Volume 12, Issue seven

JagWire APRIL 6, 2012 | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | VOL. 12, ISSUE 7

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Hookah hangout Trip to Costa Rica educates students

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Students enjoy going to hookah bars as it gains popularity among youth page 9

Family finalizes adoption process

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Popular book makes theatrical debut

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

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New Anime Otuko club available to students SYDNEY WILSON

jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com

INthisISSUE News:

page 5: Snake Sanctuary

Features:

page 10-11: Bucket list

Sports: page 14-15: Spring sports p

A&E:

Junior Kelsey Winscott, a member of the anime club, reads one of her favorite mangas in the library. “Anime is different because it lets you to see the visual part of the story as well as what’s being said by the characters,” Winscott said. Photo by Alec Santaularia

Park.

The club is open to new members according to Winscott.

“If you love anime, you’re welcome here,” Winscott said.

“You’ll find a home here.”

NHS holds scholarship night CORY REINOEHL ship night.

“I have scholarship books, NHS is holding its annual and I am thinking of books that scholarship night for all juniors people could check out or buy to wanting to prepare their schol- gain more information. I am also arship resumes. The event will compiling a list of tips from the take place on Wednesday, April books,” Platt said.

The members of NHS are 25 at 6:30 p.m. and will last until fulfilling their scholarship pilaround 8:30 p.m.

On this night, all juniors are lar, just one of the five pillars the invited to receive more infor- NHS is based upon.

Another NHS junior memmation on how to receive extra scholarships or grants by visiting ber Jillian Mullin is help running different booths and asking ques- the essay writing booth.

“When you apply for some tions. Some of the topics this year include: scholarship books, colleges and scholarships, you ACT preparation, essay writing do so by writing essays,” Mullin said. “We are going to give and others.

Junior NHS member Aman- information about how to go da Platt will be running her own about this successfully at my booth at the upcoming scholar- booth throughout the night.” jagwire.coryreinoehl@gmail.com

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Students interested in anime, a form of Japanese animation, now have an outlet in the form of the new non-school sponsored club Anime Otuko.

Junior Kelsey Winscott and senior Cynthia Shi started the club because of their shared interest in anime. “[Cynthia and I] both loved anime... so we decided to start a club,” Winscott said. “[It is] a good way to bring together a lot of different cultures.”

The club meets Monday mornings in room A-203 to discuss and watch anime. The club recently went to Naka-Kon, an anime convention in Overland

NOTABLES

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BRIEFS

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

Anime Otuko began as a new club for students interested in Japanese animation. They meet in room A-203 every Monday morning. The girls soccer team beat Tonganoxie High School 10-0 on Monday, April 2. Students participated in the blood drive on Tuesday, March 20. The drive had 64 students and teachers try to donate. The softball team beat Basehor-Linwood High School in its double header on Monday, April 2 by a score of 4-1 each game. The sixth annual Kick Butts Day Volleyball Tournament was on Wednesday, March 28.

It raised awareness of teen tobacco use. Juniors Stephanie Lichtenauer and Tanner Tripp were recently selected to the All-Area team by the Lawrence Journal-World newspaper.

The Robotics team placed 16 out of 43 at its second regional contest in St. Louis from Friday, March 23-Saturday, March 24.

Head volleyball coach Kim Service’s coaching contract was not renewed for next year. NHS will hold its scholarship information night on Wednesday, April 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

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Illustration by Adam Henderson

Volleyball coach fired by district

Head volleyball coach Kim Service’s coaching contract was terminated by the district on Friday, March 9. Photo by Allie Love

SARAH DARBY

jagwire.sarahdarby@gmail.com

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Describing the month in numbers

page 19: Pandora stations

Photo essay:

page 20: Cat dissections

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Members on the girls soccer team Cover photo by Taylor Young

Cartoons by Adam Henderson

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Teams in MV task volleyball tournament to combat smoking

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Members in MVHS Facebook Kony 2012 club

After 10 years of coaching at the school, head volleyball coach Kimberly Service’s coaching contract has not been renewed for the 2012-2013 season.

Service received a letter informing her of the decision on Friday, March 9 and a certified letter by mail the following week. The district website listed a job opening for the position on Thursday, March 22.

“I expected it, I’ve expected it for a long time so I was not surprised,” Service said.

The letter Service received stated unsatisfactory job performance as the reason for termination of contract.

The district would not comment on its decision not to renew Service’s contract.

The district and Service have been at odds since the middle of the volleyball season. The JagWire reported on the topic in its Friday, March 2 edition.

For more on this topic, check out:

www.mvnews.org

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

News you need to know from this month

Location: Spain Situation: Thursday, March 29

Republican Candidate Mitt Romney

Due to an unemployment rate as high as 23 percent, Spanish union members protested in Madrid in a strike against the government’s new labor reforms on Thursday, March 29.

Riot in Barcelona, Spain

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North Korean missile site

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Republican primaries fail to deliver clear frontrunner

Chevron CEO John Watson

KARLTON KINLEY

jagwire.karltonkinley@gmail.com

The Republican race for the presidential nomination continues as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads the voting with 568 delegates throughout the nation. In the most recent primaries, in Maryland, D.C., and Wisconsin, Romney won a grand total of 87 delegates on Tuesday, April 3. This strengthened his lead over former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who remains in second.

Primaries began on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in Iowa, and are scheduled to end in Nebraska on Saturday, July 14.

Some people have expressed concerns over the primaries.

Neither Representative Ron Paul or former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich have won the most votes since Georgia, when Gingrich gained 52 of the 76 delegates in his home state.

“I think that with everything you hear in the news with each candidate bashing each other, it doesn’t come down to who the better candidate is, but who is the lesser evil,” office secretary Lynn Bath said.

Still, others are optimistic about the process and its candidates.

“I think if Mitt Romney were elected, he would be a great leader for America,” junior Katy MacGill said.

If the primaries maintain their pace, Romney could be on his way to the nomination. However, CNN analysts say it could come down to the Republican convention.

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LRA leader Joseph Kony’s wife Guinikpara Germaine

Location: North Korea Date: Tuesday, March 20

North Korea is planning a missile launch later this month after declaring 2012 “a year of strength and prosperity” due to the 100th birthday of the Communist government’s founder, Kim Il Song.

Location: Brazil Date: Saturday, March 31

Chevron CEO John Watson works to solve an oil leak stretching for 1.2 miles that was spotted last week near the shores of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The oil was the latest leak in a series after 3,000 barrels of oil from Chevron were spilled in November.

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Viral documentary Kony 2012 inspires students to take action ALYNE ROEMERMAN

jagwire.alyneroemerman@gmail.com

The documentary Kony 2012 inspired senior Madeline Webb to begin a Facebook group known as Shawnee Kansas Kony2012 after Webb saw the video from a link she came across on Twitter.

The video, which has over 85 million viewers on YouTube, was directed by Jason Russell and released

by Invisible Children, a San Diegobased advocacy group, on Monday, March 5. The documentary is intended to help capture Joseph Kony and end the use of child soldiers in the Lord’s Resistance Army, or the LRA, a rebel group led by Kony that originated in northern Uganda. “[The video] got my attention which was the main point,” Webb

said. “I felt really mad at my government for not wanting to do anything, and I wanted to get other people to help me to change that.”

Webb initially intended the group, which, as of Tuesday, March 27, consisted of 122 people on Facebook, to get involved in Invisible Children’s campaign, specifically the Cover the Night rally taking place on Friday, April 20. The rally wants streets worldwide covered in posters of Kony.

“Our first mission was to participate in Cover the Night and get supporters to help with the Invisible Children organization,” Webb said.

The approximately 30-minute documentary begins with Russell saying, “Right now, there are more people on Facebook than there were on the planet 200 years ago. This connection is changing the way the world works.”

This connection inspired Russell

to make the documentary asking people to use social media to make Kony famous. The video details the crimes of the LRA. According to the United Nations, most LRA members were abducted as children and forced to serve as combatants, spies, or fulfill other duties. The six violations identified by the UN’s Security Council as “grave violations against children,” including the killing or maiming of children, sexual violence against children, recruitment or use of children as soldiers, attacks against schools or hospitals, abduction of children and denial of humanitarian access for children, have all been committed by the LRA. Critics comment on the video’s implications that Kony and the LRA are still active in northern Uganda, although the UN reports that the LRA has not operated there since 2006. The Ugandan government

Photos from mctcampus and Getty Images

posted its own video in response, stating that the country is “a very different place to that portrayed.”

