January 2014

HI+LIFE Volume 95 + Issue 06 + 01.22.2014 Lee’s Summit, Missouri

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FROM THE EDITOR

Society puts labels on everyone based on their body shape, race, gender, interests, etc.

This labeling can cause anyone to be insecure. Labeling is a way people see their peers.

But sometimes, how we see other people isn’t who they really are.

Students never know what others are going through. So much is hidden behind the mask of a smile. Life comes with challenges enough on its own. Finding one’s self is added confusion.

No one should be told who they are. Most people know who they are and are content with who they are. But unfortunately, there are some people who hate who they are because of other people bullying them.

People should not worry about what other people think of them. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and everyone has them. But the only opinion that matters is yours. The only person we always have is ourselves. Ten years from now, people are not going to remember who they went to high school with. The ones who cared most, and loved unconditionally are the ones who will be remembered.

Everyone is unique. The differences of all the people make the world more interesting. As we grow up, we learn who we are, and develop characteristics that set us apart from the rest of society. It didn’t matter who was playground buddies with who as little kids, it was just a time for fun. The differences between everyone is what made playground time fun. The worst thing that could happen was a toy got stolen. Now, students are bullied for being different. Students sometimes even take their own lives because others won’t accept them for who they are.

Loving all of our little personality quirks is essential. It is hard for someone to accept another who does not appriciate themselves first.

Personality is what makes us who we are, and no one should want to change their personality.

There are so many people in the world. There is not a realistic way to meet all those people and get to know every single one of them. Everyone has a different story.

We all come from different kinds of families, different backgrounds, and very different lives. So many different people, and just one world. We all have to coexist together.

03 FROM THE EDITOR HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE ADS 04

INSIDE 31

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NOW BEAT VOICE TRENDS PLAY

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Find out what the Earth Club is doing to spruce up their green thumbs. Not only are their eyes set on home but also projects are underway that span the globe.

Get ready for a real tearjerker. The best selling young adult novel is coming to theaters. Meet the cast that will turn this memorable book into a memorable movie.

Trends come and go. As the new year rolls forward, new trends are taking center stage. Find out what is hot this month and see what is trending.

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Dive into the folds of the rainbow flag. Learn some surprising statistics. Learn how two students came to terms with their sexual identity and facing their peers.

Ever since the country fell into collective shock after the Sandy Hook tragedy, many have argued over the cause of school shootings.

Everyone has a story to tell if someone is willing to listen.

Meet the characters in the crowd and hear what they have to say.

JLABMAG.COM

Stay up to date with upcoming news and events. Participate in our poll and submit your thoughts for a chance to be published.

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ON THE COVER

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Much has changed in the Tiger Store this year and more changes are still to come. Learn why many favorites will be disappearing from the shelves next year.

ONLINE

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If music is medicine, then jazz is medicine for the soul.

Learn how these students are rocking it out in the predawn hours for their love of jazz.

The Tigers are roaring proud with a current record of 10 and 2. Meet the new basketball coach and see what he has to say about his approach to coaching.

LGBTQ+, what does it all mean?

Take a look behind the rainbow flag in this issue.

Cover photo

by Julia Ngega.

05 CONTENTS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

IN THE KNOW

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 Summer Givens

Capture the Moment Courtwarming Dance Monday: ‘Merica Monday - Sport your red, white, and blue Tuesday: Twinning Tuesday - Match with your best friend Wednesday: Character Wednesday - Dress as your favorite movie/book character Thursday: Throwback Thursday - Pick a decade Friday: Black and Gold - Show off your tiger pride Classes are cut short to make room for the courtwarming assembly Friday night: Cheer on the Tigers during their game against Lee’s Summit North at 7 p.m. in the field house.

Saturday night: Get your groove on at the courtwarming dance.

All week: Tickets will be on sale during lunch. Tickests cost $7 during lunch and $10 at the door. If your date does not attend this school you will need to sign them up. Bring your student ID to the dance.

Tweet or instagram us your spirit day wear pictures for a chance to be featured in the next issue of the Hi+Life.

Naka Kon

AFJROTC Drill Meet

Naka Con is an anime convention. There are multiple panels where people can go to learn more about manga’s, animas, and video games. They meet voice actors and artists of video games. Some people dress up in costumes of their favorite character.

It starts the last Friday of spring break to that Sunday. There is a ball where everyone dresses up. It opens at 2pm and closes at 2am on Friday. Opens at 6am to 2am on Saturday and opens 6am to 5pm on Sunday.

AFJROTC Flying Tigers invitational drill meet is on Saturday, January 25. 19 schools from across the Kansas City area compete in armed and unarmed performances.

There are 8 different events throughout the year. This event is the first one to be hosted at Lee’s Summit High School this year. They are very excited for hosting the competition. To prepare for this exciting event, the competitors practice every morning for an hour.

Text-a-Tip Text a tip gives students and staff an opportunity to give information but not be scared or unprotected. All information that is sent to the text a tip number is sent straight to student resource officer Darnell Sims.

Text a tip is a safe way to let someone know there is something wrong, that someone may be in danger, or that something illegal may be taking place.

Text the problem to 274-637 and start the text with “lstigers.”

Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics

Will you be taking ‘the plunge’ to benefit Special Olympics this Saturday, January 25? Here are some things you need to know to stay warm and have fun as a part of the ‘Tigers on Ice’ team.

Registration starts at 9am on Saturday. To park easily and accessibly, you can set up at Longview Lake Beach or adjacent shelters, or at Smith-Hale Middle school on 8925 Longview Road. There will be a shuttle running from the Middle School to the beach. Before you leave, make sure you have your costume, a towel, footwear and a change of warm clothes. Our team, ‘Tigers on Ice’, has raised the most for Special Olympics and has the honor of plunging first, so make sure you are ready immediately following the opening ceremony. Before and after the plunge, you may change in the gender appropriate tent. Make sure you redeem your coupon for the meal early so you can stay energized and full the whole plunging time. For additional information, sign up for text alerts by texting PLUNGEKC to 51555

UPCOMING EVENTS - FEBRUARY 1 Courtwarming The annual winter dance takes place on the first of February. This year’s theme is ‘Capture the Moment.’

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE NOW 06

14-17 No School This four day weekend is brought to you

by President’s Day and is convienentily placed over Valentine’s Day.

21 NHS Annual Blood Drive Sign-ups take place earlier that week during lunch. To donate you must be at least 16 years of age, and weigh at least 120 lbs. The day of the drive, drink plenty of water and eat a good breakfast.

The New Tiger Post

Many changes have been made to the Tiger Post since last year.

Nutrient Requirements

Calories Snack items: less than or equal to 200 calories.

Entree items: less than or equal to 350 calories.

Sodium Snack items: less than or equal to 230 mg.

Entree items: less than or equal to 480 mg.

Fat Total: less than or equal to 35% of calories.

Saturated: less than 10% of calories.

Trans fat: zero grams

Sugar Less than or equal to 35% of weight from total sugar in foods.

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he student casually walks into the Tiger Post, money burning a hole in his pockets, and looks around indecisively at the vast selection of new snacks and treats before him.

The Tiger Post in Building A has made quite a few new changes in merchandise this year under its new management.

“This is my first year at the Tiger Post and I thought we needed more selection.” Tiger Post Manager Cathy Sisler said.

