Staley High School, Talon Magazine, Volume 15, Issue 3, March 2023, Kansas City, Mo.

Contact Us

Talon publishes quarterly issues during the school year. Talon will accept letters to the editor in CR202 or at cherie.burgett@nkcschools.org. Before the letter is published, we will need to verify the writer’s identity. Letters may not exceed a length of 350 words. We will not publish letters that are libelous, obscene or that may cause a veritable disruption of the education process at Staley High School. Anonymous letters will be discarded. Advertisers may contact the adviser at cherie.burgett@ nkcschools.org, (816) 321-5330 or at 2800 NE Shoal Creek Parkway, Kansas City, MO, 64156-1313. Opinions expressed in Talon do not express the staff’s endorsement of the products or services. Talon is a member of NSPA, MIJA, Quill and Scroll, JEA and JEMKC.

On The Cover

On the cover: The presidents of the three student unions. Asian Student Union: Antonino Libarnes, Latino Student Union: Kimberly Garcia, Black Student Union: Cayla Palmer.

Cover art by Grace Winkler

Graphics by Grace Winkler

STAFF EDITORIAL: Senate Bill 134 Should Not Be Passed

Missouri Restricting LGBTQ+ Youth

Missouri is ranked 32nd in LGBTQ+ friendly states, according to USA Today. Senate Bill 134 is a disgrace to the people of Missouri.

Similar to Florida’s “Don't Say Gay” bill, Senate Bill 134 would affect K-12 education, while Florida’s goes from kindergarten through third grade. The bill would prevent teachers from discussing sexual and gender identity with their students, even in the curriculum.

If a student shared with a teacher, that teacher would be required to tell the parent, or they could potentially lose their job.

Mike Moon (R-MO), from District 29, introduced the bill. And in this bill he stated that teachers who would violate that rule would face charges of incompetence, immorality and neglect of duty. They could also face the loss of their teaching licenses.

Transgender individuals face 2.5

Talon Staff

Brianne Tremper

Grace Winkler

Alex Bermudez

Elyse Bredfeldt

Lily Carmichael

Aeyika Hatch

Fallyn Kowalski

Beck Marier

Collin McGinley

Reagan Schulz

Joe Smith

Cherie Burgett

times more violence than cisgender individuals, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The forced outing of these students could lead to higher suicide rates. In a May 2022 study by The Trevor Project, 45% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in the past year.

If a student is outed by their teacher or counselor, and their parents don't accept it, they could be kicked out of their home. According to The Trevor Project, 28% of LGBTQ+ youth have experienced homelessness or housing instability.

LGBTQ+ kids deserve safety. They should not have to live in fear at school and at home. Tolerance and acceptance is vital, and the way to

promote that is by teaching children they need to support people of all genders, races and sexualities. By even considering this bill, Missouri’s State Senate is accepting hate and bigotry into law in the state.

Editor in chief

Editor in chief

Photographer

Copy editor

Reporter Reporter

Copy editor

Reporter

Photographer Reporter Reporter Adviser

Editorial cartoon by Grace Winkler

Flying High Boy Scout Earns Eagle Award

Though senior Brandon Kelly began Cub Scouts in second grade, years later he was still involved in the program.

“I saw a bunch of other kids doing it, so I thought it’d be fun,” Kelly said. “I kept going because I enjoyed doing all the campouts and all the fun stuff that came along with it.”

Kelly had two former Eagle Scout projects that fell through but landed on an idea that worked the third time. He chose to build a composting bin for Pharis Farm Historical Site in Liberty, Missouri. The project had certain requirements set for Scouts.

“The requirement said you have to plan

and lead a service project dedicated to helping the community,” Kelly said. “So I went out there and helped, and I built the project.”

Kelly had to put preparation into his project. Not only did he have to physically assemble the composting bin, he also had to do necessary paperwork and obtain permits. However, with construction he received support from woodworking teacher Aaron Dalton.

“He was the one that helped me figure out how exactly my project would fit together as well as what aspects would work and what aspects wouldn’t,” Kelly said.

