The Eyrie: December 11, 2020

NEWS DECEMBER 11, 2020

What’s inside?

Holiday Magic continues, despite the pandemic

Remote vs. Hybrid: Which should you choose?

04

03 How to get festive without getting Covid

First time voters share experiences

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2020 Eyrie Staff

Editor-In-Chief Alex Burbidge Managing Editors Mark Elliot Grace Price Copy Editors Cael Baumgarten Emily Gray Layout Editor Gagani Liyanawaduge Photo Editor Alek Mackey Business Manager Morgan Montgomery Social Manager Skye Pancer Adviser Heather Springer 2 THE EYRIE

Reporters Gianna Comelli Lola Cooper Alyssa Fleming Avery Hoisington Melody Jiang Scott Letourneau Gavin McAferty Megan Proberts Dalton Roberts Corey Rott Skylar Saragusa Ember Schroer Sydney Slaton Fletcher Smith Jalil Smith Abby Wallace

Teachers and By: Avery Hoisington

When it comes to turning in assignments or updating grades when remote learning, many teachers choose to use Synergy, or StudentVUE as recommended by the district. However, many students complain about teachers not updating grades, the website or app not working, issues with Zoom meeting links, trouble logging in, or the website being difficult in general.

“I personally dislike StudentVue because it is so confusing. I have had problems turning in assignments in the past and am glad that all of my teachers who have regular homework decided to use alternatives. At this point, I don’t know if StudentVue is worth saving. I appreciated the district trying to create an easy to access platform where students can go to turn in all of their assignments, but that doesn’t help students if the website doesn’t work. At the end of the day, I believe that using better platforms to complete homework was a smart option and I’m glad that the district realized this and let teachers use other websites where students can complete assignments,” Videl Nelson said.

Holiday By: Scott Letourneau

Photographers Gracie Akers Phoebe Blair Abby Burkhart Danielle Desmarteau Katie George Lineiry Melendez Jordyn Napier-Johnson James Neely Edsel Quintana Puente Anna Palacio Daniel Palacio Olivia Pierce Ethan Runyan Erika Schadegg Mikayla Skaggs Kate Tankersley Photo by Anna Palacio

DECEMBER 11, 2020 NEWS

d students alike struggle with StudentVue

At the start of school in September, when all of the middle and high schools were remote learning, students needed to adjust to the new application in order to complete their assignments.

Students had been using Google Classroom for years before the changes this fall.

“We were so used to using Google Classroom every day. When we started using Synergy, it was really confusing and I still don’t understand it,” Jenna Ginden said, (sophomore.

In a recent poll, out of 25 students, 21 of them said that they preferred to use Google Classroom compared to StudentVUE, and only four said that they preferred StudentVUE.

“It is really easy to see my grades but is so confusing how to turn stuff in. Also, some teachers take forever to grade, Chloe Weber said, (sophomore).

This year, remote teachers throughout the district have had to switch to a different method of grading. Teachers have faced problems with posting grades and creating assignments for their students. One remote english

teacher, Ms. Erin Foushee, has decided to use Google Classroom exclusively.

“As a remote teacher I have students from all five high schools.

Each high school, each hour has its own gradebook. This means that in Synergy, I have 25 gradebooks. At the beginning of the year I was entering a 1 point assignment for all of my classes. To get through all 25 gradebooks, shifting through screens, schools, and hours, it took me 34 minutes to enter a 1 or a 0 for all of my students. That didn’t include grading time. This was an ineffective use of time so when the district allowed me to use Google Classroom, I was quite relieved,” Foushee said.

Google Classroom is a user friendly system as well.

“Its general format is already set so I didn’t have to set it up as much.

I have also used it for years and many of my students have used it as well so there’s the familiarity benefit as well.

All of my work is saved on my personal Google Drive so it is very easy for me to post materials and work from there on GC. Synergy struggled to connect with Google Drive,” Foushee said.

It is an annual Olathe South tradition for the performing arts departments to host a week of performances in early December to celebrate the holiday season, and this year will not be an exception. The Holiday Magic performing arts event will be a week of evening performances from the Olathe South band, choir, and orchestra in that order, lasting from Dec. 7 – Dec. 11.

The main concern for performing arts staff and students is how they can safely perform the Holiday Magic show during the 2020-2021 school year, and apparently, they still do not have a concise answer.

“I’m not quite sure what our performance plans are yet for this year,” junior southside singer Rowan Farha said, “We’ll have to wait and see what Covid numbers are looking like and hope for the best.”

The rehearsal process has been adjusted as well. In addition to their

in-person class time, performing arts students in band, orchestra, and choir are required to attend the other hybrid session virtually through Zoom. This is to ensure that students are practicing at home and to prepare them for their performances.

“Our rehearsal process is half virtual now, and it’s really odd having technical issues when you’re trying to sing,” Farha said, “But I still love it as much as other years.”

Despite the addition of multiple sessions, the rehearsal process has, for the most part, remained unchanged.

“It’s pretty much the same minus social distancing, masks and bell covers,” senior trombonist Mathew Hufford said, “We still play, practice, and work on improving our skills.”

Although the teachers have not set anything in stone, a live stream of the

Photo courtesy of Synergy

Prior to the beginning of this semester, the Olathe School District decided to invest in Synergy, the parent company of StudentVue, as the district learning managment system. Initially, the district required all assignments to go through Synergy, a decision they later reversed.

Magic performs virtually

students performing at school that can be watched at home has been a common suggestion.

“We don’t know how we are going to perform this winter because we haven’t had a set answer from the district,” Hufford said, “But it looks like it would be a livestream or a recording that would be sent to the parents that would be performed either in the gym or the auditorium for proper social distancing.”

