the budget
Belting out a song and slamming on his Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, freshman Griffin Nelson performs with his local band, Secret 77. To read the story, see Page 5.
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Homecoming royalty mark firsts Homecoming court seen as a ‘melting pot’ By Kendra Schwartz Nearly falling over at the sound of her own name, senior Puja Shah gripped the arm of her partner, Narito Mendez, thankful she wasn’t sporting heels beneath her turquoise floor-length gown. Her equally shocked king, senior Matt Rood, made his way over to Shah and beamed down at her. “Is this really happening?” Shah asked Rood the
second they sat down in their golf cart. Rood looked out at the field, then back to Shah and shrugged. Although Shah and Rood were humbled, their wins on Friday night meant much more than a plastic crown, plastic tiara and velvet robes. The wins represented sociocultural change in conservative Kansas. Rood is thought to be the first openly gay homecoming king at Lawrence High while Shah is the first Indian-American queen. “Matt is a really unique person, and he’s really become confident with who he is, so that’s why I was so happy that other people saw what he already knows,” Matt’s mother, Cyndi Rood, said. “I think that the reason he did win was that he is so confident
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about who he is, and he will educate people and talk to them about being gay. He doesn’t see himself as an activist. He just sees himself as who he is.” Rood is proud of his identity and hopes to encourages others to be proud, too. “All you tadpole gays better come out right now,” Rood said. “There’s a lot of not-out youth in Lawrence who I have talked to in the past, and I would love everyone to feel comfortable enough to accept who they are and to come out. It’s such a weight off your shoulders.” Rood didn’t see being openly gay as a big factor in his selection to homecoming court. Neither did his favorite teacher and Gay-Straight Alliance Club sponsor, Shannon Draper.
“While it is a true testament to the open and accepting world of LHS that we have an openly gay student nominated for Homecoming Court, the best part about Matt Rood being up for this social accolade is that Matt is such a good-hearted person,” Draper said, prior to hearing the results. “If Matt wins, it would be incredible not because he's a young gay man but because he is a remarkably honest and kind young man, qualities which define him far more than his orientation.” Continued on Page 2.
Getting crowned as homecoming king and queen, seniors Matt Rood and Puja Shah become instant royalty Friday night. Photo by Kendra Schwartz
Vol. 124, Issue 1, OCT. 2, 2013
news
OCT. 2,2013
the
Budget Letter from the editors-in-chief
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 Ashley Hocking and Kendra Schwartz lhsbudget.com Zach Spears (Online Editor) Staff Charles Backus Roscoe Bradt Brooke Braman Courtney Cooper Joaquin Dorado Michaela Durner Brandon Ellis Ryan Hutchins Zia Kelly Gage Nelson Vail Moshiri (Social Media Editor) Harley Phelps (Opinion Editor) Kendall Pritchard Alexis Riner Matt Roe Peter Romano (Copy Editor) Nia Rutledge Genevieve Voigt Advertising designer Nico Palacio Adviser Barbara Tholen Business manager Pat Treff
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Dear Readers, In this issue of the newspaper, we discuss the idea of “not judging a book by its cover.” As cliché as this trope is, it’s important to keep in mind in a high school setting. That girl in your English class who who falters while reading Hamlet aloud is dyslexic. The boy who can’t stay awake in class was up until 2 a.m. lis-
tening to his parents bickering. The girl on pom whom you smirk at for twerking is embarrassed by her frail figure. As the opinion piece, “Provocative dance moves make headlines” mentions, twerking affects how we see people — for better or worse. Although some inappropriate gyrating can illustrate the character of an individual, the choreographic twerking performed by the pom squad in no way represents the character of the students on the squad. Five out of the 10 pom squad members take heavy loads of AP classes. Although they have performed moves some would label as “provocative,” their true personalities are that of scholars. Another racy issue covered in this edition of The Budget was in the story, “Let’s talk about sex.” We deem sexual education in high school health
Homecoming: Candidate embraced her Indian culture in candidate video Continued from Page 1. Shah’s win came less than two weeks after Nina Davuluri became the first Indian-American crowned Miss America. Shah admires Davuluri and how she embraced her culture in performing an Indian dance in the competition. “So I was like, ‘why not,’ and had them play Jai Ho for my [homecoming video] Vine, and, ‘Why not have them accept me for who I am?’ ” Shah said. Although Shah is proud of her Indian culture, she refuses to allow race to define her. “I think for other people it’s a bigger deal that I’m a minority and got crowned,” Shah said. “For me, first and foremost, I see myself as a student of Lawrence High and not an Indian student. I see myself more as someone who wants to give back to the school what they’ve given to me in the past few years.” Although Davuluri faced racist backlash on social media after her crowning, Shah does not fear the same negative reactions. “I’m not too worried about anything, because with Lawrence High, it’s a really accepting community. With Nina Davuluri’s situation, it was more of a national concept,” Shah said. “Obviously there’s always gonna be people who disagree with the outcome, but I can’t let that, and Matt can’t let that stop us from enjoying the fact that this happened to us.” Although they were initially unfamiliar with the idea of homecoming, Puja’s parents Ashwin and Geeta Shah have realized the importance of this title and supported her through this process. “[I was] shocked. This makes history for myself, my country,” Ashwin Shah said. “Puja was born here, she lives here, she is American. So to me, it’s America and India coming together. It’s a very good time for change and time for acceptance. I think American people also are looking for the change. They are accepting other people as American as well.” Always the first to snap pictures of Puja throughout her homecoming week, Ashwin Shah grew increasingly supportive of her spot on court. “I think my dad has some sort of pride that I’m on homecoming court even though he hasn’t gone through it,” Puja Shah said. “It’s just something that I’m getting recognized for, so they’re there to support me in whatever this homecoming thing is.” Although both Shah and Rood are humble about their wins, they set a precedent for future courts to embrace diversity. “This year’s homecoming court was kind of a melting pot,” Shah said. “We had different ethnicities, different aspects of the school. We had the music department, we had athletes, and we had different friend groups. I think that’s a good representation of how LHS is becoming more progressive. It’s nice to see you get recognized just for being involved and being a nice human being.”
