2016SeniorMag

SPOTLIGHT May 13, 2016

Blue Valley West High School, 16200 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, Kansas, Vol. 15, Issue 6A

Special Edition-Senior Mag pg. 3 pg. 4-5 Pg. 6 Pg. 8-9 Pg. 10 pg. 11-14 Pg. 15-16

Dr. Potts says goodbye Interesting statistics 2013-2016 Photo Gallery “The map” Messages from student leaders Spotlight Senior Columns Senior picnic photo gallery

2 Contents

CONTENTS 3 4-5 6 7

8-9 10 11-14 15-16

A Farewell to the Class of 2016 from Principal Dr. Potts Statistics about the Class of 2016 Freshmen Year to Senior Year in Pictures Our Staff “Going, Going, Gone...” Senior Map Messages from the Class President and the Student Council President Musings about high school from senior Spotlight staffers Senior Picnic Photo Essay

A Farewell to the Class of 2016 from Dr. Potts Don’t Quit When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don't give up though the pace seems slow-You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out-The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far, So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown –

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Contents 3

Dear Class of 2016,

I want to tell you a little bit about my dad. He is a great and wise man. He was my high school football coach. He coached high school football for 34 years in my hometown of Bolivar, MO. Much like Coach Wright, my father developed strong relationships and a strong love for his players and they loved him back. Each year, my dad would get sad as another group of seniors graduated. He was always so proud of each of the young men. It amazes me to this day the sheer number of guys out there in the world who played football for him. A lot of them stay in touch with him. He knows about their families, children, and even grandchildren. He was truly a father figure for many of them and obviously for me.

Every year he coached, my father would write a letter for each of his graduating seniors, enclose a little card with a poem on it, and present it to them at the graduation ceremony. I have included the poem below. I’ve carried a copy of that poem on a plastic card in my wallet since the day I graduated from high school in 1985. Over the course of those 31 years, it has become tattered and worn. I’ve had to tape it back together a couple of times. But, I still have it. I don’t look at it too much but I don’t have to because I know it is there.

Hundreds of guys carry that poem with them every day. It is in the billfold of a CEO and founder of a company. It has been in the chest pockets of soldiers who rappelled into Iraq and deployed in Afghanistan. An Air Force pilot carried his in his cockpit during combat missions. A professional football player kept his in his locker. Doctors, mechanics, lawyers, businessmen, carpenters, teachers, engineers, farmers, mechanics, salesmen, and sailors, all hold on to the little card. Like me, they don’t look at it very often. They don’t have to because they know it is there.

But, more importantly, they understand what it means. My dad knew that every one of his boys would face hard times in their lives. He handed them those cards on the last day of high school to remind them of the things he tried to teach them as players – to press on in the face of adversity.

This is the message I’d like to send you off with as well. You are a great class. Indeed you have left a positive legacy for our school. I care about each of you and I want you to find success and happiness in your lives, whatever that is for you. You embraced the concept of FAMILY. You showed great PRIDE in your school. You have striven for EXCELLENCE. Great things are in store for you. But, bad things happen.

They just do. Things don’t always go the way you want. When that happens, press on, show some GRIT and DON’T QUIT. Best wishes and remember: Once a Jaguar, always a Jaguar.

Love,

Dr. Potts

4 Stats

CLass oF 2016 bY the numbers

Grace Lamar Managing Editor

Class Size

Senior year: 1 Junior year: 0 Sophomore year: 5 Freshmen year: 5

snow daYs 332 338 317 322 Senior

Freshmen Year

Freshmen

In one year, we have used...

