Volume 12, Issue four

JagWire DEC. 15, 2011 | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | VOL. 12, ISSUE 4

Glovin’ it

Students participate in new activity known as gloving page 9 page 8

School nurse adapts to new job

pages 10-11

Problems with outdated technology

page 18

Comparing local coffee shops

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL | 5900 MONTICELLO ROAD, SHAWNEE, KAN. 66226 | (913) 422-4351

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BRIEFS

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

NOTABLES

Track coach earns award ALANA FLINN

jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com

Assistant track coach Cory Wurtz was awarded the Kansas Cross Country Track and Field Coaches Association’s Assistant Coach of the Year Award for coaching javelin.

Head track coach Chris Dunback nominated Wurtz for the award because of the success he has had with his athletes.

“He deserves it,” Dunback said. “It’s as simple as that.”

In his six years of coaching, Wurtz has had 14 state qualifiers, 10 of which placed. He has also coached two state champions.

When Wurtz began coach-

ing the track team, the boy’s javelin record was 165 feet.

Since he has been coaching, the record has increased to 224 feet.

According to Wurtz he feels honored and humbled of his award, because there are only 11 KCCTFCA awards given out each year. He also attributes his success to his athletes’ drive.

“It’s not just my coaching that gives these athletes success,” Wurtz said. “I’ve been successful because of the athletes.”

Wurtz will attend an awards presentation in Junction City, Kan., on Saturday, Jan. 7, to accept his award in front of track coaches from around the state.

> ASSISTANT TRACK COACH Cory Wurtz prepares his javelin for the upcoming season on Friday, Dec. 9. “I was humbled. I received a letter that said I won the award and there is a presentation in January,” Wurtz said. Photo by Taylor Young

INthisISSUE

News: page 6

Amendment rights

Features: page 10-11 Technology issues

Opinions: page 12-13

Staff thoughts

Sports: page 14

The varsity boys basketball team earned its first victory of the season on Tuesday, Dec. 6 playing against Gardner-Edgerton High School. The team won 76-75 in double overtime. Prairie Ridge Elementary was awarded a National School of Distinction status after donating more than 100 pounds of food for the Nationwide Souper Bowl of Caring Drive last year. Recent graduate Brian McEnery graduated from the United States Coast Guard Recruit Training Center and now joins 36,000 people in the Coast Guard’s work-force. Two De Soto High School students each earned a 36 on their ACT scores and were featured on Fox 4 News Reaching for Excellence. The varsity quiz bowl team of seniors Zach Zarnstorff and Tyler Owsley and juniors Cole Clay, Alex Reeves and CJ Hopkins scored 1,000 points at the Super Saturday Quest Competition at Washburn University on Saturday, Dec. 1.

Horizon Elementary School was one of 16 schools named Chiefs Red Friday Spirit School on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Cheerleaders earn two rating LISA JOERLING

tine].”

Sophomore Stephanie Boyer said the team has improved on stunting since they have been working on that the most.

“We’ve been working on our stunts, and we have added more stunts this year because they are judging harder this year,” Boyer said.

Mustapich attributes the success of the competition to their hard work at practice. The new coaches added practices three days a week at 6 a.m.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get up and going early,” Mustapich said. “It’s not that bad anymore, because I’m used to it.”

Allen agrees the practices have been tough that early.

“It was really rough sometimes especially when you were up late the night before,” Allen said. “But it’s worth it

jagwire.lisajoerling@gmail.com

>

After adjusting to two new coaches this year, the cheerleaders have spent months preparing for competitions including The MidAmerica Nazarene Cheer festival competition they competed at on Saturday, Dec. 10. The team finished the competition with a two out of a possible three rating.

Junior Rachel Allen believes the team did its best at competition.

“Everyone told us we did well [at competition], we added difficult stunts to our routine,” Allen said.

“It was a difficult competition so I thought we did fantastic.”

Senior Heidi Mustapich also thinks this most recent competition went well.

“I think the [competition] went really well,” Mustapich said.

“We’ve improved a lot since the first time we performed [the rou-

Anticipation builds for play >

LISA JOERLING

jagwire.lisajoerling@gmail.com

To build anticipation of the school play announcement, drama teacher Jon Copeland has been putting hints on a bulletin board in the main hallway. Rumors say the play choices are between A Midsummer’s Night Dream and a themed play on the Greek gods.

Senior Kylie Pfannenstiel is planning to audition for the play this spring and loves the hints on the bulletin board.

“The hints build up anxiety and

MONTHinTHREE

anticipation for when he actually announces it which is fun,” Pfannenstiel said.

“As soon as he puts a hint up, we search on the Internet to find out what the picture could be about,” Pfannenstiel said.

Sophomore Ali Sprague knows the hints aren’t always straightforward.

“The hints have been misleading in the past,” Sprauge said. I think it’s fun though because it’s something you get to look forward too.”

Describing the month in quotes

Speaker Debbie Allen

Choir concert

“I think the message was right but the student body was unresponsive to the message,” senior Lindsay Mason

“I feel like the [concert] went really well, it was a good experience for everyone,” junior Alec Santaularia

Smoke evacuation

Special olympics

A&E: page 18

Coffee shops

Photo Essay: page 20 Designing houses

“We rocked the house with the evacuation success,” assistant principal Matthew Fedde

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

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NEWS

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theOUTLOOK

INtheNEWS

Current, national news that occurred throughout the U.S. in December

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Date: Monday, Dec. 12

Location: Arizona

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the Arizona Immigration Law. The law stated that police could check immigration status of those who are pulled over if they have “reasonable suspicion.”

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Date: Thursday, Dec. 8

Location: Blacksburg, Va. Virginia Tech University police officer Deriek Crouse, 39, was shot by gunman during a routine traffic stop. His funeral was on Monday, Dec. 12.

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Date: Saturday, Dec. 10

Location: Boston, Mass.

After police cleared the Occupy Boston protest, 47 participants were arrested. The camp was present for 70 days.

Map illustration by Adam Henderson

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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

News you need to know from this month

Republican Herman Cain suspends Presidential campaign KARLTON KINLEY

jagwire.karltonkinley@gmail.com

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has suspended his campaign for office, citing “false accusations” from the media as the reason.

“As of today, with a lot of prayer and soul-searching, I am suspending my presidential campaign,” Cain said during a press conference on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Ginger White, an Atlanta business woman, has notably claimed to have had a 13-year extramarital affair with Cain. Cain, though denying the claim, has been under constant criticism from opponents and media outlets since White came forth.

There have been other obstacles in the way of Cain’s campaign. Several women other than White have claimed Cain committed sexual misconduct towards them, and there has also been controversy over the legality of some of his campaign funding.

He’s also faced criticism for his lack of political experience, as well as some of his views on America’s foreign policy.

Dave Welch, a Republican strategist that assisted Cain during his run, has stated his lack of faith in the campaign. “His chances at winning the presidency are effectively zero,” Welch said in an opinion with The Associated Press. Though he has yet to officially end his campaign, popular opinion amongst media outlets such as CNN and Fox News is that Cain will be unable to regain his spot as a frontrunner in the Republican race.

“I am at peace with my God. I am at peace with my wife. And she is at peace with me,” Cain stated. He then went on to talk about his campaign, saying “We have not lost our enthusiasm at this point. We are going to reassess things over the next several days and let you know, positive or negative, whatever the case may be.”

“

WHYitMATTERS This movement isn’t over, it just won’t be in the form of a presidential campaign.”

Herman Cain

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Twilight’s Breaking DawnPart One induces seizures SARAH FULTON

jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com

Despite earning $489 million since its release, Twilight’s Breaking DawnPart One has created controversy over the graphic nature of its birth scene.

The scene has caused several moviegoers to have seizures and prompted the Epilepsy Foundation of America to give a warning through its website.

Sophomore Amanda Curtright has seen the movie six times. “[The scene was] graphic, but it is not gory,” Curtright said. “There were a lot of flashing lights.”

According to a statement posted by the EFA’s website, these “flashing lights” can trigger seizures known as photosensitive epilepsy.

