Oak Park High School | Issue 8, Vol. 49 | April 2014
The Northmen’s Log Oak Park’s primary news source.
>>Seniors finish up high school career >>Art students awarded
Letter from the editor Congratulations, readers, you’ve made it through April. Whether it’s your first year of high school or your last, it’s always exciting to say that the school year is nearly over. Inside, you’ll find plenty of stories to read during that boring class or study hall. Track wraps up its season and girls soccer was finishing up as well. Seniors have their last day on Monday, May 12, which is pretty exciting, but where will they go after graduation? As a staff we’ve packed this issue full of exciting information that you’ll want. No issue is ever a piece of cake for us, especially with procrastination levels at all-time high nearing the end of the year.
But, as a staff, we are still dedicated to making sure you get the information you need to know as your primary news source. Don’t forget to check out NorthmenNews.com for even more news updates and photo galleries. If you have any questions or concerns about any articles in this paper, remember to send a Letter to the Editor to either cgeabhar@nkcschools.org or will3248@nkcschools.org; and we’ll be sure to read and print your feedback. Keep on keepin’ on, Oak Park. Let’s finish this school year strong and blue.
hannah williams>>editor-in-chief
Our staff and our policies “The Northmen’s Log” will publish eight times during the school year. “Log” staff strongly supports the First Amendment and opposes censorship. Freedom of expression and press are fundamental values in a democratic society. Therefore, “Log” encourages readers to participate in the discussion by submitting Letters to the Editor in room E134, by email to cgeabhar@ nkcschools.org. Letters cannot exceed 350 words and must be signed. “Log” will not run letters that are libelous, obscene or that may cause a verifiable
disruption of the education process of Oak Park. Advertisers may contact the business manager at 413.5352, cgeabhar@nkcschools.org, or 825 N.E. 79th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64118. Subscriptions are available, $20 for a mailed copy, $10 for an emailed pdf version, or $25 for both. Opinions expressed in “Log” do not reflect student, staff or school district endorsements of that opinion, product, or service. “Log” is a member of NSPA, MIPA and Quill and Scroll. “Log” is affiliated with JEA and JEMKC.
hannah williams>>editor-in-chief; cover, contents, art, and features editor; writer and photographer maggie nolan>>managing, news, opinion, and photo editor; writer and photographer gabie kreutzjans>>social manager; sports and people editor; writer olivia eissler>>recreation editor and writer
alondra novoa>>writer maddie russell>>writer sam rogers>>writer and photographer kelsey shannon>>writer and photographer brenen stansbury>>writer and photographer tessa mcginnis>>artist christina geabhart>>adviser
policies
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news
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>>OP Olympics >>Mr. OP >>Junior Assembly
opinion
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>>Summer dos and don’ts >>College >>Watching too much TV
2 feature Posters were put up in the hallway by StuCo to raise awareness for the event scheduled for Friday, May 9. hannah williams>>editor-in-chief
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>>Seniors prepare to graduate
sports
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>>Track
people
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>>Mrs. Pabon plans for baby >>Summer treats
recreation 12 >>Summer ideas >>Amusement parks >>Students addicted to technology >>Eleanor & Park review
photo essay 13 >>Art show
13 On the cover: Junior Rachel Oatney’s sculpture was showcased on Monday, April 28. This display included actual butterfly wings. maddie russell>>writer
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AP art teacher Mark Anderson recognized senior Victoria Tetzlaff for her years’ work in the art department. maggie nolan>>managing editor
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i-ROK the OP Olympics olivia eissler >>writer
Do you like helping people achieve their dreams? Well now you can with the Oak Park Olympics. “The I-ROK foundation was set up by a girl named Kori Quinn who had Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer [which is a rare bone disease] to give money to Children’s hospitals,” said junior Becca Saari. Saari is one of the event planners for the Oak Park Olympics. She said that the leadership class got the idea to do the event from senior Grant Parks, and Quinn died around that same time, so the leadership class chose to fund her foundation because it hit home with students here. “To get the event ready I have to manage everything, selling t-shirts, advertising and signing people up to participate,” Saari said. Saari said that they chose to do the Oak Park Olympics to help fund the I-ROK foundation, because Quinn loved to play sports and this is a way of honoring her. “It is an event like the Olympics where you compete, but you are raising money,” Saari said. Sarri said that their goal is to raise $1,000. “Since this is the first year, not a lot of people will know about it, so it won’t be really popular, but we hope to change that,” said junior Kevin O’Brien.
