Connection Lost

the chronicle

Olathe North High School 600 E. Prairie Olathe, Kansas 66061

10 | 2019

Volume 7 Issue 1

CONNECTION

LOST

Olathe District’s new wifi policies frustrate ON students

Page 13

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2019

table of

contents News

What’d You Miss? 4 Gondr with Yondr 6

Features

Page 6 | News

Meet the Teachers 8 Emily and Elizabeth 12 Connection Lost 13 Olathe North Sends Out an SOS 16

Opinions Child of an Immigrant 21 Dress Code: Necessary or

Page 16 | Features

Controlling? 22 Hot Takes 23

Sports Football Team Hopes to Repeat 2009 Success 24 New Coach Brings New Hope 25

Page 25 | Sports

Girls Golf 26 Cross Country and Gymnastics 27

A&E Best Summer Memes 29 Freshman Statistics 30 Where Were You When the Power Went Out? 31

Page 27 | Sports

October 2019 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

letter from the

editors D

ear Eagles, As school begins to wind up again, we find ourselves settling back into the routine of busy mornings, tons of homework, and the all too familiar parking-lot brawls. But behind all of these hectic moments are memories waiting to be found. A pep-assembly gone crazy, a class party, a halftime spent with friends, even an after school date. The memories made here at Olathe North will remain with you forever, even though it might not seem like it in the moment. Freshmen, although life seems crazy now, things will settle as you get into the groove of high school. It may not seem like it now, but the next four years will fly by, so take the time to cherish it!

Sophomores, this is the last year you have

Molly Duke

2019-2020 Editors-in-Chief Molly Duke Ashley Honey Online Editor Bailey Flanagan Lead Editor Abby Shepherd Copy Editor Sam Schaper Advertising Manager Andrea Martin

before the idea of college starts to sink in.

Make sure you spend time with friends, go to football games, and make the most out of your last worry-free year. Juniors, you’re in the thick of it now. With those AP classes piling up, you may finally be feeling the pressure of grades and GPA. Don’t worry, although things seem treacherous now, the year will fly by, and you’ll be a senior! As for the current seniors, we all know the end is coming. Although there’s less than a year left, it may feel like an eternity. At this point, graduation seems more like a dream than a reality, but we’ll get there in time. As they say, you’re in high school once, but you’re an eagle forever. So, let’s make the most of this year. Go Eagles!

Contact Information Mailing address: 600 E Prairie St. Olathe, KS 66061 Phone: (913) 780-7140 Email: onpublications@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 brevity or legibility.

Advertising The Chronicle accepts advertisments; these can be submitted to the emails below. Pricing and other information can be obtained by contacting us at rcaveon@olatheschools.org or andreamartinchronicle@gmail.com.

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 first issue of volume seven. 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 solely responsible for this student publication.

Ashley Honey

staff Business Manager Lily Harrison Staff Editors Hayley Adams Kalley Jurgielski Elizabeth Tuckness Staff Writers Mariya Adcox Lily Cook Menaka Garapaty Eve Loehrer

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Chris Robinson Staff Artists/Designers Sarah Manuel Sarah Montes Anthony Phothirath Photo Editors Claire Decatur Hailey Kitivoravong Staff Photographer Suaad Warsame Advisor Robert M. Cave, Jr.

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | News | October 2019 | Design by Molly Duke

WHAT’D YOU MISS?

Not a fan of the news? No worries, we’ve condensed the most newsworthy stories into briefs for your reading pleasure.

By Molly Duke | Editor-In-Chief By Mariya Adcox | Staff Writer

Turn the light off

A

t the beginning of September, President Donald Trump made an announcement that shocked and confused the country. His administration was doing away with energy efficient light bulbs. The government phase-out of incandescent bulbs has been over ten years in the making, but with a recent push from the Trump Administration restrictions on them have been lessened.

The change came unexpectedly to many people around the country.. After the United States switched to energy-efficient light bulbs, the average household energy usage dropped. This was a monumental step in the battle to fight climate-change, and for the Trump Administration to reverse the act seems like a slap in the face to the activists who fought for the switch in the first place. According to the Department of Energy, replacing your home’s five

most-used lights with energy-efficient bulbs will save you $75 every year because they

“I said here’s the story, and I looked at it: The bulb that we’re being forced to use — No. 1, to me, most importantly, the light’s no good. I always look orange. And so do you!”

-President Donald Trump

are also recyclable, unlike their counterparts.

So why is the Trump Administration doing away with the more environmentally friendly bulb? President Trump commented on how the light bulbs affected his appearance. He claims the lights “make him look orange”. Besides his opinions based on his appearance, he complained about the price of the bulbs, which run about two dollars a piece for normal household bulbs.

The change is still settling in, and as more people change to the more expensive bulbs, the question will be asked: was the change necessary?

use less electricity and have a longer life.

Additionally, energy-efficient light bulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional light bulbs and can last up to three times longer. Energy-efficient bulbs

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

T

his summer, the Amazon Rainforest caught fire. The news broke national headlines in July, however, when at that point, the forest had been on fire for over a week.

The fire destroyed over 7,200 square miles of forest before a combined effort of fire control and rain finally quenched the raging fires. The news, however, did not state what exactly started the wildfires that wiped out precious wildlife habitats.

Soon the truth arrived: Farmers had set fire to the forest to clear room for farm land. However, when the fire quickly became out of control emergency services were forced to take over and attempt to put out the fire. Even though the Amazon was put out in the end, that wasn’t the last fire to be set in the rainforest. Brazil’s National Institute for

Space Research reported over 9,500 new fires since August 15th, all with the purpose of clearing land for other purposes.

“One in ten of all animal species on Earth call the Amazon home.”

-National Geographic

“There has been a lot of analysis and satellite data that shows there is so much land already cleared - a lot abandoned or very poorly used and

managed that we could use to grow food on,” Nigel Sizer, tropical forest ecologist and chief program officer with the Rainforest Alliance commented in an interview with National Geographic.

The burning of the Amazon Rainforest was detrimental to the ecosystems it contained. The rainforest contains over 25% of the earth’s ecosystem, ranging from its animals or plants. When the forest began to burn, animals died, plants burnt, and smoke polluted the air for the surrounding wildlife. Many of the surrounding cities experienced black skies of smoke in the last days of the fire.

People were forced to evacuate, and those who didn’t suffered from the poor air quality in the days that followed.

Design by Molly Duke | October 2019 | News | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

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According to safetyandhealthmagazine.com, four out of ten seniors in high-school have admitted to vaping in the past year.

Head in the clouds

R

eports claim there’s a new epidemic; teen vaping. Towards the end of summer, teens were being hospitalized for the damage these vapors were doing to their health. The number of teens affected is still rising. People.com reported that twenty two teens in the Midwest alone were hospitalized. All hospitals see the same symptoms: black spots on the lungs and damage from nicotine, smoke inhalation and THC oil in lungs.

More symptoms include: weight loss, slowed brain development and addictive tendencies.

Some injuries are so severe the patient is put under a medically induced coma to treat the burns on the walls of the lungs. A few procedures even resulted in death from issues with THC related vaping. Not only the doctors, but the teens that have come forward, are pleading others to stop using the e-cigarettes.

