Senior Issue by The Harbinger

2011

SENIOR

ISSUE

SENIOR PROFILES PAGES 1-6

SENIOR SPREAD

PAGES 8-9

SENIOR COLUMNS PAGES 10-15

SENIOR PROFILES

IANEXLINE

he fresh foods, the “chef language,” the opportunity––all reasons senior Ian Exline has decided to attend culinary school in the fall. After being a part of the culinary arts program at Broadmoor Technical Center for the past two years, Ian has set his heart on becoming a professional chef. Being a chef was not always a part of Ian’s plans. According to him, in the past two

pursues culinary career after discovering it in the Broadmoor program

years it just “fell into place.” He was bored with cooking mundane and uninteresting foods, and wanted something else to do. Most of Ian’s family has gone to the University of Kansas or Kansas State University, but he was determined to break the mold. He didn’t have the plans up until last September: all he knew was that he didn’t want to be here. “I wanted to be as far away from Kansas City as possible,” Ian said. “I like the town––

it just isn’t my town.” After a conversation with his instructor Tobias Dotson at Broadmoor, Ian decided to become a professional chef. Ian will be attending The Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California. It is located in the Napa Valley region; the building itself is an old winery that was converted into a school. Exline sees this as a complete change from school in Kansas City. For Ian, going to California is an exciting experience, but his mom Kathi Exline has a different idea––her terms were that there had to be someone who lived near her son, even if it couldn’t be her. “My prerequisite was that there had to be a family member nearby in case of an emergency,” Kathi said. “He has a cousin in Orange County, so it’s only a two or threehour drive.” In the past few years, Ian has started to try tasting different foods, such as sea urchin and fried fish tails, and through it all he has found a love for Asian-style cuisine. The open-air-markets with fresh foods, such as fish that was caught and sold in the same day, all drew Ian in. The freshness of the food combined with the appreciation that Asian culture has for food has made him fall in love.

“These people are eating fruits and vegetables that no one has ever seen before,” Ian said. “They are eating plants that you would look at and walk away from because they look so weird, but to them it’s a delicacy.” Ian has had his fair share of injuries in the kitchen, ranging from slicing off the very tip of his finger to burning his arm on an oven door. While cutting vegatables, the knife slipped and sliced off a good portion of the top of one of his fingers. He wrapped it in duct tape, put on a glove and finished the evening rush. Ian has found what he wants to do with his life, and his father, Brock Exline, supports him for that. According to Brock, Ian has chosen a career path that will make him happy. “I’m proud of him, and I’m proud of what he’s doing,” Brock said. “I just want him to have fulfillment.” As for Ian’s future, he doesn’t know what exactly that will entail. One day he hopes to own his own restaurant, and be his own boss, but knows that it won’t happen right out of college. “You go into it and you’re going to lose a lot of money,” Ian said, “but you do it because you love it.” //JenniferRorie

GRACEBOEHM takes a gap year in Bolivia to help children in Santa Cruz

ast fall, while seniors were applying to colleges, senior Grace Boehm wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to take. She was planning on going to college, but since she was undecided on her major, she didn’t think she wanted to go immediately after high school. “I basically had a little meltdown and was

like, ‘Mom, I don’t know what I’m going to do with my life,’” Grace said. “My mom suggested that I looked into some kind of service work.” After taking four years of Spanish at East, Grace had always been interested in traveling abroad to Spain, but never had an opportunity. As a very involved member of

her Mennonite church, she received an opportunity to go abroad to Bolivia through the Mennonite Central Conference. She will be spending 11 months with a host family in the church’s day care, Guadaria Moises. Since the school system in Santa Cruz has alternating half days for children, Grace will be tutoring the kids who go during the morning in the afternoon, and helping the kids that go to class during the afternoon in the morning. “It’s the poorest country in South America, so I’m assuming it’ll be really different,” Grace said. “They probably don’t have as much funding, but I don’t know a lot yet.” The trip to Bolivia, sponsored by the Rainbow Mennonite Church, suggests a donation of $4,600 for living costs and health care. Throughout the year, Grace has been holding fund raisers to help pay for this expense. Recently, she held a fund raiser lunch. “I’ve just made $1,380 so I’m kind of getting there,” Grace said. “I have to make the $4,600 by August.” Grace hopes that the trip will give her an idea of the kind of career path she’ll take. She knows she’ll be going to Goshen College, a

Mennonite school in Indiana after her gap year. She hopes to do something involving Spanish, which she’s taken for four years. “I think I want to do immigration law, because I’ll be fluent in Spanish when I get back,” Grace said. “I would do a major in Spanish and a minor in pre-law.” Although Grace’s father Robert Boehm describes having his daughter so far away as “scary,” he believes it will be a great experience for her. For the 11 months she’ll be gone, he says they will be communicating mostly through Skype. “Whatever she needs, she knows we’re there to help,” Robert said. On August 11, Grace will leave for the church’s orientation week in Pennsylvania, where she will learn more about the trip. Then, on August 17, she will fly to Bolivia and return in July of 2012. “It’s a huge adventure and I’ve never really done anything like it in my entire life,” Grace said. “It’s a little nerve-racking, but I’m excited to grow and find what I want to do and have an adventure.”

//MaggieAndriani

MAY 16, 2011

HALEYSTEWART

enior Haley Stewart lives for dance. She has since the time she set foot on Miller Marley’s stage at her first recital in her big puffy, pink tu-tu and slippers when she was five -years-old and completely messed up the routine. “I was the most awkward girl up there,” Haley said. “I don’t think I even got one move right.” Haley kept dancing though. It became an outlet from her home life throughout

or as long as she can remember, Maddie Bavley has been fascinated by human rights. At an early age, when most girls obsessed over princesses and fairy tales, Maddie was more concerned with gender equality. Years later, her passion for human rights remains as strong as ever, but her focus has shifted to issues like immigration reform and racial profiling. Inspired by her philanthropic interests in

pursues dance at California Institute of the Arts

elementary school up until high school. Whenever there was tension at home with her family, Haley could go to dance and temporarily escape from it all. Her mom, Mindy Stewart, a strong supporter of her throughout her years of dancing, always saw something special in the way Haley connected with the audience. Haley would portray a character in a certain story in her performances. One performance that stuck out to Mindy was one in which

MADDIEBAVLEY

Haley played a newlywed woman who discovers she is diagnosed with cancer. “It’s beautiful watching her dance and seeing the emotion she puts into each character she plays,” Mindy said. “It touches my heart seeing that passion she displays on stage.” By sixth grade, Haley carried her passion with her and knew she wanted to pursue dance for the rest of her life. She would spend three hours a night at Miller Marley, perfecting her routines and rehearsing for recitals–dance had become her life. She tried other sports—swimming, diving, basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf and tennis—but Stewart always stuck with dance. “It was that one thing that allowed me to express myself,” Haley said. “In every dance I really have to put myself into it so I can’t think about what’s going on in my life while I’m dancing.” It only made sense for Stewart to study dance in college. She had known for years it was something she wanted to do. She applied to California Institute of the Art (CIA) located in Valencia, CA. Haley decided against trying out for a drill team at a regular college because of the artistic opportunities CIA allowed her. At a regular college, she would

perform with a team at sporting events and national competitions. Through CIA’s dance program,Haley will be able to work with artists at the school whether it be fashion designers designing costumes for the dance program’s shows or working with the music department and incorporating musicians’ original music into her performances. A long with the creative exploration CIA’s dance program allows, it’s location had a large impact on Haley’s decision when she visited it for the first time with her father Deric Stewart in the summer prior to her senior year. When she came home, Mindy recalls Haley describing the school as a “playground”—somewhere she could do anything she dreamed of with dance. “[CIA] is near L.A. and when you’re going into something like dance, L.A. is the perfect setting to pursue it,” Haley said. After studying at CIA, Haley hopes to work for a professional dance company or open her own studio for other dancers who share the same life-long passion she has. “Dance has allowed me to become a much more open person to life,” Haley said. “I can’t picture my life without dance.”

//KennedyBurgess

heads to Columbia University to study sociology

social justice issues, Maddie decided to pursue a major in sociology with a concentration in human rights at Columbia University in New York City. She dreams of becoming an advocate for local New York organizations like Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International, and will pursue a law degree as well, after Columbia, to help her achieve her goal. Human Rights is not a common area of

study in American universities: according to Professor Samuel Boyn, director of the Human Rights Department at Columbia, very few schools even offer a minor in Human Rights. Beginning next year, Columbia will offer a major as well as a concentration, or minor, in Human Rights, a development that Maddie was unaware of when she made her decision. “I think I maybe would try [the Human Rights major],” Maddie said, “but Columbia has a core curriculum that takes about onethird of the academic time, so I don’t know how well I’d be able to fit it in.” Maddie’s decision to attend Columbia was partly based on her belief that attending Columbia would help her ease into the field of human rights advocacy with its proximity to many human rights organizations. Professor Boyn reaffirmed her belief. “We have internship panels and help students make connections through our networks,” Boyn said. “Of course, it is a competitive scene, but being in New York is the best place to be in the world to work at the United Nations or a non-governmental organization.” Maddie’s interest in the study of social issues isn’t a recent development. She decided

during her sophomore year that she wanted to major in sociology and minor in human rights. This led her to consider Columbia, which offered the rare minor. However, this was not the first time Maddie had been introduced to Columbia. Her dad, Kansas City Star writer Alan Bavley, attended Columbia and exposed Maddie to Columbia before she even started considering colleges. When Maddie put Columbia on her application list during her junior year, Alan took her to visit Columbia. The visit had a decisive impact on Maddie’s decision. When it came time to make her big decision, Columbia and two other schools that offered Human Rights rose to the top of her list. At the last moment she chose Columbia, in part because of her two visits there. “I really, really liked the feel of the place,” Maddie said. “It just felt right.” Alan believes that Columbia presents itself as a good fit for Maddie. “She wants to go to a college in an urban area where she will encounter a diversity of people and cultures. What greater melting pot is there than New York?”

