JagWire NOV. 16, 2011 | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | VOL. 12, ISSUE 3
page 10-11 JagWire investigates the use and abuse of Adderall
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Inside look at textbook shortages
Students showcase hidden talents
New video games bring anticipation
MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL | 5900 MONTICELLO ROAD, SHAWNEE, KAN. 66226 | (913) 422-4351
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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
BRIEFS
NOTABLES
SENIOR ALLIE LOVE tutors a student at Monticello Trails Middle School on Wednesday, Nov. 2. “I think it’s a lot of fun to help the kids. They are really sweet and cute and it reminds me of middle school,” Love said. Photo by Courtney Minter
NHS helps make connections Instead of tutoring high school students, NHS has recently decided to tutor students at Monticello Trails Middle School. “We decided as a group we’d be interested [to go tutor],” senior NHS member Allie Love said. “We’ve done it at high school before and it wasn’t as successful.” NHS club sponsor Kristen Chavez agrees tutoring the middle school students is a better choice. “We focused on high school first,” Chavez said. “In the past the kids would go to the library and wait for students [to come]. They thought there would be a lot of people in the middle school that needed help.” Love enjoys helping tutor students younger than her. “I like [tutoring] because I know I’m helping the kids,” Love
INthisISSUE
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Musical set space
Features: page 10-11
said. “The kids we help are kids that really struggle in school.” Love explains what’s difficult about teaching the students. “Remembering the information from sixth and seventh grade is hard,” Love said. “Explaining it in a way they can understand.” Chavez adds that time management is difficult for all students, especially with sports practices. “Giving up their time, giving up their seminar and extending their day [is hard],” Chavez said. “It can be a tight fit for students with sports and other commitments.” Chavez knows that tutoring helps the middle school students feel more successful. “It’s nice for the students to have a role model,” Chavez said. “Maybe if they find that connection they will want someone to feel proud of them.”
Sports: page 14
Adderall use
How do you think KCTV5’s Cool School event on Friday, Oct. 28 went?
Ready for the EKL?
6%
A&E: page 19
Staff thoughts
Video games
Photo Essay: page 20 Fall fashion
REGAN JONES
jagwire.reganjones@gmail.com
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KATIE LINSEY
jagwire.katielinsey@gmail.com
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Quiz Bowl won first place at its meet at Lansing High School on Monday, Nov. 7. Quiz Bowl sponsor Mary Beth Mattingly was satisfied with their scoring. “[We were all] very happy because it was the first gold we’ve brought home for the season,” Mattingly said. “I’m hoping the trend continues and we can win more.” Junior Cole Clay says there is room for the team to improve. “Some of the meets are just based on how our day went,” Clay said. “Overall, we’ve been doing alright. I know we’re going to get better.” Senior Austin Ross thinks the underclassmen are beneficial to the team. “We have a lot of new members that we can fall back on,”
Ross said. “I know that since we have those people, next year will be great.” To help the team prepare for every meet, they use practice books and questions from previous meets. Quiz Bowl’s next meet is at Eudora High School on Monday, Nov. 28.
THE QUIZBOWL TEAM answers questions at Olathe Northwest High School on Thursday, Nov. 10. “[Quizbowl] is a great learning experience,” junior CJ Hopkins said. Photo by Courtney Minter
Describing the month in polls Did you ride the spirit bus to Did you attend this year’s the Shawnee Heights football school musical, The Wizard game on Friday, Nov. 4? of Oz?
It was awesome
9% 20%
I didn’t go It could have been better
Founder of T.A.K.E. foundation Roger Kemp and 12 others received the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal on Saturday, Oct. 15. The award is given to citizens who perform selfless deeds for their country, T.A.K.E. foundation helps women and girls learn self-defense and offers classes teaching safety awareness and hands-on techniques that anyone can do to protect themselves. T.A.K.E. executive director Jill Leiker thinks that girls should know self-defense be-
cause it is a useful skill. “The world is not nice,” Leiker said. Girls should be prepared for anything that may happen to them.” NHS club sponsor Kristen Chavez, who has participated in Kemp’s program in the past with NHS members, thinks that girls need to understand the importance of self-defense. “If they are attacked, they would need some knowledge of self-defense,” Chavez said. “It is better to be prepared.” For more information on the T.A.K.E. foundation, go to www.takedefense.org.
Quiz Bowl takes first at meet
MONTHinTHREE
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LISA JOERLING
jagwire.lisajoerling@gmail.com
Starside Elementary school received the 2011 Environmental Excellence Award at a ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 6. The 2011 Presidential Citizen’s Medal was awarded to 13 people on Saturday, Oct. 15. Roger Kemp was one of the recipients for creating the T.A.K.E foundation. Sporting KC ended its season with a 2-0 loss against the Houston Dynamo in front of a record crowd of 20,839 people at Livestrong Sporting Park. NHS started tutoring middle school students at Monticello Trails Middle School instead of high school students as in the past. Mize Elementary school is in two $50,000 national grant competitions, the Clorox Power a Bright Future Grant and the Pepsi Refresh Project Grant. Quiz Bowl placed first and got its first gold for the season at its meet on Monday, Nov. 7. Five singers were selected to be in KMEA Middle Level All-State Honor Choir: freshmen Caitlin Alley, Allison Eigisti, Austin Moores, Adam Segura, and Eli Stewart. 800 students audtioned.
T.A.K.E. foundation honored
71%
I didn’t go Yes, it was fun No, I found another way
25% 32%
43%
I wasn’t interested in going I bought tickets They were sold out Survey of 131 students
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
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Expulsion from the European Union a possibility for Greece
JOSH DUDEN
jagwire.joshduden@gmail.com
The European Union faces a tough consideration--whether or not to allow Greece to downgrade the value of the Euro. In October alone, value of the Euro went down by 0.6 percent against the American dollar. Now, Greece faces the potential expulsion from the Union entirely, a fate that could cause potential unrest. Greece’s current national debt has reached approximately $413 billion, they now have more debt than its entire economy generates, registering them at a “junk” credit status. This has the potential to impact the United States due to the U.S. currently owning part of their debt. Senior Lameese Madi said it can teach the country why national debt must be managed. “I think it impacts us, it shows how an economy can blow up in a country’s face,” Madi said. “We should use it as a lesson on how to make our own economy as a nation
better.” It impacts the United States because of current assets vested in the European economies, fear impacts all 17 that operate on the Euro by downgrading their countries’ dollar values as well. The “spreading of a contagion” in Europe by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, has brought forth another option, internal devaluation, a much more difficult option with no transition period built in. Madi said either way, Greece will affect the Union. “I think kicking them out will make it worse,” Madi said. “It won’t fix anything. Greece may still affect the Union in some ways even though they were kicked out.” Decisions on the fate of Greece as a member of the European Union remains undecided, but the decision is planned to be made within the coming weeks.
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WHYitMATTERS “The fighting...is directly affecting the people in the U.S. too.” sophomore Chad Craig
GRECIAN RIOTS ENSUE in the streets of Athens over the issues that have arisen from the devaluation of the Euro, and Greece’s economic instability that came as a result. Photo from MCTcampus.org
INtheNEWS
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Date: Monday, Nov. 14 Location: Oakland, Cali. Police tear down local “Occupy” camps in order to contain what officials are calling “a public health and safety threat.”
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News you need to know from this month
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U.S. sent troops over to Africa to help end threat by the L.R.A. REGAN JONES
jagwire.reganjones@gmail.com
President Barack Obama announced in October that 100 U.S. troops will be sent to Uganda to end the threat of the Lord’s Resistance Army. This plan will only last for months. The U.S. will be armed, but will not attack unless it is needed. The L.R.A. is a guerilla group that has tortured the citizens of central Africa by abducting children, along with killing and raping civilians, for more than two decades. While most of the troops will remain in Uganda, a small portion of U.S. troops will go to the jungle area of central Africa, where the L.R.A. has field locations. Junior C.J. Hopkins thinks that the U.S. is doing the right thing by sending troops to central Africa. “The U.S. is the big dogs. We spend more money on military than other countries,” Hopkins said.
Date: Sunday, Nov. 13 Location: Beijing, China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded quickly to United State’s placing blame on China for the U.S. economic crisis.
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“We need to be protecting other countries.” The L.R.A.’s leader Joseph Kony has increased the L.R.A.’s target over many years. They threatened many governments and international humanitarians throughout the time they were established. Freshman Cody Deas agrees with Obama’s decision to send troops to central Africa. “I think it is about time that we address this issue. It has been an on-going problem for many years now,” Deas said. “We have overlooked this problem and we are just worrying about the Middle East.” Since 2008, the L.R.A. has kidnapped more than 3,400 people in central Africa. In 2011, the L.R.A. executed an estimated 250 attacks. Deas feels that the L.R.A. should
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 15 Location: Sydney, Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard advocated following U.S. lead of sending Uranium to India to boost economic growth.
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not exist. “It’s pointless, they already have a government built there, it is just wrong,” Deas said. “It’s good that we are deciding to address the issue.”
