FOR AWARENESS
To recognize National Diabetes Awareness Month, four East students share their stories to educate others on type 1 diabetes
NOVEMBER 11, 2024
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ASST. PRINT EDITORS
Sophia Brockmeier
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Ada Lillie Worthington
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SECTION EDITORS EDITORIAL
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NEWS
Clara Burdick
OPINION
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Dunham
Broce
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The Harbinger is a student run publication. Published editorials express the views of the Harbinger staff. Signed columns published in the Harbinger express the writer’s personal opinion. The content and opinions of the Harbinger do not represent the student body, faculty, administration or Shawnee Mission School District. The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content, but quotes material may be confrmed with the sources. The Harbinger encourages letters to the editors, but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple letters of the same topic and personal attacks contained in the letter. The Harbinger will not edit content though letters may be edited for clarity, length or mechanics. Letters should be sent to room 400 or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.
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ACCESS UNSTOPPABLE
YouTube’s new firearm regulations do absolutely nothing to promote gun safety
DIY HANDGUNS”
“How to reload a gun.”
When prompts like this are searched, YouTube’s recently implemented firearm regulations should restrict the content. 20 videos of step-by-step tutorials on how to make a gun out of supplies like wood, pens and cardboard should not show up immediately. But they do — all of which are easily accessible to young children.
YouTube’s regulations, as of June 18, are really only there to make it seem like the company cares about gun safety, but they don’t actually do anything.
The preexisting regulations include a ban on direct sales of firearms through ads and sponsorships and prohibiting tutorials on how to make guns. The new additions filter showing how to remove firearm safety devices, restricting those under 18 from watching automatic or homemade weapons being used, preventing promotion of firearms and not running gun-related advertisements.
According to the policy, any content in violation will be removed. But apparently, the short captioned “New Plinker! Caught a good sale” doesn’t fall under the specific restriction on sponsorships or the sale of firearms. That just doesn’t make sense.
In addition to the prohibited content still being on the site, the age restriction is quite literally the easiest barrier to get around. As long as children aren’t logged into an account associated with their age, there’s absolutely nothing stopping kids from viewing the content.
Any eight-year-old who grew up playing “Fortnite” and shooting their friends with Nerf guns is used to violence, but that doesn’t mean they should be able to access firearm tutorials any minute of the day. Having videos agerestricted on kids accounts doesn’t prevent Avengers-obsessed six-year-olds from seeing a YouTube playlist with 37 videos titled “Homemade Guns & Weapons.”
It’s nearly impossible to effectively restrict content to people over the age of 18 and any kid with minimal knowledge of technology could figure out a way to get around restrictions.
The only way to truly censor content is by banning it altogether. It’s truly just a facade for companies to shield themselves from public ridicule.
The policy would be much more practical if they just banned all gun content. Bodycam footage of a school shooting — gone. Guns exploding in people’s hands — bye bye. But, according to their policy, suggesting someone purchases a certain gun is far more dangerous than traumatizing the viewer.
Even if these regulations worked, there are endless other websites like Reddit and Quora making the information easily accessible. If someone needs information on how to remove a trigger lock, they’re most likely doing a general search instead of specifically on YouTube. Just restricting YouTube content does nothing.
“Guntubers,” or people who post gunrelated content, like @GUNS-GDC — a channel with 392,000 subscribers and over 2,000 videos — has left YouTube because of the demonetizations and instead, posts on channels that support First and Second Amendment rights like Rumble and X.
According to NBC, many of the creators in the Guntube subsection have major partnership deals with firearm companies and profit off these harmful videos, whether they’re posted on YouTube or not. These regulations are just pushing gun content off YouTube to save the company’s image, not actually helping with gun safety.
Livestreams featuring someone even showcasing a firearm are also banned. So YouTube isn’t able to filter out all videos that violate the policy, but apparently they’re able to spot a firearm on a livestream and take it down real-time.
It’s especially unfortunate considering there are ways to restrict harmful gun related content such as screening all videos for violence paired with guns and preventing gun content from being uploaded in the first place.
Companies need to quit the censorship charade and actually get to the root of the problem.
for: 11 against: 1
The members of the editorial board who agree with the viewpoint of the editorial are represented by for, and those who disagree with the viewpoint are represented by against.
RULE EXODUS
YouTube gun experts and fans are leaving the platform due to new rules being implemented by the app
YouTube has said it will be more consistent on enforcing its policies against “GunTubers” promoting and linking sales of frearms
According to NBC News
Videos that show how to disable safety devices on frearms will be banned
Videos showing automatic weapons will be restricted to those under the age of 18
stories by vanessa blades
stuco pickleball tournament
THE SOPHOMORE
STUCO members will be hosting a pickleball tournament at the Harmon Park tennis courts today, on Nov. 11. The event is being held to help donate cans for the Johnson County Christmas Bureau can drive.
StuCo will allow up to 32 teams of doubles to sign up through a link in their Instagram bio “@ smeclassof27.” Attendees must bring three cans per person to participate in the tournament. Participants are encouraged to dress up for the theme
new
— ugly Christmas sweaters — and the winning doubles team will receive a $25 gift card.
In preparation, StuCo representative sophomore Vada Walsh asked sophomore Tommy Trucksess if he would supply the rackets and balls. Trucksess then offered to send a link about the pickleball tournament to the pickleball GroupMe to encourage other sophomores to participate. The tournament will mainly be run by sophomore StuCo along with a little help from their sponsor, Emily Fossoh.
kc bbq museum
THE MUSEUM
OF BBQ will open in Kansas City, MO in spring of 2025. It’ll be the first of its kind, displaying the different components of barbecue.
Visitors will be able to learn about the four main regions of American barbecue, and kids will be able to play in
StuCo’s pickleball can drive — a way to get people to donate cans — is happening on Nov. 11
“I think this will benefit East because it will help raise money and help the people in need of food,” sophomore StuCo member Will Beezley said.
SCAN ME GROUPME
The first ever BBQ museum being opened in Kansas City, Missouri this spring
like ball pits that are designed to look like “a giant crock pot of barbecued beans,” according to Smithsonian magazine.
“It’s meant to be experienced together, and this museum is designed to help you connect with the elements and regions of barbecue, of which Kansas City is the epicenter,” co-founder Jonathan Bender told KCT’s reporter Ryan Hennessy.
Sophomore Max Bradley is excited for the new barbecue museum as he is
cheer’s first competition
HE CHEER COMPETITION
team had their first competition on Nov. 2 at Blue Valley High School called “Rally in the Valley,” where they showcased their new routine for the first time this year. East was the only team in the traditional category, which includes a cheer and full routine with stunts, versus every other team in the gameday category— this includes a cheer, a chant and a couple stunts.
The team cheer was first, followed by a routine with music, containing
six different categories — standing tumbling, elite stunts, running tumbling, pyramid and dance.
“At the end of the routine everyone is panting and wondering if any stunts fell,” junior Isabella Penke said.
Cheer’s competition team’s next performance will be at Shawnee Mission East’s “Late night in the castle” 3 DEC.
Coming home with a big gold trophy, the team received an 84/100 for their performance. They also claimed
JUNIOR
Giving the Lancer community a voice
AVA PEREZ
Q: What preparation did you guys take leading up to your competitions?
a frequent barbecue eater. Bradley’s dad taught him how to cook barbecue when he was around five by showing him how to season the steaks before putting them on the grill. Ever since, they’ve eaten at restaurants like Texas Roadhouse, Meat Mitch and Oklahoma Joes.
“This place sounds super interesting, and I’m excited to go and see what it’s gonna be all about,” Bradley said.
The cheer competition team’s first competition of the year was at Blue Valley High School called “Rally in the Valley”
a specialty award for an outstanding stunt pyramid. Coach Buckman entered two separate stunt groups into a stunt competition — one group received a superior while the other stunt group received an excellent.
Sophomores Bella Drier and Mary Marsden recieved a yellow ribbon for outstanding tumbling.
“Everyone was pretty nervous considering this was the first time we competed it [the routine] but once we got on the floor I think we all had fun, and we gave it our all and were happy with the outcome,” junior Ava Perez said.
A: Normally we get [to school] pretty early, like 7 a.m. before first hour practice. For first hour we normally work on [the] competition [routine]. We would go earlier to have extra time built in to stretch. This was our first year having a choreographer coming in. It was something different, but we all loved it so much. We all love the choreography he made for us. We had him come in during the summer for two or three days of choreography camp, just really focused on [the routine].
FRESHMAN ISABELLA DINKINS
Q: What are some differences between middle school cheer and high school cheer?
A: We only had two practices a week, now we practice like every first hour. You also wouldn’t try out for the team you would just sign up. We went to two competitions [in middle school], but there weren’t as many teams there. There were quite a few teams [at the last competition].
