The
Liberty High School
Bell
May 5, 2017
Volume 93, Issue 8 Visit us at lhsnews.net
Kiss a Senior Goodbye Seniors got a sweet surprise during fourth hour today. Thanks to the hard work of StuCo, underclassmen were able to pay just a quarter to send a farewell note and a Hershey’s Kiss to the senior who made an impact on them. As the senior class approaches the final week of their high school career, they are able to part with the sweetest of goodbyes. Sophomore Mitchelle Rader buys a kiss from StuCo members sophomore Katherine Vlamis and junior Madi Ripper. Photo by Grace Buehler
Staff Editor-in-Chief --> Hannah Leonard Managing Editor --> Emily Johannes Copy/Opinion Editor --> Lacy Williams Spotlight Editor --> Katie Moon A&E Editor --> Annika Fuller News Editor --> Riley Kelley Features Editor --> Joey O’Kelly InDepth Editors --> Delaney Tarpley Paige Twenter Sports Editor --> Caleb Lautenschlager Ads Manager and Cartoonist --> Daryl Gichui Jabber Editor --> Teegan Saunders Online Manager --> Kamden Bernard Reporters --> Alex Rogers Madeline Hensley Jenna Spence Haley Stephenson Caroline Parry Daisy Smith Liz Gammon Zahra Khan Marcus Myvett
02
Photographers --> Jenna Axsom Jack Barreca Grace Buehler Connor Callahan Morgan Clark Mara Fryer McKenna Hegger Kate Marshall Chrystian Noble Caitlyn Pearson Mercedes Peck Ashley Ritter Isabella Siefkas Adviser --> Lori Oyler
Mission Our mission for the 2016-2017 school year is to unite a diverse group of people and ideas to compose an informative and entertaining magazine using articles, photographs, and commercial messages. As journalists in training we endeavor to give the best representation of the community of Liberty High School. The Bell student newspaper is a public forum for student expression.
Contact Liberty High School Address --> 200 Blue Jay Drive Liberty, MO 64068 Phone --> (816)-736-2827 Email --> loyler@student.lps53.org Twitter --> @TheLHSBell The articles featured do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the entire Bell staff. Please feel free to comment, compliment or criticize anything you see in this issue in a Letter to the Editor at jspe2667@student. lps53.org.
Cover by Hannah Leonard
On the cover: a group of seniors celebrate in the front parking lot of LHS on Senior Service Day, where they had the opportunity to complete a service project and eat at several Food Mafia trucks.
TOC May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
Table of
Contents
06 Remember The Magic
07 They Sure Are Grad
Photo by Morgan Clark
Photo by Grace Buehler
Photo by Jack Barreca
TOC May 5, 2017
09 Noble Students
03
lhsnews.net
10 Tyler Beeks
12 Ben Ahumaraeze
11 Danielle Koger
13 Jacklyn Drewry 14 Sydney McBee 15 McKenna Still 16 Laura Snead
Photo by Mercedes Peck
17 Bryson McClung
18 “See Ya Later” 24 Senior Columns 28 Staff Ed 39 Style 38 Rumors
40 Athletes of the Month
Photo by Delaney Tarpley
Photo by McKenna Hegger
04
42 Out Of The Park Photo by Caitlyn Pearson
TOC May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
Letter From the Editor Well isn’t this a change of pace? Trust me, it’s just as weird for me as it is for you. But I think we’ll get used to it. To be really honest, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time. When I was 13-years-old, I spent my evenings typing out my own version of a South Valley Middle School newspaper. I know it sounds a little bit nerdy, but I would write short stories about all of the things that were happening in the school building and all of the things I had observed during my day. Writing has always been my way of expressing myself and every single time I drafted my own school newspaper, I felt a little bit more like me. Suddenly I realized that what I had been doing on my own time could become an actual career. From that point on, I beamed with pride every time I got to tell someone, ‘I’m going to be a journalist someday.’ In eighth grade, I realized that high school newspaper would be perfect for me.
I’ve never shied away from a leadership role and I was never afraid to step up and take control of a project. I was a natural writer and a natural leader (or bossypants, both apply). When I was 13-years-old I decided that someday, I would be the editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper. My time on newspaper staff has been the most rewarding experience of my high school career. I went from an eager freshman in Mrs. Oyler’s Journalism 1 class, to an editorial-loving sophomore reporter, to the News Editor. Finally, going into my senior year, I have accomplished the goal I made for myself of becoming the Editor-in-Chief. It’s been the most rewarding journey. I’ve made lifelong friends, experienced so much personal growth and have solidified my passion for writing in a way that I never imagined. Hannah, Emily and Oyler have grown me into a better writer and manager but more importantly, into a better person. I
wouldn’t be who I am today without their guidance. So, needless to say, I am thrilled to see what next year has in store. I promise to all of you that I will do my very best. I have big shoes to fill, but I’m going to do everything I can to make our school newspaper the best it can be. Buckle up LHS, our journey together begins now.
Graduation at a Glance Senior Breakfast May 12 at 7:30 a.m. Mandatory Graduation Practice May 12 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church starting at 9 a.m.
Graduation May 14 at 2 p.m. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena 19100 East Valley View Parkway Independence, MO
Baccalaureate May 12 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church starting at 7 p.m.
For more information go to the LHS Homepage http://lhs.liberty.k12.mo.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1408775793619 TOC May 5, 2017
05 lhsnews.net
Remember the Magic Students prepare for a truly magical Prom. Story by Teegan Saunders and Caleb Lautenschlager
‘Tis the season to rush to the nearest Dillard’s and contemplate what exactly ‘formal wear’ means. For students there is excitement in the air as one of the staple events of high school approaches quickly: Prom Prom is tomorrow night, May 6 from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am at Arrowhead Stadium. Tickets can be purchased exclusively for LHS students at the door for $35. Formal wear and ID’s are required for all guests to attend the dance. “I’m super excited for Prom, we put a lot of work into it and I think it’s going to turn out really great and everyone’s going to have a lot of fun,” junior Madison Ripper said. “You can expect good music, cool decorations, some refreshments, pictures and just an overall really fun night.” A hard working StuCo has also spent lots of time and effort in the decor, theme, shirts, and other little details of Prom. “We spend a lot of time discussing the theme and things associated with it such as tickets, décor and t-shirt design,” counselor Melanie Crawford said. “Once the theme is decided on, the committees go to work finding the items necessary to transform the space at Arrowhead, as well as working on a design for tickets and shirt
06
design. There is also a lot of organization for communication, sales, etc.” Many students have been preparing for Prom by dividing up the price of a party bus or purchasing a limo for the night out. Finding a nice place to eat that fits a large group of people can be difficult and slightly pricey, but most consider it money well spent for a night of luxury. “Students should go to prom because you only get two of them in your entire life,” Ripper said. “It’s also super fun to get dressed up, get your pictures taken and go out for dinner and spend the night dancing with your friends.” StuCo has spent hours contemplating the theme for this year’s Prom. “The theme is Arabian Nights and that just means a more Moroccan style with bright colors, sparkles and an overall warm vibe,” sophomore Khushi Talati said. “We’re working really hard on making sure that the décor is going to match and that there won’t be too much going on, but at the same time just enough to make Arrowhead look awesome.” The students in charge of Prom have been working on and preparing for the event for over a month. Many hours and meetings have been put in behind the scenes to give everyone attending Prom
the best experience possible. “The theme is pretty different from things they’ve had in the past,” Ripper said. “It’s unique so the decorations and colors will be different. It should be a lot of fun and should be a cool atmosphere.” Whether those attending are new to Prom, or an experienced Prom goer, students attending can expect this year to be unique These decorations include Moroccan inspired table settings, ornate tapestries and rugs that drape around the venue. Candlelight and warm colors such as orange, brown and moss green make up most of the color scheme for the dance. There will also be dashes of cool hues, such as midnight blue and dark purple. To really draw in the eye there will be a large centerpiece, such as a fountain or large pillars. Whether going with a significant other or a large group of friends, the memory is sure to last a lifetime. “It’s just a staple part of the American high school experience and it’s a nice memory to have later on in life,” senior Sydney Bell said. “For most people Prom is a one or two-time thing and it’s always better to just go and try to have a good night.”
