March 2013 Issue by The North Star Newspaper

THE

NORTH

ST R Issue 8, Volume 27 Blue Valley North Overland Park, KS March 13, 2013

PLUS: p. 2

Suit up: Prom preview

reshman Brooks Brown runs his own DJing business while exploring a whole new generation of electronic music. Read more on pages 8-9. Photo by Erica Emert.

p. 3 Girls bowling steps it up

p.14 Senior spring break: too crazy?

News • March 13, 2013 • N

Party like it’s 1920 at prom

about the theme,” junior Miranda Hall said. “I think the theme is great for he junior and senior class because most of them have read or are reading ‘The Great Gatsby’ and the movie’s coming out, so everyone’s going to be in on the hype.” Along with the theme, another change is the location of the dance. While in the past prom has been at the Ritz Charles hotel, this year’s prom is at Terrace on the Green. Overlooking Iron Horse Golf Course, Terrace on the Green’s decor is different from that of the Ritz, such as all hardwood flooring instead of carpet like the Ritz. Another popular feature is the outdoor porch. “In the past we’d gone to the Ritz Charles, and when I went to book a date, there were no dates so we were forced to pick someplace that is in Overland Park and that will fit that many people,” junior class sponsor Shana Stites said. “I think inside it’s nicer [than the Ritz Charles]. It’s just a nicer, more attractive venue.” While there were some worries about how the past dances would affect prom, the budget for planning has not been hurt. “The budget is smaller, obviously because of the dances we don’t have that much money anymore, but we still made sufficient sales off Match Makers and other junior class fundraisers,” A dress to impress: Senior Abby Navran shops for the perfect prom dress Hall said. while talking about which part of the night she’s most looking forward to.

rowds of caterers and floods of guests parade under shimmering lights as a full orchestra plays. While prom might not be as fancy as this depiction of a party from the novel “The Great Gatsby,” plans for this year’s Gatsbythemed prom, set for April 20, are well underway. “We looked at the venue [Terrace on the Green in mid-February] and we’ve been discussing theme options for a few months now. We’ve also picked out a lot of the decorations that we want, but we still need to finalize them. There’s still a lot to be planned, but it’s not until April,” junior Abbie Williams said. Normally prom doesn’t have much of a theme, but the planning committee decided to make some changes. “One thing that makes this prom really different is that it has a really definite theme, a theme that several people have given their input on. Designing has been done by a couple of girls that are really passionate

“Going in a huge group of all my closest friends will probably be the best. We have so much fun together,” Navran said. Photo by Lindsay Rucker

“Part of the funding we do is before prom anyway. It really hasn’t affected a whole lot for prom like some people may think,” Stites said. Because both Sweetheart and Homecoming showed smaller turnouts than previous dances, there are some concerns about attendance. “We’re a little nervous about attendance with planning Prom and everything, but at the same time it’s good because our venue can take smaller groups better [than the Ritz],” junior Brandi Bates. The concerns, however, are not getting in the way of how prom is being planned. “I want prom to be nice regardless of whether or not students are coming as often as in the past. I think it’ll be great whether or not people show up,” Stites said. To add appeal to the dance, the committee has a lot planned to make prom more exciting. “Since we know dance policies are hurting attendance, we want to make it look as fun as possible,” Williams said. “We’re trying to get a photo booth, and the venue offers an outdoor porch area so it could be a fun place to hang out while at the dance. We also have a lot of decoration plans and the venue itself has a lot of options as far as lights and decorations to help make it look very 1920s and classy to go with the theme.” With their plans, those on the committee are excited for the final result. “Prom is going to be, I think, better than it has been in previous years. We are more dedicated to making an ambiance out of prom this year,” Stites said. “It’s one of the most original for sure, and I think it will be everything the seniors are wanting,” Hall said.

“I think [prom] will be great whether or not people show up.”

Hayley Berger • Feature Editor•

Pony up for Petzold

bout two weeks ago, 34-yearold Focus teacher Patsy Petzold was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Petzold, who has been teaching at North for three years, has brought care and hope to the Focus room. In a matter of days, students had rallied in support for Mrs. Petzold and her family. Leadership class organized an assembly during which students volunteered to donate their hair to Locks of Love and students from all grades made signs expressing their well wishes. To further support Mrs. Petzold, The North Star newspaper is organizing a change drive to help with extra expenses for her family. She is married and has three young children. On Tuesday, March 26, newspaper staff members collect money and gift cards during fifth hour for the Pony Up for Petzold fund. Checks can be made payable to Blue Valley North and donation jars will be placed in room 411 and the office throughout the remainder of the year. Students may also visit Mrs. Petzold’s Caring Bridge website at caringbridge.org/visit/patsypetzold to hear updates on her treatment and write words of encouragement on her guestbook. Ashley Ruben • News Editor •

Patsy Petzold, left, is described as a ray of sunshine by fellow FOCUS room teacher Dana Steinwart, right. Photo provided by Dana Steinwart.

