May 2017 by Lee's Summit HS Hi-Life Magazine

heALTHY LIVING

TIPS AND TRIPS FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

EDITORS' NOTES MADELINE ANTEY I have been on staff since freshman year. When I am not sequestered to the lab, which I am most of the time, I enjoy going to concerts and reading. Inside the lab, I am known for being very loud and opinionated. I am involved in Youth and Government, and in the future I hope to become a press lawyer.

JOHANNA HOLMBERG

MOLLY GOETZ

I have been on staff for three years. I joined because I have a passion for photography, and I have discovered a passion for design as well. I am also involved in theatre, NHS, and church. I have realized how much work really goes into a publication, so I hope people enjoy reading this issue as much as enjoyed putting it together.

I am a junior and have been on staff for three years. Besides being part of the Hi-Life family, I been in theatre since age eight, and am loving it. I love history and plan to go on to teach it in the future. I am looking forward to developing and advancing my role on staff next year, and I know that it will be a fantastic year.

ELIZABETH MARSZALEK I am involved in art! I love watercolor and ink, and am enrolled in IB Art. Portraits are the easiest for me to draw something about the diversity of people’s faces really draws me in. I love to plant things, and one of my goals is to create a vegetable garden in my backyard! Succulents are also super fun, and I have about 8 of them on my desk at home.

SIERRA TERRY My name is Sierra Terry and I play cello in the symphony orchestra. I enjoy biking, running, and reading books. My favorite subject is science and I enjoy being in a lab setting. I plan on going to college to major in something science related, and minor in a language. I have beenon staff for three years and enjoy page designing.

DAVID PERKINS Hi! Other then being a world-renounced photographer I spend my time running and singing. I’m part of the Cross Country and track team and because of running I no longer look like a beach whale that’s come off shore. When I am not taking photos or putting my self through physical and mental pain via running I sing in the choir. Not much to say there I sing and it is fun. So yeah that is me; David Perkins. *Some bits of information may have been exaggerated for humor.

CONTENTS

VISIT US

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ON THE COVER

PHOTO BY JOHANNA HOLMBERG: HEART HEALTH

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NEWS Mackenzie Gettle and Erica Milligan prepare to step in the role of student council President and VP.

OPINIONS Should graffiti be considered among traditional art.

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FEATURES A-Z bucket list to do this summer.

SPORTS Girls soccer goes all out, dressed in purple playing for a cause.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE TO LIVE BY?

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ADVISER Marc Russell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Carter Moore WEB EDITOR Garrett Stroginis “It is required by law.” -Marc Russell

FEAUTURE EDITORS Cori Matney Johanna Holmberg Makenzie Kraxberger

“Seize the day.” - Molly Goetz

PHOTO EDITOR Julia Ngega OPINIONS EDITOR Madeline Antey COPY EDITORS Molly Goetz Angela Lenhardt MEDIA MANAGER Mathewos Keller “When life gives you lemons, make orange juice.” -Unknown

ADS MANAGER Abby Ault

“I’m on a pole” - David Perkins

REPORTERS Sara Alley, Yonny Astatke, Audrey Badgerow, Ariel Benedict, Kaylee Blair, Ignacio Cabero, Nora Carrell, Keyara Conn, Clayton Couch, Gabrielle Cunningham, Izzy DeMarco,Aspen DePeralta, De’yhon Doughty, Britten Duet, Zack Easley, Kennady Elliot,Anna Erich, Christina Felix, Maggie Gadd, Charde’ Gahagans, Payton Gale, Cami Hager, Renee Haskell, Tommy Hicks, Makayla Holmberg, Mallory Huser, Emma Jenkins, Jada Johnson, Lauren Kroh, Brittany LeJune, Jonathan Marszalek, Mason Mackey, Da’Qoun McGee, Hunter Montgomery, Makenna Nickens, Ariana Pelzer, David Perkins, Mallory Rajer, Brooke Renfro, Samantha Schierholz, Savannah Setley, Mike Smith, Chris Teeter, Sierra Terry, Parker Tozier, Jordan Turner, Anthony Villarreal, Claire Wagner, Sydney Weyrauch, Tyler Williams, Jessica Winkler

what we think T

ick tock, tick tock, time ticks away as she works her 8 hour shift. She is exhausted. When she was hired she was told that she would have a break every shift, but she has yet to have her’s today. Contrary to what most students might believe, Missouri actually does not require a break for workers. According to division of labor, Missouri law does not require that workers have a break or a lunch. It is left up to employers. Because of state laws some students are working jobs where they get no break. “My work doesn’t give breaks which isn’t that big of a deal because my job is very physical and I feel like if I stopped, I wouldn’t be able to get right back into doing what I was doing,” gallery employee Aly Alvarado said. Some shifts can even go up to 10 hours non stop. “I have worked a minimum of about 3 hours and the longest shift I have worked was probably around ten hours,” Alvarado said. Alvarado’s shift’s can be stressful at times. “At the Gallery I clean and assist painting parties. I also run back and forth a lot. My job is very physical and loud,” Alvarado said. Sometimes she wishes that she had a break. “It all depends on how I feel. I have scoliosis, so some days my back hurts more than others. On the bad days, sometimes I wish I had one,” Alvarado said. Even though breaks are not required by law, jobs that promise them when hired do not always stick to it. “When I was first hired I was told I would get a break every 4 hours, but the longer I worked there, the less that actually happened,” McDonald’s employee Lane Slavens said. Sometimes breaks are late, or there are not any at all. “Most of the time they were late, sometimes I didn’t get one at all. A couple times they gave me a free meal, but most the time I just had to deal with it,” Slavens said. Break times may not be consistent. “Sometimes I would get my break within the first hour of working and then have to work the rest of my shift without one, and sometimes I would get one at the very end and only have 20 minutes left when I got back,” Slavens said. Students can not work over 40 hours a week. State law is that a child worker can not work more than 6 days a week or over 40 hours. She is extremely tired by the time she gets off work, but the law says that she does not need a break even though she is exhausted.

