JW
Jagwire
mill valley high school volume 17 issue 6 March 9, 2017 mvnews.org
local community provides support for syrian refugees Page 4
In this issue ... NEWS 04 syrian refugees 06 handguns on campus
FEATUREs 09 10 12 14
09
04
spotted: Mrs. Barger credit versus debit retired teachers environment
12
OPINIONS 20 staff editorial 21 opinions
SPORTS 24 wrestling program 26 sports injuries 27 overtime
14
A&E 29 breakfast preferences 30 chicken tender reivews
PHOTO ESSAY 32 robotics
02
TABLE OF CONTENTS
24 Design by Madison Ferguson
Cover by Carter Lawson and Victoria Wright
32 mill valley high school
Jagwire
letter
from the editors
W
hen we started this issue, we knew there were going to be some scheduling problems. There was a five day weekend thrown into the middle of this production cycle, hindering the timing of interviews. Even though it was a much needed break, it kind of put everyone behind schedule a little bit. Thankfully, but not surprisingly, we were able to catch up, meeting most of our deadlines set within the production cycle. For this issue, our cover story focuses on Syrian refugees. We decided that we wanted to cover this topic because of its relevance in light of President Donald Trump’s recent Executive Order ban on immigration, making this a very timely topic. We deemed it an important topic because immigrants can be so easily misunderstood. We find it very important that our readers are well-informed
JAGWIRE OFFICE
5900 Monticello Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: (913) 422-4351 Fax: (913) 422-4039 Email: jagwirenewspaper@gmail.com Adviser: Kathy Habiger khabiger@usd232.org JagWire, a monthly publication of Mill Valley High School, is printed by the Sedalia Democrat.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association The 2016 JagWire was named a Pacemaker winner and an All-American newspaper by the NSPA, was inducted into the NSPA Hall of Fame and earned an All-Kansas rating from the KSPA. The Mill Valley News website was also named a two-time Pacemaker winner by the NSPA.
SOCIAL MEDIA
in the matter. To accomodate that topic as well as the wide variety of other pages, issue six has more double pages than what we have had in the past, causing story assignments to be hectic. We utilized this opportunity to give more responsibility to first year staffers. There were a few ups and downs, but overall we think that it was successful in the end. After putting out our second 32-page issue, we seniors are realizing more and more how little time we have left. With these last three issues, we hope to continue to put out quality content and leave Mill Valley journalism on a high note. We also hope to continue to put out 32-page issues so that we can fit even more content into these last few issues. We hope that these last three issues continue to intrigue and inform readers for the rest of the 2016-17 school year.
Jagwire 2016-17 staff EDITORs-IN-CHIEF Madison Ferguson Margaret Mellott Braden Shaw
managing editor Morgan Gurwell
copy editor Alison Booth
photo editor Victoria Wright
business manager Madison Ferguson
Hunter Ristau
news editors Katya Gillig Annie Myers Margaret Mellott
features/a&e editors Claire Boone Tricia Drumm
Braden Shaw
CENSORSHIP POLICY
Kansas Senate Bill 62 guarantees the same rights for student journalists as are guaranteed for professional journalists. These rights include, but are not limited to, all First Amendment rights, including the rights of freedom of speech and the press, insofar as published items may not contain libelous, slanderous or obscene statements, may not incite or promote illegal conduct and may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity.
EDITORIAL POLICY
We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or a letter to the editor for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or to the print journalism room (C101). Additionally, you may email any member of the staff with opinions, as well as tweet us at @millvalleynews. Anonymous content will not be accepted. Please understand that we have the right to edit all copy that runs in this publication.
opinions editors Nora Lucas Ally Nguyen
sports editors Anika Roy Jakob Twigg
social media editors Lexi Flipse Abby Layton
ILLUSTRATOR Avery Sheltra
REPORTERS & Photographers James Ball Carter Lawson Joe McClain Michael Sandri Marah Shulda Chris Sprenger
Twitter: @millvalleynews Facebook: Mill Valley News
Jagwire mill valley high school
Design by braden shaw
staff information
03
After relocating to America the Alkhawaja-Hajeharrived family enjoys spending time together by attending the Drumm Farm. Photo submitted by Jeff Rogers
land of the free The Kansas City area welcomes Syrian refugees from Damascus
i
n 2011, the Syrian Civil War began due to political resistance and protests by citizens. Since then, thousands of people and their families have fled the country in hopes of a better, safer life. Refugees, Ibraheem Alkhawajaand and Enas Hajeharrived, arrived in Kansas City, Missouri on Thursday Sept. 22, 2016 with their four boys. The family needed assistance in order to adjust to their new lives, so they turned to the organization KC for Refugees that was founded by Dr. Sofia Khan. “First [the organization] was just me and a group of friends doing it through our contacts, but then it grew bigger,” Dr. Khan said. “As other people and their friends and then the community found out I was doing this they wanted to get involved.” KC for Refugees is an interfaith charity that works with Della Lamb Community Services, Jewish Vocational Services and Catholic Charities of
04
news
Northeast Kansas to coordinate refugee support activities, according to Dr. Khan. “We developed a network of communication with all the local Kansas City settlement agencies,” Dr. Khan said. “We wanted to remain in the greater Kansas City area, not just in Missouri or just in Kansas” The organization helped settle Alkhawajaand’s family after their journey out of Syria. “The fighting destroyed our city,” Hajeharrived said via email. “When Ibraheem tried to return he was shot at and discovered our house had been hit by a missile.” The family has adjusted to their new life in Independence, Missouri with the help of their neighbor Jeff Rogers. “Refugee was always a term that applied to a distant person,” Rogers said. “Meeting the Alkhawajaand family changed that for [my wife] and I. We are now part of their story.” President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed a 90 day travel ban that would block people coming from
by ALLY NGUYEn
opinions editor jagwire.allynguyen@gmail.com
by MARAH SHULDA
reporter and photographer jagwire.marahshulda@gmail.com
seven Middle Eastern countries from entering into America. There has been some discrepancy among the U.S. court systems. The travel ban, put in place to improve the security of the U.S., would make things difficult for many families, including Alkhawajaand and Hajeharrived.
“Knowledge drives out fear.” SYRIAN REFUGEE IBRAHEEM ALKHAWAJAAND “The rest of our families cannot visit us and we cannot leave to visit them because we would not be allowed to return to our home here,” Alkhawajaand said. Some think that the U.S. vetting process needs to be intensified. Senior Joel Soderling believes that although immigrants help the country grow, the vetting process should be cautious and selective.
mill valley high school
Jagwire
The
process
Specific steps that a potential refugee family must go through in order to relocate to the U.S.
1
The refugees apply for status through the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees. This is the international organization in charge of protecting and assisting refugees.
2
In order to be considered a refugee, you must show that you have been driven from your home.
3
If you meet the above conditions, you may be referred for resettlement in a country.
4
Before you can enter the U.S. as a refugee, you must undergo a thorough security screening process.
5
You’ll have a deep background check. Your biographic and biometric information will be cross checked against law enforcement and intelligence databases.
6
You will have to pass an in-depth interview with a specially trained officer to determine your eligibility.
7 8
If found eligible, you receive a medical evaluation.
9
All refugees — including Syrians — go through this process and Syrians receive an enhanced review during this process.