Junior Abby Jackson practices her stunts at a football game preparing for cheer competitions
photo by caroline hoffmann
groupme
CHRONICALLY UNHOUSED
As Kansas City ranks worst in the nation for chronic homelessness, local nonprofit organizations create change
story by sophia brockmeier
KANSAS CITY IS ranked worst in the nation for chronic homelessness, according to the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR).
Hope Faith, a nonprofit organization in Northeast Kansas City, will open an emergency shelter, a temporary residence in the cold, on Dec. 1. Executive Director of Hope Faith, Doug Langer, hopes to keep the shelter open permanently.
“The cold weather [shelter] was a great start for a few years to literally save lives,” Langer said. “If it’s okay to be sleeping somewhere Feb. 28, we need to have a place where people can do that as well on March 1, June 1 or any day of the year.”
homelessness, according to the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR).
Nonprofit organizations, including Hope Faith, across the Kansas City area are working towards ending chronic homelessness.
According to AHAR, Kansas City currently has over 2,500 individuals experiencing homelessness. Out of this group, 280 are chronically homeless and 95.7% of them are currently unsheltered — the highest rate in the nation.
or a home,” O’Donnell said.
Although the lack of shelters has consistently been a problem for the homeless, it’s increasingly prevalent as numbers of chronically homeless people rise.
less chron ic ness
with low wages.
“If [homeless people] are at a paid job, their wages are not growing at the same rate as their rent is growing,” Kraus said. “Even though there are jobs available, the jobs that are available to people who don’t have a strong education or don’t have connections are not the kind of jobs that are going to be able to afford the average rent in Kansas City.”
is in for
HELPING home
Used to describe people who have experienced homelessness for at least a year — or repeatedly — while struggling with a disabling condition
These high numbers in Kansas City are caused by the lack of emergency shelters in the area, according to Langer. Homeless individuals struggle to find a shelter to stay in the area, and as a result, become chronically homeless.
Junior Grace O’Donnell has volunteered with Kids4Vets, a nonprofit organization started by junior Libby Marsh that helps homeless veterans and educates children on homelessness. For 10 years the organization has provided toiletries to homeless individuals.
“Just having these basic needs really helps them, even if they don’t have a shelter
Since 2007, chronic homelessness has increased by 19% nationwide, according to AHAR. Morning Glory Ministries has seen this increase in chronically homeless individuals through their Tuesday through Sunday meals. A year ago, Morning Glory Ministries was serving 130 individuals per day. Now they serve 200.
SEASONS THROUGH THE
John Kraus, executive director of Morning Glory Ministries, attributes the growth in the homeless population and those who are remaining on the street to the increasingly difficult housing economic situation combined
While both Morning Glory Ministries and Uplift, another nonprofit organization, don’t provide housing for homeless individuals, they do give meals and resources such as toiletries, clothing and blankets directly to the homeless. Ross Dessert, president of Uplift, says his organization helps alleviate the stress of the homeless, even if they can’t provide a permanent solution.
Uplift fosters relationships between homeless people and volunteers, according to Dessert.
Dessert urges Kansas City residents, especially from Johnson County, to get involved in their community and volunteer with organizations such as Uplift.
SPRING SUMMER FALL
“A primary focus of mine is getting people like us from Johnson County to engage with our homeless neighbors,” Dessert said. “Everybody wants to care about this, but they don’t have a way to do that. And so that’s what [Uplift] does, is we provide a way for students to show compassion and empathy.”
Junior Catherine Beltrame has volunteered at Uplift in the past and believes the organization actively creates change in the Kansas City area.
“I feel accomplished when I volunteer with Uplift,” Beltrame said. “I feel like I’m giving back and it’s worthwhile. They always have something for you to do, like going out and seeing the people and the impact that it makes firsthand. I’m starting to solve this problem.”
Langer, Kraus and Dessert urge students to volunteer this winter to raise awareness over the rising number of the chronically homeless.
“We have a whole movement going on here,” Dessert said. “Let’s expand it. Let’s do more. Let’s try to build on that and influence more people from the cul de sacs. It’s happening.”
design by bella broce art by francesca lorusso
NOVEMBER 11, 2024
EFIELDHOUSE RENOVATIONS
A recap and introduction of all the renovations Allen Fieldhouse has undergone during the offseason to prepare for the 2024-25 basketball season, and how the East community is reacting to the changes
AST PARENTS AND KU alumni appreciate that the University of Kansas’s Allen Fieldhouse has kept its old-school atmosphere after an 18-month renovation process.
Taking place during basketball offseason, the $55 million makeover includes a state-of-the-art video board and sound system, 1,100 new chairback seats and a closer student section, according to kuathletics.com.
“My one key takeaway is how impressed I was that the building kept its charm and its very traditional look while being brought into 2025 technology and amenities,” KU Alumni and East parent Matt Taylor said. “I was actually very impressed.”
The last time KU updated Allen Fieldhouse was in 2009. Sophomore Hallie Pfiefer said KU’s 15-year-old jumbotron was “outdated” in comparison to other college basketball arenas.
The new central LED video board has four identical screens that are the same size of the old jumbotron. The new setup includes two more underbelly screens for people in the lower sections to better see the video board.
“I think it’s cool they have video screens underneath the new one,” KU season ticket holder and east parent Ryan Pfeifer said. “ If you’re sitting way down low, you can see a video screen without having to raise your neck up and see the new, improved
one.”
The facility also added two videoboards on the northwest and southwest sides of the fieldhouse to display statistical information about the game for fans in the upper levels of the fieldhouse. To create room for the videoboards, however, the facility had to remove around 1,000 seats.
Fans worried a potential downside to removing so many seats could be the lower noise levels which can affect Allen Fieldhouse’s reputation of being extremely loud. But Taylor said he believes the opposite.
I THINK IT’S cool they have video screens underneath the new one. If you’re sitting way down low, you can see a video screen without having to raise your neck up and see the new, improved one.
RYAN PFEIFER
EAST PARENT AND KU SEASON TICKET HOLDER
“Most of the seating that was lost were way, way, way up high in the corners where they’ve put the two new video boards,” Taylor said. “Those seats are the farthest from the court in the whole building. I don’t think it’ll really impact the noise level or experience at all going forward.”
KU also added 1,100 chair-backs to original bench seats on the facility’s west side for added fan comfort, according to KU alumni board member and East parent Sasha Boulware.
Boulware said fans asked for chairback seating because bench seating was uncomfortably crowded with each person being assigned a small section of the bench, rather than a designated chair.
KU also expanded the student section by adding more seats to the front — making students closer to the court. The facility omitted the original fiberglass barrier, which students used to bang on, increasing the noise levels in the fieldhouse and replaced it with an open metal railing.
“People will cheer as loud as they always have if not louder,” KU student and East Alumni Brayden Tuttle said. “I don’t think it’s gonna affect [noise levels] a whole lot, but it definitely will take away that tradition we had.”
To keep the stadium’s energy, the student section will retain the original metal benches for students to cram more than the intended amount of people.
Allen Fieldhouse has changed from the original facility built in 1955, but according to Ryan, the fieldhouse needed 2025 technologies and updated amenities.
“What makes Allen Fieldhouse special is the fans and the old-school feel of the field house,” Ryan said. “It makes it feel like a more intimate old-school arena.”
COURT UPDATES
New renovations at Allen Fieldhouse in preparation for the basketball season
ABOVE Allen Fieldhouse debuts their new stadium jumbotron and scoreboard to prepare for the upcoming basketball season.
TOP The new wall art in Allen Fieldhouse depicts the evolution of the Jayhawk mascot.
design by reese dunham
photos courtesy of kansas athletics
story by lucy stephens
AFFIRMING the
On Oct. 17, the East Debate team was recognized as a top ten program in the nation
THE EAST DEBATE program
was recognized as one of the top 10 debate programs in the nation on Oct. 17. Now, seniors Sophie Leanord and Lucy Pace are preparing to compete in the Tournament of Champions, a competition that East hasn’t been invited to since 2008.
In recent years, the debate team competed against high school teams nationwide, all while breaking several records and winning awards, such as 5th place at nationals last year. Leonard also won first speaker and was recognized nationally at the same competition.
The influx of accomplishment in recent years can be largely attributed to its advanced debaters: Pace, Leonard and senior Jaxson Terreros. The group has managed to take home several awards over their four years competing, and attended the University of Michigan’s seven-week debate camp this summer as a way to further work on their skills.
“We’ve been involved in this activity for four years, three of which have been together,” Leanord said. “Lucy, Jaxson and I are sort of the first team to be competing nationally [after previous seniors left], which has really boosted the program’s reception.”
Pace and Leanord received a third bid to the TOC — a competition attended by only 70 teams each year — on Nov. 3, because of their performance at the Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Tournaments. In this same competition, the duo managed to both
place in the top ten speakers and are hoping to place again at the TOC.
