LHS Budget, Issue 3, 2017-2018 by LHS Budget

THE

BUDGET

LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL

• LAWRENCE, KANSAS • VOLUME 125 • ISSUE 3 • NOV. 16, 2017

“[THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL] HELPS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON’T HAVE THE SAME ACCESSIBILITY TO SCHOOL, LIKE THEY CAN’T HANDLE BEING IN SCHOOL ALL DAY, THEN IT’S A REALLY GOOD ALTERNATIVE.” —KATIE AHERN, JUNIOR

IN THIS ISSUE •06 Scholar’s Bowl starts strong •08 Students learn virtually •16 Winter sports athletes prepare for upcoming season

2 • THE BUDGET

05 08 18 24

College Prep: Tips and tricks

Classes go virtual Football coach retires Fall play takes on serious issues

06 16 20 29

BUDGET

THE

IN THIS ISSUE

LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Scholars Bowl grows

• LAWRENCE, KANSAS • VOLUME 125 • ISSUE 3 • NOV. 16, 2017

“[THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL] HELPS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON’T HAVE THE SAME ACCESSIBILITY TO SCHOOL, LIKE THEY CAN’T HANDLE BEING IN SCHOOL ALL DAY, THEN IT’S A REALLY GOOD ALTERNATIVE.”

Winter sports seasons begin Hang 12 curates student show

—KATIE AHERN, JUNIOR

Venezuelans need change IN THIS ISSUE •06 Scholar’s Bowl starts strong •08 Students learn virtually •16 Winter sports athletes prepare for upcoming season

ONLINE

@lhsbudget

lhsbudget.com STORIES

• 24-hour film festival challenges students • Volleyball team makes it to state

VIDEOS

• 2017 Homecoming Outtakes & Bloopers

ON THE COVER- More students have the chance to work from the comfort of home thanks to the Lawrence Virtual School. Photo illustration by Hannah Gaines

BLACK FRIDAY SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

WITH THESE FIVE USEFUL TIPS FROM SOPHOMORE HAVEN RETHMAN

Start saving money a few months ahead of time and have a budget.

Have an idea of what you want and write a list before you go and prioritize your wants.

Go with a friend for not only company but to help with your list.

Wear something comfortable.

Look for coupons and discounts ahead of time and sign up for email lists for stores you might go to.

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY ALICIA RUDER

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•3

GIRLS ALLOWED

Boy Scouts share their opinion on girls being allowed to join Boy Scouts BY IZZY HEDGES

“There’s a bunch of leaders in my troop that are women. In Venture Scouts, another section of Boy Scouts, there’s women in that. I think it’s been a long time coming, and I’m in support of it. I think it’s progressive and if boys can be in Boy Scouts, girls should be in Boy Scouts.” —Jack Anderson, junior

“I don’t have problems with it to be honest. I don’t really care. People should be able to do what they want to do, regardless of gender roles. To impede a change is to impede progress. This is a good change. It opens up a to a larger equality.” —Aaron Reed, junior

“I think it’s a step in the right direction. I’ll be out of the Boy Scouts by the time they’re allowed to join. It seems like a step in the right direction progress wise.” —Calvin DeWitt, senior

“It really doesn’t affect anything. I do not care at all. It’s good. It’s a step forward I think.” —Henry Dewitt, sophomore

‘HUCK FINN’ BACK IN CLASSES BY WILLIAM YANEK

STAFF WRITER

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” will continue to be taught in the English department, with conditions. English department chairs as well as district and school administrators Jerri

Kemble, Rick Henry, Mark Preut and Lisa Boyd met on Oct. 19 to establish standards for the Huckleberry Finn curriculum. These new standards require that the concept of “satiric literature” be introduced to students, a resource be provided about the history of the N-word, Mark Twain’s anti-slavery views be discussed and that

“The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” by Frederick Douglass be used as a resource prior to reading Huckleberry Finn. Additionally, the reading of the N-word aloud in class will be prohibited, and an alternate text will be available to students who feel uncomfortable reading the novel.

SAVE THE DATE: FIVE EVENTS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

1 NOV. 20

Pack the House 6 p.m. in the main gym

2 NOV. 22

Start of Fall Recess

NOV. 29

Concussion testing for winter athletes

DEC. 9

ACT testing

5 DEC. 15

Adopt-a-Family collection day

PAGE DESIGN BY ALICIA RUDER • NOV. 16, 2017

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■

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•5

NEWS

COLLEGE CORNER Tips to make the most of your junior and senior years

BY ASHLEE BROWN

IMPORTANT DATES

December 2: SAT test date December 9: ACT test date January 1: College regular decision closes January 12: February ACT registration closes February 9: March SAT registration closes

TESTING TIPS:

• Speak to your counselor to take advantage of the free online ACT Prep test on Shmoop. • Mark test dates in your phone calendar and let employers know at least two weeks in advance to prevent conflicts. • Set a goal test score within two to three points of your current score. • Utilize the ACT Online Prep and Daily Practice for the New SAT apps.

COLLEGE PREPARATION What is FAFSA, and why should I care? FAFSA is the acronym for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is important to finish early, especially for families with financial need, because there is the chance that you could miss out on grants awarded for filing too late. Many colleges require FAFSA information to consider applicants for certain amounts of award money. What will colleges do with this information? The FAFSA allows colleges to determine how much money to provide in grants to their students. This especially useful when going to out-of-state and private colleges with high tuitions. What information will I need? You will need your social security number, as well as your parents’ social security numbers, tax returns and W-2 forms. Before starting your FAFSA, you will need to create an FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov. When you begin your FAFSA, you will need to create a save key you will remember. Who should file the FAFSA? Everybody should begin filing the FAFSA, because you could be eligible for student aid and not realize it. Many families that qualify do not receive federal financial aid because they think they do not fit the criteria. Having a FAFSA on file allows colleges

to take financial need into account and consider students for more scholarship funds. It should be filed for every year you are going to college. What if one of my parents does not live with me? The parent who has lived with you or provided the most financial support is responsible for helping you fill out your FAFSA. What are some trustworthy websites to search for more scholarships? There are many scholarship websites out there. Some trustworthy ones include the College Board’s scholarship search, Fastweb, Broke Scholar, and Scholarships.com. Career Cruising also allows searching for scholarship opportunities. Never use websites or apply for scholarships that want payment; they are most likely scams. How do I access my transcripts to send to colleges? The website that Lawrence High School uses is Parchment. After signing up, and requesting your transcripts, Parchment will have them available

for download or delivered to your chosen colleges. Sources: nces.ed.gov, Wells Fargo Get College Ready Planning Guide, College Board, ACT.org

PAGE DESIGN BY ASHLEE BROWN • NOV. 16, 2017

6 • THE BUDGET

BIGGER TEAM FAST TO THE

Scholars Bowl increases its numbers heading into a new season of trivia BY ELYZEBETH WORKMAN

STAFF WRITER

uzzing in, students began this year’s season of Scholar’s Bowl with twice as many members. Scholar’s Bowl has been on the rise in recent years under coach Matt Ellis, who began his first year as coach six years ago with just eight students, and now with assistant coach Alex Arteaga helping for two years. The team grew to about 20 last year, and now has about 40 students. “The last two practices we’ve had Mr. Ellis’s room has been bursting at the seams,” Arteaga said. The tournaments are set up in a round-robin style where two teams of five go head-to-head. To win, all you need to do is rack up the most points by answering question about English, math, social studies, year-in-review or foreign language as fast as you can answer them. The challenging part about this is that anyone can answer at anytime. They can even interrupt you and put their team’s points on the line. To practice for tournaments, the team does mock games with two

teams, sometimes three. With such a large team, these practices can get hectic from the pure number of teams trying to answer the same questions. “It’s just a free for all,” Ellis said. The team meets about 20 times during the season, which lasts from early September until late February. The first meet for JV was on Oct. 23 in Kansas City, Kan., and the first meet for varsity was on Nov. 15. Regionals will be Feb. 2. Arteaga said they practice with “binders and binders of questions” with past season’s questions in it. The team hopes to be able to finish in the top three and be able to go to state. With only six open spots on a large team, members have to be competitive to get into those open spots. Of course they are always trying to grow the team. This year to help make it easy on people, Ellis created a digital signup sheet and put out schedules earlier. “But my first goal is to always have fun,” Ellis said. The biggest obstacle for the coaches is getting students to come into the meets; while “...The main challenge

