The Clipper Feb. 2020 by The Pirate Clipper

THE CLIPPER

VOLUME 29 | ISSUE 5 | February 2020 | PLATTE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

SOMETHING FOR

Everyone

PAGE 08

A LOOK INSIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES

CELEBRATING COLOR Black Student Union organizes Black History Month celebration By Kiersten Robbins

OPINIONS

SNOW DAY STIGMA

More thought goes into school cancellation decisions than students realize By Sophia Zimmerman

Academic teams prepare for competition By Audrey McCoy

It is important to continue celebrating previously oppressed groups

PUTTING FORTH THE EFFORT

FAR FROM EQUAL By Charisma Root

#FYP TikTok users make videos, some students gain unexpected popularity By Grace Roggy

Staff Editor-in-Chief Charisma Root

Page Editors

Staff Writers Grace Roggy Sophia Zimmerman

Photographers Claire Graves Jessenia Orellana

Kiersten Robbins Audrey McCoy Adviser Tatianna Tafolla Kari Johnson

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Acting, set of spring play lives up to eccentric plot By Tatianna Tafolla

TO DATE OR NOT TO DATE

Despite social pressure, dating not crucial during teen years By Audrey McCoy

SPORTS & WELLNESS

TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY

Metro area buzzes with excitement surrounding Super Bowl By Grace Roggy and Sophia Zimmerman

FOOD AVENUE

Students, staff participate in different eating habits By Tatianna Tafolla

HITTING THE MARK

Archery team hosts Hunger Games tournament, continues to expand program By Kiersten Robbins

On the Cover

In character, junior Danyelle Huntsman delivers a monologue to her fellow actors across the stage. This is her 11th show since joining the theatre program her freshman year. Photo by Claire Graves

Who We Are

The Pirate Clipper is a student-run newspaper dedicated to informing students on current local, national and worldwide issues without bias. Opinions and editorials do not reflect the views or opinions of the Platte County staff, school, administration or adviser. For questions or concerns, contact adviser Kari Johnson at: johnsonk@platteco.k12.mo.us.

LGBTQ+ affirmative youth counselor

February 2020, 03

Giving the next clue, sophomore Amaira Peterson describes the 15th Amendment for the next bingo slot. Peterson started doing the announcements to show awareness of the different cultures in the school. Photo by Jessenia Orellana

Celebrating COLOR

Black Student Union organizes Black History Month celebration Written by Kiersten Robbins

long-standing tradition for 94 years, Black History Month was established in 1926 but wasn’t formally recognized until 1976. With the help of teachers Jamar Parrish and Ashlyn Brantley, the Black Student Union (BSU) will host an assembly on Feb. 28 featuring games and different performances to commemorate this national celebration. Parrish explained how proud he is to celebrate his culture and its history. “There’s a sense of pride that goes along with it,” Parrish said. “Obviously you could go through every month and say there’s something you can pick out from American history that African-Americans contributed to, but to have one month dedicated to that, I guess there’s a sense of pride attached to that.” Throughout the month, the BSU will also be hosting a Black History Month trivia Bingo where students and teachers must answer descriptions of important African-American figures to mark a spot. The BSU is doing this to teach students of the achievements of African-Americans in history and celebrate this as a way to educate and

promote diversity. “I hope they take away a better understanding of the different cultures we have in this school and overall in the whole world,” sophomore Amaira Peterson said. “I know Platte City isn’t exposed to a lot of diversity so maybe we can broaden people’s understanding of different people and different cultures and their traditions and customs.” The assembly will include a performance by the step team, a singer, a potential guest speaker and trivia bingo, as well as other games and activities. However, according to senior and BSU member Jayme Mitchell, more will be known throughout the month as plans are finalized. “My culture was something I struggled with,” Mitchell said. “I felt like I wasn’t fit for the right culture, if you know what I mean. But I feel like it’s something that’s so welcoming, and most people don’t realize that, and I think that’s why we’re trying to showcase it.” Every year there is a new theme, and this year’s theme is “African Americans and the Vote.” This theme coincides with the 150th anniversary

