Smoke Signals

the chronicle Olathe North High School 600 E. Prairie Olathe, Kansas 66061 Volume 9 Issue 1

10 | 2018

SMOKE SIGNALS

On page 18

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018

2018 | 2019 STAFF Editors-In-Chief

Bailey Flanagan

Photo Editor

Ashley Honey

Isabella Bray

Felicia Georgiou

Jena Bright

Kalley Jurgielski

Rachel Delehanty

Lily Harrison

Photographers

Andrea Martin

Abigail Miles

Cade Heikes

Anna Diehm

Copy Editor

Staff Writers

Sam Schaper

Hailey Kitivoravong

Gabby Beachey

Hayley Adams

Abby Shepherd

Lana Tarik

Alex Shine

Brian Beach

Neha Sridhar

Editors

Advisor

Claire Decatur

Elizabeth Tuckness

Miles Arambula

Robert M. Cave, Jr.

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October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

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Summer has officially drawn to a close and has taken with it s’mores, slushies and staying up late (or at least staying up late having fun rather than doing homework). As the rush of back to school sweeps the country, we get back in the groove of early mornings, dreaded Mondays and the all too familiar cycle of procrastination. But under all this is the budding anticipation of another school year. Why? Because this is where the memories are made; within these walls, in these classrooms, and in these halls. Freshman, you may not know it just yet but these four years will be some of the best of your life so relish in them. Even if it may not seem so at first, these words will leave your mouth in four years too, as they do with every senior. As for the Sophomores, take time to enjoy this year and live it to the fullest before you are drowning in college visits, applications, and the overall gargantuan homework load that come with being a Junior. Speaking of which, Juniors, hopefully you are adjusting to your school work with something resembling ease. It may seem intense now, but Junior year will be over in what seemed like a breath. And finally the Seniors; we know this all to be true, and even though the end of our high school career is inevitably ending, graduating always seemed like a dream rather than reality.

Until now. They say you are only in high school once, and while it may be a cliche, let’s make the most of it while we can. Go Eagles!

Isabella Bray Rachel Delehanty Abigail Miles

News Cheers to 60 Years 4 The Final Straw 6 Fresh Idea Goes Sour 8 “Write Without Fear, Revise Without Mercy.” 10 North Views 32

Feature Welcome to the Eagle’s Nest 12 Do You Have School Spirit? 16 Smoke Signals 18

A and E

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 legibility.

Advertising

Coming soon to a Theater Near You 23

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 amaraslindsey@ gmail.com

Crazy Creams 24

Purpose

Best Summer Reads 22

That’s A Bop 26

Opinion The Danger in Identity Politics 28

Sports Olathe North Teams on the Up and Up 29 Not Running on Empty 30 Eagles Starting Off Strong 31

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

This is the fifth issue of volume five. 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 not an expression of the School District Policy. Students and editors are soly responsible for this student publication.

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Rachel Delehanty

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Cheers To

ears Y

By: Neha Sridhar | Staff Writer

From 1958 to 2018, Olathe North has seen some major changes. The school has gone from a 55,386 square feet structure to a building that now amasses 295,000 square feet. Through seven major additions and renovations, our building has been through a lot. It’s grown as much demographically as it has spatially, now housing a third of the Olathe School District’s 21st Century programs as well as two of the Olathe Advanced Technical Center (OATC) programs. Not to mention the school hosts around 2000 students and over 58 clubs and activities. Come and take a closer look at how these changes have morphed the building into the structure and atmosphere we all recognize today.

2009

1991

2003

2009

1991 Original

1973

Original 1964 2003

1978

Original

Original (1958) 1999

1964

1978

1988

2009

Design by: Rachel Delehanty | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

700s The physical education rooms surrounding the north gym were added, including the 700 hallway.

The Geoscience, Medical Professions, and Animal Health hallways were added. This is when the science classrooms split up. The chemistry and physics classrooms stayed in their original rooms in the 200 hallway, while the life and earth sciences moved to the new addition. Parts of the 000 hallway were extended and the South Commons area was completed. A few classrooms were added next to the library media center and the greenhouse was added.

000s

5

100s, 200s, & Office At this time, the only parts of the building that existed were what is now the south gym, half of the 100 hallway, half of the 200 hallway and several rooms in the 500 hallway.

Library & Culinary The library/media center was taken out of its original location from when the original building of the school was still standing. Then, it was a new addition next to the 400 hallway. The foreign language wing and media rooms were added as well. Also included in this addition were the culinary area and restaurant.

Most of the 000 hallway was built.

North Gym and Commons

This addition added the north gym, lower, upper, and south commons, as well as completing the 200 and 400 hallways. The ramp leading up to the 100 hallway was added, along with several classrooms and the kitchens.

Main Office & 500s

The front entrance with the main office was added, as well as the rest of the 500 hallway.

Blue Room & the Arts The blue room, attendance office, and performing arts classrooms were all added.

The auditorium was built, which allowed theater productions to be rehearsed at Olathe North rather than Olathe South. This is also where the attendance office and several art rooms are located.

900s The upper and lower 900 hallways were built along with the main office and new front entrance. The auxiliary gym was also built. This is the most recent addition to the school.

Little Theater The hallways and classrooms leading up to the blue room were added, as well as the Little Theater. The rest of the 100 hallway was also added on, completing the area around the main courtyard.

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Abigail Miles

The Final St raw

I

n 2015, a video of a marine biologist pulling a plastic straw out of a sea turtle’s nose, amassed 32 million views on YouTube, and sparked a massive uproar against straws, as the sea life appears to be struggling with its new guest.

The no straw movement first began to circulate in 2011 after a young boy conducted an unofficial study, stating that Americans use 500 million plastic straws a year. His research became a popular, sparking no straw movements, but they eventually died out.

However, thanks to the use of social media to spread images of marine wildlife being injured by straws gave the no-straw movement new life in the beginning of 2018. These images brought about change, as many companies and cities like Starbucks and Seattle, Washington, have imposed straw bans. Straw bans eliminate straw usage by no longer offering them as an option.

Unfortunately, the ocean is not the only habitat disrupted by straws and other single use plastics. The human body is impacted by the effects of plastics, as according to the United States Center for Disease Control 93% of people have BPA in their body. BPA is a harmful chemical emitted by plastics that we encounter everyday through breathing, drinking water, and eating. According to Olathe North Geoscience teacher, Ms. Winsor, “polyethylene is the primary component of most plastics… [and] is a known cancer causing substance,” which we consume when eating fish who have mistakenly ingested plastic.

For long lasting environmental preservation, eliminating plastic waste can be a promising step, but for disabled people straws can be the difference between life and death. Without straws, disabled people can aspirate liquid in their lungs causing pneumonia which can be fatal, as reported by National Public Radio.

Following this new wave of rebellion against plastic straws, the disabled community spoke on why they depend on

By: Bailey Flanagan | Staff Writer Additional Reporting By: Sam Schaper | Staff Writer

single use plastic straws. Many people with motor disabilities and limited jaw movement depend on single use plastic straws to drink safely.

There are steps that can be taken to reduce plastic waste like using plastic straw alternatives, recycling, and simply deciding not to use a straw at restaurants. There were times when you couldn’t recycle straws, but as directed by Ms. Winsor “all you need to do is give it a quick rinse before throwing the straw in your curbside recycling bin.”

However, in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Report, straws accounted for only 4,000 of 9,159,400 items collected. According to Environmental Health News, the main culprits of plastic pollution in the ocean is fishing nets and micro-plastics.

Micro-plastics are tiny particles of plastic that have been broken down small enough that marine life unintentionally eats it.

