The Northmen’s
LOG Oak Park High School Kansas City, MO Vol. 54, Issue 2 December 2018
• POPPING THE QUESTION • GOING UP IN SMOKE • • IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA WORTH IT? •
Letter from the Editor
In ‘Students walk out for transHELLO, Oak Park! This issue of gender rights,’ we cover the Tuesthe Log is really exciting to me. I day, Nov. 20 walkout organized by hope you feel the same way! the GSA. We dove deep to find out Both our cover story and ediwhy students were protesting. This torial focus on marijuana. In the is one of my personal favorites cover story, we investigate the this issue. nickname ‘Smoke Park.’ Finally, in our perIs it true that Oak Park sonal column on the has more drug inciback cover, Photo dences more than Editor Kayelyn other schools? Logan discusses In the editothe challenge rial, we weigh of growing up in on the recent and living with passage of a ADHD. Missouri amendOur winter ment to legalize issue of the Log medical marijuana. took us several long It’s a complicated nights to put togethissue, but I think we er, but we’re proud addressed it propto be handing you erly. Editor-In-Chief Mina Buchholz We also took a (photo credit Mackenzie Powell) this finished product. We’ll see you again look at the recent next semester. Thanks for reading, trend of students getting engaged and have a great day, Oak Park! in ‘Popping the question’, and at teen pregnancy in ‘It’s not about me Mina Buchholz anymore’. The latter is the first part Editor-In-Chief of a series. The rest of the series will publish on NorthmenNews.com.
Staff
Mina Buchholz, Editor-In-Chief Kayelyn Logan, Photo & Opinion Editor Jessica Begley, Sports/Clubs Editor Malea Biswell, News Editor Mackenzie Powell, People/Recreation Editor Caitlin Anderson, Staffer Leah Beatty, Staffer Emily Byrum, Staffer Lindsey Dunaway, Staffer Gisselle Ferman, Staffer Faith Guinnip, Staffer Ivonee Morales-Meija, Staffer Nathan Nance, Staffer Christina Geabhart, Adviser
Publication information “The Northmen’s Log” will publish four 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 or by email to christina.geabhart@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 to the education process at Oak Park. Advertisers may contact the adviser at christina.geabhart@nkcschools.org for more information. Subscriptions are available at $20 for a mailed copy, $10 for an emailed PDF version, and $25 for both. Opinions expressed in “Log” do not reflect student, staff, or district endorsements of that opinion, product or service. “Log” is a member of MIPA, NSPA, and Quill and Scroll. “Log” is affiliated with JEA, MJEA, and JEMKC.
Junior Braden Smith and senior Izabella Fishburn embrace each other to show love and support for their peers while standing out in the cold of the walkout. See ‘Students walk out for transgender rights’ for more. (photo credit Faith Guinnip)
Table of Contents News - 4
Youth City Council gets involved in politics: Oak Park & Gladstone City Council come together to teach students about local government FCCLA hosts Santa’s Workshop: FCCLA runs its fifth Christmas celebration for local elementary schoolers
People - 6 “It’s not about me anymore”: New and expecting teenage mothers share their stories
Recreation - 7 Rolling into Gladstone: The Log reviews Frozenbachi, a new rolled ice cream shop on North Oak Trafficway
Cover Story - 8 Going up in smoke: Oak Park has also been known by the nickname ‘Smoke Park’ for its drug usage. But is the nickname really accurate?
