The North Star, January/February 2019

blue valley north high school

the

12200 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66209

North Star January 2019 • Volume 33 • Issue 4

Editors-in-Chief Shantha Burt Sooim Kang Taylor Mills

Social Media Editors Chris Lucas Genevieve Hulshof

Copy Editors Anna Martin Lyndsey Henkel Megan McConnell Ramya Chilappa

Staff Writers Alice Wu Angelica Henson Angelica Lidzy Charitha Lakkireddy Daniel Park Delaina Sanden

Online Editor Briley Everhart

The North Star is the official high school news publication of Blue Valley North High School, an open forum distributed to all students six times a year. This is the January issue of volume 33. The North Star is printed by the Sedalia Democrat. This is a student publication and may contain controversial material.

Kansas law prohibits the suppression of a student publication solely because it may contain controversial matter. Blue Valley School District No. 229 and its board members, officers and employees disclaim any responsibility for the content of this student publication; it is not an expression of School District Policy. Students and editors are solely responsible for the content of this student publication.

Parking Lot Prestige

Turning heads and creating their own fourwheel brand, some students have become parking lot royalty. Jack and Abby Subblett are siblings with two of the most notable cars at Blue Valley North. Find out how their personalities contributed to their rides on page 30.

Stirring Up the Pot Baking isn’t just about the sweet results. Students at BVN have turned this culinary art into a stress reliever and a way to connect with their families. Above, Alexandria Fulford pours cake batter into a muffin tin while preparing a batch of cupcakes. See what else is in the oven for these students on page 26.

The Passion for Painting

It started as a hobby and has now led to his artwork being showcased in galleries across Kansas City. Matthew Breedlove has created his own recognizable painting style and has made a difference within his own community. Read more about the painter behind the canvas on page 6.

Student Activity at BVN:

A

Letter

FROM THE

Editors W

e started this issue over a month ago without a theme in mind. Our pitch board’s stories had no correlation— each focused on interests and groups with different pursuits.

How to box-in such individuals into one label or title proved impossible, and in that impossibility we found the true theme of this issue: the diverse makeup of our school.

Roughly 1,600 students walk these halls and receive this publication, yet only a few will have the chance to tell their story or be a part of student journalism.

The people who make up this school, as we found out in writing this issue, go far past what appears during the seven class hours.

There are athletes who are given five feet of space to fight, artists with more artwork than walls to showcase them on, Twitter users with strong temperaments and confectioners escaping from stress by baking Instagrammable goods. They have passions that spur struggle and struggles that inspire passion, a common cycle that proves to be true for each of these stories.

We as a student body are guilty of relying on labels as ways to perceive people, and this issue was our chance to break that mold. Our job as journalists is to naturally report about people’s lives and how they affect communities. We would be lying if we said it isn’t uncomfortable at times. But, this discomfort of vulnerability teaches us that there is more than one side to each person, and the only way to find this out is through such openness.

Do not limit yourself to reading this paper as the source of education for your own school community. Take this work as an invitation to go beyond the pages and truly get to know the phenomenal people that teach, learn and grow here. Prompt conversations, ask questions about life outside of the classroom, spark debates and embrace the possibility of you being wrong.

When individuals of a school close themselves off, the unity of that school community dissolves. At such a time in our life when confusion is rampant and ambiguity consumes us, it is vital to have a sense of connection that only a community can provide, a sense of reassurance and relatability.

As a reader, embrace the values of these students’ stories, just as our writers did. These pages are what make BVN what it is, not the rankings or the statistics. Humans are behind everything here— diverse, brilliant and passionate humans whose stories deserve to be told.

— Shantha Burt, Sooim Kang and Taylor Mills Editors-in-Chief

Total Number of Students:

~1,550

Total Number of Sports:

18

Total Number of Clubs:

79

National Honor Society

Bike illustration by Genevieve Hulshof.

143 4 | The North Star | January 2019

Days Early

By Delaina Sanden

Cooper Schram graduates a semester early to get a taste of adult life.

98%

of gap year students said their study abroad helped them to develop as a person.

97%

said their gap year increased their maturity level.

84%

said their gap year helped them acquire skills to be successful in future careers.

73%

said their experience increased their college readiness.

Statistics courtesy of the Council of International Educational Exchange

Schram laughs during a chat with a classmate.

A

t just 18 years old, Cooper Schram is working almost full time, planning a semester-long trip to Europe and living his life as an early graduate.

During the second semester of his junior year, Schram went to North Carolina to take a break from his school and home life in order to focus on his mental health. Because of this, Schram was unsure if early graduation would be possible for him.

“I went to a wilderness program thing and I was gone for all the second semester,” Schram said. “I was kind of not in a fantastic place, anxious and just kind of collapsing in on myself. I was living in-concurrently with how I think of myself, like how I want to be, so I just kind of started crumbling a little bit. So, I went there and had a great time, learned a lot of lessons. And though I missed school, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

Through this experience, Schram learned skills what he feels will be useful for years to come. With graduating early comes a newfound exposure to adult life, and Schram’s wilderness retreat primed him for that.

“I think that experience kind of gave me a little more confidence in my abilities as an individual to do hard stuff,” Schram said. “I learned a

lot more emotional and interpersonal skills that I think are going to benefit me in spades, come adult time.”

In making his decision to graduate early, Schram took his feelings toward high school into consideration. He was drawn to the prospects of having a new start and more independence.

“I’ve never been a fan of high school, not gonna lie,” Schram said. “So, graduating early lets me kind of move on to the next chapter, kind of get a clean slate, fresh start and kind of be on my own time, rather than on school time.”

Although personally enthusiastic about the structure of traditional high school and being ready to move on to the next chapter in his life, Schram recognizes the value of a high school education.

“I think high school is a great experience, you can get a lot out of it,” Schram said. “If you’re having a great time in high school, have your time in high school. But, it’s definitely not for everybody. The type of person I’d recommend this to is anyone who’s like, ‘Hey, let me just get like a taste of life, a taste of freedom.’

Along with gaining the independence that comes to those who graduate early, his desire for adventure and exploration has been

5 | The North Star | January 2019 a deciding factor in his plans. Schram was intrigued by the promise of travel opportunities.

“I was thinking about taking a gap year because I want to go travel, see the world before I get back into college in the real world,” Schram said. “So, that’s when I said maybe I’ll take a gap semester. That’s kind of what I’m calling it. My parents were more on board with that than a gap year, and they think it’ll be good for me to do my own thing before I go to college.”

In order to be able to do his own thing, Schram will work to save up for his trip, plan it and then hop on a plane to Europe.

“I’m going to work for a couple months at the restaurant I worked at the past two years,” Schram said. “So, I’ll do that kind of through the winter. In March is when I’m planning to head out. I’ll visit my sister in London, because she’s there on a semester abroad, I’ll visit another family friend in Florence. I’m gonna be backpacking and hiking all this.”

His reasoning for his early graduation and semester off has been something Schram has been drawn to all of his life. Having always been an adventurous person, he decided that this is the perfect option for himself.

“I’ve always kind of been an exploratory type person,” Schram said.

“It’s like, let me do this crazy thing and see how it goes. So, I’ve always been more of a lone wolf type person.

Anyway, so I have had that in me whether I’ve had the opportunity or not, that’s the limiting factor. So, I kind of got it all lined up.”

Schram is also drawn to the life experience early graduation offers that going straight to college may not.

Knowing that his plans will give him an upper hand in his future, Schram sees the value in this and looks forward to using it throughout the years to come.

“It’s a lot of just doing life right before I’m going to go to college,” Schram said. “A lot of people coming out of college, they’re like, ‘Oh, how do I do live?’ That’s where I think the benefit a semester type thing like this is that’s like, ‘Oh, I got it, I’ve done this.’ So, these are all life things that you would not do until later that I’m doing now, and I think that’s a valuable thing.”

Schram isn’t the only one that made

the semester-early jump to graduation.

According to his counselor, Megan Standefer, Schram is among a handful of students who decided to graduate early.

“I would say roughly six to 10 kids a year are early graduates,” Standefer said.

“Mostly, they say that they want to start taking college classes early or sometimes they’re kids that just don’t feel that much of a social connection here… I think it’s more about if you’re [ready] maturitywise, or emotionally or academically ready to start college.”

Having met Standefer’s personal standards of maturity level and academic performance, she feels that Schram made the right decision.

“Cooper’s incredible, he’s mature and I think that he was already academically ready for college coursework,” Standefer said. “So, you know, academically it made sense.”

“Graduating early lets me kind of move on to the next chapter.”

- Cooper Schram While Schram was unsure that he would be able to graduate early having missed the second semester of his junior year, Standefer assured him that it would be possible. She said rearranging schedules is of less importance than parental permission, which Schram had.

“It’s possible to rearrange your schedule,” Standefer said. “So, it’s not the schedule piece that is a primary concern for us. I think it’s more about is it the right choice for the student in missing a semester of their senior year. I think parents have a strong opinion one way or another on it, and we want to make sure that it’s a good choice academically for the student and that their parents are on board with it.”

As Standefer said, the importance of parent permission and support is needed in order to make the right decision when concerned with early graduation. When Schram spoke to his parents about his interest in early graduation his mother, Jill Schram, had her initial doubts, but reconsidered when she looked back on his experience

in North Carolina.

“I wasn’t sure it was the right decision,” Jill Schram said. “I was not positive that I wanted him to do that. I think one of the things I’ve learned this year just him being gone for part of the spring and going to North Carolina, I realized I really had to separate out what I wanted for him and what he wanted for him. So, I think when he first told me he wanted to graduate early, I was like, ‘Oh, okay.’ I wasn’t even sure it was possible. And I kind of probably hoped that it maybe wasn’t possible.”