“If you have photosensitive seizures, please take this information into consideration when deciding whether to see this movie,” a statement posted on the EFA’s website said. “Around

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three percent of the nearly three million Americans with epilepsy have photosensitive epilepsy.”

In an interview given to ABC News Dr. Dan Lowenstein, director of the University of California San Francisco Epilepsy Center said that it is the frequency of the lights that causes the seizures.

“When the brain is functioning normally, there are neurons firing all over the place,” Lowenstein said.

“During a seizure, there’s an abnormal synchronization that we don’t usually have.”

The problem, which starts in the visual part of the brain, can spread to other parts of the brain and that is when a seizure occurs. Similar lightinduced seizures occurred in 1997 during an eposide of Pokémon , when over 700 people were hospitalized.

Curtright noticed the lights.

“I did notice how it was flashing, but it was not fast or anything,” Curtright said. “I did not see it have an affect on anyone, mostly people were screaming.”

“

WHYitMATTERS “Around 3 percent of the nearly three million Americans with epilepsy have photosensitive epilepsy.”

Dr. Dan Lowenstein

ABOVE: THE LATEST TWILIGHT movie, Breaking Dawn: Part One, has caused several seizures due to the graphic nature of flashing lights during the birth scene. A warning is now given through the movie’s website for moviegoers. LEFT: REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR the 2012 presidential election Herman Cain has suspended his campaign after allegations of an extramarital affair. Repulican political analysts believe there is no way Cain can return to the front runner’s position. Photos from MCT Campus

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

Google heads to Kansas City to launch ultra-high speed Internet, Google Fiber

Google Fiber promises an internet-based technological breakthrough of a “one-Gigabyte fiber-to-home,” experiment and system JOSH DUDEN with one goal in mind: faster Internet than jagwire.joshduden@gmail.com ever known before. The experiment earned its name due to the transmission of light over Google, as promised earlier in the year, is a fiber-optic cable, a glass wire as thin as a hair. set to begin development and construction of This method, although new, is expected to Google Fiber in the Kansas City, Kan. and Mo. provide the fastest Internet ever seen.

Google General Manager of Access Kevin areas within the first quarter of 2012, pending various city council approvals. Building close Lo said in a press release on Monday, May partnerships with businesses such as the Kauff- 16 that Google is excited to have both cities man Foundation and the University of Kansas working together to operate as the launching Medical Center, Google plans to work closely point.

“We are very excited to announce today with outside vendors and organizations to build up a network built for ultra-high speed Internet that we will be building both Kansas City, service that has come to be known as Google Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri together as a starting point for our fiber initiative,” Lo said.

Fiber.

“Like the railroads in the 1800s, which laid the foundation for progress, innovation and growth in America, we believe that ultrahigh-speed Internet connectivity is that platform for the 21st century.”

Senior Ryan Kavanaugh said he is excited for Google’s presence in Kansas City and that it would prove advantageous overall.

“I think it would be beneficial [for Kansas City],”Kavanaugh GOOGLE VICE PRESIDENT Milo Medin addresses the companies intent to launch construction said. “We’re growfor the new Google Fiber in the Kansas City, Kan. and Mo. areas on Wednesday, March 30. ing up and living in Google expects to spend approximately $1 billion dollars on the total project and launch the initiaa technology-filled tive to neighborhoods this summer, according to The Kansas City Star. Photo from MCT Campus world. So I think

NEWS

that having the corporation move here would be a good thing.”

Fiber, expected to run approximately 100 times faster than any broadband connection, and 20,000 times faster than any dial-up connection for an Internet browser available today, did pick Kansas City for a very specific reason—to build into the present infrastructure of the city. By doing so, Google aims to create new jobs and endorse the local business.

Freshman Brienna Kendall said that, though the fast internet will be a positive thing, the economic advantages will be better.

“Even though [job creation] doesn’t affect us as people immediately, it is still way more important to have jobs than the fast internet,” Kendall said. “By creating jobs, it will help the economy, and Google could help by doing just that.”

Shawnee resident and patron Rocky Plouvier agrees, stating that he believes Google coming to Kansas City will prove to be beneficial.

“Well, from my perspective, any time you have jobs being created, whether in one state or another,” Plouvier said. “In addition to the direct impacts, the fact that they are here in the city could make other big businesses want to come here too.”

Google will further discuss the topic of creating jobs and stimulating the local economies through investment in the coming year once developmental plans are made. Google Fiber, according to the their website, promises it intends to be at little cost to the consumer, a perk for those who use technology on a day-to-day basis.

“I think [Google Fiber] would make it less stressful and aggravating,” Kavanaugh said.

“There are one too many scenarios where the internet is taking decades to load a webpage, and it just drives me crazy. So having it run 100 times faster would save my sanity.”

Fiber is a network of glass wires as thin as hair that > Google transmit light over a fiber-optic cable

> One gigabit Internet speed will be roughly 20,000 times faster than broadband connection

> Services are planned to be released to all parts of the commu>

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Q&A

Business teacher Adam King discusses the impact of Google Fiber on the community

Why is Google coming to Kansas City important?

It should be a good test market. Having Kansas City as a good representation, hopefully we can be a good starting point to help Google in the years to come.

How feasible is implementing the fiber-optic network?

The undertaking of implementing [the network] will be immense. I don’t think there is any way that Google could wire the entire country though.

My brother works for Time Warner Cable and they have had the technology for a while, it just isn’t economically feasible.

What will Google in the city mean economically?

I would like to hope [the project] isn’t going to be funded by tax payers and that the company will employ local labor. I would like to see some trickle down from those people who have extensive wealth that are involved and provide opportunities, not only for education, but to even help students and employees understand what goes into a business like Google.

Why do you think that Google picked Kansas City?

If I was starting a new infrastructure, I would want to start in the middle and work my way out.

nity, instead of just one test area at a time

What can the company do while they are here?

Google hopes to have a positive impact on the area, and hopes to allow Kansas City to grow and develop

It’s a multi-billion dollar company that should provide jobs to install fiber, maintain fiber, and hopefully put some unemployed Kansas City residents back to work.

Information from Google

Illustrations by Adam Henderson

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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

NEWS

Controversy caused by local tweet Cartoon by Adam Henderson

Local high schooler’s tweet sparks debate across the nation RYAN FULLERTON

jagwire.ryanfullerton@gmail.com

Everybody in the U.S. is protected by the First Amendment and its guarantee of free speech. But recent events have raised the question of whether or not a person should say something, even though they can.

In late November, Shawnee Mission East High School senior Emma Sullivan took a field trip to Topeka to listen to Gov. Sam Brownback speak.

Even though she had never actually spoken to Brownback, Sullivan later tweeted, “just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot.”

One of Brownback’s staff members saw the message and immediately contacted her school’s principal, who requested that she apologize. Sullivan did not do so, although Brownback did on behalf of his staff, as did the school district. It wasn’t long before the incident became national news and the number of followers Sullivan had on Twitter jumped from under 100 to over 15,000. Despite her gaining popular-

Othertweets

ity, Sullivan has declined to do further interviews on the incident.

Due to all of this, debates have sparked nationwide about whether or not Sullivan should have said what she did.

“When you live in a free society then sometimes you have to tolerate comments you don’t like,” social studies teacher Chris Dunback said.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s appropriate. We have the power to say some of these things and the protection to say some of these things but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should.”

University of Kansas political science professor Donald HaiderMarkel agrees.

“She has every right to tweet what she wants as does anyone; but anyone should also realize this is public social media and there are consequences to any type of speech, legal or not,” Haider-Markel said via email. “It was still a silly tweet—if she doesn’t like him then she should have something specific to complain about.”

In the debate, the question of whether or not comments like this are in good taste has also arisen.

This has caused issues because some people decide whether or not they

will say something based on if it is in good taste or not.

“I guess it’s not [in good taste] because it’s on the Internet and everybody can see it,” sophomore Jessie Roach said. “There’s no law that says you can’t say something negative about somebody just because they’re a public official or they’re somebody famous.”

However, Haider-Markel disagrees with what speech in good taste means, saying that it cannot be defined because it is “time and culturally bound.” This belief is one of the major causes of whether or not something should be said because there are too many different views on what is or is not in good taste.

