The Tiger Print — September 2018 by The Tiger Print

THE TIGER PRINT

DANGEROUS Dosage students, professionals consider hazards of medicinal abuse read about it on page 11

photo illustration by Nick Lamberti

2 | september 2018 | contents

Contents News

News in photos Check out what’s happening around BV.

Features

Dad’s club Get the inside scoop on what makes these dads so special.

Arts & Entertainment

Streaming Successes Should companies like Netflix win awards for their original works?

Opinion

The modern art debate Staff writer Vince Orozco weighs in on the controversy surrounding contemporary artwork.

| DESIGN BY NOMA KREEGAR

//TIGER PRINT THE

editor-in-chief Noma Kreegar assistant editors McKenna Cole Nick Lamberti

staff members Cassidy Carpenter Jaron Cole Emily Cummings Josie Cuthbertson Molly Holmes Maddy Kang

Shay Lawson J.D Loftin Tymber Moody Vince Orozco Kate Oudejans Liya Patel Claire Powell

Olivia Sherlock Charlie Trent adviser Michelle Huss

“The Tiger Print” is an official publication of Blue Valley High School, an open forum distributed to all students eight times a year. This publication may contain controversial material. Kansas law prohibits the suppression of a student publication solely because it may contain controversial matter. Blue Valley Unified School District No. 229 and its board members, officers and employees may disclaim any responsibility for the content of this publication; it is not an expression of school policy. Student authors and editors are solely responsible for the content of this publication. Letters to the editor are encouraged for publication. “The Tiger Print” reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content. Letters should be submitted to Room 450, emailed to thetigerprint@gmail.com or mailed to: The Tiger Print Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th St. Overland Park, KS 66085

OFF

news | september 2018 |

the

RADAR

Apple event commences new products On Sept. 12, Apple introduced three new iPhone models: the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max, and the iPhone Xr. All three phones feature an all new liquid retina display, advanced face ID, an A12 bionic chip, and a breakthrough camera system with depth control. At the keynote, series four of the Apple watch was also announced. Pre-ordering for the new devices starts Oct. 16 and will available in stores Oct. 26.

Hurricane season threatens families along the east coast According to NPR, hurricane season will officially end on Nov. 30. Hurricane Florence, a category 3 hurricane, is threatening life on the east coast, especially in North and South Carolina. However, astonishing winds are not the biggest danger. Walls of seawater being pushed from the hurricane, referred to as surges, are the top concern among officials. Hurricane Florenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surges have the potential to reach heights of above twenty feet.

FDA calls for regulation of e-cigarette retailers Due to a widespread epidemic of teen use of e-cigarette products, the FDA has pushed action towards regulating companies like Juul and Suorin. The FDA has also prompted those companies to find ways to keep their products out of the hands of minors. Not only is the FDA putting pressure on the companies that manufacture e-cigarettes, but also the retailers that illegally sell Juul and other e-cigarette brands to minors. In a statement, Juul said it was committed to keeping its products out of the hands of those who are underage.

| PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE | WORDS & DESIGN BY NOMA KREEGAR

4 | september 2018 | ads

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news | september 2018 |

TIGER TIDBITS | STORIES BY NOMA KREEGAR | PHOTOS & DESIGN BY MOLLY HOLMES

NEW BUZZ-IN SYSTEM

Sometime in the upcoming year, a student-ID buzz in system will be introduced at BV. The security feature will require people entering the school after 8 a.m. to buzz in with a student ID or driver’s license. The system, which was introduced in hopes to deter students from propping open doors during the school day, will be installed on the main entrances on the north and south sides of the building. The implementations will be installed starting at the Hilltop learning center and the district’s elementary schools, and eventually at the district’s high schools.

Cheering after receiving a jersey, senior Sean Hurt celebrates earning a 36 on the ACT. “I felt really proud of myself,” he said. “I was glad to have the opportunity to be rewarded for this.”

Clapping at the All-School Picnic, junior Colin Wood cheers for the Tiger Pride organized game. “I like getting to know everyone in Tiger Pride,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to be involved in school leadership.” | DESIGN BY YOUR NAME

6 | september 2018 | news

Avoiding the tackle, senior Eric Olson runs down the field with the football. The football team plays tonight at Rockhurst.

Performing at the All-School Picnic, juniors Sydney Wallick and Lauren Taylor dances with the Tigerettes. “We’re all super close,” Taylor said. “We’re all friends regardless of age.”

HOMECOMING 2018

Running down the field, junior Jack Dillavou and sophomore Timmy Okeowo play during Fall Sports Night. “I love getting to play with all my school friends,” Dillavou said. “It’s special to spend the day at school with your teammates and then be able to go and compete with them right after.”

