JagWire Newspaper: Volume 19, Issue 3

JAGWIRE MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL VOL. 19 ISSUE THREE NOV. 15, 2018 MVNEWS.ORG

43

percent of students say they’ve vaped.

The FDA says it’s a problem.

READ MORE ON PAGES 11-15

02 CONTENTS

Nov. 15, 2018

Cover by Annie Myers, Anna Owsley & Anika Roy

JagWire

table of contents

08

04

24

10 NEWS

FEATURES

OPINIONS

04 security measures 06 Fellowship of Christian Athletes

08 the Bridge 10 Annie Goodson 11 special section: vape

16 staff editorial 17 opinions

SPORTS

A&E

PHOTO ESSAY

20 6A wrap up

22 Thanksgiving

24 a look back

2018-19 staff editors-in-chief Annie Myers

jagwire.anniemyers@gmail.com

Ally Nguyen

jagwire.allynguyen@gmail.com

Anika Roy

jagwire.anikaroy@gmail.com

business manager Hunter Ristau

jagwire.hunterristau@gmail.com

news editors Hannah Chern

managing editor

jagwire.hannahchern@gmail.com

Hunter Ristau

jagwire.tatumelliott@gmail.com

Tatum Elliott

jagwire.hunterristau@gmail.com

photo editor Andrew Tow

jagwire.andrewtow@gmail.com

a&e editor Steven Curto

jagwire.stevencurto@gmail.com

opinions editor Ben Wieland

jagwire.benwieland@gmail.com

sports editor Jakob Twigg

jagwire.jakobtwigg@gmail.com

features editor Sophie Lecuru

jagwire.sophielecuru@gmail.com

mill valley news editors-in-chief

reporters & photographers

Katya Gillig

Sophia Armendariz

jagwire.katyagillig@gmail.com

jagwire.sophiaarmendariz@gmail.com

Elizabeth Joseph

Jonathan Atchley

Marah Shulda

Sam Hanson

jagwire.elizabethjoseph@gmail.com jagwire.marahshulda@gmail.com

social media editor Hannah Chern

jagwire.hannahchern@gmail.com

jagwire.jonathanatchley@gmail.com jagwire.samhanson@gmail.com

Addie Kemp

jagwire.addisonkemp@gmail.com

John Lehan

jagwire.johnlehan@gmail.com

Anna Owsley

jagwire.annaowsley@gmail.com

Tanner Smith

jagwire.tannersmith@gmail.com

JagWire

Design by Annie Myers, Ally Nguyen & Anika Roy

Nov. 15, 2018

on the web

STAFF

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jagwire office 5900 Monticello Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: (913) 422-4351 Fax: (913) 422-4039 Email: jagwirenewspaper@gmail.com Adviser: Kathy Habiger khabiger@usd232.org JagWire, a monthly publication of Mill Valley High School, is printed by Valley Offset Printing

professional associations

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2

3

1: Relay for Life raises $5,000 at first annual Bark for Life 2: StuCo and NHS host “Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat” 3: Football defeats St. James Academy to clench regional title

Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association Journalism Educators of Metropolitan KC The 2018 JagWire earned an All-American rating from NSPA and an All-Kansas rating from KSPA. It is also a member of the NSPA All-American Hall of Fame.

censorship policy The Kansas Student Publications Act 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.

This law also prevents censorship of any kind by the adviser, building or district administration.

editorial policy

MILL VALLEY NEWS ONLINE JAGWIRE NEWSPAPER | JAG YEARBOOK MILL VALLEY TELEVISION

H

ello everyone, and welcome to issue three of the JagWire. As always, our staff did an awesome job and put forth their best effort in everything they did. They submitted many great ideas for consideration this production cycle, meaning we went in with a cohesive vision of what we wanted this issue to look like, and we’re incredibly proud of the results.

This issue contains light-hearted and feelgood topics, such as the 6A wrap-up in the sports section where we highlight not one, but two state championships. However, we also tackle more serious stories, like the newest security implementations the district has put in place. The topic that has generated the most discussion within our staff, though, is something that affects many students and is our center spread: the prevalence of

Mill Valley News @millvalleynews @millvalleynews1

We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or a letter to the editor to 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.

letter from the editors Juuls and other types of vapes in our culture.

We decided to cover this controversial topic because of the FDA’s recent investigation regarding Juul manufacturers targeting minors. In the article, we explore how they do this, and set the record straight for the different consequences of vaping. We believe it’s interesting to note how the school and law enforcement approach punishments and consequences for a substance that a portion of the senior class can legally consume.

In order to complete this coverage to the best of our abilities, we interviewed a variety of sources, from principal Tobie Waldeck to students impacted by pressures to vape. This story, though difficult to write, is one we all think is important and relevant to the student body. We created this coverage to help students better understand the

many aspects of Juuls, not to “call anyone out.”

So buckle in, friends, and try to keep an open mind while reading this special section. We hope you enjoy the whole paper, because we certainly enjoyed making it.

once again,

04 NEWS

Design by Tatum Elliott & Addie Kemp

Nov. 15, 2018

JagWire

STEPS TOWARD SECURITY The district commits $2 million to the implementation of new security measures for all schools by john lehan

by ally nguyen

by tanner smith

reporter/photographer

editor-in-chief

reporter/photographer

After the addition of new security measures all visitors are required to be buzzed in through a doorbell security system that was installed on Tuesday, Oct. 16. // Photo illustration by Hunter Ristau

T

he district budgeted over 2 million dollars to implement new security measures after the passing of the USD 232 bond. The most recently implemented measures are a door security system and the installation of magnets on every door within the building. Additionally, in compliance with new state standards, schools now have to complete nine

“crisis drills,” with one of them being an intruder drill. More features will be implemented The obvious reasoning behind all of the new security features is to be prepared for an actual emergency, according to school resource officer Maurice Loridon.

“The harder we make it for someone to get in, the easier it is to stay

safe and for me to get [to an emergency] faster. That’s not to say that they definitely can’t get in, but we’re certainly going to make it hard on them,” Loridon said. “We just want to keep people safe.”

The door security system, installed on Tuesday, Oct. 16, works like a home security camera according to superintendent Frank Harwood. Front office personnel can identify visitors before they approach the door and can allow building access based on whether or not they are a known visitor. However, according to assistant superintendent Alvie Cater, in the case of an unidentified person, front office personnel follows emergency procedures.

“Procedures would include the opportunity for our staff to ask for photo identification, a line of questioning, so that we can make sure we know why they are here and that they actually have legitimate reason for being here at the school,” Cater said. “[If they don’t have a reason,] protocol would be simply to deny access.

In extreme cases, we can certainly get other administrators involved or even our school resource officer here.

It’s a process in which we can better control who has access to the school during the school day.”

According to secretary Lynn Bath, traits that would mark somebody as

ADDITIONS

IN ACTION

How newly implemented safety additions are being utilized Students entering the school must be let in through doorbell system

Teachers can now easily lock their doors by removing a magnet

JagWire

Photos by Hunter Ristau

Nov. 15, 2018

suspicious are severe nervousness and uneasiness or if they are wearing bulky, bumpy clothing. Bath and the rest of the secretaries had to undergo training in order to utilize the bell.