10
This process includes the involvement of the National Counterterrorism Center, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense.
a look at the numbers Students weigh in on Trump’s recently proposed executive order banning immigrants
27%
Agree
30%
Undecided
43%
Disagree
Out of 23,000 Syrian refugees only 2,000 have been admitted. Source: ATTN
“Both [parties] need to work together to find the best solution,” Soderling said. “Obviously, not letting in refugees from any of the countries that are banned and letting them starve or die is a terrible thing, but I think there’s also a security aspect that needs to be taken into consideration.” Others disagree and think that refugees go through more than enough. Rogers has grown close to the family in the past couple of months and believes that the vetting process is extensive already. “I feel it is a policy that is based on fear more than fact,” Rogers said. “The average refugee goes through 18 months to three years of interviews and background checks before approval to resettle in the U.S.” Dr. Khan agrees with Rogers and has personally seen families be torn apart because of the extensive vetting processes. “They do break families up while bringing them [to the U.S.] because a quota is done,” Khan said. “There are families that have waited 17 years to see
Jagwire
mill valley high school
their siblings.” Alkhawajaand credits this lengthy wait to prejudices towards the Muslim community. “We are Muslim and true Islam is a religion of peace,” Alkhawajaand said. “Knowledge drives out fear.” Sophomore Sorusch Ibrahimi, whose father is from Afghanistan and mother is from Pakistan, thinks that refugees are trying to get into the country because of the alarming danger they are faced with in their home countries. “I think some people fear [refugees] because of the terrorist attacks going on, but they just have to keep in mind that the people that are actually in that location have to fear for their lives everyday,” Ibrahimi said. “People don’t understand what they go through at all.” The family didn’t know what they were coming into, this being a whole new world for them. They just wanted a loving and peaceful environment. “We hoped it would be beautiful,” Hajeharrived said. “We want [our kids] to get a good education and to reach their dreams.”
ABOVE: During the holiday season, the Alkhawaja-Hajeharrived family went to Union Station with their neighbor Cindi Rogers. Photo submitted by Jeff Rogers
Design by margaret Mellott news
05
TriggeringCHANGES
New Kansas legislation could change current gun laws on college and hospital campuses
by ALISON BOOTH
copy editor jagwire.alisonbooth@gmail.com
by ABBY LAYTON
social media editor jagwire.abbylayton@gmail.com
A
s students prepare to attend college after high school, many must now factor in a new concern: whether or not their university will allow concealed carry handguns on campus. For students that plan on attending a Kansas college, this concern may evolve due to current legislation. The Personal and Family Protection Act, which was passed by the Kansas legislature in 2013, enables people to bring concealed carry handguns into public buildings and spaces. Public universities, hospitals and campuses are currently exempt from the Personal and Family Protection Act until July 2017, in which these areas will be forced to comply with the standing law and also allow concealed carry handguns on site. However, a new bill, House Bill 2074 has been introduced into legislature by
Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Republican from Overland Park, that will permanently exempt campuses and hospitals from obeying the standing law. The purpose of the Personal and Family Protection Act, according to lawmakers, is to increase security within public spaces by providing protection for students and staff members. Kansas universities will also have
“What scares me is ... now anybody could carry a gun” STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICER MO LORIDON to provide security screenings at major student events and venues, as guns will not be allowed in those areas according to the law. Student resource officer Mo Loridon said that some schools may not be fiscally able to provide extra measures for all facilities. “[Some schools] can’t afford to put
LEGISLATIONANNOTATION Outlining the main points of each Kansas legislative piece
Personal & family protection act
Passed in 2013, the Personal and Family Protection Act allows concealed carry handguns in public places. A four-year ban was placed on the law for concealed carry handguns in hospitals and colleges.
With the approach of the original July 2017 date to lift the ban, Rep. Stephanie Clayton proposed House Bill 2074. If passed, House Bill 2074 would permanently ban concealed carry handguns from both hospitals and college campuses.
06
news
Kansas house bill 2074
metal detectors up, so it changes security,” Loridon said. “Again, it’s one of those things where you have to consider that every building you go into and everything you go to that somebody is going to have a gun. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it changes security.” University of Kansas Director of News and Media Relations Erinn Barcomb-Peterson said that KU will be implementing a new weapons policy in compliance with the law. According to the policy, which aligns with that of other Kansas colleges, the concealed carry of handguns will be allowed on areas of campus owned or leased by the University except in certain circumstances. “The exceptions to concealed carry are buildings and public areas of buildings for which adequate security measures are provided and specified restricted access areas of a building,” Barcomb-Peterson said via email. The Personal and Family Protection Act only allows those over the age of 21 to carry a concealed carry handgun and, according to Barcomb-Peterson, almost 60 percent of KU students are
DAMAGEDCLASS
An NPR poll of over 20,000 Kansas Board of Regent employees about concealed carry handguns on campus
70 percent said the allowance would negatively impact their course and the way they teach
mill valley high school
Jagwire
under that age requirement. 2015 Mill Valley graduate Clayton Kistner, who is currently a sophomore at Kansas State University, said that the enforcement of the law on college campuses will have a negative effect for both students and staff members. “The presence of concealed [carry handguns] on campus instills an environment of fear in communities
as of
that are designed around peaceful, civil discourse,” Kistner said via email. “The proposition that concealed [carry handguns] in the classrooms of public universities will create safer environments for students and faculty ... is not supported by a majority of the people whom it will affect.” Some seniors planning to attend college in-state next year are not worried about the new law, but rather feel as if it will increase safety within universities. Among these is senior Josh Winscott, who said that if proper training was conducted, he would feel comfortable on a campus where students and staff could carry concealed handguns. “I think it’s OK for [students and staff] to be able to carry that and I think it would maintain order,” Winscott said. “But at the same time, I do think it’s important that they do have background on guns and some kind of training.” Sophomore Griffin Allen agrees, and also said that the law would benefit students such as himself that wish to carry a concealed handgun on campus in order to increase personal safety. “I think [the Personal and Family Protection Act is] great because people can get easy access to firearms,” Allen said. “I would feel a lot safer if I had teachers and students armed at my school.” On the other hand, freshman Abbie Morgan said she would feel insecure on a campus where concealed weapons could be carried by her peers. “I think that if I was on a campus it would definitely make me feel unsafe
recent
A look at shootings in hospitals and colleges around the U.S.
153
percent increase in college campus shootings from 2001 to 2016
knowing that someone could have a gun and I would have no idea,” Morgan said. “They could be sitting next to me in class and have a gun; that’s scary.” Kistner thinks that high school students should pay attention to the law because of the substantial effect it could have when attending college. “Though not every high school student attends an in-state college, many will and those planning to stay in Kansas should be paying special attention the way Topeka is treating our higher education system,” Kistner said. Winscott, however, said that he doesn’t think the potential future implementation of the Personal and Family Protection Act will come to be an issue on Kansas campuses. “At the end of the day I think the law is designed to increase safety and, if everyone has proper training, I don’t see there being a problem,” Winscott said. While Loridon agrees that people should have the right to carry a concealed handgun, he also acknowledges problems that could arise if the law is officially implemented in July. “If someone wants to carry a weapon to protect themselves, they have the right to do so based on the Constitution,” Loridon said. “What scares me is the fact that now anybody could carry a gun. Without training, without knowledge of the gun, without understanding the ramifications of using a gun. Normal people aren’t [trained], so they don’t understand what it is to take someone’s life.”
