THE
harbinger...
SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 FEBRUARY 5, 2024 VOLUME LXVI ISSUE 10
FRIENDS O ver the course of 10 years, fre shman O wen Wagstaff and sophomore Andrew Rhode s have developed a m eani ngful f rie ndship throu gh su ppor ting e a c h othe r in and o ut o f school
A LOOK INSIDE:
page 5... Extreme cold temperatures and snow days impact students’ everyday lives
18...
26...
Senior Luke Pearcy builds his “Leanhead” Spotify rapper brand
Photos of the rivalry varsity basketball game against Rockhurst
02 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
THE HARBINGER
ĩĢěĆĢä łŅäŪĆäū
ĢÁőĆĩĢūĆàä Ģäūʼn
de sig n b y ave r y an de rs o n
c o v e r d e s ig n b y kat i e m u rp hy c o v e r p h o to b y ke n n a h a rri n g t o n
V i si t sm ehar b i nger. net to vi ew ad ditiona l storie s, ga lle rie s, podc a st s a nd v ide os
A current e v ent ha p p e n i n g i n C h e s n u t Hi l l , Massachuset t s, ac cord ing to T he G ato r n e w s s i te
The Brimmer and May School recently hosted their annual Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium where the topic of AI and its uses in school took center stage The Director of Technology, Jason Bock, has vouched for the use of AI in schools saying it can be more useful than not and could help spark creativity
SCAN ME WEBSITE Visit this link to view more stories from The Gator
ʼnőÁƅ ěĆʼnő PRINT EDITORS K atie Murphy Greyson Imm
THE GATOR THE BRIMMER AND MAY SCHOOL
DESIGN EDITORS Veronica Mangine Bridget Connelly
ONLINE EDITORS
ASST. DESIGN EDITOR
HEAD COPY EDITORS
Bridget Connelly Maggie Kissick
Aanya Bansal Maggie Kissick Greyson Imm Aanya Bansal
K ai McPhail
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS
ASST. PRINT EDITORS
ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS
ASST. ONLINE EDITORS
ART EDITOR
Addie Moore Avery Anderson Connor Vogel Larkin Brundige
ASST. HEAD COPY EDITOR Ada Lillie Worthington
HEAD PHOTO EDITORS Riley Scott Liv Madden Kenna Harrington
VIDEO EDITORS Abby Lee Ryder Hendon
ASST. PHOTO EDITORS Caroline Martucci Clara Peters Amelie Wong
ASST. VIDEO EDITORS Mason Sajna Alex Sajna
SCAN ME WEBSITE
Isabel Balsassaro Lyla Weeks
Bridget Connelly
ASST. ART EDITOR K ai McPhail
PODCAST EDITOR Emma Krause
PHOTO MENTORS
ONLINE POST MANAGER Luciana Mendy
COPY EDITORS
K atie Murphy Greyson Imm Maggie Kissick Aanya Bansal Ada Lillie Worthington Addie Moore Emmerson Winfrey Libby Marsh David Allegri Sophia Brockmeier Larkin Brundige Lucy Wolf Connor Vogel Avery Anderson Luke Beil Neva Hudson Luciana Mendy
STAFF WRITERS
Mary Gagen Isabel Baldassaro Maggie Condon Christian Gooley Preston Hooker VIDEO MENTOR Lucy Stephens Preston Hooker Emma Krause PRINT SECTION EDITORS Lorelei Galles EDITORIAL | K ai McPhail Michael Yi NEWS | Sydney Eck Reese Dunham FEATURE | Sophia Brockmeier Mya Smith SPORTS | Libby Marsh Neil Williams OPINION | Isabel Baldassaro Carl Sutton A&E | Lucy Stephens Molly Miller Paige Bean Will Griffith Mason Sajna
Read an opinion on the current issues with the FAFSA financial aid application, a news story about open enrollment in K ansas and a news story about John Stewart returning to “ The Daily Show ”
STAFF ARTISTS Larkin Brundige Lorelei Galles Zane Laing Julia Campbell Hallie O’Bryan Bella Broce Francesca Lorusso
PAGE DESIGNERS Emmerson Winfrey Zane Laing Lyla Weeks Clara Burdick Lorelei Galles Julia Campbell Bella Broce Francesca Lorusso Hallie O’Bryan
MULTIMEDIA STAFF Mary Gagen Luke Beil Paige Bean Ryan Dehan Mason Sajna Alex Sajna Emma Krause Preston Hooker Christian Gooley
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Alex Sajna Maggie Condon Lyla Weeks Molly Scott Francesca Lorusso Addie Clark K atie Cook Caroline Hoffman
;gZZg© g g H Z `'#H ͢ SME Harbinger
The Harbinger
smeharbinger
SM East Harbinger
'#H g H Z POLICY The Harbinger is a student run publication. Published editorials express the views of the Harbinger staff. Signed columns published in the Harbinger express the writer’s personal opinion. The content and opinions of the Harbinger do not represent the student body, faculty, administration or Shawnee Mission School District. The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content, but quotes material may be confirmed with the sources. The Harbinger encourages letters to the editors, but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple letters of the same topic and personal attacks contained in the letter. The Harbinger will not edit content though letters may be edited for clarity, length or mechanics. Letters should be sent to Room 400 or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.
East needs to inve st
T
WISELY
HE YEAR IS 2050: sunscreen is sold out
According
to
the
National
in EV chargers to prevent climate issue s i n t h e fut ure schools m ust rem a i n n eut ra l
Oceanic
everywhere due to high UV radiation and vegetation outside of East’s office has
year in history.
It’s officially too late to install electric vehicle
The members of the editorial board who agree with the viewpoint of the editorial are represented by for, and those who disagree with the viewpoint are represented by against.
Additionally, there is a one-in-three chance that 2024 will be even hotter than 2023 according to NOAA.
charging ports. Before climate change makes this scorching,
Investing in EV chargers is not as futile as the
dystopian future a reality, administration must
district may believe. Take the El Monte Union
answer student calls for electric vehicle chargers to
High School District in El Monte, California, as an
join a nationwide push for green energy and make a
example where staff and students have switched
smart local investment.
to EV cars after installing 44 charging ports. They
At least 13 students and staff at East use EVs to
“
;g ͢ ̱ < Ha ͢ ̬
and
Atmospheric Administration, 2023 was the hottest
been fried to a crisp by the sun.
FEBRURARY 5, 2024 | 03
THE HARBINGER
de s ig n b y k a i m c p h a i l
get to school according to an Instagram poll.
NOW IS THE
time for SMSD to contribute to the fight against climate change, as cold-snaps grow longer and extreme heat presses on in the summer months. When a student proposed the idea to establish
two $7,000 Evergy dual-port ChargePoint charging
made the switch due to the reduction of gas costs with EV vehicles. Even the federal government announced new grants for EV chargers to states supplying $623 million in January to over twenty states. Locally, the Prairie Village City Council has committed to having zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in ordinance with their Environmental Committee. The Environmental Committee holds events such as recycling fundraisers and curbside recycling pickup to gain community support. SMSD administration should join the fight by funding charging ports. Or, at the very least, by devising a plausible plan to fund ports in the near future instead of dismissing student concern.
ports in the parking lot, administration declined
If electric car-driving students are charged a $2
stating that East “[does] not have [money] within
or $3 fee each time they use the ports, East could
our school budget to make this kind of investment.”
slowly but surely earn back the money invested.
Electric cars are a proven way to slow global
Now is the time for SMSD to contribute to the
warming, producing 50% less CO2 emissions than
fight against climate change, as cold-snaps grow
a regular, gas-powered vehicle according to Monta.
longer and extreme heat presses on in the summer
Transportation accounted for 38% of greenhouse gas
months. The Kansas weather is showing tell-tale
emissions in 2023, according to the Congressional
signs of climate change and it can’t be ignored.
Budget Office. There’s clearly a problem that East isn’t doing its part to solve.
Introducing East’s first electric car charging station!
Before we know it, the air will be too thick with greenhouse gasses for students to drive to school anyway, whether they’re in electric cars or not.
BURNING NUMBERS
S tat s about recent climate i ssue s
*a cco rd i n g to C o n s e r v a t i on Interna t i ona l
2023 IS NOW THE HOTTEST YEAR EVER RECORDED
20%
OF HUMAN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ARE CAUSED BY DEFORESTATION
THE OCEAN’S TEMPERATURE IS INCREASING 2°F EACH DECADE
3.6 BILLION PEOPLE LIVE IN AREAS OF HIGH VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Briefs...
storie s b y luciana mendy
04 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
smeharbinger.net/category/news
THE
NEW CHEMISTRY ART CLASS TAUGHT BY lancer AHALLSTROM AND HENSLEY WAS ANNOUNCED
minute
A vid e o s e r i e s h i gh l i g h t i n g photo s f ro m g a l l e r i e s a n d recappi n g rec e n t e v e n t s
A NEW ART class called Chemistry of Art will
“It’s taking the scientific approach, so
be offered at East next year. The class will
we’ll be creating materials from scratch,”
be co-taught by visual arts teacher Jennifer
Hensley said. “Sometimes [the materials] will
Hensley and science teacher Susan Hallstrom.
turn out amazing and sometimes they won’t,
During the semester-long class, students
versus in an art class where we’re buying
will learn about the role science plays in
A B O V E Banks Prendiville running after his name was called for starting lineup for the JV Rockhurst game. photo by will griffith
materials that we know work.”
different forms of art. Hallstrom will explain
In the class, students will eventually do
certain scientific aspects like chemical and
their own culminating project throughout the
physical properties, and Hensley will teach
semester. According to Hallstrom, the details
about the creation of specific art forms.
of the project are still being worked out but
“I love science, I have always been very
the goal is for students to apply what they’ve
science and art-minded,” Hensley said. “I
learned about the relationship between the
love the idea of getting students who are
two disciplines of art and science.
science-oriented, that might not otherwise
“Kids should just come with an open
want to take an art class in the art room and
mind and be willing to get their hands dirty,”
say, ‘You can learn this and express your
Hallstrom said. “That’s how I’m going into
creativity from the science side.’”
this. I’m going into this with no [art] skill,
Planned projects will likely include glass, jewelry, ceramics, various paper types of art,
but just with enthusiasm and trying to bring some excitement.”
oil-based paints and water-based paints.
THE SMSD SUPERINTENDENT IS RETIRING
p h o to s b y kat i e co o k
TEACHERS’
THOUGHTS
The teachers for the Chemistry of Ar t c la ss sha re the ir opinion of the c la ss SUSAN HALLS TROM
“
I’M VERY EXCITED that I get to try
some of this really cool [art] that I’ve never been able to try in my life, so I’m very excited. I’m nervous though because my artistic ability is extremely low, very low artistic ability. JENNIFER HENSLEY
“
SO MUCH OF art is based on science
and a lot of times in the art classes, we don’t go into that depth of the science behind it, so the class is special in that way.
THE SHAWNEE MISSION School District’s school board will name and
as the SMSD superintendent to have more time with her family. Throughout
hire a new superintendent by the end of February, following the current
her years of work in the district, she has worked on multiple projects and
superintendent Dr. Michelle Hubbard’s retirement effective on July 1.
policies to create a standard in SMSD that has had a positive influence,
The board is working with a search facilitator to look for a new
A B O V E Biology Club leaders clapping at their first meeting. photo by clara peters
d e s ig n b y s yd n ey e c k
according to Principal Jason Peres.
superintendent. The new hire will come from an internal search consisting
“The most impactful thing that a superintendent does is set the tone and
of district employees. According to Hubbard, this means that the new hire
vision, and [Hubbard] has really set a tone that we’re here to serve kids and
will already have an understanding of the relationships and communication
work for kids’ best interest,” Peres said. “I’ve received that message loud
needed for the job.
and clear, in a positive way.”
“I’m currently surrounded by an amazing team of people, and so [the skills] are something that’s not going to be new to them,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard will be working with the next superintendent to create a smooth transition over the next year to continue the work she has done.