Feature - 10
Popping the question: A rash of students choosing to get engaged during high school has led to criticism
Back Cover Personal Column: Photo Editor Kayelyn Logan discusses what it’s like living with ADHD
Opinion - 12 Is medical marijuana worth it?: The Log weighs in on newly-legalized medical marijuana in Missouri
Sports - 14 Hill brothers rise to the top: Senior Jonathan Hill and junior Robbie Hill are brothers - and record-setting swim champions
Clubs - 15 Students walk out for transgender rights: A GSA-organized student walkout protested the Trump administration’s decision to remove protections for transgender people
On the Cover Going up in smoke: Photo illustration of burning paper. See pages eight & nine for more. (photo illustration Caitlin Anderson)
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News // Biswell
Building political youth Youth City Council collaborates with local government offices, officials by Sports Editor Jessica Begley Youth City Council is a collaboration between the Gladstone City Council and the school. Councilmen approached the school to start this project to help students become more involved in their community. So far, the students have made one trip to City Hall. “While there we toured around, looked at all the different jobs [in City Council], talked about them, and got to go to the archive area where they keep all their documents,” sophomore Bently Taulbert said. “Then we got to go to the community center and see how the Parks Department does everything and the different leadership roles there.” Taulbert is interested in American government and politics along with the other 17 students involved in the Youth City Council. This program allows these students to engage with the local government. Students shadow a Council member, run mock city council sessions at school and shadow a meeting at City Hall. “The Gladstone City Council has mentioned building a dog park,” sponsor Bryan Edinger said. “They’re going to allow students to research that project, present it to the city council, and possibly get that project approved.” Youth City Council allows for these
Teacher and Youth City Council sponsor Bryan Edinger helped found the organziatoin with the gladstone City Clerk Ruth Bocchino, Assistant City Manager Boab Baer and Principal Chris Sartain, Ed.D. (photo credit Caitlin Anderson) students to have a direct impact on the community. “It’s important for youth to be invested in politics because I feel like today a lot of people blow it all off because they don’t want to talk about issues, when that’s just covering them up,” Taulbert said. “All of us at the school are the future leaders in politics and government.” Any AP Government student or anyone interested in politics at the school is able and encouraged to join Gladstone’s Youth City Council. “Our goal is to build from this year. We were figuring it out as we went, we had no idea what this would end up looking like, but hopefully next year it gets bigger and bigger,” Edinger said.
Sophomore Bently Taulbert is in the Youth City Council, as well as founder of the Young Americans for Freedom Club. (photo credit Caitlin Anderson)
“It’s important for youth to be invested in politics”
-Sophomore Bently Taulbert
News // Biswell
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Kids wait in line to get their faces painted band see Santa. The event was a coomunity service project for FCCLA “It made me feel like a little kid,” sophomore FCCLA member Destiny Hudgens said. (photo credit Lindsey Dunaway)
FCCLA hosts Santa’s Workshop by staffer Lindsey Dunaway
As kids walk down the hallway, gumdrops and peppermints line the walls leading to Santa’s chair. The smell of icing and marshmallows fill the air as kids walked into the foods classroom. “[Santa’s workshop] is our community service project,” FCCLA sponsor and FACS teacher Megan Lacy said. Nine FCCLA members worked the event and spent 13.5 hours preparing for it. The students came in once a week. The last week they came in two or three times. They had two hours to set up the event Saturday morning. FCCLA sent flyers to all of the elementary schools that feed into Oak Park in the hopes that they can get elementary school kids and their families involved. The event’s theme changes every year and Lacy hopes that as time goes on, it gets bigger.
“This year’s theme is candy canes, gumdrops and gingerbread houses,” Lacy said. “So, they’ve been making a big gingerbread house to go behind [Santa] and we’ve been making candy decoration that’s going to go up on the wall.” It didn’t cost anything to get in, but donations were accepted at the door. The event invited more people in the community to be involved, and the kids could get their picture taken with Santa. All of the pictures were posted to the FCCLA’s Facebook page where parents can download them. Santa’s voice drew the kids’ attention as they made their way down the hallway. They took turns telling him what they wanted for Christmas and after they finished, Santa handed them chocolate. “[I’m excited that] I get to see Santa again,” said Bell Prairie kindergartener Charlie Lillich. “I already saw him and told him that I want a toy snake.”