LORD’S RESISTANCE ARMY members wade through the jungles of Central Africa, a typical area commonly terrorized by the radical group. Photo from MCTcampus.org
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WHYitMATTERS “People are people, we should protect other countries that need our protection.” junior C.J. Hopkins
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Police began the fight to take back control of many cities in the area from the drug gangs to secure the World Cup hosting spot.
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
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y PIECEb PIECE Running out of room for
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Sophomore set crew chief Martha Nguyen explains the work put into some set pieces
The Wagon
“We did it all day one Saturday, and we built it from scratch. It didn’t take that long, and [art teacher Erica Crist] helped paint the stars on it and [art teacher Jerry Howard] did the rest.”
Cornfield “It took a long time to paint, because it was a lot of detail to put on it, and took about three Saturdays to finish. We had to build the rails on it and had to make it look old. We had to build the back wall which was difficult because the boards were breaking.”
ALTHOUGH THERE AREN’T many set pieces on stage for the Great Oz scene, space is still limited in the wings and hallways. Senior Brendan Kendall, who played the Tinman, didn’t let the lack of space for the sets get in his way.“It’s very difficult [getting around the sets],” Kendall said. “But the set crew helps.” Photo by Miranda Snyder
Limited set space creates challenges for the cast and crew of the musical ALYNE ROEMERMAN
jagwire.alyneroemerman@gmail.com
Lack of space for sets challenged the cast and crew of the musical The Wizard of Oz, which ran from Tuesday, Nov. 8-Saturday, Nov. 12. The show, which was sold out, featured over 20 different set pieces, including a three-part piece that was approximately 28 feet long. “There’s so many sets in this show and there’s not enough room for them,” musical director Jon Copeland said. “People just expect impressive things from The Wizard of Oz because they’ve seen the movie and it’s so special effects oriented.” The set crew made up for the lack of space by storing set pieces in the hallways during practices and performances. Sophomore Martha Nguyen, who took charge of the musical’s set crew, helped determine how sets were handled. “It’s really stressful because this year...it’s really crowded because of all the big sets the musical has,” Nguyen said. “So whatever can fit in the hallways, we put there.” Set pieces created difficulties for the dancers as well. “It has [caused issues,] like trying to space dancers around props and not knowing if they’re really going to be there...because we don’t know where to put them,” junior student choreographer Michaela Jamison said. The lack of space also made set changes during the show difficult. The musical’s assistant director Jerry Howard explained that set pieces had to be “double-handled,” meaning one set had to be put on the stage in order to take another off, and then the first set had to be moved off again. “There’s times where you’re touching things you shouldn’t have to touch in order
to get something else available,” Howard said. “It’s very challenging.” The double-handling and large size of set pieces extended the time needed for crew members to make set changes between scenes. After the show’s first run-through on Wednesday, Nov. 2, Howard estimated some scene changes took three-four minutes. However, he hoped to have all set changes take two minutes or less by the musical’s first performance. “You don’t want set changes to take long periods of time,” Howard said. “It just really breaks up the flow of the performance.” Howard approached the lack of space with realistic outlook. “Ideally, you would have a bigger theater with bigger wings, a theater with fly space,” Howard said. “It truly is a little theater.” According to an email from Alvie Cater, district director of administrative services and community relations, in the September 2007 bond issue, there were plans included for two
large theaters, one for Mill Valley High School and one for De Soto High School. The proposal was rejected by voters. Voters did approve the bond in November 2008 that provided $75 million for the completed expansion of MVHS, the completed construction of Belmont Elementary, and the currently in-progress expansion of DHS. The November 2008 bond issue included no plans for a performing arts center, and there are no future plans to expand the theater. “It would have been good to [add a larger theater] when they did the addition,” Copeland said. “That would have been a natural time to do it.” Copeland, however, explained that space would not hinder future productions. “We haven’t let anything limit us in terms of what we’ve wanted to do artistically,” Copeland said. “We’ll just continue to be creative and find the same kind of solutions we’ve found this year.”
The Great Oz “It took all Saturday to paper-mache it. We first started building it in [Howard’s] room and [Howard] did all the chicken wiring on it. We had to know how to put the mouth in it to make it move, and it took about five people to do it.”
Munchkinland and Emerald City
Photos by Miranda Snyder
“Using three trailers, the Emerald City and Munchkinland are all on the same platform, so during intermission we had to take Munchkinland off. Painting took forever and most of the set crew worked on it.”
For more on this topic, check out: HAVING JUST LANDED in Munchkinland, Dorothy, played by sophomore Olivia Phillips, gets help from Glinda, played by senior Paige Hillebert. “I don’t really have to deal with [the sets],” Phillips said. “I don’t exit off the stage.” Photo by Miranda Snyder
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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
NEWS
District limits textbook purchases
Textbook purchases delayed or denied due to funding shortage SARAH FULTON
jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com
SYDNEY WILSON
jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com
Due to a shortage in budget, some teachers have been recently forced to use in-class sets of textbooks or work with no textbooks at all. English teacher Ashley Agre currently uses an in-class set of 30 books in her Pre-Advanced Placement classes. With roughly 120 students total, she is required to read the novels during class time and have students do all work for the novels inside of class. “It really stunk for the students because they only have four class periods to read it,” Agre said. “There was not enough time for discussions or activities that would have benefited the students.” According to Agre, in order to purchase some new novels, the Eng- the individual department funds. “When it comes to our textlish department has begun sending old novels to be sold through the books, our district has done a very good job,” Smith said. “It has lisdistrict. Senior Jessica Praiswater uses an tened to our teachers and found the in-class set of textbooks during her money to support our needs.” The money the district uses for Consumer Education class. “I usually have to take notes in textbook purchases comes from fees class because I know I do not have a that students pay. However, accordtextbook,” Praiswater said. “Some- ing to Barney, due to the recession, times I cannot listen because I am more students have free or reduced taking notes. I do not think I get as fees leading to less money in the much out of it as if I was just read- budget. “Our goal is a book for every ing it.” Director of curriculum, instruc- student in every class,” Barney said. tion and assessment Kim Barney says “However, we have to prioritize.” According that there is curto Barney, rently no set pro“Our goal is a book for every core classes, cess for teachers to that request textbooks, student in every class. However, classes we have to prioritize.” every student but there is a general chain of com- director of curriculum, instruction takes, receive a higher primand. Teachers and assessment Kim Barney ority when should first conpurchasing tact their building textbook coordinator to see if there materials because they benefit all are copies in storage. If there is not, students. They are also more likely the coordinator contacts Barney at to be under the scrutiny of state curthe district office, who checks with riculum. “Funding is tight. We have to be other schools in the district. If books are still not available, Barney asks for fiscally responsible,” Barney said. approval from the school board to “We have a duty to state testing.” Not under the scrutiny of state purchase the books. According to associate principal testing, the new career and technolJennifer Smith, who manages text- ogy education classes were denied books at the school level, money that the option to purchase textbooks last textbooks are purchased with comes year. Technology teacher Patricia from three different places. Books Brock was part of creating the new can be bought from the district text- classes. “We were just told that textbooks book fund, the school budget or from
LEFT: IN DRAFTING TEACHER Helga Brown’s class, senior Lauren Mizner takes notes from a PowerPoint on Friday, Nov. 11. “A [PowerPoint] is kind of nice because it’s all on the computer and when you go home, all of the information is right there. It’s easier than having to carry a book home,” Mizner said. ABOVE: PREPARING FOR THE next test in AP Biology, senior Jillian Jobe studies from her textbook on Wednesday, Nov. 8. “I like [having my own textbook] because it is easy access to all the information,” Jobe said. Photo by Courtney Minter
would not even be an option,” Brock said. “I think the feeling was that we could find online resources just as beneficial as a textbook.” However, Brock says that the it is difficult to find resources. “We are just doing the best we can. I don’t think people are understanding how hard it is to teach something when you don’t have a base,” Brock said. “We spend so much time looking for materials, we are not learning.” According to social studies department chair Jeff Wieland, during the adoption of new social studies classes, there was a clear message that textbooks would not be provided. “It was a situation where, for those classes we formed, that there would not be money provided for textbooks,” Wieland said. “In today’s world they are expensive items.” Barney said that she and the teachers decided that other resources would be a better option, and those resources were provided. Barney also said that when a teacher or department is denied books, it is not complete no, but simply a delaying of the purchasing of the books. Geography, taught by social studies teacher Kelly Warren, received Maps 101, an interactive map program, in lieu of textbooks. “I am certainly grateful for Maps 101, but for some of the simpler concepts I think a textbook would be beneficial if the students had a textbook as a reference,” Warren said.
Science department chair Mary Beth Mattingly was in a similar situation a few years ago. According to Mattingly, during a routine textbook adoption, the science teachers were given the option to purchase an inclass set of books and use the remaining money to purchase equipment. “Science is always in need of equipment and supplies, “Mattingly said. “We were looking at a significant amount of money, that we felt would be very valuable to get those supplies.” The science teachers choose to use the money for equipment. According to Mattingly, in theory, it was a great idea, but when teachers began using the books, problems arose. If a student checked out a book and did not return it the next day, there was a shortage in the next period. Online versions, of the textbooks were difficult to use because of access issues and students not being able to flip back and forth between pages. Also, despite check-out procedures, books went missing. “Teachers were saying, ‘Why can’t students have their own textbook?’ It would eliminate so many issues,” Mattingly said. After a few years, the department was provided with new books. “If you want to call it complaining, I guess that is what it essentially what it was,” Mattingly said. “We just kept going to learning services and saying, ‘No, this does not work’.”
