Leading the Flock: Student leaders introduce fall sports. Reported by Kora Smith (pg 6).
THE LIBERTY BELL
Issue 1 - Vol 101
Photo by Madaline Phillips
Leafing a Legacy
Reported by Katelyn Smith (pg 4)
A New Era for the 100s
Reported by Destinee Davis (pg 5)
Leading the Flock
Reported by Kora Smith (pg 6-7) Talent in Cleats
Reported by Lennon Cammara (pg 8-9)
It’s a Celebration of the Century
Reported by Abbigail Mota (pg 10-11)
Fiddle the Strings
Reported by Camdyn Johnston (pg 12-13)
Freshman Graham Henderson
Reported by JaiDynn Sargent (pg 15-17 )
Junior Ella Anderson
Reported by Addi Fung (pg 19-21)
There is Hope
Reported by Madeline Jones (pg #24-25)
MEET THE STAFF
EDITOR IN CHIEFVictorya Wilkinson
MANAGING EDITORJenna Shores
ONLINE MANAGING EDITORLucy Boyle
PHOTOJ MANAGING EDITORCeily Tiemann
SECTION EDITORSKora Smith
Addi Fung
JaiDynn Sargent
Madeline Jones
Brodey Hutton
REPORTERSKatelyn Smith
Destinee Davis
Lennon Camara
Abbigail Mota
Camdyn Johnston
Preparing for Parley
Reported by Brodey Hutton pg (22-23)
All Tricks No Treats
Reported by Jenna Shores pg #26)
Productivity at What Cost
Reported by Lucy Boyle (pg #27)
PHOTOJAYSEthan Chase
Madeline Phillips
Ayla Espinoza
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
elcome back to another exciting school year. We’re thrilled to present the first issue of The Bell Newspaper with a completly new staff. This issue is packed with stories which highlight our school community.
We’ve seen some new renovations, particularly in the 100s hallway. Explore how these updates will transform our learning environment and what they will mean for our daily routines (see page 5).
As the leaves begin to change, our German class gears up to celebrate Oktoberfest. Discover the traditions they’ll embrace and how they’ll bring a taste of Germany to our school (see page 10-11).
Our speech and debate team is also on the move, preparing for an upcoming competition (see page 20-21).
Finally, Senior Jenna Shores discusses the question: When are you too old to trick-or-treat? See what she said (see page 27).
While our current Editor In Chief, Senior Victorya Wilkinson was ill, I took temporary responsibilty as the Editor and wrote about the new cell phone policy (see page 26).
We’re excited to share these stories and more. We encourage you to get involved and contribute your voices. Here’s to a year of growth, exploration and spirit.
Lucy Boyle
EDITORIAL POLICY
The Liberty Bell strives to provide correct and factual information in which does not misconstrue statements given by students, faculty and outside sources. If at any time, while reading through our paper misinformation is found, please contact our adviser jamie.munoz@lps53.org and/or our Editor In Chief vwil9446@lps53.org immediately. We will take such information into account, discussing ways to properly handle it in the future, as well as provide a written apology in the next printed issue.
ONLINE PHOTO GALLERY
Liberty High School- 200 Blue Jay Drive
Photos by Ceily Tiemann Check out more photos on lhsnew.net under the photo gallery section
Liberty in the Fall
LEAFING a Legacy.
A KC organization plans to involve students in improving the environment.
Designed by Addi Fung
Reported by: Katelyn Smith Reporter
AKansas City organization named Canopy Cover KC is giving away 1,000 free trees to its citizens to improve air quality and reduce heat. Their goal is to sell 10,000 by the Summer of 2026. Trees should be planted in this city.
According to Mongabay.com, “Everything humans have needed to survive, and thrive, was provided by the natural world around us”
The environment provides resources like oil, water, food and air. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, without them we would not have clean air to breathe. It takes about 15 trees to remove the carbon dioxide that one person releases in a day. A healthy environment is important for basic human thriving.
Canopy KC’s goal is to make a prettier city and also improve the quality of its environment. They predict that in 20 years, the annual value of Air Pollutants Absorbed will be around 11.1k pounds. Citizens can do their part in cleaning the air by being more mindful of the gas that they use, lessen the amount of open burning and caring for trees. Canopy KC has a total of nine different types of native and climate-adapted trees to give away for citizens to plant at their homes.
“People need to care about the
impact that they have on the environment, because it gives us all of our resources that we need to survive, without those, we wouldn’t be able to live as a human race,” AP Environmental Science Teacher Elise Carpenter said.
Liberty students can do their part by joining clubs like Key club or Edge RWL and sign up for community service. For example, picking up trash in parks. Edge RWL advocates for clean and healthy Missouri waters.
“It’s important for students to get involved because it can build a resume. It builds memories for yourself and for the kids,” senior Ramon Torres-Gomez said. “You want to have a high school experience. You don’t want to be at home all day doing nothing. At least have a memory of you helping out the school or the community.”
