Head in the Clouds

the chronicle

Olathe North High School 600 E. Prairie Olathe, Kansas 66061 Volume 6 Issue 3

12 | 2018

Head in the Clouds

With the rise of SoundCloud, artists can be seen everywhere, including the hallways of Olathe North.

Page 12

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The Chronicle | Issue 3 | December 2018

the chronicle | table of contents News

A&E

Olathe is Under Construction 4

Christmas Surveys 20

Not on the ON Dance Floor 6

Heard in the Hallways 21

“Safety First, Business Second” 8

Alternative Holiday Songs 22

The Truth About Seasonal Affective

A Hallmark Christmas 23

Disorder 10

Sports

North Views 32

Post SeasON Athletes 24

Feature

Winter Sports Preview 26

Head in the Clouds 12

Opinion

Volunterring to Skip 16

High School in the Media 28

More Than the Norm 18

No Need to Sugar Coat It 31

News | Page 4

Feature | Page 16

Page 18 | A & E

Page 26 | Sports

December 2018 | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

Letter From the Editors

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Contact Information Mailing address: 600 E Prarie St. Olathe, KS 66061 Phone: (913) 780-7140 Email: theonchronicle@gmail.com Responding to the Publication Letters to the editors can be submitted to the email address listed above. Letters may be published in print. Letters may not be personal attacks against an individual and may be edited for brievity or

A

h, yes. It’s that time of the year. Peppermint mocha frappuccinos take the place of pumpkin spice lattes, snow begins to dust the ground periodically, and the promise of winter break keeps the stress of finals at bay- for some.

As first semester draws to a close, we begin to reflect on what we have learned and the memories we have made. Congratulations freshman, you are about to finish your very first semester of high school.

Sophomores and juniors- be sure to enjoy this winter break: drink some hot chocolate, frolic in the snow, eat some candy canes, ring in the new year with a new tra-

dition, and if nothing else, relax and sleep in. As for the seniors, we are almost there.

Just one last semester of high school before we leave the nest; the eagle nest, that is. As college application season is ending along with the year of 2018, we begin to plan our life after high school. But before we get caught up in college life, let’s be sure to enjoy this last semester of high school while it lasts. To all of our fellow eagles, we wish you good luck on your finals; winter break is just around the corner.

Go Eagles!

Rachel Delehanty

Isabella Bray

Advertising The Chronicle accepts advertisments; these can be submitted to the email above. Pricing and other information can be obtained by contacting us at rcaveon@olatheschools.org or Purpose The Chronicle is the official high school news publication of Olathe North High School, and open forum distributed to all students eight times a year. This is the third issue of volume six. The Chronicle is printed by the Sedalia Democrat, 700 South Massachusetts.

Sedalia, MO. 65301. 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 an expression of the School District Policy. Students and editors are soly responsible for

Abigail Miles

2018 | 2019 STAFF Editors-In-Chief Isabella Bray Rachel Delehanty Abigail Miles Online Editor Bailey Flanagan Staff Writers Hayley Adams Brian Beach

Claire Decatur Felicia Georgiou Lily Harrison Cade Heikes Sam Schaper Abby Shepherd Neha Sridhar Elizabeth Tuckness

Photo Editor Jena Bright Photographers Anna Diehm Hailey Kitivoravong Lana Tarik Editors Miles Arambula Ashley Honey

Kalley Jurgielski Andrea Martin Copy Editor Gabby Beachey Alex Shine Advisor Robert M. Cave, Jr.

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The Chronicle | Issue 3 | News | December 2108 | Design by: Elizabeth Tuckness and Miles Arambula

OLATHE IS Under Construction Olathe Lake By: Felicia Georgiou | Staff Writer

N

ew construction is bringing something to Olathe that has never been seen: a beach! Lake Olathe is currently closed to the public while new improvements are being made. In the summer of 2019, you can except to see a revived lake. In the 1959 a 170-acre lake was constructed in Olathe. The city council now decided after about 60 years, that it is time to spruce up the lake and community park.

According to Olatheks.org, the master plan for Lake Olathe was approved by the city council in September of 2016.

The council decided on a budget for Olathe Lake Park Phase 1 to be just under 15 million dollars. Using that money, the council has plans for multiple improvements. The addition to Lake Olathe will included more entertainment places and facility updates.

The new aquatic developments are a swimming beach area, spray ground, aquatic learning area, marina, and fishing and dock pavilions. Also, additions to the park include 4 miles of hiking trials, a nature playground, an amphitheater, a zip line, gardens, and a renovated disc golf course.

A two-story rentable building called “The Landing” is also being constructed. It’s a 6,500 square-foot building and it will have glass all along the lake front,” said Mike Latka of Olathe Parks & Recreation Department.

An Olathe North senior, Courtney Kinzel, stated, “The new beach is going to be a great place to hang out in the summer.” She went on to say, “I believe the new renovations will not only bring more people to the lake, but also more interest to the city of Olathe.”

Chipotle and Starbucks By: Felicia Georgiou | Staff Writer

N

ext time when you are driving down the West side of Sante Fe and you realize you have some time to spare before school you can take a quick pit stop to grab a macchiato or even a burrito bowl. Chicken, steak, barbacoa, carnitas, lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, and frappuccinos are coming in the West Market Shopping Center with the addition of Chipotle and a Starbucks. The Chipotle will be located on the corner of Sante Fe and Parker. Starbucks will also be in the West Market on the corner of Loula and Parker.

According to www.olatheks.org, the city council voted 5-0 to make improvement to the West Market Shopping Center.

Around 8.5 million dollars in renovations will be made for the new developments.

The construction of Chipotle has begun in the old site of the Brown Bag Liquor. The Liquor store moved across the street and the Chipotle will be using the basic structure of the old building. The MDDS Development LLC building company will be reroofing the building and creating a new parking spot for the upcoming Chipotle. They will also add a patio with chairs and tables for an outdoor dining options for patrons.

The BP gas station was taken down for the new Starbucks. MDDS Development will be constructing a drive thru along with the new building. They started framing the building at the beginning of November.

To pay for the new developments

in the West Market Shopping Center there will be a 1% sales tax on the stores in the center. Scott Anderson, an attorney for the construction workers, said the tax would generate about $2.8 million to reimburse the developers for their construction expenses.

This will include the Price Chopper, China 1, Papa Johns, Grumpy’s, KC Vape, UPS Store, Petland, and T-Mobile. McDonalds and Community America Credit Union Bank will be excluded from the sale taxes.

Brownlee, a Council member, stated that she thinks it is important to improve in retail sites. She thinks that an updated retail strip, with the additions of the Starbucks and Chipotle, will be a great improvement to the West Olathe area that will help the local economy.

Design by: Elizabeth Tuckness and Miles Arambula | December 2018 | News | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

Great Mall

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→ Mentum

By: Brian Beach | Staff Writer

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n 2016, the iconic Great Mall of the Great Plains was officially demolished, leaving behind a swath of barren land, anchored only by a lone Burlington Coat Factory. However, this plot just northwest of I-35 and 151st Street could soon see new life thanks to a plan for a new retail and entertainment development.

The project is called Mentum, a word which, according to Merriam Webster, means a median plate of the labium of an insect. Perhaps not the most comforting name when taken literally, but a press release from the developer Woodbury Corp. explains that the name is supposed to betoken, “an active and progressive mixed-use environment.”

So what does all this jargon mean? Well, according to the Kansas City Business Journal, the project, “includes plans for 250,000 square feet of entertainment, retail and restaurants; 200,000 square feet of office and medical office space; two hotels; and 300 apartments. Future additions could include a golf facility, cinema and fitness center.”

Don’t get too excited yet though, because the project has yet to be approved by the Olathe City Council, which only recently got a briefing on the plans.

These plans include a request for a STAR bond from the state of Kansas, which allows sales taxes to be redirected back

to the development to pay for certain eligible cost. The only catch? The project must promote tourism to the state.

Accepting the request for STAR bonds is only the first step in a very long process for project approval, and Olathe city spokesman Tim Danneberg said recently that, “the council will spend a great deal of time in the coming weeks understanding the project.”

One of the most controversial aspects of the new development is the plan for a new 4,000-seat hockey arena. The developer proposed for the arena to be the home of a semi-professional hockey team, and there are also plans that the facility will house the Kansas City Youth Hockey Association and work with the Kansas City Ice Center to attract youth hockey tournaments. While this would bring in a lot of tax dollars to the community, it also could raise traffic concerns, not to mention the fact that the arena is proposed to be less than eight miles from another planned hockey arena in Overland Park.

