The Lake - April 2017

the lake

unmasking the senior challenge Standley Lake High School | 9300 W 104th Avenue | Westminster, CO 80021 | USA | Planet Earth | Milky Way Volume 28 | Issue 5 April 2017

Who we are Editors-in-Chief | Esteban Arellano Emily Leo

the lake the formalities Opinions or expressions made by students in this publication are not expressions of board policy. The district and its employees are immune from any civil action based on any expression made for or published by students.

The Lake is an open forum for and by the students, faculty, and community of Standley Lake High School. The Lake is willing to accept and print any appropriate articles submitted by the students of SLHS and reserves the right to edit any of these articles. We will not print letters sent to us without a name and signature. Submit letters to standleylakenewspaper@gmail.com.

Staff Editors | Kevin Han Hannah Jensen Meg Metzger-Seymour Ty Milliken Kayla Pray Patty Sokol Staff Writers | Atul Dhungel AJ Ehrhardt Jenna Hines Grace Johnson Jackson Kessel Hannah Laughlin Christopher Luc Cheyenne Padilla Morgan Parrish Mikey Pietroiacovo Sophia Stimpfl Michael Wall Features | Ben Bird Matthew Bopp Grant Hoskins Jacqui Jankovsky Tate Minch Matthew Morgenstern Karsen Schmidt Jackie Tharpe Gabriella Tullo Jackson Valls Nyah Wynkoop Aimee Yan Cartoonist | Anna Nelson Advisor | Lynn Schwartz Website Editor | Gordy Saur

2 April 2017 | Issue 5

social @thelakenewsmag facebook.com/standleylakenewspaper @thelakenewsmag thelakenewsmag.com thelakenewsmag

Table of Contents

06

April 2017

18 12

22

28

The Good stuff

06 the right angle the senior 12 challenge the most 18 valuable player the power of 22 mindfulness 28 editorials 3

Colorado

center

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Parents and students if you are interested in relaxing in one of the large suites with family and friends at the 1st Bank Center on Graduation night then keep reading. . . .

SLAB (Standley Lake Boosters) will be giving away access to one of the large suites for use during the 2017 Graduation ceremony. This give away has a value of over $250.00 The Large Suite holds 20 – 25 people with access to comfortable chairs, great views and the use of the small kitchen in the suite. The suite includes a sink, small refrigerator, counter space, tables and bar stools.

Outside food and drink is allowed so you can bring in your own snacks, drinks, dessert and even cater in dinner if you would like. Guests are allowed to arrive one hour prior to general admission for set up, pictures, etc and have more time to socialize after the event. In addition there is a special parking area for Suite Guests.

This suite will be given away at the next SLAB meeting at 6:30 pm on Monday, May 1. To be eligible for the drawing you must be a current SLAB member and present at the time of the drawing.

Go to www.standleylakeboosters.com to become a member today!

hey folks, We were freshman when we first heard about the senior challenge.

It was a quiet rumor that swept across the school and welcomed us into the Swamp.

“A senior tries to sleep with someone from every grade before the year is up,” everyone told us.

But as preposterous as the idea appeared, it never seemed to go away.

Names were never identified, actual cases were never revealed, but it was always lingering on our romantic consciousness. It wasn’t until this year—when we are seniors—when we realized that it was true.

As Prom season came and left, we spent our time diving deeper and deeper into this story. While actual couples engaged in cute promposals, we spoke to girls who were pushed away, locked in cars, and forced to deal with unintended pregnancy—all at the hands of this “fun” senior ritual.

For us as seniors, we could not believe that we had experienced these last four years with the senior challenge looming in the background.

And perhaps, as you read this story for yourself, you won’t believe it either. Though we’re sure this could certainly be a possibility in some cases, the extent to which students shared their stories and expressed themselves on an emotional level invoked a deep sense that this issue is much larger than the rumors let on.

So spend a few extra minutes with this piece (and the many other ones in this issue) and consider the parts of our lives that don’t immediately meet the eye.

respectfully

E

2

A.K.A. ESTEBAN AND EMILY, THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

5

THE RIGHT ANGLE

A DISTRICT IN TURMOIL jeffco superintendent faces slim chances of reappointment Just over a year after the board members who hired him were let go in a recall election, Dan McMinimee’s chances of returning to the role of superintendent in Jeffco are thinning. The new Jefferson County Public Schools board, the one McMinimee was not elected under, voted early in January to launch a search for a new superintendent on a national scale, making it a near certainty that his contract will not be renewed this June.

The superintendent is the top executive in a school district, and implements the school boards vision throughout the district by making day-to-day decisions about the educational system, programs, and budget. However, the superintendent of a school district as large as Jeffco is not an easy undertaking. Jefferson county is the 34th largest school district in the nation, with a population of around 13,500. This makes budgeting and updating a difficult task for the numerous schools in the county. Principal Jeff Pierson of Standley Lake High School states that previous superintendents were good about leaving the various schools to be autonomous in their budgets, only sending them money based on their direct needs. “Unfortunately for a district this large, there’s 86,000 students, there’s 190some buildings and a lot of those building are really old, and for them to up-keep those buildings it costs a lot of money. This school [Standley Lake] got passed by twice because of two Mail in Bonds that didn’t pass. We were supposed to get new upgrades for new carpeting, a second gym.”, Pierson said.

McMinimee was elected under tumultuous circumstances in 2014, as the school board of the second largest district in the state was severely split, and he was voted into the job by a 3-2 vote, a vote that was interrupted by

6 April 2017 | Issue 5

a yelling crowd of several hundred. Just more than a year later, Jeffco voters overwhelmingly voted to recall three members of the Jeffco school board. Much of the commentary from the public about McMinimee’s election was aimed against him- with many questioning why his proposed contract offered five years paying him $280,000 annually where his predecessor, Cindy Stevenson, worked as superintendent for 12 years and made an annual salary of only $200,000. Stevenson left after she said she couldn’t work with the new board. Jeff Pierson, speaking on McMinimee,

“I think he has been put in a tough position from day one.”

-JEFF PIERSON says, “ I think he has been put in a tough position from day one. I personally believe he did a good job of trying to keep this district moving forward and to put some things ahead of some of the issues dealing with adversity as this school very well knows.”

Regardless of the situation McMinimee was hired in, his days are numbered and the search for a replacement has been opened up. Pierson said, “Well, I know that the board has decid-

ed at their last meeting that there was going to be a national search. So they brought in a firm that is actually doing some sit down discussions with community, with staff, with leadership and they are going to start talking about some of the qualities that they’re looking for, for a new superintendent.”