classes inadequate in providing real-life answers to the questions students are afraid to ask their parents. Even in health class, students may be afraid to ask these questions in fear of being labeled as promiscuous. Still, opinion writer Nia Rutledge described how she was brave enough to ask: “Why do guys get morning wood?” The health teacher answered, “I don’t think anyone in the world knows the answer to that question.” We easily found this not to be the case. These morning erections, or as Web MD classifies them, “Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT)” are a result of male REM sleep cycles. The common myth that these erections result from sexual dreams have been proved false by basic research. Another question that went unan-
swered was regarding the term “blue waffle.” No proof of exists that this is a sexually transmitted disease. The examples mentioned in that opinion story are the elements of sexual education that high school students desire to learn. So a question that inevitably arises is, “What else aren’t they telling us?” Whether you hear a fellow classmate speak up in your health class or watch a friend at a dance recital twerk it out, avoid making rash judgments or “slut shaming.” Sincerely,
Kendra Schwartz and Ashley Hocking
Cross-town high schools’ homecomings conflict Overlap leaves courts battling for attendance By Brooke Braman When making plans for Sept. 27, senior Anish Patel had a decision to make: which homecoming to attend. This year, both Lawrence High School and Free State High School held their homecomings the same night. The decision about which homecoming to attend was more difficult for Patel than most students because, though he is enrolled at Free State, he also takes classes at LHS that aren’t offered at FSHS. “I don’t think it is a good idea [to have both homecomings on the same night] because as a community we all have friends at both schools, and it’s hard choosing between them,” said Patel, who ultimately attended LHS’ homecoming game. Scheduling events like dances, pep rallies and homecoming is conducted at each school with little coordination between the two. “We both have such different schedules and needs it’s hard to coordinate. We let each other know when things are coming, but it’s really difficult to coordinate schedules,” said assistant principal Mark Preut, who,for the past couple of years worked with now retired athletic director Ron Common’s to develop LHS’ yearly calendar. This year, both schools were limited in possible dates for homecoming due to a lack of home football games and the need to respect religious holidays. “We look at religious holidays and the football schedule and try not to overlap events like homecoming with holidays like Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur,” said Preut. The resultant overlapping homecoming games was frustrating to students at both schools. “I think it’s a bad idea. It’s always
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been fun in the past to be at both schools’ homecomings to see everyone and get the experience of what their homecoming is like,” said senior Haley Ryan, an LHS homecoming court candidate. “I think it has bummed a lot of people out that they have to choose between homecomings to attend, which just increases the so-called rivalry.” Madeline Chestnut, a FSHS senior and homecoming court candidate was disappointed she couldn’t attend LHS’ homecoming game. “I do have friends on LHS’ homecoming court, which is why it’s such a bummer that they are on the same night,” she said. “I would have loved to support and cheer them on.” Further frustration arose due to the similar natures of the homecoming candidate videos from each school. Like the concurrent homecoming games, the similarity between the two videos was coincidental due to a lack of coordination. Though some students were embittered by the coinciding homecomings and similar videos, others were less affected. “I personally don’t feel like it is a problem to have them on the same night even though I have friends who are homecoming candidates at Free State,” senior and LHS homecoming court candidate Kieran Severa said. “If any of my friends win, I will probably just text them saying congratulations, but I could understand how someone who has good friends on both courts may feel pressure when choosing which one to go to.” Severa’s fellow court candidate Abbey Berland shared a similar view. “It’s always hard because there are people who want to go to both homecomings and will have to make a choice... but I think it’s cool to stick to your own school,” Berland said.
news
OCT. 2,2013
New school year brings new student clubs
New clubs vary from break-dancing to feminism, membership growing By Brooke Braman Break-dancing Club President: James Harader-Ellett Meetings: In the gym before school on late arrival Thursdays Purpose: To have fun and learn how to break dance Book Club Sponsor: Shelle Rosenfeld Meetings: After school on early dismissal Thursdays in the library. The schedule is posted in Student Services. Purpose: To share,discuss and discover books. Everyone is welcome. All literary genres are welcome. Dr. Who Club Presidents: Kennedy Clicks-
dale and Brittany Morgan Sponsor: Ann Foster Meetings: Tuesdays after school in Foster’s room (Room 122) Purpose: To watch and enjoy Dr. Who. All are welcome, even those who have not previously watched Dr. Who. Young Feminists Club Presidents: Mallory McFall and Olivia Randolph Sponsor: Shannon Draper Meetings: Every other Wednesday after school in Draper’s room (room 209) Purpose: To create an environment of acceptance across gender lines and encourage equality, and to study current gender equality issues while members form individual opinions.
