THE FREE PRESS ISSUE 7
31 March 2016
EDITION 19
Photo by Ali Dodd Cover design by Caroline Kelton and Simon Larspers Qvist
CONTENTS
Page by Adelaide Wendel
STAFF
print editors in chief online editors in chief design editor photo editors
assistant photo editor copy editors
multimedia editor managing editor assistant managing editor social media editor business editor senior ad design editor designers
Sydney Gard student info clerk Trenna Soderling photographers Maame Britwum Libby Stanford Adelaide Wendel Christina Craig Morgan Edman Sam Goodwin Ali Dodd Madi Engnehl-Thomas Hala Hamid reporters Kaya Shafer Jake Clark Haley Van Vleck Lacey Windholz Elizabeth Patton Sydney Vogelsang Julia Pfannenstiel Caroline Kelton multimedia Simon Larspers Qvist Drake Riner Atticus vonHolten Juliana Wilches
Will Cook Sophia Bone Rebecca Calderon Anna-Maya Hachmeister Kylie Hawkins Alexis Luinstra Nicola Santangelo Klaire Sarver Tierney Thompson Gabrielle Wheeler Chloe Board Lauren Brittain Evan Frook Darby Gilliland Maya Hodison Mariah Houston Juna Murao Reagan Sullivan Jackson Barton Jordan Hauber Aubin Murphy Samantha Spencer
Black Box Theater Festival 3 Prom Court 4 New Superintendent 8 Editors’ Columns 12 Bird’s Word 19 Profiles 20 Reviews 22 Throwback Trends 24 Style Column 26 Artists of the Month 28 Photo Essay 30
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Picked Last Bullying is redefined by students, faculty Written by Mariah Houston
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More than Just a Game “eSports” prove popular among student body
#TBT
Reminiscing about past brings back elementary, middle school memories Written by Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling
Written by Jackson Barton
Being a Hafu
Future copy editor describes experience of being biracial
Written by Juna Murao
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OUR MISSION Cover: Sophomores Haley Wolcott and Grace Raney have been friends since third grade. Gossip, puberty and high school have failed to split up various friendships at Free State. “I don’t think much has changed,” Wolcott said. “We’re still always together.”
The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writings. They must include the writer’s name and telephone numbers. Articles may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content. Letters may be submitted to Room 201 or sent in care of Free Press to Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, Kan. 66049. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administration or that of the USD 497 Board of Education.
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31 March 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
News
PEER PLAYS
Students write plays for Black Box Theater Festival Written by Juna Murao
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xperiencing writer’s block, directing a show and casting his peers have been some of sophomore Christopher Pendry’s first steps as one of the playwrights for this year’s Black Box Theater Festival production. The festival takes place on April 21-23 at 7:30 pm each night. Among the five writers, Pendry is the only one who isn’t a senior. He appreciates the fair treatment he receives from the upperclassmen who won’t be there to help next year. “It’s sad to know that they’ll all be gone next year,” Pendry said. “Everything’s going to change.” One of these seniors, Cole Sidabutar, decided to write a play about a post-apocalyptic Lawrence. He had been playing a lot of post-apocalyptic video games at the time and had some trouble trying to actually write the play and turn it in before the deadline. “I did most of the play within the last two weeks before it was due, and that was just because I had trouble sitting down and writing it,” Sidabutar said. Having an co-director like senior Rose Uhrich, Sidabutar can have someone who can give an authoritative side to their directing. “If there’s something that needs to change I don’t feel comfortable telling someone, so it’s good that I have a co-director who’s willing to make something change,” Sidabutar said. As well as directing their plays, the writers have to assign roles to the actors. Pendry believes casting is difficult because of the arguing
between the writers for actors they want in their own play. “That [casting] was rough, a lot of people auditioned and a lot of them were good,” Pendry said. “The directors just sit around brawl it out on who gets who and it’s pretty intense but I have a good cast.” Student direction is just a small part of the Black Box Theater Festival. All of the shows are run by students, giving them an opportunity to see how a theater production is carried out. Pendry believes the Black Box is a good way for him and other students to have an opportunity to have a creative outlet. “I think [director Nancee] Beilgard’s system is a great way to get your voice heard and give you an opportunity,” Pendry said. “I thought it was a good outlet for me to submit something. There’s not many places to write and actually have your show produced, and it’s a cool opportunity.” Sidabutar agrees. “The key is the student-written, student directing,” he said. “There’s so many other talented writers that it’s a lot different because you realize it’s your peers and classmates that have been working on this and writing this.” The system of a student-run production can have some drawbacks, like the need to concentrate. “You can get off track really easily which is why you need strong directores because previously it’s Beilgard and whoever the student director was really hammering it in,” Sidabutar said.
Performing “One for the Record Books,” an original play by senior Nat Hoopes, junior Ryan Leibold, sophomore Chris Pendry and sophomore Orson Becker participate in 2015’s Black Box Theater Festival. This year, the thespians will again showcase their talent in acting, writing and directing at BBTF April 21-23. “BBTF is probably one of the most underrated events at Free State,” Leibold said.
Photo by Abby Ilardii
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31 March 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
News
Photo by Anna-Maya Hachmeister
AND YOUR 2016 PROM CANDIDATES ARE.. • Erica Arensberg • Riley Bane • Maddie Birdashaw • Olivia Boldridge • Katie Carttar • Maggie Carttar • Dalma Olvera • Trenna Soderling
• Tucker Click • Matthew Eagle • Sam Fanshier • Evan Frook • Nat Hoopes • Israel Lumpkins • Daniel O’Neil • Connor Wyle
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31 March 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
News
PROM PREPARATIONS Candidates, StuCo discuss steps leading to senior dance
Written by Madi Engnehl-Thomas
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hen senior Matthew Eagle found out that he was on prom court, he brushed it off as if it were nothing. After telling his parents, they became more excited than he was. “They support me with everything I do, and they were really excited for me,” Eagle said. “They were more excited than I was.” Senior Riley Bane has a similar experience. “My mom didn’t go to prom so she’s going to live my experience and she’s happy for me,” Bane said. Many candidates were not expecting to be nominated for prom court. “I wasn’t expecting someone like myself who’s … not involved in athletics at all, to be on it,” senior Daniel O’Neil said. “It’s actually refreshing because it wasn’t just me. There are a lot of people on prom court this year who aren’t your stereotypical quarterback or lead cheerleader. Instead it’s people who are involved in the arts and journalism.” Eight boys and eight girls were nominated. They were gathered together and told they were all on court. Each person nominated had to sign a waiver saying they will be in a prom video, attend prom and be in a crowning ceremony during the dance. “[Voting] is exactly like it is for homecoming, except everyone on homecoming is taken off of the ballot,” StuCo adviser Jane Rock said. Since prom is a senior-only activity, an administrator accompanies the voting table while students put in their nominations, and the administrator tells anyone who is not a senior they cannot vote. Additionally, seniors in StuCo standing at the voting table know for the most part who is and isn’t in their grade. “The only thing I’m allowed to do is if they want to nominate more people but they ran out of names that they can think of, I can suggest names, but only if they ask,” senior student body secretary Valentina Rivera said. Every year, StuCo meets to decide what the prom court will
Many feel homecoming and prom receive differing amounts of attention. However, Student Council tries to equalize the events leading up to the crowning. “I think homecoming gets more [attention] because it’s a public event,” nominee Erica Arensberg said.