Photos by Grace Buehler
Above: junior Kate Turnage draws out a design for the Prom layout at Arrowhead. Below: juniors Madison Ripper and Amos Mwaura discuss Prom details with StuCo.
News May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
They Sure Are Grad The senior class prepares for graduation. Story by Delaney Tarpley Imagine: Your parents are beaming with pride and your younger sibling may or may not be sleeping. The lights are brighter than you ever thought possible. You hear the music swell and the surge of energy as the senior class pushes through the curtain. While it may only be a few steps across a stage, those few steps and a piece of paper will carry you forward and onto the next big stage of life. And for the class of 2017, graduation is only nine days away. “It’s a moment for all the seniors to be proud of,” senior Jessica Maschino said. Graduation will be held on May 9 at 2:00 pm at the Silverstein Eye Center in Independence, Missouri. With an expected crowd of 3,500 people attending, this year’s graduation will be different from previous ones. “What makes this year extremely special is that this is my first group of freshmen,” Dr. April Adams said. “This is a super big deal because I have watched them since 9th grade and have watched them develop into the amazing young adults they are. I’m so proud of them.” Along with that, this year will be the first full symphonic orchestra performance at a graduation. “The symphony winds have been coming in every Monday and Friday during Liberty Hour since marching season ended,” orchestra teacher Michelle Davis said. “Now, we’re working with the string players to try and get them together. We have motivated kids who love the music, so I think it’s going to go well.” Graduation is a bigger moment than just what the ceremony entails. “I think graduation is significant to me because it is finally the end of four very successful, stress filled, fun and strong years,” senior Corben Phillips said. “This is a nice way to bring it all to an end.” Photo by McKenna Hegger
Adams, after participating in over 20 graduations throughout her lifetime, sums up graduation with a short and simple statement. “It’s a celebration of the past four years and all they have achieved. It’s also a celebration of hope and opportunity for what is to come,” Adams said. “Graduation is exhilarating and exciting. I get chills just talking about it. There’s just so much pride, so much excitement and even some thrill because there’s hope and potential. You look around at the
Senior Kinsey Schroeder tries on her cap and gown for graduation on May 14.
News May 5, 2017
parents and the loved ones and they’re just beaming at their graduates.” Although the ceremony is to celebrate the success of seniors, Adams warns those who don’t take it seriously. “We’ve had seniors who haven’t been part of their graduation ceremony because they have behaved poorly,” Adams said. “It is not a right to walk at graduation, it is a privilege. Your transcripts are what you earn but to be a part of the ceremony is a privilege. It’s a privilege to celebrate the class and to ruin that for everyone else because you want one minute of fame is selfish. That’s what I try to stress to them that it’s a celebration of the class.” The staff and seniors make sure to stress the point that it’s about the families just as much as it is about the graduates. “For many families the commencement ceremony is the first time that a member of their family has completed high school,” Adams said. “I always tell our seniors the commencement ceremony is a formal event. There are members of the class who have lost family. There are members of the class who have battled catastrophic illnesses. There are members of the class who have excelled beyond what we would consider humanly possible because of adversities or tragedies in their life.” Several seniors have conflicted feelings about graduation and all that it represents. “The end of high school has some very mixed feelings for me,” Phillips said. “I am so ready to be free and a college student but I am also very terrified about jumping away from what I know so well and what I feel safe in. However, I do think that graduation is sort of way to ceremoniously sever the cord that binds us to LHS and I think it will be a nice way to end our journey.”
07 lhsnews.net
Visiting the Future
Students visit colleges to help decide their future plans. Story by Caroline Parry There is nothing quite like visiting a bustling college campus. Many students visit colleges they are thinking about attending to see what the college is like. College is a big part of life and making a big decision on where to go can be difficult. The decision on the college can depend on the size. Some high school students prefer big schools and some prefer small schools. “I want to go to a college that I’m not stuck with the same people all the time,” senior Jackson Sterling said. “I’m not just a number.” Students might not want to go to a big or small college. “I’d prefer a medium college,” senior Boone Evans said. “I wouldn’t want a small or a large college.” Knowing what you want in college can be really helpful for your big decision. “I want to go to a college that I can do a double major,” senior Brianna Walker said. “I want to major in Business and Fashion and Textpad.” When students go visit colleges, they can recieve tips about what to look for in the search for a higher education. “I went to Duke University,” junior Nolan Burroughs said. “They have a lot of stuff about processes on how you can get into the program. It also gave us tips on what colleges look for which was useful.” Asking questions on college tours can help you find out what the college is going to be like. Although asking questions is helpful, some students might not know what to ask.
08
“The list of questions is going to be different for everybody, because different students are looking for different things in a college,” counselor Scott Gillespie said. “Most students would like to ask questions about courses themselves. Some questions are, ‘What typical courses do freshmen take? Is the course taught by faculty members or graduate students?’ I would say to ask students on campus on what they love most about the campus and what they dislike.” Asking questions on a college tour can help students learn more about the college to be more prepared. Through college tours, high school students can see how college could be different from high school and normal day life. “It helped me see if I wanted to go there,” junior Jackie Almaraz said. “When I went to UCM I really didn’t know if I wanted to go there but I learned that I really do.” When high school students go to college they recieve a greater sense of
independence. “I am really excited for college,” junior Amy Jurgensen said. “It will be different because I will be living on my own.” Others are excited for the freedom. “I am excited for college,” Evans said. “College is going to be different from high school and there is going to be more freedom.” For high school students, it may be hard to visit colleges. Fortunately, LHS helps set up tours at nearby colleges. “We have done that for William Jewell, UMKC, Maple Woods and Rockhurst,” Gillespie said. “What we typically do is try to connect students to the different visit days and what the schools sponsor.” LHS encourages all students to go on college tours. Looking at colleges can give students a feel for what they are looking for and maybe even change their mind about them. College is going to lead students to the future.
Photo by Jack Barreca
Juniors Amy Jurgensen, Nolan Burroughs and Jackie Almaraz discuss how college tours can be both exciting and helpful.
Features May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
Noble Students
National Honor Society allows upperclassmen to serve their community. Story by Marcus Myvett LHS has one of the most recognizable and honorable clubs in the nation. NHS is a club based on serving the Liberty community and achieving academic excellence. They meet every first Tuesday of the month at 7:45 before school in the Little Theater. NHS does a lot of community based projects, such as working at Hillcrest Thrift Store, doing elementary science nights and helping at elementary carnivals. Senior service officer Amy Burnham feels like NHS has allowed her to give back to her community. “NHS has shown me how many opportunities are out there to serve my community and how there is something for everyone to help serve others,” Burnham said. All juniors start out as just members but near the end of the year, all of NHS comes together and decides who will be the officer for the following year. Positions include the officer of hours, communication, events, service opportunities, attendance and president of NHS. Junior and incoming attendance officer Kati Benhardt is looking forward to being an officer next year. “I’m really excited to be an officer next year,” Benhardt said. “I was really happy to be given this opportunity. I was happy to be put in charge of such a prestigious club and I want to have a lot of fun with it.” Junior Molly Day is also excited to be an officer next year but has a very busy schedule that is sometimes hard to manage around NHS meetings. “I do sometimes get a little worried about balancing everything else I do, but NHS is going out of your way to do community service, so I figure out a way to fit it into my schedule,” Day said. To get into NHS, students must attain
and keep a GPA of 3.5 or above. There’s a requirement of hours, which is 40 community service hours. Senior Jackson Ferguson said he had a little difficulty getting all 40 hours, but he got it done in the end. “It’s hard to think about doing it until all the hours are due because you get two years to do 40 hours but it’s hard to make yourself do that until last minute,” Ferguson said. Some students at LHS may question why they should participate in community service for NHS. Ferguson also had doubts about NHS. “I had the question of if I am doing the volunteering to get something back, but I realized that yes I get something back. Not prizes or money, but the good feeling of helping people,” Ferguson said. NHS may have high standards, but it has a positive effect on members’ lives, such as participating in community service projects. “It has continued to push me to be successful,” Benhardt said. “It also pushed me to keep my grades up and opened my eyes to a lot of community things like the peer inclusion, which I wouldn’t have been able to do. The club is made up of strong minded people who push you to be the best you can be.”
