The Harbinger: Issue 2

the harbinger.

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66205

SEPT 18, 2017 STRESS LEVELS

BODY TEMP

HEART

RATE

VOLUME LIX MUSCLE

CNTRL

SWEAT LEVELS

ISSUE 2

Sophomore Hannah Hobert learns to help control aspects of her body after two years of struggling with physical pain and mental distress PAGES 16-17

COVER DESIGN ROBBIE VEGL AHN COVER PHOTOS DIANA PERCY

THE HARBINGER

2 CONTENTS

table of contents.

peek inside.

editorial

SMSD DACA Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

A more detailed look at a few of the stories in the issue.

FINDING HER TUNE | page 20 | features Sophomore Juilia Stevermer expresses passion for music and finds connections to her teacher and late father through playing the cello

NEWS

LEFT | Stevermer practices her cello in an East practice room

| ELIZABETH ANDERSON

THE CULTURE OF CURSING | page 9 | opinion Junior staffer Elizabeth Ballew believes that cursing has lost its shock value due to overuse in everyday life – a phenomenon which she participates in herself

Photo by: | LUCY MORANTZ

HOOKED ON HORROR | page 23 | a&e Review of new horror movies: “It,” based on the novel by Stephen King and “Annabelle: Creation,” the newest of the “Conjuring” series

the harbinger staff.

PRINT EDITORS-INCHIEF Grace Chisholm Robbie Veglahn

ASST. PRINT EDITORS Emily Fey Lizzie Kahle HEAD COPY EDITOR Daisy Bolin ART & DESIGN EDITOR Anna McClelland ASST. ART & DESIGN EDITOR Katie Hise ONLINE EDITORS-INCHIEF Reser Hall Kaleigh Koc ASST. ONLINE EDITORS Annabelle Cook Will Tulp PRINT SECTION EDITORS Editorial- Caroline Chisholm News- Lucy Patterson Opinion- Gracie Kost & Scout Rice Features- Lila Tulp & Abby Walker Spread- Annabelle Cook

A&E- Grace Padon & Liddy Stallard Sports- Elias Lowland PAGE DESIGNERS Carolyn Popper Jackie Cameron Natasha Thomas Gabby Leinbach Brynn Winkler Kaylin McCann Sarah Wilcox Sarah Bledsoe Meg Thoma Elizabeth Ballew Ava Johnson

Jackie Cameron Maya Stratman PHOTO EDITORS Diana Percy Ellie Thoma Carson Holtgraves ASST. PHOTO EDITORS Grace Goldman Print- Audrey Kesler Online- Maddie Smiley SME PHOTOS EDITOR Carson Holtgraves

STAFF ARTISTS Skyler Boschen Donna Kay

HEAD PHOTO MENTOR Izzy Zanone

COPY EDITORS Mac Newman Madeline Hlobik Abby Walker Harrison Gooley Reser Hall Kaleigh Koc Annabelle Cook Will Tulp Caroline Chisholm Scout Rice Lucy Patterson Alex Freeman Pauline Shaver Daisy Bolin

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Tyler Browning Ellen Swanson Reilly Moreland Luke Hoffman Lucy Morantz Elizabeth Anderson Ava Simonsen Morgan Plunkett Katherine Odell Katherine McGinness Hadley Hyatt Ally Griffith Kate Nixon Aislinn Menke Kathleen Deed

STAFF WRITERS Lucia Barraza Miranda Hack

ONLINE SECTION

LEFT |

Pennywise the clown creeps out from inside a tunnel | COURTESY OF MCTCAMPUS

EDITORS News- Alex Freeman Sports- Jet Semrick Features- Brooklyn Terrill A&E- Kaylin McCann Homegrown- Pauline Shaver Opinion- Miranda Hack Eastipedia- Lucy Kendall Humans of East- Kate Nixon MOBILE MEDIA EDITORS Anna Kanaley Lucy Hoffman ASST. MOBILE MEDIA EDITOR Brooklyn Terrill VIDEO EDITOR Avery Walker ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Drake Woods VIDEO TRAINING EDITOR Nic Bruyere LIVE BROADCAST EDITOR Peyton Watts WEBMASTER Marti Fromm

PODCAST EDITOR Lucy Patterson ANCHORS Ian Schutt Drake Woods INTERACTIVE EDITORS Will Tulp Annabelle Cook MULTIMEDIA STAFF Ian Schutt Dylan King Maggie Schutt Reilly Moreland ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Drake Woods EDITORIAL BOARD Grace Chisholm Robbie Veglahn Reser Hall Kaleigh Koc Emily Fey Lizzie Kahle Annabelle Cook Will Tulp Daisy Bolin Anna McClelland Anna Kanaley Lucy Hoffman Brooklyn Terrill Harrison Gooley Caroline Chisholm

News briefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lancer Dancer C-team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Outdoor classroom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Superintendent search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

OPINION

CURSING HAS LOST ITS SHOCK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Fake problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Guys vs. girls weights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Homeschooling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 . .

Anti-senioritis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

F E AT U R E S

Overcoming medical issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Sugar-scrub business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 CELLO PROTÉGÉ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Strange obsessions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

“IT” REVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Tacos in Mission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Homecoming fashion round-up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 “Grease” review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

SPORTS

Decline in youth football participation. . . . . . . . . . . .

Cross-country varsity freshmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Volleyball round-up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transfer-student athletes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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28 29 31

MORE

Barbecue photo story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Sugar-scrub business photo story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Money-making apps alt-copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

editorial 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 contents and views of the Harbinger do not represent the student body, faculty, administration or Shawnee Mission School District.

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, libel or mechanics. Letters should be sent to room 521 or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.

DESIGN cAROLINE cHISHOLM

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

EDITORIAL

3

DEFENDI N G DACA SMSD’s statement in response to the end of DACA is justice

FOR: 15

T

he Trump administration announced their decision to revoke the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, on Sept. 5. The day following Trump’s announcement, the Shawnee Mission School District released a statement explaining that they will do everything in their ability to provide an equal access to education for all students, no matter their legal status.

DACA should not be removed within the next six months because with Trump’s repeal of DACA comes great losses, not only for the immigrants enrolled in the program, but also our nation as a whole. SMSD’s reiteration of their policy helps immigrants, particularly the ones who may be affected by this possible repeal in our area, understand that our district is not wavering in their promise to continue providing education to every student, despite their cultural background.

DACA is an American immigration policy put into action

by Barack Obama’s executive order in 2012. The program allows immigrant children who came to the U.S. before 2007 to apply for a renewable two-year license that gives them temporary protection from being deported. With this license, the undocumented immigrants are legally allowed to hold jobs, get a driver’s license and open a bank account.

The possible repeal of DACA leaves the future of 800,000 immigrants uncertain – 800,000 immigrants who didn’t choose to come to the states, but were brought by family members and parents, 800,000 immigrants who may have no idea what life is like back in their home country.

Removing DACA, which puts these immigrants at risk of deportation, shows that our government does not recognize the positive impact these immigrants, also referred to as

Obama Administration established DACA

“dreamers,” have had on our country. These now young adults have grown up contributing to the economy more than we realize. Americanprogress.org said 91 percent of the Dreamers are currently employed.

The construction worker nailing two-by-fours, the secretary transferring phone calls at an office, the cashier who spots you a cent at the grocery store when you forget the rest of your money in the car each show that the immigrant presence in this country is more than taking up space. These dreamers encompass the same qualities that natural-born Americans have grown to admire in our nation’s working class.

With the removal of protections for DACA enrollees, employers of these immigrants will be buried in millions of dollars of labor turnover costs, according to the Huffington Post. Additionally, these immigrant workers will no longer be allowed to work in the U.S. when their visas expire, and therefore will no longer contribute to the $1.4 trillion collected in income tax per year. CMBC quoted that with the closing of DACA, the country will lose over $200 million in revenue.

Terminating DACA will also terminate all the rights given to the dreamers through their enrollment in the program. In addition to not being able to have a job lawfully, they won’t legally be allowed to study at U.S. educational institutions.

The SMSD released a statement showing compassion and support for the students in our district affected by the end of DACA. “We recognize that the recent announcement to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) creates challenges for students and families we serve within the Shawnee Mission School District. We will exhaust all of our

More than 700,000 immigrants were granted DACA status

June 2016

July 2012

TIMELINE OF DACA

Trump Administration rescinded DACA

Sept. 2017

AGAINST: 0

dedicated internal and external resources to take care of families.”

The statement, released on Sept. 6 by board president Dr. Craig Denny and interim superintendent Dr. Kenny Southwick, brings a small glimmer of hope to immigrant families in our community whose lives may change dramatically in the next six months.

From the outside it may seem our district won’t be affected by this repeal at all, but facts show otherwise. According to SMSD director of curriculum, Dr. Darren Denis, 11.61 percent of SMSD students speak English as a second language. In a poll sent out by the Harbinger last spring, 10 out of 310 East students said they weren’t legal citizens of the U.S. The boy holding the door for you as you struggle to carry your science project into school could be at a risk for deportation. Your lab partner in chemistry might have to give up their beloved car because their car because they could lose their license.

We have a momentous job in the next six months. Congress could continue to prove to the rest of the world that we no longer are a nation of opportunity for everyone. But, like our district believes, they could learn that welcoming immigrants with open and accepting arms can not only change their lives, but have a grand impact on our economy, education system and community.

Immigrants will always be within our borders, no matter the size of the wall our government attempts to put up. We should keep the DACA program and continue to allow immigrants a chance to better our country rather than forcing them into a life of secrecy and uncertainty.

SMSD released statement protecting illegal immigrants at their schools

Sept. 2017

DESIGN LUCY PAT TERS ON

4 NEWS

THE HARBINGER

NEWS IN BRIEF

east

BY S COU T R I C E Copy Editor

SME SHARE hosts the first Care Fair

SHARE organized its first ever SME Care Fair on Sept. 7 for all East students during seminar in the main gym.

The chairs of projects decorated their tables and introduced their projects to prospective volunteers roaming the gym. Students were able to interact with the chairs in person, ask questions and sign up to volunteer. Junior Emily Cooper, cochair of the Restart KC homeless shelter project, had 150 students sign up for her project.

“While a sign-up genius isn’t very personal, at the fair I was able to talk one-on-one with the people coming to the table,” Cooper said. “Then they were more interested and more informed.”

local

of the

Many students spent their seminar signing up for projects to strengthen the community and receive service hours for various programs, including IB and NHS. “It was so interesting and I wish I would have had more time than just 30 minutes in seminar to sign up for even more service opportunities,” junior Iris Hyde said.

SHARE also extended the offer for promotional tables to other service-oriented clubs at East like Coalition, STUCO, FCCLA, Junior Board and Freshman Connection.

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival returns to East for the second year

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is returning to Johnson County Sept. 25 and 27 at the Glenwood Arts Theater in Ranchmart. Graduate Devon Dietrich introduced the festival to Kansas City and the Dietrich family asked senior Madeline Hlobik to step into Devon’s role for this year’s festival.

“The event was very successful last year, so my goal was to help expand on the momentum and get other high schools involved as well,” Hlobik said.

Each ticket asks for a suggested donation of $5 as opposed to a set admission price. This will give

national

students an equal opportunity to view the festival.

Also, some students have the chance to receive extra credit points that many science teachers are offering.

Tickets are being sold at East as well as other neighboring schools including St. Teresa’s Academy, Pembroke Hill, and other Shawnee Mission schools.

As a bonus this year, for those interested, there is an additional 55 minutes of footage following the 85 minutes of standard videos and intermission.

Hurricane Irma devestates Florida, leaving many without power

Hurricane Irma hit the Florida Keys Sept. 10 as a category four hurricane with winds reaching 130 mph. An access ban was placed on the Keys until Sept. 12, when the upper keys opened for reentry.

Before making landfall in the Keys, the hurricane ravaged through the Caribbean, hitting the British Virgin Islands and Cuba as a category five hurricane.

At least 38 people have been confirmed dead in the Caribbean.

The hurricane was 400 miles long, putting nearly 6.4 million Floridians in danger, along with others on the Georgia coastline. Residents were advised to evacuate the area to avoid the incoming hurricane.

Airlines are capping flight costs out of FL to aid people in travel.

In the afternoon of Sept. 10, Irma touched down

for the second time in Southwest FL as a category three on Marco Island and a category two on the main island.

The strong winds and longevity of the hurricane caused power outages across the state. According to the New York Times, 6.5 million people were without power in FL as of Sept. 11 and were no longer able to be updated on the situation by television, relying on the battery life in their cell phones.

Junior Amara Ivancic’s father, Mike Ivancic, recently traveled to Houston to aid in hurricane Harvey relief and is currently in Orlando, FL. “I do what I can with small groups,” Mike said.

“After Orlando, I’m heading to West Palm Beach to lead a 15 person crew restocking a warehouse with necessary supplies.”

