December 2013

HI+LIFE Volume 95 + Issue 05 + 12.18.2013 Lee’s Summit, Missouri

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FROM THE EDITOR

‘Tis the season of awkward family get-togethers. This time of year, families come together around the dinner table. Stories are exchanged, laughs are had, and many head home shaking their heads in disbelief at Uncle Fred’s drunken antics and Cousin Mary’s screaming children who kindly decorated the dining room with pudding.

Despite the headaches, drama, and overall craziness of family reunions, family is family.

Memories are shared around the dinner table. Remember when Johnny was a kid and pulled Santa’s beard off ? What about when Lauren wore her favorite princess dress for weeks on end and absolutely refused to take it off ? The same stories are shared every year, yet the smiles around the table are true.

It is not simply blood that bonds families. There is something more there. Something deeper. There is a commitment and a promise. Families are there for each other when no one else is. Families stand behind each other in times of success and catch each other when they fall.

People do not have to share genes to be a family. This time of year, friends are home for the holidays. Old classmates, former coworkers, loved ones. People who have shared laughs, and tragedies, embarrassing moments, and times of sweet victory.

It is being with one’s family that makes the holiday season what it is. Sure, the gifts are nice, the decorations are festive, and the traditions are heartwarming, but that is not the meaning of the season.

Christmas is still Christmas regardless of how many presents are under the tree.

Holiday dinners are still holiday dinners regardless of the meal itself. Family is still family regardless of the hardships they face.

High school presents a unique situation. Some students are younger, still viewing college as a distant goal. Others are staring college dead in the face, realizing that in a few months they will be buying their own socks. More importantly, they will be out of the home and away from their families.

The holidays will become a time of eating as much good food and getting as much laundry done as possible. Mom’s nagging and Dad’s game of 20 questions will be welcomed because the holidays mean more than just time off school.

This time of year marks the end of a cycle and the beginning of the next. This is the time when goals are set and values are reassessed.

The point is that holidays bear a heavy load. So much is wrapped up and topped with a pretty bow. That being said, it is important take a moment to pause and be thankful. Be thankful for family, friends, traditions, and Grandma’s delicious pumpkin pie.

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INSIDE 31

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Every year it is the same routine.

Inside-out pjs and a spoon under the pillow. Students look forward to snow days but what should they expect this year?

Goodbye, football. Hello, basketball.

Meet the boys hitting the courts this season hoping to keep of the tradition of tiger victory alive and strong.

JLABMAG.COM

Check out our latest and vote in our poll. Instagram us your best holiday decorations and tweet us your New Year resolutions.

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Christmas movies are a celebrated family tradition, but watching the same ones year after year can get boring. Check out these Christmas movie titles.

Perhaps one of the most iconic traditions of Lee’s Summit is Christmas in the Park. Learn what goes into making this display every year.

The English language is immense and full of colorful vocabulary. Learn why certain words should be pushed to the side and replaced.

CORRECTIONS

Last month’s News Brief was written by Mariah Walkenhorst.

The photos for Starbucks Coffee and Quik Trip Coffee were taken by Kennedy Potter.

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ON THE COVER

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The days are shorter, the nights are colder. Winter is here and for some ttens this is their first winter driving expierence. Learn how to stay safe on the road.

OOPS

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The holidays are just around the corner and money is tight.

Check out these cool Do It Yourself gift and decoration ideas.

While the mascot may not have a name, he certainly is iconic. Meet the student behind the mask and learn what it is like to be a mascot.

Go behind the lights and get an in-depth look at Christmas in the Park this holiday season. Photo

by Julia Ngega.

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Find out the latest see what is to come. Make sure to follow @Jlabmag to say in the now all the time. Got an event that we should cover? Email us at administrator@jlabmag.com

Written by Morgan Jenkins. Photos by Julia Ngega and Zach Boyle. Design by Wendy Hayworth.

Library on Wheels: Bringing Books to B Building

Polar Plunge Protégé

Every Tuesday morning from 7:15 a.m. until first hour starts, the LMC makes the long walk from A to B, bearing with them books and opportunity.

“We feel like students who spend a lot of time in B do not have the access or time to come up to the library,” Jennifer Coleman, library media specialist, said.

So if a student senses the LMC is out of reach,

History teacher Christopher Bobal is a fundraiser extraordinaire. He has raised more than $400 for the Polar Plunge organization so far and he is not done yet.

Bobal has challenged the student body. If they can donate $1,000 to his classroom jar, he will take the plunge himself.

“I jokingly mentioned I would raise $1000, but there is no set goal, just however much I can raise in the time allowed,” Bobal said.

No matter if he reaches the $1000 or not, Bobal has been a big support.

By asking his different hours each day to offer money, he has become one of the top donators to the Plunge.

“In general, anytime a person can raise money to assist a group that is helping those in need, you do anything you can to help,” Bobal said.

they should stop by the book cart and browse its selection.

“Especially for Wednesdays,” Coleman said.

“We want to give students a chance to pick up books for SSR.” The next date the LMC book cart will make its way down to B is the first Tuesday after break. So check them out.

The Library on Wheels gives students an oppritunity to check out books without the long trek up the hill to A Building.

Candlelighting Tiger Pride.

Tiger Tradition.

Candlelighting has been an LSHS tradition for 58 years (missed 2008). It is not only source of school pride and legacy, but also has an outlasting impact within the community.

On Friday, Dec. 20th, join community members, school staff, and the student body as they gather to silently celebrate this revered tradition.

Guests may start arriving at 10:45 a.m. and doors will close at 11:00 a.m.

First semester ends with a celebrated and solemn tradition.

History teacher Christopher Bobal rises to the occasion, becoming a top earner for the Polar Bear Plunge and Special Olympics Missouri.

UPCOMING EVENTS - JANUARY 8 Grades Issued Official first semester grades will be issued during Advisory and GPA and class rank will be updated.

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10 Poetry Out Loud This competition takes place in the LMC. Poems must be memorized and recited from Poetry Out Loud’s official website.

31 Courtwarming Assembly Classes will be shortened to allow an assembly at 1:50 p.m. This traditional assembly will include music, minute to win it games, and special performances.

Smooth Sailing

Keeping on track when the track is slick.

Written by Angela Lenhardt Photographs by Carter Moore Page Design by Jesse Butler

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he sound of the roaring engine is suddenly gone. The vehicle won’t budge a single inch and is completely stuck. Panic starts to settle in because of ill preparedness for a situation like this. This is one of teen’s worst nightmares.

Luckily there is hope and things that can be done.

On Sunday the 8th of December Lee’s Summit got the first snowfall of the year.

Even though the accumulation was under an inch it created havoc on rush hour traffic Monday morning.

“Sunday snow caused road crews to put chemicals on the road to melt the snow and to keep it from sticking. During the night the moisture from the snow refroze to what is called black ice, which is more dangerous the 4 inches of snow. When you’re driving on the road and you see a shiny glare of moisture on the road it could possibly be black ice,” said automotive specialist Bill Cook.

Monday mornings black ice caused dozens of accidents around the metro area. That is why teens should always be prepared.

“When you hit black ice it can send your car sailing of the road it is most common on bridges.

You have to pay attention to the temperature outside if its near freezing you could run in to black ice. When you’re driving in 4 inches of snow people know to

slow down, but not when they are on black ice,” said Cook.

There are lots of dangers that come with driving in the winter.

One hazard that is year round is cellphones.

“Before cell phones people had to write out the word help on a piece of paper and stick it in the windshield,” said Cook Staying safe is more important than any text could be. There are some other common damages that come in the wintertime though.

“I see a lot of suspension damage from teens running into curbs because of slick spots or snow covering them,” said Cook.

It is also important to try to prevent an accident before it even occurs.

“It is very helpful to know your car and its limitations, doing a little research about your car can save you a lot of pain,” said Cook.

Frequent car maintenance can save a lot of headaches.

“Oil should be changed about an average of 3,000 miles and it is good to change it right before winter. Also if your going to buy tires the best time to do it is before winter,” said Cook.

Another big headache teens get is trying get the ice of the car and letting it warm up in the morning.

