JagWire
SEPT. 23, 2011 | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | VOL. 12, ISSUE 1
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Football game environment changes
Students see benefits in online learning
Curtain time for Kauffman Center
page 10-11 JagWire explores the negative effects of social networking
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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
BRIEFS
KATIE LINSEY
jagwire.katielinsey@gmail.com
According to band teacher Debra Steiner, the band received about $135,000 in new instruments purchased by the district, including snares, bass drums, baritones, and more. “The Board of Education was good at listening to us,” Steiner said. “They realized this had been neglected and every one of them apologized.” Steiner was thankful for the instruments. “It makes my job easier knowing everyone has something to play this year,” Steiner said.
Senior band member David Murphy appreciated the district’s decision. “We now have enough equipment to allow everyone to have an instrument,” Murphy said. “ Steiner can see a major difference in the students’ execution of music. “I absolutely notice a difference in performance,” Steiner said. “The new drum line sounds really good.”
NOTABLES >
District supports band
For more on this topic, check out:
www.mvnews.org
ACT scores on the rise jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com
Mill Valley High School students have boosted ACT scores from 22.4 during the 20092010 school year to 23.5 during the 2010-2011 school year. According to the Kansas City Star, the school’s 20102011 ACT scores rank highest in overall composite score for the De Soto School District with an average of 23.5. The highest scores in other districts are as follows: Olathe East High School, 24.7, Shawnee Mission East High School, 25.2, and Blue Valley North High School, 25.4.
Counselor Randy Burwell attributes success to the preparation of the students. “The rigor of AP and other advanced classes are getting students familiarized with material that is likely to show up on the exam,” Burwell said. Burwell said students should take the test numerous times. “The more you take it, the better chance your score will improve,” Burwell said. Burwell is also very happy with the scores. “I am so proud of Mill Valley,” Burwell said. “I appreciate the effort to prepare for the tests.”
INthisISSUE
News:
A&E:
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16 The Flip Side 18 Kauffman Center 19 eBook revolution
Current events Student incentives Game day changes
Feature:
14 New coaches 15 Tennis challenges
MONTHinTHREE
CORY REINOEHL
jagwire.coryreinoehl@gmail.com
Over the summer, head > wrestling coach Travis Keal
won the Kansas State High School Athletics Association Coach of the Year award. “I felt humbled that my fellow coaches would vote for me to be the [KSHAA] coach of the year,” Keal said. Recently Keal has led the team to be Kaw Valley League champions in 2009. “I just want the team to work hard every day on and off the mat. I would like to
make the program better and someday be top in the state,” Keal said. Keal has six wrestlers in the 100-win club and eight wrestlers who went on to compete in college. “I have had a lot of proudest moments, but seeing the kids work hard daily and get rewarded, whether that be winning a state championship, being on the junior varsity team, or going to state, these are the things we’re most proud of,” Keal said.
School hosts Arrive Alive SYDNEY WILSON
jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com
hosted Arrive > AlivejagPRIDE DUI/Texting Prevention
control of the wheel,” junior Mary Cooley said. jagPRIDE sponsor Debbie Gudenkauf hoped that Arrive Alive was a good experience for students. “Hopefully, [the program] will save some lives,” Gudenkauf said.
Program on Friday, Sept. 16 to educate students on the dangers of drunk and distracted driving. Behind the senior café, students were able to get behind the wheel of a real car hooked up to a simulator to experience driving distracted. Students received a fake ticket at the end of the simulation in order to understand the legal and physical dangers of driving while dis- After time in a vehicle simulator at jagPRIDE’s Arrive Alive event on Friday, Sept. 16, senior Heidi Mustracted. reconsiders driving drunk. “In the future I’ll “I couldn’t keep tapich have a designated driver,” Mustapich said. Photo by Kelsey Floyd
Describing the month in photos SENIOR BRITTANY ZARDA prepares to serve the ball at the Thursday, Sept. 8 game against Basehor-Linwood High School and Maranatha Academy. The varsity girls team won both matches 2-0. Photo by Courtney Minter
Photo Essay:
8 Move to Africa 20 Spirit photos 9 Virtual schooling 10 Social media dangers www.mvnews.org:
Sports:
>
MACKENZIE ECKMAN
Head wrestling coach Travis Keal was voted KSHAA coach of the year over the summer. The band received $135,000 worth of new instruments. Three Prairie Ridge Elementary school fifth graders came to the aid of a heat exhausted crossing guard on Thursday, Sept. 1. jagPRIDE and State Farm teamed up to reward students with one dollar for buckling up on Thursday, Sept. 8. The Silver Stars held a carwash fundraiser to support their competition and costumes fees on Saturday, Sept. 10. Arrive Alive visited on Friday, Sept. 16, its goal was to reduce distracted driving. ACT scores have risen over the last year, the average composite score is 23.5. The football team is 3-0 at the start of the season. Volleyball won their game against Maranatha Academy and Gardner-Edgerton High School on Thursday, Sept. 8.
Coach wins state award
Homecoming changes Seminar rewards Football outlook Cover illustration by Adam Henderson
Silver Stars car wash on Saturday, Sept. 10 ABOVE: THE SILVER STARS held a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 10. They raised $897 for the team. Photo by Emily Johnson RIGHT: STUDENTS WERE REWARDED with a dollar for wearing their seat belts on Wednesday, Sept. 7. “It’s the drivers responsibility to have their seat belt on, and everyone else in the car,” jagPRIDE member Taylor Hunter said. Photo by Miranda Snyder
Bucks for Buckles on Thursday, Sept. 8
Volleyball wins 2-0 on Thursday, Sept. 8
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
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NEWS
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theOUTLOOK
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
News you need to know from this month
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Sept. 11 anniversary memorials help students remember day’s significance JOSH DUDEN
jagwire.joshduden@gmail.com
Standing on Ground Zero, President Barack Obama and the first family, in addition to President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, honored those lost on that day. As the World Trade Center fell on Sept. 11, the nation was in a state of shock. Today, as students and teachers recall the importance of under standing and honoring the day, its significance is exemplified even more. The national commemoration began at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the exact time the first plane hit the North Tower 10 years ago. At each significant time of an attack, a moment of silence occurred in honor of the lives lost. Replays occured throughout the day, and often they are all the students have to remember the attacks due to their age. However, sophomore Joe Gunter said he experienced the impacts of Sept. 11 because he travels often
and from his parents’ reactions. “My parents and family travel a lot and run into security increases [because of 9/11],” Gunter said. “Also, I saw the impact it had on my parents then, but I was little so I didn’t understand.” Fearing that those who were too young to remember the attacks would forget, 10 years ago 7th grade Museum Connections students created a time capsule themed around remembering not only the day, but also the patriotism that occurred. Honors Archeology teacher Keil Hileman said the purpose of the time capsule was to pass on the meaning to those too young to understand. “Students were worried that those who were not born yet would not remember,” Hileman said. “They wanted to pass what happened on. I guess you could say it is one generation reaching out to another.” So on Thursday, Aug. 25, the two time capsules were opened. Senior Paige Hillebert said it showed her the impact it had locally on the students who created the capsules. “Before the time capsule, my opinion had
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 24-early September
Location: 11 states along eastern seaboard Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene claimed at least 44 lives and cost roughly $5.5 billion (MSNBC)
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Date: July-present Location: Throughout Texas
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Date: Monday, Sept. 12 Location: Tampa, Fla.
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SHIRLEY HEMENWAY, WHO lost her son on Sept. 11, attends the opening of two Sept. 11 time capsules in Honors Archeology teacher Keil Hileman’s class on Thursday, Aug. 25. Photo by Taylor Young
always been that it didn’t have a local effect on me,” Hillebert said. “But the letters left by [the students] brought it home for me. You could tell that it affected [everyone] here too.” Hileman said that, on a local level, most have some connection to the day. “[An individual] worked in our building and I knew her, it made it personal for me,” Hileman said. “That hasn’t changed for me, except now everyone has a face and a name to go with [the attack].”