TOP | Junior Riley Kimmel dances to recruit members for her Share project at the Care Fair. | GRACE GO LDM AN MIDDLE| Juniors Michael Brown and John McGraw advertise the Coalition Bake Sale. |

K ATE N IXO N

BOTTOM | Sophomores Willa Ivancic and Ella Brown create a bowl during ceramics class. |

AISLIN N M E N K E

DESIGN GRACE CHISHOLM PHOTOS AVA SIMONSEN

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

NEWS

FULFILLING A

C-TEAM DREAM

Head coach and auditioners cut during tryouts form Lancer Dancer C-team to let girls who were cut dance for their school

C-team breakdown D UN

RAISI

N

pr

G

F

A quick look at the C-team’s basic information

actice Practices are 7 - 9p.m.

Monday, and 6:15- 7 a.m.

Wednesday and Friday

The team will participate in the Lancer Dancer clinic

cation o l

Coach

The team performs at sophomore girls and boys basketball games

New coach, Liz Rogers, is a former varsity Lancer Dancer captain

ABOVE | C-team dancers warm up before a 6 a.m. practice session.

LEFT | Freshman Annabelle Moore stands in passe while rehearsing.

5

lot of work beforehand to ensure the team would exist including finding costumes, uniforms, and ironing out the details of the fter having 24 freshman girls tryout C-team. The Lancer Dancers have built up for 10 JV Lancer Dancer spots last an extensive collection of old costumes, spring, head coach Alexis “Bubba” uniforms, and bags that they passed along Close worked along with the parents and to the C-team to cut costs. administration to create a new C-team The girls’ hard work and finding for the freshman girls that didn’t make it. uniforms, was only part of it. They had to Because they had so many talented girls try find a way to raise money which is why the out and get cut, they developed a new team C-team will be participating in the Lancer which Bubba has wanted to implement for Dancer clinics. Along with funding, Bubba a long time. also had to find a coach.

Audition week, filled with 6:15 a.m.

Bubba went to Liz Rogers, a varsity tryouts and endless eight counts, is one captain Bubba’s first year as head coach, of the most stressful of the school year for and offered her the job as C-team coach.

Lancer Dancers. Annabelle Moore, like Dancing at Missouri State for four years and many other freshman, had been going to working as an instructor at NDA, the camp Lancer Dancer clinics since she was in and national the Lancer Dancers attend elementary school. By the time she finished each year, Bubba thinks she, “couldn’t have eighth grade, she found a better was invested in the person for the job.” idea of being on one “They put in of the most coveted so much time and There are so many incredible dancteams at East. effort outside of Moore, along ers at the high school level. I believe school to ensure with other 13 everyone in high school should have that they’re the freshman hopefuls, best that they can a chance to participate in something be,” Rogers said, sat on their beds that they enjoy and are talented at, clicking refresh “The team has a until they received and I am beyond grateful that I get to. great dynamic. the news they They each made AN NABELLE MOORE were dreading: a commitment to FR ESHM A N they would not be practice outside a Lancer Dancer. school hours After receiving the news, the idea of a C-team which shows their dedication to this team.” was brought up by a group of parents, and Rogers works with the girls three days then Bubba went to the administration to acclimating them to the standards that the get approval.

JV and varsity Lancer Dancers are held to.

“It’s especially important for freshman The JV and Varsity girls have embraced the that we find ways to keep them involved the new team as the another strong addition and active because we want sure that they of their program. have opportunities to keep them invested “I think the team benefits those girls in the school, so the new team was a good because they get to be a part of the program fit,” principal John McKinney said. “Bubba even though they didn’t make JV,” varsity had the vision and the parents provided a dancer Maggie Mulligan said. “They are lot of support in getting that idea to come all so talented and it’s great they get be a to fruition.” part of the Lancer Dancer family. They all Bubba then made the announcement to deserve it.” the girls and their parents. They would be Other strong high school dance Lancer Dancers, after all. For Moore, having programs had freshmen team and middle a third team was some of the most exciting school teams for years. The differences in news of her summer. technique between the girls who made it “There are so many incredible dancers and those got cut were so nominal that the at the high school level,” Moore said. “I C-team is still an elite group of dancers and believe everyone in high school should is enhancing the program. have a chance to participate in something “When we have this much talent, it can that they enjoy and are talented at, and I am only make our team stronger and add to beyond grateful that I get to.” school spirit and give these girls a home at Bubba hoped this would be the response East,” Bubba said. “It’s a win-win.” after she went to the administration to approve the third team, but there was a

A

BY BROOKLYN TERRILL Online Section Editor

DESIGN E MILY FEY PHOTOS ELLEN SWANS ON

THE HARBINGER

6 NEWS

EASY BREEZY

LEARNING clubs time: after school snacks provided!

clubs time: after school snacks provided!

clubs time: after school snacks provided!

EHAP Biology Calculus

New outdoor classroom gives students a chance to escape the dreary walls of indoor classrooms

BY BRYNN WINKLER Page Designer

T

his year, students and teachers have the opportunity to utilize an outdoor learning space located by the environmental education area and North ramp. The classroom was officially completed and ready for use on Aug. 7.

The classroom consists of 10 benches inside of a boxed-in area filled with mulch, surrounded by grass and various plants.

Environmental education and zoology teacher Russell DeBey began looking to rebuild the classroom as soon as the old one was torn out two summers ago.

DeBey finally got the project rolling around the beginning of the last academic school year when sophomore Boy Scout Chase Shields stepped up and took on the task of building the classroom as an Eagle Scout project.

Senior Denny Rice, who has been to the outdoor classroom with his IB English class, says his experiences with the new outdoor classroom have been “overwhelmingly positive.”

“It feels way more open, that’s the best thing,” Rice said. “You’re not cramped or confined to a classroom, you’ve got space to do what you need to do, and you can spread out if need be.”

Ever since the project was finished, teachers have been taking advantage of this unconventional learning space by the small pond. The classroom is open for any classes or groups to utilize, but no one is required

to use it. To reserve the classroom, teachers must email Debey.

English teacher Meredith Sternberg has already utilized the classroom five times.

Sternberg, who has taught class outside before, is excited to have a space dedicated to teaching outside.

“It’s not just me, not the boring sight of me at the podium or the classroom, even though

There’s nothing that says learning has to be done in a box in rows. You can be outside and learn, and in my opinion, sometimes that’s even more effective.

JOH N Mc K I N N EY P RI N C I PAL I’ve tried to liven up my classroom walls,” Sternberg said. “There’s only so far one can go with that before students get tired of the same old sight.”

Sternberg believes the outdoor classroom enhances the learning experience because it provides a change in atmosphere. It’s something about listening to the wind rather than the air conditioning vents, and observing nature instead of staring at a wall that allows students’ brains to “re-engage,” she said.

Principal John McKinney believes the new and improved outdoor learning area will

provide a unique space away from technology and everyday conformity.

“There’s nothing that says learning has to be done in a box in rows,” said McKinney. “You can be outside and learn, and in my opinion, sometimes that’s even more effective”.

Though his overall experience has been positive, the only complaint Rice has for the outdoor classroom is the ability to access it.

He noted that the classroom is a somewhat difficult to reach because it is in “kind of a weird” spot.

Shields, the classroom’s main architect, was responsible for organizing and planning the project, though he also helped construct the classroom.

Shields wrote up an obligatory proposal and presented it to his troop committee, and it was approved. After extensive planning, Shields was able to finish the outdoor classroom in three workdays with the help of his crew.

The benches that Shields assembled with the help of his father, grandfather and other scouts, were paid for by a grant from the East Fund to the science department. Shields was responsible for buying everything else: mulch, border timbers, weed block and rebar.

This ended up being $800 in expenses for Shields.

Shields said he is glad he was able to improve the East community while completing one of his Eagle Scout requirements.

OUTSIDE the CLASSROOM HOW DO OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS IMPROVE LEARNING?

1

Lower chance of boredom due to change in environment

2

Being outdoors shown can often make you more creative

3

Open areas allow you to be more comfortable while learning, which can lead to more engaged students.

CENTER | IB English teacher Ms. Sternberg leads her IB English 12 class in a discussion over the poem “Patchwork”

by Eavan Boland, written in 1990.

FAR LEFT | Seniors Paige Hessenflow, Julius Von Rautenfeld and Dean Gray annotate the poem their class is studying.

RIGHT | Seniors Sofia Pomeroy and

Natalie Grills bounce ideas off each other about the interpretation of the poem they just learned about.

DESIGN SARAH BLEDS OE

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

Secure

NEWS

Superintendent - Google Forms

My Drive - Google Drive

7

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1r4kumMGeiuy8FVQMEUpdNygabOdhZg13OkKMo-W4HE4/edit

FIRM OPINIONS

C

SEND

Community members voice concerns about the search for a new district superintendent QUESTIONS

A

BY GRACE CHISHOLM Print Editor-in-Chief

fter the SMSD Board of Education rehired Ray and Associates – the search firm who led the process which hired Dr. Jim Hinson – school board candidates, advocacy group leaders and area residents are concerned with the transparency of the superintendent search process.

The board began planning the search process with R&A at its Sept. 6 meeting where members discussed stakeholder groups, a community-wide online survey and whether or not to keep the final three superintendent candidates confidential.

“There is no way this board can make a selection without the telling the public who the top three candidates are,” school board candidate Heather Ousley said.

“There’s no way. There will be pitchforks and torches outside of the [Center for Academic Achievement].”

The board debated whether releasing the names of the final candidates would cause a candidate to withdraw or if transparency with the public was a greater concern. Board president Dr. Craig Denny said the board may analyze candidates R&A presents to them in an executive session, a meeting not open to the public. The pool may be too large to consider in public, and the candidates have an expectation of confidentiality, he said.

“I think the discussion would occur in an open meeting some time after [an executive session] as to ‘OK, what do we think of the candidate pool? Is it deep enough? Do we think that some of our favorites might drop out if we tell them we’re going to publish [their] name?’” Denny said. “And so [releasing the final candidates’ names will] be a board

RESPONSES

decision probably made on facts that we don’t enormous amount of watch-dogging, and have right now.” when systems work right, it shouldn’t need According to Megan Peters, a member quite that level of effort.” of parent advocacy group Education First During the Sept. 6 meeting, board Shawnee Mission, the public grew to distrust members noted the public’s high stake in the the board due to a lack of communication search and the importance of keeping the between Hinson, the board and the community involved throughout the process. community during Hinson’s tenure as To include the community, the district superintendent. will send out a link to an online survey Life-long Johnson County resident asking about the qualities and characteristics and former SMSD parent Anne Pritchett responders hope to see in their future questioned why the board picked R&A again superintendent. The survey will be open because their search process hired Hinson, starting Friday and will remain available until whom she described Oct. 22. as damaging.

R&A will also meet “For the life of me with “stakeholder I don’t understand groups,” people with why they trust this direct interest in the There is no way this board can make a new superintendent. search firm again,” selection without the telling the pub- S t a k e h o l d e r Pritchett said. “It lic who the top three candidates are. groups – teachers, seems like you’d look elsewhere if students, taxpayers, There will be pitchforks and torches you didn’t like the outside of the [Center for Academic National Education last person they Association-Shawnee Achievement]. gave you.”

Mission leaders, From what legislators, etc. – will H E AT H ER OU SLEY Ousley has “heard be welcome to attend SC HO O L B OAR D CAND IDAT E on the doorstep,” either invitational or people need to be open meetings where fully informed of the reasoning behind the they’ll discuss what they’d like to see in a new district’s decisions, something they didn’t feel superintendent. they got under Hinson. Without insight into R&A will use feedback from these groups the district’s choices, they were unhappy, she and online survey responses to craft a profile said. which they’ll report back to the district on “It would be nice if we were paying $25,000 Oct. 30. [to Ray and Associates] and saying ‘OK, we’ve “Everybody should have a chance to weigh paid this, and we know that we’re going to in one way or another on what they want to get a quality product,’ but I believe that we see in a new superintendent,” Denny said. do not have any luxury of stepping back and School board candidate Mary Sinclair said allowing someone else to just do it,” Ousley she wants the district to publicize a schedule said. “We set ourselves up to be doing an for the stakeholder meetings detailing who is

FROM START TO FINISH Individual board meeting interviews begin

09/07/17

All associates and professionals of vacancy are notified

09/07/17

09/06/17 Preparation for the district promotional flyer starts

09/08/17

Meetings with constituent and stockholder group representatives

Constituents and stakeholders are contacted for input

10/26/17

10/26/17

Initial timeline proposed for the search

Board to finalize superintendent profile and application

Promotional flyer draft due

invited and how those people were selected to be part of the search. Sinclair, a graduate professor who teaches research methods at KU and UMKC, said the characteristics of the stakeholders will give insight into how relevant their feedback is. Who each group is and why they were included are the two pieces of information which will tell her if the community’s voices have been heard, she said.

Full disclosure of information is an aspect board candidates and advocacy organizations agreed they want to see during the superintendent search.

Sinclair wants to see all superintendentrelated information “three clicks away” on the SMSD website. NEA-SM president Linda Sieck thinks the website should have a separate tab for board-related documents.

Ousley hopes to see all special board meetings live-streamed.

Groups such as Education First Shawnee Mission have also chimed in with specific requests for the search process. Peters said Education First reached out to R&A voicing teachers’ concerns that they may lose their jobs if they speak out. R&A responded that it is not their practice to have supervisors in the room during teacher focus group sessions.

