The Harbinger Issue 4 2023-24

THE

harbinger...

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 OCTOBER 16, 2023 VOLUME LXVI

CARLIE’S

ISSUE 4

STORY Sin c e b e i n g d i a g n o s e d w i t h l e u ke m i a i n e ighth gra d e , j u n i o r C a r l i e Fo u tc h c o n t i n u e s to value th i n g s m o s t p e o p l e ta ke f o r g ra n te d a n d have a po s it iv e im pa ct o n th o s e aro u n d h e r

A LOOK INSIDE:

page 3...

The American healthcare system is becoming overly politicized

17...

Juniors form Breakfast Club to connect with peers

26...

Senior Jake Miller commits to play Division 1 baseball while playing mostly JV

02 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

THE HARBINGER

nationwide news A curre n t e v e n t h a p p e n i n g i n C a r m e l , I n d i a n a accord ing to news p ap e r e d i to r G rac e G u o

THE HILITE

Carmel Incumbent Mayor James Brainard has been in office since 1996 The election for the new mayor takes place on Nov. 7

de sig n b y addi e mo o re

c o v e r d e s ig n b y grey s o n i m m c o v e r p h o to b y c a ro l i n e ma r t u cc i

online Visit smeharbinger.net to read additional preview storie s, ga lle rie s, podc a st s a nd v ide os

CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL CARMEL, INDIANA

Candidates include Republican Sue Finkam and Democrat Miles Nelson

SCAN ME WEBSITE Read the HiLite’s story over the Carmel Mayoral election

SCAN ME VIDEO Watch a feature video about East’s prestigious Blue Knights jazz band

R I G H T An award-winning graphic from The Hilite showing a debate between government officials.

staff list PRINT EDITORS K atie Murphy Greyson Imm

ONLINE EDITORS Aanya Bansal Maggie Kissick

ASST. PRINT EDITOR Addie Moore

HEAD COPY EDITORS Greyson Imm Aanya Bansal

ASST. HEAD COPY EDITOR Ada Lillie Worthington

HEAD PHOTO EDITORS Riley Scott Liv Madden Kenna Harrington

ASST. PHOTO EDITORS Caroline Martucci Clara Peters Amelie Wong

PHOTO MENTORS Ryan Dehan Molly Miller Paige Bean

VIDEO EDITORS Abby Lee Ryder Hendon

DESIGN EDITORS Veronica Mangine Bridget Connelly

PODCAST EDITOR Emma Krause

ART EDITOR

Bridget Connelly

graphic by caitlin follman

ASST. ART EDITOR Caroline Daniels

EQUIPMENT MANAGER Mason Sajna

ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS Isabel Balsassaro Avery Anderson

MULTIMEDIA STAFF

COPY EDITORS

STAFF ARTISTS

Connor Vogel Libby Marsh Isabel Baldassaro Maggie Condon Luke Beil Christian Gooley Neva Hudson Avery Anderson Lyla Weeks Preston Hooker

Mary Gagen Luke Beil Paige Bean Ryan Dehan Mason Sajna Alex Sajna Emma Krause Preston Hooker Luciana Mendy

political cartoon a r t b y z a n e l a i n g

K atie Murphy Greyson Imm Maggie Kissick Aanya Bansal Ada Lillie Worthington Addie Moore Emmerson Winfrey Libby Marsh David Allegri STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Sophia Brockmeier Larkin Brundige Mason Sajna Lucy Wolf Alex Sajna Will Griffith STAFF WRITERS Maggie Condon Mary Gagen

Larkin Brundige K ai McPhail Lorelei Galles Zane Laing Will Griffith

ONLINE POST MANAGERS

Sophia Brockmeier Mary Gagen Connor Vogel

PAGE DESIGNERS PRINT SECTION EDITORS Emmerson Winfrey EDITORIAL | Caroline Daniels NEWS | Libby Marsh FEATURE | Veronica Mangine SPORTS | Isabel Baldassaro OPINION | K ai McPhail

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS Maggie Kissick Bridget Connelly

Zane Laing Avery Anderson K ai McPhail Sophia Brockmeier Lyla Weeks Clara Burdick Sydney Eck Lucy Stephens Lorelei Galles

FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA: SME Harbinger The Harbinger smeharbinger SM East Harbinger

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 content and opinions of the Harbinger do not represent the student body, faculty, administration or Shawnee Mission School District. The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content, but quotes material may be confirmed with the sources. The Harbinger encourages letters to the editors, but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple letters of the same topic and personal attacks contained in the letter. The Harbinger will not edit content thought letters may be edited for clarity, length or mechanics. Letters should be sent to Room 400 or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.

The A m e r i c a n h e a l t h c a re syste m i s b e c o m i n g to o politic i ze d a t t h e ex p e n s e of vul ne ra b le p o p ul a ti o n s

C

ONGRESS

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 03

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by c a ro l i n e daniels

HIJACKING

HEALTHCARE ACCESS

RESTRICTED A rundown of t wo piece s of

DELAYED

THE

reauthorization of The President’s

agendas than the wellbeing of its citizens.

If

Congress

continues

delay

the

those values.

reauthorization

month that has saved over 25 million

that deliver lifesaving drug treatments, like

members are making it more difficult for

antiretroviral therapy, and other resources

women in the military to access safe abortions

This was due to the concerns of far-right

to HIV patients may have to restrict their

or transgender service members to access their

Republican members. The bill gives resources

work. This would cause people to go without

necessary treatments or surgeries.

to organizations that also provide abortions

treatments they potentially need to live.

along with HIV and AIDS care, despite the money not directly going to abortions.

The President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief — an act created to provide support and

PEPFAR,

to

Emergency Plan for Aids Relief this

lives, since its creation in 2003.

of

necessities doesn’t seem to show either of

organizations

Along

the

same

lines,

far-right

The people in support of the new NDAA

If this trend continues, more healthcare

stipulations want to support our troops yet

services will become a divisive topic in politics

still vote to remove the military’s health plan

leaving it unknown what our healthcare system

from covering gender-affirming surgery or

will look like in later years.

support them in their choices regarding their

resources for those struggling with HIV and AIDS in developing countries such as Ethiopia

from getting lifesaving treatment, potentially

Someone’s medical needs shouldn’t be put

or Haiti — expired due to the time limit set

killing people who without access to HIV and

on a ballot. A woman’s choices for her body

on it on Sept. 30 and Congress still has yet to

AIDS treatment to “save the life” of an unborn

shouldn’t be a debate. Gender affirming care

reauthorize the life saving program.

child. They are risking lives because they

shouldn’t be a divisive segment in a bill. No

of

refuse to risk their status — even if the act

one should be sitting on their phone waiting for

the

doesn’t directly support abortions. Their clause

results if they’ll be able to afford healthcare.

This

highlights

a

healthcare

concerning in

the

trend

U.S.

at

expense of its citizens.

The delay of PEPFAR came right after the

body.

for this belief is the lifting of the “Mexico City

These acts also directly go against the 14th

Policy,’’ a policy that required foreign non-

amendment that guarantees health equity in

the

profits to not use any fundings from the U.S.

the United States. These new acts are not equal

National Defense Authorization Act with broad

to promote or perform abortion as a form of

at all.

support of both parties for the first time in 60

family planning.

House

of

Representatives

didn’t

pass

The government that we have voted to work

years. The act only narrowly passed this year

A 2020 study by Gallop found that 57%

in our best interests and protect us is working

as many far-right members threatened to vote

of Americans believe that healthcare is the

more in favor of their status and principles

against unless changes were made, according

government’s responsibility to cover. Yet, the

than the health of their citizens.

to NPR.

government can’t even guarantee coverage for

The

NDAA

access

to

both

with the

reimbursing

or

happens on the Congress floor is not what our

of

paying travel expenses related to abortion care

nation stands for and shouldn’t be acceptable.

who respect all healthcare, even if they may

and barring transgender health services for

Our nation is supposed to represent freedom

not agree with it, is a mandatory change our

military members.

and unity but denying people basic medical

country needs to make.

Defense

including

Department

from

Healthcare shouldn’t be a political game to push a group’s ideals, it should be something everyone can equally access without having to rely on people to vote for you to access it.

The United States is in the top 50% of healthcare in the world but our country has repeatedly proven that it cares more about pushing

political

People’s

lives

being

decided

by

A program made to help developing countries with HIV/AIDS treatments The Bush administration passed this bill

NDAA To support our troops yet still vote to remove the military’s health plan from covering gender-affirming surgery or support them in their choices regarding their body U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services passed this bill

medically

but

—

passed

Someone’s

PEPFAR

necessary or optional healthcare shouldn’t

prohibiting

stipulations

eventually

a lifesaving treatment for those with HIV.

forms of a c c e ss to he a lthc a re

house

Congress is on the path to prevent people

politicizing

legislation that are barring

what

be completely in the hands of a select group people.

Having

people

in

government

FOR: 8 AGAINST: 1 The members of the editorial board who agree with the viewpoint of the editorial are represented by for, and those who disagree with the viewpoint are represented by against.

storie s b y lyla weeks

Briefs...

04 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

d e s ig n b y l i b by ma rs h

TEACHER TAKE More information about the La tino A r t G a lle ry ADAM FI NK ELS TO N ART TE AC HE R

smeharbinger.net/category/news

THE

lancer

minute

A new v i d e o s e r i e s h i g h l i g h t i n g photos f ro m g a l l e r i e s a n d recapp i n g rec e n t ev e n t s

THE EAST ART gallery is anticipating the

his excitement and the significance this event

unveiling of the newest gallery and show — a

will have on the Latino community at East.

Latino exhibit to present the Latino community

“The whole idea is to try to make the Latin community at East more visible in the sense of

and art to East.

The show will consist of four to six Latino professionals that work in the community and

celebrating and acknowledging the diversity of the culture,” Finkleston said.

about half a dozen East students that identify

Due to the shortened week of fall break, the

as Latino. The students will be displaying works

show will have a soft launch reception after

of art that connect them to their culture and

school around Oct. 20 where students can enjoy

heritage.

the show and light refreshments that will be

East art teacher Adam Finkleston explains

served in the East art gallery. It will last through November.

HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME

PRAIRIE VILLAGE RESIDENTS have recently

“City staff shares frustration along with the

expressed complaints with the late trash pick-

community.” Geffert said, “We are cautiously

up from local trash company Republic Services.

optimistic that things are going to improve and this won’t be an issue for much longer.”

commercial drivers licenses and an increase in

Ever since hiring Republic Services in 2016,

trash trucks breaking down, the trash delays

the company has failed to meet trash pickup

each week have been difficult for the community

deadlines

and citizens of Prairie Village according to City

Council. Just last November they suffered from

Clerk, Adam Geffert.

staffing issues and delays with pickup, which

Geffert, also an East parent, emphasizes the effort that the council is performing to take care

resulted

according

in

Prairie

to

the

Village

Prairie

fining

Village

Republic

Services up to $7,000 in 2023.

of this issue.

EAST REACTS TO NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS THE RESULTS OF the 2023 Nobel Prizes were published on Oct. 5 with categories spanning

awarded

from literature to physiology.

development of the process to produce the

Since 1901, the prestigious award has been

was

significant

in

ARE YOU PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE NEW LATINO GALLERY EXHIBIT?

the

quantum dots having a specific size,” Appier

YES 11% NO

Nobel Prize winners and their c a te gorie s

physics

Pierre Agostini Ferenc Krausz Anne L’Huillier

physiology / medicine Katalin Karikó Drew Weissman

chemistry

fields.

individuals awarded the prize was significant

Moungi G. Bawendi

Alfred Noble, a Swedish chemist, inventor,

in the development of the process to produce

Louis E. Brus

and entrepreneur, left much of his wealth to

quantum dots having a specific size.’’

literature

to

people

and

who

researches

perform in

their

establish the award in 1901.

Appier believes this discovery will benefit

This year, Moungi Bawendi of MIT, Louis

students in Chemistry 1, who will soon be

Brus of Columbia University, and Alexei Ekimov

learning about electromagnetic radiation, as

of Nanocrystals Technology, were awarded for

well as light and the quantum nature of small

their work in the chemistry field. The three

particles like electrons.

discovered that quantum dots are tiny particles that glow when exposed in red and blue lights.

“The fact that only the size of the particle determines

the

light

was

really

important

Chemistry teacher Steve Appier believes that

because it was able to be used on TVs and

this is a noteworthy discovery in the chemistry

computer screens,” Chemistry club member and

community.

junior Anna Holland said. “And so the discovery led to the development of many technologies.”

