JagWire
MARCH 2, 2012 | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | VOL. 12, ISSUE 6
page 8
A clear identity
Students describe living with big families
page 14
Baseball fields undergo reconstruction
page 18
Staffer rates local Mexican restaurants
MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL | 5900 MONTICELLO ROAD, SHAWNEE, KAN. 66226 | (913) 422-4351
The JagWire takes a look at the things that define our generation pages 9-12
2
Club promotes awareness of offensive words REGAN JONES
jagwire.reganjones@gmail.com
INthisISSUE Features:
page 6-7: Coach evaluations
Opinion:
page 12-13: Staff opinions
Sports:
page 15: Team rivalries
A&E:
JUNIOR MOLLY MILLER works on a video to promote jagPRIDE’s new campaign, “People First.” “[‘People First’] has a good message and something I believe students should be more aware of,” Miller said. Photo by Alec Santaularia
plaining about how it was only the r-word when there are many more stereotypes,” Hobson said. “The People First Language
Movement works to encompass all those terms and promote respect for everyone no matter what their condition is.”
Schlagle performs for school CORY REINOEHL
The Schlagle band travels to
The marching band of F.L. Schlagle High School held its annual performance on Wednesday, Feb. 29 during the Harmony club’s Black History Month assembly. “[I am excited] because they put on a very energetic show,” junior Ryan Magner said. Band director Reginald May is always excited to perform in the assembly. “I really enjoy it [performing at MVHS], and Mill Valley was really the first school to ‘Bridge the Gap.’ I also like it [performing at MVHS] because the school makes us feel very welcome and appreciated,” May said.
was the first to invite them, starting the tradition of their band visiting annually. “Mill Valley was the first school we traveled to, and the leader of the ethnic program [at Mill Valley] invited us back. [Performing] also helps many stereotypes of Wyandotte County,” May said. Band director Debra Steiner respects the visits of Schlagle’s band. “I appreciate that they come from diverse backgrounds, and that they stick with band all four years,” Steiner said. This year’s visit will also feature the Schlagle choir.
jagwire.coryreinoehl@gmail.com various schools, but the school
MONTHinTHREE
>
The People First Language Movement sponsored by jagPRIDE will be on Wednesday, March 7. They will have a banner that the student body will be able to sign and MVTV will be working on a video that will be shown during seminar. Sponsor Debbie Gudenkauf wants students to be more attentive to their word choices. “I want people to be more aware of the language that they use which may be offensive towards people with disabilities,” Gudenkauf said. “This year, instead of focusing on the r-word, it is now People First Language.” Sophomore Alyssa Hobson shares this goal. “Last year people were com-
NOTABLES
>
BRIEFS
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
jagPRIDE is promoting the People First Language Movement on Wednesday, March 7. The movement will focus on making people more aware of offensive words they use. On Saturday, Feb. 18, the wrestling team won all five of its first round matches and 12 wrestlers qualified for state. The School Board recently approved a $1.2 million makeover of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system in Monticello Trails Middle School. On Wednesday, Feb. 15, NHS held a breakfast sale before school in hopes of raising money. Students in the ACCESS program recently participated in the third annual Valentine’s Day dance. The program helps students with disabilities from ages 18-21. On Thursday, Feb. 2, three football players signed letters of intent to continue playing football in college. Broadcast and Video production students will help the entire fifth grade class of Prairie Ridge Elementary School with recording their newscasts. F.L Schlagle High School held their annual performance on Wednesday, Feb. 29.
>
senior Zach Callahan senior Christian Service senior Devin Ellison sophomore Tyler Dickman sophomore Daniel Gray sophomore Jake Ellis freshman Logan Marx
Broadcast helps
>
Describing the month in pictures
page 19: Recycling
Photo essay:
page 20: QWS spirit
Cover by Adam Henderson
Students who placed at 5A state wrestling tournament
Boys basketball on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
State Quiz Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 11.
Know Ya Boo on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
JUNIOR NATHAN STACY jumps for a basket during the Tonganoxie High School game where Mill Valley won 63-51 on Tuesday, Feb. 7. “I’ll always love Tonganoxie, but I’ll always love beating them if I’m coaching against them,” Tonganoxie alumni Justin Bogart said. Photo by Emily Johnson
QUIZ BOWL MEMBERS confer with one another in the state competitions at Blue Valley High School on Saturday, Feb. 11. Sponsor Mary Beth Mattingly discusses the team’s outcomes. “I think we played well. On most of the rounds we didn’t have gigantic losses,” Mattingly said. Photo by Courtney Minter
SENIOR GREG MASON and sophomore Alexis Riedel competed in NHS’ “Know Ya Boo” Valentine’s Day contest on Tuesday, Feb. 14. “It was just a lot of fun, it was just light-hearted fun,”choir teacher Sheree Stoppel said. Photo by Kelsey Floyd
WORKING WITH KIDS from Prairie Ridge Elementary School, junior Josie Hanson helps the students film a newscast for their school on Tuesday, Feb. 24. “It was a lot of fun,” Hanson said.“I think the student’s really enjoyed it and learned a lot about creating a newscast.” Photo by Alec Santaularia
LISA JOERLING
jagwire.lisajoerling@gmail.com
Both Broadcast and Video Productions classes will be helping the entire fifth grade class of Prairie Ridge Elementary School in the coming weeks to create newscasts. The class’ first day was Friday, Feb. 24, and they will come at least three more times. The project involves helping the students set up and record newscasts that will be played at Prairie Ridge. The third graders have already recorded their production stories this is the second year for the program. “The [fifth graders] love it, they love to see the technology,” broadcast teacher Cindy Swartz said. “They always comment on the green screen.” Senior Ryan Hannah also knows the fifth graders enjoy the experience. “They get to go through all this while they’re young,” Hannah said. “Hopefully they’ll take this class when they’re in high school and we can expand the program.” Swartz loves the opportunity it gives to the Broadcast and Video Productions students as well. “They have to direct the students,” Swartz said. “They have the responsibility to be the teacher.”
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
ADS
3
NEWS
4
theOUTLOOK
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
News you need to know from this month A Panera Bread in Dearborn, Mich. now runs on a donation system. Under the system there are suggested prices, but you choose how much to pay for food.
Washington passed legislation that will allow samesex marriages. It will take effect Thursday, June 7.
“That’s awesome because there shouldn’t be any restrictions on who you love, and I think it should be legal everywhere,” junior Bailey Crosbie said.
“I think the [donation system] is great, because it seems like it would be easier for less fortunate people to have a meal,” senior El Reiner said.
7
Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Penn. faces complaints after it decided to sell contraceptives in vending machines.
2 3
1
4
6 5 The Los Angeles School District is under fire after acts of sexual misconduct occurred by the teachers during class at Miramonte Elementary School.
“What comes to mind is how horrible that is for an innocent child to have to go through. How could you take an adolescent child and run their life into the ground?” sophomore Paige Brady said.