The Bluhawk arena, located at 159th Street and Antioch (near Blue Valley West) was initially supposed to house a professional hockey team and have a capacity of over 6,000 seats, but the local neighborhood objected to the plan due to traffic and noise concerns. Even with

the downsize, the arena is still expected to have a capacity of 3,500 and host numerous youth hockey tournaments.

Does south Johnson County need two large hockey arenas? Can these two developments survive if their primary tourism draw can also be found less than a 15-minute drive away? These are questions that both the Overland Park and Olathe City Councils and Planning Commissions must consider in the upcoming months.

For now, the Bluhawk development has a head start on Mentum, as several buildings in the development, such as Casentino’s Market, are already open for business.

Mentum, on the other hand, still only exists on paper. Regardless of the end result of these two dueling developments, one general truth will remain the same: there will continue be plenty of retail and entertainment options in south Johnson County. Which side of the city limits will find more success, however, is up for debate.

Given that the Olathe City Council has yet to approve the Mentum proposal and that this is a highly political issue, the City Council and Planning Commission were unable to issue any comments regarding the Mentum development for this newspaper.

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The Chronicle | Issue 3 | News | December 2018 | Design by: Andrea Martin

Not On the ON Dance Floor

Why do OE, OW, ONW, and OS have more dances than Olathe North?

By: Lily Harrison | Staff Writer By: Hayley Adams | Staff Writer

H

igh School is often referred to as is a dance where the girls ask guys to the “the time of your life”; a time to dance, rather than the traditional “Guys ask make memories you’ll never for- Girls” method. WPA, along with a Winter get. Some iconic high school moments Formal, and a Spring Formal are all three are school dances, dances North doesn’t football games and Although not “I have not had a have. pep assemblies. For all Olathe Schools Olathe North students, club or activity group have all three of these however, memories of dances, North has the school dances can be step up to say we least amount of dances scarce: Olathe North want to sponsor it” compared with all othonly has two dances er Olathe schools; why?

-Jason Herman, a year, Homecoming When asked why and Prom. For unNorth lacks so many Principal of Olathe derclassmen it’s even dances, Principal JaNorth worse, as they canson Herman stated, not even go to prom “I have not had a club unless asked by an upperclassmen. or activity group step up to say we want When you ask your parents what to sponsor it because ultimately what is their favorite memory from high school is, comes down to is the overhead of what there’s a good chance they will describe a your going to pay and how much monhigh school dance, where they might’ve ey you will make on the tickets.” Herhad their first kiss or where they met their man continued to say that he is open to high school sweetheart. These memories a WPA or Winter Formal, he just wants that help shape your high school experi- student leadership to organize the dances. ence but are becoming less common as the Olathe North Student Council years go by, due to the popularity of iconic is responsible for organizing Homecoming high school dances being on the decline. and Prom, dedicating hours of their time Olathe South has a Homecom- to decorate the school and to organize the ing, Winter Formal, and prom. Olathe costs of Homecoming. Robyn Eick, Olathe Northwest has Homecoming, Prom and North FACS teacher and a sponsor of StuWPA. Olathe East has WPA, Prom, and dent Council, was asked why North has no Homecoming. Lastly, Olathe West has WPA or Winter Formal. She stated that Homecoming, Winter Formal, and prom there is simply a lack of interest to throw a .WPA, which stands for Women Pay All, WPA or winter formal. “Our senior atten-

Above: The Prom Closet | Photo by: Hayley Adams

dance to Homecoming is less than 10%,this mainly because of the lack of exclusivity for upperclassmen.” Prom is much more popular among upperclassmen because its more catering towards seniors and is seen as much more iconic and fun than Homecoming.

Eick continued to explain the costs of throwing a dance, adding that throwing a dance is a lot more work, and a lot more money, than one may think. According to Eick, the average High school dance, with decorations, a DJ, snacks and a photo booth costs around $1500.

Because of this, figuring out ticket prices so that all money can be remade, can be complicated. Any clubs or organizations wanting to throw a dance must step up to the plate and show commitment.

Attendance is obviously a huge concern for dance organizers. The Olathe North Chronicle created a Google Forms asking the Olathe North student body if they would attend a WPA or Winter Formal, and the results were encouraging.

Out of a sample size of around 100 students, over 97% stated they would attend a WPA or Winter Formal. Overall, the idea that the Olathe North administrators are against the idea of a WPA or Winter Formal is a complete misconception.

All that is need to throw is a successful dance is an open minded student body and a group of students willing to put in the work to pull off a successful dance.

Design by: Andrea Martin | December 2018 | News | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

Olathe North Homecoming

Seniors Ghosted?

Homecoing is put on every year and yet,” senior attendance is less than 10 percent of the class.”

Fun Facts:

New Bonfire, who dis?

The bonfire can get pretty lit, but it has seen some change , StuCo has “brought in different stuff” each year.

We’re all a bunch of Wallflowers The center of the dance floor should be the most popular place, but in reality, “It’s amazing how many people are up against the walls, there is a very few number of people in the middle..”

Cool Kids Only Club Who needs a dance that evryone from each grade can go to? Exclusivity is the move, hence why “Prom is way more popular because you have to be a junior or senior to go, so if it were something way more exclusive people would want to go.”

Dance the Night Away DJs make or break a dance, but recruiting one for Homecoming is hard becuase, “ it’s a Wednesday and Saturday night, we have to book them for both nights, and most DJs won’t do our bonfire”

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Winter Wonderland A winter dance could be in the near furture, Ms. Ikes, says, “I’ve talked to Eagle Flightcrew and StuCo about doing a winter mixer… where you could and a hangout and dance”

Money, Money, Money Money made from Homecoming from this year isn’t used to pay off the dance of this year, but “Whatever we make the on Homecoming the year before, we spend the on the following year”

Lemme take a Selfie One of the most memorable parts of Homecoming is the photo booth, and guess what? It’s free!

StuCo doesn’t pay for it, it “is free..all our events our free, other than getting into the dance.”

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The Chronicle | Issue 3 | News | December 2018 | Design by: Andrea Martin

“Safety First, Business Second” Emphasis on dress code has been prevalent this semester.

By: Claire Decatur | Staff Writer

Above: A ruler measuring the how long a skirt is | Artwork by: Ashley Honey

D

uring second quarter, there seemed to be an emphasis on school dress code. We had a Powerpoint we watched during Advisory to help us with the dress code. “My powerpoint was more in depth, and it was because last year we had a lot of kids wearing hoodies,” said Principal Jason Herman.

The powerpoint gave students more visuals and reminders of the dress code to help with school safety and professionalism.

One of the main points Herman said the point of dress code was the

safety and security of our building. Herman stated that “Students that have their face covered with hats, hoodies or beanies would make it hard to identify faces if something were to happen… It’s not only the perpetrator in that moment, but its victims, witnesses, and bystanders. If we have everyone wearing hoodies and hats, we couldn’t tell who anyone is.” Over the past couple years, school shootings have became more prevalent and school safety was been more emphasized so if something were to happen we would be safe.

Generations

Through

Dr e ss

The second point was professionalism and making us look ready for the “real world”. “I’m trying establish Olathe North and the educational processes as a professional setting, and I think that a lot of students would agree that certain clothing is inappropriate in professional setting,” Herman says. You wouldn’t wear PJs or sag your pants at work, so we need to be prepared for our future careers. The more we dress professionally now, the better prepared we are for the future and the easier we will find it to dress professionally on our own.

1950s

: From poodle skirts to Peter Pan collars the 50s were a filled with pastels and patterns. Women in the 50s were expected to look like homemakers and mens fashion barely change as they still wore suits and sweaters.

1960s:

Denim paired with bold colors and styles were all the rage in the 60s.

The hippie style emerged in the late 60s in California. That welcomed bell bottom jeans and tie-dye to America.

Design by: Andrea Martin | December 2018 | News | Issue 3 | The Chronicle When the Powerpoint first came out, students were confused and discontent with the dress code rules. “I was confused in the Powerpoint when they said we couldn’t wear ripped jeans to school because they said it was inappropriate,” claimed Junior Alyssa McCue, “but people have continued to wear them avoiding being dress coded and it’s confusing where they draw the line.”

shirts and tube tops have been coming back in style, and it’s just confusing how they’re more concerned about how our shoulders are being distracting even though I find it comfortable,” states Junior Jayna Haskin.

Although you may feel comfortable in something, another student might not feel the same way.