When the family learned that his early graduation would be possible, Schram’s parents told him that they would offer support, but it would be him that needed to lead the process.

“I was glad that he had it as an option,” Jill Schram said, “and I really kind of said, ‘Hey, if you want to do this, you got to lead it.’ I just kind of left it up to him, and his dad and I both were like, ‘We will be supportive in whatever you pick to do.’”

While Schram’s parents gave him their full support, his mother still had her personal expectations of what a traditional senior year in high school looked like. With these expectations in mind, she is slightly upset by the fact that she won’t be able to be with him through those. Regardless, Schram’s mother sees the opportunities her son has that those who follow her view of the traditional path of senior year may not.

“I’m sad he’s going to miss out on some of the things that are part of being a senior in high school or what I think that means,” Jill Schram said.

“But, I think it also is providing him an opportunity to grow in ways that a lot of other kids won’t have the opportunity to do so.”

Schram’s mother is happy that her son has access to opportunities unique to early graduates. Along with the promise of newfound chances, she feels that he will be able to make decisions that will benefit him in a way that high school might not have.

“He’s a kid who loves learning, he just didn’t really love high school,” Schram said. “It’s been good to watch him kind of spread his wings in a different way. I think he felt like he didn’t really fit in the box that is high school. It’ll be interesting to see what he does.”

6 | The North Star | January 2019

By Lyndsey Henkel

Matthew Breedlove and his family talk about his love for painting.

L

ong, elegant strokes of the paintbrush fill the canvas with bright colors. The smell of acrylic paint surrounds the air of the studio as bright lighting illuminates the room. Splattered in a rainbow of colors, a desk holds paint, utensils, a color palette. Above hangs a beautiful painting. Paintings are scattered across the room on display for everyone to observe. This is senior Matthew Breedlove’s art studio in his house, a place where everyone is welcomed.

Breedlove uses colors and shapes to create pieces and paintings as a way of expressing his emotions. Ever since Breedlove was a young boy, he loved drawing and coloring. Throughout the years of making art, Breedlove has developed his passion.

Many people who paint find a

feeling of calmness. Art can be very soothing to those who appreciate it, and Breedlove feels it has allowed him to relax better. School and other activities can be stressful; however, painting gives Breedlove a way to unwind and focus on his artwork. Throughout his course of painting, Breedlove has used many types of mediums, including acrylics, watercolor and pastels. Breedlove prefers to paint with acrylics, as he believes they produce the brightest colors on the canvas.

“Painting has enabled Matthew to find his center,” Leslie Breedlove said.

“Teenagers have so much going on these days, and for him to find something he really enjoys is incredible.”

Red is Breedlove’s favorite color, and like many other things, it inspires him.

One place in particular that influences

him is the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. He enjoys visiting the museum with his friends and family. One of his favorite paintings is Starry Night by Van Gogh, his favorite artist.

His parents have transformed their dining room into Breedlove’s art studio.

This is where he creates his artwork and displays some of them for people to see.

Fortunately, the Breedloves do not mind if paint gets on the floor. The open dining room connects the kitchen to the living room, which allows people to easily walk through. Occasionally, Breedlove will watch one of his favorite movies while painting.

“Letting him explore his artistic abilities has been amazing to watch,” Leslie Breedlove said. “Luckily, we don’t mind if things get messy because he was not the

January 2019 | The North Star | 7 tidiest in the beginning.”

Breedlove has a routine that he likes to stick to while painting. He’ll paint a few swatches and then watch part of a movie before he decides he wants to return to his paintings to go back and paint a little more. Leslie Breedlove and her family love to watch

dining room.

Breedlove loves to paint and connect with people, including his younger brother, sophomore Ethan Breedlove.

Creativity runs in the family, as his grandma and aunt are also artists. Finding others who share Breedlove’s passion for painting allows him to spend time with people while also doing what he loves.

“I love to paint with Ethan,” Breedlove said. “I also really like to paint with Grandma Judy.”

Recently, Breedlove has been putting his art in art shows around the city.

Friends and family come to support him and purchase his paintings.

-Matthew Prices vary Breedlove based on size and style because no two paintings are the same. Many people hang the paintings in their houses, rooms and offices, including social studies teacher and Breedlove’s dad, Jeff Breedlove. Breedlove was invited to display his artwork at First Fridays in downtown Kansas City

“I love to take pictures with my friends.”

Breedlove paint, which is part of the reason why they let him use their

Bottom: Matthew’s art studio Right: Matthew posing next to one of his masterpieces

by his friend Angie Gaebler.

“With the art, it has just been a whole new set of people we’ve been able to touch,” Leslie Breedlove said. “It was a huge success because we had over 150 people show up to the event, and we displayed over 40 paintings.”

Breedlove has many friends at BVN who encourage him and love to see him follow his passion. He is also known as “The Selfie King” around his family and friends because he loves to document his friendships. Leslie Breedlove said it was another creative outlet for him.

“I love taking pictures with my friends and family,” Breedlove said. “It’s fun to have good photos on my phone.”

For many years, according to Leslie Breedlove, the community has been very supportive of Breedlove. They’ve remained friends with many people from elementary and middle school who all love his artwork. His family treats Breedlove the same no matter if he has Autism or not, and they encourage everyone to do the same.

“We have been so blessed with amazing friends and family,” Leslie Breedlove said.

“Everyone has supported us every step of the way, and we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

8 | The North Star | January 2019

This photos reveals Ellie Ariagno’s medications that are necessary for her conditions.

Swallowing the Truth Sophomore Ellie Ariagno persevered through her past experiences and put them to use for the better.

By Angelica Henson

Gaining and Fighting the Illness

S

ophomore Ellie Ariagno is a student aiming to impact and reach out to others. Ariagno is the first to lend a hand and offer a shoulder to lean on for her friends. She is willing to give advice and speaks from past experiences. Ariagno is prepared to tell her story in hopes of helping even a single person at BVN. Ariagno has suffered from depression, anorexia and self-harm since middle school. Before freshman year, her anorexia started, and by February of 2018, she was admitted to a hospital for diagnosis.

Two years ago, Ariagno was struggling with her body image and how to cope with her various mental illnesses. So, this winter Ariagno decided that she wanted to reach out to students who have been in similar siutations as herself. She said she wanted to give students a chance to be open about themselves and let them know they’re not alone.

Her low self-esteem and depression began from bullying, which started in fifth grade. Ariagno was being bullied for her

size. Studies conducted by the National Eating Disorders Association show that 40-60 percent of elementary school girls (ages 6-12) are concerned about their weight or about becoming too fat. “[In] seventh grade, one of my [old] friends would say that I’m ugly, fat and worthless,” Ariagno said. “I mainly thought it was rumored, but then when I found out it was true, I was really hurt, so I started using self-harm against me to make myself feel better. But it doesn’t really work that way.”

“One time I called them out, and from then on I was kind of excluded, but I felt okay with it because Ellie was my friend.”

-Aubrey Karns

Sophomore Aubrey Karns has been best friends with Ariagno since middle school, facing Ariagno’s illnesses alongside her throughout these past years. “[Aubrey] saw that I didn’t eat, and I’m pretty sure my mom texted her [wanting] to look out for me [and] make sure I’m doing okay because my parents can’t be there,” Ariagno said. “She was the main one who enforced rules on me eating, tried

getting my parents involved and make sure I’m okay.”

Karns first noticed Ariagno being bullied in sixth grade. They had a few classes together that year, becoming very close after an event during one gym class.

“In sixth grade when I first met her, we had gym class together. I always heard girls talking about her and making fun of her,” Karns said. “One time I called them out and from then on I was kind of excluded, but I felt okay with it because Ellie was my friend.”

Besides Karns’s support, Ariagno wasn’t very open when it came to her insecurity and how she handled everything. She felt that no one at school noticed due to people not reaching out until they had to.

“Not really [anybody noticed]. I know that my mom was a bit worried because she saw me excluding myself from a lot of things,” Ariagno said. “I would just try my best to stay out of people’s lives.”

Hearing about Ellie struggling was difficult for Jill Ariagno, Ellie’s mother.

“It’s an immense feeling of powerlessness, sadness and it’s overwhelming,” Jill Ariagno said. “It makes you feel like you’re a bad parent because you aren’t able to fix your child’s problems.”

January 2019 | The North Star | 9 First row, Ellie Ariagno with her mother Jill Ariagno. Second row, Ellie Ariagno with best friend Aubrey Karns.

By the end of middle school, Ariagno’s negative mindset was increasing and she unknowingly began to develop anorexia.

“The summer in between eighth and freshman year I had a nanny at the time who was a fitness trainer. I started to work out with her, and after that, I was excessively working out,” Ariagno said. “I didn’t eat dessert or anything. I drank a lot of water and eventually that cut down to nothing. Meals would go down and down, and by that time I was severely anorexic.”

While Ariagno was struggling, Jill had to figure out her own way to handle this, despite not knowing right away or knowing specifically why this was

“It’s an immense feeling of powerlessness, sadness and it’s overwhelming...”

-Jill Ariagno happening.

“I kind of knew it was coming along.

It was a symptom of many other things happening,” Jill Ariagno said. “[Ellie’s] a cutter, and prior to that we’ve had behavioral issues at home and falling grades. So there were a lot of signs that things weren’t going well.”

Argiano dealt with a traumatic experience that only added to her depression and anorexia. Ariagno was a victim of sexual assault, which she said contributed to her severe disorder.

“I was not open about it at all. I think Aubrey found out a month after,” Ariagno said. “My parents found out in February when I went to the hospital for a diagnosis of anorexia. Nobody really knew after that until I came out about it to spread awareness of the subject.”

Karns noticed the changes in her best friend after that night but had no idea as to what had happened. Once she found out a month after, Karns could see the effects the experience had left on Ariagno.