Adam Hergenreder, a teen in Illinois, told the New York Post that he

was put in the hospital for a vaping related lung injury. “I feel stupid,” Hergenreder said. “I want other people to stop. It’s going to attack your lungs.” Hergenreder also commented, “People just see that little pod and think, how could that do anything to my body?”. He is now an example for other young teens who vape.

Juul is the most common de-

“16.2 % of all seniors in high-school actively use some kind of E-Cigarette.”

-drugabuse.gov

vice among teens, but there are many others as well. The long term effects of vaping are inconclusive but are not suspected to be anything but destructive.

This nationwide scare does not only affect teens. A Kansas City man

died from side effects of the e-cigarettes, he is one of nine fatalities due to vaping. The Trump Administration is planning to ban all flavored nicotine pods such as mango and mint. The goal is to get the flavors besides original tobacco flavored vapors off of the market so the appeal of vaping goes away for teenagers.

While vaping among teens is getting higher, the destruction to healthy and vital lungs is climbing along it. Nicotine is not intended for teens and causes harm to vital lungs. On all products containing vaping and nicotine products it clearly states that nicotine is an addictive chemical and it is a cigarette alternative for adult smokers. Juul and cigarettes are not sold to those under twenty one due to the addictive properties of nicotine.

Doctors are doing testing to try and find the long term effects, but recommend to stop inhaling the toxic vapors.

Thoughts on shots

T

here are different requirements for enrollment in high school this year; the newly enforced vaccination for juniors in Kansas this year is the meningitis shot, called meningococcal. It prevents meningitis and the many side effects such as seizures.

Teens must get vaccinated if they were not previously before the age of sixteen.

Local parents felt the heat to get their kids to the doctor for this vital vaccine before school started. This round of vaccination is a necessity and is mandatory for enrollment, for both public and private schools. There are only two reasons for exemption; religious reasons or health concerns from a physician.

The lack of choice in this matter upsets people greatly. “I think most

people in Kansas are independent enough that they prefer to make their own family decisions without the government telling them what to do,” said Connie Newcome, president of Kansas for Health Freedom.

“People know that it can kill you.” -Christine White Some parents feel as though if they homeschool their children the vaccinations are irrelevant as they are not around others. “It only takes one sneeze or one shared drink with a kid who has

it to get it,” Doctor Christine White said.

Getting these vaccines is not only beneficial to those who receive them, but also to those who can’t. People in the community with low immune systems are at high risk when there is a disease going around. With the current measles outbreak and people refusing to get vaccinated, the risk is as high as ever. Small children, the elderly, and all teens and adults unvaccinated are able to catch this illness.

Doctors in the Kansas City area are strongly advising people to get their vaccines to increase everyone’s health and life expectancy. Vaccines are always recommended and are strongly urged to get.

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | News | October 2019 | Design by Ashley Honey

GONDR WITH

YONDR

Teachers find a new way to limit cellphone use in class.

By Claire Decatur | Photo Editor

S

tudents have noticed a new addition to the classrooms this year and it’s not your laptops. There small pouches you lock your phone in that you can store in your desk.

The pouches were created in 2014

by Graham Dugoni to prevent people from being on their phones and focus on what’s around them. The green and gray pouch is used to store and lock phones. They can be opened by a gray plate like magnet.

“We tested Yondr 2nd semester last year for the FACS classes and now about 18 classes have them,” Principal Jason Herman said. English, Computer, and Business classes now have them.

Sophomore English teacher Lanie Gray has taught at North for 13 years and she’s always had a hard time finding a way to get students off their phones.

She tried Pocket Points, an app to track phone usage for points and extra credit, but only around half her students used it.

“I got the pouches because I

found that students were often on their cell phones rather than being present in class,” Gray stated. “I found they were missing crucial information and not contributing to class discussions.”

Teachers and parents have complained about how phones are such a big distraction to kids these days. Senior Gage Hiebert says he personally doesn’t see a difference using Yondr in his Culinary class but understands why his teacher uses them.

“Lots of students are easily distracted by their phone and I see how Yondr could benefit them in their classes,” Hiebert said.

Senior Trinity Mozingo said she wouldn’t want Yondr in all her classes because “in some classes it would be helpful to have your phone.”

“Contacting parents is hard when your phones are locked up. I also like listening to music while I work because it helps me focus more,” Mozingo said.

Students, such as Sophomore

Luke Martin, wonder why teachers don’t just use a cheaper version such as a bas-

“I FOUND THEY WERE MISSING CRUCIAL INFORMATION AND NOT CONTRIBUTING TO CLASS DISCUSSIONS.” -TEACHER LANIE GRAY ket or shoe rack. The pouches cost around $400 per classroom and cost $1,200 for

teacher opinions

Andy Pollom, Business and Computer Teacher “I think [Yondr pouches] have been a positive step in the right direction.

I don’t know what the best solution [for cell phone use in class] is, but [Yondr] is just trying to help people disconnect and actually focus on content. I think it’s helpful.”

Gail Carpenter, English

Jason Martin, English

“[Yondr is] effective beacuse [students] can’t access their phones, but as time goes on, it’s still kind of a housekeeping issue to make sure they got the right pouch and put it away, that they’re locked up, so it’s still kind of a constant monitoring.

“I think [Yondr pouches are] a great tool to give someone an example of what life can be like without constantly being tuned in. I think we’ve become too attached to them and I don’t think that students need that pressure 24 hours a day, so let’s give them a break.”

Design by Ashley Honey | October 2019 | News | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

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41% OF TEENS CLAIM

THAT THEIR SMARTPHONES GET IN THE WAY OF EARNING THE BEST GRADES THEY CAN. Source: Screen Education all three Business and Computer classes.

“The reason I like Yondr [instead of a shoe rack] is because they can have them on their person,” Business and Computer teacher Stacie Palmisano said. “I feel like if I have them up here with me, it’s more my responsibility.”

Sophomore Morgan Boyd may not like Yondr but he has ideas on better solutions for not only students, but teachers as well.

“I think the money used to buy Yondr pouches could have been used for better things like increasing the quality of education or paying teachers more instead

of putting our phones in sacks,” Boyd said.

Other students equally dislike Yondr such as Luke Martin who created the Gondr with Yondr Instagram that now has over 90 followers.

The Instagram expresses the dislike of Yondr and the desire to get rid of them.

“I created the account because I want students to know they don’t need to hide their feelings and can express themselves on things like Yondr,” Martin exclaimed.

Right: Rows of Yondr pouches line the whiteboard of Lanie Gray’s classroom. | Photo by Ashley Honey

student opinions

Molly Martin, Senior

Kimberlynn Hazen, Junior

Arsh Singh, Sophomore

“I think it would make sense for teachers to make us put phones in our backpacks. I think the pouches might be more useful in a middle school setting.”

“None of my classes use them but I don’t like the idea of Yondr pouches.

If I get an important call or text from my parents, I need to be able to answer it.”

“Yondr is the absolute death of me. It’s like a prison for my phone which needs to be used sometimes because a parent might have to contact you at unexpected times.”

8 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Features | October 2019 | Design by Molly Duke

Meet the Teachers

By Sam Schaper | Copy Editor

This year, Olathe North High School welcomes thirteen new full-time teachers.

Read more to learn about each one! And here’s a fun fact: Not all of them live north of the river!