Despite whatever the performing guidelines will be, the performing arts students will continue to strive for excellence in whatever they do, whether that is Holiday Magic or practicing a song in class for the first time.

“We are simply trying to learn, have fun, and spread a bit of joy through music,” Hufford said, “Regardless of if it is ‘Christmas’ or ‘Kwanza’ music.”

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FEATURE DECEMBER 11, 2020

Remote vs in person: which is best for you?

By: Grace Price

With the rise in coronavirus cases, many districts were forced to adapt to a new learning model which split students between taking classes either at home or in person. Each method has proven to have both clear benefits as well as drawbacks, resulting in the best fit for each student depending on social need, preferred method of teaching and level of risk if they contracted the virus.

In person learning has a clear advantage in allowing for better socialization. Students are able to visit with their peers face to face rather than through a screen.

However, many students still find seeing their friends a challenge as in person students have been split into morning and afternoon sessions. Compared to the isolation of learning from home though, it offers a solution to loneliness.

For remote learning, the closest example students have to communicating without a teacher present is in breakout rooms. While in the main session, students never have an opportunity to speak with their friends as the entire class hears everything and only one person can speak at a time. Breakouts rooms would be a solution, however, many students have found that the rooms are awkward and silent and they generally do not know the students they are paired with well enough to begin a conversation.

Overall, communication for remote students is strained and inconsistent compared to in person.

Whereas a student in the

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classroom can approach a teacher with a question, remote students rely solely on emails and the hope that a teacher will notice the Zoom chat before class is over.

Additionally, some classes have a hybrid model with teachers having students both in the classroom and on Zoom.

Remote students often get overlooked or feel ignored as a teacher is more likely to notice a hand raised in front of them than one in a little blurry box on their computer.

So for students with a desire for a healthy social setting, in person is a better choice.

However, remote learning has its benefits as well. For example, students in remote learning get to stay in the comfort of their homes and don’t have to worry about getting up early to commute to school. Also, when classes finish a lesson early, remote students can play games or go outside whereas in person students have to sit in a classroom.

This allows for a greater sense of freedom.

Remote students can use their own bathroom and eat food from their own kitchen, whereas at school, in-person learners are kept under strict guidelines and have little to no flexibility with their movement.

Probably the greatest appeal to remote learning is the reduced risk of contracting the coronavirus. According to the CDC, students at in-person learning still have a medium risk when every person in the building follows the new guidelines perfectly, ie wearing masks all day, frequently cleaning desks and materials, and

Photo by Ethan Runyan

Mr. Schwarz instructs during a video production class. During hybrid, all students and staff had to wear masks in class. maintaining six foot distances in classes. Even with masks, transmission is still possible.

A definite drawback to remote learning is having to stare at a computer all day, which can lead to eye strain and headaches. In person students have a more connected learning environment as well since they are in the room with their teacher. This provides more engaging and personalized teaching, versus a feeling of disconnect when a teacher is speaking to a screen full of black boxes.

Having access to Zoom as a classroom setting can be a blessing as well as a hindrance though. On a positive side, it allows teachers to easily record the lesson as they teach it on screen.

However, it can also allow for a lot of technology trouble, especially for students and teachers unfamiliar with the software. There are also frequent issues with webcams and microphones, which is the main element of remote classrooms.

Being on Zoom also gives remote students access to the internet while in class. This

can be an aid in finding information for certain classes, but also a huge distraction and possible method for cheating.

When comparing in person and remote learning, a topic frequently brought up is the effect on mental health.

With a challenging year and pandemic, school adds another source of stress. Many adults fear that students’ mental health will deteriorate when in remote learning as it isolates students from daily interactions with their peers.

This concern is valid for both learning groups though. While remote students may feel isolated, in person students also have the challenge of adapting to a new environment and learning to let go of the school they were previously adjusted to. No more dances, constant masks and regulations being enforced, and almost no semblance of freedom. That can be just as damaging.

Both options provide unique challenges, so students will have to decide which method is better for their learning style.

DECEMBER 11, 2020 FEATURE

New principals optimistic in new year

By: Morgan Montgomery

In the 2020-21 school year, Olathe South has two new administrators, head principal Dr. Dale Longnecker and assistant principal Mrs. Rachel Jetton.

Prior to Olathe South, Dr. Longnecker had experience as a head principal.

“I just came off 30 years in the Missouri side, just over in Park Hill, just across the river, in Missouri.

But I was 30 years of Park Hill, I taught for eight. I taught algebra and computer science. And then I was an assistant principal for eight years. And then I was the head principal for 14 years.

Park Hill South is a little smaller than Olathe South,” Longnecker said.

Mrs. Jetton had no prior experience as an administrator, however, she was an intern.

“I started teaching [math] and coaching right out of college and I was in that role for six years and then last year I was an intern,” Jetton said.

While she continued to teach Falcon Flight Crew and coach cheer, most of Jetton’s days last year were spent in the front office.

“I was a 504 case manager and did numerous things up here just to try to actually get the experience” Jetton said.

Though Jetton loved

teaching, she wanted to have more of an impact.

“I wanted to be in a position where I could touch more kids and help them develop and grow and just have more of an impact on our community,” Jetton said.

Jetton earned her master’s in school leadership before spending last school year as an intern.

“At that point, I knew ‘this is where I wanted to be’. I just felt like I had done what I needed to in the classroom and I just wanted the opportunity to reach more students and reach more of our community. And luckily I got to stay at South, which I’m so invested in because I’ve been here since I graduated from college, so this is like my home.” Jetton said.