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LOUD

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VIBRATIONS CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE FLOOR AS THE DRUMLINE AND DRUM SOLOISTS BEAT OUT A LOUD RYTHYM

he loud reverb of a drum echoes all the way to the back row of the PAC. On April 28th and April 29th, the LSHS drumline had their LOUD drum show. LOUD features a repertoire comprised of pop tunes played on xylophones and marimbas performed by the drumline. There are also percussion soloists that perform. Smaller percussion ensembles performed. The group also performed their piece for their contest season. This show is surely unique and beyond the norm of a group like drumline. “We get our music a month or two in advance and we practice it from there on,” junior Ryan Strickland said. Strickland had a drum solo. He performed an entire drum solo with his eyes blindfolded. He describes how he learned how to drum blindfolded. “Funny story about that. I hurt my eye and I covered it but I wanted to play drums. I wanted to try it blindfolded and then I just did it,” Strickland said. Strickland said that his favorite part about LOUD is watching everyone’s expressions while the group performs and his favorite songs from the show were the Fresh

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Prince of Bel-Air and Black Beatles. While upperclassmen like Stickland are near the end of their high school drumline careers, there are some new faces excited to keep the tradition alive. “It was very fun. It was basically a huge party with all my friends and I’m glad that I get to do it for another three years,” freshman Landon Mackey said. Mackey said that his favorite part of LOUD was watching the soloists and seeing all of his senior friends perform for one last time. His favorite song from the show was My Type. Written by: YONNY ASTAKE Photographed by: YONNY ASTAKE Designed by: ELIZABETH MARSZALEK

+F E A T U R E CUTLINE | TOP: Joey Jacobi jams out on the cowbell. BOTTOM RIGHT: Members of drumline rehearse songs for the show. BOTTOM LEFT: Ryan Strickland performs a blindfolded drumsolo. CIRCLE: Drumline rocks their drum cadences in front of the golden lights.

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LEAVING A LASTING

FEATURE

LEGACY

Gettel and Milligan named Senate President and VP

his year the Courtwarming theme was ‘A Night Under the Stars’, walking into the fieldhouse lobby, dancers were greeted with silver streamers that lead to the lobby. This is one of the many events Student Senate is in charge of. During the election there were high tensions amongst the competitors. Walking down hallways students saw posters hanging on every wall. In the morning sometimes

there would be one of the campaigners handing out everything from stickers to donuts. “During election week it was terrible and stressful. You found out things you didn’t know about yourself because everyone was talking. When I found out that Mackenzie and I won, I was driving around in my car waiting for the email from Sydney Belt that said congratulations,” 201718 student senate vice president Erica Milligan said.

Gettel and Milligan already have their plans for the next year. One plan already being implemented right after the election. “Inside Senate we are creating 7 positions in leadership for events like the Polar Plunge and Dances. Next, we would like to start a dance committee that 9-12 grades are involved in to help pick the themes, DJ, and coordinate the dance. One of our fundraising ideas is holding a book drive at the school, that will be then distributed to elementary schools. We also want to have Senate leaders read to the kids,” Gettel said. Going into the next school year, Gettel and Milligan are prepared for anything that may come their way. Written by LAUREN KROH Photos Courtesy of MAKENZIE GETTLE Designed by AUDREY BADGEROW

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AU REVOIR Foreign exchange students prepare for their return home 1. IGNACIO ORTIZ- SÁNCHEZ- SPAIN HL: What is your favorite part about the school or Lee’s Summit? IOS: What I like the most is the sports and the school festivities that they gave to us because they did not have that kind of stuff in my country because the schools are small. HL: What was your least favorite part? IOS: My first days at the school because the school was too big for me and I kept getting lost. HL: What will you miss most of all? IOS: I am going to miss how Americans are and the sports that are at this school. HL: What is your most memorable moment from the school year? IOS: I will remember the assemblies. HL: If you ever got the chance, would you come back?

2. MICHELLE RUPRECHTGERMANY HL: What is your favorite part about the school or Lee’s Summit? MR: I really like the people here and the classes. HL: What was your least favorite part? MR: The food in the cafeteria. HL: What will you miss most of all? MR: I will miss my friends here. HL: What is your most memorable moment from the school year? MR: I will remember prom, courtwarming, and homecoming. HL: If you ever got the chance, would you come back? MR: Yes, definitely.

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3. BENCHAYA “PLEARN” ANANTANANONT- THAILAND HL: What is your favorite part about the school or Lee’s Summit? PA: I like the school because there is a good environment here and I have good friends. There is also good spirit. HL: What will you miss most of all? PA: I am going to miss friends and teachers. HL: What is your most memorable moment from the school year? PA: I will miss the american football games and basketball games. HL: If you ever got the chance, would you come back? PA: For sure. Written By: JESSICA WINKLER Photographed By: NORA CARRELL Designed By: JESSICA WINKLER

LIVELY AT STA | The foreign exchange students enjoy a day at Summit Technology Academy. “ I really appreciate the students coming and sharing their world with us,” foreign exchange coordinator Pam Lantz.

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4. PENNY TEACHNUNTRA- THAILAND HL: What is your favorite part about the school or Lee’s Summit? PT: My favorite part is that it is close to the city. HL: What was your least favorite part? PT: My least favorite thing is the school food. HL: What will you miss most of all? PT: I am going to miss my friends here and the teachers because they are all nice HL: What is your most memorable moment from the school year? PT: I liked the assemblies. HL: If you ever got the chance, would you come back? PT: Yes.