Despite this, Haider-Markel went on to say that “as a free speech issue that doesn’t matter.”

Even if something is not in good taste, some people feel that unless a solution is offered then the initial insult is pointless.

“I’m a firm believer that insults are useless,” Dunback said. “I don’t think they accomplish anything. An insult seems to be baseless…in her tweet she didn’t say why he sucked.”

Haider-Markel now believes that the incredible response to Sullivan

and the high amount of followers on Twitter is either about what we are allowed to say or how some view the government’s interference on matters such as this.

“I think it was largely a response to support free speech,” he said. “I’m sure some responded simply because they perceived an overreaction by the Brownback administration.”

Dunback also has an idea of why people may misconstrue the meanings of messages such as this, stating that because of who a message comes from, people may perceive the wrong idea about what is being said.

“Whatever your speech is, there are two things that come across: the message and the messenger,” Dunback said. “A lot of the time the message can be corrupted because the messenger is not heard or respected and vice versa. In a way, I judged the message and the messenger.”

While some people may think that lone complaints or insults will not solve anything, the argument over whether free speech should or should not be limited in cases such as this shows no signs of dying. But between Dunback, Roach and HaiderMarkel, the answer is unanimous: it should not.

Past Twitter incidents involving public figures

@Miley Cyrus After joking about her friends thinking she’s a stoner at her 19th birthday party in November, Cyrus chastised her fans on Twitter after ‘‘bombarding [her] friends Twitters...with rude comments.”

@MelissaRae After Dallas Cowboys cheerleader got tackled on Thanksgiving Day, Kellerman jokingly tweeted about it. She deleted her account after being criticized but then later re-activated it, making it private.

YOUsaidIT

What do you think of Emma Sullivan’s tweet?

“ “ “

“I don’t think she should post stuff like she did, but she has the right to say it.” sophomore Nicole Stone

“She had the right to say it [what she did], but she just shouldn’t have.” freshman Noah Friesen

“She probably shouldn’t have sent the tweet because it was rude, and she should have kept it to herself.” junior Sarah Thomas Photos by Kelsey Floyd

@RepWeiner Rep. Anthony Weiner attempted to send a suggestive photo to multiple women in May. He later resigned from his position.

Despite the emotional pain, his wife and he are still together. Celebrity Twitter profiles

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

FEATURE

monthly pain twisted ankle headac l o o You never know h Q UESTION h e c s nervo f o t u usnewhat’s o t going f e e a g t i h g s u o s t c t e o feeling wea a s n h kip a in come k tomac austo s t e u t e c a s st What’s the strangest illness or injury you’ve had?

New nurses adjust to handling daily issues faced by students SYDNEY WILSON

jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com

School nurse Andrea Allison sits in a quiet office, working on reports on Monday, Dec. 12.

“It’s finals, so people are taking advantage of the time to study. It’s not too busy today,” Allison said.

It isn’t always like this in the nurse’s office, however.

“There may be nobody, or there may be six bodies,” Allison said.

Allison loves working with and teaching kids. It’s part of the reason why she became a nurse.

“When I first started [college], I couldn’t decide wether to be a teacher or a nurse,” Allison said. “With this [job], I get to do both.”

Both Allison and health aid Kerry O’Keefe-Owens started working at the school this year, after former school nurse Charlene Haines found another job.

Allison’s job requires her to help students with whatever is wrong with them. She stocks supplies for students, but she also has to be on the look out for more serious conditions.

“The biggest part [of being a school nurse] is knowing what the students don’t know,” Allison said.

“When you come in with a belly ache, I have to know everything it

could be... and know what questions to ask to figure out what’s wrong.”

O’Keefe-Owens agrees.

“You never know what’s going to come in,” O’Keefe-Owens said.

The nurse’s office receives an average of 38 visits per day. Allison has problems with some of these students who come in solely to skip class.

“My least favorite part of the job is kids trying to trick you and just get out of class,” Allison said. “[But] sometimes it’s NURSE ANDREA Allison solves a problem while on the phone. “I was nervous but excited to get to know hard to tell when some- SCHOOL the kids and see the challenges, I heard rumors Mill Valley was crazy,” Allison said. Photo by Taylor Young one’s actually sick, or just hired. lison said. “It feels like I can help you faking.”

Allison has noted the number of “You wouldn’t believe the num- a little bit more.” students trying to go home has gone ber of kids last year who came in down since the school started early because they were hungry or tired,” release on Fridays. Also, Allison is Allison said. “So many people came cracking down on students who are in for things they could take care of coming into the nurse’s office but themselves...[The district] had to hire two nurses to take care of the number aren’t actually sick.

Sophomore Alex Cabrera said the of students coming in.”

However, Allison doesn’t always new nurses may be a little strict.

“When I go [to the nurse’s office] experience problems with all the stuto get a cough drop, she only gives dents. me one, when I need three,” Cabrera “As many students as you have who just want to go home, you have said.

Allison says that this is part of the just as many people who are fighting reason she and O’Keefe-Owens were tooth and nail to stay,” Allison said.

Allison’s favorite part of the job is the students.

“I love getting to know you,” Al-

whySTUDENTSvisit > 25 percent headaches

> 12.5 percent pain > 5 percent cramps

> 4 percent cough

> 4 percent hungry > 2 percent tiredness

ABOVE: ALLISON ANSWERS AN important call on Monday, Dec. 12, answering phone calls takes up most of her time. “My favorite part of being a nurse is building relationships with the students, like the week of the play, I got to see several actors and see how things are going,” Allison said.

LEFT: ALLISON DISTRIBUTES a student’s medication. Photo by Taylor Young

“ “ “

“I got my two front teeth knocked while playing basketball.” freshman Savannah Rudicel

“I got hit on the head with a plastic sword and I bleed a lot.” freshman Hayley Dozier

“I was born a little over two pounds and I had the flu.” freshman Eli Shehan

“I was born with eleven fingers and my left hand is webbed.” junior Mackenzie Conklin Photos by Taylor Young

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

FEATURE

Gloving stimulates students’ creativity Three sophomores find a new way to express themselves through LED lights and gloves SARAH GONZALES

jagwire.sarahgonzales@gmail.com

In a blacked out room with Dubstep, a genre of music, playing loudly with different colored lights swirling about, three sophomores, Landon Scott, Chandler Nienstedt and Jacob Markham, start gloving.

Gloving is a light show that is associated with raving. In order to glove, a person needs rave gloves and LED lights that can be acquired from www.emazinglights.com, which is the official gloving website.

“Gloving is moving your hands to the music,” Scott said.

The three boys originally got their inspiration from the west coast.

“Landon and I saw it here at a concert once,” Nienstedt said. “My cousin, who is from San Diego, Calif., also showed me at a wedding reception. He basically got us started in gloving.”

Nienstedt and Scott started gloving in July and when school started up again, they showed Markham. “[Nienstedt and Scott] showed me around three months ago,” Markham said. “It isn’t too popular, but it is growing.”

The boys have gone to concerts and gloved one-on-one for people and also for crowds.

“If somebody asks me to glove for them, usually I am always happy to do a show,” Scott said. “I remember there was one time in drama where someone asked me to glove for them so I went ahead and gloved for the class.”

Nienstedt has the same opinion as Scott about performing for people.

“We do performances a lot,” Nienstedt said. “It is a lot of one-on-one. We went to a global Dubfest concert and other local concerts where a lot of people are doing it.”

Although gloving is mostly improv, there are a few common gloving moves.

According to Niendstedt, there are four basic moves: finger-rolls, a figure eight, tutting and liquids. Finger-rolls are when a person starts with one finger and each finger follows the next in a rolling-like motion. A figure eight is when the wrists are locked together and one’s hands move in an eight motion. Tutting is a robotic motion where one is stacking their hands and arms in different positions. Liquids are basically water-like movements.

There are some ways to warm up before gloving.

“To warm up we basically pop our fingers,” Markham said. “It is also important to stretch your fingers further back every day because it gives you flexibility.”

Scott, Nienstedt and Markham were attracted to it for different reasons.

“It looked really fun,” Markham said. “It was something different. Gloving is pretty important to me, but I definitely would not put its importance over a person.”

