The Harbinger Issue 8 2023-24

THE

harbinger...

“WE DON’T FEEL

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 DECEMBER 18, 2023 VOLUME LXVI

S tudent s, school administration and district administration grapple to combat the pattern of

ISSUE 8

SAFE.”

ra c i s m a t E a s t a fter a v ideo of a ra c ist a tta c k on soph om ore Brey B rown went v iral nationwide

A LOOK INSIDE:

page 5...

Local legislator proposes a bill to combat fentanyl as the community rallies for control

12...

16...

The prison system needs reform amid security and racial justice concerns

Senior Nina Yun connects to her Asian culture through cooking

02 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

de sig n b y addi e mo o re

THE HARBINGER

c o v e r d e s ig n b y grey s on imm

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c o v e r p h o to b y ma s o n s a j n a

V i si t sm ehar b i nger. net to vi ew ad d i t iona l storie s, ga lle rie s, podc a st s a nd v ide os

SCAN ME WEBSITE Read an opinion on overconsumption of makeup and read a news story on the climate change initiative at smeharbinger.net

ʼnőÁƅ ěĆʼnő 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

ASST. ART EDITOR Caroline Daniels

EQUIPMENT MANAGER Mason Sajna

ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS

c a r to o n by wi l l gri f f i t h

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

łĩěĆőĆÚÁě ÚÁŅőĩĩĢ

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

;gZZg© g g H Z `'#H ͢ 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 though letters may be edited for clarity, length or mechanics. Letters should be sent to Room 400 or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.

d e si g n & ar t by c a ro l in e dan i e l s

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 03

THE HARBINGER

;g ͢ ̱ < Ha ͢ ̨ 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.

DEEPER THAN

; ' Z'¨'Z S ch o o l - re l a te d ra c i s m i s s u e s , a c c o rd i n g to th e A m erica n Ps yc h o l o g i c al A s s o c i ati o n

THE TIP OF THE

ICEBERG O

STUDENTS OF COLOR ARE...

MORE LIKELY TO BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM FOR MISBEHAVIOR

VER 100

While racism can be a difficult topic to address, it’s a conversation that needs to happen. Instead of watching

m a n y

with amusement, students need to speak up about the

students

issue at hand and why it matters. This could be through a

of

East

meeting or simply bringing up an issue to friends or family

period

and finding a way to take action. This way, we can address

racial

the problem head on instead of brushing it off.

out

during

fifth

protesting 28

while

watched

MORE LIKELY TO BE EXPELLED

Harbinger’s

on

Comments throughout

the

“

Nov.

785

viewers

on

the

Instagram

livestream.

MORE LIKELY TO BE SUSPENDED

rolled

in

35-minute

stream, including burner accounts for students who wanted to remain anonymous: “Chocolate people going crazy.”

MORE LIKELY TO BE THE VICTIM OF IMPLICIT BIASES

comments on the live, according to a poll of 165 students.

including

walked

awareness

sc hool a nd stop u nde rpla ying the issu e

#'a

minority

LESS LIKELY TO BE PUT INTO GIFTED PROGRAMS

LESS LIKELY TO GRADUATE

S tudent s must acknowledge racism at

“Crime rates down in school.”

“Three-fifths of the school showed up.”

Some students even used the protest as an excuse to

WHILE NOT ALL

East students are racist, the point is that the racist commenters were East students, and this is a real problem that shouldn’t be blindsided by how “great” East kids are.

If this isn’t recognized as a problem, the problem will never be fixed.

miss class. Students that left school to get Chick-fil-A

The comments and student body’s casual

completely disrespected the cause for walking out. While

reaction to the walkout undeniably revealed

over 100 students were circling the school demanding

how deeply rooted racism at East is and

justice, others were ordering a side of fries.

how ignorant many students are to racism.

East needs to do better.

The minute that there was a platform

While not all East students are racist, the point is that

for racist comments, students rushed in

the racist commenters were East students, and this is a real

from more than 10 accounts.

problem that shouldn’t be blindsided by how “great” East

Students willing to go out of their way to

kids are. If this isn’t recognized as a problem, the problem

create fake profiles before publicly commenting

will never be fixed.

is just the tip of the iceberg of racism — dozens

As much as administrators try to rightfully punish

more students watching in classes laughed along

students, at the end of the day it’s up to the students to

while reading the sickening comments.

make the right decisions.

There was an uproar as each new comment popped

It’s the job of the student body to make other people

up. Students in the cafeteria verbally reacted with

feel like they have a safe space at school. We’re the ones

laughter and exclamations of “Good one!” as comments

walking the halls and learning in the classrooms — what we

piled on. Others quietly walked to class with their eyes

say matters. Racism is a serious issue that’s not limited to

glued to the livestream.

when East is in the news, and something needs to change.

Bystanders staying silent against the racist comments

Students need to take accountability for the racism

adds to the problem — change cannot happen without

that goes on at East, and confront those around them that

voices speaking out.

tolerate racism so we can create a safe environment for

Laughing at the comments invalidates the experiences of minority students and those protesting. It makes a significant topic seem unimportant or viewed as a joke.

83% of students at East have heard people laugh about the

minority groups at East.

storie s b y l u c i an a me n dy

Briefs...

04 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

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

inside th

FILM

S u b je c t

s the n e w IB s s w il l fo cus on next year fi lm c la

smeharbinger.net/category/news

NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY VOLUNTEERS AT Imagine That! KC MEMBERS OF THE National Art Honor Society volunteered at Imagine

The art available at the fundraiser was a variety of canvas paintings, ceramics, oil pastel works and graphite sketches.

support the organization’s Winter Art Market fundraiser.

Imagine That! specializes in helping individuals with developmental

The NAHS President and senior Greyson Imm plans to continue

disabilities learn new art skills. The Winter Art Market allows the artists

similar volunteering opportunities throughout the year with other

to sell art that they’ve created through the program. And the student

art-related organizations in the community like Scraps KC and

volunteers, including senior Oliver Novo, helped distribute artists’

InterUrban Art House.

tudy productiofilm roles in fin and lm

“Everybody needs service hours, but also I feel like people want

portfolios.

“It was really cool to see all of their art and how varied their views

to be a part of their community and engage in that,” Imm said.

on the world were,” Novo said. “There was a lot of talent there. It

“[NAHS] gives them the unique opportunity if they’re artists

was really eye-opening, and I’ve never really seen art that wasn’t just

inclined towards the arts that they can use that outlet to engage

traditional fine arts go into a museum before, so this was a really cool

in their community and give back to people that they might not normally interact with on a day-to-day basis.”

SENIORS WIN 28-1 IN ANNUAL POWDERPUFF FOOTBALL GAME

CHEER AND DANCE had their annual Powderpuff football game

“It’s so competitive and everyone tries so hard,” McElhinney

on Dec. 10 with cheer and dance seniors defeating the juniors. The

said. “People care a lot about that kind of game even though it’s

teams were coached by junior and senior varsity football players who

just a silly game. We had special sweatshirts and everything

performed a dance at halftime that they learned from the cheer and

made, it’s a big deal.”

With students and parents watching in the crowd, the

dance members.

The game started off as two-hand-touch football, but eventually got

seniors defeated the juniors with a final score of 28-7.

aggressive and the players transitioned to tackle football. According to

“I feel like this year is a lot of lasts,” senior cheer captain

senior dance captain Marin McElhinney, the game always gets heated

Lulu McKee said. “It’s been really fun each year, so I think I

between the two grades.

ended on a good note.”

NEW IB FILM CLASS WILL BE OFFERED NEXT YEAR

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE FILM will officially be a

will have discussions about how the story’s elements come

class option in the IB program at East next year, taught by English

together visually.

“We are such a visual culture at the moment,” Sternberg

and Video Production teacher Jennifer Hunter.

“We just need to get enrollment underway and actually see how

said. “Learning the art of visual storytelling is really

many kids enroll,” Hunter said. “So there’ll be quite a bit of planning

important, so I can only imagine how great this class will

in the spring and in the summer to get ready, but I have so many

be.”

In the class students will eventually be able to make their

ideas. It’s so exciting.”

During the year-long class, students will learn about the different Contextualizing and reading films will also be an aspect of the class. Students will look at scripts and analyze how the director conveys their message, what that message is and the implications

reading fi

IB

coordinator

Meredith

Sternberg,

the

film in context

explore culture athe history o nd f film

collabor ative film produc work in a tion

create a team to n origina l film

need a lot of experience to enroll. The only thing required is the interest in the art, according to Hunter.

“If you like the creative side of work, you’re very visual, and something visual,” Hunter said. “I think it is a great opportunity.”

SCAN ME VIDEO

contextualization part of the class is significant because students

THE

lancer minute

lm

examine the of film art

you like the discussions and then being able to take that and get

of that message. to

own short film. Hunter will teach the technical aspects like editing, filming and connecting shots, so students don’t

production roles within the filming process.

According

product io roles n s

new experience.”

That! KC — a local arts outreach organization — on Dec. 8 and 9 to

e

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

A vi de o ser i e s hi ghl i ght i ng p ho to s fro m gal l er i e s and recap p i n g re c e nt sc hool e v e nt s

LEFT

LEFT

LEFT

HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERING EVENT photo by clara peters

POWDERPUFF GAME photo by amelie wong

PHYSICS 2 REGATTA photo by riley scott

stor y by greyson i mm

d e si g n by e mme rson winfrey p h o to by al ex s a jn a

ONE PILL CAN KILL

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 05

THE HARBINGER

M i s s o u r i R e p re s entative Bill Allen pre-filed a bill on Dec. 1 to increase sentencing for delivery and distribution of

I

f e n ta n yl i n re s p onse to co m m uni t y co ncer ns regard i ng t he fentany l crisis N

RESPONSE

TO

community

concerns regarding the fentanyl crisis,

fentanyl

awareness

in

communities

and

change at the government level.

seems to be ineffective in curtailing fentanyl

advocate for access to the overdose-resetting

deaths to frustrated and grieving parents like

medication naloxone — or Narcan.

Allen

“We have grandparents raising infants

Thomas, who says they are the ones forced to

Legislation is important, Thomas asserts,

pre-filed a bill on Dec. 1 to increase

because one or more of their parents have

fight for government change as the problem

but elements of harm reduction and education

sentencing for delivery and distribution of

died from fentanyl poisoning, we have kids

worsens.

must also be implemented to prevent the

fentanyl.

dying in high schools, we even have infants

Missouri

Representative

Bill

“This is human life we’re talking about,

dying,” Thomas said. “We’re seeing teen

not

sisters,

“We’ve got to bring all of these things

is difficult to predict, he expects the bill to

deaths rise solely due to fentanyl so there [is

mothers, fathers and our children,” Thomas

to the table,” Thomas said. “So whether

reach committee within the next two months,

great] urgency to address this. What needs to

said. “We have to take this on with everything

it’s suboxone or methadone or prevention,

be voted on by the Missouri House in March

happen is immediate action.”

that we have and we haven’t been doing

education or traditional harm reduction are

Thomas first got involved with fentanyl-

that. So we’ve got to rally communities for

all the things that need to be on the table.”

related advocacy after her daughter died in

solutions. I wish it was something our federal

Missouri House Bill 1544 increases the

2018 from taking half of a counterfeit pill

government took on in the beginning.”

offense of delivering a controlled substance

believed to be prescribed to her for stomach

resulting in great bodily harm or death. Allen

pain.

and pass the Missouri Senate between April and May.

says that the bill could potentially add on 10 to 15 years in prison for those who are sentenced for distributing illicit fentanyl, a sentence that could typically be five to 10 years.

