Baker
Megan Stephens
Iowa State Jared Hiss
Benedictine Marriah Clayton Zachary Ferguson Jack Walsh
Bethel
Madison McDowell
ESU BYU
Jacob Cook
Jill Espinoza Landon Fliger
Fort Hays Katelyn Hickman
JCCC
Amherst Alexandra Levinson
Military Caleb Clark Zackary Carter Nia Sitzmann
Aaron Barth Abigail Batesel Kelsey Coleman McKenna Foster Nicole Giomi Courtney Goodwin Aubrey Gunn
KCKCC
Joshua Attebery Alyssa Bailey Zachary Baxter Andrea Besser Joseph Bledsoe Clark Briscoe Kayla Chadwick Dean Cochran Nicholas Dahlin Haley Elliot Carson Fliger James Harkness Alyssa Johnson Taylor Kimberlin Kyle Nutter Paul Peterson Makenzi Phippen
Wyatt Rowland Cody Sandahl Lee Seitter Lyndon Seitter Megan Sixta Kayla Smith Lei’Onna Smith Andrez Umbenhower Chase Unruh Caleb VanBeber LeeAnn Walcott Gabrielle Williams Savannah Yadon
KSU
Colin Barclay Cassandra Beattie Kennedy Bowers Jordan Eriksen Dominic Foster Joseph Gorman Madison Howard Brianne Kennedy Madison Langford Eamonn MacLachlan Ashley Novo-Gradac Cullen Povilonis Chase Simpson Sierra Smith
Class Baylor Boston Henry Ariana Oliva
LeTourneau Alex Elliott
designed by Kelsey Coleman
Maria Harrison Melanie Johnson Matthew Knight Lindsey Laney Koltin Nichols Raeney Seaton Cody Waterman Ty Wheeler Amanda Wood Tabor York
Lindsay Taylor Cody VanGosen Max Zumbrunn
KU
Troy Bell Kailey Bender Hunter Buchholz Kelsey Coleman Zachary Fisher Pierce Holyfield Casey Jones Nathan Kenton Stevee Leiker Erin Rigdon Daniel Robinette Sara Ryburn Nia Sitzman Julia Stevens Daniel Tady Tyler Samyn
Pitt State Alexis Nichols Devon Hermann Carlie Holmes Tyler Kendrick Morgan Markovich Gunnar Marney Allyson Nahrebeski Kylie Ogden Jade Provence Joseph Schmaltz Quinnlyn Walcott
Paige Pruitt Rachel Suarez Emily Vitt
WSU
Rebekah DeWitt Jenna Espinoza Alyssa Foster
Sterling College Elissa Freemire
St. Mary’s Elizabeth DeWitt Katelynn Singleton Jesse Smallwood Katey Trower
Ottawa Uni Washburn Miranda Lipps Graham Bartunek Sarah Ford Abbey Mellies
?
oF 2015
Undecided/ Unknown Marcus Wintermute Zachary Adams Andrew Bartko Julia Bates James Blauvelt Tanner Brown Louise Busch Michael Chacon Brandon Cole Ashton Findley Keeton Hale Brain Hefton Natalie Holmes Rachel Marcus Charles Mills Zachary Morris Dane Quigley Ryder Reed Alicia Self Quentin Uzzell Stanton Virtue
Workforce Caleb Jones Carlos Sanchez Austin White Nolan Smith John Hoelting Jr.
UCM
Lindsey Schubert Jordan Sullivan
Concordia Kaleb Weinkauf
Creighton
Clay Beebe Taylor Kessee
UMKC
Gianna Burks
William Jewell Caleb White
southern illinois Pat Muldoon
Senior Surveys What is your biggest fear after graduating?
