December ChrONicle

THE

CHRONICLE VOLUME 4 - ISSUE 3 - December 16, 2016

in this issue The president-elect reports

O4

Done in December done in december O8

What it really means to graduate early

Program to academy

From programs pie roulette 1O

14

The 10th Mr. Eagle Pageant was held in the main auditorium on Saturday, December 3rd. The night boasted

mr. eagle, crowned the most contestants ever. Above, winner Jack Staes celebrates his victory with his fellow contestants.

not home for the holidays

2O

Help?

Dead

v.s alive ally trees bought annu

how can i help?

22

holiday facts & figures Ave ra

t sic ount of times people ge During the winter

ge am

24

k

the injury plague

Baseball: 119,810

28

Softball : 58,210

pure football no more

judging by the NFL’s history, maybe it should seem more surprising that the league has avoided trouble for this long.

Two phenomena, both the actions on the part of the sport’s athletes and the irresponsibility of the league’s governing body to protect its employees, have brought about a shift in thinking for a large slice of the general populous.

It’s no secret that success breeds power and irre-

Contact Information

The Chronicle staff

Responding to the Publication

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mailing address: 600 E Prairie St. Olathe, KS 66061 Phone: (913) 780-7140 Website: onhsnews.com Letters to the editor can be submitted electronically on our website at onhsnews.com under the “Contact Us” tab. Letters may be published either on onhsnews.com or in our print edition. Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual and may be edited.

Mary Hirtreiter

design editor

Advertising

Hunter Eisler

Purpose

Symone Sanders Kylee Weber

The Chronicle and onhsnews.com accept advertisements. Pricing and information can be obtained by contacting us at rcaveon@ olatheschools.org or sarabridges3@gmail.com.

The Chronicle is the official high school news publication of Olathe North High School, an open forum distributed to all students 8 times a year. This is the second issue of volume three.

The Chronicle is printed by Osage Printing, 400 N Liberty St. Independence, MO 64050. This is a student publication and may contain controversial matter. The Olathe Unified School District No. 233 and its board members, officers, and employees disclaim any responsibility for the content of this student publication; it is not an expression of School District Policy. Students and editors are solely responsible for the content of this student publication.

photo editors business manager Sara Bridges

advisor

Robert M. Cave, Jr.

editors

Skyler Daniels Abigail Miles Kailey Scharff Ana Schulte Magda Werkmeister Lauren Yoksh

staff artist Josie Sloan

copy editors Emma Reuter Alex Thompson

3O

staff writers Isabella Bray Adam Coffman Rachel Delehanty Yustina Erazo Joey Guzman MJ Ferguson Grant Hrabik Tijen Jones Amara Lindsey Haley McGriff Autumn Mesmer Juan Paramo

O3

The President-On his cabinet...

By Magda Werkmeister

President-elect Donald Trump ran his campaign on the promise that he was an anti-establishment outsider prepared to take on Washington. The people he chooses as his cabinet and closest advisors will be the first true test of whether he’ll stay on message; so far, Trump’s emerging administration includes figures well-versed in mainstream politics as well as pioneers of the alt-right movement, perhaps as an attempt to appease both traditional Republicans and the impassioned supporters Trump has brought to the party.

Current Indiana governor Mike Pence, chosen as Trump’s vice president in July, was the first hint of what was to come. Unlike Trump, Pence is no stranger to politics—after losing congressional races in 1988 and 1990, Pence was a conservative radio and talk show host from 1994 until 1999. In 2000, he was elected to the House of Representatives. In 2013, he assumed office as governor of Indiana, a position in which he gained national attention for signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which many critics called homophobic. Deeply religious, Pence appeals to America’s evangelicals, who are sometimes estranged by

Trump’s perceived crudeness. Pence, who is currently heading Trump’s transition team, will likely wield an unusual amount of power for a modern vice president, as Trump lacks any political experience whatsoever.

Another figure that will influence the new administration is Reince Priebus, who has been announced as White House Chief of Staff. Like Pence, Priebus, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, is linked strongly to the establishment. While Priebus spent the campaign pleading for party unity, and eventually battling anti-Trump sentiments within the Republican Party, he’s also been critical of some of the President-elect’s more controversial statements, such as his proposed Muslim ban and his verbal attacks on the Gold Star Family of Captain Humayun Khan.

One appointee that’s drawn much controversy is Steve Bannon, named as Trump’s chief strategist and senior counselor. Notable for having served as executive chair of Breitbart News, a self-proclaimed anti-establishment and alt-right platform, Bannon joined Trump’s presidential campaign as chief executive officer in August. Critics of his most recent appointment point to Ban-

non’s alleged ties to white nationalism, sexism, and other hateful ideologies that target minorities.

Other significant positions have already been filled, as well: Steve Mnuchin (former investment banker and hedge fund investor, and finance chairman for Trump’s presidential campaign) has been named as the Secretary of the Treasury, General James Mattis (an Independent who was appointed Commander of United States Central Command) has been chosen as Secretary of Defense, and Senator Jeff Sessions (whose 1986 nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama was shot down on the basis of racially offensive comments) has been selected as Trump’s pick for Attorney General. Other positions, like Secretary of State and Secretary of the Interior, are yet to be filled.

Trump’s choices in cabinet members and other high-ranking officials have revealed a curious conglomeration of establishment figures and ideological radicals; what’s still unclear is which side will prove dominant throughout his presidency.

every day since the November 8 election.

Protests against Trump’s divisive comments and policies have occurred nearly everywhere in the United States, with an especially high rate of participation among the younger generations. Some of the largest American cities were immediately swept up in protests, including Los Angeles, Houston, and Washington, D.C. Some major metropolitan areas are still seeing protests, such as New York City, Chicago, and Seattle. Protests have also sprung up

at universities across the United States, the list boasting acclaimed schools like Yale University, Stanford University, and the University of Notre Dame; high school students have staged walkouts in cities such as Denver; Oakland, California; and Portland, Oregon. Anti-Trump protests are not simply an American phenomenon, either—Toronto, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; and Paris, France, have all seen protests against the American President-elect.

While most demonstrations have been

On the protests...

By Magda Werkmeister

On Wednesday, November 9, thousands of people took to the streets of New York City to protest President-elect Donald Trump after one of the ugliest elections in American history. Trump’s hometown, which saw (mostly) peaceful protesters march to Trump tower in midtown, was not unique in this—the same scene was simultaneously being played out in a plethora of cities around the country. Anti-Trump sentiments don’t show many signs of settling down yet, either: protests have taken place

4 | The chronicle | issue 3

-Elect Reports peaceful, there have been incidents of violence. Police in Portland, Oregon, for example, declared a riot on November 10 after individuals smashed windows, vandalized vehicles, and started a dumpster fire. People from both sides of the aisle have also committed more isolated acts of violence.

In Akron, Ohio, a 69-year-old protester lit himself on fire. Outside the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., a National Policy Institute (which is an openly white nationalist organization) photographer sustained a gash on his forehead after provoking a protester. At Ohio State University, a protest leader was shoved from behind.

President-elect Trump first commented on the protests on November 10, tweeting, “Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting.

Very unfair!” There has been no valid evidence of paid protesters.

A day later, however, Trump tweeted, “Love the fact that small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!”

President Obama also remarked upon the protests, telling reporters he’s “been the subject of protests during the course of [his] eight years.” The President went on to

say he “would not advise people who feel strongly or who are concerned about some of the issues that [were] raised during the course of the campaign…to be silent.”

Numerous protests are planned for Trump’s inauguration, which is set to take place on January 20, 2017; one protest, the “Women’s March on Washington,” has had more than 126,000 commitments to attend. Activists and the government have clashed over where exactly demonstrators are allowed to protest within Washington, D.C. Nevertheless, large protests are certain to occur both in the capital and across the country.

on the democrats... by hunter eisler

Democrats across the country have been reeling after the momentous validation of Donald Trump and his Republican Party in the 2016 election. As state legislatures, the federal Congress, and the executive office of the United States unifies under GOP control come January 20, 2017, the Democratic establishment will be placed on the defensive. Big questions remain in the reorganization of the left-wing party, especially concerning their opposition tactics regarding the enaction of GOP policy and their future strategies for 2018, 2020, and beyond.

