The Patriot: Volume 56, Issue 0 by SMS Patriot

the patriot

AUGUST 2021 FIRST DAY ISSUE | VOLUME 56

SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 5800 W. 107TH ST., OVERLAND PARK, KS, 66207 913.993.7500

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FACTS ABOUT SOUTH | by simon cox

DIVE RIGHT IN | by annalie polen

FRIENDLY FACES | by annalie polen

TWITTER @SmsPatriot

SENIOR’S TAKE | by reece howard

TRENDS AMONG STUDENTS | by reese woods

EVENTS YOU CAN’T MISS OUT ON | by noel mohamed

BACK PG, SCHEDULE | by reese woods

INSTAGRAM @smspatriot

STAFF

MISSION STATEMENT

he Patriot is a newsmagazine that aims to objectively present topics affecting Shawnee Mission South High School, as well as connect with readers on issues concerning the student body. Staff members reserve the right to express their views in the Opinion section. These pieces are labeled and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff as a whole, except the staff editorial, which represents the views of the editors. Each section editor designs their own sections pages, unless otherwise specified. Under the First Amendment and Kansas law, The Patriot staff is entitles to freedom of the press and neither the school nor district is responsible for any content or coverage. The staff encourages letters to the editor; they will only be published if signed. The Editors-in-Chief reserve the right to refuse or edit any letters for grammar, length, and good taste.

HEAD EDITORS

annalie polen co-editor-in-chief reese woods co-editor-in-chief SECTION EDITORS

jake foil sports editor simon cox features editor annie caswell news editor MANAGEMENT EDITORS

jake foil ads & management editor noel mohamed copy editor simon cox assistant copy editor jack wagner multimedia editor reece howard social content editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FACTS ABOUT

south STORY BY SIMON COX

head principal dr. todd dane

school song

Dr. Dane became the fifth principal at SMS in March 2015.

Hail to shawnee mission south as raiders honor thee; May all in kinship and friendship stand In thy fraternity Let green and gold of raiders bold Proclaim our loyalty So the world may know where e’er we go That raiders we ever shall be!

mascot rocky the raider In the 1978 SMS yearbook, you’ll a find a photo showing Rocky the Raider riding a horse for game day!

notable alumni rob riggle

class of 1988

tom kane

class of 1980

rodney peete class of 1984

A&E

school motto nothin’ greater than a raider!

sports basketball

The most recent championship win for basketball was in 2012-2013. Coached by Brett Mcfall, who is still an active coach and teacher at SMS.

smesl The SMESL contains over 20 acres of land. It is home to over a hundred different species of plants and over a thousand different species of animals.

A&E

DIVE RIGHT IN meeting new people can be difficult, but with different activities and clubs, it can make a daunting task not as bad as it seems. STORY BY ANNALIE POLEN

ne of the things you will hear constantly throughout highschool is the phrase, “get in-

volved in as much as you can.” While this may get a little bit repetitive, it is very true. There are many different things to get involved with including lots of sports, clubs, and classes. One of the biggest reasons that it is so emphasized to join different activities is because of the opportunities for new friendships that

Getting involved can help to create a smaller community within a large school. Approximately 1,500 students attend SMS making it seem overwhelming at times. Finding a community in an activity can make finding friends much easier. Many different activities are very open to anyone who is interested. Senior, Lauren Swift is a member of FCA and emphasizes that all are welcome. “It’s amazing because you can come no matter how far you’ve gone or no matter what you’ve done and it’ll always be a place that’s open to anyone,” Swift said. No matter what activity you choose to join, many feel the same way about new members and hope that you go out for it if it is something you might find interesting. Each activity offers new friendships, opportunities, and experiences to make your four years at South the best that they can be.

it offers. Junior, Julia House is a Varsity member of the girls soccer team. “What helped me get involved was that I saw how close you get to people and you make really good friendships within the team”, House said. Finding new things to get involved in early on also helps to start developing new friendships and makes going into highschool easier. Many sports and activities offer summer training and programs that can also help to feel a part of something from the start. “I knew older kids in the program which helped me get involved. I also went to all the summer workouts and have played soccer for a long time,” Junior, Marek Gregory said. Along with summer training there are also opportunities for fall and winter training depending on the season of the sport. “What helped me get involved was coming to fall weights and going to the gym with the team,” Senior and Varsity basketball member Harrison Hughes said. *all photos taken by katey eichorn

4 | features

GIRLS SOCCER

“I think that being in a sport is important because you are representing your school and it’s always fun to be involved and do something outside of school.”

