Volume 13, Issue three by JagWire newspaper

JAGWIRE MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 3 | NOVEMBER 14, 2013 | MVNEWS.ORG

HAVE YOU SEEN MOLLY? on pages 10-11

NEWS 4

Block scheduling

FEATURE 6

Scuba diver

SPORTS 16-17

State wrap-up

A&E 18

Everything pumpkin

A&E 19

A day in Lawrence

NEWSinBRIEF

NEW SLT COMMITTEE CREATED BY ELLEN MERRILL

jagwire.ellenmerrill@gmail.com

hysical education teacher Travis Keal won the October Teacher of the Month award, established by a new committee in the Student Leadership Team. “I come to school everyday and teach with passion and hopefully motivate my students with my daily quotes,” Keal said. “If I am motivating one person, then I am doing my job.” SLT has developed the new committee called Student-Teacher Relations, which aims to improve the way students and teachers interact. Committee head Ashley Agre said this change was brought about to help teachers and students develop a mutual respect. “There seems to be a disconnec-

tion where students feel teachers don’t really respect them, but it goes both ways,” Agre said. So far, the committee has provided a cart of treats offered to the teachers at parent-teacher conferences and the newly established Teacher of the Month award. Senior committee member Jacob Patterson said that students and teachers must get along to create a positive relationship. “Student-Teacher Relations is important because students and teachers have to interact everyday,” Patterson said. Over the next couple of months, Agre hopes to continue to work on the respect between students and teachers. “We will be doing something to thank the teachers who really put in

the extra time after their work day is over to stay and help their students,” Agre said. In Patterson’s opinion, the way students and teachers communicate is the most important aspect of the classroom. “The relationship between a student and a teacher can affect the whole classroom and can determine how well a student learns,” Patterson said. Agre hopes this committee will help the students and teachers get to know each other. “My end goal is for the students and teachers to be able to work together to make this a place that everyone enjoys coming to,” Agre said. “Also, for students not to be afraid of teachers and for teachers to get to know their students.”

ABOVE: Motivating senior Bobby Hellon during a lifetime fitness class, physical education teacher Travis Keal leads a medicine ball workout. Keal was nominated for teacher of the month because of the encouragement he provides to his students. Photo by Karissa Schmidt

QUIZ BOWL PLACES THIRD FIRST SEMESTER FINALS

BY ANNIE CROUCH

jagwire.anniecrouch@gmail.com

he varsity Quiz Bowl team placed third at its meet at Olathe Northwest on Thursday, Nov 7. They lost to Saint James in the semi-finals, and they beat Lawrence Free State in the finals, placing third overall. Junior Madeline Grube reflects on how it went. “It went pretty well, but we still have a ways to go before we are really good,” Grube said. “It’s a good start, and I know we will get better from here. It would have been great if we placed first or second, but third is alright.” Grube believes the team did well. “We were pretty well-rounded besides the areas we struggled in, like math and science,” Grube said. “We were pretty quick to buzz in questions; we were probably one of the fastest teams.” Although it was a varsity meet, some members

of junior varsity competed as well. Junior Jack Earlenbaugh was proud of how they competed. “I was really impressed with our junior varsity members,” Earlenbaugh said. “Especially some of the freshmen, they performed on a varsity level which isn’t something that you see every year.” This was freshman Tom McClain’s first time competing with the varsity team. Although it was challenging, he enjoyed it. “It was pretty rough for me. The varsity meets are a lot harder than junior varsity,” McClain said. “Our toughest competitors are all of the 6A schools; they’re very good. It was still a lot of fun though.” From this competition, Grube expects more success in future meets. “I see us getting better from here on out,” Grube said. “We lost a few rounds, but we know what to do now to do a lot better.”

Monday, Dec. 16

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Silver 1 Silver 2 Silver 3 Silver 4

Blue 1 Blue 2 Blue 3 Blue 4

Regular Class Final Regular Class Final

Wednesday, Dec. 18

Thursday, Dec. 19

Silver 1 Final

Blue 1 Final

7:50-9:25

Silver 3 Final

Blue 3 Final

9:32-11:07

Trending Topics photos from MCT Campus

2 BRIEFS

FRESHMEN

JUNIORS

SENIORS

6 18 9 3

*as of Nov. 11 Design by Erika Kringen

SOPHOMORES

Cover by Alana Flinn, Karissa Schmidt and Alex Ayala

LEFT: Sophomore Karla Kim experiences technological difficulty finishing her Human Anatomy and Physiology test on Thursday, Oct. 31. “We didn’t get to finish the test because the computers were slow,” Kim said. “If they were better, we could probably get more work done.” Photo by Kelly Gothard

DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY PLAN INCLUDES

E D A R G P U S S E L E WIR

Plan allows students to use their own devices at school BY RYAN FULLERTON

jagwire.ryanfullerton@gmail.com

he district will soon begin installation of new technology that will improve the wireless system as well as allow students to bring their own technology to school. The technology was purchased for just under $1 million after the July Board meeting. Implementation will begin after the Board finalizes the purchase. “All of the received equipment is needed to update the infrastructure, so although parts will be utilized as needed in different locations around the buildings, this purchase will not directly put new ... devices in our schools,” director of teaching and planning Dr. Jessica Dain said. The district is also planning for the introduction of a new plan unofficially called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), which would allow students to bring technology from home. Implementation for this will occur in a phased-in approach. “By maintaining a healthy infrastructure, we will be able to consider various cost-effective and innovative operation options,” Dain said. “[BYOD] remains an increasingly popular option in school districts and has

demonstrated an ability to reduce ongoing costs associated with purchasing new equipment in the coming years.” Science teacher Eric Thomas supports BYOD. “I think right now we’re kind of struggling to support technology, and kids have ample opportunity to use their own faster, more reliable devices, such as their own cell phones, laptops, etc.,” Thomas said. “I’m very thankful for the technology we do have. It’s just getting old.” Junior Macy Walker does not like the current technology system. “I think it sucks with the experience I’ve had with our technology,” Walker said. “Some computers are slow and not modern.” Walker would like for students to be able to bring their own technology. “I think it would be great because then we could all have our own computers and if we broke it, it would be our fault and we’d have to pay for it,” Walker said. “The district would have more money for other things.” Thomas would like to have BYOD instead of new technology to avoid having problems with maintenance. “We keep running into so many problems with the maintenance of the computers, and I don’t think it’s anybody’s fault; they’re just getting old and we’re having trouble keeping up with maintenance,” Thomas said. “I just think the reliability of being

able to do something and have it work - that’s the biggest issue. You’re always against the clock.” Thomas said he doesn’t worry about students abusing BYOD. “Initially, when we came out with our current cell phone policy, I was against it because I thought kids were going to take advantage of it, but the current cell phone policy has made my life so much easier,” Thomas said. “You’d have to monitor, but you’d have to monitor anyways with the regular computers.” Dain said the district would also provide technology for students who couldn’t provide their own equipment. “It is the recommendation of the Technology Advisory Committee that we adopt a blended BYOD model in which staff and students can bring their own devices to school, but the district will also purchase some user devices to promote equality among all students and to meet the rigorous technology specifications for Common Core Assessments,” Dain said. Thomas is not concerned with handling students who do not have sufficient technology to bring to school. “[Having sufficient equipment is] more on [the students],” Thomas said. “When we talk about cell phones, the kids have sufficient equipment to do what we need to do. And in the event they don’t, there are always laptops available.”

