Vol. 46 Issue 7

THE

GRIFFIN RITES Winnetonka High School

April 27, 2016

Vol. 46 Issue 7

10

Staff

Contents Injuries causing stress

4 7

editor-in-chief Emily Elliott 12

co-copy editor Amber Murray

Unhealthy ways

8-9

Relieving stress

co-copy editor Savannah Moore

online editor-in-chief lead design editor Rachel Adamson

15

design editor Emily Noyes editorial editor Mallery Zion

10

Being the change

12

Study spots

13

Disney dreams

14

Spring into action

video editor Paige Hale arts editor Alyssa Magrone entertainment editor Jocelin Egeland comic strip Marley Kennaley

15

Policies The Griffin Rites staff strongly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. Freedom of expression and press are fundamental values in a democratic society. The mission of any institution committed to preparing productive citizens must include teaching students these values, both by example and lesson. We welcome letters to the editor and reserve the right to edit them for grammar and length, but we will not change ideas. Letters may attack policies but not people.

They must be signed and submitted to F6 or mailed to Dr. Shannon Rennaker attention at 5815 NE 48th St., Kansas City, Mo. 64119. Advertising space is also available. Please e-mail shannon.rennaker@nkcschools.org or call 816-321-5597 for information. Our organization is a member of the Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City, Journalism Educators Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.

On the cover- Senior Emily Glotfelty defending at a soccer game on April 8 at the DAC. Photo by Rachel Adamson.

writers and photographers Amy Chavarin James Palmer Kati McMullen Hayden Weatherman Ciara Arena Angela Sluder Kaitlyn Minet Riley Stephenson Anna Sonnenstatter adviser Dr. Shannon Rennaker

TEACHING TO THE TEST

By Griffin Rites staff

I

n a time where tests are used to measure everything, students often feel like another number on a data table.

According to the Washington Post, the Obama administration has made a point of evaluating teachers based on their class test scores.

Examinations are not the issue; it is the way they are going about it.

Schools should not be penalized for low test scores when it could readily be explained by either a lack of effort by some students or a lack of knowledge by others.

The testing culture has become a norm for kids nowadays; having one test a week used to be hectic, whereas now we have three to four tests a week.

We base where we go to college off of our ACT and SAT scores, coaches choose captains over performance assessments, and valedictorians are chosen for being the top of their class.

As said before, testing is not the issue.

The issue lies within the aggressiveness of the culture and how much teachers push it on students.

According to National Education Association, teachers spend about 30 percent of their time in the classroom either on test prep or testing itself. From personal experience, teachers often will leave material out of lesson plans because they feel it is more important to prepare the students for the standardized tests than the material they present.

Another common result is teachers having to drill information into their students’ head to get them through

the test, but the knowledge never sticks. Kids will momentarily retain the information, but once the test is over it is gone.

In states where the No Child Left Behind Act is enforced, test scores make for 50 percent of teacher evaluations.

That means those students that choose to not come to class or do their work could put that teacher out of a job. However, that also means that the students who put in the time and effort, but simply are not successful with testing, could put them out too.

If testing is the problem, how else are we to make sure schools are doing what they need to do? Assessments are the easiest way to go about seeing whether or not schools and teachers are doing their jobs correctly.

A culture centered around assessments may not be a terrible idea, but the way we go about it has to change if the government wants to see an improvement in scores.

Instructors need more time to provide the students with a strong foundation of knowledge that they can build off of throughout the year; this would solve the issue of “drill and kill� procedures that result in kids familiarizing the material up until test day then forgetting about it.

There are ways each side of the argument could help the cause more than they do now, but regardless, the environment that pushes tests every day creates anxiety and is plagued by tension. We need to give teachers a break and students a better shot at getting high scores.

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 7 | Editorial | 3

INJURIES CAUSE STRESS

By Amy Chavarin

S

ports alone cause stress, but sports injuries may cause increased stress for athletes.

Sports are risky; however, some sports may leave the players more susceptible to injuries.