Photos by Jack Barrecca and Ashley Ritter
Photo by Ashley Ritter
Above: senior officers Dana Bartch, Emily Johannes, Annika Fuller and Jacklyn Drewry wear the cords they earned through community service. Middle: junior officers Kayel Newland, Molly Day and Kati Benhardt. Below: senior officers (bottom row) hand the job over to incoming junior officers (top row).
Features May 5, 2017
09
lhsnews.net
What you involved in?
“I was involved in football and wrestling. I’m also doing jujitsu run by the AutoTech teacher, Mr. Wheeler. Back in June I decided to join. I wanted to be a part of them. I like the friends, playing a sport and having fun.”
What is your favorite class?
“I think Auto-Tech would be my favorite class. Weight training was pretty good. We did weightlifting and sports. Usually on Fridays, we played dodgeball, matt ball, kickball and other stuff too. I’m getting close to being able to squat 315 pounds.”
Where have you travled?
“I like New Orleans. I went there last year on a church mission trip. We went to the French Quarter and explored a lot of New Orleans. We helped people. There are beaches and swamp land. They have a lot of French food, crawfish, gator, a lot of stuff like that. They had street performers and jazz.”
Adrienne Fowler’s thoughts...
“Tyler is the nicest kid on the planet. He always pays attention, participates, answers questions when he’s asked and is quiet when he’s supposed to be. He is one of the kindest students I’ve had in my 10 years here. He is easy going and always happy.”
10 Spotlight May 5, 2017
Senior Tyler Beeks Interview by Hannah Leonard
Photo by Jack Barreca
lhsnews.net
Why did you decide to join yearbook?
“I joined because I wanted to do it in middle school but I didn’t know how to join. I took it freshman year because I am really into writing. I used to write little stories in my journal so I decided to contribute it to the yearbook.”
How has that defined your school experience?
“I think Yearbook has made me a lot more comfortable talking to people I don’t know just because you have to pull them out of class and interview them. I think it’s made me get to know the school better, and the student body in general because I’ve had to actually be involved so I could write about it.”
What’s up with the Nicholas Cage shirt?
“I stole it from my boyfriend’s closet because he never wore it and I was like, ‘this is like a piece of art. You are holding this piece of art from the world. That’s not fair.’ I decided to wear it on Fridays and it’s been one of the better things about this year because I get comments on it. I feel like I make people’s days a little bit better.”
Jessica Cordonier’s thoughts...
“Danielle is an amazing person and student. She has an editorial role on The Spectator Yearbook and has demonstrated great leadership skills. She is smart, kind and funny.”
Senior
Danielle Koger Interview by Emily Johannes
Spotlight May 5, 2017
Photo by Kate Marshall
11 lhsnews.net
What is your passion?
“I’m passionate about music, it’s my love. I am Nigerian and my family is Igbo, music is part of the culture. Everyone in the culture has a life that is all about music and that was the environment that I grew up in.”
What are you excited for after graduation?
“I’m most excited for sleep and not having to wake up super early in the morning, even though it is an hour later than Tonka. Sleep is the most important thing to me because I won’t be able to handle myself or anyone else without it.”
What are your goals?
“My ultimate goal is to become a commercial airline pilot. I love to travel and I love flying airplanes. It’s always been a dream of mine and I actually got the experience to go down to Texas with my neighbor who is a pilot. It was a life-changing experience and it gave me more insight on the occupation.”
Melissa Jones’ thoughts...
“Ben likes to question things and not just be told the answers; he likes to find them out for himself and delve into them a little deeper. He is very warm and very easy going.”
12 Spotlight May 5, 2017
Senior Ben Ahumaraeze Interview by Katie Moon
Photo by Mercedes Peck
lhsnews.net
Who do you look up to?
“The first one that comes to mind is Beyoncé. The second person I think of is my mother who has the same qualities of Beyoncé, they are basically the same person. She perseveres and is always a hard worker. She always does her best and has taught me to put forth my best effort.”
What are your hobbies?
“I like to draw and make cards. I like to personalize them and make them unique to every person based on their likes and personality. Then people were like ‘I’ll give you money to do it.’ And I was like ‘huh, interesting I can capitalize on my skill.’”
What has high school taught you?
“I’ve learned three rules. First, just be nice. It’s really simple. Two, let others be happy and enjoy things, don’t rain on their parade. Three, don’t invalidate other people’s feelings because they feel maybe more extreme than you.”
Brenda Wiederholt’s thoughts...
“Jacklyn is an amazing and talented person. She is kindhearted and genuine. I truly believe Jacklyn will be immensely successful in life because she possesses incredible drive to follow her passion and pursue her dreams.”
Senior
Jacklyn Drewry Interview by Annika Fuller
Spotlight May 5, 2017
Photo by Kate Marshall
13 lhsnews.net
Who has impacted you most?
“My parents by far and a lot of the upperclassmen when I was younger. They made me who I am today, and taught me to always be me even if it’s not particularly ‘normal’. It makes life a whole lot easier and I never have to worry about being something else.”
What are your plans after high school?
“I am going to Portland State University in Oregon because I love Oregon and wanted a cool new school that I haven’t been to before. I want to study acoustical engineering. I would love to be an acoustical or electrical engineer and design the acoustics for venues.”
What is your passion?
“I really like the 80s and 90s. I’m not sure if I could describe my style because it changes regularly, I get most of my clothes really cheap from the thrift store. My favorite concert is AWOLNATION, I’ve seen them three times now and the crowd is always so fun.”
Marla Badalucco’s thoughts...
“I love having Sydney in class because she is always upbeat and smiling. She is very passionate and talks so highly of theater. I admire how caring she is. She is super creative and will achieve wonderful things in the future. “
14
Senior Sydney McBee Interview by Madeline Hensley
Spotlight May 5, 2017
Photo by Mara Fryer
lhsnews.net
What are your college plans?
“I’m going to the University of Arkansas in the fall. My first year I’ll be studying engineering to see if I like it but if I don’t I’ll probably switch into something more journalistic. Arkansas has a lot of different options to choose from so I know they’ll have what I’m looking for.”
What will you miss about high school?
“I’d say just hanging out with my friends every day. There have been memorable events but I think I’m going to miss seeing everyone every day the most.”
What are your hobbies?
“I like sleeping, drinking coffee, hanging out with friends, photography and music. I’m also obsessed with Star Wars and other nerdy things my friends show me. I mostly take pictures of places, but as of recently I’ve really started to like taking portraits of people.”
Melissa Jones’ thoughts...
“McKenna is a thoughtful young man and he truly walks the walk when it comes to the compassion he shows to those who are less fortunate. He has a great sense of humor and I always enjoy our conversations. He is mature beyond his years and a positive role model for others.”
Senior
McKenna Still
Interview by Alex Rogers
Spotlight May 5, 2017
Photo by Mara Fryer
15 lhsnews.net
What is your passion?
“Choir has become a large part of my life, it’s pretty much all I do. I joined sophomore year and didn’t think I was going to do much more with it, I ended up enjoying it and continued choir for junior and senior year. I ended up being the bass section leader.”
What do you do with your dad’s music group?
“It’s a southern gospel quartet. On the weekends, we go to different churches and sing. I started when I was about eight or so, by going to the concerts. In seventh grade I joined to run sound for them. That partially sparked my interest in engineering and sound tech. That then turned into physics.”
What is your dream job?
“It could be something with working in a theater mixing sound or it could be working for a company that develops the electronics for sound. There are areas in physics that talk about sound waves and also things about the electrons behind it. With my knowledge of technology for sound and my love for choir, that bridges the gap between the two.”
Rich Fairchild’s thoughts...
“Bryson is one of the best students I’ve ever had. Not only do the concepts come naturally for him but Bryson is very curious about how to apply his knowledge. Bonus is the fact that he actually laughs at all of my bad physics puns. ”
Senior
16
Bryson McClung
Spotlight May 5, 2017
Interview and Photo by Lacy Williams
lhsnews.net
How long have you been teaching at LHS?
“This is my 22nd year teaching. I decided to teach French because I love the culture and language. It’s one of the few ways in the United States where I could use it on a daily basis and see other people enjoy it.”
What’s your favorite memory from this year?
“My favorite memory from this year was definitely French V’s trip to the Nelson Atkin’s Art Museum. They have a new collection and it was gorgeous and fun to see students appreciating it.”