Nienstedt agrees with Markham.

“It was an exciting thing and it kind of went towards the type of music, Dubstep,” Nienstedt said. “It is something to do to the music, something new.”

To Scott, gloving is like dancing.

“I like the kind of music that goes with it,” Scott said. “You really can’t dance to Dubstep, so [gloving] is like dancing. This is your own thing and not too many people do it. We all have fun doing it and we can come up with our own individual moves.”

need TOknow

>Gloves and LED lights can be purchased at www.emazing lights.com

>Inspiration can be found on Youtube from watching Gummy or Mimik

DOMINANT: CONCENTRATING ON HIS hand movements sophomore Landon Scott gloves to the song “Kisses” by Tonic. “It’s harder than it looks” Scott said. Photo

by Miranda Snyder

>Gloving goes best to Dubstep, some of the glovers’ favorite artists are Glitch Mob and Doctor P

>

Some of the more complex moves include tunnels or circles and tutting

LEFT: SOPHOMORE CHANDLER NIENSTEDT shows off his gloving skills on Wednesday, Nov. 30. “It’s a great way to express yourself” Nienstedt said. ABOVE: GLOVING TO HIS favorite songs sophomore Jacob Markham concentrates on moving in rhythm to the music. “My favorite thing about gloving is the creativity,” Markham said. Photos by Miranda Snyder

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FEATURE

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

Lack of funds and innovation in district le Technology problems result from staffing and funding cuts ALYNE ROEMERMAN

jagwire.alyneroemerman@gmail.com

SARAH DARBY

jagwire.sarahdarby@gmail.com

S

chools throughout the district currently face issues with aging technology.

Due to a limited district technology budget, schools such as Mize Elementary began to seek outside sources to fund technology updates. Most schools, though, are simply making due.

Mize recently applied for two grants hoping to win enough money to purchase Eno Boards for every classroom, along with additional technology.

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the school won $50,000 for being one of 10 schools with the top number of votes in the Pepsi Refresh Everything Grant. The winners of the second grant, Clorox Power a Bright Future, will be announced on Friday, Dec. 23. The school is on track to win $25,000.

The school currently has two Eno Boards, a type of interactive white board, but hopes to expand the number available.

“With the budget being the way it is, when we started meeting last year… they [the district] were excited about what we wanted to do but they didn’t have the money for it.” Mize Elementary principal Lori Bradley said.

At Mize, some of the oldest computers are eight years old, making the technology grants even more of a necessity.

“Unfortunately because we have some of the older laptops in the district, many of them don’t work right now,” Bradley said.

This year, the district is examining technology investment and staffing issues.

“Currently, the district has

Timeline: 2001

been going through analysis of our technology operation and our Board of Education’s going to be looking at that soon deciding what is the best way to manage our technology services moving forward not only from a cost perspective but what’s best for kids,” director of administrative services and communications Alvie Cater said.

At the district level, to keep technology updated, $700,000 -$900,000 is budgeted per year.

However, a majority of that money is spent on staffing and licensing. To keep costs low, the district has primarily purchased refurbished machines. “...We’ve been forced to try to find ways to be more efficient,” Cater said. “What can we do to get the best technology in the hands of kids wisely and also do it in a way that’s efficient?”

Lack of funding has affected technology updates as well as caused recent staff cuts.

Only four technicians currently work in the district. The two technicians based at Mill Valley High School service the high school, Monticello Trails Middle School and five elementary schools. In comparison, the district used to have a technician working at every school. The district also does not currently have a director of technology after the former director resigned earlier this year.

Issues following the resignation have included problems with the district server, the Citrix Portal and communication.

“When you have especially high administration turnover, you have things difficult to overcome,” board member Randy Johnson said. “You know as well as I do, [the Portal] has been down a lot lately. That’s because of the turn over issues.”

Additionally, communication has been problematic, as staff can

only contact district technicians via email work order. Technicians receive 80-100 work orders per week and cannot handle the volume.

In August, the district purchased 420 laptops to replace one third of the machines in the district. Some schools have also recieved refurbished machines. However, effects of older technology are still being felt throughout the district.

In a general email inquiry to principals in the school district, many reported having aged technology. At Lexington Trails Middle School, computers are almost nine years old. At De Soto High School, laptops are six to seven years old.

English teacher Lindsey Prewitt has felt the effects of aging technology in her classes. To secure the newest laptops at the school, Prewitt will sometimes arrive early to reserve the laptop cart she believes works best.

According to Prewitt, usually six to eight laptops from a cart will be out for repair and another five will not turn on, won’t let students log in or the batteries will die quickly.

“That puts teachers in a difficult position, because if your lesson relies on technology, what are you going to do when you get that cart and it doesn’t have enough working computers?”

Prewitt said.

Despite receiving ample amount of new studio equipment last year, the Broadcast classes still have challenges this year. The computers available to Broadcast students are not designed to edit HD video and are hardly sufficient for editing the footage they have.

“It would be nice, you know, if in a couple years, we got some Mac computers or even computers that are meant specifically for video editing instead of the ones

we have now,” Broadcast teacher Cindy Swartz said.

“I’m hopeful, that’s all I can be at this point.”

According to Swartz, Broadcast students often complain about technology issues.

Junior Avery Laluk feels current technology is outdated.

“When we went to competition, everyone had Macs and we had our Dells,” Laluk said.

“Technology is advancing. We should be able to keep up with it. With the computers the way they are now, we just can’t keep up with it.”

Other league schools have regular technology updates. In the Tonganoxie and Piper school districts, technology is on a four-year rotation.

The Piper district has technology such as interactive whiteboards and iPads.

Due to cost, the De Soto school district does not presently replace technology on a rotational basis. Many school districts, including Olathe schools, propose bond issues every few years to fund technology. The Blue Valley school district is also hoping to pass a bond for new technology next year. In the De Soto school district, the technology bond was in 2002.

Staff is hopeful for the future of technology, although they recognize the current issues.

“I think where we used to be a leader in technology in Johnson County,” Bradley said. “Now, we’re falling behind.”

Illustration by Adam Henderson

The district’s technology pa

De Soto school board approves policy to provide all district students with wireless laptop computers, however the policy never came to fruition.

st, present and future

2002

District approves bond issue including $12 million in technology funding.

2004

School board approves $1 million purchase of thin-client servers, and approves $1 million purchase of 700 laptops several weeks later.

2007

Voters rejects $51 million referendum that would have funded school expansions, an early childhood education center, security enhancements and technology upgrades.

2008 Voters approves $75 million bond package for Mill Valley and De Soto High Schools expansion, including some funding for technology.

2011

Mize Elementary ends up in the top five in voting for two separate $50,000 technology grants.

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

eads to a

FEATURE

11

Browser Q&A: With director of administrative service and communications Alvie Cater Comparison:

Reporter Karlton Kinley shares his thoughts on different browsers

Google Chrome: Chrome is Google’s free browser, built on simplicity. The interface contains only two “settings” buttons, the address bar and opened tabs. According to techradar.com, Chrome runs as fast as Firefox but may slow down operations with a weak processor.

How much money is estimatThere’s only a certain limit of tax ed per laptop for repairs? dollars available and so we try and spread that around across the disThat number varies from year trict as much as possible.

I think one of the main issues to year. One of the things our staff What is the current situation is really trying to stay current with has done is try to extend the life of technology, but do so in such a way laptops. Laptops are really expensive with the director of technology? that it’s being good stewards with tax so a strategy the district has used...

We don’t know yet where we’re dollars and investing in those things is the purchase of refurbished lap- going to end up with a director of that have longevity. tops…so instead of spending $1,200 technology. We’re still looking at for a laptop we’re spending $300, what’s going to be the best way to How is it decided what $350 for a laptop so that really cuts move forward. In the meantime, we schools get new technology? down on the cost…so we’ve been have...Lisa Lund and she is our techIt’s based on currently the life of able to stretch our budget for repairs nology integration coordinator. We the device…we standardized all the by taking our older laptops and using really need to do a better job of helpclassrooms…its based on the age of the parts from those laptops to keep ing our teachers infuse that technology into everyday instruction. other laptops running. devices.