//MattHanson

SENIOR PROFILES

ALIMEYER follows her passion for horses by majoring in Equestrian Studies

very day, senior Ali Meyer drives all the way to 183rd and Ridgeview Road to ride horses. She puts on her riding boots, saddles up her first horse for the afternoon, and rides for about thirty minutes. After riding her first horse, she brushes and cleans him and then goes onto the next horse. She is dedicated to the riding aspect,

but her true love is for the horses. “The horses are first and foremost,” Ali said. “Everything else comes after that.” Next year, Ali will be going to Savannah College for Art and Design (SCAD) and majoring in Equestrian Studies. Equestrian Studies is the study of caring for, breeding and the anatomy of horses. “Majoring in Equestrian Studies is Ali-

son’s dream,” mother Jenni Meyer said, “and we think it is fantastic that she is pursing a path that she is passionate about.” With a major in Equestrian Studies, Ali would like to train horses in the future. She would like to buy baby horses, breed them and then sell them. Growing up, Meyer was first introduced to horses by her aunt who owns trail horses and a small barn in Arkansas. She had always loved being surrounded by horses, so when Ali was only four years old, she asked to take riding lessons. “She bugged us for a long time about riding,” Jenni said. “So we let her start lessons when she was in kindergarten.” After quitting gymnastics to spend more time riding and competing, her parents decided it was time to buy Ali her first horse. Ali received her first horse, Red, when she was only eight-years-old. Jenni saw this as an opportunity for Ali to take on the responsibility for the care and well-being of the horse, a task that she “eagerly embraced.” Since Red, Ali has owned four other horses—Opie, Jolie, Sophie and Champ. She still owns and rides Opie, Sophie and Jolie to this

RUSSELLWHITE &TYLERCECIL

hite’s interest in computers and programming started as simple curiosity. “I first gained an interest in CompSci in middle school due to a combination of gaming, and attempting to mod my computer’s [operating system] in ways that I had no business doing,” White said. It was later peaked while White was at Mission Valley, when he did an IEP project in his SEEK class involving programming in the relatively primitive programming lan-

guage BASIC. White was so interested that he decided he wanted to take programming classes at East. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, he was unable to enroll until his sophomore year. “Really this was lucky, since the class that we had that year was very awesome. We had a huge mix of people, most of whom were very interested in [computer science],” White said. Luckily one of those people in was Cecil, who would later be the one to inform White

day. Opie is Ali’s favorite and out of her three current horses, she has had him the longest. “I have a special bond with [Opie] and it’s nice that he shows affection,” Ali said. “Opie likes being around me.” For Ali, working with the horses has made her more patient. They have shown her what her priorities are, and changed her social life as well. Ali finds it easier to show her emotions physically through riding. “I can exert my emotions through [the horses] and not drama and people,” Ali said. Hunter jumper, the area of riding in which Ali competes, requires muscle memory, so Ali feels she can control things by riding. When she rides, Ali can do things fairly close to perfect every time because of her acquired muscle memory. Jenni thinks that Ali’s passion has made her confident in everything she does, not just in her riding. “When she can go get on a horse that is over ten times her size and make that horse bend to her will, I feel confident that she can handle most situations that life will present to her,” Jenni said. //CarolineCreidenberg

will study computer science at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Cecil began his programming career in a similar way to White: as an IEP project for his Enhanced Learning class in elementary school, learning on the center’s Apple II’s. Throughout elementary and middle school Cecil’s parents bought him various programming books, but he says that his skills in the area didn’t take off until his high school classes. In high school the two became very involved in programming. Beyond their programming classes both White and Cecil participated as programmers for the robotics team. They also participated in regional and national programming competitions, with their team including senior Patrick McGannon taking first at the 2010 Kansas State University Advanced High School Programming Competition. Cecil found out about New Mexico Tech last year during the annual College Clinic and told several of his programming classmates. White was immediately interested. “I believe the particular fact that stood out to us the most was that [New Mexico Tech] regularly beat Caltech in programming competitions,” White said. Both Cecil and White visited later in the year, when in both cases it shot to the top of

their college lists. “Upon visiting, I found that I really loved the size of the school, and how close the students were to the faculty,” Cecil said. “It just seemed like the place that I would like— people who study things because it’s their passion.” New Mexico Tech is a New Mexico state university and therefore had a fairly straightforward and simple application process with White and Cecil submitting just a transcript, standardized test scores and a senior course listing. No essays, no teachers’ letters of recommendation. All-in-all the application took them about five minutes. As for future career plans, White and Cecil are both open to just about any job, granted that it’s in the field of programming. “The way I see it, all that is important to me is that whatever I do, it helps people,” Cecil said. “As long as I’m using my skills and helping people at the same time, I’m going to be pretty happy.” With a roughly 2000 students enrolled, New Mexico Tech is a relatively small research university focused on science and engineering, and in terms of size New Mexico Tech won’t be a huge adjustment from East.

//TomLynch

MAY 16, 2011

MOLLYCALDWELL

rading in her bedroom window view of rolling Kansas hills for that of Table Mountain, senior Molly Caldwell will move 8,776 miles away from home to live in Capetown, South Africa. While in Capetown, Molly will work with other college-aged kids for an internship at the Scalabrini Center that assists refugees from Zimbabwe, Congo, Somalia

will volunteer at a refugee camp in South Africa

and Rwanda. Although her jobs will be varied, she will mostly focus on helping refugees prepare resumes and get jobs. This kind of service is something she has always been passionate about. “I’m also interning this summer at Catholic charities here in Kansas City, so this is something I really want to do,“ Molly said. “I really want to become a non-profit manager

and I think these opportunities will help me get involved.” For Molly, the decision to join this program was fairly simple. After having watched other seniors do similar things, Molly’s mom suggested she find a program that she could be a part of. Molly found a website that offered internships to teens in Argentina or South Africa, and she chose South Africa. “As soon as my mom suggested it I was pretty excited that my parents would consider something like that,” Molly said. “So I pretty much jumped at the opportunity to travel.” Having traveled to places like Australia and Mexico herself, Jackie Caldwell was completely behind Molly’s decision. Both of Molly’s parents believe that if you are given an opportunity to travel when you are young, you should take it. Her mother Jackie Caldwell also believed that Molly needed a break after a rigorous schedule. “She has been in IB these past two years which has been pretty intense and we just thought it would be good for her to take a break and go do something different before she dove into college,” Jackie said. Molly and her parents will split the cost.

She will be responsible for paying for her extra excursions and trips and her parents will pay for the housing and flight. These excursions include anything from surf lessons to back country safaris. Despite the extensive amount of research that Molly has been doing in regards to what Capetown and the excursions are like, she is still nervous. “I’m pretty nervous about not knowing anyone going into the program and I won’t know who my roommate is until like a month before,” Molly said. “And I’m nervous for the flight which is like 30 hours.” When Caldwell returns from South Africa in December, she will begin school at Saint Louis University (SLU) with a double major in International Business and International Studies. She will be able to graduate on time due to her previously-earned credits through IB. With a friend already enrolled at SLU, Caldwell and her parents are confident in her decision that she will be able to transition smoothly from Africa back to the United States. “When she gets to Saint Louis, I think it will seem like nothing to her after being in // EmilyKerr South Africa,” Jackie said.

NATHANSIMPSON plans to obtain acting major on scholarship to DePaul

e was a lawyer in the prosecution in the murder mystery of Helen Jones, Mayor of a Russian town under inspection and was the father of six children during the Great Depression; senior Nathan Simpson hasn’t even graduated from high school. Simpson, a avid member in the theater program and recent recipient of a $15,000 scholarship to DePaul, didn’t have much direction before theater.

“I didn’t really have anything, any kind of direction that I could go during college,” Simpson said. “I had music, I’m good at English and I’m a photographer, but none of those seemed like things I wanted to do for the rest of my life. And then I found acting and I felt right doing it and thought, ‘Hey, maybe this.’” Simpson first started acting last year as a junior in then-senior Sarah Evans’ comedic Frequent Friday. He had always enjoyed the-

ater and found it entertaining, but after the Frequent Friday, he knew it was something he wanted to get more involved in. Simpson auditioned for “Grapes of Wrath,” a “main stage” play, soon after his first acting experience and, to much of his surprise, landed a lead role as Pa Joad. He began noticing how much fun he was having acting. How he finally had direction and had an idea of what he wanted to do with is life, and as questions of colleges and fields he wanted to go into came around, he finally had an answer: theater. He began to focus more on his acting, trying to take it to the next level. He took classes at East such as Dramatic Literature and Actors studio, which helped him get the basics of acting down--how to get in character, how to react to a crowd and to broaden his knowledge on all different types of theater genres. Simpson started looking at schools during the summer before senior year and applied to four of the most prestigious theatre schools in the country: DePaul University, University of Minnesota, Boston University and Ithaca College. He went to Chicago to audition for all his “reach schools.” The audition was two, 10-minute monologues that decided if he was in or out. Ten minutes decided whether

Simpson would achieve his goal. He received scholarship letters to the Theatre school at Depaul and Ithaca, and from there, he chose DePaul, thanks to a $15,000 a year scholarship and a program that will send him to Los Angeles and New York his senior year to audition in front of directors and producers. “I couldn’t be happier with DePaul,” Simpson said. Simpson has always lived to reach his goals. Get a state time in swimming. Make State Orchestra. But now, his new goal is monumentally bigger. Act professionally. “I think being in a cowboy movie would be really sweet,” Simpson laughed. “but no matter what I do, theater or on screen, it doesn’t have to be big bucks but if I can support myself doing this, I’d be on cloud nine. I’d be in heaven.” Simpson is ready to take on the new challenges that face him. “It’s weird to think that I’m leaving the ‘nest.’ I guess you could say, but I definitely think I’m ready,” Simpson said. “I feel like, this is a dream come true if I can make this work.” //ChrisHeady

SENIOR PROFILES

BURKESMITH becomes the second player from Kansas to play Division 1 lacrosse

he stereotypical LAX bro: the cutoff, the backwards hat, the overconfident and frat-like attitude. They are seen as the guys that don’t give a damn. The guys who don’t try. Senior Burke Smith just laughs at this stereotype. He’s not that type of guy. He’s a leader on the drum line, a JV cross country runner, and he’s also that guy working on his lacrosse skills, from shooting to sprinting, all

year long, no matter what the season. The hard work is paying off for him, too. Smith is set to attend College of the Holy Cross next fall, and will playing for their Division I lacrosse team. “Holy Cross is just had everything I wanted,” Burke said. “It’s in New England, it’s small, they have strong academics, and I get to play Division I lacrosse.” New England is where Smith actually discovered his love for lacrosse. During his

middle school years, a couple of his friends started to mess around with the sport, so Smith joined them when they attended a camp in Rhode Island. Smith always dreamed of pursuing lacrosse at the next level, but the problem was he wasn’t being recruited. Smith decided to just pitch himself to the collegiate coaches at some of his schools of interests. “I just realized that they weren’t going to come to me,” Smith said. “I knew that if I wanted to play anymore, than I would just need to take it upon myself to make it happen. Pretty soon programs were asking for my film, and about summer workout plans. Actually, lacrosse probably helped me get into a school that I might not have stood a chance at making before.” Smith’s decision to pursue lacrosse wasn’t as easy as it seems. By choosing to pursue athletics, his other love, playing the drums, had to be pushed to the side. “Band was a lot of fun, and it provided a great avenue for me to meet a bunch of different people,” Smith said. “It’s something that I’ll never regret doing, but in the end I just thought I should continue lacrosse while I’m young. I’ll still probably play the drums for the rest of my life, though.” Smith was a proud member of the East

drum line, and he left quite an impression on the underclassmen. Junior Andrew Fischer was just one of the many young drummers that found Smith to not only be a great musician, but a great leader, as well. “He really just made the drum line a lot more fun,” Fischer said. “I don’t know how to describe it, but he brought a lot of energy and was a great motivator. He will be remembered as a guy who knows how to have fun, but also when to work hard.” In the end, Smith thinks he made the right decision. When there is any doubt, he just looks back at this year’s game against Pembroke Hill. “It was the first time we had beat them in our program’s history,” Smith said. “After losing to them year after year, it was such an accomplishment. It was a good game too.” Though Smith will miss the camaraderie of the East team and community, he is ready to take his lacrosse playing to the next level. “I can’t wait to keep up that work ethic at the next level. It’s going to be tough, but it’s an opportunity that I can’t pass up.”