1
Obama gives new flexibility to 10 states for No Child Left Behind KARLTON KINLEY
jagwire.karltonkinley@gmail.com
A decade after the No Child Left Behind law was passed and ushered in a new standard for schools across the nation, President Obama has freed 10 states from certain restrictions of the law, most notably the deadline for bringing all of their students to proficiency in reading and math by 2014. The states, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Colorado, Minnesota and Oklahoma, were granted release from the law after applying for a waiver program that was announced by President Obama in September. The program was announced because of many states that had adopted standards that interfered
with the No Child Left Behind law. The law, passed in 2002, aimed to standardize each state’s education system. It has, however, been up for renewal since 2007, and with President Obama’s new waiver program, there is a chance that we will not see its renewal anytime soon. While some officials have praised the waivers, others have been more critical of the program, citing a lack of consistency as being potentially problematic. “I would think that if we’re holding every single state to such high standards except for a certain group of states, then why should we have the standards at all?” counselor Erin Hayes said. The law may lose even more power as 28 more states including Missouri and Kansas as well as the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico, are still seeking to apply for the waiver. Federal officials are report-
edly working with New Mexico, which has been denied because of its unfinished application. The law has been criticized by state education officials because of the difficult deadline of 2014, and did not take into account the needs of disadvantaged children. President Obama offered that if the states set higher standards, they would be afforded greater flexibility as to when to achieve the standards. When speaking about the waivers at the White House during a press conference Obama said, “We’ve got to do it in a way that doesn’t force teachers to teach to the test, or encourage schools to lower their standards to avoid being labeled as failures. We’ve said, ‘If you’re willing to set higher, more honest standards than the ones that were set by No Child Left Behind, then we’re going to give you the flexibility to meet those standards.’”
“Sounds like an easy way to prevent pregnancy,” junior Ryan Magee said.
The Suffolk School Board in Suffolk Virg. is considering a ban on cross-dressing.
“I think cross-dressing is a little weird, but I don’t think that a school has the right to regulate it,” junior Jack Thompson said. Congress approved the building of the first nuclear reactor since 1978 to be built near Augusta, Ga.
“Nuclear power is an old technology, and we should focus on safer and more efficient sources of power,” junior Erik Porzelt said. PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCED at a press conference the revisions of the No Child Left Behind Act on Thursday, Feb. 9. This new flexibility given of NCLB the will occur in 10 different states including Colorado, Florida and Georgia, among others. “Today, we’re giving 10 states the green light to continue making reforms that are best for them,” President Obama said a White House press release. “If we’re serious about helping our children reach their potential, the best ideas aren’t going to come from Washington alone. Our job is to harness those ideas, and to hold states and schools accountable for making them work.” Photo by Olivier Douliery/ Abaca Press/MCTCampus
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
ADS
Got Smile? John F. Williamson, D.D.S. 10601 Kaw Drive, Edwardsville 913-441-3373
5
6
NEWS
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
Coaching evaluations under scrutiny
Illustration by Adam Henderson
Recent incident calls coaching evaluation process into question SARAH DARBY
jagwire.sarahdarby@gmail.com
R
ecent allegations and events surrounding head volleyball coach Kim Service have called into question how the district evaluates its coaches. According to Service, official parent complaints were filed against her for the first time in 10 years of coaching at the school as a result of a tournament at McPherson High School played on the day of the Homecoming dance. One parent, Service said, initially complained about the tournament to School Board president Tammy Thomas who then asked district athletic director Roland Van Whye to cancel the tournament. According to Service, she and Van Whye agreed not to cancel the tournament. In the days leading up to the tournament, according to Serivce, Thomas called the McPherson tour-
nament director, claimed she was Service and attempted to pull the school team from the tournament before admitting her true identity. The tournament director denied comment on the incident. Thomas would not comment on the incident or issues relating to the tournament but released a statement. “I am aware of the claims being made by a school district employee,” Thomas’ statement reads. “The allegations have no basis in truth and are rooted in questionable intentions. I will vigorously defend myself and my integrity and will continue to focus on my role as a Board member in providing outstanding educational experiences for all students of the district.” Service filed a False Impersonation complaint against Thomas with the Shawnee police department on Friday, Feb. 3 after she felt the issue had not been appropriately addressed by the district. The sergeant in charge of the case submitted a report to the prosecutor’s office, which said the facts of the case didn’t meet
the criteria for a crime. Following the agreement to not cancel the tournament, Service felt she had made compromises with the girls, like leaving a day later for the tournament and allowing parents to take girls home from the tournament, and that the tournament was a non-issue. That was until the district said players would be allowed to miss the tournament without any consequences, something Service
“Our process for evaluating coaches is aimed at assessing qualities, knowledge and performance that, when properly balanced and applied, result in successful leadership of and for the program...” district statement disagreed with. “At the time, I was obviously not very happy with the decision,” Service said. “I felt like it undermined
my authority as a coach…I was not able to give input into the decision that was made…I was told about the compromise the day my athletic director was going to tell the seniors about the decision.” The district declined to comment on the tournament or the issues surrounding it. Ultimately, five varsity players and four JV players attended the tournament. Service awarded provisional varsity letters to the JV players and gave T-shirts she had paid for to those who played at the tournament. One additional parent complained about the incident. “The district considered that insubordination…That by giving a provisional letter to those girls who did play, that I was being insubordinate to those five girls who didn’t play,” Service said. Following the incident, Service said nearly every negative aspect of her evaluation surrounded the tournament. Service says she has made three attempts to meet with the district athletic director and superinten-
dent, but those requests were denied. Service also attempted to contact Thomas and was met with no reply. To Service, her evaluation and the district’s handling of the tournament was discriminatory against her as a female coach, coaching a female sport. In her evaluation, Service says she was told by the district that she was too competitive and should pick players who wanted to play for fun. In the aftermath of the incidents, Service is exploring filing a complaint against the district for violating the Equal Opportunity Act which addresses discrimination issues. One parent who complained about Service declined to comment for this story. he district evaluation process, in writing, measures head coaches on several categories. Based on a blank copy released by Service, the evaluation categories score coaches on administrative duties, organization of personnel, care and maintenance of equipment, coaching performance, relationship with student athletes, profes-
T
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012 sional conduct and communication with parents, staff and community. Coaches are then rated satisfactory, needs improvement in selected areas or unsatisfactory. According to a district statement, the evaluation document is the same for all head coaches and created every year by the district athletic director. “Our process for evaluating coaches is aimed at assessing qualities, knowledge and performance that, when properly balanced and applied, result in successful leadership of and for the program,” the statement said. “…The instrument used to evaluate head coaches is designed to reflect the essential skills, knowledge and leadership attributes necessary to positively and productively guide the program and the student athletes that participate in it. Specific indicators are measured by rankings on a likert scale.” Some coaches have noted inconsistencies in this instrument, however. According to Service, on Wednesday, Aug. 10, a general presentation was given about the evaluation process. On Friday, Oct. 7, all head coaches met again as part of a monthly head coaches’ meeting about the evaluation process where she was given a blank print copy of an evaluation. Then, on Monday, Nov. 14, Service says coaches were called in again and were told the previous version of the evaluation was inaccurate and given a new copy. According to Service, the new evaluation was similar but more extensive than the initial evaluation. Service likened the change to being told a test would cover five objectives but in actuality being tested on 10 when her final evaluation took place on Monday, Dec. 12. For example, she was graded poorly on not having practice plans with a written time schedule, but was not aware the
plans would be part of the evaluation until three weeks after her season. One coach, who wished to remain anonymous, also felt frustrated when the opinion of senior athletes on head coaches was unexpectedly included as part of the overall evaluation. “You’re getting evaluated by all seniors, even the ones not on varsity,” the coach said. “Given that they don’t work directly with varsity coaches, is that fair to have them evaluate varsity coaches?” What the evaluation process doesn’t mention is the influence parent and Board member complaints have in an evaluation. ccording to the district statement regarding the evaluation process, there is no specific protocol for parent complaints, but a hierarchy is encouraged. “From time to time, parents and students may have concerns regarding academic or athletic matters,” the district statement said. “While there is no specific protocol in place for managing matters of this kind, school officials always encourage students and parents to address concerns at the lowest possible level.” School Board vice president Tim Blankenship said he couldn’t speak for other Boards members, but handles parent complaints using a hierarchy. “I can only say what I do in those cases,” Blankenship said. “I’d recommend parents talk to their principal first, for all comments, it’s always best to follow the guidelines of working with your principal first.” In practice, however, parent complaints and Board member action following those complaints has negatively impacted coaches, according to one anonymous coach. Two years ago, a parent complained about the coach to the district athletic director who sent it back to the coach.
