The Tiger Print — December 2020

THE TIGER PRINT

blue valley high school | vol. 51 | issue 3 | december 2020 | bvtigernews.com | overland park, kansas

everybody every

on page 13 for student experiences with body image | DESIGN Read

BY YOUR NAME

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contents

Contents NEWS

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A Year in Review Take a look back at the events of 2020.

FEATURE

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Hopeful Olympian Despite the Olympics being delayed to 2021, senior Leanne Wong dreams of becoming a member of the US Olympic Team

ON THE COVER

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Body Behavior Students discuss social media’s impact on body image

OPINION

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All Grown Up Staff writer Liya Patel contemplates when students become adults

| DESIGN BY CHARLIE TRENT

THE

TIGER PRINT editor-in-chief Claire Powell

story editors Chloe Browning Olivia Sherlock

assistant editor Charlie Trent adviser Michelle Huss web editors Stephanie Kontopanos Tymber Moody

staff members Rylee Bergmann Isabelle Fletcher Brynn Friesen Kaitlin Green Ayesha Khan Erika Kolseth Ani Kreegar Frannie Lamberti

Harrison Melton Claire Middleton Spencer Norman Liya Patel Mia Rice Claire Stein Charley Thomas Eleanor Warren

“The Tiger Print” is an official publication of Blue Valley High School, an open forum distributed to all students six 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

news

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OFF the RADAR KC Virtual Learning

| Last name

While Blue Valley Schools are supposed to return to in-person learning in the winter, The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools Board of Education decided to postpone their in-person learning until the spring.

According to KCTV5, the district voted for instructional staff to return March 22, 2021 and students April 5, 2021.

KCKPS Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Edwin Birch said there are concerns for the teachers with health issues as well as the increase of COVID cases.

Having been virtual since the beginning of the school year, the district has asked parents for feedback in order to assess areas that require additional improvements.

Elliot Page

“Juno” star Elliot Page came out as transgender Dec. 1 via social media, now going by the pronouns he/they.

Several celebrities commented on the post, elating their joy for The Umbrella Academy actor.

“I love you Elliot and I’m so proud of you,” Boogie Nights star Julianne Moore commented.

“Elliot rules!” singer Miley Cyrus wrote.

Currently, Page has asked for patience and privacy, noting the discrimination trans people go through every day.

“To all trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”

VP Senior Staff Picks Yesterday Vice President-elect Kamala Harris announced three of her top positions will be held by women, including Tina Flournoy as her chief of staff.

“Together with the rest of my team, today’s appointess will work to get this virus under control, open our economy responsibly and make sure it lifts up all Americans, and restore and advance our country’s leadership around the world,” Harris said in a statement.

Others that will serve on Harris’ team is Rohini Kosoglu as domestic policy adviser and Nancy McEldowney as national security advisor.

| DESIGN BY CLAIRE POWELL

| PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE | WORDS BY CLAIRE POWELL

TIGER

TIDBITS

Adalyn Green, 12 Cannon Simpson, 10

Joey Compton, 11

THEATRE

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orking with a smaller cast than usual, junior Joey Compton was excited for the theatre department’s comedy production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged.

“I prefer this size way more due to having more notes and stage time to improve,” Compton said. “I worked with [freshman] Grant [Kozisek] the most, which was cool because he’s the first person I’ve worked with as an upperclassman. [I wanted to be] someone he could talk to and hopefully learn from.”

However just days before show night, Compton was diagnosed with

Joey Compton, 11 COVID-19, exempting him from performing.

“When I heard I would be quarantining during the nights of the show, I really didn’t know to feel,” Compton said. “I wrote in my journal and just went on with my evening.”

Despite not being physically present at the play, Compton found a way to still make a guest appearance.

“We had a few pictures we put on a big screen. I’ve got a green screen at home and thought it would be cool if I recreated a few of the pictures using myself,” Compton said. “That was a bit too complicated, so I added myself to a

few backgrounds as a tourist. I felt sick, [but] watched the show from my room [on a livestream]. I’m so glad I went through with it.”

Though he wasn’t able to perform, Compton still feels grateful for participating in the show.

“This really was a good experience despite the upsetting ending, but I think I made the most of it,” he said. “There still is so much more theatre to do after all.”

news Jack Brewer, 9

Preston Baker, 9

Camille Liebergan, 9

BAND Luke Morris, 12 & Parker Hill, 12

B

lue Valley’s marching band is on hold for the year. The students had to adjust to online band as well as following the National Federal of State High School Associations (NFHS), which commissions musician guidelines while playing in school.

The band members and their instruments have special masks and coverings in order to create music safely. When playing in school, students take a 15-minute break every half hour to reduce the amount of CO2 that the band produces.

Freshman Miles Gilman

5

heard the news about the marching band canceling the season.

“I was pretty sad because this would have been my first year playing,” Gilman said. “So now I don’t know what it’s like.”

Many seniors are also unhappy with the effects of COVID-19 on band.

“It was heart-breaking not having a final season — I [haven’t] improved as much as I thought I would my last year due to asynchronous [learning],” senior Colin Crissler said.

“It’s just going to be a lot of me at home playing by myself.”

Levi Rothwell, 11 & Zak Svendsen, 11

Michael Dennis, 12

BOYS BASKETBALL Reese Heaney, 12

Kaitlyn Doshier, 12

POWDERPUFF

S

enior Kaitlyn Doshier is playing for one of the three senior powderpuff teams at BV this year.

“I decided to join the league because it helps bring us [senior girls] together since we don’t see everyone during school,” Doshier said.

For her, the game is a way to have fun and be active.

“We get to work together and figure out plays as a team,” Doshier said. “On defense we all make sure we have everyone covered.”

Doshier said the league is a fun way for upperclassmen girls to have a good time with each other and play a sport they wouldn’t usually get to play.

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news Emily Warren, 12

Harper Clark, 12

Ryan Thomas, 9

CHOIR

O

n Nov. 17, the choir department had their first show since the pandemic hit. With only a family audience, all groups performed once during one of three alotted times, except for Chambers, which made an appearance in each segment.

Senior Emily Warren describes the show night as “refreshing”.

“Even with the changes, it felt somewhat like a return to normalcy,” Warren said. “The cancellations on account of COVID-19 this year have been dis-

heartening so I am grateful we had the opportunity to perform.”

Because of the risk of spreading the coronavirus, choir has to take several precautions in order to remain safe.

“Every time we come into choir, we change into masks provided by Blue Valley,” Warren said. “We also have to change rooms every thirty minutes.”

With having a new director whose style differs from previous years, Warren said there has been a new type of responsibilty for the choir students.

“This year has put a lot of pressure on the students to learn choreography and music,” she said. “I’ve gained a lot of self-discipline [and] also realized how much I took performing for granted.”

Along with the rest of the changes this year, the choir and theatre department have joined forces to work on upcoming productions together.