Barney took over textbook management in July and since then has changed few aspects. However, she is currently looking to develop a set process that teachers could use to request textbooks and increase communication. “We are trying to figure out what has been done in the past. Then our goal would be to get more of a process clearly articulated,” Barney said. “Our goal is to make sure teachers and students have the resources they need to effectively teach and learn while being fiscally responsible.”
fastFACTS
> District has no set policy or
timeline for new textbook adoption
> Textbooks are paid for in three ways: through district, building and department funds
> New
Career and Technical Education courses denied books due to budget shortage
> New director of curriculum, instruction and assessment took over in July
> In-class sets of textbooks pro-
vided in place of individual student textbooks
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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
FEATURE
monthly QUESTION What’s something you do that most people don’t know about?
Students possess hidden abilities LEFT: SENIOR ABI HARTMANN crochets on Saturday, Nov. 5, sitting on the quilt she hand-sewed. Hartmann says she has always been crafty. “We are the kind of family that when we see something that we want, we make it ourselves,” Hartmann said. MIDDLE: PRACTICING THE PIANO on Wednesday, Nov. 9, junior Nathan Stacy plays “Ballade” by Johannes Brahms. The varsity basketball player and musician describes the best part of learning the song. “I love being able to play a song from memory,” Stacy said. RIGHT: JUNIOR CHLOE STEWART, a singer, pianist and ukulele player practices “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole at home on Sunday, Nov. 13. Stewart’s musical talent has been part of her life since she was young and has continued to develop ever since. “It started out as a hobby, but evolved into a passion,” Stewart said. Photos by Kelsey Floyd
Different hobbies unknown to peers help shape students’ lives KRISTINA MILEWSKI
jagwire.kristinamilewski@gmail.com
Senior Abi Hartmann Sitting on a light pink quilt she made herself last year, senior Abi Hartmann crochets a face cloth in under ten minutes. “It feels good making my own stuff as opposed to buying things,” Hartmann said. “It’s a feeling of accomplishment.” Hartmann’s self-sufficient outlook on life has allowed her to learn how to knit, crochet, quilt, sew, and bake among many other various hobbies. “If I find something that I want and I don’t want to buy it, I’ll just make it,” Hartmann said. Hartmann likes the idea of making things for herself and supporting smaller businesses rather than fueling large corporations. “I get frustrated with capitalistic America,” Hartmann said. “I don’t like the idea of mega corporations.” Last winter, Hartmann created a design for a headband ear warmer and sold them to some of her friends. She estimates she profited around $300. “I like learning new patterns so I can decide what I want to make,” Hartmann said. Hartmann’s favorite hobby is cro-
cheting. However, though she makes various items for friends and family, she doesn’t believe it will turn into a business. “I make stuff for people if they ask me to, or I make them as gifts,” Hartmann said. “But I don’t think I’d be able to mass produce them.” Hartmann says she saves money by sewing holes, tears and missing buttons instead of purchasing new clothes. “A lot of what I do is fixing stuff, and I save money doing this,” Hartmann said. “I repurpose old things so I can use it again.” Hartmann’s hobbies aren’t typical for a regular teenager, though her self-sufficient attitude is beneficial for her lifestyle. “I’m such an old lady with my interests,” Hartmann said. “I’m 90 at heart.”
Junior Nathan Stacy Sitting at his Sohmer & Co. piano on Wednesday, Nov. 9, junior Nathan Stacy begins a piece called “Ballade” by Johannes Brahms that he played at a competition in October. Stacy has been playing piano for 12 years. “It’s fun to play. I like practicing when I know how to play something,” Stacy said. “But it’s hard to actually learn how to play it.” Known to most as a basketball player rather than a piano player, Stacy doesn’t have trouble balancing
his hobbies. “During basketball season, I just practice piano less,” Stacy said. For the past 12 years, Stacy has taken piano lessons every Wednesday evening. “I have a piano recital in April and a contest in the fall,” Stacy said. “You’re rated one to four, with four being the highest score. I’ve been doing pretty well, I’ve had six performances [judged] with a score of four and one performance with a score of three.” Stacy tries to practice everyday, usually for about 10 minutes per day. “I practice more when I actually know a song,” Stacy said. “I love being able to play a song from memory.”
Junior Chloe Stewart Since a very early age, junior Chloe Stewart knew that singing was her passion. Though in addition to singing, Stewart enjoys all forms of music; she plays ukulele and piano as well. “I love all of my hobbies, but my favorite is singing, it’s so personal,” Stewart said. “Singing allows you to really connect with the music and understand it.” Stewart is involved in Allegro Community Children’s Choir, which meets every Monday. Every three years, the choir takes an international trip. Last summer, the group went to Italy and sang at St. Peter’s
Basilica in Vatican City. “I really love music and I love being around people who share the same passion,” Stewart said. In addition to singing, Stewart has also been taking piano lessons for eight years. “I started taking piano lessons in the second grade,” Stewart said. “It started out as a thing my mom signed me up for and I really started enjoying it.” As well as singing and playing piano, Stewart also taught herself how to play ukulele. “I just had friends that played [ukulele] and I thought it was really cool, so I just picked it up,” Stewart said. Stewart also teaches piano lessons to five different students each week for half an hour each lesson. “It’s difficult to balance things sometimes,” Stewart said. “It’s hard because teaching piano conflicted with musical rehearsals.” Among all of her hobbies, Stewart manages to balance homework and studying with her other activities. “I try to start homework when I get home,” Stewart said. “I try to stay organized and on top of things.” Stewart plans to double major in choral conducting and music education, and hopes to be a choir director in a high school or collegiate setting. “Music is the universal language,” Stewart said. “Everyone loves music.”
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“I write music. I like it because I understand the theory behind it.” senior Morgan Ottesen
“I have my second Eagle Scout Palm now, and I’ve been working on them since the end of eighth grade.” junior Chris Gillespie
“I’ve played cello for the last nine years...it’s pretty much second nature.” junior Stephen McEnery
“I like to sculpt out of Styrofoam because it’s an interesting material to use in my artwork.” junior Elizabeth Brown Photos by Kelsey Floyd
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
FEATURE
Don’t be afraid to do what makes you happy
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Three former Mill Valley High School students share their stories after graduation RYAN FULLERTON
jagwire.ryanfullerton@gmail.com
Graduating with about 120 other students in the school’s first senior class, 2001 graduate Justin Cobb left behind four years that 2001 graduate still affect his life. Justin Cobb Cobb was one of the first students to have the opportunity to call himself a Jaguar football player, an experience that is still a favorite memory from high school. “[My favorite part was] trying out football,” Cobb said. “I’m a big sports guy and…after awhile you start to miss good old Friday night football. Those were fun times.” Social studies teacher and 2002 graduate Dustin Stinnett played football with Cobb. “I remember Justin Cobb was a very talented athlete,” Stinnett said. “It was nice having a running back that could break for a big play at any given time.”
Cobb received a scholarship to play football for Baker University, and graduated in 2005 with a degree in business. However, he received the opportunity to play arena football, proceeding to play for the Arizona Adrenaline. After that, he tried business but is now a police officer for the Shawnee Police Department. “I tried the business world and things are pretty volatile in the business world and I’m not much of a desk…kind of guy,” Cobb said. “I chose something where I could help people. It creates a sense of fulfillment when you can do something others can’t do.” Though he only attended the school for one year, Cobb enjoyed that time and believes it benefitted him. “Mill Valley is surrounded by a great community and has great teachers,” he said. “If someday I had kids, I definitely wouldn’t mind them going to school there. I think Mill Valley does a good job of allowing kids to be kids.”
From Los Angeles to London to Topeka, 2007 graduate Hillary Mullin has embarked on a career in journalism that start2007 graduate ed out as someHillary Mullin thing she simply enjoyed doing while she was in high school. “I used to be really involved with dancing, StuCo and stuff like that but by junior year I was constantly in the journalism room and by senior year I was editor of the newspaper,” Mullin said. Mullin’s career spawned from that first step in journalism. After graduation, she went to the University of Missouri, where she was directly admitted into the journalism program. After that, she did an internship at KOMU-8 News. She was a production assistant and worked on editing videos. By her junior and senior years of college, she was working at KOMU multiple times a week and by her se-
nior year was “their go-to, fill-in anchor” whenever they needed one. “I guess it was just being a staff reporter for the newspaper that ended up turning into my career,” Mullin said. After that, Mullin moved to Los Angeles and worked as an intern for Entertainment Tonight. Later, she moved to London and was an intern for the CBS News Bureau before finally coming to Topeka to work as the morning anchor for Kansas First News. “I didn’t expect to get an anchoring job because that’s something that it takes awhile to get,” Mullin said. “The funny thing is that on my first day I got calls from directors with other news jobs asking for me but I had to turn them down because I already had a job.” All of it was born out of what she did in high school. “I think [high school] is the time to find out what you’re interested in,” Mullin said. “Sometimes it’s just weird for me to think that what used to be a hobby is now how I make a living.”