Micro-plastics are damaging to marine life, and to people who eat seafood where micro-plastics are present. Fishing nets makeup around 46% of plastic waste in the ocean according to the National Geographic, as commercial fishermen often drop their nets into the ocean if they break, even though they are not biodegradable.

Alternatives: Do not fear, there are many alternatives to plastic straws.

While alternatives are not convenient for everyone, thanks to the internet, plastic straw alternatives are easily accessible.

Reusable Alternatives and Where to Find Them: Glass Simply Straws and BeOrganic; Steel Steelys Drinkware; Silicone and Rubber Klean Kanteen; Bamboo Bambu.

Single Use Alternatives and Where to Find Them: Hay Harvest Straws and Hay! Straws; Paper Aardvark Straws; Seaweed straws Loliware.

Design by: Abigail Miles | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

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It is unsure how many straws end up in the ocean, but Americans use 500 million straws a day.

It takes up to roughly

5 0 0 years

71% of sea birds and 30% of turtles are found to have plastic in their stomachs and once plastic has been ingested, the mortality rate is 50%. This death rate is now affecting over 600 species of marine animals.

for a plastic straw to decompose.

Fishing nets makeup around 46% of plastic waste in the ocean.

Paper straws can last up to two to three hours until getting soggy or start falling apart.

The amount of plastic in the ocean increases around

a year or more.

It takes about 2.5 cents to make a paper straw and it take .5 cents to make a plastic straw.

In 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | Ocotber 2018 | Design by: Andrea Martin

Fresh Idea Goes Sour New changes took place during lunch this year, especially for Freshmen.

By: Andrea Martin | Staff Editor

Students eating in the main courtyard. Picture by | Lily Harrison

M

ost students see Eagle Halftime as a beautiful break in the middle of the school day. However, at the beginning of the year Eagle Halftime looked different, not only for the upperclassmen, but the especially for new incoming freshmen got a new taste of traditional lunch.

When Eagle Halftime was brought back into the daily schedule after an almost two week long break, the freshman didn’t have an open lunch like the rest of the students here at North. They had meetings during lunch A with the school administrators and lunch in the upper and lower commons during lunch B. Lunch this year was much more limited for the ninth graders than last year, and many are scratching their heads as to why.

Principal Jason Herman saw that Eagle Halftime wasn’t used appropriately by certain students last year. He wanted to make sure that the new incoming students knew how to navigate Eagle Halftime properly. “[I wanted to give them] an opportunity to get to know their teachers, get to know what they’re comfortable with how our cafeteria runs, and go, ’Alright, I now know get how the school works’”, says Herman.

Herman also states the traditional lunch gives students the opportu-

nity to realize, not only how the cafeteria works, but as well, understand the consequences of abusing Eagle Halftime. “I think that just generally”, Herman says, “that when we go to the four lunches, like the old school way, I think that it really allows students to appreciate Eagle Halftime”. The use of the four lunches is there to remind us what can be possibly lost if Eagle Halftime is not used appropriately.

But Herman says that freshmen this year can’t blame the freshmen from last year. It has nothing to do with them, it has a lot to do with how the first trial of Ea-

gle Halftime went last year. “It’s moreover, they just didn’t, don’t know how the building works. Now that they know that, they should be doing just fine”, states Herman.

With restrictions on freshman Eagle Halftime, Herman feels that freshmen were also able to understand how our building works here at Olathe North for example, how our bell schedule works, or even how lunch itself works. “Now obviously, having the first half of there always being meetings with [the] code of conduct, and school, and the question-answer day with the principal, and all those different

Students eating in the upper commons. Picture by | Lily Harrison

Design by: Andrea Martin | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle things, I think it helped them understand our school at a higher level”, Herman says.

This year was the guinea pig year.

The school administrators tried something new to help the new incoming students transition properly from middle school to high school.

But their placement in the commons during Halftime lunch B, is something that the administrators slightly regret.

“We are still talking about kids who don’t quite get how we do things at Olathe North,” says Herman, “when you put five hundred kiddos, at the age of 13 and 14 years old, not really knowing what to do, they just do what they do, and that’s getting together, they’re loud and

crazy. They don’t pick up after themselves.”

Administrators do plan on doing something like this in the future. With the meetings about the student code of conduct, and question-answer day with the principal, and much more. When code of conduct talks took place, it didn’t take as long for the upperclassmen. “It took me twenty minutes to do classroom talks with [the upperclassmen]”, says Herman. Except, for the freshmen it took much longer than one lunch halftime. “It takes us a week with the freshman cause they just have no background. So we’re going to continue do those talks, bring them in, help them understand, process all the different things”, he states, “there was two days of talks, there was meet the principal day, there was student conductor day.”

“I think it helped them understand our school at a higher level”

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Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

Q: What happend to Eagle Extras?

A: “I loved the idea of giving students

positive experiences like the freedom during seminar because of grades, attendance, and behavior. It was a lot of work, a lot of work, a lot of work, and it just--I had kids coming to me, I had parents coming to me, and I had my team co coming to me, and saying just like, ‘I don’t think it’s having the effect that we thought it would have’.

What it was the intention of that was to celebrate what great kids are doing, and I think that after a while, really, the only thing that came out of it was the freedom during seminar”

Q: Is there going to be a program that replaces Eagle Extras?

A: “I’m looking at different ideas, if we

Above: Upper left: Calista Stegner and KInslee Moore eating in the courtyard. Below: students eating in the upper commons. Picture by | Lily Harrison

want to call it like an ‘Eagle Pass’ or ‘Golden Pass’ it’s the same idea that maybe I pull juniors and seniors only, I don’t know. I am not a hundred percent sure, maybe sophomores as well, I just wanted to say, ‘Hey’ our kids that are in certain grade points range, and certain attendance areas, or whatever, and say, ‘I’ll give you a Golden Pass, which means during seminar you the freedoms to go in the building and meet with friends, and do homework and that kind of stuff’... I do have a little bit of time, and I don’t know if it will be done by second quarter, but maybe by second semester for sure. I am open for suggestions. I am still meeting with my leadership cadre, which is a group of students, my cite council, and parents, and still meeting with ‘Team Awesome’, and any teacher suggestions to come up.”

10 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Alex Shine

“Write without fear, revise without mercy.”

Olathe North Opens its First Writing Center By: Elizabeth Tuckness | Writer

Opening Day: The Writer’s Nest Tutors gather outside the library before their first session, on September 4th, 2018. The writing center is open monday- thursday during EHT.

O

n September 4th, 2018, Olathe North High School officially opened its first writing center for peer review and writing.

Run by Deirdre Zongker and dubbed The Writers’ Nest, it is Olathe North’s first student writing center. Zongker was inspired by a trip to a writing center conference. The Writer’s Nest is now up and running.

The facility is ran by students from all demographics and is the first of its kind at Olathe North. Comprised of 54 members, the center has a large, teacher-approved staff.

“I have been stoked for this writing center for seven months,” Zongker expressed. Apparently, she isn’t alone, as the teachers in the building all wanted to promote the writing center so much that she ran out of posters to be put up in each classroom.

At first, the idea of the writing center seemed to be a lost cause, because people wouldn’t have time after school.

However, once Eagle Halftime rolled around, the prospects of having a writing center improved. People had free time to do whatever they needed to do during Eagle Halftime, including visiting classrooms, eating lunch, and going to club meetings.

This year, people could add a visit the writing center to receive help on writing to that list. The students are able to receive help from their peers in a non-judgmental environment, improve their writing, and obtain help in the areas they need by people who are proficient in writing.