“We are splitting [the musical] into an underclassmen and upperclassmen one,” Warren said. “I am eager to see how both will be carried out.”

| DESIGN BY SPENCER NORMAN & CLAIRE POWELL | PHOTOS BY CHLOE BROWNING, ERIKA KOLSETH, SPENCER NORMAN, LIYA PATEL & CLAIRE POWELL

Jazzy Klinge, 12

Katie Daniels, 11

GIRLS BASKETBALL Elle Hempy, 12

J

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unior Katie Daniels is looking forward to her third season with the BV girls basketball team.

At the beginning of November, preseason workouts were canceled in order to ensure all the athletes would be healthy for tryouts prior to Thanksgiving break.

“We were limited with what we could do,” Daniels said. “I think we did the best with what we had.”

Despite the schedule change, Daniels and her teammates are excited to play together and make the most of their season.

“It’s going to be difficult, [and] we’re going to have to get used to it,” Daniels said. “We’re all willing to put in the effort to make sure we have a season.”

Their first game is tonight at 7 p.m. at Gardner Edgerton.

TJ Blancarte, 12

WRESTLING

S

Garrett Molitor-Kirsch, 10

Jay Lee, 12 Bennett Molitor-Kirsch, 9

BOYS SWIM & DIVE

enior Ken Drakey has been on the boys swim team since his freshman year. As a senior playing a sport at BV, Drakey has had a lot to look forward to including, “motivating the younger swimmers and encouraging more team bonding.”

Similar to other sports this year, the boys swim team has taken a major hit.

“Our team hasn’t been able to do any preparation so far,” Drakey said. “We finally just found out that we could actually have our season.”

Despite the setbacks, Drakey, along with the rest of the team, has focused on all the positives that the sport has brought.

“I’ve made friends with different people from different groups that I wouldn’t have been friends with before,” he said. “Overall, it’s just a great experience. It’s been awesome.”

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news

E S I R

to the challenge

Tigerettes place 3rd in first-ever State competition

ayesha khan staff writer

|PHOTO BY KAITLIN GREEN Senior Grace Poeschl “rises to the challenge” after finishing a routine. By the final filming day, the team was down two dancers due to injuries, and the team had to make several last-minute adjustments. In addition, Poeschl had been fighting back from an injury that required surgery. “We [had] to put in the work and get it done,” | DESIGN

BY AYESHA KHAN she said.

After several long years of advocating for a statewide Kansas high school dance competition, the Blue Valley dance team participated in the first annual State event Nov. 13.

“The dance team coaches across Kansas have probably been working for around 15 years, but this is the first year we’ve actively campaigned for it and got it,” co-captain senior Grace Poeschl said.

High schools across the state sent in videos of their dancers to the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) board of directors illustrating why they deserved to have a State competition. One of the dancers who submitted a video was sophomore Sophia Occhipinto.

“I feel like I’ve been fighting [to get approval] ever since I joined the team, especially toward the end [of last school year] because of the possibility that there was going to be one,” Occhipinto said.

With many other programs at Blue Valley already having a State, several of the Tigerettes felt even more passionate about receiving a competition of their own.

“We work just as hard, and we put in the hours other sports and activities do,” Poeschl said.

“We’re really excited.”

Because practices were delayed until September, Occhipinto said the team had a short turnaround in terms of learning and perfecting the routine.

“It definitely put our schedule behind learning choreography and dances,” she said.

Despite these challenges, the girls were more thrilled than ever to have the chance to perform.

“I’m [glad] to know that we have a State in general, especially with coronavirus,” Occhipinto said.

Due to COVID-19 regulations, the dancers filmed themselves virtually in a single, uninterrupted three-minute video.

“Our coach, Katie Burris, set up a tripod with the camera and we let the video go continuously for the entire routine,” Poeschl said.

The routine itself consisted of three sections: fight song, band chant and a performance routine. The Tigerettes placed 3rd in 6A. “Our parents and grandparents [were] allowed to come and support us, but that’s it,” Poeschl said. “Everyone, [including dancers, had] to wear a mask.”

Although crowd-involvement has kept dancers motivated throughout their routines in the past, Occhipinto added no verbal chanting of any kind is allowed from the audience while recording.

Nevertheless, Poeschl and Occhipinto both found strength to overcome difficulties through their team’s motto.

“One of our mottos this year is rising to the challenge,” Occhipinto said. “That’s been keeping me motivated to know our whole team is trying to rise to the challenge with everything we’ve been facing. Knowing we’re lucky enough to be able to perform and have the opportunity is wonderful.”

Digital DECA& BPA Varoon Enjeti, 12

Sarah Walsh, 11

claire stein staff writer This year has certainly been one for the history books.

With the challenges COVID-19 has brought to the school, many activities are making changes in order to comply with health guidelines and the activities in BV Business, DECA and BPA, are no exceptions.

As the 2020-2021 DECA president for the state of Kansas, senior Varoon Enjeti, and chapter board member, junior Sarah Walsh have dealt with these complications first hand.

“We cannot compete in-person, so we have not competed at all this year,” Walsh said, “Normally, at this time, we would already have had one to two mini DECA competitions.”

The first BPA competition of the year will be this December followed by two more competitions next semester prior to State and Nationals. For DECA, only the State competition has been planned.

DECA and BPA are case-based business competitions that take place throughout the year.

Students compete individually, in pairs or in small groups with both a written component, such as an exam or report and an interactive component with an industry professional serving as a judge. “[At competitions,] you’re given a real-world business prompt, and you’re told to solve it,” Enjeti said. “That [could] be a project that you prepare ahead of time or a prompt [displayed] at the competition where you’re given 10 to 20 minutes to present a solution to the judge.”

Walsh has already started to prepare for the BPA competition. Even though the competitions will be virtual, she is preparing for them in the same way that she would if they were held in person, by creating a presentation and preparing her interview materials.

“These competitions are so focused on interpersonal and presentation skills, which are hard to showcase virtually,” Walsh said. “I am competing in the same events, one presen-

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BV Business students discuss virtual DECA, BPA competitions

tation and one mock interview, so it will be very similar to do over Zoom.”

In the past, BV has hosted competitions for BPA and DECA which helped to increase the number of members.

Because that is not feasible right now, BV Business has not brought in very many people, so they have had to come up with creative ways to reach new members.

Enjeti has helped to do this in a couple of different ways.

As the DECA representative of the Kansas student body, he is in charge of managing social media and bringing new ideas to the statewide organization. Enjeti has also incorporated some new features and ideas into DECA in efforts to attract members and make this year more interactive.

“Since we haven’t been able to have that many competitions or even meet with the students, I created a members network which allows us to give information to all the chapters directly in a pyramid format,” Enjeti said. “I’ve also made a social media plan so we can keep members engaged.”

Both Enjeti and Walsh have worked to make this year the best it can be, and although they miss being in-person, they do not want to jeopardize others’ health.

“Although competing in-person is ideal, I would not want to risk the – Sarah Walsh, 11 health of our members, members from other chapters, judges, or advisors by competing in-person.” Walsh said. “Therefore, virtual is the best option right now, and we will continue to adapt as a chapter.”