of the 15th Amendment allowing African-American men to vote. “One hundred and fifty years is not that long in the bigger scheme of things, and to think that it’s only been that long since African-American men were allowed to vote,” Parrish said. “It’s a huge milestone.” With Black History Month being a national celebration, some have their own traditions to celebrate in their own way. “In my family we like to talk about where we think the country would be if slavery was still a thing or just some of the great leaders that are African-Americans,” Peterson said. “My mom’s an English teacher. We really like to talk about black poets like Maya Angelou.” Peterson said the BSU and volunteers helping with this celebration hope to celebrate Black History Month but to also share the celebration with others. “I know it’s definitely still not perfect, and far from perfect, but as long as we are making constant change, then I feel like that’s all I can ask for, or we can ask for as a country,” Peterson said.

04, Feature

Junior Megan Trent talks with a fellow classmate before leaving for competition. On Jan. 31, speech and debate attended a tournament and took home two trophies. Photo by Claire Graves

PUTTING FORTH THE Extra EFFORT Academic teams prepare for competition

Written by Audrey McCoy

tudents learn valuable knowledge and expand their skill set while taking part in academic teams in preparation to test their knowledge and abilities. “Speech and Debate is very helpful for future skills,” Speech and Debate class president junior Megan Trent said. “It’s a great program to be a part of if you plan to go into the professional world, or if you want to learn adult skills such as public speaking, researching, learning, or how to write a persuasive paper and speaking clearly.” Trent said competing and winning makes her feel accomplished, but she also enjoys the teamwork aspect of the

partner event. The team all has rounds of individual speech events such as dramatic interpretation and then separate rounds of debate that each group gets a chance to perform. “The atmosphere of the room depends on the competition,” Trent said. “Sometimes it’s friendly, and there’s a chance to talk to other students. But other times, it’s very quiet and professional and nerve-wracking.” Sophomore Deven Papacek’s favorite part of the class is competing in one-on-one debates called Lincoln-Douglas debates. To prepare for these, one week before tournaments anyone who is competing reads their case to the class to receive feedback.

Sophomore Emily Barber said Academic Bowl participants meet twice a week for an hour. They receive a packet of questions and prepare by going over them and learning as much as possible, which is her favorite part. FBLA members competed at the district conference, and 44 students in 32 competitions advanced to state in April. DECA prepares students to become leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management; they competed at districts the first week in February. Each of these groups competes and prepares in various ways, whether it’s during school or outside of school.

February 2020, 05

While talking with their teammates, sophomores Emily Barber and Katherine Mills try to come up with the correct answer. The Academic Bowl team competed against Kearney, Liberty North and Raytown on Jan. 29. Photo by Jessenia Orellana

“I am a builder and coder for Robotics,” sophomore Shane Duggan said. “We build based on the game, and this year the game is picking up cubes and stacking them.” Duggan said there are many different strategies for the game, and this year the team is trying to build towers. There are typically around 30 teams at the competitions, and they compete by participating in eight qualifying rounds leading up to an elimination round. “We have won two out of the three tournaments we have gone to, and for skills, we are the second-highest in the state right now,” Duggan said. Unlike most other academic events, the Science Olympiad team does not typically gather to prepare for competitions. Rather, they use the coaches’ help and resources to study individually outside of school, uniting only for the actual tournaments themselves. “Science Olympiad is an extracurricular program made for kids who are inter-

ested in science and engineering to help them explore their interests outside of the classroom,” junior Kaleb Mumma said. The competitions are study-based, build-based or lab-based events that students compete in to earn the highest score. The students pick their preferred or best performances then practice and improve them over a series of practice tournaments to prepare for regional competition on Feb. 8. “I compete in a Boomilever event which is building a structure that holds weight and also building a gravity vehicle, as well as two test events, Circuit Lab and Experimental Design, ” Mumma said. The Science Olympiad team consists of around 15 students. The academic teams are a way for students to explore choice activities and compete together. “Anyone who is interested or thinks that they might be, should not be deterred by joining,” Mumma said.

