JagWire Newspaper Volume 15 Issue 7

jw J AGWIRE

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 15 ISSUE 7 • APRIL 16, 2015 • MVNEWS.ORG

WORTH THE CASH?

students face balancing work and other responsibilities pages10-11

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NEWS technology

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7

FEATURE student directors

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15

SPORTS competitive golfers

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17

A&E museum reviews

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NEWS resignations

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

LEAVING THE

DISTRICT Past certified administration resignations by year

Technology committee plans to replace old computers with newer models

to the new procedure.

“I really like the BYOD idea for a number of reasons,” Riffel said. “The infrastructure that was put in place

BY GRACE VAN INWEGEN … the new wireless and the wired reporter network was ... a great move. A lot of jagwire.gracevaninwegen@gmail.com schools do it backwards, they open things up and then they try to retroThe Board of Education passed fit the network to support it, which a new plan in hopes to improve the is a plan that typically fails.” technology in its schools by a 6-0 Students have also had negative majority, with one Board member reactions to the BYOD policy. Sophabsent. omore Juli Winn does not bring Chief operational technology technology to school due to the officer Brandon Riffel is just one amount of limitations put on the member of the technology commit- wireless Internet. tee. Riffel oversees the technolog“The problem is there are so ical aspects of the district. Before many restrictions to what [websites] being hired in November, Riffel you can and cannot get on,” Winn had little knowledge of the district’s said. “Sometimes you need to get on technology. those sites to look up things.”

“The technology committee …

Many complaints from students had been working on a plan for and teachers stem from the lack of about a year. Their goal was to re- updated technology. For business place the devices that are in the teacher Patricia Brock, quality comclassrooms and the computer labs,” puters may be unrealistic.

Riffel said. “As I dug deeper into it, I “We would like to have faster realized exactly how bad it really is computers [and] faster processing [and], how much need there really speeds,” Brock said. “We can wish is.” for all the things in the world but we Although the Bring Your Own just know that’s not reality at this Device policy was implemented be- point.” fore he assumed his position, Riffel For senior Max DeBauge, the lihas nothing but a positive response brary desktops and wireless connecopinion editor jagwire.jillianleiby@gmail.com

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Resignations in 2014-15 school year

Several certified administrators leave in numbers not seen recently, giving the district many open positions to fill for next year

BY JUSTIN CURTO

managing editor jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com Eleven certified administrators have resigned since the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9, including six at the district level, giving this year the most certified administration resignations of at least the past four years.

District resignations include superintendent Dr. Doug Sumner, director of teaching and learning Dr. Jessica Dain, director of human resources Lachelle Sigg, director of special services Anjanette Tollman, assistant director of teaching and learning Christy James and elementary curriculum coordinator Kristl Taylor.

At the high school level, assistant principal David Ewers and De Soto High School assistant principal John Sedler resigned. At the middle school level, Monticello Trails Middle School and Mill Creek Middle School school improvement specialist Dr. Erin Smith resigned.

At the elementary school level, Horizon Elementary School principal Kasey Weishaar and Starside Elementary School principal Chris Lowe resigned.

None of the administrators contacted commented specifically on their reasons for resignation.

In addition to reasons such as familial ones, gifted facilitator Carmen Shelly said finances may have played into these resignations.

“These may be at least lateral Design by Nick Booth

moves in terms of money and salary,” Shelly said. “Even though they are not in the same high-level position ... they are not taking a pay cut.”

Director of administrative services and community relations Alvie Cater said resignations like these may occur for a number of reasons.

“I think you’ll find that if you were to look at any organization, people will leave because it’s a better opportunity for them in their career, it could be a better financial situation and they may leave for other reasons,” Cater said.

With this, Cater said the amount of resignations will not affect how others see the district.

“I don’t think the reputation has been harmed,” Cater said. “Whenever you have a number of resignations, obviously you’ll have professionals who are maybe interested in some of these positions that may think twice … We can overcome that.”

However, Board member Mitch Powers said the resignations may lead to questions about the district.

“If I am considering this district, I am going to ask why so many left,” Powers said via email. “I will understand ‘from the street’ what has been happening and that would certainly come into my mind.”

Powers also said the Board could not have caused the resignations.

“No single Board member has the authority to act unilaterally on any personnel issues,” Powers said.

“It is the entire Board’s responsibility, not an individual member’s

priority, to decide on any actions or course to be taken.”

According to Shelly, it will be hard to acclimate new administrators to the district next year.

“Just getting other people up and running on what we have been doing and what we need to change is going to be difficult,” Shelly said.

“I have complete confidence in our building administration to do that and to be supportive of us as teachers. That doesn’t necessarily lessen

“At the leadership level, we need to strive for as much stability as we can.”

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS ALVIE CATER the stress.”

Though she also worries about changes coming from new administration, math teacher Laurie Deuschle said those hired to fill open administration positions might bring beneficial concepts to the district.

“It could be very good for the district that we’re getting new people and to maybe have different ideas, new ideas to help things out within our district,” Deuschle said.

Cater recognized there will be a learning period for new administration, but said the district must keep leadership steady.

“Whenever you have individuals who are new to the system, there is a transition, a learning curve, and that is a challenge, but it is a challenge that can’t be overcome,” Cater said. “At the leadership level, we need to strive for as much stability Resignations in 2013-14 school year as we can.”

To better retain administrators in the future, Shelly suggested communication with those who resign.

“Our district could learn from ... exit interviews what our issues [are] that we need to work on,” Shelly said. “I’m hoping that there’s some of that going on so that we can have a feel for what changes in direction we need to make.”

Cater said the district could look at salaries, advancement opportuResignations in 2012-13 school year nities and the overall feelings of the district for retention methods.

“We can and should do more to not necessarily pay as much as the larger districts in Johnson County, but we can be more competitive and so we need to address that,” Cater said. “More importantly, we need to have an organization that provides an opportunity for movement within the organization and we need to have a culture that remains focused on why we do what we do.”

Regardless, Cater said the dis- Resignations in 2011-12 school year trict will move on from its losses.

“Adversity does produce opportunity,” Cater said. “I am of the belief that sometimes things happen for a reason and, although the reasons may not be understood fully, I do believe that we will be better in the future than we are today.”

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DISTRICT PROPOSES NEW TECHNOLOGY

BY JILLIAN LEIBY

ELEVEN ADMINISTRATORS RESIGN, MOST IN YEARS

technology NEWS

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

tion hinders school work. “[The district] should improve just the base computers that we have in the library. All of them are really slow. [It should] possibly upgrade the Internet connection in the school … the routers, the modems or possibly find a provider that’s faster,” DeBauge said. “So, that way connecting and actually being able to do the research that you need to do inside is a lot faster.”

According to Riffel, the new technology plan calls for 3,300 technological purchases, consisting of iPads, laptops and desktops.

The Dell Latitude, the new laptop model, has a multitude of features. These include a fold flat hinge, a smudge- and shatter-resistant screen, a sealed keyboard and a 9-14 hour battery life, all built to withstand the roughest of students.

These advancements, according to Riffel, are not the only purchases being made by the district.

“This isn’t going to be the last computer purchase for the next four years, This is the first computer purchase we make because this gives us a base level,” Riffel said. “This provides computer for testing, for computer labs and for classroom computers.”

