JagWire: Volume 18, Issue 1

JAGWIRE NEWSMAGAZINE

FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE ON PAGES 14-19

MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL // VOL. 18 // ISSUE 1 // SEPT. 21, 2017 // MVNEWS.ORG

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CONTENTS

Design by Victoria Wright

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

09

06

12

14

32 NEWS

OPINIONS

A&E

04 sporks 06 storm damage

20 staff editoral 21 opinions

28 lenexa city center 30 water reviews

FEATURES 09 10 12 14

Aly Tennis band uniforms exchange students suicide prevention

SPORTS 24 varsity freshmen 26 Ellie Kerstetter

PHOTO ESSAY 32 friday nights at MV

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

Design by Victoria Wright

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

H

ello and welcome to the new and improved JagWire newsmagazine. We are the editors-in-chief for this year and cannot wait to share this issue with you.

You might notice a few changes: all white pages, minimalistic design elements and no Overtime or Spotted. This is all an attempt to make our publication more visually appealing and easier to read. We hope you all like these changes and are looking forward to what comes next.

As for our content this issue, the sporks conundrum emerged as an interesting story.

It was refreshing to see how many students felt so strongly about the plastic sporks, though most understood why it was necessary. Through talking to the kitchen staff and students at lunch, this story evolved to be an investigative piece, and was definitely fun to write.

On a more serious note, we decided to center our special section around suicide prevention. September is suicide prevention month and it’s important to recognize the responsibility our paper has in educating our

community about suicide prevention. We hope those who are feeling hopeless can read our story and feel encouraged to seek help.

The title of the story is “Just One in 1,368,” meaning that although you may feel like just a number, each of us care about you as an individual. Suicide prevention is so important to us because if just one in the 1,368 ended their own life, it would rock our school. You matter more than you know.

First issues are always tough, but our staff, including the four new members, showed great maturity and growth throughout the whole thing. Our staff editorial was about taking suicide prevention seriously, and we’re proud of how much our staffers took that to heart. There were some hiccups, but throughout everything, we rolled with it.

Alison Booth Nora Lucas Victoria Wright

MANAGING EDITOR Claire Boone

COPY EDITOR Anika Roy

DESIGN EDITOR Annie Myers

PHOTO EDITORS Hunter Ristau Marah Shulda

Alison Booth

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 2017 JagWire has been named a Pacemaker winner, its third consecutive honor.

It was also 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.

Twitter: @millvalleynews Facebook: Mill Valley News

CENSORSHIP POLICY Nora Lucas

Victoria Wright

BUSINESS MANAGER Hunter Ristau

MILL VALLEY NEWS EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Jakob Twigg

FEATURES EDITOR

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Annie Myers

A&E EDITOR Abby Layton

OPINIONS EDITOR Ally Nguyen

SPORTS EDITORS

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

Tricia Drumm Morgan Gurwell Ally Nguyen

NEWS EDITOR

Katya Gillig Chris Sprenger

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SOCIAL MEDIA

JAGWIRE 2017-18 staff EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

STAFF

Lexi Flipse

REPORTERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS James Ball Drake Brizendine Elizabeth Joseph Carter Lawson Jordan Robinson Michael Sandri Andrew Tow

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.

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NEWS

Mill Valley High School

Design by Morgan Gurwell & Lexi Flipse

JagWire

JagWire

NEWS

Mill Valley High School

STABBINGSTATISTICS How do you feel about plastic sporks replacing metal forks?

WHAT the FORK?

$0.008 per spork

ents 5 stud

m mad 51% I’ are don’t c 39% I em like th I % 0 1

$590* $720

estimated cost for sporks per year

sporks per year

* based on $8.18 per case, 2 cases per week After students continually threw out metal forks last year, the district resolved issue by replacing them with plastic sporks. // Morgan Gurwell

ALISON BOOTH

editor-in-chief jagwire.alisonbooth@gmail.com

NORA LUCAS

editor-in-chief jagwire.noralucas@gmail.com

A

s students file into the lunchroom, many may notice a new item has replaced the old. Plastic sporks, a combination of a fork and spoon, have replaced the metal forks used in previous years. This decision was made due to the high number of metal forks being thrown away by students.

Right now, the lunchroom has only about 15 metal forks, according to kitchen manager Jean Gile. The district had to buy over 8,000 new metal forks last year to compensate for this loss, with each fork costing 9 cents.

This adds up to an extra $720 spent just to keep up with depletion of forks.

So, in second semester of last year, the kitchen decided to stop buying

more forks. Instead, they opted to bring out the sporks, which cost $8.18 for a case of 1,000 units.

Gile feels that forks are a privilege, not a right.

“I want everyone to have forks,” Gile said, “but I don’t want to keep buying them. I mean it’s not out of my pocket, but the school district has to keep paying for them and that’s kind of bad.”

Although it makes financial sense, the decision is not happily met by students.

“I hate them so much,” junior Ana Dector said. “I feel like I can’t get the food right because it’s a spoon. Especially with salads — I can’t scoop up a salad, you know.”

Many students other than Dector are unhappy with the change. In fact, in a survey of 305 students, 51 percent said they were mad about the new sporks.

Even teachers are feeling the pain.

Science teacher Eric Thomas said that a fork and a spoon simply shouldn’t mix.

“Either be a fork or a spoon; don’t be a spork,” Thomas said. “It’s terribly difficult [to eat with]. My eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be so it’s hard to harpoon pieces of lettuce with the uncommitted spork.”

“It’s hard to harpoon pieces of lettuce with the uncommitted spork.”

SCIENCE TEACHER ERIC THOMAS

While Thomas has made his opinion on the sporks clear, he ultimately understands why they’re necessary.

“You had to think, there are over 1,300 students, and if they throw away thousands of forks every week, that’s

Sporks prove to be short-term financial solution despite indifference from students and staff

y of 30 *Surve

72,000

Administration resorts to plastic sporks after fork supply drastically diminishes

05

a ton of money,” Thomas said. “So, I don’t blame them. I’d make everyone use a spork too.”

Senior McKenna Harvey not only dislikes the logistics of using sporks, but worries about the environmental impact they may have.

“When you have plastic sporks, that’s so much trash every single lunch,” Harvey said. “You have four lunches every single day and the trash that’s going to amount from that is a lot more devastating than just washing a simple fork.”

Although the trash may add up, disposable forks do save water, as the dishwasher has to “run [metal forks] through the dishwasher then turn them over and run them through again,” according to Gile.

Not just the kitchen staff is benefiting from a fork-less lunch. Junior Noah Smith enjoys them, and said using them is like “killing two birds with one stone.”

“I mean it’s a lot more convenient,” Smith said. “You don’t have to go up to the main trash cans in order to just

S P O R K S

total cost of fork replacement

F O R K S

$0.09 per fork

8,000 new forks being purchased

Without the metal forks this year, students and staff have difficulty cutting and eating tougher foods the provided sporks. // Andrew Tow

put away metal forks. You can just go to a regular trash can and throw it away.”

Gile thinks that the students that threw away the metal forks are being selfish.

