the Tiger Print staff commemorates the class of 2021 and their high school memories through the lens of a camera
You voted. The results are in.
Senior chronicles her final year on 35 millimeter film.
Have you wondered where seniors are headed next year? See pages 22-25 for a comprehensive list.
Senior Print staff reflects on their past 4 years.
Brynn
Kaitlin
Isaac
Ayesha
Erika
“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.
Liya Patel
Mia Rice
Claire Stein
Charley Thomas
Isabella Vaz
Mena Walker
State Award-Winning Story: BV students describe musical experiences Make
Frannie Lamberti
Harrison Melton
Eleanor Warren Letters
“There are times when things get hard, difficult and complicated, and sometimes we’re not certain of what the outcome will be. If we keep plugging away and we run to finish, I’d say most times it’s going to turn out pretty well — not always but most times.”
“There’s nothing wrong with dreaming, and so many times we put limitations on ourselves. We’re probably all capable of accomplishing a lot more than we think we are.”
“In light of all that we’ve been through, I think we’ve all learned that it’s important to reflect and not take things for granted — the people we know [and] friendships we have. When we take time to reflect, that usually will breed gratitude and a feeling that I’m pretty fortunate to have what I do.”
Has BV prepared you for your future?
Yes: 78% No: 22%
Have you ever faked sick?
Yes: 77%
No: 23%
Have you ever vaped?
Yes: 59% No: 41%
Do you like school lunch?
Yes: 28% No: 72%
Have you ever skipped class?
Yes: 66% No: 34%
Have you ever been dress coded?
Yes: 22% No: 78%
sports: volleyball, track and bowling
favorite classes: science and math
interests outside of school: reading
pets: 2 dogs (Murphy & Frankie)
favorite restaurant: Olive Garden
favorite thing about BV: the activities and the people
future college: Washburn
sports: soccer, basketball, and track
favorite class: math
interests outside of school: hanging out with friends
pets: 1 dog (Daisy)
favorite restaurants: Chipotle and Potbelly
favorite thing about BV: the school coffee
future college: KU
sports: indoor soccer, rec basketball and baseball
activities: NHS officer and percussionist in band favorite classes: math and science (specifically physics)
interests outside of school: playing football with friends and playing XBOX
pets: 1 dog (Maggie)
favorite restaurant: Bravo
favorite thing about BV: the many opportunities in both classes and activities
future college: Iowa State
sports: track and cross country activities: NHS
favorite classes: AP Gov and AP Psych interests outside of school: playing disc golf and hanging out with friends
favorite restaurants: Red Robin and First Watch
favorite thing about BV: how easy it is to get involved and make friends through clubs or sports
future college: K-State
answers: Williams biology, Greer aerospace engineering, Klinge marketing, Karst psychology
most artistic: Zoe Cott & Liam Dale
most likely to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Ann Heitman & Erika Kolseth
biggest flirts: Chloe Browning & Matthew Greenfield
most involved: Ann Vasa & Zoe Best
Tallest: Parker Hill (6’4”)
biggest procrastinator: Alex Johnson, Graham Blackwood & Mary Madison Smith
best person to share a desert island with: Halley Eastham, Abdul Baghdadi, Ethan Dirkes & Claire Stein
most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse: Rick Kelly, Noah Schopper, Robbie Rodriguez & Ian Olson
most likely to get abducted by aliens: Pranav Dronavalli, Jake Holdhusen, Ishar Venkatesh & Peyton Holsinger
most likely to star
“#1 Why did I think this haircut was a good idea — it was not a good look for me. #2 was the velvet scrunchie really necessary? #3 why this pose? And finally, why did I think Birkenstock’s were OK with a nice outfit?”
- Grace Poeschl, 12
“The pants are looking a little tight bud, and why am I wearing white socks? Peace signs just aren’t it, the stance in general is just...yeah; also I [needed] hair extensions.”
- Kobee Austria, 12
“This is the type of kid to post 11:11 and @ her.”
- Matthew Greenfield, 12
“I look like baby dory and imagine having braces until your summer of senior year.”
- Emily Bernard, 12
While this year’s seniors have changed throughout the past four years, so has the world around them. Whether it’s fashion or internet platforms, there’s plenty of nostalgia to be found in looking back to the year that started it all — 2017.
In 2017, the popular vine “Damn Daniel” was in its prime, and as a result white slip on Vans could be seen on everyone’s feet throughout the halls. White vans were a staple in each teen’s closet, as well as fashion influencers across platforms. Now, in 2021, white Nike Air Force 1s are the basic shoe of choice, and have made their way into everyone’s OOTDs.
While many trends such as Thrasher hoodies and off the shoulder tops paired with a bralette have died out since 2017, leggings and lounge-wear are here to stay. A new trend that is becoming even more popular as the weather gets warmer are mens shorts with a 5.5 inch inseam.
Social media has defined the adolescence of class of 2021, yet the app of choice has shifted over the years. Vine reached its peak popularity before quickly dying out in 2017, and though the classic platforms of Instagram and Twitter maintained their prominence, the app previously known as Musical.ly, TikTok, has exploded in its teenage usage.
Most seniors going into college will be living in a dorm, whether they’ll have two, four or no roommates. While the focus early on is mostly on applications and finalizing decisions, these three seniors have recently put more of their thoughts into the decorations and overall design of their living spaces.
Senior Keely O’Brien made the decision to coordinate her designs with her roommate.
“My roommate is from Texas, so we agreed on some colors and a theme we both liked,” O’Brien said. “We are finding our own things and showing what we buy to each other so that the room still coordinates but we can also both have our unique touches. We also decided to split some of the bigger purchases; for example, she will get an area rug and I’m getting a TV.”
Along with O’Brien, senior Piper Puccetti contacted her roommate to make a compromise on decorations.
“My roommate and I both decided on a boho theme, so lots of textiles and tapestries but also contemporary details with band posters and other art pieces,” Puccetti said. “Our
color scheme is warm tones, so lots of orange and yellow.”
While still using her own personal style, O’Brien looked for other ideas for her designs.
“I’ve used Pinterest a lot for some inspiration on style and cute decorations especially that I’ll be able to reuse in the following years when I’m out of the dorms,” O’Brien said. “I also use it for tips on how to organize and store things. I have gotten some ideas from people who have already lived in the dorms.”
Senior Halley Eastham is adding a touch of music and modern culture to personalize her dorm.
“Me and my roommate both kind of have a similar vibe — we’re both very down to earth, [so our theme will be] media and pop culture,” Eastham said. “Honestly, I’ll probably be bringing along a lot of my movie posters and band posters.”
O’Brien has high hopes for what her dorm will turn out to be and knows exactly what she’s looking for.
“I’m hoping my dorm is super cozy and homey but is also a good environment to be able to study and stay on top of my school work,” O’Brien said. “I want it to look really cute but also be a place where I can just hangout and be comfortable.”
Piper Puccetti Keely O’Brien
After living with their parents all of their lives, seniors
Grace Wilson and Lydia Schwartz are excited to start preparing for living without them next year.
Schwartz met her roommate through the app, GroupMe, after trying out different media platforms.
“In that GroupMe, we planned to Zoom, share a little bit about ourselves and meet each other,” Schwartz said. “That’s how I met my roommate.”
Unlike Schwartz, Wilson didn’t find someone to live with over social media.
“I met my future roommate through a mutual friend,” Wilson said. “Then we became best friends.”
Along with both seniors meeting their roomies in different ways, the pace at which their rooming decision was made also varied.
“We didn’t talk about rooming until just recently — we had Snapchatted a lot and FaceTimed,” Schwartz said. “We became friends before we finally decided to room.”
Despite both going to college next year, Wilson is staying in an apartment whereas Schwartz is living in the dorms.
“[The choice] was made quickly because I last-minute decided not to go to the school I planned on going to,” Wilson said. “Now we’re getting an apartment together.”
Now that they don’t need to worry about who they’re living with next year, they both can’t wait to gain more independence.
“I’m relieved — I won’t lie.” Schwartz said. “I will be able to finally have control over my schedule.”
College is a fresh start for many incoming freshmen. They are finally out of the house and moved into a new lifestyle away from family and friends.
Although this can be a scary and intimidating adjustment for many, seniors Max Gelman and Faith Nielsen plan to join a fraternity or sorority to make their transition easier.
“I’m super excited to make connections going straight into college,” Nielsen said. “Meeting older girls and girls in my same position who can help me during my freshman year is going to be so helpful.”
Being the first girl in her family to rush, Nielsen is thankful to start the tradition of joining Greek life and is hopeful her future kids will as well someday.
“My mom or grandma never were in a sorority, but I have always wanted to be in one from hearing from other girls’ experiences,” Nielsen said. “It’s just such a fun way to expand friendships and share [something] in common with girls you become so close with.”
In addition to these excitements, Nielsen said she has an idea of where she wants to end up.
“I have one sorority in particular that I would love to be a part of,” Nielsen said. “But who knows, I could love another house during rush week. I just love the idea of being a part of something bigger
than myself.”
Similar to Nielsen, Gelman is eager to find an environment filled with people like him.
“I wanted to rush because I know I am going to be surrounded by guys I actually want to be around,” Gelman said. “I have an idea of which fraternity I want to be in because the guys share the same beliefs and hobbies as me. I’ve lived in Kansas my whole life and the majority of my friends live here too, so getting to meet guys from all over the country is something I’m already looking forward to. That’s one of the main reasons I chose to go to an out-of-state school.”
Along with the social aspect, Gelman shared another reason why he is pledging a fraternity.
“I’m going to be a legacy of my stepdad, so it’s going to be so cool to share that in common with him,” Gelman said. “My parents have never pressured me into joining a fraternity, but after hearing their experience and memories they made from it, I knew I wanted to be a part of Greek life. I’m excited to say the least. Obviously I’m sad about being away from my family and friends, but college is going to be a blast.”
Nielsen also shares this mentality going into college.
“It’s crazy to think that this season I’ve dreamed of for forever is right around the corner,” she said. “I’m so happy I’ll be in a sorority to begin it.”
As high school comes to an end many are saying goodbye to the sports they love. For senior Jessica Taylor it is just a new chapter. Taylor committed to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to continue her gymnastics career.
“I loved the size of the school — it gave me a very homelike feel as soon as I stepped onto the campus,” Taylor said. “After so many years of hard work it has all paid off.”