R u n n i n g ships that people build with others. cross coun“Some of my best friends are the try races that people I went to high school with,” earned him Matlack said. “It’s important to value college schol- those relationships.” arships and reCross country coach Mark Chipceiving an edu- man appreciates Matlack’s contribucation in classes tion to the team. 2004 graduate that still chal“Jay was a great kid,” Chipman Jay Matlack lenge students said. “He got the most out of his abilitoday, 2004 ties. He had a great career here but graduate Jay Matlack prepared for a went on and had a great career at Tulsa future he hadn’t expected. also.” As a student, Matlack participated After graduating in a class of about in musicals and plays, but one of the 160 students, Matlack attended the things he remembers most about his University of Tulsa, where he ran experience was running track and cross country and track and earned a cross country. In his junior year, Mat- marketing degree. After that he moved lack ran a 5K to Denver and earned cross country a master’s degree in race in 15:59, “It taught me how to stay commit- sports management at which still ted to things, to stay dedicated to a the University of Denstands today as ver. Today, he lives goal. It’s given me everything.” the junior and in Kansas City, owns 2004 graduate Jay Matlack and manages Trischool record. He also set the cycle Transit, a pedisenior record cab company, and also at 16:20. He still believes that one of works at Kansas City Kansas Commuthe most valuable lessons he learned nity College in the business division. came from running. Matlack says that he never had any idea “[Some of the skills I learned are] that he would be doing what he is dofirst and foremost, running and what ing now. it taught me,” Matlack said. “I still run “I didn’t choose it, it just hapeveryday. It taught me how to stay pened,” he said. “It wasn’t a goal of committed to things, to stay dedicat- mine but I’m glad it happened because ed to a goal. It’s given me everything. I enjoy what I’m doing. It’s definitely It’s given me my friends, people to not what I saw myself doing. There’s network with. It’s shaped my person- a lot of opportunities out there, some ality and my work ethic.” that you may never have thought Matlack also says that high school about…because you’ll never know taught him to appreciate the relation- what’ll come.”
ADVICEfromALUMNI
TOP LEFT: USING WHAT HE learned in high school, 2004 graduate Jay Matlack juggles managing his Pedicab business Tricycle Transit and working in the business department at Kansas City Kansas Community College. “You can go in any direction you want,” Matlack said referring to possible career choices. Photo from tricycletransit.com TOP RIGHT: A 2001 GRADUATE, Justin Cobb, who played football at Mill Valley High School, attended Baker University on a football scholarship to study business. He is now a police officer for the Shawnee Police Department. “[Baker’s] really different, it’s a cool school,” Cobb said. Photo by Miranda Snyder ABOVE: HILLARY MULLIN GOT interested in journalism when she was a senior in 2007 but turned it into her career after her graduation. Mullin is now an anchor for Kansas First News in Topeka. “I guess I learned to get involved and stay involved,” Mullin said. “You need to keep pursuing the same things you did in high school.” Photo from hillarymullin.com
> “Be kind to one another, simple. And stay flexible,” 2003 graduate Jay Matlack said. fun while you’re in high school. Don’t take for granted your friends or family but also be responsible. It’s hard > “Have to think about you as an adult when you’re a high school kid. Don’t do anything to jeopardize your future,” 2001 graduate Justin Cobb said.
be afraid to be different and do what makes you happy, because you don’t know what that might turn into,” > “Don’t 2007 graduate Hillary Mullin said.
10
FEATURE
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
How does it
compare? Detailing the differences and similarities between Adderall and other various drugs
KAITLIN ROUNDS
jagwire.kaitlinrounds@gmail.com
Marijuana Marijuana has almost the exact opposite effect on the body that Adderall does. While Adderall is intended to make someone focused, smoking or ingesting marijuana is done with the intent to feel relaxation, sleepiness, and mild euphoria.
Cocaine Cocaine, just like amphetamines, is a stimulant of the central nervous system. It produces an extreme sense of happiness by increasing certain biochemicals in the brain. Adderall controls emotions and is said to give those prescribed a sense of calm while cocaine causes its users to feel a great sense of excitement and joy.
Methamphetamine Like methamphetamine, Adderall is an amphetamine, a drug that stimulates the central nervous system and suppresses appetite. Methamphetamine abusers ingests large amounts of the drug in order to get a “rush,” or overwhelming sense of euphoria. Adderall, on the other hand, is prescribed in small enough doses that it helps rather than harms its consumers.
SARAH FULTON
jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com
Personal experience with Adderall Taking Adderall in attempt to improve ACT score originally appeared to be good option I was sitting in a non-descript classroom at Olathe Northwest High School, nervously tapping my foot and listening to other students chat while we waited for the ACT proctors to begin the test. Most students talk about being tired or where they are going to eat lunch when it is all over, but one conversation caught my attention. Three students, two boys in baggy jeans with band t-shirts and a girl wearing sweat pants with her hair pulled messily into a pony tail, were talking about what drugs they had consumed in order to get a better score. One boy said he had smoked pot an hour before to calm his nerves. The second boy, sitting directly in front of me, announced proudly that he had also smoked pot. The girl, sitting a little ways across the room, said that she had taken Adderall. She continued on to say that everyone she knew that had taken Adderall before the ACT had dramatically increased their scores. Seconds before I thought these kids were idiots; now they appeared to be geniuses. Could taking some pill (that many kids take everyday) really improve my score? I had spent the last year attempting fruitlessly to raise my score three points to an everelusive 30. I tried countless books, practice packets and online tests to achieve the score that I decided would guarantee me a full ride to the college of my choice and make my life perfect. I wanted all this so badly, yet I had seemingly missed the easiest way to get it, Adderall. Throughout the entire test I scolded myself for not thinking of Adderall before. It seemed so simple; one pill, one great score. Instead of focusing on the reading portion, I schemed how I could possibly find some before the next ACT date. This plotting continued the entire test until I realized what I had known all along; Adderall is a drug. I had never considered using drugs before, and I was certainly not going to start now. Getting the perfect score is not worth all the dangers and guilt that comes with using drugs. If I was going to get a 30, I was going to do it on my own.
RxAdd
As Adderall becomes increasingly popular Teenage abuse of Adderall heightens due to its benefits SARAH DARBY
jagwire.sarahdarby@gmail.com
KAITLIN ROUNDS
jagwire.kaitlinrounds@gmail.com
According to a JagWire poll, 17 percent of the student body has taken non-prescribed Adderall, a drug commonly used to treat attention deficit disorders, a sign of the drug’s growing popularity. One student, who asked not to use his name, took Adderall last year hoping for help to study and to take finals. “It doesn’t do anything physically, it’s mental,” he said. “I guess that what makes it different from other drugs is it makes you focus.” Avner Stern, psychologist at Behavioral Health Specialists in Overland Park, specializes in evaluating patients with attention deficit disorders and determining if medication will be beneficial. Stern says Adderall will help any-
one focus, making it extremely popular. “If you put Adderall in the water supply, [everyone would] concentrate better,” Stern said. “Adderall works with everybody, that’s why everyone wants this medication.” Stern estimates that 25 percent of first-time patients he sees are college or high school students who don’t have the disorder but, after taking a friend’s Adderall, want their own prescription. “People have trouble concentrating for lots of reasons…that doesn’t mean they have attention deficit, they think it’s going to be the big cure-all,” Stern said. Stern said a number of factors contribute to an accurate diagnosis of the disorder. Stern looks at long-standing symptoms, patient history and a patient’s reaction to psychological testing, such as, lack of self-control or impulsiveness to diagnose patients. The ease of accessibility of Adderall makes it appealing to many students, especially after they’ve heard about its positive effects.
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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
FEATURE
11
How does Adderall
affect the body?
Q&A
CORY REINOEHL
jagwire.coryreinoehl@gmail.com
derall
Helps focus, and increases alertness. Has a side effect of headaches.
Causes rapid heartbeat or increasing heartrate, an increase in blood pressure, constricts blood vessels and opens up the pathways to the respiratory system.
Causes jitters as well as motor and vocal tics. Has a side effect of nervousness.
bers Survey of 107 students
gan selling her extra pills. “I enjoy it so I want others to enjoy it, and I can also make a little money” she said. “I’m totally safe. I’m a safe person. I don’t sell cocaine or weed, I just smoke it. I just flip pills, just one or two pills.” She said she also sells for fun and for the thrill. In a typical week, she sells to five people, usually dealing outside of school grounds. She has even sold to friend’s parents. “I definitely look at it as a business deal,” she said. “I don’t mix personal with business even though my personal life is my business. You have to know that line or that’s when you get caught.” Recently, she has started to sell less often. “I’m trying to die it down because I have a job now but it’s hard because people keep asking me for it. These kids out here just want to try drugs. People should thank drug dealers, they risk a lot. You can’t just go to the f---ing QuikTrip.”
