Volume 14, Issue One

JAGWIRE

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 1 | SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 | MVNEWS.ORG

NEWS 3

SPORTS Senior participates in BMX PHOTO ESSAY The making of an MVTV episode New intruder procedures FEATURE Student returns from Thailand A&E Drive-ins 4

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NEWSinBRIEF

HONORS ART CLUB CREATED

BY SYDNEY WILSON

jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com

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ABOVE: National Art Honor Society sponsor Jerry Howard instructs his Blue 4 Art Foundations class on Thursday, Sept. 12. “NAHS gives student artists the opportunity to participate in a national art program and have their art recognized by the community,” Howard said. Photo by Adri Talavera

NEW SPECIALIST ADDED

BY NICK BOOTH

jagwire.nickbooth@gmail.com

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chool improvement specialist Leah Vomhof has replaced former assistant principal Jennifer Smith, who left for another job last spring.

Vomhof, who used to work here as a social studies teacher, is excited for her new job and the school year ahead.

“So far, it’s been very positive,” Vomhof said.

“I’ve been very much enjoying being back here.”

Vomhof’s duties range from helping develop PLCs, coordinating testing, distributing textbooks and holding interventions for students who are struggling.

Before she was a school improvement specialist, Vomhof taught social studies at Monticello Trails, Mill Creek and Mill Valley.

However, she enjoys working in a high school setting.

“I like the high school students because of the maturity level,” Vomhof said.

Secretary Lynn Bath thinks Vomhof is doing a great job.

“The beginning of the school year’s so crazy, and she’s always so calm,” Bath said.

Vomhof has made a smooth transition to her new job here.

“I’m enjoying it,” she said, “I get to see the students more.”

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS 3 New intruder procedures introduced by district FEATURE 4 Student talks about three years spent abroad 6-7 Self image issues affect students

CHANGESTeachers AFFECT SEMINARS give opinions on seminar changes

BY JILLIAN LEIBY

jagwire.jillianleiby@gmail.com

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UNSHARED SEMINARS

PLCs AFTER SCHOOL

MATH LAB EVERYDAY

“My class size has decreased ... [but] I’m not convinced sending your kids to other classes when you [are gone] is the best,” math teacher Allison Stoppel said.

“It takes away being available to students after school, but it’s the best thing [we can do],” science teacher Donna Riss said.

“ ... Students are able to get help every day of the week, so there is never an excuse for not being able to meet a teacher,” math teacher Sarah Sides said.

TRENDING TOPICS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 10 Review of local drive-in SPORTS 11 Senior participates in BMX PHOTO ESSAY 12 Behind the scenes of MVTV

OPINION 8-9 New intruder procedures, celebrity idols, Syria conflict, advice for success, students from different middle schools come together

2 BRIEFS

he National Art Honor Society has replaced the Art Club this year.

NAHS is a national organization sponsored by the National Art Education Association, a group that aims to “fulfill human potential and promote global understanding” through visual arts, according to its mission statement. By setting up a chapter, club members are eligible for a number of benefits, including newsletters of art information and scholarships up to $20,000.

NAHS sponsor Jerry Howard is particularly pleased with the website available to members.

There, they will be able to post their art and view the art of other NAHS members across the country. “[The website] allows [club members] more exposure to art, which can help them grow in their own skills,” Howard said.

While still an art club, there are some differ-

ences, specifically in the requirements for being a member. Students have to pay a registration fee and are expected to follow certain rules outlined in a contract that is signed upon joining the club.

These rules include maintaining a high GPA as well as performing a certain amount of community service.

“We’re not just showing up ... to work on our own projects,” Howard said. “We’re seeing what [our art] can do for the school, for our community.”

Senior Logan Robertson hopes the club will be able to paint murals in the C-wing, which have been in the works for two years. “[The C-wing] is a little hard to navigate, so we wanted to put murals on the walls to symbolize each class in order to help new students get around,” Robertson said.

NAHS meets on Thursdays every other week.

The club will be deciding leadership positions at its meeting today at 3 p.m. in Howard’s room.

Design by Katherine White and Erika Kringen

#SYRIACONFLICT

#NSALEAKS

#NEWIPHONE

The U.S. government is trying to decide whether or not to intervene in Syria after the chemical attacks from the Assad regime

The Guardian newspaper reported on Wednesday, Sept. 11 that the National Security Agency was found sharing private information about U.S. citizens to Israel without consent

Apple’s two new phones will be released on Friday, Sept. 20. The iPhone 5S will have over 200 new features and the 5C will come in different colors

Cover by Alana Flinn, Ryan Fullerton and Riley McDonald Trending Topics photos from MCT Campus

INTRUDER PROCEDURES CHANGE New intruder plan created after Newtown shooting

BY RYAN FULLERTON jagwire.ryanfullerton.com

BY ELLEN MERRILL

jagwire.ellenmerrill@gmail.com

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he school district has initiated a new intruder procedure after the school shooting in Newtown, Conn. last December sparked discussion over how the district could improve its preparations for intruders.

As a result, ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training will be provided to district staff by school resource officer Mo Loridon and Mill Creek Middle School SRO Danny Chavez, who have received this training. In the past, intruder drills have required that students and staff hide from intruders, but the new procedure allows for more flexibility in decision-making by staff members during a crisis.

