want to be. has operated under the same principles since its opposition to such legislation stems from - freshman Nathan Russell inception, Hatcher said. A simple policy of univerparents who are afraid they will influence stusal acceptance and no questions has governed this restroom, and dents’ gender identity according to Russell.

Hatcher says it has had no problems thus far.

“If we could have actual, gender neutral bathrooms then yeah, it Overall, Hatcher is satisfied by the school’s acceptance of any stu- would be a lot more comfortable for me and a lot of other people,” dent who wants to use the alternative bathrooms, be it due to anxiety, Russell said. “If it wasn’t hidden, like we have bathrooms for girls gender identity or otherwise. and guys over here and then neutral somewhere else, I think they “[Students] need to have their privacy respected and feel comshould just have all three together.” fortable in their surroundings,” said Hatcher. “Kids who feel anxious Graber notes there is no objectively correct and viable solution, or nervous, some kids just feel that way anyway, about using the rebut the administration, headed by Graber, will ensure that students strooms at school… that can cause a lot of [repercussions]. Any time will receive fair and measured treatment. you can provide privacy for people who have any issues or shyness “In life we are all put in uncomfortable situations,” Graber said. with using public restrooms or gender issues, that’s a good thing.”

“In my position, it is imperative that all students that attend Free The issue is a personal one for Russell.

State will and should be treated with dignity without fear of reper“On days that I do dress up like a boy and go to the bathroom in cussion.” the women’s bathroom, a lot of people give me dirty looks or tell me

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10 December 2015 Page by Sydney Vogelsang

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10 December 2015 Page by Sophia Bone

Sports

BARAH’S BOOT CAMP Girls soccer conditioning teaches players the importance of dedication

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10 December 2015 Page by Sophia Bone

Sports

Opposite: Stretching in the circle, junior Molly Bryant participates in winter conditioning. Bryant has played on the soccer team for her entire high school career.

“I think it’s great that we all get together and start early,” Bryant said. “It helps get everyone used to each other and get the freshmen into the program before the actual season starts.”

Left: While watching the athletes, soccer coach Kelly Barah runs his conditioning.

The fitness group is offered to all ages for both girls and boys during the winter. “[Conditioning] always translates to stronger, faster and more confident players in the season,” Barah said.

Photos by Ali Dodd Written by Mariah Houston

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stream of soccer players sprints down the hallway after school. Girls soccer conditioning started in November.

Learning and laughing, these girls come together after school in and around the Commons.

Although the season will not begin until the spring, head coach Kelly Barah believes it’s never too early to start preparing. Conditioning assists athletes in getting into shape and builds bonds between players, creating a family environment engulfed in positive attitudes.

“Making friends is important during conditioning because that’s when you’re sweating together and going through the pain, and it’s then carried on to the season after that,” Barah said.

A typical workout begins with a dynamic warm-up. The workout slowly increases from ladders to body weight workouts to sprinting work.

“We do a lot of split jumps and sand sprints in the summer,” sophomore Kate Odgers said. “Barah’s workouts are hard. I have learned to push myself a little further than I’m used to.”

During conditioning, Barah continually stresses that playing soccer is about more than simply winning. Barah hopes conditioning every day after school teaches the girls to grow not only physically, but morally and emotionally too.

“I hope [the athletes] take away the lessons,” Barah said. “Every small lesson in there is so much bigger than kicking a ball around.”

High spirits surrounding this sport stem from the players and the coaches.

“Barah has a totally different style of coaching than any other coach I have had,” senior Lauren Johnson said. “He’s all about family and making sure you’re playing the sport right and having fun, and not always worrying about winning.”

Johnson hopes to use the girl’s 2-0 loss to Shawnee Mission East at regionals as motivation this season.

“Last year losing so quickly in the season and working so hard, but then it all being over has made me want to do better this season,” Johnson said.

Losses help the teammates find the determination to try harder and strive for victory. Sometimes, the players learn more from their failures than from their successes.

“I haven’t grown just in soccer,” Johnson said. “I’ve grown as a person and in other sports too.”

Another factor that helps lift the attitudes of the girls is each other. The players are aware their performances on the field affect more than just themselves.

“To work better as a team you need everybody to be dedicated,” Odgers said. “I want to be the best that I can be, especially for the team.”

Conditioning allows the players to build up motivation before the season begins. Once the girls touch their cleats to the field, they are ready for any obstacles thrown their way.

“Conditioning has taught me how to push myself,” Johnson said.

“Barah helps us find the drive within ourselves.”

1 2 RESCUES & RESPONSIBILITIES 10 December 2015 Page by Cooper Mumford

Editorial

The middle has different meanings for editors in chief

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everal weeks ago I celebrated my 18th birthday. I ate cake, went out to dinner with my family and thought about my now-impending death. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a pessimist, but I really felt like one on that day. In the back of my mind, there are three stages of life: childhood, adulthood and death.

Turning 18 marked not only my ability to vote and buy lottery tickets, but the end of the childhood stage I’d spent my entire life in.

Now, I have no clue where I am. Legally, I’m an adult, but I’m still in high school and entirely dependent on my parents. My parents can no longer view my medical records unless I give them permission, but my mom drove me to my post-op appointment at the beginning of the month. I’ve lived in Lawrence for my entire life, but I’m supposed to know what I want to do with my life. It’s terrifying.

Becoming an adult is obviously exciting. It means I’m closer than ever to moving out and going to college, which I’m pretty pumped for. However, it also means I will never be a child again.

I know this sounds obvious and pretty stupid, and maybe the average 18-year-old doesn’t experience this, but I’m going to miss being a kid. My childhood involved hanging out at the library, spending my summers free of responsibilities and eating all the candy my little heart desired. The world was endless as I wanted it to be.

Now, my summers will probably be filled with internships and (hopefully) jobs. I have to pay my own bills and schedule my own doctor’s appointments. There’s no going back to childhood. I’ll be working until I retire in 40 to 50 years.