NEWS
ing to lose some great coaches,” the coach said. A second coach who wishes to remain anonymous also finds fault in the handling of parent complaints. The coach’s program was investigated after one parent complained about the program. The coach said they don’t believe one or two parent complaints justify an investigation and that complaints are handled poorly in the district depending on who parents complain to. “If parents come to our principal or athletic director, I think it’s handled in the right way,” the coach said. “There are parents that skip things and go straight to Board members and it’s not handled in the right way because information is skipped or left out, misinterpreted, not communicated. Programs get investigated for wrongdoings that they’re not even aware have been brought up.”
According to the source, other districts handle complaints differently. “Other districts or coaches that I know, it is stifled,” the coach said. “It is asked, ‘Have you talked to the AD [athletic director]?’ And if the answer is no, then they are asked to talk to the principal and talk to the AD. There is a chain of command.” Two years ago, boys basketball coach Justin Bogart, who has coached at the school for 12 years, had to defend himself in front of the School Board after one or two parents complained about him. In recent years, he says the Board has expanded its reach. “Coaches also want to work in an environment where the Board has empowered the administration in the evaluation of coaches,” Bogart said. “It’s my feeling that Board members have been more active in the evaluation process within the last few years.” Bogart questions this heightened role and says he would not still be the coach had he not defended himself. “My question would be, why do we have administration, why do we hire an athletic director?…Why would we not want to hire, encourage and train an athletic director if Board members want to take those responsibilities for themselves? One analogy would be, why do you have managers at stores to hire or fire employees if the owner does it himself?” Bogart said. Senior soccer player Rayanna Gossett said athletes, rather than parents, should be proactive in dealing with a coaching issue. “I feel like since we’re in high school now, the parent should stay out of the coaching relationship and that it should strictly just be [between the] player and coach,” Gossett said. “...[Parent complaints] bring more conflict because now there are a total
of three or four people communicating instead of just the coach and player.” Head girls basketball coach John McFall, who has coached at the school for two years, has not dealt with any parent or Board scrutiny while in the district. McFall says the number of parent complaints that justify a program investigation cannot be quantified. “If I’m doing something really bad, then it doesn’t take 10, it’s all relative to what it is,” McFall said. “But hopefully the AD and principal realize that not every parent is going to be happy.” ervice has begun to schedule and plan for the volleyball season next year with some delay following her negative evaluation. However, she feels her coaching position remains uncertain and has begun distributing her resume and seeking available jobs so she can coach next year, although she hopes to remain at the school. The district will not comment on Service’s status as head coach. “I have invested 20 years of my life into this sport and 13 years coaching,” Service said. “To have that taken away, especially because one or two parents complained to a Board president who is their friend, that would be a rather unfortunate turn of events.” Service seeks to defend herself and other coaches. “I feel it is my obligation to coaches and future coaches to stand up for what is right because if I’ve lost my position as head coach, all I have left is to stand up for what is right,” Service said. “I feel confident in speaking on my position because I don’t have anything to hide in what is going on. It’s important for people to not make assumptions about what is going on, and to get both sides of the story.”
“It should play some role but “I feel like since we’re in high not a giant role because...if you school now, the parent should have a problem, you have to go stay out of the coaching evaluation.” to the source.” senior soccer player senior football player and Rayanna Gossett wrestler Zach Callahan
“I think the parents should stay out...you’re trying to learn as much as you can from the coach.” senior soccer player and bowler Ryan Hannah
“I don’t think they need a role... We’re old enough to talk to our coaches ourselves.” senior tennis, basketball and softball player Olivia Frey
A
The coach, athletic director and parent all met and reached a resolution. Today, the coach said that same chain of command would not be followed if a parent complaint were received and that the School Board exercises excessive power over coaches and programs in the district. “If the Board has a positive opinion of you, you’re going to get exactly what you want,” the coach said. “If they don’t, you’re going to get nothing.” The coach went on to explain the long term effect of this environment. “I think that, with the direction we’re going in this district, we’re go-
7
“I feel it is my obligation to coaches and future coaches to stand up for what is right...” head volleyball coach Kim Service
S
YOUsaidIT What role should parent opinion play in a coach’s position?
Photos by Kelsey Floyd
FEATURE
8
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
fastFACTS
Living
Senior Aundrea Vannier gives the JagWire an inside look at how things run in her house
The JagWire took a look at what it’s like to live in a large family
large Having a big family comes with many sacrifices and rewards SARAH GONZALES
jagwire.sarahgonzales@gmail.com
Waking up to a silent house is never possible for senior Aundrea Vannier. With seven siblings and living with four of them, life is never boring for the Vannier household. Aundrea lives with her dad and stepmother along with Hope, 3, Ava, 6, Ian, 7 and Callie, 18. Her twin brothers, Mason and Ty, 12, live with her mom and stepfather in Iowa and her older sister, Ashley, 29, lives with her husband and two children in Iowa as well. As with any family, Aundrea’s siblings can become annoying. “They are all annoying, but it depends on which one is bugging me at the moment,” Aundrea said. “They all annoy me in their own way, but I can’t stay mad at them.” When arguments begin, Aundrea finds a simple way to cope. “I usually try to pretend nothing is wrong,” Aundrea said. “When I get away from everybody I just relax
The family spends $300$400 weekly on groceries
and forget. We argue every day, but we have few big blowout fights. We try to stay out of everyone’s ways.” In big families, siblings bring some positives and negatives. “The good thing about a big family is that each person has their own personality. As much as you don’t get along, you still love them no matter what,” Aundrea said. “The not so good thing is that they are a lot to clean up after. With so many siblings it is so hard to just deal with them at once.” Aundrea does not wish to have as many kids as her parents have had. “I would definitely not want to have as many kids,” Aundrea said. “I have helped out with [the kids] and I just don’t want to have that many. Also I wish my other siblings were closer so I could see them.” While Aundrea helps out with her siblings, her family’s holiday traditions are not any different than families with fewer children. “When other family members come in for
Dealing with 11 siblings can be difficult for senior Rylan Sutton SARAH GONZALES
jagwire.sarahgonzales@gmail.com
Living with four of his 11 siblings, senior Rylan Sutton finds ways to deal with the pressure of living with a big family. Rylan lives with his dad and stepmother along with Abby, 11, Josh, 10, Kaitlyn, 8, and Hunter, 15. Makayla, 20 and Skeye, 21, live by themselves and Sunny, 6, Isaiah, 8, Kiowa, 10, Summer, 13 and Duncan, 16, live with his mom and stepfather. When Rylan’s family starts to argue, he finds a simple way to endure. “I leave the house and I go and hang
Kids take showers at night and parents take them in the morning
the holidays, things get really busy,” Aundrea said. “There is a lot of cooking going on, lots of games and laughter. Holidays are a good time.” Aundrea gives some insight on having a bigger family versus having a smaller family. “It’s hard for people with smaller families to understand how difficult it is to deal with younger siblings,” Aundrea said. “With bigger families you usually have to help out more and with smaller families there is a lot less that you have to do.” With all of the difficulties, Aundrea appreciates her large family size. “Overall, I would say that, yeah, it’s good to have a big family,” Aun-
drea said. “It can be frustrating at times, but its good that you have people you can relate to. Also, doing a lot of the little things together and watching little kids grow up is so much fun.”