Many believe the recalling of the majority conservative school board that elected him is the cause for the non-renewal of his contract. The board says to not let any of this represent how they feel about McMinimee’s performance. That begs the question, how much can a superintendent affect the district he/she runs? Pierson puts it this way, “I don’t think you’ll always see, based on a superintendent’s vision, direct changes to a school.

School leadership and communities kind of mold to what’s expected to what’s needed in the communities.” The general school community operates under a self-autonomous role, where the district just provides the yearly funds. The role of the superintendent is to monitor and make decisions about this educational funding.

Jefferson County’s board of education is definitely in a state of chaos, with a constantly changing situation, McMinimee on his way out for so far undisclosed reasons, and general public commentary maintaining a not-so positive tone. For now, all that can be done is to sit back and watch as the board searches for a new superintendent nationally, and McMinimee’s days in his role dwindle. | Tate Minch | Jackson Valls

UNPRESIDENTED BEHAVIOR SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT PARK GEUN-HYE IMPEACHED AND ARRESTED IN LESS THAN A YEAR

1. BACKGROUND

Park Geun-hye, daughter of former President Park Chung-hee, was elected President of South Korea in 2013, becoming not only South Korea’s, but also East Asia’s first popularly elected female head of state. However, in the past year, her approval rating slipped to record lows, with her Saenuri party losing the majority in the Korean National Assembly 2016 general elections. The 2015 sinking of the MV Sewol, where over 300 citizens that were mostly teenage students lost their lives, and Park’s perceived mishandling of the situation also led to sinking approval ratings.

4. ARREST

Park’s impeachment stripped her of her presidential immunity. Mere weeks later, prosecutors began seeking an arrest warrant against Park, charging the former president with abuse of power, accepting bribes, and leaking confidential information. This warrant was granted and on March 24, Park was formally arrested.

3. IMPEACHMENT

2. SCANDAL

In October 2016, reports surfaced of a close friend of Park’s, Choi Soon-sil, having access to confidential documents despite her holding no official government position. Further investigation found that Choi and other senior staff members of Park had used influence to extort millions from large Korean business conglomerates. Choi Soon-sil, was formally arrested and charged with intervention in state affairs and extortion. The scandal has led to millions of citizens partaking in protests against Park. Park’s approval ratings also dropped to record lows, hovering at around 1% to 3% approval among Koreans under 60 and a measly 13% approval for Koreans over 60.

The massive protests led to the National Assembly’s December impeachment vote, which suspended Park’s presidential powers and duties. On March 10th, the Korean Constitutional Court unanimously affirmed the decision of the National Assembly and Park was formally impeached.

5. FUTURE

On May 9, the country will elect a new leader.

Moon Jae-in, the nominee of the liberal opposition Democratic Party leads in opinion polls, his main opponent is Ahn Cheol-soo, the nominee of the centrist People’s Party. Park’s Saenuri Party, now renamed the Liberty Korea Party has slumped in the polls and now faces the prospect of further losses. With rising tensions between South Korea and North Korea, the entire country faces an uncertain future as the world watches. | Kevin Han

S.C.O.T.U.S IN SESSION Three need-to-knows about neil gorsuch, trump’s nominee for the supreme court

Origin

Neil Gorsuch hails from Denver, Colorado and is a federal appellate judge on the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. A textualist and originalist in reference to the Constitution, believing the law should be interpreted in accordance with the Founding Fathers.

Ideologically, Gorsuch is similar to late Justice Antonin Scalia. Gorsuch strongly favors the separation of powers in the government and favors the interpretation of judges as opposed to federal agencies, holding disdain for the broad powers of federal agencies to interpret the law.

ambiguous positions

Gorsuch is ambiguous on many issues, not having ruled on them specifically. Gorsuch’s opinion on reproductive rights and environmental protection is unknown, though he usually rules in favor of religious freedom and upheld Colorado’s renewable energy standards when the coal industry challenged them.

Gorsuch strongly opposes physician assisted suicide however.

Certain Confirmation

With the Republican-controlled Senate utilizing the nuclear rule and changing the amount of votes needed to confirm Gorsuch from 60 to 51, Gorsuch’s confirmation is near-certain. Republicans hold 52 seats, enough to push through Gorsuch’s confirmation unilaterally. If confirmed, Gorsuch would become only the second Supreme Court Justice from Colorado in history, the first being Byron White, who was appointed by President Kennedy in 1962. | Kevin Han

7

THE RIGHT ANGLE

can you figure THESE OUT? The Voynich Manuscript

The Antikythera Mechanism

Life Before Creation

The Voynich Manuscript is an ancient book dating back to the early 15th century. The book is written in a language no one seems to be able to decipher either. It’s not just a bunch of nonsense as all the lettering and style are all consistent.

A metal structure dating back to 100 BC, it was found in a shipwreck near Greece. The technology in it wouldn’t be found in any other structure for another 1000 years.

This is more of an idea then an animate object. Whatever it is you believe in, everyone has a belief as how we started. If you’re religious then you’re likely to believe in God creating the universe but if you’re not then you’re likely to believe in the Big Bang Theory. Neither one of those however discuss what was before the Universe.

Why it hasn’t been solved:

Why it hasn’t been solved:

Why it hasn’t been solved:

All of the top people in the field of code breaking and language deciphering all are unable to figure out a single word of this. Many people thinking that it will be translated through solving some puzzle while others think it is the language of aliens.

The popular idea was that it was made in Greece considering the instructions are in Greek. It’s believed to be used for figuring out astronomical positions. This is odd because people at the time didn’t know what gravity was or that we weren’t the center of the universe.

Plus, there was no real use for the machine during the time era.

Well, people have their theories but no definite answer is readily available.

Because of the speed of light, scientists are able to, in a way, look back in time. They are trying to build a telescope that can see farther enough ahead or far enough back in time to hopefully see both the Big Bang and potentially what was before it.

it’s debatable

58%

people

like pineapple

on their

pizza

brains do indeed over power

brawn

8 April 2017 | Issue 5

WE surveyed students ABOUT SOME OF THE MOST DEBATABLE TOPICS and these are the results

33%

people think marijuana should be illegal

of people believe classic disney is better then modern pixar

79%

the majority belives global warming is a real thing

83%

54%

like movies over books

Senioritis advice Four seniors share their experience with senioritis.

dylan drennen ‘17 “Last semester I didn’t do a single math assignment and I still haven’t. And I ignore physics.

mrs. rachel moores “My desire to wear sweatpants is strong and I daily consider my stairway technique of grading papers by throwing them down the stairs.”

sarah nickell ‘17 “Its just like everytime I’m in class and when ever the teacher is talking I hear white noise becasue I just don’t care/”

jack anderson ‘17

mykayla flores ‘17

“I gave up four years ago. I haven’t turned in a single math assignment all year.”