Homecoming

Sophomore Year

Under the Sea Sweetheart Under the Big Top Prom A Night in the French Quarter Homecoming

the great gatsby Sweetheart the Queen oF Hearts Prom Parisian Rendevous

595,500

sheets of paper on average

Junior Year

Prom

A Midsummer Night ’s Dream

Senior Year

Homecoming

GLowcoming

Sweetheart

A Night at Hogwarts Prom City oF fountains

trees

=100,000 4 = 08 almost

sheets for Kansas schools

sheets per student

In four years, the average student has used

1,632

Homecoming

Viva Las Vegas Sweetheart Arabian Nights

= 74

700 sheets of paper

over

school days

Stats5

graduation Class Day Speaking

Performing

Ali McGuire

Maha Abouodah Bijan Esfandiary

Erin Kapaska

AccoLades Guide

Who Decided?

Graduation

Mr. Baxter, Ms. Waldorf, Carly McDonald Mrs. Legrotte, Mr. Brutto, Senior Class Officers

Isaac Witte

Mrs. Modelski, Mr. Brutto, Mrs. Legrotte, Senior Class Officers

Medals

Stoles

Jaguar Pride Coalition*

JAG Mentors* J

National Merit Finalists

Grace Lamar Managing Editor

M

National Honor Society

Cords CAPS

Quill and Scroll

French National Honor Society

Rho Kappa

German National Honor Society

Science National Honor Society

Mu Alpha Theta Spanish National Honor Society

National Art Honor Society Youth Court

*not worn at graduation

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Remember who you were so you can figure out who you are.

Spotlight Staff Carly McDonald Editor in Chief

Grace Lamar Leah Zimmerli

Managing Editors

Rebecca Abraham Ryan Barrett John Byrket Beth Gasser Shaye Herman Editorial Board

Jaden Dudrey Melissa Franano Mara Hennessy Stephen Kinder Madeleine C. Lewis Chloe Maher Alexis Melson Dana Nasr Jonah Park Mikaela Schmitt Alexa Turiello Contributors

Frankie Skinner

Friend to Spotlight Spotlight is printed six times a year for the BV West students and community. Its goals are to inform, entertain and interpret through editorials and bylined articles while providing an open forum of communication for the diverse student population and faculty members.

Spotlight aims to be fair, accurate and impartial. The content of the publication is determined by its student editors as determined by the Kansas Scholastic Press Act and may contain controversial subject matter as the staff exercises their First Amendment Rights.

Spotlight does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the faculty adviser, the administration of Blue Valley West or USD 229.

Spotlight seniors 7

Spotlight senior tributes

These members of the Class of 2016 have spent a total of 32 semesters in Room 233 writing stories about important issues and people around our school community. The next several pages are their chance to write from the heart about their lives, their friends, and the future.

Abroad

Victoria Barthe [France] Elin Bergenbrink [Sweden]

Alabama

University of Alabama Delaney Demming Bryson Dietz Mitchell Laube Sarah Leech Benjamin Viestenz