//MattGannon

OLIVIAMANSFIELD plans to sing at St. Olaf College

hrough fits of sporadic sobbing and muffled words, senior Olivia Mansfield struggled to even get a word out. Standing in front of a room of underclassmen choir students, before the last concert of the year, a smile crept across her face as she said the words that she meant with all her heart: “Cherish this.” As a member of high school choir for four years and a Chamber singer for two, Olivia has devoted countless hours of time to perfecting the craft she loves the most––music. During the year, Olivia held the title of Co-

Choir President and handled the non-musical aspects of choir. The most taxing task Olivia took on was designing the T-shirts for the spring concert––working almost entirely alone, she dealt with collecting sizes and money from 400 students. “Nothing about working as the president isn’t fun for me,” Olivia said. “I like being busy, and I wouldn’t rather be busy with anything else.” From the beginning, Olivia was musically involved. Whether she was attending the choir concerts of her mother, Mary Ann

Mansfield, or preparing a duet with her, music has always proven a big part of her life. Even when Olivia was at an early age, Mary Ann knew that her daughter would excel in music. “Not only does she have a beautiful voice,” Mary Ann said, “but she is so musical and that is an inherent gift that can’t always be taught.” Olivia isn’t able to accurately describe the root of her passion. “I can’t say when I ‘fell in love’ with music,” Olivia said. “It’s all I’ve known my entire life.” In the fall, Olivia is heading up to Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College to major in music education. After spending time with choir director Ken Foley, Mansfield knew that teaching music was all she would ever want to do. “You have to have a passion for your subject, which is music,” Foley said. “You have to love it enough to want to teach it to others, and know it well enough.” Passion is something that Olivia isn’t lacking in. This past year she took on teaching a cadet class for the women’s choir. During this time, she got the chance to have a hands-on experience as a legitimate choral director. Olivia lead the girls in various songs and arrangements. After an entire year of cadet teaching, she stood on stage with the

women’s choir and directed them at the last choir concert of her high school career. “Mr. Foley makes it look so simple on a daily basis,” Olivia said. “But as soon as I turned around and 70 girls were staring at me, it suddenly wasn’t as easy.” After teaching the girls, Olivia took away newfound respect for what it’s like to pass on learned knowledge. As well as teaching the lessons, she found that she was learning things on a daily basis. “[The women’s choir] really taught me a lot of lessons,” Olivia said, “the biggest one being that if you really care about something and work hard at it, others will see that and help you succeed.” Foley has no doubt that Olivia has what it takes to succeed in musical education. After watching her and the way she taught the women’s choir, It was apparent that she was inclined. “She really has the passion for music,” Foley said. “I think she would be a great music teacher.” After St. Olaf, Olivia has plans to find a teaching job and begin to make her “difference.” I hope that my classroom can provide a safe place for students that need it,” Olivia said, “and I hope to change lives through //RainaWeinberg music.”

The Harbinger’s broadcast team will be live streaming the Class of 2011 Graduation Ceremony. Tune in on May 18 at 6:30 p.m. www.smeharbinger.net Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SME_Harbinger

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 

(913) 993-6688 or smeharbinger.net

SENIOR BREAKDOWN

ARIZONA

Arizona State University

Reyna, Alicia

Stonebarger, Gail

Haverty, Madison Kurtz, Molly Morris, Emily Nass, Zach Rice, Rachel Rinner, Celeste Weckbaugh, Logan

Read, Thomas

CALIFORNIA

California Institute of the Arts

Stewart, Haley

Culinary Institute of America Exline, Ian Nelson, Sam

Stanford University University of San Diego Lefko, Jeff

University of Southern California Heley, Logan

Ventura College

COLORADO

Roth, Donald

Colorado Christian University

Colburn, Elizabeth

Colorado State University Heidmann, Logan

Bartow, Samantha Martin, Bob Parsons, Vince

Northwestern College Dalal, Prarthana Schoofs, Branden

Schoofs, Eden

SAIC

Sernett, Joe

Indiana University Duvall, Rachel

Kuklenski, Elise

Enger, Collin

Severns, Will

IOWA

Cornell College

Conrads, Kim

Graceland University Bender, Natalie Bautz, Peter

Brummer, Reid Mais, Josh Mergen, Mark Middleton, Madi Joyce, Mary Stiles, John Aldrich, John Berry, Sam Birkenmeier, Cate Bradley, Krey Delara, Rhegg Dolliver, Mac Earley, Hannah Ellenberger, Emily Fischer, Kristen Fischer, Lauren Fosnough-Biersmith, Haley Genton, Sarah Huyett, Isabelle Keller, Alex

KANSAS

Baker University

Meyer, Ali

Harlan, Olivia

Clark Atlanta University

IDAHO

Valparaiso University

Ensz, Chase

Hill, David

Gans, Griff

Johnson County CC

University of Georgia

Harris, Toyrena

Olson, William Sequiera-Costa, Alex

Emporia State University

Brunt, Quan

SCAD

Hodos, Joseph

Westhoff, Katy

Fort Scott CC

GEORGIA

Osborne, Jeremy Perkins, Claire Pointer, Chris Reineke, Andrew Remer-Phifer, Mikaela Rios, Jay Ruiz, Antonio Santa Cruz, Kyle Scott, Scotty Sirna, Jacob Smith, Louis Thomas, Rachael Thrasher, Becca Updyke, Brandon Waugh, Hope Wilson, Amy

Kansas State University

Kost, Kelsey

Galludet University

Jilka, Bert Kashka, Joseph Kaufman, Jacob Kidd, Precious Lang, Carmen Lavender, Jesse Lindsey Hartnett Lybarger, Jake Martinez, Daniel Mathiesen, Micheala McChristy, Skyler McGilley, Maggie Meurer, Riley Nelson, Ean Norman, Preston O’Brien, Jack Orpin, Josh

Grinnell College

Hahn, In Chang Hammond, Kailey Levota, Brian

Sharmacharya, Payal

Atha, Amber Avalos, Marlio Blackerby, Morgan Braden, Sarah Capps, Beth Chadd, Kelsey Clark, Ben Cochran, Briana Collins, Andy Collins, Trevor Dechant, David Dominguez, Pablo Emery, Trevon Evinger, Brandon

Jackson, Perry

Syracuse University

Texas Christian University

Miller, Austin

Aliber, Julie Bever, Katye Burns, Brennan Fuson, Emily King, Lauren Richardson, Katy

OHIO

College of Wooster

Fisher, Haley Frey, Hayden Galvin, George Ganapini, Kaitlyn Gregg, Melissa Griffith, Carly Hayde, Thomas Heath, Kirsten Hengy, Ryan Hicks, CJ Higbee, Todd Hoffman, Rachel Holm, Morgan Jennett, Cory

Kerr, Carter Kerr, Cassie Lackner, Brittany Lage, Austin McKittrick, Sarah Miller, Brett Odell, Taylor Redelsheimer, Graham Ricketts, Kerri Rosa, James Ryan, Andy Slater, Ben Steinbock, Libby Thompson, Audrey Tuschhoff, Michael Weinberg, Raina Woofter, Chase Goering, Emily Slater, Ben Spickler, Bailey

Mid-America Nazarine Simpson, Connor

University of Kansas Ahern, Timmy Amrein, Sam Anderson, Chloe Auer, Drew Barnes, Brook Blackman, Lindy Borgmier, Bailey Bradley, Helen Brooks, Kylee Brophy, George Burroff, Mackenzie Cameron, Sean

Carver, Alex Chadd, Kirstin Chalfant, Julie Christensen, Tony Colebank, Daniel Colom, Niko Crooks, Becca Demetroulis, Mikaila Devries, Jacob Dhar, Aveek Doerr, Caroline Esberg, Jack

Pollack, Alissa

University of Dayton Edmonds, Mark

Fields, Ted Fischgrund, Chloe Foster, Henry Foster, Michael Frazell, Peter Frizzell, David Gaughan, Maddie Gray, Jennifer Griffith, Katie Gundelfinger, Paige Hattaway, Sam Healey, Alex Hung, Tom Hunzeker, Spencer Jamieson, Loren Kanally, Nora Kaplan, Alex Kaufman, Jenna Kelly, Rob Kennelly, Katie Kohnle, Kendall Kurz, Bryan Leek, Abigail Leng, Melanie Liu, Ben Lopez, Rebeca Lynch, Olivia Mackender, Paul Marland, Caroline McClannahan, Susie Melia, Micah Mendez, Cameron Meyer, John Moore, Tirrell Moriarty, Robby Morrison, Andrew Nass, Megan Neidl, Corey Newell, Lauren North, Andrew

O’Connor, Cormac Onions, Steven Papineau, Chad Parker, Natalie Peterson, Pete Pinela, Cristian Roste, Hannah Schumacher, Faye Shackelford, Lydia Sherard, Dana Shirazi, Anousha Simmons, Dennis Simpson, Kevin Smith, Cameron Snively, Emi Spencer, Torry Steiner, Jeremy Stevenson, Graham Stout, Peter Thorpe, Jack Troutman, Molly Tucker, Dejuanne Twibell, Conor Waisner, Ryan Waldon, Reed Ward, Elizabeth Watson, Derone Watson, Riley Watson, Scott Wendt, Tim West, Alex Wickstrom, Andrea Williams, Claire Winn, Drake Woltering, Reed Wooldridge, Darby Young, Peter Zecy, Andrea Zhou, Chenshan

