BLHS Express Homecoming Edition (September 2014)

What’s Inside Page 2 : BLHS Senior Semifinalist for National Merit Scholarship Page 3 : Fall Sports Update Pages 4-5 : Homecoming Court Profiles Pages 6-7 : Students and Teachers Share Homecoming Memories Page 8 : Homecoming Do’s and Don’ts

Homecoming Edition

Aly Levinson Chosen as National Merit Semifinalist

by Ashley Hicklin

Earlier this month Basehor-Linwood senior, Aly Levinson, was confirmed as a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an competition among high school students for scholarships and recognition. Students enter the program by taking their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Every September, roughly 16,000 out of 50,000 high school students are notified that they have qualified as semifinalists.

Even if Aly is not accepted into her first choice of a college, this award guarantees her chances of getting into a number of other universities. Levinson said she is very excited, and that having a guaranteed full-ride as a back up is very calming, lessening the stress every high schooler experiences nearing the end of their high school career.

The National Merit Scholarship is a very rare distinction. Only six other BasehorLinwood students been deemed this recognition in past years, including Aly’s elder brother, Joseph Levinson. It is a great honor.

Unsocial Media You peak your head through a classroom and you see people on their phones.

You stand up in the lunchroom and see people on their phones.

On the bus. Phones. In your home. Phones. They are everywhere and always demanding attention.

Some may think the fact that people are embracing technology and social media is productive for our society and giving others a greater perspective on the world. This is not wrong, but there is a far greater trouble in this situation.

People are avoiding face-toface interactions.

Sophomore Emilie Crutchfield said, “I see (my friends) for about 30 minutes. Like face-to-face. But, we talk for an hour through text.”

Emilie is involved with many activities such as cross-country, powerlifting, and track. All of these activities grant students and athletes alike, the time to talk and converse.

Despite this social time, Emilie said the first thing she does after pulling out her phone is check her text messages, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. She is not alone in this. According to a rough estimate, she said that about seven out of eight students sitting at her lunch table, at any

CLASH OF FRIENDS Caleb Metsker and Damien Laffoon have been friends since the age of four, but recently something began to pit them against each other. That something is known worldwide as Clash of Clans.

Clash of Clans is a highly addictive iPhone game that has recently taken BLHS by storm. The premise of the game is relatively simple, keep advancing your base while raiding other settlements with your warriors.

The game capitalizes on one specific thing, human nature.

When you use one of the three

by Clay Beebe

given time, are on their phones.

On the contrary, Aaron Schwartz, English teacher, spoke about his views on cell phones. “Why would I want someone to call me at home or at a Royals game when I don’t want to talk?” Mr. Schwartz attended Shawnee Mission North High School in the 1990s. The culture back then was extremely different. Few cell phones were available.

Students and athletes would spend all day together, talking and entertaining each other, then would come home to dial-up computers and talk for hours more on AOL Instant Messenger. This was the average life. They would watch movies together, go play basketball, talk about books, make music, and everything that would involve face-to-face

interactions.

The time has changed now.

Schwartz said that he sees all of the students at any given lunch table, glued to their phones.

Students are faced with new dilemmas. When an overachieving student goes to school, practice, work, sleep, and repeat every day, there is hardly any time for socializing. Cell phones make it easier to communicate, but we have overstepped our boundaries. We need to get back to our roots and avoid making social media the first choice in communication.

We need to talk to each other, not subtweet. If you have a problem, an opinion, a statement, or anything you want or need to say, tell it to a person, not a phone.

interested person knows who is leveling up their warriors (This week Caleb got level four Hogs).

Caleb lists the pros of Clash as increasing the bond between friends, despite the fact that he considers it addictive, as well.

The Clan part of the game “allows you to stay connected with your friends” according to Metsker. Clan Members must collaborate on their attacks in order to insure their victory in their “wars” against other clans.

But Damien disagrees on multiple counts. He finds the

game “extremely annoying”.

The game terrorizes lunch tables in his view and generally is a menace.

The game is open to many different interpretations.

Whether your take is “Clash is Life” or it’s nothing more than a painful topic you must tolerate at the lunch table, the game is making an impact.

People are spending money, and not just two dollar quantities. Caleb reports that some people in his clan spend more than 300 dollars a month on Clash.

by Mitchell Mikinski

in game currencies to “build” your base or to “train” your warriors you have to wait for them to finish building/ training.