FAR ABOVE: In business teacher Adam King’s Sports and Entertainment Marketing class, sophomore Lance Marx completes his spring preview assignment on a desktop on Monday, April 6. “Sometimes I can’t log in and sometimes they are slow,” Marx said. “[The computers] take forever to turn on. I hope [the new laptops] won’t be crappy.” Photo by Sharnelle Bennett ABOVE: The students in business teacher Adam King’s Sports and Entertainment Marketing class use computers to complete assignments. Among those students, sophomore Justin Heit works on his sweet sixteen project on Wednesday, April 1. Photo by Sharnelle Bennett

FIRST

LOOK

The new proposed Dell Latitude 3340

Battery life of up to 14 hours 8 GB of RAM Helps the computer access files faster

Smudge- and shatter-resistant LCD screen Durable outer casing Protects the electronics inside

Fold flat hinge

500 GB of storage space for files

Folds back at a 180-degree angle

Intel i5 processor

Helps the computer run faster

Design by Nick Booth

4 NEWS budget cuts

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

BUDGET CUTS LEAD TO

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

ADS

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FUNDING REDUCTION percent increase.”

Director of business and finance Ken Larsen is unhappy with the new block-grant funding formula.

“With no additional funds the only way we can meet increased operating costs such as utilities, insurance, busing, etc. is by reducing expenses in other areas,” Larsen said via email. “Any additional new expenses can only be supported by reducing existing expenditures. I am not in favor of the block-grant funding because it does not allow any new funding for these increased operating costs.”

Photo illustration by Clayton Kistner

BY NICK BOOTH

news editor jagwire.nickbooth@gmail.com

BY BRADEN SHAW

reporter jagwire.bradenshaw@gmail.com

District budget cuts set to affect students starting during the 2015-2016 school year The district’s total budget for the next fiscal year will be reduced by approximately $569,000 as a result of factors within the district and a change in the state’s funding formula.

The original funding formula granted districts a certain amount of money per pupil, according to director of administrative services and community relations Alvie Cater. The new block-grant system gives schools a set amount of money each year, regardless of factors such as enrollment that change each year.

The district will also experience shortfalls due to changes in the way the state weighs school funds. The system will go into effect at the start of the next fiscal year, Wednesday, July 1, and will stay for at least two years.

The district will have to cut its budget because it won’t have enough money to cover all costs under the block-grant system. Each school in the district will have to cut $30,000$40,000 from its budget for the next fiscal year.

For art department chair Jodi Ellis, the changes represent a failure at the state level.

“I was a bit frustrated that Kansas was Design by Raven Hodges

“Any additional new expenses can only be supported by reducing existing expenditures.” in such a mess that we would have to worry about budget cuts because our state can’t keep a balanced budget,” Ellis said.

However, Ellis doesn’t believe the cuts will significantly impact the art department.

“I don’t think it will severely affect the art department,” Ellis said. “We are going to have to, throughout all the departments, cut back our district moneys by five, 10 or 15 percent, probably 15. That’s not going to cause us a lot of distress because students do pay for classes.

Everybody is just going to have to tighten their belts and be a little more frugal.”

According to principal Tobie Waldeck, solving the school’s budget problems is an ongoing process.

“Basically what we’re doing right now is working with department chairs and representatives of the school to determine possible reductions for the next year,” Waldeck said.

According to math department chair Amy Welzenbach, the school isn’t sure exactly how much money is being cut at the moment, but this should change before the cuts take effect.

“We won’t know officially exactly how much we are going to have to cut until we get closer into next year’s budget and the decisions that are being made at the district level,” Welzenbach said. “So, I’d say it will be a domino effect once they make the district-level decisions, then we’ll know from building to building what exactly those final cuts will need to be.

This new funding system comes in the middle other budget shortfalls in the district due to smaller-than-expected student enrollment and other factors such as rising health care costs for the district, which Cater said could undergo “anywhere between a 15-20

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS ALVIE CATER According to Cater, the new funding system also provides an emergency monetary fund of $12 million for school districts with extraordinary circumstances. Every school district in Kansas has the ability to apply for this additional money if they’re in need of some extra funding.

Cater doesn’t believe the emergency fund will have a large impact on the district’s budget in the near future.

“There are over 300 school districts in the state of Kansas that will be trying to tap into that amount,” Cater said. “The bottom line is we know that we’re not going to get any significant increases in funding, so we’re trying to work within those parameters.”

Additionally, Cater is concerned the state will be unable to provide the money required to fulfill the block-grant system.

“The state of Kansas has yet to address a budget shortfall at the state level of $700 million, some estimate close to $1 billion,” Cater said. “So until they address the budget shortfall in Topeka, we don’t know if they’ll have enough money to fund the block-grant system they just passed.”

Despite the potential budget issues, Cater is still committed to maintaining a quality level of education for all students.

“At the end of all of this, our students are still going to show up for class, we still have the burden of providing the best possible education for them, regardless of what the financial landscape is,” Cater said. “ We may have to be creative, but we’ll accomplish that. ”

LOCAL CUTS Budget cuts affect local districts All statistics excluding De Soto’s are subject to change. All information from the Kansas City Star

De Soto

$

Final cut: $569,000

Gardner-Edgerton

$$

Potential loss: $279,000

Blue Valley

$$$ Potential loss: $1.1Million

Shawnee Mission

$$$$ Potential loss: $1.4 Million

Olathe

$$$$$ Potenital loss: $1.5 Million Design by Raven Hodges

6 FEATURE students with jeeps

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

JEEP VALLEY Students bond through their shared love for Jeep Wranglers

Anyone who has driven by the activities center parking lot this school year has more than likely noticed the long line of Jeep Wranglers parked side by side. Though it may at first seem like this is for looks, the driver’s friendship actually began prior to parking together and has since been strengthened through various activities having to do with their cars.

The group, which includes juniors Katie Burke, Mitch Cowan, Cole Griggs, Spencer Hamilton, Zac Kornis, Logan Schmidt and Rienna Shriner, has parked together for the majority of this school year, originally as a joke.

“We thought it would be funny [to all park next to each other].

We’re really good friends,” Schriner said. “I spend a lot of time with ... them.”

Jnuior Mitch Cowan said the bond the group has is strong.

“I’d say [it’s brought us closer], there’s more stuff for us to do when we hang out,” Cowan said. “It’s something we can always get together and do.”

Although their friendship existed prior to owning Jeeps, parking together and bonding over their cars has brought the group closer.

Together, they spend time outside of school taking full advantage of their Jeeps’ unique features.

“We go off-roading together a lot. It’s nice to go with friends because, if you get stuck, there’s some-

Design by Jena Smith

MEET the DIRECTORS

BY LIZZIE KULCSAR

reporter jagwire.lizziekulcsar@gmail.com

BY SARAH MYERS

features/A&E editor jagwire.sarahmyers@gmail.com

BY ADRI TALAVERA

features/A&E/social media editor jagwire.adritalavera@gmail.com

COSTLY CARS Students calculate money spent on their Jeeps per year

BY BRADEN SHAW

reporter jagwire.bradenshaw@gmail.com

$1,320

ABOVE LEFT: Junior Logan Schmidt takes air out of his Jeep’s tires after checking the air pressure on Monday, April 13. Photo

by Jena Smith ABOVE RIGHT: Sitting on their Jeeps, juniors Rienna Schriner and Katie Burke smile together. Photo contributed

by Katie Burke one there to pull you out,” Kornis said. “It’s kind of a safety thing. It also makes it more fun to go with other people.”

Besides off-roading together, the students work on maintaining their cars and enhancing the structures with accessories they purchase and install themselves. These include bumpers, hood louvers and soft tops.

“To put something new on the Jeep, you have to do a lot of re-

search,” Kornis said. “Having a Jeep, [I’ve learned a lot about cars], and it’s definitely fun to learn.”

In addition to parking together at school, each student also makes it a goal to park next to other Jeeps wherever they go.

“It’s a community,” Kornis said.