Brett Kippley - General Physics Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Don’t take things too seriously.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I’m not a student!”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Funny, easy going, and ‘Bad-Handwriting’”

Michael Sapenoff - Freshman English Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “All students have value and education is a civil rights issue.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “[Everyone]matters.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “I’m Married...”

Stephen Aherns - Orchestra Assistant Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Something is always going right, you just have to look for it.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “Hi!” Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Caring, nerdy, and thoughtful.”

Colby Gottschalk - U.S History and Ancient Civiliztions Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Create a place [where] students can fulfill their potential.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I’m always down to hand out some L’s in NBA 2k20.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Baller, personable, and clown.”

Design by Molly Duke | October 2019 | Features | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

Rebecca Miele - Drawing 1 Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Everyone can be an artist.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I”m so excited to be an eagle! Everyone should take an art class.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Creative, driven, caring.’”

Angie Wartick - Counselor Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Everyone can learn.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I care about them.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Fun, energetic, and loves-food.’”

Erica Gilliland - English II and English III Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “A student can’t learn from someone they don’t like.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I have a jack russell puppy named Terry Chews in honor of Terry Crews.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Sarcastic, passionate, and ambitious.”

Amanda Fleetwood - Freshman English I and Honors English I Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Relationships are the best teachers.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “You can always fix it.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Weird, scary, and well-coordinated.’”

Amy Dodson - College Biology Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Everyone can learn.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I love all my students.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Fun, traveler, and trustworthy.’”

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10 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Features| October 2019 | Design by Molly Duke Tina McLeod - Student Wellness Advocate Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “All students have great value and strength.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I am here to support you!”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Caring, goofy, and loyal.”

Nate Johnson - Center Based Resource Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Knowing that something I may have done helped.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I am a dad, I have 3 children, and we live in a rural area with 2 goats and 2 dogs!”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Why am I here?”

Alyson Lewis - Career Transition Specialist Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Students [come] first.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I enjoy interactions with students.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Organized, advocate, and talkative.”

Jared Schelp - Resource Classes Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: “Hold people accountable.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “I like to joke around and it’s always more fun when it’s reciprocated”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Funny, caring, honest.”

Adam Olerich - Physical Education Q: What’s your number one teaching belief?

A: Treat [students] like your own.”

Q: What’s one thing you want the students of Olathe North to know?

A: “They have all been impactful and great.”

Q: If you were on a dating website, what would be the three words you would use to describe yourself?

A: “Easy to talk to, honest, and grateful.”

Design by Molly Duke | October 2019 | Features | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

Meet the teachers

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HONORABLE HONORABLE MENTIONS MENTIONS

Q: If you could be in any other profession, what would that be?

A: “Either a professional painter or rodeo clown.”

Q: Do you think pineapple belongs on pizza?

A: “No, but it does belong in salsa.”

-Erica Gilliland

-Michael Sapenoff

Q: Do you think pineapple belongs on pizza?

A: “We are a split family so we eat pizza with no pineapple but I respect people who do.”

Q: If you could be in any other profession, what would that be?

A: “An astronaut ‘cause space.”

-Brett Kippley

-Amy Dodson

Q: Where did you get your master’s degree?

Q: Do you think pineapple belongs on pizza?

A: “Rock Chalk baby!”

A: “Yeah, if you’re a sacrilegious nihilist”

-Tina McLeod

-Michael Sapenoff

12 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Features | October 2019 | Design by Kalley Jurgielski

By Abby Shepherd | Lead Editor

munities,” she explained. “She started her career as a school teacher and has been consistent in demonstrating that where she sees injustice, she will call it out.”

Polston believes that there is Alumni Emily Polston returns to Olathe North to speak with students about her a large amount of support for Warren involvement in presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren’s campaign. and her ideals in the Las Vegas area.

According to her, many people seem ready for change, and think that Warren is the most qualified person for the job.

“Nevada is a very important state when it comes to determining the democratic candidate that will represent the party because it is the third caucus,” she said. The first two caucuses take place in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Polston believes that communicating with voters directly is the best way to engage them in the political process.

“Connecting with voters is Above: Emily Polston and Elizabeth Warren pose for a photo together on July 2nd at East Las Vegas Community important because we all live very inCenter. This was one of Warren’s community visits, where she gives a speech to a group, then takes selfies with everyone. tricate and challenging lives and I think n September 6th, an Olathe ty, and my primary focus was electing that listening and learning from each North graduate came to visit Claire McCaskill,” Polston explained. other is how we will find communal She also worked in Broward solutions to the issues we face,” she said. and speak with Distinguished Scholars Political Science students. Em- County, Florida in 2018, participating in “In order for our system to work for the ily Polston, regional organizing direc- a massive recount after initial inconclusive people, as is the intent, we have to fotor for presidential candidate Elizabeth election results. After this, she moved to Las cus on breaking down systemic barriWarren in Las Vegas, Nevada, was able Vegas to join Elizabeth Warren’s campaign, ers and meeting people where they are.” to share her political experiences with specifically focusing on voter outreach.

Many might not think that these students, most of whom wish to become involved in politics later on. working on a political campaign is a full“I think that it is incredibly time job, but for Polston it is. She receives important to make sure that political pay, health insurance, paid time off, and spaces are accessible to all that are inter- is an active union member. In order to ested in participating in them,” she said. work for the success of the campaign, she “So, speaking with young, engaged stu- must put in as many hours as possible.

Thinking about one’s future can “I currently work around 55 dents is a way in which I am able to show them a path to a space they may not have hours a week,” she said. “Contextually, be a scary thing, and Polston is no stranger previously considered or attempted to I was working closer to 90 in Missouri.” to this feeling. Before becoming involved in The Democratic presidential politics, she wanted to be an English teachmake that space seem more accessible.”

Polston graduated from Olathe field is wide—twenty individuals are er. Now, she is considering working to imNorth in 2014, and subsequently attended currently in the running. Despite all of prove the educational system as a whole.

“I can, however, see myself goKansas State University, where she received the campaigns Polston had the option to a B.S. in Gender, Women, and Sexuality volunteer for, she chose to work for Eliz- ing back to school to get a degree in edStudies with a minor in nonprofit leader- abeth Warren for a variety of reasons. ucation, perhaps educational policy,” “I chose to be involved with she explained. “As for politics, I think ship. Since then, she’s been involved in two different campaigns as a field organizer. Warren’s campaign because she is dedi- that any way I interact with the world “The first campaign I worked cated, diligent, and willing to learn from will be political, whether that’s profesfor was a coordinated campaign in Mis- communities in order to seek the solutions sional or otherwise I have yet to decide.” souri with the Missouri Democratic Par- that will best suit the needs of those com-

Emily and Elizabeth

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“...she is dedicated, diligent, and willing to learn...”

Top 5 Democratic Candidates in the Polls 12% Bernie Sanders 10% Pete Buttigieg 3% Kamala Harris

27% Elizabeth Warren 25% Joe Biden source: Monmouth University NH

Design by Ashley Honey | October 2019 | Features | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

13

CONNECTION

LOST

By Hayley Adams | Staff Editor Art by Anthony Phothirath | Staff Artist/Designer Additional Reporting by Lily Cook | Staff Writer

E

veryone take out your phones and join this Kahoot,” your teacher announces to the class. “I love Kahoots! These kids are going down,” you proclaim, but when you take out your phone, tragedy strikes. Your phone won’t connect to WiFi, and now your future Kahoot victory has vanished.

