The Northmen's Log, Vol. 58, Issue 3

Northmen’s Log The

February 2023, Kansas City, Missouri

Breaking News

New law assists Missouri public schools districts in the current teacher crisis. Read more on page 6.

Northstars

Special Olympics makes sports inclusive and friendships blossom. Read more on page 10.

Volume 58, Issue 3

Staff

Ben Dunaway, Photo Editor

Veronica Mourwel, Design Editor

Tatem Petet, Copy Editor

Jacob Eischen, staffer

Lilian Everley, staffer

Lily House, staffer

Mia Ivan, staffer

Julie McPhail, staffer

Bela Parrett, staffer

Ben Place, staffer

Rachel Prate, staffer

Brynlee Tucker, staffer

About the Cover

Science teacher NeQuelle DeFord’s class pet, Sugar the rat, wakes up from a little nap. photo by Julie McPhail, illustration by Bela Parrett

Publication

“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 discussion by submitting Letter to the Editor in Room E134 or by email to christina.geabhart@nkcschools.org.

Letters cannot be 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 advisor at christina.geabhart@nkcschools.org for more information. Opinions expressed in “Log” do no reflect student, staff, or district endorsements of that opinion, product, or service.

“Log is a member of MIJA, NSPA, and Quill and Scroll. “Log” is affiliated with JEA and JEMKC.

Changes in School Lunches Affect Students and Staff

COVID-19 and quarantine led to challenges for school lunches

by staffer Bela Parrett

School lunches have shifted over the past few yearsfrom the beginning of the pandemic with waivers allowing any available food to be served, and serving food for free to now. The regulations on dietary requirements have returned and so have the prices.

When schools across the nation shut down due to the quarantine in March 2020, food production also dropped as people began working from home. Because of the limited food production, companies stopped vending to schools, and the schools had less variety in their menus. The Food and Nutrition Service issued nationwide waivers which took away limitations that kept school food whole wheat and sugar-free. They also allowed schools to serve whatever they could find through a vendor and for free.

“At that time we also had waivers,” food service manager Sarah Garcia said. “So we didn’t have to follow the strict guidelines that are in place today. So when [first lady] Michelle Obama was in office with her husband, we had to go to whole wheat everything and all those different restrictions that we had. Well, that’s what those waivers covered. It covered everybody to eat free. It covered us to use whatever food we can find to feed everybody.”

The district served free lunch during lockdown and during hybrid weeks because of COVID-19. These lunches were often limit-

ed, but they fed the entire district free of charge.

“We did meals and curbside meals, and so families would drive by,” assistant director of Food Services for NKC Schools Andrea Wilhoit said. “And we would have some meals prepared for students that they could pick up for their families.”

This is the first school year there have been no quarantine protocols in the district. Free lunches and unrestricted lunch options were no longer available.

“Now everybody has to go back to full pay or if you qualify for reduced and free, that really changes the dynamics in everybody eating you know, everybody doesn’t get to eat free,” Garcia said. “I try and push everybody who does get free lunch or reduced lunch to get their fruits and vegetables and put them in a basket, or if they just want the juice, to get the extra breakfast and put it in a basket. This way, the kids who can’t afford to eat can actually grab from there and have something.”

Over quarantine, the school district found new vendors for school lunches and had to leave behind the old ones, who no longer vend to schools or have limited supplies.

“To be able to get food was a big challenge,” Wilhoit said. “We had various vendors drop us and so we had to pick up Martin Brothers in July of 2021.”

Now, the district has a menu that is regularly served, unlike the lunches during quarantine, which was any food the school

could find.

It has been a struggle to purchase high quality food due to the food shortage, an ongoing effect of the pandemic.

“The product is different,” Garcia said. “Our popcorn chicken used to be Tyson brand. And now we can’t get that brand because it was out of stock half the time. So we go for what else we can get on the budget that we do have for the schools. It changes the product, which changes the taste and the food. If the kid liked it last month, they might not like it this month.”

The school district officials said they do their best with lunches, and some students appreciate it.