do together. The activities usually include an assembly and a luncheon. “The activities they will do will be something that we could even plan in the first week of April, since prom is April 30,” Rock said. “The senior class officers decide the activities.” When the senior class officers decide what the prom court will do together as a group, they have to take into account that some seniors don’t want to miss any classes near the end of the year. Trying to make prom equal to homecoming is difficult according to Rock. “Right now, StuCo is trying to figure out how they can decorate and [make] their invitations,” Rock said. “As far as the activities, it’s different than homecoming week because it doesn’t lead up to a game. There’s not those dynamics.” Juniors on StuCo have to decide where they want their prom to be a year before their senior year. Some schools have theirs at an expensive venue, but that means the prom ticket prices can exceed $50. Like last year, prom will be at the KU Student Union because StuCo couldn’t afford to have it at a more expensive place, like Abe and Jake’s Landing, where Winter Formal was held. “The Union is about a third of the cost of renting Abe and Jake’s,” Rock said. This year’s juniors can make the decision to make prom a junior and senior event and be able to rent out a larger, more expensive place. Even though prom isn’t at the ideal venue according to the senior class StuCo officers, it still means a lot to the candidates. “I think prom is still a big deal, but it’s more focused on the class and not the whole school,” Bane said. Even though not everything is planned out yet, many of the prom court nominees are excited about what’s to come. “I’m excited because the group of people that are nominated are really good people,” senior Erica Arensberg said.
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31 March 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
News
PICKED LAST
Bullying is redefined by students, faculty Written by Mariah Houston
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eachers expressing their intolerance for bullying has been “[Administration] doesn’t have much tolerance for bullying, but it routine starting as long ago as elementary school. Through still happens, and it happens very subtly too,” Hile said. “Sometimes anti-bullying assemblies, students were taught to treat others the bullying is not enough where a kid feels like they need to go to the way they want to be treated and face their peers with nothing someone, so they think they have to put up with it when they really but kindness and acceptance; however, voices have been piping up in don’t.” regards to incidents involving quite the opposite. As some students Bullying ranges from physical to verbal to cyber; unfortunately, face daily maltreatment from their classmates, they are beginning to different forms of bullying receive different levels of attention. Physwonder if the routine anti-bullying assemblies were ever effective. ical fights are broken up instantaneously while slight verbal bullying Bullying is a word every student is familiar with, but the true defi- such as hurtful comments or simply being picked last for a team are nition has been lost over the years, according to guidance counselor shoved to the back of people’s minds. Ken Hile. “Physical bullying gets more notice, but verbal bullying is just as “The word [bullying] is thrown around a lot, and that’s what bad,” Porter said. “You never know what people are going through confuses parents, students and teachers,” Hile said. “People become and how they’re going to take things. Some people can just brush it desensitized to it.” off, but I know I’m the type of person who can’t do that as easily, and A common definition of bullying is simply unwanted aggressive things like that can really stay with me.” behavior; however, that definition leaves many students feeling lost Everyone comes from a different background, and everyone hanamong a spectrum of bullying that ranges from physical to cyber to dles bullying differently. Depending on the student, verbal bullying verbal. Fights can break out in hallways, classrooms, and cafeterias, can be more painful than physical bullying according to Hile. but feelings can also be hurt through comput“One person’s reaction to how they’re treated Sometimes the bullying er screens. Students who experience bullying is their perception, but their perception is also is not enough where a kid their reality,” Hile said. through social media or social interactions are feels like they need to go having trouble finding the assertion they need Although bullying has taken place in classto someone, so they think to end their unwanted aggression, according to rooms and on social media platforms, students they have to put up with it keep optimistic ideas about a future with less sophomore Grace Porter. when they really don’t. After providing information about feminism judgement. - guidance counselor Ken Hile on her Instagram account, Porter received a load “In an ideal world, students treat each other of negative comments that affected not only her life on social media, as if everything is normal, so students see something that’s different but also her life at school. and even though they recognize it’s different, they don’t question “[The commenters] were making sexual comments, and they told it,” senior Steele Jacobs said. “They just accept it as long as it’s not me to kill myself and that all feminists should kill themselves,” Porter interfering with any learning.” said. Hile also keeps a positive view when students come to him for Not knowing when bullying is at a level deemed “reportable” is guidance. frustrating to students such as Porter, but once the hostility from “I believe that everything is either an act of love or an act of fear,” Instagram carried over to the classroom, she knew she had to reach Hile said. “A lot of bullying and acting out is really about fear. They’re out to someone. afraid of someone else or afraid of their differences. I always just go “That first week after the whole thing happened, I was scared to back to the golden rule about treating people with kindness and out be at school,” Porter said. “I felt so much judgement, and I felt like of love.” people were going to get angry at me. I reported it to administration Although the world today is not ideal in the eyes of Porter, she and eventually something was done, but at first I don’t think they believes everyone can work toward an environment where every really took it seriously.” classmate and social media post is well respected. Hile agreed that students end up trying to deal with a problem on “You don’t have to like everyone, but everyone deserves respect,” their own rather than reporting the problem to administration. Porter said. “You should be kind and reach out to people.”
