e h T
Bluestreak Volume 34, Issue 7, March 2017
Society’s Modern Slavery Page 16-17
Table of Contents News News in Brief
8-9
4-5
Photos Photo of the Month
6-7
Glow Stick Get Down
8-9
4
Features FAA Kids Shine
10-11
Andover Adopted
12-13
The Hazards of Online Dating
14
Toxic Tech
15
Human Trafficking
16-17
Smart Spotlight
18-19
opinions The Case for Weighted Grades
20
Make America Safe Again
21
10-11 12-13
a&E Show Choir Takes the Stage
22-23
St. Patty’s Day
24-25
22-23 Cover photo by Kylie Porter and Julia Schneider
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The Trojan BlueStreak Staff editor-in-chief Emma Starks managing editor Elise Lindemann copy editor Ashley Dorf design editor Emily Stybr assistant design editor Hayley Jones assistant design editor Sophie Braynock in-depth editor Grace Ball lead writer Ashley Shandy sports editor Ben Smith photo editor Julia Schneider assistant photo editor Kamilla Sims web editor Stuart Jenkins staffers Natalie Anderson Megan Aune Avery Balderston Josie Beaver Hannah Brumfield Bayli Ellerman Josie Hufman Ben Johnsen Annalise Matheny Abigail Parker Kylie Porter Rachel Root Kaitlyn Seabrook Slade Swan Jonny Wagner
From the Editor Can you believe we are halfway through the spring semester? What a year it has been so far! Catch It Kansas named Andover High School the Winter Student Section Champions thanks to the spirit of all grades at our basketball games. Our own Officer Kintzel was named the Andover Police Officer of the Year for his dedication both at AHS and in the community. And, our special needs students continue to thrive in and out of the school setting. Also in this issue, we raise awareness for the epidemic of human trafficking and explain how young people can be mindful of the culture that contributes to exploitation. For fun, check out #showchoirprobs and get ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Have a fantastic Spring Break! Go Trojans – spear ‘em!
Emma Starks
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Published by: Andover High School, 1744 N Andover Rd., Andover KS, 67002
March 2017 - Issue 7
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News in brief After less than one year as head football coach, Tony Crough is stepping down. Crough accepted a new position as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Hutchinson Community College. After a dismal 2015 season for the Trojans, going 1-9, Crough turned the tide for the Andover football team with a winning record of 6-4 in 2016. He also lead the Trojans to their first playoff win since 2013. Crough laid a solid foundation for the team to follow in the upcoming seasons as they look to keep the momentum going. On March 7, AHS Athletic Director Brent Riedy announced Crough’s replacement. Cade Armstrong, formerly a defensive coordinatory of Derby High School four the past four seasons, will be the new head coach. He will also be teaching strength and conditioning at AHS.
-benSMITH
Photo by Brett Kabler
Out with the old and in with the new. Andover High School will be introducing three new classes in the 2017-18 school year. Dropped classes include Jewelry 1, 2 and 3, Printmaking 1, 2 and 3, and Basic Law. These classes are being replaced because they have low enrollment and are no longer cost effective. The new classes will advance Andover’s education program. AP Computer Science A will focus on further educating students on Android Studio, Java programs, XML and device emulators and venturing deeper into web-based databases and user interfaces. Next, AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism requires you to be a senior and have prior enrollment in Calculus. This course is a first-year university class, and those who pass the AP test receive college credit. It covers topics like electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetic fields and electromagnetism. AP Physics C Mechanics has the same requirements of being a senior and enrolled in calculus but covers kinematics, Newton’s laws, work, power, energy, linear momentum, rotational motion, and oscillations and gravitation.
- abigailPARKER -meganAUNE
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The Trojan Bluestreak’s monthly digest of events around the community
As spring break approaches, the madness sets in. No, not the madness of where people are going for spring break, but March Madness. As teams squeeze in their final practices, people all over the country start filling in their brackets, trying to make the perfect one. Before making any rash decisions regarding brackets, here are some teams and games to be on the look out for during the tournament. First off, Bruins of UCLA are turning heads this season. This team has high-caliber talent in freshman Lonzo Ball and strong senior leadership to make deep run in the tourney. Pick: a well based team that will probably make the Elite Eight, but will definitely be in a Final Four picture. The next team is the Kansas Jayhawks. After a heartbreaking loss in the Elite Eight last year, Kansas still remains a favorite. This team may have a short line-up, but definitely has the talent to push yet another Elite Eight. Even though the team is loaded with talent, and has Wooden Award candidate Frank Mason in the front court, they will have to rely heavily on their shooting to go anywhere. Pick: Elite Eight, maybe a Final Four if their shooting luck stays with them. The last thing I would like to bring up are the five vs 12 seed and the six vs 11 seed games. If you look back over the years most upsets come from these eight games. Ivy League schools such as Yale, Harvard, Cornell or Princeton appearing in these games are great bracket picks.