It is safe to say that in the new era of a Trump administration and in the surprise defeat of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, the Democratic Party is in tremendous need of new vision and structure.

Both traditional and new-age Democrats have come to the forefront of this effort, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer, and Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Tim Ryan, and Keith Ellison. Their objectives are concrete and pragmatic, which is a deviation from the total-war approach of the Republican majority for the last four years. Democrats across the board seek to work with the all-Republican government, and try to find common ground on important national issues, such as infrastructure

and trade. However, left politicans such as Sanders have voiced their intent to oppose the Trump administration on the most contentious issues: immigration, healthcare, income inequality, and spending. While Democrats will try to find potentially scarce wins in 2018, and vamp up ground operations and outreach for a successful 2020 election season, those successes hinge on the party’s top constitutents. There has been a leadership shake-up in the Senate and the Democratic National Committee, which inevitably will be responsible for the execution of such objectives. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York has been elected minority leader to replace the retiring Sen. Harry Reid, while Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California fought off a slightly contentious protest nomination from Rep. Tim Ryan for House Minority Leader. Pelosi has, however, commented that she will seek to create a more ideologically-diverse team under her command.

The Democratic National Committee, which is responsible for Democratic campaign strategies across the nation, is currently under the chairmanship of Donna Brazile, a political scientist who previously held the seat. That placement occurred after former chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman

Schultz resigned over the controversy regarding her preferential treatment of the Clinton campaign during the Democratic primary. That chair seat is now being contested by mutliple individuals seeking to run the campaign arm of the party for future elections. Most notably, Rep. Keith Ellison’s (D-MN) campaign for DNC chair garnered support from Senator Bernie Sanders, soon followed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Ellison and Sanders share policy stances on several issues, especially regarding nationwide income inequality and college tuition. Few other names are alongside Ellison in the bid for the chairmanship; while Howard Dean, the former DNC chair and presidential candidate, initially voiced interest in the seat, he has since withdrawn his candidacy.

Under congressional and committee leadership, the party will inevitably adapt to the change of administration and the general new direction of America. Democratic success hinges on the success of party unification, the compromise between establishment and anti-establishment ideology, and the new election strategies implemented by the DNC chair.

issue 3 | the chronicle | 5

Future History

Top left. The Secret Service guard Trump Tower around the clock since his election on Nov. 8. Currently, the Secret Service is considering renting a space on the first floor of the Tower to run security operations.

Bottom left. Donald Trump met with The New York Times Nov. 22, where attendees noted the moderate conversation and proclamations that he would not pursue charges against Hillary Clinton.

Top middle. Mitt Romney, a contender for Secretary of State, met Donald Trump and his chief of staff, Reince Priebus, for dinner in downtown New York City. Trump’s selection for Secretary of State position has not yet been announced.

6 | The chronicle | issue 3

Top right. Photographed leaving Trump Tower, Steve Bannon is Trump’s selection for White House Chief Strategist, a position which will place a large amount of authority and executive power into the former CEO of Breitbart News. Bannon has received pushback from many Democrats and independents who cite his connection to the ‘alt-right,’ a white nationalist subgroup of conservatives.

Bottom right. Donald Trump’s campaign launched a ‘Thank You Tour’ after his election to the presidency, which targets key states that he won in the Electoral College.

Bottom middle. Protests emerged across the nation after Trump’s election, with the overarching theme containing the phrase and chant ‘Not My President.’ The protests persisted for several consecutive nights. issue 3 | the chronicle | 7

Done in December

What it really means to graduate early By sara bridges Business Manager

Design By Ana Schulte Editor

The end of the school year offers a special opportunity to recognize those students who make up the senior class. Hundreds will walk out of the builiding in the month of May, trying to figure out what to do next. Family and friends will cheer and take photos while they congratulate one another. But, there is a small population of students every year that will get to experience this, not in May, but in the end of semester in December.

Graduating early from Olathe North means giving up activities the students usually experience during their senior year, including sports, pep assemblies, and school plays. But, it also means gaining opportunities that students usually do not obtain when they are in school all day. It is a difficult decision but, getting out of high school early can be more beneficial in the long run. It allows the students to prosper by starting college early, getting a job, or even working more hours to save money for things, such as moving out or college. “I will hopefully be attending Tallahassee Community College in Flordia for an agricultural and obtain a mechanical degree,” says senior Brieanne Murphy. Graduating early also shows many adults, including parents, that even if the student is younger than 18, he or she is responsible and self-sufficient enough to deserve more freedom.

Although graduating early requires extra cooperation with your guidance counselor, and often a heavier course load during your remaining time at high school. This says soemthing to college admissions officers about your dedication to your studies. “I had to take English 101 for my last credit of English at JCCC, and I loved it, other than the three page essays every week. Everybody there

would go to class and do their thing. It really made my worries about college go away.” Says Murphy.

This oppurtunity can also give teens the possibility to travel for a few months. This often saves money onllege tuition and is a way to challenge students with managment skills and stepping into that scary thing called life. “It will just be me and my dog down in Flordia, scared, but we are ready for freedom.” Says Murphy.

Every person deserves to walk across their highschool stage and shake hands with the principal Jason Herman when they receive their diploma. Therefore, early grads will have the option to come back to Olathe North and walk the stage in May. “I will be walking the stage in May, as well as going to prom!” Says Murphy. Just because the students are done with classes in December, doesn’t mean they still aren’t enrolled as a highschool student. Students are given the option to come back and participate in the larger activities, for example; prom, graduation, and even the senior picnic.

If you’re dedicated to the idea of graduating early, it can be well worth the effort. “I’m giving my adivce to all of the seniors next year...do it!” Murphy says. Your counselor can offeer you insight to help you make your own choices. In fact, communication and a strong relationship with your conselor is a big key to graduating early. Students will need to sit down with the people who are helping them make the decision, and make sure that they have met all their highschool requirments and that they have a plan once the semester is up.

Why did you decide to graduate early?

“I began to get to get fed up with school so I started getting more credits over the summer and online. This semester I realized that I had taken enough credits and would have nothing to do next semester.”

Are you Walking in May? Are you going to prom?

“Yes, I am walking in May. I probably am [going to prom].”

Will you miss not being at Olathe North in second semester?

“Probably not.”

Julia Wakefield, Senior 8 | The chronicle | issue 3

f

e

f

A message from Mr. Herman

We want you to share your favorite holiday traditions! Tweet @JasonHermanON and use the hashtag #ONHolidays. Let’s celebrate the diversity we have here at Olathe North!

f

e

#ONHolidays

a

f

issue 3 | the chronicle | 9

From programs to academies A brief visit into the world of some of the 21st century academies that Olathe north has to offer.

by mj ferguson Staff Writer Contributions from: Isabella Bray, Rachel Delehanty, Yustina Erazo, Amara Lindsey designed by emma Reuter and Alex thompson Copy Editors We all recognize the names of the 21st Century Academies, but what do you actually know about them? In 1999 to 2000, at the turn of the century, the Olathe Schools District sent out a survey to ask the “community what [they thought] a 21st Century School should look like”. The survey responses were compiled and the idea of the 21st Century Programs born. It took a few years to research, organize the programs, and choose facilities to house them. Finally in 2003, the original 21st Century Academies - Medical Professions, Geosciences, and Sports Medicine at Olathe North, as well as others - were established, and many have been added on since. When Olathe West High School opens next year, there will be a total of 15 four-year Academies with at least two Academies hosted at each school. Olathe North hosts the most four-year Academies on campus, with five in total: Animal Health, 10 | The chronicle | issue 3

Distinguished Scholars, Geosciences, Medical Professions, and Sports Medicine and Exercise Science.

In 2015, the school district began a series of updates to the 21st Century Academies. The Deputy Superintendent Alison Banikowski talked about these new changes stating that, “With the opening of our fifth high school, . . . it was a perfect time for us to undergo a recalibration of our Academies.” These modifications include refocusing and updating the curriculums to keep up with the evolving world, rebranding with new Academy logos, creating new Academies, creating a new website, and updating the application process.

The Academies also prepare students for college and careers through extension hours (AKA e-hours), internships, specialized classroom experiences, fields trips, and more. But how does each Academy accomplish their goal?

