What ’s Inside?
• Cell Phones In Class • Forensics • Tanning • Student Spotlight: Heather Francis
What ’s Happening at BLHS? Personalized Ads Coming Your Way! Being the extremely determined group of girls and one guy that newspaper and yearbook is, we have come to the conclusion to send personal ads to each student that has not yet bought a yearbook in hopes of reaching the students who are already in the yearbook several times. Over the year we have come to a point of 305 buys and hoping to reach our goal of 485! That is about 80 percent of the school population, so help us out and buy a yearbook or we will find you! - Ali Patterson Courtwarming Pep Assembly Coming up at BLHS is the Courtwarming pep assembly. Groups of students from each grade level are getting together and choreographing dances to perform during the assembly. Some juniors that are going to perform are Ally Laney, Morgan LeBlanc, Eric Purrington, and Cory McCleary. The choreographer for the junior class is Makayla Weiser. The assembly is a good way to get us excited for the court warming game and for the dance. The pep assembly is on Feb. 1. I encourage everyone to come and watch all of the hard work that has been put into this assembly. Julia Stevens Courtwarming Dance This year, the courtwarming dance is on February 2nd. It will be held at BasehorLinwood High School in the sports’ foyer. Each ticket is five dollars and it’s formal. It’s from 7-10pm. If you’re bringing an outside date, go to
the front office and fill out an outside date form. They are due on January 30th. - Alexis Nichols
Social Studies While Mr. Johnson was gone Wednesday, January 16, his Gold 2 government class received a special visitor. Richard Drennon, a member of the Basehor City Council came to talk to Mr. Johnson’s government class. Drennon is a long time resident of the Basehor area and is currently employed by our school district as Director of Maintenance. He came and talked about most of the things that are discussed at their city meetings that they have twice a month. The class had many questions to ask him, most of which were for the assignment that was given by Mr. Johnson. He talked about his job specifically and what he was supposed to do. He explained to the class his duties as city council member, the best and worst parts that come with it, and the importance of keeping Basehor at its best. Many of the students’ questions had to do with speeding, being pulled over, and city limits. It was a fun educational way to kick off the new semester and hopefully in the future we will have more Basehor council members come talk to the U.S. Government classes. David Breuer, the mayor of Basehor visited their classes on Friday, January 25. As Mr. Drennon did, Breuer explained the duties of being mayor and answered questions about his job. “I love the fact that actual politicians come and talk to our class. It connects what we’re learning with real life. It gives me a better idea
of what local government is really about,” junior Chellcy Miller said. It is very likely that there will be more guest speakers to come throughout the rest of the year! - Susette Garcia, Allison Crist, and Tori Powell Art Classes Mr. Lohafer and his Art III class are doing a few interesting things that not very many people know about but would be interested to hear about. Currently they are making a mural for the weight room and its name is going to be “Bobcat Power.” They will be putting one of our bobcat logos on it; the logo with a bobcat holding a barbell. Around the mural they will be putting inspirational and motivational sayings. In addition, in the future Mr. Lohafer hopes that they will also be able to create a strength and conditioning crest as well. - Rachael Bell Powerlifting Update The women’s powerlifting team, who have won the last five state titles, recently traveled to McLouth for its first meet of the season where they took 1st. The men’s powerlifters, winner of the last three state titles, took second at the meet. Their next meet is at Royal Valley on the 26th. Coach Ross Schwisow said the best thing about the program is how many new freshman come out each year, and how the numbers continue to grow. - Mitchell Mikinski
Chatty Cathys: Phones in the Classroom By: Elissa Freemire Ninety-seven percent of the student body has one, 85 percent carry theirs from class to class, so logic tells you that it’s accepted to have your phone out during class. If you ask any student at BLHS, they’ll tell you that it depends on the teacher whether or not it is truly accepted to have your phone out in the classroom.
a chance,” said Mary Myer. Mary Myer, as well as Mrs. Shields, are known for having a strict, no electronics policy. “I don’t allow the students to have their phones turned on in my class. Sometimes they forget to turn the volume off, and they turn into a distraction when it comes to learning.”
“I have a no tolerance policy for cell phones in my classroom, it’s not that I don’t like them, I just don’t like the fact that you don’t know what the students are using them for, they might be texting, or tweeting, or they could be taking embracing pictures of one another, it turns into bullying, and since I can’t control what they do or say on their phones, I don’t want to take
On the other hand, there are multiple teachers that do allow cell phones in the classroom, and openly allow you to use them. Social studies teacher Tim Johnson is one of them. “I do allow phones to be used in my classroom, in fact, I encourage it. The students are not allowed to make phone calls, text, update their status, take pictures,
etc. I’m willing to trust my students and give them that freedom, but if they are caught doing any unapproved things, I’m not afraid to take, and keep their phones until the end of the day,” Johnson said. BLHS gives teachers the freedom to have their own classroom rules when it comes to cell phones, which can be both good or bad. The majority of teachers allow phones for academic use only, which makes sense considering that they are the most advanced technology out there. “Everything’s right at our fingertips, so I don’t see why we shouldn’t use it to our advantage,” Johnson said.