This year’s Homecoming theme is Luau. The bonfire will be Thursday, Oct. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the far south parking lot, weather permitting. The parade will take place on Friday, Oct. 5 from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. The dance will be on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the main gym.

news | september 2018 |

EMERGENCY DRILLS

To ensure the safety of everyone in the building, students and staff will participate in an array of lockdown and emergency procedures. The lockdown procedures will include: 1. Secure entry drill — all exterior doors are checked and locked, all students and staff are moved inside the building, and teaching continues 2. Lock and teach drill — students are locked inside the classroom and teaching continues 3. Lockdown: lights out drill — students are moved inside of classrooms, doors are locked, lights are shut off and students are quiet 4. Shelter in-place drill — students and faculty meet in the gymnasium, and utilities are turned off as needed 5. Tornado drill 6. Fire drill

Acting in an improv game, senior Jenna Fulton and junior Matthew Grigoratos perform for the freshman class. “I like that I get to show my more comedic side,” Fulton said. “I’m usually more involved in the more tech side of things in the productions.”

Dancing with Chambers, senior Shanyn Longsworth performs. “I love how we’re all like a family,” she said. “We are all really close and comfortable with each other.”

Alongside other members of Chambers, junior John Oldroyd performs for the freshman class. “We often hang out outside of school,” he said. “I basically have another family.” | DESIGN BY YOUR NAME

8 | september 2018 | feature

HOLE IN Clubs gone unnoticed by Blue Valley High come to light

From DECA, to Students Assist Schools, to KAY Club, a wide range of clubs are available to students at Blue Valley. These clubs make it possible for students to find their niche in a school of more than 1,600, but finding a club to join is more than challenging for students — especially when they don’t know how many clubs BV really has to offer.

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS Dungeons and Dragons Club is a small organization looking to expand its size with any enthusiastic players throughout the year. Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D, is a role-playing game where players create characters and go questing with friends. “The best time to join is at the beginning of the year,” senior Robbie White said. “We welcome everyone into [D&D] club.” White said the D&D club is a very rowdy bunch that are very enthusiastic when new members join the club. They meet every Thursday in Room 552 after school.

feature | september 2018 |

THE WALL Chess Club is a gathering of individuals interested in chess that play in competitions from October through March. Even if you don’t know how to play chess or haven’t played in awhile, Chess Club will teach you and help you improve your skills. The Chess Club meets on Wednesdays during Tiger Paws A and B in Room 218.

CHESS Are you a crazy fan? Well, Fandom Club is the place for you. “This is a catch-all club,” sponsor Becky Knueven said. There is currently twenty to thirty members in Fandom Club, and during meetings they discuss comics, Star Wars, Supernatural, and others. Fandom club meets every Wednesday during Tiger Paws B in Room 304.

FANDOM ANIME Anime Club is also often overlooked because of its small size. Students find that great friendships are formed with fellow club members who share the same love of anime. Anime is a style of Japanese film and television animation, typically aimed at adults, as well as children. “Anime Club has a lot of unique people to meet and make friends with,” junior Tori Hill said. During Tiger Paws A, the club has discussions about anime; during Tiger Paws B, everyone votes on an anime to watch for the remaining time. The members also attend anime conventions together, so no one feels scared to go alone. The club meets every Friday during Tiger Paws A and B in Room 303.

| DESIGN BY NOMA KREEGAR WORDS BY J.D. LOFTIN

10 | september 2018 | feature

How one Friendship can Change a Life

| PHOTO BY TYMBER MOODY

Service dog accompanies freshman in daily routine

as anyone else noticed a new furry friend around Blue Valley? That’s because there’s a service dog amongst the many students in the halls. Freshman Maddox Truitt has been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which means that his body can’t rebuild muscles that have been broken down. Because of this, Truitt will get weaker and weaker and won’t be able to do certain things, like write or pick up his pencil. Since the need of a service dog would be needed in a very short time, the Truitt family decided to adopt July, a chocolate lab. In order to adopt July, “[they] had to fill out an application and [they] had to get accepted,” Truitt said. The family adopted July in 2014 when Truitt was in fifth grade, and the pair have become immensely closer since they met four years ago. July was only 15 months old when adopted by the Truitt family. “She’s from a place called ‘Cares’ in Concordia, Kansas,” Nancy, Truitt’s mother, said. “We went out there for a week and a half to go to what Truitt calls dog school, and we got trained on the commands and how to work with July.” July began her journey as a service dog by being donated to Cares. She then began training in the Hutchinson, Kansas prison. July also needed to be placed in puppy training in Nashville, where she was then sent back to Cares to be ‘customized.’ This means that July was trained to care for Truitt’s special needs. The directors at Cares knew that July was special from the very beginning. She had shown potential in puppy training that her siblings did not. In Concordia, July was then taught specific commands and rules to follow for Truitt’s needs. Once Truitt and July were matched, it took some time before they really bonded. “We got her in October, [but Truitt and July] didn’t really connect until June,” Nancy said. “They went to a camp to-