Why was Doctor Who club started? “We liked ‘Doctor Who’ and felt it would be fun to watch with a bunch of people.” —Kennedy Clinkscale Number of club members: 15- 20 people
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Presidents: Kennedy Clinkscale Brittany Morgan Sponsor: Mrs. Foster Graphic by Joaquin Dorado
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Feature
Ukrainian student excels in math
Polina Merezhoko provides pre-calculus class with new methods and cultural immersion By Kendra Schwartz For most students, math is hard enough without having to worry about a language barrier. However, for Ukrainian exchange student, junior Polina Merezhko, the fact that English is her second language does little to hinder her success in math class. Although it did not take long for Merezhko to excel in her pre-calculus course, she initially feared she wouldn’t be successful. “[The] first week was awful. I received a C+ just because I couldn’t understand all of the tasks,” Merezhko said. “They were so difficult, and I was like, ‘Maybe I should take Algebra I for the little kids.’ ” One of the biggest hurdles Merezhko faced was using a graphing calculator. “I haven’t tried to use graphing calculators. All my class were doing it and I was like, ‘How can I do this?’ ” Merezhko said. “Even with multiple big numbers, we are not allowed to use [calculators] in any class in Ukraine.” Despite her shaky start, Merezhko soon got affirmation from her teacher, Stephanie Magnuson. Instead of taking Pre-Calculus, Magnuson suggested she should be enrolled in Calculus. “I felt her math IQ was very high, and she should be in a class that would challenge her to learn new material rather than merely new ways to complete tasks she already understands,” Magnuson said. Merezhko’s recent success in class can partially be attributed to a different approach to education in Ukraine. As her American counterparts were learning a lengthened strategy to complete the square, Merezhko and her Ukrainian classmates solved the same problem in half the time. “In Ukraine, we would always try to find something the easiest way, and we’d do it,” Merezhko said. “But in America, [it is] difficult to understand why they are doing this way when it’s just so simple.” Although Merezhko finds this specific element of American schooling difficult, she generally sees
education here as being simpler. “The tasks are so easy. [In America], the tasks are usually to find an answer, but in Ukraine we usually have tasks for analyzing something,” Merezhko said. “Like we haven’t got enough numbers to have an answer, so we should think a little more.” The students in Merezhko’s pre-calculus class both admire and envy her math skills. Magnuson and Merezhko’s classmates have not only embraced some of the new techniques that Merezhko has introduced but have begun to adopt a few of them in solving math problems. Not only does the class enjoy Merezhko’s new techniques, but they also get a unique cultural experience simply by having her in class. “Lawrence High students are so incredibly fortunate to be exposed to so much diversity within our school,” Magnuson said. “Polina allows us another opportunity to be indirectly exposed to a culture we may otherwise have known nothing about.” One of her classmates, sophomore Abby Hosek appreciates the new diversity of having a Ukrainian student in the classroom as well as the methods that Merezhko has introduced. “I wish that teachers would teach us more about word problems, because she always is really fast at them,” Hosek said. “So if we would’ve learned how to do that younger, like she did, [the problems] would be a lot easier.” The idea that Merezhko has such ardent involvement in the teaching that occurs in her Pre-Calculus class is in sheer contrast to the lecture-style teaching in her school in Ukraine. “It helps to have these teachers because the teachers love the subject, and if you love something you always can be successful in it,” Merezhko said. “But in Ukraine, we always have a lot of homework, which we do at home, but it’s boring and the teachers are a little boring. American teachers are trying to lead the new ways. They know what is Facebook. They are on Facebook. But Ukrainian teachers [don’t] like the new ways of communication; like they’re very old school guys.”
What’s on your mind? German exchange students are asked: What is the biggest
difference between school in America and school in Germany? “The school is much bigger, and you have to go to the teacher’s room, not your room.” —Claudius Winkler, junior
4 the
“The big difference is that American schools are much bigger than German schools. . . Another difference is that you always have the same classes in the same order every day, and in Germany they change everyday.” —Henrieke Bockelmann, junior
“You have your [student ID] cards, and we don’t need this because at our school there are around 500 people, and here there are 1,500 people, so that’s big.” —Hanna Schröder, junior
“The biggest difference, I think, is that the students change classes, because in Germany the teachers change classes and go to the students, and here it’s different.” — Lisa Besser, junior
“You can pick your classes, and you don’t have a schedule that is given by the school, as in Germany.” —Sascha Sacknieß, junior
“The relationship between the teachers and the pupils, because you don’t have to put up your hands before you say something, and you can listen to music and stand up whenever you want, and that’s crazy.” —Katharina Stuetzer, junior
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Smiling as she learns a new math concept, junior Polina Merezhko provides a unique point of view in her Pre-Calculus class. Photo by Ashley Hocking
Merezhko was surprised to realize that many of the American teachers are “more like friends than teachers” as well as the multitude of classes offered, specifically the electives. “Our education is much more about just education,” Merezhko said. “So we must be good at math and physics and all this science, and we shouldn’t be good at like, art. But in American school I think it’s
Lawrence, Kansas Population: 87,643 Size: 34.26 square miles School bus to school Offers school lunch 7 hour school days
not like this. You can be good at art and science and whatever you want.” Although Merezhko continues to receive Ukrainian tutoring via Skype, she appreciates the sociocultural knowledge she gains through American education. “I am really waiting to come back and tell my friends about my experience here and all the things about American school and about American lifestyle,” Merezhko said. “So I’m trying to study all of the same things my classmates are studying now in Ukraine so I will be able to pass my finals — to pass them good — and go to university.”
1964 First contacts established by Helmut Huelsbergen.
April 1, 2007 The 20-member Guitar Orchestra of Eutin performed before about 270 people in Liberty Hall.