ABOVE: Working on her Human Anatomy and Physiology test, junior Maddy Loving fell victim to an uncooperative computer. “Our technology isn’t that bad, but we could do better compared to other schools,” Loving said. Photo by Kelly Gothard

PHASED IN

The steps involved in implementing Bring Your Own Device

PHASE I

PHASE II

PHASE III

PHASE IV

PHASE V

Staff pilot: Teachers would first be allowed to bring their own devices, allowing the district to test its new bandwidth

High school pilot: BYOD would be opened to students in both De Soto and Mill Valley

Implementation for additional staff: BYOD would be made available to all remaining staff members

Middle school implementation: BYOD would be made available to students at the district’s three middle schools

Possible implementation in elementary schools: BYOD may be made available to students at the elementary schools, but this has not been decided Design by Katherine White

NEWS 3

DISTRICT STUDIES District conducts study comparing schedule types

NEW SCHEDULING

BY JUSTIN CURTO

jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com

BY ERIKA KRINGEN

jagwire.erikakringen@gmail.com

he results of a recent study comparing block and traditional scheduling requested by the Board of Education showed benefits for both schedules. Under the current block scheduling system, students have half their classes on one day and the other half on the next day, with a seminar class at the end of every day. These classes are taught in 83 minute class periods. In traditional scheduling, students have all their classes on the same day, so the class periods are significantly shorter. After a request by Board of Education member Scott Hancock, director of human resources Lachelle Sigg and director of teaching and learning Dr. Jessica Dain conducted a study comparing block scheduling and traditional scheduling. The study showed many benefits of block scheduling, including potential for more course variety and more depth within content. According to the study, traditional scheduling would cause problems among both students and staff members, such as less time for content

and plan time for teachers. Traditional scheduling was found to have the potential to cost less due to the fact that fewer staff members may be needed with less periods in the day. “In general, a schedule that requires fewer teachers will result in financial cost savings to the school district,” Sigg said via email. “That said, our review of this matter also indicates that there are many benefits for students and staff when operating on a block schedule.” Math teacher Lindsey Wiegele has taught with a modified block schedule at a previous school. She said that switching to traditional scheduling would greatly affect her classes. “I wouldn’t be able to teach as much,” Wiegele said. “More time would be taken to start and end class with housekeeping.” Social studies teacher Jeff Wieland has also taught using a traditional schedule and said that having traditional scheduling would conflict with new course standards. “It would make it much harder to teach the college and career readiness standards,” Wieland said. “Those activities necessarily require more uninterrupted time.” Sophomore Katie Lee said she likes block scheduling more. “[With block scheduling] you get an extra day to do your homework,” Lee said. “I don’t think I would be able to

keep up with tests [with traditional scheduling.]” Freshman Joel Donn said studying would also be affected due to students having each class every day. “[With block scheduling,] you’d have to study more because ... you get more content [each day,]” Donn said. After teaching with both systems, world languages teacher Jan GoodBollinger said traditional scheduling might help with her courses. “In terms of world languages … there’s probably some value in having class each day because you get more exposure,” Good-Bollinger said. Although this may be true, freshman Brady Timmons said he prefers block scheduling when given a choice. “I like it a lot,” Timmons said. “Now you don’t feel so rushed trying to pack everything in.” After experiencing both, Wieland sees more value in block scheduling. “I have done both and I prefer block scheduling,” Wieland said. “[It is a] more efficient use of time.” Sigg said the Board will decide if it is necessary for the district to consider discussing this issue. “[I am] not currently aware of what steps will be taken next with regard to this report,” Sigg said. “Ultimately the Board will determine if this matter becomes an issue for discussion and/or action by the Board of Education.”

SCHEDULE CHANGE A look at block scheduling and traditional scheduling SAMPLE CURRENT MODIFIED BLOCK SAMPLE TRADITIONAL SCHEDULE First day First period 7:50-8:40 (Blue Band) First block 7:50-9:13 (Blue Band) Second period 8:46-9:36 (Pre-Calculus) Second block 9:20-10:43 (Pre-Calculus) Third period 9:42-10:32 (U.S. History) Third block 10:50- 12:38 (U.S. History) Fourth period 10:38-11:28 (Accounting) Fourth block 12:45-2:08 (Accounting) Fifth period 11:34-1:03 (Team Sports) Seminar 2:15- 2:55 Sixth period 1:09-1:59 (Physics) Seventh period 2:05-2:55 (English 11) Second day First block 7:50-9:13 (Team Sports) This format eliminates one regular class. In Second block 9:20-10:43 (Physics) this example, the student can no longer fit Third block 10:50- 12:38 (Spanish 3) Spanish 3 into their schedule. Additionally, Fourth block 12:45-2:08 (English 11) seminar is removed. Seminar 2:15- 2:55 Information from district study

4 NEWS

Design by Ryan Fullerton

ABOVE: Guiding his AP US History class, social studies teacher Jeff Wieland favors block scheduling because it allows maximum time for rigorous courses. “[I prefer] block scheduling. I think that it is more conducive to the kind of lessons we should be teaching under the college and career ready standards,” Wieland said. Photo by Kelly Gothard

ADS 5

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO KN OW...

KOTY LANGE Senior Koty Lange explains his hobby of scuba diving

How did you get into scuba diving?

drunk and experience nitrogen narcosis, which has some really negative effects.

My dad did it a long time ago, and he asked me if I wanted to sign up for it and go take a class on it. We went and took a class on it and I liked it.

Where has your favorite place to scuba dive been?

How long have you been scuba diving? I started the summer of freshman year, going in to sophomore year. So for three years.

Who do you usually go scuba diving with? My family. My dad, specifically. My mom can’t handle it. We’ve thought about inviting friends before, but they aren’t certified.

How did you get certified? Through the class, and through PADI [Professional Association of Diving Instructors]. It’s a scuba diving institution, they teach people [how to dive]. They have places [to learn from] all over. I went to one 15-20 minutes away. They take you to a giant pool and we did our classes there. You go [to the class] two nights a week for six weeks, and they’re each three-hour-long classes. They alternate between textbook learning to actual handson application. So it ended up taking me most of the summer.

How often do you get to scuba dive? Every other year or so. I switch off with diving and snow boarding [for what my family and I do on vacations].

Where do you normally go to scuba dive? Most of the times I’ve gone have been in Arkansas. We’ve gone to Bull Shoals and Beaver Lake, which is by Table Rock.

How long do you typically scuba dive for?

ABOVE: Senior Koty Lange displays his scuba diving gear on Thursday, Nov. 7. Scuba diving is one of his favorite things to do, which he does approximately once every six months. Photo by Hunter Bessey

For further coverage: http://www.mvnews.org

6 FEATURE

Design by Karissa Schmidt

Dives normally last anywhere from 15-90 minutes, depending on how you are breathing. Mine usually last about 40 minutes [before] we come up and take a break, then we go back down for another 30 minutes. You can’t just dive for however long you want. There’s actually a table, [and] depending on how deep you go ... [it tells you] how long you stay under. You can only stay under a certain amount [of time at different depths]. Otherwise, you begin to feel sort of

Probably Bull Shoals, because I got to swim in some really interesting places. We swam under boats and there were giant holes underneath us. We ran into an alligator gar (a large, dangerous fish) once.

