Free Press: Issue 1, Edition 24

Timothy Huffman

Rachel Downs

Michelle Salmans

edition 24

n d i nty ote Cou v I las ug Do

Debby Ziegler

teachers adjust to online learning

Jade Shaw

issue 1 December 3, 2020 students spread awareness through social media

Spencer Greenwood

Free Press I vote Dougla d in s Coun

ty

Bryan Lloyd

the

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Lindsey Hefty

in I voted nty u o C s Dougla

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Cover Free State voters proudly show their election stickers.

(L-R): Lindsey Hefty, Sarah Podrasky, Spencer Greenwood, Jade Shaw, Michelle Salmans, Rachel Downs, Debby Ziegler, Timothy Huffman, Bryan Lloyd.

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The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writing which must include the writer’s name and telephone number. Letters may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content. Submit letters to Room 203 or mail to the Free Press in care of...

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Lawrence, KS 66049 FSJournalism@USD497.org The opinions expressed in the Free Press are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the school administration or that of the USD 497 Board of Education. pages by Emily Zeller

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Buffering Connections 6 Socializing During Covid 8 Student Activist Speaks Out on page 16-17

10 Substitutes Learn to Adapt 14 TikToker Brings Awareness to ‘For You’ Page 16 Dedication Pays Off 18 Competing in a Pandemic on page 10-11

20 Elections Draw Student Involvement 22 Bird’s Word 24 Comfort is Key 26 Firebird Art on page 18-19

28 Opinion 30 Lawrence students head off to the mock polls 32 Photo Essay

on page 4-5

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Buffering

Connections W

ith the transition to partially online schooling, teachers like AP Government and Politics teacher Jeffery Haas are having to rethink how they go about teaching.

“I don’t have the highest digital prowess,” Haas said. “One advantage is that I know a lot more than I did last March about how to manipulate different kinds of things on computers that I don’t have a natural feel for.”

Though Haas sees it as a good learning opportunity, adapting to the change brought on by the pandemic hasn’t all been easy.

Alyssa Barratt, who teaches geometry and

advanced algebra II, has had issues with the workload of going digital.

“I would definitely say the disadvantage is the increased workload — having to recreate everything in a digital format for my kids since we can’t do paper and pencil,” Barratt said.

“That’s really hard in math.”

This is not the only issue, as students and faculty also miss out on social interaction that they would normally get in person. This lack of socialization is affecting teachers and how they approach their workspaces for online learning.

“School is really lonely,” Laura Woolfolk said. “It’s sad. There’s some teachers that typically work all the time who I’m familiar

English teacher Samuel Rabiola finishes up some grading to round out the school day. Since Rabiola doesn’t have a class during 7th hour, he uses this time to get other work done.

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teachers miss face-to-face time with students with seeing. The only time that we visit is in passing in the hallway with masks on. So, without students, schools are very lonely places.”

Woolfolk, who teaches American Literature and Comparative Mythology, opens her classroom up to students for lunch. This allows her to continue building relationships with students and lets them come in to ask questions.

“I do worry about the kids who maybe don’t have somebody behind them, checking on them, pushing them,” Woolfolk said. “I want to applaud all of those people who are doing what

FEATURE pages by Hannah De Guzman story by Alexandria Brown photos by Elijah Ditto illustration by Gus Cordova

they’re supposed to be doing.”

English and AVID teacher Andrew Martin believes strong teacher-student relationships can positively impact those students’ learning abilities. With a lack of face-to-face interaction and passing period conversations, it is harder to build connections.

“I can teach content all day,” he said. “But relationships really make it hit home for a lot of students. I can’t personally help a student with an issue that they’re having on an assignment or counsel them on an issue they’re having in their personal life as easily through Webex.”

Social Studies teacher Blake Swenson speaks to his 7th hour U.S. History students during an interactive online class. After the switch to remote learning, teachers and students struggled to maintain focus throughout the day.

After English teacher Kylee Johnston teaches a lesson and sends her students off to work, she finishes up some work of her own. “It feels much more challenging to gauge how they’re feeling when they’re virtual, so I do more check-ins about their emotions in order to feel less like I’m flying blind,” Johnston said.

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socializingduring covid

I

n the past on her birthday, junior Akosua Danso could always expect a few rushed but enthusiastic exclamations of “Happy birthday!” when she passed her friends in the halls.

However, due to COVID-19, she barely even saw her friends on her birthday this year.

“I have interacted with a lot of the friends that I see only at school,” Danso said. “Most of my friends actually missed my birthday.”