75 kids attended the event. They could have their face painted by FCCLA parent Heather Anderson, they could decorate cookies and play games guided by FCCLA members. “I’m excited for the activities because they’re fun. [My favorite part is] decorating the cookies,” said Northview third grader Chloe Kilgore. The kids weren’t the only ones that had fun. The FCCLA members also enjoyed the workshop. “It was fun to just enjoy. It just made me feel like a little kid,” said FCCLA member Destiny Hudgens. Kids get to see Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas and for the kids, it’s a special time for them. “[My favorite part is] probably seeing Santa becasue I’m really excited to talk to him sonce you don’t usually get to do that,” said fifth grader Charlotte Heckman said.
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People // Powell
“It’s not about me anymore” Student moms raise their children by People & Recreation Editor Mackenzie Powell Teen parents juggle the roles of both parent and child. Adolescents with children see their perspective evolve as their roles change from child to adult. “I was most scared that [junior] Ian [Wilson] and I weren’t ready to be parents,” sophomore Brenya Dyer said. “I didn’t think that a baby would bring us together. I thought it would break us apart.” As of 2016, the United States Department of Health and Human Service reported, 9 percent of pregnancies in Missouri were teenagers from the ages 15 to 19. The moment young mothers find out, a whirl of emotions go through their head. Dyer went from being a freshman to being an adult at age 15. “The thing that scares me the most is the fear that I’m going to make so many mistakes with a baby on the way,” senior Faustina Motko said. “All that I want is for [senior] Deven [Colvin] and my child to be healthy and happy and have the best.” Motherhood comes with its own challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 percent of teenage mothers drop out of high school and pursue their diploma at a later time. Motko had to start the process of graduating early, a path she wasn’t going to take before her pregnancy. Dyer had to worry about adjusting to motherhood while finishing her freshman year. Now, as a sophomore, Dyer has to balance school, work, as well as taking care of her child. A task that she says she accomplishes with varying rates of success. “The hardest part about being a teen mom is I don’t feel like I get enough time with him,” Dyer said. “As he gets older, I feel like I won’t have that connection with him. I’m going to school, working and trying to balance all these responsibilities. I’ll still be there for him and will always be.”
Junior Ian Wilson and sophomore Brenya Dyer with their son, Roman Wilson. Roman was born June 28th, 2018. “I am so glad I decided to sit down in that wheelchair because I would’ve ended up having him in the hallway,” Dyer said. (photo credit North Kansas City Hospital) Adjusting to the news of motherhood was a shock to both of the girls. Upon finding out she was pregnant, Dyer was immediately terrified because she feared the reaction of her family. “I was in the bathroom crying,” Motko said. “I had mixed emotions. I was excited, but also in shock and scared.” Motko and Dyer experienced major changes once they knew. Motko utilizes the Missouri Options Program to receive her diploma. Dyer continues hers “After high school, I’m going to focus on getting a decent job and taking care of the baby,” Motko said. “That’s what needs to be done right now. It’s not just about me anymore.” This is the first segment of a multi-part series. The following parts will run on NorthmenNews.com
Recreation // Powell
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Rolling into Gladstone
by staffer Caitlin Anderson
Tucked away between Longboards and Tipsy Liquor, a shop that many people would probably ignore if it weren’t for the large turquoise sign above their door: Frozenbachi. There are dozens of smoothie and ice cream choices. First, I tried the matcha green tea flavor with a condensed milk drizzle and passion fruit popping boba pearls, mini mochi balls, and strawberry Pocky for the toppings. I thought the color was too light and that the person making it should have added more of the matcha flavoring powder. However, once I tasted it, I realized I was completely wrong. Though its matcha taste was strong, it was delicious. The other flavor I had was the Oreo flavor. It looked and tasted like a Hershey’s cookies and cream chocolate bar, and it was delightful. The whipped cream gave it another dimension of flavor which enhanced the taste. The mango smoothie was good, sweet and creamy in texture. It had a slight pineapple taste, which is a bad thing to me considering I’m allergic to pineapple. It was quite easy to talk to the woman and confirm that there was no pineapple. She gave me some free water, even offering to call an ambulance if I had a reaction. Once I discovered what ingredients were in it, I relaxed and enjoyed the unique taste. It has been, by far, the most considerate I have ever had someone in an establishment treat me for an allergy, and I am so thankful. I also had a taro waffle taco which has Fruit Loops mixed into the ice cream and used as a topping. The taro taste was stronger for this item. The ice cream got mixed on a frozen plate, so the Fruit Loops didn’t get soggy, making the ice cream taste better. The server made and cooled the flat bottom taco, while they mixed ice cream
in front of our eyes. It was an interesting, but pleasant product. The best part of Frozenbachi the atmosphere. Welcoming decorations are on display behind and in front of the counter, friendly staff talk you through your choices and help you make your decisions, and the delicious desserts taste different from any other rolled ice cream restaurants I’ve had before. The music, though a little too loud, was current and fun. The stereo has a playlist combination of Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, and Dua-Lipa to name a few. There were few individual tables, but there was plenty of seating. Overall, I would definitely recommend the experience at Frozenbachi. Time flew by while I was sitting inside. The vibe made me feel immediately at home.
