The Epic - Issue 7

the epic.

8800 W. 85th St. Overland Park, KS April 16, 2015 Vol. 53- Issue 7

Learn about the effect depression has on students pg 15 PHOTO BY RACHEL HARVEY

Table of Contents Read about the end of I.S.S. starting next year pg. 7 Learn about some Video Production students who traveled to San Diego for a convention pg. 9

Read about local poetry competition “Louder Than a Bomb” pg. 13 Learn about a West student who travels the world for Arabic pg. 18 Read about a West family who sends items to Nicaragua pg.

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Staff

An update about West students and their band pg. 19 Photo by Natalie Dierks

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

WRITERS

Max Meyer and Brock Burnett

Isaiah McKay Spence Lassalle Isabelle Frankel Jude Kennedy Colette Balas Karen Barkema Megan Bartlett

ASSISTANT EDITOR Kristin Wells

MANAGING EDITOR Drake Mattis

PHOTO EDITOR Rachel Harvey

CARTOONIST Alex Ralston

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Sylvia Bryan Kathleen Gartner Lexi Hart Samantha Jansen Logan Peterson Caleb Walker

PHOTOGRAPHERS Gabi Chavez Merani Rivarola Maddy Shackelford Kamryn Marshall Grace Armenta Rian Stallbaumer

Nina Williams Maddie Loe Kelsea Lilla Hope Erickson Caleb Vering Breanna McKinney

“The Epic” is the newsmagazine of Shawnee Mission West, 8800 W. 85th St., Overland Park, KS 66212. It is produced by a staff of high school journalists dedicated to the principles of journalism: to present facts and occurrences truthfully and without bias. Articles of opinion or analysis are labeled and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff and/or the publication.

In accordance with Kansas law, “The Epic” staff is entitled to freedom of the press. Neither the West administration nor the SMSD are responsible for any article, advertisement, photograph, illustration or opinion piece in “The Epic”.

“The Epic” encourages letters to the editor, but they must be signed and submitted to room 11. “The Epic” is published monthly. It is printed by the Sedalia Democrat and is distributed free of charge to students. For advertising information call (913) 993-7911.

ADVISER Amy Morgan

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Issue 7

No More Study Hall SMSD has recently decided to stop the study hall program in high schools An opinion of the staff

Cartoon by Jack Warner Beginning next year, you can say goodbye to study halls.

The district has made a decision to stop the study hall program in high schools.

When a students drops a class or has an open spot in their schedule, they are often given the option to be a lab assistant in another classroom or take a study hall class.

Sounds like a reasonable alternative for dropping a class, right? We would think so, but SMSD thinks differently. As for the explanation of this, the district says it’s a scheduling and supervision issue, which is understandable, but we think that speaks to a smaller crowd.

Many of the kids who are in study halls do not have disciplinary or supervision issues and it seems unfair that some students may have ruined the class for others. The

April 16, 2015

elimination sounds more reasonable when you think about it the way the district sees it.

Another reason why this is occurring is because some students do not make good use of their time and use it as a time to socialize with classmates or mess around on their laptop rather than catch up on work, which is what the class is intended for. Because of this study hall has lost it’s worth and it seems like it is just a place to put kids since they don’t have another class to be in.

This all sounds a lot like the “inconvenient” changes made to seminar this year and it is a shame that we are no longer allowed to take study halls or have seminar the way it used to be, but it is somewhat understandable due to the current circumstances.

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Issue 7

BRIEFS

To Stream an Album

National Champ5

With the release of his newest album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” Kendrick Lamar has broken the record for most Spotify streams in a single day with 9.6 million.

He broke the record again the next day with 9.8 million.

After a great game that featured 13 lead changes in the first half alone, Duke won the NCAA National Championship game against Wisconsin. This is Duke’s fifth national title.

Geico Gecko

Not #hot, Not #not, but

Steve Buscemi

#Meh

1. Easter Grass 2. AP test prep 3. Those hard erasers that don’t really erase, just rub the pencil around.

4. Mid-season finales Sells you insurance at a reasonable price. Do you have 15 minutes?

Those eyes.

Successful actor. Did you know he was a firefighter?

Venn Diagram

Should Humans Hibernate?

A Real Boy!

A study at Duke University has been focusing on the hibernation patterns in certain species of lemurs. The species of lemur that hibernated lived on average 10 years longer than the species of lemur that didn’t hibernate. Researchers are looking at this study in hopes to find out what gene forestalls aging, and possibly apply that to humans.

Disney has been on a streak of converting their classic animated movie into live-action films (“Cinderella” and “Beauty and the Beast”).

Now, Disney has set their sights on converting their classic “Pinocchio” into a live-action film. This announcement comes after Disney announced they were also going to convert “Winnie the Pooh” to be a live-action film.

April 16, 2015

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April-May 2015 Calendar Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

By Kristin Wells Thursday

Friday

Saturday

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10

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Spring Show

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13

Thomas Jefferson Birthday

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20

26

27

3

4

6

14

21

15

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No School

West Area Orchestra Festival

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5

Cinco de Mayo

6

National Teacher’s Day

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Rep Theatre Show

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West Area Band Festival

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Spring Theatre Show

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NHS Talent Show

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Rep Theatre Show

ACT Prom

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Earth Day

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Spring Theatre Show

2

SAT Spring Theatre Show

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Early Dismissal

Issue 7

News

ISS This a Good Idea?

A new district policy has been implemented with no more ISS

By Logan Peterson

T

he district has implemented a policy for next year that will eliminate In-School-Suspension, with an emphasis on keeping students in the classroom.

“The emphasis is to have teachers teaching students in the content area (classroom) as much as possible,” Principal Steven Loe said.

“When you take a teacher out of the classroom to supervise ISS, you take them away from teaching,” Loe said.

Today, a teacher’s work day consists of five hours of teaching, one hour of planning and one hour of supervision, whether it be lunchroom or ISS. A big question about this policy is what will happen in terms of disciplinary actions going forward.

“We are still in the brainstorming stage

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of revamping that consequence,” Loe said.

That consequence being ISS, it will no longer look like what it is today. The district is still deciding whether or not to lengthen Saturday School and after school detentions.

“There could end up being a therapeutic model, having students go one hour talking to one of the counselors and solving the problem that way,” Loe said.

Algebra teacher Sarah Gonzalez had a few words on the subject as well.

“I’m a team player and I trust the administration in their decision making,” Gonzalez said. “(On supervising ISS) Some days were good, students did their work and other days were frustrating in that the student lost out on the opportunity to get work done,” Gonzalez said.

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When the policy was first brought up, Loe did admit that he had his doubts.

“At first I was a little nervous just because we use ISS as that middle consequence,” Loe said.

“There are many instances where students do use that time to catch up on work and really think about what they’ve done wrong,” Loe said.

“But, now that we’ve heard what a lot of the other principals and district officials have had to say in terms of further solutions, I think we’ll be fine,” Loe said.

The goal for the district is to go into the 2015-16 school year with an equal replacement to ISS and to ultimately have less students in trouble all together. “It will allow us to revise ISS in a way that can decrease the amount of ‘frequent flyers’ we have throughout the year,” Loe said.