“Rugby, like all sports, deals with all the usual suspects when talking about injuries,” rugby coach Mike Cowger said, “Sprains, strains, pulls and bruises are all a part of playing sports and especially contact sports like rugby. I would say our most common injuries are bloody noses and sprained ankles.”

Injuries can affect an athlete’s overall lifestyle.

“I can’t walk, I can’t help out around the house and I just can’t do everyday things some people can do,” junior Jessi Mizner said.

Dealing with both a sports injury and being a full time student can be stressful.

“If you let one take over the other [school and sports], you need to be able to balance your time,” junior Jake Allen said.

Injuries can cause issues both at home and at

school.

“The most stressful part is not being able to play and taking showers, but now that I have my cast off I am able to get my leg wet,” Mizner said.

Often, injuries can make students homebound, making their workload for school almost double.

“It was only that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after the weekend I broke it that I missed school,” Mizner said, “I was bummed of missing school, because that broke my perfect attendance that I have had since the second grade.”

Athletes that have injuries can affect the team as a whole.

“When teammates see one of their own get injured it hits home. We are not invincible and we know that,” Cowger said, “The stress that comes with that realization and the ability to overcome it is what makes playing these sports worth it.

Overall players try to keep an optimistic mindset.

“Stay positive. It’ll feel better when it [injury] quits hurting,” Allen said.

Knowing the risk for injuries, coaches try to

prevent them by teaching the players some proper techniques.

“We spend a lot of time at practice on conditioning and technique. For contact sports like rugby using proper, safe and proven techniques in the contact area greatly reduce the chances of injury to all the players involved,” Cowger said.

8,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each day for sportsrelated injuries

62% of organized sportsrelated injuries occur during practices

*According to SWATA

4 | News | April 27 | Winnetonka HS

|Page design by JamesPalmer

O

y-

da

y n da pe Sun

on

St 7a ore m Ho - 1 ur 1p s m

M

Macaluso’s on

-14 12

Ph e:

(8 x: Fa

9

98

-7

52

16

)4

)4

16

53

(8

5004 NE Parvin Rd. Kansas City, MO 64117

5815 NE Antioch Rd. 64119 Phone: 5815 NE816.452.7200 Antioch Rd. Phone: 816.452.7200

The student news site of Winnetonka HS

Awarded All-Missouri for 2015-16 Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 7 | Ads | 5

PRICE CHOPPER SUPPORTS TONKA SPRING SPORTS! We offer sack lunches TO GO and healthy snacks for game days.

To order team lunch sacks, contact your local Balls Price Chopper Delicatessen We Support the Winnetonka Griffins

6 | ADS | April 27 | Winnetonka HS

N. Oak Trafficway & Vivion Rd. Barry Rd. & N. Oak Trafficway 64th St. & N. Prospect

By Kaitlyn Minet

S

UNHEALTHY WAYS TO DEAL WITH STRESS

tress is dealt with two ways: healthly and unhealthly. Unfortunately, unhealthy ways often win.

The top four unhealthy methods of dealing with stress are drinking alcohol, eating, ignoring it and smoking, according to Truestressmanagement.

Some students have watched peers develop unhealthy methods of dealing with stress.

“I personally feel I have done well [managing stress], I cry once in a while, but I have seen peers turn to drugs or just quit all of their activities or jobs,” senior Angela Kleinmeyer said, “This isn’t the answer because you’ll regret it most likely. Sometimes, you do have to let go of an activity that is simply too much to handle.”

Avoidance is a common technique used by many, according to Truestressmanagement.

“One of the most common unhealthy ways I see are getting stressed and then procrastinating everything, which makes it so much worse,” college advisor Casey Gergen said.

Stress can leave some students with almost no downtime or time for homework.

“I have like 15 or 20 minutes a day of free time, depending on the day or week,” junior Kali Holman said.

Sometimes post-secondary education can add more stress to a students life.

