MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL | VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 8 | may 13, 2016
r issue class of 2016 senio
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5
12-13
4 30-31 15-18
19
26
32
in this issue NEWS
OPINIONS (cont.)
retiring teachers renaming the district senior stats college map
4 5 6 7-9
FEATURE give yourself an award twins/friendships in college superlatives
10-11 12-13 15-18
OPINIONS TOC
SPORTS athletic signings leaving the KVL overtime
24-25 26 27
A&E 28-29 30-31
freshman 15 ice cream reviews
PHOTO ESSAY
staff editorial
2
20-23
senior columns
19
senior reward field trip
cover BY Karissa schimdt photos contributed by Jag yearbook & Jagwire newspaper staffs
mill valley high school
32 jagwire
letter from the editors
JAGWIRE 2015-16 staff EDITORs-IN-CHIEF Tori Aerni Sarah Myers Karissa Schmidt
fter three years, 48 work nights, 24 issues and countless memories, this is it. For the sophomores and juniors, it’s just the end of another year. With us seniors, however, this issue marks our last time working on the JagWire. And with that, we think some “thank you’s” are in order. First of all, thank YOU. The students, staff, parents and community that read the JagWire are the reason we have a paper in the first place. Through all the stories we’ve covered, you have always been our driving force to make the paper the best it can be and deliver coverage that matters. We have always appreciated the fact that students care enough about what we cover to talk about it. We also owe a big thank you to the entire JagWire staff. We have all been through so much together and your time and effort has led us to eight incredible issues. Thank you for always putting in so much effort and finding time for the paper despite your crazy lives. We will miss the laughs you bring us, your stories at staff dinners and the memories you’ve helped us create. Habs: thank you for putting up with us. We know how much extra time and effort you pour into us constantly, and we are infinitely grateful. Thank you for your constant support and encouragement to try new things and take risks. You hold us to a high standard that provides us with leadership opportunities not many high schoolers get. We wouldn’t be the journalists, or people for that matter, that we are today without your influence. Over the past three years, we’ve loved every minute of this experience. Thanks for the memories.
a
Tori Aerni
Sarah Myers
features/a&e editors
REPORTERS Claire Boone Jason Chen Tricia Drumm Morgan Gurwell Victoria Wright
Claire Biles Margaret Mellott
managing editor
opinions editor
Jillian Leiby
Adri Talavera
PHOTOGRAPHERS
copy editor
sports editor
Nick Booth
Braden Shaw
photo editor Madison Ferguson
mill valley news editors-in-chief
business managers
Justin Curto Jena Smith
Abigail Archibong Adri Talavera
news editor Sam Lopez
Claire Boone Morgan Gurwell Nick Precht Victoria Wright
social media editors Alison Booth Nora Lucas
JAGWIRE OFFICE
CENSORSHIP POLICY
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.
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 and may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association The 2015 JagWire was named a Pacemaker winner and an All-American newspaper by the NSPA, and earned an All-Kansas rating from the KSPA. The Mill Valley News website was also named a Pacemaker finalist by the NSPA.
SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @millvalleynews Facebook: Mill Valley News
EDITORIAL POLICY We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or a letter to the editor for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or to the print journalism room (C101). Additionally, you may email any member of the staff with opinions, as well as tweet us at @millvalleynews. Anonymous content will not be accepted. Please understand that we have the right to edit all copy that runs in this publication.
Karissa Schmidt
jagwire
mill valley high school
DESIGN BY Sarah Myers
staff
3
SayingGoodbye Two longtime teachers choose to retire from high school education s the year comes to a close, math teacher John McFall and choir director Sheree Stoppel will retire from their long teaching careers, with McFall teaching for 47 years and Stoppel for 36 years. Stoppel said she has enjoyed teaching music because of the relationships she has developed with her students. “Teaching music is so different than a lot of teaching careers,” Stoppel said. “I get my students for multiple years. You develop a different kind of back-and-forth relationship [with students].” Through both teaching and coaching girls basketball, McFall said that watching former students and players succeed and thrive after high school has been the most rewarding part of his job. “You get the students that come back and tell you what an influence you were, that you were their best teacher or that they loved your life stories,” McFall said. “I look at the players I’ve coached over the years and I see them becoming young adults that are successful.” Stoppel has been teaching for six years at Mill Valley, and said she has watched students grow closer through participating in choirs. “The students, they care about each other ... To unleash that in a group, to have them trust each other enough that they can show that, has been so rewarding here,” Stoppel said. “You can’t help but want to teach here
A
... I teach probably more life lessons than I do music at this point in my life, and they get that here at Mill Valley.” Senior Allen Weinert said Stoppel encouraged him and his passion for music. “[Stoppel] has grown my love for music a lot which has helped me throughout my high school career just because that love has unified so many of us and I’ve made so many great friends through the music program,” Weinert said. In addition to McFall’s dedication to helping students be successful in school, senior Maria Guilford, who has had McFall for the past three years, said that his advice goes beyond math. “He also prepares us for life. He tells us stories, which relate to what we are doing most of the time. He just makes sure we’re prepared for everything really,” Guilford said. “It’s not just a math class, it’s a class on life too.” After his retirement, McFall said he hopes to spend more time with his 12 grandchildren and five children, “[keeping] very busy with family activities.” In comparison, Stoppel said she is waiting to decide her retirement plans and is keeping her options open. Ultimately, as students have testified to, both McFall and Stoppel have made an extremely positive and meaningful impact to the ambiance and achievements of the school.
by alison booth reporter jagwire.alisonbooth@gmail.com
by morgan gurwell reporter and photographer jagwire.morgangurwell@gmail.com
Making a new path What will leaving teachers miss most about Mill Valley most?
JACK JOHNSON SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER “[I’m going to miss] the kids. I’m going to be in a role where I’m not going to be around kids.” WHERE: Leavenworth school district
NATASHA COX MATH TEACHER “I truly I love working with these kids and my co-workers. You work everyday with the kids and they make life easier.” Legacy High School WHERE: (Broomfield, Colorado)
VICTORIA PALOMINO COMMUNICATION ARTS TEACHER “I’m going to miss these kids the most. I have two grades of kids that I’ve gotten to know really well, so it’ll be really sad to not see them.” WHERE: Olathe South High School
What was the best memory from high school? I managed to finally make it out of my “awkward phase” though I can’t help but think that my life will be perpetually awkward. senior Tyler Shurley
4
news
DESIGN BY Sam Lopez
Photos BY Nick Precht
mill valley high school jagwire
DISTRICT CONSIDERS Name Change Board of Education hopeful rebranding, including the name change, will unify the USD 232 communiy n an effort to unify the USD 232 school district, the Board of Education has begun discussions of changing the district’s nickname from De Soto school district to something more inclusive, as more cities occupy the district than just De Soto. Although no name has been decided on, the board is hopeful the rebranding will help unify the community as well as make the district more distinguishable, compared to the Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, and Olathe school districts, according to assistant superintendent Alvie Cater. “Our school district is so much more than just one community and we’d like to find a nickname that better represents all communities of the school district,” Cater said. In most cases, rebranding would often cost a significant amount of money. However, due to any district printed material donning the USD 232 name instead of the De Soto name and it’s in-house branding — done by Cater — the cost would be nothing. “We’ll use traditional media coverage and then web, email, text, and word of mouth,” Cater said in regards to marketing a new nickname. “There are no legal costs.” This name change may also help with the misidentification that Mill Valley faculty and students often struggle with outside of school, according to social studies teacher
I
by sam lopez news editor jagwire.samlopez@gmail.com
Angie DalBello. “I feel like I have to give a dissertation to everyone who asks me where I work. It’s this whole long drawn out explanation and they’re still confused at the end,” DalBello said. “I feel like ‘De Soto school district’ is kind of a misnomer Others don’t understand that there’s two high schools in this district. I do think it would create clarity.” Gifted education ABOVE: Interim superintendent Dr. Rom Wimmer and assistant superintendent of educational and administrative services adviser Carmen Shelly, who has been in the Alvie Cater discuss the possibility of a district name-change at a board meeting on Friday, March 16, 2012. Photo by Justin district since 1984, believes the change could Curto be “re-energizing”. “I’ve seen a kind of division between the and listen to patrons of USD 232, establishing two sides of the district,” Shelly said. “Pulling a relationship with the community. “The Board of Education is truly trying together one name that everybody could agree on rather than one that was just sort of to be an active listener and they truly want given to the district could be a really focusing to know the concerns that the parents and staff have,” Cater said. “As long as we continand energizing.” At the end of the day, Cater says the ue to put others first then the unification will Board of Education is there to be responsive come.”
name change debate
In a survey of 252 students, they answer “should the district change its name?”