-sladeSWAN
Andover High School offered two new clubs this year. These clubs are Strategy Games and Computer Programming. Strategy Games is run by Mrs. Woodward and is a club that involves different games such as puzzles and word searches. “I’ve never done a puzzle in here, but I do word searches and I like them,” says sophomore McKenzie DeHass. This club is an opportunity for students to learn different games that require critical thinking. Mrs. Cranmer runs Computer Programming which is just what it sounds like. The students are able to learn the ins and outs of programming, as well as have more time to work on projects and game creation. “I enjoy this club because I can spend time working on things that I can’t normally do at home,” said sophomore Brendan Murphy.
-averyBALDERSTON
Photo by Ashlee Courson
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Photo of the month >> The Trojanettes begin their halftime performance during the home basketball game against Eisenhower February 7. “I submitted this photo as photo of the month because the unique composition immediately catches the viewer’s eye and the shallow depth of field draws attention to the subject,” said photographer Kamilla Sims.
Photo by Kamilla Sims
GLOW STICK
GET DOWN PHOTOS BY: KAMILLA SIMS & JONNY WAGNER
c FAA KIDs Shine c Andover students have opportunities outside the classroom
When you think about students at Andover High School, some people may overlook our Functional Applied Academics students. Simply called FAA, kids in this program are unique and have talents that others many fail to see. AHS faculty member Jenna Howe was willing to sit down and talk about some of the details of the program like how long the FAA students are allowed to stay at Andover. “They can all stay until they turn 21,” said Howe. Considering how the youth of today has a longer period of dependence on parents than, for example, two generations ago, it is only fitting that FAA students would be allowed to stay in high school until they are 21. Like all students at AHS, students in the FAA program have a strict schedule that they follow. Howe describes how juniors and seniors spend half of their day at the skills development center and job sites, while freshmen and sophomores spend their whole day focusing on academics and electives. FAA students also take field trips to various locations. Working with mentally and physically challenged students no doubt has its challenges. But it is not without its rewards. “It’s absolutely amazing,” Howe said about the job. “It is probably the hardest thing I have ever done, but I absolutely love every minute of it.” Andover’s FAA students enjoy the support of the rest of the student body, most typically at the FAA league basketball games as well as through purchased bakery goods sold at Andover District Stadium. Beyond sports and academics at Andover High School, many FAA kids participate in a faith fellowship community known as YoungLife Capernaum. YoungLife director Seth
Photo by Sarah Miller
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Lindberg described the inclusion of FAA kids as part of a wider reach that YoungLife aims to achieve. “We like to think of Capernaum club as a big party with a purpose. Capernaum leaders come along side our friends with disabilities to sing songs, play games and hear about God’s love for them,” Lindberg said. “It’s a one and one-half hour celebration of our friendship and sharing each others lives.” The word Capernaum is a biblical reference. The Bible records the story of four able-bodied men and their friend with a disability. Eager for their friend to see, the men carried him on a mat to a home in Capernaum where Jesus was teaching. When the friends arrived, the crowds already there prevented the men from getting their friend anywhere close. Undaunted, they carried their friend to the roof where they cut a hole through layers of straw and hardened mud, and lowered the man to Jesus’ feet. Moved by their boldness, Jesus restored the disabled man to wholeness and health. YoungLife calls its ministry of adolescents with disabilities “Capernaum” because they don’t believe that intellectual or developmental limitations should keep an adolescent from the presence of Jesus. Like the friends in the story, students with disabilities move through barriers, including isolation and marginalization, that can accompany those with special needs. Capernaum is established and supported locally by caring people with hearts for kids with disabilities. Trained Capernaum leaders help these students discover and enjoy acceptance, adventure and fun in mutual friendships they develop at club meetings, special events and camp. Wichita’s area is currently serving 55 special needs families from 10 schools all across Sedgwick and Butler County. -sladeSWAN
Photo by Jonny Wagner
Photos by Julia Schneider
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The average child waits
3to beyears adopted
females
from foster system
145,000,000
numbers of orphans worldwide
The Hays family enjoys time spent together at home, Cocoa Beach, and Walt Disney World. Courtesy photos
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Source: factretriever.com
Andover Adopted
51%
59%
