Volume 25
Issue 2
November 2016
Decision 2016:
The Election Issue
4 7 10 14
NEWS
3| U.S. Army Visits Olathe East 4| National Anthem Controversy 5| Olathe East Student Goes to Germany
SPORTS
ENTERTAINMENT 16| 2016 Fashion Trends 17| Halloween Costumes 18-19| A Taste of Fall
6| Future Olympians
FEATURE
7| Horticulture at the Farm 8-9| Foreign Exchange Students
ELECTION
10-11| Who Should You Vote For? 12| Past Candidates 13| Teacher Serves as Delegate
EDITORIAL
14| Christianity in Public Schools 15| Life-Changing Technology
Notification Statement of Non-discrimination: The Olathe Public Schools prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability in its programs, activities or employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups to its facilities as required by: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other relevant state and federal laws. Inquiries regarding compliance with applicable civil rights statutes related to ethnicity, gender, age discrimination or equal access may be directed to Staff Council, 14160 Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66063-2000, phone 913-780-7000. All inquiries regarding compliance with applicable statutes regrading Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act may be directed to the Assistant Superintendent General Administration, 14160 Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66063-2000, phone 913-780-7000. Interested persons including those with impaired vision or hearing, can also obtain information as to existence and location services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by disabled persons by calling the Assistant Superintendent General Administration. (04/13)
Welcome to the Trailer
Jacob Stofer//Managing Editor
Students And Staff Get To Experience What The Army Has To Offer
T
wo million men and women in the Army actively keep Americans safe each and every day. Without their honor and sacrifice, the way people live life would not be the same. However, people might not know that non-combat jobs exist. The Army works with the communities in the United States and around the world to educate others. They give back to the communities one way by using the S.T.E.M Trailer. An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics came to Olathe East on September 19. The Biology, Industrial and Communication Technology classes got to experience the program hands on to educate others on what they might not know about S.T.E.M. “S.T.E.M is a very general category for our subjects. Generally consider the application of Science and Math, the synthesis across discipline. The STEM Trailer is intended to support awareness and understanding of what that means out in the field,” Biology teacher Michael Ralph said. Staff Sergeant Holmes, one of the commanders, talked about what this trailer represents, and how it relates to the community, including the classes at Olathe East. “What the Trailer does is show a fictional scenario and for kids to get out of the classroom and apply what they know in classroom, in a not-so far but fictional event. [When they enter the trailer for the first time], they go into a briefing room, where they get briefed on a incident that occurs in 2032. They move into another room, where they learn about some technology that can help with civilians, and help apply what they learned and save civilians in a simulation,” Holmes said. From the USA ARMY website: “The year is 2032 and a radical political faction has threatened to undermine world security. A news agency has just released a report on an explosion in an eastern European chemical plant, and the U.S. Army is on high alert. It’s now up to you and your team to rescue the trapped workers in the plant.” Scheduling the Army and setting up this event took planning and coordination. All of the Biology teachers took their classes to the Trailer,
including Biology teacher Tiffany Richards, coordinator of the event. “Officer Jaegers spoke with one of our Army recruiters, and it was originally supposed to go to Olathe Northwest, however they (Northwest) couldn’t handle it in their parking lot. Since it is a trailer that is going across the United States, it was a one-time opportunity for us to get it. Jaegers talked to me, and I had arranged it with the all of the biology teachers, so an entire class could go through,” Richards said. Besides science classes, the Technology Educational Department experienced the programs of the trailer as well. The classes of Lance Larson, and John McDonald talked about how the Technology classes apply to the T in the STEM Program. “The STEM program is something we do within our department, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. An initiative that we embed throughout what we do. We are always trying to offer out students any opportunities that they can have with STEM training. For instance last year, I was able to go to the Navy S.E.A.L.S base out in San Diego, California and part of that was STEM training for what the Navy has to offer. With the Army coming in, we wanted to see what the Army has to offer what student capabilities”, McDonald said. The student’s perspectives furthered the experiences learned, since the students themselves participate in the stem trailer. Students of Richards, Lawrence Woodruff, and Jacob Gunn’s freshmen classes got to experience the trailer. One of those students talked about the experience as she went through. “[Gunn] didn’t really tell us what we were doing, we went outside and saw this big trailer. When I saw it, I got really excited, because my uncle is in the Army and he got transferred to Kansas, along with his wife, [it was a really personal moment for me],” Freshmen Decaria Harris said. The skills that these young men and woman apply to the Trailer are a wide variety: Problem Solving, Common Sense, and much more. Students that went through the trailer will always remember.
Freshman Pricilla Joseph with one of the S.T.E.M Trailer representatives Courtesy of Tiffany Richards
News
3
s tors te o r P d n a ts io tr Pa Athletes and Athletic Sponso rs Express Their Views on the Right to Protest
J
ancisco When San Fr essed pernick expr ae K in ol C k ac rb th quarte g during e e by kneelin ic st e half ju in of lit in two; on his view the nation sp , deemed the m lf he ha nt e A on al Nation otest, and pr to t ed in the gh ri rv is se dh who never e os rallied behin Th c. ti any veterans er unpatrio tful while m ec p football play es sr di im call h and Faculty military may est. Students ot pr to t gh r views on respect his ri eak gave thei willing to sp r. to the protes
unior Camren Mitchell, an Olathe East Varsity football player, stands for the National Anthem because he sees it as right and respectful to America. However, he also respects the opinions of protestors. “That’s a personal opinion. If that’s how they feel, they can sit down, and do what they do. That’s on them,” Mitchell said. His football coach gave his teammates a different direction on the right to protest. “He said ‘as a team, we all stand as a team together, but if you have your own personal view, don’t show it when we’re as a group like that,’” Mitchell said. Football coach Jesse Owen, three cheerleaders, and two football players declined an interview. Senior Cheerleader Daja Coker Camren Mitchell gave her opinion although some of her Photo by Ryann Smith teammates decided not to. She stands regardless of the situation at hand in order to show her respect for America and those fighting for it. She feels everyone has to right to make good and bad decisions. “Everyone has the opportunity to make mistakes, if they end up making those mistakes, or making good choices as they could,” she said. Unaware of veteran support to Kaepernick, Coker sees veteran support as an integrity-based perspective everyone might view differently. “I just think it’s very different views of people’s rights vs. people’s rights that are a little sketchier than others at this point,” she said. As a school role model, she feels her job should be to set a good example at games. While Coker thinks standing for the national anthem is required, she thinks the requirement is realistic. “I don’t think that the way it’s being presented is overbearing at all. I don’t think it’s unreasonable. And I think it’s a good way to show Olathe East as a school, as well as us as a nation, are respecting our country,” she said. The new Head Cheer coach Chanelle Dieckmann stands to respect her father’s military service. She feels the right to Daja Coker [right] with another protest is valid, but never felt the need to express this right. cheerleader “I think that personally it should be a Courtesy of Daja Coker time and a place, and I would be interested to know if it was done for attention