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Photo illustration by Christina Craig According to counselor Ken Hile, “One person’s reaction to how they’re treated is their perception, but their perception is also their reality.” Hile believes that bullying stems from lack of self esteem on the part of the bully.
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31 March 2016 Page by Caroline Kelton
News
NEW SUPERINTENDENT CHOSEN School Board votes to elect Kyle Hayden as next USD 497 superintendent Written by Libby Stanford
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ssistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Kyle al,” he said. “People that you have worked with, reaching out to you, Hayden was chosen as superintendent of Lawrence Public just telling me they’re proud of me. It means a lot.” Schools, effective July 1, 2016. Earlier this year, current SuAs far as his goals for next year, Kyle hopes to continue the work perintendent Dr. Rick Doll announced his resignation effective June that the school district has done under Doll, focusing on such as30, 2016 to be come assistant professor and executive director of the pects as equity and student achievement. Kansas Educational Leadership Institute at Kansas State University. “My goals are really quite aligned to what they have been for the The Lawrence Board of Education voted unanimously March 8 to last few years … I value the board’s goals process and how they have elect Hayden as Superintendent. done it,” Kyle said. “Our equity work would be something that is “We have carefully considered feedback from teachers, staff, com- going to be a primary focus … and how that relates to achievement munity members and students, which has guided of all students. Closing the achievement gap will One of the things that and informed this entire process,” Board President continue to be focused on, graduation rates and actually I intend to start Vanessa Sanburn said in a press release. “We are making sure all students are achieving at high very soon … is getting out levels [as well].” confident that Kyle Hayden is the best choice into our schools and talking Kyle also plans to get more involved in the among three exceptional candidates to address our district’s challenges and advance our vision for to some of our teachers different schools and be more engaged with and our students about outstanding student achievement.” students and staff members. what is important to them Kyle’s wife Katy Hayden, who teaches social “One of the things that actually I intend studies at Free State, is very proud of him. to start very soon … is getting out into our - future superintendent Kyle Hayden “I think he will be really good [at the job,]” she schools and talking to some of our teachers and said. He’s very honest and hard working and he always asks himself our students about what is important to them,” he said. ‘is it good for kids?’ and he makes hard decisions based on that.” Kyle traces his involvement in education back to when he was a Kyle has worked as superintendent, assistant superintendent, child and his mother worked as a high school secretary. He also did high school principal, assistant principal, taught social studies and custodial work as a teenager. coached at various Kansas high schools. He has worked for the USD “I realized that every person was important and an integral part of 497 since 2011. Kyle was excited to hear he received the position. a school district and the success of a school district,” he said. “I think “It’s overwhelming, it’s humbling … it’s actually kind of emotion- that has made me a better leader.”
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31 March 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
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31 March 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
Sports
1 1 MORE THAN 31 March 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
Sports
JUST A GAME
“eSports” prove popular among student body Written by Jackson Barton
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here are 15 seconds before the round starts. Sophomore Eli Bork’s five man team just lost a decisive round that has put them one point away from losing the entire match. It’s been a close game so far, but now Bork’s team finds itself in a financial deficit. Only two members of the team have the money to buy all of their gear. The rest, including Bork, are forced to make due with inferior weapons and a lack of smoke grenades. One of Bork’s teammates calls for an “A-split” with a smoke grenade middle. Another teammate disagrees and reminds them that the opposing team has played very well on A-Bombsite so far. Eli speaks up and proposes a rush up middle, while the bomb goes through tunnels to B-bombsite. The strategy is agreed on and the clock hits zero. “It’s just like any other sport: you practice, you try new strategies, you play with a team of friends who you enjoy being around and who you know can make each other better,” Bork said. Bork includes the competitive shooter, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, among his other hobbies such as theater, singing and guitar. In Counter Strike, the terrorist team is tasked with planting and defending a bomb, while the counter-terrorist team attempts to defuse the bomb. Both teams have to buy weapons, armor and grenades at the start of every new round with ingame money they accumulated from the round before. What results is a game that takes several years to achieve skill at, let alone master. What makes “eSports” like Counter Strike different from normal video games, is their focus on skilled, competitive play between human players and teams. The communities behind these games are distinctly students from high school to college, and the millennials. It’s hard to find anyone over the age of 35, and this is due to a couple key factors according to Bork. One reason goes beyond just having fun, and goes into high schoolers usual desire to feel accepted: “anyone can play together. So you can have a team of completely different people, and that’s really special that it brings the community together like that, and it creates a very non-judgemental environment,” Bork said. Feeling accepted no matter who you are isn’t the only reason young people flock to these games. “If you look at people between 20 and 30, they have grown up
with computers in their homes, and spent a lot of their young lives with computers and technology around them,” Bork said. “Since they are more used to it, they embrace the idea of video games as an activity and important to their life.” With eSports being framed as an accessible outlet for competitive play for high school and college students, it can be tempting to make comparisons to traditional high school sports like basketball and football. “Competitive gaming is a different beast than conventional sports, and it has a very different audience as well,” the man who goes by “TheWarOwl” on YouTube said. “I produce a YouTube channel that teaches viewers how to play Counter-Strike with a competitive mindset, and cover topics ranging from the basic game mechanics to analysis of professional matches.” TheWarOwl, who has over 750,000 subscribers on the site and has been playing eSports for 15 years argues that the eSports community isn’t looking to be on the same level as other sports, and that the internet changes the way these communities develop and interact. “Counter-Strike is going to be broadcast on TBS, but in my opinion, I don’t think it will work out, since the viewers of Counter-Strike are those that prefer to consume their entertainment through online streaming, not cable television,” he said. However, a career in competitive gaming is extremely risky according to WarOwl, even more so than being a professional athlete: “Society won’t hold a safety net under you or give you unfair advantages over your peers,” he said. “A career in eSports does not last very long, and you have a miniscule chance of success, which can greatly hurt your future if you don’t prepare properly.” A lot of this instability is caused by the relative youth that the eSports industry has compared to leagues like the NFL and the NBA. But playing eSports doesn’t mean you seek to “go pro,” in fact, the vast majority do not want to. For players like Bork, just playing the game competitively with friends is all he could ask for. “When it comes down to it, eSports is something that you are passionate about,” Bork said. “You shouldn’t devote your entire life to it, just like any other sport.”