AHS students share their stories There are many factors one considers when it comes to adopting: taking in a baby or an older child, adopting internationally or domestically, through a private or state adoption, and whether to have any contact with the birth parents. Once parents are able to answer all of those questions it is time to look at adoption professionals. The cost of adoption-related expenses varies greatly and includes all sorts of factors. Adoption professionals help parents with any complications along the way such as wait times, disruption rates, hidden fees, financial protection, support, education and guidance. The race/ethnicity of the child is a key aspect to the wait time, but interacting with the birth parents in a positive manner before and after the birth can help the process be as smooth as possible. Every state’s adoption process is different, and the same is especially true for international adoption. For an inside look at the emotions and change felt during and after the adoption process, we interviewed some Andover students who were adopted. Junior Victoria Gribble and her sister Tiffany, a sophomore, were adopted at 8 and 7, respectively; seniors Adi and Ema Hays, at 3 and 1. The Hays girls may live together now, but they came from very different places prior to being adopted. They are two of the seven children adopted in Hays family. “All of the adopted children in my family were adopted separately so none of us are actually biological,” Ema said. Adi lived in Sofia, Bulgaria and Ema lived in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan, near Russia. The question was asked, ‘Do you see things differently after being adopted?’ “Probably,” Tiffany Gribble said. “I feel like I do though because for example just last week people were talking about how much it would suck to be adopted and how it must be terrible and I was like ‘well it is not’ and they felt bad after but people think it is a lot worse than it actually is. It is not like you go through hell and back,” she said. “Even though I wasn’t very old, I still have memories and it just wasn’t that difficult for me.” Tiffany describes living with a couple for 10 months who forced her and Victoria to collect nutcrackers and glass cats. “Many people would get me nutcrackers as gifts too and one day I just told everyone that I don’t actually care about nutcrackers in the slightest.” Despite the eccentric tendencies of the couple, she said that the transition was not difficult. She credited being with her sister, whom she calls Torr, as being what helped her through it all. “We had moved three times prior and it helped that I was
with Torr. If I was all by myself I think it would be a lot harder. Also, Matt and Chris are our brothers and we still talk to them occasionally.” Victoria agrees that the transition was not super difficult, saying that their current parents were actually foster parents for them for a few months before the adoption. “The transition was really weird at first because you’re used to living a certain way and then you get taken from your family and put somewhere else so you feel very odd at first,” Victoria said. She compared some of the experience to what children of divorced parents might go through. “A lot of kids have issues with divorced parents and it’s really hard because suddenly the child’s parents were together and now split apart and only get to see one of their parents full time.” When the Hays sisters were asked if they have any contact with their biological parents, they gave similar responses. “I don’t have any contact with my biological parents,” said Adi. “I don’t even know what they look like or their names. I think one day it would be interesting to meet them and see what they look like.” Ema agreed, saying “They are the people who gave me life and it would be nice to say that I’ve met them at least once.” Adoption can be fuzzy for some but all the students interviewed gave encouraging words for the adoption process. Not only for the child but the parents, too. Victoria explains, “I would recommend it because a lot of parents want their own kids and that’s good and you can. But if you can’t have kids I would recommend adopting. You’re giving kids that don’t have homes a home and you want kids too so it works out.” Ema proudly encourages international adoption. “Always keep an open mind to all the countries that have children that need adopted. Many people, when they think about adopting, think of China and Africa. But there are so many other places with children who need medical attention they won’t be able to get because they are in an orphanage, foster care or even just on the streets. So my advice is to look at all the options and choices there are. It’s so easy to change a child’s life by giving them a different outcome,” Ema said. She continued, “Adoption is always a good thing. I mean you’re saving a child from a life that they don’t want to be in. Adoption truly does change lives. Not just for the child but the family as well. Many people forget about the adoption or at least about the amount of children there are that could be adopted,” she said. “If people were to widen their horizons to adoption more children from smaller countries could get a better life as well.”
-meganAUNE and analiseMATHENY
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The Hazards of Online Dating
Connecting online poses threats
o
As technology becomes a part of our everyday life, more and more online dating apps and websites are growing in popularity. Some of the most popular are Tinder, OkCupid, Match.com, Grindr and eHarmony. Although the popularity of these sites is large, that often hides the fact that they can be dangerous or even deadly. Most online dating sites state in their terms and agreements that they do not conduct background checks; therefore they are not responsible if your date does not work out. On Match.com’s terms and agreements, it states that they are not liable if you have a “date with death.” Some of these sites offer safety tips but not everyone chooses to follow them. Online dating users should to follow every precaution to ensure their safety while meeting others.