| DESIGN BY TYMBER MOODY & EMILY CUMMINGS

gether [with] Truitt’s counselor, and that’s when [July] finally figured out that Truitt was her person.” After the bonding process, the pair became inseparable. “She helps me open up doors, [and] she can pick things up,” Truitt said. One of July’s most important jobs is comforting Truitt and knowing when he’s upset. She comforts him by laying with him and letting him pet her until he has calmed down. Also, she can open doors and press the handicap button to assist Truitt’s needs at any given time. Truitt also said July does the same things at school that she does at home, although at home she gets to play her favorite game — fetch. In the past when she’s been at school with him, Nancy said the other students haven’t always been as respectful toward July as she is to them. “We had such a hard time when Truitt was in elementary school,” Nancy said. “The preschoolers and the kindergarteners would chase [July] down the sidewalk and try to pull her tail.” Students should respect that July is working and should not be bothered. If a student has questions about July or how they should act around her, they should ask Truitt. “If you want to pet the dog, she needs to be in a down position, either sitting or laying down,” Nancy said. “Then you need to ask Maddox if it’s OK to pet her, and if he says yes, then you can pet her, but if he says no, which he does every once in a while, then you’re supposed to respect that and not pet her.” July has had a huge impact on Truitt’s life, and not just with picking up a pencil or opening doors for him. She’s more than just a dog who helps him — she’s a friend who has changed his life for the better. “Once he got July, he’s now the kid with the dog instead of being the kid in the wheelchair.” Nancy said. “[Now] he’s socially seen in a different way.

on the cover | september 2018 |

MisusinG MedicatioN

When problems approach, it is an instinct to look for a way to escape them. With depression and anxiety rates increasing among teens, youth sometimes turn to the wrong choices. Some have severe repercussions, such as drug abuse. Now, more than ever, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to get access to prescription medication, but easy access comes with life-threatening side effects. The Tiger Print sat down with students and professionals to expose the dangers of these habits.

written by Claire Powell, Vince Orozco, Josie Cuthbertson, Kate Oudejans and J.D Loftin

Warning Signs & Dangers

orth America continues to experience the highest drug-related mortality rate in the world, accounting for 25 percent of drug-related deaths globally, according to the International Overdose Awareness Day website. The Drug Enforcement Association also claims that once an adolescent is addicted, his or her brain changes so drugs are the top priority. He or she will compulsively seek and use drugs, even though doing so brings devastating consequences to the individual as well as those who care about them. Being addicted to prescription drugs can affect one negatively, especially developing brains in adolescents. Effects of using vary depending on the drug, but commonly include hiding emotions, decreased motivation, psychological problems, high risk behavior due to lack of judgement and expanding from using prescription drugs to other illegal drugs as a gateway. An opiate overdose, according to the American Addiction Center, typically leads to a very depressed central nervous system, which is responsible for the respiratory

drive while sleeping. An overdose can cause someone to stop breathing while unconscious, which could result in permanent brain damage or death. As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people with an addiction to drugs are about twice as likely to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders. In 2015, roughly 43.4 million adults said they suffer from mental illness; 8.1 million of those abuse some form of substance. The Delta Medical Center states that someone with a first degree relative â&#x20AC;&#x201D; parent, sibling or another relative with whom they live â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is at a greater risk to start abusing prescription drugs. Although it is not limited to the same drug that the relative uses, it is commonly due to being around medications that are popular for recreational use. Common warning signs of addiction can vary depending by the type of drug being misused. In opioid painkillers, such as Oxycontin, common signs include nausea, euphoria, slowed breathing rate and drowsiness. Stimulants like Adderall cause side effects such as a reduced appetite, high body temperature, agitation and insomnia.

on the cover | september 2018 |

Student Experiences

lue Valley student Janis*, whose name has been changed in order to maintain anonymity, shared her experience with medication abuse. Janis described the setting for the first time she recreationally used the cold medication Coricidin, commonly known as Triple Cs. “I was at a hangout about three years ago when I first took Triple Cs,” Janis said. “I took three or four and I was tired, but I wasn’t out. I was just drowsy and droopy. I’m not gonna lie it did feel good though. But I was drowsy and tired for the next two to three days.” Janis said Triple Cs is known to make the user feel tired and drowsy. “It was like you wanted to go to sleep,” Janis said. “It’s like you’re daydreaming in that one boring class you have where you’re there and you want to sleep but you’re still awake — that’s the feeling you have.” Janis said in addition to taking Triple Cs recreationally, she had taken Oxycontin; however, Janis said that Oxycontin is something you do not want to mess with. “Two of those can have you off the moon,” she said. “When I took them my head was ringing and I really did not want to do anything. It’s either you’re really focused, or you’re just out of it. When I took Oxy for the first time, I was out of

it. It was really bad.” Janis said the experience after the high was rough because her head and stomach hurt and she needed to use the bathroom frequently. Janis also said she took the medications whenever she felt like it and acquired these medications free of charge from people who were prescribed them. “If I was going to school and wanted the day to go slow, I would pop one,” Janis said. “If I was at a party and I wanted to be in the moment longer I would take an Oxy or a Triple C and slow the time down. I would also pop pills out of boredom.” Janis said she has stopped taking pills regularly because “they can change you as a person if you let it get out of hand.” Janis said she does not have a physical or psychological dependence on these medications and her willpower is what assists her progress toward sobriety. “If you have mental disorders, problems or a bad attitude, popping pills is really not something you want to get into,” Janis said. “It will change your attitude, the way you see life and the way you act toward certain people. Certain people have gotten away from me because of my attitude and the way I was acting when I was popping pills consistently. So stay off and away.”