ALICE was created by former SWAT officer Greg Crane and his wife in the mid-2000s when he realized that hiding during an intruder situation made students and staff easier targets and took away the opportunity to defend themselves. “[ALICE] is a philosophy that we try to give teachers and students of how to react in a situation,” Loridon said. “You don’t have to follow the acronym [every letter] in a row, but it just gives you different ways of thinking in a crisis situation - alert people, lock the doors, tell somebody about it. If you can get out, get out. If you can’t get out, counterattack.”

District director of administrative services and community relations Alvie Cater said ALICE is intended to provide multiple ways for staff members to handle a crisis situation.

“One of the things we want our staff to know during a crisis is that they have options,” Cater said. “What we’re saying is don’t sit there and take it. If you have an option to escape, then take it.

But you have the chance to fight back.

Also, if you’re slowing the intruder down, you’re saving lives.”

According to Cater, the district wanted to make sure that it was doing everything it could to keep students and staff prepared for any intruder situation.

“There is nothing we can do to prevent a tragedy like Sandy Hook, but what we can do is prepare,” Cater said.

“As a team, we want to make sure we are taking steps to improve the safety and security we have while still keeping our schools welcoming, so that’s the balance we’re trying to find.”

“I want students to have the chance to survive.”

RESOURCE OFFICER MO LORIDON Loridon said that students need to stay calm and follow their teacher’s instructions during any situation.

“The first thing they have to do is be quiet,” Loridon said. “You have to be quiet, you have to listen to your teacher. If everybody freaks out and starts screaming, it just causes more chaos.

I want students to have the chance to survive.”

English teacher Dorothy Swafford likes the changes. “[I like it] because it gives us a plan of attack instead of [being] sitting ducks,” Swafford said. “It allows us the chance to protect ourselves and others and save others.”

Sophomore Katie Burke thinks a

more proactive intruder policy was a needed change. “[I think it was necessary] because doing something about it is better than just being harmed and doing nothing,” Burke said. [I like the new procedure better] because it’s more effective than just sitting there. The concept of it is uncomfortable, but knowing what to do makes me feel better.”

Junior Maddy Loving, however, does not think a change was needed, but she also believes the new procedure will be more effective.

“I think we would have been fine with the old procedures, but if we were to have an intruder, the new procedure would work better,” Loving said. “I don’t [think it’s a serious issue at Mill Valley] because I don’t think it’s very likely we’d ever have an intruder, but I’m glad we’re prepared.”

In regards to students, Cater believes that it is important to pay attention to and report any signs of a possible situation.

“The thing I’ve learned is that you have to look for signs,” Cater said. “If you look back at the history, there might have been that flag there.”

Loridon agrees.

“We’re working on teachers understanding language and seeing signs better, so if a kid’s talking about negative things or talking about hurting themselves or hurting others, [they need] to report it instead of just trying to handle it themselves,” Loridon said.

Loridon now believes that changing mindsets about intruder situations is the best way for students and staff members to prepare.

“Preparation is literally just all about education,” Loridon said. “I now have to re-educate teachers and staff members on how to survive if something like that happens. That’s changing the mindset.”

THEN TOu NOW

During an intruder situation, students and staff were instructed to turn out the lights and hide in a corner of the classroom not visible from the door.

Fire drills have been carried out on a monthly basis, but intruder drills have not been practiced nearly as often.

Students and staff will be provided with more options during an intruder situation due to the implementation of ALICE. Everyone is encouraged to barricade doors with desks, chairs, file cabinets, etc.

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There will be an increase in intruder drills, including during lunch. During these drills, students and staff are expected to respond as if it were a real situation.

SECURITY SURVEY

Do you think the new intruder procedures make the school safer?

Yes (69%) No (6%) I don’t know the new policy (25%) Survey of 421 students

Do you prefer the old procedure or the new procedure?

New (92%) Old (8%) Survey of 343 students

ALICE ANALYSIS ALERT

A

LOCK-DOWN

L Make sure everybody is aware that an intruder is in the building.

Illustrations by Maddie Lamons

I Lock all doors and block them with tables, chairs, cabinets, etc.

COUNTER

INFORM

C Stay informed in an intrusion; know the intruder’s location.

EVACUATE

E Instead of hiding from an intruder, students and staff can fight back.

If students have the chance to escape, they should do it.

Design by Katherine White

NEWS 3

Connor Julian Sophomore Connor Julian shares his experiences of living in Thailand, the differences between Thailand and the U.S. and the difficulties of moving around the world

BY SARAH MYERS

jagwire.sarahmyers@gmail.com

Why did you and your family move to Thailand?

Who were some of the most interesting people you met there?

What was the transition like?

How did you keep in touch with people back home when you were there?

Because of my mom’s work. She got a business opportunity to go and work there for a couple of years and it ended up being three. We moved there halfway through 7th grade, so that would be 2010. I just got back at the end of June.

When we arrived, it probably took me about a year to fully go with everything, figure out how stuff worked with the school and the environment and how to get around ... little things like that.

When did it hit you that you were living in Thailand?

When the plane landed. On the plane it just kind of felt like a vacation or something that’s not real, but when we hit the ground and started unloading big bins and stuff we finally realized, at least for me, that we were there.