As she looks back on high school Taylor realizes how much
Leanne Wong University of Florida, Gymnastics
Jessica Taylor University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Gymnastics
Sukie Hernandez Pittsburg State University, Cheerleading
Olivia Sherlock Lynn University, Swim
Lexi Gunn Kansas Wesleyan University, Tennis
Dylan Arnold St. Olaf College, Track & Field
Tyler Didde Illinois State University, Track & Field
Bo Kinney University of Montana, Football
Clayton Power Northwest Missouri State University, Football
she gave up to be at the gymnastics level she is.
“I have made many sacrifices for my sport such as missing school dances, not being able to go to football games, not being able to hang out with friends on the weekends and even having to miss school for meets,” Taylor said.
Although Taylor has missed out on many events, she looks forward to pursuing her sport at a collegiate level.
“I am excited to continue my training.” Taylor said. “Although this is going to be an adjustment I am ready to take on the challenge and continue doing what I love.”
Dorian Stephens Butler County Community College, Football
Sterling Smithson Missouri State University, Football
Marissa Cunningham University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Softball
McKenna Cunningham University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Softball
Julia Carey Barton County Community College, Softball
Caroline Riffer Central Community College, Softball
Jenna Anderson Missouri State University, Soccer
Alaina Beer University of Central Missouri, Soccer
Hailey Palmer Texas Tech University, Soccer
*as of May 4
Logan Clark Nebraska Wesleyan University, Soccer
Ben Elgas Rockhurst University, Golf
Sienna King Emporia State University, Volleyball
Emma Williams Washburn University, Volleyball
EK Lonergan Missouri Southern University, Volleyball
Gabbie O’Toole Middlebury College, Volleyball
Addyson Mock Johnson County Community College, Volleyball
Preston Giltner Johnson County Community College, Baseball
Chase Jans University of Kansas, Baseball
Jackson Nicklaus University of Oklahoma, Baseball
Tate Gillen Creighton University, Baseball
Luke Johnson Harding University, Baseball
Carson Liggett Louisville University, Baseball
Jack Tinberg Louisville University, Baseball
Jackson Hagen PomonaPitzer University, Baseball
Drew Sale Earlham College, Baseball
Jack Harris Allen County Community College, Baseball
Jake Hale Hesston College, Baseball
Ethan Reinert Doane University, Baseball
Paranoia fills the seniors as the end of the year draws in — not from waiting on acceptance letters or passing their last couple of classes before graduation, but instead the start to one of the most intense traditions: Assassins.
“I kind of took initiative,” gamemaker senior Ryan Schaper said. “I said in the senior group chat, ‘Are we doing Assassins?’ and then no one said anything, so I said, ‘Alright, I’ll start it.’”
Being a game maker for Assassins is a difficult task to take on going into any year, so with COVID requiring extra examination, the job has been no walk in the park.
“We said masks are strongly recommended, and you have to be six feet apart,” Schaper said.
With all the challenges this year has brought, it’s a good thing Schaper hasn’t been alone on the gamemaker team.
texted me and said, ‘Let’s all do this
together,’” he said. “I said, ‘That’s fine’ — because three people are way better than one.”
While some have decided to rebel against the rules, senior Parker Hill appreciates the gamemakers enforcing them so the class can experience this tradition.
“Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t mind how they’re running it,” Hill said. “I think it was nice of them to even have Assassins this year.”
Assassins inspired the students to not give up on its success, even if they aren’t one of the last ones standing.
“Everybody loved assassins last year, so I figured it would be fun even if I didn’t win it,” Hill said. “I hope one of my close friends win. That would make me feel better about getting shot.”
Having something so personable to the seniors after losing a normal year has made the event all around more special.
Keeping her eye on the prize — which is $$$ —, senior Sarah Platt is grateful to particpate in the water-gun
tradition.
“It’s only for seniors, so you only get one chance to play [and] gets you out of your comfort zone,” she said. “It’s fun to see who you can trust and how long you can stay in.”
Even while making fond memories, students can’t help but feel constantly nervous in fear of their assassin hunting them down when outside of school hours.
“I feel paranoid when leaving work or needing to go to the store,” Platt said. “It’s not too bad since luckily I have a garage spot.”
When the connected aspect of a senior year was taken away from the class of 2021, these small but lively traditions mean that much more.
“It’s been really nice to see people interact and go meet people that they’ve never known before,” Schaper said. “I’m happy I made other people happy.”
Sarah Platt (12), Jake Hale (12) Ty Erikson (12), Ryan Schaper (12)
claire stein staff writer
With each new generation comes a variety of fads, unique style and new ideas, yet some of the most notable trends are those that were popular decades before.
First popular in the late ‘80s, Kodak’s single-use film cameras gave people a cheap way to take pictures of their friends and family anywhere, anytime with just the push of a button.
However, when smartphones released in 2007, disposable cameras were outdated.
So with all the new technology today, why are they so popular now?
Senior Reese Heaney, like many high schoolers, has used disposable cameras throughout her teen years, especially after the effects of COVID-19.
“It’s become a way to slow down the reality of the pandemic and connect with the past,” she said. “When I look at the disposable pictures my parents took, everything always looked so fun and easy. I hope my kids can say the same when they see my disposable pictures.”
Heaney got an early start to the film picture trend and has used single-use cameras ever since.
“I was really into Polaroid pictures and then I got into disposables junior year,” she said. “From then on, it’s just kind
of been a thing that I always bring [with me]. So far this year I’ve gone through I think nine cameras, but I have another for all the graduation events.”
The cameras are priced around $15, and depending on how fast you want the pictures back, developing the film costs $10 to $20. Film can be dropped off at any Walmart, Walgreens, Target and many more places, and it typically takes around two weeks to get developed.
“My favorite thing is not knowing how the pics turn out until you get them developed,” she said. “I like seeing all my friends’ reactions to them and finding pics people took on my camera without me knowing.”
Often there is at least one disposable camera at each party, trip, school dance or group hangout for high school students.
“I use them anytime I have something coming up I want to take pics at,” Heaney said. “Normally for dances, parties [or other] big events, I’ll use a whole 27 roll. For birthdays, Chiefs games or random stuff, [it’s] all together on one roll.”
With today’s societal pressure to look flawless and posed in pictures, using a disposable camera can make taking photos fun and easy-going again.
“I like the surprise of it. It takes the stress out trying to make yourself look perfect in every picture since you only have one take,” she said. “It’s a lot more simple, and I enjoy how the pictures come out — it makes me nostalgic.”
Pictured (Left to Right): Patrick Judy, Alaina Scotten, Reese Heaney, Tate Gillen, Reese Heaney, Alaina Scotten, Noah Schopper, Alexa Litwin, Jake Holdhusen, Clayton Power, Alaina Beer, Grant Henderson, Alaina Scotten, Alaina Scotten, Reese Heaney & Grace Power
At the age of 16, with a sewing needle in hand, senior Liam Dale gave a fellow peer a stick-and-poke for the first time. Three years later, he plans to be a tattoo apprentice.
“I’m going to move to Lawrence, scope out the scene there and see what kind of opportunities are there,” Dale said. “If it doesn’t work out in that year, I’ll probably try and get a degree to be a teacher — but either way, I still want to do tattoos.”
Wanting to make sure
it was a safe experience for others and already having a passion for art, Dale started doing stick-and-pokes for $10.
“At first, it was really stressful,” Dale said. “Once I started to get pretty good at it, it was nice to see people walk around with what they wanted.”
Many BV students now roam the halls with Dale’s work on their skin. However, his opinion on stick-and-pokes has changed.
“It’s permanent — I had no idea what I was doing,” Dale said. “That’s why I want this apprenticeship. I don’t want to just do it in my basement with a tattoo gun because it’s a really complicated thing.”
Focusing on tattooing, Dale spends his free time at parlors like Classic Tattoos and Piercings. He currently is working on his portfolio to send out to other tattoo artists.
“You have to show them you have good line work, you understand the basics, you’ve done your own research, you know how to draw,” Dale said.
“They don’t teach you how to
draw — they want to teach you how to tattoo.”
Though it took some warming to, Dale’s parents are supportive of his choice in abstaining from the typical college route.
“College just isn’t for me — I’m not a straight-A student at all,” he said. “I’d be more nervous to commit to something that expensive right away.”
Even with his parents’ support, Dale often tells some others vaguely what his after high school plans are.
“There is some stigma to it — leaving high school and not going straight to college and [instead] doing something like tattooing,” Dale said. “I always tell people I’m going to pursue different art forms after high school — by different art forms, I mean tattooing.”
While the future tattoo artist said most are encouraging for his careerexpedition, Dale said he cannot be more excited to pursue the career.
“It’s a big industry — a lot of people want tattoos — and it’s growing and will keep growing,” Dale said. “I just see myself wanting to get better at that. As an artist, that’s cool that my art can live with you forever.”
senior p u rsues tattooing n ext yea
“They don’t teach you how to draw — they want to teach you
– Liam Dale, 12
ARTISTICALLY INK-LINED ARTISTICALLY INK-LINED
Throughout her high school years, senior Zoe Best has grown into the well spoken person she is today and through all her involvements and experiences, found that her true passions lie in politics and law.
“I want to go to law school after I do my undergrad at
go into political science,” Best said. “It’s made me so much smarter, wittier and quick on my feet, which made me feel like I could be successful in politics or as a lawyer.”
Through personal experiences, a moral standard she has claimed is change must happen through actions of your own.
“When I wasn’t a part of StuCo freshman and sophomore
frannie lamberti staff writer
It is that time of year when students decide where they will be attending college. Making a decision to follow a tradition, senior Andy Simeroth is going to the same school as his brothers and grandpa.
Simeroth will attend the University of Nebraska and is majoring in marketing because he thinks a college education is beneficial.
“College sets you up for later in life,” Simeroth said. “It’s important to have a good degree that will help you.”
Senior Megan Davis is also going in the same direction as her whole family. Davis will be attending the University of Kansas next fall and will major in pre-nursing.
“I’ve grown up on [KU] because we would go to [sports] games, and I’ve always wanted to go there,” Davis said. “I
really like the atmosphere.”
Simeroth said his relatives influenced his decision to go to Nebraska.
“I wanted to follow them and do what they do,” Simeroth said. “I want to be in a fraternity like them.”
Davis’s family influenced her decision to pick her major.
“Both of my parents majored in medicine, one brother is majoring in dentistry and the other is in medicine,” Davis said. “My sister is at school to be an occupational therapist.”
