the budget Lawrence High School Est. 1897
Bending down to be decorated with Winter Court attire by graduate Emily McEntire, senior Alex Jones revels in the fact that he was elected as Winter Court king. For more photographs of Winter Court events, see Page 12.
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Bowler perseveres despite hindrance
State-level competitor continues to succeed despite thumb injury BY ASHLEY HOCKING On any given Saturday, you can find senior Kierstan Warren at Royal Crest Lanes amongst the crowd at the Saturday Morning Youth Bowling League. Warren has participated with the League since she was 3 years old. “Bowling has always been my life,” Warren said. “It’s always been my passion since the day I was born. My dad knew it was in my blood. It runs back in my family a long time.”
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Warren has been a high school state-level competitor for the past two years and brought home a medal each time. She credits her success as a bowler to her personal coach and father, Wes Warren. “My dad has been my coach since I started,” Warren said. “He puts a lot more pressure on me since he’s my dad. He’s constantly with me and makes sure that I am bowling and constantly keeping up.” For Warren, it is a privilege and an honor to be a part of the Lawrence High School bowling program. “Everybody makes everybody feel welcome,” Warren said. “From the very first day that we meet each other, it’s like an automatic friendship. It’s a bond that you can’t really break.” But clocking in so many hours with friends and teammates at the local bowling alley hasn’t been easy on her health. One month before
Releasing a bowling ball, senior Kierstan Warren bowls at Royal Crest Lanes on Feb. 13 in a meet. Warren tore a ligament in her thumb last season. Photo by Joseph Anderson the bowling season began last year, Warren tore the ulnar collateral ligament in her right thumb from overuse. “No rest. Just bowling, bowling, bowling. Literally every single day over the summer or in any free time that I have, I am always bowling,” Warren said. “I was so afraid that I was going to come in to the season and constantly not be able to bowl.” To nurse her injury back to health, Warren underwent physical therapy and countless visits to the doctor’s office, in addition to taking prescribed medications to ease the pain.
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Vol. 124, Issue 7, FEB. 19, 2014
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FEB. 19, 2014
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The Budget is published every three weeks and distributed free of charge to students and faculty at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana, Lawrence, Kan. 66046-2999. The Budget is produced by students in the Digital Journalism and Digital Design and Production courses with occasional contributions from 21st Century Journalism and guest columnists. The newspaper’s goals are to inform, entertain and present a forum of expression for students, faculty, administrators and community members. The newspaper is financed through advertising and staff fundraising. The editorial staff is solely responsible for the content of this newspaper, and views expressed in The Budget do not necessarily reflect those of the administration of Lawrence High School or USD 497. Co-Editors-in-Chief Kendra Schwartz and Ashley Hocking Webmaster/lhsbudget.com Zach Spears (Online Webmaster) Staff Joseph Anderson Charles Backus Roscoe Bradt (Assistant Webmaster) Brooke Braman Courtney Cooper Joaquin Dorado (Graphics Editor) Michaela Durner Kansas Gibler Piper Hubbell Zia Kelly (Online Copy Editor) Gage Nelson Vail Moshiri (Social Media Manager) Harley Phelps (Opinion Editor) Kendall Pritchard Kate Rettig Alexis Riner Matt Roe Peter Romano (Copy Editor) Aidan Rothrock Nia Rutledge (Assistant Opinion Editor) Advertising designer Nico Palacio Adviser Barbara Tholen Business manager Pat Treff
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Letter from the editors-in-chief
Dear Readers, As members of the “Me” Generation, we are constantly in our own worlds. But while we’re always up to date on the latest app, we often fail to communicate face-to-face. In the past month, the app Flappy Bird pulled students away from their friends and onto their phones. Since the bird flu caught on, some students have failed to stay focused on learning. As mentioned in the story, “Students find app
addicting,” the app’s creator Dong Nguyen went as far as to remove it from the App Store because the app proved “too addictive.” While this app can no longer be accessed, students have been happy to see Pinterest unblocked on all USD 497 computers. As illustrated in “Pinterest unblocked on school computers,” some students plan their future in their pins, but often fail to open their eyes enough to live in the present. Now that this website is unblocked, it too will likely distract students from classroom interactions, while encouraging procrastination. Instead of viewing social media as a distraction, Advanced Biology teacher Lisa Ball has worked to incorporate these sites into her curriculum. In the article “Freshmen science class tweets assignments,” students were eager to utilize Twitter in class. Although social media can be used as a tool by some teachers, online communication should not become a lifestyle. Yet, at nearly every social gathering, people of our generation either have their phones out or rest-