The family rarely goes out to eat. It is very expensive, even for fast food
The younger kids get clothes every spring and summer The family goes through 3-4 gallons of milk weekly Typically, with everyone helping, it takes 3-4 hours to clean the house
Q&A LEFT AND ABOVE: SENIOR AUNDREA VANNIER plays the card game, Hand and Foot, with her extended family on Saturday, Jan. 15. “[Having a big family] is a lot of fun when we all get along but it can also get very hectic,” Vannier said. Photos by Courtney Minter
art teacher Jodi Ellis Art teacher Jodi Ellis describes her experiences being in a large family
out with friends,” Rylan said. “My other Rylan said. “I just learned to deal with the diffamily members do not cope, there is no ferent people in the house.” point in arguing with them.” With having a bigger family, Rylan’s holiWhile family can be annoying, there days are almost the same as holidays in other are also positive families. aspects. “Holidays are hectic and “The best there is definitely a lot of trav“The best thing about my sib- eling,” Rylan said. “Usually things about my siblings are that lings are that they can keep you its not very fun, the kids don’t they can keep you know how to be quiet.” out of trouble.” out of trouble,” With his 11 siblings, Rylan senior Rylan Sutton Rylan said. “But knows that it is a good thing to the worst thing is have a big family. that they will get “It is kind of rewarding beyou in trouble.” cause if you have to do someFrom Rylan’s point of view, his friends’ thing you, just push it off on other people,” families are not that different from his own. Rylan said. “There is always someone to put “Things are really not that different,” the blame on.”
What was it like growing up with nine siblings? “Well, since I was the second oldest, I was like a surrogate mother. I changed diapers, did the grocery shopping, laundry, and I never got to go to Girl Scouts or any high school party until after I graduated.”
What are some of the best things about your family? “Some of the best things about a big family are the get-togethers, especially now that I have 43 nieces and nephews.”
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
generating an
SPECIAL FEATURE
9
IDENTITY
TIMELINE
MACKENZIE ECKMAN
jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com
The JagWire takes a look into the past at the names of previous generations
1901-1924 Greatest/G.I. Generation
of age during the Great > Came Depression and World War II
1925-1945 Silent Generation
children during a major > Were economic downturn
1946-1964 Baby Boom Generation born during the > Were following World War II
time
1965-1981 Generation X
after book “Genera> Named tion X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture” by Douglas Coupland
1982-2002 Generation Y Millenials
>
Raised in a time of fast-paced technological advancements http://www.trinity.edu
What is a generation? It could refer to a group of individuals of about the same age, born around the same time, but is that what actually makes a generation? Or is it the music the kids in that generation listen to, the clothes they wear and the TV shows they watch? Is it their political and social leaders, those who make an impact on the way they do things or why they do things? Is it their reputation, what makes them different from previous generations and those to come? With those things in mind, what are the things define our generation? The JagWire decided to find out.
YOUsaidIT
Describe our generation in one word
“ “
“Spoiled. We’re spoiled because we get what we want when we want.” sophomore Madison Labarge
“Awesome. We follow the saying ‘disregard women, acquire money.’” junior Cade Gussio
“Lazy. We’re not as active because we have so much technology.” senior Andrew Wesp Photos by Miranda Snyder
10
SPECIAL FEATURE
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
So what
DEFINESUS?
technology
The JagWire explored the various aspects of our lives that have an impact on our generation
events
technology ALYNE ROEMERMAN
jagwire.alyneroemerman@gmail.com
It is uncertain whether the effects of the technology that permeates the daily lives of most of the world’s population, especially the Millennials, or Generation Y, those born between 1982 and 2002 according to 60 Minutes, will offer more benefits or consequences. The prevalence of technology today, such as teenagers’ use of social media, cell phones, and computers in school, raises the question of whether Generation Y will also become known as the over-stimulated generation. Psychologist Dr. Tish Taylor, who specializes in the development of children and adolescents, holds concerns about the effects of too much time on the computer. “My concern is when somebody’s in front of a screen or using social media…what they’re not getting is the actual personal interaction,” Taylor said. “So you can’t develop social skills, interpersonal skills, or close, more intimate, personal relationships…there can be a lack of close relationships which leads to a lonelier life.” As well as affecting social development, too much technology can negatively impact physical health, especially sleep patterns. “Too much blue screen time or screen time before bed does not allow a person to go to sleep as easily,” Taylor said. “If things aren’t turned off and allowing your brain time to put itself to sleep…that can be detrimental.” Other effects such as childhood
obesity and overstimulation were some of the reasons math teacher Kristen Chavez and her husband Michael Chavez choose to limit what types of stimuli their son, 4-year-old Elijah, is exposed to. “Kids are just sitting in front of the TV or sitting in front of the computer or just sitting in front of the Xbox,” Kristen said. “We just don’t want that for our son. We want him to be active and to lead a healthy life.” A study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics or the AAP last year found that “preschool-aged children were significantly impaired in executive function” just after watching around nine minutes of television that was considered “fast-paced.” Executive function is defined by the AAP as a group of prefrontal skills necessary for goal-directed behavior, such as problem solving, attention, selfregulation and is considered to be highly important for “positive social and cognitive functioning,” as well as academic success. “The first time he ever watched TV was when he was at daycare,” Kristen said. “He’s all about playing. He would rather be playing basketball or football or board games, things like that…” However, she is not opposed to Elijah’s use of the computer because Michael and she believe he will need to learn computer skills. The use of computers and other technology in schools can be problematic when it comes to students’
previous generations
attention. Drafting teacher Helga Brown recently spoke to her classes about the boundaries when using technology at work and school. “I do have a problem with students getting on websites that aren’t blocked anymore,” Brown said. “There’s a bit of an issue with them being online, being places they shouldn’t be.” Brown broached the topic after a meeting with people in the professions taught by her and other technology teachers, such as engineering and architecture. At the meeting, the owner of a civil engineering company explained they had experienced problems with hesitating to hire younger, college-age individual because the employees were watching videos, checking social media outlets, or utilizing personal cell phones while on the job. “The people coming out of college were so used to multi-tasking that…when they get into the workplace then they have real issues because their companies have policies against doing personal things on company time,” Brown said. She believes these issues come from a lack of understanding that
there are greater consequences than losing your cell phone for a day. “Students need to understand that in the real world, you can get fired from a job for being caught on Twitter multiple times,” Brown said. However, she feels that while young people need to adapt to a working environment, businesses may need to adapt as well. “The students... need to understand that they have to adapt to today’s workplace,” Brown said. “But I also think the workplace needs to change. Multitasking would be amazing. I mean you could be a medical transcriptionist while you’re doing…accounting or something…I think your generation would flourish in that type of environment.” Despite being aware of the prevalence of technology that surrounds the Millenials, Brown doesn’t feel overstimulation is a problem. “It’s not necessarily that you’re over-stimulated,” Brown said. “It’s that in the classroom you’re used to that outside of the classroom, and when you come in, its difficult to make that transition.”
“Our whole generation is centered around technology. We’ve learned to use it to our advantage.”