-ashleySHANDY
5 Most Popular Online Dating Websites and Apps Bumble
Match.com
-7+ million users -Women make up 55% of total users -Photo moderation rules
-4.3+ million Users -”Sexual predators” reported on site -Available in 25 countries
Tinder -50+ million users -26 million matches per day -Available in 196 countries
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eHarmony
OK Cupid
-33+ million users -258 question profile -Available in 150 countries
-3.5+ million active users -Highly active journal/blogging community -Pay a fee to become an “A-Lister”
?
?
Toxic Tech
Online safety workers suffer from PTSD
When most people think of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), they usually associate it with combat veterans returning from areas of extreme war. However, certain Microsoft employees, whose job it is to comb the internet for various graphic images and videos, are starting to speak out about their development of this disorder, and how their company has barely done anything to help them. In an article published in January by The Verge, two exemployees, Henry Soto and Greg Blauert describe how they were tasked to be a part of Microsoft’s Online Safety Team. More specifically, they had to review questionable material that was “designed to entertain the most twisted and sick-minded people in the world.” Soto and Blauert are now filing a lawsuit against Microsoft’s “Wellness Program.” The two were assigned a therapist to help treat their nightmares, anxiety, hallucinations, and other symptoms associated with PTSD, but the suit claims that the therapist was not qualified. Supervisors of the program advised them to take smoke breaks, walks, and in Blauert’s case, “play more video games” to help them cope with their problems. A spokesperson for Microsoft reported that they “disagree” with the lawsuit and that they take their responsibilities, and employees’ health seriously. They also stated that they limit the time their employees can spend monitoring for possibly illegal material.
The lawsuit is also asking that Microsoft make changes to better protect the health of other workers. These changes would include more time off, regular psychological check-ups, and inclusion of spouses in the wellness program. Multiple reports have also stated that other tech companies are experiencing the same issue. Another article, published by The New York Times, outlines how this line of business, which does so much good, can be very deceptive. Chief Security Officer of MySpace, Hemanshu Nigam, stated, “you have 20-year-old kids who get hired to do content review, and who get excited because they think they are going to see adult porn. They have no idea that some of the despicable and illegal images they will see can haunt them for the rest of their lives.” Workers in this industry can make anywhere from $8-$12 per hour, but many screening companies do not currently offer a form of healthcare to treat any psychological disorders that employees could develop. According to YouTube spokeswoman, Victoria Grand, employees of the Google-owned company, who work as content moderators, are given only one-year contracts, and access to counseling.
-stuartJENKINS
Facts about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder It is estimated that there are more than 3 million US cases per year.
PTSD can be triggered by thought, pictures, familiar smells, and sounds.
Only half the number of adults suffering from PTSD actually go and seek appropriate medical help.
Medication and psychotherapy are main treatment options.
Women are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD.
Source: Sidran.org
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Human Trafficking: Society’s Modern Slavery Recently on television, actor Ashton Kutcher stole the spotlight for something more than his spectacular acting ability. The actorturned-hero testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on behalf of the software he co-founded, Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children. Kutcher’s voice wavered and broke as he describes the horrifying realities of today’s form of modern slavery, human trafficking. Human Trafficking is defined by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.” Exploitation can take on many forms such as sexual prostitution, forced labour and even servitude or the harvesting of organs. Many believe Wichita is a huge sex trafficking hub, however this is hard to prove. Accurate numbers are difficult to establish on these illegal activities that fall well under the radar. The brutal reality is that sex trafficking is prevalent in almost every community due to vulnerabilities specific to each city. Wichita draws in traffickers because of its unique easy access to major highways. In a recent interview with The Wichita Eagle, Officer Kent Bauman of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Exploited and Missing Child Unit said that highways I-35 and I-70 are routes that Wichita area pimps use to sell sex across the nation. Large highways like these make it simple for a trafficker to bring victims to areas with higher demand. This is why sex trafficking is an issue in Wichita, even though it is not common to witness prostitution itself. Moving victims to new locations detaches victims
from familiar communities, making them unable to get help. This allows the traffickers to have even more power. Though most local victims are abducted to be exploited elsewhere, exploitation still happens here. “Many victims are exploited right in their own community, even in their own home. We can’t ignore the victims who are invisible in our own community,” says Kalynn Cheyney of the Center for Combating Human Trafficking. It is clear that the human trafficking industry does not target a specific demographic. Instead, it casts a large net, capturing anyone who has vulnerabilities. According to a group of studies conducted in the late 2000s, certain attributes can increase the prospect of becoming a victim. A victim is likely to fit these profiles: pre-teen and adolescent girls, children who have a history of physical and/ or sexual abuse, those living in extreme poverty, individuals with a history of parental or personal drug or alcohol abuse, those who are runaway, homeless, children living in foster care, or those who have lost a parent due to death, divorce, or abandonment.* Traffickers have a talent for sniffing out instabilities. They befriend their victims and offer aid to fit their need. For example, if a young girl’s father has abandoned her, a potential trafficker might appeal to her by standing in as a father figure. There are some extreme cases where traffickers fill a need such as food, safety, or shelter in exchange for sex. This type of human trafficking is called “survival sex.” Once a victim relies on a trafficker for support, the trafficker gains power and can further exploit the victim. Though people fear being randomly abducted by a stranger, in most cases the real danger comes from pre-existing unhealthy or abusive relationships. This form of modern slavery is an incredibly complicated issue that can not be solved through policy, regulation, or laws created by someone in the capitol building. Prevention starts within the members of the community. Victims are exploited because their traffickers fit their needs. In order to end trafficking, individuals must be equipped to protect themselves. This can be achieved by creating a stronger, more aware community that supports and meets the needs of each individual at risk. “What if every kid who had any of the risk factors was approached by a safe adult in our community who could be a champion for them? Even in high schools, you as students can do this. You can notice someone, be a friend, and connect them to an
“The reality is, it happens everywhere.”
