Volume 11, Issue Two by JagWire newspaper

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JW Vol. 11, Issue 2 Oct. 20, 2010

Avoid sleepless nights Teenagers are losing more and more sleep. Find out why this is and how to reverse the trend. Page 8-9

Mill Valley High School 5900 Monticello Road, Shawnee, KS 66226

Oct. 25, 2010

{briefs}

In this issue: News:

Youth Friends 4

Oct. 25, 2010

{news}

Cuts to Youth Friends staffing alter the program sarah darby {news editor}

Youth Friends program continues through school counselors even without coordinator position The district has cut the position of Youth Friends coordinator due to lack of district funding, after three years and 600 volunteers. Started with the help of a grant from the Kauffman Foundation, a chapter of the program began in 2007. Renee Hultgren was hired as district coordinator of the program and, according to Youth Friends Central, the central office of the program, it was the fastest growing chapter in the Kansas City area. “The program is designed to provide caring adult mentors for students, so the district coordinator reaches out to the community to find caring adults to connect with students,” Hultgren said. In total, $4 million in cuts have been made within the district since March 2009. Without continued funding of the grant, which ended this year, staffing of the Youth Friends program, notably Hultgren’s position, was cut. District director of administrator service and community relations Alvie Cater says the district did not anticipate the current state of the program. “When we launched Youth Friends, we didn’t know this would happen,” Cater said. “You hope to have the resources available to absorb this funding, but we didn’t.” Under normal circumstances, without the coordinator position, a chapter of the program could not exist, but Youth Friends Central has allowed the district to continue the program without a coordinator this year. School counselors have been asked to facilitate the program and coordinate individual adults coming to mentor students at their specific schools. “If you don’t set it up yourself, the program is gone,” Youth Friend volunteer and former teacher Gail Berman said. Berman, who has a Youth Friend at Mill Creek Middle School and has been meeting with sophomore Abi Stoner since her freshman year, set up meetings with Stoner again on her own. In years past, Hultgren would have actively contacted her and tracked her progress. With counselors coordinating the program this year, there is concern less attention will be given to coordinating the program. “Counselors already have so much on their plate it will be hard for them to keep the program running and the most important part of my job was providing customer service to volunteers,” Hultgren said. Community service teacher Cory Wurtz who worked with Hultgren in the past to get background checks and training by Hultgren for his students, now trains students himself. “Some people are calling it ‘youth buddies,’” Wurtz said. “It’s a federally funded program and our grant has run out. We call it Youth Friends because that’s what we are familiar with. I call them mentors.” The number of students Wurtz has serving as mentors remains around 40, about what it was last year. However, more students work in a classroom to tutor students, rather than a one-to-one relationship between one mentor and one student. “It is not as effective,” Wurtz said. “It’s definitely not as close of a relationship as the Youth Friends program provides; it used to provide something other than school assistance.” Out of nine of the adult mentors who came to Mill Valley last year, all have returned to mentor. Stoner remains one of the students set up with a mentor. “I really like it because I get someone else I can talk to and I know she’s always there for me,” Stoner said. The story has not been the same at all schools in the district.

Youth Friends program changes

LAST YEAR’S COORDINATOR of the Youth Friends program, Renee Hultgren, continues to work with her Youth Friend every Thursday at Monticello Trails Middle School. “ I’ve seen a lot of changes and growth in him,” Hultgren said. Photo by Kat Rainey

In a general e-mail inquiry, Starside Elementary counselor Paula Henderson said out of 15 adult volunteers from last year, only one returned. At Lexington Trails Middle School, 28 adult volunteers and no student volunteers have returned compared to 38 adult volunteers and 5 student volunteers from last year. “Now our Youth Friend program will not continue to grow,” LTMS counselor Angie Russell said via e-mail. “Our staff cares for our students but cannot always fit the one-on-one extra time into their busy daily schedules.” The district does not take cuts to the program lightly. The priority of the district was to cut programs not directly affecting the classroom first. “The first priority was to protect the classroom,” Cater said. “We looked at everything around the classroom to protect teaching jobs and direct resources to students.” Unfortunately, without a coordinator, it will be difficult for the program to grow. Cater said 100 percent of the program volunteers were recruited by Hultgren. No new Youth Friends, with the exception of Wurtz’s student mentors and special coordination with Cater, will be able to join the program. Hultgren was offered a para position with the district but was never formally asked to continue work with the Youth Friends program. The offer did not financially make sense for her. “I miss seeing the kids change because of the adults I’ve matched with them,” Hultgren said. “It was just disappointing to have such a successful program and help so many kids and then say, ‘We don’t have the money.’ It would be different if we weren’t successful. There are so many more kids that still need [Youth Friends] and there’s no way for them to get them.” It is not certain if the program will continue next year, as without funding for a coordinator position, the program cannot continue under the Youth Friends name and grow. “I don’t think it will be a district program that will grow a lot,” Hultgren said. “Without a focus, I see it slowly getting smaller and smaller.”

> Funding from the Kauffman Foundation

> Youth Friends coordinator Renee Hultgren’s

> Grant funding discontinued in spring 2010,

> School counselors coordinate the pro-

> Annual Youth Friends staffing costs of

> Over the last three years, 600 volunteers

grant started the program in 2007

In the meantime, Hultgren is job hunting and continues to meet with a Youth Friend who she mentored at Riverview Elementary and has followed to Monticello Trails Middle School. This week, they are playing Fantasy Football. “I can’t give up on my kids,” Hultgren said. “Even though I’m not the coordinator, I believe in the program so I still want to give them my friendship.”

position included in the cuts

an expense the district cannot afford

$51,000 cut from district spending in 2010

gram this year by individual schools have been part of the program

Feature: Changing gender 6

Oct. 25, 2010

{feature}

“I’ve really found my place in life and it’s a great feeling” {features editor}

kristina milewski

Junior Jacob Kidney shares his story about his new gender transformation

Aside from becoming transgender, Kidney is also bisexual. “Gender identity and sexuality are totally different, they really shouldn’t be associated. It just so happens that I’m living with both of them,” Kidney said. Kidney is currently in a relationship with his boyfriend Andrew Martinek, a 2008 graduate from Shawnee Mission Northwest. “My boyfriend knew from the start, and he doesn’t think of me differently,” Kidney said. “He’s accepting of everyone.” Now that Kidney has made this transition, he realizes that others may have misconceptions about him. He enrolled into a new school as a male, as an attempt to keep his life private. However rumorsbegan to spread, so Kidney chose to address the rumors. “Please, please don’t ask me what my real name is. I’m not ashamed of it, I just According to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against really don’t want to be made into a freak Defamation, these terms can help you understand show. I’m not a freak show, I’m just a guy differences in gender and sexuality among people with a face, and this is who I am,” Kidney said. Transgender: A friend of Kidney’s, junior Kurtis Of, relating to, or being a person (as a transsexual Poorman, did not think any differently or transvestite) who identifies with or expresses a of him when Poorman found out about gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to the person’s sex at birth. Kidney’s change. “I know a lot of people are not very Transsexual: accepting, but they just need to learn to accept and be kind. In the end, we’re all A person who strongly identifies with the opposite sex and may seek to live as a member of this sex just people,” Poorman said. especially by undergoing surgery and hormone Kidney has advice for anyone ques- therapy to obtain the necessary physical appeartioning their sexuality or sexual identity. ance (as by changing the external sex organs) “No one can tell you who you are, you have to figure it out for yourself,” Kidney Gender Identity: said. “Establish a network of support, One’s internal, personal sense of being man or join clubs or groups. Know that you are woman (or boy or a girl). For transgender people, their birth-assigned sex and their own internal never alone in any situation.” Kidney faced many challenges when sense of gender identity do not match. making this transition, however the pros Gender Expression: outweighed the cons in his situation. How a person’s gender identity is communicated “Now that I’ve made this change, I feel to others, through behavior, clothing, hairstyle, like the barrier between me and the rest voice, and emphasizing, de-emphasizing or changof the world is gone,” Kidney said. “And it ing physical characteristics. really is a great feeling.”