“It’s not a be-all to end-all because I don’t believe any piece of legislation could

That

year,

fentanyl

killed

31,335

harm re•duc•tion

U.S.

a s e t o f p ra c t i c a l s t ra t e g i e s a n d i d e a s a i m e d a t re d u c i n g n e g a t i v e c o n s e q u e n c e s associated with drug use.

do that,” Allen said. “But this bill specifically gives prosecutors that additional tool to use.”

Though Allen says that he’s been met with slight pushback from those who have

Local parent Randy Davis has a similar

concerns that the bill will put more people in jail without solving the fentanyl problem.

son, a Mill Valley student, died from fentanyl

However, he asserts that this bill is just meant

poisoning after taking a counterfeit Percocet.

to serve a small part in supporting fentanyl

Since then, he and his wife started the Keeping

prosecution.

Clean for Coop organization visiting schools

“We know that prosecution alone isn’t

around the area including East to speak

going to stop this,” Allen said. “We learned

about the dangers of fentanyl and encourage

that back in the 80s with the war on drugs,

fentanyl safety.

it just doesn’t work. But the prosecutors

“There needs to be stronger laws, and

came to me with this bill, they thought it was

that’s what [local legislators] are trying to

important to be able to use that to charge when it’s appropriate.”

Fentanyl has been a pressing issue in the U.S. for years now — especially for teens,

fentanyl

overdose

and

work on,” Davis said. “For the dealers that

according

Fentanyl-related

continues to climb. So far, the government

are willing to put this out there knowing

Because

they

all

agree

that

not

overdose deaths among 10-to-19 year olds

has only focused on reactionary efforts to

the risk, there needs to be accountability for

legislation

can

eliminate

this

problem,

increased 182% from 2019 to 2021. Only

confiscate materials at the southern border

selling fake pills that are killing people.”

Thomas encourages people to stay safe when

recently has the government begun to take

and wider distribution of fentanyl test strips,

action due to a rapid increase in deaths,

according to Forbes. However, these actions

and

and

“You don’t get a second chance with

according to fentanyl awareness advocate

aren’t enough, according to Thomas, as illicit

public advocacy at the community level as

fentanyl poisoning,” Thomas said. “That’s

Andrea Thomas. Thomas is the founder

fentanyl is also entering the U.S. through

a

fentanyl

what I want young people to know. There’s

of Facing Fentanyl and Voices

other routes. Test strips are confusing to use

deaths. Educational advocacy programs that

no one out there that’s watching out for your

and not always effective.

reach youth like the ones Davis and Thomas

safety. There’s no safe dose of this.”

the

CDC.

for Change organizations, which

rally

for

Any

of

the

government

in

73,654

brothers,

That

deaths

to

but

Council.

to

jumped

numbers,

story, and a similar view on the issue. His

citizens, according to the National Safety number

just

crisis from worsening.

Though Allen says the legislative process

2022

action

taken

In addition to legislation, Allen, Davis Thomas

believe

preventative

that

measure

education

against

taking any un-prescribed medication.

lead are important in prevention. They also

SPILLING THE FACTS

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73,6

fentany 54 l overdo se deaths in 202 2

539,000

2m

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06 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

d e s ig n b y grey s o n i m m

LIGHTING MENORAH THE

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story b y l u c y st e ph e n s

THE HARBINGER

A fte r t h e Ea s t c h a p te r o f t h e J e w i s h S t u d e nt Union began encouraging more non-Jewish members to join, members have benefited from incre a s ed p rog ra m a tte n d an c e a n d di v e rs i t y

T

HE JEWISH STUDENT Union — a club

This nationwide organization has been around since

— is planning to increase the frequency of

2002 and has been at East since 2011 with the mission

meetings due senior and club president Eve

to create an inclusive and lively environment for the Jewish teens in the school so they can learn and grow

Benditt’s work to increase group attendance.

The year before Benditt stepped in to lead the club,

as a whole, according to the JSU website.

virtually and caused people to lose interest in the club, according to Benditt.

“In the past, it was mostly just Jewish students,

a c a n d e l a b r u m u s e d i n J e w i s h w o r s h i p, e s p e c i a l l y o n e w i t h e i g h t b ra n c h e s a n d a c e n t ra l s o c ke t used at Hanukkah

there were probably only five or six people that JSU meetings at East start with an activity that can

regularly went,” Benditt said. by

range from eating a traditional Jewish snack like a bagel

encouraging non-Jewish students to participate in club

to building a menorah. Once the activity is completed

activities. Her work recruiting students from classes

the club discusses how they can relate the activity to

and outside activities has quadrupled the number of

the Jewish Culture, usually led by US Midwest chapter

members of the club from five to 20. Now, the club

director Maddi Fidler.

Benditt

made

it

her

goal

to

expand

JSU

holds meetings biweekly on Thursdays in room 307

“I think it’s an opportunity for non-Jewish students to learn more about their Jewish classmates and see

after school.

Non-Jewish members of the club can understand more about Jewish holidays and the traditional food

that they have different practices and different values and ways of life,” Fidler said.

served on these occasions. Senior Charlie Crossley

Last year, the club wrote letters to their future

thinks the JSU is beneficial for students who aren’t

selves to be mailed to them later that year. According

Jewish to join.

to club member Elle Siegel, this activity was created to

“If you have an opportunity to learn more about

ask for forgiveness and a fresh start on New Year’s Day

something that you’re not directly part of, you should

which represents the holiest day of the year in Judaism.

probably try and gain more knowledge on [it],” Crossley

The club will also address important topics in the

said, “It’s always important just to be respectful of

Jewish

cultures around you that many people might have.”

between Israel and Palestine.

community

recently

including

the

conflict

Jewish students also like being able to connect with

“We’re all just supporting each other and everyone

students of the same culture. Senior Hallie O’Bryan

has different views on it, and that’s how it’s gonna be

likes staying active in the Jewish culture even though

for a lot of things, but the fact that everyone is there to

she doesn’t keep up with it as much as she used to

support each other is really nice,” Siegel said.

To stay connected with JSU at East join their

because of her busy schedule.

“I was excited to be a part of [JSU] because I’m

GroupMe and follow their Instagram:@sme_jsu.

Jewish, and I grew up Jewish,” O’Bryan said. “It’s nice

SCAN ME PROFILE Check out the activities and events that JSU does on their Instagram page

“JSU SME”

@sme_jsu

GET

INVOLVED

MEMORIES

“ “ “ “ JSU members recall some of their favorite p ar t s o f the c lu b

me•nor•ah

JSU’s attendance declined to around five members.

Because of COVID all the meetings that year were held

MANY YEARS OF

to just be able to do general Judaism studies.”

connecting Jewish and non-Jewish students

THERE’S A LOT

WE STILL BRING

[activities] back to the center of the club, which is the Jewish student union and just talk about it and at least give people a chance to talk about it if they want to and educate others on it.

ELLE SIEGEL SENIOR

IT’S A SAFE

space where you can talk about those issues and, I feel like no one’s gonna judge you too much, Find out how you can get but you can carry them i nvo l ved w i t h JSU at East forward in an unbiased environment which is SCAN ME GROUP interesting when you’re talking about important Join the JSU and stay up-toissues. date on when meetings are by joining the GroupMe

HALLIE O ’BRYAN SENIOR

of people who don’t know a lot about Judaism, and when I thought about the activism side of it and the education part of it, they were both really intriguing.

EVE BEND IT T SENIOR

WE TALK

about Judaism, but any student is welcome to participate and be a part of it. We try to make it really fun to have different activities so the people want to come and learn more.

MAD D I FID LER JSU MIDWEST CHAPT ER D IRECT OR

stor y by mary g a gen

d e si g n by bri dget connelly p h o to s by pai ge be an

LOSING

FAITH

East f e e l s t h e e f f e c t s a s t h e C h r i s t i a n c h u rc h experi e n c e s a d e c l i n e i n y o u t h a t te n d a n c e accord ing to ne w stu di e s

East c o m m u n i t y m e m b e rs re s p o n d to p o l l s abou t chu rch a t te n dan c e DO YOU REGULARLY ATTEND CHURCH * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 2 5 2 v o t e s

37%

HE CHRISTIAN CHURCH has experienced a

Judaism, Buddhism and Islam have remained at a consistent

rapid decrease in attendance, particularly in youth

following, making up 1% of religious devotees each,

over the past 50 years with a 17.1% decrease,

suggesting that the specific culture surrounding Christianity

according

has undergone the largest decline with a ratio of 17:1. That

the

World

Religion

Database’s

being said, nearly 100% of Americans considered themselves

Religious Census.

The Christian community at East has also experienced a decline, according to biology teacher Craig Heeney, who

Similarly to DelGrasso, sophomore Katie Cook, who

previous role at Lee’s Summit High School. Heeney believes that the decline in religion is based on material things

in Brookside, says that attending church isn’t as valued

rather than spiritual ideals, such as time spent online rather

anymore.

“I just don’t think it’s a priority anymore for our

than worshiping.

“I think kids are becoming less religious, or it’s a lesser

attend church, so sometimes it’s hard to relate.”

Heeney feels that even talking about religion in schools

through activities and in messages, but with a decline of

has become contraband, where he used to be able to form

incoming pastors, finding a way to directly reach each

faith-based relationships with students.

student can be challenging according to DelGrasso.

The attendance decrease can be attributed to shifts in

“We are seeing less and less of people who are called to

cultural expectations such as church attendance as well

ministry and people who work in ministry,” DelGrasso said.

as religious trauma, according to the Director of Student

“We have less pastors coming into the workforce than we

Ministries at the Church of the Resurrection’s Leawood

used to.”

“

Sundays used to be specifically religious days where

stores were closed and families attended church together, according to DelGrasso.

“In the ‘70s, religion was still much

more part of the culture than it is

today,” DelGrasso said. “I think part

29%

of [the decrease] is just culture shift and the way people engage with that.”

71%

According to an Instagram poll of 252 people, 37% of students attend

church regularly. Freshman Halle

I THINK THE [national]

decrease is probably just a lack of prioritizing and busy schedules. With so many sports and activities, church can seem less important than all of that, which even I can struggle with at times.

HALLE KLOCKE FRESHMAN

Klocke, who has been attending

Because of this, DelGrasso believes that the church has

church her whole life, attributes the

placed an emphasis on supporting youth who feel called

low number to the busy schedules

to ministry and want to be pastors by allowing them to

that come with high school.

participate in special programming, such as mission trips

“I

think

the

[national]

and various leadership roles throughout the church.

decrease is probably just a lack of

Director of Student Ministries at Old Mission Methodist

prioritizing and busy schedules,”

Church Emilyjane Eichman feels that today’s youth is

Klocke said. “With so many sports

challenged with a political climate that often pairs religion

and activities, church can seem

with anger.

less important than all of that,

“I think as Christians we have not done ourselves a lot

which even I can struggle with at

of favors,” Eichman said. “I think [Generation Z] will be the

times.”

generation that brings love of Christ and love of others back According

to

Klocke,

attending church provides

to the center of what Christianity is.”

However, while Cook and Klocke feel at home, 72% of

of

students reported they have had a negative experience with

c o m m u n i t y

through her youth group

church that has caused them to stop attending, according to

and

different

perspective than some of

an Instagram poll of 138 people. Nationally, about 30% of

her peers that don’t

attend church. Klocke says

Americans, many of which previously classified as Christian,

her

is

driven by religious morals.

now identify as non-religious according to the American

I

have

Religion Census.

her

2715 West 83rd Street, Leawood, KS 66206

generation,” Cook said. “I don’t have many friends who Youth ministers strive to help students feel included

schools.”

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 3 1 8 v o t e s

LEAWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Database. is a regular attendee at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

location, Megan DelGrasso.