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11707 Roe Ave., Leawood 913-491-6218 Issue 7

A&E

More than Broadcasting Video production competed to see where they stood on a national level

By Sami Jansen Video production took a trip this month to San Diego to compete in a national convention that will rank them against high schools from around the nation.

The convention was held by the Student Television Network.

The STN, created in 1999, brings teachers and students interested in video productions together through competitions and offers them resources through their website.

“Where Mrs. Morgan teaches the journalism side there is this video productions side that is going more away from broadcast and getting into music videos and PSAs,” Kelly Gill, video productions teacher, said, “JEA was really focusing on that one niche so STN came in and said we need to start this organization because we are seeing more and more schools that aren’t fitting in.”

The 11 students left on March 31 to attend the week long competition. Junior Emma Neely is participating in the category “tell the story”.

“When I first started video production with Gill something just clicked; I knew that video making and editing is something I truly love to do,” she said. For Emma this is just the first step in pursuing a career in video productions.

“After I graduate I plan on going to college and majoring in video broadcasting and digital media.”

Some other categories offered are music video, sixty second silent film, commercials, PSA, stand up reporting, and anchoring.

“When not competing there are sessions held by professionals in the industry,” Gill said.

The STN gets people that work in the video productions industry

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to talk to students and to judge the competitions. They give lectures about their experiences and how to create better stories through film. “Its not teachers sitting around judging it’s real live professionals in the industry,” Gill said.

This is the eighth year Gill is taking video productions to this convention. Every year students are excited to go for both the experience and the opportunities it presents.

“I decided to go on this trip so I can learn and compete with fellow high schoolers. There will probably be many opportunities available at this convention” senior Skylar Stuke said.

The convention is a great way for students to see how they are doing compared to others students involved in video productions and Gill considers the ranking a great learning tool.

“It’s great for students who want to see where they rank by contests,” Gill said “we’ve done really well and some years we haven’t”

San Diego students came back with more knowledge and a new outlook on video productions.

“I would definitely participate in another event like this because it gave so many opportunities to me for what I can do in the future,” Stuke said. Although West did not place this year, they got a chance to see how video productions has evolved and how many people it has brought together.

“One of my favorite parts of video production is to showcase inside SM West and learn how to use an editing software that could help me after my high school career, “ Stuke said.

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Opinion

Restricted Flying

An Opinion By Jude Kennedy

Ever since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the US and other governments have made very important precautions to make sure something like that never happens again.

The attacks on the World Trade Center changed the way the world handles it air transit security. Prior to the attacks, flying was quite simple. You were aloud to bring sharp objects on board, security on luggage was less, and all you had to do to get on the plane was show your ID. Now security is almost bulletproof, but with the recent disappearances and plane

crashes, it makes me think; is the TSA really doing as much as it can be? If you have flown in the last 14 years you know that the TSA focuses much on making sure that no passengers will be able to cause harm to other passengers. Metal detectors, x-rays, checkpoints, and air marshals have all done their part in keeping passengers safe, but what about the people actually flying the plane? Mid-march a Germanwings plane crashed in the French Alps.

What we know is that the co-pilot was treated for suicidal tendencies.

What is Gender Neutrality?

An Opinion By Isaiah McKay Like any other second grader, I looked forward to Halloween. Halloween was something I fully encompassed myself in.

Each year was a new adventure with a wide range of options.

When given the opportunity to pick out my costume, it was only right that I chose a character that was essential in my second grade daily life. I spent an entire week watching my favorite TV shows and trying to decide on a specific character’s look to replicate. I quickly landed on the Blue Wind Ranger costume from my favorite early morning show, “Power Rangers Ninja Storm.”

I told my dad to buy the costume and I

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immediately felt accomplished and ready to enjoy the Halloween costume party and parade at school. That feeling of accomplishment was quickly snatched away from me by an older peer concerning my costume attire.

“Are you a girl?” he asked.

“No! Why?” I replied.

“Because you’re wearing the blue girl ranger costume.” he yelled.

“So! I like this costume and this is my favorite color,” I said.

I tried to flip through some commonly used elementary school disses, after a long moment of silence and a few giggles from those around me. Hopefully something that would enable me to make a scene ultimately storming off. I replaced one diss after another in my head but there was absolutely no way that a “yo momma” joke or even the classic “I know you are but what am I?” was applicable in this situation. I just had to slowly walk away with whatever confidence and youthful pride that I had left.

After reading about the Lee’s Summit North student that was sent home by administration due to his “distracting”

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clothing choices, it reminded me of this memory. The idea that someone is not truly given the freedom to express themselves in the clothing that they feel comfortable in without caution of being criticized, reprimanded or asked to restrain themselves is wrong.

Society judges people by what fabric they choose to wear, their level of masculinity or femininity, perpetual stereotypes, and much more. People are more than what meets the eye or reaches the ear. We should be accepting these self-expressions, rather than trying to decide if someone can or can’t do something.

To my second grade self, I would say don’t let anyone restrict you from fully expressing yourself in the most outward and eccentric way. You should never fear those that feel the need to put people down, it’s only a result of their self-doubt.

And finally to the kid that questioned my costume, not everyone is molded like the next person. You can’t attack someone (especially a younger child) who isn’t really concerned of how others might react to something they feel comfortable doing.

Issue 7

Opinion

Tarnished Tradition

An Opinion By Logan Peterson For nearly 100 years, the “Star Spangled Banner,” our nation’s national anthem, has been performed before all sporting events from little league to the pros. Here at school, as well as throughout Kansas City, I’ve noticed several instances of wrong-doing that I believe have tarnished that American tradition.

Let’s start with the professional level.

Longer than I can remember, fans at Royals and Chiefs games have made it a tradition to yell “Chiefs” at the top of their lungs immediately following the national anthem.

No other city in any other state disrupts the national anthem like fans do here in Kansas City. I’m not saying you should just be quiet during the whole song. No one seems to sing along like they used to in the good old days.

The blatant disrespect leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but I’m not only one. A few years ago, the start of the NFL season just so happened to end up on the anniversary of 9/11. Several of the families of the victims of the tragedy requested that the word “Chiefs” not be uttered during the playing of the national anthem, as a sign of respect for the dead.

How did Chiefs fans respond? By going against that request entirely and doing it anyway. I was infuriated and still am today.

Here at West, the same unfortunate tradition has made it’s way to our student section. Not only that, but a few other distinctions have also been noticed.

For one, bouncing up and down on their toes every time the drum sounds. Why is this? I find it hard to understand why a group of people can’t just stand still for 120 seconds without trying to stand out. I just wish people would have the same respect for this great country instead of using the national anthem as a time to bounce around like a bunch of fools.

I don’t mean to sound like some disgruntled old man when I say this. My entire life, I’ve grown up around veterans who risked their lives protecting this country and suffered backlash not only overseas, but at home as well.

In the time I’ve spent around them, I’ve learned this: they deserve respect and the national anthem is a way to show that. I use this as a plea to those of you who apply to these antics, to stop and think about the message you’re spreading about this school and yourself while you conduct yourself in a manner showing utter disrespect.