Posters were hung around the school to raise awareness for the event scheduled Friday, May 9. hannah williams >>editor-in-chief
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Since this is the first year, not a lot of people will know about it, so it won’t be really popular but we hope to change that.
kevin o’brien>>junior
O’Brien’s leadership committee is in charge of the activities for the event, which include dart throwing, karaoke, food eating contest, and a photo booth. Junior Chandler Templeton’s leadership committee is in charge of the events, which include basketball, ultimate frisbee, tug of war, relay race, and badminton. “I think it will do okay,” said senior Kelli Reichert. “Advertisement is doing pretty good.”
Sign up for the OP Olympics at lunch or by talking to leadership teacher Mr. Edinger in C124. Ap ril 2014 | T h e No rth m e n’s Log
Mr. OP battles it out maddie russell >>writer
On the night of Thursday, April 17, two men rose above the others and achieved greatness: seniors Layne Davis and Jake Boeding. Davis won two out of the four categories including Club Costume and Interview. “I knew I won,” Davis said. “For all the work together, I maybe put in a good two hours. That’s it. I improved everything, except for making my costumes.” Davis certainly put on a hilarious act for both of his winning performances. “For Club Costume I made a video. It was a parody of ‘Mean Girls’ entitled Mean Team, and it was just us, [senior] Dominic [Hernandez], Mrs. [debate teacher Jeri] Willard and I, walking around like bad b-words taking and dominating the school.” For Davis’s interview portion he certainly won the crowd over with his entertaining responses. “Interview was probably the easiest one of all because it’s all on top of your
head. The question they gave me wasn’t that hard which was ‘What would the neigh of a horse sound like when it takes its first steps’, and it was just pulling it off. Which I did obviously since I won.” Boeding ended up winning two out of four categories as well, including best swimsuit, best talent, and then the overall competition. “When I found out I won, I would say the first feeling that I had was disbelief. I really couldn’t believe it,” Boeding said. “I honestly thought that Layne Davis was going to win. He was cracking me up the entire night and he was so good, and I was shocked. It was very humbling and very exciting to win.” Boeding showed off his conducting skills for his Talent portion of the competition. “For Swimsuit, I had them play the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey. And I came out in my sister’s bath robe and conducted them through about 75 percent of it and then [sophomore] Megan Leach,
the other drum major took over it and I walked out to the front of the stage, and as the last three chords played I pulled the strings off the bathrobe and kind of just showed off my chest and then threw it off at the last chord,” Boeding said. For Boeding’s talent portion he showed off another one of his skills. “For Talent, I did video editing as my talent, I thought it would be different to do something like that because a lot of people just don’t view video editing as a talent so I wanted to do that. And so I made a music video because I also like to rap just as a goofy thing, and so I made a music video spoof off of the Lonely Island song called ‘Rocky,’ but I changed all the words so that it was [band director Adam] Farley and so that I was fighting Farley. It was a song about how I was in class and I challenged him to a boxing match and just ended up getting the crap beat out of me.” Both men had strong finishes to the competition and had a lot of fun participating in Mr. OP 2014.