I wish I knew when this weird feeling of being neither adult or child would stop, but I don’t. This could last for years. Till then, I guess I’ll just sit here in the middle.

SYDNEY GARD Co-Editor in Chief

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-shirts and pins proclaiming “I Survived the Narrows!” littered souvenir shops all around Utah’s Zion National Park.

When I saw them on August 1, I grinned, appreciative of the hyperbole designed to lure people into the canyon. When I saw the same pins on August 9, I grinned, appreciative I could actually utter those words.

The Narrows is a thousand-foot-high gorge framing the Virgin River. It takes approximately eight hours to hike down and back.

There are no tour guides. It’s beautiful, but also dangerous. This summer, my family disregarded any warnings and decided it would be the perfect end to our vacation.

A few hours in, we weighed the pros and cons of continuing on into the canyon, knowing we’d have to stumble back as far as we had come. After much deliberation we decided to continue on, if only for the glory of saying we had done it. Luckily for An and Kris, we did.

It was my 11 year old brother who heard the cries for help first.

He sprinted around the boulder blocking our view, soon reappearing to yell to my step-dad.

“Daddy! There’s people drowning in quicksand!”

The first man was submerged to his mouth, bobbing in and out of the muddy debris, resisting all help, urging us to save his friend. It was only until we assured him my uncle was on his way to the other struggling man that he accepted our attempt at rescuing him.

After a couple of grunts and pulls, Kris was safe.

An was more difficult. He was framed by tall boulders, isolated by the quicksand and was sinking — fast. He agonizingly pulled his arms through the debris one at a time, reaching up to the branch my uncle held down to him. After about 60 seconds, my step-dad climbed up the boulder and then shimmied down the cliff-like edge, bracing himself between the canyon wall and rock, reaching out to the drowning man.

Everyone was in shock when we finally pulled both out of the water. Names were exchanged and thanks were received. An and Kris’s legs shook as they gathered their belongings and prepared themselves for the four-hour hike back out of the river.

Despite the traumatic event we had recently seen, my family and I decided to continue back as far as we were allowed without a permit.

Although our resolution was firm, it was hard to be confident we would make it out again as we raced to the back and then the front again, praying for safety as we jumped from rock to rock.

I doubted we would ever get to safety for a while, but we were ultimately freed from the mouth of the canyon at about 8 p.m. As I huddled in the back of the bus that would take us to the entrance of the park I watched the sun set and thanked every power possible that I was no longer stuck in the middle of the Narrows.

TRENNA SODERLING Co-Editor in Chief

10 December 2015 Page by Cooper Mumford

Editorial

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NOT ON FIRE(BIRDS) Lack of enthusiasm frustrates editor Written by Kaya Shafer

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here is so much I can’t stand about this school. I hate the Sophomore negative attitude and general negative, bland opinion of so Kaya Shafer is a many people here. Yeah, we do great on standardized tests and have a low drop out rate. The school is full of diverse and woncopy editor and derful people. When the city showdown against LHS comes around, reporter for The sure, we have a pretty good turn out. But I hate that no one cares Free Press and about school spirit any other time and that the people who do care are looked down on. It bugs me how boring we are. We need to get Talon yearbook. hype.

This is her second I haven’t always felt this strongly about school spirit. In middle year on staff. school, the only games I went to were basketball, and I refused to cheer for anyone except the hotties. I thought the cheerleaders were She is also a part foolish for trying to get an almost non-existent crowd of students of FYI Club and to repeat their silly chants. I had a rather pessimistic attitude, to be Hype, Inc. honest. I never even stepped into the football stands until eighth grade, when it became clear that knowing your school song and singing it with pride was cool.

Flash forward to sophomore year, and I now absolutely love my Photo by Morgan Edman school. I’m on journalism staff writing stories for the yearbook that will be part of Free State’s legacy. I’m involved in Hype, Inc. to try to When did we start overlooking school spirit? Walking through get my friends to participate in the random spirited activities. This the hallways during a spirit week, it might not even be clear what the year I went to all but one of the football games and dressed up for theme for the day is. Such a small portion of the student population the themes each time. Marching band got me so pumped, I always actually dresses up, and it’s often a half-hearted attempt. Students cheered as loud as I could (despite not knowing any terms other than would rather be comfortable, play it safe and wear regular clothes ‘touchdown’). instead of having fun, letting loose and showing a little school pride I don’t think we were ever loud enough for our We have become by dressing like a fraternity brother or a tourist, or team to even hear us. The weeks in between the even just wearing a green shirt on Fridays. We have games, I started getting mad whenever people talked hyperaware of how become hyper-aware of how other people see us, and other people see us, about having something better to do with their Friit’s getting in the way of our Firebird spirit. Instead, and it’s getting in day nights than to go to a game that everyone would we should be working to leave a legacy that the classes the way of our leave at halftime. after us will be jealous of and strive for.

Firebird spirit.

Our inaudible student sections and pep-less School is about more than just homework and sophomore Kaya Shafer pep rallies aren’t just a disappointment to the kids tests. Being a Firebird is all about school spirit; it’s who go all out, they’re a disappointment to the school as a about linking arms as we sing the alma mater whether we’ve won or whole. When the visiting team’s student section is larger and louder lost the game. It’s about wearing our green even in the pouring rain. than ours, it gives us a bad reputation. It’s a let down to StuCo and It’s when you fit eight people you don’t even know under a single other groups that try so hard to make Free State fun. People put blanket because you’re all cheering for the same team. It’s about so forth so much effort to make school enjoyable by adding spirit weeks, much more than trash talking the other team and giving our school pep assemblies and marching band in the morning. When we don’t a bad reputation. And heck yeah, we can do that. I’m pretty dang appreciate or even acknowledge their work, they don’t want to try proud to be a Firebird. We all should be. anymore. From there, no one wants to try, and it’s a downward spiral.