Simeroth similarly has the same interests as his relatives.
“I think my grandpa did something in sales, and my oldest brother works at State Farm,” Simeroth said. “My other brother is only a sophomore in college.”
With school just around the corner, Davis’s family has given her advice.
“[They said to] go in with an open mind and just have fun,” Davis said. “Be nice to people and do good in school.”
Deciding on where to go after high school, whether that entails attending a university or an alternate route, is important and shouldn’t be made quickly. There are thousands of options to choose from, and that is just within the United States.
Seniors Sarah Kang and Lexi Gunn are both headed off to college, but are attending polar opposite schools.
Gunn is enrolled at Kansas Wesleyan University for the Fall 2021 semester and has committed to playing tennis. The college is notorious for its small student body, which is just above the 800 mark. In addition to the small size, the accommodations and opportunities are ideal for Gunn.
“[One] of the things I looked for in a school was the small class sizes so I’m not just another number to professors,” Gunn said. “I also looked for a nice campus because I’ll be spending all my time there, so I should love it.”
Kang will be attending Stony Brook University in New York. The enrollment size at the university is typically more than 26,000 students, a massive increase from Wesleyan. Kang specifically took location into account while choosing a school.
“I don’t think all Midwest states are bad, but Kansas is pretty boring and there’s not many things to do,” Kang said.
“I feel like since Stony Brook is
only an hour away from New York City, there’ll be a lot of things to do and places to eat. I’m excited for cat cafés.”
Despite the pandemic, Gunn was still able to visit Wesleyan last summer in order to get a feel for where she’d be living for the next few years.
“I was able to go on a campus tour and I loved it — there were a bunch of plants and trees and hangout spots to study,” Gunn said. “This environment won’t be much different because it’s still in Kansas, but it is smaller than Johnson County and Overland Park, so I’ll have to get used to that.”
For Kang, they weren’t able to visit Stony Brook, but the prospect of change is both exciting and nerve-wracking.
“There will be a lot more diversity, and just more people from different places,” Kang said. “I’m in a group chat of incoming freshmen, and there are people from Australia, Spain and India — that’s really cool. It’s kind of scary, but the idea of meeting new people and starting new is exciting because I don’t know what’ll happen.”
Whisker’s Cat Cafe Whisker’s Cat Cafe Sarah Kang, 12
When the class of 2021 thinks about the last four years at BV, many will remember sports seasons, school dances and the friends they have made. However, for senior Jason Berg one of the most memorable aspects of high school was the relationship he built with his sophomore grade Honors ELA teacher Stephanie Braden.
“If you can imagine Jason and a HELA 10 class –– it was bonkers” Braden said. “Jason has such a good heart. When he came to my Tiger Paws last year, I got to see more of that good heart. He was so good to so many students in the room, and he just became like a son –– like he was adopted into the Braden family.”
From then on, Braden and Berg have both had a huge impact on each other’s lives.
“I have a really good relationship with Mrs. Braden –– she’s like my school mom,” Berg said. “We usually just talk about life, how our day has been and plans for the weekend.”
After sophomore year, Berg would eat lunch in her room during Tiger Paws and visit with her during his free classes, which continued up until school was made online. Now that BV is back in-person full time but without Tiger Paws, Berg continues to make time to see her.
“I visit her on the daily,” Berg said. “If I can’t visit her every day, I’d say probably like three times a week at minimum.”
With the stress that school brings many students, Berg enjoys having someone he can talk to in the building.
“I can always go in there [and] get help from her with anything that has to do with school or just relationship problems or anything like that,” Berg said. “I know I can talk to her about anything — she just makes me feel safe when I go into her room.”
Additionally, Berg has learned a lot from Braden — both inside and outside of the classroom.
“Mrs. Braden is the one that made school easier for me, but she has also taught me that I’m more than how I do in school,” Berg said. “She made me realize I can do anything I put my mind to.”
Instead of his identity being only what’s in the gradebook, Braden helped Berg realize the importance of those you spend your time with.
“School education and life is all about relationships and finding someone you can connect with and can motivate you and you can motivate them,” Braden said. “You just have got to find a person.”
After graduation, Berg and Braden plan on staying in-touch. Berg encourages current underclassmen to form their own bonds with their educators.
“It helps a lot if you can just have one or two teachers that you become really close with,” Berg said. “I feel like if you can be close to the teacher, it can really help your high school career and make high school a lot easier for you –– you can feel safe there and it’s nice.”
– Jason Berg, 12
As many seniors leave the halls of Blue Valley, it will be their last time in a K-12 system. But for seniors Drew Sale and Emma Puntch, school buildings will become a regular part of their post-high school lives, as they are both majoring in education.
Sale will be studying biology and secondary education at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Puntch will be studying elementary education with a specialty in reading at Illinois State in Normal, Illinois.
Both Puntch and Sale work with children currently with Sale being a baseball coach and Puntch being a nanny, but these educational ambitions sparked from elsewhere.
Dreams of teaching sparked in Puntch’s head from a young age while attending elementary school in Chicago.
“[I’ve wanted to teach] since kindergarten,” Puntch said. “I have a picture of me when we had a little job fair in kindergarten. There’s a big poster board of me and it said,
‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and it said ‘Teacher’.”
Sale’s ambitions came to him later in life and were actually sparked by a teacher in this very building.
“I’ve probably [wanted to be a teacher] since freshman year,” Sale said. “Mr. Mann was a pretty big influence.”
Puntch has also been influenced by teachers here at Blue Valley. She said they show her what type of teacher she will want to be to her students one day.
“The teachers that influenced me are the ones that care more about the well being of students versus teaching them something,” Puntch said. “Ms. Volz is like that — I think she’s one of my teachers this year who [cares a lot].”
When it comes to the style of teaching, both Puntch and Sale agree they want to make an impact on their students that goes beyond education.
“I wanted to be a difference-maker, compared to some other teachers,” Sale said. “[I want to] really be able to help my students.”
“I see such a caring compassionate indvidual, and I think that really speaks to the heart of any good teacher —If she keeps that carateritic at the center of what she does, the rest will take care of itself.” - Ms.
Volz
“I would say it’s always nice to teach things you are passionate about, but don’t be afraid to take on other areas.” - Mr. Mann
This year has been full of so much uncertainty for the 390 seniors in the class of 2021, but even when faced with so many challenges, they persevered. Though each individual has a different path ahead of them, each of them has made a decision for the next few years ahead which will help them achieve their goals. Read on to discover what is next for this year’s seniors.
Centriq Training
Michelle Meyer
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Jack Pritchard
Kansas City Art Institute
Mia Rice
Missouri Southern University
EK Lonergan
Missouri State University
Jenna Anderson
Sofia Loveland
Sterling Smithson
Emily Stockton
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Jonathan Thompson
Northwest Missouri State University
Clayton Power
Park University
Abigail Olson
Rockhurst University
Ben Elgas
OHIO
Muskingum University
Skilled KC Technical Institute
Dylan Stansbarger
St. Louis University
Kristina Pinkham
State Technical College of Missouri
Robbie Rodriguez
University of Central Missouri
Alaina Beer
University of Missouri
Jeremy Clark
Aubrey Herrin
Ryan Imhoff
Rosalie Norris
Matthew Welsh
University of Missouri Kansas City
TJ Blancarte
Genna McGrath
Taylor Urbanek
Husam Younes
Washington University in St. Louis
Miranda Holloway
Jack McGuire
Harding University
Luke Johnson
John Brown University
Sofia Hedstrom
University of Arkansas
Emily Bernard
Miles Blandi
Harper Clark
Aodhan Cotter-Brown
Mac Demo
Michael Dennis
Kaitlyn Doshier
Gabby Esposito
Makenna Fitzpatrick
Grant Gaston
Maddie Gessler
Savannah Gunnoe
Quincy Hartman
Tyailee Hawkins
Ann Heitman
Parker Hill
Emily Kelly
Sofia Kingsbury
Claire Middleton
Faith Nielsen
Sarah Platt
Grace Power
Olivia Spratley
Max Thursby
Maya Williams
Arizona State University
Ryan Holmes
Grand Canyon University
Abby Bratton
Chloe Wood
University of Louisville
Carson Liggett
Jack Tinberg
University of Arizona
Kobee Austria
Ben Azan
Max Gelman
Matt Greenfield
Hannah Hayden
Jack Marko
Ava Meissner
Claire Stein
Olivia Stigge
Allen County
Community College
Jack Harris
Baker University
Colin Crissler
Rick Kelly
Barton County
Community College
Julia Carey
Butler County Community College
Dorian Stephens
Emporia State University
Caden Hunt
Lucia Johnson
Sienna King
Fort Hays
State University
Michael Samuel
Hesston College
Jake Hale
Johnson Country
Community College
Sam Acosta
Lulu Atra
Abdul Baghdadi
Kenzie Burke
Ari Burriss
Bella Burriss
Lillian Curtright
Harrison DeAndrea
Sophia DeSimone
Shy Dudley
Trenton Fuller
Preston Giltner
Adalyn Green
Maggie Hansen
Tibyan Hattingh
Ava Hawkins
Nick Hettinger
Ally Hubbard
Zachary Ink
Charlie Klepper
Nathan Mack
Tim Mahoney
Addyson Mock
Caroline O’Donnell
Khang Nguyen
Elizja Ogden
Tori Pen ~ a
Jaidyn Phillips
Cailyn Revel
James Rosenzweig
Gavin Ruder
Leah Schmalz
Bodie Schmidt
Abud Shatat