“I don’t really know how to describe it except that I’m really tired and I’m dead’

11 9

THE RIGHT ANGLE

Where do your loyalties lie?

How many of us support our high school team as much as our pro team?

A sports column by:

grace johnson Its finally here, the feeling of summer.

With summer comes one of the most fun times of the year, baseball season with 162 games in a year, seven months of competition, 30 teams, that all lead up to the last seven games of the year to crown the new World Champions. Last year the Chicago Cubs smashed a 108 year losing streak after being down three games to one to the Cleveland Indians..

But that was then and this is now. At this point every team in the MLB has their season opener out of the way and the race for the trophy is on.

Rising from the talk of the ultimate prize your very own Colorado Rockies have never won the trophy.

How many Coloradans are actually true Rockies fans? Many of us have other favorite teams even if we were born here. For example I was born and raised at Rockies games, but as I got older I realized I’m probably not rooting for the Rox. At heart I am a Cubs fan.

We all have loyalties to professional teams but do those loyalties reach our high school teams? Personally I have only been to one high school baseball game. It’s a different feeling than other sports; at football games the stadium is full and loud for every game, but with baseball there isn’t much of a crowd. Maybe it’s the fact that the pros are easier to follow because of the internet and social media But doesn’t it seem unfair to our school and our friends?

There is really no other reason that we can’t get behind the high school team than the fact we have no contact. We have ESPN, Instagram, Twitter and so many other places we can follow our pros but the only connection we have to our high school teams is that we go to the same school. It seems as if we are more willing to support the pros people we don’t know over our own peers and friends.

10 April 2017 | Issue 5

the crew Avg. Rbi H AB po Grade jake foutz .320

4

2b 8

25

P, OF sr.

zebidiah granado .227

6

5

22

GUSTAVO FERNANDEZ .286

2

8

0

c 0

9

15

p,ss Jr. 25

Ben Salvo .385

4

p,of jr.

10

26

Chance SHOEMATE .000

0

0

14

13

p,1b jr.

28

c,2b so.

Alec Smith .250

1

2

8

c,3b so.

NATE ADAMS .238

5

5

21

inf so.

CONNOR SACK .048

2

1

21

p,of so.

Brady Rose .167

1

p,1b jr.

11

elliot mcneave .464

sr.

7

garet martin .600

p,of sr.

28

kale kizer .000

sr.

2

2

Photo courtesy of Aron Smith

11

One freshman.

One sophomore.

One junior.

One senior.

One senior at the center of it all.

One goal in mind:

The Senior Chall There is only one rule; before the end of the year, you must have sex with someone from each grade level. The rest is implied; be relentless.

Don’t get attached. Don’t be obvious.

At what point does the challenge end? What means must be used in order to complete it? How far are people willing to go in order to win the “game”?

“It’s just a game. It’s just for fun. No one gets hurt...”

Maybe the so-called Senior Challenge is a myth, maybe most of us don’t know anything about it, but maybe we do and for those of us who do, it’s impossible to forget.

The sad truth is, Standley Lake is not unique. The Senior Challenge takes on different names in different schools, but leaves the same devastation in its wake.

For the sake of anonymity, the names of the people we interviewed have been changed. They’ve chosen to share their experiences with the challenge, and the lasting impressions it has left on their lives.

For the sake of anonymity, the girl pictured is only a model and was not involved in any events described.

12 April 2017 | Issue 5

lenge.

He added her on Snapchat. Ava was excited for the chance to talk to an upperclassman. After multiple girlfriends within the span of a couple of weeks, James turned to Ava. “He started messaging me more. He would message me, just wanting to be friends,” Ava said. “[He was] just trying to be buddy-buddy with me because I was a freshman. But it seemed like he was interested in being more than just that. Things began to get serious.”

Although James didn’t want a relationship, he let a more possessive side emerge.

“James would say, ‘I don’t want any guys talking to you, I don’t want any other guys to see you, I don’t want any other guys to have feelings for you.’ He would tell me that he had feelings for me, but he didn’t want to be with me because he’s a senior,” Ava said. “We never talked unless he was messaging me to come hang out and hook up with him.”

Ava thinks back to a few months ago and she remembers feeling used. She remembers how naive she used to be.

“He would take advantage of me, and being the stupid little freshman that I was at the time, I would always enjoy the attention he was giving me, because that’s just how freshmen think, I guess. Then he started being more standoffish, “ Ava said. “I’d give him what he wanted by having sex with him, but then we wouldn’t talk at all.”

After stepping away from all the drama and looking back, Ava doesn’t want to believe that she meant nothing to James.

“I want to convince myself that he wasn’t [a part of the Challenge]. But thinking about what type of person he is, it’s the only thing that makes sense,” Ava said.

Ava didn’t know better as an incoming freshman, unable to realize that she was part of the Senior Challenge.

She couldn’t have predicted the onslaught of judgement that would ensue.

“I would get messages all the time from people asking me if it was true”

Ava said. “And people would get so mad and tell me that I was just his Senior Challenge.”

Ava found herself further ostracized when she learned she was pregnant.

Rumors spread, and Ava felt helpless facing the damaging responses of those around her, including people she thought she could trust.

“They told me, ‘You’re lying. It can’t be his,’ and ‘You’re only doing this for attention.” Ava said.

After miscarrying, Ava realized female students alone often face judgement for being sexually active. ‘Slut.’ ‘Ho.’ ‘Whore.’ These are the words said so often to women that it’s become normal.

“I do think there is a double standard because he would never get grief for it, it was all me getting the grief. I was [the one] getting called stupid and a ho,” Ava said. “People said I should have known better because no senior wants a freshman like me.”

While male participants are praised for being studs or go-getters, their female counterparts experience a torrent of shame and scrutiny when others find out they played a part in the challenge. Girls labelled as ‘promiscuous’ often find themselves rejected by their peers.

A study by Brown University found that sexually active high school girls report being bullied 2.27 times more than their male counterparts.

Ava is one of many girls who have experienced ‘slut-shaming’ and harassment firsthand. Fighting for equality only means something if all people are represented, accepted.

In a culture where sex has been normalized to the extent which a challenge like this is tolerated, standing by is not an option. This is not only a problem for freshmen girls. This is not only a problem for senior guys. This is a competition in which girls of all grade levels are being preyed on in order to fulfill a requirement; all girls are objectified for a single use before being discarded in order to complete the challenge.

13

“It makes [them] feel cool, powerfu

“I wasn’t invested, but it’s just the thought that someone’s been talking to you just to sleep with you.”

