Students on SSRIs for mental health respond to an executive order threatening the accessibility of
for patients under 18
Sophomore Merryn Rupp competes
MARCH 10, 2025
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art by preston hooker
sta list
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27
LOCAL NATIONAL
FEB. Salty Iguana in Corinth Square was seized by the state due to tax evasion
28
FEB. President Trump meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine
Ellen Bowser Avni Bansal
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2-4
MARCH Students attended DECA State in Manattan, KS
MARCH 5 School was delayed two hours due to inclement weather
MARCH President Trump delivered his Address to Congress
4
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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 The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content, but quotes material may be con rmed with the sources.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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UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Social media accounts representing the government shouldn’t post insensitive content
BEFORE 2025, YOU’D have to travel to England to hear the words “Long Live the King.”
That’s because in Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution, it is explicitly stated that no one holding office in the United States can be granted a title of nobility.
A President is not King. Period.
As this is directly stated in the Constitution, some surprise is warranted when the official, verified White House Instagram account posts a Time Magazine-cover-inspired illustration of a crown-adorned President Donald Trump with the message “Long Live the King” printed in the bottom left corner. Trump was pictured towering over the frame as the post applauded him for getting rid of “congestion pricing” in New York.
A social media account that represents the U.S. government shouldn’t be posting content outside of its political duties.
The White House account typically posts the latest policy initiatives from its administration, like a new executive order or an important bill that was passed. Trump’s administration has been following this pattern with their posts — with some appalling exceptions.
asm r
Spliced in between clips of press conferences and diplomatically-posed handshakes, viewers of the White House Instagram account will also find a reel titled
a pleasant tingling sensation that originates on the back of the scalp and often spreads to the neck and upper spine, that occurs in some people in response to a stimulus (such as a particular kind of sound or movement), and that tends to have a calming effect
“ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight.”
Whether a viewer is supportive of deportation or not, this moment shouldn’t be recorded and then reframed as a social media ASMR trend. ASMR is for slime videos, not deportation from the official White House account. It’s not funny, it’s just unprofessional, not to mention disrespectful.
America was built off of the core values of free speech and natural rights. Even so, the government itself shouldn’t be posting technically legal, unprofessional and possibly
or even strategy. These posts feel more like an offhand comment made by Uncle Tim at Thanksgiving than a post from the government itself.
Our country’s leaders know that a large majority of teens and young adults find their news on social media because two extra clicks to read a whole article is too much.
Not only are these posts unprofessional, they’re borderline propaganda; the posts use social media to spread beliefs in a way that goes beyond normal politics.
harmful content from its official accounts. A meme of Trump wearing a crown might be found in an exchange between X users — that’s fine — but it shouldn’t be posted by the White House account.
Just because Americans have the right to free speech doesn’t mean your boss can post a video on their professional Facebook titled “Get Ready With Me To Fire My Employee.”
A White House X post from March 5 boasts that Trump is “Undoing Biden’s Economic Damage,” arguing that “the actions he has taken are already paying off,” without citing a single quote from economist, statistic
The White House’s gross characterization of our country’s leader as higher-than-law undermines democracy, ignoring that power is granted by the people. Now, the executive branch is testing the limits of its authority through executive orders — largely unchecked by other branches of government — like a monarch, which is being normalized through the White House’s various social media accounts.
One of the White House’s Instagram posts features a quote from Trump’s X account underneath his official portrait: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”
Actually, He who saves his Country can still violate any Law. A President who once had 88 separate felony charges against him should know this.
Eerily enough, President Trump’s quote, one often attributed to general Napoleon Bonaparte, mirrors one made by Adolf Hitler during his rule: “The authority of the Führer is not limited by laws or statutes.”
Hint: if a Donald Trump quote can be confused with an Adolf Hitler quote, maybe it’s not such a good idea to post it on an official government account.
It’s extremely important to remember that Hitler’s rule began with posters depicting him as an unrealistically perfect leader. America’s government has built-in checks and balances to prevent a leader like Hitler from rising above the judgment of law and taking too much power. So an account from the same government posting a quote mirroring that of a dictator would have our founding fathers rolling over in their graves.
Free speech might be a right of all social media users. Still, a government agency shouldn’t be taking advantage of its right to post content that’s at best insensitive and at worst blatantly wrong.
The White House social media accounts should only post informational content rather than using their influential platform for biased and ignorant content — and leave the ASMR to the influencers.
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. for: 10 against: 1
Insensitive posts uploaded by the White House Instagram and X accounts
A post of President Trump wearing a crown, with the caption, “LONG LIVE THE KING”
A 40-second ASMR video of deportees being chained up before getting on a plane, captioned: “ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight”
A post stating President Trump is undoing former President Biden’s economic damage
An article posted on X saying Trump is removing killers, rapists, and drug dealers from the U.S.
DECA
QUALIFIED 110 students at the state tournament against 50 other high schools, from March 2-4.
At the state tournament, 25 East students qualified for DECA Internationals. But the date of DECA Internationals overlaps with prom weekend, meaning that qualifiers have to make a choice.
By placing in the top two of their individual event or in the top three for their team event, 14 seniors and 11 juniors qualified for internationals.
Senior Sam Day placed first in the business finance series competition and said that the senior class took
deca vs. prom westwood park
AFTER A PROPOSED
real estate sale of Joe Dennis Park by Karbank Real Estate Company and the City of Westwood for a new development, citizens have picketed, pursued legal action and protested every step of the way.
The project includes plans to keep a quarter of the park and to add in public bathrooms at the cost of Karbank. Even with these efforts to appease the residents, the issue has reached a homeowner-wide vote that will take place on April 1.
Westwood residents originally disliked the plan because the park has been around since the 1960s.
DECA Internationals is scheduled on the same day as prom and students will have to choose between the two
state a lot less seriously since most of them plan on attending prom.
“We spent a lot less time rehearsing and we went to see ‘Captain America,’” Day said.
This is the sixth time prom has been scheduled at the same date as internationals in the past 19 years, according to DECA Advisor Amanda Doane.
“At the beginning of the year, when we were checking to make sure there wasn’t a conflict, there wasn’t a conflict yet,” Doane said. “So, it’s unfortunate that it had to be changed.”
Doane also stated she and Co-
DECA Advisor Mercedes Rasmussen gathered the students who plan on attending DECA Internationals even before state. More than 100 students opted out of internationals prior to state and plan on attending prom.
Senior Mae Bledsoe, state champion in two events this year, explained that she’s chosen to go to prom after attending DECA Internationals last year.
“Prom is so unique in the way that people stay a lot at the actual dance,” Bledsoe said. “I think it’s just one of those memories that you will look back on when you get older.”
Giving the Lancer community a voice
Q: How do you feel about DECA internationals being over prom?
THE DEPARTMENT OF the Interior confirmed on Feb. 14 that over 2,300 employees will be fired across the entire department due to an overall goal to increase government efficiency.
CNN stated that 1,000 of the Department of the Interior employees fired were NPS workers.
The NPS is currently short staffed, operating at 15% less employees than in 2010, even with visitor rates spiking by 15%, according to a fact sheet by Washington State Sen. Patty Murray.
The fact sheet explained that if National Parks don’t have fulltime or seasonal staff during this
A real estate dispute over the sale of Joe Dennis Park in Westwood, KS has reached a resident vote
East parent and resident activist
Tara Hensley stated that the citizens originally weren’t given the option to vote on the sale of the land and sued in the Kansas State Court of Appeals.
After a state judge sided with the residents, the voting was allowed.
East junior Nora Dorton-Hugunin lives in Westwood and went to Westwood View from Kindergarten to sixth grade. Dorton-Huginin said that she’s firmly against the development.
“It’s just nice for the neighborhood to have a place to go on walks and stuff and bring their kids,” DortonHuginin said. “I think that they should put in something that brings
something good to the community and not something that takes up space and causes traffic.”
Westwood residents like DortonHuginin are disappointed in the development, but only five to eight citizens, according to Hensley, are actually involved in the legal part of fighting.
“There’s never been information to the residents, educating them of their rights and that this issue has been through the legal process,” Hensley said. “Because of all that, you have this super divided city where people don’t understand and it’s a much bigger deal than anyone realizes.”
The Trump Administration fired thousands of the National Park Service Employees
peak season, visitor centers and campgrounds may close, bathrooms will not be properly maintained and guided tours will be cut back or altogether canceled.
Emergency response times will drop, and visitor services like safety advice, trail recommendations, and interpretation will be unavailable, according to the fact sheet.
While President Trump has signed an executive order stipulating that for every four workers who are fired, one will be hired back, these rehirings won’t be enough to substantially fill the gap left from recent layoffs, according to the fact sheet.
These layoffs have attracted the
attention of the media and even East students. Senior Ashley Freund recently learned about the park ranger layoffs and felt distraught, recalling her national park visits on family trips.
Freund has visited around 15 national parks with her family and is planning on visiting Yellowstone — pending how safe the trip will be.
“I think the narrative is if you work for the government, your job is protected,” Freund said. “I was shocked that the government, much less the President of the United States, would go as far as to fire some of their most valuable workers.”
A: Mercedes, [marketing teacher], asked us last week and we made a list of everyone who would go to Internationals or not, and I think most of us said we would not go to Internationals. I have a partner, and both of my partners don’t want to miss prom. If one of them did want to miss prom, then I would have of a problem figuring out what to do.
RIGHT Senior Paige Henderson poses in her DECA suit
photo by zac russell
EDUCATION ON
story by addie moore
AA House Bill threatening tenure for college professors didn’t pass its Feb. 21 deadline
BILL ATTEMPTING to eliminate tenure for college professors in public Kansas universities, House Bill 2348, didn’t pass by its Feb. 21 deadline.