Eutin, Germany Population: 17,298 Size: 15.98 square miles City bus to school No school lunch College like schedule
June 2007 Eutin and Lawrence renewed their bond as sister cities amidst celebrations of Eutin's 750th anniversary. Lawrence artist Jan Gaumnitz presented a sculpture to the city of Eutin.
Lawrence and its sister city, Eutin, Germany, are compared and contrasted based on information provided by the six foreign exchange students from Germany. Graphic by Gage Nelson
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Feature
OCT. 2,2013
Upcoming freshmen band take the stage
A trio of young musicians get a jump-start on their music career by building a local reputation By Peter Romano De facto high school law implies freshmen have hardly accomplished anything worth acknowledging. However, this year’s batch of freshmen contains three unassuming kids that have made many accomplishments already. Freshmen Cooper Avery, Sam Griffin, and Griff Nelson are each one third of the band Secret 77. These three may be young and some may think they look too inexperienced to be calling themselves a band, but Secret 77 is no joke. The band was formed two and a half years ago by drummer Cooper Avery and guitarist/vocalist Sam Griffin. The pair later recruited Griff Nelson to be their bassist and lead vocalist. “I didn’t [join] until the summer after our sixth grade year,” Nelson said. “We technically met over Xbox Live and Facebook. [Sam] said ‘Oh, hey I need a bass player for my band. Would you wanna play bass?’ and I was like ‘Sure’ and we just went from there.” The band did have other members at the beginning, but those few did not end up working out. “They didn’t really [know how to play] the instruments they said they did,” Avery said. The band began with one member doing most of the writing work, but once the members settled into their duties and
were more comfortable working with each other, it truly became a group effort. “It used to be where I would pretty much write the whole song, but then it became more of an us thing instead of just a me thing. Which is good so we get more ideas put into one song.” Nelson said. All their hard work has paid off. The band started playing at local venues and even at venues out of Lawrence before they were out of middle school. “We drove like two hours to Riley, Kan., once to play at something called the Riley Resurrection Festival,” Griffin said. Avery noticed that the people of Riley were not accustomed to the kind of music they were playing. “It was really awkward because no one there liked us,” Avery added. The question that Secret 77 has had the most trouble answering is what kind of music they play. With all the influences the band draws on, the sound is a little out of the ordinary. “We’ve been told it’s like a mix of pop punk, metal core, hardcore — stuff like that,” Griffin said. Now when band members are asked the difficult question of what genre they are, they no longer have to try and explain with words. Secret 77 recently released its first full-length album that they recorded and mixed. “The new album was made complete-
ly independently by us,” Nelson said. One of the biggest challenges the band faces is being so much younger than almost every band in the music scene. The bands they have played with do not think too highly of Secret 77 at first glance. “No one takes us seriously,” Nelson said. “[The other bands] are like ‘Oh! Little kids? What are we going to do with these guys? These guys are going to be awful.” Band members knew going into the music scene that they would have to deal with the obvious age difference. They knew other bands can be discouraging, but the young Secret 77 musicians did their best to keep the negative comments from getting them down. “[It discouraged us] a little bit at first, but now we just don’t care anymore,” Griffin said. “We got over it,” Nelson added. Despite all the challenges Secret 77 faces with being a young and new band in a constantly changing music scene and industry, they push on. “We started the band because we all love music and just wanted to get on a stage and have a great time,” Nelson said.
Shredding on his Telecaster guitar, freshman Sam Griffin performs at the Jackpot with Secret 77 on Sept. 13. Photo by
Peter Romano
New club inspires students to make a difference
Young Feminist Club emerges to discuss and challenge gender equality issues in the community By Ryan Hutchins As clubs filled the cafeteria for the annual club fair, a few new names stood out, namely the Young Feminist Club. Six boys signed up and attended the first meeting, including junior Jose Tryon. “I wanted to join the feminist club because I felt that it’s another step toward a form of equal rights. I wanted to learn more about it,” Tryon said. “I didn’t know exactly what feminism is, and I’m willing to learn.” Juniors Mallory McFall and Olivia
Randolph, co-presidents, created the club. “[I wanted] to communicate with other people and I figured other people did as well,” McFall said. Young Feminist Club members plan on meeting every other week in sponsor Shannon Draper’s classroom. Topics will cover women’s inequality issues, but other issues will be brought up as well. While McFall and Randolph have similar definitions of feminism, they differ when it comes to their favorite parts of being a feminist.
“[My favorite part] is that I’m always learning and that I can talk to other people and that I’m always adapting to make myself a better person,” McFall said. On the other hand, Randolph said she likes being able to open people’s eyes to issues that affect women. “To be honest, I just hate that some people just use females as a doormat. It really bugs me,” Tryon said. “I just want to help raise awareness that that’s not OK and that females are just as smart, if not smarter, than what society really leads them on to be.”
One prominent feminist that stands out to the co-presidents is Wendy Davis. Davis recently filibustered the Texas legislature during debate on an abortion bill. As well as discussing feminist issues, McFall and Randolph plan on extending the club into the community. Randolph said she wants to visit some women’s help centers in Lawrence, such as Willow Domestic Violence Center to help and become more educated. “We think that if we can get our club out there and have people say, ‘Oh, these children are 16 years old and they care
so much about the equality of men and women that they started a club,’ people start listening,” Randolph said. Draper would love to see the club in action because she thinks it will always be a relevant issue and that as long as students can talk about it, the more they will be connected to the world at large. “[Feminism] as a social movement or as an activist platform is so much bigger than an individual classroom or a high school or a city or a state or a country,” Draper said. “It’s a global idea and concept.”
