SPOTLIGHT
Pages 16-17: Students Take Sides in a Spirited Debate Over What Defines Jaguar Pride
CONTENTS
Pg 4: Leading Voices
Pg 5: A Teacher’s Canvas
Pg 6 & 7: The 6-7 Trend
Pg 8 & 9: Life is a Highway
Pg 10 & 11: Photo Gallery
Pg 12 & 13: Day in the Life
Pg 14: YinstaMedia
Pg 15: Page Turner Picks
Pg 16 & 17: School Spirit Debate
Pg 18 & 19: Not Just a Phase
Pg 20 & 21: Fantasy Football
Pg 22 & 23: Fall Sports Diary
COVER
Pg 24: Brett LaDuke Profile
STAFF
EDITORS IN CHIEF
Maddy Mullins & Aubree Bowsher
REPORTERS
Emery Kimbrough, Finley Johnson, Varun
Koduri & Mallory Love
ADVISER
Crystal Sinclair-King
in a
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
Each issue of Spotlight aims to tell the story of BV West as it’s happening, the wins, challenges, and voices that define our school. From late nights editing pages to intervewing students in the halls, our staff works to create something that feels true to life here. We hope this edition captures the energy, curiosity, and community that makes BV West stand out. Thank you for reading, supporting, and sharing the stories that matter most at West. Your Editors in Chief,
Maddy Mullins & Aubree Bowsher
Spotlight is published for the BV West students. Our goals to inform, entertain, and interpret through bylined articles while providing an open forum of communication for the diverse student population. We aim to be fair, accurate, and impartial. The content of the print publication, online news site, and social media is determined by the KSPA and may contain controversial subject matter as the students use their First Amendment rights. (Spotlight doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty adviser, the administration of BV West or USD 229.)
SCHOOL SPIRIT CROSSWORD
Students packed the stands
sea of red during the Sept. 5 football game at BV West against Saint Thomas Aquinas. The black and red division represnets school spirit as students cheered for the Jaguars under the Friday night lights.
Photo By Maddy Mullins
LEADING VOICES
Guidance of Advanced Debaters Helps Novices
With a new Speech and Debate coach, Dr. Curry Chandler, advanced debaters are getting more involved in the growth of novice debaters.
Dr. Chandler is new to high school teaching, but he taught at a university and he has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, a master’s and a PhD in communications. He taught argumentation theory at the college level, but he is new to policy debate teaching in high school.
BV West has more than 90 debaters across all levels, more than 30 of which are freshmen.
“It is a lot just wrangling 54 novice students [and] trying to make sure [they] all show up at the same place on Saturdays,” said Dr. Chandler. With so much for Dr. Chandler to manage, advanced debaters have begun to get more involved in the growth of the novices, since they are more experienced in Debate and know how it feels to be a novice debater.
BV West sophomore advanced debater Prashika Saha expressed that, “It’s really helpful to reflect back on what I did to improve…my novice
[year] as a debater, and [make] sure that…the novices…have someone to actually refer back to and get help from.”
Some of the novice debaters voiced their opinions on what they want to learn from the advanced debaters and what they have already acquired from their more experienced counterparts.
“I was working on my flow technique, and [an advanced debater named Aria said] your flows are really good, but you just need to write less,” reflected BV West freshman novice debater Anika Pabbathi.
Freshman Shreya Sivakumar stated that “I think I want to know how they debate…what they say, how they organize their speeches…how they plan out their arguments, what they do in preparation for debate.”
The advanced debaters shared what they have been working on and behind the scenes to help the novices learn debate.
“We set up a lot of work nights over the week to get them prepped for the tournament. We were doing this mentorship program, where every novice gets assigned with an advanced debater and we make sure that they’re understanding everything,” explained Saha.
BV West senior advanced debater Grace Wang voiced that “I think one of the biggest things is just putting together a curriculum that they can follow. I remember I made handouts for them about what speeches are and what they look like, as well as hosting the novice scrimmage at our school.”
Dr. Chandler shared his thoughts
A TEACHER’S CANVAS
The Ways Classroom Decorations Echo Each Teacher’s Interests and Comforts
and observations on what the advanced debaters have been doing to help out the novices.
“We’ve had some work nights for novices to come and get some practice and knowledge. And the advanced debaters have been fantastic. They can talk from experience, and I can tell when the novices sort of click in and they’re listening to them,” he said.
As she talked about how debaters can grow, Sivakumar pointed out that “I think it’s important to learn from people who have more experience than you, but it’s also important to learn from people who have less experience than you, because you can help them grow.”
“I feel like it’s a very tight knit community, so you can definitely help increase relationships the more you hangout,” expressed Saha. While reflecting on the future of working with the novice debaters, Wang noted “I’m excited to see more of [the novices]...I want to see what they’re doing, how we can help and watch them grow.”