Ben Spiegel
Laura Stewart
Charles Sykora
Nick Van Norman
Aidan Wallace
Grace Wilson
Ishar Venkatesh
Arshya Zakeri
Kansas State University
Jake Andry
Chloe Browning
Matthew Carpenter
Reagan Cashion
Hayley Cooper
Emily Cummings
Ben Dalton
Leah Dean
Jillian Doebbeling
Francesca Duntz
Halley Eastham
Erin Green
Grant Gusewelle
Brayden Hanna
Josh Hanna
Grant Henderson
Jake Holdhusen
Luke Hyland
Ava Jones
Grant Karner
Matthew Karst
Cassie Kreisel
Joseph Labelle
Audrey Likens
Grant Longwell
Charlie Marshall
Lukas Morris
Keely O’Brien
Parker Oliver
Ian Olson
Grace O’Toole
Joshua Pell
Emily Pfeifer
Connor Rice
McKenna Rowland
Nate Salts
Brett Shepherd
Makenzie Simkins
Julia Smith
Chet Thornton
Katie Twedt
Darrin Vater
Lucy Wolstenholm
Kansas Wesleyan University
Lexi Gunn
MidAmerica
Nazarene University
Kinley Kelsey
Pittsburg State University
Jaron Cole
Lucas DeWit
Sukie Hernandez
Avion Jones
Katie McKain
Payton Mitchell
Will Pieper
Coen Ward
University of Kansas
Arish Ali
Anthony Arquieta
Avery Begin
Jason Berg
Shayla Bhuri
Graham Blackwood
Ben Brown
Caitlin Brown
Nathan Bui
Whitney Clay
Noah Clayman
Zoe Cott
Rachel Crawford
Megan Davis
Ethan Dirkes
James Donnici
Ken Drakey
Maxwell Eidemiller
Ty Erickson
Matthew Fitori
Mike Fitori
Andrew Ha
Elizabeth Hague
Toufiqul Haque
Mark Havens
Hailey Helfrey
Elle Hempy
Peyton Holsinger
Drew Honeycutt
Spencer Hugg
Aliza Ijaz
Tyler Jacobson
Chase Jans
Dori Jezmir
Patrick Judy
Abby King
Gavin Kirwan
Jazzy Klinge
Ben Knops
Lucie Lane
Johnathon Lemons
Ian Lim
Mishy Liu
Lucy Lobb
Henry Lunceford
Maddy Madsen
Ubaid Malek
Max Masters
Emma McClure
Yale Mettemeyer
Bradly Middleton
Keira Mitchem
Tim Okeowo
Liya Patel
Grace Pine
Nathan Ponnuru
Jilian Powell
Austin Pribyl
Lauren Rhodes
Colin Russell
Mia Sayers
Ryan Schaper
Noah Schopper
Arul Sethi
Mary Madison Smith
Carson Strang
Shadaan Syed
Caroline Szukalski
Olivia Turner
Brenna Urczyk
Emma Vanatta
Nathalia Vicente
Andrew Walsh
Nicholas Walsh
Emily Warren
Clayton Way
Katelyn Werthman
Ava Witthar
Washburn University
Emma Williams
Wichita State University
Luke Samuelson
Ryan Sanchez
Z Hair Academy
Marissa Heil
Central Community College
Caroline Riffer
Creighton University
Tate Gillen
Doane University
Ethan Reinert
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Logan Clark
Georgetown University
Caroline Keidel
The George Washington University
Sophie Bahadursingh
Gonzaga University
Emily Brixey-Thatcher
Florida State University
Piper Puccetti
Lynn University
Olivia Sherlock
University of Florida
Aden Barash
Earlham College
Drew Sale
University of Nebraska-
Lincoln
Justin Doebele
Jacob Jeng
Brayden Lamke
Tymber Moody
Jace Peters
Ryan Peterson
Alaina Scotten
Andy Simeroth
Owen Wolstenholm
Bradley University
Schuyler Coffman
Illinois State University
Tyler Didde Emma Puntch
Loyola University Chicago
Mike Clausen Jan Jaramillo
Anmol Patel
Southern Illinois University
Todd Olson
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Aidan Lindsay
Carson Schmidt
Leanne Wong
University of Miami
Madeline Carr
Austin Hileman
University of South Florida
Indiana University
Bloomington
Rylee Bergmann
Varoon Enjeti
Carissa Hamilton
Jenna Logwood
Lydia Schwartz
Colorado State University
Ava Raza
Matthew Schimmel
Grace Terrell
Regis Univeristy
Luke Lansford
Clemson University
Logan Markes
Laguna College of Art & Design
Veronica Peterson
Pomona-Pitzer College
Jackson Hagen
San Diego State University
Sean Brucker
Georgia Institute of Technology
Tanya Pattani
Savannah College of Art and Design
Lizzy Peeples
Southeast Lineman Training Center
Clayton Budz
University of California, Berkeley
Nikhil Reddy
University of South Carolina
Carter Phillips
University of California Irvine
Claire Kim
University of California
San Diego
Madison Finley
Texas Tech University
Hailey Palmer
Middlebury College
Gabbie O’Toole
University of Oklahoma
Jackson Nicklaus
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Marissa Cunningham
McKenna Cunningham
ALABAMA
University of Alabama
Reese Heaney
Barnard College of Columbia University
Ann Vasa
Stony Brook University
Jonah Kahn
Sarah Kang
Syracuse University
Zoe Best
Iowa State University
Kaylea Cummings
Haley Ehler
Matthew Greer
Grace Poeschl
University of Iowa
Autumn Dixon
Theater Arts
Preparatory School
Lydia Holland
Naval Academy
Preparatory School
Zeta Williamson
The University of Utah
Katie Coda
Utah Valley University
Becca Jones
Gap Year
Anika Kreegar — Tattoo
Apprenticeship
Liam Dale — Tattoo
Apprenticeship
Micah Ruth — Working, then Coast Guard
Nathan Turek —
Working on the wagon
St. Olaf College
Dylan Arnold
Bucknell University
Bryce Merry
Lehigh University
Alex Johnson
Trade School
Blake Huth — Electrician
Military
Owen Bemiss — Coast Guard
Daniel Hill — United States
Marine Corps
Giovanni Vaceli — Air Force
University of Michigan
Simon Moncke
Duke University
Melody Tzang
Berklee College of Music
Erika Kolseth
Northeastern University
Naveen Kodwani
Miscellaneous
Alex Shea — Moving to Colorado
Conner Watts —
Traveling in South Korea
Enoch Lopez — Painting business
Unknown
Aidan Bergeman
Grayson Beyers
Stavan Bhakta
Casey Bradley
Maddy Bridges
Kellan Brown
Maria Creech
Tatiana Creech
Pranav Dronavalli
Alex Gochenour
Benton Gregor
Aiden Haynes
Carson Hunter
Phoenix Johnson
David Joseph
Ezekiel Julo
University of Montana
Bo Kinney
University of WisconsinLaCrosse
Jessica Taylor
University of WisconsinMadison
Alexa Litwin
Charlie Schifman
University of WisconsinStout
Will Mullins
Katelyn Keiter
Grant Keller
Elizabeth King
Jackson Kozisek
Ben McAlister
Chris McClain
Kenneth Morgan
Ragad Mubaslat
Jack Murphy
Zac Nicsinger
Camron Nikravan
Kevin Parmely
Jackson Pfister
Claire Powell
Jesse Pritchard
David Quirk
Cameron Rudzik
Madison Slater
Emily Terry
Olivia Vitale
Grant Westermajer
“I enjoyed meeting new people and getting to stunt with them my freshman year. My favorite memories were cheering my brother on. The best part was after the game, the cheer team usually did a tunnel, but when I saw my brother, we’d do a special handshake.”
“My favorite memory from cross country has to be team dinners. It allowed the team to just chill out and talk, have some fun, and stuff our faces with food. Doing cross country helped me come out of my shell and made me interact with my other peers, who have now become my best friends. The social aspect of the sport is what made me continue it for the rest of high school.”
— Robert“Performing is always one of the most exciting parts of orchestra, and as a sophomore performing was even more so because I was one of the oldest in the concert orchestra. I took on a leadership role in the cello section, and that led to building a lot of confidence as a performer and a musician.” — Jan
Jaramillo,
12
“I remember there was a really good song on, and I asked one of my friends to lift me up on their shoulders, so they did. I really liked the atmosphere and the people at Homecoming — everyone was dancing. It was a great time, and I miss it.”
— Gavin Ruder, 12
“The band’s competitive show my junior year was Glow. I was a soloist and got the opening dance feature, which was probably my favorite part because before the rest of the guard appeared, I was the only ‘glow fairy’ that could be seen. Although it was my least favorite [show], I did still love it, and I was very happy for the band when we won first at State with our performance.” — Rachel Crawford, 12
From freshman year to senior year, everyone’s bound to change in one way or another. It’s only four short years, but they are a crucial part of growing up and figuring out who you want to be. This is especially true for senior Blake Huth. Over the past four years, Huth has changed for the better in a variety of ways.
“[During freshman year] I was very shy, but I tried to act like I was not,” Huth said. “I tried to act like a class clown when in reality I would say something and be like, ‘Why would I say that, why would I say that. Oh no.’ I would overthink everything.”
Although he tried not to, during his first two years of high school, Huth let his overthinking and depression keep him from events like school dances and football games. Nevertheless, once junior year began, Huth slowly fought back.
“I didn’t do many social things until junior year just because I was so shy
and scared of looking stupid,” Huth said. “Starting junior year, I just kind of embraced my own stupidity [and] everything changed. It was when I started making new friends, [and] I started thinking differently.”
This way of thinking helped him grow, but it wasn’t the only change that he made. After losing weight, Huth found himself healthier, happier and more confident.
“The main thing I’m proud of is that I was finally able to get my weight under control,” Huth said. “Ever since fourth grade, I was a round boy, but I’ve lost like 50 pounds, and I’m feeling good.”
With the weight loss, other aspects contributed to Huth’s reinvented self — one of those being the Christian religion that he found through his spiritual podcasts.
“I started listening to the Unashamed podcast, and it is probably the direct reason why I got more confident,” Huth said. “It also pulled me out of my depression because it gave me something to live for. Before, I was
an atheist, and it was like I didn’t have anything to believe in. Then I started listening to this podcast and now I’m a Christian, and I’m much more happy.”
The positivity Huth has gained through these podcasts have been applied to his life in numerous ways, one of which can be seen through his senior speech.
“My freshman-self would have stressed about [the speech],” Huth said. “I kind of forgot that I was doing it until the day of. I didn’t even read it — I just kind of went off vibes, which my freshman-self would have never done. I would have stressed about it much more.”
While Huth has had his ups and downs from freshman to senior year, he has done his best to make the most of high school with the little time he has left.
“Freshman year wasn’t great,” Huth said. “I just tried to remember it’s the lows in life that make you cherish the highs — and if it isn’t, I guess I’ll be fine believing a lie.”
Most incoming high school freshmen create a goal for themselves at the beginning of the year. With the lack of any prior experience, students inevitably change their objectives leading up to their senior year.
Seniors Harper Clark and Nate Salts both had a vision for themselves freshman year.