89%

PRIZE WINNERS

said.“The work done by each of the three

out

discoveries

Visit Instagram Reels to hear staffer Emma Krause discuss these events and see more photos

prize

the opportunity to work with students who might not necessarily consider themselves artists, who will have the opportunity to talk about their culture and the things that connect them to their culture.

notable

given

SCAN ME VIDEO

“The work done by the three individuals the

I’M EXCITED FOR

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 3 2 v o t e s

PRAIRIE VILLAGE RESIDENTS FRUSTRATED BY DELAYED TRASH PICK UP Due to staffing issues, high demand for

FALL SEMESTER PEP RALLY

“

LATINO ART GALLERY LAUNCHING IN ROOM 225 ON OCT. 20

Alexei I. Ekimov Jon Fosse

peace prize Narges Mohammadi

Riksbank Prize the Sveriges Claudia Goldin

s tor y by n eva hudson

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 05

THE HARBINGER

de s i g n by emmerson winfrey p h o to s by w i l l g r i ffi th, molly miller & imbd

REWRITING the SCRIPT

F

ILM STUDENTS AND teachers

have

been

processing results of the Writers Guild of America

union’s agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers made on Sept. 27.

Senior Campbell Carpenter hopes to pursue a career in the film industry after graduating high school.

He

attended

the

Toronto

Inter-

national Film Festival while the writers strike was taking place. He followed the strike in the news as it unfolded, and the events influenced what he is looking for when entering the industry.

“I think the demands that the writers were asking for are very just,” Carpenter said. “It’s crazy to me how studios that have billions of dollars would not budge for so long.”

Members

of

the

WGA

began

striking on May 2, making the total length of the strike 148 days — the

S tudent and teacher reactions to the ending of the Writers G uild of A me ric a n a nd S c re e n A c tors G u ildAmerican Federation of Television a nd R a dio A r tist s strike s

second-longest in Hollywood his-

care plans. It also placed specific

were held up by the strikes, from

industry writers. Streaming com-

tory. English teacher Brian Cappello

detailed limitations on the use of

season five of “Stranger Things” to

panies could produce work using AI

wasn’t surprised that the strike

artificial

screen-

season two of “The Last of Us.” For

as a cheaper alternative to paying

lasted as long as it did.

writing, an area where there was

other projects like “Dune: Part 2,”

humans or craft scripts directly

previously no restrictions.

release dates have been pushed back

imitating the style and inflection of

indefinitely.

writers with work publicly available

“It doesn’t surprise me that it

intelligence

in

took so long,” Cappello said. “When

“I’m definitely going to make

you’re talking about human greed,

an effort to put myself in front of

that has no limits.”

people who are on the more inde-

an

pendent

SAG-AFTRA

The Screen Actors Guild-Amer-

side

of

the

industry,”

Although the WGA has reached

for the AI to study and attempt to

agreement

replicate.

with

the

continues

AMPTP, negotia-

The industry is now gradually

ican Federation of Television and

Carpenter said. “People who are

tions and has not yet resolved their

returning to normalcy after months

Radio Artists — made up of roughly

actually making the movies that will

demands with large streaming ser-

of shutdowns. According to Vox,

160,000

and

be remembered for years to come.”

vices. They are asking for similar

talk shows will be the first thing to

performers — joined the strike on

Over the course of the time WGA

changes to be made, with their pri-

begin airing again, while high-bud-

July 14. According to Vox, the strike

and SAG-AFTRA were on strike, the

mary focus being on the threat

get movie productions will be held

cost the state of California $3 bil-

film community became unsure of

artificial intelligence poses to their

up for much longer.

lion.

how it would impact the future of

profession.

professional

actors

“It’s also a moral issue, I think

the industry.

“I think we’re just scratching

“AI is changing everything and

the surface when it comes to factors

that it’s completely immoral that

“Part of me when the strike was

it’s scary to think that studio exec-

like AI,” Cappello said. “There’s so

they would just thrust aside the

going on was like, ‘Oh shoot, do I

utives would willingly sacrifice all

many positive things that can come

writers and all the craftsmen in

even want to be in this industry

the human work to take the easy

out of [the strike], but the potential

pursuit

where you’re treated very poorly?’”

way out,” Cappello said. “I just

for negative consequences is just as

Carpenter said. “But it did make me

think it’s a shame that they would

great.”

see how far [the writers and actors]

even consider using AI as opposed

will go for what they believe in.”

to human product.”

of

the

dollar,”

Cappello

said. “It’s disgusting to me.”

The

Memorandum

of

Agree-

ment increased minimum salaries for writers by 5%, implementing

The production of many high-

According to Harper’s Bazaar,

more secure benefits and health

ly-anticipated movies and shows

this is a concern held by many

DELAY FRUSTRATIONS d ate d ue to t he w r i ter ’s st r i ke

S tudent s expre ss concerns about movie s that have been delayed past their original release

W YAT T M O O N

K EL SEY S TROUD

JUNIOR

JU N IOR

“

I’VE BEEN VERY excited for “Deadpool”

three but if it has to be delayed to give people proper compensation for the hard work that they do, I think that’s an okay thing.

MOVIE: DEADPOOL 3 ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: May 3, 2024 NEW RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2024

“

I WAS LIKE ‘Oh that sucks,’ when I heard

it was delayed. I know it won’t be as good as the original, but I still want to see what it’s about.

MOVIE: UNTITLED DIRTY DANCING SEQUEL ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: Feb. 9, 2024 NEW RELEASE DATE: Summer 2025

CALEN D OMINGUES SENIOR

“

I WAS REALLY disappointed when I found out it was delayed. I saw the last “Spiderman” movie twice because it was so good, but I understand why it got cancelled.

MOVIE: SPIDERMAN: BEYOND THE SPIDERVERSE ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2024 NEW RELEASE DATE: July 2024

Original release date:

06 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

THE HARBINGER

story & de sig n b y kati e mu r phy

CLUBS IN ACTION Catch u p o n u p c o m i n g e v e n t s a n d d e a d l i n e s for three clubs

INTERNATIONAL CLUB | LOBSTER SALE ON OCT. 21 Th e an nu a l Lobs ter S al e i s re s u mi n g afte r a one-y ear hi at us w i t h p re-o rd ers d ue Oct . 1 6

INTERNATIONAL CLUB IS hosting

last year due to the main organizer

its annual Lobster Sale on Oct. 21 in

John Trewolla passing away, so the club

International Club meets every third

the main gym entrance from 10:30

is hoping to receive more orders than

Wednesday of the month to do crafts

a.m.- noon with orders due on Oct.

usual to make up for lost fundraising.

celebrating European, Asian, Hispanic

“The supplier ships the lobsters in

16. Families can purchase live 1.25 lb

from Maine that morning,” Gallagher

lobsters for $20 each.

Proceeds

fund

scholarships

Aside

from

this

fundraiser,

and other cultures and is currently planning a Halloween event.

said. “Usually there are a few extras,

for

but mostly it’s pre-ordered.”

students to study in other countries and help international students pay for

Students can sign up to volunteer

class fees, caps and gowns, yearbooks

and help distribute lobsters by joining

and school dance tickets. Club President

the International Club GroupMe.

Cate Gallagher says this year is special

“[Volunteers] pick up lobsters and

because the fundraiser was canceled

put them in little bags,” Gallagher said.

SCAN ME BUY International Club’s Lobster Sale has raised over $5,000 in past years. “Our goal this year is to sell 400 lobsters,” Club Sponsor teacher Brenda Fishman said. “Students who are planning to study abroad should contact me for information on recieving scholarship funds.” photo by ally griffith

Scan to preorder lobsters before the Oct. 16 deadline

“It’s a fun, unique way to volunteer.”

YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT CLUB | VOTING REGISTRATION DUE OCT. 17 Club me m bers e nco u rag e s e n i o rs to b e c o m e po l i t i cal l y act i ve b y regi ster i ng to vo te fo r t he l o val e le c tion on Nov. 7 YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT Club

and Kansas state residents who will

on and get paid a framed $1 bill that

(YAG)

to

be 18 or older on or before Election

they give back at the end of their

register to vote through presentations

Day on Nov. 7 and aren’t currently

term. They’re really serving just

in seminar classes and by posting

serving a felony sentence are eligible

because they want to create change.”

information on social media.

to register online. YAG Representative

After election results are announced,

“This is a really important election,

and senior Abi Limbird’s mother

YAG will host a politician panel this

and lots of people don’t realize the

Bonnie Limbird is up for reelection

spring with representatives who end

importance

is

encouraging

seniors

on the Prairie Village city council.

up being elected.

Club

She encourages students to reach

“Our vote counts just as much as our

Co-President Eve Benditt said. “So

out to local representatives with any

parents and grandparents,” Benditt

we spoke to every [senior] seminar

questions.

said.

class except one about what’s on the

“I think most people don’t realize

things our government does, and

ballot, like school board seats.”

that [city council members] don’t

have a voice that can be heard and

Students who are valid U.S. citizens

get paid,” Abi said. “They’re voted

not use that voice.”

especially

of in

local high

government, school,”

“We

can’t

complain

BALLOT TOPICS

about

To p i c s u p for v ote on Nov. 7

- Leawood mayor - City council seats - Trustee at Large - four SMSD school board positions

JUNIOR BOARD CLUB | NONPROFIT CHOICES DUE ON OCT. 24 Jun ior Boa rd te a m s w h o w an t to s tu d y a l o c a l no np ro fi t and co m p ete to ear n grant m o ney m ust se le c t a n orga niza tion STUDENTS WHO WISH to participate in Junior

in

Board this year must turn in an organization

or food donation than others,” Yun said. “One

like the Golden Scoop which helps special needs

preference form by Oct. 24.

nonprofit I’ve studied in the past is Della Lamb,

workers learn professional skills and Pete’s Garden

Junior Board is a club where teams of up to seven

which was extra relevant at the time since the

which redistributes surplus food to underserved

students select a local nonprofit to study throughout

U.S. had just pulled out of Afghanistan and the

the year. In April, teams present a pitch overview

organization supports refugees. Also, my family

of their organization to judges to compete for grant

had immigrated here a few generations back.”

healthcare

organizations,

women’s

services

and

seen

memorable

selections

of

nonprofits

Teams must fill out the Google Form with their

said. “Junior Board doesn’t only help with people’s

Board Member Nina Yun suggests forming a team

top three organization choices and attend a meeting

presentation skills, it also teaches students what

with friends and selecting a nonprofit aligning with

on Oct. 24 in the cafeteria during seminar to receive

makes nonprofit organizations special and unique

your interests and personal connections.

their official assignment.

and introduces people to a world that’s outside of

SHARE Coordinator Erin Billingsley has helped oversee the Junior Board program for four years

Register to vote before Oct. 1 7 for students who will be 18-yearsold by Nov. 7

SCAN ME JOIN Join the Youth In Government Club GroupMe to help plan their spring politician panel

TOP PICKS

Nonprofit s that teams a re inte re ste d in

- United We communities.

- Uplift “I find projects that I didn’t know as much - Pete’s Garden about before to be more interesting,” Billingsley

money to gift their nonprofit. Senior and Executive

“Certain people are going to be more interested

SCAN ME REGISTER

their own.”

SCAN ME JOIN Join the Junior Board Club GroupMe to learn more about starting a team and picking a nonprofit

de s ign by ri l ey scott

GLOWIN’

OUT THE HARBINGER

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 07 For the final home football game and per formance of the year, band and dance held their annual “G low Show ” after the East vs.

Ola the Nor thwe st footba ll ga me

T O P R I G H T Juniors Parker Paben, Lucy Wolf and Grace Demetriou lean in to take a picture with sophomores Jane Rassmussen and Macy Fore after covering themselves in lights for the glow show. “It’s easier to perform with the lights off because it’s a lot less stress, no one can really see you,” junior officer Parker Paben said. “But it’s harder to do the moves because it’s just a lot different, but not stressful at all.” photo by greyson imm

MIDDLE R I G H T Senior Anson Tippie and freshmen William Meyer, Carter Wild and Jacob Lien play their instruments that are lit up by glow sticks during the glow show, which lasted eight minutes. photo by caroline martucci

A B O V E Freshman Charlie Gray tapes lights to his sousaphone while in the stands with other members of the band. Gray said his favorite part of the glow show was doing pre-show rituals with the other people in his section. photo by caroline SCAN ME GALLERY martucci Scan this QR code to purchase photos from this event

B O T T O M R I G H T Senior drum major Davis Muther gets ready for the glow show to begin. Muther was surrounded by football players and cheerleaders sitting beside his podium. photo by greyson imm BOTTOM LEFT Instruments used by the band get wrapped in lights and glow sticks before the show begins. photo by caroline martucci

photo by liv madden

FORGOT YOUR CAMERA?

