JagWire: Volume 18, Issue 8

JAGWIRE NEWSMAGAZINE NEWSMAGAZINE

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MILLVVALLEY ALLEYHIGH HIGHSCHOOL SCHOOL///VOL. VOL.18 18///ISSUE ISSUE77///APRIL APRIL12, 12,2018 2018///MVNEWS.ORG MVNEWS.ORG MILL

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CONTENTS

Design by Victoria Wright

Mill Valley High School

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JagWire

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04 Spanish V 05 college map 08 Blue Star Awards

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SPORTS

FEATURES

24 Abby Sutton 14 most likely to 16 senior superlatives 26 athletic signing 28 football coaches

OPINIONS

FEATURES

20 senior opinions

10 senior survey

A&E

12 seniors & grandparents 13 Preston Cole

Mill Valley High School

his is it. Our final issue as your editors-in-chief and our final installment of Letter from the Editors. Issue eight is usually both a transition period and a time to celebrate accomplishments. And yes, we have a lot to celebrate. All three publications, including newspaper, the website and last year’s yearbook, received All-Kansas awards.

Of course, we can’t forget to mention one big, shining achievement: a state championship. This was our seventh state championship in 15 years, and 11 students placed in 12 different categories. It’s hard to put into words how much it meant to win a state title our senior year, because it really reaffirms that all the crazy work we put into this program is worth it.

We viewed the state competition as a way for us to leave our mark, and suffice to say, that happened. This program has sucked the life out of us sometimes, and while sometimes all the spell-checking is tedious, another state title and all-Kansas recognition reminds us that every small detail makes a difference.

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Alison Booth Nora Lucas Victoria Wright

MANAGING EDITOR Claire Boone

PHOTO ESSAY

COPY EDITOR

32 students’ pets

DESIGN EDITOR

Cover photos by Annika Lehan & Victoria Wright

This newspaper is very important to us, but thankfully we’re leaving it in good hands.

The next generation of staff members are such smart and interesting people, and the leaders have already proven themselves to be capable and passionate. C-101 will always hold a special place in our hearts because it’s where we spent three years of high school writing, laughing, designing and growing as people. There’s so much we can’t even fit into one last letter, so hopefully one last thank you will do it justice. Thank you to Habs, our staff, our teachers and all our readers for an amazing three years. It’s been a wild ride.

SINCERELY,

Alison Booth

Anika Roy

PHOTO EDITORS Hunter Ristau Marah Shulda

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JAGWIRE OFFICE 5900 Monticello Road Shawnee, KS 66226 Phone: (913) 422-4351 Fax: (913) 422-4039 Email: jagwirenewspaper@gmail.com Adviser: Kathy Habiger khabiger@usd232.org JagWire, a monthly publication of Mill Valley High School, is printed by the Sedalia Democrat.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association The 2017 JagWire has been named a Pacemaker winner, its third consecutive honor.

It was also inducted into the NSPA Hall of Fame and earned an All-Kansas rating from the KSPA. The 2017 Mill Valley News website was also named a two-time Pacemaker winner by the NSPA and received an All-Kansas rating.

SOCIAL MEDIA CENSORSHIP POLICY

Nora Lucas

Victoria Wright

BUSINESS MANAGER Hunter Ristau

MILL VALLEY NEWS EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Jakob Twigg

FEATURES EDITOR

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Annie Myers

A&E EDITOR Abby Layton

OPINIONS EDITOR Ally Nguyen

SPORTS EDITOR

Kansas Senate Bill 62 guarantees the same rights for student journalists as are guaranteed for professional journalists. These rights include, but are not limited to, all First Amendment rights, including the rights of freedom of speech and the press, insofar as published items may not contain libelous, slanderous or obscene statements, may not incite or promote illegal conduct and may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity.

EDITORIAL POLICY

Tricia Drumm Morgan Gurwell Ally Nguyen

NEWS EDITOR

Katya Gillig

STAFF

Twitter: @millvalleynews Facebook: Mill Valley News

JAGWIRE 2017-18 staff

Annie Myers

29 things to remember 30 dorms

Design by Victoria Wright

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

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NEWS

JagWire

Lexi Flipse

REPORTERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Drake Brizendine Elizabeth Joseph Carter Lawson Jordan Robinson Michael Sandri Andrew Tow

We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or a letter to the editor for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or to the print journalism room (C101). Additionally, you may email any member of the staff with opinions, as well as tweet us at @millvalleynews.

Anonymous content will not be accepted.

Please understand that we have the right to edit all copy that runs in this publication.

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NEWS

Design by Marah Shulda

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

Design by Annie Myers & Ally Nguyen

EXPANDINGALANGUAGE

NEWS

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Students are faced with no other class options at the school after the completion of Spanish V

ELIZABETH JOSEPH

reporter/photographer jagwire.elizabethjoseph@gmail.com

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group of juniors who have already completed all of the Spanish courses offered at the school have been left without options for pursuing the language their senior year. While students have the option to enroll in Spanish I in eighth grade and complete Spanish V in high school, some students have progressed further due to being a native speaker or advancing in coursework.

For example, junior Lauren Rothgeb was able to test out of Spanish II and accelerate into Spanish III her freshman year, leaving her without options for her senior year.

“You have to use [languages] if you want to retain them and you have to keep studying,” Rothgeb said. “It’s hard to do that on your own.”

Unlike Rothgeb, junior Madelyn Lehn took Spanish III as a freshman

THENEXTSTEP

after she earned the first two credits through the Shawnee Mission school district. The lack of further options that are available to pursue language in USD232, however, is disappointing, according to Lehn.

“We’re at this spot where if you don’t take Spanish next year, you’re going to lose a lot of skills,” Lehn said. “It’s just really frustrating knowing that if we were going into college and trying to take Spanish, we’d be having to relearn things we had already learned.”

For Foreign Language teacher Edith Paredes, offering a Spanish VI class is desirable but implausible.

“It’s been on my bucket list because I do have the material to teach it,” Paredes said. “But there’s a process I need to follow to request that course to be offered. It’s such a select group of kids that it might be difficult to offer VI as a class because it’s so small.”

Rothgeb and Lehn have both looked into different options for continuing to study Spanish. Rothgeb, for

example, has researched online college classes or QuickStep, the classes offered by JCCC for credit. Neither were compatible with scheduling.

However, some students have created different opportunities to maintain their knowledge of the language.

Senior Daniel Nicot learned both Spanish and French from his fluent parents, which allowed him to transfer into French III and Spanish III as a freshman. This left him without either language class as a senior.

“I kind of had to decide, ‘how am I going to keep this up?’” Nicot said. “So I decided I was going to do Spanish NHS and French NHS. I created the French club for those who couldn’t join the honor society.”

However, there is no consensus as to what students beyond the pathway should do.

“It’s still all up in the air,” Lehn said.

“Spanish VI was like this awesome idea in theory … and that wasn’t plausible. It’s just up to us.”

"They can wait to see if something becomes available in class where they can shorten their schedule."

was nominated for Tier I of both Outstanding Scenic Design and Construction, as well as Outstanding Costume Design and Construction. The show is also eligible to win Outstanding Overall Production, and Hurley is a contender for the Rising Star scholarship, awarded to seniors who have made significant contributions to their theatre departments.

Upon receiving the news that the show had been nominated for such accolades, senior student director Durga Jambunathan was “ecstatic.”

“We like to call ‘She Loves Me’ the gift that keeps on giving,” Jambunathan said. “At the end of it, we were all overcome by just putting on a show … we were so overflowed with pride.

When we found out about the nominations, it was all of that again, but amplified and validated.”

Although Johnson wasn’t initially

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"The only option we have is to look out of state, because all of our local options are exhausted."

WAIT UNTIL SECOND SEMESTER

Cast of “She Loves Me” receives eight Blue Star Award nominations for first time

STARRING:SHE LOVES ME reporter/photographer jagwire.elizabethjoseph@gmail.com

ONLINE SCHOOLING

"They can either take another class that they would like to here, or a college level class from a community college."

Singing "No More Candy," senior Lauryn Hurley plays the part of Amalia Balash, alongside sophomore Annie Bogart during the dress rehersal on Thursday, Jan. 25. Hurley was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role and will perform at the Blue Star Awards on Thursday, May 17. She is also a contender for the Rising Star scholarship. // Annie Myers

ELIZABETH JOSEPH

According to counselor Chris Wallace, these are the options for students who have completed all the offered language classes

USE AS AN ELECTIVE BLOCK

Dancing with senior Tyler Orbin, senior McKenna Harvey, nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role, plays Ilona Ritter on Thursday, Jan. 25. // Victoria Wright

ABOVE: Reading out of her textbook, junior Zurieli Rojas studies during her Spanish V class on Wednesday, May 2. // Jordan Robinson LEFT: Looking over the shoulder of junior Madelyn Lehn, Foreign Language teacher Edith Paredes speaks to the class on Wednesday, May 2. // Jordan Robinson

he senior-led and thespian-exclusive show, "She Loves Me," that ran from Thursday, Feb. 1 to Saturday Feb. 3, was recently nominated for eight Blue Star Awards.