If you could scuba dive anywhere, where would you want to go?

BY SYDNEY WILSON

jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com

which could be really dangerous. Also, if you go deep enough, you get drunk, what they call bent [similar to nitrogen narcosis]. It’s one of the side effects of pressure, so as soon as you get up a little higher, it instantly goes away.

Have you ever been in a dangerous situation? There was this time I was by a gar, but I don’t think that was too dangerous. It didn’t look fully grown. I didn’t know it was dangerous at the time, though. Later that day, I saw what a big one actually looks like.

What do you enjoy most about scuba diving?

The ocean. Diving in one of those sunken ships would be pretty cool. [But] I don’t have any specific location I’d want to dive at. To me, water is water. I think you can go scuba diving at the Atlantis Resort. I’ve thought about taking a trip down there once, that would be really cool.

I like being in the water. I think it’s cool to be entirely submerged and just look around and be able to breathe. You don’t have to worry about coming up to the surface, you can just look. It’s better than being in a pool.

What sort of gear do you use when you scuba dive?

What is some advice you would give to people just learning how to scuba dive or who want to learn how to scuba dive?

You have to use a BCD, which is a buoyancy control device. It helps you stay afloat and go where you want. You have to use flippers and an air tank. You need to have what they call an octopus, which connects the BCD to the air tank. That’s the thing that actually lets you breathe. If you want, you can wear a wet suit, just to keep you warm, same with gloves and boots.

How much does all the equipment typically cost? It’s pretty expensive. You don’t have to replace it often, but you do have to take really good care of the equipment. I got lucky with my BCD. They range anywhere from $100-700, but I got mine for free from a family friend. I know my goggles and stuff alone is $100 or so, and wet suits are $50. Most of the time you go and rent your things. The actual air tanks and the octopus, you normally rent that stuff. They [the air tanks and the octopuses] usually run about $50 a day.

How dangerous is scuba diving? Very. You get a danger spiel [before you get certified]. The first thing is that if you go up too fast, your lungs could explode. Or say you’re in an enclosed area, you could hit something above you,

Control your breathing. If you take in too little air, trying to conserve air, you can get massive headaches. You want to breathe as much as possible at a constant pace.

Do you have any fun stories from when you’ve gone scuba diving? We were diving this one time at Bull Shoals and there was a giant circular pit. It was so big we couldn’t see the bottom, it was just pure blackness, we couldn’t see a single thing. It started to freak us out, we kept thinking that we saw movement at the bottom so we went back up to the surface. There was also a time [during the certification process] where I was so used to breathing underwater that I just dove into the deep end of the lab, which is what they call the pool we are certified in, without any of my gear on. It wasn’t until I was already pretty deep that I remembered that I could not actually breathe underwater and started choking.

What is one of the coolest things you have ever seen while scuba diving? It’s not that cool, but one time, we found a broken jet ski under the water. I got on it and pretended to be riding it. It was kind of fun.

DRIVERS WANTED Eligible students are no longer rushing to get their licenses, and instead find alternative means of transportation BY RYAN FULLERTON

jagwire.ryanfullerton@gmail.com

BY KATHERINE WHITE

jagwire.katherinewhite@gmail.com

tanding in the foyer of the school, junior Aislynn Quinn looks around for a friend. She depends on rides from parents and friends because she has put off getting her license, like many of her peers. A recent study reported in the Kansas City Star showed that fewer and fewer teenagers are jumping at the opportunity to get a driver’s license before age 18. Another study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 73 percent of high school seniors had driver’s licenses in 2010, down from 85 percent in 1996. Junior Aislynn Quinn obtained her instructional permit when she was 14 years old but has yet to obtain her driver’s license. “I’ve never really been interested in driving,” Quinn said. “My parents made me get my permit, and then I never really used it.” Quinn said she will get her license soon because of her parents. “My parent’s deal right now is I can’t work at RenFest next year until I get my license,” Quinn said. “That’s my parent’s rule because they’re kind of mad I haven’t been driving.” Some people speculate that this is a result of the proliferation of social media, allowing friends to interact without having to leave their homes. BBC News reported that 46 percent of 18-24 year olds would prefer Internet access over owning a car. Freshman Jacob Campbell couldn’t wait to start driving and immediately went to get his license. “I had my brother and sister

driving before me, and I’ve always wanted to be like them,” Campbell said. “If my brother could drive, I wanted to drive. I also wanted to drive because of my dad. My dad has the highest license you can get, an A-class. [With the A-class license], he can drive pretty much anything on the road.” Campbell enjoys the control he has as the driver. “As the youngest child, I don’t have anything that is solely mine, but when I’m driving, I’m in charge of everyone in the car,” Campbell said. “It might not be my car, but I am responsible for the driving.” Campbell said that others should consider getting a license sooner. “I think [putting off your license] is stupid,” Campbell said. “If people do this, they get no experience driving, and they become a danger to everyone else.” Harder Performance Driving School instructor Carol Harder has seen a change in the age of students in her classes. She said about half of her students this year were a year or two older than last year. She said that economic issues are a big reason why some teenagers don’t begin driving right away. “Some parents brought in students and said they did not have the money to buy a car for the student or money for the insurance or the class,” Harder said. “[Also], the price of gas is up. Everything costs more [so] people are cutting back.” Harder recommends that teenagers start driving as soon as possible at age 14. “... By the time you’ve turned 17, you’ve been driving all those years and you’ll be a much better driver,” Harder said. “The more you drive, the more often you drive and the longer you drive, the better you get.”

ABOVE: Preparing to drive home on Friday, Nov. 8, freshman Jacob Campbell adjusts his mirrors. Campbell completed a driver’s education course over the summer. Photo by Jena Smith

BY THE NUMBERS A look at the decrease in the percent of teenagers getting their license

85 73 44 46

Percent of high school seniors who had their driver’s license in 1996

Percent of high school seniors who had their driver’s license in 2010

Percent of 18-24 year olds would prefer Internet access over owning a car

Information from BBC News U,S. Department of Transportation Kansas City Star

Steve’s Home Improvement

• • • • •

Percent of teenagers licensed within a year of becoming eligible to get a license

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FEATURE 7

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QUESTIONS? Contact Doug Orbin at dkorbin@att.net or 913-238-7537

MILL VALLEY NEWS Your source for everything Mill Valley

www.mvnews.org Follow us on Twitter: @millvalleynews

FLIPSIDE

write down everything you’re planning on getting. Sticking to a list will ensure that you get everything you need.

3. Shopping list-

2. A budget- there is nothing worse than over spending. Stick to your price range.

how early you have to be up and all of the running you’re going to be doing, you’re going to need it.

1. Coffee or other energy booster- with

29 mapping out a route will keep your shopping easy and ensure you aren’t running around clueless.

4. Map out a route-

World Hello Day: Eight different hellos

know when you will need to make a phone call and you never know when your phone

extremely long and of-

6. Extra layers of clothing- lines can get

might die. Better safe than sorry.

Photo by Kelly Gothard

u Romanian: Alo

u Italian: Ciao

u Norwegian: Hei

u Vietnamese: Chào

u Portuguese: Olá

,, u Polish: Czesc

u German: Hallo

repeat

what better way to shop than to be with a friend or family member who will help you shop your way through the insanity.

