Volume 37, Issue 1 by The North Star Newspaper

THE NORTH STAR BLUE VALLEY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL | OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS | VOLUME 37 | ISSUE 1

LEARN MORE ABOUT TEACHERS’ MENTAL HEALTH TRANING ON PGS. 14-17

Contents News

Student Life

4,5

Simmering in the News... Madi Garrelts

26,27 Sweater Weather

Xello?? Ruby Bierman

All Dressed Up Anna Sandage

We Got Spirit Cash Durbin

6,7

Feature 8,9

Phones Up Sydney Kort

10,11 New Coach, Same Goal Josie Jones

Anjali Kambhampati

Editorial 30

10,11 A Win for Women? Stella Ain

Extra Extra! Read All About It! Emmett Abar

14-17 Mental Health Training

Arts & Leisure

18,19 Passport Perspectives

Crossword Alegria Aguilera

Jack Hancock

Lilly Copeland

20,21 Barbenheimer

Online

22,23 Acknowledging Administration

Fall Films Songs of the Season Hannah Markewicz Meet the Counselors The New Romantics Alex Robertson All the Hype Family Business Paul Struby

Clara Resende Q Wallace

24,25 Tech and Talent Lauren Kopitas

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Page 17 English teacher Maria Worthington works with senior Akif Ansari. But teachers’ support has expanded to include mental health, as well Read more about teachers’ mental health training on pages 14-17.

The Staff STAFF WRITERS

Lilly Copeland Cash Durbin Jack Hancock Josie Jones Lauren Kopitas Sydney Kort Hannah Markiewicz Clara Resende Paul Struby Q Wallace

SOCIALS

WEBSITE

PODCAST

@bvnnews

bvnnews.com

North Star Podcast

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS

COPY EDITORS

Addi DeVore Anna Sandage

Stella Ain Ruby Bierman Madi Garrelts Anjali Kambhampati

DESIGN EDITOR Emmett Abar

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Alex Robertson

Alegria Aguilera Lexi Newsom

WEB EDITORS

PODCAST HOSTS

PHOTO EDITOR

Jack Hancock Anna Sandage

Addi DeVore Sejin Hahn

Letter from the Editors T

ests, homework, extracurriculars, According to the CDC, having a anxiety and depression. These supportive community at school and are some of the many challenges BVN home is important for student mental students work through on a daily basis health. while driving to school in the morning At BVN, teachers have helped and walking through the hallways. create one such supportive community. It’s not just our school. According to However, there’s a flip side to this coin the CDC, 29% of high school students that is often unnoticed: how do teachers nationwide reported having poor mental support students when they haven’t health in 2021. The government agency received training? also said that in-school support from Even a decade ago, there wasn’t as teachers and staff can help adolescents much research into students’ mental through their anxiety, depression and health. For teachers who received their various other neurodivergence. education degrees before mental health For that one third, we know how all- was better understood, their training consuming mental health issues can feel. barely covered what has become a Whether dragging oneself from bed major proponent in their job today. to get to school, struggling to breathe The centerfold of this issue explores before a math test or the constant voices the importance of training teachers to whispering that we’ll never be enough, help students with their mental health— it can be hard to focus on something and comes at a pretty important time beyond the emotion. for our district. From Vice Principal At a school where we are constantly Cory Cox’s dissertation to the Mental pushed to be the best versions of Health First Aid training that started ourselves and seemingly pour our two years ago, Blue Valley is paying hearts into extracurriculars and classes, more attention to how teachers support admitting that the struggle is real can mental health. feel impossible. There’s more work to do. The When someone finds the courage to First Aid program has trained 180 speak to it, help can come in a variety personnel across the district as of Sept. of forms, from therapy to medicine. 1, according to the Blue Valley Post.

But as editors of “The North Star,” we appreciate the step in the right direction and hope it’ll continue helping students and teachers alike. Sincerely, The North Star editors

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NEWS

Simmering In the News... The summer of 2023 was filled with world changing events. How did these events affect the lives of BVN students?

70-80% Above Normal

By Madi Garrelts

50-60% Above Normal

60-70% Above Normal 40-50% Above Normal

Midwest Heatwave

rom North Dakota to Ohio, the Midwest recently experienced a large heatwave as part of Earth’s hottest recorded summer. Scientists reported the heatwave was due to a heat dome, which is a dome that forms around an area and ultimately, traps hot air over a region. While there are many concerns when it comes to these extreme temperatures, a large one lies in wet-bulb temperature. According to NBC News, “Wet-bulb temperature measures the combination of heat and humidity. When that figure reaches a high enough level, it can hamper the human body’s ability to cool itself down.” When temperatures hit 97 degrees fahrenheit, sweat cannot evaporate from the human body, so it’s hard to prevent overheating. The Midwest poses its own threat when it comes to heat related issues known as “corn sweat,” or its scientific name, evapotranspiration.

Throughout the Midwest much of the land is dominated by farms. This crop-dominated land can lead to a region feeling more humid than it actually is. This is due to the plants taking up water in their roots and then releasing that moisture into the air. Junior Olivia Welhoelter said her cross country practices were heavily impacted by the heatwave. “Usually we run a warm-up lap and stretch,” Welhoelter said. “Sometimes we have workout days, and [the coach] she’ll give us a workout to do the whole practice. But if it’s not a workout day, we do a 40-minute run. Although during the heatwave we moved to morning practices. We would have to be here at 5:30 A.M. and it was still hot in the mornings, but it wasn’t as hot as it was after school.” Not only did the heatwave

raise concerns for scientists, but this summer went on record as the hottest summer. According to NASA, “Summer of 2023 was Earth’s hottest since global records began in 1880, according to scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) in New York.” This major shift in temperatures is mainly due to human-driven global warming. Another factor of this major shift was high sea surface temperatures and the return of El Niño. El Niño is a climate phenomenon that has been causing warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, according to NASA.

Maui Wildfires Forest fires covered Maui on Aug. 8, 2023 becoming the world’s 11th deadliest wildfire on record. The fire was recorded as especially intense on Maui’s western peninsula and reduced one of Hawaii’s biggest tourist hubs and historical areas, Lahaina, to ashes. According to CNN, “The number of people who died in the massive wildfires that torched parts of Maui

last month has been revised to 97, down from the previous count of 115.” Additionally, it has been estimated that around 3,000 structures were either damaged or destroyed due to the wildfires. The Hawaiian island had experienced its peak dry season along with an intense drought. Many government officials were reluctant

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to state the actual cause of the fires. However, by Aug. 17 government officials said that a fallen power line created sparks, eventually leading to the spread of the fires. Along with the already poor conditions of the land in Maui at the time, some researchers believe that climate change caused the intensity of the fires. According to Britannica, “Increases in global

and regional surface temperatures due to ongoing global warming are thought to have caused grasses and other vegetation to dry out faster than usual,” ultimately providing the wildfires with a better ability to spread. Biology teacher Chris Ollig said even with the climate changing, there is still a chance to prevent such disasters. “The big underlying thing is to do things to reduce greenhouse emissions,” Ollig said. “That’s not going to change anything overnight; that’s going to change things over decades. Number two is to change our practices, such as how we manage natural areas, where we build in relation to these natural areas, how close into a forest do we build in

