Volume 37, Issue 6

THE NORTH STAR BLUE VALLEY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL | OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS | VOLUME 37 | ISSUE 6

NORTH OF LIFE-CHANGING LEARN MORE ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL’S LONG-TERM IMPACT ON STUDENTS ON PGS. 14-17

CONTENTS NEWS

4,5 A.I. is Not for Academic Integrity ------------------- Alegria Aguilera 6,7 Behind the Bans ----------------------------------------------- Ella Shafer 8,9 Ticketmaster: Trials and Tribulations ------------------------ Stella Ain

FEATURE

17 Abby Cornelius helps students

in the library. Read more about seniors’ reflections on their high school teachers and curricula on pages 14-17.

10,11 The Tech Takedown ----------------------------------- Madi Garrelts 14-17 North of Life-Changing ------- Jessica Assafeen, Alex Robertson 18-20 Mustangs Across the Map -------------- Ella Shafer, Ella Thomas 21 BVN Myths and Conspiracies ----------------------- Madisyn Stogsdill 22,23 On the Flip Side ---------------------------------------- Emmett Abar 24 A Green Thumbs Up ------------------------------------- Bennett Palmer 25 Bringing the Outside In -------------------------------- Kelsey Chellberg 26,27 Media vs. Reality -------------------------------------- Ruby Bierman 28,29 Leaping Toward Greatness ------------------- Anjali Kambhampati

EDITORIAL 12,13 Sincerely, the Seniors ---------------------- Senior Staff Members

ARTS & LEISURE 27 Katherine Heese stands in

formation. Read more about the difference between media portrayal of high school and the real experience on pages 26 and 27.

30 Bon appétit ---------------------------------------------- Addison DeVore 31 Crossword --------------------------------- Lexi Newsom, Arshiya Pant

ONLINE

Earth Day Essentials 2024 Already? --------------------------------------------------- Lauren Austin Seven Days Kindness Walk -------------------------------------- Calla Jordan Senioritis: A High School Epidemic --------------------------- Aanya Kabra The Nature of Hunting --------------------------------------- Audrey Kohnen A Kansan Lense: A Conversation with Rep. Sharice Davids ------------------------------------ Arshiya Pant Abi’s Closet: Graduation Party -------------------------------- Abi Patterson Price of Prom It’s Raining Dum Dums ---------------------------------------- Anna Sandage 2 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

THE NORTH STAR STAFF STAFF WRITERS Stella Ain Alegria Aguilera Jessica Assafeen Kelsey Chellberg Addison DeVore Madi Garrelts Aanya Kabra Anjali Kambhampati Audrey Kohnen Abi Patterson Alex Robertson Madisyn Stogsdill

SOCIALS

WEBSITE

PODCAST

@bvnnews

bvnnews.com

North Star Podcast

COPY EDITORS Emmett Abar Lauren Austin Ruby Bierman Bennett Palmer DESIGN EDITOR Ella Shafer EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Lexi Newsom Arshiya Pant

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS Anna Sandage Ella Thomas WEB EDITORS Sejin Hahn Calla Jordan PODCAST HOSTS Calla Jordan Abi Patterson

LETTER FROM THE STAFF

H

ere we are. May, and only a couple of weeks of school are left before us. After a full year of difficult exams and lengthy projects, of homework assignments and countless late nights spent studying, we have made it to the end of the year. It may be gratifying or relieving or even bittersweet.

For seniors, these emotions are magnified. Their four full years at BVN are coming to a close, and the freedom of a life beyond the walls of BVN and their childhood homes lies on the horizon.

Whether it’s university, a gap year or entering the workforce, looking ahead to the next phase of their life has forced many seniors to reflect on their past: their elementary recesses, their middle school experiences that will forever be unnamed and of course, the classes and teachers who have seen them through their K-12 education.

It would be ungenuine to paint the high school experience as completely positive. The trials and tribulations of navigating new relationships, existential crises over grades and mind-numbing stress from an endless stream of activities will not be missed by most

seniors; however, in those memories, it is important to remember the bonds we have formed, the pride we have earned through our hard work and the passions we have discovered in our academic journeys. That which we have experienced will ultimately hold the value we assign it. This is perhaps the most beautiful facet of the high school experience.

Even more than our experiences themselves, it is their impact that we should celebrate. They have made us who we are. For underclassmen, we implore you to accept and embrace both the highs and lows of life as your high school experience continues to unfold.

For seniors, we hope you see how the past four years — from friends and teachers to classes and curricula — have shaped you into the profoundly unique and talented individuals you have become.

While we can’t cover every moment of every senior’s high school experience, a few departing students volunteered the stories of their lasting connections with the BVN staff. And to our immense appreciation, our amazing senior staff members also reflected on their time within rooms 409 and 411. Whether it is through better understanding teacher-

student bonds and curriculum impact, or taking in senior staff members’ observations and advice, we hope the diverse reflections presented throughout this issue resonate with you. Ultimately, high school is incredibly different for all students — it can be the source of fond memories, hard lessons or more likely, a combination of both. Despite BVN’s roughly 1,500 different student experiences, there are a few common emotions, observations and memories that often unite us. We hope you can find parts of your own story in others’ as you read through this issue’s centerfold. High school is messy at times, but maybe the school and the people within it have left as much of an impact on our seniors as they have left on BVN.

Sincerely, The North Star Staff

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 3

NEWS

A.I. is for Academic Integrity With the rise of accessible A.I. chatbots, can schools and students maintain academic integrity in the classroom?

By Alegria Aguilera

E

very single essay, every single homework assignment gets shoved through Turnitin. com. Many tests are passwordprotected, or rely on Lockdown Browser to prevent cheating. Cell phones are taken, notifications get turned off and any technology may be seen as a risk. Enter the newest threat to academic integrity: artificial intelligence.

Though the study and pursuit of artificial intelligence is not new, A.I. has recently become a hot topic of conversation when it comes to education, specifically regarding the potential threat to academic integrity. Lisa Bauman, a gifted program advisor and former English teacher, said that the topic has been seen as a threat for a while.

“I think it’s a little bit scary to think that we can be replaced. How sad for teachers or creative people to feel like they could be replaced,” Bauman said.

Since current plagiarism checkers cannot detect the work of A.I. chatbots like ChatGPT, it becomes easier for students to take advantage of a resource like this to quickly knock out typed writing questions and essays without having to

4 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

do the work. An anonymous freshman pieces of creative writing, articles and, admitted to having used the program once more relevant to academia, complete for an assignment. essays that do not get caught by plagiarism “People only really only cheat when it’s checkers. easier than studying or actually doing their However, ChatGPT has its issues. It work,” they said. does not know things that are more recent To minimize than 2021, and the risks of according to cheating with the University A.I., ChatGPT of Chicago, It’s a natural has been banned “There are byproduct of across Blue Valley no indications technology in school computers that ChatGPT and while on understands general. I don’t Blue Valley the questions think you can have WiFi. These … or what it the good without measures might is producing not completely in answer.” the bad. eliminate the This can lead – Tisya problem, but to blatantly they can reduce false or biased Midha A.I. usage in information. classrooms.

“I think if an ChatGPT is intelligent human a specific A.I. being who is language model which has been trained educated reads what an A.I. wrote, they to answer prompts using text data from all could figure out that it’s not their student’s across the internet. Users can get answers work,” Bauman said. to simple questions, but can also get whole So, that proposes a new question. How

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does the world of education move forward with this new technology? Is this a real threat? According to junior Tisya Midha, the internet in general has made cheating easier.

“I think everything now is online. I hardly get worksheets or paper copies anymore,” Midha said.

In response to the potential threat of this technology, there may be a transition back toward types of assignments with less reliance on technology. According to the New York Times, “Some professors are redesigning their courses entirely, making changes that include more oral exams, group work and handwritten assessments in lieu of typed ones.”

“I think teachers could use it as a tool because I think that people are going to be using it,” Bauman said. “You can’t hide it.

You can’t just deny it’s there.”

These cheating problems are not 100% new. There is other technology that minimizes the amount of work that needs to be done by a student. Apps like

Photomath prevent students from needing to do their math homework. People sell essays that have never been published so that they will not sound the plagiarism alarms. According to Midha, cheating is inevitable.

“It’s a natural byproduct of technology in general,” Midha said. “I don’t think you can have the good without the bad.”

Ultimately, according to Midha, the future of academic integrity relies on honesty, no matter the advancements in technology students have at their fingertips.

“People are clever, [and] they probably cheated back then too. It’s not like it didn’t exist,” Midha said. “But you should just appreciate the education that you’re having, rather than trying to cheat your way out of it.”

CHAT-GPT a guide

Examples: Users can request things like

“Explain the events of WWI to me like I’m a fifth grader.” or

“Write a poem about fear.”

Capabilities Chat-GPT has the capability to

make corrections, remember earlier statements and produce original responses.