“No matter where you are, if you find someone who has a Jeep, you can easily start talking to them about it. They’re fun people, too.”

While not always fuel or cost ef-

ficient, Kornis said driving a Jeep is about the experience, adding that Jeeps are about the “smiles per gallon, not miles per gallon.” Schriner agrees that owning a Jeep makes driving a special experience..

“The feeling you get when you drive it is just great,” Schriner said.

“I can’t describe it, it’s just such a good feeling, especially when it’s really nice outside and I can take off the front panels and the air makes it really open. It’s a great feeling.”

Average amount spent on maintenance each year

$2,208 Average amount spent on Jeep total each year

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BY ADRI TALAVERA

features/A&E/social media editor jagwire.adritalavera@gmail.com

Students take on role of student directors for upcoming three-act play

Average amount spent on gas each year

$1,596

student directors FEATURE

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

During the first few rehearsals without the aid of scripts, student director junior Danielle Stompoly runs off and on stage, reciting her own lines and helping out backstage, feeding her fellow actors any forgotten lines or onstage movements.

For each production, director Jon Copeland receives help from a select number of student directors, like Stompoly. This year’s student directors include Stompoly, juniors Claire Biles and Bethany Coleman, sophomores Savannah Hurd and Kelsey Poje and freshman Julia Feuerborn.

“When we started double casting and adding performances, it just became more important to have student directors to help run the alternate cast rehearsals if I’m up on stage with the other group,” Copeland said.

“There would be no way they would be ready if they didn’t have other repetitions.”

Students who are interested in student directing must apply at the time of audition. The application includes questions regarding their skills, goals as a student director

and personal acting philosophies.

One major difference in this year’s spring production from past shows is that, instead of one play, there are three one-act plays, each with a different story line.

According to Stompoly, a third-year student director, this change has resulted in a greater need for assistance from student directors than past productions.

“We’re all stretched pretty thin,” Stompoly said. “There’s six of us and we’re all doing eight different things at once … We just have to juggle a little bit more and be a little bit more flexible with how things go and help keep the peace between everybody and make it easier for the actors to kind of get through everything.”

First-year student director freshman Julia Feuerborn learned that student directing requires the ability to keep the cast focused.

You have to be OK with putting your foot down,” Feuerborn said. “[The actors] have so much chemistry … that sometimes they won’t get everything done that they need to.”

Despite all the responsibilities, Feuerborn saw student directing as an opportunity to give her own input on the production and enjoy all three of the one-act performances.

“I like seeing all the casts and knowing they actually care about what I think about their scene,” Feuerborn said.

“This is a three one-act extravaganza, so I’d only get to see one show. But, as a student director, I get to see all three shows.”

After three years of student directing, Stompoly said she has become more outgoing and encourages other students to apply.

“I’ve become much more vocal with [my] own opinions and ideas,” Stompoly said. “It’s definitely a good experience for someone who is quieter. It gives them a chance to be heard and then run with that from there.”

ABOVE: Helping junior Sohail Ibrahimi with his lines, junior student director Bethany Coleman reads them aloud for him in the hallways on Wednesday, April 1. “Getting to see the whole [play] grow is awesome,” Coleman said. “I help make the characters better [by] making suggestions and helping them with their lines.” Photo by Brooke Wiebe

Sophomore Kelsey Poje changes from acting to student directing How would you describe a student director?

A student director is the main director’s helper. When [the director is] working on stage with the cast ...

I can be in the hallway running lines and basically be [Copeland] when he’s not there. They run the show, give suggestions on blocking and stage directions and tell [actors] certain ways to do things. I just organize everything that concerns the play. Not necessarily run [the show], but make sure everything runs smoothly.

What made you want to become a student director?

[I did] the musical and play last year,

and I did the musical this year. I thought it would be really cool to just get a different viewpoint on the show, to see what it would be like from [a director’s] point of view.

How does directing differ from acting?

You are kind of acting during [the rehearsals]. If people aren’t there, you fill in for them. But with this, you are more behind the scenes running things instead of on stage [acting].

What’s the most challenging part about the job?

The most challenging part is probably that I have to be there every single day to oversee things because it takes up a lot of time. But it’s definitely worth it.

Design by Tori Aerni

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OPINIONS

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

STAFF EDITORIAL

JAGWIRE INFORMATION

STAFF

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Tori Aerni Katherine White MANAGING EDITOR Justin Curto PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Karissa Schmidt NEWS EDITOR Nick Booth FEATURE/A&E EDITORS Sarah Myers Adri Talavera OPINION EDITOR Jillian Leiby SPORTS EDITOR Sam Lopez WEB EDITOR Jena Smith BUSINESS MANAGER Raven Hodges REPORTERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Sharnelle Bennett Claire Biles Madison Ferguson Clayton Kistner Lizzie Kulcsar Margaret Mellott Braden Shaw Grace Van Inwegen Brooke Wiebe JAGWIRE OFFICE 5900 Monticello Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: (913) 422-4351 Fax: (913) 422-4039 Email: jagwirenewspaper@gmail.com Adviser: Kathy Habiger khabiger@usd232.org JagWire, a monthly publication of Mill Valley High School, is printed by the Sedalia Democrat.

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MORE TECHNOLOGY CHANGES NECESSARY New technology purchases are a good first move toward updated hardware from the Board

YOU SAID IT What would you change about the school’s technology?

“I would like to change the laptops because [they] are terrible and they take 30 minutes to load and you have to do everything at home”

“I would probably put more funding into the laptop situation and also, if possible, faster Internet” SOPHOMORE NATHANIEL RULE

FRESHMAN ANDREA GILLESPIE

Illustration by Jason Chen

The Board of Education passed a new $1.7 million technology plan for the district at the Board meeting on Monday, April 13. This is a long-awaited improvement, but the district still needs to implement more changes to allow maximum efficiency for students and staff.

This plan includes 3,300 pieces of equipment for all schools in the district. Technology bought consists of standard and advanced desktops and laptops, as well as iPads. Mill Valley will receive a bulk of this technology, including 12 new standard desktops and 456 new advanced laptops. Only elementary schools will receive iPads.

The present laptops hinder classes, shortening the time for test taking and other tasks performed in a block. More desktop purchases are necessary to replace ones in the library, science and business classrooms, as they are slow, once again taking time from class. While the new laptops are meant to serve every one

in four students, more laptops should be purchased in order to allow students maximum access to them, avoiding the occasional double-booking on computer carts that occur.

Student computers in the district are approximately eight years old, so an update is due.

Under the current plan, the district intends to replace the technology every four years. As long as the Board sticks to the plan, it will ensure that technology will stay up-to-date.

The relatively low purchase of desktops, as well as the proposed 4:1 laptop policy, could be the result of the amount of students using the Bring Your Own Device policy. With BYOD, students can bring their own technology to work on for school purposes.

According to the technology report, about 1,400 students use BYOD. However, there are still changes that need to be made in order for outside devices to work at maximum capacity. Although the

Wi-Fi is a helpful step in working with personal computers, smartphones or tablets, the system often does not connect or is too slow. Improvements on the network infrastructure of the school are necessary for easier access to online school resources such as Blackboard.

Students and teachers of other school districts, such as Shawnee Mission, receive far better technology for schoolwork, such as MacBooks and iPad Airs, through a 1:1 technology policy (in which each student and teacher gets his or her own laptop or tablet for school work). This is a popular measure that could be incorporated into the district, given the availability of funding.

The new technology plan is a necessary step in advancing the current outdated technology.

The district, however, does not need to stop there. Taking into account these suggestions, the district will both save money and provide an interactive learning environment for the students.