WE DIDN’T harbiephoto.com

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 09

Opinion

d e si g n by kai mcph ail

smeharbinger.net/opinion

hot take

s tor y by k ai mcph ai l

S taffe r ex p l a i n s a n u n p o p u l a r o p i n i o n a b o u t Dis ney Wo rld

this or that?

Earth” is not all that it

characters and lights are

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 5 7 v o t e s

builds up to be. Whether

employed

it’s the overpriced food,

profit, like winding fairy

carefully

calculated

sidewalks to make walkers

manipulate

feel

YES NO

are.

Specific

colors,

to

maximize

magical

entering

and unhealthy conditions,

Guests are unconsciously

Disney World should not

conditioned to open their

be added to your Florida

wallets

vacation.

but a mickey mouse face

Disney doesn’t allow

a

before

guests or worker abuse

gift

until

shop.

nothing

made of pennies remains.

Plus

the

park

heating inside the park,

employees

aren’t

living

and makes you pay for

the “best life on Earth.”

refills

on

Disney’s character casting

water

bottles.

any

food

that

requires

pre-owned

system

is

fountains are scarce and

body

image,

purposefully find.

purposefully you

pay

Water

more

harmful

for

requiring

to

princesses to be a certain

scheme

weight and height. Some

makes

fur

for

members

hard

Disney’s

its

suit-wearing

cast

even

have

to

insane

overpriced and mediocre

strokes

food and drink. Disney

heat

slaps Cinderella onto a

with inappropriate guest

juice box and just like

behavior regularly.

Disney’s “Imagineer”

due

while

others

deal

Disney

World’s

“perfect”

atmosphere

that, the price is tripled. even

created by the flick of a

orchestrate minute details

magic wand is really just a

about the atmosphere and

spell broken at the strike

rides

of

park

planners

to

psychologically

manipulate thinking

guests

they’re

S tudent s have impor tant tasks to complete be fore the ir home work

sto r i e s i n t hi s i ssue’s o p i ni o n sect i o n more fun than they truly

to

art by c a roli ne d a ni e ls

R ecent Instagram polls related to

A M E R I C A ’ S “HAPPIEST PLACE on

system

“I’LL DO IT LATER”

into

having

midnight

with

ARE YOU A PEOPLE PLEASER?

82%

18%

SHOULD EVERYONE HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE JOB AT ONE POINT? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 5 7 v o t e s

YES NO

73%

27%

IS THE NFL OVERPLAYING TRAVIS KELCE AND TAYLOR SWIFT’S RELATIONSHIP? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 4 3 v o t e s

YES NO

43%

57%

trending topics

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC CLOTHING STYLE FOR AUTUMN? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 3 9 v o t e s

the

poisoned-apple reality of maximizing profit.

TAKE OUR POLLS

christian girl autumn

O n c e a Tw i t t e r m e m e , “ C h r i s t i a n g i r l a u t u m n” has become a mood or aesthetic.

Follow the Harbinger on social media to participate in our polls @smeharbinger

@smeharbinger

@smeharbie

@smeharbingerr

L ighthear ted trends from the star t of fall

YES NO

51% 49%

DO YOU THINK CELEBRITY MEMES LIKE “SEEMINGLY RANCH” GO TOO FAR? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 0 1 v o t e s

seemingly ranch

A ft e r Ta y l o r S w i ft w a s re p o r t e d e a t i n g c h i c ke n s t r i p s a n d “s e e m i n g l y ra n c h ,” H e i n z a n d o t h e r c o n d i m e n t b ra n d s a re re b ra n d i n g t o m a t c h .

YES NO

57% 43%

10 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

story b y ave r y an de rs o n

THE HARBINGER

d e s ig n b y l i b by ma rs h p h o to b y mo l l y mi l l e r

AVERY’S little

LESSONS

What Anderson has learned while working at The L ittle

T h i s i s a s u b h e a d y o u h a v e no period on it and

House

it s qu a s i mo da 9 p t i ta l i c e l i ght

house

LESSON 1

RULES

M

PROFESSIONALISM

LESSON 2 Working a customer service job can teach valuable le ssons about not only t he w o r k p l ace b ut al so life in ge ne ra l

Y JOB HAS made me an expert

quick to smile and reply with a “Let me see

comfortable

at sizing 5-year-olds’ feet for

what I can do to fix that.”

more importantly, holding conversations with

when

talking

to

teachers

and

I’ve only been able to hone these people

people who have more authority than me. The

Find me from 3-5 p.m., three

skills by asking my boss questions when I’m

interactive skills that come with customer

days a week, at a children’s clothing boutique

unsure — something that I avoided at all costs

service jobs are the base for a successful future.

— The Little House — in the Prairie Village

when I was first starting out. As someone who

And as far as I’m concerned, skills like these

Shops, giving advice to grandparents on which

dodges asking questions in English class or

aren’t something you can pick up in a junior-

monogram font to use. But since I started

chokes down the wrong order at restaurants,

level English class.

working, I’ve learned infinitely more than just

I can’t Google where the handmade birthday

Inside The Little House, I pick up empty

how to help moms pick out coordinating clothes

crowns are stocked in the store with hundreds

Starbucks drinks and clean out dressing rooms

for family pictures.

of products lining the shelves. I have to ask my

full of clothes. These tasks remind me to do

manager.

simple things for my fellow customer service

navy-and-white saddle shoes.

Since applying for the retail position as a freshman, I’ve become more professional and

Having a job where nothing is set in stone

workers like neatly folding shirts I try on at

with

and there’s no way to prepare for every issue

other stores because I know how much easier

invaluable

that comes my way, has forced me to learn to

that makes the job. I’ve become hyper-aware of

experience doing everything from working the

ask questions when I don’t know something or

how I act around other people in the customer

cash register to answering questions over the

double check a procedure or price when I feel

service industry.

phone.

like I could be wrong.

poised

through

customers,

countless

while

having

interactions gained

I’m not saying to go rethink every time

Just a few shifts into my new job — after I

My previous fear of feeling like a burden if

you’ve asked for your burger to be cooked longer

had learned how to put tags on clothes and how

I ask too many questions has melted away with

at a restaurant or for an extension on an item

the store was organized — I began to acquire

the help of a manager who is always there to

that’s on hold in a store, simply recognizing

the true knowledge that comes with customer

clarify something and co-workers who have

when I can do something small to simplify the

service: professionalism and problem-solving.

no issue assisting me. I no longer have to

job of people in the customer service industry

the

dread going in during seminar to get help on

has helped me become more of a considerate

15-minute-customer-less periods but never

an assignment or staying after class to ask a

person in general.

even noticed until my boss reminded me to

teacher a question because I know that’s what

stand up straight. Over three years of chatting

they’re there for.

At

first,

I’d

end

up

slouching

in

job in customer service. The life-long lessons

While I have always prided myself on being

you take away from it are the true bonus that

back, my posture is better than a ballerina’s,

able to interact with adults in a well-spoken

comes with your paycheck. If you feel like

even while standing in the lunch line at school.

and articulate way, the practice I’ve gotten with

you already know everything that comes with

Then there’s the dreaded part of retail work

adults of all backgrounds and in all different

working a job at an ice cream shop or your local

— angry customers. At first, when a customer

types of situations has only enhanced these

Hen House without ever working a customer

was mad about how we didn’t have the right

skills. I’ve talked to everyone from mothers

service job, I can almost guarantee you that you

size in a dress, I’d apologize profusely. But

to business owners, all while enhancing my

don’t. There will always be something to learn

after about three angry grandmas who were

conversational skills with every little chat.

from a customer service job.

Three

years

later,

I

find

myself

more

LESSON 3 HOW TO CONVERSE WITH ADULTS

LESSON 4 HOW TO COMFORTABLY ASK QUESTIONS

LESSON 5 PROBLEM SOLVING

Because of this, I urge everyone to work a

with moms and practicing having my shoulders

upset about the color of tights we offered, I’m

RESPECT FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE WORKERS

SCAN ME INSTAGRAM Visit The Little House’s Instagram page to see their products and store

stor y by l ucy st ephe ns

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 11

THE HARBINGER

de s i g n by addie m oo re p h o to s f ro m MCT Campus

SWIFTIE CONSPIRACIES

Theorie s Taylor S wift ’s fans are circulating about her and Travi s’ rela tions hip

Travis is Taylor’s 13th public boyfriend “I’ll be 87 you’ll be 89”- “Mary’s Song” from Taylor’s first ablum Travis shares a birthday with Swift’s grandmother Marjorie on Oct. 5

TRAVIS & TAY:

not a hit A stud e n t ’s o p i n i o n o n why Tra v i s a n d Ta yl o r

I

YAY OR NAY? S taffer believe s Chief s player Travis K elce and singer Taylor S w i ft a re t he b e s t ne w c ou ple

IMMEDIATELY WENT into denial when

Just the fact that Taylor named her fourth album

“as if the street lights pointed in an arrowhead

I got a Snapchat from one of my friends

“Red” — the color of the Chiefs — is enough to

leading us home.” I mean how perfect is that —

showing

chest-bumping

confirm that they’re a perfect match in my mind.

she practically predicted this four years before she

someone in Chiefs football player Travis

The couple’s love story was sparked this

Kelce’s suite after he had scored a touchdown

summer when Travis attended the Eras Tour in

I checked social media and without a doubt,

Kansas City. He attempted to give Taylor his phone

my feed was spammed with stories, reactions and

I raced downstairs to my living room TV to see

number on a friendship bracelet he made, which

even fan edits about this couple. With each post

what my friend was talking about, and there she

alone sounds like something that comes straight

my mind was changed — this couple is a power

was — Taylor, celebrating with the Kelce family.

out of a romance movie.

move.

Taylor

Swift

don’t m a ke a g ood c o u p l e against the Chicago Bears.

“

CAMP B E L L A L L D R E D G E SOPHOMORE

I DON’T LIKE how all

of these people are saying they’re big Chiefs fans now and they love the Chiefs only because of Taylor Swift.

I also don’t like that every time football’s brought up, it’s connected to her. Even though I love her and don’t want them to break up, there’ll be a whole album about why he’s an awful person and for everyone to hate him if they do.

even met Travis.

The hugs shared between Taylor and Donna Kelce,

It wasn’t until September 2023 when the rumors

Within less than a day I was seeing T-shirts

Travis’ mom, and the many high-fives in the

of this alleged couple were confirmed and Taylor

saying “Loving him was red,” complete with a

suite, instantly hypnotized me.

was spotted at Arrowhead Stadium watching the

Kelce jersey and theories explaining how perfect

Since their first public appearance in Kansas

Chiefs game in the Kelce family suite — the same

this duo is, and I’m here for it.

City at Arrowhead Stadium, Swift and Kelce are the

suite Travis watched Taylor perform at the Eras

hottest new celebrity couple this year.

tour.

Inevitably, there are suspicions that this whole ordeal with Taylor and Travis is just a publicity

After the game, the couple rode away in Travis’

I’m not going to lie and say I was always

snazzy 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible to have

team Travis and Taylor — I didn’t believe the

stunt and that the two aren’t a real couple, but I

dinner at Prime Social, a restaurant on the Plaza

news at first. A few months before Taylor’s grand

Superbowl winner is going to pull off a stunt to

— personally the most romantic thing I’ve ever

appearance in the Kelce Suite, my dad sent me a

reach more publicity. Especially not when Travis

heard. Travis rented out the entire restaurant for

Tweet about the rumored couple. I responded and

has just started his football season, and Taylor is

the two along with the whole Chiefs team just so

told him it was undoubtedly fake news. Taylor

in the middle of her monumental Eras Tour.

Taylor wouldn’t get bombarded by her fans, which

had just broken up with her boyfriend of six years

The insane amount of fame both Taylor and

is just adorable.

Joe Alywn, and honestly, I didn’t think Travis and

Travis have made this relationship skyrocket in

disagree.