My biggest fear is losing my chill and working in a cubicle - Ty Wheeler Knowing I can’t spend my money whenever I want - Tabor York All the bills to pay, LOL - Savannah Yadon Not being happy with the choices I made earlier in life - Clay Beebe Having to pay bigger bills - Megan Stephens Failing at life and earning a teacher’s salary - Emily Vitt
What will you miss most after graduating? My high school friends, teachers that care, and the somewhat easy classes. -Emily Vitt I will miss how supportive everyone is. Whether it’s teachers in the classroom, administrators with projects, or the community at sporting events, Basehor has always been the one to show their true school spirit and pride for where they come from. I love that so much! -Alexis Nichols Mrs. Loney... That’s it! -Ashley Novo-Gradac
The wonderful support that everyone has given me throughout my senior year and helping me along as much as they have been able too. -Alicia Self My teachers! They were there when I needed them at all times, even if I didn’t get along with them sometimes. -Morgan Markovich The smell of the weight room -Clay Beebe My advisory crew - Clay, Emily, Rachel, Jacob, Kennedy, Lauren, Aiden, Caleb, Kaleb, Daniel, Landon, Jack -Alex Elliott
Advice to your 10-year-old self
I guess my biggest fear is leaving home. I am super excited to be going off to college and starting my own life, but I’m nervous to leave my safety net - Elissa Freemire
Work harder than you ever have in school. HIGH SCHOOL DOES MATTER! Every year of high school, you should try. Not just your junior and senior year. -Alyssa Bailey
Don’t spend time trying to be someone you are not. If you be the person you really are, then everything will get better. -Devon Hermann
Death. And heights. And spiders. Oh, and bugs and mice and snakes. *gasping for breath* - Caleb VanBeber
Take a break every now and then and do not stress out over the little things. -Katelynn Singleton
Take as many chances as you can, they turn into great stories one day. This is the time where we can mess up and fail. Its okay, accept failure. Understand now that everything is not going to work out in your favor, sometimes it just isn’t supposed too no matter how much you wanted it too. Don’t focus so much on it. Don’t rely on others, if you believe in something YOU make it happen, not them. Stay humble, the only thing you can count on in life is that it is always changing. Take a risk and risk it all. -Paige Pruitt
I am terrified that I won’t be ready. I don’t think I have everything prepared for my future, and I don’t want anything horrible to happen. - Lyndon Seitter Gaining the Freshman 15 - Katie Hickman
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Save, save, and save money. -Jesse Smallwood For the love of God, don’t grow up. -Rebekah DeWitt Don’t wear the pigtails. -Rachel Suarez High school is not the best four years of your life. -Jade Provence
Homecoming Representatives: Sarah Ford & Austin Dean
It’s okay to be a little nerdy. -Taylor Keesee
Courtwarming Representatives: Sierra Smith & Cody Waterman
Premier showing of “Willy Wonka”
Senior Wills
Thank You Notes
I leave my newfound confidence. I came out of my shell and made many friends, with people I first thought didn’t like me and others, too. You never know who you can be friends with until you talk to others -Tabor York
ank you to Kaz and Westbrook for being really good Th and funny band teachers. Thank you to all of my other teachers for helping me when I didn’t understand something. -Kayla Smith
I leave my grit. Never stop trying to achieve your goals! No matter when the going gets rough, you keep chugging forward. Remember to work hard and thank those who helped you. There should never be an excuse. You just need to try harder. -Lindsay Taylor
ank you to Mrs. Loney for always providing her Th room as safe haven for me and so many other kids, and listening to every single pointless story I’ve ever told. Thank you to Mr. Earnhart, for being basically the best math teacher I’ve ever had, in addition to brightening my day with his puns that I don’t understand until 10 seconds after it is said. I will never ever forget how awesome and genuine of a person you are. Thank you to Mr. Westbrook for silently understanding my life. Thanks for those looks you gave me during rehearsal that let me know everything is going to be okay. -Melanie Johnson
I would like to leave my insane swag to the whole school. Because y’all are going to need it when I’m gone. -Devon Hermann I guess I could will my hair styling abilities to my sister Cassie, so she can start doing her own hair -Abi Batesel I want to pass on my determination. Four years seems like a long time, but you have to be determined to do well in school and make it to graduation. -Megan Stephens I want to leave one thing: leadership. The most important thing in high school is to find your leadership quality. This is what will make you a better person in the long run. -Jesse Smallwood I want to leave my motivation to succeed to my sister Julia. I’d also like to leave her my sarcasm, all the clothes that I don’t bring to college, and the ability to procrastinate yet still turn in quality work on time. I hope she makes some great friendships and enjoys high school as much as I did. -Rachel Suarez
anks to my father and mother. Thanks to Schwartz. Th Thanks to Rebekah and Kelsey for putting up with me. Thank you to JOHNNY BOY and Kirk and Kendra and Gabey and EVERYONE ELSE WHO WAS THERE!!!! -Caleb VanBeber I would like to thank Mrs. Gutierrez for being there for me since I started high school. You were always someone that I could trust and talk to whenever I needed to. Thank you so much for encouraging me to be the best that I could and never giving up on me! -Kylie Ogden I would like to say thank you to Mrs. Vielhauer and Mr. Claflin for putting up with me and believing in me. -Devon Hermann oach Schwisow, Mr. McBride, the Schwartz’s, Mrs. V, C Mr. Claflin, and Mary Myer for letting me be myself -Ty Wheeler