“It helps us do everything we need
sophomore Meghan Fuller
to do. We wouldn’t be able to do anything as easily without it.”
freshman Zach Deverill
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
SPECIAL FEATURE
11
previous generations SARAH FULTON
jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com
After being told by his parents that he was ‘a champ’ for his entire little league career, a freshman is cut from the baseball team. Handling the disappointment is an extreme trial for this teenager, whereas for his parents, it may have been seen as one of life’s little failures. The difference is that as generations have progressed, so has the way they have raised their children. According to adolescent and adult psychologist Jodi Eisenhauer, each generation raises the next based on their experiences growing up. “The past is the best predictor of the future,” Eisenhauer said. “Every generation has seen some predictable trends. We either repeat identically what we know or go to the opposite extreme and rebel.” Eisenhauer thinks that many in the last generation grew up in a “tough-love” environment, caus-
ing them to want their children to be raised with an easier home life. This mindset led to the prevalence of coddling in the Millenials. “I think the main driving force is we want better for our children,” Eisenhauer said. “We don’t want our children to hurt.” Social studies teacher Chris Dunback believes that this generation’s parents had good intentions. “Your parents are guilty of loving you so much they don’t want to see you in pain,” Dunback said. “Your parents adore you. They’re not going to crush your dreams.” Senior Devin Ellison sees the effects of coddling on his classmates because he was raised differently. “[My dad] definitely expects me to work and provide for myself,” Ellison said. “Some people don’t really have a good idea of what’s coming in the real world, and it will
be a shock. A lot of people are not going to realize the amount of work that it takes to get good jobs.” Every semester, Dunback asks students to write their goals for life. “I think our goals right now as kids are high,” Dunback said. “Maybe we’ve always been like that, but I think there used to be a lot more realism.” A change in motivation is part of what Ellison sees as the cause of a transformation in parenting styles. “[There has been] a general shift in attitude…as America has shifted from blue collar to white collar,” Ellison said. Eisenhauer agrees that a family’s financial situation can affect how one raises their children. “The last generation didn’t have the means; there were some natural financial limitations,” Eisenhauer said. “[The current] generation...
events JOSH DUDEN
jagwire.joshduden@gmail.com
From the day the twin towers came crashing down on Sept. 11, 2001, to Hurricane Katrina’s rampant destruction in New Orleans in 2005, society’s reaction to large events has helped define today’s current generation. According to USA Today’s analysis of 9/11’s effects on the generation, the Millenial Generation will still experience the effects of terrorism long after the event. Change has come with an increase in airport security and other changes that are working to prevent such as acts of terrorism from occurring again. Senior Jessica Praiswater said that encounters with life-changing events make society become more conscious of what occurs in the world. “The catastrophes we experience definitely make us more aware of national problems,” Praiswater said. “At school we have fundraisers to help raise money after disasters and it lets me see the world as something bigger than just Shawnee, Kan.”
HANNA TORLINE
jagwire.hannatorline@gmail.com
An event like 9/11 doesn’t just call for the use of fundraisers, but adaptation, as well. A generation is defined by an event’s emotional impacts, according to an article by Ann O’Neill of CNN. Junior Annie Deaver said 9/11 united the U.S., but introduced new biases as well. “When someone talks about 9/11 now, we think about it seriously because it is like our nation lost its innocence,” Deaver said. “9/11 gave us a reason to stand together and fight back for what we believe in. But, 9/11 did give us a lot of prejudices about the people of the Middle East. I talk to people I know who truly believe anybody who is Muslim is a terrorist and that makes me disappointed. Hate only created more hate.” The emotional strains tragedy places on the current generation are also indicative of how the struggles push the members to adapt and work together on an array of efforts, much like Hurricane Katrina did, according to O’Neill. Freshman Eli Stewart said being compassionate towards one another is simple when disaster strikes. “It is natural for humans to want to help another,,” Stewart said. “It
has had the ability to self-indulge.” Eisenhauer believes that this indulgence will have negative sideeffects in the future. “It breeds entitlement and narcissism,” Eisenhauer said. “They have an [attitude] that ‘the world owes me.’”
“[Previous generations] affect the types of foods we like, the sports teams we like and how we treat other people.”
freshman Beth Pfister
helps define us because those are the things that are remembered by others. When a big disaster happens it displays how we are willing to help and raise money for another, which it impacts us because people see that, it isn’t ever forgotten.” The physical, emotional and mental obligations that have been placed on the Millennials have worked to define them, according to social studies teacher Kelly Warren. “Events shape the attitudes of a generation about the past, present and future,” Warren said. “This current generation now has an attitude of uncertainty to the past because nothing is secure or stable. Now, more than ever, you can’t take anything for granted.”
“9/11 had a big impact because we were young and it changed the way our security works.”
freshman Samantha Myers
Illustration by Adam Henderson Photos by Kelsey Floyd and Jill Applegate
12
SPECIAL FEATURE
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
YOUsaidIT
Defining generations becomes How do you view harder as technology expands the current generation?
“ “ “
“Everyone knows about everyone. You don’t need close friends because you can look at Facebook.” social studies teacher Dustin Stinnett
“I feel bad for you because in some ways you’ve lost an appreciation for technology. You take it for granted.” social studies teacher Jeff Strickland
Current generation unique due to the rise of the Digital Age
EMILY JOHNSON
jagwire.emilyjohnson@gmail.com
Generations are typically defined as twenty year periods in which the individuals are about the same age and have similar ideas, problems, attitudes, experiences, etc. In the past, this seemed to make sense. Events like the world wars, the Great Depression, the hippie movement, space exploration and others throughout the 1900s were drawn out and easily supported the twenty year definition. Today, this definition is outdated. Beginning in about 1990, the world changed so much that the way we specify generations may never be the same. Because of the rise of interactive media, the current generation is unique from all generations before or after it. In the mid-1970s, the first computers began being sold commercially, although they were not the computers we think of today. From that point, technology slowly began to develop and expand as the years went on. In 1991, the Internet as it is known today was just beginning to form and become widely used.
Quickly, the number of people utilizing the Internet and the things it was used for began expanding. Because of this, children who were born in the 1989-1999 time period are very unique from others before or after them. Before 1989, kids would have grown up separate from the Internet, growing independently from it. After 1999, children started experiencing constant technology interaction at birth and have grown up very connected to it, but those born within the time frame have seen its evolution and grown alongside its development, separating their experiences from all other youth. Now, thanks to massive technological advances, specifically in communication, things can change rapidly and easily. Generations can no longer be defined by lengthy, society-altering events because they no longer exist. The generation born between 1989-1999, growing up parallel to the rise of technology, m a y h a v e b e e n the first g e n eration to last only a decade and the
Actions of Millenial Generation will prove to define their legacy
JOSH DUDEN
jagwire.joshduden@gmail.com
A generation like ours is forced to alter itself due to circumstances which society creates, and thus we get a name. Our generation has many names, just like the generations who will come in the future will have. For as we progress in society, the rapid effects of what has occurred each and every day work to define who we are, but it doesn’t have to. We have been called the 9/11 generation, the Progressive Generation, and even the Coddled Generation, but a name doesn’t def ine w h o we are, and it doesn’t def ine our future. We can o n l y know who we are if we deCartoon by Adam Henderson cide it
for ourselves. So what is to come in the future? Nobody knows exactly, but it is expected to contain even more titles than what we know now. The world is changing, containing even more fear of terrorism and rising tension between competing countries than it has in the past. This, coupled with other societal changes, and the name is bound to alter itself. We are all progressive in nature. The world is filled with places with some “crazy” people who are willing to hurt others, but also those who will revolutionize an industry, advance our knowledge and discover new things. These actions amidst people who we might call “crazy” help define us; we define us. Society is maturing and with its maturation comes understanding, like it does with a name and like it does with a generation. Our actions as individuals will define what those who have yet to gain a title will call us, and what we call them. We cannot choose the circumstances that work to define us, but we can say how we handle each one that we are posed with. As a generation, the mold of being coddled or selfish can be broken and we can change and choose for ourselves by simply deciding to face our problems head on. As the Millennials, we can define ourselves as something greater than what has ever occurred in the past. We don’t know what is going to come, but for now, only we can determine how we are going to react.