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10 December 2015 Page by Sydni Beeley and Lacey Windholz

Feature

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE A

s the first semester draws to a close, students and teachers can feel stuck in the middle. While many feel stuck in Kansas, some appreciate its simplicity. Others are somewhere between a friendship and a relationship. For siblings being stuck in the middle can mean defying expectations. Those in the middle of the political spectrum discuss how moderation affects their lives. Firebirds acknowledge the stress of mid-year and provide finals tips. All in all, being in the middle encompasses different experiences.

Life in Kansas affects students in different ways Written by Elizabeth Patton

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he Sunflower State, Midway USA, the belly button of the staying in Kansas any longer… But going away really taught me to United States: Kansas. Kansas is a state with many nicknames, appreciate my roots. Kansas is a really safe and very comfortable but few tourists can sometimes leave its inhabitants feeling place to grow up and being able to experience much harsher enviliterally stuck in the middle. ronments really sheds light on that.”

For sophomore Averie Beaty, however, this isn’t necessarily the Like Beaty, Weiler’s most appreciated aspects of Kansas seem to case. Since moving to Kansas three different times in her life, her be overlooked by most. favorite things about the state are typically overlooked by lifelong “I like Kansas because of the beauty in its simplicity,” Weiler said.

Kansans.

“There aren’t a lot of big cities, and it’s open and untouched in a lot “In Texas, we never really got spring or fall, so to me the Kansas of places, which is becoming exceedingly rare.” weather is beautiful,” Beaty said.

Being a Kansan her whole life, Weiler’s perception of life in KanAfter moving in and out of Kansas multiple times, Beaty eventual- sas is far different than sophomore Alejandro Carballido Flores’. ly knew what to expect when her dad’s coaching career brought her Born in Mexico, Carballido Flores moved to the United States family back to the Sunflower State. in 2013. He first lived in Washington as a foreign exchange student, “The first time [we moved] I was 10 and kept but begrudgingly moved to Kansas due to his dad’s I like Kansas telling people I was moving to Canada,” Beaty said. “I work the next year. because of the was sad to leave Texas because that was all I had ever “At first I was mad,” he said. “I didn’t even beauty in its simplicity. known, but I was excited for a new adventure and know where Kansas was, so I wasn’t happy about - senior Carolyn Weiler moving to a different state instead of just a different leaving everything and everyone I knew [in Mexico].” town. The third time, I was sad to leave but I was excited that if I was, With very different cultures, life in Kansas was far different than it was back [to Lawrence] because I had loved it here before.” the life Carballido Flores knew and preferred in Mexico.

While Kansas has given Beaty adventure, for senior Carolyn Wei“People in Kansas are completely different from the people I ler it has been her peaceful home after adventure. knew in Mexico,” he said. “They act, talk, dress, and think very differGetting out of Kansas, and even out of the country, is some ently.” students’ dream after high school. For Weiler, that dream became a Eventually, Carballido Flores plans to return to his home country, reality in 2014 when she earned the opportunity to travel to India Mexico. through the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program.

Kansas has different meanings for different people. For some, it She returned to Kansas with a new outlook on her home state. is a comfortable abode, and others just their place of residency until “Before I went to India, I was so ready to leave Kansas,” Weiler they can leave. No matter what your perception of Kansas, however, said. “I thought nothing could possibly be more boring or lame than we are all together, stuck in the middle.

“

”

10 December 2015 Page by Sydni Beeley and Lacey Windholz

Feature

Students discuss the new theme in today’s relationships

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Written by Elizabeth Patton

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tricky middle space between friendship and relationship that has become so common is alluring to some due to its lack of definition. The days of “going steady” are long gone. Now, young couples are “cuffed” and “baes.” Though “taken” is often written in Instagram biographies, there are differing opinions about the true meaning of the word in this generation.

It seems Generation Z has developed a severe identity crisis when it comes to relationships. The need for assurance paired with this generation’s prevalent fear of rejection has created the “talking phase.” A constant in today’s young adult relationships, the “talking phase” leaves individuals stuck between a cordial friendship and romantic relationship.

The talking phase is “the period in a relationship which lasts for an indeterminable amount of time in which the primary constituent of relations between the two parties consists of talking” according to Urban Dictionary. For senior Genevieve Prescher, this is one of the most important parts of a relationship. “[The talking phase] is great, it’s perfect for people to get know each other,” Prescher said. “The quality of conversation during the talking phase is above average because people are trying to impress each other, and

people are responding quickly.”

Consisting primarily through electronic messaging such as iMessage, Twitter Direct Messages and even Facebook or Google Chat, individuals are presented with the opportunity for constant communication, a plus in sophomore Ryan Wyle’s book. “[The talking phase] is very important for a relationship,” Wyle said. “You should get to know the person and learn their interests.

People rush into things too fast and it ends badly for the both of them, because they don’t know the other person.”

This prolonged period of conversation isn’t always for the best, however.

“Over text, you can almost sensor or screen what you say, so you are changing your interaction to make what you think the other person would be ideal, rather than necessarily being genuine,” senior Ethan Kallenberger said.

Since the talking phase includes constant communication, it nearly eliminates the need for dates. For Kallenberger, that isn’t necessarily a good thing.

“People are getting to know each other a lot faster than they would otherwise, when you’re in constant communication you’re always learning something new, whereas, each date would bring something new,” Kallen-

berger said.

Speeding up the process of getting to know one another creates an important effect on the foundations of relationships, especially when it doesn’t constantly include face to face contact.

“It’s bad the majority of relationships’ interactions happen over text, because that’s different than actually interacting in person,” Kallenberger said.

Evolving forms of communication have given teens the idea they need to be constantly in touch with their significant other, even more so when the relationship has not be defined. This societal norm of dependence essentially birthed the “talking phase.”