-a me l i a

14 April 2017 | Issue 5

The Sadie Hawkin’s dance was rapidly approaching. Amelia still hadn’t found a date.

She was the perfect candidate in his eyes.

At first, Amelia had no idea she was being approached solely for the Senior Challenge.

In fact, she didn’t even know about the challenge, and wouldn’t have been ready for something like that if she had known.

“We started talking and it was all good and great. We hung out for about five days, but then it just started getting awkward.

I could tell he wanted more,” Amelia said.

“I wasn’t up for anything like that. I don’t need that in my life right now. I know I’m not mature enough for that yet.”

As a fifteen year old freshman, this sentiment was understandable. For girls just entering high school, stereotypes surrounding popularity and sexuality put pressure on them to act in ways they might not be ready for. Because of her naivety, exploitation was simple .

After taking part in sexual encounters, they find themselves isolated; outcast from support when they need it most. For Amelia, the appeal that comes with talking to upperclassmen was a source of excitement that quickly turned into a cause for insecurity.

As weeks passed, the toll on Amelia’s well being was clear. Her sense of self worth deteriorated when she found out she had been pursued just to check a box off next to the category, “Freshman.” She felt used, dirty, as people around her speculated why a senior would ever go after a ninth grader, why a senior would have any interest in her.

She knew the reason. She knew that to him, she was just a prize.

“I honestly was pretty devastated. I thought it was for real. I wasn’t invested, but it’s just the thought that someone’s been talking to you just to sleep with you.”

Amelia didn’t know who to turn to, who would believe her.

“His friends said I was making it all up and they [started] spreading rumors to protect his status, so he wouldn’t be known as a senior-going-after-a-freshman kinda guy.”

An anonymous senior source speculates on why some students feel the need to participate.

“It makes [them] feel cool, powerful, [the fact] that they can do that to a girl.

[They’re] guys who manipulate girls.

There’re seniors who’ve manipulated [underclassmen girls]. I see that a lot.”

Even though her experience with a senior never became sexual, the fact that she had been objectified as part of a sex challenge weighed on her conscience for months.

“I think it’s disgusting... I don’t think it’s fair to put someone through that,” Amelia said. “People should have honesty, which he didn’t have.”

The Senior Challenge has forced Amelia to doubt the majority of the people she used to trust. She blames herself for not knowing better.

“Just don’t fall for anyone’s tricks, feel it out,” she said, “No matter what grade you’re in, watch your back and always put yourself first.”

ul, [the fact] that they can do that to a girl.

They’re seniors who’ve manipulated girls.”

15

“His intentions were to sleep with me, to get the freshman thing done. Since he failed, he hit up pretty much every single one of my freshman friends to try and get that done,�

- no ra 16 April 2017 | Issue 5

She looked down. She saw the picture.

done.”

“You’re not leaving,” he said.

“Well normally, guys would go for the freshman first because that would be the most challenging girl to get, because of the age gap,” an upperclassmen source said, knowing that some seniors treat this competition “like an achievement.” “Some people could be blinded by that fact. Even if they weren’t trying for that initially, it can turn into, ‘Oh man, I can do it.’ That can lead to rash and wrong decisions.”

The locks clicked. The door handle stuck.

She couldn’t get out.

Nora was a participant in the Senior Challenge who thought that such a competition didn’t have to be a bad thing. She admits that personally, she is comfortable with her sexuality and had consensually taken part in “helping” some seniors.

But she’s realized that the competition’s significant implications leave lasting, haunting effects on people’s lives, especially when intentions are unclear with both parties involved. Her perception changed when she became the one getting hurt.

“There’s a good side to the challenge where people are super open about it and they say ‘Sure, I’ll help you complete it—it’ll be fun!’,” Nora said. “And then there’s the side that takes it way too far and [some guys even] lock girls in their cars.”

Revelations like this take the Senior Challenge to a far more twisted level. At this point, it’s not a game anymore.

Nora’s willingness to participate in the challenge was reliant on open communication within the purely sexual relationship. Once that communication took a turn and she couldn’t trust what she was being told anymore, her safety became endangered. After spending time with a senior who chose to refrain from telling her he was taking part in the Senior Challenge, Nora was furious. She became suspicious after seeing a picture of another girl on the participant’s phone.

“I found out by this...picture he had. And he said, ‘Well, you’re not leaving,’ and locked all the doors [of his car],” Nora said.

Fear like nothing she had ever experienced in her life overwhelmed her in the parking lot of the Promenade. She realized then that the lengths the players were willing to go to were more cruel than she could ever imagine. “[His intentions were] to sleep with me, to get the freshman thing done. Since he failed, he hit up pretty much every single one of my friends to try and get that

Nora was drawn into a relationship where she had no idea what was going to happen.

Her priorities quickly shifted in order to protect her safety.

“The bad side of it, it’s terrible. I don’t know why you would want to be so competitive to sleep with people,” Nora said, “I don’t get it.”

Fear and judgement aren’t what Nora was looking for when she began to “help out” with the Senior Challenge. Nora finds that while senior guys are praised for their sexual achievements, their female counterparts often face criticism. “[That’s] the better side of the challenge, the girls that are completely fine with it, they’ll help out with it and all that. They’re the people that everyone thinks are sluts but it’s really just a fun thing...not something that you should have to try and hide.”

The darker side of the challenge is what keeps Nora up at night; the side where there is more at risk than pride, than winning a competition.

“A group of them [were] laughing about it, and one said, ‘I dated this girl for a month just to [have sex with] her. Then I left. I don’t care about her at all and she was so broken up about it.’”

Pursuing consensual sex without emotional attachment isn’t easy for her. Nora wants to feel safe, accepted. At the moment, this isn’t how the Standley Lake community is treating her.

“You shouldn’t be shamed for [sex], because it’s your choice.” | Benjamin Bird | Jackson Kessel | Emily Leo | Meg Metzger-Seymour | Karsen Schmidt | Aimee Yan

“A group of senior boys were laughing about it, and one said, ‘I dated this girl for a month just to have sex with her.

Then I left.

I don’t care about her at all and she was so broken up about it.’”

17

the most valuable player How a coach can make or break a young athlete

18 March 2017 | Issue 4

There are 21 sports offered at Standley Lake, and 21 varsity coaches.

Almost all teams have disagreements with coaches, to the point where coaches might quit halfway through the season or are unable to fill an empty coaching spot until sometimes the day before the season begins.

A lot players play a club sport prior to or while playing in high school. High school players play on behalf of their school but club players play on behalf of an organization. This means club sports are generally more competitive than high school, as many college recruiters reach out to club athletes. However, it doesn’t matter if it’s high school or a club organization, there is still a coach coaching a team. But there is a clear difference between a bad and a good coach.