To use the Writers’ Nest, students walk into the library and head to the center area. They need to have a printed copy of their assignment ready. Then, write their name on the sign in sheet, fill out the status of the paper, (prewriting, writing, or editing) and wait to be seated. Once seated next to the tutor, the session will begin. The student will leave with a sheet covering your strengths in the paper and areas to work

on, creating a plan to edit your paper. “[The first day] was slow but I am anticipating more students as teachers start assigning bigger projects.” Molly Duke, an executive on the tutoring team, spoke on the writing center’s first day.

Along with being a tutor, she also helps to teach her peers. This all began when she and another student, Renee Born, were approached by Zongker to be on a board to help teach other tutors. During these learning experiences Duke had one main point. “Instructing others requires an understanding of who you are working with, and most importantly requires great organization skills.”

In the end, the Writing Center is considered easy to use. Along with being a valuable asset to the school, it will also be able to grow and develop to better itself for all students and teachers involved.

Design by: Alex Shine | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

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What people are saying about the Writers’ Nest: “Writing itself is integral to success in high school and after. Even if it isn’t a writing class, most classes will assign you to write a paper at least once. However some students may not be the strongest writers, whether they struggle with how to start a paper or just making sure they have everything they need in their essay. Everyone can benefit from being able to improve their writing.” - Mason Maiwat, Senior ‘There is a diverse need for writing guidance in the Olathe North Community. Even adults and people proficient in writing need a second opinion.” -Bailey Flanagan, Sophomore “It’s super easy to get assistance and we are really excited about helping people who come in.”- Emily Martin, Senior

First Client: Bailey Flanagan tutors the first teacher in need of assistance, Dustin Pence.

Open Monday - Thursday

Beginning of Eagle Half-time No Appointments Teacher Selected and Teacher approved Tutors

Friendly Peer-review Environment Prepare a hardcopy of your Writing

12 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October, 2018 | Design by: Abigail Miles

Welcome to the Eagle’s Nest This year Olathe North welcomes fifteen new teachers into the nest this school year. Get to know them below and welcome them to Olathe North!

Mrs. Hirtz Is this your first year teaching?

Where did you teach before?

“No.” “I lived North of the river, so I taught at an elementary school, Saint Therese, 3rd grade.”

“It is a big jump. Last year I did a long term for a FACS How is it adjusting from elementary school to high school? teacher at Parkhill South, so I had a transition between the two.”

Mrs. Whitcomb Is this your first time being a school nurse?

“No it is not. This will be my 4th year as a school nurse.”

What did you do before?

“I have experience in mother-baby, and also in labor and delivery. Also in fertility.”

Mr. Maddux Is this your first year teaching?

Where did you teach beforehand?

This is my first year teaching at North, but this is my sixth year in public education.

Before, I was at Olathe Northwest High School, for five years, and my first three years as well, I taught in the elementary schools as well. So I was at Meadow Lane, Manchester Park, and Ravenwood.

Design by: Abigail Miles | Editor in Cheif | October, 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

Ms. Sinclair Is this your first year teaching?

“Yes, I was a long-term sub last year.”

What grades do you teach?

“US history, Modern world history, assistant coach for drill team.”

What class or classes do you teach?

“I teach freshman and juniors and 9th-12th for drill team.”

Madame Marsh Is this your first year teaching?

“Where did you teach before?”

What class or classes do you teach?

“No, it’s my 8th year.”

“I taught at Mission Trail for 2 years and before that Academy Lafayette, it’s a French immersion school in Kansas City. This is my first year in high school.”

“French.”

Mr. Barrios Is this your first year teaching?

“No this is actually my third year teaching I first started teaching music education in elementary schools in Missouri.”

What class or classes do you teach?

“American Sign Language (ASL)”

Mrs. Arthur “No, I also taught at Bonner Springs for one year and Blue Valley North West for two years.”

“I lived North of the river, so I taught at an Where did you teach before? elementary school, Saint Therese, 3rd grade.”

“It is a big jump. Last year I did a long term for a FACS How is it adjusting from elementary school to high school? teacher at Parkhill South, so I had a transition between the two.”

Is this your first year teaching?

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14 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Abigail Miles Mrs. Gunderson Is this your first year teaching?

Where did you teach before?

“No, I have been teaching for 15 years; this is my first year counseling.”

“I lived North of the river, so I taught at an elementary school, Saint Therese, 3rd grade.”

How is it adjusting from ele“It is a big jump. Last year I did a long term for a FACS mentary school to high school? teacher at Parkhill South, so I had a transition between the two.”

Mrs. Rettig Is this your first year teaching?

Where did you teach before?

“No, this is my 14th year.”

“I lived North of the river, so I taught at an elementary school, Saint Therese, 3rd grade.”

“It is a big jump. Last year I did a long term for a FACS How is it adjusting from elementary school to high school? teacher at Parkhill South, so I had a transition between the two.”

Mrs. Wenzel Is this your first year teaching?

What do you teach?

“This is my first year teaching at Olathe North, last year I was at Shawnee Mission West, and before that I taught for three years in Nashville, Tennessee. So total, I’ve been teaching for five years.”

“I teach German, levels one through four and this is the first year that we have all four levels here.”

Ms. De vries Is this your first year teaching?

“Not my first year ever, it’s my first year teaching here at North”.

Where did you teach before?

“I taught in Texas for ten years.”

Why do you teach specifically? “I like the energy and the interaction with students that I get on a daily basis.”

Design by: Abigail Miles | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

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Ms. Henshaw “No, I taught at Emporia State for two years. Then I was a sub and English teacher” “I lived North of the river, so I taught at an Where did you teach before? elementary school, Saint Therese, 3rd grade.”

How is it adjusting from ele“It is a big jump. Last year I did a long term for a FACS mentary school to high school? teacher at Parkhill South, so I had a transition between the two.”

Is this your first year teaching?

Mr. McCarthy What do you teach?

“Band.”

What did you do before you came here?

“Before I came to North I was teaching at Bellevue East High School. Previous to that, I taught at Avila University and before that I taught at Lawrence High School.”

Mr. Flood Is this your first year teaching?

“No, I have taught for 23 years.”

What class or classes do you teach?

“Physical education”

What did you do before you came to Olathe North?

“I have been in the Olathe district at various schools.”

Mr. Sternberger Is this your first year teaching?

“No, this is my tenth year teaching.”

What do you teach?

“Spanish 1 and 2.”

What is a fun fact about yourself?

“I lived in Spain for 4 years.”

16 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Abigail Miles

DO YOU HAVE SCHOOL SPIRIT? By: Claire Decatur | Staff Writer

H

oping to drum up Olathe North spirit, a new class was created for the 2018-2019 school year. Named Eagle Flight Crew, This class is taught by Robyn Eick and hopes to create a positive atmosphere at all school sporting events and activities.

Flight Crew is a different in some ways than the spirit leaders last year. “A major goal we want to accomplish is to make ON a safe, inclusive space for everyone at sporting events and activities and encourage school spirit,” said Flight Crew member Ashley Strella.

“Last year [the spirit leaders] only had a couple students in the stands,” exclaimed EFC member Detrik Ortiz, “This year we want people all around the crowd for students to get involved in the game.” The crew has created new chants and cheers like “This is our house” and “Knock em down, Roll em around”. They want to get the crowd involved during the whole game to make the players feel excited and pumped up to play This year Eagle Flight Crew would like to go to all school activities. “This year were trying to go to all the games,’’ EFC member Emma Rogers announced. “Most people don’t come to volleyball games or softball games, and if they do they’re normally parents.”

The class is also geared towards having leadership skills. “During the class we plan the week, make posters and decorate the school,” EFC member Trinity Sharp reported. They have been learning about how to keep the stands a positive place and how to be a leader.