“The kids who are too lazy to come up to the window and put them in

there, they ruin it for everyone else,” Gile said. “I think it’s unfair to all the kids that do a nice job and put them in the window in the tub.”

Gile said that although new metal forks have been ordered for the lunchroom, the kitchen “thinks we may stick with sporks for a while.”

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NEWS

Design by Claire Boone & Tricia Drumm

“

Mill Valley High School

We have leaking along the entire main floor, and so the ceiling is stained with water. There’s been a lot of hail damage since our house was made, but August this year was the worst.

SENIOR ANDREW KOFOID

After major storms on Thursday, Mar. 9 workers replace the roof on a student’s house on Wednesday, May 24. // Hunter Ristau

JagWire

”

THESE STORMS ARE RAGING Dates of storms that caused power outages or property damage in Western Shawnee

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015

NEWS

Mill Valley High School

Record storms cause many inconveniences and hail damage takes its toll on students’ homes

MICHAEL SANDRI

reporter/photographer jagwire.michaelsandri@gmail.com

JAKOB TWIGG

news editor jagwire.jakobtwigg@gmail.com

D

uring the month of August, storms battered Shawnee, causing a power outage and flooding not seen in typical summer storms.

According to Accuweather, Shawnee experienced a total of 11.31 inches of rain, surpassing the record for the most rain in the month of August since 1982.

For senior Caroline Gambill, the storms proved tough for her and her household. “[The power went out] late at night and our power was out so that affected the air conditioning and I was trying to sleep and it was super hot,” Gambill said. “Basically everything in our house got reset because there was no power.”

The rain caused several places in Shawnee to flood, such as Clear Creek, which runs under Monticello Road.

The flooding proved troublesome for senior Andrew Kofoid and the rest of the cross country team who temporarily lost a training route due to the

storms.

“In cross country [practice the morning after the storms], we wanted to run on the trails,” Kofoid said. “We weren’t able to because we would have been swimming instead of running.”

“The flooding was kind of worrisome.”

JUNIOR CARLY TRIBBLE

The storm did not only affect sports practices, but also several students experienced flooding in their basement and homes. One person affected was junior Carly Tribble, whose house began to flood during the rain.

“For [my family], the flooding was kind of worrisome and we had some issues with our doors where water would actually leak under them and come into our house a little bit,” Tribble said. “We were worried that the water would warp our hardware floors if [water did leak in further].”

With the storm came hail as well.

This resulted in damage to roofs and cars throughout Shawnee, including

Kofoid’s house.

“Our house got a lot of bad hail damage. We have leaking along the entire main floor, and so the ceiling is stained with water,” Kofoid said. “[There’s been damage to our roof] since our house was made, but early August was the worst of it.”

Luckily for Tribble, her roof was fixed at the end of August. “[My family] waited a while because we were not sure if there were going to be more storms that caused more damage,” Tribble said. “We wanted to get our money’s worth out of [the repairs] and not just have the roof [destroyed right after another storm].”

Environmental science teacher Julie Roberts says that the record amounts of rainfall are due to a particularly strong El Niño: a weather pattern caused by currents in the Pacific Ocean.

“This [El Niño] is a really strong one, so that caused the jet stream to bring us more precipitation and severe weather than we wouldn’t normally get,” Roberts said.

The storms were shock for many young people in Shawnee, as many have never seen nor remember storms as large as this.

“I think it’s normal for us to get that much rain, but just [not in] August,” Gambill said. “It was really spooky.”

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In Shawnee, 93 total hail reports have been recorded in the span of two years

Friday, June 16, 2017 Friday, July 22, 2017

07

WEATHERING THE STORM

ALL HAIL’S BROKEN LOOSE

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Hail reports were made in 2017

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Wednesday, July 26, 2017 Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2017

JagWire

Hail reports were made in 2016 Due to the increase hail damage, more roofs had to be replaced on students’ homes on Wednesday, May 24. // Hunter Ristau

DATA FROM STORMERSITE.COM

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ADS

Design by Hunter Ristau

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

Design by Claire Boone

I NEED A HERO Your Booster Club in Action

The MVHS Booster Club is proud to support each and every club, activity and sport at Mill Valley. Over the past year we have purchased new two microwaves for the lunchroom, water bottle refill stations (which have to be installed yet), new number signs for the tennis courts, assisted with the purchase of the freshman orientation t-shirts, the white-out t-shirts for play-offs last year and paid hundreds of dollars to clubs, activities and sports for concession stand shifts worked.

We do this through the monies raised through the Drive4URSchool event, mulch sales, concession sales and Booster Club dues.

If you haven't signed up for a Drive4URSchool slot yet, please do. This is a very easy fundraiser for the Booster Club and everything raised goes back into the school.

FEATURES

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Senior Aly Tennis gives back to NICU nurses in honor of father, Dan Tennis

Alongside her father, and hero, Dan Tennis, senior Aly Tennis holds a care package she created for on-duty NICU nurses outside of Shawnee Mission Medical Center. On Friday, Sept. 15 she plans to deliver the care packages containing essentials for a long shift. // Victoria Wright

ANIKA ROY

copy editor jagwire.anikaroy@gmail.com

A

s she delivered care packages to Shawnee Mission Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses on Sep. 15 — National NICU Nurse Day — senior Aly Tennis completed the last aspect of a service project required for a summer program through the FBI Academy she recently attended.

In June, Aly attended the eight-day, prestigious FBI Academy Youth Leadership Program in Quantico, Virginia.

Only one high school student from each state is selected to attend, with only one from both Kansas and Missouri. Aly was selected as the representative in March.

The application for the program is a resume as well as a written essay about what leadership means to the applicant. If he or she passses that preliminary stage, they undergo an interview with four members of the chapter of their home state. Lastly, the prerequisite is a service project, big or small, related to showing respect or appreciation for the applicants hero.

For her project, Aly chose to raise money for a couple months this summer selling t-shirts reading “NICU nurses hold the future in the palm of their hands,” to show appreciation to NICU nurses.

“I was trying to think of my hero and an obvious person in my life is my dad because of all that he does,” Aly said. “I remembered how he was born three months premature and I started thinking about how nurses … allow the future to live and be able to do what they do later on.”

After hearing the project plan, Aly’s father Dan Tennis was very impressed.

“I thought it was really interesting how she put [the project] together,” Dan said. “When she got home, she talked about other kids’ project and they were very predictable. But I thought her plan was really advanced.”

Aly used the donated $275 to create care packages with essential items for a NICU nurse’s long shift. Along with gum, scrunchies, syringe pens and other items, multiple packages contained personalized thank you letters.

Senior Landon Butler decided to write one of said letters because of his experiences in the NICU. “As a child, I spent a couple weeks in the NICU, so it definitely has a personal impact on me,” Butler said. “I’m also a friend of Aly’s and wanted to do something to support her movement.”

Aly is pleased with her newfound relationship with the nurses and inspired overall by their motives.

“The whole thing has really gotten me connected to the NICU nurse world, just seeing how much they do and how much they affect people,” Tennis said. “It’s weird to think that

they’re not doing it for the attention, just from the pure kindness in their hearts.”