63%

to be Christians in 1900 according to the World Religion

acted as a sponsor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes in his

HAVE YOU HAD NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES AT CHURCH THAT HAVE CAUSED YOU TO STOP ATTENDING

YES NO

to

part of their life,” Heeney said. “I think you even see it in

EAST EXPERIENCE YES NO

T

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 07

THE HARBINGER

a

perspective

with

a

a

faith

sense

“I

feel

like

standpoint

that

some

people

don’t have,” Klocke said.

According to DelGrasso, religious trauma must be taken

“I feel lucky to have

that and to grow up in a

into account when considering how to address youth and

household that has

given me that.”

best support them, as well as the national decline of religion. non-

“Trauma is something that spans generations, and

religious Americans

has been on the rise since

it’s important to acknowledge that some people have had

the

Additionally,

the

percentage

of

1970s.

The

major decline is related to

negative experiences with church,” DelGrasso said. “So a

the

beginning

of

COVID in 2020, according

goal at our church is to help heal those wounds.”

to

the

American

Religion

Data

Archives.

08 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

story b y ave r y an de rs o n

THE HARBINGER

d e s ig n b y b ri d ge t co n n e l l y p h o to s b y m o l l y mi l l e r

THE GIVING

SEASON

SHARE and The Columbia Brew par tnered for

their a nnual “Finals Fuel Cards” with proceeds go i ng to The Giv ing Tre e

GIVING

TREE

T h e s ta t i s t i c s o f t h i s y e a r ’s G iv in g Tre e

100 gift tags in the beginning 16 gift tags left over SHARE bought for the remaining 16 kids kids’ ages ranged from 1-13 years old

S

HARE IS PARTNERING with Columbia Brew to raise

While the original bags were not as successful as they had

money for the Veterans Community Project and Angel

hoped and kids didn’t bother to pick them up in the office during

Tree through Colombia Brew’s annual “Finals Fuel

finals week or bother to visit the coffee shop more frequently,

Cards” sale.

the switch to punch cards has been proven to bring in a large crowd during the last few days of school, according to Doane.

Parents were able to purchase cards for their students up

until Dec. 7 through a form sent out via email. Each card was $15

She noted that once caffeine was added to the equation, kids

to purchase and worth $10 at the coffee shop during finals week.

were much more likely to use their cards and parents were much

For each card purchased, a portion of the money went to SHARE

more likely to purchase them.

while the coffee shop kept the rest as profit.

SHARE will use the money to buy clothing, toys and other items for families who can’t afford them this Christmas. They are partnering with the Salvation Army to find families to buy the gifts for.

“The coffee shop is going to end up getting over $3,000 that they can then put back into their business,” SHARE coordinator Erin Billingsley said. “We made about $3,000 as well and that’s what we’re using to then go buy all these other things.”

“

Students received their voucher on Dec. 12 during second hour along with an optional note of encouragement from their parents or guardians. These notes included anything from a

“I use the coffee shop a lot because it’s my junior year and I

community.

IT’S [A GREAT IDEA] and it’s really fun to see it go back to the school and back to the

ERIN BILLING SLEY SHARE COORD INAT OR

basically run on caffeine,” junior Ellen Bowser said.

In the past few weeks students have been able to pick up a

card from the Angel Tree set up in the front office, listing gifts

“good job” to a “you can do it.”

The punch cards can be used to purchase any items up to $10,

available to purchase for a family in need. While the majority

from seasonal drinks to granola bars during first hour, second

of cards have already been claimed, SHARE will now use the

hour and seminar during finals week.

proceeds collected from the Finals Fuel Cards to purchase

500+

Christmas gifts for the remaining families.

Any profit left over after these purchases will go towards FINALS FUEL CARDS WERE SOLD

Parents were also given the option to purchase a second card

building tiny houses for the Veterans Community Project.

While many students will take any excuse to get a “free” coffee, for some, the idea that the proceeds go to charity has been a large incentive for buying the cards each year.

for a student in need. These extra cards were distributed to

“I really like the idea and it’s really motivating and makes

teachers to be handed out to students they feel might need the

me happy to go to school because I can use the finals fuel cards

extra boost in these next few weeks.

to get free stuff basically,” Bowser said. “I also love that part of

“It’s [a great idea] and it’s really fun to see it go back to the school and back to the community,” Billingsley said.

The idea originated a few years back when there were bags filled with snacks and candy that parents could purchase for kids during finals week, according to business teacher and coffee shop supervisor Amanda Doane. Now, it has now evolved into punch cards that allow for more freedom for students to choose from the wide variety of snacks offered in the coffee shop.

it goes to charity and I think that’s fantastic because it’s good for the community while helping out the students.”

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Opinion

10 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

hot take

smeharbinger.net/opinion

COMIC STRIP a r t b y c a ro l i n e d a n i e l s

story b y kai mc phail

S ta ffer exp la ins a n u n p o p u l a r o p i n i o n a b o u t “ Pi nk F r i d ay 2” NICKI MINAJ’S NEW

d e s ig n b y ka i m c p h a i l

album — “Pink

The new “Pink Friday 2” album didn’t

Friday 2” — was not what I hoped it’d be.

resemble the original “Pink Friday,” Nicki

I had to take breaks before continuing on

Minaj’s most iconic album and one of the best

and playing the next song, the beats were

rap albums created by a female artist. There

awkward and I couldn’t listen all the way

were too many features and none of the music

down without cringing. The first few tracks I

sounded unique — all of it was sampled from

listened to I couldn’t get into at all. The music

songs that weren’t the best to begin with.

was awkward and the beat wasn’t catchy or

None of the songs in the album had Nicki as

something I could dance to, and it’s Nicki

the star, whether it was her featured artists or

Minaj of all people. I’ve been anticipating

the track, Nicki was in the background.

this album since before it was released and

Her rapping was just OK. I wasn’t wowed

the advertising was genius with the creation

by any track at all. I didn’t feel any nostalgia

of the pink world named Gag City — an AI city

from when I was a kid rapping to Nicki in the

themed around Nicki Minaj with everything

car. I love Nicki Minaj, but the album was a

pink.

big disappointment.

Ho w teens rea ct to Christmas gift s now versus before social media

this or that?

R ecen t I n s ta g ra m p o l l s re l a te d to s to r i e s in this is s u e’s opinio n s e c ti o n DO YOU BELIEVE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 6 7 v o t e s

74%

26%

tre nding topic s in me dia

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 3 9 v o t e s

DO YOU HAVE MORE THAN 30 SERVICE HOURS? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 5 7 v o t e s

YES NO

Polls and information about current

DO YOU EVER WEAR BOWS?

42%

58%

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

@smeharbinger

@smeharbie

@smeharbingerr

coquette

T h e i c o n i c P i n t re s t a e s t h e t i c t h a t t o o k s t o r m o n l i n e , t h e t ra d e m a r k p i n k b o w h a s b e e n p l a c e d e v e r y w h e re f ro m i n h a i r t o a n a i r p l a n e

SK INC AR E

YES NO

trending topics

korean skincare

T i k To k h a s t a ke n o v e r b e a u t y ro u t i n e s , K o re a n s k i n c a re b ra n d s h a v e b e c o m e p o p u l a r d u e t o their alleged success in clearing skin.

YES

29%

NO

71%

DO USE KOREAN SKINCARE? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 7 7 v o t e s

YES NO

20% 80%

s tor y b y lyla we eks

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 11

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by sydney ec k p h o to cour te sy of n c l 2 026 i n st a g ram

CHARITABLE S op h o m o re L y l a We e k s ta l k s a b o u t h e r

exper i e n c e w i t h Na t i o n a l C h a r i t y L e a g u e a nd w h a t s h e h a s l e ar n e d

W

ACTS

HEN I WAS in the fifth grade, I

am greeted by a rambunctious terrier, who I read

was able to become inspired by

books to as he fell asleep in my lap. Volunteering

the community I have lived in

at

my whole life. The November

dedication and love the staff and volunteers have

air blew into the Saint Michaels Veteran center

Wayside

gives

you

a

glimpse

into

the

for animals who have had unfortunate starts.

doors as I handed out toiletries to homeless

I have always favored engaging with animals

veterans. Hundreds of veterans lined up in front

because of my aunt’s previous career in veterinary

of the foldable table.

medicine. She would tell me stories about saving

An older veteran stepped forward as I handed

animals and giving them another chance at life.

him a ziploc bag full of soap and toothpaste, I

This is partially why this organization is one of

looked down at the dog tags dangling from his

the most memorable.

ScrapsKC is a local nonprofit that provides

neck, then back up into his eyes.

“Thank you,” his voice bellowed back at me.

resources

Two words of genuine appreciation. Two

materials like plastics and fabrics into school

words that forever changed the trajectory of my

and

education,

while

converting

supplies and other necessities.

once selfish mindset. From that point on, I knew

While packing and sorting plastics to become

I wanted to do more for the community I have

school supplies last August, I heard stories from

grown up in. I wanted to help.

the staff. They talked about their weekly visits

Fast forward to my seventh grade, when I

with the homeless community, where they would

clicked “join” on the WebEx screen in front of

pass out resources and foods. Getting to package

me. Rows of girls in my grade and their moms line

resources for children in need provides me with

the screen, with current sophomore Sloan Meyer

a sense of hope and motivation that they will

talking us through the process of the charity

receive the education they deserve.

league I had recently joined, and welcoming us to the 2026 National Charity League chapter. and daughters from seventh to twelfth grades.

products in Kansas City and in neighboring

Spanning 27 states with over 70,000 members.

areas. I have volunteered there along with my

The organization has volunteered about three

peers in my chapter to pack bags of resources

million hours nationally and annually between

for struggling families, hearing uplifting stories

6,000 charities nationally.

through the work they’ve impacted into others.

Throughout the duration of my seventh grade

Through NCL, I have gained the opportunities

year, COVID prevented me from volunteering

to further familiarize myself with the Kansas

and resulted in monthly online meetings. But

City community after living here my whole life,

when the pandemic subsided, I rediscovered my

and it has been exceptionally rewarding. I’ve

passion for helping those in need alongside the

been able to immerse myself in all backgrounds

most important person in my life, my mom.

of the city, while getting to experience being a woman in leadership as a philanthropist.

people of all backgrounds, volunteering at places

Being surrounded by groups of empowering

like Wayside Waifs, ScrapsKC, and Giving the

philanthropists and mothers has been such

Basics.

an impactful experience, and has given me

Wayside Waifs, located off Martha Truman Kansas

City.

They

have

served

more

youth

education,

canine

training

inspiration and wisdom I can carry for the rest of my life.

than

20,000 pets and people through pet adoptions, programs

and community programming like the pet food pantry. Sitting in a circle inside of the facility, I

Ly l a’s favo r i te o rga niza tions to v olu nte e r with a nd the a mou nt of hours she served this year

WAYSIDE WAIFS

Wayside Waifs is the largest pet adoption campus in Kansas City.

It’s a No-Kill shelter who’s mission is preparing pets and people for the bond of their lives.

4

Giving the Basics is also a nonprofit that They have donated and distributed over 15 million

Road, is the largest pet adoption campus in

GIVING BACK

provides the necessities of life to people in need.

NCL is a volunteering program for mothers

I’ve been able to meet and interact with

A B O V E Lyla’s Chapter of National Charity League Class of 2026 at their annual Thanksgiving meeting and philanthropy event.

SCAN ME WEBSITE For more information about National Charity League, visit their website

HOURS SERVED

GIVING THE BASICS

Giving the Basics is a nonprofit that provides personal hygiene products to people in need. They have donated and distributed over 15,546,549 products.

SCRAPS KC

3

HOURS SERVED

ScrapsKC is a local nonprofit that provides resources and education, while converting materials like plastics and fabrics into school supplies and other necessities.

