Hi.Life 11 May 2018. Volume 99 . Issue 8
EQUATING EQUALITY SEE PAGES 15-18 FOR THE SCOOP.
Contents
Features
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{6} J.T.’s Choices- Jordan Turner reviews this month’s fashion trends ranging from bandanas to overalls. {8-9} Summer Recipes- Refreshing recipes to keep cool during the summer. {11} Goodbye, Teachers!- Exploring parting teachers’ next chapters in their lives. {13} Fast Brains- A look inside the brain and life of someone who lives with ADHD.
On the Cover :
Opinions
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{25} What We Think- The staff editorial discusses how those tasked with shaping America’s youth, are underpaid and overworked. {22} Aud Thoughts- An editorial column by Audrey Badgerow discussing friendship in the age of such polarized political parties. {23} Lose the Abuse- Looking into how to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships. {24} Gunning for Change- Delving into Lee’s Summit’s March For Our Lives campaign and how the walkouts are coordinating a change within the community.
Sports
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{26} Clayton’s Quarter- A sports column by sports editor Clayton Couch where he elaborates on the effect that athletes have on society. {27} Summer Fun- Summer sports camps have a great impact on athlete performance and give them a platform to be noticed by potential recruiters. {28} Javelin- The scoop on the the new event implemented into track competitions.
Equating education. The Hi-Life interviews the three sister schools’ principals and superintendent Dennis Carpenter, to determine how the district can be more equitable, where all the money goes, and which school really is the best in Lee’s Summit.
How do you cope with stress?
THE STAFF Editor-in-Chief Madeline Antey Design Editor Copy Editor Photography Editor Sports Editor
Molly Goetz
Features Editor Opinions Editor Story Ideas Editor
When I get stressed, I’ll put on one of my records and paint, I find it really relaxing, also tea helps.
Ads Manager Media Manager
Makenzie Kraxberger Molly Goetz Makayla Holmberg Clayton Couch Jordan Turner Audrey Badgerow Sierra Terry Chris Teeter Jessica Winkler
Cartoonist Elizabeth Marszalek Publicist Renee Haskell
Tyler Williams Scheduled naps: If you don’t actually sleep, I like to put away time where I recharge.
Audrey Badgerow To treat myself, I usually just end up spending outrageous amounts of money on clothes.
Web Editor Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer Writer
David Perkins Jordan Wilson Christina Felix Jaeden Miller Bianca Stewart Blake Lemon Cesar Rutiaga Alana Rogers Lauren Kroh Tommy Hicks Emma Wesseldine Michael Kraxberger Daltyn Schafer
Writer Photographer Photographer Photographer
Sam Schierholz Chana Ostrander Cheyanne Kennedy Nora Carrell
Photographer
Abbie Thurman
Photographer
Shelby Friedrichsmeyer
Designer Tyler Williams Designer Mike Smith Designer Izzy Demarco Adviser Marc Russell
FOR MORE VISIT jlabmag.com
Editor’s Notes MAKENZIE KRAXBERGER “I love the Hi-Life because it gives me a creative outlet, it gives me a place to really open up as a leader, and a place to make frienships that will last a lifetime.”
JESSICA WINKLER
“I love the Hi-LIfe because it has helped me open up as a person. Before I joined the staff, I was very quiet and shy but now I’m the opposite.”
TYLER WILLIAMS “Going into my senior year, and my third year on staff, I have really gotten to see the HiLife grow, not only as a whole, but also watching individuals grow each and every day. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting your story out to the student body.”
JORDAN TURNER
MAKENZIE KRAXBERGER
AUDREY BADGEROW “This class and its staff have had such an impact on me. It is where I met my bestfriends, it is where I discovered my love for journalism, and it is where I found my home.”
CHRISTINA FELIX “I love the Hi-Life because it gives me a place to express my opinions.”
RENEE HASKELL “I love newspaper because of the freedom I get when choosing what I do. There is support in what you are doing, and people try to help you accomplish your goals.”
MAKENZIE KRAXBERGER CLAYTON COUCH
Features
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J T ’ s Choices
A FASHION COLUMN BY FEATURES EDITOR JORDAN TURNER
Bandana Headbands Bandana headbands can be a cheap find at the dollar store. All that is needed is a regular bandana and fold it to the desired appearance. I have noticed these are becoming more popular and I think they can add a pop of color.
Overalls Overalls are casual and can be worn over a tight top. I do not like to wear lose tops with any type of overall because I find them to not fit properly under the layer.
Rompers Summer is almost here and when I like to dress up rompers are my favorite item. They flow nicely and are comfortable. I also like the fact they can be dressed up with heels or dressed down with sneakers.
{ } Brand of the Month
Muscle Tees I think muscle tees offer a good balance to stay relaxed and comfortable in the summer without too much fabric. They can range from a plain tank top to graphics, such as band logos, sayings, or pop culture references.
Classic Fit Shorts I constantly notice guys wearing classic fit shorts especially now that the sun is starting to come out. They typically fit just above the knee and I think they resemble a preppy look.