Even with the unexpected difficulties that have come up in the past couple of months, Walsh continues to look on the bright side.

“I have met so many BV students that I probably would not have been friends with if it weren’t for BV Business, [and] it has provided me with so many amazing opportunities that will help me with any career path I choose.” Walsh said. “It is great to be involved in high school, and BV Business has been a great way to do so.”

“Virtual is the best option right now and we will continue to adapt as a chapter.”

| DESIGN BY CLAIRE STEIN

news

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news

2020

RECAP

charley thomas & eleanor warren staff writers 2020 has been filled with quite a few memorable events, from a Chiefs Superbowl Victory to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are countless things we all want to remember, but some things we might wish to forget.

JAN

JAN

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3

Australia declared a State of Emergency due to bushfires that resulted in the loss of 10 million hectares of land and the deaths of tens of thousands of endangered animals.

The fires also created a vicious pattern of thunderstorms, which caused even more bushfires to break out when lightning struck dry vegetation.

Quite literally starting off the year with a “bang,” talk of a potential WWIII surfaced after a U.S.-ordered drone air strike killed an Iranian major general. Younger Americans turned to social media platforms like TikTok using dark humor and memes to point out the potential, comical faults of a Gen-Z military.

JAN

FEB

26

Kobe Bryant, who made history during his 20-year NBA career with the LA Lakers by earning more points, more free-throws and caused more turnovers than any other guard before him, was tragically killed at the age of 41 in a helicopter accident along with his daughter, Gianna Bryant, and seven others.

MAR

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Though discovered in late 2019, the COVID-19 outbreak was offically labelled a pandemic in early March, causing the closure of schools, businesses and churches. Now, people must follow social-distancing guidelines and masks mandates. Thus far, the world has seen almost 1.5 million deaths due to coronavirus.

| DESIGN BY ELEANOR WARREN

MAY

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Sparked by the death of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization gained new momentum as many gathered to protest police brutality. Floyd’s words, “I can’t breathe,” became a key phrase used on protest signs.

These protests, although sometimes violent, were over 93% peaceful according to The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.

2

In one of the few positive events of 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs became the football World Champions after winning Superbowl LIV. Led by rookie quarterback and Superbowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, the team defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20. This was the first Chiefs Superbowl victory since 1970.

news AUG

JUL

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Chadwick Boseman, who is most famously known and respected for his role as T’Challa in the AcademyAward winning movie “Black Panther,” died in his Los Angeles home at the age of 42 after suffering a long battle with colon cancer.

Colorado has experienced the state’s two largest wildfires in history during 2020. Although the fires have ravaged a combined total of more than 400,000 acres of land, firefighters have been granted some relief by the state’s fair amount of snowfall, which typically begins in October.

SEPT

SEPT

5

The California wildfires, one of which was caused by a gender reveal party, have been the worst in the state’s history, burning more than 4 million acres of land. With nearly 9,000 individual wildfires, the flames have caused the destruction of roughly 10,000 buildings and the deaths of more than 30 people.

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg leaves behind a legacy of fighting for women’s equality that can be seen in her many quotes, such as, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”

Ginsburg passed away at the age of 87 due to complications of pancreatic cancer.

OCT

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OCT

The Los Angeles Lakers saw victory in the NBA finals with all-star Lebron James claiming his fourth NBA Championship.

The team defeated the Miami Heat in game 6 of the Finals, giving the Lakers their 17th franchise championship, tied with the Boston Celtics for the most in the league’s history.

OCT

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The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in game 6 of the major league baseball World Series. “That’s [the] things you think about when you’re a kid,” said World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager to ESPN. “[To] do it with this team, it couldn’t be any more special.”

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Following the death of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the responsibility of nominating a new Supreme Court Justice fell to President Donald Trump. Trump nominated Amy Coney Barett, a Notre Dame Law School graduate and mother of seven. Barrett was confirmed to the court by a senate vote of 52-48.

NOV

3

The 2020 Presidential Election resulted in Democratic PresidentElect Joe Biden defeating Republican President Donald Trump by a vote of 306-232. The election also gave the Democratic Party the majority in the US House of Representatives with 222 representatives. The Senate will be decided in the Georgia runoff election Jan. 5.

| PHOTOS BY TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

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feature

Rush to to the the Head Head AA Rush Senior, adviser share experiences from BV’s literary art magazine

claire middleton staff writer

connect with any student.

Adviser of “Headrush” Maureen Davis, a The literary and art magazine, “Headrush,” drama and creative writing teacher, also sees this has continually served as an outlet of creativity magazine as an opportunity for writers and artists and passion for hundreds of students including to have their work published and to share their senior Liam Dale. This year, he has stepped into pieces with the student community. the leadership position of editor-in-chief of this Davis strongly supports this magazine because it magazine. also offers students a chance to gain experience re“It’s really cool to kind of see what other people garding publishing, designing, selecting pieces and at the school are doing editing multiple things “There’s something special about the to make this magazine and what’s important to them from a leadership Headrush environment — being surrounded from start to finish. perspective,” Dale said.

With the help of by people admiring your art that would Through this opporthose involved, Dale is normally go unnoticed never gets old.” proud to be the editunity, he has met a lot of students he wouldn’t Liam Dale, 12 normally talk to and address. Dale is wishful of having as many students as possible submit pieces they are passionate about in order to further diversify the magazine.

Although BV has multiple opportunities for students to express themselves through different styles of writing, Headrush is directly aimed towards creative writing. For example, children’s books, poetry and plays are all highly encouraged.

Because of this, Dale believes “Headrush” can

tor-in-chief of something that is progressively evolving into a unique magazine run mainly by high school students. Currently, there are 12 students involved.

“It’s really cool how they each add their own touch into the magazine,” Dale said. “There’s something special about the Headrush environment — being surrounded by people admiring your art that would normally go unnoticed never gets old.”

If you are interested in submitting your work, you can share it with mdavis02@bluevalleyk12.org on google drive or email her individually.

You can also drop off your work in her mailbox in the office.

Make sure to include your name and contact information.

| DESIGN BY HARRISON MELTON

on the cover

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more than meets the eye

BV students, professionals discuss struggles with body image written by:

rylee bergmann, chloe browning, brynn friesen, isabelle fletcher, kaitlin green, ayesha khan

design by:

charlie trent

**The Tiger Print staff acknowledges there is sensitive information about eating disorders. The content in this article may elicit unwanted reactions from those struggling with similar matters. Please read at your own discretion. | DESIGN BY YOUR NAME

Statistics based on a poll of 230 students

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on the cover

misconceptions in the mirror Over the past 20 years, social media has become a prominent part of everyday life for teenagers. However, with the rise of social media has also come an increase in low self-esteem and body dysmorphia, also known as BDD. BDD is the misconception a person has about their appearance. It can also contribute to disordered eating and other body-image related disorders.