Photo illustration by Gabrielle Wheeler eSports enthusiasts will often spend hours gripping their video game controllers as they work towards the next level. In recent years eSports has reached a larger audience of both amateurs and professionals. “Because it’s virtual, you can do a lot more things that you wouldn’t normally see in a physical sport [and] it can be a very worldwide sport,” sophomore gamer Eli Bork said.
1 2 THE FAULT IN OUR TOFU 31 March 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
Editorial
Editors in chief discuss animal rights; soy-based foods
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ofu, PETA and hippies may be what you think about when you hear “vegetarian.” However, for me, the definition is not so simple. Throughout my 18 years of being a vegetarian, I’ve found that not only is it a lifestyle choice, it also means answering a ton of questions. Over and over and over again. “Meat is so good. How can you live without it?” I don’t know. I always have and always will. Because I’ve been raised in a household without meat, I’ve never thought of it as the norm, even if most of the world does. Honestly, I didn’t even realize animals could be eaten until I watched Chicken Run at four years old. The plot really doesn’t make sense if you don’t understand why chickens would be made into pie in the first place. “But just look at it! It’s delicious! Don’t you want some?” You do realize you’re pointing at a hunk of flesh and asking me if that looks good? There’s nothing inherently appetizing about the muscle, blood and fat of animals. “Okay, so even if it doesn’t look good, it smells amazing right?” NO. Ham smells like a retirement home and bacon only smells good because you associate a taste with it. “Doesn’t it make life harder?” If we’re being honest, no, not really. I mean sure, you might not be able to eat at the steakhouse that’s conveniently located near you, but it’s just like anybody else choosing what restaurant to eat at. Everyone has their preference of where to eat, and it just so happens I choose restaurants with vegetarian options. Additionally, I never had to give anything up. Is that cheating? Maybe. Yes. Probably. But I’ve never found it hard to not eat an animal. “So then what do you eat?” Everything else that wasn’t once a breathing creature with feelings. Do you only eat meat? Tofu is a seriously underrated food. Also it’s wildly photogenic. Just look at that picture! Why wouldn’t you give it a chance? Honestly, I don’t mind answering these questions. I understand that I’m the anomaly in our society, and people wonder how I can live without such a large part of the American diet. But as I’ve grown up answering these questions, I’ve also noticed more and more people around me answering these questions too. I think that as a group of individuals, we are realizing that eating meat hurts the animals, the environment and ourselves. Even a small number of people are realizing these things leads to a larger discussion. It brings me hope that in the future, someday carnivores will be the odd ones out.
TRENNA SODERLING Co-Editor in Chief
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ince the day I was born, I’ve never purposely eaten meat. Yes, I once accidentally took a bite of my beef taco that was supposed to be bean, but I didn’t swallow it, and Taco Bell beef probably doesn’t totally count as meat anyway. I’m also pretty sure I had a slice of pepperoni pizza in preschool, when I was too young to understand that it wasn’t fake. I’m extremely lucky to have parents who raised my siblings and me as vegetarians. My mom somehow managed to become a vegetarian in high school in small-town Nebraska and refused to marry my dad unless he converted. We were fed tofu and soymilk at home and raised to love all animals. In elementary school, a friend tried to slip a slice of ham into my fake meat sandwich during lunch. It was hard being so different, and many elementary school kids don’t have much empathy for those sorts of things yet anyway. That same girl is my best friend today, and she decided to become a vegetarian a few months ago. In addition to not eating sentient beings, vegetarians and vegans have many personal health benefits. Our choices have a global benefit as well. Animal agriculture uses more than its fair share of water and land. Technology to create new, cruelty free foods is getting more meat-like every day. I think that someday, eating meat won’t be such a big part of people’s lives. Despite the fact that I’ve never eaten an animal, I feel guilty. Unlike many of my veg peers, I’ve never had to choose to be different and face misgivings from my family. I’ve never been the odd one out at home, the place where we should all feel included. Many kudos to my peers who have the immense motivation and bravery to stop eating meat. Now veganism? While a life without meat seems easy to me, not being able to eat pizza or grilled cheese, the usual options at most meat-heavy restaurants, really freaks me out. Vegans deserve HELLA respect. My love for cheese despite the hell cows go through makes me pretty similar to the meat-eaters I wish would understand my point of view. Every time we watch a documentary about animal agriculture in AP Environmental Science, I convince myself I’m going to go vegan. I’ll try in college when I have control over what’s in my fridge. Then, I’m absolutely going to be filling my fridge with vegan food. Until August, though, I’ll stay my hypocritical veg-head self.
SYDNEY GARD Co-Editor in Chief
Photo by Ali Dodd
31 March 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
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Editorial
BEING A HAFU Future copy editor describes experience of being biracial Written by Juna Murao Photo by Nicola Santangelo
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o matter where I am, what I am wearing or what I’m doing people always ask me, “What are you?” Just like any hafu, the Japanese word for biracial, I became familiar with the question so much that I have a practiced routine for the question. People tell me I’m white because I “look white,” but when I mention I’m also Asian they say “oh, yeah I can see it in the eyes.” So where does that leave me? I’m not fully accepted in the white community, but I can’t fully blend into the Japanese community either. There is an incredible difference between America and Japan about the social concept of being half a race. In America, the land that was formed from foreigners, many people don’t really give biracial people a second thought. In Japan, however, they don’t see many foreigners, so when they asked me what nationality I am, I could always sense condescension, saying, “Wow, your Japanese is really good.” They feel as though I am a foreigner who took Rosetta Stone instead of growing up speaking the language. I was born in Japan, since my family moved to the U.S. I visit every year. I love the feeling of being a part of a rich culture and a distinguishing race, but it breaks my heart to hear that people don’t Juna Murao is a sophomore and an avid member in the think I belong in Japan. Environmental Club. Next year she’ll become one of the copy America isn’t so perfect, even though it’s considered a melting editors for the journalism staff. She’s mainly interested in pot of races, the follow up question is usually if I can speak Japanese. environmental science, writing and art history. “Can you say ‘blank’ in Japanese?” I hate that question, it makes me feel as though I’m an animal at a zoo in which people would idly Eastern. People don’t question my dad’s nationality, but then a stare at me. I am not going to entertain people by speaking Japanese; generation later they decide that I’m not “Asian” enough. Even in the it’s not some party trick that they’ll soon forget. word “hafu” I’m considered half of a culture, I love the feeling of being not fully accepted within either society. People only see the entertainment and uniqueness of the language instead of the culture behind a part of a rich culture and Free State makes a conscious effort in a distinguishing race, it. Submission to their request only feeds their trying to acknowledge different cultures and but it breaks my heart opinion about how exotic Asian culture is and nationalities. I don’t think some of students in to hear people don’t seeing our culture as somehow different or better Free State exactly know how to deal with peothink I belong in Japan. than others. ple of different backgrounds. Some individuals - sophomore Juna Murao I’m often confused for other ethnicities like become lazy to try to understand individuals Filipino, Native American, Spanish, Italian or even Middle viewpoint and their experience as a person of color.