Animal Health Academy The Animal Health Academy was established in 2009.

This Academy is specialized to help students explore careers such as Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Biology, Conservation, and other such fields. Students explore these fields with handson experiences through field trips, annual summer camps, and classroom experiences not found in any other classroom. The annual summer camps - which last about a week - that Animal Health have gone on in the past few years are to Mahaffie Farmstead and to the Kansa City Zoo for private tours. This year they will be going back to the zoo to do a behavioral study on an animal they are assigned to. When asked about their favorite experiences the Academy provided, many students said they liked the field trips, but not only because they are “going to learn, but [also because they] bond as a Academy,” said senior Jenna Rangel.

A recent change to the Animal Health Academy is that their freshmen students no longer take a Lab Tech class.

Lab Tech introduced students to laboratory instruments and procedures. When asked about this change, Mr. Estes, the facilitator of Animal Health, responded, “There was a need for freshman students . . . to have more contact time within their Academy [to] strengthen the depth of knowledge in Animal Health studies as well as lab skills.” With the refocusing of the curriculum, the Animal Health Academy decided that freshmen needed more time to immerse and focus on studies related to their Academy while also learning about labs and laboratory equipment.

the Academy helps prepare students for college through their specialized experiences, as well as e-hours. When students in Animal Health were asked about them, senior Jenna Rangel said that e-hours can be “hard to find if you want to volunteer with animals because most shelters say you have to be 18.” Other students said that e-hours aren’t too bad, whether because they get to spend more time around animals or they count as volunteer hours and look good on a college transcript.

Either way, the students also commented that these experiences from the Academy helped them prepare for college and careers because it helped give them a better idea of the work that is needed and the amount of effort that will be spent to get to that career.

Geosciences Academy Geosciences was established in 2003. It was first called Earth Science Frontiers, but after the first year it was changed to Geosciences when they learned what the proper term was for the earth sciences they focused on. This Academy is designed to help teach students about marine biology, astronomy, oceanography, geology, paleontology, and other environmental sciences. One of the original reasons Geosciences was created was so that the students here in the land-locked state of Kansas could learn more about the world of water.

There haven’t been any big changes to the Geosciences Academy other than the essential rebranding and refocusing that happened to the other Academies.

This Academy helps prepare students for college through their own special classroom experiences and field trips. These are done at the university level with industry standard instruments and equipment, many aquariums that hold various different species of aquatic life, a paleontology prep lab to learn how to

prepare and preserve fossils, and so much more. Along with these hands-on opportunities right wat the school, Geosciences students also go on summer field trips every other year to either the beaches of Texas to study marine life or to Yellowstone to do a dino dig. The summer trips are not only fun, but give the students the opportunity to put their classroom knowledge to work in a real-life setting.

issue 3 | the chronicle | 11

Distinguished Scholars Academy Distinguished Scholars was established about thirteen years ago. This Academy is specialized to give students “high level academic experiences that are beyond the scope of even the AP course work in the building,” as Mrs. Zongker, one of two facilitators over the Academy, said. Distinguished Scholars is divided into five content areas: Language Arts, Math, Political Science, Science, and Visual Arts. Freshmen in the Academy spend their first year in an Expedition program, exploring each content area before applying for their top choices.

There are not any recent big changes to the Academy, other than the rebranding and refocusing all Academies have experienced.

When asked about this, Mrs. Zongker said, “I hear [about] lots of changes across the district to the Academies . . . but as far as curriculum, ours is pretty fluid on a year-to-year basis.” This means if a content area wants to explore a subject they haven’t previously, they have the flexibility to adapt their curriculum around it. The type of studies in content areas can also look very different from program to program. The Political Science content area recently went to the courthouse to observe debates to strengthen their political communication skills. The Freshmen Expedition class takes an intensive personality course to learn about strengths, as well as how to work with various other personalities. The type of activities completely depends on the content area’s focuses and goals.

Distinguished Scholars prepares students for college in an infinite amount of ways. Just like how the curriculums depend on the focus of the content areas, so does the different opportunities each content areas provides. All 9th-11th grade Distinguished Scholars are required to take the PSAT/ACT each year. The Academy provides students with preparation for the tests during class. Other opportunities Distinguished Scholars provides are internships, research projects with research professors in correlating careers, publishing and exhibition opportunities and other such opportunities. This Academy also helps students explore the countless career options in each of the strands to figure out what they enjoy and what career they want to pursue. When asked about this, senior Dorian Dubose said, “Distinguished Scholars helped me figure out what I’d like to do in the future in addition to showing me the connectivity between tasks and subjects. That’ll be indispensable going forward.”

Sports medicine Academy Sports Medicine was established in 2003. This Academy is specialized to help students who are interested in how the body works, is hurt, heals again, and performs its daily tasks. Students spend time with athletes in real world situations and spend over 200 hours outside of school to reinforce what they learn in the classroom. Students in Sports Medicine are at all of the Olathe North sports events in case of injury to use the knowledge they gained through the Academy.

A recent change to the Academy is how “working as an athletic trainer, internships with doctors, coaches, Physical Therapist[s], and Strength Coaches” is done, as Mrs. Hanson, the facilitator of Sports Medicine explained. The systems for these have been updated to work more effectively and efficiently.

Sports Medicine prepares students for college through the internships with various medical professionals. They also have Certi fied Nurse Association programs students can complete. These

12 | The chronicle | issue 3

opportunities help students explore and figure out whether they love certain careers, or not, in the Sports Medicine field. When asked about how this Academy helps prepare their students, Mrs. Hanson said, “We teach [students] communication, eye contact, and introducing yourself . . . I try to help students understand how college is similar to high school and also how it is different.”

Medical Professions Academy Medical Professions was established about 12 years ago. This Academy was originally called Biotechnology, then it was changed to Life Sciences, and now it is Medical Professions. It is specialized to teach students who are interested in human healthcare, research, and genetics. They do this through use industry-standard equipment, being enrolled in one to two Academy elective classes per semester, doing internships, research projects, e-hours, and going on field trips to learn about medicine and careers in the medical field.

A recent big change to the Academy was the name change from to Medical Professions, as was mentioned above.

When asked about this, Mrs. Fogt, the facilitator of the Academy, said, “we thought that [this] would make a clearer distinction to the incoming 8th graders about what our focus is.” Many students didn’t like the change in name and believed that the Academy should have kept it as Life Sciences. On the contrary, many students admitted that the name did make more sense to what the Academy teaches and gives the Academy a more focused approach for the curriculum.

Medical Professions prepares their students for college through being enrolled in life science focused electives, research projects, internships at the Olathe Medical Center, tours at many colleges with life science and medical degrees, and much more.

The Academy even aligns part of their curriculum with JCCC and KU Edwards ‘Degree in 3’ for students who want to explore Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology. Senior Jenna Kenana, when asked if the Academy and experiences she had in it would set her apart from others in college, said, “The [Academy] itself isn’t what is setting me apart from competitors for [positions in] college[s] and careers, but it is the opportunities that this Academy has given me . . . that [will] set me apart from the average crowd.”

Many of you have probably noticed the following motto on posters throughout the school: We are Relationships, Rigor, Relevance, and Resilience. We are Eagles.

The Academies here at Olathe North High School do just this. They help students develop relationships with people in the career paths they want to follow, but also with other students with similar interests and mindsets to give them solid foundations towards defining their career paths. The Academies show rigor through their curriculums. Their coursework is specific to their focuses and require additional classes and outside of school and activities not found in the normal students’ day. The experiences, internships and professional guidance they receive not only boosts their confidence, but sets their college applications apart from other students their age. They show relevance through the curriculums of the classes. Though a student in the Academy might have a specific career in mind, teachers design the classes to be relevant to all of the students’ curiosities. The Academies show resilience through how they are ever changing and growing. They adapt to help their students reach their greatest potential at Olathe North High School.