Another criticism is that only 31 percent of all money Invisible Children receives is actually put towards helping Ugandan children. The rest of the money pays for travel expenses and the costs of filmmaking, according to their financial statements from the past two years.

Webb has since decided to keep the group separate from Invisible Children due to the group’s questionable financial practices.

“We’ve decided to break off from them,” Webb said. “We didn’t want to just be concerned with the children in Uganda [and] the Invisible Children. We want to focus not just on places where the LRA is, but other things too.”

Webb is unsure of where she wants the group to go, but hopes the group will sponsor a child in Africa.

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

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Neighborhood faces restoration NEWnatives

New plan introduces 300 native species to Crimson Ridge neighborhood common area

Proposal adds native habitat and aquatic maintenance to Crimson Ridge green space

Redbelly snake

SARAH DARBY

jagwire.sarahdarby@gmail.com

Nearly 40 acres of land in the Crimson Ridge neighborhood near 47th Street and K-7 Highway stand to be transformed into a restored natural habitat or conservation parcel based on a proposal from an ecological restoration, for-profit corporation.

Habitat Kansas, a Leawood-based LLC, purchased the entire parcel of land, a fragmented assortment of streamway and forest green space plots, in its entirety at the end of 2011. Now, Habitat Kansas has plans to spend $1.5 million, half to be spent by the end of the year, completing ecological restoration of the land parcels.

Work will include efforts to make streamway improvements and restore bio diversification and habitats in the area.

“What we’re doing here is a pretty big risk…

But that’s OK because our first and priority goal is species protection,” Habitat Kansas president David Flick said. “Our second goal is finding out how we can be reimbursed for an investment.”

Flick said nearly 300 native species, as opposed to the 75 in the neighborhood now, will ultimately inhabit the area as a result of restoration of woodland prairies and native oak and hickory forests. When the area is fully restored in around 25 years, by Flick’s estimate, Habitat Kansas could sell credits but not acres of the land to builders who must buy ecological credits equivalent to whatever amount of space is environmentally altered in a project, just one state environmental regulation.

The project, which is one of about 30 in the area by various corporations, has received criticism.

The Harding family, that has lived in the Crimson Ridge neighborhood for nearly 12 years, were told by the original owners of the green space that they could treat areas of private property as if it were their own space as long as they didn’t kill living trees or build structures.

The Hardings have mowed and maintained a space approximately 100 feet by 60 feet that backs up to one of two forks of a creek that winds through the neighborhood for years, even add-

The redbelly snake is native to northeastern Kansas.

They are nonvenomous and grow to a maximum length of 12 inches.

They like to make their homes underneath large rocks.

Hickory tree STANDING IN HER backyard, sophomore Olivia Harding looks at her backyard filled with trees. The land is being turned into a wildlife sanctuary by a local restoration group. “Losing the green space behind my house was like losing some of my memories. I’m going to miss playing back there,” Harding said. Photo by Alec Santaularia

ing an expensive sprinkler and mosquito repellent system in the green space. Now that space is in jeopardy when the area becomes a restored natural habitat.

“People have already built and landscaped back here,” Renee Harding said.

“A new neighborhood already knows they have to avoid it.”

Nine-year resident Dan Moylan, who has maintained an area around 200 feet by 50 feet and has planted two trees, stored firewood and stationed a play set in the area, shares similar concerns.

“I knew I didn’t own all this property, but it will feel like my property is smaller,” Moylan said.

Around 30 residents voiced their concerns at the first of two neighborhood meetings addressing the issue in January.

“There was a considerable amount of outrage and it was mostly his [Flick’s] approach,” city council member and Crimson Ridge resident Jeff Vaught said.

Many residents also expressed concern about the introduction of two small worm snakes into the land as part of the restoration.

STUDENTopinion

“…People probably don’t care about worm snakes, but we have copperheads and rattle[snakes] and you’re creating a habitat for worm snakes and those snakes,” Vaught said.

Sophomore Olivia Harding, however, is not concerned about snakes so much as what change of ownership could mean for kids in the neighborhood. Flick plans to post No Trespassing signs to protect the newly restored areas.

“I’ve gone sledding back there, brought my friends there, climbed trees and built forts and I went swimming in the creek and stuff,” Harding said. “It’d just take away from childhood memories.”

Some residents hope city code will prohibit brush piles, necessary for the snake habitats, in residential areas and afford an easement space between homes and habitat space. Flick will look at creating buffer areas of prairie grass, wildflowers and small trees on a case-by-case basis.

Flick said he expects initial concern from projects and focuses on educating the public.

“If we don’t do it, who will? Ours is a conservation agenda, not a political agenda,” Flick said.

Crimson Ridge residents express opinions on conservation proposal

“I don’t really like it because I have a dog and if there was a bunch of snakes...back there, I don’t want to have to worry about that...I like what they’re doing with restoring it, but I feel like they should use a different method.” junior McKenzie Schmitt

“[It’s] kinda disappointing, losing half our backyard.

I won’t feel like we own it anymore. I think we’ll still use it. My neighbors aren’t very happy about it, a lot of people don’t like it.” freshman Jacob Moylan

Hickory trees are found all through the midwestern states.

At full height, they can reach up to 120 feet.

The wood from hickory trees has many commercial uses.

Brown earth snake Commonly found in sparsely forested areas, the brown earth snake is a nonvenomous species that can grow to be up to 10 inches long.

Oak tree Found throughout the midwest, the pine oak can grow to be up to 70 feet in height. They offer great natural shade in the summer, due to their large canopy width.

Information from JungleWalk and Arbor Day Foundation

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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

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Spring Break in the

Adventure to Costa Rica provides opportunity to explore nature MACKENZIE ECKMAN

jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com

Over spring break, science teacher Julie Roberts and five students, seniors Maddison Bohling, Lindsay Christopher and Alex Gaulke and juniors Aaron Akin and Lindsey Kimbell, traveled to the Costa Rican rain forest.

The trip was organized through the travel organization, World Strides. The group left Kansas City on Saturday, March 10 and returned the following Friday, March 16.

Since their group only had five students, World Strides paired them up with another school.

Roberts felt the students had different reasons for going on the trip.

“Overall, the trip was for the students. They could go to have fun or they could to go learn,” Roberts said.

The program offered an hour of college credit to students that completed the supplementary research after we returned.

The group spent two days in the rain forest, doing various activities such as monitoring the water quality

of the river, white water rafting and hiking through the rain forest.

Akin thought that white water rafting was one of the best parts of the trip.

“We got to see a three-toed sloth,” Akin said. “We saw the sloth trying to cross the river and the raft behind us rescued [the animal]. I got to touch it, but the thing was nasty. It was covered in moss and insects because it moved so slow.”

Along with two days in the rain forest, the group also spent a day in Monte Verde, also known as the Cloud Forest, then traveled to the Arenal Volcano.

Akin also enjoyed zip-lining through Monte Verde, although it was not as colorful as the rain forest. “[Zip-lining] was amazing. The fact that you were in the clouds above the forest was so cool,” Akin said.

On top of enjoying the scheduled activities on the trip, Bohling also enjoyed the atmosphere and the overall feeling of Costa Rica.

“I loved how everyone was so polite to each other. I never met anyone who was mean,” Bohling said. “Our tour guides were pretty cool too.

They taught us ‘pura vida,’ which means ‘pure life.’ It’s a greeting that

awesomeACTIVITIES

everybody uses. I’m getting a tattoo of it.”

Along with the friendly people, Roberts was pleased with the accommodations provided by the tour group.

“We were in very nice hotels,” Roberts said. “Two of the five hotels we stayed at were five-star hotels.

Some were even spas.”

Kimbell also enjoyed the various hotels that the group stayed at.

“Most of the resorts had really good views,” Kimbell said. “At El Establo, the staff actually drove you to your room.”

Roberts would like to take a group on another trip to Costa Rica, though the excursion would be more focused on costal life than life in the rain forest. “[World Strides] has another trip that deals exclusively with the coast,” Roberts said. “With the rain forest conservation trip, students weren’t given the opportunity to spend time at the beach. Plus, I think that students would get more excited about being near the ocean.”