“I wanted to originally play golf and business [in college],” Salts said. “But because of COVID, we didn’t get to have a junior year season.”
Salts decided to switch his career choice and is now planning on studying accounting at Kansas State University.
“The inability to play at a college level made me want to make that change,” Salts said.
The person who inspired Salts to adjust was his sister, Gracie Salts who recently graduated from K-State with a
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 golf season, Salts said it made it impossible for players to obtain any scholarships for golf.
“Right after we went to Spring Break, we made a joke that today was our last practice,” Salts said. “We’re like, ‘Oh, this could be the last time we’re practicing golf,’ — and it actually was.”
Although his plans have changed, Salts is happy to go into accounting.
“There’s room for growth in the industry,” he said. “The world needs accounting.”
Clark had always dreamed of becoming a labor and delivery nurse, but had a change of heart when she got to high school.
“I just realized how much medical
stuff creeps me out,” Clark said. “There are things I am just not willing to do.”
Besides the fact that Clark gets grossed out by anatomy, she later realized she wants to study elementary education at the University of Arkansas.
“I listened and tuned into what I was passionate about and what filled me up,” she said. “I love kids.”
While serving at Matthew’s Ministry and other churches, Clark loved being surrounded by children.
“I experienced and served in that way and realized where my heart lied career-wise,” Clark said.
Clark was told to choose a realistic career with the security that comes with a job in the medical field but was encouraged to follow her heart by her mother.
“My mom’s always told me to tap into what I’m passionate about and not to just do a career for money,” Clark said, “Life is too short not to follow your heart and your passions — go after your dreams and don’t live based off of
– Clark, 12
“I listened and tuned into what I was passionate about and what filled me up.”
For most Blue Valley seniors high school graduation is a symbol of moving on to the next step, often entailing post-secondary education, but seniors Micah Ruth and Enoch Lopez plan to take a different path and follow in the footsteps of their family members.
“I’m taking a gap year,” Ruth said. “My gap year is flat out working. I’m working and saving up money and then after that I’m going to do Marine Mechanics [specifically the Coast Guard Auxiliary].”
Similar to Ruth, Lopez plans to enter the workforce immediately after high school.
“I plan to open a painting business,” Lopez said. “I’m going to work with my dad on the business. I’m going to run it and also work for it.”
Joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary will allow Ruth to follow in the footsteps of many of his military family members.
“My father is a marine,” Ruth said. “My grandfather was in the Army, and he was also in the Coast Guard. My grandmother was in the Coast Guard, [too].”
Ruth doesn’t plan to join the military but rather a similar career path through the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
“I love the boats, and I’ve always wanted to go in the military, but I never really had the guts to,” he said. “[The Coast Guard Auxiliary] is pretty much the National Guard without doing everything.”
Lopez will also have the opportunity to follow his family by being employed alongside them in their painting business.
“I’ve been working with my dad for about three years now,” Lopez said. “We do interior and exterior
[painting]. My brother is also going to work with me and two of my cousins.”
Ruth feels comfortable around the water and is confident this will help him in his future career.
“I’ve been around boats forever,” Ruth said. “Whether that be single outboard, single inboard, dual inboard and outboard, I know how to control a boat — that is one thing I have checked off.”
Ruth also has other skills fitting for Coast Guard personnel.
“I always have that thrive of fight or flight — a lot of times it’s flight. But it can be fight,” Ruth said. “It all depends on what is the best option. I think it over in a matter of seconds and then take the best course of action. I’m also great in a crisis. If there’s something wrong, I can take it over.”
Likewise, Lopez feels comfortable with his plans as he already has experience in the career field.
“I know about the business, and I know how to run it,” Lopez said. “I decided this is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I know I can succeed with this business.”
“I love the boats, and I’ve always wanted to go in the military, but I never really had the guts to. [The Coast Guard Auxiliary] is pretty much the National Guard without doing everything.”
“I plan to open a painting business. I’m going to work with my dad.”
-Enoch Lopez, 12
- Micah Ruth, 12DESIGNED BY ISABELLA VAZ
Essays. Test scores. GPA. Sound familiar? That is because these are some of the many components that make up the college application process.
While it might be the year to signify the end of one’s high school career, a large majority of senior year is dedicated to preparing for the next step: higher education.
This year, many students were able to get a head start on certain components that needed to be completed. With the extra time that became available from the pandemic, many Blue Valley seniors found creative ways to volunteer, learn about schools and take a leap toward life after high school, all while learning some note-worthy lessons along the way.
Unlike most, senior Parker Oliver had her heart set on where she intended to spend the next four years after graduation.
“I only applied to Kansas State,” she said. “I have always wanted to go there.”
During the fall of 2020, Oliver completed the steps of
her application through both the CommonApp and K-State’s website.
“It was pretty easy to navigate,” she said. “Both [of the applications] had easy instructions, and I was able to submit what was needed without any problems.”
Having had the opportunity to choose to submit test scores, Oliver decided to do so because of “the scholarship opportunities.”
“You can get so much money, even if you don’t think your scores are high enough,” she said.
Now, weeks away from graduating and months away from starting her college career, Oliver advises future seniors to “weigh your options and not get stressed out easily.”
Similar to Oliver, senior Maya Williams had a set plan on where she intended on going after high school.
“I applied to the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Arkansas,” Williams said. “I chose these schools because they are both close to home but still far away.”
Because Williams applied to more than one school, she discovered certain schools only allow you to apply a particular way.
“I had to use both the CommonApp and the school sites,” she said. “Both of the schools needed me to do extra essays that could only be done on those platforms depending on the school.”
After finishing up her applications, Williams discovered she “did not like the common application because it asks you a lot of questions that are super unnecessary.”
Williams has made the official decision to pursue a business degree at the University of Arkansas.
Alongside most of the class of 2021, Williams learned many things from applying to college.
“It is definitely stressful,” she said. “If I had to give advice to those who are going to be applying to schools next year, I would say to consider everything and not be too hard on yourself. Make the most out of everything — even college applications.”
“Applications do not need to be as stressful as everyone makes them out to be.”–Oliver, 12 YOU’REIN CONGRATULATIONS!
At Blue Valley and across the country, Advanced Placement (AP) classes have become notorious for the worry and anguish they cause many students.
“I have horrible test anxiety,” senior Chloe Wood said. “When I was taking AP classes it was hard for me to focus on [the] tests.”
However, they also are helpful college resume builders, huge GPA-boosters and could make the difference between the average and the exceptional student.
“[AP classes] definitely helped my GPA,” Wood said. “The colleges I’m going to are taking my weighted GPA and they helped that a lot.”
So the question must be asked – are they worth it? Along with Wood, senior Mark Havens said yes.
“There’s definitely a stigma over AP classes that I don’t really think they should have,” Havens said. “The benefits they give you for your GPA alone make them worth it.”
Wood has also enjoyed her high school AP classes and recommends courses such as AP U.S. History and AP Environmental Science.
“I loved APUSH,” Wood said. “I love the teacher I had, and she made the class very fun.”
An important factor Wood and Havens had to consider when choosing AP classes was the specific interests and talents they possess.
“If you’re good at math, AP physics is much easier,” Havens said. “With physics, you can picture things in your mind. It’s not just memorization.”
As seniors, Wood and Havens both have advice on succeeding in an AP class.
“Go in and ask for help,” Wood said. “You can’t be afraid to ask your teacher because 100% of the time, they will help you. You just have to get over it.”
Learning to ask for assistance is not the only skill obtained when taking an AP class.
“You learn a lot of good note-taking skills and time management,” Havens said. “AP classes are going to have to set due dates that you know about for a long time, and it’s good to get your time management skills up.”
Wood said each individual student has to make the best decision for their GPA, their college goals and their needs and interests.
“It all depends on who you are as a person,” she said. “You have to decide if you can deal with the stress and anxiety that comes with taking an AP class.”
“The benefits they give you for your GPA alone make them worth it.”
— Mark Havens, 12
“Because it tastes like home cooking.”
“It’s my Swedish heritage and it was always made on my birthday.”
“My dad makes really good hamburgers that I know I’ll miss, and would never be able to cook them myself and get them to taste like how my dad makes them.”
“I would never have time to make it in college, and it is so good.”
Sofia Hedström: Smoked Salmon with lemon sauce, small seasoned potatoes,
Lucie Lane: Enchiladas
Sofia Loveland: Cajun Andouille Skillet Meal
Maddy Madsen: Hamburgers & hot dogs
: Sloppy Joe in croissants
While most have done their share to stop the spread of COVID-19 by following health precautions, senior Dori Jezmir has taken extreme cautions because her parents are high-risk.
“My dad is 68 and my mom is 60,” Jezmir said. “My mom was diagnosed with skin cancer last year and she has high blood pressure. My dad has something [undiagnosed], but he has dizzy spells where he loses consciousness.”
Isolation comes with a wide array of effects on Jezmir’s relationship with her family, one being a lack of privacy.
“The walls are really thin at my house, so we hear every conversation — there’s no way out,” Jezmir said. “It’s a bit overwhelming.”
Without being able to venture out, the Jezmir family has bonded.
“We have family nights,” Jezmir said. “We eat dinner together every day. We update each other [about] our own things going on.”
Outside of family, Jezmir involves herself with clubs that meet online, as well as stage managing BV productions when she’s able to be in-person. Prior to being vaccinated, Jezmir wore three masks and a shield to protect herself and her family.
“I had to sit super far away from everybody,” Jezmir said. “It is very hard to breathe with three masks and the shield — you’re just breathing in heat.”
Jezmir’s stage-managing has been her only connection to BV, and because the online program is “limited,” she only takes three virtual classes.
Isolation also took away a crucial educational opportunity for Jezmir: the ACT. She was only able to take the test once when it was offered in school.
“My parents didn’t feel comfortable with me going into [test centers], which gave me a disadvantage on my college applications,” Jezmir said. “I took it for granted that the school gave me an ACT — I didn’t think I would not be able to take it again.”
Jezmir’s social life was also impacted, as some of her friends seem frustrated with her inability to spend time together.
“My close friends were like, ‘We understand,’ but the longer into corona we got, the more irritated a lot of them have gotten,” Jezmir said. “I guess [they’re] missing me in a way, but [you’ve] got to be understanding that I’m not doing this for selfish reasons. I’m doing this for the exact opposite.”
On rare occasions when Jezmir joins her friends, conditions aren’t ideal.