Classroom walls are almost never empty, as teachers are constantly adding more posters, lights, and decorations to their rooms. Every decoration tells something about the teacher: their interests, the class they teach, or their dog. They are important in making sure the school experience is a lot better and more colorful.
Math teacher Denise Young said in an interview, “I didn’t want my math classroom to look like a math classroom.”
Every teacher decorates for a different reason. Maybe they want to echo their interests, the subject they teach, or their previous students. Classrooms are teachers’ workplaces, so it is important that they are comfortable in them, just like any other desk job. Though students may only be in a room for an hour and a half at a time, staff are generally in them for seven or eight hours a day.
French teacher Anna Dunn explained, “Everything I put up, I do want to be there for the kids. But I also want to make sure I like it because I have to look at it for like 40 hours a week.”
Unlike any other desk job, though, teachers and staff have more to think
“ IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME TO HAVE THINGS THAT WERE RELAXING SAID DENISE YOUNG.
about than just “what room will I feel comfortable in?” but also “what room will my students feel comfortable in?”
Every teacher has a different way of answering this question.
“I wanted my room to have interesting things to look at,” said Dunn.
“But I also try not to make it too
overwhelming.”
On the other hand, social studies teacher Nick MacDonnell said, “My goal is at some point to have every inch of the wall covered.”
The endless ways there are to improve a student’s experience in a classroom are shown in this school. Walking down any hallway, every classroom has its own distinct charm. It’s not just up to the teachers, either. Students can and will donate an art piece, decoration, or other piece of themselves to the classroom and the teacher. Young said, “I love when the kids, when I have students who will contribute something.”
Donating to a teacher something they can put up and always see is a great way to show your respect and appreciation for said teacher. It doesn’t matter what classroom it is; empty classroom walls provide an opportunity for every teacher to become an artist.
Sophomore advanced debater Prajan Rajesh teaches novice debaters during a work night Sept. 18.
Photo by Oishee Ghosh
LIT VIBES...
PHOTO BY MADDY MULLINS
THE 67 TREND
How Two Numbers Became the Biggest Trend of the Year
At Blue Valley West, a single number has taken on a life of its own. Students across classrooms, hallways, and social media feeds have begun repeating the phrase “6-7,” or simply “67,” often without knowing its origin or meaning.
The trend began with the drill rap song “Doot Doot” by Chicago artist Skrilla. In the track, the words “sixseven” repeat over the beat. Because Skrilla is from Chicago, some listeners assumed the lyric referenced 67th Street, an area tied to drill rap culture. That meaning, however, quickly shifted when the sound was picked up on TikTok.
Basketball fans began to connect the phrase to Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball, who stands at 6 feet 7 inches tall. TikTok edits paired the “67” lyric with commentary about Ball’s playing style, often highlighting the idea that he plays more like a smaller guard.
The timing of the lyric drop with the video clips spread the trend further. By the time the sound reached BV West, its meaning had become unclear.
Students began using it in multiple ways: to joke about test scores, to add to sports edits on TikTok, or to make short lip sync videos. Some even mimicked a hand gesture associated with the trend, moving their palms flat up and down in rhythm with the song.
Freshman Ava LeGrotte said, “I think the 6-7 trend is dumb but funny at the same time.”
The phrase has appeared in group chats, inside jokes, and even the student section during games.
Students say they have heard “6-7” shouted during football and basketball games or tossed into conversations during class. The flexibility of the phrase, they say, is part of what makes it popular.
Unlike older slang terms that came with clear definitions, “6-7” survives because it lacks one. At West, the phrase has turned into a kind of shared code.
Some students treat it as the Chicago reference, some the LaMelo Ball joke, and others as nothing more than a funny number to say at the right time.
BVW students are not alone. Across TikTok, the phrase has been used in various contexts. TikToker and basketball player Taylen, known as @taylen_01, has also helped push the sound by using “6-7” in his own content.
Trends like this are common at West. In recent years, phrases like “skibidi” or “only in Ohio” spread quickly through the student body before fading or changing meaning. In each case, the humor comes not from definition but from repetition and timing.
“I think any way teachers can continue to engage students, it’s a positive for student learning. If that means 6-7 comes up every once in a while, that is ok,” said math teacher Travis Thurston.
At BV West, being in on the joke
often matters more than what the joke actually is. Students adopt and adapt trends until they feel like part of the school’s daily culture. “6-7” is no different. It spreads because it is flexible, easy to say, and immediately recognizable.
The trend also reflects the larger way Gen Z and Gen Alpha approach humor. Instead of needing clear punchlines, today’s students often rely on absurd or random references to create laughs.
At West, “6-7” has become exactly that. It is less about meaning and more about connection. Saying it, hearing it, or editing a video with it places students inside a shared experience, even when no one can define it. What is clear is that “6-7” has turned into a moment of cultural shorthand, a trend that spread quickly and settled comfortably into BVW’s school environment. It may fade as quickly as it arrived, or it may linger in small ways long after its original meaning has been forgotten. For now, though, the number is everywhere. Students use it in the halls, teachers hear it in class, and fans shout it from the stands. Whether or not it means anything doesn’t matter.