THE GOODS Items included in the bags for the NICU nurses at SMMC

Scrunchies

Coffee

Granola Bars

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FEATURES

Design by Annie Myers

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

Photo illustration by Morgan Gurwell

FEATURES

At the Emporia band competition last year on Wednesday, Oct. 5, the band received a two rating. // Ally Nguyen

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Before the homecoming football game on Friday, Sept.

8, the drum majors lead the band to the bleachers in the new uniforms. // Morgan Gurwell

MARCHING BACK IN STYLE ELIZABETH JOSEPH

reporter/photographer jagwire.elizabethjoseph@gmail.com

MICHAEL SANDRI

reporter/photographer jagwire.michaelsandri@gmail.com

T

he new band uniforms have finally arrived after much anticipation by members of the band.

Unlike the old navy outfits, the new black uniforms are sashless, use jackets that zip in the back and have hats featuring plumes about six inches in height.

The marching band wore the original uniforms for 17 years, since Mill Valley’s opening in 2000. The new attire cost around $93,000 for the district to purchase and are expected to be in use for the next 10 to 15 years.

Band director Deb Steiner has been attempting to purchase new uniforms for eight years, after the outdated design became apparent in comparison to other marching bands.

“Our old style … was actually from about 1985 or 1990,” Steiner said.

“They were 10 years out of date when [the district] bought them.”

Junior clarinetist Tyler Jeanneret agrees with Steiner’s assessment of the old uniforms.

“The old ones looked like painted cardboard,” Jeanneret said. “Now, we actually look like a marching band.”

Senior saxophonist Tom Colling added that the old uniforms were “navy blue potato sacks.”

Colling continued, describing the new uniform design as simpler and streamlined in comparison to the older attire.

Marching Jaguars receive brand new uniforms for the first time in school history, spreading excitement amongst its members

NEWLOOK

“The new uniforms are sleek, modern and look very nice,” Colling said.

“I really like the color scheme and the fact that they do not have as many snaps and zippers.”

Jeanneret, along with the majority of the band, spent the last year participating in multiple fundraisers to pay for the new uniforms.

“We sold a lot of mulch and mattresses,” said Jeanneret. “Getting enough participation [was difficult].

It’s not a fun Saturday activity, but we had motivation.”

Senior Tom Colling models the new band uniform’s features

lected by the band will still be put to good use.

“Everything that we had fundraised we got to keep for the school,” Steiner said. “They look so much better in [the uniforms.] This style is more current.”

Like Steiner, Jeanneret is excited for the upcoming marching season with the new uniforms.

“I’m super hyped, as is the whole band,” Jeanneret said. “They’re an amazing way to start out the school year.”

“The old uniforms were navy blue potato sacks.”

Information regarding new uniforms, provided by band director Deb Steiner

plume

coat

SENIOR TOM COLLING

After the band marched after Bishop Carroll at the 2015 state football game, the side-by-side comparison between the two schools and their attire was enough to sway the district into paying the full cost for all 225 new uniforms, in spite of the fundraising.

“When we went to state football, the district office looked at how the other band’s uniforms looked and then they looked at ours,” Steiner said.

“They said ‘those look pretty bad.’”

Although the district paid the full cost of the uniforms, the funds col-

bibbers

Juinor Noah Smith marches with the band at the homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 8. // Morgan Gurwell

UNIFORM STATS

Speedsters marching shoes

225 Uniforms received

93

thousand dollar cost

10

year approximate lifetime

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FEATURES

Mill Valley High School

Design by Anika Roy

INFORMATION

EXCHANGE

ALLY NGUYEN

Mill Valley News editor-in-chief/ opinions editor jagwire.allynguyen@gmail.com

JagWire

JagWire

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Mill Valley High School

WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HERE

TRICIA DRUMM

Mill Valley News editor-in-chief jagwire.triciadrumm@gmail.com

The cultural and educational differences in Spain, noted by senior Elena Camazón

Camazón says students in Spain spend three years in elementary school, six years in primary school, four years of secondary school and two years of university.

No matter the subject, Camazón stayed in the same classroom all day at school

INFORMATION

EXCHANGE The cultural and educational differences in Taiwan, noted by senior Eunice Hsu

While in her host family’s house, foreign exchange student and senior Elena Ortega Camazón poses in front of the Spanish flag signed by her family on Monday, Sept. 11. // Marah Shulda

Sitting on the couch in her host family’s home, foreign exchange student and senior Eunice Hsu poses in front of the Taiwanese flag on Monday, Sept. 4.// Jordan Robinson

FROM SPAIN: ELENA

FROM TAIWAN: EUNICE

S

O

Senior foreign exchange student Elena Camazón builds friendships

Every night in Spain, Camazón ate dinner at around 10 pm.

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miling as she says “yes,” senior Elena Camazón accepts a homecoming proposal from seniors Dani Crispin and Sofia Torres that reads, “sería dulcemente agradable si vas a homecoming con nosotras,” meaning, “It would be sweet if you went to homecoming with us.” To Camazón, the gesture was touching because as a foreign exchange student from Leon, Spain, building relationships with new people is important.

Camazón wasn’t originally looking to study in the U.S., but was encouraged by her mother.

“I started looking for things that could bring me here,” Camazón said.

“When you send the papers you can choose a place you want to go [and I chose Kansas City.]”

Shawnee resident Teresa Kilkenny decided to host Camazón to share her “blessings” with her as well as for religious reasons.

“I felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me to help somebody out there that needed to come to the U.S. and study,” Kilkenny said. “I have a big house and kids leaving the big house, so I had a spare room.”

Camazón finds cultural differences to be the hardest adjustment, particularly the scheduling of school. Despite the differences, Camazón enjoys Mill Valley and has made multiple at-

tempts to get involved and immerse herself in the student body.

“I’m in theater club; in Spain we also have a theater club, but it’s not as big as here,” Camazón said. “I like a lot of the school because it’s very big and everything is really cool and [the most helpful people are] the friends that I have that [are] in my classes.”

Torres befriended Camazón because she was intrigued by her background and hoped that they would find similarities in each other since Torres is from Mexico.

“I’ve never met a foreign exchange student, but I thought it was really interesting how she’s from Spain,” Torres said. “We have in common that our cultures are different from what the American culture is and it makes us relate more.”

Besides what they have in common, Torres’ favorite thing about Camazón is her positive energy.

“I love her sense of humor,” Torres said. “She laughs at my jokes, and she’s really nice.”

Kilkenny agrees and says she is blessed to have Camazón in her life. “[Elena is] a joy. She sees beauty in things I’ve forgotten to look at,” Kilkenny said. “Every experience in Kansas City is new to her and it makes me appreciate how much I love the Shawnee area.”

Hsu believes there is less of an emphasis of mathematical word problems in Taiwan.

Senior foreign exchange student Eunice Hsu overcomes difficulty ver 7,400 miles separate Shawnee from New Taipei City, the most populous city in Taiwan.

A two-stop flight over the span of 33 hours opens up a world of opportunity — literally. For senior Eunice Hsu, Shawnee will be her home until summer 2018.