To maintain student anonymity, this BV student’s name has been changed to Brooklyn*. Brooklyn said she has taken ADHD medicine since she was 3. However, in the summer of 2018, she was prescribed a new medication called Concerta. According to Healthline, Concerta is an extended-release oral tablet used to treat ADHD. After starting Concerta, Brooklyn was admitted to the hospital. “It metabolized in my liver,” Brooklyn said. “It was such a high dose to begin with that most people who take [that dosage] have a tolerance to it.” Brooklyn said she had no memory of being hospitalized and only remembers waking up in the hospital. She did not

remember the dosage of medicine she was prescribed without first consulting her guardian. “I still don’t remember what was going on,” Brooklyn said. “[Anything] I [know about that day] is from what people told me. None of my medications had caused anything like this, and that’s why it’s so strange.” Even after this experience, Brooklyn said she is still thankful to be taking ADHD medications. “Since I’ve been on medication, it’s made school an option for me rather than homeschool, which is what my mom wanted to do,” she said. “Prescription drugs already have serious side effects so abusing them could speed up the effects and enhance them in awful ways.”

17% of students have abused pharmasutical drugs *based on a poll of 265 students 73.5% of students know someone who has abused pharmasutical drugs

14 | september 2018 | on the cover A Professional Opinion

rom Saint Luke’s Primary Care, doctor Rebekah Abbott shared her knowledge on abusing prescription drugs. Abbott said prescription drugs, like opioids, can help control pain but also have consequences like the suppression to breathe. “Our bodies have these mechanisms that realize we have this much oxygen and this much carbon dioxide and when carbon dioxide goes up, we breathe faster,” Abbott said. “[Taking opioids] suppresses that drive to where you don’t realize that you need to breathe.” Abbott said using prescription drugs regularly can also cause long-term effects, such as changing the way a person can feel pain. “[Prescription drugs] change the pain receptors to the point where a less amount of pain feels stronger,” Abbott said. “It can make you need more and more. The next thing you know, you’re dependent on it.” Abbott said a drug called Benzodiazepines, used to treat panic attacks, insomnia and seizures, can even damage the teenage brain when abused. “It interferes with your ability to learn, form memories, maintain the knowledge that you’re learning [and] to learn the skills you need to as an adult, like how to problem-solve,” Abbott said. She said the reason people get addicted to drugs is multi-factorial. “Part of it may just a genetic predisposition to addiction that they inherit,” Abbott said. “Part of it may be some underlying anxiety or depression. Sometimes they can get addicted to the mental effects of the

medication because it produces a sense of well being.” Abbott said when someone has a history of using a drug in the past, there is still a possibility of getting addicted to the drug later. “There is a risk for anyone at any point in their life if they’ve taken [prescription drugs] before,” Abbott said. “Just because somebody had no signs of addiction at one point, we still need to be aware that it can happen.” Abbott said she now knows how to take action if one of her patients is addicted to a prescription drug, but didn’t in the beginning of her career. “It took talking to other people, calling around and finding out about resources in the area, facilities [and contacting] any physiologists that treat addiction,” Abbott said. “It took learning and looking up the legal ramifications. I knew nothing.” Abbott said pharmacies and doctors monitor the types of medications filled and how often they are filled in order to reduce the risk of patients abusing their medications. “If we have any suspicion, we can look that up and make sure that it doesn’t look like there’s any abuse, “ Abbott said. “We also have drug testing to make sure the only medicines in their urine are the medicines we prescribed.” Abbott goes through a careful procedure with her patients when she prescribes a drug that has a chance of the patient becoming addicted. “I ask about their history, their lifestyle, what kind of work they do [and] if they’ve had any history of any drug abuse in their past or any family history,” Abbott said. “[It is] a really comprehensive picture of the person.” Even with an attentive course of action, patients can still develop drug addiction. Abbott said she recommends discussing it with someone. “[The patient and I] talk about treatment programs,” Abbott said. “We talk about seeing counselors and addressing any underlying issues maybe causing them to become addicted.” Abbott said she wants others to realize there is a purpose for prescription drugs. “[There needs to be] more awareness and more education,” Abbott said. “[It] just needs [to be] open and out there [with] everybody talking about it.”

feature | september 2018 |

BV fathers form new Dad’s Club, intentionally supporting school community maddy kang & shay lawson staff writers

here are multiple clubs at BV, but there is only one whose members are typically over the age of 35 and have already started balding — and that is Father’s Club. A co-founder of the club, Brad Holdhusen was given the idea by Vince Stephens. “[Vince] wanted to talk to me about something he thought I’d be excited about and have a passion for,” Holdhusen said. “It was the idea of doing what we started and we have a lot more things planned.” Stephens and Holdhusen later met with principal Scott Bacon to discuss the inspiration and importance behind the club. “With everything going on — and it was the same when I was in high school — with kids and pressures and of course the sad things and the teenage suicides, anxiety and stress — a lot of that tied to things that we, as parents are scratching our heads and asking, ‘How can we do better?’ and ‘How can we get involved?’” Holdhusen said. “So often, the wonderful mothers are so involved and us dads kind of go to work, pay bills and do our thing. We thought it would be a really good opportunity at a time like this to kind

