The North Star, Volume 37, Issue 2

THE NORTH STAR

It feels trite at best to say that our generation has faced unimaginable obstacles. This has been made abundantly clear to us by teachers, the media, anyone who experienced adolescence before the 21st century and of course, by our own experiences. Then balance this with constant expectations to “fix” the future. Nonetheless, we often do not acknowledge this when examining our strengths and weaknesses as a generation.

This issue’s centerfold story aims to explore the means through which we escape from the hectic and at times harsh, realities of modern young adulthood. As you read, we encourage you to evaluate what the implications of escapism may signify personally but also collectively. What defines us as a generation?

Naturally, there is no right or wrong response to this question. And yet, when

@bvnnews

bvnnews.com

North Star Podcast

THE NORTH STAR STAFF

STAFF WRITERS

Stella Ain

Alegria Aguilera

Jessica Assafeen

Kelsey Chellberg

Addi DeVore

Madi Garrelts

Aanya Kabra

Anjali Kambhampati

Audrey Kohnen

Abi Patterson

Owen Perkins

Alex Robertson

Madisyn Stogsdill

Q Wallace

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS

Anna Sandage

Ella Thomas

COPY EDITORS

Emmett Abar

Lauren Austin

Ruby Bierman

Bennett Palmer

WEB EDITORS

Sejin Hahn

Calla Jordan

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Lexi Newsom

Arshiya Pant

PODCAST HOSTS

Calla Jordan

Abi Patterson

DESIGN EDITOR

Ella Schafer

attempting to answer it, our generation often fails to spare itself the empathy that it prides itself upon. We are quick to attribute our short attention spans, habit of procrastination or impatience to laziness and the consequence of instant gratification. But after experiencing previously unreached levels of violence, millions of deaths and devastating global crises, the time has come to approach the analysis of our generation differently.

Escapism, as you will learn, is not a new concept. While its potential harmful consequences are indisputable, it is a natural response for many. In fact, it feels hardly accurate to refer to it as a phenomenon when it seems so fundamentally rooted in the human condition. Preserving our own sanity from the possibility of harm is understandable, to say the least; if it seems that the world is falling apart, of course

we want to escape it.

Our desire to escape has raised concerns among many, but perhaps we should stop questioning the validity of our emotional distress and instead start assessing the ways by which we cope with it. What are the positives of our chosen methods to “escape”? The negatives? Does one category outweigh the other?

The rise of escapism in our generation can be undeniably dangerous depending on an individual’s definition, application and usage of it. But, it also serves as a testament to the struggles we face together. A reminder that while our struggles may be unique to each of us, we are never alone in facing them.

Sincerely, The North Star Staff

28 Miles Kim plays during the halftime show during a football game. Read about the balancing marching band on pages 28 and 29.

FANTASY FOOTBALL

By Anna Sandage

The Draft

Most often, fantasy drafts will follow the “snake” order. This means that the draft will start with the first pick, go all the way to the last pick and then “snake” back. Football fanatics agree that this common method generally offers the most fair way to equally disperse picks. Prior to the draft, members of the league will often have a list of their preferred athletes for each necessary position. Once it is the member’s turn to select their player, they are officially “on the clock.” After selecting the desired player, the next member is “on the clock,” and this process repeats until the rosters are complete.

The Lineup

After the draft, members will (ideally) have the following spots filled on their lineups: one quarterback (QB), two running backs (RB), two wide receivers (WR), one tight end (TE), one flex, one kicker, one team defense/special teams and six bench players. Each week, members must select the athletes they presume will perform best in the upcoming week of games. Many aspects are considered for starting lineups: who a certain team will be facing, injury statuses, bye weeks and more. The members of the league must have their team set before the players’ games kick off on Sundays, while also considering the Thursday and Monday night games if applicable. After the game has begun, the player cannot be switched out.

The Points

In fantasy football, scoring differs from league to league but is most commonly determined based on the success of offensive players. One example of a potential point system includes: one point for 25 passing yards, one point for 10 rushing/passing yards, six points for a receiving/rushing touchdown and four points for a passing touchdown. The starting players on the roster gather points that are accumulated throughout the game. However, points can also be lost. For example, each interception thrown and every fumble often results in a point deduction. Although this is the standard scoring system for many fantasy football leagues, other scoring systems exist. In the points per reception (PPR) system, each reception is a point. The individual defensive player (IDP) system revolves around defensive-player-focused fantasy leagues.

The Punishment

You don’t have to be first, you just can’t be last. Arguably the most intense part of fantasy football is the punishment. Punishments include 24 hours spent in a Waffle House (with every waffle eaten equating one hour off), extreme hot wing challenges that quite literally bring tears to the eyes of losers and various other forms of public humiliation. One can only hope for good luck and consistent 40-yard touchdown passes throughout the season to escape the consequences of losing.

TOP PROSPECTS

What even is fantasy football?

Photos provided by Will Sandage

GREATER is

Many students at BVN, especially athletes, suffer from early school start times.

By Q Wallace

Atypical day in my life starts by waking up at 6 a.m. and rushing to school by 7:40 a.m. After dragging myself out of bed and into school, I learn, study and attend all of my classes for seven hours, head to football practice for four more hours and get home around 7 p.m. I then have very limited time for homework, family time and yes, maybe a bit of free time. For me and many others, every school night ends at midnight just to wake up a short six hours later, repeating this cycle over and over again.

Starting a school day without enough sleep can fatigue the body and mind for sports and learning, subsequently hurting the progression of our next generation. According to the CDC, high school students need eight to ten hours of sleep per night. Any amount of sleep less than eight hours is defined as “short sleep duration.”

Short sleep duration can lead to multiple negative consequences such as increased stress responsivity, emotional distress, mood disorders and an overall reduced quality of life. The CDC also reports that seven out of ten students do not get enough sleep on school nights. These numbers are scary because they show how much danger our generation is

in due to the little amount of sleep we are getting.

Two of the fall sports at BVN have recently been very successful. Our football team went to state two years ago and almost won, and our volleyball team won state last year. However, this year, both of these sports have been struggling. Perhaps it’s because we have a young team, possibly bad coaching. I believe it may be the fact that our athletes are struggling to balance work overload, multiple tests in different subjects on the daily, keeping their grades up, performing well in sports, getting enough sleep and so many other things that come with being a student athlete at BVN. One of our coaches, Adam Pummill, holds athletes to a high standard both on and off the field. All of us on the team must have at least a C average and cannot have a failing semester grade.

have taken at least one AP Exam and 43 percent passed at least one AP Exam. Our school also graduates 96 percent of our students every year. How do our teachers, principals and school board expect us to keep these numbers up if seven out of ten of us aren’t getting enough sleep?