READY — Junior Emily Guo prepares her buzzer during practice to answer the quickest. Many students, like Guo, spend their first year on the team practicing every week and improving trivia. “The most challenging part of Scholars Bowl is having confidence in your answers,” Guo said, “but it’s fun to test your knowledge.” Photo by McKenna White BUZZ — Smiling while holding a buzzer, juniors Vera Petrovic and Olivia Rothrock prepare for a Scholars Bowl tournament during practice last month. Practices are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school in Matt Ellis’ room. “[Scholars Bowl] is so much fun,” Petrovic said. “There’s a bunch of people in a room answering trivia questions, and it’s a great time.” Photo by McKenna White

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY WILL DAMRON

is not knowing as much,” freshman Raef Landes said. In past years, the team has been well suited in such subjects as social science and social studies. This year, the team has shown a good aptitude toward science and math topics. Questions can be as “challenging” as translating “blue monkeys” into German to things that happen in “Colonial Belgium.” “Sometimes you’ll read something in English and all the sudden you’ll hear it in scholars bowl,” senior Kacee Truong said. The larger team gives Ellis a variety of student expertise to rely on. “We try to have a wide variety of people that can cover each category,” Ellis said. Scholar’s Bowl demands a large group of students. “Just a very diverse group of people,” Truong said. “It’s not just for smart people.” Ellis hopes his students will follow his appreciation for Scholar’s Bowl even after they graduate. “I missed it throughout college, I was just glad to be able to participate when I became a teacher here,” Ellis said.

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•7

QUIZZING SCHOLARS

We tested Scholars Bowl students with tough trivia. Here are some of the questions they got right:

VERA PETROVIC, JUNIOR

Q: How many seats are in the House of Representatives? A: 435

DEREK WHITE, JUNIOR

Q: What is the SI unit for measuring energy? A: Joules

MIA WATERS, SENIOR

Q: What is the sum of the square roots of 36 and 81? A: 15

PAGE DESIGN BY WILL DAMRON • NOV. 16, 2017

8 • THE BUDGET

NEW WAVE OF VIRTUAL LEARNING

Students mix in classes at LHS with courses offered at Lawrence Virtual School BY CHLOE THORNTON

STAFF WRITER

he Lawrence Virtual School has been around since 2004 but recently enrollment in the school has become more popular among LHS students. Whether to graduate early or to benefit their own learning style, students are taking advantage of this opportunity and taking classes online. The school has become more necessary to many older students. With required core classes taking up a lot of their schedule, the electives they want to take have overflowed their course load. Junior Katie Ahern is taking an honors US history course though the virtual school to make time for her two science classes and electives, such as choir. “[The virtual school] helps a lot of people who don’t have the same accessibility to school, like they can’t handle

being in school all day, then it’s a really good alternative,” Ahern said. “However, it can be easy to procrastinate because everything is due on Saturday night of the week.” The College and Career Center has also created problems for students who still need to complete core classes. Senior AJ Holder is talking a creative writing class through the virtual school because her Certified Nursing Assistant class takes up three hours in her schedule. “You get to do it on your own time and you get to take your time with it,” Holder said. “It’s not as hard, and it’s more convenient. I think online it’s easier, and you have a lot more time to finish stuff, but obviously you don’t get that feedback, like how you did on it.” Holder believes this feedback is important, but the class has not lost any value without a physical teacher. The virtual school offers classes to

1,175

Typical number of classes taken by high school-age students at LVS

Current LVS students

QUICK TAKE 50+ Courses provided ranging from algebra and US government to French and culinary arts

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY CECILIA SANCHEZ-VARGAS

full-time and part-time students from History to Physical Education. Enrollment in extra classes could help students graduate early and could be beneficial in expanding their education. “It’s a really good option if you want to learn more, but you have to do a lot on your own to actually learn it and apply it,” Ahern said.

FOCUSED — Junior Keirian Tillman makes time for online assignments in the comfort of his home. Photo by Aidin Manning

1,112

4 years

LVS students last year

Grad rates at LVS have doubled over this period of time

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•9

VIRTUAL SUCCESS

Lawrence Virtual School assistant principal Monte Westfall explains what it takes to succeed in online classes

THROUGH THEIR SCREENS BY CECILIA SANCHEZ-VARGAS

Students talk about their experiences upon taking classes through LVS

AJ HOLDER, SENIOR

What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking classes online? “It’s easier and less compacted. A disadvantage is not knowing your grade in the class until the end of the semester because that’s when they add it to Skyward along with your other classes.”

KEIRIAN TILLMAN, JUNIOR

What classes are you taking online and what caused you to start taking them? “I couldn’t fit all my classes on my schedule, so I’m taking English online.”

What subjects, that are in public school tend to be moved onto virtual classes? “We offer a full complement of courses. Students in grades K-8 take English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and some choose to take an elective in art, music, or world language. At the high school level, students enroll in 6 courses generally. They have the same graduation requirements as students at any Kansas brick and mortar high school, and there is no difference in the diploma that LVS students receive. We also offer Honors and AP courses.” Are kids more likely to be successful through virtual classes? “During the enrollment process, our registrar does her best at screening potential students. We look at current grades, comfort level with technology, drive to succeed/be motivated, and what level of support will be present in the home learning environment. Success is also determined by the way in which each student learns. Students with little independence, drive, or comfort with technology may not find that the virtual environment is right for them.” Is the work load heavier or lighter? “I would say that it is very similar to brick and mortar as our students must complete the same amount of credits to graduate. There is a lot more independent work, so if a student is a slower worker, they may feel that the work load is heavier; likewise, a student who is one who works faster, they may feel that the work load is lighter.” Are there always instructors available for questions? “Our teachers are on the same contract that all Lawrence Public School teachers are on, so they are always available during those contract hours; however, many instructors make themselves available via phone, email, or text in the later afternoon/ evening hours (although that is NOT a requirement).”

PAGE DESIGN BY CECILIA SANCHEZ-VARGAS • NOV. 16, 2017

10 • THE BUDGET

JOB HUNT

Teachers, students share job search tips BY NOAH GINSBERG

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Help Wanted!

Melissa Jackson, teacher of JAG — Jobs for American Graduates — gives tips job interview tips for students who are trying to get a job:

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW?

“Search the job that you are applying for. Practicing for your interview also helps because the interviewer will ask questions about who you are and dressing appropriately for your interview.”

HOW TO DRESS FOR AN INTERVIEW?

“It usually depends on the job that you are applying for, but usually women should have their shoulders covered, closed-toe shoes. For men, a buttoned shirt and maybe a suit and a buttoned tie.”

Culvers PetSmart Tuesday Morning Best Buy McDonalds Taco Bell GAP Dillons Papa Johns

Sprouts Pepper Jax Toppers PetCo Pizza Hut Jimmy Johns Home Depot Chipotle Dairy Queen GDit

WHAT ARE SOME INTERVIEW QUESTIONS?

“How did you hear about this job? Why you would be a good fit? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Are you a team player? How you handle confrontation, and how do you handle being managed, academics, and involvement in school.”

Sources

Monster.com SnagaJob.com

EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH NAME

JOB

JOB INCIDENTS

JOB EXPECTATIONS

Bryce Smith

“I work at a ranch and my dad has a workplace where I work at time.”

“While I working in the fields, I was watching the Texas and OSU game when I wasn’t supposed to.”

“To work hard.”

Logan Grose

“I work at Firehouse Subs.”

“I cut my finger open while slicing tomatoes.”

“Show up to work on time and work hard.”

Hunter Jones

“I work at Checkers.”

“On my third day, another employee got fired for stealing a donut.”

“To arrive at work and to do your work.”

