talon
Opinion
Staley High School | Kansas City, Mo. Volume VII Issue V | May 2015
Volume VI Issue IV | Talon | 1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Lifestyles
Lifestyles
Feature Fashion
AVID Originals (5)
Opinion
(4)
Lifestyles
Seniors of Staley
(8)
ACT Impact
The How To’s of College (14) Teacher Advice to Seniors (6)
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Graduation Outfits (10)
Senior Accomplishments (12)
Talon is published quarterly 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 with a photo identification. Letters may not exceed a length of 350 words. We will not publish letters that are libelous, obscene or that may cause a verifiable disruption of the education process of Staley High School. Letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will be discarded. Advertisers may contact the business manager at cherie.burgett@nkcschools.org, (816) 413-4100 or at 2800 NE Shoal Creek Parkway, Kansas City, MO, 64156-1313. Opinions expressed in Talon do not reflect the Talon staff’s endorsement of the products or services. Subscriptions are available, $20 for a mailed copy, $10 for an emailed pdf version, or $25 for both. Talon is a member of NSPA, MIPA, MJEA and Quill and Scroll. Talon is affiliated with JEA and JEMKC.
A Dedication to Vicki Barmann REMEMBERING A TEACHER WHO WENT BEYOND THE FACTS
Staff Page
TalonStaff Editor-in-Chief Abbi Atwell
Written by Abbi Atwell
Managing Editor Paige Hawkins Multimedia Editor Bryttany Holovach Lifestyles Editor Sean Fender
Some educators have an innate ability to inspire students. Vicki Barmann, or Madame Barmann to her students, possessed the ability to simultaneously intimidate a freshman and instill a passion for learning within them. When Madame Barmann stood in front of a class, she taught with an energy that went unmatched in her nearly five decades of teaching. She taught us about French artists and the ways in which they helped shape society. She taught verb conjugations and adjectives. She taught us the geography of France and the history of Paris. Madame Barmann was never content to stop there. She went beyond what anyone could expect of an educator and taught us what it means to passionately dedicate ourselves. At seven thirty in the morning, Madame Barmann could be found passionately teaching us in-depth about the second world war. Not only on the logical level that a Wikipedia page could offer, but on the level that made her students think. Standing on the beaches at Normandy and being in the American cemetery
at Omaha Beach, walking the glamorous streets of Paris, looking out from the top of the Eiffel Tower and standing in a room full of Monet’s “Waterlillies" were experiences that Madame Barmann shared with her students on an emotional and personal level. What made Madame Barmann so special to each person she met was not just the immense knowledge she had, but the way that she was so willing to share her thoughts, and therefore share little pieces of herself. When she taught about French art, she taught not only about its appearance, but the way it made the viewer feel. Madame Barmann could describe her own experience with a piece of art and make a room full of students fall in love with it without ever having seen it in person. When a group of us went to France in March of 2014, we looked for the paintings she talked about because the ways she described them to us added meaning to them. Sometimes watching someone else love something deeply inspires others to love it, too. Madame Barmann loved both French and teaching passionately and deeply. She
instilled in me and countless others a love of French and all things France that I have no doubt will last. It took me a year to figure out that the reason I loved her class so much was not because I thought French was a beautiful language or because I thought of France as a historically-rich country. I developed a love of French because Madame Barmann taught her classes to learn it by heart, not just in our minds, knowing that if we understood on a deeper level, education had the ability to change us and make us determined to be our best selves. Even if none of her students remember how to conjugate the verb être, my hope for Madame Barmann’s legacy is that she will be remembered as the energetic, inspirational woman she was.
Features Editor Paige Hawkins Opinions Editor Abbi Atwell Sports Editor Sean Fender Fashion Editor Dallas Beaulieu Photos Editor Destiny Wilborn Copy Editors Marissa Hubbard Reporters Hafsa Hussein Hannah Crites Adrianna McLean Amber Engle Photographers Tiffany Thompson Jamil Thomas-Nunn Logan Dawson Alayna Lopez Graphic Artisit Chase Vallejo Adviser Cherié Burgett
“Don’t screw it up.”