“It’s something that we work on as a team now, so the next superintendent
“Every employee and every student in this district deserves someone
is already going to have those skills because that’s just what we do as a
who cares about them as people and supports them as employees,” Peres
team.”
said. “That’s what we have had since I’ve been here, and that’s what we
Hubbard announced on Jan. 11 that she would be retiring after three years
want moving forward.”
SHARE RECIEVES AN AWARD FROM THE NON-PROFIT MITZVAH GARDEN KC THE SHARE PROGRAM, overseen by coordinators Sheryl Kaplan and Erin A B O V E Blake Hanson scans for an open pass during the Varsity Rockhurst game. photo by mason sajna
SCAN ME VIDEO Visit Instagram Reels to hear staffer Emma Krause discuss these events and see more photos
[amount] done [with] getting the garden put away for the winter.”
Billingsley, received a Golden Trowel Award from Mitzvah Garden Kansas
The 16 seniors worked to remove and compost plant material, pulling out
City on Feb. 4 for SHARE’s contributions to the garden during Senior Service
the support structures that plants were growing on and moving irrigation
Day.
pipes on senior service day.
Mitzvah Garden KC is a non-profit garden that provides produce to food
The award ceremony took place at the Village Shalom for the Mitzvah
pantries in the community. The garden’s Golden Trowel Award honors
Garden’s 24th annual Tu B’Shevat Seder, where members of the community
individuals and groups for their volunteering work and is meant to inspire
celebrate the arrival of spring and the upcoming season.
others to help the community, according to Mitzvah Garden KC Co-Founder Ken Sonnenschein. “We had this wonderful group of young people that were very enthusiastic and energetic,” Sonnenschein said. “They really just got a tremendous
“It’s nice to be recognized for doing good work,” Kaplan said. “It’s always nice for us, Erin and myself, that we can just send our students and that they represent [the program] so well, and that they did such a great job.”
stor y by aanya bans a l
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 05
THE HARBINGER
d e si g n by mya smi t h
p h o to s by amelie wong , france sca lorusso, aanya bans al & will griffith
CLIMATE
C
CHANGES
R ecord-breaking cold temperature s in Prairie Village have impacted
road conditions, causing snow days and other complications
ONSISTENT BELOW FREEZING
days are needed, that time must be made up
Broghammer needed several layers of socks,
temperatures in the Kansas City
by extending the school day, eliminating late
pants, shirts, coats and head coverings, along
“Water mains have a tendency to have
area are breaking low-temperature
start or adding extra days to the schedule. That
with hand and foot warmers to keep warm
more breaks when the extreme temperatures
records
decision will be made by Superintendent Dr.
during the game.
happen
and
causing
poor
road
Michelle Hubbard after the winter conditions
conditions and increased snow days. The average minimum temperature this
subside.
of
time,”
a ton of people went on to the concourse to
Prairie Village since we’ve had that cold
huddle in the stores or the bathrooms or get
weather. That creates a big problem when it’s
temperatures
to
hot chocolate,” Broghammer said. “Everyone
that cold because we get a lot of water on the
to Weather Underground. On Jan. 14, a wind
unstable arctic air moving to our area of the
was just trying to do what they could to stay
streets and you get a lot of ice on the road
chill of -35 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded
country due to the increase in greenhouse
warm.”
from the negative temperatures.”
at Kansas City International Airport — the
gasses in the atmosphere.
occurring
due
green•house•gas•ses
lowest ever, according to KCTV.
Environmental Studies Professor Dr. Shannon
be
cold
periods
to last year’s 28 degrees Fahrenheit, according
could
these
extended
Bredehoeft said. “We’ve had several around
According
their normal patterns,” University of Kansas
O’Lear,
for
“The stadium felt super empty because
January was 17 degrees Fahrenheit compared
“A lot of things seem to be going outside of
to
problems around the city.
g a s s e s i n t h e e a r t h’s a t m o s p h e re t h a t t ra p h e a t
Other students have changed their method
Similar to Broghammer at the Chiefs game,
of transportation to school to avoid the cold.
while working, Bredehoeft and his team take
Junior Kelsey Stroud, who used to make the
the necessary precautions to prevent negative
10-minute walk to school everyday, now
side effects from the cold like frostbite and
drives to avoid the frigid temperatures.
hypothermia.
O’Lear said. “In Kansas, we’re not getting as
“When you add more heat to something,
“When I was a freshman, I walked the
“We make sure our employees are out
much snow [as we have in past years] but then
you may displace some cold air because
entire year,” Stroud said. “When I was a
there for only a period of time that they feel
we get this whiplash, really cold temperatures
you have hot air moving into where it’s not
sophomore, sometimes in the winter a friend
safe and they can get back in their truck
for a week where you’re not having school, so
usually going to be,” O’Lear said.
would pick me up, but other days, I would
or come back to the shop and spend some
of
walk in the snow or the rain. It wasn’t that
time warming up before they go back out,”
Jack
big of a deal. But this year, walking in this
Bredehoeft said.
resulted in five snow days in just three
Broghammer attended the Kansas City Chiefs
weather just feels horrible. I don’t want to do
weeks of school. At the end of January last
wild-card game where the temperature at
it.”Stroud’s mom has also stopped her own
University
year, SMSD schools had only one snow day.
kickoff was -4 degrees Fahrenheit — the
daily walks due to the cold and poor sidewalk
Dr. Daniel Cohan says it’s difficult to argue
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Darren Dennis is
coldest game in Arrowhead Stadium history,
conditions.
that it’s caused by climate change. The low
in charge of creating the SMSD calendar and
according to KCTV.
Students
that’s not typical either.” A
snow
storm
followig
winter
break
the
are
extreme
feeling
the
temperatures.
effects Junior
Prairie
Village
Public
Works
Director
Though this cold weather is extreme, Rice Atmospheric
Science
Professor
temperatures may be independent of global
Broghammer brought his ticket 40 minutes
Keith Bredehoeft manages the snow plow
“I remember snow days being spread out
before the game for $85 compared to the
drivers that help Stroud and other students
“I think there’s a tendency for people to
in the past,” Dennis said. “I can’t remember
average cost of $400 for a regular season game.
safely drive to school. The cold weather
think ‘Oh, the world is warming and we just
as many concentrated snow days in [three]
Most of the fans, including Broghammer and
makes the process of clearing snow from
had a couple of very severe storms, are these
weeks as we’ve had.”
his friends, were encouraged by GEHA field
roads, sidewalks and park trails more time-
connected to each other?” Cohan said. “But
The district has eight snow days built into
officials through the news and Instagram to
consuming since workers can’t stay out in the
that aspect of whether we have more or less
the schedule, according to Dennis. If more
bring cardboard to stand on for insulation.
cold for too long. It’s also more difficult to fix
severe winter storms is still uncertain.”
keeping track of snow days.
J OH N MEN DY
SNOW DAY
STORIES S t u d e n t s re c o u n t
notew o r t h y m o m e n t s from t h e i r s n o w d a y s si n c e f i v e d a y s o f schoo l w e re c a n c e l e d in t he p a s t m on th
S E NIO R
“
I GOT OFF work at 9:45 p.m. I turned
my car on and put on music like usual. I pulled out and went over this small curb to get out of the parking lot. I hit the curb, and my rear windshield shattered out of nowhere. I think it was because of the cold.
MI TC H EL L B L AIR S E NIO R
“
WE HAD A a few practices in addition to
the lengthened winter break that were canceled due to snow days. The long break kind of threw us off our groove because we were out of practice for a while, but we’ve definitely been able to bounce back.
warming as a whole.
NINA Y UN SENIOR
“
MY CAR WAS parked on the
driveway, then it got cold and ice formed. Later that day I looked out the window and my car was no longer parked in that spot. It was on a curb down the driveway because it slid down. I was surprised and confused.
06 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
MUSICAL THE HARBINGER
ONCE UPON A
p h o to s b y m o l l y s cot t , m o l l y mi l l e r & c l a ra p e t e rs d e s ig n b y ve ro n i c a m a n gi n e story b y l u c y st e ph e n s
Th e m u s ica l “On c e Up o n A Ma ttre s s” w i l l b e p er fo r m ed b y t he Shaw nee M i ssi o n East t heater on Fe b. 8 -10
T
HE
DEPARTMENT
controlling mother, Queen Aggravain played
Moon said. “It’s pretty straightforward, but I
selecting the cast. Since then, the cast and
will perform the musical “Once
THEATRE
by senior Aurdey Apprill, who disapproves of
feel like it’s still a fun time.”
crew have been working to learn the whole
Upon A Mattress” — a comedic
every potential suitor.
spin on the fairytale “Princess and
For the first time, after the matinee show
The mysterious Princess Winifred, played
on Feb. 10, audience members will have the
senior
Layla
Ledford,
comes
to
show, design the sets and put every aspect seamlessly together.
the Pea” — from Feb. 8-10 at 7 p.m. with an
by
the
opportunity to meet the cast in one of the
“It takes a lot to throw these musicals
additional matinee on Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. in the
kingdom and charms the Prince, just by being
gyms. This will give the chance for family
together, which people may not realize,”
auditorium.
her quirky self. In response, the queen comes
members and other guests to take pictures
Moon said. “It’s really hard work and it’s nice
TThe theater department will perform
up with a series of rigged tests — including
with the characters in full costume and ask
to be able to have people see what we did.”
the musical “Once Upon A Mattress” — a
sleeping on a single pea covered by 20
any questions they might have.
comedic spin on the fairytale “Princess and
mattresses to see if she is fit for the prince.
the Pea” — from Feb. 8-10 at 7 p.m. with an
“It has a little something for everybody,”
Attending and supporting the production
The show started production in November
benefits the theater program, allowing them
with all the directors holding auditions and
to continue putting on annual musicals.
additional matinee on Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. in the
The musicals give students the chance
auditorium.
to showcase their talent for the East
The traditional 1960s musical is directed by
community — whether it’s working on
English teacher Brian Cappello. This year, the
stage, playing in the orchestra pit or
theater department was looking for a musical
working backstage, according to Defeo.
with a more structured plot in contrast to
“Sometimes you sit next to people every
last year’s production of the erratic musical
day for months, sometimes years and you
“SpongeBob,” according to theater teacher
don’t know the talent they have,” Cappello
and technical director Tom Defeo.
said. “You get to see different sides of your friends or people you know.”
“This is more your golden age kind of musical,” Defeo said. “You can tap your toe
Guests can buy tickets for $10 at the
to connect, the chorus can dance together,
door or East students will receive free
all that stuff. It allows more for us as a
admission with a student ID.
company.” T
h
show
e
ACT FA S T ! follows
King
Dauntless, played by junior Wyatt Moon, who is searching for a bride, despite his
Up c o m i n g s h o w t i m e s a n d
SENIOR LAYLA LEFORD AS PRINCESS WINNIFRED T O P Senior Emma Molteni sings a solo in “Normandy ” during the rehersal of “Once Upon A Mattress.”
ticke t i n f o r m a t i o n f o r “ O n c e U p o n a Ma t t re s s”
purchase tickets at the door for $10 OR bring student ID and get in for free
photo by molly scott
SENIOR AUDREY APPRILL AS QUEEN AGGRAVAIN
SHOW TIMES - Feb. 8 @ 7 p.m. - Feb. 9 @ 7 p.m. - Feb. 10 @ 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. SCAN ME SOPHOMORE ELI MOON INSTA Follow @smetheatre on Instagram to get more updates
AS THE MINSTREL
SENIOR IAN FLYNN AS THE WIZARD L E F T Freshman Tori Roland and sophomore Charlie Gray rehearse “ The Minstrel the Jester and I” for the first act of the musical. photo by clara peters
s tor y by ree se dun ha m
d e si g n by l i bby marsh
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 7
THE HARBINGER
MASKED A n e w s train of COVID — JN.1 — that
i s m o re difficult to identif y has recently
e m e rg e d and has caused a steep incline i n h o s p i tal i zat i o ns
identity
cov w i e
A
NEW COVID strain called JN.1 is on the rise
The symptoms of JN.1 are similar to any other
this 2024, and it is currently the most dominant
respiratory virus — a sore throat, runny nose,
variant causing 86% of cases. Hospitalizations in
congestion, fever, chills and body aches.
the United States due to COVID have increased to
English teacher Ann Flurry had COVID the
around 35,000 during the week of Jan. 6, compared to the
week of Jan. 22, when JN.1 was causing most
23,000 weekly hospitalizations in early December, according
cases. Her symptoms negatively progressed over
to the Center for Disease Control.
the week, and they continued for the next few days
This new strain was discovered in August 2023, but wasn’t
“My first symptoms just seemed like a cold but
overall COVID test positivity began gradually increasing. The
they quickly got worse like a really bad cold,” Flurry
rate was 15% in September, but with the recent strains like
said. “The difference was I had extreme body aches and
the CDC. During the beginning of December, the amount of deaths by the JN.1 and other strains like HV.1, JD.1.1, and BA.2.86, was around 2,000 per week and now the number of deaths due to the virus has risen to 3,000 per week in January. Despite the amount of cases and deaths rising, according to Dr. Sarah James*, a local infectious disease doctor, this could just be a trend due to the recent holidays. “The numbers right now are actually a little bit lower than they were in the beginning of January,” James said. “That might just be because that was a little peak from the holidays, and respiratory viruses follow.”