At BV West, “6-7” has already done its job: it brought people together around a sound, a number, and a laugh.
Pictured: Rhyland McNew, Jacob Miliner, Avery Tamasi, Zylah Whiting, Caitlynn Fowles, Morrison Lasister, Anthony Garcia, Maddox Mullins, Thomas Le, Brighton Buchanan
LIFE IS A HIGHWAY
The
Statistics of How Safe
You Actually are While Traveling
Humans have put a lot of effort into moving people or freight from one place to another, and it has evolved to a point that is basically unrecognizable compared to a hundred years ago. Still, though, transportation has a dark side, the hidden and not-sohidden dangers lurking on the road, in the sky, and on the water.
The primary mode of transportation for most Americans is the car. With 92% of households having a car (according to the U.S. Census Bureau) and thousands of miles of highways, interstates, and roads, the country depends on the staple road vehicle, as does most of the world.
Due to these numbers, it is no surprise that car accidents are common, especially compared to other modes of transportation.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
avoided if you are actually paying attention to the road.”
Whether texting a friend, finding a song on Spotify, or even just conversing, distractions are prevalent.
Sophomore Ava Zhao said the worst thing she’d seen while driving was “probably [people] being on their phone.”
Statistics from the NHTSA show that distracted driving caused roughly 3,275 deaths in 2023, or about 8% of fatal crashes. According to the Center for Disease Control, 39% of teenagers admitted to texting and driving, and that’s only people who were willing to admit to it.
It’s not just the people in the car, either. According to the Federal Communications Commission, “At least 621 pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and others who were not inside a
“
SRO Anthony Garcia explained, “I think being mindful of everything around you [matters], because typically it’s not our driving that is the issue. It’s other things around us.”
Now, while there are some obvious steps to take, such as reducing cell phone usage while driving, keeping a constant eye on the road, and not eating or drinking while the car is moving, there are still a lot of hazards that are outside of people’s control, such as other drivers, weather, poor road conditions, and wildlife.
“People have to understand when you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, you’re truly driving a weapon,” Garcia said.
Given the statistics, it may seem like driving is bound to end in disaster, but there are ways to be safer, such as wearing a seatbelt, as half of road fatalities involved people with no
Citing data from the NHTSA, the school bus is designed to distribute forces in a crash away from the passengers.
Combine this with soft seats to cushion riders, as well as flashing lights, stop signs, and extending arms to protect people crossing the street and buses are statistically safe.
Leaving the road, there are other modes of transportation, in the air, on the ground, and on water.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) Annual Report, “air transportation fatalities totaled 358 in 2022,” compared to the 42,514 deaths on highways.
Most of these deaths are from small private aircraft used for recreation, not from the commercial jets that most people fly on. Only one person died on a U.S. air carrier in 2022. However, according to the National Institute of Health, more than 40% of Americans have a fear of flying for one reason or another.
Despite how prominent news coverage might paint the airline industry, it is actually extremely safe due to the extensive regulations and
controls.
It clearly isn’t convenient to take an airliner to school to stay safe, but there are alternatives to a car. The BTS states that 340 people died in or
“EVEN THOUGH TEXTING AND DRIVING IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN’T DO, PEOPLE STILL DO IT SAID CARA STOCK
because of vehicles, such as buses or trams.
Most of these deaths aren’t people in the vehicle, but from being hit; only 29 people died while actually in transit.
A survey from the U.S. Census shows that 46.3% of people who ride public transit ride a bus, though the majority of fatalities come from trams and small monorails.
For traveling long distances on the ground, trains are a safer option, as only an estimated 280 people died
on passenger trains in 2022; however many more pedestrians were hit by trains at railroad crossings, and most of the deaths and injuries were from trains carrying freight.
Finally, there is transportation by water. While not the most practical method in Kansas, it is one of the safest ways to travel.
With a total of 686 deaths in 2022, it is far safer than highway travel. One third of deaths happen on board kayaks, canoes, and other boats without motors.
The other two-thirds are composed of motorized boats. Commercial transportation on water, such as freighters, cruise ships, or fishing boats, account for 86 deaths.
Transportation is a vital part of society in the past, present and will be in the future. It can never be perfect, but history has shown it is getting safer. Most of the time, that’s up to the driver, pilot, or captain to ensure safety and get people to their destination. Officer Garcia ended with, ”Pay attention, be vigilant, and be mindful of who and what you’ve got in the car with you. Cause that, that’s what’s most important.”
PHOTO
Sophomores Emmie Dlugosch and Abby Denekew complete in the 3-legged race during the assembly.
Photo by Emery Kimbrough
Seniors gather on the baseball practice fields during Senior Sunrise Aug. 15. Photo by Maddy Mullins
Junior Owen Clymer pitched the ball to a freshman. All freshmen advisory classes participated in a kickball tournament.