Individual students nominated include senior Lauryn Hurley for Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role, senior McKenna Harvey for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role, senior Parker Johnson for Outstanding Male Ensemble Member and senior Chris Greenfield for Technical Direction.

Furthermore, the show as a whole

ROUNDTWO

satisfied with receiving an ensemble role, he was ultimately proud of both his nomination and the results of the production.

“It was pretty cool to be nominated for something I felt like I put my heart into,” Johnson said. “For a long time, I felt like nobody saw it because it’s a very small role. If you didn’t pay attention, you’d miss it. So it was nice to realize that people paid attention.”

As an ending to her high school theatre career, Hurley feels satisfied with the legacy "She Loves Me" is leaving behind.

“It’s really sad that I’m leaving, but if I had to leave on any note, this is the best possible thing to close out my high school musical career with,” Hurley said. “It’s the culmination of all the work we’ve done together as a group.

It feels like a very nice conclusion; it wraps it up with a bow."

Nominations will be performed at the Blue Star Awards at Starlight Theatre on Thursday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are free to public.

“VANILLA ICE CREAM”

OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION seniors Tyler Orbin, McKenna Harvey and Graham Wilhauk and juniors Noah Smith and Nathan Sheehan

“GOOD MORNING, GOOD DAY”

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A LEAD ROLE senior Lauryn Hurley

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ADS

Design by Hunter Ristau

Mill Valley High School

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FEATURES

How far we’ll go

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Mill Valley High School

Design by Alison Booth

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This year’s senior class will travel to 22 states for college. See their majors and destinations*

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*Only students who completed a survey are included on this list

ARIZONA

Arizona Culinary Institute Taylor Davidson: Baking & Pastry Nicholas Brown: Culinary Arts Arizona State University Dante Peterson: Business Management

ARKANSAS John Brown University Sam Phipps: Psychology University of Arkansas Anna Kerstetter: Marketing Management

CALIFORNIA San Diego State University Tyler Orbin: Television, Film & New Media University of California - Riverside Gabe Santilli: Snowpark Technology

COLORADO

Colorado Christian University Grace Abram: Theology & Psychology Colorado School of Mines Allie Harvey: Applied Math, Statistics & Economics

Colorado State University Mary Kate Stoneburner: Psychology University of Colorado - Boulder Cori Carver: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

FLORIDA

Eckerd College Trinity Wilson: Marine Biology

GEORGIA

Emory University Brady Watkins: Business Management

ILLINOIS

Loyola University - Chicago Cooper Kaifes: Marketing & Business Jordan Robinson: Political Science

INDIANA

Butler University Ozan King: Finance Purdue University Desola Omoniyi: Mechanical Engineering Valparaiso University Peyton Moeder: Business

IOWA

Drake University Allison Winker: Biochemistry Iowa State University Tori Benson: Chemical Engineering Bailey Heffernon: History

KANSAS Allen County Community College Mitchell Dervin: Finance & Political Science Baker University Brody Flaming: Business Management Mitchell Grissom: Construction Management Benedictine College Dani Crispin: Theology, Catechesis & Evangelization Gracie Eckardt: Nursing Cowley County Community College Spencer Rahn: Agricultural Business Emporia State University Lexi Flipse: Political Science Natalie Kalma: English & Secondary Education

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Ben Weigel: Construction Science & Management Lauren Ocker: Political Science Matt Wilson: Construction Science & Simon Stewart: Statistics Management Allysa Talavera: Undecided Kansas City Kansas Community College Garden City Community College Ricardo Ramirez: Automotive Andrew Sumner: Criminal Justice Malik Redmond: Undecided Johnson County Community College Kansas State University Tyesha Allen: Undecided Cole Abram: Finance Julissa Barron: Health Science Emma Barge: Elementary Education Victoria Beashore: Undecided Jarrett Bendure: Criminology Kaylee Berrios: Criminology Emmy Bidnick: Business Atley Bowles: Undecided Artur Chlopecki: Managing Holly Burmaster: Cyber Security Information Systems Destiny Cain: Nursing Tom Colling: Biomedical Engineering Robert Clark: Nursing Kendall Gaignat: Journalism & Mass Mason Cole: Computer Science Communications Camryn Coleman: Undecided Caroline Gambill: Biology & Dawson Davis: Construction Secondary Education Management Elan Gonzalez: Marketing Madison Duby: Undecided Zoltan Gothard: Mechanical Kyle Franklin: Electrical Engineering Engineering Paul Giefer: Business Luke Guilford: Mechanical Shane Gray: Drafting Engineering Makenzie Jenkins: Undecided Colton Hinkle: Construction Jared Jensen: Marketing Management Kayla Johnson: Undecided Kyle Hirner: Engineering Parker Johnson: Undecided Durga Jambunathan: Psychology Taylor Kelford: Criminology Zac Janssen: Professional Pilot Hayden Keopke: HVAC Andrew Kofoid: Architecture Hannah King: Biology Nolan LaBarge: Business Management Zachary King: Undecided Mason Little: Agricultural Business Gavin Kirkpatrick: Electrical Jonas McLeod: Agricultural Business Technology Maggie Miller: Mechanical Bella Knight: Fashion Merchandising Engineering Josh Leffert: Liberal Arts Whitney Moylan: Animal Science Clayton Matushek: Video Game Madeline Myrick: Biology Development Britton Nelson: Dietetics Madison McManness: Nursing Mikala Postlewait: Agronomy Devin Mendenhall: Computer Sydney Ralston: Graphic Design & Science Visual Media Samantha Mills: Undecided Evan Rice: Marketing Jayden Moore: Animation & Game Andres Rico: Psychology Design Brynn Rittenhouse: Computer Science Myles Mustapich: Kinesiology Cody Robertson: Biomedical Jordan Ngo: Architecture & Engineering Engineering Zach Snider: Business Taylor Nguyen: Undecided Delaney Spoonemore: Animal Science Gavin Overbeck: Education Emma Tibbetts: Finance Max Pinney: Accounting Hunter Tener: Business Ryan Praiswater: Civil Engineering Bailey Wagoner: Elementary Chandler Randolph: Psychology Education Logan Rissler: Undecided Gage Weber: Mechanical Engineering Alex Ritenour: CAD Tori Wesp: Bakery Science Natasha Roh: Musical Theater Max Whisler: Construction Science Ashlyn Rowland: Radiology Olivia Widmer: Animal Science Michaela Russell: Social Work Kenedee Yosick: Animal Science Matt Rutledge: Fire Science MidAmerica Nazarene University Travis Scheffler: Psychology Clark Harris: Business & Elaina Smith: Criminal Justice Communications Sam Stevens: Graphic Design Will Morris: Physical Education Khaelan Tapp: Criminal Justice North Central Kansas Technical College Jimmy Tharp: Marketing Blake Eaton: Diesel Technology Nina Tran: Graphic Design Gabe Hapke: Diesel Technology Briana Velez: General Studies Jake Klepac: Diesel Technology Emily Wagner: Music Education

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School Jessie Haase: Cosmetology Maggie Lane: Cosmetology Pittsburg State University Zach Alt: Digital Media Claire Boone: Elementary Education Nate Cowen: Automotive Technology Lucy Holland: Biology Nicole Krieg: Ecology Taylar Powers: Elementary Education Riley Spring: Nursing Victoria Wright: Communications Ottawa University Ava Taton: Marketing The Bridge Abby DeBrabander Israel Frempong Estefania Mayorga Jacob Tomandl University of Kansas Trent Anderson: Undecided Kyle Bonnstetter: Finance Drake Brizendine: Biology Kaitlyn Buisch: Athletic Training Trey Callahan: Finance Ayden Carrell: Nursing Wendy Chen: Chemistry Camden Commerford: Physical Therapy Natalie Cooper: Business Administration Brooke Davis: Neurology Nick Deverill: Business Jackson Drees: Business Tricia Drumm: Journalism & Mass Communications Jason Easley: Performing Arts Ashley Ebner: Dance & Education Cade Franken: Political Science Kristen Garrett: Pharmacy Chris Greenfield: Electrical Engineering Jarod Griggs: Aerospace Engineering Andrea Gillespie: Architecture Vanessa Harlow: Nursing Izzy Hellon: Nursing Amanda Hertel: Chemical Engineering Adde Hinkle: Pharmacy Emily Jackson: Nursing Ethan Jacobs: Aerospace Engineering Isaac Knapp: Engineering Cameron Kremer: Spanish Mitchell Koca: Accounting Allison Lust: Elementary Education Christine Lust: Mechanical Engineering Taylor Martin: Elementary Education Mia McDonald: Business Management & Sports Marketing Amanda McGarry: Pre-law Katie McNaughton: Chemical Engineering Lindsey Mizner: Liberal Arts Will Munsterman: Accounting Carlos Nino: Chemical Engineering