This year, both Pace and Leonard reserve their sixth hour for debate, despite their equally crammed IB diploma-filled schedules. Their extra hour is used to give them time to aid novice debaters, or first years, with understanding debate’s complicated rules and sink-or-swim nature.
They spend their extra hour teaching, scheduling tournaments and editing their arguments and rebuttals. Their teaching, Trey Witt, has encouraged involvement from younger debaters and ensuring future generations of success, according to both Leonard and Pace.
“We started becoming pretty big leaders on the team since sophomore year,” Pace said. “We’ve set a standard of what’s possible in the program. I want to communicate that if [we] can be so successful, then novices can be too.”
This year, debate has seen a surge in participation, thanks to the program’s success and new graduation requirements in the district. The quantity of novice debaters is bigger than any senior can remember. All the teams were able to go positive at their very first tournament, an accomplishment that Leanord takes pride in.
“[The team] has exploded in size, but I also feel like it’s grown in competitiveness,”
Leonard said. “We’ve spent a lot of time and energy in increasing our membership.”
Witt takes satisfaction in the opportunities
that he gives the debaters and, according to Leonard, is the reason they’ve been able to be successful in the first place.
“Mr. Witt put so much work into ensuring the best competitive opportunities,” said Leonard. “The booster club organizes several fundraisers that are super necessary to get us out there.”
“At this point this year, I feel like we’re experiencing a lot of that competitive success,” Pace said. “It’s incredibly rewarding because of the four hard-working years it took to get here.”
t o c
The most prestigious youth-debate tournament that only features 70 teams across the country.
Helpful debate teams and their corresponding definitions
“Going positive” refers to winning more matches than losing. For example winning 3-2. bid
tral poll
Qualifying pieces to gain admission to the TOC. Two are needed to qualify.
Statistical calculation of the best teams in the country, factoring past wins and losses.
THE HARBINGER design by kai mcphail
photo by katie cook
story by kai mcphail
DEVELOPMENT DISSECTING CHILD
A breakdown of the popular Child Development Class
TAKING
BABY STEPS
Student stories from taking the robotic babies home for a weekend EMPATHY
What the Empathy Belly is and how Child Development students interact with the belly
LEILA ZOTINCA SENIOR
“TOOK CHILD DEVELOPMENT BELLY
students put on the belly during a class period and must perform various tasks while wearing the weighted belly WHAT IS IT?
STUDENTS MUST: WALK UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS LAY DOWN AND GET BACK UP THE AVERAGE EMPATHY BELLY WEIGHS 30-33 POUNDS TIE THEIR SHOES
RECEIVED A 37%
I HAD THE baby over the weekend of Chill Ball and I decided to hide the baby in the closet [during an afterparty]. I started to hear it crying and it was in the washing machine. Then someone took it out, and they dropped it down the stairs. So then the baby got shaken baby syndrome and died.
CHARLOTTE ECTON
SENIOR
“I GOT SICK right before it was my weekend and I was staying up super late with the baby one night. I woke up the next day and I had completely lost my voice. It was interesting because if I’m a mom and I’m sick, I still have to wake up when the baby wakes up, and I still have to do A, B and C.
TOOK CHILD DEVELOPMENT YEAR JUNIOR
RECEIVED A 80%
Students take a robotic baby, that records the student’s interactions with the baby, home for a weekend and must care for it WHAT IS IT? ON THE PROJECT ON THE PROJECT
design by sophia brockmeier
photos by molly scott
opinion
hot take
November is an amazing month and part of the year as a whole story by preston hooker
THE BRIDGE BETWEEN Fall and Winter can be a treacherous one for many, but when the streetlamps come on earlier and the cool weather starts to pick up, I find the air around me refreshing and rejuvenating.
In early fall the weather is inconsistent. In the morning, it’s freezing cold and in the afternoon it’s back up in the 80s. What seems to be a small inconvenience regarding the outfit of the day, turns into an abysmal experience of a motivationless
comic strip
art by avery foster
wardrobe.
Yes, I have tons of outfits I love to wear in the fall, but having to haul around a heavy jacket halfway through the day is unbearable. It’s this weather that makes me not care what I wear at all.
But when November rolls around, it’s more consistently cold, giving me the freedom to coordinate my outfits, listen to Taylor Swift’s Evermore and light a fall-scented candle as I read a mystery book.
There’s a reason that Guns n’ Roses wrote
“November Rain,” and there’s a reason that song is so good — as it evokes the feeling of melancholy that’s so liberating in comparison to the inconsistent weather of early Fall and the saturating heat of the summer.
All of this, coupled with the holiday spirit creeping into your mind as winter approaches, sets up an amazing season dedicated to giving thanks and embracing the cold.
So go outside and jump in some leaves or carve a pumpkin. Enjoy the best 30 days of the year.
*Instagram poll of 180
Harbinger staffer ranks Halloween costumes seen at parties
1
3 staf ranking
David Bowie was by far my favorite costume. It was unique, flashy and memorable. They had silver glitter with vibrant face-paint and an iconic outft.
“Nacho Libre” had me dying laughing and made me wish I had thought of the costume myself. The theme song from the movie plays in my mind every time I think of their costume.
2
Pearl and Maxxxine from “Maxxxine” was a bloody surprise to see. The contrasting outfts of the 50s and 70s went together surprisingly well.
take our polls
Follow the Harbinger on social media to participate in our polls @smeharbinger @smeharbinger @smeharbinger @smeharbinger
*Instagram poll of 220 votes
ON THE RUNWAY
NEW MODELS
- Alex Consoni
- Lila Moss
- Anok Yai
- Devyn Garcia
RETURNING MODELS
- Adriana Lima
- Kate Moss - Gigi Hadid
- Tyra Banks
OPINION
runway, brands have started to place more importance on inclusive models than how well the models fit their brand. And let’s face it, are they even being that
New and returning faces on the runway wings now hair now
For instance, Victoria’s Secret Angels have always been full of personality and each had their own persona on the runway showing their looks, walks and how they worked the camera. This year however, in the company’s desire for an inclusive look, the models were bland — they did struts I could do myself and very few of them successfully created a personality for themselves on the runway. It’s possible to be inclusive, but also find models that encapsulate a brand’s look.
The rise of social media and influencers also plays a role in this new era of fashion shows. Fashion shows used to be a place for those truly into fashion — designers, models, high-end celebrities in the fashion world. Now, when looking at the New York Fashion Week crowd earlier this year, more influencers were taking Instagram-worthy selfies or getting the perfect angle of the runway for their TikTok than celebrities that actually had
Fashion shows should be high-end, unique and cater to the actual fashion world — not just be a way to plug your brand or gain the most followers.
THEN vs NOW wings then
Used real feathers from chickens, Chinese pheasants and ostriches for just one pair of wings
Victoria’s Secret is committed to PETA and all models wear faux feathers on their wings
Differences and new changes in the Victoria’s Secret shows
This year, the show was missing the crucial blowouts and saw hair styles such as slick backs hair then
The iconic Victoria’s Secret blowouts were a staple in all fashion shows and made up a part of the classic angel look
design by tillie paisner art by avery foster
THE PATH
AHEAD
Seniors shouldn’t be expected to be committed to a college during the fall due to pending financial aid and potential changing of opinion
story by ada lillie worthington
SITTING DOWN AT the dining room table, I faced my three friends with a pen, paper and Pinterest board.
We were meeting to lay out some initial plans for our graduation party: the date, time, food and other fun details we’ve been waiting four years to plan. When decorations were brought up, we began talking about balloon arches.
“We can do a balloon arch with the colors of our colleges! Purple for me, green for you, red for you and ... TBD for Ada Lillie.”
My eyes dropped down to my lap. I know my friends had zero intention of bringing up a sensitive subject, but it only reminded me of the societal expectation that, as a senior, I should already know where I want to go. And study.
Spoiler alert: I don’t. But that’s okay.
Seniors don’t have to commit to a college in the fall or even know what they want to study. There’s still six months left before May 1 — decision day — to consider cost, majors and the location of a school students will spend four years and thousands of dollars on.
For too long I’ve let the replies of “Oh...” or “... That’s okay” to my indecision make me feel like I’m on the wrong path. Comments like these discourage undecided students and make them feel behind — even when
they’re not.
Some of my out-of-state applications aren’t even due yet. I’m still putting finishing touches on my short answer question for the University of Colorado Boulder and sending my ACT scores to admission offices. After I submit these, I’ll have to wait until at least the end of January for the colleges to respond with my acceptance or rejection.
And don’t even get me started on the FAFSA. Scholarships and tuition are a huge part of deciding where students want to go, including me. At this point, it’s completely normal to receive college acceptances but still be undecided due to pending financial aid. The cost of tuition is a major factor that will impact a student for the rest of their lives. Comparing aid offers can’t be rushed.