The game allows you to get around this though. If you pay for “gems,” then you can finish training the troops or upgrading your base right then.

This allows for the at-thismoment satisfaction our generation is known for. That satisfaction allowed for an obsession to develop.

It has become common to hear the term “Clash is Life” at lunch, and even the least

Fall Sports Update

Bobcat athletic teams continue to improve as they look toward postseason play - by Jill Espinoza

Cross Country: Senior Quinn Walcott is the Bobcats’ top returning runner. Walcott has led the girls team to a first place finish in their first two meets of the season. Her favorite memory from this year is when she said half the girls wet their pants at time trials. She has also finished in second place in several meets already this year.

As a state qualifier last year, Walcott is looking forward to qualifying again this year.

Girls Golf: Allison Matthews is a sophomore and has been playing golf for two years. Overall the team has done very well at tournaments, placing third overall at the Paola tournament. “I shot a depressing 65 at our last meet. It was pretty embarrassing.” Despite that, Matthews said her favorite memory was drinking BBQ sauce out of a straw with Sydney and singing ‘80s country music in the van.

The best chance to see them in action is at the Bobcat Invitational at Falcon Lakes on October 9.

Football: Senior lineman Nathan Kenton is in his fourth year playing football for the Bobcats. With new coach Rod Stallbaumer, the Bobcats began the season with wins over Baldwin and Lansing.

Kenton said that the highlight of his season so far was beating Baldwin because they were ranked third in the state. The Bobcats have high hopes for a great season ahead of them. Keep up the good work!

Boys Soccer: Senior James Harkness has been playing soccer for the Bobcats for three years. Harkness said he has good foot coordination and that’s about it, but he loves the sport. Harkness said that his highlight of the season was beating Tonganoxie. “They’re a rival, and it felt awesome to beat them.” Their next game is against Piper at home on September 30.

Volleyball: This is Jordan Eriksen’s fourth year playing volleyball for BLHS. Eriksen said that her highlight of the year so far was placing second in the Frontier League tournament. “We aren’t even in that league so it was cool to place second.” Eriksen said. Their record is now 13-5. Eriksen is looking forward to seeing how far they will get this year as a team. Their next home game is on October 13 against Bonner Springs, Piper, and Mill Valley.

the numbers behind fall 18,952

by Calder Hollond

number of tons of pumpkins sold in the US and the UK each year

60 billion 1682 total calories in all the pumpkin spice lattes ever sold

year when the first ghost sighting was reported in the US

1.9 million

27

dollars the average NFL player makes in a year (enough to buy 4,750 iPad minis)

average age of an NFL player (less than twice the age of BLHS students)

26.9 million

number of people who watched the Seahawks-Packers kickoff game (or over twice the population of Greece)

75

dollars that the average American spends on Halloween each year

113 million

number of Americans who hand out Halloween candy each year

Madison Howard

Quinnlyn Walcott

Favorite Class/Teacher: Mr Schwartz - He can make me laugh whenever he wants

Give a Shout Out! S/O to my twin Maddy Langford!

Most Embarrassing Moment at School: When Dane hit me in the face with a banana at lunch Favorite Class/Teacher: Forensics and Ms. Knowles Hidden Talent: I can do a headstand for three hours Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: You have really creepy tiny baby hands Favorite Homecoming Memory: When Dom couldn’t fit in the convertible with Maddy last year

Raeney Seaton

Sierra Smith

Most Embarrassing Moment at School: Getting hit in the head with the ball everyday in Team Sports class Favorite Class/Teacher: Mr. Tatkenhorst - He’s fun to be around and always positive Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: “You have pretty hands.” -Nicole Rutherford Favorite Homecoming Memory: Eating dinner - I REALLY love food Favorite Location in the School: Library

Most Embarrassing Moment at School: Walking into the wrong advisory multiple times in one week during sophomore year Favorite Class/Teacher: College U.S. History with Mr. Stallbaumer Hidden Talent: I’m really good at cooking Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: “I like the shape of your fingernails…”

Favorite Homecoming Memory: Riding the freshman float

Hidden Talent: I can play the piano Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: Your toes are nice…

Favorite Homecoming Memory: When Dominic and I rode the convertible last year and couldn’t fit

Junior Attendant

Paul Frith Most Embarrassing Moment at School: I ripped my pants in 6th grade Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: Your shirt fits you nicely Give a Shout Out! S/O to my squad (Austin, Garrett, Steven, Brett, Tubs)

Junior Attendant

Chandley Easley Favorite Class/Teacher: Vicky Herbster because she is so sweet and won’t stop teaching unless she knows you understand it Favorite Homecoming Memory: Going to IHOP because our Stix reservation got canceled Give a Shout Out! S/O to the basketball team because they are my second family

Sophomore Attendant

Peyton Myers Hidden Talent: I can dance Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: Too many to count Give a Shout Out! S/O to the cross country team!