For many students, socializing and finding a place among their peers are critical parts of their high school experience. However, in the age of COVID-19, meeting with other people in-person can be dangerous. As a result, students have become more creative in how they interact with their peers while still staying safe.

Some students have been able to adapt to COVID-19 by taking to the internet.

“Even before, my primary means of interaction with my social group was online voice and text

chats, so there is not very much of a difference in that regard,” senior Theo Weiss said. “I don’t really meet anyone new, but that also remains pretty much consistent.”

In regards to communicating, Weiss said that they usually use programs like Discord, which allows people to voice chat and play video games together over the internet. When it comes to seeing others face-to-face, they sometimes meet with their friends in-person while following social-distancing guidelines.

“The guidelines that I follow for a small group are to wear masks at all times, follow social distancing policies when possible and not eat or drink anything when near others,” Weiss said.

Meanwhile, other students have noticed COVID-19 more negatively impacting their relationships.

“COVID messed up my social life,” Carrillo said. “[I] don’t talk to some people because I

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FEATURE

Students struggle to balance staying in touch, being safe

pages by Emily Zeller story by Jack Bellemere graphics by Emma Nelson (among us)

haven’t really interacted with them since the start of quarantine.”

Some students have expressed frustration at seeing their peers not take safety precautions as seriously as others.

“Whenever I see others being irresponsible, I’m just disappointed,” Danso said. “They only have to wear a mask and stay away from people to help.”

According to Julia Marcus, an assistant professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, safety during COVID-19 exists on a sliding scale instead of a binary.

“We have been thinking about social distancing in this all-or-nothing way,” Marcus said in an interview with Time magazine. “People are already making choices every day around how to navigate risk… A harm-reduction approach would give them the tools they need to reduce risk as much as possible.”

Marcus goes on to argue that expecting people

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to not socialize in-person at all for the duration of the pandemic is unrealistic. Instead, Marcus said, following social-distancing guidelines and wearing masks can make social time as safe as possible while still allowing people to see their friends.

Meanwhile, for some students, watching others socialize without following guidelines reminds them how long the pandemic has lasted.

“It is irritating to think about how the whole situation could have been prevented by simply following lockdown orders in March and April,” Weiss said. “People not wearing masks are putting more people in danger than I think they realize.”

Weiss, like many students, is willing to take those extra precautions to socialize.

“I feel relatively comfortable hanging out with a small group of friends,” Weiss said. “We wear masks and follow social distancing to the best of our ability.”

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7

PROFILE

activist

Speaks out T

Student takes to social media to spread awareness, make change

he gay and trans panic defense is used in courtrooms to defend those accused of violent crimes against members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Junior Hays Hummel wants to put an end to that practice.

Hummel has received more than 3,000 signatures on a petition promoted through Instagram to end the gay and trans panic defense in Kansas.

“I learned about the topic when researching a forensics piece,” Hummel said. “It was about Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay man who was hate crimed and his killers tried to use that defense.”

Hummel has received an outpouring of support from the community.

“When I checked the petition the day after I made the semi-viral Instagram post, I was blown away to see that we had received 2,000 more signatures,” Hummel said. “It made me

very happy.”

Hummel has been applauded for his petition by multiple Kansas legislators, including Sen. Marci Francisco and Rep. Mike Amyx, D-Lawrence, who commended Hummel for his advocacy.

Though most people are supportive, Hummel notes that he has received backlash from promoting the petition.

“Nothing that really gets to me though because I knew it was gonna be part of the process,” Hummel said. “It’s not just random people— it is some Free State students as well.”

Although rude reactions can be upsetting, Hummel encourages others to educate themselves, speak out if they disagree with decisions being made and, most importantly, vote.

“It’s important that everyone who can vote in this election does,” Hummel said. “Voting is a crucial step in changing things for the better.” pages by Emily Zeller story by Zanna Ingram

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LGBTba r.org

for mo re info

Humm el’ petitions

LGBTQ+ “panic” defense banned by

legislation to ban introduced

but not passed yet

district of columbia

Hummel meets with Rep. Mike Amyx, D-Lawrence.

Photo submitted by Hays Hummel

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substitutes

pages by Hannah De Guzman story by Jack Bellemere photos by Karmina Douglas

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learn adapt

OVID-19 brought with it a new approach to education, and every teacher and student has had to adapt.

For substitute teachers, working in several districts and lacking the personal connection to their students that full-time teachers have, the pandemic has presented a unique set of challenges.