6

HOURS SERVED

12 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

THE HARBINGER

story b y pre st o n h o o ke r

d e s ig n b y b ri d ge t co n n e l l y

a r t b y c a ro l i n e d a n i e l s

NOT SECURE ENOUGH S tudent s should continuously advocate for

prison securit y reform regardle ss of whether prison v iole nc e is in the ne ws

D

EREK CHAUVIN — THE officer

races and minority groups are assigned in

Chauvin’s wasn’t even the first high-

discrimination and violence in prisons by the

who killed George Floyd — was

proximity to each other. The FBI measures

profile stabbing in recent months. Larry

intentional implementation of a wide variety

stabbed 22 times on Nov. 24 by

that approximately 26% of the jurisdictions

Nassar — the man convicted of sexually

of groups.

another

Turscak

and 44% of the prisons reported that gang

assaulting

women’s

Most importantly, something that could

in the Federal Correctional Institution in

members under their supervision were joining

national gymnastics team — was stabbed in a

improve our flawed prison system is equitable

Tucson, Arizona.

extremist groups — so security should work

Florida federal prison in July.

distribution of lawyers. The advantage of

Large

inmate

controversies

of

John

prison

“

security

to prevent cliques from forming.

and racial segregation within them are being brought up again after fading in and out of the news over the past few years with high-

profile inmate deaths like Jeffery Epstein in August 2019.

increased and reformed nationwide to keep inmates safe.

It shouldn’t take dozens more headlines about prison fights, stabbings and violence before prisons invest more in guards and overall security. Prisons need systemic changes.

However, the conversation about prison security

reform

should

Advocating

for

reform

Americans,

as

5.1%

be

will of

continuous. impact

the

PRISON SECURITY SHOULD be

many

population,

including 1% of teens, will serve time in

prison at some point in their lives, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.

Based on this statistic, at least 70 students from East may end up serving time in prison one day.

members

of

the

US

Now, although these specific instances

having the resources to have stronger legal

were arguably deserved, protection of those

teams than the prosecution sets the system up

that are targeted due to racial affiliations is

for inequality. By limiting resources of both

something that needs to be abolished.

the prosecution and the defense, the playing

The

largest

issue

system

would

be

presented

an

increase

with in

this

prison

field could be leveled out, making for more honest and reflective sentencing.

violence, though this could be easily avoided

The real weight lies on the shoulders of

with an overall increase in surveillance as the

those prosecuting and overseeing the set

second solution.

punishments. If we legitimately wanted to fix

The

use

of

cameras

and

guard

prison security we would have to do something

implementations would act as a stricter way

about

to ensure no make-shift weapons are made,

the disproportionate amount of minorities

like the one used to stab Chauvin. Something

currently

as simple as replacing cameras to higher

demoralization within them.

quality,

having

more

on-sight

the

sentencing, in

prison,

as

statistics

contributing

to

show the

security

Racism and a lack of prison security go

guards watching over said cameras and a

hand in hand, and if we eliminate one of the

Prison security should be increased and

By eliminating the ability to conspire

more efficient system of keeping track of any

issues, one is bound to better the other within

reformed nationwide to keep inmates safe. It

against other groups, there will be much less

and all belongings of inmates — specifically

the prisons. By contacting representatives as

shouldn’t take dozens more headlines about

motive for inmates to harm one-another.

utensils.

well as informing many of the issue, a real

prison fights, stabbings and violence before

Racism thrives in prisons and has been

Not

addressing

the

lack

of

security

prisons invest more in guards and overall

ignored, with no clear action taken towards

especially when it can be solved by something

change can be made.

It’s hard to empathize with criminals,

security. Prisons need systemic changes.

change. It’s as if there isn’t a will to change at

as simple as the integration and elimination of

especially those that are racist. But we cannot

There needs to be a large integration act

all, as the inmates are dehumanized because

conspiring against other inmates leaves more

lower ourselves to the moral stature of those

involving assigned seating, cellmates and

of their actions. I understand that the changes

room for more violent events. Regardless

currently convicted and must prioritize fair

activity-based practices in which different

would be costly, yet attacks are constantly

of ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation,

sentencing.

happening and it’s just as prevalent as ever.

there needs to be something to prevent

PRISON BREAKDOWN

13 763 %

O F U. S . P O P U L AT I O N I S B L AC K

P R I S O N I N C A R C E R AT I O N R AT E F O R N AT I V E P E O P L E V S N AT I O N A S A W H O L E

vs. 350 per 100,000

48 37 %

S tatistic s about incarceration as of 202 3 according to The National A sso ci at i o n f o r t he A d vancement of Colored People

%

OF AMERICANS SERVING LIFE IN PRISON ARE BLACK

OF PEOPLE IN PRISON OR JAIL ARE BLACK

2.8

MILLION BLACK AMERICANS WERE ARRESTED IN 2018

30 %

O F A M E R I C A N S O N P R O B AT I O N A R E BLACK

de s ign by veroni ca mangi ne photos by li v madde n

smeharbinger.net/category/feature

Feature

THIS ISSUE I N

photos

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 13

WHERE IN THE

WORLD? S tudent s traveling out of the c ou ntry for winte r bre a k

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

ABIGAIL LONG | SENIOR

“

I’M GOING TO Belize this year for winter break. We went last year and my mom loved it, so we’re going again with my grandparents and cousins. I really like going there because the weather is so nice.

MACAULEY DOUGLASS | SOPHOMORE

T O P Senior Finn Marien-McManus struggles to keep his boat afloat during the AP Physics 2 Regatta. photo by amelie wong

IT’S THE

FINALS

COUNTDOWN Students share their tips and tricks on studying for finals week

T O P Juniors Russell Revare and Graham Rigsby work on their final project for Honors Engineering Principles class.

B O T T O M Senior Jack Kessler delivers chocolatecovered pretzels from StuCo to custodian Price Wright.

photo by mason sajna

photo by caroline martucci

“

WE GOT A house in Costa Rica two years ago. This is going to be my third time going.

My house is pretty modern, and it’s beachside so you get a good view. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to go.

L I LY I V ES

AL EX AN DRUK

CLAIRE GOETTSCH

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

SENIOR

“

I PRIORITIZE WHICH of my

classes I need to get a better score on.

Then I split up my time according to that, and I spend the most time on my harder classes.

“

I’M PROBABLY JUST going

to study the night before. I’m a procrastinator but I know I’m going to do good, so I don’t really worry about it. You can’t fail finals, I think it’s impossible.

“

DURING FINALS WEEK, getting

together with my friends to study at someone’s house or a coffee shop and being with my friends makes studying more fun. It’s nice to be able to get help from them.

p h o to by ma son s a jna

A

MID

NATIONAL

TURNING POINT THE HARBINGER

s to r y & d e s ign by katie mu rphy

A

MEDIA

attention

following a viral racist attack on Nov. 15,

Student s, school adm combat the patt ern

sophomore Brey Bro

Usually we have five really interested people and then

Olathe, Park Hill and Lee Summit leading to policy

discrimination

they each bring a friend.”

changes, according to Sorrell.

which outlines SMSD’s co

policy

ca

minority students spark community-wide

Rios and Taylor are currently working with other

“The media attention was a good thing because it

environment “free from d

discussion about how to combat underlying

students and teachers to start a Multicultural Student

encouraged students to stand up for themselves, even

and retaliation.” The policy

normalized racism at East moving forward through

Union, taking inspiration from Shawnee Mission and

from different schools,” Brown said. “I’ve known

form of discrimination” inc

awareness, clubs and policy at the student, school and

Olathe School District friends in Black Student Unions

about racism at East for years. Even my freshman year,

name-calling, hostile action

district levels.

and Latinos of Tomorrow Clubs. Race Project KC’s goal

I was walking in the hallways and heard people yelling

harassment” is the only

“The video was just a turning point,” senior Jax

is to educate students about local racial issues, but

racial slurs, like saying the N word with a hard R. This

distinguished definition und

Taylor, a Black student who spoke at the student-led

the MSU will be a safe space for students to celebrate

year, it’s not going to get swept under the rug.”

walkout on Nov. 28, said. “If people never get called

their cultures and discuss personal experiences. Their

Rios, Taylor and other minority students are calling

harassment,” Rios said. “T

out, they’ll keep thinking that what they’re doing is

ultimate goal is to start a program that will be passed

for the district to update their disciplinary policies. All

that clear, so that students

OK. They might make fun of you, which sucks, and

down to underclassmen and sustained indefinitely,

SMSD administrators follow a standard disciplinary

is and the repercussions.”

they might not change. But they could. We called

but they believe that will take more student support

matrix listing offenses from Level 1 to 4 with

Hubbard says that, if d

someone out for making jokes at the walkout, and he

than they currently have.

recommended consequences ranging from “Informal

changes could happen in

“Racism

is

a

whole

“The lack of general student support, the lack of

Talk by the Staff Member” to “Expulsion.” According

policy change would like

During senior Natalia Rios’ sophomore year, a

teachers of color, the lack of resources is frustrating,”

to Associate Principal Kristoffer Barikmo, the use of

hasn’t received a list of dem

student told her she “crawled across the border and

Rios said. “We just want to have a safe environment

racist slurs currently falls under the Level 3.12 offense

group and believes that th

ran past border patrol” to get to East. She’s Latino

for students of color where they can go to talk about

labeled “Significant disrespect, use of obscene or

East’s administration an o

and has been called a bea*** and alien in the halls.

issues. It wouldn’t be a group closed off just for people

profane language (verbal or written) or gestures.”

this problem directly with k

Junior Kevin Gomez received an anonymous voicemail

of color. We want everyone who cares about safety at

“Racist slurs go so above and beyond ‘significant

telling him to “go back to where he came from.” Both

school. We don’t really have the best way to go about it

disrespect,’” Rios said. “Slurs go back to slavery,

Rios and Gomez spoke at the walkout and believe

right now because it’s hard to get through to students

segregation, Operation Wetback, Latino lynchings.

protest outside of the distr

that racism stems from insensitivity about minority

in East’s culture.”

apologized.”

relationship with.”

Since

the

student-led

There’s history behind these things being said that

Achievement, Principal Jaso

East’s culture is in the national spotlight after

runs deep that isn’t being taken seriously enough. We

with student organizers to

“Other students think stereotypes are funny, but

a video of a white student calling sophomore Brey

need to get through to the district to make sure that

racism.

we take it seriously and get upset,” Gomez said. “If

Brown, who is Black, slurs and pushing her was posted

they’re reviewing their policies.”

anybody doesn’t know why we are upset, they should

on a Black news media outlet, the KC Defender, on

ask us this question: ‘Why does this upset you?’ And

Nov. 28. The Instagram post has over 23,000 likes.

cultures.

“To this point, we’ve s

The students plan to send a letter to the school board

messages,” Peres said. “We

this week. Superintendent Michelle Hubbard believes

talk about it. We’re focused

Since then, outlets like NBC News and Daily Mail

that district administration’s role in combating racism

point.”

Rios says the main issue at East is the lack of a

also covered Brown’s story after her nose was broken

is to work with the school board on policy and ensure

support system for minority students. Though she

during the fight and she was suspended. The white

that the student handbook clearly conveys that racism

students become desensitiz

appreciates existing programs like Race Project KC

male

has no place in SMSD.

age, so they’re asking for

and Youth Equity Stewardship, she notices issues

school are confidential, but he has since been charged

like low membership levels, lack of public promotion

with felony aggravated battery.

we will explain. We want people to learn.”

student’s

disciplinary

consequences

within

Taylor,

Gomez

and

o

“I want to be very clear that the incident [in the

school representatives to gi

video] is unacceptable and should never take place in

Hills Middle School about w

and inconsistency of events. English teacher and YES

“If the school doesn’t want to have national media

our schools,” Hubbard said. “With that being said,

and how to denormalize

Sponsor Samantha Feinberg has been working to

coverage, then they should’ve addressed the culture

we have to continue to look at our policies and our

who is Black, has attend

improve diversity, equity and inclusion programming

of racism decades ago and been more proactive,” KC

practices to ensure that they’re inclusive. I’m not

at East since co-founding Race Project KC in 2014.