Hsu was born in New Taipei City, given the Mandarin name Ching-Yun, Hsu. At her boarding school in Taiwan, she shared a dorm room with three other students. Now, Hsu is living with host mother Jane Eggleston and Mill Creek Middle School eighth-grader Jada.

Hsu chose the U.S. to study in because of its size and the growing prominence of the English language.

“Since English has become the world’s second language, learning English would benefit [my future career as a veterinarian] in a lot of ways,” Hsu said.

After hearing about positive experiences from friends who have hosted foreign exchange students, Jane opened her home to Hsu. “I wanted to welcome a student into our home and show her what it’s like to live here,” Jane said. “She can teach us about how she lives with the foods, her holidays and culture.”

Hsu feels understanding and being fluent in English is one of biggest chal-

lenges she faces as a foreign exchange student.

“Using English in class [is hard for me],” Hsu said. “Everyone speaks English really quickly, so it’s a lot harder to understand. It makes [me] feel like [I have] to be able to understand what they’re saying.”

Hsu receives help translating from junior Gigi Lin. But because Lin and Hsu only share a lunch and occasionally walk to class together, Hsu also uses Google Translate in class. While Lin comes to Hsu’s classes to help, Lin said “everything usually makes sense to her.”

The linguistic barrier, however, doesn’t stop Hsu from learning more about her new home.

“She really wants to get out and see things, and she’s an extrovert, so she really likes to meet people,” Jane said.

“She fits right in no matter what.”

Hsu ultimately wanted to become a foreign exchange student because she is “only going to be a student once in her life.”

“When [I’m] around 60 or 70 [I’m] never going to want to come to America to learn, so taking this chance as a student is more beneficial,” Hsu said.

“Taiwan is a very small country, so [I] want to be able to go around the world, learn about their cultures and bring it back to Taiwan.”

Hsu lived in a dorm and attended boarding school in Taiwan as opposed to the typical public school.

During the afternoon at school in Taiwan, Hsu took daily naps.

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FEATURES

Design by Alison Booth and Victoria Wright

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We asked students and staff members to write down a phrase they would tell a friend who is considering suicide.

This is what they said:

If you or a friend is considering suicide, remember you’re more than a statistic; you are

NORA LUCAS

editor-in-chief jagwire.noralucas@gmail.com

ABBY LAYTON

A&E editor jagwire.abbylayton@gmail.com

As part of Suicide Prevention Month, teachers and students reflect on how best to get and give help to those who need it

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286 OF STUDENTS 1,082 KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS COMPLETED SUICIDE

*Each figure represents 20 people

The words “you are worth it” are what senior Kristen Garrett tells herself to get through each day.// Victoria Wright

E

very day, 1,368 students walk to and from class, discussing friends, relationships and the next big test coming up. Each of these students is an individual facing his or her own distinct and unique problems, and many may feel lost in the noise of a big, high-achieving school.

Those students may be facing depression, anxiety, abuse or unimaginable

circumstances. According to a JagWire survey of 1,072 students, 16 percent of the students in this school have considered suicide, while 40 percent have a friend who has considered suicide.

Those students who face these problems are not just a statistic; they’re one in the 1,368.

PROBLEM The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently

released a new study citing suicide rates in teen girls at a 40-year high.

Additionally, suicide rates in girls ages 15-19 have doubled from 2007 to 2015, while boys’ rates have risen by 30 percent in the same time period.

Locally, 173 have considered suicide and 59 have attempted, according to the JagWire survey.

The big question is: why?

School social worker Debbie

Gudenkauf believes that each case of teen depression and suicide is different, and thus it is difficult to pinpoint specific criteria to identify reasons for teen suicide.

“I think there’s so many different components that you can’t say that it’s one thing or another,” Gudenkauf said. “That’s what so hard about so much of this. If we could figure that out, we could stop it.”

Factors mentioned by the American Association of Suicidology include mental health conditions, family environment and historical factors.

Under the umbrella of various factors, Gudenkauf believes there is a common thread among people who complete.

“Suicide is about stopping the pain and that’s what we have to get the kids to understand,” Gudenkauf said.

“We have to recognize that they’re in pain, and if you don’t have those coping skills or if you’ve got a predisposition for depression or anxiety … and that’s not being treated, then it is going to hurt. We just have to help people understand that you can get through this and grow from it.”

PERSONAL STORIES Suicide can affect people of all ages from all different backgrounds.

Aforementioned factors such as mental health and a toxic environment can impact how a student perceives his or her life, and he or she may feel

so stuck they cannot see a way out of the situation.

A senior girl at Mill Valley, who asked that her name not be used due to the sensitivity of the topic, experienced depression and suicidal thoughts during middle school and now looks back on it as a period of loneliness.

“I honestly believed I would not live to see the year 2013.”

ANONYMOUS SENIOR GIRL

“My life is very different than the kids here, so I felt isolated,” the girl said. “And with time, that isolation grew and I had so much free time to just think about everything. I didn’t have any special talents, I wasn’t known for doing good things, I wasn’t academically gifted, I wasn’t athletic; I felt like a waste of space.”

She eventually attempted suicide twice. It was only after a friend alerted a school professional that she got the help she needed. The biggest thing the anonymous girl emphasizes is that time can heal most everything.

She believes that most problems and stress will get better and there will be things to look forward to.

“I honestly believed that I would not live the see the year 2013,” the girl

said. “It’s 2017 now and I’m thinking about my future and what college I’m going to attend. Things do change with time. I’m still putting the pieces of my life back together years later but I’m in a far better place now and happy.”

Senior Kristen Garrett felt similarly, sharing that stress in her personal life led her to consider suicide as an option.

“I ended up talking to one of my friends who was also on the basketball team and was kind of going through similar issues,” Garrett said.

“She advised that I needed to see one of the counselors at the school and kind of talk about things so that things wouldn’t get worse than they already were.”

The anonymous girl asks other people contemplating suicide to reach out, even if they are scared.

“Please reach out the get help from professionally trained individuals,” the girl said. “If a friend or someone you know is suicidal, please talk to the counselors at school and they’ll know what to do. That first step can be the one that saves your loved one’s life. They made be angry at you for doing it, but if you want to see them happy and healthy you have to do it.”

PREVENTION Last year, Kansas passed the Jason Flatt Act, which required school districts to meet benchmarks in suicide prevention.

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FEATURES

Design by Alison Booth and Victoria Wright

Story continued from page 17 As part of that implementation, the district began to train staff members on suicide awareness during the first few days of in-service each year.

Each Health class also now participates in a program called SOS, Signs of Suicide. According to Health teacher Amy McClure, the program is designed to teach students warning signs and what to do if a friend or family member needs help.

“I’ve always included [mental health] as a unit in my curriculum just because I feel that it’s important,” McClure said. “I was actually teaching here the year that we had a student, a senior, that took his own life, so I felt it important to educate kids [about].”

Both Psychology and AP Psychology classes discuss suicide in a unit called “abnormal psychology.” According to Psychology teacher Kirsten

Have you ever considered suicide?

Crandall, classes discuss experiences and what resources are available to them.

“I felt it important to educate kids [about suicide].”