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YOUR SUMMER ABC’S

AMUSEMENT PARK Everyone loves Worlds of Fun, but with two new rides in the mix, Worlds of Fun is a given this summer.

WHAT TO DO THIS SUMMER BARBEQUE KC is known for its delicious barbeque, but one of KC’s best is Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque.

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COLOR RUN The Color Run is a fun filled 5k that comes through KC every summer.

EATING CONTEST

FRUIT PICKING

An eating contest is the right choice this summer. Habaneros holds a burrito eating contest every summer.

Fruit picking is a fun summer activity. The Berry Patch is a farm here in KC where the public can pick their own blueberries.

DRIVE-IN MOVIE Drive-In movies are a great idea for summer nights. The B&B Twin Drive-In is one of the many places to go in KC.

GOLF Whether it be mini golf or regular golf, this is a great way to get outdoors and have some fun with friends.

HIKING

ICE CREAM

JAMMIN’ MUSIC

It is no surprise that hiking can make for a happier and healthier life. There is no doubt that this is a great summer activity.

Ice cream is always perfect to have on summer days. A great gourmet ice cream shop here in Lee’s Summit is the Marble Slab.

Concerts are a great way to hang out with friends. The Moose is a local band from here at LSHS that has rockin’ gigs to check out.

KAYAKING

LIBRARY

MUSEUM

Kayaking can be a fun and different sport to try. There are many beautiful lakes to go kayaking.

Do not be stuck on electronics all summer, go out to a library and find a good book to read.

The options for museums are endless, but a must see this summer is the National WW1 Museum and Memorial in KC.

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NIGHTTIME CAMPING

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PICNIC

OUTDOOR FESTIVALS

Eating sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores, telling scary stories, and warming up by the campfire. Camping is the perfect way to spend summer nights.

Outdoor festivals are inexpensive fun ways to hang out with friends and experience something new, KC has plenty of festivals to pick from.

QUIET TIME

ROAD TRIP

Having quiet time during a busy summer is very important, whether it be taking a walk, having a spa day, or riding a bike.

Picnicking can be a great inexpensive activity to do during the summer with friends or family.

SWIMMING Swimming seems like the obvious thing to do in the summer, but it really is the perfect activity to cool off when the weather turns hot.

It does not matter if the road trip is an hour or ten hours, this is a great way to spend the summer.

THEATRE

UNION STATION

Whether being involved or sitting in the audience, theatre always ends up being an experience for the books.

Science City, Pompeii exhibition, Regnier extreme screen theatre, the activities at Union Station are endless.

VOLUNTEER Volunteering is an amazing way to spend time this summer. Great Plains SPCA is a dog shelter in Independence, and is a great place to volunteer.

WESTPORT

X-PLORE

Westport is the perfect place to have a fun day with friends, there are places to eat and shops to look around.

Exploring is a unique way to spend summer days, find a cool path or a new part of town and go explore.

YOGA

ZOO

Yoga is not only good for the body but for the mind too, adding this to a summer routine could really enhance the summer.

The KC Zoo is an obvious must do this summer, nothing is better than walking through the different countries looking a amazing animals.

Written by ARIANA PELZER Photographed by MAKAYLA HOLMBERG Designed by MAGGIE GADD

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SUMMER & CHILL MOVIES YOU NEED TO SEE OVER THE SUMMER

A Ghost Story (July 7, 2017):

According to IMDb, a husband dies, he returns as a generic whitesheeted ghost and attempts to comfort his grieving wife. However, he soon realizes he is unstuck in time and finds himself jumping to different time periods at random. Unanchored, the ghost goes on a cosmic journey through time and through his own memory to answer life’s unanswered questions. The film stars Casey Affleck as the ghost and Rooney Mara as the ghost’s wife.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 5, 2017):

According to IMDb, Peter Parker returns to Queens after the events of “Captain America: Civil War” under the mentorship of Tony Stark with some new gadgets to fight crime. All is well until a villain gets his hands on a mechanical suit with wings, causing mass chaos over Queens under the name of “The Vulture.” Spiderman teams up with Iron Man to take out this threat while balancing his highschool life. The film stars Tom Holland as Spiderman, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, and Michael Keaton as The Vulture.

Wish Upon (July 13, 2017):

1) Wish Upon 2) A Ghost Story 3) Spider-Man: Homecoming 4) The Mummy

3 Written by TOMMY HICKS Photos Courtesy of AP IMAGES Designed by MADELINE ANTEY

According to IMDb, a girl named Claire attains a supposedly magical music box, that grants the owner 7 wishes from her father, Jonathan Shannon. She soon discovers it works and improves her life until she realizes her close ones are dying from ultra-violent unnatural accidents. The film stars Joey King as Claire and Ryan Phillippe as Jonathan Shannon. Wonder Woman (June 2, 2017): According to IMDb, Wonder Woman’s film is an adapted origin story about how she leaves her hidden island Themyscira, a land full of amazonian warriors, after she discovers her powers, to help an american fighter pilot battle in WWI. The film stars Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman and Chris Pine as Steve Trevor the american fighter pilot.

The Mummy (June 9, 2017):

According to IMDb, one of the most classic Universal Studios’ monsters gets rebooted to be the start of Universal’s shared monster universe. An expedition unearths the tomb of the ancient pharaoh Ahmanet . However removing Ahmanet from her resting place has brought her back to life. As she wreaks havoc on our earth, lead archeologist Tyler Colt must put an end to her destruction. The film stars Sofia Boutella as the Mummy, Tom Cruise as Tyler Colt,

and Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll.