Eagle Flight Crew is one of the few classes you have to apply for. According to Ortiz ,“to make the class you have to fill out a short application, get teacher references, have good grades and get an Interview from Mrs. Eick.” Everyone in the class is either a senior or junior. The class meets during fifth hour and is in the FACS hall.

One of the main points of Flight Crew is to try to have at least one person come each games and to go to all sporting events. Although the goals of the new Eagle Flight Crew have developed the changes aren’t wholly apparent yet. Senior Olivia Anderson-Davis, who plays on the JV tennis team, said they’ve had 3 matches so far and haven’t seen any Eagle Flight Crew there.

Junior Caleb Nelson has noticed the same things. He plays on the junior varsity and varsity football team who said only parents have been coming to their JV games.

He says he enjoys playing varsity more

Upper left: The cheerleaders show spirit at an ON soccer game.

Upper middle: Members of the flight crew carry the eagle flags before the soccer game. Upper right: Cheerleaders performing stunts at the soccer game. Bottom left: Flight crew members: Drayton Sharp, Detrik Ortiz, Trinity Sharp, Mika Oubre, Brea Turner and Felicia Honeyman. Bottom right: The Olathe North student section at the first football game of the season against Olathe East. because the crowds are more intense.

The new Eagle flight crew is and will be working hard this year to get Olathe north to have as much school spirit as possible.

They want to make North events safe and fun for everyone. “We want to help games go smoother and keep the student section a positive place,” EFC member Felicia Honeyman said. The Eagle flight crew is helping to make the student section a better, more involved place for all of Olathe North.

Design by: Abigail Miles | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

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Left: Football players celebrate after a play at ODAC. Upper middle: The Olathe North student section at the white-out game against Olathe East. Upper right: Members of flight crew: Detrik Ortiz, Emily Stamper and Adam Lamrani. Bottom Middle: The JV team before the snap against Olathe East. Bottom Right: The ON cheer squad at the friday night soccer game against Olathe South.

Adam Lamrani How can you join?

“I knew Mrs. Eick and so I transferred out of the class I was in and joined it.”

What do you do during games? ”We get our own job, run flags and do chants. We help and take care of the bleacher creatures.”

Ashley Strella What do you do during games?

“We stand in the front rows and lead cheers.’’

How does it differ from last year with “Spirit leaders”?

“Were more organized and try to make it a safe environment.”

Detrik Ortiz What made you join Eagle flight crew?

“I wanted to be more involved in out of school activities at Olathe North.”

What do you do during the class?

“We plan activities, help with school pep assemblies and games.”

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by Ashley Honey and Kalley Jurgielski

SMOKE SIGNALS As cigarette sales dwindle, vaping has become the newest trend among teens.

By Ashley Honey | Staff Editor By Miles Arambula | Staff Editor By Gabby Beachey | Staff Writer

T

hirty years ago, it was not uncommon to see an Olathe North student smoking a cigarette in the designated “smoking courtyard” in what is now the senior hallway. However, today, tobacco possession and use is now illegal for people under 18, but young people are finding new ways to get their nicotine fix.

“Vaping” didn’t become mainstream until about 2010. It was originally meant to help

adults with their addiction to nicotine in traditional cigarettes. Somehow, though, it has become a youth trend.

Odorless and undetectable, it’s convenient for teens trying to hide their addiction from parents and teachers. Not to mention, they come in flavors like “cotton candy,” “mint,” and “unicorn vomit,” which leads many to believe that they are marketed towards younger people. Recently, electronic cigarettes have become

cheaper, more high tech, and easier for minors to get their hands on. Olathe North’s students are not immune to this epidemic.

“I’m not ignorant to the fact that my students vape. I wish they wouldn’t, especially at school,” Says Principal Jason Herman.

When asked about the consequences of vaping at school, he replied with “3 day OSS if caught smoking and 3 days ISS if caught in possession. When caught,

Above: An Olathe North student vaping. Photograph by Anna Diehm | Edited by Hailey Kitivoravong

Design by Ashley Honey and Kalley Jurgielski | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle we will always confiscate the vape. There are other restorative justice plans in the future. Students might need to take online courses [rather] than OSS,” Herman said. “[Teenagers vaping] is not something that should be done. For most students, it is illegal because you cannot possess tobacco. Even if you are 18, [according to the] code of conduct book, you are not allowed to have tobacco products at school.” says Student Resource Officer David Reed.

Reed stated that the consequences of being caught vaping were “If [you’re] under 18, legally, you will be issued a citation, a $25 fine, and have to show up in court. Anyone who possesses and smokes gets OSS,” According to USA Today, The FDA is cracking down on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, worried that the use by middle and high school students has reached epidemic proportions. The agency has given the makers of vapes 60 days to prove that they can keep their devices away from minors or have them taken off the market.

This also means possibly removing the various flavors available if they can’t keep them away from teens. The agency has issued more than 1,300 warning letters and civil money penalty complaints to stores illegally selling e-cigarettes to minors.

FDA commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, said that “The FDA won’t tolerate a whole generation of young people becoming addicted to nicotine.”

There are more than 460 brands of e-cigarettes on the market, but each works essentially the same way. The atomizer inside the vape heats the liquid until it evaporates, creating a vapor for which the device is nicknamed. The user then inhales the vapor. The trouble with vaping arises from what is in the liquid itself.

Vaping introduces toxins, chemicals, and carcinogens into the developing bodies of millions of teenagers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries. With statistics climbing, there’s another important thing we need to understand: why do high school students vape? 17-year-old Olathe South Sophomore Will Herrera offers a better understanding. Herrera started smoking cigarettes when he was 13 years old and starting vaping at the age of 15.

“There was something relaxing about knowing what you’re doing isn’t good for you,” he explained. “I think that vaping is dumb, but could be a good thing for people to [quit] smoking. I don’t think people

19

Above: An Olathe North student’s e-cigarette device.

Photograph by Anna Diehm | Edited by Kalley Jurgielski should do it just to be cool,” Herrera stated.

Evidence suggests a strong relationship between vaping and traditional tobacco use. Researchers are uncovering trends among people who vape, or vapers, implying that people who vape are more likely to smoke cigarettes than those who do not. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a study conducted in the UK by drugabuse.gov found that

“I’m not ignorant to the fact that my students vape. I wish they wouldn’t, especially at school.” adult smokers who vaped were actually less likely to quit smoking. In fact, they smoked more cigarettes than non-vapers. The same people conducted a survey of 800 smokers who were using vaping to quit, and found that only 9% of them reported to have successfully quit a year later. Keep in mind that using vapes to quit smoking is one of the

major selling points of JUUL labs and other vape-producing companies. Since cigarettes are the most common cause of unnecessary death in America, killing over half of all smokers, scientists worry about the future of our teenagers and their vaping habits.

“It’s expensive and a waste of money. “If it’s for quitting smoking [I’m O.K. with vaping], but if it’s for the thrill, then I am against [it,]” Olathe North student Andy Walsh explains.

Like Herrera, Walsh started vaping at a young age. He says he doesn’t support high schoolers vaping, and plans to quit.

“I don’t think less of someone who vapes,” ON student Elizabeth Barrett, a vaper, said. “A lot of people do it, so I don’t think less of you if you do.”

But why vape? Many, like Herrera, have admitted that they do it because they find it to be intentionally self-destructive and gives them a buzz. Some, like Walsh, caved to peer pressure and found themselves caught up in an addiction.

Olathe North student Sean Krause gave us another reason. “[I vape] because it’s fun for me and I like doing vape tricks. I started by vaping with one of my friends and I enjoyed it, so I ended up getting one myself,” said Krause.