“Seven out of ten students do not get enough sleep on school nights.

I have found that BVN holds their students to a much higher standard than average. “U.S. News” ranks us as the second-best school in Kansas and 560 in the nation. 52 percent of our students

-Q Wallace

“

Sleep deprivation among student athletes at our school is due to the fact that many of them are kept here for 10, 11, sometimes 12 hours per day. These hours could be used for studying, homework and if there were a schedule change, possibly even an extension of sleep.

After a thorough examination of all the issues, both athletic and academic, there is a solution that could prevent many of these problems. If we change the schedule to start at 8:40 a.m. everyday, this gives BVN students some much needed time extension for sleep, preparation, homework and studying.

7/10 8-10 2nd 52% the stats

students do not get enough sleep on school nights, according to the CDC.

hours of sleep needed per night, as recomended by the CDC.

BVN’s school rank in the state of Kansas.

of students at BVN have taken at least one AP Exam.

VOTE?

Although many seniors will have the option to vote in the upcoming midterm election, 18 to 25 year olds historically have the lowest voter turnout. What does this mean for our generation?

By Emmett Abar

It’s that time of year for politics. With lengthy campaign ads and eyecatching signs lining street corners, it’s not hard to realize that midterm elections are around the corner. With all the mixed signals and ideas clouding the atmosphere of these events, how do students know how to effectively and purposefully vote?

Different BVN classes are responsible for teaching students the inner workings of the U.S. Government, whether it’s the origins and the system or the civil responsibilities they’ll have to accept in their futures. Teachers such as Jason Smajda, who teaches AP U.S. History as well as other classes, emphasize the importance of looking at ballots beforehand.

“Going to the Johnson County website, you can register there. Once registered you can pull up the ballot for November, and it shows what options you’ll have,” Smajda said. “Students in the past and even my own children, have told me that their first time voting was super, super daunting because they didn’t realize how many things they had to select.”

Smajda has developed strategies to help him remember who he wants to vote

for office in the various positions, such as note taking.

“You can bring a piece of paper, and you can write down who you want to vote for in every single office to make sure you don’t forget, so then you don’t have to memorize it,” Smajda said. “That’s the way to do it. I still do that, and I’ve voted.”

Being an experienced voter in the past, Smajda said he has seen how much of a smaller demographic voters in younger age groups have been.

“18 to 25 is still pretty consistently, year in and year out, no matter what election, the lowest showing,” Smajda said. “I want seniors and first-time voters to know that they’re the people who aren’t voting, and if you want to change the direction of the country or affirm the direction, you got to get in there.”

Another point Smajda brought up was what to do when someone does not know anything about the candidates listed on their ballots. All candidates have their own websites to help people find more information about their platforms.

“So whether it’s relating it to a standardized test or thinking of it as just a distraction to their life, it’s more work than they think to do it right,” Smajda said.

“You can’t just go, ‘Hey! I’ll vote on a whim’ or ‘I haven’t looked at anything, I’m gonna roll into that place and vote real quick!’ Usually that doesn’t work out very well.”

“

Being registered is step number one, obviously. Step number two is to know your ballot. Once you have that done, you can walk into a booth knowing what to expect.

“

I’m going to, as a social studies teacher, tell you how important it is to vote.

–Jason Smajda “

–Jason Smajda

1: Register online in the state you reside in. 33 People 60 People

Are you going to vote in the midterms?

(Poll answers sourced from @ bvnnews on Instagram)

Step 2:

Research the possible canidates on reliable sources and determine who you want to vote for.

Step

Step 3:

Show up on election day with a list of who you want to vote for for each office.

By Ruby Bierman

Midterm

In the U.S., the midterm elections are general elections held close to the middle of a president’s four-year term. These elections are always held on the first Tuesday of November. In this year’s elections, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested. More local elections will vote on governors, mayors, government officials and additional ballot measures. The 2022 midterm elections are the first to be affected by the redistricting following the 2020 census.

Regionally, Kansas voters will have the opportunity to vote for senate, governor, secretary of state, attorney general and house representatives. Local positions such as state treasurer and board of commissioners are also on the ballot. Additionally, voters have the opportunity to vote on two different constitutional amendments: the Legislative Oversight of Rules and Regulations Amendment and the Sheriff Election & Recall Amendment.

Historically, midterm elections typically have lower voter turnout rates. In fact, according to the MIT election and data lab, 35 to 60 percent of eligible voters don’t cast a ballot. AP Government teacher Krista Chugg said this perception can be misleading.

“The perception of the midterm elections versus presidential elections is that they’re not as important. They don’t get as much media attention, and often, there’s not as much money involved as a presidential election. So sometimes people aren’t as aware of those races,” Chugg said. “They are arguably even more important than a presidential election … your local and then congressional representatives can do a lot.”

This year, many seniors are eligible to vote in the midterm elections. While a list of requirements has to be met, experienced voters like Chugg consider it important for young voters to get out and vote.

“I think sometimes it’s easy to feel like your vote doesn’t necessarily matter. But so many people feel that way that if enough people just got together and decided, ‘Hey, we’re going to vote,’ new people would be in office, especially young people. There would be different issues being addressed in government if any group, but especially young people, decided to just vote,” Chugg said. “I think Gen Zers are going to make that happen. I think they’re going to turn it around as far as turnout numbers, and they seem to be pretty aware and politically active for sure, but it’s just [about] them turning 18 and being eligible.”

Kansas offers various ways to vote. Absentee ballots are able to be requested until Nov. 1 and need to be turned in by Nov. 8. To vote in person, registration ended Oct. 18. The deadline to vote is Nov. 8.

BVN’s perspective on current events.

Representation in Media

In recent months, the newest version of the Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey, the first Black Little Mermaid, has prompted dialogue about representation in media.

According to the BBC, representation in media is how media texts deal with and present gender, age, ethnicity, national and regional identity, social issues and events to an audience. What does this exactly entail?

Former Media and Pop Culture and current theater teacher Rachel Cain said representation is increasingly important.

“Representation matters. If you don’t see yourself reflected in the things you enjoy then you feel like you don’t belong,” Cain said. “Anytime you can feel like you belong somewhere, I think it matters. Especially when you don’t have other support systems in place.”

Representation in theater has come into question in recent years. A study in 2019 by the Asian American Performers Action Coalition revealed that white actors played nearly 59 percent of roles during the 2018 to 2019 theater season, and behind the scenes, 81 percent of writers

Hispanic Heritage Month

In the US, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The month recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to history and culture. In Kansas City alone, there have been numerous celebrations in the past month. With all of this celebration, what is Hispanic Heritage Month really about?

Spanish teacher Manuel Novas Garcia said Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it acknowledges a greater celebration and discussion of culture.