Sunglasses Sunglasses come in fun shapes and when it comes to driving while the sun is out they can be a helpful accessory. Some of the shape options are round, raybans, heart shapes, oval flat, and so on. The variety of shapes allow for easy matches with face shapes. Writen By: Jordan Turner Photographed By: Jordan Turner Designed By: Jordan Turner
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Features
Spain
Foreign exchange student settles in.
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he tall historic buildings pass by the window as the car zooms to the airport. This will be the last time she drives down the street for nearly a year. Foreign exchange student Marta del BlancoMoreno is on the way to begin a new adventure in a new country. “I am from Northern Spain. I love it there. In the winter it’s cold, but in the summer it’s warm. The weather is kind of like it is here,” Blanco-Moreno said. She enjoys after school activities. “I like the high school because here there is after school activities and sports. In Spain they don’t do after school sports or activities. We only go for school and they
lock the doors at 2:30,,” Blanco-Moreno said. She enjoys doing a lot of different things. “I do track after school, and I hang out with my friends and my host family. Back in Spain I do hip-hop dance.,” BlancoMoreno said. Although there are things she enjoys, there are also things she doesn’t really like. “I don’t like the food here. It’s so bad, they don’t even cook. Everyone goes to McDonalds or things like that. In Spain my parents would spend hours in the kitchen making dinner, but here they are just like ‘take this out of the fridge and warm it up’,” Blanco-Moreno said. Her host family enjoys the different perspective the
experience brings. “We decided to have a foreign exchange student to gain a better cultural perspective of the world and for our children to understand multicultural issues as well as learn another language,” host mother Stacia Sobey said. They enjoy seeing the differences between cultures they did not realize before. “Marta is a great addition to our family. It is so fun to experience American culture through Marta’s eyes for the first time and we like to laugh at some of the strange cultural things we do that we were unaware of before. She also teaches us about Spanish food and the whole family gets to experiment with
Spanish recipes. Marta is hilarious. She brings such joy to our home and she is always laughing and smiling,” Sobey said. They enjoy going on trips and other activities as a family. “We have gone camping in Colorado, enjoyed time at the lake, went to Disney World, and have taken several trips to Oklahoma to visit family. Marta also goes along with us to baseball and wrestling tournaments, gymnastics meets, football games, and theater plays,” Sobey said. They enjoy having
her around and hearing about her new experiences. “It is fun! It is like having a fun older cousin in the house with the kids and a big addition to our home. We look forward to hearing about how Marta processes her days and how she experiences high school at Lee’s Summit High School,” Sobey said. The new city zoomed past the window. On her way to her new home for the next few months, Blanco-Moreno watches the city fly past the window of the car.
Written by:Christina Felix Photo Courtesy: Marta Blanco-Moreno and Creative Commons Designed by: Makenzie Kraxberger
Features
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Summer Recipes These meals require little effort while producing a meal of high reward.
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Creamy Broccoli, Chicken, and Bacon Pasta
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of olive oil 1/4 salt and pepper 3 cloves of garlic 2/3 cups heavy cream 2/3 cups milk 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded 8 oz fettuccine pasta 1 Ib boneless and skinless chicken breasts 2 cups broccoli 7 bacon strips
Steps:
1. Heat olive oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper. Cook chicken breast on high heat for 2 to 4 minutes on each side, until browned, then remove the skillet from heat and keep the chicken covered to continue cooking it in its own steam until no longer pink. Cut chicken into thin slices. 2. Add minced garlic to the same skillet, with oils and bits left from cooking the chicken. Add heavy cream, milk, and bring to boil. Add cheese and stir until it completely melts into a creamy sauce. 3. Use the same skillet you just used for cooking chicken. It will have the oils and bits left from chicken and you want them in your sauce. Add minced garlic. Also, add heavy cream and milk and bring to boil. Add shredded parmesan cheese and stir everything until the sauce gets very creamy. Reduce heat midway as the cheese starts to melt. 4. Add cooked pasta, cooked bacon, cooked broccoli to the creamy sauce and mix everything in. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with sliced cooked chicken.
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HOMEADE STRAWBERRY SORBET
Ingredients:
3 cups of frozen strawberries 1/4 cup of condensed milk
Steps:
1. Combine berries and the condensed milk in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy. 2. If you want it firm, transfer into a freezer and let it sit for four hours. 3. Keep in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.
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PEACH SUN TEA
Ingredients: 4-8 tea bags
Steps: 1. Put 4 to 8 tea bags into a 2 quart or gallon glasss container. 2. Fill the container with water. 3. Place outside in the sunlight for 3 to 5 hours.
Written, Photographed, and Designed by: Makayla Holmberg
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Features
PARKING PRIVILEGES PRIVILEGES
A new safety measure comes into play with the upcoming school year.
