IN EACH ISSUE

BY ALI SWEE Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to the Most Wonderful Season of Year

family that brags children’s every ac- Christmas Eve, we go out to dinner Through the changes, come new complishment, the awkward family and always go through Longview’s traditions. My sister and I choose in oddly-artificial looking snow and, Christmas in the Park light show. our own Christmas outfits now. This my personal favorite, the “do we even Always.Regardlessofwhetherthereis year will be my new puppy’s first knowthesepeople?”(relivetherestof a huge snow storm or not, the tradi- Christmas and we’ll write his first the awkward moments on page 20) tion prevails. When we get home, my Christmas letter. And on Christmas But in all seriousness, the holiday sisterandIwriteChristmasletters.We day, we’ll bring Christmas to my season is warmly welcomed by fami- setoutthecookies,hangthestockings grandparents. Sometimes, as hard as lies across the world. For some reason and lay out all three letters. One from it is, life is about accepting change, a shimmering evergreen tree and a myself, one from my little sister and rather than fighting it. It’s about emsimple story of a baby in a manager one from our dog, complete with a bracing the past, smiling through the is enough to bring a family together messy paw print signature. The night present and hoping for the future. son is to cram “T the seafor finals, “Life moves fast, so it’s the simple moments, like a Life the like moves simple a family fast, so it’s moments, photo or a pray for snow days and relive the dysfunctional family photo or a Christmas dinner that truly count.” Christmas dinner truly count. that family get-togethers. So ‘tis the seaIf you haven’t been blasting Justin and evoke smiles from even the most ends with reading “The Night Before son to embrace the awkward family Bieber’s “Mistletoe” since its October coldhearted of souls. We celebrate all Christmas.” Then the lights turn off as Christmas card photos, overload on 17th release, the rest of us would like those in our lives who have blessed us visions of sugarplums dance through cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, to officially welcome you to the holi- throughout the year (We are thankful our heads. and rock that Spanish final (for more day season. Break out the matching for our superheroes of Sion...for more However, over the years, life has tips see page 15). ‘Tis the season to Christmas sweaters, snap a picture see page 10). We rejoice in the idea evolved. No longer do my sister and pick out the perfect gift for your best and preset your radio to Kansas City’s that even with the frosty chill winter I don matching Christmas pajamas. friends (see our holiday gift guide newest Christmas music stations brings, our hearts are warmed. We Through the years, we’ve written let- on page 16), indulge on Christmas (94.1 KFKF and 99.7 The Point). lookforwardtotraditions,whichmay ters for three dogs, all three now gone. cookies and sip hot chocolate by the Every year, we look forward to border upon juvenile any other day of And my grandma, who used to sit fireside. everything about the holiday sea- the year. upon the fireplace reading “the Night And ‘tis the season to never lose son, from the Christmas dinner to Every year, the more my fam- before Christmas” to us, now spends that Christmas spirit, the endurthe first Christmas cards of the sea- ily seems to change and grow up, Christmas in the nursing home with ing hope that produces miracles and son. We have the ones featuring the Christmas stays eerily the same. my grandpa, hundreds of miles away. those magical white Christmases.

Letters to the Editor

Le Journal welcomes letters submitted by readers. The staff reserves the right to edit length and minor grammatical errors, but the letter’s message will not be altered. The staff reserves the right to review letters and edit material that is inappropriate. Libelous, slanderous, or obscene letters will not be printed. Letters must be signed.

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High School 10631 wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114. Member Missouri Interscholastic press Assoc. National Scholastic press Assoc. Columbia Scholastic press Assoc. International Quill and Scroll

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ali Swee MANAGING EDITOR Taylor Escher WEB-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Katie Mahoney ADVISER Alison Long

FEATURES EDITOR Maura Eveld LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR Elizabeth Gianino EDITORIAL/NEWS EDITOR Emma Eveld MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Emily DeCoursey

A&E EDITOR Delaney Bates

Michelle Olson Kay walkup

SPORTS EDITOR Audrey Saracini PHOTO EDITOR Lucy Gasal

pUBLICATIONS BOARD

REPORTERS Emma Grojean, Laura Travis, Victoria Kenner, Sarah Holland, Meg Cowan , Shannon Laird

Ali Swee Taylor Escher Melissa wilcox penny Selle

Jane McCormack Carole wall-Simmons