Canopy Cover KC has already sold 5,500 trees previously in the Fall of 2023 and the Spring of 2024 and planted them. They have decided to continue on with their project to make KC the greenest city in the United States.
I am a Boy Scout, so I participate in sevice projects all the time, including my Eagle project. This included me making birdhouses and bag houses for the Woodneath library,” freshman Ryan Kling said.
Photo by Ceily Tiemann
A New Era for the 100s.
Renovation plans aim to revamp outdated spaces.
Designed by Addi Fung
Reported by: Destinee Davis Reporter
The plans in the 100s hallway are to renovate the areas of the school not already renovated. The 100s hallway is only the beginning of the rotation of the work. They started in early June and are estimated to be done in December.
“The hardest part of being in this classroom is that it is just much smaller than my previous classroom so we are kinda squeezed in here but we’re making it work,” Observational Drawing Teacher Amanda Phipps said. The 100s classroom will be changed to fit future and current culinary and
art classes. The cost of renovations will be out of the 120 million dollar bond.
The newly updated space will also help students with disabilities to have more accessibility and more space.
“We had to pick up a lot of our stuff and some of it is in the basement, and some of it is in our classroom,” Photography teacher Sydney Carr said.
Mrs.Carr has gone from a large studio into the 700’s hallway in a smaller classroom with all her supplies crammed into boxes in and outside of her classroom. The 100’s renovations are estimated to be done by the b beginning of second semester. That area of the school has not been touched since
late 70’s early 80’s. It is outdated and needs to be upgraded to be modernized.
“If you have gone through the FACS kitchen that is in there alot of the equipment in there that just needed to be remodeled,” Principle Mike Sharp said.
After the renovations the teachers are gonna be able to move their supplies back into their newly renovated classrooms. Students are gonna be able to have more functional classrooms to work and expand the enhancement of their learning.
“I’m hoping that there will be bigger spacing, and I’m hoping we can get more art supplies organized better than it has for the last few years.” junior art student Gracee Peugh said.
Students can expect more spaces within the classroom and more accessibility with bigger doors and more floor to ceiling storage in the art rooms. Students can expect cabinets, storage supplies closets and a residential-style kitchens for FACS, Bigger doors, modernized classrooms. For additional information go to https://www.lps53. org/bond-updates/projectoverview, https://x.com/ MikeCSharp, https://x.com/ LIBERTYSCHOOLS to learn more about the renovations.
Due to ongoing construction, art students temporarily moved to a new art room because of the construction in their hallway. Some students were also displaced to the 600 Flex space and other open classrooms across the building.
Photo by Ethan Chase
Photo by Ethan Chase
Photo by Maddox Calvin
LEADING the Flock.
Student leaders introduce fall sports.
Reported by: Kora
Spotlight Section Editor
The air is warm, at about 80 degrees in the student section during the fall kickoff on Aug 16. Students wore leis and Hawaiian button-ups for the Luau theme which shone under the bright Friday night lights. Spirit leaders and student class leaders in Blue Crew Crazies(BCC) lead a chant “B” “L” “U” “E,” and the student section responded with “J” “A” “Y” “S.”
This event began at 5:30 p.m. and went on until 8:30 p.m. at Liberty Hospital Sports Complex as an introduction to fall
sports and clubs. BCC members’ mission was to lead sports games to build school spirit.
The BCC club consists of four spirit leaders, 60 class leaders and 300 general members. This club started last year through the guidance of Assistant Athletic Director Trisha Middleton.
“School spirit builds a sense of community and brings everyone together around one thing,” senior Spirit Leader Will Peacock said.
BCC raised the level of support from the very start of this year. This group had around 200 members at the
first meeting but since then numbers have rose to around 300. BCC kicked it off with the fall sports scrimmage, which consisted of men’s soccer, all levels of football, the dance team, cross country and a first-ever powder puff game.
“Blue Crew Crazies was just trying to have something that could get more people to support our athletes at their games,” Peacock said in regards to the fall kickoff.
The 50/50 raffle and Silent Auction were held at this event, and the proceeds went to BCC. A total of $2,500
was raised for this club at the fall scrimmage this year. Also, the company Love Letters sold spirit wear, free hamburgers, chips and water were available, along with $3 face painting and $5 coconut and pineapple lemonade. The junior and senior powder puff scrimmage also was featured at this event.
“School spirit is important to get players and students excited for upcoming games and events. it makes our school such a welcoming and fun place,” freshman Pheobe Babcock said. BCC has made an even larger warm
Leadership students attend class every day during fifth hour in room 209 to organize spirit events. This month, they worked with Student Council to plan the annual homecoming dance and spirit week. “We have general meetings with anyone who wants to show up the fourth Friday of every month and then we also have class leader meetings,” senior Will Peacock said. Photo by Ethan Chase
2024
Designed by JaiDynn Sargent
welcome by using their social media to get people at games. As many students use social media, BCC can provide game details and themes this way, getting more people involved and more support for our athletes. Just three weeks into the fall season, BCC led the student section during a Varsity football game against Liberty North on Sept. 6 and had over 6,000 people come to support.