WE are r e lationsips

a

ri g or

re l evance

e

re s ilience issue 3 | the chronicle | 13

Pie Roulette

Written and design By Ana Schulte, Magda Werkmeister, and Lauren Yoksh

This competition is not for the weak. While this rigorous cooking contest is often called "Holiday Hell's Kitchen," contestants come to find that it's anything but holly and jolly. The rules? 12 plastic bags will be filled with a congregation of the worst and best holiday ingredients November and December have to offer. Contestants in the event will draw numbers corresponding to the bags, gather their ingredients, and use them to make the most magical holiday pie imaginable. On November 18, 2016, three Chronicle staff members put their baking skills to the test and participated in this dreaded competition. On the following pages, you will find their accounts of the night everything went wrong. This is Pie Roulette.

14 | The chronicle | issue 3

peppermint and perspiration “It could be worse” By Lauren yoksh In theory, this was a good idea. In practice, it was a flop. But not a tiny, unnoticeable flop, like when you trip on your own shoelace or drop your pencil and it lands three desks away, no, this was a major flop. Little did I know that participating in a Cutthroat Kitchen-likeholiday-pie-bake-off would result in detesting most of my favorite holiday foods. It wasn’t until I was physically pulling my ingredients out of their brown paper bags that I thought for a second, hey, maybe this wasn’t a good idea.

To say we were naïve is an understatement. We were thrilled, eager, impatient to get our ingredients together and start baking some tasty holiday themed pies. The entire drive from Ana’s house to WalMart and back contained nothing but enthusiastic cheers and mumbling along to the forgotten words of Christmas songs.

We set out our ingredients on Ana’s kitchen island and placed each in a brown paper sack. All the while, Ana had turned on the same radio station we had been listening to in my car and was dancing around her kitchen. Yes, for the most part, we all still had a positive outlook at this point. But soon after we drew numbers and pulled out our ingredients did the realization hit: I have to make a pie out of this.

Honestly, I thought I was going to have the advantage with my first three ingredients: mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. But then I pulled out my fatal fourth ingredient: candy canes. Candy canes. How was I supposed to blend three warm, savory holiday flavors with peppermint? This was the point that I realized that my bragging about how I watched the Food Network all week was childish and ignorant— no amount of watching MasterChef was going to

help me with this.

For some reason, Ana thought that giving us a time restraint would be “fun,” so she set her oven timer for 35 minutes. Both my mashed potatoes and gravy were in packages and needed to be made, but no matter how much I complained about this disadvantage, Ana would not stop the clock. Laid out in front of us was a collection of spices Ana found in a cabinet: pumpkin spice, ground ginger, and cinnamon. I reached for the cinnamon and stirred it into the mashed potatoes, later adding a hint of both ginger and pumpkin spice. I added a splash of gravy to the potatoes, just enough so that you couldn’t taste it but enough so that I could say I used all of my ingredients.

Then I looked at the can of green beans and squinted my eyes. At this point, I had no inspiration left, and I just tossed the beans into the mashed-potatoes-gravy-spices mix. For the first time, I tasted my dish. I made a face that I had seen other Food Network stars make when they tasted their foods, and said to Ana and Magda, “Well, it could be worse.”

I grabbed my pre-made pie crust and scooped the mashed potato concoction into the crust. Then came the moment I had been dreading: what am I going to do with these candy canes? I looked at the clock and saw that we had four minutes left. In that moment, I truly felt like I was on a melodramatic episode of Chopped. I grabbed a stray brown paper bag and dropped the end of a candy cane into it and began to whack the bag with a spoon. I sprinkled the candy cane bits onto my pie, stepped back, and took it all in. Wow, I thought, my pie looks like old people food. The timer went off. We all sighed. It was over.

the breakdown: pies out of 5 Flavor Holiday-ness Appearance issue 3 | the chronicle | 15

Inspired but impaired

“loser among losers” by ana schulte My ingredients: Pumpkin, pre-sliced deli turkey, chocolate oranges, and dinner rolls. Maybe the adrenaline of the competition was muffling my good judgement. Maybe the gorgeous voice of Mariah Carey drifting from the radio and into my soul created an unsettling cockiness I couldn’t displace. I really don’t know.

I felt good as I scooped a cup of pumpkin into a bowl and mixed “Essence of Pumpkin Spice” into it. I figured it smelled enough like a Bath and Body Works candle to help me deceive consumers of my pie into thinking they were being evoked by powerful holiday memories, and therefore win me the first place prize. Even with this advantage, the pumpkin mixture was horrific. After botching it by way of cinnamon, ginger, and the candle juice, and ultimately dumping five cups of cane sugar into it to make up for lack of...tastiness, I gave up. I slathered my two dollar shortbread crust with the filling and moved on to the deli turkey. It certainly wasn’t a redeeming factor in the pie disaster beginning to form beneath my hands. I chopped it up and placed it gently around the perimeter of the pie.

There. Done!

I needed to use the dinner rolls. Lauren had spent the past two days going on about how if she got the bread she’d, “Make it into a crumble!” Because, I don’t know, that’s tasteful? Maybe I would’ve gone down that route if I hadn’t been so annoyed with all of her babbling. Needless to say, I strayed from the traditional path and tried something more original. Fact: I am in no way qualified to “try something original.” I thought, “Hey! I’ll make bread pudding! That will go well with pumpkin!” Not that I know what bread pudding is. (Note: By definition, bread pudding is “a dessert consisting of slices of bread baked together with dried fruit, sugar, spices, eggs, and milk,” in case, like me, you are clueless.) Of course, that didn’t

the breakdown: pies out of 5 Flavor Holiday-ness Appearance

16 | The chronicle | issue 3

matter. I cut the dinner rolls into squares and mushed them up with bananas, called it bread pudding, and slopped it on the pumpkin.

Phase three of Pie Roulette complete.

Phase four? Chocolate Orange. These things are like...like, if the god responsible for all the fatal disasters that have occurred since the dawn of time wanted to apologize for all the crap he’s put the human race through, he’d send us all chocolate oranges. Does that sentence make sense? I hope it does. Anyway.

Great on their own, but in a pie I wasn’t sure... especially in a pie filled with pumpkin, turkey, and makeshift bread pudding. Like every great chef, though, I pushed forward. I took the pieces of the chocolate orange and delicately placed them in a flowery array around my pie. Once an average pumpkin-banana-mush-mess, my pie now belonged to a place high in the sky, which, I figured, was normally reserved for saints and revenants. There was only one problem. Not even a problem, really, just a blip I remembered after placing my revered creation into oven. Chocolate melts. Oops!

My little brother, who stood in place as a judge, did not overlook this fact.

“This is not going to be pleasant,” He commented as he stared at the pumpkin desert beneath his nose. He slowly lifted his fork and brought my pie- my pie- to his lips. My vision blurred. I watched as his face contorted and turned red. He spit the pie into the trashcan.

Magda and Lauren burst into laughter as my worst fears came to life. “Lots of different ingredients hit me at the same time...it’s a bit mushy and melty,” My heart sunk with every word. “And the processed turkey...EGH! That’s all I got to say.”

Culinary Wonder child

“Diamond in the rough” by magda werkmeister I honestly didn’t know what I had let myself get roped into. I mean, holiday pie roulette? With the ingredient list containing clashing flavors like gravy and peppermint, the possibilities for catastrophe were plentiful. Ana and Lauren talked this whole shebang up a lot, even as we were leaving the store with instant mashed potato packet and canned cranberry sauce in hand—I have to admit that I was excited for some time, too. But as I sat in the backseat of Lauren’s car, next to an empty cracker bag and morosely listening to “Little Drummer Boy,” all I could wonder was how long it would take me to throw up all over Ana’s kitchen island.

I knew that whatever ingredients we randomly selected would be the deciding factor of the night. So I wasn’t overjoyed when I realized one of my ingredients was yams. They stared back at me from the counter, looking as displeased as I probably did.

I’ve never worked with yams in my entire life, I thought before reminding myself that I wasn’t competing on MasterChef and I’d never “worked with” cornbread or fruit cake or cranberry sauce, either, and the most I had ever “worked with” a pie was simply performing the task of removing a ready-made Marie Callender’s from a cardboard box and placing it in the oven. So I shrugged it off.

How do people even eat yams? I still don’t know, but I do know now that they look absolutely hideous. I mean, seriously. They look like normal food that rotted. They look like bits of flesh that some unfortunate soul would have the misfortune of stumbling upon in a cannibal’s refrigerator. When I remarked upon this to Ana, she

laughed and said that the can was at least a year old.