What was the most difficult part of moving across the world?

It had to be that I grew up and had the same friends for about 12 years and just leaving that all behind so suddenly, so close to graduating from middle school.

That had to be the hardest part. Adapting to losing friends and making new ones.

Did they play American music there?

I was completely behind on all of the music. I had no clue who Macklemore was until I came back, and I didn’t know the dubstep thing.

What kind of hobbies and activities do they do over there that aren’t popular in America?

Imagine volleyball with your feet, your shoulders, your elbows, and your head, and you can’t use your hands. The ball’s made of bamboo. That’s a sport that they played. It hurts.

4 FEATURE

My best friend was Israeli, so that was cool and I had friends from all over the world. I had one from China, the Philippines, Indonesia … It would be a sentence to say all of them.

We mainly used Skype, and emailed and all that. Just all the international capable things.

What was the food like?

I loved all the food. They even had all those weird things that you would expect, like chicken feet and grasshoppers and they had snakeskin. And people liked it.

I tried the chicken feet and it was nasty.

I mean, it’s pretty self-explanatory. It’s chicken feet.

What kind of everyday routines did you have to get used to that were different from the ones you were used to living out here in America?

I started riding my bike everywhere because we lived in a small, gated community and there was a school and a mall and little shops. We would ride our bikes everywhere.

What was the weather like?

It was always hot. The lowest temperature I ever experienced in Thailand was probably 85. On an everyday basis, it was 90 and above. [The last time I saw snow was] about four years ago because it didn’t snow the winter we left. [When I got back to Kansas,] I was in 65 degree weather and I mean, I was dead cold. My skin was blue, I was shivering, and I had goose bumps.

Design by Karissa Schmidt and Jillian Leiby

How did people from Thailand view Americans?

Literally, when everyone talked about it, it was exactly the stereotype that you guys would think. It was almost funny to listen to what they thought it was. One of my friends was making a joke and he was talking about how there was a fat American on a lawn, eating a hamburger, shooting something. It was absolutely hilarious.

How did you get past the language barriers?

I learned a couple words. Some people might not think that a couple words could get you by, but if you learn just the basics like hello and thank you, people kind of know that you’re trying and they’ll try a little more to understand you, so that always helps. Once I lived there for a year and a half, we could figure things out.

What was moving back to America like?

It made me appreciate all the little things.

When I came back in the airport, I was starving, so I went up to a Taco Bell and I asked for something I wanted and he was just like, “OK.” It took me a second to take it in because no one had ever said, “OK,” just easy like that. It would’ve been, “What was that?” or, “Point to the picture,” but it was the first time that someone understood me.

How would you explain the overall experience of living in another country?

It was amazing. The people, the cultures, how things work, how they do things differently, food, technology, prices, I mean, my mental vision is so much bigger than it was. I see things from different perspectives now just because I’ve experienced this multitude of different ideas. That’s probably the coolest thing about it.

ABOVE: Sophomore Connor Julian points out Thailand on a globe, explaining what life was like in that part of the world. He and his family lived there for three years before moving back to Kansas in June. Photo by Hunter Bessey

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facing THE MIR Strict workout regimen creates improvements for senior’s lifestyle

BY ANNIE CROUCH

jagwire.anniecrouch@gmail.com

Illustration by Riley McDonald

Senior recovers from two eating disorders after breaking silence

BY ALANA FLINN

jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com

Junior Hayley Dozier’s story of finding self-confidence

BY JUSTIN CURTO

jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com

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veryone is staring at her. Thoughts are racing through her head. “Do they like it? What if they don’t? What are they thinking about me?” She walks through the doors to the school, more nervous than ever. Then she stops and takes a deep breath. She asks herself, “Why should I care?” With a newfound confidence she walks into school, ready to face the opinions of others.

Junior Hayley Dozier decided to dye her hair bright green not too long ago.

The decision was made on an impulse and she didn’t have too much of a reason for it.

“Honestly, it was just on a whim. I just got my hair done and I decided to do it,” Dozier said. “Green is my favorite color, that’s about it … I just want to branch out a bit more.”

Dozier’s friends had varied reactions to her hair being dyed.

“I hadn’t told my friends about it, so when I walked in [school] they all stared at me,” Dozier said. “One

of my friends completely overreacted.

She freaked out when she saw my hair, [and told me that] I should have told someone. Then she stopped to breathe and said, ‘Actually, it’s not that bad.’”

However, Dozier said her friends were supportive of her choice, and their support helped her to be more confident in the decision.

“Honestly, if the first friends I saw had hated it, it probably would have made me doubt myself a bit more,” Dozier said. “I’m glad the first friend I saw was supportive.”

Dozier said that dying her hair has taught her many important lessons, the most important of which is selfconfidence.

“I really was scared of what people thought before I dyed my hair,” Dozier said. “At first they made me feel self conscious but then I realized, why should I care? That’s one thing my hair has helped me with, not caring what people think.”

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aking up as the sun rises, senior Evan Boxler prepares his morning pre-workout supplement and drives five miles to Lifetime Fitness for a workout before school.

Boxler began working out in the middle of his sophomore year. He works out every day for up to two hours and takes assorted pre- and post- workout supplements to ensure his workout results.