Pittsburg State University Ash, Ryan Clements, Kirby Dees, Alison Ellis, Grant Gilmore, Julia Pavlu, Megan Philpott, Russell

Rosenstock, Ashly Rudolph, Jacob Sheahan, John Stewart, Kaitlyn Sullivan, Ryan Welch, Nathan Wendorff, Allison

Isenberg, Adam

VIRGINIA

Washington and Lee University

Colby, Zach

OKLAHOMA

Enders, Robert

Truman State University

Herring, Jordan

Watkins, Katy

Smith, Burke

Dubois, Oliver Callstrom, Rebecca

Tufts University

Stephens College

Johnson, Brad

Williamson, Brian

Marston, Emma

UMKC

MASSACHUSETTS College of the Holy Cross

Halderman, Grant Harbison, James

Hennig, Callie Tate, Jeff McGillicuddy, Jacob Melvin, Chris

Wellesley College

Dellett, Caroline

Sgroi, Annie

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Hofmeister, Emily

Mytinger, Pauline Swanson, Paige

Rockhurst University Djiko, Nik

Missouri State University

MICHIGAN

Becker, Dylan

Loudon, Thomas

Kalamazoo College

Kansas City Art Institute

Barnett, Caroline

Burton, DJ

MINNESOTA Macalester College

Clem, Angela

St. Olaf College University of St. Thomas Brett, Jackson

MISSISSIPPI

University of Mississippi

Grumbles, Kate

Central Missouri University

University of Missouri Miller, Ford Nelson, Heather Owens, David Pirotte, Alex Rorie, Alex Sherk, Ariana Stewart, Dan

OREGON

Dexter, Meagan

University of Oregon

Brookfield, Margo

PENNSYLVANIA Swarthmore College

Furman University

Shook, Alex

NEW HAMPSHIRE Dartmouth College

Coastal Carolina University Bullard, Olivia

SOUTH DAKOTA SD School of Mines & Tech

Hoffman, Matt

O’Connell, Gillian

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico State University

Sharp, Jesse Brown, Spencer Cecil, Tyler

Rhode Island School of Design

Creidenberg, CC

University of Nebraska

Bernard, Anna Arnold, Rachel

University of Wisconsin

SOUTH CAROLINA

Miller, Lauren

New Mexico Tech

William Woods College

Stanley, Lauren

Heinlein, Grant

Hastings College

TENNESSEE Belmont University

Cox, Katie

Kelly, Sammi

Memphis College of Art White, Russell

NEW YORK

Kerr, Whitney

Rhodes College Dee, Betsy Dee, Jack

WASHINGTON WISCONSIN

University of Tulsa

Walter, Hannah Morgan, Cole

Southern Virginia University

Schulte, Emma

Williams, Charon

RHODE ISLAND

Doane College

University of Virginia

University of Washington

NEBRASKA

Washington University Engelken, Kyle

Oklahoma Christian University

Moskowitz, Alex

Glaze, Heather

Rappold, Molly

MISSOURI Adams, Claudia Bublitz, Hayley Clark, Kirsten Gillespie, Lauren Leiter, Aubrey Lucas, Nick Martz, Paige

Wahrer, Claire

Creighton University

Mansfield, Olivia

Oklahoma State University

Langston University

Saint Louis University

Simmons, Maggie Stradinger, Hanna Jane Tyler, Emma Wilkins, Connor

University of Texas

Miami University of Ohio

Goshen College

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Fort Scott CC

Southern Methodist University

Ramaswami, Keshav

Albano, Alysabeth

Hart, Michael

Angelo State University

Hackler, Allyse

Pratt Institute

Horwitz, Marissa Hunter, Allie

Welter, Emily

TEXAS

Miller, Caroline

Ball State University

Vanderbilt University

New York University

Watkins, Andrew

University of Colorado

Goble, Andrew

McGannon, Patrick Medhi, Robby

INDIANA

Broadmoor Transition Services

Yale University

Bavley, Maddie

Denison University

Wood, Sam

CONNECTICUT

Webster, Grace

Dawson, Jonathan

Kenton, Shauna

Hoffman, Riley Turner, Cole

Wood, Tessa

Podoll, Angela

Seligson, Adam

Front Range CC

Schrock, John

The University of the South

Cornell University

a look at seniors’ post-graduation plans

Guignon, Ross

Arrojo Cosmetology School Columbia University

FORWARD FORWARD

Simpson, Nathan Toombs, Cooper

Taylor University

Throckmorton, Lucas

Lynn, Garrett

DePaul University

Boehm, Grace

Santa Clara University

Adams, Ashley

Tracy, Greg

University of Illinois

Hendrix University

Lanza, Chris

MOVING MOVING

Chicago School of Violin Making

Junk, Grace

Arkansas University

Gibbs, Duncan Hotchkiss, Charlie

ILLINOIS

Colombia College

ARKANSAS Anderson, Jill Bamford, Samantha Blessen, Betsy Boyd, Courtney Collins, Emily Cosgrove, Amy Goss, Madeline Harrigan, Jack

SENIOR BREAKDOWN

Smith, Lysie

WYOMING

Jarrold, Spencer

University of Wyoming

Harris, Kaiha

CANADA HEC Montreal

Laberthe, Pauline

EXCHANGE STUDENTS Fogelgren Brober, Nicole Jacobsen, Celia

GAP YEAR Bailey, Sean Caldwell, Molly Darling, Katie

Otzen, Christian Verdonck, Tatiana

Kavanaugh, Tyler Latshaw, Ricky Roberson, Cody

WORKFORCE MILITARY UNDECIDED Dunn, Dylan

Nicoski, Thomas

Sigler, Marcelino

Block, Emilie Irvine, April Madison, Tim

Mitchell, Logan Rogers, Jameson

See smeharbinger.net for an interactive map of seniors plans next year.

SENIOR BREAKDOWN

ARIZONA

Arizona State University

Reyna, Alicia

Stonebarger, Gail

Haverty, Madison Kurtz, Molly Morris, Emily Nass, Zach Rice, Rachel Rinner, Celeste Weckbaugh, Logan

Read, Thomas

CALIFORNIA

California Institute of the Arts

Stewart, Haley

Culinary Institute of America Exline, Ian Nelson, Sam

Stanford University University of San Diego Lefko, Jeff

University of Southern California Heley, Logan

Ventura College

COLORADO

Roth, Donald

Colorado Christian University

Colburn, Elizabeth

Colorado State University Heidmann, Logan

Bartow, Samantha Martin, Bob Parsons, Vince

Northwestern College Dalal, Prarthana Schoofs, Branden

Schoofs, Eden

SAIC

Sernett, Joe

Indiana University Duvall, Rachel

Kuklenski, Elise

Enger, Collin

Severns, Will

IOWA

Cornell College

Conrads, Kim

Graceland University Bender, Natalie Bautz, Peter

KANSAS

Baker University

Meyer, Ali

Harlan, Olivia

Clark Atlanta University

IDAHO

Valparaiso University

Ensz, Chase

Hill, David

Gans, Griff

Johnson County CC

University of Georgia

Harris, Toyrena

Olson, William Sequiera-Costa, Alex

Emporia State University

Brunt, Quan

SCAD

Hodos, Joseph

Westhoff, Katy

Fort Scott CC

GEORGIA

Kansas State University

Kost, Kelsey

Galludet University

Grinnell College

Hahn, In Chang Hammond, Kailey Levota, Brian

Sharmacharya, Payal

Jackson, Perry

Syracuse University

Texas Christian University

Miller, Austin

Aliber, Julie Bever, Katye Burns, Brennan Fuson, Emily King, Lauren Richardson, Katy

OHIO

College of Wooster

Fisher, Haley Frey, Hayden Galvin, George Ganapini, Kaitlyn Gregg, Melissa Griffith, Carly Hayde, Thomas Heath, Kirsten Hengy, Ryan Hicks, CJ Higbee, Todd Hoffman, Rachel Holm, Morgan Jennett, Cory

Mid-America Nazarine Simpson, Connor

University of Kansas Ahern, Timmy Amrein, Sam Anderson, Chloe Auer, Drew Barnes, Brook Blackman, Lindy Borgmier, Bailey Bradley, Helen Brooks, Kylee Brophy, George Burroff, Mackenzie Cameron, Sean

Carver, Alex Chadd, Kirstin Chalfant, Julie Christensen, Tony Colebank, Daniel Colom, Niko Crooks, Becca Demetroulis, Mikaila Devries, Jacob Dhar, Aveek Doerr, Caroline Esberg, Jack

Pollack, Alissa

University of Dayton Edmonds, Mark

Pittsburg State University Ash, Ryan Clements, Kirby Dees, Alison Ellis, Grant Gilmore, Julia Pavlu, Megan Philpott, Russell

Rosenstock, Ashly Rudolph, Jacob Sheahan, John Stewart, Kaitlyn Sullivan, Ryan Welch, Nathan Wendorff, Allison

Isenberg, Adam

VIRGINIA

Washington and Lee University

Colby, Zach

OKLAHOMA

Enders, Robert

Truman State University

Herring, Jordan

Watkins, Katy

Smith, Burke

Dubois, Oliver Callstrom, Rebecca

Tufts University

Stephens College

Johnson, Brad

Williamson, Brian

Marston, Emma

UMKC

MASSACHUSETTS College of the Holy Cross

Halderman, Grant Harbison, James

Hennig, Callie Tate, Jeff McGillicuddy, Jacob Melvin, Chris

Wellesley College

Dellett, Caroline

Sgroi, Annie

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Hofmeister, Emily

Mytinger, Pauline Swanson, Paige

Rockhurst University Djiko, Nik

Missouri State University

MICHIGAN

Becker, Dylan

Loudon, Thomas

Kalamazoo College

Kansas City Art Institute

Barnett, Caroline

Burton, DJ

MINNESOTA Macalester College

Clem, Angela

St. Olaf College University of St. Thomas Brett, Jackson

MISSISSIPPI

University of Mississippi

Grumbles, Kate

Central Missouri University

University of Missouri Miller, Ford Nelson, Heather Owens, David Pirotte, Alex Rorie, Alex Sherk, Ariana Stewart, Dan