Longnecker just arrived at South over the summer and is loving it thus far.

“The people, the staff, the climate, the Falcon family, that whole kind of culture piece, I love that, building a healthy school climate is so important. And to be able to come into a place that had that going on, that was awesome. Everybody’s incredibly friendly, the whole community. Just when you get into that the kids are great. The staff’s been wonderful. Olathe South is an awesome place,” Longenecker said.

Starting at a new school hasn’t been easy for Longnecker, but he’s working it out.

“Often the kids don’t even know who I am.

You know, I walked down the hall, and I chat with [the students and they] just think some crazy old man’s talking to [them]. It’s been hard starting a new job as an old person. And you’ve got to learn all these new names and faces and new kids. And there’s a lot of new people.

Everybody’s got a mask covering up their face. So that really doesn’t help things as you move into [a new school],” said Longnecker.

For Jetton, the best part of being an assistant principal is helping to guide the students.

“I would say the best part is watching kids, as adults, we have all made mistakes and we remember those mistakes that we made back when we were in high school and now it’s a whole new level because of social media.

There are just so many things that weren’t around when I was in high school, and I’m not that old...I love mentoring them and helping them navigate this thing called life, which is so, so complicated, and helping them make decisions,” Jetton said.

Although Jetton has achieved her goal of being assistant principal, she’s not stopping there, as she hopes to someday be a head principal.

“[Being a head principal is] one of my long term goals for sure. I’m excited to learn under Dr. Longnecker because he has been a principal for a very long time, and he has such great ideas, so I would hope

to become a head principal at some point,” Jetton said.

The hardest part for Jetton is the negative connotation that comes with being principal.

“One thing is, I hate that some students feel like they only go to their principal when they’re in trouble.

When I show up in a classroom, everyone’s looking around thinking, who’s going to get in trouble and I’m not used to that, so my goal is to let students know that you’re not only going to see me when you’re in trouble, I want to celebrate with you when something great happens,” Jetton said.

The hardest part for Longnecker has been trying to deal with the learning gaps created by COVID.

“There’s going to be learning gaps, we’ve had to adjust our curriculum. So like algebra 1’ is not gonna have all the same stuff that it did last year. And they pare it down to just the essential things we’ve got, the district had a really good plan on that going into it, you know, what our priority standards are. So those are all predefined. But as we move forward, there’s going to be learning gaps this year is not going to look like last year.

And so when we get to next year and start to build off those classes, that there’s going to be hiccups as we move forward. Like, oh, we didn’t get as far in this class. And so the next class has to pick it up. And we’re gonna have to manage that for a couple years,” Longnecker said.

Both new principals are dealing with challenges, but they’re facing them headon and powering through the year, despite the circumstances.

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PHOTO DECEMBER 11, 2020

TOP LEFT Brenden Ebeling, junior, fries chicken during Culinary Essentials.

The cooking classes took the opportunity of the hybrid schedule to complete as many labs as possible.

PHOTO BY Gracie Akers TOP RIGHT English teacher Bailey Hightower presents a lesson on introductory paragraphs to her sophomore English class.

PHOTO BY Ethan Runyan RIGHT Zach Richards, saxophone; Kara Schlenk, and Nick Newton, horn, practice for the winter concert.

Students in music ensembles adapted to the coronavirus restrictions by using new masks and bell covers that allowed the instruments to be played but limited the spread of potentially infectious particles.

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DECEMBER 11, 2020 PHOTO

ABOVE Madison Smith tests one of the multiple materials Mr. Burkett assigned for a “fire lab.� Students tested a variety of materials to see how each would react to a flame. Some chemicals produced vibrant colors when exposed to the flame.

PHOTO BY Jordyn Napier LEFT Emma Knappenberger, senior, and Mr. Schwarz film the weekly announcements during video production class.

Falcon Films produced a weekly video throughout the different learning modes.

PHOTO BY Gracie Akers

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FEATURE DECEMBER 11, 2020

Celebrating during Covid-19 By:Skye Pancer

Coronavirus has taken a toll on the entire world, spreading to and infecting millions of people, 69.1 million worldwide cases to be exact. While there are over 1.57 million deaths in the world with confirmed cases rising by thousands each day, everyone is questioning how exactly they’re going to see their family over this upcoming holiday season.

While some are ignoring the pandemic and planning to fly so they can come together as families, others are trying to figure out ways to stay safe and continue to reach each other while still being apart.

Here are a few ways to virtually connect with your family over the holidays.

Let’s start with the easiest and most obvious way: a

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video call.

Even without phone service, there are several apps that you can use if you only have WiFi, such as Zoom, Skype, Google Duo, and several more. Video calls where you get to see all of your family while also doing activities with them, in return helps by reducing risks of exposure and the spread of Covid-19. If you’re on a video call, you can make cookies together and decorate them, make hot chocolate, or even have dinner.

There are apps such as Kast and Google Chrome extensions like Teleparty that are easy to use for watching your favorite holiday movies together while staying apart!

If you have someone here with you, such as a significant other or even

the family you live with, you guys can go get some warm drinks and drive around to see the holiday lights, maybe even go up to the plaza!

While it won’t be exactly the same, I think it’s better than the risk of traveling. Flying itself has many risks, especially if someone’s flying between countries; you could expose or be exposed to COVID.

Now, most people have relatives that live in other parts of the country, whether it be in the Pacific Northwest, the Deep South, or California coast, all of these places have been badly hit by this virus. They all still face the same issues and dangers; exposing or being exposed, and that’s terrifying. Many people don’t know or understand that even while being young they

are still at risk. Of course, these are people who aren’t at as much risk as our elder family members but, as we know, every single person is at risk with this virus. There are millions of people with health issues, and, knowing all health issues can be hard, maybe flying -or traveling in general- may not be the safest bet.

