West Word
Issue 5 - February Volume 5.
Staff Editors
Zavier Barrow (12) Gabrielle Hazen (12) Skyler Meyer (11)
Reporters
Xira Alexander (12) Ralph Dayacap (12) Avery Gossage (10) Kylee Hinkle (11) Karleigh Johnson (11) Rachael Papps (12) Destiny Reicher (12) Justin Spelts (10)
Photographers Levan Howard (11) Eric Ramirez (11) Mary See (11) Brianna Thompson (11)
Ad Team
Joseph Anderson (12) Lesly Velasco (11)
Advisor
Pilar Pedraza (1st Year)
Stories
Features
Random Acts of Kindness
(5)
Long Distance
(8-9)
Maize High
(10-11)
Photospread
(12-13)
History of Memes
(16)
The Olympics
(17)
Black History Month
Hard News
Mar. 19
SPRING BREAK BEGINS
Mar. 23
SPRING BREAKS ENDS
M. 26-30
Flag/Dance Tryouts Cheer Tryouts
Apr. 2-5
NHS Meeting
(18)
NO SCHOOL
(14-15)
Apr. 16
NO SCHOOL
Mental Health Awareness
(4)
Cheerleading
(6-7)
Sports
Delano St. Mar. 17 Patrick Parade
Apr. 5 Apr. 13
Editorials Best Netflix Shows
Dates
What’s Inside
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Get your yearbook today for ONLY $50 To buy your yearbook see Mrs. Pedraza in C-4, see the bookeeper, or visit jostens.com and search for Wichita West High
Prices go up on APRIL 23rd!! Get it before its too late!!
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Mental Health: Page by Lesly Velasco
Why it’s more than just a “moody teenager”
According to the Daily Mail, British government studies are finding that teenager’s anxiety and stress levels are reaching a record breaking high. Scientists are not certain what is causing the sudden increase in stress but they believe, not getting enough sleep and exercise, social media and poor parenting could all be a factor. “To break this cycle of stress and unhealthy behaviors, “says APA CEO, Norman B. Anderson, we need to provide teens with better support and health education at school and home” Even though there are more teenagers experiencing stress and stress related mental illnesses, 54% of teenager are likely to report their stress compared to the 39% of adults, according to the American Psychological Association. To this day mental illnesses are being brushes of because of ignorance. Psychology is still considered a new science but as we gather more information we are beginning to learn how to help a loved one or even yourself. Victoria Maxwell of Psychology Today wrote an article explaining how to help a loved one with a mental illness. The first thing you need to do when dealing with a mental illness, is research as much as you can. Second let them know that you are there for them and just listen don’t argue. Third ask them what helps and if they don’t what does help talk out possible solutions together. Lastly if possible seek professional help, and remind them that there is nothing to be ashamed of. If you notice a change in behavior make sure to always speak out because you could just be saving a life.
Hard News
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R andom A cts of K indness
W E E K
Page by Rachael Papps
The week of February twelfth through the sixteenth we had not only spirit week but Random Acts of Kindness Week as well. There were posters in the hall. Free compliment signs. Treats being handed out and encouraging memes being hung. We also took some time to appreciate our teachers this week by putting thank you cards and treat bags in their boxes. Inside the treat bags they got a pencil, pen, mini candy, and a mint.
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Macayla Harris and Kolby Overocker from Mrs. Pilar Pedraza’s Academy Time went around the school to put up inspirational and funny memes. Such as the one pictured in the lower right corner. Letting you know just how great your life is. Overall the week went really well. Despite the problems we are having in the world now with many school shootings. Everyone took the time, to take a step back and appreciate the people around us.
Random Acts of kindness week was really about taking the time to appreciate eachother. We get so cought up in the daily grind of life that we forget to take a step back and appreciate the people around us. Whether its a small compliment, giving someone a snack or buying a friend lunch. A little can go a long way, and something so little can mean so much more to the person you give it to.
Photo by Tyanna Davis
Cheer Without Page by: Ralph Dayacap
Fear!