Photo by Maddy Mullins
Senior Dylan Sander tries to kiss Brody Garry in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” Sept. 27.
Photo by Lexa Opp
Senior Jada Witherspoon gets splashed by her little brother at the homecoming carnvial Oct. 9.
Photo by Mina Alam
Senior Zoe Person sings “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell at the homecoming assembly Oct. 9.
Photo by Maddy Mullins
DAY IN THE LIFE
Follow a Typical Day In Freshman Annie
Domoney’s Life As a Student Athlete
competition routines.
reshman Annie Domoney is on the Crimson Cats dance team and does studio dance at Leigh’s School of Dance.
Domoney has had to learn how to manage adjusting to a new school, completing her work, and attending dance six days a week.
She tries to stay on top of her work and get it done during class because, as someone who has after-school activities every day for four hours, there isn’t much time for homework.
Let’s see what Annie Domoney’s day looks like as a busy student with afterschool activities.
Domoney wakes up at 6:30 a.m. and leaves her house around 7:15 a.m. to go to school. Her first class is Biology on odd days and Group Exercise on even days.
During AST, she tries to get all her work done to minimize what she has to do at home.
“I’m a very busy person, and I have things to do and places to be after school, like dance, and I’m not trying to do homework at 11 p.m..”
After school, Domoney has an hour to get ready for dance. She likes to take her brain off of school during this time and focus on the next part of her day. She leaves her house at 4:15 p.m.
“I usually have about an hour to get myself together before I go to dance, because that’s every single day. At that time I usually don’t like to think about homework.”
She normally goes to dance from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., training in most styles and working on
After a long night of practice
Domoney gets home around 9 p.m. to eat and shower before completing any remaining homework. She tries to get everything done by 11 p.m..
Three days a week she dances at her studio, some days she works on her competition routines, and other days she does technique to improve her skills. Domoney is in seven routines at Leigh’s.
a week, she is also involved in clubs at BV West, including Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), Sources of Strength, Relay For Life, and SLIME Club. These clubs often meet during AST, giving her less time to get work done during school.
Domoney has a busy schedule and managing every day can be difficult. Many students have the same problem, struggling to do everything.
“When you’re doing one thing at a time, you have to be focused on that one thing so you can be the best version of you.”
Domoney is very involved in activities both in school, and out of school. However, she has ways to avoid too much work.
Focusing on what she is doing in the moment helps her to get everything done. This seems to help Domoney stay on top of her work, allowing her to participate in the many clubs and activities she is in, get her school work done, and have some free time too.
Domoney has a lot to do in one day and it can sometimes be hard to complete everything. She has a good routine to get everything done though.
“While I’m at dance I don’t focus on school, because you have to be where your feet are.”
The other three days that she dances, she works with the Crimson Cats on their competition routines, sidelines, technique, and halftime or pregame routines. Domoney is in three competition routines.
While Domoney does dance six days
6:30-7:30
Domoney wakes up and gets ready for school to leave at 7:15.
7:30-12:24
Domoney goes to her first five classes, Biology, Group Exercise, Peer Mentoring, Algebra 1 and Spanish 3.
12:24-12:49
Since Domoney’s fifth hour is Spanish, this means she has third lunch.
12:54-1:47
After lunch, Domoney goes to Honors ELA with Ms. Barnhart.
1:52-2:45
The last class of the day for Domoney is 21st Century Journalism with Mrs. Sinclair.
2:45-4:15
Domoney goes home to get ready for dance.
4:15-4:30
Domoney goes to her practices with either Leigh’s School of Dance, or the Crimson Cats Dance Team, depending on the day
4:30-8:30
That is a day in Annie Domoney’s life as a student athlete, as well as how she keeps up with her school work and the activities she does. She has good strategies to continue using throughout her life.
Domoney works on her competition routines and technique and practice every day.
8:45-11:00
Domoney gets home from dance to shower, do homework, hoping to have a little free time before going to bed around 11:00.
Freshman Annie Domoney dances her solo at The Dance Effect competition to the song
“All For Us” at her studio’s nationals.
Photo provided by Annie Domoney
YINSTAMEDIA
Newspaper
Merges with Yinstabook
PAGE-TURNER PICKS
Books That Capture Hearts and Minds
Reviews by Guest Writer Adelaide Lanigan
V West’s digital presence is getting a major upgrade. The well-known Spotlight Instagram and the popular YinstaBook account have officially merged, launching a new student media hub known as YinstaMedia. The change marks a significant shift in how BV West shares pictures, stories, and connects with the school community online.
Spotlight Instagram has long been a source for stories and interactive features. Meanwhile, YinstaBook built a reputation for pictures from sporting events and student life. By bringing the two together, YinstaMedia aims to offer a balance of both,
combining journalistic storytelling with candid images created by student photographers.