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FEATURES

Mill Valley High School

Alyssa Noel: Education Marissa Olin: Visual Arts Education Erin Olson: Sports Management Sydney Parker: Nursing Nathan Pettigrew: Fire Science Sammy Rebeck: Business Analytics Sophia Reyes: Nursing Jack Roush: Undecided Michael Sandri: Political Science Nicolas Schappaugh: Engineering Chris Sherald: Physics Hailey Stelle: Marketing Brent Stevenson: Finance Hope Sulzman: Spanish Education Abby Sutton: Accounting Bradley Teasley: Accounting Brian Trevizo: Behavioral Neuroscience Michael Turner: Chemical Engineering Sabrina Uriarte: Biology Madison VanBuhler: Nursing Dylan Van Dyke: Accounting Blake Walker: Civil Engineering Katie White: Education Graham Wilhauk: English & Theater Heather Winne: Nursing Julia Zinser: Graphic Design University of Saint Mary Brayden Carr: Sports Management Washburn University: Jake Broadbent: Criminal Justice Tyler Coad: Kinesiology Emily Munyer: Biology Ike Valencia: Criminal Justice Wichita State University Greta Gustafson: Music Education & Vocal Performance Kate Miller: Physical Therapy Justin Schierbaum: Undecided Z Hair Academy Rachel Lickel: Cosmetology

LOUISIANA

University of Louisiana - Lafayette Jazlynn Schwegman: Environmental Biology

MASSACHUSETTS

Rockhurst University Sofia Torres-Aranda: Spanish, French & Global Studies Saint Louis University Evan Zars: Health Science University of Central Missouri Payge Bush: Nursing Bella Hadden: Dietetics Haley Harvey: Fashion Textiles Michaela Precht: Radiology Rebecca Schwartz: Communications & International Relations University of Missouri Annie Casburn: Clinical & Diagnostic Sciences University of Missouri Kansas City Kiley Beran: Marketing Whitney Burke: Psychology Daniel Nicot: Finance Harjot Singh: Computer Science John States: Business

NEBRASKA

University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lilly Blecha: Nursing Morgan Gurwell: Biological Sciences Alexa Horton: Business Carter Lawson: International Business Nora Lucas: Climate Science University of Nebraska - Omaha Samantha Noel: Nursing

NEW YORK

Fashion Institute of Technology Simon Vongxay: Fashion Photography New York University Lauryn Hurley: Musical Theater

OHIO

Miami University Justin Grega: Diplomacy & Global Politics University of Cincinnati Madeline Montgomery: Ballet & Physical Therapy

OKLAHOMA Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Conner Ward: Business Oklahoma Baptist University Miranda Toland: Nursing

Lesley University Erich Schulz: Psychology Northeastern University Alison Booth: Journalism & Interaction Design

OREGON

MISSOURI

Oregon State University Emma Maddox: Biochemistry

Lindenwood University Cameron Loew: Biology Missouri State University Preston Cole: Construction Management Julia Feuerborn: Creative Writing McKenna Harvey: Musical Theater Shayne Howell: Sports Management Aly Tennis: Criminal Justice & Psychology

PENNSYLVANIA

University of Pennsylvania Landon Butler: Systems Engineering & Mathematics

SOUTH DAKOTA

University of South Dakota Dakota Wilson: Special Education &

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WISCONSIN

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Haley Minor: Nursing

MILITARY

Dylan Beyer Joey Ezzell Brennan Schulte Julian Velez

OVERSEAS

Elena Ortega: Spain

UNDECIDED Zach Barcus: Construction Management Jack Correll: Marketing

GAP YEAR

Rachel Severn

WORKFORCE

Ryan Ballard Caleb Brisco Andrew Cline Jameson Isaacsen Maci Montee Ariel Kishpaugh Hayden Shaw

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Design by Victoria Wright

Mill Valley High School

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Illustrations by Nora Lucas

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Have you ever

did not went part time

CLASS OF 2018

What is your political affiliation?

Survey of 239 seniors about their high school experiences and general opinions

Do you know the words to the fight song?

Have you ever said “good morning� to Mr. Waldeck?

at Krispy Kreme?

When do you shower?

What was your favorite book you were required to read for school?

percent yes

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What was your favorite Do you know the words to the alma mater? percent yes

What is your favorite item at

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Have you ever received a parking ticket?

3.

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FEATURES

Mill Valley High School

Design by Anika Roy

JagWire

THE SENIORS SQUARED

Two seniors have family dynamics changed by bringing in their grandmothers to live in their homes Since senior Kendall Gaignat’s grandmother Ova Gaignat moved in with her family in 2012, their relationship has strengthened.

“Originally, I wasn’t that close with her because I just saw her on holidays," Kendall said.

"But, it brought us a lot closer together because now I see her every day and I help take care of her." // Andrew Tow

ELIZABETH JOSEPH

reporter/photographer jagwire.elizabethjoseph@gmail.com

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itting down for dinner, senior Kendall Gaignat shares highlights of her day with her family, including her grandmother, Ova Gaignat — a nightly occurrence.

Due to a multitude of factors, students and their families have taken in grandparents to care for them. While Ova came to live with her in 2012 after health issues arose, senior Allie Harvey’s grandmother Dilsa Gonzalez moved in with her due to living conditions in her native country, Panama.

Although the experience has been difficult, Harvey has grown from the experience of caring for Gonzalez.

“When she first came, it was just kind of weird because we never had a relationship,” Harvey said. “But, as time goes on I’ve become a lot more catering to her. I’ll try to help her as much as I can.”

Because Gonzalez and Harvey speak different languages, as well as other factors, Harvey has found maintaining a positive relationship with her grandmother difficult. However, caring for Gonzalez has also made Harvey grow more empathetic in her interactions with others.

“It’s just really helped me realize a

lot of people don’t always look as bad as they might be feeling,” Harvey said.

“But, it’s still our job to make them feel as at home as we can.”

While Harvey has seen “a strain” in

DAY IN THE LIFE A look at how Dilsa Gonzalez spends most of her days

Morning

Afternoon

Night

Makes coffee, eats breakfast and spends time outside, walking around neighbrhood Eats lunch made by Harvey's mom, sits down to knit and watches "The Price is Right" Eats dinner early with the Harveys at 5 p.m. and gets into bed by 7 p.m.

family dynamics, Kendall has seen the relationships between family members grow stronger after Ova moved in with the Gaignats.

“We’ve definitely come closer together as a family in order to take care of her,” Kendall said. “While she was here, she fell and broke her hip and her elbow, so we had to … strengthen our family bond for her to get better and be there for her.”

Like Harvey and Gonzalez, the bond between Ova and her family has changed as a result of her moving in.

However, before coming to stay with the Gaignats, the initial move presented some worries for Ova. “I was afraid they’d get tired of me, so I tried to be good,” Ova said. “But they’ve been good to me, awfully good to me. I’m not sorry I moved in with them. And they let me bring my furniture with me, and we’ve been getting along real good."

While Kendall has noticed a positive impact on her and her siblings, she has also noticed a positive impact on Ova. “Compared to the other options that we had, I definitely think she is really happy here,” Kendall said. “I think she has a good life here, even though she doesn’t do much here. She’s really fun to be around, so I hope that she can say the same for us.”

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

Design by Morgan Gurwell

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Five Years Going Strong

This June, senior Preston Cole will marry his fiancee before heading off to college in the fall

TRICIA DRUMM

Mill Valley News editor-in-chief jagwire.triciadrumm@gmail.com

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ummer is an extra special time of year. School’s out and the sun’s shining, and senior Preston Cole and Truman High School senior Jessica Curtis have a big summer ahead of them. After five years of dating and eight months of engagement, they’re getting married.

Preston and Curtis met in their seventh-grade math class at their middle school in Independence, Missouri, where they sat by each other. He would help her with her homework, and that’s how their relationship started.

“Towards the end of my junior year while looking at colleges, I realized that I didn’t want to lose Jess,” Preston said. “After thinking about it further, I had decided that summer that I was going to propose.”

In August, Preston proposed by handing off Curtis’ sister’s bouquet to Curtis herself. Since then, they’ve bought a house outside Missouri State University, which is where they plan to attend college. For Curtis, the current distance between them is a challenge. “[Planning our wedding has] been kind of crazy, especially since I can’t be with him every day to ask him what he wants to do,” Curtis said via phone.

“I can call him or text him, but it’s really not the same as talking about in person. [With a hectic senior year] it’s just hard to focus on planning, but our moms have been amazing in helping

us, so they’ve definitely kept us on track.”