One of the biggest issues that substitutes face is trying to make sure students are still working and learning on the other side of the screen.

“I haven’t seen anybody… that appears to really just be doing nothing,” substitute teacher Steve Grant said. “I think kids are plowing through this and trying to make the most of it.”

The substitutes were cautiously optimistic about the hybrid learning plan, which the USD 497 school board voted to adopt in late September. For the substitutes, it offers a chance to see some students in-person and regain some of the human connection lost over Webex.

“I have high hopes for the hybrid learning plan,” building sub Dana Tiepperman said. “I think it will be good for students to be back in the classroom... This is all new for everyone so we all have to try very hard to make it work.”

However, due to health problems, substitute and

Latest hybrid updates

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retired Free State teacher Linda Hyler explained that she will be unable to substitute in-person with students.

Other substitutes have already expressed similar concerns, which has sparked fears of a substitute shortage. USD 497 has said that other district employees would be able to fill in for substitutes if necessary.

Substitute teachers are required to go to Free State, check out a laptop, and teach from a classroom, even if all their students are on Webex.

While the experience can feel isolating, substitutes stressed that they were impressed with the way that students and teachers have been able to adapt to the new learning environment.

Hyler noted that some have had to get creative with how they teach.

“My cousin’s wife had been a professional welder doing million dollar staircases,” Hyler said. “Last year she took her first teaching job. She is [teaching] welding with marshmallows, pretzels, melted chocolate.”

Some substitutes said they missed talking to students in person.

“All the kids I had at FSHS have now graduated, so I miss seeing them in the halls and classrooms and them keeping me up on their future plans,” Hyler said.

Virtual, hybrid subbing proves challenging

FEATURE

Substitute teacher Steve Grant substitutes for math teacher Annette McDonald. As someone who enjoys subbing for high school students, COVID-19 has changed everything for him. “I’m sitting in classrooms all by myself,” Grant said. “You don’t have the same interaction as if they are in person, so I really miss that part of it.”

Building sub Dana Tieperman sits at her workspace. She started as the building sub on Sept. 14 but has been subbing since 2009. “This is all new for everyone, so we all have to try very hard to make it work,” Tieperman said.

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13

PROFILE

J

unior Addy Meadows doesn’t remember why she was in the hospital the first day of spring break, but she does remember filming a TikTok to Ke$ha’s “Cannibal” out of boredom from her hospital bed.

Meadows’ trips to the hospital are frequent due to her Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease and juvenile arthritis.

That TikTok amassed more than 29,400 views. It was the first of many viral videos about her conditions.

She received comments asking questions about her conditions and requesting for similar content.

As she continues to document her experiences, her account has gained popularity. @addymeadows now has 98,000 TikTok followers, and her most popular video has topped 1 million views.

Meadows hopes her content helps dispel stereotypes associated with her conditions. She said people often have a negative view of Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that caused her body to stop producing insulin.

“A lot of people think diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar and not exercising, but it’s pages by Emily Zeller story by Emma Holscaw illustration by Gus Cordova photos by Emma Hardesty

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Junior uses platform to dispel stereotypes about medical conditions the opposite,” Meadows said. “I was 20 pounds underweight when I was diagnosed. We don’t know why I got it.”

People also underestimate the severity of celiac disease, she said. The immune reaction to eating gluten causes inflammation, and the painful swelling damages the small intestine’s lining, leading to medical complications.

People often try to relate to her by saying gluten makes their stomach hurt, too.

“And then I’ll have a video of me in the hospital, and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, what happened?’ and I am like, ‘Well, I accidentally had gluten,’” Meadows said.

She said juvenile arthritis, an inflammation of the joints that causes a painful stiffness, is also misunderstood.

“With arthritis, people are just like, ‘Kids can’t get arthritis.’ And I’m just breaking that stereotype as well,” Meadows said.

Although her conditions can be difficult to manage, Meadows has found an online community that supports her and makes the experience more positive.

Glancing at her glucose monitor, junior Addy Meadows checks her blood sugar levels before making a TikTok. Because of her autoimmune diseases, Meadows has to be wary of certain things others don’t have to worry about, such as dietary restrictions, cross contamination and blood sugar. “I have Dexcom, and that shows me what my blood sugar is and it goes to my phone, so the first thing I do when I wake up is look at that,” Meadows said.

TikToker brings AWARENESS TO ‘For You’ page Many TikTok users express their gratitude for her videos in the comment section.

“Thank you for teaching everyone. I love your videos so much,” one user wrote.

Meadows is also a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Ambassador. The program has teens share their story of life with Type 1 diabetes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for a cure.