Limitations Chat-GPT is incapable of using real soures and knowing

information from after 2021,

Handwritten essays can be a tool for teachers to avoid plagiarism from A.I. chatbots.

and will sometimes provide users with incorrect information.

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 5

NEWS

What goes into the process of banning books and to what extent should book banning be permittted?

By Ella Shafer

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29. This is the number of and buyers to advocate for their right to challenges made last year to library, read what they wanted. Then in 1933, school and university materials The United States v. One Book Called Ulysses nationwide, according to the overturned a previous ban on James American Library Association. Harvard Joyce’s “Ulysses,” creating a new legal University also interpretation found that book of the First banning, while less Amendment likely to make it when it came Literature gives us to the federal level to books. This the ability to step today, has left its interpretation is into someone’s mark on U.S. history. still seen today, Harriet Beecher while books are shoes, to think as Stowe’s “Uncle being challenged they do in really Tom’s Cabin” on a more local was the first book scale. difficult situations, in the U.S. to In Blue Valley, and to ponder what experience a ban books such as we would do ... It’s on a national scale.

“Tom Sawyer,” This occurred in the “Of Mice and like a rehearsal for mid-1800s when the Men,” “To Kill life.

Confederacy banned a Mockingbird,” the book from stores “Adventures of –Shelly Weir due to its proHuckleberry abolitionist agenda, Finn” and “Lords which ignited heated of Discipline” are debates about slavery. no longer taught in classrooms, and many Banning books based on political others have been challenged. How is a viewpoints has occurred throughout book banned from classrooms, and what history. However, in the 1920s, shifts in effect does this have on education? politics and social moral led booksellers “Challenging” a book is the attempt to

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ban a book from a library, school district, institution, organization, government entity, retailer or publisher based on its content. Challenges can either result in the book being banned or be overturned, keeping the book in circulation.

Librarian Abby Cornelius talked about the most recent challenges within the Blue Valley District, and what causes them.

“When people challenge books, it’s because they don’t want anyone to read them, not just their own children,” Cornelius said. “There were four challenges last year. One of [the books] was removed, and the other three were retained because they followed all the policies.”

Schools like those in Blue Valley might choose to not carry a book in their library, a bookseller might refuse to sell a certain book or a library might try to expunge a book from its collection. However, official ordinances and rules that ban books are difficult to enforce on any large scale in the U.S. because of the First Amendment right to free speech and free press. Instead, most challenges and bans occur on a more local level.

If a parent or student wants to challenge a book, there is a policy they must refer to and a form they have to

151

Challenges

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sexually explicit

86

Challenges Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sexually explicit

73

Challenges Reasons: Depiction of sexual abuse, EDI content, sexually explicit

62

Challenges Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sexually explicit

55

Challenges Reasons: Depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, sexually explicit

fill out. The first step is to talk to right to decide that for somebody school principles, where they explain else,” Cornelius said. “If there’s the policy. The challenge can then something you don’t want your kids continue to the district level, where to read, then they don’t have to read a committee of students, teachers, it.” librarians and administrators make Weir said she finds value in a recommendation for the book. If pushing the limits and exploring they are still not satisfied, they can uncomfortable topics in order to stay go to the well-informed school board and avoid which makes misinformation. the ultimate “In the Blue A parent has the full decision.

Valley District, privilege and right “[Books we have fought to say, ‘I don’t want taught in the tooth and nail classroom] to really hone my kid to read that,’ have a the books that but they never committee we are reading that on appropriate have the right to proposes levels,” Weir decide that for them, [with] said. [These somebody else. all kinds of books] allow members a different – Abby that decide perspective.

Cornelius what books They make you make it think differently into the about your classroom and why they were interpretation and broaden your selected,” Cornelius said. “However, knowledge.” at any time, people have control Cornelius agreed on the value of what they read and can opt out of experiencing diverse literature of reading a certain book in class. instead of limiting it.

That’s the beauty of choice.”

“I like to teach that you have English teacher Shelly Weir to think for yourself,” Cornelius described the importance of books in said. “Get as much information as the curriculum as well as free reading you can instead of constricting it, books available in the library. and then decide for yourself what “Literature gives us the ability to your opinion is. Learn and become step into someone’s shoes, to think as knowledgeable so that you’re no they do in really difficult situations longer fearful.” and to ponder what we would do,” Weir said. “It’s like a rehearsal for life.”

According to the American Library Association, the top five reasons books were challenged or banned from libraries in 2022 were sexual content, offensive language, unsuited to age group, religious viewpoint and LGBTQIA+ content.

“I believe that every parent — and I will fight for their right — can object to a novel I’m teaching in my room due to those reasons,” Weir said. “Yet, they do not have the ability to tell someone else’s child that they can or cannot read it.”

Cornelius elaborated on who should be allowed to limit someone’s book selection.

“A parent has the full privilege and right to say, ‘I don’t want my kid to read that,’ but they never have the

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MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 7

NEWS

TICKETMASTER: TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Students share their experience of buying tickets from the controversial Ticketmaster site.

By Stella Ain

“S

he’s a cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers,” Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) quoted during a Senate hearing. The line, a reference to Taylor Swift’s hit “You Belong With Me,” was one of many Swift lyrics used in the Judiciary Committee meeting surrounding Ticketmaster’s handling of ticket sales.

After announcing her “Eras Tour,” Swift alerted eager fans to register for Ticketmaster’s “Verified Fan” presale.

Sign-ups for the presale were available to anyone with a Ticketmaster account, but less than half of the 3.5 million fans who registered received presale codes. “The Lucky One(s)” who did receive codes still weren’t in the clear for purchasing tickets.

According to Ticketmaster, the website received over 3.5 billion total system requests. The ticket-buying site eventually crashed, preventing millions of fans from acquiring tickets to the now sold-out shows. Since Nov. 15, 2022, when tickets for Swift’s shows first went on sale, fans of other artists such as Beyoncé and Morgan

8 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

Wallen, have left empty-handed after attempting to buy concert tickets.

Several students have recently used Ticketmaster’s services to purchase tickets for an event or show. Senior Lakin Hobrock used Ticketmaster in hopes of purchasing tickets to Morgan Wallen’s “One Night at a Time World Tour.”

“I already heard all the bad things about Taylor Swift. So going into it, I was kind of scared,” Hobrock said.

Once Hobrock joined the queue and eventually got the chance to choose her seats, glitches began to occur, impeding the purchase process.

“You got a certain time to get your tickets because Morgan Wallen is in high demand … so once I got my time, I got in [to the system], and every time I clicked on the ticket that I wanted to purchase, the whole site reloaded,” Hobrock said. “I ended up just buying cheaper [tickets for] not very good seats.”

Senior Bethany Wilkie had a frustrating experience with Ticketmaster as well, and said she experienced buyer’s

remorse after purchasing tickets to Swift’s “Eras Tour.” “[My friends and I] waited in line so long to get our tickets. Then we ended up selling them because the people we were going with bought better tickets. So we really didn’t need to wait for that long,” Wilkie said.

While Hobrock was content spending money on the additional fees that came with her tickets, she only considered it reasonable because of her love of Wallen’s music. “[The fees] were like $60 or something for us, which I think is bizarre. I think it’s very unnecessary, but I mean, there’s always fees whenever you buy,” Hobrock said. “I’ll pay more if I listen to them or like them more, rather than just going to a concert just to go.”

Freshman Jameel Ahmed, a selfdescribed “Swiftie,” attempted to buy tickets for Swift’s July 8 show at GEHA Field Arrowhead Stadium. Ahmed had received the “Verified Fan” presale code and proceeded to join Ticketmaster’s

ERAS TOUR BY THE NUMBERS 44 songs

the average number of songs on the show’s setlist

$712-$4,750

range of prices for a ticket to Swift’s July 7 show as shown on StubHub

July 7 and July 8 Swift’s two Kansas City dates for the tour

76,000 seats

the approximate seating capacity of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Left: Photo taken at Swift’s 2018 “Reputation World Tour” concert in Kansas City. queue when the presale started.

“So I get in the queue and instantly it says 2000 plus people [are] in front of me. I was scrolling through TikTok … and I saw a little thing you could do to view [your] spot in line. I was [number] 80,000,” Ahmed said.

After spending approximately five to six hours in the queue, Ahmed’s place in line began to decrease.

“Then instantly, my queue jumps.

And then it goes so fast and I get in to buy tickets,” Ahmed said. “I’m trying to look in the floor, but every floor tickets are gone. [Then I looked] at [the] lower bowl [seats] and then I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s a perfect ticket.’ So I bought the

ticket. Then it said, ‘cannot get ticket.’”

Ahmed then kept attempting to purchase his ticket, but his allotted checkout time ran out, forcing him to rejoin the end of the queue. Hours continued to pass, but eventually, Ahmed was able to purchase a ticket.

Wilkie’s reasoning for spending time and money on her tickets was based on fondness of the artist.

“I love Taylor … she’s one of my favorite artists. So, I feel like I was spending more [on] her but I feel like with any other artist I would not have spent that much,” Wilkie said. “It’s just [based on] how much I like them and how many songs I know.”