Tammy Cole, Preston’s mother, tried to encourage them to wait until after college, but after seeing them grow, Tammy changed her mind.

“Each and every time we talked to the kids about that and explain that to them, Preston comes back and says they’re very strong,” Tammy said via phone. “I have no doubt whenever I look at the two of them that they will lean on each other and use each other for strength, and we know they’ll be happy with each other.”

The general idea of marriage right after high school sparks differing viewpoints. Preston feels the act is a big deal, commenting on maturity relating to the few marriages right out of high school. Meanwhile, Curtis doesn’t see a problem.

“I think it’s all about when you’re ready and when you both think you should make the next step,” Curtis said. “You really need to be at a point in your life where you know you can support each other, you know you can be there for a person emotionally and physically.”

In the end, Preston believes their “love is real” and looks forward to his future with Curtis.

“Life is literally a search for love and after finding love is when it really begins,” Preston said. “It just so happens that my life will truly be starting this summer while others take years to start life. We all go at different paces, but all that matters is how we play life after we find that love.”

INSIDE THE WEDDING Wedding details regarding the ceremony and reception WEDDING DATE: June 23, 2018

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COLOR THEME:

navy and yellow DECORATIONS:

Mason jars with sunflowers and Edison light bulbs ATTIRE: sunflower gold ties

navy bridesmaids dresses After dating for five years, senior Preston Cole and Truman High School senior Jessica Curtis will get married on Saturday, June 23. “The reason I want to get married is because I can truly see Jessica in my future,” Cole said. // Submitted by Preston Cole

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MOST

Design by Tricia Drumm

LIKELY TO...

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

Seniors give themselves an award of their choice in order to complete the phrase “most likely to”

move to Florida COLE ABRAM // call everyone I meet “buddy” GRACE ABRAM // be the friendliest TYESHA ALLEN // be hardworking ZACH ALT // be called “bones” TRENT ANDERSON // be the most determined JACK BALL // snatch souls RYAN BALLARD // be retired on a beach ZACH BARCUS // buy out Seaworld just to shut it down EMMA BARGE // be a rock star JULISSA BARRON // be the shyest VICTORIA BEASHORE // look at dogs JARRETT BENDURE // hoard junk food TORI BENSON // be diabetic KILEY BERAN // be late every day KAYLEE BERRIOS // be a life-long season ticket holder to MV football games EMMY BIDNICK // win a dance battle LILLY BLECHA // become a legend KYLE BONNSTETTER // organize a school walkout CLAIRE BOONE // never make a decision about anything ALISON BOOTH // be awesome ATLEY BOWLES // arrest you CALEB BRISCO // borrow your money DRAKE BRIZENDINE // stay in Kansas JACOB BROADBENT // be buried in the journalism room KAITLYN BUISCH // thrive in the sun always WHITNEY BURKE // be a nerd until I die HOLLY BURMASTER // always be cold PAYGE BUSH // get roasted by the sun (and Sam Phipps) LANDON BUTLER // be successful DESTINY CAIN // be a chief financial officer TREY CALLAHAN // cry at graduation AYDEN CARRELL // be in a national park CORI CARVER // take an hour to eat a bowl of cereal ANNIE CASBURN // wait until the last second to do anything WENDY CHEN // be your boss ARTUR CHLOPECKI // win “Survivor” ROBERT CLARK // be electrocuted ANDREW CLINE // be mistaken for a girl TYLER COAD // be Mr. Strack’s BFF MASON COLE // become a LAX dad PRESTON COLE // not talk to anyone after high school CAMRYN COLEMAN // eat an apple in three bites TOM COLLING // never win a game in “Fortnite” CAMDEN COMMERFORD // not remember anything NATALIE COOPER // destroy a driveshaft trying to drift a car NATE COWEN // live in a traveling tiny home DANI CRISPIN // become a Cake Boss TAYLOR DAVIDSON // be jamming out in the car and not notice people staring at me in the next car BROOKE DAVIS // work for Artur Chlopecki one day DAWSON DAVIS // have lettuce at lunch ABBY DEBRABANDER // go pro for running MITCHELL DERVIN // beat Cooper Kaifes in basketball NICK DEVERILL // drop into Tilted Towers JACKSON DREES // buy a million books but forget to read them TRICIA DRUMM // travel the world MADI DUBY // be one of the greatest magicians JASON EASLEY // have the loudest truck BLAKE EATON // be a backup dancer for Beyoncé ASHLEY EBNER // accidentally injure themselves GRACIE ECKARDT // be retired at 30 JOEY EZZELL // forget how to speak English despite being an English major JULIA FEUERBORN // be an inspirational speaker BRODY FLAMING // be asked if my nails are fake (they aren’t) LEXI FLIPSE // become a lawyer CADE FRANKEN // slide by in college KYLE FRANKLIN // drink water JAYDEN FRANTZ // change the world KYLE FREEMAN // walk across the graduation stage barefoot ISRAEL FREMPONG // come back for the school football games every week KENDALL GAIGNAT // be allergic to water CAROLINE GAMBILL // own 30 plants by the time she graduates KRISTEN GARRETT // be rich PAUL GIEFER // be the Bachelorette with all-Asian contestants ANDREA GILLESPIE // become pro in “Fortnite” ELAN GONZALEZ // be the Prime Minister of Canada ZOZO GOTHARD // be a demolitions expert SHANE GRAY // be buried in lights CHRIS GREENFIELD // bring Ohio up in a conversation JUSTIN GREGA // be the most opinionated JAROD GRIGGS // make it big in the rap game MITCHELL GRISSOM // almost LUKE GUILFORD // blow through college savings on Starbucks coffee MORGAN GURWELL // be an amazing choir teacher GRETA GUSTAFSON // be a Beyoncé backup dancer JESSIE HAASE // be an Olympic speedwalker BELLA HADDEN // invent something DEVON HANDY // spend all of his money on cars GABE HAPKE // create a fan page for Jimmy Fallon VANESSA HARLOW // compete in the Olympics CLARK HARRIS // reference a Vine in conversation ALLIE HARVEY // laugh at something that isn’t funny HALEY HARVEY // play “September” by Earth Wind and Fire as her first dance at her wedding MCKENNA HARVEY // accidentally injure themselves BAILEY HEFFERNON // lose her keys IZZY HELLON // own a tree nursery while building robots, drinking Starbucks and eating sushi AMANDA HERTEL // get offended but laugh it off ADDE HINKLE //get the dub on “Fortnite” COLTON HINKLE // be on the USA bowling team KYLE HIRNER // go off the grid LUCY HOLLAND // be a reality TV star ALEXA HORTON // get the W on “Fortnite” SHAYNE HOWELL // haunt a building you can tell used to be a Kmart LAURYN HURLEY // lead a communist uprising JAMESON ISAACSEN // wear a sweatshirt every day of my life EMILY JACKSON // hit my head on things ETHAN JACOBS // think she was Native American DURGA JAMBUNATHAN // move out of the state within the next five years MAKENZIE JENKINS // have been senior class president JARED JENSEN // marry Alex Munsterman KAYLA JOHNSON // be better than everyone else PARKER JOHNSON // graduate COOPER KAIFES // be a librarian NATALIE KALMA // be a soccer mom TAYLOR KELFORD // succeed HAYDEN KEOPKE // always be laughing ANNA KERSTETTER // always be happy HANNAH KING // actually have a refrigerator that doesn’t run OZAN KING // lose their wallet ZACH KING // be a crazy cat lady ARIEL KISHPAUGH // lose a winning lottery ticket JAKE KLEPAC // not think of an award ISAAC KNAPP // have a sugar daddy BELLA KNIGHT // sleep for 24 hours MITCHELL KOCA // have

