Issue 9 of the 2012-2013 Harbinger

Shawnee Mission East l 7500 Mission Road, PV KS, 66208 l January 22, 2013 l Issue 9 l www.smeharbinger.net

THE HARBINGER

PLUCKING OUT THE PROBLEM

Rockhurst’s plan to give students random drug tests using hair follicles in the 2013-2014 school year could uproot students from Rockhurst and affect East’s enrollment. for the full story, go to page 3

2 | NEWS

THE NEWS BRIEFS

THE WEEK IN PHOTOS

Take this quiz and find out.

JAN. 22, 2013

HEADLINES AND HIGH SCHOOLERS written by Katie Knight

art by Miranda Gibbs

1. Which movie won best picture at the Golden Globes?

Above: Halle Connelly tries to finish a drawing while sitting in the hallway.

photo by Annie Savage

SHARE BLOOD DRIVE The East SHARE program will have reached its 37th straight year of hosting one of its biggest events of the year — the Red Cross blood drive. It will be in the gym on Jan. 31.

The donated blood will be dispersed around the city to those who need it, like cancer and trauma patients, and the surplus will be spread around the country to places like New York City for Hurricane Sandy relief.

The Red Cross is unique in the way that it allows students to sit next

to their friends while they have their blood drawn. While other programs keep donors and their friends separate in order to avoid people passing out, the Red Cross sees it as a strong support system, and more friendly towards students.

“We always have a couple of fainters, but we do a good job of taking care of everyone and being sure everyone’s okay,” said senior SHARE executive Bucky Kessinger.

Above: Senior Vance Wentz stares at the court in disappointment after missing the game-tying free throw during the SM West game.

A. Andy Reid B. John Dorsey C. Scott Pioli 4. How many sweetheart queen nominees are there?

A. 14 B. 13 C. 12 5. What foreign country just banned American adoptions?

Above: Sophomore Maggie Sheahan bowls the ball down the lane during their match against Sumner Academy and De Soto.

photo by Paloma Dickey

A. China B. Vietnam C. Russia 6. What animal did a team of scientists shoot footage of for the first time?

NEW FDA LAWS The Food and Drug Administration proposed new food safety laws on Friday, Jan. 4. The new regulations are designed to reduce the amount of food born illnesses found in foods such as peanuts, cantaloupe and leafy greens. If approved, the laws would require farmers to come up with plans to prevent common germ-

2. What was the score at the basketball game against West?

3. Who is the new general manager of The Chiefs?

photo by Jake Crandall

people will have easy access to attractions across the city through another system besides public buses and driving their own cars.

“This is going to be a game changer for our city, especially our downtown,” City Councilwoman Jan Marcason said in an interview with the Kansas City Star.

A. Les Miserables B. Argo C. Lincoln

A. 64-58 B. 78-70 C. 38-37

STREETCARS DOWNTOWN In early December, voters in downtown Kansas City voted for a new layout of streetcars across the city. When constructed, the cars will be available to take around the city from the River Market to Crown Center. Kansas City officials plan for construction to begin sometime next year, and the cars to be up and running by 2015. When completed,

DO YOU KNOW THE NEWS?

spreading errors like workers with unwashed hands and unclean irrigation systems that often lead to dirty, dangerous food. If all goes smoothly, the law should pass in two to three years. The goal is for people to be worry-free the next time they have a Peter Pan Peanut Butter and jelly sandwich or a spinach salad.

A. Bigfoot B. A Giant Squid C. A New Breed of Wild Cat Above: Seniors Alex Ho and Hudson Peters plan out strategies at a Robotics Club meeting last week.

photo by Leah O’Connor

Answers 1. B 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. C 6. B

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

NEWS | 3

A look at how the new mandatory drug testing at Rockhurst high school may affect different aspects at East

written by Matt Hanson photo illustration by Caroline Creidenberg Senior Nick Pirotte was at his job at Ace Hardware when he d e c i s i o n heard the news. When his manager told him about the new to leave drug testing Rockhurst High School would implement for the the school 2013-2014 school year, Pirotte’s first reaction was to laugh, was made thinking of some Rockhurst guys he knew who would be by the none too pleased. Then, he tweeted a link to an article on the family.’” drug testing, joking, “...and smeast’s attendance skyrockets.”

T h i s Pirotte was just joking. But his tweet brought up a real area presents a of interest for members of both the communities of East and p r o b l e m Rockhurst: how would the new drug testing effect East? for Dr. that they can’t do what they have always been doing and been The proposed drug testing, announced on Jan. 3, is the K r a w i t z first drug testing program of its scale and nature in Kansas and the administration. Without a formal record of a student’s managing just fine. And then there’s the people that don’t do City according to Rockhurst Principal Greg Harkness. At the transgression, the school has no way of knowing which anything and are upset about student privacy. It feels like for beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, the school will test all students it should exercise its lawful right to deny enrollment the most part that everyone pretty much has a problem with it.” students using hair follicles and will test students randomly to.

Ehman says he has heard of a number of students who from then on in the interest of student health.

Despite Dr. Krawitz’s concerns, it stands to be seen how Disciplinary measures will not be taken after a first many students will actually get to the point of dismissal from have expressed interest in leaving Rockhurst next year. positive drug test, but after a student tests positive a second Rockhurst. Rockhurst junior Connor Ehman thinks that his While he admits that a decline in enrollment is a possibility, time they will be “referred to the Dean of Students for school doesn’t have that big of a problem with that in the first Harkness is unsure of how the new testing will affect his potential disciplinary measures,” as Harkness wrote in an place, and agrees with others that the new policy won’t affect school’s enrollment.

“At this point I am not sure, of course I hope none,” email to Rockhurst parents. These disciplinary measures will Rockhurst’s enrollment significantly. He thinks that when the vary on a student-by-student basis and could be as severe as time comes, most students will stop using drugs before they Harkness stated in an email interview. “When we were discussing the program with other schools like ours that have dismissal from the school. get asked to leave.

East Principal Karl Krawitz expects a number of ex“I think there will be a lot of positives but I don’t think moved to drug testing program, the results were mixed. Some Hawklets to come to East after failing their second drug there will be many second round positives,” Ehman said. “I saw enrollment decline and others saw increases.”

The decision to switch schools will ultimately rest in the test. One reason that students might come to East after don’t think we’ll see a lot of expulsions.” being asked to leave Rockhurst is because the school has Another possibility is that students from Rockhurst will hands of parents. One Rockhurst parent, John Miller, says a more lenient drug policy than their old school. Although voluntarily transfer out in reaction to the drug testing. While that although the majority of students, including his son, Dr. Krawitz commends Rockhurst’s new policy for its strong Harkness says that most of the feedback he’s received since sophomore Sam Miller, are frustrated with the new policy, he stance against drug use, he says he can’t implement a similar the announcement of the drug testing has been positive, personally can see both sides of the issue.

“On one hand I commend them for wanting to go the other program at East.

Ehman says there are many within the Rockhurst community way and keep [drugs] out of their school,” Miller said. “But on “I’d love to see us do drug testing,” Dr. Krawitz said. “I don’t who are alarmed by the new policy. know if we’re not legally able to do so.”

“Obviously the people that have a problem are upset the other hand, it is somewhat intrusive, and maybe that’s a University of Missouri-Kansas City law professor Daniel because they don’t want to stop [doing drugs],” Ehman said. parent’s responsibility and not the school’s.”

Miller says his son will definitely stay at Rockhurst. As Weddle also doubts the legality of mandatory drug testing in “There are people that don’t have a problem so they’re upset for other Rockhurst parents, he says he can’t imagine public schools. many parents taking their sons away from the school “It’s not clear at this point whether the [Supreme because of the new testing. But according to Ehman, Court] would uphold a challenge to that practice,” some parents have already begun making plans for Weddle said. “I think it may stretch the bounds of the their sons to attend other schools in the fall due to the Fourth Amendment too far to do random drug testing The chart below compares and contrasts the two types new policy. of the entire population of a public school.”

While the likelihood of a mass exodus of transfers Another reason Dr. Krawitz thinks dismissed HAIR TESTING URINE TESTING from Rockhurst is being debated at this point, those students from Rockhurst will come to East is because who do leave will need to go somewhere else for of the clean slate they’d get there. He says that as a school. Ehman believes that the Missouri kids will private school Rockhurst can bypass the formal legal -cheaper(around -more expensive likely attend other area private schools, but Kansas process of expulsion that public schools must go $50) ($65--150) kids are just as likely to enroll at a public school as through in order to dismiss a student for a violation Takes -detect drug use within -can detect drug a private school. He says he can see some of them such as drug or alcohol use. Without that formal legal between last 1-2 weeks use within the last landing at East next year. expulsion process, a student asked to leave a private 1-2 90 days “I think for a lot of them going to East would be school can enroll in a nearby public school with what business -can not detect drug use -can identify many practically the same thing as going to Rockhurst,” is essentially a clean slate, because the private school days to get different drugs within 0-3 hours Ehman said. won’t notify the new school of the students reasons results In the end, Harkness doesn’t think many will leave for leaving.

-considered un-intru-considered intrusive Rockhurst, either by choice or not.

“I’ve, in the past, tried to call schools to get an sive way of testing way of testing “I think our students like being here and value understanding of why a student is coming here,” Dr. what a Jesuit education offers them,” he said. “I do not Krawitz said. “[But] the private schools don’t have to expect them to give up all they have worked so hard go through this formal long-term expulsion hearing. to accomplish because they want to do drugs or abuse The school didn’t expel them. They left on their own. alcohol.”

The response I always get [from private schools] is ‘The

WHY USE HAIR TESTING INSTEAD OF URINE TESTING?

4| NEWS

UMKC modifies Law Program ergrad

rs of und

a Three ye

Costs $196,664 for six years (based on estimate from cappex.com)

Four years of undergrad Costs $229,418 years (based on esfor six tim from cappex.com) ate

Law school advisor counsels you through your undergrad years

No law school affiliation until you apply for grad school and take the LSAT

Six Year Program

Standard Law Program

The Weight of the Law

Here is how the new path of study measures up to the standard seven-year program

The University of Kansas City, Missouri will now offer a six-year law program to students for the fall 2013 term

written by Erin Reilly The University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) law school announced their new study path for their law program that allows students to graduate with both an undergraduate and a law degree in six years, instead of eight.

“The key difference is the way the School of Law faculty assess and implements the entry requirements for this particular cohort,” UMKC law professor June Carbone said. Carbone was at the head of the effort to implement these changes to the program, which was passed by the law school faculty and the university at the beginning of winter break.

Interested students do not have to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) to be admitted, but do need to have a score of 28 or higher on the ACT or 1240 on the 1600 SAT without writing.

They must complete an online application and have a GPA demonstrating success in a demanding curriculum, as well as two letters of recommendation. Prospective students must also complete an interview conducted by the School of Law Admissions Committee.

“The idea behind the program is to allow high

school students who know that they want to go law school to take a year off of their studies and tailor their undergraduate program to support the area of law in which they want to practice,” Carbone said.

This six-year study model would allow students to complete the program with one less year of tuition. To make sure that they meet all the graduation requirements within their three years of undergraduate study, the “six-year law scholars” will regularly meet with an assigned counselor.

This counselor will also advise the student to help them maintain their 3.3 GPA to be automatically admitted into the UMKC Law School for graduate study.

Students accepted to the program will also be eligible for the same undergraduate and law school scholarships available to the rest of the university’s applicants. The application for the program is expected to be available this week on the UMKC website. Appointments to meet with a representative from the Law School can be set up in the counseling office.

Meeting Discloses Plans For Mission Valley’s Development Owners reveal plans to concerned public at meeting on Jan. 15 written by Pauline Werner The former Mission Valley Middle School has been a source of controversy in the area since its selling in June 2011. Members of the surrounding communities are worried about unsightly developments on a property that was a neighborhood school for over 50 years.

“The City Council and the mayor were not as concerned about our interests as they may have been about other things in the city as far as getting more development,” said Whitney Kerr Sr., head of the Mission Valley Neighbors Association. It was founded over a year ago to protect the neighborhood’s interests and has a mailing list of over 1,000 people.

The land, at 85 street at Mission Road, was bought by the Tutera Group in conjunction with Red Development for $4.35 million dollars. Following its selling, there were rumors of plans to build a combination of commercial retail and retirement community on the land. However, over time, the Tutera Group became the sole owners of the property.

At a meeting in the East cafeteria held on Jan. 15 by the Tutera Group, their attorney for the project, John Petersen, promised that the Tutera Group only had plans for a retirement community.

The plans that were shown to the public consisted of a combination of independent and assisted living facilities for senior citizens. The project, dubbed Mission Chateau, includes roughly three hundred single-room living spaces, designed to cater to the needs of its occupants. The developer has not filed any kind of plan to the city.

Petersen stressed that the Tutera Group would not need to get the property rezoned by the City Council. Zoning allows a property to be used for an assigned purpose. It was rezoned after it sold in May 2012 to a R1A zoning, which is for residential lots, but also allows uses like day cares and retirement communities. In order to build a retirement community, the Tutera Group must apply for a Special Use Permit.