of push as a group of dads.” Holdhusen said the Father’s Club still has several tasks to implement into school. “We are going to do more of those Chic-Fil-A biscuit giveaways and greet kids at school,” Holdhusen said. “For the first couple months of this school year we are going to try and fill up the Father’s Club on Fridays during Tiger Paws — all or most of the volunteers will be dads. During Tiger Paws, you will see dads walking around just like you see teachers. “Then every once in awhile, we will have speakers, just like the technology talks and drug and alcohol lectures through the district.” The Father’s Club has had meetings with numerous BV staff and administration including Bacon, athletic director Matt Ortman and football coach Allen Terrell to integrate their purpose into BV’s culture and community. Holdhusen is eager for fresh ideas from his Steering Committee so the dads can begin their positive influence at the school. “There is this neat excitement that has started to percolate amongst dads about this because everyone wants to get involved,” Holdhusen said. “I mean, who doesn’t want to love on the kids and the community? It is a neat way for us all to come together.”

Mission Statement:

Social Media:

“The Father’s Club is a dad-lead, grassroots effort promping intentionality around dads’ relationships and time spent with their families , with each other and within the community.”

Twitter: @club_bv Instagram: @bvfathersclub

| DESIGN BY MADDY KANG & SHAY LAWSON

16 | september 2018 | feature Lily Goodwin

tudents at Blue Valley have countless opportunity to get involved, whether it be a sports team or a

club. For senior Lily Goodwin, creating a blog was the best way for her to express herself. Goodwin created the blog called “thelastnativesunflower” in December of 2017 after debating it since her sophomore year. Goodwin credits the start of her blog to the newfound confidence she found after attending a fashion camp at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City the summer of 2017. “I started my blog because I wanted to share my love for fashion, beauty, fitness, lifestyle and adventures with other young women,” Goodwin said. She said she also wanted to shine positive light on the Midwest, particularly Kansas, the state she was born and raised in. “The meaning behind

| PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY

Blue Valley ‘thelastnativesunflower’ is based off being the youngest of seven siblings and living here in Kansas,” Goodwin said. The blog focuses on three main topics: fashion, lifestyle and beauty. “I blog about everything, whether it’s products I’m loving, local coffee shops to check out or sales going on at stores,” Goodwin said. “There’s not one topic that I love to cover more, but I do really enjoy talking about fashion. I love finding a good bargain and sharing about it.” Goodwin said blogging has positively impacted her day-to-day life but it can also cause stress when trying to balance schoolwork and creating quality posts. “It can be hard to manage my time between school and giving my readers good content,” Goodwin said. She said creating a blog is rewarding and something she will continue updating in the future. “I am so glad I’ve started blogging,”

she said. “I’ve learned so much about so many different things, whether its fashion-related, how to create a website [and about] me as a person. As someone who didn’t have the confidence when she started, I have gained so much confidence in myself. I get to not only share about what I love but meet others who have the same interests. I wish I would have started sooner.” Right now Goodwin has _______ followers on Instagram and _______ viewers on her blog. As Goodwin continues to grow on social media, she wants to continue working hard while keeping her intentions in mind. “A goal I want to reach this year is to get onto a schedule for blog posts,” she said. “I need to try to post at least three times a week. This is something that I’m working on. Within the next year, I want to not only grow my blog itself but get the chance to work with companies I love.”

Bloggers S

ophomore Piper Puccetti has been blogging since 2017 after realizing some of her true passions. “I’ve always had a love for writing and taking photos, editing them and putting videos together,” Puccetti said. To further her knowledge of blogging and different ways to catch her followers’ eyes, Puccetti has taken several art and technology classes at Blue Valley. “Being able to use Adobe Photoshop and [having] a teacher that challenges you really helps how I created and put [content] on my blog,” Puccetti said. As for Puccetti’s day-to-day life, blogging definitely keeps her busy. It usually takes about one to two hours of Puccetti’s day to create a blog post and in order to prioritize homework, she has to think ahead. “If I want to do a blog post, I pre-

pare it on the weekends so I have time to do my homework during the week,” Puccetti said. Puccetti has blogged about fashion and staying fit and healthy, but more recently she is focusing on her struggle with over-exercising and restricted eating. “I’m trying to balance that out and just show who I am,” Puccetti said. “I just try to show my life as a teenager. It’s like a diary of my life.” Puccetti tries to be as transparent as possible, letting others know it’s OK to not always be perfect. “I’m not afraid to post a video with no makeup on, looking like a potato,” Puccetti said. “[I want to show] people that I’m approachable and relatable and my life is something people can look at and say ‘Oh, she’s struggling with the same thing.’” Though being in the eyes of social media can be fun, Puccetti sometimes

feature | september 2018 |

Piper Puccetti

gets caught up in being someone she’s not. “Sometimes I have to take a step back and think ‘Am I portraying myself in a way that I think people want, or am I just being myself ?’” Puccetti said. Staying true to oneself can be tough for anyone in the media. Puccetti is one of many bloggers that has had the experience of a few of her own haters. “You’ll get people who’ll put in a little snag comment or pick at something,” she said. “I just delete the comment or block them.” As for anyone who is deciding whether or not to start doing a blog of their own, Puccetti encourages them all. “Just go for it and do what you love,” Puccetti said.”[If] it makes you happy that’s all that matters, and you’ll regret not [blogging] in the future.”