Arizona

Arizona State University Alena Jensen

University of Arizona Erin Zipse

Arkansas

Andrew Heiman

Georgia

University of Georgia Chase Adam

Young Harris College

Kyle Sjoblom Ethan Thompson

Pepperdine University Rebecca Abraham

San Diego State Allison Franano

University of California –Berkeley Tony Cheng Benjamin Glidden Isaac Witte

University of Southern California Marin Hodges Jack Ingram

Colorado

Colorado School Of Mines Keely Grosvenor

Colorado State University Danielle Laughrey Ashley Lane Marrs

Northern Colorado Taylor Lile

University of Colorado– Boulder Adam Siplon

Joel Bettis Colin Herman Sydney Skibell Ryan Smith

Loyola University Chicago Brendan McGraw Paula Walewicz

McKendree University

University of Missouri– kansas city

Depaul University

Piyom Aramoon Sam Bagby Alexis Larson Brittany Peters Jordan Toft

Indiana

Indiana University Carter Lee Sydney Poteet

Iowa

UMKC School of MEdicine

Kansas State University

Iowa State

Jordan Cowen Jacob LaBau Blake Lopez Jacob Melookaran Kami Pankratz

University of Iowa

Dalton Burns Kyra Hassman Courtney Schmitt Elizabeth McCandless

Kansas

Coffeyville Community College Austin Brunk

Emporia State University Caleb Moes Jack Dechant Morgan DeWalt

Independence Community College Paul Wolff

Johnson County Community College

Bradley Katt Suzan Khalil Dana Licari Anna Lickteig Shadon Mandley Joy Marble Alec Mills Austin Morris Brandon Nastav Julie Reinhardt Kelsey Rice Riona Rugova Erin Schauer Madison Shafer Trevor Simpson Sloan Walters Dustin Warren Chandler Wright

Cali Banker Dominic Barcarolo Paige Becker Katherine Benefiel Steven Boehmer Michael Botchway William Bowersock Emery Braun Ross Cappo Sabrina Cline William Damewood Emily Delventhal Bijan Esfandiary Reese Fisher Courtney Frock Samuel Grandon Terry Griggs Graham Hunter Gabrielle Kohnle Jordan Kubicki Tianyi Ma Michael Mabry Alison McCausland Ross McFarland Abigail Mitchell Ryan Morrison Whitney Nouhan Daniel Peacock Peyton Pericola Lauren Reams Cole Richenburg Madeline Riede Connor Riggs Bailey Ryals Jacob Shafer Frankie Skinner Allyson Smith Kennedy Stevens Michael Varhola Kristin Yankey

McPherson College Di’jalone Hayes-Hall

University of Kansas

Maha Abouodah Adrieanna Norse Sasha Arteaga Genevieve Pateidl Saif Bajwa Srilahari Pathivada Christopher Bazell Matthew Perumal Jake Bishop Amber Popoola Josue Blas Somang Sok William Brabston Ethan Stoize McKenzie Brummit John Stonestreet Jack Campbell Chris Torres-Lopez Callan Cantrell Alexa Turiello Ali Chabuk Muhammad Usama Maksim Cheranov Connor Yohon Emily Clow Britney Zappa Isabel Eubanks Valerie Fabregat-Uhlmann Kendall Fall Ottawa University Elizabeth Ferguson Cody Camerlinck Alexandria Ford Kollin Schechinger Dillon Grantham Megan Grenke Sydney Hendin Emily Herndon Mirza Ibteda Ehsan Javed Grace Lamar Mackenzie Lawrence Zachary Layton Elizabeth Liu Harrison Luo Taylor McBee Ethan McCesney Danielle Mitchell Bhakti Modi Christopher Morris Emma Nelson Evan Norkey Robert Norris

Pittsburg State University Andrew Carrillo Elizabeth Frazier Erin Kapaska Alexis Melson Julia Mount Shayna Southard McKenna Yanik

Michigan University of Michigan Devon Arnold

Minnesota

Carleton College Carly McDonald

College of Saint Benedict Brigid Mark

University of Minnesota Sritripura Talagadadeevi

Mississippi

University of Mississippi Emily Engelken Ryan Kennedy

Missouri

Avila University Colin Hendricks

Kansas City Art Institute Quinn Coleman

Metropolitan Community College Alex Edwards

Missouri Southern Rachel McCoy

Wichita State University Missouri Welding Institute Andrew Stoothoff Marshall Januszewski Emily Hennerberg

z hair Academy Bailey Ellis

Weston Bakunas

Sherouk Abdelmoity Donya Jahandar Divya Jain Alexis Larson Afeerah Malik Lakshmi Priya