Senior Grant Albright and sophomore Cole Hammond work together to build their robot. The Robotics Team met for an hour after school and prepared for their next competition. Photo by Claire Graves

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06, Feature

#fyp “I went from 1,000 followers then gained 3,000 because of TikTok,” junior Aly Anderson said.

“I thought of the TikTok I wanted to make in school, then I went home and made it, and it blew up,” sophmore Ryan Stallo said.

TikTok users make videos, some students gain unexpected popularity

Written by Grace Roggy

ikTok the trending social

media platform popular among teens and young adults,has roughly 5 million users who watch and post videos. Some students spend hours on the app watching the “For you” page of videos that have either gone viral or are close to going viral. Some students, such as junior Aly Anderson, have gained traction due to their content on the app and can either be considered “TikTok famous” or have been responsible for videos reaching the “For You” page and ultimately earning thousands of likes. “I downloaded the app as a joke, and I posted a video with my volleyball friends, and it just blew up, and I have posted on the app ever since,” Anderson said. Not only do students gain followers on the TikTok app itself, but the

viewers they attract can even extend to other platforms of social media as well. “I have had many people follow me on Instagram who follow my TikTok account; one has even DM’d me,” junior Piper Ruwe said. Just like any other form of social media, there are numerous positives and negatives to the app and it’s community of viewers and content creators. “When your video on TikTok goes viral, it can make people feel better about themselves, but a negative is how they can be bullied like on any other social media platforms,” freshman Ryan Stallo said. The app can also be quite time draining. TikTok has been known to suck users into spending hours on the app without even noticing. “I spend three hours on TikTok everyday; the app is addicting,” junior

“Im already a confident person so having my face be viewed by others more than 1,000 times is really fabulous,” junior Piper Ruwe said. “TikTok is an upgrade from Vine, and most people from our generation loved it and now love TikTok,” junior Colby Rollins said.

Photos by Claire Graves

Colby Rollins said. Similarly to YouTube, TikTok creators with especially large followings have found a way to turn the hobby into a source of income. The community has its own “celebrities” who have millions of followers and are paid to post regularly on the app. “My favorite Tiktoker is Brittany Broski,” Ruwe said. “She posts relatable content, and has 2.6 million followers.” The app is always changing and growing with new ideas and popular video formats. Whether it be storytimes, dances, skits, “POVs” or informational videos, there is always new content and trends to consume. The app is a community where people can post what they want within TikTok guidelines. “The app has something that everyone can watch and enjoy,” Rollins said.

February 2020, 07

SNOW DAY Stigma More thought goes into school cancellation decisions than students realize

Written by Sophia Zimmerman

iving in Missouri can’t be described as normal when it comes to weather. One day it’s 50 degrees, and you and your friends are having fun outside, then a few days later the ground is covered in white snow, and it’s below freezing. This school year has tested the school’s ability to predict future road conditions. But has the school really done their best to keep their students safe when it comes to snow days? “It’s very much a collaborative decision,” Superintendent Mike Reik said. “When the decision is made, typically Mr. Jay Harris [Executive Director of Operations], Dr. Rob Gardner [Assistant Superintendent], and Mr. JT Thomas [Director of Transportation] are out driving roads, communicating with me and other operators, and I am communicating with superintendents from other school districts. All of that information converges, and usually at some point we either have a conference call or group text where we finalize that decision.” My mind is more at ease knowing more people are involved in the decision to cancel or not cancel school. I have heard a lot of conversations around the school discussing road conditions these past few weeks. Many people said the school hasn’t

Graphics by Sophia Zimmmerman

done a good job of canceling school when necessary. Out of 203 responses on a school survey, 85.2 percent of respondents said they felt unsafe coming to school before due to weather. “Even if we consider the conditions safe enough for students and staff to come to school, every individual has the ultimate decision to decide if it is safe for them,” Reik said. It’s the school’s job to decide if roads are safe enough to have school, but it’s the student’s responsibility to decide if they personally can safely make it to school. If one neighborhood is in bad condition while the rest of the district is fine, school isn’t going to be canceled. “We have three people that drive the roads between 4 to 5:30 in the morning,” Harris said. “We also have our maintenance staff, custodial supervisor and custodians that are coming in checking our parking lots and sidewalks on our campus as well.” This group of administrators drives as much of the district as they can to test the roads during inclement weather, but there is no way to test all the roads in just one morning. This is when it becomes students’, parents’, and staff members’ jobs to decide for themselves if their street is safe enough for them to make it to school.