Usually, in addition to being stressed about school, they [seniors] also have these huge looming decisions; they start realizing they’re not going to have a set plan,” Gergen said.

Rather than keeping their feelings bottled up, some turn to an adult for reassurance.

“The best thing for me to do is talk about it with an adult. Sometimes I tend to make mountains out of mole hills and they are good at reminding me of that,” Kleinmeyer said, ”Sometimes peers will just pretend to feel sorry for you, but sometimes I need a reality check.”

Although stress can be a pain, some are able to find the light and realize the potential they truly have and the passion they have for an activity.

“It [stress] shows me what I’m really passionate about and what I care about and shows me what I want to go into for college,” Holman said.

Photo by Emily Elliott

|Page design by AmyChavarin

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 7 | News | 7

COLORING STOPS STRESS

By Riley Stephenson

T

Art Illustration by AlyssaMagrone

aking time to color is not just for children. Some coloring books are made specifically for adults and teens to help them focus on decreasing your stress.

“Coloring helps me remove outside distractions,” English teacher Yvonne Sexton said.

While coloring is a fun way to pass the time, it is coloring’s therapeutic properties that have people wanting more and more of them.

“It can become addictive though and I definitely have to watch my time, and make sure I finish the work I actually need to do,” Sexton said.

Coloring therapy is something that teenagers are also participating in.

“It kind of takes me back to simpler times and just lets me focus on the colors, it lets you forget everything else and just think about the coloring,” sophomore Gabriella Matthews said.

Everyday Health interviewed a clinical psychologist, Kimberly Wulfert, regarding how coloring affects mental health.

“The whole idea behind focusing on one thing for an extended period of time is to bring us into the present,” says Wulfert, “The past doesn’t exist. The future doesn’t exist. Our whole awareness is being brought into what’s happening at that given point in time.”

Art therapy is helpful among people dealing with anxiety, dementia, depression, insomnia, and post tramatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to Fox News.

“Coloring helps me when I don’t have anyone to talk to, when the pressure I’m having is too much and I can’t catch my breath,” junior Serina Middaugh said.

Art therapy can help one cope with the many pressures of life.

“Having people bully me in school and have to deal with my grades on top of that builds up my anxiety, so I go to coloring for support,” Middaugh said.

8 | Feature | April 27 | Winnetonka HS

|Page designs by AngelaSluder

RELIEVING STRESS WITH MUSIC

By Marley Kennaley

S

ophomore Jared Herz is multi-instrumentalist who uses his love for music to relax.

“I over think things, so I usually come up with a riff in my head and I’ll play it over and over again like you would a MP3, and then when I get home I’ll play it on my guitar ‘till it’s just how I want it,” Herz said.

Music can help provoke certain feelings and emotions which can be very beneficial to stress.

“Music is a great outlet for anytime you are feeling stressed or uneasy,” junior Joshua Jenkins said.

When life throws obstacles at people and tests them, many turn to music for a getaway.

“I know a couple people who use it [music]

as an escape to cope with stress, allowing them to achieve a new mindset,” Herz said.

Some people use music to relax after a hard day’s work.

“I find on a really stressful day in my house it even helps my children, who are two and four, when we play music together as a family and it will help all of us calm down,” art teacher Heather Sulzen said.

Music can also have a negative effect with a persons’ well being.

“Some days when I get home from work and I come home to a stressful environment, music only makes that worse,” Sulzen said.

Music is one of many different outlets to help cope with stress.

ALLEVIATE STRESS WITH SUN SALUTATIONS

By Ciara Arena and Angela Sluder

S

tress affects people in various ways, but it can be an opportunity to try new things such as meditation or yoga.

Yoga can be beneficial when playing sports and some athletes believe it is a way to strengthen endurance.

“I do yoga because it helps with overall strength and flexibility and it’s important when you’re doing a sport,” senior Alex Pratt said, “Every other night I go to the gym and then if I’m not doing that I’ll go on a run and do yoga.

I’ll combine a lot of stuff before I have a game or practice.”