Ousley encourages all community members, but especially students, to remain active during the search process in order to have their vision for the future heard.

“This is your guys’ district,” Ousley said.

“So when you walk out of there with your diploma, that diploma is worth whatever the worth of the district is. You will be listened to if you’re loud. Students absolutely have the ability to shape the outcome of this selection process and all they have to do is speak up.”

10/27/17

Top candidates are presented and interview questions are finalized 01/29/18 12/15/17

Final deadline for all applications

01/19/18

Interview candidates

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DESIGN LUCY KENDALL PHOTOS LUCY MORANTZ

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

OPINION 9

The CULTURE

Of CURSING Due to its overuse, cursing is no longer the social faux pas it used to be

BY ELIZABETH BALLEW Staff Writer

U

p until sixth grade I thought the f-bomb was “freakin.” In eighth grade, I would rant to my Catholic school friends about how much I despised cursing (cringe).

My first week as a freshman at East I heard so much cursing that I was determined to start a swear jar program where all contributions were given to charity (double cringe). Could you guess that I am an oldest child in an incredibly sheltered family?

Well that sure changed freshman year.

Thanks to Twitter and the East hallway swarmed with upperclassmen who swear like sailors, I was exposed to some of the most colorful language I have ever heard.

Soon enough I started cursing in my head.

That evolved into cursing aloud here and there. Now I’m just another desensitized upperclassmen who doesn’t blink an eye at a curse word. The overuse of curse words in society and in the media led these bad words to lose their shock value because they have been normalized.

Elementary school me was so anti-cursing.

In fourth grade I felt like such a, dare I say, “badbutt” (not badass because cursing was never an option) for watching “The Sandlot” because it featured words like damn and hell. Words can’t describe how rebellious I felt reading the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” in fifth grade because of words like s--- and a--. Nothing says rebellion like reading books about friendship! Now as a junior in high school, I’m not exactly feeling

as rebellious watching “Shameless” and listening to Kanye on repeat.

Today, saying “fricken”’ might get you more stares than #$%!*&. From TV, movies, music and especially social media, “bad” words are unavoidably everywhere. Even Taylor Swift, the most wholesome singer, is rumored to feature some explicit lyrics on her new album. Try to spend five minutes on any social media platform without running into curse words. Impossible. Even on Pinterest the captions on pins of dream wardrobe outfits are described as “so f*****g cute!”. And everyone just scrolls through. The Internet has allowed for swearing in public to happen everywhere. Consequently making these words lose their value. My generation has cried f--- too many times now, and the attention grabbing effect it once had is gone.

While reading “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” aloud in my junior English class, the teacher read a paragraph that featured some foul language. After she finished reading, she looked up and said “I really did say that.” I looked back and reread the paragraph to realize I didn’t even notice she said those things. Even hearing authoritative figures cursing doesn’t come as a shock. Dr. McKinney could hop on the announcements and curse as much as Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and he may get a few furrowed eyebrows, but I can’t say there would be any complaining students.

If even the principal cussing would just result in a shrug, you have to be insanely creative to come up with a swear that will make people do a double take. A head turning

swear is no longer just a word, but a creative phrase that puts a humorous image in your brain. To shock people with swearing, you must be an expert in vulgar imagery and string together quite an assortment of cuss words.

In all fairness, I will say that the c-word (and I don’t mean crap, freshmen) hasn’t lost it’s shock factor. Because of it’s misogynistic context, the c -word has come to a point where it either needs to be used— and a lot — to break the shock value, or it needs to be lost.

I started cursing because it’s proven to relieve stress, but as I began to overuse it, it lost the stress-relieving effects. At the beginning of junior year, I was going to make it my goal to curse less. But as the year rolls on, profanity has slyly crept its way back into my vocab. See a cop on mission? Oh f---. Forget I had a Spanish vocab quiz? Oh s---. Check my bank account? Oh ---- me. Misspell the main character’s name in my essay? Elizabeth, you dumb---. Cussing is my natural reaction to everything, and while it may not be ladylike, I don’t think anyone from my generation really cares. Sorry to the fossils who do!

Of course, context is everything. Cursing hasn’t devolved to the point where it’s fine for preschoolers to do it and for people in job interviews to throw around the f-bomb.

However in social situations, swearing is no longer the faux pas it was 50 years ago.

It doesn’t make you cool and badass— it just makes you an average teenager. My generation has cried f--- too many times now, and the attention grabbing effect it once had is gone.

LANCER VOICE Students respond to how they feel about cursing

Denitza Videnov junior I think that if you’re with friends it’s okay, but around adults it’s inappropriate.

Andrew Fey freshman I don’t think it is a huge deal, but I think there are some words that shouldn’t be said, especially in school .

DESIGN WILL TULP

10 O P I N I O N

NO PETTY ?PROBLEMS

THE HARBINGER

B

Y D U ST K BOO TEXT

All problems deserve acceptance rather than criticism

to adapt and work harder, because, no matter what, I couldn’t let go of the pressure of being the “smart one.” I’ve never been able to drop that identity.

And that’s fine. I don’t need anything else to have self on’t start crying in seminar. esteem, because I have my smarts. I have an unbeatable work Don’t be that girl.

That bright blue “B” ethic. So when I start to question what defines so much of my stares at me, mocking, taunting, identity, my entire reality shifts. If I don’t have this persona to laughing at me. All because of one rely on, then who am I? I get why my problems can seem fake. When I’m stupid test. complaining about an 80 percent on a test to someone who My fingers instinctively click barely has an 80 in the same class, the complaint seems on my go-to-groupchat labeled illegitimate. “nutterfly pations white tease” — If it’s not something you consider a problem, it’s so easy some inside joke I barely remember — and I start typing: “I have a B in AP Physics . . . my grade dropped like 10 percent.” to dismiss it as irrelevant. When I listen to a dancer complain about falling out of triple pirouette, all I can think is God, I Ding. wish I could do a double. When I hear a runner talk about how “OK don’t come in here with your fake problems Alex.” their mile gained a minute the only My heart sinks. thought running through my head Fake problems. I’m sitting is I wish I could run one mile. And here, near tears in the middle of a when I hear a theatre kid upset about classroom, but my problems aren’t getting a supporting role: You don’t real? Why doesn’t this matter as We all need to try to be a little know how good you have it. much as a new-found love of Biggie And that’s not fair to anyone. We Smalls or whether or not so-and-so’s more sympathetic toward one another, new boyfriend used to be a jerk – because I have something to tell you get so wrapped up in our own issues that we forget that other people are And the conversation moves on. that I’m only just coming to realize having different experiences and I know that this “B” barely myself: Fake problems don’t exist. concerns that are just as valid as compares to what my friends have our own. We all need to try to be a gone through — I don’t have parents little more sympathetic toward one who say, “Are you really going to eat another, because I have something to that?”, I’m not on anti-depressants tell you that I’m only just coming to that don’t work, I don’t hide in the realize myself: bathroom for an hour because I’m too Fake problems don’t exist. scared to present in my English class.

My panic when my grade drops to a B is real to me, as are I don’t have the same problems as my friends. But still, that the problems my friends have had that I have dismissed in the doesn’t mean mine aren’t valid. past.

So I think it’s about time that we all put in a little more I’ve never been the pretty one, the funny one or the talented effort to respect everyone’s problems, even if they seem silly to one. I’ve always just been the “smart one.” I never hear “that guy is checking you out,” or “you made me laugh so hard I us. Because the problem that seems insignificant might be the cried” or “you’re so good at everything.” Instead, I’ve heard biggest problem they’ve ever had, and they just need someone “Of course you got an A,” “Will you help me with my math to help them through it.

That dancer is going to be upset about falling out of her homework?” and “I can’t believe you did so well on that essay.” turn until she nails it – and I know I’m going to be upset until But getting good grades always came easily to me. As that 80 becomes a 90 and that “B” disappears. classes got harder and work became more rigorous, I learned

BY ALEX FREE M AN Copy Editor

D

ALEX’S

ACADEMIC

FEARS

Three problems that contribute to her stress about school

1

MISREADING INSTRUCTIONS ON AN ASSIGNMENT

FORGETTING ABOUT HOMEWORK AND T U R N I N G I T I N L AT E

3

2

BLANKING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A TEST

DESIGN DIANA PERCY

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

P H O T O S T O R Y 11 LEFT | Krause dishes himself a forkful of

the corn he’s judging. “So my judging number is 93,169,” Krause said. “My grandfather’s is two.” | DIA NA PE RCY

BELOW | Krause enjoys ribs cooked by Megan Day, who placed third in the cooking show “Chopped.” “You just have to cook, cook, cook, cook,” Day said. “The judges only take one bite, so it better be the best bite you can give them.” | DIA NA PE RCY

Senior Zach Krause judges barbecue at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, following in his grandfather’s footsteps ABOVE | Krause introduces himself to the

people at the Operation BBQ Relief booth.

Their non-for-profit organization delivered over 80,000 meals to Houston, TX after Hurricane Harvey hit. | D I ANA P ER CY

BELOW | Krause meets the competitors, introducing himself as “Ardie Davis’s grandson,” and asking their predictions for this year’s competition. A cook from “Pig Newton BBQ” tells Krause her dessert has received 32 perfect scores in previous competitions. | D I ANA PERCY

RIGHT | Krause’s table coach shows him a

plate of beans so he can rate the appearance of the dish, one of the three judging categories. “At the judging class I took, I’m gonna say the average age was about 50-60,” Krause said. | DIA NA PERCY

FAR RIGHT | Krause speaks with his

grandfather after searching the grounds for him. “He said he’s going ‘in-hog-nito’ after he judges,” Krause said. “He’ll have white hair, a bolo hat and a beard which is a problem because so do about 50 percent of people here.” | DIANA PERCY

R OYA L LY

grilled

DE SIGN GRACIE KOST PHOTOS K ATHERINE ODELL

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

OPINION

13

AMPING UP THE ATTITUDE Girls weights classes should adopt a more encouraging enviorment for productive and postive results

BY M AYA STRATM AN Staff Writer

“B

aby, you should go and love yourself” sounds from the big black speaker with blue lights.

Justin Bieber sings “And if you think that I’m still holdin’ on” along with 30 other female voices. I look around the weights room, and for this three minute and 52 second song, there is an energy. I can’t pinpoint the exact feeling. Maybe the feeling comes from female empowerment or strength in numbers, all the girls singing a lyric in unison. But this is the energy I want to feel in every girls weights class, the energy of enthusiasm and involvement.

If girls would focus on motivating each other in weights instead of worrying about who hooked up with whom last weekend, the class could be just as empowering and fun as it was for those three minutes and 52 seconds.

I can describe the overall attitude in girls weights in one word: ugh. While there are a few groups of girls who push themselves to the limit, taking on enough weights so that they can barely lift the bar, that attitude doesn’t rub off on the rest of the class. Groans come with every “two-minute abs” announcement. “Squats”, to some, is just bending their knees super fast to get them over with. Feet drag on the floor when

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GIRL WEIGHTS EDITION

they’re supposed to be rotating stations, so slowly that when you get to the dumbbell your session time has already decreased by ten seconds. This overall atmosphere comes from the girls who don’t have the drive to work at lifting.

When weights coach Chip Ufford sees girls taking 30-minute bathroom breaks, he’ll call them out. If girls are sitting at their racks talking, he’ll yell out to encourage them to stay on their rotations. If it’s a real bad day and we aren’t working hard, he’ll push our “cool off” walks around Harmon Park to the end of class, something that results in many groans because girls don’t want to work right after lunch.

But a teacher can’t make girls care.

Sure, some days you just aren’t feeling it.

Sometimes girls can be scared to look dumb or be unable to do as many reps of a certain exercise. I looked around to see people at their stations talking to their friends rather than working.

I want girls to care. I want girls to care because I care too much. Being physically strong is something I pride myself in and while I’m in that class I want to continue to do those extra reps, taking the bar all the way to my chest and back up and squating till my legs shake. I wish I had like people in class with me.

And after spending a week in guys weights to compare, a few things differ from girls class. While there are still times they

1

Five minutes after bell, be in class, dressed and ready to go

2

spend ten minutes at the water fountain, when they actually lift, they work hard and cheer each other on.

I know I could get more out of a class like that, a class where people were motivated. If people were pushing me to try harder when my own personal motivation fails, maybe I’d surprise myself. There will always be people who don’t want to try. But for those who just need an extra “you got this” to get motivated, weights could become a productive and successful hour for most.

What sets the “ugh” attitude of girls weights apart from the “let’s gooooo” way of guys weights is their tendency to build each other up. The minute they open those thick gray doors, they are already trying to be better. Either better than they were yesterday or better than the kid next to them (in a healthy way). There’s no worry about sticking out because everyone is working.

Who can get on top of the tallest stack of boxes? The stack is one box taller today.

Who can make it to the end of the turf first?

Who can do the most pullups? It’s electric.

Throughout the class, guys are helping each other with form, high-fiving after a really hard set and calling out “c’mon one more you got this.”