HEALTH TEACHER AMY MCCLURE

“We talk about the number of resources that exist, that often times students don’t utilize,” Crandall said, “and we try to have just an open discussion of what is it really like for teenage students that are struggling or think they might be struggling.”

Gudenkauf believes students should not be afraid to ask their friends if they are considering sui-

Have you ever attempted suicide?

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

cide.

“Ask the question,” Gudenkauf said. “If you’ve got a friend you’re concerned about, ask them. It’s all about ... letting them know that you care about them and that we’re going to get them help.”

Between teachers, the common theme is to get help. At school, any trusted adult is available to listen and will take the situation to Gudenkauf.

Additionally, an outside source such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255.

Crandall stresses that every students in need of help have plenty of resources and should not be afraid of talking about the subject.

“I think that a lot of times students that are having a hard time ... try to keep that to themselves,” Crandall said. “I wish people just recognized how much it can be and should be an open conversation.

Has a family member of yours ever considered suicide?

54% said no 5%

16%

said yes

said yes

24% said yes 22% said I don’t know

*Survey of 1073 students

*Survey of 1072 students

*Survey of 1082 students

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HOSPITAL AT MARILLAC 913-951-4300

FEATURES

Mill Valley High School

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE 1-800-273-8255

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Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing the number of deaths by suicide per 100,000 people, separated by rates among males and rates among females

1975

2007 18 deaths

14 deaths

1990

12 deaths

11 deaths

1975

5 deaths

4 deaths

3 deaths

Has a family member of yours ever attempted suicide?

68% said no 16% said yes

2015

2007

1990

2 deaths

21% said I

21% said I don’t know

16% said I

don’t know

*Survey of 1007 students

lth conditions - mental hea - bullying s eapons, drug - access to w ide nother’s suic a to re u s o p - ex ry of suicide - family histo

2015

Has a friend of yours ever attempted suicide?

Has a friend of yours ever considered suicide?

FOR SUICIDE: S R O T C FA K RIS

Useful resouces to contact if a student is having thoughts of suicide

TALK TO A TRUSTED ADULT SUCH AS SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER DEBBIE GUDENKAUF OR COUNSELOR

JagWire

don’t know

27%

40%

said yes

said yes

39%

said no *Survey of 981 students

52%

said no *Survey of 1069 students

WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE:

-change in sleeping/e ating -decline in academic conduct -feelings of hopelessn ess -rapid swings in moo d -saying they are a “b urden” SOURCE: DISTRICT SUIC IDE

AWARENESS VIDEO

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OPINIONS

Design by Ally Nguyen

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

STOP MAKING JOKES ABOUT SUICIDE

M

“Joking about suicide isn’t the best way to cope with struggle.”

JAGWIRE STAFF

You’ve heard it a million times before: beware of the words that come out of your mouth because you can’t take them back. Phrases like “I want to die” and “kill me” apply only to the speaker, so it hypothetically shouldn’t be such a big deal to the audience.

But we need to consider that we have helped create a culture in which mental health is trivialized because we joke

JAGWIRE

STAFF VOTE

AGREE

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DISAGREE

5

jokes about wanting to die. If you find yourself in a place of struggle, find an adult you trust to talk to, such as school social worker Debbie Gudenkauf in the lower B-hall. Receiving help is ultimately better to moving forward than continuing to joke in circles about dying.

Finding healthier ways to cope can be difficult, but doing so is rewarding.

High school is a vulnerable time. Because we lack many developmental experiences, most of us also lack ways to deal with situations thrown at us as we grow. However, joking about suicide isn’t the best way to cope with struggle. In the end, positive thinking and thoughts will be a lot more beneficial to you and society.

ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM? 4.25 out 5 students said they’ve used or have heard someone use fatalistic humor in an ironic way

“I WANT TO DIE.”

“I’M GOING TO DIE.”

“KMS.”

“I FEEL LIKE DEATH.”

“I’M DECEASED.”

“THIS CLASS MAKES ME WANT TO DIE.”

*survey out of 998 students

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After long negotiations Vine finally died due to business troubles

Jokes about death make it hard to distinguish between who’s following trends and who needs help about it so much. This is highlighted by the fact that 85 percent of students surveyed by the JagWire reported having heard a joke about suicide or having made it themselves, but only 16 percent have said they have considered suicide.

Making a finsta post that tacks “kms” on at the end may bring you immediate gratification, but venting on social media is like consuming empty calories: it may feel good in the moment, but it’s ultimately unhealthy.

Language has a huge impact on culture. By normalizing these jokes called “fatalistic humor,” we create a society in which having negative mental health is a regular state of being.

This type of language minimizes how significant mental disorders actually are. We can’t discern those who genuinely need help from those just following the trend. The lines become blurred, and the humor escalates as more and more people begin to join in.

Some of us make these jokes to cope with tough situations. We understand that. But changing your mindset to move in a positive direction can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle and overall sense of being. Journaling, talking with a friend or adult, or receiving professional care are all healthier avenues to vent than making

OPINIONS

IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO VINE

STAFF EDITORIAL

any students casually talk about wanting to die, whether it be on social media or in real life. When people say things like “kms” (meaning “kill myself”) they generally try to be ironic and self-deprecating because they want to convey the message that they are embarrassed, stressed or annoyed. What students fail to realize, though, is how their words have an impact outside of those viewing their “relatable” post.

Design by Ally Nguyen

NORA LUCAS

editor-in-chief jagwire.noralucas@gmail.com

W

alking down the halls of Mill Valley, there are very few phrases someone could say that would be understood by the mass majority of students. Some of them would probably be huge cultural or political statements, but if I could guess, a lot of them would be connected to Vine, the social media platform that showcased six-second videos.

And is now dead. Vine was an app for everybody, and although we miss it dearly, it was time to say goodbye.

The story on why it died is com-

plicated. There’s a whole timeline of mishap leading up to its ultimate demise, including a loss of business by its owner Twitter. After a long battle between developers and contributors, some of whom were making anywhere between $20,000-$50,000 per ad campaign, according to Complex magazine, Vine ultimately died this year on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Though some might argue that it was becoming obsolete or floundering against other social media platforms, as many news outlets such as the New York Times and Business Insider have reported, Vine was not killed by any of these things. Vine died because of greed.

According to New York Magazine, 18 popular Vine stars met app representatives in the fall of 2015 to help reclaim a platform that was already failing, at least monetarily. They asked Vine to pay them $1.2 million each as long as they posted 12 Vines a month.

Vine said no, so they walked. As reported by Thrillist, they took their

business to other platforms: YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat.

The weird thing is that most people using Vine were, pun intended, out of the loop. That deal wasn’t made public until after the news of Vine’s death went viral nearly a year later. And for most people, it didn’t really matter. Vine had run its course, and they could bereave it with a decent amount of respect.

We loved Vine because it was the app for the everyman. It allowed us a glimpse into people’s lives, from their failed Smack Cams to recording their little sisters crying (don’t tell mom!)

You could be in someone’s home, in their life, for just six seconds, then watch it over and over and over again.

Vine was there when no other platform was; there was no news or political drama. It was all just a bunch of young people having a good time. And I think that’s where the magic was.