Kelly built the compost bin on the

site and said it was intended to help with maintenance of the grounds, though it had other purposes as well.

“It has helped with maintaining the grounds and the areas there,” Kelly said. “It’s also being used as an education material for middle schoolers.”

Kelly said that he felt a sense of accomplishment in the completion of this project, as he has seen the project benefit the community.

“I’ve seen a lot about it in the last few weeks,” Kelly said. “They’ve been using it quite a bit.“

Written by Elyse Bredfeldt Photos courtesy of Historic Pharis Farm

Working to help survivors of domestic violence, junior Avery McKenna has completed and achieved her Girl Scout Gold Award after building sensory walls and a garden space.

The Gold Award is a solo project completed by Girl Scouts at a high school level, a chosen accomplishment that will impact a community in a big way.

“The project was for Newhouse Domestic Violence Shelter which is a local domestic violence shelter,” McKenna said. “I worked with them to complete my Girl Scout Gold Award which was building three sensory walls for their children to use as well as planting a garden so that they could have a fresh food resource.”

Brittany Leathers, director of educational innovation at Newhouse

GOING FOR GOLD

Girl Scout Earns Gold Award

helped work with and guide McKenna throughout the project.

"Newhouse is Kansas City’s oldest domestic violence shelter,” Leathers said.

McKenna spent 140 hours working to build the garden and sensory walls in the shelter’s back yard space over the summer. She hoped the children would use the sensory walls as a coping mechanism for their feelings.

“With the garden, the goal was that Newhouse would have a resource for several years that might provide fresh food, ” McKenna said.

The process began by learning about the subject of domestic violence and speaking with community members to find ways that would best help the shelter.

“Avery brought the idea of the garden to me, and we both discussed the sensory walls and if she had time and resources

that it would be a second project for her to work on,” Leathers said. “Avery did the bulk of the work, but she consulted with me throughout the project so we could make sure that it worked for Newhouse.”

McKenna also partnered with Full Features, a plant nursery in Smithville, Missouri, to help with plants and parts of the garden. She also taught lessons to kids residing at the shelter.

With support from friends and family, McKenna used resources from her house and shops nearby to support the shelter in this project. Leathers said McKenna showed the value of hard work, dedication and compassion.

“I am so incredibly grateful for the work she put in to make this space so enjoyable for the clients,” Leathers said.

Written by McKenna Armstrong

Photos courtesy of Avery McKenna

AVERY MCKENNA, 11

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, junior Avery McKenna paints sensory boards for the playground at Newhouse K.C., a domestic violence shelter.

Former Campus Supervisor Becomes Teachers Assistant

Known as Coach Simmons to the student body, former campus supervisor Jordan Simmons is now a student teacher at the school.

Simmons held multiple roles in education, including special education and Academy paraprofessional, ISS supervisor, in addition to his current role a student teacher working to complete his K-12 physical education teaching certification.

He will student-teach for 12 weeks with PE teacher Daryl Williams and four weeks at Bell Prairie Elementary School.

“I am working with the entire physical education department,” Simmons said. “I am working with coach Rampy, coach Bennet, coach Wilson.”

Williams said that as Simmons’ supervising teacher, he ensured Simmons was up to date on school policy, checked his lesson plans, evaluated his work and mentored. Williams said Simmons was doing well in the role and showed certain strengths.

“He’s really good at building

Simmons said the change was inspired by a desire to find a stable career in education and influenced by the positive perception of teaching he developed over the years.

“I’ve developed a love for education throughout my years in the high school,” Simmons said.

“I decided to go ahead and get my teacher certification.”

Simmons said that his transition to this role went more smoothly because the location was one where students knew him.

“I’ve been fortunate enough I get to do my student teaching where students who are familiar with me and know my expectations and how I go about things,” Simmons said.

Senior Deon Burtin had Simmons as a basketball coach as well as a student teacher. Burtin said the energy Simmons brought to the court was different from what he brought to the classroom.

“As a coach he’s more rowdy,” Burton said. “ He has more energy.

in the field.

“I’m learning the lay of the land,” Simmons said. “How to engage with students, how to command a classroom, things of that nature.”