These days, everyone is facing their own problems; 2020 itself has been an awful year, and with Covid having come to light during the holidays in 2019, we suspect holidays in 2020 will bring a huge surge of new cases and deaths.

This could be awful for family members but, Skyping or Zoom calling could make separation during the holiday season better, even if it’s just a little bit.

DECEMBER 11, 2020 FEATURE

Opinion: In person learning dangerous to students and staff

Half-time a blessing and curse for teachers

By: Cael Baumgarten

COVID-19 has altered the schedules of teachers just as much as students, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

Though many teachers still see students throughout the whole school day, others have seen their time in class cut in half and below. Lauren Hannon, half-time sophomore English teacher, teaches three classes in the afternoon and enjoys the extra time she has at home in the morning.

“In the mornings I am with my son, Hayes,” Hannon said. “I loved being at work the full day, because I absolutely love teaching, but half-time is a better balance for my personal life and professional life. I love the moments I am able to share with Hayes and be a more present mom.”

Other teachers also see the benefit of the shortened schedule. Gunnar Williams, halftime photography teacher, feels similarly; the extra time allows for more productivity and time for relaxing.

“I like working in the morning and getting done early,” Williams said. “If I need to catch up on school work I do that.

Sometimes I grab one of my cameras and go looking for things to photograph. I also just might binge a show at home hanging out with my

dog Duchess.”

However, less time at school, naturally, leads to lessened compensation.

Therein lies the biggest setback to halftime teaching.

“It isn’t full time,” Williams said. “Mrs. Williams and I are saving for a house, so full time would be good.”

For some, however, the negatives far outweigh the positives. Amy Razor, remote geometry teacher, teaches more classes under the hybrid schedule.

“Since the fall semester of 2015, I have taught 1st, 3rd, and 4th hour, so I was just at school in the morning,” Razor said. This is my first year with a change, and now the hybrid schedule also causes me to have to teach in the mornings and afternoons.”

The increased intensity of her new schedule has made life a good bit more difficult for Razor, disproportionately so, considering she teaches part-time.

“I already knew that being a part-time teacher wouldn’t really be ‘parttime,’” Razor said. During this school year I usually put in 50+ work hours per week.

The reason I teach part time is because I have Multiple Sclerosis. Stress is a big trigger for my MS symptoms.

Our current hybrid schedule is not sustainable for most (if not all) teachers.”

By Skylar Saragusa

After three weeks of hybrid learning, schools were shut down after cases spread like wild-fire throughout Olathe. With Christmas break coming and the end of the semester creeping up, administrators are struggling to decide what school should look like after break, and whether or not to return to hybrid learning.

Returning to inperson school is a disaster waiting to happen, which is why schools should remain closed and online learning should prevail. The number of COVID-19 cases and lack of control in lessening these numbers in the United States is enough to show why staying home is necessary, but Olathe schools have done plenty to show why remote learning is the only safe option.

One of the main reasons Olathe schools were forced to close was due to staffing issues. Many teachers were absent after being exposed to COVID-19. Once exposed, students and staff in Olathe schools must quarantine for 14 days. This meant that schools had to try and find substitutes that would be willing to teach until the teacher could come back to school. During a regular school year it’s hard enough to find teachers to cover classes for a day, let alone finding substitutes to cover for two weeks. I don’t blame these substitutes either, as it seems risky to come into contact with a group of students you’ve never seen before.

It’s hard to know if every student is following the COVID-19 guidelines outside of school, and whether or not the students have been exposed. We can’t expect this issue to change, regardless of whether or not the number of cases start to lessen and Olathe is no longer in the red zone. It’s too soon to expect substitutes to be willing to step in for teachers who are absent. Plus, unless substitutes are being tested before being allowed to step-in, we don’t know if that substitute has been exposed or not as well.

Another problem with in-person learning is Olathe schools’ lack of regulation in regards to COVID-19. Some stores, such as Walmart, are taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by taking employees’ temperatures when they report for work, according to Walmart Corporate. While this is not always an accurate way to determine whether or not a person has COVID-19, as there are asymptomatic carriers and other types of symptoms, it is a precaution that should still be taken in schools.

Read the full story at Eyrieonline.org! Scan for the direct link.

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PHOTO DECEMBER 11, 2020

TOP LEFT Nick Newton, senior, votes in the Olathe School District mock election on Nov. 2. President elect Joe Biden recieved 49.8% of the South vote, while President Trump recieved 41.2%.

PHOTO BY Alek Mackey TOP RIGHT Austin Allen records his part of a speech in video production class.

The class produced a video that was later posted to their YouTube channel.

PHOTO BY Gracie Akers RIGHT Misto Coro rehearses during a hybrid learning day. Choral classes wore special masks designed to allow singing as comfortably as possible while still preventing particle spread. The choirs also had to take a break every 30 minutes to allow the room to clear out.

PHOTO BY Jordyn Napier

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DECEMBER 11, 2020 PHOTO

ABOVE Fox4 anchor Kera Mashek reports on the rally happening outside of the Olathe School Board meeting on Sept. 9.

Various groups gathered to support in person learning, the #NotYourDaughter movement, and fall sports.

PHOTO BY Anna Palacio LEFT Sophomore Dan Palacio holds up a sign during a rally before the Olathe School Board meeting on Sept. 9.

Palacio, a football player, holds a sign in support of the #NotYourDaughter movement, which aims to protect students from child predators.