Eras Tour

Stadiums across the country were covered in sparkles and confetti this summer as Taylor Swift continued her tour within the U.S. The artist hasn’t only broken records within the music industry this year but within the economy as well. The show includes a set list of 44 songs and run time of over three hours. It broke many records even with the tour not even being halfway through yet. As of now, Swift holds the title for the most-attended concert by a female artist ever in the U.S., which was achieved on the opening night of the tour. The pop star also had 3.5 million people register for tickets of the website Ticketmaster, which is more than any other artist in Ticketmaster’s history. Senior Ellie Lim said the tour was an amazing experience for her. “I loved it [the show],” Lim said. “All of the dancing and the lights and the effects — everything was so cool.” Although Lim said it was not only an incredible experience but a pricey one as well. “My mom was sitting by the computer all day to get tickets, and she didn’t even remember what she bought

relation to natural areas, how do we manage the uninhabited forests. Do we do some selective pruning? Do we clear out underbrush? Do we perform prescribed burns? We just need to make sure we have these procedures in place for the future.” Ollig added wildfires can impact the KC area as well. “Most of the fires we see in Kansas are in pasture or prairie land or maybe down in the Flint Hills,” Ollig said. “Here they are easier to control, and we don’t have a lot of residential areas near these wildfire spots. For us the main concern is going to be how we deal with air quality issues because over time, [wildfires] will be more frequent and intense.” While Maui hopes to prevent future issues, the island’s current

priority is recovery. According to ABC News, “Currently, the burn area is restricted to authorized personnel only as federal agencies remove potentially dangerous ash and other debris. This could take months, officials have said.” A factor slowing the process is the large number of missing individuals the island currently has. The government officials said evacuation was needed, although many were unable to leave, leading to a growing number of missing individuals.

until after it had gone through,” Lim said. “But she wouldn’t tell me how much they were so I knew she had spent a lot.” For much of Swift’s fan base, expensive tickets were common. According to Time, “Analysts estimate that the Eras Tour will likely surpass the $1 billion mark next March, while Swift is touring internationally.” If their predictions come true, Swift will set the record of the biggest tour in music history, a title that currently is held by Elton John. Not only has the artist been generating massive revenue, but the cities she has visited have been as well. From Chicago to Las Vegas, numerous cities said they’re seeing the largest increase in tourism since the end of the pandemic. According to The Wall Street Journal, “The tour also got a shout out from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, which said May was the city’s strongest month for hotel revenue since the onset of the pandemic largely due to the Eras Tour.” GlobalNewsWire also said the average concert goer spent $1,300 on the whole experience. It is also

predicted that by the end of the tour it will make $5 billion in economic impact, which is more than the gross domestic product of 50 countries. Economics and social studies teacher Jeffery Breedlove said this is an amazing thing for our economy. “If people are willing to buy these tickets and there’s all these ancillary economic benefits like hotel rooms and food and merch, this is especially great after the last couple of years,” Breedlove said. “After people staying home and not spending that much money, it’s great.” Although Breedlove believes such event would be hard to recreate in the future. “The Olympics, for example, are huge, but the thing about those they happen only every four years,” Breedlove said. “I mean I think there are some events, but this was just a whole different kind of significant economic event. She clearly must be worth it.” While the tour continues to set records, Swift announced more international dates, leading the tour to have a total of 146 shows and end in November 2024.

*Fires on the map indicate where the wildfires were

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NEWS

XELLO?? A look into the new college and career planning program Xello. By Ruby Bierman

riday night lights, late night studying and homecoming dances are all activities students do to start off their academic year. August also starts the countdown of one senior-specific activity: the college search. In years past, BVN students have used Naviance to organize this journey, but starting this fall, students will now use Xello. “Xello is a college and career planning tool. There’s tons of lessons for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors,” counselor Catie Bosch said. “A lot of it, at first, is geared towards study skills and learning more about yourself, like personality quizzes. And then, as students get older, it gets more and more college and career focused.” While the college search is a large part of the Xello application, all grades will be using the program throughout their years at BVN, counselor Amanda Levin said. “We will start having kids use Xello their freshman year,” Levin said. “We start out freshmen with four years of planning, so thinking about classes they want to take throughout their time here at Blue Valley North and how it relates to their plans post-high school. As sophomores, we typically start doing some career research.

Juniors, we really get into the college I’ve already had so many people start and career planning aspect of it. And requesting letters of recommendation then seniors, that’s from me. They’ve how they get their already been transcripts. So, connecting I’ve already had so by the time their you hit senior Common many people start year, you have App, like, requesting letters to use Xello if six seniors of recommendation you’re planning at least, on going to which we from me. They’ve college.” almost never already been Both had with connecting their Naviance and Naviance Xello’s main because common app, like, six purposes are Xello is just a seniors at least, which college planning, lot more user we almost never so where do they friendly.” differ? So far, Levin had with Naviance Bosch has found adds that in because Xello is the usability addition to just a lot more user of Xello to its technical be the biggest differences, friendly. difference in the Xello differs –Catie applications. visually as Bosch “The biggest well. difference for “I’ve been us, on our side, saying to is that Xello has pre-made lessons that our seniors ‘It looks a little prettier.’ I we can assign to students,” Bosch said. think it’s more visually appealing than “Naviance didn’t really have those, Naviance was, but all in all, it does so we had to create the assignments, the same things that Naviance does,” and it was a lot more hands-on for us. Levin said. Xello is a lot more user friendly, too. While the specific reason for the

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“

Naviance

Xello

vs Old program

New program

More familiar to staff

Premade Lessons

switch isn’t clear, the district is hopeful happening,” Allen said. “I know that that the transition will allow students [another student] was struggling when to better prepare for their futures, she was trying to apply to K-State. counselor Terri Newman said. It’s just, no one was trained over it “I wasn’t a part of that initial yet. It’s not even the counselor’s fault decision to make the change, so I either; they weren’t trained over it yet. really can’t speak to that,” Newman So the teachers don’t know how to do said. ”What I can speak to is that I what they need to do for anyone. It’s know they are really hopeful that it’s just making it very complicated and going to be able to meet the needs confusing for a lot of people. At least of what the district is wanting to do with Naviance, everyone knew how to moving forward do everything and and looking into questions would the future and be answered, to making and we Naviance wasn’t sure that all could walk terrible. I liked the students in and know Naviance. But this are college how to do it ready and immediately.” seems like things post-secondary Allen also move really quickly ready and said normal and as long as that career ready.” applications Counselors are easily stays true, it should were completed by make my job a little introduced a student, but easier. to Xello in the transition the summer, period –Jason but students has made Smadja were not given it slightly in-person confusing training until on how to September. Programs like Xello can be handle the application through Xello. complicated for someone unfamiliar “I applied to one school just with the software and has been an through the actual school itself,” Allen annoyance in the application process, said. “So for that one, I’m already senior Sarah Allen said. pretty much done because teachers “The switch was annoying to me and the counselors knew how to do all just because no one knows what’s that stuff. But then with Xello, I don’t

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have any of my information that I need from teachers and my counselors in there because everyone’s just kind of at a standstill.” Xello is a completely new program for students this year, but it is also the first time teachers at BVN are using the application. The application is fairly simple for teachers to navigate, social studies teacher Jason Smadja said. “It’s pretty simple to use … I’m not really, really experienced with it yet, but it looks like there’s some other things that we will be able to do with it at some point,” Smadja said. “But as far as the teacher rec, for college rec stuff, it’s really simple because [a student] can request me, and I will get an email … so that alerts me to it.” Though his time using Xello has been short, Smadja believes the program is slightly easier than Naviance and will make the whole process smoother. “I got really used to Naviance. But honestly, this [Xello] isn’t that much different. In fact, it’s almost a little simpler,” Smadja said. “Selfishly, I hope that it makes my job a little easier and maybe I can take a few more [recommendation letters] if that’s the case. Naviance wasn’t terrible. I liked Naviance. But this seems like things move really quickly, and as long as that stays true, it should make my job a little easier.”