-- Vicki Barmann Volume VI Issue V | Talon | 3
Opinion
ACT Impact
STANDARDIZED TESTS ARE NOT ACCURATE REPRESENTATION Written by Destiny Wilborn Cartoon by Adam Freese
students to begin thinking about their future after high school, it can become a burden. In addition to the stress of trying to A 36 is the decide a future, highest score that some students a student can have to go through get on the ACT, the pain of behowever, less ing told that they than 1 percent of American students may not be able to do what they achieve that want to because composite score they can’t score each year. The well enough on a ACT and SAT are test. Not only do not mandatory standardized test tests. They are scores determine a not required to college admission graduate, and decision, they also for the most can determine the part, aren’t going amount of financial to come up in aid that a student job interviews. can get. Setting However, for these high testing students who standards for stuwant to get into a dents can go one good school, they of two ways: either have to try for a the test reveals high score to get several opportuadmitted. nities for an indi It shouldn’t vidual, or it takes seem like a difficult them away. thing to accom The ACT plish, but when and SAT were it comes time for supposedly created Keys to ACT Success to predict a
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student’s college readiness as well as their grades for their first year. A study at Chicago State University disproves this theory, revealing that merely 3.6 percent of students had a GPA that resembled their test score. According to actstudent.org, last year Massachusetts students scored ultimately higher than any other state in the country, while an ubelievably high percentage of Illinois students didn’t even score high enough to get into most fouryear colleges. That doesn’t mean that those from Massachusetts are going to be the most successful students or those from Illinois are too incompetent to do anything in life. It only proves that our colleges provide an unrealistic set of standards that too many young adults are unable to meet. We can’t definitively prove that the ACT is inaccurate, however, when I took ACT preparatory classes, I was
taught tips to guess answers and tricks that would ultimately raise my score. I was told that I could put the same answer for every question and get a better score than someone who would take the test and make a valid attempt. It’s evident that the scoring of standardized tests is flawed. The real truth to getting a decent score on these tests is difficult to define. Each individual is different, meaning that his or her methods of testing vary, especially when they are taking a test that is unlike every other test. We can’t teach students to prepare for these kinds of tests, which contributes to lower scores. Denying education to American students based on a score on one test is unfair, especially if that student is willing to spend incredible amounts of money solely to get said education. Standardized tests should not be considered in the college admissions process.
Four Years of
AVID
Opinion
First Class to Go Through Four Years of AVID Graduates Written by Destiny Wilborn
I have had the privilege of being part of the AVID program for the past four years. In that time, I have learned so much from my classmates and my instructor, Carrie Bowman, that will carry out through my life in college and to my future career. When people have asked me what AVID is, I’ve merely explained that it is a college-preparatory class, but after being involved with the program for four years, I know that it is much more than that. It’s about overcoming obstacles. It’s about collaborative work, and inquiry-based teaching. Most of all, it opens students’ minds to new ways of learning, with an approach that demonstrates we are all different,
therefore we all have different ways of taking in and retaining information. Everything that I have learned in AVID: Cornell notes, organization skills, and valiantly asking for help, has shaped my education and I will take those strategies that I’ve learned with me to college. The acronym AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination is primarily fitting. Through my experience in this program, I have grown and acquired my own individuality regarding my future, but I would never have made it this far on my own. I’ve had the privilege of being surrounded by supportive classmates and an amazing instructor. It’s an incredible
feeling to be working alongside a group of people who are all pursuing the same goal, but knowing that we will all get there in our own unique ways. I have been involved with a group of smart, talented, unique people, and together, we have grown and learned from one another. I never thought that I would figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I was always unsure of my abilities as a student, and I never believed that I had enough talent or potential to succeed in any kind of career. AVID not only helped uncover what I wanted to do, but gave me the courage to go for it as well. When I graduate this month, I know for certain that I am
going on to greater things. AVID has taught me that with enough initiative, I will eventually end up where I’m supposed to be. I can’t confidently say what I would have done after high school without having participated in AVID, but I know that my life would be missing a very important element. I also know that I wouldn’t have done as well in high school because Bowman was constantly checking our grades. Being in the AVID program was one of the best experiences of my life, and I am eternally grateful for all of the opportunities that it has provided me with. I will take what I have learned from it with me through my life and value it forever.