Recently, the Olathe School District revoked the ability for personal devices to connect to school internet.

The motives behind this motion has been questioned, but according to a member of Olathe tech support Andrew Moore, the answer is quite simple. “It’s an upper management thing, we didn’t have anything to do with the decision,” said Moore.

Moore explained that the main

problem with the WiFi was that too many devices were connected to the same internet source at one time. When asked why the internet wasn’t turned off last year, Moore did not have a response.

Some Olathe North students have strong opinions on the newfound lack of internet. “It’s bull. In taking WiFi away, they lowered the bandwidth thinking it wasn’t needed. Now, our phones won’t connect, and our computers were just as bad as before. Nothing was fixed,” Sophmore Morgan Boyd said.

Honors English II teacher Lanie Gray says the removal of WiFi on personal devices doesn’t affect her much, since she uses her school laptop for all technology tasks during school.

“I think this year was a huge improvement in the way we rolled out the laptops, they helped explain the basics of how to maintain and update them and troubleshooting ba-

“THE TECH SUPPORT IS HELPFUL AND NECESSARY FOR SURE.” -TEACHER LANIE GRAY

14 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Features | October 2019 | Design by Ashley Honey sics students didn’t have last year,” Gray said.

“The tech support is helpful and necessary for sure. I know teachers and students both use the tech support person.” Gray added.

It is unclear if there is a specific person behind the obliteration of the WiFi, but one thing is for sure: it’s not just Olathe North. Every other Olathe high school has disabled the ability for personal devices to be connected.

“It isn’t fair... they need to give us WiFi for our phones because what if our parents need to get in contact with us, or a family member is in the hospital, or our laptop isn’t working and we need to use our

“NOW, OUR PHONES WON’T CONNECT, AND OUR COMPUTERS WERE JUST AS BAD AS BEFORE. NOTHING WAS FIXED.” -SOPHOMORE MORGAN BOYD phone but we don’t have service and also don’t have WiFi our phones are not useable,” Olathe East junior Josh Chase said.

Olathe North Technology Support, Spencer Watts, has a different perspective on the disablement of WiFi. Watts revealed that the main reason for dismantling WiFi for personal devices was not to improve WiFi on laptops, but for security and licensing reasons. “We literally just don’t have enough licenses from our internet service provider to be able to connect all of these devices at once, It’s also for security reasons.” Watts said.

He continued, “There’s a thing called FERPA, or the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, it’s all about just protecting important information, and limiting WiFi access has kind of helped with that.”

Olathe North principal, Jason Herman has received feedback from students about the lack of WiFi for cell phones.

“Once the district went one to one with laptops; they took the traditional wifi off for students. It’s because of the broad ban that we use for our laptops. If we have all of our devices on the same one, it’s going to slow it down,” Herman explained.

Many students would likely argue that not having WiFi on their cell phones negatively affects their education. “I would ask those students why their cell phone use is a positive thing for their education,” Herman says.

“I’m not disagreeing- I believe that our kids need to have the ability to use their cellphones- but how it positively affects their education would be something I would challenge. If a student comes to me and says it’s because they need to look up things on the internet, I gave you a laptop.

So I’m trying to find the positive impact.”

Herman revealed that he has access to a guest WiFi and that he is in communications with principles from other Olathe high schools to restore internet access for students. “I am trying to get that guest WiFi set up for students to connect to WiFi given that opportunity. I understand being connected to WiFi is the only way people can use their phones, the minute I know how we can share the guest WiFi, I will share it with the teachers and students.”

WIFI WOES Students share their opinions on the new WiFi policy.

“I understand the purpose, but at the same time it causes more inconvenience.

It’s all fun and games until you’re trying to text your Grandma so that you can leave and the text won’t send.”

-Bella Castro, Sophomore

“I just think it’s bad because you can’t do anything without WiFi, [and] you can’t do homework.”

-Kya Carter, Sophomore

Design by Sarah Manuel | October 2019 | Features | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

15

Alternative Laptop Uses

16 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Features | October 2019 | Design by Sarah Montes

Olathe North Sends Out an

SOS

Pictured above are Sadie Penn, advocate for suicide prevention, and a therapy dog that came to Olathe North.

The Olathe School District rolls out its strategy for suicide prevention.

By Elizabeth Tuckness | Staff Editor and Photo Illustrations by Sarah Montes | Staff Artist

O

n September 23rd, 2019, the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program was implemented at Olathe North for the second year in a row. The program aims to help combat teen suicide and bring awareness to mental health issues as well as the warning signs of suicidal ideation. This was done with a number of resources compiled by the district and SOS creators, such as powerpoints, videos, and presentations.

“81% of people who attempt

suicide tell someone what they are going to do, and when they are going to do it before they do it,” said Sadie Penn, the woman speaking in the TedTalk shown to grades 10-12. This video was only given to upperclassmen in order to not repeat the same content they had viewed the year before, and it allowed the students to sit and absorb the harsh truth in Sadie’s words.

There was concern shared by some students about how the content was

going to be taken by the student body.

However, Nicole Etherton, one of the counselors in charge of SOS implementation at Olathe North, made it clear that the content was to be easier to connect with.

“Sadie, as she does the TedTalk, she is probably in her lower 20’s. Its not like a 30-40-year-old talking to teenagers about teen suicide. It’s a young adult talking to teenagers about teen suicide,” Etherton stated. She explained that one of the goals was

Design by Sarah Manuel | October 2019 | Features | Issue 1 | The Chronicle to reach more students with the video and help them open up to communicate on the topic of suicide and suicidal ideation.

Suicide prevention in schools was mandated in Kansas back in 2016 through the Jason Flatt Act. Due to an increased number of teen suicides within the state, the Olathe School District took on the SOS program to further combat teen suicide.

“The school district decided that they were going to adopt the SOS program as our method by which we would do a school wide screening of students for suicide prevention,” Etherton explained. After

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention estimated that there were 1,400,000 suicide attempts in 2017. the delivery of the lesson, the self-screener was passed out with the intention of allowing students to check in with themselves rather than provide a diagnosis.

Following the screener, all students were expected to fill out a response card either requesting to see a counselor as soon as possible, later that week, or to say that no contact was necessary. Classes were mostly quiet, as perceived by their advisory teachers.

“My kids were honest and participated,” teacher Jane Bush commented. “The mood was somber and quiet.”

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention found that, in 2017, 47,173 Americans died by suicide. The National Institute of Mental Health also reported that 7 in 100,000 youth

ages 15 to 19 die by suicide each year.

“We can go over and over and over that these are the symptoms, these are the warning signs, these are the…

But it was really, ‘What do you do with it?’” Etherton said. “SOS tells you what to do with it.” SOS also created the ACT acronym, standing for “Acknowledge, Care, Tell,” creating a simple process for students to follow if they are uncertain on what they should do or say to a friend that they are worried about.

It falls not only onto students to be able to use ACT, but also for staff and administration as well. To be able to acknowledge that someone is going through a rough time, to be able to show that care to that person, and to be able to tell someone that can help get the person to a better place. There lies the focus on educating the students and the staff on what they can do and what they should do to help people who are exhibiting the warning signs and behaviors.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention estimated that there were 1,400,000 suicide attempts in 2017.