Although Ahmed believed his ticket fees were “excessive,” he also justified his purchase with his love for Swift.

“I think the initial pricing [for the tickets] was reasonable, like $499 for that view and for Taylor Swift. But the $100 fees were excessive and not needed,” Ahmed said. “I would [sell] my arm, I would give my kidney [or] liver up for Taylor Swift.”

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 9

FEATURE

THE TECH TAKEDOWN W

By Madi Garrelts

ii, PlayStations, Xboxes, iPads, iPhones — each of these may seem foreign to older generations. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, they have been a part of their entire lives.

Yet some question whether or not it’s healthy for kids to have access to this technology at a young age. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, there can be many concerns for parents when it comes to technology and their children. Sleep problems or less time with family and friends, not enough time outdoors, poor self-image and fear of missing out are just a few examples. Due to these concerns, some parents have taken action.

In Utah, a new bill that would ban social media use between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. for kids under the age of 18 has been proposed. Additionally, this bill would require apps to give access to parents in order to help monitor their children’s use.

Utah isn’t the only state proposing laws to limit the use of social media. Arkansas, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana and New Jersey are all working on similar legislation. For example, last year in California, a law was passed requiring tech companies to protect children’s safety by excluding them from profiling children or using personal information in ways that could harm

10 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

children physically or mentally. that 80% of teens say social media gives Legislators on Capitol Hill are them some level of connection to what proposing a similar bill to ban kids and is going on in their friend’s lives, 71% teens under the age of 16 from using say it’s a place where they can show their social media at all. According to The creativity, 67% say social media reassures Washington Post, Rep. Chris Stewart them that they have people to support wants to them through tough require times and 58% said it companies to makes them feel more There’s a lot of verify users’ accepted. ages and Students at BVN stuff do with allow parents said they feel similarly [social media]. You to sue them about social media if they fail to usage. According use it to socialize, keep kids and to sophomore Will you use it in every teens under Sandage, social media part of your life 16 off their and technology have sites. It would provided him with and it becomes a also help the ability to make necessity at one federal and connections. state agencies “In fourth grade, I point after you to maintain got really into playing continually use it. the standards. video games with Even friends and it was the – Will with all this main thing I used to Sandage support socialize with them,” behind Sandage said. banning Sandage also said social media for kids and teens, others that technology has ultimately become a have benefitted from the usage. necessity in his life.

A 2022 study by CNN shows that “There’s a lot of stuff to do with [social many teens say that their experiences with media]. You use it to socialize, you use it social media are actually much better than in every part of your life and it becomes a what their parents think. The study found necessity at one point after you continually

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use it,” Sandage said.

On the other hand, senior Justyna Hayslett said that she believes having too much technology at a young age would have prevented her from forming the connections she has made.

“My mom really restricted my use of technology at a younger age.

I’m kind of glad because I feel like I would have missed out on other opportunities such as the Science Olympiad,” Hayslett said.

However, Hayslett said she is grateful to be able to have access to technology now. “[Technology] keeps me in touch with other friends and I also have friends in other countries like the Czech Republic. Over the summer I get to see them, but when I’m not in the Czech Republic I really miss them. Although I get to text with them over Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp,” Hayslett said.

According to Hayslett, even with the benefits of technology, there should be some boundaries when it comes to technology and children.

“Kids can get technology at a young age to help keep them occupied sometimes, but I think

restricting [technology use] is beneficial,” Hayslett said. “I don’t think [children] should be given technology when they’re really young though. I think waiting until middle school is a good age. That way you wouldn’t be exposing your kid to some of the bad aspects of social media.”

Sandage disagrees and believes age doesn’t matter, rather, it depends on their situation.

“If you’re an only child, I feel like you would need that form of communication more so you can connect with your parents and all that. Although since I was the second child, I didn’t need [technology] as young because I had my sister to help me communicate,” Sandage said.

“Technology isn’t a horrible thing, plus your parents can control your screen time if they’re worried about it. It really just depends on your situation.”

English teacher Shelley Moran said she believes that maturity is very important when it comes to having social media.

“There are certain things with technology or with screens such as some games or educational type

things that are beneficial. Although what I worry about when it comes to social media is that there are a lot of things that are inappropriate or that are geared more toward adults,” Moran said. “Then there’s teenagers and adolescents that are still developing their brains and maturity who are seeing inappropriate things on social media. I just think that as kids get older and have more maturity and more responsibility, then they can be exposed to those things.”

Moran said that social media exposure has fundamentally changed how children communicate, focus and perform both academically and socially.

“When it comes to teaching English I see it in spelling, and their attention spans and their abilities to really focus and read for extended periods has worsened.

Now everything is short and quick from the way kids text to what they are watching on social media,” Moran said. “I have just seen this huge impact from an educational standpoint on their reading and writing and the ability to focus in class.”

Teens say...

80% of teens say social media provides them connection to their friends 71% of teens say social media is a place to display their creativity 67% of teens say social media reassures them that they have support during a rough time 58% of teens say social media makes them feel more accepted Information from CNN. MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 11

EDITORIAL

Sincerely, the Seniors Senior staff members share their experiences, advice and gratitude one last time.

ELLA SHAFER

ARSHIYA PANT

ABI PATTERSON

ELLA THOMAS

12 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

As I begin to look back on the past 4 years, the memories and friendships I’ve made both in and out of Newspaper always come to the front of my mind. When I first walked into room 411 for 21st Century Journalism, I was a shy and awkward freshman who didn’t know who she was at all or where she was going in life. All I knew was I loved to write. Little did I know, the decision to apply for Newspaper and continue it for the next three years was one of my best decisions. From Leonard the stuffed dinosaur, the wall of shame and watching The Princess

Diaries, the memories we’ve made in this room are unforgettable and irreplaceable. It is surreal to think that I’m leaving it all behind in just a couple of weeks, however, instead of mourning the idea of moving on, I want to embrace those moments and let them lead me into my future.

I want to thank everyone that’s ever stepped foot in the newsroom (including Ella Thomas aka Ella #2) and contributed to the chaotic yet encouraging environment that convinced me to pursue sports journalism and embrace my true self.

After months of essays and applications, I’m still bad with word limits – especially about something as special as The North Star.

Here, I’ve met some of the most wonderful people I know. I’ve had two incredible advisers over three years; Mrs. Manglos and Mrs. Van Wyhe have exemplified how dedication, kindness and grit work together powerfully.

I’ve also had two amazing co-editors-in-chief.

To Caroline (who’s probably busy writing the best paper her professors have ever read) and Lexi (who I’m convinced will save the world in a few years), thank you both for inspiring me, miraculously tolerating my antics and helping

me grow as a person and journalist. To the staff, each of you are uniquely thoughtful, funny and talented. Thanks for everything – this publication wouldn’t be what it is without you, and I wouldn’t either.

Some say journalism is the lifeblood of democracy, the keystone of our political modus operandi. However, scholastic news teaches that journalism is also the lifeblood of humanity.

My time on staff let me encourage people to empathize with others’ stories. For this, I am most grateful.

So much to say, so little time. With love and gratitude, thank you.

At the end of my sophomore year, I vividly remember cornering Mrs. Manglos in the 300 hall asking if there was any way I could join the North Star staff. Little did I know, that would be one of the best decisions I had made throughout my high school career. Although I have had a different experience than the rest of my North Star peers, being in second hour with the yearbook folk, I have never felt like an outcast. We all have something that bonds

us all, our love for journalism and writing. As my time with the North Star comes to an end, I would like to thank both Mrs. Manglos and Mrs. Van Whye for developing me not only as a writer and journalist but also as a young adult.

I have so much gratitude for the friendships and memories that I have made throughout my time in room 409. Lastly, to Calla, thank you for being my podcast partner in crime and bringing a happy presence to each episode.

When I first joined Newspaper I was a shy sophomore separated by a zoom screen with a lack of social skills. When we made it back into the classroom at the end of the year, I was amazed by my classmates’ banter. One day, I decided to chip in. I told the class about an equestrian scandal where a famous trainer was caught giving her competition horses cocaine.

From that point forward I was known as horse cocaine girl.

The cocaine story was the first of many that sparked conversation, laughter and debate in

room 411. Ella Shafer and I argued over who was Ella #1 (it’s me, I’m Ella #1) and Max Wolf and I played hand tennis until my hands turned bright red.

All of this transferred to my personal life where I learned how to be the brightest and best version of myself. Coming out of my shell and becoming involved in school were the hardest parts of high school (that and math class). I am so grateful for The North Star and the opportunity it gave me to become the brave and curious journalist I am today.