The new account will feature a wider variety of content than ever before. Coverage of sports, performances, and school events will still be included, along with interactive polls, trending topics, and games.
In addition to more content, YinstaMedia plans to post more frequently and further reflect the voice and personality of the school.
The launch of YinstaMedia represents more than just a name change. It’s a reimagined approach to student journalism and storytelling,
built to meet the way today’s students consume and share content. As the platform continues to grow, it’s expected to become a central part of how BV West captures memories, spreads information, and builds school spirit.
Where The Heart Is The Naturals
17 year-old Novalee Nation’s unluckiest number is seven, so when she finds herself stranded at an Oklahoma Walmart, seven months pregnant with only $7.77 in her pocket, she’s hit rock bottom. After living and giving birth inside said Walmart, Novalee finds a tight-knit community that rises to support her. When I picked up this book off my grandma’s shelf, I wasn’t expecting much, maybe a quick afternoon read. What I got was a tug-onmy-heartstrings story about a young girl finding community in the worst of circumstances.
Cassie has an unnatural ability to profile anyone, to crawl into their head and understand their deepest desires. When she gets recruited by the FBI for her talents, she sees an opportunity to solve her mother’s long-cold disappearance case. Within the FBI, she discovers four other teens like her. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire book, and the twists had my jaw on the floor. The plot moves quickly and is entertaining, while also setting up expert foreshadowing for later books.
I would highly recommend it to mystery lovers who love a light romance.
F I C T I O N P I E C E R E V I E W
Don’t Let The Forest In The Cruel Prince
Every kid has made monsters out of shadows or figures in the dark, but Andrew and Thomas have never really grown out of it. Andrew writes stories and Thomas illustrates them, but what happens when their art comes to life in the woods near their school and starts to attack the inhabitants?
This story is the perfect mix of dark academia and gothic horror, which had me constantly secondguessing myself.
One of my favorite features was the illustrations and poems included, which really gave a face to the monsters in the book.
Faerie isn’t built for mortals, a fact Jude is all too aware of. Jude and her sisters live with their adoptive father, and one wrong turn can leave you enchanted or worse. Jude is determined to be a knight of the High Court, which is difficult when one of the princes hates you for seemingly no reason than the mirth he finds in being cruel. This early BookTok darling is on my list of top five favorite books. Black’s worldbuilding makes you feel like you’re walking right alongside the character and creates a complex government system and characters. I loved this book and watching Jude navigate this fantastical world.
SCHOOL SPIRIT DEBATE
School Pride is Thriving
f you walk through the halls of BV West on any given Friday, you might see students decked out in school colors or filming TikToks in their class shirts. For those who think school spirit is something from a bygone era, it’s time to take a closer look because what’s happening now isn’t a decline in spirit. It’s a transformation. While school spirit might not look the same as it used to, Principal Dr. Katie Bonnema believes the excitement remains. “That’s a great thing that tells me kids are invested and involved and are proud to represent our school,” Bonnema said. She pointed to freshmen orientation as proof. “Everybody shows up in that front driveway: the cheerleaders, the band, JPCO, mentors, and it shows how excited the upperclassmen are to welcome the ninth graders.”
For Bonnema, it’s the little things
that count. “You could be super busy, but in the small ways that anyone can show support for their peers, it’s a reflection of pride,” Bonnema said.
Social studies teacher Alex Lahasky, who graduated from BV West, sees spirit differently. “Everybody went to the games, tailgated, and pep assemblies have been consistent,” said Lahasky. “But when I was in school, before JPCO existed, students ran things themselves. It wasn’t as organized, but it felt more competitive.”
Lahasky believes structure has changed the feeling of excitement.
“The willingness to show up for your classmates at events, whether that’s musicals, theater, or athletics, is a healthy indicator,” Lahasky said. “But sometimes it feels more like a routine than a choice.”
Business teacher Ryan Hintz believes
school culture takes constant effort.
“Culture is something you have to fight for every day,” Hintz said. “Last year’s culture isn’t going to carry over; you have to invest and live it daily.”
Hintz said social media also plays a new role. “Sports build community and give people something to root for,” Hintz said. “Ty Hardy added tremendous value through social media. He made our school spirit better.” Hardy is a BV West graduate who made sports hype videos and photography for sports teams. Today, spirit means creativity. It means digital expression. Whether it’s through viral videos, heartfelt posters, crowd chants, or community service, one thing is certain: the heart of the school is still beating strong, and it’s being powered by a new generation that’s redefining what spirit means on their own terms.
School Spirit is Disappearing
While some may say that school spirit is alive and well at BV West, in reality, it has not been as strong as it may have been.
The rise of social media applications like TikTok has posed challenges to BV West school spirit.
“We’re competing with TikTok and we’re competing with video games. I think that students find community in some of those other things,” reflected social studies teacher Alex Lahasky. These external influences can detract from the foundation of community spirit overall.