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FEATURE

PHONES

How is the phone policy effecting students and teachers?

By Sydney Kort

lue Valley School District announced a new phone this year: all students must put their phones in a phone caddy. Teachers who have classes with mixed grade levels are granted the option to enforce the policy. However all students are required to put their phones up when they go to the bathroom. While teachers find this policy helpful, some students say they are annoyed by it. Freshman biology teacher Brenna Daly hadn’t strictly kept phones away from students in previous years. However, she said students have been “more engaged” and focused since the phone policy was put in place. “Problem-solving wise, they are able to think about what they are looking at and not rely on their phone to just Google the answer,” Daly said. Daly incorporates breaks into her

class when students can look at their phones. She rarely has an issue with getting her students to put their phones in the caddy and never sees a phone out. Daly has had a really good year so far without the phone distractions, she said. Meanwhile, freshman Jaya Bhoot dislikes the phone policy. “Students use phones for a lot of subjects,” Bhoot said. She feels that it is not necessary to have her phone taken for certain classes. “I think for AST we need our phones to actually get our work done,” Bhoot said. When she learned the phone policy was only for freshmen, Bhoot said she felt “annoyed.” Although Bhoot doesn’t agree with the phone policy, she does find herself getting more things done during class time.

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“I actually see myself getting more things done, but I don’t think not having my phone makes a big difference,” said Bhoot. Bhoot said she felt like this policy takes away from students learning experiences more then other polices do. “Students seem to be much more attached to their phones, so it is a harder policy for us to follow,” Bhoot said. Bhoot believes that a way the phone policy could be modified to help students with similar issues as her, is to be allowed use of phones until students start acting up and or are not getting their work done. As phones are becoming a relevant issue, they present an obstacle to overcome for both students and teachers.

Sophomore Kilderry Kupper puts her phone away.

Sophomore Sid Linafelt puts his phone away.

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 9

FEATURE

NEW COACH, SAME GOAL The 2023 football season brings large amounts of change for the BVN football program. How will this season be different for the team?

he BVN football team got a new head coach this year, and he put some new policies and expectations in place to set the team up for a successful season against tough competition in the Eastern Kansas League. Drew Hudgins is the new head coach. He was the defensive coordinator at Mill Valley High School for twelve years, and for four straight years, the Mill Valley team was the 5A State Champions. When asked about leaving his old school, Hudgins said it was one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make. “It felt like I had done everything I could there,” Hudgins said. “I wanted to continue to grow as a coach, and I wanted to take that next step, so it was time [to move on].” The quarterback coach for the Mustangs, Trenton Hedlund, has worked with the last two head coaches. Hedlund said football has always been a part of his life. His dad was a high

By Josie Jones school football coach, and Hedlund important it is to focus on the game started playing in seventh grade. When ahead after a tough loss. talking about the new changes the “The beautiful thing about football program has implemented, he said that is that seven days later, you get to go do consistency with discipline is a very it again,” Hedlund said. important factor. Senior Tyler “Making Maslowski has sure that been on the when we say team for three The beautiful thing something years, and he about football is that it’s followed said the team seven days later you through [is is moving important],” forward and get to go do it again. Hedlund said, trying to get –Trenton “and that they better every are where they week. Hedlund are supposed to “You are be, when they doing it for are supposed to a purpose be and how they are supposed to be in yourself and your brothers on the there.” team,” Maslowski said. Hedlund is happy with how the The new coach is a strong asset, players have responded to the new Maslowski said. coach and that they have done a great “The family environment and just job accepting someone new, he said. the team culture is a lot better than last Hedlund talked about how year,” Maslowski said.

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1. BVN vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, L 41-0 Photo by Josie Jones. 2. BVN vs. BVW, L 31-13 Photo by Anna Sandage. 3. BVN vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, Photo by Adam Murray. 4. BVN vs. Bishop Miege, L 54-14 Photo by Anna Sandage. 5. BVN vs. Bishop Miege Photo by Anna Sandage. 6. BVN vs. BVW Photo by Anna Sandage. 7. BVN vs. BVW Photo by Anna Sandage. 8. BVN vs. Raymore Peculiar, L 21-6 Photo by Addi DeVore. 9. BVN vs. Bishop Miege Photo by Alegria Aguilera.

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GAMEDAY GALLERY 4.

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FEATURE

A Win for Women? Months after the FIFA Women’s World Cup, conversations about the outcome and its relationship with gender inequality continue. By Stella Ain

Junior Ainsley Yeretsky attends the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Photos provided by Ainsley Yeretsky

he Spanish national women’s team earned their first World Cup championship title following their defeat of England in the finals of the 2023 tournament. After being presented with their medals, an incident ignited an investigation into possible sexual misconduct. What would have been a celebratory occasion for La Roja was overshadowed by controversy, rehashing the conversation of gender inequality in professional sports. Junior Ainsley Yeretsky traveled over 8,000 miles to watch the World Cup games in-person in Australia. After starting her travels in Sydney, she flew to Auckland, New Zealand

and drove to Wellington to attend five games in total. “My favorite [game was] the home opener for Australia,” Yeretsky said. “It was their biggest soccer game attendance in history for men or women, which was really cool. All of the fans were super nice, and it wasn’t as aggressive, like it is in the U.S. It was really fun to see everyone from all these different countries come together to watch soccer.” After watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Yeretsky noticed differences between the Women’s World Cup and the Men’s. “I think [women’s soccer] will always be treated differently than men’s,” Yeretsky said. “But, this year,

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I saw a lot more men supporting women and famous men coming to the Women’s World Cup, which doesn’t normally happen. It just felt a lot bigger … It was a lot more reachable than the last men’s World Cup.” The Women’s World Cup united soccer fans and casual watchers, Yeretsky said. “All the people that came weren’t just soccer fans; they were just people watching soccer,” Yeretsky said. “I think the people that went to this World Cup, if they didn’t like soccer before, left watching women’s soccer. More people are starting to realize that men and women’s soccer [are] different, but they’re both playing the same sport and each have a great

amount of talent.” Senior Isa de Santos Gomez, originally from Madrid, Spain, has been a lifelong La Roja fan. After following Spain’s performance in the tournament, de Santos was proud to watch Spain win, she said. But that changed after watching the president of the soccer club kiss one of the players. “The Spain women’s national team won their first World Cup. That should be what we’re focusing on,” de Santos said. “I remember when [Spain’s men’s national team] won their first World Cup in 2010. That was talked about, and it’s still talked about, but I feel like [the women’s win] has been a little bit forgotten because of the kiss. I think because of that, [the women’s win is] not as important. Winning a World Cup is probably the biggest accomplishment you can have in soccer, so it kind of makes me upset.” De Santos viewed the incident as “reputation killing.” She shared her thoughts on how women’s professional soccer is perceived. “It’s not even the fact that the guys get paid more … it’s just some girls don’t get paid enough to be [making a] living from it,” de Santos said. “I feel like men disrespect women’s sports, and that just doesn’t fly with me. You try to change it, but some stuff just won’t change.” As a soccer player herself, de Santos