- Junior | Julia House

GIRLS TENNIS “Advice I would give to freshmen would be to have an open mind about new things and try to get involved.”

- Senior | Lila Dobbelaere

BOYS SOCCER “When you get involved you make new friends and have a good time with people of all ages that enjoy the same things as you.”

- Junior | Marek Gregory

5 | features

FRIENDLY FACES looking for help/advice? search for these seniors in the hall. STORY BY ANNALIE POLEN

HANK SALSBURY | SENIOR

ank Salsbury is involved with cross country, track, Pep Club, StuCo, choir, NHS, Aribic Honor Society, and Site Council. “Upperclassmen helped me just by supporting me and I guess just checking in on me. They also helped by talking to me about things that I would need help on like school,

EMMA THURSTON | SENIOR

work, sports, or anything like that. They also put me out there to go out for things like Pep Club, choir, and things like that.”

mma Thurston is involved with the Raider Athletic Board, soccer, basketball, NHS, and is a PLS cadet. “Everyone here says to get involved which is so true but also just be yourself and do what makes you happy. Also just get around as much as you can and meet new people.”

ANNA KREAMER | SENIOR

Anna Kreamer is involved with track, cross country, FCA, KSMS, Pep Club, is a PLS cadet, and a Link Crew leader. “Being in all these activities has allowed me to get to meet a lot of different groups of people. It also just has made my time at south a lot more memorable and special because I have gotten to experience a lot.”

NOAH BISWELL | SENIOR

NATALIE NEHER | SENIOR

atalie Neher is involved with soccer and is the StuCo president. “For StuCo we are in charge of the dances and we really want a big turn out next year. And if you hear about the student body activities and you don’t think you are going to go to them, well rethink that because we put in a lot of effort in those things and they are always really fun.”

6 | features

oah Bisswell is invloved with KSMS, theatre, and is a Link Crew leader. “I feel like I maybe don’t always look the part but if you get to know me i’m a pretty crazy, wacky, loose type of guy so I think don’t judge a book by its cover

and just know that all of us are here to support you.”

SENIOR’S TAKE the class of 2022 share their thoughts, hopes, and feelings about finally being a senior. STORY BY REECE HOWARD

ver since the Class of 2022 walked into the doors of Shawnee Mission South as youthful,

nervous and tiny freshmen, they have been waiting for one thing: to become seniors. They looked up to the seniors who welcomed them in and ruled the school. The glorious moment of being a senior has finally come for them. These seniors all have different thoughts, hopes, and dreams for the big, final year of high school. “I feel really good about senior year because I think we will be past most of the covid restrictions. So, we can have student sections for football and basketball, which creates an amazing atmosphere. I can’t wait for senior year, but I don’t want it to go by too fast,” senior Mason Close said. Many of our seniors are hopeful that with vaccina-

tions being given and COVID cases going down, they have a chance to have a normal senior year after almost two years of the world being flipped upside down. Senior year is a very important year. It is not only your last year of high school, but you also have to apply for college, be a leader, some have a job, and any responsibilities outside of Shawnee Mission South. Senior Maggie Herber is planning on spending her year preparing for college and spending time with her friends and truly making the most of the biggest year in high school. “My goals are basically to prepare as much as I can for college but also let loose and have a great last year onstage with all my friends,” Herber said. Senior year is the biggest and most monumental year in high school. You wait four years for those ten months of being the “big dog,” the rulers, and to have all of those last times. “Everyone says time goes by so fast and they’re not joking, try your best to take things day by day,” Herber said. Those are the best words of wisdom you can keep with you throughout your four years at Shawnee Mission South.

7 | features

TRENDS AMONG STUDENTS what trends are students following in the hallways of south? STORY BY REESE WOODS

nike air force 1 This was the first basketball shoe to use the Nike Air technology. This shoe comes in many diferent colors and types.

hydroflask The hydroflask is not only a great water bottle for keeping your drinks warm/cold, it is commonly seen at South.