Penn brings up the point, that was also later addressed in the 10th-12th grade power point, that there is a massive stigma around mental health and suicide.

Within guided discussion in the power point, it was asked why the students felt there was a stigma around mental health.

“Suicidal people are terrified to ask for help because the whole idea of suicide has been stigmatized to the point to where even those of us who struggle with it seem to believe we are, in fact, crazy,” Penn explained. And the stigma only barely fell away in classrooms as discussion inched forward.

Some advisories had difficulty opening up and talking on the subject. It was to be expected; however, the lesson retained some effectiveness as students discussed.

“Only a couple of students volunteered during the discussions,” teacher John Lane said. “Some [students] needed to be excused as the topic may have been too much.” They allowed for students to receive help from teachers in the halls as they left the conversation within their classroom.

One of the biggest concerns with the lesson was going to be the negative impact on students who are triggered by the topic of suicide

17

QUICK STATS died 47,173 Americans by suicide in 2017.

-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

die by suicide 123 Americans every day There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts.

-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

7 in 100,000 youth ages 15 to 19 die by suicide each year.

Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34.

-National Institute of Mental Health

people who at“81% oftempt suicide tell someone what they are going to do, and when they are going to do it before they do it.”

-Sadie Penn

18 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Features | October 2019 | Design by Sarah Montes SOS created an ACT acronym describing what to do when confronted with signs of suicide.

ACKNOWLEDGE

“Certainly, the last thing we want is to cause kids to be upset from [SOS], but yeah, that is a natural reaction. And if there is a kid that has a connection to suicide, yeah, its going to trigger,” Etherton said. “We’ve already started meeting with these [opt-out] kids to say, this is what’s happening. Some of them opted out last year and they wanted to be in there this year, vice versa, but to give them that option of saying ‘This is what’s happening’ … so that they don’t even have to be part of the lesson if it is something that they are afraid is going to trigger.”

With the opt out plan in place, they created one extra barrier to make the students more comfortable. But the SOS day was not the only day Olathe North addressed suicide prevention.

During the week of suicide prevention, September 8th-15th, Olathe North administration arranged for a group of therapy dogs to come in and be support mechanisms for our students. These surprise visits by therapy animals were impactful and allowed for stress relief in the student body.

In a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was estimated that there is one suicide for every 25 suicide attempts.

“I’d like students to know that adults care about them and want to help them any time they are struggling. Students also need to look out for one another — if we ACT — acknowledge, care, and tell when we are concerned about a friend, it can make a big difference in their lives,” explained Angie Salava, Director of Emotional Learning and Mental Health Services for Olathe Public Schools.

“With help from our outside clinicians, we were able to see 125 students,” Etherton began. “This includes students that self-re-

TELL

CARE

ported that they wanted to talk, students that were referring a friend, and the friends that were being referred. Many of the students that reported they wanted to talk to someone were NOT students that we were aware had any struggles, so we consider

on SOS implementation, students get a few opportunities to get more involved.

“Yes, [the counseling team] wants your ideas, but know that if you want to implement them, you have to step up and do it,” Etherton explained. As these new

“I’d like students to know that adults care about them and want to help them any time they are struggling . . . it can make a big difference in their lives.”

- Angie Salava Director of Emotional Learning and Mental Health Services for Olathe Public Schools

this to be a huge success; Because of SOS, we are now able to step in and provide support and resources to parents and students that otherwise may not have [had any].”

Along with these improvements, the schools continue to receive feedback on what they could do next.

“Absolutely, I would say, yeah, the way we do it, not perfect,” Etherton spoke on criticism of the SOS program. “Could it be better? In an ideal world, yes, but how? When you have over 2,000 students in a building, there isn’t an easy way to do it.” And as both the school and district take in the feedback

ideas often have to be presented to Principal Jason Herman, and sometime the school board, it is clear that creating a change past giving input on the SOS program takes a lot of work. But being able to make a change and become a leader in the cause is not impossible.

The National Institute of Mental Health found that suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34. This epidemic will not just disappear.

Design by Sarah Manuel | October 2019 | Features | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

19

WHO LET THE DOGS IN On September 12th, the Olathe North administration and counseling teams brought in a group of therapy dogs for the second year in a row to give the students a mental break during Suicide Prevention Month. Students from all grades enjoyed the fluffy visitors.

“I have a dog at home and sometimes I miss my dog, so that just made my day better.”

-Freshman Megan Chitwood “I liked the dogs because they are cute.”

-Senior Lincoln Schick

These are a collection of photos of September 12th when Pets for Life KC brought therapy dogs to Olathe North’s courtyard.

20 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Opinions | October 2019 | Design by Molly Duke STAFF EDITORIAL:

One day isn’t enough Students at Olathe North argue that the full scope of suicide prevention can not be covered in a week, let alone a single day.

W

hen it comes to mental health, there never seems to be a way to help every person who is struggling. While the district implements the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program for the second year in a row, it still feels like the issues of mental health aren’t discussed enough to many students.

Students believe that SOS themes, and the support of general student mental health isn’t addressed for long enough. One day out of the whole year, one week out of the whole year, it isn’t enough to address the real issues that students have.

The district can be applauded for stepping up in the first place to try new ways to bring the mental health conversation into the classroom. It can be applauded for putting in the effort to build lesson plans and stick their toe into the water of mental health. And they can be applauded for recognizing the stigma around mental health and illness.

However, what they have done so far can only be seen as a start to the conversation. As a district, we talked about the signs, the statistics, and about what to do in order to help someone we are worried about. But the districts approach to discussing mental health still feels impersonal to some students, and there are more resources students could benefit from like guest speak-

ers. The talk of only these statistics and signs becomes dull, and students stop wanting to talk about mental health.

Drilling the signs does not help the students discuss the issue, and it doesn’t give any new level of understanding.

Conversation falls around

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 in 2018. opinion and perception. Facts are what ground the conversation, and are therefore necessities. But these facts cannot be the only things that the district focuses on in the future. The discussions of mental health and advice on how to cope with these issues will only help the students, and the district should give more of these opportunities to its students.

Students are passionate about

Does the Olathe School District do enough to support student mental health?

preserving mental health and staying healthy even with high stress surrounding us. As many of us are in advanced classes, we understand that the school district doesn’t often recognize the levels of stress that come from the schools themselves.

Yet we all wish these stressors were lessened to help support students, especially those students with 5-6 AP classes crammed into an 8-hour school day.

Overall, there is more that the district could do. There is no immediate solution to supporting every student’s mental health.

But there is one thing we could do.

Students agree that it would be a step in the right direction in providing further resources to coping mechanisms, so bring back the therapy dogs that are brought in once a year give the students that mental break. It is the happiest The Chronicle staff has seen the student body during the year, and the staff itself had a great day when the school brought the dogs in to visit.

Providing and advertising the resources that the students have access to is key to helping the student body open up about their struggles.

Along with such, it will help to destigmatize the seeking of help with their mental health struggles. Removing the stigma around mental health and suicide struggles will be the first big step.

14 Staff Members say No 4 Staff Members say Yes

Design by Molly Duke | October 2019 | Opinions | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

21

I am the

Child of an Immigrant The immigration issue is not where you’re from: it’s the color of your skin.

