Blue Valley West Spotlight, Dec. 7, 2016

SPOTLIGHT Volume 16, Issue 3 Blue Valley West High School Dec. 7, 2016 16200 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, Kan.

Photo illustration by Ryan Barrett and Jaden Dudrey

2 Feature

@bvwspotlight

CONTENTS Pg.9-11

Dec. marks the changing of the sports seasons.

Read a wrap up of fall sports and preview of winter sports.

Pg. 12

Some think a perfect holiday gift would be a puppy or kitten. Enjoy reading about the option of adopting shelter pets instead of pet store pedigreed animals.

Photo of Chewie, a lost dog, provided by teacher Deborah Glenn

On the cover

The end of the semester can be stressful for students as they attempt to study for finals, enjoy friends, fulfill extracurricular obligations and find time to relax. Senior Coley Sullivan posed for the photo taken by senior Ryan Barrett and illustrated by sophomore Jaden Dudrey. Read more on pages 16-18.

Photo by Zoey Greenberg

Wondering what to say in those inevitable conversations with relatives over the holidays?

Contributor Rachel Zimmerli gives some satirical advice for conversation starters (or enders).

Pg. 27

...more stories at BVWNews.com

Pg. 28

Pg.22 Home means different things to different people.

Teacher Alex Lahasky finds home on stage and in the classroom.

Group chats bring joy and keep the lines of communication open. Many take on personas in groups that they never would in real life.

Enjoy a Spotlight take on who’s who in group chats.

FCCLA enjoys a long history of successful activities. This large, but often unrecognized, club takes on large projects to help others in our community.

Photo by Linsey Poland

Photo courtesy The Tippers

Pg. 19

Risky behaviors like drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana are often used as a way to handle stress. Read first hand accounts of students who have taken opposite approaches.

Illustration by Jaden Dudrey

Contents 3

Photo by Jolie Barnhart

Everyone wants to be successful but we all have our own barriers. Freshman Cullen Elliott, #53, beat cancer and now works to push through anything else that gets in his way.

Pg. 14 Pg.6

4 Masthead

@bvwspotlight

Editor’s Note Every year seems to come to a close in a flurry of tests and holidays, and 2016 is no exception.

Despite how quickly time flies this month, it is important to take a moment and breathe. Stress can easily overwhelm anyone when deadlines, or even holidays, draw closer. As students, we have to examine our stress and put it into perspective.

Grades are not what define us. It is how we react to the stress of grades and finals that speaks to our true character. We can either succumb to stress, or we can stay calm. The latter is certainly easier to say than to do. I encourage everyone to evaluate the source of their stress and try to remedy it. Talk to your teachers about your grades and get help for your finals. Remember to take time for yourself to sleep and eat. Make the most out of your remaining class time and finish strong.

On behalf of the Spotlight staff, I wish you final’s success, safe travels, and a fun, relaxing Winter Break.

Until next issue,

Leah Zimmerli Editor in Chief

Spotlight is printed at least six times per school 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 diverst student population and faculty members.

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

Spotlight does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty adviser, the administration of BV West or USD 229.

spotlight staff Leah Zimmerli Editor in Chief Shaye Herman and Mikaela Schmitt Managing Editors Ryan Barrett Photo Editor Kaylee Alexander, Jack Anstine, John Byrket, Kristina Cripe, Jaden Dudrey, Liz Hernandez, Jesse Hoffman, Hannah Holladay, Stephen Kinder, Jonah Park, Rachel Pickett, Lanie Render, Sydney Schranz, Nick Sisler, Rachel Zimmerli Contributors

more stories at BVWNews.com

michigan

Last Friday, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette sought to intervene in Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein’s quest for a statewide recount of presidential election results. Stein has raised approximately $9.5 million in donations for the recount.

Bey nd the Bubble Elizabeth Hernandez Contributor

Important stories taking place beyond Johnson County’s borders

columbus, oh. On Nov. 28, there

was a shooting at Ohio State University. An attacker ran over students with his car and then got out, pulled out a knife and began stabbing indescriminantly. An officer arrived within minutes, shooting and killing the attacker. Some days after the attack, ISIS claimed responsibility and called the man ‘its soldier’.

BTB 5

cuba

‘s citizens are both rejoicing and mourning the death of their former leader Fidel Castro. Castro rose to power in 1959 and continued as a controversial figure after the Cuban Missile Crisis through his death last week. Seen in a different light by different people, Castro’s death has Cuban citizens and refugrees in the U.S. preparing for a new government.

united states Today is the day that

lives in infamy. On December 7, 1941, over 2,000 soldiers were killed and another 1,000 wounded when hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, HI. 75 years later, our country still bears the scars of the attack.

According to a recent study by the Washington Post, only about 2,000 to 2,500 of the original 60,000 survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack are still alive today. Last month’s Veterans Day assembly underscore the importance of recognizing our veterans.

Photos used with permission from Tribune News Service.

6 Student Profile

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Humans of BV West

Against All Odds: The Victory of Cullen Elliott Against Leukemia

Freshman Cullen Elliott poses with his family after he was honored by the Chiefs for raising $25,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Elliott

L

aughing at Mater in Cars, building with Legos, watching Dora, The Explorer and playing outside were typical past-times for kindergarten students in 2006. Freshman Cullen Elliott was just beginning more than 54 months of chemotherapy. Today Elliott is a leukemia survivor.

Against all odds, he persisted through agonizing treatment, and now gets to be a “normal” student like the rest of his classmates. His victory against cancer has shaped him into the champion he is today, spreading his inspirational story through fund raisers and cancer awareness activities such as Light the Night Walk and Relay for Life.

Elliott was diagnosed with leukemia in the October of 2006, after complaining about leg pain during his first flag football practice. The pain was severe, and Elliott was unable to walk. His symptoms, diagnosis, and transfer to Children’s Mercy Hospital in downtown Kansas City all happened in less than 24 hours.

Leukemia is a form of cancer that targets the body’s blood-producing tissues. Normally, white blood cells protect the body from foreign infections, but people with leukemia produce ineffective white blood cells.

According to the American Cancer Society, 60% to 70% of people with leukemia survive five years after their diagnosis.

Just as it would to any family of a five-year-old, Elliott’s diagnosis came as a surprise. This small unit

Jonah Park Contributor of five individuals had to support each other through the shocking news. Elliott’s siblings, juniors Keegan and Grace Elliott, were only seven-years-old. Elliott’s symptoms were extremely painful, but he relied on the support of his family and his own perseverance to confront leukemia.

“It was hard to walk sometimes,” Elliott said. “I was really tired, most of the time my legs hurt. Puking and stuff. It was hard. But I couldn’t let that bring me down.

I had to push through. All my friends and family helped me out a lot.”