STances on the statute Student opinions on allowance of concealed carry handguns on campuses
BACK AT
HOME
Students report if they know anyone who owns a concealed carry handgun
72%
Yes
28%
No
Source: Campus Safety Magazine
154 Jagwire
mill valley high school
51% Disagree hospital-related shootings from 2000 to 2011 Source: Med Page Today
42% Agree 6%
Other
Survey of 140 students
Photo illustration by Hunter Ristau
Survey of163 students
Design by James ball and Annie myers news
07
08
ads
Design by Hunter ristau
mill valley high school
Jagwire
LEFT: Substitute teacher Diane Barger studies one of the many brown recluse spiders found in her home. “It took four years [to] comfortably look at a spider,” Barger said. Photo by Lexi Flipse
THE SPIDER LADY
Substitute teacher Diane Barger researches spiders found in her home
by ABBY LAYTON
social media editor jagwire.abbylayton@gmail.com
a
s she swishes around a plastic vial of alcohol, substitute teacher Diane Barger studies the female brown recluse spider within. This brown recluse spider is one of 2,000 that Barger, her husband and her two kids have caught over a span of 14 years. When the family first noticed the spiders in their home, despite Diane’s fear of spiders, they kept them for research, instead of simply killing them and throwing them away. The reason for keeping the venomous spiders, according to Diane, was so the family could learn more about the spiders that were invading their home. “We learned everything we could so we didn’t have to worry they would fall from the ceiling or attack us in our sleep,” Diane said via email. “I kept a live [brown recluse spider] in a vial by the sink so I would have to look at it multiple times a day to help me get over my fear.” According to Diane’s son, Dr. Bradley Barger, the family had bought their house having no idea about the inhabitants already living there. “We had always noticed spiders in the house, but nothing out of the ordinary,” Bradley said via email. “After
Jagwire
mill valley high school
being involved with brown recluse research for several years and going on nightly ‘spider hunts,’ my family had collected over 2,000 brown recluse specimens.” Eventually, the Journal of Medical Entomology published the information Diane had collected about brown recluse spiders. Soon after that, her family gained attention from the media and research universities like the University of California Riverside. “The data we collected and the resulting paper turned out to be ground breaking in not only the arachnology world, but also the medical field,” Diane said. “After my family and I collected 2,055 [spiders] in a six month period with no bites, it made people in lots of different fields take notice that maybe [they] weren’t aggressive and weren’t as scary as everyone had thought.” Despite her fear of spiders, and the struggle it was to overcome that fear, Diane ultimately made the decision not to move because of her love of the house and the knowledge she gained from the spiders. “[My family and I] love the history of the house and the land we live on,” Diane said. “We had a battle to win against the spiders. Just because we knew they were there now wasn’t going to make them come out of the woodwork and attack us.”
Spotted
A series on our students and staff and what makes them unique
In the
Degrees
All of the academic degrees obtained by substitute teacher Diane Barger over the years
CHEMISTRY
7 4 1 0
8 5 2 -
9 6 3 +
/
x clear enter
MATHEMATICS
POLYMER SCIENCE
BIOLOGY design by katya gillig
features
09
by LEXI FLIPSE
social media editor jagwire.lexiflipse@gmail.com
do you know
Students share their knowledge regarding payment cards
A
s sophomore Ciara Pemberton swipes her debit card through the card reader at the cash register in the local grocery store, the purchase is made and the money is taken directly from her checking account. Many students, including Pemberton, who got her debit card when she was 14, know exactly what occurs when they pay with a debit card or with cash — the payment is instantly done and the funds have been subtracted from the account. “With debit, [the money] is taken straight from your account,” Pemberton said. “So I use a debit card because it’s easy to see my balance and refill it.” However, not as many students are knowledgeable about how credit cards work. After high school, business teacher Patricia Brock says that students can sometimes end up signing up for cards with high interest rates they cannot afford. “Once you enter college, a lot of credit card companies automatically give freshmen a credit card,” Brock said. “Their interest rate is probably going to be 20 percent, and they are going to have to make sure that it’s only used in emergencies and that it’s paid off quickly because that’s how people get into debt.” These days, many millennials are aware of the damage that credit cards can cause financially, and according to a survey done by Bankrate, about 64 percent of Americans between ages
ABOVE: Most stores in Johnson County offer card readers, eliminating the need for paper money to be used to pay for goods or services. Photo Illustration by Avery Sheltra
16 and 36 do not own a credit card. In a survey out of 133 students at Mill Valley, about 10 percent of the students said that they own a credit card, while nearly 50 percent said they have a debit card. Freshman Anna Paden is one of the students at Mill Valley that has a credit card. Although her parents pay for all of the purchases that she makes with it, Paden is aware of how her card works. “It’s nice because if I want to, I can go shopping [with my credit card] and just buy things that I need,” Paden said. “You
Spendingstats Multiple surveys of students sharing information about their payment cards
25 percent of students have their parents’ money in their account
10
features
rack up so much [on the card] and at the end you have to pay that specific amount. As opposed to debit cards, the user pays for the credit card transactions with money essentially borrowed from the bank. Every month or so, depending on how frequently the card is being used, the credit card holder will receive a bill for their charges along with the interest that has accumulated, which is payment to the bank for letting them use their money. While credit is necessary to make larger purchases such as cars
What type of payment card do you have? 5%
75
9%
49%
37%
Credit Debit Both Neither
percent of students have their own money in their account
Survey of 133 students
mill valley high school
Jagwire
CashDeposit
Your card?
Starting Deposits needed to start a savings account at popular banks
$100
or homes, Brock thinks that students should be careful when using a credit card to accumulate credit. “I think it is a good idea [to build credit],” Brock said. “But I think the understanding should be to borrow a hundred dollars to get some credit established, and don’t ever spend the hundred dollars and pay it back.”
Minimum opening deposit for checking at BMO Harris Bank
$25
“I can go shopping [with my credit card] and just buy things that I need.”
Minimum opening deposit for checking at Capital Federal
$100
SOPHOMORE CIARA PEMBERTON Oftentimes, the card holder forgets that the money is borrowed and will have to be repaid with interest, which Brock says is a common problem. “I think sometimes just seeing a piece of plastic, just like a debit card, you really don’t realize that you owe money,” Brock said. “It becomes very simple just to hand out your plastic, and next thing you know you owe $2000, $3000 or $4000 and up.”
Minimum opening deposit for checking at Commerce Bank
$25
ABOVE: Paying for groceries in a self checkout line, sophomore Ciara Pemberton uses her debit card to pay. Photo by Avery Sheltra
Minimum opening deposit for checking at Counry Club Bank
Bank Name
Bank Name 1234
12/99 CARDHOLDER
12/99 CARDHOLDER
DEBIT
VALID THRU
Jagwire
4% OF STUDENTS DO NOT KNOW HOW CREDIT WORKS
32% OF STUDENTS KNOW HOW CREDIT WORKS WELL
1234
mill valley high school
CREDIT
VALID THRU
design by anika roy and jakob twigg features
11
for the
future
Current teachers share their ideal retirement plans
“[My husband and I plan on] spending time with family and going on fun vacation trips.”
MATH TEACHER TAYLOR CURTIS
“I [hope to] travel the world; that’d be nice. We have a little boy [so we’ll] maybe follow him around.”
MATH TEACHER GREG ODER
“[I hope for] traveling, relaxing, drinking lots of coffee, sleeping in [and] going to the beach.”
CHOIR TEACHER STEPHANIE MOONEYHAN
12
features
the next
Former Mill Valley teachers learn new ways to stay active and keep in touch with students after retiring
chapter by ABBY LAYTON
by JOE MCCLAIN
Over the years many teachers have come and gone from Mill Valley, including former principal Dr. Joe Novak, track coach Mike Peck and former head girls basketball coach John McFall. As all three retired teachers have learned, there are many ways to handle retirement. Spending time with family, finding another job or coaching a sport at the high school are just some ways these teachers have learned to stay busy. Each teacher has realized that while retiring may, or may not have been the right decision, it wasn’t what they expected. Novak spent a short time in full retirement, but quickly realized he was not ready for the slow pace of retirement. “I experienced that six months of fully being retired, and it drove me crazy,” Novak said. “There’s just so many times you can work out over the course of the day [and] walk the dogs.” Now, Novak has resumed his teaching career at the university level: first at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, then at University of Kansas. “It’s just fun teaching at the university level just because it’s a little more serious for them because this is a major they have chosen,” Novak said. “I’m just as crazy as I was when I taught back in the ‘70s and ‘80s.” Even after retirement, Peck and McFall have continued to have a strong participation in the school. Peck is the head of the girls track team despite not
teaching in the school anymore. “It seems like I always keep telling myself ‘this is my last year, this is my last year’ but every year, we always have ... another great kid, and I just keep repeating that cycle over and over,” Peck said. McFall isn’t a basketball coach for Mill Valley anymore, but he still supports the team and stays in touch with the players and coaches.