4
News
Ryann Smith // Online Editor
Don’t use my service--or that of any veteran-to justify the silencing of black Americans. Not on my watch. #VeteransForKaepernick — Charles Clymer August 31, 2016
I served this country honorably for his right to protest the way he saw fit. #VeteransForKaepernick — Miss B. August 31, 2016 May not agree with his method of protest but fought for and respect his right to do it #VeteransForKaepernick — Johnny Painter August 31, 2016
or truly to protest,” Dieckmann said. She underVeterans tweet their support for Kaepernick’s protest. stands why veterans might support Kaepernick, yet she was unaware of it. However, she never recommended her cheerleaders stand despite the situation because they stand on their own. She thinks they stand for the same reason she stands: out of respect. The Athletic Director and assistant principal, Amanda Faunce, also honors family service in the military, as well as those still fighting, by standing. The right to choose whether or not to stand she feels makes living in the United States worthwhile. Freedom from oppression creates the democracy so often boasted. “Who am I to say that someone’s personal belief is right or wrong? I mean, I don’t want someone telling me that what I believe in is right or wrong... To me that’s being hypocritical of what we say we want or what we are fighting for. When people say that fighting for a cause, then we’re becoming hypocritical. Now, that doesn’t mean that I agree with it, doesn’t mean that I disagree with it… I think it’s a personal decision that people have to make. The only thing I would say is that I hope that people are making good, sound decisions,” Faunce said. She feels beliefs need reasoning behind them, whether one’s belief is injustice in the nation or if Kansas is a nice place to live. From there, people make decisions based on their beliefs. “They are free to be able to make that decision and be supportive of it,” Faunce said.
Sometimes to take a step up, you have to take a step down. Courtesy of Aurora Yearbook
A Year Abroad?
Student Rethinks her Decision of Studying in Germany
Erin McCaarthy// Staff Writer
Olathe East Junior Molly Carlson and three other Olathe students were Q: Were you fairly fluent in the language? selected to spend the 2016-2017 school year in Germany as part of the A: I would say I was at the intermediate level but there were some kids Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship Program. that had never taken German before. The first month of August started After three months in Germany, junior Molly Carlson decided to with a language camp with all 50 Americans so they at least got the basics come home to Kansas and started back at Olathe East about a week down. I’m still in contact with some of them and I’ve heard that school ago. Although Germany was has been a little rough. enlightening, there were some Q: Why did you decide to leave aspects caused to her cut the Germany early to come home? trip shorter than anticipated. A: I was supposed to be there until Q: What was the process like? June of 2017, but the school put me A: I sent in an application last in ninth grade, and I’m a junior. fall, and then we had to go I was going to have to take either through an interview process Pre-Algebra, or be in a third year following a second application physics class. The school wasn’t in January. Around spring break willing to work with me. I also we found out whether we made wasn’t satisfied with my host family. it or not. I wasn’t going to {get to} experience Q: What were your initial the whole German culture. feelings about going to Germany? Q: Would you recommend studyPhoto Courtesy of Christine Hanks Were you scared at all? ing abroad to anyone else, and would A: I’ve always been excited; I you ever try it again? was never really scared to go. A: I’ll probably do it in college. Q: Was there anything surprisHigh school I wouldn’t recommend ing about the trip or the country that you weren’t expecting? just because you have to balance everything, and still make sure you are A: There are a lot of fields in Germany, and it low-key looks like Kansas going to graduate on time, especially taking the SAT and the PSAT. But and Colorado, just because there are so many fields and mountains. It for sure everyone should study abroad in college if they get the chance. looks a little like Kansas if you go out in the middle of nowhere.
YOU BELONG AT PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY Article courtesy of Christine Hanks
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www.waterway.com News
From High school to olympics Olathe East Athletes Climb to the Top
Felicity Wenger//Staff Writer
W
ith the Olympics fresh in everyone’s mind, the Hawk’s Eye interviewed some coaches about who they thought could be future Olympians.
Senior Gymnast: Samantha Bond Bond started playing sports when she was two years old. She competed in many different activities but stuck with gymnastics because of its challenging nature. “I like that I can do skills that not a lot of people can do,” Bond said. Bond has received multiple awards, but those aren’t her only accomplishments. Bond is elated to have won a team state championship last year. Ultimately Bond was shocked when she heard Coach West chose her as a candidate for the Olympics because she’s never thought about being an Olympian. “I’ve always just seen myself as just a regular athlete…I see myself as equal, not higher above than anyone,” Bond said. Bond is very thankful to have that honor and hopes to obtain some of her coach’s qualities as she grows. She doesn’t plan on continuing as a gymnast in college, but she will still go to open gyms when she can. She still wants to have fun as a gymnast but wants to participate in other activities in college. Without gymnastics, Bond claims she wouldn’t be anywhere close to where she is today. This activity has given her many skills and behavior advantages. She met plenty of close friends while doing gymnastics and is very thankful for that. “I love every person I’ve met through this amazing sport,” Bond said. The team recently won state. Bond was named Overall State Champion. Photo Courtesy of Samantha Bond
Senior Cross-country Runner: Emily Schmeeckle
Schmeeckle started her running career in grade school. She was never a big fan of other sports so she decided to turn to running. “I didn’t really love contact sports,” Schmeeckle said. Once Schmeeckle started running, she was hooked. Her teammates were what kept her going for the most part, and she became close friends with many of them. A majority of her friends and team mates give her motivation to keep on running, to do her best and help her when she’s down. “People will tell me you have to have a bad race to appreciate the good ones,” Schmeeckle said. The team was an influential inspiration to her, and she keeps in touch with them even though some of them have already gone on to college. Schmeeckle has worked with Coach Bozarth for all four years of high school and when told she was one of the athletes chosen by him to be a future Olympian, she was honored. Schmeeckle won state her sophomore and junior years and is very proud of that. She has run over 1,000 miles in cross country and participated in 5k runs outside of school, placing in some of them. Schmeeckle does not plan on continuing in college, but she definitely wont stop running. “I will definitely keep running…I’ve done that all of my life.” Schmeeckle said. Schmeeckle pushes herself to do her best and is very self motivated but she also appreciates the support she has received from family and friends. The nature, the people and good company are why she keeps running and will continue to as long as she can.