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s the next school year are going to put in a system approaches, the school that let’s that all happen is looking for more automatically. That will free ways to improve the up some time for our campus security of the school. supervisors to get them back Assigned parking spots will be out into the parking lots,” a new safety feature. Faulkenberry said. “In the past it has just been One of the school’s main you buy a pass, you show up priorities is keeping its students any day and you park wherever safe. you want, but next we are “The biggest thing is trying going to assign any student a to be able to identify what parking spot,” principal John car belongs to who,” campus Faulkenberry said. supervisor Scott McKinley. Having assigned parking will The assigned parking spots allow the will also help staff to see if the staff to know a student is who they need to “In the past it has just been inform if in the place that they there is anything you buy a pass, you show need to be. wrong with a up any day and you park “This is vehicle. wherever you want, but next “If you leave just another we are going to assign any your lights on, we safety student a parking spot,” measure. It know whose car gives us the it is. Some people ability to leave their car know who running when they is supposed to be in this space, get out of it and so we would and if that is not the case, then know who that is,” McKinley why,” Faulkenberry said. said. Along with assigned parking The following school will spaces, the locks on the doors bring an addition to the safety will be updated to allow the of our school. This will help the staff more time to enforce the staff find out whether or not a new rule. person should be on campus. “We have campus supervisors and with the doors being locked the way they are Written by: Jessica Winkler now, the district is actually Photographed by: Jordan Turner going to strengthen that in Designed by: Chana Ostrander terms of having to lock and unlock the doors. Instead, they
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Goodbye Teachers
Opening the door to the next chapter in these teachers lives.
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Asher said. Asher has lots of exciting plans for the future and looking forward to spending time with friends and family. “My husband is retiring this year too, and I am going to continue to study and learn Spanish, volunteer at Greenwood Elementary where my grandchildren go to school, have more adventures exploring National Parks, salmon fishing and bear watching in Alaska, and also spending time on other islands and countries around the world through medical and Christian missions,” Written by: Sam SchierholZ Asher said. Photographed by: Cheyanne Kennedy Yearbook teacher Designed by: Jordan Wilson Karla Thompson is
any teachers at LSHS are retiring this year. These teachers will miss all of the memories and friendships they have made here. Daily interaction with students and school events have made an impact on teachers’ lives. After teaching here for so long, teachers will miss the students and fellow teachers. “As a student at LSHS, my favorite memories are being a Tigerette, singing in Concert Choir, working as an office assistant, and the Grand March through the Field House on prom night,” learning lab teacher Janet
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B leaving as well. “I’ll miss the students and my friends, especially the second floor teachers, as we daily checking with each other,” Thompson said. This school is another home to all of the teachers and students. “I believe I have enjoyed LSHS as it became my home away from home for 24 years,” Thompson said. After 27 years of teaching, one math teacher is leaving LSHS. “Spirit days, homecoming parades, attending games and concerts are my favorite memories,” math teacher
A- Janet Asher B- Karla Thompson C- Pam Upton Pamela Upton said. Teachers love to teach but the best memories are from attending all the extra things that go on at school. “I’ll miss the daily interaction with the students and my fellow teachers,” Upton said. Upton will miss being a teacher here. “I love LSHS because there is a strong sense of community here and I am proud to have been part of that,” Upton said. From events during school to events outside of school, retiring teachers will miss teaching here. There are lots of memories that teachers have made while working here. All teachers have to say goodbye one day.
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Features
HEY, CONNER Nights spent in the kitchen lead up to one moment.
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ushing to finish the recipe the culinary team must have the meal down to perfection in only an hour and a half with a three course meal. Junior Conner Keiter experienced this pressure at his only culinary competition of the year. “The first time I really started cooking was when I took Culinary Foundations and International Foods. They are two separate classes that I took my sophomore year. Culinary Foundations was my first semester and it was when you just learn the basics. International foods was when I started learning more about different cooking and it is all about international cuisine and the ways people cook all around the world. This year I really started learning about techniques, because I am in Culinary Arts I,” Keiter said. Keiter had to try out for the culinary team the week before Thanksgiving. When he made the team they met once every week until the competition. “This was also the first year I started Culinary Team, which started about November and ended February. I learned anything, and everything about cooking through these three classes. Recipes at the competition would include a salad, a main entree , this year it was a chicken breast with a sauce, two sides which were braised kale and a risotto, then a dessert which was truffles,” Keiter said.
Friday Before Competition 2:30-“The day before the competition, we have our last practice. We do our best to make a mock environment, which is thirty minutes to measure ingredients and then we have an hour to cook,” Keiter said. 4:30-”We stop cooking and plating. After that we have to clean up the big mess we made. Keiter said. 5:00- “We finish cleaning and start packing, because the competition is at L’École Culinaire, a culinary trade school on the Plaza. ” Keiter said.
Competition Day
6:50 am- The team meets at the school and has to be ready to leave by 7:00 am. 8:00 am- Competition begins “Once we were at the Plaza the competition started at 8:00. There are a bunch of schools, but only four kitchens. Therefore, there is staggered timing. I think our time was 8:45 or 9:00 am. We had the same thirty minutes to measure ingredients and an hour to cook, so we would be done by 10:00. Then we would clean while other school competed,” Keiter said. 11:00 am- “11:00 is when all the judges had finished grading and contemplating who they thought had the best dish,” Keiter said. 11:15- “We then had an award ceremony, which didn’t take long so by 11:30 we were done and could head back to the school,” Keiter said. Written and Photographed by: Jordan Turner Designed by: Audrey Badgerow
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FAST MINDS
The scary side affects of ADHD can have a tight grip on people’s minds.