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY NOAH GINSBERG

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SPEAKERS ADDRESS TRANS STUDENT ISSUES

K-STEP reaches out to Lawrence High parents during presentation BY RILEE GERMANMARTINEZ

STAFF WRITER

ay Pryor and Stephanie Mott from the Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project (K-STEP) spoke to the parents of transgender students on Nov. 8 at LHS. The event was organized in an effort by the administration to create a more inclusive environment at the school. Assistant principal Mark Preut was part of this organization. After the September sit-in protest in response to transphobic comments made by students, Preut realized that action needed to be taken. “It was apparent that we needed a great deal more education and understanding in the LHS community,” Preut said in an email interview. “We have done equity work with teachers and some of that has been shared with students, but we have not done any systemic equity work with students.” K-STEP speaker Jay Pryor was grateful to be reached out to by Preut. As a Lawrence native, Pryor kept up on the events of the September sit-in. “I’m friends with some of the teachers there, and I’m in town so I know what’s going on,” Pryor said. “I was actually going to reach out to them to see if there was anything I could do, and then they ended up reaching out to me.” Growing up as a young lesbian, then transgender man, in Lawrence had its challenges. Pryor recalled the need for a more unified LGBT community since there were no public places, such as bars, to meet other members. Pryor sees great leaps of improvement in the LGBT rights movement, especially at LHS. “The thing that’s powerful about that sit-in that happened at LHS, though, it’s different because in the 80s and 90s when we were young activists there

wasn’t a lot of straight allies next to us; it was always all gay kids,” Pryor said. “We were leading our own group, but the differences I’ve noticed today is that LGBT youth have a ton of straight allies that are your friends and are willing to do sit-ins with them, which is amazing.” However, he sees the shortcomings in terms of recognition and respect for transgender people. “If you’re a trans person, especially if you’re a trans person that’s really committed to making a transition, it’s just not an easy thing to do,” Pryor said. “It has to be done very thoughtfully, and if kids don’t have their parents on board with that, it’s painful and difficult. It used to be that I knew tons of kids whose parents would disown them just for being gay. Not that that still doesn’t happen, but it’s not as prevalent as kids being disowned for being trans.” Despite the shortcomings and setbacks made aware of by the sit-in, both Preut and Pryor had high hopes for how the parent meeting would go. “Many people only know about the LGBTQ+ community from media reports and stereotypes and misunderstanding and misinformation leads to too many negative results — hate, bigotry, discrimination,” Preut said. “My hope is that as people have a greater understanding they will be more supportive and empathetic.” Pryor’s main goal was to shift the views and opinions of parents who have transgender children. “Our job is to deliver a message and to educate because with knowledge comes power to understand the truth,” said Pryor. “The one thing Stephanie and I are good at is telling our stories so people see us as people.” The meeting had roughly 75 people in attendance, including students from TEA. Mott and Pryor shared their life stories where they struggled with addiction for years, contemplated suicide and ended up in psychiatric hospitals.

However, they both began to improve their lives once accepting their gender identities. Audience members asked questions, varying from how to be a better ally to resources for transitioning. While Mott and Pryor answered, TEA students in the audience also added in. Attendee Shade Little, whose grandson attends LHS, came to the meeting in order to learn how to become more supportive. “I have always been trying to be an ally,” Little said. “But I feel that sometimes… I don’t do enough.” After the meeting, Little had positive things to say about it. “I feel a bit more hopeful than I usually do because of the things that [Mott and Pryor are] willing and able to say.”

MOVING FORWARD — Reaching for equality, Jay Pryor and Stephanie Mott from K-STEP talk to parents and trans students to discuss their experiences and views on how to make LHS a more inclusive environment. Their goal is to change the opinions of parents and students on the transgender topic. Photo by Mira Simms

PAGE DESIGN BY NOAH GINSBERG • NOV. 16, 2017

12 • THE BUDGET

ON THE MOVE

Automotive technology program finds new home at Peaslee Tech BY JACKSON HOY

STAFF WRITER

utomotive Technology classes moved from the auto shop at Lawrence High to Peaslee Tech at the start of the school year, and teacher Ray Casey is excited about the direction the program is headed. Casey helped to design the auto shop at Peaslee along with a team from Johnson County Community College and representatives from local dealerships. “[It] took a lot of meetings, a lot of time, but we eventually got what we wanted,” Casey said. “It could not have gone smoother.” Students from both LHS and Free State can enroll in the Automotive Technology classes, of which there are two: one during a block of hours one,

two and three, and one during a block of hours five, six and seven. Automotive Technology is the biggest program at Peaslee Tech, with about 25 students enrolled. The classes are for college credit through junior college programs. LHS senior Ethan Ruggles, an Auto 3 and 4 student, said he enjoys the course. “[You have a] lot of freedom, you can basically choose what you can do, and every day there’s something different,” Ruggles said. Career-oriented education is a big focus of the curriculum at the Lawrence College & Career Center, which works with Peaslee, and is something Casey feels strongly about. “To be a mechanic, you don’t have to have a big fancy associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree,” he said. “You just need to know how to do it. You need to get your certifications.”

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY ALICIA RUDER

INDUSTRIOUS — Senior Daniel Lynn paints an auto part during his afternoon class at Peaslee Tech. The paint created a strong scent, but worked through it to finish his project. Photo by Trey Hulse

In the Automotive Technology classes, Casey is proud to build a curriculum based on real-world experiences. The cars that the students work on are real cars with real problems, selected by Casey. He sends out a newsletter to district faculty who then get back to him with requests. From there, he chooses cars with problems that are related to what the Automotive Technology classes are studying. “I get flooded,” he said. “I mean, probably 100 emails, not to mention 100 phone calls, so if I don’t get back with them, please don’t take it as an insult. I

THE BUDGET HARD AT WORK — Senior Ethan Ruggles works to assemble an engine. The auto shop at LHS closed this year, and students now attend classes at Peaslee Tech. Photo by Trey Hulse

• 13

BSA CREATES SPACE FOR SUPPORT

New Black Student Alliance group connects students, offers opportunities to grow STORY BY EMILY GORDON-ROSS

STAFF WRITER

just don’t have time.” Casey came to teaching after growing up around cars and spending years working in the automotive industry, and his experience is valued by his students. Free State senior Matt Howard, an Auto 3 and 4 student, had high praise for Casey. “Having a teacher that was in the industry has helped a lot with guidance on what school to go to and what you should do,” Howard said. The longer blocks and specialized facilities afforded by the College & Career Center and Peaslee are appreciated by Casey and his students. “...we can go out there and work for an hour straight, whatever it is we want to work on,” he said. “So that allows us to cover the curriculum more hands-on.” The phrase “hands-on” is a theme of the auto shop. Casey and his students believe handson education is the best way to learn about something. “You get a lot of hands-on work that you don’t have in any other class, and you just learn a lot more stuff that way,” Howard said. Smaller class sizes are another advantage of the College & Career Center, and LHS senior Candy Porter has valued the more individualized focus. She said students feel welcome.

“You don’t get judged as much, and you’re treated like an adult, so it’s easier to ask questions,” she said. “It’s nicer. They help support us with nicer stuff than the high school did, so it helps us more in getting somewhere.” The Automotive Technology program has thrived since moving to Peaslee, and Casey is excited to bring more students in. “It’s hands-on. If you’re looking for an easy A, this isn’t it,” he said. “I’m here to teach you how to be a mechanic and how to make the money because you’re going to be a flat-rate technician when you leave and get into the real world ... If you’re wanting to learn about cars, awesome, come on down. If you’re just looking for something to fill up half your schedule and hope it’s an easy A, it’s not easy. You’ve got to work for it.” Ruggles, Porter and Howard said that Automotive Technology was their favorite course and that they valued what they were learning. “What you learn in this class, it’s more than just learning about how to work on a car,” Howard said. “Learning how to be professional, how to be clean, and take care of what you need to take care of.”

awrence High has a large range of clubs, from Chess Club to Yoga Club. So there is usually a club for every student. This fall, teacher Ameshia Tubbs sponsored a new club called the Black Student Alliance, although conversations about the formation of the club began as early as last spring. Their main goals are as follows: • To provide a safe place for African American students to share their experiences and exchange ideas with other students (from all cultural and racial backgrounds). • To help students deepen their understanding of the contributions African Americans have made nationally and globally. • To promote restorative justice and service to the community. • To provide a space for students to come and talk about their experiences. “The club wasn’t started in response to a specific event, even though recent events in this country are bringing lots of racial issues to the surface,” Tubbs said. “BSA started with a couple students who expressed interest in a Black Lives Matter club. We tried to get the club off the ground last spring but were unsuccessful. The students who are part of BSA now have shaped the direction. They decided to call it BSA, but it has a similar advocacy agenda as BLM.” Because the club is fairly new, it’s still small with only about five regular attendees. Made up mostly of women, members feel strongly about focusing the club’s time on the education of black women and increasing general education throughout the building. Junior Haedyn Bell agrees. “I’d like it to be more about educating students at LHS,” Bell said. “A lot of LHS students are pretty ignorant, and it wouldn’t be hard to just politely teach them some new stuff. We haven’t really touched on anything much [yet] but in the future I want to help expand that, get that going.”