There have been many new food items as well as new Lee’s Summit apparel added to the choices offered at the Tiger Post.

“I thought we needed more clothing options and I tried to add more food that I thought students would like.” Sisler said.

As for the variety of new items, students are showing that they certainly appreciate the change.

“We saw a lot of overlap in what people bought last year, but we are selling a lot more different items this year.” Senior Madison Upton said Part of the changes that have been made were prompted by the district and the government rather than by choice.

“The district made the switch to Pepsi products this year and added new cash registers and software to help with speed and better inventory, and under the new government nutrition guidelines, 50 percent of the food has to fall under the healthy category and next year it is an even higher percentage.” Sisler said Per district mandate, the Tiger Post has added a new cash register with a new software that may help students get to class faster during rush periods.

“The new register makes transactions go faster than they have before.” Upton said.

While the changes and additions may seem minor, the Tiger Post staff believe that they will enhance students’ experience at the store.

“With all of the new options available, we now have a wider variety than the vending machines.” Upton said.

“Hopefully students have found more snacks that they like and more apparel that they feel like they can wear.” Sisler said.

With new items and a faster process, students will continue to enjoy all that the Tiger Post has to offer.

Guideline Changes // Be a whole grain-rich grain product // Have as the first ingredient a fruit, vegetable, dairy or protein product // Be a combination food that contains at least one-fourth cup of fruit and/or vegetable // Contain ten percent of the daily value of calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber

Story by Jared Shepherd. Photos by Aaron Hagan. Page Design by Grace Rogers.

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Punxsutawney Phil, an Innaccurate Legend Although rather inaccurate, this groundhog is a legend that dates back to the early days of the Designed by Jesse Butler United States.

Written by Chance Copeland Punxatawney Phil hoisted above the crowd after revealing the world famous prediction. Photo used with permission groundhog.org

Predictions of the Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s legacy began in 1887, and since then he helped make the prediction on whether he saw his shadow or not.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

- Phil saw his own shadow.

- Phil did not see his shadow.

?

- No record of the results.

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he date was February 2. With both hands, Punxsutawney Phil’s handler reached tentatively into his tree stump and pulled Punxsutawney Phil from inside, holding him up for the crowd not unlike Rafiki as he held up Simba in The Lion King.

With much fanfare, Phil selected the proper scroll as people eagerly awaited his decision, whether or not winter would end and Spring would begin early, or Winter would continue for 6 more weeks. All of this hinged on whether or not he saw his shadow.

This tradition in the United States, known as Groundhog Day, is said to have originated in the eighteenth or nineteenth century.

No one can be totally sure when it began, but it has been an official holiday since February 2, 1886.

According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, the tradition of the groundhog comes from beliefs related to Candlemas Day during the time of the early Christians in Europe. For centuries on this day, the clergy blessed candles and distributed them to the people. It was considered to be a milestone in winter, and the weather that day was of significant importance. An old English song stated that if it was cloudy and rainy on that day, spring was just over the horizon.

If it was sunny and clear, winter would remain for a while longer. A Scottish couplet declared the same thing.

Roman squadrons brought this tradition to the Germans, who decided that if the sun was out on Candlemas day, the hedgehog would see his shadow. They

Photos by Carter Moore interpreted this to mean six more weeks of winter.

In Pennsylvania, the earliest settlers were German. They discovered an abundance of groundhogs, who seemed to be “intelligent” and “sensible,” therefore if the sun came out on February 2, it would go back underground.

Farmers also used Groundhog Day as an indicator for how the days would be for their livestock until spring – “Groundhog Day – Half your hay.” New England farmers realized that winter was not nearly over, and that usually in February, winter was at its prime. But the farmers did say that if they did not have half their hay remaining on February 2, there could be tough times for the livestock until spring.

Among many of the interesting things that the Pennsylvania native groundhog has “lived” through was Prohibition. In fact, during this time, Phil threatened the people with 60 more weeks of winter if he wasn’t allowed to have a drink.

Over the years, Punxsutawney Phil’s fame has grown as he has been more and more in the public eye. When Groundhog Day began, Phil’s predictions were held mostly in private, wooded areas near the down. Now, the event brings tens of thousands of spectators.

Although Phil is perhaps most famous of all the groundhogs, there are other notable groundhogs in this country and around the world. A few would be Balzac Billy of Balzac, Alberta in Canada, Buckeye Chuck in Ohio, Staten Island Chuck in New York, and Wiarton Willie in Ottawa, Canada on the South Bruce Peninsula.

Phil’s accuracy rate hovers consistently around 39%.

Essentially, that means that flipping a coin is more likely to be a more accurate prediction of the weather.

Yet this does not deter anyone from celebrating Groundhog Day and tuning in every year, nor should it – even Punxsutawney Phil knows that accuracy isn’t always everything.

Photo used by permission from groundhog.org

Page Design by Jesse Butler Written by Ashley Hagan Photos by Makenna Nickens

Green Hearts

Earth club members do their part to keep the environment clean and safe for everyone that lives in it.

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tepping outside into the fresh air is well. The club has no cost and through the a wonderful feeling for many people. activities they learn the true meaning behind Some do not know what it takes to what they can accomplish. clean up the earth, and keep that “We have activity meetings and planning fresh air, but members of earth club are part meetings. It is usually one activity meeting of the team that makes it happen. and multiple planning meetings for each “Earth Club is a way to promote earth event,” Woody said. friendly activities and a cleaner way of They are currently working on two living,” Earth Club sponsor activities. One is fundraising to “I joined Earth and art teacher Melissa build freshwater wells in Africa.

Woody said.

This will begin in February, Club because it The club is designed for and will be held each day before was something students who have a desire school. The second activity is that I could do with an art project that is hoping to learn more about the earth they live in. It tries to my sister, Dorsa,” to bring awareness to AIDS in teach students how to make the community, which will be a difference by engaging in Yazdani said. occurring after school for the activities that will lead to remainder of January. living a better lifestyle and showing others “To decide what to do the club members how to do their part. talk with Mrs. Woody about our ideas and “I enjoy leading Earth Club because I together we decide what to do,” Earth Club have always tried to be earth friendly and I participant Mahsa Yazdani said. wanted to teach young adults about earth Some of the activities that the club has friendly activities without wasting money,” done in the past include: a float for the Woody said. homecoming parade, a bake sale, and a The awareness of ‘doing your part’ is project in which they teamed up with LS in the main reason why Earth club exists.

Action. They typically do a lot of activities Each member wants to do their part to within the club that are fun, educational and help nature, and educate others about it as helpful.

“I would recommend that people join earth club because it is filled with fun activities for no cost, it helps others, and teaches people a better way of living,” Woody said.

With plans to enjoy the fresh air they are waiting for the weather to warm up so they can participate in a few outdoor activities.

Playing Frisbee and going canoeing at Lake Jacomo are just two of the adventures that Earth Club members will take during the next season.

“I joined Earth Club because it was something that I could do with my sister Dorsa,” Yazdani said.

No matter the reason for joining, each member brings something unique to the club. They are also passionate about what they do and hope it will make a difference.

“We are looking for new members right now, and students don’t need to do anything to be in the club,” Woody said.