Ally McGill

Mehul Mittal

Miami University

Marquette University

Oklahoma

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

Hallie Moss Jacob Schram

Alternative

McKenzie Cunnyngham Andrew Dickerson Madison Usher Nathan Wiles

Antoaneta Dillane Nicholas Harris Cade Hudler Adam Hughes

Wisconsin

Ohio

Natalie Mullen Ian Talley

Nicole Alexis Reyes

Oklahoma State University

Jason Thompson

University of Oklahoma

University of Tulsa

South Carolina

Diego Fernandez Paoli Santiago Fernandez Paoli Amelia Hanners

Evan Hailes

South Dakota

University of South Dakota Mark Collins

Tennessee Vanderbilt

Sachin Nuguru

Montana

Montana State

Baylor University Erin Smee

Clayton Henriksen

rice University Emre Yurtbay

Elliot Stark

Nebraska

Creighton University Bailey George Chris Torres-Lopez Jaden Zhao

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Kylie Kuska Hannah Smith Ashley Willis Shannon Willis Elizabeth Wilson Emily Wortman

Southern Meodist University Timothy Carr

Texas Christian University Jacob Lansford

Texas A&M University Jared Laubacher

Utah

Brigham Young University

Dartmouth College

Washington

New York

Mia Obermueller

Himadri Narasimhamurthy

Northwest Missouri State

North Carolina

Jacob Wyrick

University of North Carolina Caroline Kennedy

Spencer Berard Edith Earnshaw Jacob Foil Lauren Hart Julia Huebert Justin Julian Colton Loeffelbein Sofia Martinez-Lopez Nathan Miceli Alan Oganesyan Michael Pepin Seth Pine Austin Swogger Dominic Tassio Michael White Madison Winkler Michael Wright

Welding School Ethan Paine

Virginia

Sarah Hunter

New Hampshire

Jake Bryant [Navy] Noah Pollock [United Naval Academy] Hayden Shaw [Marines]

Jared Laubacher

Virginia Military Institute

Wayne State College

Military

Undecided/Unknown

Lubbock Christian University

Madelyn Comeau Caroline Seitz

Employed Gap Year

Winthrop University

William Jewell

Beth Gasser

Career Education

Maxwell Wickoren Sarah Wise

Kyle Seager

Texas

Cornell University

Griffin Lenihan

Washington D.C.

Webster University

Missouri Western Jacob Diemer

North Dakota

University of North Dakota Georgetown University

Lauren Garcia Joseph Gilden Isabella Mangan Zoe Nordstrom Connor Register Hayden Smith Christian Tschippert

Illinois

Brendan Baier Stuart Bennett Emily Couse William Cox Anna Deutsch Slavi Dillane Isabella Dillon Lillie Dimond Isaiah Funk Alassa Gevanni Gavin Gingrich Hannah Hall Nathan Hanners Lauren Harts Mara Hennessy William Holsapple Jack Horning Mary Irwin

University of Central Missouri

University of Missouri

Morgan Roberts

Madeline Johnston

California Polytechnic State University

GOIN6... GONE

Carly McDonald, Editor-in-Chief, Grace Lamar, Managing Editor

Brigham Youn g University

University of Arkansas

California

Joseph McKenzie

Idaho

Harding University Morgan Brewster Devon Duran Jacob Feuerborn Sydney Gonzales Whitney Hoelting Landon Kapp Hunter Lopez Alisen McGuire Megan McNutt Derek Neubauer Abigail Robinson Alexander Ronnebaum Jack Walton