social media editor jagwire.abbylayton@gmail.com
reporter and photographer jagwire.joemcclain@gmail.com
“There’s just so many times you can work out over the course of the day.” FORMER PRINCIPAL DR. JOE NOVAK “I’ve been to four girls games at Mill Valley this year,” McFall said. “I watch 75 percent of the girls films. Coach Walters has me on what’s called a huddle [and we] email after every game.” Since McFall retired, he feels he has been able to spend more time with his family, particularly his grandchildren. “[Retirement] has been a little bit more hectic than what I expected,” McFall said. “I thought it would be more like kicking back and stuff. Sometimes there are no grandkids running around, but there are more days where there are 13 [grandkids].” When students and staff found out
mill valley high school
Jagwire
LEFT: Alongside his son, Shawnee Mission South head basketball coach Brett McFall, retiree John McFall coaches the boys varsity basketball team on Tuesday, Feb. 21. BELOW: After 35 years of teaching and coaching cross country in the district, technology teacher Mark Chipman decided to retire. “I hope I’ve made a positive influence on kids, particularly the cross country kids,” Chipman said. Photos by Morgan Gurwell
business teacher Mark Chipman will be retiring from teaching after 40 years, they dedicated a basketball halftime ceremony for him to show their appreciation. For Chipman, the emotional connection he has made with his students and the cross country runners made retirement a difficult decision. “I’ll miss the interaction with the kids, the practice everyday and just the camaraderie between team members,” Chipman said. “[I will miss] the opportunity and the ability to work with kids and help kids succeed.” Though Chipman has already announced his retirement, he has yet to decide what he will do after retiring. “I haven’t made any definite [plans] yet; I know we are going to travel quite a bit,” Chipman said. “I might look for a part time job or for some community service type job.” Each former Mill Valley teacher has found that even after retiring, they could still leave a legacy and enjoy themselves after spending years in the classroom. “I always really enjoyed trying to positively impact young lives. Whether that’s with a story or a tidbit of information I’ve learned,” Novak said. “So now getting to do that again and possibly positively impacting lives is most fun about retirement.”
Jagwire
mill valley high school
design by madison ferguson and michael sandri features
13
environmental essentials Two-thirds of beverage containers sold are landfilled, burned or littered
200 billion beverage containers are sold in the u.s. every year
what
under the
at least 25 percent of carbon emissions from human activity is a cause of deforestation
14
special section
Source: eco-cycle
mill valley high school
Jagwire
air pollutants and smog are more likely in regions with heavy drilling and fracking
lies
climate change and habitat loss could abolish half amphibian species
surface since 1990, the arctic has warmed twice as fast as the world average
Students, faculty members and experts in the field discuss how to reduce environmental impact
by MARAH SHULDA
reporter and photographer jagwire.marahshulda@gmail.com
Jagwire
mill valley high school
by NORA LUCAS
opinions editor jagwire.noralucas@gmail.com
Design by tricia drumm and madison ferguson special section
15
environmental essentials
dig little deeper Increased level of fracking sparks discussion of business regulation
L
ast month, when protesters were taking to the streets after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, government organizations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service, had a protest of their own. Although it all took place online, the rogue Twitter account uprising brought bigger problems to light. While some people support Trump’s plans to deregulate businesses and build pipelines in order to support the oil industry, others are unsure how this will affect the environment.
“Don’t come in and monitor a situation after it’s already happened.” SCIENCE TEACHER ERIC THOMAS For science teacher Eric Thomas, it’s difficult to find a balance. Still, he believes that government agencies should focus more on preventative regulation rather than reactionary. “Don’t come in and monitor after a situation’s already happened,” Thomas said. “Just be diligent along the way. I certainly think there’s a way you can work with businesses that ... moderately regulates in a way that the environment can be helped and businesses can still be successful.” The discussion of regulation reform comes at a momentous time for Kansas.
16
special section
According to HomeFacts, between 1981 and 2012, the average number of recorded earthquakes in Kansas never reached more than five per year. In 2015 alone, however, there were 119. Fracking forces water into the ground in order to free up room and force up different petroleum resources. Some claim that it is possibly linked to causing these high amounts of earthquakes, but scientists are still unsure. Social studies teacher Jeff Strickland thinks the government should take measures to clean up infrastructure, reducing waste. “I think fracking in southeast and south central Kansas needs to be studied,” Strickland said. “Environmentally, there’s some concern with that. I love the idea that [Trump] is talking about infrastructure projects. Hopefully it’s not just roads and bridges, but it’s investment on ... water plants and underground pipes.” For sophomore Elizabeth Joseph, fracking and other environmental concerns can be deterred through increased regulation. “Lawmakers in Kansas can try and [represent] those environmental concerns in Washington a lot better,” Joseph said. “Here in Kansas, we can fight for the Ogallala Aquifer and pass some restrictions so that water usage isn’t too high.” Although this comes at the price of regulating business and to some, stunting business growth, Joseph believes protecting the environment is worth it. “We have a pretty good system going on Earth so when that gets messed with, it’s hard to recover from,” Joseph said. “Right now, we’re in this global water crisis and I think the best thing we can do is preserve and protect the sources of groundwater, making sure the system is being upheld without disrupting it permanently.”
ecopoll
Survey of 144 students reveals environmental opinions
Do you believe climate change is man-made?
Yes: 65%
No: 28%
Undecided: 2% No answer: 5% How often do you recycle?
Daily: 65% Weekly/monthly: 26% Never: 9% Do you use reusable water bottles?
No
17%
Yes
83%
mill valley high school
Jagwire
LEFT: As part of the Plants and the Environment class taught by science teacher Julie Roberts, sophomore Kaylee Cleaver puts pins in the styrofoam board to set the dead insect into place during seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Photo by Morgan Gurwell
study to switch Education provides pathway to promoting environmental change
H
ere at school, there are numerous opportunities to get involved for people who care about the environmental protection. Biology classes usually have an environmental impact unit, but for those who want to delve deeper, Environmental Science is the pathway to learn more. Environmental Science teacher Julie Roberts teaches what kind of impact humans have on the environment. “We cover populations and then spend the rest of the class on human impact,” Roberts said, “so for human impact, I separated it out into the atmosphere, land and water and how humans impact those different areas.” Senior Dalton Bray said his interest in environmental issues encouraged him to explore his higher education options. After high school, Bray plans to
Jagwire
mill valley high school
attend Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska where he will participate in a lineman and energy program. “I want to figure out how energy is distributed among the entire grid and find better ways to conserve energy,” Bray said. Nearby at the University of Kansas, there are many roads to take when it comes to learning about environmental impact after high school. Dr. Terry Loecke from the Environmental Studies program described how interested students can earn a degree while benefiting the environment they live in. “Across the university, many faculty have an interest in the environment that finds its way into their courses,” Loecke said via email. “At KU, the Environmental Studies program is an
interdisciplinary program and undergraduate program where many of faculty interested in the environment are appointed or affiliated.” The list of classes available to study just at KU includes everything from Environmental Issues in Africa to the Biology of Fungi. Research opportunities are also emphasized, many of which are available to undergrads. “As a faculty in the Kansas Biological Survey research unit,” Loecke said, “my colleagues and I focus on how a number of factors [such as] climate and land management within Kansas and beyond, influence water, air and soil quality, wildlife habitat and populations and ecosystem diversity and functioning.” Not everyone, though, is going to college to major in environmental sciences. Roberts says that simply taking an interest in the subject and educating yourself is important to reducing human impact on the environment. “I think the biggest thing for most people is understanding their impact,” Roberts said. “The first step is understanding. Once people understand how they’re impacting the planet, they’re willing to make changes.”
Design by tricia drumm and madison ferguson special section
17
environmental essentials LEFT: As a result of most waste management services in the area not accepting glass, there is a Ripple Glass recycling bin in the Price Chopper parking lot to make recycling glass more efficient. Photo illustration by Morgan Gurwell
A call for action S
ince elementary school the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” has been the mantra for saving the planet. For many students, though, it’s hard to figure out how this can be applied. Diving deeper into the meaning of reducing, reusing and recycling involves taking a closer look at how people can change their own habits. For example, in science teacher Eric Thomas’ classes, he reuses all the paper from the library for students to write essays on. “We figured it out one time on how much it saves in terms of a whole year’s worth of paper, and it’s significant,” Thomas said. “You figure if you take a test, and that test requires say six sheets of paper, and you have 50 students, that’s 300 sheets. That’s just one subject, so if you do that regularly, you’re saving an entire ream of paper. Most students, however, are not using 300 sheets of paper by themselves. Still, reducing our impact can be easy as well. Because of her interest in re-
18
special section
Students can reduce their global impact in simple ways
ducing negative environmental impact, junior Mary Kate Stoneburner remains conscious of her wastefulness and tries to cut down when she can.