Three Defining Achievements
My captain position on the color guard team, my opportunities to compete at the state powerlifting meet, and getting inducted into National Honor Society - Morgan Markovich Going to state for forensics, getting a one rating at state music, getting a lead in the play - Jade Provence Going to Nationals for FCCLA, never being tardy to school, surviving calculus and getting an A - Katelynn Singleton
Forensics takes third at state
Boys basketball wins state
Changing to a healthy lifestyle, improving my ACT score, and not dropping out - Bri Kennedy Being accepted into the Cerner Scholars Program, not getting a single C in a class, making a name for myself and being completely content with the person I’ve become - Hunter Buchholz I became a CNA, got my first job at 14, and started working on prerequisites for college - Alicia Self
Where you See yourself in 10 years “Married with kids. LOL JK. A successful career as a psychologist and being able to financially support myself.” Jade Provence “I’d like to say that I see myself with a family and settled down with a goodpaying job. Although, considering I want to be a physical therapist who travels with a team or individual and sees the world...I may not be settled down yet.” Alexis Nichols “I see myself in California living on base with my husband and hopefully two kids by then with a steady career in Neonatal Nursing.” Alyssa Bailey “In Hawaii, with my soon-to-be wife and a Stingray Corvette. Or Colorado...I’d settle for Colorado.” Alex Elliott “As a paramedic for Leavenworth County.” Kayla Smith “Still rocking my Slayer T-Shirt and cooking some bomb food.” Ty Wheeler “Somewhere warm and sunny, on an island that I own, tanned and rested and alone, surrounded by enormous piles of money.” Rebekah DeWitt
“I overcame the idea that I had to impress the people I went to school with, the teens that I saw everyday in high school will just be a memory in the future. Their drama and selfishness is irrelevant to my future, and I just need to keep myself happy. I think of myself as a very respectful woman. I never wanted to grow up, and now that I am starting to, I am proud to say that many people look to me as a respectful and trustworthy person. I was terrified for my future and I am now very excited to see where I go. I have become closer to God over these past four years of high school. I never knew how much faith can change things.” -Lyndon Seitter
Top song of the year: “We are Young” by FUN Top movie of the year: “Hunger Games”
Softball places third at state
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The man, the myth, the legend,
- Caleb VanBeber -
won Basehor-Linwood’s Most Interesting Man competition. Caleb won with an astonishing 2,025 votes. Not only did Caleb receive votes from his peers at BLHS, but he also racked up votes from Illinois, Texas, Alabama, and California. See what Caleb has to say about his achievement! Q: What makes you interesting? A: First off, I don't spend my time like most people. I play games. When I say games I mean the thrill of paper and dice. The excitement of rolling a twenty or constant fear of rolling a one. I play Dungeons and Dragons as a hobby, I can screech like a dinosaur, and I take great pleasure in almost every type of music genre. Q: What are your plans for the rest of your life at the moment? A: In this order: Go to college. Get a job. Find a woman. Have a pet ferret. Enjoy Dungeons and Dragons. Die. Q: What legacy would you like to leave behind at BLHS? A: The legacy I'd like to leave behind is what I've already left behind. Being in most of the plays in my high school career, being known as the guy who runs to the hall screeching like a lunatic,
Madison mcdowell by ashley-novo-gradac
Madison will be attending Bethel College next year where she will be on both the basketball and softball
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team. McDowell said, “I will also be involved in chapel. I haven’t looked into much yet. With basketball, softball, and
being the fun person that everybody trusts, always being able to talk to anybody, and not have them be afraid to talk to me. I am probably one of the most liked people in the school. I'm popular in a non-stereotypical way. I've made lifelong friends in lower grades who I hope treat others the way I treat them. I want my legacy to be kindness. Q: What are you going to do now that you won? A: First, I'll fulfill the video that I made and run screaming through the halls making my dinosaur noise. Secondly, I'd like to thank my friends and family and people I don't know and give a shout out to the Dungeoneers' guild. Now I'm going to continue to be what I've been, The Most Interesting Man of BasehorLinwood. Q: Who inspires you to be the interesting man that you are? A: My parents, my grandad, my Skype friends, and my real-life friends. - by Jenna Espinoza
conditioning, the rest of my time will be devoted to my studies.” Throughout high school, McDowell has managed to stay in the top 10 percent of her class while being involved in backstage for musicals, student ambassadors, basketball, and softball. “I don’t think being involved in things next year will interfere with my education. I am a very dedicated student and athlete so I know I will be able to manage my time well.” McDowell is ready to accept the challenge. Growing up,
Premier showing of “The Wizard of Oz”
Volleyball goes to state
Homecoming Representatives: Alexis Nichols & Jared Hiss
she has been very close with both her family and her many friends. McDowell said, “I will come back when there are free weekends and holidays. I’m going to make time to come back to see my family and friends. I will also be sure to come support my friends that will be playing sports.” A big part of McDowell’s life has been God. She devotes her Sundays and Wednesday nights to her church. She hopes to find a church to fit her in Bethel. McDowell said, “I am just very excited to see what God has planned for me.”