Earth club has no eligibility requirements, no cost, and no prerequisites. It is not a cumulative club, so students can join at anytime and they always welcome new members. Meetings are held in Woody’s classroom and anyone who is looking to join should contact her for more information.

09 NOW HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

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Chili Bowl

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ager youth pour into the doors of KC Sports Lodge dressed in customized t-shirts and athletic shorts. An endless line of crock pots greets them while the nervous teens clutter together to prepare for a day of flag football and homemade chili.

“Chili Bowl is a flag football event for 7-12th graders where we invite all the students from the Kansas City area to play football,” student ministry pastor Travis Bourbon said. “This is our thirteenth year, and it continues to grow every single year.”

Chili Bowl takes place at KC Sports Lodge and students from all over come to play flag football and eat chili. Last year, there were 68 crock pots of chili waiting for the hungry youth.

“I have always had the same experience every year. Eat chili, watch football while hanging out with friends, and eating more chili,” sophomore Gabriella Damotte said.

Those who do not wish to play or miss the chance to sign up can come to eat chili, hang out, play basketball, and get a shirt. There is also a field goal competition open for anyone. There is a cost of 10 dollars for those who just wish to hang out.

“Chili Bowl is an event like no other because we guarantee everybody at least two games,” Bourbon said. “There’s a cool environment where all the teams make different t-shirts.”

There are sixteen teams for both competitive and non-competitive high school brackets. Those who participate in them pay either 20 or 25 dollars. Everyone gets into teams in advance and prepare; the winners will receive a medallion and a picture with the traditional Chili Bowl trophy.

There is a side of Chili Bowl that goes beyond the flag football.

Laura Merwin, a student in the ministry, has gone through various cancer treatments. Last year, there was a table to encourage her and paint nails yellow to support her. This year, the event will also be helping a boy in Honduras.

“We’re going to have Laura’s corner which will go upstairs in the tree house at KC Sports Lodge, and they will write encouraging notes to a little boy in Honduras who has a disease that could take his life,” Bourbon said. “The proceeds of Chili Bowl are going to build him a house.”

“This year, we have the one and only, Dan Meers who is KC Wolf,” Bourbon said. “He has been through some difficulties in the last several months, so he’ll be sharing about that and how to handle life’s difficulties.”

Before the games start, a speaker comes up to give a message.

Last year, Willie Mays Aikens shared about a major transformation in his life. Now Dan Meers, also known as KC Wolf, will share about his recent struggle publicly for the first time.

“There’s a committee of eight people that head up every aspect of Chili Bowl including referees, registration, food, adult support, student care, and parking,” Bourbon said. “There are lots of details.”

All this preparation starts in August and will conclude on Feb 2, the day of the event. Many people are involved, from a graphic designer, parents and other volunteers who make the chili, sponsors, and KC Wolf.

Participants will exit with a t-shirt and an experience of sports and community. An event like this will stay in their minds until the next year.

It is not a cook off for the warm, dinner dish, it is flag football.

A student jumps high during a middle school game.

Photo contributed by John Wofford and Kenny Cason.

For more information: www.lscckc.org/thelink Designed by Sydnee Pointer Written by Annelise Hanshaw

11 NOW HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Team Driven

Design By Anna Myers Story By Miranda French Photo By Zachary Boyle

This robotics team is driven to succeed.

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sing hammers, drills, and what looks like an Xbox controller, the robotics team makes exciting things for people to see. Robotics is a lot more than what meets the eye; there are more than just a bunch of smart people playing with toy cars.

“Team Driven is a program to get kids ready for and excited for science, design and manufacture things,” senior Luke Orr said.

Another thing that excites people about the robotics is the 21 million dollars in robotics.

There are also over 24 different awards that students can win.

“What we do in Robotics is we first start off with a fundraiser to get us some money so we can start purchasing things for our robot. We do presentations for sponsors’, sell sonic cards, and much more,” Orr said.

The budget for robotics is about 60 thousand dollars. Once all the money is raised through the fundraiser, the team finds out the theme of the next competition and starts the design and manufacture of the

robot. The team even makes an iPad app to help build the robot.

“When we have our games they are usually three days, the first day consists of practice, the other two days we are working hard to be able to qualify to compete with other teams and travel,” Orr said.

There are seventytwo different competitions.

Three different teams team up and come up with a strategy for winning the game. During the first six weeks of the competition the teams build a robot. The other six weeks is testing the robot. During competitions, people want to be on their best behavior so that as the competition goes on their team will get chosen to work with other teams.

“What I like best about

robotics is that it is a lot of fun and the network and experience is just great. What a lot of people think is you have to be smart, but you really don’t,” Orr said.

Orr is a driver during the competitions, as well as working in the pit and with the robot.

Orr gets the robot to move and do what it needs to do.

“Robotics is a small business, you have fundraisers by kids, and you have camps for them,” senior Stetson Williams said.

There are many different positions, all ranging from communicator, builder, designer, driver, or working on the website.

In Robotics there is a job and a place for just about everyone.

Robotics is more than meets the eye. With a job for everyone, it can be a fun experience, a friendly competition, and a way to get to know new people. Overall robotics provides a great, fulfilling experience to those who try and enjoy it.

“Team Driven is a program to get kids excited for science, design and manufacture things.” senior Luke Orr said.

Left: This work-inprogress is to be the robot used in the FIRST Robotics Competition Top Right: A Team Driven member constructs a mock goal.

Bottom Right: Three Team Driven Members work on their prototype robot.

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THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

By Dia Sims Design by Sydnee Pointer Photos provided by 20th Century Fox and AP Images

MEET THE CAST

Sources: Teen Vogue, Hollywood, Swide, Biography. com, FunTrivia, Wet Paint, US Magazing, IMDB.com, and FactMonster.com

Ansel Elgort as AUGUSTUS WATERS Ansel Elgort is 19 years old with a lot of experience. Elgort is an off Broadway alumni who attended LaGuardia where Al Pacino and Nicki Minaj both graduated from. Not only has Elgort landed a role in The Fault in Our Stars, he will also star in Divergent, and more recently, Carrie. Elgort is also a trained ballet dancer and a model for Teen Vogue.

Shailene Woodley as HAZEL GRACE

Shailene Woodley was the main character in The Secret Life of The American Teenager. At the age of 15 Woodley was diagnosed with scoliosis and had to wear a brace for nearly 18 months. She used to make her own videos, and had a job working at American Apparel in 2011; she quit because she landed a role in an upcoming movie. Woodley is also a big fan of Twilight, and she loves to cook extravagant meals.

Laura Dern

as MRS. LANCASTER

Laura Dern is not just an actress, she also is a film director and producer. Dern has held important leading roles in both Jurassic Park and I Am Sam. She has won several awards such as the Golden Globe award for a role on the HBO series, Enlightened. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Dern comes from a line of actors, including her mother, Diane Ladd.

Sam Trammell

as MR. LANCASTER Sam Trammell is known for his role as Sam Merlotte on the HBO vampire series, True Blood; a role that got him nominated for the 2010 Scream award for best supporting actor. Acting since before 1996, he has made appearances in several movies and television series. In his spare time, Trammell likes to play guitar and cello. He even attended Brown University with actress, Jennifer Garner.