According to a study done by the Florida House Experience, a national correlation is found between the use of social media and BDD. Approximately 87% of women and 65% of men compare themselves with other users, with 50% of those women and 37% of those men experiencing BDD symptoms.

This study found the information to be supportive of the claim that increased exposure to social media leads to increased BDD related thoughts, especially with the rise of influencers who have a lithe body type.

Content presented on platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, aid in promoting muscular and thin body types. Algorithms are designed to showcase its thin users on explore pages, causing teens to continually be exposed to what they are led to believe is the ideal body type.

According to the same study, participants reported a muscular figure was the most represented on social media, while 67% of participants reported a softer build was underrepresented.

COVID-19 and quarantine have caused a rise in harmful content. “Thinspo” posts showcased at-home workouts, while “fatspo” served as motivation for viewers to workout in order to prevent weight gain. Trends such as “what I eat in a day” describe what its user ate in order to maintain their figure or lose weight.

Several of these videos promoted unhealthy eating and exercise habits. Users were unknowingly exposed to content covering body comparisons, disordered eating and unhealthy exercise routines.

While social media sometimes has a negative impact on a teen’s perception of themselves, users have begun to use their platforms to enforce body normalization and positivity.

For example, user Effyourbeautystandards on Instagram embraces body positivity. She also focuses on spreading awareness to her followers in the form of informational graphics and features of other confident social media users to help normalize all body types.

28.8 million

americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

how has social media impacted view on body image?

53% 38%

negatively indifferently

9%

positively

Social media has the potential to both positively and negatively impact a person’s view of themselves.

In order to prevent the harmful effects social media can cause, the American Addiction Centers recommends teens struggling with BDD remove feeds that cause negativity, follow users who spread body positivity and seek help from a doctor or licensed professional.

on the cover

15

cole dickey 74%

of students have struggled with their bdoy image

less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as “underweight”

according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

45%

of students feel the school has not encouraged healthy eating habits

After struggling with his weight for years, junior Cole Dickey recently decided to make a change.

It wasn’t until Dickey had his measurements taken for the school musical that he wanted to take on a healthier lifestyle.

“I’ve been insecure throughout my whole entire life,” Dickey said. “I’ve always been the bigger kid.”

During quarantine, Dickey set a goal for himself.

“I wanted to lose about 20 pounds,” Dickey said. “I ran three miles every single day, did Chloe Ting workouts and ate a lot healthier.”

Overall Dickey ended up losing 52 pounds. Although this change for him was amazing, it came with many mental and physical challenges.

“It affected me mentally because everyone said that I couldn’t do it — but when I did it, I felt so accomplished,” Dickey said. “It was the hardest thing in my whole entire life that I’ve done. I see all these people with abs or with a slim waist [on social media], and I’ve always wanted that.”

As Dickey went through his weight loss journey, he began to share his experiences on TikTok, where he has 137,000 followers.

“I posted my first TikTok about my weight, and it got roughly 100,000 views,” he said. “I had random people DMing me on Instagram and Snapchatting me [telling me how much I had motivated them on their journey].”

Although Dickey made the decision to lose weight, he still grapples with his appearance.

“I still struggle with body image issues — even after I lost the weight — but I’ve been a lot more confident,” he said. “Throughout the summer I’ve posted more Instagram photos with my body in them, [which I would have never done before].”

Although losing weight was the goal, he accomplished his goal in a healthy way.

“I researched what I should eat and what I should not,” Dickey said. “I never stopped eating. I just watched what I ate and stayed away from unhealthy options. I understand it can be really hard, but at the end of the day, it’s your body — it’s you fighting yourself.

Make sure to do it for yourself and no one else.”

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on the cover

nikki walters

Nearly 30 million people in the United States will suffer @recoverywithnikki, to spread awareness and let other people from an eating disorder in their lifetime, yet more than 70% know it’s OK to struggle,” Walters said. will stay silent about it.

Looking back, the biggest takeaway her eating disorder Sophomore Nikki Walters strives to end the stigma gave her is that life is a gift and shouldn’t be taken for granted revolving around eating disorders and let others know because you feel you’re not enough. recovery is possible and not something to hide or go through “Seeing what [your eating disorder] can do if you don’t alone. give time to yourself is really heartbreaking,” Walters said. “It “I started developing my eating disorder in May 2018,” destroys your mental health and your ability to socialize and Walters said. “I didn’t really get diagnosed with [anorexia have fun with others.” nervosa] until about eight months later.”

It was hard for Walters to discuss her eating disorder at After attempting recovery at home, she soon found it was first because she thought it was a sign of weakness. She wants ineffective and began receiving care at Bellator, an intensive others to know it doesn’t make you any less of a person. outpatient treatment facility. However, after a couple months, “Just know that you’re not alone,” Walters said. “You have her parents and the staff there realized she needed more help support around you, and that’s not going to change.” than she was getting and switched to Laureate, a treatment center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“I would say my turning point [in recovery] was when I was admitted to the hospital for the first time,” Walters said. follow nikki’s “It was my first weekend, and my parents were struggling recovery journey on taking shifts sleeping at the hospital with me and going to work.” her instagram Adjusting to 24-hour care and having to talk to her parents @recoverywithnikki about her emotions was one of the most difficult parts for Walters.

“My dad loved me, but he didn’t understand why I was doing this to myself,” she said. “He was angry a lot. Just seeing him happy with me eating kind of have students struggled with changed it for me — that was my motivation.” disordered eating?

Walters was in treatment for roughly six months but said she will always be in recovery. Nevertheless, she gained techniques to help her keep her mind away from thoughts of disordered eating.

“Covering my mirrors helped the most for me,” Walters said. “Even the mirrors in my room, I keep covered with sticky notes with positive affirmations.”

She recommends throwing out clothes that don’t fit or make you feel less confident.

“Clothes are supposed to fit you, not you fit the clothes,” she said.

Walters wants to remind others to stay away from do students know someone who has talk of dieting or praise surrounding body image.

“Compliments that people think are compliments struggled with disordered eating? to people with eating disorders are not,” she said.

“There’s so many other things that you can compliment someone by without making it about their appearance.”

Walters knew she was ready to share her story with others after her cousin opened up about eating struggles of her own. The feeling of loneliness was something she dealt with during her recovery process, and she wanted others to know there are so many people available and willing to help.

“I started [my recovery account],

34% have

66%

have not

14% do not

86% do

experts’ opinionS

Newly appointed school psychologist Todd McCarthy acknowledged the dangers and the mentality of people suffering from eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

“Some people have a very poor self image because it’s in their psyche or the way they developed,” McCarthy said.

“When you look at people that have bulimia or some other type of eating disorder, they [might be] remarkably thin — but [in their eyes] it’s never thin enough.”

BV alumna Serena Nangia recently moderated a panel called The Realities of Different Body Types in the U.S. Nangia is an associate at Caroline Sarah Ventures (CSV), an organization focusing on women who have been through challenging circumstances.

During the panel, founder and CEO of CSV Caroline Johnston shared her struggle with various eating disorders and the mindset that came with them.