“
it spreads fast can be dangerous. Any time a virus like that mutates, they call it novel or new, so if the community doesn’t have a lot of immunity to it, then it can be more dangerous. LOCAL INFECTIOUS DI SEASE DOC TOR English teacher Amy Andersen had COVID the week of
According to James, the disease has been adapting to grow
Andersen experienced clogged and irritated sinuses, and
the different strains apart because they are so similar; every
additionally had lingering congestion for about a week later. “Thankfully, it never went below [my] chest,” Andersen said. “It was all congestion, and inflamed sinuses.”
“The fact that it spreads fast can be dangerous,” James
The protocol for the new strain is still the same as it has
said. “Anytime a virus like that mutates, they call it novel or
been for other COVID strains: quarantine for five days after
new, so if the community doesn’t have a lot of immunity to it,
testing positive, then re-engage in school, work and other
then it can be more dangerous.”
activities. James advises wearing a mask for another five days
The JN.1 variant doesn’t pose any more of a threat than
69%
THE FACT THAT
faster since September 2023. There isn’t an easy way to tell
virus. The primary distinction is the rate at which they spread.
31%
YES NO
my eyes hurt.”
finals in December, when JN.1 was causing numerous cases.
strain has just a slight variation in the composition of the
* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 2 1 7 v o t e s
after she came back to school.
affecting many individuals until September when the rate of
JN.1 emerging, the rate has now risen to 18%, according to
d
n
Have you or anyone you know had COVID in the past two weeks?
even after testing negative.
the other strains according to James. The specific types of
Senior Rosemary Comes found out she had the COVID on
people JN.1 is most dangerous towards include infants, the
Jan. 21 and returned to school three days later after testing
immunocompromised, and ages 65 and up, similar to any
negative. Comes followed the current COVID protocol, to stay
other virus.
home until she no longer had symptoms.
If t
h
e
affected individual has previously had COVID then antibodies are built up, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee not getting
it
normally
again. helps
Being
reduce
vaccinated the
risk
of
contracting the virus by around 30%, according
to
James.
However,
Flurry,
Andersen, and Comes were all vaccinated before they got COVID, and even so it resulted in them getting the virus. More preventative measures include keeping hands clean especially after touching high-traffic surfaces, according to James. Another precaution is staying away from anyone with cold-like symptoms because that is the easiest way to catch any virus. School nurse Stephanie Ptacek advises students who have symptoms to do their part and avoid being around others who aren’t sick. “[Students] should protect themselves from COVID the same way you would protect yourself from other infectious diseases,” Ptacek said. “Handwashing, avoiding people when you are sick, masking if you are sick if you’re up for it.”
Opinion
09 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
d e s ig n b y i s a b e l b a l d a s s a ro art by zane laing
smeharbinger.net/opinion
COMIC STRIP
a r t by hallie o’b r ya n
hot take
s to r y b y e mme rs o n wi n f rey
S taf f er revi ew s new revi ved club and admire s it s suce ss so far
this or that?
R ec e n t I n s ta g ra m p o l l s re l a te d to s to r i e s
I’M UNASHAMED TO to say that Valentine’s
gifts for each other and blow the bank on
Day is stupid. I don’t care about the bouquet
something forced and just for show. I’d rather
of roses, the nice dinner, the box of chocolates
get budget-friendly things like love letters
or whatever cheap gold jewelry you got off
or flowers throughout the year than a $400
a TikTok ad. If you’re not taking me out or
necklace you threw together last minute for
surprising me with gifts the other 364 days
one day. It’s a performative holiday so people
why should I care what you do on one?
can act like they love their partner and and
Showing your significant other you love them
show off for the people around them. While
with things like surprises, loving messages or
I’ll happily go out to dinner and exchange
date nights should be a regular occurrence.
gifts with someone on Feb. 14, if they’re not
And honestly, if your significant other isn’t
doing that every other day of the year their
doing that, it’s time to dump them. It also
lovey-dovey-one-day-show
puts pressure on couples to get elaborate
anything to me.
trending topics
won’t
mean
Po l l s a n d i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t c u r re n t t re n d i n g topi c s i n m e d i a
in th is issu e’s o p in i o n s e c t i o n DOES ELECTION NEWS DISCOURAGE YOUR VIEWS ON POLITICS? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 2 9 v o t e s
HAVE YOU TRIED THE NEW BLUE RAZZ LEMON CELCIUS?
47% 53%
YES NO
* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 2 3 0 v o t e s
CAN PEOPLE EVER FULLY ACHIEVE PERFECTION?
new blue razz lemon celcius
* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 2 5 4 v o t e s
T h e n e w f i z z - f re e b l u e ra z z c e l c i u s t h a t h a s re c e n t l y a p p e a re d i n s t o re s a ro u n d t h e c o u n t r y.
YES 13% NO
YES 14% NO
86%
87%
TAKE OUR POLLS
DO YOU FREQUENTLY WATCH PR PACKAGE HAULS ON TIKTOK?
Follow the Harbinger on social media to participate in our polls @smeharbinger
@smeharbinger
@smeharbie
@smeharbingerr
* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 2 0 8 v o t e s
tiktok pr hauls
T h e n e w t re n d s o f i n f l u e n c e r s o p e n i n g p i l e s o f b oxe s f ro m d i f f e re n t c o m p a n i e s h a v e f l o o d e d f o r y o u p a g e s e v e r y w h e re .
YES
51%
NO
49%
10 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
THE HARBINGER
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
T
RUMP WINS THE Iowa caucus.”
story b y greyso n i mm
d e s ig n b y f ra n ce s c a l o ru s s o
Instead of getting discouraged with seeking change through politic s, it ’s more beneficial to inve st in your co m mu nit y.
More often than not, voters are left to choose between the
“Gaza death toll tops 26,000 without a ceasefire.”
lesser of two evils — a disheartening system. While moderates
Flipping between TV channels, I’m bombarded with
may vote for Trump because of his economic plan, they may
political news everywhere I look. From overwhelming
have to compromise their morals by supporting someone who
support for Trump despite inciting an insurrection to Biden’s
goes against their beliefs in other aspects like LGBTQ+ rights
inaction amid a genocide in Palestine, I’m left feeling hopeless
or abortion access. It feels like there’s no way to cast your vote
for the state of our country.
without making sacrifices in one area or another. That isn’t fair,
News like this doesn’t inspire me to get out and vote in my
Since well before the issue of Trump vs. Biden, our elected
unfit both candidates are to serve as president, despite them
officials have rarely ever served their constituents who need
being the only realistic options.
it the most — marginalized communities. For example, poor
It’s easy to get discouraged seeking political change for
communities simply don’t have the same resources that multi-
yourself and the communities you care about through elections.
million-dollar political action committees do, and therefore
But instead of seeking action through elections, it’s far more
don’t have as much sway over high-up politicians.
change at the grassroots level.
It’s not true that you have to have these resources to make a change. Instead of asking corrupt millionaire politicians for
Grassroots organizing is community advocacy led by non-
scraps, organize your community. Make your voice heard by
elected individuals. It’s one of America’s oldest political practices,
petitioning your legislators. Where grassroots organizations may
and at the core of our country from the temperance movement to
lack funding or resources, a passionate community backing their
the founding of the U.S.
cause makes up for it.
There is a stark difference from our normal top-down view of
In fact, movements as big as prohibition in the 1920s and the
government where elected officials hold the power. In grassroots
civil rights laws of the 1960s were both direct results of grassroots
organizations, the people hold the power — not the politicians.
community action directly influencing policy. Whether you agree
Our area has many of these organizations for students and
or disagree with individual issues, it’s inspiring to know how
residents to partake in.
much power communities of everyday people have.
KC Tenants organizes citizens throughout the KC metro area to
All it took was a passionate group of common U.S. citizens
rally for safe and affordable housing. On Jan. 26, they packed the
and a cause. In the face of bureaucracy and corrupt politics, these
city council chambers and influenced the 10-3 passing of a ban
examples are a reminder of hope — hope that we still have a
on source of income discrimination. Similarly, Decarcerate KC is
voice in the government that was built to represent us.
a local prison and policing reform organization that’s currently attending city-planned community engagement meetings to
Time and time again, the people have proven that grassroots organizing works.
advocate against building a new city jail. These organizations,
Even though politics, governments and elections may seem
and so many others, operate because of the continued support
hopeless at times, it’s important to remember that you can make
and passion from their communities.
your voice heard. Not through elections directly, but through
Advocating for policy change is much easier in a community.
protests and rallies. Through contacting legislators and educating
This way, change feels more achievable. Protest and petition
yourself and your community.
are much more powerful than voting and hoping your candidate
Personally, getting involved at the education level — and
is less incompetent than the other. For example, in the upcoming
planning to attend upcoming protests and political community
election, it’s far more effective to gather a group of community
meetings — has eased my discontent towards the U.S. political
members to petition your local representatives instead of casting
system. Sure, politicians may be generally out of touch with
a vote for president.
the people, and our political system may feel rigged against the
It’s almost impossible not to feel hopeless as a young person in the U.S. right now. I honestly can’t decide which would be
Loc a l gra ssroot s orga niza tions in KC
grass•roots
Involving common people as a f u n d a m e n t a l p o l i t i c a l g ro u p
but it doesn’t have to be that way.
first presidential election this November. It just shows me how
fulfilling and fruitful to focus our efforts on advocating for
rooting for change
people, but getting involved at the grassroots level to voice your concerns is a way to remedy that.
worse for our country — a genocide-complacent, senile 81-year-
So next time you find yourself with election-year blues, reach
old man or a self-important, idiotic, bigoted criminal. But with
out to a local grassroots advocacy organization and ask how you
the way our government is set up, it seems like voting for one
can help. Or, if you have a cause you’re passionate about, create
of these two candidates is the only way to push the agendas and
your own organization. Plan rallies. Sit in city council sessions.
beliefs you support. This is where grassroots organizing becomes
Organize your community. Make your voice heard through
an attractive alternative.
grassroots community organizing.
KC TENANTS
KC Tenants is a citywide tenants union led by a multigenerational base of poor and working class tenants organizing for safe, affordable and accessible housing.
SHUMAKER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Shumaker Family Foundation is a local institution funding and promoting social and environmental justice projects based primarily in the Kansas City area. The foundation has funded projects such as The Kansas City Zoo, The Giving Grove and KC Pet Project.