Bowling: Senior excels on bowling lanes Continued from Page 1 Despite the torn ligament in her right thumb, she finished the season with a medal from the Regional, All-Sunflower League and State competitions last year. Warren’s dedication to the sport and abilities have not gone unnoticed by head bowling coach, Paula Bastemeyer. “She sets goals for herself and works to achieve them,” Bastemeyer said. “She always puts forth her best effort in competition [and] stays focused on each shot. She is a player who maintains her composure.” After almost being sidelined last year, Warren returned to the bowling lanes with a renewed vigor this season. “When I’m out on the bowling lanes, I’m someone completely different than anybody could see at school or at a job or at home,” Warren said. “I’m a friendly person, but I’m probably the most competitive person, too.” Varsity bowler junior Ivan Davidson has noticed a definite change in Warren from last season. “She’s a lot more enthusiastic,” Davidson said. “She’s better this year.” Warren scored her career best Jan. 21 at the Topeka Seaman Invitational meet with a three-game series total of 638. Just eight days later, Warren increased her personal best by 73, giving her a series total of 711 at the Washburn Rural Quad on Jan. 28. Warren’s individual successes not only benefit her but also the bowling team as a whole. “Bowling is a sport that requires
a team effort,” Bastemeyer said. The team has confidently competed all season and received nothing but recognition. “All of us came in the season with extremely high averages,” Warren said. “We’ve taken either second or first at each of the meets we’ve gone through so far. We just come out and we compete with all that we have and give our hearts to the game.” To the other bowlers on the Lawrence High School bowling team, Warren’s story serves as an inspiration. “Kierstan has one of the highest averages on the team, so others turn to her for advice,” Bastemeyer said. After practice, Warren often helps other bowlers work on their technique and improve their skills. “I sometimes stay after practice and she helps me figure out what I need to fix,” sophomore Morgan Sisson said. “She really helps me bowl better.” Warren plans to continue her 14-year bowling career at the university level next year. “I have many coaches from colleges that are interested in me for bowling,” Warren said. “I think I’m most likely going to go to Newman University in Wichita for bowling. Their coach really, really wants me.” For Warren, it is hard to see a long-term future for herself that doesn’t include bowling. “I’m really hoping to make it pro,” Warren said. “I’m going to continue as far as I can go and as far as my body, my mind and definitely my heart will let me go.”
ing on the table near them. Instead of conversing exclusively with a friend across the table at dinner, they send a quick, “Hey,” to another friend who is at a party. That friend responds, “What’s up?” and the mindless chatter ensues. Meanwhile, the friend they’re actually with is playing Candy Crush on their phone or scrolling through their Instagram feed. Though many of us can be found on nearly every social networking site, we have no idea how to be social. We might have 500 followers on Twitter, but we’re too scared to call a business or communicate professionally in a job interview. So while we’re seeking refuge from our mundane lives, once in a while we should look up from our phones. And once we peek our eyes out, we might be happy we did and even learn to communicate. Sincerely,
Kendra Schwartz and Ashley Hocking
Required fees for beginning fine art courses eliminated BY AIDAN ROTHROCK Beginning next year, it will be free for students who want to try their hands at any level one art classes. The USD 497 school board last month voted to eliminate fees for introductory art classes. The fees ranged from $25 to $45. Fees for advanced electives were capped at $25. The change has created mixed feelings. While art teachers hope more students will join the classes there are also concerns on how the elimination of fees will impact teachers’ budgets. “It doesn’t affect me, seeing as I’m graduating this year,” said Isabella Waite, a senior in Advanced Placement 2-D Design. “However, it’ll make it easier for kids to take entry level art classes and not worry about having to pay the fine for it.” Waite agrees with the fee being eliminated and believes that it will benefit students. “But the classroom setting may be different,” Waite said. Currently, some students may not enroll in the classes because they may not be able to afford the fees. Other students’ parents make them pay for the classes themselves. “I think it’s a good thing that fees don’t stand in the way of someone who wants to take the class,” drawing teacher Wendy Vertacnik said. While $25 may not be much to some people, the loss of funds are a major turn-off to others. “I’m not exactly sure how they’re going to make up for that funding when it seems like that it just keeps getting less
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and less money per student,” photography teacher Angelia Perkins said. The fees were used for art teachers’ classroom budgets. Art supplies are expensive, Perkins said. Paper, pastels, charcoal pencils, canson paper, pens and felt-tipped markers are needed materials for drawing classes. For photography classes, the list includes matte board, developing chemicals and printing paper. Other fine art classes require additional materials. “They did not tell us at all until it was actually already passed by the board,” Perkins said. “It definitely will [affect the curriculum]. There’s always a problem with funding, so I’m not exactly sure how they’re going to make up for that funding.” To make up for the loss of fees, the district said it would reallocate revenue from fees charged to support instructional materials. Perkins notes that the fees helped her resupply every semester to allow students to work on projects. With the possibility of having more students and less money, she said things may change in the future. For now, she said, it’s hard to know the true impact. “Well, we probably won’t be able to figure that out until a few years down the road, if things do disappear,” Perkins said. “But it could mean that they’re not able to do some of the certain art things, whether it’s ceramics, whether it’s drawing, whether it’s film, whether it’s printing. It could mean that kids just across the board are unable to try different things throughout the high school level to know what they may want to do for the rest of their life.”