JUULs, e-cigarettes that resemble flash drives, are growing in popularity due to how discreet and easy to sneak into school or a workplace they are. According to JUUL Labs, one pod can contain the same amount of nicotine as a regular pack of 20 cigarettes. Users can add certain ingredients to get a different high (one

20

The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 1, 2018 | Design by Ashley Honey and Kalley Jurgielski

“Even if you are 18, [according to the] code of conduct book, you are not allowed to have tobacco products at school.”

Above: An Olathe North student’s e-cigarette device. Photograph by Lana Tarik | Edited by Ashley Honey of the most popular being cannabis), but most pods can contain up to 90% propylene and glycerine (a 30/60 mix), benzoic acid (naturally occurring in tobacco), nicotine, and natural and artificial flavors.

Artificial flavoring in vapes are a health concern for vapers as well. In these flavors, particularly the popcorn flavor, is a chemical called Diacetyl, formerly used as butter flavoring in popcorn. According to the American Lung Association, Diacetyl is linked to bronchiolitis obliterans- scarring of the air sacs in the lungs resulting in narrowing of the airways,

Health Risks

causing shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. This condition, nicknamed popcorn lung, was discovered to be linked to diacetyl after workers in a microwave popcorn plant developed the disease.

According to WebMD, the aerosol produced by vaping has been known to contain multiple harmful and potentially harmful substances. These include nicotine, volatile organic compounds, cancer-causing chemicals, ultrafine parti-

According to a Vox article published in August of 2018, the components and ingredients that make up the e-juice in a vape pod are nicotine, glycerol and propylene glycol, benzoic acid, and flavorants. When these ingredients are heated up, they create toxic chemicals that the user inhales. These chemicals include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acroleina.

cles that are inhaled deeply into the lungs, and heavy metals such as iron, nickel, and even lead. Some harmful chemicals found in vape flavors include cinnamaldehyde, o-vanillin, and pentanedione (popcorn). These three chemicals have all resulted in cytotoxicity or cell death.

The nicotine in vape pods gives them an addictive edge, just like cigarettes.

This is supposedly why vaping is useful to quit smoking. JUUL Labs claims to use highly purified, USP grade, pharmaceutical grade nicotine in their products. Even vape flavors without nicotine can attack and harm the body at a cellular level. Researchers at Rochester Medical Health Center conducted an experiment to study the effects of seven different common vape pods flavorings on monocytes, a type of white blood cell. All of them produced biomarkers that were indicative of inflammation and tissue damage, suggesting that vape flavors can cause oxidative stress. This is when free radical oxygen is mass produced in cells, overwhelming the body’s antioxidants. Oxidative stress has been proven

What’s in the pod?

5.8%: marijuana

1.3%: other

13.2%: nicotine

13.7%: do not know

Chart Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

66%: flavoring

Design by Ashley Honey and Kalley Jurgielski | October 1, 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle to be related to over 50 diseases, including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

A group of researchers at the New York University School of Medicine conducted tests on a group of mice, exposing one group to e-cigarette aerosol and the other to normal air. The group exposed to e-cigarette vapor demonstrated significantly more DNA damage in the heart, lungs, and bladder than those breathing regular filtered air. Also damaged were the DNA repair systems in the cells, necessary to protect against cancer. Urine tests on a group of teenagers who vape revealed a higher level of at least 5 different toxins in their bodies, all of which are known or suspected carcinogens. In 2009, a federal law banned the use of any flavors other than menthol in traditional cigarettes. On the other hand, e-cigarettes are unregulated and use flavors attractive to young people.

According to the Washington Post, inhalants aren’t the only dangerous thing about vaping. The death of 38 year old Tallmadge D’Elia was linked to his vape pen exploding in his hand, sending projectile shrapnel into his brain and starting a small fire in his Florida home.

His body was found on May 5th with burns over 80% of his body. An autopsy concluded that D’Elia’s cause of death was a “projectile wound of the head.”

The U.S Fire Administration wrote that between 2009 and 2016, there were at least 195 reported instances of e-cigarettes exploding or catching fire. This is often the result of the atomizer (heater) or the battery being old and/or malfunctioning.

A lot of vapers have little to no idea what they’re really inhaling. 13.7% of them, in fact.

21

Above: An Olathe North student’s e-cigarette device. Photograph by Anna Diehm | Edited by Hailey Kitivoravong Vaping damages the user’s DNA, which can lead to cancer. The Institute of Environmental Medicine at New York University concluded that e-cigarette smokers have a higher risk than non-smokers of developing lung and bladder cancers, as well as heart diseases.

If you’re considering starting vaping, Will Herrera’s advice is this: “Don’t start if you’re just trying to fit in. It’s not worth it.”

VAPING STATS FOR SIDEBAR (National Institute on Drug Abuse) 30.7% of e-cig users started smoking within six months while 8.1% of non-users started smoking.

What do teens say is in their e-cigarette? 66% say just flavoring, 13.7% don’t know, 13.2% say nicotine, 5.8% say marijuana, and 1.3% say other CDC In 2016, 3.2% of U.S. adults were

current e-cigarette users. In 2015, 58.8% of e-cigarette users were also regular smokers.

Specifically, a 2018 National Academy of Medicine report found that there was some evidence that e-cigarette use increases the frequency and amount of cigarette smoking in the future.

According to the 2017 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey, it was found that 13.3% of 8th graders, 23.9% of 10th graders, and 27.8% of 12th graders admitted to vaping on a regular basis. The center for disease control stated that one in five eighth-graders currently use tobacco products, and got there by starting with e-cigarettes. In 2016, the US Surgeon General released a report claiming a staggering 900% increase of e-cigarette use in high school students between the years of 2011-2015. Olathe North’s students are not immune to this epidemic.

Vaping versus E-Cigarettes 41.2% only vape 58.8% smoke cigarettes and vape

Chart Source: CDC

A 2015 report done in the National Academy of Medicine found that those who vape have a higher chance of smoking more frequently in the future. In addition, a study published by Cochrane found that e-cigarettes containing nicotine helped quit smoking.

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The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by Ashley Honey

BEST SUMMER READS By: Ashley Honey | Staff Editor

THE DIVINERS BY LIBBA BRAY

R

ebellious Evie O’Neill is kicked out of her midwestern home and sent to live with her quirky uncle, Will, in New York City due to her psychic abilities.

She gets caught up in solving a paranormal case puzzling the city, making new friends with various powers along the way. The Diviners is the first book in an ongoing series.

One aspect that makes this series unique is its powerful diversity.

This story takes place during the roaring twenties, and author Libba Bray finds a way to represent the social minorities of American Society. The cast of The Di-

viners features ch`aracters who are black, Asian, poor, gay, asexual, have disabilities, and more. Most importantly, each of their character arcs and fleshed out, and no character is haphazardly thrown in just to make the story diverse. Each character has a strong and intentional role in the story, which prevents the multi-perspective aspect of the writing from becoming confusing. Every book in the series is equally powerful and worth the read.

According to Bray’s Goodreads profile, the fourth and final book in the series is currently being worked on and does not currently have a public release date.

SIX OF CROWS BY LEIGH BARDUGO

S

ix of Crows is the first in its duology.

Kaz Brekker, a witty and clever criminal working in the fictional city of Ketterdam, is presented with the heist of a lifetime. With the help of his team of outcasts, Kaz must carry out deadly tasks that could mean either a life of riches or death.

This book is perfect for people who love high-stakes adventure stories that leave you on the edge of your seat with sweaty palms. Kaz’s ability to construct such mind-boggling plans to break people out

of prison, sneak into buildings, and walk out of fights without a scratch is thrilling to read. It almost makes you forget that the main characters are a group of criminals.