“The more time you give your car to warm up the better it performs, about ten minutes is ideal, it is also good to let your car to sit in the garage for at least

“It is very helpful to know your car and its limitiations, doing a little research about your car can save you a lot of pain,“ said Cook.

thirty minutes to an hour. It will make the ice a lot easier to get off,” said Cook.

Getting up in the morning is a real pain. The morning feeling is one of feeling tired and undercharged. A car battery can feel the same if not cared for properly.

“There are little dates on the battery that give you the month and year that it was purchased, batteries can last 3 to 5 years if your battery is over 3 years old you may want to get a new one before the 0 degree weather comes in,” said Cook.

Teens tend to not be the richest people in the world though. There is a cheaper way to install a battery at home.

“If a new battery is installed make sure the terminals are clean and shiny, if you do it yourself use a wire brush to clean it if you don’t have a wire brush you can use a can of coke soda the acid in the soda will eat away the acid in the terminals and then rinse the soda off with water so the battery is not sticky terminal grease is sold to keep the terminals from corroding,” said Cook.

As batteries give a car the energy to move, a tire gives a car the ability to move and needs just as much care.

“Teens should know where their spare tire is and have a jack.

Make sure the air pressure is at the proper limit which is usually 32-35 pounds of pressure,” said Cook.

So now the feeling of not being prepared is replaced with the feeling of confidence of knowing what to do in an emergency situation.

The Student Driver’s Winter Survival Kit These are some things that professional auto body man Bill Cook said is best to have stored in the car in case of an emergency.

>> A working flashlight with spare batteries for it.

>> Jumper cables in case the car battery dies.

>> Cell Phone with an emergency contact in case an accident occurs.

>> Warm clothing due to the freezing weather conditions.

>> A pair of durable shoes or boots in case of having to walk in snow. >>A place where the car can be towed to if necessary.

>> Having an auto-repair shop in mind.

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New Year, New Resolutions

Story by: Morgan Jenkins Photos by: Payton Seymour Designed by: Jared Shepherd

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Fast Facts 89% of people’s New Year’s resolutions fail.

Old habits die hard with the new year

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The Top 5

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ew year, ‘New you’, New Year’s Resolution. Yay. Cue the confetti and balloons, fire works and candy, oh how a student revels in its glory: the glory of change, the glory of becoming a new person.

Yes, float atop the 2014 high…until these cold, hard facts bring a person’s New Year’s Resolution crumbling to the ground.

So say a student does want to make a change; a resolution that will last and not become a gloomy statistic. Well, here is how to craft a failsafe New Year’s Resolution; one that will not sit in the rubble of fries and fraudulence while a student wonders what happened to working out.

According to Newsweek and previous studies, more than 1/3 of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions. Most fail.

“Psychologists believe our habits become ingrained and they are hard to change,” psychology teacher Debbie Baanders said.

“Those connections are difficult to break once they become a habit.”

This is why New Year’s Resolutions are tough to keep, especially if a student sets too high of goals.

“A person could become quickly disappointed when they cannot reach what they say or want to achieve,” Baanders said.

For this reason, students should not constantly visualize ambitions or beat themselves up for not reaching their dreams yet. If a person partakes in this mindset of ‘strive or die’, they will be less motivated and less likely to obtain their aspirations.

“We all have things we do not like about ourselves or things we want to change about ourselves. The New Year seems to be a new start, a good thing, or a way to try and improve ourselves,” Baanders said.

Boy, does the self-help industry feed this idea to people. It gives them dribbles of hope that, ‘they became a better person, so can you’ and ‘focus, focus, focus on goals’ while in all actuality, this so-called help seems to starve people of any substance.

Columnist Oliver Burkeman also summarizes the problem, revealing that the self-help industry is fueled by not helping.

It gives people fleeting mood boosts. When that hope fades, the easiest way to feel

Of the people who do succeed, 46% percent of them do not reach their goal pumped again is to go back to the source: Dr. until six months later.

Oz. The point is, no matter how much a student Progressibely, more psychological could struggle to completely change himself studies show that constant goal/ or herself, they are still left with the person resolution affirmations make people with low they are. Unattainable wants and fickle ideas self-esteem feel even more dejected. cannot change a person’s being.

Instead of saying, ‘operation: save world,’ Ouch a student should consider operation: ‘just finish one page of math problems.’

“Try to stay focused on short-term successes,” Baanders said. “Make realistic goals and reinforce yourself for small triumphs.”

Get better grades Burkeman additionally recommends that resolutions be made individually over the Relax or reduce stress course of the year. They should not be huge, monstrous goals at the start, but dispersed, Spend more time with family miniscule ones that steadily add contentment and gratification. Maintaining consistent, Eat better minor achievements have been shown to make people happier than sporadic, grand Exercise more ones.

Better yet, students should not wait for not become lost behind grand goals that New Years to roll around. Give up on the must take place now. unfeasible revolutions now and find the The New Year is not a time to find the sometimes-sparse spirit of life today. ‘new you’, but a time to find little things.

As Japanese psychologist, Shoma Morita Find the small goals, small achievements, said, “…Go ahead and be the best imperfect small steps that are not a revolution, just a person you can be and get started on those resolution. things you want to accomplish before you Sources: Newsweek. 12/24/12, Vol. 160 Issue 25, die.” So students, do not get hung up on p46-49 perceived flaws that must be changed. Do http://www.squidoo.com/morita-therapy

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Hit the Snooze

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rost peppers window sills as snowflakes steadily gather on tarmac and collect in street gutters. The morning rests quietly. No school buses roar down the street; no anxious cars spew exhaust into the cold. Best of all, in most students’ minds, there is no school.

Something few students understand, though, is how a snow day is decided and who makes the final decision.

No, it is not decided through an intense game of rock paper scissors, nor does a mom have the final say. Even principal John Faulkenberry is not the crux, the be all and end all, the ultimate determinant of snow day procedure.

“The snow day

decision rests with the Superintendent of Schools: David McGehee,” principal John Faulkenberry said.

McGehee comes to the snow day conclusion based upon multiple factors. First, he sends people to evaluate road and weather conditions throughout various areas of the school district.

Since LSHS resides in one of the biggest school districts, it is more than

a one-man job.

“He may also take the weather forecasts or if there is snow on the ground into account, as well as consulting with other superintendents,” Faulkenberry said.

Once all these aspects are analyzed, McGehee makes the careful call of whether or not to cancel school.

“There is not a set deadline to call a snow day. The goal is to have

Story by Morgan Jenkins Picture by Zach Boyle Page design by Grace Rogers

any communication out by 5:00 a.m.,” said Faulkenberry. “The district tries to get information out to teachers early, especially those who have a longer commute. The district also makes the effort to give parents time to plan.”

So the big question is, are snow days possible for this school year?

According to local news station weather predictions, there is a good chance.

Gary Lezak of the 41 Action News Team foresees a moist winter with lots of precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain.

These joys pertain to parts of two prominent storm tracks that are predicted to travel through Kansas City this winter.

As reported by Lezak, the first track will be persistent throughout the rest of December and into the materializing winter months. This track could leak over into spring as well. There is a possibility of three to five different storm setups, which is why Kansas City should expect above average rain and near-toabove average snowfall for this winter.

The second storm track will provide colder

air during the previously mentioned set-ups.

When the second track forms, there will be a higher chance of an arctic outbreak or extremely cold weather, according to Lezak’s calculation.

As a result, the 41 Action News Team’s average snow fall prediction is 23.6 inches of snow this winter.

The Farmer’s Almanac also prophecies rain and snow along with very cold temperatures and some sun throughout the remainder of December.

All in all, students should prep for a bitter and quite possibly snowy winter. If conditions rise to The Day After Tomorrow level, find comfort in the fact that the snow day decision process will have worked well, as students everywhere shall sleep in till 1:00 p.m. and eat chips. Yes, snow is a great distracter and a wonderful projectile but should students really be joyful about brain cell hibernation? This depends on preference, but if a student is a snow day Scrooge let this quote warm them up. As Carl Reiner said, “A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.”

To get more information about the local weather, scan this code.

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Five Topics Students Should Know About Story by Haley Townley Pictures by Amber Gates Page design by Grace Rogers

High School has a lot more to offer than some people think.