The possibility of school uniforms is extremely small and we will probably never have to wear them in our high school career. The benefits of uniforms are that they all pass the dress code. “I don’t have a say in school uniforms, but the one thing uniforms do is eliminate the lines of the have and have nots… It seperates whos wearing higher end clothes versus the people who can’t afford it. It would also cover every rule that is in the dress code”, says Herman.

Some of the bad things about uniforms is that it gets rid of any creativity in what we wear. Herman followed with saying, “This year’s theme is ‘you be you’, and with uniforms that would take a lot

“but people have continued to wear them avoiding being dress coded and it’s confusing where they draw the line.”

-Alyssa McCue, Junior

Other students have also voiced their concerns and confusion about the dress code. According to Mr. Herman around 10 students get something said to them about dress code a week. This is when he would say something like “take off your hat” or “zip up your jacket”. About 5 students get a consequence a week, which is just about half of the people that get told something.

Some students feel like the dress code is instituted because “it distracts other people’s learning.” The way someone dresses could possibly be distracting to certain people, but it all depends on the student. “Strapless

1970s:

Unisex clothing became normal in the 70s were men and women would both wear tight shirts and baggy jeans. Women would wear long dresses and while men would chose leather jackets.

1980s:

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of that out and I don’t want that to occur.

What I do want to occur is the very simple thing to happen within the dress code”.

So what can you do if you have a problem or concern about the dress code?

“Every year I do a CTC Survey (community that cares), that goes to students and parents and the one feedback that I consistently get back from students is ‘can we do something about the dress code at Olathe North,’ and it’s not about wearing strapless tops, it’s the other way around, to make sure were wearing clothes when were at school,” Answered Herman. The dress code has always been a controversial thing in Olathe North and Principle Herman would love to hear your feedback.

Above: Comparison cross country shorts and the dress code in place for girls at Olathe North. | Photo by: Claire Decatur

1990s:

Most 90s styles are still popular today with “mom jeans”, flannels, Oversized sweaters and combat boots. The shoes Doc Martens and birkenstocks, which are also worn today, were popular shoes to own

Bold and bright was the theme for 80s wear. Women would wear bright colored leggings, big hoop earrings, and lots of bangles. Nike was up and coming in the 80s causing men to wear baggy sweatpants and tennis shoes.

20 0 0 s :

The 2000s were characterized by low rise jeans and Juicy Couture track suits. Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears shocked the world with matching denim outfits at the 2001 AMAs, simultaneously inspiring and scarring everyone for life.

10The Chronicle | Issue 3 | News | December 2018 | Design by: Kalley Jurgielski By: Miles Arambula | Staff Editor and Alex Shine | Staff Copy Editor

The Truth About Seasonal Affective Disord er

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As the days get shorter and darker, the more-common-than-you-think depression disorder affects more and more people.

t’s holiday season and people are al- the answer is a little complicated. irritable or anxious presentation versus ready shopping for christmas trees, Rhiannon Moore, a psychologist at Olathe that classic depression.” explains Moore pulling out the christmas cookies, and North, explains that “genetics and enviTeenagers are especially suscepspending more quality time with their fam- ronmental factors play the biggest part in tible because they “tend not to be the best ilies. They’re hanging up lights and orna- that.”, specifically diminished exposure sleepers”, according to Moore, leaving them ments and those inflatable things that go in to sunlight. Decreased daylight means an more vulnerable to an existing mental illyour front yard. To most people this time of increase in melatonin production, which ness. year: ‘Tis the season to be happy.

Moore says that “those may be the But to some, it’s different. The students that are leaving abruptly in seasons are changing: it’s darker class, are more argumentative or the and colder out than it was before. students falling asleep in class.”

The sun rises later and sets earSo what can be done? Whether you lier. People are going to school need to help yourself or a friend, and work and getting home there are a few things you can do. without ever seeing the sun.

Due to the cause mainly being a lack Maybe you’ve noticed a pattern of sunlight, Moore recommends of gloominess in your friend that “happy lights” or lamps that mimic happens this time of year. This sunlight and stimulate the release of winter-time sadness isn’t necserotonin. essarily “all in your head”, and Olathe North counselor Rachel it may be the sign of a very real ON Counselors Rachel Gunderson and Gunderson said “I know a couple mental illness affecting 5 percent of people who actually use sun lamps Tammie Milke recommend reaching out in certain times of the year to kind of of adults in the U.S. Seasonal affective dis- to trusted adults when faced with SAD. combat those affects”, which you can order, according to the DSM-5,is get on amazon or even walmart. Medclassified as “recurring episodes of de- regulates sleep. Sunlight stimulates sero- ication and therapy is also an option. pression with a seasonal pattern”, and is tonin production, and a lack of the chemi- Asking for help and talking to others can be no longer it’s own distinct disorder. This cal is associated with depression. It is more beneficial, according to Milke, who stated particular set of symptoms tends to affect common in people living farther from the “I think being aware that that is what they women more than it affects men. People equator. are struggling with is very powerful beaffected by seasonal depression often exSo what does that mean for stu- cause then they know they’re going to have perience oversleeping, irritability, lethargy, dents at Olathe North? According to coun- to talk to people and they’re going to have fluctuating weight, and emotional insta- selor Tammie Milke “I think we do have to get help”. bility. Often described as “winter blues”, it some students who see their grades dip a Our counselors and school psychologist all most commonly occurs in the winter and little bit [this time of year]”, she explains. recommend that if you are struggling with fall months for about 40% of the year.When Mental illness in high school your mental health, especially as the season the days become longer once more, people aged students is common but often unde- change, you should reach out to find the with SAD usually experience relief from tected. Teenagers often display a different best way to get help, whether it be talking their symptoms. If you’re wondering why set of symptoms than their fully developed to one of them or another trusted adult. this is, or even asking yourself “why now?”, counterparts. “Teens tend to have a more

Design by: Kalley Jurgielski | December 2018 | News | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

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statistics from mentalhealthamerica.net and www.nihm.nih.gov

4 out of 5

affected are women* ●In a given year, about 5 percent of the U.S. population experiences seasonal depression. ● Four out of five people who have seasonal depression are women.* ● The main age of onset of seasonal depression is between 20 and 30 years of age, however symptoms can appear earlier. ● The prevalence of seasonal depression is anywhere from 0-10 percent of the population, depending on the geographic region. ● People with a family history of other types of depression are more likely to develop SAD than people who do not have a family history of depression. ● Younger adults have a higher risk of SAD than older adults.

What is a Happy Light?

Happy Lights are a type of light therapy, a common type of therapy used to improve symptoms of depression. Some of these symptoms are oversleeping, sleeping through the day, low energy, trouble concentrating, low motivation, withdrawls from social connection, and a sad, depressed mood during certain months of the year. This artificial outdoor light encourages a production of seratonin, a chemical that boosts happiness and can lessen the affects of SAD on someone.

12 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | Feature | December 2018 | Design by: Abigail Miles

Head in the Clouds

With the rise of SoundCloud, artists can be seen everywhere, including the hallways of Olathe North.

By: Brian Beach | Staff Writer

I

n the past, becoming a successful rap sensation required a record label and a mountain of capital. Now, thanks to accessible production software and music sharing platforms like Soundcloud, many new hip-hop artists have emerged across the country. Many of them are in high school and Olathe North is home to several.

What inspires these burgeoning young artists to try their hand at the rap game? For some, it’s about self-expression.

“I wanted to express myself in my own way and it’s the only way I can really just say whatever I want,” states Olathe North senior Aedryle Jericho (AJ) Kabristante, who goes by the rapper name AJ-47.

For Eagle senior Joey Guzman, AKA J-Slick, the rationale to begin rapping on Soundcloud was quite simple. “I like making people laugh and I like attention so those two together kind of made me realize that it would be fun to rap,” he says.

This Soundcloud rap culture has spread quickly because many students try their hand at the craft after witnessing one of their friends finding suc-

cess. North senior Dylan Blessing, for example, began rapping because he was inspired by his friend, Kabristante.

Blessing, who is one of the newer rappers on Soundcloud, only uses an iPad and a Mac to produce his music and describes his personal style as, “sloppy.”

However, he and many other aspiring rappers could benefit from utilizing the audio and visual equipment available at the Johnson County Central Resources Library MakerSpace. The equipment can be rented out for free and is perfect for producing music at a semi-professional level. Then again, rapping at a public library might not exactly help the street cred of these teenage stars, but it is certainly an option.