The bill, proposed by District 71 Republican Representative Stephen K. Howe, mandates that “tenure at postsecondary educational institutions shall not be defined, awarded or recognized as an entitlement, right or property interest in a faculty member’s current, ongoing or future employment by an institution.”
This bill threatens the jobs of college professors who’ve achieved tenure. Tenured professors are faculty members at colleges or universities who have it as job security and protects academic freedom, according to People Admin.
44 years.
Mardikes values the academic freedom tenured professors have and thinks tenure is important for students to get the most out of their education. He argues if teachers’ jobs aren’t secure, the quality of education isn’t the same.
“The heart of a university is the faculty and the students,” Mardikes said. “Everything else is just incidental.”
Artistic Coordinator of Theater at Johnson County Community College, Scott Stackhouse believes the bill aimed to save money. Tenured professors, and any professor teaching for an extended period, earn more money than those at the entry level.
According to Stackhouse, without tenure, it would be easier to fire older professors that have benefits and higher salaries. Then the universities could hire newer and younger teachers for a decreased price.
job security under tenure, Freund thinks it may also be an attempt to censor professors.
“This is more along the lines of trying to impede education or the government trying to control what people are being taught at universities,” Freund said.
If tenure would’ve been abolished in Kansas, public universities wouldn’t have the same quality of academia, according to Mardikes.
“People don’t want to be buying houses, making investments in a community and doing all this stuff if they’re only guaranteed this next academic year,” Mardikes said.
Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health Dr. Sarah Kessler agrees with Mardikes’ take. Without tenure and with increased censorship, universities are less likely to attract talented and intelligent professors.
How teachers obtain tenure in Kansas
COMPLETE AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE 1 EARN A MASTER’S 2 GAIN TEACHING EXPERIENCE 3 PUBLISH RESEARCH 4 PASS A FINAL TENURE REVIEW 5 ten ure provides teachers who have demonstrated competence after a probationary period with due process rights before being red *Information and quotes from professors are personal opinion, they in no way speak for their respective universities
While it varies from school to school, tenure takes multiple years for professors to earn, and the majority of professors are still working towards it, according to Professor of Surgery at the University of Kansas Health Systems and East parent, Dr. Bill Freund.
“It’s an honor that’s not something bestowed upon people when they first come out,” Freund said. “You’ve got to work for it.” Giving a professor tenure is the equivalent of telling them they’re valued by the university, according to Freund. It gives professors the protection to teach what they want and what they believe is best for their students. Without tenure, teachers could be fired for intermixing opinion with curriculum.
To achieve tenure, professors’ work and research are typically reviewed by their administrators and faculty members. It takes a long time for professors to be considered.
Professor of Theater Sound Design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Tom Mardikes has been a tenured professor for 19 years, despite teaching at the school for
“I think that college professors are underpaid,” Stackhouse said. “If you look at the grand scheme of things, and how much we pay [athletes] and celebrities versus how much we pay people that save lives or teach or whatever. I felt like [tenure] was the one thing professors got.”
Even though tenure provides professors with job security, it doesn’t prevent them from getting fired. According to Stackhouse, tenure makes it much more difficult, but with proper grounds, tenured professors can still lose their jobs if their department gets dissolved or unprofessional conduct occurs.
Steven Lovett, who initially proposed the bill, is general counsel and vice president of risk management at Emporia State University. According to the American Association of University Professors, eight ESU professors were fired after the COVID-19 pandemic — seven of which were tenured.
Usually, those professors would’ve been protected under tenure, but the Kansas Board of Regents enacted temporary amendments for tenured professors to universities in 2021 for financial reasons, allowing ESU to fire their tenured professors without cause.
Although financial reasons may be an important factor driving the abolishment of
According to Kessler, if the bill would’ve passed in Kansas, it would hinder universities’ abilities to recruit high level researchers and professors.
“We would probably lose a lot of our current strong and well-funded researchers to other states, and that, of course, would hurt the standing of our institutions with their national reputation,” Kessler said.
Although not a Kansas school, UMKC has many committees including the Faculty Senate Oversight Committee, Academic Issues Committee, Committee for Preliminary Informal Conferences and the University Faculty Committee on Tenure.
According to Mardikes, these committees would hear the problems and assist in terminating a professor if deemed necessary. Meaning there are checks and balances to prevent tenured professors from taking advantage of their job security.
“I think it’s a great sign that it didn’t advance in our Kansas Legislature,” Kessler said. “I hoped that there wouldn’t be enough support for that, but of course, it was concerning that it made it into a bill for consideration at all.”
design by sophia brockmeier photos by emma weidman
NO ROOM FOR
NO ROOM
Students with disabilities are concerned about the future of federal protections amid a lawsuit to end 504 plans
story by jeremy george
TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL
Ken Paxton and 17 other State Attorney Generals filed a lawsuit on Sept. 17. to have Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 declared unconstitutional.
Far from the opening statements in the courts and rally posters of the town halls, students at SM East experience the tangible benefits of their 504 plans every day.
Section 504 outlines specific accommodations required for children with certain disabilities such as autism, deafness and more. The accommodations include extra testing time, support with mental well-being and the ability to take a break during a test according to Additude.
Fast forward half a year later, Attorney Generals from 17 states, including Kansas, are locked in a legal battle that will decide
EXCEPTIONS
scary because then kids know that their schools now aren’t legally required to provide them with the help that they were getting before,” McInnes said. “So if I were to ever lose access to that it would take away a lot of things that help me focus that I need for classes.”
And McInnes isn’t alone.
One in 42 students in public schools are covered by 504 plans. Over the last decade, the proportion of children with 504 plans has more than doubled, according to Understood.
That’s 1.6 million students who benefit from 504 plans, according to Wesh 2.
While some students are scared about the potential loss of these critical supports, for others, the difference is made through their grades. For freshman Margot Fair, a 504 plan makes a big difference
to being deprived of accommodations and resources, there’s also a fear of discrimination.
“It would also create a sense of uncertainty, which no student should have to face,” Witte said.
A quantitative study by Concordia University Texas explored the impact of 504 plans on academic achievement.
The research stressed the necessity of offering accommodations and assistance to students with disabilities, regardless of when these measures are implemented during a student’s PreK-12 education.
trans gen der
dys phor ia
A feeling of distress that can happen when a person’s gender identity defers from the sex assigned at birth
impact a student’s ability to succeed academically.
Regardless, students and parents believe that the debate surrounding the future of 504 plans is far from settled, leaving those who rely on these plans to possibly face academic and personal challenges that could be significantly alleviated with the proper support.
Whether it’s through a structured accommodation plan or a more inclusive environment, the goal of 504 plans is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed to the best of their ability.
Principal Jason Peres, in a statement to the Harbinger, spoke to a broader mission of equality, ensuring that every student feels supported and valued within the school community.
“My GPA went from a 2.0 to a 3.7 with my
These accommodations aren’t abstract legal debates, they’re real pillars that help students learn, participate and feel included in every class. Taking 504 plans away can leave disability advocates feeling even more unsupported and vulnerable, according to Missouri
It’s not just the students who are concerned but the parents too. East parent Jenni Witte believes that in addition
IEP V.S.
Witte also believes that Section 504 is critical in its importance to the disabled community.
In contrast, the Georgia attorney general argues that public funds shouldn’t be directed toward creating ‘transgender dysphoria’ as a disability included in the 504.
They contend that such designations could lead to unnecessary and expensive accommodations. According to Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, the funds could be better spent elsewhere, particularly on more traditional disabilities that directly
504
“Our school promotes belonging and inclusivity in all that we do,” Peres said. “Belonging is part of our culture.”
Whether through opening statements or rally posters, students, parents and school staff believe that creating an environment where all students feel included and equipped to succeed should remain a priority.
“I’d like to believe our district would continue to partner with disabled students and their families for success,” Witte said. “Every student deserves a chance to thrive along with their peers, equally and respectfully, without fear of discrimination.”
The differences between IEP and 504 plans in school
• Focuses on what the student is learning States receive additional funding for eligible students
Required because of IDEA (an education law)
Provides specialized instruction
Required because of Rehabilitation Act (a civil rights law)
Provides accommodations Focuses on how the student is learning States don’t receive additional funding
photo by lexi madden
BLOCKING THE
As the Missouri abortion ban is lifted, lobbyists warn citizens of controversy
story by preston hooker
ON THE MORNING of March 3, abortion access returned to Columbia, Missouri for the first time since 2018. After the popular citizen vote passed “Amendment 3” in November, abortion rights became restored in the state, being progressively implemented back into practice over the following months.
Though SM East students are located in Kansas, the effects of the legislation changes may impact close family members and friends that reside in Missouri.
Planned Parenthood agencies in Missouri can only legally operate up to 11
weeks and six days into a pregnancy postamendment. Operations are still in the process of starting back up depending on the area within the state due to the difficulties of reopening clinics.
In spite of the lift, push for reform remains adamant among the pro-life community. The director of “Campaign Life Missouri” and anti-abortion lobbyist Sam Lee is determined to not let the continuation of abortion procedures limit his efforts against them.
“[People] would say ‘You had your shot, you didn’t get it done, so move on,’ [but] the pro-life movement is not going to give up,” Lee said. “We have people who’ve been involved for decades and are ready to work on it for years and years.”
BREAKING IT DOWN
Here are statistics over the lifting of the ban from our Instagram and Missouri Independent
Lee’s campaign has raised millions for pre- and post-birth healthcare, such as childcare credits, pregnancy resource
51 % 11 % 51.7 % of East students voted yes on a poll asking if they had a strong opinion over the lifting of the ban
increase of abortion in the United States since 2020 is the percentage of what passed the amendment vote
centers and diaper banks in the event of an unwanted pregnancy.