has had firsthand experience with the difference in treatment between women’s and men’s athletics. “I’m always trying to persuade people to watch women’s sports and get a better understanding of it,” de Santos said. “[I’m] just trying to earn people’s respect.” History teacher and Feminism and Gender Equality Club sponsor Erica Benson watched the FIFA Women’s World Cup at home with her kids. Although the U.S. women’s ational team was eliminated in the Round of 16, Benson said their early loss was not a bad thing. “In the 1970s, we had Title Nine,” Benson said. “Decades later, you can really see how American women were able to participate in sports. We became a powerhouse on the national stage, and the more that other women’s teams do well, it means that there’s advanced rights for women in those other countries. I think it’s good for women worldwide.” Benson also said there are differences between how professional male and female sports programs are treated. “The national teams all have to be paid the same, so that’s good, but FIFA doesn’t have to pay them the same,” Benson said. “I don’t think they are marketed in the same way. It’s not treated the same. And oftentimes athletes are criticized more harshly

or they’re objectified because they’re women.” As a mother, Benson said she hopes to see change in gender inequalities in the future. “The changes have to funnel down even to youth sports and how we treat our girls,” Benson said. “[For example,] sending your girls to school in cute little flip flops and dresses. At recess, they’re not going to be running around playing soccer. And the sports fields are still dominated by little boys, and we kind of culturally still assign that to our kids.”

BY THE NUMBERS MEN’S

WOMEN’S

$42 million vs $4.3 million amount of prize money awarded to the FIFA World Cup Champions*

1.5 billion

vs 2.2 million

number of viewers who watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 and 2023* finals, respectively

3.4 million vs 1.9 million total spectator attendance*

*According to FIFA

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 13

FEATURE

Mental Health

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Training

How do teachers and BVN administration feel about their mental health training? By Jack Hancock

Left: Assistant Principal and Director of Curriculum Cory Cox talks to a student. Photo by Alegria Aguilera

he BVN administrative wants to make sure that teachers are team is challenged with equipped and ready to act, he said. the task of protecting both According to Cox, many teachers’ students, but also teachers. training is older and didn’t touch on Assistant principal and director of mental health responsibilities as much. curriculum Cory Cox recently earned “Teachers maybe don’t know his doctorate from Baker University. what the clear definition of their Cox began his career at BVN as a responsibilities is when it comes to counselor, working in student services mental health crises,” Cox said. to further students’ academic success. Cox added that after mental health He coached football for the Mustangs training, teachers feel much more as well. Cox quickly realized he wanted equipped and ready to act. to be more involved in making a BVN principal Tyson Ostroski, is difference in the school, and when an incredibly thankful and grateful to be assistant principal job opened up he able to be principal of one of the top applied and public schools in ultimately the state, however got it. while the school Cox wrote is academically Teachers maybe his doctoral successful, he don’t know dissertation wants Mustangs to what the clear on teachers’ grow even more as perception of humans. According definition of their mental health to Ostroski, the responsibilities training. administration are when it comes He feels at BVN feel that passionately students can to mental health about mental not prosper in crisis. health an environment training, where teachers, –Cory and believes or students are Cox mental health struggling with training “gives their mental teachers an health, and BVN understanding of what students are offers a multitude of support for both going through right now,” he said. staff and students, which can be seen Cox chose this field of study for his in the practices of school psychologists, doctorate when he realized many social workers and counselors. teachers are unsure of how to act in a “We cannot have a building that mental health crisis. Cox saw firstprospers if we are not all feeling okay hand many mental health crises as mentally.” Ostroski said. “As a school an administrator and counselor, and we have two things that we have to

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focus on. One is academics, and the other is the well-being of students.” Ostroski believes that setting up students for their future is one of the most important things that administrators do, and he feels one of the best ways is to support their mental health, and brain development, he said “We want to create students who will be successful, and successful mentally, that’s why mental health training has to be a part of our professional development and teacher development.” Both Ostroski and Cox said they are frustrated with their collegiate studies, and how many education degrees have not set up teachers for success when it comes to mental health. “[In] my undergrad, [student mental health] wasn’t really discussed much, and there wasn’t much emphasis back then,” Ostroski said. Many of the teachers in the building have graduated from university over 20 years ago when mental health training was not as readily accessible or believed to be needed. However, because many students struggle with their mental health, the district has started a hands-on, mental health first aid training course. This course allows teachers to have handson approach to their training, and practice handling crisis situations in a less stressful environment. Some of the training included attempting to pay attention to a lecture while another educator whispers negative thoughts in your ear, showing

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Students feed Chris Ollig’s tortoise in room 116. Photo by Alegria Aguilera

what students with depression deal drastically benefited teachers’ abilities with. Another piece of the course is to help students, “teachers still struggle. learning what words trigger certain They’re human,” Cox said. students in mental health crises. In mental health crisis situations, The training has been one of the many teachers are unaware of their biggest steps responsibility and the district how to properly has taken manage the in helping situation. Our teachers are teachers “Our people and have lives, handle teachers are and students need to students’ people and mental health have lives, and remember that. issues, Cox students need to –Tyson said. The remember that,” district’s goal Ostroski said. Ostroski is to have According every teacher to the National in the building Center for go through this program. At this Educational Statistics, the U.S. is time, all head coaches and many club facing a national teacher shortage due sponsors have completed the mental to burn out and the mental health health first aid training. challenges of the job. 4% of public While mental health first aid has teaching jobs remain vacant and

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unfilled, allowing fewer students to get the proper education they need and forcing teachers to take on more challenges, like additional students. Many enter the profession hoping to educate students and change lives. But they also have to balance being what at times can feel like a mental health professional. BVN social worker Sarah Dockendorf is a mental health professional and said teachers’ collegiate training didn’t set them up to be able to handle mental health crises. “I think our teachers are wonderful educators, and they do a lot for our kids, but they are not mental health professionals,” Dockendorf said. She added that therefore, there is only so much that they can do. Cox feels passionately about every human in the school being entune mentally and in check with their emotions, he said.

Maria Worthington helps her student, Akif Ansari, in a writing conference during AST. Photo by Alegria Aguilera

“Say somebody just told me something really serious, let’s say, about taking their own life. What support is there for teachers to help them cope with that?” Cox said. While many students struggle with their mental health, educators do as well. Teachers have to support students while also attempting to comfort themselves through the crises they’ve witnessed, Cox said. “We all lean on our colleagues for support, but I think it’s also important to see outside therapy and resources,” Dockendorf said. Cox said BVN has seen many hardships over the past few years, from students taking their own lives to the COVID-19 pandemic and

lockdown to an alumnus passing away. According to Ostroski, the school has remained a community through it all. “The best thing that you can be called as a high school is a community,” Ostroski said. “When you are in a community, you see that people are there to stand there shoulder to shoulder with you.”

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 17

FEATURE

Passport Perspectives

BVN students reflect on their adventures abroad from the past summer. By Lilly Copeland

uring the summer break, BVN students embarked on adventures worldwide. Whether traveling through the desert landscapes of Pakistan or to the vibrant culture of the Philippines, each student returned with a unique story to share. Away from the pressures of homework, tests and classes, students were able to explore their new surroundings. These diverse experiences show how travel played a role in shaping their personal growth

and mental well-being. No matter what age, traveling can serve as an enriching experience for anyone. However for high school students, traveling can have a huge impact and influence on their lives. It can be easy for students to get sucked into the same daily routine, surrounded by the same people and familiar places. This never-ending cycle can lead to developing a small worldview, constantly being surrounded by the same culture. Experiencing cultures

abroad can change a student’s perspectives completely, making them more likely to be accepting. Traveling to new countries also lets people get out of their comfort zones by tasting new foods, meeting new people, and being exposed to new ways of life. Traveling as a student is a special occurrence because it has the power to impact who a student grows to become.