William Dafoe

as PETER VAN HOUTEN

William Dafoe is a stage and voice actor. Dafoe has been casted in many movies; he was the voice of Gill in Finding Nemo, the Green Goblin in Spiderman, Carson Clay from Mr. Beans Holiday, and Tars Tarkas in the Disney movie, John Carter. Dafoe has won several awards and serves as a member in the experimental theater company, the Wooster Group.

13 BEAT HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

MUSIC OF ‘13 Best vs. Worst

Written by Jared Shepherd

Photos by Eden Fitzgibbons

Design by Cara McCauley

Some albums succeed and others not so much. Here is one reporters opinion on the good and the bad.

For Eminem to call his newest album The Marshal Mathers LP 2 was incredibly ambitious. To craft a record as good as what put him on the map seems almost impossible, but this album is better than anything he has released in years and breathes new life into the career of a great songwriter.

Perhaps it is time for Jay-Z to take a break from making music and let artists with better hooks and some originality get airtime that they deserve. Magna Carta Holy Grail sounds like the same sub-par song recycled over and over again and is not of the same quality of music that Jay-Z is known for.

Chvrches new record, Bones of What You Believe, pulls off something that the vast majority of synth bands cannot. The fact that every track does not sound like a copy of the rest, every song on the album is different and unique, but they do remain cohesive, shows they are on the right path.

The debut album, Pure Heroine, recorded by a 16 year-old New Zealander is one that is lacking in substance. Lorde fancies herself as a poet but her songwriting is quite lackluster and bland, much like her voice. It even seems as if she is bored with her own lyrics.

October was a successful month for the famed indie band, Arcadefire, due to the release of their single, “Reflektor.” In November, they released their album, Reflektor. This album is like an older dance record with some Haitian flair, and it works surprisingly well.

Clearly not an indie-hop band as they would claim to be, The Neighbourhood is nothing more than a shiny pop creation wanting nothing more than mainstream success, and their album, I Love You, is proof. The music has nothing new or innovative and the verses are meaningless.

In the true undying spirit of punk music, Bad Religion has created in their sixteenth studio album, True North, an amazing album reminiscent of the early days of their 34-year run. All of the songs are up-tempo, but that does not mean the songs lack substance.

Five Finger Death Punch is known to be a great band, but with their double-album, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Vol. 1 and 2, release in 2013, they’ve shown little to no growth musically.

The lyrics are quite dull, and the riffs are just recycled from older work.

The self-titled album from the new frontman of Queenrhyce, sounds like the songs comes from a completely new band that has something to prove. With great new vocals and driving guitars, the Todd La Torre Queensrhyce has proven that they are the true Queensrhyce.

Super Collider is to Megadeth, as Lulu was to Mettalica, a train wreck. The album has two great songs featured on it, “Kingmaker,” and “Dance in the Rain,” that hearken back to the mid2000’s, but the rest of the songs are just junk and are unworthy of the Megadeth moniker.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE BEAT 14

____ of the Month Written by Garrett Stroginis

Photos by Payton Seymour

Designed by Cara McCauley

It’s hard to decide what app to download, what song to listen to, or what hashtag to use to get the most likes on Instagram or Twitter. Luckily, it’s all right here.

App of the Month

Fast paced action, vigorous competitive racing, and all-out continuous fun are all things that come from Jet Car Stunts 2. In the game, the user controls a variety of different cars, competing in races, and other game modes. From the first play, Jet Car Stunts 2 is addictive, non-stop entertainment. Following the award winning original Jet Car Stunts, the sequel lives up to its predecessor and is no disappointment. Jet Car Stunts 2 is free for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and will be released for Android users soons.

Song of the Month

Coming from alternative rock band, OneRepublic, a third studio album, Counting Stars, has found itself topping music charts around the world and receiving continuous airplay across almost all radio stations. Counting Stars is an extremely catchy and brilliantly written song.

One cannot help but keep it on repeat, dance like no one is watching, and sing their heart out.

Counting Stars is one of the top played songs entering 2014, and it is without a doubt that OneRepublic is surely a band that will always pump out number one hits.

Game of the Month

It is always anticipated to watch two elite teams play against each other, but it is even more intense after they faced off against each other in The Finals the previous season. In the past few seasons, The San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat have built up a bit of a rivalry. The Spurs put the Heat’s backs against the wall in The Finals last season, but LeBron James and the Heat made a remarkable comeback to take the title. Now, Tim Duncan and the Spurs head to Miami, looking to seize revenge against LeBron and the Heat. Tune in to this matchup between two of the best teams in the NBA on January 26th at 1:00 PM on ABC.

Trend of the Month

Scrolling through a news feed, there are a variety of interesting things to see. Recently taking storm on social networks like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, the trend #SelfieOlympics contains millions of photos to laugh at and share with friends. This trend is taking selfies, an art that teens have mastered through the years, to a whole new level. People around the world are coming up with creative and crazy ways to take pictures of themselves. Check out these ridiculous selfies using #SelfieOlympics.

Team of the Month

There are many great teams in the National Football League, but one stands out among the rest. The Seattle Seahawks have taken flight from a low-end NFL team to one of the most significant teams in the league. Led by the tremendously talented, young quarterback Russell Wilson, the Seahawks have become one of the top Super Bowl contenders. Capping off the second extraordinary season for Wilson as quarterback, the ‘Hawks finished with a 13-3 record and are soaring their way through the playoffs.

15 BEAT HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE FOCUS 16

* out to “meComing wasn’t an all at

“

once thing,

Joseph Dennison

Written by Anna Myers and Wendy Hayworth Photos by Carter Moore and Julia Ngega and Wendy Hayworth Designed by Wendy Hayworth

17 FOCUS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

L

Lesbians have had an interesting history. In ancient Greek being a lesbian was almost so popular as to call it a fad, when someone came out they were celebrated as being better than everyone else. Though as time went on, as seen today, that celebration took a turn for the worst, people started hating the idea of lesbianism and calling it disgraceful.

In different cultures women would be stoned or hung if they came out or were found to be having sex with women.

Though now as women come out it is being more culturally accepted.

The term ‘lesbian’ comes from Ancient Greece, more specifically Lesbos. This was the home of Sappho, a famous Greek poet who expressed affection for women in her poetry. An excerpt from ‘Please’: “Never to let this lose me grace.

But rather bring you back to me: Amongst all mortal women the one I most wish to see.”

G

B T

In ancient Rome being gay was considered to be a good practice in that it helped control the population. Basically being gay in Rome was pest control for humans. In the Renaissance time wealthy cities in Italy, Florence and Venice in particular, were well known for having a large population of same sex couples, though even though it was socially acceptable authorities prosecuted a large amount of that population for being gay.

Once again in more modern times it is becoming more acceptable to be gay.

Throughout history, gay males face more persecution than their female counterparts. During the holocaust gay men would be sent to concentration camps while most lesbian women were left alone. The pink triangle worn on their garnments would become a symbol of homosexuals of all genders.

Sexuality is a spectrum some people fit very far one side or the other, however some people sit comfortably in the middle. This is called bi-sexuality, though many people think that being bi means that they are just confused, this is wrong and causes individuals to become frustrated. As said sexuality is a spectrum, people can fit in all different areas and be attracted to all different types of people.

This can go even further as many now prefer the term ‘pansexual.’ This includes all aspects of gender and dispels the notion of gender and attraction being binary.

Included in this is the notion that a relationship does not have to be physical. One may be attracted to one gender romantically, while they find both genders physically attractive.