A new bill proposed by Republican Lawmakers on March 5 would enact a 100% tax credit for taxpayers who donate to crisis pregnancy centers, with a cap at $50,000 a year in cuts, according to ProPublica. The bill is saying if taxpayers donate to pregnancy centers you won’t have to pay taxes (as long as the total is under $50,000). The bill would
“I THINK IT’S terrible that people don’t have access to the care they need right now. We’re happy to take care of those people, but they should be able to receive that care in their own state.
SARAH BALDASSARO OBSTETRICIAN & GYNECOLOGIST
discourage abortions because of the tax cuts while other bills are being proposed to eliminate abortion rights.
Despite the tax bill being in the early stages of establishment, its proposal affirms Lee’s claim of the pro-life movement’s perseverance in implementing their values into Missouri legislation.
Although surgeries have become available in Missouri, medicated abortions that don’t require surgery are yet to be in practice. Continued restrictions such as these cause many to cross state lines into Kansas, where abortion care is easily accessible, according to East parent and Overland Park Obstetrician and Gynecologist Sarah Baldassaro. Baldassaro attended the September Congressional Leadership Conference in D.C. supporting abortion rights and is an ongoing advocate for their implementation into healthcare.
“I think we did important work [in D.C.], but there was a really strong feeling
that there wasn’t any interest from our representatives on the Kansas or Missouri side,” Baldassaro said. “I think it’s terrible that people don’t have access to the care they need right now. We’re happy to take care of those people, but they should be able to receive that care in their own state.”
Baldassaro won’t be satisfied with the results until treatment is available Missouriwide with medicated abortions too, showing the same persistence that her opponents exhibit.
Child support laws are still in place and haven’t changed post-Amendment 3 vote, meaning that those who may carry to term will be obligated to financially support their child upon its birth.
East students have family on both sides of the border. Though Kansas residency is required for East enrollment, there are still effects of abortion legislation. Junior Tiffany Taylor* is wary of the implications of the restricted legislation for her Missourian family members.
“I have cousins and uncles in Missouri, and the thought of them ruining their lives that easily is really upsetting,” Taylor said. “It’s really disappointing and I don’t understand it.”
Dir. Lee believes that a majority of voters for Amendment 3 came from fear-mongering advertisements and propaganda in support of abortion care, such as commercials encouraging a pro-choice ballot in Missouri.
“I think that [voters] were lied to: no woman is being denied care for a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy,” Lee said. “A lot of people just thought that women were dying from a lack of miscarriage care or ectopic pregnancy care and that simply wasn’t true. Though that swayed enough voters.”
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, and is solved through various expensive procedures, which Lee’s foundation aims to assist in.
With both sides of the argument staying adamant on maintaining their beliefs, developments will be on the rise for students to stay informed on.
POST-GAME
PARTY
SM East students attend the “MORP” dance after varsity boys basketball fell to SM South
Juniors Ava Carroll and Hailey Poague dance to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” Songs from that night included Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Cupid’s “The Cupid Shuffle,” and “Cha Cha Slide.” photo by francesca lorusso
design by molly miller
RIGHT
BELOW Junior Luke Taylor takes a video of him and his friends dancing near the end of the dance.
photo by mason sajna
LEFT Junior Clara Breneman jumps in a circle in the middle of the dance floor halfway through the dance.
photo by mason sajna
BELOW Juniors Fina Kessler and Claire Polanco dance together at MORP. Kessler is a member of the girls varsity basketball team and Polanco is cheerleader, both are on the student council executive board. photo by paige bean
SCAN ME PHOTO
Scan this QR code to purchase photos from MORP
opinion
68% of consumers form an opinion after reading one to six reviews
hot take
A7% of organic produce has pesticide residue believes that mint chocolate chip is the best flavor of ice cream
TV shows today are losing the heartfelt appeal of timeless TV
S A 12-YEAR OLD, gathering around my living room TV at 7 P.M. each night with my family was my favorite daily ritual.. Whether it was sitcoms with lighthearted humor or wholesome dramas that delivered important lessons, TV used to bring my family and many others together to watch meaningful content.
But now, it feels like those moments are disappearing due to the lack of suitable shows, resulting in families turning to separate screens, isolating themselves in the process.
Turn on the TV today, and you’re met with gritty dramas, provocative
comic strip
art by avery foster
comedies or reality shows filled with questionable content. It’s hard to find a single show that appeals to all ages and is free of inappropriate jokes or themes.
I’m not saying there aren’t any “family friendly” shows, I’m saying there needs to be more.
Sure, streaming platforms like Netflix offer old classics, but where are the modern-day equivalents?
Shows like “Modern Family” or “Family Reunion” taught lessons about kindness, responsibility and understanding without veering into overly-mature territory. They weren’t just entertaining; they fostered conversations and created memories.
These days, shows are either too juvenile for adults or too mature for kids, creating a gap where familyfriendly programming once thrived.
And while there’s nothing wrong with creating content for specific age groups, it feels like TV networks have forgotten the value of shows that everyone can enjoy together.
This isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about the impact on families. Shared TV time isn’t just entertainment; it’s bonding. It’s the chance to laugh, cry and talk about what we’ve watched together.
There’s a clear need for a revival of family-friendly TV. Creators have the opportunity to bring back shows that unite generations, are
story by jeremy george
funny without being offensive and heartwarming without being cheesy. We need shows that combine the lighthearted and wholesome moments with important lessons. We need shows that remind us why family time, even in front of a screen, is worth preserving.
*Instagram poll of 355
*Instagram poll of 369 votes
Harbinger staffer ranks bowl restaurant chains
1
3 sta ranking
Chipotle consistently offers a scrumptious and affordable bowl with a de nitive Mexican flair. Whenever you crave food from south of the border without wanting to make a reservation, a local Chipotle can quench that cilantro-inspired craving.
With tangy tomato salads and re-roasted pita, Cava has risen in popularity with its homestyle mediterrean bowls. Cava’s beverage selection of cucumber mint and mandarin orange fresca pairs perfectly with the irresistablely fresh plates.
2
From tender steak to sweet potato noodles, Bibibop is a portal into the flavorful world of Korean street food. Bibibop has mastered the combination of Asian fusion and allergy-inclusive bowls that leaves you wondering which fast-casual bowl restaurant you want to visit next.
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DO YOU STAY AT HILTON OR MARRIOTT HOTELS?
*Instagram poll of 262 votes
OCEAN
POOL MOUNTAINS
BEACH MARRIOTT HILTON
Sophomore
OPINION
ELEPHANT
People should be able to have a civil conversation about politics even when uncomfortable
story by larkin brundige
IWAS NINE years old when I was devastated that Trump won the election.
I was 13 when I wore all blue while waiting for the results of the 2020 election.
I was 14 when I yelled “my body, my choice” at pro-life protestors.
Expressing my opinion has never been difficult for me, until I’m around my extended family. “Don’t talk about money, age or politics. Politics get too awkward, too hurtful.”
Political conversations, although uncomfortable, are necessary to address recent political events and voice perspectives that otherwise might not be heard.
Discussing your opinion on the latest policy doesn’t need to end in a screaming match. There’s a way to address political conflict without social conflict. Arguments stem from uneducated responses and an unwillingness to listen to an opposing view.
It’s imperative that politics are addressed — whether it’s around family members, friends or classmates, especially at this point in time. Using reliable news outlets, such as CNBC, rather than depending on social media matters.
TIPS for POLITICS
When spending time with family, 40% of U.S. adults say they’re unwilling to discuss
“
DISCUSSING
YOUR opinion on the latest policy doesn’t need to end in a screaming match. There’s a way to address political conflict
IN THE
ROOM
to seem too extreme. But tip-toeing around my opinion has become boresome and
moderate, doesn’t mean you need to be. It’s okay to be biased and ask pointed questions.
How to go about a political discussion respectfully
Make sure it’s an appropriate time .
Be respectful with your response .
Listen to the other party .
design by evelyn bagley photos by alex sajna
MARCH 10, 2025 design by avery anderson art by francesca
DON’T MAKE AMERICA
story
by avni bansal
UNHEALTHY AGAIN UNHEALTHY AGAIN
Misinformation is risking public health by fueling vaccine hesitancy
IHAD ZERO ENERGY , a low-grade fever and nausea for three days.
The nurse had assured me that the meningitis A and B vaccines had no side effects — she was wrong.
But taking two ibuprofen pills to treat my side effects was better than getting a disease that can cause vision loss, paralysis, permanent nerve and brain damage and even death.
My friend’s mom is permanently deaf in one ear because she had meningitis at age 9, before the vaccine was invented in 1992.
Vaccine hesitancy, caused by misinformation spread through social media platforms and news channels, is distracting the world from vaccines’ critical role in saving lives and preventing long-term effects caused by deadly diseases.
As of Feb. 27, nine states reported a total of 164 measles cases — a viral infection that causes pneumonia, brain damage and pregnancy risks and was eliminated (meaning there were no measles outbreaks for over a year) in 2000.
The Guardian also reported that 95% of these cases were in unvaccinated people.
These cases could’ve been prevented.
The measles vaccine is 99% effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but fewer people are getting vaccinated because of the “anti-vaccine” movement and mistrust in well-researched CDC recommendations.
“I do believe that autism comes from vaccines,” U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in 2023. Kennedy, confirmed into office on Feb. 13, is supposed to advise citizens about healthrelated research. However, Kennedy spreads the scientifically debunked myth that vaccines cause autism, while Autism Speaks states that
“decades of scientific research have confirmed that vaccines do not cause autism.”
He even launched the “Make America Healthy Again” commission, yet he’s discouraging children from receiving vaccines. The vaccinations children get combat at least 10 serious infections such as whooping cough, polio and hepatitis. Kennedy is a lawyer — with no medical training — who’s ignoring data and science to promote his political agenda.