What piece of advice would you give to seniors? “Don’t expect at this point to know where your life is going.”
Jackson Ferguson’s thoughts...
“Madame Snead is a teacher who loves what she teaches and is never afraid to laugh a little bit and be a part of the classroom.”
Teacher Laura Snead
Interview by Emily Johannes
Spotlight May 5, 2017
Photo by Chrystian Noble
17 lhsnews.net
See Ya LAter Seniors are not the only ones leaving this year Story By Joey O’Kelly & Paige Twenter Algebra I and II teacher April Shea has been teaching at LHS for two years and has discovered new parts of herself during that time. She now loves to stay busy and walk into the classroom everyday knowing that teaching is her purpose in life. Shea is planning on staying at home with her baby next year and possibly going back into teaching in a few years. The legacy she plans on leaving with her students is the idea that everybody is capable of doing math.
“We grow up in a society where mathphobia is extremely common.” Shea said. “I remind my students frequently that when I was in high school, math was my worst subject. The reason was simply because of my mindset. I had convinced myself that I wasn’t intelligent enough to do well in math. I always try to reiterate the fact that being successful in math is all about effort, and if you think you can, you will.”
Algebra I and II teacher April Shea
Counselor Melanie Crawford
18
Photo by Morgan Clark
InDepth May 6, 2017
Constantly searching for that ‘light bulb moment,’ with her clients, counselor Melanie Crawford is taking her 16 year counseling career to a private practice in Gladstone, Missouri. Crawford spent two years at a non profit organization in Kansas City, four years counseling at the college level and 10 years counseling at LHS. In the 10 years at LHS, Crawford witnessed some changes. One of those changes was the spike in school spirit. However, she’s had some help keeping up with other changes. “I always tell my friends that the students here help keep me young,
Photo By Grace Buehler
from making sense of new lingo to the latest style trends,” Crawford said. “I may feel a little lost without the student influence.” Before having her own son last fall, Crawford considered the students at LHS to be her children. While it is bittersweet to be leaving her ‘children,’ she now has a new job to venture into.
lhsnews.net
LHS is saying goodbye to nine year assistant principal Dr. Gregory Mees, who is going to Discovery Middle School to become the new head principal. While teaching at Columbia- Hickman, Mees was mentored by two assistant principals. Feeling inspired by them, Mees became an assistant principal shortly after. “I love that I get to help students every day,” Mees said. “Sometimes it takes the form of working with a student who needs a little extra support and sometimes it is implementing a
schoolwide program such as the ACT.” As with many teachers, Mees loves the feeling of watching a student he worked with walk across the stage on graduation day and being able to shake their hand afterwards. Working with these students has taught Mees how to work with all students from different backgrounds and how to push them to be successful from their high school careers into adulthood. His next step is to do the same to middle schoolers.
Assistant Principal Greg Mees Photo by Connor Callahan
Receptionist Sue Vickers Students who drag themselves into school in the mornings can always expect a friendly face, which belongs to receptionist Sue Vickers. Vickers has been greeting people, answering calls, orchestrating daily newsletters and multiple other jobs at LHS for two years. Next year, Vickers will be an Administrative Assistant for Liberty Schools Facilities department and will miss all her workers. Her favorite memory at LHS involves an embarrassingly funny “mishearing”.
Photo By Grace Buehler
InDepth May 5, 2017
“My favorite memory is the day I was watering the plants in the office and Dr. Mees came up to me and asked if I could water his pants,” Vickers said. “I quickly turned to him and poured water down the leg of his pants. His face? Priceless. While most people would have thought he must have said water his plants, not me. Water his pants I did. It was so funny!” Vicker’s hopes her legacy will be that people will remember her as happy and supportive.
19 lhsnews.net
Calculus teacher Lee Leddy Lee Leddy took a major change in his life head on and with open eyes. He transitioned from a career as an engineer to a high school Calculus teacher. He’s been teaching for 30 years and spent the past six years at LHS. One aspect he loves about his job is applying his experience as an engineer to the classroom and leading students to go into a STEM profession. Leddy has activated change in the math department through his efforts with fellow staff members. “The things that I feel good about
during my time at LHS are working with Candy Cole and Sara Langford to help improve the mathematics curriculum,” Leddy said. “Students, after taking Pre Calculus had few choices the following year. Many went on to AP Calculus, a course they didn’t need in college, so we established a College Algebra course (needed by most college majors) to fill that need.” He plans on spending more time at his lake home in Canada with his grandkids after retirememt.
Photo by McKenna Hegger
PLTW Biomedical Sciences Teacher Tim Block
20
PLTW Biomedical Sciences teacher Tim Block is retiring after nine years of teaching at LHS. In his retirement, Block looks forward to spending time with his wife and his grandchildren. Block wants to leave the legacy of teaching about “more than just life sciences, but about life.” Retiring on a good note, Block recently became the LHS Teacher of the Year. “The professionalism of this school’s staff is phenomenal and they elevate my level of professionalism daily by motivating me to be at my best,” Block said. “I’m so grateful and honored to be a Blue Jay these last nine years of my career.” Block has enjoyed having a role in the lives of his students as well as helping them reach their goals.
“I love having a role in their growth and development, teaching them things about life, helping them reach for their dreams and aspirations and if you love them, they’ll love you back,” Block said.
Photo By McKenna Hegger
InDepth May 6, 2017
lhsnews.net
Barreca had two major influences that sparked his interest in teaching: his dad, who taught for 32 years and his high school English teacher, who encouraged him to make mistakes and learn from them. “As a Special Education teacher, I get to meet a lot of students who have a wide variety of challenges in their lives,” Barreca said.“I find their ability to stay motivated and positive, despite their challenges, inspirational.” He’s been teaching for 10 years and has spent eight years at LHS where he’s learned to adapt and gain a new
perspective on life. “I’ve grown in many ways,” Barreca said. “I’ve learned strategies for lesson planning, ways to adapt to different personalities and with time, I’ve learned to adapt easier. I’ve had many varied experiences that have made me well rounded.” Barreca’s next step in life is to teach Special Education at Grandview High School, which is a shorter drive for him.
SPED teacher John Barreca
Photo By Morgan Clark
ELL teacher Daisy Myrick Photo By Emily Johannes
Living life culturally, English Language Learners teacher Daisy Myrick is leaving LHS after 11 years to become the ELL program coordinator at the Kansas City International Academy. ELL is a program for non- native English speakers to learn the English language. Starting as a Spanish teacher, Myrick wanted a more immediate impact on students and therefore switched over to teaching ELL. “My teaching style has evolved into realizing that no one will learn anything if they don’t feel connected to the person that’s trying to teach it to them,” Myrick said. One of the most rewarding
InDepth May 6, 2017
feelings, according to Myrick, is watching a student walk across the stage at graduation when that student was struggling just a few years back. Knowing that her teaching helped the student achieve their goals was gratifying. Starting with three students in a makeshift broom closet classroom, Myrick has made the ELL program well known to students at LHS and has impacted the lives of each student she has worked with.
21 lhsnews.net
Assistant Principal Brett Coffman For the past 23 years of his life, Assistant Principal Brett Coffman has been in the education profession, transitioning from private school teacher, to a Raytown Middle School to LHS for the past 11 years. One aspect Coffman will miss the most from his experience at LHS is the friendships he’s developed with coworkers and students alike.
He also enjoys seeing students he’s taught grow into teachers. Coffman’s next transition in his career is going to Kearney to be an assistant principal at the high school. “It’s going to open up some avenues for me in becoming a principal, which is ultimately my goal,” Coffman said. Photo By Joey O’Kelly
ELA teacher Karla Schaeffer
Photo By Grace Buehler
22 InDepth May 5, 2017
ELA teacher Karla Schaeffer didn’t always plan to be a teacher, nor did she plan to be in that profession at LHS for 30 years. Despite her father being a college professor and others commenting on her teaching potential, her epiphany involving her future didn’t come right away. It came when she traveled to Europe and became interested in art and architecture and how those stories connect with stories in literature and music. “Literature, that’s clear, what the stories are,” Schaeffer said. “I'm a musician so I’ve always been interested in music. I love how all the arts are connected together with stories. I just think it’s so cool how those things are interconnected. I like to help kids see those connections. I try to work those arts in to help kids get a fuller understanding.”