The administration does all in their power to ensure our safety, but if a neighborhood is a sheet of ice, it’s the resident’s responsibility to use common sense and make their own choice. Students and staff safety are above all, but the administrators have done their best this year with the crazy weather that has been thrown at them. The decisions they have made have been carefully thought through before deciding to have school. There are multiple aspects that go into canceling school that I have never thought about. “Let me say first we want to make sure we can get our buses and students here safely,” Reik said. “Also in the back of our mind is the fact that some of our students may only get breakfast or lunch that day if they come to school. Because we do have students whose families are in a situation where they may not be able to provide some of those meals. We also know that some of our students are coming to a safe place in our schools.” If we are being honest with ourselves, when school doesn’t get canceled are we upset because we feel unsafe on our way to school or because we didn’t get a couple of extra hours of sleep?

08, Opinion

Far From Equal

It is important to continue celebrating previously oppressed groups Written by Charisma Root

ll men are created equal,” is a statement our country was founded on, and yet 240+ years later it would seem that this equal creation does not constitute equal treatment. Either that, or America is doing something very wrong. We have made massive amounts of progress in the past, but just because we aren’t as prejudice, hateful and discriminatory as we once were doesn’t mean we aren’t at all. February is Black History Month, and this year’s theme is “African Americans and the Vote” in honor of the Nineteenth Amendment (1920) granting women’s suffrage and the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) giving black men the right to vote. In addition to this, beginning on the first Sunday in March is international women’s week. Then later on in June follows the annual celebration of “Pride month.” Throughout the year in various parts of the country, women’s marches, Black Lives Matter movements, and other shows of protest or support for the equality of minority groups take

place. Now, after all the strides we have made towards equality in America, why do we still need and use these events to relive history and celebrate these “previously” oppressed groups?. Because those who suffered in the past deserve to be honored and remembered for the change they brought, and not all oppression is “previous.” It still lingers, and there is still work to be done. In the 19th century, women and people of color in America were seen as less than human, and the LGBT community was nearly unheard of. Women were unable to prosecute a spouse for rape, apply for a loan, or even be considered a “person” in the eyes of the law. African-Americans had just recently been freed from slavery and still suffered from daily discrimination and the effects of segregation on education, financial status, and daily life. As for the LGBT+ community, it was not until 1973 that the American Psychiatric Association even altered

Graphic by Claire Graves

the consideration of homosexuality as an “illness” in its diagnostic manual. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, courts defined same-sex relations as sick, criminal and immoral. Gay men and lesbians had to suppress their true selves or otherwise risk psychiatric lockup, jail, unemployment, and/or loss of child custody. In our day in age, these things are nearly unimaginable. However, that does not mean that our work is done. It is in subtle ways that we see discrimination still alive in the U.S. today. For instance, even though females have higher education rates (American Enterprise Institute) and work more than men in the same profession, they still earn less in America. According to the American Association of University Women, in some occupations, women are receiving a collective billions of dollars less than they would with equal pay. Women working as physicians and surgeons are paid roughly $19 billion less annually than their male counterparts in the exact same professional position.