BCC has also invested in posters to put throughout the school to get more student engagement like the Dig for a Cure Game. This was a volleyball game that took place on Sept. 16 at LHS against Liberty North, to raise money for
breast cancer awareness.
“For a student-athlete to be a student all day and an athlete at night they need a supporting group there to be behind them,” Peacock said.
Blue Crew
BCC will continue to lead and promote games across every athlete feels seen and supported.
After the fall season ends
BCC plans to
Crazies was just trying to have something that could get more people to support our athletes at their games,
lead the way into winter with Blue and White Night, which usually takes place during mid November. This will be held in the Field house and comprise of scrimmages from all levels of men and womens basketball.
“Spirit is such a big part of our school. BCC helps with that and makesthings fun and exciting,” Babcock said.
To get involved with BCC, there is a to fill out with information on the LHS athletics page. This club meets on the last Friday of every month at 7:15 a.m. on the learning stairs: and anyone is welcome.
Photo by JaiDynn Sargent
TALENT in Cleats.
Designed by JaiDynn Sargent
Reported by: Lennon Camara Reporter
The bright stadium lights illuminated the Liberty Middle School field, the crowd’s cheers, the freshly cut blades of grass from the outdated field slowed the ball down. The regular smell of nachos from the concession stand drifted through the air while bags of popcorn was consumed. All eyes were on the goalie.
Freshman Tucker Thurston is the goalkeeper for the Varsity soccer team. He secured his spot as the varsity goalkeeper at the beginning of the school year in tryouts after showing off his save and shotstopping abilities. Tucker has made 75% of his saves in the 2nd half of the game.
“A lot of freshmen get pretty nervous. You can tell he was for the first few games, but now he’s been doing pretty good,” senior Xavier Espinoza said.
Espinoza has played high school soccer for all four years and noted that freshmen, including Thurston, often show signs of nervousness but he knows they will find their confidence, and add to the physicality of the game. Thurston likes the aggressiveness he can use at his position.
“I get to be physical, and I can come out and try to take people out, as long as I touch the ball,” Thurston said.
Even though there were empty goalie positions, there was no guarantee Thurston would get the varsity goalkeeper
position. He showed strong attributes on his club team like positioning and diving but ultimately, Head Coach Thomas Rottjakob had to make the decision.
“ I thought the best thing that we could do is start training the goalies a little bit more. I’ve always wanted to have a goalie coach,” Head Coach Thomas Rottjakob said.
Rottjakob’s decision was to hire a new goalie coach, Matthew Heiman had previously played as a goalkeeper under Rottjakob in 2001,
Rottjakob reached out to him specifically because of availability and because he’d played for him before.
“he was a good goalkeeper for me,” Head coach Rottjakob said.
Heiman also played at Park University after high school and he took this opportunity to get into coaching himself. Heiman and Thurston have worked together during practices on his footwork and ball distribution. After working on the side with Heiman, Tucker gets the mix with the rest of the varsity team where his favorite drill is getting into a 1v1 with the forward and stopping them from scoring.
This season has brought mixed results after starting off with a record of 0-3. Three were losses in overtime. After last year’s team ended in second place in the State, the varsity team beat Park Hill South, the 2nd place team in the 2023-2024 state finals. To see how the varsity team continues to do, the next home game is on October 8th at 6:30 pm where they will face off against North Kansas City. You can also stay up to date through social media on Twitter through @Libsoccer.
Young player makes a big save.
Freshman Tucker Thurston made varsity soccer as a goalie. Thurston played for Alliance Futbol Club and for 10 years overall. “First, I was just playing rec league, for the first two years, and I started playing goalie and I liked it. I was good, so I just kept playing,” Thurston said.
by Ayla Espinoza.
We all have had to step up more and use our voices. It’s a new experience for me as a leader this year,” senior Xavier Espinoza said.
How do you battle the stress of varsity play?
“Every game, the coach has the whole team sit down, and he reads an inspirational quote to get us going.”
“We get ourselves going with lots of music and a few quotes.”
“The tradition is common but important: we just listen to music together.”
Senior Drew Heer
Photo
Senior Luke Wright
Senior Mason Medellin
IT’S a Celebration of the Century.
Designed by Madeline Jones
“It’s a part of our German culture, and it’s fun to participate and hang out with groups. It’s been a festival for well over 100 years,” senior German student Josephine Struba said.
Reported by: Abbigail Mota Reporter
Oktoberfest is a traditional German celebration which smells and tastes of warm pretzels. They blast traditional German music and dance waltzes, polkas, the German Schuhplattler, the Austrian Laendler, and, of course, the Chicken Dance, to create just the right mood for an Oktoberfest celebration. As well as various amusement rides and games like barrel racing, sausage-eating contests, trivia challenges and more to participate in.
“You can dress up in traditional German clothing with rides kind of like Worlds of Fun. I went there for the last two years,” freshman Johannes Karweg said.