DECARCERATE KC
Decarcerate KC is a KCbased organization that aims to raise awareness, build power and create change around issues of incarceration and policing in our city to build a safer Kansas City for all.
stor y by ave ry anderso n
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 11
THE HARBINGER
d e si g n by be l l a broce
Virtue(ally)
ph o to s by l yl a week s
AP E n g l i s h L a n g u a g e a n d C o m p o s i t i o n c l a s s e s a re s t r i v i n g f o r p e r f e c t i o n th ro u g h a B e n j a m i n F ra n k l i n - i n s p i re d p roj ect , b u t p e r f e c ti o n i s n’ t w o r th i t I’VE ALWAYS STRIVED to be I’ve always strived to be perfect at everything.
Impossible
project tasks students with choosing two of
Day two wasn’t much better. My virtue
Franklin’s virtues and creating two of their
of procrastinating less went out the window
My life revolves around getting 100% on
own to monitor over 10 days. Although some
when I realized I had a project due by the end
assignments in school and configuring the
of these virtues are obviously outdated —
of the day. And no, I hadn’t started it yet.
perfectly well-rounded resume. I pile on
such as his virtue of chastity — many are
Day three consisted of me getting home
extracurriculars like math club and refuse
still applicable today, like humility and
from work just to throw my clothes on my
to go to sleep until I feel like I’ve been
justice.
bed and due to an unreasonable amount of
productive that day. On days I don’t race
To achieve a perfect 100% on this project,
to work after school, you’ll find me talking
I only had to log my progress even if I didn’t
to my biology teacher, squeezing in tennis
achieve my goals — but of course, I wanted
practice and racing to Scraps KC to volunteer.
to perfect them anyway.
TikTok, fall asleep at 1 a.m. — hours after I should’ve. The following seven days followed a similar routine — each time I thought I’d
I peel out of the junior lot going exactly
I chose his two virtues of order — working
made it through a full day of being “perfect,”
the speed limit three days a week in order
to keep my life and space clean — and silence
I somehow managed to slip up at the last
to give myself enough time to get ready for
— trying to only speak when it benefits the
second or remember a detrimental error I
work. Showing up to my job in anything less
conversation. Perfect for someone whose
had made previously in the day. My life was
than a head-to-toe professional and trendy
closet needs a major deep-clean and should
proving to be nowhere near as perfect as
outfit with matching accessories and styled
learn to watch what they say every once in
I had worked to make it.
hair is simply unacceptable in my book.
a while. I then created two of my own —
I slowly began to uncover more
procrastinate less and sleep more — both
flaws in my day-to-day life. I
areas I’m constantly battling with.
realized I should be paying more
it’s that I should worry less
attention to some of Franklin’s other
about being exceptional in every
When
my
Composition
AP
English
teacher
Language
Samantha
and
Feinberg Moral
For the next 10 days I logged my every
Perfection Project, I saw my opportunity
move throughout the day and made notes on
virtues. His virtue of frugality, for example,
aspect of my life and be more encouraging
to test my boundaries and explore how
my chart listing my virtues and my progress
was one I particularly found myself in need
than critical towards myself.
“perfect” I could become. Turns out, my life
with achieving them.
of after going on an online shopping spree.
recently
introduced
the
annual
isn’t nearly as perfect as I want it to be. And
The
constant
correcting
and
judging
Three hours into day one, I was already
By the end of day five I was signing up for a
myself that came with the project made me
listing errors I had made. I just had to tell
yoga class to try and incorporate the virtue
realize I was doing that every day — just
Though I’ve strived for perfection on even
my friend about my recent re-watch of “The
of tranquility into my life.
subconsciously.
the smallest things in life, this project taught
Barbie Movie” and the multitude of easter
By day 10, I was exhausted. The constant
I’m not telling anyone to go ditch their
me that it’s OK to take time to calm down
eggs I found in it in Spanish class when
attention to my movements, thoughts and
homework or trash their room but we should
and relax.
I should’ve been conjugating verbs and
choices wore me out more than my tennis
remember that even our best work may never
studying new vocabulary.
practices ever could.
be 100% perfect. So we might as well try our
maybe that’s OK.
You’d think that no one could ever truly be perfect, but the project says otherwise. Based on Benjamin Franklin’s 13 virtues created to achieve human perfection, the
So much for the virtue of silence. At least
I slowly began to understand why people
I still have three others to redeem myself —
say “no one is perfect.” No one can be perfect.
or so I thought.
If my 10-day experiment taught me anything,
AVERY’S
CALENDAR
hardest, and move on. I’d rather live a life I enjoy, than a life others view as perfect.
A ch ar t f o l l o w i n g A v e r y ’s p ro g re ss o n her vi r t ue s o ver 1 0 d ay s o f t he cl ass p ro j ect , with X’s for e a c h su c c e ss fu l da y
DAY 1 ORDER SILENCE DON’T CRAM SLEEP MORE
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 9
DAY 10
12 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
ROCKING WITH
THE HARBINGER
d e s ig n b y ri l ey s cot t
Varsit y cheerleaders continue the annual tradition of having a team sleepover the night before the R ockhurst vs. East basketball game and lini ng the halls in the
TRADITIONS morning
SCAN ME PHOTO Scan this to purchase photos and view more about the event
L E F T Senior Claire Goettsch and junior Emma Aubuchon do their makeup after putting on their uniforms and “Beat Rock” shirts. “My favorite part about the sleepover was probably all the fun girl talk we had,” Goettsch said. “ We don’t usually get to bond like that during practice.” photo by riley scott
A B O V E Senior Taylor Borchers gets fruit before sitting down to have breakfast with her teammates. “I definitely think the Rock sleepover adds to the game experience,” Borchers said. “Cheerleaders get to be just excited the night before, surrounded by our team.” photo by riley scott
A B O V E Cheerleaders brought snacks to the sleepover instead of having dinner together, since the sleepover started at 8:30 p.m.. Snacks consisted of veggie trays, chips, crackers, cheese, cookies and a chocolate cake. photo by riley scott
L E F T Varsity cheerleaders welcome in the current eighth graders at the gymnasium entrance. The eighth graders were at East to tour the school before enrolling for classes next year. photo by caroline martucci
de sign by sophia broc km ei er photos by caroline m a r t u cc i , caroline hoffman, kat i e cook, clara pet ers & p a i ge be an
smeharbinger.net/category/feature
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 13
Feature
THIS ISSUE I N
photos
BEHIND THE
CURTAIN
Two student s who do behind-thesc e ne s work for the mu sic a l
MAKENA CAMPBELL | JUNIOR
A look inside student life at East in the past two weeks of school
“
THE PIT ORCHESTRA is a little claustrophobic, there’s a bunch of little poles like holding up the stage, and everyone’s kind of crammed in there. I really like being a part of [the musical] but not having to be on stage.
NORAH ANDERSON | SOPHOMORE
T O P Senior Patrick Schaff smiles at his para Devin Blackwood, during “Fun Friday ” in Social Skills class. photo by clara peters
ALL
ABOUT
YOU
Students share their favorite self care activities
T O P R I G H T Junior Abi Contreras passes a Savannah Monitor Lizard to junior Bo Morrissey. photo by caroline hoffman
B O T T O M Multicultural Student Union members discuss the possibility of having district events and a school-wide assembly to bring awareness to the club. photo by caroline martucci
“
I REALLY LOVE working with the costumes crew — they’re all such lovely people. We have a pretty strong community especially with costumes because a lot of the crews work backstage, but we’re in the dressing rooms like it’s kind of our own little area.
MARI SSA L I BERDA
J ESSA SPARKS
JAMIE WILBORN
S E NIO R
J U NIO R
FRESHMAN
“
I PERSONALLY HAVE a pretty big skincare and makeup collection so whenever I’m doing makeup it allows me to organize all my stuff and sit there and clear my head.
“
I GO TO Yogurtini after school and
grab a frozen yogurt and spend the rest of the evening decompressing. Everyone needs a food [self-care day].
“
I’VE ALWAYS LOVED hiking, it just puts me in a better mood. I think more clearly, and I think more rationally instead of as emotionally as I would [before hiking].
s to r y by ma g g i e ki ss ic k d e si g n by g reyson imm p h o to s co ur te s y o f carrie wa g s t aff and andrew rhode s
B E L O W Freshman Owen Wagstaff smiles at sophomore Andrew Rhodes during the question of the day in Social Skills Class photo by clara peters
OWEN& THE HARBINGER
ANDREW
S
An so
the
gam an
gam an
com
Fre shman O wen Wagstaff, who has Down S yndrome, and sophomore
Andrew Rhode s have included and suppor ted one another over their 10 y ears o f fr i end shi p
sai
hap
sto
B E L O W Owen sits with Andrew at Bass Pro Shops. B O T T O M Owen poses for a picture after B E L O W During a unified bowling Andrew ’s soccer game. game, Owen and Andrew stand in front of the lane. Andrew came to watch Owen play. B O T T O M Owen and Andrew link arms while walking onto the field after Andrew ’s soccer game. Owen came straight from his bowling match to watch.
the
An
his
me
mi
wit
the
“O Re
tea of
bea
kin
wo
pla
the bu
oth
Ow
kin
rem ou
Par
Fir
S
NEWS -FEATURE ITTING
IN A
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 15
parents,
alongside moments filled with inclusion and
personal
freshman Owen Wagstaff looked up at
learning from each other has made up their
others, according to Social Skills teacher Emily
***
the scoreboard and saw that there were
friendship for the last 10 years.
MacNaughton.
“Andrew Rhodes!”
crowd
of
still three minutes left in sophomore
ndrew Rhodes’ soccer game.
***
space
and
introducing
yourself
to
his favorite food.”
“It’s more comfortable for Owen to take on
When walking in the hallway, Andrew can
Then-8th-grader Owen stuffed clear bags
more challenging skills because Andrew knows
always tell where Owen is from his signature
He was anxious for the game to be over, not
in his kitchen with chocolate, Kit Kats and
him,” MacNaughton said. “He’s comfortable
greeting. The two see each other at least once a
he could leave, but so that he could celebrate
Starbursts. He’s gone “booing” — leaving bags
listening to Andrew. [He’s able to] have a
day, and each encounter isn’t complete without
e team’s victory with his best friend. Once the
of candy on his friends’ doorsteps — every fall
support system to take on things that are more
Owen yelling Andrew’s first and last name with a
me was finished, Owen darted across the field
around Halloween since first grade. Owen mostly
challenging.”
smile on his face and giving him a hug.
d sat right in the middle of the team’s post-
boos his Belinder friends or other friends from
me huddle. A wide smile spread across Andrew
school, but he always looks forward to booing
blowing
Owen
and is so excited to see me,” Andrew said. “And I
d his teammates’ faces when they saw Owen
Andrew the most.
One of these challenging skills has been his
nose
—
something
that
“Whenever I see [Owen], he’s always smiling
doesn’t like to do and something Andrew has
think being greeted with a smile and an embrace
Pulling up to then-freshman Andrew’s house,
been helping him with. One day in class, Owen
like that is just incredible. It makes me feel good.
“I love when [Owen] is at my games,” Andrew
Carrie waited in the car a few houses down the
stood up and grabbed a tissue to blow his nose.
I think everyone needs a relationship like that,
id. “He’s my biggest fan and you can tell how
street as Owen grabbed the bag and ran up to
Andrew then gave him a high five, celebrating a
that’s strictly positive with nothing fake.”
ppy he is to be there.”
Andrew’s house. He rang the doorbell, then
new concept that they worked on together.
ming over.
After the team finished their huddle, Owen
sprinted behind a tree in Andrew’s front yard,
ood up and joined them as the team took
peeking his head out to see how Andrew would
eir end-of-game bow, standing right next to
react.
ndrew — Andrew in his goalie jersey, Owen in
“After he’d ring the doorbell, I look out
Owen has helped Andrew appreciate the small
***
things in life. Andrew watches how genuinely
Carrie woke up to the blaring sound of a phone
excited Owen gets about the things he loves.
call early in the morning in the middle of January
Whenever Owen sees a dog, he always points it
from the school district. Thinking that there was
out and shouts “Adorable!” Owen also loves the
yet another snow day, she answered the phone.
band R5, so Andrew always makes sure to play
s unified bowling uniform. Owen had a bowling
the window and I can see him peeking behind
eet right after the game, but he didn’t want to
the tree, which is always funny,” Andrew said.