16 MARCH
Is National Vaccination Day and is used to spread awareness and inform people of the importance of vaccines at all ages
Our “educated” leader is creating a chaotic environment for everyday Americans where they don’t know what to believe or where to get trustworthy medical information. According to a publication in the Lancet, since 1974, vaccination has prevented 154 million deaths, with 146 million of them being children. I can’t trust Kennedy when he’s not willing to accept medical data that has proved time after time that vaccines are safe and effective.
Paired with the endless stream of political lies, social media has also played a significant role in the anti-vaccine movement.
Hiding behind alluring account usernames like the “Wellness Homesteader” and the “Conspiratorial Fashionista,” Instagram influencers aren’t just spreading baseless claims — they’re profiting from them.
According to the University of Washington, the accounts advertise “miracle” products they claim are superior to scientifically proven vaccines — all while disregarding public health and preying on fear.
It’s hard to know who to trust when even the president’s actions convey negative
VACCINE LIBRARY VACCINE LIBRARY
messages about vaccines.
In the middle of the flu season, President Donald Trump’s administration ended a CDC flu vaccination campaign, NPR reported. With more than 50,000 hospitalized influenza patients during the week of Feb. 1, Trump’s timing to create doubt surrounding vaccines couldn’t have been worse.
It’s not just about politics or personal beliefs.
Our leaders talk about cutting healthcare costs but are ignoring the fact that vaccines are one of the cheapest ways to save lives.
A 2019 measles outbreak cost Hennepin County in Minnesota $1.3 million to contain, and this doesn’t even account for medical costs and indirect economic losses, according to Vaccinate Your Family. This is for one county in one state. This outbreak affected 31 states.
The economic losses of the recent measles outbreak haven’t been calculated but are bound to be significant. Since 95% of the cases in the recent outbreak occurred in unvaccinated people, something as simple as getting vaccinated could’ve saved the country millions.
Make educated decisions about vaccination.
If you have an allergy to a product in the vaccine, discuss your options with a medical provider, but don’t let misinformation stop you from getting vaccinated. Vaccines have eradicated deadly diseases, saved millions of lives and remain a crucial tool in preventative medicine.
If you listen to misguided influencers and sleazy, selfish politicians, be aware that you’re harming yourself, your friends and your community by not getting vaccinated.
All we need now is a vaccine that prevents the spread of misinformation.
Three common and safe vaccines available to anyone in the U.S. 1. 2. 3.
*as of March 6
lorusso
elwood
EXPANDING
OPINION
BOUNDARIES
The lunchroom policy that only allows seniors to leave for lunch is unfair and makes lunch overwhelming
story by addy newman
MY ALARM WENT off at 6:55 a.m. as usual. The night before, I’d fallen asleep gazing mindlessly at my unfinished chemistry homework until 2 a.m... As I rushed to get my shoes on and brush my teeth, I had no time to eat breakfast or prepare my lunch for the day. I had to sprint out of my house to attempt to get to East at 7:20 a.m. to park in the already overcrowded sophomore lot.
Just as I was dreaming of my kid’s quesadilla meal from Chipotle for lunch that I get every weekend, I remembered the school lunch policy. I couldn’t leave to buy food for lunch — my only option was the unappetizing school lunch with greasy pizza and dry hot-cooked meals.
Having to stay in the lunchroom to eat the school’s provided meals should not be the only option for students. All students should be allowed more freedom to leave the school for lunch, and there should be more areas open around the school other than the lunchroom to eat lunch.
After I survived my morning without breakfast, my AP European History teacher dismissed our fourth-hour class just as I clicked submit on my 25-question unit test. I hurried towards the lunchroom, hungry and stressed about my test results.
The “students must stay in the lunchroom for the lunch period” sign blocked off the area towards the bathrooms on the south ramp. There was nowhere to go besides the congested cafeteria.
Administrators stand at the exit of the lunch room right in the way of the commons and the ramps to keep students from leaving the lunch room. Admin stopped me as I tried
to go down the 2nd floor hallway to fill up my water bottle. This is supposed to be lunch period, not detention.
The minute I made my way through the surplus of people pouring into the lunchroom, it hit me. There’s no money left on my school lunch account.
I couldn’t text my parents to refill my account because they were both in hourlong meetings at work. I took scraps from my friends’ lunches. I was stuck and hungry
This should not be the reality for any students. No lunch without their account going into debt. Nowhere else to go but the lunchroom.
As I made my way towards my table, I noticed girls were bunched together, attempting to cram four people on one side of the bench. I squeezed in between two of my friends, but there wasn’t even enough arm room for me to reach back and grab my water bottle from my backpack. If the school won’t let me leave for lunch, they should at least make sure I have enough room to drink water.
All students should be allowed to leave the school building for lunch because of the rush and overwhelming atmosphere of the lunchroom.
The next day — after skipping lunch the previous day — I hauled my backpack through the crowd of bustling students trying to get to the lunch line as quickly as possible.
I could smell the reek of pizza grease as I walked toward the left side of the school lunch kitchen. Multiple empty pizza boxes lay scattered. Every slice was gone. And this was just the start of third lunch.
Only one lunch lady was working to serve
THE RESTRICTIONS
STUDENTS CAN...
-Sit in the lunch room
-Go to the vending machines
-Sit on the seats on the ramp
-Go on the courtyard when the weather is nice
food — dumplings with fried rice to the remaining line of students. This was the only option for hot-cooked food left.
I opted for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but I have no idea what people with peanut allergies eat with these limited options. People with gluten or dairy allergies have to choose between eating prison food or packing their lunches every single day.
None of this would be a problem if all students could leave for lunch.
Even if students have a car, a quick walk outside or to their friend’s car would not hurt anyone. And if students can’t afford to buy lunch from outside the school everyday, they would still have the freedom to escape the crowded cafeteria.
There are almost 1,700 students at East. The lunchroom can only fit 533 people. Do the math — that’s 566 students per lunch and far more than the limit. It makes sense that the lunchroom constantly feels overcrowded.
All sophomores and juniors are legally old enough to drive. Sophomores and even some freshmen are allowed to drive themselves home and to school. High school students can make their own decisions and be responsible enough to return to their next class on time.
It affects the student more than the teacher if they don’t return to class on time. A tardy goes on the students’ personal record, not the teachers. A quick two-minute drive down Mission Road to pick up a mobile Chipotle order won’t hurt anyone.
But, if students aren’t allowed to leave school property, they should at least be able to eat somewhere besides the lunchroom, perhaps the band and orchestra hallway or the commons.
The lunchroom policy is excessive. Students know they have a limited amount of time for lunch, and restricting student freedom is pointless.
The lunchroom policy creates an overpopulated lunchroom that’s miserable for students. The cafeteria should not add stress and make the day more overwhelming than it already is for a student. Students should be able to make their own choices. If high schoolers are of age or almost of age
Places where students can and can’t go during lunch
STUDENTS CAN’T...
-Sit in the commons or the library
-Go to the gym area
-Be on the rst, third, fourth, or fth
-Leave the building to get lunch if they aren’t a senior
-Order food to the school
design by adyson cooper photos by lila
71% of students celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day
meet the unicef club
Meet all the members of UNICEF club and their positions
VIVIAN FRALEY VICE PRESIDENT
CALLIOPE LYNCH SECRETARY
MILITZA ALMONEY MEMBER
BELLA BROCE MEMBER
KATIE COOK MEMBER
LOLA
STINSON SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Everyone is welcome in the SM East UNICEF club Thursdays after school in room 506.
UNICEF club meets once a month to discuss and advocate for the education, safety and health of children worldwide .
UNICEF club also aims to host one fundraiser event a year where they raise money for the club and UNICEF.
this week in photos
BELOW Freshmen Alex Hall and Dagan Lingen look back at a photo they took in Jennifer Hensley‘s digital photo class. photo by emma weidman
BELOW Sophomore Lila Elwood mixes the icing she’s making to put onto of the cinnamon rolls she previously made. photo by annie trenkle
7 days until Saint Patrick’s Day
luck of the irish
MY FAMILY DECORATES the house every year for Saint Patrick’s Day, and we wear green. My mom makes an Irish dinner, which is usually corned beef.
“
design by miranda liberda
COLLIN STROUD SOPHOMORE
BRIGID CRONIN SENIOR
design by sydney eck photos by mason
sajna
story by libby marsh
got Talent
Junior Addy Sullivan creates her own magic tricks, which she performs for her friends and family and auditioned for America’s Got Talent
JUNIOR ADDY SULLIVAN
spreads two full decks of cards on the lunch table for her friends, juniors Sophia Brockmeier and Catherine Beltrame. Catherine draws a card from one deck, then holds hands with Sophia. Catherine “telepathically” tells Sophia what card she picked, and Sophia then draws a card from the second deck.
Addy asks various questions about the card like, ‘What suit is the card?’ ‘Is it red or black?’ Then the two reveal their cards. And somehow, they’re identical.
“I’m really impressed all the time,” Catherine said. “I don’t know how she does it, and she has a good presentation with it as well. She really makes up the whole vibe of the trick.”
This deception is just one of the endless magic tricks Addy has created on her own with her method she calls “Occultist.”
Addy gained experience performing in front of her peers beginning in middle school and after mastering the art of card tricks, she has made it past the first three rounds of auditioning for America’s Got Talent.
She sent in her first audition tape in early January and has since crafted an act for the show, had a call with the producers and sent in a final audition tape. She finds out if she’s going to Hollywood on March 11.
Addy grew up watching AGT with her family and when she realized auditions were coming up in January, she decided to try out — as a joke at first. But after making it past the first round of auditions she began to take it seriously and realized she had a shot at going on the show.