8. Shopping buddy-

and into the morning can leave you hungry. Pack snacks so you don’t have to waste time sitting down somewhere to eat when a quick energy boost will be needed.

7. Snacks and water- shopping all night

berries (2 Tbsp)

yogurt (2 Tbsp)

granola (2 Tbsp)

est mountain in the solar system, Olympus Mons. It is nearly 16 miles tall and 374 miles across, which is approximately the size of Arizona.

u Mars is home to the tall-

man god of war. Romans were not the only group to associate the planet with bloodshed; the Babylonians called the red planet “Nergal,” their god of fire, war and destruction.

u Mars is named after the Ro-

it will take 271 years and 221 days to get to Mars from Earth.

u If you drive 60 mph in a car,

Red Planet Day: Fast facts

whipped topping (1 Tbsp)

chocolate pudding (2 Tbsp)

strawberries (1-2, sliced)

Chocolate and Strawberry Parfait

repeat

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

25 National Parfait Day: Two easy recipes

ten extend outside the doors which can cause you to stand in the cold. Having extra layers is a good way to make sure you won’t be frozen.

jagwire.anniecrouch@gmail.com

BY ANNIE CROUCH

BY CALLEE LINTON

jagwire.calleelinton@gmail.com

u Latin: Salve

5. Cell phone and charger- you never

2. Grease one 9x5 inch loaf pan. 3. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla into large mixing bowl. 4. Beat for three minutes. 5. Pour into prepared loaf pan. 6. Smooth top. 7. In a separate bowl combine white sugar, cinnamon and butter. 8. Mix until crumbly. 9. Sprinkle topping over smoothed batter. 10. Using a knife, cut in a light swirling motion to give a marbled effect. 11. Bake for about 50 minutes.

Photo by Kelly Gothard

Black Friday: Survival guide

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Directions:

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup white sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons margarine

What you’ll need:

Homemade Bread Day: Cinnamon bread

Your sideways look at weird November holidays

THE Design by Sydney Wilson

9 A&E

MOLLY MADNESS Club drug gains popularity among Mill Valley students

BY ALANA FLINN

jagwire.alana flinn@gmail.com

BY SARAH MYERS

jagwire.sarahmyers@gmail.com

BY JUSTIN CURTO

jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com

BY MADELINE LAMONS

jagwire.madelinelamons@gmail.com

BY JACK LOPEZ

jagwire.jacklopez@gmail.com

OVEREXERTED

Effects Molly has on the body BRAIN Memory loss Increased anxiety

JAW Grinding of teeth

OVERWHELMING

FEVER AND DEHYDRATION

A quick look at Molly use STOMACH

Loss of appetite

250 36%

students are unaware of the health problems caused by Molly

of students believe there is a Molly problem at school

Information from the New York Times

10 FEATURE

Design by Alana Flinn

123%

Information from Drug Abuse Warning Network

increase in number of emergency room visits involving MDMA from 2004 to 2009

= 20 students

students can very easily or somewhat easily access Molly Survey of 450 students

OVERCOMING

MDMA addiction recovery hotlines

MDMA Abuse.net 1-800-303-2482

Connections in Recovery 1-800-468-6933

Coalition against drug abuse 1-800-943-0566

MDMA: OVERUSED Harmful effects of drug ignored by students looking for euphoric high G etting ready to attend a rave, a se- and Molly, MDMA, was originally a nior who wishes to remain anony- tool psychotherapists used in the 1970s mous splits open a clear capsule. Push- through the 1980s to treat psychologiing the powder into a straight line, he cally disturbed patients. In 2010, the Journal of Psychopharmacology pubgets ready to snort Molly. “[Molly] is a rave drug,” the senior lished a study that claimed post-trausaid. “Your whole body tingles, espe- matic stress disorder patients could be cially your elbows and knees. You’re really happy and everything around you is beautiful.” This student is part of over 10 percent of 450 students surveyed who said they have taken Molly at least once. Molly is the purest form of Ecstasy and can be taken orally or snorted and is typically found in powder form. ANONYMOUS JUNIOR The club drug has become increasingly popular due to a surge in the amount successfully cured through the use of MDMA. However, possession of Molly of parties known as raves. A junior who wishes to remain is a class one felony, making it as illegal anonymous said most of the students as meth or cocaine. Shawnee Police Department Spewho are using Molly do so to cope cial Investigation Unit Detective Mike with everyday stress. “There’s not a lot of things to get Swaggert does not believe there are any your mind off of life,” the junior said. medically-beneficial aspects of the drug. “The average person might not die “We turn to Molly to relax. Some people even do it in the school bath- the first time they use it, but that’s not to say it’s not going to hurt them,” rooms.” The main ingredient in Ecstasy Swaggert said. “The drug affects the

“We turn to Molly to relax. Some people even do it in the bathrooms.”

three neurotransmitters in your brain: serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Those are there to make you feel happy and good about yourself. Molly releases more of those ... but when excessive amounts are released, it can cause you to become aggressive, depressed or even suicidal. When you mess with the chemicals in your brain, it’s dangerous.” The senior believes the misuse of Molly has given the health benefits of the drug a bad reputation. “It makes you a lot more social and energetic, but people use it to get high instead of for its medical purposes, so it’s all just synthetic [stuff] now,” the senior said. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, one of the dangers associated with Molly is that users may not be able to ensure that they are taking a pure form of MDMA. Since the drug is man-made, it can be cross-contaminated with other various methamphetamines, such as meth, PCP and cocaine. It is sometimes cut with filler powders such as baking soda or flour so that manufacturers can

keep more of the original drug. The senior agrees that being exposed to tainted Molly is one of the drug’s major dangers. “[Capsules] are what a lot of people are getting, and they think it’s cool because it gets them really high, but half the time it’s flour and cocaine,” the senior said. “You could be ingesting anthrax. You really just don’t know.” After two deaths and four overdoses on the drug at a New York music festival in September, the media has scrutinized the drug’s negative side effects. The anonymous junior said that one of the negative effects she’s experienced is destruction to her health. “After [taking it] you don’t feel well. You’re really tired and it almost feels like a head cold,” the junior said. “And I feel like it increases your anxiety. Since I’ve started [using Molly], I have really bad anxiety.” She also said it is a very addictive drug. “Even when I’m just bored, I want a Molly,” the junior said. “I crave it at random times during the day and get anxiety very easily.”

Swaggert said that it is addictive because, when snorted, it has direct access to the brain. “It can be extremely addictive in a short time because it attacks the brain,” Swaggert said. “The reason that it’s such a dangerous drug is because there’s so much about it that’s still unknown. A lot of short term users will have neurological damage.” The senior said anyone who wants to try the drug is better off avoiding it. “It’s a drug, so it’s better safe than sorry [to just not use it],” the senior said. “But, if you’re going to do it, be smart about it. Be sure you’re with someone you trust and know. Know what it’s supposed to taste like and feel like. And if it feels like you’re on cocaine, then you’re probably on cocaine.” Swaggert believes the drug is too dangerous to ever try. “People have overdosed on the drug,” Swaggert said. “Taking [Molly] is like taking a drill and drilling a hole into your brain. Molly is dangerous enough that no labs are doing tests on humans.”