Getting Money “All high school students need to know that having a career that makes them happy is what is most important”, said health teacher, Rachel Stone.

Some teens are focused on what will make them money.

“You need to look at the big picture. Ask yourself; is this a job I will look forward to getting up and going to every day?” said

Stone.

Teenagers should know how to budget.

After high school students will need to know how to manage their expenses.

“Teenagers think that life will be easy like high school,” said cook.

Students will no longer have everything handed to them though. That is why it is important to learn how to budget.

Blowing Noses “Teenagers need to know how to properly blow their nose”, said American history teacher Curtis Cook.

Proper nose blowing is a life skill. It is really important for teenagers to know how to

do it properly.

“This knowledge is important because if teenagers are snotty, then they need to know how to relieve the pressure,” said Cook.

Dealing With Drama “You cannot just run away from your problems. Mean people don’t go away; they just get older,” said guidance counselor, Sally Sabata, “High school is tough, but it will get better.”

Some teenagers think that when something goes wrong, everybody knows and everybody cares.

“You need to know how to do things for you, and not for others,” Sabata said. “Teenagers, especially girls, spend so much

The media is a big influence in young peoples lives. Sometimes bad messages are shown.

“The media is telling teenagers what should be important to you, what you should look like, how you should act, and this is how to be happy,” Stone said.

time tearing each other down.”

Students need to help each other and not hurt each other. Being hurtful does not help anyone. High school is hard enough without enemies.

“Teenagers should learn how to be helpful and kind, because sometimes, everyone needs a friend,” Sabata said.

Media

The media is only trying to sell the products. The media is only reporting on what they think will sell.

“It is important for teenagers to know this because it will help pick what they want to do, and not what the media is telling them to do,” said Stone.

Having a Career The things that are taught to teenagers in school are actually important.

“Teenagers commonly lack knowledge in all four core classes,” said Cook.

It is important for teenagers to retain what they learn in school because it will help students after they graduate.

Teenagers need to know how to not wait on JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE NOW 10

others to do things for them.

“If you want something, you need to go out and get it for yourself ”, said Stone.

There are times in life when people do not have someone to look out for them. That’s why students need to know how to do things for themselves.

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Meet the Boys on the Court

Hertzog Stadium is empty. The Field House is packed. It is basketball season.

A

Written by Miranda French

Freshmen

Running down the court shooting a basket for the team to put two points on the board is a goal a freshman team member has.

Getting points and winning the game against the opposing team is what they really want to do. A lot of people do not pay attention to freshman games but they really should.

One player people might know is Sam Buckner, number 25.

Sam has played basketball since third grade and still enjoys playing.

“I started playing basketball because it was something to do with my time, and it is something to do in my free time,” Buckner said. “The team is like a big family and we all have a lot of fun, as a team before the games we just do warm ups, and stretch but I personally listen to music, but I think

the team will do pretty good this season if we work hard together and play smart.”

Delshaun Presley, number 23, has been playing basketball since he was in fourth grade.

“I started playing basketball because I liked it and I was good at it,” Presley said. “I think this season will go pretty well, I just warm up with the team before the game.”

Dalton Hill, number 24, has been playing basketball since he was five years old.

“I started playing basketball because my parents wanted me to, and all my friends play it and I am good at it,” Hill said.

The Freshman Boys A Team thinks that the season will go pretty well, and they are all a big family, filled with tons of friends.

Hearts beating quickly, minds racing, and the urge to impress are some things going on with freshman boys B team.

This is their first year in high school basketball and they are pretty nervous. A lot of people do not support them either.

One player on this team is Andrew Bellas, number 11.

Andrew has been playing basketball since fifth grade.

“I started playing basketball because it was something to do with my time, and it gives me an opportunity to push myself,” Bellas said. “I think this season will go pretty good, we tease each other a lot because we are like a big family.”

Another player, Dante Mclaurian, number 35 has been playing basketball since he was five years old.

“I started playing basketball because my dad thought I

would be good at it because I was tall, I still keep playing because it is a fun sport and competitive but it is a hard game,” Mclaurian said. “I personally before a game pray to make sure the team does well, and we all go to the locker room and talk about what needs to be executed, go out on the court and execute it.”

Kenny Tharp number 20 has been playing basketball since he was in second grade.

“I started playing basketball because it looked fun, and I love the game,” Tharp said. “I think this season will go pretty well.We look at each other like brothers, and look out for each other.”

As you can see freshman B team thinks this season will go pretty well but they are pretty nervous since this is there first year on such a big school team.

There is a big team of tenth graders and nobody knew.

To some people it might be shocking to know that there even is a sophomore boys team.

Some people may know of Jordan Downton number 30 who has been playing basketball since he was in sixth grade.

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B

Sophomore

“I started playing basketball because my whole family played it, and I love the sport,” Downton said. “I personally before a game listen to music, the team does a walk thru and warm ups.”

Isiah Sears, number 24, has been playing basketball since he was in second grade.

“I started playing basketball because it was fun and I like to score,” Sears said. “I personally before a game listen to music, the whole team stretches and does whatever they want.”

Tanner Mountain, number 14, has been playing basketball since he was in seventh grade.

“I play basketball because it is fun. I think this season we will do decent because the team is like a big family,” Mountain said.

The team thinks the season will go very well and that they are all like a big group of brothers that look out for each other and will not let anyone down.

Junior Varsity

Shoot, Score! Those are some things you will hear in the LSHS loud crowd when you come to the home basketball games for junior varsity.

Some players you may know are, Matt Rouse number 25 who has been playing since he was seven years old.

“I play basketball because I liked watching the sport and I just really do enjoy playing it,” Rouse said. “I think this season will go well, we are a big family and we work hard at everything we do” “I try and focus on what I need to do for the game and stretch with the entire team,” Rouse said.

Grant Klene number 40 has been playing basketball since he

Far left: The sophomore team tears it up at practice. Photo

by Miranda French. Below: 12 boys make up this year’s Varsity basketball team. Contributed photo. Middle: The tigers took home a victory against Ruskin last Friday. Left: Tigers racked up the points against Ruskin starting the season off strong.

Photo by Annelise Hanshaw.

always watched it and got interested,” Gilkey said. “I think the season will go good this year but of course it will be tough, we are going to have to work very hard.”

“I personally before a game eat, relax, and listen to music, as a team we all eat dinner before a game to get ready, we are a big family just like the football team was,” Gilkey said. “We are a small team, but we are very fast.”

Drew Lock number 12 has been playing basketball since he was in second grade.

“I play basketball because I like the sport, it is very competitive and fun and I am very good at it, but I do not like all the running,” Lock said. “I think the season this year will go very well, better than last year that is for sure.”

“I personally before a game go to Quick Trip and get sour gummy worms, in the fourth quarter of the Junior Varsity game we all go into the lunch room and talk about what we need to do and go over plays,” Lock said.

As you can see the basketball team is a big family and they are going to work very hard this season to do as good as they c can.

So come out and support your fellow tigers basketball team. Not only for varsity but for any of the teams.

Varsity

Dribble, dribble, shoot! This is what you will for sure hear if you go to a varsity basketball game.

Some players you will most likely know are Oliver Edwards number 22 who has been playing basketball since he was four years old.

“I play basketball because my friends were always better at it than me, and I love it, because it is very fun,” Edwards said. “I think we will win a lot of games this season, we are a big family and practice everyday, before every game I personally I listen to music and pray, the team does warm ups and does their own thing.”

“All I can say is please do not sleep on the tigers,” Edwards said.

Blake Spellman number three has been playing basketball since he was eight years old.

“I play basketball because I like it, and I am good at it,” Spellman said. “I personally before a game listen to music, and the team has a big meal before every game we have.”

Jon Gilkey number 10 has been playing basketball since he was five years old.

“I play basketball ball because I think the game is fun, and I

was in second grade.

“I play basketball because I am an all star,” Klene said. “I think this season will go very well but I am looking for the upcoming years.”

“I personally before a game stretch and come earlier than most people so I can get a few shots in before the game, as a team the coach talks about the game plan and what we need to work on for the game,” Klene said.