Elliott’s mother, a breast cancer survivor, knew what it would take to battle the disease and win. She remained positive throughout Elliott’s diagnosis, despite the sudden and difficult situation.

“I was devastated when the doctor told me Cullen had cancer,” Mrs. Elliott said. “Cullen has a brother and sister and I was concerned with how they would react when we told them about Cullen. As a family, we were very open about his illness and we discussed it with the twins. We asked lots of questions and supported Cullen with encouragement and love. We had to really pull together and be there for each other.”

This support helped Elliott endure four and a half years of chemotherapy and many other challenges. He visited the hospital every other day for treatment while other kids were doing sports, schoolwork, and other “normal” kid activities.

more stories at BVWNews.com “Cullen faced many hardships during his fight with cancer,” Mrs. Elliott said. “There was the obvious physical toll on his body. He faced fatigue and muscle damage in his legs and feet. He had no immune system due to the chemo, so he had to be very careful not to get sick. He lost his hair. He basically was in treatment all through elementary school. While other kids his age were playing sports, doing Boy Scouts, just normal kids stuff, Cullen was spending time getting spinal taps, chemotherapy, going to doctors visits and fighting for his right to be on this planet. He always wore a smile, never gave up, always wanted to just be a normal kid and do normal kid stuff. He was incredibly brave.”

After years in treatment, the Elliott family celebrated a tentative victory when Elliot was pronounced cancer free. He was monitored closely by doctors for three more years, and was finally released in 2015 when he graduated to the Survive and Thrive Clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospital. He still has monthly visits to the hospital to treat the side effects leukemia caused him, but he is closer to being a “normal” kid.

After not being able to play any contact sports throughout elementary school, Elliott played football in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. He played football for the freshman Jaguars this year. Business teacher and football coach Donald Alpaugh saw him in practice and at games, and has gotten to know him.

“I don’t think I would’ve [known about his condition] because football doesn’t give us that information,” Alpaugh said. “The kids just come out, and we figure they passed the physical and they’re eligible to play.

You gotta admire the guy for that. I didn’t understand at first, I was probably a little hard on him at first than I should have been. I thought he was loafing when he wasn’t, he was giving out more effort than another guy.”

Battle by the Numbers

900

Hospital visits

Feature 7

Elliott’s persistence and grit carried over to football.

He has recovered from leukemia almost completely and shows little evidence of his past confrontation with cancer. He example affected his family, teaching them valuable lessons through his struggles.

“Our family has changed having gone through cancer with Cullen,” Mrs. Elliott said. “We learned to stick together and support each other. We learned that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Cullen taught us to smile, laugh and have fun no matter what. He showed us how brave a person can be. He never gave up.”

Elliott continues to inspire other children who are enduring cancer. He speaks about his experiences through different fund raisers and activities such as Dream Factory, Relay for Life and the Night Light Walk. Locally he has raised about $25,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and $30,000 for Dream Factory. His battle with leukemia has encouraged him to help others going through the same setbacks he once faced.

“It’s [my battle with leukemia] made me more positive and I think about other kids that have it too,” Elliott said. “Trying to help them through my experiences, trying to help others through it.

Although the Elliott family is a tighter unit after their triumph over cancer, he shares a special bond with his mother.

“Cullen continues to inspire me today,” Mrs. Elliott said. “I am a breast cancer survivor, so Cullen and I have a very tight bond having both survived cancer.

He inspires me by how he raises money locally for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and The Dream Factory, by how he continues to laugh and enjoy each day, and by daring to be great and overcoming the odds.”

54 Months of treatment and chemotherapy

$

locally for the 25,000 raised Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

30,000 raised for The Dream Factory

60%-70% chance of surviving 5 years with leukemia during childhood

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@bvwspotlight

Historical Moments of the Obama Presidency

Jack Anstine, Rachel Pickett Contributors

Passing of the affordable care act:

Opening Up U.S. to Cuba:

On March 23rd 2010, the Obama Administration passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which reformed the health care system in the United States. The goal of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, was to make health care universal to all Americans regardless of their income or preexisting conditions. As of March of 2016, over 20 million people received health care as a direct result of Obamacare, and the issue continues to be a hot button topic in politics.

Under Obama’s administration, the United States’ relations with Cuba has greatly improved. The relationship between the two countries has been limited since 1961 during the Cold War. The process of normalization began in December of 2014 when President Obama and Cuban president Raúl Castro announced that the countries would begin a new era of relations.

The largest breakthrough came when President Obama visited Cuba in March of 2016, becoming the first president to visit the country since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.

The Paris Agreement:

Bin Laden:

The Paris Agreement was formed under the Obama Administration with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 195 countries came together at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in Paris to sign the agreement and help fight global warming.

Osama Bin Laden, the founder of the Islamic group Al Qaeda, was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011 by the Navy’s SEAL team six. Bin Laden’s death, which was largely retribution for the death of Americans on 9/11, was a huge achievement of the Obama administration regarding national security.

Obama’s Presidency by the Numbers

108 70,128

International Visits to

56 2

hours in office

different countries

12

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1,238

bills signed

million photos taken by white house photogher Pete Souza Permission to use Illistration from Tribune News Service

more stories at BVWNews.com

Taking Titles

Volleyball and boys soccer have historic seasons

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Jesse Hoffman Contributor

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ITH A RECORD OF 42-2, the volleyball team served up an amazing season. For the first time in school history, the team won EKL, Regionals and sub-state to be undefeated going into the state finals. As her senior season began, senior Madison Lilley never thought the team would go undefeated and winning EKL. “I thought it’d be really hard to repeat what we did last season [winning State],” Lilley said, “because we lost two seniors that played a huge role.”

Spirits flew high as the Lady Jags continued their undefeated record into the state championship and a number one national ranking.

“I think [being undefeated] caused a lot of confidence,” said Lilley. “Then we got to state and we felt the pressure.”

Junior Jana Owens echoed Lilley’s remarks, saying the pressure came because “everyone expected so much.”

Although the season ended abruptly for this team with a loss to Olathe Northwest in the championship match, the team set a precedent for future teams.

“I think they just left the mark that there’s a high expectation for Jaguar volleyball.” Owens said. “You have to earn your way.”

Feature 9

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nfinished Business” was the motto for the 2016 boys soccer team. After ending their 2015 season with a record of 4-12, the group proved to others that they could be league and regional champions with a 14-4 record in 2016.

“Last year our record wasn’t so good,” said senior Mikey Chalupa, “It’s hard to turn it around.”

Over the summer the team got together and started doing workouts, which had never been done in the sport’s history at BV West. Seniors, Kyler Hilton and Andy Jones planned a workout schedule, spending three days a week on the field and the other two days in the weight room.

“I know we all would have rather won State but I couldn’t think of it any better way,” said Chalupa.

Coming from a losing record to the State quarterfinals, these seniors leave a legacy for future teams about how to get things done. Chalupa noted that he hopes the team continues to build on what they laid out this year and continue to do summer workouts.