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FEB. 19, 2014
Art Club prepares decorations for formal
Despite snow days, club members utilize their artistic skills to transform rotunda into Narnia BY KENDRA SCHWARTZ Paper was strewn across the floor and glitter covered every inch of Art Club sponsor Wendy Vertacnik’s room as club members prepared decorations for winter formal. While they worked to create a kingdom, members snacked on popcorn and engaged in occasional sword fights. Amidst the jovial mayhem and sparkles, Art Club president senior Isabella Waite organized club members into a makeshift assembly line as the club set out out to make The Chronicles of Narnia-themed decorations for the dance. No lion, no witch and no wardrobe — at least as a form of transportation. However, despite three snow days cutting days out of their prep time, Art Club students worked to finish the decorations that would transform the rotunda into the kingdom from the film, minus the talking animals. The current Student Council representative in Art Club, senior Panyin Boye-Doe initially suggested the club collaborate with StuCo to create decorations for the dance. “Abbey [Berland, student body president] asked me to draw something for [the formal decorations], and I just came up with the idea of having the Art Club Tying a knot, senior Meredith Johnson prepares an icicle to be hung up in the rotunda. Johnson was one of the art club member who participated in the decorating of winter formal. Photo by Joseph Anderson
help with it,” Boye-Doe said. A month prior to the dance, Art Club officers began planning how they would incorporate the Narnia theme artistically. “There was a lot of planning that went into it,” Waite said. “We set up meetings originally to come up with ideas of what we should incorporate. And once we brainstormed general ideas, we got more specific. In the end, Vertacnik’s floor [was] just a big mess.” The officers decided to to match both the dance theme and the outdoors on the day of the dance as they created snowflakes and icicles to transport students to Narnia. “Because the theme is Narnia this year, we created icicles and we’re creating 3-D snowflakes as well,” Waite said. “Obviously [we made] a Narnia sign, and then StuCo will be creating a wardrobe to walk through.” Senior Meredith Johnson worked to create thrones much like Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy sat upon in the film. “I’m making these thrones for the [winter court] king and queen based off of the actual ones in the movie,” Johnson said. “So I have a lot of Styrofoam, a lot of wire and a chair.” Vertacnik was also influential in helping to create the atmosphere of the kingdom in the movie. “I helped them come up with the blue paste paper that is like a glue and paint mixture that allowed the silver sparkles to stick and also give the white paper of the icicles some pizzaz,” Vertacnik said. “I donated two chairs that I had rescued from the trash when Mr. Rickabaugh got new
chairs. I knew they would work well for my Drawing 2 chair project or be painted, so this is equally great.” Johnson hoped the decorations at the dance would ignite sparks of artistic talent and passion within the underclassmen. “I just hope in the long run people will use art club for more,” Johnson said. “I hope they get involved. Because we’re all seniors, when we’re gone, there will still be sophomores and juniors who will join and form a bigger community. I hope that it will get people thinking about Art Club.” However, Vertacnik was simply happy to see the leadership and teamwork within the existing club. “I think it’s a great idea to get more students involved and taking ownership, and it may encourage some students who would not attend to make the effort to be there,” Vertacnik said. Although StuCo and Art Club members were unable to open up the magical wardrobe and transport students to the snowy scene by the glowing lightbulb, they hoped to provide dance-goers with a pleasant experience in a subtle winter wonderland. “In the end, I don’t need it to be extremely elaborate,” Waite said. “I just need people to acknowledge there were decorations and they were something that aided the experience. Obviously we’re not completely transporting them to Narnia. That’s impossible, but having a little glimpse so they can remember the theme and see what’s going on while they’re there.”
Freshmen science class tweets assignments Advanced Biology students now use social media to assign homework and promote collaboration BY KANSAS GIBLER Students in Lisa Ball’s Advanced Biology classes are the pilot group for a three-year social media project. Ball’s freshman advanced biology class has moved its homework assignments online to Twitter, and students have supported the transition for the most part. “Most students have reacted positively, just a couple who have dissented and I have given them an alternative assignment,” Ball said. A research worker at the University of Kansas approached Ball to work on this project after her department received a grant. “I was approached by a researcher from KU, and she and her colleagues had gotten a grant. They were trying to bring me in to be one of the
four teachers participating in the grant,” Ball said. the transition. “They had to work on me for a while.” “It helps a lot of people get their stuff done Four other high schools are participating in because not very many people want to write stuff the experiment: Free State, down,” McFadden said. Nemaha Valley and a high Students have seen the school in Blue Valley. Twitter homework as an easier “It’s very interesting to see Social media use in way to do homework. the thoughts that come daily lives of some students “I do [homework] a lot from students, and not just has enabled a trend toward faster,” McFadden said. “I do me teaching. Students are those students appreciating it instead of just letting it sit in teaching each other.” the project more, while those my backpack.” who are not familiar with Having homework on the social media don’t enjoy it internet gives students and —Lisa Ball, as much. teachers the opportunity to Advanced Biology teacher Among students who communicate when they aren’t confidently get out their at school. smart phones and log into “Well, I think it’s really neat Twitter, freshman Michael McFadden fully supports to see how students interact with each other, and
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it generates a lot of discussion if people are willing to put in the time read,” Ball said. “I think it’s very interesting to see the thoughts that come from students, and not just me teaching. Students are teaching each other. Also, when I was out sick it was nice to still be able to communicate with students.” But with students on social media, things cannot always be private. “Even though we have our own Twitter addresses, it’s still public social media, and so there’s still interface with the public, which makes me nervous,” Ball said. The project will only continue for a few more weeks, but students see opportunity in the use of social media in classrooms. “The project isn’t going well so far,” freshman Sierra Smith said. “But hopefully it will get better at the end of the unit.”