A Frozenbachi prepares the taro-flavored rolled ice cream. The process of making the rolled ice cream freezes condensed milk, cream and flavors, and then chops and rolls it up. There are 16 base flavors to choose from. (photo credit Photo Editor Kayelyn Logan)
Photo illustration of burning paper. Oak Park restricts smoking on all school property, no exceptions. (photo credit Caitlin Anderson)
Going up in smoke by News Editor Malea Biswell
Is the nickname ‘Smoke Park’ really accurate?
School resource deputy Justin Linard almost chuckled to himself when he heard the name “Smoke Park’ in reference to student drug use. “I thought it was kind of funny,” Linard said, “I don’t really think it’s that accurate. I think we definitely do have students that smoke and in particular you have vaping growing in numbers.” Junior Paul Fleming has been a self-proclaimed marijuana smoker for all of his time here, and he says he has been in trouble for marijuana and other drugs more than 10 times. “My cousin told me that [Oak Park] was called Smoke Park and that everyone would just smoke [marijuana] and be high here,” Fleming said. The Jackson County sheriff department recently announced it no longer
prosecutes small (under 10 gram) marijuana possession offenses. Clay County may follow. “If Missouri legalized [recreational marijuana] tomorrow it would still be an issue because students here wouldn’t be of age,” said Linard. However, students now won’t go to jail for small possession offenses on school campus, but the school will address the issue as offense of the school and not an offense of the law. The school does not address actions that students take off of school grounds. “I don’t make it a habit to really place severe consequences or longterm punishment on a student for something fairly small that can be learned from and move on,” Linard said. “I can give an example of a student, who was found to have what
is called a ‘roach’. I called it a ‘baby roach.’” According to cannainsider.com, a roach is the tip of a marijuana cigar leftover after smoking. Typically, it contains less than an eighth of a gram of marijuana. ‘Baby roach’ refers to a very small portion of that tip. If a roach is this small that means the user smoked the cigar fully. “Technically it is possession. But, because of the amount and the student’s cooperation, I chose to discard the little bit, let the school handle it, and just made a phone call to a parent,” said Linard. The number of marijuana related offenses are currently lower at OP than any of the other high schools in the district. According to Linard, OP has had two drug reports since January 2018. Every other high school in
Cover Story // Buchholz the North Kansas City School District has had at least twice as many incidences. The highest number of drug reports, for the same period, was Winnetonka High School with 11. So, marijuana reports may not be as common at Oak Park than the nickname ‘Smoke Park’ would imply. Marijuana offenses are now less of a problem, especially when compared to the rising popularity of vapes and specifically Juuls amongst teenagers. “The flavors are kind of like cereal geared towards kids. When you’ve got these fruity flavors, you’re straight
up targeting young ones,” said Linard. Mango and other flavored of vape juices and Juul pods were officially banned by the FDA recently from being sold, because they appeal to much to younger audiences. Now,
first came out the advertising was that [vaping] was ‘safer than smoking’, but you’re still getting a nicotine addiction,” Linard said. “[Kids] totally forget how addicting it is and how hard [addiction] is to kick.” Researchers still don’t know what damage vapes can cause in the long term to the lungs, since vaping itself has only been around about a decade. “I don’t think it would be accurate to label Oak Park ‘Smoke Park’ from just vaping and Juul alone, because that’s all high schools,” said Linard.