“I think Hispanic Heritage Month is a good way to acknowledge not just the people over there, but the people over here, and to move away from this stereotype of Taco Tuesday,” Novas said. “Culture is not something from a book or a Spotify list. A person is not culture; we participate in culture.”

According to Novas, this celebration appreciates both culture and people.

“I think this is an important month to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic people who came to this country, and Hispanic people who were in some areas of this country before there were states,” Novas said. “People had been speaking Spanish from Florida to California for 300 years before English speaking settlers arrived. So it’s not something from ‘over

there.’ It’s something from here.”

Novas said that part of the beauty of Hispanic Heritage Month is the opportunity to acknowledge the diversity of Hispanic culture.

“Hispanic is like a mixed bag … from many different cultures or many different nationalities into one thing. We can move away from the stereotypes that are used to save time in our brains and get to know them,” Novas said. “They came from other cultures, different regions; in their own countries of origin, there might have been different cultures as well.

If nothing, this is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity that is inherent of American character.”

While celebrating culture and heritage, Novas said it is important to form a

and directors were white. Cain is trying to emphasize representation on stage.

“I casted [our play last year] gender blind. I did the same thing this year. The actors then could decide to keep the pronouns as written or not … But I also think that the flip side of that is making sure we have authentic representation,” Cain said. “I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to do “Miss Saigon” or “Hairspray.” I don’t think that I should be doing plays where that kind of voice was written intentionally, and I have an actor [who is] outside of that experience … That’s something the theater community is kind of reckoning with.”

personal identity.

“We behave differently in different environments, but there are things that will always go with us.

It’s the first impression that we give to people mostly. We are not just a student.

You’re also an athlete, you are a daughter, you are a son, you are a classmate, you are a boyfriend or girlfriend,” Novas said.

“So you’re multidimensional, when you celebrate heritage it is not only

defining. If you being A or being B is the only defining [feature] of your personality, I’d encourage [you] ... to dig deeper.

“

Representation matters. If you don’t see yourself reflected in the things you enjoy then you feel like you don’t belong –Rachel Cain “

“

I think this is an important month to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic people who came to this country, and Hispanic people who were in some areas of this country before there were states

-Manuel Novas Garcia “

Color Correction

As kindergartners roam a school’s halls for the very first time, they are surrounded by a variety of vibrant colors and flashy name tags. Colorful carpet squares and fruit-shaped tables decorate the rooms waiting to be filled with eager and nervous students. Yet as these students grow older and advance in academics, the color and excitement slowly fade away, eventually replaced by bare white walls and bright fluorescent lights. How does this difference in learning environments affect students’ mental health and academic performance?

In order to fully answer this question, it is crucial to understand what exactly goes into creating a “good” classroom environment. This may include details such as the size of the classroom and the amount of natural light let in, but color choice is often at the forefront of this discussion.

Abby Cornelius, a school librarian and BVN alum, agrees that color has a massive effect on students’ feelings, motivation and performance in school.

“I think there’s a lot of research that talks about how environments make people feel, and in general, schools ignore that,” Cornelius said. “Things like natural light, non-fluorescent lights and colors are beneficial to everyone, teachers and students alike.”

At the start of this school year, BVN repainted its interior walls and removed all murals. Many returning students had differing opinions on the walls, but the overall consensus was clear: 92 percent of students out of 243 who responded to a BVN Instagram poll said they preferred decorated halls (murals, paintings etc.).

Junior Mia Bohach was part of the 92 percent. Bohach felt strongly about the school’s decisions which, in her opinion, erase history.

“Walking into other schools, you see all of their work and paintings, and you can just feel the school’s spirit when you walk in,” Bohach said. “Our school doesn’t feel like that because there is nothing on the walls bringing life to the school and no history being shown.”

By Ella Shafer

Cornelius said. “Sometimes the bright and clean and new look can be awesome, but if it’s all the same, it’s not necessarily the best.”

According to colorpsychology.org, the color of walls and decorations can affect students’ abilities to learn. On a scientific level, color is essentially broken down light at different wavelengths. These different wavelengths, also described as the speed at which light travels, are absorbed by objects, allowing people to perceive different colors.

“There was something traditional and nostalgic about those old murals.

Bohach mentioned that having the same, dull colors throughout the school can affect students’ attitudes toward learning.

When Cornelius attended high school at BVN, there were murals on the walls that remained for many years. She recognized them as important to the student body.

“There was something traditional and nostalgic about those old murals,”

“[Bright white walls] make it feel like we are just walking through random halls with absolutely no life or purpose which makes it really difficult to stay motivated and positive at school,” Bohach said. “It puts me in a sad mood because there is nothing to look at, and it’s just kind of plain.”

Bohach offered a few alternatives to

Color Therapy: Implenting Color in Your Life

Spend more time outside. The color green is proven to relieve stress.

Color coordinated notes are proven to improve memory and test scores.

Eliminate blue light (laptops, phones etc.) at night in order to improve sleep quality.

Be purposful when painting and decorating your bedroom.

All information is from colorpsychology.org

–Abby Cornelius “

Over the summer, BVN painted over many murals and paintings that covered the halls. How do students and staff feel about this decision?

the white halls that she believes would be more welcoming.

“I think some white and light blue, just light colors in general, are good for student morale,” Bohach said. “Gray is a calming color so that would be a good option for some hallways.”

According to Cornell University’s online teaching platform, a classroom environment combines social, emotional and instructional elements that can all affect student motivation. Cornelius takes these factors into consideration when implementing the library’s appearance and flexibility in order to be more beneficial to both students and teachers.

“When we got our soft seating, we intentionally picked colors other than

the school colors,” Cornelius said. “[The counters] are not just our space; anyone can come sit and work and just be around us in case they need help.”

Both Cornelius and Bohach described how BVN could make more changes to accommodate students’ needs.

“I think that [the school] should commission student artists to either put murals on the wall or to make pieces that can be attached to the wall,” Cornelius said. Bohach agreed that there should be more murals, but she also expressed new ideas for hallway decorations.

“[The school] could have each hallway’s paintings show what kind of classes it has,” Bohach said. “And in the flex, we could have more posters up for clubs and events at the school.”

While implementing changes like these can seem tedious, certain shifts have already occurred. For example, most schools started with chalk black boards, which were soon replaced by white boards and Smartboards. Another factor controlling the school’s physical appearance is budget and convenience.

“Carpets have to be boring and the same so they are easy to clean and repair, and walls have to be the same because that’s what budgets allow,” Cornelius said. “I think [school] would be better if things were brighter and more colorful and if there was more natural light, but I understand why it is the way it is.”

Cornelius said it takes a combined effort to be practical while accommodating students’ needs.