| DESIGN BY OLIVIA SHERLOCK, LIYA PATEL & CASSIDY CARPENTER

18 | september 2018 | a&e

THIS PRODUCT IS

CRUELTY-FREE

A BASIC GUIDE TO GO ANIMAL FRIENDLY

arious companies that perform animal testing say there is a purpose behind doing so, which is to test on animals to see if it is safe for humans. However, there are other options besides animal testing to insure ingredient safety. One commonly used alternative is vitro testing. In vitro, meaning “in glass,” is a form of testing products in which studies are done using cells, blood samples, or other bodily tissue. Computer modeling, or In silico, is a form of testing in which computer models are developed to replace animal experimentations and accurately predict specific experiments by creating virtual simulations and modeling.

Cruelty-free is defined as products not tested on animals. Products can either display a certified logo or be labeled clearly on their products that it has not been tested on animals. To have something be “cruelty-free” can come across as a gray-area morally.

CRUELTY-FREE CHECKLIST

FAST FACTS

NOT SOLD WHERE ANIMAL TESTING IS REQUIRED

• As stated by PETA, Around 100 million animals are killed each year during animal testing. Some animals are specifically bred to be stuck in labs. • 31 countries, according to NAVS, including all of the European Union, have laws against animal testing. • According to Humane Society International, about 100-200 million animals undergo animal testing each year. • Cruelty-free topicals often use more natural and non-toxic ingredients rather than harsh chemicals. • Animal testing is a leading cause in environmental pollution and in one year alone produced 1.5 million pounds in waste, according to NEAVS.

CCF: CHOOSING CRUELTY-FREE

CLEARLY SAYS NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS OR DISPLAYS THE CERTIFIED LOGO PRODUCT DOES NOT HAVE ANY INGREDIENTS TESTED ON ANIMALS PARENT COMPANY ALSO DOES NOT TEST ON ANIMALS

POPULAR BRANDS THAT TEST ON ANIMALS

CARING CONSUMER

LEAPING BUNNY

| WORDS & DESIGN BY KATE OUDEJANS & JOSIE CUTHBERTSON

CRUELTY-FREE ALTERNATIVES

a&e | september 2018 |

Societies Within our Society the foundations of secret societies

Throughout history, the world has had powerful leaders who have shared their historic parts in history. What if these historical figures were part of a much bigger group?

Anonymous One day all of social media will be taken over, wiped completely and the power grids will go down. Even worse, countries lose complete control of their nuclear weapons. No one knows the cause, until an anonymous group take responsibility. Of course you’re questioning who they are and what they want, but they strictly hide their identities due to their anonymous motto.

Anonymous is a hacktivist group constructed of hackers from all around the world, who are so powerful, they have hacked the U.S. Government, claiming to have released President Donald Trump’s social security number, cell phone number and other personal information to the public. They never release the names of their hackers, keeping title of Anonymous alive.

The Illuminati Have you ever seen the famous pyramid on the front of the $1 bill? At the top of the pyramid is the “Eye of Providence,” also referred as “The All Seeing Eye.” This has been the logo for the Illuminati since the founders created it in 1776. They are originally known as the Bavarian Illuminati, which was established in Germany, where their headquarters are located. This group is responsible for the Denver airport conspiracy — under the Denver airport lies a massive bunker, which has been said to be the Illuminati’s getaway in case of an apocalypse.

They aren’t all talk, either — they have said to be the true founding fathers to many nations, including the United States. Countries aren’t the only thing they supposedly control. Members include normal citizens from around the world, to many well known accused members include celebrities like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, David Rockefeller and even the queen of England. No one has confirmed the accusations, but many believe their fan bases aren’t the only type of power truly held in their hands.

Skull and Bones Yale University is mostly known for its status as one of the best colleges in the world. Some of the greatest leaders, politicians, authors and even actress Meryl Streep can call themselves a proud Bulldog. All of this glory can lead to many things, but the least likely outcome could possibly be a secret society. The Skull and Bones was created by a group of seniors from the graduating class of 1882. They weren’t some normal study group — they have been known to have some questionable traditions. Reports say 15 juniors are selected each year and have

to go through the most brutal of hazing of any school. They have to recite the group’s manifest and consent to being tortured. The final test they are put through is not even known to outsiders due to its secrecy. After completing the treacherous task they can call themselves ‘Bonesmen.’ Many powerful figures are accused of being Bonesmen, like actor Paul Giamatti as well as former presidents George W. Bush and William H. Taft. There are many famous fraternities, but this one takes the cake. | WORDS BY JARON COLE | DESIGN BY NICK LAMBERTI