Nathan Kenton

Boston Henry

Hidden Talent: I can throw a pigskin over them mountains Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: “You’re a big boy, I’d hate to get hit by you.”

Favorite Homecoming Memory: Jackie B getting caught on fire Favorite Location in the School: History hall bathroom Give a shout out!

S/O 2 the boyz, you know who you are...and Ryann

Most Embarrassing Moment: Calling my teacher mom, it’s happened several times Favorite Class/Teacher: Any class with Mrs. Herbster, she makes classes I wouldn’t be interested in exciting Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: “You look like Ken off of Barbie…”

Favorite Homecoming Tradition: Throwing candy at children during the parade Favorite Location in the School: Varsity locker room

Daniel Tady

Jared Hiss

Favorite Class/Teacher: Ceramics and Orchestra, I enjoy expressing myself in art and music Hidden Talent: I can sing well...or so I’ve been told by the few who have heard me Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: Your voice would be perfect for a movie announcer Favorite Homecoming Memory: Helping my brother film a newscast for Homecoming and the various events while reheating Chinese food with a stage light Give a Shout Out! S/O to the BLHS XC team!

Favorite Class/Teacher: Mr. Oberndorfer and Video Production...he’s dad Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: Nice shorts…

Favorite Homecoming Tradition: Riding on the fire trucks for football and the bonfire Favorite Homecoming Memory: Chaney being Chaney Give a Shout Out! S/O to my family, you know who you are!

Sophomore Attendant

Kenna Hoffman Most Embarrassing Moment at School: I tripped in the hallway and fell on my face in front of everyone Hidden Talent: I ride horses Favorite Class/Teacher: Mrs. Herbster because she always makes learning fun

Freshman Attendant

Ryan Stalcup Most Embarrassing Moment at School: Fell down in P.E. Weirdest Compliment You’ve Ever Received: I smell good is what I’m told Give a shout out!

Shout out to the soccer team for a good start to the season

Freshman Attendant

Morgan Buchholz Most Embarrassing Moment at School: I got stuck on top of the playground and a whole bunch of teachers had to carry me down Hidden Talent: Just Dance Professional Give a Shout Out! Shout out to Rylea, Jada, Kathleen and Payton for being the best friends ever!

It’s That Time of the Year Again... by Emma Hall

her birthday and the changing color of leaves. “My favorite part of Halloween is definitely the candy.”

Halloween-- it’s the third most popular holiday in the United States. There are currently 36 million kids that go trickor-treating every year and nearly 120 million adults and children that dress up.

So, what do Basehor-Linwood students do for Halloween?

Erin Laney, a member of the BLHS cheerleading squad and a sophomore, said Halloween is her favorite time of year, except for the fact that it’s almost always cold. Laney’s favorite candy is “SOUR PATCH KIDS!” Erin’s favorite part of Halloween is “just having it be Halloween.”

Annie Cygan said, “I’m not dressing up, but if I was then I would definitely be Donatello from the Ninja Turtles.”

Cygan hands out candy, but doesn’t go trick-or-treating. “Sign me up if you got some Kit Kats,” Cygan joked. This is her favorite time of year for two reasons:

Class Float Competition

by Adam Crouse

There are a few things that come to mind when someone mentions “Homecoming.” Those things are usually the dance and the parade.

A major part of the parade, of course, is the class floats. Students have heard the announcements about where to go to help with each float. But how many students actually know what goes on there?

It’s a story of teamwork, drama, and hard work.

The freshman float construction is led by Megan McMillen this year. She said the theme is “Back To The Future”. She admitted that her friends talked her into helping.

“The girls in my grade just told me we should do it at my house,” Megan said. She thinks the hardest part is time usage.

Of course, everyone wants to know the scandals that occur. Megan said that there really isn’t any

Mack Grimes is dressing up as Sally Skellington and a doll. Grimes’ least favorite thing about Halloween is that it only lasts one day. She’s most excited about “cheap cosplay.” Grimes recommends going to your closet for drama, because they all are there because they want to be. Since they want to help, they get it done. Her biggest fear for the parade was that someone might fall off the float.