Young couples can now determine when they are ready to commit to being one another’s significant others. Young people are given the privacy and tools to determine the paths of their relationships. Whether a fan of the talking phase or not, it appears it’s here to stay. No longer are the days of going steady and hitting the sock hop. Now young people searching for love “slide into the DMs” or create a snap streak on Snapchat.

“The talking phase is just a product of our generation, just like dates were a product of our parent’s generation,” Kallenberger said.

Photo illustration by Sam Goodwin Dating has changed a lot since the Gen X generation. “People don’t really go on dates anymore,” senior Ethan Kallenberger said. “In our parents generation you would ask someone on a date. If it went well there would be second or third date. If not, maybe you were just friends.”

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10 December 2015 Page by Sydni Beeley and Lacey Windholz

Feature

Stuck in the Middle continued . . .

Middle children discuss birth order stereotypes Written by Darby Gilliland

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hat do Nelson Mandela, Britney Spears and Bill Gates have in common? They are innovative, extremely famous and were all born middle children.

According to Katrin Schumann, co-author of The Secret Power of Middle Children, the common stereotype of middle children is that they are forgotten or pushed into the background. Birth order stereotypes also say the oldest child holds loads of responsibility, while the youngest gets anything they want. This leaves the middle child to fade into the back and receive the least attention from their parents.

Common misconceptions include that this lack of attention causes middle children to be awkward, antisocial adults.

As the second oldest of seven siblings, English teacher Kylee Wright has plenty of experience with birth order personalities. While she believes that some people fit the stereotypes, nothing is clear cut.

“Birth order personalities are based on environment,” Wright said. “If you have siblings who leave the picture through divorce or death or siblings that enter the picture through marriage or adoption, then that changes the whole sociology of the family.”

When a younger step-brother joined the family, junior Macie Reeb became a middle child.

“My parents kind of put me in the background,” Reeb said. “My brother gets a lot of attention, and so does my sister because she started college.”

The stereotype of the spoiled younger child is true for her younger brother, but the loss of attention has not hurt her relationship with her parents according to Reeb. “[Being a middle child] hasn’t affected how my parents see me,” Reeb said. “My parents definitely love me.”

When freshman Zain Brittain’s sister was born a few years ago, he also went from being the youngest to being a middle child.

“It makes things more complicated sometimes,” Brittain said.

“You have to get used to the noise.”

Historically, middle children have gone on to become great leaders. Justice-seekers Abraham Lincoln and Susan B. Anthony were middle children, as were successful innovators like Charles Darwin and Warren Buffett. Unfortunately, not all middle children have become upstanding citizens, Donald Trump a prime example of this.

Receiving less attention can result in becoming more independent Wright said.

“Middle children, psychologists and sociologists say, are the ones who feel left out and that can be good or bad for them,” Wright said. “[This] can mean they feel laid back and they like not being bothered or they feel a strong desire to get attention.”

The personalities of middle children are often influenced by older children and younger children, but in different ways.

Middle children can be expected to either live up to their older sibling, or strive to be more successful than them.

“It’s hard to follow in my sister’s footsteps because she’s really smart,” Reeb said. “Sometimes I feel pressured to be like her.”

This expectation, while it can be difficult to deal with, is not always a bad thing in Wright’s experience.

“All the middle children I have known have been some of my favorite people,” Wright said. “They have interesting personalities because they learn from their older siblings, but they’re not the younger child.”

Photo illustration by Rose Arachtingi Senior Carlyn Hartsock, sophomore Maleena Hatfield and senior Jalen Galloway understand the pain of being middle children.

“I don’t really think [middle child syndrome] is a real thing, I think it’s just hard to live with siblings since we all argue,” senior Carlyn Hartsock said. “My brother is taller and bigger than I am so when we fight, he overpowers me, but it’s just over stupid things -- never physically.”

10 December 2015 Page by Sydni Beeley and Lacey Windholz

Feature

Nontraditional areas on political spectrum put students ‘in the middle’

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Written by Sydney Gard Photo by Sam Goodwin Lawrence is often thought of as a blue dot in a sea of red. “I think Lawrence is a lot more liberalminded, so I think it’s a little more accepting,” junior Seamus Ryan said.

“But I think Lawrence is really into people like Bernie Sanders, who is a Democratic Socialist and his ideas.”

I

n the mind of junior Seamus Ryan, the perfect government “So it’s possible for a moderate to hold a view on a singular would mirror those of Nordic countries like Sweden and Norway. issue that’s not moderate, but on a range of issues it would put you Ryan, who considers himself a Democratic Socialist, envies the between conservatism and liberalism,” Haas said. free healthcare and secondary education many of these countries Though sophomore Ting Ting Shi has more liberal views, she provide for their citizens. calls herself an independent.

“It’s a lot more government-funded programs rather than, ‘if you “I don’t like to align myself with any political party because at difcan’t afford it, then too bad,’” Ryan said. ferent times, there could be better people in some party than there Though Kansas as a whole generally votes conservative and Law- are in others,” she said. rence leans liberal, there are some students who classify themselves Like Shi, senior Lydia Palmer has more liberal views. However, as neither. Ryan places himself in the latter group. she is an independent for different reasons than Shi. Another student with independent views is senior Cadence “I have certain viewpoints, but I don’t really agree with how Learned. either party would solve these problems,” Palmer said.

“I would describe my political views as reformative, as in the Those with nontraditional political views still impact the political current system that we do use in our society doesn’t really provide process. The two major candidates can count on votes from their people the standards of living that it should,” parties, but Independent voters tend to vote I have certain viewpoints, based on candidates.

Learned said. but I don’t really agree with While many Lawrencians tend to be accepting “Whoever can appeal to moderates and how either party would of reformative views, they don’t believe the system Independents has a tendency of winning,” solve these problems. needs to be completely changed, Learned said.

Haas said.