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Sports
Photo Courtesy of Emily Schmeeckle
Horticulture Students Volunteer to Feed the Community by the Pounds Harvest For Hunger Projects to Serve More than 10,000 Pounds of Food This Year to Kansas City and Olathe.
Blythe Dorrian// Co-Editor
F
or the fifth season since 2011, students in the Horticulture Club at Olathe East gather hand grown- crops out of a two-acre plot of land at Colonial Presbyterian Church in Olathe every week. Julie Foster, the volunteer coordinator, heads the life group committee that developed the idea of buying two empty plots of land from the church to create a garden, also known as “the farm” to the horticulture students. Foster said that she valued the idea of using the land to help people instead of building something unnecessary. Foster said, “Volunteering here gives people an opportunity to have and take care of their own garden.” The committee still meets during the year to discuss further ideas. One potential idea would be to create an orchard to the back portion of the lot. Last year 10,000 pounds was harvested and donated to food shelters like Mission South Side and Harvesters. Weekly amounts of food vary per season, however as of last week, 9,000 pounds of food were collected. Tomatoes, potatoes, beets, okra, and cabbage bring in the most amounts of crops per season. The farm volunteers host a second location at 95th and Wornall where the collected crops are given out to people in need. The volunteer farm is individually funded, with no funds coming from the church. The farm also does not use city water, uniquely getting their water from ponds. Groups from California Trail Middle School, Frontier Trail Middle School, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Olathe East represent over 200 volunteers from the Olathe School District. Frontier Trail supports the organization every year with grants, donating their funds to help run the farm. Since the organization is 100% volunteer run, bake sales and other methods of raising funds collect whatever can be donated and gives it back to the people.. Foster said that by the end of the year volunteers will be able to plant a garden and know how to take care of the plants, even if they start not knowing anything. Just by volunteering they will learn how to do everything.” Brooks Snozek, the horticulture teacher at Olathe East, began helping at the farm in 2011-2012 during her plant sale that went extremely well. The students had extra crops left, and the class didn’t know what to do with them. One of Snozek’s students at the time was involved in the youth group at Colonial Presbaterian and said that her church would take the crops. Snozek became involved, met the volunteer coordinator, and her Olathe East students followed in her footsteps. Students new and old have been joining horticulture at the farm as well. Student, Jacqueline Mahony said, “This is my first year joining the horticulture club. One of my friends from last year got her involved in horticulture. I was in student naturalist first hour, and she had horticulture first hour. We would hover between classes in the morning.” Student Aylin Poarch, veteran farm volunteer said, “We collected corn last time we were at the farm. It makes you proud to be in horticulture knowing that you are helping a good cause.” The horticulture club is excited for another new season in the sun, and invites the school to do the same.
Aylin Poarch (middle right) loves to volunteer at the quaint farm. Volunteering is one of her favorite activities outside of school. Jacqueline Mahony (bottom right) says that the greenhouse is the best room in the school; she spends most time here. Photos by Blythe Dorrian
Feature
7
“Four - In” Exchange Students Four Senior Exchange Students come to the USA
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Nina’s first Professional Football Game Courtesy of Nina Rehder
t Olathe East, four foreign exchange students enrolled to attend Olathe East this year. Andra Costiniuc of Italy, Zhenya Ghukasyang of Armenia, and Lauren Idahosa and Nina Rehder of Germany all have come to experience a new culture and improve their English. All the students sat down with the Hawk’s Eye and talked about how time-consuming becoming an exchange
student was for them. “I failed this program three times. It was my fourth time and I won it. There are three stages. One year I gained one stage. In a year I learned how to pass another stage. If you pass the first stage, you are lucky. It is awful,” Ghukasyang said. “You have to ask a block of questions and applications. You have to pay for doctor. I had to go to Berlin to get my visa, and I had to stay in a hotel. I paid [to come here]. It was very expensive,” Rehder said. According to the four girls, the people in the U.S. appear friendly on first glance, but whether people are actually kind or not is sometimes difficult to see. “I really like it when I can go through the hallways and someone comes to me and says ‘I like your shirt’ or ‘I like your backpack’. I’ll be standing waiting for my mom and at least five people will ask me if I need a ride. In Germany, they would just do that if they know you very well,” said Rehder. “They seem sometimes ignorant and not to think that they aren’t but I have [seen] some teenagers in class and they behave awful. But when I’m talking to them in private, they are [really kind]. So you never know who you are talking with,” Ghukasyang said. “Here sometimes I’ll be talking with someone in my class and later I’ll see him or her [again] and they don’t say ‘hi’. They act like they don’t know you and they’ve never met you before,” Costiniuc said. Everyone knows the US is different from most of the world, but many Americans do not know the distinct ways the school systems differ. “In Germany we have one class for about six years. And, then we have fifth grade to 12th grade. In Germany, the students don’t change their
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Feature
Margo Dulny // Staff Writer classrooms; the teachers change their classrooms. We get grades from one, two, three, four, five, or six. One is the best you can get and six is the worst you can get,” Rehder said. “In our home country we do more studying in my home country. But for instance you can’t retake tests. We don’t get that much worksheets,” Idahosa said. “You have a relationship with the teachers, a real relationship. Here you can really see the difference between teacher and student. It’s like we are friends,” Costiniuc said. “You don’t have to choose the lessons, you choose the school. It’s like your college here, if you want to be a doctor you have to choose a school. I have English, Spanish, French, Italian, Mass(a Christian service), history, Geography, Economy—we have a lot of classes because we don’t have the same classes everyday. School goes from Monday to Saturday,” Costiniuc said. The girls have experienced many culture shocks with the fashion choices in the U.S. “[The girls] dress very nice. They have curls in their hair, and have on so much makeup. But, the other half dress like they want to go to sleep. In Germany we wouldn’t go with the sleeping look. It’s not elegant. We just have normal clothes,” said Rehder. “Most [people] wear jeans and longer shirts, and it is hotter in Italy. The way you look is so important. If you want to be someone you have to have a good look,” Costiniuc said.