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an entire closet designated to fun socks ANDREW KOFOID // annoy Senora Paredes CAMERON KREMER // work at NASA NICKI KRIEG // own my own business NOLAN LABARGE // have five dogs MAGGIE LANE // join the CIA CARTER LAWSON // become a workaholic JOSH LEFFERT // be a rock star SAM LEWIS // come to school with her shirt on backwards RACHEL LICKEL // tell someone to see a chiropractor CAMERON LOEW // be successful ASHTON LOYA // wear a groutfit NORA LUCAS // come back to teach at Mill Valley ALLISON LUST // quietly take over the world CHRISTINE LUST // cry when my friends leave for college EMMA MADDOX // be a teacher TAYLOR MARTIN // be weird CLAYTON MATUSHEK // give everyone a hug ESTEFANIA MAYORGA // throw a party MIA MCDONALD // eat spaghetti for breakfast AMANDA MCGARRY // get distracted by something shiny JONAS MCLEOD // be late to my own wedding MADI MCMANNESS // self-inflict a concussion KATIE MCNAUGHTON // seize during the graduation ceremony DEVIN MENDENHALL // be late to graduation KATE MILLER // wear sneakers under her cap and gown MAGGIE MILLER // make it big on YouTube SAMANTHA MILLS // work at LuluLemon HALEY MINOR // be a Sports Illustrated model PEYTON MOEDER // be found on the beach MACI MONTEE // move out of the country MADELINE MONTGOMERY // narrate your life JAYDEN MOORE // work for ESPN WILL MORRIS // come home every weekend from college WHITNEY MOYLAN // be a multi-millionaire WILL MUNSTERMAN // own a ton of puppies EMILY MUNYER // be straight-forward MYLES MUSTAPICH // stay up all night binging Netflix MADELINE MYRICK // make their family run a 5K on Thanksgiving BRITTON NELSON // travel the world JORDAN NGO // give anyone a hug TAYLOR NGUYEN // become a polyglot DANIEL NICOT // be called “Sam” ALYSSA NOEL // travel the world SAM NOEL // be mistaken for Mariah Carey LAUREN OCKER // not hear you but respond anyway MARISSA OLIN // win the lottery but lose the ticket ERIN OLSON // be indecisive with simple decisions DESOLA OMONIYI // never see the color purple ever because he is too gosh darn color blind TYLER ORBIN // travel around the world ELENA ORTEGA CAMAZON // ask for extra credit in college GAVIN OVERBECK // play “Kahoot” professionally SYDNEY PARKER // be successful DANTE PETERSON // join a heavy metal band SAM PHIPPS // own seven Teslas MAX PINNEY // fall walking up the stairs MIKALA POSTLEWAIT // go to the Olympics for speedwalking TAYLAR POWERS // meet Beyoncé MICHAELA PRECHT // drive the coolest truck SPENCER RAHN // live in a tiny home SYDNEY RALSTON // be an automotive mechanic RICARDO RAMIREZ // die skydiving SAMMY REBECK // be the best trash-talker MALIK REDMOND // travel the world SOPHIA REYES // be a theoretical nuclear physicist EVAN RICE // make a self-depricating joke ANDRES RICO // have the most pairs of shoes LOGAN RISSLER // be the most fun in the school ALEX RITENOUR // have 100 cats BRYNN RITTENHOUSE // have peaked in the fifth grade musical CODY ROBERTSON // OD on coffee JORDAN ROBINSON // be obnoxious NATASHA ROH // have lots of dogs ASHLYN ROWLAND // cry on graduation KAYLA RUSSELL // start a contracting business and be a millionaire MATT RUTLEDGE // be best friends with Alison Booth MICHAEL SANDRI // disappear in the middle of the night GABE SANTILLI // achieve the bare minimum TRAVIS SCHEFFLER // not get an award JUSTIN SCHIERBAUM //survive in the wilderness longer than Bear Grylls BRENNAN SCHULTE // daydream in class ERICH SCHULZ // have my life together REBECCA SCHWARTZ // die falling out of bed JAZLYNN SCHWEGMAN // be annoyingly sarcastic at all times RACHEL SEVERN // not fill out a survey CHRIS SHERALD // be a millionaire HARJOT SINGH // have a Vine reference for everything ELAINA SMITH // disappear ZACH SNIDER // use a spoon for everything DELANEY SPOONEMORE // most likely to own more than 10 dogs RILEY SPRING // own a business JOHN STATES // move somewhere with mountains or a beach HAILEY STELLE // be a graphic designer for EA sports SAM STEVENS // sleep through anything BRENT STEVENSON // travel the world but not enjoy it JOSHUA STEWART // be mistaken for a sasquatch SIMON STEWART // save the bees MARY KATE STONEBURNER // become a high school teacher HOPE SULZMAN // get out of Kansas ANDREW SUMNER // be a Minion at Universal Studios ABBY SUTTON // wear winged eyeliner every day of her life ALLYSA TALAVERA // become a police officer KHAELEN TAPP // continue playing volleyball even after I’m 40 AVA TATON // sleep through graduation BRADLEY TEASLEY // be a professional gamer HUNTER TENER // open up a non-profit animal shelter ALY TENNIS // burn the house down while making a frozen pizza JIMMY THARP // make the Forbes list EMMA TIBBETTS // wear Crocs to their own wedding MIRANDA TOLAND // scare Mrs. Habiger in the hallway JACOB TOMANDL // become Jane the Virgin SOFIA TORRES-ARANDA // fall face-first getting my high school diploma NINA TRAN // be a monk in the mountains BRIAN TREVIZO // make it to med school and not graduate MIKE TURNER // be a backup dancer for Jennifer Lopez SABRINA URIARTE // be a cop IKE VALENCIA // drink chocolate milk DYLAN VAN DYKE // sleep through a tornado MADDIE VANBUHLER // blush over everything BRIANA VELEZ // start a pawn shop JULIAN VELEZ // make it to Coachella SIMON VONGXAY // be prom queen EMILY WAGNER // wear a lifeguard suit under every outfit BAILEY WAGONER // work at Price Chopper for the rest of my life BLAKE WALKER // have a Taylor Swift song as their first dance at their wedding CONNER WARD // own a business BRADY WATKINS // have more dogs than friends TORI WESP // chug a six-pack of Mountain Dew MAX WHISLER // laugh at inappropriate times KATIE WHITE // be obsessed with dogs all my life OLIVIA WIDMER // become an overly-pretentious author GRAHAM WILHAUK // be a frat star ALAN WILLIAMS // be a Deb Steiner superfan DAKOTA WILSON // own a doughnut shop MATT WILSON // read a book over studying TRINITY WILSON // study for the MCAT by watching “Grey’s Anatomy” ALLISON WINKER // become a nurse HEATHER WINNE // ride a bald eagle into the sunset VICTORIA WRIGHT // have 12 dogs KENEDEE YOSICK // know almost all the Vine quotes JULIA ZINSER

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Design by Annie Myers & Victoria Wright

“I actually have almost done that before. I’m kind of an airhead, so I would expect it a little bit.”

Mill Valley High School

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“Though I like washing my own car, if I was to go through a car wash I might leave them down on a nice day.”

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Mill Valley High School

“I won ‘most school spirit’ in my eighth grade yearbook so I guess nothing’s really changed.”

ALISON BOOTH

editor-in-chief jagwire.alisonbooth@gmail.com

“I think it suits me well. I like playing sports and it’s something I’m kind of good at.”

“I’m not much of a MVP; I’m more of a team player. I’m just honored to win the award.”

Photos by Carter Lawson, Nora Lucas & Marah Shulda

“I would ask Ms. Steiner to get me a copy [of the fight song] or just try and get the whole band there.”

ANIKA ROY

copy editor jagwire.anikaroy@gmail.com

“I like dancing because I think it’s the coolest thing that everyone gets to do.”

FEATURES

Senior class votes on which students are most likely to fit a superlative

“I just make things up as I go along.

I guess my performance at prom shifted the odds in my favor.”

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FEATURES

Design by Annie Myers & Victoria Wright

“My handwriting honestly depends on my mood. When I’m in a good mood, my handwriting is better.”

“This superlative probably would’ve been the one I would’ve chosen for myself.”

Mill Valley High School

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“It took day in and day out of grinding, of just practicing non-stop handwriting.”

“I like just experiencing different cultures and seeing how other people live in their own cities.”

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Photos by Alison Booth, Nora Lucas & Marah Shulda

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“I feel we don’t actually deserve this award because we dated in fifth grade and it was pretty serious.”

“Our tattoo is something that all the males in our family get; it’s kind of just like a brother bond.”

SENIOR ALISON BOOTH

SENIOR PRESTON COLE

“I was voted [in a Twitter poll] to be out of Alison’s league so I think that says it all.”

“I felt pretty proud to do this with my twin and show that we actually bonded [through] getting tattoos.”

SENIOR TYLER ORBIN

SENIOR MASON COLE

“I try to radiate happiness and I’m happy other people can see that. I have a lot of reasons to be happy.”

“I’m very happy that people see me in that way. I think it suits me because I try to be nice.”

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OPINIONS

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SENIOR COLUMNS IT’S DEAD; DON’T WATER IT KEEP AN 47 DESIGNS 44PHOTOS 8 STORIES 3 YEARS ON STAFF

CLAIRE BOONE

managing editor jagwire.claireboone@gmail.com

V

olleyball was a sport that I loved deeply for eight years.

However, once I reached the high school level, I had experiences that made it a really toxic place for me to be. I wasn’t bold enough to quit the sport that I loved until my junior year,

when I found myself in a serious conversation. A friend told me something that I’ll never forget: “Watering a dead plant won’t bring it back to life.” Within a week, I quit the sport that caused me so much pain; it’s something that I encourage others to do.

If you find yourself in a toxic activity, relationship or situation, you need to be bold enough to quit. Being a quitter isn’t something that I take lightly, but if it means that you will get the opportunity to grow into a better version of yourself, you have to do it.