“I struggled with anorexia, and then it switched to bulimia nervosa; through that time I was really struggling to be someone else and to create this image that was different,” Johnston said. “I also was partaking in the catwalk and different modeling agencies, and I felt the pressure from skillful models that were being successful. I was really striving — but for the wrong reasons — to look different.”

McCarthy said trauma and unfortunate experiences in life can be other major stemming points for these disorders.

“There’s the concept that psychologists talk about in research called nature versus nurture,” McCarthy said. “There are things we’re born with and there’s things created in us because of the experiences we’ve had in our lives.”

Before becoming a psychologist, McCarthy worked for five years at the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center

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(JCJDC). According to McCarthy, JCJDC students’ past experiences could trigger them, affecting the way they acted around certain people.

Alongside Johnston, podcaster and mental health advocate Nōn Wels spoke about his own battle with disordered eating and how it started from his bad childhood.

“My father was pretty abusive, just a vile human, and both of my parents are narcissists,” Wels said. “When you’re in an environment like that, and you’re as sensitive as I am, you start to feel [like] you want to shut down emotionally. My eating disorder amalgamated out of me trying to mediate their marriage. They were married for 30 years, and my dad was just sleeping around and punching people — it was awful.”

Correlating with Wels, McCarthy recognizes the effect that childhood trauma can have on the mind and how it can lead to disordered eating. “[Eating disorders] are often based in trauma — pinpointing the trauma is hard, [as is] getting people to accept that there is an issue,” McCarthy said. “Following through the treatment plan and process [is] even more difficult because it’s touchy.”

McCarthy believes it is highly important to discuss serious topics like these in order to help people further understand the threats of these matters.

“We rightfully so have spent a lot of time dealing with teen mental health issues — The Zero Reasons Why campaign is phenomenal,” McCarthy said. “This is one of the things that doesn’t get talked about that much. It is real, and the damage that can be done is very real, not just psychologically but physically.”

do students feel comfortable in their body?

47% somewhat 36% no 17% yes

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HOPEFUL gymnast finds herself on the road to the Olympics

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lue Valley is home to hundreds of student athletes performing in a multitude of different sports, but very few of them get close to the caliber of senior Leanne Wong.

Wong got her start in gymnastics when she was young.

“My dad originally wanted me to be an ice skater, but I guess I really didn’t like it, [so] he found a gymnastics gym close by,” she said. “Of course, he wanted the best gym in the area. My coaches were really great, and I just loved [gymnastics] a lot more.”

Her parents continued to be her cheerleaders for the next 12 years.

“My support definitely comes from my parents and my family,” Wong said. “They’ve gone to like every single one of my meets. They’ve been really supportive and taking me to the gym and just keeping me going.”

To prepare for higher level competitions, Wong trains with her team GAGE, Great American Gymnastics Express.

“I’m coached by Al Fong and Armine Barutyan,” Wong said.

“They coached previous Olympians and lots of elite athletes as well, so they’re pretty experienced.”

Wong is now a member of the U.S. National gymnastics team and has been to many high profile competi– Leanne Wong, 12 tions, such as the 2019 Pan American Games and the American Cup. “During my senior debut at the 2019 American Cup, I competed with several former Olympians from other countries such as Ellie Black from Canada and Mai Murakam from Japan,” Wong said. “At the U.S. Classics and National Championships, I also had the opportunity to compete with Simone Biles. I can definitely see how her many years of experience has enabled her to perform with such great difficulty.”

While Wong contends alongside current well-known gymnasts like Biles and Laurie Hernandez, she also looks to former Olympians as motivational figures.

“I enjoyed watching Nastia Liukin because I liked her gymnastics,” Wong said. “She likes a little bit of a mix of artistry and power. That’s kind of how I am also.”

Wong’s family and coaches have known for a long time

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that they had a rising star on their hands.

“Some people say I have wanted to go to the Olympics since I was 3 years old,” Wong said. “I’m not sure how accurate that is.”

This past June, Wong was supposed to attend the Olympic Trials. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed until 2021.

“It was a possibility for me to make the [Olympic] team — there’s only four spots and over 50 gymnasts,” Wong said.

“We’re just mentally and physically preparing because [we have] a whole other year of training. In a positive light, we get more time to improve and get more skills.”

In the next year, Wong will spend more than 1,500 hours practicing at GAGE in Blue Springs, Missouri.

“It’s definitely a really challenging sport,” Wong said.

“It takes a lot of mental toughness — sometimes more than physical.”

Practices aren’t the only challenging aspect of gymnastics.

Competitions can be very long and time-consuming, and some of her national level competitions are even televised.

“In the senior level, you’re competing one at a time, so the whole arena is watching one person — all the cameras are on you so there’s a lot of pressure and adrenaline,” Wong said. “But it’s about trusting yourself, remembering what you do in practice, going out there to compete and just staying calm.”

The possibility of the Olympics is not the only exciting thing in Wong’s future. Many Division-I colleges have reached out with interest, but one in particular stole her heart.

“I recently signed to the University of Florida on a fullride athletic scholarship,” Wong said. “I loved the gymnastics facility and the coaches. The University of Florida is also one of the top gymnastics programs in the country and has a history of winning National Championships.”

Gymnastics has made a huge impact on Wong’s life, quite literally being her past, present and future.

“Just getting to compete and learning all these skills was really enjoyable,” Wong said. “I just really love it.”

“... The whole arena is watching one person— all the cameras are on you...”

| PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEANNE WONG | WORDS BY OLIVIA SHERLOCK | DESIGN BY MIA RICE

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| WORDS BY STEPHANIE KONTOPANOS | DESIGN BY FRANNIE LAMBERTI

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ophomore Arjun Joshi is currently taking the Virtual Honors Java Programming course, in which he learns the Java coding language and applies it to other assignments.

The class typically retains a consistent structure, part of which includes coding through a browser website instead of using a particular software.

“We start class with Canvas assignments, like a discussion board,” Joshi said. “[Then], we go to vocab and slides so we have a general understanding of the concept we are doing. Then we go to codeHS and start programming. After that we do a closer.”

For Joshi, the process of coding itself is the most interesting part of the class.

“It’s fun to see the work you put in and seeing it execute correctly,” Joshi said. “Even if it’s wrong, it still allows you to use brain power in order to figure it out.”

Part of what makes the class so enjoyable is also the instructor, Joshi said. “[TJ] Slade is a great teacher,” Joshi said. “He is good at teaching the class, and he’s also nice.”

– Arjun Joshi, 10 Besides learning Java, Joshi learned a variety of skills that can be applied outside of coding, such as how to work with other people.

“When you’re coding, you have a lot of problems — you’re generally not able to get through those problems by yourself,” Joshi said. “You have to have people help you.”

Occasionally, students also have to rely on their problemsolving skills. “[If] you don’t have anyone who can help you, you have to figure out what’s wrong,” Joshi said.

After this class, Joshi hopes to continue taking more programming courses.