OREGON

Dexter, Meagan

University of Oregon

Brookfield, Margo

PENNSYLVANIA Swarthmore College

Furman University

Shook, Alex

NEW HAMPSHIRE Dartmouth College

Coastal Carolina University Bullard, Olivia

SOUTH DAKOTA SD School of Mines & Tech

Hoffman, Matt

O’Connell, Gillian

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico State University

Sharp, Jesse Brown, Spencer Cecil, Tyler

Rhode Island School of Design

Creidenberg, CC

University of Nebraska

Bernard, Anna Arnold, Rachel

University of Wisconsin

SOUTH CAROLINA

Miller, Lauren

New Mexico Tech

William Woods College

Stanley, Lauren

Heinlein, Grant

Hastings College

TENNESSEE Belmont University

Cox, Katie

Kelly, Sammi

Memphis College of Art White, Russell

NEW YORK

Kerr, Whitney

Rhodes College Dee, Betsy Dee, Jack

WASHINGTON WISCONSIN

University of Tulsa

Walter, Hannah Morgan, Cole

Southern Virginia University

Schulte, Emma

Williams, Charon

RHODE ISLAND

Doane College

University of Virginia

University of Washington

NEBRASKA

Washington University Engelken, Kyle

Oklahoma Christian University

Moskowitz, Alex

Glaze, Heather

Rappold, Molly

MISSOURI Adams, Claudia Bublitz, Hayley Clark, Kirsten Gillespie, Lauren Leiter, Aubrey Lucas, Nick Martz, Paige

Wahrer, Claire

Creighton University

Mansfield, Olivia

Oklahoma State University

Langston University

Saint Louis University

Simmons, Maggie Stradinger, Hanna Jane Tyler, Emma Wilkins, Connor

University of Texas

Miami University of Ohio

Goshen College

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Fort Scott CC

Southern Methodist University

Ramaswami, Keshav

Albano, Alysabeth

Hart, Michael

Angelo State University

Hackler, Allyse

Pratt Institute

Horwitz, Marissa Hunter, Allie

Welter, Emily

TEXAS

Miller, Caroline

Ball State University

Vanderbilt University

New York University

Watkins, Andrew

University of Colorado

Goble, Andrew

McGannon, Patrick Medhi, Robby

INDIANA

Broadmoor Transition Services

Yale University

Bavley, Maddie

Denison University

Wood, Sam

CONNECTICUT

Webster, Grace

Dawson, Jonathan

Kenton, Shauna

Hoffman, Riley Turner, Cole

Wood, Tessa

Podoll, Angela

Seligson, Adam

Front Range CC

Schrock, John

The University of the South

Cornell University

a look at seniors’ post-graduation plans

Guignon, Ross

Arrojo Cosmetology School Columbia University

FORWARD FORWARD

Simpson, Nathan Toombs, Cooper

Taylor University

Throckmorton, Lucas

Lynn, Garrett

DePaul University

Boehm, Grace

Santa Clara University

Adams, Ashley

Tracy, Greg

University of Illinois

Hendrix University

Lanza, Chris

MOVING MOVING

Chicago School of Violin Making

Junk, Grace

Arkansas University

Gibbs, Duncan Hotchkiss, Charlie

ILLINOIS

Colombia College

ARKANSAS Anderson, Jill Bamford, Samantha Blessen, Betsy Boyd, Courtney Collins, Emily Cosgrove, Amy Goss, Madeline Harrigan, Jack

SENIOR BREAKDOWN

Smith, Lysie

WYOMING

Jarrold, Spencer

University of Wyoming

Harris, Kaiha

CANADA HEC Montreal

Laberthe, Pauline

EXCHANGE STUDENTS Fogelgren Brober, Nicole Jacobsen, Celia

GAP YEAR Bailey, Sean Caldwell, Molly Darling, Katie

Otzen, Christian Verdonck, Tatiana

Kavanaugh, Tyler Latshaw, Ricky Roberson, Cody

WORKFORCE MILITARY UNDECIDED Dunn, Dylan

Nicoski, Thomas

Sigler, Marcelino

Block, Emilie Irvine, April Madison, Tim

Mitchell, Logan Rogers, Jameson

See smeharbinger.net for an interactive map of seniors plans next year.

SENIOR COLUMNS

LOGAN HELEY

KEVIN SIMPSON POSITION: Head Copy Editor COLLEGE: University of Kansas MAJOR: Finance

SME much better than stereotypes give it credit for

t took slightly less than four years, b ut it finally hit me. Last Tuesday was my first day of finals. It marked the day of my final twomile track race - a grueling competition filled with hypothetical mind-games to escape the pain. And I was a day away from my 56th and final Harbinger deadline after three and a half years on staff. The end was near. I should’ve been ecstatic. Yet as I flung my backpack into the trunk of my car, a wave of sadness smacked into me. This was the last week that this white Pathfinder, which had been passed down from my older sister to my brother and finally to me, would rattle down Mission Road and park alongside a fleet of cars belonging to people I have known and grown to love over nearly two decades. Driving to school that day, I realized that I ‘m not sharing the graduation giddiness that surrounds me. Sure, I’m excited to graduate on Wednesday and then eventually head down K-10 to Lawrence to attend the University of Kansas. But as I consider the next chapter in my life, I’m not yet ready to turn the page on the current one. Shawnee Mission East may receive some unnecessary criticism from those that aren’t familiar with the staff and students here. They think that they have the East stereotype pegged - a group of spoiled, unmotivated students that never do anything for themselves. Having attended, and hopefully eventually graduated from, this fine institution, I can attest to the fact that these people couldn’t be more misled. There are few other places where nearly every major academic program journalism, theatre, choir, marketing, debate - competes and excels at the national level. There are few other places where the teachers care so much about the students and their work that they’ll stay at school, away from their family, until 10 p.m. on a deadline or work late into the night in an Orlando hotel room just to ensure that every single student’s DECA presentation is completely ready for the judges. There are few places where the students are so aware of the problems in the world around them that they insist on finding ways to solve them. There are few other places where students develop a bond over their high school experience that results in an essentially familial senior class, year after year. And there are no other places at which I’d

rather have spent my last four years. I spent my last four years at a place where even those lacking a blazing fastball or smooth jumpshot can still enjoy a long athletic career. Freshman B basketball, Cteam soccer, JV tennis - I tried them all out my first three years before finally deciding that running was my true passion. And it was on the cross country and track teams that I found an additional group of friends to endure Chaffee’s track workouts and banter with about the KU/KSU rivalry. I spent my last four years at a place where the right leaders and resources exist to pursue any area of interest, regardless of how unique it may be. I had grown up always hoping to become a sports broadcaster. I leave East having provided play-byplay commentary for over 50 broadcasts in five sports. While the long drives to Emporia, McPherson, Olathe and Lawrence may have become a drag, I’m fortunate to have been the voice of the Lancers as the football team captured the Sunflower League title and as Shawn Hair’s young squad upset the BV North Mustangs in the substate semifinals on the hardwood. And I spent my last four years at a place where a perfectionist from Texas taught me to take more pride in telling the stories of others than I did my own. At the beginning of the year, I had the privilege of meeting Rachel Hoffman, a senior that refused to become discouraged at her grim 15 percent chance of survival from a rare blood cancer. Through the Harbinger, I had the opportunity to share her courage and perseverance with the school that she will proudly graduate from on Wednesday. And it was this same publication that gave me a sense of responsibility to describe in a few words a life that deserved many more. As I sat at Panera with the grieving mother of Elizabeth McGranahan while she described her deceased daughter’s wonderful communication abilities, I realized that the power of storytelling can keep a spirit alive. As the year wound down, I tended to avoid statements detailing my senioritis or general discomfort with second semester education. It simply wouldn’t have been true. I’ll miss my classmates, I’ll miss the teachers and I’ll miss the relatively low level of stress that we all are able to enjoy. The first thing I learned here is the final line I’ll write as a Harbinger staffer: it’s always great to be a Lancer.

POSITION: Web Co-Editor COLLEGE: USC MAJOR: Broadcast Journalism

Opportunities abound, but only if you take them

s an eighth-grader I was the king of Antioch Middle School. Walking through the halls I could greet every person with a smile and genuinely mean it. When the new stadium opened up at SM North that year three friends and I painted our chests in Cardinal and black and went to see the first game ever (the Cougars destroyed the Indians). I was a diehard Indian, more than anyone I knew. Over the summer I went to a party at Cooper Toombs’ house with a friend from church and spent most of the time awkwardly on the side. I only went to two days of the week-long incoming freshman soccer camp because I decided I wasn’t good enough (at North that wouldn’t have been an issue). I threw on black shoes, tall red socks, black shorts and a red North tee and went to an Indian football game a few weeks into the school year. Luckily I was out of town for the Nut Cup that year. At times I would cry. For the decision my parents forced me into. For my social life. For my former school. I kept telling my North friends that I was coming back. On the last day I school, I would tell them, I’m decking myself out in North apparel just to spite those stuck-up East kids. Of course, that didn’t happen. My mom had told me to “grow where I’m planted.” And, occasionally, mothers make some sense. Freshman year was a rough transition for me. The transfer was my parents’ idea, not mine. Probably my biggest regret of my high school career is not getting involved in a sport or activity that fall. I made the first round of basketball cuts, but not the second (again, at North that wouldn’t have been an issue). I honestly can’t remember hanging out with any fellow Lancers outside of school that first year. I hadn’t found a home at East and I actually had to fly 14 hours away to find it. It was an unassuming fall day and my mom was giving me a ride to school in our silver Honda Odyssey. Mr. Nickels had begun planning yet another summer trip, this time to China. He had previously taken two of my aunts to Europe (one actually got concussed when a window fell on her in a train) and I casually asked my mom if she thought I could go this year. The $4,000 price tag was daunting and I didn’t think for a second that I would be

able to go. Nickels wanted us to give him a number, 1-4, letting him know how likely it was that we would be going on the trip. Four meant for sure yes and one was absolutely no. My mom told me I was a four, I could go. At first I thought she had mixed the meaning of the numbers up and meant it like I absolutely couldn’t go, but then I realized something that I’ve remembered to this day – there are more opportunities available to me than I could ever imagine, I just need to act on them. The trip would be expensive, but my mom said it was too good of an opportunity to let go. “They can take away your Visa, but not your memories,” my great uncle once told my aunt. Not only was the trip incredibly amazing (about 40 classmates and seven “chill” teachers like Ms. Fishman and Mr. Chaffee toured China’s stunning sights), but everything I’ve done since then has been defined by that moment in the family van with my mom. Limits were only barriers that needed to be passed through on the way to something better. To begin my new journey I joined The Harbinger, I was elected a class representative on Student Council and I became one of the loudest voices in the stands at East sporting events, donning the Columbia Blue SME cap from the ‘80s that my grandpa gave me. Some of this may hold true for others, but we each have our own unique path. It’s quite possible that you’ll come to East and feel like you have to fit a mold or become a stereotype. That just isn’t the case. You can do whatever you want (within reason) at East and the only person preventing you from doing any of it is yourself. I came to East knowing only a select few people that I had met at the Highlands E.L. Center in elementary school. But in just two days I will be addressing my class at Graduation as East’s student body president. If you move on to the next senior column with anything, let it be this: Realize who you are and realize your potential. Nobody’s stopping you. Thanks for your support these past four years. East is a better place because of readers like you. And remember, Slytherin rules.

