The Blazer | Vol. 38 | Issue 2

the Issue 2 | Volume 38 | November 2016 | Gardner Edgerton High School | Gardner, Kansas

b MEET THE STAFF: EDITORS IN CHIEF JACYLN ADAMSON BROOKE BOYER COPY EDITORS SAVANNAH COX NIKITA DRAKE

STAFF WRITERS JAQUI CAREY JEWELL CARTER CHUCK CLARK LILLI CLARK JESSE HENISS MADELINE OWENS MALYNN PIERCE SAVANNA RENNER HAYDON WYANT

CONTENTS:

4 6 7 NEWS

FCCLA Campaigns Cover Photo by: Jaqui Carey

EDITORIAL

Mandatory assembly attendance

OPINION

Are online assignments unfair?

IN THE KNOW:

Current local, world news in brief By: Jaclyn Adamson & Brooke Boyer

FBI looks to reopen Clinton email investigation

Sophomore places Two qualify for second in state golf state cross country

The FBI had closed their investigation into democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s email server in July of 2016. However, now new emails pertinent to this investigation have been recovered.

According to the New York Times, they were found on former congressman Anthony Weiner’s phone. The FBI had been looking for evidence on Weiner corresponding with an underage girl in North Carolina, when they stumbled on emails that were related to the closed case.

Weiner’s wife, Huma Abedin, was a top aide the Clinton campaign. “[The emails] appear to be pertinent to the investigation,” FBI director James Comey said in a letter to Congress.

Of course, republican nominee Donald Trump had a few comments to make after the announcement. After the FBI has closer the investigation, Trump said that the agency was weak and corrupt.

Sophomore Mia Tovkach took 2nd place at the 6A golf tournament on Oct. 17 at the Country Club in Leawood.

Although Tovkach was the only individual to place, the team finished in 7th place at the tournament.

The team qualified for state because they placed 3rd in the regional tournament earlier this season.

The top five players on each qualifying team are eligible to participate individually at the state tournament.

The day consisted of winds up to 20mph; conditions that the team was not so accustom to according to Tovkach.

“The wind made it really difficult,” Tovkach said.

“It was hard to just stand there.”

Tovkach has been playing golf competitively since she was young. She participates in tournaments during the off season and she took first place at state her freshman year. She admits that she “could have done better” this season and at state.

However, now that they might swing in his favor, he is swinging to theirs, praising them for their action.

Thousands of emails have been leaking from Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, who is trapped in an Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He releases massive information dumps on a weekly basis but the FBI has hesitated in reopening the investigation.

The email scandal is one of the biggest controversies Clinton has faced in her campaign. When Comey handed down his statement closing the Clinton email case, he said that their actions were not criminal, just “extremely careless.”

Even if Clinton becomes the president elect, this inquiry will not stop. The election has to add this breaking news to its ever expanding list of twists and turns. Trump’s sexual assault scandal and Hillary’s emails make this race closer as it reaches it’s final days.

Sophomore Trenton Cochran and junior Carson Hughes traveled to Rimrock Farm in Lawrence on Oct. 30 for state cross country.

The boys ran the typical 3.1 mile distance. Cochran placed second and Hughes placed 40th. A senior from Olathe East walked away with the first place medal.

There were 101 6A qualifying competitors this year.

This is the first time in several years that the school has had individuals qualify for this level of competition.

Cochran ran a 16:31.1, coming short of his personal record by eleven seconds.

His personal record had been set earlier this season at Lone Elm park with a time of 16:19.

This is only Cochran’s second season involved in the sport. However, he and Hughes participate in track in the Spring. Both boys have been preparing their bodies for the event for awhile.

“Coach decided to cut back on the distance. He started tampering us off for preparation the week before state so our bodies would be ready,” Cochran said.

8 11 14 FEATURE

ENTERTAINMENT

ACTIVITIES

Overcoming adversity

KC breaks bands

Injured athletes

The Blue Crew

Things to do and see in KC

Senior directors

Leading the Blazer community

FCCLA brings community together by participating in school-wide campaigns

NEWS

By Jewell Carter age everyone because a ful things in my life right The Family Career and little more love always a now at ease,” Junior VeronCommunity Leaders of good thing,” ica Forrester America officers traveled Valvero said.