The coastal excursion would include snorkeling, kayaking, species awareness, whale and dolphin watching and many other ocean-related ac-

TOP: AFTER HIKING UP the base of the Arenal volcano, students explored rock formations formed from lava when the volcano was active. BOTTOM: DURING THEIR STAY in Costa Rica, students visited Tirimbina, a wildlife preservation. Senior Lindsey Christopher really enjoyed her trip. “We studied bats, and tested the water quality,” Christopher said. Photos from Julie Roberts

tivities.

“I would definitely go again,” Bohling said. “Even though I had fun in the rain forest, I’d try the coastal one just because it’s something different.”

Akin and Kimbell’s favorite part of the trip was the learning experiences.

“I learned so much about how to

be better at conserving energy and reducing waste,” Kimbell said. “I also met lots of new friends. It was overall really fun.”

Bohling has one piece of advice for students.

“If you get the opportunity to go, go. It’s a great experience overall,” Bohling said. “I learned so much and had tons of fun. It was awesome.”

Memorable things students did while in Costa Rica

“ “ “ Hiking:

“[The wildlife] was really cool. I loved seeing what we were learning about.” junior Lindsey Kimbell

Rafting:

“We saw a two-toed sloth in a tree, but it wasn’t as cool as the one we rescued from the river.” junior Aaron Akin

Zip-line:

“I can’t even explain how it felt. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.” science teacher Julie Roberts Illustration by Adam Henderson

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

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Our goal was to help children and to have children to love

Family finalizes Ethiopian adoption after years of waiting for clearance

Jordan agrees.

“I was upset. I wanted my potential brother or sister...home, quickly,” Jordan SARAH FULTON said. “It is hard being patient, but that’s jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com what you have to do with adoption, be patient.”

After six months the Matlocks finally Rushing to find a hiding spot, freshman Jordan Matlock helps her new three-year- received the referral, and found Nen and old sister, Ava Achole, hide in the closet, Achole on their adoption agency’s website.

“As soon as we got the referral...I kind while her new brother, eight-year-old Joshia Nen, attempts to conceal his feet be- of screamed for joy,” Jordan said. “When hind a curtain. Games like this started in we saw their pictures it was a moment of March when Jordan’s family brought home happiness.”

The Matlocks then traveled to Ethiopia Ava Achole and Joshia Nen from Ethiopia in December 2011 to meet the children, after a two-year adoption process.

Jordan’s family began the foreign adop- who were living in transitional housing, and to be approved tion process in August by the Ethiopian 2010. Jordan’s mother Sherri Matlock explained “It is hard being patient, but courts.

“It was kind of that after three years of that’s what you have to do with funny at first beconsideration, the deciadoption, be patient,” cause...there was no sion to adopt was not one that spoke Engeasy. freshman Jordan Matlock lish. So they kind of “I had been thinkjust pushed into the ing about [adoption] for a few years. But we just hadn’t decided court yard. We looked at them and said is where we would adopt from. Would we that them?” Sherri said.

According to Craig, once they figured do it domestically or internationally, are we out that it was Achole and Nen, they had too old to do it?” Sherri said.

According to Sherri, it was after her to show restraint.

“You are struggling between wanting husband, Craig, and her son, former student Braxton, came home from a mission to go and grab these children that you have trip to South Africa in August of 2010 de- been loving in your heart and having some restraint,” Craig said. cided to adopt internationally.

After approval from the courts Craig “We decided if our goal was to help children and to have children to love, it did and Sherri were legally Nen and Achole’s not matter what country they came from parents, but could not bring them home and Ethiopia has a very healthy interna- until they were also approved by the U. S. “It was difficult because...we undertional program,” Sherri said.

The Matlocks then began the adoption stood that we would be coming [back] but process at the domestic level by submit- they didn’t,” Sherri said. “That was the ting to a series of home studies, financial worst part, not being able to communicate checks, health checks that allowed them to that we would be back for them.”

The Matlocks pushed for clearance by qualify to adopt internationally. Then on Oct. 15, 2010, they filed paper work with sending emails to the officials conducting the final interviews. Then on Saturday, the Ethiopian courts.

“Your life becomes an open book to March 10, they gambled and left for Ethiopia before receiving clearance in hopes for these agencies,” Sherri said.

After being approved by the courts, the returning home with Nen and Achole.

Matlocks should have received a referral After five days in Ethopia and almost two that would allow them to be matched to years total, the Matlocks finally brought children. However, previous to receiving them home. However, according to Shertheir referral, the group in charge of Ethio- ri, she did not know what to expect.

“You do not know exactly what to expian adoptions announced that they would pect,” Sherri said. “I expected their sleepbe limiting the number of adoptions.

“It was at least a six-month period ing to be more difficult and they are awewhere things came to a grinding halt,” some sleepers.”

Jordan has changed her sleep schedule.

Craig said. “[I was not afraid that] it was “We have to get up at 6:15 a.m., because going to fall through, but that it was going to take years and years. It is a totally help- they are up playing hide and seek. They are kind of loud, and they bang,” Jordan said. less feeling.”

“It is fun. Sometime I wish I was younger so I could stay home and play.”

According to Craig, communicating has been interesting because Nen and Achole speak almost no English. “[The hardest part is] the language barrier, definitely. With Achole it is not as hard, she is little. With [Nen] it has been harder because he is shy anyway,” Sherri said.

Craig says that they have learned to look for gestures Achole and Nen make to say things like yes.

“It is these small little gestures, they do this eyebrow flub and head raise but it is so subtle,” Craig said. “We have been playing a lot of charades.”

According to Sherri, communicating with Nen and Achole about their heritage is important. “[To preserve their culture] we are going to do a lot of talking, a lot of reading.

One of the things that is important to me is to honor their birth parents,” Sherri said.

“We will talk about their birth family with them so they know that we don’t expect them to forget about their birth family and their heritage. It is very important to honor them and remember them.”

The Matlocks are still waiting to learn much of Nen and Achole’s story. They know that before they were moved to the care center they were living with an aunt and that their parents are deceased.

“We do not really know much of their story,” Craig said. “We hope to learn more as they grow up. It is up to them to tell it.”

TOP: HOLDING HER NEWLY adopted daughter, Ava Achole, Sherri Matlock smiles proudly at the KCI airport on Friday, March 16. “The support from friends has been really humbling and overwhelming,” Sherri said. BOTTOM: PLAYING WITH HER adopted sister, Achole, freshman Jordan Matlock likes having her new siblings home on Thursday, March 22. Photos by Miranda Snyder

fastFACTS

of 9,320 total international adoptions in 2011, > Out 1,727 were adoptions from Ethiopia. adoption fees can range from $6,000 > International to $26,000 depending on the country.

1999, 60 percent of all children adopted > Since internationally have been female

ARRIVING HOME, FORMER student Braxton Matlock greets the additions to his family. “It’s definitely a big change,” Braxton said. Photo by Miranda Snyder

1999, 74 percent of children adopted interna> Since tionally have been under the age of three Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Hookah hype THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

Seniors engage in recreational smoking at local hookah bars JILL APPLEGATE

jagwire.jillapplegate@gmail.com

The sound of Middle Eastern music fills the smoky room where people lounge on various chairs and couches. The visible smog in this Westport hookah bar, Sinbad’s Cafe & Hookah Lounge, and many others like it, is created by the customers who are smoking flavored tobacco out of multiple, multicolored hookahs.

Hookah smoking, a practice that originated in ancient Persia and India, has gained popularity among youth in recent years. Sinbad’s owner Sami Mahmoude has his own theories about this heightened popularity. “[For] young people, I think, it has become a Starbucks idea. In this age, you want to go hang out where there is no responsibilities.

You want to kill time,” Mahmoude said. “This is something new.”

Hookah smoking becomes legal to do at bars or at home when the user turns 18, and allows for people 18 years or older to purchase hookah tobacco called shisha, a moist and sticky tobacco. When smoked in hookah bars, customers can then sit down with a small group and smoke the shisha out of a hookah provided by the bar.

Senior Jake Waters, who occasionally works at Sultan Hookah Bar on Shawnee Mission Parkway, believes the popularity of hookah bars in youth results from the freedoms that come from turning 18.