PHOTO BY Anna Palacio

THE EYRIE 11

FEATURE

DECEMBER 11, 2020

First

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DECEMBER 11, 2020 FEATURE

By: Emily Gray

time voters

Voting for the first time is a pivotal moment in a young adult’s life.

It is a time to make voices heard when, previously, it may not have been possible to do so. For Nina Tasic, senior, voting in the 2020 election was critical in order to create the change she wanted to see.

“I wanted to vote because I wanted to help see to it that someone who cares about the people living in this country gets into office,” Tasic stated.

“I believe that a change in leadership in this country is long overdue, and the best way I could help make this change happen was by voting.”

Tasic never questioned whether or not she was going to vote and she didn’t have anyone trying to influence her to vote one way or another.

“The people in my life never pushed me to vote, let alone pushed me to ‘vote red or blue.’ I have just always understood that it is my duty as a citizen to vote—and not just with myself in mind,” Tasic said. “If we do not vote, we have no way of letting our representatives know that we are facing issues we need help resolving. In a democracy, not voting is giving up power that we are entitled to. This can be detrimental, especially to a whole country when electing an official that is supposed to lead and represent it.”

Kelly Yake, ‘20 and Megan Stoerman, ‘20, also believe that voting is an important part of becoming an adult.

“It’s very important to vote because it’s key for people’s voices to be heard,” Yake stated.

“Many individuals, women

especially, throughout the world do not have the right to vote so I think that it is my duty to vote for everyone that does not have a voice. We should know how privileged we are as Americans to have the ability to have a say in our government, as many people in the world do not have this privilege,” Stoerman said.

Tasic and Yake agree that voting is the way to get voices heard and to make a change where there needs to be one.

“People should be able to get a say in things that will affect them and how they live. If someone chooses not to vote they are just allowing anything to happen without a say. But, even if someone doesn’t vote the way I do at least the people are being heard,” Yake said.

“I think it is very, very important to vote because voting allows people to come together, make their voices heard, and elect representatives they believe will help bring about necessary, positive change,” Tasic stated.

Stoerman and Tasic want others to make sure their voices are heard as well and encourage other young people to go out and vote.

“If I knew someone was not going to vote, I would encourage them to vote for the sake of others. To be specific, I would encourage them to vote for members of their community who are also members of marginalized communities.

We must learn to step outside of ourselves and be voices for those who have lost theirs or are afraid to use theirs. If you were lying on the ground, needing help to get back on your feet, you would

not want to be ignored, would you?

You would want a hand to help you get back on your feet. Be that hand for other people in your community; vote,” Tasic said.

Stoerman had similar feelings.

“I would sort of guilt-trip them but not excessively because I also believe that it is a decision that everyone has to make for themselves and they should not be pressured into it because that is not right, nor fundamentally aligned with a democracy is where everyone has the right to do what they want, within limits,” Stoerman stated.

All three strongly believe that, no matter who you vote for, making an educated vote based on change that others want to see is the most important aspect of voting.

“To be frank, vote and vote with compassion and empathy. But, before you do, do your research. You have so many resources at your disposal. Overall, do what you can to help yourself become better informed. Do not believe in something your friends or family tell you just because it came from them. Strive to learn, be open, make decisions on your own accord, and make decisions that will not just benefit you, but those around you,” Tasic said.

“When your time comes, please rise to the occasion. Your peers are counting on you, strangers are counting on you, older generations are counting on you to take the torch, uphold this democracy, and make the world a better place for everyone in it.”

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FEATURE

DECEMBER 11, 2020

First

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DECEMBER 11, 2020 FEATURE

By: Emily Gray

time voters

Voting for the first time is a pivotal moment in a young adult’s life.

It is a time to make voices heard when, previously, it may not have been possible to do so. For Nina Tasic, senior, voting in the 2020 election was critical in order to create the change she wanted to see.

“I wanted to vote because I wanted to help see to it that someone who cares about the people living in this country gets into office,” Tasic stated.

“I believe that a change in leadership in this country is long overdue, and the best way I could help make this change happen was by voting.”

Tasic never questioned whether or not she was going to vote and she didn’t have anyone trying to influence her to vote one way or another.

“The people in my life never pushed me to vote, let alone pushed me to ‘vote red or blue.’ I have just always understood that it is my duty as a citizen to vote—and not just with myself in mind,” Tasic said. “If we do not vote, we have no way of letting our representatives know that we are facing issues we need help resolving. In a democracy, not voting is giving up power that we are entitled to. This can be detrimental, especially to a whole country when electing an official that is supposed to lead and represent it.”

Kelly Yake, ‘20 and Megan Stoerman, ‘20, also believe that voting is an important part of becoming an adult.

“It’s very important to vote because it’s key for people’s voices to be heard,” Yake stated.

“Many individuals, women

especially, throughout the world do not have the right to vote so I think that it is my duty to vote for everyone that does not have a voice. We should know how privileged we are as Americans to have the ability to have a say in our government, as many people in the world do not have this privilege,” Stoerman said.

Tasic and Yake agree that voting is the way to get voices heard and to make a change where there needs to be one.

“People should be able to get a say in things that will affect them and how they live. If someone chooses not to vote they are just allowing anything to happen without a say. But, even if someone doesn’t vote the way I do at least the people are being heard,” Yake said.

“I think it is very, very important to vote because voting allows people to come together, make their voices heard, and elect representatives they believe will help bring about necessary, positive change,” Tasic stated.

Stoerman and Tasic want others to make sure their voices are heard as well and encourage other young people to go out and vote.

“If I knew someone was not going to vote, I would encourage them to vote for the sake of others. To be specific, I would encourage them to vote for members of their community who are also members of marginalized communities.