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Photos by Paige Ennis and Abby Skram

10 Sports

@bvwspotlight

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more stories at BVWNews.com Sports 11

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Adopt don’t shop

Kaylee Alexander Contributor

70

-80 MILLION DOGS and 74-96 million cats are owned in the United States. We here in Johnson County love and spoil our pets. The animals in our homes hold huge parts of our hearts, and we hold a big part of theirs. We love puppies so much, that going to Petland to play with them has become a common pass-time among teenagers. But with 61% of BV West students buying pets instead of adopting, is there something we can do for the animals we love so much? 2.7 shelter animals are being euthenized each year. This number can be decreased if we work within our community to start adopting. We have several shelters in our area full with loving companions waiting to go home with you. Wayside Waifs, KC Pet Project and the Humane Society of Kansas City are some of the great options.

WHITNEY WILSON, THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE manager at Wayside Waifs shares her wish for those wanting to adopt pets: “realize the wide variation of animals and breeds that are available for adoption. This includes purebred dogs, pure bred cats, hypoallergenic animals, small mammals like ferrets, sugar gliders and dwarf hamsters. In addition to exotic animals like parrots and reptiles. Wayside Waifs focuses on dogs, cats, and small mammals—but for anyone looking to bring home a new pet—there are always opportunities to adopt.”

Some dismiss adoption because of being misinformed. When pet parents are patient and do the correct research, they usually have a much better experience. Wilson says that in order to have a successful adoption you should, “work with your adoption counselor regarding the supplies that will be beneficial for the particular animal you are adopting,” and to get these supplies.

“A lot of shelters offer retail services at their adoption center, and proceeds typically aid in the care of animals who have not yet found homes,” Wilson said.

ONCE YOU FIND YOUR PURFECT MATCH the adoption personnel have more advice. “ Remember that introducing a new animal to your home, regardless of age, breed, or type, can be stressful for the animal,” Wilson said. “Make sure to give them plenty of time to adjust, and be patient as they get used to their new surroundings.”

As comfortable as you are in your home, it’s all unfamiliar and confusing for the new addition to your family.

The research and adoption process can sometimes be a bit stressful.

“With the vast number of homeless pets nationwide, adopting an animal is always a wonderful decision and provides a much needed service for animals in need of a loving home. It is one of the most rewarding experiences you could ask for.” Wilson said. “Always remember, even if you are not in a position to adopt, shelters are always looking for volunteers, advocates, donors, and supporters. Don’t be afraid to get involved.”

more stories can be found at BVWnews.com

Opinion 13

Adopt.

Next time you are looking for that special addition to the family, look to our local shelters first. There are plenty of puppies and kittens as well as older, low maintenance dogs and cats. Talk with your parents about the responsibilities of pet ownership and decide if you guys can handle them.

If so, make sure to take your time looking to ensure you adopt the best fit for your situation.

Volunteer.

If you’re not in a place to adopt, no worries- there are plenty of other ways to help out. Non-profit shelters rely heavily on their volunteers so, if you’re over the age of 16, get out there and lend a hand. If your family is in a place to foster, you can also bring home an animal that needs a different environment in order for them to get adopted. Volunteering is an awesome way to help your community while petting some pups.

Donate.

It takes a lot of money to run a rescue. If you can’t donate your time or home, consider a monetary donation. Organizations like Wayside Waifs need donations to provide the best facilities for the animals.

Last year Wayside Waifs placed 4,674 animals into new homes (according to Whitney Wilson). It costs a lot of money to take care of these animals properly, and you can help with some of the expenses.

14 Features

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Family, Career, and Community Shining the spotlight on community leaders Stephen Kinder Contributer

W

HEN IT COMES TO FCCLA, one of the BV West cornerstones stands out; family. FCCLA or “Family, Career and Community Leaders of America” emphasizes working with the community, and helping others in need. The club has a variety of family oriented and community service projects.

These projects focus on building leadership skills and community service. From making quilts and arranging the school carnival, to giving company to senior citizens, FCCLA impacts many people in the community.

“Our chapter focuses on community service projects,” said teacher Pam Graverholt, “We do a lot of projects with an emphasis on family.”

When it comes to being a part of FCCLA, there are a lot of projects for students to participate in.

“We even go to middle schools and give students advice for high school,” said Graverholt, “There are a lot of advantages to being in FCCLA.” Participating in FCCLA benefits students at BVW in many ways, and being involved in it can help participants in their search for college.

“Being in this club looks good on a person’s resume,” said Graverholt, “But that’s not just the end of it, you also learn how to work with and help others.”

For many students that are a part of FCCLA, they agree that their participation will keep with them after high school.

“I feel like everyone in that club learns to become a better citizen,” said junior Gaby Moyer, “The things I’ve learned in FCCLA will certainly be beneficial to me after high school.”

Just like many other clubs, there are requirements to join FCCLA. “To join this club, you have to take at least two FACS classes at this school,” Graverholt said, “We also have a kick off meeting in the fall, and you have to pay your dues to join.”

After joining FCCLA, many students will have the chance to get cords for their graduation, but that too has requirements.

“There are graduation cords for this club, and you have to be an active member for at least two years,” said Graverholt. “One also has to show leadership skills to get the cords—like leading a project or community service effort, for example.”

FCCLA is a club that is very different from other clubs, because it is one of the only clubs that puts family as the main focus.

“FCCLA is a great way to give back to the community,” said junior Peyton Pitman. “This is my first year as an officer in the club and I really enjoy it!”

Many students often feel like they are making new friends when participating in FCCLA. “The club is a lot of fun and not super time consuming,” said Pitman. “And we get to do some really fun community service projects like going to preschools and plant flowers with them, as well as playing bingo at retirement homes.”

Sophomore Lina Thompson and other FCCLA members work on cutting, sizing and sewing together t-shirts for a quilt featuring shirts from a variety of activities and sports. Photo by Linsey Poland

Creative clubs An overview of the wackiest new clubs

Feature 15 Jack Anstine, Nick Sisler Contributors

Paint ball club You’re on the field,

heart pounding. You sprint to safety looking for your target, when SPLAT! You’ve been hit by a paint ball. The Paint ball Club invites students to play intense games of paint ball.

After playing paint ball with one another, junior Christian Toth, junior Kevin Plant, and senior Tommy Klaus decided to start the Paintball Club. The club allows them to enjoy the game with other Jaguar paint ball enthusiasts.

“Most of the people that have joined our Photo courtesy Christian Toth club I’ve never seen before at the school, so it’s nice to meet new people.” Toth said.