JDRF Outreach Manager Marlo Martin said the organization connects teens with Type 1 diabetes.

“What I can say from talking to ambassadors, is half the things that they have gotten out of the program is meeting other people,” Martin said.

Through TikTok, Meadows has also met other teens with the same conditions. In a group chat called “Broken Pancreas Buddies,” Meadows and other TikTokers with Type 1 diabetes offer advice and support.

Meadows appreciates these connections because her friends at school can’t relate to her as her friends online can.

“I don’t have any friends that have an autoimmune disease,” Meadows said. “I can explain it to them, and they can try to understand, but they’re not going through it.”

Martin agreed that Type 1 diabetes is hard to understand if you’re not the one experiencing it.

“It can be very isolating when people that you’re around don’t understand that, even if they want to help or want to support you,” Martin said.

Despite most people in her life not having much personal experience with her conditions, they are still supportive.

“My family is my biggest support system,” Meadows said. “We do the Type 1 diabetes fundraiser walks, and we always do it as a family.”

Meadows’ parents and close friends monitor her glucose levels through an app. Her friends will often text her when she is at work and her blood sugar is dropping to ask if they could bring her a drink to help.

Meadows wants her TikTok followers to feel similar support and hopes her account can be a part of that.

Smiling at the camera, Meadow films a TikTok explaining a medicine she takes for one of her conditions to her almost 100,000 followers. Even with her large audience, the majority of Meadow’s comments are kind and uplifting. “Luckily for me, when it’s medical TikTok, you don’t get a lot of negativity,” Meadows said.

Meadows adjusts her insulin pump, which delivers her small amounts of insulin throughout the day. The effects of chronic illness can be hard to balance with school, extra curriculars, a job and time with friends and family. “I think it has also given me really good stories,” Meadows said. “My dad is a college football coach, and I’ve gone to his football game with an IV in my arm because I just wasn’t gonna miss it.”

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Dedication pays off

F

or the first time in school history, a Free State debate team has received three bids to the Tournament of Champions in April.

Juniors Serena Rupp and John Marshall will join other top debate teams in the nation to compete at the prestigious tournament hosted by the University of Kentucky.

“A lot of the schools that get bids are ones with a ton of resources for coaching or funding, which doesn’t apply to the Free State debate team,” Rupp said. “So, I think it was a very fulfilling moment because we knew that it was our work that paid off rather than other teams who just have their coaches writing arguments.”

The setup of the awards ceremonies where the Tournament of Champions bids were announced, as well as the debates themselves, took place over Zoom.

“It was just a Zoom call — everyone except the host

Debate team makes school history

was muted… it was so bizarre,” junior debater Rita Joseph said. “I never thought that I would be debating this way.”

Despite the anticlimactic setup, it was still a fulfilling moment.

“It wasn’t like in sports, where it’s like this big moment where you jump up, you’re like, ‘Yes! Oh my God, we did it.’ It’s just, I guess that would be considered inappropriate in the academic setting of debate,” Marshall said.

Debate coach Kelly Thompson is goal-oriented with his students and tries to encourage them to develop intrinsic motivation for debate. That approach helped Rupp and Marshall secure their bids to April’s tournament.

“To get that first bid out of the way to give yourself some reassurance that you’re not wrong about your

Debate partners and juniors Serena Rupp and John Marshall critique their argument strategy for the rest of the tournament. Rupp and Marshall won a recent tournament hosted by Blue Valley Southwest. “It is a qualifier for the tournament of champions, which is a national tournament,” Marshall said. “It’s one of the most prestigious national championships in the country.”

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NEWS

John Marshall & Serena Rupp

earned Tournament of Champion bids from: - Washburn rural - Blue Valley South West - Glenbrooks

Rita Joseph & Jake Chun qualified for the Kansas Debate Classic Invitation

Hard at work, Senior Ethan Harris stares intently at his screen. Although there is a lot of independent work that goes into debate, the team often collaborates to prepare for tournaments, even if they are not debating together. “Preparation is just cooperation between everybody on the team and coordination to, I guess, win as a team as opposed to individuals,” junior John Marshall said.