One fault of this book is its confusing exposition. Due to the nature of high fantasy novels, Ketterdam is an incredibly complex world that takes at least 20 to 30 pages to understand. However, the story quickly picks up afterward, and it is completely worth getting through due to its amazing characters and plot as well as its satisfying ending.

BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE

A

BY FREDRIK BACKMAN TRANSLATED BY HENNING KOCH

fter dumping her cheating husband, persnickety Britt-Marie finds herself alone and struggling to make ends meet. The only job available for her is in the decaying city of Borg, and she is left with no other option but to start a new life in the most run-down city in the state.

Borg is home to quirky characters with rough backgrounds, and as Britt-Marie’s life becomes tangled with theirs, she finds that Borg may not be as awful as it seems.

The author of Britt-Marie Was Here, Fredrik Backman, has a talent for making readers fall in love with unlikable characters.

Britt-Marie comes across as an uptight and judgemental snob, but I found myself

strongly sympathizing with her by the end of the book. Her obsessive-compulsive tendencies and “helicopter mom” attitude make her the type of person you would likely despise upon first meeting but learn to admire as time goes on. This is something I greatly enjoyed about this novel, as well as in Backman’s other works such as A Man Called Ove. This book is worth the read and perfect for readers who are wanting to branch away from young adult books and explore adult books that do not contain any explicit content. Backman’s writing is also quite humorous despite the serious themes covered by the book, which is refreshing and makes for a wonderful reading experience.

23 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Rachel Delehanty

Coming Soon

to a Theater Near You

By: Claire Decatur | Staff Writer, Sam Schaper | Staff Writer, Alex Shine | Copy Editor With a new school year comes a plethora of new shows produced by Olathe North’s own theatre department. Here is a list of the upcoming shows. All of the theatre participants hope to see you there!

Bessie, the Bandit’s Beautiful Baby or Curses on My Fatal Beaty | October 11-13, 2018 Bessie, the Bandit’s Beautiful Baby or Curses On My Fatal Beauty! is a melodrama about a maid named Bessie Bunting. She travels from job to job because men fall in love with her wherever she goes. She lands a job with the wealthy Romaine family who have a son and butler who fall madly in love with her. She wants to marry their son, Worthington, but the villainous Melbourne doesn’t want that to happen. While watching this show, you will be treated to a meal cooked by the Olathe North culinary department.

Hands on a Hardbody | November 1-3, 2018 Hands on a Hardbody is a modern mini musical based on a documentary in Longview, Texas where ten people compete for a Nissan ‘hardbody’ pickup truck. The competition consists of keeping their hand on the truck, the last person who has their hand on the truck wins. Throughout the competition, each contestant uses humor, country accents, and gospel music to share their lives with the audience.

Mr. Eagle | December 1, 2018 Mr. Eagle has been a yearly tradition at Olathe North for 12 years. It is a male beauty pageant that Mr. Eagle has been a yearly tradition at Olathe North for 12 years. It is a male beauty pageant that helps raise money for the theatre program. It consists of boys from all kinds of clubs at Olathe North strutting their stuff. The boys work hard all week to collect spare change to become the newest Mr. Eagle. It’s a night filled with laughter and fun, while showing the judges what they can do. From a beach wear competition to talent show, you can see some of your favorite Olathe North men work the runway.

The Sound of Music | February 7-9, 2019 The Sound of Music is a main stage musical based on the real life story of the Von Trapp family during World War II. A young woman named Maria is commissioned to be a governess for the seven motherless Von Trapp children. Throughout the tragedies of World War II, she transforms their once strict lifestyle into one filled with happiness and laughter. This classical musical contains a mixture of positive life lessons, joy, and the struggles caused by war.

The Mouse that Roared | April 4-6, 2019 The Mouse That Roared is a stage adaptation of the Cold War comedy of the same name following an imaginary country called “The Duchy of Grand Fenwick.” After this small nation is rendered bankrupt, the citizens need to muster up a plan. They decide that declaring war on the United States of America would solve all of their problems. Becoming a U.S. territory would provide them with ample money and protection because, honestly, is there any chance of a fifteen square mile, bow-wielding nation defeating this world famous superpower?

Splendor in the Grass | April 15-17, 2019 Splendor in the Grass follows two teenagers in a similar situation to that of Romeo and Juliet. Deanie Loomis is raised in a household where she is taught to repress her sexual desires. Her boyfriend, Bud Stamper, is raised in an upper class family, taught that you should be with somebody who is willing to fulfill your needs. Though they are in love, they are forced to break up. Nobody could have seen the vast repercussions coming, how could so many things be caused by a breakup?

24The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Isabella Bray

Crazy Creams

By: Isabella Bray | Editor in Chief

You have heard it in the news, stories of the popular craze of ditching the rudimentary methods of making ice cream for rolls and liquid nitrogen. I have always been an ice cream enthusiast, but I had only ever tried liquid nitrogen ice cream once and have never ventured so far as to try rolled ice cream, so I was intrigued at the opportunity to try both types of extravagant ice cream. Thus began my four day crazy cream extravaganza.

Frozen2

M

y nose was smacked with the distinct sent of freshly cleaned bathroom when I took my first step into Frozen2, which was not favorable.

However, the design of the shop was very clean, with every wall was white with the exception of a single wooden strip traveling along the length of the wall.

Soon I was greeted by a worker and ordered the “Blue Birthday Cake” ice cream, one of the pre-concocted orders. The ice cream was mixed with an electric mixer first before the liquid

nitrogen was added and the vapors billowed over the edge of the bowl as the ice cream solidified. My ice cream was ready to eat in only a few minutes.

When I took my first bite, I could taste a hint of cake flavoring, but I would have liked it to be more potent. The sprinkles were a nice touch, however, and I did enjoy the uniquely thick and creamy texture of the ice cream. In conclusion, I enjoyed the birthday cake ice cream, but because it was a bit pricey at $5.94 a portion, I will only go back on occasion.

Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream

I

had never heard about Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream but I was eager to add it to my list of extravagant ice creams. Upon first walking into Subzero Nitrogen Ice

Cream, my attention was drawn to the blue and red color scheme on the walls and the fun graphics that gave information about nitrogen, which were aesthet-

ically pleasing.

I was quickly welcomed by a worker and ordered bubble gum flavored ice cream with marshmallows mixed in. I only had to wait a few minutes before my ice cream was ready to be made. First the liquid ice cream mixture was combined with the marshmallows, then the liquid nitrogen was added to solidify the ice cream.

I was surprised the ice cream was mixed by hand with a spoon rather than with an electric mixer. The process only took a few minutes before the ice cream solidified and was ready to be served.

When I first tasted the ice cream, it was very flavorful, thick, and creamy. However, I got a strange after taste a few seconds later that reminded me of liquid medicine from my childhood. This was a definite turn off, especially since I really wanted to like the bubble gum ice cream. Because of the strange aftertaste and small portions for $4.49, I was a little disappointed with the result and do not plan on going back to Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream any time soon.

Design by: Isabella Bray | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

25

Freezing Moo

I

had heard of Freezing Moo before, but I had never taken the plunge into trying rolled ice cream. At first glance, Rolling Moo had a lot going on visually, from the pastel wall colors to the neon menu board. While the menu board did draw my attention, it also gave me a headache.