Not only did I get to see some cute “bromance” moments, funny handshakes and bantering, it also made me realize how much easier it would be to get motivated if you had someone right next to you cheering

Watch coach’s demonstrations and get a walk through for the day

3

you on. Someone taking the load off.

It can be be hard to be motivated without a gal pal telling you to do one more pull up so you can go get Chick-fil-A afterwards. If girls weights could incorporate that genuine empowerment, that could change the attitude of the class.

But girls just don’t seem to care.

Girls are spending 50 minutes in weights anyway, they might as well be getting strong as a result – or at the very least, not dreading it. If girls are being motivated to do one more set, by a high-fiving of encouragement or reminder of that “winter bod” they don’t want, maybe they wouldn’t be so worried about going to their next class sweaty.

This could be implemented so easily, too.

Girls are already great at complimenting each other. Instead of “cute shirt” girls could make it “Wow, your form is really good on those.” And instead of looking over at their friend complaining about how much it hurts to do lunges, girls could have a “your butt is going to look soooo good in that homecoming dress” mindset.

Girls can work and empower each other to be stronger through simple motivation. This could lead to impressing not only ourselves but everyone who already assumes we’re weak, just because we’re girls.

We could all learn to love ourselves by growing stronger together.

Stretch on your own and chat with friends

4

Complete the assigned workout and change back into school clothes

DESIGN S COUT RICE PHOTOS M ADDIE SMILEY

THE HARBINGER

14 O P I N I O N

FROM HOMESCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL

After being forced to leave East for a semester because of transfer rules, the time away grew life skills and her love for East

I

BY KAYLIN MCCAN Page Designer

used to laugh at the thought of homeschooling. I imagined the kids having no life outside of their house, no friends and being overly sheltered. Being the social person I am, I never thought that I would find myself sitting at a desk for eight hours a day, staring at a computer screen and teaching myself. That’s how it turned out to be when I got kicked out of East going into my junior year.

My parents freaked out and it began to put a strain on their relationship, fighting about what they were going to do. I was overwhelmed with guilt. Putting our house on the market and being homeschooled until it sold was the only option. I did not want to start at a new school for my junior year. How would I explain this to my friends? How was I supposed to teach myself a whole semester’s worth of curriculum for junior year? I went from a girl who normally went to bed at 9 p.m. to someone who stayed up until 1 a.m. thinking of all the ways my life would change.

I lived about seven miles out of district when I started in SMSD in fourth grade.

When the new transfer policy was released in the 15-16 school year, I never I thought it would be an issue for me. Maintaining my grades, behavior and attendance

had not been something I worried about, until sophomore year. I had so much fun my sophomore year with all the friends I made and late night football games that I attended. I let my social life take control of my school life making it so much harder when it was stripped away.

I received a letter in the mail in mid June of 2016 saying I would not be able to attend East for the 16-17 school year. I was beyond devastated, like someone had just stabbed me in the chest. I locked myself in a closet and let the tears stream down my face until I could no longer cry. My grandpa, who was with me on our family vacation at the time, came to find me and held me tightly. We sat and cried together, which made the situation even worse.

The last time I saw him cry was when his mother died. I was left with the thought of “Where do I go from here?”.

After the tears came a plan. After we sold our house and found somewhere to live in district, they planned for me to be homeschooled then go back for the remaining 16-17 school year. My parents wanted me to maintain a schedule similar to one I would have had at East. I would wake up at 7 a.m. and be at my desk, logged into my computer by 7:40 a.m. In order to get my lessons completed for the day, I needed eight hours of screen time. I set a time to have breaks every 30 minutes to an hour so I would not be staring at a

computer all day.

My learning habits quickly changed. I was more focused than I had ever been in school. I had to study so much harder in order to retain information. Even though I was assigned a teacher who I could ask questions, I had to teach myself everything.

It became easier and easier to resist the trap of watching “Gossip Girl” as I learned to manage my time.

Although, I adapted to my new learning environment, I never learned how to cope with missing out on the various events East has to offer. Seeing Snapchat stories of pep assemblies and SHARE events that I wanted to be apart of made me feel empty.

My room became my sanctuary. I went in and did not want to come out until I could go back to East. When I decided to attend the first football game, boys started chants yelling “why are you here,homeschool?” and “leave you don’t go here anymore.”

In terms of my social and academic life, saying it was a huge change would be an understatement.

Despite the many lessons I learned from my experience, finding a balance is key in order to achieve anything and I unfortunately learned that the hard way.

Now being back at East I have skills that took a long time for me to pick up on. East is a very special place to me and being back is the best feeling.

TRANSFER POLICIES No more than 10 days of Maintain a C- or above Stay in good standing in all classes on quarterly absense in the previous 3 2 grade reports 1 school year with no office referrals

A DAY in the LIFE 7 am

Wake up and get ready

7:40 am

Be at desk logged in to online school

8:30 am

Finish first class

9:15 am

Watch live video lesson from teacher

10:30 am 11:30 am 12 pm 3:15 pm

Eat a snack

Eat lunch

Work on other classes Finish and log off for the day

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

DESIGN ABBY WALKER

OPINION

SQUASHING

SENIORITIS Senior year should be spent savoring the best parts of high school beads while dancing in a cafeteria full of freshman at a Link Crew Dance sounds like a pretty fun night. I’m not ready for this to all be just memories. h, senioritis. How I wish you would whisk me It’s not that I’m scared to go to college and make new away into a world of college daydreams with no friends or that I will be living on my own. It’s not that I worries. A place where I could sleep through will miss the two-minute drive to Missouri for cheaper third hour, not stressing about ACT practice tests or gas. It’s not even that I will have to budget myself SR2QRs. Where the only thing on my calendar is the to about $10 a week and still somehow feed myself – football game Friday and a nail appointment because goodbye Chipotle burritos.

“I’m a senior and I can treat myself.”

It’s more about being away from home, knowing I This world is not far away, won’t get to lay in my favorite and many of my peers have crevasse in the couch, covered already been engulfed into it. in the red blanket with the tear However, no matter how perfect in it, watching “Say Yes to the I know when the lights die down on it may sound, I’m not ready.

Dress.” Knowing that I won’t I’m not ready to say goodbye the last playoff game, the nights spent get to come home after school to “King Braasch” chants every to my mom’s famous chocolate icing my ankle after “going bananas” Friday night. Because I know chip cookies and my dog with these people at the Shawnee when the lights die down on Lulu’s “scary” barking. Home Mission North statidum will be the that last playoff game, the just isn't an easy goodbye. And ones I miss most. nights spent icing my ankle neither is high school. after “going bananas” at the SM To the seniors reading K AT I E H I SE North stadium will be the ones I this who haven’t hopped on SEN I O R miss most. this cloud drifting you away I’m not ready to walk across to graduation yet, I’ll be here the basketball court in my extra large warmup jersey with you. I’ll savor every dance to “Uptown Funk” at on senior night, arm-in-arm with my parents. Because Prom with you and cry with you during our senior night I know my dad will be sobbing while thinking about speeches, because we don’t want to leave. I want to coaching me in GABL as a kid, after watching the last throw myself into everything this year with all I have: basketball game I’ll ever play. losing my voice at football games and feeling sick after I’m not ready to walk across that stage at North an eating competition at a pep assembly. I’d be honored – in the always-beautiful columbia blue – to shake to stand next to every one of you during it all.

Dr. McKinney’s hand and most likely hear my name And to all seniors or even underclassmen who have pronounced “Hize.” Because I know that after graduation checked out already, I hope that you at least stop and on May 15, I won’t see the friends and family who have appreciate how great the East community is every once morphed me into who I am today. They will be dispersed in a while. No other school has the largest student-run around the world, some hundreds of miles away. volunteer organization in the country or the best inI wish I had senioritis. school coffee shop ever. I know you have your eyes set No matter how odd that may sound, I wish I was on college and getting out of the immature ways of high ready for a new beginning. Don’t get me wrong, I see school, but we do pretty amazing things at this school, glimpses of this senior world. I drift in-and-out of a life and that’s something you shouldn’t brush aside. away from dumb “he said, she said” drama and 7 a.m.

So, yes, this alternative world might be filled with Saturday soccer practice on the frosted turf. And this unrestricted Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and the freedom alternate world may – and probably will – sweep me of no curfew. However, I’ll happily take whole wheat away come February or so. pizza at lunch and sub-par smelling science hallways.

But for now, I live in a world of 10 p.m. nights in the East is my home for now, and I’m not ready to say J-room, flipping between fits of crying and laughing goodbye yet. because of how slap-happy we journalism kids all are. A world where covering myself in purple, green, gold and

O

BY K ATIE HISE Assistant Design Editor

15

SENIORITIS BREAKDOWN

T H E SY M P TO M S Laziness Skipping more and more classes Failing to write coherent papers Lack of incentive to study Disinterest in academics Disinterest in school activities

THE CAUSES College acceptance Appraisal of failures Overwhelming workload Tiredness of repetition Exhaustion Disinterest in school activities

THE CURES Graduation Take on a new activity Fix bad habits New workout routine Reminder that senior year matters Road trip to potential colleges Information courtesy of Huffington Post

DESIGN ANNABELLE COOK

THE HARBINGER

16 F E AT U R E S

BY DA I SY B O L I N Head Copy Editor

S

mind BODY Sophomore learns to cope with health illnesses by focusing on and controlling certain aspects of her body

DESIGN ANNABELLE COOK

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

ophomore Hannah Hobert’s Wi-Fi stopped working in February of her freshman year when East switched from Blue Coat to Cisco. The night that Cisco broke down she got 20 minutes of sleep. She broke out into a 105-degree fever. Hannah couldn’t go to school for a week.

She closed her eyes and laid flat on her bed with her palms face up and fingers spread apart.

“I am cold. I am cold. I am cold. Sahara Desert but at night. I am cold.”

105. 104. 103. 102. It was these chilling thoughts that Hannah recited to lower her temperature. After two years of wincing when she brushed past people which shot a needlelike sensation up her arms, sleeping through entire days, vomiting after eating anything except Pringles and hardly having the energy to stand up, she could do something to mitigate the pain. Hannah, 5”6 and 110 lbs, was bedridden and confused by what was happening to her.

****

Hannah’s life first took a nauseous turn her second week of seventh grade when she missed the bus home from Indian Hills Middle School.

Her stress that she had to find a new way to get home turned into panic and then severe abdominal pain.

This bus mishap is what Hannah believes was the official trigger of, what after months of tests doctors decided was, eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a “giant cut in [her] stomach and every time [she] eats it’s like pouring lemon juice in the cut,” as Hannah puts it. This rare disease causes severe stomach pain, vomiting, cramping and weight loss.

It took three months of MRI’s and blood tests for doctors to figure out that it was eosinophilic gastroenteritis. For those painful three months Hannah just hoped to never hear the “c-word”: cancer.

Her father, Ben Hobert, began his own research, printing off stacks and eventually binders full of articles detailing what food could possibly be causing his daughter to scream at the uncontrollable pain. They tried walks at 2:30 a.m. to anticipate the morning sickness. Hannah tracked the foods she ate and the times it upset her stomach most: gluten, dairy, anything with flavor. The only food that didn’t cause stabbing pains was Pringles. There was something about the light and bland salted chip that wouldn’t initiate pain.

After finally being able to put a name to the pain, the Hoberts believed there was hope in moving forward and healing. However, this disease of sorts still continued with days of vomiting, weeks of sleeping and months of missing school.

Her best friends were Pringle cans from

Costco and her border terrier named Chai. I didn’t have that,” Hannah said. “It was me Everything she needed was inside the turquoise and my bed and Chai, the sheets would change bedroom she couldn’t leave: getting out of bed once a week but it was still bed, no indicators. was like lifting a boulder. She didn’t leave her [...] If I threw up and couldn’t eat for a day I bed for Christmas that seventh grade year. And wouldn’t even remember that. So, I tried to learn some days Hannah had to take baths because languages on Duolingo.” she couldn’t stand up for showers.

Hannah managed to accomplish 52 percent “There would be a one minute period where fluency in German. Her brain was finally everything would go away,” Hannah said. “It moving. She felt productive for that 10 minutes was like my body was teasing me saying ‘hey each day. Then she started traveling to Horizons this is what you’re missing out on just to remind Academy every Thursday for two hours of you.’” discussion for the Homebound program with a Eventually this cycle tapered and the five tutor to keep her up with school. medications she took every day started helping The worst part of missing school was not Hannah’s stomach. Towards the end of seventh knowing anyone’s name or what her teachers grade, Hannah was back on her feet and she were like. In a geometry group project she didn’t attended school more regularly. That is until speak up or talk to anyone in fear of throwing up the beginning of eighth grade brought waves of from the pain resulting from stress. Uncertainty angst and a new health problem to fight. made Hannah reluctant to participate.

Hannah said eosinophilic gastroenteritis “I was never at school so my group would triggered amplified pain syndrome, a condition see me and assume I wouldn’t do my part of the that causes a person’s nerves to overreact and project,” Hannah said. “I would never correct make small motions or contact with others anyone even if I knew the right answer for the feel like a slap problem because I didn’t or scratch. Days have any justification as to that she made why I could tell them they it to IHMS, she were wrong,” Hannah said. shuddered at the “I was never there and they I would grip the rail of the stairs like idea of having to went to school every day.”