“I have an alternating schedule to workout,” Boxler said. “I try to work opposite muscle groups. For example, one day I will work every muscle in my chest until I can’t bear to work my chest any longer, then I move on to my back, starting from top to bottom. That typically takes me around an hour. Then to finish my workout, I run at least a mile. This workout routine is ideal for proportionate physique.”

He says that he had an “undefined need to improve” but since he has started working out, he has seen “incredible results,” not only in enhancing his self image, but in being much more dignified and self-respecting.

“I can’t figure out why being physically fit is so important to me,” Boxler said. “It just hit me one day. Working

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ushing a grocery cart through the busy aisles of Price Chopper, an anonymous senior pulls a box off a shelf. Before deciding on purchasing the food, she reads the nutritional facts in detail. As a recovering bulimic and anorexic, she now carefully considers everything she puts into her body to keep from regretting her choices and returning to her old habits.

In middle school, she developed anorexia after experiencing an abusive relationship.

“I developed a lot of self-hate and got so caught up in my eating disorder after I dated him,” she said. “It was very rough because he was in my head saying I wasn’t good enough.”

She then cut off most of her friends as she went into high school.

“It was just really hard going to sleepovers or going out to eat with friends,” she said. “So you become isolated to hide it.”

During her freshman year, starving herself was no longer sufficient. She began purging after every time she ate.

“I looked in the mirror and hated everything about myself,” she said.

“By freshman year it moved to a more bulimic state. I was such an unhappy

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out makes me feel accomplished, like I’m improving myself as well as my quality of life.”

Boxler works out because it makes him feel successful. Self improvement has become a big part of motivation for him.

“Working out has given me a sense of belonging,” Boxler said. “I love to see myself improve, and this is the one way I feel happy doing so.”

Boxler has continued to work out for his own benefit., and he makes it clear that he only works out for himself.

“I don’t try to take after anybody; I do this for myself,” Boxler said. “Working out is important to me because I like to watch myself improve. The best change that has come from this is my self confidence by far.”

Boxler thinks it’s important to set goals in order to improve and further enhance your life.

“If you really have a goal that you are passionate about, don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it because in the end it’s completely up to you,” Boxler said. “If you are happy then that’s what matters. Don’t try to improve yourself for others.”

person.”

She said that the most difficult part of her eating disorder was the inability to open up to friends and family about it.

“Nobody knew until the end of sophomore year,” she said. “Part of me really wanted to ask for help, but I didn’t know how to. I was stuck in this hole I couldn’t get out of.”

After years of keeping her eating disorder silent, she opened up to friends at the end of sophomore year in hopes of finally getting help.

“In the past couple of years, I’ve met people going through the same things as me,” she said. “It’s nice to have people who understand. It helped more than I ever imagined it would.”

While she acknowledges that her eating disorder was the hardest experience in her life, she believes it has had a positive outcome.

“I used to look in the mirror and pick out everything I hated,” she said.

“Now I focus on all the good things.

Even though an eating disorder can weaken a person, it has made me stronger. I know what’s good about me now and can appreciate what makes me beautiful.”

What’s it worth?

A survey of 426 students answers questions about the self-image issues faced by today’s teenagers

HOW OFTEN DO YOU WORRY ABOUT SELF-IMAGE?

100 Junior:

Freshmen: Never (9.5%)

Never (6.3%)

Rarely (22.6%)

Rarely (25%)

Sometimes (32.1%)

Sometimes (37.5%)

Often (20.2%)

Often (10.7%)

Everyday (15.6%)

Everyday (20.5%)

Sophomore:

Senior:

Never (10.9%)

Never (17.6%)

Rarely (18%)

Rarely (20.6%)

Sometimes (40.6%)

Sometimes (26.5%)

Often (21.9%)

Often (12.7%)

Everyday (8.6%)

Everyday (22.6%)

9th grade 10th grade 11th grade 12th grade

DO OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINIONS AFFECT HOW YOU CHOOSE TO APPEAR?

IS WORRYING ABOUT SELF-IMAGE A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?

80

81.3%

81.3%

81.4%

69%

60

YES 40 20 0

NO 33.3%

NO

SOMETIMES 49%

25%

9th grade

18.7%

18.7%

17.7%

10th grade

11th grade

12th grade

YES 17.7%

Data collected by Sydney Wilson

Recover and rebuild Junior Chrissy Sharp overcame her struggle against an eating disorder and shares how others can do the same calories and I would run four miles a day. With the calories I was burning, I wasn’t eating enough to stay healthy.

Did your family and friends know?

BY MADELINE LAMONS

jagwire.madelinelamons@gmail.com

When did you start having self image issues?

When I was in 6th grade. I didn’t act on it then, but I had the thoughts.

What was your eating disorder and what did it entail?

It was anorexia and bulimia. I forced myself to eat in front of my family, write down my all my

My dad didn’t realize, but my mom saw and made me go to a nutritionist. Some of my close friends noticed and questioned me about eating less, too.

What effects did this have on you physically/mentally?

I started losing hair, and I could see a lot of bones. Mentally, I will never have the low self-esteem again that I did at that point in time. Now, I look at bodies way differently. I have an appreciation for all sizes now, because I understand how people can feel.

How did you know you needed to get help?

Stay away from looking at media.