“[I would want] iPads ... They’re nice and portable and have all the functions students need”

“Maybe we could get iPads because [they’re] really fast ... and [with] computers, you have to load them up”

SENIOR CALEB LATAS

JUNIOR MARICELA JAVIER

STAFF VOTE The JagWire staff votes on this issue’s staff editorial

Agree

Disagree

19

0 Absent

1

OPINIONS

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

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TAKING SELFIES RACE DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH PERSONALITY ents — my family came to America four gen- tos? What would you call a caucasian person DOES NOT MAKE erations ago. I was born and raised in Kansas who doesn’t fit his or her stereotype? MexiBY ADRI TALAVERA and have lived in Johnson County, one of the can? features/A&E/social media editor seemingly-least racially diverse places ever, for You can’t describe a person based solely on SOMEONE VAIN jagwire.adritalavera@gmail.com how closely he or she fits a stereotype given nearly a decade.

BY KATHERINE WHITE

editor-in-chief jagwire.katherinewhite@gmail.com

Just because someone takes selfies does not mean they are shallow or narcissistic Not too long ago, I was in Magic Kingdom with some of my friends for a band trip, and a few other seniors and I decided to partake in an all-you-can-eat dinner.

We had the best server ever, and he became part of our memories from the trip, so we wanted to get a picture with him. He was a young guy, so we didn’t feel embarrassed to ask, “Could we take a selfie with you?”

We got into position, ready to take the world’s best selfie, when we noticed the adults near us were giving us dirty looks. One of them offered to take the picture for us, and we complied simply because it would be awkward not to. We weren’t disturbing these adults in any way, so why were they so disgusted that we would take a selfie in their presence?

Many people, especially those older than the “selfie generation,” consider selfies vain, shallow or self-centered. For some reason, having someone else take a picture of us that day suddenly erased us of these sins.

Those who consider taking selfies a negative act need to realize that they serve the same function as normal pictures: to encapsulate memories. This doesn’t just apply to vacation pictures; having Starbucks with your sister is a memory, a hilariously-stupid-looking picture with friends is a memory and how you look just after a good haircut is a memory.

Another reason why selfies appeal to adolescents is being young is almost synonymous with having low self-esteem. Young adults are still discovering how they want to look and trying to look acceptable to their peers.

In a world filled with ways to make someone feel bad about the way they look, moments when someone feels truly good about their appearance can be hard to come by. If someone feels they look nice enough to want to take a picture of themselves and even share it with others, we shouldn’t immediately tear them down by calling them shallow. Self-centeredness is bad, of course, but self-love is not.

If you don’t like to take selfies, that’s perfectly fine. What’s not OK is people who think that puts them on a moral high ground. The holier-than-thou attitude of selfie-hating adults and teens alike needs to stop. No one is better than anyone else because of their picture-taking preferences. It’s time to let people do what makes them happy, whether that’s remember a trip, making funny faces with friends or celebrating a good hair day.

Assumptions based on ethnicity too often lead to untrue and harmful stereotypes As much as I would like the term Mexican to simply describe my heritage, it also implies certain characteristics about me: that I speak Spanish fluently and I have parents and immediate family members who come directly from Mexico. However, neither of these things apply me and for this reason I have been dubbed “white.”

I didn’t cross the border into America from Mexico, nor did my parents, nor did their par-

My parents didn’t teach me Spanish — I’ve been studying it in school since I was 12. The only native speaker I could hold a conversation with is probably Dora the Explorer, despite the belief of my Spanish class peers who have witnessed me excel on most of my tests and quizzes.

I regularly receive questions regarding my Mexican culture (or rather, my lack thereof) and I’ve been referred to as white on multiple occasions.

This strikes a nerve every time I hear it.

How on Earth does one act white? By buying expensive clothes and having petty, first world problems? By drinking Starbucks and hashtagging ‘#whitegirl’ on Instagram pho-

to his or her race. To call me white — to completely strip me of my heritage just because I don’t act enough like other members of my ethnic group — is unacceptable. You would never judge a caucasian person for his or her apparent lack of knowledge of his or her German, Scottish or Irish heritage, so what makes it okay to do it to other races? Therefore, your personality is not a reflection of your race and vice versa.

It’s true that some ethnic groups share similar qualities, but those are based more on where they live and less on their heritage.

I am a product of a white-dominated, racially-undiverse environment and I am still proudly Mexican (and I still like Starbucks).

TED CRUZ WILL NOT PROCURE THE PRESIDENCY

BY CLAYTON KISTNER

photographer jagwire.claytonkistner@gmail.com

Cruz’s ultra-conservative platform will keep him away from the White House Ted Cruz needs to step up his game. With the 2016 election season looming over the country like a storm on the horizon, it’s only a matter of time until Republicans and Democrats alike begin announcing their nominations for the presidency. Ted Cruz just so happened to be the first.

This could be a valuable asset for Cruz, whose evangelical conservative platform has garnered criticism from both sides of the aisle.

However, his inability to relate and appeal to

a Republican party already divided between the mainstream and the Tea Party movements will be his crippling factor in the primaries, and if he were to receive the nomination, an ever-moderate voting base will surely block his yellow brick road to the White House.

Many Americans seem to be looking for a president who can unite an often viciously bipartisan Congress. The most incriminating example of such incohesiveness being the government shutdown of 2013, of which Ted Cruz was undoubtedly the co-orchestrator.

In fact, it is this very instance that gained Cruz the disdain of Republican party leaders.

Without the support of the party elite, Cruz is doomed to fall into obscurity when a candidate such as Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio enters the fight with the full support of Republican party leaders.

Cruz’s evangelical conservative platform simply does not represent the vast majority of Americans who would rather see compromise

and progress than the continuous gridlock of the 21st century. This constant impasse is what has led much of America toward the center of the political spectrum.

Data collected by the Benenson Strategy Group and Public Opinion Strategies, pollsters for Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, respectively, found a large percentage of the population’s position on the ever-tilting seesaw of political thought lies majoritively in the center.

It is this moderate political climate that is vital to a budding presidential candidate’s campaign, and it is exactly why Cruz will not clinch the nomination, nor the presidency.

If Cruz really wishes to make his way to the White House, he has to make a serious shift in the direction of his campaign, and if that means sacrificing some aspects of his ultra-conservative platform, then so be it. After all, all the world’s a stage, and a governmental election is the biggest of them all.

SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE MORE GUEST SPEAKERS

BY SARAH MYERS

features/A&E editor jagwire.sarahmyers@gmail.com

Assemblies featuring guest speakers are valuable and should be brought back Motivation, passion and inspiration can be hard to come by in a high school setting.

Students often complain about anything and everything. The fact is, high school students lack the drive and inspiration they’re going to need to succeed in just a few short years. The solution — or at least a stepping stone to it — could lie in the hands of the school system.

In the past, our school has hired motivational speakers to lead assemblies; however, in recent years, these speakers have been noticeably absent. Considering there is no particular reason for this absence, the school should take initiative and look into bringing back guest speaker assemblies.

Motivational speakers are valuable to students, especially at the high school level. They can inspire healthy living, self-improvement, positive relationships with peers and planning goals for success.

For assemblies, the school should consider hiring speakers with success stories to show students what hard work can bring. In addition, it would be beneficial for students to hear about leadership and getting the most out of the education offered to them. It’s im-

portant that students see education as interesting and valuable; guest speakers inspire this thinking.

Motivational speakers also generally promote “positive thinking,” which studies show creates strong, visible outcomes in long-term mentality. Through various studies, it has been linked to friendship development, longer life spans, better physical health and a wider sense of possibilities in one’s life.