“I don’t think it would be accurate to label Oak Park ‘Smoke Park.’”
-school resource deputy Justin Linard
infographic by Leah Beatty
smoke shops and similar places can only sell tobacco, menthol and mint-flavored juices. “It’s the way that the big companies are trying to stay alive. When vapes
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Feature // Dunaway
Junior Dondra Thomas and Titus Shelton knew each other for two years before getting engaged. “If people want to be together forever, like if they want to get married, then they’ll put in that effort and push for that forever,” said Thomas. (photo credit Lindsey Dunaway)
Feature // Dunaway
Popping the question
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Students are getting engaged
by staffer Lindsey Dunaway and Sports & Clubs Editor Jessica Begley Junior Dondra Thomas was shocked when her boyfriend Titus Shelton dropped down on one knee in front of math teacher Philip Gegen’s room and asked her to marry him in November. “To me I know I’m engaged, but in my head it’s also a promise for forever,” Thomas said. Thomas and Shelton don’t plan to marry until after graduating high school. The engagement proves they are committed to each other. Although they wait, Dondra still faces criticism about the decision. “They’re young and although they might think they know what they want right now, that could quickly change,” sophomore Hannah Maudlin said. “I think that using promise rings instead of getting engaged in high school would be better for teenage couples.” A lot of this criticism took place on social media. After the school saw its second couple get engaged in one month, a multitude of Facebook and Snapchat statuses were posted. Sophomore Brenya Dyer got engaged to junior Ian Wilson this school year, and has been the subject of posts. “If you look on my Facebook, I addressed my feelings on people who bashed on others for their engagement. I feel like [the posts are] a jab at my decision when it’s not
[anyone else’s] choice,” Dyer said. “I personally felt kind of attacked.” These same posts have a different effect on Thomas. “[Criticisms from others] don’t really bother me, because it’s not really their life,” Thomas said. The main theme of these posts are say couples getting engaged is was just a trend. “More and more teenage couples are doing it. They want to grow up too soon and they want to solidify our relationships by adding that extra label,” Maudlin said. “They think it’s what they want now, and it might work out down the road, but they’re young and foolish. Once they saw one couple do it, it became a thing. It spread like wildfire.” The couples feel differently about the debate on whether it’s a trend or not. “It’s not a trend because it’s not something that everyone is doing. Yeah, a few people have done it, but that’s because they genuinely care and genuinely want to be together for a while.” Thomas said. Disregarding all of the criticism, Thomas and Dyer have no regrets about their engagement and plan on getting married sometime within the next few years. “We both wanted a commitment and not just a promise,” Dyer said. “All or nothing. We want to commit a lifetime of building and trust and love, not a promise of those things and have the possibility that it could change.”
“To me I know I’m engaged, but in my head it’s also a promise for forever,”
- Junior Dondra Thomas
12 yes - 1 no Log’s vote on if medical marijuana is worth it
Medical marijuana: Was it worth it?