This is Shawnee Mission School District food
“Smile” and “All Night” when they’re in the car
iss watching and celebrating the team’s victory
“Because he wasn’t the best at hiding [and] he
services. We’re calling to let you know that your child
heading home from school or driving to the gym.
th Andrew.
wanted to see me when I came out.”
Owen Wagstaff’s lunch balance is low.
Andrew
opened
the
door,
he
“I’ve learned all of the words to ‘Smile’ from
acted
Carrie was confused. She had put $50 in Owen’s
ey met,” Owen’s mom Carrie Wagstaff said.
surprised, yelling out “Who did this?” Owen
lunch account when he was in kindergarten and
Owen used to do the bow at [his older sister]
laughed from behind the tree and then ran out
hadn’t touched it since — she usually packed his
In return, Andrew has helped Owen become
gan’s games, and I worried about how [the
to hug his friend.
lunch. She also noticed that Owen wasn’t eating
conscious of what he says and has helped him
all of his lunch on days when he had Social Skills
learn new things. Andrew encourages Owen to
class. So she asked Andrew about it.
not make inappropriate comments or jokes while
“Andrew has always included Owen ever since
As
am] would react the first time we went to one
“Owen booing me is one of my favorite things
[Andrew’s] games. But the team handled it
he does,” Andrew said. “He’s been doing it for as
autifully.”
long as I can remember and it’s fun to see how
Andrew and Owen have been friends since
happy he is while doing it.”
playing it so much with him,” Andrew said. “He’s so happy whenever I play their music.”
“It turned out that Owen had been buying
in Social Skills class. Carrie wants Owen to join
pizza with Andrew at lunch,” Carrie said. “Which
a weights class at East next year, so Andrew has
ndergarten. Andrew saw Owen as the kid he
***
is a fun thing that [him] and Andrew get to do
started taking him to go lift weights at the YMCA.
ould go to the Mission Hills street fair with and
Sitting at brunch during Andrew’s freshman
together that doesn’t involve me. It’s just being
While at the YMCA, Andrew teaches Owen how
ay at recess together with. He’s known from
year at First Watch, Andrew first heard about
another high school student and getting pizza
to properly lift weights — making sure to not
e beginning that Owen has Down Syndrome,
the Social Skills class — where students help
with a friend.”
slouch or give up when trying a new exercise.
t that’s never mattered to him.
neurodivergent peers with their social skills —
Now, every Wednesday is pizza day. The two
Owen used to dread going to lift weights, but
Andrew has always treated Owen like any
from Carrie. So Andrew applied to be a Social
boys will go to the cafeteria and purchase slices
since he started working out with Andrew, he
her kid, according to Carrie. Andrew and
Skills leadership student, and now the boys are
of cheese pizza.
now walks around the YMCA with a smile on his
wen haven’t been in the same grade since
in a class together again.
While telling the lunch lady what kind of pizza
face.
still
“[Social Skills] has made our friendship so
he wants, Andrew teaches Owen how to be polite
“It’s nice to introduce him to new things
mained strong through doing little things
much stronger,” Andrew said. “Being able to see
— saying please and thank you and being patient
and to have a positive impact on one another,”
tside of school like playdates at Taliaferro
him almost every day has made us closer and I
while waiting in line. Andrew loves seeing how
Andrew said. “We both bring out the best in each
rk, annual birthday parties and brunches at
love seeing him in class.”
excited Owen gets after securing his pizza slice.
other and we both get to have a great friend out
ndergarten,
but
their
friendship
has
rst Watch. A shared sense of supporting one another
Their friendship makes it easier for Owen
“[Owen] loves pizza,” Andrew said. “I’m sure
to learn concepts in Social Skills class like
if you asked him right now he’d say that pizza is
of it, too.”
B E L O W The boys sit on a playground slide together. B E L O W After a soccer game in elementary school, Owen and Andrew play on the field. L E F T Owen and Andrew at a K ansas University basketball game.
EAST
16 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
THE HARBINGER
TAPE
ON
I
story b y mi c h ae l yi
d e s ig n b y ka i m c p h a i l p h o to s b y p a i ge b e a n
S tudent s in the Video Production Leadership pursue their passions for film while enjoying a close friend group
N THE BOX – the opening in the gym wall
But beyond the graphics, the class is juggling
across from the student section – seniors
a ton of other projects — just check the lists and
Hayden
peer
calendars on the classroom’s three whiteboards.
down at the bleachers 20 feet below, jam-
From features on the elementary and middle feeder
packed with students in white “BEAT ROCK” t-shirts
schools to the “monthly shows” where they direct
chanting furiously — it was the biggest basketball
and edit their own films under a common theme, the
rivalry game of the year, after all.
students are testing their camera work and Premier
Manning
and
Emilie
Elmore
But Manning and Elmore aren’t worried about the score.
Pro skills year round. “I’ve always loved our film unit,” Hunter said.
“Did Avail finish that weird band player graphic?”
“We watch the films at the end of each semester
Elmore asks. Manning laughs. “The one with the
in seminar, and they can bring in their friends or
guy’s head photoshopped onto a cartoon drummer?”
anybody who was in their film. It’s one thing to
As the game starts, Manning clicks the laptop resting on the ledge to play a graphic on the two big screens across from each other on the gym walls — a spinning ball shimmers in rays of orange, yellow and green and is captioned by “MAKE SOME NOISE.” Feet stomping, hands clapping, the gym erupts into cheers. Students in the Video Production Leadership class enjoy their own tight-knit community behind the scenes while learning more about editing, camera shots and design through their video boards and open-ended projects. “There are people in there that are just complete
“
watch it, but it’s another thing to get to watch it
YOU DON’T WANT
to see random stuff on the board, right? [...] You want to see something that’s funny [The process] is a lot of just moving stuff around. AVAIL WHITAKER SENIOR
with a group of people.”
film nerds and some who love drawing, and others
PRESS PLAY
The s te p s i n f i l m i n g a v i d e o f ro m c lub me mb e r A v a il W h itake r
1) STORYBOARDING
Start off with an idea or storyboarding. Whitaker draws out each shot that they want, including details about when the frame should move.
2) CONSISTENCY
One thing to always look out for is consistency for a clean video. Have everything placed the same it was as the previous shot.
3) FILM
Lights, camera, action! Check lighting and sound quality, now you’re ready to start filming your first video.
love anime,” Elmore said. “I think it’s just special
Because
of
the
size
of
the
class,
students
that even though we are very different people, we all
collaborate on each other’s projects throughout the
really enjoy making videos.”
entire video-making process — Elmore can add
As two of five students in the class, Elmore
guitar to someone’s intro or Mellenbruch can animate
and Manning start sixth hour at one of the rows
their transitions. And with the open-ended nature of
of computers in the library video room. After their
the assignments, finished projects represent both the
teacher Jennifer Hunter goes over the plan for the
creativity of the student and the skills of the class.
next couple of weeks – lately Rockhurst vs. East video
“For my video last year, me and my friends made
graphics – the students are free to film, animate and
a racecar parody, but the whole joke was that we had
edit.
to squeeze into little toy cars,” Elmore said. “And
“Video class is just a bunch of us bickering at
although it definitely had its flaws, I was really
each other and then scrambling to get things done,”
proud that I got really creative and put in a lot of
senior Avail Whitaker said.
thought and effort.”
The day before the Rockhurst game, class started
Everybody has their own niche — Elmore’s
with the Pokémon theme song and junior Han
spent years perfecting voiceovers, Manning took
Mellenbruch reading jokes off of his phone. “What
writer’s workshop to work on his screenplays and
has to be broken before you use it? An egg!” Next
Mellenbruch is a wizard with Blender, a 3D graphics
to him, Manning sat animating a person flipping
software. But despite various focuses they’re alike in
around and around to show when a defender lost his
more ways than they’re different — they all share
man, and to his left junior Daniel Au was building
the same love for YouTube, dry sense of humor and
a booth in Minecraft to use in a graphic for when
childhood obsession with making videos.
concessions were open.
“I took video production because when I was
“You don’t want to see some random stuff up on
a little kid I always made stupid iMovies with my
the board, right?” Whitaker said. “You want to see
cousins,” Elmore said. “And then all my cousins
something that’s funny. [The process] is a lot of just
grew out of it, but I never did, and I had no way to
moving stuff around.”
do it at home. Video production is a chance for me to do that.”
s tor y by kati e murphy
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 17
THE HARBINGER
d e si g n by jul i a camp bell p h o to s by al ex s a jn a
VILLAGE AT
MISSION S o p h o m o re s G ra c e O ’ D o n n e l l , C l a i re Langford and A deli n e C l i f f o rd s p e n d S u n d a y a fte r n o o n s p laying game s w i t h m e m o r y c a re p a t i e n t s a t t h e V i l l a g e at Mission, e nj o y ing eld e r l y- an ti c s an d l e s s o n s ab out grat i t ud e
T
OSSING
HER
80-YEAR-OLD
A B O V E O’Donnell, Langford and Clifford stand outside of the Village at Mission where they volunteer bi-weekly
opponents’
resident she enjoys playing with has a service dog named
dominos back into a bag, sophomore Adeline
Cookie who jumps on tables, even if it means knocking over
Clifford and her friends finish each Sunday
a game of Jenga.
volunteering session at the Village at Mission
assisted living facility the same way. “We’ll be back to play again in two weeks,” Adeline says habitually, with a smile — despite knowing that her opponents won’t remember her name by the next visit, let alone that 14 days have passed. Adeline and sophomore volunteers Grace O’Donnell and
“There’s funny moments, but I’ve also learned how bad Alzheimer’s can be when we see episodes of residents who forget what’s going on,” Claire said. “We try to be patient and lighthearted.” While interacting with patients, the girls notice a lot of repetition, having similar conversations regularly — even reteaching the rules of the same games every visit. Grace
THE LOCATION
The Village at Mission, 7 105 Mission Rd, Prairie V illa ge , KS 662 08
GAMES ON REPEAT
Claire Langford spend weekends playing board games with
has been volunteering in memory care since she was in
S o me of the SHARE chairs’ favorite game s to play
residents on the memory care floor, enjoying elderly antics
elementary school and says the staple games have remained
while volunteering and modifications they make to
and lessons about gratitude. The trio also oversees a SHARE
the same: go fish, king’s corner, checkers and dominoes.
acc ommoda te se nior re side nt s
“
project to recruit other student volunteers for the Village at Mission.
SOMETIMES WE’RE
the only visitors that people get, especially those with no family nearby, and it adds variety to their days. AD EL I NE CL I F FO R D SOPHOMORE
“Sometimes we’re the only visitors that people get,
“The visits can blend together, so you might think it’d get boring,” Grace said. “Still, their faces light up whenever we walk in.” Residents chatter with excitement for any new activity from Chiefs games to snack time, reminding the volunteers to be grateful for little things in life. “Cookies are seriously [the residents’] favorite thing,” Claire said with a chuckle. “When we bring them, they actually gobble them down. Everyone always asks for another one. Of course Harry always asks for another and says he didn’t have one yet, even when we know he did.” Grace has had her share of silly moments like patients carpet
behind
their facial
KINGS CORNER
colors of the cards are
d isreg ard ed to simp lif y the g ame
unknowingly
dragging
wheelchairs
or
they have forgetful moments at times, but there’s still
expressions after being served a healthy soda alternative
jokes and lively interaction.”
instead of Sprite. But she’s also seen emergencies with
players begin with five cards
ambulance visits and residents leaving in stretchers.
only inste ad of more
over-the-top
shocked
the g ame e a sier
to their days,” Adeline said. “Our routine is repetitive and
During each hour-long visit, they play up to seven
of
color-coded number tile s make
especially those with no family nearby, and it adds variety
wearing
rolls
DOMINOES
games of dominoes. Over more than a year of volunteering,
“That’s made me realize that time is precious, and I’m
they’ve gotten to know some regular characters: Lee tells
more grateful for every minute I spend with my family and
stories of his past military life between turns, Lisa’s
grandparents while I still can,” Grace said.
attention might drift to the TV after a few games and Harry is the most competitive dominos player. “If Harry gets a double, he likes to yell, ‘Blicky blicky!’ for some reason,” Adeline said. “It’s definitely gratifying to volunteer there, especially when Harry’s at the table. He gets so excited to have visitors.”