“The school and students alike can both take action to make BVN’s appearance more appealing and beneficial to learning,” Cornelius said. “By managing the budget and getting students involved in revamping the halls, the learning experience will do nothing but show improvement.”

“

[Bright white walls] make it feel like we are just walking through random halls with absolutely no life or purpose which makes it really difficult to stay motivated and positive at school.

–Mia Bohach

“

FROM

DISTRESSING TO DE-STRESSING

Students at BVN can often be overloaded with homework. How does this affect their stress levels, and what do

Story by Anjali Kambhampati, design by Ella Thomas

Homework is piling up with notes spread out in every direction. Waiting in anticipation for tests to be graded.

Questioning if the assignment is due at 3:00 pm or 11:59 pm. A lot of things cause BVN students stress. How does the stress happen, and how do students manage it?

Sophomore Ivy Khiew stated that the jump from freshman to sophomore year hasn’t affected her too much, but that there is definitely more homework. She mentioned that she receives the most homework in her AP World History, Honors Algebra II, and Honors Chemistry classes.

When asked how efficient she was with

managing her stress levels, Khiew stated that it depended on the day.

“I’m very on and off with my productivity. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to get all my work done at school and

I’ll have barely anything to do at home which feels really good. Other days, I just want to go home and take a nap and not do anything,” Khiew said. Khiew has a wide range of activities she likes to do in order to destress.

- Ivy Khiew “

“I like to watch crime documentaries and I like mystery [books] just because they are really fun to read,” Khiew said.

Although Khiew is content with the ways that she de-stresses, she sometimes wishes that she was more organized and

believes that this would lead to less stress overall.

Stress is a factor that can take a heavy toll on people, especially students. According to Red Cross, stress can trigger irritability, aggression, a feeling of loss of control, insomnia, fatigue, concentration or memory problems, and much more.

There are, however, many ways to destress so that the symptoms do not go on to become a continual problem.

Senior Justyna Hayslett stated that making collages helps her destress.

“If I see a word, phrase or image in a magazine, I just kind of cut it out and paste it on a piece of paper. I have something called ‘Create This Book’ and it’s just kind of like my ‘de-stress,’, especially over the summer or breaks,” Hayslett said.

Hayslett mentioned that “Create This Book” was something that she started doing during COVID with her friends.

“It’s a book with a bunch of drawing prompts and everything,” Hayslett said.

When it comes to using other ways to prevent stress, she wished she would put her phone away.

“I do get distracted by my phone. If I get a text message, all of my attention goes to that. Then I end up spending thirty minutes on my phone on Instagram or texting someone. That just distracts me from my homework,” Hayslett said.

“

I’m very on and off with my productivity. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to get all my work done at school and I’ll have barely anything to do at home which feels really good. Other days, I just want to go home and take a nap and not do anything.

they do to manage it?

Stress and its correlation with homework, tests, extracurriculars, etc. can look very different from a teacher’s perspective. Spanish 1 and 3 teacher Señora Carenas stated that she, along with other Spanish teachers, does not tend to give out homework.

“We [Spanish teachers] just don’t really see a need for it [homework] other than just studying on your own if you have an assessment,” Carenas said.

Carenas also stated her own opinions on students’ homework load.

“I think kids should be allowed to be kids after school, and having so many hours of homework is stressful. They [students] have been in school for so many hours so they shouldn’t have to be working all night, too,” Carenas said.

Opinions on stress and all the aspects that feed into it can vary from person to person. However, most can agree that stress is a heavy issue, especially with students, and that the steps taken to manage it are essential to one’s well-being.

Hayslett’s way of de-stressing is through making collages and making art in her “Create This Book.” Photo provided by Justyna Hayslett.

By Madi Garrelts

TEENAGE DREAM

21st century teenagers have found their own ways to escape busy lives. Have these fixations gone further than meets the eye?

As people temporarily escape reality through reading, writing and watching TV, they may not realize people have been doing so for decades. The trend of escapism in this decade can be pinned to the start of the pandemic, when many looked for a way to escape harsh realities. Influences of social media, movies, TV shows and literature created easy opportunities for people to get lost.

Escapism has a long history as a form of stress relief. Teens were found using forms of escapism as far back as the 1930s.

From that time, researchers report that many were led to a state of emotional instability due to unemployment. Many then tried to find a way to fill their time, turning to the easily accessible world of entertainment.

Escapism resurged in the 1960s. Stress was present in many people’s lives due to the state of the world. Between the Vietnam War and the death of President John F. Kennedy, NBC blared on many homes’ TV screens. TV shifted as people found pleasure in lighter programs. Many sitcoms such as “Bewitched,” “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Gilligan’s Island” started rising in popularity.

These goofy, bright programs let Americans take their minds off of current

events and enjoy a reliable diversion from reality.

While escapism may seem useful in times of stress, its potential ability to cause damage to mental health has been widely debated. According to the Melbourne Wellbeing Group, “[Certain forms of escapism] can help to prevent burnout, can reduce our stress and increase our feelings of hope, determination, courage and physiological strength.”

In recent years, escapism has made a comeback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before quarantine, many may have said their form of escapism was going out or being with friends and family. For a large chunk of time, the majority of people lost that ability.

Instead of the breezy comedies of the

1930s, people are now finding a variety of content due to the rise of the internet and social media. Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram have been able to give people an escape similar to what Hollywood did for people in the 1930s.

TikTok in particular grew enormously popular during quarantine. The app gave teenagers at home an easy distraction by making a diverse range of content easily accessible.

The formatting of the app also attracted a large audience due to the short 15 to 30-second videos. It’s easier for those with shorter attention spans, and it facilitates easier creation of content. According to Cmswire, the app’s daily usage went up 41 percent in 2020.

Unlike younger generations of the past, teenagers now aren’t just confined to the entertainment industry or pop culture as forms of escapism.

“When I’m skating a part of me is thinking of nothing and when I’m practicing or skating on my own, skating just relaxes me and I can be in whatever mood and it helps me get feelings through,

–Tatum Warren “

Junior Tatum Warren said she finds her ability to escape through music, editing her photography and participating in roller derbies.

“It’s not only if I’m feeling down or if I need to focus or something, music just gets me into that vibe where I’m relaxed,” Warren said.

Warren said she experiences similar feelings when participating in roller derby.

“When I’m skating a part of me is thinking of nothing, and when I’m practicing or skating on my own, skating just relaxes me, and I can be in whatever mood, and it helps me get feelings through,” Warren said.

Sophomore Caroline Massman is another student who finds escape in the tried and true method of music.

“I used to go to my grandma’s house when I was younger, and we would watch Elvis Pressley TV specials or someone on the Ed Sullivan show, so I’ve always loved hearing that type of music,” Massman said.