“For me, #WBW said. to a leadership summit in Addition- campaign is all FCCLA conOverland Park, on Sept. 1, ally, FC- about positive so- ducts other to brainstorm innovative CLA came campaigns cial media and being such as #blazways to help the Gardner up with Valve- erscare.

Edgerton community to the idea of respectful,” The come together. The offi- Stress-free ro said. “It let’s you #blazerscare cers discussed ideas of en- seminars. shout out to some- campaign uses couragement and stress re- These are one who maybe isn’t handwritten lief themed activities that days during notes to stubeing recognized dents to show would benefit the students. seminar “We thought that having where any- and is just fun! I love students that daily encouragement and one can when students put their comstress relief is an import- come into up other students!” munity cares ant part of a high schoolers FCCLA adabout them on day,” VP of Communica- viser Casi Wetzel’s room pressing issues such as suitions senior Shyanne Mc- and listen to music or color cide prevention, substance Gown said. and just hang out with oth- abuse, breast cancer, and One of the ideas the of- er students. anti-bullying. Students who ficers brainstormed was “Creating a stress free en- participated in the events White board Wednesdays. vironment is important for wore orange against bullyThis was an idea to help high school students, it’s ing on Oct. 19 and wrote create a more encouraging good to have a reminder uplifting messages to stuenvironment on social me- that school doesn't always dents and posting them dia by having students post have to be so serious,” Wet- throughout the school. a message Blazers also promoted zel said. or note to the See You Monday cam“I think that seeing Students someone on a nice note from from all over paign in which students their social someone else on the school vis- wrote messages on the sidemedia outited room 201 walks outside of the school social media would to relax and to remind students to be let. anyone’s spend Many stu- brighten their safe and smart on their fall dents in day,” senior Alexis time coloring break.

FCCLA will continue to Shelly Valve- Gonzalez said. “The with others, ro’s Future point is to create a while offering practice their leadership Educator up a opportu- by going to conferences chain reaction and nity to meet and helping build school of Amerspirit and positivity. If ica club to make social media new people. more positive “I liked going you are interested in joinalso par- a ticipate in place.” to the semi- ing them or helping out white board nar because it around the community visWednesdays to uplift others helped put all of the stress- it Mrs. Wetzel in room 201. and support their love for 1. Lisa Thepsouphanh poses with her encouraging message for whiteboard Wednesday. Photo courtesy of: Lisa Thepsouphanh teaching.

“I think it is important for 2.Veronica Forrester colors an intricate design during stress free seminar.

Photo courtesy of: Casi Wetzel people to be recognized 3. Students draw messages on the sidewalks outside of school encouraging and it feels so students to be safe on fall break for the See You Monday campaign. Photo great to get a courtesy of: Casi Wetzel compliment! I 4.Cheerleaders create large banners to promote the #blazerscare movement. Photo courtesy of: Madison Weber like to encour- 5.Students leave encouraging Post-it-Notes to hang throughout the school

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for #blazerscare. Photo by: Skyla Fox

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Assembly attendance: Mandatory or not

For:

These assemblies boost morale and bring the whole school together.

“I feel that many students go into this time with a negative attitude.” StuCo sponsor Katie Zahner said.

“If they would walk into a Pep Assembly with an open mind, they might actually find themselves having a good time.”

StuCo spends a week and a half to two weeks planning the assembly and making sure that everything is in place and ready to go. The cheer and dance teams work for weeks to perfect their performances.

Zahner contacts every club sponsor to see if they would like a spot in the as2016 Editorial Policies The

Blazer

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the

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publication of Gardner Edgerton High School, printed by Osage Graphics in Burlingame, KS. This is a student publication and may contain controversial matter. Gardner Edgerton School District No. 231 and its board members, and employees disclaim any responsibility for its content; it is not an expression of school district policy. Operating as an open forum, students and editors are solely responsible for the content of this student publication.

Opinions represent the views of the individual writer, not the staff as a whole, with the exception of the editorial.

Letters

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welcome and must be no longer than 300 words, typed and signed by the author. Letters will be considered and published on a space-available basis. The Blazer staff reserves the right to edit all submitted material for content and libel. For advertising or other

OPINION

information, please contact:

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The Blazer 425 N. Waverly Road Gardner, Kansas 66030 (913) 856.2640 rossl@usd231.com

sembly to talk about their standings or upcoming events.