The Texas wildfires have destroyed 1,554 homes and, on average, has cost $1 million a day. This is an estimated $5.2 billion overall (MSNBC/CNN)
The Republican Nomination and Tea Party debate allowed the front-runners to be established that could potentially be the contender for the face-off against President Barack Obama
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Date: June-early October Location: Northwest Mo. and northeast Neb. The Missouri River flooding has caused over $1 billion in damage. Roughly 32,595 businesses in Missouri could potentially not recover from the flood’s impacts (D&B Government Solutions)
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
NEWS
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New program by students for students teacherOPINION Social studies teacher Chris Dunback
Student incentives are not the most important part of PBIS
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL JENNIFER Smith and seniors Rachel Mills and Amy Shook discuss the meaning of PBIS. “Too often we forget to say good job,” Smith said. Photo by Taylor Young
District initiative aims to create a positive environment for all ALYNE ROEMERMAN
jagwire.alyneroemerman@gmail.com
A major topic of interest since the school year began is the news of early release from seminar on select Fridays. This change is part of a state mandate and district-wide initiative known as Positive Behavior Intervention Supports, or PBIS, that administration has worked on developing since the end of the last school year. One goal of this initiative is to create a positive environment where students can be recognized for good behavior and earn rewards for things like good grades, being on time to class, or behaving well. “I hope we can make [Mill Valley] a place people want to be and are excited to be here,” associate principal Jennifer Smith said. The behaviors targeted with PBIS are attendance and tardies, grades and seminar productivity. Smith hopes to see a decrease in tardies and absences and an increase in student achievement along with a more positive environment. “Any opportunity we can to help everybody be the best they can be; that’s what we’re about,” Smith said. Smith is the administrator most involved in the development of PBIS
and is a member of the PBIS steering committee. The steering committee also includes social worker Debbie Gudenkauf, counselor Erin Hayes, social studies teacher Chris Dunback, communication arts teacher Ashley Agre, journalism teacher Kathy Habiger, as well as juniors Hanna Torline and Taylor Hunter and sophomores Davis Cantwell and Gabby Fangman. “[Being invited to join the committee] made me feel like people actually do look up to me and that what I do does affect other people,” Hunter said. The steering committee formed two student leadership teams, one composed of freshman mentors and the other composed of student leaders in sports, clubs and other activities from grades 10-12, to help develop incentives to offer students. According to Smith, all those involved are excited about PBIS. “What I may think of as a reward, you as a student may not,” Smith said. “We’re going to really rely on those two groups of people also to help us present the information… and get the students involved.” The first meeting of the freshman mentor student leadership team took place on Friday, Sept. 9 during seminar. Smith, Dunback, Hayes and Agre were present to lead the meeting of almost 40 students. Smith and Dunback both addressed the group.
“We want to start with you…and that’s why you’re here,” Dunback said. “You have more power than we do.” The students were given large sheets of paper and markers to come up with ideas for future incentives other than early release. Some of the ideas were half-day finals, discounts on certain food items at lunch and off-campus lunches. Meetings of the steering committee during the previous school year included discussions of special parking spots for each grade level. The student leadership team made up of various school leaders also met on Monday, Sept. 12 to discuss incentive options. Future incentives will be given clear guidelines before being put in place to prevent any confusion. The early release incentive will begin today and will be based on grades, attendance and being productive during seminar according to Smith. There are nine scheduled early release dates throughout first semester. The incentives are not the most important part of the PBIS initiative for some, however. “What I’m really focused on is… the leadership,” Dunback said. “One of the things we want…is to really try to increase the positive culture of our school. Changing the…culture, it comes from setting an example on what is acceptable behavior and what is not.”
“I think it’s the right direction, if we’re trying to change the culture of this school. Mill Valley High School is amazing…and we want to make it even better. One of the things we want…is really try to increase the positive culture of our school. We really want to try to get kids excited about being at Mill Valley and that they don’t view it as a prison, they don’t view it as a place that they have to go to. It’s something that I’ve always been pretty passionate about. I come from a little, little school and there was a very proud tradition… I’ve always…wanted Mill Valley to have the same experiences because I loved it, I had a blast. It’s just the overall feeling. Everyone wore their letter jackets…everyone went to the games; the seniors had the front row…everyone traveled to games. They had pep buses everywhere we went. When we made the state playoffs, the town shut down…it felt like a bowl game. It’s the greatest thing in the world…why can’t you have that here? I want Mill Valley people to say we learned a lot of stuff, but we really enjoyed our time.”
earlyRELEASE
Students who meet all the PBIS requirements will have the opportunity to leave school early on these Fridays during first semester.
ABOVE: JUNIOR MCKENZIE Koch explains her ideas for the new PBIS program on Friday, Sept. 9. “We came up with half day finals. Being here on finals is a waste of time,” Koch said. BELOW: JUNIOR TAYLOR HUNTER, introduces the new program to the student leadership team. “If everyone puts forth effort, hopefully school moral goes up,” Hunter said. Photos by Taylor Young
>Sept. 23
>Nov. 11
>Sept. 30
>Nov. 18
>Oct. 28
>Dec. 2
>Nov. 4
>Dec. 9
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NEWS
PLAYby PLAY Fans express thoughts on Friday night game changes
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
New changes shape football games
Pre-game Team shoots through jaguar “It seemed like we were standing in there for a really long time and the suspense was building and the music was playing.” senior safety Justice Oehlert
First half Band adjusts to music “It’s fine, it’s just different and any time you change anything it’s just hard to get on the same page.” band teacher Debra Steiner
Halftime Halftime show unchanged “I feel like our school spirit is higher than it’s ever been. I love dressing up and looking forward to the games all week.” senior Kilee Nolen
Second half
THE MILL VALLEY High School marching band performs the national anthem before the Friday, Sept. 9 varsity football game. “[We play] about the same overall,” senior band member Zach Zarnstorff said. “I feel like there’s a time for both [recorded music and band music], most of the time we only get through half of the song and then it’ll [the recorded music] play again.” Photo by Courtney Minter
Friday night additions change the football game environment SARAH DARBY
jagwire.sarahdarby@gmail.com
Football on Friday nights look a little different this year after changes prompted by the parent-led Booster Club, football team and Blue Crew first came into effect at the football team’s first home game against Bonner Springs High School on Friday, Sept. 2. Football players ran onto the field to “Enter Sandman” exiting from a new addition to the field: a new inflated jaguar head and tunnel. Head football coach Joel Applebee first approached the Booster Club about
Recorded music clips play “I don’t like the jag noises at all. The band should play more because that recording doesn’t practice but the band does.” junior Hayden Garvey
Post game Student reflects on additions “I think it was better than last year, definitely. The atmosphere is better.” sophomore Drew Novak
ABOVE: SENIORS LINDSAY MASON and Kilee Nolen cheer the team on at the varsity football gameon Friday, Sept. 9. “I think [the changes are] great. I think it gives us more school spirit,” Mason said. BELOW: THE NEW JAGUAR head welcomes the varsity players onto the field on Friday, Sept. 9. “I like the tunnel because it gives the team more spirit,” senior Andrew Wesp said. Photo by Courtney Minter
the possibility of the tunnel. The addition will be paid for completely by private sponsorships. “We wanted to go with a jaguar head instead of a football so it can be used at other games,” Booster Club member Hope Windmiller said. Junior wide receiver Alec Donn likes the addition of the tunnel and jaguar head. “I feel like it’s intimidating for the other teams to see,” Donn said. “I just think it’s more exciting for the fans and team spirit.” Another major change involves additions to the sound system and music that is played at the games. This year, the outdoor stereo system was updated by the school with a cord allowing iPod music to be played. The football team has used the sound system so far to play new recorded music including a jaguar growl at kickoffs and big plays, and the playing of a clip from the song “Hell’s Bells” at defensive plays. Although the recorded music should play only during third quarters and moments like at kickoffs when the band previously has not played, band teacher Debra Steiner says coordination will take work. “It’s fine, it’s just different and any time you change anything it’s just hard to get on the same page,” Steiner said. “There’s a couple times like, ‘Oh, I guess I can’t play.’” Drill captain Austin Gebhardt has mixed feelings about the changes. “That’s cool to pump your team up but why are we here if we have to wait for you to stop playing “Crazy Train?” Gebhardt said. “Why would
you waste the time and resources playing music over and over again?” The change to the music is minimal, according to Applebee. “The change is adding to what the band does,” Applebee said. “There is zero change to what the band is doing. We love the band. We appreciate all the efforts they put out and the music they play.” However, sideline dances have been cut short following the “I like everything change in music, acthey’ve added cording to because I feel like dance team it gets everyone member more involved.” Josie Hanjunior Hailey son. “ T h e Vorbeck only thing we do on the sidelines is dance to the band music and we hardly got to,” Hanson said. “Normally, [the band] does the fight song after every touchdown, but now it has only been at the beginning and end [of the game].” A final change is the revitalization of Blue Crew with a goal to get all students involved with the club. “I haven’t been interested [in past years], junior year has kind of motivated me to go to more games,” junior Hailey Vorbeck said. Regardless of differing opinions on the changes, game attendance has gone up around 25 percent according to estimates by Windmiller. Fans can expect to see all of the changes in effect through the season and maybe more faces in the crowd.