Junior Assembly
heats up the dance floor olivia eissler >>writer “You get to experience meeting new people, learn new dance moves, hang out with friends, good meal and it’s a good excuse to get all dressed up,” said junior Kylie Dickson. This was Dickson’s first time in Junior Assembly. Dickson said Junior Assembly is a dance were juniors and seniors go to a dance where they get to meet new people and they learn good etiquette. Her favorite part was the food and her least favorite part was when her feet hurt at the end of the night from wearing her heels all night. “You get to meet moms from other schools, see everyone dressed up and you get to see the kids have a fun time at the dance,” said committee member Kim Breault. Breault said that to be a sponsor a parent must first to sign up for a dance. They can either choose the fall, winter, or spring dance. Next they choose a committee. Breault chose the decoration committee. Some other committees are in charge of booking the place for the event, ordering the food, buying the
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gift cards and hiring a security guard. Breault’s decorations committee meets at a mother’s house and throws out ideas about decorations. They have to choose a centerpiece, name cards, what activities to have and invitations. Once everything is decided, the invitations are sent out, everyone RSVPs and then a computer matches up couples. On the day of the dance, all the moms go to place of the event at 2:30, set up, hand out name cards and help people find their dates. “This is my second dance,” Breault said. Breault said that her least favorite part was when she didn’t know what to do, but she learned on the way. She said the goal of Junior Assembly is to learn how to eat and act properly in a formal etiquette situation. “It’s good to look back on your high school memories and remember getting all dressed up on a Sunday night and having fun meeting new people,” Dickson said.
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tessa mcginnis >>cartoonist
Make memories or quote commericals The choice of a social life or Netflix maddie russell>>writer If you’re like me, right when you get home, you don’t even want to think about school. I walk in the door, drop everything I’m holding and immediately jump onto the couch and start searching for the tv remote. I always tell myself that just 30 minutes of TV is fine, but eventually 30 minutes turns into five hours. If you asked me last year if I was addicted to watching television, I probably would’ve answered yes and have been proud of my answer. I was a freshman last year and really didn’t have anything else to do during the week, since I didn’t get much homework. I was obsessed with watching episodes of “American Horror Story” and “Supernatural,” and having Netflix only made my addiction worse. Sure it’s a good way to spend an hour of the afternoon, but when you devote your whole life to sitting in front of a screen? Now, you’re probably wondering, “how do I know if I’m addicted to watching TV?”
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First off, if you start planning things in your life around your episode airing dates, you’re probably addicted. If you can quote almost every commercial that comes on TV in the middle of your shows, then you’re probably addicted. Last off, if you sit down to start watching tv, and you bring over all the blankets, pillows, remotes and your favorite snacks to sit down and watch just a few minutes of tv, then you are most definitely addicted. How I know all of this, is because I’m that person. In all honesty, I’d rather not spend my whole life in front of the television. I’d rather say I spent the whole day out with my friends having the time of my life than watching a show I could prerecord and watch any time of the day. If you think about it, life is pretty short, and so is high school. Everything doesn’t last forever. In my opinion, I’d rather make memories with my friends than memorize a TV script.
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Being indecisive doesn’t cost thousands kelsey shannon >>photographer If any of you are like me, you have absolutely no idea what you want to do with your life. You are searching and searching, but you simply can’t find your niche just yet. You’re a bit lost. The problem with that, is that you’re pretty much screwed for college. College was made to be this big thing, and that if one attends, they’re destined for greatness. And if they don’t... Well they might as well start looking for a nice comfy spot underneath their local bridge. It’s simply not the truth. For someone like me, I don’t want to spend tons of money on college and drown in debts afterwards, and then figure out that I didn’t even need a college education to attain the job I wanted. Don’t get me wrong. College is an awesome thing and it can benefit someone in many ways. But since this world demands a higher education, I’m just going to go to college and stay there till I figure out what I want to do; and then be screwed when I
didn’t even need the education. The problem with the generation before us, parents, to be specific, is if I end up not going to college and staying here and working and just figuring my life and myself out, I’ll be frowned upon for not being a hard-working student and they’ll see me as deciding to go no where with my life. That’s not true at all. I want to be successful and I want to have a good and prosperous life when I’m older and I’m sorry that I don’t know what I want to do, but should that mean that I have to spend thousands of dollars just yet? College is such a great opportunity and having a degree definitely helps when trying to get a job, but some jobs just don’t need it and that’s really unfortunate. For someone like me, who hasn’t generally been pushed by anyone to figure things out early on, college came out of nowhere and now I don’t know what to do.