Junior Jacob Kidney knew he had to make a change. All of his life, he felt trapped in his body. Last summer, he decided to do something about it. Kidney officially changed his gender identity from female to male. “I was so used to people telling me that I couldn’t make the change, so I tried to hide it. Now looking back I see that I just should have owned [my sexuality],” Kidney said. Although Kidney always felt different from other people, seventh grade was the turning point in his life. Kidney realized he was not happy with the body he was in. “In my eyes, it’s really not a decision to become a boy. You can either live with who you are, or you can die slowly,” Kidney said. Kidney transferred from Gardner-Edgerton to Mill Valley over the summer so the gender transition would be easier. “Before coming to Mill Valley, it felt like swimming laps in a swimming pool. You’re holding your breath and begging for air, but you don’t want to come up because you’re ashamed,” Kidney said. “Coming to Mill Valley was like taking a giant breath of air.” In order to smooth Kidney’s transition into a new school, Kidney came to Freshmen Orientation to introduce himself to teachers. “The teachers here are so amazing and open minded. It makes things a lot easier,” Kidney said. He told them about his situation and asked that he would be called by Jacob rather than his legal name. “During Freshmen Orientation, Jacob was very proactive and introduced himself to his teachers. The teachers really are supportive of him, and it’s never been an issue,” said guidance counselor Erin Hayes. Kidney felt the hardest part about being transsexual was telling his parents. He now lives with his father, who has learned to accept Kidney and treat him as his son. “I was so scared to tell them. When I told my dad that I wanted to become a guy, I was afraid he just wouldn’t do anything about it. I was scared that he would tell me that I wasn’t allowed to change,” Kidney said.

Photo by Taylor Young

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Opinion: Homecoming dance 10

Oct. 25, 2010

{opinion} StaffEditorial

Without compromise, there won’t be any dances Students and administrators must meet in the middle on dance policy

school year, before any new policies can be approved, there needs to be an understanding between the administration and the students that some types of dancing will be acceptable. The administration needs to understand that dancing changes over time, just like music. Dancing progressed through the Charleston, the Twist, Disco, break dancing and now has moved to what many term “grinding,” the type of dancing students know and see in music videos, movies, and teen clubs. “Grinding” requires contact with a partner; however, it is not necessarily explicit. The connected sway may be abused in other places, but it can be kept clean, and it should be allowed. However, students need to realize they cannot take advantage of it or they will lose it for good. The gym is not Orlando’s; students shouldn’t dance the same way. If you wouldn’t want your grandma to see your dancing, then you’ve probably crossed the line. In order to agree on the terms of this understanding, administrators and students should focus on creating a clear cut line between appropriate and inappropriate modern dancing, for instance, allowing contact between students and allowing the grind circle to which students have become accustomed. However, students need to make concessions as well for the arrangement to work. For the administration to allow students to dance in their way, it needs to be toned down from previous years’ dances, with fewer

Let’s face it: the Homecoming dance was a disaster. Of the 670 people who bought tickets, over 600 left early. We aren’t denying that the dance bombed, but we have to look ahead to the remaining dances- WPA and Prom. After seeing the student reaction, it became clear that it would be difficult for future dances to sell enough tickets to pay for a DJ unless certain changes are made, most changes centering around the dance policy. Both sides of this debate, the students and administrators, need to compromise and meet in the middle if it is ever going to be resolved. There is no reason for a four-point stance at a school function, but it’s also unreasonable to ask teenagers in this day and age to dance like our grandparents. The administration needs to recognize that there will be either deserted dances or no dances at all unless they compromise with students. A committee needs to be formed, comprised of both students and faculty, to propose a change in policy to the Board of Education. In order to earn students’ trust back, administrators need to join the committee and fight just as hard as the students will fight for the change. The issue then becomes about an outdated policy, not rebellious students. But policy cannot be changed overnight, and this year isn’t over. In order to have a successful dance this

the Board as a united front. But most importantly, students just can’t give up on dances. Choosing to boycott, for whatever reason, is not the answer. Don’t let one dance affect the rest. Without compromise, students will lose a classic high school experience. What is a high school without dances? The students don’t want that and the administration doesn’t want that either. The only way to avoid another disaster should be clear. Communication between students and administrators will become the key to whether dances will continue to exist or not.

sexual implications. Any type of grinding that requires one partner bracing themselves on the ground (three-point/four-point stance) would be overly sexual and therefore against the rules. Frontal grinding and feeling up your partner would also be banned. Students also need to realize that the problems at the dance were not the fault of a single person or group, because spreading blame does nothing to help get the administration to help change the policy. And the policy becomes much more likely to pass when both students and administrators approach

Cartoon by Asia Yates

High expectations ruined by strict rules and chaperones Intense enforcement of dance code rules rob students of memories

to another chaperone on the ground. Due to it appeared that I was getting what I wanted. The Saturday of the dance started well these people no one felt like they could dance, enough. My nails were perfect, my hair was which, if I’m correct, is the whole purpose of a done professionally and curly and my red dance. I didn’t even feel like I could be within BCBG dress was beautiful. Dinner was deli- a foot of my boyfriend without getting a dirty look from a chaperone. cious, and I was having a This isn’t the ‘50s, great time with my group. and I think that needs to I could hardly wait to get be recognized by people to the dance. “ Teachers were sitting that are chaperoning the Standing in line to get in the bleachers with dances. While some peoin, I was shocked to see a walkie talkies, spying ple push the limits with continuous stream of stuon us.” their dancing, grinding dents leaving. Several of shouldn’t be completely them warned me not to prohibited. After all, it is waste my time going in, the most common way but I had already bought to the songs that are tickets and I wanted to at least see what ev- of dancing dances. I think what eryone was complaining about. As soon as I played at the needs to happen is compromise- students walked into the gym I saw the problem. Teachers were sitting in the bleachers with need to be responsible and make sure they’re walkie-talkies, spying on us, and reporting not dancing in an overly sexual manner, and anything they thought looked inappropriate chaperones need to keep their expectations for

lauren proctor {a&e editor}

After the night of my senior Homecoming dance I felt robbed- robbed of valuable memories that I felt I should be in possession of. All week long I had heard both my teachers and my parents share stories from their senior Homecomings, stories all centered around great fun and enjoyment. After hearing these stories, I couldn’t help but hope that my senior Homecoming would be just as memorable. My hope grew as I proceeded to enjoy Homecoming week with friends. Dressing up on spirit days; decorating the senior girls float for the parade; painting our faces for the football game... Proctor

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dancing reasonable, by allowing grinding. The dance pledge should also be altered to fit this compromise. I’ve always loved dances, but after seeing what Homecoming was like, I don’t even want to go to the other dances this year. It makes me sad that these dances, which were such a fun tradition, aren’t fun anymore; and all these dancing enforcements are changing my senior year. Instead of being excited the next time a dance rolls around, it’ll just be a reminder of my awful Homecoming. I’ve become accustomed to being treated like an adult at school; after all, I will be on my own in less than a year, and I find it really dumb that all of a sudden I’m being treated like I’m in middle school again. Chaperones should to go to dances with an open mind. It needs to be recognized that being controlling and treating us like children isn’t going to make students want to be respectful and follow the rules, and it needs to be recognized before it’s too late for seniors.