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FINALS PREP

Easy tricks to prepare students for their finals

lot of people are stressing about finals. Finals can be really stressful. There are somethings that could be done to help prep for the finals. Some of the teachers here have given some advice to help all prep for the finals. Finals are ten percent of the grades so it could slightly affect your grade. “ Having a good breakfast in the morning always help.” Kelsey Park Biology Teacher and Breakfast is one of the biggest meal of the day, most of us know that but never have breakfast. Having breakfast makes the brain start to go in the mornings. “ Taking a thirty or an hour to study a night or every other night is another good idea to do,” Park said. Most people do not take the time to study for this

kind of things. Finals are what you learned from the whole semester. Keeping all your notes from each unit you learn is important, so that way you can go back and study them if you need. “Getting a good rest every night helps as well.” said Park. Getting sleep helps keep you focused and awake to stay ready for class, getting ready for the finals. Paying attention in class is very important when it comes to finals, well paying attention in class all the time is important. “Staying calm and focused is something that is important so you do not over-stress yourself ” Ryan Peters English teacher said. Being stressed about finals is understandable, but it is not good. If you study enough and stay focused on finals it should be okay. “Begin by making yourself

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a calendar outlining a daily schedule of topics for review,” Peters said. Do not cram all of the review all in one night the night before because it is not gonna help. “Making flashcards is a really helpful technique for studying. By writing down the information from your

FEATURE

outline, you are already doing half the studying. Once the flashcards are complete, you will have a portable study packet to look over.” said Peters Cover a small amount of material for each class each day. Every time you complete a topic, give yourself a mini review.

Cramming all of the information you study the night before is not a good idea. Take at least thirty minutes to review. Ask a parent or a friend, to help study a few times during the week. Written by KAYARA COHN Photographed by MALLOY RAJER Designed by SIERRA TERRY

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SPRINGING UP | Carrots come into season late spring and early

fall. A lot of produce will soon become avaliable as the season continues. Planting your own crops is easy to do, “You dig a hole and it takes off on its own,” Jeff Shepeherd said.

COMMUNITY MATTERS | Local farmers and buisness owners value quality.

“Comining to the farmers market is all about producing the best possible product to put into the community,” Jim Zumalt said.

INTOLERENCE-PROOF | Locals work hard to provide for those with

special dietary needs. Many take from personal reasons, “I thought other people in the community might have the same thing my sister has,” Maggie Ross said.

HEALTHY LIVING

Leading a healthy lifestyle is an important aspect of having a successful life, but it can be challenging tying to maintain such with a full schedule. In the following pages, tips and tricks will be provided to help one to attain this.

ttempting to maintain a balanced lifestyle while juggling the busy schedule of an involved high schooler takes a lot of energy, but not many students know that there is a great energy source less than 2 miles from the school. “The Lee’s Summit farmers market is a great place to come for community and locally grown produce,” Butterfly Fields farmer Terry Shepherd said. Terry and her husband Jeff have been coming to the farmers market for over 10 years. “Purchasing produce from the farmers market helps the consumer know exactly where their food comes from. Having a personal relationship with the farmer that grows your food is a great advantage when it comes to having specific eating preferences,” Jeff Shepherd said. Jim Zumalt, nine year farmers market participant, appreciates another aspect of the benefits of eating local.

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“It supports the local economy. When you buy food from Walmart or any large chain grocery store, the impact on the local economy is significantly less,” Zumalt said. Eating food grown locally is better for the body as well. “The closer the food is grown to where it is consumed, the more nutritious it is. Vegetables start losing nutrients as soon as they are picked,” Wolf Creek Family Farm farmer Karin Valez said. This can be further explained with science. “For example, broccoli has a half life of 24 hours. That means 24 hours after being harvested, the broccoli loses half of its nutritional value,” Valez said. Moon Harvest Produce farmer, Steve Halloran wants his food to taste as delectable as possible when the consumer eats it. “The produce always tastes better when it is picked to eat,” Halloran said. Where each farmer has one reason or another for attending the farmers market, 17

year-old Maggie Ross has a unique reason. “My sister had an insulin resistance that made bread hard for her to digest, so I founded The Red Hen when I was 12 using my mother’s recipe for the special bread my sister had to eat because I thought others in the community would appreciate an alternative option to regular store bought bread,” Ross said. There is one collective reason why the farmers continue to participate in the farmers market year after year, and that is the people. “I feel like each farmer that comes here wants to build a relationship with the consumers. We remember people’s names, faces, and even their pets. Everything we do, we do for the customers,” Jeff Shepherd said. The farmers market provides a sense of community, fresh air, locally grown food, and a boost to the local enonomy. It is currently open Written by MADELINE ANTEY Photographed by JOHANNA HOLMBERG Designed by JOHANNA HOLMBERG

MORNING STRETCHES

Three quick stretches to get you ready for the day TREE POSE |This pose is

beneficial for opening up the chest, to increasing circulation and breathing. It increases balance, reduces stress, and when done correctly, it is also helpful for strengthening the thighs and calves. Stand on one foot and bring the other up to rest on the calve or the thigh. Place hands front of the chest with the shoulders pushed back and square.

COBRA POSE | This

stretch opens up the chest and stretches the lower back to help relieve tension and pressure there that accumulates while going through the day. It helps strengthen the arms and shoulders, as well as helps increase CAT POSE | This pose flexibility and refresh and improves posture and energize the heart. To coordination while do this pose, lie on the strengthening the spine and neck. It also benefits stomach and push up the organs, blood circulation, chest from the ground to stretch the back into a stimulating the nervous nice curve. system, and helping with both emotional and physical balance.To do this stretch, rest your hands on knees and arch Written by KENNEDY ELLIOT your back towards the Photographed by JORDAN TURNER Designed by JOHANNA HOLMBERG ceiling and then down towards the ground.