Jordan Miller number 21 has been playing basketball since first grade. “I play basketball because it is a team sport, and its kind of easy to me,” Miller said. “I personally before a game try and get my teammates in a good mood, and the team gets in a circle and we say what we should do right,” Miller said.

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Written by Garrett Stroginis Photos by Nick Gardner Designed by Cara McCauley

The Ev lution of Apple

The iPhones are getting bigger and the iPads are getting smaller. Apple is constantly upgrading their proucts.

It is not that often a product comes along that changes the world.

However, one company has been fortunate to introduce not just one, but many of these game-changing products.

Apple Inc. has had one of the biggest impacts on the world’s technology.

It all began with Mac. The moment that Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, unveiled the first Macintosh computer in 1984, it caused a jaw dropping, awe-inspiring sensation that marked a huge leap in the computing and technological industry.

The Macintosh was the first successful mass-marketed personal computer, and the first computer to feature a mouse and a graphical user interface. Years went by with many new models of Macintosh. The sizes of these devices got smaller, and performance grew.

The rapid growth of Internet users was a key point for Apple. In 1998, the iMac, an all-in-one desktop computer was revealed. The iMac was pivotal, as it gave the user an “out-of-box experience.”

Users were only required a two-step setup to enjoy their computer. The simple process created iMac’s famous catch phrase: “There is no step three!” Since its original release, iMac has seen a number of changes, primarily in design. The original iMac’s egg shaped design formed into a design

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE BEAT 14

featuring a hemispherical base containing it components, with the monitor attached by a freely movable arm. The iMac was later evolved into the design they hold today: a slim design sitting on a simple metal base, placing all components behind the screen.

Apple expanded its horizons from computers to creating handheld technology in 2001, when Steve Jobs shocked the world with an unimaginable concept. “1000 songs in your pocket,” Jobs said, as he pulled the very first iPod out of the pocket of his jeans. The crowd was impressed to say the least.

With the aid of Apple’s extraordinary new iTunes Store, the iPod changed the way people listened to music and is considered “the Sony Walkman of the 21st century.” iPod featured many different models with different designs that changed mainly in size as time went by. The most popular iPod today, the iPod Touch, was released in 2007.

“This is a day I’ve been looking forward to for over two years,” Steve Jobs said as he walked across the stage at Apple’s Macworld Convention in 2007. This was a time that “smartphones”—mobile phones that include a telephone, email, and its own internet browser—were on a rise. On Jan 9, 2007, Apple reinvented the phone. The iPhone was an immediate

breakthrough product for its advanced design and operating system, clearly more advanced than its competitors. The iPhone grabbed the attention of the media, and of consumers around the United States.

Since the first iPhone in 2007, it has been greatly improved in both design and performance. The iPhone 4 was the first large jump, changing from a curved back to a more rectangular design. The current generation iPhone – iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c –sport a much thinner design, as well as a larger screen.

With the tablet industry rising, and the wide acclaim of iPhone, Apple decided to offer its talents to the tablet world. In 2010, Steve Jobs announced iPad, a ten inch tablet running Apple’s advanced iOS mobile operating system.

The iPad can be compared to having the abilities of a Mac computer right in the palm of your hands. Since 2010, various iPad models with new designs have been released. Smaller size and the addition of Apple’s famous retina display was added to the fourth generation iPad. The new iPad Air features a new, much thinner design.

Apple has always been the answer when it comes to technology. With all of the amazing products that have come along thus far, it’s easily predicted that Apple has great plans for the future.

MOVIE MAYHEM Chri

stmas

Written by Makenna Nickens Design by Cara McCauley Photos by Mariah Walkenhorst

After passing though the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly, twirly gum drops, and then the Lincoln Tunnel, you may need a break, so check out these holiday movies.

1

Elf

When Buddy was an infant he crept into Santa’s sack of toys, and was brought to the North Pole. He was then raised by elves therefore leading him to believe he is an elf. However when he gets older he learns that he is actually a human. He also learns that his father is on the naughty list, which leads him to head to New York to get his father in the Christmas spirit.

He embarks on many comical adventures, and even falls in love.

3

The Ultimate Gift Jason Stevens is a man who needs to complete a series of ”gifts” to become a better person, and in order to receive the money from his rich grandfather’s will.

He receives the gifts of work, money, friends, learning, problems, family, laughter, dreams, giving, gratitude, and love. He is having a difficult time until he meets Emily, a young girl that has leukemia, and her mom, who change his outlook on life, and become a huge part of it as well.

2

The Polar Express

The Polar Express is about young children who ride the Polar Express, a Christmas train that takes them to the North Pole to see Santa’s workshop.

These kids, however, get in over their heads exploring and searching for their gifts. end up in Santa’s huge bag of presents., then are rescued by elves, and reunited with the group, around the big Christmas tree, where the kids meet Santa and are given the gift of believing.

4

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Mr. Grinch has had a hard life. He has been bullied for having hairy green skin since he was a kid, and he hates everything and everyone. He is out to ruin Christmas for the town of Whoville, along side his faithful dog. However, on the way, a little girl, Cindy Lou-who, stops him in his tracks. She has hopes to bring the best out this hairy, green man.

Little Cindy renews Christmas spirit in him, and Whosville, and Christmas is saved.

5

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Jake’s grandma makes the best fruit cake around, which makes some people very envious. Cousin Mel is one of those people. She teams up with some of her sleazy friends to take down Grandma and take over her business. However, Grandma drinks too much tainted egg nog and on her way out of Jake’s family’s house and has a run in with a reindeer that results in many problems at Christmas. This encounter causes Grandma to go missing. They blame Santa for the problems and he is thrown in jail. Jake then sets out on many crazy adventures to find Grandma before Christmas is ruined.

15 BEAT HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Christm a s in the Park Writte n

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Families crowd together in their cars, waiting in a line miles long to preserve the family tradition of visiting Christmas in the Park.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE FOCUS 16

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A group of snowmen stand beside the road, tipping their hats in greeting to the never-ending line of cars.

Photo by Julia Ngega

17 FOCUS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

LEFT: Christmas in the Park celebrates 26 years of continued success.

BELOW: Every night donations are collected for different charities. This year Christmas in the Park runs for 35 nights and 35 charities will be benefited. RIGHT: Every year a new display is added. This year Santa drops presants from a plane that flies over the cars. NEXT PAGE: With more than 200,000 people visiting, Christmas in the Park has become a family tradition.

Imagine hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, Santa giving the first gift of Christmas, and a massive 20-minute fireworks display that reflects itself over a beautiful lake each and every year.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE FOCUS 18

year that had to be overcome in order for the event to be successful.

“We had less than three months until we had to unveil the display and open it up to the public,” Newman said.

In this amount of time, Jackson County Parks + Rec was responsible for choosing a location that could support as many cars

“

In less than three months, the employees had designed a lighted, animated display that really had exceeded all expectation. Christmas in the park opened with a line of cars that stretched as far as the eye could see.

“

The wonderful event, featuring live entertainment and sponsored by Jackson County Parks + Rec and 99.7 The Point is known as Christmas in the Sky. It kicks off one of the most highly anticipated events in Jackson County: Christmas in the Park, a longstanding tradition for many Kansas City natives.

Christmas in the Park began in 1988 in the Parks Department.

“All of the employees were given the challenge to create, design and construct a holiday display that would benefit both the community and local charities,” Director of Jackson County Parks + Rec, Michele Newman, said. “We got the word in September of 1988 and the display went up in November, on Thanksgiving Eve of that year.”

Newman estimated that there were probably a hundred thousand lights and maybe seventy displays when it first opened, and although it appeared to go off without a hitch, there were some challenges that first

Michele Newman

as were anticipated, media sponsorships to get the word out, and a marketing plan. They also needed to design and construct the display to go on the event site itself. Although there were all of these responsibilities, three months of working fervently paid off and the display opened as planned.

“In less than three months, the employees had designed a lighted, animated display that really had exceeded all expectation.

Christmas in the park opened with a line of cars that stretched as far as the eye could see,” Newman said.

The success of that first year has been something that has followed Jackson County Parks + Rec for an outstanding 26 years, with successes every year since it began.

Preparation for Christmas in the Park starts every year in February and lasts until the lights glow for the first time on Thanksgiving Eve. That’s nearly ten months of planning for a display that lasts for one month.