Massman mentioned that the new Elvis movie brought a new wave of excitement over her.

“He’s such an incredible performer, and seeing people get really excited about him again got me really excited,” Massman said.

Massman said another favorite form of escapism for her is watching the Chiefs

and KU basketball.

“My family and I, we’ve always been really big Chiefs and KU fans no matter how good or bad they are, we’re really big fans,” Massman said.

Massman mentioned that as she’s gotten more involved in the tennis world, she loves watching events such as the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. Massman said tennis itself is an escape for her as well.

“I really find a lot of relaxation in tennis. I think it can be really frustrating if you’re having a bad day, but overall, I think just being active and playing tennis is really relaxing,” Massman said. “And while it’s a one or two person sport,

“And while it’s a one or two person sport, it’s really a team dynamic, especially during the school season. And the practices are really enjoyable just being able to talk to people and not having to worry about homework or other responsibilities.

it’s really a team dynamic, especially during the school season. And the practices are really enjoyable, just being able to talk to people and not having to worry about homework or other responsibilities.”

While Massman finds herself on the tennis courts, senior Alexis Venable escapes under the stars.

-Caroline Massman“

“I used to go to Blue Valley High [to stargaze], and there are a lot of countryside areas with gravel roads, so I like to go to this one specific spot,” Venable said. “There’s only two houses, and there’s this big stretch of trees and lots of wildlife, but you can see the stars so clearly.”

Venable says she’s always found comfort and escape in the outdoors.

“I like to hike a lot, and I also like to

(First page) Photo by Arshiya Pant (Second page) Warren at a roller derby. Photo provided by Tatum Warren

(Above) Rainbow found by Venable. Photo provided by Alexis Venable (Right) Massman’s Elvis Presley record and record player. Photo provided by Caroline Massman

Escapism Through the Decades

1930s

In the 1930s movies such as “Gone with the Wind”and “The Wizard of Oz” starting appearing. Emergence of big bands and swing music also became very popular, along with reading books and magazines.

In the 2000s music became a big form of escapism and a reflection of the time period. The music industry took a sharp contrast from the g runge and altern ative of the ‘90s. Pop began to have more themes relating to pain and inspiration after 9/11. Many artists at the time started to dedicate music for those who were expeincing loss, such as Cher’s “Song for the Lonely” from 2002 which was dedicated to people who were involved with or affected by 9/11.

Audrey Hepbur n

1960s

The 1960s was known as the Golden Age of sitcoms and dramatic series. Many sitcoms such as “Bewitched,” “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Gilligan’s Island” started rising to popularity. None of these sitcoms mentioned any news so it provided a great escape for Americans.

2000s Now

Nowadays society has a much larger range for their for ms of escapism. From the entertainment industry to social media people can have a range of interests.

By Lauren Austin, Kelsey Chellberg

Left: Photo provided by Amelia Law. Right: Photo provided by Remi Siner.

Juniors Amelia Law and Remi Siner share their childhood costumes.

To Be Spooky

Origins of Halloween:

Halloween is a fall holiday favorite, celebrated around the world by millions of participants every year. This tradition has always been known for its tricks, treats and colorful costumes, but where do these traditions actually come from? How do current Halloween traditions compare to their original intentions?

According to History.com, “The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to

ward off ghosts.”

Samhain was extremely important to the origin of Halloween. The Celtic festival celebrated the new year on Nov. 1 and originated in the geographical area of modern day Ireland, Britain and northern France.

This date marks many other notable holidays across different cultures. For example, the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrates the souls of late ancestors on Nov. 1.

In Celtic culture, the last day of October and the first day of November

were associated with the end of summer and the start of winter, which signified that death was on the way.

To keep death away, several rituals were performed including the burning of crops and sacrificing of animals. People also dressed up in costumes – sound familiar?

TO BEREAL, OR NOT TO BEREAL

A look into the emergence of a popular social media app and the effects it has on the community.

By: Stella Ain

At approximately 2:42 p.m. on a Thursday, the BeReal alert notification appears on students’ screens throughout the classroom. They eagerly open the app and pose; some smile while others are expressionless. All across the classroom, people spend the next two minutes snapping photos of one another.

In December of 2019, Alexis Barreyat launched BeReal, according to techcrunch.com. Since then, it has taken off exponentially and even reached number one on the iPhone App Store charts for free apps in early October. Many students have downloaded it as the app gained more recognition this year.

The main objective is for users to post a picture of what they are doing at a specific time in the day. Its hallmark feature is the ability to take a picture from front-facing and back-facing cameras at the same time, allowing friends on BeReal to see two different perspectives. While the app emphasizes “being real,” one caveat is the possibility of a post being labeled as “late,” marking that a user failed to post during the two-minute time window after the notification is received.

As the app became more popular due to its success on TikTok and other social media platforms, a greater number of students began to download it. Sophomore Ryan Lo decided to get the app because many of his peers used it.

“I downloaded [BeReal] a month ago,” Lo said. “I just downloaded it because my friends wanted me to.”

Lo enjoys that it allows him to view what his friends are doing, as well as letting him look at past BeReals.

“[My favorite part] is just looking at what my friends are up to or just how it keeps a photo memory of what you’ve done for the past month,” Lo said.

Others appreciate the app for its power to make users “be real.”

Junior Sophia Baehr believes it encourages people to be their genuine selves.

“I think [the app] influences being real and giving real responses, and it’s just good for young kids and such,” Baehr said. “I think BeReal helps people ‘be real,’ like the name of it.”

said. “I love seeing what my friends are doing. I love reacting to people’s BeReal and doing funny faces.”

Although BeReal has garnered many favorable reviews, some people don’t find the app to be beneficial. Senior Emma Razi hasn’t downloaded it, nor does she plan to.

“I know [BeReal has] been popular for a long time, but honestly, I thought it was going to die a long time ago. I’m not a huge fan because it’s just another form of social media that’s not necessary [and] creates bad habits,” Razi said.

Razi disagrees with people who believe the app encourages “being real,” as she thinks it has harmful effects.

“I think that app itself was designed to strictly make us more addicted to our phones. The idea was that the app was to “be real” or whatever, but most people just do it when it’s convenient.

While some people view social media as harmful, Baehr likes BeReal for its authenticity.

“I think it’s an innocent app, and I think that it has good intentions,” Baehr

–Emma Razi

“I think that app itself was designed to strictly make us more addicted to our phones. The idea was that the app was to “be real” or whatever, but most people just do it when it’s convenient,” Razi said. “And then people feel bad because they’re left out, and they’re only trying to show their social life.”

“Perspectives continue to vary on this trending app, as society tries to determine whether it is a harmful social media platform or an innovative way for users to connect and share memories.