“We simply need to get outside more and experience the natural world.” DR. TERRY LOECKE, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS “Whenever I pick up my nanny kids, I turn off my car in the car line,” Stoneburner said. “I don’t use plastic bags in stores and I don’t use styrofoam cups. I also reuse my cups and water bottles.” Dr. Terry Loecke from the Environmental Studies program at the University of Kansas thinks that although common methods of waste reduction
are important, simply going outside can also improve how people impact the environment. “Feeding student curiosity of how the natural world works is extremely important, yet difficult to do from within a classroom,” Loecke said via email. “As a society, [we] simply need to get outside more and experience the natural world.” In the eyes of social studies teacher Jeff Strickland, learning about the environment is the path to improving it. “Just be informed,” Strickland said. “[Students] can sift through the minutia of garbage that’s out there that doesn’t matter. Try to learn about something every other day.” For Stoneburner, protecting the environment is an important cause and she believes other people should take it more seriously. “The environment is our home and we only get one Earth,” Stoneburner said, “so take care of it while you have it.”
mill valley high school
Jagwire
can you recycle it?
Eco-Cycle prohibits certain plastics from being recycled at the curb
plastic bags
styrofoam
Why not? The bags become caught in the sorting machine
Why not? Styrofoam does not break down easily
plastic bottles, tubs and jars labeled one through seven What are examples of one through seven? Yogurt containers, laundry detergent jugs, vitamin bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles, plastic bottles, butter tubs, massive water jugs and more
ABOVE: Using reusable water bottles rather than disposable bottles is a simple way to eliminate waste. Photo illustration by Morgan Gurwell
go green or go home hold papers together with paper clips rather than staples
Jagwire
mill valley high school
While recycling is an efficient way of reducing waste, Environmental Protection Agency has similar ideas
donate healthy plants to community gardens and schools
reuse school materials from previous years
Design by Tricia drumm and madison Ferguson special section
19
Staff editorial be compassionate for
The JagWire gives its opinion on a topic covered in this issue
No matter our political opinions, refugees should have our respect
T
he inscription at the base of the Statue of Liberty, calling for the tired, the poor and “the huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” is the heart of our country’s values. Since our nation’s conception, we’ve prided ourselves on being leaders of the free world, inviting in the outcasts and correcting injustice no matter the circumstances. Where America’s friendly spirit faults, however, is how some people treat today’s refugees. From President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban to Gov. Sam Brownback’s withdrawal of Kansas from the national refugee program, we seem to have lost our spirit of unconditional kindness. Welcoming refugees with open arms is the best way to represent our nation’s values and to truly embrace patriotism. Living in Shawnee is a privilege, and we should consider ourselves lucky to live here. We have nice houses, nice schools and nice people. Instead of being resentful towards refugees, be appreciative that you’ve never had to experience a painful relocation like they have. Refugees are from a different world than we are. They’ve experienced danger and have lived through trauma be-
Syrian refugees fore seeking refuge in the U.S.. Despite all the obstacles, the hatred and the loss, they’ve managed to get here because of the opportunities the U.S. holds. No matter our political opinions, we should be compassionate to these people for having the courage to come here.
Be appreciative that you’ve never had to experience a painful relocation. Additionally, refugees are not dangerous, despite what some people believe. They’re not spiking the crime rate; they’re actually helping it drop. According to the New American Economy, in communities that accepted refugees, nine out of the 10 studied became “considerably more safe, both in terms of their levels of violent and property crime.” In some places such as Southfield, Michigan, “violent crime dropped by 77 percent.”
For those still concerned about safety, do some research into the long, horrendous process needed to gain access to the U.S.. Despite what some say, refugees already face one of the most rigorous vetting processes in the globe. Among a list from the New York Times, steps include international registration, multiple interviews and screenings, grant applications, security checks, cultural orientation classes and even more security checks. Of course, in between those steps takes months of waiting. The process usually takes 18 months at minimum, and as you can see, is extremely extensive. It’s scary to face something unknown, and it can be even harder to let in people who we know next to nothing about. Part of fixing the problem is rewriting the narrative many people believe to be true, painting refugees alongside terrorists. Refugees are not criminals or terrorists; the very definition of the word “refugee” means someone who is escaping terrorism. As Americans and as people, we should be striving for the inclusivity of the Statue of Liberty.
jagwire staff vote Agree
20
Disagree
4
20
opinions
mill valley high school Jagwire
explore musical genres outside of your comfort zone rusted pickup truck, sunflower seeds littering the floorboards, and listen to country artists from the early 2000s. As any good father would do, he then introduced me to classic rock; I was hooked immediately. It was something I never dreamed that music could be. How it made me feel and how it turned my father and I into professional air guitarists is something I’ll never forget. Still to this day, it’s some of the best music I’ve ever listened to.
Branching out musically is important for personal growth
by sam lopez
guest reporter
O
ne of the best concerts I’ve ever been to was Robert DeLong, RAC and Big Data. In the spirit of the concert’s theme, my friend and I painted our faces with bright neon colors. The night raged on with drum solos, light shows and a modern art like performance from Robert DeLong. I was more than happy to open my ears to new music and teenagers today need to listen to other genres of music as well. It might be hard to guess, but I didn’t grow up listening to indie, alternative or any of the “hipster” music I listen to now. Instead, I would get in my father’s
You have to have some salt in your chocolate to really taste the sweetness. I hear a lot of people completely reject another type of music before they really give it a chance to make an impression. For instance, I used to hate rap. I mean, I used to really hate it. It didn’t fit my personal definition of music. They weren’t even singing. To me, it was just a really vulgar way of saying how much someone liked drugs, booze and sex. Luckily, I have a few friends that
were able to introduce me to the true beauties of rap. Was the artist’s flow good; was the backing track more than just a bass line with an 808 drum beat; was their wordplay intelligent; were they talking about social and personal issues instead of debauchery; and could they accomplish all of this with proper use of profanity? Once I discovered a subgenre of rap that fit this criteria for me, I fell in love. I became bored with all the music I was listening to. You have to have some salt in your chocolate to really taste the sweetness Being able to discover an entirely new world of music was like jumping into a cold pool on a hot summer day: relieving. To put it bluntly, limiting yourself to one genre is incredibly bland and tasteless. This mindset applies to more than just music too. Having an open mind when approaching new food, art, fashion and culture makes the world a much more colorful place. The moment you refuse to accept that we are an incredibly diverse species with differing interests and opinions, the world becomes a lot scarier, a lot darker and a hell of a lot more intolerable. So try new food, wear something different, talk to someone you don’t agree with (respectfully) and for God’s sake listen to something you’ve never listened to before.
students should take the relay for life event seriously
Although you should have fun, the event is for a serious cause
by lexi flipse
social media editor jagwire.lexiflipse@gmail.com
L
ast May, I participated in the first ever Relay for Life of Jaguar Nation. At the time, I had no idea what the
Jagwire
mill valley high school
event meant to a lot of the people there. As I reflect upon my experience, I have come to understand that, like many other participants, I was simply going through the motions. This year, students and outside participants need to take the event more seriously. During the luminaria ceremony, I noticed many students talking during what should have been a moment of silence for the many who have lost their lives to the disease. Student participants need to understand that the event is not meant to be a sleepover at the school, but a night of remembrance and hope for those who have fought or are currently fighting for their lives. I would consider myself guilty of not taking the event as seriously as I should have. I walked my laps every once in a while when our team leader would get mad at the group for slacking and I spectated quietly during the luminaria ceremony. I even attended sunrise yoga at 5 a.m., only to fall asleep at one point.
illustration by avery sheltra
Many of you can probably relate. However, there comes a moment in time where everything is put into perspective. This moment of clarity for me came in August when my Papa lost his fight against cancer. Since then, I have realized the enormity of the event, and I have immense gratitude for those who helped to bring it here. I’ve also realized that students, myself included, should take Relay for Life more seriously. I’m not saying that it can’t be a fun night, but students should remember to be respectful at the appropriate times. I’m also not trying to take anything away from everyone who participated, because the night was obviously a huge success and is something everyone should be proud of. However, by keeping in mind the reason for the event, we can make the next Relay for Life of Jaguar Nation a more positive, respectful environment to honor victims and celebrate survivors.