FEATURE 11

STAFF EDITORIAL

KEEP SCHEDULE THE SAME

Block scheduling beneficial to the district’s students and should not be replaced

GUYS SHOULD LEARN THE PROPER WAY TO USE THE RESTROOM Learn to flush the toilet, wash your hands

BY NICK BOOTH

jagwire.nickbooth@gmail.com

Cartoon by Madeline Lamons

ecently a study was requested by the board of education to investigate the pros and cons of block scheduling and traditional scheduling. Block scheduling splits eight classes between two days and is our current scheduling type, while traditional scheduling has the same seven classes taking place every day. JagWire supports the results of the study, which were highly favorable of block scheduling. Traditional scheduling uses smaller class periods, which make it easier for students to pay attention through the entire class. However, traditional scheduling should be avoided because certain classes benefit from having longer class periods. Fine arts, physical education and lab-based science classes need a certain amount of time to prepare and clean up in addition to the actual lesson. AP classes also require

long time blocks because of lengthy timed AP practice tests. The long time blocks are especially valuable to our newspaper staff because we need the time in class to work with each other in order to create our publication. Eudora Ed-Tech classes would also no longer be an option if class blocks were shortened. These classes provide career preparation that can’t take place on our own campus. The loss of these classes would negatively affect our students that want to go into the careers that Ed-Tech helps them prepare for. Teachers would have to change their lesson and homework plans to accommodate the smaller time periods. Changing every lesson plan to accommodate the smaller blocks would not be worth the trouble. Lunch and passing periods would also be shortened, resulting in a higher chance of

tardies and a more rushed lunchtime. The schedule changes would also result in the potential loss of seminar classes and plan periods for teachers. Another possible effect of having classes every day would be an increased homework load. Students would have homework for three more classes in half of the time that is currently offered. A greater amount of work to be done in a shorter period of time could lead to increased stress levels among students. Also, block scheduling allows time for students to ask teachers questions about their homework at least a day before it is due. If the board considers changing the schedule type in the future, we ask that they keep in mind the consequences of changing it from a format that is already clearly beneficial to students and staff.

STAFF VOTE Agree

21 Disagree

0 Absent

he male student population of Mill Valley seems to have a persistent issue with bathroom etiquette. Yes. That’s right. I’m talking to you, the countless guys at this school who decide it’s a good idea to leave their unflushed pee in the urinal. Just about every guy reading this should know what I’m talking about. Every time you walk into the bathroom, at least two out of three urinals have leftover yellow excrement inside, with varying degrees of intensity. It’s also not pleasant to see it on the floor. People have argued to me that there’s not enough time to flush during passing period. This idea is laughable. It shouldn’t be hard to take two seconds to flush the toilet. It wouldn’t be that big of a problem if it wasn’t for the other various bathroom offenses commited by guys at this school. I can’t speak for the ladies of Mill Vallley, but I personally hit my breaking point when I recently discovered a “number two” floating in the toilet. Really, this is just embarrassing. The little kids in elementary school know how to flush the toilet, so it shouldn’t be that difficult for high school students. Then there’s hand washing, or lack thereof. That’s another thing that little kids can do that we have yet to grasp. A recent study from Michigan State University showed that less than 5 percent of adults wash their hands correctly. I see people who don’t wash their hands correctly every day. News flash: correctly washing your hands means using soap and not just splashing on some water. We’ve all been lazy at some point in our lives, but hygiene in the bathroom shouldn’t be one of those times. None of this is hard. It’s inexcusable to be unable to perform these simple tasks that only take a few seconds to do. Just flush it, guys.

YOU SAID IT What do you think of the school’s current block scheduling policy?

“I kind of like it. You don’t have to worry about having all your classes on one day.” FRESHMAN DIANA AUCKLY

12 OPINION

Design by Nick Booth

“I like having different classes each day, since it switches things up. You have a lot more class time.“ SOPHOMORE DAN THOMAS

“I like to have block scheduling so I have an extra day to do homework, and I like having four classes a day.” JUNIOR AUDREY NAUGHTON

“I really like it. It gives me a lot more time, since I have a very busy schedule.” SENIOR RYAN SMITH

THE WORD GAY SHOULDN’T BE DEROGATORY Students must realize that the word gay doesn’t mean stupid and shouldn’t be used like it does

BY JUSTIN CURTO

jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com

id you hear we got homework in math class today? That’s so gay.” “I’m leaving, this party is gay.” These are just a few of the things I hear regularly from other students, and it’s clear that it is not right. Using the word gay in this sense is very offensive and just plain mean. Students need to realize that the word gay isn’t meant to be used as a derogatory term, and they need to stop using it as if it does. With all of the social advances toward the acceptance of homosexuality in the

past few years, gay has become a more common term. Are we really using it the right way though? The answer is no. A person who is gay has a sexual attraction towards people of their same sex. However, this isn’t how many students use it. The word has taken on a definition of stupid, dumb or just anything that someone doesn’t like. There are many other words out there to express how you feel about something, and frankly, resorting to using the word gay makes you sound stupid and dumb. When the word gay is used in such a negative way, it can be offensive as well. Most of us know at least one person who is LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender). Would you say things like that around them? I know that I wouldn’t. When a word that someone uses to identify themselves is turned into a general term for anything someone else dislikes, it doesn’t make them feel too good.

However, you don’t have to agree with homosexuality to stop using the word gay as a derogatory term. Homosexuality is a touchy subject, about which many people have different opinions. I’m not saying that you need to completely change your ideas on whether or not it’s right. I’m just saying that you need to be kind, because kindness is something that everyone should be able to agree on. While you may not agree on the issue of homosexuality itself, you should still do the right thing and treat others how you would like to be treated. So the next time you’re talking with your friends about something you don’t like, choose your words more carefully. Remember that there are many ways to express negative feelings toward something, and using the word gay is not one of them. Above all else, just keep the golden rule in mind: treat others the way you would want to be treated.

AVOIDING ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN Politicians need to think about the consequences of the recent shutdown and avoiding a repeat

BY JILLIAN LEIBY

jagwire.jillianleiby@gmail.com

hen President Obama signed the Continuing Appropriations Act shortly after midnight on Sunday, Oct. 17, millions of government workers and their families breathed a sigh of relief. Short vacation aside, these families no longer had to worry when their next paycheck would come, or in some cases, if they would be able to provide food for their families. Our elected officials have been selfish in a time where bipartisanship is needed

the most. They haven’t given any thought to those affected by the outcomes of the government shutting down. This cannot happen again. The government shutdown cost the economy an estimated $24 billion in 16 days. According to Time magazine, a projected $76 million was lost each day due to the closure of national parks and its tourism revenue. Small businesses suffered from stalled government contracts, and business loans were halted. The government shutting down has cost the United States billions, and we are already trillions in debt. The United States, the most powerful nation in the world, cannot afford another shutdown. The shutdown was primarily the result of Tea Party opposition to the Affordable Care Act. They used the government as negotiating hostage to defund Obamacare. The GOP hit a 20-year low in popularity as a result of these tactics. That does not

mean Democrats are without fault, but how can you negotiate with someone who will only allow one possible outcome: total victory. Maybe that should be the first step for each political party; stop treating the government like a game. The agreement provides only three months funding for government operations. At the end of that time, these tea partyers need to stop creating chaos and start thinking about the bigger picture within government. Our political leaders are putting the whole country in danger and making the United States look weak and vulnerable. Shouldn’t these officials and the citizens who voted for them want a financially secure country, in spite of which political party is the one offering a solution? In letters, phone calls or social media posts, we should let our politicians know that our financial well-being should not be held hostage to political interests.