Karweg is a transfer student from Munich, where Oktoberfest is highly participated in and is the core place to celebrate.
In Munich, Oktoberfest is a festival where it welcomes a break from their daily routines
Photo by Tyler Hollinberger
Students celebrate annual event in October.
and the opportunity to enjoy other people’s company in a community setting. It’s an annual festival that lasts two weeks and ends on the first Sunday in October.
“It’s a part of our German culture, and it’s fun to participate in and hang out with groups. It’s been a festival for well over 100 years,” senior Josephine Struba said.
Struba has been in Mrs. Orozco’s second-hour class since the first day of school. She’s a German foreign exchange student from Berlin who just transferred over the summer and is here until December.
“This is a big fall celebration in Germany, and it’s very similar to our fall fest with games, prizes, and food. They usually celebrate almost all of September into October,” German teacher Sandra Orozco said.
Oktoberfest is celebrated at Liberty High School, with the German students being able to
participate in fun games, while also bringing food, like pretzels, spezi, or potato pancakes to celebrate the language in other ways, as well as the culture.
“In here we’re going to do pretzel tosses, like foot or sack races; and sometimes I make potato pancakes,” Orozco said.
Sandra Orozco, has been teaching for five years and has been bringing Oktoberfest into the classroom ever since in hopes of spreading the word about Germany and the celebration of Oktoberfest. Any student who takes German gets to know more about the language they are learning and can link it to the culture.
Oktoberfest isn’t just celebrated in Germany, it’s also been brought to Kansas City and they have had their own with a festival downtown where anyone can join in at Crown Center, the ticket cost is fourteen dollars for anyone over twelve to get
in and if you want premium reserved passes you have to pay 175 to 205 dollars.
Instead of a two-week event, it’s a two-day festival, but there will still be different food trucks, concessions, and tents set up. For entertainment, they have live music from bands like Doglava and magic tricks with Jack Reid.
This all starts on Friday, October 4th from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm on October 5th when the gates open back up again at 11:00 am until the party ends at 11:00 pm.
Taking German is one of the many examples of being able to participate in a heritage. Even if you’re not German this is still a way for students to get involved with or without having you or a relative live in the country. This tradition is meant for everyone. After Oktoberfest is over, the class will shift to learning more about grammar and history.
As Oktoberfest starts, the German class celebrates with pretzel tosses and other activities. The German class has participated in activities for many years. “We do have an exchange student who is in my second hour. She says it’s not as big in Berlin, she is from Berlin, but it’s really big in the Munich area,” Teacher Sandra Orozco said. Photo by Tyler Hollinberger.
FIDDLE The Strings.
Designed by Madeline Jones
Reported by: Camdyn Johnston Reporter
Sixth hour, in the orchestra room, hearing teacher Christa Pecks’ music play, the smell of the bow hairs and the feel of the strings under fingers playing with intensity and delicacy - is a typical day.
Chamber Orchestra, with its 28 musicians, has won top three for MMEA, Missouri Music Educators Association. They will perform for the music educators who will critique and help them with their pieces.
“We get to showcase our community and the really wonderful fine arts programs that we have,” orchestra teacher Michelle Davis said. “We have two fine arts directors which is not normal in any other district,
and our orchestra is really well supported within the community. The school district so we have a great program all the way around,” Michelle Davis said.
MMEA is an organization whose goal is to help teach advancements for music education and development, also to help musicians strive to succeed and excel in the profession.
They are all are talented, but they love music so much and that’s a part of their passion, their rigor,” teacher Michelle Davis said.
Music group earns spot to play at a well-known resort.
“I was really excited because we got to do it freshman year and, it is the second time we get to go. We worked really hard over the last year to make our pieces really good so we get accepted,” senior Delaney Stokes said.
The chamber orchestra started with an audition process where they made a video and submitted it at the end of last school year. After they won, they started immediately planning for their trip in January of 2025. Where they will get to perform a concert for MMEA. They will play four pieces, one piece by Florence Price, who was the only black artist who performed in the Chicago Symphony. Other pieces will include ‘Dances de Panama’ and ‘Dvorak serenade for strings’ both by William Grant Still and finally ‘Signs of Life’ by Richard Peck.
“We got some different pieces, some are slow, some are fast, some are really pretty and I like them,” senior Hannah Huynh said.
The orchestra will also have some guest clinicians, artists and some local musicianscome into class before the concert to help them prepare including Rebecka Doss to help with sectional coaching, bowing and fingerings. Some teachers in
“Everybody in Chamber really wants to be there so everyone is always working hard,”
senior Delaney Stokes said.
the Fine Arts Program will include Rebecka Doss, Mrs. Soukup, Mrs. Coleman and all of the elementary strings teachers who help the developing young musicians.
“They are all talented and they love music so much. That’s part of their passion,” Davis said. ”So their passion, their rigor, their vigor and integrity, their drive to succeed and it really helps the motivation for the whole group. It’s just a wonderful group to work with.”