I ordered one of the creations from the menu board: “Cookie Dough”, then got in line, awaiting my order to be called. After a few minutes, my name was called to watch the preparation of my treat. The worker started by mashing up cookie dough bits on a chilled steel plate, then added the liquid ice cream mixture and soon the ice cream began to form. Once the ice cream took solid form, the worker spread out the ice cream to into a rectangle shaped, drizzled on chocolate sauce and began scraping up the

Chop Chop Rolling Ice Cream

W

hen I first walked into Chop Chop Rolling Ice Cream, I felt as if my eyes were going into shock. There were too many bright colors, tacky trinkets and decorations on shelves everywhere I looked.

A worker quickly came to take my order: vanilla ice cream with Reese’s mixed in and topped with whipped cream. The process was very similar to that of Freezing Moo. First, the Reese’s were chopped into pieces on a chilled steel plate, then the liquid ice cream mixture was added and soon the solid ice cream took form. Finally, the ice cream was spread out into

a rectangle and scraped up into rolls, placed into a cup and topped with whipped cream.

I took my first bite of the ice cream and was pleasantly surprised. The texture was thick and creamy and nothing like I expected. The flavor was peanut buttery, but not an overload; there was a nice ratio of Reese’s to ice cream.

I enjoyed eating ice cream in rolled form rather than the rudimentary scoops. Overall, Chop Chop Rolling Ice Cream was rather pricey at $6.95 a serving, however, I was pleased with my experience and plan on going back on occasion.

ice cream into rolls. The whole process only took a matter of a few minutes. The rolled ice cream was placed into a cup and topped with whipped cream before it was ready to eat.

At first bite, the ice cream was very crumbly and brittle, unlike most ice cream that is smooth and creamy. However, after a few minutes, the ice cream melted a bit and was easier to eat. As expected, the ice cream tasted like cookie dough, and I enjoyed the flare of chocolate sauce incorporated into the rolls rather than just being drizzled on top, though I could do with a bit less of it.

With each bite, I craved the ice cream more and more. Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Rolling Moo and got a lot of ice cream for the price of $5.99. I look forward to going back and recommend trying it out.

26 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Kalley Jurgielski

That’s a Bop!

By Abby Shepherd | Staff Writer

Just like the Olathe North student body, music taste is diverse. Today, students listen to a wide variety of music, all in different ways and places. A small group of students were surveyed about their music preferences, such as their favorite genres, and even if music helps them study. Also included are the most popular artists among students!

T

he abundance of streaming services and popularity of different musical artists in culture proves that music plays a central part in lives of everyday people. Most might not realize it, but any significant event in life often has a song, album, or musical artist associated with it.

People are constantly bombarded by music through commercials, movies, and other forms of media.

Throughout the past, teenagers have held great influence over the music industry, as they are the group who listens to the largest variety and amount of music when compared to other age groups.

Young people are also usually one of the largest demographics at any concert. In Ticketmaster’s 2014 U.S. Live

Event Attendee Study, Baby Boomers made up 22 percent of concertgoers, while millennials accounted for 35 percent. The middle-aged made up 43 percent, causing this age group to be the main financial support for most musical artists, with millennials right behind them. Since music is so important to young people, most allow what they listen to define who they are, and they often surround themselves with people who find the same music appealing.

Due to music’s prevalence within society and especially among young people, a survey was conducted among Olathe North students regarding how they listen to music and who they choose to listen to, among other questions. Most students listen to their music through streaming services such as Spotify or Ap-

Your Top Favorite Artists Harry Styles Drake Travis Scott Brockhampton Post Malone Panic! at the Disco

ple Music. Methods of listening to music have become quite innovative over the last few years, and teens have kept up with the diverse mediums. However, some mediums such as vinyl have experienced a revival over the last few years, which was also reflected in our survey. Pop remains the top genre among teens, explaining why “pop” is abbreviated for “popular music”. Nevertheless, rap and alternative music were close in popularity, validating the range in students’ music preferences.

What was most notable, however, is that 90% of those surveyed listen to music every single day. This reveals that for most teenagers, the music they listen to becomes a part of who they are.

No matter the streaming service or genre teens choose, music is and will continue

How do you listen to music?

Amazon Music 2%

Youtube 6%

Apple Music 22%

Radio 6%

Spotify 54%

Design by: Kalley Jurgielski | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

27

Tune Testimonies 50 students were surveyed to get their music opinions on topics from favorite genres of music, to favorite music listening platforms!

How often do you purchase music?

What is your favorite genre?

Classical

Often 2%

2%

Country

Alternative 18.4%

6.1%

Sometimes 44%

Never

Rap

18.4%

52%

Pop

Rock

36.7%

12.2%

Does listening to music help you study?

How often do you listen to music?

A few times a week 10%

No 34%

Yes 58%

Sometimes 8%

Every day 90%

28 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Abigail Miles

The Danger in Identity Politics By: Cade Heikes | Staff Writer

I

dentity politics is, denotatively, the forming of political alliance based only on a particular social background, race, religion etc. It is edging its way into an acceptable state in America and the death of policy debate looms in its wake.

An individual, under this idea, may vote or politically align to one side of the political aisle simply because groups they identify with overwhelmingly hold ground there. Think of this like supporting everything a star basketball player at your school does just because you also play basketball. Ridiculous right? This group identity feels good because one can fit in easier and encounter less political scrutiny, however, it has very alarming implications.

Looking at the causes of the development of identity politics itself can expose the foolishness behind the thinking- enter intersectionality. Intersectionality, in a Leftist definition, means that your opinion only matters relative to how many victim groups you can identify with, leaving the straight white male at the bottom of this hierarchy and with no real defined top, as new groups claim victim status quite frequently. For example, it is much better as a Democratic candidate to be a Native American woman than just a white woman. As the minority statuses add up, intersectionality says, the more merit is lent to your opinion. The idea is embraced because it leaves people exercising their political support with people they “intersect” with in identity rather than political or economic belief. This leaves the Democratic Party harboring the votes of self-proclaimed victim groups at the end of the day, despite the fact that individuals in those groups could very well be voting against their own best interest. This being said is in no way to say minorities do not make well-informed, self-interested decisions, but rather to emphasize a growing political fad that threatens them. Similarly,

we find on the right the same powers of thought at work except in use to maintain holds on the white Christian majority.

This is, based merely on observational evidence, less of a direct result of intersectionality itself, but nonetheless still blatant identity politics and has the same negative effects.

Good reason and logic are whisked out the window if the leaders of your “group” or demographic tell you that you should think a certain way.

Intersectionality breeds identity politics, and this facilitates anti-intellectual and anti-democratic results. Good reason and logic are whisked out the window if the leaders of your “group” or demographic tell you that you should think a certain way. These identity police certainly, but not exclusively, manifest themselves in the form of the media. Often in the media, candidates will get attention and popularity for their basic identity, like Hillary Clinton for being a woman, or Elizabeth Warren for being Native American. This encourages viewers who share those characteristics or even those who simply are a minority to lend their support blindly

without consideration of the policies or character of a candidate.

At the end of the day, these ideas destroy the individual and discourage free thought. The media and interest groups do not want you to evaluate issues from your unique perspective and with your own beliefs and intuition. It leads to judgement on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation etc., rather than one’s individual character and actions. People will expect you to believe certain things because of your immutable characteristics, and no one on any side of the political spectrum thinks that is beneficial or just. This is also accompanied with divisiveness. Identity politics is fueled by self-victimization, which logically requires an oppressor. This unrealistic victim-oppressor paradigm is bound to cause distrust, disunity and polarization; and often the same people who are responsible for self-victimization complain incessantly about political polarization and lack of government productivity.

The wave of negative effects resulting from identity politics is most easily neutralized by individuals unceasingly pursuing knowledge and perspectives on politics and current events. As citizens of a democratic nation, it is our responsibility to be knowledgeable and to weigh the logical conclusions of ideas on the balance of pros and cons. A society in which such people exist in the majority facilitates well-informed voting and political allegiance as well as emphasis on ideas and logic rather than identity. Furthermore, having a keen awareness of political fads and remaining perennially skeptical are great defenses from slipping into feelgood, detrimental allegiance.