A daunting adventure, The excitement and intensity of paint villainous monsters and strategic communication are all components of a regular Gaming Club meeting. Each ball has helped the club be a success and

GAming Club

Friday the Gaming Club gathers for three hours after school to play Dungeons and Dragons. While members of the club focus on the game, they also grow closer What’s that delectable together. smell wafting through the hallways? It’s the Taste “Dungeons and Dragons requires so much Testing Club. In the Taste Testing Club, members not communication and cooperation between players,” said only bring and eat homemade food, but also learn senior Justice Jarvis.

“You can’t help but get to know about the history behind certain dishes and discuss their thoughts and opinions on each food contributed. the other players on a personal level.”

The doors of Room 164 will surely be open next “I enjoy seeing the passion each student shares Friday to any Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts who about food because sometimes you don’t get to see their passions from the perspective of a teacher,” said are looking for a tight-knit community to play.

Alegebra teacher Karley Pennington.

All of the unique clubs that allow students to The Hammock Club is about embrace their passions, there are many opportunities one thing: hanging out.

Created with the goal to promote for Jags to get involved. Clubs like the taste testers outdoor activity to students, the Hammock Club invites help make BV West welcoming to all students. students to hammock and eat food outside. Founder of the hammock club, junior Sophia Adinolfi, voices her enthusiasm for the new club.

“I enjoy meeting new people who also want to be outside,” Adinolfi said. “I also enjoy getting people to know more about locations around KC where they can have a good time outside.

Adinolfi hopes that many students will be motivated to join the Hammock Club and spend time outdoors.

All jaguars, even those who do not own a hammock, are welcome to join club on their future outings which are yet Photo courtesy Sophia Adinolfi to be determined.

taste testers

Hammock CLub

stress anxiety fear

Teens and teachers reflect on the impact of stress and give advice that can make a difference Hannah Holladay Lanie Render Contributors

Illustration by Jaden Dudrey

“R

elax. Take a nap. Deep breaths.” Advice like this is all too familiar for students overwhelmed with the stressors of life. Although these coping mechanisms can be effective for many, it is important to recognize that no two individuals deal with stress in the same way, and can not be expected to cope in the same way as well. It is far too easy to generalize stress, but the reality is that there is no “one size fits all” mold for stress and stress relief.

Walking through the hallways, it is clear to see the overwhelming amount of pressure that students are under. Whether a student is anxious before a big game or cramming for their final exam, many students are exposed to different kinds of stress.

Undoubtedly, the amount of stress that teenagers today are forced to cope with is unprecedented, and the pressure to succeed in today’s world is more prominent than ever. One of the greatest problems, however, lies in misperceiving the magnitude of these struggles.

“I think there’s a difference between bad and good stress,” junior Nick Kirk said. “One’s healthy and one’s not.

Ultimately, school confuses stress and makes you believe it’s all healthy, which pushes people to the point where they just put everything off.”

Busy schedules are common among many high school students.

Challenging courses, extracurricular activities and commitments outside of school fill the daily lives of most. With little time to truly dedicate to rest and relaxation, it is easy to become overwhelmed and undermine serious implications that arise as a result of stress.

“In high school, I wanted to be the best at everything and do everything I could, and I sometimes pushed myself past what was probably healthy and lost sleep over it or was worn out too fast,” English teacher and alum Kara David said. “Now I know when I’m starting to feel too stressed and I know I need to take a break, relax, and give myself some breathing room.”

In order to manage stress effectively, it is crucial to recognize

when stress has become too much.

High school students and adults alike can have difficulty in identifying when they have hit their breaking point, and often push themselves too far in an attempt to achieve perfection.

According to the American Institute of Stress, some of the most common symptoms of unhealthy stress include frequent headaches, stomach pains, increased hostility and appetite changes. It is common for teens to push these indicators aside, but they can have serious implications if not addressed.

“This [physical illness] happened to me a few times during my junior year,” senior Sarah Wright said. “It would happen if I had stayed up too late or worked too hard a few nights in a row and I would get to the point where I had a headache and felt nauseous and was just exhausted.”

when they get stressed out, they start lashing out and get angry at other people. That just doesn’t make sense to me,” Kirk said.

Stress can affect not only the individual, but also their relationships.

As Kirk noticed, it is common for those under stress to take out their anxious feelings onto their friends and family.

“I get cranky at the most random things and I tend to shut people out,” freshman Thanh Nguyen said of her responses to stress.

Clearly, stress manifests itself in different ways. It is important for students to recognize the impact of their behavior and the need for them to address the stressor. Ignoring the stressor may cause an individual to become more overwhelmed with the situation, and magnify the negative effects. “[This] does not work for me “I think there’s a difference because it is not taking care of the between bad and good stress,” problem,” sophomore Jack Tenbrink junior Nick Kirk said. “One’s healthy said.

“The problem is still present and and one’s not. Ultimately, school will just take my stress level higher. confuses stress and makes you I like to address what is causing my believe it’s all healthy.” stress so that I can move on to other Anxiety shows itself in different things.” ways that many may often not be The factors that contribute to aware of. High school students are these all too common stresses today constantly under mental, emotional, are similar in many regards to the and physical stress, each of which stresses that teenagers faced in the impacts their ability to carry out past. Nonetheless, the intensity and everyday activities to a certain extent. consistency with which these stresses Because students often feel the need appear in school today is significantly to bottle up their emotions, many different from previous generations. don’t realize just how much impact In the classroom, David notices how these challenges may be. The physical overwhelmed students can become manifestation of stress is Wright’s as a result of their stress. Rigorous signal that she is overwhelmed, yet courses that develop stress remind her this breaking point is different for of her own high school experience, but everyone. she acknowledges the major increase To try and avoid harmful over the years as well. implications of stress, some try “People can get bogged down with to remain optimistic about their a lot of AP and honors classes or just situation. Yet, this self control does put a lot of pressure on themselves to not come easy to everyone. Stress succeed, not only academically, but in can not only negatively impact an every area of their life,” David said. individual’s physical well being, but “But, I think stress is similar to when also the status of their relationships.

I was in school because, if anything, Whether this is yelling at a friend or those pressures haven’t gone away. cutting off ties, people tend to project They’ve just increased. Wanting to be these emotions onto others. perfect and wanting other’s approval

“I know a lot of people that, is a huge stressor too. I think social

media has made that even more of a thing. Now, not only are students comparing themselves face to face, but also online with the number of followers they have, how many comments they got on a picture, things like that. It sounds silly, but I know it’s there. [These apps] frame themselves as stress-relievers, but they actually seem like they produce more stress in students’ lives sometimes.”

Although time has brought about changes to stressors and the nuances of individuals’ stress seperate each student from their peers, one resounding idea remains: stress is something everyone deals with. It is crucial to develop an understanding that stress is universal, but cannot be contained and defined by any set rules or dealt with in a uniform fashion. No matter the extent, each individual deserves to have their stress recognized and resolved in a way that is effective for them.