In addition to learning applicable skills, Simmons also said he had been inspired by seeing the educators around him.

“Seeing how they engage and the respect they have for students and their peers is driving me to want to be a part of that,” Simmons said.

Simmons planned to finish his two-year program at Northwest Missouri State University and find a teaching role by the upcoming fall.

Written by Elyse Bredfeldt Graphics

by Grace Winkler Photo by Alex Bermudez

With themes revolving around kindness, junior Em White entered an art contest for SevenDays, a local organization dedicated to increasing

White was one of eight winners out of 34 applicants. Contestants designed eight buttons in the categories of Love, Discover, Others, Connect, You, Go, Onward and SevenDays. The themes each had to do with the overall message of the organization.

White had expressed interest in joining art competitions before.

“I’ve helped her with other competitions before, but she approached me looking for another, so I did some research and learned about the

JUNIOR WINS ART CONTEST

SevenDays contest,” art teacher Callie Juhl said.

When creating her art, White said she looked for inspiration from peers. White wanted to create pieces that could encapsulate how she felt about the themes.

“I thought about what those themes meant to me and looked like in my community and how I want those to look in my designs,” White said.

Every button being connected by kindness allowed her to find creative ways to interpret and portray that in her designs. White's hours spent and effort throughout her eight day creative journey were not in vain. The button she entered for the “Others” category won.

However, that category wasn’t the one she set out to win. When

creating the Discover button she felt the most free with her art and the meaning found in it.

“Discovery was my favorite because it was how I like to draw the most,” White said. “I got to have fun with my art, and I feel like that shows.”

Em looked to take what she learned and build upon it in her next art competition.

Written by Joe Smith Graphics by Grace Winkler

Sisters Share Experiences Diving Together

Participating in sports together from a young age, senior Jerrilynn Phillipi and freshman Annabeth Phillipi first did gymnastics together before splitting off to try other sports independently. Annabeth started dance while Jerrilynn started dive, and both were on the varsity dive team this season.

“I quit gymnastics and moved to dive, and she started doing it too, just because we both thought it would be fun,” Jerrilynn said.

For dive coach Hanna Bergstrom, it was her first time coaching either of the sisters. She said they were not only siblings but also friends.

“They definitely have each other's backs, encourage each other, can obviously bicker and fight, but it’s all in good spirits,” Bergstrom said.

It was Jerrilynn’s fifth year and Annabeth’s first year diving on the team. Jerrilynn said having her sister join made it a more enjoyable experience.

“It’s been really fun, just because we’re both really busy, so we don’t always get to see each other as much as we would like,” Jerrilynn said. “So, having this time together while we’re diving has been really fun.”

Participating in a sport with a sibling could have its benefits. Annabeth said diving with her sister motivated her to push herself more.

“It is really inspiring to see

need to work to get to where she is,” Annabeth said. “It inspires me to be more like her.”

Jerrilynn said during her sophomore year she didn’t have many people to go to meets with.

“It's been fun having another person there that I can sit and talk to,” Jerrilynn said. “It makes the meets, especially the long ones, easier to get through.”

Annabeth said being on a team with her sister was a different dynamic than at home.

“You have to motivate each other more, and it gives you unique experiences and gives you something else to connect over,” Annabeth said.

Jerrilynn said although they were siblings, they could still get competitive.

“We’re not trying to get the same dive; it’s who can get their new dive first,” Jerrilynn said. “At the same time, I really want to encourage her and push her to get better, especially since I’m not going to be around to help her out next year.”

Jerrilynn said dive was something that brought them together because in other areas of their lives they differed. While Annabeth pursued dance, Jerrilynn did more academically.

“Having this one thing that we both do and both really love, it's a good point to bring us together and bring us closer,” Jerrilynn said.

Written by Fallyn Kowalski Graphics by Grace Winkler Photo courtesy of Jerrilynn Phillipi

Step

Onyx Earns Second At First Competiton

The Onyx Step team competed in their first-ever step show Feb. 24 at North Kansas City High School, placing second.