For the seniors, this will be the second time going to MMEA. After they won during their freshman year, and got to perform like they are now but it was covid time and they had to wear masks. Since it is every four years these students practice and take time to perfect the pieces, with Mrs. Davis conducting.
“If one person is doing good we’ll let them know. It’s almost like a big family,” Huynh said.
If you would like tickets to see this wonderful orchestra perform, talk to Mrs Davis in room 811, tickets are 15 dollars.
Instagram: @LHSOrchestras
Facebook: @LHSOrchestras
Fine Arts Page: https:// finearts.lps53.org/
“Everyone has got to pull their weight and put in the effort,”
senior Hannah Huynh said.
The Chamber Orchestra practices for their annual MMEA competition during their 6, 7 and 8 hour class periods. “We have to practice at home a lot to get ready because it’s a pretty big deal. We just have to stay focused in class,” senior Delaney Stokes said.
Photo by Madeline Philips
Photo by Madeline Philips
TRICKORTREAT?
SNICKERS AIRHEADS
NERDS
REESES STARBURST
SKITTLES TWIX HERSHEYS SMARTIES BUTTERFINGER
Are you trick or treating this year?
Read more on page 27.
FRESHMAN Graham Henderson.
Designed by Kora Smith
Swimmer breaks multiple records to begin his freshman year.
Photo by Tyler Hollinberger
Reported by: JaiDynn Sargent Reporter
The sound of two consecutive short whistles, and then, one longer whistle queuing the step onto the block. “Swimmers Take Your Mark…” Adrenaline pumping through his veins, as he leans down to his starting position. The buzzer goes off. He dives into the water, knowing everything is on the line. The first lap is easy, hitting the turn. He feels the effects on his muscles. “25 more yards,” he thinks to himself. He hits the wall and looks up to the scoreboard, to see his recordbreaking time.
Freshman Graham Henderson started his freshman swim team season breaking a 27-yearold swim record in the 200 IM on Sept 4, at a meet in Independence. Having already broken numerous school records, he looks to get more
involved within the Student Council, Broadcasting and Orchestra groups.
“He’s a great person. I mean, he’s super humble, especially for how quick he is in the water. He never brags,” fellow swimmer Mathew Riggs said.
Henderson started swimming at the age of seven, at a local swim club: Club North located in Gladstone. After watching his sister swim at the same club he progressed quickly. Eventually, he switched teams to Tsunami Swim Team of Kansas City.
“I started swimming because my sister did it, and I didn’t like just going to watch the practices. I wanted to do it myself. When I was about eight or nine, I just started getting better from there,” Henderson said.
Henderson also competes on a local summer league team (Woodneath Whitecaps), while
swimming for Tsunami, where he owns 23 of the 27 team records and eight Conference records. Eight of the team and one of the Conference records are relay records. Every relay record is coowned by Liberty High School’s Freshman Massen Naseem and Mathew Riggs, as well as Liberty North High School’s Freshman Alec Unterreiner, who have also been swimming together since the age of nine.
“I didn’t like just sitting out by the side to watch, so my mom got me signed up for Club North and at that point, Matthew was already on the team, then Alec and Mason joined as well,” Henderson said.
Henderson has also Qualified for Sectional meets, which are the first tier of National-level competition and are competed at a regional level. These meets are typically qualified for in the senior age group (15-18
Freshman Graham Henderson broke both the freshman and school records for the 50 free, 200 free, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and 100 fly. Photo by Tyler Hollinberger
2024 PERSONAL SWIM RECORDS
years old.) Henderson, however, qualified at 14 years old while completing eighth grade.
“I was focusing on the time a little too much, so I swam it not suited up and it was an all right swim. So, the next time I swam it, I cleared my mind and just only focused on the time, I dropped a ton of time, and I got the Sectional cut,” Henderson said.
Henderson is not only involved heavily is swim, but on many time consuming clubs like, Student Council where he was elected to the freshman Class Cabinet after campaigning during the elections, which took place on, September 3rd 2024.
“I’d never really done anything like that, so it was really fun getting to make posters and do the video. There was just a lot of different stuff that went into it. I also knew a lot of the people running. So, it was fun to just have that experience,” Henderson said.
Henderson’s family is
also very involved in the orchestra community. His dad, Richard Henderson, who plays the Cello for the Liberty Symphony Orchestra and his sister, Elenor Henderson, plays the Cello for Liberty High School Concert Orchestra. Finally, his younger brother, Rhett Henderson, plays the violin at Discovery Middle School. With all of these musical players in the family, Graham decided to follow in his father and sister’s footsteps, and play the Cello as well.
“My parents wanted us to do at least one sport and not least one instrument. So, I chose to play Chelo because I had the most family experience doing that,” Henderson said.
State will take place November 14-16 2024 at St. Peters RecPlex. To find out more please visit @ LHSswimanddive on X or @lhs_boys_swim_team on Instagram
A student’s journey to being a star athlete and student.
Designed by Kora Smith
Photo by Iyari Hyde
Reported by: Addi Fung
News & Opinion Section Editor
The sound of the whistle as the Jays took the lead against Liberty North on Sept 16. Her first serve in the fieldhouse gym drops, and they win the final match.