A Special Use Permit allows the devel-

oper to use the land for another use within its assigned zoning.

Over 70 people attended the Prairie Village Planning Commission Meeting at City Hall on Jan. 8, where several community members spoke up in favor of adding a protest petition the Special Use Permit approval process. A valid protest petition would make it so that the developer would have to get a super majority of 10 votes to get the Special Use Permit. Protest petitions were only allowed in Prairie Village in conjunction with rezoning requests.

A moratorium, which restricts progress with the issue, was placed on the process for 90 days in order to give the City time to sort out the issue regarding the Special Use Permit.

The request for a protest petition passed with a 7-0 vote in the Planning Commission, allowing it to move on to the City Council. The City Council will address this issue in their next meeting on Jan. 22. If they vote on it, they will remove the moratorium on the acceptance of Special Use Permits, allow them to continue making progress.

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6 | NEWS

earthlyintentions written by Sarah Berger

In August, East became the first high school in the district to develop a composting program in order to cut down on waste created by students in the lunchroom and around the school.

Recently the Environmental Club entered the Us vs. Waste campaign with the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) in order to improve the composting program and raise awareness for climate change.

Before winter break, the club met with ACE representative Jessie Fischer to discuss ways they could improve the program by working with ACE and educating students throughout East about climate change. After that first meeting they met with her several other times over break and during their meetings held after school on Wednesdays.

“As the environmental club, anything we can do locally to improve the environment we would love to do,” the club’s vice president sophomore Clara Ma, said.

ACE is an organization that was started to raise awareness for climate change among students and to support

student efforts to fight it. The organization presents assemblies to schools across the country and holds national campaigns like Us vs. Waste that get students educated and inspired to combat global warming and climate change.

The Us vs. Waste campaign is composed of five projects: Keep it Going, Speak Up, Trash Bash, Bleacher Buster and Lunch against Landfill. East’s Environmental Club has chosen to specifically focusing on two projects, Lunch Against Landfill, a project geared towards composting, and Speak Up, a project focused on education.

The Environmental Club has chosen to focus more of their energy on Speak Up because it is designed to raise awareness and educate students about composting and waste reduction as they believe it will have the greatest benefit on their already existing program. The goal is to show students all the things that can be composted and recycled, so that very few items are left to be thrown away.

According to Fischer, East is serving as both a leader and an example

The environmental club partners with ACE for composting program

through their composting program.

“East has already been successful,” Fischer said “[ACE] wants to make them even more successful. We want to train these leaders to be a part of this movement to fight climate change.”

Ma also believes that East can make a difference through its composting program. She feels that it is a cause everyone should try to get involved in.

“Earth is the planet that we live on and without it we wouldn’t be who we are,” Ma said. “It is incredibly important, it’s imperative that we do everything we can to respect our home.”

The club also has the opportunity to win prizes like online gift certificates or resources that can help support waste reduction. According to Fischer, the prizes are fun but not the main motivation for the students at East.

“They do it because they really care about climate change and taking action against it,” Fischer said. “They create the future they want to see for themselves.”

CLIMATE change three quick facts:

In 2010, 33 million tons of food waste was thrown away

1

2 Landfills are the 3rd

largest human source of methane gas If done correctly,

3 composting can completely eliminate methane emissions from food waste information courtesy of waste.acespace.org

monitoringannouncements

New monitors have been installed throughout the school to play announcements around the clock

written by Michael Kraske In the past month, East installed six TV monitors around the school in various places that will have announcements running on them all day. However, both the announcements through the PA system and the video announcements will still be played.

“The video announcements are still going to play in the classrooms, and announcements are still going to be read over the PA, because that’s the source of where so many kids get their information,” Assistant Principal Jeremy Higgins, who originally came up with the idea for the monitors said.

“The monitors are just going to be to supplement those.”

The monitors cost between $2,300-$3,600 apiece, plus an additional fee for installation. Some of this money came from the East Fund, a donation account set up by East parents to fund classroom programs, technology and professional development in the school. The rest of the money came from Capital Outleague budget, which Higgins says is money set aside for “big ticket items” like technology and equipment.

Announcements aren’t the only thing the monitors will be used for.

“We can also provide programming, videotaping of athletic events and when the counselors want to announce college visits,” Principal Karl Krawitz said.

The installation of these monitors has confused and angered some members of the East community. Some, such as sophomore Kathryn Peterson, think they’re a waste of

money.

“I would say it isn’t worth the money,” Peterson said. “I mean nobody seems to listen to announcements well enough already when they’re sitting in class and I don’t think they would pay more attention to them when they are quickly passing by trying to get to their next class, and talking to friends.”

English teacher Mrs. Birt think the monitors are a good idea.

“I think it will be an adjustment,” Mrs. Birt said.

“Honestly I think it makes sense. I kind of prefer the system where we just let that scroll all day long, I think it makes perfect sense.”

Others, like senior Will Cray, think the monitors won’t work.

“I don’t think kids will pay attention if it’s text,” Cray said. “If it’s video, are kids supposed to clog up the halls to watch? I think they’re a bad idea.”

Higgins says he hopes this won’t be a problem.

“Hopefully kids will get the hang of the fact that they can just glance at the monitors as they pass by, instead of clogging up the halls,” Higgins said.

According to Dr. Krawitz, these monitors have been needed for a long time.

“We’re far behind our colleague schools that have these,” Dr. Krawitz said. “When it comes to technology, this school is so far behind, it’s pathetic.”

photo illustration by Katie Sgroi The idea of getting these monitors has come up before.

According to Krawitz, the only reason they didn’t buy them at that time was because they didn’t look at the East Fund as a resource, but instead they looked at the Capital Outleague budget. Upon looking into the Capital Outleague budget, Krawitz decided that the school could afford the investment.

Announcements will begin to be played on the monitors starting at the end of the month.

Biting the Bullet

EDITORIAL | 7

Gun control is a controversial issue, but requiring background checks on all gun purchases is a reasonable solution

T

here has been a long debate regarding gun control. The nation has faced multiple tragedies, including four presidential deaths caused by gunmen. After the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in 1963 and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. five years later, the country began to look for possible solutions. After these tragic events that have forever changed the U.S., the government and people have questioned the gun control laws. And the debate has not stopped.

THE HARBINGER a publication of Shawnee Mission East high school 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208

Editors-in Chief Anne Willman Chloe Stradinger Assistant Editors Andrew McKittrick Katie Knight Art & Design Editor Paige Hess Managine Editor Jennifer Rorie Head Copy Editor Matt Hanson Assistant Head Copy Editor Sarah Berger Copy Editors Anne Willman Chloe Stradinger Andrew McKittrick Katie Knight Erin Reilly Morgan Twibell Sarah Berger Matt Hanson Julia Poe Jennifer Rorie Sophie Tulp Grace Heitmann Morgan Krakow Ads Manager Sophie Tulp Circulation Manager Greta Nepstad

The citizens of the United States look again to these laws and regulations as a theatre was under attack on July 20, wounding 70 people in Aurora, Co. during a screening of “The Dark Knight Rises.” And in December, the United States reexamines the topic of gun control as another tragedy struck our nation in Newtown, Conn. as 26 people were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

These events have shaken the U.S. and have proven that guns can be potentially dangerous in anyone’s hands. There are many ways that this issue can be addressed, some solutions stricter than others. The Harbinger believes that it is important to respect the second amendment (“right of the people to keep and bear arms”). Although the amendment states that people have the right to own a gun for their personal use, there are some regulations or laws that should be implemented to prevent future tragedies.

EDITORIAL BOARD VOTES

FOR AGAINST ABSENT

STAFF 2012-2013

Editorial Section Editor Jennifer Rorie Editorial Board Chloe Stradinger Andrew McKittrick Anne Willman Jennifer Rorie Katie Knight Grace Heitmann Matt Hanson Julia Poe Kim Hoedel Duncan MacLachlan Sarah Berger Sami Walter Morgan Krakow Staff Writers Mike Thibodeau Emily Perkins Rock Caroline Kohring Michael Kraske Susannah Mitchell Taylor Bell New Section Editor Sarah Berger News Page Designer Julia Seiden Opinion Section Editor Kim Hoedel Opinion Page Designers Greta Nepstad Morgan Krakow

Banning assault weapons would require Congressional approval and would stir the gun rights groups. It would be nearly impossible for there to be a complete ban of assault weapons. Instead of banning all assault weapons, as that would be a violation to the Constitution, there should be additional background checks when guns are purchased. Background checks are required by U.S. law for all people that try to purchase firearms from federally licensed dealers. Although these checks are required by licensed dealers, there is no requirement for gun purchases made privately like guns sold at a gun show.

Every person that purchases a gun (publicly or privately) should be required to have a background check. This would limit some future deaths by preventing those that have mental disabilities or those that have criminal backgrounds from purchasing guns. It more difficult for people to get their hands on guns, but not infringe upon a person’s right to own a gun.

13 2 0

The Harbinger is a student run publication. The contents and views are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the Shawnee Mission School DIstrict, East faculty or school administration.

Feature Section Editor Hannah Ratliff Feature Page Editors Maddie Hise Pauline Werner Will Oakley Caroline Kohring A&E Section Editor Tiernan Shank A&E Page Designer Megan McAlister Sports Section Editor Mitch Kaskie Sports Page Designers G.J. Melia Sam Pottenger Grace Heitmann Co-Spread Editors Morgan Twibell Leah Pack Freelance Page Editors Phoebe Aguiar Megan McAlister Sophie Tulp Alex Goldman Maggie McGannon James Simmons Audrey Danciger Jennifer Rorie Business and Circulation Manager Greta Nepstad

Social Media Director Mattie German Staff Artists Emily PerkinsRock Hailey Hughes Paloma Gustafson-ika Photo Editors Jake Crandall Caroline Creidenberg Assistant Photo Editor Maddie Schoemann Staff Photographers Erin Reilly Neely Atha Taylor Anderson Stefano Byer Tessa Polaschek Alexa Young Molly Gasal Annie Savage Leah O’connor Kathryn Jones Connor Woodson Hayden Roste Meghan Shirling Katie Sgroi Hailey Hughes Online Editors-in-Chief Sami Walter Duncan MacLachlan Assistant Online Editors Julia Poe Zoe Brian

Head Copy Editors Jennifer Rorie Vanessa Daves Multimedia Editor Dalton Boehm Convergence Editor Erin Reilly News Editor Pauline Werner Online Photo Editors Marisa Walton McKenzie Swanson Assistant Online Photo Editors AnnaMarie Oakley Paloma Garcia Video Editor Nathan Walker Live Broadcast Editors Andrew McKittrick Jack Stevens Homegrown Editor Maxx Lamb Opinion Editor Taylor Bell A&E Editor Morgan Krakow Sports Section Editors Alex Goldman Mitch Kaskie Blogs Editor Taylor Bell Podcast and Radio Editor

Thomas Allen Eastipedia Editor Susannah Mitchell Interactive Designers James Simmons Will Oakley Anchors Kyle Winston Joe Bahr Morgan Twibell G.J. Melia Tessa Polaschek Mitch Kaskie Annie Foster Webmasters Chris Denniston Jack Stevens Multimedia Staff Dalton Boehm Chris Denniston Maxx Lamb Kathryn Jones Nick Miriani Jack Stevens Mattie Germann Emily Perkins Rock AnnaMarie Oakley Tessa Polaschek Will Brownlee Sophie Mitchell Annie Foster Advisor Dow Tate

Letters to the editor may be sent to room 521 or smeharbinger@gmail.com. Letters may be edited for clarity, length, libel and mechanics and accepted or rejected at the editors’ discretion.

8 | OPINION

W

e find ourselves here, once again, in the most misan opinion of Maggie McGannon erable time of the year: the season of darkness, sickness and dullness. When the first snow day rolled around and I thought to myself this isn’t so bad, the song “Drunk On You” by Luke Bryan—an ultimate ode to summer—came on the radio. Suddenly, I was back to reality.

On most winter days it probably seems like I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and that assumption isn’t far from the truth.

If the penetrating sound of the alarm isn’t bad enough, I start my day by surrendering the hospitality and warmth of my covers to the laborious school day ahead of me.

Soon after, I sit frigid in the car on the way to school. My window is foggy, but using my windshield wipers is out of the question. I recently broke them by using them while they were frozen. As I ride along, my clean, wet hair often turns to icicles. With my head an unwanted winter wonderland, it’s no wonder this dry air requires me to have a portable collection of chapsticks.

Not only that, but my skin resembles a reptile’s much more than a human’s.

Driving in winter is a story of its own.

Each time I open the door to leave the house it is followed with, “Be careful, it’s probably slick out!” Usually it’s not, but we, as teenagers, have heard of near life-threat-

ening car wrecks that our fellow classmates have been involved in. Allowing me behind the wheel with my inexperienced driving is risky enough, so we can definitely hold off on the slick road challenge.