I was trying to get up a mountain ... make it through the crowded halls.

Hannah later heard that On top of that, everytime I brushed “I would grip many classmates assumed past someone it was like a bunch of the rail of the she was a transfer student. needles were in my skin. stairs like I was She hears stories about trying to get up a substitute teachers taking L I ZZI E K H A L E mountain because attendance in classes and JUNI OR the pain was so everyone sighing, “not bad,” Hannah said. here” when Hannah’s name “It was so loud and I didn’t really know anyone was called. But there was discomfort in telling and on top of that, everytime I brushed past people why she wasn’t at school or talking to someone it was like a bunch of needles were in people at all – it brought a sickening pity. my skin.”

“Whenever I told people that I was sick Zippers from dresses felt like nails digging I felt like someone died because they would into her skin. A tap on the arm felt like a five- jump to saying ‘I’m so sorry’ and ‘you’re in my star slap. The pain was so strangely severe thoughts,’” Hannah said.

Hannah wondered if she was subconsciously Days with amplified pain syndrome looked making it all up. a lot like days with the stomach disease: bed, “[Doctors] always emphasized that the pain pain and no school. However this time, Hannah is real,” Hannah said. “It isn’t all just in my head.” wasn’t supposed to stay in bed and take The syndrome causes Hannah’s nerves to medication in order to mitigate the pain the react to any unexpected motion or contact with way she did when she suffered from the stomach a fight or flight response. disease. With amplified pain syndrome, the goal For two years Hannah had no motivation to was to create more pain in order to decrease it move. She didn’t read her favorite dystopian or make it tolerable. novels anymore. She didn’t write anything for Hannah was assigned a strict physical the fiction book she started in third grade – as therapy schedule to force pain upon herself Hannah put it, her brain only halfway functioned. at home: 45-minute walks around the It was hard to think or focus. Hannah ached to neighborhood that turned her legs firetruck red, learn something, to understand something, brushing her arms with a strip of velcro and because she still didn’t fully understand what stretching on the yoga mat beside her bed. It was going on with her own body. Time was was the worst thing ever Hannah said. foreign to her, days blended together because While she dreaded the monthly visits to her of the monotony, and this made it very difficult physical therapist for push-ups and velcro, she for her to remember things. enjoyed her trips to Madonna, her Children’s “It wasn’t like I went to school and could Mercy biofeedback technician. remember that on Monday I learned about cells.

Hannah sat in the “comfy chair” each

F E AT U R E S 17

visit while Madonna hooked Hannah’s arms and head to a bunch of mini wires and a belt around her waist to track her muscle movement.

Hannah liked Madonna. Conversations were normal and Hannah blushed as she explained that Madonna swore Hannah was her best student in biofeedback.

Hannah would start at a normal temperature and then Madonna would do a series of actions like slamming a door shut to cause Hannah’s heart rate or temperature to rise. Madonna showed her, through charts on a screen, how Hannah’s body reacted in different scenarios.

This was something Hannah could see and understand after a bit of training to read the squiggly lines. She learned to control her own temperature, heart rate, sweat levels and muscle movements without seeing these machines but rather recognizing her own body’s reactions and telling it to calm down like the chilling thoughts.

This use of biofeedback helps dissipate angst before her nerves transform her body into a battleground and choose fight or flight.

Nerves that amplified pain which would become sickness again, much like what happened when Cisco broke down. But at least she finally had a form of control as Hannah said. She could understand what was happening to her body when she used biofeedback. She knew how to focus and tell herself to relax.

Hannah taught herself to anticipate other people’s actions, learning to dodge a stray elbow in the hall or accept that her mom would brush against her arm when showing her something on the computer. This combined with the biofeedback helped her subdue the pain.

When freshman year approached, Hannah’s mantra became “Don’t get sick.” She would repeat this in her head until she made it from forensics to journalism everyday.

“It was great to not go in every morning and have her say I don’t feel good,” Hannah’s mother, Ann Hobert said. “I mean I had that attendance line memorized from calling in every day.”

Hannah brings biofeedback and Pringles with her to school every day. However, she never eats the Pringles. Hannah passes the chips – her staple for two years – around the table to anyone who is hungry. Her way of passing a token of comfort.

Now she practices debate, plays the piano and designs for the yearbook. Hannah is able to speak in front of groups of people and be a personable friend according to multiple classmates, when before she couldn’t even talk to peers. Not only is she a friend and active student, Hannah is described as a “really good speaker and debater” by a debate classmate of Hannah, sophomore Olive Henry.

She still uses the Sahara Desert at night to cool her temperature and sweat levels and breathing exercises to slow her heart rate. This will carry throughout the rest of her life, but for now, each day Hannah is able to say, “I am okay.

I am okay. I am okay.”

DESIGN NATASHA THOM AS PHOTOS MORGAN PLUNKET T

18 F E AT U R E S

THE HARBINGER

MIXING

SALT AND SALES

Freshman promotes, packages and delivers beauty products all made by hand

BY M ARTI FROMM Copy Editor

I

t’s 7 a.m. and Freshman Quincy Hepler opens the drawer under the stove and grabs a mixing bowl and wooden spoon. She opens her pantry and reaches back, past the Lucky Charms and peanut butter, and grabs baking soda and salt. Finally, she returns to the pantry to grab lavender, sage, and coconut oil.

The labels, with cartoon pink and yellow flowers as the background and “Q’s Essentials” written across the top in curly font, sit on the windowsill. Hepler is preparing to make her sugar scrub, one of the best-selling products in her skincare line, and she has until noon to prepare the 50 scrubs for a customer’s luncheon.

Hepler’s business is focused on allnatural bath salts, sugar scrubs, lip scrubs and headache salve, a cream that goes on your forehead to reduce headaches. Q’s Essentials is completely run by Hepler alone, as she makes, packages and delivers all of her products by herself.

Her goal is to make her customers feel like they’re getting a sense of “Quincy” in every salt or scrub.

“Everything I sell is what I love, and I think others do, too,” Hepler said.

Most of Hepler’s customers ask for products by direct messaging her on

A quick breakdown of Quincy’s products and their prices

Q

S

ESSENTIALS

Instagram through her business account, qs_essentials. Even though her account only has 150 followers, she receives orders almost every other day. If the amount of orders becomes impossible for her to complete alone, she will ask her mom, Julie, for help.

“I’ll always help her if she needs it,” Julie said. “But she’s so independent and driven that she can almost always get everything done.”

Hepler’s passion began two years

gold sparkles over the top of the lid. The next day, Hepler’s friend called her raving about the salts.

Since Hepler wants her products to be authentic. She strives to ensure My favorite part about her line is that that each product is the highest [the products] are handmade. It’s re- quality possible. Once, when she was golfing with her mom, Hepler ally important to me because it shows shouted for her mom to stop the golf that she cares about each product. cart because she saw sage growing across the fairway. She sprinted SAR AH GOLDER across the fairway and ripped the FRESHMAN sage out of the ground, along with the entire root. ago when she forgot to buy gifts for her “I tried to do it really quickly so people friend’s birthday party. With little time to wouldn’t be like, ‘why is she pulling grass spare, Hepler surfed Pinterest in hopes of out of the ground?’” Hepler said with a a recipe or tutorial that would lead her to laugh. create a gift. She came across a recipe for Even though Hepler mainly sells a bath salt, and ran to the grocery store for bath salts and bath and lip scrubs, she’ll epsom salt and baking soda. She packed make whatever a customer asks for and the salts into Mentos cans and painted is constantly trying different recipes for

$5 LIPSCRUBS

$7

BATH SALTS

other products. She tries to make some products that are hard to find in Kansas City so that she can gain more traffic.

Sometimes, some of her products can’t be found anywhere — not even Bath and Body Works. One of Hepler’s friends and customers, freshman Sarah Golder, buys salts in every scent and the headache salve in bulk.

“My favorite part about her line is that [the products] are handmade,” Golder said. “It’s really important to me because it shows that she cares about each product.”

Hepler is trying to grow her business by having all of her clients spread the word about Q’s Essentials. She hopes that as her business grows, her image remains the same—striving to put a little bit of her personality into each scrub and salt.

$6

BODY SCRUB

$5

HEADACHE SALVE

DESIGN CARS ON HOLTGRAVES

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

P H O T O S T O R Y 19

Hepler microves coconut oil for her sugar scrub. “I use coconut oil, essential oils and sugar,” said Hepler. “They are all natural ingredients.”

RIGHT |

BELOW| Hepler shows how she decorates all of her orders with a sprig of sage. Hepler picks the sage from the Prairie Dunes Golf Course in Hutchinson, KS and she sun-dries it in her backyard.

| EL LI E TH OMA

| D IAN A PE RCY

Hepler laughs as she discusses the start of her business. “I decided to create my business just for fun,” Hepler said. “I started getting new labels, new products, and trying to take it across state lines.”

BELOW |

| ELLI E TH OMA

‘S ESSENTIALS

Freshman Quincy Hepler hand-makes sugar scrubs, bath salts and lip scrubs

LEF T | Hepler adds lemon essential oils to sugar scrub.

“I don’t use measurements.

I just throw it in there,” Hepler said. “If it works, it works.

If it doesn’t, I start over.”

| E LLIE TH O M A

BELOW |

Freshman Quincy Hepler explains how she creates her products.

| DIAN A PE RCY

Hepler finishes off her sugar scrub by screwing on the lid and placing a branded sticker on top. | ELLIE TH OMA

ABOVE |

Hepler cleans excess sugar off the rim of her jar. “My friends really loved the scrubs I made for their birthday,” Hepler said. “I realized that I really love working with the ingredients and wanted to start selling.” | DI A N A P E RCY

ABOVE |

DESIGN K ATIE HISE PHOTOS ELIZABETH ANDERS ON

20 F E AT U R E S

finding her

BY GABBY LEINBACH Staff Writer

S

ophomore Julia Stevermer moves her left hand up and down the bridge of the cello, gliding the bow over the strings with her right hand. As she intently practices Tchaikovsky’s “Capriccio Italien,” she almost forgets that she’s playing an air-cello – and that she’s in the middle of English class.

But for Stevermer it doesn’t matter if she’s in fifth hour without her instrument — all she wants to do is practice for her upcoming audition.

Preparing for this audition made Stevermer reminisce her tryout for the Kansas City Symphony, when she felt a spiritual connection to her dad, who passed away when Julia was three.

“He had this pendant of this cello, and I had no idea, but he always loved music and he wanted me to study music,” Stevermer said. “I felt like I was almost communicating to my dad through music. I had the Brahms excerpt going on, and I felt like my dad could hear me play, and it made me feel so comforted, and loved, and taken care of, and provided for. I just remember feeling so confident as I walked out of that audition room.”

That day Stevermer earned her spot in the symphony orchestra, the top group of the Kansas City Youth Orchestra, as well as playing in the highest orchestra at East, the chamber orchestra. It was now time for her to audition for her seat. Musicians in her group at the youth symphony are placed into seats from first to fifteenth, first being the best.

“There’s a huge difference between being first cellist and fifteenth cellist, which is like last chair,” Stevermer said. “And the cellists that I’m with, it’s the top freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the area . . . so I kind of [have] to compete against the best.”

In the week prior to the audition, Stevermer practiced for 22 hours, but she didn’t mind dedicating that much time to something so important to her. All that mattered was working on her songs until she got them to the best they could be, whether that took 15 minutes or four hours, though she always made sure to do her homework first.

According to Stevermer, on the day of the audition the Shawnee Mission South cafeteria warm-up room was a mosh pit of musicians frantically practicing.

“It’s very overwhelming at first because you’re hearing all of your competition all at once,” Stevermer said. “And if you’re hearing somebody play something faster than you, or better than you, or more in tune than you, it’s so intimidating.”

Even after all of the work she put in,

TUNE

Stevermer was sure she was going to get last chair, and even knew what she would say to people if they asked – she’d tell them she’d had a hard time learning the material. “[Julia] is a perfectionist,” said Julia’s mother Helen Stevermer. “She is also relentless, self-effacing, and she’s very hard on herself. [She] probably doesn’t realize just how hard she tries because she’s always thinking that her practice is not quite good enough.”

Julia scanned down the list of names on the Sunday afternoon in the East band room when chairs were revealed, expecting to see hers at the bottom. But it wasn’t — she got sixth, the highest place out of the three other symphony musicians who go to the same private teacher.

Stevermer’s private teacher, Ho Ahn, has been a key part in making Stevermer the disciplined cellist she is today. When she met Ahn the summer before her sixth grade year, the first words that came out of the intimidating Kansas City Symphony cellist’s mouth were, “Next victim?”

Ahn boasts that by the time a student leaves his studio, he will have made them cry at least once. It’s his “claim to fame.” Though this may seem harsh to others, Stevermer immediately grew to enjoy his teaching style, and says that he is only strict to make his students the best they can be. She hasn’t let him see her cry—yet.