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Students receive higher education at LHS
New law allows for JCCC classes in electromechanics and solar paneling to be offered in high school
(Left) Examining the parts of a solar panel, senior Brett Norton participates in the Johnson County Community College class, Solar Electric Systems on Feb. 10. The class is offered 4-7 p.m. every Monday and Tuesday. Photo by Courtney Cooper (Above) Teaching a class, professor Dan Eberle explains the various sizes of the solar panels and the evolution of the panels. Photo by Courtney Cooper
BY BROOKE BRAMAN Due to recent Kansas legislation, students have the opportunity this semester to take classes in solar and electromechanical technology. Taking effect last summer, Senate Bill 155 also allowed LHS students to take CNA certification classes. Career and technical education programs have since expanded, as this semester marks the inaugural offering of the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) classes Electromechanical Systems and Solar Electric Systems at Lawrence High School. “We are currently offering two classes at LHS, which are part of our Electrical Technology Program,” JCCC professor Charlie Randazzo said. “Electromechanical Systems covers electrical theory principles, electrical components and meters. A hot topic in today’s world is the production of clean energy. We are also offering a class in Solar Electric Systems, which covers the theory, installation and operation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems.” The classes are taught at a collegiate level by current JCCC professors and are open not only to high school students, but also JCCC students, community members and working professionals. “Except for the location being familiar to the high school student, the tone and scope of work
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varies little if any from that offered on campus at esting, and I think I’ll use a lot of the stuff I learn any college or university,” professor Dan Eberle in the electromechanical systems class,” senior said. “We have students in these classes that are William Harnar said. “I want to go into mechanical from 17 to nearly 60 years old. High school stuengineering. I can use all the stuff I learn in the dents, college students, practicing class.” electricians, business owners and At the end of the community members... the more semester, students “One of the greatest addiverse class population allows who have successfully vantages of students taking more diverse questions and solucompleted the solar college level courses while tions to problems.” systems class will be in Early experience and exposure a position to take and still in high school is that to the rigors of higher education, as pass an exam allowing they get a jumpstart on well as the opportunity to take the for solar panel installatheir college degree.” classes tuition free, served to entice tion certification. participating students. “If a student takes —Charlie Randazzo, “One of the big advantage of both of these classes, by professor taking these classes specifically [is the end of the semester that] they are covered by Kansas they will be certified Senate Bill 155, which authorizes to do solar panel the state to pay tuition for high school students to installation,” engineering teacher Charlie Lauts attend some college level classes,” Eberle said. said. “They can then work for companies and get a “The most rewarding part is that it’s free college job. It’s not like flipping burgers for $7.50 an hour. credit,” said senior Victor Torres, a student enrolled It’s a skilled labor. They can make $12, $15 or even in both classes. “Saving that much money is really $20 an hour because not many people know how good.” to do it. Hopefully, their summer job can be a really Students also enrolled to gain valuable knowlwell-paying job.” edge and skills they plan to use in future careers. In addition to becoming certified skill laborers, “I think the solar systems class is pretty interstudents benefit from these classes in other ways
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as well. “One of the greatest advantages of students taking college level courses while still in high school is that they get a jumpstart on their college degree,” Randazzo said. “Taking this course is a great way to increase your resume marketability once you start your job search. These classes can be applied toward a career as an electrician installer, power plant technician or an electrical engineer. Though these classes offer many advantages, challenges exist as well. “The hardest part is that it takes up three hours four times a week,” Harnar said. “It takes away a lot of time after school.” For students, time commitment may be the largest disadvantage. The professors teaching the class, however, explain students are missing out on the experience of being in a university setting. “The biggest disadvantage to teaching high school students at their high school is the student missing the interaction and work environment that is available at the college institution,” Randazzo said. Students agree, but say the benefits outweigh the time commitments and believe taking these classes will pay off in the long run. “There is more homework, but I think it will be worth it,” Harnar said.