“The reason that sports teams and cheer and dance are recognized is because their coaches always respond and ask for time,” Zahner said.

Coach Marvin Diener gets the football team excited for their upcoming game against Aquinas.

Photo by: Jaqui Carey

Against: School

spirit is a vital part of a high school atmosphere and should not be shunned, but packing all 1600 students and faculty members in a gym that is really only supposed to seat 1200 is not the way to do that.

A common problem that students seem to have with the assemblies is they feel that they favor sports and do not really address all the other things that go on at the school. High schoolers do not generally enjoy being forced to do something. Students work hard in all kinds of clubs but the student body is not forced to watch them.

Many students simply do

not care about things that are going on at the school.

They feel like they should not have to sit through something they have no interest in, even though most of their schooling career has been sitting through things they did not want to.

Students are packed into the gym, practically on top of each other.

It usually takes ten minutes to get everyone seated. Photo By: Jaqui Carey

Periods: not worthy of public shame

By MaLynn Pierce

The human body is undoubtedly a complex system of nerves, organs and functions. One of these includes the highlight of a woman’s month: her period.

When this time comes, women should not be ashamed. Ever.

Human anatomy is inevitable, and anyone who thinks periods are shameful is obviously uneducated about human process.

Think about all of the daily tasks and responsibilities of a person. The last thing that a woman needs to have on her mind is worrying about something embarrassing happening to her because she is on her period. A period, is natural, just like going to the bathroom or even waking up in the morning.

This is not a new concept, throughout history women have been shamed

for their period. In about 75 AD, Pliny the Elder wrote that “contact with [menstrual blood] turns new wine sour, crops touched by it become barren, grafts die, seed in gardens are dried up, the fruit of trees fall off.”

Yes, he actually said that.

In case anyone did not notice, touching a woman on her period does not actually make anyone rot.

This quote is outdated; yet, it shows the cluelessness that people actually have about periods. Trust every woman in the world, periods do not turn wine sour, or wither crops.

Furthermore, sneaking a tampon out of a backpack is just like sneaking a cookie out of a jar; you do not want anyone to see it. Girls are paranoid that someone will see and judge or embarrass them.

These products are needed so that a girl can feel

more secure and protected during her period. A tampon or a pad isn’t poisonous or harmful, so if you see one, just quit overreacting.

Which brings up another point. Men do not quite understand the predicaments that we as girls are forced to go through once a month.

We have to sneak our products to the bathroom, deal with literally debilitating cramps, and then worry about bleeding through, because anyone who has had an accident knows that anxiety flash when she sees it.

Giving a girl grief for her period is unacceptable. It is life, and how life is made.

In no way is every person clueless, but one comment, one bad apple, will ruin a girl’s self-confidence.

Shaming a girl because she is on her period is disrespectful. Get educated, feel empathy and quit the period shaming.

Error 404: internet not found Online work causes problems for students and teachers By: Nikita Drake

Last January, students were all presented with new Chromebooks to condense the paper usage and expand on students resources for their work.

Prior to receiving Chromebooks, there were still several assignments that were just paper. Now however, some teachers are pushing towards completely abolishing hard copies of assignments. Even with this push, there are still plenty of classrooms are getting along just fine with pencils and paper, there is no need for change.

All students have had assignments online to complete before the next class begins. Most people are not

concerned with finishing their work at home. “[Homework is] exhausting, but it’s something I never have to worry about, ” senior Madison Choate said.

The fact is, when some students go home, they do not have access to finish their online assignments.

They are forced to either finish the assignment in another class or take a poor grade on the homework.

“I usually have to push my mom to take me to Groundhouse,” freshman Hayleigh Lee said. “But it usually ends up bad.”

This is unfair to both the teacher and the student.

The student is not able to put forward their best work

on the assignment given and the teacher is left with a sub-par piece of work to grade.

Some argue that the internet makes homework easier, which of course is true. It gives the student access to information easily so they do not have to dig through books to find it.

“Computers can help you because you don’t have to have a certain book on a topic,” sophomore Sydney Wetherington said.

It also could make planning easier on the teacher.

They can keep track of who turned in assignments on time, keep all of their students work in one place and not have to carry around every students individual

assignment.