Even if you know where you want to attend college, students don’t need to know what major they want to pursue. Fluctuating from year-to-year, approximately 20 to 50% of students enter college undecided each year, according to North Central College research.
Don’t get me wrong, I find it humiliating to answer the question of the day in class with, “I’m undecided” immediately after
PATHFINDERS
Resources to help seniors find what they want to do after high school
one of my peers just laid out their entire blueprint to becoming a doctor.
But I don’t want to find myself performing open-heart surgery in an operating room 20 years from now just to realize I rushed into the wrong career.
North Central College says that 75% of students change their major at least once before they graduate. Chances are, your peer who’s 100% set on being a marketing major will change their mind halfway through sophomore year. Personally, I’d rather do the hard thinking now rather than in college.
For some reason, it’s become commonplace to expect kids to have everything figured out before they go to college, at the risk of never becoming successful. This mindset couldn’t be further from the truth.
College is a place of self and occupational discovery. You’re supposed to find your major as you settle into college, not before. This is why so many people change their major — it’s not what they expected it to be.
What you study in college may not even be what you end up doing for a career. Actor Samuel L. Jackson originally wanted to study marine
biology, until he changed his course to eventually star in the Star Wars and Marvel franchises along with other successful films, according to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Journalism majors can end up being software engineers, and visual art majors can end up being lawyers.
You don’t have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life at this very moment. You’ve only been on the Earth for around 17 years — you’ve got a lot of time left to figure it out.
4 days
until the Frequent Friday
“You Do Love me... Don’t You?”
who’s who in the SAIL department
Meet some of the people who work in the SAIL department
What does SAIL stand for?
Social And Interpersonal Learning
What
do you want kids to take away from being a part of your program?
SANDRA SCHLUTER
“
I WANT THEM to believe that they might have some differences, but they can be just successful. They can go on to college if they want and I just want them to be confdent [in] who they are and whatever our little idiosyncrasies are we should be confdent in them because we’re not alone.
THOMAS SCHLUTZ
“
I WANT THEM to take out that at Shawnee Mission East, they can be successful at anything they do socially. We want them to be able to go out and feel that everybody is treated equally and that they can enjoy their time. I want them to be able to go to a basketball game, just to be included in everything.
this week in photos
BELOW Freshman Delilah Labels tapes tissue paper to her ofrenda project in Spanish 2. photo by addie clark
BELOW Junior Roman Lee works on assembling his project in robotics class alongside his classmate.
RIGHT Sophomore Fritz Asams works on his design for a vehicle to pick up blocks during his robotics class.
frequent fridays
A feature on one senior’s upcoming one act play
Play: “You Do Love Me... Don’t You?”
Date: Nov. 15 12
total Frequent Friday plays over the course of the school year
Genre: Romantic comedy with thriller elements
Director: Senior Mimi Suptic
What was the process of directing your play?
“
I WAS LOOKING online at different one-act scripts, and I knew what kind of show I wanted. So I looked up plays that ft that specifc description, I found this one show that worked, and I went with it.
design by reese dunham
photo by zac russell
photo by tyler russell
deb u tant
one making a formal entrance into society
by photo by membership,” Burns-Kates said. “But then again, we do look very closely at the kid’s leadership, volunteering, and just being an all-around great kid and person.”
The first practices of the season began in mid-October when the debutantes and escorts — male participants — were lined up and put in pairs based on height.
Since then, Dickerson, Ordonez and 44 other students from various schools have met every Sunday evening to practice their ball dance.
“At first, I was like, ‘What am I doing?’” Ordonez said. “We’re all wearing our sweatpants and sweatshirts and our heels, but it’s really fun.”
believe is one of the most essential parts of the ball — the ball gown.
Whether it’s the color, material or shape, the gowns aren’t the traditional white, bulgy dresses commonly associated with debutantes.
Each debutante wears the same dress to the Community Ball, but they’re all custom-made year-to-year, allowing the girls to wear dresses different from those of the past.
“We did a luncheon, and [JLWJC] made it a special thing,” Ordonez said. “A girl came out wearing the dress, [and] this year it’s off the shoulder, black velvet and pink.”
DANCE CARD PRACTICES
Information about the dances the debutantes will perform
PARTICIPANTS PERFORM THREE DANCES MIX OF TRADITIONAL WALTZ AND CONTEMPORARY DANCE
SUNDAYS: 10/27, 11/3, 11/10
SUNDAY 11/244:00-7:30 P.M. 4:00-10:00 P.M
SONGS
during the season, escorts and debutantes work together to provide gifts to those in need, learn the various moves incorporated throughout their dance and create new friendships during their short time together.
“LONG LIVE” BY TAYLOR SWIFT “RAINBOW CONNECTION” BY WILLIE NELSON SURPRISE SONG
“I made a couple of new friends, [and] I saw one of them at DECA, so now I know them from other places,” Dickerson said. “It’s a good way to meet new people.”
The Community Ball, held at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center, lasts an entire day, with fittings, makeup and presentations of the escorts and debutantes.
performs their waltz with their partner. Afterward, attendees and participants eat dinner and enjoy the rest of the night with family and their new friends.
“It’s really just a great experience,” Burns-Kates said. “And I will be honest, it has been magical to watch them get to be friends so quickly.”
NOVEMBER 11, 2024
Kstory by addy newman
AROUND THE CORNER of a church, a group of high schoolers hide in the pitch black at 11 p.m. The “murderer” roams around the church while the others attempt to hide from them. Unaware of who it is, the suspense continues as they try to decipher who is doing the “killing.”
This tradition illustrates the friendship of seniors Will Beck, Brooks Moore, Cole Chinnock and Luke Bartalos.
While many high schoolers find their community and friend group from a sporting team, a hard class, or even in a club, Beck, Moore, Chinnock and
FEATURE
design by julia campbell photos by ava towner
KLASSIC for LIFE for TRADITIONS
A group of seniors attending since they were in elementary school maneuver their final year before college at KLIFE and have grown their friendship since
friendship through building their religious faith at KLIFE — a religious youth group.
“[KLIFE] helped me grow my friendships, grow my faith in God and it’s been a big part of my life,” Moore said.
As they drive to the KLIFE house and walk into the building for their weekly meetings, not only have they gained life advice from their mentors, but they now have a place where they can belong.
“High school is such a hard time and you go in your freshman year and you don’t know what or who you are,” Chinnock said. “But I think KLIFE really helps you solidify that and find
Every Sunday, a group of nearly 20 seniors meet with their mentor, Matt Ford, at the KLIFE house.
Then on Mondays, they join the rest of the high school group. They venture inside the building and usually start off playing games such as
basketball with their friends. Then they sing worship songs and the mentors give sermons about scripture. Not just about high school needs, but anything and everything they need to hear, such as troubles in family and current events.
Every week since elementary school, the group has attended their youth group at the KLIFE house. They share their prayer requests, asking for the group to pray for things going on in their lives, and by doing this they are able to learn more about each other’s needs and concerns, such as things they are struggling with and need help with.
“You get to hear a little different side of [your friends],” Chinnock said. “You get to know them a little better because you know what’s on their heart and what they’re thinking and maybe concerned about.”
According to Moore, everyone should join KLIFE. It can truly improve anyone’s high school experience, the role models can lead the path for their futures through advice and their teaching.
“[Our mentor has] been through it all, he’s had a rough go at life,” Chinnock said. “He is so knowledgeable, and you can talk to him about anything. The older mentors have just been really
awesome.”
Memories like retreat trips over the summers and post-youthgroup Chick-fil-A dinners have been made throughout the friends KLIFE experiences. They have gained experience working with younger kids and with older mentors to continue to grow their faith.
Over their sophomore summer, some members of the group went on a retreat trip to Kanakuk, near Branson, Missouri for 24 hours. They stayed awake almost the entire time and came home practically delirious but with memories of their time well spent with their friends, worshiping and learning more about each other.
They continue on their friendship from retreat camps to their everyday meetings and hangout outside of KLIFE and of school.
After the conclusion of each meeting, the group gather up their things, say their goodbyes, head to their cars and take the four minute drive to ChickFil-A. There the group continues to bond and create close relationships and a friendship outside of the KLIFE walls.
“[During KLIFE] we get to see each other more, and then we get to grow in common interests and just learn more about each other,” Moore said.
Seniors Will Beck, Luke Bartalos and Cole Chinnock embark on their favorite memories spent with the Klife community
WILL LUKE COLE
Arkansas Retreats Retreats the Kanakuk camp ground in Branson, Missouri
Small group meetings every Sunday
Playing murder in the dark on the nights before snow days
The Fall Retreat Sophomore Year
LOCAL LANCER
THE HARBINGER
Junior Clara Breneman is preparing to join the United States Naval Academy by participating in a multitude of extracurriculars and training intensely to potentially swim in college
BRENEMAN
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO TRY TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY?