Going on AGT will also give Addy the chance to spread the art of magic. At the end of each of her tricks, either her family or friends are astonished. What they initially think is a silly joke or a simple sleight-of-hand appears to be true magic.
“That’s why I love it,” Addy said. “If I can give someone the chance to believe in magic, that magic just might be real, then I’ve done my part. I guess that’s also another reason why I’m going on AGT too, is really just to help people, possibly, maybe just believe that there’s just a sliver of magic out there.”
Her first time learning magic tricks was in 2020 when her older brother Finn gave her a magic set, including a deck of cards. During the COVID-19 quarantine, with nothing better to do, Addy began to learn magic and started watching YouTube videos to learn more tricks.
Coming back to school in-person her eighth grade year, she performed magic tricks for her peers during lunch, bringing people together and making them happy through her talent, according to Addy. This year, following the district-wide phone ban, Addy has started performing tricks in class more, carrying a pack of cards in her backpack at all times.
“Magic, it’s kind of like music,” Addy said. “It almost brings people together. I just wanted to make people happy while doing it.”
While Addy has the option of using a gimmicked coin or a gaffed deck of cards for a trick, she prefers using a regular deck of cards, relying on her mastered sleight of hand to pull off her tricks, as well as psychology. Addy uses psychology to figure out what card someone has drawn or to convince a spectator to draw a specific card from the deck.
a modi cation of a seemingly ordinary item used to accomplish magical effects
“You want everything to be inspectable after so they can really be like ‘oh my gosh, I have a connection with this person,’” Addy said. “It’s a lot of psychology, actually, believe it or not, when it comes to magic. I’ve created a method that is so devious, almost.”
After a couple of years learning tricks online, Addy began to use her knowledge of magic to create her own tricks. Taking inspiration from magic shows like Penn and Teller, she developed her own tricks from the ones she saw and built off of them. Addy is constantly thinking of magic and coming up with new tricks.
TIMELINE
Track Addy’s path to AGT
“My main thought is always like, ‘If someone were to do a magic trick on me, what would I think is really cool?’” Addy said.
Started doing magic in 2020 when her brother got her a magic kit for Christmas
After passing the first round of AGT auditions in late January, Addy started coming up with two or three new tricks every day.
“She’s not in her room all that often, but when she’s in her room alone and she doesn’t want to be bothered, that’s when [her brother] Ryp and I are like ‘let her cook, let her cook,’” Addy’s mom Lindsay said.
After spending hours mastering a new trick, Addy will go to perform for her “test group” — her parents and younger brother, Ryp. She performs the trick, careful not to spoil it, and immediately after, Lindsay tells her to ‘do it again.’ Addy works to perfect her tricks and ensure everyone is surprised at the end, but according to Lindsay, her test tricks for her family never fail.
“It’s such a hard art form and at its very core it’s meant to be a silly joke, but I really want the world — and I guess that this is also what I’m going on AGT —to take magic seriously and respect the art,” Addy said.
In late 8th grade/ early Freshman year she started making her own tricks
Decided to audition in late December
In early January, she sent in a tape for her rst audition
Found out she passed the rst round in late January
Met with producers in early February
Sent in her last audition tape on Feb. 24
Finds out if she got on the show on March 11
MARCH 10, 2025
HE AUDIENCE CHATTERED,
marble pillars towered and refreshments were served in Kirkwood Hall at the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum. The spacious atrium was home to the annual Nelson-Atkins Teen Fashion Show: a must-attend event for any budding fashion designer.
A U-shaped runway spanned the middle of the hall, and spotlights illuminated models as they began to walk down the carpet. Junior Mazie Alber waited anxiously behind a curtain, anticipating her time to strut the runway.
Finally, it was time for Alber to display her original design — a white two-piece dress, adorned with red beading. She notices the audience smile and turn to each other, pointing out their favorite details of Alber’s dress as she walked down the runway.
“I walk out and I see everyone stare at me, and it’s scary,” Alber said. “But at the same time, I could see everything, which arguably is more intimidating, but also it helped me realize that I had an effect on the people that I was walking in front of.”
Alber has been going to the show for the past three years and sews dresses and pants to fulfill requests from friends and family in her free time. These pieces are used for various events across Kansas City, including the Teen Fashion Show and local weddings.
Last spring, Alber sewed colored pants and a white top for her hairdresser Kelsey
RUNWAY WARDROBE
FEATURE
Hemenway’s wedding.
“I was so impressed by her designs,” Hemenway said. “When I got married, I was pretty picky and wanted a lot of color. So, it was really hard to find an outfit that was gonna go with what we were going for. So I just asked her to do it.”
When Hemenway texted Alber during school one day and requested the design, she received an eager response from Alber: “absolutely yes.”
Alber made the bustier top and retroflower pants in the one month before Hemenway’s wedding. It was her first time working with boning, a stabilizer, in a project, according to Alber.
“That girl is gonna be somebody someday,” Hemenway said. “I mean, she already is. She’s incredible and so determined — she has the most unique ideas. I wish I could crawl into her brain for a day and see what it looks like inside of there.”
Alber’s main purpose of sewing is to wear what she wants, not clothes from fast fashion stores like Urban Outfitters. Because she can transform a thrifted piece into a new creation.
Thrifting at stores like City Thrift is a goto activity for Alber and her friend senior Jo Wilson-Head on weekends — topped off with a cup of boba, of course.
“Sometimes I’ll try something out and it doesn’t fit, and she’ll be like, ‘I can make it fit,’” Wilson-Head said.
Hemming various clothing, such as dresses and shirts, helps Alber to refine her sewing techniques for the Teen Fashion Show. After the show every year, Alber attends the post-program reception.
Standing in the Kirkwood Hall after the show, Alber heard someone behind her.
“Excuse me?”
She turned around to see a group of young girls looking up at her, a program in her hand.
“Could you sign this for me?”
Junior Mazie Alber sews her own clothes for local fashion shows
Alber, overcome with emotion, nodded and autographed the program for the girl.
“It was the sweetest moment, and I almost cried,” Alber said. “They were just random girls, and it was so precious.”
Experiences such as the past Teen Fashion Shows and Hemenway’s wedding outfit have helped Alber build a resumé that was noticed at this year’s Teen Fashion Show.
The Savannah College of Art sent Alber a
letter in the mail, delivered to the counseling office, inviting her to an orientation at the college and complimenting her recent designs. No matter where Alber goes, she hopes to pursue fashion in college, ultimately opening a small label one day.
“I just adore her, I’m so amazed by her, and I can’t wait to see what she does in the future,” Hemenway said. “Whatever it is, it’s going to be awesome.”
“The Baptist” “Daphne” inspired by “Saint John the Baptist” by Carravagio took three months to make inspired by “Apollo and Daphne” by Bernini took two and a half months to make
sophia brockmeier
design by mya smith photos by rubi hakes photo courtesy of mazie alber
REDA REDA
Junior Caroline Reda has been doing musical theater for 11 years and played the lead role in SM East’s musical, “Zombie Prom”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT MUSICAL THEATER?
“Probably just the ability to showcase people’s talents. And I think it’s very fun to step out of who you are as a person. You have to take your personality and try to transfer that over to someone else’s and take on a different character.”
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO PLAY TOFFEE, THE LEAD?
“I did Zombie Prom with Stage Right [Performing Arts], and I really wanted to get Toffee. She has really good songs. And I really wanted to break my casting type, because I’m never seen as that kind of character.”
WHAT WAS IT LIKE MISSING CLOSING NIGHT?
“I basically got the flu the day before opening. So I performed two shows while having the flu, and that was really dif cult. And then on closing night, my voice just gave out. I was in the middle of the show, and I just felt so sick. So they paused the show, and made it like a little music review. I’m still recovering. I still don’t really have my voice back.”
MOMENTS FROM HER MUSICALS
THE HARBINGER
design by lucy swope photos by amelie wong
photos courtesy of caroline reda
BEHIND THE
story by michael yi
Theatre’s tech crew works long hours behind the scenes to make SM East performances shine
AS SOON AS Jonny As soon as Jonny hurled himself into the nuclear reactor in the winter musical “Zombie Prom,” theatre’s costume crew rushed to quick-change freshman Chase Reeves into a zombie in under four minutes, painting him green and even tying on his boots.
“[Chase] would run off stage, and then we’d get him in his clothes as fast as possible so we could do his face makeup and then put on his wig,” costume crew member Henry Byrd said.
In their black outfits, or “crew blacks,” you might not spot tech crew behind you in the sound booth, beyond the painted backdrops or over your head in the catwalk. Their biggest moment isn’t under the spotlight — it’s in the countless hours of preparational work building, painting and programming the show to life.
“That’s the best part about tech theatre,” lights crew chief senior Adelaide Basta said. “You get to feel like you’re a part of something, and you helped put this show together for people to see.”
Crew is led by seasonal crew chiefs and staffed by crew members and volunteers. Before a big show like the musical, tech crew works tirelessly after school and on Saturdays to develop the technical elements of a production, from metal rafters to the 100 light cues that light up the stage.
“Some schools require the actors to put in 10 hours or something to be in the show,” technical director Tom DeFeo said. “We don’t do anything like that. The theatre department is student-driven and student-owned.”
During a workday, different crews break off to work on projects around the auditorium. Set crew heads into the “shop” to cut wood and build set pieces, and house crew goes into the arts supply room, the “nest,” to craft art pieces for the lobby bulletin boards with colored paper.