- senior Lydia Palmer “A lot of people tend to think we just need to Some students with these views have reform within the system we currently have,” Learned said. “I’m already chosen their favorite candidate for the next usually labeled as a Democrat or liberal when in fact, I don’t even election. Learned and Palmer would vote for Bernie Sanders if the believe in political parties as a whole because I think they hinder our election were today, and Shi would vote for Hillary Clinton. policy from getting to its full potential. Rather than working for a “I would say I agree more with Bernie Sanders’ views, but becommon goal, we’re just having a power struggle for Congress.” cause he’s so far left I don’t think that he could actually make as big An independent is an individual who does not align with a partic- of a difference … as Hillary Clinton,” Shi said. ular political party according to AP Government and Modern World Though many students are independent for different reasons, History teacher Jeff Haas.

Palmer believes extremity on the political spectrum is bad for the Moderates are occasionally grouped with independents in politgovernment. ical discussion. However, the two are very different. Haas classifies “People are a little too extreme sometimes, on either end,” Palmer moderates as those whose political views don’t place them on one said. “There’s no reason to just be extreme, in my opinion.” end or the other of the liberal-conservative political spectrum.

“

”

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10 December 2015 Page by Sydni Beeley and Lacey Windholz

Feature

Photo illustration by Sam Goodwin

Stuck in the Middle continued . . .

Middle of school year affects students in different ways

The end of the semester can feel overwhelming as workloads increase. “All the important projects teachers are piling on [are hard to finish],” sophomore Jessica Coleman said.

Written by Sydney Gard and Darby Gilliland

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o matter which grade, age or intellectual state, there is one thing the majority of students hate: finals. Finals only come around twice a year, but first semester tests are the most difficult for many students.

“It’s a very busy time of the year,” social studies teacher Aimee McLendon said. “There are holidays, other activities and I think that the weather doesn’t help any. With the gray days and the cold, I think it’s just getting tired of everything that’s going on that makes [the middle of the school year] difficult for students.”

As classes end for the semester, teachers often give more projects and assignments to help prepare students for finals and add more to the gradebook.

“At the end of the semester obviously all classes are wrapping up at the same time, so there’s extra work on top of what you would normally have,” McLendon said.

Freshmen are close to completing their first semester of high school. Having never taken a final exam before, this can be a stressful time for them. Freshman Walker Koberlein said he feels stuck in the middle of the school year and doesn’t exactly know what to expect from finals.

“It’s kind of like the hump,” Koberlein said. “You’ve worked hard already and you just want to give up, but you have to push through.”

Working to keep grades up throughout the semester is the key to doing well on finals.

“It’s really hard if you get messed up at the beginning of the

school year to fix that,” senior Nayoka Perkins said.

Dreary weather and holiday preparations can seem like excellent excuses for procrastination, but do little to help grades.

“Having to deal with tests and assessments as you’re trying to get ready to do holiday stuff [is difficult],” sophomore Jessica Coleman said. “[But] you have to know what you’re going over.”

When it comes down to the daunting task of actual studying, students must use resources wisely.

“Study the study guides given to you,” Perkins said. “Review all the assignments given to you through the year.”

No matter how well the first semester turns out, Perkins said, it is important to take second semester more seriously. Coleman agrees.

“Make sure that if in first semester you slacked off, try to keep up and finish the year strong,” she said.

Though finals can be stressful, McLendon emphasizes the importance of students maintaining their health and not letting the extra pressure affect their lives too much. “[Students should] make sure that they’re taking care of themselves,” McLendon said. “[They need to be] getting enough sleep and eating right and making sure they get some kind of activity.”

Keep work organized and know what is necessary for studying, McLendon advises.

“I think something unknown is far scarier than what you know,” she said. “If you have a list of everything that you’re going to have to do, then it’s a little bit easier to deal with.”

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10 December 2015 Page by Tori Karlin

Profiles

BIRD’S WORD Do you have any tips for conquering semester finals?

Interviewed by Madi Engnehl-Thomas Photos by Rose Arachtingi, Christina Craig and Klaire Sarver

“Definitely just study a lot but don’t stress out too much, and study early because if you cram the day before, you’re not going to remember a whole lot.”

“Don’t put off studying. Make sure you do it and you have enough time.”

- sophomore Emma Pravecek

- freshman Mason Rettele

“Don’t stress about it too much, it’s not going to be the end of the world.”

- junior Annie Olson

“First, go over all of your notes. Then, you probably want to get into a few study groups, and you may have to stay after school and ask the teachers questions.”

- senior Jackson Bermel

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10 December 2015 Page by Atticus vonHolten

Profiles

Photo by Kylie Hawkins

CHRIS PORTER & DALLAS HUNT SENIOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS PUT THEIR SCHEDULES ASIDE TO HELP THE COMMUNITY Written by Hala Hamid

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damaged telephone pole barely stands straight and skid marks of a nearby car in the roadside ditch cover the street.

A man lies in a corn field, ejected 30 feet from his car. Senior Chris Porter, a volunteer firefighter, arrives at the scene of one of the many accidents he has seen in his time volunteering.

In his last year and a half of volunteering for the Jefferson County District #3 Fire Department and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical (LDCF&M), Porter has experienced firsthand what being a volunteer firefighter is like.

“It’s not an every person job,” Porter said. “You see a lot of graphic things… you can’t let it get to you.”

Senior Dallas Hunt, who volunteers with Porter, says he feels an initial sense of adrenaline after the call, but calms down on the way to the scene.

“Every time the tones drop, you always get excited and start shaking,” Dallas Hunt said. “You have that [initial] adrenaline rush and then by the time you get from point A to point B it kind of wears off.”

Dallas Hunt’s mother, LaShana Hunt, supports her son but admits the job can be worrisome.

“As a mom I tend to worry a lot,” she said. “I just keep telling myself that he is trained and he has a great group of firefighters that he works with and they all look out for each other.”