• March 13, 2013 • Sports

Bowling team rolls toward success

n a weekday afternoon at Olathe Lanes East Bowling Center, it’s not unusual to find groups of teenagers laughing and cheering each other on. During the past few months, though, one group didn’t just come for a good time. Throughout the winter season, the BVN Girls Bowling Team constantly worked to perfect their game. A program only in its second year, bowling has provided an opportunity for girls to branch out and make friends in a supportive atmosphere. This was especially true for junior Sadi Robinson, who was new to BVN in the fall. “When I first got here, the first person I knew was on bowling,” Robinson said. “We became best friends because of bowling.” Though the team builds friendships, it is also focused on competition and improving skills. The team came in second place at each meet it attended

[Open House] Sydney House • Sports Editor •

KC offers variety of exhibits

Junior Sadi Robinson hopes to knock down a spare during Bowling practice at Olathe Lanes East. This season, Robinson narrowly missed qualifying for state. Photo by Amy Schorgl.

this year, and coach Erin Nathan feels that the team is becoming more competitive throughout the state. “We’re still in the growing process,” Nathan said. “We’re still getting better. The girls have all improved their scores, and we almost had [Robinson] go to state this year.”

In fact, Robinson missed qualifying for state by only six points. She’s bowled in leagues for years, and she said North’s bowling team was a major attraction. “I wanted to move somewhere to be on bowling, and I heard this school had a bowling team,” she said. Although the team is growing in size and skill, Robinson suggests there is still room for improvement. “I hope [the team] gets more bowlers,” she said. “Right now we don’t have enough to even make a full varsity team. It’s good, though, because no one gets cut.” Despite the currently low participation, Nathan and Robinson both contend that there are large benefits to participating in bowling. “It’s not a huge time commitment, and it’s a lot of fun,” Nathan said. “You can even go to school on a scholarship in college.” “People there support you no matter what, even if you don’t do well,” Robinson said. “If it’s still your personal best, then it’s awesome.” Heading into the next season, Nathan hopes to generate more interest and support for bowling. Robinson, though, aims for perfection. “My goals for next year are not to miss any spares and hopefully bowl a 300,” she said. Sarah Evans • Co-Editor In Chief •

“Sydney, I can’t wait to come visit you,” my camp friend from the east coast exclaimed into the phone. Most people would be excited to reunite with a friend they haven’t seen in a year. But, as my friend delivered the news of her visit, a pit in my stomach began to form: what is there to do in Kansas? I was nervous that she would spend a lot of money on a plane ticket to sit in my basement and watch movies. That night, I expressed my worries to my parents. My dad suggested that we visit the Nelson Atkins museum. But why would my friend from the beautiful city of Charlotte, North Carolina want to go to a boring art museum? While we still had fun, shopping and watching movies got old after a while. As she boarded the plane home, I felt a sense of regret that she never got to experience Kansas City. Although the Nelson Atkins museum seemed uninteresting at the time, observing all of the artwork can be relaxing and inspirational. I can’t even remember the last time I visited any of the many landmarks that Kansas City has to offer. Just 20 minutes away from Overland Park in Shawnee lies the site of the famous Native American chief, Tecumseh who tried to reunite Native Americans for the last time. We have a World War I museum that features exhibitions from all over the world. The latest addition to this array of landmarks is the Prairie Fire museum at Lionsgate. Located on 135th street between Nall and Lamar avenues, it will feature exhibits from the Natural Museum of History in New York City. So next time you have friends visiting from out of town, take them to one of these landmarks that make Kansas City special.

Correction: A photo on page 24 of the Feb. 14 issue misidentified the swimmer. The person pictured was senior Katie Kenny swimming the breaststroke, not the butterfly.

Sports • March 13, 2013 • N

ATHLETE OF THE

M NTH

enior captain Alex Higgs started playing golf at age 3 when his dad took him to the golf course, and he has been

Swinging for success

Golfer’s commitment to practice brings wins

playing ever since. Dr. Pat Cowan, JV boys golf coach, notes that Higgs puts more time into golf than any other activity. “Alex wants– no, demands– success from himself on the golf course. He leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of excellence,” Dr. Cowan said. Higgs has sacrificed other activities to pursue golf. “I used to play a bunch of sports, and I put that away to focus on golf,” Higgs said. During the high school season, Higgs plays three to four hours each day after school. He plays at Lionsgate outside of high school. Higgs’ work ethic has paid off; he’s won five tournaments Senior Alex Higgs prepares for an upcoming golf match at Lionsgate golf course. Photo by Jake Goldman. as an individual. The varsity

golf team has won EKL for the last three years and has won regionals twice. Last year the team won the state championship. “Winning state was definitely my most memorable moment. Looking at the scoreboard and waiting on the last player to finish was nerve-racking,” Higgs said. “He didn’t have his best day at state last year, but it was his leadership and determination that enabled his teammates to find the magic on that day last May,” Dr. Cowan said. Higgs’ coaches note that Higgs is a leader on and off the golf course. “He has been a major positive influence in school spirit at games and assemblies. He has always been intense where golf is concerned,” Dr. Cowan said. “I’ve seen his countless hours of practice pay off in both his

summer golf and high school golf,” varsity coach Susan O’Dell said. “Alex has always been such a positive role model. He’s going to be a great senior leader for us.” Higgs’ advice to those who aspire to go far in golf is to play and practice as much as possible. According to Higgs, golf involves a lot of technique training. “Just practicing and playing all of the time can improve your technique and overall game,” Higgs said. Next year Higgs plans on playing golf for Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. “Playing in college is the next step toward becoming a professional, which is what I ultimately want to become,” Higgs said. Sydney House • Sports Editor •

• March 13, 2013 • Feature

Welding together a team

Robotics connects district students, provides opportunities

our nights a week, after most students have gone home, the CAPS building is alive with students designing, building and programming a robot to compete in the Kansas City Regional Competition beginning March 14. The team will also attend a regional competition in Arkansas, and they may attend the international competition in St. Louis. At each competition, robots will be faced with a series of tasks to complete. “Every year there’s a different game; this year it’s Ultimate Ascent. We have to shoot Frisbees into goals and then climb the pyramid, which is like the finale,” senior Liz Gaa said. On Feb. 19, just hours before they had to “bag and tag” their robot, the team was adding last-minute touches.