What do you think is the biggest issue the district faces with technology?

Internet Explorer 7: Internet Explorer is the standard browser for PCs, and comes on every computer at Mill Valley High School. Various websites such as techradar. com have timed Internet Explorer as being slower than both Firefox and Chrome at loading web pages and videos. The browser feels clunky and opening a new tab takes a long time, especially at school.

Firefox: Firefox’s newest layout mirrors Google Chrome’s simplicity, only adding a separate search bar. Both browsers feel nearly identical, both are slightly quicker than Internet Explorer, but fail to outperform each other.

ABOVE: MIZE ELEMENTARY SECOND grade teacher Christine Kaminski uses an Eno Board during class on Wednesday, Nov. 30. After winning the grant from Pepsi in late November, administrators hope to use the money for more Eno Boards. Photo by Kristina Milewski

FAR ABOVE: Working on educational computer games, fifth graders at Mize Elementary become familar with technology in Computer Technology teacher Maureen Baker’s class on Wednesday, Nov. 30. “I think where we used to be a leader in technology in Johnson County, now we’re falling behind,” Mize Principal Lori Bradley said.” LEFT: FIFTH GRADERS AT Mize Elementary explore educational websites during Computer Technology class on Wednesday, Nov. 30. ABOVE: JUNIOR KYLIE ANDRES edits film for MVTV using one of the three laptops that can handle HD film. “The computers in the lab don’t work with HD film so it’s easier to use the laptops,” Andres said. Photo by Emily Johnson

12

OPINION

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. 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.

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

STAFFeditorial

District technology problems grow with age Budget constraints prevent district from moving forward in technology innovation The De Soto School District was once known for being technologically advanced and in possession of some of the latest equipment, including new computers and software. In the last few years though, the advantage the district had over competing districts has deteriorated to the point that out-of-date technology has become a serious problem.

Although some technology in our schools has been recently replaced, as a whole it has started to show its age. Because of the constantly changing digital age it has become easy for technology improvements to become irrelevant quickly.

Mize Elementary School shared with the district that teachers wanted Eno Boards for every classroom to supplement learning, and while the district encouraged the idea, there were not sufficient funds available to make it happen. Mize won the Pepsi Refresh Everything Grant on Wednesday, Nov. 30 for $50,000 and are currently eligible for the Clorox Power a Bright Future grant for $25,000.

While it’s admirable they went to the efforts to secure the grants, it should not have been necessary for them to go to those measures. The school

managing editors Sarah Fulton Sarah Gonzales

Adding guidelines to district drop policy would provide clarity

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

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 Miranda Snyder Adam Henderson

Trails Middle School and five other elementary schools and get about 80-100 work orders a week.

They should not be expected to handle a workload of that volume. The district should budget for a larger technician staff in order to eliminate many frustrations students and staff have with failing technology.

The district is also currently lacking a director of technology, as the most recent one left to pursue other career opportunities in September. Without having someone in charge of the vision of the department, the district can’t know Cartoon by Adam Henderson where it’s headed.

Budget cuts are a reality in every district and cannot be avoided. It is now up to the school board to go to its patrons for help. In the very near future the school board should consider proposing bond issues geared at improving our district’s technology overall. Making technological improvements a priority will benefit students throughout the district and, once again, make our district a leader in technology.

Changes needed to improve district class withdrawl policy

JAGWIRE STAFF editors-in-chief Sarah Darby Jill Applegate

district should be able to improve district technology at a rate that keeps us relevant.

Other Kaw Valley League schools, including Piper and Tonganoxie, have set themselves on a rotation for getting new technology. Piper schools have iPads and interactive white boards because of a technology rotation.

There’s no reason our school district cannot be on the same track.

Our district needs to commit to a four- to five-year technology rotation, as opposed to primarily purchasing in bundles with long gaps between them.

We should be able to keep to that rotation, whether through bond issues or cuts in other programs.

Having older technology wouldn’t be as large of an issue if we had a more appropriate number of staff members to deal with the problems that arise due to aging technology. Currently, there are four building technicians for the entire district. Two technicians are assigned to our school, Monticello

SARAH FULTON

jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com

Calculus is hard, harder than I ever imagined. I was warned, but I failed to realize how much of my life it would overwhelm. So three weeks into the school year, I tried to jump ship and switch into another math class. The experience was almost

more stressful than the class itself.

First my mother contacted my teacher, then my counselor and then eventually principal Tobie Waldeck.

The process was a two-week-long flurry of meetings, emails and phone calls; everything from my work ethic to the amount of time I had spent getting help to my state testing scores were scrutinized. Eventually the decision was made that I would not be able to switch out because I had not made enough effort to get help and I was perfectly capable of doing the work. I accepted the decision because I was honestly very tired of the situation.

I did not give it another thought until later in the year then two stu-

ADAM’Sanimations

dents were allowed to switch and another attempted, but was denied.

The district policy states that the principal and the teacher make the decision. However in my case, I was told that Waldeck solely made the final decision. I am not saying that Waldeck in anyway abuses his power, but such an important decision needs to be made by either a vote or a consensus of everyone involved.

Parents know the most about a student’s educational history and any struggles they are having, yet the policy specifically states that a parent cannot withdraw a student from the class. The principal can speak to the parents, but they need more power than simply pleading their case.

Also, the policy does not allow the student to appeal the decision to the school board, eliminating their power to fight.

The policy also does not outline acceptable causes to transfer classes.

While every situation is different and that should be worked into the policy, some general outlines would make things clearer. Obviously the general guidelines would not account for every case, but a simple “including but not limited to” clause would suffice and still allow for needed guidelines.

Not all requests deserved to be approved, but adding guidelines to the district policy could ensure that legitmate cases are not over looked.

A monthly cartoon about school happenings

Illustrations by Adam Henderson

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

OPINION

13

Family respect leads to more Lack of government consensus YOUsaidIT enjoyable holiday experience makes agreements impossible What do you think happy, and how do we repay them? fighting over the same toy; it’s a lit-

Teens must keep respect in mind, especially during holidays

JACK LOPEZ

jagwire.jacklopez@gmail.com

In our progressing and everchanging world, many things at home are different than they once were, including the average teenager’s attitude toward their family. December is all about the holiday season, and the holiday season is all about family.

A large portion of this month is spent celebrating with them, and without a positive attitude, this time of the year could be a living hell.

Occasionally, when I log into Facebook, I see statuses that scream, “I hate my parents!” As a person with one parent living in another state, and the other hardly home due to work, there are few things that frustrate me more than seeing people who don’t appreciate their families.

I get mad at my parents, too, but to take it so far to use the word “hate” crosses the line.

Who bought our cars that we drive to school, work and to hang out with friends every day? Who’s buying our gifts this holiday? Our parents sacrifice a lot to make us

A lot of us sneak out, party hard and, honestly, just make bad decisions.

Then we get angry when we have to face the consequences. Our parents only want us to be safe and sound because they care about us, as unbelievable as it sounds, and the best way to make sure that happens is to keep us at home. The easiest way to see it is to put ourselves in their shoes. It can be hard to accept responsibility for our actions, but as soon as we do that, and we make a sincere apology, getting along with our families will become much easier. To put them through the pain of feeling hated by someone they love is the ultimate disservice. One day, they will be gone and we will regret not spending more time with them.

The holiday is all about spending quality time with loved ones. As much as we dislike them sometimes, our families are included under that title. Life can be rough sometimes, but through everything, our families are the only ones we can count on under any and all circumstances.

Sure, that can mean counting on them to be annoying and bothersome, but when we need support, our families are the first ones to come and the last ones to leave. Under all the teasing and pestering is love. We will never be lonely having a family who cares about us; don’t let their love go unappreciated, especially this holiday season. Make it a good one.

Party allegiance puts people’s best interests on back burner

JOSH DUDEN

jagwire.joshduden@gmail.com

I was given an opportunity recently that has never happened before; to experience the thrill of being relatively close to the President of the United States while he was in Osawatomie. The President is like the Megan Fox or the Ryan Reynolds of my world; I was starstruck.