Lauren Idahosa and Nina Rehder at the German Club
Illustration by Staff Writer Lindsey Proctor
Courtesy of Brianna Catching
Lauren Idahosa and her Mother, Anne Idahosa Courtesy of Jennifer Idahosa “The people [here] wear really short shorts. It is a little strange for me not to pay attention [to] people’s appearances. I don’t care how Lauren Idahosa and her people dress here but I would never dress like sister, Jennifer Idahosa that,” Ghukasyang said. Courtesy of Jennifer IdaKnowing a language that one wants to hosa improve on would like help. Usually many foreigners would like the help and corrections. “That’s what [I] really don’t like here. Nobody here corrects me. I ask everybody if they could please correct me because I don’t want to learn false English. But, nobody corrects me. If I ask, ‘Did I say it wrong’ then they will tell me. If I don’t ask, they won’t tell me,” Rehder said. “They should help so we can improve. It’s so difficult to have a conversation. For me because I don’t know English very well. It’s hard for me to translate and I have many languages in my head,” Costiniuc said. Rehder and Idahosa both have had a remarkable time here and still plan to do many things here. “I’ve gone this long without my parents, but I don’t have problems. It just feels like a long vacation. I want go to Disney World, Universal Studios and Seaworld. I would go to Las Vegas and San Francisco,” Rehder said.
Zhenya Ghukasyang in Armenia Courtesy of Tamuna Tovmasyan
“[I] had [my] first football game, [I] had [my] first baseball game. I ate my first American burger, and my first American ice cream, and I went to a huge grocery store. I am excited
that I got the chance to go to Washington D.C. in November as part of the scholarship. At the end of the exchange year I will go to Washington D.C. again,” Idahosa said. Exchange students have had exciting good experiences but also gone through difficult times as well. “The first month was hard for me to adjust to being in a different culture but, God helped me a lot,” Idahosa said. “Here I’m sleeping during lessons. In the system is you deal with papers a lot. Andra Costiniuc in Italy Teachers [in my country] Courtesy of Andra don’t give us any papers, we don’t take it home, we don’t bring it the next day, that’s why I was confused because they would give me papers and I didn’t know what to do with them. I would throw them away,” Ghukasyang said. All the students have things they miss and things they are glad to have experienced. “You can make friends and the best thing is you can say that you have a second family away from home. I am so thankful of my host family. I think this is the best thing I’ve ever done,” Idahosa said. “It is difficult because in Italy I have only my mom. I miss only my mom because she’s in Italy. Now, I don’t miss Italy. I will never miss Italy. I’m Romanian, not Italian. So, I miss Romania,” Costiniuc said. With five different cultures each student have been able to judge both their own country and the US. “We are all different, and all countries have good things and bad things,” Costiniuc said.
Illustration by Staff Writer Lindsey Proctor
Nina Rehder with her host siblings Liz and David Vaupel Courtesy of Angela Vaupel
Feature
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Olathe East’s The 2016 Election is on the horizon; take this quiz to discover your preferred candidate!
Yes No Unsure
1. Do we need a significant increase in military spending? 2. Do you think that undocumented immigrants should be deported? 3. Do you want to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border? 4. Do you support increasing tariffs on trade partners? 5. Are you against same-sex marriage? 6. Is minimum wage good as is? 7. Should Obamacare be replaced? 8. Should prisons be privatized? 9. Should ex-felons be kept from voting? 10. Are you against increased gun-control measures? 11. Should Muslims face extra immigration hurdles? 12. Are you against legalized abortion? 13. Should offshore drilling continue to be legal? Majority of Yes answers: Donald Trump
Majority of No answers: Hillary Clinton
No: 1-5, 9,11,12 Yes: 6-8,10,13:
Gary Johnson
Jacob Wilson//Graphics Editor Melanie Eszter //Social Media Throne
10 Election
2016 Election A look at How Olathe East Would Vote in the 2016 Election
Jacob Wilson//Graphics Editor Felicity Wenger//Staff Writer
And Olathe East’s new president is... Donald Trump! According to a poll taken by the Hawk’s Eye staff, the Republican nominee would win against the others according to students in our school. To some this may be surprising; to others he is the obvious choice. Below is some data and quotes written by the supporters of different candidates from the poll.
Darrell Castle 1.1% Gary Johnson 8.2%
69.7%
lar Hil
Jill Stein 3.8%
yC
of students would vote the same way as their parents
8%
p4 m
u Tr
.9%
8 on 3 lint
ld na Do Hillary Clinton Supporters “She has past presence in government and experience. Although I disagree with her past actions, I believe she is the most fit for the position based on her policies and ideas. Trump has absolutely no policies or experience and is unfit for presidency. I’d vote for Hillary over Trump any day, no matter the influence.” - Michaela Bilyeu, Junior “I feel like she is more responsible and straight headed. She also has much more experience.” - Alex Halsey, Sophomore “GOD HELP US IF TRUMP IS ELECTED! He doesn’t believe in global warming and as of currently our habitat is at an all time decline. Coral reefs are dying, and the Amazon rain forest sometimes quoted as the “lungs of the Earth” are one-third the original size. Earth simply can’t afford someone like Trump right now. In other words he is the nail in the coffin from a global warming standpoint.” - Max Feemster, Senior
Donald Trump Supporters “Donald Trump is truly the man for the job. Clinton plans to take out constitutional right to bear arms. People kill people, not guns.” - Hunter Dakin, Sophomore “Trump has a lot of experience in running a large company, he knows more about economics and he agrees in equal rights. I feel that if Trump gets elected, our economy would grow as well as the employment rate.” - Weston Groves, Sophomore
70.7%
of students agree with their candidates policy on the economy
30.9%
of students disagree with their candidates policy on the immigration
Gary Johnson Supporters “It’s the best option for advancing civil liberties along with the constitution.” - Emily Sweat, sophomore “Libertarianism can save this country; though it may not be the best system, like objectivism is, it’s the best system we have a choice of choosing with Gary. We need a libertarian to run this country, no doubt about it.” - Caleb Franklin, Sophomore
“Donald Trump will bring jobs back to the US by putting tariffs on imports and getting businesses to come back to the US.” - Carson Gray, Junior “Hillary is like the corrupt mob leader, but Donald Trump is like the evil villain. Hillary lies, but Trump is a sexist, racist candidate Trump has the money to help the US with who supports the KKK. Gary Johnson is a its problems and is far superior than Hillary. third party candidate who is eligible in all 50 When Trump asked her questions on the destates, and since two-thirds of America hate bate, she was like a deer in headlights. Hillary both Trump and Clinton, he has an actual is too dumb to be president if you ask me. She chance of winning.” doesn’t know what she is doing. - Esther Rose, Sophomore - Sam Bajich, Sophomore
Election
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Blast from the Past Where are previous frontrunners?