yes
NO
53%
47%
What advice do you have for incoming freshman? Don’t think you have time to slack off. You want to have as high of a GPA as possible and every A counts. senior Jay Sanders
jagwire
mill valley high school
DESIGN BY nick booth
news
5
senior success 255 of the 313 seniors respond to survey looking back on high school and looking forward
C
L
A
66%
S
S
of graduates will attend college in Kansas
O
F
total scholarship money offered:
top 3 1 2 3
TOP MAJORS
0
$6,491,000
favorite teachers
former social studies teacher
Dustin Stinnett
social studies teacher Chris Dunback english teacher Ashley Agre
2
1
6
*as of May 6
top 3 1 2 3
hardest classes
Pre-Calculus Anatomy AP Statistics
34
majoring in business
g in k a m memories
24
majoring in nursing
23
majoring in engineering
blue bomb/ campout Sept. 18
state football
state basketball
relay for life
Nov. 28
March 12
April 1-2
In what way have you changed since freshman year? I have matured and have a more open mind when it comes to others opinions. senior Sydney Hanson
6
news
DESIGN BY Tori Aerni
mill valley high school jagwire
a n d
s o
t h e This year’s senior class will travel to 25 states and the District of Columbia for college and future plans. See their majors and destinations*
begins 1
1 1
2
1
1
1
4 3 5
1
1
211
1
30
4
1
1
1
1
1 1
5
5 1
1
*Only those students who returned a survey were included in this list
Arkansas University of Arkansas Katie Burke: Marketing Lucas Krull: Business Morgan Nelson: Elementary Education Grant Warford: Business/Law Remi Zella: Biology
Arizona Arizona State University Jake Drees: Supply Chain Management Jacob Klenda: Undecided Allie Kubiak: Mathematics Sebastian Peterson: Engineering Management Cameron Thompson: Marketing
California American Musical and Dramatic Academy Siera Thompson: Performing Arts
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology Callie Minshew: Cosmetology Saddleback College Kayla Logsdon: Biology University of San Francisco Chase Midyett: Undecided University of Southern California Morgan Schuler: Business Administration
Colorado University of Colorado at Boulder Lindsay Vanlerberg: Business & Finance
District of columbia American University Nick Booth: Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics and Government
Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology Katie Lee: Computer Science
Idaho Brigham Young University — Idaho Stephanie Schein: Special Education
Indiana Indiana State University Tyler Grauer: Business
Illinois Eastern Illinois University Logan Koch: Business Knox College Niamh Pemberton: Film Scoring Loyola University Shelby Badger: Political Science Northwestern University Justin Curto: Journalism
Iowa Graceland University Heather Neely: Pre-Med
continued on pages 8-9
If you could change anything about high school, what would it be and why? I would try to get to know more people in my class. I’ve always been a people person and I feel like I’ve lacked on meeting new people these last few years. senior Brittany Ouellette
jagwire
mill valley high school
DESIGN By Sarah Myers
news
7
continued from page 7 Iowa State University Camille Gatapia: Open Option University of Iowa Derek Meeks: Marketing University of Northern Iowa Christian Jegen: Business
Kansas Benedictine College Rachel Morgan: Special Education Butler Community College Anthony Brown: Undecided Cole Morris: Engineering Cloud County Community College AJ Knight: Criminal Justice Emporia State University Abigail Brown: Music Education Cassidy Doran: Nursing Ian Doughty: Political Science Whitney Epps: Nursing Elizabeth Fleming: Sociology & Business Olivia Fox: Nursing McKenna Garvey: Nursing Maria Guilford: History Education Kennedy Hoffman: Undecided Sydney Humphrey: Elementary Education Jacob Jackson: Business & Finance Kayla Leiber: Music Education Kate Ocker: Undecided Aidan Quinn: Biology Brenan Riffel: Secondary Education Fort Hays State University Olivia Barber: Nursing Kalen Evans: Psychology Brooke Houghton: Wildlife Biology Alec Schmidt: Undecided Brooks Wright: Finance Haskell University Shyanne King: Business Hutchinson Community College Hersimran Aujla: Physical Therapy Anthony Branch: Undecided Kaitlyn Moore: Aerospace Engineering Johnson County Community College Manuel Abril: Music Education Jacob Almquist: Undecided Taylor Bellmyer: Mechanical Engineering Sydney Bennett: Undecided Emily Borchardt: Undecided Noah Callahan: Criminology Kameron Christopher: Cosmetology Madison Cline: Accounting Joe Coleman: Teaching/Sports Management/Web Design Mason Cooper: Undecided Malik Elliott: History Sam Fair: Undecided Tabitha Farr: Culinary Arts Andre Fraizier: Undecided Roslyn Freeman: Nursing Talin Frey: Architecture Gretchen Gambill: Graphic Design
Jacob Garman: Undecided Lake Gatton: Computer Engineering Meg Gerhart: Cosmetology/Liberal Arts Darrien Geyer: Forensic Science Brad Guthrie: Undecided Logan Hampton: Undecided Logan Harvey: Fire Science Gage Hatton: Computer Programming Corey Holt: Small Engine Mechanic Sohail Ibrahimi: Undecided Michaela Jackson: Undecided Kole Johnston: Sports Management/ Broadcasting Courtney King: Neurodiagnostic Technology (EEG) Jojo Kongvongsay: Dental Hygiene Ethan Lane: Business Audrey Linsey: Undecided Angie Lugo: Psychiatry Eileen Marti: Family & Consumer Sciences Will McFarlin: Undecided Derrell McLemore: Sports Management MaKayla Mengistu: Sonography Trey Mick: Marketing Michael Moreno: Graphic Design Jillian Ottesen: Nursing Austin Parks: Computer Science Kylie Pierce: Culinary Arts Kirsten Pierce: Nursing Nicholas Precht: Undecided Jordan Purvis: Automotive Technician Tatum Rainbolt: Education Nikita Rana: Accounting Tanner Reed: Physical Therapy Janey Rens: Psychology Grant Roach: Business Management Jordan Sanders: Railroad Science Gabby Saunders: Esthetics Aaron Severn: Biology Andy Sloop: Undecided Matthew Smith: Undecided Nicole Stoneburner: Dental Hygiene Ryan Stout: Undecided Julian Teopaco: Physical Therapy Jennifer Tharp: Business & Film Joel Tharp: Business Katy Thomas: Art History/Painting Brittney Vaughn: Interior Design Riley Wagner: Writing Felicia White: Bioengineering Micah Wiedner: Undecided Ashley Young: Game Design Kansas State University Camryn Backes: Biochemistry Spencer Boaz: Veterinary Medicine Matt Butko: Business Management Taylor Corbitt: Undecided Annie Dillon: Biology Lizzy Eber: Nutrition/Kinesiology Brian Fitzsimmons: Music Patrick Gambill: Physics Cole Griggs: IT Engineering Charlie Hamilton: Engineering Lindsey Hamner: Undecided Jacob Hubert: Computer Science
Abbie Hughes: Architecture Connor Julian: Mechanical Engineering Erika Kringen: Food Science & Technology Abby Laning: Biology Lucas Leininger: Geology T-Ying Lin: Mechanical Engineering Austin Mackey: Mechanical Engineering Claudia Meredith: Pre-Med Brock Miles: Architectural Engineering Jenny Morrill: Architecture Brittany Ouellette: Marketing Madison Remijio: Undecided Olivia Reyes: Undecided Ryan Schamberger: Electrical Engineering Katlyn Seyb: Finance Dalton Sieperda: Computer Science Jennifer Sims: Nursing Colby Sirivongxay: Undecided Julia Wheeler: Psychology Jaison Widmer: Supply Chain Management Paige Wiebe: Biology Joe Wilson: Marketing Kansas Wesleyan University Holly Holt: Business King’s University Hannah Schrepfer: Counseling Manhattan Christian College Brendan Tener: Intercultural Studies & Finance Mcpherson College Mitch Cowan: Automotive Restoration Mid-America Nazarene University Rachel Schulte: Nursing Ottawa University Thomas Franco: Engineering/Biology Paul Mitchell The School Jordan Haase: Cosmetology Pittsburg State University Seth Burnett: Undecided Hunter Canning: Accounting Rebecca Deckard: Undecided Natalie Golden: Undecided Adam Grey: Finance Madison King: Nursing Brooklyn McCann: Nursing Cole Messer: Undecided Morgan Panovich: Elementary Education Jared Zukowski: Exercise Science University of Kansas Kat Anglemyer: Elementary Education Claire Biles: Film and Stage Production/ Education Natalie Brinker: Nursing Shane Calkins: Business Sally Carey: Undecided Donovan Chavez: Undecided Mason Cooper: Undecided Micaela Crispin: Architecture Devin DiJoseph: Clinical Lab Science Megan Feuerborn: Business Management & Education Garret Fields: Mechanical Engineering
If you could change anything about high school, what would it be and why? I wish I would have gotten involved sooner than I did because I got to know a lot of amazing people. senior Sydney Bennett
8
news
mill valley high school jagwire
Sivani Gadiraju: Pre-Pharmacy Maddie Gerber: Music Therapy Ben Gillig: Business Harrison Hall: Business Administration Sydney Hanson: Law Ally Henderson: Environmental Science Cameron Hite: Law Cooper Hutteger: Nuclear Physics Siddarth Jambunathan: Masters in Architecture Jeremiah Kemper: Pre-Med Avery Kilgore: Nursing Katarina Knoff: Communications Zac Kornis: Architecture Rachel Lamb: Pre-Pharmacy Nick Lecuru: Business Marisa Macias: Nursing Emily Mason: Undecided Rebecca Mayberry: Dietetics/ Athletic Training Clay McGraw: Civil Engineering Audrey Meacham: Psychology Helina MeKonnen: Biochemistry Val Merriman: Secondary Education Sarah Myers: Biology Savannah Praiswater: Spanish & Pre-Law Taylor Pullen: Biology Nick Ribares: Business Kara Rohr: Business Andrew Rundell: International Business Hannah Rust: Nursing Jay Sanders: Architectural Engineering Logan Schmidt: Biology Tyler Shurley: Undecided Jena Smith: Occupational Therapy Alexandria Smith: Chemical Engineering Michael Snyder: Business & Music Tech Sarah Soriano: Electrical Engineering Nadia Suhail: Business Brennan Teasley: Biology Merrick Vinke: Business Nick Vitale: Pharmacy Carson Vitt: Film Sydney Ward: Nursing Alexis Weaver: Business Catherine Westin: Nursing Jordan Wootton: Biochemical Engineering Breanne Young: Nursing Washburn University Brooke Boxler: Speech Pathology Baiza Desta: Psychology Clayton Holmberg: Business Danielle Holt: Business Braden Ruge: Accounting Dan Thomas: Criminal Justice Emma Wetzel: Undecided