However, it wasn’t being near the energy and excitement of the moment, or even knowing the President was just a room away that was the most interesting part of the whole experience; it was simply seeing the diverse reactions he elicited.

People of all color and ethnicity came together to share the experience of that historic moment; together we welcomed the President to Kansas. But, if one of the most conservative states in the country could come together to welcome a liberal president, why can’t the congressmen we have elected similarly come together to make the best decisions on our behalf? It is baffling.

Imagine a bunch of toddlers

tle humorous to think about. Now keep that same image in mind as you imagine the Super Committee, comprised of congressmen and senators, assembled to cut costs and eventually save the nation from the economic struggle we find ourselves in- it isn’t anywhere near as funny.

The inevitable failure of the most powerful members of Congress proved that the current members weren’t willing to work together, like the toddlers mentioned before.

They were all fighting for the control of the same toy, to win the fight that cannot be won. There isn’t an easy way to ever cut costs, especially when some organization or group of Americans will experience the blunt force of their lack of compromise.

It seems like professional politicians have forgotten why they are in Washington.

When I say “professional politicians,” I mean that on average, most House members alone have served over four terms, and even more for Senators. Yet, only nine percent of Americans today approve of their elected officials.

But something can be done about all of this. If there is anything I have learned from AP Government teacher Jeff Strickland, we each have a voice. So as a diverse community, that has a diverse voice, we must let our House members and Senators know how we feel.

of the healthier lunch options?

“They sometimes taste better, but I mainly like having a lot of variety, unlike last year.“ freshman Luke Rachwall

“It doesn’t look that appealing so I don’t get it. Instead I usually just get the entre.“ sophomore Jessie Roach

Student nutrition comes second in minds of Congress Recent lunch changes nullified by putting precedence on wants of food manufacturers

ALYNE ROEMERMAN

jagwire.alyneroemerman@gmail.com

It’s safe to say that school lunches aren’t exactly known for their healthfulness, or their tastiness.

The question is why this has been allowed to become the standard, and why Congress is fighting legislation trying to improve the food served to students across the nation.

Recent changes to school lunches began with the passing of the Child Nutrition Bill last December, giving the U.S. Department of Agriculture the authority to set the nutrition standards of school lunches. The bill’s requirements, such as serving more whole grains and fruits and vegeta-

bles, are why school lunches now include offerings such as baked sweet potato fries, grilled chicken on a bun and brown rice.

While these changes are nutritionally better, the parts of lunch that weren’t changed speak louder. Not only are items such as tri-tators and mini corn dogs still on the menu, but Congress is continuing to allow pizza to be considered a vegetable.

In January, the USDA published new recommendations in the Federal Register, proposing changes intended to “improve the dietary habits of school children.”

These recommendations raised questions about the current standard allowing a one eighth cup of tomato paste being considered equal to a one half cup serving of vegetables, because it takes a half-cup’s worth of tomato to make it. This equivalency allows a slice of pizza, with an eighth-cup of tomato paste in the pizza sauce, to be considered a vegetable.

When Congress prevented the USDA from changing this standard, they sent a message to America, to the parents, to the students, and to first lady Michelle Obama, whose Let’s Move campaign was a driving force behind the Child Nutrition Act. And that message was that student nutrition is not as important as the giant food companies who lobbied Congress to deny the USDA’s changes, such as Schwan’s Food Service Inc., a company providing 75 percent of U.S. schools with frozen pizzas according to the Los Angeles Times, and the American Frozen Food Cartoon by Adam Henderson Institute.

The changes put in action by the Child Nutrition Bill may be a step in the right direction, but that only goes so far when pizza counts as a vegetable. Congress can say our school lunches are healthier, but while I continue to see cheese bosco stix and tator tots on the lunch trays, I’m not buying it.

“It just doesn’t look very good.

That’s why I don’t eat school lunch, nothing personal to the chefs.“ junior Andrew Eigsti

“Some of it is good but some of it doesn’t taste as good. I don’t care if it’s healthy.“ senior Tony Vitale

SPORTS

14

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

WIN But if I cannot WINlet me be BRAVE in the attempt.”

“Let me

Q&A

Students participate in sports program for mentally challenged CORY REINOEHL

jagwire.coryreinoehl@gmail.com

Recently participating in the Special Olympics State Tournament in November, six students earned gold medals, placing first in the volleyball competition at Okun Fieldhouse.

The team included seniors Connor Bickle and Alex Gaulke, juniors Tyler Dubas and Tyler Wilson and sophomores Matthew Nesselrode and Brittany Nicholson.

Pat Dubas is the coordinator and director of Special Olympics Shawnee, and is also one of the coaches of the Shawnee Storm. Coaching them has brought her some of her favorite memories while watching the athletes improve every year.

“My favorite part has to be the smiles on their faces,” Dubas said. “[I

Question and answer with Shawnee Storm member Brittany Nicholson

Special Olympics events >What did you participate in?

[I participate in] volleyball, basketball, and then softball.

>How many medals do you have?

I have so many medals it’s not even funny, but eight.

>What is your favorite part about Special Olympics?

[My favorite part is] hitting the volleyball.

>When were your first Special Olympics?

Last year, freshman year. I did basketball and softball in the summer.

DOMINANT: TRAINING WITH THE special Olympics team, Shawnee Storm, Matt Runde, 2011 graduate sharpens his aim on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the first practice of the basketball season.

ABOVE: HOLDING UP HIS medals, senior Connor Bickle explains his commitment to sports on Thursday, Dec. 8. This is his 10th year competing in Special Olympics. “I work very hard, I don’t mess around and I listen to my coaches,” Bickle said. Photos by Kelsey Floyd

FAR LEFT: PREPARING FOR THE Special Olympics basketball season, senior Alex Gaulke and 2011 graduate Matt Runde practice passing on Thursday, Dec. 1. ABOVE: PRACTICING HER BASKETBALL skills, sophomore Brittany Nicholson does drills to improve her shooting. “I think we are going to do good, better than we did last year,” Nicholson said. Photos by Kelsey Floyd

love] seeing the joy on an athlete’s face after they have achieved their first hit or scored their first basket.

[It’s great to see] the ‘I did it moment’ when an athlete realizes ‘I can do this.’”

Bickle enjoys the opportunities he recieves while participating in Special Olympics.

“Basketball is my favorite sport,” Bickle said. “When I shoot and score it’s so cool.”

The Special Olympics were started in the early 1950s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to provide sports opportunities to the mentally challenged. Its motto “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” explains the goals of the unique program. It was also established to supply chances for the intellectually disabled to improve physical fitness, demonstrate courage, have joy in sports and competition and develop skills of interacting with others while participating in athletic activities.

“When I’m there [at the Special Olympics] I get to see friends, meet new people, plus when I get there I get better at basketball,” Wilson said.

Some of these same reasons were why Dubas created the Special Olympics Shawnee program about three years ago. It started with basketball as the only sport and only 13 athletes.

“Special Olympics Shawnee was started in our area to bring more availability and opportunities [for] sports participation to the special needs community [of] western Shawnee and the surrounding communities,” Dubas said.

As a fundraiser for Special Olympics Kansas, the 2012 Polar Plunge is coming to Kansas City on Saturday, Jan. 12. The Polar Plunge is a fundraiser where volunteers jump into frigid waters to benefit the Special Olympics program.

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

SPORTS

15

Lack of experience doesn’t hinder team With the recent loss of boys basketball players, a different strategy comes forward ERIC HOWES

jagwire.erichowes@gmail.com

After a number of players quit at the start of the season, the boys basketball team has lost height and numbers. Because of this, the team has developed a whole new strategy for the season. Having a more fast paced team will bring about more openings.

“We have a great opportunity at hand,” head coach Justin Bogart said. “With our quickness, we plan on having a more disciplined offense and taking more shots.”

The loss of some seniors after last season has caused the team to play harder and give more effort.

“Losing the seniors from last year and having people quit have impacted our team talent-wise because we lost some varsity contributors,” junior forward Nathan Stacy said. “I don’t think it will affect how hard we work and overall how good our team will be this year.”

After starting the season with a loss, the team earned its first win on Tuesday, Dec. 6 against the Gardner-Edgerton High School Trailblazers.