Of course, I thought. An attempt to sabotage my pie. Typical Ana. I persevered nonetheless. Summoning my hidden inner culinary genius, I promptly blended the yams with a generous amount of brown sugar and a hint of vanilla. This would be the bottom layer of my pie, the foundation. The pre-made pie crust accepted it readily.

The next layer was to be the cranberry sauce. I have to admit, this part was easy. All that was required of me was to mash the sauce— which was more of a jello in the can—into an acceptable consistency. But, as usual, I went above and beyond. I decided it would be a marvelous idea to add some white sugar to the sauce, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my very limited experience in the kitchen, even if you think you’ve put in enough sugar to give a horse diabetes, you still haven’t put in enough sugar.

The top crust was, again, easy for an apparent culinary wonder child like myself. I simply crumbled some cornbread and fruit cake, combined them, and formed a pleasant top crust for my pie. I regarded my nearly finished masterpiece with great relish.

Up until this point, I had never tried fruit cake before. I didn’t know how bad it was. I didn’t know that it would be such a handicap. Lauren and Ana both curiously took bites, and, to my dismay, made contorted faces of disgust.

Oh jeez, I thought. Surely they’re exaggerating.

Fruit cake, in case you’re wondering, tastes like someone’s dirty gym socks spritzed lightly with a fruity perfume—it’s that revolting.

“Wow,” Lauren said. “This could doom your entire pie.” An evil glint sparkled in her eyes as a Yoksh victory seemed more and more like a possibility. But it was too late for me.

Or so I thought.

the breakdown: pies out of 5 Flavor Holiday-ness Appearance

issue 3 | the chronicle | 17

The Way The

cookies crumble

BY Amara Lindsey, Isabella Bray, Rachel delehanty, and yustina erazo Staff writers Design by Ana Schulte Editor

The holidays mean many different things for a multitude of cultures. For some, the significance is coming together, exchanging gifts and for others it means remembering the past and celebrating the present. But in every culture, tradition holds true in the food they eat.

Often times, holidays are associated with cultural foods that hold a special meaning.

So the sophomore squad, a group of four chronical staff members: Isabella, Amara, Rachel and Yustina decided to embrace the diverse culture at Olathe North and around the world by making different desserts from around the world.

China is known for their mooncakes, but why are they so important? The mooncakes represent reunion and the harvest moon and are eaten during the harvest festival.

These little desserts were so enticing that we had to try them ourselves.

The mooncakes were simple to make because they closely resemble a simple cookie recipe. Just combine sugar, eggs, butter, and flour to make a dough, then chunk out the dough into balls, press your thumb into the middle and place jam there then bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Traditionally mooncakes are made with a bean paste however we used a strawberry jam. The dessert resembled a tiny Danish and tasted like shortbread cookies.

The next country we tackled was India, where they eat ladoos, a popular Indian dessert, that is typically eaten whenever there is a family gathering or festival. There are many different versions of this dessert but we made Atta Ladoos, a simple mix of wheat flour, sugar, ghee, or clarified butter, and raisins. Traditionally, ladoos are small sweet balls enjoyed by families, however when we made them they turned out differently. We were not culturally accustomed to this style of baking so when we made ladoos, they were bland. The dessert turned out to be powdery and gritty and nothing like the traditional desserts.

Other desserts don’t hold any meaning but are only eaten around the holidays. Such as beaver tails, a Canadian dessert. Beaver tails are simple to make and are a scrumptious to eat. All you have to do is make dough, fry it, roll it in cinnamon and sugar and viola, you have a delicious seasonal dessert. You can also top your beaver tail with jam or, more commonly, maple syrup. The beaver tails taste similarly to donuts or honey buns.

The last dessert we made was fudge, a dessert that originated in America, but is also eaten around the world and especially enjoyed in the United Kingdom. Fudge can range from many different flavors and can be found all around the United Kingdom.

The fudge we made was a simple and common recipe that consisted of butter, marshmallow fluff, sugar, evaporated milk, and chocolate chips. It was thick and rich in flavor and the best part was it only took ten minutes to make.

From India to Canada, every country has its own spin on holiday spirit, starting with their desserts. Some desserts symbolize special meaning in that country, like Chinese mooncakes, and others are exclusive to only a certain time of year like Canadian beaver tails. Whether the desserts have a special significance or were just eaten around a certain time of the year, every culture has many traditional foods that is very different than the palate we have in the United States but it is still important to celebrate

18 | The chronicle | issue 3

diversity.

CANADA

What connection do you have with Canada?

“Some of my family lives in Canada. I lived in Canada for about 6 months then moved back here.”

Do you have special cookies that you make for around the holidays?

“There are cookies that everyone buys around the holidays that are basically Oreos shaped like maple leaves. We also make maple donut-cookies that are called Beaver Tails all of the time.”

What holidays do you have these cookies for?

“We usually make beaver tails every Christmas.”

Aly shirley, sophomore

India

What connection do you have with India?

“I have family from India and I also have traveled there.”

Do you have special cookies that you make around the holidays?

“We make ladoos which are basically balls of sugar with flour. We have a whole bunch of different cookies and sweets like that.

What holidays do you have these cookies for?

“We have a festival called Diwali where we make a bunch of really good sweets. We get together with our friends and families and we have a party. We dance, do skits, and eat a lot of food.”

Anchal Gupta, Sophomore

CHINA

What deserts do you make around the holidays?

“Moon cakes, dumplings, dragon dumplings, mooncakes are for the moon because that is the roundest moon of the year.”

Do they hold special meaning to them?

“Zongzi, bamboo leaves wrapped around rice with stuffing in it too. That was the memory of a poet who committed suicide from the country named, Qu Yuan. He was famous, well liked and was sad that his country was so corrupt so he jumped into the lake. The people threw rice into the river to keep the fish from eating him.”

ZACh Wu, Senior

issue 13 | the chronicle | 19

not home for the holidays

By Tijen Jones and MJ Ferguson Staff Writers Design by Lauren Yoksh Editor

Holidays have always been a talismanic time that triggers thrills, thanks, and tradition. Yet when you are taken away from your home for these sacred events, it becomes increasingly strange. Foreign exchange students all over the world have to deal with this cultural shift, even on the most family based time during the year.

Since the foreign exchange student program here at Olathe North began, it has been extremely prosperous - and yet it is never talked about enough. This year, we have two foreign exchange students: Senior Phuong Tong from Taiwan and Aomian (Zach) Wu from China. Both are very well versed in English and thriving here at Olathe North. As for the program, every year it grows. According to Mrs. Barr, the counselor over this program, “we’ve had exchange students [at Olathe North] every year since I’ve worked here.”

The winter holidays are a time of good grace, where everyone, even that mean kid next door, is nice. Yet another aspect of these times is tradition and familiarity. As a foreign exchange student, that is all discarded. Even in America’s standard, some of the cultural traditions, to us at least, are very strange. So despite our call of freedom and acceptance, we still gawk at other ideas. In Zach Wu’s words, “there’s a big cultural difference.” So how are they supposed to follow their traditions and still succumb to the

20 | The chronicle | issue 3

American society that they came here to study? That question is made all the harder by the holidays. Yet somehow, these amazing students handle both.

With these different cultures, it is very hard to make the transition over to America. Most other traditions are not celebrated here except for an exclusive few. This makes it very strange to be forced into another culture that doesn’t understand your own.

However, despite these difficulties, it is an exhilarating experience.

From many who were foreign exchange students, their advice is to go out and explore! We can see something entirely new to us, yet that is only a snippet of what the world has to offer! These students are doing exactly that. Not to mention all of the interesting stories they have to tell their parents and friends afterwards!

With new experiences and a broader horizon, your outlook on life could be forever changed. For sure, these students’ lives are transformed.

Luckily, here in Olathe, we have a very welcoming and open community, even if these traditions seem strange or new to us.