“We have to bag [the robot] tonight,” BVNW freshman Allison Meegan said. “After 11 o’clock, we can’t touch the robot until the competition. Every team has the same amount of time.” The time constraint serves to make the competition fair; all teams receive the challenge at the same time worldwide, and six weeks later all robots are bagged, allowing each team the same amount of time to build. The process of robot-building begins on the first Saturday in January with the announcement of the game. “Every year, the game design council figures out a game with multiple strategies,” Gaa said. “Once we get the game, we branch out to decide which strategy to pursue... then we start the design. We use CAD [computer-aided

Senior Liz Gaa wires the team’s robot at the CAPS building. “I’m in charge of power. [I make sure] everything’s on, and we can control it,” Gaa said. Photo provided by Sam Strohkorb.

a football game for smart people,” design, a system used to determine senior Alex Tranin said. how a robot needs to be designed After the building phase is over, before actually building it]. Then we the competition phase of Robotics go into the machining phase [and] begins. The competitions provides an post-processing clean up, then it’s my opportunity to meet and interact with job to wire everything.” new people. During the six weeks they have to “The competition build, robotics can is the best,” senior be time consuming. “I love our lateTommy Lippoli said. The team meets four night sessions “Nationals last year nights a week and all day on Saturdays. when we stand in made you feel proud yourself, proud of Still, many team the parking lot and of your friends, proud members say the effort pays off. talk about designs, of random strangers. was the best “It’s so incredible other teams, just That part– meeting to look back and life.” random strangers see what we built. I who became your love our late-night sessions when we stand in the parking best friends in an hour.” Some students shy away from lot and talk about designs, other robotics because they don’t think teams, just life,” Gaa said. they have adequate skills to Other team members agree that the participate. Team members say this people are a huge part of what makes isn’t true. There are a wide variety of robotics enjoyable. jobs available, from wiring the robot “It’s a bit overwhelming, but at the to improving community relations. same time, it’s really fun. I’ve met so “If you want to do anything at all, many people,” Meegan said. there’s a place for you at robotics,” “Robotics has given me so much. Gaa said. It’s provided so many opportunities Emily Levinson to meet people, scholarships... it’s like • Staff Writer •

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• March 13, 2013 • Feature

Advisory faces harsh criticism

t’s 12: 35 on a Thursday afternoon. As the upperclassmen rush to their cars, the underclassmen file into their respective Advisories, ready for another 40-minute period. Though students sit through Advisory almost every week, many do not know what its purpose is. “[Advisory] was a district mandate,” advisory coordinator Shelly Weir said. “It was built-in with the belief that one teacher would have a group of 25-28 students all four years of their high school so that they would make a connection with someone.” Although Advisory was created with the students’ best interests in mind, many believe that it has become ineffective and pointless. “People don’t participate because there’s nothing to do. Things like family time are just boring,” sophomore Maddie Kroll said. Because many people think that the Advisory activities are pointless, some older students tend to leave school during this time. “I think that it’s a circle. Students ditch because it’s pointless and irrelevant, but then the Advisory becomes boring because there is no one there left to participate,” junior Danielle London said. Many teachers also find it challenging to get their students engaged. “I often find it difficult to get my students off their phones so we can do something together that has meaning. For Advisory to be helpful, both sides need to commit themselves to learning something together,” social studies teacher Shana Stites said. In recent years, the district has pulled funding away from Advisory. Because of this, there is no definite curriculum for the teachers and administration to follow. “In its inception, each level had a task every single week. There was

[Berger Time]

Laugh a little

Junior Daniel Traub and senior Alex Lahargoue relax as they watch the North Report. “I like advisory because it’s nice having a break from school work and we get to learn new things that are happening at our school,” Traub said. Photo by Austin Fultz.

a different lesson every week. The problem came when people started dipping into Advisory time. We moved away from the lessons,” Weir said. Despite the antagonism that Advisory faces, some enjoy structured activities. “I know that last Advisory program we had, that 100 People Village activity [where students represented the demographics of the world], which I think was very relevant,” Weir said. While some see upperclassman participation as futile, other aspects of Advisory, like the Mustang Mentor program in freshman classrooms, are viewed as positive points. “The Mustang Mentor Program [with freshman Advisories] is great,” junior Miranda Hall said. “It allows students to make friends with upperclassmen, which can really help students throughout high school. It’s good to see what upperclassmen have gone out and done. As a freshman, it makes you feel like you really belong.” As for improving Advisory, Assistant Principal Shannon Adams noted that the administration has done surveys in the past that reach

“People don’t participate because there’s nothing to do”

out to the students to get their opinion on certain topics so that the administration could get an idea of what to focus on during Advisory. One question the survey asked was, “Would you consider it cheating if you copied a friend’s daily assignment when you forgot to complete it the night before?” “What we found out from the [questions regarding cheating] was that students knew when they were cheating. We also found that students felt that when they cheated on daily assignments that it wasn’t that big of a deal. What we took as adults was that students didn’t understand that the daily assignments helped them on the big stuff, so they are just cheating themselves,” Weir said. Tcoordinators of Advisory have acknowledged problems. “We have had some major successes, but we’ve also had a lot of major mistakes. We know that, and we understand that,” Weir said. “It’s a work in progress. We are trying to change because we have moved away from that curriculum. I don’t know at what point that was, but we are trying to make it extremely relevant.” “If students think there’s an important issue that should be addressed in Advisory, they should take the lead and suggest that to their teachers,” Stites said.