“I was surprised,” senior Keiara Wells said. “Not because I didn't think we did well but because I was surprised we got second after not coming from anything.”

There were changes for the team this year, as not only was this their first time competing, but the team also had a new coach, Cherié Burgett.

“We had a problem finding a good coach and good support for our sport because it's not well known, and it's hard to find people who want to help us and lead us,” junior captain Jade Coleman said. “It's a big difference, and this year our team has grown so much because of it.”

The team created their own routines all year until it came to competition. They worked with a choreographer from STEP Movement, LLC to organize a step routine for the competition since none of them had competed previously.

“The choreographer benefited us

Up

because they taught us discipline, new moves and creativity,” freshman Michala Rose said. “The choreographer really helped us do our best the first time. Even though it's practice, and it's not a competition or an assembly, it's still important because how we practice is how we perform.”

The team took things more seriously when the choreographers were there.

“I saw a huge difference with being clean and sharp,” Rose said. “With them, we got in, did what we had to do, and we went home. They really helped us get it together before competition.”

Each team was judged on factors including attire, clarity, precision, creativity, space, complexity, attitude, execution and appeal.

“I feel like one thing we did really good on was staying calm in the moment and just giving it our all,” senior captain Cayla Palmer said. “We always struggled with making sure our voices were loud and making sure our steps were clear enough for the

crowd to hear, and one thing I did think we did extremely well on was showing that we had attitude, and we came here to win.”

After winning second place, some members became emotional.

“When we were there, after the competition, they were giving us our award for winning second place, and one of my teammates started busting out crying because it was our last time as a team,” Palmer said. “We wouldn’t be spending time much together, and it was the end of our season. I was thinking, ‘We did it!’ We had actually gone to competition for the first time in school history, and we ended up actually placing.”

Palmer said she had something to prove, and this competition was part of that.

“That we’re not just some preppy kids from Staley,” Palmer said. “We actually have some grit and some force behind us. I want to put out a legacy for when I leave.”

Written by Reagan Schulz

Graphic by Aeyika

Hatch

Photos by Isabella Piranio Sophie Holman

Celebrating with their teammates after the NKC Show Up and Step Out Step Show Feb. 24, freshman Kayla Kanyengele and senior Jena Reukmuang hug each other. As a foreign exchange student, this was emotional for Reukmuang. “I started to cry because in that moment I knew it was my first and last competition with them,” Reukmuang said. “Everybody kept saying that they loved me and that they would never forget me when I leave.”

During a synchronized routine at the step competition on Feb. 24, senior Keiara Wells, sophomore Selma Ikdal, frshman Miah Battles puts her hand in the air. The team earned second place during the competition. We did really well. I'm happy with the outcome of second place, and it was really exciting.” Ikdal said.

BOUND STATE

The boys basketball team won the district championship for the fourth season in a row March 6, defeating Oak Park High School 56-49. “It was an amazing experience, I know all the seniors on our team were excited. And that made me excited.” Said junior Xavier Wilson. Boys basketball is headed to state, defeating Battle High School 81-37 on March 10.

Written

By Brianne Tremper Photo by Landyn Goldberg

PAVING THE WAY

Changing Demographics Bring New Student Unions

As the student population grows, it continues to diversify. With almost 2,000 students, the school has seen more racial diversity in recent years. Assistant principal Kevin Kooi has been at the school seven years, and said he had seen the student body grow.

“When I first got here, we had 1,350 kids roughly, and now we’re over 1,900,” Kooi said. “I’ve seen an increase in total students. I certainly think any time you gain nearly 600 students, you're going to see a change in the demographic of the student body.”

Three cultural student unions have been launched second semester. Sophomore Kimberly Garcia started the Latino Student Union (LSU).

“Everybody always says that Staley is a white-based school, and for the most part it is true, but we have a lot of diversity,” Garcia said. “We just don’t express it as much. Having so many unions that could express their thoughts is going to make the school way better and more diverse.”

LSU had their first meeting March 10 during WIN Time in Spanish teacher Hollye Willard’s classroom CR227.