You don’t need to compare yourself to models and stars. They’re all photoshopped and don’t look normal.

Last year, I started weighing myself a lot and looking at every single flaw. I ate very little and got to the point where my hair started falling out from [losing weight].

Eat healthy. I try staying away from processed foods. Planning out some meals prior helps, too.

But, you don’t need to eat perfect everyday. Cheat days are always important. One cup of ice cream won’t hurt.

How did you overcome your eating disorder?

I went to a nutritionist. I learned to eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and lean protein. I focus on muscle and want to look fit, not sick.

Exercise. Going to the gym or just doing some form of exercise 3-5 times a week is important.

What advice would you give to people going through eating disorders or self esteem issues?

Go to a nutritionist. Even if it’s embarrassing, you need to tell a friend or parent what you think of yourself [to get help].

Just remember that you are the only person who decides how your body looks. You have the power to change and the power to be happy or not with it.

Ending the cycle If you or someone you know struggles with self-image, get help by calling one of these hotlines

Depression

Suicidal thoughts

Eating disorders

Stress and anxiety

(800)-442-4673

(800)-784-2433

(800)-931-2237

(800)-273-8255

(800)-273-8255

(630)-482-9696

(847)-831-3438

(800)-448-3000 Design by Alana Flinn

FEATURE 7

STAFF EDITORIAL

INTRUDER POLICY IMPROVES

New policies are a welcome change, but there’s still more improvement to be done

HOLLYWOOD STARS A BAD INFLUENCE ON TODAY’S TEENS

BY TORI AERNI

jagwire.toriaerni@gmail.com

Idols like Miley Cyrus provide very poor example for this generation of teenagers

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A

fter JagWire published an article last year about the unaddressed safety concerns throughout the school, the district issued new procedures in hopes of improving overall security in a post-Newtown era. We believe these improvements are a step in the right direction, but there are still many changes that need to be made.

The long-standing rule for intruders in the building was to lock the classroom door, turn off the lights and hide in a corner. Now, students and teachers have the option of barricading doors and fighting back. Resource officer Mo Loridon will be training staff members in ALICE, a philosophy that provides multiple options for teachers in during a crisis. This new proactive procedure allows students and teachers a fighting chance against intruders.

Cartoon by Madeline Lamons

It was necessary for the district to take these steps; however, as it looks toward the future, the district also needs to look for ways to continue improving school safety. Access into schools needs to be restricted to one area of the building through one set of doors, rather than the four that are currently available. In time, it may also become necessary for a panic button to be added to the front offices.

Another issue that has been discussed by teachers is their inability to lock classroom doors from inside the room. A teacher having to open the door to lock it from the outside poses a threat to the teacher and the students.

Unfortunately, district finances are reportedly preventing this change.

Communication during a crisis could also be improved. Currently,

the intercom cannot be accessed by most of the staff; during an intruder situation, teachers should be able to warn other parts of the school. This change could allow people throughout the building to escape before finding themselves in danger.

Students also need to do their part.

It’s imperative that students to take drills seriously. Also, they need to make sure they do the little things that keep our school safer - don’t let students in through restricted entrances and report anything suspicious to a teacher or administrator.

The district has taken the right first steps toward improving school safety for everybody. We realize monetary issues can slow change, but we hope the district will continue to prioritize safety and make the key modifications.

STAFF VOTE Agree

25 Disagree

0 Absent

0

rom Hannah Montana to the twerking sensation we all know (and some of us still love) Miley Cyrus is a prime example of the kinds of people teenagers are looking up to today. The negative examples set by certain celebrities are reflecting in teenager’s actions and behaviors, and the celebrity idolization we have today has a negative effect on society.

Celebrities crave attention. When they do something out of the ordinary, attention is what they get. Teens are the reason for that. We react when celebrities do something different. We criticize them, yet we want to be like them. No matter what celebrities do, we always seem to have something to say, and the rise of social media has not helped.

Celebrities also set an unrealistic standard for both girls and guys. From the pounds of makeup they wear, to their bodies and the way they flaunt them, teenagers envy celebrities in every way.

“Why can’t I be as pretty as this celebrity,” or “I wish I was as skinny as this celebrity,” are things I hear everyday. The pressure to look good is worse now than ever before.

Why do we look up to celebrities? In a perfect world it would be for their personalities and for the good things they do. For some celebrities this is the case. Demi Lovato has been a positive role model for teens recently, along with Jennifer Lawrence. But overall, we lust over celebrities, and this is unhealthy for the future of teenagers.

Don’t get me wrong; some celebrities have proven themselves idol-worthy. It’s the fact that the teens are choosing the wrong celebrities to look up to that’s disappointing. Why don’t we give positive celebrities a chance?

YOU SAID IT WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW INTRUDER POLICIES?

We’re big high schoolers now, and we are all competent enough to defend ourselves” FRESHMAN ELI SOELL

8 OPINION

“I like it. I think they’re more effective than last year.”

SOPHOMORE RACHEL MORGAN

“I think the old policy wouldn’t have been effective. At least now we can do something if there’s an intruder.”

JUNIOR CODY DEAS

“We’re actually doing something.

We have a better chance fighting back.”