“Cater and the [director of technology Brandon Riffel] came by and gave us some questions to ask in order to get the identity of someone,” Bath said. “They [also] gave us the OK to say something like ‘can you let the next person come up’ if there’s a big group, so that everyone can be properly vetted as opposed to us [letting one person in] and unintentionally letting other people in.”

“THE HARDER WE MAKE IT FOR SOMEONE TO GET IN, THE EASIER IT IS TO STAY SAFE.” school resource officer Mo Loridon

For Loridon, the system is “absolutely necessary” and helps USD 232 match resources already available to other districts.

“A lot of school districts [in the area] already have some type of doorbell system where [they] can keep people out until we let them in,” Loridon said. “It’s just a way to know who someone is before they come in.”

In addition to the new doorbells, the magnets on each door were installed on Tuesday, Aug. 21. Although the magnets may seem mild in comparison, they have a simple, yet effective use, according to Loridon.

“Instead of teachers having to reach outside the door with their key to lock the door, which most teachers have to do, you just push the door open and pull the magnet out,” Loridon said.

“We did that because in times of crisis people lose their motor skills and their ability to do small tasks like put keys in a door, but we keep our gross motor skills so we can do big things.

It’s easier to pull a magnet out than trying to put keys in a door while you’re stressed out.”

The plan to implement new crisis drills, in addition to the required four fire drills and three tornado drills, was issued by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the mandate came

from the Final Appropriations bill.

The mandate, however, does not specify what constitutes a crisis drill and only includes that at least one must revolve around an intruder. According to Harwood, this opportunity allows for more unique drills that could have more impact on the day to day lives of students.

“We have worked with the different schools about different types of drills that could happen,” Harwood said.

“The drills will be something you will experience and be part of and we certainly hope students feel reassured that we have a plan if something were to happen.”

The drills have the intent of being preparative, however, according to sophomore Jake Burton, the attitude students have towards drills is counterproductive.

“I do not think high school students take drills seriously at all,” Burton said. “The drills need to be taken somewhat seriously, at least the first couple times we do them, just so that we know what to do in case of an emergency.”

Burton believes a large part of this attitude comes down to students being unable to differentiate between a drill and an actual emergency.

Loridon is looking to change that.

“If we’re drilling I make sure I say we are, so make sure you’re paying attention when the announcements are made,” Loridon said. “[Despite the announcements,] if you’re going to do a drill, do it well.”

As for upcoming security implementations, within the next two school years every school in the district is projected to receive a mass notification system as well as more security cameras. All current security cameras will be replaced with higher-resolution ones.

Cater believes, while the district will do anything in its power to protect students, the responsibility is ultimately shared with students.

“I think one of the messages in my mind is we want students to know that we are working to make sure that school remains a safe place, but I want them to remember if they see something, say something and to always be aware,” Cater said. “Really it comes down to individuals who may have knowledges of things that may be concerning, the more that we know, the more that law enforcement knows the quicker things can be done to address those concerns.”

NEWS

05

STUDENT SAFETY

The student body’s voice on school security

HOW SAFE DO YOU FEEL AT SCHOOL?

8%

not at all

53%

completely

39%

somewhat

HOW EFFECTIVE DO YOU THINK DRILLS ARE IN KEEPING YOU SAFE?

27%

completely

54%

somewhat

19%

not at all

DO THE NEW SAFETY IMPLEMENTATIONS MAKE YOU FEEL SAFER?

58% yes 42% no

survey of 226 students

06 NEWS

Design by Marah Shulda

Nov. 15, 2018

FOSTERINGFAITH

JagWire

by anna owsley reporter/photographer

by ben wieland opinions editor

The new Fellowship of Christian Athletes club merges religion and sports

T

he Fellowship for Christian Athletes, or FCA, was founded by sponsor Matt Best this year for student-athletes to participate in student-led prayer groups. Friday meetings held biweekly at 7:15 a.m. feature an ice breaker and a group prayer.

According to junior Morgan Koca, the club brings student-athletes together through their shared faith.

“The FCA is basically a club [where] we all come together to intertwine the sports through Christ.

We have a guest speaker come in and give a message,” Koca said. “We can all relate to each other through God and sports in the school.”

The club started out small closer to the beginning of the year. However, dedicated students within the club helped get it off the ground. According to Best, the first meeting had five students. At the latest meeting, the number of participants jumped to 28.

Best credits students within the club for its initial success.

“The club’s inaugural year has gone well …” Best said. “[Senior] Derek Wiedner and [sophomore] Noah Collins have helped start the club by leading devotionals as well as inviting other people to attend the meetings.”

Collins was recruited to help lead the club by Wiedner and jumped at the opportunity to help prepare devotionals and activities. Collins explained what the goal of the club is to

him.

“Our goal is to provide a place for God within school, and to reach anyone willing to come to him,” Collins said.

The FCA was put into place at the request of parents who had once participated in the club themselves during high school. Parents felt the FCA would benefit students, so they began the process of building it into a student-led club. “[Parents] saw a need for it and remembered having it in their high school,” Koca said. “They talked to the students about starting it and they got it rolling, and then students started to take over once they got more comfortable.”

CHRISTIANCHANGES

According to Koca, the FCA positively affects her everyday life and provides the opportunity to talk to people. “[The FCA] helps me stay calm throughout the day and it gives me a good start,” Koca said. “And I get to see my friends and meet new people.”

Koca’s envisions the FCA expanding into a large, inclusive club that shares its message with many students, especially including those who do not share the traditional Christian views.

“My hope is that the club can get more kids to know and love Jesus,” Koca said. “I hope that we can expand and get more people involved whether they’re Christian or not.”

Members sit in a classroom as they wait for the morning Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting to begin. “The purpose is to unite athletes.

Sports tie into Christ so we can relate about the same things,” junior Morgan Koca said. // Submitted by Shannon Myres

The differences between FCA and Club 121, according to the sponsors

FCA

Club 121 more members in the club hosts events such as prayer circles

biweekly meetings on fridays has a connection to sports

JagWire

Nov. 15, 2018

Design by Hunter Ristau

For more coverage, visit mvnews.org

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08 FEATURES

Design by Anika Roy

Nov. 15, 2018

JagWire

by ally nguyen editor-in-chief

by steven curto a&e editor

W

hile making their first homemade coaster sale to a member of the community, a group of graduated special service students practice their marketing and sales techniques. These students are given this workforce opportunity among many others in the distriwct’s unique program, “The Bridge.”

The Bridge is a transitional program for students aged 18 to 21 that have graduated from a USD 232 high school and still desire special education services. Their goal is to prepare students to “function effectively and independently at their next stage of life” by utilizing in-house opportunities and going to off-campus work sites. A typical day at the Bridge has a group meeting, going to work, preparing lunch, working on individualized-education goals, maintenance in the building and watching CNN 10.