Columbia College Josh Dion: Criminal Justice Cottey College Shelby Hudson: International Relations DeVry University Jordan Laluk: Undecided Kansas City Art Institute Lily Sawyer: Graphic Design/ Photography Lincoln University Koy Holden: Secondary Education Metropolitan Community College Peyton Bendure: Electrical Power Lineman Missouri Southern State University Alicia Pickett: Kinesiology Missouri State University Kristen Alderson: Nursing Missouri University of Science & Technology Brenden Shutt: Civil Engineering Missouri Western State University Tanner Jenkins: Political Talk Radio Northwest Missouri State University Sarah Amos: Undecided Rockhurst University Amber Akin: Nursing Lilly Lutz: Psychology/Criminology State Fair Community College Catie Kaifes: Occupational Therapy University of Central Missouri Taylor Anderson: Graphic Technology Tyler Kringen: Design and Drafting Technology University of Missouri Tori Aerni: Journalism Jillian Leiby: Film Studies & Journalism Adri Talavera: Journalism University of Missouri-Kansas City Hawkeye Mitchell: Business Management-Finance Komal Sangha: Nursing Virginia Smith: Dance Dani Stompoly: Film and Media Studies Westminster College Kally Claeys: Nursing William Jewell College Sara Hempleman: Communications & Business Administration Jack Nielsen: Pre-Law
New York
Minnesota
Gap Year
University of Minnesota Twin Cities Rohit Biswas: Genetics
Megan Abernathy Alex Alt B. Cameron Coleman
Missouri
Nebraska Wesleyan University Kasey Conklin: Business Northeast Community College Kaylee Chapman: Undecided University of Nebraska - Lincoln Karissa Schmidt: Photojournalism
Avila University Gabby Appl: Nursing Christian Howe: Criminal Justice Weston Waldron: Education College of the Ozarks Brianna Nicholson: Undecided
Massachusetts Boston University Karla Kim: Biomedical Engineering
Nebraska
New York University Jack Booth: Mathematics United States Military Academy at West Point Ryan Anderson: Chemical Engineering
North Dakota North Dakota State University Ben Hecht: Business Management
Oklahoma Oral Roberts University Karina Guzman: Medicine
Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh Isabel Crain: Education Administration
South Dakota University of South Dakota Ellie Wilson: Pediatric Speech Pathology or Physical Assistant
Tennessee Vanderbilt University Hanna Ceule: Pre-Med
Texas Texas Christian University Greyson McDonald: Entrepreneurial Management & Real Estate Finance
Utah Brigham Young University Sherry Mcleod: Commercial Music Allen Weinert: Commercial Music
Vermont University of Vermont Kelly Gothard: Biochemistry
Virginia Old Dominion University Meghan Bicknell: History
West Virginia University of Charleston Rienna Schriner: Chemistry
Military
Workforce
Blake Brady James Creiger Will Dervin Nathan Drescher Jackson Granato Matthew Gray Alex Martini
Evan Bilyeu Michael Murray
*12 seniors did not respond to survey
What about the future are you looking forward to the most? Being able to have a family and job that I am passionate for. senior Gage Hatton
jagwire
mill valley high school
design by Sarah Myers
news
9
Most likely to...
After voting superlatives on page 15-18, seniors give themselves an award of their choice
become a makeup artist megan abernathy // become a famous rock star Manuel abril // send my kids to Mill Valley Tori aerni // live off of chocolate milk Amber akin // travel all over the country kristen alderson // still be carded at 40 jacob almquist // be mistaken for Caron Vitt alex alt // keep the Christmas tree up year round sarah amos // get yelled at constantly ryan anderson // beg Elizabeth Fleming to not do the unnecessary thing she wasn’t even dared to do taylor anderson // star in a TV show called “The Goose Whisperer” Kat anglemyer // randomly pass out in school gabby appl // still have the longest hair hersimran aujla // become a crazy dog lady camryn backes // be an underrated senator shelby badger // make up a word when needed taylor bellmyer // get called “big P” peyton bendure // get a full tattoo sleeve sydney bennett // laugh at a joke, regardless if it’s funny or not, to make you feel better meghan bicknell // be the next Johnathan Bryce Copeland claire biles // be in New York Fashion Week evan bilyeu // be the token minority on a brochure rohit biswas // be able to quote any movie spencer boaz // help you with your math homework for fun jack booth // ironically correct you’re grammar nick booth // be a soccer mom without having any kids of my own emily borchardt // move away brooke boxler // blow up blake brady // dance after high school abby brown // be a therapist anthony brown // be allergic to you katie burke // spend money on useless things matt butko // be flippin’ all night shane calkins // own my own restaurant noah callahan // become pro cornhole champion of the world hunter canning // be a secret agent sally carey // have food in her backpack hanna ceule // win the Hunger Games kaylee chapman // have the best burritos donovan chavez // own a teacup pig and goat kameron christopher // be on “Grey’s Anatomy” kally claeys // have a negative account balance madison cline // be a successful poet b. cameron coleman // have a job in sales joe coleman // be successful kasey conklin // be clownin’ taylor corbitt // own the nicest car mitch cowan // lose my phone inside my saxophone isabel crain // be a truck driver james creiger // be the wealthiest Webkinz member micaela crispin // be featured on a sitcom’s laugh track Justin Curto // have 12 dogs Rebecca deckard // marry Meg Gerhart will dervin // sleep through a wedding baiza desta // work at the Grass Pad the rest of my life devin dijoseph // accidentally create a genetic mutant annie dillon // watch the most “One Piece” josh dion // find an animal and raise it as my own cassidy doran // become president ian doughty // go straight to the league jake drees // become a Marine nathaniel drescher // live on the beach lizzy eber // be a successful African-American malik elliott // not know what’s going on whitney epps // go on a roadtrip and never come back kalen evans // become Wolf of Wall Street sam fair // not return from college freshman spring break garret fields // work at Mill Valley one day megan feuerborn // live in a cabin in the woods brian fitzsimmons // do something completely unnecessary without even being dared to elizabeth fleming // have more dogs than kids olivia fox // become a lacrosse coach thomas franco // be on a wanted poster andre frazier // change my hair every two weeks roslyn freeman // live on a farm talin frey // grow the most in my high school years sivani gadiraju // be a homeless artist gretchen gambill // be a professional “gambiller” (pun intended) patrick gambill // own a lot of dogs mckenna garvey // be wearing my parent’s clothing camille gatapia // move out of the country lake gatton // be happy maddie gerber // marry Will Dervin meg gerhart // cry an actual river darrien geyer // be the last person out of the room after the bell rings natalie golden // collapse in a self-righteous rant kelly gothard // have the most memorable nickname izik gousseinov // eat then come back for seconds jackson granato // go to Indiana State University tyler grauer // succeed matt gray // be angry adam grey // gain the first million cole griggs // become a crazy plant lady maria guilford // tell jokes at the wrong time brad guthrie // travel around the world and never return home karina guzman // move to Hawaii jordan haase // win an intramural championship harry hall // not have a good answer to this question charlie hamilton // be the next Deb Steiner lindsey hamner // get abducted by aliens logan hampton // be sleeping sydney hanson // be mistaken for a 30-year-old logan harvey // skip class gage hatton // be told I’m really tall like I don’t already know ben hecht // organize everything sara hempleman // live in a tree ally henderson // try hard andrew hicks // be the son of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky cameron hite // travel the world kennedy hoffman // be on the Profesional Golfers’ Association tour koy holden // rap the entire song clayton holmberg // get a Subaru WRX STI corey holt // trip at graduation danielle holt // be the real Hannah Montana holly holt // live in a house made from chocolate brooke houghton // become a soccer star christian howe // end up moving eight more times for his job jacob hubert // adopt kids from every continent shelby hudson // marry Ike Valencia abbie hughes // meet Demi Lovato, pass out, hit my head and go into a coma sydney humphrey // run an underground railroad cooper hutteger // get famous for something stupid sohail ibrahimi // watch every Royals game Jacob jackson // improvise the next ten years of my life michaela jackson // mention the number of Twitter followers I have in a job interview sid jambunathan // live in Maine christian jegen // be a conservative tanner jenkins // become the next Rex Hudler kole johnston // say I will be there at 9 a.m. and show up at 11 a.m. connor julian // own my own Crocs store catie kaifes // gain my freshman 15 exclusively by drinking Pacific Cooler Capri Suns jeremiah kemper // have the most puppies avery kilgore // play division 1 football in college karla kim // be alone for the rest of my life courtney king // steal a baby madison king // succeed shyann king // swap it for air if I could
10
feature
mill valley high school jagwire