Cheerleading can be associated with more than cheering at games and competitions. It can also be included in outside exercises like yoga.

Freshman cheerleader Aubrey Tolander tried yoga for the first time with other cheerleaders.

“It [yoga] was very relaxing and stress relieving,” Tolander said, “I would probably do it again if I had other cheerleaders with me.”

Both students and teachers can share a connection when it comes to this relieving technique.

“We all learned a lot from it [yoga], and my students seemed to have fun even though it was hard work. They were all excited and most of them wanted to go to the instructor’s studio to be able to do it again,” self development teacher Shelby Moore said.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.9.5 percent of adults and 3.1 percent of children practice yoga, while 8 percent of adults and 1.6 percent of kids meditate.

“I was researching meditation as a way to help my granddaughter with her ADHD and anger issues.

I discovered meditation is also

excellent for children but the key is for an adult to do it with them,” meditation practitioner Sherri Oothout said.

Some people find solace in meditation as a way to unwind and clear their mind.

“The act of meditating is very relaxing. Then you continue to reduce your stress from having your mind ‘uncluttered’ which is a result of meditation,” Oothout said.

Yoga is salutary, because while doing it, breathing becomes more facile and the mind and body are all relaxed.

“It [yoga] focuses on meditation, where you are not thinking about stressful situations, you are focusing on being in the moment,” Moore said.

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 7 | Feature | 9

BEING THE CHANGE FOR THE COMMUNITY

Photo by Rachel Adamson

10 | Focus | April 27 | Winnetonka HS

|Page designs by RachelAdamson

By Mallery Zion and Anna Sonnenstatter

S

ophomore Harper Ross thrives off the satisfaction of obliging some of her free time to those in need.

With a world full of placebos and tools claiming to calm hectic times in life, Ross has sought peace through community service from an early start.

“The first time I started doing community service was probably back in middle school, with my church and for NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) for [service] hours, so I started doing a lot more with my church. I started volunteering with Harvesters and I volunteered to run some of the church’s weekly operations,” Ross said.

Ross soon found instant gratification in giving back to her community.

“I think it’s really rewarding when people are genuinely grateful that you have taken time to help them out, so I really do like to see the happiness in people’s faces; it’s actually really rewarding, as cliché as it sounds,” Ross said.

Key Club sponsor Carrie Marcantonio concentrated on why these good deeds provide such positive feedback and

lead to stress relief.

“You spend a couple of hours not thinking about yourself or your image, your popularity or your hair. I think that is why community service makes people feel good about themselves,” Marcantonio said, “So when I take kids out to do these activities, they almost always have a blast; they think it’s so much fun and they want to do it again. They feel so good about themselves.”

From being involved with these groups, introduction to new areas of service have expanded the experience and appreciation.

“I really liked when we [National Honors Society] went to the Hope Lodge actually; my favorite community service, though, was over the holidays for Christmas with Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church,” Ross said, “We were elves for a day; little kids came and shopped for their families with their budgets and you got to help them.”

Having been involved in traveling community service missions, senior Kiera Hall agrees with the depth of satisfaction from helping those in need.

“I enjoy when I am actually doing work. The whole service thing and actually doing something like picking

up trash or building a house, you do something and then physically see a result with inanimate objects,” Hall said.

“The second part is kind of the intricate stuff that you can find and see in a person whenever you sit down and talk with them or you help somebody develop.”

Marcantonio claims that occasionally selflessness is the key to a better self.

“Sometimes it is really nice to turn the focus from yourself to others and a really good way to do this is by spending time meeting someone else’s needs and giving back,” Marcantonio said.

Ross stays consistently involved in academics and activities, but she maintains the morale of giving back and sees this action as a win-win.

“I always find myself saying ‘I have to make time in my schedule for this’ and ‘I could be working on this paper and I could be writing this essay,” Ross said, “At first, before I actually do the event, it always feels like more of a hassle, like added stress, but then once I do it, it’s really great and I think, ‘okay there’s bigger problems in the world and I like to be a part of adjusting them’. That is a de-stressor for me.”