The program, which was originally housed inside of Mill Valley, moved to its current location on 83rd St. in De Soto 10 years ago. According to Bridge facilitator Melynda Kaifes, the building had to undergo many changes in order to serve its purpose.

“They were using [the building] at the time as the technology center and they moved to the district service center,” Kaifes said. “They did a lot of revamping of the facility and made it more of an apartment-like setting, so students have more availability to learn some life skills.”

Although the program is for postgraduates, according to special education teacher T.J. Finan, the process of visiting the Bridge begins well before the students graduate.

“We begin by visiting the Bridge, touring the facilities and meeting the

During a community-based interaction, or CBI, Bridge students stop at Santa Fe Trail on Friday, Oct. 26 to take photos. This outing teaches employability skills, as they’ll place the photos they take onto coasters, which will then be sold through a catalog. // Submitted by Jenna Sutter Brown

staff. Then we look for opportunities to bring the seniors back to the bridge [to familiarize them with the place],” Finan said via email. “The impact the Bridge has is preparing our students to succeed.”

While a part of the program, Bridge students work on skills that pertain to their life at home, like learning to care for an “apartment” or grocery shopping on a budget. However, they also have the opportunity to go into the community and participate in activities that will benefit their social life, according to Kaifes.

“They work on three things: employability, social skills and life skills,” Kaifes said. “Our goal is they’ll generalize what they learn at the bridge into their post-school environment, whether it be in a job, a day services program or out volunteering.”

As part of this initiative, Bridge students take non-accredited classes through Johnson County Community College’s College Learning Experiences Activities and Resources, or CLEAR, program. These classes are aimed at helping students achieve goals they weren’t able to complete in high school. Kaifes believes it offers the students more benefits.

“These classes are an opportunity for our students to be around their typically-functioning peers. When they were in high school, they were around all of their peers, but here at the Bridge they’re only around students similar to them,” Kaifes said.

“We still want to give them the opportunity to be around other [people in their age range] and that opportunity is on a college campus.”

Also to help Bridge students, spe-

A BRIDGE TO

INDEPENDENCE The district Bridge program allows graduated special service students to further develop their skills

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the constructed instruction Skills taught and expanded upon in The Bridge postsecondary program are separated into five specific domains of instruction

SPECIFIC SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: -physical conditioning -practical living 00:03

Looking down at his emptied pumpkin, Bridge student Kyle Ray prepares for Halloween festivities by carving a face into the pumpkin at the Bridge on Wednesday, Oct. 31. // Hunter Ristau

cifically under the category of employability, are job opportunities available to them. Most recently, through a community-based interaction, or CBI, students were able to create their own coasters to sell. Bridge student Tyesha Allen’s said this trip has been one of her favorites so far, but she enjoys all CBIs as they’re her favorite part of the program.

“We went downtown and took pictures of places like Union Station and Liberty Memorial and we’re going to have a catalog that sells coasters with the pictures on it,” Allen said. “I like exploring what’s in the community and what’s out there. I really like interacting with people.”

Other job opportunities come from Bridge community partners, which range from local businesses to the USD 232 food service. At these partner locations, Bridge students are able to work one to two hour shifts each day.

Allen works at two locations, Country Club Cafe in Shawnee and JT’s Bar and Grill in De Soto.

“I like working at [both of] my jobs and interacting with people,” Allen said. “I don’t like when it gets very busy though.”

For Kaifes, the Bridge has been the best portion of her educational career.

“This is my 28th year in education and I’ve done special education through all of that. I’ve been lucky enough now for the last two years to be the Bridge facilitator,” Kaifes said.

“These students give you so much more laughter and enjoyment than teaching in a regular high school setting.”

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS: -laundry/housework -food planning and preparation -self-care COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: -shopping -eating out -recreation/leisure SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: -social interactions -planning personal events -community events EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS: -job seeking -job development -maintaining employment

Within the employability domain, Bridge students develop and sell products to the community to practice marketing techniques

BAKED DOG TREATS

TILE PHOTO COASTERS

Homemade by students 10 treats for $3 20 treats for $5

Photos taken by students $5 for each $20 for a set of five

Contact Melynda Kaifes at mkaifes@usd232.org with questions regarding placing an order on one of the available products

10 FEATURES

Design by Sophia Armendariz

Nov. 15, 2018

PIONEER of SPEECH Speech teacher Annie Goodson brings whirlwinds of change into the debate and forensic teams by sam hanson reporter/photographer

by elizabeth joseph mill valley news editor-in-chief

A

s a student stands at the podium in the front of the classroom, speech teacher Annie Goodson carefully critiques their performance. Goodson coaches Debate and Forensics, along with teaching drama and communications.

While competitive speech students previously had no requirements for participation, Goodson now requires students to participate in a minimum of four work nights, four practice speeches, summer camp and four competitions a season.

Debate consists of teams arguing an overarching topic or resolution, while Forensics consists of numerous different speaking and acting events that individual people compete in.

The amount of resources the school offers, as well as the enthusiasm of the students, has led Goodson to implement a more rigorous schedule than in the past.

“There are so many schools that for a variety of reasons aren’t in a

position to be successful, either because they don’t have interest from students or because the school itself doesn’t have the resources to make [speech] successful,” Goodson said.

“We have everything we need here to be amazing. It would be criminal for me to not push the kids … because they’re absolutely capable of it.”

For senior Lauren Rothgeb, a former Debate competitor and a current Forensics team member, Goodson’s approach to the competitive speech program has been revitalizing.

“As a person who [spent] two years with a coach who wasn’t investing herself as much as I was wanting, it’s so gratifying to have a coach who cares so much,” Rothgeb said.

“I wouldn’t have accomplished the things I did last year had I not had a coach that pushed us so hard.”

According to senior Debate and Forensics student Madelyn Lehn, Goodson has been her role model for many years.

“Goodson is probably one of the best people I have ever met in my entire life. She taught me what it is like to be a good person … I have learned a lot from her,” Lehn said. “She fosters Before starting practice rebuttals in class on Thursday, Nov. 1, head debate coach Annie Goodson discusses the structure of a strong rebuttal.

"We’ve really ramped up our schedule, even between my first year here and my second year here." Goodson said. // Hannah Chern

JagWire

FLIPPING PAGES Outside of teaching, Goodson wrote an independent novel

1

Years spent writing her novel, "Without A Fight"

3

Years spent editing and publishing

17

Dollar price on Amazon

me and will let me cry in her shoulder when I need to, but she isn’t afraid to tell me when I need to toughen up.”

Similarly, the changes Goodson has brought to the program have helped Rothgeb excel individually.

“Goodson breathes debate and you really see her passion from outside the classroom at tournaments,” Rothgeb said. “Having a teacher with a more rigorous curriculum allowed me to improve leaps and bounds. The challenging curriculum can definitely push people past natural talent into the realm of actual success.”

All of Goodson’s efforts are in hopes for high achievement on a bigger level.

“I want to hang a banner. I want to win state,” Goodson said. “We had a really successful season last year and we demonstrated that we are a competitive team. Now it’s up to us to repeat that and build upon it.”