Out of
What kind of disorder do you have? A.D.D. [Attention Deficit Disorder].
Causes loss of appetite, especially with younger patients.
When were you diagnosed?
I was diagnosed in fourth grade.
23
How did you get diagnosed?
Legal consequences for possession of Adderall are steep because it falls in the same category as narcotic possession, such as cocaine and heroin. Selling Adderall as an adult by school grounds results in around 49 months in jail, according to school resource officer John Midiros. “It falls under possession of narcotics, and if you’re in possession, it’s against the law,” Midiros said. “Chemistry-wise, it’s not good either. Reactions in the nurse’s office are often explained because unprescribed Adderall was mixed with a prescribed drug it shouldn’t have been.” Stern says another reason young people take Adderall is for weight loss because the most common side effect of Adderall is appetite loss. Stern also stated irritability as a side effect. The unnamed male source took Adderall during finals week last year but then didn’t take it again because of the side effects. “It made me nauseous and gave me a headache so I didn’t crave it anymore,” he said.
102 students, have considered taking Adderall
SARAH DARBY
jagwire.sarahdarby@gmail.com
r among teenagers, illegal usage heightens
“I’d heard a lot of good things bout it,” a female student who wished to remain anonymous said bout the drug. “[The first time I sed it], I took it on a day I didn’t eally have anything to do, beause I’m careful about the drugs take.” The same student said, deending on the dosage, a pill of dderall can cost anywhere from 1 to $5 and are easy to obtain as many people have prescriptions. She said the drug helped her ocus and retain more informaon. “I wasn’t stressed out at all,” he said. “I was pretty carefree. I was able to work for a long time without losing focus.” Selling Adderall also became more common as demand inreased. Another anonymous stuent began selling Adderall after he was diagnosed with A.D.D. st year. She also tried friends’ dderall, prompting her to seek ut a prescription. She was first rescribed a low dose of the medation, but when she was put on stronger dose last year, she be-
with senior Kristyn Harding
Even though the unnamed female user said she had a positive experience with the drug for the most part, she did experience some negative side effects, something that has not discouraged her from taking Adderall on a fairly regular basis. “I had a really bad headache,” she said. “I didn’t eat the entire day. The idea of food just made me so put off. I felt like I didn’t have a stomach at all.” The unnamed male source said Adderall is dying out. “I think it’s definitely a fad,” he said. “That’s what happens with drugs on the market, they get popular, then fade and then something else will become more popular.” Stern, on the other hand, said he doesn’t believe the drug will fade away. “As we become a more competitive society…you’ll continue to see Adderall abuse,” Stern said. “People really feel to succeed they need an edge, and some people feel Adderall can give them the edge.”
28% only11%
of students who have taken Adderall, have a
Of the
prescription
I think it was more like my parents and teachers. It wasn’t like I was a bad kid, but it was simple tasks. I would get it done, but not as good as the other kids.
What was the first medicine you took? I believe it was Adderall or something before that.
What happens if you don’t take your medicine? If I don’t take it, I go through withdrawal...and it makes it incredibly hard to eat sometimes because it messes with your stomach.
What are the side effects?
[I have trouble eating] pretty much every day. It’s gotten better but I don’t eat a lot for lunch but I eat a ton for dinner. [I’m just] not hungry. If I don’t eat a good breakfast, I get a little nauseous.
What is focusing like for you?
My mind’s not very organized in the first place but without the medicine, it’s worse... Like in the lunch room, I might hear your first word, but then I hear everyone else’s words and they get all jumbled together.
When asked why they would said for the take it
69% 24% 7% said for fun and
ACT, SAT or a final, said other
Photos by Jack Lopez Photo illustration by Kelsey Floyd and Jill Applegate Cartoon by Adam Henderon and Brandon Burnworth
12
OPINION
JAGWIRE OFFICE 5900 Monticello Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: (913) 422-4351 Fax: (913) 422-4039 Adviser: Kathy Habiger khabiger@usd232.org The JagWire, a monthly publication of Mill Valley High School, is printed by Sedalia Democrat. MEMBERS OF Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association The 2011 JagWire was named an All-American newspaper by the NSPA and earned an All-Kansas rating from KSPA. CENSORSHIP POLICY Kansas Senate Bill 62 guarantees the same rights for student journalists as are guaranteed for professional journalists. These rights include, but are not limited to, all First Amendment rights, including the rights of freedom of speech and the press, insofar as published items may not contain libelous, slanderous or obscene statements, may not incite or promote illegal conduct, may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity. EDITORIAL POLICY We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or letter to the editor for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or the print journalism room. Additionally, you may email any member of the staff with opinions, as well as tweet us at mvjagwire. Anonymous content will not be accepted. Please understand that we have the right to edit all copy that runs in this publication.
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
STAFFeditorial
Lack of musical tickets causes disappointment Poor planning leads to shortage of seats for the fall production of The Wizard of Oz The drama department chose to perform The Wizard of Oz as its fall musical production. Unfortunately, many students and staff members were unable to see the performance as all the shows were sold out within three days after being offered to the general public, with Saturday, Nov. 12 never being offered since it sold out in the pre-sale offered to family of cast members. The shortage of tickets was disappointing to much of the student body. Our drama department has a reputation for excellence, and it’s natural that a majority of students would have a desire to go see the fall musical. On top of the fact that a high quality show was almost guaranteed, The Wizard of Oz is the quintessential Kansas story. An incredible amount of Kansan stereotypes resonate from the original 1939 movie. It should have been anticipated by both the administration and drama department early on that there would be more prospective theater-goers than normal for the production. The possibility of adding new shows at the last minute was considered. In fact, two additional shows were approved by administration,
managing editors Sarah Fulton Sarah Gonzales
Good idea lost because of over exposure and lack of leaders
copy editor Alyne Roemerman web editor Kaitlin Rounds photo editor Taylor Young staff Cory Reinoehl Alana Flinn Mackenzie Eckman Ryan Fullerton Sydney Wilson Eric Howes Katie Linsey Brandon Burnworth
sports editor Hanna Torline news editor Josh Duden feature editor Kristina Milewski a&e editor Austin Gillespie opinion editor Emily Johnson briefs editor Lisa Joerling ads manager Austin Gude Karlton Kinley Regan Jones Kelsey Floyd Jack Lopez Courtney Minter Miranda Snyder Adam Henderson
to see the show. Two years ago when the drama department put on Beauty and the Beast as the fall musical, there were seven shows. Beauty and the Beast appealed not only to high school students and their parents, but also elementary and middle school students. The Wizard of Oz should have fallen under the same category as Beauty and the Beast and been considered a familyfriendly production that would have appealed to a wide audience. We understand that it was not possible under the circumstances to include additional Cartoon by Adam Henderson shows along with the predetermined dates for The Wizard of Oz. In the future, the drama department and administration should consider not only what shows to perform but also how wide the demographic is they appeal to in order to prevent further dissatisfaction from an otherwise wonderful production.
Lack of direction will eventually cripple Occupy movements
JAGWIRE STAFF editors-in-chief Sarah Darby Jill Applegate
but they were dropped because with such short notice it wasn’t probable to have the entire cast make arrangements to accommodate a new schedule. Another reason tickets were hard to come by is that our theater has become too small for the student population. It’s a nice facility and students are appreciative of it in general, but as our school grows it is no longer fitting our needs. Obviously we cannot just build a new theater, so other measures must be considered in order to prevent the shortage of available tickets. However, if the school board were to advocate an item for a future bond issue, a larger, renovated theater should be considered. The best possible solution would have been to add extra shows from the beginning. Four shows was just not enough opportunity for everyone who wanted to come to have a chance
KARLTON KINLEY
jagwire.karltonkinley@gmail.com
A rampant protest group recently swept America, capturing headlines everywhere and generating nonstop opinions. It started with a group of New York activists protesting the opulence that members of Wall Street live in while the common man
is stuck in less favorable conditions. The Occupy protest quickly turned into a nationwide movement, with thousands of people participating in sit-ins in cities across America. The media has picked up on the protests and turned it into the story of the year. The movement itself, however, decided to focus on reforming every issue imaginable. This lack of focus has lead to the media, the protesters, and perhaps most importantly, members of government that could create a change, all asking the same question:“What do they want?” Somewhere along the line, it seems the group completely lost focus why they banded together in the first place. Without a clear leader or
ADAM’Sanimations
leading party, all of the different ideologies have created a big mess of ideas that is ultimately never going to get anything done. Topics being protested range from tax reform to conservation efforts. It’s almost become more about individual beliefs than a group’s effort to make a change. The problem with having so many goals is that it eventually becomes too much to handle. The protesters need to focus on one idea at a time. Since the movement was started in response to the wealth of Wall Street, and there’s been so much talk about “The 1%”, it makes sense that they should focus on something that would reshape the economy in the working-class’ favor, such as reform-
ing the tax structure. But, as I stated earlier, with so many goals, nothing is ultimately able to get done. If the Occupy movement wants to be successful, it needs a leader to dictate the course of action, and to narrow down the agenda of the movement. I feel that the Internet and the age of technology that we live in are the biggest reasons that Occupy cannot get change in the way it wants to. When everyone is able to blog, or tweet, or post a YouTube video, everyone is able to have a voice which is ostensibly a good thing in our democratic nation. Unfortunately, when everyone has a voice, the people that deserve one are sometimes drowned out by people who just like to talk.