Hoping to bring medical experience to the department, Porter is currently enrolled in the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) class at the College and Career Center. Jefferson County District #3 Fire Chief Jeremy Rodecap says EMR or EMS certifications and volunteer experiences can provide many opportunities, regardless of the career path chosen.

“It looks very good on a resume if they have previous firefighting experience,” Rodecap said. “We have had personnel end up joining the military as medics, gone over to Iraq as civilian firefighters on the military bases, enter law enforcement, join ambulance services and fire departments in Jefferson and Shawnee County and one person is currently an officer for LDCF&M.” Because volunteers serve on their own time the turnout can vary.

According to Rodecap, response time in the county can be up to 15 minutes; almost double that of a metropolitan fire department.

“We work a full time job and then respond to calls, attend training or meetings after we have been at work all day,” Rodecap said.

Even though they’re still in school, Porter and Dallas Hunt can still be called at any time.

“For normal firefighters, they sit around all day and they don’t have to worry about other things,” Dallas Hunt said. “I don’t plan for those things to happen so I put my schedule around that.”

Even though the work can be difficult, LaShana Hunt believes the experience is a positive one for her son.

“I’m proud of his choice to be involved and to give back to others in any way,” she said. “I think that this gives him great life experience and drives him to follow his heart on what he wants to accomplish in life.”

The downsides or uncertainty when it comes to volunteering don’t diminish the joy that comes with helping people for Dallas Hunt and Porter.

“I like to help and be there for people,” Porter said. “A lot of people call you in their time of need, so I want to be there to help them.”

10 December 2015 Page by Atticus vonHolten

Profiles

21 Photo by Kylie Hawkins

CAN WE TALK

CLUB’S ENVIRONMENT ENCOURAGES OPEN DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN PEERS Written by Trenna Soderling Seventy-five students, including freshman DaBarrie Johnson, sit in the Black Box Theater on a Wednesday morning, engaging in a discussion about racial slurs and hate language. Although discussions like this are abnormal for a classroom, they are typical for the Can We Talk organization.

“We talked about the ‘n’ word, and how it’s not good for anybody to use,” Johnson said. “It was nice to learn about that.”

CWT supports students many ways, including engaging in difficult conversations. Racial issues are often discussed because they are topics not generally tackled in the typical classroom.

“We talk about [inter]racial dating...stuff that is big in the world that is not really talked about,” senior Donovan Young said.

In addition to the meetings, the sponsor of the club, security guard Charles Thomas helps prepare students for the future by taking them on field trips.

“We go on a lot of college trips because we want students to see what’s out there other than KU,” Thomas said. “KU is a very expensive college and not everyone is geared to go to a four year college.

We even go to DeVry Technical School, because … you can still make enough money being a plumber and electrician. Maybe even more money.”

Principal Myron Graber believes CWT provides students opportunities and skills that could motivate students to graduate.

“Some students just wouldn’t have opportunities if there wasn’t a group or organization pushing that,” Graber said. “It’s given a forum for our minority students to talk and to express ideas about what their needs are...and from my observations it’s had a great impact on having students.”

For senior Sharon Nunoo the impact of CWT has been beneficial.

“It’s a great place to boost your confidence and learn more about yourself,” Nunoo said. “Being an African-American, you don’t really learn much about that in school and stuff. So I use it to learn about my background and boost my confidence.”

Closing the achievement gap and increasing awareness has been a goal of the club since its creation according to Thomas.

“There was a target because we wanted young people to understand where they stood in the academic arena… and how it’s going to affect you,” Thomas said. “In the first couple of sessions we asked young men ‘What do you want to be when you get out of high school?’ There were three things. NBA, NFL and a rapper. Those are not realistic goals. When the group started progressing and we asked that question [it was] just something different. Real life goals.”

For Johnson it’s these goals that make CWT valuable.

“It’s important because we get to learn new things we didn’t know, and it brings people together,” Johnson said. “We can talk about whatever we want to talk about.”

Above: During one of their Wednesday morning meetings, members of Can We Talk listen and observe their guest speaker. Many members have been attending since their freshman year, like junior Kiran Cordes. “Keeping conversations private in Can We Talk is important because if someone shares an experience they went through and it is misinterpreted, others within the group could potentially spread rumors that aren’t true,” Cordes said.

Opposite: Standing outside the fire station seniors Chris Porter and Dallas Hunt report for service as volunteer firefighters. Porter was introduced to the fire station at a young age by his church. “I enjoy helping people, being there in time of need, and making people’s days,” Porter said.

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10 December 2015 Page by Drake Riner

Reviews

SHOPPING ON A BUDGET

Expect the unexpected at Arizona Trading Company

Written by Jackson Barton

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hen I walked into Arizona Trading Company for the first time, it was exactly what I expected: hip and seasonal garments hung on racks and walls around the store, all flanked by peculiar mannequins wearing bright neon wigs.

First, I drifted towards the jeans to find remarkably low prices. I saw Wrangler jeans in great condition going for 7$. The great thing about denim is its durability and lifespan. These pants were in great condition, and the majority had price tags below double digits. It’s a great bargain for good looking chaps on a budget.

My next stop was the semi-formal shirts. Again, all price tags were below double digits, but I would be surprised to see anyone sporting many of the shirts due to their unattractive and tacky designs.

Perusing the unisex t-shirts, it was apparent that some of the shirts had been stuck on the shelf for a while because of their tacky colors or decals. Others had really unique logos that I doubt you could find anywhere else. The t-shirts were dirt cheap. If you are a fan of tees, they were definitely worth checking out.

When I was done browsing, I headed over to the counter where salesperson Mica Mendez filled me in on the store’s style.

“The kind of line we give people is ‘casual-current trends,’” Mendez said “That doesn’t necessarily mean new … Just a lot of things that we see people wearing and buying.”