“I always feel like I’m improving with him,” Stevermer said. “Even if I’m sitting in my room at 11 p.m. practicing, I still feel like I’m working hard, and that I’m growing as a student and as a cellist.”

Stevermer has built a strong bond with Ahn, even calling him a father figure. Ahn is in the process of converting Julia to be a Baltimore sports fan, much to Julia’s mom’s dismay.

With all of the time she dedicates to cello, Stevermer has had to give up some of her other activities like volleyball, rodeo and polocrosse. She used to go to Colorado often to take lessons for barrel racing, a rodeo event, and would have liked to try out for the East volleyball team, but her cello schedule simply doesn’t allow it.

“I just love to play,” Stevermer said. “I couldn’t imagine my life without cello because I love the music, honestly. And I love being able to improve and see my improvement, and I want to get better.”

Stevermer is currently involved in a master class with a professor from Drake University, known for their strong music program. She doesn’t know where she wants to go, or what her next step is—what she does know is that it doesn’t matter where she goes, as long as she’s playing her cello. But for now, she’s content playing her invisible cello in the back of the English room fifth hour.

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Dedication to cello brings purpose and deep connection

Julia’s

CLA breakdown ICAL Not all classical music is the same – these are some of the differences

four big periods

1 2

BAROQUE

artists like: Bach opinion: pretty boring

CLASSICAL artists like: Mozart opinion: courtly

3 4

ROMANTIC artists like: Beethoven opinion: Julia’s favorite – passionate, emotional MODERN artists like: Prokofiev opinion: courtly

SEPTE MBER 18 2017

DESIGN LIL A TULP P HOTOS LUKE HOFFM AN

MY STRANGE

BY AVA JOH N S ON Page Designer

F E AT U R E S 21

OBSESSIONS F

reshman Quinn Krohn first stepped into Vintage Stock as a 10-year-old and immediately noticed ceilings lined with video game-themed stuffed animals known as “plushies.”

“I loved [plushies] so much because it felt like I was able to have the game characters in real life,” Krohn said.

When he was 10-years old, Krohn discovered a video game series called “The Legend of Zelda.” He played the game for hours a day so he found himself drawn to a plushie of Link, a character, as a constant reminder of the time he spent immersed in the game. And that was the start of what is now a collection of almost 40 video game characters that fill Krohn’s black mounted shelves and the top of his red dresser.

And the ones he doesn’t display on shelves are filled in three rubber

A look at some of the peculiar obsessions of students

tubs in his bedroom that are still visible to guest. Krohn uses his display of plushies to show how much he loves the games when he invites friends over.

As a kid, Krohn imagined the plushies could talk. He’d let them “travel” around his house but now they sit on display in his bedroom.

Still, they aren’t loved any less, though, he said.

Krohn continues to play video games and buy plushies, he just doesn’t play with the stuffed animals like he used to.

Krohn bought his most recent plushie, Rover from “Animal Crossing”, 3 weeks ago at Vintage Stock. There aren’t any plushies he’s saving up for now but as soon as a new one comes out, Krohn will be the first in line.

QUINN KROHN

VIDEO GAME PLUSHIES

A

tub of rubber ducks that are costumed, signed by family or even some hot pink fill a box in junior Meredith Norden’s attic.

A trip to Quacker Gift Shop in Grand Lake, Colorado, sparked junior Meredith Norden’s rubber duck obsession.

“I wanted to start a collection of something when I was little and I just thought they were really cute and something different to collect,” Norden said. “I ended up getting really into my collection and it became very special to me.”

Norden used to display around 100 ducks in her bedroom on shelves but when she renovated her bedroom, the ducks moved to a box in the attic because there was not enough room for them.

Before Norden was born, her mom used rubber ducks as a place

setting at her baby shower and had all of her guest’s names written onto rubber ducks. Now, those are some of the most special ducks in Norden’s collection.

Norden’s dad also takes part in her collection — every time he goes out of town for work he comes home bearing a new rubber duck for Norden – a kilted duck from Scotland, a duck painted with Chinese letters from Asia and a duck wearing overalls from Germany. The ducks he gets from other countries are dressed in costumes coordinating to their country’s culture.

“As a kid, it seriously felt like Christmas every time my dad walked through the door from a trip across the world with a new rubber duck for me,” Norden said.

MEREDITH NORDEN RUBBER DUCKS

I

n order for senior Laura Martasin to consider breakfast, lunch, or dinner a full meal, one thing must be present: a side of grapes. Martasin has been going through around 8 bags of grapes per week since first grade.

She knows which kinds are the best – green Cotton Candy grapes from Sam’s Club. if those aren’t available, she heads to Costco for Red Dragon grapes. She has grape-buying down to a science: she knows which brands are the juiciest and which stores carry the fullest bags.

“My mom kept packing me carrots in my lunch when I was in first grade and I told her that I didn’t want to bring [carrots] to school,

LAURA MARTASIN GRAPES

so she suggested grapes,” Martisan said. “I started to eat them [so] often that it became a regular thing and I haven’t gone a day without them since” Martasin isn’t sure if it’s the sweet taste, poppable shape, or crunchy texture that make grapes her “favorite thing ever” All she knows is that no day would be the same without three bundles of grapes.

Join us for the 31st anniversary of SME SHARE’s Renovation Sensation The tour features four distinguished and unique homes in Old Leawood, Prairie Village, and Fairway.

REN SEN

2017 Wednesday, Septemer 20, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at Spruce Home, Hen House in Fairway, The Village, Corinth and 119th & Roe.

Creating Peace of Mind Serving Your Investment Needs

Satu Stechschulte, CFA Kristin Patterson Bryant Barnes Stuart Berkley, CFA Andrew Muther Peter Greig, CFA

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SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

F E AT U R E S 23

HOOKED on HORROR Nightmares of clowns and dolls are brought to life in the new movies “It”and “Annabelle: Creation”

ANNABELLE: CREATION DEMONIC CREATURES CRAWLING out of wells, crucifixes turning upside down and the possession of small children — what else would you expect from the prequel to “Annabelle?”

The movie, “Annabelle: Creation,” is the second addition to the spinoff series of “The Conjuring,” where the infamous doll made a cameo in 2013. Overall, the movie was entertaining and had an eerie feel, but it fell into the same subgenre that all horror movies seem to these days: people move into a new home, they get haunted by some sort of supernatural being, they move out.

Our story begins in a Californian farmstead, which is home to Samuel Mullins, a dollmaker, and his family. His beloved daughter, Bee, is tragically hit by a car and dies. At this exact moment, I knew this girl would soon become the soul that inhabits Annabelle, the sinister doll constructed

by Samuel—without the intention of it becoming possessed, of course.

Twelve years later, the Mullins open their home to a group of orphan girls and their caretaker, Sister Charlotte. Janice, who is weakened by polio, is the first to stir up trouble with the paranormal. She decides to creep into a forbidden room with the door ajar in the middle of the night, even though it has been locked for years. Has she never seen any horror film, ever?

From this point forward, the movie is chock-full of so many horror cliches it hurts: flickering lights, footsteps in the middle of

Lancer VOICE

BY ANNABELLE COOK Assistant Online Editor

the night and way too many jump scares — the type that any horror-movie-regular could spot from a mile away.

To top it off, Janice’s sidekick, Linda, throws a ball at Annabelle’s face to taunt her.

Big mistake. The demonic doll’s head does a 180 while Linda is turned away, and ends up terrorizing the home and the orphaned girls that inhabit it. And unfortunately, the fact that I could predict this turn of events, and many to follow, is where the film falls short.

However, my favorite aspect was how the movie made references to The Conjuring films and tied back to the original “Annabelle.” Evil entities that fans of the series have come to know and fear pop up and are weaved into the narrative, like Valak the nun, an icon from “The Conjuring 2.”

And if you watch the scene following the end credits closely, you’ll notice that the opening scene from “Annabelle” is occurring in the background of “Creation.”

Although predictable at times, there’s a reason filmmakers keep coming back to fear tactics like jump scares: they really do work. I can admittedly say I was terrified to sleep alone in my room, where my mom coincidentally decides to keep my sister’s old American Girl Dolls. I could feel their beady eyes staring at me all night long, just waiting to make my soul their next victim. ***I’d like to note that although my doll counterpart of the same name ended up getting deemed back to hell, I’m still perfectly alive and attending Shawnee Mission East!

Students voice opinions on how scary the new movies "It" and "annabelle: Creation" were

IT: THE MOVIE

AROUND THIS TIME last year, videos The boys (and a single girl, Beverly) were going viral on Twitter of clowns bring back the 80s nostalgia that audience chasing people with chainsaws in the members are bound to love, complete with middle of the night. If that wasn’t enough references to New Kids on the Block and to make you never want to visit the circus plenty of “your mom” jokes. But Pennywise again, something even freakier is in store: is the true star of the film. He alone made Pennywise the Clown. “It” is now taking on “It” one of the most disturbing movies the silver screen, based on Stephen King’s I’ve ever seen — and that’s saying alot 1986 novel of because “Hostel” the same name and “Human and the 1990 Centipede” have miniseries. also made the list.

The film But after every The boys (and a single girl, Beveropens in 1989 appearance of It, ly) bring back that 80s nostalgia with Georgie, that audience members are sure to as terrifying as he a young boy love, complete with references to was, I was confused in the town of New Kids on the Block and plenty about his true form.

Derry, Maine, He takes on the of “your mom” jokes. chasing his guise of Pennywise paper sailboat in the Clown, but his ANNABELLE COOK 7-foot-plus stature, the rain. When it JUNIOR glowing yellow sails into a storm eyes, shape-shifting drain, it falls into the hands of It, who introduces himself properties and immortality tell me he’s saying “I’m Pennywise the Dancing not a human. The film also never went inClown,” in a bone-chilling, childlike tone. depth about the origin story of Pennywise, Poor little Georgie ends up getting his arm which I consider a highlight of every horror bitten off and pulled into the sewer to live movie.

Even if there was some murky water with Pennywise — home sweet home!

And so it begins. It, whose presence is when it came to character backstories, the marked by an ominous red balloon, plays movie is sure to become a horror genre mind games on a gang of misfit kids who staple, joining the ranks of “Friday the seem to be straight out of “The Goonies”. 13th” and the original “It” movie. Every To trick them into their own deaths, scene of Pennywise terrorizing the children Pennywise makes their worst nightmares of Derry had me cowering behind my into realities: an eerie painting comes to blanket—the one I always bring to horror life, blood volcanoes out of the sink, and a movies. Let’s just say after “It,” I won’t be room full of clown statues give menacing going anywhere near a children’s birthday party anytime soon. stares.

During "It" I was laughing at parts that I was supposed to be scared. It was unrealstic.

Addie Von Drehle

junior

Katherine Lenger

junior

I don’t really get freaked out by scary movies, but "Annabelle: Creation" was pretty creepy; I jumped a couple times.

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ty both tas e b o t s rove o joint p rdable c a t l a c Lo and affo

BY GRACE PADON Print Section Editor

I

f there are tacos, I’m there. That has been my motto ever since I had my first authentic street taco one middle school summer in Utah, and now I’m hooked.

Kansas City is now home to the St. Louis born taco chain called Mission Taco Joint. There are four locations within the Gateway City, and a fifth location opened up in late August on Kansas City’s very own 18th street.

Located just around the corner from Grinders, Mission Taco Joint is the ideal location for a pit stop during First Fridays or a brunch date with the squad on a Saturday morning.

With a distressed brick wall behind me and a comic book-esque mural of a city night life in front of me, the interior of Mission Taco Joint incorporates design elements that all mesh perfectly together to create a trendy environment that distinguishes our downtown.

I wouldn’t normally envision a taco place with heavy wooden tables and industrial light fixtures, but Mission Taco Joint makes it work. Two large garage doors also overlook the Crossroads District, allowing for a superb opportunity to people watch as you wait for your food.

Although I firmly believe that all Mexican restaurants should have free chips and salsa, I was willing to splurge $4 on the bottomless appetizer. The chips are made fresh daily, and have a crunch of perfection in every bite.

Each and every chip was a golden brown color with a healthy layer of salt. Although some bites were a little–dare I say–too salty, the salsas complemented the chips nicely.

Two salsas were presented in ceramic bowls, each at opposing sides of the spiciness spectrum. One bowl contained a fiery habanero salsa that I would normally not even entertain the idea of tasting, considering pepperoni makes me tear up. I ended up taking one for the team (you’re welcome, Harbinger) and tried the habanero salsa. My tastebuds were overwhelmed with insane amounts of spice and the smooth texture of what was basically habanero flavored ketchup. I was left gulping down water as our waitress approached us to take our order, but went back for another bite because masked underneath piquant flavor lived a great, flavorful taste.

The second salsa was chunky and mild, with hints of onion. This was my preferred salsa, for the vibrant combination of miniscule vegetables left my usually plain palette fulfilled, without being drowned with pungent spices.

As I snacked on my chips and salsa, I feasted my eyes on nine choices of street tacos. Each is served on a housmade corn tortilla and cost between $3.25 and $4.00 each. After scanning the menu for several minutes, I opted for the Beef Brisket Birria taco and the Carne Asada taco. Mission Taco Joint doesn’t draw the line at tacos; they also serve a variety of burritos and several different side dishes.