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illions of thoughts moving at the speed of light. The non-stop struggle to multitask everything in one day, all at once. Meanwhile someone is trying to have a conversation. This is what ADHD feels like for the eleven percent of children ages four through seventeen that have been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. “There were times where I really struggled to focus or there was a lot of times when I was more subduing in class, I can’t focus on things unless I am doing something else at once,” health and resource teacher Kimberly Jordan said. ADHD can also lead to other physical and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. “When I began medication, I was very focused and my mind was always constantly go go go and I was very task oriented to where my mind just would not shut off,” Jordan said. Medication for ADHD is different for every person. For some, the medication would completely work without any extra usage needed, but for
Too Much: People with ADHD often feel like they are constantly thinking. just like constant movement everywhere around them and they are unable to be in just one place. others in some cases these drugs would lead to suicidal thoughts and other harmful side effects. “They put me on (medication) at first and I had extreme side effects at first, it would give me a racing heart and I was very jittery at times so I was not allowed to drink caffeine with it anymore,” Jordan said. In some cases, doctors can make the mistake of prescribing another medication for something like depression that could actually just be created by the original medication prescribed for the ADHD. “I do like that they try and look for what works for the kid, but kids also need to be honest on what is happening with the medication and now that I have medication I am eating all the time and I am healthy
and I am not fluctuating in weight, I do think that we need to look at that it is not just one all the same, they need to look at what the medications physical make up is to fit the person they are prescribing it to,” ADHD or attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder is a serious thing, as the people diagnosed continue to fight each day for a better focused life, kids can learn how and why this happens to people so everyone can understand it together. It is serious and the medication prescribed can cause some life changing side effects so it is important that ADHD is understood and always respected. Moving forward, Jordan is now living a happy and adjusted life.
Thirty percent of children with ADHD also have coexisting anxiety
Sources: ADDitude Mag and Health Day News
Written, Photographed, and Designed by: Emma Wesseldine
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ADHD is both genetic and a brain based disorder Two to eight percent of college students are estimated to have ADHD Certain medications do not work on people with ADHD and can have unhealthy side
EQUITY
E
VS.
quality is tossed around significantly more than equity, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the solution. Countless politicians promise it, and offer plentiful methods to obtain it, but is equality necessarily the answer? Equality is the goldstandard when it comes to most things. Essentially, it is the ideal behind fairness and giving all individuals the same treatment, regardless of needs.
This contrasts the idea of equity, which suggests giving individuals specialized treatment to meet their needs. In theory, equality lives up to its gold standard, but in practice there are a few fatal flaws. As demonstrated in the illustration to the bottom right, if three people are given the same resources but each person starts at different points, the end result will not be equal. Hence, by using an equality ideal the end result finished
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quity isn’t equal resources, equity is equal results. Essentially, equity is a limitless means to achieving equality. It’s about giving people what they need, as opposed to giving everyone the same things. Arguments made against equity claim
unequal. To solve this dilemma, equity should be used to achieve equality. Equality is not the method or the means to the solution, equality is the solution.
that the idea is unfair by its very nature, as not everyone receives the same treatment. In the illustration to the left, the individual is given what they need to reach the same point. Some people may not need anything at all, whereas some people may need quite a bit of help. With equality, If the starting points are different, the
end result can never be equal. Equity is about reaching the ending point, and providing for the specific needs of the individual. The idea is more difficult to pursue than equality, as it requires special attention to certain problems, whereas the equality ideal just hands out the same solution to any problem. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the two, to be equitable is to be equal, and to be equal is to be equitable.
Written by: Makenzie Kraxberger Photographed by: Audrey Badgerow, Renee Haskell, Jessica Winkler and Jordan Turner Designed by: Makenzie Kraxberger
EQUALITY
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EQUATING ? LSHS EQUALITY The year is 1954, students sporting black and gold eagerly rush the halls of LSHS for the first time. Now, sixty four years later, students still flood in the aging hallways, but not nearly as eagerly. LSHS is certainly the oldest high-school in the school district, but does that necessarily make it the worst? According to the administrators across all three high schools, not at all. “So many people incorrectly want to determine when they look at a new property that it must be better,” principal John Faulkenberry said. Though older doesn’t necessarily translate to lesser, when students were polled, ninety eight percent of them voted yes, LSHS needs renovation. Ultimately, this brings forth questions about equity and equality across the schools. “When I think about equity and equality I think they sound alike but they are different. Like if I gave everyone five dollars for something that costs ten dollars, then the person who already had five dollars is in good shape, the person who had no
money and they need that thing for ten dollars, they’re still not in good shape, and the kid that already had ten dollars just made an extra five dollars. If the starting point is not the same, then how does equal work?” superintendent Dennis Carpenter said. Therefore, equality is not the solution to the contrasts across the schools, but perhaps equity is. “Equity can’t be that all the schools were built the same year because that’s not the way it works. How can we make certain that we create the learning spaces so that a child at Lee’s Summit High School feels just as confident as a child at Lee’s Summit West and that they have the learning environment created for them and we’re doing some of that work now with what’s called comprehensive facilities master planning,” Carpenter said. However, when it comes to primary funding, the district uses an equality ideal, as cost is determined per student. “On average, we get about $299.75 per pupil,” Faulkenberry said. But, LSHS does get more facility money than LSW as the
LSHS ?