MAY 16, 2011

GRANT HEINLEIN

DAN STEWART

POSITION: Co-Photo-Editor COLLEGE: RISD MAJOR: Undecided

POSITION: Co-Photo-Editor COLLEGE: University of Missouri MAJOR: Journalism and Business

Art, basketball and my attempt to discover myself

igorously pushing the blue gym doors ajar, I brace myself for the frigid breeze of mid-December. I sprint towards my father’s car, desperately hoping that my flowing tears won’t freeze to my ever-so-juvenile face. Opening the passenger-side door, I throw my bag into the back and close myself in, escaping the winter storm that is swiftly approaching. Absorbed by the depths of my seat, I sob silently for the fifteen-minute ride home. “Why does it have to be like this?” I murmur under my breath over and over again until we arrive in the frozen driveway. Running inside, I drop my things and collapse on my parent’s bed, sobbing to the point of muteness. Never before had I thought that a simple nickname from basketball practice could break me down to the point that it did. Freshman year was tearing me apart. But in its own unique way, it was slowly inching me near a life-changing experience. I spent the year immersed in self-doubt, second-guessing life each and every day, but through my struggles I discovered my place on this earth; something I had yearned for greatly. High school started off about as well as was possible. Within a few months, I somehow managed to score a date to Homecoming and make the cut for this beloved school’s overly competitive freshman basketball team, accomplishments in the least. Unfortunately, the naiveté of freshman year soon subsided. Being on the team was painfully difficult; I was made fun of with a flagrant disregard for my feelings, causing me to cry myself to sickness. I was weak. Life was a struggle, something I refused to deal with. Trudging my way through the school year, I longed for a glimmer of hope, which I deemed nearly impossible until my arrival at an earnest summer camp in Durango, Colorado. Going to camp was my last ditch effort to regain the life I once had years before the daunting halls of high school. While there, I escaped from reality for thirteen days, left technology behind as I buried myself in the woods, and attempted to regain my

identity. I did. For the longest time I had focused on being popular, trying to fit into the stereotypical mold. I donned the attire, inherited the crude humor, and eventually forgot all about life as a whole. Each person in this world is created differently; we are unique to our bodies and minds. Attempting to conform to the ways of my peers was only tearing me from myself. Walking into class with my newly found headband and TOMS, I returned to school for my sophomore year only to be coined the “indie” one. I had cared so much previously about what my peers thought of me, but suddenly none of their words stuck. The incessant use of the word felt like an insult, but I learned to take it as a compliment, noting that I was finally discovering myself in the truest of forms. I explored new passions through artwork, constantly inspired by the shapes and smells of nature. My friendships at school resumed, and conversations rekindled. New friends, too, were established, and I forgave my teammates from the previous year. My life was finally beginning to make sense; I saw a true and bright future for myself, and worked diligently to accomplish the goals I set for the coming school year. Shawnee Mission East has forced me to grow in ways that I never would have expected. I’ve gone through stages where I just wanted to turn my back and keep to myself. It took me three years to find my fit among the student body. The feeling was obvious once I experienced it. And to constantly say that high school wasn’t for me, or that I was just waiting for the next step in entering college, was to miss out on the chance to experience something great – something that changed the way I viewed the world. I’m not attempting to say that I have everything figured out, but rather that I believe that I understand what is truly important in this life and the days to come. Popularity will absolutely get you places, but I don’t want to live artificially, constantly searching for the approval of others. I want to make my own path. Life is carved out of problems and surprises, each awaiting my discovery.

It’s only awkward if you make it awkward

fter only two days of high school, one of them being freshmen orientation, I found my pre-teen, pasty, ginger, braced-faced self lost in a crowd of two thousand plus people. I had my over sized backpack and my handdrawn, but detailed, map of the entire school. Yet, I was certain I was not going to survive high school. My heart started to beat faster as I moved through the massive crowd. After squeezing my way through, I ran toward the stairwell while looking back and cursing under my breath at the swarm of people. I did not see what was ahead of me––a 6’5” wall of football-playing senior. I rammed into him, and somehow, in a perplexing balance of physics, my body did him in. The next thing I knew, he was on the ground. I couldn’t speak. I just waved my hands, stuttered, “Uh… wow… bye,” and sprinted up four flights of stairs. What followed were the most threatening words of my high school career: “Get back hur, punk!” It’s not surprising that this would happen to me on my second day of school. I was awkward. I’ve had more than my fair share of awkward experiences throughout high school. My voice was a galumphing train ride of pitches. I wasn’t great at forming phrases that made sense. Worst of all, I was the kid who could never think of the right thing to say in the moment. My thoughts seemed to come out too early or too wrong. At 6:59 a.m., jamming out to Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time, I pulled into the sophomore lot. As I opened the door to my cherry red Dodge minivan, the loose seat belt caught my pudgy leg. In seconds I hit pavement. I picked my things up and tried to hold back tears of embarrassment. A snicker came from a tall skinny blonde girl standing right in front of me. Her beauty made me tear up even more. Our conversation went a little like this: “Are you ok?”

“Ugh…ha…no.” “Can I help?” “Help? Um…are you ok? I gotta go. Bye.” As you probably guessed, I didn’t have many friends, and I was sure my awkwardness was the cause. How was I supposed to make friends if I didn’t feel comfortable with myself? So I devoted myself to changing this aspect ––my awkward nature. But then junior year, while waiting for my girlfriend (yes, I know what you all are thinking––“how did he get a girlfriend?”), I was inspecting the vases in her family’s dining room cabinet. I swear I’m not making this up it is just a perfect example of how awkward I am. I turned to her mother and said, “You have such nice jugs.” From there it was all a blur; all I remember is her saying, “She’ll be down in a minute.” Sure enough, my futile attempts at reform didn’t work. My awkward nature continued to be a part of who I was. This year, standing in a dolphin costume (which in no way resembled a dolphin) I urged the East populous to give money to an animal that didn’t even reside in our area. I thought to myself, “How awkward is this?” But I was having the time of my life in possibly the most awkward situation. So, it wasn’t really awkward after all. Through this year, I’ve discovered that being awkward is a part of my nature that can’t be changed. I can use it to make people laugh. I can take deviant pleasure in making people feel uncomfortable. For example, this year I went around swimming my hand between other’s legs and crying out, “Awkward salmon!” (I apologize to all those who were subjected to the salmon). But most importantly, I found a disarming way to connect with everyone. Everyone has their awkward moments, and instead of being embarrassed them, they’re a part of us that should be embraced and enjoyed. The awkward moments in life are always what we remember fondly and will fuel our laughter for years to come.

Check out Grant Heinlein and Dan Stewart’s Final Say on www. smeharbinger.net

SENIOR COLUMNS

SARAH McKITTRICK

ANNA BERNARD

POSITION: Features Editor COLLEGE: Kansas State University MAJOR: Undecided

POSITION: Freelance Page Editor COLLEGE:Washington University MAJOR: English

Swim season is a great experience from high school

reshman year I was dreading the upcoming swim season. After hearing my older sister Melissa talk about the many trials of swimming I was anxious to see if I would be able to make it through the three months of three hour practices and long two-day meets. I knew she loved it, but I wasn’t so sure. Still, I decided to give swimming a try. Fast forward to senior year and I could hardly wait for swim season. The days of spending three hours in the musty East pool with my swim team couldn’t come fast enough. I counted the days until I could don my suit, cap and goggles and dive into swim season. So what caused this change of heart towards swimming? As I try to answer this question, I can easily get lost in the memories I have of swimming at East these past four years. I automatically think of last year, and the amazing feeling of winning a state championship for our school. It was an incredible feeling to stand on top of the podium with some of my best friends and realize that we had accomplished one of our loftiest goals. But there are also so many smaller, seemingly less important memories that define swim season and make it so important to me. Like the way fruit pizzas disappear at team dinners. Like the countless times our team decides to go out to dinner or watch movies on Friday nights even after spending more than three hours together in the pool. Like the way our whole team burst into tears when one of our swimmers got her state qualifying time last year at League. All of these memories, big and small, come together to make an incredible three months. Each season, especially this senior season, absolutely flies by. With less than one week until graduation, it still hasn’t hit me that I’m about to graduate high school. And I don’t think it will until I swim my last race as a Lancer. Although I haven’t really started getting sentimental about leaving the halls

of East, every once in awhile I look at the swimming girls and how much fun we’re having and I start to feel tears form. It comes at different times. When the seniors are getting announced for Senior Night, when my 400 freestyle relay psyches ourselves up to swim at League, when we’re all crowded around a table eating fruit pizza and talking, even now when I’m trying to write this column. Even though I’ll miss the sport of swimming, the real thing that gets me is not getting to spend every day with my team. Simply put, my attitude towards swim season changed because of the amazing girls I am lucky enough to call teammates and the experiences we have been through together. Not only are these girls there for each other after someone adds several seconds in a race, but also when someone fails their Calc test or just has a bad day. I know I can always count on those girls to put a smile on my face and pick me up when things aren’t going my way. When people ask me about the swim team, many people can’t imagine how a group of girls can become so close when they spend the majority of time at practice with their faces plunged beneath the water. Even if that is the case, throughout the morning practices hours before school, months of not shaving and promises that our worn down bodies will swim fast in a salt-water pool, an unbelievably strong bond is created. A lot of people consider swimming to be an individual sport, but after 4 years of swimming, I know differently. Part of what scares me most about graduating is not getting to see some the amazing people I have met at East everyday, especially my swim team. However, I know that the friendships swimming has created for me will not only follow me to college, but will surely stay with me for long after that. After all, a pool of water couldn’t stop our chatter and laughter so why should a little time or distance?