Quitting volleyball opened so many doors for me, specifically in journalism. Though I may not be the best journalist, I’ve found a family here. If I had stayed with volleyball I wouldn’t get to spend hours in a hot, loud room after school, making memories with some of the best people in the student body. I want to encourage everyone to find their place, to find their “journalism;” it will honestly change your life.

TAKE ALL YOUR CHANCES 36 DESIGNS 5 PHOTOS 32 STORIES 3 YEARS ON STAFF

TRICIA DRUMM

Mill Valley News editor-in-chief jagwire.triciadrumm@gmail.com

A

list of things I wish I would’ve done in high school: joined the debate team, become a thespian, talked to more people, bought more cookies on Thursdays, taken more photos (for both journalism and in general) and written more important stories. That’s just at school.

Throughout my time here, there were so many opportunities that might have helped me grow. But, what did I do? I pushed them aside, deemed them “too hard,” “too scary” or, the biggest excuse, “not worth my time.”

That, my friends, was a mistake.

There is nothing that isn’t going to be worth your time. If you already know what you’re doing, you’re practicing; if you don’t, then you’re obviously learning something new.

Sometimes it’s not about gaining knowledge, but rather gaining experience. There’s the emotional experience of shaking from laughter at a joke that went on a little too long and then there are just experiences in general, fun memories to think about when your mind wanders.

In the grand scheme of things, you get out what you put in, which I realized a little too late. This is my final hurrah, and I want to make sure you take the chances I never had the courage to take.

OPEN MIND 103 DESIGNS 143 PHOTOS 14 STORIES 3 YEARS

JagWire

editor-in-chief jagwire.victoriawright@gmail.com

M

y past opinions were often a reflection of a conservative viewpoint. While I never pictured myself being outspoken on these topics, I owe it all to newspaper.

When I first joined staff my sophomore year, I really didn’t know what to expect. Right away, I ran into many conflicting viewpoints, almost all of which were the opposite of my own.

As a conservative in a dominantly liberal setting, I learned that if I wanted differing views represented in our paper, I would have to be the one to write them.

I’ve had to write against fellow staff members and had “f*** you” written on my car due to my Trump sticker, but what I try to remember is that there are over 1300 people in Mill Valley. That means there are over 1300 opinions, over 1300 likes and 1300 dislikes.

Simply put, we are all different.

While we may not always agree with each other, we need to be able to respect the opinions of others. Trashing people who don’t have the same views as you is immature and unnecessary.

Someone challenging your beliefs should should make you become stronger in them, I know it caused me to become more knowledgeable about what I believe.

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Senior JagWire staff members reflect on their time at Mill Valley

CHERISH YOUR TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL 0 DESIGNS 17 PHOTOS 2 STORIES 1 YEAR ON STAFF

ON STAFF

VICTORIA WRIGHT

OPINIONS

Mill Valley High School

DRAKE BRIZENDINE

reporter/photographer jagwire.drakebrizendine@gmail.com

B

eing a part of sports all my life, I’d always looked forward to playing in the spotlight of a high school setting. I participated in high school sports with the knowledge in mind that I wouldn’t have the chance to play in college.

Although I am in my last year of playing a sport, it still feels as if I just walked out on the soccer field in cleats for the first time or heard my name

called in a tennis challenge match at the beginning of freshman year. You should cherish the time being a part of high school sports because in reality, most student athletes will not compete collegiately.

My family and peers are my biggest supporters; these are some of the people who work day-in and day-out, taking me to and from sports practices growing up and I could never thank my mentors enough. High school has been the highlight of my life so far because sports were my shining moments.

THANK YOU BAND FOR THE MEMORIES 0 DESIGNS 19 PHOTOS 3 STORIES 1 YEAR ON STAFF

JORDAN ROBINSON

reporter/photographer jagwire.jordanrobinson@gmail.com

H

ave you ever heard a certain song come on and immediately relive a specific moment from your past? For me, all it takes is hearing the first beat of “Avengers,” and I am standing five feet above the football field with the sun shining in my eyes, facing my classmates.

Looking back on my time here, I can remember 3 a.m. study sessions, grueling swim practices, lunches

spent laughing, and a thousand other memories. Of them all, my time spent playing in the band stands out as the most impactful. My experience in band was characterized by the simple enjoyment I got from being a part of a group that is unironically enthusiastic about what it does.

So thank you Wagdog, for teaching me how to lead better; thank you Steiner (despite the roastings) for working to make us the best musicians we can be; thank you drum majors for becoming two unforseen best friends; and thank you, band, for all the memories.

FIND MOTIVATION THROUGH MEALS 0 DESIGNS 0 PHOTOS 32 STORIES 2 YEARS ON STAFF

MICHAEL SANDRI

reporter/photographer jagwire.michaelsandri@gmail.com

W

hen family and friends are preoccupied, I know I can always depend on Wendy’s.

The company gives me the strength to persevere through the unrelenting trauma that a white male in Johnson County faces. It graces me with a burger, chicken nuggets, fries and a drink for a mere $4.

Open from 6:30 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

on weekends, Wendy’s Four for Four is always there to heal my wounded spirit during the worst of times.

The Four for Four is there for me when I remember that my dad loves the dog more than me, it’s there when I cry during ASPCA commercials and it’s there when I am hungry.

You can always eat away your problems until your metabolism slows down, and that’s how I made it through my senior year. When I felt like I was in a situation out of my control, I remembered that I can always choose what I want to eat.

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OPINIONS

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Mill Valley High School

JagWire

SENIOR COLUMNS

THE BEST THINGS ARE UNEXPECTED 42 DESIGNS 22 PHOTOS 44 STORIES 3 YEARS ON STAFF

NORA LUCAS

with the expectation of being the best year ever. Sorry to say, things like the Blue Bomb and prom didn’t end up being the best days of my existence. But senior year was a good time for other reasons, and maybe that’s the point.

It feels like the Talking Heads song where I ask myself “How did I get here?”

editor-in-chief jagwire.noralucas@gmail.com

S

enior year comes with a lot of expectations. For three years, you’ve been on the bottom of the totem pole, the back of the student section and facing people’s backs during assemblies. You’re finally ready to be a senior, and the year comes

It seems like the most fun parts of my senior year, as well as my high school experience as a whole, came from the most unexpected places. I rekindled an old romantic interest thanks to Mr. Shull’s alphabetical seating chart, I decided on going to

the University of Nebraska because of a booth I passed during lunch and I became the Outstanding Band Senior just by showing up.

I also joined journalism on accident. At the end of my freshman year, I was approached by Habs during 21st Century Journalism and she asked why I hadn’t submitted an application for the newspaper. I said I was too busy; she said this is the “busy club” and promised it wouldn’t be too much.

So I joined. And three years later I’m sitting here at a computer in the back row writing my last opinion as an editor-in-chief. It feels like the Talking Heads song where I ask myself “How did I get here?” I don’t know how. It kind of just happened.

During senior year, you don’t really expect anything new to happen. You think you’ve got it all figured out, but trust me, you don’t. Be open to letting the unexpected happen, because it really is good for you.

LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH SPONTANEITY 73 DESIGNS 1 PHOTO 43 STORIES 3 YEARS ON STAFF

ALISON BOOTH

freshman year, I made one of the first on-a-whim decisions of my life: I joined the school musical. I had never been in a musical before, since singing on stage was something I was completely uncomfortable with. However, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

The only way to truly live your life is to live it spontaneously.

editor-in-chief jagwire.alisonbooth@gmail.com

W

hen I was in middle school, I was the least spontaneous person ever. Everything I did had to be planned; from friend hang-outs to study time, I organized my time to the minute. When I got to high school, that changed.

After not making the dance team

After joining the theater department — which I stuck with for the next four years — I met my best friends, friends who encouraged me to embrace the spontaneity of life and to push myself to do things that made me uncomfortable. Gradually, as I became more comfortable with myself

and who I was in high school, I became more comfortable doing spontaneous things, pushing myself out of my comfort zone and into some of my favorite experiences.

Now, my friends and I are some of the most impromptu people I know.

Whether it be late-night ice cream trips, Wal-Mart excursions or group board game tournaments, almost everything we do is planned minutes before we do it. And, although it’s taken time to get used to, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The things I’ve done with my friends that have been spontaneous have turned out to be some of the best things in my life.

As I head to college next year almost 1,300 miles away from these friends, I’m taking their sense of spontaneity and pure love of life with me.

I’ve learned to stop worrying all the time and to stop planning every second of my day, for the only way to truly live your life is to live it completely and unconditionally spontaneously.