Design by nora lucas and ally nguyen
opinions
21
teachers deserve to be respected for their hard work that they spent a majority of their life, only to better us as students, and as individuals. But somehow we are OK with calling these individuals “bad” or saying that they are “incapable of teaching” purely because they make one small mistake.
Teachers are here to help our education, not make us miserable
by claire boone
A&E editor jagwire.claireboone@gmail.com
E
arlier this semester, I heard two classmates talking about their math teachers to one another when one of the students asked the other who their math teacher was. Upon their response, the student said something to the effect of, “Oh, the bad teacher.” Over the past 12 years that I’ve spent in the Kansas education system, I have caught myself speaking poorly about my coaches and teachers at school. These are the people who studied education and wake up early every morning to come to a place
Our teachers play an important role in our growth as individuals. Arguably, your number one fan in school sports will be your coach, not just because they spend the most time with you, but because they really care. These individuals take time out of their day to teach you how to be a better athlete on and off the field. They are constantly encouraging physical strength when you have two minutes left in the game and emotional strength when you can’t keep it together after a rough day of school. For you to leave with an attitude any less than grateful seems ridiculous because they are making an effort to help you improve your skills. In turn,
they should be treated with respect, and should expect that from their players. Similarly, our teachers play such an important role in our growth as individuals and in our education. They work long hours in and out of school and on the weekends to assure that their students are gaining the knowledge that they need. I have seen many teachers come into school looking flustered, and then by the time first block begins they seem to smile brightly and encourage us to do our best. Yet we still seem to exit the classrooms and murmur words of discouragement about them to our peers just because they didn’t get to grade all the essays or all the tests. These people advocate for us and we are tearing them down simply for making little errors. We are all fully aware that nobody is perfect, so we need to start acting like it. Please don’t forget the great lengths that our teachers and coaches go to in order for us to be successful in school and in life. These people are a part of our lives for nearly 13 years and we need to start acting like we appreciate them. Give them a little bit more love by saying “thank you” after class or by simply not gossipping about how “awful” they are. Our coaches and teachers work hard for hardly anything in return, so the least we can do is to show our gratitude.
Show your appreciation for working people by tipping because I love all the things I participate in, but it makes things so much easier when my waitressing job is going well. Sometimes though, it’s not. Sometimes, we get angry customers or for whatever reason, we just don’t get tipped. So please, be considerate and don’t be
Your tips will help people afford college and support their families
by margaret mellott
editor-in-chief jagwire.margaretmellott@gmail.com
A
s a senior in high school who’s trying to up their grades, manage sports, be on newspaper, prepare for college and hold a job, it’s hard to juggle everything. Now, I’m not complaining
22
opinions
We can’t help having a bad day or accidentally screwing up. mean to the working person. Now, if you’ve never had a job working as a waiter, then you might not know that we only get payed around $3 an hour because our tips are supposed to make up for what we aren’t paid. That’s absolutely OK, but not every-
one fully understands that waiters and waitresses pretty much live off tips. It can be an extreme struggle sometimes because the tips are never consistent and depend on the people you’re serving. As a waitress, it’s pretty much law that customer needs come before anything else. We have to put on a smile and be cooperative, which usually isn’t a problem. But, just like the customers, we’re human too. We can’t help having a bad day or accidentally screwing up— we aren’t perfect. But that shouldn’t stop you from being a decent person and helping the struggling workers with saving for college or supporting their families. We aren’t asking much. We’re only trying to make ends meet and save up for family or college or bills just like everyone else. Regardless, the reason shouldn’t matter. Additionally, please don’t think that your tips go unappreciated. Because, as a waitress, regardless of our mood or how long your food takes, tipping the full 20 percent is needed because we do live off our tips.
mill valley high school
Jagwire
there is more to lent than simply giving something up ing something to your life. Lent is a period of 40 days leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians “celebrate” this time by fasting, or giving up certain desired things. They believe that Jesus himself was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness by Satan before he began his public ministry, but he refused to give in to the temptation. Lent is simply a commemoration of the event.
Adding something to your life during Lent is just as beneficial
Use Lent as an opportunity to better yourself even after the 40 days.
by anika roy
sports editor jagwire.anikaroy@gmail.com
I
t’s common for those who participate in Lent to have high hopes of succeeding in the giving up of an item for the season, but maybe find it to be more difficult than they were expecting. Most commonly, people vow to eliminate fast food, sweets, social media, etc. because of the challenge and the hope of eliminating something bad in their lives. While this is very good, you don’t simply have to give something up to participate in Lent. It’s important that people use the season of Lent as an opportunity to better themselves after the 40 days, which can even be through add-
The thing about Lent though, is that the second that Easter is here, it’s over. People immediately indulge themselves with whatever they had been missing for the six weeks. However, Jesus after the temptation went out into the world to share the good news. I think that people are missing this point of the story, whether they believe it to have happened or not. After Lent is over, the whole purpose of the celebration is that we’ll metaphorically “leave the wilderness and the temptation behind” and go
out into the world as a better person. I’m as guilty of this as anyone. For those that don’t know, I’m an extremely big fan of Cheez-Its, and gave them up last year. While this was unexpectedly and almost embarrassingly difficult, a close friend and mentor of mine made me realize that I gave them up for the wrong reasons. He told me that a lot of people don’t take a minute to think about why they’re giving something up and do it because it’s what they’re supposed to do. He gave me a unique challenge, however, that I give to you to make a change for the right reasons this Lenten season. Rather than giving something up, try adding something to each of your 40 days this year. Whether this be an added time with your family for dinner each night, or a 15-minute time to yourself before you go to bed to just relax each night, adding something can be just as difficult, yet rewarding, as giving something up. Now, it’s obvious that not every student is religious. You may be thinking this doesn’t apply to you at all, but you might be surprised. You don’t have to be religious to be a better person at all. Anyone can use the season of Lent as an opportunity to begin making a change in their life. Think of it as a doover New Year’s resolution. Add that extra time in your day to make yourself happier and healthier. New season of Lent, new you.