Zach Wu states, “I’m sure if I asked to celebrate Chinese New Year, [my host family] would [celebrate it] with me.” As for what other cultures celebrate, our foreign exchange students have allowed us to see inside their lives. For Phuong, in Taiwan, Lunar New Year is the most prominent. “In my country, we don’t celebrate

Thanksgiving, and even [though] Christmas is a special time, it’s not a national holiday. We celebrate both [the] New Year and Lunar New Year and have a really long holiday in this time of the year” said Phuong. Lunar New Year is essentially an “all in one” type of holiday. Spanning over multiple days, it is a symbol of cleansing the last year and of rebirth into the new one. During this time, most are joyful because it is believed that this holiday will determine the rest of the new year. For Zach, Chinese New Year is what is celebrated during this time. This holiday is very similar to the Lunar New Year. The Chinese New Year is a time where they honor deities and ancestors with feasts, extravagant decorations, and the mindset to sweep away the misfortune of the last year. This diversity and difference of other countries and traditions from America is why makes getting to know a foreign exchange student is so enticing.

Even though every place has a different culture and every person their own belief, it is extremely important to view the world so we have a better understanding of where and why people make the decisions they do. Not to mention that during these holidays we all, somehow, stop the fighting, stop the terrible ranchor towards others, and celebrate a time where we eat, give presents, and, overall, are nicer to others, even to those who don’t expect it. It is this diverse unity that makes this time of year special and, even if you are far from home, a wonderful time around the world.

Accounts from olathe north forgien excahnge students Zach Wu, Senior, chinese foreign exchange student

What is it like celebrating holidays when you’re so far from home?

“I celebrated Chinese New Year last year with some of my friends.”

Will you celebrate Christmas with your host family this year?

“Yes. I’m sure if I asked them to celebrate Chinese New Year [with me] they would.”

Phuong tong, senior, vietnamese foreign exchange student

What is like celebrating the holidays where you”re so far from home?

“I haven’t had any plans to be honest. Maybe I’ll just spend time with my host family and new friends.”

What are some holiday traditions from Vietnam and how do they differ from those of America?

“In my country... even [though] Christmas is a special time, it’s not a national holiday. We celebrate both New Year and Lunar New Year and have a really long holiday in this time of the year.” issue 3 | the chronicle | 21

How Can I Help?

During the holidays many families face issuses finding warm clothing, presents for the children, and a hot meal to enjoy together. During this time of year, it is important for us youth to begin asking ourselves, how can I help?

22 | The chronicle | issue 3

By: Symone Sanders

The Salvation Army “Doing The Most Good”

The Salvation Army is a Christain founded organization that offers pubic services to those in need from a discounted store where people can purchase winter coats to providing services for those that are homeless or cannot feed themselves. During the holidays, The Salvation Army greatly appreciates clothing and miscellaneous items such as toys as donations so that they can provide a happy and afforable holiday for several local and distant families They also look for voulenteer work such as standing outside of local businesses ringing a bell that encourages .

The Salvation Army Thrift Store1223 E Santa Fe St, Olathe, KS 66061 The Salvation Army Corps Community Centers420 E Santa Fe St, Olathe, KS 66061

Catholic Charities

“Working to reduce poverty in america”

Catholic Charities was founded by a Catholic Community which has reached 21 different counties in the Northeast Kansas City area. One important mission they seek to fulfill is servicing and providing for not only the Catholic community but all religions in each county. In the Northeast Kansas City area they provide, eight Emergency Assistance Centers, nine food pantries and two mobile food pantries that service about 12,000 people a month. During this busy time of year, Catholic Charities eagerly looks for voulenteers willing to help out at their thrift stores, food pantries, and participate in local events such as toy/clothing drives. To become a voulenteer, visit their Kansas based website at catholiccharitiesks.org.

Catholic Charites Food Pantry 333 E Poplar St A, Olathe, KS 66061

Johnson County Christmas Bureau "Providing Warmth and Sustenance"

Focusing on strengthening and building a community, the Johnson County Christmas Bureau is an organization determined to give the low income JOCO residents a happy holiday. During the month of December they run a holiday shop that offers families below the 150% poverty level, food that can feed their family for three days, personal care items, clothes, and other products like book and game for children. Voulenteers are very much needed during this time of year not only to help run the organization but to also demonstrate the unity of a community no matter how much money you have in your pockets.

Holiday Shop 16100 W 135th St, Olathe, KS

issue 3 | the chronicle | 23

facts and figures: the holidays Holidays are a time for gifts, treats, and all things festive. We thought we woud take it to the chronicle newspaper to look at some holiday stats and figures.

w ra

pping

Star ber buck’s Revenue in Decem

Each ton that is used or consumed annually

$268,500,000 of revenue annually in December.

Dead

v.s alive ally trees bought annu

Every 950,000 fake or artificial trees sold Every 3,300,000 alive trees sold

Most popular toy in each decade

1950’s Silly Putty was invented by accident. During World War II the allies were short on rubber and the U.S was sent to make a synthetic rubber, and was called “Nutty Putty”, and became a novelty item.

ly paper consumed annual

Ave ra

t sic ount of times people ge During the winter

ge am

k

Average amount of times adults get colds during the winter.

Average amount of times children get colds during the winter.

1970’s

1960’s Barbie is the number one toy in United States history. More than one billion Barbie’s have been sold, and is a $3 billion a year seller for Mattle.

1980’s

Designed by Abigail Miles Editor Researched by Joey Guzman Staff writer

23.2%

REligions of the world

7.1%

Islam

0.8%

5.9% Buddhism

0.2%

Judaism

Other Folk

Hinduism

15% 31.5% 16.3%

Christianity

Unaffiliated

Top 5 most celebrated holidays New Years Day/Eve Kwanza Hanukah

Coldest states during the winter: North Dakota and Minnesota.

Ramadan Christmas

States that receive over 60 inches of snow per year: Colorado and New Hampshire.

Coldest state and states the receive over 60 inches per year: Alaska and Maine.

1990’s 320 billion blocks have been produced. The product was created in the 1930 in Denmark but became the most popular in the 90’s.

2000’s Razor scooters were created in 1999 as a folding kick scooter.

The scooter became the most popular in 2000 when Dan Green landed the first backflip.

2010’s

2016 Facts about the Dji Phantom 3 drone are very hard to come by. It is estimated that the drone will be one of the most popular product in 2016. It is estimated that Dji has a $1 billion profit annually.

FINALS WEEK:

Study Tips for YOUR learning style! written and designed By autumn mesmer Staff writer

Finals. The stressful, horrifying week of testing you on what you learned throughout the past semester. How do you prepare? You study. But frankly, most teachers don’t actually teach how to study, indicating they teach you knowledge, but not how to remember it. Well, don’t stress about finals this semester. If you look below, there are study habits designed uniquely for your learning style. If you don’t know your learning style, to the right is a small quiz for you to take to learn it., and then look at the studying skills. You’ll pass those finals like a champ! (You can thank me later...in Kit-Kats.)

Don’t know your learning style? Take this fast and easy quiz to find out!

1

You remember information the best when: A. There is a song/tune with the information you have to remember in the lyrics.

B. The textbook has many photos, charts, graphs,drawings,etc.

C. The lesson/activity is hands-on.

D. You take notes when you read.

2

How do you remember a phone number?

A. Repeating it out loud.

B. Picturing the numbers.

C. Writing it down.

D. Writing it down multiple times/rereading it multiple times.

3

When you meet someone for the first time, what do you recall the best?

A. Their name.

B. Their face.

C. What you did with them D. The conversation you had.

4

When you’re listen-ing to a song, you’re most likely to: A. Sing/hum along.

B. Picture the music video for the song.

C. Tap your foot/dance.

D. Focus on what the lyrics are saying.

5

What is the most distracting thing in class?

A. Loud noises.

B. Scribbles/doodles all over the pages of the textbook/ worksheet.

C. The chair is uncomfortable.

D. Unorganized notes.

Mostly A’s: AUDITORY

Mostly B’s: VISUAL

Mostly C’s: KINESTHETIC

Mostly D’s: TACTIC

If you got mostly A’s, you’re an Auditory learner, meaning you learn through listening. You remember and understand information accurately when you have heard it. Here are some study tips you can use to prepare for finals: ~Use flashcards for vocab/ key information and read them out loud. (Quizlet can print the cards for you) ~Put information you need into lyrics of the choruses of your favorite songs. ~Have google translate or someone read your study guide out loud to you. ~Record yourself saying key information and then play it back. ~Whenever possible, listen to the audiobook after reading the chapter to remember and review.