“I wear a mask, even if I’m outside,” Jezmir said. “It’s not even six feet apart — it’s across the street.”
Even so, Jezmir’s friends are excited to see her again.
“When I posted [that] I got my second vaccine, I had people saying, ‘Does that mean you can hang out now?’, which is really sweet,” she said.
Although seniors lost many exciting activities this year, Jezmir’s situation left fun opportunities more limited.
“People still had their own parties and hangouts and I didn’t go to anything like that, even going to school,” she said. “Everyone goes out. Everyone goes to school.”
Jezmir believes her parents have mis-
conceptions about how other students are handling isolation.
“My parents [say], ‘Everyone is this isolated,’ and I don’t think that’s the case,” Jezmir said. “I don’t think they see how teenagers need to go and interact with other people, as we’re growing minds. That’s not their fault. They have a closed mindset about how the world actually is these days.”
Jezmir feels a return to normalcy will be harder for her than others.
“I was someone that went out a lot before corona,” Jezmir said. “I will start feeling more normal when I move out and go to college, but it will be a bit weird for me to do things. I’ll have to progressively get back to normal, whereas others are already at their normal stage. It’s going to be a slow process.”
Despite the difficulty of quarantine, Jezmir has no regrets.
“It’s a sacrifice I was willing to make — I don’t know what I would have done if my parents got sick,” Jezmir said. “It would be the scariest thing that could have happened.”
Walking through the Blue Valley halls on March 23, students and staff were greeted by the band, cheerleaders and dancers.
For most, this was their first time back with everyone in the same building. For senior Zeta Williamson, this was her first time at BV with all students and staff ever.
After her dad’s change in employment, Williamson moved from Allen, Texas, to
beginning of second semester. Before fourth quarter, BV was in hybrid learning mode, allowing Williamson to see only her half of the alphabet. When returning to fully in-person, the academic atmosphere was an adjustment for
“When I first came here, I was really nervous because I came from a really big school — I had a graduating class of 1,800,” Williamson said. “It was kind of different going to a smaller school but it’s
While being the new student midway through senior year can be scary, Williamson said meeting teachers and finding friends is stimulating.
“[There are] ways to get involved here, and I think that was a little harder at a bigger school and just knowing more people,” she said.
“It’s so big, but I just feel like [there are] a lot more opportunities here.”
Finding ways to meet new friends that have similar interests is hard at a new school, but Williamson said with
enough confidence, you can do anything — just be yourself.
“It was definitely a challenge having to make whole new friends my senior year,” Williamson said. “I’ve been trying to get outside my comfort zone and meet as many people as I can and try to find a common interest between me and someone else that I’ve met.”
Remembering what it was like when she first stepped through the doors of Allen High School, Williamson said she loves and misses her school in Texas but also has enjoyed her time at BV.
“I really liked how there [were] different ways to get involved there, and because it was a bigger school, it was really diverse,” she said. “It’s also diverse here, so I was good. It was [nice] to see that similarity.”
Williamson’s schedule at BV is filled with classes that will help her start her post-high school experience and transform into her dream career.
“I’m taking government, English, pre-calc, web design [and] computer applications — if I had to pick one as my favorite, [it would] probably be government because it’s really an interesting [subject] to learn,” Williamson said. “My final decision is [attending] the Naval Academy.”
With everything finally going back to the way the school was supposed to be, returning to Blue Valley fully in-person was what Williamson has long awaited this school year.
“It’s nice to see how everything’s going back to normal,” Williamson said. “That’s what I’ve been looking forward to the most — to really see how BV functions when everyone’s here, how everyone communicates and how things work here.”
With graduation just around the corner, Williamson will always think back to her time at BV — even if it was only for a semester.w
“I am happy to be graduating with this group of students because I can tell that they are all hard workers and overall good people,” Williamson said. “My teachers and peers have been super kind and welcoming. I am happy to be surrounded by people who are kind and authentic.”
– Zate Williamson, 12
“[There are] ways to get involved here, and I think that was a little harder at a bigger school.”
Hey guys! Yikes. We made it? I’ll just be sharing a few things I learned throughout high school, not like I’m an expert or anything. Believe me, moving here from another state and starting anew as a freshman wasn’t setting me up for success, but let me tell you how I somewhat obtained it.
Freshman year. Looking back, I remember essentially nothing except the friendships I’ve made. This does sound cheesy, but these people helped me develop into who I am today and what path in life I chose. Most of these friendships were short-lived or fizzled as high school went on, but the lessons I learned were crucial.
I felt support and love from so many different sources, which allowed me to break down societal barriers and do what made me happy.
Sophomore year. Another fuzzy, blurry year full of forgotten experiences but lasting friendships. This was also the year I found my passion for business. I became a part of the school store and also competed in more business competitions. Not a lot of my friends were interested in this, and I quickly had to force myself out of my comfort zone. I went from the quiet, new girl to this outgoing, bold person.
I encourage every one of you to find your passion and not be afraid to explore it. High school is your opportunity for growth, for adventure —
don’t let it go to waste.
Junior year. I’m trying to think of something specific to say that I learned then, but honestly there’s too much. The one thing sticking out to me is when I got my first B. This may not seem significant to most, as grades do not define who someone is, but for me that was part of my identity.
I was always so focused on being perfect that I wasn’t enjoying my experiences. I was always doing something but was so worried about the next thing, then the next next thing and the next next next thing — I wasn’t living. Please, enjoy your present and don’t solely focus on the future.
Senior year. The year that is always seen as exciting, as the best year. Let me tell you, this has not been the best year, but it has taught me perseverance.
Choosing to keep going is enough.
But overall, the biggest aspect to keep in mind is INDIVIDUALISM.
Please, do not water down your personality to fit in! It’s important to create friendships and put yourself out there, but never cost who you are as a person.
On the topic of being spontaneous, don’t be afraid to take chances. The biggest regret I have is not allowing myself to take more opportunities. Tell your crush you like them. Enter that photography contest. Learn to speak Mandarin. It can be anything you want to do, but you can’t be afraid to do it.
Thank you for the lessons, BV <3
‘High school is your opportunity for growth, for adventure — don’t let it go to waste.’claire stein staff writer
Like everything I have written in newspaper, the hardest part is knowing how to start your story. This is no exception, but now I have the task of writing about myself. So, let’s go back to the beginning of it all.
August 21, 2017: eclipse day. All of us scattered around the football field just 14 years old, meeting people from the opposing middle school and finally seeing what high school is all about.
Although many people do not agree with me, I think freshman year was the most fun year in high school. I took classes unlike any I had taken in middle school, went to every football game, got involved in school sports, made real connections with my teachers and met so many people who I will remember forever. I remember feeling so grown up.
Then sophomore year hit. For the first time in my life, my classes actually challenged me. With all the homework and mental breakdowns, I learned how to manage my time really well. This allowed me to make unforgettable memories like getting my driver’s license, making Taco Bell runs at 2 a.m. and blasting music in the car all night.
When junior year started my schedule was set: school, friends,
homework, sleep, repeat. All I wanted to do was leave Kansas. My friends and I had exhausted all our ideas and we were burnt out. Our only hope was Spring Break. However, on March 10, I got a cough, and on March 13, I had a fever, and on March 14, I lost my sense of taste — and my life changed forever.
As extended Spring Breaks turned into lockdowns, and in-person turned into online, the life we knew was gone.
After four weeks of at-home workouts and sold out toilet paper I spent some time with people that I haven’t talked to in months, and just like that, a new friend group was created. That summer I spent my time with the most genuine friends I have ever known. We lived life like we never had before. When senior year started I got to join newspaper staff, was in the CAPS CNA program and was working a job again. Fall sports had just started, and life was good.
Right as I was getting used to things, once again my life changed forever. I was rushed to the emergency room and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on Sept. 25, and just three months later diagnosed with Celiac Disease on Dec. 19, 2020, on my 18th birthday.
High school has taught me many lessons, dealing with drama, bad friends, all the cliche things said in the movies
— but senior year has taught me the most impactful things I will take with me into the future.
We will all be faced with hardships — it is inevitable. We all just have to figure out the best way for us to move past them, and the only way to figure that out is by taking it head on and not being afraid to ask for help.
The most important thing you can do for yourself is put yourself and your own needs before anything else. Whatever it is — your happiness, your health — once you resolve those problems you can put your energy into other things and other people. Real friends will stay by your side in times of need. When you are at your lowest, they will aid you in building yourself back up, and soon your friends will become a second family.
I now find myself wishing I had more time in Kansas than the short months we have before our separate lives begin and the memories we all shared in Blue Valley High School are left within its walls. During this time, spend time with your friends, your family and your pets, and make some more unforgettable memories. Take some time to realize all the good things, and go into the next chapter confident and unafraid of the life you will lead from May 22, 2021 and on.
‘The most important thing you can do for yourself is put yourself and your own needs before anything else.’mia rice staff writer
Iwish I could draw like that,” I said while gawking over the desk of a Disney sketch artist.
“You can.” I looked up to meet my eyes with the very serious man and felt my young heart drop.
“If you have a pencil, piece of paper and try hard enough, you can draw anything,” he finished saying.
Years later, I am now a senior in high school and this seemingly small moment still sticks with me as if it had happened yesterday. The man was most likely trying to motivate me and keep me hopeful for growing my abilities — for every artist knows change is a good thing, but my first impression of the moment was consumed with embarrassed rage.
I was young and still very impressionable, so this comment, rather than encourage me, actually made me convince myself that I wasn’t a real artist. It all came from how I had to process it with time and experience.
At first, the art I aspired to create was not being achieved because I thought my tools were flawed, or I wasn’t old enough, but here, this instant idol of mine was telling me I didn’t need any of that to create the art I was so obsessed with — so there had to be something wrong with me, right?
Well no, of course not. That was just my brain overthinking and
squeezing the life out of my dreams by replacing them with doubts. Doubting is something that has always stopped me from experiences — but I could never let it take art away from me, so I fought to prove to my brain I was good enough.
It wasn’t until I found myself drawing freely, without care, letting anything and everything hit my page, forgetting the world around me that a realization set in and the truer meaning of his words hit me.
Art isn’t given meaning by the creator’s tools or age or even brand, but by the creator’s outlook on their art.
Sure, I have heard more than a dozen people say, “I am so bad at art. I can only draw a stick figure!” And claim that makes their creations meaningless — but if that stick figure makes the artist truly happy with their skills, it is rather very meaningful.