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Sports: Off-season track www.mvnews.org

{sports}

Preview

Track stars go the extra mile in off-season

The football team hosts Turner at 7 p.m. on Friday. “It’s gonna be a tough game for us. It’ll be a challenge, but it’s exciting to face a challenge like that,” head coach Joel Applebee said. “We’re playing a lot of young kids, who don’t have as much experience playing on Friday night. They’re playing a lot though and getting better every game.”

kaitlin rounds {reporter}

Three track and field athletes prove their dedication to the sport by training year round Sophomore Emily Brigham and juniors Parker Brush and Ashton Proctor, all standout spring track and field athletes, have been participating in indoor track and field with private clubs in recent off seasons in order to help them perform above and beyond during their school season. “During indoor track we normally focus more on form than improving our height,” Brush, a pole-vaulter, said. “That way once you get to the spring season you’re basically at the same place you finished last season at instead of starting new. You also get more race experience.” Indoor track and field is also more dependent on self motivation to practice than spring track and field with only one to two practices a week instead of every day after school. Athletes are expected to follow a workout schedule for the rest of the week that their coaches write up for them. “I really enjoy the team and running with the people,” Proctor said of his practices. “Also, the atmosphere is really laid back and focused on individual scores instead of team scores.” Track and field clubs also give athletes who perform a level above their fellow teammates an opportunity to perform for college scouts and get a chance to meet coaches from a variety of colleges and universities. “I have met many college contacts through doing indoor track and field,” Brigham said. “I know most of the college coaches and some of the vaulters too. I want to pursue track and field in college so going to meets and getting to know people and coaches is going to help me in the long run.” One of the biggest differences between indoor and outdoor track is the fact that athletes are not forced to deal with many conditions that would otherwise have to during spring track, such as the wind and inclement weather. “It’s different because with the indoor [meets] you don’t have to

Emily Brigham

Pole Vault

> Boys

Soccer

The soccer team will play its first game of regionals tomorrow. “It all depends on who we play,” head coach Arlan Vomhof said. “Our biggest struggle right now is consistency and second effort. But we’re working to improve that every game. We’re trying a new line-up to fix out all the kinks.”

> Volleyball

The volleyball team has experienced a rough season after player inconsistencies and losing six seniors from the previous year. Despite these setbacks head coach Kim Service believes the girls can still rebound. “We’ve had our ups and downs,” Service said. “Our most notable area of improvement is rebounding.”

JUNIOR ASHTON PROCTOR sprints laps around the indoor track during his practice session at Fitness Plus More on Monday, Oct. 11. In the future, Proctor hopes to be running track and field at Kansas State University. Photos by Nichole Kennelly

mess with the wind and other weather conditions and that’s really nice,” Brigham said. The athletes have a chance to work with coaches who are experienced not only as high school and college athletes, but also sometimes Olympic level athletes. Proctor’s sprinting coach, Edward Thomas, has run the 100m, 200m and 4x100m in the Olympic trials in the past. Brigham’s pole-vaulting coach also has Olympic trial experience. Brigham’s coach, Todd Cooper, has been named Collegiate All-American three times and competed in two Olympic Trials. “I love my coach, he’s a great guy,” Brigham said. “He’s really down to earth and we just click and get each other.” All three athletes hope to bring the skills and improved performance they have gained through participating in indoor track to help them bring more victories for the spring track and field team.

Ashton Proctor Sprinting

Brigham, a polevaulter, has just started her second year of indoor track with her polevaulting club Just Vault. “Doing indoor track keeps me in shape and lets me work harder on my events and I have time to get really picky with my form and trying to get everything perfect and ready for the school season,” said Brigham. “Although there are not as many people [in indoor track competitions] because you’re going against people from all over that you would never see during spring season.” Brigham finished last season with a personal best 12 foot vault and hopes that her indoor track training will help her improve.

> Football

Proctor, a 400 meter runner, has just started his second year participating in an indoor track and field running club. “My form is definitely a lot better, which is what we focus on in indoor track,” Proctor said. Proctor, who specializes in the 400m sprint for indoor and outdoor, also sometimes runs the 200m and 600yd sprints. He currently holds the school record for the 400m sprint. Being a junior, Proctor is especially focused on the prospect of collegiate track and field. “I mainly do it for the college scouts. College scouts are making sure that you’re good at indoor track too because that’s what you have to run in college.”

Parker Brush

> Boys

Cross Country

The cross country team will participate in the state meet at Rim Rock Farm this Saturday. “The boys have a real good chance of finishing the best we’ve ever finished, possibly in the top 5 teams,” coach Mark Chipman said. “The team has just gotten mentally tougher as the season’s gone of and continued to run as a pack.”

Player Spotlight

Pole Vault

Brush, a new addition to the track and field team this past spring, currently holds the school’s pole-vault record with a height of 13 feet and 6 inches. For Brush, practices for indoor and outdoor track vary significantly. “Spring track doesn’t necessarily specialize in pole vault,” Brush said. “We work out with the sprinters and then do pole vault exercises after. You don’t have to do a sprint workout to practice pole vault so indoor track is better for training in that way.” Brush’s typical workout for an indoor track practice, starts with a warm up and then varies from switching off from weights to practicing his form to flying sprints.

Taylor Reinoehl: Boys Soccer How long have you been playing soccer? Since I was five, so 13 years. What are your goals for your last season? Get back up to .500 and have a winning season. What position do you play? Center midfielder. How much time a week is spent on soccer? Well, I do year-round soccer, probably about 10 hours a week. Why did you decide to play soccer? My parents just signed me up for it, and then I had fun with it.

A&E: Worst scary movies 14

Oct. 25, 2010

{a&e}

O TS Top 3 NO /\ lauren proctor {a&e editor}

1 Triangle

Triangle was more than terrible, it was practically a chore to sit through. It’s about a group of people who find themselves stranded in the Bermuda Triangle. They come to an abandoned 40s era cruise liner, and anxiously board it. Once onboard, strange things begin happening, and a shooter kills all of them but one, a woman named Jess. Jess eventually manages to push the shooter overboard, and immediately afterwards, a new shipwreck of the original group, including Jess herself, reappears. Very tricky, Bermuda Triangle. The first twenty minutes are scary and suspenseful, but after that the movie simply repeats the action in that first twenty minutes and adds in more and more clones of Jess, who, each time, kills her fellow castaways in the same manner. The last hour was boring and painful to watch. Awesomely bad moment: A distressed Jess clone runs out of bullets for her rifle and simply throws the gun at the person she is attempting to kill. Nice technique, eh?

October Film Fest Preview: Come watch some spooky student-made films on Monday, November 1 at the beginning of seminar in the Little Theatre. Purchase tickets for $1 in advance or $2 at the door.

Remember When A girl, played by Ally Kelsey, is murdered by means of stabbing and strangulation. Her fiance, played by Ryan Hannah, attempts to track down the murderer to avenge his lost love.

Psycho of the Pumpkin Patch A mental hospital patient, played by Matt Stack, escapes and goes on a rampage. He tries to kill a man, played by Jacob Wiewel, but fails. He also successfully kidnaps a girl, played by Ally Kelsey. The story ends when a detective, Ryan Hannah, chases down the mental patient and saves the day.

Nice try, Hollywood. The JagWire has seen and reviewed the top three worst scary movies. Watch these and you’ll be more concerned with running out of popcorn than things that go bump in the night.

2 Cabin Fever 2 This horror film was not only stupid, but also absolutely disgusting. In the movie, a water bottling company is selling water from a lake that is contaminated with bacteria that causes people to excrete massive amounts of blood. A breakout of illness starts at the prom and students are locked in the building by federal agents. The scenes of illness are vomit-worthy, and usually at awkward times in the film; the worst being when a couple is trying to get intimate in the school swimming pool and the girl involved fills the entire thing with her blood. Overall it was pointless, stupid, and just plain nasty. Awesomely bad moment: Alex, the main character’s best friend, begins discharging blood from his junk while going to the bathroom during the prom. And, you guessed it, there’s a close up. Yum.