Race to the White House

An Opinion By Drake Mattis It’s never too early to start speculating for the 2016 presidential campaign, which has officially begun with Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) recent announcement that he will be running for office. He was the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring for any party and soon after, Tea Partier Rand Paul announced his candidacy.

If you pay attention to any political news, you could have probably guessed by now that Hillary Clinton (former First Lady and U.S. Secretary of State) is

April 16, 2015

widely considered the early Democratic nominee favorite, even though she has not yet officially announced her candidacy.

You have likely also heard about Clinton’s email “scandal” which was recently discovered about the use of only one email account for both her personal and professional matters during her tenure as Secretary of State, which to me, shouldn’t be a big deal at all.

In my opinion, Clinton is probably the early frontrunner for the presidency as well, and it is hard to come up with any possible competition for her when it comes to winning the Democratic nod.

A large reason why Clinton has become so popular among Americans are that she speaks to a large demographic, in women, who feel that it is time for a woman in office. Another is that she had a typically successful term as Secretary of State. It has been over 150 years since a former

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Secretary of State was elected President, the last being James Buchanan.

My speculation is that if Joe Biden decides to run for office, he might have the best chance, or only chance, to catch Clinton.

From my research, I think Jeb Bush is the early favorite for the Republican nomination, which will be a much tighter race. But personally, I think I like Rand Paul, son of Libertarian Ron Paul, the best.

He has a strong political and medical background, having been a former physician and current U.S. Senator. His Libertarian roots are probably what have the most appeal to me, but some of his core values are popular among many Americans as well.

Think about it, there’s only about a year and a half before we will be electing a new president. God Bless America.

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Issue 7

Feature

Poetry in Motion

West’s Starving Artists competes at this year’s Louder Than A Bomb poetry competition

By Isaiah McKay There is only one place where you will find a collective group of intellectual and free-spirited teens willing to share their stories through poetry. That one place happens to be in room 12A with the Starving Artists poetry club.

Starving Artists is a club that was started two years ago to bring together students with a love for poetry. The club meets each Monday after school giving the students an opportunity to either read their own poetry or listen to the lyrical pieces of their peers.

Among this diverse group of people is a student with a deeply rooted love for poetry.

Senior Jordan Hutchcraft has been in Starving Artists since the start of her junior year.

“It started out when I went to The Feast my sophomore year. I ended up liking it a lot so my junior year I joined both Starving Artists and the Out of Hand staff,” Hutchcraft said.

This school year has brought a great deal of opportunities to students in Starving Artists. One opportunity in particular that has taken students to a competition level success is with Louder Than a Bomb.

Louder Than a Bomb is a slam poetry competition that has made it to KC all the way from Chicago.

“LTAB is a city-wide poetry competition that grew to be the largest poetry competition for teenagers. Paul Richardson and Glen North brought it here, so this is the second year it has been held in Kansas City,” Hutchcraft said.

At each bout, every school is limited to four individuals that perform a three minute solo piece and a four-person collaborative piece. The performances are all scored by judges on a scale of 0 to 10.

For the competition, Starving Artist has to select the team that would represent them at Louder Than a Bomb. Prior to competing against local schools, the LTAB team began gearing up as soon as the team was decided.

“Mr. Carter chose five people that he thought showed a lot of growth in their poetry and could bring something to the table for LTAB. From there we wrote our

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pieces and our collabs. Five of us performed and Starving Artist voted on the four people that would perform in our bout,” Hutchcraft said.

This year, Louder Than a Bomb was held at the Beggar’s Table Gallery in downtown Kansas City. The LTAB team came out of the first bout with triumph, ultimately moving on to the next level of competition.

“We came out second out of the four and advanced to Semi-Finals, but [unfortunately] that’s where it ended,” Hutchcraft said.

With each performance comes much practice and preparation. Writing a piece to read in Starving Artists differs from creating a piece for competition.

“It’s really hard. Normally when you write it’s not so hard because it’s for yourself or to perform at Starving Artists. But when you know that it’s for a bigger thing like a city-wide competition where you’re actually going to be counted for what you’ve written, it puts more pressure on things,” Hutchcraft said. “It’s a little more about the competition than the writing itself which is hard knowing that going into it, but you do the best you can,” Hutchcraft said.

There are so many options present during the writing process. Each student’s work stays true to what is important in their life with their views and worldly issues.

“I enjoy writing essays about various controversial topics. Often times these [topics] become the base for my pieces,” senior Dom Allen said.

This year Hutchcraft showcased her talent for the entire student body during the annual Writer’s Walk.

“I performed my first time at Writer’s Walk. It was absolutely nerve-wracking,” Hutchcraft said.

Allen was introduced to the club by Hutchcraft at the end of of last school year.

“Jordan [Hutchcraft] introduced me to it at the end of my junior year. The experiences were enlightening. I got to glimpse the world through a bunch of different stories that wouldn’t have been heard had we not had the opportunity,” Allen said.

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The club is widely diverse and allows the expression of student through poetry and writing by forming a family that shares similar interests.

“It reaches most demographics because a lot of people have different stories. It’s the people that feel the need to share their stories and are willing to come to Starving Artists. Some people come just to listen.

It’s really just anyone who loves poetry,” Hutchcraft said.

This year has impacted Allen in an unforgettable way and will continue to utilize his writing skills for the future.

“I would like to continue writing because of the freedom it affords me. In an all-encompassing sense, I would like for more people to realize their writing potential,” Allen said.

Starving Artists has much to look forward to and an accepting family to join.

Whether you enjoy poetry or writing, this deserves much respect for their progress so far and what the future holds.

Student Dom Allen shares his individual poetry piece.

Photo by Rachel Harvey 13

Feature

Arguably The Best The inside scoop on the Debate and Forensics teams.

By Megan Bartlett

E

veryone loves to argue, whether it’s with parents over why they should get you a car for your birthday, or with friends over which team is going to win the NCAA Championship.

The students involved in forensics and debate are seasoned arguers. They know how to gather accurate information, and use it to their benefit to settle their debate.

Right now it’s forensics season and students are preparing their oral presentations to go to tournaments and participate in various events.

“Forensics is chock full of different events ranging from reciting speeches to dramatic interpretation of literature.

Debate is far more structured whereas forensics has an event for everyone,” Sierra Macklin, vice president of the S M West Chapter of National Speech and Debate said.

In forensics, students can choose from things like poetry reading, dramatic or humorous interpretation, or congressional debate, which just like an actual Congress debate run by students.

Fall debate is also known as Policy Debate, and it is most similar to what you would see in a court of law.

“I like debate because of the argumentative nature of it.

You have to present your case, as a lawyer would, which is something I think I want to do,” Mckinley Strausbaugh, senior, said.

According to Rose Lawler,

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debate coach, many students sign Wup with the idea that they want to go into law or politics. They use events like Congressional Debate or Policy Debate to emulate the real world situations they might face.