As he reflected on social media and its effects on students, basketball coach Ryan Hintz emphasized that “social media makes you think that the world is about yourself, and the best lived life is for others, and I think it kind of distorts the view.”
BV West students, as a whole,
have struggled with staying united throughout different parts of daily life.
“I’m starting to see [the school] more disjointed, not a cohesive unit.
The student section is kind of its own team. On a team, you have to be a part of the whole; you can’t be a bunch of individuals,” expressed Hintz.
With a wide array of study areas, niches, and interests, BV West has a hard time uniting them to form a community.
While talking about bringing the school together, Lahasky pointed out that “there’s a niche here for everyone…The hard thing is celebrating all of those different deals and getting students to appreciate what their classmates are doing in different parts of the school that they don’t have direct involvement.”
There is school spirit at BV West that is loud and expressive, but it is
important for it to be genuine too.
As he talked about how students show school spirit, Lahasky stated, “the student section [has] the chance to come and get crazy and be obnoxious. But it’s not genuine school pride… It’s kind of an avenue to draw attention to yourself.”
While reflecting on how to improve school spirit, Hintz explained, “Do your part by showing up and giving back to the community, being a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Photo by Addi Bloor
NOT JUST A PHASE
Why Teen Alcohol Use Can’t Be Brushed Aside
Alcohol use is a very real and often overlooked issue in teenagers. In a 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 10.4 million people aged 12-20 reported that they drank in the past year. This includes 5.1 million males and 5.3 million females.
A 2023 NSDUH found that adolescents ages 12-20 use more alcohol than they do tobacco products or nicotine vaping and marijuana. Underage drinking has many consequences, some of which are fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive underage alcohol use causes about 4,000 deaths each year. The CDC identifies potential outcomes from underage drinking. These include suicide, homicide, sexual violence, motor vehicle crashes, drownings, and falls.
These outcomes can also affect teens whose parents are alcoholics, including students in the West community. A BV West senior spoke about his mom who struggles with alcohol addiction. “She gets really aggressive when she’s drunk and she gets really verbal and a little bit abusive,” said *John Doe (*name changed for confidentiality).
Being the family member of an alcoholic can be difficult. Beyond experiencing the obvious anger and distance, adolescents are more likely to drink alcohol if their parents drink or have easy access to alcohol in their home.
Genetics and access are not the only factors that can initiate or intensify underage alcohol use. Peer pressure,
stress, want for independence, mental health issues, and media portrayal can also contribute to underage drinking. Drinking underage, even when not excessively, can have serious consequences.
The CDC states that underage alcohol use leads to a higher risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life.
Alcohol abuse can strain relationships. “My brother is definitely more distant from the rest of our family because he doesn’t like to come home to her house,” *John Doe said.
“I barely see him anymore and it’s mainly because of her.”
There are resources for people who are affected by another’s alcohol abuse.
Al-Anon is an organization that provides support through community for people who have a loved one that is an alcoholic.
Alateen is a group within Al-Anon that is specific to teens aged 13-18 that have been affected by someone else’s alcohol use.
They encourage teens to share experience, discuss difficulties, and
reductions in the size of the brain’s frontal lobe, hippocampus, amygdala, and corpus callosum can occur.
There are also resources for teens who are struggling with alcohol use themselves.
encourage each other.
Alateen is not a treatment program for teens with drug or alcohol abuse problems and it is not a therapy program. They have online chat meetings as well as in person locations at Lenexa Alateen, Courage Finders Alateen in Kansas City, Kan. and the Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Douglas & Johnson Counties Al-Anon Information Service.
Going to the Al-Anon website and clicking on the meetings tab shows a map of Al-Anon meeting places nearby. The search can also be filtered by checking boxes to find locations specifically for teens, families, Spanish speaking people, specific meeting days, and accommodations such as childcare or handicap access. While Alateen can be a helpful resource for teenagers whose loved one is an alcoholic, there are also efforts being made within the BV West community to help prevent and bring awareness to teenage drinking and alcoholism.
BV West school counselor Derek Thompson is part of the district’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team (DAPT). DAPT is meant to “provide drug and alcohol prevention, education, and awareness efforts to K-12 students and families.”
“I think when your brain is not fully developed, engaging in different substances like [alcohol] can be harmful to your development,” said Thompson.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, researchers have found that when adolescents misuse alcohol
This negatively affects decision making, memory, learning, fearsensing, and communication between the left and right sides of the brain.
The longer a child delays alcohol use, the less likely they are to develop these problems.
A well-known effect of alcohol is liver problems, but alcohol affects many other parts of the body.
According to the NIH, alcohol misuse can lead to the raised likelihood of strokes, oral cancers, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, impaired bone fracture repair, reduced bone density, weakened immune system, heart attacks, and gut leakiness, among many other (sometimes lifethreatening) medical complications.
Teens being affected by a parent’s alcohol use can reach out to their loved ones for help.