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sports
Football receiver tackles cancer
After overcoming Hodgkin’s Lymphoma disease, senior excels on the football field
(Above) Waiting to catch a pass, wide receiver Zay Boldridge powers down the field. The varsity football team played Shawnee Mission West on Sept. 20. Photo by Joseph Anderson
(Left) Cradling the football, Boldridge tries to dodge Shawnee Mission West football players as they go in for a tackle at the stadium at Shawnee Mission South. Photo by Joseph Anderson
By Ashley Hocking Last March, senior Zay Boldridge’s mother, Kalila, got a telephone call that changed Boldridge’s life forever. Boldridge’s doctor informed his mother that he was in cancer remission for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma disease. “Zay didn’t believe it and wanted to hear it from the doctor himself,” Kalila Boldridge said. “We went to the doctor and his oncologist told Zay that he was in remission.” Boldridge will continue to visit his doctor on a monthly basis for many years to ensure the disease does not return. “There’s always a possibility of it coming back,” Boldridge said. “But, we’re just hoping that it doesn’t.” Boldridge received the diagnosis on Dec. 9, 2012, a day before his 17th birthday. “That was the first time I ever saw my brother cry,” Boldridge said. Boldridge was bedridden in the hospital for a week. After countless tests were conducted, doctors concluded that he had not one, but two diseases in his chest. “There was a different disease in there called histoplasmosis eating the cancer, but it didn’t fully take it away. It just made it smaller,” Boldridge said. “It’s always going to grow back. That’s why I always have check-ups and stuff, so that we can make sure it doesn’t grow back faster.” Boldridge was discharged from the hospital just in time to make it to the LHS v. Free State basketball game on Dec. 14, 2012. Both city high school’s student sections set aside their rivalry for a night and adorned themselves with purple, the official color of
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Hodgkin’s Lymphoma disease. “I didn’t think that I’d get to play my senior year,” “We will always be forever grateful for how much Boldridge said. “It’s great to be back on the field.” time, effort and love was put into that game. It was With the football season in full swing, Wedd amazing to walk into that gym and see Zay walk by has stopped easing up on Boldridge because of his the crowd. I never thought I was going to see my disease. son leave the hospital,” Kalila Boldridge said. “I was “At first, Coach Wedd laid back off of me. He in total awe when I walked into the gym and saw used to yell at me like all the time. Now, he’s starting everybody in the ‘Pray for Zay’ shirts and in purple. to get in the yelling stage, which I don’t mind and I cried. Zay truly felt loved, and he needed that supI really want him to because that’s a motivation,” port from his school and the community.” Boldridge said. “I feel like I’m one of the leaders of Supporters collected donations, sold T-shirts and the team. They can look up to me and realize my wristbands and set up a bank account to help pay for situation.” medical bills. A grand total of $3,000 was amassed Ever since Boldridge defeated Hodgkin’s Lymfor the Boldridge family. phoma, he has pushed himself to live everyday as if For the following four months, Boldridge and it were his last. his family visited oncology and “I just keep moving infectious disease doctors three forward. You never know “I didn’t think that I’d get times a week. when your last breath is to play my senior year. When Boldridge received going to be or your last play,” the news that his body no longer Boldridge said. “Just do it as It’s great to be back on showed signs or symptoms of hard as you can. Don’t take a the field.” Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in March, day or a play off.” —Zay Boldridge, senior the first thought on his mind was His motivation has paid football. off. At the LHS v. Olathe He was not cleared to play South football game on Sept. contact sports until the fall sea5, Boldridge scored the first son had already begun. touchdown of the football season. “We didn’t get him until the second week in June. “When I scored that touchdown, it reminded me He had about seven weeks with us in the weight of when I beat it. It’s like the corner is the cancer and room,” head football coach, Dirk Wedd, said. “When I’m me. I just ran past the cancer and I just scored,” he walked in, he had not lost a great deal of strength, Boldridge said. “It was an amazing feeling at the which shocked us all. . .Once he got in the weight moment. I didn’t even know I was in the end zone at room, he gained a lot of strength.” first, I just kept running.” The wait did not hinder Boldridge. His only Moments like these show how far Boldridge has concern was getting to play under the Friday night come since his life-altering diagnosis last winter. lights once again. “Back in December, I was sitting in the hospital
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room… He goes, ‘Coach, you look like you don’t think I’m going to play next year.’ And I go, ‘Well, more importantly, let’s just make sure we get you well. Then, we’ll worry about football.’ He goes, ‘I’m playing and I’m going to be a good player for you,’” Wedd said. “You remember that stuff. When he did it, he came sprinting over. Basically, the G-version would be, ‘I told you I’d be back coach.’ It was cool, and that’s why you coach for 40 years — because of kids like that.” When football season comes to a close in November, Boldridge plans to trade in his helmet and shoulder pads for a jersey and basketball shorts. “I believe that this [basketball] season will be different for the boys’ relationships. The whole team of boys has endured so much right along with Zay,” Kalila Boldridge said. “I believe it will make their bonds stronger and relationships stronger. Last year and this year will be seasons they will never forget.” The past calendar year has been an eye opener for the Boldridge family and brought it closer than ever before. “Zay will always be an inspiration to me. Just the fact that he held his composure and kept himself together when I was falling apart. Of course, he had bad days during cancer and cried and yelled, but overall Zay chose to be a fighter instead of laying down and dying,” Kalila Boldridge said. “He proved that you can overcome anything with faith. He chose not to give up and look at him now.” Despite the obstacles Hodgkin’s Lymphoma disease has created for Boldridge, he has always kept a positive attitude. “I’ve always felt that I was going to beat it,” Boldridge said. “Even though I did have it, I never felt like I really did have it.”