“I think it’s exciting for 18-yearolds to go there because now they can go legally,” Waters said. “I just

think it’s because they’re excited they’re turning 18.”

Senior Margo Bradley went to a hookah bar for the first time on her 18th birthday in January.

“It’s just relaxed. You get to hang out with friends,” Bradley said. “You get to try different flavors and meet new people.”

Senior Andrew Geise also began going about a month ago.

“It’s just a social thing. It’s a lot of fun to hang out with friends and do something while you’re talking to them,” Geise said.

Mahmoude enjoys allowing his customers to have this experience.

According to Mahmoude, Sinbad’s atmosphere is a combination of American and Arabic styles. It is inspired by Mahmoude’s childhood home of Palestine, where he first experienced hookah smoking and its cultural significance.

“In the Middle East, we follow religion a lot. For example, we’re not allowed to drink as Muslims.

People there, they cannot have a drink, they cannot go to bars,” Mahmoude said. “That is why they come to the hookah bar.

They’re kind of like a club, but a quiet atmosphere.”

Bradley agrees with Mahmoude that the bars are a comfortable place for people to hang out, as well as with his statement that hookah bars have become “a Starbucks idea.”

“I’d agree [it’s like Starbucks] because it’s just one of those fads that’s growing and it’s becoming more and more popular,” Bradley said. “Plus, they serve coffee and tea, so it really does have the same atmosphere except with hookah.”

Geise holds a similar view.

“To the people that know

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about them, then yeah, I would definitely see it being like ‘the new Starbucks,’” Geise said.

Hookah also allows for experimentation with new flavors and smoking techniques. According to Geise, the best part of smoking hookah is “making the cool smoke rings. It’s so much fun.”

Bradley agrees this is best part.

“I am not good at [making smoke rings] at all, but I try,” Bradley said.

Both students also enjoy getting to try new flavors of shisha. Bradley’s favorites are “any kind of fruit mixed with mint,” while Geise’s favorites are rose and berry.

This freedom to experiment along with the atmosphere of hookah bars are what make Mahmoude believe that are so popular.

“People want to lose their minds sometimes,” Mahmoude said. “It’s a nice way of getting away from problems or also to have fun.”

HOOKAHhistory The first types of

Hookah

dia using coconut shells

into the East

smoking

4

5 ABOVE: A HOOKAH, PREPARED with circular coals on top of the foiled bowl, is ready to be used on Sunday, April 1. LEFT: SENIOR JAKE WATERS smokes hookah at Sultan Hookah Bar. “[Smoking hookah] is a fun thing to do while hanging and talking with friends,” Waters said.

Photos by Taylor Young

The hookah gets its

Hookah becomes

Practice

regains

lar in Turkey

women to smoke

a downturn during the mid-1900s

1400s primitive hookahs 1500s popularity spreads 1700s present design af- 1800s fashionable in Eu- Late popularity in westter becoming popuare designed in Inacross Persia and rope for elite young 1900s ern countries after Middle

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Descriptions: 1. The bowl is a container made of clay which holds the tobacco.

Charcoal is lit and placed on top.

2. The hose is the tube that allows the smoke to be inhaled, from a mouthpiece fitted at one end.

3. The tray sits on top of the body of the hookah and holds ash.

4. The body of the hookah connects the bowl and the water jar.

It allows smoke to move from the water jar to the hoses.

5. The water jar cools and humidifies the smoke, as well as supports the whole structure.

Sources: Smoking YGOY Ahmad Jurak Limited

10

FEATURE

C: Conklin

“ A

Talk to substitute teacher Carolyn Conklin about life.

Whenever you come to conflict, turn to Dr. C for the world’s best advice. She knows what she’s talking about. Trust her, she’s a doctor.

“I asked her about her bear necklace in back to back class periods...and she spent the entire class both times telling the story.” junior Lexi Riddle

H

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

jagwire.coryreinoehl@gmail.com

coils around the hands of students, mimicking the survival instinct of suffocating prey. Photo by Emily Johnson

jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com

Hold

G: Goodwill

Buy a sweater at Goodwill. Senior Rachel Mills, who owns eight Goodwill sweaters, began sweater shopping at Goodwill because she wanted to find things that were unique. She recommends the Goodwill on Shawnee Mission Parkway.

Apply

Apply for at least three colleges. If you don’t know what you’re going to do after high school, it wouldn’t hurt to apply yourself.

E: Elevator Take the elevator instead of the stairs. Just one time in your high school career when you’re too tired to walk up the stairs, ride the elevator and enjoy the toasty temperature.

“

J: Join

“Be

in the mood for it. If you’re not really taking the time to look through everything, you’re not going to find things you like.”

B: Blood F: Face paint D: Decorate How to decorate a locker:

1. Be sure which locker is your friend’s 2. Get a variety of colored objects to decorate the locker with 3. Make a sign saying what you want to say to your friend 4. Tack on some inside jokes 5. Put it all on their locker and make a huge mess doing so

I: IHOP

Paint your face before a sporting event. Show your Go to IHOP after a school spirit by painting your face and being a Jaguar sporting event. The party fanatic. You will be the hit of the tailgate doing so. does not have to end just because the game does.

Plus, pancakes are the perfect way to gain back all the calories burned while cheering.

Decorate a friend’s locker. Be a real friend and go all out decorating their locker for any occasion, whether that may be a birthday, athletic event, or just saying thanks for being a great friend.

IN THE C-WING, sophomore Riley McDonald’s locker is decorated with tissue paper from her birthday on Sunday, Jan. 22. McDonald thinks “everybody should have their locker decorated” because it is “awesome.”

Photo by Emliy Johnson

K

CORY REINOEHL

ALANA FLINN

Everything you should do befor

Join a club. Being involved allows a person to leave their mark and provides instant community.

senior Rachel Mills

Donate your blood at least once. It will only hurt for a little bit, and you’ll feel great about helping another person.

BUC LIS

the A-Z hig

Hold a snake, like Bubba, science teacher Eric Thomas’ snake. “[Bubba is] pretty laid back, pretty sweet,” Thomas said. “Any kid that is not going to hurt her [can hold her] because she is not going to hurt them.”

FIVE-YEAR-OLD ball python, Bubba,

L: Like

Like the JagWire on Facebook. Sorry.

We had to. But really.

Like us on Facebook; you will not regret it.

N: Nose

In hopes of performing well on a test, rubbing the nose of the jaguar statue in the foyer could drastically increase your scores, according to a school superstition.

M Midnight

Sausage Stop for a breakfast at Barb’s Kolache Bakery.

Barb’s review. We recommend the sausage and cheese kolache for those who prefer breakfast sandwiches. The Raspberry light-tasting bread balances out the deep, spicy taste of the sausage. If you prefer doughnuts over breakfast sandwiches, than the raspberry kolache is best. It is a Strawberry cream cheese lighter version, and probably healthier, version of a jelly-filled doughnut. If health is not a concern, then order the strawberry cream cheese kolache. It tastes exactly like strawberry ice cream.

O: O

Open a savi saving up for y headstart on co you ahead on te allowing for a shopping and ea

Attend a midnight premiere. Do you dare endure the hours of waiting outside accompanied by school the next day for a new movie? If so, a midnight premiere filled with attendees dressed in costume and overcrowded hallways is the place for you.

P:

Have key show pushups enduran while m his great Rodkey’s

-75 crunc -100 pus -25 lunge -15 pull u -35 back

Kolache

SNACKING ON POPCORN, juniors Morgan Battes and Abby Ostronic wait for the premiere of The Hunger Games. “[The premiere] wasn’t as busy as I thought,” Ostronic said. Photo by Courtney Minter

“I starte made m build en

math t

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

CKET ST

T: Tennis balls

gh school

Try to catch one of social studies teachers Dustin Stinnett and Jeff Strickland’s tennis balls during passing period.

Let’s be honest, everyone wants to see that happen.

HANNA TORLINE

jagwire.hannatorline@gmail.com

SARAH FULTON

re you graduate, letter by letter

Q: QuikTrip

Open

Create a suicide drink at QuikTrip. QuikTrip places an extreme emphasis on keeping their sodas at the perfect temperature, so why not mix them all together in a beautiful masterpiece?

ings account and start your future. Getting a ollege expenses will put extbook fees and rent, little extra room for ating funds.