Missouri legalized medical marijuana
Photo illustration of medical marijuana. Amendment 2 passed in November 2018, legalizing medical marijuana. Photo illustration credit by Caitlin Anderson by Photo Editor Kayelyn Logan
Missouri passed Amendment 2 to legalize medical marijuana on voting day. Current conditions that were included to use medical marijuana are cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, psychiatric disorders, terminal illnesses, conditions with severe pain or muscle spasms, according to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Other illness may allowed later. Doctors can decide if a condition qualifies for medical marijuana based on severity. The Log believes this legislation
advances help to those with major, terminal or painful illnesses. We see medical marijuana as a treatment and not for recreational use. Many people have illnesses where previous treatments didn’t work for them and which medical marijuana might be able to help. Some Log staffers have personal experience with family members who could have positive experience with this new form of treatment. Medical marijuana should be a positive to help patients with their struggles and is not a dangerous thing when used properly and legally. At least 30 countries legalized
marijuana for both medical and recreational uses, such as Australia, Uruguay and Canada just to name a few. Medical marijuana can calm someone down who is going through either an anxiety attack or panic attack or even help with their depression. It also helps people with Parkinson’s disease to stop shaking. Another pro of this treatment is that it relieves appetite loss. Patients with cancer and other illnesses have loss of appetite, which can be more problematic with a patient’s treatment, as many need to eat food with medication
Opinion // Logan Nov. 2, 2018 Missouri legalizes medical marijuana.
July 2019 start accepting applications, 30 days to know if qualified.
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Important dates for medical marijuana
June 2019 Medical marijuana card must be created. Application form to grow medical marijuana available.
Aug. 2019 Start accepting dispensary and cultivation licenses. 150 days to decide if qualified.
States with legalized medical marijuana
Infographics by Kayelyn Logan and Ivonee Mejia
but may be unable to. Medical marijuana will help by making a patient hungry. Chemotherapy can be a very painful and uncomfortable treatment for cancer patients and medical marijuana can help relieve some of that pain that comes. Many doctors prescribe opioids for pain relievers, which wouldn’t be a problem if it there wasn’t 191 million prescriptions in 2017, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical marijuana also helps some people indirectly. When someone gets the proper identification card and facilities, they
could grow their own marijuana for medical use starting in August 2019. This will be helpful for families who already grow all the things they use. They are allowed up to six plants. This may also help them save money as they won’t have to spend thousands upon thousands on medications. The patient doesn’t have to smoke in order to get the treatment. They can have it in the form of cannabis edibles or CBD oil. CBD is a non-psychoactive oil in medical marijuana that will provide the same calming effects and relieves pain without giving a high. Marijuana does have some
side effects. If used in extremes, marijuana can become addicting, cause short term memory loss, or damage the lung tissue because of this there are regulations on how much a person is able to buy in a certain amount of time. Medical marijuana can help patients with relieving pain, appetite loss, and many more symptoms. When used as doctor directs, it can be a huge help in improving the life of many people. The Log believes that medical marijuana can be helpful for those who need it. If medical marijuana can help one person, legalizing was worth it.
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Sports // Begley
The preparation for the 500 freestyle can be intense. Junior Robbie Hill makes his dive look easy while diving into the 500 freestyle. “Every day we push each other and it’s just someone else to compete with on my level,” Hill said in his KMBC interview when referring to swimming against his brother, Jonathan. (photo credit Leah Beatty) Senior Jonathan Hill walks out for one of his races all geared up. “And when it comes to style, Jonathan’s pre-race routine is legendary.” According to KMBC interviewer Karen Kornacki.(photo credit Leah Beatty)
Hill brothers climb to the top by guest writer Anthony Vanderbeek and Photo Editor Kayelyn Logan
Senior Jonathan and junior Robbie Hill are brothers who fight to be the best swimmer in the family. Robbie ranks number one in the 100 fly and second in the 200 individual medley. Jonathan ranks in top 5 of the 100 freestyle, 100 back, and 200 freestyle. “It’s nothing special,” said Robbie Hill. “I’ve worked hard for 13 years to get here and it’s what I’ve been preparing most of my swimming career to get where I am and I’m not done yet.” “It’s part of who I am,” said Jonathan. “Without sports life would be much harder. [Swim is] an escape for me.” Not only do they rank high in the state, but they also rank high in the school record books. Jonathan has the school record in 500 freestyle, 200 free, 100 free, and 100 back, and Rob-
bie has the record in the 100 fly and 200 individual medley. The Hill brothers don’t exclusively swim for Oak Park. Robbie swims for Club North, a local swim club, and Jonathan plays basketball and runs for cross country and track. “My favorite event is the 200 IM [individual medley]…” said Robbie. “I like it because I am dominant in it and it includes all of the strokes which shows what kind of swimmer I am.” Robbie and Jonathan have unique styles preparing before a race. Robbie typically keeps a more calm and composed state behind the blocks, while Jonathan is a bit more excited and emotional. “There shouldn’t be anything going on in your head. All your career you’ve been training for this so let your training and hard work take care of it,” said Robbie.