While many factors can contribute to the judgement the players have of their coach, the attitude of the coach and how he or she deals with conflicts within the team are key in how the coaches earn the respect of their players and build a successful team.

A good coach improves both the team and the athlete’s skills.

A good coach understands a player’s strengths and weaknesses, providing them with optimism and constructive criticism.

This allows a player to grow and understand their shortcomings.

Even before high school, many athletes participate in their sport for years. During that time, these athletes have different coaches and encounter different experiences which impact their will to play in the future. In a study conducted in 2005 by Shields et al. called “The Sport Behavior of Youth, Parents, and Coaches,” 36 percent of coaches working with fifth through eighth graders admitted to yelling angrily at their players for making mistakes.

A bad coach leads to lapses in concentration and missed opportunities by tearing players down, not lifting them up. A bad coach has issue with communication and understanding.

Out of the 7,807,047 high school athletes in the United States, over 1,000 of them are here at Standley Lake High School.

Players who begin playing a sport in their youth, mainly before entering the eighth grade, are in the most important years in making or breaking their decision to continue playing their sport through high school, as their youth is a key time for their mentality and personality to be shaped. If their experiences only revolve around being yelled at for not throwing the ball right or not scoring a goal, they are most likely to quit before they reach high school.

“If you have a mean coach, you won’t want to play anymore and you won’t want to go to practice,” Braden Overholt ‘19 said.

In fact, according to the Sports Business Journal, 70 to 80 percent of athletes quit their sport before they even hit high school.

The Girl’s Soccer team had coaches who were more than effective in improving a player’s skills and mindset. Sophia Brown ‘17 plays both club and high school soccer, and believes her high school coaches have helped her improve as an individual player more than her club coaches.

“I think my club coaches have helped me improve skill and my speed of play,” Brown said. “But my high school coaches have helped me develop different skills of being a ‘team player’, and [bringing] passion to the game for myself and all the players.”

The Girl’s Soccer coach, Derek Cortvriendt has been coaching soccer for several years. He has had a positive impact on Brown, as his style has been different than what Brown is used to in club.

“He is always trying to teach us that we need to improve attacking wise, like taking chances and not being afraid to go

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forward,” Brown said. While Brown still prefers club soccer over high school due to the level of competition, she understands that each coach has their own style they choose to use in order to allow their teams to succeed.

While there are many players here at Standley that love their coaches, many also dislike them for lack of communication, unsuccessful game strategy, or distracting team conflicts. It’s not that all players at Standley hate their coach — it really depends on the player’s preferences and what conflicts they run into while with the team. Standley Lake’s volleyball team had conflicts with the coach that affected the team’s attitude throughout the season.

“She had her moments where it seemed like there were other problems that were affecting her and it wasn’t just us,” Erin Paik ’20 said. Paik was a freshman on Standley Lake’s varsity volleyball team—a rare situation for the program.

Paik joined the team after playing club for many years beforehand, which sparked her passion for the sport. The coach’s pessimism and difficulty communicating negatively affected the team as it made Paik and the others constantly frustrated with themselves, and sometimes each other.

“There were times where I actually thought about quitting the team,” said one player on the team who chose to remain anonymous. “It was hard to feel that way especially since this is a sport that I’ve loved for so long. There were times where I dreaded going to practice because I was afraid coach would have ‘one of those days’ and all we would do is run all practice.”

The volleyball coach recently had to step down from the head coaching position, necessitating the need for a replacement. A teacher at Standley Lake took on the opportunity, and stepped in to be the head coach. Miss Taylor Hillberry, an art teacher, decided to take on the position of head coach for next years’ volleyball program.

Some of the players on the Girls Basketball team had a similar experience when it came to dealing with negativity from the coach, while others had generally positive experiences. Delaney Huetson ‘20, who played on this years’ varsity team, enjoys her teammates but disliked the coach when he got frustrated at them and didn’t encourage them.

he had been adamant about possession and hard work. He understands that we aren’t a team that can expect success — we have to dig deep and sacrifice to earn each and every single win and I appreciate that he reinforces that idea to the team.”

Garcia is a multi-sport athlete like many at Standley Lake.

She has played both basketball and soccer for several years, which meant many opportunities to have different coaches with different coaching styles. But Garcia believes that no matter what sport she was playing, all of her coaches have been useful in helping Garcia grow in each sport.

“A coach who sees potential in a player should always want to push that player and the player should be coachable and take their advice in return.” Camille Garcia ‘17

“He got a little aggravated and made us run and I did not like that,” Huetson said.

Most players do not believe this is a constructive way to improve the team, or their capacity to listen.

Camille Garcia ‘17 was also on this years’ varsity team for Girl’s Basketball, but believed that the coach worked efficiently for the high level the team needed to be at to keep up with the rest of the teams in the top of Jefferson County’s 4A division. “[The coach] has a good and realistic understanding of our team’s capabilities and dynamics,” Garcia said. “This season

20 April 2017 | Issue 5

“I have learned that all I have to offer to coaches is my full effort and heart,” Garcia said. “If that’s not enough for them, then it is what it is. I take it with a grain of salt and with this mindset, am able to make the most out of the situation because I know in my heart that I gave them all that I could offer.”

Garcia utilizes her coaches to allow her to develop her skills. While many prefer a coach who is nice and friendly and tells them how to do something without ever criticizing, Garcia prefers a coach that is hard-headed and holds her accountable.

“I believe that if a coach never corrects you then you’re doing something wrong,” Garcia said. “A coach who sees potential in a player should always want to push that player and the player should be coachable and take their advice in return.”

Many players on the boys basketball team have felt the same about their coaches. Trevor Castro ‘20 is an individual who has had a satisfying involvement, even on the freshman team.

“This game teaches so many life lessons that they will hopefully take with them for the rest of their lives.

Nothing makes me more proud than to hear about my former players successes.” Coach Mike Puccio

“I felt like the coaches pact on my play style on through the rest of days and apply them to

made a big imthat I can carry my high school life,” Castro said.

“I love the relationships I build with these young men,” Puccio said. “This game teaches so many life lessons that they will hopefully take with them for the rest of their lives. Nothing makes me more proud than to hear about my former players successes.”

As an athlete, you play the game because you have a passion for it, or even because it’s just fun for you.

As a coach, you want to improve the player for their future.