Freshman Jorge Fernandez said, “Overall I am content with the food that they give us. They’re doing the best they can. It’s not top tier high quality. I would say more serving sizes would be better and just keep it up with the fresh fruit.”

Many students, however, have complained about lunches this year.

“I ate a strawberry that felt like it was ice,” freshman Sebastian Ritchey said.

Garcia understands students’ complaints about the lunches.

“I’m just trying to feed everybody and make sure that they’re happy with what they get,” she said. “If they don’t like it, then you know, I let them choose something different and be like, ‘here, let me see that you could take something else.’”

StudentS d i Sappointed in L ack of B L ack H i Story e ngagement

by staffer Ben Place

Every February, students and staff celebrate Black History Month, a time for everyone to learn about and engage with the history and culture of Black people from a Black perspective.

Black History

Month helps to “bring awareness to things that are going wrong in the world, but also because even if things were perfect, it’s still, it’d be important to know where we came from and our roots,” said senior Khalil Henderson, vice president of the Black Student Union.

“Awareness definitely helps change things,” Henderson said. “I feel like a lot of racism is ignorance. But then when people learn, that’s going to change a lot.”

Tuwana Williams, sponsor of the

Diversity Council and Black Student Union, understands the importance of engaging with Black history.

“My grandfather went through racism,” Williams said.

“So have I, my mom, parents, grandparents were from the South. So I mean, it’s just a part of who I am.”

The BSU plans on holding trivia contests during AR every Wednesday of the month, as well as a spirit week, starting the last week of the month leading up to the culmination of Oak Park’s celebration, the annual Black history program. This program, planned for Friday, Feb. 24, during AR combines competition, dance, and education into a single jam-packed show. However, BSU president, senior Aida Bah said she has been disappointed in the student body’s past engagement in the

celebration.

She cites North Kansas City High School’s celebration of Black history as one she wants OP to emulate.

“They have weekly events,” Bah said. “We have our Black History Assembly, and that is probably the most exciting part.”

Henderson shares Bah’s sentiment.

“I don’t know why at StuCo events, like the assembly, everybody will be there,” Henderson said. “It’ll be packed. And then we’ll have like the Black History Month Assembly, and it’s like crickets. They’re both assem-

blies. They’re both supposed to be fun.”

Henderson wants students to understand their program isn’t just constantly quoting trivia.

“We try to have something engaging, while also bringing awareness,” Henderson said.

Henderson said he thinks school staff could step up and help promote Black history. He proposes teachers be more active in educating their students, Black and white, on the history of Black people.

Students introduce the 2022 Black History Month assembly. all file photos courtesy of Tuwana Williams.

WHat can oak park StudentS and Staff do to B etter engage WitH B L ack H i Story?

“I think just acknowledging the contributions that Blacks have done in the community in general just really respecting the fact that we have added major things, even small things like the traffic light. We just need to educate ourselves more on how we’re just not stereotypically angry or aggressive or things like that. We are regular old people that have done amazing things, as well as in the community. And I think celebrating those is always a good thing.”

H oW Ha S Learning B L ack H i Story impacted you?

“It’s definitely made me feel better about myself. When you grow up Black, sometimes, from the beginning, it’s pushing to your brain that you’re already worse than people. You’re dumber than all the white kids. You’re not going to be as good as them. But then when you learn about all the good things that people in the past have done, you’re like, No, I can be like them. I’m also good. I’m also smart. I think that it makes kids feel better about themselves. It definitely, made me feel uplifted. Because I feel like when you grow up as a minority, it’s really not easy. But then when you kind of get Black History Month awareness, then you have a group that supports you.”

WHy i S it important for aLL StudentS to engage WitH B L ack H i Story?

“I think it just leads us to a better future without ignorance. As idealistic as that is, the more we educate ourselves, the more we can understand other people’s experience, even though we’re not the ones living it. It also just makes our environment a safer place. A lot of people who might not come from minority backgrounds might not understand the feeling of not being safe in your environment and feeling like you’re ostracized and etc., but learning about that stuff is just one step to help us move forward.”