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feb. 19, 2014
Students find app addicting Smartphone app Flappy Bird sweeps the globe with severe effects as students become obsessed with the popular game BY GAGE NELSON When the Flappy Bird app craze led too many students to be distracted by a yellow bird moving past green pipes, astronomy and geology teacher Andy Bricker took action. He offered his fourth hour students $1 if they could bring themselves to delete Flappy Bird off their phones, proving themselves to not be addicted. “I heard that Flappy Birds was no longer being sold on the App Store. So I immediately began offering $1 to any students who would delete the game from their phones,” Bricker said. “Some students took the money and deleted the game. Others were too addicted to quit. Some demanded $2 or $3 before they’d delete their game. Either way, it was the best money I ever spent. Now they can get back to leading productive lives, and I don’t have to watch them stare mindlessly at their phones.” Flappy Bird, which was released in May, briefly emerged as one of the more simple games you could play on your smartphone. The objective of the game is to tap the screen keeping Flappy flying, then maneuver him through green obstacles, gaining one point each time you pass through an obstacle. The game doesn’t get harder or easier as you progress with your single life. For junior Dearion Cooper, the minimalism of the game is what makes it so addictive. “I think that it’s because it’s so frustrating, and it gives people a challenge,” Cooper said. “It keeps them somehow entertained even though there’s not much movement, or excitement. Still, you get close to your score, you get really excited, then you end up dying, and it frustrates you. You try to play again just to beat your high score.” That addictive nature is also what led to the game being pulled from app stores on Feb. 9. Developer Dong Nguyen told “The Washington Post” he was worried the game had created an “unexpected addiction” and “negative effect” on players. Yet, the removal of the game may have done the opposite of
what Nguyen wanted. Flappy Bird downloads went through the roof after Nguyen warned he would remove Flappy Bird. “I am sorry ‘Flappy Bird’ users, 22 hours from now, I will take ‘Flappy Bird’ down. I cannot take this anymore,” he tweeted on Feb. 8, drawing 145,534 retweets and 46,572 favorites. For those with the app, the competition continues. While some players seem to be impressed with a high score in the 20s, Cooper, as of press time, held second place on Lawrence High’s leaderboard with a high score of 320. There are many different perspectives on the game, but everyone seems to agree about its difficulty. For senior Abby Schmidtberger, that keeps her playing. “It is just a really fun game,” Schmidtberger said. “Whenever I mess up, I want to keep trying. I really just like the concept of the game. It’s challenging, creative and requires focus.” There doesn’t seem to be much of a strategy you could use to be more successful at Flappy Bird, so luck and good reaction time is all you need. At least, that was the case for Schmidtberger. She holds a score of 385, which is the highest amongst her peers currently. “I’m not really sure how I got such a high score,” Schmidtberger said. “I don’t constantly play it, so it was kind of luck.” With Flappy Bird off the market, smart phones with the app installed are now for sale on eBay, along with paintings and T-shirts. While, it’s possible the developer will bring the game back to the App Store, for now his other equally-challenging game “Super Ball Juggling” or other Flappy Bird imitated games like “Ironpants” will just have to do. After paying students money to get rid of the app, Bricker states that he will be there for the addicted. “If the problem persists, I’m thinking about starting an after-school Flappy Birds support group, for people who just can’t seem to get back to leading normal lives,” Bricker said. “It’ll be a long, painful process I’m sure, but I’m hopeful.” Graphic by Joaquin Dorado
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FEB. 19, 2014
New swimmers make their mark Swimming team sees rising talent from individuals of all grade levels
Freshmen play for varsity team Three girls’ basketball players start high school as leaders BY PIPER HUBBELL
BY CHARLES BACKUS AND ASHLEY HOCKING New additions to the swim team made a splash this year, coming from all grade levels. Sophomore swimmer Jack Ryan was amongst the sea of newcomers who made an impact this year. “I’m looking forward to being team captain next year and going to State [in the future],” Ryan said. “Everyone on the team is so supportive, and I like helping out the new swimmers.” The leadership and skill came from all grades this year, including junior Ellis Springe. Springe was one of nine swimmers to qualify for state — one of three newcomers to do so. “The biggest reason I joined was to stay in shape for soccer season, also there were a lot of people I knew on the team,” Springe said. “Everyone on the team is really close, and it’s a great group of guys to have around.” Senior Caelan Golledge and freshman Patrick Oblon are the other two newcomers who
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qualified for state this year. Apart from freshmen, sophomores and juniors, seniors were among the newcomers who showed they could help the swim team in the span of just one season. Though senior Tristan Hantula will only be a part of the team for one season, he quickly emerged as a leader for underclassmen. “I’m one of the few endurance swimmers, and as a senior you try to keep everyone morally in check and acting right...not necessarily a leader, but you garner respect as a senior,” Hantula said. Senior and co-team captain Caleb Axlund was impressed by the crop of new swimmers this year. “Our new guys really came through,” Axlund said. “Not a single guy wasn’t meeting our expectations this year and really did well.” Though the swim team had a large number of seniors and sophomores, not many juniors were amongst the ranks. Head coach Kent McDonald said he believed sophomores could rise to the
Emerging from the water, senior Caelan Golledge gasps for air as he competes the 100 yard breaststroke at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. Photo by Ashley Hocking
challenge in coming years. “I’d say about half the team is new, a lot of them are seniors...They’re all improving a lot, so it’s hard to tell you a guy,” McDonald said. “It kind of is a building year, but we have a large sophomore class that will be stepping up. By the time they’re seniors, they should be significant to the team.” McDonald said the team shows potential for future years. Senior and co-team captain Tim Schraad is eager and optimistic to see how the team will do at the state meet this year. “It’s an honor to be able to compete with the best there is and be able to do it for LHS,” Schraad said. “I’m proud of the boys who I get to swim with and have been able to swim with all year.”