Once you join a sport you have one coach who coaches not only you, but a whole team. Coaches can be harsh and maybe you think they are mean but at the end of the day they only want to make you the best player you can be, while also teaching you life lessons of friendships and family. | Jacqui Jankovsky | Christopher Luc | Tate Minch | Kayla Pray

Castro has been playing basketball since the 5th grade and he’s figured out that he enjoys the coaches that have a “team before player” mentality, which allows teammates to improve on their game, in addition to learning life lessons and connecting with their teammates both in and out of the sport.

Hockey had an entertaining season despite the fact that the team finished with a 4-15 record. Braden Overholt ‘19 and Alex Kaiser ‘20 enjoyed their coaches on the team.

“They know what they are doing and they are just really relaxed,” Overholt said. This made them easy to work with which created a great environment for the sport.

“They’re awesome and fun to be around,” Kaiser said. The two players also mentioned they enjoyed high school more than club because they get to go to school with their teammates and get to play on behalf of the school. Additionally, the hockey team only had a varsity team, which allowed the coaches to put more focus in one area.

One athlete who runs cross country has ent opinion. Cross Country has Varsity, JV, and an

a differopen team.

“The coach doesn’t really care about anyone that’s not on varsity,” the athlete said. This makes the sport considerably less enjoyable because the players feel like they are undervalued and that thier concerns are ignored.

Many coaches do things that the players may not like, but many of them see it as a chance for improvement. The coaches want them to be better players now, as well as later in their life. Lee Gibson Jr., who has coached girls basketball for 16 years, uses his coaching style to benefit his players’ improvement.

“I always want my teams to be playing better at the end of the season,” Gibson Jr. said. “[I want them] to show improvement, have fun and always compete.”

In a successful coach- player relationship, communication is a crucial part. If the coach can convey his or her expectations openly, the players can communicate their thoughts or concerns in a safe environment, as opposed to a toxic environment, what many locker rooms can be in danger of turning into. A safe environment provides encouragement, support, which allows individual personalities to thrive and create positive results, according to a 2013 study done by doctors connected to the American Psychological Association.

Standley Lake’s Boys Basketball coach, Mike Puccio, agrees with having a strong player-coach bond.

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22 April 2017 | Issue 5

the power of

mindfulness a closer look at the most powerful organ in the human body The human brain is a three-pound paradox: we use it every moment of our lives, yet so much about the structure remains a mystery to us. As the most powerful organ in the human body, the brain possesses around 100 billion neurons with roughly 1 quadrillion connections wiring these cells together. The most sophisticated, complex, and miraculous piece of equipment ever known to humankind lies right in between your ears. It controls everything you see, say, feel, and do. With such a powerful tool at your disposal, isn’t it your responsibility to understand how it works and how to make it work optimally?

Clearly, humans have so-called specialized functions that rats, or even great apes, do not. So what makes humans so special? The key seems to lie in the prefrontal cortex, the forward-most section of the cerebral cortex, which is the brain’s outermost layer of gray matter. This is the brain’s command and control center, where higher cognitive functions are centralized, including the abilities for thinking, reasoning, believing, planning, and social consciousness-things that set us apart from other animals. The prefrontal cortex is more highly developed in humans than in any other primate, and it may not even exist in other mammals.

Our understanding of the brain is especially important because it is the organ through which we interact with the world that surrounds us. We use our brains to make choices that impact our own lives, those of others, and ultimately the entire planet. | Atul Dhungel | Jenna Hines | Hannah Laughlin | Patty Sokol | Sophia Stimpfl | Jackson Valls

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dream a little dream One of the most mysterious field in science relates to the subject of dreams. Even though science has progressed in this topic recently, there are still many unknown answers, the most prominent question being, “why do we dream?” While there are no direct answers, there are many theories scientists are proposing right now.

Rosalind Cartwright, researcher and professor from Rush University in Chicago, believes “It’s almost like having an internal therapist, because you associate [through dreams] to previous similar feelings, and you work through the emotion related to it so that it is reduced by morning.” Dream helps cope with our stressful life. According to the National Sleep Foundation, humans spend more than two hours dreaming each night. It is no surprise that sleep plays a major role in our life and dream is just a side effect. Psychology teacher Mr. James McAvoy defines dreams in terms of psychological standpoint. He states that “it’s your brain recycling and shedding off the chemical that built up during the day so it’s very rational not any kind of big cosmic meaning or anything.”

People dream 1-2 hours every night. Dreams most often occur during REM sleep, that’s why people recall having their dreams right before they wake up.

24 April 2017 | Issue 5

“

I think dreams are a way for our brains to process information and maybe a way for our brains to prepare potential responses for future situations we may encounter. however, I think more often than not, dreams don’t really mean anything.”

-Kira boatright ‘17

Napping improves stamina, creativity, and reduces stress. Naps boost alertness and improve motor performance, which is why you feel energized after taking one.

mesmerizing memory Our memories give us a sense of self and make us who we are. However, our memories are more than a handful of files locked away in a cabinet for the rest of our lives. While your first day of school may seem like a simple memory. It’s actually a complex construction of multiple memories that span your brain. There are three stages to making and recalling a memory: encoding, storage, and retrieval of information. Brain cells work together in a network to process information. When one cell sends signals to another, the connection between them grows. Here are some tips to help you improve your memory:

1. Read, read, read Yes, this means you might have to open a piece of literature in order to enhance your memory. Reading your textbook, website articles, or even street signs while you're driving will stimulate your brain and in turn, prompt you to gain a better memory.

2. Talk out loud You don’t need to have full conversations with yourself, but try speaking out more throughout the day. Read aloud the book you’re reading or the paper you’re writing. If you are trying to memorize something, say it outloud.

3. listen to music Try turning on your music next time you are studying for your next exam. Music can stimulate auditory nerves within the brain—it is more likely for someone to remember a specific thing when it is associated to one of their senses.

4. Eat properly Fueling the mind and body is an essential element of increasing focus and concentration.

Research has indicated that people memorize much better when they’re well-nourished.

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Logic vs. Emotion:

the difference between the two sides of the brain

Left Side Right Side 12. IMPULSIVE

1. PLanner

You prefer things to be done in a planned orderly way. You write to-do list to help plan out your day.

2. Rational

You’re a rational thinker. You often base your decisions on reason and logic. Your feelings do not get in the way when making a decision.

You’re very spontaneous, keeping track of time isn’t important to you.

1

11. EMOTIONAL

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You tend to ponder and act on your emotions.

2

11

10. creaTIVE 3

You’re very skilled in sports, writing, drawing or playing music.

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3. logical You regularly use structure and reason to evaluate a situation and come to a decision.

4

9. intuitive

1.

9

You solve problems intuitively and don’t like reading directions.

4. precise You’re very exact, accurate and careful about details.

5

8 6

7

You are interested in the unexplained and mysterious stories.