Rest in peace, Vine. You were our cinnamon apple.

VIOLENCE HAS NO PLACE IN PROTESTS The constitution protects assembly- not violent demonstrations Women’s March on Washington. However, there have been blatant abuses of this right.

“Our freedoms are privileges.”

JAMES BALL

reporter/photographer jagwire.jamesball@gmail.com

T

he First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.” The American people need to review these rights due to the chaos of Charlottesville on Saturday, August 12 and the free speech protest in Boston on Saturday, Aug. 19.

The right to peaceful assembly and speech has been a tool in significant movements such as the civil rights movement, LGBTQ rallies and the

JUNIOR JAMES BALL

An example of this is Charlottesville. The white supremacist participants of the rally proceeded to encourage violence and hate against other ethnic groups. Shortly after Charlottesville, a free speech rally was held in Boston that was perceived as a cover for a white supremacist assembly. In reality, the event was a true free speech rally that held a diverse crowd of around

50 people, but around 30,000 people arrived to counter protest. Most protested peacefully, but there were outliers, such as an Antifa member grabbing a woman’s American flag and dragging her around. The fact that people could condone the mistreatment and berating of their fellow citizens is appalling and an utter disrespect of the Constitution. Our freedoms are privileges If people continue to abuse this right, cities will refrain from allowing protests.

The fact of the matter is that it is completely and utterly inappropriate for citizens to participate and commit violence at rallies. The moment a person has committed to these actions they have made a choice to abuse their rights. They additionally set a poor example for others as well as a bad reputation of America to the world. All actions have repercussions, and the best way to prove one’s viewpoint is to express it in a non-violent way.

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OPINIONS

Mill Valley High School

Design by Ally Nguyen

JagWire

POINT-COUNTERPOINT

JagWire

OPINIONS

Mill Valley High School

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POINT: THE PENNY IS SMALL, BUT IT’S MIGHTY Pennies provide many benefits both morally and economically

HOW NECESSARY IS THE PENNY? JagWire staff members take a stance on whether or not the penny should be kept as currency

ANNIE MYERS

design/features editor jagwire.anniemyers@gmail.com

P

ennies get a bad rep. Too often, they’re dismissed as useless and unnecessary. Many believe that the elimination of the penny is a step that should be taken. After all, why inconvenience ourselves with the weight of a small coin when we could use nickels and dimes in their place?

The importance of the one-cent coin is great, as is the effect that its elimination would have on the economy.

The penny is a national symbol. In times of political divide, the engravement of “E Pluribus Unum” opposite

the silhouette of Abraham Lincoln serves as a reminder of unity in our country. A key component of the U.S. is the liberty we’ve fought for.

Although the majority of Americans probably don’t think of the penny’s significance when making purchases, its significance is still present.

“The penny is a national symbol.”

JUNIOR ANNIE MYERS

Pennies shape us into better people. Whenever I’m handed back change, I feel a sense of warmth pouring my leftover pennies into the tip jar. That feeling? Being morally sound. Aside from tipping workers, giving spare pennies to the homeless

and charities can do a lot of good for the world.

The removal of pennies from our system, on the other hand, would negatively impact our economy.

Merchants would most likely round prices up rather than down to be payable at an even price using the remaining coins available. Raymond Lombra, Ph.D., Professor of Economics at Penn State University, believes that the rounding of cash sales could cost consumers an estimated $600 million a year.

As a nation, we could do without inflation. Americans for Common Cents reports that the elimination of the penny would negatively impact the economy, seeing as government outlays and the Consumer Price Index go hand-in-hand.

When complaining about the penny, critics ignore the potential negatives of its removal, and the positives it presents today. The penny is here to stay, and that’s my two cents.

COUNTER: I’M TAKING BACK MY TWO CENTS The penny has outlived its usefulness and needs to be retired

JORDAN ROBINSON

reporter/photographer jagwire.jordanrobinson@gmail.com

T

homas Jefferson said, “a penny saved is a penny earned” but in 2017, a penny melted is actually 1.5 pennies earned. Yes, you read that right folks: melting a penny produces materials that are worth more than the one cent face value of a penny.

Every year, inflation causes the United States dollar to be worth less.

According to the United Stated Depart-

ment of Labor, when it first entered circulation, the Lincoln penny was worth about as much as the modern day quarter. Now, America’s beloved one cent coin has been devalued so much it became a purposeless drain on government resources and a symbol of a sentimental society unable to face progression.

According to an annual report published by the United States Mint, in 2016 the United States lost 46 million dollars in the production of 9 billion pennies — the majority of which are likely to fall out of currency within a year or two. The penny doesn’t even accomplish its purpose of facilitating commerce. Have you ever tried to pay for anything using pennies? Of course not, unless you have no heart or sympathy for cashiers.

So why is there opposition to elimi-

nating the penny? In my near constant public disparaging of the penny, many have voiced a statement to me along the lines of “pennies add up over time.” However, recent studies have shown that these fears may be unsubstantiated. After evaluating 185,714 transactions, a Wake Forest University report concluded that eliminating the penny would save consumers 1/20 of a cent every transaction, and stores would lose approximately 75.4 cents per day, making the overall effect of eliminating the penny negligible for consumers and sellers.

The penny needs to become a rallying point for positive change and legislation. Instead of hailing pennies as the epitome of national pride, skeptics can rest easy knowing Abraham Lincoln will still be immortalized in the actually useful five dollar bill.

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SPORTS

Design by Morgan Gurwell & Marah Shulda

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

JagWire

GIRLS GOLF

U

FRESHMEN of the FUTURE Freshmen Lauren Jarvis, Caroline Lawson, Kinley Drummond and Sophie Lecuru prove to be essential to their individul sports. // Andrew Tow

Athletically talented freshman class results in large number of underclassmen in varsity sports

DRAKE BRIZENDINE

reporter/photographer jagwire.drakebrizendine@gmail.com

A

pperclassmen on the girls golf team have had to take a leadership role, with three out of the six varsity players being freshmen.

The trio helped the team to a fourth place finish in their first meet.

According to freshman Caroline Lawson, the upperclassmen have created a family dynamic with the team.

“We have very few upperclassmen, a lot of the new girls coming in are freshmen,” Lawson said. “It’s kind of more of an older sister thing for them because they help out the younger girls a lot.”

Head coach Chris Wallace hopes the freshmen will help carry the team well into the future.

“I hope that the girls and work together to establish another strong nucleus that can continue the successful culture we have had as a girl’s golf program for the last several years,” Wallace said via email.

Lawson believes that the older girls have had to change their practices to adjust to the freshmen.

“I think sometimes it’s a little harder for some of the older girls who are used to playing faster and stuff like that,” Lawson said. “They have to adjust the way they play, how they talk and how they act because there are younger girls there.”

Freshmen varsity girls golf players

50% freshmen 33% juniors 17% seniors 0% sophomores

Freshmen varsity volleyball players

37% freshmen

sports editor jagwire.katyagillig@gmail.com

GIRLS TENNIS

cause we have to clean our dances, together,” Barge said. “Since they’ve never been on a dance team before they’re not completely used to it, so we have to make sure they’re doing the same thing at the same time.”