“

Michele Newman “The Longview Maintenance and Operations staff is really the backbone of this project. All of our displays are designed and built in house,” Newman s.

Newman explained that after being designed, the display begins getting set up on October 1, and that the Longview Maintenance and Operations staff is a very artistic group. They do everything themselves, from the design of the displays to the welding and mending. They are responsible for anything that needs to be done to get the lights ready for viewing.

When the time comes around to flip the switch and light the lights, they keep them on through rain, snow, sleet or shine until it is time to close for the year.

“Our goal here at Jackson County Parks + Rec is that the display will be as brilliant the day it closes December 31st as it was for that very first car that drove through on Thanksgiving Eve,” Newman said.

The cost to keep these lights running and brilliant each year is approximately $5,000.

Last year was the 25th Anniversary of this spectacular event, and to top it all off, the money brought in from donations was more than had ever been made before.

“Christmas in the Park has become synonymous with benefiting those less fortunate,” Newman said.

Due to the generosity of the community, last year they collected $127,455.00. It was

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200,000 people vist every year

Planning and preperations begin in

“

Our goal here at Jackson County Parks + Rec is that the display will be as brilliant the day it closes December 31st as it was for that very first car that drove through on Thanksgiving Eve

the highest Christmas in the Park donation to date.

Each night, a different charity is benefited from these bright lights. Requests for donations are submitted on Letterhead in July, explaining how monies raised will benefit and provide services to the residents of Jackson County. Companies must have a 501c3 non-profit status. Winners work at the donations booth on the night for which they are chosen, and in turn they receive a portion of the proceeds. The decision is made based on a lottery drawing, and although it is not their policy to release the names of the charities interested, Newman believes that it is a win-win situation for all involved. They have someone to stand outside and brave the elements to receive the donations every night, and the charities get helped out.

“We’re able to benefit the charitable organizations within Jackson County, and at the same time, we wouldn’t be able to do this without them [our volunteers from the charities]. They are a great help to the community and to Jackson County Parks + Rec,” Newman said.

Mike Sanders, Jackson County Executive, also had a few words to say about Christmas in the Park.

“This event [Christmas in the Park] has become a great holiday tradition in Jackson County. It not only gives our families a great opportunity to celebrate the holidays together, but also provides all of us the chance to give back to some of the wonderful charities in our community.”

Christmas in the Park is a good example of how giving back to the community can be a beautiful thing. For 26 years, it has been marked by not only visual appeal and family gathering, but by hope for the less fortunate each Christmas season. For many families, it starts their Christmas season; it’s a way to give back and have a good time doing it.

Truly, it’s demonstrative of the real meaning of Christmas, and comes down to one simple thing – the absolute joy of giving at Christmastime.

February

Last year

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$127,455 was collected for local charities.

35

charities

will benefit this year Sources: www.jacksongov.org and Michele Newman 19 FOCUS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

HI+LIFE Editor in Chief

Wendy Hayworth

Web Editor

Anna Myers

Web Designer

Jude Spaudling

Ad Managers

Endia Sears Morgan Bruce

Photo Editor

Aaron Hagan

Copy Editor

Ashley Hagan Hannah Nickles

“Now” Editors

Jesse Butler

“Voice” Editor

Megan Terry

“Play” Editor “Trends” Editors

Jared Shepherd Grace Rogers Annelise Hanshaw Sydnee Pointer

“Beat” Editors Adviser

Grace Tibbets Cara McCauley Marc Russell

Writers/Photographers: Aaron LaPaz, Amber Gates, Angela Lenhardt, Bre Porter, Carter Moore, Chance Copeland, Dia Sims, Eden Fitzgibbons, Esse Vertreese, Gabe Spaudling, Garrett Stroginis, Haley Townley, Jessica Brammer, Julia Ngega, KayLee Roumas, Kennedy Potter, Keyann Lesui, Maddy Jones, Maddy Wylie, Makenna Nickens, Mariah Walkenhorst, Miranda French, Morgan Jenkins, Nick Gardner, Payton Seymour, Summer Given, Taelor Oller, Tanner Schulenberg, Zach Boyle

Dear Hi+Life Readers,

With the joy of holidays coming into full swing, students are finding their minds filled with the never ending thoughts on what gift to get whom, and more importantly what they are receiving. It is human nature to put personal gain ahead of others, it’s what has kept our species thriving for so long. This is what makes it so easy for people to forget about those who truly need the gifts, and what gifts matter the most. While material gifts are great, they are nothing more than replaceable items that waste time, and while it is good to give family and friends gifts, it is also important to give back to the community.

A sense of community is becoming hard to find these days due to technology making people more independent. It is crucial that people remember how things used to be, how if a neighbor got in trouble the whole town would try to help out. Or how a homeless man would receive more than just a pitying look. Now, it seems that it is every man for his own and nobody is offering to give others what they need. Because the sense of community is plummeting, so is the belief that people should give back to it.

Around the holidays, however, people like to volunteer for a day or two then go home content with their work.

To fulfill the feeling of giving this season, it is good to start locally. A local charity that

is a good place to start at is ReDiscover.

ReDiscover is a charity that helps people with substance abuse and mental illness. To volunteer at ReDiscover contact Bev Hatley at bahatley@rediscovermh.org or call them at 816.246.8000.

Another way to feed that craving is to pay thanks to war veterans by giving old clothing to Red Racks or signing up to volunteer there. All proceeds go to disabled American Veterans so there is no sales tax.

To find out more information contact them at (816) 994-6260 or visit their website at redracksthriftstores.com.

If a hunger to help those in need is still remaining Harvesters is a great place to fill people up. The large food bank has helped feed people in need since 1979 and has assisted over 66,000 hungry people.

There are three main ways to give to Harvesters, donating money, food and time.

All ways are greatly appreciated. To find out more information call (816)-929-3000.

In the end giving is not about what is given, instead on how. Humans no longer need to put personal gain first, but need to give back to the community. Without communities to help support each other in times of need, humans would be nowhere.

A bond between members of a community is not one that can be broken, only strengthened by the giving nature of its members.

The Hi+Life Staff

Account with AP Images POLICY: The Hi+Life is an open forum to provide up to date and pertinent information compiled by high school journalists. The Hi+Life is a student led publication. None of the opinions in our publication reflect the views of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE VOICE 20

Lee’s Summit High School 400 SE Blue Parkway Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64063

ns

io Opin

High School Seniors vs. Freshman

F

our years of endless working and studying finally paid off.

The seniors of Lees Summit High School can finally say they are leaving. They are very excited. ”I was very scared and thought all of the big and tall people would step on me,” senior Zackk fowler said.

He still remembers how it was like coming into high school.

“I thought it would be cool to leave, but I hate to leave and go try to learn something new. I like structure,” Fowler said.

Some of the seniors are nervous about leaving and going to college.

“I didn’t want to go,” said senior Sammy Willey.

Not everyone is scared, they just don’t want to go to high school.

“My favorite thing about high school is meeting and spending time with friends,” Willey said.

Plenty of people enjoy seeing friends; for some people that is their favorite part of the school day. “ I was excited to come to high school,” senior Ashton Foerster said.

Getting older and moving on to a new school can be fun and exciting.

“My least favorite thing about high school is homework,” Foerster said.

High school may be fun, but it does have its down sides.

“I was anxious, nervous, but excited,” senior Jordan Throndsen said.

Everyone is always a little nervous about starting high school.

“I’m glad its over, I had a great time,” Throndsen said.

With all the memories that they make at high school, seniors are ready to leave and start college.

“I’m so ready to start my career, and just move on to the next chapter of my life,” Throndsen said.

All of these seniors have college ahead of them, and they seem to be ready.

“I’m so ready to start my career, and just move on to the next chapter of my life,”

S

itting in the last few classes of 8th grade, excited to finally leave and begin a new chapter of responsibility and school.

These now freshman are awakened with the reality that high school isn’t like an episode of Shake it Up. Darrin Ross believes that high school is better than middle school in many different ways.

“There are a lot of people and we’re granted more freedom,” Ross said.

One thing that Ross dislikes is the increase of homework and never ending projects.