“Since then she’s gotten better, but every once in a while she has some moments where she has a flashback…”

Karns said. “She gets really upset and has those days where there’s nothing we can do but assure her that we love her, that we’re there for her and we’re always going to be there to help her.”

A few months after the assault, Ariagno was admitted into the hospital. She went, without fully understanding why she was being admitted. “[My parents] were home early that day. They were worried about me and

wanted to get me checked out, so we went to the ER,” Ariagno said. “They said I had to stay there for a week, and if I couldn’t do what they told me to, it would have been two months [until] I got out. I could have gotten to the point that if I waited another two months, I would have been in serious condition. I didn’t realize that until they said I could have died.”

Adjusting to the atmosphere at the hospital was difficult for Ariagno. There were specific rules, and no one could visit except for family members.

“My mom slept on the bench in the room, and they had to keep a nurse in

“I want people to know there are so many people that can relate. They can have people to talk to, like a family.”

-Ellie Ariagno there at all times. Even when I had to go to the bathroom I had to keep the door open.

That was mainly just to make sure I didn’t do anything to harm myself,” Ariagno said.

10| The North Star | January 2019

Before anorexia

Where She Is Now

D

espite what Ariagno had been through in the past year, she concluded that she wanted to put her experiences to use. With the help of Broadcast II, Ariagno is releasing a video and creating a website to reach out to the people in and around the community who have faced similar experiences as Ariagno.

During her Broadcast I class, broadcast teacher Charlie Huette reached out to Ariagno in regard to doing a project for the class. Originally she wanted to make a video about mental health, specifically on a student who struggles with it. Instead, Huette suggested that she should focus the project on herself, and it turned into a bigger plan.

“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me, I just believe it’s a better approach” -Ellie Ariagno “[Mr. Huette] told the class we needed to do a North Report project, and that meant we had to interview someone on what we thought was interesting,” Ariagno said. “I was like, ‘I’ll ask people about depression and how they deal with it.’”

It wasn’t as easy as Ariagno assumed.

She discovered that people aren’t always open to speaking out about topics they deal with personally, especially on camera.

“Mr. Huette suggested I go at a

During anorexia different approach. He said to tell my own story, what it was like and how you can help people in the end,” Ariagno said. “I just want to help people, so [the video] is awareness. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me, I just believe it’s a better approach.”

Her aim for the video is to show an accurate portrayal of mental health and how it affects everyday teens. Soon, Ariagno found that the video’s purpose turned into something larger than for only a class project.

“Mr. Huette thought it was a really good idea to make this a bigger thing,” Ariagno said. “I’ve [also] been working on a website forever to help with awareness and coping. So the project came together.”

Now that she has completed the script, the pictures and the overall idea, Ariagno has the assistance of Broadcast II for her project. They are currently in the process of cleaning up and adding to the video.

Ariagno is currently getting a layout of the website and is reaching out to other students to help put it together.

“It’s more of community help instead of group therapy sessions because then not only teenagers, but everyone struggling can feel free. It’s a safe place,” Ariagno said.

“I want people to know that there are so many people that can relate. They can have people to talk to, like a family.”

For Ariagno, she hopes that the website will act as basic baby-steps toward coping and recovering. Ariagno recognized that it’s not as simple to reach out to the school,

After anorexia to parents or to professional help as she had initially assumed. Ariagno explained what the website will look like and more.

“There’s going to be an anonymous chat room section where you can talk to real people. It’s kind of like a Facebook set up but

“But you should feel like you’re wanted here. You’re never not wanted.”

-Ellie Ariagno for certain issues. Someone can post that they’re struggling, and people can comment to give advice on how to cope with their feelings,” Ariagno said. “Then there’s going to be another section for people who are endangering themselves. There’s definitely going to be suicide hotlines, sections for therapists and a section for specific ways of coping that are related to your mental state, such as anorexia.”

Ariagno has turned her traumas to something bigger to help others. It’ll take months before her projects come out, but she’s sending a message she believes is necessary for BVN to hear and understand.

“I feel shaky [talking about this]. It’s a hard topic to put on people who don’t understand. They hear about it, and it’s hard to put it through their head,” Ariagno said.

“I think it’s hard for everyone [to be open] not just me. But you should feel like you’re wanted here. You’re never not wanted, you’re always wanted by someone.”

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12 | The North Star | January 2019

Finding Fenc in

By Sooim Kang

g

Junior Declan Carter shares his 10 years of experience with fencing.

“En garde.”

“Pret.”

“Allez!”

The mediator stepped back as the two players lunged at each other from across the room.

With three minutes on the clock, Declan knew he had to act fast to win the match. Shuffle forward, then lunge. Shuffle back, take guard. The sweat from his forehead dripped into his eyes, blurring his field of vision as he

repeated the same motions over and over again.

The opponent’s sword lunged toward his open chest, but before it could reach him, Declan blocked his sword and hit him at his unprotected side. He did it.

His opponent had been struck.

“Direct touch. Point to Declan.”

Declan Carter has been fencing at Heartland Fencing Academy for nearly 10 years, starting when he was in third grade. His interest peaked when

13 | The North Star | January 2019 Emilia Ivanovna has coached Carter since he was just 7 years old, witnessing him grow not only as an athlete but also as a person over the years. But before she started coaching at Heartland Fencing Academy, she herself found success as a fencer as well.

“She’s from Bulgaria,” Carter said. She moved here 20 years ago and started the club. Coach Emi has always coached foil, so she’s our foil coach. She almost went to the Olympics, except that was the year the Soviet Union refused to go to the Olympics, and that was her in that year, so she got cut out of it.

She tells us that story a lot.”

“It’s just you, the other fencer and the referee.

There’s no one else.”

-Declan Carter With nearly 10 years of consistently driving Carter to and from practice, traveling to all his tournaments and scheduling his weekly practices, Emilia Carter has found that balancing his time with the school and his other extra-curricular activities has been the hardest challenge to overcome.

“As Declan progressed in his ratings and events, the demands for his training became harder and harder to fit into his already full daily schedule,” Emilia Carter said. “A fencer at Declan’s level should be training at least eight hours a week. Because Declan is currently taking five AP classes, he has had to take a step back from his training during this school year.”

However, Declan has also had to battle more personal challenges over the years.

When he was younger, Carter was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome. According to

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Tourette.org, Tourette’s syndrome is one type of Tic Disorder classified by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations.

For Carter, these tics tend to become more noticeable whenever he is stressed or anxious.

“I’ve been working on — there’s this thing with Tourette’s called competing responses — so if you blink a lot and try and stare for 30 seconds, it’s like behavioral therapy,” Carter said. So I find myself grunting a lot, and it really messes with my breath support. I can’t catch my breath because I keep making sounds, and I keep blinking really weird because sweat is getting in my eye.”

However, Declan has managed to find small ways to help calm him down during a bout or whenever he’s on the fencing strip.

“Something that you can do if you need a break is ask, ‘Can I tie my shoe?’” Declan said. “And then you just take off your mask, decompress, tie your shoe very slowly and stand back up. That’s something I used to struggle with a lot. I’d get so stressed, my little 10-year-old, 12-year-old self. But over the past two years, I’ve been really proud of how I’ve overcome that because I still struggle with it, but I don’t let it show through a lot, which I’m proud of. I just have to breathe sometimes.”

Although fencing has presented Declan with several obstacles, he has also found that it has brought him great success in different aspects of his life, and Emilia Carter was one of the first to notice.

“Declan succeeds when he is able to conquer his stress and fence his best,” Emilia Carter said. “Sometimes he wins the bout, but it’s just as powerful to understand why he didn’t win and know what he needs to do next time to turn things around.”

Declan Carter has been able to appreciate the individuality of the sport and the freedom it has offered him.

“It feels so good because it’s just you out there,” he said. “When you get that touch, it’s all yours. You know that it’s yours, and you just lay it all down.”

Foil

Jacket

Glove

he was handed a pamphlet that advertised an introductory course to fencing at the local Academy.

“I used to play chess,” Carter said. “Then I got a pamphlet that said, ‘Fencing: the physical equivalent of chess,’ so I enrolled in the camp, took some classes, stopped taking chess, and then started fencing a lot more.”

Upon first impression, Emilia Carter, Carter’s mom, was uncertain of whether or not he would continue with this sport, especially considering the age at which he started.

“He was only in second grade when he started, so I wasn’t sure if he’d continue with it or not,” Emilia Carter said. “But, the fact that fencing is not a seasonal sport helped him stay dedicated.”

Although fencing was initially an unfamiliar sport for the Carters, swordplay has been practiced for over thousands of years, mostly known for its dominant role in combat throughout the Medieval and Renaissance years. These fights, or bouts, were typically bloody and extremely fatal.

According to olympic.org, modern-day fencing initially began as a form of military training, with its classification as a sport beginning around the 15th century. Fencing was only first introduced as an Olympic sport at the 1896 Game of Athens.

The modern-day form of fencing typically takes place between two competitors and is largely based on the objective of striking your opponent with a blunt weapon while avoiding being hit yourself. There is a significant breadth of rules that govern when and how one is able to hit his or her opponent, typically referred to as the “right of way.” However, these rules vary between the three weapons: Foil, Sabre, and Épée. This creates unique strategies for each weapon and little crossover of style between the three. For Declan, he has been fencing foil since he first started.

“For Épée, it’s just the tip and it’s anywhere on the body,” Carter said. “Sabre is above the waist, slashing to get a point. With foil, it’s just the tip on your torso, mainly your chest.”

The P ll to North

14 | The North Star | January 2019

Members of BVN’s athletics department explain why student athletes are transferring here and how the school might appeal to them.