“I’m planning on taking AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles later on — probably my end of sophomore year and junior year,” Joshi said. “Apparently we only go over [about] half the units of Java that are available during the Honors Java unit, so I’m looking forward to learning the rest of it.”

Joshi wishes BV had addition classes that allowed him to learn more coding languages, such as Python and C Sharp.

“I know Java was a pretty good starting point,” Joshi said. “Computer science being one of the most top-picked career choices. It’s good to have a basic understanding of computer science before going into college.”

This semester, junior James Pressdee is enrolled in the virtual Computer Applications course, which is mostly centered around understanding the Microsoft applications.

“Right now we’re in our Word unit,” Pressdee said.

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“We’ve also done PowerPoints, and we do typing practice on the side. I think later we’re doing Excel.”

During class, the teacher, Allison Gossick from Blue Valley North, prepares the class for the homework.

“In class, she does examples of the homework,” Pressdee said. “[The homework is things] like making tables in Microsoft Word. We have to make and format them.”

For Pressdee, the most interesting assignment was creating an interactive Jeopardy PowerPoint.

“You could click on what question you wanted [with] the category and the number,” Pressdee said.

Besides learning how to use the Microsoft applications, students also prepare for future jobs.

“We’ve done some business etiquette — like how to write a professional letter and all the formatting,” Pressdee said. “The most general skill [we’ve learned] is organizing anything you make or submit, keeping everything neat and following guidelines.”

Like others, Pressdee believes these courses are beneficial in a digital age.

“I think [Computer Science classes] are important because everything we do in the world now uses computers,” Pressdee said. “If you don’t know how to use one you’re at an instant disadvantage.”

Junior Nemo Zhang is currently enrolled in the Web Design class, which mixes Computer Science with art and design.

“We do a lot of coding and HTML in that class and [learn] how to design websites,” Zhang said.

The coursework is done primarily through two programs.

“The classwork and homework are mostly done through a website called codeHS, where we just watch videos and then practice coding,” Zhang said. “We use Notepad++ to create websites.”

The course is taught by Dwight Williams, who is in his eighth year teaching at BV. “He is a really nice teacher,” Zhang said. “He’s really easy to get along with.”

The school-issued devices make computer science classes more valuable.

“Teachers and students all use MacBooks,” Zhang said.

“It’s really important to know how to navigate through the computer and use it properly.”

Besides allowing students to make better use of their MacBooks, the computer courses have long-term benefits.

“Learning coding and how to use HTML is important for future jobs,” Zhang said.

“It’s fun to see the work you put in and seeing it execute correctly.”

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FASHION FORWARD students reflect on clothes, jewelry businesses Luluscloset Buying custom fashion items is made around or clothes she likes. easy by senior Lulu Atra.

“For summer I like to wear crop tees, so Over quarantine, Atra wanted to get in I could use that as an inspiration, and then touch with her creative side of sewing and I will go on Pinterest or I make my own designing. designs,” Atra said. “I think of what would “I’ve always liked fashion since I was a look good with my new pair of jeans that I kid,” Atra said. “When quarantine came I bought or something like that.” had nothing else to do, so I decided to get After high school Atra plans on conback in it. I [also] started to paint shoes for tinuing with her creativity and love for people because I saw it on TikTok.” fashion.

Atra learned to sew by teaching herself “I’m double majoring in fashion and and experimenting with patterns. design,” Atra said. “I’m going to two dif“My grandma taught me a little bit ferent programs, but they’re going to link when I was a kid, but I mostly taught mytogether at the end of the day.” self how to use a sewing machine through Her Instagram account is only used for YouTube,” Atra said. “I took one class in fun, but she does want to have her own middle school for business one day. sewing, but that “I want to was pretty much open up my own it.” boutique where Atra made I make my own – Lulu Atra, 12 an Instagram clothes or an account called online business,” Luluscloset. Her inspiration to start her Atra said. “I also want to work in higher account came from her passion for making industries and have my stuff in department clothes and continued with the support stores like Nordstrom.” from others.

Atra’s business has impacted her in a “I started making a couple things for positive way, and she is happy when she myself, and my family kept telling me how gets returning clients. good it was and how it would sell easily,” “I made a pretty decent amount of Atra said. “I figured if I did it through money from that account,” Atra said.

Instagram, I could get a lot of people from “From just one client that I had, I got five our school to buy from me.” other clients right after from people she There are a variety of items to buy on knew. It’s pretty cool to see that people the account, and Atra also takes custom actually like the things I make.” orders.

Atra said she has to be consistent with “I paint shoes like Nike Air Forces and the account so her followers will engage.

Vans; I [also] did a couple of shoes for “Something I’ve learned [from my little kids,” Atra said. “My second most account] is time management and how popular [items] are the hoodies. I do a lot much effort it really takes to run your own of customs like half of it is tie dyed, and business,” Atra said. “The more time I then it has gems on the Adidas logo.” put into the account, the more followers [I The things Atra creates are get,] and more people come to purchase inspired by old fabric laying things.”

“I’ve always liked fashion since I was a kid.”

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peytansjewelry Quarantine wasn’t a time where people were busy and occupied with their usual activities, instead they were cooped up in their homes and neighborhoods.

Junior Peytan James decided to make the most of the extra time she had on her hands by creating an account for the jewelry she crafted.

“I started it over quarantine because I needed an opportunity to make extra money,” James said. “I started the account then, and I’d started ordering the supplies and everything about a week before.”

James’ profitable account, called peytansjewelry, features mostly jewelry.

However, she decided to use her platform in other ways, as well.

“I’ve mainly done just jewelry, but a couple days ago I did post something about me selling a couple items of clothes I have,” she said. “My main priority is just focusing on jewelry and eventually [add] something like necklaces or bracelets that I’ll make.”

With the boredom that quarantine brought, James found jewelry-making to be an interest that kept her occupied and taught her more about the world of business.

“It was very difficult to find something to do,” she said. “I really had to learn the skills of purchasing products — making a profit and not buying too much.”

Not only did this account create an outlet for her, but it also brought her the joy of watching people receive her creations.

“I [love] watching people’s reactions whenever I deliver or they pick it up,” James said. “They’re always like, ‘Oh my

goodness, this is so cute. It looks so much better in-person.’ It just makes me smile.

It makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”

While the jewelry has solely been made by her, James said she has received help from others in different ways.

“There’s been a couple times where I’ve had someone come do deliveries with me, but that’s it,” she said. “Everything else has just been individually based.”

Even though she is interested in the art of fashion, she has decided not to take the fashion class in school. According to James, her business will stay small for now.

“I don’t plan on taking it because I’m sure I already have all my credits for arts and engineering,” she said.

James is not entirely sure if this hobby is something that she would like to continue into her future; however, she has put some thought into it.

“It just started off as a small business and something for me to do and make some extra money on,” James said. “It really depends because life is long. You never know what’s going to happen.”