8 | A&E sources: https://news.nike.com/news/nike-air-force-1-visual-history, https://www.pngkey.com/maxpic/u2q8y3w7a9q8q8r5/

the flare leggings Comfy leggings but with a twist of a flare.

biker shorts Athletic leisure is in style right now. Biker shorts paired with any top is a fan favorite.

new balance 530 A comfortable running shoe with style.

9 | A&E sources: https://www.pngkey.com/maxpic/u2e6e6u2i1a9q8r5/, https://shop.lululemon.com/c/women-shorts/bike/_/N-7weZ1z140nz, https://www.yogaoutlet.com/products/prana-transform-flare-pants-8194843

EVENTS YOU CA N’ T MISS OUT ON wondering what school events to attend? these upperclassmen have some advice. STORY BY NOEL MOHAMED

what events do you reccomend freshmen go to? “I would recommend freshman students to go to the homecoming football because it’s the beginning of the homecoming tradition at South. It’s also very fun and a lot of people go so it’s very hype and everyone has a good time.”

- Senior | Alyssa McDonald

what dances should freshmen attend? “My experience at homecoming as a freshman was a big deal, everyone went. After your freshman year, you start to realize it’s not that big of a deal the real-time to pop off wouldbe prom your senior year. However, It was our first dance in high school so I can see why it was all the hype.”

- Senior | Crystal Ugalde photo by katey eichorn

10 | A&E

why should freshmen get involved in theatre and experience the shows? “I think freshmen should go to the shows to support their peers and see if they may be interested in theatre. We put a lot of hard work into our shows and it is so fun to finally see them come to life.”

- Junior | Carolyn Armstrong

photo by katey eichorn

...

“For next year [2021-2022], we are doing two rep shows where you need to be in the class but Godspell and The Sound of Music are going to be so much fun. The theatre is a really fun and awesome community. The people there are amazing and so nice and wonderful to talk to. I think that freshmen should get involved so they can experiment and see what they like. They need to step outside of their comfort zones and theatre helps so much with that. Being on stage is such a rush and doing it and being there with your friends is so much better.”

“I say go to every dance you can. I only went to homecoming my freshman year, but it was one of my favorite memories from that year. Always make sure to go to the homecoming football game the night before and do something fun like go bowling or go to an after-party after the dance.”

- Senior | Sydney Johnson

- Junior | Sally Foley

11 | A&E

go to class, don’t skip. ask questions. branch out and make new friends. work hard to keep your grades up because it well help you later on! do you homeowrk. | helpful tips

BELL SCHEDULE monday

wednesday/friday

HOUR 1 | 7:40 - 9:05 HOUR 1 | 7:40 - 9:15 HOUR 3 | 9:20 - 10:55 HOUR 5 | 11:00 - 1:00 1ST LUNCH 11:00 - 11:30

1ST LUNCH 11:05 - 11:35

2ND LUNCH 11:30 - 12:00

2ND LUNCH 11:35 - 12:05

3RD LUNCH 12:00 - 12:30 4TH LUNCH 12:30 - 1:00

3RD LUNCH 12:05 - 12:35 4TH LUNCH 12:35 - 1:00

HOUR 7 | 1:05 - 2:40

HOUR 6 | 1:05 - 1:50 HOUR 7 | 1:55 - 2:40

thursday

tuesday

HOUR 2 | 8:50 - 10:15 HOUR 2 | 7:40 - 9:15 SEMINAR | 9:20 - 10:55 HOUR 4 | 11:00 - 11:30 1ST LUNCH 11:00 - 11:30

1ST LUNCH 11:00 - 11:30

2ND LUNCH 11:30 - 12:00

3RD LUNCH 12:00 - 12:30 4TH LUNCH 12:30 - 1:00

HOUR 6 | 1:05 - 2:40

important dates SEPTEMBER | 6th: no school OCTOBER | 13th: early release, 15th: no school, 18th: beginning of 2nd quarter, 22nd: no school

NOVEMBER | 22nd: no school, 23rd: no school, 24 - 26th: thanksgiving break for SUNFLOWER LEAGUE calendar, visit: sunflowerleague.org & select Shawnee Mission South

helpful tips | don’t procrastinate no matter what. get involved! it doesn’t mater whether it’s a club or sport. ask questions.

helpful tips | communicate well and often with your teachers. check your school email frequently. branch out and make new friends. don’t just leave, use seminar wisely.

don’t block the halls as a freshmen. go to football and basketball games, they’re super fun! get out of the parking lot before the busses.