(left to right) Elizabeth Pace, Lauren Hudson, Destiny Wilborn, Alyssa Perez, Morgan Miller, Emmie Swegel, Marissa Hubbard, Destiny Rowe, Carrie Bowman, Ashley Caldarella, Sahra Omar Hore, Anisa Davis, Andrew Cangelose, Nancy Le, Sidney Lawson, Michael Majors, Jordan Steward. Photo courtesy of AVID teacher Carrie Bowman
Lifestyles
Avoid the Freshman 15 Written by Bryttany Holovach Graphic by Chase Vallejo
the size of Louisiana State University. She said that she didn’t realize that she would have to walk everywhere, even when getting The size groceries or when of a college campus she wants to go can affect how much out to dinner. Reliford said she effort someone has to put forth to even used the size avoid the freshman of her campus to her advantage by 15. Staley alumni Quiana Reliford said making sure to she has actually lost take the extra steps weight because of instead of catching a
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ride from a friend. “The freshman 15 doesn’t exist for me since I go to a big college,” said Reliford. College cafeterias are notorious for serving unhealthy and uncontrollable portions of food causing the freshman 15 to be a reality for many students. According to Staley Alumni
Carli Boen, she has figured out how to combat the campus cafeteria. Boen said her best advice to college students was to be conscious of what one is eating. “As for gaining the freshman 15, avoid fatty foods in the cafeteria at all costs and just be conscious of what you are eating,” said Boen.
Avoid Stress in College
Lifestyles
Written by Bryttany Holovach
Moving into a dorm and finding new friends can be daunting. According to Staley alumni Kylie McConnell, the transition for her was a challenge. The experience was intimidating and scary, she said, but the one thing that has helped her cope with stress is good friends. McConnell said she went through quite a few friends before finding the right ones, but she feels supported now. Whenever she freaks out about life or school, McConnell
knows she has people who care. “Once you have those friends, it’s so much easier to to cope with stress because you have a solid support system,” McConnell said. For many high school students, it’s hard to manage time with long termprojects without procrastination which leads to more stress. However, for Staley alumni Carli Boen, time management has been the one thing that has helped relieve stress in college. She
said that it’s very important to manage time efficiently and not to procrastinate. One way Boen said she manages time efficiently is by setting goals daily and by trying to get all her studying throughout the week. “It’s super important to focus on grades, but equally important to have fun because college is a blast,” said Boen. Staley Alumni Nina Bui believes laughing relieves stress which is why she said laughing is something she
many meals can be made with it. You can put it in a salad, make a chicken wrap, chicken quesadillas and many more. You could also do a lot with a potato, such as making a baked potato with bacon bits, cheese, sour
cream and canned chili. Making instant mashed potatoes is a simple and fast option for a cheap meal. Taco Tuesdays at local Mexican restaurants, 50 cent wings at Buffalo Wild Wings are also great choices. Just search some local
tries to do dailey. By laughing daily, Bui said it’s one way she takes care of herself. When times are stressful sometimes a day to yourself can be best. “Even having a personal day here and there will help,” said Bui.
Eat Cheaply in College Written by Alyana Lopez
College students often struggle financially, but food is a necessity. Here are a some ideas for cheap, satisfying meals that can be made in a dorm. Rotisserie chicken is a very cheap option. A whole chicken is about $5-$8, and
restaurants and look at their weekly specials.
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Photos by Abbi Atwell Graphic by Chase Vallejo
Jonah Witcig “Dalton came around during the beginning of one of the hardest times of my life and kept me pursuing my goals when I wasn’t doing it on my own.”
Morgan Miller “I regret not being as involved in school activities. It paid off, but I wish I’d been more involved.”
Dalton Nelson “No matter what comes at us, we take it all as a team. We have each other’s best interests in mind.”