Junior Micaella Gamboa traveled to Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. This was a trip to visit her grandparents, who she hadn’t seen in over four years. “We don’t see them very often, so it’s a pretty big trip, we were going to make the most out of it,” Gamboa said. Gamboa landed in Signapore after a 17-hour plane ride in economy, she began to experience numerous culture shocks. “In Japan mostly, they have very very very strict rules, like you cant eat while walking,” Gamboa said. Her world perspective slowly changed throughout her travels as she began to notice differences between Asian countries’ way of life and America’s. She saw the difference in approach of governments toward how

they looked out for citizens interests. “They prioritize wellbeing. More than here, for example in Japan they’re having an aging population. So they cater to their needs aswell as everyone elses.” The Asian culture is heavily influenced by work culture and ethic. “Everyone is so hard working, and that has motivated me to cary it over into my daily life,” Gamboa said. “It made me realize, ‘Oh, its time to get to work so I can be successful.’” Gamboa’s advice to students traveling abroad is to “keep an open mind to everything. When you get more exposed to new people, things and cultures, I think that it really contributes to opening your world perspective.”

Micaella Gamboa

Photo provided by Micaella Gamboa.

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Addie Brown

Ready to experience one last fun really just helped me learn how blessed family vacation, the Brown family we are,” Brown reflected. packed their bags and headed to the Some of her most memorable islands. After overcoming her fear experiences include swimming in the of airplanes, Brown and her family ocean surrounded by wildlife, tanning landed on Atlantis Paradise Island. She and spending her days on the beach. spent the ride to the resort chatting However Brown says that her all-time with the local taxi driver, learning favorite moments were “going down about his experience growing up in the the waterslides with my family and Bahamas. even just waiting in line for the rides “He really just talking to valued family each other.” time and She often emphasized found herself It’s really important how looking to try and get out important forward to one of your bubble God was to specific day of him.” the vacation. sometimes, even if it’s This However for intimidating.” experience this trip, she with the local made it her –Addie led Brown to main focus Brown realize how to live in the similar there moment. values were. “I just tried Going into the trip, she had an to like, enjoy each day and cherish expectation of what the vacation was every moment,” Brown said. going to be like. Her main focus had Brown’s advice for future student previously been on the water park, as travelers is that “it’s really important the last time she had visited she had to try and get out of your bubble been 7 years old. However this time sometimes, even if it’s intimidating.” around she found that her outlook on the culture and ways of life were Photo provided by Addie Brown. different as a junior in high school. “I feel like my travel experience

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Junior Addie Brown traveled to the Bahamas with her family over the past summer. She had been to the Bahamas previously, however, this trip was different from the rest. “So the summer was a little bit different because it was my sister’s last summer with us before she went to college,” Brown said. The incoming college freshman decided that she wanted their last trip to be at the Atlantis Resort, famous for its waterparks.

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Wahleed Newman Junior Wahleed Newman traveled to Pakistan and Turkey over the summer. This was the first time in over a year that he was able to visit his friends and family there. “I have been visiting Pakistan for four years, ever since I moved fulltime to the U.S.,” Newman said. As a native Pakistani, he spends every summer surrounded by his loved ones and traveling across the country. Being surrounded by his culture made him realize how much it helped him grow. His grandfather, a former member of the military, shared his war stories with Newman. Hearing how brave his grandfather was for his country inspired Newman to go into the army himself. “Listening to his stories left an impact on me,” Newman said.

One of the biggest benefits he experienced during his trip was during his visit of the northern side of Pakistan, Skardu. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Visiting the lakes and experiencing the mountains of Skardu acted as a huge stress reliever. Amid the landscape he was able to escape the pressures from the past school year and take a moment of clairty for himself. “Traveling is a really good way to get your mind off things,” Newman said. One of the hardest challenges he faced was adjusting from American culture to the culture of Pakistan. Changing time zones, diets and environment was a small price to pay to reconnect with his roots. Photo provided by Wahleed Newman.

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 19

FEATURE

Barbenheimer Films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” took over movie theaters this summer, but what do BVN theater members think of “Barbenheimer”?

By Clara Resende

“B

arbie” and “Oppenheimer” grabbed audiences’ attention and climbed their way to the top, even before their official releases this summer. Directors Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan, respectively, inspired audiences to make many aspects of the films their own. Viewers — including BVN students — used their imagination and brought the magic of both films to their every day life, from the iconic pink costumes of “Barbie” to the 1940s-styled gray and brown suits of “Oppenheimer.” But what do the BVN theater experts think of these films? “Barbie” is known for iconic clothes and sense of style. Director and writer Greta Gerwig made an effort to highlight not only every doll’s wardrobe, but also how their stylish way of life affected the film’s story. Ryan Gosling’s Ken, is in love with an uninterested Barbie. Throughout the first act of the film, he’s seen wearing outfits that compliment his matching Barbie. As the third act plays out and the Kens radicalize themselves, Gosling’s Ken and all of the other Kens, start to dress in a color palette that contrasts the Barbies’. They wear colors like reds and greens that juxtapose Barbies’ iconic hot pink, showcasing the rebellious feeling beaming off all of the Kens, and the film’s major plot point. “There’s a lot to be said about how his fashion evolves throughout the film,” senior Lukas Wiggins said, “from starting in that original outfit that’s just like the blue and the pink striped outfit.

You know, it’s matchy matchy. But as specific character is. it goes along, his outfits become more “His hat makes him look a lot more contrasting as he becomes less a part imposing and he doesn’t start wearing of Barbie Land.” it until later in the movie when he’s After getting a taste of the real more established, and when he’s in world’s patriarchy, Ken adopts an control,” Wiggins said. “It’s absent “alpha male” persona. As his new from the earlier parts of the movie personality evolves, so do his outfits. when he’s growing up, or, I believe, After taking over Barbie Land and when he’s getting interrogated. It’s calling it “Kendom,” he adopts a almost like him taking away his mask new sense of style, which includes an or his facade of control and power.” oversized fur coat. This iconic coat is a Although the film focuses on staple in Ken’s Oppenheimer and updated his team, two wardrobe, women who and he made a lasting I think the term only takes impact on both “Barbenheimer” is it off after the film and very fun, and I think realizing all Oppenheimer’s of the harm personal life were we are experiencing he caused. Jean Tatlock (his a very interesting an “I think controversial, it’s a good communist exciting time in film metaphor girlfriend, history. almost for played by him hiding Florence Pugh) –Lukas behind this and Katherine Wiggins idea of Vissering masculinity,” (Oppenheimer’s Wiggins said. wife, played by Opposite Emily Blunt). of Barbie’s pink and outfits, the Pugh often wore figure-hugging dresses gray and brown 1940s suits in in deep reds and maroons to showcase “Oppenheimer” exude the dark the public’s poor opinion of her and secretiveness of the creation of the that she was an alleged communist. first atomic bomb. Almost all men in In contrast, Blunt wore greens and Nolan’s film wear some type of tailored blues, staying modest and unassuming. suit and suspenders. Although the These choices reflected that Vissering costumes in “Oppenheimer” are not was positively looked upon by the as sparkly as the ones in “Barbie,” the community around her at the time and outfits worn in the film are still a major historians today. outlet when it came to showing who a Both Barbie’s character arch and