“Stress is not always a bad thing,” Tenbrink said. “It prepares you for life. It all depends on how you handle stress that will make a difference.”

Healthy stress is necessary, as it pushes individuals to challenge themselves, persevere, and succeed in their lives. It can be difficult to see past the little stressors that cause major worry in high school and look towards the bigger picture, but it is possible.

“If it’s not going to matter in one year, don’t let it affect your mental and emotional well-being today, because it’s not worth it to put so much pressure on yourself or to let some outside circumstance that you can’t control put that much weight on you,” David said. “If it’s not going to matter in a year, don’t emphasize it in your life.”

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A exposure that releases stress hormones Chronic Repeated Can cause wear and tear on your mind and body. u t e

Mikaela Schmitt Managing Editor

1 out of 5

STRESS

qualify as clinically depressed (most are undiagnosed)

Results from specific events or situations that leave with a poor sense of control.

Can be good because the stress hormones released help your mind and body to deal with the situation.

Schoolchildren during the 1980s reported

more anxiety than child

effects on the body: anger 32% 26% ulcers report changes in sleeping habits

psychiatric patients did during the 1950s Different Ways People

Manage stress: 28% 27% 37% 23% 43% 46% 5.8 play sports

exercise or walk to manage stress

spend time online

eat to manage stress

skip meals due to stress

play video games

experience headaches because of stress

asthma anxiety headaches irritability sleeplessness depressed mood Higher mortality rate Coronary heart disease prone to viral infections irritable bowel syndrome inflammatory bowel disease

Teens report a

level of stress versus a healthy

3.9

Sources from:

http://www.humanstress.ca/ stress/understand-your-stress/ acute-vs-chronic-stress.html http://www.usatoday.com/story/ news/nation/2014/02/11/stressteens-psychological/5266739/ http://www.apa.org/news/press/ releases/2014/02/teen-stress.aspx http://www.apa.org/news/press/ releases/2000/12/anxiety.aspx

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side effects Two students share their perspectives on the drug epidemic Sydney Schranz Contributor

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HE FIRST TIME SOMEONE

offered Michael* drugs, he was twelve—and his choice might have changed his entire life.

“I was exposed to [marijuana] in middle school,” Michael said. “Since then, I’ve tried alcohol, cigarettes, and various psychedelics.”

His experimentation with drugs is one similar to many students, piggybacked by the intense stressors of high school and untreated mental illness. As he struggled with depression and anxiety, Michael found himself turning to marijuana for aid.

“Using marijuana helped me think through anxious thoughts,” he said.

“It didn’t necessarily drown them out, but it allowed me to calm down and understand where they came from.”

The experiences Michael had with marijuana eventually blossomed into a hunt for self-revelation, leading him down an unpaved road of psychedelic discovery. After his first encounter with LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide, otherwise known as acid), he became enraptured with the idea of delving deeper into one’s psyche—a concept he passionately believes has changed him for the better. “[Drugs like marijuana and LSD] unlock levels of consciousness we need to be exploring,” Michael said.

“They can be really spiritual. But because there’s so little known about them, people are scared. There’s a lot of preconceptions about drugs that don’t always align with what they really are.”

Michael’s perspective is a unique one, colored by his early experience and interactions with other drug users. It is no surprise that he began to form equally unique opinions as he matured and grew to learn more and more about the culture he was involved in—specifically, the “stoner culture” that is so infamous in media and television. While he embraced some aspects of this lifestyle, he began to shy away from others, especially as others fell into dangerous addiction.

“There’s a drug problem,” Michael said. “I don’t believe teens should be experimenting at such a young age.

Our brains are still developing. If I hadn’t been introduced [to drugs] at such a young age, I might not have gotten involved with them at all.”

The effects of drugs in Michael’s life have been far-reaching, touching on his education, his extracurricular activities and his home life. However, he remains adamant about keeping work separate from drugs—a distinction he finds very important and often overlooked by others.

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“I don’t understand smoking at school,” Michael said. “If you’re at school, you need to be learning with a clear mindset. Schoolwork, and leading a productive life, comes first. There a lot of people out there who focus only on smoking weed, and it’s — it’s an addiction. Not physical, but a lifestyle addiction. I see it all the time.”

BV West senior Thomas* faced an entirely different upbringing.

“I’ve never used drugs before, and don’t intend to any time in the future,” Thomas said.

After a brief stint of partying and binge-drinking, he turned away completely from the world of drugs and alcohol. Not only did it encourage harmful societal pressures, but it represented a family history of addiction—one that he has taken care to avoid.

“Addiction runs on both sides of my family, and it’s proven to be hereditary,” he said. “It’s dangerous. The stories I’ve heard from my parents about losing people to drugs… I really took that to heart.”

Saying no was not an easy choice.

Drugs were deeply embedded in Thomas’ life, along with the lives of his closest friends, and turning away from them would prove to be problematic. Friendships began to fail, invitations began to vanish, and he could feel himself falling farther and farther away from everything he once believed.

Yet Thomas remained steadfast.

He chose to forge his own identity, no matter the uproar it caused.

“What I realized about drugs is they’re just not for me,” Thomas said. “Everybody has their thing they use to cope, and for some, that’s using drugs and partying.

when that coping mechanism negatively affects you, you’re not just tearing yourself down.You’re bringing down all the people around you.”

Staying clean kept him from the hands of addiction and chaos, but some of his friends were not so lucky. That fact alone has fueled his resolve against drugs.

“I’m scared of losing my friends to substance abuse,” Thomas said.

“I’ve seen drugs take over every facet of my friends’ lives. They don’t even look alive anymore. It’s like they’re a shell inhabited by an obsessive drive to just use and use and use.”

His fear is aligned with the shifting views of a new generation.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana usage has steadily increased with the decline of teen drinking. Only about 31.9% of teenagers believe regular use of marijuana puts the user at “great risk”—a major change from 78.6% back in 1991.

The view of marijuana, and drugs in general, has softened with talks of legalization and widespread recreational use. Even the deepest suburbs of Overland Park have been affected by new attitudes regarding drugs. And though Thomas and Michael might have little in common, they agree on one thing: the normalization of drug use has caused major change in youth culture.

“Drugs and alcohol are as much a part of our society now than ever before,” Thomas said.

“It’s become a regular part for teenagers to drink and experiment with drugs. Honestly, social media and television contributed to normalization more than anything

“

Some people make their entire life about drugs. They make it all who they

are.

else. They gave drugs and alcohol a makeover and made them seem like something kids just do for fun.”

As Thomas observed change from the outside, Michael has been identifying problems from within.

“Weed culture is scary,” Michael said. “As marijuana gets more potent and people look for faster and more intense ways to get messed up, there’s this culture that normalizes getting high three times a day and not doing anything else.

It’s toxic. That’s why people who smoke weed are stereotyped as ‘stoners’, especially here at West.

And it’s a fair representation.”