A monthly cartoon about school happenings
Illustrations by Adam Henderson
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
OPINION
Football team unfairly overshadows other school activities Recent decisions, poor information delivery and overall team attitude shape reputation
SARAH DARBY
jagwire.sarahdarby@gmail.com
In recent weeks, rumors surrounding special privileges afforded to the football team have filled the whispered conversations I have overheard in the hallways. Although many of these ramblings are inaccurate, even lies tend to reflect some truth. At every high school, football is inevitably favored in many respects simply because it usually makes the most money and draws the largest crowds. However, in the last year, many decisions and events have favored the football team. Starting at the beginning of the year, the football team seemed to command the high school stage when it presented a proposal to play recorded music in favor of traditional band songs during the games. Although the recorded music was played sparingly and the band input was involved to some degree in the decision, the music suggestion came from football team staff, and without a doubt, cut down on band playing time. This left many in the band feeling as if they weren’t equal partners in creating the Friday night football experience. Another new addition to the football field was the inflatable jaguar head. The jaguar head is awesome and creates a spirited environment at the football games. When first introduced, the Booster Club defended the purchase (which was paid for completely by sponsors) by saying it could be used at other school events. It is great that the Booster Club originally intended for this to be true, however, the football
team has run through the jaguar head at every event it has been used at. This seems like a case of actions conflicting intentions. Although it is understandable that the jaguar head should not make an appearance at every sporting event, it has seemed unfairly exclusive to football. In staff number, the football team also seems skewed. The district has no set number for the number of athletes a team must have in order to gain more coaching staff, although the higher risk the sport, the larger the staff is. Most athletic teams have sufficient staff, including the football team which has a total of 8 coaches for 92 players, or a 1:12 ratio. On the other hand, there are over 60 students in the largest choir class and 90 students in the largest band class. Both classes are taught by one teacher who “coaches” alone. The district should be consistent with its policies and give all activities proper staff numbers. When the football team was exclusively featured on a segment for the KCTV5 Cool School event, designed to spotlight non-athletic clubs, the team again seemed to be favored. Under such short notice of the event, the school used the itinerary of De Soto High School which was featured last year on KCTV5. At DHS, one segment featured multiple athletic teams that read to elementary school children. At Mill Valley High School, the football team was the only team that participated in such work, so the school chose to feature the team. Although it is understandable to look to DHS to some extent, did administration not consider how the decision could appear to favor the football team? Other groups serve the community far more consistently than the football team. For example, NHS tutors two times a week and could have been included in a segment as well, especially for a program that again was supposed to feature only non-athletic clubs. Additionally, football players were allowed to arrive at the Cool School event at 6:15 a.m., an hour and 15 minutes after the rest of the students had to arrive. The decision was made after administration
gave the football team the option to arrive later because they had a game that night. However, the cross country team that was competing at state the next day, according to coaching staff, was not made aware of the possibility of allowing athletes to arrive later to school. It is difficult to compare importance of sports here, but it certainly seems like a team that was competing at state should have been clearly informed of the same opportunity as a team still competing in the regular season had been offered. The message sent was that the team still expects school support at the football games, but that the football team itself can’t wake up early to support the school. It is necessary to note that many rumors about the team are false. For example, some have said the football staff set the date of Homecoming this year. This assumption is false and further extreme rumors have only added fuel to the fire. In fact, almost every grievance listed above could have been eliminated if administration and the football team had worked together to relay information about decisions concerning the team effectively to students and staff members who have since spread inaccurate information. Unfortunately, some members of the football team, by virtue of comments made to other students and reported to me on numerous occasions, seem to be sending a cocky attitude to their peers. It might be time for an ego check in order to gain more school support. These types of comments negate the many positive things the team, its coaches and players do for the school. I just hope a few inaccuracies and unfair proposals will not destroy the reputation of a program that has the potential to only create positive school spirit. I also hope the football team will be able to recognize their boundaries more accurately in the future. Administration must also examine its decisions carefully to make sure all groups at our school, regardless if they bring in the most revenue, crowd or neither at all, are treated as fairly as possible.
Administration ignores drug problem due to bullying stress While the administration focuses on bullying issues, drug use prevention lacks in priority
ALANA FLINN
jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com
There are two big issues that affect high schools everywhere: drugs and bullying. As teenagers become more discreet about bullying, they’re learning how to become discreet with drug use as well. At our school, we focus on the wrong issue: classic abuse. Since when have you seen a kid put into a locker or a group of kids smoking pot be-
hind the dumpster? The problem of drug use is definitely here, and more emphasis should be placed on the issue. Since elementary school we have been taught to “tell a trusted adult” when someone is being bullied. What were we taught to do if we found out our friends are using drugs? Nothing. So, we laugh with them about it. We high-five them about it. We do it with them. While Kansas requires, according to a state directive, that school districts educate their students on bullying awareness, no directive requires drug education. A state directive is intended to influence what is specifically taught. To me, that is the state saying “if we ignore one of the problems, then maybe it will go away,” which is unrealistic. We all see how some of our peers are spending their weekends. People aren’t sitting around beating each other up; they’re sitting around smoking weed. It’d be more effective if drug education was
provided in middle school. Red Ribbon Week during elementary school didn’t teach me anything except that if I didn’t have the right raffle number, I didn’t win a prize. The administration shouldn’t shove drug awareness programs down our throats during high school, either, but maybe a few educational seminars on the impact of drugs will bring light to the topic. You may know that drugs are bad for your body and illegal, but perhaps a person who lost their life or is jailed for drug use could force an impact. So where do we draw the line between education and oblivion? Perhaps we could start with drug education that will be provided to students in middle school where they can handle discussion of drugs. Parents need to be aware of the possibility that their kid could be using drugs as well. The school district needs to step up and implement a plan that will educate students about drugs at the right age and stop ignoring the problem.
13
YOUsaidIT
Which is the bigger problem: bullying or drugs?
“Bullying because so many kids get bullied and nothing happens about it.“ freshman Brady Franklin
“Drugs because everyone does them, and everyone thinks it’s cool but it’s not.“ sophomore Anna Frontaura
“Probably bullying because it hurts other people and bullies suck at life.“ junior Connor Hays
“I see bullying but I know drugs are there. But it’s rare that I see [bullying]- it’s usually verbal rather than physical.“ math teacher Kristen Chavez
14
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
SPORTS
BYtheNUMBERS Overall record against teams in the KVL, EKL and Sunflower League for the past two seasons
> Football
KVL: 11-3 EKL: 0-2 Sunflower: 0-0
> Boys Basketball KVL: 18-7 EKL: 0-4
Sunflower: 0-3
> Girls Basketball Cartoon by Adam Henderson
Juggling league options Players and coaches discuss the pros and cons of different athletic leagues HANNA TORLINE
jagwire.hannatorline@gmail.com
With the student population continuously growing each year, the idea of joining a new athletic league is on the minds of players, coaches and parents. “People are talking about it a lot,” athletic director Matt Fedde said. “But we have not formally started anything.” Junior soccer player Hugh Ebb sees both the advantages and downsides to joining a league like the Eastern Kansas or the Sunflower League, which both include more 5A and 6A schools than the Kaw Valley League. Last season, the boys soccer team went 6-1 against teams from the KVL, but 2-3-1 when facing teams from the EKL or Sunflower League. “I think that [switching leagues] would raise our skill level and competitiveness but we would lose a lot more games in the first few years,” Ebb said. At the recent EKL league cross country championship, the boys first place winner ran a 16:17.9 5K, while the KVL winner was almost a minute behind with a 17:13.1. None of the top five individuals from the KVL, including sophomore Landon Scott and senior Connor Mehalovich, would have placed in the top five in the EKL competition. The same is true for the girls competition. The KVL first place winner was 43.6 seconds behind the fifth place runner from
the EKL. The large gap in time has been noticed by some athletes. Junior track athlete Keenan Ford thinks that if the school were to move to the EKL or Sunflower League, the athletic programs would suffer. “We would be dominated,” Ford said. “We wouldn’t be able to win any games.” Junior soccer player Carlie Howe thinks differently. “In the long run, it would be better for us because we would be more prepared for the post-season,” Howe said. After looking at the fact that the boys basketball team went 10-4 last season against KVL teams but were a winless 0-4 against EKL or Sunflower League teams, head boys basketball coach Justin Bogart sees the advantages to continuing in the KVL. However, he also thinks some aspects of joining a more competitive league could pay off in the long run. “You can look at it two ways,” Bogart said. “The better competition you play, the more prepared you will be. That would pay dividends in the post-season. But there is also something to be said about getting wins and building confidence.” Fedde shares the same idea that tough competition will prepare a team for the post-season. “It only makes sense for us to play competition that better prepares us for the postseason and teams we will see in the off-season,” Fedde said. “If we get used to playing harder competition, we will acclimate to it.”