CATCH THE CATS IN ACTION
POWERLIFTING
WRESTLING
BASKETBALL
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
Jan 29 Feb. 01 Feb 04-11 Feb. 05 Feb. 08 Feb. 12 Feb. 15 Feb. 19 Feb. 22
4:00 4:00 TBA 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00 4:00
Away Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Away
Bishop Ward Piper (Courtwarming) Mill Valley (FB) Tonganoxie Bonner Springs Lansing Turner (Sr. Night) Piper Mill Valley
Jan. 31 Feb. 06 Feb. 09 Feb. 15-16 Feb. 22-23
5:30 5:30 9AM 2:00 TBA
Home Away Away TBA Salina
Ottawa/Mill Valley DeSoto KVL Regionals State
Feb. 02 Feb. 09 Feb. 23
OPPONENT
Clay Center BLHS Belton
Designed by Abi Batesel
Frosh Ball By: Mitchell Mikinski This year’s freshman boys’ basketball team started off the year with something that every freshman team in the country has: jitters. Luckily for the team things have changed with the team off to a 7-1 start which has team members and fans both excited. The jitters from the first game have subsided and now the team is firing on all cylinders with the team winning its last five games including a 70-6 win over Patton. Center/power forward Caleb Metsker attributes the success to the team as a whole, saying, “It’s been a team effort, everyone [on the team] has contributed in some way to our success.” Shooting guard Nick Fisher also said that the team was key adding “The team is deep so even if one guy isn’t playing well we can still come out with the victory thanks to our bench.” The players also said that the recent win over Mill Valley was a big confidence booster. Fisher said, “We had never beaten Mill Valley before and to beat them by that much was huge.” Revenge is obviously a big takeaway from that win but Metsker thinks
that the even bigger takeaway is the all-around great performance of the defense. “That really gave us confidence going forward.” However not every game has been great. The players all seem to have the same feeling, however no one seemed to sum the weaknesses up better than Metsker; Talking, Defense, Focus.
Words of 2012
Exhilarating Austin Rowland, 11
Memorable,exciting, My & extravagant Amber Garver, 11
Ben Johnson, 12
GOOD TIME
Makenzi Phippen, 10
Sad & crazy
A sweet memory
poppycock Bri Kennedy, 10
Kylie Denham, 9
Everything Epic has changed.
Zac Hevel, 12
Beyond
Ali Patterson, 11
Lindsey Schubert, 10
Megan Sixta, 10
Worthwhile
Brad Stout, 11
One that won’t be forgotten
Awesome
2012 Fun & Exciting Madi VanGosen, 9 was so bad Logan Anderson, 10 ups & downs, great! A year I will overall Raeney Seaton, 10 always It was all remember Dustin Denham, 12
Haylee Neidholdt, 9
Chet Sarlls, 9
Spontaneous
Chance Ryder, 12
Boring & Pointless
A big learning experience
9th 10th 11th 12th
Designed by Alexis Nichols and Sarah Ford
Green Light for the stop light!
Many new things have happened in Basehor this year, and one very important thing is the new lights on State Avenue. It may not seem like a big deal to most people, but to BasehorLinwood High School students and their parents, it’s a very big deal.
In the past, without a light, there have been many car accidents which lead to death or serious injury. Most of those were BLHS students. It is very tragic when something like that happens. It is even more tragic when it takes that many accidents, injuries,
and deaths for our city to put in a light. Many students were scared to cross at that intersection because they didn’t want to risk going out on the highway and getting hit. For most Linwood students, that was a faster way to get home. High school students uses the highway not
only for getting to and from school, but to and from Care Cats. When the school sends those students to Care Cats, they want to know that they are able to get there and back safely and not have to worry about the students going across State Avenue and getting hit. It is the school’s
By: Tori Powell priority that everyone is having fun in school but also that they are safe while having fun. So now that we do have a light down there, the students are able to get through that intersection, and the Administration doesn’t have to worry about the students using that intersection.