jacob klenda // grab the ball on Hershey Aujla’s head aj knight // live in at least four different countries kat knoff // work at Good Burger logan koch // move away jojo kongvongsay // be featured in an ESPN body issue zac kornis // live abroad erika kringen // become a millionaire tyler kringen // eat and go back for seconds, because that’s what chalabi would do lucas krull // be a honey badger allie kubiak // be worth more than Kanye West jordan laluk // sleep through the bus for state choir rachel lamb // date a super-pretty magazine model ethan lane // be a techie all my life abby laning // win the World Series of Poker nick lecuru // die living with Abby Brown kayla leiber // watch gymnastics on my deathbed jillian leiby // live in Alaska lucas leininger // stay a student forever t-ying lin // drop a fire mixtape audrey linsey // get lost driving home from school kayla logsdon // have more dogs than children lilly lutz // be a jersey chaser marisa macias // design the next big car using alternative fuel sources austin mackey // go to rehab for an online shopping addiction eileen marti // win a Nobel Peace prize alex martini // have all ginger babies emily mason // get suspended for 90 days rebecca mayberry // be a football mom brooklyn mccann // win intramural pingpong greyson mcdonald // become an author will mcfarlin // not know what to put here clay mcgraw // smile too much derrell mclemore // have a horse farm sherry mcleod // become a crazy cat lady audrey meacham // become the modern-day Forrest Gump derek meeks // accidently become famous from an embarrassing YouTube video helina mekonnen // cop an attitude makayla mengistu // make every conversation awkward claudia meredith // not be doing my math homework val merriman // be a stay at home dad cole messer // win trey mick // become the Last Airbender chase midyett // become Jesus brock miles // get married right out of high school callie minshew // be your boss hawkeye mitchell // park an airplane in her garage instead of a car kaitlyn moore // be one of the funniest people you remember after high school michael moreno // adopt all the world’s children Rachel morgan // be a country music singer cole morris // be a millionaire michael murray // Photoshop her face on to celebrities’ significant others sarah myers // freak out over what to put here heather neely // challenge Will McFarlin to a dance battle and lose morgan nelson // have kids by age 25 brianna nicholson // die a war hero jack nielsen // be in (unrequited) love with John Mayer forever kate ocker // travel to Ibiza jillian ottesen // get ID’d when I’m 30 brittany ouellette // to have an addiction to QuickTrip corn dogs morgan panovich // make the next Call of Duty game austin parks // become a millionaire heral patel // get a restraining order from Chris Evans niamh pemberton // become Jimmy Neutron sebastian peterson // become a nurse alicia pickett // watch everything on Netflix, twice savannah praiswater // sleep through every alarm in college nick precht // host a talk show taylor pullen // be a professional nerd jordan purvis // wear cat T-shirts every day of the week aidan quinn // be a pianist tatum rainbolt // be a quiet person nikita rana // be a physical therapist tanner reed // speak for the trees madison remijio // take a lot of sick days janey rens // be a trophy wife olivia reyes // own a rocketship nick ribares // found a Boy Scouts troop brenan riffel // be a NASCAR driver grant roach // have just woken up from a nap kara rohr // live in a box on the sidewalk andrew rundell // leave Kansas hannah rust // succeed in railroad science jordan sanders // be a 40 year old at a One Direction concert komal sangha // always be wearing a choker gabby saunders // be an artist or photographer lily sawyer // star in “The Office” ryan schamberger // steal someone’s hair stephanie schein // succeed alec schmidt // photograph my own wedding karissa schmidt // be a doctor logan schmidt // blame it on the cat Hannah schrepfer // be a dog hoarder rienna schriner // eat potatoes morgan schuler // go bankrupt from buying too much Starbucks rachel schulte // end up owning 10,000 animals aaron severn // own a Chick-fil-A katlyn seyb // pursue a career in interpretive dance and/or slam poetry tyler shurley // drop out of college and become a professional poker player brenden shutt // laugh at your joke dalton sieperda // be found at the closest ice cream shop jennifer sims // join the A$AP Mob colby sirivongxay // write the next “Fifty Shades of Grey” alexandria smith // get emotional over mac & cheese jena smith // work at Sombreros for the rest of my life matthew smith // work at Disney virginia smith // hit the dab michael snyder // lead the robot uprising sarah soriano // breathe air zachary soriano // become a professional skateboarder austin sproul // spend college savings on coffee dani stompoly // have a family of eight and leave Kansas nicole stoneburner // be the most musically gifted ryan stout // marry into the Kardashian family adrianna talavera // start on my own intramural team brennan teasley // backpack through South America brendan tener // be a motivational speaker julian teopaco // be so sarcastic I get in trouble jennifer tharp // sing joel tharp // be a Power Ranger dan thomas // become a famous artist katy thomas // get 483 hops on a pogo stick while coloring cameron thompson // be a starving artist siera thompson // go to medical school solely because of “Grey’s Anatomy” lindsay vanlerberg // be 80 with brightly colored hair brittney vaughn // have a bunch of chihuahuas merrick vinke // drop a fire mixtape nick vitale // be friendzoned by my own wife carson vitt // hibernate for a year and still be tired riley wagner // drive a minivan weston waldron // open a Freddy’s franchise sydney ward // become the next Dan Bilzerian grant warford // be excited to leave alexis weaver // play a munchkin on Broadway allen weinert // be the best worst driver catherine westin // fall out of a chair during a fire drill emma wetzel // marry a guy with a man bun julia wheeler // have more than 10 dogs felicia white // play on an Olympic ping pong team jaison widmer // binge watch “How It’s Made” paige wiebe // overdose on pre-workout micah wiedner // be an Olympic speedwalker ellie wilson // own a yacht joe wilson // rock a man bun 24/7 jordan wootton // live in the middle of nowhere brooks wright // own an animal shelter ashley young // be late because of straightening my hair breanne young // marry a professional athlete remi zella // come in contact with an extraterrestrial jared zukowski
jagwire
mill valley high school
Design by karissa schmidt
feature
11
joined at the hip College impacts the relationships of best friends, couples and siblings
friends take separate paths
ABOVE: Seniors Helina Mekonnon (left) and Siera Thompson (right) pose for their junior prom photos on Saturday, May 2. Photo submitted by Siera Thompson
Seniors Siera Thompson and Helina Mekonnen will stay close tanding on the stage of the Little Theater for the last time, seniors Siera Thompson and Helina Mekonnen take their final bows as high school performers. After being friends for six years, Thompson will attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles while Mekonnen will attend the University of Kansas. The two met in the seventh grade, when Thompson moved to the school district, and have since connected through theatre. Despite not seeing each other much at school, Thompson and Mekonnen have remained close friends.
S
saying goodbye
“It’s funny because we haven’t had a lot of classes together,” Mekonnen said. “But we’ve still maintained this relationship. We hang out after school, and I’m at her house a lot. Her mom calls me her daughter half the time. It’s pretty funny.” Although the two both describe themselves as “sisters,” Thompson said it was important to follow her aspirations toward acting, despite leaving her friends behind. “I just always knew I wanted to go there, but it seemed too good to be true,” Thompson said. “Everything worked out perfectly, and I got the opportunity to go so I was like, ‘OK, I have to.’ It’s my dream.” While theatre has always been a dream for both girls, the theatre department at school put a flame under their friendship.
by jillian leiby managing editor jagwire.jillianleiby@gmail.com
by nora lucas reporter and photographer jagwire.noralucas@gmail.com As seniors, they both felt emotional after the ending of this year’s play. “We just had the cast party for the play, and we sat down in the corner while everyone else was crying and said, ‘OK, you’re leaving after this ... we’re not going to let this separate us at all,” Mekonnen said. “‘We’re still going to be best friends, we’re still going to talk a lot.’ It’s still kind of sad, thinking about how this is the end of a lot of eras, but I don’t think it’s going to be the end of ours.” Despite being hundreds of miles apart, the two feel staying in touch will not be a problem. “We’re the kind of friends that can talk on the phone for a few hours or just text about anything, so I think it’ll be easy for us to keep in touch,” Thompson said. Thompson also believes that since KU is close to Shawnee, she will see Mekonnen while visiting home. “As the year has gone by, we’ve realized we’ll miss each other a lot,” Thompson said, “but it’ll be fine because I’m going to be coming back here to visit my family all the time. We’ll still see each other.” Mekonnen agrees, and thinks having a friend like Thompson will benefit her in college. “A lot of people will say, ‘College is a new experience: a time to make new friends, a new chapter in your life,’” Mekonnen said, “but I don’t think it’s good to jump into anything without any support or backup. Having a friend from high school, someone who has been a major support to you all these years, would be a great way to start that next chapter.”
Seniors share the most difficult part about leaving for college
“I’m going to miss … seeing everyone I know … all the time. When we go off … it’s going to be kind of sad leaving everyone.”
“The hardest part about [leaving] is not seeing my dogs. They’re super cute and I love them. I’m not going to see them ... it’ll be sad.”
“The hardest part is [leaving] my family. Even though I will be 20 minutes away, my little brother still doesn’t like that so he takes it hard.