No

A-list

celebrity

or

two-time

My all-time favorite football player and my

Taylor would last if the rumors proved to be true.

the media. It quickly became much bigger than

most listened-to music artist — two celebrities

It was when I saw Taylor giving her genuine

just two people dating. Travis and his brother

from entirely different worlds. An A-list pop star

smile through my TV screen and Travis persistently

Jason Kelce mentioned the relationship on their

with 12 number-one pop albums and an all-star

looking up at her, showing her off to his teammates

podcast

athlete with two Super Bowl wins seem like they

and coaches when a switch was flicked and I knew

questions about the rules of football. The official

shouldn’t belong together solely because their

they were perfect for each other.

NFL TikTok account changed their bio to “Taylor

“New

Heights”

answering

Swiftie’s

publicity is through the roof. In no realm would I

It was the fact that Taylor herself had chosen to

ever imagined they would meet, especially not in

be in my hometown, only a 26-minute drive from

In the end, this duo is just two people who

my hometown.

right where I was, that had me thrilled. And I’m

have one of the cutest stories starting from the

sure this isn’t the last time Taylor will make an

very beginning when they first met to now seeing

appearance at Arrowhead Stadium.

Taylor cheer on Travis on the football field. These

Nonetheless, this athlete-popstar power couple is breaking the internet more than anyone could’ve imagined — and I’m here for it.

And come on, she literally wrote a song called “Cornelia Street” back in 2019 with the lyrics,

Swift was here.”

two are truly “endgame.”

12 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

THE HARBINGER

2

d e s ig n b y b ri d ge t co n n e l l y p h o to b y ke n n a h a rri n g t o n

JAMES HAS GONE ON SHARK LAB’S MISSION IS

TRIPS S p a n i s h te a c h e r Pa m e l a J a m e s share s her love for

“ “

shar k s

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SHARK? THE ANSWER CHANGES all the time.

A lot of the time I’d like to say, “the one I’m in the water with,” but honestly I think for right now the Great Hammerhead because they’re unique looking and so, so endangered.

WHY DO YOU LOVE SHARKS SO MUCH? THEY’RE REALLY MISUNDERSTOOD. People fear them almost irrationally. The amount of encounters with sharks and humans is really low compared to other things that kill people.

DO YOU THINK THERE IS A STIGMA AGAINST SHARKS?

“

HONESTLY, THE MOVIE “JAWS,” I think that kind of gore is in our cultural subconscious and so whenever people think the word shark, all they see is the blood in the water and people screaming.

RESEARCH EDUCATION

SHARK

LAB

CONSERVATION The travel program that HAS BEEN TO:

Jame s use s to pursue her

lov e for sha rks - MEXICO SCAN ME SHARK LAB - BAHAMAS Learn more about Shark Lab and how to do a similar excursion

smeharbinger.net/category/feature

d es ig n by v eronica ma n g in e p hotos by am elie w on g

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 13

Feature

THIS ISSUE I N

photos

W H AT ’S

BREWING? Coffee Shop staffers share

their favorite drink on the new fa ll me nu

A look inside student life at East in the past two weeks of school

“

I LOVE THE new campfire s’mores latte because it’s a great combination of flavors, and it’s perfect for this time of the year.

SENIOR

MICHAEL MULLER | ma n a ge r

HIGH

photo by amelie wong

N ATAL EE SAN DS TRO M S E NIO R

HIGH

BUFFALO

“

A HIGH FROM my week was the

DECA competion because we got out of school, wore business clothes and went out to breakfast. My partner and I also got second in our category.

B O T T O M Physics teacher Miles Martin compares a group’s vector map to his key during a scavenger hunt activity. photo by maggie condon

“

SENIOR

IRA FINKELSTON | o p e ra t i o n s

NORA DORTO N -HUGUNIN FRESHMAN

“

MY LOW IS that I have two Ds.

LOW

LOW

Three students share a high from their week, a low and something random

T O P Sophomore Arianna Kennedy carves her design out of a linoleum square for a linocut printmaking project in art teacher Emma Chalk’s class.

One is in physical science and the other is in my math class which is bad because it’s almost the end of the quarter.

GABE AND ERSON JUNIOR

BUFFALO

A B O V E Junior Anna Whitefield whisks sugar and egg whites to make meringue for her kitchen’s baked Alaska in Advanced Foods. photo by amelie wong

I LIKE THE campfire s’mores latte. It’s a good unique drink, and it’s one of the most popular ones on the fall menu.

“

MY AUNT JUST got married, so I

got to go to that. It was fun, and it was my first wedding. But I had to split a piece of the wedding cake with my mom because there wasn’t enough for everyone.

s to r y by aanya ban s al d e si g n by k at i e murphy p h o to s co u r te s y o f carlie fout ch

Sinc e b e i n g d i a g n o s e d w i t h l e u ke m i a in e ig ht h g ra d e, j u n i o r C a r l i e Fo u tc h conti n u e s to v a l u e t h i n g s m o s t p e o p l e take f o r g ra n te d a n d h a v e a p o s i t i v e im pa ct o n th o s e aro u n d h e r

THE HARBINGER

Inspiring STREN J

UNIOR CARLIE FOUTCH has three lucky numbers. Eleven because that’s her basketball

jersey number, 07 — “not 7, but 07” — because she was born in 2007 and 13 because she was

13-years-old when the doctors caught her leukemia

early.

Lucky is a word that has a special meaning to Carlie.

Determined, caring, wicked smart — and maybe a little stubborn — are how her family sees her. Though Carlie has spent three years in and out of the hospital attending online school, undergoing and recovering from treatment and being forced to take a break from playing basketball, she remains clever and kind and has returned to in-person school this year at East.

On the evening of the Homecoming game, Carlie was decked out in goddess braids, light makeup and her shoulderless black dress in preparation to walk down the track during halftime of the game. It was only her fifth day at East, but she was nominated to be an honorary Homecoming candidate and was announced with the senior candidates.

“She came home from the game so excited and perky but yet she was tired,” Carlie’s mother Misty Kramer said.

Carlie oftentimes uses a wheelchair to get from place to place to conserve energy. Going to school — something most teenagers take for granted — has been Carlie’s wish ever since her first online class.

“She was so happy just to be in school that she

Carlie poses with her mom, stepdad, grandma and uncle — teacher Brett Kramer — after being awarded honorary Homecoming court. photo by caroline martucci

wasn’t worried about whether people would welcome her because she’s in a wheelchair and you don’t see that all the time,” Carlie’s uncle and psychology teacher Brett Kramer said. “I don’t think she was thinking about that at all. She was focused on, ‘I get to go to school. I’m out of the hospital and I feel good enough that I get to go do what a 16-year-old is supposed to be doing on the weekdays.’”

Misty says that after all she’s been through, Carlie has become “wise beyond her years.”

“If [her siblings are] arguing over something, Carlie is very mature,” Misty said. “She’s like, ‘Look, you guys need to stop because I’m sick. There’s so much more important things in life than all this fighting.’” *** In fall 2020, Carlie tested positive for COVID and spent two weeks cooped up in her room. But after quarantining, instead of feeling better, one of her

SOFTBALL WITH FRIENDS

LAKERS GAME

CHIEFS MEET & GREET

BEST MEMORIES

P h o to s d o c u m e n t i n g C a r l i e’s favorite moment s in t h e p a s t t w o ye a rs

hands swelled up and she had a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

HER JOURNEY

A timeline of Carlie’s life following he r le u ke mia dia gnosis

“I remember very clear

year she was with me becau Carlie’s grandmother and

Dianne Kramer said. “She w was so weak she didn’t feel Days later, Carlie was ta

in Belleville where the doc

bone marrow biopsy. After

had leukemia, she was ru

Hospital in Kansas City, M could be performed.

Misty and Carlie’s step-

with Carlie as the doctors

returned home from Childre

told Dianne what he believe doctors.

“What my son heard was

She’s going to be in the hos

is the best kind to have,’” D didn’t hear correctly.” ***

Carlie was diagnosed wi

— a type of cancer in whic

a large number of abnorma

spring semester of her eigh

Children’s Mercy — about a

home in Belleville — receivin

treatment leaving her sick t headaches and drowsiness.

fatigue a teenager feels whe mom to go to school after but constantly.

She’d spend a month in t

in Belleville, back to the hos

10 more days at home. Car

grade graduation because sh

In the meantime, the d

so Carlie could undergo a

in order to clean up any re chemotherapy.

She spent her time at

art projects, watching mys

Lifetime Movie Network and

Angie Thomas’s “The Hate and “On the Come Up.” “She loves listening to

plays the ukulele. She lov

siblings and catching up w

drawing, painting, arts, craf

CAUGHT COVID BEFORE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA

FALL

2020

D

M

J

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 15

FEATURE

NGTH former nurse practitioner

Fight CANCER Items that Carlie’s family recommends

donating to Children’s Mercy Hospital to j oin the fight against cancer

rly on Christmas Eve that

talented.”

use her mom was working,”

***

said. “She really loved the experience and was bragging

And according to Dianne, her great aunts reciprocate

In June 2021, the doctors found a donor.

about the players. She took lots of pictures with them,

Carlie’s love. They traveled four hours from Belleville to

After the bone marrow transplant, Carlie remained

but I think her favorite part was just being on that

watch Carlie be announced on the field during halftime

basketball court with them.”

of the Homecoming game, and when the proceedings

was making cookies and she

“To see her that happy was great in itself,” Misty

SCAN ME BLANKETS VOLUNTEER SNACKS Visit Children’s PRIZES FOR Mercy ’s website to learn more PATIENT BINGO about ways to volunteer NIGHTS

like she could stand up.”

at Children’s Mercy for about two months to recover.

ken to the emergency room

But a few months later, she relapsed.

them.”

***

ended after 20 minutes, they hopped back in the car and drove the four hours back because they needed to

ctors did blood work and a

Instead of immediately receiving chemotherapy for

After spending the past year with Carlie receiving

r the results showed Carlie

the second time, Carlie chose to partake in minimal

treatment in Kansas City — her longest hospital stay

ushed to Children’s Mercy

radiation treatment to spend time with friends and

being almost 100 days — and making the occasional

Everyone around Carlie notices her caring and

Missouri so additional tests

family and participate in the activities she loves —

commute to Belleville, Carlie and Misty officially

genuine personality. Chasity and Carlie’s friend Keirra

starting with sports.

moved to Prairie Village so that Carlie could start

Bates both say that while Carlie was undergoing

chemotherapy again. In November of that year, Carlie

treatment, she would always take the time and effort to

had her second bone marrow transplant.

ask them how they were doing.

-father Ryan Kramer stayed

Over the years, Carlie has played softball, volleyball,

s started treatment. Ryan

cheered and danced, but her favorite sport by far is

en’s Mercy after a week and

basketball.

ed was good news from the

“I’ve loved basketball my whole entire life,” Carlie said. “That’s why I say I’ve been practicing since I was

“

s, ‘Yes, Carlie has leukemia.

Dianne said. “Well, my son

ith acute myeloid leukemia

ch the bone marrow makes

al blood cells. She spent the

hth grade year in and out of

a three-hour drive from her

ng aggressive chemotherapy

to her stomach with terrible

About a month ago, she relapsed for the second

“I pick her up from school and I’m packing up her

time, and the doctors have shifted her treatment from

wheelchair and she’s in the vehicle and she’s like, ‘How

cure to comfort.

was your day mom? I missed you. I love you mom,’”

two.”

spital for a month, but this

Carlie’s first day at East was Sept. 25 — the Monday

SOME PEOPLE DON’T

be home the next day.

of Homecoming week. According to Misty, Carlie

Misty said. “She doesn’t just say it to get something.

She says it because she means it.”

enjoyed spirit week, the game and her second high

***

school dance — ending the night watching the movie

realize how privileged they are to be in school because there are some areas around the world that don’t have schools where kids can learn, meet other kids, socialize and play sports.

“Missing” with her date.

Carlie enjoys going to the same school Brett teaches at, and Brett is touched by the kindness of his students.

“The extra great part was her first week being

“It makes me a little emotional because she’s been

homecoming week,” Misty said. “It was an extra pick-

through so much that few go through and so young,”

me-up for her. It’s very enjoyable to see her so happy

Brett said. “I’m so happy for her and I’m so moved by

and have so much fun after all this time.”

how welcoming the student body has been.”