S: Slide

Slide down the railings in the main hallway.

Just try not to take anyone out at the bottom.

e math teacher Brian Rodw you he can complete 100 s. His utter strength and nce will rock your world making you feel inferior to tness. workout regimen:

ed at 50 pushups, then my way up. You have to ndurance and constantly try to improve.” teacher Brian Rodkey

Definition: A tasty, pale, brownish drink made by mixing together all of the available flavors of pop at a restaurant (except for water).

R

WHILE DOING A broadcast assignment, sophomore Jacob Patterson enjoys a break by sliding down the main stairwell on Monday, April 2. Photo by Kelsey Floyd

Rollercoaster Joining in the rollercoaster at a sporting event is a great way to show spirit. Being slammed around against your friends while screaming for the whole crowd to hear makes for the best halftime available.

U: Use

Use your student I.D. to get discounts at local businesses. You can use it for more than just getting into games for free.

11

Xerox

Figure out how to use the Xerox machine in the copy room. Not many people can; the instructions are kind of confusing.

W

Y: Yogurtopia Visit Yogurtopia for treats. Walk down to the store, try all different kinds of yogurt flavors and use your discount with your student I.D. Our favorite mixes:

Words of wisdom Actually listen to English teacher Justin Bogart’s “words of wisdom.” You might end up taking something away from them.

-Non-fat Green Mint yogurt -Reese’s Pieces -Strawberry Fizzle candy

Source: Urban Dictionary

: Pushups

ches shups es ups exercises

“

“[Being] inducted into the allhands hall of fame isn’t your regular can of corn; it has to be something spectacular.” social studies teacher Dustin Stinnett

jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com

X

FEATURE

V: Van de Graaff Touch science teacher Mary Beth Mattingly’s Van de Graaff. You’ll be shocked by what happens (literally).

DURING AN HONORS physics lab on Tuesday, Jan. 24, senior Leah Rettig experiments with the Van de Graaff generator. The Van de Graaff generator shows how static friction occurs. Photo by Kristina Milewski Where you can use your student I.D.:

-Westglen Theatres -Scoops -Yogurtopia -Lifetime Fitness -YMCA -Apple -Adobe Software

-AMC Theatres -24-Hour Fitness -Subway -Amazon -Sony -Dell

-Non-fat Green Mint yogurt -Mountain blackberry yogurt -Andes Mints -Waffle cone pieces

Z Zulu

Ride the Zulu at Worlds of Fun. It is a smaller ride that will knock your socks off just like the larger roller coasters.

It is a ride for the true Worlds of Funs aficionado.

Photos by Kelsey Floyd, Emily Johnson and Taylor Young

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 | APRIL 6, 2012

STAFFeditorial

High school comes with “don’t” list as well Students are encouraged to experience high school fully, but avoid certain aspects The JagWire staff brainstormed an “anti-bucket list” of things you shouldn’t do in high school to compliment our high school bucket list on the center spread. Here are a few of the highlights.

1.“Don’t sweat the little things.”--editor-inchief Sarah Darby There are so many opportunities in high school and some students often forget that. Even though grades are important, each individual grade will not singly define your future. If you bomb one test or quiz, don’t stress yourself out too much over it. You will have an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and improve on the next test. Same goes for social events. Not getting invited to go out one time does not mean everyone hates you. There’s a lot going on in high school and occasionally someone will be forgotten. It’s not always meant as an attack.

2.“That special person’s tongue will still be there later, so save it until after school, and not by my locker.”—news editor Josh Duden There was an overall consent on our staff that no one enjoys watching couples’ public displays of affection. While making out in the locker bank is probably the act that bothers onlookers the most,

“Hunger Games” fans need to seek deeper meaning in story Author uses series to convey messages about corrupt society

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

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 Alec Santaularia

other acts also provide road blocks in the hallway. random articles of clothing in the stalls. If for There’s no reason to just stand and gaze into your some reason you no longer need your pants, at significant other’s eyes for the entire seven minleast throw them away. Don’t just toss them in utes you are given to get to class. Becoming so the toilet for the next unfortunate bathroom-goer attached to someone in high school that you need to deal with. Also, once in the bathroom, avoid their constant physical contact will only set you interactions in general while you are in the stall. up for disappointment.

This is not the time to 3.“Don’t think catch up with teachers if everything you do will you see them. Save that disappear in a few years— for the hallways. it won’t.”—sports editor 5.“Don’t freak out Hanna Torline about the future. Things Even though it’s said will fall into place.”— over and over, avoid makfeatures editor Kristina ing choices that could Milewski haunt you in the future.

There’s no need to not There’s no need to adverenjoy your life because tise your choices on the you’re constantly thinking Internet. You never know about a year or so into the Illustrations by Adam Henderson what will come up again future. Part of enjoying later. Basically everything high school is experiencis permanent. Be conscious of how you present ing things that are only available to you as a teenyourself to both your peers and teachers. ager. On the other side, part of not stressing about 4.“Don’t do inappropriate/weird things in the your future too much involves having a plan. Set bathroom.”—reporter Sydney Wilson a plan for college or whatever else you plan to do Keep any excrements from your body in the after high school, and follow it. It doesn’t have toilet. On that note, toilets are only for excreto be a strict plan, just something to keep you on ments from your body. There’s no reason to find track.

HANNA TORLINE

jagwire.hannatorline@gmail.com

It’s hard to ignore the hype and attention connected to the best-selling trilogy and movie “The Hunger Games.” Its complicated underlying themes create a story that has attracted millions of fans, and rightfully so.

The ideals presented in the series dig

deep into the essence of humanity. It makes a strong statement about the dangers of unrestricted power and how people are capable of forgetting their identities when placed in an extreme situation. “The Games” also warns about the effects of an inhumane society that fails to value life.

Even though these insightful themes have the potential to truly impact an audience, the problem with the hysteria surrounding “The Games” is that many of the fans don’t understand the true meaning behind the books. Instead, they root for their favorite tributes in a fightto-the-death ‘game,’ essentially buying into the mindset that the government encourages in the books.

ADAM’Sanimations

While many people cheer and cry for Katniss, Peeta and Rue, the ‘heroes’ of the trilogy, no one cares when the other 21 kids brutally murder each other; it’s just seen as a part of the story. You shouldn’t come away from the books or movie thinking about how cool the violence scenes were or how amazing the technology in the Capitol looked.

You’re supposed to think about the dangers of a desensitized society that is able to find sport in children killing each other, not sit back and become a part of that state of mind.

The fact that people are buying into the exact ideas that are addressed in the books makes the message even more important. The society that is

portrayed in “The Hunger Games” is not as unlike our current one as we think. We are unnerved when we take the role of a terrorist and fly a plane into the World Trade Center in a video game. The influences in our daily lives show that our society and the society in “The Games” have common flaws.

Instead of viewing “The Hunger Games” as just another actionpacked story, we need to be aware of the deeper meanings and alarming warnings that are incorporated in the trilogy. “The Games” isn’t just another shallow teen series; the statements made need to be listened to and understood because, believe it or not, they’re important.

A monthly cartoon about school happenings

Illustrations by Adam Henderson

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

OPINION

PROcon

13

YOUsaidIT

Social media outlets are ideal Kony 2012 creates emotional Are social media campaigns for inciting widespread change responses but not real change effective?

Kony 2012 utilizes Facebook and Twitter to spread messages

MACKENZIE ECKMAN

jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com

You’ve seen the posts on Facebook, Twitter and imgfave. Whether you’ve watched the video or not, you probably know all about the Kony 2012 movement, just because of what you see on social media websites.

Invisible Children, Inc. started the Kony 2012 movement with the release of their video on Monday, March 5. The goal of the movement is to make Joseph Kony “famous” and spark curiosity to get people informed about the crimes that he has committed against humanity.

The Internet is a great resource to help spread an organization’s message because people actually see it.

With about 20 shares on my news feed and various tweets on my timeline, I think that teenagers do a better job of informing the general public of various social issues than the news ever could. We have more time on our hands and we always have technology with us making it easier for us to communicate with our peers and share our opinions with the world.