Guzman has his own detailed method for creating his music. “I normally just sit down when I’m bored in class and think of a general idea that will get the flow starting and then I’ll find a beat that I feel like represents the idea of what I’m trying to do. Once I find the beat, I put it onto the software that I use and then I freestyle for like five seconds, write it down, then re-re-

cord it, and that’s kind of the same process over and over again until it’s finished. After it’s all done, I listen to it like twenty times to make sure there is no noticeable breathing or just anything that anybody could hate on because I just want it to sound as professional as possible since it’s just me, a computer, and a guitar hero mic,” Guzman says.

While none of North’s student rappers have found widespread fame on a national stage, many of the biggest rap artists of today got their start rapping on Soundcloud in their teenage years. Names like Desiigner, Future, Post Malone, and Young Thug, now mainstays on hip hop and rap stations all over the country, all got their start rapping on the software.

Yet, it’s not these more recent Soundcloud stars that inspire this crop of high school rappers. Instead, it’s an older group of rappers that continues to inspire this younger generation to make their own music.

“My biggest inspiration is Kanye West. He’s everything that I pretty much dream to be,” says Kabristante. Rappers Lil’ Dicky, Logic, A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, and Kendrick

Design by: Abigail Miles | December 2018 | Feature | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

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Where is SoundCloud the most popular?

United States United Kingdom Germany

JOEY GUZMAN

Brazil France The Turkish government has banned SoundCloud, because an Turkey citizen uploaded private government phone calls.

SoundCloud’s revenue in 2017 was about $94.20 million.

SoundCloud Name: J-Slick Most Popular Song: The Birth of J-Slick Other top songs: Fake Flexers, Costco, Rapper in Suburbia SoundCloud Rapping Since: January 2018 What to Watch For: Sheesh, a rap full of “speed rapping, punch lines, and good bars” releasing sometime before winter break.

320 million monthy users

Lamar all inspire Guzman and his music. Unlike the majority of the new wave of Soundcloud rappers, none of these artists are under 25 years old.

In contrast, Lil’ Pump, considered by many to be the epitome of this new trend of young mumble rappers, just turned eighteen in August of this year. With repetitive, yet catchy songs like “Gucci Gang” and “Esketit,” the young man from Miami has already amassed a net worth of over eight million dollars and recently dropped a massive hit, “I Love It” with rap legend Kanye West.

While Olathe North’s rappers have yet to achieve that kind of success, this does not stop them from having dreams of stardom. Kabristante has big plans for his rap future, and he claims that, “The next five years

I’m going to get everyone to know my name I’m going to make Olathe famous, put it on the map, everything.”

Even if Guzman doesn’t make it big, he still hopes to continue his rapping in college. He says, “I’ve heard about a lot of people who do it for frat parties. I’m not into partying too much, but if it’s just to have fun and have people enjoy your stuff, that’d be kind of cool to do. Of course, blowing up is always the goal, but you never know…”

Blessing has a bleaker outlook on his future, believing that in five years, his rap career will be, “in the trash.”

These rappers have built up quite a reputation among fellow students, but what do North teachers think about this new trend? For

Birth of J-Slick 2,398 listens

Fake Flexers ft. Papa Houlie 1,509 listens

14 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | Feature | December 2018 | Design by: Abigail Miles

AEDRYLE JERICHO

SoundCloud Name: AJ-47 Self-Described Style of Music: Cold, icy Most Popular Song: Sauce Drippin’ Other top songs: Cream Team, Dex, Mozarella What to Watch For: “End of winter 2019 I got something big coming out, I’m not going to tell you what it is”

Sauce drippin’ ft. e.eazie 175,000 listens

Dex 4,374 listens

the most part, their reactions are quite neutral. When asked about to provide commentary on Guzman’s rapping, -physics teacher and head cross country coach Levi Huseman respond with a frank, yet honest, “It sounds like… rap?”

To math teacher Kimberly Dicus, the major flaw with high school rapping in general is the lack of production quality. “Mostly it sounds like pretty low production value, I mean I guess it’s what you would expect. It’s not my favorite music so it’s not something I would normally listen to anyway, but it’s good for them if that’s what they want to do,” Dicus claims.

The idea of Soundcloud rapping is brand new to government teacher Stu Stern and his opinions on the trend are almost as ambiguous as the genre of mumble rap itself.

“I don’t know if it’s enough to make a future on or not. I’m sure there are successful ones.

I don’t know if it’s a fad or not, I don’t know where it fits in the music world, but if you could make a living out of it, go for it. Otherwise, it probably looks like a good hobby,” he says.

Not everyone provides such lukewarm support for the budding young art-

ists, however. Blessing already claims to receive criticism, “all the time” and instead of getting mad about it, he just says okay.

Kabristante has also received criticism but maintains a stoic nature about it. “There would be a lot of people that would just talk about it and be like aw, that sucked, but I don’t really care, I just keep doing whatever I want,” he states.

Guzman feels like his comedic style of rap is often misunderstood. He believes that, “because of the fact that it’s comedic, people kind of take it the wrong way and they don’t appreciate it for what it is. They don’t take it seriously.”

When frustrated, Guzman says he acts like he doesn’t care, “because like it would be exactly what they want.”

Still, Guzman has received over three thousand total listens on his music- not bad for someone who dropped their first release in January of 2018.

Ultimately, Soundcloud rap has allowed students at North and around the country to express themselves in ways Whether they blow up or not, these students’ creative talents have certainly not gone unnoticed in their hometown.

SoundCloud gender differences?

Where was SoundCloud created: Stockholm, Sweden Where is SoundCloud located: Berlin, Germany Who created it: Alexander Ljung When was it created: August 2007

Design by: Abigail Miles | December 2018 | Feature | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

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Famous SoundCloud artists:

DYLAN BLESSING

There are about 10 milllion creators.

SoundCloud Name: Dylan Blessing Most Popular Song: Get Witcha Freestyle Other top songs: Faherheit 451 (Dylan’s Favorite), Mr. Bean Freestyle, Foot Licking Freestyle Self-Described Style of Music: Sloppy Rapping Since: “Freshman Year”

In 2017, there were about 120 million tracks on SoundCloud.

Get Witcha Freestyle 248 listens

In 2016, the estimated value of SoundCloud was $700 million.

FAHRENHEIT 451 186 listens

16 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | Feature | December 2018 | Design by: Isabella Bray

Volunteering to SKIP Two Olathe North students volunteer to help curb truancy at Project SKIP.

By: Abby Shepherd | Staff Writer Photos By: Felicia Georgiou | Staff Writer isn’t a punishment,” sophomore Khushi Kohli explains, “it’s a way to rehabilitate kids and make sure that they are

Easley, describes how the program was created. “A judge asked us to come up with a program that is similar to our Youth Court model but on the lathe North students Child in Need of Care side Reem Atallah and of the law. We Khushi modeled this Kohli are workprogram off of ing hard outside an existing proof school to engram that we sure that other already had in students stay in the county in school. Both are order to offer involved in Projhelp for low-levect SKIP, a proel truant youth gram designed and a leadership to rehabilitate and volunteer truants. opportunity for Truancy is a youth in the problem in county.” high schools, Accordwhich have ing to the Johnbeen shown to son County Dishave the highest trict Attorney’s rates of truanoffice, once a cy when comschool claims pared to middle that a student is and elementary truant, they reschools, accordfer that student ing to the U.S to the District Department of Attorney’s ofEducation.

In fice.

The school Johnson Coundistricts within ty, an initiaJohnson Countive was startty don’t have a ed to correct problem with Atallah and Kohli discuss how to best help students in Project SKIP this problem. sharing their According to excel in school. students’ inJohnson County formation with Court Services, Project SKIP is a prevention/early intervention getting the help at school and Project SKIP. Rather than trying to withhold their stuprogram designed to help low- at home they need.”

Court services officer, Megan dent records, school districts er-level truants. “Project SKIP

O

Design by: Isabella Bray | December 2018 | Feature | Issue 3 | The Chronicle make it their mission to work together with the program by recommending students. Once referred, the student is under the county’s discretion, which brings in Project SKIP. Atallah and Kohli volunteer for Project SKIP on a regular basis, spending their time trying to better the lives of their peers, who are often suffering from issues outside of school.

Kohli claims, “It shows me all of the different struggles students have, especially in high school.”

Atallah and Kohli became involved in the program the same way, as they were previously involved in Olathe Youth Court.

Olathe Youth Court is an alternative to District Court for first time offenders of minor offenses such as: battery, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, telephone harassment, and theft. Local students can volunteer as defendants for these cases, and if the offender completes all requirements, their criminal record is erased.