Coming into a brand new school and being introduced to a whole new system is a difficult feat for some freshmen, let alone as part of an existing sports team. Freshmen Olivia Lemus, Skylar Drum and Jaycie Bishop are three freshman who managed to make their way to the Lady Lions varsity basketball team. Not many athletes get the opportunity to play at the varsity level as a freshman. “Honestly, they just deserved it,” said Nick Wood, the head girls’ basketball coach. “I mean they came in and they worked really hard. They showed throughout practice that they were ready to handle to mental and physical level of varsity. So we trusted them, and we put them out there in that environment, and they handled it very well, so we kept them out there.” To give the girls a head start, they attended the preseason workouts and even played together on a summer tournament team. “There was a summer team that we played on to do tournaments [and] to get to know each other and work with each other,” Drum said. The freshman worried about whether or not they would be valued on the team. “I was actually kind of scared of coming up as a freshman,” Bishop said. “Seniors and juniors were actually really respectful about it. They treat me as any other player.” Although they were excited with the achievement of making the varsity team, they encountered what Wood described as the “freshman wall.” The high school sports experience is a longer season than at the middle school level. It also requires a lot more skill and effort, according to Wood. “They are used to playing in middle school where they are done with the season in December,” Wood said. “Now in high school, it’s a grind. It is a four-month process, so there have been moments where they have had to fight through that freshman wall.” Even with the teams trust behind them, they continue to look for ways to improve. “Overall, I can improve on ball handling and shooting,” Lemus said. “I am always working to be a good teammate.” Though she showed that she could handle the varsity level, Lemus always sees room for progress. “The upperclassmen give me determination to be better,” Lemus said.
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FEB. 19, 2014
Junior violinist performs at Carnegie Hall in NY Student’s musical talent allows her to succeed both at Lawrence High, in New York City and inspires others BY COURTNEY COOPER From a young age, junior Joo-Young Lee immersed herself in world of music. With her mom and older sister as inspiration, Lee started her musical career at the age of 5 years old, playing the violin. Her love and dedication for orchestra opened opportunities to her that not very many high school students could even fathom being a part of. During the summer, Lee was nominated to play at Carnegie Hall with an honors orchestra of high school musicians across the nation. She performed there last week. “It’s a venue that so many musicians can only dream of playing in,” Lee said. “I’m so honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to play there. It was unforgettable to say the least.” Orchestra director Rachel Dirks said playing in an orchestra provides a chance for students to learn from each other and gain life skills. “Being involved in music ensembles, like orchestra, provides an incredible opportunity for people to learn a variety of skills,” Dirks said. “Collaborating with fellow musicians to reach common successes, the significance of each indi-
vidual and how all parts are equal and important. Most importantly, the opportunity to express personal creativity through a community of musicians.” Peers have begun to recognize Lee’s success. “When a person aspires to succeed at something and then has the drive to push herself to a level of performance where her goals become a reality, we should all celebrate this success,” Dirks said. “I am very proud of Joo-Young and all of her achievements, particularly because they were made possible by years and years of hard work and determination.” Having the opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall was something Lee had a hard time believing even as she was on stage about to play. “There was so much adrenaline and emotion for all the orchestra members on stage,” Lee said. “When we began our first piece, I almost forgot about playing for a moment because I was marveling at the amazing acoustics. It didn’t really hit me how special performing at Carnegie Hall was until I talked about the performance with my roommates before I went to sleep. Then we were like, ‘Oh my God, we just played in Carnegie Hall.’”