Jarvis believes that the freshmen each bring their own unique style of dance to the team. “[The freshmen] are very good dancers,” Jarvis said. “It makes the dancing more vibrant, bringing different [styles] of dances to this team.”

Barge thinks that the new viewpoint that the freshmen bring to the team will help make their dancing better.

“I think it’s good; we have a new set of eyes,” Barge said. “We have eight new pairs of eyes on the team so they give us a fresh perspective.”

Freshmen Silver Stars dance team members

Freshmen varsity girls tennis players

44%

33%

freshmen

freshmen juniors

22% juniors

33%

17% seniors

17% seniors

17% sophomores

17% sophomores

*JV and Varsity teams change every game

25% juniors 19% sophomores 19% seniors

KATYA GILLIG

SILVER STARS s students watch the Silver Stars performing during halftime at a football game, they may notice eight new faces among the 18 dancers.

According to freshman Lauren Jarvis, the amount of freshmen on the team has come with a major learning curve. “[Having many freshmen] means we have to work a little harder with getting everybody cleaned for dances together,” Jarvis said. “We haven’t danced together for very long, so it’s very hard for us to transition together.”

Senior captain Emma Barge believes the amount of freshmen brings challenges the team has not previously experienced.

“It can be kind of hard at times be

SPORTS

Mill Valley High School

R

ackets in hand, two freshmen lead the way for the team. The top two players on the tennis team, freshmen Sophie Lecuru and Ellie Schaffer, both won 8-0 in singles in their first tournament.

Head coach Nichole Gurwell believes the addition of Lecuru and Schaffer has elevated the play of the rest of the team.

“It makes everyone better, not just because we’re all competitive and we all want to play varsity but because we can see what we can do too if we practice a little harder and we try a little bit harder,” Gurwell said. “It’s fun to watch them because they’re really talented.”

Lecuru thinks that the upperclassmen helped the younger girls make a smooth transition onto the team.

“I don’t think [the freshmen] make that much of a difference because all of the older girls… have been really welcoming to all of the freshmen com-

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VOLLEYBALL

W

ith six out of the total 18 combined varsity/junior varsity roster being freshmen, the team has to overcome their lack of experience. The team is 1-3 so far.

Freshman setter Kinley Drummond doesn’t believe the number of freshmen is problematic.

“I don’t think it really affects the dynamic at all,” Drummond said. “We just go out there and play our best.”

Head coach Debbie Fay is grateful for the amount of freshmen that have joined the team.

“I think this freshmen class is very athletic and excited about volleyball,” Fay said. “We didn’t have as many come out through that sophomore level last year and so it’s nice to have them come in.”

Fay thinks the freshmen class brings a lot of skill to the team,and the freshmen themselves have had to deal with a lot of change.

“I think their volleyball skill level is very good,” Fay said. “They come in with a lot of court sense and court exposure because many of them play club, so they have a pretty high level of knowledge about the game. Playing at the high levels of the EKL, they are not used to, but other than that, they are up for the challenge.”

ing in,” Lecuru said.

Gurwell believes that playing for their school is an element of added pressure for the freshmen.

“They’ve played in these big time competitions before and they’re both state and nationally ranked,” Gurwell said. “But it’s different when you have MV on your chest and when you’re playing in front of your friends, so they have a lot of pressure, but so far I’ve seen them do wonderfully.”

Preparing to hit the ball, freshman Sophie Lecuru plays at the home varsity tennis meet on Thursday Aug. 31. // Angelina Rico

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SPORTS

Design by Carter Lawson

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

Design by Hunter Ristau

ADS

CROSSFIT CAVALIER Sophomore Ellie Kerstetter competes in international CrossFit competitions

ANIKA ROY

copy editor jagwire.anikaroy@gmail.com

CHRIS SPRENGER

assistant sports editor jagwire.chrissprenger@gmail.com

A

s she stood on the podium, exhausted after all the rigorous physical activity completed at the Reebok CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin on Aug. 6, sophomore Ellie Kerstetter received her third place medal with pride.

At the CrossFit Games, Ellie competed in various CrossFit based exercises that feature aspects of various sports such as swimming, running and weightlifting.

Ellie was first introduced to CrossFit two years ago by father Russel Kerstetter.

“My dad started out doing CrossFit and I would go to the gym with him when he trained,” Ellie said. “I am involved in gymnastics and so I tried some of the workouts and it was really fun.”

Ellie has competed at major CrossFit competitions including the CrossFit Games and Wodapalooza in Miami, Florida. She placed third at both events.

At the competitions, athletes perform a series of rigorous exercises including the Vest triplet, which is a 400 meter run, then 24 squats and 12

burpees while wearing a weighted vest, and the Run Swim Run which is a 1.5 mile run, a 500 meter swim and another 1.5 mile run.

While CrossFit is appealing to Ellie because of different events such as the Vest Triplet and the Run Swim Run, she believes that it is also a lot of hard work because of the variety of events.

“The best part about CrossFit is that you are always doing something different,” Ellie said. “That’s probably the worst part too; it makes it really hard always having more things to work on.”

Ellie’s entire family has gotten involved in CrossFit, according to her sister, senior Anna Kerstetter. She believes it sets them apart from other families.

“My dad got involved with CrossFit first, from there my sisters, my mom and I started to do it,” Anna said.

“Normal families go do normal family stuff, but my family all goes to the gym together.”

For Anna, who does not compete at

FITNESSFAVORITES An overview of Ellie’s three favorite CrossFit events she competes in DOUBLE UNDER-SNATCH

4 rounds: 50 double-unders 15 snatches

RUN SWIM RUN

Run 1.5 miles Swim 500 meters Run 1.5 miles

At the Reebok CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin on Aug. 3 through 6, sophomore Ellie Kerstetter competes in the double-under snatch.// submitted by Ellie Kerstetter

CrossFit but does it for exercise and to support Ellie, the community of the sport is really important. She believes that the people who do CrossFit are very supportive of each other.

“The community, the people there, are just amazing,” Anna said. “They support Ellie and everybody that does it.”

Although CrossFit is very challenging, Ellie endures it because she enjoys building relationships with other athletes as well as becoming stronger.

“It’s really fun to travel and I’ve met people from all over the world,” Ellie said. “Also, I like pushing myself to keep getting better at [CrossFit].”

While running with a weighted vest, sophomore Ellie Kerstetter performs one of four rounds of the Vest Triplet, which includes a 400 meter run 24 squats and 12 burpee box jump-overs while wearing a vest. // submitted by Ellie Kerstetter

MILL VALLEY

NEWS

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A&E

Mill Valley High School

Design by Annie Myers

JagWire

AROUND THE BLOCK LEXI FLIPSE

social media editor jagwire.lexiflipse@gmail.com

ALLY NGUYEN

Mill Valley News editor-in-chief/ opinions editor jagwire.allynguyen@gmail.com

PUBLIC MARKET

I

n the center of the city square lies a large, open building called the Public Market, featuring many trendy places to eat and a Kansas City-themed store. The open layout allows visitors to be immersed in all the building has to offer while still allowing them breathing room. However, due to the construction not being totally finished, the walls were bare and if the market’s design had to be summed up in one word, it would be bland.