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31 March 2016 Page by Caroline Kelton and Simon Larspers Qvist
Feature
#TBT
Reminiscing about past brings back elementary, middle school memories Written by Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling
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n the playground of Deerfield Elementary School, a third senior Tanner Liba. grader stood dressed in knee high socks and a tutu. After “Tanner and I knew each other since kindergarten, but we really surveying the scene, she noticed a fellow classmate and became friends in third grade because I found out he lived down decided to bite her. From that point on, current sophomores Haley the street from me and we went to Worlds of Fun together,” Swisher Wolcott and Grace Raney were best friends. said. “She used to bite me and scratch me all the time,” Raney said. This unlikely band of friends also believes that as a whole the However, since the initial violence, they’ve supported each other friendship has remained the same, despite a few minute changes. more than they’ve argued. “Tanner and Garrett got tall, and I got scoliosis,” Dedloff said. “[We] always have each other’s backs,” Wolcott said. “We know Longtime friends seniors Kyler Elston and Monica Wilcox also each other so well, we can read each other’s mind. We just know each believe their friendship has stayed relatively similar as they’ve grown. other like sisters.” According to Elston, the friendship has had some Tanner and Garrett problem itself, but has always been able to persevere. For Wolcott and Raney, the dynamic hasn’t been got tall, and I altered since the early days of their friendship. “I’m not going to lie, we have been in a lot of got scoliosis. “I don’t think much has changed,” Wolcott said. arguments and fights, but...we’ve put our friendship - senior Logan Dedloff first, and even when we did fight, we thought about “We’re still always together. I think growing older, you just grow more mature. That’s the only thing that’s changed.” it, and it wasn’t worth losing the friendship over,” he said. Friendship was formed in a different way for seniors Garrett Similar sentiments originated from Wilcox as well. Swisher and Logan Dedloff. Originally friends with senior Sam “We’re both very adapting,” she said. Fanshier, Swisher caught his first glimpse of Dedloff while at his During elementary school, Elston and Wilcox tried to put those friend’s house. adaptive skills to the test. “I was hanging out at Sam’s house one day, and Logan was just in “At recess we would try to solve mysteries,” Wilcox said. “We tried his backyard jumping on his trampoline,” Swisher said. to fix people’s problems, but we made them worse.” Dedloff confirmed this. Throughout their ten years of friendship, Elston and Wilcox “I would just go to the backyard and jump on their trampoline,” have made plenty of memories, but the highlight of their elementary he said. school years was watching, talking about and reliving the TV show The circle of friends was completed when Swisher bonded with Digimon.
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31 March 2016 Page by Caroline Kelton and Simon Larspers Qvist
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Continued from page 14 “We both liked Digimon, so we would play it at recess,” Wilcox said. “It’s a TV show about digital monsters that fight crime.” Not all elementary school memories are sweet and friendship-filled, however. Looking back at her first day of sixth grade, sophomore Eliza Haase-Divine cringes. According to Haase-Divine she donned straight bangs, graphic tees and ill-fitting jeans. “Every single thing that I wore was awful,” she said. “Overall [I was] a mess.” However, Haase-Divine is not the only high schooler to regret middle school outfits. Opposite page: Sophomores Sydni Beeley, Maggie Ziegler, Caroline Kirk and Quincy Beeler recreate a photo from a day at the lake circa 2009. “We are all still friends, but probably not as close as we were just because we are all involved in different activities now,” Beeley said.
Photo contributed by Caroline Kirk Photo by Christina Craig
“In 7th grade I wore argyle sweaters,” freshman Will Byers said. “In 6th grade I wore gym shorts with shirts that didn’t match and the same black shoes every day.” Recess and field trips provided the best school memories for Byers, but the best part of his childhood was just throwing around a football with friends. “I lived in the best little neighborhood and everything,” he said. “It was all really fun, all one really good happy memory.” For Swisher, the most memorable time from elementary school was when he received an entire recess of time out. Opposite page: Sophomores Haley Wolcott and Grace Raney have been friends since third grade. Gossip, puberty and high school have failed to split up various friendships at Free State. “I don’t think much has changed,” Wolcott said. “We’re still always together.”
Photo by Ali Dodd
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31 March 2016 Page by Caroline Kelton and SImon Larspers Qvist
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Photo contributed by Parker Delfelder Photo by Ali Dodd Dressed in their old softball gear, junior Jasper Hawkins, freshman Lauryn Jones, sophomore Parker Delfelder and junior Kaylee Brown recreate a photo. The girls played on the Fast and Furious softball team when they were in middle school. “My favorite part about being on the team was probably the leadership role I had because I was one of the oldest,� said Hawkins.