Every artist owns a unique style and it can be hard to find where it belongs. I am thankful for Newspaper allowing me to express my ideas and find a bigger voice in my designs. The supportive environment really motivated my art to grow beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Newspaper welcomed art styles of all feats of skill which surrounded me with the people I needed to find my place within Blue Valley High School.
So while I am not trying to undermine the effort and skill it takes to be a professional artist, I am mainly
wanting to shed light on the feelings felt toward making art and how approaching your craft with a different mindset can better you and it.
I have seen in media that artists have to be these unstoppable forces who never burn out and wait for creativity to strike — these almost lifeless figures without their passion. It hurts to imagine ending up like that.
Feeling while creating is what powers your work. It is what I love the most when finishing a piece, relishing in all the feelings I felt while adding little details in a piece. These feelings do not even have to be positive, for it is just as unhealthy to forget the importance of feeling in art as over-saturating your life and ignoring hardships.
Art can be a great way to translate feelings you would otherwise be lost in explaining. To take that away and expect all an artist is capable of is printing out mindless copies is what produces a mindset of what it means to be a true artist.
I almost lost art because I was sandwiched between self-doubt and pursuing what I love. If I was never able to understand and appreciate the inner value there must be to approaching art, I could have lost myself to the murky depths of mental collapse.
I have held onto art my whole life because when it comes to creating, I find it is not the functions from inside the brain, but more the expression from your heart.
‘I almost lost art because I was sandwiched between self- doubt and pursuing what I love‘
Most mornings, I wake up and scowl as I turn off the alarm on my phone, upset at the fact that I have to go to school for more reasons than one. First off, it’s early. No one wants to disrupt their sleep to go to a fluorescent-lit 50-year-old building at 7:30 in the morning. Secondly, I would have to be a social version of myself for eight hours, which was exhausting.
If you know me, you probably know I’m quiet. I rarely speak out in class, only when I’m obligated to. I avoid eye contact whenever I can and have a hard time keeping up conversations.
So when I’m faced with having to push all of that aside for eight hours, I get frustrated and stressed out.
In eighth grade, I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety — there was finally an explanation for my behaviors in- and outside of school. Middle school was already hard enough; now I had to go through another four years? I felt sick at the thought.
People always glamorized how high school would be. It’d be fun every day; there’d be partying, and you’d get into the dating game — but I never experienced any of that. It’s like I watched everyone else grow from the sidelines.
I had a decent group of friends freshman to junior year, but since I’ve dropped some of the activities I did, I haven’t had much contact with them since. Senior year was foretold to be the greatest year of high school, yet here I was, dreading every second I sat in these classrooms. I was almost always anxious
of what was around the corner.
During my sophomore year, my depression was the worst it’s ever been. It was a chore to get myself out of bed in the morning. I had to force myself to have fun with my friends, and when I was by myself whether after school or a hangout, I dipped low.
My grades weren’t that of an average BV student, so I often compared myself to my friends, getting even more upset when I was faced with the truth that I wasn’t good enough. I was suicidal at this point.
During the nights that were really bad, I ended up making plans, telling myself it was the right thing to do. I convinced myself I was a burden on each person I interacted with, that the world would be better without me in it.
One day, my sister, Noma, told me to join the newspaper staff, but the idea filled me with uncertainty. I was nervous. I had big shoes to fill, considering she’d soon become editorin-chief of the paper. Eventually, she gave me enough courage to join.
Although I still didn’t talk much, being in that class was enough light in the tunnel to give me some hope to continue on. After a couple months of being in the class, I realized I didn’t need to become the next Noma. I just needed to be me.
I may not be best friends with the people in this class, but I know they will be here for me when I need it. More importantly, I needed them more than I thought. I finally realized I wasn’t a burden on those around me, and I was worth enough to live on this earth.
If I had gone through with those plans I made sophomore year, I would
have missed out on a lot. I’m so grateful to have met the people I’ve met. High school may have not been the best for me, but I have memories to last a lifetime.
In comparison of now to sophomore year, when things were at their worst, I’m doing better. I’m not the best I’ve ever been, but I really am doing better. Knowing I’ll have newspaper gives me enough energy and motivation to get up in the morning and go to school. Waking up at 7:30 isn’t as bad anymore.
So, now for some advice. I’ve never really been good at it, but I hope I can get through to whomever’s reading this.
If you’re like me, the quiet kid who has trouble talking to people, please do your best to reach out to someone. If you can have at least one person to meet with every day, your life will lighten some.
And if you’re not like me, please reach out to someone who has trouble doing it for themselves. If you see someone sitting alone, ask if you can sit with them. Share a laugh or two with them; make a memory. If you can do that for someone, you’ve helped them more than you could imagine.
These four years at BV have gone by extremely fast. Don’t spend each day wishing it was over; instead, live in the moment. Because soon, like me, you’ll realize how little time you have left with your high school friends.
I have no idea what the future holds for me, but to my future self: things have gotten better, haven’t they? And if they haven’t, they’re destined to. Tell those around you how much you love and appreciate them. Talk to someone new. Be the best person you can be.
‘To my future self: things
erika kolseth staff writer
Some may know me as a songwriter, but today I am a poet. Writing lyrics like a song but no music to pose with.
Cause how could I fully reflect On my years without doing my best To demonstrate what I’ve been writing Alone every night at my desk
I’ve always had one dream In hopes of getting to achieve The rare possibility Of actually getting paid to sing
I’d hope, I’d plead, I’d scheme But nothing’s happening So could it actually be That I have to work for something?
Asleep on a wooden desk
Far away from happiness
Sat a hot, helpless mess Who was late on every assignment
Longing for an epiphany
For years she sat in disbelief
Doubting her abilities That would one day lead to better things
It took years to clear the fog And finding out where she belonged In a big pond full of frogs With the bonus of gaining a few songs
Now with all of her strength and courage She’s taking her songs out of storage Winning awards she’d never thought she’d earn Yet has so much more stuff to learn
Now remembering all of my slack, I’m wondering what was holding me back Was someone or something in the way No, it was the dedication I lacked
Somehow I realized that nothing would happen if I didn’t try So I did what I had to and stayed up all day and night Not just dreaming but doing And doing it with pride
I ask myself what more I can do And standing out by being genuine and true Learning to produce with nothing but joy So plz go stream “johnny boy”
I’m ready to achieve my dreams I worked too hard to watch them leave So if you ever find that you need me I’ll be across the country at Berklee
The year I’ve looked forward to for the longest time is finally here. I remember freshman year thinking it wouldn’t come quickly, but here we are.
Trying to fit my experience during these past four years on this page is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I’ve learned more than I thought I was going to, and the funny thing is, it has nothing to do with academics at all.
Although high school has taught me life skills that have equipped me for the future, I have learned more about myself than anything — my passions, true friends, strengths, etc.
I found out freshman year that gym was my favorite class and taking all honors was not the most welcoming way to enter high school.
Sophomore year I learned how to deal with friendships that didn’t always turn out the way I wanted them to.
Junior year I figured out what time management looks like, and sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do in order to chase after the things you do.
But out of all my years of high school, senior year has taught me the most —
kind of ironic that I’ve gained the most out of a year where I also lost the most. Even through a pandemic and online school, we have all managed to make it to the end of high school (kinda almost).
As my time in high school is coming to a close, I can’t help but be grateful for every single day of it — the good and the terrible. They have all forced me to become the person I am today and have bettered me in so many ways.
I have found my true friends and realized time with family is so valuable. I learned if you are there for others in their hard times, people will be there for you in yours. I learned hard work goes a long way, and there is something positive in every situation. But most of all, I have learned that spreading kindness to others is the best thing you can do here at BV.
I would so much rather be known as the girl who made someone feel known and loved than a 4.0 student-athlete. And if it took me four years to realize that, then high school was totally worth it.
Although I’m headed to an out-ofstate school next year, I will never forget my time here at Blue Valley and all it has taught me. I am so excited for this next chapter of my life.
Thank you Class of 2021 for everything — you will always have a special place in my heart.
‘I would so much rather be known as the girl who made someone feel known and loved than a 4.0 student-athlete.’liya patel staff writer
We’ve all heard the saying “high school is just another chapter in the book of our lives.”
We’ve heard it’s just four years that gets us to the next part. It’s four years where we make friends we are probably going to lose as the years go on. It’s the four years that fly by faster than anything in the world which give us temporary memories that won’t last us as long as we would like. But, I think high school has been anything but that.
I can’t pick one moment to reflect on because my entire high school experience has been filled with many tiny, amazing moments that have happened at the most unexpected times. Moments that taught me lessons and helped me grow. Moments that made me realize where I want to go and the kind of impression I want to leave in this world.
Through my time in high school, I have been fortunate enough to learn four big lessons, each one specific to each year of school.
Freshman year I learned the world will not wait for you. As a freshman, I was unsure about who I was going to be. I never put myself out there and waited for those around me to lead so I could follow.
While that might have been the easy route in the moment, I later realized holding myself back prevented me from grasping the opportunities that would’ve built me up to be better. As you proceed with your individual lives, be sure to take every opportunity you are given
The world will not wait for you to make up your mind. Opportunities, big and small, come and go, sometimes forever. So, grasp them with an open mind and an eager heart.
Sophomore year I learned it is OK to make mistakes. Some people say your upperclassmen years are the hardest of your life. I do not agree. For me, sophomore year hit like a truck. I was being pulled left and right, and side to side to go in the direction that others around me wanted me to go. I didn’t have my own path, and I didn’t have my own direction.
Constantly struggling to please those around me, I often caught myself criticizing myself for falling short and not living up to standards. Not realizing that making mistakes is normal, I tore myself down to a point that stopped me from building myself up for a long time.
Looking back at it now, I realize life will always throw challenges your way. Easy or hard, big or small, they will always be there to test you. Making mistakes while dealing with life’s challenges is what makes us human. Embracing our faults and using them to make us better is the true value behind those bumps in the road.
Junior year I learned to enjoy the little things in life. This was the year that brought a long-awaited turn-around filled with lunches in the junior pod during Tiger Paws, getting ready for Homecoming and late-night drives on the weekend.
This was the year I began to discover my own direction. I was figuring out
Before COVID, all of these moments were just regular occurrences I never had to worry about losing. Then, I lost it.