”
Summer going into freshman year, my cousin went to the Naval Academy, and my entire family went down to watch him graduate. And my mom’s cousin is a professor at the Naval Academy as well. And at that point, I really had no idea what school I wanted to go to, [but then] when I was there, we toured the school. And it literally just like, felt like that’s where I was supposed to be.
HOW ARE YOU PREPARING TO MEET THE SELECTIVE NAVAL ACADEMY REQUIREMENTS?
My class schedule is pretty hard. And then I’m also involved in a lot of extracurriculars as well, because the Naval Academy likes to see that you’re a really well-rounded candidate. I’m on robotics, I swim, I do basketball. I’m in a Women in Leadership Club. I volunteer for a program for girls with autism, so I feel like it’s all about grounding myself.
HAVE YOU ATTENDED ANY CAMPS TO HELP TRAIN YOURSELF?
I went to Summer Stem last summer and it’s basically a science engineering program at the Naval Academy. And our camp counselors were actual midshipmen, which are the students at the academy. And then this past summer, I did a swim camp there, and it was really intense, but it was so fun.
THE REQUIREMENTS SHE MUST MEET...
Some of the required qualifications Clara needs to be considered for admission at the academy *congressional nomination *pass medical exam
*pass physical test *above average GPA *high SAT/ACT score
design by lucy swope photos by emery engle
art by francesca lorusso
story by michael yi
TOAsad and Hanifa Gul Mohammad pursue their futures at East after immigrating from Afghanistan in 2021
ASADUL “ASAD” GUL
Mohammad was 13 years old when his dad called with the news. Asad was hanging out in his family’s yard among the apple trees with the friends he had known since he was 7 — the friends he’d gone to school with until 4th grade, when he dropped out. But he never liked school anyway. The teachers used to hit him with sticks. His dad said to his mom in Pashto, “Hey, get ready! We’re going to America!”
“Why?”
“I SAID TO my dad, I’m not going to the United States. I’m going to stay with my cow and with my cats, and with my sheep. They’re so sweet. How can I leave them?
HANIFA GUL MOHAMMAD JUNIOR
Asad’s dad had been working for the US military since they occupied Afghanistan when he was 16 — first as a soldier, then repairing guns after losing the sight in his left eye and his left leg from the knee down in combat. With the war ending, the US informed him that he had to move his family or they would be killed by the Taliban.
Asad spent his days going to mosque and playing soccer and cricket with his friends. He hadn’t studied English in four years, and what he did study he didn’t remember. What would life be like in America? ***
Asad’s 14-year-old sister Hanifa cried
EAST EAST FROM EAST THE
and cried. It never occurred to her she would ever leave Urgun — as a girl, she barely left the house. Now she was leaving the home she’d known for a decade and the cows, goats and chickens she had raised her whole life. She used to wake up at 3 a.m. to feed them vegetables.
“I said to my dad, ‘I’m not going to the United States,’” Hanifa said. “I’m going to stay with my cow and with my cats, and with my sheep. They’re so sweet. How can I leave them?”
A lifetime of belongings fit into three suitcases. Hanifa left her cousins 21 brand new dresses and years of jewelry her father had bought for her. More than 50 pillows and blankets she handmade with her mother and siblings were left at home — to this day, even from America, her mother still refuses to officially give them away.
Asad took the gold ring his mother gave him and Hanifa brought her grandmother’s bracelets. At 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 15, 2021, their uncle drove Hanifa, Asad, their four younger siblings and parents out to the Kabul airport in his Toyota Camry, leaving their 16-room house and 500 apple trees behind.
Hanifa saw her cow crying.
***
Everyone threw up at some point in the six-hour ride. They finally arrived at the airport, where they saw families without military ties packed like cement. Blankets and food and babies were discarded all around. Soldiers pushed them away and fired gunshots to contain crowds.
“Everyone was so sad,” Hanifa said. “[Afghans] left their brothers and sisters.”
The family boarded a U.S. Air Force plane. Their mother, nine months pregnant, was feeling nauseous, and children that had never been on planes
screamed and cried all four hours to Dubai.
In the Afghan refugee camp in Dubai, officials interviewed them about their identities and the family checked into two rooms and received vaccinations.
“[THERE WAS] NO work, no cars to drive, no things to do. [We just] ate, slept and hung out with friends. And prayed.
ASAD GUL MOHAMMAD JUNIOR
In Asad and Hanifa’s two months in the camp, their mom gave birth to a daughter, Alia, less than a week before the family were transported to a military camp in Virginia.
“[There was] No work, no cars to drive, no things to do,” Asad said. “[We just] ate, slept and hung out with friends. And prayed.”
***
After a month in the camp in Virginia, the family was free to go anywhere in the US. A friend of their dad had said Kansas City, KS was nice, so they moved to a house on Delevan Avenue, and Asad and Hanifa started attending Central Middle School.
Asad was shaking the whole first day of school. His English was “zero.” As soon as the bell rang, he ran for the school bus.
“People came up to me and they said, ‘What’s your name?’” Asad said. “I said in my language, ‘What are they saying?’ I [didn’t] understand nothing at that time. And I was really scared.”
Eventually, he made a friend: a South
African boy named Michael who helped him with his school work. Asad learned the phrase “Can you help me?” and he would show Michael his computer so he could help him with the assignments.
“I saw the students, they were talking with each other,” Asad said. “I said to myself in my language, ‘It’s too hard to learn English.‘“
***
After Hanifa spent three months in Central Middle School, she moved up to Washington High School in Kansas City, KS. She was placed in the Intensive Language Center program, where she spent the year learning history, biology, math and English from her teacher Alicia Fullman.
“I didn’t have to argue with her or say ‘Please do your work,’” Fullman said. “She just wanted to learn, and so she progressed really quickly through the program because education was a priority to her.”
Hanifa used to have her dreams of becoming a soldier or a lawyer with her mom when she was younger. Her mom dismissed her. Afghan women got married at 18 and then could never work. And besides, how could Hanifa work a job if she had never even been to school?
“I said, ‘Mom, it’s not about school,’” Hanifa said. “You have to believe in yourself. You have to have strong feelings. That’s all. That’s everything.”
At Washington, Hanifa joined the school’s NJROTC program, traveling on school-sponsored transportation. She dreamt of becoming a soldier, going back and fighting for her people’s freedom. She translated assignments from English
photo by anastasia flower
FEATURE
to Pashto to English. She never wore her uniform sloppily, and though she likes to wear bright colored hijabs, she’d wear dark ones with her uniform to match.
“She would take pride in how she put it on, how she wore it, keeping it tidy all day,” ROTC instructor Patrick McCormack said. “I would say that it gets a little sloppy during the day for some people, but not for Hanifa. She was always wearing it right.”
“I CAN SAY that this is the most greatest school, and I am so grateful for the US government to bring us here for school. We will have [a] great future here.
HANIFA GUL MOHAMMAD JUNIOR
But Hanifa got sick during Ramadan — the Muslim month of fasting with no water or food from sunup to sundown. The exercise was tough on her, so her parents forced her to quit. Dropping NJROTC meant Hanifa no longer had a ride to Washington High School, so she joined her brother at Wyandotte High School.
At Wyandotte, students didn’t pay attention to teachers. They got in fights in the hallways. After a semester at Wyandotte High, the family moved to Fairway and enrolled at Shawnee Mission East this January.
English as a Second Language teacher Lao Hao-In helped from class-to-class at first to help them get used to their schedules. Lao has been teaching ELL to them since the second semester of last year.
“[Hanifa and Assad] are very pleasant and welcoming,” Hao-In said. “When we have new students, they want to help because they understand that being new to a new culture is difficult.”
Asad’s biology teacher Meghan Regehr says his English has grown from strings of words to full conversations. Asad himself feels like his English is somewhere at 80%, and it’s become his favorite class.
“I want to keep studying my English to get better,” Asad said. “Because, I don’t really know some of the words. I want to be really good, like #1 in English.”
For the first time in his life, Asad enjoys school. He likes how friendly strangers are in the hallways, and how no one looks at him twice if he’s wearing his cultural clothes. But his favorite thing about East is the teachers. They care.
“They’re the best teachers ever,” Asad said. “They’re really good, they’re helpful. They’re teaching us the best they can.”
Hanifa said she plans to attend JCCC for a year after she graduates, and then she wants to go to KU to learn to be a social worker or a lawyer, even if her grandma wants her to be a doctor. She wants to help people overcome life changes the same way social workers at East have helped her.