The sophomore theme this year is “Indiana Jones”. The group is led

by Rachel Hiss. Her favorite part is getting to come up with creative ideas. The class thinks ahead, and that’s how they manage their budget. She said that they also try to find household items to use instead of buying everything they need. Rachel said that she enjoys helping because it’s “a fun way to show what our class can do.”

Hiss said that the only drama they encounter is deciding whose idea to use where. They ask people who want to help with what, and the volunteers then do it. This cuts down the drama slightly. Of course, Rachel’s fear for the parade is that something might break and fall off the float.

Hannah Dickey gave the inside

a costume. “Usually there are simple costumes you can make with old shirts and stuff like that. Cheap costumes are often of poor quality and fall apart easily.” Grimes’ favorite thing about Halloween is dressing up in weird costumes.

Rebekah DeWitt, a senior, confessed, “I have never been trick-or-treating.” She also remains unsure of what she’ll be dressing up as this year. She said her favorite Halloween movie is, “Anything Tim Burton.”

Some things she has dressed up as in the past include a pumpkin, a cat, and a pirate.

DeWitt admitted this is her favorite time of year because, “Mmm… dem leaves.”

Sophomore Hannah Skalla disagrees with the others; her favorite holiday is

Christmas, and her favorite season is summer. Her favorite thing about Halloween is the candy, dressing up, and everything creepy such as scary stories and haunted houses. “I feel like it’s not fair that almost every costume for ladies is inappropriate,” Skalla said.

Senior Erin Rigdon disagreed, saying, “Girls, and anyone for that matter, should be able to wear whatever they want for Halloween.” Rigdon said she doesn’t have a favorite candy; she loves anything and everything. “My favorite thing about Halloween is filling up my house with the smell of spicy pumpkins,” Rigdon said, “and I’m most excited about getting to try my hand at making my own costume.”

Sophomores Tiffany Hazel and Claire Walsh

Sophomore Madison Bowers

scoop about the junior float, with the theme of “Footloose”. Hannah said, “(Courtney Robinson) was the only one with a lawn we could put it in.” They tried to keep their budget under $100 by using household items.

Dickey agreed with Hiss, saying that there is drama about what idea to use and where. But since they know they have to get it done, they overcome differences and make it work. Hannah had the same fear as Rachel: their structure might fall down.

Senior student council member Alexis Nichols confirmed that the senior theme is “Ninja Turtles,”

specifically the old style of Ninja Turtles. She said they used leftovers to keep under budget.

Their structure is slightly unique.

“The boys get to watch over everything, and the girls define our own roles based on what we like to do and what ideas we want to put on the float,” she said.

Like most of the others, Alexis said that her biggest fear was something breaking during the parade, or perhaps the whole float falling apart.

The floats remain a fun, creative, and challenging tradition of Homecoming week that allow students to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Oh My Gaud…

Everything That Can Go Wrong

With Corsages and Boutonnières

by Erin McGowan

“Pollen” on Heart Strings

Maybe you should have cracked the rental limo’s windows, because your date ain’t looking too “swell”. Geddit? Yeah, great, now run off and get that epipen! Next time, opt for the faux flowers.

When you want to be seen, I suggest you try not to be smelled first. The overpowering aroma of this boutonnières’ bouquet can’t be missed, and neither can the opportunity to use it at the next Kentucky Derby on the winning pony.

Homecoming Traditions: Teacher Edition by Alyssa Foster Do you remember any themes from your homecoming years?

“Freshmen Year - “BEE Happy” We played a team called the Yellowjackets.

Sophomore Year - “Mythology Wars” We played a team called the Titans.

Junior Year - “Sunday Funnies” All floats had to be cartoon characters. Our float won [because] we had Snoopy riding his dog house and the saying was “Happiness is a Viking Victory”. Our mascot was the Viking.

Senior Year - “Disney Does Homecoming” Our Float was “Knock ‘Em Goofy” -Mr. Lohafer What was the style of attire/ favorite trend? “​I mainly shopped at Abercrombie and Fitch, it was hugely popular, and Tommy Hilfiger (an owed to my gangster rap listening days), Polo, ​Express, Nike, and Nordstrom. I had high heeled sketchers. Let me expand on that, they were high heel sneakers. GROSS! I thought they were so cool.”

-Mrs. Gutierrez ​

Wilt You Stop That?!