KVL: 18-7 EKL: 1-5 Sunflower: 2-1
> Boys Soccer KVL: 9-5-1 EKL: 2-5-1 Sunflower: 2-2
> Girls Soccer KVL: 12-0 EKL: 3-1-1 Sunflower: 2-0
> Baseball
KVL: 16-8 EKL: 1-2 Sunflower: 2-0
> Softball
KVL: 24-6 EKL: 2-2 Sunflower: 0-0
Got Smile? John F. Williamson, D.D.S. FAR ABOVE: DURING A GAME on Dec. 10, 2010, then sophomore Nathan Stacy drives to the basket blocked by two defenders. The team lost 28-49 to Shawnee Mission South High School, a member of the Sunflower League. Photo by Trenton Webster ABOVE: RACING PAST A Bishop Miege High School player, then freshman Amanda Dotts heads towards the goal on April 6, 2011. The girls soccer team tied the game 2-2. Bishop Miege is a part of the Eastern Kansas League. Photo by Katherine Beck
10601 Kaw Drive, Edwardsville 913-441-3373
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
fallRECAPS Cross country
SPORTS
Upc ming winter sports
>
Boys placed first at regionals and eighth at state
placed second at regionals >Girls and 10th at state
“The season started strong... We worked hard and were really motivated. We just ran out of steam and couldn’t execute a quality finish.” junior Andrew Eigsti
Girls golf
first at Spring Hill >Placed tournament >Placed in three of five tournaments >No seniors on team
“The season went well. We were a young team but we played well. I can’t wait for next year. We are going to dominate.” junior Hadley Tharp
Volleyball
Coaches and athletes share goals for the upcoming season ALANA FLINN
jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com
Wrestling
Girls Basketball
tunity to observe the growth taking place, as well as focus on the areas in need of development. “The summer league showed a ton of improvement,” McFall said. “[But] we need to become stronger with the ball.”
As the team rolls out the mats each day for practice, head wrestling coach Travis Keal has specific goals for the wrestlers to carry with them during the season. “Our goal is to have each wrestler better themselves daily in the classroom and in the practice room,” Keal said. “By focusing on being the best daily, each wrestler will have the mind set and skills necessary to achieve individual success.” There are nine anticipated returning varsity wrestlers: sophomores Landon Scott, Daniel Grey, Jake Ellis and Tyler Dickman; juniors Zach Stinnett and Derrick Paxton; and seniors Devin Ellison, Zach Callahan and Christian Service. During the 2010-2011 season, 10 of the 14 varsity wrestlers placed in the top four out of eight wrestlers at regionals. Ellis wants to see the team compete again at such a high level of competition so that he and the wrestling program will both benefit from the success. “I want to place in the top four at regionals to make it on to state because my hopes are becoming a state champion by the end of this year,”
Head girls basketball coach John McFall foresees that the 2011-2012 season will be one of success. “With a good nucleus of returning varsity players and a good influx of JV players, this year’s squad should be competitive if they rebound well,” McFall said. There are expected to be five returning starters: junior forward Stephanie Lichtenauer, junior guard/ forward McKenzie Koch, junior guard Tanner Tripp, and two returning letter winners, junior guard Mackenzie Conklin and sophomore guard Mary Altman. McFall thinks the goal of the team should be reaching its full potential as opposed to only winning games. The players and coaches refer to each game as ‘trips,’ and they go out and play their best each ‘trip.’ “[The trips] help motivate our team to work hard every week at practices instead of just preparing for one game at a time,” Lichtenauer said. After finishing the 2010 season with a league record of 12-2, McFall coached a summer league team consisting of some players who would be returning for the 2011-2012 season. The league gave McFall an oppor-
Football
Boys soccer
Girls tennis
>Record: 11-6-1 player earned first team all>One league midfielder >Regional runner-ups
>Placed in three of eight tournaments >37 players on team >No state qualifiers
>Record: 7-3 >Record: 27-14 >Began season in top 10 for class 5A >Began the season 5-0 >Three seniors on varsity >Regional runner-ups “Senior night was my favorite memory. We played so well.” senior libero Sierra Miles
Ellis said. “We want as many state qualifiers as we can get because that’ll up our chances of winning state as a team.”
Boys Basketball Seeing a large group of young players signed up for boys basketball tryouts, head coach Justin Bogart knows that a large team gives it more depth. The more players who show up, the better the options. Although many seniors were lost at the end of last season, there are nine varsity players expected to return for the 2011-2012 season. Junior forwards Nathan Stacy, Austin Moylan, Brett Hamilton, L.J. Hatch, Grant Schrepfer, and junior guards Staton Rebeck, Jake Theis and Kyle Kain all earned varsity letters last season and helped last year’s team earn a 12-9 record. Throughout the season, Bogart hopes that the boys will improve in all aspects of play, including taking care of the ball and making smart decisions on the court. After finishing last season with a winning record, the bar is set high. “I think this is going to be a really exciting, successful season,” Moylan said. “This team is going to be young, fast and exciting to watch. I think we have a chance to do something really special.”
“I enjoyed everything about the “For the team being so young, “Team bonding was good, this season went great.” especially among seniors.” season. ” senior forward Ryan Hannah senior Kelli Rutherford senior kicker Andrew Wesp
Photo illustration by Taylor Young
15
“Probably a Santa beard but it has to be white because it looks weird if it’s not.”
junior Sam Switzer
“Goatee, because it looks sexy on me.”
senior Lindsay Mason
“I kind of prefer no facial hair but some guys can pull off a short, full beard kind of like a five o’clock shadow.”
sophomore John Beck
“I am more of a beard guy because the moustache starts to itch.”
senior Gabby Boyd
“None. So many guys at our school can’t grow any at all.”
c)
a)
d)
b)
Happy No Shave November. *See below for the answers.
Whose beard is that?
of junior Colin Sweeney
What’s your favorite type of facial hair?
freshman Margo Wieschhaus
Flip
the
Oct. 21
Photos by Taylor Young Cartoons by Adam Henderson
to have your opinion featured. This tweet caught our attention: @Emmrice Emily Rice “@mvjagwire Ethan Rice with a 15 yd reception for a first down.” THATS MY BROTHERRR.
Feedback Tweet @mvjagwire for a chance
Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner” bridges the tense cultural gap between the U.S. and Afghanistan by presenting a universal message about dealing with our past and understanding human relationships. Based in both Afghanistan and the Photo from Author Bytes U.S. before, during and after the Taliban overruns the Afghani monarchy, the novel forces you to see the world from the perspective of a people whom we historically distrust and dislike. Through the main character, Amir, Hosseini shows the reader that everyone has skeletons in their closet and it is up to us to determine whether our past will define our existence or help build our character. Amir spends over twenty years loathing himself for actions of his youth, but must eventually face those painful memories in order to forgive himself. Amir’s life also shows the reader that human relationships, especially the one between Amir and his father, are complex and made more so when secrets are thrown into the mix. But we learn through their stressed and, at times, sad interactions that bonds between people run deep and can last the most extreme tests, especially when they are based on blood. Overall, this eye-opening and occasionally shocking tale of redemption and discovery presents a lesson that knows no color, race or culture.
Although not a new book, “The Kite Runner” offers relevant universal themes
* *** *
A&E
“The Kite Runner”
The page with a different perspective
*a) senior Brian Justice, b) senior Mike Shaw, c) senior Robbie Weber, d) junior Ryan Bath
YOUsaidIT
jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com
SYDNEY WILSON
jagwire.coryreinoehl@gmail.com
CORY REINOEHL
jagwire.emilyjohnson@gmail.com
EMILY JOHNSON
Side
Peculiar profile
16 THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
IT’S JAGURTOPIA EVERY WEEKDAY AT YOUGURTIOPIA FROM 2 - 5 p.m. JUST MENTION THAT YOU ARE A JAGUAR STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER AND YOU’LL GET 25% OFF OF YOUR YOGURT PURCHASE. REMEMBER...THE MORE OFTEN YOU EAT OUR YOGURT, THE HAPPIER YOU ARE, AND THE HAPPIER YOU ARE... THE BETTER YOUR GRADES WILL BE (not yet a scientifically proven fact)
ADS
17
18
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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
BEATSbyUS
JagWire staff members share a collective playlist of favorites
>
“High Hopes” Pink Floyd
Heard it?