Lee’s accomplishments have inspired peers like junior Isabella Whittaker to not only succeed in orchestra, but also academically. “She played at Carnegie Hall,” Whittaker said. “That’s a big accomplishment to me because I want to do that someday. She’s also in five AP classes. School-wise, I wish I could do that. I can’t, so I’m taking one. Overall, I think her accomplishments are very huge. She’s met her goals obviously.” This experience has inspired Young to continue her career in music in the future. “I hope to continue with music and academics in the future and hopefully double major in college,” Lee said. “I know I’ll never be letting the violin go since it has become an inseparable part of my life. I still have so much to learn. As always, the problem is balancing music with academics and other commitments, but hopefully I’ll be able to make it work.” Playing the violin, junior Joo Young Lee acts as concert master in the winter orchestra concert on Dec. 16. Lee later went on to perform at Carnegie Hall last week. Photo by Gage Nelson
Pinterest unblocked on school computers Pinterest joins Facebook and YouTube as a website that students are allowed to access at school BY KATE RETTIG Another social media website has joined the unblocked list: Pinterest. This website has captivated the minds of many students, and was recently unblocked on USD 497 district computers. This pinboard-style website allows users to share and organize images from projects, events, clothing, tutorials and recipes. Websites, like Tumblr, remain blocked because they allow photos and text posts that are offensive and racy. When Pinterest policies changed to prohibit users from posting inappropriate content, the district lifted the block. “Pinterest was originally blocked in our district because they allowed explicit content that is not
appropriate for schools,” Jerri Kemble, assistant or something,” Grey said. superintendent of technoloThis website is known gy, said. “Recently, Pinterest to inspire others. Teachers “Recently, Pinterest estabestablished policies that across the nation use Pinterlished policies that protected protected the public from this est to share learning ideas. the public from this explicit explicit content...We saw no It’s now used as a profeslegal responsibility to further sional learning network. content...We saw no legal block it.” Photography teacher responsibility to further Pinterest user sophomore Angelia Perkins uses ideas block it.” Leslie Grey agrees with the deshe finds for classroom cision. She’s used Pinterest for projects. —Jerri Kemble, assistant a couple years. She often pins “I really started out on clothing, cooking recipes and Pinterest because there’s a superintendent of technology crafts. Inappropriate photos, lot of lesson ideas,” Perkins she said, aren’t a concern. said. “When I was first “I’ve had it for a long time working with encaustic wax, and haven’t found anything — maybe a racy photo I couldn’t find a lot of contemporary work. It’s so
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new in terms of the contemporary artists, that there wasn’t anything on any other sites. So I like Pinterest. It has what’s going on currently.” Perkins typically browses through Pinterest every evening, creating different boards for her photography portfolio class. Pinterest is also for personal use. You can find something new each time. For some, it can be addicting. “I go on every day to every other day,” freshman Susan Frick said. Susan Frick created a board to plan her dream wedding. She has pinned pictures of color schemes, dresses and small details, such as table toppers. “I like that I can look at dresses and venues,” Frick said. “It helps me know what I want for the future.”
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Mental illnesses are romanticized on Tumblr Eating disorders, social anxiety, mental illness, addiction, suicide and self harm issues surface on blogging site BY NIA RUTLEDGE As a four-year addict to the blogging platform, Tumblr, my life has become consumed by the site, and it has had a part in the formulation of who I am today. For those who are not familiar with Tumblr, let me give you a rundown: Tumblr is an interconnected site for blogging that connects audio, video, photo and text posting options. There are 169.5 million blogs on Tumblr with the majority of users being 13 to 24 years old. On Tumblr, you can discover and debate social and legal issues, find new music or television series, talk to people across the globe that have your same interests, and grow as a person. However, with such a closeness and sense of security that Tumblr brings, many users create safe spaces to talk about the issues and oppression they face exclusively with people who share similar experiences, issues and oppression. “A safe space is like a place for people who are marginalized or oppressed...to talk about how they are oppressed exclusive of their oppressors,” senior Phoebe Clark said. When I was a Tumblr newbie, the concept of safe spaces were unbeknown to me. Often I found myself wrapped up in a collection of pro-ana, or pro-anorexia blogs. Shortly after, I was picking myself apart in a full length mirror. Some may say that the pro-ana blogs are a safe place for people who suffer from anorexia. But based on my experiences with them, users often trade Ana tips and tricks, post weight loss updates and share photos of unhealthy body goals. This online community becomes destructive. With an infatuation with eating disorders, this mental illness is romanticized as users say resisting hunger pangs reflects strength and accomplishment.
There are many different blog subsets that romanticize other issues in such a way. “[They romanticize] being in an unstable relationship, being an addict, cutting yourself, killing yourself, wanting to kill yourself, hating yourself, being in a mental hospital,” junior Mary Schwartz said. It is a peculiar and harmful thing that happens in the depths of Tumblr. And onlookers who happened upon the space, can possibly find themselves having similarities or even lusting after having a certain mental illness or problem. “It’s horrible that they can take something like that, that destroys people’s lives and look at it like it is a spectacle,” sophomore Cassidy Tesar said. The most common mental illness that I see being romanticized on Tumblr is social anxiety. Granted, many users do suffer from social anxiety and seek refuge on Tumblr because of the anonymity. Because Tumblr is a safe space for people with social anxiety, users post about it openly. There is a variety of quirky posts regarding social anxiety. Often saying things similar to “I can’t even call and order pizza without freaking out and becoming anxious” and then the post will have 80,000 notes. This notion of an anxiety attack from calling a pizzeria is true for many users, another user may see the many posts about suffering from anxiety and wonder why they do not have it. They may begin to want to act in such a way to feel as if they are relating to the original sufferers. I believe that is how the romanticization of certain issues start. “The goal of the blog seems to be to make it acceptable and OK to be feeling those things and maybe help people understand that other people are feeling that way,” Clark said. “But what tends to happen is that other people who come across the
blog who don’t have that condition feel almost like ‘marginalized’ for being too normal.” Often inside the safe spaces, the vast romanticization can be more damaging to users’ psyche, rather than helping each other to combat the problems they face. “I think with Tumblr like any other form of media...you kind of have to protect yourself,” Clark said. “Because there is a lot of like negative influences that make you end up hating yourself or not liking how you look or how you think, but there are also like positive influences out there. You have to choose to find the positive influences out there and ignore the negative.” On Tumblr, being anxious, depressed, mentally ill, or having low self esteem is romanticized and often regarded as artistic, mysterious, and poetic and a desirable trait to have or to put on your About Me page. Even though Tumblr has it’s faults, it is also home to an abundance of positive movements. With every pro-ana blog comes a body positivity blog. With every depression blog comes an
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encouragement blog. With every self-loathing blog comes a self-acceptance blog. And with every addiction blog comes a recovery blog. Tumblr is a confusing network with many different kinds of people with different morals and ideals. Those of us who love Tumblr must choose to linger on the blogs that make us better — not worse.