Don’t be a bummer this summer maddie russell>>writer At the beginning of the summer most of us are pretty certain that we know what we’re doing for the next two to three months. Fast-forward about three days though, and we’re all pretty bored of sitting at home all day doing nothing. But if planned accordingly, this could be a summer that’s unforgettable. First off, you can’t have a good summer if you stay indoors 24 hours a day seven days a week. For a few days, it’s okay to have some down time with Netflix and video games, but after two weeks straight of sitting in your pajamas without seeing sunlight or a shower, I think it’s time to leave the house for a bit. You don’t even have to go very far or spend much to have a good time. Hang out in your backyard and relax in the sun, or get together with a group of friends and go get Island Ice, or go see a new movie that’s coming out in theaters. It’s something to do, and it stops you from getting the crazies from staying inside too long. Although summer is a time for relaxing, it could also be used for productive purposes. A summer job is a great way to get ahead. Earning a few hundred bucks over two months could really benefit you when school gets started again or you could put that money away somewhere and save it. Extra money is always helpful in the long run for whatever purpose. Spending money is easier than making it which a lot of us may know, and it’s definitely easier to spend it when we’re not in school everyday. I know it’s tempting to want to go shopping every weekend or to go out to eat five days a week, but you have think about whether you want to spend that money now,
or later when school expenses start to pop out of the blue. At the beginning of August last year I had a few hundred bucks saved up from working, and by the end of September it was all gone because I went out and ate with the soccer team after every game. Don’t be like me and waste your money on stuff you don’t need! Summer is also a great time to knock some things off your bucket list. Have you ever wanted to fullfill your lifelong dream of going on a roadtrip or being able to ride a camel? This is the time for it to happen! Depending on how old you are, you may only have a few free summers left in your life, so make the most of them. You don’t have all the time in the world Finally, just because it’s summer, that doesn’t mean we should make poor decisions. I’d be more likely to do something risky just because it’s summer and, well, YOLO, but the decisions you make in your life do impact your future. For example, if you want to tan, wear sunscreen, especially if you and the sun don’t get along very well. You don’t want to end up with second or third degree burns and be as red as a lobster, (as I know from experience). Even though it’s only two and a half months out of the year, a lot can happen within that little amount of time. With only EOCs and finals left, the year is wrapping up quite nicely, and if you’re a senior, that time is shortened by quite a lot, meaning summer starts a little sooner for all of you. Just remember, not every summer is going to turn out to be the best, but you can certainly do anything if you set your mind to it.
For a few days, it’s okay to have some down time with Netflix and video games, but after two weeks straight of sitting in your pajamas without seeing sunlight or a shower, it’s time to leave the house for a bit.
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Seniors graduating, goin The class of 2014 is officially leaving OP, but what are their plans after graduation? Where are they going and what do they plan to do?
From left to right pictured are senior class officers Kelli Reichert, Gabby Brancato, Annie Neds, Ashley Sylvara and Bret Bussinger. While also leading events and many things planned throughout the year, they will be speaking at graduation. Cambia file photo
Class officers prepare for graduation Before the 2014 class walks across the stage at Municipal Auditorium on Friday, May 16, senior class officers will be giving a short speech about this year and the accomplishments achieved by the class as a whole. Each officer has a unique approach to send off the senior class.
Ashley Sylvara President
Sylvara will be talking about freshman year, reflecting on memories from the past.
Kelli Reichert Vice President
Reichert will be talking about sophomore year, detailing the highlights of the seniors’ second year in high school.
Annie Neds Secretary
Neds will be speaking about junior year, including many past moments that are special to the senior class.
Bret Bussinger Treasurer
Bussinger will reflect on the most recent year, senior year.
Gabby Brancato Historian
Brancato will speak about what graduates will do after commencement, detailing the future.