Group thinking and identity politics is the realm of the intellectually lazy and willfully ignorant, belonging in the political regrets of America.

Design by: Isabella Bray | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

Olathe North Teams on the Up and Up

29

ON Gymnastics and Girls’ Tennis teams look to revitalize in 2018.

By: Brian Beach | Staff Writer

W

Photo By | Felicia Georgiou

bigger than it was last year, but Olathe North certainly can.

“It is an exciting time to see our sport be brought back to life!” head coach Kristin Ramshaw states. The key to increasing participation has been, “just getting the word out that Olathe North has a girl’s gymnastics team!” Visits to middle schools, summer camps, and the encouragement of other gymnasts has resulted in Olathe North having one of the highest increases in the state, and Ramshaw notes that statewide participation is up 30% to begin with.

However, the quantity is not the only thing Jill Klusman preforms on the beam at that has improved the Girls’ Gymnastics meet on Septemthis year- so has the ber 18th at Mill Creek Center. quality of perforith so many events and activimance. With a full varties going on at Olathe North, sity team this year, the Eagles have placed it can be easy for smaller in the top four in their last two meets (as sports to get lost in the crowd. However, of September 14). Ramshaw does not lack many of these teams have been growing confidence in her team’s future success, rapidly this year, as is their success. Fu- stating that, “when they hit all their roueled by increases in participation this sea- tines, they are going to really start bringson, both the Olathe North gymnastics ing home the hardware.” team and girls’ tennis team are primed Senior Jessica Baugh has benefor success! fited from being a part of a strong gymLast year, the Olathe North nastics program this year, and it has gymnastics team only had one member. shown through her success on the vault.

Two years ago, they did not even exist. She won the event at the Lawrence High Yet, through the persistence of local gym- Meet, but this success has not been withnasts and parents, this year’s Eagle gym- out a struggle. nastics team is thriving. Not many teams While gymnastics may seem can boast about a team that is nine times

more polished than other sports, injuries are still very common. “Twisted ankles are an everyday thing, and then we get rips on our hands. We all just tape everything up and push on,” Baugh states. She also endures chondromalacia, a condition where the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap softens and deteriorates.

Regardless, Baugh loves gymnastics because, “it’s a sport that teaches you discipline and values” and teaches her body control that she can transfer over into the other sports she participates in.

What other information about the team should high schoolers be aware of? According to Baugh, “That it exists.” If you’re still reading this article, then that should be taken care of.

For more information about the team, follow them on Twitter @gymnastics_on.

Olathe North’s girls’ tennis team is another team on the rise in participation and potential this year. The twenty-five girls on this year’s squad make up the largest team in recent history, and they are ready to compete toward their goal of placing in the top seven in the Sunflower League.

What makes the Eagle tennis team special? Head coach Wendy Robinson comments that the girls, “Take care of one another and have a great camaraderie.” This has helped them find success in a sport that is more challenging than most expect.

“In order to play tennis well you have to have great eye-hand coordination, be competitive and be mentally strong. Tennis is a very mental game,” Robinson claims.

These traits will be on full display at the Regional Tournament on October 6th, so come out and support the Eagles as they play for a chance to make State!

30 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Isabella Bray

Not Running ON Empty

By: Hayley Adams | Staff Writer

Above: (From left to right) Sophomore Kyle Yonce, senior Brian Weber, senior Nathan Neumer, freshman Paul Rowden, senior Drayton Sharp, and sophomore Eliot Fyffe start off thier race at a sprint at the Olathe North Twilight Cross Country Classic Meet on September 8th.

Photo By | Marco Bozinos

Above: Freshman DeShawn Gillam competing at the Olathe North Twilight Cross Country Classic Meet on September 8th.

Photo By | Marco Bozinos

R

unning for miles without stopping, not having timeouts or halftimes, and pushing oneself to their limit. These are all things Olathe North’s Cross Country team achieves, all while having fun and building a team.

This year, the Olathe North Cross Country Team began the season by sweeping places 1st through 3rd in the first Girls Junior Varsity Team race on September 1st. The Boys Varsity team also placed and won medals on September 1st and C team won additional medals.

Coach Kimberly Dicus has been a Cross Country Coach for 10 years. “We are a really welcoming and no-cut sport, it’s a great way to condition for other sports in the future,” she says.

“To me, the hard prac-

tices are always worth it when you’re sprinting across that finish line. It’s especially rewarding when you get a new Personal Record,” says Kira Almsberger, Freshman Cross Country runner.

The team also had a Twilight Meet at ODAC on September 9th where they placed 1st, beating 15 other teams.

“The Twilight Meet is really special and unique to us since it takes place at night,” says Dicus.

When Brian Beach, Varsity Cross Country runner, was asked about the Twilight Meet he said “We beat St. Thomas Aquinas at the Twilight Meet, and it meant a lot since the competition was really good.”

Brian went on to say that running at meets like the Twilight meet makes it worth all the practices.

More events the team is looking forward to include their upcoming trip to Minnesota, and the National Qualifying Meet at the end of the year in South Dakota.

Design by: Isabella Bray | October 2018 | Issue 1 | The Chronicle

31

By: Hayley Adams | Staff Writer Above: Olathe North football players line up as they prepare for the opening kickoff against Olathe East at the Olathe North vs. Olathe East game on August 31st. the season was the Varsity trip to Columbine, Colorado. The team left early Thursday Morning, played on Friday night and returned Saturday Morning.

The trip was 4 hours longer than any previous trip. The final score was 48-12, although the team didn’t win, they grew as a team and gained experience.

“We’ve been looking forward to this trip for a while now and we are really had fun and worked hard’ says varsity nose guard Ethan Adams.

The Freshman Team is also motivated for the season and looking forward to more wins like their first game of the season.

“I love Football, it’s one of the most energetic sports ever.”, says freshman linebacker Kaden Gregg. “There’s been a lot of standouts so far, but one of the best was when our freshman quarterback, Noah, made two kickoffs in our first ever game.”

Above: Olathe North football players face off with Olathe East players at the Olathe North vs. East on August 31st.

Photo By | Anna Diehm

F

ootball is one of Olathe Norths most competitive and popular sports. The ON football organization consists of three teams- The Freshman Team, Junior Varsity, and Varsity.

Olathe North’s Varsity Team started the season strong, winning their first game against the Olathe East Hawks 49-20.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but victories like Friday (August 31st) make it all worth it. There is nothing better than having all the hard work pay off,” says Head Coach Walter McCartney.

The football players at Olathe North are very dedicated, meeting almost every day after school to practice so that they can perform to the best of their abilities at games.

The Varsity team won the first two games of the season, the first against Olathe East on August 31st, and the second against Shawnee Mission North on September 7th. The Freshman team has also found early success, winning their first game against Olathe East on August 30th. The Junior Varsity team has also played well this season, winning their September 9th game against Shawnee Mission North 56-0.

According to the Varsity players, one of the biggest highlights of

Photo By | Lana Tarik

Eagles Starting Off Football Strong

32 The Chronicle | Issue 1 | October 2018 | Design by: Jena Bright

North Views | September Photos By: Anna Diehm and Mady Harp

Dog Days at North: Students pet therapy animals in the courtyard during suicide prevention week.

Sweet Treat: Eagle Service Club hands out “cope cakes� to members of the student body during suicide prevention week.

Feline Friendship: Junior Megan Burris holds therapy cat in the courtyard during suicide prevention week.