31 March 2016 Page by Caroline Kelton and Simon Larspers Qvist
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Continued from page 15 “I was on the log because I spelled my name ‘Carrett Swisher’ instead of ‘Garrett Swisher,’ and [my teacher] gave me 15 minutes on the log for that,” he said. “It’s not my favorite [memory], but I always remember it.” Other major memories include waiting to play on the swings for Haase-Divine, pulling his pants down for Dedloff and playing outside for science teacher Jordan Rose. Ten years after she graduated, English teacher Amanda Frederick is still at Free State. While her role has changed, she said the school has changed as well. “It’s different than it was when I was here,” Frederick said. “I think it would have been creepy if it were exactly the same, and I probably wouldn’t have wanted to [teach here].” Now in her second year of teaching, Frederick said her fondest memories are the band and choir trips she took during her high school career. Frederick was involved in chamber choir, chamber singers, band and even a Black Box play. One of Frederick’s most notable changes from when she was a student to now is the new football field. “We had a really early call time for all of the games for marching band,” she said. “We had to pack everything up into buses and trucks, go over to Haskell, play over there, pack everything up and then come back. Nobody knows how good they have it now.” Other changes included more variety of businesses around the school. “The school kind of felt like it was on the edge of town,” Frederick said. According to Frederick the most important similarity from then ‘til now is the place of the arts. “I like how we have so many different activities offered, like sports are a big deal, but also the arts are valued a lot,” she said. “It was like that when I was here.” However, when Rose went to her reunion at Winfield High School, she noticed a change in the opposite direction: her high school has moved in the direction of offering more science- and math-related classes. “The classes they’re offering are a little higher-level than we had back when I was there,” she said. “That’s one of those things where I think that … we’re consistently pushing kids to challenge themselves more into hitting those higher expectations, which I think is really great. The goal, as a parent or a teacher, is to have your kids progress past what you can even teach them.”
Seniors Anna McCurdy and Cierra Campbell have been swimming together since they were members of the Aquahawks club team, 12 years ago. Today, they are still swimming together as Firebirds. “We share similar values and of course share a passion for swimming,” McCurdy said.
Photo contributed by Anna McCurdy Photo by Christina Craig
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31 March 2016 Page by Caroline Kelton and Simon Larspers Qvist
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Continued from page 15 Though sports, school and extracurriculars took up much of school teacher, but after contacting then-athletic director Steve Rose’s time in high school, her fondest memories are of the friends Grant, she became a coach at Free State. she made. “I really enjoyed the coaching and missed being involved in that,” “I took pretty much the highest classes I could take in high she said. “So I coached first and then decided to teach after that.” school, but I was also in three sports … and Though she didn’t expect to teach at her alma I’m not going to lie, I also had a lot of other extracurriculars like mater, Frederick said it is a great place to teach. we have been in a lot of band, clubs and stuff like that,” she said. “I I was student teaching and studying a arguments and fights, but . . . “When had some really close friends that I’m still lot of different schools, I realized that I had we’ve put our friendship first. friends with to this day, so building those always taken for granted how good a school - senior Kyler Elston relationships I would say would be one of my Free State is, and having visited a lot of other ones most favorite things that happened in high and having done observations in a lot of other school.” schools, I went, ‘Wow! I was actually lucky to be there,’” Frederick In high school Rose, did not imagine she would become a high said. “It’s a good place to be a student, and be a teacher.”
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Photo contributed by Chris Pendry Photo by Christina Craig Dressed as a clown for Halloween, four-year-old Chris Pendry tries to smile for the camera. Now a sophomore, Pendry remembers his preschool playing games and dressing up for Halloween. “It was really fun and the clown costume only made it better and weirder,” Pendry said.
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31 March 2016 Page by Simon Larspers Qvist
Profiles
BIRD’S WORD What does high school mean to you? Interviewed by Juna Murao Photos by Christina Craig
“It’s working hard and having freedom.” - sophomore Taiya Kimmel
“It’s different from where I come from because here you’ve got all the sports and stuff. This school is way bigger than what I expected. I don’t know, I think there is more school spirit here in high school than where I come from.” - junior Federico D’Anna
“High school means coming together with friends and joining in activities and having a good time.” - senior Avery Allen
“High school is really important because it decides your future. It’s a big deal, but fun.” - freshman Caitlin McAndrew-Beckman
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31 March 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
Profiles
ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB
CLUB’S PROJECTS MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE EARTH Written by Mariah Houston
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andfuls of worms squirm throughout a plastic container full of compost in Julie Schwarting’s science classroom. These squiggly workers break down waste from the cafeteria, turning it into nutrient-rich fertilizer and creating the Environmental Club’s first vermiculture. This year, the club has been developing its vermiculture project along with several other plans to make the Earth a more sustainable place. “Our plans for (the vermiculture) is to sell the compost to farms and middle schools,” junior Sonal Soni said. “We would be the first school to do this in the area.” Along with reducing the school’s waste, a goal of Environmental Club is to simply spread awareness about environmental efficiency to the student body and the community. The future of Environmental Club includes collaborating with woodshop to create a solar powered area where students may charge their phones. This area would potentially include a garden and a sitting area, adding a feeling of community to Free State. Sponsored by Schwarting, the club consists of approximately eight students who dedicate time every week to putting environmentally friendly ideas into discussions and later turning those discussions into reality. After school on Mondays, the club congregates with smiles and snacks. What the club lacks in size, they make up for in dedication according to Schwarting. “(Environmental Club has) been very small and hard to grow, but this is the most awesome group of people we have had in a long time,” Schwarting said.
For Soni, the intimate size of the group is part of the appeal. “In a lot of bigger clubs it’s kind of intimidating, but since we are so small it’s more comfortable,” Soni said. “The people in this club are really nice and accepting.” Another accomplishment for the Environmental Club was acquiring recycling bins for most of the classrooms. Something as simple as recycling and reducing waste can impact the lifespan of this planet, according to an article on greenliving.lovetoknow.com. “The planet is something that can’t be used forever if we’re not careful with it,” senior Liv Lyche said. The thought of an end to the planet’s life due to human activity also scares junior Nyla Chaudhry. “(The Earth) is our only planet, and we can’t let it die because we have nowhere else to go,” Chaudhry said. Whether it be hanging out with a bucket of worms, reducing waste or spreading awareness, Environmental Club is a place to use one’s energy to better the Earth and the community. “I think a lot of people take (the environment) for granted,” Soni said. “I take it for granted sometimes too. Being involved with Environmental Club is just my way of giving back.” Photo by Sam Spencer Above: Planting in the greenhouse, members of Environmental Club, senior Christina Craig, junior Nyla Chaudhry and sophomore Carly Oliver, start lettuce, broccoli and kale seeds for Liberty Memorial Central Middle School’s garden. Although Environmental Club has a small following, they have big ideas for helping make the school more green. “I really enjoy what we do because it doesn’t feel like work, it just feels fun,” junior Sonal Soni said.