Senior Simon Ruland listens to the other speakers on his virtual debate. When debating, students have to make sure their arguments are based on facts not feelings. “[You can’t] always take the moral high ground or at least like, dogmatically make your view always right,” junior John Marshall said. “You have to make sure that you understand both sides of the resolution so that you can engage with the other team and you can’t let your personal beliefs influence that.”

with coaches and preparing about once-a-week,” goals was really nice to have in the first weekend of our season,” Thompson said. “It’s really rewarding Marshall said. “Most of the work that goes into for me to help kids set goals and then to motivate a tournament is outside of meeting with coaches them towards achieving those goals.” and doing rounds. It’s a lot of research. You know, looking stuff up, preparing arguments and preMotivation is especially important in debate writing your arguments.” because of all the work that goes into the activity.

“The team that got the bid, they were at debate That intense preparation led to high camp from the day after they completed the national expectations, which were met early in the season tournament for seven weeks... and debate camp is with three tournament bids.

12- to 16-hour days, all day every day of nothing “If you put that kind of time, effort and money but debate,” Thompson said. into an activity, you really have expectations for Marshall compared the time commitment of debate to a part- “It was a very fulfilling yourselves,” Thompson said. time job. moment because we “They really believe that they not only want to be that good “We’ll do one practice round knew that it was our with some other people on the but should be that good based on their investment.” team a week, as well as meeting work that paid off.” pages by Ella Marshall photos by Emma Hardesty story by Emma Holsclaw

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competing IN A

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pandemic

OVID-19 threw a wrench into teams’ routines during the fall season.

Athletes and coaches found themselves wondering what their season would look like or if they would have one at all after spring sports were canceled at the start of the pandemic. Each team faced unique challenges but athletes and coaches said they adapted.

“Most of the kids are just trying to do their best to be involved, stay active and play football,” football coach Kevin Stewart said in an October interview with The Free Press. “They’re trying to meet all the requirements to have a season and trying to stay healthy at the same time. Obviously they don’t control this. They’re just doing their best.”

Football faced difficulties with some players having to quarantine several times throughout the season.

While football was considered a higher risk sport by health officials, the volleyball program faced an added challenge of being indoors. Volleyball coaches and players prioritized following safety guidelines for all Holding her balance, junior Audrey Hoey-Kummerow performs during an Olathe meet. The gymnastics team experienced major changes this season due to Covid19, some being changes for good.

“We had to move to a new gym because our old one was too small for us to social distance in. This gym has a lot of new equipment,” Hoey-Kummerow said. Photo by Baya Burgess

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Fall sports navigate COVID-19

teams within the program.

“We wanted to set a positive example and express our responsibility as student athletes,” junior Madi Beeley said. “The volleyball program wanted to promote and advocate safety within our school.”

The volleyball team navigated the season without positive cases.

“It was incredible to watch my girls fight for the opportunity to play volleyball, and it truly inspired me every day when I went to practice,” Beeley said.

“Honestly, the court was the only place most of us felt normal.”

Another indoor sport, gymnastics was also able to make it through the season without a positive case.

The team rounded out its season by winning the 6A gymnastics state championship in Newton.

“What the girls were able to pull off was nothing short of impressive, particularly in the middle of a modern pandemic,” Head Coach Katrina Farrow said during the Nov. 23 school board meeting. “The fact that these girls did it — they put in the work and they

Hyping up the cross country team, junior Elijah Ditto gives a pre-meet speech.

Ditto spoke in honor of Jack Benkelman. “Last year, before every race, our senior Jack Benkelman put his heart and soul into his pre-meet speeches, and now that he is gone I want to try and make sure his legacy is continued,” he said.

Photo by Maya Pavlyak

Varsity quarterback junior Jet Dineen looks out towards his teammates just before he passes the ball. Photo by Baya Burgess

SPORTS pages by Ella Marshall story by Ben Shyrock

put in the hours — they gave absolutely everything at a time when a lot of people might not have shown up.”

Cross Country has always had strength in numbers, often representing the largest roster among the Sunflower League and the 6A classification. This year was no exception.

COVID-19 risked turning the program’s defining asset into a liability. With 92 athletes, the team was wary of a potential outbreak.

“Logistically, we had to have a space large enough to accommodate our team,” assistant cross country coach Jordan Rose said.

The team used larger facilities for practices and meets to allow for social distancing. Athletes were required to wash their hands at the beginning of each practice and wear masks whenever they were not running, Rose explained.

The obstacles to completing a full season put the season into perspective for head cross country coach Steve Heffernan. In the end, the boys team won the state title.

”I truly cherish every day we have together,” Heffernan said. “That in itself is overcoming adversity.”

Heffernan and the cross country program were not alone in their reemphasized gratefulness for the opportunity to compete. Boys soccer also faced uncertainty of its season, in addition to an elevated risk of potential spread of the virus.