By Charitha Lakkireddy Photo by Janet Unterhalter

A

bout 1,550 students attend BVN. Out of that 1,550, most of the students went to OTMS or LMS, but there are some who transferred from out of the Blue Valley district. Students move to BVN for a multitude of reasons.

These reasons range from personal to academic, but recently the trend points to athletics. The influx of students transferring to BVN has spiked in recent years. One prime example is alumnus Graham Mertz, now an All-American and prospective quarterback at the University of Wisconsin.

Some may say that Mertz has found success in his football career since transferring to BVN. His statistics can attest to the success he’s found, for he has earned the title as the second-best prostyle football player in the country. Despite it all, he still seems to be in disbelief.

“I thought that having two years to start would be great,” Mertz said. “I didn’t think it would be like this, but I’m glad it is, and I’m blessed to say it happened like this.”

He attended Harmony Middle School, a feeder school for Blue Valley Northwest, and ended up going to Bishop Miege for football. After two years at Miege, Mertz transferred to BVN to start as the quarterback. “[Football] was the main reason I came to North,” Mertz said. “I was at Miege, and I wasn’t going to play a lot my junior year [at Miege], so I decided to make the change, and it was a great change, and I

Photo by Taylor Sluher

wouldn’t change it for anything.”

He credits coach Andy Sims for much of the success he’s had and for the success of the team. Sims’s connections to college coaches and the reputation he has among recruiters is the reason Mertz said he believes his players have the opportunities they do now.

“I really just think it’s Coach Sims,” Mertz said. “Just the relationships he has, he knows an insane amount of [college] coaches, and his phone is just blowing up all day, and he’s just talking to coaches the whole day.”

Sims runs his football program the same way it would be run at the college level. He chose to run it this way because he believes it provides his players with an advantage, both when they’re trying to be noticed by scouts and when they’re playing for a college team.

“It’s a college system,” Sims said. “Our football program [and] our strength conditioning program is equivalent to an AP program. How do AP classes prepare you for college? Same thing with the football program. It gives [the players here] a huge advantage.”

Both Mertz and Sims believe that the college system has worked well in the past and helped to establish the relationships Sims has with college recruiters now. For Sims, he attributes the trust he’s built with the recruiters and the team’s past success as the reason scouts are eager to visit BVN. “Colleges have grown to trust me,” Sims

said. “They know when they call, and I say a kid can play at that level, the kid can play at that level. They’ve seen the players we’ve had in the past, they see the success, so they want to come see our players. There are people that pay thousands of dollars to get their kids in front of college coaches and here, at North, we get it for free.”

BVN is a recognized school, both in state by U.S. News and nationally

by Business Insider, but its athletic department’s esteem is recognized by recent surges in championships and athletic recruitment by colleges. After the football team and the girls tennis team won state, and after the volleyball team was ranked seventh in the nation, the hype for the school’s athletics grew exponentially.

“We’re the top school in Kansas, and now we’re kind of known as a sports school,” Mertz said. “There’s a level of excellence around here that we all have, and the community really builds around that.”

Mertz was drawn to BVN partially because of the success they’d had previously, but he wasn’t the only one.

Much like Mertz, junior Jennifer He transferred to BVN in the pursuit of a stronger athletic department. She wanted to join a tennis team that had success in the past because she felt it could hint at her success in the future.

“I wanted to come play tennis at North because of how well the team had done in

January 2019 | The North Star | 15

the past,” He said. “I knew I could get better here and get to state, like they had before.

He went to Harmony Middle School but strayed away from the feeder track to start on the BVN tennis team her freshman year. She is now set to be captain of the girls tennis team next school year.

“Originally, I was supposed to attend Blue Valley Northwest,” He said. “But after realizing the fact that North had the potential of cultivating my tennis skills even more, I transferred without a second thought.”

He admits that she feels she would have had more statistical success had she played for the BVNW tennis team, as she would have likely had the opportunity to play at a higher level sooner. Despite that, she stands by her decision to attend BVN and said she believes that playing here has helped her grow differently, as an athlete and a person.

“The fact is, if I had stayed at Northwest, I would be top varsity and would have gotten the opportunity to attend state,” He said. “However, if I was presented with the decision again, I would still choose North. Though I may only be top JV here, I firmly believe that this team has helped me grow more than I ever could have at Northwest.”

Both Mertz and He attended Harmony Middle School and would have gone to BVNW had they stayed with the feeder system. Instead, they made the switch to BVN by using the KSHSAA transfer policy outlined in the KSHSAA handbook to their advantage.

Rule 18. The policy states that a freshman student has the opportunity to attend any high school they please, which is what He followed. She made the switch before high school began, so her first year at BVN was as a freshman.

“I finished middle school at Harmony, and then I just went into North,” He said. “So, my first day of high school as a freshman was here.”

Mertz, on the other hand, had already begun high school at Miege and made the decision to switch to BVN his sophomore year. He wanted to start on the varsity football team his junior year, so he transferred the first day of second semester. This way, he would be abiding Blue Valley’s transfer student policy, Rule 18 in the KSHSAA Handbook. This states

that a student who transfers from another school boundary has to wait 18 weeks, or one semester, before playing on the school team.

“Originally, I decided to stay at Miege my last two years, and then I ended up changing the first day back from winter break,” Mertz said. “So, I changed and came back the day following that. It gave me the opportunity to be in a starting position and get noticed by colleges more.”

Football and tennis weren’t the only sports gaining traction amongst young student athletes. Baseball was also popular and influential enough to make senior Jake Canent transfer from his old school, a private school located outside of the Blue Valley district.

Canent started his high school career at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School but switched to BVN the summer after his freshman year.

“At Aquinas, I wasn’t going to get a lot of playing time on varsity because they had two now-MLB pitchers there and a lot of middle infielders that have D1 scholarships,” Canent said. “I knew I wasn’t going to be able to play there, so I figured out the next best option was here.”

Canent believes that coming to BVN

would have still been on JV or just walking onto varsity.”

Part of what fueled his motivation to transfer to the BVN baseball team was the likeliness he believed he would have in getting recruited to play baseball in college. Canent said he valued the coaches putting an emphasis on attracting colleges for the players who wanted to play above the high school level. He also noted that because BVN is well known for other sports and has a good track record of successful athletes, colleges are likely to visit and recruit players.

“It’s easier for me to be noticed and scouted here because it’s a public school, and with our coaches, they want us to be seen by scouts and college recruiters,” Canent said. “Whereas at Aquinas, it’s a private school and a lot smaller, and not a lot of people know about it.”

The records that BVN’s sports teams have broken or the number of the athletes that have been recruited by colleges can act as a testament to the coaching and the athletic department at BVN. BVN has made a name for itself as a magnet school for athletes, as seen with the number of transfer students who hope to win more titles and be picked up by better colleges.

“I like to say that every school has its own DNA, so BVN has its own DNA, and it just works well for some students. It fits for them and their schedule, and they choose to come here for education and athletics.”

- Andy Sims

was the best decision for him because of the opportunities it provided for him, some of which he said weren’t available to him at his old school. He’d been on the JV team at Aquinas and chose to transfer after one year there because he felt he could grow his baseball career at a faster rate elsewhere.

“At Aquinas, [my baseball career] would have been more rough and worse because I wouldn’t have gotten to play as much as I would’ve liked to,” Canent said. “I’ve been on varsity ever since I transferred here, whereas at Aquinas I

Whether it’s on account of the coaching, the administration or just a stream of athletes bound for college opportunities, BVN has asserted their dominance as a school for young athletes.

As Sims said, every school has its own DNA, and that of BVN has worked well for student athletes.

“I like to say that every school has its own DNA, so BVN has its own DNA,” Sims said. “And it just works well for some students, it fits for them and their schedule, and they choose to come here for education and athletics.”

16 | The North Star | January 2019

@BarstoolBVN

Fridays are for

January 2019 | The North Star | 17

Twitter Fights

By Briley Everhart

With BVN’s Barstool Sports-inspired Twitter account on the rise, questions have been raised over the content posted on Barstool’s accounts.

F

rom “chicks” and financial information to gambling and sports coverage, the Barstool Sports website is packed full of podcasts, game commentary and photos of women in swimwear and minimal clothing.

A man named Dave Portnoy founded Barstool Sports in Boston in 2003. His goal was to create a publication “by the common man, for the common man.”

Barstool Sports moved from print publications to Internet platforms in 2007, with their content now on a website and on Instagram, with a following of 6.4 million people. But the question many are asking is what does Barstool bring to our society as high school and college students?

The company has a lineup of 61 bloggers, nine of whom are women, reporting on topics including pop culture, sports and news within the Barstool circle.

Many of the bloggers have nicknames that the public knows them as, including Portnoy, who goes by El Presidente. The brand uploads over 120 pieces of content daily and has coined the phrase “Saturdays are for the boys.”

Barstool Sports is infamous for their social media. People blackout drunk, usage of nicotine and marijuana and the popular memes all sell toward the relatable aspects of college life.

Senior Braden Johnson is familiar with Barstool Sports and believes that it’s meant for “college kids, high school kids, middle schoolers sometimes and maybe even a few elementary schoolers.”

But upon research, it seems a little unclear as to what exactly Barstool Sports really is.

“I like barstool sports because it’s not

like a regular news company,” Johnson said. “It’s more based on the younger generation, and they give better coverage of sports and stuff like that.”

Students’ interest in Barstool has grown so immensely in the past couple of years that BVN now has its own student-run Barstool parody account. The account can be found on twitter and is called @BarstoolBVN. Twitter welcomed the spin-off account in September 2018, and the account has since gained nearly 300 followers.

The owner of the account remains anonymous but frequently updates the account, almost completely regarding sports.