Faryal Jafri • Online Editor •

Hayley Berger • Feature Editor•

ward show hosts are notorious for their offensive jokes about others in the industry, but most don’t take the jokes to heart. After the Golden Globes, however, Taylor Swift responded to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s joke about her by saying that “there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” Many were shocked by Swift’s reaction to the light-hearted joke about her dating habits, believing that she took it too seriously. Fey and Poehler, though apologetic, didn’t seem to take Swift’s response as a serious problem, with Poehler saying “...I do agree I am going to hell, but for other reasons. Mostly boring tax stuff.” Swift called out the two of most beloved women in Hollywood for being anti-feminist. Despite the slanderous remark, Poehler responded calmly, even adding in some wit. Her wit and calmness in the situation should be a model for all similar occurrences. Instead of making a scene, go along with it. Don’t dwell on what people think; remain calm or turn it into a joke, and those people will think what you want them to instead of what others say about you. Knowing Swift’s reputation, she probably wanted some attention from her comment, but Poehler didn’t give that to her. Follow Poehler’s example because honestly, holding a grudge over a stupid joke won’t get you far. Besides, who doesn’t want to be like Amy Poehler?

Feature • March 13, 2013 • N

“M

usic is where I honestly belong,” freshman Brooks Brown said. “I can’t get enough of it.” Brown is involved in nearly every musical opportunity available to someone his age, and then some. He operates his own disc jockey business, which he began at the age of 13. He’s also the guitarist of an Indie band called Against the Generation, plays bass in the school orchestra and participated this summer in a program for up-and-coming young music producers sponsored by the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Though these musical commitments make many demands on his time, Brown said he never loses sight of the passion that drives him. “It’s the thing I enjoy, the thing I fit in with. There’s something about music that’s really moving and energizing and exciting,” Brown said.

Beats

perform, get into the music, move around.” Working at parties, Leawood Middle School “Friday Night Lives,” and bar and bat mitzvahs, Brown tries to create a uniquely high-energy environment. “We try to develop an environment which feels like a performance, but it’s not just a guy pressing the play button,” Brown said. “You know a DJ is doing his job if the music never stops, he makes smooth transitions between songs, and makes an atmosphere that brings the party to next level.” Though it might seem an awkward task for a student to work at a party where his friends are having a good time, Brown said that’s the best part of his job. “I enjoy shows [with people my age] the most,” Brown said. “[When I work at parties for] my friends, people who know me–I feel like I’m not working, I’m just having fun.”

“Being young is knowing what’s coming next”

Brown DJs at a Friday Night Live mixer at Leawood Middle School. His DJing career began when, at age 13, he worked at a friend’s birthday party. Photo by Erica Emert.

of the

At a Friday Night Live mixer at Lewaood Middle School, Brown smiles as he cranks up the music. He said choosing playlists for younger kids can sometimes be a challenge. His schedule is demanding, too. “I have a gig once a month until May,” Brown said. Photo by Erica Emert.

Grammy connections

hose who have hired Brown to DJ at their parties aren’t the only ones who have recognized his talent. Last summer, he participated in a competitive summer music institute called the Grammy Museum “Music Revolution.” Program directors reviewed 300 audition tapes and selected 24 young artists from the area to participate. Brown, then 14 years old, was the youngest one there. “Over four weeks I worked with producers and artists and all kinds of people from the music industry. It ended with a performance at the Kauffman Center,” Brown said. “The program was associated with the Grammys. The director of the [Grammy] museum, Robert Santelli, is a member of the department that picks Grammy nominees.” Gifted teacher Michele Buche saw the music institute as a major step for Brown. “Whenever someone that young gets into a cadre like [the Music Revolution project], I’m really impressed, because he can utilize those connections throughout his life,” Buche said. This was the first time the Grammy Museum had launched such a program. The Kansas City area was selected because it is one of the only

major American cities that lacks a chapter of the Recording Academy, the organization that produces the Grammy Awards. As the project’s pioneers, Brown and the other musicians who participated last summer were flown out to the Grammy Awards for free. “It was incredible,” Brown said. “ Watching the awards live is a lot different from watching it on TV. You see the whole arena, you see the crowd. Whenever they’d go on a television break they’d announce it. They’d be like, ‘15 seconds until TV air, 10 seconds until TV air,’ and at the very end [they’d] be like, ‘applause please!’ and we’d all have to start clapping so the TV viewers would think we were having a good time, which of course we were.” If the museum’s goal was to inspire these young artists by showing them the pinnacle of music achievement up close, Brown said it worked. “You know that all your favorite people that you listen to are in the same room as you, and you can see them,” Brown said. “The whole experience was really motivational, the idea of maybe coming back there as a nominee in the future–hopefully the near future.”