Adult leaders at Olathe Youth Court had recommended that Atallah and Kohli should become involved in Project SKIP. Atallah explains, “After getting involved in Youth Court, the director of Youth Services told me I should try Project Skip because it’s more of an interactive way to talk to students.”

Twenty to thirty Johnson County high schoolers volunteer for Project SKIP every year, many of them having previously served in Youth Court just like Kohli and Atallah. Meeting once a week at the courthouse, these students form a panel of attorneys, where they hear truant students’ cases. Positions on the panel include Panel Chair, Panel Member, and Student Service Officer (SSO).

Since Project SKIP helps truants who often go to the same school as the attorneys, there is a level of confidentiality that is established for new attorneys.

According to Atallah, “We have to sign a contract when we first start volunteering, just to make sure we keep the information from each case confidential.”

After both girls signed up to volunteer, they underwent a training process.

17

Atallah describes the process, saying, “You Atallah enjoys this step of the come for an hour of training and they go process, saying, “It just feels really good through all of the rules, statutes, and solu- after I can offer some solutions for those problems, so they can go back to school and be successful.”

Each student is paired with an SSO after being advised by the panel of attorneys. Kohli explains, “No matter who supports them, every couple of weeks we just text them and see how their school is going. If there’s any issues, we inform the leaders.”

The most significant element of this program is that fellow students decide how to help out their peers. Atallah believes approaching the issue in this fashion is more effective overall, and she explains, “I think a lot of adults don’t really understand the issues students deal with.”

Kohli agrees with this point, saying, “I think it’s more impactful because it’s a student, they’re your age, so you can really relate,” adding, “it’s really meaningful to have experiences with people who are living in the exact same conditions you are.”

Besides the satisfaction of knowtions for helping them get to school.” ing they are helping troubled students, Kohli explains what comes after, adding, Atallah and Kohli feel that they themselves “We just started going on the panels, and have been positively impacted in various at first I didn’t really know exactly what ways by volunteering for Project SKIP. to do. I watched as other people talked to “I think the ability to connect the truants and asked them questions. As with students who are struggling and helpI kept going and learning more, I began ing them find success is what really appeals to connect with the truants, and started to to me, and helping them get back on track understand how we could help them.” and go to school also appeals to me,” AtalAfter going through a few cases lah explains, while describing how becomwith the guidance of those around them, ing involved has given her new insight to student attorneys are expected to be pre- the struggles that some students deal with. pared to face whatever lies ahead. Atallah Atallah adds, “It’s also made me describes the process each attorney goes more empathetic, because now I underthrough upon arriving at the Johnson stand what students are going through and County Court Services building. “At first, get to help them, instead of just assigning we look through a folder and see their [the them punishments.” student] name, what school they go to, Kohli also believes that being involved in their grades, and what specific classes they Project SKIP has taught her a lot, saying, have been missing.” After this process, “It’s taught me leadership, as I’ve learned the panel creates questions for the truant to step up and volunteer, so it’s just been student. Next, they meet with the student, a great way for me to learn how to comand try to gain an understanding of why municate.” they’ve been truant. The student attorneys Kohli adds that volunteering for analyze their grades, social life, and any the program has allowed her to further mental health issues that may be apparent. connect with others, saying, “Before I was After this meeting, the panel reconvenes to living in my ‘rose-colored world’ and once discuss possible solutions for the student. I went to Project SKIP I started to realize Kohli claims the most common suggestion that many students are going through bulfor a truant student is tutoring. “A lot of lying or abuse, and other terrible conditimes there are grade issues and they’re tions, so it really opened my eyes up.” scared of going to school,” Kohli says.

“It’s also made me more empathetic, because now I understand what students are going through.”

Atallah

18 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | Feature | December 2018 | Design by: Neha Sridhar

More Than The Norm

A look into the different holidays and traditions celebrated among the Olathe North student body

By: Neha Sridhar | Staff Writer

T

he holiday season encapsulates a wide variety of celebrations, joy, and excitement in the world.

While most in North America traditionally will think of Christmas as the prevalent holiday, many people celebrate an alternative holiday or do not celebrate at all. At Olathe North, students of different faiths or homes end up celebrating different holidays with even more different family traditions. Some of these celebrations may not even take place during the months of November and December, instead taking place during May and June.

One such faith is Islam, where followers of these traditions do not partake in any holidays during the winter months, instead celebrating their holidays of Eid and Ramadan during the spring and summer. Ramadan is a month of fasting that is celebrated by Muslims internationally to exercise self-control and to commemorate Muhammad’s first revelation. Eid, or Eid al-Fitr, is the celebration at the end of Ramadan and is the first day that Muslims are allowed not to fast.

Naima Warsame, a senior at Olathe North, is a student of this faith. She says that while the holiday season doesn’t mean much to her since she doesn’t celebrate during it, she enjoys celebrating Eid and Ramadan, as well as birthdays. When asked about what traditions her family has, Naima says “Some family picnics and weddings.”

Another senior who does not celebrate much during winter is Abdallah Kassim. However, he says that the holiday season means to him, he says “Thanksgiving, getting together with family and filling up with food.”

While taking note of the many people who have holiday celebrations that do not fall in the months of November and

“Diwali is the Indian Festival of Lights.”

December tends to be foreign ground for much of the country, there is also one large holiday for the Hindu faith that is celebrated in early November, before most of the holiday season begins. One student, a sophomore Khushi Parsai, was asked to define what this holiday, Diwali, is to her.

“Diwali is the Indian Festival of Lights.

The history behind it is that in the Indian Epic “The Ramayana” this is the day

Senior Naima Warsame and family celebrating Eid together in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

when the King Ram came back to claim his throne. Today it is celebrated with fireworks, lights, sweets, and more and it marks the start of a new and better future.”

Khushi also talked about one family tradition she has to celebrate Diwali, which is to make a dessert called Besan Ka Ladoo with her family. This dessert is flour, sugar, cardamom, pistachios, and almonds shaped into a ball and roasted. Another tradition of her family is a traditional prayer.

“We do the main Diwali puja which takes two hours.” Used in these traditional payers is an oil lamp called a diya,.

Noah Berkenwahl, a senior at Olathe North, celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah each biannually. As his mom is Christian and his dad is Jewish, his family rotates between the two. On the topic of his family traditions, he says “We have a Christmas tree for Christmas and a menorah, gold coins, and a dreidel for Hanukkah but we have Christmas lights every year.” He adds that he himself isn’t religious, but his favorite aspect of each holiday is “just the family time, to be honest. The tradition isn’t very important, to me it’s mostly the family and I think it’s a good way to show appreciation with all the guests and stuff.”

Overall, while many students have different traditions, it shows up that spending time with their families and celebrating with loved ones is a main theme that is shared.

Senior Adbdallah Kassim and extended family celebrating Eid together.

December 2018 | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

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20 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | A&E | December 2018 | Design by: Kalley Jurgielski

Christmas Surveys

Students of Olathe North that celebrate the Christmas holiday were surveyed over their holiday favorites, family traditions, and Christmas wish-lists!

1

All I want for Christmas is...

1.) “Fuzzy Socks”

no. song

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

1

How the Grinch Stole Chiristmas

2.) “Airpods” 3.) “Money”

no. movie

4.) “Books” 5.) “Apple Watch”

no. treat

“My dog gets to open his stocking first.”

Christmas Traditions

“Open presents? Eat.” “Staying up late on Christmas Eve.” prefer Chris

prefe rt

r store b efe r o p

70% of surveryed students

kie oo

s out

fo

50% of surveryed students

anta

of surveryed students

s movie s

rS

of surveryed students

100%

a tm

er music ov

homemade

60%

o

e tha n giv r

eive ec

er

ht gifts ov ug

leave

7.) “Giftcards”

Christmas Cookies & Hot Chocolate

c

1

6.) “Bluetooth Speaker”

Design by: Isabella Bray | December 2018 | A&E | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

in the

21

Heard it Hallways

By: Jena Bright | Photo Editor Photo By: Lana Tarik | Photographer It’s back. The collection of totally bizarre and random quotes said by students of Olathe North. Yes, some are may raise concern, some will make you laugh out loud, but all are definitely worth reading.

“Where is it where you buy your way to heaven?”

“My life is one big tea pot.”

“No one here wants your heart.”

Student: “I’ve been having mental breakdowns every week.” Teacher: “Me too.”

“Um no, save the rubbing alcohol, I was gonna drink it”

“In my dream, I interrogated sheep really intensely… I’m going to visit him again tonight.”