PAGE DESIGN BY ALICIA RUDER • NOV. 16, 2017

14 • THE BUDGET

SPORTS

TAKING THE

NEXT STEP

Expectations high for first senior class coached exclusively by Dickson BY JACKSON HOY

STAFF WRITER

irls basketball coach Jeff Dickson enters his fourth season coaching the Lady Lions with high expectations. With four starters and most of last season’s rotation returning, the buzz around the girls basketball team is as high as it has been in years. This year’s senior class will be the first group of girls to have spent their entire high school career under Coach Dickson, and they believe that his tutelage has been the key to the program’s turnaround. “[H]e’s just always been there for me since freshman year,” senior guard Tyrin Cosey said of Dickson. Since arriving at LHS in May of 2014, Dickson has installed a team culture built around “hard work, loyalty, family and heart and intensity and being positive in the face of adversity,” according to Dickson. “We have high expectations for the students in our program both in the classroom and on the court,” he said. “The players hold themselves accountable. Or they aren’t in our program.” Dickson’s high standards for his players have quickly brought success to the program. In the five years prior to his hiring, the girls basketball team won just 29 games. In Dickson’s three

years as head coach, the Lady Lions have racked up 37 wins and came away with a sub-state championship last year. Junior forward Chisom Ajekwu, named Third Team All-Sunflower League for her play last year, has enjoyed learning from Dickson. “Playing with Dickson, for me, he’s done so much for me as a player. I stop thinking of myself just as a basketball player ... and thought about who I am to the team, what I can do, what I should do for the team, my responsibilities, and also being a student-athlete,” she said. Ajekwu noted that Dickson does not rely on a certain gimmick or play style for success, but rather on the mentality of his players. “[H]is coaching system is more of a mentality thing,” she said. “He always has us make sure we face through adversity. We just tell ourselves that being tired is just mental, pain is just temporary, everything’s just mental.” Senior forward E’Lease Stafford was named Co-Sunflower League Player of the Year last year after spending her offseason recovering from a torn ACL suffered near the end of her sophomore season, and she credits her growth as a player to Dickson’s encouragement. “[W]inners train and losers complain. Coming in at 6 in the morning for Saturday practices for almost four hours has taught me a lot,” Stafford said. “If you have dedication, you can go far.” Dickson has strongly emphasized

NOV. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY TAEGHAN SHARPE

HUDDLED UP — The Lady Lions circle up for a breakdown before the opening tip of their season against Topeka High on Dec. 2. Photo by Hannah Gaines

close relationships between his players and it has led to a resilient and positive team culture. “We always do a lot of team bonding and stuff, and he’s always coming up with new ideas for us to get along,” Cosey said. When asked what word summed up the Lady Lions the best, Dickson had an easy response: “Family”. Coming off an 18-5 record and a loss in the 6A state quarterfinals, the Lady Lions have high hopes for this season. Dickson has not let the hype surrounding the program distract him. “Our goals are the same every year and have been since day one: to work harder than everyone else around us. Make the we greater than the me. Have the highest GPA in the state. Build a strong work ethic and foundation for our students to learn life lessons and come together as a stronger and special family,” he said. The Lady Lions open their season at Topeka High on Dec. 1, and they hope to see their team chemistry continue to produce positive results. “This year I think we’re going to be really good. We all have good chemistry with each other, and ... we have a really good group of girls,” Ajekwu said.

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MEET THE PLAYERS

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REPORTING BY TAEGHAN SHARPE

POSITION

YEARS PLAYED

TEAM MOST EXCITED TO PLAY AGAINST

“I play all.”

Started in eighth grade.

“Free State and Olathe South — they’re really good.”

Playing in Allen Fieldhouse

Asia Goodwin

Shooting Guard

Since age of 12.

Shawnee Mission South

“We went on a rope course, and I almost died.”

Tyrin Cosey

Shooting Guard

Started in eighth grade.

“Free State, of course.”

“Winning sub-state and going to state last year.”

NAME Talima Harjo

FAVORITE LHS B-BALL MEMORY

PAGE DESIGN BY TAEGHAN SHARPE • NOV. 16, 2017

16 • THE BUDGET

WINTER WARMUP

INTERVIEWS BY GARY SCHMIDT

Looking towards upcoming winter season

BOWLING

SWIMMING

WRESTLING

DIAMONIQUE VANN SENIOR

STEPHEN JOHNSON SENIOR

JAY CHEATHAM SENIOR

What has you looking forward to this upcoming season?

What has you looking forward to this season?

“I am looking forward to it being my last year and hopefully reclaiming my Sunflower League title.”

Individually and as a team, what are some goals you all have set?

“Individually, I want to become a better leader, so recruiting people for sure and helping others succeed in bowling and as a team hopefully going to state.”

What are some things you will need to do to go as a team to state?

“We need to work on spare shooting because every spare counts and working on not letting one bad shot take our game away.”

“Well, its my senior year. A lot of guys on the swim team are excited about that. I am looking forward to a good season and a very large season.

With a couple school records already under your belt, what are you aiming for this year?

“100 backstroke hopefully and 500 freestyle. Those are my two big ones. Also, I want to win state in the 200 free and hopefully place top two in the 500 free.”

As a team, what are some goals you have set for this season?

“Trying to place similarly at league and state and just trying to stay up there.”

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“For me, ’Melle [Dye] and ’Relle [Dye], it’s our senior year, so it’s our time to place at state, do pretty well. We got beat by Free State pretty badly last year, so we are looking for some revenge there.”

What have you done individually to prepare for this year?

“I’ve been putting in work at club wrestling and working out a lot, but once the season starts we are going to have to go that much harder at practice.”

How are you going to get new members to join the team?

“A lot of the people that play football should come out, and a big thing is keeping the wrestlers we do have.”

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STUDENTS TO ‘PACK THE HOUSE’ PACK THE HOUSE

6 p.m. Monday Gymnasium Bring non perishable foods Win prizes

n Monday, Nov. 20, LHS will host Pack the House, a winter sports showcase. Spirit squad coach and founder of Pack the House, Junior Wedd explains a little more about it.

What is Pack the House?

“Pack the House was started in 1994 by myself and the Spirit Squad coaching staff. We wanted an event for winter sports somewhat like the fall sports Jamboree that had already been established. The purpose was to use the money donated and nonperishable items collected to help the Law-

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rence community during the upcoming holiday seasons.”

What were challenges you initially faced?

“It took administration and the LHS band to jump on board to make a successful event. Pack the House has evolved from first being scrimmages for the girls and boys basketball teams to an event that includes skits with students and or faculty, performances of pom and cheer, basketball teams, and the other winter sports adding skits or dances (swimming and diving, bowling, wrestling).”

POSTER PERFECT

BASKETBALL

A new sports season means Spirit Squad members will be crafting new spirited posters for teams. Senior Talyn Jefferson explains what goes into the process

BRETT CHAPPLE JUNIOR

E’LEASE STAFFORD SENIOR

REPORTING BY SYMON KNOX

What has you looking forward to this season?

What has you looking forward to this upcoming season?

“We have a lot of returning players, and we are all close friends. I feel like our team chemistry will be really good so it will be a fun season. “

What have you done to prepare for the season?

“Open gyms and conditioning and going to Rock Chalk to get some shots up.”

Where do you feel like you stack up in the Sunflower League this year?

“I feel like we are kind of at the top because we have returning players, have all been around basketball and are close with each other.

What have you done in the offseason to prepare?