***

Carlie is excited to be back to in-person schooling

Carlie grew up in a seven-person household in

after years of online school while she was in the

Belleville — a city with the same population as East.

hospital. According to Misty, when Carlie is determined

She has six siblings — four share the same mom and

to do something, she works hard to reach that goal.

two share the same dad.

And one thing she’s determined to do is learn as much

en they’re woken up by their

JUNIOR CA R L I E FO U T C H

only two hours of sleep —

When she was old enough in third grade, Carlie

She’s gone to the Renaissance Festival with her

started playing basketball for her elementary school

19-year-old sister Chasity and been “treated” by

“I love learning,” Carlie said. “Some people don’t

he hospital, 10 days at home

team. While undergoing treatment, she had to put

her 4-year-old brother “Dr.” Cooper. She’s had her

realize how privileged they are to be in school because

spital for a month and then

the sport on pause, but she continues to shoot hoops

makeup done for Homecoming by her 17-year-old

there are some areas around the world that don’t have

rlie also missed her eighth

whenever she can.

sister Caitlynn and stayed up until midnight on her

schools where kids can learn, meet other kids, socialize

“She’s like a gnat in basketball,” Dianne said. “A

birthday and her 16-year-old sister Maria’s birthday so

and play sports.”

doctors looked for a donor

gnat is very pesky and you swing around at it, but it

they could be the first ones to wish each other “Happy

a bone marrow transplant

doesn’t go away and it comes at you another way.”

Birthday.”

Carlie would feel the same

he was at the hospital.

esidual cancer hiding after

as she can.

Carlie also enjoys writing — she’s written a novel titled “Finding Myself” about her journey after her

Carlie’s defensive prowess — according to Dianne

Even when she was in the hospital, Carlie made sure

— and ability to shoot with both her left and right hand

to not only check up on all her siblings, but also her

the hospital doing crafts,

make her stand out in a crowd — even catching the eye

parents, grandparents, friends and great aunts.

stery shows with Misty on

of the coaches of the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA team.

One day, she asked Dianne to ask her sisters —

d reading books — she owns

For her Make-a-Wish in July 2022, Carlie traveled

Carlie’s great aunts — what they would like because

e U Give,” “Concrete Rose”

to California to meet the Sparks. She attended one of

she wanted to get them a present that would mean a

the team’s morning practices, shot a few baskets on

lot to them.

diagnosis and life in general.

Though Carlie has a diverse set of hobbies, it’s her dream to live in California, play for the WNBA — specifically the Sparks — and pursue carpentry on the side.

“Even when things feel like they’re impossible, even though I found out that there may not really be

music,” Misty said. “She

the court — impressing the coaches — and received a

“They’re her great aunts,” Dianne said. “That’s

a cure this time around, I’m just praying and hoping

ves hanging out with her

Nneka Ogwunike jersey in front of the crowd televised

normally somebody that kids don’t pay any attention

that God gives me a miracle and lets me live,” Carlie

with old friends. She loves

on the big screen. The reception ended with a standing

to. But she loves these sisters of mine as much as

said. “I’ve fought long and hard, and I don’t want to

fts. You name it. She’s very

ovation.

she loves me and wanted to do something special for

stop fighting.”

DIAGNOSED WITH ACUTE

MYELOID LEUKEMIA

ADMITTED TO CHILDREN’S MERCY, AGGRESSIVE

MISSED EIGHTH GRADE

RECEIVED A BONE

GRADUATION FOR CHEMO

MARROW TRANSPLANT

EARLY RELAPSE LESS

HAD A 15TH BIRTHDAY

THAN A YEAR AFTER THE

POOL PARTY WHILE PLAYING

2021 JAN.2020 APRIL 2021 JUNE 2021 JAN. 2022 JUNE 2022

JAN.

CHEMOTHERAPY BEGAN

TRANSPLANT

SUMMER BASKETBALL

MAKE-A-WISH AT THE SPARKS STADIUM IN LOS ANGELES

JULY

STARTED RADIATION THERAPY FOR PAIN CONTROL

2023 OCT. 2023

16 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

STUCO PROUD D

He talked with teachers and principals at Indian Hills about unclear food policies in classrooms from teacher-to-teacher to ensure all students were allowed to eat in class. The policy clarification was emailed to all students and teachers as a result.

SM EAST

Jeffrey ’s future plans for East while on StuCo

• more spirit weeks • student-led diversity clubs

• bonfires • movie nights on the football field

le a de rship Through all of their interactions, Blacketer

meetings of the year, senior

about the school. He put out polls and

approachable and friendly he is — two

and Student Body President

surveys

good indicators of future success on

over

Instagram

asking

his

is

astounded

with

how

StuCo.

Jack Kessler opened up the meeting for discussion like usual. The StuCo

school and what changes they wanted

members were brainstorming a theme

to see. The results were startling —

Blacketer said. “He never hesitates to

for the Homecoming dance, a discussion

only 8% said they liked their school. He

say hi to people in the hallways. He’s

usually led by upperclassmen. According

knew he needed to help.

not scared to be himself, and he’s just

“When

I

saw

[the

poll

results,]

“He’s

a

very

outgoing

person,”

very personable as well. Overall, he’s a very helpful freshman president.”

their thoughts, he was surprised by

I thought ‘Well, that concerns me a

what he saw next.

little bit,’” Jeffrey said. “So I talked

Kessler and Blacketer say they are

Instantly, Freshman Class President

to a bunch of people and heard their

both glad to have such a strong freshman

Braxton Jeffery’s hand shot up, eager to

concerns, so I said ‘Let’s change that.’”

presence in StuCo and look forward to

The following months, he organized several spirit weeks as well as securing of eating in class — one of the main

year,” Kessler said. “I wish him the best

theme ideas and what you think needs to

complaints he heard. Aside from this,

of luck continuing to be personable and

be done, so I appreciate his vocalness,”

his impact can be seen in the meticulous

valuing relationships for the rest of the

Kessler said.

organization

StuCo career.”

his

contributions

to

every

privilege

“I hope he continues to share and

class that voted for you by sharing

of

the

bring new ideas to StuCo throughout the

that you’re actually representing your

with

school-wide

seeing what he accomplishes.

students

school

event,

down to the colorful posters.

Despite what he ends up doing,

At East, he’s hoping to continue

himself by taking the lead for planning

representing

the

his

classmates.

After

Jeffrey wants to make a difference for the people who he cares about most —

float,

the conference, he heard ideas from

spearheading discussions and activities

other schools, like including student-

“I really like getting to know the

in the KSHSAA StuCo conference while

based diversity groups and events like

people I work with,” Jeffrey said. “I

completing

bonfires or movie nights on the football

think it’s just really special,”

freshman

Lancer

many

Day

behind-the-scenes

his classmates.

running.

field, that he hopes to implement at

Constantly working on theme ideas and

East. Through these activities, he says

Blacketer said. “He never hesitates to

planning spirit weeks, he rarely has

he wants to unite the student body

say hi to people in the hallways. He’s

time for anything else. And he likes it

and educate them on less represented

not scared to be himself, and he’s just

that way.

cultures.

very personable as well. Overall, he’s a

tasks

Changed/unified school policy to allow all students to eat in class

while developing his passion for student

what his classmates wanted to change

morning meetings, Jeffrey has involved

IHMS

positive change s in his communit y

classmates how much they liked their

Along

h ow h e plans to continu e in t h e fu t u re

fre shman Braxton Jeffrey has made

his peers on StuCo, wanting to know

“Being on StuCo, it’s very important

Wa y s Jeffrey has alread y l e ft h i s m a r k o n S t u C o a n d

Through his involvement in S tuCo,

of the first Student Council

contribute.

MAKING HIS MARK

d e s ig n b y c l a ra b u rd i c k p h o to b y p a i ge b e a n

URING ONE OF During one

to Kessler, once he asked the group for

Braxton tells the joke of the week at the weekly morning StuCo meeting.

story b y greyso n i mm

THE HARBINGER

to

help

keep

StuCo

“He’s

a

very

outgoing

person,”

Jeffrey’s passion for StuCo leadership

“I kind of want to do something more

is undeniable while he continues to

diversity-related because there’s not

Kessler and Blacketer say they are

make an impact on the communities

a lot of that here, as East is [majority]

both glad to have such a strong freshman

he’s

white,” Jeffrey said. “So that, and also

presence in StuCo and look forward to

I want to do more spirit weeks, and

seeing what he accomplishes.

a

part

of

through

his

active

involvement in the organization.

This

passion

first

sprung

in

school spirit stuff like that.”

very helpful freshman president.”

“I hope he continues to share and

seventh grade when he ran for class

Junior and Prom Committee Chair

bring new ideas to StuCo throughout the

representative, signing up just so he

Ingrid Blacketer has spent a lot of time

year,” Kessler said. “I wish him the best

had an activity at school.

with Jeffrey, while having only served

of luck continuing to be personable and

just

on StuCo with him for a few months.

valuing relationships for the rest of the

something to do because I wasn’t really

With Jeffrey being a freshman and not

StuCo career.”

into sports, so I just thought, ‘Oh, I’ll

knowing the details of East, Blacketer

Despite what he ends up doing,

try something new,’” Jeffrey said.

is his go-to person if he has any

Jeffrey wants to make a difference for

questions during morning meetings or

the people who he cares about most —

even helping him secure a trailer for the

his classmates.

“At

first,

it

was

kind

of

He loved it instantly.

“I

like

the

leadership

on

StuCo

because there’s a bunch of different people that I get to know now,” Jeffrey said.

freshman Lancer Day float.

“He’s just a really great person to work with,” Blacketer said. “He’s

As time went on, he leaned further

always willing to help people and when

into his role in middle school StuCo and

Ms. Fishman will ask for volunteers, he

spent more time at meetings talking to

will always volunteer to help out.”

“I really like getting to know the people I work with,” Jeffrey said. “I think it’s just really special,”

s tor y by ma g gie cond o n

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 17

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by zan e l ai n g

Juniors Francie Garrison, Sophia Beedle and Lulu Stadler talk about physics over bagels at Einstein Bros.

p h o to by carol i n e m ar tu cci

Juniors Camilla Simmons, Lulu S tadler and S ophia Beedle created the breakfast club, allowing members of the

BREAKFAST CLUB

J

.

THE

ju nior c la ss to ge t c lose r

UNIOR LULU STADLER took a pause

turning their dream into a reality. They

emailed Rise to explain that they had a club

“I get to go socialize with my friends and

from debating her Homecoming after-

decided that late start Thursdays could be

meeting there and to see if they could score

also eat really good food,” Root said. “And

party outfit with her friends-turned-

filled with socializing instead of an extra

any sort of discount. Rise was willing to

that’s something I look forward to every

club-members to slather ketchup on

hour of sleep.

give them them 10% off the meal for anyone

Thursday late start.”

her Chick-Fil-A hashbrowns at 7:50 a.m.

Since forming the Breakfast Club in August,

However, before they could fill out the club

application,

they

needed

a

teacher

that was there for the Breakfast Club when purchasing their biscuits.

As for the future of the club, there will be more opportunities for juniors around East

Stadler’s new favorite Thursday morning

sponsor. Chemistry teacher Susan Hallstrom

The first meeting consisted of under 10

to spend the first Thursday morning of the

activity is dining at a local restaurant before

seemed like the obvious choice — being

juniors walking through the doors of Rise,

month with each other. The population of the

school for the sole purpose being to connect

Simmons’

ready to catch up and share a breakfast with

club continues to grow with their Instagram

with other students.

a tennis coach for all three girls. However,

fellow members of their class.

getting comments from both @risebiscuits

Two months earlier in the middle of the

former

chemistry

teacher

and

Hallstrom originally declined because of her

August heat, Stadler was brainstorming ways

tight schedule.

to get more involved in the school as well as

“They

begged

groveled, said

saying “Glad everyone enjoyed their breakfast

expanded to over 10 members.

at Einstein Bros!”

please,

halls of school.

laughing. “They used the whole, ‘We love

Stadler decided to schedule regular meetings

community because going into that was the

you, we want you to do this,’ and I caved and

on the first late start of each month. When

goal,” Stadler said. “To bond our grade and

agreed to do it.”

the first Thursday of October rolled around,

hang out with people outside of our usual bubble of friends.”