Within a matter of days, you could ask around and most every-

body knew about the Kony 2012 Aid campaigns that use social movement because of how fast inmedia fail to fully inform public formation travels on the Internet.

I’m not saying they were informed about the topic, but they were aware. The same thing can be applied to #ATB trend on Twitter, recognizing a boy at Shawnee Mission West High School who lost his battle with cancer. Just knowing that SARAH FULTON their cause has support is what really jagwire.sarahfulton@gmail.com drives these movements.

“Slactivism” is the term that the The whole point of the Kony media recently invented to explain 2012 campaign is to get the word aid campaigns like Kony 2012. Inout. There is no denying that sharstead of initiating real change, the ing information about the Kony slactivists are content to buy a few 2012 movement is extremely easy, bracelets, post a Facebook status whether you’re sharing good or and forward a link to the video. I bad elements of it. Even if you am all for thinking you can change don’t agree with the efforts that the world, but Kony this movement is is not bringing real trying to promote, change. The large you’re still putting amount of social meJoseph Kony’s name 8 22 dia associated with out there, which is the video has lead to one of the goals of think Kony think Kony 2012 is an 2012 is a a bandwagon effect the movement. Just effective bandwagon that will not last for by mentioning his campaign scheme two main reasons. name, people will Out of 30 staff members The first is that become curious, the video pulls at look into the topic heart strings, creating an emotional and decide whether or not they response, but that’s where it stops. It should support it. makes people emotional enough to So whether or not you support post a Facebook status, but not to do Invisible Children, Inc.’s efforts to anything bigger. It lacks the crucial stop Kony and his crimes, talking information that would provide for about him on Facebook or Twitter real change or information on how helps the cause. Share your opinpeople should help. The video fails ion either way. Heck, even tweet to give an accurate description of the JagWire. No matter what you what life in Uganda is really like and say, you’re helping make Kony “fafails to give a history of the years of mous.”

STAFFvote

violence that have occurred there.

The bandwagoners do not know that the money sent is going to fund the Ugandan Military, but reports say that Kony has not been in Uganda for years. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is painted as one of the good guys by the video, but according to CBS New’s World Watch Museveni is one of the world’s “enduring dictators.” According to World Watch a case has been brought against Museveni in the International Criminal Court that seeks to have him charged with crimes against humanity. That is the same crime, in the same court, that Kony has been charged with.

The second reason is that Kony 2012 has become a consumer cause.

To support Invisible Children, people buy bracelets and posters. In part, they are supporting Kony so they can get something new that they can look at and feel good about themselves. Capturing Kony is a complex operation that takes knowledge, education and planning. Thousands of kids buying something is not going to move world leaders. It takes true activism that cannot be supported by purchasing a $30 action kit or watching a video. To create real change, do something, do not just buy something write a letter or start a club.

It is great that teens are stepping up and trying to create change. It is wonderful that they are using social media to get the word out. However, if they want real change, they need to realize that research and dedication is required.

Students should consider motives behind volunteering Volunteer work should make a difference in the community, not just improve resumes

KELSEY FLOYD

jagwire.kelseyfloyd@gmail.com

Volunteering is a crucial part of our high school years. It helps us get the scholarships we want and gives us something to look impressive on college applications. We volunteer for a good grade in community service, or because it’s court-mandated. However, these are not really the reasons we should be doing community service.

The best way to volunteer is to do something that interests you. Find a cause that you think is important to help, or something that you like to do. For instance, I like working with children, so I volunteer at an elementary school. If you like what you’re doing then it doesn’t feel like work, it becomes something you want to do. Instead we should strive toward helping our communities and making the world a better place to live.

The reason that community service looks good on college applications is because it appears as though a person cares about their community and helping people. That person might care, but they may just be trying to help themselves. Students of our generation no longer help people without asking “what’s in it for me?”

There are the few who actually choose to volunteer out of the goodness of their hearts, but I feel like those people are becoming more and more outnumbered in our high school.

During high school we tend to get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget that other people need care. We obsess over our own needs and forget that the reason we are helping people shouldn’t only be to help ourselves. Volunteering helps us to focus on helping the community instead of focusing on miniscule high school drama.

I understand the incentives we have to volunteer are appealing, but I don’t think that volunteering is worth as much when it’s just for something to put down on a college application.

Helping someone or doing a project to benefit the community can make you feel like a better person.

Helping a person should be enough.

It’s not a bad thing that we get credit for volunteering on our college applications, in class or other places, but we shouldn’t let volunteering lose its meaning. If you are only doing community service to help yourself, then maybe you should rethink your motives.

“ “ “

“Yeah...after I watched the video I really thought that it affected me more than before I [watched it].” freshman Ellen Merrill

“For about a week, yes, and then people forget about them and move on.” sophomore Molly Oshinski

“Very much so. I think they’re effective because when celebrities endorse them, they spread like a virus.” junior Drew Deckard

“I think they’re effective for a short period of time. It gets the message out but people don’t really do anything except post a status.” senior Amanda Morgan

SPORTS

14

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

Springing into action A look at each spring sport

Illustrations by Adam Henderson

Boys Golf

How to hit a good drive:

GOLF PROFESSIONAL LARRY Hadden watches his son, freshman Ben Hadden, practice on Saturday, March 31. The father-son golf duo practice often. “[I expect] him to enjoy and learn from it” Larry said. Photo by Kelsey Floyd

Freshman golfer’s father taught him to play at a young age SARAH GONZALES

“ “ “ Stance:

“Have a wide, balanced stance.

Keep [your] eye on the ball and knees slightly bent.” sophomore Jon Darby

Stroke:

“[It is important] to have a smooth swing and to think about trying not to kill the ball.” junior Erik Sell

jagwire.sarahgonzales@gmail.com

Follow-through:

“Keep your left arm locked and keep the club pointed towards your target once done.” junior Weston Noyes

For freshman Ben Hadden and his father Larry Hadden, playing golf is considered a bonding time between father and son.

“The time that we golf together is considered father-son time,” Larry said. “It is also an opportunity to

learn the game and what it has to offer.”

Larry is a golf professional at Shawnee Golf and Country Club, operating the retail store and the golf course.

“Playing golf is [only] 10 percent of my occupation,” Larry said. “I also run the Country Club and offer lessons on golfing.”

Ben is one of two freshmen on the varsity golf team.

“I think Ben will do well,” Larry said. “He will meet the coaches’ expectations; I think he will meet a lot of good friends on the team too.”

Ben and Larry try to play golf about two to three times a week.

“I usually practice without him because he is working,” Ben said.

“But we always try to practice at least two times a week.”

Larry has been taking Ben with him to work since Ben was a toddler.

Being around his dad was how Ben became involved in golf.

“My dad obviously got me started playing golf,” Ben said. “I feel like I am always trying to be better than him; it’s a little bit of pressure, but I can deal with it. I learned most of everything that I know about golf from my dad.”

Upcoming tournament: Monday, April 9 at 3 p.m. at Leavenworth Country Club

Girls Soccer

3

Upcoming game: Tuesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. vs. Barstow High School

Rayanna Gossett

11 senior

goalkeeper

Kelsey Wakefield

Johnson 9 Emily senior

center midfielder

outside midfielder Abby Sieperda

7

Haley Seibel defender

16 sophomore

forward/striker

McKenzie Koch sweeper

6 19 junior

Lauren Gibson senior stopper

20 junior

Livestrong Sporting Park

The team plays De Soto High School at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 19 at Livestrong. Admission costs $5 for both students and adults.

4 senior

Bri Franklin junior defender

Kayla Hamner junior center midfielder Bailey Parke

12 sophomore

outside midfielder

Carlie Howe

2 junior

forward/striker

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

Softball

SPORTS was expected to pitch at least once in every other game.

“It’s always hard to lose a senior player, especially one that has a big role,” DeWild said. “[Mason] was one of our strongest pitchers, as well as a very solid hitter.”

Although the team is coping with Mason’s injury, losing any other players would cause even more difficulties.

“It will be hard for us if we suffer any more player injuries,” DeWild said. “We have depth in some positions, but any other injuries could put a major hole into our hitting line-up.”

Despite not being able to compete, Mason still holds a positive outlook.

“I think we are going to do really well,” Mason said. “My contribution to the team will be that I will be the best cheerleader they’ve ever had.”