Photos by: Skyler Meyer
Who or what do you think of when you hear the words “sporting event”, the players? The food? Or maybe even the wild roaring crowd, but not many think of the support, and effort cheerleaders give to the team they’re cheering for. Hard work and determination is what fuels this Pioneer cheer team on. Many don’t see the hard work they put in night in and night out, they stay poised and very motivated as they go through their routines for the events they feature in like the pep assembly and their cheer competitions. “When its close to performing time we work extra harder to get down the dance or routine that we need, me and my cheer mates stay long after school just to go over the dance again and again, and I think not many see people see the dedication we put into it.” Says junior Marlen Dominguez. This 2018 cheer squad only has one senior in Grace Evans, but it seems like this years bunch is full of talented and experienced cheerleaders, and their hard work truly shows it in their twists and turns. “Sometimes cheer practices can be very intense especially if there is an event coming up. You could really see the sweat in the girls that shows how dedicated they are to master what they are learning. I’m proud of them”. Says senior Grace Evans. But through the downs and success cheerleading at west highschool is very over looked, many think that cheer is an easy sport , but little do they know the “twists and turns” that the cheerleaders do takes alot of practice and mastering before they can show the public their stunts. “I love cheer and it sucks that many overlook the hours we put in day in and day out. But i know its going to take a huge changed to switch poeples mindset about it. As for now we as a team just plan to get better each day.” Says Marlen Dominguez. As the cheer season winds to an end its clear to see how far this cheer team has come, physically and mentally. This years squad is filled with juniors and sophmores who plan to come back their junior and senior year. With this kind of experience coming back next year, we can only imagine whats in store for the West High Cheer team. “Ive had such a great time my 4 years here at west, and i know the cheer team here will overpass everyones expectations. I cant wait to see next years team because I know they will be outstanding.” Says Grace Evans. Sports
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West High Cheer In Action
Top left: Jalicia lane (soph) hypes up the basketball team during a game at southeast by clapping her pompom to the rythm of the band. Top Right: Grace Evans (senior) claps her hands during the Pioneer chant. She also yells during the game to pump up the west high crowd during a need of a bucket. Middle left: Kate Cruz (soph) shakes her pom poms during a routine that the cheer squad has been working on during their practices. Middle Right: Kate Cruz (soph) hangs in the air as her cheermates lift her up during an asembly. The crowd goes wild as she sticks her landing.
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Left: Carolynn DeLaRosa, Esmeralda Coral and Kate Cruz (soph) eyes the roaring crowd as they perform the routine that they have been working on. Shortly after they throw pioneer merchendise at the crowd.
Long-Distance Relationships: Are They Worth It? Page by Karleigh Johnson
W ith Valentine’s Day as, arguably, one of the most important dates in February, it’s hard to imagine there are people who won’t be able to see their significant other on the day of love. This is due to the fact that there are over 7 million couples in a long distance relationship, according to Dr. Gregory Guldner at The Center for the Study of Long Distance Relationships, a division of JF Milne Publications. Long distance relationships were not uncommon throughout the past. In fact, many long distance relationships (LDRs for short) were, and still are, military related. However, in the digital age, nearly onethird of the 14 million Americans in an LDR are in college. Also noteworthy, not all LDRs are romantic, some occur between friends. With many controversies regarding LDRs continuing to surface as the number of couples or friends involved in this type of relationship increases, it’s hard not to wonder if a long distance relationship will actually thrive.
No Miscommunication
Most forms of interaction take place via texting, social media, or the archaic form of handwritten letters. These methods of communication are known to lack tone and, most important, body language, both of which are necessary to prevent misunderstandings in relationships.
Boredom
Frustration and boredom occur when couples or friends communicate often, which is common in LDRs. Stimulating conversations are few and far between, and the dreaded small talk takes over.
Catfishing
When relationships are built from purely online-only experiences, an individual is at risk for catfishing, or being lured into a false relationship by a person acting under a false image. Catfishing can lead to dangerous situations such as abductions or even possible
Yes Appreciation
During LDRs, couples must work harder than in regular relationships to keep it afloat. Constant communication coupled with the desire to meet again allow the individuals involved to appreciate the relationship more.
Self-Focus
Couples tend to enter LDRs because of different goals in life. For example, a couple might be in an LDR because the two individuals are not going to the same college. This allows them to focus on furthering their path to success, and still have a relationship.
Acceptance of Behaviors
Commitment in relationships is hard to come by, and it is common to assume that LDRs are no different. However, this is false. Based on the research of Dr. Guldner, LDR individuals are more accepting of the behaviors of their partner and typically experience a stronger commitment to the relationship overall. Relationships
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West Says... Yes
No
Lilly Grimes and Edwin Alvarez (11)
Elizabeth Dill (12)
Lilly Grimes, a junior, has been friends with Edwin Alvarez for about three years, but the friendship took a hit earlier this year when Alvarez switched schools. Fortunately, the two still communicate with each other in a group chat, and occasionally meet up at their favorite spots.