• March 13, 2013 • Feature

The new age

hough Brown’s musical focus is always on the future, he still deals with an enormous personal tragedy in his past. In June 2009, his father passed away after an accidental overdose on the pain medication he’d been taking for chronic back and knee problems. “It’s definitely a real shock, and to have that kind of thing happen at such a young age is just really a hit in the face,” Brown said. “It was a struggle, and we still struggle with it. Music has been a huge part of my life, a foothold for expressing myself. It was large factor in getting through that grief.” Brown wants to devote his career to expressing himself through music, though he’s modified his early dreams of being a rockstar. “When I was first starting out with music I was imagining myself to be a rockstar–big name, headlining shows, thousands of people,” Brown said with a laugh. “[Now] I want to end up working at a studio, being a studio engineer, producing for big name artists. As long as I’m doing something with music for a career, I’ll be happy.” Orchestra teacher Stephen Phalp sees no

Future

Turn it up, Mr. DJ

rown said he thinks his youth gives him an advantage both in the DJing business and in the producer world he dreams of joining someday. “It’s amazing to look on a website like Soundcloud and see people who are this young and doing so well, at 15, 14, even 13 years old,” Brown said. “I strive to do that. Being young is knowing what’s coming next, going to parties and being inside the scene. If you’re an older professional DJ, it’s harder to stay connected to the scene.” Brown differentiates himself from more established DJs in other ways, too. “Some people out there aren’t really DJs. They’re so bland,” Brown said. “The difference with our business is that we’ll actually put on a show:

conflict among Brown’s diverse musical interests. “I think most students of his talents do balance electronic and classical [styles] very well,” Phalp said. “In a philosophical sense, they’re both very much the same. You’re trying to create emotional responses in a listener. Electronic music just does it in a different medium, but essentially music is music.” Brown thinks this is a critically important moment to be involved in the music industry. “It’s the new age. Pop music is straying away from the pop-y feel, becoming more like electronic music,” Brown said. “I think that there’s always going to be new music coming, and staying ahead of the game is an important part of any music career. That’s what I strive to do–to know what’s next, know what’s coming up.” Jessi Glueck

• Co-Editor in Chief•

Find Brooks online twitter.com/_brooks_brown_ reverbnation.com/brooksbrown soundcloud.com/brooksbrown

Brown’s laptop is a critical component of his DJing ensemble and of the music he’s produced on his own. “I have huge respect for any kind of music,” Brown said. “But I like electronic because it’s different and there are a lot of different subgenres.” Photo by Erica Emert.

Entertainment • March 13, 2013 • N

“Psychopaths” blends violence and wit

“T

he first half should be like the perfect setup for a revenge flick: violence, guns, all the usual bullshit, and then…the lead characters should just walk away. They should just drive off in the desert and pitch a tent somewhere.” These words are spoken by Marty (Colin Farrell) approximately 58 minutes into “Seven Psychopaths,” which is a little more than halfway through its 110 minute runtime. He says it as he and two other characters are driving away into the desert. In the next scene, they pitch a tent. In the latest movie about making movies, Farrell stars as a screenwriter struggling for an idea for a script. He knows that he wants the title of his film to be “Seven Psychopaths,” but he doesn’t know much else. Billy (Sam Rockwell) is his actor friend who

moonlights as a dog thief to make money. Hans (Christopher Walken) is Billy’s partner, and Charlie (Woody Harrelson) is the gangster whose dog Billy steals. Ruthless and psychotic, Charlie will kill twice over to get his Shih Tzu back. I’m a sucker for movies about movies when they’re done right. Like “The Cabin in the Woods,” a movie I reviewed earlier this year, there is so much irony in the dialogue that it’s impossible not to appreciate the wit. But the real reason I fell in love with “Seven Psychopaths” was because of its blend of irony, violence and a good-naturedness that is rarely found in action movies. Marty says that he wants his movie to be a story about violent psychopaths on the surface, but for it to have messages about love and peace. Additional irony comes into play when the actual movie ends

somewhat happily. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the feel-good movie of the year, but its ending is satisfying and far from somber. “Seven Psychopaths” is rated R for strong violence, bloody images, pervasive language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use. If you can’t “Seven Psychopaths” consist of seven insane people who are brought handle gore, close your together through an ironic turn of events that include the abduction of a dog and a homicidal owner willing to do anything to get his Shih Tzu eyes. If you don’t want back. Photo from: www.sevenpsychopaths.com to see boobs, don’t look made $64.1 million its opening at them. Many of the movie’s laughs weekend. So no, it wasn’t one of the come from pure shock value, and highest grossing movies of last year, without the characters’ vulgarity, its but it was definitely one of the most edginess would be lost. well made. Throughout its stint in theaters, “Seven Psychopaths” made an estimated $15 million. By comparison, “The Dark Knight Rises”

Danny Rosenberg • Entertainment Editor•

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Entertainment • March 13, 2013 • N

Chew on some newtrition

Month without meat The most important meal gets a makeover A steak lover’s journey through vegetarianism

Better breakfast

hen you roll out of bed at 7 in the morning, the last thing you have time for is scrambled eggs and a piece of whole grain toast. But don’t write off the most important meal of the day– these recipes are quick or make-ahead.

love meat. Steak, fish, chicken and bacon are all integral parts of my diet. Suggestions that vegetarian diets are healthy and safe, however, led me to forsake my beloved meat for the sacrificial season of Lent. From Feb. 13 to March 31, I’ll be a lactoovo vegetarian, meaning I can eat animal products like dairy and eggs, but no meat (including fish). If you’ve ever thought about going veg or just wondered what it’s like to be deprived of delicious meat, read on.

Overnight Oats

his breakfast is full of whole grains, protein from the oats, potassium, omega threes and is plenty filling to keep you going until lunch. Make it the night before (it takes 5 minutes) then either heat it up in the morning or eat it cold.