By Molly Duke | Editor-In-Chief

I

am the child of an immigrant. My father came to America over twenty years ago. He came legally using a work visa. He has lived in America for over 25 years; and he has never experienced what these immigrants do.

I am the child of an immigrant.

But I have never had to feel my fingers being pried away from my mothers in a crowd. I’ve never had to choose between my parents like three-year-old Sofi from Honduras, when immigration officers made her choose which of her parents to deport back to her home country. I’ve never had to watch the officers cart away my father and leave my family broken.

In the end a doctor had to plead mental health to put Sofi’s family back together.

Many other children don’t get that chance.

I am the child of an immigrant.

But I have never been placed in custody on false accord. I’ve never had to say goodbye to my family as I’m placed behind bars. I’ve never had to say to ICE officers that I’m a U.S citizen, only to be ignored. Again and again, ignored. I have never been held in deportable immigrant custody for over three and a half years like 23 year-old Davino Watson, only to be denied compensation by the appeals court.

I am the child of an immigrant. But I’ve never been shoved into

a cage with hundreds of other people.

I have not been forced to take a baby into my arms because their mother has been taken away. These women, whether they are actual mothers of children or teens, are forced to take care of children.

They have stains on their shirts and haven’t bathed in days. I am the child of an immigrant, but I have never been told I am unworthy of soap. These women and children are told this is not a cage, they are just in there for their own safety.

I am the child of an immigrant. But I’ve never had to sit in a hot car while ICE officers stand outside, ready to arrest my family. I’ve never had to have my neighbors form a human chain to my house to get my children inside, like the unnamed man in Tennessee. He had to hold his son in his arms and say his goodbyes in case they took him away. This experience is not unfamiliar among immigrant families.

I am the child of an immigrant.

But I’ve never been dragged away while I walk my child home. I’ve never had to try and prove my residency of thirty years to the men who will not listen. My 14 year old son has never had to write a letter to plead for my freedom, like Syed Ahmed Jamal’s son. Syed, a chemistry professor at the University of Kansas, was ripped

away from his family. I am the child of an immigrant. But I never had my father hauled to jail over 150 miles away after he had lived in America for the majority of his life. Jamal’s kids were lucky to see him again. Others aren’t so lucky.

I am the child of an immigrant. But I’ve never been walking through a shop trying to get groceries for my family only to be verbally assaulted by someone in the next aisle.

She demands someone to speak English.

She yells until her face turns red, the hatred in her eyes clear. This is America.

I am the child of an immigrant.

But I have never been falsely arrested by ICE. I have not been told I am an illegal immigrant. I have not been told my rights no longer matter. Since 2012, over 1,500 Americans have been falsely arrested and released by ICE. This number is merely a fraction of those who are arrested. Many do not make it back home.

I am the child of an immigrant. My father came to America over twenty years ago. He came legally using a work visa. He has lived in America for over 25 years; and he has never experienced what these immigrants do. I do not experience what these immigrants do.

Because my skin is white.

22 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Opinions | October 2019 | Design by Andrea Martin

Dress Code:

Necessary or Controlling?

School dress codes unfairly target female students.

By Andrea Martin | Advertising Manager “

Y

ou’re just really pretty...I just don’t want you to give people the wrong impression.” Those words were said to me because of the shirt I was wearing.

I was wearing an off- the-shoulder, long sleeve, pink shirt. Just that morning the entire school had gone over the dress code in the first hour of the school day, and no longer was off the shoulder against the dress code.

“The wrong impression;” what do those words even mean?

What ideas am I projecting to the world by showing my bare shoulders?

Far too many times, girls have been told to change parts of their attire because it violates the student code of conduct. It can be their clothes or even their hair. It has been proven over and over that school dress codes are marketed towards female students; limiting their opportunities, such as an education, all based on what they are wearing.

In Edweek.com’s article “Do School Dress Codes Discriminate Against Girls,” a study was conducted and all girls interviewed “reported experiencing or witnessing dress-code enforcement in their schools.” Punishments for these violations included, “missing class time or facing suspension” all based off their “hair, makeup, or clothing styles that were deemed inappropriate.”

It is not uncommon for girls to miss class due to their schools’ dress codes, and many of these schools go viral for their strict codes. Neatoday.org’s “When School Dress Codes Discriminate,” reports that ways some schools enforce their dress codes include “asking a

student to put duct tape over the holes in her jeans, suspending a student for a skirt that was too short,” and “sending a student to the office for not wearing a bra.”

Neatoday.org also quotes Shauna Pomerantz of Brock University as saying, “It’s saying the male response is your fault. Your body is causing negativity.” Schools have set a certain standard for their male students. “It is offensive to men. It suggests they don’t have the ability to talk to a female student without going wild,” adds Pomerantz.

“It’s saying the male response is your fault.

Your body is causing negativity.”

Most female students have heard of the “Fingertip Rule.” The rule states when shorts or skirts have to be the same length or longer than your middle finger. This rule, in theory would seem okay, but it does not take into account different body shapes. “Students and parents report for some, it’s impossible to find clothing that complies with the rule,” states Neatoday. org. Girls that are taller struggle finding clothes that are cute and fit this policy, while girls with curvier bodies have to find clothes that cover their breasts or butts that are additionally age appropriate.

On top of ridiculous policies, most dress codes typically target minority groups, specifically black girls. “Many dress codes can cause black students to fall behind academically, according to a 2018

National Women’s Law Center study,” says Neatoday.org “The report found that three in four D.C. public high school dress codes say [that] students can be pulled out of class or school for dress code violations.”

Neatoday.org also reports that in Madie Reeser’s public school, “it’s the black girls at her school who are the most frequently dress coded,” yet her “white friends rarely get sent to the office.”

A simple solution? Pomerantz recommends “giving students lots of leeway to express themselves with fashion. If something truly crosses the line, there’s a way to tell them, without enforcing victim-blaming.”

Here at North, it seems like the dress code has changed, no longer focusing on gender. In the Student Code of Conduct meetings during Eagle Halftime, the administrators stated if anyone is seen wearing shirts that show mid-drifts, excessively ripped jeans, etc., they will be properly punished.

This is a good step forward.

The dress code is no longer directed or mainly focused on teen girls and their outfits. However, it seems like some staff members here still haven’t quite caught on that shaming girls for their outfit choices does not make them any better.

“I just don’t want you to give people the wrong impression.” I think I am giving the impression that I am a confident girl, who does not believe in tearing down others for what they want to wear. wI am happy with how I look in what I wear.

Design by Andrea Martin | October 2019 | Opinions | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

23

takes H O T takes combos. Here are some of their responses.

By Andrea Martin | Advertising Manager

“Disgusting as it may sound, chocolate pudding on a hamburger. Surprisingly delicious!”

“Dipping toast with pb&j into chai.”

“Mayo on pizza.”

“I used to eat mayonnaise toast.”

“Nutella and pickles is awesome. Don’t at me.”

“A pb&j with American cheese in between, it sounds gross but I had it all the time as a kid.”

“Steak with ketchup.”

“Nilla wafers and lemonade.

Masterpieces.”

“Ketchup and mashed potatoes.

They’re pink and delicious.”