Sports
Gymnastics team’s leadership changes
Geometry teacher takes on management of both city high schools’ gymnastics programs
OCT. 2,2013
Athlete performs twice on Fridays Junior juggles cheerleading and marching in halftime band show
By Ashley Hocking For the third year in a row, the gymnastics program has a new head coach. Brooke Kissinger replaced Jessica McMurray. “We’re really afraid every year that the program is going to get cut because we can’t find a coach,” senior and team captain, Allison Williams said. But unlike her predecessors, Kissinger intends to coach the gymnastics team long-term. “I’ve coached for the past nine years at various gyms and now I’m here,” Kissinger said. “I was ready to take on a new school.” With a more permanent coach, the gymnasts let out a sigh of relief. Junior Elizabeth Harms begins her second year on the team embracing the new leadership. “She’s a teacher at the school, so she’ll be around for a long time,” Harms said. First-year teacher Kissinger teaches Geometry and Algebra II. In addition to teaching and coaching, she is the head coach for the Free State gymnastics program as well. For many years, the teams have practiced together. “Most of the girls on the Free State team are girls I did club gymnastics with, so we’ve basically been a team since we were 8 years old,” Williams said. “It’s not that different from club gymnastics. But, we’re separated by schools, so that’s kind of hard.” For Kissinger, it is not a challenge to coach both high schools’ programs at the same time. “It’s not really any different than coaching one high school. The only thing I have to pay attention to is when I make lineups. I have to pay attention to what school the girls go to,” Kissinger said. “For practices and stuff, it doesn’t really matter if there’s two schools or one.” When the fall sports season began, many familiar faces from the gymnastics team were no longer on the lineup. Three state-level competitors from last year’s team chose not to continue with the program. To take their place, nine new athletes have joined the gymnastics program this year. “We’ve gotten a lot of new gymnasts and we have a full JV squad this year, so we’re a lot bigger of a team,” Harms said. To accommodate for the spike in participation, LHS added a junior varsity team to the program. Now, 11 out of the 13 schools in the Sunflower League have a JV gymnastics team.
By Courtney Cooper
“It’s pretty cool because we’ve never had enough girls to have a JV team,” Williams said. “I don’t think a lot of schools have a JV.” With a new arsenal of gymnasts, the Lions confidently competed at their season opener on Sept. 12. As a team, the varsity gymnasts received a third place trophy. Additionally, Williams secured four medals. “I wasn’t expecting to have such a good first meet. It was amazing to place so well at home,” Williams said. “It makes me excited for the season and what’s to come.” Junior Heather Wisbey and sophomore Ashley Ammann each medaled once. “I think that we’ll improve every meet and place higher and higher,” Ammann said. At the Shawnee Mission North Invitational on Sept. 14, the varsity team received ninth place. “Once we get some of our skills back and the season starts to progress, I think
Executing her beam routine, junior Elizabeth Harms performs at the Lawrence Quad on Sept. 12 as the new head coach, Brooke Kissinger, looks on. The meet was held at Lawrence High School. The gymnastics team placed third. Photo by Ashley Hocking
we’re going to get some new skills. It’ll be awesome,” Kissinger said. The team placed sixth at the Olathe East Invitational on Sept. 25. Williams, who received a third place medal for her beam routine, was the only gymnast to place at the meet. Regardless, the team has high hopes for the remaining meets left in the gymnastics season. “I think we’re working well as a team, but we definitely have a lot of room to improve and get better, which is always a good thing,” Williams said. “It’s better to start at the bottom and work your way up than to have to start at the top.”
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During the halftime show it can be hard trying to figure out who is who, but finding junior Emily Easum is never a challenge. Easum can be spotted on the sidelines with the varsity cheerleading team. She joined the cheer team her freshman year after giving up competitive cheerleading at G-Force Athletics. She can also be spotted toting a tuba during the halftime band show. Easum started off her band career by being a natural at the flute and later was recruited to tuba. Being in both band and cheer, Easum has to manage her time carefully to make sure she has time for both activities and school. “I’m pretty much busy everyday after school,” Easum said. “I do my homework as soon as I get home or else I won’t be able to start until nine.” Easum and many other students at LHS are encouraged and supported by the staff and coaches, like Shannon Biggerstaff. “I do not want to hold students back from participating in what interests them,” Biggerstaff said. “It is sometimes difficult to work around all the different schedules the activities have, but I think it is awesome for students to be so involved in their school.” She also receives help and support balancing her busy schedule from her band instructor, Tom Hunt. “I ask her how she’s doing,” Hunt said. “[We] support her and encouraging her to take care of business. We definitely want to make sure that she’s doing both band and cheer, and keeping up in all her other classes.”