College athletes deserve payment for playing school sports
Writer voices opinion about athletes who do not receive compensation from NCAA for athletics BY KENDALL PRITCHARD In the 2010-2011 season, the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) generated approximately $846 million. It’s mind blowing that NCAA athletes risk career-ending injuries every time they step on the court or field and don’t see a dime in return. It’s not only mind blowing, it’s inexcusable. Nevertheless, NCAA members continue to vote to forbid the sharing of revenue with their athletes. The first thing opponents say to the topic is, “They’re already getting a scholarship. That’s more than anybody else.” Depending on the situation, some students receive free tuition, room and board, as well as money for book, and miscellaneous items all four years. But schools, such as the University of Texas and Ohio State, bring in close to $140-160 million a year solely due to athletics. NCAA coaches make anywhere from $300,000
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to $6 million a year. They receive bonuses for getting into the playoffs, winning championships and breaking school records. But what do the athletes who got the school into the playoffs, who won championship titles and who broke school records get? Close to diddly squat. The argument against paying student-athletes arises mainly from greed and self-interest from the NCAA as a whole. Every athlete should be paid simply based off the ridiculous amounts of money being made off these players has led to the question: Do these athletes deserve to be paid for their contributions? “I don’t believe athletes should be restricted from pay. This is a multi-billion dollar business, and only one class of person is restricted from benefit beyond expenses, and that’s the athlete,” ESPN sports analyst Jay Bilas said. “The NCAA subjects athletes and only athletes to cartel restrictions while everyone else, including every other student, is allowed fair market value. That’s
wrong.” Contrary to what others may believe, being an athlete is a full-time job. Athletes wake up for early morning conditioning, go to classes like every other college student, participate two-a-day practices, mandatory study halls, curfews and try to have somewhat of a social life. Unfortunately, not every athletic program in the NCAA can afford to pay all their athletes and compensate them otherwise for their efforts, and the NCAA sticks to the belief that student athlete compensation destroys the competitive balance. “The only obstacles are the people in charge. They simply don’t want to. They use doomsday scenarios to stall the discussion, and claim it’s too complicated, which is total nonsense,” Bilas said. “The idea that the health of the entire enterprise hinges upon the athletes and only the athletes being amateur is laughably absurd and demonstrably false.” Saying that the NCAA cannot pay for stu-
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dent-athletes endeavors can be considered illegal. According to Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, “every contract, combination or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce...is declared to be illegal.” In non-legal talk, it means that NCAA members that proceed to prohibit the pay of student-athletes represents a form of wage fixing that likely violates antitrust law. A current court by NCAA athletes could determine just that. “[This lawsuit] can have profound impact and change the conversation, if not the entire landscape,” Bilas said. “It has already caused many to think about these issue for the first time, and more deeply.” Not only is it immoral to not pay athletes but the NCAA as a whole could be facing many legal consequences. We may see athletes be rewarded the way they should be. We might not. However, everything going on should cause people to think about the topic.
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Winter court: a week in review
Candidates chosen by the student body participate in a variety of events organized by Student Council (Left) Reacting to the Winter Court queen announcement, seniors Hailey Belcher and Caleb Axlund laugh in delight at the Winter Court basketball game on Feb. 7. Belcher was crowned Winter Court queen. Photo by Courtney Cooper
(Bottom left) Moving to the beat of the music, senior Elsa Regan dances at the Winter Formal dance on Feb. 8. Photo by Joseph Anderson
(Bottom middle) Beaming in the spotlight, seniors Madison Carbrey and Kakra Boye-Doe take part in the Winter Court assembly on Feb. 7. Photo by Joseph Anderson
(Bottom right) Staring into each others’ eyes, seniors Emma Oury and Alex Jones listen to their list of activities recited at the Winter Court assembly on Feb. 7. Photo by Joseph Anderson
(Below) Devouring a 24 inch sub sandwich, senior Lindsay Kelly puts on a show for the Winter Court video. The video was filmed by Room 125 Productions. Photo by Riley Nelson
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