Brandon Losh “I’m afraid of the unknown. I’ve been doing the same thing for my entire life. Growing up means doing things that are out of my routine.”
Lauren Hudson “In 2000, my best friend and I let a balloon go together, and then in 2010 we did the same thing. It was pretty special because it shows that we’ve been friends for a decade, and we are really close still.”
Anthony DiGiovanni “All the teachers I had over the years helped me get through all the hard work. They helped shape me as a person.”
Rae Ann Roberts “I feel equally close to my mom and my dad. My mom is someone I can talk to when I’m feeling down. My dad and I run together; he’s someone I can look up to.”
Fashion
Senior Grad Outfits Class of 2015
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How to Achieve This Look Written by Dallas Beaulieu
Fashion
Photos by Alayna Lopez
One big question that comes up when graduation gets close is what to wear under the cap and gown. Luckily, the answers are easy. Stick to something simple underneath the gown. The gown itself is boxy, so wearing something more form fitting that is flattering to the body will bring a nice balance. That goes for guys too; find something that will shape your body. When it comes to the color, you can never go wrong with a plain color or a soft patterened design. To complete the whole look, tie everything together with comfortable but stylish shoes that either add a pop of color or neutrailize the look. For finishing touches, add some layered accessories that will give you a polished look.
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Lifestyles
Senior Accomplishments
Seniors Show Off Their Achievements Photos by Logan Dawson and Madison Lott
Some students have excelled outside of their required course work. From athletic ability to academic awards, they have proven themselves to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom setting. Some of these students have shown either dedication or leadership toward their prefered activity.
While playing as a setter for the volleyball team, senior Katie Flynn also was completing her nurse training at Northland Career Center. “My greatest accomplishment is getting my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant),” said Flynn, who said she plans to major in Nursing at Missouri Western. Senior Christopher Skram has participated in threater for four years. He started “Improv Night,” which is an event for students to get together and comically compete. “Our Theater For a Cause show fell through, and we still had the space for the evening,” said Skram. “So we created Improv Night.” Skram also got Honorable Mention at the Missouri State Thespian Conference. He has also been involved in choir for two years.
Senior Nate Bass set a school track record in the 200-meter dash. “It was just a good feeling working for three years and finally getting to where we want to be,” said Bass.
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Lifestyles
Selected as both National Merit Finalist and Missouri Scholars 100, senior Abby Rein is planning to attend the University of Alabama with a full-ride scholarship. “I would say my greatest accomplishment in high school would be National Merit,” said Rein. “It’s the most notable.”
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Vice President of the senior class, Kara Bradshaw has expanded her leadership to other activities such as choir and student-council. “It means a lot that people trust me to guide them and direct their talents into one common goal,” said Bradshaw.
Senior Dalton Nelson has been involved Science Olympiad for two years. “There’s been different achievements of just accomplishing builds that I never thought would be done,” said Nelson. “But I think that the greatest accomplishment is getting together with a team of people that you didn’t think was going to get along and making things work and ending up as a family.” Over the course of high school, Nelson has won three regional awards, including a first place award in compound machines. Nelson said he plans to attend William Jewel College and major in mathematics, then transfer to Vanderbilt University to complete the biomedical engineering program.