of related stories which are no longer than seven minutes in length. While solos and duets are memorized, prose is not. With this, forensicators must also rely mainly on facial expressions, hand gestures, body prose, poetry, oration, students will again language, and voice informative speech, draw topics and have to tell their stories due extemporaneous 30 minutes to write a to the fact that their speaking, and speech. Judges take movement is limited. impromptu speaking. into consideration Poetry is related to IDA consists of how the speech is prose because in this two people drawing structured and overall event, students are a character, situation, presentation. Only one simply performing an and location. The two notecard is allowed. unmemorized poem will have 30 minutes to The speech should be or collection of related prepare a scene which at least four minutes poems with the same is no shorter than four but no longer than time limit as in prose. minutes and no longer seven. Impromtu Movements are limited than seven. Chellcy speaking is similar, but in poetry, as well. Miller, a second year a bit more complicated. Oration and forensicator, said, “IDA A student draws a informative speech is a lot harder than it topic but only has require students sounds. You have to five minutes to write to write speeches think on the spot and a speech reflecting beforehand on their work together with a their selected topic. own. With oration, partner to make a good Once again, only one the presentation must performance. Even notecard is permitted. be persuasive. An though it’s difficult, I Students who choose informative speech is love it.” prose must perform exactly what it sounds In extempt speaking, a story or collection like.
Forensics: Not Just For Dead People By: Allison Crist
Although it sounds like it, forensics is not about dead bodies and doesn’t involve science. Forensics is a co-curricular activity that emphasizes the development of communication skills. These skills learned can be very essential in this day and age! Students in forensics travel to different tournaments to compete in a variety of oral interpretation and public speaking events. The options students can choose to perform include the following: IDA (Impromptu Duet Act), serious or humorous solo, serious or humorous duet acting,
Mitchell Mikinski, one of the many new to forensics this year, is excited to get this season going. He participated in debate last semester, also taught by Ms. Knowles. “I think debate will help me with forensics.” Mitchell said, “It gave me some experience with speaking in front of people.” He will be doing a humorous duet and an informative speech. Mitchell added, “I don’t know if I’ll like forensics more than debate. It depends on which I end up winning in the most.” It will be exciting to see what the forensicators, new and old, can do this year! Let’s hope for a successful, winning season. For anyone who is interested in joining, at the end of the year seniors get the chance to perform for an audience here at BLHS. Students, families, and faculty are invited to watch forensic members perform their pieces.
Forensics students practice IDA performances. Left: Sophomore Zach Fisher and Junior Luke McGowan. Top: Juniors Chellcy Miller and Allison Crist with sophomore Jordan Eriksen. Bottom: Junior Clayton Kaminski and freshman David Whaley. Right: Juniors Zach Crouss and Tanner Tavis.
72 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute
70% of YouTube traffic comes from outside the US
In 2011, YouTube had more than 1 trillion views or around 140 views for every person on Earth
localized in 43 countries and across 60 languages
what you don’t know.....
Over 800 mil ion unique users visit YouTube each month Over 4 billion hours of video are watched each month on YouTube
A Take on Tanning Today’s society is very different than what it used to be. For instance, technological and cultural advances have affected the way we live. However, some of these different things can really affect you and your body, such as tanning. Most kids ages 10 to 19 are tanning today, and a lot of them don’t know the effects of it. First are the rays called UV rays, which are very dangerous for your skin. When they hit your skin, enzymes react to protect your body, but not all of them do; some of
them mutate and they enhance the risk of skin cancer. Senior Maddy Mikinski said, “I am not a big tanner because, most days, I don’t think I’d be able to sit still that long; I also feel like I’m violating my Northern European roots.” One type of skin cancer is called melanoma, which is the most common skin cancer. Another type of skin cancer is called cell carcinoma. Melanoma can be easily removed if caught in time but in a lot of cases it isn’t and it spreads. Once it spreads, it is much
Designed by Ali Patterson
By: Liz Morris
harder to remove; most of the time it’s impossible. The Skin Cancer Foundation says that five sunburns as a child doubles the chances of developing melanoma. Using a tanning bed before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75 percent. Aging is another side effect. Not literally getting old, but looking old. Your skin will start to turn leathery and get more saggy. Do you really want your skin to feel like your boyfriend’s jacket? When you walk into a tanning salon, they
will strive to save their business, of course, because they have to make a living. They say that tanning gives you more Vitamin D but really it doesn’t; it kills your skin’s fertility. Sophomore Elissa Freemire said, “I don’t really care what people do. It’s their opinion; they know the side effects.” Tanning beds don’t just affect the skin, they also affect the eyes. Some eye problems that can be caused are photokeratitis and photoconjunctives, which is inflation of the cornea. California
even put an age limit for people to tan from 18 or younger without a parents consent. Getting a tan can be very dangerous. There are many other things that you can do to get a tan without hurting your body, for instance a spray tan or just keeping the skin that God gave you. Is it really worth killing your body to look good during a few months? Get a spray tan, stay healthy, and live longer.