SENIOR LOGAN HARVEY
SENIOR PAIGE WIEBE
SENIOR GABBY APPL
What was your best memory from high school? [Senior] Emma Wetzel falling out of her chair during the fire drill in [English teacher Ashley] Agre’s class freshman year. senior Jenny Morrill
12
feature
mill valley high school jagwire
Twins choose college together Seniors Kirsten and Kylie Pierce plan on attending the same college ver since they were born, senior twins Kirsten and Kylie Pierce have been inseparable. High school has only strengthened their bond: They are both a part of Sociology of Community Service, managed the boys basketball team together and participated in Stage Crew for six theater productions, including the recent portrayal of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. When the question of college came up, Kylie just wanted to go with her sister. “We’ve been together all of our lives and we do everything together,” Kylie said. “So I just really wanted to go with her.” They decided on Johnson County Community College. Kirsten is majoring in nursing, while Kylie wants to find a career in the culinary arts. Kirsten wanted to go to college with her sister. “It was important because we don’t really spend that much time away from each other,” Kirsten said. The small size of both JCCC and their class sizes were a huge plus for both Kirsten
E
and Kylie. “We wanted to start off at a smaller school before we went to a university,” Kirsten said. “[And] “The classes sizes … were smaller than normal.” Kylie agreed, and liked that the small class sizes made her less nervous to be in front of a large crowd. “[I like] the smaller class sizes because I don’t like public speaking.” With new prospects ahead of them, Kylie is excited to get a break from regular schooling. “I looking forward to having a couple of days off each week … and [having] more freedom too [because] I’m not going to be in school all day,” Kylie said. Kirsten was also excited at the new prospects college will bring. As a nursing major, she hopes to get into the Registered Nursing program, a JCCC program that couples classes and labs with actual hospital training shifts. “[I’m looking forward to] meeting new
ABOVE: During a senior photoshoot, seniors Kirsten Pierce (left) and Kylie Pierce (right) pose together for a photo. Photo submitted by Kylie Pierce people and hopefully getting into the … Registered Nursing program,” Kirsten said. In the future, Kylie would like to own a bakery and have a good second job, while Kirsten is just looking forward to pursuing her passions in her home state. “[In the future, I’m] hopefully working as a nurse,” Kisten said. “And still here in Kan-
senior couple finds close-knit fit at jccc Seniors Riley Wagner and Andy Sloop to stay together at JCCC Seniors Riley Wagner and Andy Sloop have been dating for 10 months, and are attending Johnson County Community College together. Though the two are attending the same college, they did not make the decision together. Sloop says JCCC proved to be a logical decision for both of them, and their relationship fit around their personal plans for the future. “We didn’t decide to both go to JCCC so we could be together. I think it was just the smartest thing money-wise,” Sloop said. “She wants to go to Vermont after she gets her associate’s at JCCC to become a writer, and I don’t know what I want to do.” Although neither of them will be living on campus, being so close will benefit their relationship. “We’ll still be able to stay pretty close,” Wagner said. “I don’t think it will really change.” Sloop agrees, and said that going to the same school allows more opportunity to see each other. “We’ll still hang out a lot of times and do school stuff together,” Sloop said, “because
we’ll probably be taking the same classes.” As for right now, the couple is close, but neither Wagner nor Sloop considers themselves to have unrealistic expectations for dating. “We aren’t planning on staying together forever,” Wagner said, “but we’re not completely dropping each other. We’re just taking it day by day, and it’s going pretty well.”
If you really like the person, it’s definitely worth it. SENIOR RILEY WAGNER Wagner also said that though the two may grow apart in college, keeping close high school relationships is important for the transition. “I think if you really like the person, it’s definitely worth it and it’s still nice to have that familiarity,” Wagner said. “When you go to college, everything’s new, and it’s nice to have that something that’s always been there; something constant.”
ABOVE: Before their senior homecoming, seniors Riley Wanger and Andy Sloop laugh while posing together on Saturday, Sept. 19. Photo submitted by Riley Wagner
What was your best memory from high school? My best memory was when my friends and I had a sleepover the night before senior blue bomb and we woke up at 5 a.m. to blue bomb the school. senior Tatum Rainbolt
jagwire
mill valley high school
design by Margaret Mellott & tricia drumm
feature
13
05/30/2016
14
ads
DESIGN BY ABIGAIL aRCHIBONG
mill valley high school jagwire
Senior Superlatives Most likely to walk in new york fashion week SIsters from another mister Most likely to be on the cover of sports illustrated Better Hair Than Mr. Strack
best glow-up
And the winner is... by justin curto
mill valley news editor-in-chief jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com
by tricia drumm
reporter jagwire.triciadrumm@gmail.com
by jena smith
mill valley news editor-in-chief jagwire.jenasmith@gmail.com
by adri talavera
opinions editor/business manager jagwire.adritalavera@gmail.com
Most likely to Win the lottery, but lose the ticket
Most likely to out-serious mr. waldeck Most likely to actually know the alma mater Brothers from another mother What advice do you have for incoming freshmen? Buy a lot of mechanical pencils. senior Nathan Drescher
15
special section
DESIGN By Alison Booth and Justin Curto
mill valley high school jagwire
Senior Superlatives
MOST LIKELY Win the lottery, but lose the ticket
Be on the cover of sports illustrated
“I feel honored, but I do believe they are wrong.”
“I tend to be a bit forgetful ... My mom wasn’t too proud of it.”
“It would be cool to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”
“Everything I’ve done in life has prepared me for this moment.”
NICK VITALE
JENNIFER SIMS
CHRISTIAN JEGEN
ELLIE WILSON
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN? Get involved. Cheer at assemblies, dress up for spirit days, go to games, join extracirriculars ... you only got four years here, make them count. senior Taylor Anderson
16
special section
photos by claire boone, nick booth, Justin curto, nora lucas, sarah myers, jena smith and Victoria Wright
mill valley high school jagwire
to...
Know the Alma Mater
Be in New York Fashion Week “I don’t really know it all that well, but I’m always up for learning it.”
“I do spend a lot of time here, so I have a lot of pride for Mill Valley.”
CHASE MIDYETT
SHELBY HUDSON
Out-serious Mr. Waldeck
“I dress nice every day. I’d say I dress preppy.”
“I’d describe my style as vintage and Bohemian, kind of a mix of both.”
ZAC KORNIS
GRETCHEN GAMBILL
“[It’s] not what I expected to win, but this is actually one that fits me.”
“I have literally no idea [why I won].”
WILL MCFARLIN
T-YING LIN
What ARE YOU GOING TO MISS MOST ABOUT mILL vALLEY? I’m going to miss the school spirit and the truly unique and entertaining friends. I’ve only been here one year but I’m blessed to have it as my final year before heading off to college. senior Jacob Hubert
jagwire
mill valley high school
design by alison booth and justin curto
special section
17
Senior Superlatives sisters from another mister
Brothers from another mother “We quite possibly could be brothers. There hasn’t been a DNA test or anything.”
“We’re in love, that’s why. We won because we’re best friends.”
SENIOR MEGAN FEUERBORN
SENIOR SID JAMBUNATHAN
“Sadly, honestly … she couldn’t live without me, and I don’t think I could live without her. ”
“We wear the same clothes accidentally on half the days we go here.”
SENIOR CAMILLE GATAPIA
SENIOR ROHIT BISWAS
Best Glow-Up
better hair than Mr. Strack
“I’ve definitely gotten bigger, and I think I look a little more mature.”
“I would like to think that I give hope to freshmen and underclassmen.”
“I don’t mean to sound conceited, I was just given naturally luscious hair.”
“I wash my hair occasionally, so that’s probably good.”
SENIOR GARRET FIELDS
SENIOR ADRI TALAVERA
SENIOR TYLER SHURLEY
SENIOR MICAELA CRISPIN
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN? They don’t lie when they said it goes by fast, make the most of it. senior Kayla Logsdon
18
special section
DESIGN BY Alison Booth and Justin Curto
mill valley high school jagwire
STaff Editorial
The JagWire gives its opinion on a topic covered in this issue
unity shouldn’t stop at district name change The district’s proposal to rebrand USD 232 is not all it could do to unite Mill Valley and De Soto High School
he Board of Education and district both made steps forward on potentially choosing a new common name for the school district, in an effort to rebrand and unify the entire district. While changing the common name of the district will ultimately be beneficial, the district will not truly be unified unless it makes additional efforts to bridge the gap between Mill Valley and De Soto High School. The district currently includes parts of De Soto, Lenexa, Olathe and Shawnee, and only around 20 percent of its residents live in De Soto. The common name of De Soto School District, however, does not reflect that. Because of the district’s growth, less and less of the community now lives in De Soto. The district’s history may be rooted in the city, but the De Soto School District is no longer the rural, one-high school district its name brings to mind. This potential name change comes at an opportune time as well. The district will have a new superintendent July 1, and a new leader from outside the district may be one of the best people to enact new ideas. While the district needs a new common
T
name, the name change won’t be the end all, be all of unification. If a unified school district is truly the underlying motive, the attempt cannot stop there. Instead, the district must make an effort to unite its parts through events. This begins at the high school level. Coaches and administrators should encourage sporting events between the two schools — in the same vein as the current Dig Pink volleyball game — to create interaction between them. An art show or choir concert that features both high schools would also help. Past that, holding fun events open to the entire district, such as something to begin a new school year, could further bring together the separate communities. However, these are only a few options, and the district would need to make further efforts to achieve unification. Small efforts to unite the district will have a larger impact than rebranding the district with a new common name. Unity will not come directly from changing the district’s name, but rather from changes that the district makes at community and individual levels.