Journalism and Debate teach similar lessons

am half-debater, half-journalist. This goes further than just enrolling in Advanced Debate first semester and Advanced Journalism second semester. I define my other extra-curriculars by whether they identify more with public speaking or writing. Not a lot of students have tried this combination, so it surprised me that the two had more than surface similarities. A little background first: at the beginning of high school, I balanced the two fairly well, even while taking journalism year-round sophomore year. Joining International Baccalaureate junior year meant I had only one slot open for electives. Not wanting to choose between the two classes I loved, I split that spot in two. Summers were a different matter. The best debaters went to three- or four-weeklong debate camps. I was also strongly encouraged to go to a journalism convention. The two almost always overlapped. Not able to split that spot, I went to debate camp for two years, at UMKC then Gonzaga University, and a journalism workshop for one week in Dallas. This balancing act has always been exhausting. Both activities are extremely time consuming, but in different ways. The bulk of my debating happened on Fridays and Saturdays, while journalism was mostly during the school week. The East debate squad and newspaper staff are two of the largest in the state, if not the country. Transitioning from debate to newspaper is harder than you’d think, and walking into room 521 the first day back from Winter Break is nerve-wracking. The mindsets and group dynamics are completely different in an inexplicable, you’d-have-to-bethere kind of way, but I’m always amused by the few things that are the same. Newspaper and debate kids can both be really dorky over certain things. For example, debaters can become ecstatic if President Obama manages to pass some policy that is good for a certain argument,

just as the newspaper staff was when they found out his campaign font was the same as the Harbinger’s headline font. Both the debate room and the journalism room have some of the school’s only couches— highly coveted spots, but fought for more aggressively in debate, since there are two sofas in the journalism room and the seats are covered in random AP stylebooks and forgotten props for photo illustrations. Finally, both advisers’ real first names begin with “C,” but they go by different ones, and are most commonly referred to by students as either just “Tate” or “Witt.” There is one slightly terrifying similarity between the two—the Critique/ Kritik. Critique Day in journalism and the Kritik argument in debate were the things I feared. In anticipation of both, my stomach would clench up, my face would go red, and I would have the inexplicable need to go to the bathroom. The possibility of hearing my story evaluated in front of the entire class or being forced to debate theoretical texts from random philosophers evoked the exact same reaction— complete and utter dread. Yes, both activities taught me the virtues of hard-work, discipline, teamwork, and responsibility, but the biggest “lesson I learned” would be working for growth. I started off in both newspaper and advanced debate as a scared sophomore, and I really wasn’t that good at either, but I like to think I’ve gotten to point where, though I might not be exceptional, I’m much better than I started. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t hyperventilate at all when I hear the word Critique/Kritik, which is pretty extraordinary in and of itself, since at the beginning of my debate/journalism career, I would be in a constant state of about-to-throw-up. Though one day, I will inevitably be forced to choose between the two careerwise, I think I’ll always be an amorphous, fused journalism-debate combo in my heart. And that’s just fine with me.

MAY 16, 2011

RAINA WEINBERG

AUBREY LEITER

POSITION: Opinion Section Editor COLLEGE: Kansas State University MAJOR: Undecided

Some high school clichés can actually be rationalized

n my very first day of high school, I found myself wandering around through the basement of East––crying. It’s 8:10 a.m. and I’m already 30 minutes late to my first hour. How I got down to the basement when I was looking for a class on the fourth floor is still a mystery to me. After 10 more minutes of aimless walking, I arrived at room 416. With a rosy-flushed face and tear streaks still visible, I walk in and take a seat only for the bell to ring five minutes later. Everyone has their high school stories: the clichéd moments that we are told we will remember forever. Coming into Shawnee Mission East, I hoped that I would forge my own path and stay clear of all things reprehensibly “high school.” To say I failed at this would be an understatement. I spent a total of four months and one week grounded throughout my time spent in school, attended countless school sponsored events, bought into the “we are a family” bit and sang my heart out during the school song every time it was initiated. Calling all of the trials and tribulations of high school clichéd is completely accurate––but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Every teenager endures high school. It’s universal. As much as we try to fight it, we are all a part of one big cliché. After that awkward first encounter, school went on and as it did, I found that more often than not, the teen movies were right. There were cliques and they even came with names. Students were labeled by their choice of clothing, and rebellion against the administration became an overpowering ideal of the students, as was proven by a quick read of the coveted Eastonian. I had the quintessential awkward first Homecoming, clad with a date who wore a tweed suit and worst of all, my overzealous parents used disposable cameras––yes, plural cameras. I couldn’t even begin to unscramble the complexities of pinning a boutonniere and my date. Following Homecoming, the painful teenage moments occurred more frequently and in a heightened manner. In embarrassing pre-teen fashion, I’ve had a true-to-form “totally obsessed/in

love with” crush every year of high school up until senior year. These trivial crushes consisted of me spending extra time getting ready on the days that I would have class with them, and feeling extreme elation when we spoke to each other (“Can I borrow a pencil?” “Yeah, sure”). After every year came to a close, I regretted how little I took action, even if it was just trying to form a friendship. When the next year began, I took one look at my previous year long crush and thought: “What the hell?” With my new “mature” taste, my yearlong crush would return to school looking significantly less attractive and having lost the previous year’s allure. At the beginning of my junior year, I found myself in the back of a cop car with an officer relatively less cool than the ones who apprehended McLovin in Superbad. Unfortunately, Jonah Hill and Michael Cera didn’t come to my rescue. The phrase, “worst night of my life” would be frequented for the weeks to come and most would reply with the ever so comforting you’re “screwed,” “effed”or “mipped.” I fought the law and the law really did win. Senior year arrived, ringing of overused terms like, “everything will be your last,” “enjoy it while you can” and the king of clichés –– “It will be over before you know it.” Yes, I will admit that I did cry at two football games. Only the first time was caused after everyone rushed the field and I let my foot get trampled by a bunch of cleats. The second, our last game against Olathe South. I wasn’t even your typical, “I’ve been to every game since freshmen year” kind of person, but as the school song began at the end of the last game, it hit me. The end. I suppose I never actually thought high school would end. I’m not joking when I say Lancer Day felt like yesterday. No, seriously. Time has passed me by at an alarming rate. I’m no longer afraid to be clichéd and say I wish there was more time. As much as my skin is crawling with prospects of the future, high school passed and now is the first time I have actually stopped to take a look at it. So here I am, the clichéd, high school almost-graduate staying true to all the clichés as I say to you: love it all. I know I did.

POSITION: A&E Section Editor COLLEGE: University of Missouri MAJOR: Journalism

Journalism class can change lives

o this day, I can remember year how reluctant my confidencelacking freshman-self was to spend fourth hour in room 521. The Jroom legitimately scared me. Playing the “name game” even made me nervous. I was terrified of the upperclassmen, I didn’t speak and the thought of writing a real story with real sources to actually be published scared the hell out of me. Fast forward three-and-a-half years later, and I have no idea where I would be without the journalism program. It has changed me more than I expected and I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of such a great group of people. Socially, my progression in the journalism room is enormous. I used to sit alone after school doing all of the circulation work, which entailed sending over 300 copies of the Harbinger to schools around the country, until 5 p.m. because I was too scared to ask for help. This task could have taken me 30 minutes as opposed to three hours if I wasn’t so terrified of talking. Now, I am probably one of the most talkative people in the room and have taken on the unofficially official position of CoSocial Coordinator where I plan bonding activities for the Harbies. My actual work in journalism has definitely grown throughout the years. Due to my lack of initiative and confidence, I had three stories fall through my first semester and I was only assigned four. I’m proud to say that hasn’t happened since and my writing has improved. I was able to write a story about a teenage mother and make her struggles come alive through my writing, and also do investigate-reporting on students abusing Adderall. In design, I sure hope I have grown because I might’ve been the worst “Mixed Page Editor” the Harbinger has ever seen. My second page was on the Farmer’s Market and was absolutely heinous. I individually cut out vegetables and put them on a table. Needless to say, it looked nothing like the Farmer’s Market. Now, design comes easy and I find myself critiquing other magazine’s and newspaper’s design as I read them. Being a part of this program has definitely come with some very stressful and awful times like the time my page was completely deleted at 7p.m. on deadline

night. I broke out in my nervous rash (my friends call it Angelica) and the editors thought I was going to explode. Looking back on those times, it’s funny now, but at the time, I was about ready to quit. Even though being apart of the Harbinger comes with tons of stress, if I wasn’t a part of the staff I wouldn’t have been able explore Washington D.C., walk the streets of Portland or go to a baseball game in Arizona. The journalism conventions were always a blast because people from the other schools would treat you like celebrities. Oh my gosh, you’re on the Harbinger? I love your paper! How could you possibly publish every two weeks? Your paper is 32 pages, how do you do it? Complete strangers saying stuff like this makes all of the stress worthwhile. I know a large part of my growth in this program has to do with our advisor Dow Tate. He is absolutely the best teacher I’ve ever had and the most dedicated one as well. In Journalism 1 he gave me a 45 percent on my first story. Getting this grade absolutely freaked me out but I know it helped me in the long run because it pushed me to get more sources on my next story. He treats his job as more than a job; not very many teachers would stay up at school until 10 p.m. because we all procrastinated too long and were behind in the issue. He has always made sure to let me know that he liked or didn’t like something I had designed or wrote. If he didn’t like it, he told me what I needed to do differently and I kept that in mind for the next story. And when I would ask for a critique on my page he always gave it to me, and his sentence usually started with “I don’t hate it…” Getting an “I don’t hate it” from Tate is a kind of a compliment. I know when he completely rips up my story and there is more red pen than actual type, he does it with the best intentions. Most of us will walk out of here as hard as rocks and can handle critique. I know that will help us so much in life. The fact that I believe that being a part of a school program can make me grow as much as I did, you might find a little clichéd. But I was lucky enough to a part of the best. I can strongly and confidently say that I wouldn’t be who I am without it.