The Carne Asada taco was by

4.1/5

4.5/5

TOP & MIDDLE TACOS |

Beef brisket birria

BOTTOM TACO |

Carne asada

far my favorite of the two, with wood-fire grilled flank steak, baby arugula and fresh cheese. Held together by a handmade soft corn tortilla, the arugula balanced out the pepperiness of the steak, and the cheese added to the overall mellowness of the taco’s flavor.

The Beef Brisket Birria taco was a combination of slow roasted brisket and pork belly carnitas with avocado and a fiery — and I mean fiery — sauce. I took my first bite and immediately had to reach for a stack of napkins to catch the falling juice and excess meat. The tenderness of the meats was a dream, but I had to stop half way through because of the overwhelming spiciness. Overall, the flavor of the taco was robust and the avocado helped tame the spice, but I couldn’t handle all of it.

When I first looked at the menu, one of the items that stood out the most were the homemade cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate sauce. On the outside, the churros were crunchy and warm, but the soft inside and gooey chocolate sauce compelled me to eat every last bite. I definitely saved the best for last, and would honestly go back just for the churros.

My meal was moderately priced, with two tacos, a soda, half an order of chips and salsa and a half order of churros coming to just under $15.

Mission Taco Joint is the perfect place to go if you’ve had your usual order at Taco Republic or Salty Iguana a few too many times, but are still in the mood for a south of the border cuisine.

DESIGN LIZZIE K AHLE PHOTOS COURTESY OF REVOLVE .COM

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

A & E 25

TREND REPORT HOMECOMING 2017

01.

The best asymmetrical dresses are the ones that incorporate an edgy twist — a lifted leg hem, a mismatched sleeve, a oneshoulder strap. This particular dress is easy to wear, requires little-to-no styling (the fringe speaks for itself), and its hemline gives it a little oomph compared to a rather simple black dress.

COMPLETE THE LOOK

ATSTRID KNOTTED TASSEL EARRINGS BY VENESSA MOONEY, $40

02.

03.

This bright and bold red was dubbed “the color of Fall” by ELLE Magazine in Feb. of this year. This fiery hue has been dominating the runways ever since, living up to its promise. The symbolic shade is also the color of love (and Instagram likes), passion, the devil, rage, bullfighting, blood, courage, communism, “STOP,” and Republicans.

This dress is an inevitable eye-catcher, from pictures to dinner to the dance to the after party – and even the after-after party.

Floral prints continue to bloom on clothing and accessories this fall. But this season, and especially with this dress, floral prints are taking on a darker mood – blossoming from black-asnight backgrounds in a riot of vintageinspired greens, pinks and blues.

This particular dress caught my eye because of its contrast between black and sharp, primary colors.

04.

06.

ROCKY DRESS BY AMANDA UPRICHARD, $194

LUXUL ASYMMETRICAL DRESS BY BEC&BRIDGE, $250

04. 05.

03.

HACIENDA MINI DRESS BY PRIVACY PLEASE, $138

SHAW BUTTON CAMI DRESS BY BY THE WAY. $70

MAKENNA DRESS BY DEVLIN, $118

{

02.

01.

MODERN LOVE DRESS BY FOR LOVE & LEMONS, $224

BY LIZZIE K AHLE Assistant Editor

05.

2017 is coming to a close with a hint of clavicle coverage in the form of the one-shoulder design. In a solid hue, decked out in florals or covered in embroidery, this simple silhouette always stuns, and it flatters all body types and ages. This natural pink color allows you to either dress it up or dress it down – and for Homecoming, you’ll definitely want to dress it up. Maybe a pair of gold hoops? Who knows!

Polka Dots: this timeless trend gets a modern update for Fall. A typically juvenile trend, chances are you were dressed in polka-dots as a child. Luckily, this season’s designers filtered the graphic print through a fresh fashion lens, waving a final goodbye to the days of Minnie Mouseesque specks. Instead, this modern take on dots successfully marries sophisticated style with a light-hearted edge.

06.

{

COMPLETE THE LOOK

LANE METALLIC HEEL

BY JAGGAR, $160

Drop everything – no, but really – this flattering silhouette and swingy drop hem is the perfect combination of romantic and laid back, making it ideal for Homecoming. Not to mention the flouncy hem is perfect if you’re looking to cause a scene on the dance floor. Besides – who said you couldn’t wear white after Labor Day? It’s 2017, people!

DESIGN GRACE PADON PHOTOS COURTESY OF STARLIGHT THE ATRE AND ROY INM AN

THE HARBINGER

26 A & E

Starlight Theatre’s fall production of Grease is a hit

“G

BY MEG THOM A Staff Writer

rease is the word” they said.

“It’ll be fun” they said. And to my musically-uneducated brain’s surprise, it was.

Grease was produced and performed by Starlight Theatre from Sept. 8 through 14.

The show kept me in my seat, contrary to my usual break every three minutes at musicals to play my favorite game on my phone, Ballz.

Surrounded by preteen girls scattered throughout the crowd in Pink Lady attire, complete with cat eye shades, the soundtrack I’ve known all my life was brought to life in the massive amphitheater. I almost felt out of place walking in wearing my 2017 jeans and a tank top uniform while everyone else was cloaked in Grease spiritwear.

While the musical fans wearing the iconic Pink Lady jackets made me laugh, the actresses on stage pulled them off even better. Rizzo, with her spunk and Frenchy with her desire to be the ultimate beauty school drop out were perfectly portrayed.

Sandy, one of the major characters of the play, was overpowered by the rest of the pink ladies and could have had a little more personality in scenes like “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” where her innocence should have been more apparent.

As each musical number passed, I was reminded of my time as an Indian Hills Middle School knight and our very own production of Grease. Though the auxiliary gym production was no Broadway, there were distinct similarities between my production and Starlight’s. I could barely hold in “Go

greased lightning” while watching the auto shop scene.

I was nothing but pleased with the production of the music along with the pit’s orchestra. Each sing along had me belting out the lyrics. Clearly it also entranced the 12-year-old girl two rows behind me who was crying out how hopelessly devoted she was to Danny. It was easy to tell that even within the first few minutes of the musical, the audience immediately fell in love with Danny by the way they laughed at his far-from-funny jokes. But really, who could be surprised by girls swooning over a 50s teen adorned in a leather jacket with slicked back hair.

My favorite scene, and I think I had the crowd’s approval on this one, based o n

the overwhelmed looks on their faces, was the famous prom scene. Raunchiness and high school pettiness was definitely showcased alongside flashy dresses and dance moves on stage. With the scene comes the best cheesy jokes and the dramatic confrontation between Cha Cha, Kenickie, Danny and Sandy. The original 1971 performance easily brought nostalgia upon the eldest people in the crowd and 16-year-old me connected to it, too.

There was not a faltering step in the choreography and every ensemble member kicked at the right time and leapt simultaneously. The only exception was Cha Cha — actress playing her had to be flown in from

California two days prior because the original actress broke her ankle. She had trouble staying on beat during the turbospeed hand jive. I understand, though.

I’m not sure I could do handle my partner grabbing a single foot and my hand and swinging me through the air perfectly just two days after learning it.

The simplistic set design — just a chair and a table — let me focus on the actors and provided a subtle background to numbers like “Greased Lightning” and the finale “We Go Together.” The scene transitions ran smoothly, without the usual frantic, scurrying steps of the stage crew bringing on props.

In contrast to the simple sets, the costumes were a bit over the top. The shimmering, yellow gowns at prom took attention away from their long-practiced choreography. Overall, the actresses would have been better suited in outfits that were only kept to half the rainbow.

The show stands out from others due to it’s ability to mix raunchiness with a comedy factor, without overpowering the other. Not to mention, it was nice to be old enough to understand the raunchy jokes that were once so foreign to me. Though the crew only practiced for two weeks prior to opening night, each aspect came together well for the finished product. Paying $25 for my seat in almost dead center of the amphitheater was more than a bargain for what it was worth.

LEFT | Beauty School Dropout Landree Fleming

(Frenchie) is serenaded by Quentin Avery Brown (Teen Angel) and advised to go back to high school. Photo by Roy Inman.

BELOW | The Pink Ladies’ pajama party is all about fun and secrets in Grease! Pictured are (left to right) Eliza Palasz as Marty, Lindsey Olson as Rizzo, Sara Reinecke as Jan, and Landree Fleming as Frenchy. Photo by Roy Inman.

ABOVE | The Greasers of Rydell High are (left to ABOVE | Performing in theWW mega-mix finale of Grease at Star-

light Theatre are (left to right) Lindsey Olson as Rizzo, Don Denton as Kenickie, Heidi Webster as Sandy, Timothy Michael Quinn as Danny, Bethany Fay as Patty, and Eric Geil as Roger. Photo by Roy Inman.

right) Don Denton as Kenickie, Eric Geil as Roger, TImothy Michael Quinn as Danny, Anthony Norman as Doody and Anthony Gasbarre III as Sonny. Photo by Roy Inman.

RIGHT | Alone at the drive-in movie are Heidi

Webster (Sandy) and Timothy Michael Quinn (Danny).

Photo by Roy Inman.

DESIGN ELIAS LOWLAND PHOTOS DIANA PERCY

SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

S P O R T S 27

CONSEQUENCES from contact

BY HARRISON GOOLEY Copy Editor

Youth football participation continues to fall at a record pace

T

BY THE NUMBERS

he rate of youth tackle football participation get to play unless has dropped 25 percent in the past seven we were killing the Number of players on each schools’ team years, according to Vocativ.com. According to team we were playing.”

USA Football Youth regional manager Mike Cuzzone, The senior class’s the threat of injury has made parents question their youth teams were split into children’s participation in the sport. two every year they played Cuzzone says the tackle, participation drop is from happening nationwide. Of the fourth 13,000 leagues USA Football to eighth I think nationwide you are seeing covers, 95 percent have grade. Now, numbers lower as a whole due to said they are experiencing there’s not a decreasing numbers of single fourth the fear of concussions. They still players. grader playing. have plenty of time to learn the The Football and The class of 2022 game if they come out freshman or Cheerleading Club of will be entering East with sophomore year.

Johnson County has seen this a 28-man team, compared trend as well. After summer to the six 2023 players. The D U ST I N DE LA N EY sign-ups, tackle football current freshman team at H E A D FO OT BA L L COACH player numbers were down East has 33 players and 16 percent from last year for varsity has 79. second through eighth grade teams. And this includes Varsity football head coach Dustin Delaney doesn’t future Lancer football players. think the drop will affect the game in the immediate Denise Perry, mother of junior football player future.

Michael Perry, understands why parents are removing “I think nationwide you are seeing numbers lower fundamentals, their kids from the sport. as a whole due to the fear of concussions,” Delaney and you are “I have seen so many injuries that it pains me to said. “Parents are delaying their sons from playing dealing with see anyone get hurt,” Denis said. “I always worry about until they are in middle school or high school. They 60-pound kids those injuries that could impact a player for their still have plenty of time to learn the game if they come wearing 10 pounds of entire lives.” out freshman or sophomore year.” equipment,” Hall said.

The second grade and fourth grade teams don’t Now, flag football is becoming the new norm, “They can play with less have any players, third grade is down to three, and instead of tackle. FCCJC’s kindergarten through sixth risk of major injury because both fifth and seventh have six. Because of the low grade flag football numbers are up by 12 percent. In everyone is not huge like numbers, players are put on a combined Shawnee flag football, the objective is to pull the flag off the ball when they start in high school.”

Mission team for each grade, instead of an East-only carrier’s hip, instead of tackling them. It’s safer than Delaney doesn’t see the team. throwing on pads and butting heads, Cuzzone said. number drop as a detrimental effect It was only eight years ago that the FCCJC Lancers “I think flag football is a great thing,” Delaney said. for the tem. were able to fill two East-only teams, senior Cameron “Kids learn the fundamentals of throwing, catching “Football is not a skilled sport like Ream said. and defending without the contact.” basketball or soccer,” Delaney said. “It’s Ream, who had to stop playing football because of Dick Hall, Ream’s youth flag and tackle football very easy to pick up even as a ninth or tenth injuries is now the director of football operations for coach, thinks starting tackle football younger is better. grader. Kids still have plenty of time to learn East.

The players are smaller and uncoordinated, making they game.”

“We had to compete for spots on the team,” Ream the overall game slower.

HIGH SCHOOL

94

MIDDLE SCHOOL 36

ELEMENTARY

said. “There were so many kids that some didn’t even

“If you start earlier you can get a good base of

9 = 1 Player

DESIGN JACKIE CA MERON PHOTOS ELLIE THOM A

THE HARBINGER

28 S P O R T S

fresh faces After being the youngest and making up half of the top 20 for girls cross country, 10 freshmen are adjusting and thriving on the team

BY LIL A TULP Section Editor

W

hen determining placement at the cross country time trials on Aug. 26, 10 freshman girls raced times that qualified them to be in the team’s top 20. In previous years, the number of freshmen on the girls’ JV and varsity teams – each consisting of 10 runners – has been significantly lower, with around four or five each year.