“I can go to my dad’s house on the weekends when he’s here and he helps a lot. And I go to my friend’s house and stay there when things get really bad,” *John Doe said.
Johnson County Mental Health has programs for adolescents with a drug or alcohol problem.
Their Adolescent Outpatient Addiction Services (AOAS) is a place for Johnson County residents aged 12-18 that have a need for outpatient treatment.
AOAS is located in Shawnee and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday-Friday.
AOAS can help a struggling teen decrease their use of drugs and alcohol, prevent relapses, increase participation and interactions in the community, build relationships, and refrain from criminal activity.
Johnson County Mental Health also has a residential facility, Adolescent Center for Treatment (ACT) for 1218 year olds with an alcohol and drug assessment that indicates a need for residential treatment.
ACT is located at the Youth & Family Services Center in Olathe, Kan. and works with adolescents to develop an individualized recovery plan, address co-occurring
mental health concerns, improve family relationships and academic performance and legal issues impacted by their use of substances. They also help people to identify the harmful affects of alcohol and drug use and the promote the benefits of a clean and sober lifestyle.
Teens can take steps to recovery outside of professional organizations.
“I think a lot of teens maybe feel pressured to [drink] because they see other people doing it, or they feel like they have to in order to fit in with some people,” Thompson said. “Students should remove themselves from the situations where they tend to engage in that. Maybe that means changing the people they hang around with or the places they’re hanging out at.”
No matter what, an important step to recovery or support for an alcoholic or an alcoholic’s loved one is reaching out for help.
“It doesn’t get better if you don’t address the problem so you really just need to talk to someone about it and have them help you,” *John Doe said.
Logo for Al-Anon, a group that supports friends and families of alcoholics.
TRASH TALK
Friends Clash in Fantasy Leagues, Where Rivalries run Almost as Deep as the NFL
Every fall at BV West, as the NFL season kicks off, another competition takes over the hallways of fantasy football. What started as a small pastime for die-hard fans has become a fall tradition that fuels rivals, builds friendships, and sparks endless debates over who drafted smarter or lucked out harder.
On draft night, students crowd around their phones and laptops, juggling research, ranking and a little luck. Between schoolwork and stat sheets, players make split-second decisions that can define their season.
Senior Scott Fohlmeister said, “It’s stressful and exciting because you never know who’s going to take your player right before your turn.”
This year’s drafts saw plenty of tension, especially when top picks like Christian McCaffrey and Tyreek Hill went early, while others gambled on players such as Malik Nabers, whose season ended abruptly in Week 4 with a torn ACL.
Each week brings a roller coaster of emotions. A Monday night touchdown can rescue someone’s week or ruin it. At BV West, even casual football fans find themselves glued to their phones and refreshing scores on Sundays.
“I watch the games way differently now,” Fohlmeister said. “I’ll be watching some random game just to see if one of my players is doing well.”
This season has already been unpredictable. CeeDee Lamb’s ankle injury shook up lineups across the country, while George Kittle’s hamstring issue left fantasy managers scrambling for replacement tight ends.
After being on the injured reserve list since week two, Kittle has returned to practice in week six.
But fantasy football is more than just numbers; it’s about the rivalries it creates. For many students, the thrill of the season isn’t just about winning overall; it’s about beating a specific person. Maybe it’s a close friend, a sibling, or even a teacher in the league.
The bragging rights that come from those victories often mean more than the championship itself. Group chats
lingers in the background of the fall semester, shaping friendships and fueling rivalries.
By December, the stakes rise even higher. The regular season gives way to the playoffs, and suddenly every decision feels monumental.
light up with trash talk, lunch tables become arenas for playful debates, and losses often spark excuses that get retold for weeks.
The competitive spirit adds a layer of intensity that fuels friendships and keeps everyone engaged.
Junior Michael Baum said, “My biggest rival is Liam Dietz because I can’t lose to him.” Even students who don’t consider themselves football experts find a place in fantasy leagues. For some, the appeal comes from the social aspect. Draft nights often turn into group hangouts, sometimes complete with pizza, music, and inside jokes.
The league itself becomes a community, with traditions that carry on from year to year. Some leagues hand out trophies or medals to the winner. Others invent punishments for the person who finishes last, ranging from silly costumes to embarrassing dares. These traditions give fantasy football a life of its own outside of the weekly match ups.
“The punishment for my league is that the winner puts the loser on a leash and they have to go and bark in the neighborhood,” said freshman Iliyan Happe.
As the season stretches on, fantasy football becomes part of daily conversation. Students compare scores between classes, recap the weekend’s games, and trade stories of miraculous comebacks or heartbreaking losses. For many, checking fantasy results becomes as routine as checking social media. It’s a constant presence that
come back the next year, eager for a fresh start and a chance at redemption.