In addition to the buying, there is a whole other half of Arizona Trading Company: the resale game. The most important thing about selling clothes at Arizona Trading Company is that brand names and

the price you paid for a garment in the first place do not count for much. Many second-hand clothing stores purposely introduce price fluctuations and disparities in order to restock their inventory appropriately. According to Mendez, Arizona Trading Company is strong in this area.

“We don’t price based on brands, or based on whether things were expensive to begin with,” Mendez said. “We price and base on what we know people want. Pricing is a weird game… seeing how things sell and [asking]: ‘If this is priced too high will it sit forever?

Or was it priced too low and could we have made more off of it?’”

This can be a good or bad thing, depending on the situation.

Thinking about trying to sell that pair of $120 designer jeans in the middle of summer? Don’t expect any reasonable resale value from any second-hand store, including Arizona Trading Company. There were items the store would discourage or say “no” to according to Mendez “The only hard and fast ‘no’ is definitely fur,” Mendez said.

Arizona Trading Company was a great shopping experience. The employees were helpful, and the prices were great for items like jeans. However, if you are looking for a certain item, Arizona Trading Company isn’t for you. However, the store front’s established style and price-point, as well as the service of buying previously owned garments, ensures that this business will remain an attractive alternative to the conventional department store.

Photo by Morgan Edman On a Tuesday afternoon, Arizona Trading Company employees go through clothes to be sold. The secondhand store is very popular among students for their unique purchases. Its location on Mass makes the shop fit perfectly in Lawrence.

10 December 2015 Page by Caroline Kelton

Reviews

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RIVER (LEA) OF TEARS Reporter sympathizes with Adele’s new album Written by Madi Engnehl-Thomas

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“

Adele can make me think about my first kiss, first crush, even about my first hamster . . .

”

- senior Madi Engnehl-Thomas

Tracklist

riday, November 20 is a day to remember thanks to Adele.

As of 6:45 a.m., I began listening to her newest album, 25.

Although her song “Hello” dropped October 23, Adele made us wait 28 days to hear the rest of the album. “I have never been so happy to spend $10.99. I was in tears when purchasing this because I was so excited.

The album itself made me feel a rush of emotions I could barely contain. Each song is filled with the high notes nobody can hit and lyrics that will make even John Cena cry. Adele can make me think about my first kiss, first crush, even about my first hamster that only lived a month because my mom didn’t feed it. She made me feel emotions I’ve never felt before, and she opened up a world of outrageous ideas that only those emotions can make you think of.

Adele really changed the game with “Sweetest Devotion.”

She sounds so beautiful, energetic and happy in this song. This track is by far my favorite on the album. She transitions from her normal sad sound into something so much more powerful. and I can’t help but smile when this song comes on. This song is beautiful to me, and I will more than definitely be going home and blasting it throughout my room as I dance and sing at the top of my lungs.

My second favorite song on the album is “River Lea.” I love her voice, the beat, the lyrics and the mood. Although it’s not too different from everything else she’s done, it has a different feel. It seems like an upbeat song that makes you want to tap your feet.

But, when listening to the lyrics, it makes you want to text your best friend with an irrational fear of losing that special someone.

The 11 songs range from three minutes and 43 seconds to a good five minutes and 48 seconds. Many songs brought a range of emotions from smiling uncontrolable I recommend this album much more than Justin Bieber’s newest album, “Purpose.”

Adele, you made me wait four years for this album. Please, don’t make us wait another four years for another hit album..

Album art courtesy of XL Recordings

1. Hello 2. Send My Love (To Your New Lover) 3. I Miss You 4. When We Were Young 5. Remedy 6. Water Under The Bridge 7. River Lea 8. Love In The Dark 9. Million Years Ago 10. All I Ask 11. Sweetest Devotion

ONE IN A HUNDRED Students with school’s most popular names share what they want to be remembered for Interviewed by Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling Photos by Gabrielle Wheeler

“Probably discovery. Anyone can live their life just existing, but if you want to live you have to be remembered for something. I want to be a forensic anthropologist and do forensic facial reconstruction.”

“For my ugly Christmas sweaters.”

- freshman Sydnie Martins

“Making the dance team freshman year.”

- freshman Sydney Jordan

- sophomore Sidney Cavner

“The clothes I wear.”

- junior Sydney Aul

“Helping out the students that need extra help.”

“Being a good person and influencing people in a positive way.”

- sophomore Sidney Patrick

- sophomore Sydni

Sidney/Sydnee/Sydney/Sydni/Sydnie (17) “I want to be known for my positivity and the fact that I like cats and Miley Cyrus.”

“I want to be remembered for being happy all the time.”

- junior Sydney Vogelsang

- junior Sydney Williams

“Being an average person.”

“Being personable and friendly to everyone.”

Beeley

“I just kind of want to be remembered as a good person, because I remember I wasn’t the best guy back in middle school.

But I guess a lot has changed in high school.”

- junior Sydney Lin

- senior Sydnee Rheums

- senior Sidney Miller

“For being on the cross country team.”

“I want to be remembered for my swimming and my style.”

“Interviewing 16 Sydneys and 17 Nicholases.”

- senior Sydney Gard

- senior Sydney

- senior Sydney

Sirimongkhon-Dyck

Zimmerman

“Making the school a better place for students.”

“Being a nice person and being involved.”

- senior Sidney Zavala

- senior Sydney Bollinger

“For helping people who need it.”

- senior Sydney Combs

10 December 2015 Page by Lane Weis

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Graphics “Being fun and happy.”

- freshman Nicholas

“Being a nice person and being there for people.”

Guerrero

- freshman Nicholas Travis

“Being in the most popular names.”

“Helping others. Being that one guy who gives you a piece of paper in your class, just little things.”

- freshman Nicholas Boden

- freshman Nicholus Shafer

“For not being a bad person.”

- sophomore Nicholas Salvino

“I want to be remembered for my kindness.”