There are generally two categories seen on the account, one of which supports BVN athletes when they achieve success and the other which is a sort of “smack” talk toward other schools.

“This account is only made to make people laugh,” @BarstoolBVN tweeted on Oct. 11, 2018. “If you don’t like it, block us #WhySoSerious.”

Other tweets mention football players such as Graham Mertz and Stephon Camp. Since the start of the basketball season, Jack Sheplak has been mentioned among others.

However, not all of the tweets shed BVN in the most favorable light. Some can be harsh and degrading toward other

“I like barstool sports because it’s not like a regular news company.”

-Braden Johnson

schools in the Blue Valley District.

“If you’re ever having a bad day, just remember you don’t go to BV or BVNW #FinalsWeek,” Tweeted @BarstoolBVN. While there isn’t much use of foul language on BVN’s Barstool, other schools are no stranger to bad-mouthing BVN with an array of colorful words.

“Merry Christmas to all Blue Valley schools except @BarstoolBVN,” tweeted BVNW’s rendition of a barstool account.

“You guys can eat s***.”

All of these accounts use their school’s names but claim to be unaffiliated with the schools themselves. Depending on the circumstances, school administrations could have the authority to inflict punishment based on the language in the tweets.

“Some courts have allowed school officials to punish students for non-schoolsponsored, off-campus speech where they can show that speech has a direct and serious detrimental impact on the school or students at the school,” according to Mike Hiestand, Senior Legal Counsel at the Student Press Law Center.

There are still issues that any student who publishes on these accounts could run into that don’t deal with school administration.

“While the school might be limited in its ability to regulate their off-campus platform, the students are still subject to the same laws as any publisher,” Hiestand said. “[Such laws include] respect to libel, privacy, copyright, trademark, etc.”

“While the school might be limited in its ability to regulate their off-campus platform, the students are still subject to the same laws as any publisher.”

-Mike Hiestand

18 | The North Star | January 2019

By Ramya Chilappa

The High School Dilemma To party or not to party? Party culture has become increasingly pervasive in BVN’s social life.

B

VN is facing an epidemic, least, I go to parties frequently but and it has nothing to only drink if I don’t have anything do with runny noses or important to do the next day. That sore throats. “Party culture” is way, I can still hang out with my becoming increasingly pervasive friends but make safer choices.” in BVN’s social life, and the biggest BVN alum Avanyish Toniappa is component of that is drinking. now a freshman at the University of “Drinking has always been a Kansas and thinks that the openness major part of junior and senior and friendships that parties can year in high school,” encourage are an anonymous senior an important said. “But now, it’s not way for students just the upperclassmen to form — freshmen and relationships sophomores sometimes with their party way more than us, peers, especially and it starts as young as because he middle school.” believes The senior said that drinking is drinking is a somewhat unavoidable in inevitable choice that college. most students have to “It’s a -Noora Batrash unique way to make in their later years of high school — in get yourself certain circumstances, drinking can out there, especially in college,” enhance a social life, but it also poses Toniappa said. “In high school, there many risks. are definitely other ways to have a “I honestly think it depends good time with friends, but literally on what your friends are doing,” everyone does it in college — there’s the senior said. “If most of them almost no other way to have a social drink and party, it can be a fun way life.” to loosen up and relax. For me at The ubiquity of drinking in

“It’s addicting, and that’s scary.”

college is why the senior emphasizes the importance of at least bracing yourself to be around alcohol in college, but Toniappa says it can also be an important way to detox.

“Imagine if you were always studying, and working hard,” Toniappa said. “Don’t get me wrong, that’s super important. But being able to relax and have fun is something essential to making sure you don’t burn out.”

Toniappa said that while there are several ways to relax and have fun, the atmosphere of a party is unique in that its atmosphere is inherently more open and loose due to its nature. The senior agreed, saying that the positive effects of partying can result in fun nights with friends, and preparation for college where alcohol is an extremely prevalent sector of daily life. However, the senior said that the consequences are not exaggerated and should be taken seriously.

“Getting an MIP can ruin your future,” the senior said. “The more you do it, the more dependent you become on it — I know people, from North, who are literally alcoholics now and need to drink in the

January 2019 | The North Star | 19 morning just to get through the day. devastating impacts of underage That’s why it’s so terrifying to me that drinking — and drinking in general. kids are drinking so young now — Toniappa echoed the same moderation is the only way to stay sentiments, saying that more high safe while drinking, and you don’t schools need to move towards the have as good judgment when you’re same thing. younger.” “‘Sober only’ education isn’t going KU to work when teens sophomore and find partying a vital BVN alum Noora part of their social Batrash agrees life,” Toniappa said. and thinks the “North needs to normalization recognize that and of drinking and instead focus on party culture making sure that is precisely the their kids are being reason why it is safe.” so dangerous.

The importance “It’s addicting, of such education and that’s scary,” -Anonymous Senior has only become Batrash said. more vital as the “The worst average partying aspects of it, the drinking, the age continues to lower. smoking, it’s like a black hole — once “It’s becoming what it is in college, you get in you can’t ever get out.” and that worries me,” the senior said.

Batrash said that many people “I know that if I had been handed have become desensitized to those unlimited alcohol my freshman year, consequences to the point where I definitely could not have made good they can no longer grasp the severely choices with it.” negative impacts they can have on Batrash, Toniappa, and the senior one’s life. believe that as students become “Imagine getting caught by the more and more desensitized to the cops,” she said. “That’s not something presence of drinking, it becomes that just goes away - it stays on your normalized to the point where record forever, and can affect your consequences are ignored. Because it future education, your jobs. And has turned into such a vital portion of some people literally just don’t care.” many students’ social lives at younger Batrash emphasized the and younger ages, kids tend to believe importance of effective education that the negative externalities are to avert the worse effects, especially exaggerated or fabricated by adults to because schools can’t prevent teens prevent them from “having fun.” from engaging.

“Realistically, you’re not going to “I actually think education can be stop high schoolers from drinking,” really important, and it’s getting to be the senior said. “But it is important more so with people starting in like that they’re safe, and the only way middle school — even the ‘clean cut,’ that will happen is if the school and ambitious kids have started drinking parents recognize the inevitability of as young as seventh grade,” the senior drinking and takes steps to make sure said. “The thing that always scared that it’s safe. me and got to me would be the As BVN’s population has begun examples of the consequences, like “partying” at younger and younger specific teenagers who got hurt or got ages, safety is a growing concern scholarships revoked or something among older peers and adults. because that way, the effects seem so Education seems to be an effective much more real and looming.” remedy, if not complete solution, According to Batrash and the to the worst effects of drinking. anonymous senior, the school But despite all efforts, students will should partake in safe drinking always be faced with the inevitable education earlier, discussing safe adolescent dilemma — to party or drinking practices, the importance not to party, and how exactly to go of moderation, and the real and about it.

“Moderation is the only way to stay safe.”

the

teen

take

BVN students share their party habits.

1 5 in

say they are frequent drinkers

37%

think alcohol is necessary at parties

say they haven’t partied in high school

57%

43%

say they have

1/4

drink more than

twice a month

“F

lipping the classroom” is an educational trend that is gaining traction at BVN and beyond. Under this method, students are introduced to course material outside of class and instead spend class time completing application-based activities to solidify their knowledge.

Considering that this teaching method is still fairly new, research is still coming in about its effectiveness. Studies’ results vary from a neutral to a significantly positive impact, but no studies have reported negative effects, according to a 2017 critical review in Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning.

Having read several similar studies about how applying

knowledge improves learning outcomes, biology teacher Chris Ollig adopted the flipped classroom model this year and now assigns hour-long lecture videos as homework each week.

“Last year, there were days when I would lose my voice every single day because there was so much information to get through,” Ollig said. “I was talking really fast, so fast that I never had an opportunity to stop and let [students] talk about it with me.”

In lieu of lectures, class time is now primarily devoted to labs, discussions and worksheets.

However, some students, including junior Amelia Benjamin, who is in Ollig’s AP Biology class, believe the model has several

“You get into whatever career you’re in, and your job is not going to be you sitting in a room listening to someone talk and taking a test over it.”

Chris Ollig

pitfalls in practice. “[The traditional classroom model] helps me learn because I build a connection with the teacher, and the teacher … can just understand if the whole class is confused about a certain topic because they all gave a certain look,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin said she didn’t think most of the application-based activities were beneficial. According to her, most block days in AP Biology are spent completing labs, and while Benjamin agreed that lab experience is important, she didn’t think it necessary to flip the classroom to have additional labs.

“They’re very time consuming and very meticulous, to the point where if you don’t do exactly this

right, then it won’t work, and then you’re stuck with no data,” Benjamin said.

Ollig, however, believes that students need to develop the skills to ask testable questions and interpret data.

“I always try to find stuff that takes the content and tries to get [students] to find the answers, rather than just copying something or finding an answer in a book,” Ollig said. “You get out into whatever career you’re in, and your job is not going to be you sitting in a room listening to someone talk and then taking a test over it. That’s not how the real world works.”

Nonetheless, Ollig says that as a whole, he has not seen a decline in student test performance compared to last year.

“One place I’ve seen a drop off is for the students that perhaps weren’t doing

Lokesh Valluru and Anthony Zheng work on a lab in Chris Ollig’s flipped AP Biology classroom.

- Biology teacher

Chemistry teacher Trinda Wheeler helps students as they work on application problems.

FLIPPING THE CLASSROOM 20 | The North Star | January 2019

No 59%

YES 3%

YES 3%

NO 71%

26%

NEUTRAL 15% NEUTRAL

AL

26%

NEUTR

NO 53%

NO 71%

YES 32%

9%9%

Neutral Neutral

No 32%

9%

Yes

Neutral

NeutralNo

47%

9%

44%

Report Card

Has your grade suffered because of the flipped classroom model?