How many posters have you made in the past? Which one has been your favorite?

What have you personally done to get ready?

What poster did you make this year? Who picks who makes what poster?

“Going to state again and having a better record.”

“Conditioning. Everybody is working out, doing fall sports, physically getting ready.”

Working out with Fred Roll and playing club basketball.

Last year you were CoSunflower League Player of the Year, what is your goal for this year? To get player of the year again, and Kansas Player of the Year.”

“I made five this year, and I can’t even count how many I’ve made in the past.”

“I made the cheer, football, gymnastics, soccer and I always make the Heart Of A Lion sign, it’s a little tradition of mine.”

Do you have any tips for anyone who wants to improve?

“When you use the paint just put a little bit of water in it because it will make the paint a lot more workable.”

PAGE DESIGN BY GARY SCHMIDT• NOV. 16, 2017

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WEDD’S LEGACY

Head football coach, Dirk Wedd, retires after 19 years coaching BY GARY SCHMIDT

CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

n 1999, Coach Dirk Wedd was handed the keys to a program with rich history and a track record of success to match, but one that was on its knees at the time, coming off consecutive lackluster seasons. Stepping in to replace a coach who had won five state championships in nine seasons was truly a daunting task, but one that Wedd has tackled during the past 19 seasons. Growing up and playing football at Lawrence High himself, Wedd knew from early on that he wanted to go into coaching. According to Wedd, having a father that both coached and taught, as well as having a teacher for a mother, drew him into doing both after college. “My dad was a teacher and coach and my mom was a teacher, so you kinda got it in your blood,” Wedd said. “I think I always knew I was going to be a coach.” Taking a coaching job directly after graduating from Emporia State University, Wedd began his career at Pratt Junior College where he served both as head baseball coach and assistant football coach. From there he moved onto Wichita State where he also served as an assistant. After leaving Wichita State, Wedd took a brief hiatus from coaching

until former Lawrence High coach Dick Purdy offered him a position as an assistant at his alma mater, an honor Wedd describes as a dream. “I think I always dreamed about coaching at Lawrence High,” Wedd said. “I probably was 15 or 16 years old when I really thought that someday I would be the head coach. It is very unusual for a person to live their dream, and that is what I’ve done for the last 28 years.” Over his career, Wedd has bridged an interesting time, seeing Lawrence be divided into two high schools. Although the once populous Lawrence High, which enjoyed some of the greatest success both statewide and nationally no longer boasts the highest enrollment in the state, Wedd said the expectations have not faded. “The expectations are unbelievable,” Wedd said. “Back in the day, we won state championships hand over fist. Since the split has happened, it’s been tough.” Wedd has taken the troubling transition and the esteemed expectations around the program, and during his 19year career as head coach, has overcame. He enters the seasons sitting at 99 wins, and finished with 104, joining legendary coaches, Al Woolard and Bill Freeman, as the only coaches in the prestigious

history of the Chesty Lions to eclipse the century mark. Heading into his final season, Wedd looked at the year as an opportunity to make more memories. With his final senior class, Wedd described a special bond, one they shared during their final year with the Lions. “They know how much this means to me, this last time and their last time, that we can kind of be seniors together,” Wedd said. Looking past this season, Wedd is still undecided about how he will spend his first few years of retirement. “I’m sure my wife has plans,” Wedd said with a laugh. “I turn 66 in March, so I’m going to find myself a job for two, three, four years and try and get ahead. My wife has been the reason I’ve been able to live this dream, so we want to make sure all ends are met financially.” Wherever his plans take him in the future, Wedd sees the Chesty Lions as family. “Ever since I was raised, my father always told me that, ‘you always have to leave a place better than how you found it,” Wedd said. “I hope deep down inside, when I leave Lawrence High School, it’s in a better place than when I came here.”

Players share their thoughts on coach

IN THE HUDDLE

INTERVIEWS BY SYMON KNOX

JOHN ELY senior

JACOB MILLS senior “One of the last practices this season, he was trying to get us all excited for an upcoming game and he spit a little bit, so we asked him why afterwards, and he said he almost lost his teeth because he was so hype, and then he pulled his teeth out and showed us.”

“He is a tough guy, and he always tells the truth, and he won’t tell you something if he doesn’t truly believe in that, and I think that will really stick with me.”

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY ALICIA RUDER

CALEB MONDI junior “There was one practice that he wasn’t having a good day, and one of the sophomores did something wrong, and he ran out on the field, and I’ve never seen him go that fast. It was really funny.”

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IN CHARGE — Head coach Dirk Wedd leads the Lions in a close loss to rival Free State on Oct. 20 at home. The Lions lost on a field goal in the final five seconds. Wedd finished his career as head coach with 104 wins. Photo by Hannah Gaines

WS BY KNOX

PAGE DESIGN BY ALICIA RUDER • NOV. 16, 2017

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LAST ACT Senior Chisato Kimura competed in the FYI Talent Show for her final year BY MACEY LANDES

COPY CHIEF

enior Chisato Kimura describes her singing in the annual talent show, which took place this week.

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT IT? “So I’m in FYI club, and FYI club and Can We Talk? sponsor it together, so I’ve always known about it, and I think it’s a really cool way to showcase talent at Lawrence High, especially for kids who might not be in choir, or have talents that are outside of band or choir or orchestra, or stuff like that.” WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE? “I don’t have room in my schedule to do choir, and I really enjoy singing, so it was one of the ways that I could perform, and I really enjoy performing, so any opportunity that I can, I’ll take.” HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND PREPARING FOR THE AUDITIONS? “Not as much as I should. I usually pick songs that I already know so it’s pretty easy for me to perform them. I mean, I obviously go to the dress rehearsals, and I make sure that I know the music, but other than that it’s a pretty chill process.” HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN SINGING? “So, ever since I was little, I was in a community choir, and I was in it from when I was 10, and so

in middle school I was also in choir, but when I got to high school I didn’t have enough time to take choir, but I always enjoyed singing and watching musicals.” WHAT MAKES THIS TALENT SHOW DIFFERENT THAN THE LAST? “I think we always try to get a diverse group so, you know, it’s not all just singing or just like one thing, but it’ll be special for me since it’s my last year, so I’m really excited.” WHAT WILL YOU MISS ABOUT THE SHOW? “I’ll miss getting to know the people, because there’s a lot of people that try out for the talent show that you wouldn’t expect, so you get to see a lot of talent and you get to meet a lot of cool people, so I’ll miss that experience a lot.” WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE TALENT SHOW? “We always get food. Right before the talent show they always feed us Chipotle or Jimmy John’s, stuff like that, so that’s always good, and it’s always fun to, again, talk to everyone who’s in the talent show and it’s really inspiring to see the talent that’s in it.” TALENT — Senior Chisato Kimura sings “Don’t You Remember” at the 2016 FYI Talent Show. Photo by Addisson Thornsbury

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

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STUDENTS FEATURED

Art group Hang 12 hosts a 2D prints showcasing student work BY CHLOE THORTON

STAFF WRITER

T HANGING — Sophomores Hadley Schmoe and Liam Sheeley hang a piece for the Hang 12 show “I Am Accumulation.” Photo by Jade Auchenbach

he youth arts collective group Hang 12 hosted an art show collaboration with professional printmaker Michael Benedetti on Oct. 19. Hang 12 is a group of students, from both Lawrence High and Free State, who curate monthly shows. The show, “I Am Accumulation,” featured art from students from both high schools. Junior Olivia Rothrock is the content writer for Hang 12, and she was surprised by the large body of work the group got to choose from. “It’s really exciting because sometimes it’s hard for us to get submissions,” Rothrock said. Students were encouraged to enter the show by photography and portfolio teacher Angelia Perkins. “She made us enter,” junior Caitlynn Kliem said. “It’s really exciting to be a part of because it’s my first real show.” This show was focused around

ON THE ROAD Symphonic Orchestra performs Beethoven’s 7th with the WSU Symphony BY FREEMAN SPRAY

STAFF WRITER

The Lawrence High Symphonic Orchestra traveled to Wichita State University last month to perform