Addis Sharpe//Business Manager
J
J
ohn Kerry, the U.S. Senator of Massachusetts,competed in the 2004 campaign race against George W. Bush as a democratic. He previously served in the U.S. Senate directing foreign affairs. He now resides as the U.S. Secretary of State at the age of 72. Kerry supports Hillary and disagrees strongly with Trump’s thoughts and ideas on subjects like the wall, climate plan, and foreign policy. Courtesy of biography.com
ohn McCain, once a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, hit the campaign trail in the 2008 presidential campaign against Barack Obama. Now the Senior U.S. Senator from Arizona ,at the age of 80, campaigns for 2016 re-election. He previously supported Trump, but withdrew his support after Trump criticized McCain's military duty and made lewd comments about women. Courtesy of mccain.senate.gov
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Election
W
illiam Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, ran for office in the 2012 election race against Barack Obama. Romney was encouraged to be in the 2016 election but refused. “Unless both candidates come to me and ask me to please save them,” Romney said. Romney refuses to officially support either candidate publicly. Courtesy of Mittromney.com
From Classroom to Convention
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Teacher Participates at the Democratic National Convention
any say the 2016 presidential election holds the balance of American life in its hands like none other seen before. This year’s Democratic National Convention convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from July 25 - July 28. One of Olathe East’s own, Social Studies teacher Mr. Justin Adrian, got to witness the political madness firsthand. Adrian was chosen to be one of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s delegates at this year’s DNC.
Though the process of applying to be a national delegate may sound daunting, in reality, attaining this position is not too difficult. According to Adrian, the process works like this: “At the state senate level, at your caucus, you apply to be a representative for your senate district. Then, you’ll go with all of your districts to a congressional level. At that district level meeting, everyone gives a speech, who wants to go to Philadelphia. You have three minutes to give the speech, and then, those that are eligible, they vote, and Justin Adrian and a fellow delegate. whoever wins, wins.” Photo courtesy of Justin Adrian From our district (Johnson County and Wyandotte County) two representatives were chosen, Adrian, who won by one vote, and a female delegate. Adrian had about a month, from March to April of 2016, to write his speech and see if he could receive funding for the trip. There were many expenses involved, most of which ended up being inflated due to the caliber of the event. Adrian's role at the convention was very important. “I was a delegate for the state and [as a delegate] you’re there for voting - they do voting by affirmation, and what that is is one person brings up a 'yes' or a 'no' and second person would second it - so my role was just to be there to give my vote. [My] role was basically needed for the first two days, and the last two days was just listen to speeches, watch the concerts that occurred and that type of stuff. It was a big party was really what it was,” Adrian said. Voting was done by affirmation or roll call, depending on the matter at hand. “[My favorite part of the conference was] probably the speech by Hillary Clinton, or Michelle Obama. [She] had a really good speech too. If I didn’t say speeches, I would probably say the performance by Katy Perry. It was great. She had a really good performance,” Adrian said. On the other hand, Adrian did experience some rather upsetting surprises. “I was shocked by the behavior of Sanders’ delegates, not just because I was a Clinton delegate. It was just due to the fact that they were rude. When other people were talking, they were chanting; they were holding up signs, they were being very distracting.” However, Adrian does sympathize with their cause. “I understand. They’re upset, they’re frustrated, their person didn’t win, they want their voice to be heard. It was just very, very weird behavior. And the Kansas delegation was fine. We were mature; it was just other states.”
Mikie Brown//Staff Writer
During the convention, Adrian had the pleasure of meeting many politicians from all around the nation. “I met Tim Kaine, the vice presidential candidate; Al Franken; Claire McCaskill, senator from Missouri; Emmanuel Cleaver, who is a congressman for the Kansas City area; Kansas City’s mayor was there, [and] I met secretary of education Eric Holder.” Regarding advice for those considering applying for a delegate position in the future, Adrian said “Do it. It’s not a hard thing to get into. You just have to show your passion, you have to show your desire, and you have to have a story about why you truly want to do it. Yeah, I definitely suggest people do it.” As for his future delegation plans? “I want to do it again,” he said, “it was a lot of fun. I would love to do it again.” Moving on from the DNC to the bigger picture, Adrian gave some advice to seniors who are voting for the first time this year. “I think seniors should vote by looking at the facts and looking at what they want to get out of their next president, whether that’s trade, or global warming, or college education to be free, or whatever it may be. They need to look at both candidates, or all four, and find out which one fits their desire. Don’t do what their parents say. Don’t do what their friends say. Literally look and research for the person that fits what you want - the best person that fits, because you’re not going to get someone identical to what you want,” Adrian said. While this particular presidential election has sparked more controversy than every before, the American people, including Adrian, clearly lack no passion in their beliefs. No matter one’s party, standing up for what one believes in and doing what he or she can to make his or her voice heard truly emulates the American dream. Justin Adrian and Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill. Photo courtesy of Justin Adrian
Convention Lingo for Dummies
Delegate: a person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular an elected representative sent to a conference. Caucus: a meeting of the members of a legislative body who are members of a particular political party, to select candidates or decide policy. Senate District: the divided districts in which senators act as representatives Voting by Affirmation: taken in a group setting, each member votes for a “yay” or a “nay” to the amendment that is being voted on. Voting by Roll Call: used mostly in representative assemblies where members represent large groups of people. Each member's vote is recorded.