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
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FEATURE
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
“I just feel
at home there, I feel like JILL APPLEGATE
jagwire.jillapplegate@gmail.com
Her living room is filled with various different items not often seen in Kansas, including a shield from Swaziland, baskets made of grass on the wall and elephant figurines on top of the television. Upstairs in the room of 17-year-old former Mill Valley High School student Jameson Colin, drawings of Africa decorate the walls. In just three months, however, Jameson will no longer be merely drawing the continent, she’ll be living in it. “This one is a drawing I did based off of a picture of my dad,” Jameson said, pointing to a drawing of a her father’s hand holding an African child’s fingers. “The child was dying of HIV/AIDS, and my dad was holding her.” Images such as this are not irregular for Jameson whose father, Schaun Colin, runs Oceans of Mercy, a non-profit organization that works with orphans in South Africa as well as other countries. After visiting Africa once or twice a year since she was born, as well as for missions trips since she was nine, Jameson decided to complete her senior year of high school in South Africa once she moves there in November after being in the De Soto school district since sixth grade.
Former student Jameson Colin makes the preparations to move to South Africa in November
ABOVE: JAMESON COLIN SHOWS her family’s collection of artifacts from Africa in her home on Wednesday, Sept. 7. “I never feel like I fit in in Kansas just because of the things my parents have raised me with. South Africa is just home to me,” Colin said. RIGHT: JAMESON COLIN TALKS with family friend Olivia Beashore on Wednesday, Sept. 7. “I don’t think it will really hit me until she’s been gone for a month and then it will hit me that she’s not coming back,” Beashore said. Photos by Courtney Minter
LEARNtheLINGO
Common words and phrases in Afrikaans, the native language of South
> dankie thank you
> praat to speak
môre > goeie good morning
> hallo hello
> leer to learn
> jammer sorry
> lees to read
middag > goeie good afternoon aand > goeie good evening
I fit there.”
“One S u n d a y, my mom and dad and I were all sitting in the living room and my mom looked at me and said ‘Jameson, do you want to do your senior year in South Africa?’ So we started researching it and it all just played out,” Jameson said. Jameson plans to attend Rhenish Girls’ High School for a year and then move onto Stellenbosch University to get a sports science major and open her own gym in South Africa. The language barrier concerns her slightly because although South Africa has 11 official languages, including English, the primary language at Stellenbosch is Afrikaans. “I don’t speak it very well,” Jameson said. “I know as much Afrikaans as a second grader knows Spanish.” Jameson’s neighbor, eight-year-old Hannah Beashore, will miss Jameson, whom she’s known since she was three. “I’ll miss watching Glee and playing soccer with her,” Beashore said. “I like that she’s just Jameson.” Hannah’s older sister, 17-year-old Olivia Beashore, has visited Africa with the Colin family and understands why South Africa would be a good fit for Jameson. “I went to South Africa last summer and I was kind of shocked,” Beashore said. “Jameson was like a different person, a better version of herself in South Africa. It’s definitely where she belongs.” Jameson attributes her love of South Africa to her parents. “As much as I have enjoyed growing up in Kansas, I definitely love South Africa better. I just feel at home there, I feel like I fit there,” Jameson said. “I never feel like I fit in in Kansas just because of the things my parents have raised me Africa with.” Jameson’s older sister and 2009 graduate Courtney Colin has the same love of South Africa and its people. “They kind of have a collective spirit. The country’s just been through so much
that t h e people h a v e bonded in a way whether they intended to or not,” Courtney said. “They’re very proud of their country, but there are a lot of problems.” Schaun has seen these problems first-hand after growing up in the country. “I grew up there during a very difficult era called apartheid and because of the huge regret I have for not making a positive difference, our family is very invested into the people and children of South Africa,” Schaun said. “When you think about half the world living on less than $2 a day in income, and you see that by traveling to places like Africa or India, it just opens your world view.” Jameson appreciates her father’s love of the country and how he has implemented that into her daily life. “He’s never let us forget what we see there,” Jameson said. “It’s not as much about me, as my parents have taught us, it’s about giving and how we live our lives to really help others and I think maybe that’s caused me to be a bit more driven in my dreams.” Jameson’s mother, Becky Colin, believes that Jameson can attain her goals and that South Africa will help her to do so. “It’s going to be amazing; her growth and her experience is just going to mold her into an even more amazing person,” Becky said. “It’s going to be hard because you spend all these years raising your children to be independent, and when they take you up on it, it’s kind of like ‘whoa.’ But I think she’s ready for this and we’re just excited to see her dreams c o m e For more on this topic, true.”
check out:
www.mvnews.org
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
FEATURE
9
Virtual schooli ng give
s stude nts opportu ni academ ties for ic succ ess
Cartoon by Brandon Burnworth
Virtual school offer opportunities for student success at own pace Kristina Milewski
jagwire.kristinamilewski@gmail.com
Scrolling through course selections on her computer, former Mill Valley High School student Kaelynn Parsons opens a lesson for her U.S. History class. Rather than cracking the books with other students, Parsons will work on earing credit in the comfort of her own home. With the recent availability of virtual school to get a high school diploma, an increasing number of students made the choice to take school online. “I always thought that the normal routine just wasn’t for me,” former Mill Valley student Andrew Knabel said. “So I decided to try online school.” Knabel is an online high school student through Eudora Community Learning Center. He transferred in January and plans to graduate by November. Knabel chose to transfer to online school to stay home and help out.
“The difficult part is having to learn it all on your own,” Knabel said. “Most of the time you have to work five times harder to understand it.” While it seems that online school would be easy, Parsons disagrees. “A misconception people have is that online school is easy, but it’s really not,” Parsons said. “You really just teach yourself everything.” Parsons attends Connections Academy, a virtual school for students to receive their high school diploma. She began school in September and plans to graduate in May. Parsons made the decision to transfer to online school to graduate early and move on with future plans. Most virtual schools are flexible for the participants. Students can decide to pick a rigorous or lenient schedule. “The best part is that it’s relaxed,” Knabel said. “ I’m not under pressure and I can take my time.” Even with the flexibility, Knabel occasionally found it difficult to stay on task. “You think to yourself, ‘What’s the point? Why worry yourself?’” Knabel said.
ABOVE: LOOKING AT A list of her classes, junior Kaelynn Parsons starts her online schooling on Friday, Sept. 9. “I’m glad to be away from waking up early, the people and the classes,” Parsons said. RIGHT: WHILE AT STARBUCKS, senior Andrew Knabel discusses why he chose online schooling over regular schooling on Sunday, Sept. 11. “ There are some things that I’m missing out on, like I don’t get filled in on Mill Valley High School rumors and gossip,” Knabel said. Photos by Miranda Snyder
Parsons enjoys working at her own pace. She plans to spend six hours per week day completing school work in order to graduate on time. “My motivation is that I am graduating early and I get to get out of the house,” Parsons said. Depending on the online school, many virtual schools will also have a graduation ceremony for the students. “I’ll still have a cap and gown,” Parsons said. “But it’ll just be with a bunch of strangers.” Students choose to transfer for many reasons, including physical or mental limitations, issues at school or home, or for other personal reasons. There are few social opportunities involved when participating in an
online school, and that’s not a good thing, according to counselor Hayes. “Part of learning is learning about each other, sitting in a classroom and learning from other’s mistakes,” Hayes said. “You don’t have that kind of interaction with online schools.” According to Eudora Community Learning Center coordinator Angie Miller, online school is a good option for some students. “It’s self-paced, so [students] can go as fast or as slow as they need,” Miller said. “If a student struggles in a subject, they can work on it as long as they need.” While an education acquired online lacks certain aspects of regular public school, it is a choice worth considering. “It’s a nice alternative and it’s very easy to get used to,” Knabel said. “If you have good time management skills, you will succeed.”