Upon arriving at school, I prepare for my shockingly long journey from the senior lot into school—just enough time for my daily self-diagnosis of hypothermia. Admittedly, I tend to assuage my pain from the cold by acknowledging others gripping tightly onto their only hope, a cup of coffee, or their regret of wearing Toms as they walk through snow.

At one point I thought I was alone in my case of the Winter Blues, until I recently watched somebody walk into school wearing a summery, perfectly white pair of pants. If she can’t follow the “no white after Labor Day” rule in January, then I am certainly not the only one sick of this season.

This got me thinking —why do I hate this grueling season and what makes it so awful for my classmates and I? Class periods, days and weeks seem long and unending. Most of my awake time outside of school is spent in the dark. To be exact, during wintertime, I spend 72 percent of the day’s sunlight in a classroom. I usually associate light with optimism and happiness, and dark is the exact opposite.

But with this mindset, nothing is going to go my way.

Each day my Twitter and Instagram news feeds are more and more filled with countdowns until spring break, summer

and birthdays. If I’m being honest, I am guilty of this myself. In winter, we seem to lose our patience and ability to live for the moment. By always looking forward in time, we forget that we are wishing away the best times of our lives. Constantly we are losing sight of living for now rather than the uplifting, warm weather.

Winter seems to have an invisible weight on all of us. If it isn’t finals, it’s car trouble. If it isn’t car trouble, it’s not having any in-season fruits to eat. Ongoing daydreams of carefree, relaxing days in the sun haven’t ameliorated my winter depression; I wonder in awe how we’re only halfway through the school year.

As a tribute to myself I’m going to try to embrace these last few months of goose bumps and hot chocolate. I often forget just how curable my goose bumps are as I sit under a blanket in a heated house. But no, I won’t change my lock-screen from a picture of an ocean sunset.

Before we know it, spring will be in full blossom. Brown, dead-like trees will sprout multiple colors and the invisible weight will slowly rise. Mind wandering in class will shift from warm blankets and lattes to sunny, summer days by the pool. Suddenly, we’ll get that extra gas to keep on chuggin’.

But in reality, if this is our biggest problem, then life ain’t so bad.

FUN IN THE SUN

TOP IDEAS FOR ADDING A BIT OF SUMMER INTO JANUARY

TAKE A FAMILY MINI VACATION TO COCO KEY WATER RESORT.

GRAB SOME FRIENDS AND THROW A BEACH-THEMED PARTY IN YOUR BASEMENT. CRANK UP THE HEAT IN YOUR HOUSE (WARNING: PARENTS MAY NOT APPROVE).

WINTERTIME WOES

SOPHOMORE DISCUSSES HER HATRED FOR WINTER

GONE TO WARMER WEATHER

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H Harbinger

Your Harbinger

10| OPINION

BREAKING NEWS

imploring them to take action amidst deadlock

Dear Washington,

written by Mike Thibodeau

Dear Washington,

still have the money to keep spending and investing. But photo by Stefano Byer

Congrats on passing the fiscal cliff deal. It was so brilliant of you guys to just pushthe thefiscal problem Mazel tov on passing cliffback deal.instead It was so of solving it. Good luck guys whento wejust hit the debt in back brilliant of you push theceiling problem a few months you have to handle crisis over instead and of solving it. Good luckthis when weallhit the debt again. ceiling That’s why I’m writing so I can you some in a few monthsyou, and you havegive to handle this crimuch sis needed advice on how to why help I’m us, high schoolers, all over again.

That’s writing you, soout I can some. give Afteryou all we’re theneeded generation who someonly much advice on will howbetostuck help us with this that you’ve highmess schoolers.

Afterleft all behind. we’re only the generation who

President don’tthat raiseyou’ve taxes on willFirst, be stuck withObama, this mess leftthe behind. middle class again.

WhileObama, you diddon’t extend thetaxes Bushon taxthe cuts First, President raise midfor thedle middle lower classes, also allowed a payroll class and again.

While you you did extend the Bush tax cuts tax cutfor and reduction Socialclasses, Security program thata paythea middle andinlower you(aalso allowed helps pay for retirement and disabilities) expire. This roll tax cut and a reduction in SocialtoSecurity (a program meansthat a $1,200 those who the backbone helpstax payhike for on retirement andare disabilities) to expire. of the This country andathe economy, theon middle We’ll means $1,200 tax hike those class. who are the backactually be paying more, and a program not bone of the country andforthe economy,that themight middle class. be around we need it. Thismore, meansand a $1,200 tax hike that We’llwhen actually be paying for a program on those whonot are be thearound backbone of the themeans a might when wecountry need it.and This economy, the tax middle Somewho tax hikes arebackbone necessary,of the $1,200 hikeclass. on those are the but raising taxes onthe people who can’t it will hurttax country and economy, theafford middle class.just Some the economy more.

Go ahead and raise taxes the top hikes are necessary, but raising taxes onon people who can’t one percent.

That more revenue, they’lland afford it willwill justhelp hurtraise the economy more.and Go ahead raise taxes on the top one percent. That will help raise more revenue, and they’ll still have the money to keep spending and investing. But when you raise taxes on the middle class they won’t have the money to contin-

H news

per day

when you raise taxes on the middle class they won’t have the money to continue to spend and put into the economy hurting it more.

Didn’t you say weren’t going to raise ue to spend and put into the you economy hurting it more. taxes on us?

Didn’t you say you weren’t going to raise taxes on us?

To the Congressional Republican:stop stop trying trying to To the Congressional Republican: to push through allall these spending cuts.

In economic jargon push through these spending cuts.

In economic jarthese called measures, which have beenhave very gonare these areausterity called austerity measures, which unsuccessful.

To put this simply, austerity measures (tax been very unsuccessful.

To put this simply, austerity cuts) do not work.

Austerity measures have no real effect measures (tax cuts) do not work. Austerity measures onhave lowering deficit. an initial deficit. drop, the deficit rise no real effectAfter on lowering After an will initial right back wherewill it used be according to a study by to the drop, thetodeficit rise to right back to where it used International Fund.

NotInternational to mention that it also be accordingMonetary to a study by the Monetary hurts theNot confidence of the market it less likely that Fund. to mention that it alsomaking hurts the confidence other countries invest in uslikely and that hurt Ameriof the market will making it less thatwill other countries can companies. sliding backwards then will invest in Ifuscompanies and that start will hurt American compathey’ll hiring andstart they’ll start backwards firing. Soonthen we’d they’ll be seenies. stop If companies sliding ing unemployment risingstart again and the economy stop hiring and they’ll firing.

Soon we’ll besliding seeing back down hill. Stop trying to slash or itsliding will unemployment rising again and the thebudgets economy send us down into another recession worse. or it back hill. Stop trying or tosomething slash the budgets will send And this last bit isrecession a little advice to all youworse. politius into another or something cians.And You this needlast to stop all ofadvice this partisan You’re bit with is a little to all junk. you politihere to represent not all to make Fox News and cians.

You needthe to people, stop with of this partisan junk.

MSNBC okay to cross lines every in awhile You’re happy. here toIt’srepresent the people, notonce to make Fox News and MSNBC happy. It’s okay to cross lines every once in awhile instead of doing exactly what these stations are telling you to do. They aren’t here to represent the people, but to represent the opinions of the people

instead of doing exactly what these stations are telling you to do. They aren’t here to represent the people, but to represent the opinions of the people who fund them. They’re just locking congress in ajust partisan gridlock.

You’re here who fund up them.

They’re locking up congress in a to represent us, theYou’re people, nottosome “news” There’s a partisan gridlock. here represent us,station. the people, long list“news” of things that haven’t get through not some station.

There’s abeen longable list to of things that this gridlock.

A able United Nations treaty wouldAhave helped haven’t been to get through thisthat gridlock.

United disabled people across the world was voted down because Nations treaty that would have helped disabled people Republicans aren’t of the United Nations.

Hurricane across the world wasfans voted down because Republicans Sandy victims a fraction of the money they desperately aren’t fans of thegot United Nations.

Hurricane Sandy vicneed House Republicans wouldn’t let it through. tims gotbecause a fraction of the money they desperately need Countless other bills that would’ve done like make because House Republicans wouldn’t letthings it through. women’s other paychecks to men’s and thatthings wouldlike raise Countless bills equal that would’ve done the minimum wage haveequal all been lost in this congressional make women’s paychecks to men’s and that would quarrel.

And this list goes on and on. Nothing willconget done raise the minimum wage have all been lost in this if we don’t start working together. gressional quarrel.

And this list goes on and on. Nothis aifbig for allworking of us right now. If we ing will getThis done weissue don’tinstart together. get left with all of this debt and a weak economy This is a big issue in for all of us right now. Ifthen you we’ll be facing of problems from the dollar being keep raisinga lot taxes on the middle class then theworth gap less to the end Social fall behind countries between the of rich andSecurity. the rest We’ll will rise.

If we just slash like India andour China if nothing’s done.And if we can’t get programs markets will suffer.

It’s time stand up and do the rid` of this debt thenthat theyou value of the dollar willright dropthing andwe’ll not just your party says you should It’s time and fall what behind countries like India anddo.

China. for to represent us, stand not Foxup or MSNBC. youright don’t, my It’syou time that you and do Ifthe thing and not just what your party says you should do. It’s time for you to represent us, not just your party. If you don’t, my generation will feel it.

Will you, Washington, do something about it?

UNITED STATES DEBT HITS A RECORD HIGH AT $16 TRILLION

ALERT

The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $3.83 billion per day

The Nation

A HEALTHY HABIT

FEATURE | 11

In the car on the way to Arkansas, with plain red sauce, peanut butter and jelly and salads are Stonebarger looked out the window. She their main options. Bricker plans to bring up vegetarian and and her family drove past long stretches vegan diets at her next meeting. of farmland. The scenery was nice, but “It’s becoming a larger choice for people,” Bricker said.

East students choose veganism for environmental not the egg factories.

Stonebarger passed Regularly eating in the cafeteria isn’t really an option for and health reasons by several egg factory farms before she Stonebarger, Curran-Howes and Sernett. All three pack and started thinking. She was a vegetarian be- bring their lunches every day. They have to monitor their written by Susannah Mitchell cause of the poor treatment of animals. But what she hadn’t protein, making sure they get enough. Veganism takes time.

For breakfast, junior Alex Stonebarger doesn’t eat the realized until then was that other than killing them, the ani- It takes patience. And going back to a non-vegan diet isn’t retypical bacon-eggs-milk breakfast. She just drinks green tea. mals were kept in terrible conditions. Hundreds of animals ally an option either.

When it’s time for lunch, she doesn’t go through the lunch packed into small spaces, mistreated and abused.

“I wouldn’t feel right,” Stonebarger said. “I would be really line. Instead, she eats a peanut butter and jelly or a sandwich Two years ago, Curran-Howes picked up “Generation V,” a upset with myself.” from Whole Foods. And for dinner, her mom makes a meal for guide to being a vegan teenager, wanting to know more about And despite all of the health benefits, veganism can be the whole family and then a separate dish for Alex. But this is what she was eating. For her, the ugly truth was better than negative. When Stonebarger goes to a restaurant, sometimes normal for her. She’s used to it. Because she’s a vegan. willful ignorance. she’ll have to send back her order. When Sernett’s friends If you walk by her in the halls, you wouldn’t automatically The turning point for Sernett was when he saw a video of want to go to Chick-Fil-A, he can’t eat anything there. When assume Stonebarger is a vegan. She isn’t a hippie or a waif. the animal factories and how animals are treated. It was cruel. everyone’s eating out for homecoming, the only things that She doesn’t look pasty or sick. She wears leggings and riding It was gruesome. But it’s the reality and he didn’t want to sup- they can order are a glass of water or a barren salad. boots, and her hair is brushed regularly. She’s a typical high port that.

It can be embarrassing. But when they remind themselves school girl with an atypical diet.

For them, food is a small sacrifice when it comes to saving why they’re vegans, they remember that it’s worth it.

Being vegan is nothing new to Stonebarger. She’s been a animals. To saving the environment. To saving water. But as “There’s tons of research out there [about veganism],” Servegan for six years and was a vegetarian for five before that. three modern high school vegans, Stonebarger, Curran-How- nett said. “[So much that] you don’t know what to believe. But But for junior Ayana Curran-Howes and senior Jack Sernett, es and Sernett make that sacrifice everyday.

I kind of feel like it changes my life. Like I’m doing the right veganism hasn’t taken up such a large portion of their lives.

Food preparation takes up a lot time, but they’re used to thing.”

Curran-Howes has been a vegan for two years, Sernett for one it. Veganism used to be hard. But for them, it’s just a matter of year and two months. willpower.

“I became a vegan for a lot of reasons,” Sernett said. “It Because of their dimakes me feel like I’m better for myself. I’m doing good etary restrictions, eatthings for animals and I’m saving water, which is what I’m all ing in the cafeteria is for. I’m just feeling healthier.”