5. realistic You have or show a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or expected.

6. Music critic You prefer to listen to music that is more classical.

26 April 2017 | Issue 5

8. psychic

7. Sound You can study with music or television in the background.

Balance your brain chemistry Many of our various moods are dependent on the different chemicals within our brain. There is much speculation as to why people have emotions.

Multiple theories have been developed, like the Two-Factor theory, stating that we define emotions based on chemicals aroused from physical actions.

However, most scientists think that emotions are just the culmination of changes in one’s environment and the chemical balances within one’s mind.

Defined as, “a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others,” Emotions aren’t the uncontrollable feelings people have as seen in the movies, in fact, emotions can be managed easily. The parietal lobe is the part of the brain that manages pain.

Research under an fMRI machine reveals that the parietal lobe not only controls physical pain, but emotional pain as well. The type of pain you feel when you get broken up with, or get a bad grade on a test. Ibuprofen or other pain killers not only blocks physical pain, but it also blocks emotional pain as well. There are also other ways to prevent negative emotions from affecting the body, like being around positive people and using visualization techniques to find a “happy place”. After all, it’s just a matter of balancing out chemicals in the brain.

Smell your oils: Your aromatherapy guide to managing emotions

verbal expression, lavender calms inseLavender - Aiding curities and fears of being seen and heard. The

scent of lavender can help with constrictedness and tenseness by helping make the body and the mind more calm.

with development of knowledge and Rosemary - Assisting intellect, rosemary encourages individuals to dig deeper. Rosemary’s aroma helps when you’re feeling confused, having difficulty adjusting to new surroundings, and difficulties with with learning.

invigorates the mind while increasPeppermint - Peppermint ing joy — giving the feeling of gliding through life. A peppermint scent helps when you’re feeling heavy, pessimistic, or muddled.

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When Was The Last Time...

you were truly happy?

Really think about. When was the last time you were truly happy. Think about a time when you were not stressed out over a project, an essay that’s due in a few hours, or when you thought the world was out to get you and it was the worst week of your life. High school is suppose to be the time of your life, and you only get to experience it once. If you spend all your time doing homework, working at your job, or staying inside, you aren’t doing it right. Spend time with your friends, go places, see things, do things that truly make you happy. Spend this year as if it was the last year of your life because as bad as 2016 was, you can control your life and make it how you want to. So really think about it, when were you truly happy? | Ty Milliken

you were you got satisfied? enough sleep?

you stepped out of your comfort zone?

Think about it: Did you ever do something you were proud of when you were in autopilot mode?

Personally, sometimes I feel as if I’m trapped in this bubble; aimlessly going through the motions, and wasting time with the same boring routine.

We’re wired to seek out comfort, which is why it’s so hard to let it go. But it’s difficult to expand and understand your boundaries by sticking to the same old thing. Tackling a new skill or taking an adventure that scares you a little helps you grow.

Newsflash: Life is out there waiting. It exists beyond the bubble of your own personal thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Your real life is the sum total of ALL of your experiences, not just the one’s you’re comfortable with. Taking risks, regardless of their outcome, are growth experiences. Even if you make mistakes or don’t get it right the first time there’s always these experiences you’ve had to tap into for the future. You are capable of so much more than you think, you’ll just never know until you try. | Patty Sokol

28 April 2017 | Issue 5

It is human nature to want more and more, even if we continue to get what we long for. Occasionally, we aren’t just selfish people wanting things we don’t actually need. At times, self acceptance and even just happiness is what we need, but something we never actually crave. We never realize that being disappointed or comparing yourself to others is a cry for help to love or find yourself. So, in a society of an obscured distinction between want and need, make a change you know is your need. Know you don’t need to be in a top paying job field or top class to succeed in this world. Know you don’t need perfect hair or to be a certain shade of skin color to be beautiful. Know your own needs.

Pursue your own satisfaction.

Teenagers, on average, need about eight to ten hours of sleep every single night to function at their best. When was the last time you got enough sleep? Getting the right amount of sleep every night is really hard, especially with a busy schedule. Nearly six out of every ten kids are involved in an extracurricular activity of some sort, such as sports, clubs or volunteering, taking up at least two hours of the day. Teachers assign an average of three and a half hours of homework every night for normal classes, and at least five hours with additional honors and AP classes. At this point, that’s at least seven hours gone, not including the additional eight hours for school. You also need time to eat, socialize, bathe and not to mention the hour it takes to put on makeup. Now, with more than sixteen hours of your day gone, make sure you’re prioritizing so you get at least eight hours of sleep so your brain can function correctly. | Jacqui Jankovsky

| Karsen Schmidt

you saw the sparkle in someone’s eye?

Have you noticed their face lighting up when their favorite song comes on in the car, or how their smile widens when they get a good test grade back, or how their mood is lifted when they can finally breathe after the stress of a school day is lifted at night. Noticing these small but wonderful qualities can change the way you look at a person, and at yourself. These beautiful, simple, intriguing qualities that you so easily see in others, are also being noticed about you. The way your teeth chatter when it drops just below 40 degrees, or the way your forehead becomes dotted with freckles in the summer, and how laughing really hard makes your eyes dot with tears. So next time someone’s bubbling laugh becomes apparent to you, take notice, and try to realize that yours is just the same; all your own, and always incredible. | Nyah Wynkoop

abandoning adolescence As college creeps up, childhood fades away I drive down my neighborhood sometimes and think about how barren it looks. All the blinds on all the houses are shut, the garages are closed, and the park up the street is empty. I remember when the streets in my neighborhood were filled with kids, riding their bikes in the summer and throwing snowballs at each other in the winter.

Before I go off to college, I want to revisit my childhood. Growing old is mandatory, yet growing up is optional. Just because I will be eighteen doesn’t mean I’m automatically an adult; so it doesn’t mean I can’t still eat red, white, and blue popsicles while sitting in my driveway watching the sun go down at almost eight o’clock at night.

My childhood was filled with barbeques with the neighbors and dirty feet from running barefoot all summer long. I remember playing games at a park that we spent twenty minutes on our bikes just to find. know that the red, white, and blue popsicles were my favorite, even though we only got them on special occasions.

Even though I want to do all these things, it doesn’t mean that I will have the opportunity too. As much as I hate to say it, all these childhood memories are replaced by long hours at work followed by laying in bed from a stressful day.

Now, the old neighbors I used to hang out with have drifted apart from us. The houses are shut in and the driveway isn’t covered with colorful drawings in chalk.

This past summer, it was rare that I saw the neighborhood kids outside and running around in their flip flops and jean shorts. The park was empty almost all the time and the bikes were just stored away on the side of the houses.