Ingredients:

¼ cup quick oats (not instant) ¾ cup water ½ tsp cinnamon, vanilla or whatever other flavoring you enjoy ½ a mashed banana Optional: ½ tbsp chia or flax seeds (Adds awesome Omega 3s)

What to do:

Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and stir. Microwave for 2-3 minutes. Not all water will be absorbed, but that’s okay. Pop it in the fridge overnight to allow rest of water to soak in and then reheat in the morning for 1 minute or eat cold.

Day before: Savoring my “last A hummus sandwich packs breakfast with protein and fiber. Add veggies like peppers and carrots for some vitamins and color. This savory breakfast is quick and easy. Photo by Ellie Holcomb.

Hummus Sandwich

ot one for sweets in the morning? Either throw together this nutritious mini-meal in the morning or ahead of time and take it to go. It’s perfect for breakfast.

Ingredients:

2-3 tablespoons hummus 1 bagel thin (toast it if you want) Optional: Sliced peppers, baby spinach, zucchini or cucumbers

What to do:

Spread hummus on both halves of bagel thin and layer on any veggies you want. Close and enjoy.

Ellie Holcomb • Co-Editor-In-Chief •

Better than a Starbucks run

meal,” I demolish a Chipotle steak burrito bowl. I notice that vegetarian options at Chipotle have about half the protein of meat-filled burritos, making me a little nervous about where I’ll be getting protein for the next month. Fortunately, however, I am comforted by my steak-induced food coma. Day 1: It might just be the new diet talking, but last night’s steak bowl is making me feel sluggish and gross. Today is my first day as a vegetarian in the BVN cafeteria, a role that is surprisingly not that difficult. While options in the caf are limited, they are certainly there: cheese pizzas, yogurt parfaits and pasta are all daily vegetarian options. Day 2: Today I face my biggest challenge yet: Valentine’s Day. Apart from me, of course, my boyfriend’s biggest love is bacon, and the “bacon roses” I am making for him are my life’s greatest temptation. I somehow

manage not to sneak a slice of bacon, and even notice that raw bacon is disgusting to work with. In fact, I’m almost not sorry I can’t eat it. Day 6: I am officially in meat withdrawal. The smell of pepperoni pizza almost caused a relapse today. It’s not that I haven’t been eating protein: Greek yogurt, peanut butter and beans are all now staples of my diet. Nevertheless, overpowering cravings are definitely a struggle. Day 9: On a debate trip to Chicago with seven meat-eaters, my resolve is wavering. Watching the group consume burgers and hot wings while I eat a salad is excruciating, but I’m in it to win it. Fortunately, deep-dish Chicago cheese pizza restores my faith in vegetarianism. Day 14: As I add more non-meat protein in my diet, I’ve noticed that I actually have more energy. I never get the sluggish feeling after overeating that many refer to as a “food baby.” Somehow - and this is a big deal as a second-semester senior - it’s even easier to pay attention in class when I don’t have a hamburger from lunch to slow me down. Two weeks into my new diet, it turns out that going veg isn’t as hard as I made it out to be. I’ve noticed definite benefits in my energy levels, but I’m not quite ready to sacrifice delicious meat forever.

Sarah Evans

• Co-Editor In Chief •

Naked Green Machine boasts several essential vitamins,

including B12 and vitamin A.

Bear Naked Peak Protein Granola packs 12 grams in a 1/2

cup with no high fructose corn syrup. Luna Bars pack in calcium, iron and vitamins without the cardboard taste of other breakfast bars. Try Chocolate Dipped Coconut– yum.

Bacon Roses: a vegetarian’s worst nightmare. Photo by Sarah Evans.

Veg Burrito Bowls: a vegetarian’s best friend. Photo by Sarah Evans.

• March 13, 2013 • Opinion

Please don’t stop the music

ances have been part of high school culture for years and years. Photographs of our grandparents in dorky suits and puffy gowns represent some of the fondest memories that they have to share with us. Although our school has had its troubles with school dances since new rules were implemented, this does not mean that we should get rid of all high school dances. We stand in a living room, for what seems like forever, with smiles plastered on our faces next to our date and alongside our friends. We go to some nice Italian restaurant and stay there for hours because the group is so large. We arrive at the school and see some of our other friends that are not in our group, and proceed to the gym to dance. It has become a popular trend to skip the last step this year. But, what would we be without it? Sad and lame, that’s what. We are honestly going to

Keep school dance tradition alive

stop holding school dances because some students say that they “stopped being fun” because the administration banned one type of dancing? This claim seems too ridiculous to be true. School dances are a valuable part of the high school experience and should remain a part of the culture. For starters, tradition is important,

“School dances are a staple to one’s high school experience and should not be canceled.” and high school dances define tradition in high school. We’re here to make memories, and dances are evidently a worthy component of this since they have been taking place in high schools everywhere for decades. Additionally, high school dances are a great excuse to buy a new pair of

shoes and go out to dinner to have a great time with your friends. From weekend to weekend, we all have different activities going on. School dances are an opportunity to take a break from our rigorous academic lives to include everyone in a fun event. As far as the economic aspect, the school has not been losing money. Not only have we broken even, but we still have been making a small profit, so this argument for nixing school dances can be crossed off the list. Although attendance to school dances has dropped significantly recently due to the new policy, this does not mean that the numbers will be low forever. Once this set of classes graduates, a whole new attitude toward dances could emerge. School dances are a staple to one’s high school experience and should not be canceled. So many favorable memories are associated with these events, and we should not deny these

Cindy Bodker and her date to the dance pose for a portrait to commemorate this special high school event. Photo provided by Mallory Bodker.

opportunities to students who have been enjoying them for the past couple years, or to students who have yet to enter Blue Valley North.