Generational parenting styles cause problematic clash
“So interconnected that it’s dangerous. Because of social media... it’s difficult [for you] to Millenial Generation brings new light to gap create unique identities.” English teacher between current and past parenting styles Justin Bogart
“Sometimes I’m concerned you have too much. You don’t see the hurt, hunger or need. You have it fantastic.” math teacher John McFall
National progression leads to various names for generation
ALANA FLINN
jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com
Our parents’ generation was one that was shown little affection. Their parents were very strict, forcing them into an early adulthood in which their religions, responsibilities and relationships were chosen for them, which was a reflection of the times. Parent to child relationships were simple and distant but nothing more. Kids had ba-
sic rules to follow: curfews, expected grades, etc., and diverging from this regimen would get you the belt and by eighteen years old, you were expected to be out of the house and on your own. Now that our under-loved parents have formed their own families, they have changed the status quo. Our parents want to allow us all the freedoms in the world that they were denied. In doing this, they have turned us into the greedy, spoiled brats that we are because they supply us with more than what we really need. We take them for granted and do not realize how little discipline they instill in us. Due to the lack of affection that our parents had, they shower us with the love and care-giving they never received. In itself, this is problematic seeing as how easy it is to bypass parental warnings to pursue irresponsible behavior. In a way, society has helped this trend to form because classic forms of punishment are now seen as forms of child neglect and abuse. The punishments that children
receive today do little to deter misconduct. The Millennial Generation has placed too little responsibility upon themselves and too much upon their middle-class, working parents. They expect their parents to coddle them and provide them with their every whim, resulting in a warped sense of priorities and obligations. Our generation needs to step back and realize how much our parents have given us: a home, food, clothes, life and, most of all, freedom. They try to be understanding and allow us enough room to make our own mistakes, contrary to how they were raised. Take that independence and repay your parents for the overkill of discipline they received at our age by being responsible with your liberties. We have to find a happy medium between authoritarian and passive parenting. There has to be an open bridge of communication while an authority figure is still present.
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
OPINION
STAFFeditorial Hierarchy needed in coaching evaluations Parent complaints to a School Board member not grounds to remove coaches Two years ago, in the April 29, 2010 issue of the JagWire, our staff editorial was about the school board’s attempt to fire head basketball coach Justin Bogart following an investigation into parent complaints about their son’s playing time. We questioned why these few complaints were being taken so seriously. We wrote that “situations like what happened to Bogart should simply not happen,” so when we learned that head volleyball coach Kim Service faces a similar fate, we were shocked. After a complicated situation involving a tournament on the day of the Homecoming dance and two parent complaints, Service claims she was cited for insubordination and her job was placed in limbo. The problem is not that the parents are complaining; it is who they are complaining to. According to Service the complaints lodged against her were made directly to a School Board member. It is unreasonable that one or two parents can complain to a Board member, circumventing the evaluation process and causing an investigation. While it is good that the district has a formal evaluation process, it is not being followed consistently. According to Service, the evaluation process was first presented in August by district athletic director Roland Van Wyhe as a list of general guidelines. During the season a formal document was presented. Three weeks after the season ended, Van Wyhe sent an email, saying he had made a mistake and the document was being replaced. Service said the new evaluation form was much more comprehensive. We question how Service or any coach was supposed to make changes to her coaching when she was not informed of the criteria of her evaluation until her season was over.
Both of these issues create an environment of fear for coaches that is unacceptable. According to several sources, coaches are afraid to speak out against the district and the evaluation process because everything they say or do can be held against them. Offending one or two parents or a Board member can mean that their jobs are at stake. We propose that the Board mandate a strict chain of command. Students should first and foremost try to work it out with the coach and take the responsibility of advocating for themselves. Next parents should go to the coach. If the parents are still unsatisfied they should go to the building athletic director and then the principal. Then they should lodge a complaint to the district athletic director. Then, when all other avenues have failed, they can go to the Board. If an investigation is launched, it needs to be done in a timely manner. Head football coach George Radell resigned two years ago after he was told that the Board did not support him. The timing gave him a slim chance of finding another coaching position. Parents and players also have a right to know who will be in charge of the program in a timely fashion. Also, the district needs to improve its communication with coaches. Service was informed the tournament in question would be made optional rather than required less than two hours before her players. Bogart was not told about his situation until two days before the meeting where he was supposed to defend himself. In addition to following the hierarchy and improving communication, Board members should not be allowed such a heavy hand in a coach’s fate. According to Service, Board president Tammy
ADAM’Sanimations
13
JAGWIRE OFFICE 5900 Monticello Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: (913) 422-4351 Fax: (913) 422-4039 Adviser: Kathy Habiger khabiger@usd232.org The JagWire, a monthly publication of Mill Valley High School, is printed by Sedalia Democrat. MEMBERS OF Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association The 2011 JagWire was named an All-American newspaper by the NSPA and earned an All-Kansas rating from KSPA.
Cartoon by Adam Henderson
Thomas impersonated her on the phone in order to cancel the tournament, and after feeling that the district took little action on the situation, Service filed charges. The prosecutor’s office found that there was not enough evidence for charges. Instead of answering questions in regard to the situations with Service and Thomas, the district simply issued a statement to the JagWire. While we understand that the district cannot comment on personnel issues like Service’s, Thomas is an elected official and should be held accountable for all of her actions by those who elected her. Bottom line, the Board needs to begin respecting its coaches. Once an evaluation process is presented to coaches, it should only be changed with the coaches’ consent. If an evaluation process is agreed upon, then let it do its job. The Board needs to let the district athletic director do his job. A parent complaint should not and cannot end a coaching career without having gone through an investigation that followed the proper channels. This has happened too many times, and it cannot happen again.
A monthly cartoon
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, may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity. EDITORIAL POLICY We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or letter to the editor for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or the print journalism room. Additionally, you may email any member of the staff with opinions, as well as tweet us at mvjagwire. Anonymous content will not be accepted. Please understand that we have the right to edit all copy that runs in this publication. JAGWIRE STAFF editors-in-chief Sarah Darby Jill Applegate managing editors Sarah Fulton Sarah Gonzales copy editor Alyne Roemerman web editor Kaitlin Rounds photo editor Taylor Young staff Cory Reinoehl Alana Flinn Mackenzie Eckman Ryan Fullerton Sydney Wilson Eric Howes Katie Linsey Brandon Burnworth
Illustrations by Adam Henderson
sports editor Hanna Torline news editor Josh Duden feature editor Kristina Milewski a&e editor Austin Gillespie opinion editor Emily Johnson briefs editor Lisa Joerling ads manager Austin Gude Karlton Kinley Regan Jones Kelsey Floyd Jack Lopez Courtney Minter Alec Santaularia Miranda Snyder Adam Henderson
SPORTS
14
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
Reconstruction plan approved in order to utilize practice area
RIGHT: PREVIOUS BULLPENS ARE demolished to make space for the new practice football fields. FAR RIGHT: Reconstruction and relocation of the baseball batting cages began Thursday, Feb. 23. “Currently, the changes are not beneficial because sophomores through seniors will have to practice at 3&2 Baseball Park,” senior pitcher Greg Mason said. Photos by Taylor Young
CONSTRUCTION FOR THE baseball fields area include building two new football practice fields, the addition of two new shot put areas and improvements to the main baseball field began on Thursday, Feb. 23. “I think the changes will be beneficial in the next couple of years,” senior outfielder Bret Holloway said. “Hopefully the field reconstruction will be finished by that time.” Photo by Taylor Young
Renovations behind middle school affect sports practices RYAN FULLERTON
AFTER TAKING DOWN the backstop from the practice baseball field, those materials sit in the back of the field. “Younger classes will benefit because games will be at the home field,” Mason said. Photo by Taylor Young
WEaskedYOU Junior football player Staton Rebeck and senior baseball player Greg Mason share their thoughts on the reconstruction of the baseball fields
junior Staton Rebeck
senior Greg Mason
“It will benefit the football team because it will give us more room to practice. It will probably take away from the baseball team, but I know that they practice at 3&2 a lot [because it is] a better quality field.”