Senior Aida Bah, president of the Black Student Union. all portraits by Rachel Prate

Tuwana Williams, sponsor of the Black Student Union and Diversity Council

Senior Khalil Henderson, vice president of the Black Student Union.

Senior M.J. Johnson reads poetry at the 2022 Black History Month assembly.

Senior Aida Bah, alumni Kelsey Abunga and Lamis Habila explain the intricacies of Black hair care.

Will They Return?

by Design Editor Veronica Mourwel

At Oak Park, 15 new teachers were hired for the 2022-2023 school year as 13 teachers decided to take a different path in retirement or in other career fields. The national teacher shortage has been growing since before the COVID-19

BROKEN

pandemic as teacher completion programs have been diminishing by 31% since 2012, according to publicnewsservice.org.

Some teachers believe there’s many factors. English teacher Elizabeth Menne said she believes the reason for the teacher shortage is the disrespect associated with teaching. Menne said she thinks teachers became tired of

COVID-19

Since the pandemic, the education system has been out of the ordinary. In the fall of 2020, the North Kansas City School District gave its teachers a choice to teach in person, teach virtually, or retire early. This gave teachers a lot to think about for their future.

English teacher Shane Sandau said he believes it was hard after the crisis because teachers were learning how to return to the classroom.

For social studies teacher Matthew Reynolds, COVID-19 affected him socially when trying to re-enter the classroom and assist the kids who were developmentally behind on how to behave.

the feeling of not being compensated for their work and not being treated with respect.

“Sometimes I feel like the people that are still here that aren’t leaving are getting held accountable for the people that are leaving, you know, and so it just makes me sad,” principal Molly Smith, Ed.D., said.

A survey conducted in May 2022 by the74million.org, a nonprofit news organization covering America’s education system, found that more than 80% of public school teachers saw “stunted behavioral and socio-emotional development” in their students because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The same survey found an increase in student and teacher absences from years previous to pandemic years.

“It’s more than just a career. It’s more than just standing in front of the board,” English teacher Lisa Elder said. “It’s all about these young people and helping them, just shaping them.”

“

The teaching profession is

and needs to be FIXED”

-social studies

Matthew Reynolds

Salary

Salaries are a big factor in the teacher shortage as well. To offset the shortage for this year in Missouri, teachers who are recent retirees were given the choice to come back to teach and keep their entire retirement salary and a teacher salary on top of that, this was made possible by the HB 2114 law.

The law allows retirees who are receiving benefits from the Public School Retirement System to work full-time for up to two years for a public school covered by the same retirement system, if the school is in need of certified teachers or non-certified employees. This bill was sponsored by Republican Sen. Rusty Black in order for surrounding school districts to help other school districts suffering from the teacher shortage.

Math teacher Philip Gegen learned about this bill last August after retiring in May. Gegen re-

ceived a call from the North Kansas City Schools office informing him of the program allowing retirees to return to teaching, and was offered a job. Gegen said he feels the bill is helpful not just locally but nationally.

“It’s been a real challenge after the COVID pandemic to kind of get everybody on track, teachers and students,” Gegen said. “I think we’ve just all had trouble getting back to ‘normal’ and part of that has been, has been a lot of people that have left the teaching profession.”

1 4 4 day school weeks

Here at OP....

When hiring teachers during this shortage, Smith said she doesn’t have a different criteria, but a smaller pool of candidates. Smith said she looks for people who are willing to put the work in.

“It’s hard and it’s time consuming and I mean, even when I talk to some of my friends they’re like ‘oh you get summers off’ and like not really,” Smith said. “It’s just I don’t think people have a good understanding of really what goes into it.”

What keeps teachers going are their relationships with the kids.

www.kcur.org

English and AVID teacher Kalie Jones said she feels like the worst part of the job is also the best. Jones said she never knows what type of day she’s going to have because she caters to the amount of energy her students have.

“It can be hard, but the fun little interactions in the hallway or the conversations that we have during class just really getting to know them; that’s the most fun thing about the job,” Jones said.

For Reynolds, the relationship built with the students and watching them grow in academics and as people are what drives him to continue.

dropped by 25% www.pbs.org

A difficult aspect of the job for teachers can be keeping students motivated. Sandau said a challenge for him is seeing students with potential and trying to help them reach it.