“I used to dip slices of bread in strawberry I don’t do it anymore. I’ve changed my ways.”

“Pizza and honey.”

“A peanut butter and green olive sandwich, with butter.”

24The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Sports | October 2019 | Design by Ashley Honey

Football team hopes to repeat

2009 success.

By Chris Robinson | Staff Writer

T

he 2009 Olathe North football went undefeated and won the state championship during the 2009-2010 season. This year’s football season started with a recognition of this undefeated team and starting undefeated, this year’s varsity football team is looking to do the same.

So far, they their first 3 games against Olathe East, Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission West.

“If we continue to work hard and execute in practice like we’ve been doing, we should be ready for the State Championship in November,” said quarterback Arland Bruce.

Since they made it to the sub state game last year, the team has one goal in mind: coming out on top. Although the team is off to a good start they have had their share of injuries. One of the players injured was junior defensive back Laython Patillo. With a broken thumb, cornerback Laython Patillo is working hard to get back to 100%. With that, staying competitive while getting back fully healthy is the goal.

“I will have to keep this cast on my arm for a total of two in a half weeks,” Patillo said. Playing with a club on his hand, he was also a top ten finisher in long jump as a sophomore, Laython Patillo has developed into the player he is today.

“He’s a very impressive ath-

lete,” Coach Baer stated, “he’s got tremendous improvements in his speed and his athleticism has developed.” With his recovery time improving, Patillo should be back on the field with the cast off soon.

The team has, so far, shown their ability and skills by creating sizeable leads in their first 3 Sunflower League games. A recent setback against the number one ranked Colorado team, Columbine High School, has not tampered down expectations or excitement.

With winning brings an ecstatic fan base. This supportive fan base helps pump up the football team.

“It gets the team hyped and gets them going so we can have a successful game,’’ Bruce said.

It showed when the fans went to the away game against Shawnee Mission North and came away with a 68-12 victory.

The players appreciate fans showing up for each game. With this great start, the fans are excited to show up at each game.

No matter if it’s an away game or a home game. This supportive fan base helps pump up the football team. The players are appreciative of fans showing up for their games.

“The atmosphere is amazing,’’ fan Jacob Danner said “it’s good to be around everybody and we are all loud and pumped up.”

Whether the team is up or down, the crowd helps them keep going.

Crowd participation could be the very thing that puts the team over the edge.

The football team has been successful, with all the hype of possibly going to state, the varsity team hasn’t failed to disappoint.

“All is on the team’s mind is winning state,” Coach Baer said. The only vision this team has is making it back and ending the season victorious.

“We have really high expectations, we made it to the sub state game last year and lost by 2 points. Obviously at the end of the football season all but one team will be disappointed. We don’t want to be disappointed”.”

Top Right: Junior Arland Bruce IV kicks off against Olathe East. The Eagles beat the Hawks 27-21 winning their first home game at ODAC. “I love playing at ODAC because it’s cool to see the whole community come out to the game,” Arland said. | Photo by Claire Decatur.

Bottom Left: The Varsity boys trying to get another touchdown against Olathe East. North’s offensive team is really solid this year and they got a touchdown every quarter against East. “I love doing football because it’s fun being out there with all my friends,” senior Mario Schneider said. “We’re a pretty beast group.” | Photo by Claire Decatur.

Design by Ashley Honey | October 2019 | Sports | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

Left: Senior Julio Isidor passes the ball to his teammate in a game against Olathe South at ODAC. The game took place on August 31st and South won 5-0. | Photo by Claire Decatur.

O

n September 3rd the Olathe North Varsity Soccer team beat Pittsburg 8-0 at ODAC, displaying the team’s potential. In 1988 Olathe North won state in soccer, trying to get back to what happened in 1988 is the plan.

“Right now the main goal for this year’s soccer team is improvement”, Head coach Jared Shelton said.

With improvement starts the development with the lower levels Winning against and starting this years record at 4-6 beating Spring hill, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Pittsburg.

“We got a long way to go but we’ve definitely improved,” varsity soccer head coach Jared Schelp said.

With the team improving, and the potential of the team looking good. The future’s looking bright for the team. Already, Junior Varsity Soccer members are getting ready for when they get put up to the varsity level.

“I am working on a better understanding of the game itself and the tactics and strategies behind it; as well as building on the basics of soccer and working to perfect it,’’ left wing Xavior Lopez says.

For the varsity team, improvement starts in

Right: In the Olathe South game, senior Jonathon Garnier dribbles the ball down the field. | Photo by Claire Decatur.

practice. With improvements in our game on the offensive end and defensive end.

“We’ve improved tactically in our process in our process in thinking about the game. These improvements start in practice,” said Coach Schelp.

For any young aspiring performer whether it be in sports or music, practice doesn’t always make perfect but practice makes permanent according to myfootballcoach.com. Practicing techniques they need to work on is one thing North does to get ready for upcoming games and rival games. In practice the team works hard to achieve their goals.

“We start with a normal warmup then we go through something we obviously need to address going into our next game as far as strengths for the opposing team and ways to counter,” said Shelton.

Finding strength weaknesses from opposing teams could very well help the team win. It showed beating Pittsburg by 8-0 at ODAC. With any athletic team, injuries occur. It’s about how the team plays through absences.

“We got a couple injuries,

new coach brings

By Chris Robinson | Staff Writer

25

Gabe and Christian.” The team’s ability to win even without their players.

The status of their injuries is day to day. According to the coach we don’t know when they will return.

Any sports team can strive

“WE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO BUT WE’VE DEFINITELY IMPROVED.” -COACH JARED SCHELP with a good fan base and for North it isn’t any different. The North crowds are always packed to cheer on the team.

“Soccer game crowds are fun and more people should go. Crowd participation is really good,” said fan Matthew Asfraw. “The atmosphere is lit, fun and hype.”

NEW HOPE

26

The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Sports | October 2019 | Design by Sarah Montes

Girl’s Golf

By Sam Schaper | Editor

Above: Golfer Trinity Mozingo | Photo illustration by Sarah Montes

T

he Olathe North Girls Golf team started the season on August 28th and has participated in several tournaments since.

“We finished fourth out of six in the Olathe Cup and we finished eleventh out of twenty in Olathe West’s tournament at the varsity level,” Golf coach, Richard Sula said.

At these tournaments, the golfers played a style of golf called Scrambles. Scrambles are games that include up to four golfers and they all play off of each other, making teamwork a necessity.

Junior Lauren Fenton said that in scrambles “normally four girls are playing together, and all of you hit your own ball but then you go to the farthest ball to play from there.”

It’s this kind of style of play that makes the cohesiveness of a golf team so important.

“Working as a team is very important,”

senior Trinity Mozingo said. “It helps with encouragement, especially if you’re getting frustrated because golf is a lon-

“...having a solid team to back you up helps get you through it.” ger sport… so having a solid team to back you up helps get you through it.”

This year it is especially important because the team is bigger than ever.

For the first time in years, the Olathe North Girls Golf team has a full roster.

“Typically, there’ve only been one or two girls that join each year but this year we had five or six new golfers,” senior Tessa Mozingo said.

But what does a full roster mean for the Girls Golf team?

“It’s a good goal for us to have all twelve golfers,” Mozingo said. “Not everyone goes to every tournament and because tournaments are so frequent and so long, you’re able to take breaks while others are playing.”