Barack Obama is reelected
Scholars Bowl goes to state
According to the Mayan Calendar, the world was supposed to end
What Early 2000's Kids Cartoon Are You? by Ashley Hicklin
Do you prefer the spotlight, or keeping it low-key? spotlight
no Brandy & Mr. Whiskers
low-key
Would you consider yourself a smart person?
yes
Do you like to have the newest and best tech? Or are you old-fashioned more old-fashioned?
Do you prefer animals or people?
highlight
people
The Earth or the stars?
stars
animals observe
Stanley
Live among animals, or just observe?
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
earth Studying, or playing video games?
live
Catdog friends
Kim Possible
games
Teen Titans study
Do you spend most of your time with friends or family?
family
the Proud Family
Courtwarming Representatives: Katie Hickman & Joe Gorman
Whitney Houston dies
Top song of the year: “Thrift Shop” by Maclemore Top movie of the year: “The Dark Knight Rises”
Youthfriends changes name to Care Cat Mentors
2013
melanie johnson by adam crouse
Most teenagers are fortunate enough not to have to know what being an adult is like until they truly are an adult. Unfortunately, senior Melanie Johnson hasn’t had that blessing. At the age of 18, she’s already taken on two jobs, aided in raising her siblings, already bought herself a second car, and helped her mother through her cancer treatment. About a year after it was discovered and therapy began, Melanie’s mother is cancer-free. But Melanie still isn’t free of her newly found responsibilities.
“It’s really hard to feel like a kid still,” Johnson said. She’s currently working at both Old Navy and Applebee’s, and has had to raise her siblings while her mother was going through chemo (not to mention helping her mother). These are hard tasks for someone so young, and anyone for that matter. She commented further, saying, “You realize who’s there for you and who’s not.” The only things that have brought her through these tough times are music, family and friends. She said she’ll hop in the car with her friends
and head out, just to escape everything. “I don’t think I’d be able to graduate without all the wonderful people in my life, definitely,” she said. Melanie has fought through a lot, but she’s still unsure about the future. She said that her dream college is the University of Central Missouri, but she can’t go there due to costs. She said she is perfectly happy with JCCC. Her hopes of becoming a middle school teacher or a marriage and family therapist may seem far away. Only time can tell what will happen in her life, and where she will go. The
TROY BELL
by kelsey coleman
Troy Bell has an interesting adventure ahead of him as he becomes a politician. Why does he want to be a politician? He says he wants to help to end the gridlock in the U.S. political system, as well as end overspending to help balance the budget, and end budget deficits. His experience with his future career so far includes participation in the Pat Roberts
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Boys CC places 6th at state meet
Homecoming Representatives: Madison Howard & Dominic Foster
Paul Walker dies
Premier showing of “Shrek: The Musical”
tattoo on her foot reads “This Too Shall Pass,” and it surely will, just in time. Melanie truly is the survivor of a survivor.
Senate campaigns. He plans to go to the University of Kansas and major in political science. His favorite subject in high school was history. Fitting, don’t you think? His advice to his freshman self would be “Quit screwing around.” Similar to his advice for all of the other freshmen, “Don’t screw around senior year.”
Courtwarming Representatives: Ally Nahrebeski & Jesse Smallwood
Debate team makes it to state
Jacob Lutgen by erin mcgowan
Jacob Lutgen considers himself a sophomore, but next year he will join a program at Fort Hays State University known as the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS). Jacob hopes that this dualcredit program will jump start his dream of going to medical school. At Fort Hays he will be able to major in biology and take off from there. Jacob describes the program as a great opportunity that his family hopes will further his goals.