53%

Based on a survey of 34 students in Chris Ollig’s, Trinda Wheeler’s, and Brenda Colwell’s flipped classrooms

Are online lecture videos more helpful than in-class lectures?

NO

YES NEUTRAL NO 26% 3% 71%

Once Wheeler’s students learning process easier, Ollig points grade in a high school classroom, have learned chemistry concepts out that the ability to replay lecture but you’re really not going to through lecture videos, they work videos may provide students with master the material.” on practice problems during class. an additional study resource for Moving forward, Wheeler wants “The easiest thing that you can classroom tests and even AP exams. to flip her general chemistry class do is sit and listen to the teacher However, a key challenge with as well as her Honors class, yet she and take notes. Anybody can do flipped classrooms is holding doesn’t know how she’d ensure that,” Wheeler said. “But then all students accountable for watching all students would keep up with the hard questions … now you get lecture videos outside of class, their work. After all, she said that to do that in the classroom with something that both Barton and running a true flipped classroom your peers and with your teacher Benjamin have pointed out. means assigning homework almost there.”

“There’s nothing really exactly every night.

Sophomore Frank Barton is in checking that you’ve watched the Meanwhile, Ollig’s goal is to Wheeler’s Honors Chemistry class, lectures until the end of each unit make his lectures more engaging. and he believes that the ability to and each chapter,” Barton said. “I With the arrival of the new Apple refer back to lecture videos after know lots of students won’t watch computers, he anticipates having class may also help students better the lecture videos at home, and better software that will allow him understand the material. then they come to school and just to improve the quality of his videos.

“I feel like lots of the time I don’t understand what’s going on.”

Although flipped classrooms and other students will be a little On the other hand, Ollig aren’t perfect, both Wheeler and distracted when a teacher mentions believes that students’ added Ollig intend to continue teaching something important. And of responsibility to motivate with this method next year. course, you’re not going to take in themselves to watch lectures will Both will reflect on this year and NEUTRAL NO all the information a teacher gives. YESpush them to be independent consider potential adjustments.

26%and will 3% learners 71% So if you miss something really better prepare “In teaching, there’s always important, you can always go back them for college. tweaking,” Ollig said. “I don’t in time [in the video],” Barton said.

“As you go through your higher think I’ve ever been able to take “You can always push the pause education, you’re taking ownership something I did the year before, button. You can adjust it to your of your education. And if you don’t pick it up and use it exactly the own pace, which definitely helps do it, you don’t do it, and you don’t same the next year I did it.” with the learning experience.” learn the material,” Ollig said.

Beyond making the initial “Maybe you’ll survive and get a NEUTRAL NO YES 53% 15% 32%

Do you feel like you have more Yes homework under a flipped 59% classroom model?

YesYes 59% 59%

NoNo 32% 32%

course material.

On the other hand, keeping students engaged can be a challenge with longer videos. According to Johns Hopkins University, students’ attention spans begin to decrease after fifteen minutes. One solution is to show shorter videos focused on individual topics, a strategy that chemistry teacher Trinda Wheeler follows.

Wheeler first implemented a flipped classroom around five years ago before she came to BVN. Now, her Honors Chemistry students are assigned almost-daily lecture videos, most of which are five to eight minutes long. Furthermore, while Ollig makes his own videos of him talking alongside a slideshow, Wheeler finds her videos on the Internet.

“When I first started doing a flipped classroom, I made all my own videos, but it was essentially just me talking over a PowerPoint, which is all fine and good, and I think students do like when it’s the teacher’s voice that they know,” Wheeler said. “But at the same time, I’m not a professional video maker.”

Is it worth it to take time away from traditional classroom activities like in-class lectures for more discussions and hands-on activities?

NO 71%

t Card for Flipped

6%

UTRAL

Neutral 32%

Yes 9%

Overall, are flipped classrooms more effective than traditional classrooms?

the work outside of class,” Ollig said. “They weren’t watching the videos. They weren’t reading the book. In years past, those would be the same students that probably were on their phone while I was lecturing or wouldn’t have read the textbook anyway. I think if the students are motivated to do the work, they’re going to do well.”

However, even if students do keep up with readings and lecture videos, Benjamin still believes that condensing a typical week’s worth of lectures into an hour-long video causes an oversimplification of

NEUTRA 15%

January 2019 | The North Star | 21

22 | The North Star | January 2019

A Long Way From Home

Those who don’t live with their parents are pushed to live more independently and are faced with obstacles other students don’t often face.

“W

elcome back, how was school today?”

After spending time with family over the winter break, students settled back into their routines, often returning home to words such as these. According to an article from the University of California, Irvine, students usually spend the most time with their parents, who provide an example for how students should behave and work.

However, there are multiple students living without one or more of their parents forcing them to lie independently and learn to adapt to not having immediate access to their close family.

Senior Wilson Liao came to the U.S. from Taiwan in 2015 and lives with his mother while his father works as a programmer in China.

“The most important thing my family provided me was this opportunity to be sent here to and have an education provided for me, even though I’m not able to be around my whole family all the time,” Liao said.

Liao said he has challenges that he wouldn’t normally have if both of his parents were there. Living on his own, managing what many parents often take care of, and having to maintain awareness of personal safety are pressures that can

be difficult to deal with alongside school responsibilities.

“I remember my father told me before to just follow what my mother tells me to do and study hard here, which has given me a mindset that needs for me to be able to work hard and succeed,” Liao said. “It’s hard, sometimes I think I’m not doing as well as I’d like and it is not always easy to keep doing well in school without both of my parents making sure I’m responsible and focusing on my studies and the numerous activities I’m doing.”

Senior Payal Ved has been unable to live with her mother since 2009, and her father isn’t always available due to the

January 2019 | The North Star | 23

Left: Hayun Wang and her family take a family photo during the summer after a stay at Guangzhou, China, during which her family was able to get together.

Photo provided by Wang. Right: Payal Ved, her sister and her father take on a family trip in Italy. Photo provided by Ved. Opposite page: Anna-Paulina Wegener stands with her family. Photo provided by Wegener.

amount of travel he does for his work.

Ved has turned to other nearby family members for care and guidance. However, she said that there were some points in her life where not having both of her parents nearby her has made getting help in her studies and activites a little difficult.

On the other hand, Junior Haoyun Wang lives with her mother while her father works in China, and she said sometimes it’s her mother had more difficulty than Wang herself. Wang’s mother plans to head back to her home in the next year.

“I’m about to truly live on my own here once my mother heads back,” Wang said.

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot so far, and it will help me when the rest of my family is away. The way people treat each other here is pretty different than where I came from.

Friends help with these kinds of things.

I’ve also been preparing things on my own, like getting my driver’s license, so I think I’ll know what to do by the time next year comes.”

Wang, Ved and Liao agreed that other students who know them understand they are not living with everyone in their immediate family, but the three also agreed that it doesn’t make too much of a difference.

“I think a few of my friends know who I’m living with right now,” Wang said. “I think I act pretty normal, just like any other student who is living with their family.”

These students also say for most cases, they weren’t warned or prepared for living independently beforehand. Although she has only lived as an exchange student from Germany for a semester, sophomore Anna-Paulina Wegener said she believed that her life right now is more challenging

without her parents nearby.

“It’s weird, not having a mom here,” Wegener said. “I’m very close to my mom, so she usually handles all situations or appointments planned out, and now I have to do that kind of on my own. Even though I’m still living with my aunt and uncle, they’re not my parents. I have another way of looking at life now. I have to get a lot done by myself. I need to get stuff planned out and not rely on my parents, and that’s a really big difference.”

However, Wegener also believes that the distance has helped her realize the importance of her chance to experience living in the U.S. “Usually, it’s through facetime or a call. Stuff like a cute picture of us or something that reminds me of home or something my friends shared.

Those moments make my day and remind me that even in moments where I think it’s the worst day ever that I’ll make it.

- Anna-Paulina Wegener

“I think going through being homesick and not having somebody you’re close to teaches you, too,” Wegener said. “Although maybe mentally it might not feel that great, I just live my life here and get all the experience that I can get. Something has changed for me since I came here. I’m more aware and thankful of what I have at home.”

Families, such as Wegener’s, still try to give as much support as they can, although it may be limited to their accessibility.

Wegener said her mom would help calm her down or randomly send nice messages, especially if a big performance or stressful

event was coming up.

However, there are some logistical problems that prevent constant communication. Wegener said she spoke with her mom usually twice a week.

“Because she’s seven hours ahead in time, it makes a really big difference so me and my mom don’t get to talk as much,” Wegener said. “I don’t want to [talk to her] every day or every other day, because otherwise I would be missing out on life here too much.”

Liao said with these limited options and chances to keep in touch with his family, it could be hard at times to keep them updated on what he was doing.

Finding time for both parents and students to get off work to be able to visit each other was not always possible.

According to Ved, holidays and breaks often provided a short time to spend with her father who got a break from travelling for his job.

Students said they can always turn to their family that’s willing to look out for them, even if they are not nearby.

They also have numerous other friends, mentors, or other family members they can turn to if they need help.

“At the end of the day, they’re always going to look out for the best of you. And even if they’re not there, there’s always going to be someone who can look out for you,” Ved said. “It might not be your family. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to tell them everything or have them take care of you, but they’re always there to support you. I think that’s the most important thing in life, just having someone to push you a little bit and encourage you to keep going.”

Showcasing Traditional Artists

24|The North Star| January 2019

By Angelica Lidzy

Traditional artists at BVN to find a space to display their work.

D “When you’re doing

traditional art you get to

touch it, get your hands

dirty. You get to be a

part of the art.”

- Harper Wainscott

“Art helps me

express myself in a

creative way and calms

me down.”