Photo from Pink Floyd
> >“Whale” -- Yellow Ostrich >“Best for Last” -- Adele > “Paradise”
“Fly Me To The Moon” -- Frank Sinatra
Coldplay
KARLTON KINLEY
jagwire.karltonkinley@gmail.com
MACKENZIE ECKMAN
jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com
Less known artists outshine recently released mainstream albums
Blue Slide Park Mac Miller
Photo from Coldplay
Makes You Beautiful” >“What -- One Direction the Rhime” -- A Tribe >“Check Called Quest >“Livin’ on a Prayer” -- Bon Jovi Away to College” -- Blink >“Going Stronger 182 > “Go to Church” Ice Cube
Photo from Ice Cube
>“Austin” -- Blake Shelton >“Changing” -- The Airborne Toxic The Head and Event >“There’s Always Someone Cooler the Heart Than You” -- Ben Folds > “Better Together”
Illustration by Adam Henderson
Ever since he released his free mixtape Best Day Ever earlier this year, it seems that Pittsburgh’s Mac Miller officially became the school’s favorite rapper. With his consistent and unique beats and easygoing lyrics, he was a likeable figure. On Blue Slide Park, his debut album, Miller has responded to the hype and expectations by releasing an album just like Best Day Ever, full of unique beats and easygoing lyrics. As a rapper, Mac remains nothing special. His flow has gotten slightly flashier on songs like “Smile Back.” The lyrics stay as uninspired
boasts about his partying capabilities, but there’s nothing outright cringe-worthy, and they’re able to comfortably add to the fun party vibe set forth by the beats. Just like Miller himself, the mood of the beats stays largely one-noted and focused on creating a sound custom-made for a house party. They work best when they’re restrained, such as the moody beat to “My Team.” Likewise, it’s when they go over the top that the album sees its worst material (“Up All Night”). All in all, it never tries to be anything it isn’t, which is a poppy, low expectations party rap al-
Photo from Amazon
Kelly Clarkson The title does not lie; Kelly Clarkson’s newest album seems to only focus on getting stronger. With most of the songs talking about break-ups or relationship problems, Clarkson seems to be hinting at her
personal life throughout the album. The most popular track on the album, played on the radio much too often, is “Mr. Know It All.” Most of the songs have a “better without you” attitude, but some are more solemn. If iTunes is your
Photo from Kelly Clarkson
Jack Johnson
Photo from Jack Johnson Music
Photo from The Head and the Heart
The Head and the Heart For someone who usually listens to Top 40 tracks, The Head and the Heart would be a significant change from what they typically listen to. Similar to Mumford and Sons, The Head and the Heart is an indie-pop,
folk rock band. They got their start in Seattle, Wash., and released their debut album, The Head and the Heart, in 2009. Overall, the album has a relaxed, acoustic feel that puts its listener in a good mood. The most notable songs on the album are “Down in the Valley” and “Lost in my Mind” because of their more upbeat nature.
thing, I’d recommend only purchasing the following songs: “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger),” “You Can’t Win,” and “The Sun Will Rise.” Compared to her first four albums, this one falls a little flat. Overall, the album isn’t worth the purchase.
bum. While aiming so low, one might argue that it is easy to meet such expectations, but Blue Slide Park passes nonetheless.
IFyouLIKE
you like dubstep, >Ifyou’ll like...
James Blake’s CMYK EP you like hip-hop, >Ifyou’ll like...
A$AP Rocky’s LIVELOVEA$AP If you like indie pop, > you’ll like...
Fleet Foxes’s Helplessness Blues
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
A&E
19
THIS SEASON’S MOST
WANTED
SENIORS DREW SMITH and Andrew Geise wait outside GameStop on Thursday, Nov. 10. The seniors waited for the midnight release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. “I love the game,” Smith said. “It just completes me.” Photo by Jack Lopez
New games catch student interest this holiday season KAITLIN ROUNDS
jagwire.kaitlinrounds@gmail.com
ERIC HOWES
jagwire.erichowes@gmail.com
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, a first person shooter video game, was released Tuesday, Nov. 8 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a roleplaying video game, was released Friday, Nov. 11. Both releases were highly anticipated by video game enthusiasts around the country. Senior Austin Ross, a self pro-
claimed video game fanatic, claims to play about 25 hours a week. He was most excited for the release of Skyrim. “Officially I’ve been waiting seven months for it to come out,” Ross said. “But it’s felt more like six years.” Senior Ashton Proctor was equally as eager for the release of Skyrim. He had been waiting for the newest addition to the series since the last installment two years ago. Proctor has high hopes for the game. “I enjoy role playing games, and Bethesda, who is the company that makes Skyrim, does a really good job of capturing the elements essential to
gamerSPOTLIGHT junior Tim Thomas recommends Modern Warfare 3
creating a well rounded role playing video game,” Proctor said. Since playing the newly releasedModern Warfare 3, sophomore Patrick Tapang believes the game to be the best of the century. Ever since hearing about the release date, Tapang had been waiting for its release. “You can never run out of things to do,” Tapang said. “The game features a number of new things, from the campaign to the spec-op missions. When playing the game, it just never gets old.” Sophomore Colton Chapman agrees with Tapang’s views. He enjoys the new edition to the Call of Duty series and plans on putting in a couple hours playing both online and spec-ops. “It’s fun to listen to my friends complain as I show them up,” Chapman said. “Video games are something that I’ve been playing for quite awhile. Once you get the hang of them, all games become pretty easy.” Proctor enjoys gaming in general, particularly “ridding dragons that torment the land” in Skyrim. “I like being able to share the experience with friends and embark on journeys that you could never go on in the real world,” Proctor said. “You can’t slay a dragon in real life.” IGN, a review website that focuses on video games and other media gave Modern Warfare 3 a 9.0 out of 10 and Skyrim a 9.5 out of 10.
Cartoon by Adam Henderson and Brandon Burnworth
weRECOMMEND
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Photo from IGN.com
> This massive RPG (Role Playing Game) by Bethesda
studios has more creatures, environments, enchantments and weapons than ever before
> Skyrim took nearly four years of production to complete > Differences in this installment from the last include the
ability to fight dragons, dual wield weapons, and become a werewolf
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
senior Nathan Kersey recommends Modern Warfare 3
Photo by Jack Lopez
Photo by Jack Lopez
How long did it take you to beat the single player mode?
What makes Modern Warfare 3 different from other games in the series?
It took me three and a half hours. Most people buy the game because it has a really cool online mode. But to me it just doesn’t feel right if I don’t beat the campaign mode first and I really wanted to play online, so I beat it pretty quick.
Modern Warfare 3 is a lot more fast paced than other games in the series. The survival mode is different, you have to try and survive enemy waves.
> Spec Ops offers sixteen different missions, each with a
Why do you like playing video games?
Why do you like playing video games?
They’re just entertaining and something to do.
It’s something that all my friends like to do and it’s easy for me. I placed third at a Call of Duty competition at Wal-Mart.
> Online multi-player improvements include more perks,
Photo from IGN.com
> Campaign includes single player and cooperative game types
survival mode testing players endurance capabilities new kill streaks and larger, more impressive maps
snow&style 20
PHOTO ESSAY
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | NOV. 16, 2011
Mixing
Fashion ideas for the winter season MACKENZIE ECKMAN
jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com
For girls:
> Flannel: Layer solid-colored tees under
Tall socks/legwarmers:
For boys:
long-sleeved flannel shirts. Try to choose an accent color for the undershirt.
Extra long socks and legwarmers are usually worn over leggings, tights, and skinny jeans. They poke out at the tops of boots but have also been seen scrunched at the ankle, worn with Converse.
Body-con/bandage skirts:
Cardigans:
Since body-con/bandage skirts can be a little bit tight, try wearing a loose shirt on top. The difference in proportions will balance the outfit. Try wearing tights under the skirt to keep your legs warm.
Layer solid-colored or graphic tees under solid-colored cardigans. Although mixing prints is in, try to avoid graphic tees under printed or striped sweaters.
Dark wash jeans:
Sweaters: To avoid being swallowed up, wear with tights or leggings. You can also belt sweaters at the waist to reduce bulk.
Dark wash jeans are more versatile than light denim because they look better with a wider variety of colors. Think of dark denim as a blank canvas. It can be worn with anything.
<
Crochet/lace:
Tights:
Since lace is feminine and dressy, pair lace pieces with other simple staples. Wear a lace shirt with dark jeans or a plain skirt. Layer solid color tank tops or camis under crocheted tops.
Scarves: There really aren’t any stipulations on what you can’t wear scarves with. Printed scarves are usually worn to accessorize solid colored shirts, while solid colored scarves are worn to accent a certain color in the shirt.
Graphic tees: Wear graphic tees by themselves or under solid-colored cardigans.
Wear tights under dresses, skirts and long sweaters. *Helpful hint: to stay warm, layer tights. Two pairs of the same color tights will keep your legs toasty.
junior Jillian Mullin
sophomore Cody Knight
Extraforaccessories: boys and girls
Beanies:
Guys- Try wearing a solid colored beanie with a flannel shirt. *Helpful hint: gray goes with just about everything! Girls- don’t go for the standard beanie. Instead, try wearing a brightly colored, slouchy beanie.
Combat boots:
Boots can be worn with just about anything. The easiest way to wear them is to tuck jeans into them. Combat boots match the military style, so try wearing them with a leather jacket and a vintage inspired graphic tee.
Nerd glasses:
There really isn’t any certain way to wear nerdy glasses. Glasses are glasses. Just go pick out a pair and put them on.
Photos by Miranda Snyder and Kristina Milewski