SENIOR COLUMNS

KATY WESTHOFF

BOB MARTIN

POSITION: Editorial Editor COLLEGE: Baker University MAJOR: Undecided

POSITION: Copy Editor COLLEGE: DePaul University MAJOR: Digital Cinema

‘Toy Story 3’ makes it OK to say goodbye

am only marginally embarrassed to admit that I cried at the end of “Toy Story 3.” And that’s because if you didn’t cry, your heart is made of stone. But it was a little more personal to all of us graduating seniors. Andy’s life was soon to be ours. I knew that a year from seeing the movie, I would be in the same place. My two sisters, ages 8 and 10, soon to be fighting over who gets my room, making decisions on where to move what was once my bed, my dresser, my desk. Filling what was once my closet with clothes of their own (many of which are just more hand-me-downs from yours truly). They’re so innocent and young. And in the target demographic for the Toy Story franchise. It’s weird. Because I’ve been here so long and it’s where I became the person I am. Not just my room, but here at East and here in this city. And there are so many people to thank (blame?) for that. Like a bird making a nest, I’ve worked the past 18 years to pull in all the advice and mementos and people. My Woody and Buzz are everything I’ve seen; are all of my neighbors; it’s Mrs. McCarthy teaching me how to spell “Mississippi” in first grade and Mrs. Sirridge showing us “The Princess Bride” in Advanced English in middle school and all of my teachers fostering my love to read and write. In second grade, we had to write a little paper book about anything we wanted. I took it a little far–I wrote five. A series about crime-solving polar bears in detective hats in Antarctica, on the prowl for the missing magical ice cube. I decided I wanted to own my own publishing company on the moon. I wanted to be a veterinarian. I wanted to be president. What happens when I can’t hold onto all of that anymore? I’ve constructed this nice, comfortable

bird’s nest, and I’m happy with it. That’s what Andy’s toy chest was to him: his own, personal nest. Woody and Buzz and all of the memories connected with the gang is where he wanted to stay and who he wanted to stay with. There was no hesitation in pulling the posters off the wall, throwing the rest of his books and his toys in the attic. The pause comes when he has to say goodbye to Woody. “But the thing that makes Woody special, is he’ll never give up on you... ever. He’ll be there for you, no matter what.” So here we are, time to say goodbye. I can’t say I’m quite ready to say goodbye. I can’t say I’m ready to leave at all. It’s been nice here, in this little nest I’ve made for myself. And I know that once I leave, my sisters will curl right in, right where I made myself so comfortable. They’ll add their own flair to the nest, take what is left of my childhood and give it their own. Andy left his nest with the little girl down the street. And he drove away. He didn’t give up on Woody, though. That’s how I felt at first. That by driving away with that one fleeting look was giving up. But really, taking Woody with him would have been the path that admitted defeat. Andy couldn’t admit that Woody had nothing to offer anyone anymore, that it was the end of the line. He recognized that Woody and the rest of what was once his nest had so much more to offer. So does mine. Watching the end of “Toy Story 3” with my sisters, a box of Kleenex by my side, I think I’m maybe a little bit more ready to leave. It’ll be hard, in August, when my room is empty and I’m crying again and it will be time to leave my nest behind. But if Andy can do it without Woody, I figure maybe I can manage.

A letter to the readers of the Harbinger

ear reader, I sincerely regret to inform you that this is the end. The final, the last, the ultimate piece I will write for the Shawnee Mission East Harbinger. We’ve been through a plethora of issues together––almost 48 in the last three years––and it has finally come time to sign off. You’ve been there every step of the way, and for that I would like to do my very best to formally thank you before heading off to take on the rest of my life. You see, reader, you’ve been there from the beginning. When I was wandering around the dusty unfinished halls of a remodeled Shawnee Mission East speaking to sweaty and jovial construction workers, you were right there beside me. When chills ran down my spine upon an initial listen to Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” you were the first one I was able to vividly describe it to. You even listened intently as I struggled to find the words to piece together a profile on the incredible braveness and determination of the beloved Elizabeth McGranahan. And with every story, column, or review, you watched me grow as a writer, as a student, and as a person. Writing for you every other week didn’t come naturally: it was a process. Initially, I distanced myself from harder stories. My diction and flow were all over the place, and I was an amateur in every sense of the word. Rather than the conciseness of describing something in a word or two, I’d go for ten. Instead of getting to the heart of a story, I would attempt to include every detail I had, never being selective about what was worthy of the article and what wasn’t. Still, you beared with me through every story. These things would work themselves out in time as I began to realize why some of my favorite writers were great––and I wasn’t. An incredible article doesn’t happen, it’s meticulously crafted

until every single piece perfectly serves to tell the story at hand. Through you, reader, I learned this. Your quick compliments in passing, your suggestions for new stories, and even your criticism taught me to write the articles you wanted to hear in a way that you could appreciate. It’s important to know that none of this would have been possible without the people I am surrounded with in class and on this staff every single day. No story is the product of a writer alone. The Harbinger, like any other established organization at our school, is a team. Without these dedicated peers and friends, I don’t know that I could confidently say before you that I am better than when I first stepped into this role. I owe so much to these people, and am fortunate to have had every one of them on my side, story after story. Finally reader, I would like you to know that by simply taking the time to even read my words printed on this page, you have done me more of a service than I could have ever done for you. Being part of the Harbinger and consistently writing for the last three years have shown me that this is something I’d like to make a career out of. Turning words into ideas, and making meaning out of mere sentences is something I never would’ve thought could be so captivating. It has been an honor to have had this opportunity, and of all the things I’ve done in high school, I’m positive this has been the most beneficial. So thank you, reader. Thank you for allowing me to share these stories and ideas with you for a few years. Through you, I have found where I want to go in life, and the means by which to get there. Sincerely, Robert Martin Class of 2011

MAY 16, 2011

ANNIE SGROI

ANDREW GOBLE POSITION: Newspaper Co-Editor COLLEGE: Yale University MAJOR: Undecided

Journalism isn’t dying, and it continues to grow

he tried to talk, but she couldn’t utter a word. Sitting in the bedroom of a girl I had never met until 10 minutes before, I was interviewing Alishka for the school newspaper about the recent death of her father. And I had put her to silence. She couldn’t tell me about it face to face. No, not so soon. She would type her answers and send them to me in a couple of hours. I read her life story, saw the incredibly chaotic life she lived as a teenager, and realized I had become a journalist because I knew everyone could relate to a story if it was told correctly. People may think journalism is dying, but that’s only because they see journalism as whatever the paper boy tosses on their driveway that morning. As long as there is a thirst to learn more about other people, journalism will thrive, even if it moves away from long broadsheets and toward websites and videos and even social networking posts. Alishka and I talked, through email, about her father who encouraged her to draw, who bought her a tablet, who kept her sane when all else failed on her. She told me of how she would close her bedroom door and draw comics when her parents fought. She told me of when she started her dad’s portrait only hours after he had been buried. She was giving me every detail of her whole life, and I barely knew her--it was my responsibility to make sure the world saw her life in the same way she did. While it may seem like everyone has a different life, a well-written story can reveal the connections between us all. The story may be about an academic all-star or a recovering drug addict, but people find other people’s stories interesting because they share the same emotions. Whether it’s a strong passion or bad luck or a broken heart, the stories become powerful only when they are relatable. One of the many joys of being Co-

Editor of the Harbinger has been proving that newspapers can remain relevant even in an increasingly fast-paced world. Although the attention span of students seems to get shorter every year, I still see everyone carrying a Harbinger under their armpit on the way to their next class. We aren’t always perfect—and yes, 30 people gleefully tell me every time there is a spelling mistake—but as long as we have readers, I will gladly accept their criticism. It is professional journalism that now worries me the most. When the “Daily Show with Jon Stewart” becomes America’s most reliable source of news, it is clear we are at a breaking point--what’s reporting and what’s entertainment? Now that it is easy to broadcast a message to the whole world, everyone seems like an “expert.” These anchors-turned-reporters, however, are more concerned about the bottom line than fair reporting. The Walter Cronkites and Tom Brokaws of the world are now being replaced by whatever pretty face can attract viewers, and this scares me. So, as I desperately look to find a major, a career path, anything that can guide my studies for the next four years, I fall back on my passion for truth and accurate reporting. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be a professional journalist, but I know I can make the world a better place because I know how many people have a story waiting to be heard. When I first contacted Alishka, I told her I would tell her full story to the world, and that people would understand her after that. The story would publish about a week after our initial interview, and she sent me a Facebook message soon after. It made me nervous. Was I too dramatic? Did I miss a fact? Did she really not want her story told in full to 2,000 people? “Can I have a copy to put in a frame?” A story can change how the world looks at a person like nothing else can, and that’s why journalism will never die.

Check out Andrew Goble’s Final Say on www.smeharbinger.net

POSITION: Newspaper Co-Editor COLLEGE: Wellesley College MAJOR: Political Science

Not a ‘Gilmore Girl’ but a true journalist

ournalism has been a constant part of my high school life and I can say with certainty that I’ll be guided in the future by all I’ve learned about people and myself through my time on the Harbinger. I’d like to say that I was pushed towards it simply by my own drive and interest, but that’s not the case. Rory Gilmore gets some of the credit. On “Gilmore Girls,” Rory started her journalistic career at her prep school and from the beginning she had the magic touch. Her advisor glowed with pride when she turned her first assignment about the parking lot being resurfaced into a touching tale about the passing of time. All that meaning from something that small. All that freedom to make creative observations. I was hooked after that first scene in the newsroom. On my first day of Journalism 1 that delusional concept of journalism was shattered. I discovered that through her farfrom-objective musings about the parking lot, Rory was guilty of some serious editorializing; a huge journalistic no-no. When Rory enters Yale University, she starts out writing features and she eventually becomes Editor-in-Chief. Suddenly, she’s transformed into a superhero. She navigated every crisis with wit and the grace of a 50s movie star. No picture for the cover? No problem, she’ll go shoot at the football game herself. The writers are quitting right and left? She’ll make them come back with sheer force of will. Through my time on The Harbinger, I discovered that Rory was just that, a fictional superhero. Being a journalist isn’t formulaic or nearly as glamorous as it seems in the “Gilmore Girls” newsroom. But it’s also more rewarding. Looking back on Rory’s newsroom experiences, there’s a stark contrast between her writer-scripted time as a journalist and the reality I’ve found the past four years. Somehow Rory is shy and a journalist. It

seems like a sweet oxymoron on the show, but in reality that’s impossible. Journalism is about having both the confidence in your knowledge and research to ask questions of experts and the empathy to relate to people you interview. The simple routine of interviewing itself forced me to change from the shy and unsure freshman I was when I joined the staff. Perhaps most important of all, was the illusion of editor-as-superhero. Rory may have managed to play every role on the Daily News and have a social life, but that’s crazy. She’d somehow write her own pieces, edit every section, and layout the paper for each issue. While I never was quite that neurotic, I’m controlling by nature and I’m inclined to want to do things myself to ensure they’re done right. Letting go to some extent and letting people take leadership of their own work is what I’ve learned. I’m still a worrier, I’m still a planner and a list-maker, but I’ve learned that the process is important too. In fact, watching staffers learn and grow may be the part of my high school journalism experience that I will remember the most. Whether it’s a designer executing a concept or a writer snagging the perfect source, the confidence gained from those little milestones are what make the experience so valuable and transformative. From my time on staff, I now think like a journalist. I now know that journalism is a public service. It’s about being everything to every reader—whether that means you’re an informer, an entertainer or a storyteller. It’s about teaching people about events and about other people. And through that, teaching them about themselves. Because of my time on the newspaper, I’ll always be a listener, an inquirer and a planner. I’ll always question facts, see details and know that everyone has a story. Although I don’t plan on pursuing journalism in college, I’ll always have a journalist’s mind. And for that, I can thank Rory.

4 YEARS 423 SENIORS 107 SCHOOLS