The Black Student Union (BSU) had their first meeting March 3. Senior Cayla Palmer is the president of the BSU.

"We are all Falcons and we all need to feel like we belong in the community, and the unions are where it will begin," Palmer said.

Racial Breakdown: Student Population Increseases (#) Over 4 Years

2019-2020

Asian: 40 students (0.024%)

African American: 138 students (0.08%)

Hispanic or Latino: 174 Students (0.010%)

American Indian: 3 Students (0.002%)

Multiple: 132 Students (0.078%)

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 5 Students (0.003%)

White: 1192 Students (71%)

Source: Powerschool report

2022-2023

Asian: 53 Students (0.028%)

African American: 217 Students (11%)

Hispanic or Latino: 203 Students (11%)

American Indian: 3 Students (0.0002%)

Multiple: 179 Students (0.09%)

Native Hawaiian/ Pacific

Islander: 10 Students (0.005%)

White: 1238 Students (65%)

Source: Powerschool report

Focused on bringing a new cultural perspective to the school community, students started the Asian Student Union (ASU) at the beginning of second semester. Sponsored by art teacher Manabu Takahashi, he said three students came to him with the idea for the club.

“They wanted to have an organization to help celebrate and showcase the representation of the Asian background and community that exists here at Staley,” Takahashi said.

He said when he brought the idea of the club to administration, specifically activities director Christopher Neff, they supported the idea.

“They were very excited that there was potential to have a club focusing on the diversity and the equity that exists here at Staley,” Takahashi said.

ASU vice president junior Jayden Pham said he wanted to see more representation of Asian culture at the school.

“Other schools had them, so I thought, ‘Why not have one at Staley?’” Pham said.

The club hosted their first event Jan. 20, a decoration day that occurred after school in celebration of Lunar New Year. Anyone was welcome to help, and Takahashi said the event had a quick turnaround.

“Truth be told, it was slightly hectic, only because our club had just started,” Takahashi said. “Lunar New Year was about to happen within two weeks, so in the

short span of time we had to get organized, we had to gather members, and we had to announce to do the decorations. But in the end we were able to do it, so it has been a success.”

Club member sophomore Natalia Phan said the decorations had a positive impact on students and faculty.

“A lot of the teachers and students came to me and asked me a lot of questions about it, and some of them asked if they could help decorate next year,” Phan said.

Takahashi said ASU received a lot of support, including from people who don’t have Asian heritage.

“There are members that are in the club that are not representative of Asian heritage, but they consider themselves an ally,” Takahashi said. “I think that is a great term, and a positive and uplifting thought, that they are going to be here to support us.”

The club had plans for the future.

“We want to continue our momentum of our presence, and we do want to support other diverse clubs that are starting to come up such as the Black Student Union (BSU), so we would like to be collaborators with them,” Takahashi said.

Takahashi wanted ASU to be a norm and a common club that exists.

“I want ASU to be the presence that nurtures diversity and equity and do some great things,” Takahashi said.

The club meets once a month during WIN Time in FP 208.

Establishing a safe community for Black students, the Black Student Union (BSU), is a new up-and-coming club started by students. The club is sponsored by campus supervisor Yalada Reed. She wanted to sponsor the club to help the students who had initially approached her with the idea.

“The young ladies who had asked me were looking for some support, and I know they didn’t have a whole lot of choices with Black staff here,” Reed said.

Senior Neema Omana helped organize the club. Omana said the idea developed from a class discussion regarding other

schools in the district.

“Other schools have all these different clubs,” Omana said. “An Asian Student Union, or a Muslim Student Association and a Black Student Union. Then if you come to Staley there are basically no diverse clubs that students can involve themselves in.”

Reed hoped the club would bring people together.

“I just want a community,” Reed said. “To see all the Black students here support other things, dress out for spirit week. It seems like it is always just very few, and I think that is because some of the Black students here don’t feel like they fit in.”

The club had its first meeting March 3, in the Flex Auditorium during WIN Time.

Written By Fallyn Kowalski Graphics by Grace Winkler

Seniors Photograph Chiefs Parade

The Chiefs parade to celebrate their Super Bowl win was the biggest yet.