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Lifestyles
Teacher Farewells Teachers give final thoughts to the class of 2015
As Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!’” It is such a simple word, WOW, yet it comes with great meaning. It is much easier to live an ‘okay’ life, but I wish that upon none of you. I wish for you a lifetime of WOW. I wish for you massive failures, which will help lead you to understanding and success. I wish to hear you mumble, “WOW, I really messed that up.” I wish you unfathomable success, accompanied by compassion and acceptance. I wish to hear you mumble, “WOW, I really did that.” I wish to see you put down the technology and look at each other in the eyes. I wish to see you engaged with those around you, suddenly thinking, “WOW, it’s these people in front of me that matter.” A few days ago I was in a restaurant when I walked by a table with a young family. Both the mother and the father were on their cell phones, while the small child was sitting by himself playing with his spoon. As I glanced around at the other tables, it was the same everywhere. Heads were down and fingers were moving. If I could give you any advice, I would say lift your head. Move your mouth and not your fingers. Think about the people you are with in the moment, think about them, not yourself. I wish for the people in your life to say, “WOW, I feel really important when I’m with you.” This world can be cruel and unforgiving, but it can also be wonderful and uplifting. I hope that you use it as your playground, as a place to run and explore and make new friends. Remember, with great risk, comes great reward. Put it all out there, leave nothing behind, and slide into that grave filthy dirty, used up, and smiling. Written by ELL teacher Heather Macintosh
“Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” ~ Salvador Dali As you move on to your next journey, remember that your ambition is what will set you apart from others. Always do your best whether it is in an academic setting, career/work place, or in your personal life. This character trait has life long benefits for you, your family and friends, your community, and our world. Congratulations on your accomplishments and it has been an honor to be a part of your life. Go out and make us proud! Written by art teacher Chelle Cox
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Lifestyles To the class of 2015: It is with mixed emotions that I address you now. I have long maintained that the most difficult part of my job is saying goodbye to you all as you spread your wings and leave Staley, bound for adventures unknown. Over the last four years, I have come to know many of you very well, spending more time with some of you than even my own children and it is very difficult to know that, although it is the natural order of things, I will not be seeing your smiling faces anymore. Teaching, you see, is a very personal endeavor and it is unavoidable that I often become quite attached to those smiling faces! I believe Lt. Commander Data summed it up best when he said, “As I experience certain sensory input patterns, my mental pathways become accustomed to them. The inputs eventually are anticipated and even missed when absent.” What I am trying to say is that I am sure going to miss you! All of you. In an effort to assuage these feelings, I shall now attempt to impart my last lesson. What follows is my attempt to provide you with the knowledge that I wish I had when I was your age. So, imagine me at the front of my classroom, meter stick in hand, giving you my last lecture. (Much as I am imagining you, sitting at your table and rolling your eyes at my Star Trek references!) What I am telling you is not earth shattering, nor is it particularly original. This advice has been handed down before, but if you can find a way to open your mind to it and to really THINK about it, I might be able to help you avoid some of the pitfalls that life undoubtedly has in store for you. Over the next four years, think about what you really, REALLY want to spend the rest of your life doing and GO FOR IT! I don’t jump out of bed every Monday morning and dance into Staley with unbridled excitement, but I do love my job (at least, the parts of it that involve spending time with you!) and it makes my life so much richer that I love what I do. Don’t be afraid to go after your dreams, to really go for it and put yourself out there. Journalist Sydney J. Harris said, “Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.” When you walk out of these doors, you are starting a new chapter of your life with a completely blank slate! You don’t have to be defined by the roles and directions of your high school trajectory. This truly is a watershed moment in your life, you are embarking on an entirely new journey. Take advantage of this moment and GO FOR IT! But… Don’t be afraid of failure. Our culture today does a poor job of teaching this concept, yet it is an important one. Life is all about making mistakes and learning from them. That previous sentence was taken from an inspirational poster hanging in my room, but I chose to hang that poster for a reason. This life journey you are about to embark upon will include failure. You will fail tests, you will fail to live up to expectations, you will fail to make it to class on time. None of that makes you a failure! It is often said that, as he was trying to make the first light bulb, Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I have successfully found 1,000 ways not to make a lightbulb!” Now, I don’t know if he really said that or not, but the sentiment is what counts. You learn through failure! Don’t be afraid of it. Pick yourself up, dust yourself of and get right back in there. Which leads me to… Remember that you are a Falcon. (I see you rolling your eyes!) BUT, I