“You feel a connection to the people around you and you want people to succeed and there’s a lot of obligations that you have as a teacher in education, and sometimes it’s hard to decide which, which tasks to put first and which obligation to have is your highest priority,” Sandau said.

For more teacher thoughts, watch The Axe report at:

prepare with

Senior Gabriella Fields, senior Morgane Jastrzembski, senior Rylee Grossman, sophomore Amara Baty, senior Eliza Sprouse senior Jillian Ray and sophomore Clara Timmons perform during the homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. all photos by Brynlee Tucker

by staffer Jacob Eischen

Pommies start every practice with a rigorous 30-minute stretch routine. They contort themselves into incredibly impressive shapes with minimal effort. After their in-depth static and dynamic stretches, they begin to practice their routines.

The time of year affects the routines they practice. Football, basketball and competition seasons look slightly different. Certain routines must be prioritized in order to be prepared for all performances. The Pommies began practicing three days a week in July, primarily focusing on football routines. Halftime performances are the priority during sports season while competition routines are priority during competition season.

“It takes a lot to put something together,” head coach Megan Pabon said.

She uses her experience to determine the weaknesses of the team and any aspects of a routine that might need to be fixed. The

Unity is key in a Pommies performance. Performances are extremely precise leaving almost no margin for error, the slightest mistake or mistimed move can dock points in competition or leave a viewer with a tainted im-

Sophomores Amara Baty and Clara Tiimmons, senior Jillian Ray, junior Olin Spencer and freshman Gabriella Mina stretch before practice, Friday, Feb. 10.

group may run through a routine in its entirety or take it beat by beat, breaking a routine down into all its components. This is where most of the clean-up is done to ensure that people are doing their job.

“Cleaning up every little head and hand and toe and angle, so that we all look unified,” Pabon said.

pression of the team. Routines include sections of team-wide synchronization and parts in which individuals perform solo moves.

“It is very mentally and physically challenging just because there are so many things that go into doing dance that most people don’t really think about,” Pom-

Coach Megan Pabon perfects the Pommies routine ahead of their 2023 showcase.

the pommies

mies Blue Blood senior Jillian Ray said.

Keeping good morale is essential to handle the mental and physical challenges, especially for competitions.

“The team is self-motivated and

Summit North Regional competition in both their Mix and Lyrical Jazz routines. Mix routines are a melting pot of dance styles: pom pon, jazz, ballet, etc. Lyrical jazz is a style of dance that combines ballet and jazz, typically in a slower, more melancholy tone. Dancers said it was a big deal to perform a lyrical jazz routine, as they have not competed in lyrical jazz competitions in almost a decade.

“We were all kind of nervous about doing it again, and then we came to this competition and won it,” Jastrzembski said.

always excited for competitions,” Pabon said.

“I’m extremely competitive, so it’s really easy for me to stay motivated because I like winning,” senior Morgane Jastrzembski said.

The Pommies recently placed first in their division at the Lee’s

It takes a lot of practice to be able to perform at a First Place level, many of the dancers have been dancing since they were young and attend dance studios in the off season. These dancers are so polished that they often make their routines look effortless. That’s what it takes to win first.

“Getting a team of 14 people to do the exact same thing for two minutes straight with the amount of skill that’s put into it, they make it look easy,” Pabon said.

Coach Megan Pabon evaluates senior Morgane Jastrzembski’s solo dance.

Everyone Deserves to Play

by Copy Editor Tatem Petet and staffer Mia Ivan

Stretching, ball handling and position work starts the Northstars’ practice, just like any other basketball team.

The Northstars are a large group of disabled people of all ages who build community and friendship around sports.

“Our Special Olympics team for the district, we have swimming, basketball, track, softball, bocce and bowling,” Northstar sponsor Emma Bastarache said.

The Northstars want to make everyone feel included.

“Everyone has the right to play and then I also give them a chance to like, make friends because exercise gives them a chance to learn how to play sports,” Bastarache said.

This program was not always a part of the school district.