3 Dread After watching Triangle, I thought it was the worst movie I’d ever seen, but that opinion changed after watching Dread. I would tell you what this film was about, but it was so confusing that I really have no clue as to what was happening. The whole thing seemed random and drunkenly written and performed. I can’t be 100 percent positive, but I’m pretty sure the budget for this thing was about $4. Watching it, I felt embarrassed for the people associated with the film. And, if I’m being honest, I have to admit that I didn’t even watch the entire movie because it was so awful. It was a waste of money and a waste of my time. Awesomely bad moment: At one point, a not-so-realistic green monster is ripping the guts out of someone in the street, and when the mess is discovered the following day, a close up reveals that the guts are nothing more than the contents of a few cans of cherry pie filling. This was a rather poor attempt at creating gore.

YouSaidIt What is the worst scary movie you’ve ever seen? {sophomore Derrick Paxton}

{junior Tyler Kile}

“ Saw V, because they all could have lived if they wanted to.”

“ Teeth, because I hate the concept of that movie.”

{senior Kathryn Weaver} “ Hide and Seek because they didn’t show you how people died.”

{sophomore Gracie Presley} “ Silent Hill because all these freaky objects attacked this girl.” Photos by Courtney Cooke Movie posters from www. moviesonline.ca and www.horrorsociety.com

Cover illustration by Adam Henderson

Rehearsing in junior Paige Hillebert’s basement on Wednesday, Oct. 20, the leads of “Hello, Dolly!” practice on their own time three weeks before opening night. Photo by Kristina Milewski

New director for “Hello, Dolly!” one of many changes to musical hanna torline {reporter}

The traditional story of a young woman falling unexpectedly in love is the theme of this year’s musical, “Hello, Dolly!”. Senior Kelsie Schuman, who played the role of Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”, will be playing the lead role of Dolly Levi. “[I found out I got the role of Dolly when] a bunch of people texted me ‘Hello, Dolly’ before I had any idea,” Schuman said. Even though the lead will be played by Schuman again, many other changes have been made to the musical, including a change in the director. “Every show is different, for many reasons,” director Jon Copeland said. “There are different people and new artistic ideas than last year, so there’s

always going to be a change.” Copeland will have to deal with many more additions to his cast and crew, including almost an additional 30 people, but according to senior Ronnie Sloop, it hasn’t impacted how much the cast enjoys rehearsals. “[Rehearsal] is very relaxed, which helps foster creativity,” Sloop said. Tuesday, Nov. 9 is opening night, and shows will be through Saturday, Nov. 13, with no performance on Friday, Nov. 12. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time from Copeland, and they will be available at lunch, as well as at the door. General admission is $6, but tickets may be purchased for only $2 with a student I.D.

Debate success

Trunk or treat

joel hodgdon {reporter/ads}

josh duden {reporter}

In a recent tournament at Olathe North on Saturday, Oct. 9, the debate team finished in second place out of 22 teams, placing over such schools as Blue Valley West and St. Thomas Aquinas. Senior Ross Platt is confident about his team’s skills. “We have some good speakers, we are very good at fast thinking and critical arguments,” Platt said. Debate coach Jeanette Hardesty echoed Platt’s comments. “I have to give credit to the kids,” Hardesty said. “Students are practicing hard and cooperating with each other.” Although debate is scored as a school, several individual teams have contributed to the program’s tournament successes. The duo of Josh Duden and Hanna Torline contributed by taking first place in a meet at St. James Academy on Saturday, Sept. 18. Next up for the team is a tournament at Blue Valley on Saturday, Nov. 5, followed by the final tournament on Saturday, Nov. 20 at Basehor-Linwood.

Upcoming events:

JUNIOR CARLY GRANATO listens in her AP Language and Composition class. Additional AP classes maintain standards of excellence. Photo by Kat Rainey

District earns academic honor joel hodgdon {reporter/ads}

In the annual Standard of Excellence report from the Kansas State Department of Education, the De Soto School District continues to score at the pinnacle of academic levels. Every school earned the Standard of Excellence in math, reading, science, or all three on the 2009-2010 state assessments. In use since 1995, the Standard of Excellence is based on student scores on standardized tests. A board of superintendents, principals, and curriculum directors uses an analysis of building performances to determine what criteria a school has to meet to be considered exemplary. Of the district’s 87 opportunities to earn a Standard of Excellence, the district garnered 75 for a rate of 86 percent. Mill Valley High School earned the Standard in all three categories with De Soto High School earning the Standard in all categories except science. Tonight at 6 p.m., the Board of Education will hold a special meeting to interview candidates applying for position five. Open to public.

Kemper Arena will host the PRCA ProRodeo as part of the American Royal on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29 and 30.

Diversity and UNICEF clubs are participating in the annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 30. UNICEF sponsor Chris Dunback says it is a great opportunity to provide Halloween alternatives for children. “It’s a neat way to give back to the community,” Dunback said. “Something about working with kids gets you excited about life.” Trunk or Treat will be held in the parking lot from 2-4 p.m. Clubs are encouraged to take part by creating games and opening their trunks to provide a way for kids to get candy. This year Diversity Club is hoping to beat last year’s total of 12 clubs participating. Club sponsors should turn in forms as soon as possible, but at the latest by Wednesday, Oct. 27. Dunback says UNICEF is excited to be involved in this activity. “We are excited as UNICEF, not only to provide a safe way to get some food, but to educate the community on some problems,” Dunback said. “There are kids in the world who are struggling, and this is a neat way to share our values with the kids.” Tech N9ne comes to the Uptown Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 30. The concert starts at 8 p.m.

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Oct. 25, 2010

{news}

Cuts to Youth Friends staffing alter the program sarah darby {news editor}

Youth Friends program changes

LAST YEAR’S COORDINATOR of the Youth Friends program, Renee Hultgren, continues to work with her Youth Friend every Thursday at Monticello Trails Middle School. “I’ve seen a lot of changes and growth in him,” Hultgren said. Photo by Kat Rainey

> Funding from the Kauffman Foundation

> Youth Friends coordinator Renee Hultgren’s

> Grant funding discontinued in spring 2010,

> School counselors coordinate the pro-

> Annual Youth Friends staffing costs of

> Over the last three years, 600 volunteers

grant started the program in 2007

an expense the district cannot afford

$51,000 cut from district spending in 2010

position included in the cuts

gram this year by individual schools have been part of the program

www.mvnews.org Highlights of the

{news}

VoTech program

Health program trains students > “We learn the

medical terminology we need to know to get a CNA,” junior Carly Doane said.

> Diagnostics,

USING NEWLY ACQUIRED skills, senior Alyssa French gives a mannequin a bed bath. Photo by Nichole Kennelly

Therapeutics, Bio-Technology, Health Informatics, and Support Services offered

Auto shop rivals professionals’ WITH THE GUIDING hand of his teacher, junior Brandon Boyer practiced his welding skills in his Auto Mechanics class on Monday, Oct. 11. Photo by Nichole Kennelly WHILE CLEANING SILK screens, junior Elaina Brower stopped to listen to advice from her teacher. Photo by Nichole Kennelly

New facility enhances Vo-Tech

> New facility is similar to or better than a car repair shop at an auto dealership

lisa joerling {reporter}

> Students use I-CAR repair standards, and

Improved facility and new equipment provides room to learn quickly. “All you have to work with in a classroom are pencils and pastudents with career experience in five fields