school is so much older. Students have complained about quite a few facilities for a while: the bathrooms, the hallways and the basement became widely detested zones around the school. Renovating these areas would be costly, and naturally community members could be uncertain about pouring money into an older building. “LSHS will always be a question mark, do you throw a whole bunch more money into an old facility? (which is what I would suggest doing but there are others that say no) Or is it time to turn a page and just go new?” Faulkenberry said. Although, recent updates to LSHS were made, are they enough, or are students underappreciating the changes the school has already put in place? “I thought that Dr. Faulkenberry had done a really job and the board had done a good job of updating LSHS and making it as modern as possible. It really felt like a lot of money had been pumped in there to provide updates. You guys hands down have the best field house in LS and someone
LSHS
LSN
LSW
they are well worth the inconvenience to late students. “There are adjustments that people have to make all through life. So I’m very happy with it. It gives parents a greater sense of security. I know it’s given our staff a great sense of security and frankly, I have had a lot of kids tell me how much safer it makes them feel too. So I’m pretty pleased with it,” Faulkenberry said. In the near future, Carpenter hopes to update the door systems for LSHS. Safety is certainly a key to a good learning environment, but there are many other components that determine the success of the students. “I think the biggest factor on whether students learn is the
teacher in the classroom, that is the number one factor,” principal Chad Hertzog said. Teachers are the number one expense of the school district, as they are an monumental human resource. When it comes to all three high schools, all the administrators agree that the teachers are some of the best of the best. The contrast across the three high schools is definite, but different doesn’t have to be a bad thing. When it comes to equity, administration came to an overarching conclusion that for the most part, the schools are equitable. All three schools are constantly improving in the ways they need to, and that is by its very nature: equity.
FAST FACTS One student is worth approximately
$299.75
92%
LSW
could argue that it is the best field house in the state of Missouri,” LSN principal Jeff Meisenheimer said. “You guys have been updating a lot of your science labs and a lot of the furniture. Like they are working on putting new furniture in the classrooms and that is something that takes time and there is a lot of artwork up on the walls and pictures of students to create that school pride. You have a new school store down by the lecture hall. Your lecture hall is the nicest of any of the high schools.” Moreover, the performing arts centers’ floors were redone, and the security system was improved. Still, students complain about the new security updates, but Faulkenberry says
LSN
ALL 3 PRINCIPALS STARTED AT LSHS
Of students think LSHS needs renovations
Principal Meisenheimer
LSN HIGHSCHOOL “ I really feel like your principal, Dr. Faulkenberry, and the board of education have really done a good job about keeping the building up to the standards of LSWHS or LSNHS. I think people on the outside, maybe community people that don’t get into your building, they don’t visit LSHS, they’re not inside to see all the updates and changes may have a different perception based off of: this is the oldest high school in the district. I think that is a perception not a reality”
“I don’t see a huge number of differences there and my experience has been positive in both. In terms of funding, the way we fund schools is on a per pupil basis, so LSW’s funding is higher than LSHS or LSN only because there are more students here. So if you fund that way, then your always going to fund a little more to the school with more students because the idea is that the more students you have, the more money you need because the money is going to the students through some type of instructional learning”
LSW HIGHSCHOOL Principal Hertzog
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HOW DO YOU SPELL SUMMER?
ANDY’S Grab a bite at the newest ice cream shop in town. Andy’s provides delicious custard, as well as a great outdoor eating space to hang with friends and make great summer memories.
Add these fun activities to your summer bucket list.
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BOWLING Bowling provides cheap thrills, mediocre food, and a chance to show off your lucky strike in front of all of your friends.
EXIT ROOM Get ready to break out of Lee’s Summit’s Exit Room this summer. Grab your family or friends and attempt to escape one of its many rooms
HEALTH
COLOR RUN
DOWNTOWN
Head on over to Abundant Life Church for a night of fun you won’t ever forget, especially because the paint will be stuck in your clothes for years.
Spend a day walking around Downtown Lee’s Summit, and if that isn’t fun enough, Downtown Kansas City is just a stone’s throw away.
FILMS Grab your popcorn and your best friends and catch a flick at either of the new movie theatres in town or in the comfort of your own home. INDEPENDENCE CENTER
GALLERY See a true masterpiece at a local art gallery or exhibit. Become immersed in culuture and take it all in.