“There was a Northstars Special Olympic Team, coached at the Y by now retired teacher, Karen Jones.

There was no affiliation with the district. I joined her as assistant coach and began pursuing district backing,” co-sponsor Pam Rohlfing said.

There are multiple adults who coach or volunteer to support the Northstars program.

“My dad has been assistant coaching basketball for a couple of years now,” Bastarache said. “Then if I ever need some more help [my brothers] will come to a practice and help out.”

The Special Olympics can be very freeing for the players.

“It’s very fun and it’s very energetic and you get to get your energy out,” Northstar player Kevin Hacker said.

The Special Olympics also improved overall well being.

“[It helps] me to be more productive. Instead of just… like sitting on a couch and doing nothing,” Northstars athlete Gaige Woltheys said.

Special Olympics creates life-long bonds, for coaches and players alike.

“Love the athletes, love the

unified partners, love the families,” Rohlfing said.

Special Olympics can be an outlet for the players.

“It makes me feel happy,” Woltheys said. “And to just escape from the real world.”

Northstar teammates start their practice with ball handling drills on Saturday, Jan. 28.

photo by Mia Ivan

A Northstar player practices her shooting during pregame warmups. photo by Emma Bastarache

The Special Olympics program is not just about sports, it also focuses on building community. Relation ships are a huge part of all sports. Many players said the friendships they made were the most valuable part of being on the team.

“I just love being with the kids. I teach special ed, but I like having a chance to like actually do fun things, right? Like instead of just math.” Bastarache said.

Special Olympics is not only re warding for the players.

“Every person deserves an op portunity to participate in sports,” Rohlfing said. “Every single one.”

Northstars are looking for a help ing hand. The practices are weekly and count as community service as well as A+ hours. If interested, email emma.bastarache@nkc schools.org.

Two Northstar teammates pose for a photo before baseball practice. photo by Emma Bastarache

Northstar teammates gather for a pregame huddle. photo by Emma Bastarache

,

Balancing School & Sports

by staffer Lili Everley

6:45 a.m. wake up and prepare for school

7:43a.m.-2:40 p.m. attend class

2:40-4:30 p.m. varsity basketball tournament game

4:30-5 p.m. drive to travel softball practice

5-6 hitting lesson

6-10 p.m. softball team practice

11 p.m. arrive back home and eat dinner

11:20 p.m.- midnight work on homework

midnight-12:30 a.m. get ready for bed

12:30 a.m. go to sleep

This is one day of triple-sport varsity athlete freshman Kali Bogart’s schedule during the winter season.

From the classroom to the court, student athletes put in work. From the school day to practices or contests these individuals are expected to excel, despite how hard it may be both on their physical and mental well-being.

“It’s overwhelming, but you have to find a way to get your coaches to understand that you’re so busy,” Bogart said.

Trying to be successful in both areas of their high school career can be draining. Bogart said she spends a lot of time communicating with the coaches about her activities in order to be present in the sports she participates in.

These athletes learn the skills of communication, time management, determination, and grit. This can prove challenging for the

individual as they struggle with procrastinating.

Pommie sophomore Amara Baty said, “Whenever I’m tired from practice, or whatever with dance five days of the week. So, I would say taking moments that I could be using [to work on school], but using them to relax in a sense, so I just need better time management.”

Baty went on to say as a firstyear student athlete, her first semester had a steep learning curve. Now as she approaches second semester, it is all about executing the plans and strategies she set for herself to improve time management and decrease procrastination.

Baty was not alone in the problems of time management. Twosport varsity athlete junior Wyatt Smith said during the season finding the time to study or complete homework around practice times and games can be a struggle. However as an upperclassman, it has become more of a duty and routine which has helped simply because of the experience it gave.

However, the academic side of balance isn’t the only struggle. Because student athletes said thy dedicate so much time to classes and games, being social and maintaining their personal relationships can be extremely hard. As well as trying to rest and recuperate from the physical toll being an athlete takes.

“It’s a lot, so going home and getting the rest you need and maintaining all of those relationships is kind of difficult, because

you’re constantly at school, and you don’t really have time for anything,” varsity basketball player senior Maddie Moore said.