“The fact that we don’t have a second field anymore means that sophomores through seniors will have to practice at 3&2 and administration said we would have tunnels on the school field and we don’t have those yet.”
jagwire.ryanfullerton@gmail.com
After being approved at a recent Board meeting, the area behind Monticello Trails Middle School is currently being altered to create space for an additional two practice football fields and to find a more effective use of the available space. “They wanted to use the space out there in a better way,” head football coach Joel Applebee said. “It allows for a larger number of kids we can have practicing there for football and track too. Basically, the reason we’re doing this is for a better use of space.” The space is currently occupied by one practice football field and was previously occupied by the baseball team’s batting cages. According to district director of activities Roland Van Wyhe, one of the goals of the renovation was to get the activities condensed into a smaller area. “It will organize our field events in one area where it can be super-
vised at the same time,” Van Wyhe said. “Also, it will provide two official-sized football fields to practice on.” Before this, the practice fields available to the football team were not full size. Also, Van Wyhe said that one of the fields will be available to the middle school football teams for games if deemed necessary. This would prevent scheduling conflicts with events occuring on the high school football field. Additionally, the shot put area will be modified to allow for two more areas to be created. However, this will not occur until after track season to avoid interfering with the practices. Another change that will occur throughout the transition is the relocation of the batting cages. The current two cages have already been taken down and will be replaced by two new cages. Each of the cages will be placed alongside one of the foul lines on the baseball field, one cage per line on the field. “It’ll be more beneficial for us because it’s actually closer to our field,” head baseball coach Jeff
Strickland said. Strickland and assistant baseball coach Dustin Stinnett also said that this will restrict the amount of space available to the baseball team but also agreed that they just want the season to arrive and are largely unconcerned with the changes. “We’re just ready to play baseball,” Stinnett said. Senior varsity baseball player Jacob Spring agrees with Stinnett but also acknowledges that practices will be affected. “We’ll definitely have to make adjustments,” Spring said. “It’s not going to be what it was in the past, but I think we will be alright.” According to Applebee, this decision will help not only the football team but also the baseball and track teams. “It was a conservative effort by everybody to help everybody out,” Applebee said. Strickland agrees with Applebee in the fact that this is a group effort. “Overall, I think it’s going to be beneficial for everybody,” Strickland said. “The utilization of space we have is going to be better.”
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
SPORTS
15
School divided Illustration by Adam Henderson
“KU fans are arrogant in their ways of blaming every single loss upon a bad ref. As soon as KU loses, their fans instantly find things wrong with the people of the other school, not the game or the team. The fans’ incredible cockiness causes me to want to punch them in the face.” junior Joey Perkins
“I don’t like K-State because of the fans that always bash on KU. They like to focus more on hating KU than cheering for their own team. They aren’t loyal to their own state’s team even if it is not their preference.” junior Maddie Estell
“[KU] fans are awful. They’re terribly annoying and the mascot is just ridiculous. It’s a mythical combination of a bluejay and a chickenhawk. It’s not even remotely intimidating. And I hate Lawrence. It just smells bad. Oh, and that stupid rock chalk chant...what does that even mean?” senior Devin Rudicel
University of Kansas
vs.
Starting in 1994, Kansas won 31 straight games, the longest streak in the series.
Wildcat tans used to throw red and blue painted chickens on the pre-game court.
Series victories Players to go professional Final fours
“Hearing a KU fan talk about KU is like hearing a millionaire talking about how much money he has. Nobody cares, and it’s annoying...They invented the game, we get it. [But] when they lose, suddenly the refs were terrible.” sophomore Shelby Rayburn
“I’m not a fan of Missouri because they burned down Lawrence.” secretary Sonny Thomas
sunflower SHOWDOWN 91 51 4
“KU could be a decent team if they weren’t so dang cocky. They are the worst sore losers ever. Maybe if they were just a little better they could have beat Mizzou.” junior Brooklyn Sloop
“[Missouri’s] coaches are caught drinking and driving, which says a lot about their staff...KU has had to put up another banner for Big 12 championships, Mizzou puts up one when they go to the NCAA tournament. Mizzou is so scared of KU and the rest of the Big 12, they are going to the SEC.” sophomore Nathan Brinker
“Blue, yellow and red...clash. KU’s mascot is a bird, K-State’s mascot is a cat and cats always beat birds.” freshman Maridee Weber
Kansas State University
“[Their] mascot, a Jayhawk, is a madeup creature. Not real at all. The ‘Rock Chalk’ song sounds like zombies from the dead. The fans are probably the worst part about it. Excuses are all that come out of their mouths. When I see red and blue Jayhawk colors, it makes me want to vomit.” freshman Abby Taylor
“The warm neighborhood surrounding KU is full of interesting shops, restaurants, and even an antique mall. However, KSU has only “Aggieville” to its name, a shabby collection of sports bars, [which are] closed during the day.” sophomore Tori Kilkenny
183 74 13
border WAR University of Kansas
vs.
Kansas won the final Border War 87-86 in overtime on Saturday, Feb. 26.
172 54 5
University of Missouri The first Border War was in 1907 with Missouri winning 34-31 in Lawrence.
Series victories Conference championships National championships
95 15 0
the
“My woven, thread friendship bracelets.” senior Madeline Webb
“My ‘eight-bit tie’. It’s a tie that looks like it came out of a video game. It always helps me bowl better.” junior Avery Laluk
“I don’t really have a good luck charm. I guess I don’t need luck to do my best.” freshman Sara Hopkins
Your JagWire key to entertainment
= =
+ +
+
=
+
+
Springtime Satisfaction: When these two flavors were mixed together it had a light, spring-time flavor. It tasted like something that would be enjoyed during the summer, particularly after a day of mowing the lawn.
Fruit Punch Party: All the fruit flavors together made a makeshift fruit punch soda. It was definitely one of the more appealing flavor combinations I tried and was one that I would even offer a friend at a party with confidence.
Monotonous Mix: This was surprisingly not as awful as it looked. The color was equivalent to that of a weak tea, which made it unappealing, but for the most part the competing flavors cancelled each other and just made for a sweet, bland drink.
Spruce up your fountain drinks by following these mixtures at the soda machines.
Caffeinated creations
WHAT IS YOUR GOOD LUCK CHARM?
WHAT YOU’RE SAYING
jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com
MACKENZIE ECKMAN
jagwire.kaitlinrounds@gmail.com
KAITLIN ROUNDS
Photo from boy-band.com
banner, the crowd was chanting “we want 1D,” “one di-rec-tion,” and was singing the chorus of “What Makes You Beautiful.” One Direction came to notoriety not because of altered voices and unoriginal music, but because of true talent. They didn’t lipsync and didn’t need voice-overs to sound good. They opened with “I Want” and continued with “Moments,” a cover of “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon, “Up All Night,” “One Thing” and closed with their hit single, “What Makes You Beautiful.” The songs with the most crowd involvement were “Up All Night” and “What Makes You Beautiful.” The theater was exceptionally loud and the screaming of a thousand of girls was earsplitting. Even though my ears were ringing and everybody that spoke sounded like they had sucked in helium after One Direction performed, I still had a fantastic time.
[pteridiynes]
Photos by Kristina Milewski
Hint: It’s a happy accident or pleasant surprise.
Unscramble the following word and tweet your answer to @mvjagwire. The first person to correctly guess the word will win a prize announced via our Twitter.