JOGGING
Going green and eating a healthy balanced diet, may not sound like a blast, but taking care of your body and watching what you eat can be a perfect summer project.
Shopping is almost guaranteed to entertain anyone for a couple of hours. Buy a new summer outfit or try on a swimsuit or just hang out at the mall.
Use summer vacation as an excuse to get that beach bod everyone swore they would have ready by may and go on a run or two.
KAUFFMAN CENTER
LANDMARK SKATE
MAIN EVENT
Take a trip out to Downtown KC and catch a concert at the state of the art Kauffman Center.
Relive the glory days of sixth grade and head on over to Landmark for a night of fun and nostalgia.
Main event is the perfect place to bowl a strike, play some laser tag, and anything your heart desires.
Features NELSON
OCEANS OF FUN
The Nelson-Atkins Gallery of Art is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in another culture and see masterpieces. Best part: it’s completely free of cost.
Wipeout! Hang out in the wavepool until you can’t stand straight anymore, or slide down one of the dozen water slides Oceans of Fun has.
QUIT A BAD HABIT
ROYALS GAME
Everyone has at least one. Whatever it may be, take the two and a half months off to work on cutting that out.
Head over to Kauffman Stadium and watch the World Series winning Royals hit a home run.
TRAIN
UNION STATION
Catch a train to St. Louis for a day of fun on the other side of the state. Or, grab a drink at Whistle Stop Coffee Shop just across the street.
Not only is Union Station one of the most picturesque parts of Kansas City, but it is also immersed in educational fun and culture.
21 PARADISE PARK Buy a fun card and spend an afternoon mini golfing the day away. Later, you can show off your moves on the go-cart speedway.
SUMMIT WAVES Take a dip in the waters over at Summit Waves. There, you can mozy on down the lazy river, or zip down the amazing water slides.
VINYL Go retro and splurge on a record player. Some are even portable, so they can be taken on your wild summer adventures.
X-PLORE
WORLDS OF FUN Whether it’s twists and turns or death defying drops, there is something for everyone at Worlds of Fun.
Go out of a whim, off path, or on a leaf, and get some fresh air with friends or by yourself and take in everything around you.
YOGA
ZOO
Breathe in; exhale. Stretching to the sky and alligning your chakras is a perfect activity to fill a summer afternoon. and just relax.
Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! Spend a day on the wild side and head on over to the Kansas City Zoo.
Written by: Tyler Williams Photographed by: Shelby Friedricksmeyer, Chana Ostrander, and Mackenzy Martinez Designed by: Tyler Williams
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Opinions
aud
thoughts An editorial column by opinions editor Audrey Badgerow.
“
I could never date a Republican,” Any one of my friends could read this statement and immediately trace it back to me. Before the 2016 presidential election, I had never really thought about politics much, however, somehow between then and now, it has become a factor that plays into many of my decisions and life choices. When you hear about something so much as I heard about this election, you begin to do some research. After this, I became entranced and consumed to learn more. I began arguing with peers because, well, my opinion was right, so that must mean everyone who disagrees is wrong. So, I have to show them where I am coming from. Right?
Then, right when I thought that I had finally finished figuring out the politics of my ideologies, I was so set on the idea that all of my friends had to share all of my opinions. After I had been going about this for a while, I realized this was not the way that I should be choosing my friends. This change of heart was all thanks to my best-friend, Makenzie. It was so insane to me that I could become so close with someone who holds completely opposite principles as I do, in such a short amount of time. Although, we have different ideas of what a person’s fundamentals should be, I never knew how nice it would be to have someone who compliments you so nicely, yet not so
similar that you get bored of them. I never knew that I could have a friend who, is exactly the same as me, while at the same time is drastically different. Something that I have had a really difficult time with, even now, is opening my mind and being more accepting of people who have differing opinions from me, but I never thought that someone who I fundamentally disagree with would be my best friend, with who I can talk to about anything (even our disagreeing viewpoints and anything else that comes to my mind) could also come to be one of the only people that I love to talk to the most. Photographed by: Makayla Holmberg Written by: Audrey Badgerow Designed by: Johanna Holmberg
Opinion
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The dark side of high school relationships.
O
ne in four women will be victims of domestic violence in their lifetimes. For men, that statistic is one in seven. Kimberly Segovia is one example of that statistic. When Segovia was a teenager, she spent four years in an abusive relationship. It started off with verbal abuse, and soon developed into physical abuse. Segovia’s now exboyfriend would attempt to isolate her, and if he failed he would take her away at gunpoint. She did not leave him until he had smacked her in front of their child. Now, 32 with two children and in a happy relationship, Segovia educates teenagers about abusive relationships. While not everyone faces the same abuse
as Segovia, it is still common for teenagers to face abuse from their boyfriends, girlfriends, family, sometimes even their friends. It is a very broad topic, and some people do not even notice that they themselves are being abused. “A lot of the time when students come to me, they don’t realize that they’re being abused, they’re just describing abusive patterns,” counselor Ashley Ekochu said. One misconception about abuse is that it is solely physical, which consists of hitting, kicking, punching, whipping, things such as that. However, what most people do not realize is that abuse can take many more forms than being hit. Abuse is anything that degrades a person, or makes them feel like they are
worthless, leading to it being a major cause of depression. “Someone who is trying to control another person, like what they wear, where they go, who they talk to, what they do. Sometimes that’s how it starts out,” Ekochu said. While not everyone reaches out for help when they are being abused, it is still advice that counselors give to students. When a person is being verbally or emotionally abused, they should try and talk with their significant other and try to get them to stop. However, if that does not work, or they are in a physical abuse, then they should do whatever they can to get out of that relationship, that way they do not end up like another Kimberly Segovia.
people are victims of violence by an intimate partner every Only
of people
who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries.