SHAD’Sstory
It sounded easy, but it was actually very difficult. It was difficult to stay on task. If you didn’t want to do anything, you just didn’t do it. I came back because I needed someone to tell me what to do.
What program did you use for online school?
What was the difference in curriculum at Mill Valley and at Eudora High School? In terms of hardness, the curriculum was similar at both schools.
Eudora Community Learning CenWould you recommend online ter (CLC) school? Why did you decide to come If you’re self-driven, then yes. But if back to Mill Valley High School you need structure, no. after trying online school?
fastFACTS
million > 17.9 participated in schooling sources
teenagers online
percent of college presi> 75 dents at public universities cite online learning as solution to budget crisis
percent of community college > 61students have taken at least
one online course, based on a recent survey
the last decade, online-only > Incourse enrollments in higher education climbed from .78 million to a possible 3.97 million in 2014
percent of university facul> 80 ty now use online social media show that college > Studies students in short term online courses perform better than in semester-long distance classes
than > More switch to
40,000 students virtual schooling every day in the United States
of all continuing medical > Half education is predicted to be online by the year 2016
Facts and statistics from www.geteducated.com and Eduventures
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FEATURE
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
mixing social media and
academics
We asked teachers: Do you think that social media is beneficial in an academic setting?
Social studies teacher Kelly Warren
JagWire takes a look at the evolution of social networking and how it’s impacting teenagers’ lives
the
“It can be used ap it doesn’t really hav though people toda have to use it and be overdone. It is necessary.”
“Yes I do. I use Twitter with all of my classes. I’ve been told it is great from students and parents. I use it to remind students of their homework or to study for a quiz, plus they’re already on it and it’s apart of their culture and I like how I can make it part of their academics.”
negative side of
Spanish teacher Jennifer Dillon
how does
social networkin impact your life
social networking
Survey of 123 students
To what degree have you ever been hurt emotionall mentally over a social networking site? Affected
11% 21%
68%
Somewhat affected
Not affecte
“I don’t ever get on it, so I don’ get hurt,” junior Cameron Summers said
To what degree has social networking negatively affected your life? 8% 24% 68%
“I got obsessed with Facebook my grades went down, I pushed my friends and family away,” freshman Emily Weiss said.
To what ends has social networking issues affected your school life? 10%
20%
70%
“It made it hard to come to school when people [were cyberbullying me or my friends,” junior Juliana Ayala said.
To what degree would you feel comfortable interact with a teacher on a social networking site? Comfortable
32%
30% 38%
Somewhat comfortable
Not comfo
“I think it’s cool [to be friends with teachers on a socia network]. They’re just people,” senior Leo Santos
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
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FEATURE
Missouri law restricts teachers’ use of
social media
Missouri teachers feel First Amendment rights violated ALYNE ROEMERMAN
jagwire.alyneroemerman@gmail.com
A Missouri state law that would have limited teachers’ use of social media was blocked due to questions about its threats to First Amendment rights. Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem granted an injunction requested by the Missouri State Teachers Association against the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act on Friday, Aug. 26. The law, meant to protect students from sexual predators in schools, would ban private electronic communication between students and teachers, cause for concern over constitutional rights among teachers such as Harrisonville High School teacher Brad Lewis. “Initially…it was really kind of a shock...like how dare someone tell me who I can be friends on Facebook,” Lewis said via phone. “Once I actually read the bill...my feelings have changed…I think the message behind the bill and the point behind it in terms of protecting children from sexual predators is a very sound and good idea but this one part of the act is…unconstitutional and a violation of my rights.” The De Soto School District does not have a specific written policy on social networking , but district staff are directed to follow the district’s policy for employee-student relations. The policy states that “staff members
shall maintain professional relationships and communications with students.” However, according to Alvie Cater, director of administrative services and community relations, employees are discouraged from friending current students on Facebook. Communication arts teacher Kristen Crosbie, who is friends with many former students on Facebook, questions the bill. “I don’t think it’s lawful or rational for former students and teachers not to be Facebook friends with each other,” Crosbie said. “If a kid is graduated, they can be friends with whoever they want to be friends with.” Junior Stephanie Perkins has her own take on the issue. “I don’t think I want to be friends with my teacher, so no,” Perkins said. “I think it would be awkward.” However, Perkins said she doesn’t think there should be a law prohibiting teachers and students from being Facebook friends. The law, Senate Bill 54, signed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Wednesday, July 27, required every school district to set a policy concerning employee-student communication, including social networking sites, by Jan. 1 of next year. Lawsuits were filed against the bill by the Missouri State Teachers claiming the bill violated teachers’ First Amendment rights. Another concern was the vague language of the bill, which meant teachers couldn’t be Facebook friends with their own children
Q&A with resource officer
John Midiros
HANNA TORLINE
jagwire.hannatorline@gmail.com
under the bill. However, after the injunction, Nixon asked for lawmakers to repeal the law’s restrictions on teacher-student communications. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham, who says it was inspired by a five-year national study conducted by the Associated Press that determined Missouri to be the 11th worst state in terms of teacher licenses being revoked due to sexual misconduct. “The key to the entire bill was to make sure that someone who was abusing children wasn’t moving from district to district,” Cunningham said over the phone. “That’s…the most important part of the bill.” The bill, according to Cunningham, was presented to the MSTA, as well as other state teacher organizations. “Every teacher organization in the state of Missouri…helped craft this language, endorsed it in public hearings, testifying in favor of it and promoted it to the point that out of 197 legislators in both the House and Senate, we got not one dissenting vote,” Cunningham said. “I was surprised, yes, everyone was surprised [by the injunction].” The bill includes other requirements that are not as controversial, however. The bill states that when teachers are found guilty of sexual misconduct, their license is permanently revoked, which Lewis agree with. “I find it ridiculous that that hasn’t already been a law before, because to me, when you
Have there been many problems involving social networking at school? How often? We will get in situations with bullying, when students are going back and forth making up stories or talking about a situation online. We probably deal with it three times a month. What are some of the dangers of social networking? It’s dangerous because students don’t think totally into the future. When they post a picture of their weekend activities, those things come back to haunt them.
11
social media through the years
are found guilty of that kind of behavior, you should absolutely have your teacher license revoked and never given back,” Lewis said. “The fact that that was not a law before just absolutely baffles me.” Lewis said that he felt only the part of the bill prohibiting student-teacher communication through social networking should be removed or rewritten. “I think social networking needs to play a huge role in school,” Lewis said. “The biggest reason, I believe, to have social media in schools is because if we are trying to teach our students to be responsible citizens…when they graduate beyond high school, I think we have a duty to teach them how to use social media responsibly.” Missouri legislators are now reviewing a revised version of the bill. The revisions include an extended deadline, March 1, for school districts to put a policy in place, and drop the ban on exclusive communications between teachers and students, relying on the districts to handle that part in their policies. The revised bill passed the Missouri State Senate on Wednesday, Sept. 7; senators voted unanimously to send the bill to the House. “Most school districts in the state of Missouri had a much more stringent policy a year before we ever passed this so this has been the practice in Missouri for probably about a year in many of our schools,” Cunningham said. “It’s a protection for teachers as well as students.”
Do you think social networking should be allowed in a classroom setting? It’s fine for school purposes. I know coaches use it to inform players about practices, and it’s one of the best ways to get things out. Do you think that teachers should be allowed to be on social networking sites? I think there are more negatives than positives. It would be a lot easier to avoid the problems and take away the opportunity. One bad incident would...give the district a bad name when in reality the district didn’t have anything to do with it.
SARAH FULTON
jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com
2004 Facebook is founded out of a college dorm by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roomates.
2005
Facebook opens its doors to high school networks.
2008 Two 14-year-old girls are arrested after they participate in a videotaped beating of a girl that was later posted to MySpace.