JagWire

Nov. 15, 2018

Design by Annie Myers & Anika Roy

Illustration by Anna Owsley

FEATURES

11

VAPING: IT’S A PROBLEM (but it might not be your fault)

FDA-issued warning to e-cigarette companies sheds light on prevalence of vaping among youth by hannah chern news editor/social media editor

by elizabeth joseph mill valley news editor-in-chief

by tanner smith reporter/photographer

A

s you walk into the bathroom, you’re suddenly hit with the scent of mango. You draw back before realizing that the smell is coming from a stall, and someone is vaping in the middle of the period. It’s an all-too-familiar situation in schools across the nation, and the Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to stop the rise in vaping.

So, just how common is underage vaping? In a survey of 281 students, 43 percent said they have used a vape like one described above, while 22 percent said they have used one in school, whether it’s in the bathroom, in class, at the games or in the halls.

Because the FDA believes the marketing of vape products has increased its popularity among youth, it has threatened to stop vape sales completely if manufacturers don’t change their advertising, according to a press release from Wednesday, Sept. 12.

In the release, FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb identified vaping as “nothing short of an epidemic” due to the nicotine content and prevalence among youth.

“The FDA won’t tolerate a whole generation of young people becoming addicted to nicotine as a trade-off for enabling adults to have unfettered access,” Gottlieb said.

The FDA is planning more action, such as restrictions on flavored cigarettes and public hearings, which will be implemented sometime in mid-November to late December.

While 66 percent of students said they also believed the marketing of such products is targeted towards teenagers, the FDA’s actions and the rise in underage vaping have elicited mixed reactions from students, faculty and the community.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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FEATURES

Design by Annie Myers & Anika Roy

E-CIGARETTES: electronic devices that heat a liquid

and produce an aerosol, or mix of small particles, in the air Source: Center for Disease Control & Prevention

overwhelming PRESENCE The degree vaping affects the everyday lives of students Survey of 281 students

do you own a Juul or other form of e-cigarette? yes

21% no

79%

how often do you vape? never occasionally weekly

64%

16%

4% daily

16%

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

THE MARKETING The usage of vape products has increased by 780 percent from 2011, according to the Truth Initiative. Nathan Wells, owner of Vapor Generation LLC, attributes the rise to vapes to adults using them as a replacement for smoking, as opposed to youth dependence.

“The main attraction to vaping has been how well it replicates smoking.

It satisfies oral fixation as well as nicotine cravings … two of the main reasons of why people smoke,” Wells said via email. “It has more potential to switch former smokers to a less harmful alternative than anything else on the market.”

So, despite the FDA’s action, Wells believes his business will remain largely unaffected.

“Contrary to popular opinion, [the FDA’s restrictions] wouldn’t have a large impact,” Wells said. “I do agree that there should be some sort of restriction on how the product is portrayed. [Manufacturers should] present the product in a professional manner in order to portray an adult oriented product, which most producers already do.”

However, according to one sophomore female, who requested anonymity because she is under the age of 18 and has vaped in school, the design of the devices is meant to target teenagers specifically.

“Juuls and [other e-cigarettes] are

Nov. 15, 2018

JagWire

so easy to hide and the only people who need to be hiding them are people who [can’t use them legally],” the female said. “I think the easiness of them to be hidden is targeted towards teens and the fruity tastes of pods is targeted towards teens too.”

As for the methods of advertising, Kerry Benson, Strategic Communications chair at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas, agrees that e-cigarettes and vape products have shifted towards targeting teenagers through social media.

“[VAPING] HELPS ME FEEL MORE RELAXED. I’VE FELT THAT I’VE BEEN A MORE LIKEABLE PERSON SINCE I’VE STARTED DOING IT.” ANONYMOUS SENIOR MALE

“[Vapes are] easy to hide, less intrusive in any setting and [they have] a modern vibe — even the vapor is ‘cooler’ than traditional smoke. In 2017, Juul began what I would call an aggressive social media campaign to promote its easy-to-hide e-cigarette,” Benson said via email. “It promoted sweet flavors, which are not as popular among older users, which seemed designed to hit teens. I think it’s a play for teens because your grandma probably isn’t as heavy a user of social media as most teens and she probably isn’t looking for snickerdoodle taste in a vape. It ain’t g-ma hittin’ Instagram and Snapchat several times a day.”

reason for CONCERN

Greatest worries of the FDA regarding teen e-cigarette use JUUL PRODUCTS HAVE MORE NICOTINE THAN EARLIER E-CIGARETTES AND CAN BECOME STRONGER

do you consider yourself addicted? yes

MORE THAN 2 MILLION MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE REGULAR JUUL USERS

10% no

90%

ADDING HEAT TO THE E-LIQUID FLAVORS GENERATE UNSTUDIED CHEMICALS Source: New York Times

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Nov. 15, 2018

Though the marketing techniques play a role in the prevalence of vapes, the anonymous sophomore female believes that it is more common due to the current popularity of the product, with teenagers just wanting to follow the trend.

“I’M ADDICTED [TO VAPING] AND IT SUCKS.” ANONYMOUS SOPHOMORE FEMALE

“[Students] buy one because they see other kids have it or they will hit someone else’s and then they are like ‘oh, I really like this, I want one for myself so I can do it whenever I want’ and they go and buy one,” the female said.

On the other hand, Wells believes the demand for vape in itself is what increased its popularity, even if he is for some marketing restrictions.

“The vaping market has had to use very little marketing to grow the industry to what it is today. The main reason is that these are products that smokers will seek out in a never-ending quest to quit,” Wells said. “Anyone, like myself, who has been unable to quit with traditional methods, is willing to give vaping a try. I am in favor of sensible regulations on social media such as flagging content for adults only.”

Ultimately, Benson foresees the FDA’s warnings will lead to advertisements shifting from overt to more restrained.

“Probably [as] much as [the] traditional promotion of old-school cigarettes shifted from blatant to more subtle, including different word choices in the ads,” Benson said.

“It will shift with the language teens are already using as code for vaping.

Teens will show marketers the path.

All marketers need to do is pay attention to subtle cultural shifts.”

THE PURPOSE While marketing may play a role in the start to the popularity of vapes, the reasons as to why it is still so prevalent is disputed.

From principal Tobie Waldeck’s perspective, the products are so common because they are especially accessible to teenagers, even though they are illegal for minors.

“I think it is access, availability and the ease of doing it. To me, it’s a national problem,” Waldeck said. “I was at another high school somewhere, which I will not name. I got out of my truck, looked down, vape, right there.

It’s everywhere … So, I think availability is a part of it. Kids are doing it younger and younger, and it’s an issue.”

For one senior male, who is anonymous because he is under 18, vaping is a way to unwind.

“It helps me feel more relaxed,” he said. “I’ve felt that I’ve been a more likeable person since I’ve started doing it. It makes me act just more relaxed, more mellow. It’s another constant, and if things are changing around you, a thing that stays constant can be helpful.”

However, for the sophomore girl, vaping isn’t a choice anymore, despite efforts to quit.