JagWire staff vote agree
21 DISAgree
0
What was the best memory from high school? Ripping my pants during my first play callback freshman year. senior Carson Vitt
jagwire
mill valley high school
DESIGN BY adri talavera
illustration BY avery sheltra
opinions
19
Senior columns
JagWire seniors reflect on their high school experiences
Journalism has become my ‘thing’ I’ll Forever be a Proud Jaguar 91 stories 47 photos 26 designs 3 Years On Staff by adri talavera opinions editor/business manager jagwire.adritalavera@gmail.com efore journalism, I struggled to find my “thing”—an activity, an interest, or a hobby—that I was truly passionate about or excelled at. For years, I floated from activity to activity and never stuck with anything for longer than a year or two. For example, I started high school as an athlete. A friend pressured me into joining the basketball team—which made no cuts— and I ran track and cross country. And I was terrible at both. I spent a lot of quality time on the bench during basketball and I ran
B
super slow and never earned a single medal. Neither basketball nor running were my thing. Then I started out on the JagWire sophomore year as a photographer. My camera settings were wrong ninety percent of the time and my assignments each issue rarely exceeded a few photos for the news briefs page (which has since been discontinued from the JagWire for its boringness, which is very telling of my photography skills.) Photography was also not my thing. Then, my one friend on staff quit. I considered doing the same, following my pattern of leaving an activity after a year. However, I stuck with it. If I had to pinpoint the turning point of my high school career and maybe even my life, it would be my decision to include “Digital Media Design and Production II” in my schedule for junior year. I discovered I had a knack for feature writing and I went on to win first place at the state competition for it. Through feature writing, I was given opportunities to learn more about not only the people and places around me, but myself as well. It helped me realize that I want to be a journalist for the rest of my life. I can’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have found my
putting yourself first MAtters 36 stories 243 photos 32 designs 3 Years On Staff
by jena smith mill valley news editor-in-chief jagwire.jenasmith@gmail.com n the event that an airplane loses air pressure at 30,000 feet or higher, passengers are instructed to stay calm, put on their own oxygen mask, then assist others around them in doing the same. In the same way, we must learn to take good care of ourselves before we can take care of others. Taking care of yourself can mean different things, and different people often neglect various aspects of their well-being. I’ve always needed more sleep than others to be
I
20
opinions
able to function. As frustrating as it can be, I’ve accepted that sleep needs to come before anything else if I want to feel good and be productive. I can identify when I’m not getting enough sleep and I know how to important is it to fix it. While not everyone needs to prioritize sleep as much as I do, it’s important to take care of yourself in a way that makes you feel better. In our fast-paced world, it can be hard to recognize when we’re failing to take care of ourselves first. I’m a repeat offender of failing ‑ or simply forgetting ‑ to take care of myself. To make matters worse, I’ve noticed that those who fail to take care of themselves are often the same people that are too busy tending to the needs of others. We live in a society where the word selfish has a negative connotation. Taking care of yourself can be selfish, and that’s OK. Being conceited is one thing, but putting yourself first is another. If you want to fufill your committments, you have to be well taken care of, and taking care of yourself takes time. To sum it up in the words of Tyler Oakley, “You must take care of yourself. If you are not always making sure you are cared for, who else will?”
12 stories 170 photos 11 designs 2 Years On Staff by claire biles features/A&E editor jagwire.clairebiles@gmail.com uring high school, I have really only done two activities — newspaper and theater. In my two years on staff and five shows I’ve performed in, I have gotten to meet and become friends with people I otherwise would not have known. I have gotten to see a side of the Valley that has made me fall in love with it. As a student director in the theater department, I have had the privilege of directing over a hundred passionate actors. And as a photographer for the JagWire, I’ve taken photos of many different sporting events, class projects and places around Shawnee. My involvement has filled me with a pride for my school that I will hold onto for the rest of my life. Mill Valley is filled with all sorts of talented people that care about what they do. The school is a special place, where the students are extremely passionate about every sport, activity and hobby. When I go to college this fall, I will be proud to tell everyone that I went to Mill Valley. I can’t wait to boast about our two athletic titles, the time we raise over $50,000 for The American Cancer Society and I got to take photos of it. My pride has grown more and more with every year and so has the accomplishments. For four years I have heard on the daily announcements “We are Mill Valley.” This is something I didn’t real understand until recently. The students are what make Mill Valley and it’s truly special. The memories I have made during my four years at Mill Valley will always make me smile and remind me that I am a proud jaguar.
d
mill valley high school jagwire
THANK YOU FOR THE COUNTLESS MEMORIES, ROOM C101 73 stories 10 photos 52 designs 3 Years On Staff by tori aerni editor-in-chief jagwire.toriaerni@gmail.com ow many times do you think I’ve turned the handle to open the door to room C101? If I had to take a guess I’d say I’d be somewhere around 2,000 (not even an exaggeration my friends). And I swear every time I’ve opened that door, I’ve left with something new — new insight, new opportunities, new criticism (which I’ve gotten pretty dang good at taking), new passions, new friends. The first turn of the door handle: my
H
second semester of freshman year — it was my first day of 21st Century Journalism, I learned to try new things, you could very well find a talent that can be turned into a passion. Turn 100: the beginning of sophomore year when I realized journalism kids are my people. They get me. It is so important to find your people and find what makes you happy. Pursue that happiness. The many turns in between over the past three years that I can’t put numbers on (aka the 48 Monday nights spent in the journalism room). Here, I learned to handle stress, solve problems, and how to make fire playlists. Life is stressful, and in high school stress is inevitable. Find ways (like making fire playlists) to balance fun and stress. Make sure you take away lessons from the stress and find little ways to enjoy yourself. Turn 1,500: the night the football team defeated Aquinas to advance to the state championship. This night, I worked until 2 a.m. in the journalism room putting together coverage for this unique milestone of the school. From this, I realized this uncommon opportunity I have to go behind the scenes and be able to portray the true emotion of
events through journalism. But stepping back from my journalistic point of view, make the most of high school and make memories that will last a lifetime. You never know, it might be another 15 years before we win a state title. (Also if that’s the case I’m #blessed I got to cover it, I love you football team). And as I get closer to my last turn of the handle during my time on staff, I can’t help but think of the greatest thing I’ve left with: an open mind. I’ve met so many different people, in and out of of the journalism room with diverse opinions. I’ve listened to countless political debates, gotten to know the stories behind people I never thought I would meet, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The knowledge I’ve gained from the intellectual conversations I’m surrounded by challenge my opinions and keep me open-minded. I’ve become open to understanding other points of view and perspectives, even when I don’t agree. I never thought a single room would teach me so much, provide me with so many opportunities or let me pursue something I love to the extent the journalism room allowed me to. Thank you room C101 for the countless memories.
enjoy your days as a jaguar while you are one 93 stories 1 photo 32 designs 3 Years On Staff by sarah myers editor-in-chief jagwire.sarahmyers@gmail.com alking down the halls of Mill Valley a week before you graduate is a weird experience. You start seeing things in ways you had never seen them before. You start noticing the people more. Your classmates you’ve passed carelessly in the halls every day for four years are suddenly the most important part of your day. You start appreciating the smiles, laughs and faces you’ve seen every day for 12 years in a whole
W
jagwire
mill valley high school
new light, knowing you won’t be able to for much longer. Before long, it’s the emotion that stands out to you most. You walk into the senior locker banks to an overwhelming sense of anticipation coming from all directions. Everyone is excited to graduate, everyone is struggling to make it through every moment leading up to the ceremony on Saturday. Everyone is wishing away their days until freedom.
Whether you have 300 days left or three, don’t wish them away. There’s also a sort of sad sense of understanding—understanding that in 10 days, you won’t be a Jaguar anymore; understanding that in a few months, you’ll be living across the country from your best friend. You realize that you’re never going to perform on stage again with your best friends or sing the fight song from the student section at anoth-
er football game. As I’ve walked down the halls during these last few weeks before graduation, all these thoughts have run through my mind. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who isn’t counting down the days to graduation, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to sit in eager suspense, waiting to leave my best friends and the experiences that have made me who I am. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so excited for college. I’m just not excited to leave the place and people I love with all my heart. Through the last minute projects and upcoming finals, everything seems to be moving a hundred miles per hour in my last days of my high school career. In all the chaos that comes with the end of the year, it’s easy to forget how quickly I’ll be gone. I look at the freshmen who still have three years left and hope they appreciate what they have to look forward to. I envy the juniors who are about to begin what was probably the best year of their my life so far. I think Dr. Seuss probably says it best: “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” No matter if you have 300 days left or three, though, don’t wish them away. It’ll be gone before you know it.
design by adri talavera
opinions
21
Senior columns
JagWire seniors reflect on their high school experiences
journalism people are my favorite kind of people 212 stories 261 photos 23 designs 3 Years On Staff by justin curto mill valley news editor-in-chief jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com alk to someone who’s extremely involved in something at school — band, athletics, drama — and you’ll likely hear about why theater kids, or distance runners, or whoever else, are the best people on the planet. Though they have good intentions, these people are clearly misinformed. They obviously haven’t spent enough time with journalism people, who are truly the best kind of people.
T
It took me over a year of working on the JagWire and Mill Valley News to realize this. I always found myself in the journalism room — before school, after school, whenever I could find time — even though I didn’t always have work to do. Often, I was just there for the conversation, spending time with the other newspaper and yearbook staff members who became some of my best friends. I always looked forward to events where there would be other student journalists, and if I met someone outside of school who was involved in journalism, it was a near-guaranteed friendship. In short, I had found my people. So, why journalism people? On an obvious front, they’re good at making conversation, they’re good listeners and they’re rather intelligent. But that’s just the basics. In a way, I saw myself reflected in all the people I met through journalism. Usually, journalism was just one of the many things they were interested in, and, as someone who’s also involved in many other extracurriculars and whose interests range from politics to music to food, I could relate to my newfound friends. I spent countless hours in the journalism room, but it didn’t take me
long to see that journalism people were as quirky and funny as me — we joke around as much as we work, and we have some of the weirdest traits ever. On top of that, I’ve learned some great things from being a journalism person. Journalism has made me more sociable, a better communicator and more curious. As cheesy as it sounds, I wouldn’t be the person I am today without journalism. In the name of full disclosure, I’m going to add that I’ve not only been a journalism person in high school, but also a debate person and a theater person. I’ve thoroughly loved all the activities I’ve done in high school, and they’ve all led to great friends, but none more so than journalism. As I move on to college and my eventual career, I can’t wait to continue with journalism. I’ve done a lot in high school, but I do think that, by far, the most worthwhile was finding journalism in the first place. Not only has it led me to some amazing friends, but also to beneficial life skills and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Regardless of where I end up in the future, I’m unbelievably excited to be able to consider myself a journalism person.
just live your life with a problem-free philosophy help you get anything done. When we worry too much about what’s going on in our lives, it can distract us from what’s really important. The best way to navigate the maze of life is to keep that tried and true motto that “The Lion King” taught us all: Hakuna matata. It means no worries for the rest of your days, and a worry-free life is essential to a happy life.