As a sophomore, Anderson won the title of First Team All-District and Second Team All-Conference for volleyball. She has played the sport since she was in fourth grade and began her career off with the Liberty Juniors and Explosions but now plays for Invasion.
“I started out in volleyball because my mom and sister used to play. They kind of inspired me and I wanted to be like my mom.”
This year, Ella became a captain of the volleyball team by working hard and giving more than enough effort and time to her sport, according to her coach and teammates.
“The fact that my teammates wanted me for that position is a really cool honor,” Anderson said. Hard work outside the court has led Anderson to accomplish a new strength percentage goal in her AST class. This means she lifted the most in her body weight. AST classes took the amount of weight lifted between three lifts, back squat, clean and body weight
“She is one of the hardest workers to ever come through our program. Here are some examples that can attest to her work ethic. This summer she would wake up extra early and run several miles before our volleyball workout started at 8am. She currently holds the record for percentage Strength in our AST program because of how hard she gets after it in the weight room,” volleyball coach and Athletic Strength Training teacher, April Fleming said.
Not only does Anderson spend
Junior Ella Anderson serves against Park Hill on Sept 26, which lead to a final score of 3-0. “I worked hard in class. I followed the amount of weight we were supposed to lift (in AST) and I just pushed myself when we maxed out,”Anderson said.
Photo by Madeline Phillips
Ella has played since her freshman year on the high school team and slowly worked her way up to a leadership position while putting at least five hours a week into practicing.
“She is very hardworking and always gives one hundred percent. She also brings the team up with her energy” senior and teammate, Megan Bishton said.
According to SSM Health, “It’s estimated that the average student spends five hours per week participating in extracurriculars, but 3-6% of kids are spending 20 hours or more each week.”
Outside of sports, Anderson participates in a variety of clubs. She is an officer in Key Club, a member of Blue Crew Crazies and plans on joining National Honor Society and Spanish Honor society in the near future.
“Whether it is on the court, in the classroom, or in the future. Ella is and will be successful because of her work ethic,” Fleming said.
Anderson has gone above and beyond on multiple accounts from people who have worked with her and known her for years.
“Ella is a hard worker and always strives to be better. No matter what she will go for anything and never give up on a ball.” junior Katelyn Spangler said.
According to Leland, “Playing sports in high school can be an excellent way to demonstrate leadership skills, teamwork, and other qualities that colleges seek. Participating in sports can also help students develop personal qualities such as perseverance, time management, and goal-setting.”
Anderson has showed her efforts by putting extra time and hours while building her work ethic over the past six years.
“Ella’s drive, determination, and work ethic is what makes her stand out as an athlete. Every day Ella is going to give 110% in all that she does. She teammates hard, plays hard, communicates hard, and doesn’t skip a rep.” Fleming said.
Anderson hopes to play in college but has not decided on where just yet.
2024 PERSONAL RECORDS
PREPARING For Parley.
Designed by Jenna Shores
Reported by: Brodey Hutton
In-Depth
Section Editor
Two students stand silently at their podiums before a judge. They shuffle through their prepared notes over the current policy topic, hoping that they have a better argument than the opposition. They have prepared four speeches each, two eight minute constructive speeches and two five minute rebuttal speeches. They must also be ready for four three minute rounds of questioning. The judge sits quietly across from the students, ready to evaluate their arguments over policy and declare whether the affirmative or negative side won. This is what the average Policy Debate looks like for several members of the LHS Speech and Debate team, with the team preparing for the start of their season, beginning in early October.
“I think my favorite part of speech and debate is when we get to interact with the other teams,” senior Jack Ramey said. “One of my favorite memories is probably going to nationals in Iowa with Will Peacock and Joey Frizzo. Joey came to Iowa with a buzz and carried our team to a top 64 placement.”
The speech and debate students prepare for and learn about a dozen topics during the season, however they are only preparing for four right now. Current topics involve whether the U.S. should require living wages for all workers,
whether the U.S. should expand surveillance along the southern border, whether the U.S. should strengthen protections over intellectual property and whether creativity is a more powerful force than intelligence.
“The primary preparations I do for policy come from research,” junior Troy Petty said. “The current policy topic is intellectual property rights, which requires me to research deeply into property law and the functions of courts. I typically do not substantially prepare for the Congressional Debate, as it features and encourages an impromptu style of argumentation, however, I sometimes do speaking drills or practice
Looking at how the team is preparing for their season.
before rounds
Most of the preparations students do are focused on perfecting the basics of debate like research, speech writing, finding warrants and preparing responses to the opposing side. Research for the students’ debate topics make up most of the prep for a majority of debate types as students have to be knowledgeable on their topic and prepared for any rebuttals the other side may have.
“It really comes back to the fundamentals of what is a good argument because it’s really easy for students to identify claims and things they believe in as well as reasons why they are passionate about those beliefs,” Speech and Debate Director David Dempsey said.