@peytansjewelry

@luluscloset

Scan the QR codes to ram visit their Instag accounts

| WORDS BY BRYNN FRIESEN & FRANNIE LAMBERTI | DESIGN BY CLAIRE POWELL & MIA RICE

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Y E S S Y D E O N I N Y T R I H T feature

rd a o b y e k s Junior play

rylee bergmann staff writer

S

ince elementary school, junior Nathan Staley has had a passion for playing piano and has joined his talents with former classmates to create the band Odyssey Thirty Nine.

Odyssey Thirty Nine, which came together in 2014, made up of three of his closest childhood friends he met at Prairie Star Elementary School.

“There are three brothers and me,” Staley said. “We’ve known each other since we were like 6.”

The quartet has always had a fascination with music. For the past eight years, Staley has played classical piano, which he continues to improve with the help of lessons. He said it is a way for him to let out all of his stress.

“We started doing music because it’s our passion, but we also had been playing music before creating the band,” Staley said.

Because the other band members have since moved to Dallas, Texas, Staley flies there every couple weeks so his band can practice and create music.

“It’s tough being apart from the three other guys, but it’s a factor we just can’t control,” Staley said.

The name Odyssey Thirty Nine represents the origins of the band.

“Odyssey means the journey we’ve gone through,” Staley said. “Thirty Nine is the highway to the lake, which is where we wrote our very first songs.”

b an g n i m in upco

Before the pandemic, Odyssey Thirty Nine traveled to a few cities around the country to perform at different venues and festivals. They have been to Dallas, Nashville and the West Bottoms in Kansas City.

Along with performing, they also recorded in those areas, too.

“It’s definitely serious but at the same time it’s super fun because we’re all really good friends,” Staley said.

They have written a few of their own songs but started off playing songs from other artists.

“We cover [the genre] classic rock, [but] we write alternative [music].”

Staley said. “So, [it’s] kind of like alternative pop.”

Recently, the band signed a contract with Union Entertainment, with which they’ve produced four songs. “[Union Entertainment is] a business in Nashville,” Staley said. “Our manager Tristan Jackson set us up to be on this label.”

In the last week of October, they finished producing their last – Nathan Staley, 11 song with the agency.

“Our single called ‘Plain Sight’ will be released sometime around December or January,” Staley said.

The future for their next contract and plans is up in the air as of now, but Staley would like to pursue his musical career in the future.

“That would be the dream,” Staley said.

Staley enjoys bringing all their creativity together to make something

d

“It’s definitely serious but at the same time it’s super fun because we’re all really good friends.”

they all love.

“The best part is going in the recording studio and being together because we’re all best friends,” he said.

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| PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATHAN STALEY | DESIGN BY ERIKA KOLSETH

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opinion

Ending Things is Not Giving Up It’s time to normalize divorce

olivia sherlock story editor

“Cardi B Says She Filed for Divorce to Teach Offset a ‘Lesson.’”

“Brad Pitt Wants ‘His Time With the Children’ Amid Ongoing Custody Battle With Angelina Jolie, Sources Say.” If these two quotes sound familiar it’s because they are both real titles of dramatized articles about divorce published by Entertainment Tonight (ET).

Those ET articles were just 2 of their 21 pieces covering celebrity divorce from this year alone.

ET is not the only publication guilty of profiting over celebrity marriages ending. If you google “celebrity divorce 2020,” 126 million results come up including articles written by sources like “People Magazine” and “Glamour.”

This realization has sparked the question in me, “Why?” Why is it so important to the public that two people are separating?

An obvious takeaway is that drama sells — and divorce, especially celebrity divorce, is seen by the public as very dramatic.

If a 17-year-old high school girl were to say, “My boyfriend and I broke up,” it wouldn’t necessarily be surprising to a majority of people. But for some reason, if the same person were to say a few years later, “My husband and I are getting a divorce,” the reaction would be wildly different.

While getting a divorce is never an ideal outcome or the outcome one goes into a marriage expecting, it is normal.

According to a recent 2020 study by Wilkins and Finkenbinder Law Firm, almost 50% of marriages end in

divorce. In America, roughly every 13 seconds there is a divorce.

These numbers are only rising due to new marital strain now caused by the pandemic.

But even with all the proof and statistics that show divorce as normal, people still judge and demean others for getting them.

People fall in and out of love each day, and it is not healthy to force something that is no longer there.

It is far more damaging for children to grow up in a home with constantly fighting parents than to grow up with divorced parents.

Many specialists agree children growing up in a chaotic or negative environment can learn bad parenting techniques and relationship skills, thus making it, in the long-run, better for the parents to get a divorce.

While divorce might not be the best choice for some people due to personal or religious reasons, it is especially important that we normalize it to help those where a legal separation is their only option.

Day after day, women and men are stuck in abusive marriages because they are too scared to leave.

It is only through support, not judgment, that these people can feel the strength needed to get out.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, one in three women and one in four men are affected by physical abuse, rape or stalking in a relationship. This statistic does not even count the large number of people who are affected by emotional abuse.

It takes a strong person to end any marriage — especially an abusive one.

It is not weak to get a divorce, and the ending of a marriage is not equivalent to quitting. | DESIGN BY OLIVIA SHERLOCK

IKTOK OXICITY stephanie kontopanos web editor

Like most teens in America, I was scrolling through my TikTok For You page and enjoying some comedic content when an odd video popped up.

It featured a teenage boy, his face illuminated by poison-green LED lights, with the statement “I’m so toxic I get mad thinking about another guy holding the door open for her” written above.

Naturally, I was incredulous at how he looked so smug while flaunting his flaws. I went to the comments, expecting similar reactions, only to find hundreds of girls calling him attractive.

After sharing it with some of my friends and discussing how awful that video was, I kept scrolling and enjoying my TikTok experience.

Until another showed up.

And another.

Several videos, also from proud teenage boys, described their toxic traits: “My toxic trait is subconsciously listening to everything they say in an argument to blackmail them later,” “I’m so toxic I’d be mad at you for dating people before you

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Videos, comments on social media app glamorize abusive behavior

even knew me” and “I’m so toxic I wish I could die just to see if he’d care.”

It’s not just from boys. One user describes immediately dissociating when her boyfriend brings up another girl. Another girl’s video says, “When did I become lowkey toxic?” with a smile on her face.

It’s hard to find a place to start with how damaging this trend is, but one issue is evidently the glamorization of toxic traits. I’m a big advocate for recognizing toxic traits in yourself. I’m not an advocate for recognizing those toxic traits, making no effort to fix them and then flaunting it all over social media.

Secondly, the responses to these videos are incredibly worrying, especially on the boys’ videos.

Comments run along the lines of “I like this type of toxic,” “date me” and “this is attractive.”

This creates a culture in which toxicity, and even the abuse that some of these TikToks demonstrate, is a positive thing in a relationship. In reality, emotional abuse often leads to depression, anxiety and self-harm.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 12 to 20 percent of middle and high schoolers have been in abusive relationships, and I guarantee they can push for the end of this trend as well. In addition, a lot of young children are on the app, despite the age requirement.