“Debate and Forensics can help with public speaking fear because you have to present to a judge. I know it has helped a lot of people, myself included, get over their fear of public speaking,” Strausbaugh said, “You’re right there, presenting something to a judge, whether it’s a dramat-

ic interpretation, or a case during debate.”

Other students sign up with the intention to become more comfortable with public speaking.

“Both Debate and Forensics help students improve speaking, communication, research, critical thinking, analysis, performance, or logic. The list is pretty much endless.” Lawler said. “Personally, I give Debate and Forensics credit for bringing me out of my shell in high school and college,” Lawler said, “I took Debate as a

personal challenge and decided I loved it. If I would not have participated in these activities, I would never have been a teacher, period.”

“It’s a really great activity, and an awesome way for people to feel a part of a whole,” Macklin said.

Forenzics students practice their speaches by reciting them to walls.

Photo by Gabi Chavez

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Issue 7

Down, but Not Out

Many students battle with depression daily.

Photos by Rachel Harvey

April 16, 2015

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Feature

Adam Of Arabia I

Arabic student, Adam Wilkerson, studied in Qatar over spring break

By Isabelle Frankel

nstead of spending his spring break partying in the Gulf of Mexico, junior Adam Wilkerson traveled to the Persian Gulf to an exchange program in Qatar.

“The program is called Aber, it’s run by the Qatar Foundation International. QFI sponsors a lot of programs for people in the United States or other countries who want to learn Arabic,” Wilkerson said.

Once SMSD was chosen to send students to Qatar, teachers and administration decided to send Wilkerson. Thanks to the support of his parents and teacher, Annie Hasan, he departed Kansas on March 14 to begin his journey across the world. He was accompanied by five students from Shawnee Mission South and Hasan, the Arabic teacher at both of the schools.

“We stayed in a hotel, it was on a sort of sport complex. Every day we would meet students from Ahmad Bin Hanbal, a school for boys. They’re Qatari students, but a lot of

“When you see it right in front of you, it makes the language feel real” them were from different places around the world and they would help us develop our language skills,” Wilkerson said.

While in Qatar, the group of students experienced a lot of Middle Eastern culture.

“We went to Mathaf which is a contemporary Islamic art and Sheikh Faisal Museum. My favorite thing I did was visit the Al Jazeera Newsroom. It was really interesting to see the beating heart of such a powerful journalism agency,” Wilkerson said.

The group didn’t spend the whole trip visiting tourist attractions, they also tried to live as a native would.

“We visited Souq Waqif which is a traditional arabian market in Doha where you can shop for incense, Arabian clothing, and things like keffiyeh, huta, thobe, abaya, and niqab,” Wilkerson said.

They also went to Sea Line, a beach on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The beach was three hours south of Doha, where their hotel was.

“It’s a huge stretch of Bedouin [nomadic] camps. We went there and swam in the Persian Gulf,” Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson’s trip has made his passion for Arabic language and culture even bigger.

“You can spend hours on end studying Arabic in a classroom but when you see it right in front of you, it makes the language feel real,” Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson hopes to continue his Arabic education through more foreign exchange programs. In summer 2015 the National Security Learning Initiative (NSLI) will be sending him to Morocco. He’s also even looked into attending college in the Middle East. He stresses the value of learning Arabic that most people don’t see.

“It’s such a heated area of the world. There’s constantly something happening in the Middle East; constant change, constant investment, constant rise. Its very important for Americans to involve ourselves there,” Wilkerson said.

“I think learning Arabic opens up this part of the world thats very misunderstood by the West,” Wilkerson said, “A lot of Americans have this perception that the Middle East is this perpetual battlefield when in reality its vibrant and beautiful and amazing.”

How far is Qatar?

7474 mil es

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Issue 7

Feature

Beyond the State Line Joel and Jordan Mills create music outside of school walls

By Kristin Wells

T

hese brothers are taking their music past the school and out of the state.

Joel Mills, senior, and Jordan Mills, sophomore, have a band called State Line Drive, which released its first album, “Stay Green”, on January 9. The album has seven songs and is available for purchase on iTunes.

The band has five members who have put hours of work into the entire process.

They have to write or arrange songs, put all the parts together and then record. They spent three to four days doing the initial recordings.

“It was months worth of work but the amount of time we actually spent recording in the studio was a lot less, it was actually a lot less than we expected it to be,” Jordan said.

Contrary to what it may seem, the title track, “Stay Green,” is not about the environment.

“The green has to do with a stoplight because the song is about somebody driving their car and hoping for green lights so he can get to his girlfriend on time,” Joel said.

Although releasing an album is a big step, it came naturally to the Mills brothers.

“It’s like a birthday, you know you don’t feel any different, but it’s an accomplishment. It’s cool to have something, a product that you’re proud of,” Jordan said.

The band isn’t planning to let up anytime soon, even when Joel graduates this spring.

“We have a 50 date tour that we’re going on over the summer and fall.We have a lot of shows lined up, opening for people, a lot of fairs, a lot of shows. We’re going to do that, we’re continuing to write, just kind of seeing where it goes from here,” Jordan said.

“Honestly I’ll be more focused on that (the tour) for the summer and then I’ll go to college and split the difference between the two,” Joel said.

Joel and Jordan had a little family help getting the band started. Their dad is a record producer and they met their fellow band members through the studio.

“They (the twins) wanted to record their first project and someone recommended them to my dad. Long story short, he did their record and in the process, we started just jamming out with them,” Jordan said.

“My dad started to try to get us gigs at fairs and churches and stuff and so we just

said.

“Stay Green” is available for purchase on iTunes.

PHOTO BY NATALIE DERKS April 16, 2015

started playing more and more,” Joel said.

State Line Drive has a style that is a unique twist on a popular music genre.

“It’s like country, but more pop-like, more along the lines of Hunter Hayes or Dan and Shay. We’re still coming into our style, right now we do a lot of covers but we’re creating more of our own,” Joel said.

The band’s harmonies set them apart from other country-pop bands. While recording this album, the brothers said that the most time consuming part of recording was the back-up vocals.

“We’re kind of trying to capitalize on our own sound. Our focal point really is the harmonies, because we all sing so we all do lots of harmonies. You don’t see in this specific kind of country music. That’s kind of what our foot in the door is, our harmonies,” Jordan said.

Joel and Jordan enjoy the success and fun they’ve had with this band, even though they didn’t originally intend to start up a band.

“It just started growing. It wasn’t anything we ever tried to make happen, it just happened, which is awesome,” Jordan

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Feature

Crossing Borders

Alena and Rachel Blakley collected shoes to donate to Nicaragua

By Karen Barkema

A

lena and Rachel Blakley are changing lives of people in third world countries starting right here at SM West.

Senior Alena went to Managua, Nicaragua last May with the Lenexa Baptist church and got involved with their mission. Lenexa Baptist partners with the Project Hope organization, which is based in Springfield, Missouri, to send teams to build earthly and eternal houses for people in third world countries.

“Earthy and eternal homes mean the process of creating your own heaven and afterlife. We help them realize who Jesus is and teach everyone how to actively love him,” Alena said.

Not only does Project Hope create a better standard of life for the people, but the teams are sent to teach them about the gospel. Alena went back to Managua this past February and saw that the need for shoes was overwhelming.