While it has its advantages, the pros of online work do not outweigh the cons. Students passing their classes is more important than having all assignments turned in on Google Classroom.

The answer to this is clear, it is a necessity to take into account the student’s needs. While many kids can go home and work online, there are still many who can not.

Online work is unnecessary and causes problems.

Sticking to paper assignments fixes the problems online work causes.

Overcoming Adversity

History teacher’s daughter battles SMA

Photos Courtesy of: Walt Cochran

By: Lilli Clark

FEATURE

Most 13-year-olds are playing sports and spending their days running around, but Lindsay Cochran was born with SMA which limits her to most common activities.

SMA is short for Spinal Muscular Atrophy; a disability which affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord., taking away Lindsay’s ability to walk, eat or breathe easily.

These nerve cells not properly functioning results in debilitating and fatal muscle weakness.

On Sept. 22 Lindsay went into surgery for her spine.

“Due to the weakness of her spine, she developed severe scoliosis,” Walt Cochran, Lindsay’s father and history teacher, said.

During this procedure the surgeons put rods down Lindsay’s spine on each side and fused the vertebrae together to correct the scoliosis and the curving of her spine.

“This means she is not able to bend or twist anywhere except for her neck. The advantage is that now she is straighter and her lungs can function better,” Cochran said.

During her recovery process Tackle, Lindsay’s service dog, was always there to help.

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“Tackle is a big encourager for Lindsay,’” Cochran said.

Tackle is a Yellow Lab who Lindsay received to aide her daily life. Lindsay has had Tackle for a year and a half now. He helps her do many things like repositioning her legs in her wheelchair, open and close doors for her, and picking up things she drops.

“We are working on training him to get her water bottles out of the fridge, and cleaning up things in her room,” said Cochran.

Along with receiving help from Tackle, the community plays a big role in her life as well. They have helped a lot like doing a fundraiser for her wheelchair, and with medical expenses.

For example during her last surgery DECA put on a fundraiser at CherryBerry to help get her an iPad. “For this surgery, there has been much support, especially from students and faculty at the high school. Lindsay has received letters and notes and gifts. All encouraging her through this difficult time,” Cochran said.

Not only does the community encourage and help Lindsay but so does her brother, Trenton Cochran.

Trenton is a sophomore; he is also Lindsay’s best friend.

“Trent has been a big en-

courager for Lindsay. He is a also good protector of his sister and will be the first to step in if someone does not treat her well or fairly due to her disability,” Cochran said.

Although Lindsay was born with a disability, she is still like everyone else. SMA does not affect your ability to learn, to think or build relationships with others. She is just like every other teenage girl. Lindsay enjoys watching Netflix in her free time, and hanging out with her friends.

She likes eating Macaroni and Cheese and singing.

“She likes people to know that although she is in a wheelchair and cannot walk, she still has normal hopes and dreams like other 13 -year-old girls,” Cochran said.

Lindsay looks up to her mom, Tracy Cochran, in many ways. She aspires to be helpful to others throughout her life. When Lindsay grows up she dreams of being a counselor so she can be as helpful as possible.

Due to Lindsay’s disability, raising her was a little different than raising Trenton.

“Each child is always different,” Cochran said. “Trent had to grow up faster than most kids as he was faced with very difficult life situations at an early age with his sisters disease and as his

mom had cancer when he was in 2nd grade.”

Lindsay and her dad have always been close, they are like best friends. They have very similar personalities and they like to watch similar things. “‘Linds’ is daring and adventurous like me and she would probably be in the ER a lot if she was able to participate in crazy activities,” Cochran said.

SMA has made the Cochran family stronger and closer together.

“Whatever happens we face together,” Cochran said.

Her disability has also added a lot of stress to their life.

Just like every other family they have good days and not so good days.

“I think her disease has drawn our family closer as it is something that we all must face together. It has made our faith stronger as sometimes all we have is our faith to hold onto,” Cochran said.

According to Cochran, God is their greatest gift. He gives them new dreams and a new sense of normal.

“Lindsay reports her faith in God keeps her positive during difficult times. She states that whatever happens in life, she knows God is in control,” Cochran said.

The path less traveled by

Senior goes on nine month mission trip By: Savanna Renner

Each year, a group of seniors go through numerous steps of preparation to arrange for their plans after graduation. Whether they decide to go to college, or head straight into the work field; there is something to get ready for. One senior in particular has different plans for her future.