Marching in line with the band on Friday, junior Emily Easum dons her cheerleading uniform while juggling the two activities. Photo by Kendra
Schwartz
On Friday nights just before a home football game, while the other cheerleaders are stretching and doing warm-up stunts, and band members are tuning their instruments to play, Easum has at go between the two to prepare herself for the night. “I go to cheer about five and I do the tailgate with my cheer team,” Easum said. “Then, around 5:30ish I run over to the band room, polish my tuba and take it to the track. I warm up with cheer. Then, I watch for the band, so I pick up my tuba, run over and march out for the fight song and pregame.” Even though Easum has a busy schedule, she thinks that more people should join lots of activities inside and outside of school. “I think more people should join any kind of activity because then you get to meet a bunch of people you have stuff in common with,” Easum said. “It’s a great way to make new friends especially for the incoming freshmen.” Playing a sport and being in band at the same time is not a rare thing at LHS. Sophomore Matthew Jacobson is a football player at LHS and also plays the bass drum in the half time show. “We want our kids to be as well rounded as possible,” Hunt said. “There’s so much more about being in band than just playing an instrument or marching on the field. It’s about the skills you get by doing that and how you apply them later in life.”
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OCT. 2,2013
sports
Quarterback transfers from rival school
Allegiance lines blur when Free State transfer student becomes a first-string player By Zia Kelly When the football team storms Free State’s home turf on Nov. 1, first-string quarterback Nyle Anderson will be looking for a triumph over his former teammates. During the summer, Anderson’s family made the decision to switch high schools, after spending his first two years at Free State. “It was about halfway through the summer and my dad and I were talking about it,” said Anderson, a junior. “Since he works here, I made the transfer. It’s easier for us.” Coach Dirk Wedd started training Anderson upon his arrival in July. “He has come in and made some good adjustments. He has learned the offense fairly quickly,” Wedd said. “We only got him in July, so he’s done a good job. He has fit in with the kids, and these are all attributes that we look for in a quarterback.” When Anderson joined the team in the midst of summer training, last year’s veterans were competing for their positions. Still, the rest of the team took Anderson in as soon as he joined. “He had a good point in transferring,” said Alan Clothier, a sophomore and second string quarterback. “It doesn’t affect me a lot because we are both quarterbacks. He helps me, and I help him.” Anderson’s reasons for transferring can be misconceived. To some, his transfer across town looked to be purely for football, which is against state athletic regulations. The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) discourages students choosing
Hurdling the pigskin, junior Nyle Anderson tries to pass the football to a fellow player during the home football game on Sept. 13. Photo by Gage Nelson
or transferring schools for athletics. Any athlete who transfers schools without any other reason is held to 18 weeks of competitive suspension. Athletic director Bill DeWitt deals with concerns regarding the regulations and ethical views of athletic transfers. “KSHSAA discourages students transferring solely for athletic opportunities. It’s an academic first institution,” DeWitt said. “We want kids to be here because they want to be here and because it’s a great academic school. If they transfer here for athletics, they should know that they will miss competition time.” However, since Anderson presented a reason aside from getting more playing time, he was cleared to transfer and start training without suspension. While LHS has embraced his arrival, his former team may not feel the same way about his decision. Junior Joel Spain has played with Anderson since the seventh grade, and talked about Free State’s perspective on the transfer. “From a football view, we lost a good player and LHS gained a new one,” Spain said. Fifteenth Street is not only the line between LHS and Free State, but also a division of allegiance for the entire city. While Anderson was not discouraged from switching, some students may see it as a reinforcement to the long-standing rivalry between the schools. “I think it will make it more fun,” Spain said.” He will know what we like to do and we’ll know what he plays like so it gives each of the teams an advantage.” Despite his start as a Firebird, LHS is happy to have gained Anderson as a player and a classmate. “He is a great quarterback. It doesn’t matter what school he comes from.” Clothier said. “I mean we don’t really like Free State, but he is a quarterback and we needed him, so he is helping us out a lot.”
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Submissions are now being accepted for the 2013-2014 edition of Graffiti Literary Magazine. The winter deadline is Dec. 15. Submit your poetry, short stories, nonfiction essays and artwork to graffiti.lit. magazine@gmail.com for consideration.
OPINION
OCT. 2,2013
The condom is 85% effective with typical use, 98% effective with perfect use in preventing pregnancy and STD.
92% effective against pregnancy and 98% effect with perfect use.
The Nuva Ring is 99.7% against pregnancy with perfect use. The ring does not protect against STD. 97% effective against pregnancy for typical use, 99% effective with perfect use. The shot does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
99% effective against pregnancy
99% effective when used as instructed in preventing pregnancy.
Let’s talk about sex Source: Planned Parenthood
Insufficient sexual education leaves students unprepared for life By Nia Rutledge With adolescence being the time for raging hormones and puppy love, students should be equipped with knowledge pertaining to all aspects of sex. It is impossible to walk through the hallways without seeing a couple holding hands, leaning against the lockers or mumbling “I love you.” The average age for people to lose their virginity is 17. When I was in health class last year, I recall going over sex-related topics for a week, although the main focus was set over the course of three days. Day one, Adam Green read from a slideshow that explained male genitalia, which only included inner anatomy. I asked Green, “Why do guys get morning wood?” My question caused the classroom to become a choir of laughter. I was serious and genuinely intrigued. “I don’t think that anyone in the world knows the answer to that question,” Green said.