lentpercent Survey of 144 students reveals how many participate in Lent
24 76 Jagwire
mill valley high school
percent of students participate
percent of students do not participate
illustration by avery sheltra
Design by nora lucas and ally nguyen opinions
23
Keal Trained
The wrestling team has achieved numerous accomplishments and success while being coached by head wrestling coach Travis Keal
by JOE MCCLAIN
reporter and photographer jagwire.joemcclain@gmail.com
by BRADEN SHAW
editor-in-chief jagwire.bradenshaw@gmail.com
W
hether it’s the family atmosphere or the trophies from the state tournament, head wrestling coach Travis Keal strives to create an environment based on success on and off the mat. “Keal Trained” is a mantra used by the team, something that describes the wrestling team’s overall mindset according to senior Jett Bendure. “It’s simple but when you really break it down it means we have to do the right things daily and not get involved in bad things,” Bendure said. “It’s pushing ourselves to our potential in and outside the wrestling room. That’s just ‘Keal Trained’ in general, just doing the right things daily and pushing yourself to your limits.” Keal has been coaching wrestling for 21 years, 17 at Mill Valley, and has used his years of experience and connections to help his current wrestlers. The team has traveled to Olympic training centers, Oklahoma State University and high-profile tournaments such as the Kansas City Stampede and the Council Bluffs tournament in Iowa. Even after coaching for so long, Keal still has a process to continue to adapt for each new season as a coach. According to Keal, this helps him be ready for new challenges. “Every year after the season is over, I sit down and evaluate areas that I need to work on and areas that the program needs to work on,” Keal said. “After that I go consume myself with those [improvements] for the next 6 or 7 months. You always have to keep changing. Every kid is different.” Assistant wrestling coach Andrew Hudgins has seen Keal’s impact through the reputation that Mill Valley wrestling has since Keal became head coach. “It’s all about our five pillars of wrestling: academics, accountability, mental toughness, mental approach and technique,” Hudgins said. “Overall, Keal does a great job of instilling it in the kids and you know that when you see Mill Valley kids on the mat; most of them wrestle the same way.” The team also recently placed fourth
24
sports
ABOVE: During an intense wrestling match, head coach Travis Keal stands to direct a wrestler to assist them in winning their match on Saturday, Feb. 11. Photo by Victoria Wright
in Class 5A at the 2017 state wrestling tournament and Keal was named the 2017 5A wrestling coach of the year. The team has also had 47 state placers, third place finishes in 2015 and 2016, three regional championships and five
“When they leave here, they take things out of that wrestling room that they can use later in their life.” HEAD WRESTLING COACH TRAVIS KEAL league championships. Even with all of these accolades, junior Conner Ward still feels that the team is striving to achieve higher goals each and every year. “Bringing home trophies my first two years was good for the program, but this year falling one place short of a team trophy at state wasn’t our goal,” Ward said. “We were still one of the best teams in the state, but we didn’t get what we wanted. The expectation for myself and I believe the other wrestlers
and coaches is a team state title.” Bendure has realized this success in the postseason as the team has “been training for this moment of all these wrestlers coming together.” Bendure also believes that Keal has been a proponent of that since before Bendure was even in high school. “He really motivated me during middle school. He always said, ‘The will to prepare much outweighs the will to succeed,’” Bendure said. “That really stuck with me; the fact that you have to prepare more than just wanting to succeed. It’s made me a better person in life. He’s affected me more in my life with school and everything more than just on the mat with wrestling.” Every day, Keal makes excellence a focus of his coaching and hopes to make not only great wrestlers but great people once their wrestling career is over. “They’ll be a better dad and husband, just from coming in that room. Especially on days they didn’t feel like coming in that room,” Keal said. “Wins and losses are good, but we’ve got to build strong people and reliable people with dedication. That’s what we have to do as teachers and coaches. When they leave here, they take things out of that wrestling room that they can use later in their life. Regardless whether they were a state champion or wrestled JV.”
mill valley high school
Jagwire
Bringing home the Hardware A list of accolades during Keal’s tenure as head wrestling coach
3rd Place 2015
3rd Place 2016
regional 2014 2015 Champs 2016
47 state Placers League Champs
2008 2014 2013 2015 2016
ABOVE: At the EKL meet on Saturday, Feb. 11, head coach Travis Keal yells to help one of the wrestlers during their match. Photo by Victoria Wright
Jagwire
mill valley high school
design by braden shaw and jakob twigg sports
25
FillingTHE gap
by KAtyA GILLIG
news editor jagwire.katyagillig@gmail.com
Young athletes expected to fill starting roles due to injuries
ABOVE: The boys basketball team searches to fill the absence of junior point guard Cooper Kaifes after Kaifes suffered a broken foot injury early on. Photo Illustration by Claire Boone
L
osing a valuable player can have a drastic impact on a team. With the leading scorer in boys basketball and the varsity goalkeeper in girls soccer both injured, many younger players have had to step up to fill the void. Sophomore Tanner Moore become a starter in boys basketball to fill junior Cooper Kaifes’ spot. Kaifes, the only returning starter from last year’s state team, will miss the remainder of the season due to a stress fracture in his foot. According to Moore, the team has found ways to adapt without Kaifes. “He was a big part of the team. He was our leading scorer, and he’s probably the most experienced on the team,” Moore said. “It’s a big loss, but we found ways to deal with it.” The girls soccer team also will have changes at a key position after junior Bailey Heffernon tore her ACL, resulting in her missing the entire upcoming season. Sophomore Grace Goetsch, who was the junior varsity goalkeeper and back up for varsity last year, will likely become the varsity goalkeeper in her place. Goetsch believes it will be a more challenging transition. “A goalkeeper is one of the most important positions,” Goetsch said. “So having that change will be something for everyone to get used to.” Goetsch believe that other chang-
26
sports
es regarding the team with add to the pressure of losing a main player. “Our season hasn’t started yet, but ... being in the EKL this season there will be a lot of big changes,” Goetsch said. The basketball team only has four seniors on the team this year. Moore believes that the lack of seniors has “been tough,” but have had a lot of young players “step up.” The offense has also had to adjust because of Kaifes’ injury. According to Kaifes, they have seen a dip in scoring, and have had to run a new motion offense to make up for that. “I think some of the scoring has gone away because I was the leading scorer,” Kaifes said. “They had to pick that up.” Moore also thinks that it will help the team when Kaifes returns. “Later [this season] and next season we will be a lot more experienced,” Moore said. “We’ll have a lot more guys who have had the experience of playing that varsity time and that will help us.” Goetsch does not believe Heffernon’s absence will change the team’s goals this season, partly because of the talent of the new players coming in. “[Making it to state] is always our goal every season,” Goetsch said. “We have a lot of amazing new players coming in so I am confident all of our teams will do well this season.”
Design by annie myers and hunter ristau
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CLAIRE BOONE
ABOVE In the girls state soccer tournament on Saturday, May 28, 2016, Junior Bailey Heffernon blocks a goal from the Maize Eagles. Photo by Alexis Strauss
SPOTON
Senior student trainer Charlsey Seidel identifies common injuries
Concussions
ACL rehab
Sprained Ankles
mill valley high school
Jagwire
C lassesSide-By-Side Physical Education classes teach students different physical activities
by MICHAEL SANDRI
reporter and photographer jagwire.michaelsandri@gmail.com
w
ith all of the physical education classes, it is difficult to know what each of the classes has to offer. According to physical education teacher Debbie Fay, Team Sports is one of the more unique classes available. “Team Sports is different than other classes in the sense that it focuses on large group games like basketball, flag football, or wiffle ball,” Fay said. All of these team sports are done in the gym. However, the Lifetime Fitness class practices individual based sports at a multitude of different venues. “This semester, since we have a smaller class, we were able to do some things outside of the school,” Lifetime Fitness teacher Sara Haub said. So far, Lifetime Fitness students have been bowling, ice skating, golfing and have played frisbee golf at Shawnee Mission Park.
Another thing that separates the Lifetime Fitness class from the others is that the majority of the sports played in the class can be enjoyed at all ages. “For instance bowling and golf are sports that you can still play when you get older,” Haub said. Unlike Team Sports and Lifetime Fitness, which play a variety of sports, Strength and Conditioning has a more constant curriculum and a more straightforward objective. “In Strength and Conditioning, the format is very consistent throughout,” Fay said. “We are obviously developing strength and conditioning skills, as this class is named.” Although the format of Strength and Conditioning is generally the same, there is one thing about the class that Fay hopes will change. “I am really trying hard to get more girls involved in this class to raise their athleticism and enforce the idea that it’s a cool thing to be a fit young lady,” said Fay.
Q&a with
Junior Hayden Shaw Shaw has participated in four physical educational classes
JagWire: What PE classes have you taken at Mill Valley? shaw: I have taken freshman PE, Strength and Conditioning, Team Sports, and Lifetime Fitness. Jw: What do you do in Lifetime Fitness class? hs: We play a lot of individual based sports. We also learn numerous ways to stay active and be healthy. Jw: What do you do in Strength and Conditioning class? hs: We lift weights and do
Jagwire Mill valley high school
stretches with bands. Jw: What do you do in Team Sports? hs: We play a little bit of any sport that is offered at the school. Jw: Which of these classes has been your favorite? hs: Team sports has been my favorite because I get to hang out with a lot of people I know and we all get to play games together.