At the end of the day, motivation leads to better outcomes. In a world full of stressedout teenagers, we could use a little more inspiration and encouragement. Motivational speakers not only provide this for students, but they also teach students how to provide it for themselves. It’s time we bring them back to Mill Valley.

Design by Jillian Leiby

10 FEATURE part-time jobs

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

11

part-time jobs FEATURE

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

JOBS PROVIDE CASH, SKILLS

WHAT WORKS FOR YOU JagWire recommends various part-time jobs based on personal preferences

Students with jobs see benefits to being employed while in high school While most people are at home at 11 p.m. on Tuesday night, junior Matt Smith is finishing up a six-hour shift at Sombrero’s Mexican Cantina. Smith applied for his job prior to Thanksgiving and has sinced worked about 30 hours each week.

Despite the challenges, Smith believes his long hours and hard work pay off.

“I save most of it. I’m going to have college paid off before I finish it,” Smith said. “I think it’s worth it, because my mom and stepdad and people are always complaining about college debt and stuff but I’m like, ‘I’m going to have it paid off.’”

GETTING the

JOB DONE Students understand pros and cons of juggling work, school and extracurriculars and debate its importance

BY SARAH MYERS

features/A&E editor jagwire.sarahmyers@gmail.com

BY JILLIAN LEIBY

opinion editor jagwire.jillianleiby@gmail.com

BY ADRI TALAVERA

features/A&E/social media editor jagwire.adritalavera@gmail.com

Sophomore Kevin McGraw has also experienced benefits from working, despite balancing school, sports and a heavy workload. Currently, McGraw works at both Sutera’s Italian Restaurant and Sonic. To him, the time is worth the outcomes. “[Having a job] is very valuable.

I’m learning a lot about how business works and how everything operates behind the scenes,” McGraw said. “Plus, I’m making pretty decent money and getting a good experience.”

As a staff member at Sky Zone trampoline park, Brittany Ouellette

Are you a people person?

also understands the value of working in high school.

“I think it is very beneficial [for students to have a job],” Ouellette said. “The experience helps, getting to know people … [learning] common etiquette [and] how to talk to somebody.”

Despite the positives, Smith does not think jobs are for everyone.

“If you can’t manage school very well, then you should just do school,” Smith said. “But if you think you can manage something else along with it and want to make some extra money, I think it’s all right.”

YES

Do you like being around kids?

YES

Students choose activities and school over having jobs, despite the pressure to get one that she spend her time working towards earning scholarships.

“At first, I was bummed that [my parents] wouldn’t let me get a job,” Gatapia said. “At the same time, I’m kind of glad they made that decision for me, so I don’t have pressure of having to choose if I’m going to work for scholarships or I’m going to work an actual job.”

Junior Allen Weinert participates in school musicals and six different choirs. For Weinert, who feels having a job is unnecessary in high school, involvement in activities can suffice for the experiences gained through working.

“It’s important for people who aren’t already involved [to have a job].

It requires commitment,” Weinert said. “If you have a lot you’re involved in ... you’re already getting the same experience, if not better.”

Although she sees some value in having a part-time job — saving money, for instance — Ward finds the losses outweigh the benefits that would come with having a job.

“It’s important to some extent, but school is more important,” Ward said. “If I got a job during the school year, I’d be missing out on sleep, sports, school, friends and family.”

Are you a picky eater?

0

YES 55.17%

WORKING NUMBERS

YES

Restaurant STUDENTS WHO WANT A JOB BUT ServicesDO NOT HAVE ONE 100

89.74%

86.67%

75.44%

You80should work in

59.03%

60

YES

75%

Retail

40

should be a

You should be a

You should work in

Tutor

Babysitter

Manual Labor

26.19%You

FRESHMEN

NO

You should work in

73.08%

20

Do you like working hands-on?

NO

Are you good STUDENTS core WHO HAVE at teaching A PART-TIME JOB subjects (math, NO science, etc.)?

60

YES

Do you like clothes?

YES

NO

80

40

NO

YES

NO

100

Do you like being outside?

NO

Do you like the idea of a formal work environment?

JOBS NOT WORTH STRESS Wake up, go to school, attend practice, do homework, eat and go to sleep. With this schedule, some students can’t find time for work.

Already involved in dance, junior Sydney Ward is among those who cannot rationalize getting a job during the school year.

“I don’t have time for [a job]. My schedule is always busy and changing between dance and school,” Ward said. “I don’t see how people have time for a job and do all their homework and other activities.”

Unlike Ward, junior Camille Gatapia looked forward to getting her own job until her parents suggested

NO

SOPHOMORES

20

JUNIORS

0

SENIORS

FRESHMEN

SOPHOMORES

JUNIORS

SENIORS

Survey of 150 students

Survey of 351 students

Students answer questions about having part-time jobs in high school STUDENTS WHO HAVE A PART-TIME JOB

STUDENTS WHO WANT A JOB BUT DO NOT HAVE ONE

100

100 86.67%

80 55.17%

60

100

89.74% 75.44%

80

73.08% 59.03%

75%

60

40

0

40

SOPHOMORES

JUNIORS

0

SENIORS

Survey of 351 students

NUMBER ONE REASON STUDENTS SAID

FRESHMEN Need for money (72.5%)

SOPHOMORES

JUNIORS

SENIORS

Survey of 150 students

SOPHOMORES Need for money (81.08%)

0

Need for money (72.5%)

SOPHOMORES

JUNIORS

SENIORS

Survey of 325 students

Need for money (81.08%) Everyone else has one (0%)

Experience (10%)

Experience (8.11%)

Parents (7.5%)

Parents (1.35%)

Other (0%)

Other (4.05%)

Need for money (73.33%)

FRESHMEN

SOPHOMORES

Everyone else has one (0%)

Do not want job (10%)

20

FRESHMEN

FRESHMEN

JUNIORS

40

20

FRESHMEN

80 60

26.19%

20

NUMBER ONE REASON STUDENTS SAID THEY WANT OR HAVE A JOB

Do not want job (5.41%) SENIORS Need for money (82.89%)

Everyone else has one (1.48%)

Everyone else has one (0%)

Experience (8.15%)

Experience (5.26%)

Parents (2.96%)

Parents (3.96%)

Other (3.71%)

Other (0%)

Do not want job (10.37%)

Do not want job (7.89%)

Photo illustrations by Karissa Schmidt Design by Tori Aerni and Sarah Myers

12 SPORTS briefs

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

SO FAR THIS

SEASON

An update on the current spring sports season*

BY SAM LOPEZ

reporter jagwire.samlopez@gmail.com

GIRLS SOCCER GIRLS SWIM

BY MARGARET MELLOTT

> Current Record:

reporter/photographer jagwire.margaretmellott@gmail.com

4-0

> Next Game:

Track athletes break down their events and how they prepare for each event

Today @ home @ 6 p.m.

> Last Meet: Placed second in the Blue Valley West meet on Monday, April 13

> Next Meet:

Thursday, April 23 @ Chisholm Trail Middle School @ 4 p.m.

POLE VAULT “I think it’s different because it’s just very unordinary jumping on a 15 or 14 foot pole up in the air 13-plus feet.

The hardest part is just the technique. When you first start, getting it down at the very beginning is the most crucial part because if you don’t do it right at the beginning you won’t do it right at the end”

BASEBALL

SOFTBALL

> Current Record:

> Current Record:

> Next Game:

> Next Game:

8-0

Today @ Tonganoxie @ 4 p.m.