“The people down there were living in extreme poverty. They are rummaging through garbage to find anything to put on their feet. I saw a young boy looking for something to put on his feet because there was shattered glass around where he lived,” Alena said.

Freshman Rachel was intrigued by her

sister’s experiences and with a little coaching from her pastor, she began launching the shoe drive.

“This is my first big service project and it’s been going very well. My pastor encouraged me to start changing the world by

They saw a need in another country and rallied to help where they could. SNHS and Spanish students donated 100 pairs of shoes,” Hundertmark said.

networking with my community. I know that I will do more projects in the future because I had lots of fun and success with the shoe drive,” Rachel said.

Spanish teacher Sara Hundertmark rounded up Spanish National Honor Soci-

ety to help with the shoe drive.

“I am very proud our SNHS members.

They saw a need in another country and rallied to help where they could. SNHS and Spanish students donated 100 pairs of shoes,” Hundertmark said.

Last month SNHS sold Pulseras that were handmade by people in Nicaragua to help improve their conditions.

“I am going down to Managua in May and I am hoping that the shoes will be coming with my Project Hope team,” Alena said.

She plans to go back after college to live as a missionary in Managua and Rachel has hopes to travel there with Alena after she graduates from college.

“I was going to go during my senior year, however the band will be going to London so there isn’t enough time (or money) to go to both,” Rachel said.

Overall, there were 1,228 pairs of shoes collected over the three week span from West and Lenexa Baptist church.

“This shoe drive has been extremely successful and Rachel and I are thankful for everyone who helped and contributed to our project,” Alena said.

to Managua, Nicaragua

From Kansas City

1925 Miles 1128 Pairs of Shoes 20

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Issue 7

BIOTechnically Speaking Feature

Three SMW Biotech students have recieved awards for their research.

By Colette Balas

B

iotechnology students received awards for scientific research work from the Science and Engineering Fair.

With more than 24 districts, 900 students competing and 1,300 entries, three students from West won prizes at the fair.

Freshman Erin Smith and Junior Lexi Allen won the grand awards. These awards are given out to projects that meet strict requirements. Smith and Allen will travel to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA in May of 2015.

“My research project investigated how patients with diabetes are

Allen used these materials for conducting her experiment at UMKC. Photo courtesy of Allen. predisposed to cancer, since it’s not known, by testing how genes interact together in the insulin signaling pathways to regulate the formation of tumors,” Allen said.

“My research is important because patients with diabetes are more predisposed to cancer, but no one knows why. I’m investigating how and why diabetic patients have that predisposition. When this is found, methods can be used to manipulate the specific genes resulting in this tumor formation, leading to treatments or even a cure ultimately reducing the frequency and detrimental effects of cancer in diabetic patients,” Allen said, “ In order to do this though, the connection between diabetes and cancer needs to be found, which is what I am investigating by looking at how genes interact in the insulin signaling pathways to regulate the formation of tumors since insulin levels have an involvement in the pathways leading to tumors.”

Allen worked at a lab at UMKC but did the entire project on her own.

Allen won the molecular biology division, the Martin Schuler award, Kansas bioGENEius award, and the Linda Hall Library reconnection invitation to present her research at furthur competitions.

“I’m excited to just be going to Pittsburg. The grand award I

April 16, 2015

won is the award I’ve been trying to get my entire high school career and I’ve achieved it. Internationals will now be all the top high school scientists, a group of select students that I’m honored to be apart of,” Allen said.

“I love competitions because I’m surrounded by the most intelligent students, I’m presenting my own research and I have a lot of fun doing it,” Allen said.

“This year, I worked on researching an alternative cancer treatment method. To put it simply, when cells become cancerous they are able to bypass checkpoints in the cell cycle along with apoptosis, which is programmed cell death,” Erin Smith said.

“In order to efficiently and effectively treat cancer, a substance must be found that can induce apoptosis, specifically through the p53 pathway. One such substance that I researched is cocoa powder- a substance that has many nutritional benefits beyond its amazing taste, although that is definitely a huge bonus. However, I found that instead of inducing apoptosis, cocoa powder actually had the opposite effect and actually exacerbated cell proliferation,” Smith said.

“We still know so little about the food we eat, especially from plants. Hopefully my research will help people become more aware of what they are putting into their bodies when they eat- even if it is considered ‘healthy’,” Smith said Senior Austin Brewer also went to the fair and won the Pioneers in Science Award.

“I developed a phytoremediation system using Spirogyra to remove triclosan from our water supply,” Brewer said.

Triclosan is synthetic antimicrobial agent that can cause endocrine disruptions, tumors, and antibacterial resistance. It is commonly found in dish soaps, hand soaps and deodorants.

“I used Spirogyra, an alge, with phytoremediation, the process of removing a chemical or element from water or soil using plants, to remove the triclosan,” Brewer said.

Brewer will go on to use his research and compete in Houston for isweep, a biotechnology competition.

Erin Smith and the plaque awarded to her for her expirement. Photo curtosy of Smith 21 the epic

Sports

Defending the Crown The Royals hope to improve on last year’s success An Opinion By Max Meyer Last year the Royals made their first postseason and World Series appearance since 1985, and they look to improve on that this year.

The Royals lost three key components of last year’s team during the off-season.

James Shields, pitcher, signed with the San Diego Padres. Billy Butler, designated hitter, signed with the Oakland Athletics and Nori Aoki, right fielder, signed with the San Francisco Giants.

The Royals set out to fill these gaps and ended up having one of their most active off-seasons to date. The Royals added Alex Rios in right field, Kendrys Morales at DH and Edinson Volquez to the starting rotation among other additions.

Eric Hosmer, first baseman, and Kelvin Herrera, relief pitcher, were both signed to two year extensions. However, a deal was not made with Gold Glove left-fielder Alex Gordon.

The Royals must deal with a very tough American League Central Division this year. The Detroit Tigers appear to be poised to have another great season with a strong starting rotation and the addition of Yoenis Cespedes. The Chicago White Sox also have improved with the additions of Jeff Samardzija and Melky Cabrera.

They also have the 2014 American League Rookie of the Year in Jose Abreu. The Indians also return a very talented team.

They have the returning Cy Young award winner in Corey Kluber. Last year Michael Brantley led the team team in every major batting statistic besides homeruns. The AL Central might be the toughest division in baseball this year.

Despite the great year for the Royals last year, some questions still remain. With the departure of James Shields there is no solid choice to become the number one in the rotation. If Yordano Ventura is able to build on his postseason performance

22

from last year he could lead the rotation.

Ventura was named the opening day started by manager Ned Yost. Volquez could also compete for the number spot in the rotation if he is able to rebound from last year.

One major thing that everyone should watch is the production of Mike Moustakas, third baseman, and Hosmer. Both of them played to what many thought was their full potential during the postseason.

Their performances well exceed what either of them had done during the regular season. If they are able to produce like that they could become middle of the order guys for Yost.