50 percent of It takes 25 About 30 difficult or impossible It takes 2,400 A vegan diet includes no animal by-products. As vegans, water in the gallons of percent of the for most vegan and gallons of water Stonebarger, Curran-Howes and Sernett can’t eat what most USA goes to water to make Earth’s landmass vegetarian students. to make one high schoolers eat. Except for Oreos and Pringles, junk food is raising animals one pound of is used for rasing According to head pound of meat. pretty much ruled out. Five Guys and Panda Express are out of for food. wheat. animals. cafeteria manager the question. No meat, no cheese, no eggs.

Linda Bricker, pasta * * *

What should be banned in 2013?

Mac Miller

TheTOP 12 1

written by Morgan Twibell

Staffer Morgan Twibell gives her top 12 things she would ban from the year 2012

2

3

4

2

5

Taylor Swift’s heartbreaks Justin Bieber “tho” “literally”

fratty

9

7

6

8

“AF” “leggo” hashtag FTW #firstworldproblems

11

10

#I #don’t #usually #like #speaking #in #hashtags, #but #apparently #it #is #the #hot #rage #of #2012. Hashtags are meant for twitter, or at least that’s what I thought until I started seeing people hashtagging on facebook and it really started to irk me when I heard people saying the word “hashtag” before their sentence when they were speaking.

Who do you think you are? You are not a walking social media site.

“Gangam Style” “Live While We’re Young” Nickleback “We Are Young”

Pretty Little Liars Snapchat Temple Run

THEPOLL

Voters results from the “things to ban in 2013” poll on smeharbinger.net

Usually number one on the charts, Taylor Swift cries her way to fifth place with 43 votes

I’d Cap That hair feathers “50 Shades of Grey” The Mayan Calendar

10.43 The two youngest stars on our poll, Honey Boo Boo and Justin Bieber, tie for third with 44 votes

10.19

14.93

% 10.43

10.9

“YOLO” isn’t the crowd favorite anymore, coming in first placewith 63 votes

Nickelback doesn’t fulfill their “Rockstar” potential, coming in second with 46 votes

Nov.

Along with our good friend Honey Boo Boo, the cast of Teen Mom also displays terrible behavior and morals. The young girls on this show are basically getting rewarded for being a bad example.

MTV is basically telling young girls that if they get knocked up they’ll get a TV show. It just ain’t right.

Oct.

Aug.

6

10

When I first found out about Snapchat I was a little skeptical. Thinking to myself, “hmm, what is the purpose of an app where you can send a picture and have it disappear after ‘x’ amount of seconds?”

Although some people see this as a way to send funny pictures of them making an embarrassing face, we all know what the sole purpose of this app is.

Any child that has found the book “50 Shades of Grey” in their mother’s room is traumatized. No kid wants to think that their mom is reading “mommy porn.” Whoever decided that this book was a good idea has permanently scarred the minds of kids who find the book somewhere in their house.

7

“AF” has been used at the end of almost every sentence/tweet in 2012. “That party was frat AF.” “Dude, my teacher was mad AF.” I’m going to be honest, for about three months I didn’t even know what AF meant and once I found out, I was a bit offended by the profanity being used all the time.

It’s nice to know that a 6-year-old who calls herself “honey boo boo” and says things like, “my special juice is gonna help me win,” is one of the most popular TV shows out right now. If this little girl is a sneak peak into what the children of our future are going to be like, then I’m not so sure I would like to make it to the future.

4

8

LANCERVOICE

President Obama is reelected.

9

YOLO was probably the most commonly used response to any question in the year 2012. Standing for “you only live once,” it gave an optimistic outlook to any decision you were trying to make when you were doubting yourself. Although YOLO was a fun run, I think it is way too overused and should not continue to be a “trend” in the new year.

11 Gangam Style is an extremely overplayed song. I can’t name a time I’ve been in the car and not heard it. It’s catchy beat and repetitive lyrics make it a crowd favorite at firts, but after hearing “HEY SEXY LADY” over and over again I definitely think this song should be banned from our new year.

12

Feathers are meant to be on birds. Not in your hair. I don’t care how “hipster” you think it might be. They get tangled in things. They hurt to take out. They really just don’t look like they belong in your hair. Not only should feathers be banned from the new year, colored hair streaks should also take a break for awhile. Just stick to your natural hair. The feathers and the colors get really distracting while I’m trying to take notes in class.

“Call Me Maybe” Honey Boo Boo

SPREAD | 13

Hurricane Sandy hits the east coast.

The iPhone 5 is released.

3

America fell in love with Taylor Swift when she broke out as a 16-year-old pop-country singer.

Her songs of romance and heartbreak guided every teenage girl through a break-up. After many years of hearing how “he’s the reason for the teardrops on her guitar” and how “you’re a liar, you’re pathetic and all you are is mean,” I’m starting to think Taylor should write something along the lines of “maybe I’m the problem?”

12

The summer olympics are held in London.

5

1 The Biebz was my obsession ever since his first song “One Time” came out, but I haven’t been very impressed with his work ever since. Maybe it was cute back then when he let his pants hang down to his knees and saying “swaggy” in every song, but come on Bieber, you’re 18 now! Time to stop with the teeny bopper stuff and head off to college.

Miley Cyrus’ haircut

“YOLO”

Kony 2012 is released.

Snooki has a baby boy.

Sept.

art by Paloma Gustafson-Ika

March

Below is a replica of the poll on smeharbinger.net that received 422 votes

Timeline of random moments in 2012

Amanda Bynes is charged with a DUI. July

BANNING THE BAD

April

12 | SPREAD

Hey doomsday preppers, where ya at now? Yeah pretty funny that you guys spent all that money on what you thought was the end of the world and guess what, WE’RE ALL STILL HERE. The Mayans pulled off one of the biggest pranks of all time. Props to them. They got a whole world to believe that we would be non-existent after Dec. 21. Even though the number of people who didn’t believe that the world would end was a much larger number than those who did believe...I think everyone still had the thought in the back of their mind. That’s why we will not fall for this one again. Earth: 1 Mayans: 0.

Students answer the question, “What was your favorite memory of 2012?”

FRESHMAN KYLE BAKER “My favorite memory from 2012 was going on my church service trip to Sheridan, Wyoming where we volunteered for Habitat for Hummanity.”

SOPHOMORE ANNIKA SINK “There were a lot of people at the bowling tryouts and it was a fun experience. The coaches were really nice. The team was posted on the wall downstairs in the basement by Coach Kennedy’s room and I was really happy and she gave us our uniforms right away. “

JUNIOR SAGE THOMPSON “My favorite memory from 2012 was beating Olather South in football. It was the first time we beat them in a really long time. It was a 3-0 really close game and it was really fun. It was also the first time I beat them. I’ve been destroyed in every sport and I was really happy to beat them.”

SENIOR SAMI FETZER “I went on college visits with my mom, aunt, and my grandma. We went to Tennessee and it was a lot of fun because it was probably my last big trip with my family before I go to college. I’ll probably always remember it because I got to hang out with my grandma, aunt, and mom and no other family was around.”

What should be banned in 2013?

Mac Miller

TheTOP 12 1

written by Morgan Twibell

Staffer Morgan Twibell gives her top 12 things she would ban from the year 2012

2

3

4

2

5

Taylor Swift’s heartbreaks Justin Bieber “tho” “literally”

fratty

9

7

6

8

“AF” “leggo” hashtag FTW #firstworldproblems

11

10

#I #don’t #usually #like #speaking #in #hashtags, #but #apparently #it #is #the #hot #rage #of #2012. Hashtags are meant for twitter, or at least that’s what I thought until I started seeing people hashtagging on facebook and it really started to irk me when I heard people saying the word “hashtag” before their sentence when they were speaking.

Who do you think you are? You are not a walking social media site.

“Gangam Style” “Live While We’re Young” Nickleback “We Are Young”

Pretty Little Liars Snapchat Temple Run

THEPOLL

Voters results from the “things to ban in 2013” poll on smeharbinger.net

Usually number one on the charts, Taylor Swift cries her way to fifth place with 43 votes

I’d Cap That hair feathers “50 Shades of Grey” The Mayan Calendar

10.43 The two youngest stars on our poll, Honey Boo Boo and Justin Bieber, tie for third with 44 votes

10.19

14.93

% 10.43

10.9

“YOLO” isn’t the crowd favorite anymore, coming in first placewith 63 votes

Nickelback doesn’t fulfill their “Rockstar” potential, coming in second with 46 votes

Nov.

Along with our good friend Honey Boo Boo, the cast of Teen Mom also displays terrible behavior and morals. The young girls on this show are basically getting rewarded for being a bad example.

MTV is basically telling young girls that if they get knocked up they’ll get a TV show. It just ain’t right.

Oct.

Aug.

6

10

When I first found out about Snapchat I was a little skeptical. Thinking to myself, “hmm, what is the purpose of an app where you can send a picture and have it disappear after ‘x’ amount of seconds?”

Although some people see this as a way to send funny pictures of them making an embarrassing face, we all know what the sole purpose of this app is.

Any child that has found the book “50 Shades of Grey” in their mother’s room is traumatized. No kid wants to think that their mom is reading “mommy porn.” Whoever decided that this book was a good idea has permanently scarred the minds of kids who find the book somewhere in their house.

7

“AF” has been used at the end of almost every sentence/tweet in 2012. “That party was frat AF.” “Dude, my teacher was mad AF.” I’m going to be honest, for about three months I didn’t even know what AF meant and once I found out, I was a bit offended by the profanity being used all the time.

It’s nice to know that a 6-year-old who calls herself “honey boo boo” and says things like, “my special juice is gonna help me win,” is one of the most popular TV shows out right now. If this little girl is a sneak peak into what the children of our future are going to be like, then I’m not so sure I would like to make it to the future.

4

8

LANCERVOICE

President Obama is reelected.

9

YOLO was probably the most commonly used response to any question in the year 2012. Standing for “you only live once,” it gave an optimistic outlook to any decision you were trying to make when you were doubting yourself. Although YOLO was a fun run, I think it is way too overused and should not continue to be a “trend” in the new year.

11 Gangam Style is an extremely overplayed song. I can’t name a time I’ve been in the car and not heard it. It’s catchy beat and repetitive lyrics make it a crowd favorite at firts, but after hearing “HEY SEXY LADY” over and over again I definitely think this song should be banned from our new year.

12

Feathers are meant to be on birds. Not in your hair. I don’t care how “hipster” you think it might be. They get tangled in things. They hurt to take out. They really just don’t look like they belong in your hair. Not only should feathers be banned from the new year, colored hair streaks should also take a break for awhile. Just stick to your natural hair. The feathers and the colors get really distracting while I’m trying to take notes in class.

“Call Me Maybe” Honey Boo Boo

SPREAD | 13

Hurricane Sandy hits the east coast.

The iPhone 5 is released.

3

America fell in love with Taylor Swift when she broke out as a 16-year-old pop-country singer.

Her songs of romance and heartbreak guided every teenage girl through a break-up. After many years of hearing how “he’s the reason for the teardrops on her guitar” and how “you’re a liar, you’re pathetic and all you are is mean,” I’m starting to think Taylor should write something along the lines of “maybe I’m the problem?”

12

The summer olympics are held in London.

5

1 The Biebz was my obsession ever since his first song “One Time” came out, but I haven’t been very impressed with his work ever since. Maybe it was cute back then when he let his pants hang down to his knees and saying “swaggy” in every song, but come on Bieber, you’re 18 now! Time to stop with the teeny bopper stuff and head off to college.

Miley Cyrus’ haircut

“YOLO”

Kony 2012 is released.

Snooki has a baby boy.

Sept.

art by Paloma Gustafson-Ika

March

Below is a replica of the poll on smeharbinger.net that received 422 votes

Timeline of random moments in 2012

Amanda Bynes is charged with a DUI. July

BANNING THE BAD

April

12 | SPREAD

Hey doomsday preppers, where ya at now? Yeah pretty funny that you guys spent all that money on what you thought was the end of the world and guess what, WE’RE ALL STILL HERE. The Mayans pulled off one of the biggest pranks of all time. Props to them. They got a whole world to believe that we would be non-existent after Dec. 21. Even though the number of people who didn’t believe that the world would end was a much larger number than those who did believe...I think everyone still had the thought in the back of their mind. That’s why we will not fall for this one again. Earth: 1 Mayans: 0.

Students answer the question, “What was your favorite memory of 2012?”

FRESHMAN KYLE BAKER “My favorite memory from 2012 was going on my church service trip to Sheridan, Wyoming where we volunteered for Habitat for Hummanity.”

SOPHOMORE ANNIKA SINK “There were a lot of people at the bowling tryouts and it was a fun experience. The coaches were really nice. The team was posted on the wall downstairs in the basement by Coach Kennedy’s room and I was really happy and she gave us our uniforms right away. “

JUNIOR SAGE THOMPSON “My favorite memory from 2012 was beating Olather South in football. It was the first time we beat them in a really long time. It was a 3-0 really close game and it was really fun. It was also the first time I beat them. I’ve been destroyed in every sport and I was really happy to beat them.”