Beethoven’s 7th Symphony. “I think we did really well,” senior Satori Good said. “We went really fast, and that was cool.” On the first day of the trip, the group practiced alongside the Wichita State Symphony in preparation for their performance. The next day, the students either visited the Wichita Zoo or toured the university, which included participation in music and film classes, as well as some

printmaking, specifically woodblock monoprints. Students created two prints, one which was folded into a box shape and another which remained 2D. The 2D prints were manipulated in different ways such as glue, mixed media, matches, or painting. The students’ artwork was shown along with Lawrence Arts Center’s printmaking artist in residence, Michael Benedetti’s work. Benedetti visited Perkins’ seventhhour portfolio class to speak about his art and try to inspire students. “I kind of used some of his work for my inspiration but still stuck to my aesthetic,” junior Olivia Percich said. Percich, whose pieces were featured in the show, said she was relieved when she found out she was in the show. “I put a lot of blood sweat and tears into that. Being able to be rewarded for that is awesome,” Percich said. Senior Belle Ray was also pleased to be included. “I was proud, I spent a lot of time on it, so it was a really good accomplishment,” Ray said.

discussion with music professors about their instruments. Following these activities was a final practice before the performance. They performed the entire 40-minute symphony in a concert with the WSU symphony. “The whole process of preparing for the event was incredibly rewarding and inspiring to me, watching my students work so hard every day,” conductor Rachel Dirks said.

PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER • NOV. 16, 2017

22 • THE BUDGET

BEST FRIEND

Sophomore trains his dog to be a professional service animal BY CONNOR SCHMAUS

STAFF WRITER

ophomore Elliot Bradley is in the process of having his dog, Norah, trained as a service dog. Norah, a 6-month-old Great Pyrenees, is training to fill the role of Bradley’s psychiatric, mobility and medical alert service dog, prescribed due to PTSD and hypoglycemia, diagnosed after spending several months in the hospital. “My blood sugar will drop really fast,” Bradley said. “I [also] have mobility issues, trouble getting up and down stairs.” Norah recently graduated two classes through Wagmore Canine Enrichment, a facility in Lawrence which trains dogs from puppies to professional service

animals. Bradley is looking to enroll her in a Manhattan school once she is a year old. “I think it’s called Paws for Life, and they do specialized training for psychiatric and mobility dogs, which is what Norah is,” Bradley said. Bradley wishes people understood the rights and rules about service animals. Service animals are trained to perform a task or tasks for a specific person, and are allowed to go wherever their handler goes. These animals are classified, technically, as medical equipment, giving them rights of access to all public and private areas, excluding operating rooms. There is, however, a significant difference between service animals and therapy dogs. “Therapy dogs, like Roxy, cater to a wide range of people,” Bradley said.

“Norah needs to be equipped to go anywhere with [just] me.” Education and ignorance in the importance of service animals remains a problem, as there are several legal issues that surround public interactions. “It’s actually a federal offense if you distract the dog, you can be charged for that,” Bradley said. Bradley has fought for increased awareness of these issues. He delivered a presentation for Total Equality Alliance concerning the regulations of service animals and hopes to bring these issues to light. “It’s kind of embarrassing because you’ll see people in like Walmart who have bought a vest for like $20 and it’s not like an official vest,” Bradley said. “There are so many aspects of this that people take for granted.”

PROFESSIONAL PUPS Meet these other pups that paw around LHS with interviews from their owners CHLOE ROXY

REPORTING BY EMILY GORDON-ROSS/PHOTOS BY MCKENNA WHITE Owner: Keri Lauxman What are some of the things Roxy is trained to do? “Roxy’s primary task is to provide unconditional love, comfort and acceptance. I call her a ‘need-seeking missile’ as she tends to sense when

someone needs a little extra love, but she’s here to work for all of us every day.” What is Roxy’s greatest skill? “Roxy’s greatest skill is her ability to brighten faces by just being in the room or the hallway. I always say that she

doesn’t know if you were rude to your mom or if you didn’t do your homework. She loves you anyway.” What are some of Roxy’s favorite things? “Ms. McCaleb, Ms. Miller, Ms. Flippin.”

Owner: Megan Summers What are some of the things Chloe is trained to do? “Chloe is trained to follow basic commands. In regards to being a therapy dog, she just provides a little extra love/

happiness to people that see her. What is Chloe’s greatest skill? “Communicating. She is bossy, and she will let you know what she wants.”

What are some of Chloe’s favorite things?

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“TREATS (she really loves carrots), being pet (if you stop, she will scratch at your leg until you start petting her again), little stuffed animals, squeaky toys, and balls.”

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RALLY AROUND THE SNOW CONE — Holding his icy treat, sophomore Elliot Bradley laughs as his service dog, Norah, licks the melted ice off his hand during Rally Around the Lion after marching with TEA Club in the homecoming parade on Sept. 27. Norah has learned to cater to Bradley’s needs. Photo by Mira Simms

PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER • NOV. 16, 2017

24 • THE BUDGET

EXPLORING

GRIEF

Play takes on difficult issues around death BY MACY LANDES

COPY CHIEF

he small cast of “Infinite Black Suitcase” took the auditorium stage on Oct. 26 and 28 to tell the stories of three families who were experiencing the losses of loved ones. “It’s easily one of the most serious plays we’ve put on,” junior and assistant director Jack Foster said. “It’s very emotional and also somewhat vulgar at times, which really sets it apart from the others.” The play was especially challenging for the cast because many of them hadn’t experienced the heartbreak that accompanies losing a family member or partner. “I have never dealt with any death within my life, so discovering how to bring those emotions alive has been very challenging,” sophomore Kaileb Ordiway said. The cast worked through it by bringing in a social worker to explain the grief cycle. “We all sat down together as a cast and listened and tried to figure out what it was really like and how to portray that,” Ordiway said. They also found ways to relate to

their characters in ways that didn’t involve grief. “I relate to my character personally because of the way he portrays family,” Ordiway said. “He very much cares about his family and will do anything for them, and that might lead to him being a little aggressive, but overall he cares about his family. And I care about my family and, when it comes to it, would do anything for them.” Theater teacher Jamie Johnson said she grew as a director during rehearsals. “I think I’ve been a lot more fearless with this show of pushing kids a little bit,” she said. “Not in a, ‘Get to work,’ kind of way but in the way of saying, ‘Here’s where we need to get with this scene emotionally, so let’s talk about how we can get there.’” What senior and technical director Liam Romano learned was more logistical. “It’s the first time I’ve designed a set ever,” he said. Johnson was most nervous for the audience’s reaction to the curse words in the script. She asked the playwright’s permission to remove some of the language, but not all, as not to take away from the meaning. “I just think the play was too good to pass up as a result of some questionable

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY ANNA PARNELL

language,” she said. This is also the first play Johnson has done with students she’s known for all four years of her teaching career at Lawrence High. “It’s a pretty extraordinary senior class this year for me in terms of theater kids,” she said. “Because they have a lot of experience not just here but like outside of school and in the summer. They’re very dedicated, and they’re very driven and have proven that.” For Johnson, though, shows are never about perfection — they’re about the students’ experiences. “I’m not concerned about things being perfect, I’m concerned with them feeling like they did the best they could, that they really grew and pushed themselves,” she said.

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BY MACY LANDES COPY EDITOR Liam Romano discusses borrowed lights the theater department was able to put to use during the fall play.

MAKING SMALL TALK — Sophomore Kaileb Ordiway and senior Caitlin Trevino portray two characters on a date during a scene in the fall play “Infinite Black Suitcase.” “It’s kind of just like an awkward scene just to kind of bring a little life to the play,” Ordiway said. Photo by Aidin Manning. PICKING A GRAVE — Senior Isaiah Hite listens to his wife, played by senior Chelby Coleman, as she chooses a grave before she dies. “He’s going through a whole lot more than I ever have really,” Hite said of his character. “I mean, he seems really laid back — not laid back about the situation — but he’s seems like a laid back, easy-going guy.” Photo by Emily Kruse

Talk about the lights for this play. “Something really awesome this time is we have made a friend in the lighting business, at StagePro, and he is letting us borrow a lot of really cool LED lighting fixtures that are like moveable, and in a lot of awesome colors, and it’s very, very cool. We’re all very excited, and because of that our technical director, who’s awesome and has been very busy working out how to use these new lights with our old stuff, that’s given me the opportunity to take the reigns on set design and kind of be in charge of construction with all the crew and everything.” How does that make a difference in telling the story of the “Infinite Black Suitcase”? “It makes a huge, huge difference because we did not have optimal lighting. There was a lot of times where there were like shadows or like our cyc [cyclorama], the big white sheet with the colors in the back, wasn’t fully covered with light and we didn’t have a lot of options for the color in the lighting. Because of this we now have a completely lit stage, so you can see the actors’ faces better, we can have amazing colors which can portray the scene and the mood of it so much better, and it also gets the actors and the audience in the right mood.”