At the back of the auditorium are the lights and sound booths, each containing
smaller crews of less than five. Sound works on distributing and controlling the mics and mixing sound, while the light crew focuses on programming cues before the performance and setting up the necessary lights.
mix ing sound
The process by which multiple sounds are combined into one or more audio channels
Basta put in over 100 hours during the winter season programming the cues for “Zombie Prom,” utilizing over 200 lights in the auditorium. During the show, a lights crew member plays the cues in order, ready to improvise if the show is altered.
“It’s very stressful,” Basta said. ”You have to be attentive all the time. But I like that. I don’t get bored, although it gives you a headache because you’re literally focused on something for like, two hours with no break.”
Set crew chief Dashiell Zaman joined theatre at East to act, but applied and became a set crew chief last winter to work on “Zombie Prom” with his friends. Between building Jonny’s revival entrance and lifting up heavy metal scaffolding poles, he’s found a passion for set.
“[My friends] tried for a long time to get me into it,” Zaman said. “I just never really cared before. They finally gave me a big speech about how much fun they had, and all their memories, and I was like, ‘I might as well give it a try.’”
Students are incentivized to work in crew through “thespian points,” which are used to letter and earn scholarships. While most crew members are theatre students, anybody can come to a work day and try out a crew.
“We had a lot of new people try set crew [in the winter], and all of them were so willing to learn something they’ve never
done before,” Zaman said. “I don’t think a lot of people would be willing to be bad at something and start out learning something they’ve never done before.”
Junior Kai Campbell has been a set crew chief since his sophomore year. A veteran of countless Saturday group lunch breaks at Raising Cane’s and “secret pals” gift exchanges, Campbell says the best part of crew is the relaxed and welcoming community.
“There is stress, especially during shows, but for most of the season, it’s working and getting stuff done, and then that feeling of accomplishment, like, ‘Oh yeah, we literally just built that,’” Campbell said.
Currently, in the spring season, crews are split working between the smaller spring show and the constant barrage of performances from band, orchestra and theatre that require crew members to set up for sound, house and lights.
During the first spring work day last Tuesday, friendly chatter filled the auditorium as set crew painted purple over “Zombie Prom” flats, lights crew flooded the walls with colorful patterns and sound performed a mic check with lyrics from “In The Heights.”
Lights crew chiefs and sophomores Maddie Torkelson and Dane Schwartz were up in the lights booth preparing to program their first show, “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” coming this spring.
“It’s the people that come back [to crew], like, they show up and then they come back — that’s what truly makes theatre what it is at East,” Torkelson said.
WHERE
Tech theater crews work backstage, behind and above the stage during productions
COSTUME CREW: Dressing rooms, props and costume lofts
LIGHTING AND SOUND: “The Batcave” and lighting booth
PROPS CREW: Backstage, the workshop and the props loft
STARBUCKS
Best Actress
local spotlight
Best Picture
Best Actor
Movie Title:
Starring: Anora
Mikey
Release Date: Oct. 18
Genre:
Urban Prairie Coffee sells delicious drinks and offers a variety of breakfast options
IWAS IMMEDIATELY drawn into Urban Prairie Coffee by the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and brewed coffee.
Instantly, I noticed the pastry display at the front counter, which was practically overflowing with muffins, scones, brownies and other deliciouslooking pastries.
Once I secured my spot at one of the only open tables nestled into the side room of the café, I went up to the counter to order. Although my eyes were set on the sweet treats, the menu also offered a variety of hearty breakfast items such as avocado toast, breakfast burritos and sandwiches.
I eventually decided on a small French vanilla cold brew and iced chai, which cost around $6 each, a $4 cinnamon scone and a $6.95 breakfast burrito that cost an extra $1.50 after adding bacon.
The scone and drinks were ready in under three minutes, and the smell of cinnamon and sweet icing made it impossible not to try as soon as I returned to my table.
Although most scones have a dry, overly dense texture, this cinnamon scone was soft and had an unexpected slight crumble. Not only was the dense texture perfect, but it wasn’t overly sugary, and the cinnamon flavor didn’t overpower the sweetness from the glaze.
The iced chai tasted like autumn in a cup, with a strong cardamom spice flavor and a slight sweetness from the oat milk. On the other hand, the French vanilla cold brew lacked the rich vanilla flavor I was hoping for. I could only take a few sips before getting sick of the bitter coffee tang.
As I was halfway through my scone, the breakfast burrito was ready at the front, and I couldn’t wait for a savory
pop & popcorn
Album Title:
cut to my so far sweet breakfast.
The burrito’s tortilla was perfectly crisp, and the egg, potato, bacon and cheddar cheese created a delicious salty combination. Although the salsa on the side tasted like mushed up tomatoes, the burrito tasted juicy and savory on its own.
Urban Prairie Coffee offers a wide variety of tasty, reasonably priced breakfast options and will now be my go-to café when I need a dose of caffeine and a satisfying breakfast.
Tracks Include:
Watch out for these upcoming new movie and music releases
Genre:
Movie Title:
design
Name: Starred In:
Adrien Brody
The Brutalist, The Pianist and King Kong
The Brutalist Performance In:
design by lyla weeks
photos courtesy of Imagine Dragons
REVIEWING
Imagine Dragons’ new album Reflections (From the Vault of Smoke + Mirrors), is a disappointment
REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS
story by avery anderson
VAULTEDUP
A ranking of the top three worst songs on the album
“Reflection: Smoke and Mirrors”
1 GHOST INTERVENTION
WHEN I WAS 10-years-old, “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons was my jam
I remember driving to soccer games at Leawood Park on Sunday mornings, forcing my parents to play the song on repeat, claiming it was my “hypeup song” — and then listening to it nonstop on my pink CD player in my
So I was brought back to my grade school days when I heard about new Imagine Dragons album, made of songs compiled from the vault of their 2016 album “Smoke + Mirrors.” But upon pressing play, my 10-year-old self was let
Reflections (From The Vault of Smoke + Mirrors) came out on Feb. 21 and features 14 demo songs with a 41-minute length. Demos supposed to be a little rough around the edges, featuring unfinished songs with less-thanpristine production.
This, however, doesn’t excuse poor lyrics and melodies — parts of the song that are theoretically
And they were mediocre at best with both the wording
The lyrics in every song seemed like something my friends
and I would’ve written at recess in 5th grade. They felt repetitive and obvious, giving me no motivation to dig deeper into their meaning or research the message behind them — something good songs like “Do I Wanna Know” by the Arctic Monkeys often force me to do.
If it weren’t for these being recorded in 2016, I’d think they were AI generated.
“The Ghost Intervention” repeated the line “no one ever wanted something so bad” 10 times and the entire basis of the song “Monica” is repetition of simple phrases like “I-I-I will not lead you on” and “I’m not the one for ya.”
These choruses are basic at best I, like many other modern listeners, thrive off songs with dozens of complex verses and intricate lyrics that can be picked apart like a vulture. And for an album I expected to be packed with metaphors and awe-inspiring lyrics about love and hate, this was just disappointing.
In an era of lyrical masterminds like Hozier and The Lumineers, this album won’t make listeners truly feel anything.
And to no surprise, unfortunately the instrumentals didn’t redeem the songs either.
I could’ve sworn they created each beat and sound in GarageBand. The percussion was repetitive and didn’t fit the feel of the other songs. It felt almost experimental, but they missed the mark.
Overall, it lacked the aweinspiring, chills-down-the-spinelevel percussion of their “Evolve” days. Maybe I would’ve liked this album more if I was still my 10-year-old self, but for their grown-up audience, it was disappointing.
There was little variety throughout the album as well. Each song seemed to be overly similar and blended into each other, leaving me with nothing memorable after nearly an hour of listening.
The first three songs of the track blended together so much I had to check my phone to see if new songs were playing or if one was just unnecessarily long.
It’s no surprise none of these songs have made their way to Imagine Dragons’ most listened to on Spotify. And I can’t imagine this release will increase streams of any of their other songs like new releases often do — if anything, it’ll drive listeners away. It sure made me reconsider their talent.
While it’s always interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at how a band or artist works and what early versions of their songs may look like, this was downright disappointing and made me question how they ever released popular songs.
I know Taylor Swift started the trend of releasing vaulted songs from old albums, but some songs should stay in the vault — like this entire album.
SCAN ME ALBUM
Listen to the new Imagine Dragons album here
WHO IS
“Who is Luigi Mangione” highlights important yet unsettling details of the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting without unnecessary graphic detail
LUIGI MANGIONE?
story by ada lillie worthington
DELAY , DENY, DEPOSE
These chilling words lined Luigi Mangione’s — the suspected shooter of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — alleged bullet shell casing in magic marker.
While I’d seen news coverage on the overview of Mangione’s arrest and edits on TikTok praising his attractive features, this was the first tiny detail I’d learned about the case that sent shivers down my spine.
I didn’t learn these three uncanny words from any of the posts I saw on my feed — I learned it from watching the new documentary “Who is Luigi Mangione.”
Max dropped the documentary “Who is Luigi Mangione” on Feb. 17, which walks through Mangione’s life before the shooting of Brian Thompson. Although the investigation is still ongoing, the documentary highlights important yet unsettling details of the case and Mangione’s background.
If you have extremely limited knowledge about the case, don’t worry. The first 10 minutes will recap the story for you. One of the narrators may annoyingly repeat the phrase “Who is this guy?!” about a hundred times during this recap, but it provides the audience with essential background knowledge of the case you can’t get from TikTok.
MAX DROPPED THE documentary Who is Luigi Mangione on Feb. 17 that walks through Mangione’s life before the shooting of Brian Thompson.
As the documentary outlines Mangione’s high school valedictorian status and wealthy upbringing, I couldn’t help but admire the credible sources interviewed for the film. Two family friends of the Mangiones discussed the family’s respected status and his Reddit history detailed the “brain fog” or lapse in brain cognition he faced while at the University of
Pennsylvania over five years ago.