adult who can offer more help,” says Cheyney. High school students often feel powerless in cases of social justice issues. When it comes to human trafficking, teenagers not only have the ability help, but the responsibility to do so. Cheyney challenges today’s youth to change culture and reduce the demand for sex trafficking by “being mindful of the images and media we consume and the messages they are sending us (for example, how women are portrayed in movies and music), standing up against sexist and racist talk and jokes, and challenging [ourselves] and others to learn more about the anti-trafficking movement.” Today’s youth holds the power to change the future, simply by changing their attitude. Just like any other illicit trade, the prevalence of trafficking is fueled by the demand. People who create a demand for having sex with unwilling, exploited victims are to some degree already accepted by society. In today’s culture, “that’s what she said” is a bigger part of common vocabulary than “hello.” Though it may seem completely innocent, this phrase and other sexist jokes normalize
Average cost of a slave
$90
Globally
32
Human Trafficking generates
Billion Dollars per year
Estimated
a culture that breeds sex traffickers. Film and television content in particular repeatedly demoralizes women, fueling the fire of rape culture. If society can band together to reject this oppressive culture, the paradigm will shift, bringing the end of human trafficking one step closer. Every time someone stands and speaks on their behalf, victims and potential victims are empowered. Women who demand respect from their society receive it, smothering the flames of rape culture. Creating a bond with someone in a tough situation or standing up for women and children are easy steps to defeating this modern form of slavery. Society must not lose hope, the solution to this epidemic is within reach.
-elise LindemaNn
*(Clawson & Dutch 2009; Countryman-Roswurm, 2012; Logan et al., 2009; Rafferty, 2013; Smith et al., 2009; Tyler & Johnson, 2006)
80 19 %
%
Of Human Trafficking involves sexual
exploitation
Of Human Trafficking involves Labor exploitation
20,000,000-30,000,000 Slaves worldWide
Photo illustration by Kylie 1Porter eussI -and 6 102Julia rebmSchneider etpeS
01
Mr. Alexander
Science teacher Stephen Alexander is known to be one of the AHS faculty geniuses. Although he has already made a name for himself, he also has advice for his younger counterparts who are just getting started. Being a model student takes a tremendous amount of work. Some things Alexander looks for in students are dedication to their work, not necessarily getting all the right answers but having the motivation to work for the answer, and someone who does not quit on things when they get difficult. “One of the traits that will lead to success with anyone is that if you are willing to keep on fighting, eventually you are going to succeed,” said Alexander. Another way to practice being a well rounded student is to have strong study habits. Constantly studying is a great way to stay ahead of the game and avoid last minute cramming. Because cramming causes anxiety, your body can not retain information as well and will ultimately not do as well on tests. “Studying 15 to 20 minutes every night instead of studying if you know a test is coming up in a couple of days,” said Alexander. One way kids get motivated to study is by their parents willing them to work hard for their grades. Although Alexander admits he was disappointed at times, he ultimately is thankful for his parents’ guidance. “My dad forced me to study a little bit every night and not just if he knew I had a test soon. I really appreciated the time my parents made me spend on studying early when I got older because then school got easier,” he said. When Alexander saw that his friends began to struggle in school, he hit his stride and flourished academically. Although his best subject was math, he asked the same question many high school students do: “What is the point of this?” “I did not really like [math] because I didn’t see a purpose in it. Now I do see a purpose in it, but don’t tell Mrs. McGuire that,” said Alexander. As a current physics teacher, most people would suspect that he was most interested in math and science. However, he was actually very intrigued with history. “I went off to college originally to be a history teacher but then realized I didn’t like U.S. history. I was more interested in European history, which they don’t teach a lot in high school. That is when I switched to physics,” said Alexander. Like Madden, Alexander had interests aside from school. Through high school and college, he spent his time on the soccer field when he was not in the classroom. “I was told from a young age that if my academics started to slip then sports would go away, and when my dad said something he meant it,” said Alexander.