Adeline says the trio will continue volunteering for the rest of high school, and they encourage other students to join the GroupMe for their SHARE project in order to come along. “The residents basically sit in this giant room all day with some TVs,” Claire said. “The nurses do everything
Claire says Harry isn’t afraid to call out other players
they can to help, but it’s still kind of sad. We want [the
for “cheating,” otherwise known as a fellow memory care
residents] to have something nice to do and people to talk
patient accidentally taking one too many dominos. Another
to, even if it’s just an hour of dominoes.”
GO FISH
IN THE STUDIO 18 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
T
D'a΅ '¨'a D΅< #'
Luke
Pearcy and Charlie Carroll are sitting in
Pearcy’s walk-in closet, rapping verses from their notes app into the microphone
on their earbuds. Surrounding the boys were Lego sets and bright purple LED lights. Pearcy had seen the fun other kids at school were having creating lyrics and recording their songs and
“It was us getting into this crappy closet, just getting on our phones and writing down lyrics and then finding beats online — and then just go for it,” Carroll said. Though it started out as a joke, the more Pearcy continued to rap, the more passionate he became about it. Once in high school, he began to take it more seriously. Five years later, now-senior Pearcy can still be found rapping in his closet — but he replaced his earbud-microphone with a professional recording microphone and his closet is now decked out with $1,000 worth of recording equipment. “Every time I would record and finish a song, each one was better than the last,” Pearcy said. “So that’s how I kind of knew it was meant for me and then I started working and experimenting more and finding new sounds till I got what I have now.” Through rapping in seventh grade Pearcy also came up with his very own rapper name: Leanhead. No one can quite remember its origin, but the catchy name has stuck with him in and out of the studio. “That was part of the joke [of us rapping together], and I kind of just stuck with it,” Pearcy said. “I don’t even really like it that much, but people know me by that.” Now when Pearcy records a song he still finds a free
career out of his closet in hope s to be c ome a profe ssiona l mu sic a r tist
Brown’s known Pearcy since second grade and
then finishes off the song with adlibs or background
to planning album drops. He’s always supported
vocals before adding autotune to get the sound he
Pearcy’s career and thought he was breaking
wants on his voice. He tries getting sounds similar to
stereotypes, starting a rap career as a “white
artists Playboi Carti or Ken Carson with their playful
boy from PV.”
melodies and intense beats that are sure to blow your car speaker.
Greenstein has helped Pearcy’s rap career from the sidelines, supporting
ad•lib
The group would pick a beat off YouTube and
microphone with a sock before saving it on GarageBand.
S enior Luke Pearcy star ted a rapping
watched him grow from jokingly rapping into a sock
convincing classmates to join them to freestyle a verse.
“effects” to their voices by covering the earbuds
p h o to s b y m a s o n s a j n a
Logic Pro and puts down his vocals and freestyles. He
in their makeshift “studio”— every once in a while,
jokingly freestyle over it — sometimes even adding
d e s ig n b y s yd n ey e c k
beat off YouTube like he used to, but downloads it to
wanted to try it out. He convinced Carroll to join him
SPOTIFY RUNDOWN
story b y e mme rso n wi n frey
THE HARBINGER
his work and letting him use his mom’s apartment for his music
t h e m u s i c i a n i s a t l i b e r t y t o m a ke t h e i r o w n i n t e r p re t a t i o n s o f t h e m e l o d y t o a d d t o a melody or song.
video. “They
were
filming
and
Pearcy was texting me, and
Pearcy has released ten singles and four albums
I had the idea if they wanted
on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple
to go and use my mom’s place
Music, Soundcloud and YouTube Music since early
and they could dance around,”
2022 and released his latest song “Fam3” this January.
Greenstein said.
“Fam3”
was
different
from
Pearcy’s
previous
Greenstein will be able to
songs. When he was recording it, the sound of the
keep cheering Pearcy on next
song itself stood out more than others he’d released.
year while they’re both at
After showing it to others, he realized how much it
the University of Arizona, with
stood out from the rest of his discography. It quickly
Pearcy
shot to his top song on Spotify and he collaborated
program after high school.
with senior and videographer Calen Domingues on a music video for it.
attending
their
music
Pearcy wants to get more into production of music and
“I actually sent the song to one of [Domingues’s]
making
beats
friends and his friend played it for him and he said
college
instead
he really liked it so he decided that he would make
doing vocals like he does
me a free music video, which I thought was actually
now.
the coolest thing ever,” Pearcy said. “It really, really helped my confidence.”
throughout of
simply
“My program after high
school,
that’s
The video was posted across all of Domingues’s
where
I
like
and Pearcy’s social media and gained over 200 likes
should
on their shared Instagram post.
peak,”
Pearcy
said.
“I’m
making
the
“I had expectations going in for what I wanted to
feel be
at
do, but I went above all the expectations I had even
beats, I’m making
though I had no idea what I was doing,” Domingues
the
said.
mastering
Pearcy also received help from other friends along
vocals,
myself.
it I
I
my
I’m all think
the way, such as seniors Charlie Greenstein and Levi
that’ll make me feel
Brown with things like coming up with lyrics, finding
complete.”
the right beat or even just supporting his career.
O verv i e w o f L u ke’s m o s t re c e n t
single s a n d h i s s tat i s t i c s o n S p o t i f y
76 11
MONTHLY LISTENERS
4 ALBUMS
SINGLES
FAM3
2024
MY SHOT
2023
LEAN4EVER
2023
NO HANDS
2023
copy by neva h udson
de s i g n by avery anderson p h o to by carol i n e m ar tu cci
Emma MOLTENI THE HARBINGER
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 19
SCAN ME VIDEO Emma Molteni singing “A Little Bit of Good” from “Chicago.”
S enior Emma Molteni is classically trained in opera singing and plans to p ursue a career i n vo cal p er fo r m ance
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SINGING FOR?
“
I started doing choir class and musical theater in fifth grade, and then I kind of transitioned to classical and opera sophomore and junior year. I’m better at singing classical music than pop or musical theater usually but part of what drew me to it was just being introduced to operas and things. I definitely enjoy the act of singing opera and the dramatics of it. It’s very over dramatic, which I think is fun.
HOW HAVE YOU LEARNED TO SING CLASSICALLY AND IS IT HARD TO FIND THAT KIND OF TRAINING?
“
I have a voice teacher, it’s changed over the years, but I do private lessons. That’s how I learned about more classical things because we do some musical theater pieces and some classical pieces. I don’t think it’s hard to find necessarily because a lot of voice teachers will start with more classical pieces to grow your voice. I guess it’s more hard to find experience actually doing it.
DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE SINGING OPERA AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?
“
I want to major in vocal performance, which is basically opera and classical voice. Ideally in my future, I’d love to be getting paid for that. I have auditions set up at UMKC, KU and Manhattan School of Music and Boston Conservatory, so there’s been a lot of preparing for those.
&
20 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
de s ig n by l u c y st e ph e n s ph o to s co ur te s y o f i mdb.co m
smeharbinger.net/category/a&e
RECENT
Look out for these new relases comming to theaters
MOVIE PREMIERE
BOB MARLEY ONE LOVE Release Date: Feb. 14
Genre:
UPCOMING EVENTS Mark your calenders for these upcoming events
FEB 8-10
“
“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS” MUSICAL
IT’S A VERY fun show and a really fun opportunity. We’ve put in a lot of time and effort, and I think it’s good to come support other areas in your community.
L AYL A LE DFO R D SENIOR
Drama, Music
Running Time: 2 hrs 24 mins
Starring:
Kingsley Ben-Adir, James Norton
“
FEB 19 PRESIDENT’S DAY
SCAN ME TICKETS
inspired by his music and his way of life, I want to hear some of the stories behind his
JUNIOR
DO YOU CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 4 7 v o t e s
YES NO
22%
Usher will be performing the halftime show for Super Bowl LVIII
MOVIE PREMIERE
MADAME WEB
Release Date:
Feb. 14
Genre:
Action, Adventure
Running Time: 1 hr 52 mins
Starring:
Sydney Sweeney, Dakota Johnson & Emma Roberts
ARE YOU GOING TO WATCH “MADAME WEB?” * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 8 6 v o t e s
16%
Scan to buy tickets for K ansas City Ballet’s Peter Pan on Feb. 16-25
FEB 13 MARDI GRAS
USHER’S HALFTIME SHOW
M ORG A N A N DE RSO N
YES NO
CITY BALLET’S FEB 16 KANSAS “PETER PAN” OPENS
I’VE ALWAYS BEEN
songs.
FEB 10 LUNAR NEW YEAR FEB 11 SUPER BOWL LVIII FEB 14 VALENTINE’S DAY
84%
USHER’S BIGGEST HITS #1 Yeah! (2003) #2 My Way (1997) #3 Love In This Club (2008)
“
I’VE NEVER SEEN
him perform, and he’s been pretty quiet for a long time. I’m into a lot of the early 2000s music, and I didn’t think he’d do something like this. EL L A W EB ER JUNIOR
SCAN ME MUSIC Scan to listen to Spotify ’s “Best of Usher” playlist featuring some of his best works
78%
s tor y by is abe l bal da ss aro
THE HARBINGER
d e si g n by cl ara burdick
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 21
p h o to s by l yl a weeks
LOCAL
BILLIES A re v i e w o n n e w p a s t r ie s served at the the new Billie’s G ro cer y l o cat i o n i n R anchm ar t
BILLIE’S GROCERY HAS recently
become
area furnished with plants and spaced out
my go-to study spot. Nothing beats their iced
tables made me feel at peace and ready to
coffee, pastries and tomato soup as a cure to my
conquer any assignment. It offers a laid back
homework-induced cravings.
environment to try some of their new bakery
The only downside to the original Kansas City,
items released after it opened.
Missouri location is the constant line out the
I decided to order their new Matcha Eclair
door. I recently visited the new Leawood location
pastry and two protein bites I’d been eyeing
that opened this winter in hopes of eliminating
since I saw the ad for their new collab on
this issue and truly discovering my ideal study
Instagram. This collaboration between Lite
spot.
Bites KC — seller of premium protein and
I
noticed
their
display
of
items
from
sweatshirts to cards that you could buy right in
granola treats — and Billie’s was one of their efforts to promote the new building.
front of the cash register. The wide open seating
MATCHA ECLAIR I’VE ALWAYS TENDED towards unique flavors like lavender
statement that rang true when
and cilantro, so I assumed I’d enjoy the strong flavors of
I
their earthy matcha. In a delightful twist, the pastry was
my
light and sweet with a perfect balance between the typically
shockingly finished it in record time.
took
the
leftovers
matcha-hating
home
sisters
to
who
overpowering matcha and the sweetness a pastry should
The whopping $4.75 price tag can be an easy excuse to
have. Between the three different layers — bread, cream and
overlook the pastry but it ended up being one of my new
hardened white chocolate — and the combination of freshness
favorite sweets. It’s safe to say I’ll be purchasing this one
and a sugary tang, this dish was my favorite.
again.
This item is a f lavor ful pa stry tha t pa c ks a punc h with it s thre e layered complexit y.