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26 • THE BUDGET

OPINION

A BROKEN PIPELINE

Kansas football continues to fail to recruit Lawrence High talent BY JACKSON HOY

STAFF WRITER

t is no secret that Kansas football is really, really bad. Earlier this season against TCU, the team managed just 21 yards of total offense, the lowest total by any FBS team in the last 20 seasons. Through nine weeks this season, the Jayhawks are 1-8 and have looked like one of the worst football programs in the country. Advanced metrics put programs like Old Dominion and South Alabama — that only recently moved up to FBS competition — ahead of David Beaty’s Jayhawks, who have won just one game against an FBS opponent in Beaty’s three years as head coach. Through the blowouts, optimistic fans see a future. They point to the nucleus of local talent that Beaty has drawn in and the big-name recruits (such as 2018 four-stars Devonta Jason and Corione Harris) who have committed to play in Lawrence. Local products Joe Dineen Jr., Bryce Torneden and Keith Loneker Jr. all play important roles on defense, and it likely won’t be long before freshman Jay Dineen is filling key snaps as well. This homegrown talent is exciting, but it is also one-sided. All of Kansas’ local players went to

Free State, aside from freshman kicker Cole Brungardt, who has not seen action this season. Since 2008, Kansas football has had a total of two players from Lawrence High — Brungardt and former walkon Tyler Hunt. This is not due to an absence of LHS football talent. LHS class of 2016 graduates Amani Bledsoe and JD Woods were two of the best football talents Lawrence had seen in years. Bledsoe is currently earning valuable snaps for a top-10 team in Oklahoma along the defensive line, while Woods ranks second in the NAIA in rushing, leading a dynamic Baker offense. While rushing stats from NAIA don’t translate exactly to FBS-level competition, Woods has more than 300 more rushing yards this season than Kansas’ entire team. Trey Georgie (Illinois State), Price Morgan (Air Force) and Kobe Buffalomeat (Illinois State) have also gone on to Division 1 programs during the past two seasons, none of them seriously courted by Beaty. To be fair to the Kansas staff, they did recruit Bledsoe, a consensus top100 prospect, diligently. Oklahoma just happened to be the better option for him (it’s fair to wonder whether an offer to one of Bledsoe’s talented teammates, such as Woods or Georgie,

N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY GARY SCHMIDT

would have helped KU’s case). Lawrence High won 38 games from 2011 to 2016, not a far cry from Free State’s 50 during the same period. Free State has produced five Kansas football players during that period compared to one for LHS. One has to wonder: Does Free State really have that much more talent, or is the staff just failing to recruit LHS kids? That question was answered quickly on Oct. 31 when LHS senior and Kansas State football commit Ekow Boye-Doe told the Lawrence Journal-World that “[KU] didn’t really recruit me. But I’m not mad about it.” There is no excuse for Beaty’s staff not trying to sell Boye-Doe hard on joining the program. 247Sports.com ranks him as the No. 3 high school prospect in the state of Kansas and the No. 94 cornerback in the country. Cornerback has been a position of need since Beaty arrived on campus, and he flatly ignored a super-talented one playing half a mile from his office. Beaty’s failure to recruit an outstanding prospect from his home ground will be a lasting one. Will future LHS prospects remember that Beaty showed no interest outside of

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“”

SUCCESSFULLY LANDING THE BEST LOCAL PROSPECTS — NOT JUST FROM ONE SCHOOL — IS THE KEY TO REBUILDING A FOOTBALL PROGRAM. —JACKSON HOY, STAFF WRITER

an obligatory scholarship offer to BoyeDoe? Will Beaty even recruit these hypothetical future prospects? Frankly, it makes sense that Boye-Doe is not mad about Kansas’ failure to recruit him. Kansas State’s football program is wildly more successful and well-built than Kansas’, and the Wildcats produce more NFL prospects every year. However, it’s hard to say that Beaty’s utter failure in drawing in LHS prospects is not part of his lack of success. KU’s 2007 Orange Bowl squad featured three former Chesty

A STATE DIVIDED— Senior cornerback and receiver, Ekow Boye-Doe received scholarship offers to both KU and KSU, but ultimately choose KSU. He said KU hadn’t done much to recruit him. Photo illustration by Gary Schmidt and Alicia Ruder

Lions, including All-Big 12 Second Team running back Brandon McAnderson. Successfully landing the best local prospects — not just from one school — is the key to rebuilding a football program. The only time Beaty has shown any serious interest in a non-Bledsoe LHS prospect was in the case of Brungardt, about whom Beaty said, “He’s friends with my daughter, so I know who he is.” It took a personal connection to get Beaty to notice a prospect playing five minutes from his office. We are seeing the travesty of overlooking Lawrence High players play out once again in the case of LHS senior quarterback Dante’ Jackson, who already has at least one Division 1 offer from Northern Colorado. There is no reason for KU not to throw at least the offer of a preferred walkon Jackson’s way. His multi-positional talent is clear, and having

him on the roster would give the staff a connection to LHS in the event that another Bledsoe-level prospect emerges. It is difficult not to wonder whether KU would have already offered Jackson if he was playing across town. Jackson compares to current Jayhawk safety and former Firebird Bryce Torneden as a quarterback/defensive back hybrid who was overlooked as a recruit because of his size. Torneden originally committed to North Dakota State — a similar caliber school to Northern Colorado — before flipping his commitment to Kansas. Letting Jackson slip through the cracks without even giving him the chance to consider a future at KU would be a big mistake. The staff has already messed up by letting Georgie, Buffalomeat, Morgan, Boye-Doe and others leave Lawrence without a serious offer from the Jayhawks. How they handle recruiting Jackson will be a sign of whether they see the value in building a local pipeline or continue to only pay attention to high school football north of 15th Street.

PAGE DESIGN BY GARY SCHMIDT • NOV. 16, 2017

28 • THE BUDGET

OPINION

UNIDAD DEL MUNDO

World intervention is needed against the Venezuelan crisis BY NIKKI AQUI

OPINION EDITOR

haven’t met a person who has as much admiration for their home country as my father does for his home of Venezuela. For as long as I can remember, my father has made a conscious effort to ensure that I am filled with pride for my ethnic background. He has surrounded me with as much Venezuelan culture as he possibly can while being in Kansas. Because of this effort, I can now recall my childhood to be filled with memories of Venezuelan flags, food and music from my dad’s band “Son Venezuela.” You do not get more patriotic than making a band in dedication to your country. I too love Venezuela. It’s a country I’ve never seen, and it’s one I won’t be able to see anytime soon because of years of bad political decisions that have left people desperate to survive. Venezuela no longer resembles the country of my father’s youth. In the past, it was known for having a higher standard of living compared to other South American countries. This is due

to Venezuela having some of the most massive oil reserves in the world. In 1998 socialist Hugo Chavez was elected president. At the time of Chavez’s presidency, oil prices had skyrocketed, allowing Chavez to spend an incredible amount of money on his socialist reforms. It was easy to supply people with whatever they needed. In 2013, Chavez died and Nicolas Maduro, also a socialist, was elected as president. In 2014, the oil industry that Venezuela had always relied on for income sunk to an all-time low, and Venezuela began seeing massive social and economic changes. Suddenly, medicine and food was out of reach for Venezuelans. Because of these changes, the people of Venezuela began protesting in opposition to the “Maduro revolution.” Since 2014, the number of protests and protesters has grown immensely. Now, millions of protesters flood the streets of Caracas. More than 140 protesters have been killed in clashes with security forces, more than 1,000 have been injured and hundreds have been arrested. Seeking to save Venezuela, the Democratic Unity, or “Unidad,” obtained a