Sometimes people feel as if they were born into the wrong body. Children will insist that they really are a girl despite being born a boy. As they grow they may fall victim to depression because they truly hate the body that they have. Transgender is the term used when someone’s gender does not match their sex. One’s sex is what they were born as, usually male or female. Gender is what the person identifies as mentally.

Sometimes, a transgendered person may pursue surgery to gain the body they feel they should have. At this point the individual is called transsexual.

When an individual is transgendered, they often have a preferred name and pronoun. There have been efforts to create new pronouns to replace the gender specific ones in existence, such as: ‘ze’ and ‘zer.’

Q

+

The ‘Q’ is a fairly recent addition, which usually stands for ‘questioning.’ Part of growing up is coming to terms with one’s own identity. As hormones ebb and flow, it can become confusing. The LGBTQ+ community wanted to make sure that everyone was included, even if they were not sure where exactly they belonged.

For those struggling to come to terms with their gender or sexuality there is help available. School counselors are trained to help and hotlines are available.

One such hotline is the Trevor Lifeline, named after a young man who committed suicide because he was being bullied for his sexuality. Their hotline is available 24/7 at 866-488-7386. They also have web chat, texting, and forums available.

The actual acronym continues to grow. The plus is commonly used to make sure that no one is left out.

For example, many people will leave out asexual. Asexual is when someone simply is not physically attracted to any gender. They may be repulsed by the idea or it simply does not occur to them.

Some identify as gender fluid. One day they may feel feminine and the next masculine. It is not uncommon to vary on the spectrum throughout one’s lifetime.

Another commonly mistaken term is ‘cross dressing.’ Cross-dressing does not mean that the individual is transgendered. They may simple prefer dresses to pants.

An infinite continuum exists outside the common realm of binary thinking and continues to expand.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE FOCUS 18

An estimated

5-6% of students in the United States identify as LGBT

That equals about

90 -108 students at LSHS

6 out of 10 students feel unsafe at

school because of their sexual orientation

66% of transgendered students are out to most or all of their peers

4 out of 10 students feel unsafe at

school because of their gender expression

90%

of transgendered students reported hearing negative remarks about gender expression such as not being masculine or feminine enough

Students from schools with a

Gay Straight Alliance report hearing fewer homophobic remarks and tend to feel safer in their community than students who go to schools without one

8 out of 10 students have heard “gay” used as an insult. 7 out of 10 students have heard other terms such as “dyke” or “faggot.” 5 out of 10 have heard teachers use these terms.

LGBT students reported being verbally harassed, physically harassed, and physically assaulted at school because of their sexual orientation.

LGBT students reported being verbally harassed, physically harassed, and physically assaulted at school because of their gender expression.

31.8%

students have skipped classes or a whole day of school at least once in the last month due to harassment from other students because of their sexual orientation or gender expression SOURCES: National Surveys conducted by GLSEN bullyingstatistics.org wcadv.org pflagnyc.org

19 FOCUS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

JOSEPH DENNISON

People come out everyday, either to friends, family, or even themselves.

With each new person a new story arises, of struggles, of acceptance, or of both combined. With Joseph Dennison there is a little of both.

“When I first came out, I want to say it was my sophomore or junior year, to this friend of mine,” senior Joseph Dennison said.

Dennison first came out to a friend of his at lunch one day when they were talking about meeting the perfect somebody. Seeing it as a perfect opportunity, Joseph informed her that he was gay, whereupon she continued talking but replacing all the ‘hers’ with ‘hims’.

“Coming out to me wasn’t an all at once thing, for the longest time until freshman or sophomore year I thought I was asexual,” Dennison said.

Dislike of homosexuality never came up in Dennison’s life as he grew up, he never even knew that people had issues with it until he did research about sexuality.

“I actually came out to my family twice,” Dennison said. “I just said, ‘guys, I’m attracted to both guys and girls.’”

Dennison was somewhat scared of coming out because of all the horror stories he heard about teenagers getting kicked out of their homes.

He was especially scared because he had recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s, an inflammatory bowel disease.

“I didn’t know how I was going to take care of myself, and not Crohn’s to death,” Dennison said.

This is one of the main fears that Dennison had during the year between partly coming out and completely coming out to his family.

Dennison told his mom that he was gay and she calmly took him outside to ask him questions that in some circumstances might seem alarming, but are rather commonly asked to teenagers coming out. Such questions included if he was molested, which he was not; is he actually attracted to men, or just appreciating the masculine form.

“I had a girlfriend, from eighth grade to freshman year,” Dennison said.

“She’s a sweet girl, I love her to death.”

To Dennison, dating a girl was just going through the motions, doing what everyone else did: the spark was just never there for him.

“I did date for two weeks this guy over the summer. That was actually pretty good, he was really cute and stuff,” Dennison said.

Dennison has dated one guy, and talked to another, though neither worked out one had a much worst turnout than the other.

“I felt pretty sad for him. He’s not pursuing what he wants to do because institutions have kept him out,” Dennison said.

This boy and Dennison went out a few times before the boy told Dennison that he really did like him but that he wanted to focus on his religion, and not go against it.

Dennison brings about a good point that a lot of LGBTQ+ youth and adults feel very uncomfortable in public restrooms and locker rooms because of jokes made, or simply just feeling out of place.

“Honestly I try to avoid public restrooms (and locker rooms) as much as I can,” Dennison said. “There is just this sort of air of making a joke about gay people and how they aren’t as good, or they’re just these things that doesn’t really matter who or what they are but they’re just the butt of a joke.”

Though Dennison’s story is very atypical he still struggled through acceptance and how society views homosexuality. However he is fortunate to have many loving friends and a loving family who accept and love him no matter what.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE FOCUS 20

Written by Anna Myers - Photo by Julia Ngega

TIFFANY SMITH

Teenage years come with many struggles: increasing homework, college looming just around the corner, and most importantly: accepting oneself.

Senior, Tiffany Smith, knows this particular struggle first hand.

“For a long time, I thought there was something wrong with me. That something just went horribly wrong and I couldn’t be like anybody else,” Smith said.

When Smith was a young girl in kindergarten she began to notice that she did not find boys attractive. In fact, she had a crush on her kindergarten teacher.

“I would date dudes just to seem normal because that’s what everybody else around me was doing,” Smith said.

Smith accidently came out to her mom when she found a not that Smith had written to her first girlfriend. The letter was addressed to KW, so her mom scanned the yearbook looking for someone with those initials. In a school of only 350, only one name matched and it was a girl.

“I kept trying to convince her that KW was a dude and he had just moved there but she wouldn’t believe it,” Smith said. “I eventually gave in.

My mom was pretty awesome about it.”

Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, Smith was not exposed to the world of LGBTQ and knew little to nothing about it. In eighth grade she discovered she could be bisexual and date girls.

“I came here in 9th grade and I went along with the whole bi thing, but eventually I met lesbians, I met gay guys, and I met transgenders,” Smith said. “I was like, I don’t have to like dudes. That’s awesome because that was all I’d ever known.”

Smith has found Lee’s Summit to be very accepting, however, a history of bullying has left her wary.

“I’m pretty sacred to take PE classes, I make sure to look in my locker like it’s the most interesting thing in the world and never look at anyone else in the locker room,” Smith said.