Even though the restaurants offered on the main level, including Topp’d Pizza, Foo’s Frozen Custard and the Roasterie cafe, are popular eateries, they are still unique because they aren’t your typical nation-wide chains.

What makes the Public Market stand out even more is the upstairs, which features a standard kitchen used to showcase a variety of pop-up restaurants. For example, a tamale pop-up shop will be featured every Tuesday in September. And, if none of these options appeal to you, four more restaurants will be opening within the next few months. This includes Chewology, Mad Man’s KC BBQ, Red Kitchen Tamales and Serene’s bakery.

The Public Market may not be a go-to spot for your Instagram post, but it is a nice location to have lunch or study at if visitors are looking to support local businesses.

CLASSES

JagWire reporters review features of newly opened Lenexa City Center Public market offers unique variety of vendors to choose from

MERCHANTS The public market provides a sample of vendors

JagWire

A&E

Mill Valley High School

ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment includes an art gallery, library and outdoor farmers market set to open

T

he main floor of the Public Market is hard to beat in terms of culinary experience, however, the second-floor takes the award for entertainment features. The aforementioned second floor kitchen is also home to classes that range from hands-on cooking to specific technique lessons. Anyone is welcome to participate and prices range from free to $25 to $39 per person.

Another feature is the art gallery which has different art styles, most for sale at less than $200. There are lots of Kansas themed pieces, so if you’re looking to support local artists, this is a good place to shop. In 2019, the city square will also be home to a new library as well as an outdoor farmers market, which is to open in early 2018.

RECREATIONAL CENTER

A

The public market, which opened on Friday, Sept. 1, offers retail spaces for local shops. // Hunter Ristau

Periodic classes are held by the public market over cooking

SEPTEMBER 21, 6 PM

SEPTEMBER 23, 9 AM

SEPTEMBER 28, 6 PM

OCTOBER 1, 2 PM

OCTOBER 3, 7 PM

Cast iron skillet cooking

Healthy eating on a budget

Pressure cooking for beginners

Favorite fall foods

Going gluten-free: tips and tricks

cross the way from the public market is the Lenexa Rec Center, a 100,000 square foot stateof-the-art facility that, in addition to basic gym equipment, offers two full-court gyms, an indoor pool with a lazy river and slide and a walking track. The facility is modern, clean and appeals to people of all ages and interests. Its main competitor, LifeTime Fitness, may offer more luxuries like a spa and cafe, but the rec center has higher quality facilities and the advantage of being brand new, along with it being in walking distance to everything that the public market has to offer. The employees are kind and will point you in the direction of where you need to go, but without their help, it is easy to get lost due to how intricately everything is wrapped around each other. A few more signs would help. The membership fee may be a bit more pricey than say Planet Fitness, but it’s significantly less expensive than LifeTime. Another great thing about the Lenexa rec center is that membership can be dropped at the end of each month—a feature most gyms don’t offer to their members. The rec center is an easy-going and relaxing atmosphere for gym-goers of all paces to either work out in or relax in the lazy river.

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Connected to the public market, city hall offers an art gallery to display local art. // Hunter Ristau

Facilities include indoor pool, courts and weight room The main gym offers two full basketball courts and two drop down volleyball nets. // Hunter Ristau

The pool offers many different features including two slides, a lazy river and a lap pool. // Hunter Ristau

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A&E

Design by Alison Booth & Abby Layton

TRICIA DRUMM

Mill Valley News editor-in-chief jagwire.triciadrumm@gmail.com

ELIZABETH JOSEPH

reporter/photographer jagwire.elizabethjoseph@gmail.com

CLEAR AMERICAN ICE TROPICAL LEMONADE

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

WATER YOU DRINKING? JagWire reporters Tricia Drumm and Elizabeth Joseph review a

VITAMINWATER TROPICAL CITRUS

CLEAR AMERICAN PINEAPPLE COCONUT

variety of different flavored and carbonated waters

SPARKLING ICE COCONUT PINEAPPLE

A&E

Photos by Claire Boone

NESTLE SPLASH ORANGE MANDARIN

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DRINK BY DRINK Survey of 306 students shows drink choices

How often do you drink bottled water?

2+ daily

37%

Daily

22% 21% 10% 10%

Weekly Monthly Never

How often do you drink carbonated water?

Never

Neither Tricia nor Elizabeth could bring themselves to continue drinking this one.

While fairly decent as a whole, the drink felt like a downgraded alternative to Sparkling Ice, with the citrus flavors and the carbonation levels hitting hard.

The tropical flavors were barely present.

Elizabeth and Tricia had mixed opinions about Vitaminwater.

Elizabeth liked how close it was to actual water, while Tricia had been anticipating some fascinating energy drink. Despite the water’s name, neither reviewer could taste the “tropical citrus.”

It has a whopping 32 grams of sugar, but it didn’t taste so.

Clear American Pineapple Coconut hit the basic objectives of flavored water. It had average levels of carbonation and an even mix of flavors, with both pineapple and coconut palpable in the drink. With each component in proportion, both Elizabeth and Tricia selected this as their favorite carbonated flavor.

Sparkling Ice resembles soda more closely than it does water.

Packed with carbonation and overwhelming flavors, Ice functions more as a “healthy” alternative to soda. However, one sip made Elizabeth feel like her mouth had been punched with carbonation, the former completely overwhelming the latter.

If you’re in the business for straightforward flavored water, Nestle Splash Orange Mandarin is the clear answer. Both Tricia and Elizabeth agreed it was nice to go back to the basics. It smelled and definitely tasted like fresh oranges, which was a big A plus in their book and made this water one of the top choices.

57% 19%

15%

5% 3%

Monthly Weekly Daily 2+ daily

How often do you drink flavored water?

Never

35%

STUDENT SUGGESTIONS Students give their input on their favorite flavored beverages

27%

“I like Vitaminwater the best because I’ve heard it’s good for you because there’s vitamins in it. I know that a lot of flavored waters have a lot of artificial flavors.”

“[I like] Bai ... I like the flavor because it gives you something different than water.”

JUNIOR LEXI KNAPPEN

FRESHMAN PEYTON WAGONER

20% 10% 7%

Weekly Monthly Daily 2+ daily

32 PHOTO ESSAY

Design by Hunter Ristau and Marah Shulda

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

Tailgating before the football scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 25, senior Conner Ward hypes up students with a megaphone. // Lexi Flipse

While counting bills on Friday, Sept. 8, junior Tyler Hilk helps a customer at the concessions stand. // Drake Brizendine

While walking onto the field for warmups on Friday, Sept. 1, sophomore Ben Mason high fives a Junior Jag. // Carter Lawson

While tying up a garbage bag following the football game, junior Cole Conner picks up the bleachers with the rest of the baseball game on Friday, Sept. 8. // Drake Brizendine

Tying up a garbage bag following the football game, junior Cole Conner cleans the bleachers on Friday, Sept. 8. // Drake Brizendine

UNDER THE LIGHTS An inside look at the many happenings going on around Mill Valley on a typical Friday night