If you got mostly B’s, you’re a Visual learner, which means your learning style is defined by visual aids. You remember and understand information correctly when you have seen it. Here are some study tips you can use to prepare for finals: ~Use flashcards with pictures of key information/vocab. ~Color code your notes. ~Review pictures, graphs, charts, tables, formulas, infographics, etc. when studying. ~In English, draw word pictures to go with grammar rules/types of figurative language, or draw a picture for each chapter of the book

If you got mostly C’s, you’re a Kinesthetic learner, indicating you learn through doing. You understand and remember information clearly when doing some sort of physical activity when you’re learning. Here are some study tips you can use to prepare for finals: ~Use flashcards you’ve created. ~Make hand motions (or sign language - Handspeak.com) for vocab and key information and go over them when studying. ~Chew gum/eat a mint when studying and then chew the same kind during the test ~Make up a game or modify a game to help you review information for the test, and play it with your friends that have the same class/teacher. ~Play computer games on quizlet to quiz yourself.

If you got mostly D’s, you’re a Tactile learner, identified by learning through reading/ writing. You understand and remember information properly when you read it, and store information when you have written it down. Here are some study tips you can use to prepare for finals: ~Rewrite vocab and definitions/key information multiple times, and your notes. ~Re-read the summary chapters of the book on Sparknotes. ~Answer the ‘test questions’ in the end of the textbook chapter after completing your notes. ~Create and use flashcards. ~Create and write down an acronym to remember vocab (ex. PEMDAS.) ~Summarize key ideas of the textbook chapter, novel for English, or of your notes in paragraph form when finished reading.

26 | The chronicle | issue 3

you’re being tested on to summarize what happened in each chapter. ~In math, write down new formulas and rules after each lesson to review later.

When it comes to sports

Superstitions matter

By Grant Hrabik Staff Writer designed by Kylee Weber Editor Photos by Kylee Weber

Have you ever spilled salt and then you threw it over your shoulder? Do you avoid walking underneath a ladder, or are afraid of black cats? Many people have done this or felt this at some point of our lives.

We are all supertitious but there is no group more supertitious than athletes. Athletes from young to old are superstitious about the way they put on their clothes to the way they warm up. Whether they play one game a week or six games a week, athletes supertitions become rituals and are second nature.

This is especially true for Olathe North’s athletes.

“I always wear the same clothes,” said senior Jonya Boyd, “when I break the cycle I don’t have a good game. I also put on my clothes the same way. Pants first, then socks, cleats, shirt, and lastly, pads. It’s just what I do, there’s no other reason except for it helps me win.”

“I always listen to music and drink a protein shake before a game,” said sophomore Lexi McClelland, “ it helps me get pumped up and ready for my game. The protein shake makes me feel stronger.”

Superstitions get weirder and whackier the higher the competition level.

Kevin Rhomberg was a a left fielder picked in the 14th round by the Cleveland Indians who made his major league debut on June 9,

1982. Rhomberg had a wacky superstition: Rhomberg has to touch anybody that touches him. So if he gets tagged out he had to touch the person who tagged him. Suprisingly, he didn’t play in the majors for long. Jason Terry is a point guard and a shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks. Every night when he goes to bed he wears the shorts with the logo of the team he will play the next day. Terry does this because the night before he won the NCAA national championship in 1997, he wore the opposing team’s shorts.

Pump up music is a big superstition shared by all athletes. Athletes all have a favorite song that gets them focused or maybe it helps them loosen up. “I always listen to ‘In the Air Tonight’ by Phill Collins before a game,” said sophomore Logan Taylor, “it helps me remember that anything can happen with one swing of the bat.”

Superstitions are the most common type of superstitions among athletes. Professional atheltes to pee-wee football players will only wear a certain number or won’t wear a certain number. “I have to wear 21,” said senior Annelise Holland, “ I just have to, there is no reason other than I have to.” Even, Nascar has a superstition about numbers.

The number 13 is said to be cursed and there is evidence to prove it. There have been 411 starts in Nascar history for the number 13

and to this date no one has ever won driving in the number 13. Casey Mears switched to the number 13 midway through the 2010 season. He has had only two top-tens since switching.

Clothes also play a major role in superstitions. Clothes are right behind numbers for most common superstition among athletes. “I always wear the same socks,” said junior Brandon Clark, “and if I lose, I find a new pair to wear and restart the cycle. The socks hold the winning power and when that goes away it’s time to switch.”

We all have superstitions but hopefully not as many as Turk Wendell.

The former New York Mets reliever would always hop the foul line while going to the mound. He would chew black licorice while he was pitching, he would brush his teeth in between innings, he wore a necklace of the teeth of the animals he had killed, and he always had to wear 99 and his contract price had to be 9,999,999.99 million dollars.

We all have superstitions and they influence our daily lives. From the clothes we wear to the way we act, superstitions are always there.

issue 3 | the chronicle | 27

injuries plague hIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES

By Haley McGriff Staff Writer

Design by Kylee Weber Editor ACL Tears. Concussions. Tommy John Surgery. If you watch sports, these terms are being talked about more and more. However these high impact injuries are becoming just as common in the locker rooms and on playing fields by high school athletes, parents, and coaches. The rate of these injuries are occurring at a higher frequency and a much younger age.

Kids ages 12-19 years old experienced 1.35 million injuries in 2012 alone, according to Youth Sports Safety Summit. Out of those 1.35 million injuries, there were 451,480 strains and sprains, 249,500 fractures, and 210,640 abrasions (cuts). These three injuries only make up 67.5% of the injuries with concussions, lacerations, and dislocations following closely behind.

Concussions are the most often spoken about injury, and they currently rank 4th for the most common injuries in youth sports, behind strain and sprains, fractures, and abrasions. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries make up a staggering 21% of all reported sports related injuries. “I have had my mild concussion for 5 weeks now, and when kids play pretty advanced sports, they have to know that there is always a possibility of getting injured. Its ultimately your decision if you continue playing at that level or lowering the level you play at,” says former Olathe North football player, Kijuan Forrest.

Although concussions are the most talked about injury, they’re not the only one. Tears, strains and sprains are arising in competitive sports, and more commonly at the high school level. Over the last 10 years, doctors in Philadelphia have noticed a 400 percent increase for

anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Tears for youth athletes. For the average person it takes approximately take 6-9 months to fully recover from an ACL tear, including injuries from sports or daily activities.

Even though soccer and volleyball aren’t contact sports, injuries are beginning to transpire within these sports, as well. With each of these sports contact between the players is happening more oftewn as the competition is growing stronger and more intense.

“I have had three knee surgeries, which included a ACL scar tissue removal which was “exploratory” and another ACL construction on my left knee,” says former drill team member Raina Welling. Since she playsedsoccer, as well as dance; meaning she is constantly running and putting pressure on her knees more than a sport that does not constantly move. Since her three surgeries she continues to go to physical therapy and work outs everyday.

The lights, the crowd, parents, teammates and coaches rely on athletes to get the job done. They hike the ball, get tackled from behind, hit the ground, and finally when when they stand up, they realize they are not able to move their right arm. This is what happened to Sophomore Quarterback, Mason Myers. “I will be out for both my sports because of this injury,” says Myers. Because of his shoulder injury he was not able to finish out the football season or tryout for basketball, and had to get surgery. Myers has since been in a supportive brace. Myers says he will be returning to football and basketball next year for the 2017-2018 seasons.

Prevention is the most important component to staying healthy

Different type of injuries Strain or sprains: 451,480

Concussions: 163,670

Fracture: 249,500

Lacerations: 85,5620

Contusions/Abrasions: 210,640 28 | The chronicle | issue 3

Dislocation: 33,300

when participating youth sports. You can prevent serious injuries by taking some time off in between seasons and the proper use of techniques. Wayne Harmon, Certified Athletic Trainer at Olathe North states “Playing multiple sports in a year develops different muscles masses and functions” which in the long run can be very beneficial. Also strengthening muscles or increasing flexibility in the muscles is key to preventing injuries. Most kids/teenagers in highly advanced sports know the difference between pain and being tired and know when to stop.