Day two, another slideshow included basic information on female genitalia. It also was limited to inner anatomy. On day three Cori Green, Adam Green’s wife, came to talk about sexually transmitted infections. She said the only way to stay protected and healthy was to be abstinent, but also suggested the use of male condoms. We were not shown a condom or how to use it properly. We did not go over any other forms of contraception. Since we were talking about sexually transmitted diseases for the majority of the time, I asked Cori Green “What is Blue Waffle?” This caused an uproar of snickers and students to glare back at me with disgusted looks. My fellow classmates may have found my question laughable, but I was serious and all ears. Cori Green could not answer my question. “It’s a form of STD. I’m not sure what form though,” Cori Green said. During our sex education section of health class, I can say that I was left knowing nothing more than what I already knew. And, the two questions I did have were left unanswered. “I want to make sure the students receive the best and most accurate information available to the school district” said
Kristie Adair, member of the Lawrence Board of Education. The purpose of school is to prepare students for adulthood and push them to pursue higher knowledge. It seems that every other aspect of schooling lives up to the “best and most accurate information available” standard, yet sex education is in a gray area. We tell our young adults abstinence is the only way to completely protect themselves. Yet, rarely do sex education classes address more than male condoms and abstinence as forms of contraception. “I think that if you decided to have sex whether you have contraception or don’t, you’re probably going to still have sex,” Green said. In 2011, there were 329,772 females ranging from ages 15-19 that became mothers in the United States. Teen pregnancy rate are lowering, but the information that students are taught in health classes should cover a wider array of topics. Currently, the majority of the information students are taught in health classes is limited to the physical side of sex. Health classes should address more of the personal side of sex. “They learn about reproductive anato-
my. They learn about sexually transmitted diseases. They learn about responsible sexual behavior,” Green said. “That’s pretty much the content” The curriculum should include information on sexual relations for people of all genders and sexes; what is and what is not consent; sexual safety in public situations, such as parties; and the difference between the right reasons and the wrong reasons to have sex. Above all, students should be taught that sex is OK, that sex is healthy, there is no time limit for when you should swipe your V-Card, and that having sex or the amount of sex that someone has is not the determiner of self respect or cleanliness. Talking about sex should not be a taboo topic. Considering that the majority of us are the result of sex in one way or another. Teachers should not “Uh” after every word and avoid eye contact. Students should not nervously tap their feet and sit in a palpable silence. Sex is a vast topic and has many sub categories. Sex education should be a class all to itself to ensure that students know about sex and all of it’s aspects in a way that a school week can not detail.
Graphic by Michaela Durner
Provocative dance moves make headlines Twerking becomes a trendy topic of conversation amongst teenagers By Kendall Pritchard We’ve all been there — at a high school dance or even on YouTube. Twerking has shook its way into many aspects of our lives. The fact that girls drop it low and shake what their mommas gave them is a sad cry for attention. The fact that we have to watch it, is even worse. In a poll, more than 75 percent of students surveyed said they believed twerking is overrated and unnecessary. The Pom team is known for its energetic and lively performances. However, in recent perfor-
mances, parents have noticed more hip shaking and leg squatting than usual. Senior pom squad member Victoria Kauffman believes twerking is confused with hip hop dancing, especially when the pom squad performs it. “We don’t see ourselves as twerking,” Kauffman said. “We see it as choreography.” Not only has twerking made it’s way into our school dances and other social settings, it’s made its way to the news. A popular entertainment website, E-online, posted a story following a mother finding out about her daughter’s twerking and forcing her to apologize to everyone at their Bakersfield, Calif., school.
Not only is twerking becoming a problem in schools, it’s becoming a problem for entire communities. Parents in the city of Dequincy, La., started a petition to ban twerking. Mayor Lawrence Henegan of Dequincy denies the ban will go anywhere. The fact that parents are trying to get this provocative dance banned shows how big of an epidemic it’s becoming. The most prime example of inappropriate twerking was on the 2013 VMA awards when Miley Cyrus’ racy performance involved a lot of twerking. Put “twerking” into YouTube, more than 4 million videos will pop up. Many of those videos are titled “How to Twerk.” Master those skills and you
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can get a $50,000 scholarship from hip hop star Juicy J. On Aug. 22, the rapper announced via Twitter that any young adult can twerk for the opportunity win a $50,000 scholarship. Senior Panyin Boye-Doe believes twerking is OK with limits. “I think twerking is fine when it is done in a joking matter,” Boye-Doe said. “It’s actually one of my favorite moves, and I pull it out quite often”. Many people, such as Cyrus, believe twerking is harmless fun. I, on the other hand, don’t share that opinion. Twerking is simply what insecure girls do to get attention, but in reality, they get a bad reputation.
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OCT. 2,2013
Photo Page
Homecoming week Candidates chosen from the senior class participate in a variety of events
From the 78 seniors nominated for the court, six male and six female students were chosen to compete for only two coveted crowns. Throughout the week, students got to know the candidates through a few activities organized by Student Council. Candidates participated in a video filmed by Room 125
Productions, ignited a bonfire at Rally ’Round the Lion and were introduced at the Homecoming Court Assembly. But the student body had to choose one king and queen to take home the title. During halftime of the homecoming football game Sept. 27, seniors Puja Shah and Matt Rood were crowned.
(Above) Roasting marshmallows, juniors Cy Burghart and Dearion Cooper partake in homecoming festivities at ‘Rally Round The Lion on Sept. 25. Photo by Joseph
Welcome Back
Anderson
(Left) Reacting to the homecoming king announcement, seniors Matt Rood and Anna Meissbach delight at the homecoming football game on Sept. 27. Photo by Kendra
Call ahead & we’ll have it ready!
Schwartz
(Bottom left) Riding on the back of a fire truck, seniors Justin Sorem, Adam Hayes and Austin Magdaleno participate in the homecoming parade. Photo by Michaela Durner (Bottom right) Taking a selfie, seniors and homecoming candidates Caitlin Broadwell and Panyin Boye-Doe capture the moment at homecoming. Photo by Joseph Anderson
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