2009 Anthony Stancl, an 18-year-old high school student, creates a fake female Facebook profile and uses it to blackmail over 30 male members of his class into sending him nude photos and videos of themselves. Stancl then told the students that, unless they engaged in a sexual activity with him, he would release the photos on the Internet.
2010
Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University freshman, committed suicide after his roomate broadcast a sexual encounter Clementi had with another man. Clementi’s roomate and another student were charged with invasion of privacy.
2011 A Texas school district, Mansfield ISD, shut down its Facebook page with over 7,000 friends after the page’s members began using the site to post attacks on students and staff members. The district reported that it shut down the page because it was making itself liable for disruptive behavior. Cartoon by Adam Henderson
12
OPINION
JAGWIRE OFFICE 5900 Monticello Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: (913) 422-4351 Fax: (913) 422-4039 Adviser: Kathy Habiger khabiger@usd232.org The JagWire, a monthly publication of Mill Valley High School, is printed by Independence Examiner. MEMBERS OF Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association The 2011 JagWire was named an All-American newspaper by the NSPA and earned an All-Kansas rating from KSPA. CENSORSHIP POLICY Kansas Sentate Bill 62 guarantees the same rights for student journalists as are guaranteed for prfessional journalists. These rights include, but are not limited to, all First Amendment rights, including the rights of freedom of speech and the press, insofar as published items may not contain libelous, slanderous or obscene statements, may not incite or promote illegal conduct, may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity. EDITORIAL POLICY We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or letter to the editor for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or the print journalism room. Additionally, you may e-mail any member of the staff with opinions, as well as tweet us at mvjagwire. Anonymous content will not be accepted. Please understand that we have the right to edit all copy that runs in this publication.
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
STAFFeditorial New year brings increased motivation for staff JagWire staff plans on continuing excellence in print and also on the web Every school year the JagWire gains new staff members and a new editorial board. With the changes comes a new level of motivation and goals for the year. This year we plan on not only meeting the standards that have been set by the previous years’ staffs, but exceeding expectations in our print edition and multimedia publications. Our number one priority is to continue to write accurate stories to inform students, staff and parents of news that can directly affect them in some way. Our goal is never to publish an article for the sole purpose of threatening any person or group’s reputation or integrity. If our staff decides to publish a story, it is because we feel that story is newsworthy or informative. Not every story we print will necessarily be the most hard-hitting journalism. Just like always we will continue to write stories that would be considered a little more fun, such as athlete profiles and local restaurant reviews. Starting last year, we expanded onto the web
managing editors Sarah Fulton Sarah Gonzales
Students should try to improve hallway etiquette to ease traffic
copy editor Alyne Roemerman web editor Kaitlin Rounds photo editor Taylor Young staff Cory Reinoehl Alana Flinn Mackenzie Eckman Ryan Fullerton Sydney Wilson Eric Howes Katie Linsey Brandon Burnworth
sports editor Hanna Torline news editor Josh Duden feature editor Kristina Milewski a&e editor Austin Gillespie opinion editor Emily Johnson briefs editor Lisa Joerling ads manager Austin Gude Karlton Kinley Regan Jones Kelsey Floyd Jack Lopez Courtney Minter Miranda Snyder Adam Henderson
have about anything we publish either in the print edition or on our website. This year staff email addresses are also being included in our bylines this year, so if you have any questions that are specifically directed to one story feel free to email that staff member. Send us ideas for stories that you would want to read about in the paper, or that you just think the rest of the school needs to know about. The newspaper belongs to the entire student body. We’re here for you. The journalism department has established a legacy of excellence and is one that is well respected. We hope that the addition of our website will only continue the high quality journalism that has been expected of our school and enhance our already strong printed paper.
Follow us on Twitter @mvjagwire Like us on Facebook JagWire Newspaper
Increase hallway courtesy to decrease hallway conflicts
JAGWIRE STAFF editors-in-chief Sarah Darby Jill Applegate
at www.mvnews.org with intentions to uphold all established journalism principles. Despite the fact that our turnover rate is much quicker than the usual three weeks staffers are normally given to write a print story, we still plan on having the same level of professionalism. Having www. mvnews.org will allow us not only to update the school with news, but also have the fun reviews and profiles. After the re-launch of the website this year, we have an incredibly quick and efficient way to distribute information. We plan on continuing our cycle of constant updates. Those who visit our site can expect new stories and photos daily, as well as a wider range of coverage. Not only will we be covering every single sports team, but we will also offer updates on the musical, reviews on local restaurants, and the most up-todate information on events such as Homecoming. In addition to our website, we have also launched a Twitter (@mvjagwire) and a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/JagWireNewspaper) in hopes of being able to better connect with our readers. Everyone is encouraged to contact us with any questions or comments they
ALANA FLINN
jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com
Simple yet significant, the school hallway is a confusing domain. Surely you’ve figured out the quickest way to make it from a C-wing Spanish class to a ground level art class, but what happens when that plan back fires and you are forced to use the main hall? Easy. Follow common courtesy rules and travel will be a breeze. Let’s start off with common travel courtesy. You drive on the right side of the road; therefore, you should walk on the right side of the hall. Being thrown against the C-wing’s glass-shard-covered wall is never a great way to start, or end, the day. To help others resist the possibility of that happening, stay to your right side. And, when you bump shoulders with someone, you apologize. This
rule was not created to be broken by high school students. It is common courtesy to say you are sorry for bruising another person’s shoulder. Just because you are in a hurry, does not mean you are excused from a quick exchange of apologies between you and your victim. Stairs are the main culprit in slowing down your route. When four of the largest classes to go through the school attempt to travel on one staircase, congestion is a given. Besides having to maneuver around the groups of people at the top of the stairs, there are also the groups at the bottom of the stairs. If you stand in these groups, move a couple feet into the locker banks and the main staircase speed might greatly increase. Along with blocking the stairs, do not block locker banks. If your favorite place to awkwardly stand in large groups is at someone’s locker, move. Your body could draw the fine line between someone being late to class or not. If you like to carry around a backpack that doubles your weight, do not make sudden movements. If you turn around to talk to a friend while an innocent third party is walking by, you will feel bad about knocking
Cartoon by Adam Henderson
them into the trash cans on the side of the locker banks. If you are fortunate enough to be the renter of a top locker, respect the person below you. Nothing hurts worse than a fat math book landing on your head. To prevent the awkward moment when you get to your lockers at the same time and neither of you will make the first move towards your lock, meet an understanding with your locker mate. Whoever has the farthest away class gets to collect their belongings first. These basic rules have been pro-
grammed into your brain since kindergarten. Just because you have grown inches taller than the rest of your class, you are a social butterfly who has to talk to your friends or you lucked out in the locker draw, does not give you a reason to lose your manners. Live by the golden rule; do to others as you’d want done to yourself. You would not enjoy being shoved into a wall, a book being dropped on your head or a backpack hitting your gut, so avoid these hallway misdemeanors to keep traffic flowing.
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
OPINION
Preserving perspectives part Curfews produce conflict of remembering Sept. 11 among parents and children Collecting memories a vital part of preserving Sept. 11
SARAH FULTON
jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com
As the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 fades into the background, so will the memories of the day. Such a horrific event is not easily forgotten by those who were old enough to truly live through it, but for those of us who can only remember bits and pieces, our memories will begin to fade over time. It was this problem that Monticello Trails Middle School students hoped to circumvent after Sept. 11. They created a time capsule that was recently opened by my Honors Archeology class. It contained magazines, newspapers and related knick-knacks, but most importantly,
it contained the students’ memories of the day. Through poems and stories, it saved not only the nationwide reaction that was widely documented, but also personal accounts of the day that otherwise would have never been preserved. Ten years later, my class hopes to expand upon these stories. We are collecting as many memories as possible from the widest variety of people possible. Our goal is to record the untold stories of what average people experienced and preserved them for future generations. As high school students, the bits and pieces of our memories fit together to paint a larger picture of what our generation experienced on that day. Even the slightest memory is a part of history that will fail to exist in 50 years if it is not written. This is why I am asking every person with even a slight memory to write it down and email it to our teacher at keilh@usd232.org. Writing down memories can not only preserve them for future generations, but it can help refresh them in our own minds.