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Written by MOLLT GOETZ Photographed by DAVID PERKINS Designed by JOHANNA HOLMBERG

PLAYLIST

Five choices for a healthier lifestyle. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin The chronicles of author Gretchen Rubin through a year of her own “happiness project.” Amusing tellings of Rubin’s twelve month quest for happiness.

Hallelujah

by Jeff Buckley Find the Good by Heather Lende

Can’t Help Falling In Love by Haley Reinhart

Alaskan obituary writer discovers what it means to be happy, and how to achieve it. She searches for what true and positive good can come out of even the most disgruntled of people. According to Lende, there is so much to gain by taking responsibility for your own happiness and nothing to lose.

People Help the People by Birdy

From Eden by Hozier

Uncovering Happiness by Elisha Goldstein Dr. Goldstein depict seven steps to taking back control of both life and daily joy in Uncovering Happiness . Using techniques founded upon mindfulness and self-compassion to create what, according to Dr. Goldstein, is a persuasive argument for hope.

We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off by Ella Eyre

Falling In Love At a Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg

Instant Happy- 10 Second Attitude Makeovers by Karen Salmansohn

In the Light

For a fast shot of confidence and joy, look no further than Salmansohn’s Instant Happy. This book provides readers with little sayings, colorful graphics, and inspiring stories that spreads infectious joy.

Flow by Csikszentmihaly Mihaly Investigations of “optimal experience”, according to psychologist Csikszentmihaly, is a state of consciousness that makes an experience genuinely satisfying. In Flow , readers discover how to achieve “optimal experience” to expose themselves to the deep enjoyment, creativity, and total involvement in life that comes from this experience also called flow.

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by The Lumineers

Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth

Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine

Thinkin Bout You

by Frank Ocean

Written, Photographed, and Designed by JOHANNA HOLMBERG AND MADELINE ANTEY

AMERICA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL INVITES YOU TO TOUR OUR CAMPUS

Tour our state-of-the-art facilities and residence halls, learn what it’s like to be a student at American’s most influential art and design school, and experience the energy of Chicago, our urban campus. To reserve your space or to tour SAIC’s campus online, visit: Undergraduate Admissions | 312.629.6100 | ugadmiss@saic.edu

saic.edu/tour

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FEATURE

JUST FOR FUN | Senior

Written by: CLAYTON COUCH Photographed by: PARKER TOZIER Designed by: ELIZABETH MARSZALEK

Ben Lock puts the finishing touches on his foosball table. “It’s senior year, so I just wanted to make something fun”, Lock said.

GET IT DONE | BOTTOM RIGHT: Wood shop teacher Tony

Mixon directs one of his students on constructing one of the many doors for the tiny home.”We will begin building the house next year for around $200,000,” Mixon said.

FUN SIZED

Students build tiny houses as a big help to the community

ost students are counting down the days until they can finally leave this community to make an impact somewhere else, but one Lee’s Summit family has figured out a way to make a huge impact on the community one “tiny” step at a time. “I was a Lee’s Summit High School graduate and I wanted to make an impact by helping others, this project has made my dream come true,” Lee’s Summit High School graduate Brandon Mixon said. On any given night there are 39,471 homeless veterans roaming the streets, but the LSHS woodshop club is hoping to cut those numbers down in a tiny way. “The veterans saw that they were not being served even though they served their country and even got injured,” woodshop teacher Tony Mixon said. Although Mixon is a huge part of this project it was not his idea. The idea came closer to home. “It was not my idea. It was some veterans who retired, or they were wounded while they were in combat,” Mixon said. This issue hits closer to home for Mixon. Mixon has family ties in the military this drew him into this project. “My son who is a graduate of LSHS also is a disabled vet, met these guys through working with these projects and they came up with this notion to build tiny houses,” Mixon said. After one tiny house many more came. Not only does Mixon have a special place in his heart for this project, he has a place for the tiny houses. “We built the first house on my property,

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then we kept going and now we are going on close to 10 tiny homes that are currently on the property,” Mixon said. Not only does this project get local attention, the building of tiny houses has gained national and even global attention. “The project started out small, but it has gained national attention and even gained global attention,” Mixon said. Mixon understands that each veteran has a story and he provides an equal opportunity for every veteran. “It does not matter if the veteran was honorably discharged, or dishonorably discharged they all qualify for all of our services,” Mixon said. The veterans community project does more than just build tiny houses, they provide multiple benefits. “We provide housing, free legal advice, healthcare, and lots of other services... we were the first ones to provide free bus passes for all veterans,” Mixon said. The veterans community project is the first project in America to provide tiny housing in city limits for all wounded veterans, not just local ones. “We have been contacted by 47 other states to expand, so it is just a matter of time before we are in all states serving all veterans,” Mixon said. Mixon is extremely thankful to

everyone that has helped. He especially has a place in his heart for Lee’s Summit High. “We are able to do everything we do because of the help from people from our community, we are especially appreciative of the help from Lee’s Summit High School,” Mixon said. The Mixon family has dedicated their lives to serving those who served their country, and although the veterans made a huge sacrifice, all it takes is a “tiny” step to impact the veterans and the community.

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4 THINGS TO

KNOW ABOUT KELSEY PARK From travel to teaching, Kelsey Park does it all.

From New Zealand to Costa Rica, Kelsey Park has had many exciting adventures. She was both proud and excited to add teaching at Lee’s Summit to the list of adventures. “I have always liked being around kids and helping anyone. With teaching it is a combination of both,” Park said.

Before becoming a teacher full time Park was a personal trainer. During college Park studied in exercise physiology and nutrients. “I became a personal trainer because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do yet, So I certified in training. I ended up stopping being a trainer after a year because of the inconstant pay and benefits,” Park said.