“Sorry, I have to miss spring show because I want to see the yodeling boy from Walmart instead.”

“I could sleep on a bed of nuggets.”

“I’m only good at throwing things when I throw it at someone.”

“She looks more and more like a frog every day.”

22 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | A&E | December 2018 | Design by: Ashley Honey

alternative

HOLIDAY SONGS

Every year, the holidays roll around, and it’s like the same four songs are on the radio all the time. Never fear: spice up this holiday season with some of the worst (therefore the best) holiday tunes we could find. Enjoy!

By: Bailey Flanagan | Online Editor

By: Claire Decatur | Staff Writer

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Metal cover) - Orion’s Reign

“Christmas Conga” - Cyndi Lauper

“Funky, Funky Christmas”- New Kids on the Block

“Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree (Trap

This not-so jolly tune tells the story of poor Rudolph. However, instead of guiding the sleigh, Rudolph ends up on the streets.

“Funky, Funky Christmas” is the epitome of boy band christmas music. This hip-hop track is fun to dance to and cringe at.

If you like meaningful, slow christmas songs, this one is not for you. Complete with an accordion and an electric conga beat, spirits are high and slightly unsettled.

Remix)”- Soweside on SoundCloud

Admittedly, this wasn’t bad the first few seconds, but after a few minutes I regretted clicking on it. Completed with air horn and random yelling, this track was a little too rockin’ for me.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Death Christmas Dubstep Mix 2015 Cab for Cutie - Artistic Maniacs on YouTube In most versions of this gloomy love song, upbeat music still plays in the background keeping the mood light, but Death Cab for Cutie decided to embrace the sadness. Complete with minor key guitar and soft vocals, if you’re looking to get in your feelings this Christmas then this song is for you.

From Jingle Bells to Let It Snow this hour long dubstep remix has it all. Artistic Maniacs mashed tons of classic Christmas song in a very upbeat loud dubstep remix.

Christmas in New Orleans - Louis Armstrong

“Mistletoe”- Justin Bieber

Jazz star Louis Armstrong, singer of the classic “What a Wonderful World”, also sings this underrated Christmas song.

If you “like jazz” this is the song for you and that special someone. this song.

Justin Bieber’s original song “Mistletoe” made almost every girl swoon when it was first released. Looking back, it is embarrassing the amount of times I danced around my room to this song.

Christmas in Dixie- Alabama

Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer- Steve Ivey

If you’re looking for a cowboy Christmas song, this one might be a match. This was a decent Christmas song about how magical the south gets around this time of year with a signature country twang.

This song is deceptively upbeat. It was fun to listen to until you payed attention to the somewhat slanderous lyrics about grandma.

Design by: Ashley Honey | December 2018 | A&E | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

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A hallmark CHRISTMAS By: Sam Shaper | Staff Writer

H

i, all! This review was supposed to be of a classic Hallmark movie, Crown For Christmas. Well, I started writing this article when I realized, why not review every single Hallmark movie ever made?

I can do that in one article. So here I go!

Hallmark movie starts with vaguely beautiful Brunette played by a well known 90’s actress that you almost forgot about. Brunette works in a bakery or for her dad or is down on her luck in the writing biz, whatever makes her feel relatable. As a matter of fact, Brunette just got laid off or she had to take a pay cut. How sad. Will things ever go her way? Where have I heard of that before?

Oh, that’s right, that trope is in Lucky in Love, Crown For Christmas, Love on the Sidelines, and Lucky Christmas.

On her way out of her workplace, Brunette trips and spills her coffee.. or she trips and drops her papers... either way, she trips. And do you know who’s there to pick her up? You guessed it, some gorgeous hunk with blue eyes. If you squint, he looks like Chris Hemsworth. Brunette and Hunk make awkward but romantic eye contact with each other for a moment.

The kind of eye contact that you can only find in a movie with hundreds of plugs from sponsors like that ten second shot of a Folgers tub. Hey! That reminds me of

Lucky in Love, Crown For Christmas, Love on the Sidelines, and Lucky Christmas.

Anyway! Hunk and Brunette immediately hit it off. But they have secrets. Brunette is too nervous to tell Hunk that she lost her job and Hunk is too nervous to tell Brunette that he’s… the Prince of Wales? Really? Okay.

So they go on a few dates, there’s an adorable scene where they cook together in Hunk’s gold-plated prince kitchen (yeah, Brunette isn’t picking up the subtle hints).

Things have been going hot and heavy for fifteen days now so they’re ready to get married, naturally.

But! They haven’t met each other’s parents!

But this trope only happens in Lucky in Love, Crown For Christmas, Love on the Sidelines, and Lucky Christmas.

Brunette and Hunk (who’s name is Henry II or something like that but we’ve established that our heroine isn’t good with hints) go to Hunk’s parents’ summer home where Brunette receives a lot of hostility and passive aggressive comments for some unknown reason. Halfway through the awkward dinner, somebody slams his or her fork down on the table and asks Hunk if he truly thinks that Brunette is ready to marry a prince? Isn’t that… like a Royal Christmas? … Crown For Christmas?

A Royal Winter? Royal Hearts too… Huh. That dinner goes extremely poor and of course, Brunette is upset that her gorgeous boyfriend didn’t tell her that he’s a prince

“Hunk is too nervous to tell Brunette that he’s… the Prince of Wales?”

and that is totally unforgivable. Who wants to date a prince? This is where it gets very sad. Pachelbel’s Canon in D plays as you see Brunette cooking alone (mood) and Hunk sitting melodramatically in the dark as one, manly tear slides down his chiseled, sulking face. This scene is done really well in Lucky in Love, Crown For Christmas, Love on the Sidelines, and Lucky Christmas.

Christmas Day comes around and as the snow is falling, filling the streets and the windows, Brunette realizes that she can settle on a gorgeous, kind prince. Hunk realizes how insensitive it was to go around being a prince his whole life so he decides that he’s willing to give up his crown for this woman. They meet in the snow where the first met. The completely unpracticed kiss they share is enough to make a grown man bawl his eyes out, it’s enough to make anybody believe that you can get laid off and then marry a prince in a month as long as you just believe. It’s a story of love and loss, comedy and tragedy… without any loss or tragedy. It’s Hallmark, what do you expect?

24 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | Sports | December 2018 | Design by: Ashley Honey

Post SeasON Athletes

By: Cade Heikes | Staff Writer

O

lathe North fall sports teams soared into the postseason this year, with cross country and football leading the charge and representing their school with team awards and accolades.

cross country The cross country team started the trend as the boys and girls both won the Sunflower League meet with ease. The following week, the boys put up a nearly perfect score of 19 in the regional meet, receiving 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th and 10th place. The top ten individuals get medals, which meant there were more Olathe North runners on the podium than any other school in the region combined. The boys won the meet and the girls were runners up, qualifying both teams for the state championships.

At the KSHAA State Championship, at Rim Rock farm in Lawrence, the Eagles showed the state they were the top dogs. The boys team defended their state

"We aproached the meet with a fearful, lets not mess this up, mindset.”

-Jordan Yonce title and won their 3rd state championship in four years. They were led by individual medalists Brian Beach (5th), Cade Heikes (6th), and Jackson Caldwell (11th).

Despite having a less than average day for the team, the boys still beat the second place team by over 40 points.

“We approached the meet with a fearful, lets not mess this up, mindset,” commented senior Jordan Yonce (26th).

This was a result of the pressure that comes with defending a state title and being the favorites to win. The team overcame this and used it as a learning experience.

The girls placed 4th and were led by Sarah Whitaker (14th). They survived the toughest girls regional and placed well for the competition that they faced at state.

Two weeks later, the team went to the Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional meet to compete against some of the toughest teams from the surrounding states. They were trying to win a bid for the national meet in Portland, Oregon. The boys team landed a historic 9th place fin-

Above: Olathe North Cross Country displays their awards. | Courtesy of Levi Huseman

Design by: Ashley Honey | December 2018 | Sports | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

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Below: Eagle Flight Crew celebrates a touchdown. | Photo by: Hailey Kitivoravong North, and the night quickly turned into a shootout. Arland Bruce and the coaches brought out the passing weaponry in a much-needed move. Bruce threw 12 completions on 22 attempts for 185 yards.

Senior Elijah Williams showed up and brought down four touchdown catches in an excellent performance. Sanchez added another 200+ yard game as well. On the other side of the ball, AJ Patillo had 13 total tackles, 10 solos, and a sack. Sophomore Mario Sanchez had two key interceptions and eight tackles. Despite playing the game of their life, the men fell short, losing 51-

49 after a late game safety sealed their fate.