84 stories | 2 photos | 26 designs | 3 Years On Staff by nick booth copy editor jagwire.nickbooth@gmail.com igh school can be full of all kinds of stress. It can come from schoolwork, extracurriculars, relationships or a combination of those sources and more. If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past four years, it’s that all that stress generally doesn’t do anyone much good. Now, that’s not to say that the stress can’t be well-founded. Sometimes you can find yourself stressed out because that paper really needs to get done. But that stress won’t
H
22
opinions
Do the best you can to achieve what you want, and just don’t worry about it too much. That doesn’t mean it’s all right to slack off on your work and let life pass you by; we simply just shouldn’t get too upset over everything. Do the best you can to achieve what you want, and just don’t worry about it too much. No matter what happens and no matter how much you manage to screw
up, failure is and never will be final. If you fall, simply examine the situation and understand what you need to do better the next time. Dwelling on negativity won’t help you at all. Don’t worry about your past, and don’t worry about your future. If you plan things out well, you shouldn’t need to. The best students are not the ones who pull an all-nighter right before the test, but the ones who don’t need to because they’ve been studying the material all semester. I say this, of course, as somebody who’s pulled way too many all-nighters for my own good over the past four years. Having no worries for the rest of your days means that you have more time to stop, look around and actually enjoy the life you’re living. Stay chill, and just don’t sweat the small stuff. In my tenure here at Mill Valley, the most important lesson I’ve learned is that things tend to work out much better when you live that way. That kind of mentality is the essence of what that incomparable expression means to me. Don’t worry; stress and worry only detract from your ability to live to your fullest potential. So no matter where you are, always remember: Hakuna matata ain’t no
mill valley high school jagwire
Experiencing mill valley through a camera lens mances at halftime, or amidst the chaos of celebrating a state championship win, all with a camera around my neck. During the greatest moments of high school, I had the opportunity to take pictures so that the rest of the student body may have these photos as memories forever. With this, I find comfort in knowing that I have the power to stop time. A writer expresses themselves through their words but I get to express myself through my photos. Each photo I take represents a time worth
5 stories | 2096 photos | 27 designs | 3 Years On Staff by karissa schmidt editor-in-chief jagwire.karissaschmidt@gmail.com couple weeks ago, I attended a softball game as a spectator and my appearance surprised a classmate who approached me. This wasn’t because I never attend games, but rather he was surprised because I didn’t have my camera with me like usual. I find that I am often referred to as “the girl with the camera”, simply because I rarely attend a Mill Valley event without one. I am on the sidelines at nearly every football game, front row of the Silver Stars perfor-
a
I find comfort in knowing that I have the power to stop time. remembering. My time at Mill Valley was through the perspective of a lens, one that not many have the opportunity to experience. It was this perspective that led me to discover what I want to do as a career beyond high school journalism. All that I have experienced while being on staff has taught me to go out of my comfort zone and to take every chance you are given. Despite my feet being
frozen on the sidelines of the state football game, I learned that I am willing to suffer through tough situations if it means I get an incredible photo. And despite the stress and free time occupied by attending events and creating content for the JagWire, I have found that my free time is still well spent as photography is something that I truly do love. From looking through my camera lens to viewing my time at Mill Valley with my own eyes, I will walk across the stage at graduation eager to continue my photojournalism career beyond high school. One day I hope to be working for a professional magazine and having my photos published. It has always been a dream of mine to work for Sports Illustrated and be a sports photojournalist. Yet even if this doesn’t happen, I will still consider myself successful if I am still doing something I love. Until then, I am headed to Nebraska to continue with my journalism goals. There is no doubt that I will miss being on the sidelines of football games or staying late for newspaper work nights. Yet, I hope that the perspective Mill Valley has offered me will take me to even better opportunities. Who knows, you may see me one day on the sidelines of a Chiefs game with a camera around my neck.
Homesickness: You can’t live with it or without it 107 stories 4 photos 21 designs 3 Years On Staff by jillian leiby managing editor jagwire.jillianleiby@gmail.com ince I was young, I’ve had an extreme case of homesickness whenever I was somewhere other than my house. The illness crippled me. I wasn’t able to spend the night at my friends’ houses for one night without feeling the gnawing ache in my stomach that meant, “I just want to go home.” To be honest, homesickness is what I’m most afraid of once I go to college. Even my
S
jagwire
mill valley high school
sister, someone who never worried about leaving home and was always pretty independent, has called home crying, wishing to come home. It’s something I’m fully expecting when the time comes. I like to think, however, that through my experiences in high school and the opportunities that have been afforded to me, my independence has grown. I can be away from house for more than a few days, or even a few weeks. And when I’m away from home, I don’t feel that crippling sadness that makes me immediately want to go home. Really, I’m going to miss my parents more than any house. I’m going to miss hanging out with them. I going to miss my mother’s cooking and taking care of me. I going to miss movies with my father and watching political talk shows on Sunday morning. And I feel lucky that I’m so close with my parents — that I’ve been so lucky to have parents that love me (and that I love) enough — that leaving them is going to be really hard. That’s why homesickness isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sure, it can hinder social lives, but it means that I have something to
miss. And the biggest way to combat homesickness is to realize that it doesn’t go away easily. Whenever I leave my parents for an extended period of time, I will always have that ache in my chest; the feeling that I’m missing out on something important. That’s just life and a product of being loved. Instead of succumbing to that feeling I’ll remember that I won’t be gone forever, and modern technology allows for me to talk to my parents whenever I want. Homesickness is temporary, and, despite the fact that you will be leaving people you love, you’re actually moving on to bigger and better things. One day, this homesickness and fear will pass. I will be so eager to leave home and experience new things that I will have to carve out time to go home. I will travel the world, stopping only to check in with my parents every week. As writer Carson McCullers said, “we are torn between nostalgia for the familiar and an urge for the foreign and strange. As often as not, we are homesick most for the places we have never know.” Now that’s a kind of homesickness I can get behind.
design by adri talavera
opinions
23
Of the 36 athletic letters of intent signed by the senior class, eight are to NCAA Division I schools
by braden shaw sports editor jagwire.bradenshaw@gmail.com
DEREK MEEKS UNIVERSITY OF IOWA - TRACK
6
years Meeks has run track
8
offers received
“I thought that if I broke my leg and I could never run again, where I would be happy ... At Iowa I just really liked the culture, it was a home away from home situation. I’m looking to be the best runner I can.”
LUCAS KRULL UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - BASEBALL
12
years Krull has played baseball
15
offers received
“It’s SEC, so you can’t really compete with SEC baseball — it’s the best of the best ... I’m most looking forward going up there and getting three years of experience and hopefully win a couple of College World Series [titles].” What are you going to miss most about Mill Valley? Being on the football field at the state football game, the moment when the team won and everyone started cheering... it was such an emotional time for Mill Valley. I don’t know how I could forget it. senior Cassidy Doran
24
sports
mill valley high school jagwire
tyler grauer INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY - BASEBALL Grauer: “I’m looking forward to playing Arkansas and beating Luke Krull.”
13
years Grauer has played baseball
5
432
offers received
miles college is away from home
ben hecht NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY - FOOTBALL HECHT: “I’m most excited about the new environment.”
12
years Hecht has played football
2
609
offers received
miles college is away from home
christian jegen UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA - FOOTBALL JEGEN: “[I’m excited to] get down there, meet all of my teammates and see how far we can go during the season.”
11
years Jegen has played football
8
333
offers received
miles college is away from home
ellie wilson UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA - TRACK wilson: “[I’m excited to] come in not being the best and having to work hard to get to the level I want to be.”
5
years Wilson has run track
1
322
offer received
miles college is away from home
ABBIE HUGHES
EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
DANCE
BASKETBALL
LOGAN KOCH
If you could change anything about high school, what would it be and why? I would make high school harder. We can’t compete with other countries when we spend class time watching movies. Outside of AP classes, we are not pushing critical thinking as we should be. senior Patrick Gambill
jagwire
mill valley high school
design by tori aerni
Photos by karissa schmidt & morgan nelson
sports
25
OUT of our League Coaches, administrators and players look towards the future in the EKL ABOVE: In a game on Friday, Oct. 3, senior Christian Jegen surpasses the defense. Photo by Karissa Schmidt ver since the school’s opening, athletics have competed in the Kaw Valley League. Going into the 2016-17 school year, all sports teams will move up into the Eastern Kansas League hoping to improve the level of competition. The transition comes at a good time for the school, according to athletic director Jerald VanRheen, who has faith the coaching staff and players will make a smooth transition. “We’re going to be competitive. Nothing would tell me otherwise,” VanRheen said. “We’ve got really good athletes and extremely talented coaches. They’ve been preparing to make this transition for quite some time.” Due to the change, scheduling for all teams will inevitably change in order to accomadate all teams. VanRheen has had to “... learn some different by-laws and how the league is ran at an administrative level” which adds to the adjustments to the new league. Junior Haley Freeman knows that playing in this new league will force the teams to
E
rivalryRevived
by braden shaw sports editor jagwire.bradenshaw@gmail.com compete at a higher level to match the opponents they’ll be facing. “We’re going to have to work a lot harder during practices to get better,” Freeman said. “The speed of the game is going to be a
[The league change] will show that we’re up for the challenge and we do want to play better teams. JUNIOR COLE IVEY lot faster. We’re going to have to adjust and learn to play with each other.” Head soccer coach Arlan Vomhof sees the new league as a challenge for his team, and the change won’t affect his approach to each and every game. “There are some things we’ll have to
ABOVE: On Tuesday, April 12, girls soccer gathers in a huddle as a pre-game ritual, Photo by Claire Boone change coaching-wise as far as coming up with new ways to improve,” Vomhof said. “But, for me, it’s just new teams. Here we go.” The football team, along with the rest of the sports teams, looks to use the league change as a preparatory stage for the playoffs, according to junior Cole Ivey. “We’re playing in the EKL so that [the league] will help us improve and make sure that we’re ready for playoffs when that part of the season comes,” Ivey said. “It will show that we’re up for the challenge and we do want to play better teams, rather than the KVL.” Overall, VanRheen believes that the league change will help the school’s public image, making the games more exciting for both fans and competitors alike. “Every time we host an event, our community will know that there is going to be more than one quality opponent [on the schedule],” VanRheen said. “Everybody in the EKL is going to be very competitive and capable, which is really the essence of sports.”