I think the team, in my opinion, is ready to do really well this season,” Teacher Mick Turpin said.
while there will be others who put more emphasis on their speaking skills and their in-season prep focuses on those inequalities in students’ skills. The mid-season preparations for later events will involve figuring out where students can improve in order to help them round out their debate skills while the teachers figure out how they can balance that progression while also looking at the way the competition is trending.
“I think the team in my opinion is ready to do really well this season,” Dempsey said. “With this being the first freshman class I’ve had that are now seniors, I’m really excited to see how the freshmen who were phenomenal three years ago are able to finish out their season as seniors.”
The team’s first events will be held on October 11 and 12 where the varsity team will compete at Blue Springs while the novice/ JV team will compete at Blue Springs South. For updates on the team’s season, check out their website at finearts.lps53.org, or the teachers’ Twitter accounts at https://x.com/MrDempseyLPS or https://x.com/MrTurpinLPS.
Juniors Troy Patty and Adnan Rathore are apart of the debate team. “Going to the tournaments with Speech and Debate is a good activity,” Rathore said.
Photo by Iyari Hyde
As the season goes on, the team will look to improve by figuring out who excels in certain areas in the class and who does not. There are often many students that put in a lot of research who can’t quite get those ideas across in speaking
THERE Is Hope.
Reported by: Madeline Jones Features Section Editor
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, fall sports advocate for the community by raising money for breast cancer patients. Students promote programs throughout the KCMO area to encourage healthy lifestyles despite having a cancer diagnosis.
“I think it’s important to uplift everyone and support every blue jay in our community,” senior Ava Glaser said. “You don’t know what people are going through or what problems they’re facing, so being able to support everyone is really important to me.
Breast Cancer Awareness and Sports
On Sept. 16, the volleyball team participated in “a dig for a cure,” their pink out game against Liberty North. The team ended up raising a total of $2101 for
breast cancer patients.
“It’s something that we have done for a very long time and has been a big tradition of ours,” senior Addison Baker said. “I think it’s always been a competitive game between us and North. It’s the kind of game where we aren’t just playing for ourselves, but for the people who aren’t able to play.”
On Oct. 18, BCC will be celebrating breast cancer awareness month with the rest of the hundreds of fans at the pink out football game. During this game, the female students will be invited to stand in the front row of the bleachers.
“As a spirit leader, we have games we want a lot of people to come to,” Glaser said. “So we promote it a lot and this was one of our big games we want people to come to because it’s really important to support those who’ve survived cancer and those who’ve lost their lives to it.”
Breast Cancer Dynamics
According to Susan G. Comen, there are more than four million breast cancer survivors within the United States; this is more than any other group of cancer survivors. Depending on the stage of breast cancer, patients have a 100% chance of survival to a 66% chance of survival.
“I think being educated on how treatable it is, when caught early, is important. If you just take the five minutes to go [have a mammogram], you can save yourself all the time you’d need later to get treated,” Liberty Hospital Breast Clinic Medical Assistant Colette Rodriguez said.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc., along with breast cancer awareness month in 1992, Estée Lauder, a cosmetic creator shared the pink ribbon, which is described as a new symbol of hope and strength for anyone facing breast cancer, throughout
Photo courtesy of Jackson Hodgkin
The community brings attention to the pink ribbon.
Designed by Jenna Shores and Brodey Hutton
Blue Crew Crazies, volleyball and football all raised money for Breast Cancer Awareness in the month of October. “While Gilda’s Club KC offers support for anyone with any cancer diagnosis, and their loved ones, we do offer a Breast Cancer Support Group twice per month,” LCSW Amanda Trout said.
their nationwide cosmetics brand for the first time.
“We put in all this money to make pink ribbons and to do all of the research and I think that’s really good, but if we could get all the women who actually need to have a mammogram to have a mammogram, our outcomes would be better,” Dr. Kayla Barnard said.
How Breast Cancer Affects Students and Mental Health
According to the American Cancer Society, one in a million individuals under the age of 20 are diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Society and insurance companies don’t pay for what they should as far as mental health,” Barnard said. “There’s definitely not enough mental health professionals focused on breast cancer and breast cancer survivors.”
According to kidcentral tn, children are at high risk of developing emotional problems following a cancer diagnosis. Disrupted daily routines, financial stress and shifting household roles are all contributors to behavioral challenges in youth.
“It’s more psychological in regards to surgery and having mastectomy, removal of the breast, or if they have a lobectomy and one breast is smaller than the other,” Barnard said.
According to the National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco and Cancer Control, one in every three cancer patients develop a mental or emotional distress. This is most common with breast cancer being at 42% of patients developing mental health issues.
“Sometimes cancer’s the least of the patient’s problems so having that social worker to navigate those things is helpful,” Rodriguez said. During COVID we had a lot of resources available for extra grant money for bills. Any of these people,
if they met this criteria, they didn’t have to worry about that which was nice.”
Community Engagement
Gilda’s Club KC is an organization dedicated to be able to strengthen individuals impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.