SENIOR MADISON THOMAS

US SHOULD STRIKE IF SYRIA DOESN’T TURN OVER ITS WEAPONS If the Bashar-Al Assad regime does not honor their arrangement, the United States is obligated to take decisive military action, despite public opinion

BY JACK LOPEZ

jagwire.jacklopez@gmail.com

W

ith the United States military preparing for possible strikes against Syrian armed forces, there is justifiably increased interest in and a lot of unanswered questions about the conflict in Syria and what the role of the United States should be regarding it. With Russia sticking its neck out for its little Middle Eastern ally, our

response should be a neutral one: punishment for Assad for using chemical weapons against his opponents while also maintaining objectivity in the conflict.

Let’s start with some background.

Conflict in Syria – and in more or less any other Middle Eastern country - has been an issue since the 1920s, when European colonial powers split the region with borders that mixed and matched incredibly diverse cultures.

However, the source of the current conflict in Syria can be traced back to early 2011 when, inspired by other countries rising against their governments in a movement now known as the Arab Spring, citizens of Syria began peacefully protesting the harshly

oppressive dictator Bashar Al-Assad.

At first, pro-Assad forces quietly killed protesters and their families, but as protesters began lashing back, the clashes became more and more violent until the government was shelling neighborhoods and leveling entire city blocks full of rebels and uninvolved civilians alike.

Recently, the UN found evidence that the regime broke international law by using chemical agents against areas thought to be rebel strongholds, affecting civilians as well as anti-government fighters. This is the most prominent reason that the Obama administration feels the need to respond with military action and an act that raises many questions about the moral responsibili-

FRESHMEN FROM EACH JUNIOR HIGH SHOULD WORK FOR A BETTER SCHOOL Freshmen should work together in order to create a better Mill Valley

BY AMBER NGUYEN

jagwire.ambernguyen@gmail.com

BY MADELINE LAMONS

jagwire.madelinelamons@gmail.com

E

very year as the freshmen walk through the high school doors for the very first time, two different worlds combine: The Monticello Trails kids and the Mill Creek kids.

Flashing back to when we were freshman, assumptions about both schools were different from each other.

The Mill Creek kids were snobby brats who thought they were better than everyone else and were the “good kids.” While the Monticello Trails kids were wild and rowdy kids who could not be tamed. These stereotypes went to fill our minds with unrealistic ideas about the other.

When the two schools merged together, the

real dose of reality hit. Sure they were different, but not in the way we originally thought.

Although these middle schools were just miles apart, there was just a difference in the kids you could obviously tell who was from where. The Mill Creek kids were no angels and the Monticello Trails kids were no devils.

The Monticello Trails kids were very vocal and expressive about their thoughts and opinions.

While Mill Creek kids were more soft spoken and reserved about certain things. Monticello Trails kids were rowdy and obnoxious at times and Mill Creek kids were more in-line and respectful. Although these are only assumptions, the way that the kids acted really showed who was from which school.

We’re not saying that the two schools should be fighting against each other or creating rivalries, but they should be trying to all be friends and get along. Although these two student types are different, they are also alike in ways. They’re all in a new school trying to adjust to one another and they also have to start all over in a new and unknown place. As time goes on the two classes will eventually blend together to create the freshmen class.

ties of the U.S. abroad.

So, how should we respond? I’ll put it as bluntly as possible. Unless Syria follows through with handing over control of its chemical weapons, a series of military strikes is currently the best option available. Primarily, it could make the conflict in Syria less horrific.

Assad will be less inclined to use weapons of terror if he knows that U.S. missiles are aimed at his forces. Additionally, it could be considered the lesser of many evils.

If the Obama administration wants to aid the rebels, it can’t really send arms because they could fall into the hands of terror organizations such as al-Qaida. We cannot send ground

forces because, at $613 billion spent on wars to date, the last thing this country needs is another war in the desert. Not to mention that Syria is a close ally of Russia and is the location of its last foreign military base.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be happy with the U.S. if we are directly involved in the downfall of the regime and at that point we could be talking about a possible second Cold War. The implications of this conflict and what it means for us are very complex. The truth is that there are no good options in this situation, so don’t be so quick to bash the leader of our country as he considers taking action against a terrible crime.

AVOID BEING “THAT STUDENT”

One reporter’s tips for surviving and succeeding in high school

BY ANNIE CROUCH

jagwire.anniecrouch@gmail.com

W

hether you’re a freshman or a senior, all students have done something that has aggravated other students. In order to be on the road to success in high school both socially and academically, you should be aware of Annie’s declassified school survival tips.

Don’t be one of those students who doesn’t understand the concept of walking.

You put one foot in front of the other and repeat until you reach your destination. The middle of the hallway is not a destination, especially to meet your lover for a makeout and limb-rubbing session. That’s a classic way to make other people late.

As a freshman, I didn’t treat people who

I wasn’t friends with very well, but that is not how high school works. Respect and value what others have to say. You are with these people for the next four years; you never know whose help you’ll need in the future. Don’t be “that student” who’s closeminded and disrespectful to your peers.

Try to avoid being known for what you do on the weekends. Stay classy or stay home. Don’t be the student who is so wrapped up in their social status that they forget good morality. This is high school, not mating season.

Don’t be an underclassman with the mindset that you don’t need to try because you have three more years after your freshman year. I didn’t give half the effort I should have my freshman and sophomore year.