Information compiled by gabie kreutzjans
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ng their separate ways To learn more about the senior AVID class, check out their display case near the stairs by Party Cove. hannah williams >>editor-in-chief
2014 AVID class looks to the future hannah williams>>editor-in-chief Across five classes, there are 91 students in Advancement Via Individual Determination, AVID. Out of those 91, 13 are graduating in just a few short days. All are going to a secondary institution. According to senior Drew Bridges, going to Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, with a few scholarships this fall, is a huge achievement, and it’s an achievement he mostly credits to the AVID program. “Before AVID, I really didn’t know anything about college,” Bridges said. “I didn’t know about scholarships and I probably never would have applied for any scholarships.” When Bridges joined AVID halfway through his junior year, he had a few misconceptions about the program and also about what kind of student it was geared towards. “When my mom first wanted me to join AVID, I thought it was kids who were like unintelligent, but it’s not like that at all. We’re some of the smartest kids in the school,” Bridges said. “That’s something I was nervous about going into it because I didn’t want to be viewed as someone who didn’t know what they were doing. AVID is there to help you; and it doesn’t matter how smart you are or how dumb you are.” While the purpose of AVID was to prepare students for college, it also “helps students develop the skills to succeed in the classroom as well as empowering them,” according to AVID coordinator and teacher, Amanda Edinger. For Bridges, AVID has improved his classroom performance noticeably. “My grades right now are better than they ever have been in high school. Avid helped me study for tests,” Bridges said. “They help you with your homework and they have tutors there every day so that’s pretty cool.” Other students in the program, such as senior Cheyenne Miller, have been able to keep good grades consistent through the two years she’s been involved with the program. “My grades have always been pretty good. It’s been easier to maintain my grades,” Miller said. Miller plans to attend Maple Woods to attain an associate’s degree and then finish up her bachelor’s degree at NWMSU. Although she already had good grades before the program, Miller says she’s learned “how to be more organized” in school and how to further understand concepts being taught in class.
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“We have tutorials and stuff in [AVID], so when I need help with something, I just have to ask the class and we kind of collaboratively come up with an answer,” Miller said. “Then, we have to go back and progress through steps so I can actually understand the process.” For Miller and Bridges, both students are two of the first to go to college, in their families. Though not every AVID student was a first-time college hopeful, senior Moriah Clark was in the same situation. “I’m the first to go to college in my family,” Clark said. “My brother didn’t go and my mom didn’t even graduate high school, so I’m the first to graduate high school. It’s a big accomplishment for me and my family.” Clark will be attending Kansas State University, Manhattan, in the fall to pursue a degree involving social working or teaching. As an AVID student, Clark has been in the program since her sophomore year. The program has helped her in many ways, including attaining good grades while in high school. “My freshman year I didn’t work as hard at school,” Clark said, “but my sophomore year, it did help me with my grades and same with my junior year.” Students do a lot to prepare for college while in the program according to Edinger. “The purpose of the AVID elective class is to prepare student for college,” Edinger said. “We do this by teaching organization, binder, agenda, etc., note taking skills, Cornell Notes, and higher level thinking, Socratic seminars, philosophical chairs.” For Edinger, who taught math before the AVID program was brought to the district during the 2010-2011 school year and then implemented the following year, AVID was a class very close to her heart. “I love teaching AVID. I would never go back to teaching just math again,” Edinger said. “Every day I get to work with some of the best students around and I get to teach them how to be better. AVID students want to be better, do better, achieve…I am privileged to work with them and teach them.” Every student was an individual, according to Edinger, and AVID helps them to follow their chosen paths in life. “Each and every AVID student is unique and has gotten something different out of AVID,” Edinger said, “but the main thing is that they are going to college and have the tools to succeed.”
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Seniors go for degrees Log polled 103 seniors on what degree area they plan on studying when they go into college. While not all seniors are going to college and some are undecided on a major, Log chose to focus on the students who were decided on a major and attending a post-secondary institution.