Defender Executive Director Ryan Sorrell said. “Some

saying that I believe our handbook is wrong, we’re

[East] students told me that they’ve been called slurs

going to need to dig into that deeper. I want to make

and slaves at school since they were freshmen.”

sure that we have student, staff and community voices

“Last year, [Race Project KC] was mostly Black female students,” Feinberg said. “Two years ago, we had more white students and were like, ‘Gosh, we need

The KC Defender has broken other stories involving

to get more students of color involved in this group.’

racist incidents within local school districts like

L E F T Sophomore Brey Brown and her family face local newscasters at the student-led protest on Nov. 30.

B E L O W Junior Kevin Gomez is interviewed by Fox4 news. photo by amelie wong, clara peters

in

that

conversation.

I

anticipate

that will happen through strategic planning.”

Students

who

planned

the

walkout are also calling for revision n o n -

to

the

district’s

...

NEWS

m i nistration a n d d i s t r i c t a d m i n i s t ra t i o n g ra p p l e t o o f racism at Ea s t a ft e r a v i d e o o f a ra c i s t a t t a c k on

ow n went viral n at io n w ide

alled

Board

Policy

AC,

Review SMSD’s disciplinary matrix established by district administration

SCAN FOR POLICY

administration and is still frustrated.

Review SMSD’s nondiscrimination policy

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 15

SCAN TO LEARN

Explore the National Education Association’s resource library about implicit bias and microaggressions

little things that might seem funny, but once you

and their families can apply to serve on the steering

ommitment to creating an

“[Administrators] kept saying, ‘I hear you, and

tolerate that, it leads to bigger situations, slurs, actual

committee via Google Form open Jan. 4-12. Sinclair

discrimination, harassment

there’s nothing we can do,’” Nelson said. “There’s

violence,” Rios said. “It always starts with the jokes.

hopes that students will also voice concerns in a

y defines harassment as “a

been many people before us asking for assemblies,

Even after the video went viral, to see students leaving

ThoughtExchange survey that will be sent via email

cluding, but not limited to,

class meetings and speeches about [diversity, equity

comments, still not grasping the magnitude of the

in January.

ns and racist slurs. “Sexual

and inclusion], but they keep saying it takes time. It

situation makes a lot of us almost want to give up. The

“Strong affirmation from our community that

term outlined as a fully

doesn’t take 20 years to make an assembly against

support from South really helps, but I wish more of

we need to continue this work in diversity, equity,

der “harassment.”

racism.”

that support was coming from students within East.”

inclusion and belonging is important,” Sinclair said.

from

She remembers the school-wide assembly raising

On Nov. 30, Shawnee Mission South senior Ace

“I’d hope that that remains a really critical priority for

The district needs to make

awareness about fentanyl use last year and questions

Cofield organized a walkout in support of Brown

our community and it’d be very valuable to hear that

s know how serious racism

why an assembly raising awareness about racism

with more than 1000 student attendees who were

[in survey results].”

hasn’t been given before. Also, she finds East’s

all excused from class by their principal without

In the meantime, East’s Student Body President

deemed necessary, practice

response to racism lackluster compared to other high

prompting, according to Cofield. The fewer than 200

senior Jack Kessler is “sickened by the blatant and

the next few months but

schools like those in the Olathe School District.

students who attended the East walkout the week prior

disgusting displays of racism and prejudice that have

received absences from their classes.

been displayed by students at East,” but he has hope

e

separate

thing

ely occur in August. She

Following a viral racist incident at Olathe South

mands from an East student

in May, the district moved any harassment including

he district needs to “give

racist “comments, jokes and slurs” from a Class II to

couldn’t just go to school like nothing happened. It

opportunity to help solve

a Class III offense — with mandatory law enforcement

started self reflection for a lot of people at South. It’s

“[StuCo is] talking about plans for the day Brey

kids they know and have a

notification — in their Student Code of Conduct. The

[East’s] fight but we’re a community and will stay in

returns back to school to have stickers to hand out to

change was finalized by the school board on July 13.

support of the East students.”

students and have chalk on the entrances and make

d

walkout

and

Nov.

“The

video

was

disturbing,”

Cofield

said.

“I

that students can come together to support those who do not feel safe at school.

30

“One of my questions [during a meeting] was, if

Cofield feels safe at South partly because he feels

rict’s Center for Academic

Olathe was able to change their policies, and make the

comfortable confiding in many of his teachers, both

on Peres has held meetings

punishments for racism stronger, then why can’t we?”

Black and white. Taylor wishes there were more Black

o discuss ways to combat

Nelson said.

teachers at East.

Nelson, Rios, Taylor, Gomez and others are upset

According to the district’s Employee Demographic

sent out three community

by the student body’s reaction to the movement as

Dashboard, 95% of certified SMSD employees are

“StuCo’s Instagram started getting comments from

e need to do more than just

well. More than a dozen students anonymously left

white. Out of 2,113 certified employees, 29 are Black,

people nationally who don’t go to East, even some

d on actionable steps at this

racist

53 are Hispanic and 23 are Asian or Pacific Islander.

random guy in Portugal, saying that we’re all racists

Hubbard says that the district is committed to hiring

here,” Hill said. “I started hearing people at school

comments

on

The

Harbinger’s

Instagram

livestream of the walkout.

others

believe

that

a supportive environment to make her feel welcome back,” Kessler said.

Student Body Secretary senior Nora Hill reached out to Taylor personally to ask what StuCo can do to combat racism following the walkout.

East

“After the walkout, I saw screenshots from the

diverse teachers through initiatives like Grow Your

talking about how they couldn’t believe that people

zed to racism at a young

livestream where other students were calling us

Own — a program encouraging alumni to teach in

who get chosen for dance courts and in leadership

East to send diverse high

the hard ‘R’ and saying things like, ‘Where’s police

SMSD post-college graduation.

positions at East have said nothing. That’s when I

ive presentations at Indian

brutality when you need it?’” Taylor said. “These are

“We’ve had a huge effort on [hiring diverse

realized that as a senior leader of East, I can’t stay

why racism is unacceptable

people who go to my school, who are walking around

teachers] for the last two or three years and we will

silent. Student leaders need to be advocates and teach

it. Junior Sanaia Nelson,

me in the hallways. This is how they think? It’s

continue that effort,” Hubbard said. “But every school

others that words matter.”

unnerving and scary.”

district is saying that and so we’re all competing

Rios hopes students will be more willing to listen

@smebarstool

for the same candidates. And if you look at college

and less defensive if confronted about racism. Taylor

that shares weekly memes for 1,200 followers also

graduates, there is just not a large number of diverse

believes it’s hard to react to racism because any

posted a photo of Peres standing with students

candidates.”

reaction can come off as “incorrect,” and he worries

ded meetings with school

An

Instagram

account

called

protesting in the background captioned, “Principal P

School Board President Mary Sinclair recommends

about coming across as “aggressive” or “angry.”

standing on business” on Dec. 1. Rios

that students send grievances, demands or other

Brown agrees that there’s no easy way to react to

messages to Peres or email them directly to a board

racism, and she believes that she shouldn’t have been

member.

suspended for acting in self defense.

was disheartened by the post.

“It

starts

She

believes

that

the

Board’s

role

in

with the

combating racism is to “continuously filter decisions

“I don’t want to come back yet because I don’t

jokes

through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion,”

feel safe at all at school,” Brown said. “I don’t feel

a n d

while ensuring that equitable policies are in place and

comfortable.”

consistently being followed.

Rios ultimately believes that administration and

“When it comes to the development of a discipline matrix and policies, as a volunteer board member,

adults can only do so much to combat racism, and students need to consciously bring change.

I think it’s super important that I rely on the

“I’m so open to answering any questions from

professional educators and the process in the district

anyone talking to anyone and wanting to help,” Rios

to see whether or not a change needs to be made,”

said. “If anyone has any questions, they can go to

Sinclair said.

anyone who helped with the walkout for sure and ask.

Both

Sinclair

and

Hubbard

urge

students

to

We want to talk and help students understand. This

provide input for SMSD’s new Strategic Plan that

isn’t a ‘us versus the community’ type of thing. This

will serve and guide the district from 2024 through

is a ‘please have our backs and stand with this’ thing.”

2029. Development begins next month, and students

sto r y by aanya ban s a l de s i g n by g reyson i mm p h o to s by ke n n a h ar ri ng t on

LET

HER

T

COOK! THE HARBINGER

HE FRIED RICE was sizzling

tofu soup and gnocchi the next. All from scratch.

S enior Nina Yun connect s to her A sian culture through cooking tra ditiona l re c ipe s for the first time, Nina goes online to find the most

on the stove. The cheesecake

“I get food inspiration ideas from restaurants I

was cooling on the counter.

go to and videos I see online, and I’m like, ‘Oh, that

authentic recipe possible. Over time, she’s learned how

The TV was playing “Star

looks good, maybe I’ll just cook that up,’” Nina

recipes and original ones — making sure her meals

Wars: Revenge of the Sith.” Senior Nina

said. “Or if I’m craving something, then I’ll cook

are filled with the ingredients and spices that the

Yun was prepped and ready to feast.

it. So really whatever I’m hungry for inspires me.”

unauthentic recipes lack.

to

distinguish

between

“Americanized”

Because of the unusual time of day, Nina cooks

“Being able to make foods that [our Asian side

Nina scooped some rice into a bowl

for herself — it wouldn’t make sense to put a fresh

of the family] makes or try foods from even other

and took her usual spot on the leftmost

bowl of noodles into the fridge for her family to

cultures I think is really cool,” Ella said.

lounge chair. After all, it was the best

eat later.

It was 3 a.m.

seat in the living room with an adjacent table and direct view of the TV. Cooking on weekends late at night — anywhere from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. — allows Nina full access to the kitchen without

Something that Ella doesn’t agree with is Nina’s

“What she does is kind of a mystery to me,”

timing.

Nina’s twin sister Ella said. “I genuinely do not

“I’m on a normal sleep schedule like a normal

know what she eats. She’ll be like, ‘Oh, I made

person and eating meals at 2 a.m. is just not really

this,’ and I’m like ‘When?’”

my thing,” Ella said.

Nina scrutinizes over chili oil and rice flour

cheesecake and macarons that Nina puts in the

chooses to prepare Asian dishes — giving her a

for the 888 International Market — with her dad.

fridge for safekeeping rather than fresh Korean

tasteful meal while connecting her to her Korean,

Ever since COVID when she had extra free time

gyeran bap — rice with fried egg — late at night.

to grow her love for cooking, Nina has claimed a

I’VE HAD TO

Chinese and Hawaiian heritage.

on trips to “the Asian Market”

Because of this, Ella snacks on desserts like

— her nickname

the intrusion of a family member. She often

“

“I’ve had to explore it on my own because

corner of the pantry for her non-perishable items

none of my grandparents are living and we

like noodles, Japanese nori or seaweed sheets and

live really far away from our family,” Nina

Japanese dashi stock to the point that she has the

said. “Also Asian people do not have recipes.

ingredients to create “nearly any Asian meal except

They have to show you how to do it. But

for meat.”

since [my family isn’t] here, they

While wandering the aisles of the Asian market,

can’t show me how to do it. So I

Nina sees anything from aloe vera leaves to duck

have to teach myself.”

legs. Along with food items, she’s also bought her

She makes Korean tteokbokki rice

cakes

pudding

and

sticky

toffee

one night and K o r e a n

pots and chopsticks from the market.

wok

explore it on my own because none of my grandparents are living and we live really far away from our family

NINA Y UN SENIOR

Though Nina wishes she could cook whatever

a bowl-shaped frying pan used typically in Chinese cooking

she wants, she does have some restrictions. Her dad has forbidden her to make kimchi — Korean sauerkraut — because “it’s very fragrant” and

“I got my wok from there,” Nina said. “[My parents] keep using my wok, they keep stealing

makes the whole house smell like fermented cabbage.

it because it’s the perfect size wok. It can

Nina hopes to one day make her own kimchi

fit small things, but is big enough for larger

as well as seafood like escargot, duck confit,

things. I’m taking it to college with me.”

charbroiled oysters, crab cakes, butterfish and

Nina’s authenticity doesn’t stop with her choice of cooking pan. When she makes a dish

black cod once she travels to a more seafoodaccessible city for college.