She’d seen a group of seniors start and

Hallstrom

‘Please,

commenting heart emojis and @einsteinbros

Fil-A for their second meeting where they

widen her community of friends around the

grow Pickleball Club into an activity that

please,’”

and

Two weeks later, the club met at Chick-

while

At

that

point,

Simmons,

Beedle

and

brings the senior class together. Stadler

The club was approved by administration

they posted their usual Instagram story poll

wanted to make something special for the

in one day after filling out various Google

where people could vote where they wanted to

class of 2025, so she teamed up with juniors

forms.

to

eat. For this meeting it was between Nektar

Sophia Beedle and Camilla Simmons to make

Hallstrom’s room and grabbed her chemistry-

and Einstein Bros. — members voted bagels

the ultimate Class of 2025 club.

themed coffee mugs to take silly pictures

for the win.

“We feel like every grade should have a club that everyone can go to in their grade,”

After

the

approval,

they

ran

announcing that they’d been approved to post on social media as promotion.

They created an Instagram account @

waiting to mingle. They snagged the center tables big enough for the

brainstorming and coming up with an idea,

They designed online flyers to hang around

group to all be close discussing

but they settled on the one — breakfast club.

school and asked students in all of their

Homecoming,

Taylor

Once they had the idea they wasted no time

classes to join.

at

game

LET’S GET

MUNCHIN’ R e stau ra n t s t h a t h a v e s h o w n

s uppo r t fo r t he Bre ak f as t C l u b

the

Chiefs

builds

a

stronger

East

Swift and

AP

By September, they had over 100 followers

Biology homework. Junior and

on the Instagram account and immediately

Breakfast Club member Poppy

started promoting their first meeting on

Root’s favorite moment was the

Sept. 14: a “breakfast bash” at Rise Biscuits

lighthearted catchup with some

in the Village Shops.

friends she doesn’t always get

RISE PROVIDED THE club with a 10% discount and commented heart emojis on their Instagram post

it

The girls walked into the bagel shop

breakfastclubsme and a GroupMe on Aug. 24.

In preparation for the first meeting, they

hope

to find an excited group of 15 juniors

There were a slurry of texts back and forth,

Beedle said.

“I

the chance to talk to.

EINSTEIN BROS COMMENTED “Glad everyone enjoyed their breakfast at Einstein Bros!” under the Instagram post

SCAN ME INSTA Meet the founders of the Breakfast Club and get updates by following their Instagram account here

stor y by i s abe l bal d a s s aro de s ig n by kai mcpha i l photo by li v madde n

your STRUT THE HARBINGER

J u n i o r Pa i g e Bean ran a fashion show in the

a u d i to r i u m w i t h student de signers and models

S

on Oc t . 5 TANDING BACKSTAGE WITH the

rest of the group, junior Rubi Marroquin is surrounded by the blinding blue lights, upbeat house music and a closed curtain. She stands ready, talking to her new friend and Fashion Show coordinator, sophomore Paige Bean.

SCAN ME VIDEO Watch a video recap of the fashion show.

STUFF

East’s student-run fashion show occurred on Oct. 5., bringing designers, fans and East families to the auditorium to celebrate student artists and raise money for her ChargePoint Charger project. This project was created by Bean to fund electric car charging spots in the East parking lot.

Bean puts a hand to her heart as she struggles to get her words out. She feels rewarded for all her work emailing students, getting permission to use the East auditorium and setting up in person and online ticket sales to prepare for this moment.

Since the show got approved in July, Bean has spent the last three-and-a-half months reaching out to East artists who would want to design or model pieces.

Her summer spent watching fashion shows at Interlochen Art camp in Michigan inspired her to bring more opportunity to the fashion side of East students. Which resulted in a runway-style fashion show with the theme of the elements earth, water, fire and wind.

“I wanted to have something related to the environment that was easy to be creative with and tied back to the initial cause,” Bean said.

Model and designer duo sophomores Makena Pruitt and Eliza King spent hours outside of school working on the dress.

From measuring to sewing, King was busy crafting up her asymmetrical satin dress that warped around and tied in the front for Pruitt to model in the show.

“I would often get texts from Eliza saying ‘Hey I need your measurements for this’

or ‘Hey come on in and try on what I have so far,” Pruitt said.

While Pruitt was mostly “hands off,” she was happy to help throughout the entire process even if that meant having to constantly try on Eliza’s designs.

Pruitt walked down the makeshift theater runway to the pop background music while focusing on aligning her toes parallel and keeping her feet stationed in her heels.

“I walked out and saw a couple of my friends in the crowd,” Pruitt said. “So that gave me a lot of confidence.”

King’s dress, designed to fit Pruitt, took over ten hours to make sure it fit her vision for her dress. Between purchasing the fabric and sewing each individual stitch perfectly, King says she spent around ten hours working on her design.

“I designed a green dress with a satin fabric from JoAnn’s using my home sewing machine for Makenna to show on stage,” King said.

The duo successfully presented the dress leaving King proud of her hard work without matching any particular element.

However, not all designers needed a partner to help them throughout the show process.

Senior Elsa Thornhill and sophomore Maria Rocca both designed and modeled their own dresses for the show.

According to Thornhill, she thought it would be less of a challenge when it came to measurements for the dress.

“Some people had other people model their designs but I decided to design my own because it’s easier to sew to my own proportions,” Thornhill said.

After spending the past three years waiting and searching online for an opportunity to design her own piece for a fashion show since her previous fashion show experience, she figured this was her chance.

“I did [a fashion show] when I was in eighth grade and I’ve loved fashion ever since,” Thornhill said. “So I’ve been looking for another one to get my designs out there.”

Sewing the dress was one of the coolest things she’s ever done, according to Thornhill.

“I ended up doing the earth [element],” Thornhill said. “I went to Joann’s and I saw this fabric and immediately got the idea for my dress because it was a pretty mesh and floral fabric.”

Fueled by the same interest in fashion, Rocca decided to participate in the fashion show after her mom read about it online. When she couldn’t find a friend to help model for her, she decided to do it solo.

Rocca started off following the theme, then later deciding to use an old design idea to make her dress fit perfectly with her expectations. She decided on a black dress with a blue top, blazer, corset and a tulle skirt underneath to puff out the dress.

Bean says her favorite part of the whole process was artists emailing her weekly with updates on their design processes. These updates allowed her to collaborate with the designers and navigate her way throughout the final touches of the show.

“It was such a cool experience and now I have a dozen new friends I would’ve never met,” Bean said.

FEATURE PHOTO- STORY

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 19

L E F T Junior Rubi Marroquin’s and her model Teagan Vang waits for sophomore Paige Bean to announce the winner of the fashion show while holding hands. photo by liv madden

B E L O W Johnson County Community College student Vangs walks down the runway as a model for Junior Rubi Marroquin. Vang modeled Marroquins “water” dress, inspired by the theme “Elements .” photo by liv madden

BOTTOM RIGHT Senior Georgie Fraser walks behind the curtain to head backstage after debuting her white tulle dress for the crowd. photo by molly miller BELOW MIDDLE Sophomore Eliza king and Makena Pruitt pose for a photos after modeling designer Eliza Green’s green satin mini dress photo by molly miller F A R L E F T Sophomore Eliza King works on stitching fabric for her potential design. King ended up not using this design. photo by paige bean

SCAN ME PHOTO

from a PAGE

to the STAGE

“

Tw o de signers give their procce ss in c re ating their dre sse s ELSA THORNHILL

WELL I DIDN’T have anything specific, I originally had a completely different design around water since the theme was elements, but when I went to the fabric store and saw this gorgeous floral fabric. I knew at that moment that I would make something with it.

Scan this QR code to purchase photos from this event

“

MARIA ROCCA

I TOOK INSPIRATION from more of a costume perspective. I wanted it to be very different so all I did was I found pieces that I liked and put them into the piece that people wouldn’t usually think about doing.

20 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

A & E...

de s ig n by so ph i a bro c kme i e r ph o to s co ur te s y o f h adl ey se i be r t , smevi su al ar t s & pai ge be an 7 p.m.

O C T. 2 1

O C T. 2 1 debate competition

marching band competition

UPCOMING EVENTS Mark your calendars

smeharbinger.net/category/a&e

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

CHECK IT OUT

The art department’s Instagram account features new artists weekly

@smevisualarts

...

Senior Hadley Seibert turned an ankle-length dress into a mini dress for the Homecoming dance

“

a store in The Village where we sell various dresses that are different lengths and patterns. I had my eye on [this one] for a while but it was never in my price range.

Finally it went on sale so I bought it for $40 and brought it to my art teacher at East. She helped me hem a seam at the bottom to make it a lot shorter. The dress was originally right at ankle length but I was able to make it just above my knees. I’ve been sewing ever since I got my first machine when I was eight and have stuck with art, especially since most of my classes are art ones.

a r t by jun ior evie ordon ez

“

IT’S NICE TO

get recognition for my art from people other than a teacher or parent. Even if it’s not direct, I still appreciate knowing my work is out there and that really anybody could see it if they follow the account or know what it is. I definitely recommend students follow @smevisualarts because there’s lots of content from classwork to art club opportunities. It’s a good way to be informed about things going on in the art department and with the art students.

ar t b y ju n io r a m elia d i e f e nd or f

AMELIA DIEFENDORF JUNIOR

STEPS TO POST:

I WORK AT

HADLEY SEIBERT SENIOR

PREVIOUS STITCHES:

Ot her p ro j ect s S ei b er t ha s ma de or he mme d

8-YEARS-OLD

SOPHOMORE

COASTERS DRESSES SWEATSHIRT BAGS

JEAN SKIRT QUILT SWEATSHIRT

NOW SCARING

Ho r ro r m o v i e s rel easing at the end of October

and after photos of the art 1 before product

NIGHT OF THE HUNTED

2 Photos are posted on the account

Oct. 20

Art teacher Adam Finkelston takes

Release Date: Where:

SUITABLE FLESH

Release Date: Oct. 27

Where:

In Theaters

Shudder

DO YOU ENJOY WATCHING HORROR MOVIES IN OCTOBER? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 24 6 v o t e s

a r t b y s en io r s a m my sc he f f

YES NO

20%

80%

s tor y b y addi e moore

d e si g n by g reyson i mm p h o to s by mol l y mi l ler

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 21

THE HARBINGER

IT’S NOT

CHICAGO A re vi e w o f th re e l o c al C h i c ago -st y l e d eep d i sh p i zzer i as

BOTH TIMES I’VE stepped off

of sauce are what rank deep dish

the plane and into Chicago Midway

the highest in my pizza-loving

Airport, the only thing on my

appetite. But living 500 miles away

mind is deep dish pizza. I made a

from my favorite restaurant makes

beeline straight to Giordano’s for

it hard to immediately satisfy any

their famous pizza — a staple of

cravings, so I embarked on a quest

the city.

to find the best deep dish pizza in

The crispy crust and overload

Kansas City.

9928 College Blvd. Overland Park, KS

WITH FOUR CUSTOMERS

5 ROSATI’S PIZZA perfectly-cooked crust made

amount of time — only 25

eagerly crammed inside the

my heart happy — the only

minutes — without burning

small takeout lobby of Rosati’s

issue being its lack of sauce.

it or leaving it undercooked,

Pizza, my expectations were

When I picked up a slice,

which Rosati’s did perfectly.

high.

almost all of the sauce slid off.

Although its lack of sauce

When I opened the to-go

The piece was dry without it,

made it taste like a glorified

box in my car, I almost sped

causing me to dip it into the

cheesy bread stick, I’m not

home with excitement. The

pile of sauce from my fallen

completely opposed to going

strong smell of the pizza sauce

pizza like a breadstick.

back. However, the speeding

made me nostalgic for the Windy City.

The

gooey

cheese

and

One notable aspect of the

ticket

on

the

way

back

pizza is the crust. It’s difficult

wouldn’t be completely worth

to bake something with such

it.

a thick crust in a reasonable

7820 Quivira Rd. Lenexa, KS

THIRD COAST

5

WHEN I GOOGLED “deep dish

about 35 minutes to come out,

bite,

pizza in KC” the first thing to

I decided to order the meatball

even more. The sauce-to-cheese

pop up and highest rated was

appetizer to soothe my hunger.

ratio was impeccable, and it even

The

After

internet

restaurant

and

stalking drooling

stayed on the slice — which, in comparison to the other pizzas I

the

sauce — which was great to save

tried, is apparently a lot to ask.

over

space for the 10” plate of heaven

the beautiful pizzas, I walked

headed my way.