SENIOR SAMI FETZER “I went on college visits with my mom, aunt, and my grandma. We went to Tennessee and it was a lot of fun because it was probably my last big trip with my family before I go to college. I’ll probably always remember it because I got to hang out with my grandma, aunt, and mom and no other family was around.”

14 | FEATURE The sun has yet to come up, and junior Ali Manske has just started her day. She isn’t up early to take a shower, or perfect her makeup. Instead, she’s working out. She spends every morning doing 50 push-ups and 100 sit-ups on her bedroom floor. And she does a set of five pull-ups on a bar on the back of her door.

After school, she runs. Every other day Ali runs for two minutes and walks for one minute, then repeats this 10 times.

Because Ali is training in hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Md. Ali dreams of becoming a lawyer for the Marine Corps, in honor of her father, retired United States Marine Corps colonel Mike Manske, who passed away Nov. 26.

“I’m trying not to let it consume my life,” Ali said. “But it is a really big goal that I have, so I’ll do whatever it takes.

If I don’t get in at least I can say I put in 110 percent effort.”

To get accepted into the Naval Academy, Ali must complete a physical, have a high GPA, be in the top 10 percent of her class, score well on her ACT and SAT and get a letter of nomination from a U.S. senator or representative.

“I want to make [my father] proud,” Ali said. “Even though I know he’s already proud, it’s just so much more motivating to think if I did this for him how awesome it would be .” * * * Growing up, Ali had to learn to adjust to the military lifestyle and live without her father.

“My dad was stern and strict. He didn’t really talk about how he felt,” Ali said. “He ran our household like he ordered his troops around. But, he was still always there for you and protective.”

In the early 2000s, Mike had two tours in Iraq: Iraqi Freedom 1 and Iraqi Freedom 2. In Iraqi Freedom 1, Mike fought in combat. When he went back for Iraqi Freedom 2, Mike’s mission was to help the Iraqis fix their government, so he was not in as much danger. Just being deployed in Baghdad still put him at risk. Ali and her sister, freshman Molly, were constantly worrying and thinking about him. The girls had to prepare themselves for their father’s death at a young age, just in case.

“We would email him daily to try to keep him in the loop,” Ali said. “He would call us with a really static connection from Baghdad probably once a week. It was really hard without him.”

Two years later in June of 2006, Mike was in a severe motorcycle crash. He was in a coma for a month. Once again, the girls had to prepare themselves for the fact that their dad may not make it.

The accident left Mike with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). He wasn’t able to walk or talk. He didn’t know how to eat. Mike lost his short term memory as well. The first time he saw Ali after the accident, her mom, Amy, had to tell Mike who she was.

“He was able to remember things from his childhood, but he couldn’t remember what he had for breakfast that day,” Ali said. “He had so many memories of his dad, he would talk about him all the time. It felt like we had met him even though he died when he was 45.”

But the accident didn’t just have negative outcomes; he became more caring and attentive. That’s what Ali’s grateful for.

“We grew accustomed to it, and it became something we learned how to deal with,” Ali said. “It was really rough, but I was so thankful because he gained so much. He had so many near death experiences, and I think he finally realized that one day he actually is going die. He changed the way he views life, and he instilled that in Molly and I.” * * * After he retired from the Marines, Mike was a lawyer, which has inspired Ali to go into law. This past year, she

had the opportunity to write a bill through the Youth in Government (YIG) program. In honor of her father, Ali wrote a bill that requires everyone to wear helmets when they ride a motorcycle.

“I think that our government has a right and a duty to prevent death,” Ali said. “[The bill] is clear and obvious, and it takes no extra effort on their part.”

Ali’s bill went through mock legislature where it basically did what a real bill would do during Kansas legislature. It was passed through the YIG Senate, and is currently sitting on Kan. Governor Sam Brownback’s desk.

“He’ll probably decide soon if he wants to continue with it,” Ali said. “It’s cool to think that he’s looking at what I wrote.” * * * Ali was sitting in sixth hour on Nov. 26 when teacher Steve Klein walked in. He asked her to gather her things and follow him to the office. written by Caroline Kohring “Immediately I’m going through my head thinking of worst case scenarios,” Ali said. “I’m bright red and everybody is looking at me.”

Ali’s mom was waiting for her in Dr. Krawitz’s meeting room, along with Molly. When she saw Molly crying, she immediately knew something had happened to her dad. Her mom informed her that Mike had a heart attack that morning. Ali immediately wanted to leave, not wanting to make a scene.

“It was embarrassing,” Ali said. “I’m the kind of person who would rather lock myself in my bedroom and cry alone.”

Although Mike’s heart attack was unexpected that day, Ali assumed that it would happen eventually. Mike has a long family history of heart attacks. He had also made some unhealthy lifestyle choices in the past few years. When he woke up from his coma, he was smaller than 100-pound Ali, so he began to eat a lot in order to gain the weight back.

Mike also began to drink heavily when he returned to work to cope with the feeling that his colleagues were discriminating against him because of his TBI. “He was literally a walking heart attack,” Ali said. “He just tried to drink away his problems, and he definitely didn’t take care of his body.”

From Mike’s tours in Iraq, to the motorcycle accident, Ali knew she would someday soon have to face life without him.

“I knew that the years that he was alive between the motorcycle accident and his death were extra years; he was living on borrowed time,” Ali said. “He wasn’t supposed to

MARCHING TO THE

FUTURE

photo illustration by Jake Crandall

make it through, so I had prepared myself for the fact that he wasn’t going to make it which that made it a little bit easier on me.”

However, Ali feels that some people don’t understand that. They don’t get that she had already prepared herself for his death multiple times. And she doesn’t miss the fact that he’s not always around anymore, because she’s used to it — her parents have been divorced since 2000 and her dad would have to leave for extended periods of time. Instead, she misses his advice and military insight.

“I know that this Annapolis thing would be so much easier if he was here,” Ali sad. “He has so many connections there. But I know it’s just the challenge I need, and that I can get over it. I just miss the advice and everything he taught me. But I have a lot to take away from his life, and that’s what I try to remember.”

Ali has always looked up to Mike, but after his death, he has become her inspiration.

“I was always interested in law,” Ali said. “I never was really into being in the military. But recently I found out you don’t have to go to the military just to fight in combat, so that’s how I got interested in being a lawyer for the Marine Corps.”

To do so, Ali must first get into the Naval Academy. Before Ali is able to become a military lawyer, she must learn how to fight in combat.

“Sometimes I don’t know if I can do this without him,” Ali said. “But then again that gives me so much more motivation.”

Junior Ali Manske works to become a military lawyer in honor of her deceased father, U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Mike Manske

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history

a family

written by Julia Poe

Above: Charlie White, 107, sits in his front yard.

photo courtesy of the Dalgleish family The shelves of his closet stretch to the ceiling and sag under their load. Shoe boxes from the 50s stuffed with strips of dusty film. VHS tapes. Vinyls.

“Mom, does PoPo listen to all these old musicals?”

Sophomore Austin Dalgleish sticks his head out of the closet, distracted from a search for 50-year-old pictures by a stack of records.

His mom is perched on the seat of her father’s walker in the corner of the living room. Austin ducks back into the closet, bending over to grab another box of film. He’s looking for a particular box -- from his grandfather’s vacation in Mexico -- but his search is fruitless.

“What’s he looking for?” Charles White, Austin’s PoPo, asks. He sits in the leather recliner next to Madelyn, crisp button-down neatly tucked into trousers, thinning white hair carefully combed, legs crossed at the ankles.

“Your pictures... Dad.” Madelyn says, raising her voice, taking care to enunciate each consonant so that her dad can hear her words. “The ones... from...

Mexico.”

A thin smile plays across PoPo’s lips. The creases in the corners of his eyes deepen, laugh lines more pronounced, as his eyes scroll across the room, through the years.

PoPo doesn’t share the memory. Not at first. Perhaps it’s of Mexico. Or Peru, 1956, where he adopted a pet spider monkey named Willy, sneaking it back to the States through pre-9/11 security. Or when he traveled to Japan and China and gave people newly liberated by World War II their first taste of American music. Or of his teenage days in the Roaring 20s of Kansas City, when jazz held the city in rapture and strict lines of diversity first began to blur.

His vision has slowly faded over the past century, but the memories remain in crisp, whole detail. PoPo doesn’t venture much outside of his neighborhood now, but he can remember days when he traveled the globe. Memories have become the color of his life- greys of the Depression, reds of rising and falling communism, rainbows of the 70s. Sharing them with Austin has become one of his favorite pastimes.

He takes slow, rasping breaths as he recounts snippets from his life.

107 years. There’s a lot to remember.

PoPo smiles again.

“When William and I were in Peru, we ran into these three girls...”

Austin stops his search as PoPo begins.

Austin was raised on stories like this. Life lessons

from two world wars. Financial tips from a man who experienced the Depression. Adventures Austin has only otherwise seen romanticized in movies.

“He’s really my third parent,” Austin said. “I grew up with him right across the street, I was always over there. I can’t imagine anything different.”

Charles White had lived in his home in Mission Hills for 40 years before his daughter, Madelyn, moved her growing family into the house across the street. There were thoughts of moving him into a nursing home, but PoPo wouldn’t have it. Neither would his family.

He didn’t want to be boxed in. He wanted to be close to his family. There was no further discussion, and PoPo remained in his home across the street.

“Living close to one another, it forms a bond that is much stronger than if you live far apart,” Charles said. “I can see Austin every day, see how he is. It makes it much easier for me to be close with him.”

When his family moved, Austin was a toddler.

Charles was 95. It would take five years for Austin to realize that his grandpa’s age was unique.

Back then, PoPo went on a jog each morning. He played the saxophone for Austin’s sister at her 16th birthday party. He hopped on planes and traveled around the country and told lively stories when he returned.

But then Charles turned 100.

“There was this big party at Kansas City Country Club and they gave him all these awards,” Austin said. “I remember thinking that my grandpa was different, that not everyone got the opportunity to know someone who had been through so much.”

After that, Charles’ age was a more noticeable accomplishment for Austin. His PoPo was offered awards, invited to give speeches around the nation.

But for Austin, Charles’ graceful aging wasn’t his greatest feat. For Austin, it was the way he wove together tales from 50 years before with stunning detail. It was the way he lovingly gave decades-old advice, fathered and taught Austin with memories from a century of living.

Rummaging through the attic and basement of PoPo’s home, Austin has unearthed samurai swords and old military uniforms, collected from family members and a cruise to the Orient. Constantly he finds new film and brings it to PoPo, full of questions, exclaiming over the captured moments.

“Mom, PoPo, look!” he’ll say. “Mom, you’re a kid in this one, and—look—that same family picture is on the wall!”

Austin’s favorite story takes PoPo three hours to tell. It involves a young Charlie White and his best friend, Pulitzer-Prize winning author Edgar Snowe, taking a road trip to California. When their car broke down, the pair continued their adventure to the West by hopping onto the back of cargo trains to get to California and return home to Kansas.

“We were just two young boys, taking an adventure,” Charles remembers. “It was just Ed and I, having fun, taking the summer day by day.”

For Austin, the story embodies PoPo -- his love for his friends, his ingenuity, his reckless, easy-going confidence. It’s the type that he feels is dying out, a relic from a time that few can remember. Charles isn’t commonplace. The scenes played out before his eyes -- wars, depressions, dreams achieved -- are becoming faded photographs and History Channel documentaries.

That was life for Charles. He has seen the ties be-

tween past and the present fray. Charles gives Austin that connection, keeping alive memories of a simpler way of living that Austin wants to emulate.

“He always tells me to live simply, for today, because you never know when things will change, when opportunities will be gone,” Austin said. “Back in those days, you cared about your friends, your family. Now everyone is worried about grades and technology. It was simpler back then. Maybe it was better.”

Nothing brings memories back like music.

All it takes for Charles is one line. Jazz. Swing. It takes him back, back to the 20’s when he taught himself to play saxophone, to the 40’s when he toured in the band of a cruise ship to bring jazz to the Orient.

It helps him to remember when he sang in quartets with fellow doctors at his hospital, when he met his wife at a local dance party.

Medicine was Charles’ profession. As an anesthesiologist, he saved lives. But music gave him a way to live his own. Over 100 years, he’s seen music progress from jazz to rock to pop, from Sinatra to The Stones to Bieber. He misses the days when music focused on tune, on composition. He listens to vinyls from the past, from the 20s, from the 50s, and it takes him back.

In the last few years of his life, music has done even more. It has connected him to Austin. None of Austin’s family has a passion for music—it took him until middle school to realize that he loved it. The bond that chords and rhythm creates between the pair is special.

Charles often asks Austin to play the piano for him, and they can discuss their love of music, their favorite types, their favorite songs, for hours.

“Music is a way of expression, of expressing life,” Charles said. “Where else can you show someone love or sadness? How else can you do that? It is the best way to express and enjoy life.”