With all this being said it can be easy to say “Just give it up” after all it just a sports. But when you love something and put all your time into it, the answer becomes less simple. Athletes chose to play sports DESPITE the injuries. Should we take as many precautions as possible? Yes, so then we can continue to play the sport(s) we love. The possible fear of getting injured does not stop an athlete from playing but the determination to play again keeps the injury from taking them out fully.

sports injuries per year Football: 394,350 Basketball: 389,610 Soccer: 172,470 Baseball: 119,810 Softball : 58,210 Volleyball: 43,190 Wrestling: 40,750 Cheerleading: 37,770 Track and Field: 24,910 Rugby 7.396

Photo by Haley McGriff The student trainors help prepare the athletes for their practice.

Dance: 569 issue 1 | the chronicle | 29

Football Feast

By Adam Coffman Staff Writer Designed by Kylee Weber Editor

Becomes

Guilty Pleasure

The wide receiver streaking down the sideline for a touchdown is still exhilarating, and the pass rusher sacking the opposing team’s quarterback is still thrilling, but something is missing from the world of professional football.

This isn’t a phenomenon observable to many casual fans; it takes a sense of contextual awareness and a discerning eye to recognize the change that has occurred in the last several years.

Until fairly recently, perhaps a half decade or so ago, the NFL had its claim staked as the most popular and powerful sport in American history, and to be fair, much of this effect still remains. (The Super Bowl has been the most watched television broadcast of each year going back more than twenty years.)

However, the perception surrounding the sport has since evolved.

Once upon a time, football was seen as a family affair, with players to be looked up to and a lifestyle to be envied. Big cities, multi-million dollar contracts, and primetime television 30 | The chronicle | issue 3 slots were enough

to inspire envy and admiration on the part of the viewers, and football tickets were a gateway to a wholesome family activity devoid of any concern or stress that inhibits reality.

No empire falls without some mistake on its part, and judging by the NFL’s history, maybe it should seem more surprising that the league has avoided trouble for this long.

Two phenomena, both the actions on the part of the sport’s athletes and the irresponsibility of the league’s governing body to protect its employees, have brought about a shift in thinking for a large slice of the general populous.

It’s no secret that success breeds power and irresponsibility, but this truth may not be more apparent than in professional sports, particularly the NFL. An example can be found close to home in the form of Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who at the time of this writing ranks in the top three leaguewide in terms of yards per kickoff and punt return.

As a budding star in the college ranks at Oklahoma State, Hill was kicked off the football and track teams for a domestic abuse charge that stemmed from an altercation in which the wideout reportedly punched and choked his pregnant girlfriend.

The Chiefs ultimately chose to draft the wideout, who played his final college season at West Alabama, with their fifth round selection, with the pick selecting both a player ready to contribute on the field and also a man who would inspire discourse and protest among many.

Kansas City justified their decision by producing an image of a changed, repentant man, citing accounts from both Hill and his former coaches from West Alabama.

This isn’t to say the Chiefs were alone in “enabling” Hill; it’s likely that a number of teams would have selected him in a later round, which reveals a more disturbing trend.

NFL teams and the league itself in past years have been complicit in valuing talent and production over any measure of character, putting the burden on the fans to uphold a moral standard.

Hill is by no means the first or worst offender - a look back less than five years brings forth the cases of Greg Hardy and Ray Rice, two high-profile stars both guilty of domestic violence. In the case of Rice, an infamous video would come out that showed the running back knock his fiancé unconscious inside a casino elevator before dragging her out. This clear proof of egregious wrongdoing caused immediate, decisive, and unavoidable public backlash - a PR nightmare for the league office. Virtually everyone, sports fan or not, had seen “the

Ray Rice video”, and the vitriol behind the public’s response made it impossible for the player in question to be reinstated.

Hardy, on the other hand, had no such video that could immediately be associated with his situation, and thus, no cross-cultural appeal. Reading a dry, contrived press release or going through a police report doesn’t produce near the raw emotion and response of the Rice video, even when the crimes were more or less the same. Of course, with no public backlash, NFL front offices were free to sign Hardy, who went on to record six sacks as a member of the Dallas Cowboys after the ordeal. It can only be assumed based on what we’ve seen that, if not for the court of public opinion, Rice would also have been scooped up by a running back-needy team; after all, 2013 was just one year removed from a Pro Bowl selection.

Of course, it would be disingenuous to suggest that the NFL’s players and their behavior have been the only factor behind the moral cheapening of the sport; executives and owners have a lot to answer for as well.

Head injuries in sports have gone somewhat mainstream in the last decade or so, but the process as a whole began in 2002, when Dr. Bennet Omalu first identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy (commonly referred to as CTE) in the brain of a former NFL player.

Omalu again found the disease in 2005 and 2006, this time in two former Pittsburgh Steelers.

In the years to come, more former players, such as Dave Duerson, 50 or Junior Seau, 43, would commit suicide with the provision that their brains be examined for the disease. In both cases, the results for CTE came back positive.

Even without any scientific background, one can see how this connection between a lifestyle of repeated high-speed cranial collisions and long-term brain affliction could exist - it seems obvious.

However, the NFL effectively danced around the issue for several years without committing to any solution. In fact, it was not until March of this year that the league acknowledged a conclusive link between repeated head injuries, and this came over two years after a $765 million settlement was agreed upon between the NFL and over 4,500 retired players.

Omalu and his work later became the subject of the 2015 film

“Concussion” which although slightly dramatized, portrayed a fairly accurate picture of the situation.

There isn’t tangible evidence to prove that the league has purposefully put its players in danger, but no one can argue that the NFL has adequately protected or even educated its players with regards to long-term risk.

It can be assumed based on precedent that the NFL will only begin taking their concussion issue seriously when it begins to affect their bottom line.

This could come in the form of a less commercially appealing product, which in turn could be caused by a lower level of participation in the sport as a whole, a trend many suspect we will see in the coming years due to concerned parents.

Although we have yet to see any long term effect, data does show that children are beginning an exodus from football across a broad scope - Pop Warner reported over a nine percent loss in participation between 2010 and 2012, and USA Football has itself experienced a 6.7 percent decline in membership over the last three years.

Each Sunday, fans across the country tune in to watch football, but they are often also witnessing the end of careers in a matter of seconds. With so many looking to break into the league, membership in the NFL club can be revoked on the grounds of a single ailment - the average career lasts just over three years.

With this knowledge coupled with the inherent long-term risk virtually all players face, the spectator experience of football is similar to that of an ancient gladiator fight. Again, as in the cases of Hill, Rice, and others, the fan shoulders the responsibility of watching the sport, and this burden does not come guilt-free.

An informed viewer watching professional football is privy to a stark dichotomy of emotion - the experience itself is enjoyable and exhilarating, but the knowledge of what it takes to create the onscreen product never leaves the back of their mind.

To some, this feeling means nothing. Football is a universal constant, not to be messed with or altered in any way.

Maybe ignorance is bliss, but for many, the lenses with which they watch professional football have permanently tainted the feel of the experience.

issue 3 | the chronicle | 31

Dr. Lovinggood proudly supports the teachers, students and parents of

Dr. Lovinggood proudly supports the teachers, students and parents of

OLATHE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL! OLATHE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL! Bring in this ad to receive $250 OFF TREATMENT! (New patients only. Full treatment only. Not to be combined with other offers.)

Bring in this ad to receive $250 OFF TREATMENT! (New patients only. Full treatment only. Not to be combined with other offers.)

call today for your free consultation!

call today for your free consultation!

Braces for Children & Adults • Affordable Monthly Payments Most Insurance Plans Accepted • Custom Mouth Guards Available

Braces for Children & Adults • Affordable Monthly Payments Most Insurance Plans Accepted • Custom Mouth Guards Available

(913) 782-1663 • 1295 E. 151st Street, Suite 1 • Olathe, KS 66062

(913) 782-1663 • 1295 E. 151st Street, Suite 1 • Olathe, KS 66062

WWW.DRL4BRACES.COM

WWW.DRL4BRACES.COM

Olathe North Highschool 600 E Prairie St, Olathe, KS 66061