Written by: Blake Lemon Photographed by: Jordan Turner Designed by: Jessica Winkler
Opinions
24
GUNNING
FOR CHANGE
Students across Lee’s Summit fight for gun laws and control.
A
s a group of hundreds of high school students march down the street holding signs and chanting their beliefs, junior Alyssa Alvarado steps back and admires what a group of teenagers have been able to accomplish by working together. “Participating in protests forces people to notice us, they cannot block out the noise,” Alvarado said. When it comes to guns and the safety of our school, it can be difficult to let both exist. When a gun is so easy to get, a school is not necessarily safe. A child can get ahold of a gun with relative ease, and use that to do whatever they want. “We are trying to bring attention to the problems we have in this day, we want people to listen and know that we won’t stop,” Alvarado said. In the world of violent video games, cyberbullying, and bullying all in one, kids often tend to become violent. With the growth of mental illnesses and school attack rates on the rise, it
is hard to deny the major dangers of guns and their legality. “People are attempting to accomplish unity among teens and adults, wanting to stop gun violence in schools, as well as to get authority figures to hear us and know we won’t back down,” junior Sage Morgan said. Gun protests truly mean more than what people tend to give them credit for. They represent the coming together of a community and the care people have for safety. Guns can be a good thing, but when they are used more for violence and attacks, it is clearly time for a change. “I believe that guns should be restricted to people who have a license for them and have gone through a mental health screening and approved,” Morgan said. Alvarado joins back into the march and joins in the chant. She feels empowered walking side by side with so many other students, and hopes that doing this will help.
FIREARM
FAST FACTS
Written by: Jaden Miller Photographed by: Tyler Williams Designed by: Audrey Badgerow
16 out of the 1,738 students at LSHS marched to City Hall on 4/20. 76% of students surveyed who did not march, wanted to but couldn’t.
Opinions
What
Think
Teachers are severely underpaid for their workload.
T
here is something unethical happening in schools all across America and it is something that not students, nor parents would even begin to associate with their schools. For the level and time allotted of work that teachers are expected to do, and to do well, they are severely underpaid and the stigmas surrounding their profession are only hindering their chances of an adequate wage. “Many teachers have to pay for classroom supplies out of their own pockets, further adding to the financial burdens many educators are facing. A 2016 study by educational publisher Scholastic found teachers, on average spent $530 of their personal money on supplies for their classrooms,’ according to CNN. This is only the start of it. A common misconception is that teachers stop working as soon as their car leaves the parking lot, but there is much more work to do at home. “More than 3.5 million full-time teachers in the United States are
required to work 38.2 hours a week on average, according to the NCES. But when taking into account all other school-related activities teachers participate in -- like after school conferences, staff meetings and extracurricular programs -- they actually end up working 53.3 hours during a typical work week,” according to CNN. Another common misconception is that teachers have paid summer vacations. “Busch [ Leslie Busch, a special education teacher in Kentucky ] said many teachers, including herself, choose to have a portion of each of their paychecks withheld during the school year so they can continue to receive a paycheck through the summer. That means about 9 months’ worth of money is spread out over 12 months,” according to CNN. It is important that students and parents alike learn to separate the fallacy from the fact in regards to their educators’ salary. Teachers have taken on the ever-so-important task of shaping America’s youth and the generations to follow them, so why are their earnings not reflective of that?
34/36 staff 35/37 Hi.Life members staff members agree
agree
-the hi.life staff
Voice your own opinion by taking the poll on hilife.jlabmag.com
25
26
Sports
Clayton’s Quarter A sports column by sports editor Clayton N
elson Mandela once said “Sports have the power to change the world... it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” Sports at all levels have a purpose. Each step of the process has a staple that teaches athletes to not only become better at their sport, but to become better at their life. My coach, Eric Thomas always says that winning at the game of football is not everything, but winning at life is. As athletes age they are coveted more and more. Athleticism and being able to stay healthy contributes to the type of scholarship they will receive. This begins the process of individualism or personal branding of the athlete; in other words the athlete gets to separate themselves from others instead of sticking to the cookie cutter world of student athletes. College athletes tend to receive a lot more exposure than they are
used to, people start noticing their talents every Saturday. With this exposure comes popularity, and notirity. This can be a blessing and a curse sometimes. For instance, anytime a student athlete helps their community out they are celebrated, but if they make a mistake they are severely ridiculed by the general populous. This has been the downfall of many talented student athletes around the country. Unfortunately, college athletes now have a new problem that they must face. In recent years the political landscape has erupted America into chaos, so choosing to disclose who you would vote for or what organizations you support has become increasingly more dangerous. The new found controversial topic of political and social activating has caused a split in the NFL and in its
Roaring Tigers: Junior Clayton Couch celebrates after a crucial play against rival Lee’s Summit West.