He’s spent a century enjoying life and living for the moment. But in the last ten years, Charles has become less mobile. He stopped traveling and ended his daily jogs. And five months after his 107th birthday, Charles was faced with mortality.

It was a stroke. Minor. But Charles felt that something was different. This was the first major health problem he had experienced since a broken arm five years before.

“He turned to my mom and said, ‘I think this might be terminal,’” Austin said. “We didn’t question it. He’s lived in his body so long, he knows its limits.

I think it was the first time we’d really had to think about him not being there anymore.”

The idea was not accompanied by fear. Only acceptance, and a need to share advice, scatter final words.

He tells Austin to cherish his youth. To live for each day, to travel and love and live with joy, so that one day, he can look back on his life with pride.

Charles knows regret. He retells his mistakes to Austin, so that his grandson can learn from them.

But mostly, Charles tells Austin about joy, adventure, love. Those are the emotions that he wants Austin to live for, and they are what fill him as he waits for a fate that has taken its time to reach him.

“He keeps telling me, ‘One of these days, an angel is gonna come for me, and I’m not gonna fight it,’” Austin said. “And it’s kinda sad but it’s amazing and almost inspiring. Because that’s how it should be.”

That’s how you want it to be.”

FEATURES | 17

TIMELINE a few of the major events White has lived through

1920 Women gain the right to vote in the United States.

1927

1925 Hitler publishes Mein Kampf.

The first movie with talking, “The Jazz Singer”, is released.

1934

1945 The United States drops an atomic bomb on Japan.

The midwest is ravaged by the Dust Bowl.

1948 The “Big Bang” theory is created.

1962 The Cuban Missile Crisis takes place.

1969 Neil Armstrong walks on the moon.

1981 A woman is appointed to the U.S. 1990 Supreme The Court for Hubble the first Telescope time. is launched into space.

The only way, for me to come back, is by Machiavelli. That’s it!

EW OR

These are the opening lyrics to rapper Tupac’s song “Ghost” on the album Resurrection. Conspirators believe Tupac is either resurrected or never truly died and is living under the name Machiavelli.

“He calls himself Machiavelli,” junior Anna Jones said, “And Machiavelli, a sixteenth century Italian philosoThe pher, was the one that wrote The Prince.” plane Machiavelli was an Italian war strategist crash on Sept. who advocated faking one’s death to fool 11, 2001 was a turntheir enemies. ing point in American The book The Prince talks history. American policy about how a new type changed and war with the Middle prince that must be East began, but was that really only concerned about planned by Al Qaeda? reputation.

“There were too many signs pointing to the To upfact that we knew something was going to happen,”

LD

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hold his status, he may need to take immoral actions in order to keep control and power.

Tupac had a number of enemies, so for his safety, it is believed he had to have a shooting setup to make people believe he was dead while he was actually fully alive on an island going by the name Machiavelli.

There are many other things about Tupac’s death that encourage the idea he is alive according to conspirators.

Tupac was shot on Sept. 7, 1996 at 11:15 p.m. in Las Vegas. The next day he was reportedly cremated. No one saw the body between the shooting and cremation to confirm that Tupac was indeed dead. After he was cremated, the ashes were mixed with marijuana and smoked by his friends, the Young Outlawz.

“They smoked him,” Jones said. “But they cremated him the day after he died. No one ever witnessed or confirmed it was him so we think they got a body double and killed him or they found [fake] ashes.”

A picture of the rapper’s body on the autopsy table was released to the public soon after the shooting.

“It is clearly fake,” senior Michael Goss said. “He’s missing a recognizable tattoo in it.”

A rapper by the name of Blac Haze released an album that speculators believe sounds like Tupac in lyrics and rapping style.

“Another rapper came out a few years after Tupac was said to have died named Blac Haze that sounds exactly like him,” Goss said. “He rapped about being at his own funeral and being shot. His music videos were similar to him too.”

Tupac would be forty-two this year. Who knows what he could have done...or still is planning to do?

conspirator James Morgan* said. “But we needed something so that we could go into the other countries and get what we wanted.”

Morgan believes the United States wanted oil out of the Middle East and needed an event to make the American people back their goals.

Although the government did not force the event to happen, conspirators believe the U.S. was entirely aware that an attack was going to happen, and maybe even all of the details of the event.

“At all times as you look through history,” Morgan said. “There is planned accidents to get us to go into some kind of situation.”

Conspirators claim the CIA originally not only funded Osama Bin Laden but also armed and trained him to fight off the Russians. These conspirators say the United States has always had a fear of communism and has funded many terrorist groups in order to stop communism.

“Its perplexing to me that these same guys that we want to bring down,” Morgan said, “We also helped propel and then something turned the tide. It’s documented that we were supporters of Bin Laden. We funded him and the Taliban when we were trying to help them out.”

19 hijackers took control of the aircraft on Sept. 11.

Of the 19 men, 15 of these citizens were Saudi Arabian.

The New World OrThe other four were Egyptians and United Arab der.

The global elite. The Emirates citizens. However, after the attack on the Illuminati is believed by conUnited States, the government invaded Afghanispirators to be a group of the top stan and Iraq. billion people in power — politi“We went into the country that none of cal, social, or economic — that conthe hijackers were linked to,” Morgan said, trol the rest of the world.

“Like the guys that were flying the plane Junior Madeline Peters knows a great weren’t even Afghani they were Saudi. deal about the Illuminati from YouTube Going to Iraq was totally counvideos and believes some of what conspiracy terproductive. We never found theorists say about them. weapons of mass destruction.”

“It’s a group of the highest family powers All these reasons have around the world,” Peters said. “They are working conspirators convinced toward a new world order that there is going to have there is another group one permanent government and they’re going to use a that took part in the atmassive genocide to achieve that plan.” tack on 9/11: the U.S. The group is believed to be based at the Denver airport, government. according to sophomore believer Catherine Sabates. The air*name changed to port’s original construction was believed to have been incorrectprotect identity ly built so the structure was buried instead of knocked down. The second airport was built on top of the original and believers think Illuminati meetings take place in the original, underground airport.

In this meeting area, the Illuminati is suspected to create inflation, recession and depression; they basically create and manage economic crises

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THE RETURN OF TUPAC

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photos courtesy of mctcampus.com

CO A PA NSP GE IRA ABO CY U THE T OR I ES

M I X ED

written by Maddie Hise

MIXED| 17

in o r der to give them the power to control the market. In return, this will give them the power to be able to create one core religious and ethnical power. They elect their leader according to who will help them achieve their overall goals.

Other dates of crises such as death of celebrities and terrorism around the world seem to happen in a pattern, according to conspirators.

“All the important dates lineup,” Sabates said. “All the numbers add up.

The numbers were all so well put together and real that it couldn’t have been a coincidence I don’t think.”

The Iluminati hand signal — a triangle made with thumbs and forefingers — is a number glamorized by celebrities such as Jay-Z, Beyonce and Nicki Minaj.

“In Ke$ha’s ‘Die Young’ music video there are a bunch of signs,” Sabates said. “[like] triangles and upside down crosses on her clothing. A bunch of celebrities are wearing the clothing with the upside cross or the 666 hats. The clothing line costs so much money only celebrities would spend their money on it.”

There are many different beliefs in the degree of power the Illuminati holds or is planning to take action to hold. Some believers think everyone is being watched constantly by agents of the cult. Others believe the Illuminati will be wiping the world of excess people.

“No one knows but it’s easy to kill a lot of people at one time.” Peters said.

“It’s as easy as poisoning the water. They could do anything to kill people. It wouldn’t be like shooting you but it’d be like something big enough and fast enough plus it’d be discrete.”

18| FEATURES

Above: Charlie White, 107, sits in his front yard.

photo courtesy of the Dalgleish family The shelves of his closet stretch to the ceiling and sag under their load. Shoe boxes from the 50s stuffed with strips of dusty film. VHS tapes. Vinyls.

“Mom, does PoPo listen to all these old musicals?”

Sophomore Austin Dalgleish sticks his head out of the closet, distracted from a search for 50-year-old pictures by a stack of records.

His mom is perched on the seat of her father’s walker in the corner of the living room. Austin ducks back into the closet, bending over to grab another box of film. He’s looking for a particular box -- from his grandfather’s vacation in Mexico -- but his search is fruitless.

“What’s he looking for?” Charles White, Austin’s PoPo, asks. He sits in the leather recliner next to Madelyn, crisp button-down neatly tucked into trousers, thinning white hair carefully combed, legs crossed at the ankles.

“Your pictures... Dad.” Madelyn says, raising her voice, taking care to enunciate each consonant so that her dad can hear her words. “The ones... from...

Mexico.”

A thin smile plays across PoPo’s lips. The creases in the corners of his eyes deepen, laugh lines more pronounced, as his eyes scroll across the room, through the years.

PoPo doesn’t share the memory. Not at first. Perhaps it’s of Mexico. Or Peru, 1956, where he adopted a pet spider monkey named Willy, sneaking it back to the States through pre-9/11 security. Or when he traveled to Japan and China and gave people newly liberated by World War II their first taste of American music. Or of his teenage days in the Roaring 20s of Kansas City, when jazz held the city in rapture and strict lines of diversity first began to blur.

His vision has slowly faded over the past century, but the memories remain in crisp, whole detail. PoPo doesn’t venture much outside of his neighborhood now, but he can remember days when he traveled the globe. Memories have become the color of his life- greys of the Depression, reds of rising and falling communism, rainbows of the 70s. Sharing them with Austin has become one of his favorite pastimes.

He takes slow, rasping breaths as he recounts snippets from his life.

107 years. There’s a lot to remember.

PoPo smiles again.

“When William and I were in Peru, we ran into these three girls...”

Austin stops his search as PoPo begins.

Austin was raised on stories like this. Life lessons

history

a family

written by Julia Poe

from two world wars. Financial tips from a man who experienced the Depression. Adventures Austin has only otherwise seen romanticized in movies.

“He’s really my third parent,” Austin said. “I grew up with him right across the street, I was always over there. I can’t imagine anything different.”

Charles White had lived in his home in Mission Hills for 40 years before his daughter, Madelyn, moved her growing family into the house across the street. There were thoughts of moving him into a nursing home, but PoPo wouldn’t have it. Neither would his family.

He didn’t want to be boxed in. He wanted to be close to his family. There was no further discussion, and PoPo remained in his home across the street.

“Living close to one another, it forms a bond that is much stronger than if you live far apart,” Charles said. “I can see Austin every day, see how he is. It makes it much easier for me to be close with him.”

When his family moved, Austin was a toddler.

Charles was 95. It would take five years for Austin to realize that his grandpa’s age was unique.

Back then, PoPo went on a jog each morning. He played the saxophone for Austin’s sister at her 16th birthday party. He hopped on planes and traveled around the country and told lively stories when he returned.

But then Charles turned 100.

“There was this big party at Kansas City Country Club and they gave him all these awards,” Austin said. “I remember thinking that my grandpa was different, that not everyone got the opportunity to know someone who had been through so much.”

After that, Charles’ age was a more noticeable accomplishment for Austin. His PoPo was offered awards, invited to give speeches around the nation.

But for Austin, Charles’ graceful aging wasn’t his greatest feat. For Austin, it was the way he wove together tales from 50 years before with stunning detail. It was the way he lovingly gave decades-old advice, fathered and taught Austin with memories from a century of living.

Rummaging through the attic and basement of PoPo’s home, Austin has unearthed samurai swords and old military uniforms, collected from family members and a cruise to the Orient. Constantly he finds new film and brings it to PoPo, full of questions, exclaiming over the captured moments.

“Mom, PoPo, look!” he’ll say. “Mom, you’re a kid in this one, and—look—that same family picture is on the wall!”

Austin’s favorite story takes PoPo three hours to tell. It involves a young Charlie White and his best friend, Pulitzer-Prize winning author Edgar Snowe, taking a road trip to California. When their car broke down, the pair continued their adventure to the West by hopping onto the back of cargo trains to get to California and return home to Kansas.

“We were just two young boys, taking an adventure,” Charles remembers. “It was just Ed and I, having fun, taking the summer day by day.”

For Austin, the story embodies PoPo -- his love for his friends, his ingenuity, his reckless, easy-going confidence. It’s the type that he feels is dying out, a relic from a time that few can remember. Charles isn’t commonplace. The scenes played out before his eyes -- wars, depressions, dreams achieved -- are becoming faded photographs and History Channel documentaries.

That was life for Charles. He has seen the ties be-

tween past and the present fray. Charles gives Austin that connection, keeping alive memories of a simpler way of living that Austin wants to emulate.

“He always tells me to live simply, for today, because you never know when things will change, when opportunities will be gone,” Austin said. “Back in those days, you cared about your friends, your family. Now everyone is worried about grades and technology. It was simpler back then. Maybe it was better.”

Nothing brings memories back like music.

All it takes for Charles is one line. Jazz. Swing. It takes him back, back to the 20’s when he taught himself to play saxophone, to the 40’s when he toured in the band of a cruise ship to bring jazz to the Orient.