HIGH JUMP

“It’s a lot different than other sports. Most sports you’re facing forward, focused on what’s in front of you. When you throw the shot you start the other way. It’s all about legs and technique”

“We do mat work which involves backbends, dolphins and flops. [For] backbends, you bend your back. [For] flops, you jump up, bend backwards and land on your shoulder blade. Dolphins, you do a standing backflip and land on your chest.”

SOPHOMORE DJ GRAVIETTE

SOPHOMORE EHTAN AHRENHOLTZ

Photos by Claire Biles, Madison Ferguson and Karissa Schmidt Design by Madison Ferguson

JAVELIN “You run down the runway for about half of [its length] and then you switch and start running sideways. You run as fast as you can till you jump up, you hit the ground, and then you stop all of your speed and throw” JUNIOR GREYSON MCDONALD

RUNNING

Today @ home @ 4:30 p.m.

BOYS TENNIS BOYS GOLF > Last Tournament: Placed 2nd in a duel against Kansas City Christian on Thursday, April 9.

> Next Tournament: Today @ Home @ 3:30 p.m.

JUNIOR COOPER HUTTEGER

SHOT PUT

5-1

> Last Tournament: Placed 11th in the Washburn Rural Invitational on Thursday, April 9

> Next Tournament:

Tuesday, April 28 @ Shawnee Mission Country Club @ 8 a.m.

*as of Monday, April 13

DISCUS

LONG JUMP

“We go up to the blocks, the starting line, listen for the gun and start the race. Once I cross the finish line it’s the best feeling ever”

“[Discus] is probably one of the more frustrating and hard throwing events to understand. It’s definitely one of the more technical ones”

“All you have to do is sprint down the runway and then see how far you can jump. there’s not really anything technique wise to it”

SOPHOMORE JAKOB COACHER

SOPHOMORE GABBY HOPKINS

SOPHOMORE MORGAN THOMAS

baseball

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

SPORTS

13

HITTING HOME Young baseball team works to build off the loss of a large senior class

BY LIZZIE KULCSAR

reporter jagwire.lizziekulcsar@gmail.com

BY BRADEN SHAW

reporter jagwire.bradenshaw@gmail.com After the final out of the 2014 season, the baseball team members looked to regroup after an early loss in the postseason.

Last year, the team had its season end in the regional round against Emporia. Assistant coach Dustin Stinnett saw the positives in last season, but left disappointed by the final result.

“It just so happened that our last game didn’t go well,” Stinnett said. “If one game [happens] where things don’t go your way, which happens all the time in baseball … your season’s over.”

Head coach Jeff Strickland knows this season will be different with the loss of eight seniors from last year’s squad.

“This year’s senior class has to step up and lead,” Strickland said.

“We lost a lot of seniors [from last year’s team], seven of which were starters and position players. So that’s hard — not only to replace them as skilled baseball players, but as leaders. Last year’s senior class was a very good senior class in regards to leadership.”

Stinnett is always looking to continue the success of past teams, with three state tournament appearances and a fourth place finish in 2013 in the program’s history.

“The expectations are always the same,” Stinnett said. “Let’s win our conference, let’s win our region and then let’s go place in [the state tournament]. Year in and year out, you have to expect to do great things or they’ll never happen.”

The talent of this year’s team is one aspect that senior outfielder Eli Stewart notices. Stewart and has enjoyed playing alongside this group.

“It’s fun to grow and develop with those guys that you’ve been with for [over] four years,” Stewart said. “We have a very talented upperclassmen group; we have very good juniors and seniors. In the past we have lacked a strong rotation of starting

pitchers but this year we really do have a good one that will hopefully get us through a lot of games.”

Strickland and Stinnett are always seeking a state title, and junior pitcher Brenden Shutt hopes to meet these expectations and keep the team in the correct mindset.

“We’re always keeping the same approach every year,” Shutt said.

“Support the team, not ourselves is a big [motto] for us. Kids are going off to college next year and our coach doesn’t want us to be focused on our college when we have to still support the high school team.”

Stinnett sees this season as an opportunity for this younger team to step up and make a name for themselves.

“We have young guys who have yet to prove themselves, which is OK since they haven’t had the opportunity to prove themselves,” Stinnett said. “We have all of the tools necessary to be a really nice club … That’s all just lip-service if there’s no proof to say that we’re good.”

LEFT: Before taking the mound, junior Lucas Krull warms up by throwing a few pitches on Thursday, April 9. “I love [pitching],” Krull said.

“It’s what I’m going to college for and hopefully after that I can keep going for my career.” Photo

by Karissa Schmidt

BAT STATS

LEFT: Junior Brenden Shutt throws the ball to first base in an attempt to get the runner out during the game against Bonner Springs on Thursday, March 26. “I play shortstop. I am in charge of commanding the infield and letting everyone know what they are doing,” Shutt said. “Along with just stopping all of the balls that come at me, I direct the traffic.” Photo

by Karissa Schmidt

Previous records for the baseball team

Seniors lost from 2013-14 season:

Total KVL championships won:

Total regional championships won:

= 1 person/title Design by Sam Lopez

14 ADS

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

competitive golf SPORTS

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

15

ON THE CITY OF SHAWNEE, KANSAS Now hiring Lifeguards and Swim Instructors!

The City of Shawnee is seeking enthusiastic, de pendable workers who possess fantastic customer service for the 2015 Summer Pool Season.

Lifeguards: must be 16 years of age or older and hold current American Red Cross Waterpark Lifeguard Certification by date of hire. Lifeguard certification classes are available through the Shawnee Parks and Recreation Department. Starting salary is $8.75/hr.

Swim Instructors: must be 16 years of age or older. Must be available to work from June 1 - July 31. Training will be provided. Starting salary: $9.75/hr.

Pool Employment Applications available on-line at www.cityofshawnee.org and at Shawnee City Hall, 11110 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203.

Positions open until filled. All positions require post offer drug screen.

APPROACH “My dad told me that I had to do a sport in high school, and so he was like, ‘I think you should try golf, Meg,’” Green said. “So, one day, he just brought me out to the course and we just started playing and I really liked it, so we kept doing it.”

Ben, Bella and Green will all golf through the Kansas City Junior Golf Association this summer, playing in multiple tournaments across Kansas City. Bella golfed with the Junior Team Golf Association in past summers, playing nine-hole tournaments. Ben and Green have also golfed in the KCJGA before.

Green said she usually finishes between fifth and seventh in her summer tournaments, which include around 30 girls. For her, golfing outside of school provides more social opportunities than golfing on a high school team.

“It’s actually just a really great opportunity to meet new people,” Green said. “It’s not just typical people that you’d play with if you were [at] school … I also just like that it’s just more competition.”

Bella has previously won tournaments in the JTGA, but has yet to compete in the KCJGA until this summer. Out-of-school golf is more competitive than school golf to her because of the players’ experience.

“It’s a little bit less serious in high school because, if you’re playing on a summer league, that’s kind of all people that have been playing for a long time and they’re really good,”

BY JUSTIN CURTO

managing editor jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com

BY GRACE VAN INWEGEN

reporter jagwire.gracevaninwegen@gmail.com After walking away from the 18th hole at the Vinzant Consotti Memorial Tournament in Overland Park last summer, senior Ben Hadden found himself with a new passion for golf. He won the tournament by 18 strokes, finishing 12 under par in one of five wins that summer and with a new tournament low.

“That was the most fun I have ever had playing golf because I was playing so well,” Ben said. “I became addicted to that feeling to where I want to dominate tournaments even more than I did then.”

For Ben, golf is as much of an activity outside of school as it is on the school team. In addition to other student golfers freshman Bella Hadden and sophomore Meg Green, Ben golfs in out-of-school leagues as well as with the school.

Ben has been golfing for 17 years, and became more serious about the sport in the past few years.