47% education 8% business 21% fine arts 5% science 11% humanities 4% medical 9% public services information compiled by gabie kreutzjans graphic made by hannah williams
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Track team wraps it up
Freshman Victoria Davis runs a relay at a meet on Wednesday, April 30. amber ivey>>cambia
Junior Makram Tutu also runs a relay at a meet on Wednesday, April 30. amber ivey>>cambia
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The stork is on its way maddie russell>>writer A new addition to the “Oak Park family” is on his way to begin its life with the Pabon family, and they couldn’t be happier. “The baby is due August 26th and I’m excited about everything,” said social studiesteacher Megan Pabon. “I’m excited about a new chapter of life and it’s just a whole new adventure. It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time but now it’s finally at the doorstep.” Megan Pabon is currently pregnant with a baby boy and couldn’t be more thrilled about the new soon-to-be member of her family. “When I found out that my wife was pregnant, I was excited, but I really wanted to hear it from a professional first,” teacher Joel Pabon said. “My wife took a home pregnancy test and it came up positive. I wouldn’t say that I’m skeptic but I just wanted to hear it from a medical professional, but in all I was really excited.” With the due date coming closer and closer, Megan Pabon has been preparing for the big day to come. “I’ve been reading magazines and books and I’ve gotten a couple apps on my phone that kind of tell me what’s going on and what to expect and what symptoms for the mother and what is being developed for the baby that week, it’s kind of fun to watch.” Pabon said. The Pabons have never had children before and are eager to see their little one come into the world. “Well we’re having a boy so I’m looking forward to just having a kid I guess. I don’t know how to explain it but I’m looking forward to a lot of new experiences and just an exciting time.” Joel Pabon said. Since the Pabons are going to be new parents, they are nervous about some things that are yet to come. “I’m nervous about everything. It’s really kind of frightening and scary sometimes to understand that there’s a human growing inside of you, but I think that just educating myself about everything before the baby comes will be helpful,” Megan Pabon
said. “I’m also super nervous about the actual birth part because it’s, disgusting and wonderful all at the same time.” Having children affects not only the mother, but the father as well in multiple ways. “Personally, I’m not sure how the baby will affect me. I’ve always heard it is a life changer, it’ll change everything and things become a little bit different because a baby becomes the number one priority in your life, so that’ll be a game changer I guess, to have something brand new become a number one priority in my life,” Joel Pabon said. Babies are a big responsibility, and especially with being new parents, they may not know as much as parents who have children. A newborn needs direct attention, and with both parents previously coaching sports, they wouldn’t have a lot of time to spend with the baby. “I actually had to resign from cheerleading, so I’m no longer coaching,” Megan Pabon said. “Being married to another coach here was just not going to be feasible for us to continue on that path for not being home ever. As far as my teaching I’ll be gone for six weeks on maternity leave. Unfortunately I won’t get to start the school year off knowing my kids and everything about what’s going on here, but I’m sure I’ll get a sub in here that is confident and can carry on without me being here.” With Megan Pabon gone from her duty as the cheerleading coach, the cheerleaders have been very understanding about her leave. “I’m really sad to see her go because she’s been with me since freshman year and she means a lot to me and everybody on the team,” sophomore Anna Bishop said. “I’m really upset that she’s leaving but I know it’s for the best and I’m really proud of her and of what she’s done.“ Megan Pabon is only one of the multiple teachers who are pregnant at the moment; however, names have not been released to the student body because they wish to remain anonymous at this time.
For the first time ever, you can watch Graduation from home LIVE, or in a video once you get home. On Friday, May 16, the Class of 2014 will be the first to be aired live online at www.highschoolcube.com. You may also watch later. 1. Go to www.highschoolcube.com. 2. Search for Oak Park High School. 3 . Find and watch the Graduation - Class of 2014 video. 4. Join HSC, if you’d like to be notified of other upcoming live broadcasts.
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Summer ice cream picks As summer draws dangerously close, 103 students weigh in on what their favorite places for sweet, icy refreshments are.
6% said Ice Cream Truck 12% said Baskin Robbins 25% said Yogurtini
24% said Sheridan’s
13% said Dairy Queen 20% said Island Ice
info compiled by kelsey shannon graphic made by hannah williams
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Addicted to technology: Students overusing tech in school kelsey shannon >>photographer
Playing 2048 on our school laptops, scrolling through Twitter on my iPhone, all while simultaneously watching the latest episode of “Orange is the New Black” on Netflix is pretty much the life of someone who is addicted to technology. Teachers seem to be having an issue with students refusing to close their laptops or put away their phones. Technology is something that can be quite addicting, but would probably benefit us in the long run if put away for a little while. “Many students are engrossed in social media and texting,” said freshman Maddie Neds. High school students in particular are too focused on the latest Twitter drama that they forget about what’s more important, like homework and grades for instance. Not all students are like that, though.