“I’m addicted and it sucks. I feel like everyone at Mill Valley knows that Juuling is bad, I’ve heard a lot of people say they are going to quit. But, once you start to quit … you feel the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

under PRESSURE

13

CATCHING THE EYE Marketing techniques used by e-cigarette companies like Juul, according to KU strategic communication chair Kerry Benson

“In 2017, Juul began what I would call an aggressive social media campaign to promote its easy-to-hide e-cigarette.”

“...young adult”

“[Companies] are careful not to use words like teen, but instead use ‘young adult smoker’ to indicate a targeted group”

cool mint

fruit medley

creme mango cucumber

The FDA says e-cigarette companies’ marketing targets minors

66% yes

DO YOU THINK E-CIGARETTE COMPANIES TARGET PRODUCTS TOWARDS MINORS? Survey of 281 students

34% no

“[Juul] promoted sweet flavors, which are not as popular among older users, which seemed designed to hit teens.”

14

FEATURES

Design by Annie Myers & Anika Roy

PIECE

BY PIECE

Breaking down parts of e-cigarettes

Source: Center for Disease Control & Prevention

3

P A R T S

battery, heating element & place to hold liquid

MAIN CATEGORIES RECHARGEABLE E-CIGARETTE LARGE-SIZE TANK DEVICE MEDIUM-SIZE TANK DEVICE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 need for the nicotine more,” the female said. “One time, I started crying because my ex-boyfriend wouldn’t let me hit his Juul … and some people get really pissed off if they don’t have the nicotine.”

She isn’t alone: 10 percent of students out of the 281 surveyed have said they were addicted to vaping. According to the sophomore female, the effects of the nicotine content have hugely impacted how often she vapes.

“It just feels like you have a need to hit it, like all of the time. It’s uncontrollable and it’s like [it’s] taking over your brain,” she said. “It’s like a really bad craving. I couldn’t focus in English [one time] because the kid who sits across from me wouldn’t let me hit his. It was awful.”

For school resource officer Mo Loridon, a belief that vapes are safer options for students is a large contributor to their popularity as well.

“I often hear people say that it is better than smoking cigarettes. Well, it may be a little better than smoking cigarettes, that doesn’t mean it is good for you. We just don’t know if it’s harmful or not yet,” Loridon said. “It is still a status thing. I think students and young adults just think it is the hip, cool thing to do. It helps that it tastes good and it has the misconception that it is not a big deal.”

The unknown chemicals present in vape products make them a questionable product according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, which states that “many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine than they would from a tobacco product.”

However, the perceived health benefits in comparison to other tobacco products are part of the reason why the senior male uses them, as

Nov. 15, 2018

JagWire

well as casual fun.

“I think vaping is a lot healthier than cigarettes. Not to say vaping is healthy, because it’s not … but, if I am going to harm my body, I want to take some precautions,” he said. “[It’s] partly because I just kind of enjoy it.

There’s a buzz. Your body just kind of feels tingly and relaxed. The feeling of the vapor in your mouth and blowing it is enjoyable. Vape tastes good.”

THE CONSEQUENCES While the FDA’s efforts to regulate marketing are meant to help decrease teen dependence on vapes, the school also enforces punishments to curtail the prevalence of vapes. The nicotine content in vapes is what dictates the consequences, according to Loridon.

“The vapes I confiscated contain nicotine and the state law and the city ordinance of Shawnee states that nicotine is illegal for anybody under the age of 18,” Loridon said. “It is my job that, if you are breaking the law while at school, you get punished for it. It’s a big deal because it contains nicotine.

We wouldn’t let students smoke cigarettes, we can’t let them vape.”

E-CIGARETTES ARE THE MOST COMMON TOBACCO PRODUCT USED BY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS Source: Center for Disease Control & Prevention

The punishment for vaping or other prohibited behaviors applies both on school and district grounds as well as school activities. It consists of three

GENDER’S ROLE

Gender of students who have used an e-cigarette Survey of 281 students

8% other

47% female

44% male

E-cigarettes confiscated from students at school are kept in school resource officer Mo Loridon’s office. // Jonathan Atchley

JagWire

Nov. 15, 2018

Illustration by Anna Owsley

days of out-of-school suspension and potentially a ticket from the police department if the user is underage.

In the week of Monday, Oct. 22 alone, over 20 students were suspended for vaping at school.

When it comes to the penalties, Waldeck believes students need to be aware of all the potential outcomes.

“I like to be open and upfront. If they’re caught vaping, the consequences are inevitable by policy,” Waldeck said. “It is my hope that they realize the dangers involved and refrain from doing so. We just want to make sure kids are safe and healthy.”

“[VAPING] IS STILL A STATUS THING. I THINK STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS JUST THINK IT IS THE HIP, COOL THING TO DO. IT HELPS THAT IT TASTES GOOD AND IT HAS THE MISCONCEPTION THAT IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL.” SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER MO LORIDON

The dangers inherent in vape is why the anonymous girl believes it is not worth starting.

“Once you reach a certain point of addiction, you don’t even get buzzed anymore. You don’t get the effects to sustain yourself, so there is no point in starting it,” she said. “I think adults

Photos by Andrew Tow

need to realize that the majority of kids don’t like the fact that they have Juuls and stuff, and that [kids] are addicted and don’t want to be.”

Loridon hopes students avoid vaporizers and e-cigarettes due to the lack of knowledge about the product itself, as well as what is in it.

“What I want most students to know is that you don’t know what you are putting into your body. Not knowing what you are putting into your body should make you not want to do it,” Loridon said. “We had recently a student [who] found a vape and used it and shared the found vape …

The first person didn’t know where it’s been and what’s in it and certainly neither does the second person, so how do we know for certain if there was any other drugs or bacteria or something completely disgusting?”

Despite the unknowns and the consequences, the senior male believes that punishments won’t stop those who vape.

“I don’t think it’s going to change a thing, whether it gets harsher or less harsh .. if [people] already behave one way, they’re going to continue behaving that way,” he said. “I don’t think punishment is going to change that person’s mindset. If someone [gets] suspended, I can guarantee that they’re still going to use it at school — at least some of them.”

However, the sophomore female believes that vapes will naturally phase out as students distance themselves from the negative effects.

“Kids now realize how bad it is for you. That’s why I’m trying to quit, I know it’s bad for my health. It’s just hard,” she said. “I think within a couple months, people will be trying to stop. Everyone wants to. That’ll be a lot of people’s New Year resolutions.”

CHOOSING TO USE Prevalence of e-cigarette use among students

HAVE YOU VAPED?

43%

22%

yes

yes

HAVE YOU VAPED AT SCHOOL?

15

FEATURES

= ONE JUUL POD contains an amount of nicotine equivalent to

ONE PACK OF 2O CIGARETTES

INSIDE NICOTINE

Nicotine can harm aspects of adolescent brain development into mid-20s

1 2 3 4

Attention

Learning

Mood

Impulse Control

88

percent of students think vaping can harm health

12%

47%

41%

a lot

somewhat none

Source: Center for Disease Control & Prevention Survey of 281 students

Survey of 281 students

16 OPINIONS

Design by Ben Wieland

Illustration by Tatum Elliott

Nov. 15, 2018

JagWire

STAFF EDITORIAL:

Students should know vape ads don't tell the whole story

OUTSMART VAPING OUTSMART VAPING AGREE: 21 DISAGREE: 0

V

aping has grown exponentially in schools across the nation.