“My dad started me pretty much as soon as I could walk, so ever since then I have been playing,” Ben said. “I really got serious when high school started.”

Unlike Ben and Bella, who also golfs because of her dad, Green has only played golf for 2 1/2 years.

Students golf competitively in leagues as well as on school teams

Bella said. “And then, high school teams, some people are less experienced in playing.”

All three want to continue to golf through college. Ben will play golf at Iowa Western Community College in the fall, and will play a qualifier for the U.S. Open in the future.

“I’m just focusing on keeping my goals short term and eventually leading on to bigger things,” Ben said. “My overall goal is to be the best.”

KEEPING SCORE Unique terms for scoring in golf HOLE

Hole-in-one Albatross

2

3

4

5

6

7

Shooting two under par on a hole

Birdie

Shooting one under par on a hole

Bogey Double Bogey Triple Bogey Design by Sam Lopez

8

9

OUT

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17

Taking one shot to get the ball in the hole Shooting two on a par 5 hole

Eagle Par

Design by Raven Hodges

1

Shooting the recommended number of shots on a hole (e.g., three on a par 3) Shooting one over par on a hole Shooting two over par on a hole Shooting three over par on a hole

18

ABOVE: Freshman Bella Hadden puts the ball at the Shawnee Golf and Country Club on Monday, April 13. “[My favorite part is] putting and chipping,” Bella said. “It’s more important to the game when you’re closer to the hole.”

Photo by Jena Smith LEFT: At the Shawnee Golf and Country Club, senior Ben Hadden hits the ball over a sand trap on Tuesday, April 7.

“For me, [golf] is just something to take my mind off of everything else,” Hadden said. “It’s really becoming what my life is.”

Photo by Jena Smith

16 A&E cupcakes

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

CUPCAKE

BY JUSTIN CURTO

managing editor jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com

BY RAVEN HODGES

business manager jagwire.ravenhodges@gmail.com

museums

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

A&E

17

BY JILLIAN LEIBY

BY ADRI TALAVERA

opinion editor jagwire.jillianleiby@gmail.com

features/A&E/social media editor jagwire.adritalavera@gmail.com

CONVERSATIONS

BY SAM LOPEZ

reporter jagwire.samlopez@gmail.com

BY KATHERINE WHITE

editor-in-chief jagwire.katherinewhite@gmail.com

Three JagWire staff members review seven cupcake flavors from Smallcakes: A Cupcakery in Shawnee through conversations

LAST WORDS

FAT ELVIS

Reviewers give final thoughts Which cupcake was your favorite?

PEANUT BUTTER CUP

“I like lemon a lot, so I’d say that the Lemon Drop is probably my favorite overall because it was cohesive.”

JUSTIN CURTO

“I liked the Fat Elvis cupcake itself because it tasted like something different from the others, but I liked the Lemon Drop’s frosting because of the lemon in it.”

RAVEN HODGES

“My favorite frosting was the red velvet frosting, and my favorite cupcake was the Fat Elvis cupcake.”

ADRI TALAVERA

How do you feel after eating the cupcakes?

“I feel like fat Justin right now.”

JUSTIN CURTO

“I want to go to sleep.”

RAVEN HODGES

“It’s like JagWire versus cupcakes, and cupcakes won.”

ADRI TALAVERA Photos by Brooke Wiebe Design by Justin Curto

Adri: It looks like Jimmy Neutron.

Raven: It looks like there’s a cupcake on top of a cupcake.

Justin: I think it’s just like a Hershey’s Kiss.

Adri: This looks like Dijonay from “The Proud Family.”

Raven: It’s very wet. That doesn’t sound good.

Justin: I taste banana in this one.

Adri: Mmm. This is my favorite already.

Raven: It reminds me of banana pudding.

Justin: There’s peanut butter and banana.

Raven: I like the cupcake, but not the frosting.

Justin: The frosting intrigues me. (takes bite) This frosting is phenomenal. The actual cake is really good too.

Adri: I don’t really like peanut butter.

Raven: The peanut butter adds to it.

I like the peanut butter.

Justin: With the chocolate, it’s good.

Adri: The peanut butter frosting is not as light and fluffy. It’s filling up my stomach really fast.

LEMON DROP

CHOCOLATE CREAM Raven: It has filling, so that’s always wonderful. It was a nice surprise.

Adri: It’s really rich. It makes me thirsty.

Justin: I don’t really like a lot of chocolate but I like this frosting.

Adri: I need milk.

Raven: I think I’m in love.

Justin: I love lemon stuff.

Adri: It tastes like those lemon Girl Scout cookies.

Justin: That garnish thing, that’s very lemony. I like it.

Adri: It’s like lemon gushy stuff. I’m a fan.

Raven: The only thing is that the cupcake isn’t lemony.

RED VELVET

While the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is often overlooked by residents of Kansas City due its more popular and larger neighbor, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, what the Kemper lacks in quantity it definitely makes up for in quality.

Before you even walk into the museum, which is free of charge, you’ll notice how much the building differs from those around it.

It shows off a gleaming silver roof jutting in different directions while sculptures litter the area surround-

Raven: The frosting’s like a cheesecake.

Justin: The cream cheese frosting is to die for.

Raven: It’s OK. I’m a red velvet snob, so it takes a lot to please me with red velvet.

Adri: I don’t like the word moist, but it’s moist.

Natural History Museum

ing the museum.

Walking in, depending on when you go, the entry room is often filled with voices from the restaurant in the museum, Cafe Sebastienne, tucked away, almost out of view.

However, it’s easy to ignore the noise when you are immediately introduced to gorgeous works of art that contrast with the stark white walls.

Excluding the entry room, there are four rooms filled with various pieces that use multiple mediums such as paper bags, shoestrings,

wood, metal and, my personal favorite, two-way mirrors.

As you make your way through the rest of the museum-which is, unfortunately, a short trip-there are plenty other displays of work that will hypnotize you which include a massive, wooden Buddha head and even a wall of soap bars.

If you’re a fan of contemporary art then the Kemper Museum is absolutely the place to go. It boasts an incredible permanent collection that will leave you wanting more each time you go.

American Jazz Museum

1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, Kan. naturalhistory.ku.edu

1616 E 18th St., Kansas City, Mo. americanjazzmuseum.org

tion can provide a fun challenge.

If you go upstairs, you will find an exhibit on evolution. Head downstairs, and you’ll be met with lots of specimens. Some interesting exhibits include taxidermies of hundreds of birds, a pteranodon skeleton and a mastodon skull. One of my favorite sections was a group of specimens lit up so you can see their skeletal structures.

One downside to this museum is that one can only look at fossils for so long. If you’re not interested in fossils or taxidermies creep you out, you might want to skip this one. However, if ecology is interesting to you, you should definitely take the time to visit the KU Natural History Museum.

Situated in the same building as the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the American Jazz Museum is a lively and interactive experience. Albeit small, the museum makes up for it by putting the visitor right into the action. In one space, the viewer is transported to a ‘50s living room, where they can watch and listen to popular jazz music.

Going through, the museum features spotlights on jazz legends, including Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. These spotlights include tracks of their famous songs, as well as famous historical mementos, including a dress Fitzgerald wore. In one area, the guest becomes the conductor of his or

S’MORES

CHOCOHOLIC Raven: It takes a while for you to taste the chocolate.

Adri: This wouldn’t curb my addiction.

Justin: As you keep eating the frosting, it tastes more chocolaty.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. kemperart.org

Adri: It’s not very s’mores-y once you get rid of the graham cracker.

Justin: This just tastes like chocolate and vanilla.

Raven: I’m tasting a little banana in there.