Schaeffer also relates her love for playing percussion into her lesson plans to bring outside influences into the classroom and curriculum. Shaeffer’s only constant in her career is change. She strives to revise every unit she teaches each year and connect with her current students. One of her favorite things to experience is seeing changes in her former students for the better. She’s sad to be leaving but is ready to face changes in her life with open eyes and an open heart.
lhsnews.net
HaNg Loose, Eat LoNGBoards! Island Style Wraps and Bowls 1173 West Kansas Street, Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 407-9528
$12 HAIRCUTS EVERY TUESDAY $3.00 OFF Lunch
With Purchase of 2 Lunches & 2 Drinks
NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 5/31/17
$4.00 OFF Dinner
With Purchase of 2 Dinners & 2 Drinks NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 5/31/17
290 S. 291 Hwy. Liberty, MO 816-792-2737
CALL AHEAD FOR CARRY OUT
Hannah Leonard-Maple Woods Editor-in-Chief
If there is one thing to know about high school, it’s that you don’t have to do it alone. For the good and the bad, it is important to make friends and have a support system. I am incredibly thankful for my friends, teachers, newspaper staff and Oyler for being there for me the past four years. But from the beginning and for the rest of my life, there is one person who
has always had my back: my mom. She is the strongest person I know and the reason for my unbelievable amount of faith and fearlessness. My mom is the perfect combination of tough and kind and has nothing but love to give. With every crazy goal I worked toward, like becoming Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, my mom has been the most understanding and supportive person in my life. Everything I do is with her in mind and to make her proud. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer again, there was a time when I thought I’d be spending my last Christmas with her, or that she wouldn’t be there to see me graduate from high school. But she is a fighter and not even that could hold her back from always being there for our family. Together we’ll always keep fighting. I may have gone through more hardships than expected for the average high
schooler, like leaving my aspirations of pursuing my athletic career behind when I was diagnosed with a genetic heart mutation. I wouldn’t have gotten through that without the encouragement my mom gave me to focus on writing and music instead. Following through with her advice is one of the best things to ever happen to me. There is no one else I would rather dedicate my last column to. Out of everyone I’ve ever known, I admire my mom the most. She passed on her warrior’s heart to me and I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish leading a newspaper staff, let alone graduating with the merit I have without her support. So, thank you, mom, for always being there. And “I love you the mostest.”
Emily Johannes-Simmons College Managing Editor
These past four years have been a mix of happy times, stressed out times and some really hard, sad times. Coming out on the other side of high school means there is a lot of hindsight. Looking at
24
Opinion May 5, 2017
the person I was at the beginning of high school is definitely cringe worthy, but it is also amazing to see how I’ve grown. I used to be a complete nervous wreck. The idea of social interaction was terrifying because I had such a fear of being judged for stupid things like clothes or my lack of conversational skill. Freshman year I walked through the halls with my head down and moved through the crowd with the hopes of not being noticed. If I looked up, I was desperately looking for a friendly, familiar face to reassure myself everything was going to be okay. I hadn’t found my place in the school environment and that was hard. I tried to do debate and while I made friends, I didn’t find my passion there. Sophomore year was a transition year for sure. While I became more involved, I was still a closed book. I didn’t talk to anyone about anything. I took Newspaper on a whim and that whim was the best thing I have ever done. I found a family
through this class and it has defined my high school experience in the best way. This class forced me to make positive relationships and open up more to others, and for that I thank Mrs. Oyler and all of my fellow reporters for unknowingly nudging me in that direction. As for the past two years, junior and senior year have been more about solidifying those relationships and becoming more comfortable with being my own person. I take pride now in what I’ve accomplished and in having my own thing. This year especially I have worked on being more open with people and it has brought me new friendships, fresh conversation and a stronger idea of who I want to become later in life. High school has definitely been a journey. It has helped form memories that I will look back on and not regret. I don’t know if I’d want to do it again, but I will not be sorry that I experienced it.
lhsnews.net
Lacy Williams-St. Olaf College Copy/Opinion Editor
Two years ago, I would have never thought high school was going to be over and that I’d be okay with leaving this home behind. I never would have believed someone if they told me I’d be going to a
school seven and a half hours away from home with no one from my school to go with me. Future me is probably looking down and smiling at me thinking ‘wow, good job kid.’ However, future me won’t be able to do what she’s doing without the people of this school that helped me get there. In eighth grade when we signed up for classes in high school, I wanted to take creative writing. Well, it wasn’t offered to freshmen so I ended up in Mrs. Oyler’s Journalism 1 class. It was because of that, that I met my best friend AND worked my way up to where I am today on The Bell. Ironically, I never actually took creative writing. I didn’t need to because I had The Bell as my family. Thank you Oyler for seeing little freshman me and believing I would do well on your staff. It was sophomore year that I made All-District choir. This was the first time I actually ever felt I was talented. Here I am now, a section leader, lettering
three years in a row, advancing to State, receiving ones at State and three times in All-Districts. Oh, did I mention I’m conducting Women’s Honor Choir? It’s crazy to think how all that played out in order to get me to where I am as a person. Dr. Heruth and Mr. Purdon, thank you both for pushing me outside my comfort zone to allow me to pursue my dreams in music. I could honestly go on for hours about how many great teachers there are in this school, like Frau Biermann for being my second mom at all times even when I wasn’t in your class (I’ll get you tickets when I’m performing with the Berlin Choir when we tour at the Kauffman). My success in this school was due to the people I’ve known, the many activities I was involved in and the incredible opportunities I’ve had because of LHS. It may be a goodbye for now, but who knows, I might come back to teach. What do you think about that, future me?
Annika Fuller-Illinois Wesleyan
Arts & Entertainment Editor
As I will soon never see the majority of my senior class again, I am prepared to unveil a large part of me, my mother. Ladies and gentlemen, drum roll please. My mother is counselor Ms. Wiederholt.
Opinion May 5, 2017
There you go, the greatest shock of my -and your- high school career is now on printed paper. Now before there are any angry words about what privileges I must have had to have a parent as a counselor, let me set a few things straight. Yes, I usually got the classes I wanted. Yes, I could go to her office and cry if need be. But no, I did not use her to ask teachers to give me a better grade. No, I didn’t get exempt from any tests or “pains” of being a student. Finally, no, I didn’t get any blackmail on students or faculty. Now that that is all cleared up, I can get to how hard it was to keep this secret. Many people know, including all my teachers and my closest friends. However, when you put in perspective the number of students we have at our school and the-let’s say- 30 people that know, I’m basically a well-trained spy. There was a
lot of explaining when people did figure out why I didn’t want others to know. The most difficult person to explain that to was Ms. Wiederholt. It’s not that I am ashamed of her or anything, people knowing only made me a lot cooler. Simply, I didn’t want people to think they could ask me for favors, or think I would tell her what they said to me, then be called into the office. So now, in front of Dr. Adams and all of these witnesses, I can thank her. Most students have a support system at school, but very few can say that they were able to cry to their mothers instead of running to the bathrooms at school. Thank you, mother, for your support and help throughout these years. You were the ears I needed when I needed to let something go. And finally, thank you Ms. Wiederholt, for keeping my secret.
25
lhsnews.net
Katie Moon-Missouri State Spotlight Editor I’ve never been a fan of hanging out with large groups of people. I’m a strong believer that people only need one really good friend. I met mine, Francesca Croce, sophomore year. When I look back on high school, there is no doubt in my mind that she will be the person in the memories that I remember the most. I will remember late nights watching Moulin Rouge and eating chips and salsa, going on walks late at night just talking about the world, or maybe just sitting at the kitchen counter listening to her sisters laugh about boys. The best thing about our friendship is we never get sick of each other. Her family invited me on their spring break trip to Florida and the whole week we were together, there was not a time I was bothered by her or she was bothered by me. Sometimes, if we just aren’t in
the mood to talk, we will just sit there watching TV or doing our own thing. Some of you might think this is awkward and you might wonder why I would even go over to her house if we were going to sit there and not talk, but I would rather sit with her and not talk, than sit by myself. I want to thank Francesca for being there for me, no matter how annoying I get, which is probably a lot because I am over at her house almost every day. I want to thank her for sharing her family with me, which I can happily call my own. Most of all, I want to thank her for doing what a best friend does best, loving me through all of my mistakes. Maybe I don’t have a huge group of people to go to prom with or hang out with over the summer, but at least I have a solid friendship I can always rely on.