Parents use curfews to regulate the actions of their children
MIRANDA SNYDER
jagwire.mirandasnyder@gmail.com
As summer comes to an end, students all around school start to hear that word again: curfews. For some that means having to be home by 10 p.m., but for those lucky few, it’s midnight. Curfews are parents’ way of controlling what their kids do. But do all kids need to be controlled? When teens are out late, the first thing parents think is that they must be up to no good. And let’s face it, some of us aren’t. Those that choose to get involved in harmful activities should have a curfew. If parents know their kid is drinking or doing drugs, then they have a reason to give them a curfew.
But when your parents’ reasoning for curfews are because they want you to clean your room or get a good night’s sleep, it doesn’t seem fair. Parents should trust that their kids are making good choices and doing what they say they are doing. Having your parents telling you what to do all the time gets pretty annoying. We are more likely to get in trouble when parents aren’t around if we don’t ever get to go out. Having later curfews doesn’t always mean teens are getting into trouble. Those that do have early curfews might have reasons to argue it. If your curfew is early because you’ve been getting in trouble or have bad grades, then you have no room to argue. But if your parents want you home early just to be home early, then go ahead and argue. Just make so you do so in a polite manner. Whatever reasoning your parents give you on why your curfew is early, think before arguing about it. There’s no point in getting grounded and not going out at all. Then again bugging them till they give in sometimes does the trick.
School needs solution to overcrowding in parking lot Insufficient space results in problems for students and staff
EMILY JOHNSON
jagwire.emilyjohnson@gmail.com
Having been driving to school for three of my four years in high school, I have experienced my fair share of parking lot horrors. From construction sophomore year, lack of space
junior year and overabundance of staff parking senior year, this school just cannot seem to find an arrangment that works. There are 1,142 students and 137 staff members in the school including custodians and kitchen staff. Between the sophomore, junior and senior classes, there are over 800 students who could potentially drive to school daily. However, our parking lot only accomodates 427 student vehicles and 116 staff vehicles. This presents a huge problem. It means that students are scrambling to find space in the mornings, resulting in illegal parking and tardiness that could
ADAM’Sanimations
be avoided. Personally, it is extremely frustrating to leave 35 minutes early for school, sit in traffic for over 10 minutes (which is a whole ‘nother issue) and arrive at the school only to see several empty parking spaces marked “STAFF” but find no other spaces open. There are several solutions that administration could pursue in order to solve this ongoing problem. They could implement parking privileges by grade, where only upperclassmen are allowed to drive to school. A less severe option is to restrict freshmen from driving themselves to school.
The very least they could do is allot a “Senior Parking” area as they did during the 2009-1010 school year. The new lot next to the tennis courts, the school’s only attempt at a solution, seems to be ineffective. Anyone who parks there must cross the main driveway, which is a risky area even for drivers, without the protection of a crosswalk. It is good for athletic parking, but little else. Something more has to be done. With the student body growing and the staff population increasing subsequently, the school needs to make a more drastic effort to solve the problem in the parking lot.
A monthly comic strip about school happenings
13
YOUsaidIT
What is the worst hallway offense you have ever experienced?
“ “ “
“People just ramming into the backs of the freshmen.“ freshman Sebastian Uriarte
“I was with my friends and a mean girl pushed me with her shoulder into the lockers.“ sophomore Elizabeth Burris
“Getting pushed down the stairs because everyone was crowding me.“ junior Molly Kelley
“I got depantsed once in the sixth grade.“ senior Wade Hanna
Illustrations by Adam Henderson
SPORTS
14
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
New coaches find their stride
MEETtheCOACHES Four other new coaches share their experiences, goals and words of advice for their teams
Stacey Moore
assistant cheer coach “I have always been interested in coaching cheer in the district, and when the opportunity opened up to be an assistant at Mill Valley, I decided to take it. I have always been impressed with the talent of the cheerleaders at the games that I have attended. ”
Lauren Sell
assistant dance coach
With seven new coaches leading teams this year, many of them have different ideas on how to run their teams this season
Cheer coach Mallory Friday SARAH GONZALES
jagwire.sarahgonzales@gmail.com
Perfecting pointed toes and teaching new stunts and cheers is what soon-to-be substitute teacher and new head cheerleading coach Mallory Friday has to do. “My sister-in-law went to school here,” Friday said. “She always raved about [the school] and it is a great school and district. I am glad that I am coaching cheer here.” The cheerleaders think that the new coaches will bring some good change. “Ms. Friday is a lot more pushy
Football coach Rick Pollard
“I decided to coach at Mill Valley because I had worked with the girls before and I loved it. Since the team is close, it makes working with them even better.”
Drew Hudgins
defensive backs coach “I saw the opening and applied. Coach Applebee called and I started at the beginning of summer. I have heard of the reputation of Mill Valley and I wanted to be apart of it.”
Joe Waldron
assistant soccer coach “The kids have responded pretty well to my being here. I’m getting the most out of almost all of the kids. We’ve really made some big changes and they’ve picked it up well.”
than our old coaches,” sophomore varsity cheer member Madison Plouvier said. “They adapted rather quickly. They put their own twist on our cheers. She wants the best for the team; you can really tell she does.” Since Friday just started coaching the team in August, she has not had much exposure with the girls. “We have only had practices and games,” Friday said. “So far we have had good experiences.” Plouvier’s exposure to the coaches haven’t been that different from Friday’s. “At the beginning, when they came in, it was rough,” Plouvier said.
FOOTBALL COACH RICK Pollard chastises players after a Bonner Springs touchdown on Friday, Sept. 9. The team went on to win 48-26. Photo by Jack Lopez
Teaching offensive plays, keeping players in line and teaching special education students are all parts of offensive line coach Rick Pollard’s daily life. “I came across the position for offensive coach because I used to coach boys track with coach Apple-
bee’s aunt,” Pollard said. “I wanted to get the chance to work with coach Applebee.” Pollard coached football and boys track at Pleasant Ridge High School for 14 years, and he also coached football at Pittsburgh State University for one year. Pollard has been with the football team since the summer. “So far, the kids have been good,” Pollard said. “They have put in a lot of hard work. It’s a little different from my old school.” Student body feedback helps the players improve their skills. “I want [the student body] to see a team that is aggressive,” Pollard said. “They should also see that we have the best offensive line in Kansas.” Pollard would like the team to go on and win state. “I want them to be as good as they can be,” Pollard said. “They need to be deep in the playoffs and win the state championship. All of the elements are there, we just need to utilize them and push ourselves.”
SPORTSonline Coverage of varsity games Scores of all athletic events
“Now that we are getting [into more of a routine], things are becoming more positive. By the time school gets out, things will be great.” Friday wants every cheerleader to succeed in what they do. She also hopes CHEERLEADING COACHES MALLORY Friday and Stacey Moore speak with that in doing sophomore Emily Meier on Friday, Sept. 9. Both Friday and Moore were so she can raise introduced as the new cheer coaches this year. Photo by Jack Lopez school spirit. “I hope that the student body re- different sports. The student’s feedsponds well,” Friday said. “The girls back is a big part of the girls doing are out there cheering for all of the well.”
Dance coach Daley Reed
DANCE COACH DALEY Reed encourges dancers at practice on Monday, Sept. 12. “We want to continue to work on team bonding,” Reed said. Photo by Jack Lopez
Having a life-long passion for dance is what persuaded fourth grade Mize Elementary teacher Daley Reed, to become the new head coach for the Silver Stars Dance team. “I wanted to get involved with this district,” Reed said. “I went to Kansas State University with the De
Soto High School dance coach and she said that the position was open. It’s perfect because I love to dance.” Reed has been with the Silver Stars since the beginning of summer. “We started out at the Emporia summer camp,” Reed said. “They did a regular dance routine and it’s the best they have done. They went to nationals and they received a long list of awards. We started summer techniques and it’s just been a really good experience so far.” Since Reed has a background in dance, she hopes that the girls can learn techniques if they want to pursue it in college. Reed said that when the student body gets involved, it gives the dancers better feedback and that when the students respond, the girls have better confidence. The dancers like the changes that the new coach has brought. “I love her,” senior Paige Hillebert said. “She has a positive attitude and she has really improved us. She pushes us to be better.”