JESSICA ASSAFEEN

Whoever said junior year is the hardest year, they lied. Senior year is by far the hardest school year I’ve ever been through. Between struggling with calculus equations and staying up all night to write essays, I forgot to prioritize myself. But my biggest regret about school was not joining the newspaper staff sooner. I’m lucky enough to have joined the newspaper team for my senior year and it was exactly what I needed. I encourage everyone to join the publication team if you’re given the opportunity. The people I got to meet and get closer to were always

there for me and will forever have a special place in my heart. I realized that I really enjoy journalism and plan to minor in it at UMKC next year. So just remember to take risks and chances when they’re given to you and although high school might not be very fun now, enjoy it while it lasts. As the greatest music artist of all time once said, “If you have the opportunity to play this game called life, you have to appreciate every moment. A lot of people don’t appreciate their moment until it’s passed.”

AUDREY KOHNEN I spent the first years of high school unsure of who I was and where I wanted to be in life.

I am overwhelmed with pride and am very grateful that I had the opportunity to know all of the amazing people I have connected with over these four years. I’ve had so many amazing teachers who have helped me along my path of growth and development. I need to say thank you to the ones who have made me the person I am today and pushed me to succeed. People come and go, and some might not reflect the

CALLA JORDAN

best memories, but it’s the way you take that experience that has the strongest impact. Many of my mentors taught what it means to be not only an open-minded student, but also a good person. My time on Newspaper has opened my eyes to the amazing community that has grown in room 411. I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life with more confidence in myself and who I am.

I first joined newspaper in hopes of expanding my knowledge of journalism and media. Prior to this class, I had no experience or expectations of what journalism was.

Although I was in constant fear of last year’s web editors of The North Star, I enjoyed the thrill of scoping out stories and giving new perspectives on topics both familiar and foreign.

At the beginning of junior year, I could barely speak in front of this class, but as time went on, I connected with my peers through our shared passion of journalism. Each and every one of

us yearned to better the publication as well as our abilities. Looking back on these past two years, there is nothing I am more thankful for than joining this publication. This class has given me hope for a future in journalism and determination to continue doing what I love.

Although I don’t necessarily know where I am headed next year quite yet, I am so grateful for all of the preparation and support I have received throughout these years. I can’t wait to see what all of the continuing staff members accomplish!

When I think back on my high school years, I will be overwhelmed with happy memories from room 409. The first time I walked in for yearbook class was both exciting and scary.

However, I shortly learned I found my place at BVN. I had fallen in love with journalism.

Whether it was taking sports photos, getting an interview or designing a page, I was doing what I love.

I would like to say thank you to Mrs.

Manglos and Mrs. Van Wyhe for showing me unconditional support and pushing me to be the best version of myself. Thank you to the Northern Light staff and the North Star staff for sharing so many laughs with me. Thank you to Addie for inspiring me to apply for the yearbook staff and my parents for always supporting me.

I will forever be grateful for my time on the publications staff. Thank you.

Having a blank piece of paper is always intimidating to fill, but especially when you’re supposed to cram an entire education’s worth of experiences into it… and when you talk a lot. Probably why I joined Newspaper. I’ve lived many lives just at the age of eighteen, and I couldn’t be more grateful for anyone who’s been a part of it. Throughout this, I’ve learned an important lesson. There really isn’t one. Like, anyone who has said you need to endure struggle in order to be your best self was a big liar. Absolutely, it is so important to

overcome obstacles, but you don’t need to wait for something bad to happen to be your best self. You can literally choose to start fresh any second. That means now. Stop reading this. If there’s any advice I have for underclassmen, it’s to literally do whatever makes you happiest.

One less AP class may be the defining factor for your well being. I’m not saying to stop doing your homework, but I am saying you’re more important than the education system. At the end of the day, your transcript doesn’t matter, but your story does.

KELSEY CHELLBERG

MADISYN STOGSDILL

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 13

FEATURE

NORTH OF LIFE CH A NG ING 14 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

Students often debate whether school curriculum and teachers are positively impacting their life.

What will BVN seniors takeaway from their four-year experience?

By Jessica Assafeen, Alex Robertson

T

here are over 15 million high school students in the U.S. A survey conducted in 2017 by “The 74” revealed that 54% of these students don’t feel their studies are relevant to their future career paths.

This means that more than eight million students are uninterested in their school’s required classes. Despite some students’ sentiments that certain classes of the Blue Valley curriculum may not directly relate to their passions, many have still learned important lessons from their classes, teachers and peers.

The class of 2023 has experienced plot twists during their four years of high school. Unlike other classes, the seniors adjusted to COVID-19 circumstances during their freshman year. Since then, they’ve undergone countless changes in their learning paths, from quarantining for over a year to coming back to in-person classes for their junior and senior years. As the class of 2023 approaches graduation, teachers and students reflected on the footprint they’ve left on each other’s lives in such a short amount of time.

Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Kelli Kurle has worked with student athletes for years; however, she said the class of 2023 has stood out to her because they have experienced many ups and downs in a short amount of time, and that she appreciates their positivity.

“These are our COVID kids that we had to retrain. Like [showing them] this is how we do stuff, this is how we do games and they’ve been so positive this year,” Kurle said.

Other faculty, such as Librarian Abby Cornelius, have left an impactful mark on students of all ages. Cornelius is admired by many students for being their support when they most needed it. Sophomore Lana Barefield said she formed a valuable teacher-student relationship with Cornelius and admires her kindness towards everyone.

“She made it really nice to have someone that I can go to and just talk about anything. She’s very supportive and caring, and she’ll give you really good advice,” Barefield said.

Instead of just helping students find books, Cornelius views her role as teaching students lessons that they can use in the future. Moreover, she said she

encourages students to begin forming their that helps them grow. Students are always own opinions and expanding their mindset impacting teachers and the way that they to consider others. teach their students, but longer length “We are teachers and our job is to classes have a more profound effect. teach library curriculum. What [that] boils “I’m honest with [the students]; they’re down to is having to think for yourself,” honest with me,” O’Connell said. “They Cornelius said. “So my impact on students make me think of myself as a teacher a is not the things little differently.” you need to know, Coaches are in but also how a similar position I learned that to depend on as these long-term yourself for finding teachers. Senior behavior is not an information …

Archer Nolan said indicator of who [and] deciding coaches often see you are, it’s an what you think students grow both about the world.” as athletes and as indicator of what Cornelius people. According happened to you … strives to teach to Nolan, “[Coach The question isn’t students valuable Wassinger] helped life lessons, and me get to where I ‘what’s wrong with also pays close want to be.” you?’ The question attention to their Classes such as is ‘what happened experiences.

AVID give students From her work and teachers the to you?’” with high school same opportunity – Abby students of various to bond with Cornelius backgrounds, students through Cornelius has seeing them grow learned a few and achieve new lessons herself. goals. “[The students] share their stories “I build relationships with those with me. I learned that behavior is not students that are more along the lines of a an indicator of who you are, it’s an coach than a teacher,” O’Connell said. indicator of what happened to you … The While teachers can have a profound question isn’t ‘what’s wrong with you?’ impact on students, so can the curricula The question is ‘what happened to you?’” they teach. Students felt the positive Cornelius said. “Your behavior is probably impact of classes that helped prepare an exact reflection of what happened to them for their future. Personal Finance is you and what you’re coping and dealing a class that teaches students the financial with, not who you are.” skills they need to succeed once they leave Based on student responses to a poll on North. Nolan credited personal finance @bvnnews on Instagram, it seemed that with helping him prepare for his future. teachers who had the opportunity to work “The knowledge that Mrs. Gossick with the same students for more than one gave us about how to do our tax forms year had a greater impact on students. and how to pay insurance — I’m most According to Senior AVID advisor likely going to use that more after high Laura O’Connell, she recognizes and school [than other classes],” Nolan said. appreciates the unique opportunity that Personal Finance teacher Mike Hilbert AVID students have to build relationships said the class teaches optimization and with one another and her. allows for real-life applications.

“It’s very unique in that those students “Personal Finance is all about how to are in one room together for four years be successful with money,” Hilbert said. with that same teacher,” O’Connell said.

“So that four years from now, you’ll have Classes like AVID, with student and more money than you do now.” teacher continuity, not only positively While some students find general impact students, but also give teachers the knowledge — like that taught in Personal opportunity to receive honest feedback Finance — helpful, many turn to career-

“

“

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 15

Page 14: Minderman and Nolan dress up for their senior photos. Photos by Rolland Studios.

Left: Ginger Minderman checks outs a customer at The Stampede. Photo by Alex Robertson.

specific classes.

The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) gives juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore an array of career paths. Some of the most popular branches include law and health. The CAPS health strand gives students the chance to try a multitude of health-related career paths in classes such as Sports Medicine and Nursing, as well as more generalized exploration in Foundations of Medicine, which senior Rithvik Tadakamalla takes.

“In school you have to follow a curriculum, and it’s not self-learning,” Tadakamalla said.

A Harvard study found that students in classes that employ active learning, compared to a lecture, learn better. These classes started with students problem solving and collaborating with peers over new material. This collaboration was followed by a short, targeted lecture. The problem-solving and collaboration style is more conducive to learning, and students

16 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

a sense of progression toward their life goals.