JagWire

OPINIONS

Mill Valley High School

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Senior JagWire staff members reflect on their time at Mill Valley

DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU HOLD THE DOOR OPEN 6 DESIGNS

18 PHOTOS 21 STORIES 2 YEARS

37 DESIGNS 99 PHOTOS 7 STORIES 3 YEARS ON STAFF

ON STAFF

LEXI FLIPSE

social media editor jagwire.lexiflipse@gmail.com

MORGAN GURWELL

Mill Valley News editor-in-chief jagwire.morgangurwell@gmail.com

O

ne morning before school, I walked away from the parking lot and trekked toward the door with seven bags (thank you journalism and tennis) and a cup of coffee in hand. Obviously struggling just to walk with all of my things, I fully expected the junior boy walking in front of me to at least hold the door, but instead got a closed door in my face.

Now, was this an end-of-the-world kind of situation? No. Did it put me in a bitter mood for a little while? I begrudgingly admit that yes, it did.

So, picture this: a world where everyone always holds the door, a world where care comes before cost, a world where people go out of their way just to help someone else. What if — just what if — everyone was a little more kind? Call me crazy, but kindness has to be the end-all, be-all most influential and wisdomous superpower any human can have. Kindness changes mankind; it pushes us forward.

The smallest gestures can make or break someone’s day. So, if you have the opportunity to make someone feel good, even if it’s just a smile to a stranger, do it. Always, always do it.

I have a lot of hope for our class and our generation — hope that if we always hold open the door, then just maybe we can change the world.

G

rowing up, my family made constant trips to Hays and the small college town has become a second home to me.

So when it came time for me to choose a college, Fort Hays State University seemed like a no brainer; I’m

familiar with the town and I have family, including my sister, there. This would have made for an easy transition, but in the end, what’s most comfortable isn’t always what’s best.

Throughout my decision-making process, I realized that if I went to FHSU, I wouldn’t be giving myself a chance to further myself as an individual. I’d likely attach myself to my sister and her friends, and when they left, I’d be as lost as I would have been if I’d just gone my own way. In deciding to go to Emporia State University, I will be able to learn from mistakes without having anyone to fall back on.

When it comes to important life decisions, many people struggle with making what they feel is the right one. But throughout this process, I’ve learned that making your own path is so much more exciting than following in someone’s footsteps. Don’t let the fear of the unknown keep you from discovering what’s out there for you.

FIND YOUR “TRACK” IN LIFE 3 DESIGNS 82 PHOTOS 2 STORIES 2 YEARS ON STAFF

CARTER LAWSON

reporter/photographer jagwire.carterlawson@gmail.com

D

uring my very first track meet, I was lacing up my spikes and getting ready for the first race of my high school track career, the men’s 400-meter. Going into this season, I had decided I would try something out of my comfort zone, so I joined track. As the gun went off to start the

race, I could feel my instincts kick in and I immediately felt at home on the track. I ran through the finish line and felt the fatigue in my legs, but it all went away when I went over to my teammates and coaches and got nothing but compliments and words of encouragement. It was then that I found my passion for trying new things.

I never imagined that I would find such a sense of placement and belonging in a sport that I picked up in a week’s notice my final year of high school, but that’s exactly what I found in track. I have never been one to purposely get out of my comfort zone, but after this amazing experience, I fully intend to pursue what makes me uncomfortable to hopefully find my next “track.”

My advice to anyone on the fence about trying a new sport, club or even food is that you should definitely do it. You never know what you will discover. It may become one of your new favorite things.

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SPORTS

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MANAGING

FRIENDSHIP Senior Abby Sutton and head softball coach Jessica DeWild’s relationship has blossomed due to softball

By being a softball manager, senior Abby Sutton is able to strengthen her relationship with head softball coach Jessica DeWild. // Annie Myers

LEXI FLIPSE

social media editor jagwire.lexiflipse@gmail.com

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CONGRATULATIONS TO MILL VALLEY PUBLICATIONS for winning the 5A state Kansas Scholastics Press Association sweepstakes award and All-Kansas ratings on all three publications: The JagWire, 2017 JAG Yearbook and Mill Valley News online

efore and after school, between passing periods and on the softball field, senior Abby Sutton and head softball coach Jessica DeWild find any time they can to catch up with each other. While the conversation varies, the phrase they say to each other in parting, “keep being awesome,” remains the same.

After Sutton had DeWild for Honors Math III last year, the two became close and this year, Sutton decided to become a softball manager in order to keep in contact with one of her favorite teachers.

“We joked around about it last year and this year she was like ‘hey, i think I want to be a manager,’” DeWild said.

Prior to Sutton becoming a manager, their time spent together was limited to school hours. Now, the two are able to see each other on a near daily basis. “[Sutton would] pop in and say ‘hi’ in between classes, but since I don’t have her in class this year I didn’t get to spend as much time with her,” DeWild said. “Now that she’s a softball manager, she’s around more often.”

While Sutton helps DeWild and the softball team out by keeping track of team statistics and managing the equipment, DeWild returns the favor by lending an ear and offering help regarding various topics.

“I like that she’s able to relate to everything because she’s young and is able to help with a lot of different topics, even if it’s not school related at all, like boys. She’s good at helping

WORDOFMOUTH

me with boys,” Sutton said. “I tell her everything.”

DeWild agrees that the two are close, and whether it’s on the softball field or in her classroom, she does her best to help Sutton work through any problem.

“We have a good relationship,” DeWild said. “We’ll chat and i’ll try to give her advice about things if I have it.”

When the season comes to a close and Sutton moves to Lawrence to attend the University of Kansas, she says that one of the things she’ll miss most is her time spent with DeWild.

“I’m going to miss seeing her everyday and her pep talks before every math test. I’m not going to be far away, so she’ll be one of my top priorities to come visit,” Sutton said. “She’s like an older sister that I see everyday.”

Senior Abby Sutton and head softball coach Jessica DeWild state their favorite qualities about each other

“She cares a lot about the team and the girls on it. She is also caring towards her students.”

“I love how genuinely interested she is in what people have going on. She is just a positive personality to have in the dugout.”

SENIOR ABBY SUTTON

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH JESSICA DEWILD

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SPORTS

Mill Valley High School

Design by Victoria Wright

JagWire

ON ANOTHER LEVEL KATYA GILLIG

sports editor jagwire.katyagillig@gmail.com

Senior student athletes sign letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level

GOING BIG

BAKER UNIVERSITY

“I’m most excited for the whole family aspect of the campus and getting to play football with my buddies.”

MITCHELL GRISSOM

BAKER UNIVERSITY

“It was close to home, it was a good scholarship offer and they win national championships.”

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI

GRACIE ECKARDT

BENEDICTINE COLLEGE

“I fell in love with Benedictine from my first visit and it was initially where I wanted to go.”

“I really liked the coaches and they also have a very good medical program, which is something I would like to study.”

EMILY MUNYER

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY

“I look forward to making lifelong friends and to being successful on the field as well as in the classroom.”

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CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK ALLEN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE “[I look forward to] getting to travel and run against other, better collegiate runners.”

MITCHELL DERVIN

OFFERS RECEIVED

COOPER KAIFES

UNIVERSITY OF LOYOLA-CHICAGO BASKETBALL

TYLER COAD

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY

“[It] is a close-knit campus so it gave that smalltown feel and that’s what I was really looking for.”

BASEBALL

“I look forward to meeting a lot of people in Chicago and making it to the NCAA Tournament.”

YEARS PLAYING BASKETBALL

BRODY FLAMING

“I chose it based on the people and the environment and also the personality of my coach.”

EVAN ZARS

14

27

FOOTBALL

PAYGE BUSH

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY - BASKETBALL

YEARS PLAYING BASKETBALL

SPORTS

Mill Valley High School

SOCCER

Five athletes will play at NCAA Division I schools

13

JagWire

BRAYDEN CARR

UNIVERSITY OF SAINT MARY

“They offered the most, and it had the best options for everything I was looking for and it was closer to home.”

8

DEVON HANDY

OFFERS RECEIVED

MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE

“I just felt like it was a good fit. I like the coach there and they’re a good team and I wanted to play baseball.”

WILL MORRIS

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

“I felt like it’s where I would get the most playing time and probably the best chance of winning a national championship.”

OTHER SPORTS DANI CRISPIN

BELLA HADDEN

“I’m so excited to perform again; I didn’t think I’d be able to. To be out on the field again is exciting.”

“I decided to go to a bigger DII school instead of a small DI school because it’s more competitive, so I would have a chance to go to the national championship with my team.”

BENEDICTINE COLLEGE - COLOR GUARD

PEYTON MOEDER

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY - SOFTBALL “I loved the campus, town and family-like environment. I look forward to being able to travel all over the world to play teams.”

13

YEARS PLAYING SOFTBALL

3

OFFERS RECEIVED

BAILEY HEFFERNON

EMMY BIDNICK

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY - SOCCER

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - DANCE

“I really respected the work ethic of the team and the coaches’ philosophy on if you’re working hard, you get to play.”