We must learn to step outside of ourselves and be voices for those who have lost theirs or are afraid to use theirs. If you were lying on the ground, needing help to get back on your feet, you would

not want to be ignored, would you?

You would want a hand to help you get back on your feet. Be that hand for other people in your community; vote,” Tasic said.

Stoerman had similar feelings.

“I would sort of guilt-trip them but not excessively because I also believe that it is a decision that everyone has to make for themselves and they should not be pressured into it because that is not right, nor fundamentally aligned with a democracy is where everyone has the right to do what they want, within limits,” Stoerman stated.

All three strongly believe that, no matter who you vote for, making an educated vote based on change that others want to see is the most important aspect of voting.

“To be frank, vote and vote with compassion and empathy. But, before you do, do your research. You have so many resources at your disposal. Overall, do what you can to help yourself become better informed. Do not believe in something your friends or family tell you just because it came from them. Strive to learn, be open, make decisions on your own accord, and make decisions that will not just benefit you, but those around you,” Tasic said.

“When your time comes, please rise to the occasion. Your peers are counting on you, strangers are counting on you, older generations are counting on you to take the torch, uphold this democracy, and make the world a better place for everyone in it.”

THE EYRIE 13

PHOTO DECEMBER 11, 2020

TOP LEFT Sofia Chafin runs at Shawnee Mission Park on Oct. 8. Cross country runners started the race wearing masks, but were allowed to unmask after the runners spread out.

PHOTO BY Danielle Desmarteau TOP Hayden Marmon fights his opponent during the Blue & Gold Scrimmage on Nov. 24. The wrestlers use this scrimmage to prepare for upcoming meets.

PHOTO BY Edsel Quintana Puente RIGHT Izzy Carlston, freshman, performs a cast, going up into a back hip circle during the gymnastics meet on Oct. 30.

PHOTO BY Abby Burkhart

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DECEMBER 11, 2020 PHOTO

ABOVE Reed Smith, senior, passes the ball during the late season opening game against Olathe North on Sept. 11. Seniors for both football and cheer were recognized at this game, as both athletes and parents were unsure if a full season would happen.

PHOTO BY Anna Palacio LEFT Sydney Albers, junior, hits the floor after diving for a ball during the game against Olathe North on Oct. 12. The Dig Pink game happens between South and North every year to raise awareness after a coach’s wife got breast cancer.

PHOTO BY Anna Palacio

THE EYRIE 15

SPORTS DECEMBER 11, 2020 Photos by: Anna Palacio

Seniors Jarek Braden and Nina Tasic pose wearing the apparel of the colleges they have committed to. Braden committed to Allen Community College in Iola, while Tasic committed to Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo.

Amid pandemic, senior athletes commit to colleges By: Fletcher Smith

Every year, thousands of seniors commit to play sports in colleges across the country. It’s an extremely important decision, as they will learn new skills that can be used throughout their lives and will meet new people that will become lifelong friends. But this year, this process was a little different.

Due to COVID-19, almost all colleges were unable to do in-person recruiting, which made it more difficult to get into contact with some students.

Despite this setback, many student-athletes were able to find a new home to continue their athletic careers, including seniors Jarek Braden and Nina Tasic.

Jarek Braden, catcher and designated hitter (and first baseman when needed) for the baseball team, has committed to Allen County Community College.

“I’m going with a lifelong teammate and felt I’d

16 THE EYRIE

end up at a better school with JUCO experience,” Braden said.

Braden, who was also on the varsity wrestling team his freshman and sophomore years, as well as on the football team all four years of high school, understands the importance of hard work and what it takes to get him where he is.

“Hard work beats natural talent, if a kid has talent but doesn’t work to get better he’s gonna get passed by someone who works hard,” Braden said.

Through his hard work and discipline, Braden is also striving to achieve even greater goals and success in the future.

“Hopefully [I’ll] end up at a D1 school to play after Allen County and get drafted after that,” Braden said.

Allen County is a great place for Braden to achieve this, as several players from Allen County have gone to be drafted into MLB.

Nina Tasic, who

placed fifth in the 100-yard butterfly and tenth in the 200-yard individual medley at the state championship swim meet as a sophomore, committed to swimming at Lindenwood University.

“I chose Lindenwood because of its vast academic opportunities and its very strong swimming program,” Tasic said.

“Lindenwood University has a bright future ahead of itself; the professors, administrative staff, coaches, etc. are all actively investing in the futures of their students and student-athletes. Most importantly, though, the quality of the people at Lindenwood is unbeatable. I know that I am walking into a school and onto a swim team with individuals just as driven and excited as I am (not to mention, individuals from all over the world). ”

Tasic has been swimming in the Kansas City area for 12 years, the majority of that time spent with the Kansas City Blazers, so she’s excited for the change of

scenery Lindenwood offers.

“I have been swimming club for most of my life, so I am ready to change my routine up and train and compete with some new faces,” Tasic says. “College swimming will bring many new challenges, but, at this point, I am fully prepared to accept them.”

Tasic understands the importance of receiving help from others throughout her high school career, and has many people to thank for helping her get to Lindenwood.

“[South coaches Brandon Simpson and Deidre Peterson] invested in me, both as an athlete and an individual, like no one ever has before,” Tasic said. “But [the coaches] are only half of what made my time on the OS Swim & Dive team so special: I truly have the girls I swam with to thank…

Without them, I would not have been able to do all the crazy things I did, in practice and at meets.”