“CAPS has helped me explore the field I want to be in,” Tadakamalla said.

This combination of active learning and interest-based commitment creates an environment that cultivates student success. Students enrolled in classes that challenge conventional learning methods and address topics of interest or practicality said they feel a greater positive impact. These classes, such as School Store, give seniors the opportunity to improve their leadership skills and guide underclassmen and class initiatives. In School Store specifically, seniors have the ability to earn managerial roles and lead a specialty line. Novelty line manager and senior Ginger Minderman said managers lead a team of students, ranging from sophomores to seniors, to run the store smoothly.

“We’re kind of like home bases for each line,” Minderman said. “Everyone else comes to us.”

Leadership opportunities, like manager positions, allow seniors to gain real-world, hands-on experience before graduating.

While these classes are impactful for seniors, they also allow seniors to impact BVN. Managers in School Store help saw better results. Many popular classes at choose their successors each year as well BVN implement such teaching styles. as teach underclassmen how to continue “There were more activities and group running the store. Minderman has been work instead of just note taking,” Nolan working to prepare materials for next year. said. “It was pretty “We are interactive which is compiling notes why I got more out of and powerpoints In school you [Personal Finance].” right now to While it’s not have to follow a give and pass uncommon to find down about curriculum, and it’s this teaching style in protocol and how not self-learning. a classroom, it is a things work,” fundamental principle Minderman said.

– Rithvik at CAPS. CAPS Mentoring Tadakamalla aims to help students and leading “realize their strengths underclassmen and passions,” will help to according to its website, by exploring new continue the seniors’ legacy. While areas of interest as well as diving deeper the senior class of 2023 will soon be into fields for the future. Students at CAPS graduating, both the impact they left on are given the opportunity to learn in an the BVN community and the impact the unconventional setting about topics that BVN community has had on them will matter to them. When deciding to enroll remain for years to come. in CAPS, students choose classes that spark their interest as well as give them

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BVN’s Most Impactful ...

Class

*of 69 students polled on @bvnnews on Instagram.

Teacher

*of 38 students polled on @bvnnews on Instagram.

Abby Cornelius assists a student with their assignment during a library lesson. Photo by Jessica Assafeen.

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 17

FEATURE

MUSTANGS ACROSS

THE MAP

Numbers represent the amount of students pursuing post-graduation plans in a certain state.

18 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

KANSAS

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Sydney Adams Disha Ahuja Jack Allen Jack Alverson Jessica Assafeen Julia Ballew A’Taya Benson Will Bernard Jessica Bishop Abby Bleish Rachel Braun Luke Brethour Charlie Brethour Hudson Brown Miller Brown Paige Browning Louise Caron Celina Caron Shrey Chaturvedi Muhammad Daud Henry Day Henry Edgeller Harlan Eitzmann Brady Fisher Ava Fox Shelby Gartner Abby Gold Katherine Goodwin Cooper Graham Nakisha Guzman Mohamad Hamdan Libby Hatton Justyna Hayslett Luna Hill Aneesh Hiremath Caleigh House Gabriella Indiveri Senara Kularatne Aiden Klieve Audrey Kohnen Katherine Koplik Lida Martin Reece May Courtney McCray Andrew Meierotto Meranda Mercer Patty Morales Alexa Olmos Zane Park Audrey Patterson Lily Ren Nash Rosado Zachary Rostberg Aarjo Roy Zach Sand Jameson Sayers Ella Schenk Jacob Schneller Michelle Shin Sakthivel Sivasubramanian Maia Sol Nathaniel Sovereign Caden Stark Sean Sullivan Sam Sullivan Nabihah Syed Drew Tasset Elie Textor Dominic Thompson Will Wallace Davis Wetmore Brooklyn Wisdom

Naima Wishom-Lucas Johnson County Community College Fares Assaad Madox Bond Brandon Castro-Guzman Grace Caswell Adrien Fiegl Pablo Flores-Fierro Brenden Gantman Steven Golfinopoulos Isabel Hernandez Bijon James Atticus Jones Ethan Jones Mason Jordan Gabriella Kern Estephania Luna Parker Maher Lakshmi Sindhura Marella Asher Mathews Alexa Medina Jackson Mulligan Molly Ramsey Cooper Reed Bradley Robertson Mark Roth Amadou Sow Tommy Storm Antonia Swenson Lauren Tolman Will Tongier Henry Vaupell Alexis Venable Jake Williams KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Supriya Bolla Addison Brandau Kelsey Chellberg Emma Gaebler Agam Gur-Esh Hayden Hartsell Sophia Hernandez Tilly Hopkins Joe Hudson Drew Jacobi Brynna MacAdam Izzy Miller Joey Presley Kadin Ruble Jeffrey Veltri EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY Staysha Ellinger Eva Marie Girard Alden Mollerus Gabe Tywater PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY Matthew Akridge Rhett Dice Parker Field Blake Garrett Cameron King Drew Nugent

MISSOURI

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY Reed Eason Sophie Flamm

Mohammad Jarrad Ayden Miguel Katy Nguyen Mae Tuschman UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI Dalton Barnes Caroline Lieberman Max McConnell McKinley Van Slyke Charlie Weber KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE Natalie Blood Emma Carr Allyson DuVall ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY Jackson Goldberg Archer Nolen Stella Scoggin WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, ST. LOUIS Rahul Chavali Asher Kort WESTMINSTER COLLEGE Richard DeCola Marley Velasquez MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY Andrew Savoy MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY Makei Washington UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI Alexander Perez TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY Merritt Gregory

ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS Grace Bryan Nora Carlsen Nicholas Hayob Lakin Hobrock Maya Ivkovic Taylor Miller Naomi Roening Ava Ryan Cara Spratlin Bethany Wilkie UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS -FORT SMITH Sophia McIntyre

ARIZONA

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA Alec Bauer Cole Bauer Kaitlyn Garberg Kate Miller Ginger Minderman Sally Mondry Emma Razi ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY Gabriel Kudi

Starlee Smith NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY Reese Condon

ILLINOIS DEPAUL

UNIVERSITY Ellie Goldberg Cassandra Pyle Kakie Vrana NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Hannah Kwak Oliver Zhang BRADLEY UNIVERSITY Ella Shafer LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO Abi Patterson QUINCY UNIVERSITY John Sjoberg

TEXAS

SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY Katherine Hutchison Alex Srivastava Harris Wilson TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Devereaux Knight Ella Thomas Tate Wichman SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE Timothy Pruitt UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON Liza Zheng

CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY Hannah Ouang STANFORD UNIVERSITY David Stutz UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIABERKELEY Prabhav Pagadala UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE Austin Lo UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES Michael Mayo UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO Calla Jordan

IOWA

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY Alex Bellm Alana Campbell

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA Alonzo Morgan Walker Schmidt DRAKE UNIVERSITY CJ Smith

NEBRASKA

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA Elton Eshleman John Fischbach Katherine Heese Leah Helfer-Ross Charlie Mathews Laken Riekhof Ava Turk

FLORIDA

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY Caroline Welhoelter UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA Jaxon Goldberg UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA Aaron Beam

INDIANA INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON Preetish Chigurukota Brenden Wood PURDUE UNIVERSITY Jaren Khiew UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA Audrey Fendler

MICHIGAN

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Matthew Fisher Sanvika Inturi Joe Thummel

NEW YORK

CORNELL UNIVERSITY Kayoko Thornton NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN Kayla Suazo NEW YORK UNIVERSITY Eric Garretson

OHIO

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Nathan Bronson Nolan Call UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI Caitlyn Choal

PENNSYLVANIA CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY Johnathan Subramanian

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 19

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY Paige Brown UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Rima Chavali

TENNESSEE

BELMONT UNIVERSITY Carson Faros Riley McConnell VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY Aneesh Vasamreddy

OTHER STATES

ALABAMA AUBURN UNIVERSITY Trent Damico UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA MacKenzie Thorpe COLORADO COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY Anna Zmijewski UNIVERSITY OF

COLORADO Harrison Smith GEORGIA SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Ben Fine UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA Meghan Coleman HAWAII CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU Meghan Coleman LOUISIANA LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY Trenton Sandler TULANE UNIVERSITY Rithvik Tadakamalla MASSACHUSSETTS HARVARD UNIVERSITY Luke Chen Lizzie Place MARYLAND MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Zoe Thomason MINNESOTA

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Max Blinn MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI Ellie Shertenlieb NORTH CAROLINA HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY Sumner Dowdy NORTH CAROLINA A & T Ella Riley NEW HAMPSHIRE DARTMOUTH COLLEGE Joy Yan NEW MEXICO NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY Adam Parks SOUTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA Ellie Hargens SOUTH DAKOTA AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY Madisyn Stogsdill UTAH

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY Kelehua Brown VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA Arshiya Pant WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Ben Jordan WISCONSIN MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY Sophia Cherafat UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

Zachary Amsterdam

Maryam Zeb

FRANCE

ST FELIX-LA SALLE Gabi Tiberghien

DENMARK

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN Mariana Lopes

BELGIUM

SAINT-LOUIS UNIVERSITY Alice de Dorlodot

OTHER PATHS Mallory Bowers Morgan Yoakum Tommy Storm

MILITARY

INTERNATIONAL ITALY

Mark Brackett Beckham Fancher Cooper Reed

CANADA

Micah Broekhuizen Matthew Peng Wes Trotter

ISTITUTO PREALPI Alessandra Adriani UNIVERSITY OF PADUA Elisa Veneri UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

UNDECIDED

All seniors were notified of this survey. Unfortunately, not all were able to respond. This data is representative of 281 seniors who responded, or were able to provide further information upon contact.