Election
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Christ in Me
Kaitlyn Shacklett//Co-Editor
Why Students Can and Should Live Out their Faith in School As students flooded into the school just in time for first hour on Wednesday, September 28, they may have noticed a large group of their peers in a circle around the flagpole, heads bowed in prayer. This event has been known to many Christians around the globe since 1990 as “See You at the Pole,” an annual gathering of millions of Christian students in front of their local school at 7:00 A.M. for prayer, worship and scripture reading. One question stands out that Christian students ask: Are we allowed to talk about our beliefs openly and participate in prayer in a public school setting? The answer is yes, but this action took time. In 1982, 20 years since the Supreme Court ruled prayer in public schools as violating the constitutional separation of church and state, President Ronald Reagan proposed a school prayer amendment, offering freedom of prayer in these institutions. He stated that the nation’s liberty constituted from “an abiding faith in God” as well as “the public expression through prayer of our faith in God is a fundamental part of our American heritage and a privilege which should not be excluded by law from any American school, public or private.” According to the amendment, students are allowed to express their beliefs in and outside of the classroom as well as in school assignments. Students also obtain the rights to pray individually or in a group setting and form religious clubs with the same rights as other clubs in the school. All of these actions must be student-initiated and can not disrupt instruction time. If we as Christians know that we can share our faith with our peers at school, what holds us back from doing so? Junior Mackenzie Bohn found a place in her church’s youth group every week, but ponders the same question of why she and other Christians shy away from spreading the word of God. “I guess we’ve always thought is wasn’t acceptable in our school. I think the confusion is really what keeps us from doing it. Once people know what we are able to do at school, we will be most willing to share the love of God to everyone we know,” Bohn said. Other likely causes of dilatoriness of conversing about faith in school include fear of not having the knowledge to answer questions, fear of rejection, or not having the right opportunity to start a conversation that deep. However, Romans 1:16 states, “For I am not ashamed of the
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Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” “It gives me a lot of confidence to be bold about my faith at school like reading my Bible at lunch and talking about my faith openly with my friends,” Bohn said. Christian students may have the desire to openly proclaim their faith to their peers at school, but are clueless of where to actually start. Senior Christian Tathem uses school as a way to stretch a hand out to an unreached people groups. Olathe East Game Club allows people with a love of video games to get together during seminar to meet others with similar interests and play against each other. Tathem took this club as an opportunity to spread the Gospel with people who are not Christians. A Super Smash Bros tournament at Olathe Bible Church became the answer. “We have done about four tournaments since last school year, I believe. We partnered with an organization that helps out with underprivileged kids to create a huge Smash Bros tournament,” Tathem said. The tournament consisted of almost 100 people playing against each other in fellowship. Afterwards, a message was given to present the idea of God to those involved. “Our church’s mission program is for unreached people groups, so we found a way to bring this group of people to church. The presentation of the Gospel is like putting a rock in their shoe; they aren’t going to stop thinking about it,” Tathem said. Through these events, a number of students including some of Tathem’s closest friends have given their lives to Christ. At the most recent tournament, October 1, five people filled out a card saying they accepted Christ. “My hope is that this event will keep going on even after I leave high school. It’s a great way for Christians to converse with nonbelievers and get along with them,” Tathem said. Tathem also founded the Olathe East Devotional Study his sophomore year along with a few of his friends. He joined Awake and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. “Being surrounded by other Christians in your own school is really supportive. If you become alone in your faith, you have these people around you and to help you in a way others cannot. People that go to Olathe East and have gone through this study and other studies will become more solidified in their faith in high school and their transition into college,” Tathem said. Photos by Kaitlyn Shacklett
CrowdFunding the Future A look at interesting Kickstarted tech
Jacob Wilson//Graphic Editor
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he wants of the many outweigh the wants of the few in the recently-created world of internet crowdfunding were companies are funded by small contributions from a large number of people. The environment encourages a “survival of the fittest” style funding where the products that people want gain funding and live on, while those that people don’t want die off. As a result, the many people around the world that wish technology was cheaper, more accessible, and overall more useful have funded products with that in mind. Below are shown some of the crowdfunded products that could help ease the impact on students’ wallets and leave an impact on students’ everyday lives.
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1. The Superbook A Phone can set you back a good $250 and a laptop another $200. The Superbook uses your smartphone as the driver for its laptop shell, making this gadget much more affordable. While you phone runs the Superbook, the Superbook charges your phone. $99 2. Chip Computer Finding a fully functional computer for less than $150, even with the most basic hardware presents a nearly impossible task. Often students who just want to surf the web, check e-mail, and play Miniclip games want exactly that: the basics. The C.H.I.P. provides the solution. The tiny, very cheap computer comes pre-installed with a userfriendly operating system so all you need is a monitor, keyboard and mouse, and you’re ready to go. $9 3. Fidget Cube The impulse to tap, click, and keep your hands busy during class is a natural one. The fidget aims to keep these impulses in check. Buttons, switches, rollers, and more are formed all in a tiny cube. Audible and silent clicks and flips make it easy to choose whether or not to annoy your classmates. $19
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4. Power up 3.0 The cliche classic in the classroom, the paper airplane, makes a comeback, but this time with a twist. The Power Up 3.0, a slide-on motor for paper airplanes, allows them to fly further and longer than ever before. In addition, the phone app allows the user to connect via bluetooth and steer their paper 7. Robin creation. $50 Not enough space on your phone? The Robin may 5. Phree just be the answer. This phone’s 32Gb of on-board Phree, one of the first “write anywhere” digital storage, paired with 100Gb of cloud storage (similar pens, provides a convenient new way of noteto Google Drive), provide space for a large number taking. Connecting to phones, tablets, laptops, of files. On top of that, the Robin can tell which apps, etc. This pen allows users to write in the real world and have it converted to digital. The device pictures, and other files you hardly use and pushes them to the cloud. Then when you need them, you works on virtually any surface, meaning that just tap the icon and the data is downloaded back. when inspiration hits, the Phree is ready. $200 $250 6. Brixo 8. ONO 3D Printer A twist on a childhood favorite, these Lego-like This small 3D printer is powered by a piece of bricks differ from the plastic blocks children technology most students already own, the smartusually play with in one key way: they conduct phone. The ONO uses the light from the smartelectricity. Using metal connectors, these bricks phone’s screen to form plastic into 3D shapes. can create a circuits that, when hooked up to This allows for an easy and fairly quick method of motors, lights, speakers, etc. allow for some crazy 3D modeling. Then, if you make an item you want actions and interactions. The building block possomeone else to see, you can send them a 3D sibilities are now a little more endless. $35 message so they can print it for themselves. $99
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Editorial
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BEST
Students from design class talk fashion trends so you can rock the halls!