Now, I’m working my butt off as a junior to get As and Bs. Build good studying habits now so you can always get good grades.

All in all, treat others with respect, behave modestly and make sure you set your priorities straight.

JAGWIRE INFORMATION JAGWIRE STAFF Editors-in-chief Alana Flinn Ryan Fullerton

Feature editors Jillian Leiby Karissa Schmidt

Ads manager Miranda Miller

Opinion editor Nick Booth

Staff Adri Talavera Annie Crouch Baylee Owen Callee Linton Hunter Bessey Jena Smith Kelly Gothard Madeline Lamons Riley McDonald Sarah Myers

Managing Editor Jack Lopez

Sports editor Tori Aerni

Photo editors Ashley Kitchen Devynn Harris

A&E editor Sydney Wilson

Copy editors Jack Lopez Sydney Wilson News editor Katherine White

Briefs editor Erika Kringen Web editors Justin Curto Amber Nguyen

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 letter to the editor

for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or the print journalism room (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

Design by Nick Booth

OPINION 9

DRIVE-INS

ENDANGERED Boulevard Drive-In Theatre 1051 Merriam Ln, Kansas City, Kansas

Photos by Amber Nguyen

Drive-ins must change with the times or face extinction

BY JACK LOPEZ

jagwire.jacklopez@gmail.com

BY NICK BOOTH

jagwire.nickbooth@gmail.com

I

BY THE

NUMBERS

n the late 1950s, the heyday of the drive-in movie theater, there were as many as 4,000 drive-ins in America.

Now, there are only 357 permanent, functional and commercially-operated drive-ins left in the country. According to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association, there are seven left in the state of Kansas.

New challenges face these theaters, and it is not likely that many of them will survive. The drive-in movie is an American pastime that could soon be gone. Now, many movies are not be-

ing distributed on the 35mm film most drive-ins use. This type of film is expected to disappear within a few years.

Many drive-ins are being forced to either change to digital projectors or go out of business.

Although there’s an industry incentive program to help reimburse up to 80 percent of the cost of the conversion to digital, many theaters simply can’t afford to make the switch, which can cost upwards of about $70,000.

Drive-in movies have become a bit more popular in recent years. While they may never reach the former glory that was prevalent in the height of their popularity, they’ve become a new place for people to hang out on a Friday or Saturday night.

Students here are beginning to enjoy drive-in theaters more and more.

“The outdoor setting made it more exciting,” senior Gabby Fangman said.

357

Fangman enjoys drive-ins more than regular movie theaters.

“I prefer a drive-in because I can be in the comfort of my own car rather than a theater seat and it’s just something different,” Fangman said.

Fangman hopes that drive-ins will be able to stand the test of time.

“It would be sad if they closed,” Fangman said. “I’ve been there lots of times with family and friends and it’s such a great thing. It would be like the extinction of drive-ins.”

There are a few drive-ins located nearby, including Boulevard Drive-In and I-70 Drive-In. Drive-ins have become a new, fun place to hang out, but that could be disappearing soon.

People can try it out, though. Drive-ins are a fun way to go and see a movie with friends, and a great date idea, too.

More money spent at drive-ins helps keep them alive.

7 4,000 $70,000

Drive-in theaters left in the United States today

Drive-in theaters in the United States in the late

Drive-ins left in Kansas

Cost of switching from traditional film to digital media

Information from United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association and USA Today

10 A&E

Design by Sydney Wilson and Jack Lopez

Situated between I-35 and Merriam Lane, the big white screen of the Boulevard Drive-In dominates a large area filled with small metal posts, parked cars and an array of moviegoers situated comfortably in lawn chairs and in the beds of pickup trucks.

My experience at the drive-in gave me more than enough validation that, despite the danger presented to drive-ins by changing technology, the Boulevard is here to stay.

As if the general experience of going to the movie theater is not enough, the Boulevard has the features to rival a traditional movie theater. The sound quality coming from the built in speakers was surprisingly clear, but a radio tuned to the theater’s frequency was a good idea.. If concessions is a concern, the building at the rear of the complex has everything you could want and more.

My only concern was the drive-in’s proximity to a set of railroad tracks. A passing train interrupted the movie three times, which would have been a major issue if my radio wasn’t turned up high.

Overall, I think that the Boulevard is more than just an alternative to traditional movie theaters, it should be a primary option. Grab a date and a few blankets and enjoy a fall evening in front of the big screen and under the stars.

BM X -MAN

Senior Josh Thomason takes bike riding a step further

BY THE NUMBERS

7 2 10+ 20 72 Hours Thomason practices a week

How many races Thomason has competed in this year

Days until Grand Nationals

FOOTBALL

LAST GAME: BEAT TURNER 48-7, SEPT. 13 RECORD: 2-0* NEXT GAME: @ BASEHOR-LINWOOD, 7 P.M. TONIGHT

VOLLEYBALL

LAST GAME: BEAT BV & LANSING, SEPT. 12 RECORD: 10-2* NEXT GAME: BV & BVW, 5 P.M. TONIGHT

BOYS SOCCER

Number of years Thomason has been racing

Ranked second in Kansas

SPORTS STATS

LAST GAME: BEAT BONNER SPRINGS, SEPT. 16 5-1 RECORD: 4-1* NEXT GAME: SME, SEPT. 20 @ 6 P.M. TOP: Senior Josh Thomason pops a wheelie while practicing riding his BMX bike on Sunday, Sept. 8 in Topeka. He is preparing to compete in Grand Nationals. . Photo by Hunter Bessey

GIRLS TENNIS

BY JUSTIN CURTO

jagwire.justincurto@gmail.com

S

enior Josh Thomason races down the track.