JagWire jumble
Big Time Who? Forget Big Time Rush, One Direction stole the show at the Chicago installment of the Better With U tour on Friday, Feb. 24. Though they didn’t out-perform Big Time Rush whatsoever, One Direction definitely had more crowd appeal. The Akoo Theatre in Rosemont, Ill. was packed with screaming fans, most of which were self-proclaimed “Directioners.” Even though Big Time Rush was headlining the tour, I have to admit, I was way more excited to see One Direction perform. The roar of the crowd was noticeably louder during the countdown for One Direction’s performance than for Big Time Rush. While the stage hands were raising One Direction’s
*****
British-Irish boy band outshines Big Time Rush on their Better With U tour
One Direction infection
flipside A&E 16 THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
ADS
We want to hear from you! Send us your letters to the editor: jagwirenewspaper@gmail.com Tweet at us: @mvjagwire
17
18
A&E
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
Serving up
Mexican spices JagWire staff members review different Mexican restaurants JACK LOPEZ
jagwire.jacklopez@gmail.com
El Maguey Mexican Restaurant
***** 22702 Midland Drive, Shawnee, Kan.
amiable enough, however. I ordered a chicken soft taco and the Enchiladas Verdes: pork enchiladas smothered in green tomatilla sauce. The green sauce was tangy and sweet, but it had a little kick to it. As for the taco, I was delighted to find that it had a great flavor. For how close and how quick it is, El Maguey is the place to get your taco on.
40 35
Ponaks Mexican Kitchen
10 5
MOE’S 29.1%
15
CHIPOTLE 43.3%
20
While Ponak’s has been on the Kansas City Mexican food scene since 1975, I was not impressed with what it offered. First, I had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated. It would not have been so bad if the chips and salsa had been better when I did sit down. On top of that, I felt overcrowded, like they were trying to fit as many people in there as they
could. I ordered deep fried tacos with shredded beef and a pork soft taco. The deep fried tacos were delicious, as expected, most likely because of the deep fried shells. They had a lot of flavor and I was pleased with the product. The pork taco was OK, but was a little dry and didn’t have as much flavor as I had hoped. For the Southwest Boulevard, an area known for Mexican food, I was unimpressed with the results Ponak’s had to offer.
TACO BELL 27.6%
2856 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
25
* ** * *
30
The Mexican restaurant Fogones, located next to the Shawnee City Hall on Johnson Drive, is relatively new, but business is booming; for good reason, too. I was greeted with a brightly painted interior, friendly staff and mouth-watering aromas upon entering, and that was before I even sat down. Papel picado was strung across the ceiling and strings of chili peppers dangled over the counter, making for a festive appearance which, paired with the bright walls, created a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Upon sitting
Survey of 134 students
45
**** *
11200 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kan.
down, I was delievered freshly prepared chips and several salsas: a fruity mango pico de gallo, a mild red salsa, and a tangy green salsa. The menu was minimalistic with only a few options for tacos, burritos and special dishes that included ostrich meat burritos and fish tacos. I stayed away from the ostrich meat and went with a Cochina Pibil taco (marinated pork with achiote seeds and orange juice), a Taco con Carnitas en Salsa Verde (shredded beef in a tangy green sauce), and a chile verde tamale. All three items were around $2.50 each and were more than enough to fill me up, though I could not stop eating. As far as service, food quality and overall experience, Fogones did an outstanding job. I would go so far as to say it is the best Mexican restaurant in Shawnee.
Which of the three restaurants listed below do you prefer?
50
Fogones Mexican Delights
Located in the small strip mall just southwest of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Monticello Road, El Maguey is a good choice for quick and decent Mexican food. The first thing that is noticable is how open the space is, which makes it feel a little unfriendly. The staff was
YOUsaidIT
Photos by Courtney Minter
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
A&E
REDUCE REUSE CREATE
19
Turning useless household items into things with more interesting purposes
KATIE LINSEY
SYDNEY WILSON
jagwire.katielinsey@gmail.com jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com
Guitar picks
Once you’ve used up a gift card completely, use it to create a guitar pick instead of buying one. Cut the edge of the card with scissors into the shape of a guitar pick.
Bottle cap magnets Dog collar Instead of spending about $10 on a dog collar, find a belt that you don’t use anymore. Use scissors to cut the belt a little bigger than the length around your dog’s neck. Poke holes toward the end of the belt and loop it together.
Newspaper nails Want to add a little bit of flair to an outfit? Newspaper nails, though timeconsuming, are both creative and classy. Visit http://www.mvnews.org for a how-to video.
how TO
Photos by Kelsey Floyd
1
Cut off the foot part of a long sock and roll the remaining tube shape inwards to make a donut shape.
Metal bottle caps from old-fashioned soda bottles can make unique magnets. You can decorate them with paint, markers and anything else you can find, or just leave them as they are.
Secret storage box
Find an old book to make a disguised box. Open the book about 50 pages in and brush glue on the outside of the pages to stick the pages together. Allow the book to dry and then open the book up to the first glued page. With a ruler and a pencil, draw the lines where the cuts will be made through the pages. Using a knife, cut through most of the pages, keeping a few at the bottom for the base of the box. When finished, brush glue on the insides of the box to keep it from falling apart.
Wrapping paper
Trying to wrap a gift last minute? Newspaper and old road maps can be used as a fun, creative substitute for wrapping paper.
Senior Jaclyn Carpenter shows how to make a ‘Sock Bun’ by cutting off the foot part of a sock.
2
3
4
5
Put your hair in a high ponytail. Note: Slide the donut shaped sock down Tuck the ends of your hair into your After rolling your hair to the base damp hair is easier to work with. to base of your ponytail. Then slide sock, rolling the sock down the of the ponytail, hide any lose hairs it to the very end of your ponytail. length of your hair towards the base. and make sure the sock is hidden.
20
PHOTO ESSAY
THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | MARCH 2, 2012
Spirit week leads up to superhero-themed Queen of Winter Sports mixer sponsored by the cheer and dance teams. ERIC HOWES
jagwire.erichowes@gmail.com
On Friday, Feb. 24 students filed in for the Queen of Winter Sports pep assembly where students played games and later StuCo members announced the king and queen candidates. Spirit week began on Tuesday, Feb. 21 and led up to the dance on Friday, Feb. 24. Spirit week included pajama day, twin day, superhero day and spirit day. Senior Robbie Weber received the king crown, and senior Heidi Mustapich the queen. “Everything the school does during spirit week really adds up to a good time,” sophomore Logan Walk said. Later that night, the basketball teams played at home against Bishop Ward High School. The dance began 30 minutes after the end of the boys varsity basketball game and went until 11:30 p.m. Though StuCo headed QWS two years ago, the cheer and dance team members were in charge of planning the winter dance this year. The dance is a major fundraiser for both teams. Both teams asked to change the dance from informal to formal, but the change was not accepted. “We don’t make as much money with the dance being informal,” Silver Stars member senior Amanda Morgan said. “The dance is our fund-raiser, and with less attendance, we are not going to make as much money.” While the cheer and dance teams were in charge of the dance, StuCo sponsor Erica Crist was happy to have StuCo be a part of spirit week through heading the pep assembly. “I think the change is going to bring more variety,” Crist said. “Once students get used to the change, I think they will have fun with it.”
ABOVE: SENIORS ROBBIE WEBER and Heidi Mustapich accept their crowns for king and queen of Winter Sports on Friday, Feb. 24. “I was in shock,” Mustapich said. Photo by Miranda Snyder RIGHT: WHILE CHANTING “HEY Hey What Do You Say” the senior student section goes wild on Friday, Feb 24. Photo by Taylor Young
ABOVE LEFT: AT T E M P T I N G TO EAT a donut tied to a ruler, sophomore Austin Moylan participates in the Queen Winter Sports pep assembly. “I was pretty much going to do anything to win,” Moylan said. ABOVE RIGHT: PULLING HER PARTNER senior Brandon Boyer across the gym floor, senior Mackenzie Acree participates in the pep assembly on Friday, Feb. 24. “It was fun to walk out in front of everyone,” Acree said. Photos by Miranda Snyder