DECEMBER 11, 2020 SPORTS

Winter sports will continue with parents in stands By: Alex Burbidge

Basketball, swimming, bowling, and wrestling seasons are hanging in the balance with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment issuing a statement urging school districts to abstain from having winter sports seasons. The statement was made due to concerns about the rising cases of COVID-19 in Johnson County and across the country as a whole, with positive tests topping the 100,000 mark every day since Nov. 4 and county numbers reaching an all-time high of 6,846 on Nov. 17.

The announcement was made on Oct. 27, just weeks before the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission school districts announced plans to return to a fully-online learning environment, adding an extra layer of complications.

The Olathe School District followed, even though the number of positive cases have been significantly lower than the other two districts making up the “Big Three” of Johnson County.

Photo by: Anna Palacio

The main concern with hosting games during winter is the spread of COVID-19 indoors, as fresh air is constantly moving, while indoors air is just being recycled around a room, no matter if it’s in a gym or a locker room. Additionally, close, physical contact is a concern, with players sweating on each other throughout entire games; players are not locked in a bubble to ensure they aren’t exposed, nor are they being tested multiple times a day as professional sports leagues did. If a basketball player or wrestler unknowingly has it, it’s virtually guaranteed that they will spread the virus to opponents or teammates.

This was showcased when an unknown wrestler tested positive, delaying the wrestling season by two weeks.

Swimming, however, is much more feasible, as the CDC has stated that “it’s unlikely that the new coronavirus can survive in a pool that’s properly maintained,” and there isn’t any evidence that COVID-19 can

Ian Wiley, ‘20, competes in a swimming competition. Though he is now graduated, his former teammates still in school will be forced to begin their season with only up to two members of their families in attendance.

Photo by: Anna Palacio

Braidan Odell, senior, puts his arms around two of his teammates in a game from last season. Odell and the rest of the team will not have the traditional student section in the stands to watch this season. spread through water in a pool. Bowling is also possible, as bowling alleys across the city have stayed open with proper social distancing the entire time.

Neighboring Miami and Franklin counties will be, barring anything unexpected, continuing on as planned, meaning that athletes from those schools will get an unfair advantage in recruiting and could see an increase in transfers during winter break from those coming from Johnson County, just as was the case during fall for football; when football was in question, several students and their parents moved to Iowa so they could complete their high school careers and get an opportunity to compete for a spot at the next level without having to worry about what the state, county, or school district did.

It was a given that games would be played behind closed doors just as the football and soccer seasons

were, with families only given two tickets per player.

With an indoor environment, however, family members were originally not allowed to attend, with that decision quickly overturned with a 7-1 vote. With today’s technology, games could also easily be live streamed using services such as YouTube or Hudl.

If some winter sporting events do get cancelled at some point, the effects will largely outweigh the benefits, as athletes in their senior year seeking scholarships won’t get the opportunity to showcase their talents for one final time and get game footage for schools looking to recruit.

This takes away potential opportunity to get some of their college paid for, athletes that are fully deserving of roster spots on a college-level team.

If an athlete isn’t pursuing college athletics, then they should still be given the opportunity to complete their sports career on a good note.

THE EYRIE 17

PHOTO DECEMBER 11, 2020

TOP LEFT Abby Burkart performs on the beam.

PHOTO BY Anna Palacio TOP RIGHT Bri Green practices on the driving range with her 9 iron before a tournament at Heritage Park.

PHOTO BY Kylie Mahaney RIGHT Eric Butler, sophomore, rushes for a touchdown against Olathe Northwest.

PHOTO BY Olivia Pierce

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DECEMBER 11, 2020 PHOTO

ABOVE Adam Young kicks off following a touchdown during the game against Olathe Northwest.

PHOTO BY Olivia Pierce LEFT Ellie Price overhand serves the ball during a tennis match.

PHOTO BY Edsel Quintana Puente

THE EYRIE 19

SPORTS DECEMBER 11, 2020

Falcons find optimism in COVID riddled season By: Mark Elliott

Despite all the problems of COVID-19, the Falcons were still able to have a 2020 football season.

Despite South’s record being 1-6 it doesn’t tell the whole story.

The Falcon’s offense was adjusting to a new scheme this year; the Wing T. There were also lots of injuries most likely due to not being able to practice.

Quarterback Cooper Whitley had COVID-19 at the start of the season and he dislocated his shoulder towards the end of the season.

Both starting running back Eric Butler and wide receiver Erwin Nash battled ankle injuries all season long.

Along with not near as much time to practice before the season as there has been in years past, the availability of players being able to come to practice was a week to week process. One week they could be limited and the next week there could be no football events whatsoever due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Long story short, there was a lot of tough luck this year but still many bright spots

The Falcons were in very close games the whole year most of them coming down to the wire, including multiple overtime performances. South’s only win this season was also an overtime thriller on the road against

Photo by: Anna Palacio

Jordan Allen, sophomore tight end and linebacker, walks the sideline during a game at ODAC.

Shawnee Mission East. An edition to all Olathe schools was a new scoreboard at ODAC and CBAC. It is a shame that most students didn’t get to go to the games and see the new scoreboard, and that the seniors didn’t get to play in front of the packed student sections they have been used to their whole highschool career.

Mostly parents or other family members were the only ones admitted into the games this season.

One big bright spot on the Falcons team was kicker Adam Young and lineman Dawson Harrington.

Adam Young has been the kicker for South all

Photo by: Anna Palacio

four years he has played, his season long career field goal this season was a 46 yard field goal. Young is also rated a four star kicker.

Harrington was a workhorse on the line this season and namely he has an offer from San Diego State.

There were other players besides just these two that overperformed and shocked people this season.

The Falcons will look to have a bounce back season next year, as this season may not have been the outcome that South had wanted, but there is a lot of optimism going into next season.