BLAMING VICTIMS UNACCEPTABLE

Victims of Maryville rape case shouldn’t be ignored

BY KATHERINE WHITE

jagwire.katherinewhite@gmail.com

14-year-old girl and her 13-year-old friend have a sleepover, drink some alcohol and sneak out to go meet up with some boys. They are allegedly raped, which is partly recorded on video. The older girl is left on her driveway afterward, unconscious in 22-degree weather. Almost a year and a half later, the Kansas City Star releases a story describing the events of the night and the controversial dropping of charges against the alleged rapists. This story was shocking to read, but not purely because of the case itself. What really disturbed me was the amount of blame and hate against the victims. Daisy Coleman, the 14-year-old girl, received an onslaught of negative tweets and comments, saying she “asked for it” and that those writing them hoped she “gets what’s comin,” according to the Star article. A girl wore a homemade shirt to a dance competition reading “Matt 1, Daisy 0,” Matt being Matthew Barnett, the boy who allegedly raped Coleman. I’m not one to defend drinking or sneaking out. Both are bad ideas by themselves, and they are a recipe for disaster when combined. But no matter how many bad decisions the two girls made that night, the last thing anyone should say is they “deserved what happened to them.” Whether or not you believe a crime was committed that night, the girls’ drinking doesn’t excuse the actions taken by the boys that they met up with. Looking from the outside makes it easy for one to say that the victim-shaming these girls experienced is horrible, but one doesn’t have to directly say “you had it coming” to a victim to be a part of the rape culture problem. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, one in every six women and one in every 33 men have experienced a complete or incomplete rape, and 44 percent of these victims are under the age of 18. These victims live in a rape culture where rape jokes are considered funny, songs condoning sexual assult such as pop singer Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” are best-sellers, and the phrase “our team raped the other team” means the team won, equating rape to something positive. Men and women are both guilty of contributing to this culture in which those who sexually assult others feel praised. Both can - and should - change their ways to make a better environment for those who are or have been affected by assault.

JAGWIRE INFORMATION JAGWIRE STAFF Editors-in-chief Alana Flinn Ryan Fullerton Managing editor Jack Lopez Photo editor Ashley Kitchen Copy editors Sydney Wilson Jack Lopez Ads manager Miranda Miller

News editor Katherine White Feature editors Jillian Leiby Karissa Schmidt Opinion editor Nick Booth Sports editor Tori Aerni A&E editor Sydney Wilson

Briefs editor Erika Kringen Web editors Justin Curto Amber Nguyen

Staff Hunter Bessey Annie Crouch Kelly Gothard Madeline Lamons Callee Linton Ellen Merrill Sarah Myers Jena Smith Adri Talavera

JAGWIRE OFFICE 5900 Monticello Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: (913) 422-4351 Fax: (913) 422-4039 jagwirenewspaper@gmail.com Adviser: Kathy Habiger khabiger@usd232.org JagWire, a monthly publication of Mill Valley High School, is printed by the Sedalia Democrat. MEMBERS OF Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association The 2013 JagWire was named an All-American newspaper by the NSPA

and earned an All-Kansas rating from KSPA. The Mill Valley News website was named a Pacemaker finalist by the NSPA in 2013. CENSORSHIP POLICY Kansas Senate Bill 62 guarantees the same rights for student journalists as are guaranteed for professional journalists. These rights include, but are not limited to, all First Amendment rights, including the rights of freedom of speech and the press, insofar as published items may not contain libelous, slanderous or obscene statements, may not incite or promote illegal conduct and may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity.

EDITORIAL POLICY We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or a letter to the editor for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or to the print journalism room (C101). Additionally, you may email any member of the staff with opinions, as well as tweet us at @millvalleynews. Anonymous content will not be accepted. Please understand that we have the right to edit all copy that runs in this publication. SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @millvalleynews Facebook: Mill Valley News Instagram: @millvalleynews

OPINION 13

CONCUSSION Students explain what it is like to experience a concussion and how they were affected

SYMPTOMS

LONG TERM EFFECTS

Headache Dizziness Memory loss Nausea and vomiting Vision problems Ringing of ears Sensitivity to light Confusion Mental fogginess Feeling slowed down Emotional distress Altered pupil size

Single concussion:

“Usually from a single concussion, there’s no long term effects, but there’s no proven data on that either.”

Multiple concussions:

“Multiple concussions, long term effects, such as: earlier Alzheimer’s or decreased brain function, or memory is not as good or they’re just not as alert.”

Concussion on top of a concussion:

“If you get a concussion on top of a concussion, when you’re still symptomatic, the effects are a lot more severe. It can also be fatal if you get a concussion and get another one before the first one is resolved. That’s why we hold them out until they’re symptom-free before they start their return.” Illustration by Madeline Lamons

Information from athletic trainer Clint McCalister

CONCUSSIONQUESTIONS How do you, as a trainer, handle someone with symptoms of a head injury?

If they had multiple symptoms consistent with a concussion, I have to pull them out of whatever activity it is for that day and then, per Kansas law and KSHSAA rule, they cannot return to the activity until they see an MD [Medical Doctor] or DO [Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine].

Athletic trainer Clint McCalister talks about concussions and how they are handled at Mill Valley

14 SPORTS

Design by Tori Aerni

How long is someone with a concussion typically inactive?

Every case is different. We treat things symptomatically; each case is individual. If symptoms clear up within a couple days then we can start their fivestep return earlier. If their symptoms drag out, then they’re going to be out longer. They have to be symptom-free before they can start their return protocol.

A kid could lose consciousness and be back within a couple weeks, another could never lose consciousness but have lingering symptoms and be out for months.

What’s the best way to prevent further head injury?

Education. Obviously, you can’t prevent all of them. But teaching the right techniques and fundamentals. Obviously headgear helps, but they don’t stop the whiplash or rotational effects that can still cause concussions. So they’re not completely preventable, but higher awareness of them and more education helps. In football, not leading with their heads will minimize head contact. The football staff has done things like limiting the amount of contact in practice during the week which has helped. Soccer is the same way; sometimes things are just unavoidable.

How many concussions can you have before you cannot participate in sports anymore? Every physician is going to handle it differently. I’ve seen kids who have had four or five of them, and as long as they weren’t too close together and they fully recovered, they let them keep going. But some doctors may say, “This is your third one, you’re done.” For some you can have five. They treat every case differently. I’ve seen some say on your second one, you’re done for a year, and then if you get another one for good. I’ve seen it handled different ways, but there’s no concrete set number. It depends on what the doctor’s going to do, it’s their decision [based on] how that patient is responding or how they react to them.