31 March 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
Profiles
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MADISON PIPER AND CAITI SCHLESENER TWO GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYERS REACH 1,000 POINTS Written by Hala Hamid
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very hook shot, free throw and three-pointer they made this season helped junior Madison Piper and senior Caiti Schlesener reach a milestone previously only one other girls basketball player in school history has been able to achieve: 1,000 points. Before joining the Firebirds this year, Schlesener played three years for the Cornerstone Saints, a home school team in Topeka. “Before, I played a lot of smaller public schools so it’s definitely a lot more competitive and fast paced and aggressive [at Free State],” Schlesener said. “I knew going into the game I was at 998 [points] and had to get two points so I had to shoot some free throws when I got it. I didn’t exactly realize until after the game when my teammate was picking me up and going crazy. Piper, who found out she was near the benchmark from her grandfather, did not think she was anywhere close to 1,000 points until she was informed during the Shawnee Mission North game on Feb. 9 she had passed it. “I thought it was definitely a possibility that I could have the opportunity to reach it, but I didn’t think I was anywhere close to it,” Piper said. “I think I’ve been able to improve my game a lot but I also got to give the credit to the teammates because they hit me those open shots and get me open so us just working together as a team has helped me hit that 1,000 points.” Piper jogged to a timeout during a game and was informed by team manager Nora Birchfield she had achieved scoring 1,000 points while playing basketball for the school.
“I was counting since I keep score and then at a time out she came over and I was like ‘You just hit a 1,000 points’ so she was pretty excited but she kept her cool,” Birchfield said. According to coach Bryan Duncan, all of the various defenders and problems Piper faces each game makes this accomplishment even more impressive. “[It’s] amazing, especially since she is face-guarded and double teamed every game,” Duncan said. “She is extremely talented.” Despite those challenges, Piper not only has 1,000 points but also broke the all time girl’s scoring record in just three years. “Kennedy [Kirkpatrick], the girl who has the record, joked around with me like, ‘Oh you’re going to beat my record,’ but I was like ‘No I’m not, that’s a lot of points,’” Piper said. “I guess it doesn’t seem real until it happens.” Piper credits most of the success to her teammates. Even though the girls fell in the sub-state finals to Washburn Rural on March 4, Piper maintains that the ultimate goal for her high school career is making it to state. “What makes my hard work worth it is when we win and when we achieve our goals,” Piper said. “In our minds, we take it one game at a time, but we know if we keep winning, we’ll have the opportunity to make it to state.” Photo by Klaire Sarver Above: Running down the court, junior Madison Piper and senior Caiti Schlesener look to score against Leavenworth on January 12. This season Piper and Schlesener reached 1,000 point totals for their high school careers. “I think it says a lot about our team. We have a lot of girls who can score so we are a very dynamic team,” Schlesener said.
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31 March 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
Reviews
EPIC FUN AT EPIC FUN Journalism editors visit new family entertainment center Written by Elizabeth Patton
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s my middle school friends and I walked to and from Juice Stop, terrorized Dillons and hung out for hours in the booths of McDonald’s, our conversations always touched on the fact that Lawrence needed more things to do. Four years later, Lawrence has gotten an addition that is truly a step in the right direction toward universal entertainment: Epic Fun. Located in The Malls Shopping Center on 23rd and Louisiana Streets, the new family fun center is a destination suitable for all ages of Lawrence residents. When eight Free Press and Talon editors and I walked into Epic at 7:45 p.m. on a Friday night, we were greeted by a kind front desk attendant, the sound of arcade games and friendly competition and a sweet puppy sitting behind the counter. For $6 and tax each, we were signed up to play the next round of laser tag in Epic’s 4,000 square foot arena. We signed waivers and sat at a side table, waiting for our round to start. While arcades are generally fun and family orientated, Epic brought that to a new level, with a two simple marketing techniques. The first is that instead of a coin or token system, everything at Epic is purchased in time increments designated by wrist bands. The cost is $6 for the first hour and $3 for consecutive hours. The whining that nearly always accompanies arcade tokens is eliminated. The
second was the lighting. The lobby was well lit and removed the typical dark and dinginess of arcades. These two simple fixes made the general atmosphere seem far more upbeat. ‘Cleanliness’ and ‘arcades’ generally aren’t associated with one another. At Epic, however, this is not the case. The tables and chairs we sat at weren’t sticky or crummy. The floors looked well kept, and the bathrooms were spotless. While these seem like minor details, they show how invested Epic owners and employees are, and there truly is nothing like a clean public bathroom. After waiting 25 minutes for our session to start, we heard the announcement that it was time, and filed into a room for briefing and gear administration. When we stepped in, we met our foes, a tennis academy team. With 30 laser tag vests available, we broke up into teams of roughly 15 and 15 and watched a five minute instructional video about the arena. An Epic employee helped us with vests, video and within the arena. We entered and played two, 10 minute games, in both of which we were annihilated. Overall Epic truly was Epic. Clean, friendly, fun and well-priced, this new attraction should bode well in LFK. Whether an elementary school birthday party or KU students parting with the Hawk for a night, Epic suits all ages and genders.
Photo by Nicola Santangelo Epic Fun’s arena sets the stage for the ultimate laser tag battle with glowing fluorescent patterns, recharge stations, ramps and stairs. At Epic, anyone can experience the thrills of laser tag for a reasonable price. “It looked like a big adult playground,” senior Maame Britwum said.
31 March 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
Reviews
RABBITS AND FOXES AND SLOTHS, OH MY!