Alex Rogers-Truman State Reporter
When I was a freshman, I took the bus to school every day-well, almost every day. There were times I was late. As I ran out the door to the bus stop, I watched the
26
Opinion May 5, 2017
bus drive away, missing it once again. This particular morning my mom decided she’d had enough of driving me to school. I prayed she was in a good mood, but came to find out she was anything but. “Call me when you get to school and I’ll come pick your bike up,” were my mom’s last words to me as I pedaled away. Success in high school is nice, but failures in high school prepare you for bigger successes in college and beyond. My academic career hit both its peak and its lowest low since being in high school. I’ve set curves on some finals and quite literally failed others. Similarly, I’m not sure which was more of a thrill in my athletic career: claiming fourth place in doubles at state with junior Riley Kelley or playing 4th string goalie for the C team soccer squad as a senior. Either way, one
of the biggest things I’ll be taking away from high school is humility. Cherish the highs and embrace the lows. Thank you Coach Koch for giving me the honor of being the first tennis player you ever had to kick out of practice because I was such a noob. I learned and grew a lot from that experience. Thank you Mr. Knowles for teaching me the importance of paying attention in class. Thank you Mrs. Ahart for pretending you didn’t know I started essays days after they were due. Thank you Mr. Block for teaching us that turkey is not in fact digested in the gallbladder and for predicting I’ll choose waffles at 2:00 am over studying for a test in medical school (we’ll see if I even get that far.) Whatever I do in life though, I’ll always remember to Be Like A Duck.
lhsnews.net
Madeline Hensley-Truman State Reporter
I’ve never been one to shy away from an adventure, as my picture depicts. That being said, the thought of four years of high school was one adventure I was not sure I was ready for. I never really felt
like a freshman because the sophomores were also new to the school, so basically, freshmen year half the school was just bumbling around trying to find their classes. Freshmen year must have been bad because I literally cannot remember my schedule and no ground-breaking memories come to mind. I must have blocked out those years because writing this column has been one of the hardest assignments of my senior year. Not to mention the fact that I’ve never been good at being introspective. I’d like to thank Mr. Block for thinking about starting the LOAF club but never really getting around to it because he simply didn’t care enough (for those of you wondering, LOAF stands for League of Apathetic Friends). Mr. Block perfectly
described my attitude towards high school my junior year. I decided that high school was lame and I was really cool for not caring, but turns out I wasn’t. It isn’t cool not to care. High school is only four years long and you should make it count. My motto for senior year was ‘It’s senior year make a fool of yourself’. I think this attitude was also adopted partly because I joined Leadership Class and now if I didn’t go all out for spirit day I’d get a zero. Senior year has definitely been the highlight of my high school career. I’ve learned a lot but I think the most important lesson I’ve learned is don’t dare someone to punch you in the face because they will do it and you will bruise.
27 Opinion May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
Is high school really the best four years of our lives? Editorial by Delaney Tarpley The reality of graduation, college and eventually “adult life” has set in for the class of 2017. As the seniors pack up their bags and say goodbye to their teachers for the last time, a thought lingers in their minds: is high school really the best four years of our lives? The Bell staff sat down to discuss this question and in a vote of 21-1, most staff members agreed that high school is not really the best four years of our lives. Most of the staff agreed that to leave high school thinking that nothing would ever top those four years would be a depressing way to live. After all, to assume that you’ve already lived the best part of your life when you’re only 18 years old could mean that you’re going into the rest of your life thinking you’ll be met with disappointment and be in a constant state of nostalgia. One staff member pointed out that to go into high school as a freshman thinking that the years that lie ahead will be the best four years of your life is a perfectly fine mindset. Having that positive outlook could be helpful and could motivate you to
create lasting memories during your time here. Another staff member even said that you should go into every year of your life thinking it will be the best year of your life and that positivity should extend past the four years of high school and into the rest of your life. The staff quickly noticed that it was hard to determine whether or not high school is the best four years of our lives because we haven’t lived the rest of our lives yet. All we’ve known has been high school and life before. One staff member seemed to think that people don’t realize high school is the best until they experience life beyond it, then realize that high school was better because it was more stress free. Many disagreed, as most people don’t hit major milestones (marriage, children, careers) until we are out of high school. One staff member even said that high school is just the beginning; it’s point A in our lives pushing us onto an even better point B. One staff member said that the high school experience is different for each person and while it may be someone’s best
years of their life, it could also easily be the worst years for someone else. They pointed out that we each would only be able to determine for ourselves with our own experiences in mind because everyone experiences high school differently. Others agreed. One teacher said it was important to find a balance between appreciating our high school days while also making sure not to dwell on the past. They said that it was important to move on and still feel like you have a lot left to look forward to. Most of the staff agreed. All in all, the staff agreed that while high school has a lot of opportunities and great memories, the best years of your life come at a later time, while you’re hitting new major milestones. To go through the rest of your life thinking it peaked in high school would be a depressing way to live and would only discourage you. While it’s okay to acknowledge the fun times you had in high school, make sure to keep an open mind and a positive attitude for years to come.
Staff Vote: Yes: 1 No: 21 Illustration by Daryl Gichui
28
The articles in this section do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the entire Bell staff. Please feel free to comment, compliment or critize anything you see in this section in a Letter to the Editor at jspe2667@student.lps53.org
Opinion May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
Jabber
If I was taller, then I would fight Tison -@daniellekoger
My favorite way to study is to check my classmate’s twitter pages with hopes that they already made a quizlet for me -@AbigailSchulte
If I am not on The Jabber part of the newspaper before I graduate I think I will return my diploma and start high school over -@maricharlson1
My Fitbit just told me to “move!” shut up I’m napping -@alliehansen_
I really don’t think I’ve been more content with my life than i am right now -@Cambam3
29 Jabber May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
Tyler Beeks Tyler, We are all so proud of you sweetie. What an amazing, loving and caring young man you have grown to be. Time has gone by way too fast, from the little boy on the skateboard scratching up your face and knees playing endlessly with your friends to the big guy roughhousing in football and driving. You are such an accomplished person with such a big heart and sense of humor. Continue life with your great attitude, personality and dreams. Keep working hard and you will go far. God has such wonderful plans for you, Tyler. Congratulations on your graduation, the future is yours! All of our love to you, Mom, Grandma, Granddad, Aunt Sandy and Nadia
Savannah Lee Chris Young
Savage J, Saying we are proud of you is a bit of an understatement. You’re not only an explosive young extrepreneur, you are an inspiration to all around you, including your family. More importantly, you have a good heart. You have always cared about those going through hard times. Listen to your gut and keep your head…
Riley, We are so very proud of you and excited for your next steps in life. You are so kind hearted and generous to everyone. Keep working hard, stay focused and close to God. You will be successful in your future if you do! God Bless you! We love you. Love, Mom, Bronson, Mya, and Grandma-ma
Love forever, Mom and Dad
HANNAH LEONARD
There is not a single person on staff who is not proud of you! Watching you over the last four years of high school has been so wonderful. Thank
you for being such an amazing friend, leader and incredible co-worker. We will never forget the beautiful memories we have made over the years.