NO+

DICTADURA

ra u d a t c i No+D N0V. 16, 2017 • PAGE DESIGN BY ASHLEE BROWN

two-thirds majority in their parliament which, by the laws of Venezuela, means they are able to block legislation. However, by the time of the vote, Maduro had been given far too much power. He forced three of the members of Unidad to quit, taking away the ability to block legislation. After this Maduro appointed members who favor him in every branch of government, making the possibility of democratic change in Venezuela virtually impossible. In a timespan of just three years, the Venezuelan economy has turned to shambles, and 75 percent of citizens are starving. Gas stations have lines that go on for miles, grocery stores are empty, and when there is food, the stores are quickly looted and left empty once more. Maduro has taken any chance he can get to manipulate the people of Venezuela to support the revolution. The government issues Chivista cards to those not in opposition of him. Chivista cards benefit those who have them with food. People find alternative

THE BUDGET

ways to get food without the cards. For example, my grandparents rely on my family to ship medicine and food to them. What was once a country that had the strongest currency in the world is now experiencing an inflation crisis that is unbelievable. “World of Warcraft” gold now has more value than Venezuelan currency. To restore peace and order in Venezuela a multitude of drastic changes socially and economically needs to take place. The people in Venezuela must demand the establishment of independence in the judiciary and National Assembly. Latin American leaders should immediately address the Venezuelan crisis, engage in the conversation and force unbiased monitors when organizing the country’s next elections to ensure a fair vote. But before anything else, there needs to be humanitarian aid in the country to relieve the suffering of the Venezuelan people. The crisis can not be ignored or tolerated for any longer. Governmental action needs to be taken now.

GRAPHIC BY CECILIA SANCHEZ VARGAS

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‘WHITE PRIDE’ NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF BY ROLLIN LOVE

GUEST EDITORIAL

ecently, posters stating “IT’S OKAY TO BE WHITE” were hung around the school. On the surface, it appears to a positive message about being unashamed of one’s racial background. Upon deeper evaluation, however, the phrase is more sinister. This poster is a recruitment tactic for white nationalist groups. Their hope is that white people who already feel victimized or oppressed due to their whiteness will be drawn to their causes. The phrasing makes it difficult to respond to. When the slogan is attacked, it, again, reaffirms their belief that their whiteness is under attack. If it’s not called out, others could agree. Despite the seemingly inevitable loss, I will not stand by and let this continue. I was the first to tear the sign down and report it to administration. So what is white pride, and why do white people insist on flaunting this so-called identity? The idea of “white culture” does not truly exist, any more than “Asian culture” or “African culture.” The diaspora of Europeans across Ameri-

ca is too broad and regionally diverse to have a shared culture based in whiteness. There are no white culture festivals or white culture holidays. The term “white pride” was created and propagated by racist organizations such as the KKK. It was created to be a more palatable word for the general public which associated white supremacists with the laundry list of historical abuses done by Europeans in the name of racial superiority. The usage of “white pride” became popularized in the late 20th century as a reaction to increased equity for minority groups. Phrases such as “black pride,” “LGBTQIA+ pride” and “Latinx pride” differ from white pride in that they are defensive in nature. “Black pride,” for example, is used to empower black people who have been historically oppressed. This phrase is meant to create a sense of self worth among a group of people who have been systemically and socially told that they are less than. Comparatively, “white pride” is aggressive and on the offensive. Its purpose is to reassert white privilege and a higher social status of white people. The entire purpose and creation is the result of white people feeling oppressed by minorities reclaiming equal status in society. This is why “white pride” isn’t a positive movement, but an oppressive one. I implore my fellow students and staff to speak out against this kind of rhetoric in the future. Next time, I want to see other Lions standing up against hate and racism. LHS is not a place for white supremacy.

PAGE DESIGN BY ASHLEE BROWN • NOV. 16, 2017

BIRD

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Go Lions! 535 Gateway Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049 785-331-0106

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LETTER FROM THE EDITORS BY GARY SCHMIDT EDITOR IN CHIEF

As the year wears on, casual sweater-weather turns into bundled-up, knitted-hat wearing, warming-your-car-up before you leave type of weather. For some, it’s a relief. For many, myself included, it’s a trying transition. Leaving for school when it’s dark and leaving school when it’s dark, it seems as the hours of light slowly dwindle away, as does my energy. However, as the world freezes up around us, the academic environment only proceeds to heat up. Entering the final stretch of the year, where every grade matters, this is truly the most critical stretch of the year; the last stretch where you can save your grades before finals hits your square in the jaw. Stress reaches overwhelming highs, and you shut down. This is my personal experience. However, for many, alternatives to this are discovered and exercised. This issue, we look at how students find different ways of managing school, differing from the normal first through seventh schedule at the main school. A luxury that is often undervalued and under utilized is just how flexible Lawrence High School is. Want to get a head start in the Auto Industry? Head right over to the district’s new state-of-the-art auto shop. Don’t want to take a class in a normal class setting? Enroll in the Lawrence Virtual School and receive credit toward your graduation for classes you take from home. Though a framework is established for the average student, it is not set in stone. In this issue, we feature those who step outside the norm, and advocate for their own best educational interests.

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JOURNALISM SUPPORTERS

LENDING A LION PAW RED & BLACK DONORS

Edmonds Duncan Advisors The Easleys

THE STAFF

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MISSION STATEMENT The Budget is committed to providing the Lawrence High School community with objective, inclusive news coverage that ensures relevance to its readers. The staff devotes itself to the exercise of First Amendment rights and upholding the highest of journalistic standards. While the paper is a vessel to publish student voice, it conjointly acts as an educational entity holding the intent of bettering student journalistic ability and reader’s access to information. ABOUT US The Budget is published every four 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. STAFF Jade Auchenbach, Sahra Barker-Hastings, Deliece Bonito, Shayla Brillhart, Ashlee Brown, Mary Carr, Will Damron, Daniel Davidson, Ashley Dykes, Emmy Easley, Harry Easley, Abigail English, Noah Ginsberg, Emily Gordon-Ross, Izzy Hedges, Krista Hopkins, Jackson Hoy, Elijah Jackson, Symon Knox, Emily Kruse, Alex Lane, Jacob Lashley, Aidin Manning, Anna Parnell, Tabby Peters, Allison Ramaley, Mia Robinson, Cecilia Sanchez Vargas, Taeghan Sharpe, Mira Simms, Freeman Spray, Monica Steffes, Monica Steffes, Chloe Thornton, Sami Turner, Pam Vue, McKenna White, Andrew Williams, Elyzebeth Workman

2018 EDITORS

THE BUDGET NEWSPAPER Alicia Ruder �� Editor in Chief Gary Schmidt �� Editor in Chief Hannah Gaines �� Photo Editor Connor Schmaus �� Managing Editor Nikki Aqui ��Opinion Editor RED & BLACK YEARBOOK Harry Easley �� Editor in Chief Kira Auchenbach �� Editor in Chief Addisson Thornsbury �� Photo Editor Luna Stephens..................................................................Managing Editor/Writing Emma Howard �� Managing Editor/Design Skylar Steichen �� Senior Ads Editor Maya Weslander �� Portraits Editor LHSBUDGET.COM William Yanek �� Editor in Chief Anahita Hurt �� Editor in Chief Izzy Hedges �� Assistant Editor Anna D’Ercole �� Webmaster JOURNALISM EDITORS Rilee German-Martinez �� Copy Chief Macy Landes �� Copy Chief Nola Levings ��Video Editor David Obadare ��Video Editor Cooper Wright �� Sports Editor Trey Hulse �� Sports Editor Sydney Pritchard �� Captions Editor Veda Cobb ��Business Manager

PAGE DESIGN BY GARY SCHMIDT • NOV. 16, 2017

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

GALA NIGHT — Sophomore Marian Frick performs during Gala on Nov. 7 in the auditorium. Lawrence High raised more than $16,000 at the Gala to fund the school’s music department. “It was challenging to play the piece without a conductor,” Frick said. “Sometimes we wouldn’t start together, so we had to practice many times starting the piece and keeping the tempo.” Photo by Emily Kruse