“We played well because we were still embarrassed from our first game,” junior forward Brett ABOVE: AT SHAWNEE MISSION South high school on Friday, Dec. 2, junior forward Nathan Stacy shoots for two points despite being heavily guarded. “[My perseverance] just goes back to practice... This translates directly to the game, where no matter what, we’ll keep trying the whole game,” Stacy said. The Jaguars lost the game 68-34. Photo by Emily Johnson RIGHT: DRIVING DOWN THE court against Gardner-Edgerton High School on Tuesday, Dec. 6, junior point guard Staton Rebeck prepares to distribute the ball to his teammates for an offensive play. After two overtimes, the Jaguars won the game 7675. Rebeck said “It was just a great feeling knowing we won a close game against really good competition.” Photo by Emily Johnson

senior Brittany Zarda Boys soccer sophomore Jack Lopez Football senior Zach Callahan senior Marcus Grant senior Justice Oehlert junior Coleman McCann

Mill Valley High School

at

Shawnee Mission South High School

Mill Valley Gardner-Edgerton hosting High School High School

Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

34

Score

goal percentage > Field 28 percent throw shooting > Free 13 of 18 > Turnovers 15

KVLresults>

>

team all-KVL > First Volleyball

GAMEstats

Hamilton said. “We wanted to show we had something to prove.”

Hamilton thinks the underclassmen have contributed to the team’s early success.

“The underclassmen are doing well,” Hamilton said. “They are pushing us older players and making us compete at practice, which is making us better.”

Bogart attributes the team’s early win to the players’ common attitudes.

“We rely on effort this year. Other teams rely on talent,” Bogart said. “We lost players with basketball ‘savvy,’ but this year’s team works hard. The team constantly gives major effort.”

Along with emphasizing effort, Bogart plans on teaching all the players to take the initiative and show more responsibility. As a majority of the players are underclassmen, many of the younger players will have more authority.

“The players learn a leadership role starting through my example,” Bogart said. “The players hold each other accountable and learn leadership through example.”

With leadership and effort being a large part of this year’s team, the players have begun to work well together. “[The players] have a common passion for playing basketball and competing,” Bogart said.

“When effort is shared, bonds are formed.”

Second team all-KVL Boys soccer senior Tony Vitale junior Riley Vomhof freshman Bailey Weeks Football senior Wade Hanna junior Knute Holden junior Skyler Windmiller sophomore Colton Gatton

Honorable mention all-KVL Volleyball sophomore Hannah Billings Football senior Andrew Wesp senior Ethan Rice junior LJ Hatch junior Joe Jerome

Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

67

76

Score

75

> Team won in double overtime > Junior Nathan Stacy broke six school records points > Bench 14

BOWLINGmember junior Juliana Ayala

Have you ever bowled before?

Not in a league, but I have for fun. Over the summer my friends and I used to do cosmic bowling a lot. Other than that, I pretty much started this past year.

Why did you try out for the bowling team?

Girls bowling

I thought it would be fun and my friends were doing it. I wanted to be a part of the first bowling team at Mill Valley.

“I wanted to be a part of How do you think you will do this year? the first bowling team.” I think I’ll do pretty well. [I averaged] around a 100 at tryouts...but once they start coaching us and giving us tips and stuff I’ll do better.

Tis’ the season for shopping

The page with a different perspective

“I really like Victoria’s Secret. This perfume has a nice distinctive smell that I like. I also, really wanted to get some perfume from this store.” senior Whitney Austin

sophomore Molly Oshinksi

46.2%

@corny_ezzell courtney ezzell following @mvjagwire during games makes it just as intense as if I were really watching it! #letsgojags!! Dec. 6

A&E

5.3%

130 students surveyed

Nothing, I don’t like winter

The snow

The holidays

Photos by Kristina Milewski

Get a group of friends together and volunteer at a soup kitchen or adopt a family this holiday season. Helping out is a great way to hang out.

Brush up on your baking skills.

Make and decorate gingerbread houses, sugar cookies, etc. You can even eat them after you’re finished.

Watch a new TV show. Or try catching up on a series you started but never got around to finishing. Watch an episode each day, but only one.

The holidays are a time to show you care, so why not grab a piece of paper and a pen and write a letter to a loved one? It’ll be a great surprise and may brighten someone’s day.

Have a movie night with your friends. Your friends can bring their favorite movies and the party host can supply the popcorn.

Go ice skating. The Ice Terrace at Crown Center is open from 10 a.m.

– 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $6 plus a $3 charge for skates.

On the off chance we get snow over the holiday break, try building a huge snowman or a snow fort.

Tweet your favorite pictures to us.

CHECKLIST Cut it out. Do it. Check it.

winter break

15.4%

33.1%

The break

What part of winter break are you most looking forward to?

“My family and I looked online for all the stores that were open on Black Friday and my favorite stores were all open, but when we went to the mall the only store that I kind of liked was Macy’s and we got my vest there for buy-one get-one half off.”

silly. We were going to buy dog food and we found this reindeer for half price.

This is his present.” freshman Kaitlin Parker

Want to be featured? Tweet @mvjagwire.

What kinds of goals should students set for themselves?

It really varies per student. Goals should be important to [the student] and be something they believe in so that they are more motivated to reach it.

How can students achieve the goals they set?

I recommend breaking large goals into smaller segments...students will realize that it isn’t so difficult to reach their goals. The success is encouraging.

Why is it a good idea to set goals for yourself?

I think it’s important to be a life-long learner and to always strive to improve your quality of life. Setting goals helps you do that. I still set goals for myself.

Black Friday bargains School psychologist talks about New Year goal setting “We took our dog to PetSmart just to be

Debbie Gudenkauf Students share their favorite

Q&A

jagwire.reganjones@gmail.com

REGAN JONES

jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com

MACKENZIE ECKMAN

16 THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

Shawnee Chiropractic and Accupuncture 21620 Midland Dr. Ste B (east of Earl May off Shawnee Mission Parkway) Dr. Kimberly Flaming D.C. Dr. Alisa Joyce D.C. and Dr. Karl Wilen D.C.

(913) 422-1900 shawneechiropractic@yahoo.com

ADS

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18

A&E

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

JACK LOPEZ

jagwire.jacklopez@gmail.com

Just in time for the cold winter weather, the JagWire took a look to find the perfect go-to coffee destination

Black Dog Coffeehouse Although the location of Black Dog Coffeehouse is not ideal, a strip mall near 87th Street Parkway and I-35, the atmosphere and their great drinks more than make up for it. If you are attending a weekend indoor soccer game at All American Indoor Sports, or just in the area on the way to the mall, Black Dog is the ideal place to stop for a great coffeeshop experience.

Because of its location in a small RIGHT: AS AUNT JEAN’S stays open during the winter, Shawnee Mission Northwest student Connor Thompson gladly picks up the extra shifts on Wednesday, Dec. 7. “Normally we close in the winter, but now we are staying open because of our coffee business,” Thompson said. FAR RIGHT: SCOOTERS COFFEEHOUSE WORKER Jaclyn Larson enjoys her afternoon shifts and the occasional customers that come through the drive-thru.“It gets busier in the morning, but in the afternoons we just have people coming to study and they usually stay awhile,” Larson said. Photos

by Miranda Snyder

**** *

strip mall, the relaxed vibe and stylish space comes as a bit of a shock when you walk in the door. Besides the hiss of the espresso machine, the din of the background music and a few whispering voices, the space is surprisingly calm, making it a great place to get work done or just to relax. The menu is very creative with unheard of options for coffee and various teas. Their version of the white chocolate mocha, dubbed the

12815 W 87th St Parkway Lenexa dirty blonde, rivaled, if not beat out, the drink offered at Starbucks. The food selection included several types of homemade pies and other pastries.

With prices about the same as Starbucks, it’s a fairly good deal for how great the choices are.The menu and cool space create a feat that no coffee shop nearby could live up to. After all, they have won Best Coffee Shop in Lenexa four years in a row from the U.S. Local Business Association.