The pizza was one of the

the closest to Giordano’s I’ve

the cheese deep dish pizza. After

prettiest things I’ve ever seen —

tasted without having to buy an

being told the pizza would take

the intense globs of sauce made

$87 plane ticket and fly an hour.

11969 S Strang Line Rd. Olathe, KS

5 OLD CHICAGO

FOR A RESTAURANT that’s

ordered the classic deep dish

pizzas, and the sauce was under

named after the city, you’d

cheese pizza. I was surprised

the cheese.

they

would

know

when the waitress came back

Yes, you heard it right.

On

less than 15 minutes later —

the Old Chicago website

Giordano’s pizzas take around

The easiest way to identify a

they

serve

45 minutes to cook all the way

deep dish pizza is by the large

“traditional Chicago-

through. Despite my worry, I

vat of sauce placed right on top.

style deep dish” —

carried on.

their

pizza.

Wrong.

claim

to

I was already disappointed by the appearance, but to top it all

their pizza, I’m not

in a deep dish pan, but didn’t

off, the crust was undercooked,

sure what they’re

remotely resemble its gloriously

making it doughy and chewy. Oh

talking about.

oversauced

thick

and there was a strand of hair

After browsing

crust looked more like the puffy

on the first piece I grabbed —

menu,

crust on DiGiorno oven-baked

ew.

the

after

I

tried

I

The

Under. The. Cheese.

presented

and

I’d go back to Third Coast Pizza any day of the week. It’s

up to the register and ordered

me visibly giddy. Once I took a

think

increased

meatballs covered in marinara

reason.

had

happiness

two

Third Coast Pizza — and for good

appetizer

my

pizza

was

model.

The

22 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

The NOT-SO

story b y mar y g a ge n

THE HARBINGER

d e s ig n b y l o re l e i g a l l e s p h o to b y rya n d e h a n

A

GOLDEN BACHELOR

The new TV sho w “ G o l d en B ach e lor” is a dista ste fu l t wist on the origina l se rie s MERICA’S QUEST FOR love takes on retirement homes,

hearing

aids

and

social security checks with

ABC TV’s new show “The Golden Bachelor.” Putting a spin on the hit dating TV show “The Bachelor,” “The Golden Bachelor” came out on Sept. 28, with a painfully distasteful display of grandparent “romance.”

“The Bachelor” consists of one man and around 30 women who vie for his votes of love until there’s only one left.

All contestants on the new show are senior citizens — all sixty or older— and most of the women on the show have been married two or more times.

72-year-old bachelor Gerry Turner was married for 43 years prior to his debut.

His late wife suddenly passed away six years ago. According to Gerry, the show provides an opportunity to find the second love of his life.

Unfortunately,

as

wholesome

as

Gerry seems, many of the women don’t share that same soft and sweet personality. The majority of the women begin their bachelor debut cracking intimate jokes that would more likely be overheard in a high school bathroom — no one wants to hear their grandma say that.

older

one dates, the bachelor tends to become

age of 60 go on a reality TV show to

women characters to spice up the show,

While

I

expected

spunky

more bold with his approach with flir-

find their second true love — if such a

I was instead cringing at jokes that I

tatious remarks.

thing exists. The intended audience of

wouldn’t want anyone in my family to

Given the nature of the show, dis-

this show might be intended for older

tasteful pickup lines should be expect-

people longing for love, but it’s better

ed, but they’re agonizing nonetheless.

fit for anyone who has time to burn and

time is darling, but there’s something

Hearing a 72-year-old man request a

isn’t afraid of cringing.

unsettling about watching someone my

70-year-old woman he’s just met to

After watching each episode, I found

grandpa’s age make out with a woman

lick icing off of his face was more dis-

myself

turbing than most reality TV shows.

show was meant for. Each person I

hear.

The idea of finding love a second

“

HEARING A

wondering

who

exactly

this

Trying to balance that with intense

talked to over the age of 50, including

72-year-old man request a 70-year-old woman he’s just met to lick icing off of his face was more disturbing than most reality TV shows.

flashbacks from their younger years

my grandma and her friends, found the

don’t sit quite right.

show offensive, whereas individuals 25

In

addition

emotional

to

the

rollercoaster

ever-flowing

to 40 enjoyed the idea of the show. Not

of

having a clear audience is yet another

love

and

loss, the intense music only adds to the

letdown of the new series.

chaos, making the show feel like pure

I was looking forward to this show

anxiety in a nutshell.

coming out — I had faith in this being

The show almost feels like a remake

a sweet twist on the typical reality TV

of a rom-com from the early 2000s but

show. Sadly, my expectations weren’t

he just met — no less, a montage of

with a much older cast. The appeal of

met.

back-to-back make-out sessions.

the 2000s rom-coms is found in the

marked a new low for reality TV.

For each disappointing contestant,

naive behavior of the characters —

there’s an equally charming contestant.

something the target audience —teen-

From a pickleball co-captain to a ther-

agers — can relate

apist the pool of candidates provides a

to. That being said,

diverse selection of potential lovers for

not even the targeted

Gerry. Each woman certainly came with

older audience is able

her fair share of quirks, adding up to a

to relate to the raun-

unique bunch.

chiness of the show.

Regrettably, Gerry isn’t always as innocent as he seems. During one-on-

Very rarely do individuals

over

the

“The

Golden

Bachelor”

HAVE YOU WATCHED THE GOLDEN BACHELOR? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 8 9 v o t e s

YES 7% NO

93%

An introduction to the G olden Bachelor himself and G agen’s favorite and least

MEET the CONTESTANTS favo r i te co nte stant s o n t he sho w NAME: Gerry AGE: 72 BIO: After being married to his highschool sweatheart for 43 years, he has been widowed for seven years.

NAME: Ellen AGE: 71 BIO: After her best friend passed nine years ago, Ellen has been longing for another deep companionship.

has

NAME: Sandra AGE: 75 BIO: Sandra emphasizes her need for intimacy.

FRESH JUICES & SMOOTHIES

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smeharbinger.net/category/sports

17

19

7 p.m.

OCTOBER

OCTOBER

Va r s i t y S o c c e r @ S M A C

Va r s i t y Fo o t b a l l

7 p.m.

@ MVHS

WHICH GAME ARE YOU GOING TO ON OCT. 9? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 8 4 v o t e s

74%

VARSITY FOOTBALL

26%

VARSITY SOCCER

varsity tennis

REGIONALS RECAP A run d o w n o f t h e g i r l s’ varsi t y te n n i s re g i o n a l s tourn a m e n t o n O c t . 1 6 a t Ho m e s te a d C o u ntry Cl u b

SENIORS ABIGAIL LONG and Katie Schmidt won first place for doubles in straight sets, and seniors Ellie McDermed and Katie Murphy placed third after losing in the semifinals to Blue Valley Northwest in a third set. Junior Ishya Bhavsar lost 6-4, 7-5 to Blue Valley West senior Sarah Yan in the singles finals, and junior Macy Garwood lost to Bhavsar in the semifinals before placing third.

COACH SHOUT OUTS Varsit y Girls’ G olf C o a c h B e n He n d r i c k s re c o g n i ze s im pre ssive p layers t hi s fa l l s ea s on

B E N H E N D R IC KS HE A D C OAC H

“

OUR BEST PERFORMERS lately as far as

improvement this year have been Addie Sullivan and Georgia Boyd who have done great, and our senior Maren Adams who has improved and is very dependable. Maggie Leonard and Faith Grecian have had their ups and downs but are both really good players.

C o a c h i n g Va r s i t y G o l f f o r 3 y e a r s .

First year as only Head Coach.

d e s ig n b y i s a b e l b a l d a s s a ro

varsity soccer

ays lef

t

Sports

24 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

1

Ma r k y o ur calendars for the se

19

OCTOBER

7 p.m.

Va r s i t y S o c c e r @ S M N

R I G H T Senior Luke Pearcy carries the ball down the sideline before he is tackled by a defender on the 20-yard line in the beginning of the third quarter. photo by clara peters B O T T O M L E F T Senior Ryan Dehan runs back to his team in celebration after the Lancers scored a touchdown in the first quarter of the game. photo by clara peters BOTTOM RIGHT Head coach Mark Simoneau stands with coaches Shawn Hair and Gregory Welsh as he reacts to a potential touchdown. photo by clara peters

senior night

countdown

UPCOMING EVENTS

21

OCTOBER

11 a.m.

Varsity Gymnastics @ NHS

s tor y by l uci ana me nd y

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 25

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by ma g g i e kis s ic k ar t b y carol i n e dan iels p h o to s by ke n n a h a rri ng t on, r yan deh an & ame l ie wong

IS IT WORTH IT?

Competitive sports cause te e n a t h l e te s to s a c r i f i c e i m p o r ta n t ex p e r i e n c e s f o r t h e

small chance of playing at the college level

I

SMILED BITTERLY as I scrolled

through my friends’ homecoming Instagram stories showing off their sequined

dresses

while

pinning

boutonnières on their dates. But I didn’t have time to swipe up to DM them and ask how the dance was going.

Maybe the after party was starting then, but warm-ups for my KC Athletics club soccer game in Springfield started in 20 minutes.

I grabbed my water bottle and made sure I had everything I needed in my bag:

started to notice how demanding club

ice cream trips and unbeatable grass

soccer is. Every waking moment revolves

stains hold my favorite memories of the

around training, practice and achieving

sport while I played on my elementary

perfection. I have chemistry homework

school’s team.

to do over the weekend? Too bad.

I can’t help but wonder if it’s even worth it.

My goal is to play soccer

today. I vividly remember my parents sitting me down at the dining room

prioritize training over my social and

table and telling me that if I wanted to

school life to even have the slightest

continue playing soccer I should move on

chance of playing in college doesn’t

and start playing on a competitive club

seem to pay off.

team. At the time I knew it was going to

Socializing with friends outside of the

sports bubble has become a rare luxury.

gave one last outfit check in the mirror.

My all-blue uniform stared back at me, and I couldn’t help but wish that it was a sparkly, strapless navy dress instead.

Whatever, this is an important game.

You’ll just go to the dance next year.

A familiar lie I tell myself.

Being involved in club sports at a

high school level puts myself — and other athletes — in a difficult position of

either becoming highly-coveted recruits or playing the sport for fun with no inbetween.

I’ve got a tournament but I’ll go to that party next month.

I can’t hang out that day, I’ve got practice at 6 p.m., but we can go see the movie next week.

I’ve got soccer tonight, I’ll study for the test tomorrow.

With team practices three days a week, constant away games over the weekend and individual training on my free days, soccer has become the center of my life. Everything else has to work around it. I wish I could be the athlete that says they’d give up anything for their love of the game, but it’s starting to take too much time out of my life.

As

I’ve

gotten

older,

I’ve

slowly

that affects the majority of my time

in college, but having to constantly

“

shin guards, soccer socks and cleats. I

Then in fifth grade, I made a decision

be different, but I wanted to get better at soccer.

I made some new friends, got brand

THE CONSTANT NEED

new uniforms and my dribbling skills improved, but as the years went by the level of competitiveness increased — winning became crucial, my passes were

to improve, impress coaches and secure scholarships and offers is turning sports into a high-stakes endeavor rather than an enjoyable past time.

expected to be perfect and there was little room for error.

As much as I’d love to play college soccer at a high level, club sports are an

awkward

in-between

of

training

academies and recreational teams. When I joined club soccer, I didn’t understand

I’ve started to miss out on events like

the rabbit hole of the commitment I was

birthday parties, vacations and concerts

making.

because they conflict with my training schedule.

Schoolwork

has

become

Trying to meet the expectations of the

a

sport started to take a toll on my love

juggling act, coming home from practice

for it. Instead of being excited to play,

sweaty, tired and sore doesn’t give me

I began to feel anxious. I stopped caring

much incentive to do assignments.

about post-game ice cream because I was

The sport I used to adore is now

too busy going over every mistake I made

causing me to sacrifice my teenage years

in the game and I didn’t get grass stains

just for the possibility of a D3 college

anymore. I got bruises.

offer.

The

Youth sports should foster a love for constant

need

to

improve,

the game and allow room for personal

impress coaches and secure scholarships

growth beyond the field. It’s essential

and offers is turning sports into a high-

for parents, coaches and institutions

stakes endeavor rather than an enjoyable

to recognize the individual needs of

pastime.

each teenager. Young athletes and their

When I first started soccer in fifth

parents should carefully consider their

grade, I played for enjoyment — eccentric

priorities before going down the club

goal celebrations, mandatory post-game

sport route.