Mallory Bodker • Opinion Editor •

Papal allegations threaten reputations

he world was shocked last month when, for the first time in almost 700 years, the pope stepped down. Pope Benedict XVI’s scandal-ridden papacy has carried under its shadows allegations of pedophilia, money-laundering and doing business with the Italian Mafia. Skeptics wonder whether it was the pope’s health or the scandal

surrounding the church that led him to step down. Pope Benedict XVI has been accused of covering up a number of child molestation charges among his priests and bishops. It’s not surprising that an institution with wide-spread influence carries with it a great deal of scandal; however, there comes a point when such horrific crimes as child molestation cannot be swept under the rug. The Catholic faith deserves respect and fair treatment, regardless of their leaders’ poor choices. Yet the leaders of the church are using St. Peter’s chair as Junior Philip Gomez wears a cross necklace to show his faith. “My grandpa gave me a shadow under this necklace after I got baptized,” Gomez said. Photo by Austin Fultz.

which they perform acts that they have forbidden themselves. Many leaders in the church, and around the world, have earned and respected their positions; however, it seems as though the few bad eggs have taken advantage of their power. Cardinal O’Brien of Scotland recently resigned after he admitted to sexual misconduct within the church.

to its name should serve as an example to the rest of us. No matter how much good the church does and no matter how much power and influence it holds, the legacy of this administration will forever be associated with the scandals that have come with it. Benjamin Franklin once said, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” We build our character with time, and even the most respected people can carry a dirtied legacy with them. Let this last papacy serve as an example of how much damage an allegation can do. Word spreads fast and it only takes one mistake to ruin what might have taken years to build.

“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it,” Though the Vatican doesn’t pose a threat to our basic freedoms, they do hold a great deal of power and influence throughout the world, both Catholic and not. An institution like the Catholic church holding so much notoriety

Ashley Ruben • News Editor •

Opinion • March 13, 2013 • N

Pressure for a beach bod

Spring break weight-loss has become an unhealthy trend

s spring arrives, we are time but leaves a large impact, both prompted to shed our thick on the health of those participating winter clothing. We become and on an already superficial world. more conscious It’s a sad reflection on of our bodies our society, affirming in increasingly the perception that revealing appearances are attire and feel more important than compelled establishing healthy to improve habits. ourselves. Many media outlets This mindset and organizations has created a have voiced their trend of “beach support. For example, bodies”, a vow Team Beach Body is to lose weight a website that claims and look better. to help participants It has become a in the journey to sexualized and The prominence of the beach bod craze is due in part, self-improvement, integrated part to a lack of self-confidence and cripplingly negative advertising diet of the season. body image. Illustration by Kiera Bolden. supplements, boasting Just like New Year’s resolutions, this success stories and posting daily self-improvement plan lasts a short workout statistics. The justification

for this is that the pressure to be physically fit is an effective way to combat obesity. While this reasoning seems innocent enough, those who condone rapid weight loss are probably ignorant of the long-term consequences. The common methods to gain noticeable results in such a short time are linked to eating disorders: diet supplements, juice cleanses, lowcalorie diets, starvation and excessive exercise. According to the FDA, malnutrition and dehydration are among the many symptoms that can accompany these methods. Whether an individual chooses to travel to a tropical paradise or visits family nearby, the opportunities to have fun during spring break are endless. The pressure for a beach body detracts from the enjoyment vacation time can bring, and

Senior spring 13reak gone wild

ast year, I went on a senior spring break trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with my sister who was a senior. For almost an entire week, I gawked at seniors stumbling around in a drunken stupor, throwing up night after night. I even saw a few doing the walk of shame early in the morning. For some, senior spring break is a heavenly escape from the frigid Kansas plains and an opportunity to be rebellious. Although I escaped the seniors’ mayhem, I still experienced my fair share of the craziness. Within the first hour of arriving at our hotel, some of the seniors were already hammered. And for the next six days, several of them stayed that way. I witnessed a few students getting arrested after an intoxicated altercation, as well as a trip to the local hospital. In total honesty, it mimicked scenes on Jersey Shore. Going to jail or a hospital is scary enough, let alone a foreign jail or hospital. Despite all of the scandalous

places unnecessary stress on an already impressionable age group. Appearance obsession is prominent among tight-knit environments such as school, where the conformity common to the teenage lifestyle only accentuates low self-esteem. Avoiding our negative thoughts and insecurities often prove difficult. We cannot simply shut off our judgmental perspectives. What we need to accept collaboratively is this: health and wellness should be put before appearances. It’s not necessary to change yourself or risk your health to have gratifying life experiences. This remains true when we embark on spring break adventures, and it certainly remains true for every other season.

Kiera Bolden • Staff Writer •

Reconsider how you spend your vacation

activity, the rest of the group sat on the beach, drinking like nothing had happened. While most underclassmen dream of the chance to party in Mexico for senior spring break, I felt like I was stranded in a reality TV show. I saw many of my sister’s friends in an element that I had never seen before.