The evolution of marijuana in today’s society is similar to that of the counterculture revolution in the 1960s—a time painted by conflict, rebellion and experimentation.

As people looked to marijuana and psychedelics for escape and enlightenment, they turned away from cultural ideals and adopted an entirely new lifestyle.

The youth’s movement today draws major parallels from its predecessor. However, with THC concentrates (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in

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marijuana) on the rise and an inability to regulate consumption, the issue of drug abuse has quickly changed tones.

“I don’t know if [the weed culture we see today] has always been there,” Michael said. “There’s definitely something about the human mind that wants to explore.

But there’s also something about our brains that wants to get messed up. Drugs are perceived as a way to forget about your problems, and that’s a huge issue. I don’t believe that’s the correct intention.”

Though he is not entirely unopposed to legalization, Michael continues to be hesitant about the repercussions of governmentregulated marijuana.

“As a citizen of the United States, I believe it should be your right to use [weed],” Michael said. “But when high schoolers abuse it, when they’re not responsible, it raises a lot of red flags. I’m still not entirely sure legalization is the answer.”

Kansas is one of many states that has yet to legalize the medical or recreational use of marijuana.

In addition, Kansas classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 Narcotic, similar to heroin and ecstasy. The Drug Enforcement Administration details these substances as highrisk, easily abused and lacking in any medicinal benefit.

“

Marijuana is the most widely available and frequently abused illicit drug in Kansas.

— National Drug

Intelligence Center

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JUVENILE DRUG ARRESTS IN JOHNSON COUNTY Olathe - 116 Overland Park - 81 Shawnee - 26 Johnson County total - 228 Data provided from KBI 2015 Crime Statistics Some might argue that Kansas’ drug policy is quickly becoming outdated. Many more would question the fairness of imposing harsh anti-drug laws that lack logical merit. Simply possessing marijuana can result in years of prison time, or fines in the thousands of dollars.

“The decriminilization and legalization of marijuana for medical use is starting to change people’s views on drugs,” Thomas said. “For better or worse, we’re moving in a direction that is more permissive of drug use—marijuana specifically.

Hopefully that attitude will lead to positive change, here [in Kansas] and the rest of America.”

The world is evolving. With people like Thomas and Michael exploring each side of the drug debate, questions continue to arise about the place and effects of drugs in society. And even Overland Park’s slice of the world will continue to see change throughout youth culture and federal law. What that change will look like, and what it will entail for future generations, is yet to be seen. *Names changed for anonymity Illustrations by Tribune News Service and Jaden Dudrey

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History and Harmony

Rachel Pickett Lanie Render Contributors

Teacher Alex Lahasky share his passion for music and teaching

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Photo courtesy of Casey Steinmiller

ODERN WORLD HISTORY AND AP U.S. History teacher Alex Lahasky has experienced a life that has pulled him from his roots in Kansas but despite this, he has always come back home.

The song of his life began in Overland Park, specifically the halls of BV West, which provided a strong foundation for him to lead a fulfilling life.

After graduating in 2009, Lahasky attended Johnson County Community College to do what he loved; play baseball. Two years later Lahasky was drawn to Mississippi where he continued his teaching degree. He later found himself finishing his collegiate education at Pittsburg State University. After graduation, he found that Overland Park was a chorus he wanted to repeat.

“In college I spent some time is Mississippi, spent some time in Pittsburg and knew all along that I wanted to get back to the Kansas City area because it was home,” said Lahasky.

Lahasky found his way back home and accepted a teaching job at BV West this past June.

“It’s nice to hire teachers who are BV West alums,” said Social Studies department chair Kevin Bandy. “He [Lahasky] is the third alumni we’ve hired along with Mr. Besler and Coach Copp.”

To Lahasky, it wasn’t just a job, it was a way that he could repay the school that gave him so much.

“I thought a job at West would be a good opportunity to come and give back to the school that I felt personally indebted to for the way that they prepared me for college and going into the world,” said Lahasky.

While Lahasky was studying in college, the rhythm of his heart began to beat for music. During his sophomore year of college at Johnson County Community College, he formed a music group, The Tippers, with some of his baseball teammates.

more stories at BVWNews.com “The band evolved out of a weekly tradition we had where someone would cook dinner and we would hang out at somebody’s apartment. It usually turned into a jam session by the end of the night,” Lahasky said.

As time went by, the band’s music sessions became more than an occasional hang out, and the members began to write and perform their own music. And as The Tipper’s evolved, so did their sound.

“Our original music is a blend of red dirt country and Americana and folk rock,” Lahasky said. “But anything goes at the live shows, we can play anything from the old doo-wop songs to acoustic renditions of hip-hop songs” Lahasky, who is the front man of the band and plays guitar and mandolin, writes some of The Tippers music.

His muse is sometimes unknown, and he believes the songs sometimes write themselves. An inspiration weeks ago could transform into a substantive melody.

After graduating college, the members of the band moved to different parts of the Midwest, making it hard for the group to get together and periodically practice.

This reality of adult life forced them to be able to play shows together with limited practice.

“We have gotten to the point where we understand what each other is going to do and where we are going to go, to the point where now we can throw together a gig and we can ‘show and go’,” said Lahasky.

Lahasky notes that performing live has prepared him for some of the challenges that teaching brings.

“Performing is probably the best thing I have ever

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done in terms of building confidence,” said Lahasky.

“If you are on stage enough you are going to make plenty of mistakes, when you are under a spotlight and make a mistake and you are faced with the decision of how do you move forward? And that builds character and confidence. Same thing goes in the classroom, I say some dumb stuff sometimes, or a joke falls flat, a lesson plan doesn’t work, how do you move on?”

Lahasky uses the tools he’s learned from the Tippers and applied them to BV West’s Vinyl Society. The song writing club has been a rewarding experience for him because it provides an outlet for him to connect with students outside of his classroom.

“It’s fun for me to see kids who are passionate about playing and learning about not just music but the music industry, and that kind of stuff,” said Lahasky.

“It is something that I was really interested in, in high school, and I wish I would have done more of, because there is a lot of great opportunities in the area.”

Unlike some Lahasky finds harmony between music and history, because both subjects have to ability to teach and intrigue everyone.

“Everybody relates to music, history is unique in we can look at music overtime and see the way that political, social and economic ideas have impacted music and reach students that have a more focused interest in music,” said Lahasky.

After a short interlude away from home, Lahasky is home. He continues the rhythm of his life in Overland Park, impacting students at BV West.

To check out the Tipper’s music, scan this QR code.

Photo courtesy of Casey Steinmiller

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changing tempo Orchestra adapts to a change in leadership

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RCHESTRA HAS EXPERIENCED A MOMENTOUS CHANGE. Their former director was replaced with a new Jaguar staff member, Andrew Book.