By Ella Thomas and Ella Shafer

YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION FRIDAY MAY 12 PICK-UP LOCATIONS:

seniors-senior picnic underclassmen-new aux gym

FEATURE

From rodents to substitue stories, students share the inside scoop on the secrets of BVN.

By Madisyn Stogsdill

W

ith graduation spread through text rather than approaching, some whispers in the hallway. students are reflecting “Fight Club was already so upon their high school unknown, [and] the pandemic hid it experiences: the classes they took, the even more,” they said. teachers they had and the rumors they Although some older rumors have heard. These whispers often only reach died out and been put to rest, new a certain audience, consequentially anecdotes continue to emerge. A recent remaining unknown to others. What account revolves around a substitute are these BVN myths and conspiracies, teacher writing on a Smartboard with and how have an Expo marker. A they affected student in the certain students’ class at the time, If you’ve heard experiences? junior Caleb stories, it’s An Deng, said he anonymous felt shocked. mostly from source talked “We had upperclassmen about how one a sub, and he or people who of the oldest wouldn’t really secrets, Fight talk to us … have already Club, began at and then he graduated. Since BVN. started writing the organization “Fight the password to Club started the test on the did out as soon as way before my Smartboard.

COVID hit, nobody attendance here We were telling really talks about it at North,” they him to stop, said. “If you’ve but then he anymore. heard stories, kept on writing – Anonymous it’s mostly from in permanent upperclassmen marker,” Deng or people said. “Then I that have already graduated. Since was trying to erase it at the end of class the organization died out as soon as to be like a good person, but it was just COVID hit, nobody really talks about smearing everywhere.” it anymore.”

Senior Allyson DuVall offered Since the pandemic disrupted large another anecdotal experience. gatherings of students, communication “We’ve been having a mouse relied on technology. Rumors were problem in the 600 hallways

“

specifically, and we would hear them everyday and see them scurrying around. They were falling from ceilings,” DuVall said. “I was in the classroom next door to where the rat fell, heard the screaming and walked in to see a girl pick it up. She picked up the mouse [and] it bit her. She had to go to the nurse.”

Yet rodent-related myths also exist outside of the 600 hallway.

“It’s funny, we have a mouse problem because there’s this painting in the [theatre] shop. It’s called the Red Rat. The whole myth around it is if you touch it, something will go wrong in a show or something,” DuVall said. “We’ve had people touch it and then the power won’t turn on or we have to close school because of snow and miss a performance.”

Though rumors can often lose meaning as they are spread through the student body, these whispers allow students to bond over a shared knowledge of their school’s culture, events and stories.

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21 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

FEATURE

On the

Flip Side

The BVN student body is comprised of introverted and extroverted students, which has an effect on the energy and relationships of students on a daily basis.

S

By Emmett Abar ocial classifications can be determined by a person’s social limit and the rate it takes them to recharge. Extroverts and introverts are commonly used to differentiate these two types.

Senior Ellie Textor considers herself more extroverted and said that being socially active helps her get through the school day.

“I love being with people constantly and I want to be around people all the time,” Textor said. “I have to put up boundaries on being solo when it comes to working in class and doing homework because if I’m in a group, I tend to get off topic.”

Although Textor needs daily social interaction, she said it can still drain energy from her social battery. She said she reserves time on weekends to recharge for the school week.

“Throughout the weekdays, I’m super social because of school and my constant extracurriculars,” Textor said. “However, on the weekends, like Sunday, that’s my time to recharge, and I don’t usually hang out with people. I usually just spend time with family.”

22 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

Textor said her relationships are affected by others’ social batteries, as she has to balance the varying amounts of social stimulation her friends and family need.

“Especially with my brother, he likes alone time … so I have to respect his boundaries, whether he says, ‘Can you leave me alone in my room?’ or ‘I don’t really want to hang out right now, can we do something later?’” Textor said. “I have to respect their boundaries because that’s what I’d want them to do for me, so I keep that in mind.”

Textor said the best way to navigate her friendships with introverts is to establish boundaries to measure how much alone time her friends need.

“I have a couple of friends who are more on the introverted side, and just like with my brother, I have to respect their boundaries,” Textor said. “I can’t expect them to hang out with me throughout the whole day; I know they need their own time.”

Textor has also noticed a correlation between BVN’s social scene and how introverts’ needs can hinder social opportunities.

“I feel like if you’re more extroverted, you have more opportunities to be invited to more things just because they’re around a lot more people,” Textor said. “And for some people who are introverted, they can feel excluded just because instead of spending time with others, like extroverts, introverts are spending time alone.”

Although extroverts need social interaction, being social can still be draining for extroverts. Like introverts, they may also need time to recharge.

“Sometimes people think that extroverts don’t need time to recharge or don’t get overwhelmed, but in certain situations, I’m the type of person who can get overwhelmed easily,” Textor said.

“Extroverts need their own alone time, same as introverts, but I feel like extroverts are able to recharge their social batteries faster, versus introverts who need more alone time.”

In contrast to extroverts, students like junior Karen Kim may need more time to recharge their social batteries. This may make school a challenge as the forced time commitments can affect introverts’ routines and other aspects of their lives.

“I’m more introverted because I

genuinely have to have time by myself, day of the week,” Kim said. “I also don’t otherwise I get really cranky and like to go to extremely crowded places, annoyed,” Kim said. “I dread school so I typically hang out with my friends by because I have to socialize with people, going shopping or to a coffee shop, rather and I just don’t want to.” than [to] concerts or amusement parks.”

Social aspects aren’t the only challenge According to Kim, BVN is a more introverts find at social community, school; they also which isn’t helpful face prioritizing for introverts who Sometimes people work over their shy away from the time to recharge, emphasis on social think that extroverts which can interaction. don’t need time to make it difficult “My personal recharge or don’t for them to observation is that stay energized a lot of people get overwhelmed, throughout the [at BVN] really but in certain day. enjoy socializing situations, I’m the “I’m taking with other people. three AP classes Typically when I type of person right now which get moved to a new who can get makes it difficult table or something, overwhelmed easily. to socialize, another person which isn’t bad is usually the first – Ellie for me, but at the person who tries Textor same time, it also talking,” Kim said. makes it harder “Especially with for me to actually what I see on social recharge on my own,” Kim said. media, I feel like Blue Valley North kids Kim has found that her extroverted really just like hanging out and going out friends have been understanding about with friends a lot.” what she needs to operate, and try to Even though Kim believes BVN to be accommodate her social battery. more extroverted, she still thinks that more “A lot of my friends are extroverted. people are introverted than it may seem.

They kind of understand that I can’t or “I’ve met people who are more like don’t really want to hang out every single me, where we’ll reserve an entire day just

“

“

to recharge, and I’ve met other people who need to consistently hang out with their friends otherwise they don’t feel their best,” Kim said.

Even though Kim enjoys social events, she has learned to consider how going out might affect her emotionally.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I value that alone time, which I know some people don’t like because they can overthink things while they’re alone,” Kim said. “But on the other hand, my social battery drains immediately. For example, for Homecoming, I didn’t even go to an afterparty, but I woke up the next day and I was like, ‘I can’t even do school this week.’”

Kim said that she believes that not all introverts are against being social, but that they just use more energy to do so, which makes them hesitant to socialize.

“I’ve met a lot of social introverts, especially at North, because I think there’s a misconception where if you’re extroverted you’re super social, and if you’re introverted, you’re antisocial, but you definitely can be a social person and still be an introvert,” Kim said. “Being an introvert technically only means you need time to recharge by yourself … I think it’s definitely possible for someone to have a loud personality and still need time to recharge by themself.”

Introverts

Extroverts

Time Needed to Recharge: longer Battery Efficiency: low Takes the Most Energy: social interactions Activities to Recharge: watching movies, reading a book and other individual activities How to be a Friend to an Introvert: respect social boundaries

Time Needed to Recharge: shorter Battery Efficiency: high Takes the Most Energy: social interactions Activities to Recharge: hanging out with close friends or family and individual activities How to be a Friend to an Extrovert: respect social boundaries * Information collected from interviews

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 23

FEATURE

A GREEN THUMBS UP Why and how students should take part in gardening.