“We wore masks at all practices and on the benches during games, as well as on the buses,” senior Yoav Gillath said. “We had no team dinners this year in the interest of social distancing, and social distancing was enforced at our summer conditioning.”

As fall sports finished out their seasons, the appreciation student athletes felt for the opportunity to compete this year was evident.

“This was an unprecedented year, but it was the most fun season of my life,” Gillath said. “Although my class will miss out on a lot of senior traditions, I’m glad [seniors] didn’t miss the last season of our careers... I don’t know what we would’ve done without it.”

Sophomore Sina Boeger races towards the finish line. Boeger joined the cross country team this year as a way to make some friends since she is an exchange student from Germany. “Everyone was so nice and I am still in contact with a few people. It was like a social hour everyday,” Boeger said. Photo by Maya Pavlyak Junior Madison Seelye stands on the football field just before a football game.

All spirit squad dancers wear masks throughout the entirety of the game which is beneficial but difficult. “We have to make sure people in the stands and those around us can hear our cheers and chants because the masks tend to muffle our words,” Seelye said. “Overall wearing a mask is worth it if we are able to keep eachother, the community, and ourselves safe.”

Photo by Baya Burgess

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ELECTIONS student draw

involvement

T

Politics bring valuable experiences

o many young people, politics may seem inaccessible. Teenagers are brushed off by adults as idealistic or ignorant, or feel as though they can’t make an impact. Most notably, they can’t vote.

But students aren’t letting these things stop them. “[Politics] affect every aspect of your life… You can ignore it, but if you do, people are just going to make decisions for you,” senior Yoav Gillath said. “I want to get as many people as I can involved with politics.”

Gillath is the president of Free State Young Democrats and was involved in the founding of Kansas Young Democrats.

He also serves as the Regional Director for the Second Congressional District of Kansas High School Democrats.

Because of these experiences, Gillath was recruited to get even more involved in politics. This year he worked on a state representative campaign, a congress campaign in Iowa and a voter-to-voter project through Douglas County Democrats.

Senior Braiden Bangalan has also been involved in larger elections.

Bangalan phone banks for Barbara Bollier’s senate campaign and is a student ambassador for the same Iowa campaign that Gillath works with. He also is the Assistant Director for the Second Congressional District of Kansas High School Democrats and the

Vice President of Free State Young Democrats.

“I started volunteering for local campaigns over quarantine,” Bangalan said. “It made me aware that what happens in local elections is more pertinent to our daily lives, rather than national elections.”

Senior Amy Mai has not been involved in as largescale elections as Gillath and Bangalan, but instead focuses on community- and school-based involvement.

“This year I went out for the secretary position of the Free State chapter of High School Democrats,” Mai said. In her position, she informs club members about important current events. “I think a lot of people are motivated, with this being an election year, to come and learn.”

Gillath, Mai and Bangalan are involved in politics in different ways, but share the same passion.

“Both of my parents are immigrants from Vietnam and a lot of my other family members are immigrants too,” Mai said.

“We are pretty affected by what gets talked about.”

Bangalan’s passion goes beyond social media.

“We can complain about Trump on Twitter and go on with our lives,” Bangalan said. “But these are actual issues, actual pressing problems.”

Overall, Gillath, Mai and Bangalan pushed other students to get involved.

“Just start volunteering, start being interested and most importantly, vote,” Gillath said.

[Politics] affect every aspect of your life…

You can ignore it, but if you do, people are just going to make decisions for you.

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FEATURE in ed nty t o I v s Cou la oug

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pages by Hannah De Guzman story by Mary Kate Shultz illustration by Gus Cordova

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Bird’sWORD How are you coping with social distancing and quarantining?

Senior

Addeline Garcia

I

’ve still had a job during this time, so it’s been really nice to have that escape from the house. I wouldn’t say that I’ve picked up any new hobbies. I’ve definitely gone back to some old ones! I have been trying to relearn some basic beadwork, and I have been attending online yoga classes, which I highly recommend.

Senior

I

Payton Krug

’ve been doing good since the pandemic began! During the beginning of quarantine, it was a lot harder than it is now because it was weird to stay inside all day with not much to do, but over time, it has become more normal. For the first few months I really missed being able to see my swim team and workout with them, but now we are back in the water.

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pages by Hannah De Guzman collected by Nisa Khosh

BIRD’S WORD Freshman

Buddy Lam

I

have tried to get outside more and more every day in an attempt to stay happy and healthy. I think that with the pandemic, people are under the influence that they can’t do anything, which isn’t entirely true. Being outside and active seems to help both my mental and physical health. It allows me to forget all about school, and even all about the pandemic.