Senior Jordan Schaeffer plans to go on The World Race for a gap year to pursue her dreams of escaping the ordinary.

“The World Race is a nine month mission trip for college aged students whose heartbeat is to see a changed world; to see people transformed through tangible expressions of God’s love,” Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer will be traveling to five different countries in September 2017: India, Nepal, Swaziland, Lesotho and Nicaragua.

Schaeffer first heard about the race during her sophomore year.

“I knew immediately it was something I was going to do”, Schaeffer said.

With a little under a year before leaving, Schaeffer is spending her time making sure she is well prepared for the trip. The cost of the trip is roughly $15,000.

“I am preparing for this through multiple forms of fundraising. Including an Etsy I sell art on, also with bracelets, t-shirts, and many others,” Schaeffer said.

She is not only arranging for fundraising, but making sure she lives her life to the fullest before she leaves.

“I am also preparing by enjoying the moments I have left here,” Schaeffer said.

According to Schaeffer, the thing she is most excited about is all the different people she will be meeting, and all the different cultures she will be experiencing.

Schaeffer’s experience from past mission trips motivates her to make sure

The World Race happens in her favor.

“I’ve gone on one week mission trips before and since then I’ve had a desire for what else is out there in the world,” Schaeffer said.

The drive that also comes into play when getting this opportunity also derives from wanting to live a life that is unexpected.

“

I feel I’m made for more than just a college degree, working 9-5, and living comfortably…

I want to escape the ordinary and love extravagantly with my life, Schaeffer said.

”

Once she is there, Schaeffer said she will be doing a combination of things in order to serve. With a positive outlook in mind,

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Graphic by: Savanna Renner

Schaeffer is ready to take on each project first hand.

“I may be building, painting, playing with children, learning people’s stories, or sharing hope with human trafficking victims. Each day will be a new and exciting adventure”, Schaeffer said.

By choosing to go on a different path than most seniors her age, Schaeffer believes that through her motivation and hope, everything will fall into place.

She has full faith that everything she needs will be provided.

1. Senior Jordan Schaeffer on a mission trip in Honduras. This was Schaeffer’s second time going to Honduras.

2. Schaeffer holds up her passport for an artsy photo.

Schaeffer has traveled out of the country a total of four times.

3. Schaeffer poses for a photo with a child she was taking care of during her mission trip to Honduras.

Schaeffer traveled with her youth group at church.

Photos

FEATURE

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2

3

courtesy

of:

Schaeffer

Keep up with Jordan: Jordanschaeffer.theworldrace.org

Jordan

Mysterious mascots

By Charles Clark If you have ever been to a varsity football game, you have seen a few constants.

The band taking the field to play the pre-game show, the energetic student section and three men in morphsuits riding a wagon across the field as the football team comes out to the tune of the Fight Song.

Although you see them at every home game, little is known about the mascots in the morphsuits or as they call himself, the Blue Crew.

One member of the crew, who revealed themselves at the Senior Night game, is senior Joe Corbin.

The group is very secretive, the only way to become one of the Blue Crew is to be selected by one of the current members.

“It is something where

you’re chosen. You get the choice of whether you want to do it or not, but as a senior you have to choose the next generation of people,” Corbin said.

The criteria for a member requires a specific set of skills that consist of being able to keep the secret and being able to pump up the crowd at every home game without any breaks during the game.

“They have to be able to keep their mouths shut, they can’t vocalize anything to a bunch of people unless they absolutely have to, and they have to be able to pull the wagon out,” Corbin said.

All of these rules for secrecy surround the group, and some may wonder why they have these rules.

However, the secrecy of the Blue Crew is part of the

A look into the men in blue morph suits at every varsity home game

fun.

“It’s no fun when people know it’s you,” Corbin said.

Even though there are rules about secrecy and part of the fun is being anonymous, Corbin still chose to take off the mask at the Senior Night game.

“It’s kind of tradition to reveal at the last home game as a senior,” Corbin said. “I figured, ‘I’m a senior, last home game, might as well’.”

Although it may seem like a completely student run club, according to Corbin there is an anonymous teacher sponsor.

There is also no set number of members in the crew.