When he graduates from high school, he will be considered a junior in credits. Not only that, but the prestigious program looks great on an application. The KAMS is held on the college campus, but Jacob will be surrounded by peers his age in the dorms. To the friends and classmates he will leave behind, Jacob leaves them with the final words: “Stay classy Basehor-Linwood.”
Quinn WAlcott by Calder Hollond
To many, distance running is viewed as an unenjoyable sport. Spectators of track and cross country often voice their confusion as to why anyone would ever put themselves through the pain and difficulty involved in distance running.
But for senior Quinn Walcott, distance running isn’t an obligation or a burden. Rather than dreading long runs, instead Walcott tackles them with a smile and a GPS watch. Walcott enjoys distance
Top song of the year: “Happy” by Pharell Williams Top movie of the year: Catching Fire
Choir Performs at KMEA
Science Olympiad makes it to state
running so much, in fact, that she plans to run three seasons of it a year at Pitt State: cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. It will be a challenge, yes, and the transition from high school sports to college athletics will take some getting used to, but Walcott is up for the challenge. “My favorite thing about track and cross country is probably the relationships you make,” Walcott said. “It really makes you a family when you’re going through all these workouts. It’s a bonding experience.” At Pitt State, Walcott’s running goals are to beat her personal records, help her team, and win a conference championship.
Alex Elliott by jill espinoza
While most high school graduates spend the summer working or preparing to move to college, Alex Elliott will take on those tasks plus something else that makes him unique: he’s getting married. Alex plans to marry his fiancée Olivia on July 3. He is very excited to get married but also very nervous. After Alex is married, he and his wife are going on a seven-day Caribbean Cruise. Alex and Olivia will then move to Texas for school so he can attend LeTourneau University, where they will live in married housing. Olivia will not attend college but work instead because she plans to be a stay-at-home mom in the future. Alex will major in civil engineering and plans to work for a construction company and someday enter the mission field.
Tallest waterslide in the world is opened in Kansas City
Prom Representatives: Kylie Ogden & Ashton Findley
201 4
by Erin McGowan
Ia Harrison
by Alyssa Foster
Among the class of 2015, there are quite a few students graduating early from high school; one such early graduate is Ia Harrison. Harrison decided near the end of the first semester of her sophomore year to graduate early. After going through the long application process and meeting with Mrs. Silverforb and Mrs. Reeves to ensure it was a good decision for Harrison, things were set for her to graduate in May 2015 rather than her normal class graduating in May 2016. “I enjoy stimulation and challenges in classes and while many [things ] do this, there still seems to be something missing that I think college will fill. Plus if there’s an option to get out quicker to jump start
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my life, why not?” Harrison said among her reasons to graduate early. Once Harrison was cleared for early graduation, she had to worry about how to fit in all the credits she needed in order to get on track for graduation. Beyond her online classes she had to take, her schedule was also loaded with two English classes. The amount of work for two English class was tough for Harrison, she admits, let alone the workload for just one English class. “The first challenge was the summer reading projects for both Honors English III and Honors English IV. It was really hard to squeeze five books in plus lengthy projects while trying to enjoy the summer. Then, there was
managing my competitive karate schedule while keeping all straight A’s. Being a national title holder and Gold medalist is tough to keep up with. But that’s a whole different monster,” Harrison said. Aside from continuing on with teaching at her karate school and working at Advocacy First as an assistant to the CEO and Special Needs Specialist for adults with developmental disorders, she will attend Johnson County Community College to pursue either Clinical Psychology or Nursing. “Graduating early has done a lot for me this past year. It’s
Homecoming Representatives: Quinn Walcott & Daniel Tady
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge becomes a trend
taught me that if you have a goal and stick to it you can achieve just about anything, as corny as that sounds. Over the year I have made leaps and bounds, from ending first semester with straight A’s to being inducted into the National Martial Arts Hall of Fame. I have kind of jumped out of my comfort zone more this year than any other because I know this is my last year and I want it to count,” Harrison said.
Royals lose in Game 7 of World Series to Giants
Top song of the year: “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa Top movie of the year: “Avengers: Age of Ultron”
...get a PhD in psychology, and have my own practice.” – Jade Provence
...be successful, and be happy with what I’m doing.” –Matt Knight
...become a CEO at an engineering firm.” – Zach Ferguson
...get my bachelor’s degree in elementary education.” – Megan Stephens
“After high school, I want to...