Fabulously Francis This year, you may have seen Heather Francis wandering the halls. You may also have seen her on the football field last September accepting the crown for BLHS’ 2013 homecoming queen. Maybe you’ve heard her supersonic laughter. And, yes, she’s the redhead. All her life, Francis has been identified–and joked about–as a redhead. Her red curly hair is pretty noticeable and draws attention but something that most passersby–and jokesters–don’t realize is that her hair used to be straight. That’s right. Francis’s impossibly curly hair was straight at one time. By the time she reached kindergarten, though, it had turned into the curly hair we know and love today. Though the red hair is an attention grabber, once you start talking to Francis about piano or her family or whatever theatre production she’s currently in, you see a whole new side to redheads. You learn that, yes, redheads do have a soul. You also learn that this particular redhead has a gift for music. Since third grade, Francis has been taking from piano lessons from music teacher Laura Beeves. She’s also been a part of the state piano festival every year since she was a freshman. During her career, Francis has played everything from solfeggiettos to sonantinas to songs about freight trains. Her sophomore year, when she earned a one rating at substate and continued onto the state piano competition, her piece was titled Allegro Burlesco (Kuhlau). Francis makes playing the piano look simple. She easily puts those prodigy toddlers on YouTube to shame.
What’s her secret? Hard music. “I like the challenge of not being able to play something and working hard,” she said. This can easily be represented in this year’s state piece, “March of the Dwarfs” (Grieg), which she has yet to completely learn. “March of the Dwarfs” is a song comprising of octaves and speed that leaves Francis’s wrists sore after playing, which she enjoys. In fact she asked for it. Last summer, Francis
The two brothers closest to her age were the worse even going so far as to dress her in an awful shirt with a bear on the front when she was little. She describes her childhood as sitting back and watching her brothers make mistakes and get punished for them. Sometimes, she even got them in trouble herself. All of those loud boys had an effect on her school life as well. “I think that [loud
asked Beeves for the hardest piano piece she could find. She’s been practicing ever since. Spending nine months on the same song could prove one of two things: (1) she’s very dedicated and loves music or (2) she’s a glutton for punishment. The Express opts for option two. What makes her piano playing even more remarkable is the fact she has five distracting older brothers hanging around. Five older brothers may diminish practice time but it also means that Francis has had her fair share of teasing.
brothers] is why I was shy in school.” If Francis needed somewhere to come out of her shell, she found it in the BLHS theatre program. One day when she was a sophomore, Francis was walking by drama teacher Rebecca Knowles’ room when graduated seniors Shelby McGhee and Danielle Ridder pulled her inside to audition with them for the play Curse of the Cobra’s Kiss. She ended up dancing to the Bobby Pickett song “Monster Mash” for the preshow. For the spring play Under the Influence, she
By: Maddy Mikinski
played the character of Kris, a girl whose mom abused drugs. “After that play, I loved plays,” she recalled. Her next production was a little bit more jovial with Willy Wonka. Her junior year, she starred as Mrs. Bucket opposite of Patrick McKechnie, senior. She had a blast. “After that musical, I decided that I like musicals more than plays.” That same year, she acted in Larceny and Old Lace, a parody of the mystery play Arsenic and Old Lace. This time, she starred as the fainting, odd fiancé. “I was a weirdo,” she admitted. In that spring’s play, The Princess King, she played lead Danielle Ridder’s best friend/ servant. In this year’s musical, The Wizard of Oz, Francis appeared as the mayor of Munchkinville. It was odd, she said, as every other munchkin was taller than her. For this year’s winter play, Headin’ For the Hills, Francis stars as Sally, a publishing house employee who ventures into the unknowns of hillbilly territory to save her sinking publishing company. With Francis alongside Tanner Tavis, junior, this play is sure to be a good one. So next time you see Heather Francis in the hallway, ask her about her piano career, or when her “I Survived Five Brothers” award is arriving. Or even just say “hi”. If you want to see her in action, come back on February 7, 8, or 9 to see her onstage.
Best of... BLHS Photos Want to CONTRIBUTE PHOTOS to the BLHS yearbook and newspaper? Our publications are more interactive now than ever before! Go to www.replayit.com and register for an account with BLHS. The password is bobcats1. You can upload your photos directly on to this site.
Allison Haley Waters Crist
Amber Garver
Taylor Sherley
Anthony Dice Amber Garver
Liz Morris
Ali Patterson