- Julia Marks

igital art is becoming more common and is an obtainable career choice for aspiring artists.

However, there is still a large group of artists that prefer to work with traditional mediums like painters or sculptors who are finding it difficult to make a career out of their artwork. About 27 percent of all art careers are digital media, only 11 percent are traditional art careers according to Top Universities. Senior Tara Kaplan, a traditional art student, spoke her opinion of digital versus traditional art.

“I think art is leaning towards digital art because computers are a thing and most art you see is digitally done,” Kaplan said. “I like art that crosses between both though, such as creating digital art based on a traditional piece that the artist made.”

There are different techniques and aspects that attract people to certain art types. Some can appreciate using clay to shape art, while others like working with shapes to create a design. There are different styles that are specific to each artist. Some artists like abstract art, which is defined as art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures by dictionary.com. Other artists enjoy realistic art, the goal of this art is to create art that resembles the object being focused on. Freshman Harper Wainscott, another traditional artist, explained what drew her to traditional art.

“When you’re doing traditional art you get to touch it, get your hands dirty,” Wainscott said. “You get to be a part of the art. When you do digital art, you don’t get to be a part of that, so in a way there’s not connection with it. Digital art is great and I love many works that come from it, but it’s nice to get your hands dirty once in a while.”

Digital artists get many different chances to showcase their work in school, but there are not as many

opportunities for traditional artists to showcase their creations. Digital artists can create designs for clubs, publications, and even add their art to schoolwork. Traditional artists have to join art classes to be showcased in the art show. Senior Julia Marks described her artwork as “abstract and all over the place.” She uses a lot of colors and mediums like paint, sand, and even googly eyes to create texture.

Wainscott described her art as a mix of abstract or contemporary. She said contemporary art is an expression of the society, culture and issues of our current world .

“The heart is one of my favorites because ... my friend said once, ‘You may have a fight to battle more than once’ [and] she had it as her lock screen when she was going through hard times,” Wainscott said. “The heart [is] still there and functioning, the rope [is] supporting the heart up. It’s me saying to her, ‘I know you got this, but I’m always here to help and support you even if you don’t want it.’ There are people who will help her no matter her battles, just that we’re always there if she needs us.”

Many artists use art as an outlet for everyday life. Kaplan said she created art to help release anxiety and depression in a healthy way.

“It helps me express myself in a creative way and calms me down,” Kaplan said. “I like creating art based on the things I love and things that inspire me.”

For many traditional artists, there is an emotional attachment to each piece because of the emotion they release into the art. “[Art is] just a really good outlet for me emotionally and creatively, like a diary kind of. I just have a passion for creating and it gives me a strong sense of purpose and identity whenever I am doing it.” Marks said.

January 2019 | The North Star|25

Top Right: Harper Wainscott’s artwork. Top Left: Tara Kaplan’s artwork Middle: Julia Marks’s artwork. Bottom Right: Kaplan’s artwork. Bottom Left: Wainscott’s artwork.

26 | The North Star | January 2019

Stirring the Pot

By Megan McConnell

With the pressure of projects and exams, some students are turning towards the kitchen in search of relaxation.

W

ith the heat of high school radiating like an oven, students have exchanged their pencils for whisks, opting for math problems that convert tablespoons to cups and reading assignments in the form of a recipe. The final exam for these bakers? A piece of cake.

From cupcakes to macaroons, baking is a form of art that requires dedication and practice. Constant creativity, innovation and experimentation take place upon the gas of a heated stovetop. Many students at BVN have come to enjoy the exploration of flavors through batter and frosting. The prominence of food throughout culture and history has developed an extensive collection of recipes.

From a basic sugar cookie to the most complex french pastry, the realm of baking is constantly shifting.

Like any activity, baking can be used to decrease stress. According to junior Alexandra Fulford, the concrete steps in a recipe and final product helps decrease the impending pressure of approaching test dates and deadlines.

“It relaxes me. It’s just so fun, [and] it’s a stress

reliever,” Fulford said. “Following a recipe and [having] that order, [while] knowing that there’s a finished product to look forward to, especially with decorating cakes or cupcakes, is a stress reliever because I can focus on the science of . . . baking.”

According to an article by Business Insider, a 2015 study conducted by a company named Cake Angels, revealed that 80 percent of people claimed they baked to decrease stress levels. A survey conducted at BVN found that 76 percent of 110 people consider baking as a way to decrease stress. Along with Fulford, junior Lakshetha Premanand bakes with a similar outlook on its stress relieving qualities.

“It’s really relaxing, especially with all the stress of junior year,” Premanand said. “It’s nice to go and have a set recipe. There [are] no complications . . . [and] no two answers.”

Beyond baking’s therapeutic quality, it also serves as a platform for creative expression. Each recipe can be altered, changed or enhanced, so the possibilities that come with baking are endless. An extra teaspoon of

January 2019 The North Star | 27 vanilla extract, a change in flour in the kitchen, baking for close type or an added spice has the loved ones. While Fulford recalls ability to change the taste of these making Mondal bread with her desserts. grandma and mother during the Premanand has experimented Jewish holidays, Premanand’s first in a variety of ways to create interest became prominent while healthier recipes for her family. visiting family living abroad.

“My sisters weren’t allowed to “I first learned from my aunt eat a lot of sweet or really high in Singapore, and we made our gluten [foods],” Premanand said. own chocolate [from] . . . our “I wanted to make something own processing and everything,” healthier that they could eat . . . so Premanand said. “She sent me the I tried to make things like avocado recipe for the cake we made . . . and beetroot [cupcakes], instead [and] I’ve improved by doing the of pure chocolate.” recipe a couple of times.”

Experimenting, however, Though the year proves doesn’t require an exchange of relatively busy for the majority ingredients. Fulford focuses on of students, the holidays and learning about new pastries with breaks from school allow them recipes from around the world and to dedicate more time to hobbies challenging techniques. placed on the backburner. With “I’ve been trying the extra freedom from “It’s a way to the lack of assignments to experiment with macaroons . and studying, express . . because they’re surrounding family so hard, and it’s creativity, just and friends help incite such an intricate baking’s common unity like music, process,” Fulford in the celebration of said. “I’ve never tradition. dance and made perfect ones, “Baking [allows] but it’s always fun people to share writing” to [go] for that experiences that you challenge.”

- Alexandra wouldn’t have had . . .

Even though Fulford ‘20 if it wasn’t surrounded baking plays a by food,” Fulford said. large role in her life today, time “I think that desserts and food in the kitchen has always been are general connectors between prominent for Fulford with people, and it shows a sense of childhood memories crafted by love and appreciation towards the sweet aroma of the holidays. [others].”

“Baking has been a sort of Unity isn’t just seen around constant from my childhood baking’s holiday traditions, through . . . my high school years,” according to Fulford. The sweet Fulford said. “It’s given me a lot smell of pastries brings people of good memories . . . spending together in ways that seem time with my extended family and unimaginable. giving me the opportunities to “I like that baking is a way to reach out and connect to people.” connect with people,” Fulford said.

However, a love for baking “I always bring my little creations doesn’t require such early roots. to school or send them to my Premanand started baking three grandparents and my family/ years ago through a curious eye friends. I think that baking is a for healthy alternatives. way to connect with other people “My family is health motivated and connect to yourself. And I [and] a lot of my sisters have really love that a little piece of food allergies,” Premanand said. “So can make someone’s day or spread seeing videos on Buzzfeed and some cheer during the holidays.” [looking at] a bunch of recipes, Though the seemingly basic really inspired me to get into hobby of baking appears simple, healthy baking.” its complex nature works within Both girls, regardless of time the food and among its creators to or experience, find themselves earn some serious brownie points.

bvn.bakers Alexandra Fulford

1. Fulford mixes sugar and butter to make buttercream for a batch of cupcakes.

1. Fulford fills the cupcake tins.

2. Fulford’s finished product of piñata cupcakes with sprinkles inside.

28 | The North Star | January 2019 | Opinion

Podcasts

You Should Listen To

If you need a new obsession, try listening to these shows.

W

hether I’m preparing for a long car ride, an overwhelming amount of mindless chores or winding down at the end of a long day, I often find myself pulling out my headphones and tuning in to the latest episode of one of my favorite podcasts. The soothing voice of the host simultaneously calms and entices me as I effortlessly indulge in nearly hour-long episodes on anything and everything from

current events to comedic escapades.

Both an escape and an adventure, podcasts are the most versatile and accessible form of entertainment. Nearly every podcast imaginable can be found for free on both Apple’s and Android’s Podcast app. With over 550,000 podcasts

B y G e n e v ie v e Hu ls h of

available on Apple alone, it’s no surprise that according to Podcast Insights, 44 percent of the U.S. population has listened to a podcast.

If you’re looking for a new obsession, relaxation aid or news source, look no further. Fans of mysteries, inspirational speakers, comedians and political commentators alike can treat themselves to a top rated and reviewed podcast.

Listen Now Often, when people ask us how we are doing, we relay surface level responses that show little true emotion in order to avoid making each other uncomfortable. We avoid discussing difficult issues by saying, “I’m fine!” even when we aren’t. But, when people ask us how we are, Nora McInerny, the host of the podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” wants no more than for us to be honest and give the real answer. Even if that means revealing that you are, in fact,

Terrible, Thanks for Asking

doing terrible.

After losing her husband and father, McInerny went through some of the most difficult times in her life. But, through the support and love of others, she came out the other side.

Through her podcast, McInerny has dedicated her time to helping others realize that suffering is completely human.

McInerny and her guests discuss topics that are often difficult in order to show her audience that although the worst moments

in life are sadly inevitable, it is possible to get through them. Whether you find comfort, hope, validation, or feel intense empathy, this podcast will make you rethink and discover how you can move through your challenges, and come out the other side stronger than before.