“I don’t know. Just being here. It’s my first year here, but I’m a sophomore.”

- sophomore Nicholas Maike

- sophomore Nickolas Dixon

Nicholas/Nickolas/Nicholus (16) “I want to be remembered for being a hard worker, somebody who always tries hard and somebody who is just a beast.”

“For having a twin.”

- sophomore Nicholas Howard

- junior Nicholas Guier

“Just as a good leader for the school, and for all the kids who are scared freshman year.

I just want to be able to take them under my wing and show them around.”

- junior Nicholas Eddis

“I have no idea. It’s not something I’ve thought about at all.”

- junior Nicholas Sickels

“Being inspirational.”

“Being nice to people.”

- junior Nicholas Stidham

- junior Nicholas LaRue

“Making it through high school.”

- senior Nicholas Erwin

“Creating something new.”

- senior Nicholas Popiel

“I’m not very vocal, but I lead by example.”

- junior Nicholas Goertzen

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10 December 2015 Page by Tori Karlin

Style

MODEL TEACHERS

Interviewed by Reagan Sullivan

teac her CHUCK LAW Q: Where do you normally shop?

“Gap, Polo Outlet, and various departments stores. I do a little online shopping— check out American Giant and Herald Hill.”

Q: Do you have any style icons?

“Adam Barmann and Steve Grant.”

Q: How would you describe your style?

“Laid-back, buttoned up.”

Q: What is your favorite clothing item?

“My vests.”

Q: How does your personality influence your style?

“I like to be comfortable and I am pretty easygoing.”

Q: How did you find your style?

“It found me.”

Q: What is your favorite color?

“My better half says I look best in blue.”

Q: What is your spirit animal?

“The [school] website says I’m a bear.”

Q: What type of music do you listen to?

“32 through 34 on your XM Dial, plus a little Underground Garage (Channel 21).”

Q: What fashion trends do you love?

“I don’t have any trends. I prefer the classics.”

Q: What fashion trends do you hate?

“Leggings as pants on women and skinny jeans on men.”

Q: What is your dream job?

“Dog whisperer.”

Q: Tell us a secret “I am a cat guy. I love my three cats.”

Photos by Klaire Sarver

10 December 2015 Page by Tori Karlin

Style

teac her LAURIE MARTIN-FRYDMAN

Teachers show off their personal styles Q: Where do you normally shop?

“Ditto, Arizona Trading Co., Urban Outfitters, Foxtrot for shoes (sadly, they’re closing), Free People (online). Sometimes I find something at Eccentricity. Generally, I like the adventure of used clothing shops.”

Q: How would you describe your style?

“My style is comfortable but not generic. I like to show a bit of personality. I like clothes that fit loosely and flow. When not teaching, I like to wear ripped up jeans and, this time of year, thermal shirts. At school, I try to step it up a bit (but not overly much). I like casual clothes -- comfortable jeans with black tops and interesting cardigans”.

Q: What is your favorite clothing item?

“I have a pair of black high tops that I’ve literally owned for 20 years. They’re sort of gray now. I guess I love them. I have a black skirt that I love, a beautiful sweater, and a scarf that is a souvenir of Paris.”

Q: How did you find your style?

“I found my style by noticing what colors and textures made me feel good.”

Q: What is your favorite color?

“I like black, olive, rust, and blue.”

Q: What is your spirit animal?

“I’ll go with mountain lion. They like to roam over vast territory, and so do I. And when it comes to travel, I love to roam alone.”

Q: What type of music do you listen to?

“I love music. I’ve been to hundreds of concerts over the past 30 years and continue to go see live music. In high school, I was interested in the punk rock scene and a bit of a snob about music. Now, I’m even starting to like jazz.”

Q: What fashion trends do you love?

“I like the tattoo trend.”

Q: What fashion trends do you hate?

“Saggy pants. Is that still a trend? Sigh.”

Q: What is your dream job?

“I love the teaching part of teaching, but my dream job might still be to focus on writing.”

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FEATURED ARTIST

sophomore Shawna Gilkey

Artist’s Statement: I made the piece “Mold” using acrylic and sharpie. My intention was to portray a message. If you’ve ever heard the saying “put your heart into it,” that’s what originally inspired it. Using everything you have to do what you love, which for me is making art.

10 December 2015 Page by Lane Weis

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Artists of the Month

Top left: sophomore Devin Moreno Top right: senior Mad-E Roberts Left: junior Safa Adnan Above: junior Finley White

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10 December 2015 Page by Caroline Kelton

Photo Essay

BACKSTAGE AT BIG FISH

Photo essay by Sam Goodwin

A

t the final Thespian Club meeting of last year, drama teacher Nancee Beilgard announced that the actors and techies would be performing Big Fish. Big Fish is a broadway musical that has only been put on by one other school in Kansas. Auditions took place in September and rehearsals began the following week. Actors started by learning the music in the choir room, then moved on to memorizing lines and blocking. Tech crew had quite the responsibility with this production as it required numerous platforms of various heights on stage at all times. This show tested the actors and crew members in new ways and resulted in a well rehearsed opening night.

Above: Actors during the final performance of Big Fish perform the Ashton scene.

Opposite center: Holding a rainbow trout for Big Fish, deck boss Cooper Hicks surveys the audience.

Opposite right: Members of the pit Jared Schoeneberg and Sydney Combs practice the overture before the opening night of Big Fish.

10 December 2015 Page by Caroline Kelton

Photo Essay Below: Stagehand Logan Barbie holds up a lummie board for repair before a performance of Big Fish.

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Right: A pillow lays underneath the platforms for the lumineers to use during the performance.

Above: Deck boss Cooper Hicks and stagehand Luke Winchester discuss problems before opening night of Big Fish.

Top right: Grand Lumineer Noah Christilles fixes tissue paper on a lummie before Big Fish.

10 December 2015 Page by Sydney Vogelsang

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