February 2020, 09

Graphic by Claire Graves

On top of this, the gap widens even more with race. Based on equalpaytoday.org’s 2020 study, white women receive 77 cents for every dollar that a white man makes, while a black woman would receive 61 cents and a Latina only 53. This adds up. Imagine a female college grad struggling to pay back loans, or maybe your young neighbor working to pay medical bills and support a family. Now imagine the difference that nearly doubling her pay from 53 cents per every dollar a man makes to the full amount she deserves could make. This discrimination is not limited to women and non-white individuals though, and most certainly not to financial matters, or even adults. According to npr.org, a majority of LGBTQ individuals also say that they or an LGBTQ friend or family member have been threatened or non-sexually harassed (57%), been sexually harassed (51%), or experienced violence (51%) because of their sexuality/gender identity. In a study done by The New York Times, the 101 participating African-American teens reported more than 5,600 experiences of racial discrimination over a two-week period. That averages to five-plus instances per day and more than 35 per week for each teen. A separate study by Pew Research Center also found that “about 8 in 10

black individuals believe Americans have not gone far enough in giving blacks equal rights to whites,” and “about 6 in 10 adults of any race say being white helps a person’s ability to get ahead in our country.” There are groups even that have yet to experience their ‘big movement’ and face invisibility and discrimination in their daily lives. Mental illnesses are often downplayed and unacknowledged, despite the large population it effects. According to Mental Health America, 45 million Americans suffer from a mental health illness as of 2020, and illness discrimination doesn’t stop there. Individuals living with physical disabilities continue to face severe ableism despite the Americans Disabilities Act (of 1990), the only law in place granting protection of the rights of this demographic. People should not be defined by, or characterized as inferior due to, the traumas and struggles they unwillingly face. It’s also necessary to acknowledge that even with all of this injustice, there are other countries with much less equality than we have now in America. Our efforts here could help encourage strides towards equity in other parts of the world that are experiencing severe injustice. International Women’s Week, for example, is not exclusive to the US, and it is so

important that we recognize the need for it. According to Rainbo.org, in parts of the Middle East “honor killings” are still practiced. Women can be killed for engaging in homosexual acts, sexual acts outside of marriage, wanting to end or prevent an arranged marriage or dressing too provocatively. In Turkey, there is no protection for women against abuse and no shelters or help available for women in dangerous situations. Furthermore, rape or assault of women in Nepal goes completely unpunished and the act of homosexuality in itself is still punishable by the law in the form of execution in several countries and regions as of February 2020. These are real conditions that human beings experience just for being born a certain way; a decision far beyond their control. It is because of this that we partake in marches and parades and movements. We have the joy and freedom of being heard here in America, and after all the pain and suffering that was endured by citizens of the past, and even trials of life and culture today, we should take every opportunity we can to advocate for the equality we deserve. These events were not borne from a “need” to celebrate- simply the need to exist without punishment. They serve to honor the past and light a better future.

10, Opinion

SOMETHING FOR Everyone

Focused intently, Paul Sycamore, portrayed by senior Grant Allen, plays with his boat in a bottle. This was Allen’s first year in theatre and his first production. Photo by Claire Graves

Enjoying their game, sophomores Emily Barber and Brennan Edmunds focus on their board game while lounging on the couch. This is Barber’s first production and Edmunds’ second. Photo by Claire Graves

Acting, set of spring play lives up to eccentric plot Written by Tatianna Tafolla

he cast and crew of the production, “You Can’t Take It With You,” did a fantastic job performing Feb. 5-7. Before beginning the comedy, the announcers make note that there was something for everyone, and there was. This play revolves around tax evasion, an incredibly quirky family and a love story. Each of these things compiled into one play may seem questionable, but the directors, senior Henry Lange and Jamie Hill, did a great job ensuring things were organized smoothly. The performance of the cast lives up to the potential of the play. More specifically, the character Martin Vanderhof (senior Andrew Ivy) is the casually funny grandfather of the family who has never “chosen” to pay his income taxes. Throughout the

play there are on and off jokes about Vanderhof avoiding paying his taxes and even a scene where he fakes his own death to get FBI agents to stop coming into his home. Ivy nailed his part as portraying as Vanderhof with the combination of his wild hand gestures, mannerisms, facial expressions, as well as the general tone he used to set the mood of the play. Boris Kolenkhov (junior Lucas Walters) is the flamboyant Russian ballet teacher of Essie Carmichael (sophomore Emily Barber). Kolenkhov’s loud and proud attitude, as well as his batty behavior, added hilarity to his character as well as the production. Walters presented this well with his spot-on Russian accent, radical gestures and stunts performed on stage such as the tackling scene between his character and Mr. Ivy (junior Andrew Plymell).