Saint Louis University

Madison Ring

Alissa Zeitelhack

Kayleigh Thomas

GO1NG,

University of Colorado– Colorado Springs

William Koneczny

Gonzaga University Seattle Pacific University Margaret Lunn

Map courtesy of vectorworldmap.com

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veryone says high school is the best time of your life. I don’t know if I would say “of your life”, but these past four years have definitely left a lasting impact on me. The friends I have made and the things I have gotten involved in have taught me so much. Being in Student Council and JPCo gave me leadership skills in, and outside of of the summer in the school. The lessons we parking lot going through learned in class taught me different marching not only responsibility, but formations. No matter respect. These lessons I what situation you have learned are the things remember, it will remind that couldn’t come from a you of the work ethic Powerpoint or a worksheet; and dedication we have they had to be learned been trained to put into through experience and our lives. A lot of people I am grateful I was able claim high school is to discover the traits that pointless and once it’s will help me in life beyond over nothing will matter, the walls of West. The and to an extent that experiences and memories is true, that homework that have come with high assignment probably school have prepared me won’t decide your future. for the next chapters of But what we went my life. I would not be through here will carry where I am today without on to whatever is next. my amazing teachers, the So when you reminisce people I met along the way on your high school and friends the friends I career when you’re 47 have grown up with. years old, remember As I am reflecting over how corny the word these past four years I “grit” became, remember am wondering what our our class competitions, class’s legacy will be. What remember our games and will remain of us after we our meets, remember are gone? I have come to cramming equations into the conclusion that even your brain, remember though we all checked out your performances after spring break, both and the cool things literally and mentally, I you made, and finally, hope as we graduate and remember you were a move onto the next phases Jaguar. I can’t think of of our lives, Blue Valley a better group of people West will remember the to graduate with. I’m class of 2016 as one of the honored to be your greatest. From our many student body president, national merit scholars, and I wish all of you the to scholarship athletes best of luck in the future. and everyone in between.

GO JAGS! We are one of the most

Carter Bryant

T

o the senior class of 2016- we made it.

Here we are flipping through the pages of our senior magazine when freshman year feels like just a few months ago. From the awkward middle school merge our freshman year, to these senior events we are enjoying in our final weeks here, we were friends. We all got along whether we met in kindergarten and grew up together, or met this year in some weird elective we chose. Not only were we friends, but we learned together. We learned that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, we learned a little alliteration lets the lesson linger longer, and we learned life lessons together. I hope all of us got something we can take beyond the walls of Blue Valley West. After we leave this place and head off to whatever is next for us, each of us will stumble upon memories from the time we spent here. It may be when we got up at 4:30 AM for morning practice, staying up all night to finish a portfolio, or when we spent half

spirited groups to ever walk the halls of BV West. This alone will be what lingers with the underclassmen after we are gone. They see the love we have for West and for each other, and I hope they look up to us for that and see what I see. We have put in our time and work and now it’s someone else’s turn to take on all we leave behind and carry the legacy we have left, even if it’s not exactly what we have in mind.

So Class of 2016, it’s been real and high school has been fun, but as we all start on a new journey remember that time has no regard for anyone and to cherish it. I will miss everyone and I am so lucky to have gotten to be a part of this class. It’s been a pleasure being your President and I wish you all luck in the future and for a final time Go Jags!

Whitney Hoelting

Musings from Staff

Carly McDonald

W

hen I was a freshmen, I believed in universal truths. I wanted to believe that the world had a code that could be cracked with enough logic, philosophy, and passion.

I wanted to believe in the power of the human mind to comprehend the seemingly incomprehensible.

So Rudyard Kipling’s “If–” was immensely appealing. “If–” is unequivocally my favorite of Kipling’s works, for its finesse in dealing out universal truthdoms like cards on a friday night in Vegas.

I only recall two things in my time capsule from freshmen year: a necklace, and this poem.

“If–” was exciting to me. People talk about how difficult high school can be, how hard life can be, they regret and bemoan all that could have been and I was frightened of that future for myself. I looked at “If–” as a map to ensuring that my life would be fulfilling and rewarding...that I would not have any regrets. So I studied it religiously, memorized each stanza til I could recite it in my head. I had been given the ultimate prize: the guide on living the perfect and meaningful life. So I treasured it.

Since my freshmen year, I’ve

An excerpt from “If–” by Rudyard Kipling

grown as a person. I’ve spiritually fallen into and out of and back into faith, religion, and spirituality several times. I’ve emotionally matured (at least a little bit).

I’ve physically strengthened into gravity, walking sturdier, surer. And

intellectually I now understand the value of the research reports we would do weekly in Mr. Bingman’s freshmen honors biology class; I realize that the things that stick with you never come from the

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master; If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same:.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

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textbook, but come from listening in your class to your peers your teacher.