Elizabeth Dill, a senior, has experienced her fair share of LDRs, but after the fourth time, she decided to call it quits. Dill mentions that she felt bored often, and there was a lot of miscommunication.
Grimes states that this type of long distance relationship is definitely worth it. “It doesn’t make sense as to why two people would throw something away just because of distance,” says Grimes.
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“I tried to get him to call me or video chat, but he refused. I felt like he didn’t have time for me,” says Dill. She also mentions that after the last two LDRs, she wanted to focus on herself more and get through high school. She warns that those who are ‘clingy’ should avoid long distance relationships.
An A(Maize)ing Experience Believe it or not, there’s more to schools across Kansas than just their names and what zip code they’re in. Wichita’s West high school newspaper staff, the West Word, was contacted by Maize High School with an exciting idea that provided journalism students with a different perspective on how other institutions function. The editors of The West Word, Zavier Barrow and Gabrielle Hazen, accompanied two Maize writers, Mercedes Ast and Paige Young, as they witnessed the differences and similarities between schools. It was certainly an experience that the students should have insight on. When comparing the two schools together, it seems as though they come from two contrasting universes. Many West pupils feel as though Maize is breeding grounds for many privileged, naïve, and wealthy Kansas residents. West kids feel that Maize is not aware of the everyday struggles inner city children are exposed, such as poverty. When asked how West High kids feel about Maize, Sophomore Jackeline Garcia-Blex had this to say, “They’re a bunch of rich kids. I’ve gone to their city before and they seemed shocked by brown people.” ` However, once given the chance to experience their world and being exposed to both sides of the spectrum, it is
clear that there are several striking similarities and multiple misinterpretations of each school. It begins with the population; Maize is located within the USD266 school district inside Maize, Kansas. Maize is known as a small suburb on the outskirts of Wichita, thus their overall population is about 4,000 with half of that being students who attend the local Maize high school. While Wichita is the largest city within the state of Kansas, the USD259 district consists of eight different public schools, each harboring 1000+ students. Although there is only a 43-student difference compared to West High, many students feel that Maize is a much smaller institution. However, that can be debunked as a theory purely based from small town misconceptions. “The school itself felt spacious and vast. The hallways seemed rather wide and it was almost easy to get yourself lost in it.” Said Zavier Barrow From then on you get a firsthand experience on what it is truly like to be a Maize Eagle. As you begin to walk through the hallways you are taken back with creative titles for their walkways and breathtaking artwork displayed at every turn, even within the restrooms the stalls are decorated with murals depicting inspirational celebrities. “Yeah, Botts (Maize principle) is very into
Page by Zavier Barrow & Gabrielle Hazen
letting the students express themselves and tries to build the art department,” Said Maize Editor of Chief, Savannah Hughes. Not only did the school harbor a love for the arts, but as well a love for the environment. The school has just recently installed a new addition known as the C.T.E building. This addition consists of classes much like West’s academies, from engineering to necklace building; the installment offers a plethora of career paths. However, a huge success of their facility is their agriculture department. There the students have created a podium in which they grow small beans and other tiny vegetables. Not only that, but they also possess a green house outside. There the pupils are able to request certain foods for themselves or their cooking class and the agriculture students commence to growing these particular comestibles. “It was extremely heartwarming to see a school who could clearly purchase their own goods, still stick to the earth friendly action of farming. You wouldn’t think they would do such a thing,“ said Hazen. From then on our attention was brought to a more touching appendage, right outside of the institution, there sits a nonfunctioning police stand. Although it doesn’t look like anything special, it is actually much more. In 2016, two Maize teachers proposed the idea of
converting the police building into a safe haven for less privileged students. From then on Maslow’s Closet, based off psychologist, Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory, was formed as a non-profit store in which students or community members could enter and select necessities they could not afford on the average day, such as shampoo or school supplies. “It gives high schoolers with less privileged an opportunity to sustain the struggles of daily life. I feel like it’s a wonderful method to help kids in need and hopefully other schools could follow the same,” said Barrow. Maize does happen to live up to the hype of being a wealthy school; their poverty levels are nowhere near the ones within inner city schools. However, what makes Maize such an amazing institution because they have used their income advantages to help those in need. They have not forgotten the 22.4% of students who do not come from money, who have lived lives parallel to those of the inner city schools. “It’s humbling to know that each school has overcome their stereotypes and stay true to who they are. Honestly Maize is ultimately more privilege than West, it’s a fact. However they don’t let their wealth overpower their morals and that’s what makes them different,” concluded Hazen
Page By Destiny Reicher Photos by Bri Thompson, Skyler Meyer and Kylee Hinkle
The Month Of
February
Photospread
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MEMES
Page by Avery Gossage
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Meme - an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture usually conveying with a theme. How Did It Start? Richard Dawkins originated the word meme. “...the meme exemplified in explaining human behavior and cultural evolution.” -The Selfish Gene
There’s a differnce between a meme and an internet meme.