By Bennett Palmer

S

ince 2015, April has been National Gardening Month.

This is a time when all Americans are encouraged to get outside and take part in this peaceful pastime. Gardens are not only a relaxing space, but also a useful and welcoming area for bees, butterflies and several species of birds. These spaces serve an environmentallyfriendly purpose as well, as plants act as effective aircleaners and absorbers of carbon dioxide and pollutants,

while releasing oxygen and pleasant scents.

A garden is something that many often have trouble starting or maintaining, especially students. Many students are interested in gardening, however there seems to be little time in their busy schedules. There are plenty of misconceptions about gardening; ‘it takes up too much time’, ‘it’s difficult to maintain’ and ‘the product is not worth the effort.’ Are there any truths in these misconceptions?

1. Pick a Good Spot and Clear the Ground There are plenty of spots to start a garden around your house — whether it be in your backyard, front yard or even a porch or patio. Avoid lowlying (near sea-level) areas. Plant roots need oxygen, and vegetables are particularly sensitive to being submerged. If your bed is raised, place newspaper or cardboard under the coil to separate the soil.

2. Test and Improve Soil A forgotten process in starting a garden is testing the soil. For better results, visit a lab to get soil tested. To test at home, place 2 tablespoons of soil in the bowl and add ½ cup vinegar. If it fizzes, it is alkaline soil, which is more difficult to cultivate in. Add more compost to alkaline soil, so plants will not have to adapt to conditions that come with it and acidic soil.

6. Harvest Now for the final step (and the most fun)!

Harvesting is only possible if one checks daily.

Once the crops are ready to be harvested, remember two vital things: pick small and be very gentle. Always watch when stepping, as destroying or damaging a crop would ruin any progress you’ve made thus far. For specific plants, harvesting instructions can be found on the seed packet itself or are easily available online.

5. Thin Out the Garden While this step contains a healthy amount of tedium, thinning out a garden is one of the most beneficial and necessary steps. Use garden snips or scissors to thin out crowded seedlings.

When the first true leaves appear, snip off the extra seedlings at the soil line.

4. Plant Seeds and Water Regularly There are a few methods to planting seeds (there are usually instructions on the seed packet you buy), but this will explain the trough method.

Using two fingers, dig a very shallow trench.

Sprinkle the seeds lightly and evenly along the length of the trench, then gently push a thin layer of soil over the seeds to close up the trench that was just dug. When first planting your seeds, be generous with water spray, although when regularly watering plants, focus more on the base of the plant. Avoid spraying the leaves of plants.

3. Prepare a Planting Bed Work a 2-3 inch layer of compost into the soil with a shovel. Smooth the surface so that it is ready to sustain the plant when the weather is appropriate.

What do I plant?

1

2

3

4

1. Cauliflower 2. Arugala

5

6

7

3. Cabbage 4. Spinach

5. Onion 6. Sow Peas

7. Kale

24 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

If you’re struggling with deciding on what to plant in your garden, here are some common and easy-to-manage veggies you can try out!

All of these vegetables can be planted during the spring, and can be incorporated into multiple springtime recipes.

FEATURE

BRINGING THE

OUTSIDE IN BVN community members discuss the effects of indoor plants.

By Kelsey Chellberg

S

cience teacher Christopher Ollig’s McIntyre had two live plants and five classroom includes three windows, fake plants indoors. She put the plants eight lab tables, four class pets, in her room during the COVID-19 sixteen tables for students and six pandemic, when she spent an increased indoor plants. Senior Sophia McIntyre has amount of time inside. a room full of greenery. From teachers to “I do like my plants, and I think they students, whether in the classroom or at add a good aura to my room,” McIntyre home, many people grow and maintain said. plants. What is the value of this hobby?

In addition to increasing humidity Ollig said he likes having plants levels, indoor plants can increase inside his classroom and suggested every productivity and positive feelings in teacher should have a plant in their own humans. classroom, but acknowledged not every “I think plants not only help with air teacher can. quality, which is good — it helps keep “I think it’s hard because a lot of the air clean and oxygenated which is classrooms don’t have windows, but I’ve obviously good — but I think it also got plants shoved in every window that we impacts people’s emotional well-being,” have here,” Ollig said.

Ollig said. “I think it increases emotional According to a well-being when Washington State plants are in the University study, classroom.”

[Plants] just “What are the Ollig also add to the Benefits of Plants said he enjoyed atmosphere. It Indoors and Why do having plants in we Respond Positively his classroom makes it feel more to Them?”, one of for the overall comfortable and the ways plants affect atmosphere. brings stress humans is through “[Plants] the physical changes just add to the levels down. I that plants cause in atmosphere. It think and I hope it their surroundings. makes it feel more does anyway.

Foliage and plants comfortable and can increase humidity brings stress levels – Christopher levels to healthier and down. I think and Ollig more comfortable I hope it does levels indoors. The anyway,” Ollig study reported that said. the humidity level was raised from 25% Along with McIntyre and Ollig, to 30% with plants present, which keeps multiple students at BVN have shown off humidity in the recommended 30% to their indoor plant collections.

60% range.

“I have several students who have McIntyre said she noticed a difference shown me their house plant collections, in air quality and brightness after and they’ve got me beat. I have a lot of starting to put plants and greenery in her house plants but some of my students just bedroom. have amazing collections,” Ollig said.

“Plants are a nice way to add a Indoor plants helped keep air clean, brightness to your room. It makes the regulate humidity levels and boosted air feel cleaner. It makes you feel better,” emotional well-being. McIntyre said each McIntyre said. student “should have a plant.”

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25 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

FEATURE

MEDIA VS. REALITY

High School is a popular topic in movies and TV, but how accurately is it portrayed?

By Ruby Bierman

F

ootball games, school dances, assemblies and … singing on tables? For decades, American media has created a stereotype of the high school experience. Whether it’s a knee-slapper novel or a moving comingof-age film, media often explores the ins and outs of American high school. But how real is it all?

From “Victorious” to “Shake it Off” to “Bella and the Bulldogs”, students grew up on a variety of media featuring different versions of what American high school would supposedly look like. According to junior Amelia Law, expectations don’t always fit the reality.

“A month before I moved here, on the plane to the U.S., I watched ‘Mean Girls’.

I essentially based my entire perception of the high school experience off that movie alone. It was interesting first walking in the school because it’s like, ‘Oh my God, I feel like I’m watching a movie set. This is crazy,’” Law said. “‘[There are] actual lockers? What on earth is going on?’ And then everyone’s in sweatpants. That was unexpected. Everyone is in sweats.”

Even seeing common activities and sports such as cheerleading on TV and in movies shaped the way Law expected high school to be.

“Cheerleaders were fascinating. For the longest time, I genuinely thought that they weren’t real. I thought they were just Disney propaganda,” Law said. “How is it believable? You have a bunch of girls doing gymnastics at a side on the track during a football game. I thought it was just another way for Disney to make high

26 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

school look appealing.”

Besides the inclusion of realistic high school experiences, such as cheerleading, media often includes common stereotypes in stories centered around high schools.

School cliques portrayed in media are one thing TV and movies get right, according to senior Tilly Hopkins.

“I feel like when you watch a lot of TV shows [and] movies, you see how everyone’s involved in different cliques.

Especially [in] ‘Bratz’, it gets really cliquey because of the cheerleaders,” Hopkins said.

In addition to cliques, senior Eliza Veneri said media correctly portrays the relationship between students and their teachers.

“The one with the teachers … You’re really friends with them or when you maybe make fun of them in a good way.

That’s funny because even to my teacher [in Italy] I didn’t say, ‘How was your weekend?’ which is odd because it’s a normal thing,” Veneri said.

Hopkins said there were also some glaring differences between what she saw on screen and what she experienced.

“If you’ve watched ‘Victorious’, you see how colorful it is and it’s portrayed as a really happy environment. And then you come to a normal school and … [there] tends to be like three solid colors, and the environment [at BVN] is just not like that,” Hopkins said.

Law grew up in Hong Kong and finds a disconnect between what she saw on screen and what she sees at school.

“It’s much more social than I thought

it’d be. Honestly, it plays pretty well into the stereotypes. Really insane things happen a lot. Football games are a thing.

Like, you guys have three dances a year.

That’s insane,” Law said. “Also not everybody is in sports or something like that. Because in the movies that you see, everyone is on the football team or on the volleyball team. Here I found a lot of people that say, ‘Oh no, I don’t like watching sports or I don’t like to go to the games.’”

Many stereotypes and parts of the high school experience are included in popular culture, but according to Veneri, the media still misses crucial parts such as mental health.

“I think it’s a normal thing, but … the mental health part,” Veneri said. “In [most] TV shows you see them [ignoring mental health], maybe besides shows like ‘13 Reasons Why’. They’re like, ‘Oh my God, [school] is so cool [and] it is so fun,’ while in real life I’ve heard a lot of stories of people who are struggling.”