Book started playing the bass in fourth grade. His musical journey continued with private lessons, Youth Symphony, and eventually State jazz and orchestra. He discovered his dream of becoming a director when he was a junior in high school. It was at State orchestra that year where he met many students like himself. Book decided he was going to pursue music as his career.

“I wanted students to experience the same joy that I found of making music with their peers, and I wanted to help students accomplish difficult goals for I knew the reward at the end of them was awesome,” Book said.

Book currently teaches at three schools, Grade 4 through Grade 12.

This is a wide age group, but Book loves the diversity it brings to his day. He admires the middle schoolers for their willingness to try new things and sees the class as a “great opportunity to lay the foundation to be successful in the future.”

Book also enjoys teaching high school students because of the challenging literature as well as the joy in seeing “young adults getting and mastering their new responsibilities.” Book wants

Kristina Cripe Contributor students to enjoy their experience in orchestra while also staying committed with continued work and perseverance. He also believes that anyone can learn.

“I want to be the person that opens the door to new possibilities for students to find joy in an art form that many love for different reasons,” Book said.

Junior Emma Ryan began playing the cello in Grade 2 and loves Book’s new teaching style.

“The best thing about Mr. Book is that he always asks how our day is going, it shows how much he really cares about his kids,” Ryan said.

Another aspect of his teaching style is how he created orchestra board officers. Each class has a President and Vice President, as well as other officers. This system allows the students to take responsibility and help direct the class.

Junior Archana Sundar agrees the orchestra program has developed since the switch.

“It was a big change but we are handling it well,” Sundar said.

Both students agree that their favorite part of orchestra is the sense of community and encouragement towards others as well as the people that they get to talk to that they would not have met otherwise.

Orchestra’s next concert is Monday, Dec. 12. The concert will feature dance pieces, followed by a rock portion of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, just in time for the holiday season.

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Student art galleries

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Scan to explore the works of BV West’s talented artists

nia artegea

A jordan horton

A max reber

A

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COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT

Sydney Schranz Contributor

Changing policy in the face of student behavior

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ATURITY. A WORD THROWN AT HIGH SCHOOL students nearly every day in attempt to groom, teach and mold. The embodiment of that word entails both the upholding of responsibility and the keeping of discipline—a fragile line walked constantly as students cross the threshold between teenager and adult. As students attempt to balance homework, extracurricular activities, and a social life, this line becomes jagged.

Conflict between administration and the student body invited questions about the maturity of students at our school. As speculation stirred about drug use on school grounds—more specifically, in school bathrooms—there was swift retaliation: a system that prohibits bathroom passes during JAG (Jaguar Academic Growth) and a check-out system during class. The change resulted in frustration among students, particularly upperclassmen, that feel the actions of a few do not reflect the behavior of the majority.

“I’m insulted that I’m treated like a criminal in my own school,” said senior Samanta Carreno. “I’m a senior. If I need to go the bathroom during JAG, I think I deserve that privilege.”

Unfortunately, a trend of this administration placing limits on students’ freedom has developed. From 2013 to the present day, the JAG system has undergone many changes in order to ratchet down perceived abuses of study time. Seniors remember the days when all students were free to visit classes as needed during JAG, without the limit of sessions or signatures.

However, when some were found skipping or roaming aimlessly in the hallways, administration cracked down by turning JAG on its head. Now, people often finds themselves frustrated with lack of mobility.

“Being limited to two sessions is both ineffective and counterproductive to what JAG is supposed to stand for,” senior Jenny Huang said. “It limits how many people you can see and, ultimately, how much you can get done. It doesn’t work.”

If students have a question, or simply need to pick up an assignment, they are forced to dedicate an entire hour to the task. The process can be tiresome for those trying to knock out several things at once, and with students juggling numerous AP classes that often come down to the wire, JAG can even be seen as an inconvenience.

Heavy restraints have been placed on other studentled programs. To find a balance between creative freedom and appropriate school conduct, organizations like Jagged Edge, the Jaguar Pride Coalition (JPCo) and student council work to keep an open and honest relationship with administration. This effort was recently put to task as controversy spread about the new bathroom system.

“We did have a talk with Dr. Potts and JPCo about why we’re signing [people out to go to the bathroom],” said Senior Class President Zane Champie. “It was to let the rest of the student body know it’s for a reason, not just to make their lives harder. We want to make sure things are being monitored when they need to be.”

Whether these changes can be considered punishment or reformation, administration’s recent actions have highlighted the push and pull between students and their adult superiors. Yet not all argue against BV West’s current policy.

“I think the structure [of JAG now] helps the perception of what JAG is really about,” said English teacher Paige Waldorf. “Originally, it was considered free time. Now, you have to think ahead about what you’re going to use JAG for.”

Other district high schools have completely restructured study hall to accommodate student concerns. BV High and BV Northwest adopted “Power Hour”—a time where kids are free to do as they please, so long as they do not leave school grounds. Some order pizza, some take a nap, some do homework; their time is their completely their own. The system is meant to encourage both self-discipline and responsibility, and many have wondered whether or not Power Hour will continue to spread across the district.

“West has talked about adopting something like Power Hour,” said Champie. “I don’t know if we’ll see that any time soon or not, but I know there’s been some discussion.”

A domino effect of action and reaction has defined the relationship between BV West’s student body and its administration. As this year continues, and as many more eventually come, there will be a test of maturity as students attempt to keep each other in check and promote responsible behavior. In return, students are hopeful that administration will grant them more freedom—and more room to grow on their own terms.

How to talk to YOUR FAMILY

more stories at BVWNews.com Satire 27

A comprehensive guide on how to socialize with other human beings

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HE HOLIDAYS ARE A JOYFUL TIME for all of us, but can also be confusing and nerve racking.

We have to see and talk to people we don’t see 11 months out of the year. I, myself have spent years cataloging and taking note of what to say and what not to say in these awkward moments. What follows is a primer on how to talk to “that” family member about while we’re all trapped in the same house for hours on end, while preserving that lovely holiday cheer that the holidays are all about.

The “How’s School?”

Since most of us will probably be asked this question multiple times by multiple people it is wise to have a multitude of responses at the ready. The goal with this topic is to avoid an answer at all costs. Be clever and perhaps ask them how school is going, and wait expectantly for a response. This is especially effective if the person is not in school. Or, you could always resort to screaming and running out of the room. This choice is effective for multiple scenarios.

Do You Have a Boyfriend/Girlfriend?

Now this one’s a toughie. One wrong step and you’ll have to discuss the merits of teenage dating for the rest of the night with Uncle Alfie, and that won’t add to the holiday cheer at all!

Potential Responses: 1. Once again, scream and leave the room. Since you made the mistake of entering the room again with those relatives from the “How’s School?” question, learn from your blunder and this time, stay gone.

2. Ask Uncle Alfie how his divorce is going. This segue is perfect, and will likely result in a much needed silence from him that can usually only be achieved through duct tape or death.