Check out www.mvnews.org to see this and more
defeat Bonner Springs High > Jaguars School 48-26 > Girls tennis team competes in the Gardner Invitational > Volleyball defeats Turner High School on Tuesday, Sept. 13
soccer vs. Tonganoxie wins > Varsity 2-0 > Football defeats Tonganoxie 63-15 > Varsity volleyball vs. Basehor-Linwood finishes 3-0
Weekly athlete profiles
girls golf member Hadley > Junior Tharp > Quarterback Skyler Windmiller > Varsity football player L.J. Hatch
All athletic event schedules
> Varsity schedules > JV schedules map directions to > Google athletic events
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
SPORTS
15
TOP: JUNIOR JOYLYNN KENNEDY plays doubles with junior Sarah Wetzel against De Soto High School. They won their match 6-4. The win contributed to the team’s overall 3-1 win in doubles. BOTTOM: CONTRIBUTING TO THE varsity tennis team’s overall 7-5 win, Wetzel plays in a doubles match with her partner Kennedy. Photos by Emily Johnson
SENIOR LAUREN SHURLEY plays doubles with partner senior Kelli Rutherford on Thursday, Sept. 1 against De Soto High School. Photo by Emily Johnson
Team utilizes no-cut system The no-cut girls tennis team ranks players based on skills KATIE LINSEY
jagwire.katielinsey@gmail.com
With 38 players on the girls tennis team, determining which players are on JV and varsity is not an easy process for the coaches. The players compete in a series of matches called challenges to determine their spot on the team. Coaches Casey Kuhn and Sarah Haub decided that the tennis team was going to be no-cut, and they needed a fair system. “As long as [the players] are wanting to be a committed part of the team, regardless of ability level, we want them on our team,” Kuhn said. Sophomore player Kara Lewis likes the team’s use of the no-cut system. “I like the tennis team being
no-cut because it gives everyone a chance to participate and a great opportunity to try something new,” Lewis said. The challenges that determine who is on JV and varsity consist of a four game set. The winning player moves up on the challenge list and plays another winning player. If a winning player loses, she moves down on the list. Senior varsity player Shannon McGraw thinks the challenges are a good idea. “The only way to know a girl’s ability is when she is put in a game situation, such as a challenge,” McGraw said. After everyone plays and the rankings are chosen, the top players are varsity and the rest are JV. At the end of the season, the top eight to 10 players letter as varsity. The coaches choose the strongest players to par-
ATHLETEprofile
tennisGLOSSARY
ticipate in regionals. The number of players on the team affects playing time. Varsity players always play, while JV rotates. Since there are no cuts, some players that have joined the team this year have never played tennis before. To teach them how to play, the coaches start with the basics such as hitting the racket. “We only have two coaches and 38 girls, so it’s hard to get one-onone time with them. We normally put a veteran with a beginner to help teach them,” Kuhn said. According to freshman JV player Hannah Hilton, the teaching process was successful. “It was easy [to learn] because I was transitioning from volleyball to tennis,” Hilton said. “The hardest part was learning how to keep score.” Watch the varsity tennis team play Monday, Sept. 26 at home.
“Love means nothing. It has no value, it’s what you get when you are losing. You don’t ever want to have love,” freshman Mikaela McCabe said. “Volley is when you hit the ball back and forth on the court. The longer you keep it going, the better,” sophomore Emily Klahn said. “A fault is a serve that doesn’t go in the box twice,” junior Taylor Brunson said.
What do you drink before every game?
“All I drink is water. I don’t like the sugar that is in Gatorade,” senior varsity cross country runner Matt Eber said.
“The yellow Gatorade is the best kind, but I also drink water” varsity football safety and running back junior Staton Rebeck said.
“I drink blue Gatorade and eat Mr. Goodcents,” freshman volleyball player Maddie Little said.
54%
Flip
Q&A
KAITLIN ROUNDS
jagwire.kaitlinrounds@gmail.com
The page with a different perspective
junior Danielle Jenkins
“Hairspray because I tease my hair and I feel like I need to reapply throughout the day.”
“I like Peter Frampton because when I was in high school I enjoyed listening to his music, and I also liked his long hair.” “The celebrity I liked was Tom Selleck because I used to watch him on Magnum P.I.”
I decided I would put [a red bead I found] in my binder and it would be my lucky bead.”
Science teacher Donna Riss
“I like Bette Midler or Carol Burnett because Midler was a sassy performer...Burnett is a very classy entertainer and she is very funny.”
Music teacher Sheree Stoppel
Art teacher Jerry Howard
“When I was young, I admired Mike Myers or Will Ferrell because where I went to high school, theater was really big and I was good at doing improvisation.”
English teacher Eric Ammerman
Which celebrity did you obsess over the most as a kid?
REGAN JONES
jagwire.reganjones@gmail.com
sophomore Logan Robertson
What’s the most interesting thing in your backpack?
Sept. 2
@jordanross6 Jordan Ross Is it weird I keep refreshing my twitter to see what @mvjagwire is saying about the game tonight? #cheeringfromiowa #missfridaynightgames
Sept. 3
@MV_Number2s_Mom Jennifer Stewart @mvjagwire Thank you for the [live football game] updates; you did an amazing job tonight!
Sept. 14
@sydbeliebs Sydney Carson @mvjagwire i don’t see why they’re making so many [homecoming] changes...
@mvjagwire wants to hear from you via twitter. Will your tweets catch our attention?
Feedback
It doesn’t really affect me
I liked it better last year
I understand it and I like it
28%
18%
the
Side
How do you feel about seminar being moved to the end of the day?
senior Jacob Kidney
Photos by Kelsey Floyd
“I keep my toothbrush in my backpack and it’s so no matter where I go I can sleep there.”
Drive, an action-filled movie that premiered Friday, Sept. 6 in theaters, follows a Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals at night. Those weary of the supposedly high action content of the film will be pleased to see it’s perfectly balanced with beautifully minimal dialogue and intriguing cinematography. But for those seeking action, Drive definitely falls under the category of an action movie. There are scenes of engrossing violence that will stay with the viewer long after the movie is over. The film is directed by Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn who brings a foreign rhythm that will entice viewers, but at the same time creating a realistic dark Los Angeles, a side of which is unknown to most. Refn won Best Director Prize for Drive at the May 2011 Cannes Film Festival in France, along with a 15-minute ovation from the crowd. The acting is nearly flawless, especially by Ryan Gosling, who plays the Driver, the lead character. It is easily one of Gosling’s best roles to date. He fits the steady, serious mindset of the character perfectly. Gosling, who has made a name for himself with movies such as Blue Valentine and The Notebook, may call this his signature role from now on. Overall, the movie was one of the more exciting movies to come out in recent years and is sure to please a variety of different audiences. There is a lot of violence that may throw off some people, but it was an enticing movie with provoking dialogue and award-worthy acting. The movie is 90 minutes long and is rated R for violence, language, and some nudity.
Photo from Bold Films
Latest Ryan Gosling movie offers thrills and violence to please a variety of viewers
Drive * *** *
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16 THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
Kauffman Center builds home for arts Photo Illustration by Taylor Young and Sarah Fulton
Center gives distinctive shape to Kansas City arts SYDNEY WILSON
jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com
What began as a sketch on a napkin has become a real home for the arts in downtown Kansas City. After 16 years of preparation, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts celebrated its grand opening Thursday, Sept. 16. Already on the schedule is a wide variety of productions from the center’s resident companies: Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, as well as several others. “[The venues at the Kauffman Center will be] as diverse as you can imagine,” Julia Kauffman, chairman of the board for the Kauffman Center said. “We felt Kansas City was right for [the center].” This diversity will be aided by the two separate performance halls: the Muriel Kauffman Theatre and the Helzberg Hall. The Muriel Kauffman Theatre houses a large stage for plays, operas, dance productions and more. The
theatre is inspired by European opera houses, and can seat up to 1,800 people. The walls are covered with a colorful mural created by students from the Kansas City Art Institute
“It’s going to put Kansas City on the map as one of the top performing venues.” vocal music teacher Sheree Stoppel and the balconies are lit to resemble candlelight. On the other side of the center is the Helzberg Music Hall. The hall can seat 1,600 people, and, as the new home of the Kansas City Symphony, it boasts the capability of hosting a wide variety of musicbased functions. Every aspect of the room was designed to create the perfect sound, even the floor, which is designed to vibrate like a drum. “Everything is so important [for acoustics],” Yasuhisa Toyota, chief acoustician for the Kauffman Center said. “The material of the floor, the
BYtheNUMBERS
structure of the room, everything.” Architect Moshe Safdie is satisfied with how the building has come together. “When we started, [people on the east coast] said ‘Don’t try that in the Midwest,’” Safdie said in a press conference. “[I responded] ‘Don’t underestimate the Midwest.’ I know that, when given a challenge, people rise to the occasion. What we did here was really challenging, and we rose to the occasion.” Vocal music teacher Sheree Stoppel had the opportunity to perform at the Kauffman Center on Sunday, Sept. 18 with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus. “It is going to put Kansas City on the map as one of the top performing venues in the nation,” Stoppel said. Overall, hopes are high for the future success of the Kauffman Center. “We can see [performances] at home on a big screen with awesome sound, but it’s not the same [as actually seeing it],” said Safdie. Tickets for events can be ordered on the Kauffman Center at www. kauffmancenter.org.