The children who see this video and the corresponding comments have the idea in their heads that this is what healthy looks like and that this is what should be considered attractive.

Some may say these TikToks are just jokes and that high school is a time to have fun in your relationships, but a lot of these TikToks present the red flags of genuine abusers: defending degrading comments by calling them jokes, being jealous, blackmailing, threatening suicide and tuning others out.

Although many of us think that our high-school actions won’t affect us later in life, being in a toxic or abusive relationship has the potential to cause damage that lasts for years.

TikTok is a hotspot for humorous videos, but there’s a point at which we need to draw a line on such “jokes” and begin a new culture in which blatant toxicity never wins against real love and support. | DESIGN BY SPENCER NORMAN

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opinion

Act Your Age

When do you become an adult?

liya patel staff writer

Becoming an adult is notorious for being one of the most monumental things that can happen in a person’s life.

It is the time where you get to learn, explore and discover everything the world has to offer and use those lessons to perfect a personal mold.

But at what age do you actually become an adult? 18? 21?

25?

Everyone knows turning 18 is the legal marker for adulthood. It is the moment where you gain the independence and ability to start discovering your full potential with fewer boundaries. But that’s just it. You haven’t experienced everything that turns you into a real adult when that clock strikes midnight.

As someone on the verge of turning 18, I can safely say I would not consider myself a true adult.

How could I? I have never voted or lived on my own, so there is no way that I am ready to label myself as something I am not.

Neither are most of the other 18-year-olds these days. Living at home, still being financially dependent, and continuing to go to high school are all things associated with being 18. Just because you’re legal, doesn’t mean you’re ready to be an adult.

While turning 18 comes with noteworthy factors that create a shift from childhood to the beginning of adulthood — voting, signing a contract and joining the military — I don’t believe these factors signify enough

What Age do you Become an Adult?

Based on a poll of 230 students

| DESIGN BY LIYA PATEL

maturity to be considered an adult.

According to recent studies from NPR and BBC News, the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25.

Between the ages of 18 and 25, an individual goes through many experiences that influence the brain’s full evolution.

That is seven years where the brain is still susceptible to alteration. One should be labeled a true adult when their brain is truly developed.

Being able to drink at the age of 21 is one experience that many are fond of. For most people, this is the age where one has their first drink.

With this being the first time an imperative substance has entered one’s body, the brain is exposed to an influence like no other.

Along with having that first drink, adulthood comes with many other factors including being able to independently rent a car, book a hotel room and get your own healthcare.

A majority of these milestones do not even occur until after the age of 18, which just continues to support the idea that blowing out the candle on your 18th birthday cake does not open the door for all that adulthood offers.

With each year, comes another milestone. More experience, opportunity, and the expansion of independence.

Despite the rush of excitement and sudden spurt of confidence that comes with turning 18, no one is really ready to be considered an adult until they have experienced all that comes with holding the title.

18 (70.9%) 19 (0.4%) 20 (4.8%) 21 (14.8%) 22 (0.4%) 23 (0.9%) 24 (1.7%) 25 (4.3%) 26 (1.7%)

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| Last name

your name your position

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his is the template you should use if you want the byline and the drop cap.

| CARTOON BY ANIKA KREEGAR

Beauty is not visual but internal We have all looked in a mirror and been upset with our bodies or compared the way we look to others. The problem with this is that we all have different body shapes, and not one of them is the “perfect shape.”

Whether it is women aspiring to have the look of a Kardashian or men longing to have a toned six pack, as a society, we must come to terms with the fact that very few people have those qualities naturally.

It doesn’t matter if you are a beautiful size 16 or a gorgeous size 2 — what matters is how you treat the people around you. As young adults we need to break the stereotypical societal standards for beauty.

This should start with brands being inclusive of all sizes and not sectioning clothing off with words like “plus-sized.”

Brands such as Brandy Melvile have been glorified while only selling one size clothing that won’t fit most girls above a size 4.

Many teens today have turned to unhealthy eating habits due to the pressure they feel to fit in with people they see on social media. A group of researchers in Australia recently found that the more time teens around the world spend on social media, the more likely they are to establish an eating disorder.

The reasoning behind this has to do with many influencers using editing software such as Photoshop to change the way they really look. Many will trim down their waist or make certain assets larger than they truly are.

Within the past year many celebrities such as Lizzo, Serena Williams, Sam Smith, James Corden and many more

have spoken out about normalizing all different body types. Lizzo has been a large advocate for being “body-normative,” which she defines as “a parallel force to body-positivity” because instead of just being positive about all shapes, she wants them to all be seen as normal.

Smith sent out a similar message around Christmas 2019.

“Let’s make sure we remind our bodies during this time that no matter what weight we are, we are deserving of love and acceptance,” Smith said in an Instagram post.

Although this is all a step in the right direction, as a generation, we must continue to make sure that we normalize all shapes and sizes because we are all made to be unique, and that is what makes us all beautiful in our own special way.

| DESIGN This staff

BY YOUR editorial NAME is the representation of the opinion of The Tiger Print staff.

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news

rnhole

mia rice staff writer

In the spring, Blue Valley holds their annual seniors vs. faculty challenge. Because of COVID, the competitions have now been spread out — their first being cornhole.

“Since freshman year I have always wanted to be a part of [seniors vs. faculty challenge],” Senior Jilian Powell said.

Powell, who has played cornhole since she was young, played against teachers Ryan Mahoney and Andrew Reeves in the morning on Nov. 20.

“Cornhole is a great challenge because your friend gets to be your teammate,” Powell said. “It is hard to play because it requires a lot of hand-eye coordination.”

No amount of eager volunteering could erase the obvious safety guidelines that needed to be heavily enforced this year.

The boards were lined up throughout three sanctions and the overall challenge lasted a week

with certain days to sign up, making it a less at-risk activity. Some played before school, like Powell, or after school.

“It got me moving in the morning so when I went to class I wasn’t as tired,” Powell said. “It was really fun.”

Games only went on for five minutes, and whatever team had the most points by the end of time, won. Unfortunately for Powell, she lost 11-2.

“I was kind of bummed, but it was fine,” Powell said. “I got to see teachers that I normally wouldn’t see anymore because of COVID [since] they teach underclassmen.”

Now being back in virtual learning, the future for the seniors vs. faculty challenge remains unknown.

“At least I got to do one thing, especially because we don’t know how long we’ll be virtual,” Powell said. “It was one of the few activities that has been catered just for seniors.”

With school going back and forth virtually and with the regulations that have had to made for the coronavirus, Powell said she felt lucky being able to just participate in one activity.

“Since freshman year, you get excited to do all your senior traditions, but I feel like our class has been able to connect more because of our shared experiences regarding COVID,” Powell said.

“I am grateful for the teachers and staff that have tried to keep alive traditions.”

Jason Dolezal

Robert Holt, 12

Ryan Peterson, 12

| DESIGN BY CHARLEY THOMAS | PHOTOS BY CLAIRE POWELL & MIA RICE