“It varies, there can be three or there can be four or there can be five. It depends on the year and the situation,” Corbin said.

While the Blazers have

FEATURE

The blue men wave the GE flag after a Blazer touchdown. The Blue Men have been the high school’s unofficial mascots for several years. Photo by: Jaqui Carey

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always had mascots at the home games, the tradition of having the anonymous mascots was started fairly recently.

“It’s been a while, it’s been at least four or six years. I’d say probably more than that, but it started out as guys who would dress up without the mask and then eventually it got more into the morphsuit situation where it was more anonymous,” Corbin said.

Through all the secrecy, the one goal of the Blue Crew is to excite the crowd.

“The thing that most stands out is the student section.

They’re crazy, they’re awesome, I think they have the most fun with it. We are hyped by them and we hope that it is reciprocated,” Corbin said.

One of the blue men claps for the Blazers. The Blue Men have been known to help with cheering.

Photo by: Jaqui Carey

KC breaks bands The music industry has been around for centuries. People look all over the world for the next big band and the next big break. In the past few years Kansas City has exploded onto that map. Every single day, ra-

dio stations such as KRBZ (96.5 The Buzz) take chances, risk losing listeners and play music by new artists.

Not only does this make the dreams of artists come true by having their song played on the radio, it can also mean their shot at fame.

Album cover courtesy of www.altjband.com

Album cover courtesy of www.thegcband.com

Album cover courtesy of www.andrewmcmahon.com

Possibly the most famous out of all of the bands Kansas City has broken in recent years, alt-J’ s most famous album to date, and what led to their breakout in 2012 was “An Awesome Wave.” Their lead single, Breezeblocks, was sent to The Buzz who played it on their weekly Friday mail segment. They instantly became a hit and their popularity grew throughout the KC Metro.

They also continued to grow in their home country, hitting number 13 on the UK’s top charts, but that does not mean they were not extremely grateful to the city that broke them to the world.

Despite being from the UK, alt-J has continued to come back to Kansas City, playing many different events and local venues such as the Midland and Starlight amphitheater.

After a few years of touring, they released their second album “This is All Yours,” which also found critical acclaim and allowed alt-J to continue their rise to fame. The latest addition to their discography was added just earlier this year in the form of a live album at Red Rocks amphitheater in Colorado.

The next band hits really close to home, considering every year we play football where they met. The four high schoolers that make up The Greeting Committee collided at Blue Valley High School in 2014.

Their self-released EP, “It’s Not All That Bad”, made its way to Lazlo Geiger, radio personality for The Buzz’s “Church of Lazlo,” and he played their song Hands Down.

One of the most surreal things about this band is that they are still in high school, and are set to graduate in 2017.

This past month they have been touring throughout the United States with the band, Kitten.

The story of The Greeting Committee is the story not only of how a single play on the radio can change some high schoolers lives, but also why it is important to take chances on new music.

New York has it’s theatre, Chicago has it’s comedy, Los Angeles has their acting and Kansas City has it’s music.

“All the bands out of Kansas City are pretty down to Earth and very grateful for the opportunities given to them,” said Mark Van Sickle.

Andrew McMahon has had many endeavors through the years, and has been really appreciative of the support the buzz has given his projects according to Mark Van Sickle, producer for 96.5.

Van Sickle said he loved McMahon’s music since he first started, which was about the same time that The Buzz started up in Kansas City, and he is proud to see the progress of his musical work.

“Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness,” is his most recent project, and their most popular song Cecilia and the Satellite reached number five on the US Alternative charts.

While Cecilia and the Satellite released in 2014, was his newest single to reach the top charts, Fire Escapes, plays on The Buzz to this day. McMahon is still having a lot of success even so many years later, through his passion for music, and gentle heart. “[Even though} he would have been fine without the buzz,” Van Sickle said, “it’s cool he stays connected. He even sends a Christmas card to the station every year.”