And now I look at this poem, re-read my favorite poem from freshmen year, one of only two things that I remember from my time capsule, and I don’t feel the sense of urgency I did when I was a freshmen.

Now that I’m older, I see that Kipling’s desires for his son are misguided and small-minded. He hopes his son can become a “man” and that he will own everything in the world (for evidence on why the second point is a problem, look at Kipling’s other work: White Man’s Burden). I can’t disagree with Kipling’s first three and a half stanzas, they are all beautiful advice. But it’s the end of the poem, where Kipling tries to explain the universal truth that comes with being a virtuous person, that’s problematic.

The meaning of living a virtuous life should be left for each person to decide. I hope we all find something meaningful that will inspire us to live life to the best of our abilities. Don’t settle for other people’s idealizations and dreams. Dare to dream greatly for yourself.

Thank you, Class of 2016.We’ve made it.

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

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Rebecca abraham S

ince the start of freshman year, I begged my parents to move every single day of the four years I endured in this state. My parents never once stopped to take me seriously, that is, until second semester of senior year rolled around and they announced that we were moving across the country to Oregon. At first, I was so relieved to finally leave this place until leaving made me realize how much I’m going to miss it. I truly regret not appreciating my time here enough because amidst the sleepless nights studying for AP Biology tests and freshman year drama, Blue Valley West is where I found my passion for social issues, it’s where I became a part of youth court and newspaper and was able to use my voice to write about topics that were important to me. It is where I found my voice, and for that I will always be grateful. Looking back at the typical worries of a high schooler, from being a new student on the first day of lunch to partnering up in a class where you knew no one, seem so far away. High school taught me that things will always seem scarier in your head than in real life, you should never be afraid to put yourself out there, and wholeheartedly go after the things you want. I have truly come to love this place and will sincerely miss the wonderful friends I have made, the teachers I have had the pleasure to learn from, and memories that I will never forget here at Blue Valley West.

Grace Lamar

University of Kansas Honors Program

Most seniors have anticipated graduation since the moment they received their schedule junior year. Yet, as graduation nears, I feel like the preschooler I once was. You know, the one who digs in her heels as her mother quite literally drags her out the door. Graduation signals both an end and a beginning, and I’m sure I will echo the thoughts of most of the Class of 2016 when I question, Am I ready for it?

We may never feel ready. But I’ve tried to embrace the new and scary things; I know that eventually your heart will return to normal beating, your palms will be dry, the unknown will be familiar, and you will feel certain again.

BV West has provided me opportunities to grow, to strive, to change, and to explore the person I may one day become. I still don’t know quite who she is-if you see me in ten years, stop and ask.

Most of all, high school has helped me realize what I care about.

I love this city. I love that our only snow day this year was for the World Series Parade. I love the bend on I-35 North where the skyline comes into view.

I love pointy shoes and back gates. I love bear hugs, Mexican food, wriggling puppy butts, and inclusion. I love the hope in the stars. I love everyone who has helped me on my way at BV West.

To the incoming freshmen of BV West, to my fellow graduates, and to those who also find themselves at both an end and a beginning, I say this: Keep your eyes open and say yes. You won’t want to miss any of it.

Beth Gasser

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ndings whether they are happy or sad, mostly end in tears. High school felt like four years of a constant battle between David and Goliath, the student and the school. Endless struggles, emotional and educational, emerged and were slayed, with the ultimate reward of graduation. Looking back those never ending nights filled with homework, those stress filled days when I had to talk about a book that I barely picked up; do not seem as important.

What does seem crucial to me when I reflect is when I sat next to someone who I never spoke to, when I made decisions that were made to benefit myself and not to please friends and peers.

Those choices were more important, than anything else I did.