Agricultural greenhouse added

per but we can do a lot of learning as we go,” junior Culinary After the recent construction of the Eudora-De Soto Techni- student Rayanna Gossett said. cal Education Center, students are now working with state-of– The hands-on experience has also been helpful for junior Rythe-art technology everyday. The new facility houses five dif- lan Sutton who is involved in the Culinary program. ferent Vo-Tech programs, including Agriculture, Auto Collision, “It teaches you a lot more,” Sutton said. “It gets stuck in your Culinary Arts, Graphic Communications and Health Careers. head the first time when you’re actually doing it.” “This facility truly outshines the other programs in the Gossett agrees and appreciates how much space she has to Olathe, and Shawnee Mission school districts, all the equipment work. is brand new which really adds to its distinction,” counselor Ran“I love the commons area they have, it gives you enough space dy Burwell said. to work,” Gossett said. With the new building, the students are not only learning in Because of state budget cuts this year, the number of stuthe classroom but can get a dual credit through Johnson County dents entering the program was reduced. Returning students Community College and have job internships lined up. were given the first priority and remaining spots were filled with “It’s a great opportunity for our students,” Burwell said. new students. “They have to be very dedicated to suc“We had new students join,” Burwell said ceed in this course.” “It’s just a shame it was limited.” The Health Careers program now has Students in Vo-Tech work with students “It’s a great opportunity a fully functioning training facility simufrom both Eudora and De Soto. for our students. They lating a typical hospital room, as well as “They are learning and eventually compethave to be very an examination room in a doctor’s ofing against the students from these schools, it dedicated to succeed.” fice. Most students work with this new gives them a unique opportunity,” Burwell equipment after they get their Certified said. Nurse’s Aide certificate. Because of the new facility, students “This facility is really nice,” junior from all programs are able to work to- Carly Doane said. “They have a lot more materials here then gether. A greenhouse is helping both when I toured it last year.” the Agriculture and Culinary students. The new additions to the building are helping students learn “It’s really cool because they are helping us get better. ingredients and they are learning how to grow things,” Gossett “This course gives us a really good understanding of the medi- said. cal terminology we need to know,” Doane said. Besides the facility, materials needed for learning were also The Auto Collision program added new collision repair equip- replaced. ment and a spray booth. “Everything we use is brand new,” Gossett said. “We used to “This equipment would be similar or better than most auto cook on stoves you would use in your home but now we have repair facilities,” Eudora assistant principal Ron Abel said. stoves we would really use in a restaurant.” The Graphic Communications program lets students interestThrough the Vo-Tech program, students are preparing for ed in visual communication become heavily involved in graphic jobs they want to pursue. design projects. They focus on giving design manipulation cou“I want to be a cake decorator and I’ve already made two cakes pled with producing items and meeting hard output deadlines. this year,” Gossett said. “It’s exciting for me.” The Agriculture Science program is a mix between agriculEven with the benefits, the students have to be at school early ture and a science lab where cell tissues and dissection can be everyday. examined. The new greenhouse allows students to actively grow “These students leave at 6:55 a.m everyday,” Burwell said. “It plants and figure out what stimulates and impedes their growth. shows the commitment our students have for Vo-Tech and how Vo-Tech gives students the experience outside of the class- much they want to succeed.”

can gain industry recognized certifications

> Facility allows for

hands-on experience in plant and animal sciences

> New green-

house allows experiments with procedures that stimulate or stunt growth

JUNIOR CHELSEA ROHR used zip ties on Thursday, Oct. 14, to support plant growth. Photo by Nichole Kennelly

Students create design projects Left: JUNIOR ELAINA BROWER works on her graphic communications project on Tuesday, Oct. 5. Photo by Austin Gude

> Visual communication equipment helps

students complete graphic design projects

> Students manipulate design and learn to produce items to meet output deadlines

Culinary supplies aid students > New facility is

similar to that of a restaurant. “Everything but pots and pans are new,” Doane said.

JUNIOR JESSICA KLEMPNAUR and senior Ally Brake add various ingredients to an electrical mixer to make gnocchi for their culinary class. Photo by Nichole Kennelly

Oct. 25, 2010

{feature}

“I’ve really found my place in life and it’s a great feeling”

kristina milewski

{features editor}

Junior Jacob Kidney shares his story about his new gender transformation

Photo by Taylor Young

Terms to know > >

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“I’snt your apperance worth it?”

Oct. 25, 2010

{feature}

Save yourself from those

Whether it’s falling asleep in class or not going to bed until 1 a.m., getting enough sleep is becoming more challenging for teenagers jill applegate {features editor} hanna torline {reporter}

aybe you’ve experienced watching one of your friends dozing off across the room, only to be jolted awake by a book slammed on their desk by the teacher. Or possibly, you’re the one who can never seem to keep your eyes open during class. Either way, studies show that teenagers these days aren’t getting enough sleep. Unfortunately, not keeping caught up on your ZZZ’s could have more serious effects than getting a “C” on your math test, and the truth may surprise you. Experts recommend that teens get at least eight and a half to 10 hours of sleep a night, almost three hours more than adults need. This is because adolescents’ bodies are growing and changing and they need a chance to re-energize. Getting enough sleep also helps process the information taken in during the day. Approximately two to three patients each week come in to College Park Family Care Center with sleep issues, according to certified physician’s assistant Deborah Aldridge. For teens, these problems could arise for a multitude of reasons. “Most high school students schedules are over-extended. Not only do they juggle schoolwork and extra curricular activities, many have jobs as well,” school nurse Sherleen Haynes said. “Sleep is usually the first thing lost with ultra-busy schedules.” According to Aldridge, students will find themselves being even more productive the day after they get enough shut-eye than days they stay up until 1 a.m. studying or doing homework. Students in math teacher Laura Deuschle’s classes may find themselves getting an unusual punishment when caught falling asleep in class. “The first time [I see them] I typically ask them if they’re feeling okay,” Deuschle said. “After that is established, I let them know they will be standing if they

sleepless n

can’t stay awake.” Senior Macauley Garton knows what it’s like to get enough sleep and still get his homework done. “I go to bed around 9 p.m. during the school year, but 8:30 p.m. at the beginning of football season,” Garton said. “I’ve never had problems getting my homework done before, but this year I do only because I’m a senior and I procrastinate.” While Garton is going to bed at 9 p.m. every night, sophomore Alec Santaularia stays up until about 12:30 a.m. for various reasons. “I just don’t go to bed. I watch TV, read, do homework,” Santaularia said. “There’s too much to do during the day that there’s no way I could get to bed on time.” Students who have sleeping habits similar to Santaularia’s could be experiencing side effects they don’t even know about due to sleep deprivation. “Research studies on lack of sleep have proven how vitally important sleep is to our bodies,” Haynes said. “These studies have shown how chronic sleep deprivation, or not getting enough sleep over a long period of time, can affect memory, impair your thinking, or limit your concentration. All important aspects of learning and succeeding in the classroom.” There are multiple ways that teens attempt to make up for their lack of sleep. According to health teacher Amy McClure, one of these strategies is drinking coffee or energy drinks in the morning. “Caffeine is a stimulant,” McClure said. “It gives you false energy. [Teens] should cut back on caffeine and instead organize their time more effectively.” Another way teenagers try to make up for their lack of sleep during the school week is sleeping in on the weekends. “One to two hours [of sleeping in] on the weekends are good if you are sleep deprived,” Aldridge said. However, this is where the line needs to be drawn. According to Aldridge, sleeping in until 4:00 p.m. does

nothing to help catch up on sleep. This habit could actually make it more difficult to get up on Monday because you’re confusing your body after it recently got more sleep than normal. One habit that is healthy to develop is creating a sleep routine. For those who find it hard to fall asleep in the first place, having a bedtime schedule can make it easier because it tells the body when it’s time to go to bed. This doesn’t mean that every night at 9 p.m., you pop a Tylenol P.M. According to Aldridge, sleep medication is okay for a short period of time, but developing a routine is best. Garton has established his own schedule before bed that helps him de-stress before falling asleep. “I get my clothes ready for zero hour, get my clothes ready for school, and get my clothes ready for practice. Then I get all my stuff for school ready for the next day,” Garton said. “I feel really stressed out if I don’t get all my stuff ready before.” Although it doesn’t make up for lack of a sleep routine or getting enough sleep, students having a hard time feeling awake during the day may want to utilize resources like eating a healthy breakfast. According to McClure, a breakfast should include plenty of healthy carbs and proteins with a moderate amount of fat. This means cutting back on the coffee and energy drinks. All in all, it’s important to get to bed at a decent time, develop a bedtime routine and eat a healthy breakfast, any of which will make it easier to stay awake and focused during the school day. “In my opinion, education is very important. In order to get a good education, you need to be alert. After all, we don’t learn through osmosis,” Deuschle said. So to those dozing off in class, maybe it’s time to try going to bed a little earlier. After all, you wouldn’t want to find yourself standing in the corner of Mrs. Deuschle’s room, would you?