“I was really surprised when I saw that I made JV because I felt like there were so many people passing me every second,” said freshman Barbara DeZutter said. “But I made it, and now I have to prove that I deserve my spot by doing my best all season.”

According to varsity captain Ingrid Worth, she believes that this year’s freshmen look to be promising due to their sub-26 minute 5k times, and their determination on and off of the track.

However, Worth and their coaches know not to push the girls too hard, but just enough so that they are challenging themselves during every run. At practices, they make a point of having several water breaks on 90 degree days and encourage the runners to keep going even when they feel like they can’t take another step.

“At practice they make you work as hard as they know you can,” said freshman Grace Strongman. “And they’ve shown me that I can always do one more lap, one more hill or one more sprint, even when I don’t feel like I can.”

After making it on the varsity team, freshman Sophie Rice was no longer

thinking about her hike to get from her fifth floor English class to the basement for geometry class. Instead, her thoughts were now consumed with maintaining her sevenminute mile throughout her 5k and making sure she was giving her full effort during every step of the race.

At their first meet in Topeka on Sept.

9, Rice placed first among the freshman runners, and twelfth overall with a time of 22:14 for the 5k. Rice, who placed tenth at time trials, was one of eight freshmen across

I’d say that even though we make up the majority of the varsity teams, we’re still learning so much from the upperclassmen, who do nothing but support everyone on the team.

G R AC E ST R ON G M AN FRESHMAN the competition to compete at the varsity level for the meet. When she crossed the finish line, she was congratulated by her older teammates, who cheered her on during her entire last leg of the race and offered her an ice cold towel to cool off as she gradually turned her sprint into a walk. Once the team finished and they regained their energy, the varsity team cheered on everyone in the JV and C-team races as well.

“We have a lot of support between the JV and Varsity teams because everyone wants others to do well and get a personal

best,” Worth said. “Cross country is such a [demanding] sport, so we really try to support people when they’re running because we know how much pain they are in.”

The upperclassmen have shown the freshmen new breathing and pacing techniques to help them save energy for a sprint to the finish or make it through the uphill run at Arno Park. But being the youngest girls in the top 20, the freshmen have navigated being on the team through their new friendships. Whether it’s running together, or walking down to Chipotle for a burrito bowl after three-mile Friday runs, the girls are already learning how to support and rely on each other only a few weeks into the season.

“It’s been awesome coming to East and meeting so many new people on the cross country team,” Strongman said, “I’d say that even though we make up the majority of the varsity teams, we’re still learning so much from the upperclassmen, who do nothing but support everyone on the team.”

After winning the first meet of the year, the girls have high hopes for what’s to come.

Considering that the girl’s team has not been to state in over four years, the runners are now focusing on keeping up their times and improving throughout the next few months so they can qualify for state as a team at the end of October.

“If they are doing well as freshman they’re only going to get better within time,” head coach Tricia Beaham said, “That’s great for the future knowing that we will [potentially] have one of the top teams in the region and state.”

FRESHMAN GIRLS XC:

BY THE NUMBERS

10 of the top 20 girls are freshman

22:15

i 25:46 The girls’ 5k times range with only 3:31 in-between the fastest and slowest

DESIGN CAROLYN P OPPER

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

S P O R T S 29

MUST-SEE V LLEYBALL

GAMES

Five volleyball games you don’t want to miss this season

BY LUCY PAT TERS ON Copy Editor

EAST VS. SOUTH IF THERE IS a game to attend, this is it.

“Students should really attend any home game.” Varsity captain Sydney Ashner said.

“Especially senior night. We play South.”

EAST VS. LAWRENCE FREE STATE THIS IS A home game, but also Pink Night for varsity players.

“Students should support volleyball, because it is a really fun sport to watch!” said varsity coach Nicole Dalton. “There are opportunities to catch t-shirts being thrown out at the home games!”

WHERE: EAST

EAST VS. OLATHE SOUTH MANY GIRLS ON the Olathe teams play club volleyball, providing some great competition for the Lancers. “[At this game, Students] will get to see their peers compete at a high level while enjoying school spirit,” Dalton said.

WHERE: OLATHE SOUTH

WHERE: EAST

EAST VS. BLUE VALLEY NORTH ANOTHER BIG GAME for East is the Blue Valley North Game. Many of the Blue Valley girls also play premier volleyball in addition to school, and will be bringing their A game, especially on their home court.

“It is good for [the girls] to travel and be in new environments at away games,” Dalton said.

WHERE: BLUE VALLEY NORTH

EAST VS. TBD LAST YEAR, EAST placed third at the state tournament in Topeka. This year, the girls plan to return to Topeka and hopefully take first.

“We will be challenged as a team before the end of the season rolls around which is exciting to see what areas we can improve and get better at,” said Dalton.

Stay tuned for the tournament schedule coming out October.

WHERE: TBD

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DESIGN M ARTI FROMM PHOTOS ALLY GRIFFITH

SEPTE MBER 18, 2017

TRANSFERRING FO R T RYO U TS

S P O R T S 31 Lancer and private athletic programs attract transfer students to the East area

BY PEY TON WAT TS Live Broadcast Editor

N O RT H CA R O L I N A // KANSAS CITY

ERIC

ABOVE | Junior Eric Turnbull juggles a soccer ball on the field.

| ALLY GRIFF I T H

Elite soccer program attracts field player from North Carolina AS JUNIOR ERIC TURNBULL walked onto the field at Swope Park, hands shaking, his thoughts were only focused on his competition: his teammates. It was his first Sporting KC academy tryout. “[Sporting KC facilities] looked really clean, felt really official,” Turnbull said. “I felt like I made it. It was the dream.”

Last spring, Turnbull was invited to move from his hometown of Salisbury, NC to play soccer for Sporting KC’s U-17 academy team. The organization scouted and hand-picked elite players from across the country to build their developmental team. This team gives players an advantage to be scouted by the top D-1 college teams, and even other academies across the nation.

Turnbull was first noticed by SKC at a showcase in FL, while playing

with his club team from back home.

An SKC representative reached out to Turnbull’s coach and Turnbull immediately emailed the rep, agreeing to visit KC for a tryout over spring break.

“I didn’t even ask my parents or anything,” Turnbull said. “I mean, if Sporting KC comes a-callin’ you’re not gonna deny it.”

This fall, Turnbull and his mother, Kim, drove 15 hours from Salisbury, NC to Prairie Village where Turnbull would settle with a host family for the season.

“We’re all going through a huge adjustment,” Kim said, “But we do have contact with his family, and we do have contact with him on a weekly basis.

Every time I talk to him I feel good.”

Getting ready for Turnbull to move away was a process for his father too. Craig, who comes from a soccer

background, researched the soccer aspects of the move to make sure this was the right team for Turnbull to play on.

“It seemed like he fit right in with the [team], and [playing] was not something he’d be struggling doing,” Craig said. “It was the level he needed to be playing at.”

Even though this move was solely for soccer, Turnbull’s mother, a teacher, also looked into his academic set-up.

“I knew Shawnee Mission East was an excellent school,” Kim said. “So I knew if he stayed with a host family in that area he would be in good hands.”

Turnbull is now set to start the season as a field player with Sporting KC academy in hopes that he can make a name for himself across the nation to college scouts.

R O C K H U RST // EAST DANIEL

ABOVE | Junior Daniel Hammond pitches the ball during a game.

| PHOTO COURTE SY O F DANI EL H AMMOND

Lancer baseball program attracts pitcher from Rockhurst THIS SUMMER, JUNIOR PITCHER Daniel Hammond decided to further his baseball career – despite the possibility of controversy – by transferring to East from its across-theborder rival, Rockhurst High School.

“I’m very passionate about baseball, and I’ve realized the best opportunity to further my career in baseball would be presented at East as opposed to Rockhurst,” Hammond said.

Hammond has stayed positive throughout this entire process, despite his former classmates who don’t support his move, calling him things such as, “traitor.” Hammond hasn’t let the derogatory talk about him get to his head because he believes this is the best move for him.

Hammond has been welcomed to East with open arms. He has known

some of his new teammates since he was a kid, such as fellow baseball player senior Chris Closser, who thought that Hammond’s move to East was the right decision for him.

“I’ve known [Daniel] since I was eight, so we grew up playing ball with and against each other,” Closser said. “I was one of the [students] who encouraged him to transfer because he wasn’t getting the exposure and playing time he deserved at Rock.”

East’s atmosphere has been one of the biggest changes for Hammond thus far. Coming from an all-male private school to a co-ed public school, Hammond has had to adjust to going to school with girls. Not only does he have to focus on academics and sports, but he is adjusting to not wearing a uniform at school anymore and having

classes with girls.

The rivalry hasn’t been as serious for Hammond and his family, as other students may think of it. Knowing students from East before his move has made things much easier on Hammond transferring.

“We’ve never really looked at the two schools in that way, a football game withstanding, and maybe a baseball game as well,” Daniel’s father, Dan said. “No we’ve never looked at it that way.”

Over the summer, Hammond participated in workouts and practices with the East baseball team. Despite the negative feedback he’s gotten from the Rockhurst students, he’s determined to make this upcoming season great.

DESIGN ANNA MCCLELL AND PHOTO DIANA PERCY

THE HARBINGER

32 A LT- C O P Y

ipoll

Is your time on a tight budget? Make some fast cash with these four money-making apps

BY SARAH WILCOX Page Designer

D

uring the week, I run from morning NHS meetings to 7-hour school days to a tennis match in Blue Valley. Once I’m home, I don’t finish my homework

until after 12 a.m. (thank you, Jane Eyre). I barely manage to get six hours of sleep each night, let alone have enough time to have a job. It’s safe to say I’m tight on cash and babysitting twice a month isn’t going to cut it. Since I always have my phone on hand, I decided to find apps I can download to make some quick cash.

POSHMARK POSHMARK IS ESSENTIALLY a high-end, more secure eBay, only it’s mostly for clothes and accessories. The app allows people to buy and sell used clothing online. You can search brands or just search for general pieces, like a black tank top. Just make an account and post a description along with pictures and a price for what you want to sell.

The items listed are a low price since it’s all resale. After selling a $16 Francesca’s dress, I rewarded myself by shopping on the app. Since it’s debut in 2011, Poshmark has become an online destination for fashiongurus to shop and connect with others who share their same interest. The app is also a marketplace for the buy-and-sell of new styles and trends by connecting people with similar interests. I love that I could find inspiration by browsing so many other styles.

I am definitely going to start using Poshmark to sell clothes I outgrow or am tired of. Poshmark is a smaller community without swindlers that offers a good way to sell. Start spring cleaning early this year and go through your closet — you’ll be glad you did.

SHOPKICK SHOPKICK IS AN easy way to earn money by running everyday errands or shopping in stores. It’s like a game — the goal is to earn “kicks,” or points. In return, once users collect enough kicks, they choose what kind of gift card they want. Users can choose from over 10 stores including CVS, Best Buy, Starbucks, Macy’s, and Target.

The app is location-based, so users get kicks by opening the app when they walk in stores or by scanning random items in the store. The hardest part was that I forgot to open the app when I drove through Starbucks or walked into Target. Once these kicks add up to the goal number, the user earns a gift card.

I am about halfway to my goal, but once I reach it Shopkick sends a virtual credit to that particular store. I like that this app gives a quality reward, but I’m the kind of person that is reminded of a test the hour before and forgets gym clothes twice a week. Shopkick has the potential to be a great source of income for people who are on top of it.

Otherwise, this app will just take up storage.

IPOLL IS A GOOD APP to make use of time when you’re waiting in line or bored at school.

After creating an account, the app has people take a personality survey which determines what polls may interest them. Based on their responses from the quiz, iPoll finds random surveys for people to complete in exchange for money.

Millions of companies submit surveys to receive public input. My quiz asked multiplechoice questions ranging from what economic investments I participate in, which is none, to household responsibilities. The next screen read “Earn $0.50 by taking this seven-minute poll.” So, for the next seven minutes of my life I answered around 20 questions about electricity. I was notified about other polls that may interest me: “Make $2 on a 30 minute survey!” another read.

I quickly realized that spending a whole hour taking polls would make me around $4 — about enough to buy my weekly Caribbean Way smoothie in the cafeteria. My paycheck was almost half that of minimum wage; iPoll’s small payment isn’t worth the time and energy it requires. Since the topics aren’t very intriguing either, I don’t see myself using this app again unless I have nothing else to do.

NEXT DOOR THIS APP HAS the potential to be perfect for anyone. Next Door allows users to create a profile and include whatever things they are able to do like mowing lawns, walking dogs, teaching a sport, or babysitting. From there, it posts your profile so people around your area see it and message you if they are interested.

Within a few days I had already gotten texts about babysitting jobs near me. Once you work out the details and agree on a price, you’re in business. I love that this app connects people around each other; people need help and kids on Next Door are ready to earn money. Raking leaves or mowing a lawn is easy and quick, but my advice is to be careful with this app.

If you plan to meet up, make sure to go to a public place. For the most part people that use the app are genuinely looking for a helping hand, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Once the necessary precautions are taken, Next Door is a good way to make money and help out the community.