A concrete schedule is essential in keeping my mental sanity during this pandemic.

Junior

Emma Day

A

t the beginning of the pandemic when school shut down, it was pretty disappointing. One of the main reasons being the girls lost their Swim and Dive season, which was especially disappointing since we were supposed to win State this year. It was nice, however, to spend time with my family, and since I normally have a busy schedule, I had the time to do things I normally wasn’t able to do.

I

n the spring I had the chance to try out a ton of new hobbies, which helped me cope with cabin fever. I’ve read a ton, learned how to make friendship bracelets (because apparently I’m still in the third grade), and watched a ton of new shows and movies. One coping mechanism that I would highly recommend is exercising and getting outdoors (when it’s not freezing out). It’s helped me release a lot of stress, especially with the constant pressure of online school.

Junior

Serena Rupp

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Senior

Amelia Osborn “I dress like this because it gives me a sense of normalcy to change into clothes that I didn’t sleep in, but it also allows me to still be comfortable.”

Junior

Mina Khosh “I dress like this because I like to be comfortable while doing school, and I like to feel stylish.”

Sophomore

Kady Bischmann “I wear mostly sweatshirts because my room is cold and I like to be comfortable.”

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comfort

FASHION

IS Key

pages by Ella Marshall collected by Nisa Khosh illustrations by Gus Cordova

Style trends from home

“It’s comfy but cute!”

“I dress like this because I like to be comfortable in my own home, and who’s going to see my outfit anyway?”

Lola Cloud

Heikkila-Halll

Freshman

Junior Ella

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Firebird

ArŁ

Julia Ruddy

Sophomore

“When creating this piece, we were instructed to make something that reflected our inner critic/monster. For me, it was obvious that I am most critical of myself when I’m looking in the mirror.”

Manuel Acosta Sophomore

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“The things that are around Sia mean a different song that she sings. For me, the black part of her wig means all the pain that she has been through in the past, and the bright side means the happy moments that she lived and that she will live.”

ART pages by Ella Marshall collected by Ethan Wood

“I first drew a basic outline around the shoes trying to make them a little wonky looking. Then I used the searching line technique to add depth to different parts of the drawing.”

Eleanor Paget Freshman

Brook Smith

Junior

“I wanted to go for something ethereal and calming. It was sort of experimental since I used mostly watercolors, which is a medium I hardly use — not to mention it’s not on the ideal paper for it. Even so, I was surprised at how it turned out.”

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OPINION: Board of Education must stand

weak

W

AGAINST

Leadership

alking into a school has become more dangerous each year.

The highest number of school shootings happened in 2019.

This year, a different type of danger threatens students: COVID-19.

In light of rising cases on a local and national scale, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department and the USD 497 Board of Education must work together to prioritize the health of the district’s staff and students.

The school board discussed the county’s growing positivity rate at a Nov. 12 emergency meeting. At that time, this positivity rate had climbed to 13.8%, jumping four percentage points in two weeks. This placed the county in the orange tier of the health department’s Smart & Safe School Reopening Guidelines.

Originally, the health department recommended all in-person learning, athletics and extracurricular activities stop while the county was in this zone. However, mere hours before the meeting began, the health department changed this guidance. The revised recommendation now allows all school functions to continue in orange, with the exception of certain “high-risk” activities.

In a video released in early October, Superintendent Anthony Lewis agreed with

28

the original guidance, vowing to end in-person learning “100%” if the county moved into orange.

At the Nov. 12 meeting, Lewis changed course, saying “we’ve learned new information” since the video was released.

By agreeing with the health department’s sudden changes, Lewis and the school board are following instead of leading. They’re not standing by their words and are accepting the ineffective leadership of the health department. This support shows that they would rather have students learn in-person in unnecessarily dangerous situations than face backlash about their decisions.

The health department defines basketball and wrestling as high-risk activities but notes they are able to be modified to comply with social distancing guidelines. All sports in the winter season have been approved by the Kansas State High School Activities Association to begin competitions Dec. 1.

Anyone familiar with wrestling should immediately question how this can safely take place during a pandemic. Every wrestler faces several opponents during each competition, coming in close contact with many students from other areas. This environment, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categorize

OPINION pages by Hannah De Guzman story by Isis Norris

as the highest risk, is perfect for the spread of COVID-19.