This acceptance of herself did not come without its struggles.

“I struggled with why I was gay because I just couldn’t figure it out. I was trying to figure out more about whatever this was that I was and I saw the negative parts and I couldn’t find the positives,” Smith said.

Smith grew up in a nonreligious home but found her religion through a friend. In her eighth grade year, she came out to her pastor and asked if she would still be accepted into heaven. She was told to fight her attraction to women and that if she did not, she would go to Hell.

“So, I reread the Bible and found my own way of following,” Smith said.

“I am comfortable with my religion and I believe that Jesus will accept me when I do die.”

As a member of the AFJROTC, Smith plans to join public relations for the military and join the army reserves.

“I’ve heard a lot about women getting raped overseas while they’re serving and of course being gay does seem to make me more of a target and I am worried about that,” Smith said. “But I took the same oath they did and if they follow their core values the nothing should happen. It’s a risk I’m willing to take for my country.”

Smith has worked hard to accept herself and now works hard to help others do the same as the president of the Gay Straight Alliance.

“It’s a group that’s going to support whoever and we’re going to advocate for what we think is right,” Smith said.

Years of struggle have molded Smith into an iron willed young woman who refuses to let anything stand in her path.

Written by Wendy Hayworth - Photo by Julia Ngega

21 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, Sage YoungStreich, Summer Given, Taelor Oller, Tanner Schulenberg, Zach Boyle

Dear Hi+Life Readers,

As the tears rush down another’s face, the only thing people can see is pain. No one can really feel the pain that person is experiencing, or see the long nights spent stressing over a situation. Friends can try to understand and comprehend why our friends are fretting. But, they can’t really understand the hurt until they experience it ourselves.

A word most everyone has heard, but maybe not everyone has realized, has a dramatic impact on the world, is equality.

Equality is an easier concept said than done.

High school is a time where teens are supposed to discover themselves, and express the side of them that maybe they did not know existed until now. Often times though, this is not the case. People are ridiculed for being who they are, whether it is because they join a certain club, or hang out with a wider variety of friends.

Some students are feeling even some what exiled from the student body because of themselves, just because they have different beliefs or qualities.

Equality means equal, but it should mean to make people feel like they are equal to others, despite how different they may be.

Whether someone has a learning disability, a different hair color, or a different sexual orientation, they should all be treated with

the same kind of respect that we expect from our peers.

But again, respect is easier said then done. Few people actually give respect to everyone. Respect should be earned, but should also be given more times than not.

People today live in a world where people scowl at each other’s flaws instead of embracing our differences.

More often than not something stops people from reaching out and changing the path of disrespect and pushing away those who are in someway different. To receive equality, one must also give it. Equality is a two way street, it is something we might not be able to reach over night, but it is something people can definitely work towards and get as close as we can.

People have been battling this war of equality for centuries. When do we finally say, enough is enough, and take the step forward to actually make a difference?

With the new year comes new beginnings. Now is the time to make a change and make a difference in the lives of others.

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 22

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

School Shootings

Design: Anna Myers Photo: Carter Moore Story and Illistration: Sage Youngstreich

This piece is on school shootings and why they happen. School shootings are a societal problem stemming from preventable problems and ending in tragedy.

It begins with an ending: a shot heard in the distance.

Between the typical din of teachers lecturing and students rushing to their next class, a scream erupts and the place descends into chaos.

Students burrow into classrooms, locking doors and turning off lights. Helicopters from news channels show people emerging from the school, hands folded behind their heads. This is an occurrence all too familiar across the United States and across the world. This is a school shooting in action.

When these things happen, people tend to look for the answers, blaming mental illness and easy access to weapons.

There is a point to this. After all, the mental health system in the United States is in need of much reform and it’s nearly impossible to read an article about a mass shooting without coming across the words “gun control.” However, blaming everything that happens on mental illness increases the

stigma against actual people who are mentally ill. Attaching each crime to a mental illness is misguided, as the majority of crimes are committed by the legally sane. On the issue of gun control, there are those who want to protect their secondamendment rights and those who want guns banned from the United States, believing said ban would make the country a safer place. Still others believe that a compromise could be reached by giving background checks to potential gun buyers, checking for history of mental illness, instability, and violence, although this would not work as efficiently and smoothly as expected due to the fact that not all shooters display dangerous behaviors before shooting and most mentally ill people are not violent.

Another factor people look to when a school shooting occurs is bullying. Nearly every high school student has witnessed this ugly phenomenon – the glare in the hallway, the viral strain of

gossip worming its way through a classroom, the punch in the gut (whether physical, verbal, or emotional), which leaves a bruise that never seems to go away. Unfortunately, sometimes bullying goes so far that the victim will do anything to put a stop to it, leading to a desire for revenge.

Some people are skeptical of this aspect of school shootings.

They believe that a would-be shooter has a skewed sense of wrongs done to them, and there is a note of truth to this; not all school shooters were bullied and some have a record of being psychopaths; however, if people seek to prevent future school shootings then they will have to understand that a great deal of compassion is required. People will have to do more than just

talking about being anti-bullying and pro-mental wellness; they will have to put these principles into daily life. The general population must be done with hoping that these events are over and gone from society; people must be proactive about lending a helping hand to someone who needs it today and before it is too late.

In another few months, weeks, or even days, it will begin again in another place in America with another ending: another shot heard in the distance.

This unfortunate situation will continue to occur until society is clear-headed, compassionate, and brave enough to put a stop to it. Until it does, people will lose more lives, waste more anger, and shed more tears.

12/14/12 Adam Lanza: Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 young children were shot and killed.

4/16/07 Seung-Hui Cho: Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. 32 killed, 17 wounded. Deadliest shooting in US history by a single gunman.

4/20/99 Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold: Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. 15 people died, 24 were injured 3/21/05 Jeff Weise: Red Lake Senior High School, Minnesota.

Seven people killed total, Five of which were students.

23 VOICE HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Angela Lenhardt

Duck Drama A&E hit T.V show Duck Dynasty has captured the hearts of millions of people across America. The Robertson’s are so popular that their Christmas special was the most watched episode in A&E history. With the rising popularity also comes rising controversy with the Robertson’s faith and how they always pray at the dinner table at the end of every episode. When Phil Robertson was asked what he thought was sinful, he responded in accordance with his faith and said gay marriage. Many people found offence to this and said he was being hateful and then was suspended from the show.

There are many shows that show support for the gay community and have homosexual characters like The New Normal and Modern Family. There also shows that mock conservative Christians like the Robertson’s like Saturday Night Live and Family Guy. These shows have every right to express their opinion freely, but so does Duck Dynasty. The Robertson’s do not wish to offend anybody as they also believe in the bible verse love thy neighbor. This is what Phil had to say “My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.” said Phil Robertson.

People have a right to their opinion and should not be condemned for it. Luckily A&E let Phil back on the show and hopefully the will continue to allow the Robertson’s express their faith freely as many other shows do. Gay marriage has become a very controversial subject and is almost impossible to bring up without offending everybody.