Seniors remarked that it was the most fun they’d ever had. A few aspects of the trip didn’t look enjoyable from my view, yet the kids were constantly having a great time. It seems as if seniors see their spring break as a rite of passage and a way to end their year with their friends. But many of them have an alternative motive: getting wasted. Whereas senior spring break should be a time for students to spend some quality time with their friends before going to college, many end up getting so High school seniors at BVN look forward to their senior spring break. Some believe drunk that it’s their last high school hurrah, but many don’t remember the trip whatsoever due to immense drinking. Photo by Erica Emert. they don’t

even remember the trip. What’s the point of making the effort to go if you won’t come away with any memories of you and your friends on the beach or at Coco Bongo? Alcohol will do that to you. Consider what you want to get out of the trip. Do you want to make lifelasting memories? Get a nice tan? Get drunk? Reconsider your objectives for your senior spring break. Make memories with friends. Don’t spend the time hungover. This last memory, or lack thereof, is whatever you make of it. Senior spring break is all about enjoying one last high school experience with your friends and family. Whether one of your final high school memories with friends is on a beach or somewhere closer to home, be responsible and do something for the record books that you can remember proudly.

Jake Goldman • Staff Writer •

15 The North Star Fresh ideas will move North foward N

staff

Editors Sarah Evans Jessi Glueck Ellie Holcomb News editor Ashley Ruben Sports editor Sydney House Feature editor Hayley Berger Entertainment editor Danny Rosenberg Opinion editor Mallory Bodker Online editor Faryal Jafri Photo editor Lindsay Rucker Photographers Austin Fultz Erica Emert Business manager Erica Emert Staff writers Kiera Bolden Jake Goldman Emily Levinson Ram Sivakumar Rachel Strohkorb Adviser Mindy Gilman The North Star is the official publication of Blue Valley North High School, an open forum distributed to all students nine times a year. This publication may contain controversial material. Kansas law prohibits the suppression of a student publication solely because it may contain controversial matter. Blue Valley Unified School District No. 229 and its board members, officers and employees may disclaim any responsibility for the content of this publication; it is not an expression of school policy. Student authors and editors are solely responsible for the content of this publication. Letters to the editors are encouraged from students and non-students alike and should be less than 500 words. All letters must be signed and turned into room 411 at least one week prior to publication. All letters require a signature. Names will be published. The North Star reserves the right to edit with regard to libel, without changing the substance of the letter. The North Star will not publish obscene or libelous material. Material will be posted online at bvnnews. com

• March 13, 2013 • Opinion

Students present new ideas to make school better

ast month during advisory, Steven Skiles requested that the sophomore class suggested “fixes” for BVN to end the “us vs. them” mentality. Each class produced a list of changes that would benefit our school, creating a formidable list of amendments. Although some of the requests were ridiculous (having nap time each day, never having homework), there were some interesting ideas that appeared on almost every list. Most of the advisories requested longer passing periods, parking reform and open lunches. I believe that all of these suggestions have their strengths and weaknesses that the administration needs to consider.

Digging Deeper. Students have requested many changes in parking, purchasing lunch and passing periods. Students hope that the changes will be taken into consideration. Photos by Erica Emert.

Open lunches

The next issue brought up by students is open lunches: where Longer passing periods students can leave school during The first suggestion students made lunch to buy their own food from was making passing periods longer. I nearby restaurants. On the surface, it give this idea a definite thumbs up. In looks unfeasible and overly optimistic, middle school, when the classrooms but the way Advisory students have were only 10 feet away from the presented it makes it a legitimate lockers, five minutes was enough to observation. go to the bathroom and get to class The advisory students argue that easily. people already leave school for lunch. In high school, your classrooms I see this as dangerous because if a are sometimes across the school, and student’s car breaks down or they get using the restroom can be risky. One in an accident, the administration of the lists argues that students feel and teachers will not know where penalized for using the bathroom the student is and will be held because passing periods are too short, responsible. and some teachers refuse to let you go Implementing a system where If you forget your assignment in guardians could sign a waiver for the your locker, the trip will students, and “If nothing is done, then make you late to class. a check in/ out students will continue to As the school grows in sheet that said size, the passing periods leave school without anyone where students knowing.” need to grow with it. were traveling, A longer period will make traveling would make eating out during lunch between classes much easier. much safer for students and allow What are the downsides to this? guardians and teachers to know where Lengthening passing period times the students are. will extend how long we are at school. If nothing is done, then students One minute extra translates to the will continue to leave school without school day being extended seven anyone knowing. This proposal minutes. Two minutes means 14 is promising for minimizing minutes extra, and so on. Still, I think miscommunication and maximizing the benefits outweigh the costs. safety for students.

Reforms to parking

The final proposal students have made is to reform the current parking system. In the past, seniors had priority over others for the parking spaces next to the school. Unfortunately, this has made the parking system inefficient and caused some spaces to be completely empty. This year, spots have been assigned on a first come, first serve basis, but this uproots tradition. Some sophomores park in front of the school, and some seniors are near next to the baseball fields. To fix this, the advisories suggested mixing the two ideas together: Have only the seniors at the front, but allow the rest of the classes choose the other spots on a first come, first serve basis. This allows the tradition to live on, and effectively fills all of the parking spots: the best of both worlds. The sophomore advisory project was a success. Although there were a few joke requests, there are many requests that have a very good chance of making school better. This activity is a great chance for the administration to build a strong reputation, and turn the page on the negative vibe among students. The advisory activity would be a great idea for all advisories, and should be done each year to bring more ideas to the table.

Ram Sivakumar • Staff Writer •

March 13, 2013 • N

AWOLNATION Fan?

Listen up.

WOLNATION fans, your spring break just got better. Tweet us @bvnnews a pic of you reading your copy of The North Star over spring break and be entered in a drawing for two tickets to the band’s concert (an $85 value) at Liberty Theatre in Lawrence April 3. Use the hashtag #BVNspringbreak.

Enter until March 22

Winner announced by @bvnnews March 26