The Gul Mohammad family moved from their home in Fairway to a house right on 75th Street in October, where Asad and Hanifa can easily walk to and from school. Her parents considered other homes in the Shawnee Mission South or North area, but Hanifa refused. She wants to graduate from East.
“I can say that this is the most greatest school, and I am so grateful for the US government to bring us here for school,” Hanifa said. “We will have [a] great future here.”
The time and names of places Assad and Hanifa have lived around the world
ON THE MOVE ON THE MOVE AFGHANISTAN
UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES 14 YEARS 2 MONTHS 2 MONTHS VIRGINIA
14 YEARS
1 1/2 MONTHS 1 1/2 MONTHS
& e picture perfect
The Plaza’s golden light and Old Overland Park’s vintage shops help showcase the beauty in old buildings
squishie stress
The viral “Taba Squishies” aren’t worth the hype and shouldn’t overshadow traditional foam squishes
story by miranda liberda
Country Club
Kansas City, MO
Rio Theatre
Overland Park, KS
BALLOON
WHILE SCROLLING through TikTok, my “For You Page” was dominated by soft, moldable toys designed to bounce back to their original shape after being squeezed, called Taba Squishes. Their sticky and almost slime-like nature made me slightly weirded out, but I just had to have it. These squishies are supposed to provide a soothing and therapeutic
experience, making them popular for stress relief and appealing to both children and adults alike. This latest TikTok sensation has captivated many with its adorable characters like the popular chick one and fluffy cat and surprisingly realistic miniature foods like the toast one and the cookie one.
Overland Park Farmer’s Market
Overland Park, KS
art by avery foster images courtesy of imdb & spotify
ROLL
is performing at the T-Mobile Center at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13
poll of
At first glance, Taba Squishes are undeniably cute. However, their charm is somewhat diminished by a practical drawback: they tend to attract dust, dirt, and hair because of their slime-like texture. Many sellers recommend using the squishies inside their packaging to avoid this issue, but that defeats the purpose of their
because they look better when clean. Traditional squishies, made from slow-rising foam, are just as cute and don’t collect absurd amounts of dust — making them better than the Taba Squishies. Prices for Taba Squishes are generally similar to traditional ones, but they can be cheaper on second-hand websites such as Shein or Temu. If you’re okay with using a squishy in a bag or don’t mind it getting dirty after one use, then Taba Squishes might be worth a try. However, nothing beats the simplicity and ease of traditional foam squishies.
Look at recent and upcoming movie and album releases
Album Title:
Artist: Bouquet Gwen Stefani
Release Date: Nov. 15
Starring: Outerbanks Madelyn Cline,
Tracks Include: Purple Irises, Swallow My Tears TV Show
Release Date: Nov. 7 Genre: Action, drama
design by bella broce
photos by tyler russell
Scan this link to view
Shein’s squishie collection $6.70 Shein $2.60
Paw
Chase Strokes
Toast
Stuffed Chick
Golden Coin Dog
Senior Sophia Griggs’ favorite song on Chromakopia is
(feat. Doechii)
This is a subhead VISBY light italic 11 pt. font write a short description of the story with NO period at the end
DOWN THE
THE HARBINGER
The Rabbit Hole, a recently opened interactive children’s museum, houses a new take on children’s books and is a must-visit for kids of all ages
RABBIT HOLE
took a trip down the rabbit hole. Quite literally. Walking down the rock and dirt steps embedded with book spines and metal letters spelling words and quotes from popular children’s books, I entered The Rabbit Hole, a unique, interactive children’s storybook museum.
The entrance tunnels into the ground and then up into the exhibit — just like a rabbit hole — giving anyone who enters an immediate feel for the creativity of the
Each visitor over 2 years old pays $16 for entry and the museum holds over 40 books all transformed into real life — any
Life-size animal statues, fictional characters, popular book scenes that double as playgrounds and of course books, decorate every corner of The Rabbit Hole. I found myself jumping at any opportunity to crawl into a hidden tunnel or up a ladder, all aspects that allow any visitor to immerse themselves in the stories.
Both classic and contemporary books are featured in the museum. A timeless book, “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” published in 1950, had a literal sidewalk floating in the air with two life-sized kids looking over the edge. I was able to tell what the book was before looking at the title.
“I Want My Hat Back,” published in 2011, features a giant bear and a door in its stomach that showed the rabbit that the bear eats in the story — one of the many details that made me laugh.
And if you don’t believe my 17-year-old self’s take on the museum, I have younger
kids to back me up. I went to the museum with my second and fourth-grade cousins who called it “magical” and said, “I like this place because you can be in the books.”
Just because the museum is targeted towards kids doesn’t mean adults won’t enjoy a trip back to their childhood. Parents can sit back and watch their kids play and read books with them.
Each exhibit had copies of books that my cousins would read with me. The exhibits also had ample space to sit with benches, chairs and plush carpets. Some even had speakers reading the books out loud for younger kids who haven’t yet mastered their chapter books.
My favorite exhibit, “Good Night Moon,” brought me back to my childhood bedtime stories. The attention to detail in the room made it feel as if I stepped right into the cover of the book.
The walls were green, a window looked out at a starry night sky and there was a life-sized fireplace that even sounded like a fire crackling in the winter. A bed sits on the right side of the rooms and across from it an oversized yellow rocking chair and bookshelf. The old-fashioned phone sitting on the night stand even read the story when you picked it up. Every detail of the room was pulled directly from each line of the book like the “pair of mittens and a little toy house.”
Another one of my favorites was “Caps for Sale,” which similarly replicated the cover of the book. The peddler from the story is replicated in a life-sized sculpture with dozens of multicolored hats on his head. The exhibit had circular cushions shaped like hats for kids to sit on.
There was also an entire exhibit dedicated to Black history. Inside, jazz music was playing and hundreds of books lined the walls. Outside the room,
a working, painted mechanical horse was available for kids to ride.
Like the mechanical horse, kids can climb on every sculpture at The Rabbit Hole, unlike a traditional museum where pieces are admired from behind a glass case. I was able to sit on the exact replica of a chair depicted in “A Chair for My Mother” and rode down a literal fire pole from “The Fire Cat.”
The exhibits didn’t stop with one-hit wonders. Stories that were series were often told with multiple picture boxes depicting recognizable scenes from each book.
The storytelling continued outside of the main exhibits. After exiting the main part of the museum, there’s an adorable cafe and each menu item is based on a book like toast and jam for “Bread and Jam for Frances” and a garden salad for “The Runaway Bunny.”
Just next to the cafe is a bookstore with every book in the museum and a reading area with a grass-like rug. On the way out, be sure to look out for the giant talking toilet coming out of one of the bathroom stalls from “Captain Underpants.”
Under every root of The Rabbit Hole, there’s some new detail to be discovered. I’ve already been twice and found so many more details the second time through and expect to find more the next time. Yes, there will definitely be a next time.
While I would love to give a fully detailed explanation of every exhibit in the museum, we’d be here for hours, so I guess you’ll just have to go into The Rabbit Hole yourself.
design by evelyn bagley
photos by evelyn gehab
TOP Artwork depicts the location of various exhibits
TOP Steep stairs ascend up with quotes from various children books.
TOP Real life statue of the “I am a Bunny” childrens book cover at the Rabbit Hole museum
story by libby marsh
stories by christopher long & ellen bowser
Staffers debate the quality of Tyler, the Creator’s new album “Chromakopia”
CHRIS’ TAKE
BOP ORFLOP?
PIANO RIFFS, ELECTRO organ thumps and whispers of wind instruments surrounded the primitive, disorganized production in Tyler, the Creator’s new album “Chromakopia,” released on Oct. 28.
Tyler, The Creator spent three years crafting this album, yet I couldn’t even finish “Judge Judy,” a four minute, 25 second long song without cringing at the lyrics. It’s a wonder that this album took three years to make when an amateur artist could’ve done the same in three weeks.
Even with features from nine other artists, including hip-hop legend Lil Wayne, this album was a tattered patchwork quilt of seemingly AI generated rap choruses and lackluster beat drops.
Boring beats were sprinkled throughout these lyrics, which only made the listener question why they decided to listen to this album, and forced them to reminisce of elementary school experiments with Garageband.
The album proves that despite having a unique, eye-catching album cover, boredom
is still possible. I read the wordy Apple Music description of Tyler, the Creator’s intense efforts he went to produce this song, to try and convince myself it wasn’t a total waste of time.
“Chromakopia’s” unfortunate lyrical repetitiveness, such as reiterating “thousand on it” four times in “Rah Tah Tah” and boring reggae-like beat, made the album appear as if it was an incomplete assignment submitted at 11:59 p.m. on a Sunday night.
Even the nods to the artist’s African roots with the sample of Zamrock, a blend of traditional Zambian music and 70’s rock, couldn’t cover up the poor lyrics. They were boring compared to the lyrics of past albums such as Call Me If You Get Lost.