The set perfectly illustrated that the play was set decades ago, more specifically the 1930s. Furniture arranged on stage, such as the couches, wallpaper and dining room table helped demonstrate the different time period. Different details such as the typewriter used by Penny Sycamore (junior Raena Sinclair), as well as the abundance of knickknacks aligned all over the shelves added a personal touch to the show. The space was condensed, which demonstrated an intimate and cozy setting, helping to display how close the main family as well as the extended family really was. The set, in combination with the acting from all involved students made the play something worth seeing. Overall, the theatre department did a great job presenting the play “You Can’t Take It With You.”

February 2020, 11

Nearly two-thirds of teens (ages 13-17) have not been in a dating or romantic relationship. 35 percent of teens (ages 13-17) have some experience with romantic relationships, and 19 percent are currently in a relationship.

72 percent of teens communicate with a romantic partner through text, compared to the 39 percent who are in a relationship and talk daily

*Info and statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Photo Illustration by Claire Graves

To Date or Not to Date

Despite social pressure, dating not crucial during teen years Written by Audrey McCoy

hether it’s academically or socially, there is an undeniable pressure to thrive in high school. From a young age, we consume media promoting ideal teenage years and unrealistic fictional romances that paint a picture of what is needed in order to be happy. But is this healthy? Heartbreak, jealousy and pressure can all be negative outcomes of relationships, which are complex feelings for teenagers to experience. According to “Mental Health Daily” the brain isn’t fully developed until adulthood, meaning teenagers have an immature frontal cortex, which can lead to rash decision making. Despite this though, certain individuals do mature faster than others. Everyone has their own individual needs and abilities. Juggling school, social relationships, work, sports and clubs can be a lot of pressure for the undeveloped mind and often lead to unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms. Some personalities may be equipped to

handle anxiety and multitasking, but others cannot. It’s up to the individual to decide what is worth their time. Having one person as the main focus of attention during such a crucial time of discovery could bring down the quality of other social encounters, responsibilities and hobbies. The friendships and bonds formed in high school help teach important life lessons and through them new experiences and memories are made. Dating has a learning curve, and being vulnerable can lead to toxic outcomes. Teens are more susceptible to unhealthy relationships, and the amount of intimate partner violence among teens is alarming. According to The National Domestic Hotline, one in three minors in the United States is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a “dating” partner. Teens in unhealthy relationships are generally more depressed and could grow up having commitment issues, so choosing a partner that one feels safe with is important. A study, published online in The

Journal of School Health, found that minors who were not in romantic relationships during middle and high school had lower depression rates and succeeded the same, or in many cases better, than those who dated. Although building self-identity and growing socially and emotionally can be outcomes of teen dating, teens who don’t date have similar or often better learning experiences. High school is not the only time in life for serious relationships. It is about so much more than a serious commitment. Living the teenage years shown in TV shows and movies is unrealistic. Friendships and other bonds are equally, if not more, important than romantic ones and should be honored as well. Talking, dating or being single are all valid options. There is an undeniable pressure to succumb to the social norm, but whether it is being in a relationship or instead taking time for self-discovery, it is up to each individual to decide what is best for them during each stage of their life.