Park is not just a teacher and coach, she is also adventurous. Park loves to travel. In college Park went on two mission trips to Honduras, and went to live there for In a way Park still two months. Besides Honduras, Park kept the personal has been to Costa trainer’s aspect while being a teacher. When Rica, Australia, New Zealand, and France. school is over Park switches from being a “I like to travel teacher to a volleyball because I like seeing new things and coach for the meeting new people,” freshman girls team. Park said. “I have always This school year been into athletic students have met things, so when I found out we needed many new teachers, Park being one of another volleyball them. She plans on coach it did not staying for years to bother me to jump come, and she is ready in. It was a great for anything. experience and a fun way to get to know more of the student body, by getting involved in the day to day interaction with them after school,” Park said. Written by: LAUREN KROH Photography by: LAUREN KROH Designed by: MIKE SMITH

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THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS T

STUDENTS MODIFY THEIR CARS FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE PREFORMANCE AND APPEARENCE

he driver drops the clutch and slams the gas pedal to the ground violently as the exhaust roars and the car launches forward. The tires screech and smoke fills the air. Cars are like blank canvasses, and people can customize them in any way. Modifying a car can make it unique and faster. Some car modifications are just for looks, while others affect the performance of the car. Some people have a car just to get from one place to another, but for others it is a hobby and a passion. There’s nothing wrong with a normal car, but some drivers want a one of a kind car and more power. “I have a built 1998 BMW M3,” sophomore Trenton Louiselle said. This silver German coupe has modifications that make it much faster than a factory built BMW. “It has bored heads,” Louiselle said. A bored head makes the size of the engine bigger, which makes the car better.

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“In the heads of the pistons, you bore them out, and that made my engine size go from a 3.2 liter to a 3.5 liter,” Louiselle said. The bored heads are not the only modification done. “It also has a built small block” Louiselle said. There are many different things a person can do to a car engine, but building a small block adds more power to the car. “I bought my car because I liked it, and I love it now” Louiselle said. Taking the exhaust off made the car sound much louder. “My favorite part about my car is how loud it is,” Louiselle said. The car is faster than most and louder as well. “I also painted my wheels black,” Louiselle said. Not all car modifications are for performance, some are just for looks to make the car more

unique and fit the owner’s style. “On my Volkswagen Jetta VR6, I’ve upgraded the exhaust to an ANSA 404 cat back, replaced all the pretty much everything in the engine bay to get it running stronger, and blacked out everything from tail lights, wheels, to the emblems,” senior Nick Armes said. The exhaust is high flow so it gives the car a little more power and the ability to breath a little better, and gave it more power, both horse and torque. “I wanted my car to sound a little better so I threw the exhaust on, and I didn’t expect it to sound so good, it sounds way better than I originally planned and people say that my car sounds more like a truck than it does a car,” Armes said. Changing the

Written by SAM SCHIERHOLZ Photographed by KAYLEE BLAIR Designed by MADELINE ANTEY

appearance of a car makes a big difference. “I wanted my car to look mean so I decided to black out everything then do small details of red throughout the car,” Armes said. There are different reasons for each alteration. “I love what I’ve done with it so far, because the car runs a lot better and sounds a lot better,” Armes said. Making a car unique is one of the best parts of modifying it. “A lot of guys chrome out their Jettas, so I decided I was gonna be different and murder it out which gave it a pretty nasty look. I replaced all the basics on it, the o2 plugs had like 160k on them so it was pretty rough and misfiring really bad, but thankfully it stopped misfiring,” Armes said.

Driving a stick means more control and more fun. “It’s a manual so being able to slap through gears makes you feel like you really own the car and know how to drive it,” Armes said. It’s more than just going fast, it’s being able to push your car to the limits because you’ve put in time to make it fast. “I love cars because when you have one you can work on, you can make it what you want it to be, it’s your dream and you have the ability to make it into something that you love,” Armes said. Lots of people drive a car but most people just have a normal factory car that’s all stock. Whether it’s an engine modification, an exhaust setup, or a cosmetic mod such as a paint job or wheels, there is a special reason behind every car modification. It is a passion which some people might not understand.

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Raegan Maintz is a very involved student who not only excels academically but in her personal life, she is always smiling and continues to be optimistic, though she has hit some bumps in the road, it has made her into someone who students can learn a lot from. Q: What are your hobbies and things you’re involved in? A: I act and sing. I’m in student senate and in theater leadership. Q: Who is your role model? A: My role model would most definitely be my mom, because she taught me how precious life

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actually is and to not take anyone, or any moment or anything you do for granted because you don’t know how much longer you’ll have it. Q: Do you think the experience you and your family went through with your mother’s sickness shaped who you are today? A: Definitely, it was a tough time in my life to watch someone I loved go through such a tragic time and it really made me into a stronger person. Q: What is something you really enjoy and how did you get into it? A: Singing, I can

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remember singing as early as I could talk, and there’s something about performing and that goes for not just singing but also acting, being in front of people and on stage is my happy place, and I feel at home.

Q: What is something you live by? A: Live your life to the fullest extent because you only have one life. The way I see it is instead of being sad and causing drama or getting into fights, smile, and laugh every single chance you get. You never know

when it is going to be your last day. I would want to end the day laughing, rather than yelling and arguing.

Q: How do you think keeping the mindset of living life to the fullest has improved your life?

A: After I had the realization of how fast life can be taken it really opened my eyes to who I surround myself with and what chances I take. I make a point to try new things and in everything that I do, I try to enjoy every moment.

Written by: ARIEL BENEDICT Photography by: JADA JOHNSON Designed by: CHRIS TEETER

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HITTING A BEAT | Hitting the drums with force Junior Aaron Wallace plays with skill. Aaron likes practicing a lot. This practicing helps Aaron move forward as an instrumentalist.