The Eagle football team represented Olathe North in the best way, competing at a high level all season, including on a trip to Colorado. Senior Devin Stoker is hopeful for the underclassmen to continue the culture of excellence, saying, “The defense might struggle just a little bit… but I have no doubt our offense will still be the same because it’s a bunch of young people.”

The boys put on a great show for fans this season and made Olathe North proud, bringing back the tradition of winning.

"Despite playing the game of their life, the men fell short, losing 51-49 after a lategame safety sealed their fate."

ish, the highest in school history, however fell short of qualifying. Jackson Caldwell led the team, placing 25th and finishing with a time of 15:49.

football Eagles football came back into the spotlight with an extremely successful season that set them up to be competitive in the state tournament.

Olathe North cruised past the Shawnee Mission West Vikings in a 56-14 blowout. In similar fashion, North smacked local rival Olathe South, 50-13 to become regional champions. Perpetual leading rusher Daymon Sanchez had 23 carries for 221 yards and two touchdowns, followed closely by sophomore Arland Bruce who had 23 carries for 168 yards and three touchdowns. Olathe South was hyped before the game, but fell silent as the slaughter unfolded before them.

The first real test came against Shawnee Mission East. Both teams fought for the entire game, but the Eagles came up on top. In the 24-21 victory the eagles struggled to pass the ball, with only two completions on eight attempts for 15 yards. Fortunately, Sanchez and Bruce tore into the secondary all night with help from excellent blocking, combining for 64 carries, 394 yards, and three touchdowns.

Sanchez had one particularly impressive 72-yard rush. The defense worked tirelessly to stifle the lancer offense. Senior Devin Stoker had twelve tackles, eight solos, one for a loss and an interception. Senior James Thomas had eight solo tackles.

In the sub-state game Olathe North faced off against Blue Valley

Above: ON's defence prepares for their opponents to snap the ball. | Photo by: Hailey Kitivoravong

26 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | Sports | December 2018 | Design by: Bailey Flanagan

Winter Sports Preview Girls Basketball

The Girls Basketball team dances with their coach.

T

his year’s Lady Eagles basketball team is looking to build off of last year’s success both on and off the court.

Like the boys team, the girls also place a big emphasis on team chemistry and leadership. In fact, for power forward Le’Yanna McGinnis, the best part of being on the team is “all the team dinners, us bonding, and everything like that.”

McGinnis also personally hopes to “be a better leader and have more wins than last year.” Point guard Hope Owens has similar goals, including one “to be a better leader, a more vocal leader.”

This focus on bonding and leadership doesn’t stop the Lady Eagles from having big expectations for their oncourt results, however. Both Owens and McGinnis hope to help their team make the state tournament this year. Having a raucous crowd of North fans certainly wouldn’t hurt their chances of achieving that goal.

“We don’t get a lot of people that come [to games] because they don’t think girls are as good as boys, but it’s the same. We play hard and we just want support,” states McGinnis.

The team’s first home game is at 5:30 on Friday, December 14th, against Shawnee Mission North, so make sure to show up and cheer the Lady Eagles on to victory. You can also follow the team on Twitter @ONLadyEaglesBa1l.

Boys Basketball

Senior Elijah Williams dunks the basketball at Late Night At the Nest.

T

he 2019 Olathe North boys basketball team not only has high expectations for this season; they also have the talent to back it up. After making it to the state tournament last year, this year’s varsity team returns a lot of last year’s players including senior Tymer Jackson, a First Team All-Sunflower League selection last year, and junior KT Raimey, last year’s Sunflower League sophomore of the year.

Both players are currently considering Division I offers from around the country, but before they head off to play college basketball, they get to light up the court here at Olathe North.

For Jackson, this year’s goals are pretty lofty and include going undefeated as a team and getting a state title. After winning their first game against Pleasant Hill by a score of 80 to 33, these aspirations seem reasonable.

Besides winning state titles, this year’s varsity squad also has a big emphasis on team chemistry. “For this season I want us to actually be a team, learn to cope with each other and be a brotherhood and be friends outside of basketball,” states Raimey. Jackson also mentions having good chemistry as one of the team goals for this year.

If you want to see this excitement in action, attend the Eagles’ first home game against Shawnee Mission North on Friday, December 14th. In the words of Raimey, “Everyone should come because we are going to be a show to watch.”

Design by: Bailey Flanagan | December 2018 | Sports | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

Bowling

Boys Swim & Dive

Wrestling

T

he Eagle bowling team may not have their first tournament until January, but they are already gearing up for the season with high expectations. This year’s bowling team looks a little different than last year’s group but that’s not stopping anyone from striving for team and individual success.

Sophomore Evan Harrison recognizes that this year’s squad will be missing a major part of the previous year’s team. “Our teams were a little bit smaller this year than they were last year. A lot of our really good bowlers, they’ve left, so we’re all just kind of having a fresh start now,” he says.

Harrison still maintains big goals

T

he Eagle Swim team hopes to make a splash and dive right in to a season of unprecedented success this winter. All terrible puns aside, senior Derrick Yang and sophomore Aaden Lloyd both are hoping to get the entire team to the state meet, something that has not been accomplished in recent history.

Yang already held up his end of the bargain in the team’s first meet on December 4th by achieving a state qualifying time in the 100 butterfly. At the same meet, Yang also achieved a state consideration time in the 100 breaststroke, while Lloyd and senior Jack Spanel took home a first place finish in the 100 backstroke and 500 freestyle, respectively.

With such a successful start to the season, these athletes are all on track for their season individual goals as well. For Spanel, goals include qualifying for state individually in the 500 and making it to the championship the second day of state. Lloyd wants to make state in the 100 back and 200 free relay. As for Yang, the

A

fter last year’s state title, the North boys wrestling team is looking to create a dynasty and maintain their status as a Kansas wrestling powerhouse. For junior Gunner Murphy, this means making it to the second day at state individually and winning yet another team state championship. The team is ranked eighth in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association poll (as of December 4th) but by sticking to head coach Josh Carroll’s goal “for each individual to get better as the year goes along,” another state championship is not out of the question.

Several individual wrestlers are also ranked in the top 6 in their 6A weight class,

27

for himself, however, as he wants to beat his personal best game, a 242, and achieve a 600 series, which refers to the combined score of three games.

On the girls side, senior and Baker University bowling commit Emily Stamper hopes, “to be on the honor roll this year for bowling and qualify for state.”

She also recommends that you attend a bowling tournament because, “It’s completely different to watch than other sports.”

You can catch the Striking Eagles in action at their first home tournament at Olathe Lanes East on Friday, January 18th at 3:00.

goal is simple: “to make state in as many events as possible.”

Head coach Maria Arthur is a big advocate for her team and all the hard work they put in to achieve their success. “Swimmers are some of the best athletes out there, along with dancers. They do so much to keep in shape and they do not always get the recognition they deserve like the bigger sports do,” she states.

Come see the swim team show off their hard work at their next home meet at Summit Trail Middle School on Friday, January 25th. Why? According to Yang, “because you get to see a lot of hot dudes wearing very minimal clothing.”

If that’s not what you’re into, Spanel still believes you should attend because, “it’s a fun environment honestly” and “it gets hype.”

For more information on the boys swim team, follow @BoysOlathe and stay updated on the team’s quest to punch their tickets to state.

such as sophomore Joe Triscornia (6th, 113), junior Keegan Slyter (1st, 126), junior Jose Cervantes (4th, 152), senior Devin Stoker (5th, 170), and junior Brandon Pena (5th, 285).

As for rivals, Murphy sees Olathe South, ranked 10th in the state, as the Eagles’ biggest ones. Coach Carroll, however, believes that, “the biggest rival is yourself, cause you have to find ways to improve and come ready to work.”

Come support North wrestling at their home tournament on Saturday, January 26th because, in the words of Murphy, “it’s fun to watch us win.” You can also follow the team on Twitter @ONHSwrestling.

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The Chronicle | Issue 3 | A&E | December 2018 | Design by: Elizabeth Tuckness and Miles Arambula

High School in the Media By: Gabby Beachey | Copy Editor

W

hether it’s Mean Girls’s Regina George, High School Musical’s Troy Bolton, or Barbie herself, the life and appearance of the American teenager has been glorified by movies and TV shows for decades. But is it really accurate? Many would say it’s not. Social media has recently seen a rise in body positivity, and more people than ever are beginning accept the thought that beauty can come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

One of the most common complaints about teens in today’s TV is that they aren’t actually teenagers at all. For example, Rachel McAdams was 26 years old when she played 17 year old Regina George in Mean Girls, according to biography.com.