However, even with some horrid songs such as “Like Him,” “Judge Judy” and “Sticky,” the entirety of the album wasn’t stained with the cheesy basic hip hop feeling of those three songs.
The lyrical composition in “Darling I,” had a vintage, 90’s hip-hop feel to it with
ELLEN’S TAKE
THE BEST FEELING in the world is waking up on a cool Monday morning to listen to a new Tyler, the Creator album. Every time this happens, I just know I’ll be playing the album on repeat for the next week.
“CHROMAKOPIA,” Tyler, the Creator’s seventh studio album, toys with interesting themes like maturity and Tyler’s complicated relationship with fame. For fans, the album includes tracks made to draw both “Cherry Bomb” and “IGOR” album lovers in.
“St. Chroma,” the opening track, sets the album’s tone as it floats Daniel Caesar’s harmonies over a marching beat, complete with a Tyler trademark: a heavy, blaring beat switch. As always, Tyler brings dozens of layers of audio production to the album that tie it together and peg it as one of his
best tracks.
The second song on the track, “Rah Tah Tah,” moves from the mature theme of the album into a bar-heavy, instrumentaldriven song. Tyler nods to Kendrick Lamar in the track with the line: “I’m the biggest out the city after Kenny,” to pay homage to a legend that unfortunately isn’t featured on the album.
Background harmonies reappear in “NOID” as Tyler raps about his discomfort with fame. He begs to be left alone by paparazzi and overzealous fans in his lyrics. The honesty of Tyler throughout this track is remarkable, and it’s honestly refreshing to hear in comparison to his impossible-toembarrass persona that I’m used to.
Daniel Caesar reappears along with Latoiya Williams on “Take Your Mask Off,” a song with the synth influences of
the only wellcrafted lyrics any listener could pick out from the shoddy rest of the album.
This song had actual choruses and melodies.
“Darling I,” broke up the repetitive rap that agonizes listeners, with a wondrous, Frank Ocean-like, R&B foundation.
But the rest of the album mirrored a recent Kanye song, “Donda Chant,” a song steeped in repeating “Donda” hundreds of times, making the listener want to bang their head against a wall until the music stops.
If you never get a chance to hear “Chromakopia” by Tyler, the Creator, don’t. The only thing you’re missing if you choose not to listen to it, is its mindnumbing verses and heinous insults to well-written music.
“IGOR” laced throughout. Tyler raps about people using masks to hide their identities, eventually rapping about himself, and removing his mask of confidence. The track will surely stand as one of the best on the album, between the song’s honesty and the signature heavy Tyler production.
One track that makes me want to get up and dance is “Sticky,” with many features including Lil Wayne. Trumpets, synth chords and heavy cymbals lead the track through its simpler lyrics. The track sits between some of the album’s more serious songs, like “Take Your Mask Off,” creating an entertaining buffer.
In both “Daring, I” and “Hey Jane,” Tyler unpacks his issues with commitment and regret in relationships throughout his life, allowing listeners to relate to his past regrets.
The album closes out with “I Hope You Find Your Way Home,” driven by a slower, synth-lead. Tyler urges listeners and himself to follow their journeys, which certainly touched me through his frankness.
The album contrasts with Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers,” which happens to be one of my favorites from his discography. Both artists made these albums later in their career and pulled back the curtains into their minds.
Tyler’s album is laced with advice from his mother, Bonita Smith, as he ‘takes his mask off’ and reveals his true struggles and thoughts, a vulnerable and fitting end to the album. “CHROMAKOPIA” is one of Tyler, The Creator’s best albums to date, so if you get in my car expect to hear “Take Your Mask Off” or “Rah Tah Tah” blaring on the speakers.
THINGS
ALL HALLOWEEN
Students and teachers celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costumes and decorating the school
design by molly miller
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RIGHT The East attendance staff decorates the office entrance with skeletons and candles to celebrate the holiday.
photo by molly miller
ABOVE Senior Cole Lawrence and sophomore Courtlyn Thompson wrap senior Carter Rose up with toilet paper while playing a game of mummy races in fourth hour.
LEFT Sophomore Anna Boren reaches her hand into the front office candy bowl to later bring to her fourth hour class.
photo by molly scott
LEFT Senior Xavier Johnson works on a sketching assignment in their fourth hour drawing class.
art by avery foster
photo by paige bean
photo by emma weidman
Varsity Football won their frst playoff game in seven years
WHAT WINTER SPORT ARE YOU TRYING OUT FOR?
*Instagram poll of 109 votes
tryout preview
game recap
story by michael yi
The varsity football team defeated Lawrence High School 28-14 on Nov. 1
scored a hat trick at the Senior Night varsity soccer game
A sneak peek of the tryout dates for the winter season
Winter tryouts start after school on Monday, Nov. 18
basketball wrestling
First Practice: Nov. 18 — 3-5 p.m. BRING SHORTS, T-shirt, and shoes
Alpha Weigh Ins: Nov. 15 — 2:55 p.m. Nov. 14 — 8:30 a.m. Nov. 15 — 2.55 p.m.
Freshman Boys — 5:30-8 p.m. @ MAIN GYM
10-12th Grade Boys — 3-5:30 p.m. @ MAIN GYM
9-10th Grade Girls — 5-7 p.m. @ AUX GYM
11-12th Grade Girls — 3-5 p.m. @ AUX GYM
boys swim/dive
All swimmers: 3:00 p.m. @ SME Pool
SCAN ME SCHEDULE
Scan for SME’s athletic calendar to get a look at upcoming sports events
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VARSITY FOOTBALL won their first playoff game in seven years, defeating Lawrence High School 28-14 and advancing to play Gardner Edgerton on Nov. 8. Running back Nate Phillips put the score up 28-7 after the PAT by kicker Calvin Duske, sealing the game with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“We were on a losing streak without me, and I came back and we won our first game in forever in the playoffs,” Phillips said. “It just feels awesome to be back.”
The Lancers get the win coming off of two straight losses against Olathe East and Olathe South in one score games. Head coach Mark Simoneau attributes the win to the intensity that the players came onto
LEFT Junior Lily Tucker waves a flag across her body during the marching band show “Bloom.” photo by alex sajna
MIDDLE The Lancers defense hoists Nick Crutchfield up in celebration of a touchdown.
photo by alex sajna
RIGHT Senior George Hartman celebrates after scoring his 21st goal of the season and finishing a hat trick on the night.
photo by will griffth
the field with.
“The last couple games, we’ve had some heartbreaking losses,” coach Mark Simoneau said. “We just challenged them this week to come out and just start it off and leave it out on the field.”
Quarterback Jack Reeves rushed for 72 yards and two touchdowns, and safety Henry Stiglic notched six tackles and an interception to help curb the Lawrence offense.
Going into next week, the Lancers are hoping to cinch a win against #1 seed Gardner Edgerton in an away game.
“Honestly, I think if we come out with the same intensity we had today, and we just put it at their throat, we can beat ‘em,” Duske said.
design by michael yi
FOR PAWS
SHARE hosted their monthly “Service Seminar” for October, National Adopt-aShelter Dog Month. Led by senior SHARE Exec Espie Lemon, projects benefiting Wayside Waifs, Great Plains SPCA and KC Paws were held in the cafeteria
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BELOW Senior Espie Lemon cuts a strip of a t-shirt for a dog toy. “Service Seminars are a new thing for SHARE this year,” Lemon said. “Every month we have one to raise awareness for different causes, like our November one will be for National Veterans Month.”
&
A CAUSE
Dog
by paige
made of
LEFT Sophomores Aubrey Massoth and Justine Mercer make dogs toys out of cut up t-shirts for SHARE’s “Service Seminar.”
photo by paige bean
photo by addie clark
photo by vivien glenski
FAR RIGHT Freshman Hayes Hevley uses her hands to mix in the canned pumpkin for dog treats.
photo by addie clark
ABOVE
treats,
pumpkin, oats, and applesauce, sit before being baked for KC Paws, Wayside Waifs and Great Plains SPCA.
photo
bean
RIGHT Juniors Josie Mangine and Sloan Meyer knead dough during the service seminar.
copy by lucy wolf
CAPTAINS
program
“ NEW ADDITIONS signs chants
“defense”
“blue”
“black” “lancers” “touchdown”
six new chants, including “who’s house, our house, S M E”
WHEN
gameday emma abuchon eve tollefson ava smith annabelle covell
lucy pace
FIELD OFF THE
A recap of cheer, dance and band from this football season
NEW RULES
lancer dancers are now allowed on the track for all quarters of the game, although they leave during the second quarter to prepare for the halftime show. Last year they were only allowed on the track for one quarter.