DISCUSSION ABBY FORD

KALI GRACY

jagwire.karissaschmidt@gmail.com

jagwire.jacklopez@gmail.com

BY JACK LOPEZ

BY KARISSA SCHMIDT

DATE OF CONCUSSION: THURSDAY, SEPT. 19, 2013 SPORT: VOLLEYBALL SEVERITY: LEVEL TWO

ball was hit up to the ceiling as senior Abby Ford, libero on the varsity volleyball team, dove head first attempting to return it on Thursday, Sept. 19. After hitting her head on the ground, she struggled to communicate with her coach. With prior experience of concussions, she knew something was wrong. Ford experienced the usual side effects of a concussion, especially nausea and headaches. Ford had trouble speaking to her teammates and to her coaches. “It felt very different. It was very

hard to talk with people and focus on anything,” Ford said. Although it was a minor concussion, Ford was unable to play volleyball for two weeks. She was cleared to play again on Tuesday, Oct. 1. “Getting back in … wasn’t terribly difficult, but it took a couple of days,” Ford said. “It just kind of sucked that I missed out on that week and a half.” Ford’s first concussion took place at the Powder Puff football game on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. “It was a lot more intense [than my second concussion],” Ford said. “I had the same side effects, but my headaches would just not go away.” After having had two concussions, Ford has found that she subconsciously takes precautions to prevent getting another one. “In volleyball, I haven’t really noticed, but [people say that] I keep my head up really high now,” Ford said. “I don’t mean to, but I guess it’s just an instinct.”

DATE OF CONCUSSION: SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012 SPORT: WRESTLING SEVERITY: LEVEL THREE

he last thing senior Kali Gracy remembers of her wrestling meet on Saturday March 31, 2012 is being thrown to the wrestling mat. Her memory of the next few moments is foggy, but what she remembers about when she came to is daunting. “I remember them telling me not to move because they thought I broke my neck, and there was blood all over the mat [from my nose],” Gracy said. “I just remember being face-down.” After trying to pull a headlock on an opponent that attempted the same move simultaneously, Gracy slammed

her head on the wrestling mat and was knocked unconscious. After her symptoms were assessed, Gracy was diagnosed with a severe concussion, a traumatic brain injury that would keep her out of all physical activity for close to three months. For Gracy, her extreme case stopped her from doing more than wrestling. For the last two months of the 2012 school year, Gracy was unable to do some school work, resulting in difficulty keeping up in some classes. “At first I thought it was fine, and it was fine until finals when I couldn’t take the test,” Gracy said. This year, Gracy has to take a math course online to compensate. Not only has Gracy’s concussion affected her education, she has some lingering problems that she will have to deal with indefinitely. “My memory is shot ... and I get really bad headaches a lot now,” Gracy said. “I just feel like not my normal self.”

JARED ZUKOWSKI

BY SARAH MYERS

HOW SEVERE

IS YOUR

HEADACHE?

LEVEL ONE Symptoms last for less than 15 minutes. No loss of consciousness.

LEVEL TWO No loss of consciousness, but symptoms last for over 15 minutes.

jagwire.sarahmyers@gmail.com

DATE OF CONCUSSION: MONDAY, SEPT. 30, 2013 SPORT: FOOTBALL SEVERITY: LEVEL TWO

nder the bright lights of the football field on the night of Monday, Sept. 30, sophomore Jared Zukowski ran down an opposing player during the first quarter of his junior varsity football game. As he tackled the player, he stumbled out of bounds and smashed his head against a metal bench sitting on the sidelines.

“I thought I maybe had a concussion after I hit my head on the bench. I just tried to play through it,” Zukowski said. “Then, on Monday at practice, I tried to play and took about ten hits to my head until I couldn’t take it anymore.” Athletic trainer Clint McCalister diagnosed Zukowski’s concussion on Tuesday, Oct. 8. While being tested for the concussion, he showed symptoms including dizziness, sensitivity to light, confusion and memory loss. For the next several weeks, he was required to avoid all physical activity. According to Zukowski, he soon found that responsibilities such as completing homework, participating in class and even simples tasks like driving had become difficult due to “mental fogginess” and headaches. “You can’t remember anything. When you’re taking a test, it’s hard to concentrate,” Zukowski said.

“It’s really difficult to focus in class.” For the initial two days after his diagnosis, Zukowski stayed home from school for mental rest. When he returned to school, he received limited homework and took tests in portions over the course of several days. “[On my first full day back], I had a really bad headache,” Zukowski said. “I went back to the doctor, and he told me to take it easy, not take a lot of tests and just ease my way back into it. You just have to have a lot of rest.” After several weeks, Zukowski finally passed a test conducted by McCalister determining whether or not a concussion was still present. Once permitted to return to physical activity, Zukowski was given advice on how to prevent future concussions. “You just have to ease back into it,” Zukowski said. “If you even think you have a sign of a concussion, it’s just best to tell someone early on.”

LEVEL THREE Consciousness is lost, even if it’s just for a few seconds.

SPORTS 15

JAG NATION

Many fall sports teams experienced state-level success this year

CELEBRATIONS LEFT: Cheering the football team on to victory, junior Savannah Rudicel, seniors Jordan Blair and Abby Ford celebrate the win of the first round of state play-offs on Friday, Nov. 8. Photo by Karissa Schmidt

RIGHT: Running in the final race of his cross country season, senior Connor Armstrong makes his way to the finish line at the state cross country meet at Rim Rock Farm on Saturday, Nov. 2. Photo by Ashley Kitchen

ABOVE: Senior Mariah Kalma runs towards the finish line at the state cross country meet on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Rim Rock Farm. Photo by Ashley Kitchen LEFT: The cross country team finished off their season with a new school record, placing third in the State 5A Cross Country Championship at Rim Rock Farm on Saturday, Nov. 2. Photo by Amanda Curtright

TOP TWEETERS

These students won the Mill Valley News state volleyball Twitter contest. They won a gift card and helped us reach our goal of 1,000 Twitter followers.

“#mvstatebound”

“@millvalleynews you know the deal #mvstatebound”

“Great games today! #MVstatebound”

“Jazz Band says good luck to our #mvstatebound Volleyball team!”

@BrookeWieb FRESHMAN BROOKE WIEBE

@_ShinyG_ SENIOR COLTYN GATTON

@_Natalie_Golden SOPHOMORE NATALIE GOLDEN

@sax_aholic JUNIOR CLAYTON KISTNER

16 SPORTS

“Went to Starbucks, now on our way to Topeka to watch volleyball! #mvstatebound” @theKTcars JUNIOR KATIE CARSON

#MVSTATEBOUND Flashback to tweets from our state hashtag “Good luck to cross country at state today!!! #mvstatebound” @theKTcars JUNIOR KATIE CARSON

ABOVE: Teeing off at the second hole, senior Bailee Flaming hits a powerful drive at the Basehor Invitation on Thursday, Oct.10, where she scored a 103; leading her way to a 18th place finish at state. Photo by Courtney Bonhert

ABOVE: As the student section sings along to the Mill Valley fight song, sophomore quarterback Logan Koch and the football team celebrate their district championship 38-6 win over the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints on Friday, Nov. 8. “It felt great to win,” Koch said. “I love keeping the season going.” Photo by Karissa Schmidt LEFT: Senior Cameron Rohr passes the ball to his teammate during the team’s last soccer game of the season against Blue Valley Southwest in the second round of the play-offs on Friday, Nov. 1. The team concluded it’s season with a record of 124-2. Photo by Lauren Mansfield