Aidan Bywaters, senior wide reciever and defensive back, flexes for the camera.

20 THE EYRIE

DECEMBER 11, 2020 SPORTS

NBA prepares for second successful COVID season

By: Gavin McAferty

After what Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA, called “the longest season ever,” the 2019 NBA Season ended with a Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals victory, that left not only fans but the administration itself wondering what the 2021 season will look like.

Players and owners approved on Nov. 5, the Dec. 22 start date for the 2020-2021 NBA season, along with a 72 game season. They have not decided if there will be a bubble environment, but players aren’t very fond of participating in it again. This includes Christmas Day games and allows for a season that finishes before the summer ends. This season is worth anywhere from $500 million to $1 billion, though the league does not expect fans to be present in arenas at the start of the season. The NBA may decide that regional bubbles may be the only way to safely return.

For now, the league wants to open up on Christmas, hoping to resume the season in time to reclaim its marquee television day.

A couple players aren’t very fond of the new season’s start time, Lebron James more specifically has voiced his opinion on the fact that he just won the champi-

onship a few weeks ago and then they’re already starting back up in a month. James took to Instagram to show his annoyance with the fact that there is 71 days between the end and start of a new season, which would be the shortest offseason in the history of all professional sports.

Lebron’s teammate, Danny Green, has said that Lebron James may sit the first 10 games of the season for load management. “I think most guys, if you say they’re starting in December, I think they’re like, ‘I’m not going to be there,” Green said.

This also means the NBA Draft is affected. It was held a month after the finals, taking place on Nov. 18, and rookies had just 34 days for preparation of their NBA debuts. The top 4 prospects in the draft were Lamelo Ball, James Wiseman, Anthony Edwards, and Obi Toppin.

Pandemic aside, there’s a lot to look forward to next season. The Lakers will be defending champs, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant are all coming back, and all the teams records reset! Luka Doncic’s emergence as an MVP candidate gives the Mavericks hope for being a championship contender, but they need Kristaps Porzingis to stay

healthy for that to happen.

Boston reached the Eastern Conference finals last season but failed to make it back to the NBA Finals after losing to the Miami Heat. Boston is another underdog team that could make a finals run under their brilliant head coach, Brad Stevens.

This will be one of the most interesting seasons in a while because there are no super teams such as the Golden State Warriors with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Steph Curry and the Miami Heat big three previously. Now there are the revamped Brooklyn Nets with Kyrie and Kevin Durant; the young Dallas Mavericks with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis; and Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum. Then the veteran riddled teams that include the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers/Lakers.

The Philadelphia 76ers are very underrated due to them not doing much in the playoffs last season.

They have all the young talent they need with players like Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Matisse Thybulle, and Tobias Harris. The last piece of the puzzle was Al

Horford, who was acquired through free agency. The 34-year-old center will have an opportunity to help this team succeed next season.

The 76ers are so confident in Horford that they gave him a $109 million dollar contract.

Now the biggest reason the 76ers will make a big jump from last year is because they fired head coach Brett Brown and hired Doc Rivers. Doc Rivers is much more smart situationally and brings a lot more to the table, a breath of fresh air some might say.

This season will be entertaining to watch even in the regular season, which hasn’t been the case in a while because there are usually been 1-4 teams that just dominate. This year will most likely be very even and spread out. Even young mediocre teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans are believed to be able to win a lot of games and make a run in playoffs. Another reason regular season games will be watched more is because there are ten less games being played.

Although it came very fast and no one is certain how it will happen, many are ready to see this season unfold.

THE EYRIE 21

PHOTO DECEMBER 11, 2020

TOP LEFT Olivia Swaney, junior, pauses between serves.

PHOTO BY Phoebe Blair TOP RIGHT Garrett Ramirez against Olathe North - Sept. 29 - OS wins 4-0 PHOTO BY Kate Tankersley RIGHT Garrett Ramirez PHOTO BY Danielle Desmarteau

22 THE EYRIE

DECEMBER 11, 2020 PHOTO

ABOVE Reed Smith, quarterback, gets tackled by two Olathe North defenders. South faced North in the season opener on Sept. 11.

PHOTO BY Anna Palacio LEFT Chloe Weber (24) subs in for Lauren Briggs against Olathe Northwest on Sept. 24.

PHOTO BY Olivia Pierce

THE EYRIE 23

eyrie kitchen INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup avocado oil (or another neutral-tasting oil) 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 eggs 2 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp baking powder 1 3/4 cup gluten free measure-formeasure flour about 1 cup powdered sugar**

chocolate crinkle cookies dairy free | gluten free (optional)

1. In a large bowl (or a stand mixer), combine oil, cocoa powder, and sugar.

2. Stir until well-combined. (It’ll look like very dark wet sand).

3. Add eggs 1 at a time, mixing in-between each addition to incorporate well.

4. Add vanilla and stir to combine.

5. Add salt, baking powder, and gluten free flour.

6. Stir until just combined.

7. Chill the dough 3-4 hours (or overnight).

8. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 9. Line a baking sheet with parchment and place powdered sugar in a bowl.

10. Use a scoop or a tablespoon to roll out 1″ balls of chilled dough.

11. Roll each cookie dough ball in powdered sugar to coat well.

12. Place 8-12 coated cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet.

13. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 6-7 minutes, or until just the edges are set and the centers are still wet.

va r i at i o n s

Add 1/2-1 tsp. peppermint extract along with the vanilla. It gives major candy cane and hot chocolate vibes that are PERFECT for the holidays.

Add 1/2-1 tsp. almond extract along with the vanilla.

Add orange zest to channel those holiday season chocolate oranges everyone loves.