It helps him to remember when he sang in quartets with fellow doctors at his hospital, when he met his wife at a local dance party.

Medicine was Charles’ profession. As an anesthesiologist, he saved lives. But music gave him a way to live his own. Over 100 years, he’s seen music progress from jazz to rock to pop, from Sinatra to The Stones to Bieber. He misses the days when music focused on tune, on composition. He listens to vinyls from the past, from the 20s, from the 50s, and it takes him back.

In the last few years of his life, music has done even more. It has connected him to Austin. None of Austin’s family has a passion for music—it took him until middle school to realize that he loved it. The bond that chords and rhythm creates between the pair is special.

Charles often asks Austin to play the piano for him, and they can discuss their love of music, their favorite types, their favorite songs, for hours.

“Music is a way of expression, of expressing life,” Charles said. “Where else can you show someone love or sadness? How else can you do that? It is the best way to express and enjoy life.”

He’s spent a century enjoying life and living for the moment. But in the last ten years, Charles has become less mobile. He stopped traveling and ended his daily jogs. And five months after his 107th birthday, Charles was faced with mortality.

It was a stroke. Minor. But Charles felt that something was different. This was the first major health problem he had experienced since a broken arm five years before.

“He turned to my mom and said, ‘I think this might be terminal,’” Austin said. “We didn’t question it. He’s lived in his body so long, he knows its limits.

I think it was the first time we’d really had to think about him not being there anymore.”

The idea was not accompanied by fear. Only acceptance, and a need to share advice, scatter final words.

He tells Austin to cherish his youth. To live for each day, to travel and love and live with joy, so that one day, he can look back on his life with pride.

Charles knows regret. He retells his mistakes to Austin, so that his grandson can learn from them.

But mostly, Charles tells Austin about joy, adventure, love. Those are the emotions that he wants Austin to live for, and they are what fill him as he waits for a fate that has taken its time to reach him.

“He keeps telling me, ‘One of these days, an angel is gonna come for me, and I’m not gonna fight it,’” Austin said. “And it’s kinda sad but it’s amazing and almost inspiring. Because that’s how it should be.”

That’s how you want it to be.”

TIMELINE a few of the major events White has lived through

1920 Women gain the right to vote in the United States.

1927

1925 Hitler publishes Mein Kampf.

The first movie with talking, “The Jazz Singer”, is released.

1934

1945 The United States drops an atomic bomb on Japan.

The midwest is ravaged by the Dust Bowl.

1948 The “Big Bang” theory is created.

1962 The Cuban Missile Crisis takes place.

1969 Neil Armstrong walks on the moon.

1981 A woman is appointed to the U.S. 1990 Supreme The Court for Hubble the first Telescope time. is launched into space.

A&E | 19

Upholding Your New Year’s Resolutions in

AMERICA’S AMERICAN RESOLUTIONS take a look at some of NEW YEAR’S the topics people made RESOLUTIONS their resolutions about

31 percent-relationships 34 percent-money 38 percent-weight loss 47 percent self improvement & education poll from betterment.com

LANCER How to keep up your resolution: here are three of the most common — and hardest to keep. written by Hannah Ratliff

T

EXCERCISE/EAT WELL

ime and time again, this is one of, if not THE most popular, resolution made when January rolls around. But what to do about all of those Christmas feast leftovers tempting you from the inside of your refrigerator? The girl scout cookies that will be delivered by your adorable neighbor within a couple of weeks? Though this resolution is the most popular, the fact that it keeps being repeated may actually indicate how easily broken it is. So how can you keep it? One of the best ways to make sure you don’t start to lose your resolve is to make appointments – set

up a time to work out with a trainer, pay for a class ahead of time or schedule a time to go on a run with a friend. As long as you set up something where another person is counting on you to be there, you’re more likely to follow through with it. Knowing that you would be letting someone else down instead of just expecting yourself to want to go is a great way to make sure you don’t flake out. Otherwise, you’ll just end up saying “I’ll do it tomorrow”... Which you probably won’t.

Revolution Gym in Ranchmart shopping center only

JOIN A GYM! costs $10 a month and you can pay extra for classes

E

If you have a smart phone, check out apps like ‘Lose It!’ and ‘WeightBot’

SAVE MONEY

specially important for someone going to college next year (unless you’re cool with eating ramen for three meals a day until you come home for Thanksgiving), this resolution is one that easily crumbles when faced with a really great pair of shoes or any trip to Target. This resolution is one of the hardest, because coming up with fun ideas of stuff to do with your friends that won’t cost you anything is really tough. So my advice would be to occasionally give yourself a bit of wiggle room – you should be able to have fun with your friends, so let your-

self buy that movie ticket or an ice cream cone. Otherwise, you might get bored and do an online shopping binge — or just become a shut-in.

But one of the best ways is to tell your close friends and family about your goal, and ask them to remind you of it in your moment of weakness. Think of anyone who you might go shopping with, ever — and tell them that you need to save money. If you’ve got someone there to remind you, it makes it harder to convince yourself that dropping $75 won’t make you that broke next year.

-If you buy three Grande Starbucks Lattes a week for $3.26, you’ll spend over $500 in the year

THINK ABOUT IT! -If you pack your lunch twice a week you’ll have about $10 to pocket and save

A

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

nything – an instrument, language, heck, even a British accent. This goal is one of the most common resolutions every year for a simple reason: learning something new makes you feel good. Learning something just because you want to makes people feel accomplished, excited, and it means you have one more thing you can talk about at a party.

But by the middle of February, you might start to get frustrated with the actual pace that learning something new goes. Which is very... very... slow. In order to get yourself motivated to keep practicing that tuba or

learning Françias, both of which would help to have appointments set up, I suggest putting some of your own money into it. That’s right, you heard me. Your own money. That hard-earned cash from hours of serving frozen yogurt or walking your neighbor’s dog will seem a lot harder to give away to Rosetta Stone or a tuba teacher, but that’s the idea — since you care about that money you earned, you’ll be more motivated to actually practice.

-Set a goal to read three books on the New York Times Best Sellers list by the end of 2013

CHALLENGE YOURSELF! -Instead of checking your Facebook feed, check out cnn.com and catch up on some real news

VOICE

What is your 2013 resolution and how are you planning on keeping it?

SOPHOMORE PALMOUR MEEDS

“To be healthier and exercise more...I put my soccer practices in a calandar to make sure I remember them.”

JUNIOR SAMMIE PFEIFAUF

“To save money rather then spend it right away...think about things before I buy them...like do I really need this.”

FRESHMAN BRET KIRKMAN

“To make good grades... and play as many sports as I can...use my phone and set reminders on my phone.”

photos by AnnaMarie Oakley

20 |A&E

JAMES AND MORGAN’S INFINITE PLAYLIST

SENIOR AND SOPHOMORE DISCUSS WAYS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR MUSIC written by James Simmons and Morgan Krakow

LIVE CONCERTS

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“

A collection of my favorite songs from a variety of genres.

I sat in seventh hour art, trying to trace a picture of a kale leaf and since the contours of the photo were beginning to bore me, I did what any sane teenager would do.

I pulled out my phone. Scrolling through my Twitter feed I noticed that one of my favorite bands had created a hashtag and was answering questions from fans. Foregoing the piece of kale, I immediately shot off a tweet. And waited. And waited some more. And then, there it was, they had replied! This is why Twitter is so great for music lovers. It’s a direct link. In the fast-paced world of technology anything can happen and I guarantee Twitter is the first place people will be talking about it.

Music Streaming Twitter depending when I get there. Concerts Live Music Blogs Different genres of concerts can bring in different crowds. The atmosphere is completely different for an alternative rock concert opposed to a rap concert.

People simply don’t sit and listen to the guitar solos at rap concerts, but are instead greeted by an overload of bass and persuaded to sway to the beat.

Concerts are also a great way to diversify music taste. Music festivals have introduced me to bands I would never have heard of before. The ticket for a cluster of 5-6 bands all performing in one night can get pricy but it opens up a handful of new artists and in the end it is always worth it. Opening bands can also be the perfect introduction to a less popular band that has a similar style to the headliner.

MUSIC BLOGS

Music is constantly aggravating my eardrums at maximum volume whether I’m trying to neglect the homework sitting in front of me or attempting to reclaim order in a chaotic room.

But music isn’t a distraction.

Music is a freedom of expression, an organization of melodies. It’s creativity and passion. Music is crucial to my life and it’s important for me to stay up-to-date on new releases and recordings. Scouring iTunes for the top 50 hits of the week is not only oldfashioned, but also a shallow disgrace to indie music fanatics like Morgan and myself.

Popular music may be catchy with its simplistic melodies, easily getting “stuck in

J-Boogie’s Beats

Krakow’s Jams

Weight Of Lies - The Avett Bros.

Swimming-Florence & The Machine

Via Chicago - Wilco

Share With Me The Sun- Portugal The Man

Breezeblocks - Alt J

I Don’t Wanna Pray- Edwarde Sharp

Whenever I Go - Karima Francis

The Head I Hold- Electric Guest

How Long Will They Mourn Me - 2pac

Welcome Home- Radical Face

Hurt - Johnny Cash

Serpentine- Chris Bathgate

In Color- Jamey Johnson

The Wave- Miike Snow

Three Wooden Crosses- Randy Travis

Train Song- Feist & Ben Gibbard

your head,” but it lacks the in-depth attention to acoustics and collaboration of artists with their instruments. One tactic I use to attempt at salvaging my music library from desolation by the status quo is simple: music blogs.

In most cases, music blogs are websites offering free downloads of what the creator considers the best up and coming music.

Sites many people have started taking advantage of like Good Music All Day and The Kollection transition the spotlight to underground hip-hop artists and rappers that can’t be found on iTunes because their albums have been released as free downloads called mixtapes. Whereas other sites like Daytrotter and NPR book recording sessions with bands new on the music scene. These recordings are virtually live 4-track concerts that show only the band’s musical talent rather than allowing them to hide their flaws with vocal and instrumental editing.

Morgan’s play l

J-BOOGIE

’ Playlist s e Jam

Lights, mics and the fans can make or break a band. A concert is meant to be a social meeting ground but it’s also an evaluation.

Purchasing a ticket for most concerts is not cheap and although I’m always down to have a good time, I also want to bask in awe of the talented performers on stage. Concerts in smaller venues are often more enjoyable because it feels more personal. As a teenager, my biggest preference for any concert is general admission seating. For the same price, I can have a seat in the front row or the very back all

TWITTER

A mixtape could drop early, an album could get leaked, news of extra tour dates could get announced. Just click the follow button for an inside link to some of your favorite bands.

The best way to find new music is to be open to all of the possibilities. I’m not a hip hop person but that doesn’t mean I won’t look up a band that one of my Twitter compadres retweets or favorites. Opening my mind to all types of music helps me to define what my taste in music really is.

In addition to following my friends and favorite bands, I also follow Spin Magazine. They are always tweeting about some up-and-coming artist that will be topping the charts next year. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one of your friends to discover music’s next biggest sensation. You’ll even have the satisfaction of being able to tell everyone: “I listened to them before they were cool.”

--

Maybe Facebook has gotten a little dull lately. Aside from stalking people I half know and friending the kid who sits behind me in math, Facebook just doesn’t have the same draw as it used to. Enter: Spotify, a music streaming service that can be downloaded onto any personal computer and an account can be set up by any Facebook user. With a seemingly infinite collection of music, listeners can put together playlists and connect with friends by subscribing and compiling their music tastes together. This virtual music library, with the exception of the occasional commercial, can be streamed

for free 24/7.

I found out about Spotify mid-way through last year and it has completely changed my music experience for the better. love the scrolling feed of what my “friends” are listening to. I love the warm and fuzzy feeling I get when someone subscribes to one of my perfected indie playlists.

Although having Spotify to check out new artists is great, I also really like Pandora Radio. Listeners can have Pandora make playlists for them based on a favorite song or band. I downloaded the free app and set up an account a few years ago.

I have been in music heaven ever since. A lot of the songs Pandora plays are by bands I’ve never heard of so when I hear a new song I like, I just bookmark it. Later, I add it to a new Spotify playlist so my friends can enjoy the band as well.

-ist

MUSIC STREAMING

K-FRESH

“

These are some of my favorite songs from some unique artists.

THE

SPORTS ROUNDUP written by Phoebe Aguiar

Catching Up

College: Washington & Lee

Sport: Soccer Q: How did your season go?

A: Well, our season is in the fall so we finished in Novemeber and it was a good year. We finished second in the league which is higher than we have ever done.

We were 11-4-3.

Q: How is playing in college different from high school?

A: Its not totally life consuming but definitely a bigger time committment in college. Its three or four hours everyday and then varsity games twice a week in the season and there is a lot more off season stuff. You have to be in the weight room a lot and there is a spring season. We have to practice for a month and one spring game.

Pretty much its a bigger time commitment, is the biggest difference.

Q: What tips can you give to high school athletes pursuing a college career?