STEPPING INTO THE KITCHEN

Ni na’s favo r i te reci p e s, ho w l ong e a c h ta ke s, a nd how ma ny time s she’s ma de it

sundubu-jji-

gnocchi

30 mins 25 times Korean 50 mins 30 times Italian

sticky toffee pudding 70 mins

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 17

FEATURE

L E F T Nina Yun prepares sundubu-jjigae by cutting green and white onions. “ They ’re pretty much in all Asian recipes,” Nina said. “ They ’re kind of a fundamental ingredient.” photo by kenna harrington B E L O W The ingredients for Nina’s sundubu-jjigae, all of which are Asian, sit ready for use. “I get all of the Asian stuff from the Asian market,” Nina said. “I used to have to just wander around to find them but now I know where they all are through months of trials and tribulations.” photo by kenna harrington

L E F T During and after Nina cooks, she always makes sure to have a show or movie on the TV. “I usually watch something like ‘Star Wars’ or something that I have seen before so I don’t have to pay attention, but it’s still mildly entertaining. photo by kenna harrington

L E F T Nina pours the dashi stock into the sundubu-jjigae. “It is a soup base for a lot of Asian soups because it gives it the right flavor.” photo by kenna harrington

SCAN ME GALLERY Scan the QR code to purchase photos from this photostory

W 18 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

THE HARBINGER

MUSEUMS REIMAGINED

story b y so ph i a bro c kme i e r

d e s ig n b y z a n e l a i n g p h o to s b y s o p h i a b ro c kme i e r

T h e Ne l s o n A t k i n s M u s e um of Ar t ’s Teen Council host s event s including an annual f a s h i o n s h o w to i n s p i re o t her y o ung ad ul t s to vi si t o r d i sp l ay t hei r ar t w o r k

run it.” if you n fill out . One of the m is hio n Sho w, the Tee of que stio ns tha t you In add itio n to the Fas e tim and get bud Nig ht less of Mic ard n reg Ope nt ly eve nth any mo t cou ld hos Cou ncil org ani zes a be s-c ros s on the ork t a fash ion sho w wou ld to her self as she sat cris ce to pre sen t the ir artw and I had alw ays tho ugh to allo w teen s a spa 00 2,0 ing plac t m, pas roo the bed In her of ed. floo r anc e bas so so coo l.”

— visu al or per form ivid ual ly on a ed kin s Tee n Fas hio n lain -At exp son try, Nel poe ual ann Swa rov ski cry stal s ind tten slam The sec ond ind ivid ual s hav e wri on rly an intr icat e grid des ign . 3 and sho wca sed nea 1mm -wi de line mak ing or sun g kar aok e.

Sho w was hel d on Dec ting pain ir the . The . des ign ers and mo dels mic nig hts ,” Red a said the plas tic bod ice.

20 loca l hig h sch ool “I just love the ope n ired by a insp ss ncil dre cou a te of crea lot . a to bec aus e Just one mor e row pro mp t eac h yea r is “It’ s rea lly inte rest ing the Nel son . Eac h d of ed into two mo re and nds com e and it’s kin cur ren tly on exh ibit at frie As one mo re row turn ir ting the pain and s ber mem ly mad e pro gre ss on d by a loca l teen — usu ally slow dele re’s a mo The Red and us. re, ed mo for e ign ty des thre par the n dre ss is just like a big sill y 3 was mak ing for the 202 s to crea te the ir piec e. a whi te silk y dre ss she eac h spe ndi ng mo nth lots of kar aok e.” a: w Red Sho by in hio n Sho w — run d afte r the Fas hio n Nig ht wil l tak e plac e A Q&A ses sion is hel Nel son -At kin s Tee n Fas The nex t Ope n Mic ce . ien ncil aud Cou n for n s Tee Tee dels kin mo the -At in ir son be the to Nel e and the hav of ’t don a mem ber wit h des ign ers Jan uar y 202 4 — teen s s. sen ts opp ortu niti es for ut the crea tive pro ces pre abo re ncil mo Cou n n lear Tee to s e.

The mem ber Cou ncil to par tici pat who sho w s rest s to Red a — tho se er has des ign ed in the gre at bec aus e it’s teen teen s wit h sim ilar inte Sop hom ore Maz ie Alb “Op en Mic Nig ht is the this ugh del thro mo to nity like an mu be beg com to ir and nt the rs mea in s rea lly wan t to eng age for the pas t two yea onl y,” Bel lew said . “It’ Eas t, t rep rese nta tive from s to say wha t the y wan teen r. for arts . Red a, the onl y ce yea spa ate priv a at the Nel son , sing ing e in the init iati ve in som eth ing ly e plac tak eek cial to biw spe ited a ting exc It’s . mee so “I was enj oys and exp ress the mse lves wit h lly left to ing new pro ject idea s ut bec aus e I nev er rea go and just kin d of be kar aok e and bra inst orm I was so pas sion ate abo mu seu m for teen s to she ,” ing ore ls bef som eth skil — my city off the w sho und aro ally oth er teen s from had a cha nce to actu the ir own dev ices .”

-op eni ng exp erie nce nal art clas s at Eas t. ly on the Nel son Atk ins said . “It was a sup er eye er doe sn’ t get in a trad itio Alb Red a urg es oth ers to app and talk abo ut [my r, Tee n Pro gra ms, has me age see Man e , 4 whe n app lica tion s com lew 202 Bel ple ust nt peo e Aug Bre to hav Mu seu m web site in for 11 ncil Cou n Tee it.” the h wit for s ope n. bee n the sup erv isor dre ss] and tak e pict ure for the upc om ing yea r er ncil ’s the sho w as a des ign isti cs beh ind the cou is just one of lly rea Red a, bot h inv olve d in yea rs and man age s log ncil Cou “Th e to wal k on the nity ortu opp the had my life righ t eve nts . and a mo del, my favo rite thin gs in tim ent is tha t mu seu ms e in the plan nin g asp ect sen l pat era tici gen par as the l k ns the wel thin as mea “I run way now ,” Red a said . “It . te dre ss insp ired by of fash ion ,” Bel lew said to eve nt. She mad e a whi able be the hav e kin d of gon e out to of wor ld to me s to Wat er of the Riv er s the exp erti se of teen ting “Iri s Car ryin g the ns ope pain “Th e Tee n Cou ncil get the and e par tici pat s and t we can do to get teen the God s to Swe ar By” y hel p us figu re out wha Sty x to Oly mp us for my eye s to so man ice. bod tic plas a m.” stal s to ing peo ple. inte rest ed in the mu seu rest add ed tho usa nds of cry inte nt, ere diff l loca s idea s to eng age ove rwh elm ed at all, ryb ody The Cou ncil bra inst orm “I rea lly did n’t feel I abs olu tely ado re eve n Sho w —a hio Fas n Tee Red a said , “I alw ays ual s,” ann side h ncil Cou the you th suc h as the on bec aus e I had bot n bee tha t I’ve just rea lly fun to 1 by Red a. t was goi ng on. It was wha w pro ject star ted in 202 kne h.” wit a to kin d of my bab y,” Red ds in it as mu ch as I got “Th e fash ion sho w was be able to hav e my han a list pin g re’s hel the t’s , tha ncil e cou eon the som to as said . “W hen you app ly as a des ign er and also

S

DA mu tter ed EN IOR AN NABE LLE RE

DRESSMAKING 101

1

There are many different kinds of knits. Choose one type of fabric and stick with it.

2

3

An extremely over-simplifi ed introduction to sewing your own dre ss

There are also an endless amount of patterns. Maybe ask a friend or relative to help pick one out.

Take your time during the process. It can be broken down over the course of a week too. Have fun!

B E L O W Sophomore Mazie Alber shows off her dress on stage.

d e si g n by veron i ca mangine p h o to s by pai ge be an

THE SETUP

A loo k i n s i d e o f B o s s u n g’s a p a r t m e n t a n d h er u nco nv ent io nal c e ra m i c s s p ac e

carolyn DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 19

THE HARBINGER

bossung S cience teacher Carolyn Bossung put a pottery wheel in her dining room and throws on it in he r fre e time

“

What initially sparked your interest in ceramics and pottery?

I DID A a summer camp where we did ceramics wheel throwing, and I thought it was the coolest thing. The process of taking something that means nothing and that is just dirt into something you can use and something you can look at is super cool.

Can you share the story behind the pottery wheel in your dining room?

“

WHEN I WAS in this pottery class at the KC Clay Guild, I was around people when I was in a vulnerable state of trying to create, I didn’t love that. I put out a notification on Facebook Marketplace for a pottery wheel and I ended up buying it. The only real space I had was in my dining room, and that’s where I do it now.

Where do you draw inspiration for your pottery?

KC Clay Guild 200 W 74th St, Kansas City MO SCAN ME SIGN UP Visit KC Clay Guild’s website to sign up for ceramics classes

“

I LIKE THE really organic form. I like things to have curves.

I think my love for nature and science inspires me.

I’ve used plants to do impressions and I’m just really inspired by nature.

20 | DECEMBER 18, 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 i mdb.co m & r i l ey scott 7 p.m.

DEC. 17

kc symphony festival

MEAN GIRLS

Mark your calendars for

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

See how senior Tessa Herring creates “mixed media books” as part of her art portfolio class

When: Jan. 12

L E F T Herring uses a glass sheet and box knife to cut through pages of the book five sheets at a time.

Where: Theaters

Genre:

nutcracker ballet

UPCOMING EVENTS events in KC

smeharbinger.net/category/a&e

NEW RELEASES

DEC. 1-24

Comedy, Musical

“

I’M A REALLY

big reader and I think the most magical thing is a story.

I just found an old book that I didn’t use anymore and I took a box cutter and carved it out for five or six hours. I was trying to go [a theme of] how sometimes instead of facing our problems head on we like to distract ourselves and go into story worlds such as reading.

TESSA HERRING SENIOR

BEHIND THE COVER

“

THE PROMPT:

I have always loved the musical ‘Mean Girls’ because we love theatre. I haven’t seen the Broadway version but I did watch a video. I’m really excited to see Reneé Rapp and Christopher Briney [in the movie].

LEXI MADDEN FRESHMAN

ARE YOU PLANNING ON WATCHING “MEAN GIRLS?” * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 5 6 v o t e s

YES NO

magical and mysterious

MY FRIENDS AND

64% 36%

THE BEEKEEPER

When: Jan. 12

Length:

1 hr 45 min

Where: Theaters

Genre:

Action, Thriller

THE BOOK:

Star Wars: Aftermath

THE INSPIRATION: Pinterest feed

R I G H T The final product features printed photos, wire and watercolored pages of the book.