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Serious Smarts
Trent Madden
AHS student and teacher excel in academics
How hard can it be to be one of the smartest kids in your school? Trent Madden would argue that it took him endless hours of studying and many pieces of pencil lead burned through. As one of the few students selected to be a valedictorian this year, Madden is not only putting himself on a fast-track to success, but laying the groundwork for his future goals and aspirations as well. With Madden, there is no slack given when it comes to studying. He always makes sure his schedule is clear so he can do his best in class. Madden has quite a handful with those classes but says he doesn’t mind the load because he enjoys learning the information. Cutting time out of your day to study can be a real buzzkill to most people. To Madden, it is something he knows he has to do. Being motivated to do well in school can be something you really have to work at. Sometimes kids are motivated by their parents who have eyes of a hawk on their grades. “It’s a little bit of both. My parents always encourage me to do my best and give it my best shot, but I also take it upon myself to make sure my best shot is up to my standards,” said Madden. Practicing good study habits can be the difference between a stand out student and a student that is barely scraping by. “I make sure my notes are as detailed as I can make them. Then I also review my notes and not just before a test. Especially for a class like math or physics, I probably start reviewing my notes a week before,” said Madden. Although school is a big part of his life, Madden knows it is not everything. He enjoys spending his free time in the lap pool as part of the school swim team as well as second swim team at the YMCA. He uses swimming as a way to escape the pressure of his commitment to his academics. Yet Madden makes sure he always put his school work above swimming. “If I have an especially busy week in school, I take a few days off practice and get caught up on things,” he said. Madden knows that working hard now will help him in the future when he is sending out his resume to different companies. “I want to be an engineer because the whole process of designing things while working with the math and science together is really interesting. I’d also like to combine that with something medical,” said Madden. College can be a daunting concept to some students, but Madden is looking forward to the next step in his academic career. Although he has not made a decision yet, he has narrowed choices down. “Right now a good option is Wichita State because they have a good engineering college and it is close to home. I have also applied to places like Purdue and South Dakota School of Mines,” said Madden. Indeed, WSU looks promising for Madden as the school has recently named him a Wallace Scholar and has offered him the prestigious Koch Scholarship.
-benSMITH
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The Case for Weighted Grades <<sophie braynock>> Challenging classes should be rewarded I believe AHS should have weighted grades for AP classes. Weighted grades would not only benefit students, but teachers as well. AP classes are more challenging and offer a demanding work load for high school students. These classes are college-level courses that have a national curriculum. Because these classes are regulated on a set curriculum, they should be weighted. Weighting AP courses would provide incentive as well as reward for students. Weighting certain classes would provide an incentive for students to challenge themselves in more demanding courses. When I talk with sophomores about taking AP US History the number one reason students decided not to take it was because they didn’t want to risk their GPAs. Weighting classes would boost the GPA for students in AP classes; having a B in an AP classes would be the equivalent of an A in an on-level class. Weighting GPAs would also change class rank, giving a more accurate representation of the top students in each class. This would in theory also change the way Andover determines valedictorians and salutatorians; it would now look at the student with the highest GPA and would eliminate students who did not challenge themselves with AP classes. This would also allow students who receive less than A’s in AP classes to still be considered for scholarships that require you to be in a top percentage of a class. Teachers would also benefit from a new GPA policy, as enrollment in AP classes would likely increase. With an increase in enrollment, it can be assumed new AP classes would be added to AHS. This would allow teachers to have more specialized classes at a college level. To students, more AP classes means the chance to obtain more college
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credit in high school and saving money for college. Most colleges unweight GPAs when applying, so what’s the point of weighting them at AHS? Weighted GPAs would give incentive by boosting your GPA when taking AP classes. It would also give reward as a chance to become the valedictorian of your class. Lastly, it would provide more interest in AP and add new courses to AHS, saving students money in the long run. It makes sense that Andover should weight GPAs for a more accurate class rank and applying for colleges and scholarships. If we were to switch to a weighted system it would be a long process of multiple years, but I believe it would provide a positive change for AHS.