fanbase. When NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick first knelt during the national anthem fans everywhere were outraged, but it was not until after the fact when everyone learned his reasoning behind the act of defiance. Kaepernick made it clear that he would not “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”. Despite some of the negative backlash Kaepernick received, his actions were praised by many. Many NBA superstars such as
Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade have taken advantage of their influence to speak out about Equality. James even created a pair of shoes specifically for this movement. Regardless of any political bias, these athletes are using their platform to share a message that the general populous can get behind. The NBA and its partner WNBA are working to make
both companies equal in terms of popularity and support. Athletes like Kevin Durant vocalize their support for their female peers in multiple interviews as well as appearing in commercials for the WNBA. While I display apathy to most political debates, I do strongly support any athlete who uses their popularity and wealth to help benefit their
communities while raising awareness to causes that they strongly believe in. Amidst the controversial landscape, sports still is the unifying outlier of the world. It is clear that these professional athletes are not only winning in their game, but they are winning in life.
Written by: Clayton Couch Photographed by: Clayton Couch Designed by: Clayton Couch
Sports
SUMMER FUN
Tue, May 29
LSHS Football Camp: -Grades 10-12 -#1 Helmet Only For the First Day of Camp
Jun 6 – 8
Missouri State Team Camp: - Full Pad Tackle Contact Days 7,8,9 -Full Pad Days 2,3,4
Jun 29-Jul 8 MSHSAA Dead Period Break: -Bi Week
Mon, Aug 6 All Camp Practice: -Grades 9-12 -First real practice
Summer camps can help enhance performance
S
ummer camps might help the performance of players on these specific teams. These summer programs provide a platform for players to show their talents and get coaches recognize them. “Summer camp gives players a chance to showcase their skills” Coach Ryan Peters said. The coaches say Lee Summit camps could be very helpful to an athletes performance and might help players win a starting spot and could help with being close with your coaches not just a player but as a friend. “Your spending more time with each other” Coach Peters said. These camps might also help athletes make
new friends and help love football and are with the plays and committed to helping the job of a specific each other get better” position. Gavin said. “My biggest goal was These football to be the best player I camps are optional but can be, and impress my these coaches would coaches I really wanted really love to see who’s to show them I could committed to the team and sport by working handle my position” hard in the summer. Senior Gavin Curless said. Coaches think summer camp is also Written by: Daltyn Schafer a great way to show Photographed by: Jessica commitment to the Winkler team and sport and Designed by: Cheyanne show their committed Kennedy they are to the sport coaches will notice when and athlete deserves a starting spot by how much work they do. “You could skip the Athletes whole camp and still stretch before play during the season conditioning for but we all choose to go the upcoming to camp because we season.
27
Sports Mind Over Matter:
JV and Varsity Throwers all throw over 100ft with Dayton Kemp at 101, to Felix Anudike at 131ft “It doesn’t matter how strong you are. You can still out throw your opponents.”
JAVELIN...
A
Implementation of javelin in Missouri’s school district’s Track and Field
s Zion Wiseman takes a deep breath, he prepares for the throw that could break all previous records for the school. One throw that combines all of his practice both mentally and physical into one throw that will be unforgettable. This, Is the start of a new chapter, one that has not yet been dared in the state of Missouri. “Javelin was never in Missouri, but it has been in Kansas for as long as I can
remember,” Rick Shriver said. new opportunity Javelin has recently undergone a “Throwing’s very technical, it’s not just process to be emitted into the school a baseball throw. You have to get your system as one of the events in track and body in line, the movement is similar but field and doing so has proven to be a there are a lot of moving parts that go challenge. into the throw itself,” Shriver said. “It has to go through a two-year trial where we make sure everything is running smoothly before we make It a sport. Everything’s running well though, the only issue is finding and paying for a facility,” Shriver said. Written by: Chris Teeter Along with the staff never experiencing Photographed by: Mike Smith teaching javelin before, the athletes are Designed by: Bianca Stewart just as inexperienced jumping into this
Let’s Take a Shot of the Players Javelin’s been pretty fun, It’s my first year doing it, and it’s gone pretty smoothly. For a while I couldn’t get the javelin to stick so I had to fix the way I threw, but now I’m just working on perfecting my throw. I love throwing and just watching it go through the air, then it sticks and it makes you feel like you threw the perfect throw
Zion Wiseman
The first competition slowly grew in my nature. I love going to meets, because nobody’s watching you, your’re by yourself, and there’s no pressure. Right now my main challenge is trying to throw a 40, Ihave to improve my form, and crossovers, but I’ll try to beat it in the next meet.
Felix Anudike