breakfast options:

Health teacher Amy McClure shares good and bad foods to eat in the morning

the good:

> whole grain cereal > whole grain english

muffin with peanut butter

> granola bars > skim milk > fruit >water >green tea

the bad:

> PopTarts > processed chocolate milk > doughnuts > cereal sponsored by cartoon characters

> soda and energy drinks > sweet tea > Gatorade

It is im ing di

sarah fu

I star down th three Me tions, my is painfu years I h pletely ex As lo

www.mvnews.org

{feature}

nights

living with insomnia: Sleep is ever illusive when living with a sleep disorder

mpossible to overcome a sleepisorder but you can deal with it

ulton {sports editor}

re frustrated at my alarm clock as it slowly ticks he minutes until morning. Once again, despite elatonin and two over-the-counter sleep medicay Chronic Insomnia has gotten the best of me. It ul to think how many times over the past three have spend the night crying because I am comexhausted but simply cannot fall asleep. onely as the world can seem late at night, I know

I am not alone. Apart from the teens who simply stay up all night for the heck of it, there are those who, like me, have legitimate and serious sleep disorders. Problems like Chronic Insomina and Sleep Apnea are illnesses that can bleed into all parts of a person life. Being too exhuasted to come to school, acting irritable towards friends and family and even weight gain can be side effects. Even with symptons it can be hard to realize that you have a legitimate problem at first. A person seeks desperately to place blame on something, anything that they can fix or take away to help them sleep immediately. It took me until the end of my freshman year, an entire year after I started having sleep issues, to realize that I had a problem that was larger than too much homework or caffeine. I learned that the only thing I could blame was my genetics and brain chemistry, things completely out of my

control. It seemed hopeless to be only able to target the source with hard core prescription sleeping pills that have been known to be addictive, until I started to learn the small things a person can change. Creating a bedtime routine that tells to your body it is time to sleep. Eliminating all distractions while you are trying to sleep. That means turning your cell phone on silent and turning off the T.V. Limiting or completely stopping caffeine consumption helps stop the overstimulation the brain is receiving. It is almost impossible to describe how frustrating it can be to hardly sleep night after night. Frustration that can lead to anger and make logical steps hard to come by. If you have a sleeping disorder or think you have, do not waste your tears on it. Find what works for you and realize that sometimes you are not going to have a good nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep, but it is not the end of the world.

Cartoon by Adam Henderson

Oct. 25, 2010

{opinion} StaffEditorial

Without compromise, there won’t be any dances Students and administrators must meet in the middle on dance policy

Cartoon by Asia Yates

High expectations ruined by strict rules and chaperones Intense enforcement of dance code rules rob students of memories lauren proctor {a&e editor}

After the night of my senior Homecoming dance I felt robbed- robbed of valuable memories that I felt I should be in possession of. All week long I had heard both my teachers and my parents share Proctor stories from their senior Homecomings, stories all centered around great fun and enjoyment. After hearing these stories, I couldn’t help but hope that my senior Homecoming would be just as memorable. My hope grew as I proceeded to enjoy Homecoming week with friends. Dressing up on spirit days; decorating the senior girls float for the parade; painting our faces for the football game...

2010JagWire

to another chaperone on the ground. Due to it appeared that I was getting what I wanted. The Saturday of the dance started well these people no one felt like they could dance, enough. My nails were perfect, my hair was which, if I’m correct, is the whole purpose of a done professionally and curly and my red dance. I didn’t even feel like I could be within BCBG dress was beautiful. Dinner was deli- a foot of my boyfriend without getting a dirty look from a chaperone. cious, and I was having a This isn’t the ‘50s, great time with my group. and I think that needs to I could hardly wait to get be recognized by people to the dance. “Teachers were sitting that are chaperoning the Standing in line to get in the bleachers with dances. While some peoin, I was shocked to see a walkie talkies, spying ple push the limits with continuous stream of stuon us.” their dancing, grinding dents leaving. Several of shouldn’t be completely them warned me not to prohibited. After all, it is waste my time going in, the most common way but I had already bought to the songs that are tickets and I wanted to at least see what ev- of dancing dances. I think what eryone was complaining about. As soon as I played at the needs to happen is compromise- students walked into the gym I saw the problem. Teachers were sitting in the bleachers with need to be responsible and make sure they’re walkie-talkies, spying on us, and reporting not dancing in an overly sexual manner, and anything they thought looked inappropriate chaperones need to keep their expectations for

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Class gives students a glance Boobies Bands give students at the news outside of U.S. a way to support the cause World Affairs gives students a chance to understand world issues sarah fulton {sports editor}

Ignorant and blind: terms that apply almost every American when it comes to world affairs. The general public is plagued with an utter lack of understanding for what goes on outside of the Fulton United States borders. They lack understanding of essential topics such as what the United Nations actually does, the legal obligation the United States has to stop the genocide in Darfur, and why it was controversial that the 2008 Olympics were held in Beijing, China. As much as I would like to condemn the entire country for being clueless, I cannot because I am in the same predicament. Originally, I thought that I was very knowledgeable and worldly. I spent a month on a mission’s trip in South Africa; I watch both the news and the history channel. Not exactly an impressive list of

qualifications but I thought if any American teen had a grasp on the issues of the world it was me. I was completely wrong. Within the first days of school, World Affairs teacher Chris Dunback had completely popped my ego bubble. Simply looking at the syllabus my eyes were opened to how much I had to learn. How much everyone has to learn. At first I was overwhelmed but now I am just grateful, my eyes needed to be opened. Opened to the curriculum of China’s impressment of Taiwan and Tibet and the genocides occuring in African countires. Things that have a large effect on our country, that many Americans know nothing about. World Affairs places the issues of the world on a platter and allows the students to make decisions and form opinions. It is an opportunity every students needs to take. We are the future of this country and we cannot be blind to the issues of the world. Simply becoming more informed may not suddenly change the world into a utopian society but it would empower us to make more informed decision and to have a greater grasp of the world we live in.

Profits of the Boobies Bands are going to Keep a Breast Foundation maya sudduth {reporter}

I love boobies…bands that is. Boobies Bands are fun, trendy and they represent a great cause. Boobies Bands are colored plastic wrist bands that say “I love boobies” in fun Sudduth white bubble letters. The Keep a Breast Foundation uses the money made from selling the bands to help fund research for breast cancer. Some say that Boobies Bands are inappropriate and should not be worn, but I say that Boobies Bands are ingenious. These colorful little bands get teens involved in the fight against breast cancer. So what if they the have the word “boobies” on them? “Booby” is a word that adults have been using for years to explain the human anatomy to their children. Little girls from the time they could talk said the word “boobies” because boobs were something

that they so desperately wanted. So what is the harm in the word being on a band? The fact of the matter is that if it said “I love chest” it would not be a problem. People are over looking the fact that the bands are in support of breast cancer awareness. The bands just add a bit of humor to it all. By avoiding the true meaning of the bands you are being ignorant. This is not a fad. It’s not people trying to express themselves through a colored band, it’s helping a cause. Some might wear them to get kicks and giggles, but some really believe in the fight against breast cancer. People should remember life should not be denied because of what is on a band. These bands mean hope for a second chance for those affected by breast cancer and those who wear them whether or not it is morally justified; they offer a sense of hope to those afflicted by this disease. People’s minds need to be focused on the effectiveness of this so called “trend” and not on their overbearing egos. These bands bring hope, so grab a band and take a stand with the rest of us who truly ‘love boobies.’