The treat could easily appeal to anyone’s taste buds — a
CRANBERRY PROTEIN BITE STILL IN AWE from the splendor of my previous treat,
My initial doubts about the pricing were put to rest as I
I hastily grabbed my next plate ready to be blown away by
finished the rest of the protein bite. It was truly worth every
another delicious snack. Though I’ve never been a big fan of
cent of the $2 I paid for it. For the price of only 5$ for a pack
cranberries, the moment I bit down on the cranberry protein
of three, I’m ready to go back and purchase them for a tasty
bite, I was in heaven. The salty peanut butter meshed perfectly
snack throughout the week.
with the sweet cranberries to create a delicious yet protein-
This item is a t a steful mixture of s alt y and sweet , with the combina tion on pe anut butter and cranberrie s.
rich snack. The bite was only the size of a tablespoon serving, yet full of flavor.
CHOCOLATE CHIP PROTEIN BITE SOMEHOW, THE CHOCOLATE chip bite was even better.
included constant help from the staff who were ecstatic to
It once again provided the mix of smooth and crunchy for an
navigate me around the spacious building.
ideal texture and perfect after-school snack. And just when it can’t get any better, it does. Paralleling their nutritional objective, the bites are gluten free, nutrient dense and of course, packed with protein, according to their website. What’s better? My delightful time spent in the restaurant
Now, there’s a close restaurant where I can find both food and cute accessories in a welcoming environment. Billie’s Leawood location is yet to suffer the same crowded fate as its Kansas City, Missouri location so visit it while you can still secure a table.
This item is a delicious gluten free snack tha t ha s a wonder ful crunch from the c h oc ola te c h ips .
22 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
GRILLED TO
THE HARBINGER
PERFECTION R ecre a t i n g a n d re v i e w i n g t h e “ To p 5 G r i l l e d Chee se s of 202 3” according to Chef Ty ler o n TikTo k
INTRO
p h o to s b y ri l ey s cot t
WHEN I THINK of sandwiches, pieces
of
I
grilled
cheese
from lobster to spinach and artichoke
two
toasted
dip, my mouth watered at his cheese pull
surrounding
melted,
videos.
envision
bread
gooey cheese. I thought the only way
After
to customize the sandwich was with
displays
different breads or cheeses — until I saw
reviews it on a scale of one to 10. So far,
Chef Tyler’s “Top Five Grilled Cheeses of
only four have received a perfect 10 — so
2023” TikTok.
I was insistent on trying to recreate these
Known for making specialty grilled
#1 #4
ADDIE’S RANKING: TYLER’S RANKING:
GARLIC BREAD THE APPETIZER
story & de sig n b y addi e mo o re
BEST
The garlic seeped into the bread
any
and the cheese, making the flavor
pizza restaurant is undoubtedly
apparent in every bite. The only
the cheesy garlic bread, so when I
thing that could make this already
saw Tyler praising his garlic bread
heavenly sandwich better is using
grilled cheese, I had to try it.
Texas
at
This is the closest thing to a “generic grilled cheese” featured
Toast
and
dipping
it
#3
being
full
from
my the
Tyler
sandwich
and
groundbreaking grilled cheeses.
#1
TYLER’S RANKING:
ADDIE’S RANKING:
BUTTER CHICKEN
WITH THE BUTTER chicken grilled cheese, Tyler
added a nutty, more
manages to turn another classic Indian dish into a
earthy flavor.
grilled cheese masterpiece. The butter chicken grilled
After
trying
both
cheese was similar to the chicken tikka masala one,
Indian-inspired dishes, it was hard for me to rate
the only difference being a sweeter, creamier sauce.
the butter chicken higher than the chicken tikka
The consistency of the sauce contrasts the
masala because of its lack of spice. Even though it
crunchiness of the bread, making the textures melt
was satisfactory, the spice from the tikka masala
in
sauce tops the butter sauce any day.
my
mouth. The cashews in the sauce
#4
ADDIE’S RANKING:
in
sandwiches,
process,
TYLER’S RANKING:
#2
SMOKED BRISKET AND CARAMELIZED ONION
in the video, but the minced garlic
previous
and garlic powder on the inside of
garlic bread grilled cheese was so
the bread gave the flavor its own
tasty that I ate the whole thing —
uniqueness that no other grilled
and proceeded to make another
MY GO-TO ORDER at any barbeque restaurant is
more effort than it was worth. My mediocre cooking
one.
brisket, but it’s even better on grilled cheese.
skills forced me to buy the smoked brisket from a
#2 #3
cheese could ever have.
ADDIE’S RANKING: TYLER’S RANKING:
three
his
finished
cheeses with wacky ingredients ranging
marinara sauce. Despite
filming the
crunchy,
a classic Indian dish of chicken
complements the creamy texture of
soaked in a spicy and earthy tikka
the tikka masala sauce.
grilled
sourdough
also
masala sauce usually served on
Being able to take my staple
rice with naan bread — might just
take-out dish, put it on bread with
be my new favorite grilled cheese
some cheese and cook it on the
ingredient.
stove for a couple minutes is the soaked
easiest — and best — way to take
up the spicy sauce, muting the
chicken tikka masala to the next
spice level for my fellow foodies
level.
with
sensitive
bread
taste
buds.
The
after the grocery store for the other ingredients. And
pairing reminded me of the mouthwatering Texas
contrary to Tyler’s effortless video, caramelizing
Ranger sandwich I often opt for at Meat Mitch —
onions isn’t nearly as easy as he made it look —
to the point where I was tempted to drench it in
taking much longer than the
barbeque sauce.
two second clip in the
#5
ADDIE’S RANKING:
CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA —
sourdough
barbeque restaurant, which required a second stop
the soft texture of the meat. The brisket and onion
Despite being tasty, making this sandwich was
CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA
The
The crunchiness of the onion complemented
TYLER’S RANKING:
RASPBERRY, JALAPENO AND BACON
#5
video.
A GRILLED CHEESE recipe with raspberries,
bacon — the raspberries with their tart and sweet
bacon and jalapeños on it seemed repulsive, so my
flavor combined with the jalapeños stinging spice
stomach churned when Tyler rated this sandwich as
overpowered any other flavor in the sandwich.
the fifth best grilled cheese of 2023.
This suspicious combination was made even
Bacon and jalapeños together? Delicious. Bacon
worse by the textures. The slimy consistency of the
and raspberries? A little questionable. But all three
raspberries and juice dripping off of my hands made
combined is borderline insanity.
me already biased against this sandwich.
The sweetness and tartness of the raspberries did
The bacon and cheddar combo was outstanding,
NOT mix well with the savory jalapeños and bacon.
but I still believe that jalapeños and raspberries
The only part of the sandwich that I enjoyed was the
shouldn’t come within five feet of each other.
FRESH JUICES & SMOOTHIES
JUICES AND SMOOTHIES
10% OFF WITH YOUR STUDENT ID
SCAN FOR MENU 4984 Roe Blvd, Roleand Park, KS 66205
L O
O
K
I
N G
F O
R
Something Unique? We have it! From home furniture to personal accessories you can find it here!
Sun - Wed 10 - 6 | Thurs - Sat 10 - 7 9 0 3 0 M E T C A L F AV E , OV E R L A N D PA R K 9 1 3 - 9 0 1 - 8 8 8 8 - LIKE US ON
Sports
...
5
5:30 p.m.
Freshman Basketball vs. Olathe East
6
FEBRUARY
5:30p.m.
Cheer Senior Night
8
a y le f t
1
cheer
senior night
Ma r k y o ur calendars for the se UPCOMING EVENTS
smeharbinger.net/category/sports
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 24
d
d e si g n by l i bby mars h
FEBRUARY
3:30 p.m.
B o y s Va r s i t y S w i m M e e t
10
TBD
FEBRUARY
Girls Wrestling Regional @ Spring Hill
game recap L E F T Seniors Patrick Flint, Patrick Byrd, Hudson O’Neill and Peter Stechschulte cheer for the Lancers during player introductions. The student section sat and read Harbinger paper as the Rockhurst starting lineup was announced. When the East line up was announced the crowed cheered and threw their papers in the air.
A summary o f th e East v s. R o ck h urst b asket b al l g am e
photo by caroline martucci
started ahead 15-13 in the first quarter
THE VARSITY boys basketball team
they
fell to Rockhurst High School 66-54. The
the score with in 10 points. However
annual rivalry game was held on Friday Jan. 26 at East. The student section was packed shoulder-to -shoulder with fans dressed in “Beat Rock” shirts made by the students store. While the Lancers
fell
behind
managing
to
keep
multiple turnovers in the fourth quarter widened the gap and the Lancers were unable to come back, according to coach Shawn Hair. Despite the varsity loss the JV team won 56-48.
SCAN ME GALLERY A gallery of the girls freshman basketball game against William Chrisman
B O T T O M Senior Blake Hanson attempts to stop the ball before his opponent can get down the court. photo by amelie wong
coach review SHAWN HAIR BOY S VARSITY BAS KETBALL COACH
B O T T O M L E F T Junior Cole Chinook passes the ball to his teammate, senior Teddy Saylor, as his opponent tries to block the pass. photo by amelie wong
“
IT’S SUCH AN intense rivalry that half
of the fans are excited when you make a good play and the other half of the fans are booing you when you make a good play. So I think our kids handled that adversity very well.
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 | 25
THE HARBINGER
stor y and pho to by mary g a gen
de s i gn by zan e l ai ng
WRESTLING MANIA A look into how the boys and girls wre stling teams’ seasons are going and the
BOYS UPDATE
WITH 11 TOURNAMENT S complete and four left, varsity team captain and junior Grey Robinson hopes to help his team improve their personal records as well as achieve their academic goals as they train daily for the upcoming district, regional and state tournaments. As the team spends time together cheering for each other during tournaments, playing games together and practicing, the underclassmen learn more about the team culture. “There’s something we say in the wrestling room,” Robinson said. “Once you wrestle, it makes everything else in life seem a little bit easier to manage.” Robinson strives to teach the underclassmen this lesson like his own upperclassmen had taught him. According to Robinson, the same dedication needed on the mat should be applied to everyday life. This lesson helped him place second at the Grandview Invitational tournament on Jan. 26 this year in the 138 pound weight class. “The work ethic needed for wrestling definitely carries over into my everyday life and school,” Robinson said. With only three seniors in the program this year, head coach Chip Ufford attributes much of the team’s compatibility to both the seniors and juniors encouraging and leading younger athletes. “[Our upperclassmen] do a great job of leading,” Ufford said. “It takes time, it takes effort and it takes energy to develop a community of people who want to compete and push each other.” According to Ufford, he and his coaching staff are primarily interested in the holistic growth of their athletes. He pushes their growth by emphasizing work ethic through conditioning and pep talks. “Wrestling is a tough sport,” Ufford said. “[Wrestlers] learn how to get through hard times, and not just quit and give up, because things can get difficult in life.” According to Ufford, many of his former athletes return and share how wrestling in high school shaped their work ethic in their personal lives. Despite having a young team, with six out of 11 varsity wrestlers being underclassmen, Ufford hopes his wrestlers qualify for the state tournament on Feb. 22 by placing in the district and regional tournaments. “[Wrestling] is like a rollercoaster,” Ufford said. “There’s the ups and downs. We’re at a low point right now, but we’re going to start turning the corner and come back.”
perseverance it take s to be a wre stler
GIRLS UPDATE WITH SIX GIRLS in the wrestling
program — compared to the two last year — varsity captain and junior Sylvia MohrSting felt successful in pioneering the program as she’s watched the team compete in eight tournaments so far this season, typically with placers in each. “It’s awesome to see the growth in our program,” MohrSting said. “With more teammates, it’s honestly more fun.” First year wrestler and sophomore Maria Scott credits her joining the program to MohrSting’s practice partner, co-captain and junior Abi Contreras. “I had weights with Abi,” Scott said. “She told me how fun wrestling is, and really seemed passionate about it, so I wanted to try it.” Contreras placed sixth at the Paola Invitational tournament on Jan. 19 this year in the 115 pound weight class. MohrSting also placed fifth in the 120
“
pound weight class.