We love you so much! This one’s for you! With love, The ENTIRE Bell Staff
Mia Breeden
Annika Fuller
Mia, My Kazakh, your family loves you and is certain that you will have a full life ahead of you… a life of service to others and to God. Here’s hoping they pronounce your middle name right at graduation! Mom, Kai, Bonnie, Tay, Jace, Rhys, Miss Moe, Peanut, Livy and Bibigul
David Butler We are so proud of you! Love you! Mom, Dad and Lindsey
You are amazing! You deserve only the highest quality ice cream in life. Your forever fans – with love, Dad, Mom and Malia
Rafae Pasha Katie Plubell To my dearest Little Rafae, I cannot tell you how proud I am of you and all that you have accomplished at such a young age! You are not only extremely talented but are an incredible human being! Your heart of gold and talent will take you so far in life. I know you are destined for greatness! May all of your dreams and wishes come true. Love, Appi
We are so proud of our Rock and Roll Blue Jay! Glad you have had so much fun at Liberty High School! Love Mom, Dad, Bobby, Bootsey, Shripesey and Hazelnut
Boone Alexander Evans Boone, Upon your birthday we knew you were a special, blessed person destined for greatness filled with a lifetime of achievements that would one day change the world. So far you have proven us correct! We have proudly watched your amazing transformation into the impressive young man you are today with your high values, good character, talents, and sense of humor. As an over achiever, we have watched you explore your various interests and talents while always achieving the highest success in; academics, musical instruments, sports, politics, clubs, Masonic Lodge, Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts, church, leadership; and most impressive, after 7 years earning the highest 4 Star Award in the P.R.A.Y. Religious Emblem Program, earning your 1st and 2nd degrees Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do, and achieving the rank of Eagles Scout in Boy Scouts. We have marveled at your lifelong love of learning and high academic achievements so it was no surprise to us after looked through a microscope for the first time in the third grade, you chose to attend Texas Tech University majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Pre-Med. with a career goal as military Medical Doctor specializing in scientific research to cure diseases. It is hard to believe our “Boone Boy” is graduating High School! So one last “lecture” before you fly the nest: “Follow your dreams; achieve your destiny; your word is your honor, always do your best; service to other; be adventurous; have fun but study hard; follow “the golden rule”, be reverent, don’t forget to visit home, of course listen to your mother, and” ... “When you leave here, don’t forget why you came.” -Adlai E. Stevenson. The Future Is Yours! Love, Mom, Dad, Kristopher and Bo
Rafae Pasha
You’re about to embark on a new chapter, one that is equally exciting and terrifying. Words cannot express how proud we are of you, and as you go into this next phase of life, I pray that God will guide, protect and lead you.
You’re an inspiring person with a big heart. So go and conquer the world! We love you and will forever be by your side, rooting for you to excel in life. Love, Bhaiya and Nazia Baji
Lilly Holt
We have always been proud of your desire to discover your passions and your gifts, merely with the intent to give them to the world. Stay beautiful where it matters most, Lil, on the inside. All our love, Mom, Dad and Marissa.
Madeline Hensley
TJ Persell TJ,
We are so thankful to have you as a son, and couldn’t be more proud of the young man you are becoming. We know you will succeed in life and we look forward to watching your journey. Proverbs 16:3 Commit to TJ,the Lord whatever you do plans will Weand are your so thankful to have you as a son, and couldn’t succeed. be more proud of the young man you are becoming. Much love,you will succeed in life and we look forward We know Mom, Dad and Anna to watching your journey. Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do and you plans will succeed. Much love, Mom, Dad and Anna
Dawn Orr
We have watched you grow into such a passionate, young woman with such a strong ambition to succeed, and we are so proud! Keep working hard, and always keep smiling! We can’t wait to see what your future holds. Love, Mom, Dad, and Megan
Dawn, You have made all those around you so proud of who you have become. We love you so much and are proud to be parents of such a beautiful Senior. More great things are yet to come in your life and we are excited to be at your side as they happen. Love you, Mom and Dad
CONGRATULATIONS ALL SENIORS!
Lydia Ford TJ, We are so thankful to have you as a son, and couldn’t be more proud of the young man you are becoming. We know you will succeed in life and we look forward to watching your journey. Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do and you plans will succeed. Much love, Mom, Dad and Anna
Lydia, We are so proud of you. You are that beautiful, confident, young lady. Love you always, Allisha, April, Joshua, Andrea and Benjamin
Congratulations Lydia!! We love you! Your friends, Aunt Dawn and Sara
Rafae Pasha My Darling Son and Best Friend, Congrats on this major milestone. You have made me very very proud and I am blessed to have a son like you – intelligent, loving caring and above all a great human being. You are embarking on a journey that will lead you through many ups and downs but always stand tall and brave, and face life with courage, compassion and commitment. Success will be yours! Papa
My ray of sunlight, my buddy, my movie night partner, The day that I dread the most is finally here, you are all grown up and graduating. Although I am so proud for achieving this milestone, I am also sad that my baby is going to leave the nest. I will miss you terribly…your daily hugs, your witty jokes, your opinions on tasting my food and much more. To sum it up – my all-time best friend. Besides my motherly feelings, I am very
proud and happy that you have grown up to be such an amazing young man. Go and make all your dreams come true, never give them up no matter how tough it gets. I know you will succeed in whatever you decide to pursue. My prayers and blessing are always there with you. If you need me, I will only be a phone call away, you never know I might just go to college with you!!! Lots of Love, Mommy
Staff and students prepare for the spring theatre production of “Rumors.” Story by Daisy Smith There’s one thing about high school that everyone hates: rumors. Whether they’re about someone you don’t know, a close friend or yourself, no one likes the little stories going around the school that aren’t true. However, the production of “Rumors” is nothing like actual rumors. The theatre department opened the Little Theatre’s doors for the production of “Rumors” on April 27-29. On top of this being a big production, seniors also have to deal with the fact that this is their last production. As the year starts to draw to a close LHS will have to face the reality that the class of 2017 will be walking across the stage sooner than most realize. A tight knit family like the theatre department has an even harder time saying goodbye. “We’re really close and it’s just a really good cast,” senior Emma Davis said. “We work well together, we enjoy being around each other and it just makes it a really fun experience.” Some seniors have been performing in shows at LHS since freshman year, others have been on crew and some are trying their hand at performing this year rather than working behind the scenes. While people may think that these seniors will continue to perform in their college career some of these seniors won’t be solely focusing on their involvement in theatre. Rather than moping around the seniors have been trying to make the best out of their last show at LHS. “I’m proud of it.” senior Trevor Harr said. “I really like this show and I think this cast did really, really well. I think it’s a good thing to end on.” The students that participated in the production had to get themselves ready for
the performances ahead. While some preparation took place at school, many had to spend a lot of their free time after school to make sure everything was in order. This meant running lines with friends and fellow cast members, building the set whenever they could and working on lighting. “It’s been about 50-75 hours spent working on this show,” freshman Alex Johnson said. “We’ve spent weekends, late nights after school and have had parents come in to help with set.” Leading up to the show, the crew of “Rumors” had been working long and hard to make sure that the set was built and props and costumes were ready. To some this may seem like a process that could easily be done in a short time frame, but that’s where the problem lies. Due to the advancement of Readers’ Theatre (Into the Woods) and the One Act (Of Mice and Men) to state, the schedule had been changed around so that the people involved in these activities would be state
ready. Nevertheless, everyone involved lent a helping hand to make up for lost time. Every little thing made a difference and each job was important. “I am one of the assistant stage managers and I also do the voice of Myra,” junior Mariah Shipley said. “At the beginning of rehearsals I’m on book, which means I’m following along in the script and making notes of any lines that are missed or incorrect. Myra is a person who is talked about frequently by the characters, but never actually seen. At the end she has a couple of lines off stage.” For some of the directors, this show brought back some memories. “This was my first production. I was pressured into auditioning for this production during my high school sophomore theatre class,” said Turpin. “The next day I found out I was cast in the show as Glenn Cooper. The rest is history. This production is a challenging and fun opportunity for any student involved.”
2 1 38
Photo by Delaney Tarpley
Junior Molly Day and senior Max Wittman have been rehearsing since February to prepare for “Rumors.”
A&E May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
Senior Style
Names Clockwise: Grant Martin, Kyle Malisos, Rafae Pasha, Alana Pendergraft, Marcella Reeder, Sophie Jess
What are THEY wearing?