Though the Royals hope Hosmer and Moustakas will produce better power numbers this year, small ball will still be the staple of Royals’ baseball. The Royals posted the fourth best batting average in the league which helped make up for their lack of power. The Royals also led the league in stolen bases last year.

Another key to success for the Royals this year will be if their bullpen can reproduce its success from last year.

Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland are

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all returning. Luke Hochevar is returning this year after missing last year because of Tommy John surgery. He will start the year on the disabled list, but he will be able to make an impact when he returns.

Tim Collins who would would likely have been the top lefty in the bullpen got injured during spring training and will have to have Tommy John surgery.

After the Royals best season in recent memory, many more people are taking more interest in the their season. Many of these people have high expectations too, but that is a drastic contrast from many experts. “Sports Illustrated” picked the Royals to finish in fourth in the AL Central and many others have them finishing in third.

Photo courtesy of (CC) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Kauffman_Stadium Kauffman Stadium after being newly renovated in 2009.

Issue 7

Sports

Spring Fever

Spring sports are coming into full swing

By Lexi Hart and Colette Balas Swim and golf are two sports that typically get overlooked in the amount of time they require, and technique used to succeed.

Swim practices consist of a warm up of dry land, which consists of abs, situps, and pushups, a warm up of 1,000 yards, and then the main sets. Finally, they end with a cool down. This comes to about a two hour time slot.

Junior Hannah Heaton has been a committed swimmer since the summer of third grade, on a summer league. She hopes to continue her love for swim in college.

“At minimum you have to try to make it to every scheduled school practice. Some people even double up and go in the morning and night. If you choose that route, it’s extremely tiring,” Heaton said.

Time and commitment for swim is crucial. In order to stay in shape and be able to compete, you need to train and work in the offseason with a club team.

“Quite a bit of commitment is needed if you want to stay in shape and be good. It’s also really good to swim on the offseason,” senior Brooke Wade said.

With any sport the goal is to make it to state. These girls, along with the rest of the team, hope to qualify and improve themselves and also as a team.

“You have to qualify with certain times in the meets. I hope to make it back to state in an individual and in a relay, and I hope my team does well also,” Wade said.

The swimmers have high hopes to reach their personal and team goals when they take on state.

“My biggest personal goal is to improve my 100 fly time and swim that at state. As a team I’m hoping we can get on the podium for our 200 medley relay or 400 free relay at state,” Heaton said.

Golf, on the other hand, requires a lot of technique, along with time to play the full game.

“I learned the game when I was younger and really started playing last year,” junior Ben Karlin said.

When it comes to practice, golfers have to travel off site in order to play some holes.

“Our daily practices usually consist of either going out and playing nine holes or working on our short game (ie chipping and putting) at local Overland Park golf courses after school,” senior Michael Kinkelaar said.

Along with swim, qualifying for state would be great for the golfers. To make it to state you can either qualify as an individual or as a team. To determine who makes it to state, they play a regional qualifier. Then, the three teams with the lowest scores go to state. An individual with one of the next five lowest scores, who was not part of the teams that placed, also qualify.

Preparation is important before a tournament is played. Many different techniques and actions are put into place so that the golfers can do their very best.

April 16, 2015

“I prepare for a tournament by getting a good meal in me.

Then I go to the course early and putt a little,” Karlin said.

“To prepare for a tournament I go out and play the course ahead of time to get a feel of what types of shots I will have to play. I also create a yardage book for the course that consists of distances to greens, bunkers, water hazards, etc for each hole on the course. This way I know what club to hit on each shot,” Kinkelaar said.

Every sport means something different to each athlete.

“Golf is important to me because it has taught me valuable lessons about life,” Kinkelaar said.

Ian Hutchinson, coach, talks to the team during practice. Photo by Nina Williams Kinkelaar lines up a putt during a tournament.

Photo by Rachel Harvey

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Sports Jonathan Shull, senior, and Morgan Mauck, senior, were interviewed about baseball and soccer respectively.

1. What position do you play?

JS: First base and pitcher.

MM: Center and mid-forward.

2. How long have you been playing soccer?

JS: 14 years, varsity for two.

MM: 14 years, varsity for four.

3. What kind of music do you listen to before games?

JS: Country.

MM: Throwbacks.

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4. Favorite before game food?

JS: Hot dogs or a sandwich.

MM: Hot fudge sundae, pop tart and baja blast.

5. Favorite drill?

JS: Viking batting practice.

MM: Wimble 6. Are you playing in college?

JS: Not planning on it.

MM: Yes, soccer at Middle Tennessee State.

7. Pre-game rituals?

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JS: Team always eats M&Ms and I usually eat the most.

MM: My Dad writes me a letter before every game and I read the letter, pray, take five hour energy, then I write on my wrist MIB and on my hand, KG.

Mauck makes a move in a tournament game earlier this year (left).

Photo by Rachel Harvey. Shull waits for a pitch against South (right).

Photo by Nick Vance.

Issue 7

Sports

We’ve Got Spear-it Q&A with Carter Grissom about his success in javelin

By Spence Lasalle SL: How did you get interested in throwing javelin?

CG: Well I always had a good arm and was good at throwing things so my parents got me into Hershey track and field back in elementary school where they had softball throw for distance, and that was my start.

SL: Who introduced javelin to you?

CG: My brother in high school he decide to do javelin, so that’s when I first became aware with Javelin.

to make it to the next level. If I keep up the hard work I see myself finishing up at Johnson County Community College for the next two years, working with my coach getting better. Then move up to the D1 level somewhere on the coast, hopefully. Then depending on how into it I am still at that point work even harder to make it to the 2020 Olympics or go to one of the World Championships if the Olympics don’t work out.

SL: How old were you when you first did javelin?

CG: I was a freshman when I actually threw javelin for the first time. At the time I wasn’t thinking about a javelin future ‘till my brother went to school for it, giving me the realization that I could get school paid for as well.

SL: Did you like it at first?

CG: I loved it.

SL: Do you play any other sports?

CG: Oh it’s by far my favorite. I did not do any other sports this year. I mainly focused on javelin. Working hard in the off season, and in the summer traveling and going to different meets. But in years past I did use to play sports but some days got hard with time.

SL: Was it hard for you at first?

CG: Yes, as is everything that’s new and still is hard to a certain degree. Throwing the javelin is such a complex throw and it is hard to hit all the position at the certain time I like things I’m good at so liking javelin came with talent. It also helped having my brother help me and work with me.

SL: What’s the farthest you’ve ever thrown javelin?

CG: Freshmen year 139’ 10”, sophomore year 179’ 1”, junior year 190’ 1” which is my furthest ever so far.

SL: Do you have any role models?

CG: I don’t have a particular for javelin, but in general I mean I would have to say my parents. They are the the greatest people I know.

SL: Where do you see yourself with javelin in the future?

CG: I hope to continue javelin as long as I can. Work hard each day

April 16, 2015

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PHOTO BY RACHEL HARVEY

25

A&E

Jude Kennedy’s Review of Kendrick Lamar’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Well people, Kendrick’s done it again. Go ahead and put To Pimp a Butterfly up on the wall of fire, along with Overly Dedicated, Section.80, and good kid, m.A.A.d city. After waiting three years since his last album came out, I have awaited this day for a very long time. Kendrick was even nice enough to release it on my birthday.