IT’S AWESOME TO see the growth in our program.
S YLV I A M O H RS TI N G JUNIOR
“My family keeps me going by encouraging me and
pushing me,” Contreras said. “And honestly, I’m too stubborn to give up. Contreras’s family attends every meet she com-
UPCOMING
SCHEDULE East w re st l i n g t o urn am en t s co m i n g so o n
SAT, FEB. 3
TUE, FEB. 6
SUNFLOWER LEAGUE
DISTRICTS
TUE, FEB. 6
SAT, FEB. 10
DISTRICTS
REGIONALS
BOYS/GIRLS @SMNW GIRLS
BOYS
@SMN
GIRLS
TBD
@SPRING HILL
FRI-SAT, FEB. 16-17
THU-SAT, FEB. 22-24
REGIONALS
STATE MEET
petes in. Similarly, girls’ wrestling coach Tanner Laird attributes much of the growth of the program to the work ethic and motivation MohrSting and Contreras regularly display. The team hopes to finish the season strong and grow even larger next year by supporting female wrestlers at Indian Hills Middle School by having East wrestlers assist in coaching at the middle school level. “The girls are good people, athletes and students,” Laird said. “They deserve a lot of credit for the growth of our program.” The next big events for the girls’ program are the District Meet on Feb. 6, the Regional Meet on Feb. 10, and the State tournament on Feb. 22. “I placed eighth last year,” MohrSting said. “But this year I want to aim higher. Hopefully top five.”
BOYS
@OLATHE WEST
BOYS/GIRLS
@HARTMAN ARENA WICHITA
ON THE ICE
26 | FEBRUARY 5 2024
story b y c ar l su tt o n
THE HARBINGER
d e s ig n b y l o re l e i g a l l e s & a d d i e mo o re p h o to s b y c a ro l i n e ma r t u cc i & l y l a we e ks
Ca r r i a g e C l u b h o c ke y p l a y e rs s o p h o m o re Henry Zwillenberg and junior Henry
Pollock ref lec t o n th e s e as o n afte r c o n v i n c i n g t h ei r f r i en d s to j o i n t h e tea m
S
OPHOMORE ZWILLENBERG
HENRY
on is difficult, but learning to move forward
down
and backward is even harder according to
Sophomore Henry Zwillenberg flew
the team’s coach Joe Zwillenberg. After five
skated
down the Carriage Club ice rink,
months of weekly skating practice, Wetzel
hockey stick in hand, maneuvering around
now glides over the ice with less slipping and
a Kansas City Stars defender firing the puck
sliding.
“
past the goalie and into the top left of the net for his 12th goal of the season.
Zwillenberg and his friend junior Henry Pollock have been playing hockey since they
were in preschool — where they just learned the basics. This year, they recruited Woodsie
Wetzel to play with them on the Carriage Club Hockey team
“I just love hanging out with the fellas,”
Zwillenberg said. “We hang out every day at practice.” Now,
with
the
season
in
full
swing
and coming off a 6-1 win over Rockhurst,
DURING THE
first few games, I was scared to go out on the ice. Both Henry’s helped me with things like skating and controlling the puck outside of practice.
weeks of the season because it wasn’t cold
traveling from state to state for tournaments
enough to practice yet,” Pollock said. “So
or practicing in their backyards after school.
when we did start, [Wetzel] and a lot of the
Pollock and Zwillenberg have been begging
new people kept falling over like every few
Wetzel’s first hurdle was getting all of
minutes while they were trying to skate.” Wetzel says that the coaches on the team
“During the first few games, I was scared to go out on the ice,” Wetzel said. “Both
of pads for a total of $1500.
Henry’s helped me with things like skating
team
travels
places
like
Pollock and Zwillenberg would stay late
of it, but they didn’t have everything so I had
to help him with skating after practice, so he
to go to other stores.”
wouldn’t feel as scared as he had been when
northwestern
KC Ice Center
and The
team
has
Po l l o c k w a i t s d u r i n g a s h o o t i n g
the team is staying, according to Coach
d r i l l . P h oto by Ly l a We e k s
Zwillenberg. “Traveling is really fun, we all stay in the same rooms and bring Xboxes from home,” Pollock said. Coach Zwillenberg, has been focused on developing a competitive team since
any other Kansas City team. He has always enjoyed the dynamic of the Henry’s and their recruited rookie friend despite his desire to stay competitive. “It’s just really fun to see the kids who are just starting to develop for me and the players,” Coach Zwillenberg said.
We t ze l a n d Po l l o c k s ta n d o u t s i d e the rink laughing at someone who just slipped on the ice. P h oto by C a ro l i n e M a r t u cc i
he’d go out on the ice. They especially enjoy staying at hotels and
A lo ok a he a d a t th e u p c o mi n g h o c ke y s c h e d ul e fo r t he rem ai nd er o f t he seaso n
F E B R U A R Y 9:40 p.m.
Arkansas.
team dinners at nearby restaurants where
UPCOMING GAMES
09
to
Wichita
and controlling the puck outside of practice.”
said. “I went to Play it Again Sports for most
to skate. Just learning to stand with skates
other when the
the bench is electric.
gloves, jerseys and multiple different kinds
Then came the hard part:learning how
e each
are always very helpful and the attitude on
the necessary hockey gear: a helmet, stick,
“It was difficult getting the gear,” Wetzel
m
to three league championships — more than
as they can with their team — whether it’s
deciding not to play basketball this season.
i
with
his son, Henry. Since then, he’s led the team
SOPHOMORE “We didn’t have practice for the first two
for years but he just recently agreed after
t
starting his coaching career 14 years ago for
WO O D SIE WETZEL
Zwillenberg and Pollock spend as much time
sophomore Woodsie Wetzel to join the team
spending
10
FEBRUARY
9 p.m.
KC Ice Center
11
The boys go out onto the ice at the beginning of practice. P hoto by C a rol i n e Ma r tucci
FEBRUARY
2 p.m.
KC Ice Center
17
FEBRUARY Wichita, KS
TBD
ALL
FEBRUARY 5, 2023 | 27
THE HARBINGER
de sign by l i v madde n
ROCKED OUT
After a week full of hype videos and printing shirts, the East basketball teams played against Rockhurst on Jan. 26.
L E F T The student section cheers for SM East player introductions before the varsity game. “I love the energy that everyone brought to the game. Hearing everyone chant and get excited for our team is one of my favorite things ever,” senior Nick Lindmark said photo by caroline martucci
R I G H T Senior Claire Schudy and other Pep Club Executives cheer after the final Rockhurst starting player was announced. During Rockhurst’s starting lineup, students sat and read the Harbinger newspapers — a prank planned by Pep Club. Afterwards, they threw the papers into the air.
photo by mason sajna
SCAN ME PHOTO Scan this QR code to access photos from the Varsity game
SCAN ME PHOTO Scan this QR code to access photos from the JV game
R I G H T Senior Teddy Saylor makes a layup in the second quarter, making the score 15-11 in favor of the Lancers. photo by mason sajna
T O P R I G H T Seniors Wesley Cribb, Alex Flower, Nick Lindmark, Hudson O’Neill, Peter Stechschulte and Alex Tiedt try to push through the door to get inside. Students began lining up at 3:30 p.m. outside the cafeteria doors to be the first ones in the gym at 4:30 p.m. for the JV game. East administrators stood inside as the students were banging on the windows, chanting to be let in early. photo by amelie wong
28 | FEBRUARY 5, 2024
story b y ma g gi e co n do n
THE HARBINGER
d e s ig n b y b ri d ge t co n n e l l y p h o to s c o u r te s y o f f e at u re d co u p l e s
EAST’S
sweethearts
duseks THE
A s Valentine’s Day approache s, discover the love storie s of t hree East staff co up l e s
ATHLETIC COUNSELOR JIM and Athletic Secretary
the rest of the month.
“In December of ‘88, I went back out [to
After having three sons and spending 27
Jeanne Dusek’s love story is a
Virginia Beach] and ever since then we were
years in the Navy, Jim retired and the family
family affair. They originally
inseparable,” Jeanne said. “Then I moved out
moved back to Kansas City. Although it wasn’t
met at a Thanksgiving dinner
[there] in June of ‘89.”
planned, they both happened to end up with
in
1988
where
in
Virginia
Jeanne’s
After six months of dating and a six-month
Beach
brother
and
his wife lived — who just so
1989
WHAT’S
A
LOVE
story
without
school, the couple is grateful to know they have
“Sometimes the journey of growing together
Hitting it off over dinner led
“It’s a comfort thing, you know?” Jeanne
we didn’t date a lot. We were [dating for] six
said. “It’s kind of like a good chocolate or a
quickly embarking on a “You Got Mail”
months and then we were engaged and then
good french fry.”
romance — becoming digital pen pals for
married, so there was a lot of growing that we
a
of North Dakota that afternoon. They said their goodbyes and the usual
dad was the pastor who married Maggie’s
That night, as Maggie was preparing for her layover in Minneapolis, she saw Doug
Maggie was playing softball for the school
sitting in her terminal.
parents. They dated throughout college and continued to live in North
and Doug was playing basketball. They met
“I get to the terminal and Doug is sitting
Dakota after graduation. Finally,
in a student-athlete class and discovered
there,” Maggie laughed. “I go, ‘What are
the pair got married on Sept. 10,
they were both from Kansas City.
you doing?’ and he goes ‘This is the world’s
2016, and moved back to Kansas
longest layover.’”
City in 2019.
dropping them off at the airport to head home
And in true rom-com fashion, their seat
for winter break when she miraculously ran
assignments were next to each other. They
department,
into Doug. He explained that he was heading
talked the whole way home.
overlap all the time,” Maggie said.
back to his hometown near Kansas City
Even
now
they
coincidences
archers
one of Doug’s high school basketball coach’s
“Have a nice break!”
went to college in North Dakota in 2009.
Maggie was helping out a friend by
THE
parents share the same anniversary or that
will get there, but before all that, the two
continue that
have
to
“For
being our
in
the
same
paths
don’t
discover
“But it’s nice at the end of the day
connected
to have a spouse who gets it, who
and was about to board a flight, so Maggie
more
explained that she was also going to fly out
them throughout their life — like that their
understands the life of a teacher.”
THE COACH SHAWN HAIR and
Hê
2016
on the bench while Shawn coached games.
on their Lancer love story. Through nearly
Jennifer
At the time, Grace was in kindergarten and
16 years of marriage, their family grew with
Hair’s love story is a scene
loved watching cheerleaders perform so
the birth of their two daughters — now
straight out of “High School
she’d go over and sit with Jennifer to hang
14-year-old
Musical” — except a teacher
out with the cheerleaders during the games.
Caroline.
business
version
teacher
with
almost
no
Shawn appreciated Jennifer’s kindness towards his kids and eventually started
musical numbers. The pair met in 2005 at East
2008
someone so close if they ever need anything.
to the two exchanging numbers and
Coaches Maggie and Doug Archer’s story
Hê
Though they work at different ends of the
just a year after they met. makes that bond,” Jim said. “Because honestly,
serendipitous magical airport scene?
hairs
jobs at East.
engagement, the pair got married in December
happened to be Jim’s sister.
Hê
did together and that made us closer.”
seeing her outside of school as friends.
Annabelle
and
10-year-old
Having their family be a part of the East community came naturally. “Our nanny is a senior at East, and so
while Jennifer was coaching
A year later, faculty began to question if
we love our Lancers enough that we trust
cheer and Shawn was coaching
anything was going on, so they announced
them with our own kids, our own dogs,”
basketball,
that their relationship was official.
Jennifer said. “It’s just integrated into our
spending
Friday
nights under the same fluorescent lights of the gymnasium. Jennifer grew close to Shawn’s kids, Grace and Luke, as they hung out
“She really is my best friend,” Shawn said. “And she’s helped me through so much.” On Oct. 18, 2008, the two tied the knot
family structure and our marriage.”