The city celebrated with a parade and rally, which cost the city $3.5 million, according to the Kansas City Star. NCAPS Digital Media and Design students seniors Mason Baugh, Landyn Goldberg and Brady Stark got to cover the parade for their internship at Let It Fly Media.

“It's the whole creative process under their roof,” Baugh said. “They do a lot of social media content.”

The “Groovy Boys” have a YouTubeChannel, Groovy! Productions, and they have won multiple regional, state and

national awards for their projects, but this was their first time covering an event such as this. So they had to adjust their usual photography routine.

“I was planning to be upfront for the parade at the rally, but since I had to move I had to move I had to find a spot that still looked good on camera,” Stark said.

According to ESPN, 500,000 people attended the parade.

“It almost felt like I was a part of it in a weird way,” Goldberg said. “Being around the players and the overall atmosphere and energy, it's something I've never experienced.”

Written By Brianne Tremper

Photos by Ali Schulz, Mason Baugh

Photo courtesy of Juwan Bush

POLARIZING PROPOSALS

News Briefs: Missouri Legislators Push Hot Button Issues

The Missouri House of Representatives has been in the spotlight recently with decisions that some consider problematic. One of the most notable bills, “The Right to Bare Arms,” more officially known as House Amendment Number II, imposed a dress code for women on the House floor. There were also nine anti-LGBTQ+ bills in review, a record number, according to the Kansas City Star. Numerous other bills are currently under review in the House.

Dress Code

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Jan. 13 that was criticized by members as sexist because it explicitly called out women, stating that “Proper attire for women shall be business attire,” while mens’ clothing options weren’t explicitly brought up. This amendment banned womens’ arms

from being shown, requiring them to wear a second layer “blazer or knit blazer.” This law was reversed citing that it is uncomfortable for pregnant women to wear blazers.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills

Missouri’s legislature is attempting to ban transgender athletes from competing in high school sports, according to the Kansas City Star. Another bill currently under review is a restriction on gender affirmative care for people under 18, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

There have been 27 anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed by Republicans in the Missouri House and Senate, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, making Missouri the state with the highest number of anti-LGBTQ bills. Senate Bill 134, similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, would ban conversation

of sexual identity and preferred pronouns in schools, as well as require teachers to publish their lesson plans for parents to view. The version of this bill proposed in Missouri would occur all throughout public K-12 education.

State Constitution

On Jan. 24, the legislature voted to amend the Missouri constitution. U.S. News and World Report reported that the change would take 51% of the votes to amend the state constitution. This was passed in lieu of Missouri voters passed a Medicaid expansion in 2021.

Written by Brianne Tremper Photos courtesy of MO.House.Gov

Graphics By Grace Winkler

In Person German Classes End

TZobrist brings an end to the German program with it. After this school year, German I and II will be solely available online, and upper-level German classes III, IV and V will no longer be offered, in person or online.

Zobrist said she understood the demand for German classes was lower than other languages but wished that a new teacher would have been found.

“In middle-America, the propensity to be able to speak another language is Spanish more than it would be German,” Zobrist said.

Zobrist’s years of language learning and experience abroad helped her become fluent in the language. Zobrist studied abroad three times for a year each in Bavaria, Düsseldorf and Mainz.

Zobrist said she valued the way teaching the language kept her connected not only to students but also to Germany.

“What I love about teaching any foreign language is the carry over that we have year after year,” Zobrist said. “If they keep going, you really get to know the students. I get to keep them for four years. One of my best friends in Germany is a former student.”

Zobrist isn’t the only one with ties to the country. For sophomore Matteo Neuburger the language mattered to him as it was connected to his roots.

“There’s relatives in Germany, and that’s where I grew up,” Neuburger said. “I moved here when I was 7. I did German because I have family and ties to it.”

The continuity of the program was something that would be lost. Students that hoped to advance in the program wouldn't have the same opportunities as students

in other language programs at the school. German I students will have an online learning option for their second year but no in-person classes.