Photos By Ashley Ritter Emily Johannes Chrystian Noble L:acy Williams
39 Style May, 5 2017
lhsnews.net
Athletes of
Carter Abbott Interview by Haley Stephenson
“I played a lot of sports when I was a kid and I just liked playing tennis so I stuck with it. I started playing tennis around sixth or seventh grade. I joined the high school tennis team and I realized ‘Wow, I suck. I want to get better.’ My favorite part about playing sports is basically just running around and having fun with other people. My least favorite part is conditioning, which is like running and cardio.” -Carter Abbott
Photo by Caitlyn Pearson
Grade: Senior Height: 5’11” Events: Doubles and #3 Singles Favorite Food: Orange Chicken
“Carter and I met freshman year when we started playing tennis together. We’ve known each other since elementary school, but we really started getting close in high school. My favorite memory with Carter is probably just random times on the court. You can either make tennis a very social sport, or a very antisocial sport but with Carter it’s always very social. He’s always laughing and we all feed off of that energy.” -Senior TJ Persell “Carter has a passion for playing tennis. For him it is a year-long sport. He has made it a priority to improve every off season. One of my recent memories was when he won in a third set tie breaker vs Columbia Hickman. That was a big comeback win that took guts. His play and leadership will be greatly missed next year.” -Coach Andy Schneider
Kasey Allshouse Interview by Liz Gammon
“When I was little I started playing rec soccer. I fell in love with it and have played it ever since. I’ve tried other things but soccer is just always where my heart has been. It’s been every summer of mine. I pushed really hard and thankfully got an offer to play at Northwest. I am going to Northwest Missouri State University next year to play soccer and I’m going to major in special education.” -Kasey Allshouse “Last year we had a home game at the middle school and she was trying to clear the ball and she just booted it at a camera straight on as they were recording the game. She has a strong leg, she’s really physical and she never gives up on the ball. She is always positive even when people are messing up. She’s always saying like, ‘get it next play.’ She’s never negative to anyone.” -Senior Allie May “Kasey brings so much to this team. She is a versatile player. She works extremely hard and truly cares about the wellbeing of her players. She is always smiling and laughing with the girls. The underclassman have a huge amount of respect for her and she mentors a lot of younger players.” -Coach Tyler Nash
40 Sports May 5, 2017
Photo by Morgan Clark
Grade: Senior Height: 5’7” Position: Defender Favorite Food: Pizza lhsnews.net
the Month
Claire Reedy Interview by Haley Stephenson
“I really like being able to work with my teammates and meet a bunch of new people. I’ve been running all four years. My favorite memory is my sophomore year, I ran in a 4 by 8 and in each meet we ended up getting a personal record, then at state we got a personal record as well. We never expected that we were going to make it to all state. Everyone was crying and it was definitely one of my favorite experiences.” -Claire Reedy “Claire is an exceptional runner, with a great personality. She always knows how to have fun and when to make a joke. She is not only great at cross country, but also track. She is a great person to be friends with and a great athlete, anybody would be lucky to know her.” -Junior Rhiannon James “Claire is a great teammate. She’s very supportive of her teammates and just saying that ‘I’ll do whatever you need me to do for the team’. Whether it’s running relays, or wherever you feel like you need me I’m willing to do. That’s an awesome quality. Claire has ran at state on the 4 by 8 and she did great with that.” -Coach Pamela Koch
Photo by Jenna Axsom
Grade: Senior Height: 5’8” Event: 4x4 Favorite Food: Soft Pretzels
Jordan Douglas Interview by Liz Gammon
“I’ve always been pretty fast and just enjoyed running. When I was a little younger I started running AAU and whenever I found out that our school offered track I ran for the school. I guess I just always did it. I am going to keep running in college. I have a couple of options but University of St. Mary’s is where I’m really looking.” -Jordan Douglas “Jordan offers a variety of events that he can run. He can do a 200 all the way up to an 800 and that’s really big for our team because he can do it all. On the track he is very competitive and then off the track he’s a great friend, you can always talk to him about anything. I started running with him my freshman year when he was a sophomore and he’s gotten stronger through the 400.” -Junior Robert Rawie Photo by Caitlyn Pearson
Grade: Senior Height: 5’9” Events: 200, 400, 800 Favorite Food: Mexican Sports May 5, 2017
“Jordan always has a smile. He’s an extremely hard worker. You always get 100% out of Jordan in workouts and he does a really good job of taking a leadership role on the team. Anything from guys that run sprints in the 100 and the 200 all the way up to distance in the 800, Jordan has had a big influence on all of those kids. He’s just extremely hard working.” -Coach Dan Davies
41 lhsnews.net
Out Of The Park
Baseball boys reflect on relationships with teammates. Story by Jenna Spence
Ask anybody who knows anything about Blue Jay Baseball and they will mention the same thing: this is a very young team. After losing 14 seniors in the 2016 season and only having three returning seniors this season, this year’s team has some big shoes to fill. Here’s the good news, not only are the Jays filling their shoes, they’re running in them and not looking back. The Jays are 14-5 so far this season, winning their last seven games, scoring an average eight runs per outing. Seniors Clayton Adams, Tyler Miller and Collin Hill have been leading this young team to a very impressive start. “We are the youngest team that Coach Bragg has ever had to coach so it is unusual to see underclassmen stepping up and taking big roles,” senior Tyler Miller said. “They have adapted really well and are doing what they need to do.” And that they have. Stand-out underclassmen include freshmen Jovan Gill and Ben Jones and sophomores Braxton Bragg, Drew Mackie, Nathan Gray and Jordan Carlson. Starting upperclassmen include juniors Ian Jacobs, Jordan McClellan, Hunter Evans, Thomas Henrichs and the three seniors.
42
The upperclassmen have had to step in and help the younger players adapt to the bigger stage, which has been a success according to the numbers. “The new guys all learn really fast and pick up on things very easily,” senior Collin Hill said. “They are all very talented.” This team is all about doing what they can individually to help out their teammates to the best of their ability. Practicing and playing seven days a week, the Jays have had a lot of time to learn each other’s abilities and strengths in order to use them for the benefit of the team, a concept that was hard to grasp in the beginning of the season. “Inexperience is our biggest adversity as well as learning how to play as a team,” assistant Varsity Coach Vince Armilio said. Hill agrees. “At the beginning we were very unorganized and didn’t know what we needed to do,” Hill said. “Now in the middle of the season we know how to help each other and know how to push runs across the board in order to win some ball games.” Despite the inexperience, the seniors have made a significant impact on the
team. Admired by the team, the three seniors help keep the players in-check in the dugout during games and in drills during practice. They have helped the underclassmen adapt to the varsity level, which is a huge change from what they were used to. “The seniors are a bunch of good guys to be around,” junior Logan Steenstra said. “They’re a lot of fun and they’re not up-tight. They’re always loose and making sure eveyone is having a good time.” Now that the majority of the Jays are adapted to their new setting, talk about a strong post-season is very legitimate. “I think the team can do a lot of really good things this post-season,” senior Clayton Adams said. “Liberty has a really good reputation of winning. Any time you have Liberty on your chest, the other team knows that they’re going to get a good game.” The coaches are depending on the seniors to lead this team to victory this season, especially against Liberty North, who the Jays lost to at the start of the season 1-0. “I see our team with the opportunity to do big things this postseason and it will be up to the seniors if we take the opportunity or watch it pass by,” Armilio said.
Come out to support Blue Jay baseball tonight in their game against Truman, starting at 4:30 at Truman High School. Photos by Jenna Axsom and Caitlyn Pearson
Sports May 5, 2017
lhsnews.net
pantone Cool Gray 6c
pantone 186C
WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY
WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY pantone Cool Gray 11c (as shown in the brand guidelines)
WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY
pantone Cool Gray 9c
"Established 1890"
WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY
816-781-2838
Hate paying ATM fees? We can fix that! WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY Open a Kasasa account today and learn how to get your ATM fees refunded!
pantone 186c215 MO-291 WicklundsCARSTAR.com
WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY Rich Black
Creating pantone Black C Smiles for the Entire Family
WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY
9101 NE 82nd Terr. Kansas City, MO 64158 816.781.8585
info@kanningorthodontics.com
Liberty MO 64068
WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY CMYK 63 62 59 94
NAILS & SPA
WICKLUNDS - LIBERTY
923 W. Liberty Dr. Liberty, MO 64068 (816) 415-9998
Full set $20 Pedicure $20 Gel Manicure $25 Bring this in for a Student Discount
MCC-Maple Woods Your Smart Choice #BeMoreAtMCC
• Large Variety of Programs • Small classes • Best Tuition Value in the Northland • Easy to Transfer Credits • Enrollment Begins April 10 • Financial Aid Priority by May 30 • Summer Classes Begin June 5 • Fall Classes Begin August 23
MORE THAN A GREAT START.
816.604.3587 | mcckc.edu/visitmw
MAPLE WOODS