12, Sports & Wellness

Touchdown Kansas City Metro area buzzes with excitement surrounding Super Bowl

In line, KC Chiefs fans wait to take pictures with the Chiefs letters. Fans were dressed up in spirit wear at Union Station on Feb. 1. Photo by Jessenia Orellana

Written by Sophia Zimmerman and Grace Roggy

ow about them Chiefs?!” These words have been displayed all over Kansas City, seen on shirts, hats, walls and even on the sides of buildings. The Chiefs Kingdom has been bubbling with excitement ever since they defeated the Titans 35-24, earning themselves a spot in Super Bowl LIV. This was the football team’s first time back at the Super Bowl since 1970 when they won against the Minnesota Vikings, and they did not leave fans feeling disappointed. “I’ve waited my entire life to watch the Chiefs in the Super Bowl,” football coach Eric Mitchell said. “So, I’m very excited that I finally get to see this

happen.” Fans all over the country were watching the intense, edge-of-yourseat game waiting for the Chiefs to prevail. This season was nothing short of an adventure as quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the team through the playoffs and to victory. Fans, most of whom have been anticipating this day for years now, went crazy wearing merchandise and hanging decorations to show their support for the Chiefs. “After the AFC championship game, we celebrated by going to all the stores like Rally House and Academy attempting to find Super Bowl shirts for our entire family,” junior Grace Tinder said.

In a reminder of the last Super Bowl win, Union Station puts up a display of the No. 16 for former quarterback Len Dawson on Feb. 1. Dawson led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl win in 1970. Photo by Jessenia Orellana

February 2020, 13

With Union Station packed with people, KC Chiefs fans admire the decorations put out for the team. Fans were chanting the Chiefs’ anthem while coming in and out of Union Station on Feb. 1. Photo by Jessenia Orellana

Kansas City citizens have been known to show pride for their city in the heart of America, but the Chiefs absolutely overtook the streets of the city this year. Any blank wall with space for a mural has been filled with Mahomes’ face, and every location that has the potential to be seen is now painted with red and gold or a message of congratulations for the team. Chiefs pride is dominating the metropolitan area as residents ensure it lives up to the nickname “red kingdom.” Union Station had a big light display that read the words “Chiefs Kingdom,” and another big letter display that just said “Chiefs.” This excitement only amplified following the official win. “We were freaking out when fourth quarter hit,” junior Allie Corbin said.

“We jumped up from the couch and started screaming.” Despite the chilly weather on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 800,000 Chiefs fans cheered their Super Bowl champs on as they rode down the Kansas City streets. Not only did Kansas City make sure to wear their red but so did celebrities such as singer Post Malone who wore a Mahomes jersey at his concert the evening of the parade to show his support. The Kansas City area is proud of the team, particularly of Mahomes, who is now the youngest quarterback to ever win Super Bowl MVP. The Chiefs Kingdom is known for being the loudest stadium in the world, and they are definitely deserving of the title when it comes to supporting their boys in red.

All lit up, KC Chiefs fans wait in line to take a picture with the sign on Feb. 1. These signs were produced by Alpha-Lit, located in the KC metro area. Photo by Jessenia Orellana

14, Sports & Wellness

Food AVENUE

Students, staff participate in different eating habits Percentage of the population eating vegetarian/vegan 0.4% 3.4%

A NEW LAW A Missouri law made it a misdemeanor to label plant-based products as meat. It becomes law in October 2020.

96.2%

*Information from Window to the World Associated Press

* Information from The Economist Regular Diets

Written by Tatianna Tafolla

iet trends can last as long as a week or even a year, and there is no shortage of options such as keto, veganism or low-carb diets. Junior Tayler Lawver first began her diet as vegan the summer before her freshman year and previously followed a vegetarian diet for around three years. “Going vegan is a great way to improve health and nutrition, and it leads to healthy cholesterol and blood pressure,” Lawver said. A person who chooses to be vegan doesn’t include animal products such as milk, eggs or meat in their diet. Lawver first began participating in this diet because she didn’t care for the inhumane conditions of animal factory farming. “I was horrified at what I had been consuming and felt sick and disgusted with myself as I just viewed them as objects to satisfy my taste buds,” Lawver said. Lawver has seen backlash from her plant-based diet but doesn’t let it discourage her from actively participating in something she knows will benefit animals. “I am part of a huge, loving com-