20 | september 2018 | a&e

AND THE AWARD GOES TO... Streaming service originals gain popularity — and awards If you’re in high school, it’s safe to assume that you binge your favorite Netflix show multiple times a week. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Studios have gained traction and popularity in recent years. Their popularity is driving audiences away from traditional movie theatres and dropping the views on TV channels, but why? The reason for the drop in views on traditional movies and TV shows is because of the luxuries streaming services provide. You can stay home without anyone around you and have an endless amount of shows and movies at your fingertips, all without the inconvenience of commercials. These streaming services have capitalized on their popularity by creating their own TV shows and movies. One example of a popular show created by Netflix, a streaming service, is “Stranger Things,” which has won many awards, including the award for “Favorite TV Show” at the 2017 Kid’s Choice Awards. In recent years, more and more of these films created by streaming services have started to make their way into traditional award ceremonies once dominated by major film studios. Could this be because the traditional movies in theaters can’t compete with the luxury of viewing from your own home? In 2018, Netflix has gained a paid audience of 56.71 million in America alone. This large audien

has drawn people out of theaters and onto devices in their homes. Recently these numbers have been making an impact on not only their paying audience, but the film industry itself. This year, history was made when Netflix was nominated for eight Oscars, a new record for any streaming service that has been nominated for awards. This was a huge step for streaming services receiving more recognition and respect for original movies and TV shows. Four of these nominations are for the film “Mudbound,” which stars Mary J. Blige, who was nominated for “Best Supporting Actress.” Although Blige did not win, this is yet another step toward the future of streaming services gaining more respect in the film industry. Last year, Amazon Studios, another streaming service, won three Academy Awards and had a total of seven nominations. Their film “Manchester by the Sea” was the first from a streaming service to be nominated for the “Best Picture” award. In the future, streaming services could be winning more and more Academy Awards, or even dominating the film industry. Could this be another step toward the future of technology and a more advanced society, or could this put the film industry in danger?

RAISE YOUR VOICE “I think Netflix originals being in the Oscars is a good idea because the movies are accessible to a larger audience, and they probably have more people viewing them and liking them than regular movies.”

- freshman Will Jones

| DESIGN BY NOMA KREEGAR | WORDS BY CHARLIE TRENT

“ I feel like Netflix originals don’t get enough credit for the hard work they put into their shows. They should be awarded Oscars because they are very different than the normal movies on Netflix.”

- senior Alison Tinberg

staff ed | september 2018 |

| CARTOON BY KASSIDY WAGNER

Government’s loose grip on prescription drug companies to blame for rising prices of medications On May 11, 2018, President Donald Trump announced an extensive new effort to lower pharmaceutical drug prices. During his presidential campaign, his original proposal was to not have the federal government directly negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare and chose not to allow American consumers to import low-cost medicines from abroad. But his official plan proposes limiting the growth of Medicare payments for drugs administered in the doctors office such as EpiPens and medications to treat ADHD. According to Forbes magazine, Trump’s plan, if enacted, represents a monumental change in pharmaceutical pricing policy, one that will have a significant effect on drug prices in the future. Prescription drug prices in America are among the highest in the world according to US News, and the prices of prescription drugs rise at a rate faster

than any other health care cost. Medications like the EpiPen, a lifesaving allergy aid, have seen a price hike of 500 percent since 2007. Researchers from the University of Liverpool found U.S. prices were consistently higher than in other European markets. Elsewhere, U.S. prices were 16 times higher than the average in the lowest-priced country. Numbers like these lead to the question: why are prescription drugs in the United States so expensive? Other countries, such as Australia and Canada, drive a hard bargain with drug companies in order to ensure that medical treatment remains affordable for all citizens, regardless of their income. In contrast, the U.S. government allows drug companies to regulate and set their own prices, which leads to unaffordable medications. Prescription drug manufacturers argue that countries that drive a hard bargain often have a shorter supply of

medications, and government approval on new medicines is harder to obtain. According to Vox, lowering drug prices would also lower company profits — which inevitably makes pharmaceuticals a less desirable industry for investors. Less investment in drugs would mean less research toward new and innovative medications. However, Harvard Medical School associate professor of medicine Aaron Kesselheim argues that although American patients have better access to a wide range of products, if the drugs are so expensive that they can’t afford them, that it is essentially the same thing as not having them on the market. High drug prices have become a financial crisis for Americans, but rising conversation and public outcry have resulted in some much needed government action. Trump’s plan won’t fix the issue instantly, but it is expected to lead to lower prices, which will save money and save lives.

This staff editorial is the representation of the opinion of The Tiger Print staff.

22 | september 2018 | opinion

take a seat teachers implement flexible seating to help students focus in class

charlie trent staff writer

It’s a regular school day and you go to into a classroom that looks the same as it has every day since kindergarten: rows and columns of desks coupled with hard plastic chairs. As you go through the normal 45-minute class period, you start to feel restless. Clicking your pen repeatedly. Kicking the leg of your desk or chair. Tapping your foot. Sound familiar? This scene is pretty routine to many students in a traditional classroom in America, but that could be changing. Flexible seating, a classroom layout that features multiple levels and options of where students can sit is helping to change this issue. Flexible classrooms may feature yoga balls at shorter desks, couches, wiggle stools or yoga mats on the floor. These new types of seating are used to try and combat the boredom and lack of activity that the school day provides. According to Edutopia.org, flexible seating “gives students a choice in what kind of learning space works best for them, and [helps] them to work collaboratively, communicate, and engage in critical thinking.” This kind of work space allows students with hyperactive disorders such as ADD and ADHD to fidget and move without distracting the other students with excess movement or noise. This balance is critical to making the classroom ideal for every type of student to increase the comfortability of the class and the productivity of the students. According to the California Department of Education, students with access to flexible seating raised their test scores by 27 percent. This shows how flexible seating is not only important for those who struggle with hyperactivity, but it also benefits the other students who struggle to sit through a seven-period school day.