This Halloween let’s leave the trick or treating for little kids Trick or treating is meant for kids in costumes, not bored teenagers emily johnson {reporter/photographer}

There is nothing more adorable than seeing dozens of toddlers and elementary students dressed as fairies, monsters and superheroes running excitedly from house to house on HalJohnson loween. Only one thing could possibly ruin this image; teenagers (and that means you) dressed as fairies, monsters or superheroes running from house to house on Halloween. Even worse is when teenagers run around without costumes and still expect to receive treats. The last thing I want to see as I open the door to happily distribute candy to costumed infants is one of my classmates in jeans, a t-shirt and an incredibly lame mask screaming “trick or treat!” in their post-pubescent voice. For those of you who this applies to and

who have already mapped out the most efficient candy collecting route, stop it right now. Think about all of those poor children who ring doorbells only to find out that all of the candy is gone while you sit at home with more than you could or should ever eat. You could just as easily go to your best friend’s house where there will be equally free candy and people your own age. If you do insist on trick-or-treating, keep your costume appropriate. It seems that costumes get a bit risqué once you hit about 16 and no parent wants their child to question why Wonder Woman is walking around in her underwear. Plenty of people have parties on Halloween that are intended to entertain masses of high schoolers in their Playboy Pirate and High Seas Honey outfits, and I suggest you attend one of those instead of scarring the kids for life. It’s perfectly fine if you are going out as an act of charity or to escort your six-year-old sister and her friends. But do not do it out of your uncontrollable desire for KitKats, DumDums and other tooth rotting miniatures, and do not go dressed as the “sexy” version of Spiderman, Batman or Superman. Parents all over Shawnee will thank you for acting your age.

Cartoon by Asia Yates

YouSaidIt Is it wrong for teenagers to go trick or treating without costumes? “Yes, because it’s the wholespirit of Halloween.” {freshman Drew Boatwright}

“No, I mean I hate the teenagers who don’t dress up.” {sophomore Kate Burton}

“I don’t know. It would be better to dress up.” {junior Diana Plang}

“Yes, because they need to have a costume.” {senior Brice Edwards}

12 {sports} Motivation is key to success in cross country

joel hodgdon {reporter/ads}

Individual sports like cross country shouldn’t be underrated Cross country isn’t just running. It’s the most inherently motivated sport I’ve ever participated in. Even for one day, running this much was tough. This is a sport where an athlete is on the team, but does not participate as a team. I attended a reportedly “easy” post-meet cross county practice, and I have a new found respect for anyone who can run a ridiculous four miles, and call it easy. Four miles is definitely not easy for those of us not used to running that far. Distance running is certainly not for everyone, and it takes a special kind of person who can run and run and run and still keep going, putting one foot in front of the other. In team sports like soccer or football, individual successes and defeats matter, yes, but ultimately everyone wins or loses as a team. These sports have a strong team mentality that encourages individual successes as a way to better the team. Not so in cross county, which has a different type of the team element and dynamic. Teammates push each other to get better, and competition is undoubtedly fierce, but at the end of the race or the practice, the only person who can keep running is the athlete who motivates themself the most. One teammate’s failure often does not affect another teammate’s performance, so it’s up to each individual athlete to motivate themselves to achieve greatness. Cross country isn’t easy, this sport combines a need for endurance and speed unlike any other sports, except maybe rugby. Basic sports science differentiates between groupings or types of muscles used for athletics according to the University of California. There are “fast twitch” muscle fibers, or muscles that specialize and serve the purpose of contracting quickly for explosive, physical activities like weight lifting. Then there are the “slow twitch” muscle fibers that rely on a different energy system and are more suited for endurance activities like long distance running. An effective athlete trains both types of muscles, and cross country athletes especially need a potent mix of both speed and endurance to win consistently. Without claiming that cross country is the hardest sport, I imagine a multiple mile cross country practice would challenge any athlete from a more “fast twitch” muscle oriented explosive sport, who isn’t used to the sheer mileage of cross country and would even test some of the more endurance focused athletes, as well. Even in other sports used to running, the challenge of keeping motivated to run miles is tough. Every athlete has their own breaking point, but for the average cross country runner, giving up is not an option.

Oct. 25, 2010

Struggling at the

NET

JUNIOR HITTER BRITTANY Zarda and senior hitter Madison Acree make a block against Olathe South during their home dual on Tuesday, Oct. 12. Photo by Emily Johnson

alyne roemerman {reporter}

Inconsistences in team performance damage team record and drops team from early top ten ranking A month ago, the volleyball team was ranked among the top ten teams in Kansas during the season’s third and fourth weeks. However, since those first few weeks, the team has hit a slump. With a current record of 18-18, they slipped out of the rankings. “A large part of the reason for [the slump] is that we have lost our focus in what’s important for each individual person to do to make us successful,” head coach Kim Service said. The team’s problem is in maintaining a steady pattern of winning, according to Service. Between Sept. 14 and Oct. 7, the team alternated with five wins, four losses, one win and five more losses. The inconsistency hurts the team’s record, but they can still take aim at winning the 5A Sub-State Tournament . “There’s… not a lot we can do at this point in the season, wins or losses, that’s going to change {our seeding at sub-state],” Service said. “We haven’t hurt ourselves in that regard. Where it has hurt us is our confidence in ourselves, our confidence in our team, our confidence in our ability to win tight matches.” The players agree that morale is what has been hurt the most. “We’ve just lost confidence in each other,” junior libero Sierra Miles said. The inconsistency has affected the coaching plans as well. “I have to focus on rebuilding confidence in each…player,” Service said. “We’re having to focus a lot more on individuals which makes practices a little bit longer.” The players are determined and eager to finish the season strong. “We need to work harder,” senior middle hitter Madison Acree

said. “We really have to kick it up to try to beat our opponents.” For the senior players, being ranking meant something special. “We’re…excited because this is how we want to remember our senior year, as being the best volleyball [team] to come through Mill Valley,” Acree said. “We want to change the face of Mill Valley volleyball.” The whole team was thrilled when they learned about the ranking. The players discovered the news before practice. Every week, coach Kim Service posts the current rankings on each of the varsity lockers. “[The players] were screaming and yelling in the locker room, and cheering and jumping up and down,” Service said. “It was definitely a fun moment.” The team’s outlook on the rest of the season is optimistic. The focus has been mostly on the 5A Sub-State Tournament, which is hosted at Mill Valley on Saturday, Oct. 23. “We knew that it was going to be a tough season, having very little varsity experience coming back and lots of new players,” Service said. “To be ranked early on was a really awesome accomplishment for this group…I was ecstatic.” Hard work and chemistry helped the team achieve the level needed to earn the top ten ranking. “They are very cohesive... sometimes chemistry and that [team] dynamic is way more important than the physical skill,” Service said. The team has spent time discussing the losing streak and creating new goals for improvement. Confidence is the biggest problem they face now, but they are all hopeful to make a comeback. “I think that if the girls can put their words into actions then we have an excellent opportunity to be very successful,” Service said. “They deserve that thrill of victory.”

Past Seasons > 2009: 21-19

> 2008: 12-20 > 2007: 31-7 > 2006: 17-20 > 2005: 21-15 TOP LEFT: THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM gathers for a cheer after the end of a time out at the Monday, Oct. 18 dual against Shawnee Mission Northwest. BOTTOM LEFT: HEAD COACH KIM Service and varsity substitutes observe the Tuesday, Oct. 12 loss against Olathe South. LEFT: JUNIOR SIERRA MILES, playing the libero position, prepares to serve during the second game of the Monday, Oct. 18 win against Shawnee Mission Northwest. Photos by Emily Johnson

www.mvnews.org

{sports}

Preview

Track stars go the extra mile in off-season

> Football

kaitlin rounds {reporter}

Emily Brigham Pole Vault

> Boys

Soccer

> Volleyball JUNIOR ASHTON PROCTOR sprints laps around the indoor track during his practice session at Fitness Plus More on Monday, Oct. 11. In the future, Proctor hopes to be running track and field at Kansas State University. Photos by Nichole Kennelly

Ashton Proctor Sprinting

Parker Brush Pole Vault

> Boys

Cross Country

Player Spotlight

{a&e}

T Top 3 O N /\

Oct. 25, 2010

O S

Nice try, Hollywood. The JagWire has seen and reviewed the top three worst scary movies. Watch

lauren proctor {a&e editor}

1 Triangle

October Film Fest Preview: Come watch some spooky student-made films on Monday, November 1 at the beginning of seminar in the Little Theatre. Purchase tickets for $1 in advance or $2 at the door.