Coming into LSHS Brecca Castle was terrified of getting lost on campus. According to Castle there are so many people. Both Castle and Sam Angerman were shocked at how many people there were. They were also surprised at how many unfamiliar faces there were. While Castle dislikes history and Angerman isn’t too fond of biology, they both had the same worries and mindset on the first day of school this school year.

Phoenix though that high school would be different. She didn’t expect the loud busy hallways and the never-ending stream of kids during passing period. Phoenix moved from Campbell for a better high school experience and was shocked by what she’s witnessed, not in a bad way though.

Almost every incoming freshman is awed at how many people attend LSHS. Middle school really can’t prepare a student for the misadventures of high school. High school, especially LSHS, isn’t similar to an episode of Zoey 101.

Writers: Summer Given (left story), Dia Simms (right story) Photographer: Zachary Boyle 21 VOICE HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays Has political correctness gone too far?

W

Jared Shepard

alking down the halls and hearing friends greet each other with a friendly ‘Happy Holidays,’ is common and may seem innocent enough on the surface, but for some, it can stir uneasy thoughts on political correctness.

Early winter is time for festivities, in which many people groups celebrate many different holidays. Be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or even Boxing Day, most people have a holiday to celebrate that is specific to some sort of belief system. In recent years, many have opted to stop telling others to have a ‘Merry Christmas,’ ‘Happy Hanukkah,’ etc.

Instead they choose to tell others ‘Happy Holidays’ Defenders of the politically correct ‘Happy Holidays’ cite that saying ‘Merry Christmas,’ or other joyous phrases relating to any specific winter holiday could prove to be offensive for certain groups of people or serve to alienate people from the norm.

The very idea that any person should be offended by these phrases is completely ludicrous. There is typically no malice in saying these phrases, nothing more than the happiness that comes with the ‘holiday’ season. There are some, however, who that a phrase not in line with a person’s beliefs will offend them, but this is simply not the case with most individuals.

What those who defend ambiguous phrases like ‘Happy Holidays’ need to realize is that if everyone adopts their mentality that someone might be offended by phrases such as ‘Happy Kwanzaa,’ then even the term ‘Happy Holidays’ would need to be omitted. What needs to be realized is that with this mentality, someone will always be offended by any speech.

After all, there are those who celebrate no holidays in the winter months. Those people might be offended by the fact that others believe everyone celebrates a holiday this time of year.

The simple fact is that there is no way to create a phrase that pleases all members of every belief system, and captures the festiveness of the season. Not to mention the fact that most have thick enough skin as to not be offended by the fact that others have different views than they do. There is just no way around the fact that people are different.

More than all of this, phrases like ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Hanukkah’ and the like are more personal and hold a stronger sentiment to the beliefs of most people than ‘Happy Holidays.’ The clear solution to this problem is to throw political correctness to the wind and say what is desired, no matter who it might offend.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE VOICE 22

W

Anna Myers

alking down the street one might hear someone holler “Merry Christmas!” This makes some people scowl and walk away in a huff and others holler back the same holiday greeting with the largest smile ever. As strange as this may seem it is a common occurrence, considering Christmas is not the only holiday celebrated during this time of year.

Of all the holidays that come around this time of year Christmas is the only or at the very least the main holiday recognized. It is understandable for people to not completely recognize all the holidays, however saying ‘Merry Christmas’ to everyone might end up being offensive.

One of these less recognized holidays is Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is a holiday which is celebrated from December 26 to January 1, and originated in America in 1966-67. The holiday was created by Maulana Karenga and is the first specifically African-American holiday. During the holiday people feast and give gifts; they also celebrate the seven principles which are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, creativity, and faith.

A third holiday that is celebrated in December is the Winter Solstice, though many countries and religions have their own way of celebrating the Winter Solstice. A semi-well known version is called Yule. Yule is a Pagan holiday that originated in Germany. An interesting thing about Yule is that it is actually was the true origin of Christmas. When Christianity began to spread to Germany the Christians used Yule as a type of transfer, starting to call it something else and change the reason for the celebration to convert people over to Christianity.

This is why people should instead say ‘Happy Holidays’ to others; it gives a wider range of holidays that people could be talking about, as well as recognizing all of them instead of simply recognizing one specific holiday.

Happy Holidays is also more politically correct, accepting all holidays and all religions under one simple term that all people can use to express their excitement about their respective holiday and religion.

Saying Happy Holidays when the Holiday season comes around will just end up being simpler, politically correct, and more acceptable all around.

Photos by Taelor Oller

t s r i F k n i h T

Written by: Breona Porter Photos by: Carter Moore Designed by: Megan Terry

Society is becoming more and more judgmental, and oblivious to the use of words like ‘gay’ and ‘retarded’, and their synonyms.

These words are just thrown around in our everyday dialogue, like it is no big deal. Like it is normal even. Most of the time when we refer to something as “gay” or “retarded”, we are using it out of context. In a way it still makes sense to us, because those words are associated with the lesser.

“It doesn’t bother me at all, honestly. Unless someone is calling me gay like in a negative way, it doesn’t bother me.” freshman, Hunter Garrison said. “ Well, being that my brother is handicapped, it’s offensive when people say ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’.” elaborated junior, Saryna Bennett.

Fortunately, some people, like Hunter, are comfortable in their own skin so that people’s ignorance does not bother them. But like Saryna explained, words are still words, and they still hurt.

“If those are the only two words you can use to describe something, you should probably think about widening your

vocabulary.”

The improper use of these words is not completely for us to take the blame for. Society does view gay people as lesser. They don’t have all of the same privileges as other people. So of course when someone does something that isn’t up to their standards of ‘normal’, they are insulted with the word ‘gay’. Being ‘retarded’ is an actual brain development issue. Just because someone says something that isn’t necessarily the brightest, doesn’t mean they are ‘retarded’.

Sometimes just take a step back and think

Words can be cruel.

‘How would I feel if this was me?’ Take a walk in the other person’s shoes before speaking recklessly.

Even as you are ‘speaking recklessly’, you know what you are saying, you’re just not taking the time to make a conscious effort to not use those words.

Calling people, or their actions ‘gay’ or ‘retarded’ is more than just ‘being rude.’

It is being stereotypical, inconsiderate, and if those are the only two words you can use to describe something, you should probably think about widening your vocabulary.

Every time you call someone one of those names, you are bullying. Understand that you are belittling people, who are gay, or autistic, you don’t have to accept these people necessarily, but you should have enough respect for these people for them as individuals, and just people in general. How would you feel if it were you that’s was being belittled?

Society and some of its ways need to be changed. We are repeating history again, in different forms. Someone has to start making a difference, no matter how big, or small, that difference may be. This may sound too ‘deep’ for your taste, and that’s fine. Just rememberall wildfires start with a flame.

23 VOICE HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Bearded Benefits Brace yourselves, Winter is

coming. Winter is the ideal time to wear a beard, it keeps the face worm and allows one to avoid those unfortunate turtlenecks.

A natural moisturizer, oil

glands in the beard produce an oil that prevents dryness and irritation.

A filter for the face. A beard

can trap allergens and pollutants that can harm your body

Be a man. Growing a

beard makes one appear more masculine, allowing them to assert their dominance over those who can’t grow such fabulous facial hair

Prevent Blemishes. A beard will not only hide blemishes, it can prevent, acne, razor rash, and other feared facial features.

The Beardy Bunch

It’s a bird, its, a plane...no it’s...it’s...a...

BEARD? Yes a beard. Beards are the new ‘in trend’ for guys. Beards are the Justin Timberlake of ‘I’m Bringing Sexy Back.’ the Drake of ‘No New Friends,’ the Rick Ross of No Shave November. November may be over but these beards are here to stay. It all starts from a small peach fuzz, then BAM a full blown beauty!

“The peach fuzz, I’d say middle of seventh grade, and full blown I’d say seventh grade” senior Dan Hernandez said.

Guys usually start growing a mustache

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE TRENDS 24

No-Shave-November or No-Shave-Forever?

Written by Esse Vertreese Photos by Aaron Hagan or a beard around the age of 13. Beards give guys the satisfaction of becoming a more masculine ‘macho man.’ They can even help keep them warm.