Studies have also shown that this new wave of classrooms has helped drive student participation. According to a study funded by Steelcase Education, this control has given students a higher rate of productivity and student engagement. This type of learning environment has grown in popularity across the United States and even into many classrooms in the Blue Valley school district. However, this does not mean that every classroom in BV provides this to the students. Many students, including myself, struggle to stay engaged after sitting for hours on end every single week due to the fact that classes lack little discussion and movement, which flexible seating has been proven to increase. Although it seems like classrooms are painfully uncomfortable now and fidgeting has become a regular part of your day, a new and more interactive classroom isn’t as far away as it may seem.

Based on a poll of 265 BVHS students:

89.4%

of students wish

more teachers allowed flexible seating

77.7%

of students

think that flexible seating improves their learning experience

| DESIGN BY CHARLIE TRENT

opinion | september 2018 |

MASTERPIECE OR MALARKEY? Modern art is still art

vince orozco staff writer

“My 5-year-old could have done that.” “It’s just a bunch of squares.” “It looks like scribbles.” These are the common statements internet “critics” have to say about modern art. Modern art, as defined by director of the Art Genome Project Jessica Backus, is art from 1900s to present day. This includes works by famous artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock, all of whom provide evidence as to why modern art is a legitimate expression of human creativity. A common target for internet “art critics” is Pollock. He is commonly derided for producing “child-like” paintings that amount to nothing but “random paint strokes and splotches.” An iconic example of Pollock’s style is “One: Number 31.” While it appears to have a degree of improvisation to it, the work is purposeful in the sense that it is an attempt by Pollock to express the new concerns of his era in an original way. In 1950, he proclaimed “new arts need new techniques. The modern artist cannot express this age; the airplane, the atom bomb, the radio, in the old forms of the Renaissance or of any other past culture.” By eschewing the traditional style of past ages, Pollock effectively recreated the anxiety of living in the atomic era in a way that could be understood on a primal level. Pollock’s paintings also

reveal an important aspect of modern art — it is not a medium that can be brought to you while being fully appreciated. I can listen to a song. for instance. on Spotify and get the same effect as listening to it on Apple Music because the art exists independently of physical space, whereas paintings and visual art, a lot of times, are works that you have to go to due to the fact that they exist as objects in and of themselves. Viewing Pollock’s work on your phone is not the same as actually going to the Museum of Modern Art in New York and actually viewing “One: Num-

“One: Number 31” by Jackson Pollock

ber 31” with your own eyes. In person, you can appreciate the subtleties of the color, strokes, texture and other aspects that are lost in digital translation. What Pollock has in common with other modern artists is a willingness to experiment and reject tradition. These traits are found in all the great artists in history; Monet, for instance, was rejecting the standards set by the Académie des Beaux-Art. His contemporaries most assuredly scoffed at his rebellious style. But now Monet is hailed for his rebelliousness, while artists like Pollock are simply dismissed. Why is that? One might say that modern art lacks skill; this sentiment is commonly phrased as “I could do that.” My response is simply, “but you didn’t.”

While that seems flippant, it is a serious reminder that the artist chose how to execute every single aspect of their work, and to dismiss that fact is to forget how tough the creative process truly is, even if it is not physically difficult. Another question is why does art need to be technically difficult to be considered art? If art is simply a medium that seeks to elicit emotional reaction then surely the anger incited by Pollock’s work and felt by the internet “critics” can be considered artistic. None of this is to say that no art is bad. Not at all. There is modern art that I don’t like or I find uninteresting, and that is OK. You should examine art and find pieces that you don’t like. However, you should try to understand why you dislike the work instead of simply dismissing it all together as “not art.” The question then is, how should one go about examining art? Well Backus has a pretty satisfying answer. In her TED Talk “Why You Don’t Get Contemporary Art,” she suggests you ask yourself four questions: What do I see/hear/smell/taste/touch? What are the materials? What do I feel? and What does this say about other art? If you follow these, you too can begin to explore the world of modern art, and you might even find something cool along the way.

Scan the QR code to read the full story at bvtigernews.com

| DESIGN BY VINCE OROZCO

24 | september 2018 | news

1. Completing a relay race, freshmen George Xue and Matthew Wormington participate in the Freshman Frenzy. “My favorite part of high school is having Tiger Paws,” Wormington said. “We have a lot more time to eat lunch.” 2. Spinning in circles, freshman Michael Allen competes in the Bat Relay. Competitors must spin around the baseball bat five times before running back to their team. 3. Competing for the last spot, freshmen Andrew Lock and Jenna Demmel participate in Musical Chairs. Demmel won the game, and her Tiger Time class advised by Nikki Berman, won the overall competition. | PHOTOS BY MOLLY HOLMES

FRESHMAN FRESHMANFRENZY FRENZY

| DESIGN BY YOUR NAME