WE WENT into four overtimes [at the Olathe East game] we were all super tired and delusional... Sometimes it can get a little dull on the sidelines, but everyone was talking and laughing and that was a really fun bonding moment for our team.
LJ MORRISSEY
JUNIOR
“ NEW SONGS
[THE GLOW
SHOW’S]
always
the highlight of football season for us because we are pretty much done with competition season at that point and are able to get out on the feld and have fun without being stressed.
CARTER
IT’S ALWAYS
SILLY whenever we mix up a sideline because we are having fun so it’s not that big of a deal if you make a little mistake, but it’s funny because you’ll be like ‘Oh, that’s totally the wrong sideline.
HANNAH TODD
SENIOR
TEAM FAVORITES
football theme: team dinner: pink out chicken alfredo and breadsticks
STEPPING OFF
story by avni bansal
ATHE COURT
Assistant tennis coaches Robin Sutton and Susan Hallstrom are retiring from coaching after years of bonding with each other and players
SSISTANT TENNIS COACHES Robin
Sutton and Susan Hallstrom took the two-hour drive to Junction City for their fourth and final state tennis tournament together. As Sutton drove, the two discussed being moms, working in education and students’ mental health, all while Hallstrom graded chemistry labs.
Sutton, a social worker at Highlands Elementary, has coached East girls tennis for four years. Hallstrom, a chemistry teacher at East, has coached girls and boys tennis for six years. They’ve used their experience of working with kids to notice if players are unusually quiet or to give them advice on advanced classes and sports.
“It’s great to instill a love for the sport, and teach the strategy and technique of tennis,” Sutton said. “But what I love the most is being able to utilize my skills as a social worker to be there for the girls on the team. Just connecting with them on that human level first, and being a support in an informal process of, ‘Are you taking care of yourself?’”
Next year, Sutton is taking a break from coaching East Tennis to prioritize driving her seven-yearold son to his football, basketball and soccer practices. She hopes to continue coaching East tennis when her son is a teenager and able to stay home alone for a few hours.
“It’s really my first time that I’m totally out of the tennis community since I was five,” Sutton said. “It’s going to be a new normal, but I’m excited to spend more time with [my son].”
Similarly, Hallstrom looks forward to a lighter routine. Teaching six classes followed by daily tennis practices extends her school days to 12 to 14 hours. Without practices and long drives to tournaments, she’ll have more time to focus on teaching.
“I feel bittersweet [about leaving],” Hallstrom said. “I’m going to miss it terribly. It’s become part of who I am. I love the relationships that I get to build with the players, my fellow coaches, coaches from other schools and even players from other schools who you get to know. I hate leaving it, but it is time.”
Head coach Andrew Gibbs, Sutton and Hallstrom spend three to four hours a day coaching together during the girls tennis season. Working together to run tryouts for 150 girls and chatting about tennis and family after practices, the trio cares about each other’s personal and professional lives.
“
I TRULY
BELIEVE that no young person has too many caring adults and let my kids know that I do care about what’s best for them.
SUSAN HALLSTROM
TENNIS COACH
“They made an effort to get to know [my son] and my family,” Sutton said. “They would ask about how my day was and they got familiar with my job. Sometimes you just click with people. I felt like we automatically felt comfortable with each other, and it naturally worked.”
Gibbs is going to miss seeing Hallstrom and Sutton daily. He hopes Sutton will be able to return to East, and he’ll still text Hallstrom and visit her room weekly for advice on classes or to talk to a friend.
“I value the conversations that I get to have with [Hallstrom] that aren’t necessarily tennis conversations,” Gibbs said. “She’s the kind of colleague that makes me a better teacher. I hope I’ve been able to give that to her too.”
Senior Ishya Bhavsar, a four-year varsity player, has attended state three times. She recalls pep talks from Sutton at state and laughing with Hallstrom at trivia night while wearing black suits and sunglasses for their team “The CIA” (Chemistry Is Awesome).
THE COURT
Whenever Hallstrom is on the court with a smile on her face, it reminds Bhavsar that tennis is a game and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
“I love them both so much,” Bhavsar said. “They always genuinely listened to me and wanted to get to know me in my life and not just my schoolwork and my tennis.”
In 2022, Hallstrom drove six girls back from state tennis in Wichita. On the three-hour drive, the girls blasted the Hamilton soundtrack and sang as loud as they could.
“I’ve never lost my voice after a concert, ever,” Bhavsar said. “I lost my voice after state my sophomore year. I literally could not speak.”
Sutton and Hallstrom plan to continue to attend matches and cheer and check on the players next season.
“The older I get, the simpler my philosophies are,” Hallstrom said. “And I truly believe that no young person has too many caring adults. So I try to be a caring adult and let my kids know that I do care about what’s best for them. It’s a pretty simple philosophy, and I think my players know that I mean it.”
coached girls tennis for
photo by emma weidman
coached girls and boys tennis for HALLSTROM
photo by ava towner
design by zane laing photo courtesy of IMDB
FLAGGING THE REFS
Students have mixed reactions to the Chiefs’ perfect record and the referee’s relationship to the team
ITHINK IF a team has a perfect record seven games deep into the season, something is wrong,” Junior Addi Hall said.
Hall doesn’t care about football or bother to learn about it. All she knows is the Chiefs are on top — and she’s right. After dominating the 2024 season, Superbowl LVIII left KC fans feeling more ride-or-die than ever. Fans are either fully devoted to the team , or hate it with a passion and the latter is more prevalent among NFL fans.
The controversy began after week one against the Baltimore Ravens when the game was decided on Isaiah Likely’s toelength. Every Chiefs win this season has been relatively close, with each game being within touchdown and extra point.
These close-calls made by the refs have more of an effect on the game in comparison to an early-game flag because of the makeor-brake nature of the call. If Likely’s toe was in bounds, the Ravens would’ve won the game.
When the Chiefs went head-on against the Bengals in week two of the regular season, a pass interference penalty was called on Bengals defensive back Daijahn Anthony. Bengals fans swarmed to the internet, voicing their displeasure for the call. X user ‘TylerBoydSzn,’ among many other users, made several viral posts regarding the call.
“This will go down as the worst pass interference call ever,” the user said.
In the past, the Chiefs have had runins with defensive flags that benefit them. When KC defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, Eagles cornerback James Bradberry was called for defensive holding on a crucial third-and-8 with just 1:54 remaining in the game. After the automatic first down, Harrison Butker kicked a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining to win the game — extremely similar to Butker’s 51yard game winning field goal in week two of the regular season.
Junior and offensive lineman Hank Hunter argues the Chiefs’ relentlessness solely stems from the usage of their resources.
“The way [the Chiefs] keep winning is our defense and our run game,” Hunter said. “NFL teams are more worried about shutting down Mahomes’s explosiveness and playmaking ability which is leaving the run game wide open.”
The Chiefs currently have 1,651 passing yards for eight touchdowns — yet their 855 rushing yards have 10 total touchdowns, proving their strength in their run game.
Though game-changing calls in the final minutes of the matchup are uncommon, that doesn’t mean that they don’t happen to the top ranked team in the league.
Junior Kate Jones, a prominent Chicago Bears fan, heavily critiques the Chiefs’ win rate, claiming the statistics speak for themselves.
“Patrick Mahomes currently has nine interceptions and only eight touchdowns this season,” Jones said. “Not to mention all the calls in favor of [the Chiefs] — I think it’s about time the league recognizes that they’ve let this team get too good.”
After trading for Josh Uche and DeAndre Hopkins — with speculation of New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore — the Chiefs are on a path to get that much better. KC is projected by NFL rankings alone to have a flawless regular season record, a feat
of which are still to come.
Hunter acknowledges the faults in the Chiefs as well, but believes their strengths will outweigh their weaknesses in the season to come.
“Mahomes is far behind his prime playing days, and our receiving corps is mediocre at best,” Hunter said. “Kelce is staying consistent though, if he can keep it up I think our record will reflect that down the line.”
that Tom Brady and the Patriots last accomplished in 2007.
There’s been 17 years without this achievement, and 17 games to complete it, 10
CONTROVERSIAL CALLS
Three instances of questionable referee calls and the specifics
ROUGHING THE PASSER
SUNDAY, OCT. 27: CHIEFS v.s. RAIDERS RAIDERS DEFENDER KNOCKED MAHOMES TO THE GROUND
PASS INTERFERENCE
SUNDAY, SEPT. 15: CHIEFS v.s. BENGALS BENGALS SAFETY, DAIJAHN ANTHONY MADE CONTACT WITH CHIEFS’ RASHEE RICE
NO-CALL PASS INTERFERENCE
SUNDAY, SEPT. 22: CHIEFS v.s. FALCONS CHIEFS’ BRYAN COOK MADE CONTACT WITH A FALCONS PLAYER BEFORE THEY CAUGHT THE BALL
story by preston hooker