I like this album because Kendrick Lamar stuck to his same old school kind of style of rap. Kendrick wanted to make an album that has a meaning, not one you’re going to go out and party to. Like the rest of his albums, Kendrick is telling a story.

Kendrick tells us of how the United States is treating the black community. He speaks that the United States has not fulfilled its promise to treat every man and women as equals. He is mad of the cruel police brutality that has unfolded in the past years. The story is told through the same eyes as the young man in good kid, m.A.A.d city. He relates his personal problems to the bigger problems of the nation.

th their

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oughts.

Two “E pic”

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sta ff m e

Kendrick Lamar’s d e ne w iew v es e ta sr r lb be

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On the beats side of the album, only one word can describe its justice; WOW. Rappers who put time into their beats are the real artists. Kendrick knew when and where each hook, verse, drop, kick, bass, etc. should go. He really put his heart into this album, and in my mind he did a superb job. Kendrick has brought back the meaning of rap, it’s not all about drinking, smoking, and partying. He had a message and he told it, not clearly, but he said it, and that’s what rap is about.

I give this album a highest possible rating I can, TWO THUMBS UP! If you haven’t had a chance the listen to To Pimp a Butterfly, I definitely suggest it. Get on Spotify and start with Wesley’s Theory and end with Mortal Man. Don’t skip any songs and listen it to one sitting. Take your time to listen to the lyrics and what he is trying to say, but at the same time appreciate the unworldly beats. I swear people, Kendrick Lamar is going to bring the rap game back to its original meaning. Enjoy…

Grade: A+

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Issue 7

A&E Alex Ralston’s Take on Kendrick Lamar’s "To Pimp a Butterfly"

S

Kendrick Lamar is a west coast rapper and producer that has been making waves in the hip-hop community since his 2012 breakout album, “good kid, m.A.A.d. city.” Of course, Kendrick had other records beforehand that were detailed, thoughtful, and creative (“Section .80”), but “good kid” really and truly showcased his abilities. He exhibited to the world a strong knack for storytelling, songwriting, lyricism, theatrical skill, and wisdom -- all while delivering his words in a signature whispery, nasally voice. One of the most interesting aspects to “good kid” was its ability to weave a cinematic narrative while still maintaining pop appeal, with a load of catchy singles such as “Backseat Freestyle,” “Poetic Justice,” and “Swimming Pools.”

Fans naturally anticipated the follow-up, “To Pimp A Butterfly,” and speculated whether or not it would hold up to its predecessor’s legacy. I find that “To Pimp A Butterfly” not only meets the hype, but goes above and beyond all expectations, with an even more refined sound and stronger aesthetic, as well as multiple, complex themes.

The first thing to understand about this album is that it is by no means a “good kid, m.A.A.d. city” part 2. While Kendrick does build on certain themes and continues some motifs, he changes the whole flow of the album.

“To Pimp A Butterfly” is not the cinematic concept album that “good kid” was; however, Kendrick relies on an original and refreshing concept that, in my opinion, is more interesting than anything he’s ever done.

Kendrick has been known to tackle social issues, but he’s not addressed them as gracefully and on such a wide scale as on “To Pimp A Butterfly.” The whole album basically centers around a long, free-verse “poem,” which Kendrick builds as the album goes on. Each little segment covers a certain theme and relates to a particular song on the album. In this poem, Kendrick addresses several big picture issues, such as racism and gang violence, and some personal issues as well, namely self-love. The whole philosophy of “To Pimp A Butterfly” really fuels the album, and Kendrick tells all these stories track by track to explain that philosophy. Often times if the message in someone’s music isn’t good, it’s not worthwhile. However, I can gladly say that the music on this album is extremely worthwhile.

Part of the album’s aesthetic is the instrumental integrity,

April 16, 2015

something which Kendrick and a whole ensemble of talented musicians helped build. The trap-influenced songs we heard on “good kid” are gone and replaced with catchy, ethereal, sometimes funky, and sometimes jazzy instrumentals. Flying Lotus produces some tracks, Anna Wise and Bilal collaborate on a handful of songs, and George Clinton comes in and even adds some P-funk to the track list -- they all really heighten the musical grandness of “To Pimp A Butterfly.” To make it more personal, though, Kendrick is really the only rapper on here. But the lack of rapper features doesn’t degrade the album at all; Kendrick has ramped up his acting skills, rapping in a wide variety of registers and dialects. It can be slightly challenging to distinguish between who Kendrick is speaking as, which can also dilute the message at times, but overall it’s a satisfyingly diverse act.

Not a single track on here lacks character, purpose, or good composition. I really love the funky grooves and flows on “Wesley’s Theory” and “King Kunta”; the smooth jazziness of “Institutionalized”; the hard-hitting, boombap style on “The Blacker the Berry”; and the poppy, sweet sound to “For Sale” and “These Walls.”

The stories behind the tracks are something I strongly recommend the listener investigate for themselves, because they all add up to create a really grandiose image of the world at large and the idea of the self.

Overall, Kendrick Lamar came through with a thick, heavy, complicated, and above satisfactory project. Instead of succumbing to mainstream pressure for singles, he focused on more important things while delivering everything in a thoughtful, melodic, and unforgettable package. Every track is so important, every word so necessary, every instrumental so unique, that I can’t help but feel that “To Pimp A Butterfly” is one of the best hip-hop albums in the genre’s history. Confusing at first listen, beautifully complex and understandable on subsequent replays, “To Pimp A Butterfly” treats itself with respect and importance, and justifiably so.

Grade: A+

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Q&A with nathan Darrow Staff writer Sylvia Bryan talked with “House of Cards” actor Nathan Darrow.

SB: What was working on Broad-

Sylvia Bryan: What drew you to acting?

Nathan Darrow: Well as I can remember it, the

way like?

ND: Working on Broadway was attention was a pretty big draw. The first play I did was in divine. I sat in a dressing room for sixth grade and I played the Big Bad Wolf. I hammed it up something good and I had fun and people seemed entertained three months playing chess and reading long novels while being paid and impressed. That was a feeling that I liked. Enjoying the attention of an audience has not gone away as a draw for me pretty darned well and accumulating weeks to qualify for health coverage. but it has changed, I think. These days I love also the craft I was an understudy and I never of acting and what I find to be the very interesting work of went on. The actor I was covering trying to find myself alive within a story. Also some of the loved his job too darned much, God most fantastic people I have ever known are actors and it’s bless him. nice to be around them.

SB: What’s Kansas City like for an aspiring actor? Did you SB: Do you have a preference feel like you had enough opportunities?

ND: Kansas City is a terrific place for actors. Aspiring and established and all in between. And that is because it is a great theater town. There is a range of work being done and the audience is engaged and astute. For me, I was honored to work with truly talented and truly fine human beings. I had way more than my share of opportunities.

SB: Do you have any advice for young actors in Kansas City?