Freshman Raegan Proudfit, a current German I student, planned to take the class virtually next year. Proudfit said she believed that would negatively impact her proficiency.

“It’s definitely going to be harder to learn through a computer,” Proudfit said. “Mrs. Zobrist said we could call her if we needed her, so that should be helpful.”

Zobrist said German is a difficult language, but she saw noticeable effort from her students.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” Zobrist said. “They’re so smart, the kids that take German; it's kind of a higher echelon.”

Students hoping to pursue upper-level German will not have access to the college credit classes, though that will not deter some from continuing to learn the language. Freshman Eli Robinson was in German IV and would be unable to continue German at the school.

Robinson said that though the school wouldn’t offer further German education, that wouldn’t stop him from pursuing fluency in it. Robinson was in a program online through a college.

“I’m going to continue to learn it outside of school,” Robinson said. “With the program, and my sister speaks German fluently, so I’m going to practice with her.”

Written

by Elyse Bredfeldt Photo by Brianne Tremper Graphic by Grace Winkler

While watching German music videos in class on March 10, senior Thomas Reyes Jr. listens to the music. The class was learning the difference in sound of German music compared to the English version. “Honestly I think it's a crying shame," Reyes said "More people should learn more dramatic languages''

IMAGINARY FRIENDS

Parasocial Relationships Lead To Dire Consequences

Ilove Taylor Swift. Sometimes it seems like she wrote the music for me. I even got a tattoo that references her song, “Mirrorball.” The reality is, Taylor Swift doesn't know me, and I don’t truly know her. There is a fine line between being a fan and being in a parasocial relationship with a famous person.

Parasocial relationships happen when a person believes they have a relationship with a famous person. According to the student-led nonprofit Simply Neurocience, a parasocial relationship is a one-sided relationship that someone will invest energy, time and money into.

Parasocial relationships can even potentially be deadly, one of the worst cases being Selena Known as the Queen of Tejano music. She was a rising star at 23 she had already won a Grammy. But on March 31, 1995, she was killed by someone who claimed to be her biggest fan, according to USA Today. Selena’s killer was president of her fan club and a manager of one of her

boutiques.

Though there have been deadly cases of parasocial relationships, not all are as dangerous. In some cases, people only comment through social media on their idols' personal life.

Someone who has faced this with her fans recently is Phoebe Bridgers. Fans on TikTok have been expressing concern over her being seen with Bo Burnham, amid breakup rumors with her boyfriend Paul Mescal. These fans would post photos of Bridgers and Burnham, and another one with Bridgers and Mescal calling them their “divorced parents.” These fans genuinely believe that they have the ability to dictate who their favorite celebrity can date.

The defining trait between being a devoted fan and being in a parasocial relationship with a famous person is recognizing that they are their own person and that we as fans shouldn't determine their lives. They are their own people with their own lives.

Written by Brianne Tremper Cartoon by Grace Winkler

STREAMING IN STYLE

Reviews Of Recent Shows Added To Streaming Services

"The Great British Bake Off” originally premiered on the BBC but was eventually picked up by Netflix. Something that it did well was making it calming while simultaneously entertaining. They proved a baking show could be funny without verbally assaulting their contestants, unlike other cooking shows. The judging was fair, and the hosts were amazing.

By the end of a baking show I like to feel like I could be on it and win it, and although I have little to no baking experience, I felt like I learned a lot from this show.

This show is weird, but it was genuinely one of the funniest TV shows I’ve ever watched. “The Rehearsal” on HBO Max leaned hard into the popular mockumentary format.

It was comedian Nathan Fielder’s newest project, and his deadpan style of comedy made the show so much better.

“The Rehearsal” is about a man (Fielder) who gave

people an outlet to “rehearse” an upcoming moment that worried them, providing an identical set, actors and training to practice.

The show ended with Fielder putting himself in his actors’ shoes in an infinite spiral.

This show made me a little uncomfortable, but it was incredibly funny, and I would watch it again.

Written by Brianne Tremper Graphics by Grace Winkler

Ever since “Love is Blind” debuted in 2020, I was hooked. The reality TV show featured singles who had lost hope of finding love in the real world.