Supporters of in-person learning have repeatedly told the board that they have seen their students’ mental health benefit from attending classes in the school building. While the social aspect of in-person classes may boost a student’s mental health, the risks do not outweigh the rewards.

During the school year, the county health department has linked eight outbreaks to K-12 activities. Those outbreaks have not resulted in any deaths, but they show the district’s safety measures are not stopping the spread of COVID-19 in schools.

With the holiday season and colder weather upon us, officials are again stressing the importance of social distancing.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital officials released a statement Nov. 17 announcing they

EARLY OCTOBER Superintendant Dr. Anthony Lewis plans to go fully remote if county enters orange zone.

are preparing for a 500% increase of COVID-19 inpatients by Dec. 1.

This is a critical time for our community’s health. The health department should do everything it can to encourage the public to stop the spread of this virus. However, it is not.

Douglas County should not be led by departments that change policy just to avoid potential criticism. That behavior is irresponsible and immature and puts our entire community at a higher risk for contracting and spreading COVID-19.

Those in charge of our safety need to take a cautious approach when it comes to our health.

Our school board should not bend with wavering guidelines. Lee’s Summit, Blue Valley and other surrounding districts that have chosen to move to online learning and value safety over backlash.

Lawrence must follow suit.

NOVEMBER 17 Lewis agrees to stay hybrid in orange tier after learning new info.

NOVEMBER 12

LMH announces preparations for a 500% increase in COVID-19 patients by Dec. 1.

Health department changes recommendation to allow hybrid learning during orange zone.

DECEMBER 1

Winter sports competitions allowed to begin by KSHSAA.

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LAWRENCE students

head off TO THE

mock polls

Here’s how USD 497 voted compared to the country as a whole

President

USD 497 School District *A survey out of 2,271 people

800000 2000

74% 600000

1500

400000

1000

President

President

istrict

21%

500

200000

6% 0

BIDEN / HARRIS

TRUMP / PENCE

JORGENSON / COHAN

Data Taken from AP

1 people

800000

51%

43.3%

in I voted nty u o C s Dougla

600000

I vot Doug ed in las Co unty

400000

pages by Emily Zeller graphs by Stella Eddinger stickers by Hannah De Guzman

200000

6%

30

JORGENSON / COHAN

1.3%

0 BIDEN / HARRIS

TRUMP / PENCE

JORGENSON / COHAN

0

BI

INFOGRAPHIC House USD 497 School District

Data Taken from the New York Times

*A survey out of 2,271 people

1500

200000

65%

54.8% 41%

150000 1000 100000

27% 500 50000

7% 0

JAKE LATURNER

MICHELLE DE LA ISLA

4.1% 0

ROBERT GARRARD

JAKE LATURNER

MICHELLE DE LA ISLA

ROBERT GARRARD

Students who voted by grade

31 51 111

185 278 307

288 80 61

228 290 179 182

Senate USD 497 School District

Data Taken from the New York Times

*A survey out of 2,271 people

1500

800000

65%

53.6% 41.5%

600000 1000 400000

27% 500 200000

8% 0

ROGER MARSHALL

BARBRA BOLLIER

JASON BUCKLY

4.9% 0 ROGER MARSHALL

BARBRA BOLLIER

JASON BUCKLY

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Photo Review page by Emily Zeller

After lining up for the pre-match, the varsity boys soccer team takes the field as they are announced on senior night.

Photo by Addison Driscoll

Holding her balance, junior Audrey Hoey-Kummerow performs during an Olathe meet. Her team has experienced major changes this season due to Covid- 19, some being changes for good. “We had to move to a new gym because our old one was too small for us to social distance in,” Hoey-Kummerow said. “This gym has a lot of new equipment that was super useful.” Photo by Baya Burgess Waving at trick-or-treaters, senior Sophia Hamilton prepares to hand out candy. This year, the IPS program held a COVID-friendly trunk-or-treat event. “It was the first time many of the IPS students were able to see each other in person this school year, which made it special,” Hamilton said.

Photo by Maya Pavlyak

The gymnastics team stands across from the bar judge as she lays down the rules for the event. Photo by Elijah Ditto

Junior Tayler Wiley faces off against her opponent from Olathe South. This season made Wiley’s second year on the tennis team. “Being on the tennis team introduced me to a lot of new people,” Wiley said. “I love the teamwork and how hard they push me to get better every day.” Photo by Karmina Douglas

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Before switching places, freshman Addie Edwards and sophomore Carly Miller quickly bump elbows. Edwards, Miller and the rest of the team encourage their teammates to have a positive attitude and do their best. Photo by Emma Hardesty