THE SEARCH:

“Aesthetic Mushroom”

LIGHT TOUR The two best spots in Kansas City to look at holiday lights

COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA 4706 BROADWAY STATE LINE ROAD, KANSAS CITY MO

“

WESTWOOD WESTWOOD HILLS MISSION WOODS

MY FAMILY

and I have gone every year to State Line Road since I was born. I like the houses that have red and white lines along the outline of their roof like gingerbread houses. I also like the long red lights that are strung across the lawn like lasers in a spy movie. One time my aunt even got us a limo to ride in.

GABRIELLE HIGGINS SOPHOMORE

STATE LINE RD.

COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA

PLAZA AREA

s tor y by ma g gi e ki ssi c k

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 21

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by l orel e i g alle s

LOVE

p h o to s by l i v madden

ON THE PAGE U n d e r t h e C o v e r — a b o o k s to re t h a t s e l ls exclusively romance

nov e ls — ha s a di v e rs e s e l e c ti o n o f b o o k s fo r ever y ro m ance l o ver

INTRO

THE ROMANCE book genre has single handedly revived my love for reading.

After accidentally being put on BookTok — a side of TikTok devoted to sharing book recommendations — a year ago, I’ve loved reading all types of romance novels — from “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover to “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood.

So when I heard about Under the Cover — a new bookstore in midtown KC that sells exclusively romance novels — I couldn’t resist the chance to immerse myself in a store filled with captivating love stories.

Walking inside, it didn’t feel like I was walking into a bookstore; it felt like I was inside of someone’s home library. The

WILDFIRE

couches and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves

“WILDFIRE” BY Hannah Grace featured a forbidden romance with two characters who use one another to overcome their obstacles. It was jam-packed with passion, keeping me entertained as I kept reading. The book starts off when two characters — Aurora Roberts and Russ Callaghan — get together at a party.

The two don’t expect to see each other again, but a few days later, they both

made the store feel cozy, making me want to stay longer and flip through all of the

novels. Despite the store’s compact size, chatting with fellow romance novel lovers created a warm and inviting atmosphere.

This store offers a diverse selection of romance novels. The bookshelves in the store are divided into romance subgenres, ranging from sports to Yes, Your Majesty (about royalty). There were also sections devoted to popular romance novel authors like Colleen Hoover and Emily Henry. And if there’s a novel that isn’t in the store, there’s a suggestion box by the checkout counter.

I’ve been wanting to read romance novels from

different

authors,

so

I

resisted

the urge to buy another Colleen Hoover book. I decided to ask store owner Carley Morton for her recommendations, and I bought two books. Here’s what I thought about them.

IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER

end up working as counselors at the same camp the entire summer. Despite my

I DON’T THINK I’ve ever hated a main character more than Piper Bellinger in “It

initial eye-roll at the cliché, their budding romance — despite the no dating

Happened One Summer.” After being cut off by her stepfather, nepo-baby and social

fellow counselors policy — still kept me engaged.

media influencer Piper is forced to learn some responsibility by running her late

This novel takes place in the same universe as “Icebreaker” — another popular novel by the same author and a book I’ve read — so I loved seeing

familiar

father’s dive bar in a small town in Washington.

The premise of this story is cute, but Piper’s spoiled brat attitude and the over-

characters.

using of Gen Z references made it difficult for me to finish the book. As she leaves

However, these two books aren’t

her party animal life behind in Los Angeles, sparks ignite with a young sea captain

that connected, so there’s no

named Brendan Taggart, leading to a story

need to read it before picking up

filled with unexpected attractions and

“Wildfire.”

realizations that a minimalist town might

I thought this book would be

a

cute,

cheesy

be better than the glitz and glamor of the

romance

big city.

novel, but I was shocked to see these

characters

Piper’s character is everything I don’t

with

like in a protagonist: a clueless, ditzy girl

family problems and self worth

who is desperately chasing the attention

issues. Most romance novels are

of a man who doesn’t want her. Being 27

so

developing

years old and not knowing how to fend for

relationship that they don’t focus

yourself isn’t charming, it’s obnoxious

on

and annoying.

focused the

on

struggle

the

individual

characters,

so I appreciated that these characters had

more

to

themselves

besides

I didn’t even want to root for Piper

their

finding true love after listening to her obsess over

relationship.

herself for the entire book. I love an enemies to lovers

As their relationship developed, they both learned

trope, but the budding romance between Piper and

to open up to one another. Part of me wished the

Brendan was too much of a slow burn for me. I found myself

author would have made their issues more subtle —

getting bored of the same old arguments between the two

real people wouldn’t blurt out to a stranger about

or hearing Brendan criticize Piper’s clueless big city attitude

their fathers’ gambling addictions or their self-

every single chapter.

sabotaging tendencies.

But Piper does manage to connect with her heritage as she

There also wasn’t a significant plot throughout the

learned to embrace the small town. It was satisfying to watch her

book and everything felt pretty predictable — of

enjoy life outside of Instagram and large Los Angeles parties. And I

course if there’s a rule that camp counselors can’t date,

enjoyed the softer side of Brendan’s character. Frankly, Brendan was

then that rule will be broken.

But despite the predictability, I still enjoyed the book. The summertime camp setting made the book feel very nostalgic, and it

the only decent part of this book — his character brought Piper down to Earth.

This book was too slow-paced for me. I kept having to put it down due

was a quick and easy read — just extremely cliché.

to cringe worthy scenes or pure boredom. But it did have some redeemable

setting made the book feel very nostalgic.

qualities, like the cute small town setting and lessons about being connected to your heritage.

22 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

story b y ma g gi e co n do n

THE HARBINGER

d e s ig n b y c l a ra b u rd i c k p h o to s b y ma g gi e co n d o n & m o l l y mi l l e r

HOLIDAY ROAD

Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake is a co st -efficient but still memorable way to enjoy the holiday season

F

ROM THE SANTA Claus barbequing

signs warning that the light show would

various action scenes like a skier lighting up

through a sledding hill or penguins on

made of glowing lights to the stop

start in 0.2 miles. I was slightly nervous

at the top of the hill and skiing down. The

icebergs, everyone in the car had a favorite —

motion

and

because there was no trace of lights through

details easily gave Candycane Lane a run for

my dad appreciated the BBQ Santa, my mom

waving at me, Christmas in the Park

the trees. However, I knew I never should’ve

its money as every scenario was carried out

enjoyed the plane runway.

doubted Johnson County Parks and Rec.

to the fullest extent. It wasn’t a typical “tune

Another feature that made it feel like a

After seeing various elf signs directing

into 95.6 and listen to the show...” So much

blast from the past was seeing all the younger

snowmen

smiling

at Longview Lake on Longview Road was nothing short of magical, and didn’t cost a

my dad through the trees, I could see

was happening that a radio station wouldn’t

kids sticking their heads out the window or

With at least 200 different light displays,

the first set of lights in an assortment of

have been able to keep up.

taking turns looking out of the sunroof

this tradition put on by Johnson County Parks

glowing balls that led to at least a 20-foot

and Recreation made me feel nostalgic. Each

archway kicking off the show. Suddenly, the

individual light piece felt homemade and put

windshield lit up with green, red and purple.

together made for a winter wonderland. The

I didn’t even want to look down to queue

lights felt straight out of a childhood coloring

songs following “Christmas Time” by Bryan

book, making me feel like I was sitting in

Adams. Candyland was on my right. A field of

the middle seat between my two older sisters

reindeers was on my left.

penny besides donations.

driving around looking at lights like we did

“

There was a beaming array of varying

MY FAVORITE

part was Santa taking off in a plane on the runway, eventualy high in the trees waving to the cars through a series of lights

displays all around me. Section by section,

when we were all little.

Near the end of the drive, we passed a booth that was taking donations (Yes, that’s right. This wonderland of lights is completely free!) where drivers and those in the car had the chance to share some of the spirit with numerous charities that the donations go to.

Other light shows are priced at $30 and only get more expensive. But Longview is an accessible option for families that might not

As my dad drove up the road to the sound

a different holiday element from snowflakes

My favorite part was Santa taking off in a

of Mariah Carey singing “All I Want For

to the New Years Eve ball drop was featured.

plane on the runway, eventually high in the

It also proved how the project was a

Christmas is You,” with me in the passenger

Each decoration seamlessly stayed on theme

trees waving to the cars through a series of

labor of love, as the Parks and Rec Crew

seat and my mom in

— what is a beach without Santa rocking in

lights. In close second was a present that was

built the long stretch of glowing spirit in the

a hammock?

launched into soldiers that consequently fell

hopes that it could make a difference in the

over.

community.

saw

the

the back, we

I sipped my McDonalds hot cocoa to indulge in the full experience.

want to spend much money on a light show.

There were different scenes that would

That made me feel even more spirited

drive

make anyone feel like they were sitting by

than the chocolate, music and maybe even

featured

a warm fireplace. Whether you were driving

the lights.

The

MAGGIE’S FAVORITES

Ma g g i e’s f a v o r i te l i g h t d i s p l a y s f ro m th e d r i v e

...

d

smeharbinger.net/category/sports

9

JANUARY

7 p.m.

B o y s Va r s i t y B a s k e t b a l l @ O S

11

3:3O p.m.

JANUARY

B o y s Va r s i t y S w i m

@ SMAC

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 23 ays lef

21

Ma r k y o ur calendars for the se

12

5:30 p.m.

DECEMBER

winter sports start-up

countdown

t

Sports

d e si g n by i s abe l bal d a s s aro

UPCOMING EVENTS

18

TBD

DECEMBER

G i r l s Va r s i t y B a s ke t b a l l @ S M E

Varsity Soccer @ CBAC

meet recap

A r und o w n o f t he De c . 4 Boys Va rsit y swim me e t a t Chisolm Hill L E F T Senior Abigail Long shoots a threepointer over her defender in the first quarter that misses and rebounded by Pembroke Hill.

V ARSITY SWIM won their meet against Olathe South and SM North on Dec. 4.

One of their relays got their state cut and some swimmers got a couple state considerations which they believe will be

beneficial for the upcoming rest of the season. Their

most recent meet was the

district meet at Shawnee Mission Aquatic Center where they swam against the four other Shawnee Mission schools.

photo by alex sajna BOTTOM LEFT Sophomore Fina Kessler dribbles between her legs to put her opponent into a screen set by senior Ashley Zastrow. photo by alex sajna BOTTOM RIGHT Junior Mary Long reaches for the ball to cause a turnover after a defensive play.

DID YOU ATTEND THE DEC. 10 POWDER PUFF GAME? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 8 6 v o t e s

YES

13% 87%

NO

photo by alex sajna

WRESTLING SEASON REVIEW JV Wre stler and junior Nate G eorge recaps the team’s s eason so far

NATE GEORGE JV WRES TLER

“

OUR TEAM IS working hard in practice. The coaches

have been great, making it a fun environment while still getting what needs to be done done. We’re all pushing ourselves trying to be the best we can. While it is still a lot of hard work, this year has been a lot of fun so far.

24 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

THE HARBINGER

s to r y & d e s ig n b y ka i m c p h a i l p h o to s b y a me l i e wo n g

SLAM SLAM

DUNK

Since ba s ket b a ll s e as o n b e g a n o n No v. 1 4 , ret ur ni ng p l ay ers on b o t h t h e g i r l s a n d b o y s te a m b e l i e v e t he season is more

T

p ro mi si ng t han l ast y ear HE GIRLS’ VARSITY team started the season off with a 62-53 win against Pembroke, the only game of their season so far and the first time the team has won their first game since 2019.

“It’s our first time going undefeated,” sophomore Paige

Stanfield said.