...make a difference in people’s lives.” – Aly Levinson
...graduate college and get a decent job.” – Pierce Holyfield
...finish college and travel the world.” – Gunnar Marney
...graduate from college and start my career.” – Jill Espinoza
By Calder Hollond
match the senior with their baby picture by Jill espinoza answers on p. 12
Premier showing of “Annie”
Five wrestlers make it to state
Courtwarming Representatives: Bri Kennedy & Pat Muldoon
Prom King and Queen: Ty Wheeler and Melanie Johnson
Basketball team finishes 2nd in state
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The Suffocating price of college by mitchell mikinski
The price of college has increased dramatically in the last 45 years, and this year’s seniors will be members of the most expensive college class to date. At KU, the cost of in-state tuition has grown more than 400% (adjusted for inflation) since the 1969-70 school year when the university began publishing their statistics on tuition. Despite this large spike in tuition rates, the median family income in America has grown at a little under 25%, increasing from 1969 level (adjusted for inflation) of $41,744 to 2014’s $51,939. For in-state college nowadays to have the same economic impact (4.5% of yearly income) on the average family as it would have in 1969, the median income would have to skyrocket to $215,006. This number on today’s household Baby Picture Answers p. 11
income scale is considered at the very least upper middle class. Unfortunately, median income grew less than $200 between 2013 and 2014, making that jump to $215,006 seem rather unlikely.
could go to college for a year and still take two vacations without breaking the bank. That simply isn’t the case for today’s millennials.
The people who stand out, have to really stand out. It’s a lot easier to graduate with honors in a class of 2,000 than it is with 6,000.
We have been called the “Generation I say all of of Me” and this not to the “Selfish make you feel Selfies”, with overwhelmed handouts or worried, flowing from but rather mommy, to say “It is daddy, okay”. grandma, grandpa, and The older of course those generations lazy factories pride where we get themselves student loans on their “up Illustration by erin mcgowan so we “Don’t by the bootstraps” mentality, have to work” in college. with their “I payed my way through college” soliloquies. All of these statements are But they don’t understand lies. Millennials don’t work the plight of the millennial. jobs in college because inHow could they? They went state colleges are admitting to college in a time where they more people than ever before.
But more importantly, even if they do make it out, they are left riddled with debt because they’ve been beaten and bruised by inflation, unemployment, and financial crises that were completely not their fault. The product of my generation is strong willed, able-minded, and competent. It’s just not the same. We aren’t the “Generation of Me” , we are the “Generation of Fighters”. Go do you, class of 2015, and remember to tune out “bootstraps old man” because he really doesn’t get the big picture.
BOTTOM ROW LEFT TO RIGHT Cody VanGosen, Alyssa Bailey, Max Zumbrunn, Quinn Walcott TOP ROW LEFT TO RIGHT Lindsey Schubert, Zach Ferguson, Boston Henry, Raeney Seaton
The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Roommate by Adam Crouse
much you can do to try to save yourself from being stuck with a bad roommate. However, here’s some advice: First off, you’ve got to assert your dominance.
All their friends constantly crowd around your locker to talk about their lives, therefore getting in the way of your life.
If nothing else, they’ve got to realize that they only really have half of the room, so if they could kindly keep their mess to their half only, that’d be great.
Think about that annoyance they cause. Now imagine that times ten. No, times hundreds. Your locker neighbor isn’t just your locker neighbor anymore; they’re your roommate. The truth is, everyone probably knows someone who would make a terrible roommate. Whether it’s the mess they’d make, the friends they’d bring, or the trouble that would surely follow them, not everyone is fit out to be a good roommate. Often times, there’s only so
Second, try to ignore their stuff. If they’ve got an annoying friend over, get out. Take a walk or go to one of your own friend’s dorms or houses or whatever they happen to live in. If you can’t get out, simply put in some earbuds and blare your music. Two earbuds in and loud music emitting from them tends to say, “Don’t speak to me or I will engage in combat with thee.”
The third thing is to try to get to know them. Maybe you’re having problems with them because you guys aren’t friends. Maybe they would hear your side of the story if you simply told your side, and then listened to theirs. The final suggestion is this: look up. You aren’t going to be stuck with them forever! Soon enough, you can move out to an apartment if you want, or maybe even a duplex. If nothing else, you’re only stuck there for four to six months, depending on both of your majors. All bad things must come to an end too, yeah?
but how you deal with it is in your hands. Keep your hopes up high and your head down low, and don’t let it get to you. Focus on school, and soon enough, your terrible roommate (and you) will have graduated and parted ways, maybe forever. Just keep your eyes toward the sky and your hopes just as high, and you can make it. School is hard; roommates are probably one of the least of your worries. So just deal with them intelligently, and you’ll do just fine.