Remember When A girl, played by Ally Kelsey, is murdered by means of stabbing and strangulation. Her fiance, played by Ryan Hannah, attempts to track down the murderer to avenge his lost love.

these and you’ll be more concerned with running out of popcorn than things that go bump in the night.

YouSaidIt What is the worst scary movie you’ve ever seen? {sophomore Derrick Paxton} “Saw V, because they all could have lived if they wanted to.”

{junior Tyler Kile} “Teeth, because I hate the concept of that movie.”

{senior Kathryn Weaver}

{sophomore Gracie Presley}

“Hide and Seek because they didn’t show you how people died.”

“Silent Hill because all these freaky objects attacked this girl.” Photos by Courtney Cooke Movie posters from www. moviesonline.ca and www.horrorsociety.com

{a&e} 15

www.mvnews.org

Pumpkins:

Not just for carving anymore Incorporate pumpkins into festive, seasonal recipes

Pumpkin Mini Golf

alyne roemerman {reporter} sarah gonzales {reporter} lisa joerling {reporter}

“I’m putting a golf ball into a pumpkin’s mouth, “Clare Young laughs. Pumpkin Mini golf adds a twist to traditional pumpkin carving. First find any golf club, preferably a putter, then find golf balls and carve your pumpkin into any face you want with the mouth low to the ground. Then you’re ready to play. “It’s ridiculous, it’s goofy and it’s a good time,” McEnery said. All three players took turns putting the ball into the pumpkin’s mouth. “It was pretty awesome because I’m a pro at it now,”junior Brayton Young said. Mini Golf worked the best on concrete rather than grass and added a difficult element. “We played on concrete which made my ball bounce all around,” McEnery said. Many players found how the game was easier said than done. “It wasn’t near as easy as you would think, but it was fun trying to get the ball in,” Clare Young said. Making her final attempt at putting the golf ball into the pumpkin, freshman Clare Young plays Pumpkin Mini Golf on Wednesday, Oct. 6. “It was fun because it was a challenge, because [the golf ball] wouldn’t go in,” Clare Young said. Photo by Kristina Milewski

Pumpkin pie with chocolate shavings

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cook time: 55 minutes Cool time: 2 hours (important to let it cool so it won’t fall apart.) Ingredients: 3/ 4 cup of granulated (regular) sugar 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon

> > > 1/ 2 tsp. of salt > 1/ 2 tsp. of ground ginger > 1/ 4 tsp. of ground cloves > 2 large eggs > 1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY’S 100% Pure Pumpkin

> 1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLE CARNATION Evaporated Milk

> 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deepdish pie shell

> Whipped Cream (optional) > Semi sweet chocolate squares Directions:

Pumpkin Bowling

lisa joerling {reporter}

Pumpkin bowling is easy and simple with things found right around your house. First fill 10 water bottles half full and place in a bowling pin position. After buying one regular size pumpkin you can do this pretty much anywhere on a flat surface. “Pumpkin bowling was fun because I’ve never heard or done it before,” freshman, Clare Young said. Senior Brian McEnery likes the simplicity of the game. “It’s fun because it’s different, and you don’t have to wear those special bowling shoes,” McEnery said. Junior Brayton Young explains how much fun you could have if you get creative with the game. “You could even take the time to carve holes into the pumpkin like a real bowling ball it would make it seem more real,” Brayton Young said.

Right: Playing a game of Pumpkin Bowling on Wednesday, Oct. 6, McEnery watches as his pumpkin rolls towards the “pins”. “It’s fun because it’s goofy and a little strange,” McEnery said. Photo by Kristina Milewski

> >

MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. POUR into pie shell. BAKE in a preheated oven at 425 degrees oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife is inserted near middle and comes out clean.

> COOL for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. And top with whipped cream. Top with whipped cream.

Cooking Tips: 1 ¾ tsp. of pumpkin spice may substitute for cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Also do not freeze because this will cause the crust to separate from the filling. JagWire Twist: TAKE a peeler and shave little curled pieces of chocolate and generously sprinkle on top of the whipped cream. This recipe courtesy of www.nestlemeals. com Photo by Taylor Young

Oct. 25, 2010

{photo essay}

This autumn, take a visit up to the

Red barn

farm

WESTON RED BARN Farm is a family-owned business that welcomes people of all ages and has been open for 20 years. The farm was meant to recreate owner Steve Frey’s childhood memories from his uncle’s farm. Photo by Courtney Cooke

Missouri farm has much to offer in terms of pumpkins, food and fun mackenzie hampton {managing editor}

ABOVE: SIX WEEK OLD pigs drink milk given to them by employee Matt Harvey, which is just one of his many chores. RIGHT: RED BARN FARM owner Steve Frey checks out a customer buying pumpkins for the fall season. Photos by Ali Judy

THE NICE WEATHER on Saturday, Oct. 10, brings many customers to the Red Barn Farm, many searching for the perfect pumpkin. Their fall festival activities continue through the first weekend of November. Photo by Ali Judy

In Weston, Missouri there is a unique farm off the dusty gravel path, tucked away into the countryside. This popular farm has countless activities and one-of-a-kind items. Barnyard animals, pumpkins, fun fall food, and a country store, the Weston Red Barn Farm is a place to visit when in need of a fall outing with family or friends. As a young boy, Red Barn Farm owner Steve Frey had always dreamed about owning and operating his own farm when he grew up. “When I was a kid I had an old uncle Earl who had a farm just like this,” Frey said. “I wanted to create an educational environment for kids so they could come out in the country and enjoy what’s here.” The Red Barn Farm offers guests a variety of things to do and entertainment. Weddings, company picnics, bonfires, WPA dances, hayrides and a fall festival is available where families can go out and pick pumpkins. “We also do school tours. We had about 16,000 kids on tours. It gives them a chance to learn about where their food comes from and agriculture because schools don’t teach that anymore,” Frey said. “I’m trying to give the experience I had as a kid from pony rides to hay rides to petting animals. There isn’t an admission so it’s nice for families.” Visitors aren’t the only ones who enjoy the farm environment. Matt Harvey is currently an employee and enjoys everything about working at the Red Barn Farm. “I absolutely love working here. It’s very relaxed and a lot of hard work but we make it incredibly fun,” Harvey said. “Everyone is almost always excited to be here. The first time they’re here they realize how pretty it is and just enjoy it. The kids love it, we do school tours during the week and they’ll talk about the farm animals.” First time visitor Stephanie Turner heard

about the farm through a friend that had been before and decided to take kids that were home schooled. “She said it was the best place she’d ever been. We had a different home school mom that set up the field trip so I had to go,” Turner said. According to Turner a lot of the items were very hands on and very inviting. Junior Jordan Campbell also visited the farm and had a great experience. “It was just an overall cool environment,” Campbell said. “I would go back because we didn’t get to do everything since some of the stuff is during the weekend only.” The Red Barn Farm opens early spring and closes down early November. Visits are welcome from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Noon-5 p.m. on Sundays. There’s a good chance that anyone wanting to enjoy the festivities that fall has to offer, will have an enjoyable time at the Red Barn Farm.

ON MONDAY, OCT. 11, juniors Olivia Frey and Jordan Campbell browse as they walk through the pumpkin patch at the Red Barn Farm in Weston, Missouri. Photo by Courtney Cooke