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Review by Bibi Igaseimokumo

the film’s storyline rely heavily on the film’s set and surroundings. The movie opens in Barbie Land, a city covered in all shades of pink and set in an alternative universe consisting of doll houses. It includes the Barbies’ residences, the beach (Ken’s job — which to be clear, is not lifeguarding), Weird Barbie’s house and the allBarbie Supreme Court. Ken resonates with the real world after visiting it, driving him to become less like Barbie and creating one of the film’s major plot points. Senior Bibi Igbaseimokumo is part of BVN’s tech crew and the CAPS Filmmaking class. They said the sets in “Barbie” were important to the film’s storyline and helped strengthen the movie’s connection to the audience and nostalgic elements. “You want to see her coming down the slide. You want to see her in a little fake shower — it adds to the doll effect,” Igbaseimokumo said. “It adds to the story.” Without the film’s intricate and delicate set details, like Barbie’s always ready-to-wear closet and her pool turned runaway, the story would not feel as real and sentimental as it does. “As someone who grew up playing with Barbies, like I swear to God, I owned like half of the stuff that you see in this movie,” Wiggings said. The sets in “Oppenheimer” add to the film’s realistic and biographical approach. Nolan and his team built the outside of Los Alamos, the makeshift town in the middle of a New Mexican desert where Oppenheimer and his

team lived while making the bomb. “As ‘Oppenheimer,’ the historical accuracy of each place adds to the story because it’s trying to tell a moment in history,” Igbaseimokumo said. “Accuracy adds to the story because when you watch a thing that is historical, like ‘Oppenheimer’ [the audience can tell], especially when it’s like history buffs watching, or like if it’s Benson sitting there, she’d be able to be like, ‘Yo, that’s not historically accurate,’ and I feel like that’s important.” Christopher Nolan and the film’s set designer, Ruth De Jong, recreated the feeling and aura Los Alamos exuded during the atomic bomb tests. Both this detail and that of Barbie’s sets led Igbaseimokumo to describe the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon as “a pink atomic bomb.”

Above: Bibi Igbaseimokumo is photographed at a “Barbie” photo experience. Photo provided by Bibi Igbaseimokumo. Left: Faye Sanden poses in front of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” posters. Photo provided by Faye Sanden.

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 21

FEATURE

acknowledging

ADMINISTRATION A Q&A with and about administrators. By Q Wallace

VN students often see one of the four administrators welcoming them at the doors in the morning, in the flex space during passing periods or standing by the microwaves at lunch. Tyson Ostroski, Kelli Kurle, Corey Cox and Michael Moss play a role in the high school’s rank. Currently, BVN is the third best school in Kansas, according to US News.

Tyson Ostroski Principal Tyson Ostroski’s main goal is “to support the daily life of our school, teachers, students, parents, everything.” Q: What is your favorite part about your job? A: Just being on the front row of all the cool stuff that BVN has offered, and this being able to do whatever I can to keep that momentum going. Q: What are some events that you look forward to in the school year? A: I like any event that our students take ownership of so whether that’s you know, Homecoming, parade events, or it’s our students leading certain events or different organizations I just like it when our students take ownership over over the event and work together to accomplish something.

Kelli Kurle Associate Principal and Athletic Director Kelli Kurle said the other administrators are some of her best friends and that even if she didn’t work with them, they’d still be close. Q: What is your favorite part about your job? A: My favorite part, I think, is the after school part. Being at games, seeing kids playing, fans supporting [students], that kind of thing. Q: What are some events year-round that you look forward too? A: I really like homecoming week a lot. I like spirit weeks in general. Homecoming week is fun, and the weather’s still nice, and you’re outside doing stuff.

Michael Moss Administrator Michael Moss believes he is viewed as “softer” than the other administrators, yet enjoys being around all of them every day and is the newest addition of this crew. He is often at school sports games. Q: What are your honest opinions on the restrictions with the bathroom in the past. Is all of that becoming a lot more strict this year? A: I think there’s a different mindset between restrictions versus expectation. I think when you look at the purpose for being in school and providing a safe learning environment, I think they’re an important part of creating [that] and to really help reestablish what we’re doing here in the classroom. Q: What are some events year-round that you look forward too? A: Spirit weeks are always fun. It’s always fun to see kids participating and getting involved. Last year wast my first Homecoming parade, and that was a new experience.

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The four administrators — Cory Cox, Michael Moss, Kelli Kurle and Tyson Ostroski — stand in front of BVN.

Tyson Ostroski recognizes Kelli Kurle for being awarded Athletic Director of the Year in 2023. Photo by Addi DeVore

Cory Cox Administrator Cory Cox enjoys his job because he has the oppurtunity to witness great teachers who care about their students and students who are passionate about their education, he said. Q: What led you to want to work in this profession? A: I like working with kids. So I took a para position in school counseling, and I applied for every job in the state of Kansas: high school counseling jobs, coaching positions in football. That’s what brought me here. And then I got into aministration because I really like the admin team here and how we’re focused on being involved in the school — not just the discipline side, but celebrating the great things that this school has to offer. Q: What are your honest opinions on the restrictions with the bathroom in the past. Is all of that becoming a lot more strict this year? A: Every school has rules, stipulations that have to follow. These kinds of societal norms. These are basic school expectations, nothing out of the ordinary. We’ve had passes, and we’re just trying to help kids in their learning environments.

a student’s perspective Janelle Green Senior Janelle Green plays volleyball, runs track and shares a close relationship with each administrator. Q: What are some of your favorite things about the adminstrators? A: I appreciate their support at our volleyball games and all the different clubs that I’m involved with and being very open people who love to laugh. [They] genuinely want to get to know you and not just dictate over you. Q: What are some benefits that come with being close to the adminstrators? A: Having reliable mentors is one. If I’m lost about something, confused about something or need help with XYZ, I have mentors that I can trust.

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 23

FEATURE

Tech and Talent in the 21st Century

How have chatbots changed the way BVN students create? By Lauren Kopitas

nk-dappled easels, bespeckled brushes, luminous paints — and a splayed laptop able to produce what has until recently been created by human hand, heart and soul. Computers and other technology have become additional tools for artists in the past several years, specifically since the release of accessible imagegenerating chatbots for public use. Avid users and traditional artists alike explore their artistic capabilities, while others claim they leave a poor impression upon creative impulse.