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ENTERTAINMENT

By Haydon Wyant

PLACES TO GO & THINGS TO SEE in KC November-December By: Brooke Boyer & Savannah Cox

Thanksgiving

Entertainment

Holiday Boutique @OP Convention Center November 6-9 Thanksgiving Day 5k walk/run @OP November 24 Christmas Activities Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade November 24 Ice Skate @Park Place Luminary Walk @Nelson-Atkins Museum November 18 November 25 Northern Lights Lighting Ceremony @Zona Rosa Ward Parkway Run @Ward Parkway November 19 November 24 Walk through Igloos @Zona Rosa Lanesfield Historic Site @Edgerton November 19- December 24 November 29 Kiss under the clock with Kelly Urich @Union Station November 22 WhoVille Holidays @City Market November 24- December 22 Christmas in the Park @Longview Lake November 24 - December 25 Santa’s Arrival @Crown Center November 25 Christmas lights Christmas movies @Union Station Legendary Light Show @Legends Village West November 27- December 17 November 2- January 6 Christmas @Kansas City Zoo Mayors Christmas tree lighting @Union Station November 27- December 20 November 22 Christmas in the Park @Cornerstone Park Visit Christmas Card Lane @Mission Ridge November 28 November 25- December 25 Visit Santa’s Workshop @Cornerstone Park Holiday Luminary Walk @Arboretum November 28, December 12 November 27-28, December 4-5 Vince and Associates light show @103rd and Metcalf November 28- December 25 Turning on the Plaza lights November 28

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Concerts Lil Uzi @Uptown Theater November 2 Old Dominion @Arvest Bank Theater December 18 Foreigner Acoustic Show @JCCC November 18 Kip Moore @Uptown Theater November 19 Blue Man Group @Briar Street Theater December 1 Trans-Siberian Orchestra @Sprint Center December 3

Performances

“Rudolph the Reindeer: The Musical” @Crown Center November 8- December 31

MOVIES

“Les Miserables” @Queen’s Theater December 1

“Lion King” @Minskoff Theater “Loving” December 1 November 4 “Trolls” “The Nutcracker” @Kauffman Center November 4 December 3-24 “Doctor Strange” “A Spectacular Christmas show” @Crown Center November 4 December 9-23 “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” November 18 “Moana” November 23 “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” December 16 “The Space Between Us” November 16 “Collateral Beauty” December 16 “Sing” December 21 Illustrations by: Brooke Boyer

Time Out: By: Jesse Heniss

According to statistics compiled by Safe Kids Worldwide, more than 2.6 million children ages 19 and under are seen in emergency departments for injuries related to sports and recreation each year. However, not all injuries require a trip to the emergency room or even the doctor.

“From August to September, I sent about 40 kids to the doctors and I probably saw twice that many,” athletic trainer Donnie Jamison said.

At the school, Jamison can provide heat, ice, and STEM treatments. He is also able to tape athletes to help or prevent an injury.

More serious injuries require athletes to go to the hospital. Last April, senior Devan Toomey went up for a layup during a basketball game and hyper-extended his knee. The hyper-extension resulted in a dislocated kneecap and torn cartilage in his knee.

“The hardest part was accepting the fact that I wouldn’t be able to play for a long time,” Toomey said.

After having surgery, Toomey was out for five months while icing and going to physical therapy to strengthen his knee.

Senior Hunter Skeens fractured his fibula his freshman year and sprained his ankle junior year. Both injuries happened during high school football games.

Although Skeens did not have surgery, he did have to wear a boot for both injuries.

“I had to ice both injuries, but for my ankle I had to keep it elevated,” Skeens said.

Injuries cause athletes to lose playing time

Toomey said that during the five months he could not play he gained some weight because he was not as active and could not do anything.

Statistics from: USA Today “I literally did nothing but ice and go to physical therapy,” Head Toomey said.

14% In addition to physical pain, sports injuries can have affect on the player’s mind.

“Football is all I’ve ever had,” Skeens said, “so when I got hurt and it got taken away Face from me I didn’t really 7% have anything.”

Although it was difficult for Toomey to come back from Fingers his injury, he had 12% a lot of support.

“My teammates, coaches, and family made my injury easier to deal with because they were so supportive.”

Knees Skeens said he had 12% support from his family and friends, but the most supportive in his recovery was the previous athletic trainer, Jarrod Gable.

Toomey explained that since coming back from his injury he is not as Ankles quick as he used to be 14% Graphic by: Jesse Heniss but he “hopes that improves over time.”

Although these injuries have motivated Skeens to strength- and then but especially during games en his body, he still struggles with when players purposely try to hurt it,” the pain. “My ankle hurts every now Skeens said.