Don’t know why.

The first thing you see when you enter the University of Kansas Natural History Museum is a skeleton of a mosasaur, a 45foot long marine reptile. During the Cretaceous period, this creature swam in the waters that covered most of Kansas. This impressive fossil sets the stage for the rest of the interesting specimens in the museum.

The museum features exhibits about evolution, fossils, taxidermy, live animals and ecology in general.

The main panorama room portrays the major biomes of the Earth. Whether you’re bringing younger children or you and your friends are competitive, the scavenger hunt checklists found at the entrance of this sec-

her own band, choosing how the instruments can be incorporated into the music pieces, creating mixes for classic jazz pieces.

Also, the museum features a small music bar called the Blue Room, open from 5-11 p.m. and featuring live performances at 8 p.m. The jazz bar sends the viewer back in time to the historic speakeasies. The exhibit ends with a captivating documentary about musical figures in jazz.

The entire set of the museum is nothing short of dramatic and energetic, filled with beautiful recordings of popular jazz songs and fun sets. The American Jazz Museum will make anyone, fan or not, happy with his or her fun, hands-on museum experience.

Photos by Clayton Kistner Design by Sarah Myers

18 ADS

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video games A&E

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19

DR. CLIFFORD L. HOLT

OPTOMETRIST FAMILY VISION CARE-CONTACT LENS JagWire reviews video games for different specific interests

BY NICK BOOTH

news editor jagwire.nickbooth@gmail.com

Member

American Optometric Association

Offer Expires: 5/11/2015

Smoothie King #1244 12106-B Shawnee Mission Pkwy Shawnee, KS 66216 Phone: 913-268-KING (5465) Fax: 913-268-5465

Platform: 3DS ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ Genre: Action/adventure

Design by Raven Hodges

reporter/photographer jagwire.margaretmellott@gmail.com

If you want to play a game for the plot, try

MAJORA’S MASK 3D PHONE 913-631-6959 6435 NIEMAN ROAD SHAWNEE, KANSAS

BY MARGARET MELLOTT

For those whose ideal gaming experience involves intricate plots and subplots, Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D is a great choice.

This remake of the Nintendo 64 classic adds new life to an already critically-acclaimed game. While the “only you can save the world” set-up is cliche, there is a unique twist.

The protagonist Link finds himself in the parallel world of Termina, where the moon will fall on the city in three days’ time. In order to save this world from the apocalypse, Link must time travel and relive the same three days over and over.

On his journey to rescue the town, Link meets an eccentric cast of characters who go about their lives in real time. Some are in denial of the coming apocalypse while others are searching for ways to flee.

These characters’ stories all help to shape this game’s experience. One

BY KATHERINE WHITE

editor-in-chief jagwire.katherinewhite@gmail.com

If you want to play a game for the strategy, try

CIVILIZATION V of the reasons why this game is so memorable is every time you help a townsperson, you have to face a terrible truth: if you don’t manage to stop the apocalypse, everything you’ve done will become undone when you travel back in time.

In addition to the plotlines, another main feature of the game is the dungeons filled with enemies to fight and puzzles to solve. One game mechanism allows you transform by wearing certain masks to explore dungeons, solve puzzles and help citizens.

Something to consider before playing this game is that, because of the extensive content, it takes a long time to finish. Completing a quest before you have to time travel again can also be difficult.

Despite these downsides, this game is amazing. Check out Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D for a great plot-based gaming experience.

Civilization V is the perfect game for those with a thirst for a grand, epic strategy experience.

The game allows the player to build an entire civilization from the ground up, controlling every aspect of its management, from military development to technological research.

Players can win by domination (military victory), science, culture or diplomacy. Each of these victory types adds a new layer of gameplay that enhances the experience.

Civilization V is one of the more recent installments of the critically-acclaimed Civilization franchise, but it is a little bit more simplified compared to the earlier games. Luckily this problem is solved by playing with the Brave New World expansion pact, which adds a new level of depth while still retaining a learning curve that lets players of all skill levels enjoy the game.

If you want to play a multiplayer game, try

If you want to play a game for the action, try

SUPER SMASH BROS. FOR WII U

DYING LIGHT

Platform: 3DS and Wii U ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ Genre: Fighting

If you and your friends are competitive and looking for a video game, it doesn’t get much better than Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Up to 8 players can compete both locally and online.

There is a roster of 49 Nintendo and gaming characters to choose from with at least 3 downloadable characters to be released in the future.

In addition to character variety, there are lots of modes and battle arenas to try. The only major con is the lag when playing online. Despite this, the new Smash Bros. is the ultimate fighting game.

Design by Katherine White

Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One ESRB Rating: Mature 17+ Genre: Survival horror, action role-playing

This year is going to be a huge one for the gaming world and, to start it off with a bang, Dying Light was released in early January. From the creators of Dead Island, Dying Light is a major improvement with the combination of zombies and parkour in a free-roam environment.

Starting off in the zombie-infested city of Harran, the game revolves around an undercover agent sent to recover government secrets. With the failure of his parachute, Agent Kyle Crane is left strandand in the city to fend for himself until he is rescued.

Throughout Dying Light, the day and night cycle is crucial. While you are the hunter during the day, you are hunted during the night. The game’s overall difficulty increases during the nighttime as it gets harder to navigate and the zombies become more aware

Platform: PC, Mac, Linux ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ Genre: Turn-based strategy

and deadly.

The graphics throughout the game are astounding, whether it is during hand-to-hand combat or complete peace at the top of a skyscraper. And when you are not doing either of the those, the game always has something going on — whether it is a part of the main mission or a side mission that helps you score some extra points.

As the game progresses, many new characters are introduced as others die off. Although it is interesting, it also makes it hard to keep up with everything. The gameplay is fantastic, but the plot could use some work — the ending leaves too many unanswered questions and loose ends.

Overall, Dying Light could’ve used more plot and character development, but its visuals and unique aspects make it worth your while.

20 PHOTO ESSAY ap studio art RIGHT: To add to her portfolio, sophomore Sophie Griffin creates line weight on her piece on Friday, April 3. “I’ve learned to be more professional and smooth about [my art],” Griffin said.

“I hope for [AP Studio Art] to expand my knowledge of art.”

Photo by Madison Ferguson

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • JAGWIRE

STATE OF THE Students in the AP Studio Art class express themselves through multiple artistic mediums

ABOVE: Finishing off her improvisational piece in AP Studio Art, junior Brittney Vaughn paints a flower on Wednesday, April 1. “[The class allows me] to focus on my own skills and make them better so I can survive in a college class,” Vaughn said. “[My favorite part is] working on my own concentration pieces and ideas.” Photo by Brooke Wiebe RIGHT: Preparing for her improvisational art project in her AP Studio Art class on Monday, March 30, senior Brooke Drescher applies a base to her canvas. “[Art teacher Erica Crist] lets us explore how we want to explore and guides us along the way.” Photo by Clayton Kistner Design by Karissa Schmidt

ART LEFT: Senior Madeline Lamons works on one of her concentration pieces on Friday, April 3. “My concentration theme is about drug addiction,” Lamons said. “It’s about how needy and glamorized [drug addiction] is.” Photo by Madison Ferguson BELOW: Art teacher Erica Crist instructs her students, including senior Madeline Grube, on the next step of their improvisational pieces in AP Studio Art on Friday, April 1. “I like how we’re forced to rethink a lot of things we thought we knew about art,” Grube said.

Photo by Brooke Wiebe

LEFT: In her AP Studio Art class, senior Taylor Felshaw adds India ink to her improvisational pieces on Wednesday, April 1.

Photo by Sharnelle Bennett