Growing old is mandatory, yet growing up is optional.

I still wonder to myself, is this our generation’s fault? I think about how the kids now have traded in chalk for iPads and bikes for video games. Then I think about how I, too, have traded in some of those fun outdoor activities for things that require me to be tucked away inside.

As I sit at my computer, typing in netflix.com into the search engine to turn on my guilty pleasure show, I feel some sort of vexation that I decided to do this rather than jump on a bike and ride ten miles.

As I picture myself acting like a kid again, my thoughts are stopped by the realization that I will never have time to sit in my driveway because of all the “adult” responsibilities I now have.

The part where we grow old indicates that we are now able to handle things on our owns. Paying for college, then eventually a house, and pretty soon children of our own. There is no time to act like a child.

Or so they say.

We all have this picture of how our life is going to turn out. Instead of focusing so much on what there is ahead of us, focus on what we are leaving behind. Sure it will be great to be eighteen with no care in the world. But it’s important to remember a time when you didn’t have a plan, you didn’t know what was going to happen, and instead focused on what your next chalk drawing was. | Hannah Jensen

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opinions

“just Kidding” isn’t enough

The fine line separating humor and verbal abuse Since the day you entered pre-school, you’ve been taught that it’s not nice to call people ugly, fat, stupid; that it’s not okay to tell someone to jump off a bridge, get a life, or take their own.

You’ve also been taught that overreacting, not being able to laugh at yourself when people pry into your insecurities, not being able to take the joke, makes you overly sensitive—and maybe this is the reason why you haven’t spoken up.

Throwing a “just kidding” after your jab doesn’t suddenly make that fat-joke completely okay. Claiming you were “just joking” when you told a friend how stupid they are doesn’t stop them from doubting their self-worth.

The truth is, you don’t know how someone will react when you use them as the butt of your disparaging joke. You don’t know if they’re okay underneath the laugh they’re putting on for show. You don’t know which comment they’ll brush off and which comment will leave them in tears. You don’t know.

This type of hurt is just as painful as other forms of bullying—whether it being tripping, shoving, or punching—and should be taken just as seriously. Sticks and stones may break some bones, but remember; words will never leave you.

What seems innocent and lighthearted to a joker with good intentions always has the possibility of being misconstrued as a cruel wound to the target.

So what makes you think that it’s acceptable to tell the person you’re insulting whether that jibe was funny or not? Whether or not you claim to be joking doesn’t negate the impact of something you would never say to someone without that “just kidding”.

A joke is never just a joke. There are consequences to every remark, every blow, every slur that comes out of your mouth.

What seems innocent and lighthearted to a joker with good intentions always has the possibility of being misconstrued as a cruel wound to the tar-

30 April 2017 | Issue 5

get. “Just kidding” isn’t an excuse to tell a friend what an idiot they are, and still feel like a good person. “I’m just playing” isn’t justification for telling someone to kill themselves. “Can’t you take a joke?” is a cop-out for taking responsibility for the damage you’ve unintentionally inflicted upon someone.

Normalizing this type of verbal abuse makes it only a matter of time before the carefree remarks turn into something more sinister; something with greater implications. The fact is, we disregard those offensive blows as long as they’re followed by a “just kidding.” We accept that basic respect isn’t relevant when someone didn’t “actually mean” what they said.

Then, when the casualty chooses to show how affected they were, rarely do they find support in a world where “hypersensitive” people aren’t given the reassurance they desperately need.

I’m not trying to say that you should never ever joke around with your friends again, but taking a moment to think about whether that punchline—regardless of if you claim to be kidding—is more unkind than funny. It just might save someone from tears, from doubt, from doing something they can never take back. | Aimee Yan

Presence of Mind (and Actions) Making the effort to lead a life in sincerity a staff editorial Things aren’t always as they seem.

We learn this time and time again, always telling ourselves we’ll see it coming the next time, that we’ll be prepared. But we never are.

Life often catches us on its many crests when we least expect it.

And as ever-growing people, we define our lives over time. In that time, things can change extensively or not at all. In spite of that, we have a responsibility to keep root with our hearts and always strive to be the best version of ourselves.

It’s a hard thing to do.

Political officials, our parents, even our greatest role models do not always overcome this challenge.

Sometimes they falter, sometimes they contradict themselves, and sometimes the things they say and do are disingenuous. But we all lose our footing at times and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

But we must recognize that this life really serves as one shot to get it right. Our choices are doubleedged and send ripples through everything we do.

the reflections we see staring back at us in the mirror each morning.

You determine whether that reflection is something you admire or not.

People change, for better and for worse but that does not mean life serves as a green light for insincerity. We ask you to realize this; hold yourself accountable, your friends, siblings, parents, teachers, president.

we have a responsibility to keep root with our hearts and always strive to be the best version of ourselves.

We here at The Lake realize the impact and importance of our role in all of this—not just as students, not just as journalists, but as people. And the stories we’ve covered in this issue range from the decisions we make, how, and what consequences might arise from those choices.

Everything we say and do accounts for who we are and attributes to

The current atmosphere in our society requires that we keep in tune with one another and emanate patience and understanding towards each other. We must do this to dampen the mistrust that pollutes the world and drives people to embrace intolerance.

The more effort you put into approaching people with the utmost sincerity and concern for their position in life, the more willing they may be to do the same for you.

Imagine the effect that behavior would have.

So maybe instead of aimlessly attacking someone each time they cross you, confront them with honesty and openness. Recognize that you might not be the root of that anger, but that it’s still not acceptable for them to treat you that way.

Let the cliche “say what you mean and mean what you say” stand because while so many hateful things are said each day, wonderful things that shouldn’t be are kept on the inside.

We cannot rely on each other to improve the world if we can’t rely on ourselves first.

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The Standley Lake Boosters are pleased to announce that for the academic year 2016-17, we will have four $500 scholarships that will be awarded to senior SLHS students and/or SLAB members*.

For Application Information go to www.standleylakeboosters.com and click on the link to the scholarship information on the front page.

The submission includes answering a few questions and submitting a short essay.

Applications/Essays must be submitted to the SLHS office by end of school day, May 1, 2017.

The scholarship recipients will be announced at the Academic and Athletic Awards Ceremony to be held on Monday, May 15, 2017.

The applicant must be a Standley Lake High School student in their senior year or be a member of SLAB*.

This scholarship opportunity is open to all senior students (involvement in athletics is not a requirement)

*SLAB membership is obtained by paying the annual membership fee of $20 for the 2016/17school year. All household members are covered under a single household membership. 100% of Membership dues are used to support this scholarship fund.

Contact person is Leo Paik (using this email slhs.boosters@gmail.com).