Illustration by Kamilla Sims
Make America Safe Again <<Elise Lindemann>> Mass casualties should not be casual news “There has been another mass shooting in America.” It is a phrase that every citizen is sick of hearing the president utter. The death toll scrolls across the bottom of the television screen and hearts sink, tears roll, knees buckle. Or maybe, they don’t. In 2016 alone there were 385 mass shootings--more mass shootings than days in the year. These shootings left 30,604 people injured and 15,059 dead. Mass shootings, as defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are incidents where four or more people, not including the shooter, are shot and/or killed in a single event at the same general time and location. Mass shootings only account for a small fraction of gun-related deaths in America. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, America has 16 times as many firearm homicides than Germany and six times as many as America’s neighbors in Canada. With these horrifying incidents happening so frequently, they have become the new normal. During a 2015 speech in response to the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, President Obama commented on the repetition of these tragedies, saying “Somehow this has become routine. My response, here, at this podium ends up being routine. The conversation at the aftermath of it--we’ve become numb to this.” Most people don’t even flinch when hearing of these tragedies anymore. Remember how disgusted and hurt people were by Columbine? Or Sandy Hook? Or Aurora? Well what about Brownsville, Tennessee? Ten people were injured on January 27 and almost no one reacted. News that once shook America to the core has been normalized, it no longer has the power to affect anyone. Gun violence may have been normalized, but it is anything but normal. Gun deaths in America are sky high
compared to other high-income developed countries. These countries have fewer deaths, and one more thing that America lacks: common-sense gun control laws. Recently, a measure was taken that protected the severely mentally ill from purchasing guns. This action affects individuals who are unable to work and manage Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration would give disability benefit information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, putting these individuals on a “no buy” list. This common-sense gun law does not take guns away from Farmer Joe, the responsible gun user. Instead, it disarms Adam Lanza, the mentally ill teen who shot and killed 20 children, six adults, and himself at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. After this tragedy, some polls suggested that as many as nine out of every ten Americans supported increasing gun control. However, congress voted against it. Despite the growing support for gun laws, America’s flawed, partisan government has made change nearly impossible. Unfortunately earlier this month, congress has decided to repeal the aforementioned law and Trump’s approval is imminent. This is one swift step back from the subtle progress America made to a safer nation. An array of studies completed by Tewksbury Lab, Harvard Injury Control Research Center, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (among others) support the claim that more guns mean more gun deaths. This issue seems simple enough to solve. To achieve a solution, Americans must begin by refusing to normalize these tragedies. If Donald Trump wishes to make America great again, he must begin by making America safe again with common-sense gun laws. March 2017- Issue 7
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Old School Edition show choir is a show stopper If you hear a group of upbeat students singing “All Star” in the hallways, you can bet it is Old School Edition, Andover High School’s show choir. Old School Edition is a fairly new choir group that was formed in 2013. This group combines choral singing with dance. A typical day for 22 dedicated students in Mrs. Hallford’s 4th hour class is full of singing, dancing and laughter. All year long, Old School Edition learns new songs and choreography, trying to perfect it all in their short 45 minute class each day. “I joined show choir because it was something different than just ordinary choir. I stayed in it for the love of music, dancing and the show choir family,” said senior Fhai Snook. Each year, Old School Edition performs at all four of the AHS vocal concerts. This year, show choir has added an additional concert on April 22. This is the first time Old School Edition will have its own showcase, where they will perform an entire set on their own. A show choir set for Old School Edition usually consists of two up-tempo group numbers, a ballad, a male-only number and a female-only number. For each of these, except some ballads, the group learns choreography. For the April showcase, the group decided to do a set dedicated to Shrek, featuring songs such as “All Star” and “I’m A Believer.”
“I’m really excited about getting to do songs from the greatest movies series ever! It has always been a dream of mine and now it’s finally coming true,” said sophomore Jacob Linhardt. Each November, Old School Edition attends the Butler Community College Show Choir Festival. More than 400 high school students from 18 different schools are involved in this all-day workshop that includes a showcase at the end of the day. “Getting to see other choirs and learn new skills is a very cool experience,” said Linhardt. The students who attend the festival have the opportunity to take classes from professionals and receive a critique for their group performances. The students also learn a dance that they can take back to school with them to perform. Although show choir is a lot of hard work, members still find time to have fun with each other. “Everyone gets along so well; we are like a big family,” said senior Levon Mathis. From athletes, theatre and band, to student council members, Old School Edition brings together a diverse group of students that might not normally spend time together. Show choir members sometimes hang out outside of school. The group even had a Christmas party where they exchanged gifts and caroled, of course.