A survey of 255 students shows who they think will be our new rival in the EKL
63
percent of students think that St. Thomas Aquinas will be our new rival
18
percent of students think that St. James Academy will be our new rival
1
percent of students think that Gardner Edgerton will be our new rival
What are you going to miss most about Mill valley? I am going to miss all of the wonderful people and teachers. I will also miss the musical, play and seeing my friends everyday. senior Maria Guilford
26
sports
DESIGN BY Claire BIles
mill valley high school jagwire
j a g w i r e
s p o r t s
overtime An inside look and additional coverage on this season’s sports and athletes
athletic Achievement
Over the past four years, the senior class has impacted athletics greatly
by abigail archibong business manager jagwire.abigailarchibong@gmail.com
In the past four years, mill valley has achieved . . In 2012 and 2013, girls soccer team were regional champions and placed second at state. In 2014, the team became regional champions.
In 2014 and 2015, the wrestling team were regional and sub state champions. For two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016, the team placed third overall at state.
2 13 19 38
Boys cross country placed 2nd at regionals and 3rd at state in 2013. In 2015, the team was named regional champions for the season.
state titles state appearances regional and sub state championships league championships
IntramuralSports
Seniors complete a survey about intramural sports they’ll be participating in, in college
If yes, they plan on playing one or more of the following ... Aren’t playing sports after high school
39% 61%
volleyball
15%
soccer
9%
basketball
14%
badminton
5%
football
9%
other
48%
Survey of 241 students
What was the best memory from high school? One of my favorite memories is definitely when the senior class stood in the foyer and just danced and sang during the blue bomb. It was a blast and made me appreciate just how great our class even more. senior Morgan Panovich
jagwire
mill valley high school
Photos by Shelby Hudson and morgan nelson
DESIGN By Margaret Mellott
sports
27
FIGHTING the
FRESHMAN 15
by jillian leiby managing editor jagwire.jillianleiby@gmail.com
by adri talavera opinions editor/business manager jagwire.adritalavera@gmail.com
As seniors prepare for college, the JagWire takes a look at the freshman 15 Survey of 249 seniors shows ideas about the freshman 15
63
28
percent say they aren’t worried about the freshman 15
9
percent say they’re somewhat worried about the freshman 15
percent say they’re very worried about the freshman 15
= + 24 70 6 percent say they plan to eat healthier than they do now in college
percent say they plan to eat as healthy as they do now in college
September X X
X
X X
X
29 53
percent say they plan to eat less healthy than they do now in college
percent say they plan to exercise daily in college
percent say they plan to exercise multiple times weekly in college
3
biggest weight gain worries
1
Fast Food
2
pizza
3
sweets
4
RAMEN
percent say they never plan to exercise in college
In what way have you changed since freshman year? I have lost my bangs which was the best decision in my life. senior Emma Wetzel
28
A&E
mill valley high school jagwire
weighing IN
What is the
How worried are you about gaining the freshman 15?
FRESHMAN 15? Dictionary.com: (noun) the average amount of weight gained by students during their first year of college According to Auburn University, 70 will gain weight in college
percent of students
Watch for these on-campus dining options, and replace them with healthier ones
“[I’m] not too worried about it. I work out regularly as it is and I’m just going to continue that routine once I get into college.”
SENIOR SPENCER BOAZ
At the University of kansas ... Instead of
try
Lenoir’s Classics
The Cutting Board
What: Heavy, home-cooked
What: Made-to-order sandwiches
comfort food meals Where: Mrs. E’s
with lean meats and vegetables Where: Mrs. E’s
At kansas State University ...
“I’m a little more worried because I’ll be broke because I’ll be paying for an apartment, so ramen will be a little more tempting than before.”
Instead of
try
Poco Italia
Borders
What: Italian pasta and sides that
What: Mexican entrees and sides
have lots of grains Where: Derby and Kramer
that include vegetables and fish Where: Derby
SENIOR MADISON CLINE
At Johnson County Community College ... Instead of
try
blvd burgers
Healthy & Hearty
What: Burgers and fried food —
What: Varied salad offerings and
not the healthiest idea Where: Commons
other health-conscious options Where: Commons
“I’m decently worried, just as any future freshman is … because I like to snack. Snacks are so good, and they help you out in times of stress.”
SENIOR SARA HEMPLEMAN
In what way have you changed since freshman year? I’ve come out of my shell a lot more than I would have ever expected. senior Morgan Nelson
jagwire
mill valley high school
design by Justin Curto
Photos by nick Precht
A&E
29
JagWire reviews a variety of ice cream shops
Aunt jean’s 11210 Johnson Dr, Shawnee hether you’re on your way to Old Shawnee Days or just walking around, Aunt Jean’s offers a fun indoor space and outdoor patio for divulging in gelato cravings. It truly is a great destination for a walk around downtown Shawnee, with its juxtaposition in between Splash Cove and City Hall. From the school, this shop is about 15 minutes away just down Johnson Drive. This shop is the cleanest, easiest and most convenient place to get ice cream or gelato, and comes with great customer service. Despite the price of a cone approaching five dollars, what was most impressive was its immaculate cleanliness, making us as customers feel welcome. We went on a Friday around noon, and there was no one there except for one kind lady who obviously cared about her customers. She helped us with taste testing and even accompanied us in our wild goose chase for a real plastic spoon. As for the product itself, gelato is a bit different from regular ice cream. Gelato is almost stretchy and does not break apart as quickly, which was an interesting texture that brought new consideration to our
W
by nora lucas reporter and photographer jagwire.noralucas@gmail.com
by victoria wright reporter and photographer jagwire.victoriawright@gmail.com
reviewing. We enjoyed this stretchy quality, and marveled in the gelato’s ability to appear visually appealing in the case while maintaining a standard of taste excellence. While the selection of flavors was not exceptionally large, most common ice cream flavors were included as well as some less familiar ones. Peach Nehi, Zebra, and Blue Angel stood out as unique flavors in the small selection. Aunt Jean’s is also known for its coffee, which will get you addicted, according to one source on its Facebook page. After a long day of trying ice cream and gelato, Aunt Jean’s refreshed both our taste buds and our minds. And while it is a bit pricey, every bite is a bang for your buck.
Coffee
Strawberry
What was the best memory from high school? Winning a state championship in football with some of my best friends. senior Chase Midyett
30
A&E
mill valley high school jagwire
Sylas & Maddy’s
11925 S Strang Line Rd, Olathe
Cotton Candy “While I admire their making of homemade waffle cones, it distracted me from the ice cream.”
Peanut Butter Freak “This ice cream was creamy and had a more homemade feel due to the chunks of peanut butter cups.”
7723 W 151st St, Overland Park
Sweet caroline’s
Cotton Candy
Peanut Butter Freak
“This ice cream had pretty much the same flavor, but the texture was better and did not melt as fast.”
“The ice cream wasn’t bad, as I enjoyed the strong flavor. The place itself seemed a little crammed, though.”
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN? Get as involved as you can and don’t think you look stupid showing school spirit. Go out and see every type of sporting event or musical at least once. senior Sydney Ward
jagwire
mill valley high school
design byJillian Leiby
Photos by Victoria Wright
A&E
31
a day at
“the k”
As a reward for winning the class cup competition, seniors tour Kauffman Stadium LEFT: While tailgating, senior Ethan Lane plays foursquare with his friends. Photo by Morgan Gurwell BELOW: Seniors Spencer Boaz and Derrell McLemore take a selfie to remember their senior rewards trip. Photo by Victoria Wright
ABOVE: In the outfield, senior Brock Miles walks down the stairs to the party deck on Friday, April 29. “I figured I’d go and have some fun, skip school, and get some burgers,” Miles said. RIGHT: Holding the gate, seniors Avery Kilgore and Hannah Rust wait to get inside Kauffman for the tour. “[I went because] it would be the last thing I could do with my senior class as a whole,” Kilgore said. Photos by Victoria Wright
32
photo essay
DESIGN BY claire boone & madison ferguson
ABOVE: In the Royals Hall of Fame, senior Sydney Hanson photographs the 2015 World Series trophy. “I liked the representation that [the championship] has brought to [us],” Hanson said. Photo by Victoria Wright
mill valley high school jagwire