It’s his last race of the day, the championship.

He’s currently in third place, approaching the last straightaway. “How can I pass them?” he thinks to himself. Not even seconds later, he speeds past the other two riders. He takes the lead and wins the 2007 Race of Champions.

Thomason has been competing in bicycle motorcross, or BMX, since 2006. Thomason explained the sport and its differences between similar sports. “[BMX is] bicycle motorcross, basically supercross but you pedal instead of having a motor,” Thomason said. “You use your legs for the motor and it’s a sprint type race, it’s not laps. Most tracks have three turns and four straights.”

Thomason usually places well in his competitions and has been able to go to other competitions as a result.

“In all of my competitions I’ve stayed in the top three,” Thomason said. “I’ve always qualified for all the other races and I’ve never not placed in a big race.”

Thomason will compete in the Grand Nationals competition in November in Tulsa, Okla., which will establish his national ranking.

His success does not come without hard work, as he spends a lot of time practicing.

“I practice about once a week,” Thomason said. “I just focus on parts of the track. I try to work on [the first straight] as much as I can and then when I feel comfortable with that, I move onto the second straight, and so on.”

BMX is very time-consuming for Thomason, and the commitment sometimes proves to be a problem for him.

TOP: Thomason begins pedaling faster in order to gain momentum to complete a jump over a small hill at the track on Sunday, Sept. 8. ABOVE: Thomason, air borne on his BMX bike while rounding the track, practices for upcoming race. Photos by Hunter Bessey

“It occupies most of my weekends and weeknights. I’m at the track eight hours a day on the weekends,” Thomason said. “That’s the toughest thing to work with, just getting out to the track [and] having enough time to practice.”

However, Thomason said that the independence of the sport makes it easier to practice. For this reason, he enjoys the sport more than others.

“It’s a lot more individual; you don’t really have to rely on your teammates. I like that about it,” Thomason said. “You can set your own practice dates. If you were on the football team, you’d have to go to your [scheduled] practices.”

Overall, he finds the sport to be very rewarding.

“I’d say [the most rewarding aspect] is improvement, like doing sections successfully and hitting bigger jumps,” Thomason said.

Thomason hopes to be able to continue the sport in the future.

“I hope I can continue to race when I’m older,” Thomason said. “I would like to eventually compete in the professional stage.”

For now, Thomason dedicates his time to preparing for the Grand Nationals, which are a mere two months away.

“I’ve been practicing a lot for the competition,” Thomason said. “I hope to do well.”

LAST MATCH: WENT 4-5 VS. OLATHE NORTH, SEPT. 12 RECORD: 7-11* NEXT TOURNAMENT: JAGUAR TOURNAMENT, SEPT. 21 @ 8 A.M.

CROSS COUNTRY

LAST MEET: GIRLS PLACED 1ST & BOYS 3RD AT PAOLA RECORD: BOYS HAVE TWO FIRST PLACE FINISHES & GIRLS HAVE A FIRST & THIRD PLACE FINISH* NEXT MEET: @ BONNER SPRINGS, SEPT. 21, 9 A.M.

GIRLS GOLF

LAST TOURNAMENT: 2ND PLACE @ PIPER INVITE, SEPT. 3 RECORD: 1ST & 2ND PLACE FINISHES* NEXT TOURNAMENT: SPRING HILL TOURNAMENT, SEPT. 25, 3 P.M.

* AS OF SEPT. 16 Design by Tori Aerni

SPORTS 11

LEFT: Seniors Lexi and Hope Riedel rehearse as anchors for the prerecorded episode of MVTV on Thursday, Sept.

5. “Broadcast is like a family,” Lexi said. “It’s fun having my sister be apart of my broadcast family.”

Photo by Ashley Kitchen

LEFT: Senior Ty Smith prepares for the live airing of MVTV on Thursday, Sept. 12. Smith is one of the 60 students that work behind the scenes of MVTV to make it successful. Photo by Jena Smith

BEHIND THE CAMERA

Students prepare and produce broadcast of MVTV

ABOVE: Seniors Alex Rounds and Nick Wilson prepare for the upcoming sports segment of MVTV Thursday, Sept. 12. “We have great chemistry,” Rounds said. “I know what he is going to say before he says it.”

Photo by Ashley Kitchen RIGHT: MVTV sponsor Cindy Swartz helps junior Libbey DeWitte with a story on Homecoming dress code. “Mrs. Swartz is really nice and helpfull; I can go to her for anything,” DeWitte said. Photo by Adri Talavera

Scan on your smartphone to see more photos online.

12 PHOTO ESSAY

Design by Devynn Harris

LEFT: Preparing to rehearse for an episode of MVTV, junior Maridee Weber practices anchoring on Thursday, Sept.

12. “I feel that I am in control of the show,” said Weber. “I get the freedom to explore different topics that I’m interested in.” Photo by Devynn Harris