AARON WALLACE

Junior Aaron Wallace drops the beat at Missouri Day of Percussion.

ll over the state, junior percussionist Aaron Wallace has had resounding success by marching to his own beat. “I started playing drum set in 4th grade because it looked cool, then went into 5th grade band as a percussionist under Mike McBain,” Wallace said. Wallace started taking private lessons after he became the only percussionist at Prairie View Elementary. He learned to play the xylophone, snare, timpani and other percussion instruments before choosing to specialize in mallet percussion. “The reason I play is to share musical moments with others or the audience. I think the emotion music can give is truly magical and for others to be sharing the moment with you just makes it worth all of the time learning the piece,”

Wallace said. Apart from being part of the drumline, Wallace participated in Missouri Day of Percussion, a music festival where schools from all around the state can bring soloists and ensembles to be judged. “At Missouri Day of Percussion, world class percussionists give clinics about various styles and interpretations of percussion. I got to meet Ivan Trevino which is one of the better known marimba composers in this era,” Wallace said. Wallace is concerned that more people aren’t keeping the percussion art for alive, and he hopes to change that. “You have to inspire others to keep the art going, if you don’t it dies. I plan to help the percussion program at other high schools and potentially LSHS when I graduate. My

Written by IGNACIO CABERO Photographed by EMMA JENKINS Designed by MAKENZIE KRAXBERGER

inspirations would be Marcus Neudigate,” Wallace said. Marcus Neudigate is a music MURRUMBA MADNESS | Pounding the bars of performance major who the Murrumba Junior Aaron Wallace looks marched tenors and snare in the Phantom Regiment drum- forward to his future as a percussionist. line. He has worked with the LSHS drumline, Gateway Percussion, Carolina Crown Drum Corps, and taught at UCM. “My hope is to inspire people to learn percussion just like my teachers and role models inspired me,” Wallace said. Even though he may march to his own beat, he has had inspiration and help along the way, and hopes to give back to the community by further inspiring others to learn the art of percussion.

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+F E A T U R E “Mrs. Wagoner has been so kind and lovingt to me since the very bneginning. She isn’t like a normal teacher. I have so much love for and respect for her,” senior Shelby Daugherty.

HEART FOR MUSIC Ruth Anne Wagoner lights up LSHS with not only her talent but appreciation for teaching.

he choir program if often referred to as the school’s largest family. Boasting over three hundred singers, two teachers, and one often overlooked member of the the music department. RuthAnn Wagoner, the accompanist for the choir program at Lee’s Summit High School, is undeniably the glue that holds the choir program together. “Munce actually contacted me to join the department, and I took it as an enormous compliment and a huge honor that I couldn’t refuse,” Wagoner said. Undeniably a close friend and teacher to the students here, she wasn’t given the job for being a friend. Mrs. Wagoner is an astounding pianist who earned her degree in piano performance from the University of MissouriKansas City. “I’ve been playing piano since I was a young child, and my parents put me through lessons at a very young age. I wasn’t

overly serious about playing, however, until I was about 14, when my grandfather helped me learn a classic concerto. Being able to perform it and actually succeed at it was a milestone in my road to becoming a performer in the music industry” Wagoner said. Although undoubtedly a very talented artist, Wagoner is a very loved addition to the choir department, and it’s easy to say that it wouldn’t be the same without her. However, the students aren’t the only one who agree that Wagoner clearly belongs to this department. “This is honestly the best job in the world. Being a performer, it’s not often that I would get to collaborate and spend time with people, and that’s why I really enjoy working here. Performers don’t get that sense of community and I think that’s why working here is so magical,” Wagon

Written by: TYLER WILLIAMS Photographed by: DAVID PERKINS Designed: SIERRA TERRY

“She has been such a good friend to me as well as a great teacher. Her relationships with her students really set her apart from other teachers, and I think that’s why so many people love her,” sophomore Madelyn Brooks said.

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ART OR VANDALISM

Should this art form be categorized with traditional art?

t is completely dark as the can of spray paint wheezes away. The artist binds the overused stencil to the crimson brick wall. The paint mists various colors against the wall and drips onto the artist’s hand as the artist is overwhelmed with anxiety. “ We paint this stuff at night with no light in alleys or roof tops; we are out there in the elements with a spray paint can while supposed real artist are using a computer or in a studio painting in comfort. To me, it is real art. I have people paying me thousands of dollars for a canvas or a wall. I am self taught ; I did not go to a fancy art school to learn what I know. I have shown work in galleries all over and my work sells. So, if it is not real art then I and the hundred others I know who are successful should not be where we are today,” Kansas City street artist known as “Chue”said. While the craft of painting the streets may be extremely popular in the Kansas City Metro area, Chue began to go on to much bigger things. “The switch to selling my art came later in life when I was doing illegal graffiti on the back burner and I realized

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that I could be paid for this. So, I just put myself out there. I started getting jobs painting canvases for friends and bedrooms for kids. I had a friend who worked with Redbull and they paid me to paint a wall for them. That opened all these doors for me to paint big projects for some wellknown companies all over the country. So, money was my motivation to sell my art and to make a name for myself in the art world, which I accomplished,” Chue said. However successful it may be, everyone has a different opinion of it. “I do think that graffiti is art, but it is different in that it is made specifically to make a statement. It is different than fine arts, because it is not made to display in a gallery. We do not really encourage graffiti, because it is illegal and there is a lot of consequences, mostly for business owners. They get fined if they do not wash the graffiti off in a certain time frame,” art teacher Melissa Woody said. Early next morning, a group gathers around the work on the wall. They each have a different look plastered on their faces, some distaste, some awe, and some uncertainty. However, street art, with repercussions, is still art and should be valued as such.