Photo provided by Sophia Munro

Photo provided by Sophia Baehr

Photo provided by Gwenyth Chiaverini

CAREER VS PASSION

When deciding on a career path, high schoolers often face the dilemma of having to choose between their passion and the career that will bring them the most job stability.

By Aanya Kabra

Choosing the course of one’s entire life as a high school student is often an unnerving task. There are so many questions to consider when making the decision of what college major to select. What is realistic? What is affordable? What is most convenient? But perhaps one of the most conflicting questions is: should students choose a career based on what they’re passionate about or what would provide the best salary?

This debate has always created conflict for deciding seniors, and many aspects can factor into the decision. Counselor Catie Bosch explained how a student’s personality and priorities play a vital role in their choice.

“Some people are more driven by being financially successful, and other people are more driven by their interests and having their success through what they like to do. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer,” Bosch said. “Some people want to set themselves up for success financially, [and] other people want to set themselves up for success through the pursuit of what they love to do and are passionate about.”

The problem with choosing passion is that, for some, it can’t always bring food to the table. This depends entirely on what someone’s passion is and how profitable it can be. While some might be able to hit two birds with one stone, this is not the case for everyone. No matter which career someone chooses, there will be bills to pay. This responsibility of financial stability takes priority for many students, such as Amelia Law, a junior who is considering going into pre-med.

“I have immigrant parents who want me to have a stable life in the USA,” Law said. “They want to make sure that I’m financially stable and that I’ll be able to take care of myself after they pass.”

According to Law, mixing passion and career can cause people to stop enjoying their hobbies as much, since it adds the stress of earning money to the equation.

Don’t stress too much about deciding your career right now, especially in today’s day and age. There doesn’t need to be all this pressure to choose the right career field or the right degree.

–Catie Bosch

“My parents have always taught me ‘do what you’re good at, do what you tolerate for money, and use that money to do what you like,’” Law said. “I think that’s a very good principle because sometimes if you exploit your hobbies, you won’t like them anymore. There should be a very distinct line between what you do for money and what you do for yourself.”

On the other hand, some students want to choose something they are passionate about if they’re going to be doing it for the rest of their lives. Junior Tatum Warren is among several who

would want to follow their passions in the future.

“I want to be able to enjoy my job, to be honest. Feeling miserable but getting money is not very fun,” Warren said. “Some people could have mental health issues if it’s a job they really hate.”

Junior Sumi Kotipalli said that pursuing a disliked career path, even if it offers high pay, may introduce mental health issues or burn out.

“If I go into a field that I hate, even though it pays well, it seems like I’d get burned out very easily, and I’d hate my life,” Kotipalli said.

Because so much time is devoted to working, junior Eli West feels that it is important to find happiness in a chosen career.

“At the end of the day, you should be

doing what you love as an individual because our time here is truly limited, and our life is about making the best of our time,” West said.

Bosch suggests that if students experience the struggle of deciding between careers and passions, they should reflect upon their priorities in life.

“Is your priority in life to find fulfillment in your job? Is your priority in life to find financial stability? Or is it to find a combination of the two?” Bosch said. “Sometimes I think in high school you’re too young to decide what you want your career to be. That’s why I think choosing majors and setting yourself up academically for a very broad scope of different careers [is important]. If you’re not sure if you want to think passionately or not about your career, you should think about picking a

major that you can apply to several different things.”

According to Bosch, most colleges are flexible, often allowing room to test out different majors and career options. Struggling to decide a career path is natural in high school, and there will be several opportunities in the future to figure it out.

“This is my biggest piece of advice: don’t stress too much about deciding your career right now, especially in today’s day and age,” Bosch said. “Just because you get a degree in one thing doesn’t mean you have to have a job in that career field. There doesn’t need to be all this pressure to choose the right career field or the right degree.”

“

At the end of the day, you should be doing what you love as an individual because our time here is truly limited, and our life is about making the best of our time.

-Eli West “

Out of 172 students polled on @bvnnews Instagram on whether they think career or passion is more important for college majors.

Why Shakespeare?

400 years later, how do Shakespeare’s works continue to influence BVN students’ education?

By Alegria Aguilera

At BVN, four years of mandatory English Language Arts credits result in several required readings, including the plays of William Shakespeare. Some students will be expected to read more than one Shakespeare play before they graduate, despite the fact that Shakespeare died more than 400 years ago.

Rebecca Dalton is an English teacher, as well as the sponsor for the BVN Shakespeare Society. When teaching “Romeo and Juliet” to freshmen, she offers many resources including videos, audio and even Sparknotes to increase her students’ understanding, which she hopes will keep them interested.

“Hopefully they find it entertaining, and some of the ideas are things that they can relate to, like the idea of going against your parents,” Dalton said. “Hopefully they see that there are some timeless parts to the story.”

Rachel Cain teaches both acting and tech theater. She also directs the plays and musicals that the school puts on. She combines tactics that would be used in an English class with those used in acting.

“We did lots of inner monologue, lots of ‘what is your objective here?’” Cain said. “Then we did lots of ‘what are you saying, if you were going to translate that into modern English?’ and just asked a lot of

questions.”

Junior Tess Moller has been taking theater classes since her freshman year. According to her, Cain’s teaching of Shakespeare “made a world of difference.”

“If I were to have only heard about Shakespeare in ELA, I would not be a fan. I would be so over it,” Moller said. “But [in Cain’s class] it’s so interesting, and it’s so cool to see how he’s so intentional in

everything he writes.”

Although Elizabethan English and iambic pentameter are not commonly used in modern language, both Cain and Dalton emphasize the timelessness of these stories and their themes.

“Obviously in ‘Macbeth,’ this guy goes crazy and kills to get power, but there’s that idea that ambition can take you away,” Dalton said. “There’s a lot of modern stories that are derived from these

Students rehearse for the fall play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Photos by Alegria Aguilera

themes that we don’t even always realize.”

References and retellings of Shakespeare can be seen in modern culture. Shakespeare is sometimes referenced in speeches and songs. Fictional stories are sometimes complete retellings of Shakespearean stories. “The Lion King,” for example, is a retelling of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

Historians, writers and academics alike concur that Shakespeare was one of the most prominent writers from the Golden Age of England. He wrote more than 30 plays that continue to influence modern culture and education. “The First Folio,” a collection of Shakespeare’s works published after his death, is the main source of access to his work. According to Cain, access is one of the primary reasons Shakespeare remains so prevalent in education today.

“More often than not, I get the question, ‘Why are we reading Shakespeare?’ and it comes from a place of people thinking that he’s the greatest writer of all time,” Cain said. “He wasn’t the greatest writer of all time, he was a

writer.”