These individuals have a lot on their plate and have to prioritize which piece of their life needs more focus at the time. Moore said the athlete should put sports on the back burner if necessary, if that will mean academic success.

“I put school first because it’s more important and because I want to be successful in life,” Moore said, “Then I can do sports and be in the right state of mind to play.”

A common theme between these athletes’ success is planning ahead. Using work time in school such as AR, as well as having a designated time outside of school or even sacrificing social time on the weekends or off days in order to have time to work on preparation for the next week.

“If I know that I’m gonna have a lot of work over the weekend and I try and get it all done on Saturday,” Smith said. “So then I can just have the rest of the weekend to practice and get ready for next week with athletics”

But through all of the tireless hours spent, athletes said they see the value of hard work reflected in both their grades and athletic performance.

“Going out there and having fun on the court makes it all worth it because at the end of the day, you know that you’re doing your best and you’re just there to have fun and enjoy it while it lasts,” Moore said.

Teens for hire Students juggle school, work

by staffer Brynlee Tucker

Students can spot “Help Wanted” signs anywhere in Kansas City, especially driving down North Oak Trafficway or Antioch Road. Teenagers across the nation manage going to school full-time and having a part-time job after school and on the weekends. With hundreds of companies open to hiring people as young as 14, many students jump on the opportunity to get an early start on their career.

“I like the busy work and the environment of my job,” junior Kate-Lynn McCahon said. “It’s fun and enjoyable and the people I work around are great. I’m not sure I would enjoy it as much if it wasn’t for the people.”

Some teens like their job because they do something they truly enjoy.

“I get to teach children how to swim; and I also get to help people be safe at the pool,” senior Kylie Brooks said.

Just like most things, working has its highs and lows.

“I like it because a lot of my friends work there and I enjoy the movies, but sometimes I don’t because when I’m tired I feel discouraged by rude customers,” senior Khalil Henderson said.

Many teens make the state minimum wage of $12 per hour, sometimes even more.

“I get to make money and talk to a lot of people and make friends, it also gives me something productive to do,” sophomore Sai Weaver-Creager said.

Many students may view jobs as an extremely time-consuming activity. However, many employers are flexible with hours for teens. Some teens work anywhere from four to eight hours per week, while others work up to forty hours per week. It all depends on where they work.

“I work between zero to two days a week on weekends, four hours a shift,” Hy-Vee employee sophomore Alando Matheny-Banuelos said.

infographic by Lily House

“You become a family with the people you work with,” - senior Rebecca England

Learn About These Purrfect Companions

Get to know student and teacher pets

by staffer Lily House

From the scaliest to the furriest critters, animals hold a special place in people’s hearts. They bring happiness into lives through their presence and companionship. Across the student and teacher body, the most common pets tended to be dogs and cats.

Junior Gracie Vieth has two cats, Luna and Dolly, and a beagle named Charlie. Her mom cares for the cats, while her dad cares for the dog. Between her cats and dog’s routine, Charlie follows a more consistent daily routine, while the cats tend to “do whatever they want whenever they want.”

Across rarer pets, a routine for one’s pet may look a little different. Junior Tristan Young is the primary caretaker of her pet chinchilla named Oscar. Since he is a nocturnal animal, Young and Oscar follow a closely related night routine, followed by treats and snuggles.

“He is my favorite animal in the family because he is mine,” Young said. “He is like my child, and I have indescribable love for him.”

Science teacher NeQuelle DeFord has various pets inside her classroom. These animals include a Siamese fighting fish, Chinese box turtle, Russian tortoise, hermit crabs, dairy cow isopods, female fancy rats, and a European polecat.

Her favorite pet, Patches, the European polecat,

otherwise known as the sable mask ferret, loves to run around the classroom, play with balls and play tag.

Sugar and Spice, the female fancy rats, are her second favorite classroom pets. Sugar sits on her shoulder while she is doing work after school, and Spice is trained to come to the door when receiving a treat.

“They are part of my family and I love them,” DeFord said. “They bring me joy on their own but even more, because of the joy they bring my students.”