They showed me who was a true friend, someone who supports you through everything; someone who answers a call at 3am to console, or to just listen to a funny

Musings from Staff story. Those moments made an impact on a me, who is just girl trying to find herself and a niche.

A girl who during her first two years of high school was pressured by adults to be assertive and do what makes HER happy. Eventually at the end of my sophomore year I began to tell people what do and gain respect because of that. Then two years later I am grateful for those people who told me to speak up, to get out of my comfort zone, to do what makes me happy. Reflecting back on my high school career is a bittersweet time. I am excited to meet others that share similar interests, but I will miss seeing my friends smiling faces everyday. I decided that I cannot be an adult, I do not know how to do taxes or take care of myself; but it is now too late to fail all of my classes and be a super senior. It has been a great time Blue Valley West, thanks.

Mara Hennessy

Through my time in High School, I have learned that all things are worth trying, even when it seems like a waste of time. When I entered BV West, I was alone and I didn’t have many friends. After a few weeks, I was approached by someone in my gym class and from that day on, we had been great friends. However, a few years later, I lost them, and I believed that losing them was worse than if I had never met them. But, I was wrong, because meeting them made my life worth living after my horrible experiences throughout my life, and it is because of these

experiences that I learned why I am who I am, and I would never trade those experiences for anything in the world.

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s high school comes to an end, a surreal feeling washes over me as I look back over the last 4 years. Every memory, good or bad, made from freshman year up to the last days of senior year will always be something I keep with me as the next chapters of life start to unfold.

The students and staff of Blue Valley West have helped shape me into the person I am now and I am happy to have been apart of this school. Each lesson learned will still be used as the journey continues and life moves forward into something bigger and better. High school may be a never ending roller coaster with all kinds of ups, downs, and loops, but in the end it is just what you need to

M

Alexa Turiello

go out and conquer the real world. From athletics to clubs, BVW gives it’s students the opportunities to better the community and themselves. With graduation right in front of us, it is now our time to go out and shine with all that we have learned.

With time becoming more and more limited, it’s our job to not waste our own life trying to live within someone else’s. It is never an option to let other people’s words and choices drown out your own, but to embrace who you are and start making a difference. We must start to follow our own hearts and keep fueling the courage to persevere through any situation coming our way. It is no longer the time to be caught in planning for the

future, but to live in the now and take advantage of every opportunity.

Now are the moments where we must learn to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep pushing for our dreams and goals. Though the homework load may become overwhelming and the classes may begin to grow harder, we are all capable of achieving greatness. As Bradley Whitford once said, “You have a choice. You can either be a passive victim of circumstance or you can be the active hero of your own life.” Now that the next chapter of our lives are unfolding, it’s up to us to make the best of it.

Good luck BVW, and good luck seniors as you move on to bigger and better things.

Lexi Melson

y high school career has been an interesting experience that I would, in some cases, like to experience again as for some moments I’d rather try to forget those memories. Although I did not have the greatest high school experience I will still cherish my favorite memories, some embarrassing, others funny, and some shared with friends. I know that high school is the last time I’ll be in school while still living with my parents, and it’s one of the scariest things I have to come to accept. I will no longer be able to just go into the next room to ask my mom a question or ask for advice.

I won’t be able to say goodnight

to my parents in person every night.

But I am glad to be leaving school and heading into college. In some ways I feel like I’m ready to live on my own and meet new people and in others I feel like I don’t want to leave the place I’ve called home the past 17 years. Although I’m ready to leave I won’t forget all the people here at BV West who made me who I am today. All my friends that I met in elementary, middle and high school, who I’ll stay in touch with for most

of my life. I’m also grateful for the staff for all the hard work they put in everyday to make sure I knew everything I would need to know for college and the rest of my life. High school has been an amazing journey but right now I’m ready to start the next journey my life has in store for me.

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Senior Picnic 2016

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The future holds bright things.

Photos by Lexi Koch, Kayle Greenberg, Mariana Pulido & Sydney Rasmussen