The FDA referred to vape use among teens as an “epidemic.” Between 2011 and 2017, vape use in high schools increased by 780 percent, according to the Truth Initiative. One of the causes of growth in vape use is advertisements targeting uniquely impressionable teenage students.

High schoolers need to recognize these marketing strategies and realize there are more facts advertisers aren’t telling you.

Unlike cigarettes or alcohol, vape advertisements are not specifically restricted by the FDA. Because of this, vape companies have taken advantage of and targeted teenagers.

Mobile ads on apps like Snapchat or Instagram feature vapes as flashy or

high-tech. Even the sleek design of vapes appeals to teens.

A Truth Initiative report revealed that students who saw targeted vape advertisements were twice as likely to begin vaping. Other ads advertise fruity flavors, and 43 percent of students who vape say they do so because of these flavors. These ads, targeted toward teens, take advantage of uneducated minds to sell products.

Companies are also extremely effective at circumventing federal regulations. Despite laws preventing companies from targeting children, regulatory loopholes allow them to evade these restrictions. By 2016, four out of five middle and high school students had seen a vape ad. These ads misrepresent vapes, portraying cigarettes as the butt of the problem

and offering vapes as a healthier and cooler alternative. As a result of this spread of misinformation, many high schoolers are uninformed about the effects of vape use. Only 37 percent of teenagers know Juuls always contain nicotine.

The advertisements’ failure to properly warn high schoolers of vaping dangers results in more teen experimentation. Until FDA regulations become more strict, these misleading ads will be fair game for vape companies.

As teens, we need to be aware of targeted ads. It’s our responsibility to be proactive and recognize when we are being misled. Vapes are marketed as a cooler, healthier alternative to cigarettes, but we need to realize that’s not the whole story.

JagWire

Nov. 15, 2018

Dogs are more welcoming and filled with endless energy

Design by Ben Wieland

Illustration by Sophia Armendariz

bothersome, it is a far better alternative to dealing with cats trapped within indoor confines.

by john lehan reporter/photographer

The age old battle between cats and dogs features many clashing opinions. Yet for all the controversy, deciding is relatively simple. Why settle for a second-rate cat when you could enjoy a man’s best friend?

In general, dogs are better pets than cats. They walk, play fetch and interact with owners, whereas cats stalk around on their lonesome during night’s dark hours. Although some may view dog’s eager loyalty as a downside, companionship builds close relationships. Dogs treat you as a member of their pack, while cats treat you like a personal servant.

Dogs also unleash their energy outside. While letting dogs out is

“BEING THE BETTER PET, DOGS ARE ALSO BETTER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY” john lehan

Cleaning up behind the havoc a cat wrecks, whether it be a litter box, valuable breakables pushed off a table or ruined furniture, requires more from an owner than letting out a dog.

DOGS Cats are easier to manage and have soothing personalities by sophie lecuru features editor

T

he feud between cat and dog lovers has been going on for quite some time. Dogs are known as the more popular pet, however, popular opinion isn’t always correct. Seeing as I own both a cat and two dogs, I know from personal experience that cats have more to offer to their owners than dogs.

Owning dogs tends to be more work than it’s worth. They must be given proper exercise, taken outside multiple times a day and cleaned up after. On the other hand, most cats don’t require this extra work.

Cats are very independent creatures and can mostly take care of

vs.

themselves. They’re perfectly content lounging around, can bathe themselves and can be trained to use a litter box, saving their owners the constant worry of letting them go from inside to outside all day, like with dogs.

73

Million cats owned as pets in the United States, opposed to only 68 million dogs, according to The Spruce Pets

Cats also have less energetic personalities than dogs and cause less

OPINIONS

17

Obviously each individual animal is unique, and stereotypes may not apply to all breeds. However, dogs offer a wide array of choices to suit each individual, totaling 190 breeds according to the American Kennel Club.

Cats pale in comparison, yielding only 42 breeds according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Beyond being the superior pet, dogs are also exceptional members of society. Guide dogs assist the visually impaired, and canine units protect us from potential danger. Dogs also provide emotional support to cancer patients, hence their role in fundraisers such as Bark For Life.

Despite their poor qualities, cats aren’t inherently terrible pets. Nonetheless, they can’t hope to compare to the superiority of dogs.

CATS disorder. This makes for fewer messes like demolished chew toys or a trail of footprints throughout the house.

Contrary to dog’s behavior, cats understand the idea of personal space and allow their owners to finish simple tasks without feeling overcrowded. At the same time, however, cats are available to give their owners love when necessary. The best comfort comes from when cats gently brush up against their owner’s legs looking for attention. They understand human emotions and can sympathize well. Simply put, cats know when they aren’t wanted, but also know when their compassion is necessary.

Although cats are the best pets to own, I know they aren’t for everyone.

Some dog people despise cats and are unwilling to even contemplate giving them a chance. Cats don’t deserve all the criticism they receive. Dog people should make an effort to accept the cats a little more.

18

OPINIONS

Design by Ben Wieland

POPULARITY ISN’T SUCH A BIG DEAL reporter/photographer

D

uring my time in high school, I have seen a split between the student population. Some students become the book-loving “nerds” that appear to know everything, while others become the “popular” kids who always have a large group of friends.

It may appear now that the popular kids are going to prosper later in life with their large friend groups. However, newer evidence shows nerds are catching up, if not surpassing, the popular kids.

According to a study by the Uni-

Percent increase in alcohol and marijuana problems among “cool kids” according to the University of Virginia

versity of California, Davis, popular kids get picked on just as much as the nerds. The study also showed popular kids feel like “they have farther to fall” when bullied, plus they tend to “refuse acknowledgement of problems for the fear of ruining their social standing.”

I have been a part of both sides of the split, however nowadays I possess more nerd values than popular kid ideals. From my experiences being with my “nerdy” friends, I have seen the different ways popular students have affected them, but also how my friends were able to overpower those popular kids and become stronger people as a result.

OUR PHONES MIGHT BE STALKING US Targeted cell phone ads might be more malicious than we think by steven curto a&e editor

A few weeks ago, I decided to scroll through Facebook. While I was scrolling through my feed, I noticed that a peculiar ad had popped up. It advertised enrollment in a high school foreign exchange program. I wondered to myself: “was this an odd coincidence or perhaps a targeted occurrence?”

I quickly texted a fellow JagWire staffer, senior Elizabeth Joseph, and we got to researching and discussing targeted advertising together. After finding information on this topic and discussing it, I believe my phone is listening to me, and using what it hears to give me targeted ads.