“Everyone gets along so well; we are like a big family.”
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March 2017 - Issue 7
-emmaSTARKS
#showchoirprobs Sequins are actually tiny little knives sent to cut up your arms.
When you have to cough or sneeze during your ballad.
It sounds really good, until you try and dance it.
When you hear a song from a past show and immediately start doing the choreography.
When you sing a part to a song too early.
When you do your favorite song for your show and by the end of the season you hate it.
When you realize this is nothing like GLEE.
March 2017 - Issue 7
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St. Patrick's Day
Photos by Kylie Porter
St. Patty's Day Oreo Balls Ingredients • • •
1 package (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened 42 Oreo cookies, finely crushed (about 3 1/2 cups), divided 4 packages (4 oz. each) semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted.
Instructions • •
•
Mix cream cheese and 3 cups of cookie crumbs until blended. Shape into 48 balls (1 inch). Freeze for 10 minutes. Dip balls in melted chocolate. Place in a single layer in shallow waxed paperlined pan. Decorate as desired. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated.
Recipe from Natalie Anderson
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March 2017 - Issue 7
On March 17, is the holiday called St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a religious feast for the patron saint of Ireland, this day is a popular way to dress in green, and celebrate this Irish holiday. The shamrock was originally a symbol for the Holy Trinity. Irish Americans influenced the holiday in the United States by adding parades.
-graceBALL
Did You Know.... The shamrock was originally a symbol for the Holy Trinity. In Chicago, plumbers dye the river a “kelly” green,which lasts for about five hours. New York City hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1762, and the tradition has lasted since. A tradition is if you’re not wearing green, you give permission to be pinched. The odds of finding a four-leaf clover on your first try is 1 in 1000. Patrick’s color was originally blue. March 17 was the day of St. Patrick’s death. It’s the national day of Ireland.
March 2017 - Issue 7
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A Day in the Life of Heath Andover Police Department School Resource Officer Heath Kintzel is a familiar face at Andover High School. His main goal, he says, is to keep students and staff at AHS safe. Yet his job is a lot more complicated than most people think. Known as an SRO, Kintzel breaks down his main responsibilities into three primary ones. The first is being just a regular Andover Police officer. “I am a fully commissioned police officer. I support the department in whatever capacity they need,” Kintzel said. His primary assignments are Andover High School and Cottonwood Elementary. Though there are four SROs in the Andover district, there are times when Kintzel has to fill in for them and travel to other schools. Some of the most common issues he resolves are drug problems, school fights, and reported thefts. Any incidents that occur on school grounds or at school activities are handled by him. While these issues might sound quick and easy to solve on the surface, Kintzel insists that it is not that easy. “You see me out here and I’m visible, but for each case [I deal with] it’s a minimum of an hour and a half of paperwork,” he said. In his second role, Kintzel works in a lesser-known capacity; he can teach students any information pertaining to law in classrooms. Specifically for the SRO position, Kintzel completed training pertaining to school policies and juvenile law. This has allowed him to occasionally teach this information. For example, Photo by Kylie Porter Kintzel speaks to health classes every year about drugs and to auto teacher Lee Garrett’s classes about traffic laws. “[Being a teacher] is the most fun thing that I do,” he said. His final role is to be an informal counselor to students and be a resource for them when they need guidance. Some of the ways Kintzel tries to connect to the AHS community is through special programs like SAFE (Seatbelts are for Everyone) and anti-drunk-driving campaigns. He hopes that this not only raises awareness towards the specific issues, but also works to make AHS a better place overall. “I want to build trust and relationships to the point that people can come to me and use me as a ‘sound board’ for issues,” Kintzel said.
-ashleyDORF
Andover Officer of the Year
Officer Heath Kintzel is the Andover Police Department Officer of the Year. On February 28, Police Chief Michael Keller told the Andover City Council of Kintzel’s many accomplishments that went beyond law enforcement and presented him with this special recognition. Andover School Resource Officer Heath Kintzel takes a phone call as part of his day at AHS. Photo by Dick McGill
The Bluestreak wishes you a safe Spring Break!
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Winter Student Section CHamps Andoverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s student section was ranked by catchitkansas.com and named Winter Student Section Champions. Check out some of the winning themes!
December 4 - USA
December 20 - holiday wear
January 6 - Jersey
january 13 - Black out
February 14 - Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day
February 28 - Senior Night