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Internet meme - an activity, concept or catchphrase that spreads throughout media as a trend. Often used as humor or mimicry.
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Evolution of memes Internet memes over the years have change drastically.
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Image macro (Top Text, Bottom Text) memes started in 2007.
Rage comics spread in the early 2010s. Usually crudely drawn in MS Paint, they attributed to facial expressions and humoring shared experiences.
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One of the first ever memes was the oogachaka baby, appearing in a 1990’s. sitcom.
A field of study called memetics took off in the 1990’s.
A usual theme in modern memes are not making sense without context. However, that’s the charm and what makes it funny. They usually consisit of self-awarness and being satirical. The meme shown is recgonized as “you know he had to do em”, and on the left is a “deep fried” version of that.
Internet Feature
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The Olympic BreakDowN Page by Justin Spelts
On February 9th, 2018, the ceremony for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics had taken place, but that is only the very start of this long waited two weeks of competition. This time around, things will be different for the olympics, as North Korea will compete in the games, unlike the country of Russia, who will not.
The OAR
For this year’s Olympics, Russia will not compete in any event due to a doping scandal that took place during their Sochi 2014 Olympics. Some athletes from russia had their medals taken from this, and recieved a lifetime ban from the Olympics. To still compete, the Russian athletes who have not been caught doping will be competing under the “Olympic Athelete From Russia” flag. also known as the OAR. The flag has a white background with the Olympic logo in the middle, as seen on the left. This flag has also been used for independent athletes, and refugee athletes in previous Olympics.
United korea?
In the past year, North Korea seems like a country that prefered to stay isolated from any country unless it meant nuclear threat. Surprisingly, in December of 2017, the teams have agreed to walk in the Olympics as one. It started with North Korea asking South Korea and the IOC to participate into the winter games, but was surprised to get more than expected as they have been asked to walk with South Korea in the opening ceremony of this year’s Olympics. The women’s hockey team for these two countries have also combimed to make one unified team
2,922 Athletes...
..are competing in the Olympics this year, competing for their dream of having a gold medal. Out of the number of athletes, 1,680 of them are men, and 1,242 are women. The country sending the most athletes is the United States with 242. Surprusingly, Canada comes short in member count sending 226 of their athletes to the games. Not bad for a country one tenth the size of the U.S.
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events Within.... Sports
Nearly all athletes in this event have one goal, which is to win the gold medal. It’s not easy getting to the top, but for these athletes, they’ll do anything to reach it. Nothing will stop them from trying.
Black History Is American History Page By Destiny Reicher
Black History is American history. Black history month was originally just a week that was created by Carter G. Woodson’s when he realized that African American history and accomplishments.
You’ve heard of
Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and Malcolm X
WHAT ABOUT...
His creation of Negro History Week in 1926 paved the way for the establishment of Black History Month in 1976. The month of February was selected because it was the birth month of Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. These two men played a big part in history with respect to their influence on Black life and culture. Black history is American history. The African American impact on history is deeply imprinted in the social history of America. We cannot talk about American history without speaking of the impact African Americans had on this country. African Americans fertilized the soil with the drippings of their blood, sweat, and tears.
Bessie Coleman
Guy Bluford Guy Bluford became the first African American in space on Aug. 30, 1983, aboard the Challenger on NASA’s eight space shuttle mission. Guion “Guy” Bluford is a former NASA astronaut who was the first African-American to fly into space. He flew four shuttle missions.
. Bessie Coleman was an American civil aviator. She was the first woman of African-American descent and the first of Native American descent, to hold a pilot license. She achieved her international pilot license in 1921.
Hiram Revels
Since 1870, when Senator Hiram Revels of Mississippi and Representative Joseph Rainey of South Carolina became the first African Americans to serve in Congress, a total of 153 African Americans have served as U.S. Representatives, Delegates, or Senators.