ND: For young actors in KC or anywhere I would say work hard at what you do. Be on time. Be kind and respectful and don’t forget that it is fun. And let your life be rich with experiences and opinions and curiosity. This last one is especially important when you’re not working. And young or old, there will be those times.

SB: How did moving to New York affect your career?

ND: Well, a few of the jobs I have gotten since coming to

between working on stage or on camera?

ND: I really love both. Ideally I would do a lot of both for as long as they let me.

SB: How did you end up on

“House of Cards?”

ND: I was in this production of Richard III which starred Kevin Spacey. We became friends on the production. While we were on tour House of Cards was beginning to be cast and he made the casting director aware of me. I auditioned for the show a few times in Los Angeles and then in New York and that’s how it happened.

New York have made my work known to more people and that is usually a positive. I would say it has been in my case.

I also have auditioned more than I was in Kansas City which can be difficult and painful but can also tell you a lot about yourself as an actor if you are open to it. It can show you for instance where your nerves exist and the work of finding out how to be alive and expressive along with them is very valuable.

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SB: What’s it like working with

Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright?

ND: I just try to keep up. They are two serious heavyweights. Very engaged in what they do, they are alive and spontaneous and they do this thing as well as anyone anywhere, I’d say. They laugh a lot too. And they enjoy each other very much.

SB: Is Meechum your favorite

character or is it someone else?

ND: The answer to this question is absolutely. Meechum is my favorite character.

SB: Are you worried about being

typecast in the future because of playing Meechum?

ND: It would be a compliment because it would mean that I was doing it well, I think. No, not worried. My job is to keep my imagination alive in the work that I do and if the script is good then the character will be specific even if he or she might seem like the same role a particular actor just played.

Photo (CC): http://www. tvguide.com/tvshows/ house-of-cards/photos/512896/1471852/

Issue 7

A&E

House of Pain

The hit Netflix original series “House of Cards” has become both critically acclaimed and hailed by audiences

By Logan Peterson

“House of Cards” is right in the center of the evolution of television.

Streaming and binge-watching has become a part of today’s culture and with shows like this, the landscape of watching television has certainly changed forever.

Not only that, but the show has also certainly made its stamp on social media. Live tweeting and constant Facebook posts crowd the internet with fans voicing their approval.

The series itself has made waves since it’s inaugural season three years ago. It is based on the BBC miniseries of the same name set after Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It borrows many of the same themes of the original series with its dark nature and political setting.

“House of Cards” tells the story of ruthless congressman Frank Underwood and his equally cunning wife Claire, as they climb the ranks of Washington DC, leaving a blood-soaked trail of deception behind them.

It also begs the question, “Do dirty politics really occur up on Capitol Hill?”

The core of the show’s success lies in the superb performance of Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood. Sporting a spot-on Georgia accent, Spacey oozes confidence as well as malice.

Underwood’s approach to getting what he wants is simple. He comes in as a friend, with “helpful” advice and a wry smile. In reality he’s setting up the people around him to fail, so that he may scratch and claw his way to the top of the food chain.

Aiding him in his quest for power is his wife Claire, played incredibly by Robin Wright. Known best for her subdued role as the neglectful Jenny in “Forrest Gump,” Wright is playing a character here unlike any

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she has before.

Wright plays both the loyal trophy wife and the forthright, independent woman with the will to make it on her own. She not only is a strong anchor to Spacey’s already ingenious performance, but carries the role elegantly in her own right.

Not only is the series well acted, but the events depicted are so relevant today. Issues in government today are dramatized extremely well through smart writing and assured direction.

The production and look of the show is gorgeous. It isn’t glossed over or made to look bright and shiny. Its true to its subject matter, which is the dark world of both conventional government and the world that politicians don’t want you to know about.

Another huge part of the shows success can be attributed to constant thrills and excitement. No character is ever safe from the shark infested waters that are government, or the constant buzzing of media that are always looking for a scandal to uncover.

Paranoia sets both on the characters and the audience. The inability to predict what will happen next is a convenience that the writers use to their advantage. Not a single episode goes without one or two moments of pure shock.

The best comparison there is to the fictional world in “House of Cards,” would be the African Safari. The characters, particularly Frank and Claire, have an animalistic personality that are so in touch with their more human aspects.

It is survival of the fittest and a dog-eat-dog world. There is no mercy and they take no prisoners. This is why it is such a compelling show with both unrelenting twists and a realistic political backdrop.

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Artist Profile A Q&A with Hanna La Londe

By Brock Burnett Q: How long have you been dancing?

A: I have been dancing since I was three years old. I guess technically when I was two years old, but when I was two I was in a parent-taught tumbling class. Kinda just like “bend over” and then your parent would come and help you flip over. I think I took like a ballet and jazz class when I was three.

Q:What different styles have you danced?

A: Every week I have ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical and leaps and turns. I also have a hip-hop dance this year. Then I do a lot of Broadway style, musical theatre stuff too.

So basically everything but tap.

Q: What’s your favorite style of dance?

A: Probably modern or lyrical. I really like lyrical…

Q:Is lyrical interpretive?

A: Kind of. It’s more like the ballad kind of songs.

Q: Is it anything like what you’d see on ”So, You Think You Can Dance?”?

A: Yeah! Yeah, definitely like stuff you would see on there. It’s more like the heartfelt, “I’m longing for you” kind of stuff.

Q: Is it just because there’s more emotion in it?

A: Yeah. Mostly because you get to tell

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a story through it. I do like modern too though. I really like the technique of it. It also has a rich history.

Q: What’s the rich history behind it?

A: Modern has a lot of different styles, like Horton. The Horton style of modern dancing. His stuff is the more angular kind of dancing. Then there’s Martha Graham. You remember it because H is a sharp letter and G is a smooth curved letter. Horton has the sharper angular movements. Graham is the more using your contraction and releasing.

Lyrical is actually developed from Graham’s style.

know what you’re looking at, but later you’ll realize what you’re looking at. In dance, you might think that too, depending on the choreography. Like why did they pick that song? Why does this movement mean anything? But then, you see it all come together, and you see the pieces of the story come together in the end. I love how it tells a story. Whether you’re sad, or you’re happy, or you’re mad, or you’re embarrassed, you can figure out a way to get your emotions out; it’s such a good stress reliever. It’s kinda like therapy in a way.

Q:Is there any style that’s a hybrid between the two?

A: Yeah, well kind of. Now there’s contemporary which is a made up style. It’s a mix between modern and lyrical. It’s just another category at dance competitions to put yourself into. It’s also for people who have really weird choreography. It’s really weird.

Q:Why is dance an art to you?

A: Dance is an art to me because it started as telling a story. Back in the times when people didn’t communicate like we do now, they used movements to try to tell what they were meaning. Dance developed from that.

It’s always telling a story. It’s about portraying a message through your movements and through your emotion. It’s trying to draw people in. So, it’s kinda like a piece of art.

You’ll see a photograph or a painting, and you’ll look at it for a second and not really

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Dancer Hanna La Londe poses with her flag.

Photo by Gabi Chavez

Issue 6

Double Take

John Stamos, Ac

ior Elijah Boyer, Sen

tor

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April 16, 2015

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By Alex Ralston

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