Some students don’t have the opportunity to own pets at their home, or simply just like to visit them before school, so having these pets allows for fellowships to be made.

“I love seeing my students’ faces brighten up when they see them,” DeFord said.

Aside from the loving bonds pets can provide, they can require numerous responsibilities. For DeFord, these responsibilities can especially be pricey and time-consuming. On average, she spends around $500 or more every year on food, bedding, and other habitat materials. Weekly, she spot cleans the cages, and once every semester, she spends five hours or more doing a thorough cleaning of all the tanks.

Despite the care and maintenance of animals, the companionship animals give is worth the effort to many people. From students to teachers, pets provide an incomparable friendship.

“They are a part of my family and I love them,”

-science teacher

NeQuelle DeFord

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#1 Senior Blake Harmon and his Boxer mix dog, Iris. photo courtesy of Harmon

#2 Devon and Sean O’Connor enjoy the sun with their dog Gussy. “He is a Dachshund/Corgi,” Devon O’Connor said. photo courtesy of Devon O’Connor #3 Science teacher Nequelle DeFord’s class pets, Sugar and Spice, cuddle after a long day. photo by Julie McPhail

#4 Junior Beyanka Lalone and her cat, Willow. photo courtesy of Lalone

#5 Senior Riley Chastain and her Beagle dog, Arya. photo courtesy of Chastain

#6 & #7 Junior Gracie Vieth’s cats, Luna and Dolly. photos courtesy of Vieth

#8 DeFord’s class pet, Patches the ferret, hangs out

during class 4A. photo by Julie McPhail

#9 Junior Gracie Vieth’s dog, Charlie the beagle. photo courtesy of Vieth

#10 Junior Tristan Young and her pet, Oscar the chinchilla on Tristan’s arm. photo courtesy of Young

#11 Sophomore Nora Martin’s pet, Jiminy the dog, plays Monopoly. photo courtesy of Martin

#12 Senior Kaylee Kimmet and her dog, Pogi the German shepherd mix. photo courtesy of Kimmet

#13 Freshman Charlotte Crane and her pet, Creed the cat. photo courtesy of Crane

#14 Junior Tyler Murphy and his pet, Mocha the dog. photo courtesy of Katelynn Murphy

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Where Young Minds Thrive

all briefs by staffer Julie McPhail

There are roughly 900 A+ students in the building. That is around half of the student body. When a student participates in the A+ program, they must earn at least 50 tutoring hours.

Dance in the Black Light

The black light dance was an informal event themed around UV lights. The dance took place at 9:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, after the mens basketball game, held in the AUX gym. Tickets were $5 each and sold during lunch. Roughly 200 tickets were sold. A color war was held on the practice field, before the game. Students threw colored powder at each other

while wearing white. STUCO also had a spirit week themed with popular songs:

Monday: PJ day “Snooze” by SZA; Tuesday: Twin day “Close Friends” by Lil Baby; Wednesday: Country vs. Country Club “Super Rich Kids” by Frank Ocean; Thursday: Dress as your younger self “Kids” by Mack Miller; Friday: White out “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd.

“Tutoring hours may be gained any time you help young students,” A+ coordinator Jennifer Burke said. This includes being a teacher’s assistant, taking child development classes, participating in Adventure Clubs and more. If students would like to enroll in A+, email jennifer.burke@nkcschools.org.

HYPE Day started this year. “We want students to feel like they belong,” assistant principal Olivia Stevenson said. HYPE Day, which stands for Help Young People Elevate, is all about finding time for kids to have a brain break. Some popular HYPE Day

activities are study halls, clubs, interest groups like yoga, coloring, Harry Potter or others, sports practices, meetings and more.

Students can sign up in Clever’s Enriching Students each week for their HYPE Day activity.

Junior Aidan Bearden answers a question during a game of guessthe-song.

Senior Sharo Mahdi and junior John Box face off in a guessthe-song competition during the black light dance assembly held on Friday, Feb. 3. all photos by Brynlee Tucker

Junior Wyatt Smith performed the national anthem to kick off the black light dance assembly.