There are many people who make bad roommates, and there are also many people who make wonderful roommates. Who you get stuck with is beyond your control, Crossword Answers p. 16
Across 4. Zackory Nay 7. Brianne Kennedy 8. Melanie Johnson 9. Zach Fisher 10. Cassandra Beattie 13. Jenna Espinoza 16. Lee Seitter 17. Landon Fliger 18. Erin Rigdon 19. Maria Harrison 20. Cody Waterman 21. Katelynn Singleton 23. Quinnlyn Walcott 25. Kelsey Coleman 27. Jacob Cook Down 1. Marcus Wintermute 2. Daniel Tady 3. Carson Fliger 5. Megan Sixta 6. Sierra Smith 11. Ty Wheeler 12. Jade Provence 14. Pat Muldoon 15. Ashley Novo-Gradac 22. Smith 24. Jesse Smallwood 26. Sarah Ford
Close your eyes. Now imagine your worst locker neighbor. All the mess that crumbles from their open locker like an avalanche of snow barreling down a hill.
Jenna Espinoza
Finally, the end of high school is here and graduation is right around the corner. Honestly, as much as I can’t wait to get out of high school and leave Basehor, I will miss BasehorLinwood High School. Great memories have been made and I’ve learned a lot about myself these past four years. I’ve been
with the majority of the senior class since kindergarten, and as we all go our separate ways, I wish you all the best. This class is full of talented and hardworking people, and I know that many of you will go far. Good luck Class of 2015 and farewell Basehor-Linwood High School!!
Kelsey coleman
STAFF clay beebe
Dear reader, If we have never before crossed paths, spoken a word, or even glanced at each other, let these words be my most important to anyone -including you: Find your passion. It seems that there is no limit or restriction regarding passion. Anyone can have it and everyone should. A successful person is somebody who developed many different areas of expertise in search of their one true passion. Even if someone never finds their ambition, the search itself is ambitious. This does not just take place during high school, but throughout life. I am not the first to tell you that high school is not your entire life. Between the time of birth and death, there should be a lot of time to search for your passion. But with all of life’s temptations, you may get
jill Espinoza I cannot believe that I am finally graduating. This feeling is so bittersweet because I am happy to be starting a new chapter in my life, but also sad because I will be leaving a lot of my old friends behind. I would like to thank my family, teachers, administrators, and friends for supporting me throughout my long 13 years
of schooling. I would like to give a special thank you to Mrs. Loney for not only being a great teacher but an awesome mentor; without you I don’t know what I would have done this past year. Shout-out to the newspaper staff for being my day ones. PEACE OUT BASEHOR-LINWOOD!
sidetracked. When you do make some risky decisions, or maybe have to set your search aside for other reasons, take a step back, evaluate your life and your choices to see where you are going. It’s okay to take as long as you want. It’s your life! Do not get worried by the small things. Evaluate yourself routinely. If you are not completely happy and satisfied with what you decide to do with your life, keep looking. You have the rest of your life to keep looking. Ask yourself: What is your passion? Have you found it yet? One thing that a lot of people assume is that they have to do what they are told. Nobody is forcing them or you. It’s your life, but finding your passion will make the time between birth and death much more enjoyable.
FAREWELLS Alyssa foster
Man, these last few years of high school have taken forever. Well...not really. My three years of high school have flown by too quickly, and yet, I will only miss things a little bit. I’m honestly too excited right now about going to Wichita State next fall and rooming with Jenna Espinoza to recall many memories, so I’ll just run through the things I have done throughout high school that will take a long time, if ever, for me to forget. Freshman year is pretty hazy, and it wasn’t that exciting, since I was only a freshmen. Sophomore year is when I decided to graduate early, and things got really busy really fast. After going through the long process of getting permission to graduate early, online classes began piling on top of my other classes.