Softball team pushes forward after key senior player’s injury ERIC HOWES

jagwire.erichowes@gmail.com

Upcoming game: Thursday, April 12 at 4:30 p.m. at Blue Valley West High School

Last season:

6 6 1

With the softball season underway, the team has experienced a loss with one of its starting pitchers suffering an injury. Senior pitcher Lindsay Mason tore the labrum in her arm for the second time in her career.

“They won’t figure out how far it tore until surgery,” Mason said. “It could immobilize me for six weeks after surgery, and I will have to do a lot of rehabilitation.”

The injury will affect the team on and off the field. Mason was a leader and a big role player in the pitching position, according to assistant coach Jessica DeWild. With Mason being the number two starting pitcher, she

Baseball

Tyler Moore senior

5

4 Bret Holloway senior

Bath 18 Ryan junior

Upcoming game: Tonight at 4:30 p.m. vs. De Soto High School

Bryce Lievens sophomore

20 Junior Dakota Loftin (0-0)

Boys Tennis

* 21

*Starting pitchers 17 Senior Greg Mason (2-0) 11 Junior L.J. Hatch (2-0) 24 Junior Jason Younger (0-0)

9

Hanna 28 Wade senior

Jake Theis 10 junior Garrett Scheffler senior

Jacob Spring senior

7

Senior Daniel Fleming and sophomore Joe Vincent earned first place at the Washburn Invitational on Tuesday, March 27 Sophomore Jack Townsend earned fourth place and medaled in the singles competition at the Washburn Invitational

Track and Field

Upcoming meet: Friday, April 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Shawnee Mission West High School

15

Friday, March 30 Ottawa track meet results:

Boys finished in first place with 163 team points

Track team looks for successful season through improvement RYAN FULLERTON

jagwire.ryanfullerton@gmail.com

After the track season started in March, head boys coach Chris Dunback is prepared for the team’s improvement, even with a loss of varsity members that graduated last May. “Overall, for the season, my expectations are that we get better at each and every meet [and] that each athlete dedicates themselves to listening to their coaches and working hard in practice,” Dunback said. “If that’s the mindset that every single kid is trying to make every single kid better, then that’s a successful season.”

Distance coach Betsy Meeks thinks the team has shown promise in practices, as well as at the meet on Friday, March 30.

“I think our work ethic has been really good so far,” she said. “I think based on how we did Friday night we will do pretty well this season.”

Dunback is looking forward to the performances of new team members as well as the seniors.

“We got some young freshmen, especially distance runners, who have a lot of potential,” Dunback said. “The senior class isn’t very large, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in ability.”

Senior thrower Mike Shaw is confident the season will go well.

“I think we’re going to do pretty good,” Shaw said. “We’ve got strong athletes on the guys and girls side, so I’d expect we’d do pretty good.”

Girls finished in second place with 162.5 team points

Junior Emily Brigham broke the school pole vault record with a 12-6 jump

Senior Ashton Proctor broke the school 400-meter record with a time of 49.9 seconds

Sophomore C.J. Meeks ran the 800-meter in 2 minutes, 5 seconds

At the Jaguar Invitational on Wednesday, March 28, the team placed seventh out of 10 teams

“We have a strong, young team and no matter what we’re going to keep improving and have fun.” senior Austin Ross

The team travels to Blue Valley High School for a makeup meet tonight Upcoming meet: Tuesday, April 10 at 3:15 p.m. at Bonner Springs High School

THE VARSITY TRACK team huddles to brief about the upcoming meet on Tuesday, April 3. “We have a core group of kids who have been working hard year round,” head boys track coach Chris Dunback said. Photo by Taylor Young

the Illustrations by Adam Henderson Photos by Kelsey Floyd

What’s the best way you’ve been asked to a school dance?

WHAT YOU’RE SAYING

“ “ “ “ TWEETS

For the cupcakes: 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour 3 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 12 tbsp butter, 1 ½ sticks, at room temperature 2 whole eggs + 2 egg whites, at room temperature 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream coffee creamer For the Bailey’s buttercream: 2 cups butter 8 cups powdered sugar 6 tbsp Bailey’s Irish Cream coffee creamer

What you need:

How to make Bailey’s Irish Cream cupcakes

Olivia Cain @_oliviacain how do you organize a space party? you planet. @mvjagwire

*Shapes legs and butt

Bring right fist toward right hip while turning right knee inward, then return to starting position. Repeat on left side.

With heels about three feet apart, squat with toes slightly turned out.

Put both arms straight out in front of you, with hands in fists.

Learn how to do the Lawn Mower*

WORKOUT

5. “Make sure you know where everything is and have directions for everywhere,” senior Connor Mehalovich said.

4. Remember to iron your clothes and ensure that there are no stains on your shirt or tuxedo.

3. If you are driving your car, make sure that you fill up your tank with gasoline before Prom.

2. “You can grow your own flowers for the corsage and boutonniere,” senior Christian Service said.

1. Talk with your date to make sure that you both color coordinate.

for guys:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with 24 cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Add eggs one at a time, beating on low between each addition. Add vanilla.

Add flour slowly in 3 additions, alternating with Bailey’s, starting and ending with the flour.

Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full and bake 17-19 minutes, or until a cake tester (toothpick) comes out clean.

Allow to cool completely.

For the frosting, beat butter in an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, until completely mixed. Add the Bailey’s and beat until well combined.

Load frosting into a piping bag fit with a large tip and decorate as desired.

Directions:

5. If you’re making an appointment for your hair or nails, make the appointment immediately. Don’t call in the day of Prom.

4. “Make sure that you get up early enough in case you need to shop for anything,” senior Jordan Campbell said.

3. Do your hair and makeup the morning of Prom in order to correct any mistakes you may have.

2. “If you’re getting a spray tan, remember to not get it the day of Prom. Get it the night before for the best results,” senior Regan Godwin said.

TEMPTING TREATS

Quick tips on getting ready for Prom

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Your JagWire key to entertainment

1. If you order your dress, shoes or accessories online and are waiting until that week to get it, have a backup ready.

for girls:

Our favorite joke tweeted by you

“A guy and I were playing soccer and he passed the ball to me and it had ‘prom’ written all over it, it was really cute.” senior Lauren Gibson

“She wrote ‘WPA?’ on 900 sticky notes and posted them on my car while I was working late.” junior Riley Toombs

“I opened my locker and there were pink roses in my locker with a sign that said ‘Homecoming?’” sophomore Marissa Bernal

“I was coming home from the airport and when I pulled into the driveway, I saw signs that said ‘welcome home’ and ‘Prom?’ I got really excited.” freshman Katie Heffernon

PROM PREP

FLIPSIDE jagwire.sarahgonzales@gmail.com

SARAH GONZALES

jagwire.katielinsey@gmail.com

KATIE LINSEY

jagwire.reganjones@gmail.com

REGAN JONES

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THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

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The world will be

watching The Hunger Games becomes an international phenomenon KAITLIN ROUNDS

jagwire.kaitlinrounds@gmail.com

YOUsaidIT

What did you think of the movie?

“I really liked it. It was fun to get to go to a movie at midnight on a school night.” sophomore Rachel Borchardt “I loved it because it followed the book so well. They only left out a few small details.” senior Lindsay Mason

“The movies are never as good as the books, but I think they did a good job with the plot.” senior Shannon McGraw

fastFACTS

Twenty-four teenagers fighting to the death in an arena while thousands watch: it sounds like a nightmare on the surface, but is actually the premise of the wildly popular new movie The Hunger Games, which opened Friday, March 23.

Based on the New York Times best-selling series by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games” tells the tale of a post-apocalyptic society and its government’s efforts to control it by forcing each of its 12 districts to volunteer one boy and one girl tribute between the ages of 12-18 to battle each other until only one victor remains. Because of the books’ commercial success, the production company Lionsgate hoped to make much more than the $80 million the film cost to make.

The Hunger Games ended up pulling in $155 million opening weekend, the third highest total for an opening weekend after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 and The Dark Knight.

Despite the somewhat unsettling basis of the story, many patrons were excited for the release of the movie, particularly fans of the books.

“The books were my favorite of

all time,” junior Joey Perkins said. “I know it sounds sick, but I love the idea of whole series and battling to the death.”