Gilda’s Club, Project31 and multiple other cancer support programs offer opportunities for high school students through volunteering and donations.
Society and insurance companies don’t pay for what they should as far as mental health,” Dr. Kayla Barnard said. “There’s definitely not enough mental health professionals focused on breast cancer and breast cancer survivors.
“I am lucky enough to witness the impact of Gilda’s Club KC every day,” Licensed Clinical Social Worker Amanada Trout said. “We receive calls daily from people in our community looking for support related to their own cancer diagnosis or that of a loved one. I’ve witnessed connections made in support groups, knowledge learned in educational and healthy lifestyle programming, and information shared at community events.”
According to HCA Sarah Cannon Health Network, becoming a caregiver for a parent as a young adult has many challenges, especially since an individual’s adolescence is an important part of overall development.
“We partner with Turning Point and the University of Kansas Cancer Center as well, to offer training for healthcare professionals as well as patients and families. We partner with MOKAN Pet Partners to offer pet therapy at our support groups, as well as Emporia State University Art Therapy program to offer monthly Expressive Art Therapy programming. We are always open to exploring and expanding community partnership opportunities,” Trout said.
To find out ways to help or more information about the pink out games, check out the BCC instagram: lhsbirdcage
Senior Megan Bishton spikes the ball against Liberty North at the Dig for a Cure Volleyball Game on Sept 16. This game was held to raise funds for breast cancer. The team raised $2,101 for cancer patients.
Photo courtesy of Jackson Hodgkin
Photo by Iyari Hyde
PRODUCTIVITY at What Cost?
The recent national school phone ban has brought up questions of safety.
Designed by Addison Fung
Reported by: Lucy Boyle Online Managing Editor
A
s of 2024, there have been strict nationwide phone bans in schools. This has some students, in other districts, to question if removing phones completely will threaten student’s safety. Students safety should remain the priority.
Our own school has made their phone ban policy for students in elementary, middle and high school, but has been far less aggressive.
According to the LPS 2024 student handbook, “Electronic devices are not to be used during instructional time, unless specifically allowed for instructional purposes.”
This policy is the stance of many of the national schools, however, some are taking it way too far. For example,
Ewing Marion Kauffman School: in Kansas City where they make students lock their phones in a box for an entire day.
I believe this risks the chance of a real threat to occur and students to not have the basic necessity of communication. Without direct access to phones, students are not able to contact parents and guardians in case of an emergency.
According to the National Parent’s Union, “78% of parents polled want their children to have cellphone access during the school day, in case there’s an emergency.”
Surrounding districts have decided to use stricter phone policies like Ewing where they require students to give up phones all day. The Liberty
District, unlike others, have decided to inforce more tolerant policies.
According to Jenning School District in St Louis, “The use of cell phones is prohibited during school hours… Yondr is a secured pouch device that creates phone free spaces.”
The St. Louis Administrators’ intentions for this ban was to boost students’ productivity and make phones less of a priority during school hours.
The chances of a safety threat to happen, in this St. Louis school, is slim, but I believe students should have phones in their possession, so they can have access to emergency services if needed. I think this school district has gone way too far.
The idea of putting away phones during school hours does show to be beneficial to students, but locking phones up in boxes or pouches for the entire day, isn’t the answer. While the most extreme of phone bans would make students lock up their phones from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., an alternative should be to ask them to leave phones in their bag. This way, it is out of sight while learning, but still accessible in case of an emergency.
Photo by Ayla Espinoza
ALL Tricks No Treats.
Reported by: Jenna Shores Managing Editor McQueen.
Up until the age of 16, I was out on the street trick-or-treating every year in a costume. I decided to stop trick or treating when I was 16 because it seemed like every house I went to asked me how old I was, even though I was dressed up as Lightning
According to rockyroarnewspaper.com the recommended age to trick or treat is anywhere between 4-12 years old.
Whether you’re 12 or 16, you’re still a kid and should be able to trick or treat without weird glances.
“I think it’s just about
having fun, and if you feel like you’re too cool for it, that’s a self-decision,” senior Jacqueline Morgan said.
Society is constantly saying how Generation Z is acting “too big too early” and to “get a job” but anytime we try to soak in and enjoy our childhood and do things like trick or treat, we are told to grow up. The double standards that society sets for Gen Z is impossible to achieve. The reality is also, some teens go out on Halloween night and cause harm or play hurtful pranks to others around them and that’s why some people think teens shouldn’t trick or treat. But according to jcpatriot.com “This does not happen as much as everyone says it happens. This is just a stereotypical characterization of teens. Typically, a teenager on Halloween night will stay home and hand out candy to other trick-or-treaters.”
Being a certain age shouldn’t stop you from having fun and trick or treating or participating in the Halloween spirit, as long as you are respectful to others, you shouldn’t be shoved out of the Halloween spirit and go trick or treating.
Designed by Addison Fung
Trick or treating shouldn’t have age restrictions.
Photo by Ayla Espinoza