LAUGHING WITH CUSTOMER’S, Black Dog Coffeehouse worker Mary Miller enjoys her job. “[It’s] an easier time in the afternoons than in the mornings” Miller said. Photos by Miranda Snyder

YOUsaidIT If you had to recommend any drink from Starbucks to other coffee consumers, what would it be?

I like the Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino.

Aunt Jean’s

Scooter’s Coffeehouse

*****

* ** * *

11210 Johnson Drive, Shawnee

Tucked into a tiny shop on Johnson Drive near the site for Old Shawnee Days, Aunt Jean’s does not see a lot of action. Primarily an Italian gelato store, Aunt Jean’s gets most of its customers during the warm summer months. Although its forte is foreign ice cream, it also dishes out a mean cup of joe for under $4, not a very common occurrence, but its flavors are fairly generic.

Aunt Jean’s is a cute little store, modeled after a european cafe. It has a good selection of drinks and ice cream, and is no doubt a great place to hang out, I wouldn’t recommend it if you are not nearby, especially during the winter.

sophomore Brittany Rouse

10610 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee

With several locations around Kansas City, including one in Shawnee and one at the Legends, Scooter’s is slightly more accessible than Black Dog Coffeehouse. However, sometimes convenience does not come before quality. Scooter’s simply lacks the true coffehouse feel; its coffee was decent at best and it was only slightly cheaper than Starbucks.

Scooter’s is cleaner and more organized than most coffee shops, but what it excels in overall tidiness, it lacks in its menu and atmosphere.

Scooter’s is great if it is your only option, but don’t make the trip just for a drink.

I would recommend the White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha. sophomore Jordan Blair Right now, it’d be the Peppermint Mocha. junior Grant Schrepfer Photos by Miranda Snyder

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

Getting

down

to

A&E

gritty

the Students take interest in crafts made by needle-work as a hobby MACKENZIE ECKMAN

jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com

Opening his drawstring University of Florida Gators backpack, junior Alex Maupin pulls out his most recent crocheting project; a turtle pillow. Although he has just recently learned how to crochet, he has picked it up quickly.

“I taught myself to crochet in the beginning of September,” Maupin said. “Since I already knew how to knit, I started crocheting as well.”

Maupin’s most recent project was a pair of burgundy arm warmers, which required cabling.

“I made the arm warmers. It took me about two hours per glove. Those required using front post double crochets, which has three single crochets on top of each other,” Maupin said.

“It ended up looking like a cableknit sweater.”

Sophomore Anna Frontaura also ABOVE: JUNIOR ALEX MAUPIN uses his favorite thread to knit a turtle pillow on Monday, Dec. 5. “I began knitting to have something to do with my hands and to cope with anxiety,” Maupin said. RIGHT: SOPHOMORE ANNA FRONTAURA uses her newly learned knitting skills to knit a scarf for herself. Photos by Taylor Young

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knits. One of Frontaura’s friends taught her how to knit when she was in middle school.

“It’s kind of like riding a bike.

Even though I learned how to knit in middle school, I didn’t pick it up again until recently,” Frontaura said.

Frontaura admits that she does not know how to start a new project.

“I always have to ask my mom [to start it for me],” Frontaura said. “I’m left-handed so it’s a little bit more difficult for me. Some people think I knit backwards, but I don’t. I was just taught differently.”

Though they enjoy it, Frontaura and Maupin both agree that losing their spot is one of the biggest hassles of knitting.

“You set [your project] down for 10 minutes and you come back and think ‘what was I doing again?’”

Maupin said.

Frontaura says that getting clarification is also one of the difficulties of knitting.

“It’s so frustrating when I’m trying to get help from my mom and she doesn’t understand what I’m saying because I’m not using the correct terms,” Frontaura said.

Frontaura said that knitting is fun, but sometimes it can be difficult to keep her focus.

“I usually watch TV or listen to music to keep myself sane. If I watch TV, it’s typically That ‘70s Show,” Frontaura said.

Maupin’s hobby started off simple, but he hopes to progress his talent.

“Scarves are difficult [to crochet], Maupin said. “But sweaters are more difficult. Crocheting a sweater is my biggest goal. It would be awesome.”

firstHAND

JagWire reporter Alana Flinn describes her experience learning how to knit

SOPHOMORE ALANA FLINN begins her knitting project on Monday Dec. 12. “The women in my family knit” Flinn said. Photo

by Taylor Young

After going home sick from school one day, I decided I needed something to do to entertain myself besides sleeping. Randi, my mother, was sitting on the couch, her hands knitting away. So, I asked her to bestow her wonderful wisdom upon me.

Randi sat down next to me on the couch and began to explain the process of casting on. Imagine trying to learn a new skill and your teacher speaking a foreign language while trying to explain it. I watched Randi’s hands move as she discussed the technique used to start a row, but unfortunately, the SpongeBob SquarePants episode in the background seemed to demand my attention.

She handed me the needles and urged me to try. I reluctantly took them out of her hands, and started to cross them over and under, left and right.

Alas, I made knots where knots should never be and tangled the yarn to the point of no return. I threw the needles and yarn across the room and declared that knitting is simply not for me.

StitchTALK substitute teacher Randi Flinn shares knitting tips

> “Yarn packaging will tell you the size of needles that will be needed for your project.”

> “Make projects based on the yarn you like. It’s easier to knit with something you like.”

do not have to be purchased. Free patterns you’re a beginner, start with a scarf. It’s the easiest > “Patterns > “Ifto knit.” can be found hanging from shelves at craft stores.” knitting, make sure to take the needles out > “When carefully so not to lose a row.”

> “If you’re looking for a challenge, try knitting a sweater.”

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PHOTO ESSAY

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | DEC. 15, 2011

Taking design to the

NEXT LEVEL

Architectual Design II students design dream homes for final KATIE LINSEY

jagwire.katielinsey@gmail.com

Three story aquariums, pools in the backyard and trampoline floors.

These are just a few things Architectural Design II students are incorporating in their dream homes, a semester final project. The project started with designing a floor plan, planning stages of a real construction project and concludes with a 3-D model.

Students were required to draw out parts of their homes, including the electrical and plumbing plans.

With no size limit and very little criteria, junior Hadley Tharp decided to re-create her old home.

“For my dream home, I designed the house I used to live in,” Tharp said. “We moved because we needed a bigger house, so I decided to make it bigger in my project.”

Architectural design teacher Helga Brown anticipates seeing original and creative designs.

“These are dream homes so I expect to see some mansions with pools in the backyard and aquariums that go from the basement to the top of

the second floor,” Brown said.

Sophomore Blake Bunner took advantage of the free reign of the project and created an innovative dream home centered around technology. This project helped Bunner better understand the fine points of architecture.

“It deepened my knowledge of how important all parts of a house are,” Bunner said.

Tharp has benefited from the project by learning about many valuable skills. “[From this project] I’ve learned how architecture works and what goes into building a real house,” Tharp said.

There have been complicated parts of the project that Tharp has been experiencing.

“The most difficult part of the project was building the foundations on the bottom level of my home,” Tharp said. “The walls have to be the right thickness in the software we use on the computer.”

Overall, Bunner thinks the designing process was fun. “[My favorite part of the project was] designing the layout of my house,” Bunner said. “I enjoyed using the computer.”

ABOVE: WORKING ON HER final project for Architectural Design during seminar on Friday, Dec. 9, sophomore Natalie Beashore cuts out pieces to create her model home. RIGHT BELOW: SOPHOMORE BRYCE LEEVENS works on his final project for Architectural Design II on Friday, Dec. 9. Students design their dream home and create a model of it. Photos by Kristina Milewski

FAR ABOVE: SENIOR MAX LAMONS measures walls for his model home on Thursday, Dec. 8. Students have been working on this project since the beginning of the semester. Photo by Kristina Milewski ABOVE: BEFORE CREATING THEIR model home, students plan and design their homes using AutoCAD computer software. Students learn to plan, design, and model a home in Architectural Design II. Photo by Kristina Milewski LEFT ABOVE: DRAFTING TEACHER HELGA Brown assists senior Luke Knehans in AutoCAD for his final project on Tuesday, Dec. 4. “[Modeling homes] is what I want to do in life, so the experience is great,” Knehans said. Photo by Courtney Minter