Further along in his 500 freestyle than his competitors, junior Robbie Hill leads his race by maintaining a speedy pace, long strokes, and a strong kick. “Robbie’s ranked first in the 100 butterfly and second in the 200 IM (at state).” according to their KMBC interview. (photo credit Leah Beatty)
At Boys Conference, junior Robbie Hill receives his first place medal in the 500 freestyle. The 500 freestyle is the longest event to swim in high school meets. Currently, Jonathan has the school record for the 500 freestyle at 4:42:35. “Right now, Robbie is ranked 1st in the state in the 100 butterfly and second in the 200 IM.” said KMBC interviewer Karen Kornacki.
Students walk out for transgender rights and respect
Clubs // Begley
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by staffer Ivonee Morales
kids that feel like they can’t speak up for themselves or can’t stand out for Students stood out in protest on themselves,” Fox said. “That even if Tuesday, Nov. 20, against the Trump they can’t speak up, that there are administration’s decision to take away people out there willing to speak out protection given to transgender peofor them.” ple under Title IX. The walkout was student planned “I believe in our rights and I believe and organized. that we have to speak out on things “We’re not allowed to organize that are happening in our country,” a walkout or be part of a walkout,” senior Jaeza Robertson said. assistant principal Chad Valadez This event was planned by the said, referring to policies faculty must Gay-Straight Alliance on Transgender follow. Remembrance Day, a day dedicated Even though the school administo remembering victims of anti-transtration could not participate or help gender vioplan the event, lence. The two they did come out main leaders of with the resource this event were officers to ensure seniors Emily the safety of the Hilderbrand students protestand Avery Fox. -senior Avery Fox ing.“We had a much Fox gathered support and bigger turnout created artwork. Hilderbrand helped than what we were anticipating which rally support on social media, but is amazing,” Hilderbrand said. “So the both helped plan the event with the hardest part was worrying if people help of the GSA club. were going to come.” “For me, this was my chance to be Since this is a student-held event, a voice, not just for myself but for the the GSA had to plan this event on its own time during and after school. They couldn’t talk to students during class about the event or post something promoting the event in the official Oak Park social media pages. However, students made sure to promote the event on their social media and encourage students to come out for support. “We are hoping that people who Seniors Jenna Grayce, Avery Fox, Gisselle Gonzalez-Sanchez and Lilyan- might’ve felt scared have a voice and na Law hold up a sign displaying the that they feel empowered to be who message “respect my existence or ex- they are and that they are worthy of pect my resistance,” at the recent GSA respect and to be treated like a huwalkout. “We are who we are and noth- man being,” Hilderbrand said. ing is going to change that,” Fox said. As of March 2017, 19 states, the
“We won’t be erased.”
Freshman Kallista Ashton listens to the speakers while showing off their true colors with face paint. (photo credits Faith Guinnip) District of Columbia and more than 200 municipalities in the United States have anti-discrimination laws that allow transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to their gender identity, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality. “The biggest issue is people believing that I don’t belong in certain spaces, as a trans man I’ve used male restrooms and that’s where I’m supposed to be, and people have a problem with it,” Fox said. “I’ve had instances here at Oak Park where they have said something to me and wanted to correct my behavior.” In recent years the school district and its students have shown support towards transgender and non-binary students despite being in a conservative state like Missouri. In 2015, Oak Park made national news when students crowned a transgender Homecoming Queen, the first high school in the country to do so. In 2018, the North Kansas City School District built gender-neutral restrooms in several of its new and renovated schools. What the students want to achieve with this movement will have a ripple effect and encourage students from other schools to do the same to stand up for transgender rights. “We won’t be erased,” Fox said.