This new movie enterprise has seemed to fill the gap in young adults’ interests since the ending of the Harry Potter series and the soon-to-end Twilight series. Lionsgate, whose prior biggest movie making success was Michael Moore’s Farenheit 9/11, acquired rights to the film in 2009.

After opening weekend, The Hunger Games became the company’s highest grossing movie.

“I needed something to get into after Harry Potter ended and it was really, really easy to get into ‘The Hunger Games,’” sophomore Lexi Reidel said.

As with most movie adaptations, The Hunger Games was under particular scrutiny to see how well it matched up to the book.

“I thought it was really, really well put together,” Reidel said. “Normally books have so many different story lines and I think [the movie makers] did a really good job of including all the information.”

The cast list for the movie includes the likes of Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland and Elizabeth Banks in the adult roles. The younger roles were filled

by Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) playing the protagonist Katniss, Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right)

WHAThasCHANGED?

Hunger Games premiered in theaters on Friday, > The > At the end of the book, the ravenous creatures March 23. On its opening weekend, it drew in an esti-

Games proved to be loved by a wide audience range, with the majority of viewers being over the age of 25, and over 60 percent being females.

that attack Katniss share characteristics that are similar to the former opponents Katniss had faced in the arena. In the movie, it is seen more clearly that they are the spawn of the game makers, and have no characteristics of the previous combatants.

The master game maker’s death is noted at the end of the movie; however, his death is not mentioned until the start of the second book in The Hunger Games series.

source: Box Office Mojo

information provided by Brandon Burnworth

mated $155 million, the third largest opening weekend of all time, just behind The Dark Knight (2008) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011).

nearly $78 million to make, The Hunger > Costing Games was Lionsgate’s most expensive production to date.

> Along with the impressive numbers, The Hunger

>

WHILE WAITING FOR the midnight premiere of The Hunger Games to begin sophomore Hope Reidel talks with friends at Westglen 18 Theatre on Thursday March 22. Photo by Courtney Minter

playing her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta and Liam Hemsworth (Last Song) playing Katniss’ lifelong friend Gale.

There are expected to be three more movies made for the series covering the last two books in the trilogy, Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

“I am very excited for [the next movie] because the ending of the first one was more of a transition,” Perkins said. “And they did such a good job with the first one I want to see how the next ones turn out.”

Warning: spoilers below

> Since the book is told from Katniss’ perspective,

we don’t see the battle in anyone else’s eyes, such as the announcers and or the game makers in the arena. These perspectives are shown in more detail in the movie, and the master game maker gets a lot more screen time.

> The mockingjay pin was given to Katniss by the

mayor’s daughter in the book. In the movie, she finds it herself. In fact, the mayor and his daughter are never spoken of during the film.

Photos by Courtney Minter

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

R ADIO by you

A&E

19

JACK LOPEZ

jagwire.jacklopez@gmail.com

Internet radio service Pandora offers listeners the ability to customize radio stations to match any mood or situation

Bon Iver If you’re sleeping:

The winner of two Grammy Awards and four nominations at the 2012 Grammys, Bon Iver has proven itself in the music world. The combination of gentle, harmonic vocals (which voice incomprehensible lyrics) and powerful instrumentation is just what tired teenagers need to relax, destress and get a full night of sleep. Some other artists you might find on the station are Iron & Wine and The Wood Brothers. Sit back, close your eyes and let the music take you to your happy place.

If you’re partying: Dubstep

The Black Keys If you’re studying:

Everything about The Black Keys, from the classic-sounding, distorted guitar to frontman Dan Auerbach’s vocals, makes for a study session filled not with tears of stress, but with calm, cool and collected head-bobbing and confidence.

The duo made up of Auerbach and Patrick Carney have a grungy, garage rock style that is hard to not enjoy. Other artists you might find on the station are Jimi Hendrix and The White Stripes. Study away and good luck.

If you’re getting ready for school: Today’s

Hits

John Mayer If you’re sad:

With John Mayer’s “Heartbreak Warfare” and “Half of My Heart,” heartbroken teenage girls now have the perfect music to cry along to. Facebook statuses are abound with lyrics such as these: “When you’re dreaming with a broken heart, waking up is the hardest part.” The lyrics are slightly cliché, but it truly does make one nice and sad. Smooth vocals and strong lyrics do, in fact, make for decent tunes, especially when life has you down. Other artists on the station include The Fray and Jack Johnson. Now, now, it’s OK to cry.

YOUsaidIT What is your favorite Pandora radio station?

“Mac Miller radio because that’s my favorite artist.” freshman Taylor Herron Photos by Miranda Snyder

“Theory of a Dead Man because it’s good music. That’s kind of how it works.“ sophomore Drew Lecuru

“Either Today’s Country or Bill Engvall, because he’s funny.” junior Michaela Jamison

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PHOTO ESSAY

THE JAGWIRE | WWW.MVNEWS.ORG | APRIL 6, 2012

Ma ing the cut Students finish the year with cat dissections as a final project KRISTINA MILEWSKI

jagwire.kristinamilewski@gmail.com

With the smell of preservatives wafting around the classroom, students gather around the back table in science teacher Eric Thomas’ classroom to observe the proper techniques for dissecting a cat.

In the Silver 4 Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology class of 16 students ranging from sophomores to seniors, everyone seems surprisingly nonchalant at the task they were about to perform.

“I guess we’re just usually sitting and listening,” junior Rachel Blair said. “Now we’re actually getting our hands dirty.”

The cat dissection began on Wednesday, March 29. The students dissect every class period for four to five weeks until the end of the school year. During these class periods, the students will be able to fully dissect a preserved cat. The dissection begins with the cat’s digestive system and will finish with a lobotomy of the brain.

“Certainly you get an opportunity to see what you’ve learned by dissecting. They get to practice dissection skills if they do decide to pursue bi-

ology further. It’s also good practical knowledge for their life,” Thomas said. “They see how their own anatomy works.”

Some students in Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology found it beneficial to take Zoology prior to Anatomy as it prepared them for the cat dissection. Thomas states that students are dissecting specimens in Zoology for about 25 class periods out of the school year, ranging from sponges to fetal pigs.

“Zoology helped me a lot,” senior Kristyn Harding said. “You dissect, like, every class period.”

Another task in the dissection process is figuring out a name for the cat. Coming up with a creative name is actually part of the final grade. Seniors Megan Hightower and Brittany Zarda debated names while dissecting their cat.

“We’ve got a tough kitty,” senior Megan Hightower said. “Maybe Cathy, like Chatty Cathy. Or Jeanette, or maybe Queen Elizabeth.”

Thomas states that people don’t faint during cat dissections very often. The previous seven months of studying and learning about human anatomy has prepared them for this final project.

“I try to keep in mind that this is better because it’s for research,” senior Leah Rettig said.

DOMINANT: JUNIORS RACHEL BLAIR and Isaiah Gum work together on the first day of cat dissections in Silver 1 Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology on Wednesday, March 28. “It doesn’t really gross me out,” Gum said. “It’s fun.” Photo by Kristina Milewski ABOVE: SCIENCE TEACHER ERIC Thomas tosses a dissection cat across the room to students. The students, as a grade, have to give the cats eccentric names. “I actually had a couple students last year have an “F” for weeks because they couldn’t think of a good name,” Thomas said. Photo by Jack Lopez RIGHT: SENIOR BRITTANY ZARDA uses a scalpel to skin her cat on Wednesday, March 28. “Scalpel cuts are like paper cuts on steroids,” Thomas said. “Always cut away from you.” Photo by Kristina Milewski

FAR ABOVE: SCIENCE TEACHER ERIC Thomas demonstrates proper dissecting technique to junior Alexis Miller.

Students began dissecting on Wednesday, March 28, by skinning and preparing the cats. Photo by Jack Lopez ABOVE: JUNIORS ISAIAH GUM and Rachel Blair began the dissection process by removing the cat from the bag. “Look at the size of that cat, Gum,” Thomas said. “It’s bigger than you.” Photo by Kristina Milewski

ABOVE: SENIORS CARLY DOANE and Leah Rettig work together to begin dissecting their cat. “Those kids work their tails off all year,” Thomas said. “Now it’s all hands on.” Photo by Kristina Milewski