Freshman Ellison Schafer said she uses technology to her advantage while creating art. “I use a tablet to make character sketches,” Schafer said. “The apps I use have lots of tools available to users in one place, whereas physical art requires more supplies and money.” Senior Ardyn West said art applications often aid artists in tweaking their creative processes and generating works that better reflect their vision. “It’s great to play around with all the apps available to artists these days

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and see which best fit your style,” West said. “But it does get frustrating when you try to share your art — physical or digital — and it gets sized up by algorithms. That, or you see other artists just using chatbots to create a cool-looking piece instead of translating their emotion into images.” According to the New York Times, American acadmics have been “sent into a panic” by chatbots, believing they have “industialized and automated plagiarism” in the humanities. On the subject of their students’ growth, some reference an

Left page: senior Vatsa Pandey reads from his computer. Above left: senior Annabelle Crappel visits social media for inspiration while sketching. Above right: a Drawing I oil pastel by freshman Bennett Christie is displayed in the 400 hallway.

indistinction between borrowing and modify his creative impulses for school creating, and the little importance projects, sometimes with disappointing often given to original creation amid results. image-generating tech. “I usually have ideas for projects However, some students and in school, but they don’t always follow teachers feel that America’s youth guidelines,” Pandey said. “Maybe they aren’t being taught — or allowed — don’t precisely follow the prompt or to create for themselves. In school are a bit too elaborate to carry out in and elsewhere, creation feels to many the time provided.” students and Pandey shared teachers like a his concern task, not an art. about his So many people In a survey of generation’s just don’t have the over a thousand minimized American creative self-restraint not teachers capacity and to turn to chatbots conducted the deficits because they don’t by Gallup that may Education, prompt it. have the patience or only 20% “I do worry confidence to create said that their that because things themselves. administrations people don’t provide and feel like -Vatsa support creative creativity is a Pandey projects for priority and the growth of they have their students. apps to help Similarly, some them create suggested the belief when it’s wanted that if an act is made an obligation, or necessary, they’re going to lose humans are simply going to recruit that motivation altogether,” Pandey tech to do it for them. said. “So many people just don’t Senior and coding enthusiast Vatsa have the self-restraint not to turn to Pandey said he feels compelled to chatbots because they don’t have the

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patience or confidence to create things themselves.” Students’ doubts reflect thought about humankind’s potential for expression. Chatbots retain far more information than humans can, but some believe this knowledge has little value without nuanced expression. For instance, chatbots cannot anticipate a theoretical audience — a skill considered extremely important by many good artists and communicators, West said. “Chatbots are computers, after all, so they can’t understand their audience,” West said. “That’s where they fail. Computers can’t put their heart and soul into a work, and that effort is what qualifies art. The robot just follows an order. Art is so often an expression of the human condition, and computers clearly aren’t human.”

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OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 25

STUDENT LIFE

A closer look on fall trends that BVN students enjoy. By Anjali Kambhampati

t’s an early October morning, and the drive to school feels different than usual. It’s still dark outside, the weather feels cooler and leaves are crunching underneath your tires while “There She Goes” by The La’s plays in the background. Sleepy eyes are straining themselves from staying up late watching Gilmore Girls. Pumpkin spice lattes are held in the shaky, red hands of students from the cold. There are many different trends that arise within the transition from summer to fall. Which of these appear at BVN? Junior Ada Boyd is one BVN student who said she “loves fall.” “I hate when it ends because it’s my favorite season by far,” Boyd said. “No other season compares.” Out of the variety of fall traditions, Boyd has stuck with pumpkin carving. “For me, [pumpkin picking] was kind of a tradition,” Boyd said. “Every year, our family would go to the pumpkin patch and pick up pumpkins. As I’ve gotten older, we don’t do it as often. Everyone kind of ends up doing it on their own. It’s no longer a family thing, but it’s such a good celebration of fall.” Boyd said she doesn’t see pumpkin carving much on social media apps with the exception of TikTok. “There will be a trend like ‘carve pumpkins’ or ‘pumpkin photo shoots,’ but I don’t see a ton of it,” Boyd said. “Promotion-wise, TikTok definitely has the most in comparison to other apps.”

Boyd also said she feels as though and Uggs.” fall trends have changed over the years At times, social media trends come as social media has claimed a more with societal pressures, especially prominent role in daily life. around trick-or-treating, Boyd said. “I think there’s a lot more use of “One of my favorite fall trends has social media,” Boyd said. “It used to always been trick-or-treating, or just be ‘carve a pumpkin and put it on Halloween day because it’s my favorite your front door step,’ but now, you holiday,” Boyd said. “As you grow up, have to make a obviously, traditions video for it. change. It used It’s definitely to be trick-orIt’s really nice to just a little more treating and publicized holding the go outside sometimes now. Through bucket every and enjoy it [fall] social media, year, and now because winter is too you get more it’s to go out ideas because to a party cold and summer people want with your is too hot. Fall and to share what friends and spring are just really they did. bake cookies They want afterward. good in-betweens. to show you I’d say the –Brendan the exciting only aspect new trends, that stayed Kelly like the fall consistent was tie-blankets. the costume, I never but other than would’ve come up with that.” that, I feel like everything changes While there are many seasonal as you mature. I would go trick-oractivities being promoted during fall treating, but people would look at me on TikTok, Boyd said fall social media like, ‘What are you doing?’” trends usually fall into the category of Senior Brendan Kelly said he loves fashion. fall and that it is one of his favorite “I feel like there’s a whole style seasons. “It’s really nice to just go switch during fall,” Boyd said. “A lot outside sometimes and enjoy [fall] of people dye their hair blonde for the because winter is too cold and summer summer and then a darker color for is too hot. Fall and spring are just really fall and winter. There’s a lot of fashion good in-betweens,” Kelly said. trends that come back, like hoodies However with fall comes stress from

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college applications for Kelly as well as other seniors. “College applications are definitely the most stressful part of fall, especially if you’re applying early. I think a lot of early applicants are either October or November, so a lot of our free time right now is spent writing out essays or getting letters of recommendation,” Kelly said. “It’s just very stressful, but it won’t be as much in the winter and spring once the college applications are in.” Kelly also said the stress during fall mainly started this year. “During the other years, you’re able to go to the football games and do your homework and just enjoy yourself.

This year, fall has been more difficult but I think spring will be a lot easier than it usually is,” Kelly said. College applications are something that another BVN senior, Haya Boda, will have to manage this year. Aside from this stress, Boda said she thinks fall “just so cozy and nice.” One of Boda’s favorite aspects of fall is the seasonal Starbucks menu. “I always get a light-iced chai with pumpkin cream cold foam. This year, they combined it into a pumpkin iced chai that just has everything combined into it already,” Boda said. The Louisburg Cider Mill is another fall activity that Boda said she enjoys seeing promoted on social

media. “People will post on their stories and stuff about that. It’s so fun going there and wearing cute sweaters and having apple cider donuts. I really like that and I feel like a lot of people post about that,” Boda said. According to Boda, there are changes of trends within seasonal changes. “I feel like the whole aesthetic changes,” Boda said. “We go from bright, summer vibes to a cool-tone vibe during fall and winter.”

Fall outfit: H&M off-theshoulder sweater, Levi’s wide leg jeans and Classic Ultra Mini Uggs

Fall Starbucks menu: Iced Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte

Fall show: Gilmore Girls

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 27

STUDENT LIFE

All dressed up Whether buying a suit or finding the perfect dress, a lot goes in to perfecting one’s homecoming look. BVN students share their experiences shopping for school dances. By Anna Sandage

Freshman Louise Wombalt

nline shopping is one of the most popular ways high school girls shop for Homecoming dresses, according to freshman Louise Wowmbolt. However, the common “no return” or “store credit only” policy can pose a problem to online shoppers. “I think that’s pretty annoying because if the dress isn’t what the picture was like, then that’s kind of upsetting,” Wombolt said. “If you only order that dress online and it doesn’t work, you are left without a dress.”

Sophomore Eli Nathan

lthough Homecoming shopping is not always as intense when it comes to buying suits, sophomore Eli Nathan still finds himself on the hunt for a new suit this year. Rather than rewearing the same suit as last year like some are able to do, he will have to purchase a new outfit for the 2023 dance. “I’m going to have to buy a different suit for this year just because I’m finally starting to grow,” Nathan said. “It’s been a while [since the last Homecoming], so it’s gotten a little too small.”