Personal Column:
Living with ADHD
By Photo Editor Kayelyn Logan Pens click. Clock tick. I wonder how long I have left in this class? What time is it even? Who created time? Is it really just a conception? Oh, I have to type up that interview! Wait, what? Oh, we have homework. Why is the table shaking? Ha, just my knee. Knees are super weird. How did knees get their name? What’s the significance? I need this song out of my head. What did they say? Geez, Kayelyn, pay attention. Ok, just 20 more minutes. Focus. Focus. Focus. Don’t be an idiot. Do something. Don’t just sit there. 10 minutes. Pens click. Clock ticks. Feet tap. Knees shake. Assignment done. Contrary to public opinion, ADHD is a true mental disease. It’s not easy living with the need to be constantly moving, having your brain move faster than your mouth and an inability to concentrate. I always feel like I have five thousand things to do at a time and there is never the right way to deal with it. Growing up, I would get in trouble all the time because I didn’t know how to control my body, my voice, or even my concentration. I would stand up in the middle of class and talk over other kids. I would be a distraction when we did circle time on the carpet by desperately needing to stand. I can remember when I was really young, my class was taking those minute math quizzes and I was solving the problem out loud. I was sent to the principal’s office because the teacher called it cheating when I genuinely thought I talked to myself inside my head. I have always struggled with getting things done. I’ve always been labeled as lazy or procrastinating because I have the need to do many
things at once but can’t focus on any of them so I do nothing instead. Living with ADHD has been a huge mental struggle. Many kids who struggle with ADHD also struggle with depression, anxiety, and insomnia, myself included. I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep because my mind just keeps thinking and I can’t stop it. My anxiety is really
Photo Editor Kayelyn Logan. (photo credit Mackenzie Powell) bad because I have so much I think I need to do that I feel like I’m drowning, I feel like I’m never going to get anything done and then that makes my chest fill up and feel heavy. Then there’s that whole depression mess where it’s impossible to feel any sort of emotion, I feel like a void and like nothing I do is even worth it, but my ADHD makes me feel like I have to do something even though my body doesn’t want to. It’s an endless cycle and it is the most infuriating thing ever because my mind and brain are still forming and learning. I’m still trying to figure out how to deal with my ADHD in a healthy, productive way. Kids with ADHD typically have a harder time paying attention in class
or sitting still. Many people think we are annoying because we constantly talk or have a million things we are doing. Some kids take medication to help control impulses and when off that medication, little things trigger or irritate us. While ADHD may not be the worst mental illness to live with, it’s definitely not easy. It is a daily inner struggle. I wake up every day with either a million things on my brain or nothing. When I get stressed and anxious, trying to multitask becomes extremely hard because I feel the need to do seven different things when in reality I only need to do one. I have trouble prioritizing what comes first because I feel as if I am prioritizing the wrong things. We are often misunderstood because people don’t understand why we are scatterbrained or seem disorganized. In reality, we have our own system that works for us. It’s frustrating when people don’t respect that and try to ruin what works for us. It’s infuriating when people think we procrastinate when we really just have trouble walking away from things that we actually finally concentrated on. The stereotype of ADHD kids is incredibly wrong. We are thought to be annoying, distracting, or oblivious. It would be nice if we change people’s perspective of us as lazy kids who won’t shut up or sit down. This stigma surrounds my daily life is very irritating and needs to be changed. For instance, ADHD needs to be treated like the actual illness it is. People need to learn how to have more patience with everyone, but mainly kids who struggle with ADHD. Learning a little bit will go a long way and will make kids feel a better about themselves.