“It makes me comfortable and warm in the winter, ”said Hernandez.

In order to get a job at places such as Fast Food restaurants guys are required to shave facial hair according to health rules.

“I think shaving is way to time consuming especially when you cut yourself. My beard only takes a week and a half to fully develop again, so there’s really not a point of shaving,” Hernandez said.

Guys were once big fans of competing in how far they can run, or how many girls they could go to the movies with, but no, now its whose beard is better, or longer.

“15, my beard came in all at one time it wasn’t patchy or anything,” said senior Tanner Glasper”.

A guy’s first love is his beard... sorry ladies, but facial hair will always be number

one.

“I love my beard, on a scale of 1- 10, definitely a 10, I would never shave my beard”, Glasper replied.

A beard can usually add years to a guys age, eight years ahead to be exact.

“People usually think I’m 25, I get that a lot,”said Glasper.

Some guys keep their beards because they don’t really care to shave.

“The beard mostly came about because I was lazy and now I don’t want to get rid of it, I guess I did No Shave November by accident,” senior Daniel Graham said.

Beards can come in all different lengths, sizes, shapes, and colors.

“My beard is a ginger color, and my hair is a dirty blonde, I’m not really sure how that happened, but it’s here,” Graham said.

Beards are such a beauty, let the trend live.

Keep calm and grow on!

Bonded by Love, not by Blood

By: KayLee Roumas Photos By: Carter Moore Designed By: Sydnee Pointer

Adoption is defined as legally taking a child and bringing it up as one’s own, but it is a lot more than that. Many wonder what it is like to grow up knowing you are not related to your parents. Marina O’Neill, adopted from China just after her first birthday, uncovers the life of being an adopted child.

“I was abandoned in a marketplace,” junior Marina O’Neill said. “I came with a bag of shrimp crisps; it was a gift.”

In China, some regions can only have one child per family, and the families usually want a boy to carry on the family name.

“There is a lot of paper work, and they do a huge back round check. Then my parents got to come me,” O’Neill said.

There is a long process to go through with adoption. First one must choose a licensed adoption service then apply to determine eligibility. Division of Family Services must come in and check to see if the house is a

“I was abandonded in a marketplace. I came with a bag of shrimp crisps; it was a gift,”

Marina O’Neill

suitable environment, and then they are referred to a child. Finally, they get to fly out and get their child.

“I thought about trying to find my family as I got older but it just doesn’t seem necessary,” O’Neill said. “It’s never been a big deal, being adopted, because my sibling was adopted too.”

O’Neill plays the flute, and she is taking Chinese. She says that one of the things people ask her when she tells them she’s adopted is, “Do you speak Chinese?” People also ask her what ethnicity her parents are; they are Irish.

“I have a lot of an easier life here, who knows where I would be if I wasn’t adopted,” O’Neill said.

Not having the same blood as your parents does not mean that they love you any less.

Sometimes, your parent is not the person who gives birth to you; it’s the person who raises you.

>

Marina’s friends support her in all of her life’s endavours. “I thought about trying to find my family... but it doesn’t seem necessary,” O’Neill said.

25 TRENDS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Easy Gifts Anyone Can Make Designed By: Anna Myers.

Written/Photos By: Left: Jessica Brammer Right: Maddy Jones

We

all know that the holidays are quickly approaching, maybe you’re like me and you’ve had a really stressful week and just haven’t found any free time to get those last minute Christmas gift, or you simply want to have a wondrous, meaningful Christmas, and you want to find a way to impress loved ones and hand-make them a meaningful gift by expressing your creativity but your mind is blank and don’t know what to make? Well, let me help you out. What you need is some do it yourself Christmas gift ideas. “It’s a good way to save money and it’s a really thoughtful idea” said senior Toby Shaffer.

“It’s a good way to save money and it’s a really thoughtful idea”

2.

Also, if you really wanted to get creative, take a mason jar or canister of your choice perhaps something you may not be using, and this can very easily become a really cute decoration for someone’s bedroom! And here is how you can!

1.

A canister, small strands of either plain or multi-colored Christmas lights, a nearby outlet, or an extension chord.

2.

Take the canister or pot and fill the canister with small strands of your choice of Christmas lights

For this project you will need a Canvas, Paint, Paint Brushes, Newspaper to lay your canvas on to dry.

3.

Think of a the person . And begin who you your creation! want to A great thing receive this to paint for gift, and think of some things anyone would that they like, favorite colors, be a rainbow heart because it favorite animals, a favorite is simple, colorful, and could memory that you two have had brighten anyone’s day. together, etc.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE TRENDS 26

1.

You need an old vase a good amount of pennies spray paint either bronze or silver (your choice) hot glue gun and sticks.

1. >

If you are a painter, you might want to consider painting a canvas for a friend, depending on what that friend may like paint them a picture of something they can enjoy as a room decoration.

Do you have an old vase that you never use but have just a smidge of empty space on that bookshelf ?

How about those millions of pennies stuffed underneath your couch cushions? A way that you could spice up your wall decorations by doing these simple steps.

2.

With these materials you will carefully spray paint the pennies in the color that you have chosen and let them dry for about 5-10 minutes.

3.

After that you will need to heat up your hot glue gun.

Once your hot glue gun is heated, simply hot glue the pennies to the vase.

3.

Happy Gift Giving!

Plug the Christmas lights into the outlet or extension chord and enjoy!

1.

First, color the three popsicle sticks green, and glue one edge to another to create an arrow shape, and then glue one in the gap at the bottom of the arrow to create a triangle. wait for it to dry before going on.

2.

Get the brown construction paper and cut a rectangle, this will be the tree trunk.

Glue the brown rectangle to the bottom base of your tree under the front of the sticks, while you are waiting for it to dry, tie a string into a circle and then glue it under the point of the tree so you can hang it up when you are done.

3.

Now your tree is almost done!

All that is left is to decorate, you can take stickers or jewels and glue them onto the sides of your tree too act as ornaments, an optional star can be cut and added to the top of the tree.

1.

First you will need to get your red pipe cleaner and line it up with the white one, if they are not the same length cut them as needed, then they are symetrcaly lined twist them together to create a candy cane like design.

2.

1.

First get your pinecone a fake one or a real one will work, then get your choice of paint and coat it in either one If you just color, or multiple depending have glitter, on how much time you want to then coat the spend. pinecone in glitter in the undried paint, if you have glitter glue then decorate the After the pine cone on all of it’s edges, glitter drys, to add a little shimmer. get the string,

2.

Here you could go one of two ways, you could bend your candy cane patterned pipe cleaners into a candy cane and tie it into a or a heart, for the candy cane all loop and glue After it is all dry, you will need to do is bend one or tie it on the on the edges of of the edges into a U shape, for top of the pinecone. the pinecone glue the heart you will need too bend on some jewels the wire into a point in the middle on the flat edges, and bend the edges into a upside to add ornaments too your down U curve to meet each other. christmas pinecone.

3.

3.

4.

Get your red or white ribbon, if you made the heart then tie it into a circle around one of the curves of the heart, if you made a candy cane then tie the ribbon into a circle around the candy canes curve, the longer your ribbon the better!

27 HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Cookie Recipies

Cookies. Cookies.

Cookies. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

No matter what they look like they are always good.

Although you tell yourself you’ll only eat one, 9 times out of 10 you go back for more.

Story by Amber Gates Photos by Grace Tibbetts JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE TRENDS 28

Four Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter smooth or crunchy • 1 egg • 1 tsp vanilla • 1 cup sugar

Directions:

1

2

3

4

1) Combine above ingredients Drop by spoonful on to a greased cookie sheet.

2) Bake on 350 for 5 to 7 minutes

Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup butter • 1 Cup powdered sugar • 1 egg • 2 tsp vanilla • ½ tsp salt • 2 ½ Cups flour

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375. Mix together butter, powdered sugar, egg and vanilla. Sift in flour and salt in a separate bowl, then add to butter mixture.

2) Divide dough in half and color one half red. Roll a tsp, of both color dough into a 4 strip and then lightly press them together.

3) Twist them like a rope and place onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Curve the top down to look like a candy cane.

4) Let bake for 9 minutes or until browned lightly.

5) While still warm remove from baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar and candy cane mixture.