Head coach Douglas Archer believes that new strategies have increased varsity’s success, “SMART” strategy. This

out

for

occasional

food

and coffee

before or after practice. This year, the team spends extra bonding time over breakfast after morning practice.

“We even go out for breakfast after Saturday practices sometimes,”Stanfield said. “At the beginning of the season last year, I remember not having as close a bond as at the end of the year.”

This year a total of four freshmen

goal states the girls have to either be

made Varsity, including freshman

winning, neutral or down by two points

Coco Reiser.

at the most.

“Coco’s someone that is able

“It’s helpful to have a set goal going

to see the court really well and

into the game, I have something to

read what’s going on in the

focus on,” Stanfield said. “Even when

game, for example who’s open

we’re down it gives me something to work

and who’s going to be open,”

hard at.”

Archer has the team yell the names of drills before they start to build enthusiasm. will drill,

never

Stanfield forget

“chaos!”

yelling

before

says

she

out

the

with

Stanfield said. “She’s a strong defender that gets lots of rebounds and puts backs on offense.”

Reiser believes the team’s connection

her

success

teammates.

to

their

The

team

“So far East basketball has been a really good balance

“We’ll have a good season with lots more

for

to come.”

me

of

seriousness

and fun,” Reiser said. “At

According to Stanfield, the team’s

practice we are able to work

relationship is stronger than

hard and get stuff done but

last season when

it’s still enjoyable.”

g o i n g

UP & COMING OLATHE NORTHWEST AWAY

adding

season.

coming weeks of the season.

last year],” junior Naomi Kincaid said.

L ist of upcoming East basketball DECEMBER 19 game s

is

would like to lose less in the

“This year, our varsity team has come out with way better energy [than

BOYS’ & GIRLS’ VARSITY

this

BOYS’ & GIRLS’ VARSITY

JANUARY 5 SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH HOME

Date s and locations o f up co m i ng gam e s

T

HE BOYS’ BASKETBALL team has a 3-0 record and beat Blue Valley North 5843 in the Championship Showdown tournament on Dec. 8. Head Coach Shawn Hair has been anticipating this win and is proud of what the team has accomplished.

“Every year is a little different, but this team plays for each other,” Hair said.

Hair describes the team’s relationship as one that he hasn’t seen in a long time with players playing off their individual strengths, whether its height or shot accuracy.

Senior center Abdouaye Kante and junior forward Will Beck have 28 and 33 points so far, respectively.

BOYS’ & GIRLS’ VARSITY

JANUARY 9 OLATHE SOUTH AWAY

After the BVN win, the players surprised Hair in the locker room by cheering and spraying him with 10 water bottles.

“The main memory I had was the crazy locker room energy after winning, it was a lot of fun just celebrating with all the guys,” junior Banks Prendiville said.

“This year seems a lot closer [with relationships] than the sophomore team I was on last year.

When interviewed the second night of the championship, Coach Hair expressed that the team still has work to do.

“Tonight we didn’t handle the ball as well as I wanted to,” Hair said.

“We’ll definitely be working on that in the future.”

BOYS’ & GIRLS’ VARSITY

JANUARY 12 SHAWNEE MISSION NORTHWEST HOME

stor y b y l uke beil

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 25

THE HARBINGER

de s i g n by ch r i st i an gooley p h o to s by r i l ey scott

DIVING

S enior Peter S techschulte goe s into his

INTO IT

four th dive season with hope s of winning state after p l ac ing se ond la st ye a r

DIVING DIFFICULTY S ome of S techschulte’s dive s and the ir diffic u lt y ra ting on a sc a le from 1.0 to 3.0

B

ETWEEN

THEN-EIGHTH

competition between country clubs in the

Andrew Flower — a former diver at KU — to

Stechschulte’s

Kansas City area, he met his current personal

create their own club team called the “AF-

100-meter

and club coach Ford Mcliney. Ford is a dive

MB dive club” for Peter and other divers to

breaststroke and freestyle warm-

coach at Rockhurst University and won the

compete year round.

grader

Peter

sets

exhausting

of

ups for swim team in the 98 degree sun, he couldn’t help but notice kids doing backflips off the diving board.

That summer, he begged his mom to join the dive team. For him, it was an exhilarating

SEC Championships in 2014 at Texas A&M.

“When I was growing up in Michigan you

After Ford’s younger cousin, Peter’s coach

could pay 50 cents for an hour at my high

at Milburn, asked him to help with the dive

school to practice anytime you wanted,”

team he instantly saw Peter was a special

Andrew said. “The whole goal with creating

athlete.

this club team is so that Peter and other kids

“I met Peter and instantly was like ‘Oh

have an ability to stay on the board during

this kid’s got some serious moves,’” Ford

the offseason and stay in touch with the

Peter, one of the only competitive year-

said. “He could rip, he’s strong and you can

sport.”

round-divers in the Kansas City area, is

clearly tell he’s an athlete, he had that diver

thankful he found the sport when he did and

body.”

and relaxing sport. Now, he’s a senior with multiple Division I college diving offers.

is hoping that the sport can grow to more

Now that Peter has been diving with AF-MB for over a year he’s been able to

Peter and Ford’s relationship would grow

experience Junior Nationals through USA

closer as Ford started going to more practices

Diving, which is against the the top high

“Being at a pool all throughout the

and meets while Peter asked him questions

schoolers in the country and more recently

summer I feel like you’re going off the diving

about how to be a better diver with his form

Senior Nationals in Knoxville, Tennessee

boards regularly regardless of if you’re on

and confidence.

against the most decorated divers from high

the dive team or not,” Peter said. “Once I

“During

kids in the area.

Dive

Champs,

he

talked

me

school to post-college.

hopped on the team my skill progressed

through every one of my dives,” Peter said.

“When I was going to the pool for practice

really quickly.”

“He told me simple things that really helped,

in Knoxville, I hopped in the elevator and

like doing five jumping jacks before my dive

I was like, ‘I’m in the elevator with David

to help calm my nerves.”

Boudia who is an olympic gold medalist and

Peter has been racking up wins since last year at dive states, where Peter placed third last winter. This past summer, he competed in

Peter was scoring eights and nines out

one national competition and was competing

of 10 consistently at meets that he was

against the best divers in the country. On top

not expected to win in. In fact, he was the

of that, he was still practicing five times a

youngest in his age group at most of the

recruited by colleges, now that he has been

week.

summer meets he competed in according to

diving year round. These offers range from

Ford.

small D3 schools to major D1 universities.

From eighth grade to his freshman year,

one of the best divers ever, holy crap,’” Peter said.

Peter

has

also

been

getting

actively

his diving skills only improved. His individual

Going into his junior year, Peter knew

scores from judges jumped three points and

that he wanted to do national competitions

his overall scores increased 40 points. When

with a club team and Ford. However, there

“Diving is a super fun sport and I love

he started diving during the school year in

were no previous club teams in the KC area

doing it, I just don’t know if it’s something

sophomore year he won state.

But, he’s still undecided if he wants to dive in college.

and not many indoor pools in the area for

I can be doing 24/7 for a whole year,” Peter

At one of his summer practices a week

practice.

said. “I know I have options in regards to

before Dive Champs — the biggest diving

This

led

Stechschulte

Peter’s

dad,

Dr.

Stephen

and

close

family

friend

a

DIVE: FRONT 1 1/2 PIKE DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 1.7

what I’ll do next, I’m just not fully set yet.”

DIVE: BACK DIVE PIKE DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 1.6

THE HARBINGER

d es ign by liv m ad d e n

To w ra p u p f i rs t s e m e s te r, ta ke a look back at some moments

SEMESTER

WRAPPED th ro u g h p h o to s

SCAN ME PHOTO Scan this QR code to access more photos from this semester

F A R R I G H T After flying through the finish line and placing eighth individually in her race, senior Lida Padgett cries as she hugs her teammate, freshman Molly Scott, after finding out they placed third in the 6A state championship. The meet concluded their season with a girls third place finish on Oct. 28 at Rim Rock Farm. photo by riley scott R I G H T Seniors Michael Muller, Christian Gooley and Luke Pearcy cheer amongst other students as Student Body President senior Jack Kessler walks onto the stage during the Lancer Day pep rally on Aug. 31. Lancer Day is a yearly tradition where sports, grades, clubs and activities dress up and decorate a float to participate in a parade that begins at East and ends at the clocktower Shops of Prairie Village. photo by riley scott B E L O W Senior Anson Tippie plays the trumpet with the band before the East vs. Olathe Northwest football game on Oct. 6. The Lancers defeated Olathe Northwest 23-14. photo by caroline martucci

DECEMBER 18, 2023 | 27

PHOTO- STORY

T O P During the AP Physics 2 Regatta, junior John Kislal makes it down to the other end of the pool, but after he turns around to begin paddling back to the other side, his boat starts to sink. photo by riley scott L E F T Senior Jax Taylor chants during the walkout held on Nov. 27 outside of SM East.

Students protested in response to a white male student using racial slurs and injuring a Black female student. photo by riley scott

A B O V E Junior Carlie Foutch poses with her mom, stepdad, grandma and uncle — teacher Brett Kramer — after being awarded honorary Homecoming court. photo by riley scott

STAFF STATS S tat s from the photography staff of The Harbinger this se me ste r

6,980

A B O V E Chess club co-president and junior Jackson Burrows watches as juniors Max McMahon and Ethan Brown play a variant of chess called “bullet” at chess club. Bullet, compared to other types of chess, is the fastest variant with only one minute of playtime for each person. Out of all variants, it is the least common type of game played at the club. “I think the strongest strateg y in bullet is to move very quickly regardless of the quality of the moves,” Burrows said. photo by mason sajna

A B O V E Senior Ella Howard is congratulated by former Homecoming queen K ate Cronenwett while being crowned one of the six homecoming winners. photo by liv madden

minutes in Harbinger class

50

galleries made and posted online

14

photostories made by photo editors

28 | DECEMBER 18, 2023

THE HARBINGER

d e s ig n & c o p y b y a d d i e m o o re p h o to s b y c l a ra p e t e rs a r t b y ka i m c p h a i l

LANCERS OF THE YEAR MOSH PIT

S t u d e n t s n o m i nated f o r sup er l at i ve s after b e c o m i n g notorious for different trait s th ro u g h o u t t he y ear

MASTER

SPENCER THORNHILL FRESHMAN SPENCER THORNHILL is the king of the dance floor. Every time the neon lights turn on in the cafeteria and the DJ starts blasting “Sugar” by Flo Rida, Thornhill’s at the center of it all. You can either find him jamming out as close as he can get to the speaker or in the middle of the dance circle with the rest of the school oohing and ahhing at his spectacular moves — the robot and jittering his legs are his go-tos.

HALLWAY SOCIAL

BUTTERFLY

SERIAL

KATE JONES

SOPHOMORE KATE JONES

owns

the East hallways. She struts between the

SNACKER

Columbia blue walls looking for familiar

COLE CHINNOCK

faces, smiling at every person that passes

IF YOU FIND yourself hungry in third hour

by. When she sees her friends, Jones

and in need of a midday pick-me-up, junior

aggressively waves in their faces or sparks

Cole Chinnock is your go-to guy for snacks. He

up conversation about their weekends or

willingly empties his lunch out in class, sharing

the test she’s taking the next hour.

handfuls of pretzels and Cheez-its with his friends. However, he’s usually only left with fruit once lunch actually rolls around and he has to buy BBQ Baked Lays to fill up.

ON THE ROAD (INSTEAD OF IN CLASS) ABIGAIL AND MARY LONG

SENIORS ABIGAIL AND Mary Long are no strangers to the attendance staff.

Constantly flying back and forth to college visits, vacations and soccer and basketball tournaments, the Longs are more used to writing essays on fold-out plane tray tables than actual desks.