These singles went on dates in pods, two rooms with a connecting wall. They formed connections by talking through the wall, not knowing what the person on the other side looked like. The goal of the show was to fall in love with someone without knowing their physical characteristics, instead appreciating their personality. Once two people fell in love, they got engaged to be married and finally got to see what the other looked like.

By living together outside the pods, the couples had to answer the question, “Is love truly blind?” During this time, they had to decide if they actually

wanted to go through with the marriage. Although season one was my all-time favorite season, I still enjoyed season three. It was filled with lots of drama and emotion. When particular couples went through their hardships, I actually cared about whether they would throw in the towel or work through the problem together. My favorite couple was Alexa and Brennon because they immediately connected and never had any tense moments in their relationship compared to the other couples. The idea of the show is encouraging for today's society, to focus on what is on the inside instead of the appearance on the outside. I would recommend this show to anyone who likes reality TV, and I am hopeful there will be a season four.

Georgia had Ginny as a teenager, so the show focused on their close relationship. The only problem was Georgia had a past, and Ginny came to find out they were not as close as she thought, as there was a lot about her mother she didn’t know. The show followed their everyday life and their backstory of how Georgia had gotten them to where they were in life. Settling into life after their new move, Ginny attended a new high school and found friends at her new school, while Georgia found a job at the mayor's office.

Season one was left on a cliffhanger, and season two picked up right where it left off. I thoroughly enjoyed this season. It covered important topics like

mental health, not feeling understood and lacking a sense of belonging. Season two brought forth the idea that while having close parents or a parent who is like a best friend might seem like a good thing, the reality was it could have been suffocating.

Season two focused on Ginny’s growth through therapy and learning how she truly felt toward her mother. Overall, this show was relatable, and I would recommend it to anyone interested.

Written By Fallyn Kowalski Graphics by Grace Winkler

RUNNING IT BACK Faculty Shares Past Played Sports

Written by Lily Charmical Graphics by Grace Winkler

Students might think their teachers don't understand the sports that they do, but some of our teachers also did those sports. Assistant principal Kevin Kooi played basketball for his high school. Some teachers even became coaches in the sports that they played in school, teachers like Lauren Sullivan now coach the sports that she loved.

“Being able to see things from various perspectives as a player gives you an added dimension as a coach.”

“I loved team sports; football was my favorite. I loved the camaraderie and the competition, and I really liked just the relationships that we built.”

Kevin Kooi, Assistant Principal Ken Corum, E.d.D, Math

Photos courtesy Of Kevin Kooi, Ken Corum, Lauren Hasenohr, And Chris Carey

"I know the things you go through as a student athlete, especially having gone here. It helps understand some of the things that the girls are going through and the guys are going through because I've experienced it too."

“I really like playing tennis, the training and the traveling. I went to Spain to play tennis, so I got to speak Spanish while playing tennis.”

Lauren Hasenohr, ELA

Chris Carey, E.d.D, Spanish

Spilling The Beans

Morning Coffee Orders Shared

It's common for students to start their day off with a run to a coffee shop. There are multiple things that can draw students into a cafe. Four students share their favorite places to pick up their morning coffee.

Issac Harrell, 10

Shop:Friendly Bean Coffee

420 NE Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64155

Order:Frozen Coffee

“I think the coffee is unique there, and it's more local, I like to support local shops.”

Lauren Wareham, 11

Shop: Friendly Bean Coffee

420 NE Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64155

Order:Caramel Macchiato

“It's a really nice environment, it's really happy and all the customers really like it there.”

Olivia Taylor, 9

Shop:Fitti’s Espresso

7612 NW Prairie View Rd Suit B, Kansas City, MO 64151

Order:Iced Vanilla Latte

"It's really good, and I like that it's local."

Quinn Golden, 12

Shop:Headrush Roasters

7108 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64118

Order:Caramel Rush Iced

" They are really cute, it's cozy to hang out in if I want to do homework or something.

Written by Lily Carmichael Graphics by Grace Winkler