Written by AUDREY BADGEROW Photographed by PAYTON GALE Designed by AUDREY BADGEROW

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LIVIN’ LIFE Everybody dies but not everybody lives.

veryone in life has a collection of dreams and ambitions. It may start in first grade. A lesson about Jane Goodall or Neil Armstrong, and inspirations blossoms. Soon, kids who dream about being an astronaut or a doctor pile up, and dreams are born. As those kids get older, dreams get more realistic. People who want to be biologists and musicians and the press secretary for a multinational button corporation arrive in droves. However, these dreams can be short-lived. Dreams can feel impossible so many people just never attempt them. Whether it’s a lack of opportunity, motivation, or money, dreams can die. But life is very short, so the time is now to grasp it. For composer and conductor Kirt Mosier, dreams sprouted at an early age. “ In 3rd grade, Mrs. Conoke’s class, our music teacher, went around the class and asked everybody what they wanted to be and she said it didn’t have to involve music. I was a little jokester, but I was serious when I said that I wanted to be a composer like Beethoven. The whole class erupted in laughter, and I remember thinking “What are they laughing about?” said Mosier. Much like Mosier, following passions may include ridicule, and then is when the power of dreams are tested. It can either fall flat on it’s face, or the dream can prevail. “I took a teaching job so I could get off the road and have insurance for a year, but then I fell in love with teaching. Before that I either planned on going to Nashville or L.A. to write music for the television or movies” said Mosier. Time is of the essence, so grab onto youth. The saying goes “You can be anything you set your mind to”, and it’s very true. The mind is very powerful, and with the right amount of motivation and ambition, anyone can become really anything. The best resources to kickstart the dream campaign are the counselors, the teachers, and peers. Written by GABBY CUNNINHAM Photographed by GABBY CUNNINGHAM Designed by JOHANNA HOLMBERG

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IN THE GREEN | Jackson Eaton tees off at Tiffany Greens golf coarse.

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HOLE IN ONE

The golf team is puttin’ in effort

Hitting the ball of the tee, watching it soar through the air, it lands on the fairway. Only a few more swings and it would find its home in the cup. “You use the driver off the tee, the putter is used on the green, and all the other clubs are used on the fairway,”

FOUR | Chase Johnston tees off at Swope Park gold course.

THE CAMDENTON | Jackson McGuire tees off at Old Kinderhook in the Camdenton Tournament.

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Written by ZACK EASLEY Photographed by JONATHAN MARSZALEK Designed by CLAIRE WAGNER

sophomore golfer Ryan Mehrer said. Golfers, just like any other athletes, can have off days. “The thing I like about golf is I can have a bad day and still end up with a decent score,” junior golfer Jackson Mcguire said. Also, golf has a way of scoring, just like other sports. “However many swings it takes for the ball to get into the cup is a par and there is a par on every hole, so if you hit a five and the hole is a par four then your score would be plus one,” Mehrer said. Golf can be a challenge. Players have a lot of variables that come into

play, such as wind and even temperature can affect the golf ball. “The thing I like about golf is the challenge,” Mehrer said. Young athletes have someone who gets them into sports. “My grandpa got me into golf and I have been playing for about fifteen years,” Mcguire said. Athletes are awarded for excellence during the season. The athletes can make all-conference, allstate, etc. “I got fourth place allconference. I got a score of 78, which was six over par,” Mcguire said. Athletes have different goals each season and are determined to accomplish the goals each season. “My goal for this season is to go to sectionals,” Mehrer said. Athletes want to test themselves to see the end results. “I want to make it to state this year,” Mcguire said. Golf is considered a really popular sport across the globe. Golf has a massive following and many Americans who even golf themselves.

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CUTLINE| Melanie Grace team member stances and awaits the ball

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MELANIE GRACE The girls soccer team works hard to prep for the 10th annual Melanie Grace Kickin’ Against Cancer benefit game.

eads of perspiration spread across junior Izzy Shackleford’s lip as she warms up for a important game for; all her effort within this game goes towards fighting cancer. “I am very proud to be a part of Melanie Grace because it is such a powerful and inspiring event. The game itself brings a lot of joy to me. Multiple family members have had cancer and have lost their lives for cancer, so when I think of a game to help kids, like me, I put a lot of effort into it. When I play in the actual game, it is a feeling way different than any other game. I put on the jersey and I am now playing for others, not for myself. I work extra hard on the field because I know that some kids are unable to do it and I know one day that I won’t be able to do it. The team also comes together and really puts on a show for our recipients because they are usually at the game,” Shackleford said. Aside from the fact that the game itself is very beneficial towards cancer, there are benefits towards the school as well. “We advertise the game anywhere we can. We hang up posters all throughout the school and a week before the game,

FAST FIGHTER Melanie Grace team member guards the opponent and sprints towards the ball, hoping to make a successful play.

we decorate the halls and cafeteria. We try to get as many students and teachers to go as possible. It also makes LSHS have a good reputation because it shows that we care and do things that benefit our community,” Shackleford said. The purpose of the game is not to raise a certain amount of money for the game itself, but to raise awareness about the foundation. “The goal of Melanie Grace is to raise money for kids with cancer. This year, we are donating [money] to two kids. We do not really have a goal as for how much money we raise, but our goal is to make an impact in their life and help them out with the bills. When someone has cancer and insurance doesn’t cover treatment, it costs a lot of money. Every year, we try to help the family out by taking away some of their debt due to cancer,” Shackleford said. Even though there may never be a perfect cure to all cancers, Shackleford and the soccer team definitely proves that raising awareness helps spread the word to do anything to help.we Written by ANNA ERICH Photographed by RENEE HASKELL Designed by CLAIRE WAGNER

PHOTO OP| The soccer team poses with community members for a picture before the game

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Congratulations Senior class of 2017 FROM ALL YOUR UNDERCLASSMAN FRIENDS