JagWire

45

High school students worry far too much about their popularity by sam hanson

Nov. 15, 2018

A different study by the University of Virginia concluded popular students were more likely to have problems later in life, such as being involved in crime and having a higher chance to develop alcohol and drug problems. Overall, the popular kids feel they need to keep performing petty acts to keep their popularity, while not recognizing how these acts will affect their future.

So for the nerds, there is no need to worry. There is most likely a very promising and fruitful life coming in the near future. going back to…” and “I need some cheap shirts for work.” He then monitored his advertisements on Facebook and noticed that almost overnight all of his advertisements were individual to the topics he purposefully talked about the night before.

I learned very quickly through research that I was not alone in this belief. To put the internet’s claims that apps such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are listening to consumers to the test, in October of 2017, Facebook’s Vice President of advertisements, Rob Goldman, tweeted asking users to recount instances where they felt that their phone was listening to them.

A flood of Twitter users recounted their experiences. Goldman later denounced that Facebook had ever used user information to provide targeted ads. Vice reporter Sam Nichols decided to investigate the growing debate of whether companies are using targeted advertising. He used advertising trigger words like “I’m thinking about

“WAS THIS AN ODD OCCURRENCE OR A TARGETED OCCURRENCE?” steven curto

With all this information, I am convinced that tech giants like Google, Amazon and Facebook are listening to my conversations to target what to advertise for me personally. The fact that companies collect our information without consumer consent scares me, and it should scare you too. Our information should be always kept private unless consumers specifically allow their personal information to be shared with others.

JagWire

OPINIONS

Nov. 15, 2018

19

INVEST TIME INTO YOUR OWN LIFE,

NOT INTO YOUTUBERS’ terpersonal skills with more screen time and “relationships” with people online whom we will likely never interact with.

YouTube has begun replacing real life relationships and skills by anika roy editor-in-chief

T

he parlor game—a game that, somewhere along the way, my crazy family invented or picked up. An individual has a minute to describe a person, whether they be a friend or family member, a celebrity, or a fictional character, to their teammates in hopes of them guessing correctly. Because any name is fair game as long as two people in the room know it, there’s always a wild assortment. Playing on Christmas day this past year however, a team consisting of my two younger sisters and my middle-school-aged cousin rattled off names no one in the room had heard of, describing their lives in greater detail than we’d seen done all game. When the three were asked the relationship they had to these people, they seemed almost offended that not everyone immediately knew the source of these names: YouTube.

For me, the most alarming part of this phenomenon was that their team struggled significantly with describing and remembering information about people they’d met in real life, but the date on which vlogger Roman Atwood got his German Shepherd somehow easily came to mind.

The American society as a whole, though especially my generation and those after me, are in grave danger of replacing relationships with one another and our long-developed in-

“EXCESSIVE YOUTUBE WATCHING HAS BECOME AN EPIDEMIC” anika roy

The usage statistics as of 2018 are unfathomable. According to Business of Apps, a whopping 300 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube per minute. That’s over 18,000 hours per hour and 432,000 per day. While I admit to enjoying the occasional sports highlight or throwback vine compilation, I simply can’t imagine watching even the smallest percentage of this released media.

This being said, there must be someone out there watching all of that, right? According to Omnicore, 5 billion of these videos are watched every day, with the average viewing session time increasing by 50 percent this year to 40 minutes. Spending time with my sisters one day, they were very excited to show me their favorite vlogger’s most recently published YouTube video. Together, we watched over 27 minutes of this woman describing the decor in her home.

That’s nearly half an hour I could’ve spent doing absolutely anything else more productive.

Two pressing issues that constantly concern U.S. citizens are a general lack of sleep and an increase in obesity, and YouTube could easily be a contributor to both. With more time every year being spent on this site, less time is designated for activity and/or rest. Previously, traditional television has been blamed for these problems, but Omnicore says that as times are changing, two times more millennials

are actually watching YouTube videos as opposed to television shows.

Simply put, excessive YouTube watching has become an epidemic in our nation. This summer, I spent hours upon hours watching my nanny kids not play video games, but rather watch videos of other people playing video games. I’ve seen my sisters watch videos of other people online going on romantic dates or fun adventures with their friends as opposed to putting forth the effort to plan some with the people in their own lives.

I’ve seen friends watch videos of other people making holiday-specific baked goods as opposed to experimenting with making recipes by themselves. YouTube can be a convenient resource for tutorials or an incredible outlet for reminiscing, but out of self-respect, it’s incredibly important that we remember to put down the devices every day, and start living our own lives before we’re stuck only watching other people live theirs.

18

thousand hours of videos uploaded to YouTube every hour, according to Business of Apps

40

minutes: the average YouTube viewing session time according to Omnicore

20 SPORTS

Design by Katya Gillig and Marah Shulda

Nov. 15, 2018

JagWire

MAKING A STATE MENT

GIRLS GOLF

T

he girls golf team won the school’s first class 6A state championship after beating out second place team Shawnee Mission East High School by four strokes on Tuesday, Oct. 16. This achievement marks the first time a female athletics program has won a state championship in the school’s history.

With four returning golfers from last season, the team was more experienced to tackle the competition, according to senior Sarah Lawson. “[This year] the girls had more experience with high school tournaments. ne of the issues last year was we only had two returning players and three of the four new players were freshmen, so they didn’t really have much of an idea of how high school tournaments work,” Lawson said. “The biggest thing is that [this year] these

girls had more experience.”

The trek to state was not a simple undertaking; after a strong showing during their first tournament, the team fell to 6A schools Shawnee Mission East and Washburn Rural.

However, according to junior Hannah Davie, the team was able to bounce back from the early loss.

“After our first tournament, we shot a really low score and that gave us hope for [a 6A title],” Davie said.

“Throughout the season we didn’t shoot as well as we did that [first] meet, but at the Washburn Rural tournament we beat Shawnee Mission East High School, and that gave us hope again.”

The hike through postseason was quick, as weather delays pushed the regional tournament back by three days. Due to this, the gap between regionals and state was only five days.

The quick turnaround gave the

SPORTSSTATS

A recap of how other sports teams did in the postseason; the football team will remain in 5A through 2020

boys cross country

4

place earned at state

girls little time to prepare for the state tournament, according to Lawson.

“Instead of our last week of practice being focused on state, it was focused on regionals and then state. We didn’t even get to play our practice round [before regionals] because it was raining sideways and snowing,” Lawson said. “Most of our preparation [for state] came from mental preparation, lots of pep talks and practicing when we could.

Despite the lack of practice before state, head coach Chris Wallace was excited to see what the team could accomplish.

“There was that opportunity to do something that we’ve never done before,” Wallace said. “I didn’t have specific expectations [for 6A], but I certainly felt like placing [at state] was well within our reach and something that was a goal of mine going into this event.”

2

top 20 individual finishers

boys soccer

14 season wins

3

EKL of the year members

JagWire

Photots by Hunter Ristau and Anika Roy

Nov. 15, 2018

In the school’s first year in 6A, two sports teams won state titles by jakob twigg

by sam hanson reporter/photographer

sports editor

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

N

ot two weeks after girls golf won the first class 6A state championship in school history, the girls cross country team won a 6A title for themselves on Saturday, Oct. 27.