3. Reveal the secret. It’s okay to talk with your relatives about the subject, in fact it is actually healthy.

The subject, of course, being the fact that Uncle Alfie is just 72 bees in a trench coat.

“Have You Gotten Taller?”

1.“No.” This answer is simple and will divert attention away from you immediately.

2. Don’t forget, you can always resort to the truth, “Yes, I recently got tortured on a stretching rack.”

“Is Grandma Rosie Dead, Or Is She Just Sleeping?”

Now this is one of my best tips. After dinner when Grandma Rosie falls asleep on the couch, casually ask your family if she is dead, or sleeping. When it turns out she is really dead, the guests will go into a frenzy.

Remember, you must be the first to pin the blame, or else you’ll have to kill another relative to do it right and that’s a lot of work. Be sure to blame shady Aunt Janelle

Rachel Zimmerli Contributer

for the death, citing the motive as her anger about not getting in Grandma Rosie’s will. After all, Grandma Rosie just assumed Aunt Janelle would spend the money on drugs. While your family is busy interrogating Aunt Janelle, take that opportunity to escape. Pro Tip: leave a replica of your body at the house, that way your family can blame Aunt Janelle for two murders instead of one.

“Are you thinking about college yet?”

1. Start crying because the imminent threat of adulthood lurks ever closer.

Debate the Legitimacy of Lizard People We all know that most human beings are just lizard people wearing human faces, so why not discuss them with your family? Since lizard people are clearly real, you will have the upper hand in this discussion, so no matter what you’ll always be right and that’s what matters. Try to get your hands on a lizard person before having to visit with your family, the sooner, the better.

Kidnap it and present its carcass with the face peeled off to your family so they can feast their eyes on what they thought was a myth. Pro Tip: Learn from my mistake and don’t kidnap the ten year old Timmy next door who talks to his pet lizard, even though he may call the lizard mom. It’s because he longs for a mother figure in his life that he never had, not that he was birthed by the lizard. Getting caught because you weren’t being able to get away with first degree murder will certainly put a damper on that holiday cheer!

“Does This Pie Taste Funny To You?” Unlike the other prompts, this one works in three steps, so do them in order or else you will destroy the holiday cheer.

1. Make a pie and lace it with cyanide. I suggest peach because the vibrant flavors will hide the hint of cyanide.

2. Serve it to your family and make sure everyone takes at least two bites. Pro Tip: Don’t laugh while serving cyanide pie, the guests will get suspicious and will not eat the pie.

3. When they collapse, steal their wallets and leave the house. Then, buy a plane ticket to Russia and live out the rest of your life in seclusion.

Now that you’ve absorbed all of my knowledge, be sure to try it out. If you start to see a conversation topic lowering the level of holiday cheeriness in the room, try another one of my tips. And in all cases, the more upset a person looks, the more happy they really are. This is the time of year to wear your heart on your sleeve, so wear it proudly when others hide it with fear, anger, or frustration to cover up how gleeful they really are.

Happy Holidays!

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chatroom characters

Stephen Kinder Contributor

Grave-Digger Gale

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Just like a real grave digger, Gale digs up the oldest of group chats. Armed with awkward comments and bad timing, you may find Gale’s posting comments months or years after a group chat’s death.

From starting conversations with “So… how is everyone?” to random comments like “I like pizza,” Grave-Digger Gale certainly needs to work on their social cues.

Late-Night Lee

Silent Shawn Does something seem missing in the Group Chat, or does someone seem missing? That means there is a Shawn in the group. While they may not seem to be active, they certainly are in the loop of what is going on.

Silent Shawns are usually the same sort of people that clash with meme posters, they think joking around in a Group Me is very unfunny.

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Upon waking up in the morning and checking a Group Chat, one might glance at the time stamp on some texts and notice that one person always posts at the same time; late at night. Late-Night Lee proves not only that their sleep cycle is beyond fixing, but their reliability in the Group Chat cannot be counted on. The presence of people posting late at night is rare, because people never feel like responding to them or have the motivation to stay up late to engage in a conversation.

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ROUP CHATS CAN EITHER BE the best or most obnoxious thing a person can be a part of. They are like mixing two random chemicals; different people could produce different results. People are always complaining about certain others that “stink up” group chats such as “that guy” who talks with passive aggressive grammar, or someone who floods the group with images and thinks they are “funny.” Either way, everyone fits into one of the following categories.

Caps-Lock Casey

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DEEP-SEATED RAGE, FIRE AND BRIMSTONE CAN BE CONVEYED FROM HAVING A CONVERSARTION WITH A CAPS-LOCK CASEY. UPON MEETING THIS PERSON IN A GROUP CHAT, ONE BETTER NOT SAY SOMETHING TO SUMMON THEM, OR THE WRATH OF CAPS LOCK CASEY WILL BE FELT. NOBODY QUITE KNOWS WHY SOMEONE LIKE CASEY WOULD TYPE IN ALL CAPS, BUT IT CAN BE ASSUMED THEY FEEL ANGRY WHEN TEXTING ALL THE TIME OR THEIR KEYBOARD ON THEIR PHONE IS BROKEN.

Passive-Agressive Pat

In their natural habitat of a Group Chat, Pat can be found replying to posts with almost too polite grammar, or typing out smiley faces instead of using emojis. While Pat may not mean to sound so passive aggressive, reply with caution. Getting a reply from Pat usually results in a feeling of uncertainty—people cannot tell if Pat is angry or just trying to have good grammar.

A Meme-Poster Mika People that post memes did nothing wrong, and they are the best type of people in Group Chats. On a serious note, Mika may post funny things, but their excessive posting of image macros makes people think that memes are their only form of communication. You could ask them to stop posting memes when it gets too annoying, but they may either ignore the request or stop for a while and post more later. Mika can be relentless; you will laugh at their memes and you will like it.

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caption contest

Jaden Dudrey Contributor

Write a caption and bring it to Room 233 for a chance to win a prize!

We will announce the winner on our Twitter @bvwspotlight

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the road not taken by shaye herman

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A F V X K A S R Q A K Y U D A

M T I D M T Q D L E Z S Y J U

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T E O A F N C M C B Q B A P I

R N D N S 0 V H Y R F N G O P

S E D I H G R A L E I S E R N

H C I C C I Y Q I T R J D S S

N O T N S E G I M N E C W H Y

J O B T D S L D A I P H F I Q

H G M T Q E Q P F W L H B E E

S A R U I N E F P T A K H Z X

S W O N S D X R A A C U I E F

G N I T A K S E C I E T I R O

John Byrket Contributor

Apple Cider Christmas Family Fireplace Hot Chocolate Ice Skating Ornament Reindeer Santa Snow Snowman Winter Break

Come to Room 233 with the completed puzzle for a prize!

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