“Well I didn’t delete my account but I deleted the [Twitter] app from my phone,” said junior Julia Wopata. Wopata was already a good student in general, but has seen improvements after deleting the Twitter application off of her phone. “It’s good because I don’t get distracted while I’m studying and waste the little free time that I have,” Wopata said. It’s not always texting or social networking that are taking over peoples lives though. In some cases, it’s gaming. “I wouldn’t be able to live without my Gameboy advance,” said junior Isaiah Alvarez. Technology is overall an awesome thing to have, but after a while of constantly being distracted by it and not finishing what needs to get done, it can be a bit of a hindrance.
Which amusement, water parks in KC should you visit this summer? info and graphics by olivia eissler >>writer
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun $39.99: 3 days in advance $51.99: gate admission
Coco Keys $79 all year pass
Adventure Oasis $9 single ticket
Schlitterbahn $36.99 all day pass
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Ap ril 2014 | T h e No rth m e n’s Log
Eleanor and Park: Being awkward is a better love story than Twilight maddie russell >>writer After about 16 years of looking at picture books and reading cliché after cliché vampire novel, you can say I’ve seen almost every book plot ever written. Of course, the writers do try to add their own twist to things. They try to dazzle us with complicated love triangles, and the ever so overused ‘must keep our romance a secret’ plots. Books are becoming almost too complex for me to even enjoy reading these days without looking up plot notes for reference. What I’ve been waiting for is a simple book, something real and with no mystical creatures roaming across the pages. Eleanor and Park brings a whole new era of writing to the book work. Eleanor is a bigger girl with bright red hair who’s returning to her home in Omaha after being kicked out for a year and required to stay with other family. She shares her already small room with multiple siblings and barely has time to breath by herself because her family is nosy and almost claustrophobic. Eleanor is a splattered canvas of emotion and
color every time she gets dressed. From wearing huge cowboy shirts to beaded noodle necklaces and shirt ties, she certainly gets noticed. On the first day of school, Eleanor sits next to Park, a half Korean kid who spends most of his time listening to his Walkman and reading comic books more than he hangs out with his friends. Over time she begins reading his comics over his shoulder. Later, he begins to lend them to her as well as his Walkman, learning that Eleanor isn’t as bad as she seems. This book certainly makes you feel a plethora of emotions over the course of about two hundred or so pages. Eleanor is a very awkward girl, and the author certainly captures this trait well in her character. To read about a character being awkward is different from reading and actually feeling how awkward the character is. From talking about how her palms sweat when Park holds her hand or about how fat she feels when she pulls on her gym clothes that are skin tight on her.
It really makes you wonder if the people around you have these feelings about some of the same stuff. What I love about this story is how Park is so sure he wants to be with Eleanor, but how Eleanor doesn’t really want to be with Park. She feels unworthy of even having a boyfriend, let alone an attractive one. She’s willing to throw it all away in order to save him from losing his social status. I was very surprised when I got to this part in the book. I’d be tremendously psyched if a super hot Korean kid decided he suddenly wanted to date me, but Eleanor treats herself like she’s a burden. She’s too hard on herself, and at the right time she’ll finally realize she’s worthy enough for him. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a real down to earth story that will touch your heart. Anyone willing to have their opinion changed about life and love as we know it will be perfect for this book.
Art students recognized, awarded Junior Rachel Oatney’s sculpture was showcased on Monday, April 28. This display included butterfly wings. maddie russell >>writer The leading staff of Art Club, including juniors Haley Mynatt, Gianna Brown, Alexandra Lisenbee, and sophomore James Macken, were recognized by Art Club sponsor Alison Bennett during the award celebration. maggie nolan >>managing editor
AP Art teacher Mark Anderson recognized senior Victoria Tetzlaff for her years’ work in the art department. maggie nolan >> managing editor
Multiple students’ art was hung to display at the Art Show on Monday, April 28. The show started at 5 p.m., with the award presentation following at 6. Many AP Art students were awarded for their work. maddie russell >>writer
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