Similarly, Christian Navarro was 26 when he played 18 year old Tony Padilla in 13 Reasons Why. Casting adult actors to play teen-

agers is not a new practice. In 1978’s Grease, Channing Stockard was 33 years old when she played Rizzo. Why would producers cast someone to play a character half her age? The answer anything from pursuit of recognizable actors to child labor laws. But how does it affect teens to see adult bodies portraying teenagers on TV? “It can give [teenagers] the message that they’re supposed to look good all the time,” says clinical psychologist and teen and family expert, Dr. Barbara Greenberg, PhD. Adolescence is a period of change, so there is no definite picture of what it looks like. However, casting adults with consistent appearances may be a problem. If an adult actor is shown playing a teen, it may give teenagers the unrealistic idea that they are supposed to have perfect skin and perfect hair at all times. Adolescent appearances change.

“Some days they’re thinner, they’re a little heavier, they have pimples, their hair is a little frizzy. It’s all okay,” says Greenberg.

“I think the media should try to include people that would represent all types of people to show them that they matter,” says Olathe North Sopho-

“Some days they’re thinner, they’re a little heavier, they have pimples, their hair is a little frizzy. It’s all okay,” -Dr. Barbara Greenberg, PhD

more Drew Paget.

“The teenagers on TV look too nice and put together. They don’t always show the hardships of teenage life,” explains Paget.

For a very long time, it was believed that in order for a woman to be attractive, she needed big breasts and a tiny waist, and that men needed to be big and muscular. People were “fat shamed” for decades, but many have decided to break this mold.

Thousands of people have taken to Twitter, voicing their support for plussize individuals, and more plus-size and disabled models are joining the fashion industry than ever before. Many shows and movies have included overweight characters in a positive light, such as Steven Universe in his self-titled show, Kate Pearson of This is Us, and Netflix’s original movie Sierra Burgess is a Loser.

However, there are still many shows and movies which portray being overweight as negative or undesirable.

Design by: Elizabeth Tuckness and Miles Arambula | December 2018 | A&E | Issue 3 | The Chronicle One of the most prevalent examples of this today is Netflix’s original show, Insatiable. The show casts Debby Ryan as Patty Bladell, an overweight girl.

She wires her jaw shut and loses 70 pounds, and therefore becomes “desirable,” getting boyfriends,

joining beauty pageants, and remarking on the “magic” of being skinny.

However, Patty resents the fact that people only seem to like her once she loses weight. The people around her all objectify her and give her value only once she becomes “skinny.” Even before the show aired, the internet was outraged.

Several users wrote about ending the “girl loses weight and becomes beautiful” trope.

Others pointed out that nobody should have to lose weight to love themselves.

However, many Twitter users supported the idea that the show is trying to prove that people’s adoration for Patty as a result of losing weight is wrong. This includes leading actress Alyssa Milano herself.

“We are not shaming Patty.

We are addressing (through comedy) the damage that occurs from fat shaming,” Milano explained on Twitter.

When teenagers see thin, fit, adult actors playing them on screen, some may believe that the way they look is wrong. This can lead to things like low self esteem, depression, and even eating disorders. Eating disorders are a huge issue among adolescents with an estimated 50% of teenage girls and 30% of teenage boys using unhealthy eating habits to control their weight, according to the organization Eating Disorder Hope. This is rarely shown on screen, with a few notable exceptions. Mean Girls, Heathers, Degrassi, and Skins all have at least one charac-

ter with an eating disorder. There have even been a few more kid-friendly shows like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody that touched on the subject.

“I think [serious issues like eating disorders and bullying] should be included, but they should be approached in a manner so as to not make victims of such things feel excluded or even more victimized,” says Paget.

A study conducted by Bradley University in 2018 cites Western culture’s emphasis on thinness and objectification of people’s bodies as one of the root causes for body dissatisfaction, dieting, restriction, and, in some individuals, binge-eating.

Few disagree that the appearance and behavior of actors playing teenagers is often far from accurate. This rift between reality and what is created on TV can make teenagers believe untrue things about adolescence, and even change their behavior. Most high schoolers can say with certainty that the actors on their favorite shows don’t resemble them or their friends. “[Fixing high schoolers’ representation in the media] is really hard to do, seeing as mostly they have to hire twenty-somethings, but they can look into seeing diversity in schools and trying to work with such information,” suggests Paget.

“I think [serious issues like eating disorders and bullying] should be included, but they should be approached in a manner so as to not make victims of such things feel excluded or even more victimized.”

-Drew Paget

29

50% of teenage girls use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives to control their weight.”

30% of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives to control their weight.”

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Design by: Andrea Martin | December 2018 | Opinions | Issue 3 | The Chronicle

31

Opinion: No Need to Sugarcoat It Being politcally correct isn’t necessary this Holiday Season.

By: Cade Heikes | Staff Writer

I

t’s the holiday season, and we all know what that means: political correctness will ramp up with a familiar, burdensome tone. There will be no “Merry Christmas” signs in the halls of this school, nor will it even be a good idea for the phrase to be uttered from an individual, as someone could become uncomfortable.

Now that is clearly facetious, but political correctness is nonetheless cumbersome and anti-academic. Let it first be made clear that everyone has the constitutional right to offend people. It is the prerogative of the recipient of your speech whether or not to be offended.

However, you do not necessarily have the moral right to say what you wish and to offend people; there is certainly a question of whether you “ought” to or not. The answer is both yes and no.

Being sensitive and striving to be less offensive is undeniably a justifiable cause. If the sole purpose of an idea or exchange of speech are to offend someone, it is probably not good and should not be said. More so, if the ends of an idea or exchange of speech are conveying an intellectually nuanced concept or some other relevant proposal, then it is also within the speaker’s interest not to offend his audience. In this case it would be frivolous for one to even speak out, whether through literal speech or writing; given offense is born of the audience. The audience in this case is offended nonetheless, and therefore the chance they successfully receive and analyze speech goes drastically down.

Here is the argument for truth.

Truth is good. It is better for one to know

the truth about how another feels than to be ignorant to his sentiments because of a cloud of political correctness. In this case, offense is a possible outcome but that does not deny the potential goodness resulting from the knowledge of the truth. The only conceivable counter to this is blissful ig-

someone has broccoli in his teeth). Political correctness policing bleeds into this realm. The nature of truth demands that it is singular and objective, unchanging.

If moral or significant truth is to be stated and it is interpreted as offensive, then so be it. This is where there is no compromise.

Prostitution is wrong, and saying so means sex workers will be offended. Non-Western Islam fundamentally oppresses women, and saying so will offend many. The truth is not interested in people’s feelings. Political correctness warriors would rather none of this be said, and those who use it would rather attack what is truth.

The academic world must be willing to publicly tackle issues by stating the truth! Jason Riley of The Wall Street Journal, notes how in New York City, a black child is more likely to be aborted than born alive, crippling the black community’s own influence. It’s uncomfortable! It challenges the norm and the direction of society, but that is, for no student of sound reason a pass to avoid the conversation.

The world needs writers and people who will, with tact and civility, stand up to the censorship and vagueness of political correctness and project the truth onto the public. Truth must define one’s narrative, not the other way around.

Get uncomfortable, learn, grow, and know.

There will be no “Merry Christmas” signs in the halls of this school, nor will it be a good idea for the phrase to be uttered from an individual, as someone could become uncomfortable.

-Caden Heikes, Staff Writer norance, which leads to more hurt when one inevitably discovers the truth and their own foolishness. The key here is whether or not the truth is known. If it is, especially on relatively insignificant matters, then avoid the whole controversy and hold your tongue. Battle political correctness for truth where it is unknown and hated.

This idea of the goodness of truth crucially extends to morally, socially, politically and economically significant issues (beyond the realm of telling the truth that

32 The Chronicle | Issue 3 | News | December 2018| Design by: Jena Bright

NORTH VIEWS DECEMBER Photos by: Lana Tarik and Hailey Kitivoravong

Girls basketball players senior Hope Watts, senior Eylia Bruce, junior Kenaja Green, and senior Leyanna McGinnis are giving the students a show with a dance at the winter sports kick-off Late Night at the Nest.

Mr. Eagle contestants Brian Weber, Marco Bozinos, Detrik Ortiz, and Josiah Brandt, performing a dance.

Olathe North Cheerleaders rev up the crowd with their cheer at the winter sports pep assembly.