munity that strives to inform others about the amazing lifestyle of being a vegan,” Lawver said. Lawver said she noticed a difference in her body after she began the diet. She also noticed significantly more energy in herself as well as a boost in her mental health. “Events or holidays can be a challenge sometimes, but my family is very accepting and makes plenty of vegan food,” Lawver said. “After seeing the changes in my life when following a vegan lifestyle many of them also made the changes.” Junior Arabella Below is on a lowcarb diet, meaning she doesn’t eat more than five carbs per meal. Most foods she eats are fruits, vegetables, or meats, and are 15 carbs at most for her total intake. Below’s meals are usually low-carb wraps and salads, and she tries to stay away from artificial and processed sugars by instead using Stevia, a sugar substitute. “My least favorite part is the social change,” Below said. “It’s weird eating healthy when others aren’t, like going out to eat with friends or other social events.” Below first began the diet in July 2019, and except for a few breaks for

Vegetarian

Vegan

different events and holidays, has stayed consistently on the diet. She first began eating healthier to improve her mental health and has seen positive changes since starting. “Even though I’m on a diet, I also allow myself to go off sometimes, because I would rather call it a healthy eating style,” Below said. “I want to strive to try my best, but at the same time allow myself some off days.” Math teacher Gena Puckett starts her day off by drinking a smoothie she meal preps each day of the week. The smoothies for the week usually take around 45 minutes and include ingredients such as bananas, collagen, peanut butter, greens, maple syrup and cinnamon. “I figured it was a healthier alternative to some things I could be eating such as fast food or a donut each morning,” Puckett said. Drinking this smoothie helps Puckett suppress her appetite until lunch every day and helps keep her from eating other unhealthy foods. “You have to figure out what’s right for you,” Puckett said. “Gaining weight; losing weight; any of those things. They are different for everyone.”

February 2020, 15

Preparing for the next round, freshman Abigail Wittel grabs her bow on Feb. 1. Wittel has participated in archery for two years. Photo by Jessenia Orellana

Hitting the Mark

Archery team hosts Hunger Games tournament, continues to expand program Written by Kiersten Robbins

he archery team hosted a “Hunger Games” tournament on Feb. 1. The purpose of this themed tournament was to have archers donate non-perishable food items to the Platte County Treasure Chest. The team’s goal was to receive five non-perishable cans of food per archer. “Of course in the book, Katniss is an avid hunter with a bow and arrow,” head archery coach Dana Stephenson said. “We wanted to add another competition for our Platte County teams with a non-perishable food drive to help our community,” In an archery tournament, the highest score possible is 300 points. There are two rounds of practice shooting and three rounds of shooting from both 10 meters and 15 meters away from the target. Archers must shoot while also ensuring they utilize correct

Ten feet away from his target, senior Blake Daffron competes against other teams from the district on Feb. 1. Daffron and some others were interested in the sport and pushed for it to be an activity. Photo by Jessenia Orellana

form. Any sort of misstep could alter the shot outcome. “I hope to improve on fine-tuning my archers,” Stephenson said. “There are so many little details to remember when shooting, and one little wrong move can throw your whole game off.” The archery team qualified for state at their first tournament of the season, and they will be placed under Tier 1 at the state competition in Branson, Mo. As with all tournaments, it can be stressful for the competitors, and freshman Abigail Wittel is no exception to this. “I definitely take a few breaths,” Wittel said. “Because it can get super stressful depending on your partner because sometimes they’re really young and don’t follow all the rules.” Archery has only been offered in the Platte County schools for a cou-

ple years, so it is still relatively new compared to other sports. In order to advertise their program, they host a couple of tournaments a year. “My favorite tournament is our Family and PC staff tournament,” Stephenson said. “At this tournament it is a combined score of archery and a family member or teacher. The parents and teachers gain a new respect for the sport and realize how hard it is.” Archery continues to grow and improve by being able to participate in state and national tournaments each year with the goal of constant improvement. “I’ve made so many friends, and overall just the experience has been really nice,” Wittel said. “It’s fun to shoot with friends if they haven’t done archery before. It’s fun to teach them how to.”

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