The time ahead of us will hold many “little things” that we won’t realize are so important until they are gone. So embrace everything you can. Live every moment like the world is going to shut down. Because, like we’ve learned, that is a very real possibility.
Now here we are, senior year. The last lesson. As I wrap up the final moments of high school, I know the biggest lesson I’ve learned has been to make the best out of a bad situation. Spending an entire year with the pandemic forced me to take what I have and make it as good as it can be.
We are all aware that our lives are going to be filled with unfortunate situations that may seem to have no up-side to them. In those moments, as hard as it may be, I urge you all to push yourself to make any situation the best situation.
Don’t allow a disconnect to alter your perspective. Take on a new angle or as many new angles as you need to find the bright spot in a dark place.
If anything, I have learned high school is more than just a chapter. It is an ENTIRE book. All of the incredible, extraordinary moments that happen at the most random times make up more than just a single part. They make up a story that shapes us into who we are and who we will continue to be.
So, as we experiencing the final pages of this book, I encourage you to take the little moments that will continue to
‘Embracing
make us better is the true value behind those bumps in the road.’chloe browning story editor
High school. For some these four years are all about sports, for some it’s all about the social life and for others it’s about what is in the classroom. Although students have different priorities, we all have one commonality and that is that high school means something to all of us. For me high school has been a time of untraditional learning. From the moment I walked across that red carpet my first day of freshman year to the day I walk across the graduation stage I continuously developed a further understanding of who I am.
I remember entering high school terrified of what this time of my life would be like. As I became more comfortable with the school, I started to look into things that truly interested me. I would have never imagined that I would be writing for the school paper much less being a senior editor of it. I look back on walking into room 450 for my first day as a Blue Valley High School journalist, and for the first time in my life I felt like I could make a difference. Growing up I had my fair share of struggles and I never felt in control of my own life. When I started writing I attained a way to rewrite my story but this time I would be the sole author.
After gaining this confidence not only in myself but in my work, I was driven to
become someone I could be proud of. Although my writing has given me a purpose at Blue Valley my newfound passion for exercise and nutrition has given me a drive to become the role model I wish I had as a child. The gym has given me the power of control of both my physical and mental health as I have navigate my way through stressful assignments, breakups, and friendships. For me high school is like lifting weights you can have 200 pounds resting on your shoulders but the act of gaining the courage to squat down in fear of failure should not diminish your determination for success.
Our senior year has been anything but normal but it has given us a bond that we will never forget. Throughout all that has happened, the class of 2021 has become a family – a very dysfunctional family, but still a family. From our first class meeting, we have all been bonded by such an amazing and unique experience of high school.
Although this past year has been tough it has taught me lessons that I will forever be grateful for.
These times have taught me to not only keep my head up on the worst days but how to smile on my best.
Getting older made me realize that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you because at the end of the day, you decide your future.
‘These times have taught me to not only keep my head up on the worst days but how to smile on my best.’olivia sherlock story editor
From kindergarten to second grade, I couldn’t read at all, most of the words I knew at that time were memorized, but any word that was foreign to me I wasn’t able to sound out.
I had a teacher tell me that I was immature, distracted and different. I had another teacher tell my parents I needed to be medicated and would be lucky if I ever learned how to read. Psychologists said I would never be in mainstream classes or probably even graduate high school.
By second grade, I was diagnosed with a phonological learning disability. My brain didn’t know how to sound out words the way most people in my grade could.
I would go home every day and do flashcards with my mom to memorize words — that’s how I learned to read.
I eventually caught up to reading at grade-level just before middle school.
Even though I was finally caught up to my peers, I still hated going to school. Usually, when a kid can’t spell a word, they are simply told that “it is spelled just how it sounds,” but for me, words were frustrating. In my mind, they were not spelled how
they sounded.
I was embarrassed to leave classrooms to take tests or ask to sit in the front of the room so I could focus.
It didn’t help that middle schoolers were mean and would often comment on the speed I was reading at, or the grammatical state of my spelling.
In eighth grade, my school hired a great librarian who encouraged me to start writing poems that she would read every day after school. She was the only teacher who would read what I wrote and look past the grammatical errors. My love for writing only grew from there.
When I got to high school, I enrolled in newspaper sophomore year. I idolized my teacher Mrs. Huss and the three editors who led the class. I took all their constructive criticism to heart and worked really hard that year.
I found it rewarding getting to tell people’s stories and talk to them about things they are passionate about. The work paid off my junior year when I started winning awards for my writing.
I am now Story Editor and in my third year as a member of a journalism honor society, Quill and Scroll. It is a wonderful, full-circle experience getting to lead a class that helped me
grow so much.
I’ve gotten more comfortable when it comes to learning, and even though spelling still isn’t my strong suit and I’m usually the last person to finish a test, school is now something I love.
I have learned throughout my time in the Blue Valley district that being different is OK, and being able to push through challenges is what makes a strong person.
There are few things I will miss more than this newspaper staff that feels like a family — and a very real family at that. I will miss Mrs. Huss’s sarcastic “no” to every single question I ask her. I will miss the comfort of the floor in Room 450 on a sleepy day. I will miss the blurry, out-of-focus photos taken at football games. I will miss the rush I felt when my grade won the “I feel good contest” and the shame I felt losing to the underclassmen. I will miss Tiger Paws in the Newspaper back room with Nick Lamberti and Jaron Cole (before we got kicked out). I will even miss writing stories that result in bounties being put on my head.
Thank you, Blue Valley, for reading one last page of my cringy, fun and occasionally controversial writing
‘It is a wonderful, full-circle experience getting to lead a class that helped me grow so much.’tymber moody web editor
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to go to college. The thought of starting over in a completely different place with new people and opportunities was comforting to my little freshman self.
Although now that it’s actually here, I wish I didn’t spend so much time counting down the days and worrying about the little things — like how my hair looked or if I studied for that test enough — because in the end, that never really mattered anyway.
At the beginning of freshman year I never quite felt like I fit in, but now that I think about it, maybe that’s because I impulsively chose to dye my entire head blue the summer before freshman year. But that’s beside the point. I think we’ve all felt out of place at one point or another, but that’s what high school is for. You have to figure out who you aren’t in order to find out who you are. And, for me at least, high school definitely did that.
I learned I am not good with directions. That being said, at the end of my sophomore year, two years into high school, I was finally able to locate the nurse’s office — with the help of at least two other people.
I also learned I am not a public speaker. Although, with my newly found nurse’s office and a caring mother to check me out,
I was lucky to find ways around it — or at least buy me more time.
In a few short months, I’m going to be miles away from everything and everyone I love and I’m absolutely terrified. I thought that by the time I was a senior I’d be more than ready to leave. After all, it’s what we’ve all been wishing and waiting for, right?
I’ve never felt less ready than I do right now. But someone once told me that if you keep waiting until you’re ready, you’ll be waiting forever. So, we just have to take the leap and see what happens.
As the days fly by toward graduation, I find myself trying to recall all of the lasts of my high school experience. My last dance. My last time walking by the band playing during an assembly. My last football game. Even the last time I heard Mr. Bacon give his famous GRRRR.
Thinking about these has made me realize how little I appreciated them in the moment and how much I appreciate them now.
Don’t waste time waiting for high school to be over; make the most of it while you can because, if this past year has taught us seniors anything, it’s taught us that you never know when your lasts will happen.
I’m going to miss BV more than I ever thought I would, and I can’t believe I’m finally saying goodbye. But as the great Winnie the Pooh once said, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
‘You have to figure out who you aren’t in order to find out who you are.’
claire powell editor in chief
Originally when I thought of writing my senior column, I wanted to opt out from speaking about newspaper because of — you know — the cliche of it.
I imagined people thinking, “The Editor-in-Chief writes about newspaper in the newspaper… Shocker.”
But sometime this past week, I was stalking my own Instagram page. I saw a post from Sept. 8, 2019. The caption read “nerds and yerds take on football” with several pictures of me and staff members from yearbook and newspaper.
I remembered all the football games I took photos at. How the Friday night lights shined down on me and last year’s yearbook editors, who I later befriended.
I remembered the assemblies and asking anyone with a camera what settings they were on because those fluorescent lights were terrible.
I remembered two years ago, for a story about clouds, staff writers at the time Olivia Sherlock and Anika Kreegar came with me to take pictures of the sky. This became an almost everyday routine for us, and one day we even had a little photoshoot. We named ourselves “cloud gang.”
I remembered in 2019 going to Washington D.C. for a journalism
back, staff writer Erika Kolseth and I told everyone we got kicked out of the White House for breaking former President Lincoln’s lamp. A week later we had to come clean and say we were lying because people nicknamed Erika “Lamp.”
And besides perhaps the last one, I was capturing your memories while creating some of my own. Every Homecoming, every pep rally and “peel the banana” — I was able to see my peers from an outside lens.
This, at some fault, halted my ability to take snapshots of my own life. It isn’t until now, not even a two weeks away from graduation, that I’m finally “developing the photos” of my memory. All those moments I shared earlier, are ones I’m only recognizing now.
That’s what’s great about programs like newspaper. I got to spend three years of my life working with amazing people and capturing snapshots that I can look back on years later.
Even if you’re going to be a senior next year, it’s not too late to be involved. Every year I’ve been with The Tiger Print, I have been met with new editors and staff — each time being completely different.
Recently joined staff writer Ayesha Khan joined, and when she walks into class with her flawless outfits, the crowd of student journalists goes wild.
Also new this year, I had my first
and Olivia Sherlock, along with adviser Michelle Huss. The way my relationship has grown with all three of them has made editor’s hour one of my favorite “courses” at Blue Valley.
Everything I have talked about would have not been answered if you asked me randomly what my memories of newspaper are. I had to take a moment to reflect on my time here to remember each individual snapshot. Fortunately, I involved myself in a program that has given me opportunities to look back on and cherish what I had and what I’ll carry with me in my brain’s Google drive.
If you’re reading this and feel as though you have no snapshots of your time at high school, join something. It doesn’t have to be newspaper (even though it’s literally the best option), but it just needs to be something.
I want everyone to be as lucky as me and remember the times they were with others because those moments are what I’m going to miss most about high school. Those moments are what I’m going to miss most about newspaper.
Also, since Huss and Charlie won’t see this until paper day, I have a little note for them. Huss, thank you for being such an extraordinary teacher and Charlie, thank you for being a great friend. You will do great as editor-in-chief. I can’t wait
‘I’m
can you guess which baby is a 2021 senior?