This also marks the first cross country state championship in program history.

The girls scored 19 points, one placing away from a perfect finish, during the regional race; the girls went into the state meet feeling confident, according to senior Delaney Kemp.

“When we were in Colorado, we made our team goals; that was the first time where we said that we wanted to win state as a team,” Kemp said.

“Sometimes you have to expect greatness in order to achieve it, that’s what we were doing and we just wanted to execute our plan.”

A difference in class meant difference in competition for the girls, who faced teams from the Shawnee Mis-

state qualifiers

21

HEYJAGS

Athletes were welcomed back after their events

sion, Olathe and Blue Valley school districts.

However, according to head coach Chris McAfee, this class change did little to deter the teams’ dominance throughout the season.

“6A was definitely deeper than 5A, the top teams were still pretty competitive,” McAfee said. “We knew pretty early that we were going to be pretty good [after] we won the first meet of the year and after we beat those [6A] teams. We had an idea that we had a good chance at [state].”

As the only senior varsity runner, Kemp believes that there is more talent within the girls program to bring more success in the coming years.

“I am sad that it was my last race in a Mill Valley jersey, but I am excited that my story ended [with a state championship,]” Kemp said. “I know that there are younger girls who are definitely going to step up and fill [my] gap, so I am super excited to see how many trophies they can bring home next year and the years after that.”

girls tennis

3

SPORTS

The girls golf and cross country teams received a police escort to the school

Students waited at the school to congratulate the teams Photos by Crystal Sivilayvong, Steven Curto, Chloe Carson and Marah Shulda

volleyball

8 place earned at state

21 season wins

1

post-season game win

22

A&E

Design by Addie Kemp and Sophie Lecuru

Nov. 15 2018

JagWire

THANKFUL FOR

TRADITION

Students share the unique ways they celebrate Thanksgiving by sophia armendariz reporter/photographer

by anna owsley reporter/photographer

T

ipping smidgeons of cinnamon into a heated pot, senior Adelle Warford shows off her love of cooking as not only a passion, but also skill. Through her cooking segment on MVTV, she gets to publicize this passion.

Warford’s interest in creating food has been long-standing across the span of her life, originating from time spent with her family.

“I started when I was really little, and whenever I went to my grandma’s house we would always cook together and bake things,” Warford said. “It’s just a good way to bond with my mom and it reminds me of my family.”

When Thanksgiving comes around each year, the Warford family brings homemade Thanksgiving favorites, with the addition of a cinnamon roll-esque walnut bread unique to Croatia, to the table.

“We always do turkey, stuffing and green beans. I am obsessed with green beans, so I always do the green bean casserole,” Warford said. “My family [will] always get together­—my aunts, my grandma and cousins—and we make a bread called povitica. We do this every year at all different holidays. It is a Croatian tradition and it’s always really fun.”

HOLIDAY FLAVORS

1.

IN A POT, SIMMER TWO CUPS MILK ON LOW HEAT

After making her homemade pumpkin spice latte Friday, Nov. 2, senior Adelle Warford shows off her family’s recipe book. Every year at Thanksgiving, Warford cooks the meal with her family. // Jonathan Atchley

This bread isn’t only unique to the family by American standards. The recipe is top secret, passed down from family member to family member. No worries, Warford is next in line.

“Oh yeah, [I’ll end up learning the recipe]. She made a cookbook for me and it has all the recipes in it.” Warford said.

ABOVE: Filling her measuring cup with water, senior Adelle Warford makes a homemade pumpkin spice latte. // Jonathan Atchley BELOW: Freshly brewed, the pumpking spice latte is one of senior Adelle Warford’s favorite fall treats to make. // Jonathan Atchley

VISIT MVNEWS.ORG FOR MORE

A step by step guide on how to make MVTV star Adelle Warford’s pumpkin spice latte

2.

MIX IN TWO TBSP PUMPKIN PUREE, TWO TBSP SUGAR AND ONE HALF TSP PUMPKIN SPICE

3.

ADD AND MIX IN ONE TBSP VANILLA AND ONE HALF CUP HOT COFFEE

4.

TOP WITH WHIPPED CREAM

JagWire

A&E

Nov. 15, 2018

SPECIALSUPPERS THE FAMOUS [TRADITION] THAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IS THAT MY DAD ORDERED PIZZA FROM CHICAGO AND WE GOT IT SHIPPED TO MY HOUSE.” senior sophie friesen

PIZZA ORDERED AND DELIVERED FROM CHICAGO

The alternative foods students eat for an untraditional Thanksgiving dinner

“[MY PARENTS] REALLY WANT TO KEEP [THEIR] CULTURE IN US— THE GENERATION THAT GREW UP IN AMERICA —SO WE JUST HAVE LAOS DISHES.”

“WE EAT DUCK INSTEAD OF TURKEY BECAUSE MY [GRANDMA] BELIEVES YOU SHOULDN’T EAT TURKEY ON A HOLIDAY.”

senior crystal sivilayvong

sophomore carlie bradshaw

PAPAYA SALAD SERVED WITH CUCUMBER SALAD

DUCK MEAT

THANKSGIVINGFAVORITES STUDENTS’ FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOODS

The traditional Thanksgiving dishes students like most

STUDENTS’ FAVORITE THANKSGIVING PIES

33%

mashed potatoes

38%

pumpkin

19%

rolls

27%

apple

18%

turkey

18%

other

16%

stuffing

10%

cherry

14%

other

7%

pecan

survey of 222 students

JagWire: What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

Grace McLeod: I would say ham is my favorite Thanksgiving food because it tastes really good and brings back good memories from past Thanksgivings.

JW: What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving?

23

GM: My family always ends up having a kickball tournament and playing games so that’s really fun.

JW: What do you think is the most important part of Thanksgiving?

GM: The most important part of Thanksgiving is spending time with family, and of course the food.

survey of 213 students

Q&A sophomore Grace McLeod on her support for a traditional Thanksgiving

24 PHOTO ESSAY Minutes before the state race on Oct. 27 at Rim Rock Farm, the girls cross country team huddles near the starting line to exchange words of advice and encouragement.

The team would go on to win the first cross country state championship in school history. // Anika Roy

Design by Andrew Tow

Nov. 15, 2018

JagWire

LEFT: While performing the song “In A Little While” on Tuesday, Oct. 30, seniors Blake Aerni and Veronica Dervin look into each other's eyes. // Katya Gillig BELOW: During the grand opening of the Catty Shack on Wednesday, Oct. 30, senior Bennett Haist hands junior Rylie Greene a coffee. // Jonathan Atchley

At the golf pep assembly on Wednesday, Oct. 25, sophomore Kate Sutton dances with the Silver Stars to celebrate the first 6A state championship by the girls golf team. // Hunter Ristau

At the first MV Outfitters outing of the year on Sunday, Oct. 28, freshman Eden Schanker roasts marshmallows for s’mores with friends after a fire-starting lesson. Club members bonded while learning about the importance of fire safety at the outing. // Annie Myers