OverTime
An inside look and additonal coverage on this season’s sports and athletes
ABOVE: In team sports class, sophomore Drew Thomas serves the volleyball on Thursday, Feb. 23. Photo by Chris Sprenger
StudentNumbers The enrollment numbers for this semester in different PE classes varies greatly
286
96
Students in Strength and Conditioning
Students in Lifetime Fitness
273
13
Students in Team Sports
Students in Cardio Lift
Design by anika roy
sports
27
28
ads
Design by hunter ristau
mill valley high school
Jagwire
BreakfastBattles waffles vs. pancakes
Survey of 156 students reveal what their preferred breakfast options are
42%
58%
55%
of students voted for pancakes
of students voted for waffles
21%
favorite cereals
20%
Fruit Loops Cheerios
Frosted Flakes
45%
SENIOR ELAINA BARTLOW
11%
Favorite breakfast place bacon vs. sausage 1
IHOP
2
First Watch
3
Waffle House
4
Other
orange juice vs. apple juice
of students voted for apple juice
Lucky Charms
“[Pancakes] are a lot easier to make and eat. There are so many flavors of pancakes ... but there aren’t as many for waffles.”
reporter and photographer jagwire.chrissprenger@gmail.com
of students voted for orange juice
“Waffles. You can put the syrup on without it running off.”
FRESHMAN COLBY BEGGS
by CHRIS SPRENGER
10%
Cocoa Puffs
9%
Other
29%
“I like sausage because bacon is just a little too crispy for me.”
26%
of students voted for sausage
FRESHMAN COLBY BEGGS
74%
of students voted for bacon
“I definitely prefer bacon over sausage. With bacon I know exactly what kind of meat I’m eating and with sausage you just never know.”
SENIOR ELAINA BARTLOW
grab n’ go
A survey of 156 students reveals what the fastest breakfast options are
Other - 11% Cereal - 22%
Jagwire Mill valley high school
Granola bar - 21%
Fruit - 11%
Toast - 5%
photos by Tricia Drumm
Nothing - 30%
Design by margaret mellott
A&E
29
pickin’ out your
by MICHAEL SANDRI
reporter and photographer jagwire.michaelsandri@gmail.com
by BRADEN SHAW
editor-in-chief jagwire.bradenshaw@gmail.com
Chicken
JagWire staff members set out to local restaurants in search of the perfect chicken strip meal
1
Zaxby’s 9500 W 135th St, Overland Park
Braden Shaw: This was by far the most
“authentic” chicken that we had the pleasure of tasting and eating. Blending together the best combination of flavor, breading and delightful tenderness, Zaxby’s is the winner here. To be completely honest — in my humble opinion — it isn’t even close. The cost didn’t break the bank and the quality of the chicken tenders were quite frankly top notch. Even though the wait time for our order was a little longer than I had hoped for, it was well worth it in the end. This was by far the best restaurant that we visited.
feelin’ saucy
Michael Sandri: These chicken fingers were
my favorite because they tasted the most authentic. The other chicken fingers all had an artery clogging “fast food” feel to them, but these tasted like they could be part of a home-cooked meal. The food I was served made me want to savor the meal and treat its consumption as a privilege rather than an obligation to eat for survival. Eating here could arguably be a statement of class and set the chicken connoisseur apart from the average chicken eater. However, in order to truly appreciate the art that is created here, one has to hop into their car, drive to Zaxby’s, order some chicken, and taste it for his or her self. I have only good feedback.
JagWire staffers guess the three main ingredients found in the secret signature sauces of each restaurant we visited
ZAX SAUCE
SLIM SAUCE
CANE’S SAUCE
CHICK-FIL-A SAUCE
1
2
3
4
mayo ketchup Worcestershire sauce
30
A&E
mayo tomato pepper sauce
mayo ketchup garlic powder
bbq mustard sugar sauce mill valley high school
Jagwire
2
Slim Chicken 9001 W 135th St, Overland Park
BS:
MS: The chicken tenders
While this wasn’t originally on our list of places to go, it was still a legitimate restaurant when getting chicken fingers. It didn’t have the breading or the tenderness of the other chicken tenders at the other locations, but still had enough flavor to leave me satisfied and smiling. This is a solid choice for chicken and well worth a visit.
3
RAISING CANE’S
BS: This was a spot that had a lot of buzz from what I had heard and my one time going here before left me very pleased with my experience. Coming back a second time proved to be well worth it. The chicken had loads of juiciness and tenderness. The breading is a bit disappointing, but I’d still recommend it.
4
7501 W 135th St, Overland Park MS: This wasn’t the best
place that I have gotten chicken fingers from. Rather than being crispy, the breading was damp and hanging off of the meat like a band-aid barely sticking to a scraped knee. The meal itself gave me the impression that the entire restaurant should be relocated to the inside of an airport that is never busy.
Chick-Fil-A 7500 W 135th St, Overland Park
BS: Granted, this isn’t exactly a place that’s hard to get to or obscure in the slightest. Heck, this is probably the most typical place to go when it comes to getting chicken. But the chicken doesn’t really disappoint, which is reassuring. While the meal is a bit on the small side, it was still enjoyable. Flavor-wise it was middle of the road and had slightly above average tenderness. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, then this is the place for you. Chick-Fil-A is always a safe bet, but not at the top of my list. Jagwire
served here are definitely from “slim chickens.” The size of the fingers were about that of a marker and nothing else made up for it. The flavor and texture made it feel like the fingers had been dipped in a glass of water before being served. This meal would bring up repressed memories of a near drowning experience.
mill valley high school
MS: The flavor of these fingers was decent. The size of the meal, however, was way too small. I was left very unsatisfied, but not in a way where I was still hungry. The food was good, but in a really unhealthy way. After I had finished eating the small portion of food, I had some time to realize what I had just eaten and how it could potentially give me an ulcer. It’s like that episode of Spongebob where they discover the people who bought the Krusty Krab are now making the Krabby Patties with grey sludge. It just tastes unhealthy. photos by victoria wright
WHAT’S YOUR
CHICK-PICK?
Students choose their favorite local chicken finger restaurant
CHICK-FIL-A “It’s a nice, happy environment and the people are very friendly. The chicken also tastes very good.”
SENIOR JUSTIN HOPPER
WENDY’S “They have good dipping sauce, particularly honey mustard, which is always my favorite.”
JUNIOR KATIE MCNAUGHTON
SOMBRERO’S “It’s where I work, but the chicken is really good. It’s a Mexican restaurant but they make amazing chicken tenders.”
SOPHOMORE DUSTYN SWEET Design by Claire Boone and Alison Booth a&E
31
ABOVE: Leader of the robot project, senior Nathan Gawith, edits the program for the robot on Wednesday, Feb. 15. “I’m in charge of making sure that the software for the robot was written and written well,” Gawith said. Photo by Carter Lawson ABOVE: With a wrench in his hand, freshman Jacob Howe helps to put finishing touches on the robot on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Photo by Morgan Gurwell
ABOVE: After school on Thursday, Feb. 9, senior Taylor Barth drills into a PVC pipe. “I do random stuff that’s needed, whatever helps get out robot along to where it’s finished,” Barth said. Photo by Morgan Gurwell
building bots
The robotics team is given a six-week period to complete its robot before its competition on March 16-18
RIGHT: Preparing for the robotics competition, seniors Jacob Tiehen and Mark Hinnen use the programming system. “I’m really intrigued by building stuff and taking stuff apart,” Tiehen said. Photo by Morgan Gurwell
32
photo essay
LEFT: Adjusting the pneumatic system of the robot, junior Chris Greenfield tightens a bolt on Monday, Feb. 13. “I enjoy ... the engineering and design behind [building the robot],” Greenfield said. Photo by James Ball
Design by Victoria Wright
mill valley high school
Jagwire