He used to play chess every day with his roommate, but eventually couldn’t even remember a strategy to use against his partner, something that stumped doctors for years.
His friend he lived with in Hawaii in 2022 further explained Mangione struggled from chronic back pain after a severe surfing accident.
“
AND ALTHOUGH THERE’S
evidence that Mangione committed the crime including his personal Manifesto and “letter to the feds,” the trial hasn’t started yet. While there has been a hearing, there isn’t even a date set for the traditional trial.
ABC NEWS
These real anecdotes add more detail and humanity to the documentary. It wasn’t just criminologists or law enforcement that were interviewed; it was people who actually know Mangione. It added a sense of authenticity to the documentary.
Authenticity and impartiality seemed to both be a rightfully large focus of the film.
The documentary’s goal wasn’t to bring sympathy to Mangione nor exhibit him as some sort of monster, it was to simply provide context to the shooting that broke the internet.
And although there’s evidence that Mangione committed the crime, including his personal Manifesto and “letter to the feds,” the trial hasn’t started yet. There’s been one hearing, however there isn’t even a date set for the traditional trial, according to ABC News.
Intentionally creating bias towards a man not convicted of any crime yet would be highly inappropriate. In fact, the very first thing shown in this documentary is the statement “all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
SAY WHAT?
WHAT?
“We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved,” Maryland Senator and cousin Nino Mangione said.
Statements people have made about Mangione since the incident
“You wouldn’t think someone of priviledge or means from a family that’s known for doing so much for the community would do something like this,” Brian’s attorney Thomis Maronick said.
The fact-driven plot goes on to talk about how informative watch, even for a school night.
THE HARBINGER
CORTADITO CORTADITO A TASTE OF
perfect mix of strong espresso, sweet sugar and smooth milk. Although the drink’s thickness made me uneasy at first, the creamy texture became more enjoyable with each sip, unlike any other watery coffee I can get from Starbucks.
After drinking half the coffee, my food was delivered, and I instinctively reached for the sweet pastry — the Pastel De Pina.
4/5 4/5
APARELLENA PICADILLO
As soon as I took a bite of the buttery pineapple pastry, the flakiness and subtle sweetness of the smooth pineapple filling had me sold after the first bite. It was the perfect combination of a croissant and pineapple upside-down cake, tied together with a golden brown breading.
Although I could’ve eaten the whole Pastel De Pina in under three minutes, my curiosity led me to the intriguing Papa Rellena Picadillo — a ground beef-stuffed
From the outside, this dish looked like a plain deep-fried brown ball. But when I took a bite, the savory flavor of the ground beef surrounded by the soft potato ball was anything but plain. The ground beef added a salty taste, which was balanced by the sweetness of the potato. Pairing the two ingredients together left me satisfied and filled after only a few bites.
Finally, it was time to try my most anticipated dish — the Cuban sandwich, filled with ham, roasted pork, American cheese, pickles and mustard. Although I usually prefer my simple ham and cheese sandwich, the variety of ingredients came every bite juicy and savory.
The melted American cheese paired deliciously with the ham and pork, which would’ve been overwhelming without the cut from the pickles and mustard. The sandwich, paired with a side of chicharritas, plantain chips, tasted homemade and authentically curated, with subtle hints of black pepper and cumin that left me comfortably satisfied without feeling stuffed.
It’s safe to say that Cortadito Cuban Café offers some of the best coffee, pastries and sandwiches in Kansas City. With its unique flavors and Cuban roots, you can feel the cultural influence and effort behind each dish, which is hard to find in the growing number of dining chains.
Cortadito Cuban Café offers authentic Cuban dishes and an enjoyable cultural experience
design by kai mcphail photos by molly scott
story by caroline beal
reliving nationals
Varsity dance’s thoughts regarding nationals
SCAN ME SCHEDULE
Check at SM East’s athletic calendar for a preview of the upcoming sports events
TOP LEFT Junior Noah Jewell pins down an Olathe West opponent at wrestling regionals. They both look at the referee as the whistle blows to call the end of the point. Jewell won the match, earning sixth place in the 165 pound category.
photo by anastasia ower
TOP RIGHT Senior Parker Paben walks with her parents and twin JJ Paben as she’s recognized for varsity dance Senior Night.
photo by ava towner
BOTTOM RIGHT Junior Fina Kessler high-fives senior Laine Birch while the team warms up for their game.
photo by addy newman
BOTTOM LEFT Freshman Sydney Roth holds up a “Lancers” sign as Cheer performs their competition routine.
photo by zac russell
Q: When do you learn your choreography? Q: What is your favorite dance style?
GRACE DEMETRIOU SENIOR
“WE GET OUR choreography a little bit over the summer, and then in the fall we start practicing. But obviously we have to take in the fact we have football and basketball season that we have to prepare dances for too.
upcoming events
HANNAH KLUMPP
SOPHOMORE
I THINK GAME day was my favorite. It’s just really fun, and you get to do fun facials. It’s a dance that I feel like is more comfortable for me because there’s such a strict way to do it, so it’s hard to mess up.
Mark your calendars for these sports events
SHARE’S
EXTRAVACAN
CAN
SHARE’s annual Mr. CANsas show was held in the SM East auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 27 to collect and donate canned goods to the Village Food Pantry
RIGHT Seniors Clara Peters, Lincoln King and Macy Garwood discuss which “CANdidate” was voted for with the most cans by the audience. “We had to quickly count up the cans for each candidate,” King said. “In the end, we collected 843 pounds of cans in total.” After counting, the SHARE Execs determined that seniors Cole Lawrence, Cole Chinnock and Carter Smith were the winners of Mr. CANsas.
RIGHT Seniors Jack McClelland, “Mr. Swim,” performs a swim-themed dance to “Waltz of the Flowers” with other Mr. CANsas candidates for their talent.
photo by ava towner
BELOW Senior Cole Lawrence dances with juniors Will Shelton, Davis Eakes and Jack Reeves to “I Say a Little Prayer” from “Glee” to represent his role as “Mr. School Spirit.” Lawrence won first place in Mr. CANsas with 143 cans.
Your Head in the
design by clara peters
RIGHT Senior Will Beck juggles for his talent. Beck represents “Mr. Basketball” as he performs to “Get
Game” from “High School Musical.”
ABOVE Senior SHARE Exec Sam Rayfield reviews the order of the show with senior JJ Paben who represented “Mr. Mancer Dancer”.
ABOVE Cans used to vote for “Mr. Bowling,” Christian Lahey, sit in a bag for SHARE Execs to count and determine which “CANdidate” won.
photo by molly scott
photo by francesca lorusso
photo by francesca lorusso
photo by francesca lorusso
photo by sylvie degalan
THROUGH RJ’S LENS
THEN-SIXTHGRADER
RJ Kordalski spent countless hours
watching YouTube tutorials and taking online classes, cramming his brain with everything a beginner should know about photography. He often grabbed his old family camera and walked up to busy streets, waiting to snap photos of his first subject — cars. Whether it was the rim of a new purple Audi R8 or the golden logo of a Porsche, cars were the sole subject of Kordalski’s lens.
“I used to be way too scared to go up to cars, so I’d just stand there from really far away taking pictures of them,”
Kordalski said. “The photos were small since I was so far away, and I was kinda just embarrassed because people were looking
Now-freshman Kordalski has advanced from cars to sports photography. He takes photos at the majority of freshman SM East basketball games, swim meets and even University of Missouri-Kansas City basketball games in his free time.
Kordalski keeps his Instagram account, @rj.sportscams, updated with more recent photos and custom player posters, catching the eyes of East students and basketball players with his work.
“The quality of his photos are great, much better than a parent taking photos at my games,” freshman basketball player
Freshman RJ Kordalski learned to take photos on his own and has shot for UMKC basketball players in his free time
Drew Stein said. “His editing is super-detailed, and he adds colors to his photos, the editing is just really great.”
As Kordalski gained more confidence in his photography skills, he took it upon himself to direct message multiple UMKC basketball players on Instagram in February, asking to take photos for them at games. Excited to see a response from player Melvyn Ebonkoli, Kordalski saw a message inviting him to a home game later that month to take action shots and candid photos.
After hearing about Kordalski’s dream and ambition to improve in his photography, Ebonkoli decided to give him a mid-year pass, allowing Kordaliski to come shoot at every home game for the rest of the season.
“I was like ‘Yeah, if I can help him [improve in photography] without any problem, I would do it,’” Ebonkoli said. “He’s just a simple guy, cool to be around with, and I like having people with big dreams trying to achieve them.”
While he’s been learning how to get the “right shot” during games, growing his following and getting his name out to people has been the hardest part of the gig.
Outside of sports photography, Kordalski took the East digital photo class last semester, where he learned to edit his photos through Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop, instead of posting his raw images straight to his account like he used to. He’s also currently taking dark room photography, working to broaden his photography skills by learning compositional texture strategies and how to develop film.
“He has mentioned [liking photography] to me briefly and has been doing great so far in my class,” dark room photography teacher Adam Finkelston said. “[In the first printing
assignment] I do think he seems to have the technical part down, and he’s picking that up quickly. So I’m anxious to see what he does when we start doing more creative work.”
Although reactions from Kordalski’s peers have been mostly positive, there’s still been a few people who think what he’s doing is weird. But those negative people, along with the positive ones who say, “Those photos are sick!” motivate him to keep going.
Taking photos at freshman basketball games whenever possible has allowed him to build friendships with his freshman class at East through his photos.
“I’ve developed a lot of connections with other freshmen,” Kordalski said. “I’ve kept going out to games and normally people say ‘hi’ to me in the hallway, but now a lot of people I shoot for, they’re like ‘Oh, what’s up RJ?’ and they wave to me.”