A: My process was kind of different, I got recruited by some other places. I just showed up to tryout for the team. If I had to give any advice, start the process as early you can, as early as its legal. Get your name out there, email coaches, travel around, go to camps in the summer. That’s a big one, going to camps in the summer.

Just network with people, always be trying to get looks by coaches however you can.

Q: Favorite part/ moment/ goal/ etc.?

A: Probably this year, we were playing Stevenson and it was tied 1-1, and it went into overtime. I scored the game winning goal. It was sudden death, so golden goal.

That was fun.

JAN

WEEK

AHEAD

IN SPORTS

WEEKLYRECAP

After the West bball game on Jan. 11, senior Anna Colby (@nolbs) tweeted at sophomore star Lucas “Tuna” Jones (@lsjjones) asking for a tweet in honor of her birthday.

In Photos

WRESTLING

@nolbs happy bday His response got 16 RTs and 75 Favorites.

Grace Pickell continues her jumping career at KU

With

ZACH COLBY

THE

SPORTS | 21

TWEET OF THE WEEK

22

Senior Grace Pickell is ranked third in the nation, holds the state and school record and now is a Division I commit.

Pickell has committed to high jump for the University of Kansas next year. After her record-breaking season last year, Pickell got offers from a variety of schools.

“I visited four other schools and probably got a calls or emails from about 30 to 40,” Pickell said.

She narrowed it down to two schools that she then choose between.

“It came down to KU and K-State, so I sat down and realized that if I was just going to college and wasn’t going to play a sport, it was KU,” Pickell said. “That was the place I was most comfortable.”

Making the choice involved not only Pickell, but some of the people closest to her. Her father had the biggest impact on her decision; he helped her decide on which school would be right not just for athletics, but for her.

Pickell is looking forward to a new level

“

STAFFER

Alex Goldman Sports Editor

Matt Hanson Head Copy Editor

SWIMMING TOPEKA

of intensity. Increasing her fitness and jumping higher are the things that she is looking for improvement in her college career. She suspects this to be hard work, but worth it.

She is also looking forward to her last track season at East. Her record-setting season last year has put a number of high expectations on her. Pickell feels pressure to do well for the East track team and to show her future coaches what she can do.

Even if she doesn’t have a standout high school season, it won’t effect her in college career.

“It’s kind of nice to know that it is set in stone and that they are not going to take away scholarships if you don’t have the best season,” Pickell said. “I want to do well because I committed...it makes me nervous.”

Pickell is looking toward the end of her high school career and the beginning of her college career at KU.

“

HARBIESSAID IT. On storming the court after the Lancers’ 38-37 win over SM West

On looking ahead to the Rockhurst game

“By far the most exciting moment I’ve had at East.

After seeing Vance nail a Kobe-esque game-winning shot and Zach pull of that insane steal, I was nearly brought to tears.”

“We may not be able to pull off the back to back ChickFil-A championship, but I’ll take a Rockhurst away victory.

With this year’s team I’m confident we can pull it off.

I said it before and I’ll say it again. Lancers win, 98-12.”

“Some people might disagree with it, but I think after the football loss against the Vikings we had justification for doing so. Plus the emotion of the moment just couldn’t be contained.”

“God, I don’t want to say we’re gonna win, but then again I do.

After three losses, I’ve learned not to get my hopes up for this game, but objectively it seems to me that there is reason to do so.”

This past weekend the Varsity Wrestling team placed 20th out of 37 teams in the Bobcat classic. Their next meet will be this Thursday against BV North. The next day, Friday, will be Senior Night at home against SM Northwest.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

The team had their third game against Olathe Northwest, losing 37-58. The Lancers are 3-7 of Jan. 15. Their next home game is Feb. 5, against Olathe South.

BOYS’ SWIMMING

Boys’ swimming had a home meet last Thursday, winning every single event but one. Their next meet will be this Thursday against BV North, a huge rival. The next day, Friday, will be Senior Night at home against SM Northwest.

photo by Jake Crandall

@

Swimming goes on the road in their quest to get yet another state title. They will be looking to get in those state times before their season begins to come to a close.

JAN

25

BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROCKHURST

@

Boys’ basketball will try to defeat Rockhurst after losing the past five years.

Undefeated as of now, this game could determine the Lancers future at state.

FEB

1

BOYS’ BASKETBALL LAWRENCE

@

Another tough road game for Lawrence, the Lancers will try to continue a winning streak against a tough 6-3 team. This could be key for the rest of the season.

FEB

5

vs

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL OLATHE SOUTH

After a tough 2-6 start, girls basketball will try to get it back at home against Olathe South. Olathe South is 8-0 on the year and will test the Lancers.

22 | SPORTS

IcePrincess

Looking at an old picture of herself, with her private coach in the background, attempting a crossover that is now simFreshman Maggie Brophey finds comfort on the ice ple, Brophy can see how much she has improved.

She attributes much of that success to her As freshwritten by Jennifer Rorie coaches. While Brophy continues to take man Maggie private lessons where she is one-on-one Brophy steps onto the ice at The Carriage working with her coaches, the group classClub, she feels comfortable. It’s a place es where she is learning with the other ice where her quirky and bubbly side can come skaters are where she finds the most enjoyout. It’s where she can wear all the sequins ment in the sport. she wants. It’s where she first realized what “Over the years I’ve bonded with all of she wanted to do with the rest of her life. the girls and the girls that are in the highSeven years ago Brophy’s family joined est level now with me have all worked reThe Carriage Club and she found out about ally hard for this,” Brophy said. “We all pay the skating program they offered. And after attention, but it’s time when we can start discovering some of her friends were inhaving fun with it.” volved, Brophy wanted to try it out.

Every year, The Carriage Club hosts their “The first thing that caught my attention annual Ice Show where all of their skaters was just wanting to get involved. All of my participate. This year, Brophy is involved friends were doing it there,” Brophy said. in three group numbers with the highest “And looking up to the older girls made me level of skaters and a solo performance to realize that it’s actually something you can the song Dancing on the Ceiling by Lionel do with your life and still have a fun time.”

Richie for the show on Feb. 22. While BroIn the beginning, Brophy spent anyphy enjoys working on the group numbers, where from three to four days a week at her solo is what she is looking forward to the rink during open skating sessions and the most in this year’s show. group classes. Since she began taking pri“This year is my first year ever doing a vate lessons, that has changed to anywhere solo in the ice show,” Brophy said. “So I was from three to six days a week, depending on thrilled that I got the chance to do it.” cheerleading practice, and 5:40 a.m. lessons Skating has always been something that on Thursdays.

Brophy has loved and enjoyed from the very beginning, but the support from her family has encouraged her and driven her to do her best. According to Brophy, her parents and older brothers have enjoyed watching her skate from the very beginning. “[My parents] were definitely very supportive and excited, and they still are,” Brophy said. “[My brothers] love to watch me skate, even though they don’t like to admit it all the time. Stephen will be eating upstairs with his friends and I’ll see him peeking over sometimes to watch.”

The support from her family has helped Brophy take her skating to the next level with competing. In order to advance in competitions, ice skaters have to go through testing with their coaches.

Brophy has passed 15 of 22 levels and once she completes the final test she can accomplish her ultimate goal of being certified to teach. The prospect of teaching and helping others learn is what continues to drive Brophy in the sport.

“I’d like to pass my senior testing, so I can make money off of teaching and be able to love it,” Brophy said. “In the show number I work on I help the little kids, and I love doing it so why can’t I earn a living off of it?”

For Brophy, ice skating means the world because of the elegance and unique-

ness she feels on the ice. According to Brophy, ice skating has taught her more than how to do an axle or land a double sao kao, it has taught her what it really means to work hard, and love what you do.

“It has taught me that there is always room for improvement and that you can always get better and that hard work really does pay off,” Brophy said. “Just like getting out at competitions and realizing that this is just everything right there in that one moment.”

STORY

Scan for a video of Maggie on the ice

photo by Annie Savage

SPORTS | 23

HANGING WITH THE

BIG

Sophomore Star has a Bright Future on Varsity Basketball Team

BOYS

written by Alex Goldman photos by Marisa Walton With 2:10 left in first quarter, sophomore Lucas Jones intercepted a quick pass from the Leavenworth point guard at the top of the key. The Lancer crowd grew in excitement, recognizing that there was nothing but space ahead of him.

Jones knew what was about to happen. He just didn’t know whether to use one or two hands. The sophomore soared into the air, clutched the ball with both hands and threw down a dunk that caused the gymnasium to erupt.

Ninety minutes later, the Lancer boys’ basketball team met their classmates in the cafeteria to celebrate their 69-53 victory over the Leavenworth Pioneers. While most players joked with friends and rejoiced in their big win, the 6-foot5-inch sophomore sat in the corner by himself enjoying a slice of cheese pizza. It wasn’t because he had no friends to talk to. It wasn’t because he had a bad game. In fact, he brought down a game-high nine rebounds. He sat quietly in the corner because that’s the way Lucas Jones is.

According to senior big man Chris Tuttle, Lucas Jones has always had this kind of collected demeanor.

“I met him at summer workouts a year ago and he was a tall, lanky dude that rarely spoke,” Tuttle said. “I’d say things like ‘What are you doing buddy, you’ve got fifteens on each side’. Now, I’m starting to say ‘hell of a block Tuna’ or ‘great dunk’. Now that he has established himself, he’s started joking and talking with the rest of us.”

Jones, who played the majority of last JV season despite a broken wrist, has quickly asserted himself into this year’s state contending team by bagging the ARC tournament MVP award after bringing down 14 rebounds in his debut varsity game. Despite Jones’ rebounding talents, head coach Shawn Hair is more impressed by another skill the sophomore possesses.

“More than anything, he’s adaptable and a progressor,” head coach Shawn Hair said. “He had some success in JV, then over the summer he had success with the varsity team.

Now he’s just taken his game to a whole other level. Getting ten rebounds in this league is a very tough thing to do.”

One reason Jones has improved so much from last year

would be his weight increase due to his constant workout regime.

“Over the summer I would lift four days a week and now I lift every Wednesday and Saturday,” Jones said.

Jones has even acquired the nickname “Big Tuna” for his impressive play in the post. The nickname came from teammate senior Chase Hanna one day when they were golfing.

“He’s a big guy and his friends would call him big money so I changed it to big tuna after seeing an episode of the office where Andy calls Jim big tuna,” Hanna said. “I think it’s hilarious that it stuck and that all the fans chant it. After seeing him play the post so well he definitely deserves the chants.”

Although Jones has gained an immense amount of attention over past few months (the sophomore racked up more than 50 new twitter followers after the Shawnee Mission West game alone), he would rather pursue a golf career in college over basketball.

“Right now I don’t think I’m going to play basketball in college,” Jones said “I’d actually prefer to golf in the next level. But anything can change, I’m only a sophomore. So we’ll see.”

Hair believes that Jones controls his own destiny in the coming years as long as the underclassmen continues to put in the hard work.

“He wants to get better, he’s always looking forward the next drive to do things the right way,” Hair said. “He could be as good as he wants to be. He could be a division I player if he wants to be.”

Despite his immense potential, Jones would trade in the basketball for some clubs after he graduates. The sophomore is an avid golfer and shot mid seventies on the subvarsity golf team last spring.

“I’d play almost everyday in the beginning of summer and even try and go out on the hotter days,” Jones said.

“Golf is a nice relaxing escape for me, I love just going out with my friends and playing 18 to 36 holes. Now in the colder months, basketball kind of replaces it as my escape

and relaxes me.”

Even when Jones is out on the links with his friends he maintains his calm composure on the links as he does on the court. When his buddies are cursing and throwing their clubs all over the course Jones says he is the calming effect in the group.

“I like to keep it cool and not let my emotions get the best of me,” Jones said.

Jones takes the same approach to basketball as he does on the greens, taking every possession as if it were a hole on the golf course.

“A basketball game is like 18 holes,” Jones said. “Every hole counts and you have to learn from your mistake from each hole. If you get too distracted you won’t come out on top. I like to keep to myself and focus on winning.”

W I N G S P A N 6’9” --------------------------6 ft 5ft 4 ft 3ft 2ft 1 ft

HEIGHT:

6’5”

WEIGHT:

185 lbs

AVERAGES:

PPG: 8.3 RPG: 9.1 BPG: 1.7 All Stats provided by hsgamecenter.com

24 | PHOTO STORY

Transfer student, Scott Kerns, creates his own spin on dupstep, under the stage name “(the) Squibs” Left: Working on his computer, Junior Scott Kerns creates a new song. Kerns first became interested in making music after attending a deadmau5 concert with his brother freshman year. “I just really liked what I heard,” Kern said.

Below: Kerns calls himself Squibs which he came up with one day while doodling in class. “I was just drawing some graffiti and it popped into my head,” Kern said.

“I thought it would be good for my stage name.”

Above: Part of Kerns equipment includes a sequencer. Each column on the board represents a different instrument and each row provides a different pitch.

Use your smartphone to scan this QR Code to be able to see more photos and listen to Kerns music.