With a full roster and a successful start to the season the Olathe North Girls Golf team appears to have an excellent season ahead of them, according to Sula.

“We’ve really improved a lot. Every day we get better,” Sula concluded. “We’re doing really well.”

Design by Sarah Manuel | October 2019 | Sports | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

27

Cross Country T

he Olathe North Cross Country Team started their season on September 7th at the Greg Wilson Classic, which took place at Johnson County Community College. The varsity girls placed second overall, and both junior varsity teams placed fifth. As there were only three varsity boys, their team was not given an overall ranking. “[The first meet] was really nerve-wracking. Everyone was nervous and scared, but once we started running it wasn’t bad,” freshman Brooke Wagoner said.

The team practices every day after school from 3:20 to 6:00, alternating between running and fitness activities to prepare for the season. This is more practice than middle school sports require. “In high school, it’s more of a time commitment and you work harder,” Wagoner said.

The Olathe Twilight meet took place on September 14th at ODAC. The varsity girls placed second out of fourteen teams, and the varsity boys placed ninth out of eighteen.

According to the head coach Levi Huseman, cross country is different from other sports like football or basketball. “You don’t win or lose. Some people beat you and you beat some people,” Huseman said. “The other part is that you get to see how your time improves, so that’s kind of the goal. Each week you want to do better than you did before.”

Throughout the season, athletes will have the chance to compete in seven to nine meets and get ready for the state meet on November 2nd.

“We’ve got some talented kids,” Huseman said. “It would be awesome if we can bring home the state trophy.”

Olathe North gymnast Delaney Stanley competes on the balance beam event. On September 7th, the varsity team participated in the meet hosted by Shawnee Mission Northwest and finished in fourth place overall.

T

he Olathe North Gymnastics Team began the season on September 7th. They participated in two meets, placing second and fourth. Their most recent meet was at the Falcon Invitational on September 18th, where the team took first place against six other schools.

“We got a bunch of new personal records and we improved our team score by a lot, so that was exciting,” junior gymnast Jillian Klusman said.

A few big changes were made in the gymnastics team

Olathe North Cross Country athlete Bramwel Kosgei races rival schools at the first meet of the 2019 season. The Greg Wilson Classic was held at Johnson County Community College on September 7th where the varsity and junior varsity teams competed.

Gymnastics since last season, one of which being the coach. Head coach Mallory West previously coached for Olathe East, Olathe West, and Olathe Northwest. For the first time, one coach is in charge of all the Olathe high school gymnastics teams. Due to this change, training and coaching styles differ from last season.

“This year we are more focused on all the Olathe schools being unified, even though we are still separate teams,” Klusman said.

The athletes practice together at Mill Creek Learning Center, Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30. Due to the fact that meets and practices are a big time commitment, school work and extracurricular activities can be hard to manage for gymnasts.

“I’m in cheer, gymnastics, and school, so I have a lot of home-

“This year we are more focused on all the Olathe schools being unified...” work,” sophomore Delaney Stanley stated. She is able to keep up with other activities, but must make time for the sport. This is something many student athletes can relate to.

Considering the stats of previous meets, the Olathe North Gymnastics team believes they will have an exciting season ahead of them.

“I think we’re going to do pretty good this year,” Klusman said. “We might have a chance at placing at state, which is pretty awesome!”

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2019 | Design by Andrea Martin

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best summer memes did you mean: the most iconic part of summer? these are the best memes of the season.

peppa!

Peppa Pig became a wildly popular meme thanks to a TikTok that was recreated in many different ways featuring a tiny Peppa toy.

number neighbor!

After someone came up with the idea to text their “number neighbor� and put it on the internet, it formed into a phenomenon. Have you texted yours?

area 51!

After a silly event was created to storm Area 51 and free the aliens, the joke became a reality and caught the attention of millions.

spongebob in drag!

Internet surfers and meme makers alike enjoyed using this Spongebob-indrag scene from the show and adding their own backgrounds and outfits to the character.

h20 skits!

The Australian accent from the popular mermaid show has been dramatized and used in multiple skits, specifically on TikTok.

vsco vsco girls! girls!

With their scrunchies, Hydroflasks, and fun word choices, VSCO girls have taken over the internet and the world! Everyone knows a VSCO girl.

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | A&E | October 2019 | Design by Sarah Montes

< P < x y

Freshman Statistics

By Eve Loehrer | Staff Writer

With a new year comes new students!

Here are a few statistics on our freshmen class!

9%

7%

6%

of students are from

of students are from

of students are from

34%

11%

10%

of students are from

of students are from

of students are from

Here is how many honors courses freshmen are taking:

4%

8%

5%

3%

ONE

TWO

THREE

43%

23%

16%

14%

of students take this amount of classes

4%

of students are from

ZERO of students take this amount of classes

Freshmen come from the following schools:

of students are from

of students are from

of students are from

B 0

of students take this amount of classes

of students come from outside of Olathe Public Schools

FOUR

5%

of students take this amount of classes

of students take this amount of classes

Involvment in 21st Century Programs NO ACADEMY

53%

of the student body belong in this category

20%

of the student body belong in this category

9%

of the student body belong in this category

8%

of the student body belong in this category

5%

5%

of the student body belong in this category

of the student body belong in this category

Rating of the School Year (So far)

1/ 10

2%

of students rated this

2/ 10

1%

of students rated this

3/ 10

3%

of students rated this

4/ 10

7%

of students rated this

5/ 10

7%

of students rated this

6/ 10

9%

of students rated this

7/ 10

22%

of students rated this

8/ 10

27%

of students rated this

9/ 10

13%

of students rated this

10/ 10

8%

of students rated this

<

-

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c

c 7

Design by Sarah Montes | October 2019 | A&E | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

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31

Where were you when the power went out?

out through a door and got locked inside, then they got caught.”

“I saw people Naruto running in the hallways.”

“My class was still taking a quiz, we were using our laptops as flashlights.”

“My French teacher yelled to not go to the bathroom or you’ll fall in the toilet.”

“I made TikToks and one got like 300 likes.”

“I was in the IPS classroom, we played games in the dark, like Uno.”

Northviews | October

By Claire Decatur | Photo Editor Photos by Claire Decatur & Arriona Shorter

Above: The student section cheers on the Eagles football team before the kick off. The football team played Olathe East on September 6th winning 27-21. “The student section has a really fun atmosphere, and I love cheering with my friends,” senior Trinity Mozingo said.

Above: During SOS week on September 12th, the North administration brought dogs into the courtyard. The students could come and pet the dogs during Eagle Halftime “The dogs made me really happy,” senior Chloe Van Kam said. “They were super cute and cuddly!”

Above: Homecoming King Jackson Sarver and Queen Molly Martin being crowned at the homecoming football game against Shawnee Mission West. The couple represented football, theatre, Fashion Club, marching band, bowling, Sports Med, and baseball. “It was super cool to see all the support we got from our family and friends,” Martin exclaimed.

Right: Principal Jason Herman giving the “Tale of the Eagle King” speech at the homecoming bonfire. After his speech, junior Bailey Flanagan threw the Shawnee Mission West mascot into the blazing fire. “It felt so good to throw the viking in the fire,” Flanagan said. “I love school spirit and burning things.”