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 7 | Focus | 11

STUDY PLACES

By Alyssa Magrone and Jocelin Egeland

The relaxed environment of Panera is sufficient for studying; but stay clear of lunch hour. The excessive amount of customers contributes a significant amount of sound that may distract from working. That being said, Panera offers a variety of food and bakery items to snack on while working.

Sadly, the Wi-Fi at Panera does not always connect. Panera deserves a B.

The library is the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of studying. Books on any subject are readily available for use. Although the atmosphere is studious, sometimes the silence can be too much and provoke boredom. The library deserves a B.

Starbucks is famous for its Frappuccino drinks, but the café also serves as a study hub for young adults. However, those who are not studying can distract others with loud conversation. Starbucks offers a variety of alternative music, contributing white noise to help with focus. Starbucks deserves a C.

An alternative to the library is Barnes and Noble. Most locations even offer a Starbucks inside. Barnes and Noble is a noble choice for those who enjoy the library and Starbucks.

Barnes and Noble deserves an A.

McDonald’s is a popular study spot because, like Starbucks, the Wi-Fi is free. Food is always available along with free refills for the parched student. Unfortunately, the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and customer traffic can deter the student away from work. McDonald’s deserves a D. Dragonfly Tea Zone may not strike as a study zone, but be sure to take another glance. Located at the front is the drink station where customers can order a variety of bubble teas and smoothies; head to the back and there is an ideal environment for homework. The subtle music and dim lighting provide good vibes that stimulate brain activity.

Dragonfly Tea Zone deserves an A. *Photos by Rachel Adamson

12 | Focus | April 27 | Winnetonka HS

|Page design by CiaraArena and RachelAdamson

TONKA DREAMS COME TRUE

By James Palmer

O

ver spring break, the band had a once in a lifetime opportunity to record in the hands of a professional clinician at Disney World.

“We went to three different parks and a beach. We went to Hollywood Studio’s, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom,” junior band member Brittany Robinson said.

Like many students, this has been the first opportunity for junior Justin Pelayo to use music outside of their comfort zone.

“It was an amazing experience that I have never felt before. I got to have fun with friends, which made it ten-times better,” Pelayo said.

Excitement was high and expectations were immense when the band entered the world famous studio for the first time.

“During Epcot, for band, we had our workshop,” Robinson said. “We were with this really experienced guy who has performed for so many famous people.

We were in a studio where actual Disney soundtracks have been recorded.”

Many band members’ dreams are to play famous songs in the seats that

|Page design by JocelinEgeland

celebrities themselves have occupied.

“We played the Frozen epilogue and while we were playing, a guy in the back of the room was recording us and at the end he put our piece of the song at the end of the movie,” Robinson said.

The band students have started to incorporate the knowledge gained from the workshop into daily classwork.

“We had great experiences,” Pelayo said. “And have used them in our music.”

Although some of the students may have been outside of their comfort zones, their nerves transformed into valuable skills.

“We have a contest coming up and having had someone teach us how to sight read better makes me more comfortable,” Robinson said.

Meeting new people, recording with professional help, strengthening bonds, and sparking friendships that may last a lifetime, was the whirlwind that the band got to relish in this spring break.

“It was one of the best experiences that I have ever had because I got to spend so much time with my best friends and also learned how to be a better musician,” Robinson said.

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 7 | Focus | 13

SKATE THE STRESS AWAY

By Amber Murray

T

he mental stimulation that comes from the quick decision making required by skateboarding can help students relieve stress.

While teachers may not skateboard, some students share their experiences with teachers.

“She [photography teacher Kerri Cassity] definitely understands,” Hemshrot said, “She kind of knows what goes on with skateboarding.”

Many students take to skateboarding because it allows them to focus on something other than their problems.