NOT ALONE

Other student experience s with club spor t s bu rnou t EMMY BARRET T JUNIO R SWIMMING FOR FOUR YEARS

“

WE HAVE TO be at the pool twice a day, [for a] lot of time and do weights. It’s really hard with school in between.

MARGOT BEAVER SENIOR PL AYED SOCCER FOR 10 YEARS

“

I HATED GOING to practice. I hated

traveling to games. I realized I was putting so much work and time into a sport I wasn’t going to play in college.

MAT THEW WATERS SOPHOMORE SWIMMING FOR EIGHT YEARS

“

[I DON’T HAVE] time to hang out

with friends or do homework. It takes up a majority of my time.

26 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

s to ry by luke b e il

THE HARBINGER

p h o to b y m a s o n s a nj a d e s i g n b y ve ro n i c a m a n g i n e p h o to s c o u r te s y o f j a ke m i l l er

R E L L I M

JAKE

TIME

S enior J a ke M i l l e r c o m m i t te d to Fa r l e i g h D i c kinson Universit y to play Division 1 baseba ll, d e s pite pl a yi n g h e a vi l y o n J V

T

HEN

SIX-YEAR

Jake

on how he can help the team in any way

said. “When that offer came I got choked

Miller laid down on his soft

possible. He can be found playing the

up,

cushioned couch with popcorn

outfield whenever needed and running

doubted by people he’s played for and

in one hand and a remote in

the bases as much as possible.

played with for his whole life, so I think

old

he’s

been

underestimated

and

the other — he was watching a Royals

“I know I’m in a tough spot because

game on his TV. Seeing third baseman

of how good our team is and I know

What drives Jake is the doubt and

Mike

home

we’re going to win games even if I don’t

underestimation he’s faced ever since

runs and Catcher Salvador Perez throw

play as much as I want,” Jake said. “That

he began his baseball journey. From

out players attempting to steal had Jake

being said, I still want to win for my

sophomore

completely entranced in the game.

team.”

always been doing something related

Moustakas

This

was

hit

the

480-foot

moment

playing

professional baseball someday in the future first crossed his mind.

Now-senior Jake has completed one quintessential step in that process — committing to play Division 1 baseball at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Jake committed to FDU in August, but the process to get his commitment

“

I KNOW I’M in a tough

spot because of how good our team is and I know we’re going to win games even if I don’t play as much as I want,” Jake said. “That being said, I still want to win for my team.”

JAKE M I LLER SENIOR

it was a nice validation for him.”

year

until

now

Jake

has

to baseball. Whether that be a pitching program

to

grow

arm

strength,

weight training in school or hitting the cages, he always stays busy.

“People would tell me constantly that I’m not going to play D1 baseball from friends to even coaches,” Jake said. “One time I asked my club coach if he thought I could play D1 and he just straight up told me no, and that just put

started over a year ago in July of 2022.

Jake stayed in contact on and off with

He attended a baseball camp in New

FDU for 10 months until August when he

Jake’s club coach, Nathan Moore from

York where his level of play immediately

had his official visit. It was then where

Precision Baseball Club, can attest to the

struck an FDU grad assistant’s eye.

he was truly astonished by the campus

disciplined work ethic Jake has. Moore

With a 60-yard dash of 6.86 seconds,

and what they had added from when

has been coaching him for the past two

arm velocity of 90 mph and an exit bat

he previously saw the campus back in

years as he’s played up with college

velocity of 92 mph, it’s no surprise they

October 2022.

freshmen and has seen nothing but focus

had interest in him.

“Everything was brand new from

a fire in me to prove him wrong.”

and determination everyday.

“I was ranked a top-three catcher at

when I first saw the campus in October,”

that camp,” Jake said. “The scout from

Jake said. “They had updated the weight

players

FDU came up to me and said how much

room, it was twice the size of last time,

“Being a great competitor is one thing

he liked my arm strength and hitting and

they were building a whole new baseball

and being a great person is another

told me to come check out the school.”

field and even the dorms looked a little

thing, it’s hard to find both of those in

nicer.”

today’s world, but that’s what he is.”

Although Jake is a Division 1 commit,

“He’s easily in my top three favorite I’ve

coached,”

Moore

During his visit to FDU, coaches had

As for the future, Jake is already

his career as a high school player. The

offered Jake a scholarship to come play

setting goals for when he steps on

reason for this being that the East team

for them. It was instant relief and joy

campus at FDU. He wants to play as a

currently has five other college commits

for Jake as he accepted the offer with

freshman

as of now at the D1 and JUCO levels. One

zero hesitation. The first step towards

College World Series. Even though he

of those commits is at his main position

his goal of playing professionally was in

believes the likelihood of these things

of catcher.

action.

happening are slim, it wouldn’t be the

Jake tries not to focus too much on the

“It always felt like this [FDU] was

fact that he doesn’t play much and more

the right place,” Jake’s father Tim Miller

eventually

get

to

he lpe d him ge t re c ru ite d

74 mph 321

6.86s

BATTING AVERAGE

90.3

CATCHER VELOCITY

60-YARD DASH TIME

% PERCENTILE FOR 60 YARD DASH TIMES FOR CLASS OF 2024

the

first time the odds were stacked against him.

Jake’s stat s from last season that

said.

he has only started one Varsity game in

and

SEASON STATS

JAKE’S STRIKEOUT PERCENTAGE WHILE PITCHING LAST SEASON

STRIKEOUT NONE 37%

63%

stor y by l i bby marsh

OCTOBER 16, 2023 | 27

THE HARBINGER

IT’S GO TIME

d e si g n by l ucy st ephens p h o to by w i l l g r i ffi t h

F

ORMER

EAST

PARENTS

Former East parent s S ara Clark and Tory K rebs go to every home Chief s game and host tailgate s inside of the ir RV

Tory

retire’,” Bret said. “And Melanie said, ‘Well,

emergency (someone else takes their parking

at the front of the lot, the entire tailgate is

Krebs and Sarah Clark have a

what are you waiting for?’ And finally we bit

spot), the pair keeps a $100 bill in the glove

set up. Food, tent, games and all.

game day schedule:

the bullet and bought an old RV.”

box ready to bribe anyone unaware of their unofficial spot.

“It’s like a full-service tailgate, just like

Pull out of the driveway in

After the seats were recovered in bright

Ruthie the RV at midnight before a Chiefs

red faux leather, red and yellow stripes were

The two have driven the red-and-yellow-

game. Stop at the Everyday Mart at 63rd

painted on the sides and TVs were installed

striped RV in the rain, snow or during

guests and even fans of the opposing team,

Street and Hardesty to buy a lottery ticket on

for much necessary pre-game footage — the

Christmas and Thanksgiving — hosting a

upholding the accepting, fun reputation of

the way.

RV was ready to go.

massive tailgate.

the tailgating community and invite anyone

The RV is parked in line at gate 5 just

Since buying the RV from the Weavers

A few days before the game the two send

outside Arrowhead Stadium hours before the

in 2018 Sarah and Tory have kept up with

an email to nearly 100 people, an invite to

gates even open and the two sleep — or at

tradition. Families in the “gate 5 crew” blast

their next tailgate. Guests must RSVP before

least try to — in the cramped RV surrounded

loud music early in the morning and someone

the game and pay $40 for food expenses.

by Crockpots and other pre-prepared food

cooks bacon and eggs for breakfast.

Besides running All Things Athletic — East’s school spirit store — Sarah and Tory

to sign the Chiefs red bathroom door of the RV in sharpie.

“Everybody that we bring to the stadium that’s never been there before can’t believe that’s because their stadium doesn’t allow tailgating like Arrowhead does or their fans

said. “We’ve seen a family at [5 a.m.] have a

for an easy set up for guests. And when the

aren’t as generous and kind, but I’ve never

Pringles can chugging contest.”

tailgaters arrive a couple hours before the

heard anybody say they haven’t had a great

game and find their way to parking spot F-22

time at Arrowhead.”

makes a mad dash to get to their

and close family friends Bret and Melanie

“designated” spot. For Ruthie,

Weaver.

that spot is F-22.

In all of their years of

the

tradition, Ruthie was born 20 years earlier,

tailgating they’ve never

long before the Chiefs held their two most

missed

recent Super Bowl titles.

spot. The same RV has

their

parking

---

been

parked

Bret and Melanie Weaver first bought

same

spot

Chiefs season tickets after moving to Kansas

single

home

chiefs

City in 2001. After a few years of attending

game

for

the

past

tailgates and cheering on the team, the two

20

years

under

the

fell in love with their adopted home team.

superstition that bad

in

for

the every

At games, Bret began to notice the vans

things will happen to

and trucks, setting up the tailgates before a

the team if they’re

game.

parked

“I said, ‘Well, I’m going to do that when I

new

everything in advance from tacos to burgers

tradition passed on from fellow Chiefs fans

expanded

any

in line waiting for the gate to open,” Tory

games, every single car, truck and even RV

Sarah

welcome

how fun it is,” Tory said. “I don’t know if

every home Chiefs game for a tailgate, a

and

Tory

Tory and Sarah spend nearly $2,000 each

When the gates open four hours before the

Tory

and

week on game day food and two days prepping

keep up the tradition of driving their RV to

While

Sarah

“We’ve seen a lot of really crazy stuff

until 6 a.m. when the tailgate festivities begin.

going to a restaurant,” Tory said.

anywhere

else. In case of an

GAME DAY ESSENTIALS

Ty pi cal items To ry a n d S a ra h u s e f o r t h e i r tailgate s

F2 2

PARKING SPOT

SHARPIES

Each fan who attends

They plan to feed 50- 80

FOOD & DRINKS

CANOPY TENT

F2 2 in the Chiefs parking

t he tailgate is able to

people and spend about

around the size of the

lot as a lucky charm for

s ign the RV door with a

$2,000 on grocerie s each

RV is used for shade

e a ch ta ilg a te .

S har p i e.

tailgate.

du ring the ta ilga te s.

They park the RV in spot

A large canopy tent

28 | OCTOBER 16, 2023

de sig n an d cop y b y sydn ey e c k

THE HARBINGER

p h o to s b y c l a ra p e t e rs

FREQUENT FRIDAYS

A spotlight of the

SCAN ME WEBSITE

upcoming Frequent

Frequent Friday information and other upcoming theatre shows

Fr i d ay shows

Nov.16 Tickless Time

5

TOTAL CAST MEMBERS

SENIOR IAN FLYNN’S Frequent Friday show is an adapted

version of the 1920’s play “Tickless Time.” A comedy based on

LEADING ACTORS:

living off of a sundial. The main characters, Tim and Eloise,

JUNIOR WYATT MOON FRESHMAN CLEMENTINE

keep track of time. As they live their daily lives, they realize

GOGOL

stop using automatic clocks, and only rely on the sundial to that the sundial isn’t as accurate as they previously thought.

They struggle to adjust to their new schedule, but they don’t want to go back to using automatic clocks.

Why should others join theater?

“

NORA H ER R IN G

THE COMMUNITY [in theater] is really fun. There’s a lot of really nice people there and there’re a lot of really funny people, I always have a laugh there.

Date TBD TESSA’S

2

nd FREQUENT FRIDAY SHOW

“

IAN F LY N N

I LOVE DIRECTING. That’s something I’m super passionate about. And the theater community is great, and I want to help foster that and keep it going for the future generations.

Dec. Any Body

08 for Tea?

SENIOR NORA HERRING’S Frequent Friday show is an

adaptation of the murder-comedy play “Any Body for Tea?” The show is about three crazy old ladies who are all in love with Dennis O’Finn —their homicide detective neighbor. The play starts with Dennis O’Finn asking to transfer to a different detective unit and then flashbacks to the events that caused him to transfer. How far will the ladies go to get close to him?

Series of Unfortunate Events

SENIOR TESSA HERRING’S Frequent Friday is adapted version of her favorite childhood TV show — “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” It’s a 30-minute simplified adaption of the three orphaned Baudelaire children’s unfortunate life with their evil distant relative Count Olaf. They have to stick together as they escape from Olaf’s evil wrath.

Why did you put on a Frequent Friday show?

Why should people watch your show?

“

T E SSA HER R IN G

[THE CAST] PUT

a lot of effort into [the show]. I spend hours after school working on it. The cast put so much time into memorizing lines and blogging and all of that. It’s just a good way to support us and SME theater.

9

TOTAL

CAST MEMBERS