Simple Sugar cookies Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter • ½ cup sugar • 1 large egg • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp vanilla • 1 ¾ cups all – purpose flour

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350.

2) In a large bowl combine sugar, salt, and flour.

Mix together well.

3) In a separate bowl mix butter, vanilla, and egg.

Mix with the dry ingredients 4) Drop dough by the spoon full on ungreased cookie sheet. Cook for 5-7 minutes. Let cool on cooling rack.

Pigs in a blanket wreath Ingredients:

• Mini Sausages • Refrigerated Crescent Dough Rolls • Red Bell Pepper • Diced Rosemary • 1/3 cup of butter • ½ cup BBQ sauce • ½ cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

Holiday Treats Story an

d photos

by Julia N

gega

Directions :

1. Preheat the oven to the temperature on the package of refrigerated crescent dough rolls. Drain the liquid off the mini sausages.

2. Unroll the crescent dough rolls and separate them to create 4 rectangles; any extra dough press into the other rectangles. With a knife or pizza cutter, cut each rectangle length wise into 8 strips making a total of 32 strips.

3. Wrap one strip of dough around each mini sausage. Place each of the crescentwrapped sausages on a greased cookie sheet side by side creating a circle forming the wreath shape.

4. Bake until golden brown, so about 11-15 minutes. Melt 1/3 cup of butter in bowl and brush on top of the crescent wrapped sausages. Sprinkle rosemary on top of the butter.

5. Cut the Bell Pepper into a bow shape and place on the wreath. Mix cranberry sauce and BBQ sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until heated through. Serve with wreath for dipping sauce.

Strawberry Santas Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries • Fresh Cream • Small chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Whip the fresh cream in a medium bowl 2. Slice off the tops of each strawberry 3. Then slice off the pointed end of each strawberry, but keep the pointed end.

4. Place a dollop of cream on each strawberry and reassemble.

5. Place a smaller dollop on top of the hat-like piece of strawberry.

6. Add 2 small dollops on the bottom for buttons.

7. Use the chocolate chips for eyes.

No bake Peanut Butter Pie Ingredients:

• 5 oz cream cheese, softened • ½ cups confectioners’ sugar • 1/3 cups Peanut Butter • 8 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed • graham cracker pie crust • chocolate syrup

Directions:

1. Beat confectioners’ sugar and cream cheese together in a medium bowl.

2. Mix in Peanut Butter and beat until smooth.

3. Then fold in the whipped cream.

4. Spoon the mixture into the graham cracker pie shell; cover, and refrigerate until firm, about 2-3 hours.

5. Drizzle chocolate syrup on top and serve.

29 TRENDS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Starbucks Secret Recipes These four ‘secret’ Starbucks drinks offer new, exciting flavors Cookies and Cream Frappuccino

Neopolitan Frappuccino

Butterbeer Frappucino

Twix Frappucino

For the Oreo lovers, this drink combines a creamy taste with a chocolaty base.

A White Chocolate mocha blended with java chips is the start of this perfect beverage.

The employee should add just a slight amount of peppermint syrup, as it is extremely strong syrup. This Cookies and Cream drink helps bring comfort on a bad day, or just improves the mood at any time. It is sure to become a favorite.

It has been the ice cream of choice for many summer days, a combination of strawberry, chocolate and vanilla flavors that give the best of all 3 worlds. To get this perfect combination, A Strawberries and crème Frappuccino should be ordered with vanilla bean powder and 1 pump of mocha.

This drink tastes exactly like Neapolitan ice cream and will brighten up any day with a classic taste.

This cool caramel drink seems to apparate the drinker right on the streets of Hogsmeade, into the world of Harry Potter. To create this great concoction, order a crème Frappuccino made with whole milk. Ask your barista to put in three pumps of caramel syrup and three pumps of toffee nut syrup.

If you want to get magical, add a caramel drizzle on top.

The butter beer will surely keep the dementors away with feelings of bliss.

Whether the left side or the right side of a Twix bar is the preferred, this drink will be sure to curb any chocolate cravings. To start, a caramel Frappuccino should be ordered as a base.

Have the barista use extra caramel and add one pump of hazelnut syrup. To complete the Twix sensation, a chocolate and caramel drizzle on the top could enhance this chocolaty drink.

Written by Carter Moore Photos by Annelise Hanshaw Design by Annelise Hanshaw JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE TRENDS 30

Written by Annelise Hanshaw Photos by Wendy Hayworth Design by Annelise Hanshaw

Eye of the Tiger

Carter Moore achieves celebrity status as the lone mascot

A

n overwhelming roar is heard coming from the spirited audience as he finishes his routine. Persistent fans pull him in every direction just for an autograph, picture, or simple high five.

Many may think he is a rockstar. Only, this performer’s stage is a football field and his fans just happen to be under the age of 10.

“I really love being a mascot, and it would be an honor if I could ever be a professional mascot,” freshman mascot Carter Moore said. “I wish I could be a mascot in college; that’d be a lot of fun.”

Currently, Moore is content being the school’s only mascot. After almost four years without one, he is a welcomed addition.

“Carter is doing a great job in comparison to the mascots of the past, especially with him only being a freshman,” assistant varsity cheer coach Rosemary Wiggins said. “We are working on breaking him out of his shell.”

Much like Iron Man, Moore gains an important power when putting on his suit, confidence. Concealing himself behind a

Top left: Moore cheers with the cheerleaders during a football game. Bottom left: This tiger really raises expectations as he does his job as mascot. Top left: Carter makes sure everyone can take notice of his spirit because ‘the Moore the merrier.’ Bottom left: Two kids talk to Moore during one as he cheers during one of the games.

tiger head gives Moore the ability to let his personality shine through.

“I enjoy being the mascot because I just get to dance around and be myself while not having to worry about people judging me,” Moore said. “You can’t just go out there normally and start dancing on the field.”

Moore involves himself in joining with

“KC Wolf, watch out. I’m after you.” the cheerleaders, running the flag, throwing shirts into the crowd, and even performing during half-time.

“I will mess with the cheerleaders by running down the row and giving them high fives. I’ll refuse the one on the end a high five and stare at her with my hands on my hips,” Moore said. “I’ll tap someone on one side of the shoulder and move to the other.”

All this work is not easy, for the suit can get really hot. Moore is often seen drenched in sweat at the end of each game.

“My favorite part would have to be whenever people laugh while my least favorite part is the burning hot suit,” Moore said. “It’s extremely hot in that suit, but it’s worth it seeing kids that happy to see you.”

While he will not admit that interacting with the cheerleaders is the highlight of his job, Moore enjoys entertaining the smaller audience members. In fact, he refrains from turning the fan in his suit on because it makes it hard to hear the kids.

“The kids will come up and pull my tail, but they are usually pretty nice. They’ll come up and give me a big hug and want a high five,” Moore said. “A lot of pictures are taken.”

Moore’s job as the mascot never fails to bring spirit to the stands; his future as a mascot is one to be watched. For now, Moore has one thing to say, “KC Wolf, watch out.

I’m after you.”

31 TRENDS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

HAPPY HOLIDAYS Happy Hanukkah

Merry Christmas

By: Sy dne Pointe e r

the first candy canes date back to 1670 the tallest christmas tree ever cut was 221 feet

Happy New Year

the largest gingerbread man weighs 466 lbs and 6 oz

NEW YEARS RESO LUTIO N

Santa has 31 hours to deliever gifts. He must visit 823 homes per second.

Sources: PBS Funology RealSimple New Baltimore Random Facts

a menorah is a 9 branched candelabrum

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE TRENDS 32

people have be en making resolutions fo r over 4,000 year s

%a 6a5 nce of

cards illion es b 0 g 2 acka and p vered by eli are d between S d P US giving an s k n Tha ristmas Ch

ch mas christ e it h w

12 Days of Christmas 1 Partridge in a Pear Tree 2 Turtle Doves 3 French Hens 4 Calling Birds 5 Golden Rings 6 Geese a Laying =364 gifts 7 Swans a Swimming =$107,000 8 Maids a Milking 9 Ladies Dancing 10 Lords a Leaping 11 Pipers Piping 12 Drummers Drumming