Common places athletes are injured:

Clipboard Q: How did you get hurt?

A: Concussion Q: How did you get a concussion?

SPORTS/ACTIVITIES

I got a concussion in the student section at a basketball game last winter.

Senior Nolan Fuzzell sustains injury while cheering from bleachers

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was a really bad call by the ref that A: There made me very mad and I profusely banged

a whiteboard against my forehead and then cracked it against the top of my head.

Q: Were you able to participate in bowling?

A: No, I couldn’t bowl for two weeks.

Seniors Nolan Fuzzell and Matt Isenberg cheer on the football team at the 2015 Dig Pink game. Photo by: Brooke Boyer

A Trailblazer at heart; a Falcon on the field By: Jaqui Carey

Junior Trenton Barrows is the only student who has the opportunity to play lacrosse for the Olathe South Falcons while attending GEHS. Generally students are not permitted to play on teams associated with schools other than their own. However, Barrows is able to play for OSHS because lacrosse is not a KSHSAA sanctioned sport so the Falcons do not receive any funding from the district.

The is also not tied to a specific league like other high school sports.

“I get the opportunity to play all of the Blue Valley schools, other Olathe

schools, Shawnee Mission East and South and even some of the top Missouri schools,” Barrows said.

Lacrosse has four main positions: the attacker, midfielder, defender and goalie.

Barrows is an attacker, the player who typically scores the most points.

“You have to be able to have outstanding stick skills so that if you get hit you are not losing the ball,” Barrows said.

The game of lacrosse sets restrictions on the movements of players in each position, for example the attacker cannot cross the 50-yd line without penalty. “[Lacrosse is] one of the most unique sports out

Junior Trenton Barrows gets into position for the next play. “As a team we always lift each other back up after a bad play and that is why we are family,” Barrows said. Photo Courtesy of: Trenton Barrows

there.” Barrows said. “It’s like hockey but for people who cannot skate on ice.”

Barrows first started playing lacrosse in the fifth grade on a REC team called The Joker. He continued playing for True, the only travel team for the state of Kansas.

Through this sport, Barrows has encountered new

people and made new friends.

Since lacrosse has been such a big part of his life, Barrows said he is thankful that he has the opportunity to continue doing something he is passionate about.

“My team is like a group of brothers that you look out for,” Barrows said.

Senior directors take the stage To be or not to be a director. That is the question.

For two students in Jeff Lady’s repertory theater class, the answer to this question is no longer a mystery.

Lady, the drama teacher and director of most drama productions, chose seniors Faith Garrie and Jacob Casey to each direct a play this semester.

While this is Casey’s first time directing, this is not the first show Garrie has directed.

“I directed ‘The Outsiders,’ the main stage winter show last year. And I am directing ‘Twelve Angry Jurors,’ which is an adaptation of ‘Twelve Angry Men’, this December,” Garrie said.

Directing can be a beneficial experience for a young student who is very involved and interested in the drama department.

According to “70 Reasons Why Kids Need to Study Drama at High School,” studying drama will “increase the ability to think; creatively, imaginatively and divergently. Students will learn how to think outside the square. Drama teaches students how to become critical consumers, rather than just passive viewers.” Additionally, it can be another way to put down an extracurricular activity on students’ college resumes.

“I think it does affect my daily life in a positive man-

ner. It’s taught me a lot of really good leadership skills and I feel like I work way better on group projects and everything,” Garrie said.

Casey said he feels a mixture of both positive and negative emotions regarding his role as director.

“Positive because I am like wow, I am directing a play, this is so much fun. And negatively cause I’m like, I am directing a play, this is so stressful,” he said.

There are several techniques and skills that can help a student out when dealing with an entire cast and crew.

One trait is “bossiness, but in a good way. Like bossy and demanding because you are a director, you can’t

be pushed around. You need to make sure that stuff actually gets done,” Casey said.

Students who have access to the arts in or out of school also tend to have better workforce opportunities, and more civic engagement, according to a NEA [National Education Association] report, The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies.

“I am more confident, more outspoken. I think I’ve kind of honed those traits,” Garrie said.

Casey’s play, “The Dinner Party” will premier Dec. 1 while Garrie’s play, “Twelve Angry Jurors,” will show on Dec. 2.

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Sports and Activities

By: Madeline Owens