“The fact you are using all parts of your body to move and balance, allows a person’s brain to be used in ways not required during a normal school or work day,” Cassity said, “Anytime you can

take a break from your normal routine by being active in skateboarding, or any sport, you are going to relieve stress.”

“I feel a sense like I’m free, I can do anything I want on a skateboard.”

For Freshman Kyle Hemshrot, skateboarding gives a sensation of freedom.

“I feel a sense like I’m free, I can do anything I want on a skateboard,” Hemshrot said, “There is nothing holding you back.”

Some students, such as senior Andrew Dexter use skateboarding to give their minds a break from the hassle of day-to-day life.

“It is one of the best ways I know to clear my head,” Dexter said.

It can also take some students back to a simpler time.

While the students may have different reasons to skateboard they all enjoy the euphoria they can experience with skateboarding.

“Skateboarding is an unusual sport because you have a small device to control your speed and actions while being just a few inches off the ground–so it is a great thrill,” Cassity said.

Altogether, skateboarding can be an alternative to relieving stress and finding an escape toward reality.

“Skateboarding makes me feel almost like a kid again,” Dexter said, “It’s kind of care free and just takes me back to when I first started.”

Photo by Rachel Adamson

14 | Sports | April 27 | Winnetonka HS

| Page design by KaitlynMinet

SPRING INTO ACTION Take a look at our spring student athletes as they compete and practice.

2 1

4

1. Senior Kara Costanzo defending against Kearney at the DAC on April 8.

Photo by Rachel Adamson. 2. Senior Alex Pratt catching a foul during a rugby game at Hodge Park on March 28. Photo by Riley Stephenson.

3. Junior Darius Campbell at tennis practice on April 11. Photo by Hayden Weatherman. 4. Sophomore Vincent Tinoco sliding into third base at a baseball game at Tonka on April 15.

Photo by Rachel Adamson. 5. Junior Cayla Adamson racing at a track meet at Grandview on April 5. Photo by Rachel Adamson. 6. Senior Timothy Scott high jumping at the DAC on April 9. Photo by Ciara Arena.

5

3

6 |Page design by RachelAdamson

Griffin Rites | Vol. 46 Issue 7 | Sports | 15

KEEPING STRESS LEVELS ON TRACK

By Hayden Weatherman

H

igh school can be full of stress depending on homework, motivation, tests and time.

To some people, sports act as an escape from these school related stress.

For senior Esther Loukawila, track is a stress reliever in itself and what she uses as a getaway from reality.

“When I go to track I forget about my stress.

School is a lot of work, so I don’t think about it as much when I’m at practice,” Loukawila said.

Coach Dale Brown also believes that running and exercise can be used as a relaxation technique.

“I think track should be a stress reliever. If it [track] is causing stress, then an athlete is getting wrapped up in the wrong reasons or putting undo pressure on themselves,” Brown said, “Trust in your training and all will go well.”

Although the running portion of track relieves some of Loukawila’s stress, she sometimes finds it difficult to stay calm under the pressure of being a team member.

“One motivation would be my teammates; every year we have a goal that we have as a team and everyone has to do their part and I don’t want to let them down,” Loukawila said.

Some people, however, believe the perspective on running and stress may alter with the attitude the athlete presents.

“I think every student’s reason to run track varies,” Brown said, “Some do it because belonging a team or being in a sport is important, some do it for conditioning.

I hope whatever the reason, they are enjoying the sport.”

Like Loukawila, finding an activity to relieve stress can help stay motivated and positive attitude on life.

“It’s not an escape from life, I think it’s an escape from your stress for a period of time,” Loukawila said. “It gets your mind distracted.”

“When I go to track I forget about my stress.”

16 | Sports | April 27 | Winnetonka HS From WHS 4815 NE 48 St. KC, MO 64119

Senior Esther Loukawila competing during a track meet at Grandview High school on April 5.

Photo by Rachel Adamson Photo Illustration by Hayden Weatherman

|Page design by Hayden Weatherman

TO: Griffin Rites subscriber