“Suit and tie, with a flair towards the British rock invasion in shirts and colors.”

-Mr. Johnson What events happened around your homecoming time?

“Big homecoming parade at halftime of the big game with lots of floats and the queen and king candidates were driven up in convertibles.

Because of the size of the school, over 4,000-5,000 people would be in the stands.”-Mr. Johnson Most embarrassing/memorable moment from homecoming?

“I made the mistake of going tanning the week of the dance, and I hadn’t been in a long time..... I had 3-4 noticeable UV-induced welts on my face. Not great.”

-Mrs. Myers “We were ‘Parking’ and got stuck on a muddy road and had to walk to a farm house and have her father come and pick us up.”-Mr. Lohafer

Oh dear, your date’s corsage is falling apart! It doesn’t help that she is a bit older. Now all that she can think about is the inevitable passing of time and missed opportunities.

Students Share Homecoming memories

by Kelsey Coleman

How were your homecoming dances alike or different than our homecoming dances?

“We had 2,500 plus students in three grades, so only juniors and seniors could attend.”

-Mr. Hopkins “​My sophomore year was more awkward than anything; I didn’t want to dance because I was embarrassed so we sat at a table and talked.​My junior and senior year was a blast. We danced a ton and always went to the dance and dinner with a big group of friends.”

-Mrs. Gutierrez What was the best way that you were asked/asked someone else?

“I was too shy to ask anyone until my senior year and she kind of asked me. [I] ended up marrying her.” -Mr. Johnson “In the dark ages - we just asked - face to face - no special ceremony. We usually went as a group - because, many of us did not have our own car - so we rode with friends to the dance and dinner afterwards.”

-Mr. Hopkins

Boutonnière up Buttercup

That super sketchy flower salesman on the street got you a great deal on this decorative display of affection. He also sold you a masterful Frank Oz puppet with a lust for human flesh… and a killer singing voice.

Funniest We went to dinner, and the waitress dropped and spilled wine all over my dress. On the plus side, it was white wine so it didn’t stain. / Madison Bowers (10) When our dead car was pushed into traffic and we had to pull the emergency brake to stop it. / Kennedy Bowers (12) Everyone was twerking. / Hannah Skalla (10) Best Going to Skyzone afterwards and hanging with friends. / Colton Gibson (10) The last dance with my date. / Hannah Skalla (10) Dinner. We could not stop laughing and we were having the time of our lives. / Kennedy Bowers (12) Worst Having to wait forever to find a new ride, which ended up being a snazzy minivan. / Colton Gibson (10) That I couldn’t hang out with anyone after because of softball tournament. / Natalie Cowan (11) Was when it ended and I had to go home. / Hannah Skalla (10)

Beeeeeautiful

You heard the buzz?

Beehive hairdos went out of style a while ago... and so did your date. She was last seen running out of the gym away from a cloud of angry African hunting bees.

EXPRESS STAFF

@blhsnews expressblhs@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief: Alyssa Foster Managing Editor: Mitchell Mikinski Bobcat Network: Casey Jones, Zach Fisher, Damien Laffoon, Colin Barclay Reporters: Kelsey Coleman, Ashley Hicklin, Calder Hollond, Ashley NovoGradac, Liz Morris, Erin McGowan, Clay Beebe, Adam Crouse, Emma Hall, Jill Espinoza Adviser: Kristen Loney

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Do’s and Don’ts

by Ashley Novo-Gradac

Wear comfortable shoes so you don’t have to take them off on the dance floor.

Stick with the dance moves you know. You don’t want to make a fool of yourself.

(Girls) Wear dresses knee to mid calf length. Reserve the long dresses for prom.

Keep the jewelry simple to complement the dress, not overwhelm it.

Pay for your date if you asked them to the dance.

(Seniors) Enjoy your last Homecoming... unless you somehow come back again next year.

(Guys) Ask your date to dance. They’ve already said yes to you once.

Relax and enjoy yourself. You’re there to have fun.

Don’t

Do your hair like a poodle. Keep the curls simple.

Forget to order corsage/bouttonniére.

That’s the best way to claim your date.

Overdo your makeup. This is homecoming, not a photoshoot.

Take a limo. Like I said, save the fancy stuff for prom.

Wear a white dress. It’s after Labor Day. Ditch your date at the dance. Odds are they will leave with a new date.

Don’t leave the dance after a small amount of time. That would be a waste of money.

Don’t go straight home after the dance.

Have some more fun with your friends/date.