Moments when players come up and give him recognition by asking “Where can I get those photos?” or “Hey, can you come out again to take more?” are some of his highlights from shooting.
As Kordalski looks forward, he hopes to become more known in the photography world by continuing to shoot whenever he can. He also hopes to shoot college D1 sports games while continuing to pursue photography in college and down the road.
“I sent him a text and said, ‘You gotta make me one promise: don’t stop and don’t give up on your dreams. They will come true if you truly believe in them,’” Ebonkoli said. “I then said, ‘Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise and trust the process and you will succeed. He’s gotta keep doing whatever he digs and I think he’s gonna be just fine.”
HARBINGER
design by tillie paisner photos by molly scott
OFF THE
story by emmerson winfrey
DON’T FALL ON your face — I’ll talk about it in my TikTok.”
Science teacher and new JV sprints coach for 100m and 200m Joshua Parker yelled this lighthearted threat across the room.
He’d just realized a sophomore chemistry student who’d come in for help would also be doing track under his coaching.
Parker was a track coach at Center Middle School for four years and was disappointed when he moved to Indian Hills where track wasn’t available, so when he saw a spot opened at SM East, he immediately applied.
Parker was on the track team in high school
JOSHUA
PARKER
REACHING FOR HER phone, Spanish teacher and new distance running track coach Abra Scanlon knew exactly what she was pulling up — her note of all the half marathons she’s run, complete with times.
“I started keeping a note of it because people would always ask me about it,” Scanlon said.
Scanlon got into running when she was dating a Sporting Kansas City soccer player. She went on runs with him and even did half marathons in various cities across the country where he was playing. Even when the relationship ended, her passion persisted.
She transferred from SM South to SM East at the start of this year but still went to South at the end of every day in the fall to coach cross
but became more invested in the sport after graduating. He goes on runs when he isn’t grading tests or preparing PowerPoints and made a point to watch track and field events during the 2024 Olympics.
Parker is SM East’s newest chemistry teacher and is known for his TikTok account which has more than 200k followers. Parker posts various content about everything from skits about school, funny things students say to him or even athletic workout content.
During the spring track season, he plans to add content as a track coach.
“I posted a lot of content about the Olympics
New teachers Joshua Parker and Abra Scanlon are new coaches for track and field
this summer,” Parker said. “I’m excited to post more things like that through track.”
Along with the new content possibilities, Parker is also looking forward to the more competitive atmosphere. Coaching in middle school mostly consisted of teaching kids about the sport and seeing if they like it, according to Parker. He hopes to see students qualify for state or even achieve new personal records over the year.
“In middle school, it’s more teaching the basics or kids just trying different sports,” Parker said. “Now, kids actually love the sport and know they want to do it and want to actually improve.”
EVENT: COACHING: SPRINTS 4 YEARS at Center Middle School junior varsity
country. When she found out there was an opening as a track coach at East, she rushed to have district employees adjust her contract, allowing her to coach here.
“I really wasn’t expecting to get the job,” Scanlon said. “It was all dependent on the numbers and kids who signed up, but yesterday, we had 200 kids at practice, and some weren’t even there.”
Scanlon knew she wanted to coach here instead of South to end the day at her home school.
She was also excited to build connections on the track with students in classes.
“I have a student in my class who has always been a more squirrely kid,” Scanlon said. “I realized at practice that he was doing track. I really hope I can build a relationship with him through track and learn more about him to see what I can do to
help him more in class and help him learn better.”
She believes coaching allows her to keep in touch with things such as pop culture or what’s happening around the school. She remembers coaching at South and talking to the girls and hearing what was popular or what was happening in their lives — she first learned about singer Chappell Roan through the girls she coached during breaks.
Scanlon plans to follow the current training regimens put in place by other East coaches but looks forward to learning through them and seeing her athletes grow.
“They have a program already that clearly works so as an assistant I’m just listening to that and adding whatever I can to help,” Scanlon said.
design by libby marsh photos by zac russell
design by julia campbell photos by vivien glenski
GALLOPING
TOGETHER
Sophomore Merryn Rupp has found a community through hunter-jumping, a type of horseback riding
story by grace pei
DECKED OUT IN dark purple and red slip dresses over nude-colored clothes, then-freshman Merryn Rupp and her friend, Alice Larson, donned tiaras and “Miss New Jersey” and “Miss Rhode Island” sashes for a Halloween horse show in Topeka.
Rupp’s pony, Kiera, and Larson’s horse, Encore, were painted in glitter with bright pink tinsel in their hair to match their movie theme,
As “Miss United States” began playing in the background, Rupp followed behind Larson to jump. Grasping her reins with shaky hands, she used her calves to gently squeeze her pony to a trot, reminding herself to breathe.
“When [Rupp’s] feeling really nervous, I just kind of stand by her, and I’m just like, ‘It’s okay, you’ve done this before, [and] you’ll do it again,’” Larson said. “‘You’ll be fine. You know your horse, you know you,’ and she does the same thing for me when I get
Though they didn’t place at the Halloween event, Rupp, Larson and their other riding friends spent the whole day together when it wasn’t their turn to compete.
From getting lost at a show with Larson at 10-years-old to having water fights while hosing down their horses on a hot day, now-sophomore Rupp has found a supporting community through competitive jumping.
“I feel like I’m probably nervous regardless, but it’s better when you have friends nearby,” Rupp said.
After starting horseback riding at another farm where she met Larson, eight years ago, Rupp began taking 45-minute lessons at Kirin Farms. When Larson switched to Kirin Farms for convenience, Rupp followed her, after forming a friendship from when they first met.
“I think [Rupp] had just started riding, and my trainer threw her in a lesson with me, and she was really quiet,” Larson said. “I was a really loud kid, so I was trying to get her to talk a lot. And then we started hanging out more. And then we just became really close from riding together for so long.”
Rupp does group lessons two times a week with several friends where they do flat work — consisting of trotting over poles on the ground to practice keeping a pace. They also take turns being coached by their trainer, Sarah Welsh, as they jump.
hun ter-jump ing
Similar to regular competition jumping except judges judge the riders based on form and how one ts with their horse.
“It’s cool to kind of feel how strong your horse is,” Rupp said. “It feels like you’re flying for like, two seconds.”
Rupp and her friends have been lucky enough to not have had any major injuries while jumping, though Rupp makes sure to text or FaceTime her friends if they hurt themselves riding.
After face-planting in the gritty dirt and ending up with scratches across her left cheek five years ago, Rupp recognizes the risks.
“The hardest part [of riding] is trying to calm myself down sometimes,” Rupp said. “Because I love it, but also there’s the possibility of, like, ‘What if I break my neck?’”
Rupp and her friends were supposed to surprise Larson at her horse show in St. Louis recently, but Kirin Farms decided not to go due to inclement weather. Instead, they all reserved a hotel room where they spent the night together, including a trip to the gym at 1:30 a.m.
GEARING UP
Go to stables to practice three to four times a week
Rupp said that she’s grateful for starting horseback riding mainly because of the friendships and memories she’s made.
She began horseback riding in third grade because of her love for animals — having grown up with dogs and guinea pigs — but specifically horses, after watching the TV show, “Spirit Riding Free.” Since starting, Rupp has bonded with people her age and with her first pony, Kiera.
Rupp’s family bought Kiera four years after she learned to ride on various training ponies at Holsman Stables. Through years of brushing Kiera at the barn, giving her showers when she’s sweaty and sharing sugar cookies, Rupp has fostered a close relationship with her horse.
“I feel like [Kiera and I] spent so much time together that it was like we were friends,” Rupp said.
Last year when Rupp and her coaches, Welsh and Kris Cheyne, agreed that she was ready to move up after staying at the same level for two and a half years, Rupp was upset that she’d have to give Kiera away.
But because she wasn’t able to progress anymore with Kiera, a pony, as she would a horse, Rupp made the decision to buy a new horse.
After returning Kiera to Holsman Stables where she serves as a lesson pony for younger kids, Rupp bought an 8-year-old horse, Wren, in December, and hopes that she can jump higher on her. After graduating high school, Rupp said she hopes to continue jumping with Wren, but is unsure about doing it as a college sport since she mostly enjoys riding for fun.
“I think it’s pretty cool to get to have a bond with an animal like that,” Rupp said. “It’s like — okay, I’m gonna sound cringy — therapeutic because you get to spend a lot of time outside with a bunch of big animals, and it’s chill. And then I met a lot of kids my age who were doing it, and it became a community out there.”
Steps Merryn takes to prepare for a racing competition
Warm up on Friday before competition takes place
Bring saddle, bridal, show coat and helmet to competition
32 MARCH 10, 2025
crossbasketballcountrybasketball golf golf golf
5 left right cross country
East athletes share their pre-competition rituals
IN THE ZONE IN THE ZONE
5 ARE KEPT ON HER BAG
gloves
cross golfbasketballcountry golf golf
ONLY PLAYS WITH RED golf balls PUTS HER right SHOE ON, THEN TIES HER left SHOE ON, THEN
2 ALT-COPY
ONLY EATS
basketball golf golf golf cross country cross basketballcountrybasketballcross country golf golf golf cross country cross country
“ FOR OUR PRE-MEET RUNS a superstition about them. We always run to the boar statue in the village [...] and we have a little team meeting there and you have to touch the boar each time”
cross country
anna joyce senior
RED varsity golf
2 dot’s PRETZELS HOLE AFTER EVERY
ingrid blacketer senior -
my stomach and then I like the caffeine cause it’s you know, a little boost, and then a peanut butter jelly sandwich just so I don’t get hungry during the game.” walt jones senior
boys basketball boys basketball boysboysbasketballbasketball cross country cross coutry cross country cross country cross country
design by bella broce
photos by sylvie degalan