FA S H I ON T R E N D S
2016
TRENDS
dries, your gorgeous new henna tattoo is revealed. “I love henna, I think it’s so elegant and beautiful. It’s a fun way to be funky and express yourself,” Junior Katie Wingate said. This culture trend has been seen all over the country as a way to 2016 Chokers Courtesy of Torie Thompson express yourself. On the fashion scene chokersand hennas are he change in breeze means being focused on many ripped jeans and fall themes in different styles and designs. shades of army green. Many different trends are making Fashion trends are not about which their way back to your closets. brands you wear as in H & M and “I feel that it all makes a circle and PINK. They are about how you reprecomes back which I feel is good and sent yourself and your personality as an bad,” Sophomore Torie Thompson said. individual. “Fashion tends to repeat itself from However different colors and patterns different time periods: button up skirts, exist in the overalls, fall which halter can accomneck modate lines, anyone’s denim, stylistic and needs. velvet -Megan Reynolds “Bombare and er jackets have been especially “trendy” in the army this year,” Junior Bayley Woodson said. green and pale pink are so stylish, which Celebrities can bring back trends by I think is adorable,” Senior Nicole Simwearing retro styles. mons said. “As far as celebrities go, One of the perks of these styles is it depends on how you that you can be casual and but also dress align with someone based these fashions up with jewelry or super on their personal politics cute heels which will add a formal feel or their beliefs,” said Jill to any look. Vohs said, teacher of Another popular trend is Henna tatFashion classes at East. toos which you can get done somewhere Appearance can be fickle or do yourself. Henna, a type of temdepending on who and porary tattoo, lasts two to four weeks. what you like but everyMany different designs are offered on one should dress in a style the internet and YouTube. The process that’s completely them. is done by mixing the ink, drawing a design on a specific surface either a hand or foot usually. When the ink
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I think that with trends it is important to remember that each person has their own style and preferences”
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Melanie Eszter// Social Media Chair
DESIGN CLASSES
o stay up to date with all the new fashion trends Olathe East offers a few classes that include Textiles I and II, Design trends I and II, Interior design I and II and Design Studio open to seniors. Students in sewing classes, textiles I and II, learn the basics on how to sew and work with clothing. On the other hand, Interior Design focuses on designing rooms, picking out swatches and deciding furniture needed for the room you are designing. Design trends focuses on the fashion aspect and informs students on current fashion trends and designs. However, Design Studio Fashion, Interior Design, and Textiles all come together to produce the fashion show in the spring. This class is more of a fashion industry-based class, where all previously learned skills are put to the test. Fashion classes here at East in particular not only prepares students to become proficient in the fashion industry, but they also offer many life lessons as well. “You’re always going to wear clothes, live in a house, and you’re always going to need to repair holes you might get in your clothes,” Vohs said. “Even if you don’t follow into that area, you will still need all three,” Vohs said. As the fashion industry is very competitive skills and exciting, this field may not be for everyone. Many students are unaware of the fabulous fashion knowledge and opportunities that are offered at East. “People should join because it is a fun class where you learn about fashion and it made me want to make my own fashion as well,” Junior Katie von Bevern said. All of Vohs classes prepare students for the real world and the fashion industry in where deadlines must be met, unlike some classes where your grade just gets docked since late work is accepted. The fashion industry, along with trends, continue to change faster than the blink of an eye. Love what you wear and remember yourself through whatever you do this way,
A Bomber jacket in pale pink Courtesy of Nicole Simmons
Micah Hintion// Staff Writer
Fearful Fashion
Halloweenisnowknown as an exciting time to be noticed for your creativity and style,thoughwhat says“I’m amastermindof my own ideas” morethanan inventivecostume.?Bemore than just the vampire with glow-in-the-darkplastic fangs or a witch with a glittering broom stick.Take this year’s Halloweenparty by stormwithsuggestions fromthe Hawk’s Eye, staff and students.
Fun Faculty Stories
The best-selling costumes of 2016, shown in Party City and Spirit Halloween statistics, are Anti-Heroes such as Harley Quinn, The Joker, or Deadpool, Girl power as in the characters Supergirl, Batgirl, or Wonder woman, 2016 election candidates like Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, gaming (in honor of Pokémon Go), anime, and popular summer movie characters.
Suggestions from our Olathe East students: Photo courtesy of Micah Hinton (Party City)
Junior Josh Moore: “Be yourself and find something that supports your ideas. Go to parties and show off who you are.”
Todd Keach, Social Science:”While teaching class at Blue Valley North in 1990, I dressed up as the Jack Nickolson Joker from Batman.
Junior Carli Silvers:“Shop at Savers. There are a ton of stuff for cheap including couple costumes. If your going for couple costumes, you should pick known movies like Peter Pan and Wendy.”
Mr. Stephenson, Social science: Nicole Etherton, Counseler:”We “Make as much of it yourself as you still refer to that as the night of the can. Go to thrift stors and collect Oompa loompas,” describing her creative costume as, “By far my best Senior David Gutgesell: “Use and favorite costume.” Pinetrest or Google to find a costume, then add your own twist, or create your own costume using your hobbies and dreams.” Junur Tyjuan Lewis: “Don’t overdo anything, just be yourself. Be a clown, a Purge characters, or a movie couple Elli Franz, Grade Secretary:“Becky Pirotte and I dressed up as nuns one year when we were attendance secretaries. Some students asked their teacher why nuns were taking Ms.Becky and Mrs. Elli’s jobs in the office.
Senior Rachel Shryock:“Find something that represents your personality. Youtube it and look for ideas.” Junior Jami Kreps:“Use Pinterest or DIY costumes to come up with a cheap way to look amazing.” Junior Cherick Zapata:“Go online and get inventive. Team up with friends and create group costumes”
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Fall in Love with KC Unique to Kansas City Fall Activities
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easons change, but some things never do. For example most high school students are poor, broke or attempting to save money. If these characteristics apply to you, do not fear-you can still enjoy unique and cheap fallthemed entertainment and activities around the Kansas City area. Kansas City offers everything from frightening haunted houses to warm, cozy coffee shops, both providing a taste of fall. Here at East, students express some of their personal favorite fall activities. A few student favorites include attending haunted houses, having bonfires with friends, playing or watching football and going to the pumpkin patch. These activities are accessible in the KC area for little to no cost.
Vintage Market Days of Overland Park
Photo courtesy of Vintage Market Days Facebook Page Photo courtesy of The Beast’s website
Unique art, furniture, antiques and more come to Kansas City in the fall. Vintage Market days takes place on November 11, 12 and 13. This event will feature vintagethemed art, clothing, jewelry and antiques specific to Kansas City. Five dollar one day passes provide a fun and cheap weekend in KC.
Downtown Haunted Houses
Looking for frightening entertainment? Kansas City West Bottoms puts on extraordinary haunted houses guaranteed to scare even the bravest. Fan favorites include: The Beast, The Edge of Hell, Macabre Cinema and The Chambers of Edgar Allen Poe. Triple passes range from $65 to $85, getting you into three houses. Single house tickets range from $27 to $37.
Kylie Graham//Staff Writer
Cheap things to do in KC: Louisburg Cider Mill
-Corn maze and pumpkin patch $9
Deanna Rose Farmstead
-Pumpkin Hollow $8 plus admission to the park -Night of the Living Farm October 2122 and 28-29
First Friday
-KC Crossroads area November 4th
The Roasterie Air Roasted Coffee
-Free tour with complimentary coffee
Cider Hill Family Orchard
- Apple picking - 10lbs for $9
Royals Game
-Wednesday home games are student nights with $10 tickets
City Market
-Local farmers’ market every Saturday -Community yard sale every Sunday starting October 16
Day of the Dead Festival
-At the Nelson Atkins Museum of art, free -November 6 from 10A.M. -4P.M.