BVN offers opportunities for students to enjoy Shakespeare outside of English classes. One of these opportunities is the BVN Shakespeare Society.

The club started last year and has offered opportunities such as learning about stage combat and going on a field trip.

“[The trip] was to see ‘Twelfth Night’ at the KC Rep [Theater].

It was a comedy, and I think students can see a comedy and really appreciate it better,” Dalton said. “It can be entertaining, but I do think it’s harder to read.”

This year in particular, students who enjoy Shakespeare have the opportunity to be part of the fall production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“Because we’re in an educational theater environment, I would hope that over four years here the typical student would have … an opportunity to explore a different style of theater,” Cain said. “It was my understanding that we haven’t done Shakespeare in quite some time.”

This production makes a few changes from the original text; the show takes place in an abandoned theater in the ‘90s rather than a magical forest in Athens.

“Not only is Shakespeare pretty foreign to our current audience, but it’s pretty foreign to our actors and artists as well,”

Cain said. “By putting it in the ‘90s, it made it a great deal more accessible but not fully modern.”

To make the show more accessible to the actors, Cain also had all of her acting classes work on Shakespeare text leading up to auditions in September. She did this to help her students get more comfortable with the style and language. This looked different in her beginners’ classes than it did in her advanced classes. Though Moeller is not participating in the fall play, she enjoyed the process of preparing for it. She is currently enrolled in Cain’s Advanced Repertory Theater class and specifically points out a lecture that Principal Tyson Ostroski gave to the class.

“It was so cool to see [the] passion, and how we can miss so much when we just skim over it and read it,” Moeller said. “Shakespeare was meant to be listened to and watched, and it was so interesting to see how it completely changed from being on paper.”

According to Cain, there is value in reading Shakespeare’s work, whether readers are avid fans or unfamiliar with his work.

“I think for an average student, it’s a worthwhile experience because it lets you explore the humanity of a time instead of approaching it purely as a historian because that can be hard to attach to,” Cain said. “Anytime we’re asking ourselves to step into someone else’s shoes or experience empathy, I feel like all these things are beneficial.”

“

Anytime we’re asking ourselves to step into someone else’s shoes or experience empathy, I feel like all these things are beneficial.

–Rachel Cain “

Students and staff discuss the role classic movies play in today’s society.

By Audrey Kohnen

Movies can help widen perspectives on what is possible and exercise creative freedom. Comedies make us upbeat and laugh, psychological thrillers and sci-fi help us see the world from another perspective, and historical films provide an understanding of past

events and where we’ve come as people. A single movie has the power to transform society as a whole and shift others’ opinions.

Natalie Blood is a student in Film CAPS and talked about her view on the film industry.

“Movies play a huge role in everyone’s

lives, especially mine because I’m going into the movie-making field,” Blood said. “I think that movies were one of the only main sources of entertainment; it was a way people could get their fill of imaginary worlds or stories they never could’ve thought of.”

With the rise of the internet, we

have had major changes in the way we view movies. Before mobile phones, TV shows and movies were a main source of entertainment, as well as being extremely influential to trends in society. Everyone has a different definition of what makes a movie a classic. Some say it’s merely just the age of the movie, and others say it’s more than that, like broadcast teacher Jeremy Chugg.

“I think a classic movie is defined by the ability for people to keep coming back to it and watching it again and finding something new and interesting about it several times,” Chugg said.

Classic movies remain timeless in an age of fastpaced change as unique works of cinema that were able to leave a mark on the time and trends. They are a reminder of the past and for many people, a beautiful reminder of a time when things were simpler.

“When I was your age we didn’t have a bunch of ways to access what was cooler,” Chugg said. “We weren’t being influenced very quickly by images and videos on phones. And so we would figure out what’s cool when you went to the movies and you saw the characters in that film. You kind of adopted that because you [were] trying to find your own way. And it was a way to get culture, and now, you just have it all the time from everywhere,” Chugg said.

Movies these days have access to much better cameras, high tech CGI and advanced technology which can make it more engaging and entertaining for viewers, as well as having bigger budgets and opportunities to get a movie out through streaming platforms.

“Shots are more precise, clear, creative and such. Movies get repeated now with similar stories, but the way movies are filmed are just completely shot differently, and every new director has different wants

and needs, so yes, there is a difference in production because of the times but also because of new creative artists,” Blood said.

Older movies usually don’t rely as much on technology for that shock factor and just provide storylines that are clear and interesting, with simpler plots that provide a window into the fears and issues from that generation. There is also a sense of nostalgia that comes with older movies, connecting to our individual specific memories, and also to the overall

nostalgia that comes when the films are distinctively historical in society.

When Spielberg hit it big in the late ‘70s with two big-budget crowd pleasers, Jaws and Star Wars, there was a shift in the industry. Movies quickly became the most popular form of escapist entertainment and pushed so many aspiring artists into cinema.

Going into the ‘90s, the accessibility of movies had increased and made them even more in demand. Cable television was starting to become very prominent during this time and gave people the convenience and comfort of viewing them at home. But the social experience of going to a movie theater and seeing movies on a large

screen with a large crowd was still largely appreciated.

In the present day, we have access to unlimited amounts of content that allow us to consume a greater variety of entertainment. Even though we have this unlimited amount of content at our fingertips, we still see millions of Americans going out and watching their favorite films on the big screens.

It’s tempting to stay at home and watch a movie, but when you decide to buy tickets and go out to the theater, it’s worth the effort. The scale of the screen has the unique ability to sweep one away. The surround sound and color pulls in the audience in a way that isn’t the same when coming from a phone or TV at home. Along with this immersive experience, one also has the social setting that comes with it. People collectively giving their full focus on watching a film together gives a sense of connection as the art progresses: a chain of laughter, dozens of strangers sucking in their breath during a suspenseful moment or tears falling together during sad scenes. This can happen surrounded by the same friends at home on the couch, but going to the theater has been a refreshing change for many people. At a movie theater people are forced to take a break from verbal communication and instead, to speak in wordless visuals: an eyebrow raise, a side smile or a hand gesture.

All movies have educated their audiences on important topics, enlightened people on the fears surrounding the times and highlighted cultures and past history, as well as inducing a sense of responsibility and empathy. A truly powerful medium, they bring us together as one.

“

I think there’s some social aspect that adds to the enjoyment of a movie that [is] kind of excluded from streaming services.

–Jeremy Chugg “

“

I think that movies were one of the only main sources of entertainment; it was a way people could get their fill of imaginary worlds or stories they never could’ve thought of.

–Natalie Blood “

BANDING TOGETHER

The BVN marching band brings students together through their love of playing music. The students put in hours of practice and commitment to bring their shows alive.