One subject that deals with marriage that isn’t controversial is divorce. Half of marriages end in divorce. Phil and Kay Robertson have been married for a remarkable 47 years. Maybe the thing that has made their marriage last so long is the same thing that is raising so much controversy with their family right now. Marriage has been referred to a three strand rope representing husband and wife and God a rope with two strands the rope may break but the third strand can keep it together.” People may try to convince man, courts, legislatures, that gay marriage is acceptable in today’s society but good luck convincing the third strand. In the same way God will also never be convinced not to love all of us and that we should not treat everyone with the same respect.

Designed by: Megan Terry Photos by Carter Moore JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE VOICE 24

Bre Porter

Supreme Court Always Rules In America, there are only 18 states that gay couples can get married legally. In some parts of the world, being gay is punishable by death.

Both arguments are understandable. On one hand homosexuality is an ‘abominable’ sin’ according to The Bible. On another hand, gay people aren’t bothering anyone by just being married, so what is the big deal, right?

Let’s look at the opposing side first. Some things that have been said are, like that being gay is not natural, it’s against God’s will, and it is does affect more than just the two in the relationship. Technically, being gay is not natural. God put us on the Earth to reproduce, which is why he made women and men. Men and men cannot reproduce anymore than women and women can. Hormones also come into play.

Women are naturally emotional creatures, and men are naturally sexual creatures. This is nothing more than a fact, and the effect of women containing estrogen and men containing testosterone. Women and men also have specific roles they are supposed to play, in a home. Women are supposed to manage the household, like cook, clean, and cater according to The Bible. Men are supposed to do the manual labor, i.e. shovel snow, or go check outside when they hear a noise. When two men raise a daughter, no one can give her the maternal skills she needs, and vice versa with two women raising a son. The Bible also states that homosexuality is an ‘abominable sin’. Yes, no sin is greater than another.

Yes, God loves all his children. But, asking God for forgiveness for a sin you have committed, then going back and doing what you just asked for forgiveness in does not make it okay. It defeats the whole purpose, really. Again, this is what they think, but its still not okay from them to treat gays the way they do.

Now for the allied sources. Gay people get tortured, teased, and taunted for their lifestyle. They cannot even go in public with their significant other, without getting dirty looks and sly comments, let alone talk about their partner amongst their peers. Gay teens kill themselves so quick, because everything they do is frowned upon, which would be hard on anybody. If gay people want to get married, so what. No one else would be in that relationship. Let them have some type of serenity, or something to look forward to as they get older.

The laws of the world tell us what goes to the sky and what falls.

Being judgmental and having an opinion are two different things.

Being judgmental means telling someone that they are in the wrong and just condemning their every move. Opinions are silent. There is a fine, fine line between the two, but it is hard to say. Is the government judgmental, or just opinionated? Either way, people could be way nicer to the gay community than they are. You do not have to agree with their lifestyle, but still respect them as people.

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25 AD HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Written by Morgan Jenkins Photos by Taelor Oller Design by Annelise Hanshaw

Characters in the Crowd »Everyone has a story. Just listen.

Mary Jane Stiens

Zach McCarty

A song that changed my life would be “Save the World” by Swedish House Mafia. Once I heard it, I just kind of fell in love with it. I always listen to it, all the time.

What is one of your favorite lines from the song?

I believe it is something along the lines of, “We’re far from home It’s for the better What we dream is all that matters.”

A book that changed my life is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. The novel made me realize how tough women in other nations can have it. [From the book] I grasped how lucky I was, how fortunate I was to be able to marry and have a family while also maintaining a career outside of being a mother.

My husband passed away, but I realized that even if he is gone I can still go out, get a job, and support myself.

Allison Donahay The book that changed my life is Of Mice and Men by John Stienbeck. The novel affected how I came to understand books or understand them more deeply and more complexly as I got older and had increased experiences with life. I additionally feel it taught me a lot about friendship. The complexities of morality, that things are not always just black and white as we sometimes see them.

Is there anything specifically from the book that you can draw on and apply to your life? Are there any of the characters that you specifically resonate with?

I think the decision that George had to make with Lenny resonates with me, not necessarily because of the specifics of the situation, but the idea that when you love someone, or when you have a friendship/relationship with someone, sometimes you have to make really hard choices. What is on the outside and would seem like the best choice is not always the right decision and that choice is something you have to decide for yourself; something you have to look at.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE TRENDS 26

Josh Sidwell A book that has changed my life…I would have to say a lot of the ones we read in English, really. The novel that comes to mind is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. [The book] gives the reader a huge sense of how horrible the racism was in the past, and really brings to light what people had to deal with. I did not realize how individuals struggled. I knew it was bad, but the book just helps you understand further.

Have you had any experiences of the book in your life?

Not personally. I have seen some racism happen but not to the book’s extent. Everywhere you go there are going to be some people that are racist.

Who is your favorite character? Who did you resonate the most with?

I would say Boo Radley. He was the guy in the background, but at the end he saved them [Jem and Scout] when they were in trouble. Boo Radley went against the racism.

Wayne Jordan

I was in eighth grade watching TV and eating some popcorn when my sister busted through the door crying.

She told me she had lost the family van. It was a very inexpensive van, old, from 1993. Green. She told me it broke down; then, she just got out and walked home.

So we spent three hours trying to find the van…we never found the van.

What was it like searching for the van for three hours?

My family and I just went up and down the interstate. We knew its color and that’s about it. I could not remember the license plate number, my sister could not remember the license plate number, my mom could not remember the license plate number…We actually did see a green van, so we put the key in the door, but it did not work.

How did you feel towards your sister after this?

I thought she was really stupid, especially because my mom was dating a mechanic. She could have just called somebody. Now whenever I take a drive, I make sure people know where I am going. If something ever happens, I know I can just call somebody like the insurance company. Just do the right thing.

I have never once asked her for advice since that day.

Madison Pugh

One book would be, It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.

[The character] feels depressed and he becomes depressed because he attends a very prestigious school. Everyone is better than him, he has a lot of work to do, and then he does not do it. That is the way I am. I can become really stressed and just shut down. The main character pushes through, though, and it is okay.

I also love concerts. I usually hate people surrounding me, but concerts are okay. I think this is mostly because you are witnessing people you love, doing what they love. It is a positive atmosphere. For example, I had the chance to meet Matty from the 1975 and Harry from One Direction. If you love someone’s music, meeting the musician strengths that bond. You have a connection with artists, even though you do not know them and they do not know you.

What are some other concerts you have been to or are going to?

I went to see One Direction twice and I am going to see Miley Cyrus and One Direction again, as well as to Buzz Under the Stars. I also go to many smaller concerts because my dad is in a band.

What is it like having a dad who is in a band?

It is okay. Most of the time they perform in bars or at small venues so the age is over 21. I went to one [performance] last May, though. It was cool because my dad plays guitar and he is really talented.

27 TRENDS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

‘13 RECAP

January 20:

Barack Obama begins 2nd term -OBAMA 332 ROMNEY 206

As the new year begins, people

begin to forget what happened in the previous year. Here are a few bits and pieces to show what happened in the amazing year of 2013.

February 26

Pope Benedict resigned

-He felt he was no longer suited.

April 16:

Bomb goes off at Boston Marathon -3 killed, 264 injured

May 20:

Tornado hits Moore, OK -EF 5, 24 fatalities

June 28:

California legalizes same sex marriage -same laws as heterosexual couples.

August 29:

Fergie gives birth to baby boy -named him Axl Jack.

September 9-16:

Flooding in Colorado

-Produced a year’s worth of rain.