“I liked the culture at K-State. I like football games, so [I look forward to] dancing at football games on Caturdays.”

11

YEARS PLAYING SOCCER

3

OFFERS RECEIVED

13

YEARS DANCING

2

OFFERS RECEIVED

HALEY MINOR

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH - GYMNASTICS “[I look forward to] meeting new people, trying new things and continuing my gymnastics career.”

AVA TATON OTTAWA UNIVERSITY - VOLLEYBALL “It was my dream school. I loved the campus and I had family go there.”

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI - GOLF

CONNER WARD

NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M - WRESTLING

“It helped set me up to move on to the Division I level and they’re the top junior college in the country, so it’s just a good fit for me.”

Photos by Morgan Gurwell, Carter Lawson, Annie Myers, Marah Shulda and Victoria Wright

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SPORTS

Design by Morgan Gurwell

Photos by Jordan Robinson

Mill Valley High School

A NEW SEASON JAKOB TWIGG

news editor jagwire.jakobtwigg@gmail.com

T

he success attained by two state state football championships will soon spread across two states as offensive line coach Rick Pollard and offensive coordinator Mike Strack will continue their careers as head coaches in the upcoming season.

Along with the exit of offensive coordinator TJ O’Neill after the 2016 season, this marks a loss of three football coaches in just two years.

Despite the loss of coaching staff, head coach Joel Applebee is glad to see that his coaches are looking to expand their careers, a fact that Applebee said contributes to the success of the program over the past few years.

“As a head coach, you learn very quick that you want your coaches to coach,” Applebee said. “These guys are going to move on and get head coaching jobs which is the reason we have had such success because they do take that ownership [as coaches].”

O’Neill, who now works as the head coach at Olathe West High School, believes that Applebee’s style of allowing his “coaches to coach” helped him get to where he is now.

JagWire

Football coaches move on to be head coaches after being a part of Applebee's program for years

“It was a great experience for me,” O’Neill said. “He is very generous in terms of giving responsibility so you really grow as a coach and learn and those sort of things. It got me where I am right now.”

This freedom the coaches have is a key point in the program according to Strack, After two 5A state championships working for head coach who wants to take Joel Applebee, three assistant coaches, Mike Strack, TJ and apply this philosO'Neill and Rick Pollard, will move on. // Jordan Rohinson ophy next year as the head coach at Rincon and University High Schools in Tucson, Arizona. from Applebee’s as he prepares “Applebee is probably the best to serve as the head coach at Piphigh school coach I've worked for or er High School next season. been around,” Strack said. “His most “[Applebee] runs a great ship precious effect is that he lets coaches here; why not model after somecoach and demands a lot from us, but one who has won two state titles,” at the same time allows us to do a lot Pollard said. “The bond [between with our players with input to the pro- us] will still be there. It’s like life, gram. That is a trait I hope to develop people grow up, they get maras a head coach as well. I think it is ried, they go start a new family, part of what made him so successful.” but they're still part of the other Pollard is choosing to model his family. It’s a new adventure and I coaching program with similarities am looking forward to it.”

SCHOOL STATS

An inside look at the coaches' new schools

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

Design by Claire Boone

A&E

29

LOOK BACK AT IT Seniors look back on their last four years of high school and remember what has happened

REMEMBERTHIS?

Seniors reminisce on things and events from freshman year

De Soto senior Jared Carlton was chosen to call his parents during the welcome ceremony on freshman orientation day

Former English teacher Justin Bogart used to read the morning announcements over the intercom each day

“I called my mom, but she didn’t pick up.

So, then I called my dad and told him, ‘Dad, everything is going to be OK today.’”

“I never got the chance to have Mr. Bogart as a teacher, but his morning announcements were very motivational.”

DE SOTO SENIOR JARED CARLTON

SENIOR HANNAH KING

DON’TFORGET

Seniors share their favorite memories or privileges during their last year

THEFAMINE

The day that the cafeteria was closed by a burst pipe FEBRUARY

“Dressing up for homecoming week and going to pep assemblies has been fun.”

SENIOR ASHLYN ROWLAND “Being a part-time senior has by far been my favorite part of this year.”

SENIOR MIRANDA TOLAND

GOTGAMES?

A water pipe broke in the cafeteria on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. Causing several ceiling tiles to collapse onto the ground Students filed into the main foyer for makeshift lunch at 11:15 a.m. and received food until 1 p.m.

Students picked up their lunches in the foyer and made their way to their classrooms to eat and wait for further instructions

Apps that were popular during the senior class’ freshman year

“I was really bad at Flappy Bird. I would get 10 points and be proud.”

2017 OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE STRACK

Rincon High SchoolTucson, Arizona last season's record

0

Piper High School

3-7

last season's record

2016 OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TJ O'NEILL

Olathe West High School

4-5

0 football state titles 1,084 school population 579

football state titles

school population

2017 OFFENSIVE LINE COACH RICK POLLARD

last season's record

7-0

*only played JV for their first season school population

850

SENIOR TAYLAR POWERS “Yik Yak was honestly just a chat room full of drama.”

SENIOR LUCY HOLLAND “I beat most of the levels [of Cut the Rope] when I had it and I liked it.”

SENIOR ANDREW KOFOID Photo Source: USA Today

After a pipe burst in the cafeteria on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, students picked up their lunches in the main foyer. // former staff member Hannah Steen

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A&E

Mill Valley High School

Design by Annie Myers

JagWire

BUILDING YOUR

DORM

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

Students prepare to transition into student housing at college

JagWire

Mill Valley High School

Photos by Hunter Ristau

A&E

31

WHAT ITEMS MAKE IT UNIQUE & EASY? Things to keep in mind when choosing dorm room decor that will make it feel like home

OCTOBER

ABBY LAYTON

A&E editor jagwire.abbylayton@gmail.com

Former students give packing advice to seniors

DORM FAVORITES “When [seniors] are packing to move to the dorm, don’t overthink it. They think that they’re going to need all the clothes that they bring, but they really don’t. Half the stuff I brought I took back home. You’re living in such close quarters and with somebody else, so a lot of the time you don’t have room for everything you think you need.”

“I would say efficiency is definitely [important]. I brought way too much stuff, so you don’t need as much as you think you do, [except the] necessities like clothes and a laptop.

I’ve known a lot of people who are irresponsible, and so a calendar has helped me a lot just making sure I’m at the right place.”

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN EMMA HANSON, LINCOLN RESIDENCE HALL

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS FRESHMAN BRADEN SHAW, KREHBIEL SCHOLARSHIP HALL

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR?

Seniors share what parts of life in student housing they are most looking forward to

CALENDAR With exams and projects, it’s important to stay organized with a calendar.

Doing so will ensure that nothing goes forgotten, while also leaving room to schedule personal time.

PHOTOS Displaying photos will help to relieve home sickness while away from home for the majority of the year. They also give your dorm room personality by displaying previous interests.

EXTRA SUPPLIES Whether you’re running late to class or in the middle of a study session, having extra supplies on hand is crucial.

Display them in a favorite mug to add spice to the everyday items.

PERSONAL ITEMS Dorm rooms are a new home; decorate them as such. While space is limited, bringing a few personal items that remind you of your passions will make you feel more at home and like yourself.

“I’m excited to meet new people, because I’m going to be rooming with people I don’t know, and I’m excited for the community that [the dorms] will bring.”

“I’m looking for a roommate now, but I’m looking forward to getting to know all the people on my floor and having a community that supports me academically.”

“It’ll be fun to be independent. I’m staying in a living learning community, so it’ll be a way to meet people without just walking around aimlessly.”

SENIOR CAROLINE GAMBILL

SENIOR BRADY WATKINS

SENIOR ALY TENNIS

32 PHOTO ESSAY

Design by Hunter Ristau & Marah Shulda

FUREVER FRIENDS Students form companionships with pets

Mill Valley High School

JagWire

At Shawnee Mission Park on Sunday, April 22, junior Jordyn Allen holds her dog.

“I love having a dog because they are very loyal," Allen said. // Marah Shulda Before feeding them, senior Zac Janssen holds one of his family’s c hickens on Monday, April 30. “I’ve had chickens for two years, and my family wanted them so we could have ultimately an unlimited amount of fresh eggs,” Janssen said. // Carter Lawson

In her room on Sunday, May 6, senior Cori Carver holds Serena, her family’s snake.

“It’s been really interesting for me to be able to have hands-on learning,” Carver said. // Lexi Flipse

After saddling up on Monday, April 30, senior Natalie Cooper rides her horse Dillon. “When you’re riding, you’re controlling a 1200 pound animal and he listens and knows what you’re asking,” Cooper said. // Lexi Flipse

Poking her nose at her chinchilla ChiChi on Friday, April 27, senior Mary Kate Stoneburner plays with her pet. In addition to ChiChi, she also has a bird, a dog and a lizard. // Nora Lucas