> 16 years to complete the project
> $413 million spent
> Three separate buildings
> 285,000 total square feet
> Two main theaters, Muriel Kauffman Theatre > 3,400 total seats and Helzberg Hall
LEFT: THE LOBBY OF the building is a mix of contemporary and modern architecture. Photo by Taylor Young MIDDLE RIGHT: THE KAUFFMAN CENTER will show performances by many different performers. Photo by Courtney Minter
BOTTOM RIGHT: THE BUILDING SHOWCASES an open interior. Photo by Courtney Minter TOP LEFT: IN THE MURIEL Kauffman Theatre, audiences experience performances from the Kansas Ballet to the Lryic Opera. BOTTOM LEFT THE KAUFFMAN CENTER includes a gift shop where mugs and posters are available. Photo by Taylor Young
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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
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a reading revolution
books:
SENIOR TYLER KILE reads his eBook during seminar Monday, Sept. 19. “It’s very convenient,” Kile said. “It’s better than a stack of books.” Photo by Jack Lopez
eBOOKSconserve
the U.S. every year, 2 billion books are produced, >Inwhich consumes 32 million trees
million eBook downloads have saved 3,200,000 >200 trees Sunday issue of the New York Times consumes >One 75,000 trees book and newspaper industries combined harvest >U.S. 125 million trees each year book and newspaper companies emit over 40 >U.S. million metric tons of CO2 annually; equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of 7.3 million cars
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Electronic readers offer different ways to read books SARAH FULTON
jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com
ALANA FLINN
jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com
Among endless stacks of colonial founder’s worksheets, hefty history textbooks and bulging binders on senior Emily Adam’s desk last year, one small electronic device stood out. Adams began bringing her Kindle to school her junior year to reduce the amount of paper she used in her Advanced Placement U.S. History class. “There used to be at least nine pages of notes per PowerPoint in History. Once I got my Kindle, I probably saved one of those thick packages of printer paper,” Adams said. Adams is just one of the many users taking part in the eBook revolution. Barnes and Noble expects revenue from its Nook sales to double in 2012, moving from $880 million to $1.8 billion. Amazon reported that for the first time in June 2010, its eBook sales outshined hardcover books two to one. Journalist and government researcher Kevin Kosar said technology plays a large part in the popularity of eBooks. “People dig technology,” Kosar said via phone. “The availability of lots of free books has encouraged people. $200 for a library of free books makes sense.” School media specialist Andy Shelly agrees. “There is obviously a market for eBooks, for those who feel comfortable with the technology,” Shelly said. However, Shelly is confident that eBooks will never fully replace hard copy books. “I do not believe that paper books will ever disappear,” Shelly said. “There is a learning curve and a cost for technology.” According to senior Tyler Kile, the cost for his Nook was roughly $250; however, Kile did not always
feel eBooks were worth the price. “I thought they were ruining literature forever. Now I just think they are pretty cool and convenient,” Kile said. In an article in the Washington Post, Borders CEO Mike Edwards said that eBooks, along with a bad economy and a changing book industry, were the reason that their store was closing its doors after 40 years in business. “We put up a great fight, but regrettably, in the end, we weren’t able to overcome these external forces,” Edwards said in the article. Communication arts teacher Adam Wessel argues that if a piece of technology sparks a student’s interest in reading, then eBooks are worth it. “Students today are very technologically advanced, so if you can incorporate what they love to get them to read, great,” Wessel said. Sophomore Toby Parrish agrees. “Reading is so annoying. Books get bent up so easily, it’s a hassle to carry them,” Parrish said. “If I had a Kindle, I would definitely read more books. It’s way more manageable, there are no pages to tear or flip through, and everything is in one convenient place.” Shelly is trying to bring Convenience to the library. According to Shelly, the library expects to purchase several eBooks this year.
“In terms of the library I am seriously looking at picking up some eBooks this year,” Shelly said. “However, the eBooks that I am looking at picking up are most likely going to be more nonfiction titles, which would support the curriculum in the classroom.” According to Shelly, students would log on to the library catalog, type in the name of the eBook, and a reader would pop up. Despite this step forward into bringing eBooks into school, Shelly does not know if eBooks as textbooks will play a role anytime some. Adams purchases textbooks outside of school. “Amazon has a store that you go to to download books on a Kindle. As long as you have your credit card hooked up to the site, you can purchase books as you please,” Adams said. At the same time Wessel believes that there is something special about paperbacks. “Being a traditionalist, there is a special connection between holding a book and flipping pages,” Wessel said. Adams believes that because of a love for paperbacks, eBooks will never completely overtake them. “I love the smell of old books, new books,” Adams said. “It’s like cut grass to other people.”
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PHOTO ESSAY
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | SEPT. 23, 2011
Taking on
Tutus and tailgates help Blue Crew promote school spirit LISA JOERLING
jagwire.lisajoerling@gmail.com
FRESHMEN PATRICK MULDOON, Shae Stephens, Taylor Herron and Bailey Weeks briefly show off their painted chests before being told to put their shirts back on by administrators on Friday, Sept. 9. Photo by Emily Johnson
ABOVE: MAKING TUTUS DURING seminar on Friday, Sept. 2., juniors Molly Kelley and Schylar Burleson participated in the Blue Crew sponsored event. “I liked how many people went and showed how much school spirit we have,” Burleson said. Photo by Kristina Milewski
Headed by a reinvented Blue Crew, activities designed to boost school spirit are underway. According to Blue Crew sponsor Jessica DeWild, any student in the student body is a member of Blue Crew. “It’s fundamentally not different, we are just promoting it more this year,” DeWild said. Students are hopeful Blue Crew will work better this year. “I think the new Blue Crew idea will work better because people don’t feel obligated to be in a club,” senior Mackenzie Acree said. Tutu and sign-making in the senior cafe by Blue Crew before the first home football game was a way to promote school spirit. The huge turnout resulted in them running out of materials. “StuCo sponsor Erica Crist and I thought it would be a good idea for school spirit,” DeWild said. “It was
just something fun for people to do.” Senior Kelli Rutherford thinks the tutus will help add to school spirit. “The tutus are really fun and creative, Rutherford said. “They look really cool too.” Another activity organized by Blue Crew was a pot-luck tailgate held despite the rain before the football game. “It was disappointing because of the rain, but people started coming closer to the game and everyone was really positive,” DeWild said. DeWild wants everyone to get involved throughout the whole school year. “I think spirit helps everyone to have more fun,” DeWild said. “School can be tiring unless you’re involved in things like extracurricular activities.”
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LEFT TOP: (left to right) SENIORS ALYSSIA NORBY, Rayanna Gosset, Rachel Mills and Alyssa Young show their spirit at the football game against Bonner Springs High School on Friday, Sept. 9. LEFT BOTTOM: JUNIOR QUARTERBACK SKYLER Windmiller, senior linebacker Marcus Grant, senior defensive lineman Zach Callahan, senior offensive linemen Anthony Bator and senior receivers Ethan Rice and Wade Hanna run through the new tunnel entrance at the first home game against Bonner Springs. “I really like [the new entrance] because it gets us and the fans more pumped up and gives it a huge football atmosphere,” Rice said. ABOVE: THE STUDENT SECTION cheers on the football team as they work towards a win against Bonner Springs. Photos by Emily Johnson