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Disney coins another instant classic with memorable mammals, beautiful animation
Written by Jackson Barton
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wouldn’t blame you for thinking of Zootopia as just another generic animated kids movie. It’s about talking anthropomorphic animals after all. But at the start of the movie’s second act, when the plot really started to bloom, I was amazed by the risky plot direction and excellent execution. The movie opens up innocently enough by introducing the protagonist, Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin. She’s a wide-eyed rabbit who lives on her parents’ farm, but she fosters a dream of one day going to the wonderful metropolis of Zootopia and becoming the very first police officer from her species. Judy graduates from the police academy just like David supposedly overcame Goliath (or in this case, a rhinoceros), but when she moves into Zootopia, not everything is how she had imagined in the days on her parents’ carrot farm. The overarching motif of Zootopia is that no matter what you are, you can be anything. The movie blindly supports this theme up until we meet Nick Wilde, a con artist fox voiced by Jason Bateman. Nick has been living in Zootopia his entire life and is much more pessimistic in order to offset Judy’s overwhelming optimism. Through unforeseen circumstances, the two polar opposites are forced together to solve a crime involving missing mammals. What results is a well paced, yet predictable plot, with satisfying character development, as well as social commentary on discrimination and how minorities are perceived. Yes, Disney actually went there, and it works beautifully. I can’t talk much more about this without spoiling the narrative, but the message on accepting others of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds is made very clear, and I was glad to see Disney play with fire, especially during these times of debate and doubt over whether the
Photo courtesy of Disney Animation Studios Zootopia’s Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde look out onto the metropolis’ Sahara Square. Zootopia was released to box offices on March 4 and has since grossed $500.3 million and received a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
U.S. is actually a post-racial country. The animation is the best I’ve seen in my life. The several action scenes of the movie were captivating and fluid, but never dragged on for too long. Judy’s first encounter with crime has her chasing a shoplifting weasel into a city district built specifically for small rodents and hamsters. Both animals, who are of a modest size, are suddenly massive in their surroundings as they lunge over tiny cars and skate across vibrant hamster tubes. As Nick and Judy traverse the plethora of environments in Zootopia, side characters are quickly cycled through. While some of these side characters were funny and memorable, like “Flash,” a three-toed sloth who works at the DMV, others just felt forgotten after their scene was over. My personal favorite was mafia boss, “Mr. Big,” who is really an arctic shrew no larger than an avocado. The movie held my attention until the credits began to roll. Since this is a Disney movie, there’s the inevitable discussion of the movie’s soundtrack. The popstar Shakira was called in to mix the tracks for Zootopia, as well as promote the headliner “Try Everything.” This isn’t the next “Let it Go,” in fact, it’s only good at best. Shakira’s “fursona” in Zootopia is the hit music sensation “Gazelle,” who is a gazelle, to everyone’s surprise. Unfortunately, her tired voice acting was one of the few times I stopped seeing the characters on the screen, and instead, actors in a recording studio. For a movie so diverse and full of life, Shakira’s performance leaves something to be desired. Zootopia is a beautifully animated and well written movie with likable and hilarious characters and a unique creative vision that I haven’t experienced since WALL-E back in 2008. Even if you aren’t a normal fan of animations like me, I highly recommend seeing this at home or in theaters.
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31 March 2016 Page by Simon Larspers Qvist
Graphics
FLASH TO THE PAST Survey shows students’ past interests
Top 5 Throwback Trends
Sillybands
Clothes from Justice
Favorite Elementary Sc hool Specials
Gym
Anything with a Peace Sign
Crocs
Favorite TV Show
Gauchos
Favorite Music Artist
Music
53.2%
19.4%
Art
27.4%
Elementary Sc hool
Middle Sc hool
Langston Hughes
Sunflower
Southwest
Central
Quail Run
Pinckney
West
South
Other
Woodlawn
Other
Deerfield
Schwegler
Sunset Hill
Cordley
Hillcrest 163 students surveyed
Graphics by Caroline Kelton and Simon Larspers Qvist
31 March 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
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26 MODEL STUDENTS 31 March 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
Where do you shop? “Goodwill and Salvation Army.” Do you have any style icons? “People around town.” How would you describe your style? “Like a trash bag.” How do you think your personality influence your style? “My personality is pretty dead inside so I just dress like that.” What is your favorite color? “Yellow.” What is your spirit animal? “A rat.” What kind of music do you listen to? “Freak Folk and Mac Demarco.” What fashion trends do you love? “A lot of denim, layered sweaters.” What fashion trends do you hate? “Straight-legged jeans and cargo shorts.” What is your dream job? “Artist or horticulture.”
freshman LEO LOVING
Style
Tell us a secret. “My eyebrows are so small because I thought it would be a good idea to shave one of them off, and I regretted that immediately, but it didn’t grow back all the way, so I have two small eyebrows.”
Photos by Christina Craig
31 March 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
Style
Students show off their personal styles Interviewed by Juna Murao
junior JENNA HENLEY Where do you shop? “Urban Outfitters, H&M and Forever 21.” Do you have any style icons? “Kendall Jenner.” How would you describe your style? “Depends Depends on the day, just dressing up in the trends.” What’s your favorite clothing item? “Jean jacket and a black dress.” How do you think your personality influence your style? “Most of the time I dress like my personality.” How did you find your style? “Social media and bloggers.” What is your favorite color? “Pale pink.” What is your spirit animal? “Wolf.” What kind of music do you listen to? “Alternative music.” What fashion trends do you love? “Turtlenecks, statement necklaces and high waisted pants.” What fashion trends do you hate? “Clothing that doesn’t match body type or skin tone.” What is your dream job “A head of fashion market.” Tell us a secret. “None.”
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Artist’s Statement: “I create art to visually work through my emotions and issues. Whether I am joyful or depressed, it is easy for me to understand why through sketching and painting a visual of that emotion. My most recent example of this is a self-portrait dealing with disconnect. My head has been pixelated and is only recognizable from far away, but my eyes are painted with fine details that can only be seen from close-up. This is me while creating art: disconnected from all surroundings and laser-focused on my art. I also create art for the audience. Not everyone identifies as an artist, but I believe all humans possess a powerful imagination. My artwork is for people to use as a tool to flex their inventiveness and create stories of their own. My current work revolves around dreams (something all of us have) and my paintings are constructed in a fashion that invites the audience to put together what is happening. There is no right or wrong – the viewer is free to imagine their own story for the painting. My art is as much for myself as for everyone else.”
FEATURED ARTISTS
senior Raegan Koenig
31 March 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
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Artists of the Month
Top left: senior Genevieve Prescher Top right: senior Jessica Vanahill Left: sophomore Hanna Koontz
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31 March 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
Photo Essay
YEAR IN REVIEW
Photo by Rose Arachtingi
Photo by Rose Arachtingi
Photo by Ali Dodd
31 March 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
Photo Essay
Photo Essay by Journalism Department photographers
Photo by Ali Dodd
Photo by Kylie Hawkins
Photo by Anna-Maya Hachmeister
Photo by Ali Dodd
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