Then senior year came fast, and it’s almost over. I remember first starting this year, not knowing anybody in the senior class. Now some of my best friends, even my roommate, are members of the amazing class that I will get to graduate with. This year was interesting, partly because I was with two different classes. I still had classes, like Honors English III, with my friends in the junior class, who I’ve grown up with practically my whole life. I also had to take Honors English IV, which is how I got so close with a lot of the students in the senior class. Balancing these two English classes was tough, especially while doing powerlifting and cheerleading, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Plus, I got to have two awesome
Ashley novo-gradac
English teachers at the same time. Mr. Schwartz and Mrs. Vielhauer both made class exciting and helped me not get overloaded with English work from both classes. I’ve had, what a lot of people would say is the “best of both worlds”. I got to sit and catch up with my junior friends on one day, while I was able to talk about senior things and college on the other day at lunch with my senior friends. This unique experience of graduating early has been one of the best decisions I made in high school. Looking back, I will be forever grateful that I got to be part of the newspaper staff at BLHS. Even though it was only a short two years that I was on staff, it was the best two years because it helped keep me up to date with anyone and anything going on around me while I was so busy. This year, I was granted the position to be the editor-inchief, and I learned so much while partaking in this role with the newspaper staff. This year was my favorite year on the staff because of the great diversity of the staff. We had people from nearly all sports, clubs, and music departments to cover all aspects of the student body. Each member brought
something special to newspaper and I will never forget the belly-aching laughs they all gave me. This year’s group was truly special, and it will be sad to not see them every other day and have birthday parties all the time. Aside from mentioning Mr. Schwartz and Mrs. Vielhauer earlier, I would like to recognize and thank Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Loney. I owe a blessing to Mrs. Harris because she is the sole reason that I am majoring in biomedical engineering down at Wichita State. Earlier this year, I had never even heard of this major, let alone knew that it would probably be the best possible way to prepare me for medical school in the future. She helped me with connections in the engineering department down there, and so much more. Mrs. Loney has been one of the kindest people I have ever met. She’s had me in class since freshmen year, and has always encouraged me to keep writing. I wish good luck to next year’s newspaper staff, and to all of my amazing friends that I’m leaving behind as they start their senior years and finish up the last, and best, part of high school. Happy graduation seniors!
Well, I have now spent four years in this place called high school. Sometimes I can’t tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I am so glad that I can finally move on and start a new chapter of my life, but I am going to miss everything about high school. The first thing I am going to miss is all of my amazing teachers. They have really taken the time to get to know me and that helps me feel like they care. I am also going to miss all of the great friends I made, especially just in the last year. It is sad to think that I won’t get to see my friends
every day next year. I have made so many great memories with them. Thank you to those teachers and friends of mine. To my newspaper staff: I joined newspaper last year and it automatically became my favorite class. I have met so many of you that I would have never talked to in these four years. Now, I feel like we are a little family and I am so thankful for that. I have never laughed so much in my life as I have with all of you. I hope you all do great things in the next few years. Thank you for being you.
How Well Do You Know Your Seniors? by alyssa foster
ACROSS 4. Guy with the shortest last name 7. Courtwarming Queen 2015 8. Has scar on her lip from having chapped lips as a baby 9. NHS President 10. Graduation Speech Speaker 13. Can fit a whole orange in her mouth 16. Girl with the shortest first name and has a twin 17. Older than sibling by 3 minutes 18. Skilled cello player 19. Youngest person in class 20. Oldest person in class 21. Going to Nationals for FCCLA 23. Holds four school records in track 25. Once worked for Daemon Games 27. Going to Brigham Young University
DOWN 1. Longest last name starts with letter W 2. Lead male role in “Annie The Musical” 3. Will play basketball at KCKCC 5. Cheerleader with metal screws in her head 6. Used to live in Korea 11. Guy with the shortest first name 12. Received an orchestra scholarship 14. Courtwarming King 2015 15. Snuck into Tim Sanders’s garage during Assassinss game 22. The most common last name 24. Will attend St. Mary’s on a baseball scholarship 26. Tore both of her ACLs Each student’s first and last name makes up the answer. We used full names for each student (no nicknames). There are no spaces between first and last names. Answers are on p. 13.
EXPRESS staff
CONTACT US:
From Left: Clay Beebe, Mitchell Mikinski, Mrs. Loney, Jenna Espinoza, Ashley Novo-Gradac, Adam Crouse, Calder Hollond, Jill Espinoza, Alyssa Foster, Kelsey Coleman, Ashley Hicklin, Erin McGowan, Emma Hall.
expressblhs@gmail.com
Editor-in-Chief: Alyssa Foster Managing Editor: Mitchell Mikinski Adviser: Kristen Loney
@blhsnews
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