By Addison DeVore

For most students, the school day starts at 7:40 a.m. or 8:40 a.m. For marching band students, it’s much earlier. With practices beginning at 7 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and after school on Wednesdays, time management is a key part of being in the BVN band.

Junior Aadhya Bhatia plays the trumpet and is a Mustang Mentor, Asian American Club member and a candidate for multiple national honor societies.

“I try to make sure that I have everything done before I have to do something for band,” Bhatia said.

A lot of time and commitment are

required when joining the marching band. Students often have to figure out how to balance school, band, other activities and work.

Sophomore Ash Wallace plays the bass drum in percussion, is a part of the Music Production Club and KC Youth Symphony and works at an AMC Theater.

“[Not having time outside of school] was kind of frustrating because I felt like I didn’t have enough time to do my homework and stuff, but I kind of just devoted more time to my homework at night,” Wallace said.

misses a

“A lot of people in band are like my chosen family so it’s really nice to be able to meet a lot of new people and friends who I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Although it can be time consuming, being in the marching band has benefits. Senior Nash Rosado plays the snare drum in Percussion, is the president of the GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) and plays drums at a local church on Sundays.

“All my best friends are in band, and I’ve made some of the closest relationships that I have with people in band,” Rosado said.

Many of the marching band students have created friendships through band. Sophomore Dakota Raper plays the clarinet and bass clarinet.

“It’s just genuinely a good group of people, we all support each other [and] it’s like a family, kind of,” Raper said.

When a marching band student

competition, game, practice or some other obligation, they make it up by submitting recordings of their practice outside of school. They must also catch up if they missed any new additions.

–Ash Wallace “

As band director, Daniel Freeman dedicates time towards helping marching band members progress as musicians.

“We do a lot of student mentoring to help the kids catch up. We’ll help where needed but it works better with the student mentoring system,” Freeman said.

Behind the scenes, there are many components going into the show each time the marching band performs. There are different visuals for each section, including color guard, woodwind, brass and percussion.

“In any one moment of a marching show, there are probably 30 different things happening all at once,” Freeman said.

Marching band students go to competitions, football games, showcases and more with each other.

Photo by Anna Sandage

Senior Nolan Call is one of the drum majors who lead the band during performances.

“Going to competitions is really fun because [there is] a different energy that everyone has,” Call said.

The marching band has a collaborative

environment which improves student musicians together.

“Everyone just pushes you and supports you and kind of makes you better as a musician and a person,” Rosado said.

Photo by Madisyn Stogsdill

By Madisyn Stogsdill

With the rise of social media and easy access to a variety of information, students have found solace in their unconventional ideas or as they’ve coined them, their “hot takes.” Discussions of various hot takes often surround the level of comfort one feels to share those perspectives. Junior Claire Ain shared her definition.

“A hot take is something very controversial … that you stand by no matter what. Other people may not think so, but you’re stuck with that thought even if they disagree,” Ain said. “The opinion does not have to be shocking, but unique enough for the large majority to have not thought of or relate with it already. These out-of-ordinary opinions are not limited to just one category but several.”

According to Ain, these opinions are hardly expressed when one is in high school. Whether for an interview or a conversation, this judgment has made it difficult to share thoughts for students like junior Wyatt Baehr.

“I have a couple of different hot takes,” Baehr said. “I think oral hygiene isn’t talked about enough because some people have nasty mouths, and honestly, there’s some I know who I can smell when they’re around me, and that’s really gross. It’s disgusting. The school doesn’t do enough about oral hygiene.”

Ain also shared a hot take related to her classmates, with more of a focus on their fashion.

“My hot take is my clogs. I think they are so cute, they are the moment of the fall season and everybody needs a pair. I’ve had them since seventh grade; I’ve been rocking them since then,” Ain said. “I think they’re the best thing in the world, but so, so many people disagree with me.

They think clogs are ugly and stupid.”

Another hot take was expressed by senior Annika Zmijewski about government spies.

“Birds aren’t real. The thing is that they were drones put there by Reagan in the ‘70s to spy on the American People, which actually makes sense when you look into it,” Zmijewski said.

Several sources said that they had numerous hot takes about fashion and pop culture, along with opinions on more serious subjects. One such student is senior Lily Ren.

“BVN has a misogyny and sexism problem that the admin and teachers don’t care about or won’t pay attention to. A lot of students are racist or ignorant on purpose, with barely any distinction, and nobody does anything about it,” Ren said.

Offering another perspective on sociopolitical issues, junior Haya Boda also stated her opinion.

“My opinion is kind of like criticism of other people’s opinions,” said Boda. “If someone says their [hot take] is healthcare being universal, it shouldn’t be considered controversial because it is a human right. A lot of people think and deserve the same thing, so it shouldn’t be labeled as [a

hot take].”

Due to judgment from peers, the difficulty in sharing ideas isn’t because individuals aren’t confident in them but rather, because of the lack of confidence after sharing them.

“I think I’ve definitely encountered situations where my opinion of someone goes down the drain. I can understand controversial opinions, but there is some stuff that is so nonsensical that if I hear anyone saying they believe in a certain subject, I’m going to immediately shut it down,” Boda said.

According to Ain, this judgment plays a critical role in the ideas students choose to express or withhold.

“Some people don’t share their opinions because maybe they know their friends don’t agree so they don’t want to share it, they just don’t want that drama in their life,” Ain said. “They just want to destress and don’t need that extra negative energy.”

Regardless of one’s opinion, those that have hot takes believe they are important to share rather than to hide.

“Without sharing our hot takes, people wouldn’t learn new perspectives or change their old ones. This is how we grow as people and as a school,” Zmijewski said.

Fear of judgment does not change the fact that many individuals have personal opinions and are hesitant to share them. Regardless of controversial opinions, discussions about them have increased in popularity. According to students such as Zmijewski, doing so will teach many to learn other perspectives while strengthening or developing those of their own.

“

Without sharing our hot takes, people wouldn’t learn new perspectives or change their old ones. This is how we grow as people and as a school.

-Annika Zmijewski “

Students share their controversial opinions and why they’re difficult to share.

W R D CR SS

A fall-themed crossword to dive into this season.

By Ella Thomas

3. Billy La Bufanda 6. ‘Tis the season to be .... 11. A go-to fall latte 13. What you say during the door-to-door activity on the 31st 14. The only vegetable you eat on Halloween

1. A transforming outfit

You run out screaming

Makes the best pie

The clothing layer that comes out during fall

“Who you gonna call...” 9. The holiday of the season 10. Sends a chill through your bones 12. “Casper”

“The North Star” is the official high school news publication of Blue Valley North High School, an open forum distributed to all the students six times a year. This is the May issue of volume 36. This issue of “The North Star” is published digitally through ISSUU and in print by “Record News.” 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.