In addition to including mental health in media narratives, Law thinks realistic studying should be shown to viewers.

“People holding and reading a book.

People talking about how they’re going to die taking this test. Because it’s so messed up when you watch and nothing is about school, but it’s set in school,” Law said. “It just messes with your head. Like, ‘oh, am I just gonna not care in high school? Is that just not a thing anymore?’”

To the left is a graphic featuring a screen grab from the 1985 film “The Breakfast Club”. To the right, instead of detention, students fit in some last minute studying at Cocoa and Cram. Photo by Lexi Newsom.

To the left is a graphic featuring a screen grab of players midsong from the 2006 film “High School Musical”. To the right a BVN basketball player dribbles, rather than sings, on the court. Photo by Ella Thomas.

To the left is a graphic featuring a screen grab of cheerleaders in formation from the 2000 film “Bring It On”. To the right BVN cheerleaders get into their own formation on the sideline. Photo by Anna Sandage.

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 27

FEATURE

towards greatness Being a dancer often means dealing with the toxic environment that can come along with it, including mental health issues and unrealistic body standards. How do BVN dancers handle this?

By Anjali Kambhampati

R

Content Warning: mentions of eating disorders and body image.

elevé. Strengthen your core.

Keep your arms in the right spot. Turn.

These are the small details that junior Audrey Branner keeps in mind while dancing. Dance is a form of expressional release that comes with both positive and negative effects.

How do dancers at BVN deal with the environment that comes with participating in dance?

Branner said that there are a lot of things to remember for one small movement in dance, and that it can be a bit stressful at times. However, from her experiences dancing since she was 10 years old, she has embraced the positive effects of dance, such as improving physical health and reducing stress and anxiety.

28 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

“Dance is exercise, and exercise is to be good at everything,” Branner said. really good at getting rid of stress and “I feel like now, especially because I’m on keeping your body healthy,” Branner [a competition] team, you have to be good said. “It is a way for me to at a lot of be healthy without being different as harsh on my body. For styles in I feel like there just example, I did track for a dance, needs to be a bit little bit, but it just ended up even being harsh on my ankles. though more forgiveness You would think dance most of when it comes would be worse, but I feel the time to your body not like my body can handle a I’ve been lot more.” doing hip looking perfect or Studies conducted by hop or not being able to WebMD have shown that jazz as do a certain thing dance improves social and my main emotional health. [styles]. because you body “I have a lot of friends I feel like just doesn’t move and we feel very close. It’s in other like that. a really good experience, spots, you friendship- and connectioncan be – Audrey wise,” Branner said. good at Branner While dance has been one thing, proven to be a positive and then release form, a competitive really dynamic can emerge. This can create an build on that, which kind of lessens the environment of fear, doubt and worry. pressure.”

The dance environment can give dancers At times, dancers face toxicity from the determination to succeed, but can teachers or other competitors based on also increase anxiety and perfectionist certain standards, such as looking or tendencies. These tendencies can lead to moving a certain way. While their physical unhealthy behaviors. health is constantly improving due to the “With dance, there’s a lot of pressure physical activity, many dancers ignore

“

“

their mental health, which may suffer due to pressures they face from the studio and stage. Branner is aware of the unhealthy side of dance culture, and said a lot of dancers face health issues.

“A lot of people have the mindset of ‘oh, I need to look this way’ or ‘oh, I need to look that way.’ It’s tough,” Branner said.

According to Branner, her teachers have been very supportive, understanding and forgiving. She said that instead, that toxicity can be a result of competition.

“Maybe if you’re at a competition and you felt as though your dance went really well or really badly and you got a different place than you thought it deserved, you can start to feel compared to other studios, or maybe other studios are being compared to you,” Branner said. “It can cause a lot of tension when really at the end of the day, we are all aiming for the same thing and it’s just one day of three people’s opinions on whose dance was the best.”

If she could change something about the dance environment, Branner said that it would be the pressure on aesthetics.

“Not even just how your body looks, just how much you body can move. It’s a hard thing because for me personally, I just feel like my back has never been super flexible. It’s hard because I feel like there are a lot of things I can’t do

because of it,” Branner said. “I feel like there just needs to be a bit more forgiveness when it comes to your body not looking perfect or not being able to do a certain thing because your body just doesn’t move like that.”

Senior Hannah Chong has been dancing for 14 years and said that her overall experience was both positive and negative.

“I can’t say the experience was more positive or more negative. There’s a good side where you can express yourself and get emotions and stress out, but the negatives are body dysmorphia, a lot of different eating disorders and a lot of hard criticism of yourself,” Chong said. “This can be hard on your mental health.”

Chong also said that facing toxicity from competitors can be hard on your mental health because you are friends with everyone while competing with them at the same time. Despite the negativity that dances often receive, Chong said that teachers have been very supportive. “[Teachers] don’t criticize the way you look; they just try to help you be better,” Chong said.

Although there are many aspects that can cause dancers to navigate issues with their mental health, Chong said that dance gives her an outlet for many other issues that also contribute to her mental health.

“Whenever I have a bad day at school and I just go to dance, it releases so much stress,” Chong said. “I don’t even remember what I was thinking about.”

Bottom left: Photo provided by Hannah Chong Top right: Photo provided by Audrey Branner

Mental Health Statistics Amongst Dancers 81% of dancers believe mental health is not addressed enough in the dance community

75% of dancers have dealt with mental health issues

12% of dancers have 12% faced eating disorders

3x

Dancers have a higher risk of suffering from eating disorders

1 in 2 female dancers do not meet their energy needs

1 in 3 male dancers do not meet their energy needs

Statistics provided by Dance Nutrition, Teen Rehab, and The Statesman

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 29

ARTS & LEISURE

Bon appétit Quick, easy recipes come in handy for rising college students, on-the-go high schoolers with little time to spare and those with younger siblings.

Here are three filling snacks that take 2-15 minutes to prepare.

By Addison DeVore

A. Grilled Caprese Panini (House of Nash Eats — Amy)

1. Slice ciabatta roll in half. Brush outside of the bottom roll with one tablespoon of olive oil and place on hot panini press or grill pan.

2. Layer the sliced mozzarella, sliced tomato and basil leaves. Then drizzle with balsamic vinegar and season with a little salt and pepper, to taste.

3. Brush the top of ciabatta roll with remaining olive oil and place over sandwich. Then lower the panini press lid or place a heavy pan on top of the sandwich in the grill pan over medium heat and press down for 20 seconds. Leave the pan sitting on the sandwich as it cooks. (flip sandwich is using the grill press once the bottom is toasted in order to grill the other side). Grill until toasted to a golden brown and the mozzarella starts to get a little melted around the sides but isn’t melted completely through.

B. Yogurt and Fruit Parfait (Food Network — Rachel Ray)

1. Layer 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt into the bottom of four tall glasses.

2. Combine defrosted strawberries and juice with fresh berries. Alternate layers of fruit and granola.

3. Serve parfaits immediately to keep granola from getting soggy.

B. Ingredients: • 3 cups vanilla nonfat yogurt • 1 cup fresh or defrosted frozen strawberries in juice • 1 pint fresh blackberries, raspberries or blueberries • 1 cup good quality granola

30 | THE NORTH STAR | MAY 2023

A.

A. Ingredients: • 1 ciabatta roll or 2 slices sourdough bread • 2 slices fresh mozzarella • 2-3 tomato slices • Handful of fresh basil leaves • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

C. Apple Cookie (Anna Sandage)

1. Cut apples into slices.

2. Spread peanut butter onto each slice.

3. Generously put chocolate chips on top of each slice.

4. Enjoy!

C.

B.

PEANUT BUTTER

ARTS & LEISURE

W CR SS R D End the year with a summer-themed crossword.

1 2

3

4

5 6

By Lexi Newsom, Arshiya Pant

7

8

9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16

17

18

ACROSS

DOWN

2. Date typically in August for rising college freshmen.

3. Kansas City’s outdoor concert and theater venue.

5. Period from May 26 to Aug. 16.

7. Backdrop for s’mores and sing-alongs.

9. Glowing insect.

11. Foldable shield against spring and summer showers.

12. Picturesque area of Loose Park 13. Culmination of 12 long years of a childhood experience.

14. Children’s refreshing go-to fundraiser.

16. Most popular college for Mustangs.

17. Alliterative breathable footwear.

18. Watercraft that uses an oar; also the name of a travel site.

1. “A ___ Night’s Dream.”

4. Common junior-year summer job.

6. Green alternative to driving.

8. Vehicle for selling a cold summertime treat that is known for its distinct song.

10. Ocular UV blocker.

15. Iconic summer berry.

MAY 2023 | THE NORTH STAR | 31

@BVNNEWS CONTACT ABOUT US

“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 37. 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.

bvnnewspaper@gmail.com for letters to the editors, questions & guest writing opportunities

@bvnnews on instagram @bvnnews on twitter BVN News on facebook bvnnews.com online