KC Pumpkin Patch
Giant tic-tac-toe, hayrides, zip lines, slide mountain and a pumpkin patch all in one at the KC Pumpkin Patch! Famous for their kettle corn and caramel apples. All this experience for only $9.95. Located at 13875 S. Gardner Road in Olathe, KS 66061 fairly close!
Powell Gardens
A visit to Powell Gardens only $7 for parking and admission. The gardens are located at 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 Kingsville, MO 64061.With over ten different gardens, something will benefit everyone. Terrace Gardens, Island Garden, Heartland Harvest Garden and Byron Shutz Nature Trail all peak in the fall season.
World Series of Barbecue
Kansas City is famous for phenomenal barbecue and this fall season you can sample the best of the best. October 26-30 is the World Series Of Barbecue at the Kansas City Speedway. Single day tickets to the event are only $20 and includes parking and live entertainment. If you have grown up loving barbecue (like most of us have), this event is your new favorite fall activity to sample, judge and pick new favorites.
Plaza Lighting Ceremony
Anyone who has lived in Kansas City during the winter season has definitely heard of or been to the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. Unique to our city every year towards the end of fall and the start of winter, the Country Club Plaza lights up in extraordinary colors. This tradition usually marks the beginning of winter time in KC and is a fitting end to autumn. This year the lighting is on November 24 five P.M. to eight P.M. Nicholas Road and Pennsylvania. After attending the free ceremony, do some shopping or just grab a hot chocolate and enjoy the lights.
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Photo Courtesy of Louisburg Cidermill website
Food, Drink and Daring Fun Students’ Fall Favorites
Pumpkin spice, pumpkin pie, candy corn, hot chocolate, apple cider and warm tea: these are just a few of the wonderful tastes of fall. With the beginning of the season, many students are noticing the rise of some favorite flavors. New food and drink flavors are always being created. According to Olathe East students, the number one favorite fall drink is hot chocolate followed closely by apple cider. Both of these drinks offer an explicit taste of fall with each sip. Hot chocolate can be found at any local coffee shop such as: Starbucks, Black Dog Coffee House, The Roasterie, Broadway Cafe and Thou Mayest. Apple Cider can be found freshly made at: Dunn’s Cider Mill, Louisburg Cider Mill, Sibley Orchard & Cider Mill and Stephenson’s Orchard. Other favorites include the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice smoothie. Pumpkin spice, a traditional flavor, has spread to almost every food and drink on the planet. Some unusual flavorings being: Pumpkin Spice cream cheese, Pumpkin Spice pudding, Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Pie Latte(left) and Apple marshmallows and even Pumpkin Spice salad. Cider(right) photo courtesy of Blackdog Coffee House Facebook page Students’ stated their top favorite food with no surprise: pumpkin bread, followed by pumpkin pie, both predominantly pumpkin flavors classic fall season foods. Pumpkin bread and pie can be found almost anywhere this time of year. Some bakeries offering fall favorites include: McLain’s Bakery, Boulevard Bakery, Dolce Bakery and BabyCakes. Other treats mentioned include Apple Cider Donuts which can be purchased at the Louisburg Cider Mill mentioned under “Cheap Things to do in KC” along with many of the other bakeries mentioned above. As for mashed potatoes, most people will agree that their family’s recipe beats the rest.
Photo courtesy of McLain’s Bakery Facebook page Football leads favorite fall activity regardless of watching or actually playing. Both can easily be done in the comfort of your own home, at a restaurant or in a neighborhood park. Bonfires are the second most popular activity. The best bonfires include good friends and a surplus of s’mores. Commonly held in a backyard fire pit, but shelters are available to be rented at Shawnee Mission park or Heritage Park providing a more spacious get together. Another popular favorite included the Worlds of Fun Haunt tickets start at $39.95. The Haunt will be open from September 17- October 30 this year. Parking on Saturdays costs $17.
Photo courtesy of World’s of Fun Halloween Haunt Facebook page
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Know the Electoral
and four representatives, thus giving the Sunflower Sate a total of six.) The candidate from that state who gets more popular votes is awarded all of the states, electoral votes (unless you vote in Maine or Nebraska which awards electoral votes by districts.). After the electors have been elected, they meet in their state capitals on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December to cast the votes that really count- the electoral votes. By doing some higher math, we see that there are a total of 548 electoral votes (435+ 100=3=538). According to the Constitution, a candidate must win a majority of the electoral votes (270) to win the election. If no candidate wins that number, the election goes to the House of Representatives (and you will need Extra Strength Tylenol to handle that process). Why do we use such a system? Well, at the Constitutional Convention, there was a concern that the average
Adviser Karen Kirk
person (Joe the Plumber?) was note intelligent enough to make an important decision like this. The thought it should be left to the most intelligent people. So they devised this system whereby the average person selects the most intelligent persons in their state to make that decision for them. Is this system perfect? That’s up for debate. Your American Government teacher will tell you about the problem of the electoral vote-popular vote discrepancy due to the “winnertake-all” system of awarding electoral votes, the problem of the “faithless elector” who does not vote for the candidate favored by the voters of his state, and problem of election by the House of Representatives. However, neither party is considered it necessary to reform the Electoral college (except for the Twelfth Amendment in 1804). Both parties stand to gain form a system that rewards the Democrats, with strength in urban areas, and Republicans, with strength in the Midwest and South.
Co-Editors Blythe Dorrian KAitlyn ShAcklett
MAnAging Editor Jacob Stofer
GrAphics Editor JAcob Wilson
SWING STATES
Online editor RyAnn smith
business mAnAger Addis ShArpe
sociAl mediA chAir
Democratic
melAnie eszter
Republican stAff writers mikie brown mArgo dulney kylie grAhAm micAh hinton erin mccArthy lindsey proctor felicity wenger
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2008 Election Archives
So you looked at the latest CNN poll and it shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by about eight or nine percentage points among “likely voters.” Well, before you tell Michelle Obama to start measuring the White House for new curtains, you need to understand one important fact. Those numbers mean very little. You see, the United States conducts its presidential election under something called the Electoral College. While that latest poll does indicate something (just ask Al Gore how important it is to have more people vote for you), the presidential election actually is 51 separate elections in all of the states and the District of Columbia (thank you, Twenty-third Amendment). It goes like this. Voters (like you) go to the polls (assuming you are registered) and vote for the candidate they think should be President. If you look closely at the ballot, however, you will see that you are voting for the “electors” for your candidate. Each state has a number of electors based on their delegation in Congress (Kansas has two senators
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