want you to remember your roots. The people who love you and have helped you along your journey to this point must now stand back and watch as you spread your wings and fly the nest, but don’t forget all that they have done for you to this point. The heraldic meaning of the falcon is: one who does not rest until the objective is achieved. That is your mission now. Do not rest until your own personal objective has been achieved, whatever and whenever that may be. And, when you do achieve that objective, remember your roots and those who helped you along the way. Be grateful for what you have been given, but don’t be afraid to take credit for the hard work that gets you to where you are going. In short, SOAR on out of here and achieve your dreams but remember to come back and visit us from time to time. I sure would like to see those smiling faces again! Mr. Nevels Written by science teacher Matt Nevels
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Teacher Tapp Says Goodbye to Seniors It is hard to shake the feeling that while high school is ending, something bigger beckons. As graduation nears, no sentiment is uttered more often than “The future is bright.” The expectancy graduates and their supporters feel for the future is the main culprit. I’m here to tell you that this maxim is a lie, not because your future is doomed, but rather because this platitude is missing a most important caveat. What you should really be thinking is “My future is as bright as I make it.” The key to your oh-sobright future is you—your effort, your focus, your ambition. The proclamation that your future has inherent brightness is a nice thought, and I urge you to make it a reality. However, nothing in life is a certainty, so here are some ways to give yourself a chance at achieving the future you have imagined. Lose the apathy that has permeated much of the past year of your life. This is easier said than done. For many of you, senior year has been dominated by a concentrated effort of doing as little as humanly possible. “Is that essay due Wednesday? I will push it to Thursday.” By Thursday you mean seven weeks from Thursday. Such decisions are impressive in their stupidity—what boldness it must take to think yourself above schedules and deadlines. But this kind of thinking is actually detrimental to your future. Like the man trying to quit smoking who realized the creeping dependency of his addiction too late, you too have developed a habit—and one that is equally damaging if left unchecked. This summer, instead of continuing your indifference, consider how bad habits die hard. You won’t flip the switch so easily in college or the work place. Do something, for Pete’s sake. Get a job, read some books, take some classes, volunteer your time. Just don’t evoke the right to “enjoy my last summer.” That’s nonsense. Pay attention to the world around you. You are too smart to not know what is going on in Syria or the dire consequences a drought-ridden California will have on the American economy. Try reading a newspaper or even watching a newscast. You don’t need to immerse yourself in the politics of the day, but make an effort to know a little. As I always tell my students, “knowing stuff makes life easier.” I assure you this will be as true tomorrow as it is today. Stop being cool. Being cool is boring. Being driven and ambitious while staying grounded is commendable and enviable. No successful person becomes so by exclusively being popular. They became successful, and by proxy popular, by inspiring those around them, and you cannot do that if you look in the mirror all day fixing your hair or if you worry about what your “friends” will think of you. Inspiring people also requires you to be an individual, which means proclaiming your values even when the “cool” guy or girl thinks you are stupid for doing so. You know, what? These “cool” people are foolish, arrogant lemmings whose future is a dark parental basement. As cliché as it sounds, work hard. It is a sad reality that you can graduate college and get that important piece of paper (Ds get degrees) or keep a steady job without as much effort as you might imagine. But that college degree or that paycheck will carry no value; it will have no meaning because “what we obtain too cheap we esteem to lightly” as the great Thomas Paine said. It is true that you may get a nice job with your cheaply earned degree or a promotion despite a halfhearted effort, but genuine success and happiness requires effort beyond buying the Macro Economics solution set from some seedy website. Be kind. I know coming from me that may sound ridiculous given my unfairly acquired reputation, but being nice to people is an essential capacity of success. You may want to say, “Steve Jobs was notorious for being a jerk and he was a success.” I suppose that all depends on what you mean by successful. To me, a bright future is one where you don’t alienate those around you. But that’s just one man’s opinion. There are just a few suggestions as you begin your endeavors outside the walls of Staley High School. Cliché alert: that bright future you are dreaming of will stay in the dream realm unless you choose to do something to make it a reality. Wishing doesn’t make something come true. Some may want to criticize this message as abrasive. Good. Criticism is a form of higher thinking and such higher thinking is also a critical component to a successful and bright future. Others may question, “what about enjoying the ride, smelling the roses, being happy?” To that I say this: duh. Of course you should do that. I just assumed you knew that a life lived without joy is no life at all. If you needed me to tell you that, this list won’t be of help anyway. Goodbye, scholars. You are leaving the land of milk and honey, God’s Country, Staley High School. Written by ELA teacher Jairus Tapp