That cycle of anticipation, excitement, frustration, and joy is what makes fantasy football a lasting tradition.
on Sundays; it’s a shared experience that unites students in ways few other activities can.
The pressure to set the perfect lineup intensifies. Some students spend hours reading analysis, watching highlight reels, and debating whether to take risks or play it safe. For others, the nerves become too much, and they simply trust their gut.
The playoffs are where legends are made and heartbreak becomes inevitable. One unlucky injury or bad coaching decision in the NFL can end a student’s season in seconds, and those moments often become stories retold long after the league has ended. But no matter how the season ends, the memories always remain. Fantasy football is less about winning a trophy and more about the journey it creates along the way.
The friendships built, the traditions established, and the rivalries intensified are what make the game truly special. Even students who finish at the bottom of the standings usually
Eighteen straight weeks of intense camaraderie and rivalry, always looking ahead at the next opponent and matchup stat predictions.
“It’s a yearly tradition that I can look forward to with the start of the NFL season,” said Kratochvil. “I’m not the best at fantasy, and there have been some times where I made really unfortunate draft pulls, so it’s been really fun trying to problem solve and rebuild my team week to week.”
Fantasy football has grown into something much bigger than anyone expected. It isn’t just a way to pass time
It’s a game that brings people together, sparks conversations, and builds connections across different groups. It creates excitement that carries throughout the entire NFL season and into the future. In many cases, leagues continue beyond graduation and provide a way for students to stay in touch.
And while only one player can win the championship, everyone walks away with stories to tell about the draft pick that surprised everyone, the Monday night miracle that saved a season, or the friendly rivalry that turned classmates into lifelong friends.
“Fantasy is actually what really opened the door to me getting to know a lot of friends,” said Kratochvil. “Trading and competing week to week brought me closer to them.”
At BV West, it’s clear that the tradition isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Each fall, the excitement resets, the leagues reform, and the cycle repeats, ensuring that fantasy football will remain a part of the school’s culture for years to come.
JAGUARS IN ACTION
Game Days and Finish Lines, Fall Sports 2025
FOOTBALL SOCCER
DANCE
GOLF
CROSS COUNTRY TENNIS CHEER
VOLLEYBALL
PHOTOS BY BRYCE NORRIS, MADDY MULLINS, ELSA RATLIFF, ABBY MAHONY
Cade Wysong (Senior)
Aubrey Jewsbury(Junior)
Aliyah Harris (Sophomore)
Griffin Muhlbach (Senior)
Sabrina Zimmerman (Senior)
Kenzie Dallen (Sophomore)
Brandon Bracco (Senior)
Payton Sclup (Junior)
BRETT LADUKE
New Era Begins for West Football
When Senior quarterback Brett LaDuke arrived at Blue Valley West, he was stepping into more than just a new school; he was stepping into a leadership role on a brand-new team. LaDuke and his family moved to Overland Park to be closer to his grandparents and reconnect with the place where his dad grew up. “My dad went to KU, and we wanted to be closer to my grandparents,” LaDuke said. “The move has been pretty smooth overall. Everyone here has made it an easy transition for me.”
Despite a warm welcome, joining a new team came with its challenges. Taking over as quarterback meant quickly building relationships and understanding the team’s culture. “Having to start from scratch, getting to know new people, and trying to figure out the culture of the team has been the biggest challenge,” LaDuke admitted.
To tackle that challenge, LaDuke
has made an effort to connect with his teammates both on and off the field. “It gets better every day,” he said. “Getting to know my teammates outside of football has been great for building trust.
Staying after practice to throw has helped with building chemistry.”
Outside of football, LaDuke
“ I WANT EVERYONE ON THE TEAM TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES, SAID BRETT LADUKE
enjoys keeping life balanced and fun. When he isn’t at practice or in the weight room, he spends time hunting. “I love to hunt when I get the chance to,” LaDuke said.
One matchup, in particular, has
already caught his attention: Week 1 against St. Thomas Aquinas. “It’ll be a huge test for us as a team, but I know we’re up to the challenge,” LaDuke said.
When it comes to game day, LaDuke has a favorite way to get into the zone: “Enter Sandman” by Metallica blasts through his headphones before kickoff.
As LaDuke continues to settle into his new role at BV West, his leadership and determination are already making an impact both in the locker room and on the field.
With a fresh start, a strong work ethic, and growing chemistry with his teammates, LaDuke is ready to make his mark at BV West. For him, this season isn’t just about football; it’s about building relationships, setting a standard, and helping the Jaguars reach their full potential.
ANALYZING ACTION...
Senior Brett LaDuke reviews footage with junior Micheal Baum during the Oct. 3 game against BV Northwest.
PHOTO BY MADDY MULLINS
POCKET POWER
Laduke launches a deep pass.
PHOTO BY MARI ANDERSON
SILENT COUNT
Senior Brett LaDuke claps to snap the ball, signaling the start of each play and driving the team forward.
PHOTO BY BRYCE NORRIS