October 1:

Government shuts down

- in effect Oct. 1st-16th

November 30:

Paul Walker died

-car accident in Valencia, CA. Written by Sydnee Pointer & Jessica Brammer Photos by Nick Gardner Design by Cara McCauley

December 4:

Nelson Mandela died

-died from respiratory infection JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE TRENDS 28

IN A WRAP

Sounds of The Soul

Story by Tanner Schulenberg, Photos by Julia Ngega

Music can move people in so many ways, though not everyone realizes it. A soft melody can calm a persons nerves, while a hard rock song makes another feel energetic and wild. Jazz Band gives musicians an opportunity to express themselves through music and move people in any way they want to.

“I wanted to join jazz band because the people before me inspired me to join,” senior Ethan Henson said. “I remember being in middle school and watching them preform and thinking that I would really enjoy playing in the band.”

Joining Jazz Band allows students to decide what kind of music they want to express themselves with. They can use their music to connect with other students and to communicate their feelings through their music.

“I really enjoy the ability to express your self in your music. It’s not as strict as other forms of music. You don’t have to always read off of a page, you can let the music flow however you feel like it should,” Henson said.

Getting your music to reach out towards people takes a lot of practice.

The members of Jazz band meet often to get as much practice as possible so they can make sure that they are all on the same page and able to flow together seamlessly.

“We usually start off with a warm up, which takes about five minutes. After that we all look at the music we have, and take it apart piece by piece. We then practice as a whole and just keep working until we get it exactly how we want it,” Henson said.

It is apparent why Jazz is known as soul music, because people interpret the music differently than anyone else. The musicians can make the music have any type of message they want, and use it to show what feelings or emotions they are having.

Shown above: Curtis Maxon has been with Jazz Band since his freshmen year and is still playing it strong. Over the years, Jazz Band has grown from a small group to a large ensamble. Here the band is shown rehearsing. “I really enjoy the ability to express your self in your music. It’s not as strict as other forms of music. You don’t have to always read off of a page, you can let the music flow however you feel like it should,” Henson said. Photos by Julia Ngega.

29 TRENDS HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Casey Slaughter

Slaughter poses with what he gains most of his pride and success with, the beloved football.

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very football team is nothing without its running back. It is now time to return the favor and recognize the backbone of our Varsity football Team, Casey Slaughter.

At a height of 5’2’’ and weight of 225 lbs, Casey Slaughter has been one of the most important players on the Varsity Football team since his freshmen year.

“Playing football makes me feel happy, like I have a purpose,” Slaughter said.

The Varsity football team is like one big family, they all stick together and protect each other on and off the field. This football team gives every guy a feeling of importance and dedication. Links are the traditional chain all the football players carry, and they link up to give to the coach when it is game time. The chain represents one team, one family, one love. The football team is a home outside of home for each player and reminds some players to never forget where they came from, and to always remember where it all started.

“No one will deny me, no one will define me and my football link in the middle,” is the tattoo on Slaughter’s chest. Slaughter has a tattoo that will be with him always and forever.

“I got this tattoo because it’s in memory of my team, somewhere where I can always remember where I come from, and I can always keep the link even after high school,” Slaughter said.

In the hollywood world, football players come off as very cocky and rude, the toughest guys around. Tough does not necessarily mean being a huge bully who takes people’s lunch money; it can be meant as a strong person who has overcome many obstacles to become who they are today, someone who never gives up, no matter what the circumstances are.

“If I could describe myself in one word, it would be ‘tough,’ just from the adversity that I’ve been through to get to where I am today,” Slaughter said.

Everything happens for a reason so that people can learn and grow from it. Keeping one’s head up and trying hard will always be worth it in the end.

“Senior year I ran 1200 yards, junior year I ran 1356, so I feel very accomplished,” Casey said.

“I am very excited about graduation, this is my year. 2014 baby!”

Slaughter said.

“After High school I hope to go to College; right now I’m in the recruiting process so far for Missouri West, Washburn, and Central Methodist,” Slaughter said.

What does not kill you makes you stronger. It is all about time and dedication given to a specific dream, goal, and passion.

JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE PLAY 30

Story by Essence Vertreese. Photos by Aaron Lapaz. Page Design by Grace Rogers.

New Coach in Town Blake Little leads the basketball team to victory as the new coach.

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he coach steps across the floor of a court he already knows so well as the crowd stands unsure of what he will bring. He simply stands and analyzes the game as everything else fades away. The only thing that matters is the time between now and the buzzer.

“He [Coach Little] is very in-sync; he’s like a player,” senior Jonathan Gilkey said. “He’s a kid at heart.”

In April, our basketball program made a major change. Blake Little was added as the head coach for the varsity players. While an adjustment like this may be hard to make, our team has shown that Coach Little is a welcomed addition.

“We’ve been building our relationship since April through camps, conditioning and open gym,” varsity coach Blake Little said. “I think our relationship is strong.”

The players have had over nine months to learn with Coach Little.

In that time, he has proven to be someone to look up to through exceptional character. These qualities have been a great asset to the team.

“He has trust in us. He’s pretty chill and respectful,” sophomore Marquawn Wilson said. “He’ll always be honest with you.”

Little shows self-control and does not let his emotions get out of hand, despite his obsession with the game.

He wants his image to send a positive message to the players and those in the stands.

“I try to keep my composure to show my kids I have confidence in them. I am very passionate and

certainly a bit obsessive,” Little said.

“Hopefully I am seen as confident in my players.”

The players have been given more than confidence. Coach Little gives them wisdom with every half-time speech.

“He uses the quote ‘the next play.’

It means to not worry about the mistake you just made and think about the next play,” Gilkey said.

“As a coach, you always look at people you want to emulate.”

This kind of coaching will ideally give the players something to carry on in the future. Little looks to his old coaches for inspiration, and they have assisted in his development as a coach. Some of these influences have been Glen McDonald, Keith Miller, Michael Schieber, and Kevin Harrison.

Story and Photos by Annelise Hanshaw. Page Design by Grace Rogers.

“As a coach, you always look at people you want to emulate. The first coach I played for is Glen McDonald,” Little said. “They have been influential to me and helped me get to where I am.”

Little was at one point a basketball player in the very building he coaches in now. He knows how it feels to be in the players’ shoes.

“I graduated from LSHS in 1998. I played on the basketball team here,” Little said.

Coach Little’s connection to basketball and desire to educate lead him to his perfect position here. His wife is a counselor at the school, and many other people in his life are involved in teaching.

“I come from a family of educators,” Little said. “Teaching was something I always wanted to do.”

The change for the school is only natural for our new coach. Basketball at his alma mater is just the right fit for him.

31 PLAY HI+LIFE JLABMAG.COM

Scoring the Olympics 2014 Winter Olympics at SOCHI

The torch relay began October 7, 2013, and it will arrive in Sochi on Feburary 7, 2014.

65,000 kilometers 14,000 torchbearers 2,900 towns and cities 83 regions and 123 days

Sochi

Sochi is considered to be the longest city in Europe

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12 &15 104

3 official mascots: polar bear hare snow leapord

new events

cities bid to host the Winter Olympics

sports

50째 F avg

By Sydnee Pointer JLABMAG.COM HI+LIFE PLAY 32

medals won at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Sources: SlideShare and CNN