Opinion | January 2019 | The North Star | 29

Sleep With Me

As children, many of us clung to bedtime routines. When nighttime began, we would set upon our routines, change into our pjs, brush our teeth and settle down to a classic story. Whether we drifted off as soon as our parents opened

Hosted by senior editors at HowStuffWorks.com, Josh Clark and Charles Bryant, the award-winning podcast “Stuff You Should Know” teaches listeners about a variety of topics, often with comedic references to pop culture, in order to fulfill their almost selfexplanatory purpose found in their title.

“Goodnight Moon” or begged them to finish yet another chapter of the latest “Harry Potter” book, our nights were built upon a foundation of fascinating stories.

Drew Ackerman, the creator and host of the podcast “Sleep With Me,” struggled with insomnia throughout his childhood.

Often turning to a late-night comedy radio show instead of counting sheep, Ackerman grew up to create “Sleep With Me” to help soothe others’ pain of insomnia with

Stuff You Should Know

Through the podcast, listeners learn from two hosts who are certainly not experts on every topic they cover.

However, through extensive research that culminates in almost hour long conversations on anything and everything from Spam to grieving, listeners come to understand topics they should arguably

Pod Save America

Hosted by former Obama administration speechwriter Jon Favreau, former speechwriter for both Hillary Clinton and presidential speechwriter for Barack Obama Jon Lovett, former Communications Director for the Obama administration Dan Pfeiffer and former National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor, “Pod Save America” is a left-leaning podcast

In the small Alabama town Woodstock, John McLemore believes a prominent town figure committed murder and promptly covered it up. After inviting Brian Reed, the producer of NPR’s “This American Life,” to his hometown, McLemore took Reed on a tour of what he deemed to be a “S—- Town.”

But as Reed is investigating the

comedic stores.

Ackerman shares stories inspired by his childhood and past work experiences.

However, his long and wandering sentence structure and slow, soothing voice gives him a unique storytelling technique.

Avoiding emotional topics and stories that may elicit too much attention from his listeners, his stories seem to mimic the stream of consciousness of a wandering mind eager to relax. Although not a proper sleep aid, you may find his grownup bedtime story podcast calming.

that features comedic conversations that break down weekly news. The hosts started the podcast after creating Crooked Media to foster conversations between Democrats, encourage political action and participation and support grassroots activism in the wake of President Trump’s election.

Instead of providing breaking news stories, the podcast delivers a relaxed conversation over recent political topics. The hosts often interject into conversations with impressive politicians,

alleged murder, someone else winds up dead. The repercussions, treasure hunt and mysteries that follow take you on a journey to understand a man’s life and his death. While the podcast includes a mystery that will no doubt keep you on the edge of your seat, it’s nearly impossible to finish listening without feeling a connection to the wonderful storyteller

know through comedy. Instead of a lecture format, learn instead through a podcast almost guaranteed to make you laugh.

activists, and journalists with comedic relief that allows them to relate to their audience. Instead of viewing the hosts as detached individuals who couldn’t possibly relate to their thoughts, the listener feels reassured by political conversations that may mimic their own.

“Pod Save America” shows listeners that getting involved in politics is not only easy, but necessary. Through encouraging activism, Favreau, Lovett, Pfeiffer and Vietor might actually “Save America” by reaching their nearly 1.5 million listeners per show.

S Town

McLemore as you learn about the feuds of one small Southern town.

Star rankings based on reviews found on Apple’s Podcast app.

30 | The North Star | January 2019

Parking Lot Prestige Looking at what makes BVN’s Parking lot so unique.

By Chris Lucas

Jack Sublett

Sophomore Jack Sublett has arguably one of the oldest cars in the BVN parking lot. His 1966 silver mustang separates itself from other students’ sports cars. “I think one big thing is the license plate that not a lot of people notice. But I feel like is different. The license plates says ‘silver bullet’ […] Most kids don’t have customized license plates. And the color obviously silver, most kids want to get red or black or blue or something. But I kind of just have classic silver.” The car was passed down from Sublett’s mom to him. The car was initially hers while she was in high school.

“It’s really cool because she has memories with the car, and obviously she wants me to have it and have fun with it.” The car has been a project from Sublett, working to fix it while keeping its vintage appeal. “All the little stuff like the steering wheel is smaller and doesn’t have the adding and all the acceleration has that little flat spot and it gives the car character and it’s just more fun. It’s not perfect but that makes it better.”

January 2019 | The North Star | 31

Adaly Candelario

Lots of students at BVN have Jeeps, but not everyone has a lifted Jeep in a dark silver. “I think the color of the Jeep [makes it stand out].

A lot of people have the same white or black, the color is unique you don’t see that color around that much and the lifting is cool because a lot of people don’t have it lifted.” Senior Adaly Candelario didn’t initially want a Jeep, but after browsing she changed her mind, “I was thinking like Toyota Camry or something like that” Candelario said.

“And then I saw the Jeep set aside and I was like, I wanted that.” Getting the car for her 16th birthday, Candelario said the car has definitely made high school more exciting. “It definitely has a personality.

Sometimes whenever I’m driving it was like I’m gonna drive you and you’re not gonna drive me.”

Abby Sublett

“[My car] has really been a highlight of my high school career. Like getting that car, I love it so much. I would be happy with any car. But, I was lucky to be able to pick out the specific car that I wanted.” That car, a baby blue Volkswagen beetle, has been a staple of senior Abby Sublett’s high school experience. A gift for her 16th birthday, Sublett always knew she wanted this car. “I love ‘70s culture and ever since I was little I’ve loved bell bottoms stuff like that, like hippie music and stuff, it just fit with that kind of aesthetic.” Sublett said. Her colorful license plate, decal stickers and hanging lay make this car a time machine for the ‘70s.

Sam Stowe Eskilson

Sam Stowe Eskilson owns a 1972 Chevy C10 Cheyenne. Eskilson enjoys the instant recognition his car affords him. “I think it the antiquity of it’s and it’s a yellow [color] so it kind of has the flashy show […] everyone knows it’s me when I pull up,” Eskilson said. The car boasts an all-metal exterior with that noticeable paint job making the truck stand out in its vintage aesthetic. Besides the look, having an antique car has helped shape his high school experience. “It makes drive-in movies so much better. That’s just a fun thing that you can do with it.” In terms of utility, “There’s a lot of windows in it and it’s higher up so I have a better view, better range of vision.” Eskilson said. Ultimately, he has no plans to sell his truck as he leaves it to go to college. However, that hasn’t stopped people from offering, “I was […] getting a haircut and the guy from the store came out and was like hey if you’re thinking about selling that truck, I’ll buy it and I was like okay but I’m not selling it.”

32 | The North Star | January 2019

Curly Hair,

Don’t Care

Types of Curly Hair Wavy

By Anna Martin

Curvy

A

Students reveal what it’s like to have “different” hair.

ccording to a study about genetics in hair done by AJHG Cell Press, 55% of women have straight hair. The remaining percentage is 40% and 15% curly hair. Those with coily locks often find themselves as the minority in beauty representation.

While Rosenberg finds it easy to think positively about her hair, she also thinks that her curls can be a hassle.

“My favorite part about [my curly hair] is that it’s different every day and it makes me unique,” Junior Meredith Rosenberg said.

“While my least favorite part is that because it’s different every day sometimes it’ll look worse than others.”

ABC News shared the results from an experiment they had conducted to compare the difference between straight and curly hair. In the experiment, it was found that curly hair can be a distraction from the face. Words such as “giddy” or “frazzled” were used to describe the appearence of the subjects with such hair. Then, those with straight hair werre said to look more ‘classic’, ‘centered’ or ‘approachable’.

“I had to straighten my hair for all my [dance] performances to keep it professional and clean. Keep it straight,” Rosenberg said.

In some professional situations, having curly hair may be considered unprofessional. Some celebrities, including Beyonce, Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande, often straighten their hair for performances, interviews and red carpets. This has given some people the mindset that curly hair is not professional.

“When I was little I went to the North Stars clinic and every single dancer had perfectly straight hair,” Rosenberg said. “I was super intimidated and I was like ‘Oh, I’m different. I have curly hair.’ But I like it now.”

While Rosenberg straightens her hair for dance performances, she often leaves in natural

for school.

“It can be frustrating because I can’t brush it or style it the way [others do],” Rosenberg said.

“It’s just something that you can’t help, and it’s natural.”

While not being able to brush her hair has its downside, having curly hair also has positives.

“Having curly hair is nice because I really don’t have to try and style it or any thing, I just comb it and let it be,” Senior Sebastian Arias said.

However, the ABC News study also stated people with curly hair seem more confident, and familiar in the working world.

“It’s super easy to make it look nicer, you can do a nice updo, you could put in the energy to straighten it, there’s chemical treatments you can do like get it straight,” Senior Meghan Herrington said.

While leaving their hair natural does not take much time, if they want to straighten their hair it is a process. While the steps to make her hair straight are easy, Herrington says it takes her an hour and a half to straighten her hair, using three or four different hair products.

“It just takes like a lot of practice, to get a regimen down and know how to make your curls look good,” Herrington said.

While all hair is different, it takes time to figure out how to style and which products help it reach its fullest potential. According to HairBoutique.com, not all curly hair reacts to the same products the same way. This is because some hair requires more moisturizer or gel or conditioner than others. Curly hair also tends to be have more frizz the straight hair.

“In the beginning of high school and middle school it took me a while to find [hair products] that worked with my hair well,” Herrington said.

Although there are many struggles with having curly hair, Arias, Herrington and Rosenberg have all learned to love and appreciate their hair.

Whirly

Twirly

Sprirally

Coily

Kinky