“Good job football, soccer, & volleyball for playing amazing games today! #jagsnation #millvalley” @Courtniking SOPHOMORE COURTNEY KING “MV volleyball girls went out there today and played like champs, so proud to be a Jaguar” @Hey_its_Hay JUNIOR KYLIE HAY “You guys may be big and loud, but we’re bigger and louder. #mvstatebound” @brooke_carson99 FRESHMAN BROOKE CARSON “It just hit me that XC is over. On the bright side it also just hit me that we just freaking got 3rd at state and now I can drink pop” @MeeksDerek SOPHOMORE DEREK MEEKS “Let’s go ladies!!! #JagNation #mvstatebound” @_ShinyG_ SENIOR COLTYN GATTON “Loving state volleyball #mvstatebound” @LegalyBrunette_ SENIOR ALLISON EIGSTI “Where is our physics class #mvstatebound” @sax_aholic JUNIOR CLAYTON KISTNER “10-0 baby! #mvstatebound” @emilyyannie13 SOPHOMORE EMILY BORCHARDT

“Chilling with chess while MV Vball rocks it out! #MVStatebound” @madmcbutters ABOVE: Senior Hannah Billings sets the ball to sophomore Alicia Pickett during a match in the 5A state tournament against St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday, Nov. 1. Photo by Karissa Schmidt

ABOVE: Jaguar fans cheer on the volleyball team in the 5A state tournament at the Topeka Expocentre on Friday, Nov. 1. Photo by Karissa Schmidt

JUNIOR MADDIE BUTTERFIELD Design by Karissa Schmidt

SPORTS 17

Everything Pumpkin Your guide to everything pumpkin for the holidays

Perkins pumpkin pie As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, everyone should prepare themselves for overwhelming amounts of pumpkin pie. To ensure you are getting the best pie for your money, make sure you only purchase the Perkins brand pies which are sold at Hen House. This pie is delicious and melts in your mouth. It tastes best when microwaved for about ten seconds then topped with vanilla ice cream.

BY ELLEN MERRILL

jagwire.ellenmerrill@gmail.com

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

A breakdown of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Photo by Adri Talavera

Cinnamon to garnish

Pumpkin pie frappe Whipped cream

The Frozen Pumpkin Pie drink from Einstein Brothers is heavy on pumpkin flavoring. It is thick like a smoothie and has chunks of pie crust and extra pumpkin syrup at the bottom which makes it too strong for my taste. The drink is very rich, and personally I thought the pumpkin taste was a bit overwhelming. If you are not a big pumpkin fan, then odds are you will not enjoy this seasonal drink.

One cup of coffee

Photo by Miranda Miller

One cup of almond milk

Pumpkin pancakes The pumpkin pancakes from IHOP are perfect for a cold winter day. If you are not a huge fan of pumpkin, you may still enjoy them because the pumpkin taste is not overwhelming, but lingers in your mouth. The pancakes tasted slightly undercooked but were still good. The pancakes are served best warm, topped with butter and warm syrup. The syrup really sinks in and makes each bite dissolve in your mouth. Photo by Miranda Miller

A&E 18

Design by Callee Linton

One-half tablespoon of pumpkin puree

One-half teaspoon of vanilla syrup Photo Adri Talavera

A DAY

IF YOU PREFER TO LEARN ABOUT...

LARRYVILLE WHAT TO DO IN LAWRENCE IF...

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY On KU Campus

BY CALLEE LINTON

jagwire.calleelinton@gmail.com

BY TORI AERNI

jagwire.toriaerni@gmail.com

BY ASHLEY KITCHEN

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IF YOU WOULD RATHER EAT...

SPENCER ART MUSEUM On KU Campus 715 MASS EUROPEAN BISTRO 715 Massachusetts 715 is a restaurant that won’t leave you disappointed. Along with extremely friendly service, the food is exceptionally great tasting and definitely going to leave you full. The menu offers a lot of locally grown farm fresh foods, such as: chicken salad, local lamb meatballs, heritage pork meatballs, and bread from Wheatfield’s, a local bakery. However, the menu does not provide a lot of options for non-pork eaters. Although the prices are expensive, the fresh food, extraordinary service and energetic atmosphere are well worth the money.

GENOVESE ITALIAN RESTAURANT 941 Massachusetts Genovese is the place to go if you are looking for a little bit of Italy. Ordering anything from shrimp pizza to lobster ravioli is a good idea at Genovese. Located between Ninth and Tenth on Mass Street, Genovese will satisfy your biggest Italian cravings. The atmosphere is spot on, feeling like you could be in the mid-

dle of Italy. The taunting aroma reaches you as you receive your food, and you won’t be disappointed when you take your first bite. If you order a pizza, you can expect a fantastic thin crust, with toppings that will please your taste buds. If you’re looking to splurge a little, Genovese is the place for you.

IF YOU ARE MORE EXCITED BY...

Offering a wide range of art, Spencer Museum of Art is a fun place to spend the day. The museum offers an interesting collection of art work that friendly staff will explain in detail if requested.

LOVE GARDEN 812 Massachusetts No matter how old you are, or what kind of music player you use, The Love Garden can satisfy all of your music needs. This unique music shop carries everything from Elvis records, to an OutKast CD you can purchase for as cheap as $1.

A nationally recognized museum at the heart of the Kansas University campus, The Natural History Museum provides educational collections that are great for families. The museum has world class exhibits, such as the Comanche, the horse ridden into the Battle of Little Bighorn by Capt. Myles Keough. While the museum has national exhibits, it also contains collections from local history. This museum has fascinating exhibits and educational programs for everyone.

THIRD PLANET IMPORTS 846 Massachusetts If you’re looking for something different from the typical atmosphere of American Eagle or H&M, then take a trip to Third Planet Imports. Located on the corner of Ninth and Mass Street, the laid back atmosphere can lighten your mood as you shop for anything from a dress for a night out, or just a friendship bracelet from Peru. Finally, the affordable prices will top off your visit to Third Planet Imports. Design by Jack Lopez

19 A&E

Taking THE STAGE

BELOW: Comb in hand, senior Ali Sprague styles cast member junior Adam Segura’s 1950s inspired hair in the dressing room Thursday, Oct. 31. “We all stick together. We are like a family, we love each other,” Sprague said. Photo by Adri Talavera RIGHT: Making the girls fall to the ground, junior Eli Stewart sings “Honestly Sincere” as teen pop sensation Conrad Birdie with junior Michaela Mense on Thursday, Nov. 7. “I love it ... there is something special about being on stage,” Stewart said. Photo by Ashley Kitchen

Students put together a production of “Bye Bye Birdie,” the fall musical RIGHT: Junior Adam Segura runs through the musical number “Normal American Boy” in the production of “Bye Bye Birdie” on Saturday, Nov. 9. Segura plays Conrad Birdie, one of the main characters. “[Birdie is] an obnoxious, whiny rockstar that enjoys living life to the fullest,” Segura said. “He doesn’t like being told what to do. Photo by Amber Nguyen BELOW: Junior Adam Segura gazes lovingly into the eyes of senior Olivia Phillips during the song “Telephone Hour.” Photo by Jena Smith

ABOVE: Senior Madison Plouvier blows a kiss onstage to junior Adam Segura. “[My theatre experience] has been the time of my life, I’ve spent the last four years making the stage my second home and making a family with all these wonderful people,” Plouvier said. “I’m a proud member of the Mill Valley Theatre Department.” Photo by Jena Smith ABOVE LEFT: Junior Lexus Green and sophomore Hawkeye Mitchell sing and dance to “Telephone Hour” in a dress rehearsal for “Bye Bye Birdie” on Thursday, Nov. 7. Photo by Ashley Kitchen

20 PHOTO ESSAY

Design by Ashley Kitchen

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