Senior Gwen Chiaverinhi

rends change over the years, and personal styles change throughout high school. Senior Gwen Chiaverini said her school dance outfits have varied due to her desire to stand out rather than blend in. “I would say that I definitely took a very simplistic route [freshman year], and I did not care at all if I had the same dress as someone or was wearing something similar to someone,” Chiaverini said. “I would say I definitely have a goal now of not looking the same as anybody else at a dance, or not having the same dress as anybody else.”

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STUDENT LIFE

We Got Spirit

White Out spectators in the student section throw baby powder to signal the start of the game. Photo by Cash Durbin

Spirit games are heavily attended events at BVN that leave people with lasting memories. By Cash Durbin

hite Out, Pink Out and Gold Out are three spirit games that take place during the football and soccer seasons. Each of these games bring more fans than a normal game would, including the first game of the season: White Out. Senior Sophie Munro said she loves this soccer game because of its energy. “It is the first game and everyone goes in with high energy and high expectations, and the soccer team always performs,” Munro said. Munro added that announcements would boost attendance at non-spirit games improve spirit at non-spirit games. However, there are also other methods of communication that can bring people to a game. “It also helps when athletes tell people,” Munro said. “I feel like more people come if the athletes promote it because that’s who people listen to a lot of the time.” School spirit also comes with a sense of inclusion, like Munro experienced her sophomore year. “[There was] a really good group of spirit leaders,” Munro said. “They would walk through the stands and get everyone hyped up.” White Out is a part of BVN culture and is often a student’s first

game they ever attend as a high schooler, due to it being the first sporting event of the school year. Science teacher Juan Ocon is the C-Team soccer coach who has been at North for two years and is entering his third. Ocon has two favorite memories of the White Out game. “My first year I was here, which was 3 years ago now, we had a penalty during White Out that alumnus [Louis Greenyer] saved,” Ocon said, “and it was a crazy experience as the first game I got to see as a North coach.” Ocon’s second memory comes from the 2022 game when “we had a goal that really set the tone [for the season and game]. It ended up being a draw, but that was a big tone setter when Grant Garberg scored.” A few weeks after the White Out game every year, the Gold Out game occurs. This spirit game is for Gold Out KC and serves as a charity event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This game is often heavily attended because it supports this cause. Overall, spirit games are attended due to their energy and envirnment.

Lars Yarkosky and other spectators in the student section cheer on BVN athletics during the Pink Out game. Photo by Anna Sandage

Chloe Costa and other cheerleaders cheer on BVN football players during the Gold Out game. Photo by Cash Durbin

Nathan Book and other spectators in the student section cheer on BVN soccer players during the White Out game. Photo by Cash Durbin

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 29

EDITORIAL

EXTRA EXTRA! A student journalist’s reaction to BVN’s indifference to a national news story.

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

By Emmett Abar

ecently I found myself sitting in the Woodruff auditorium at KU, listening to the keynote speaker for the Fall KSPA Conference. He was an accomplished reporter and editor with an interesting story to tell — and I was inclined to listen. From how he dealt with the officers going through his personal items to his mother’s reaction, he told a detailed account of the events which had transpired two months ago. When I had seen the news about the police raid on the Marion County Record in August 2023, my stomach dropped. As a high school journalist and someone who plans on pursuing a related occupation, the details surrounding the story deeply disturbed me. This story made national headlines and brought the idea of a “free press” back into the spotlight, and when I had read that story in August, I didn’t know I’d actually be sitting in an auditorium listening to the first-hand accounts and opinions of the person centered in the entire story: Eric Meyer, the editor for the Marion County Record. Controversy came after the raid. Free-press advocates viewed the raid and issued warrant as a violation of the First Amendment — and frankly, I agree with them. Many people probably don’t care about the idea of some small-time, middle-of-nowhere news organization getting raided. It really doesn’t have a direct effect on the majority of people, but the indirect implications of the raid are a threat toward First Amendment rights in general. The

First Amendment includes a large array of rights including freedom of speech, religion, peaceful protest — and freedom of the press. Imagine if a small town had the same situation concerning religious rights or free speech. The idea of violating one of the rights protected by the First Amendment undermines the rest, which is why the raid on The Record makes me so concerned. If no one holds people accountable for that, then those basic rights are at stake. The responsibility of calling out people in power is what Meyer focused the bulk of his keynote speech around. Meyer views the press as a fourth estate in the U.S.’s checks and balances to hold officials accountable and give a voice to those who are underrepresented. This is why freedom of the press is included in the First Amendment. Most people, I’d assume, would say First Amendment rights such as freedom of speech or religion are more important than the freedom of the press, but they aren’t actually that different. The freedom of the press is a protection from government interference in the media, whereas the other rights are protected from government influence in their respective fields (religious affiliation, speech and gathering). People get information from a high number of sources these days, but imagine if the government controlled where your news comes from and what information you see. They could censor or cover up anything they

30 | THE NORTH STAR | OCTOBER 2023

believe would put them in a negative light, or even create fake stories to manipulate and control their audience. Unfortunately this is the case for many countries around the world, such as China and Russia, who have a tight grip on the information flow towards their citizens. That is why freedom of the press is so important. What’s the point of speaking your mind if you’re being fed false information? The raid on The Record attacked that vital right. Initially, I was extremely pleased to see this story hit national news. It is a wonderful example of the press holding high-powered officials accountable for questionable decisions and putting a spotlight on freepress infringements. However I was disappointed in the public reaction to the story. I wasn’t seeing any strong reactions from people locally. When I first started writing this story, I asked BVN students what they thought about the events. To my surprise, they had no idea it had even happened. The raid happened in Kansas. What if that happened to the KC Star? Or to us at The North Star? The lack of concern from BVN students is a sign BVN isn’t informed enough on current events. I’m not saying that BVN students should go to the streets in protest, or even bring it up among friends. I’m just saying it’s relevant enough that students should be aware it happened and of the implications it brings to First Amendment rights.

ARTS & LEISURE

W CROSS R D

Celebrate October with this spooky crossword.

By Alegria Aguilera & Lexi Newsom

ACROSS

3. One who is allergic to garlic, and the lead single off Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS.” 6. 1962 song about the late-night dancing of creatures in a labratory 7. Path-crossing bad omen 8. Lycanthrope 9. Somewhere one may go to get scared, “The Beast” is one 10. Outfit worn to imitate the apperance of a person, era, or object. 11. 1980 horror film, and inspiration behind the Marching Mustangs’ halftime show 12. Spooky tales 13. Tri-colored, vegetable inspired sweets

15. October 31 16. A Halloween candy, or half-suppressed scornful laughs

DOWN

1. Orange vegetable carved to make a jack o’ lantern 2. 1996 slasher film, and a noise one may make in terror 4. Writer of movies such as “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Corpse Bride” and “Frankenweenie.” 5. Both the action of knocking on doors for candy and the slogan said while doing so 9. Rhyming magic words, and a 1993 film featuring a trio of witches 14. Dusty, abandoned home for spiders

OCTOBER 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 31

and more

@bvn news

The North Star is the official high school news publication of Blue Valley North High School, an open forum distributed to all the students four times a year. This is the October issue of volume 37. This issue of The North Star is published digitally through ISSUU and in print by Valley Print Logistics. This is a student publication and 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.

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