Volume 13, Issue 1

JAGWIRE VOLUME 13 ISSUE 1 SEPT. 8, 2012 | MVNEWS.ORG | MILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

IS YOUR MUSIC LEGAL? page 8-9

NEWS 3

LUNCH MENU CHANGES

FEATURE 6

CROSSING GUARD

SPORTS 13

FALL SPORTS MANAGERS

A&E 15

FLIPSIDE RETURNS

NEWSINBRIEF NEWS NUMBERS

89.4 1.3 4.5 600

83 46

percent of students scoring 3 or better on AP tests in 2012

million dollars worth of new technology purchased for district

percent decrease of excused tardies due to the early release

percent increase in test scores compared to the 2011 school year

new teacher laptops purchased

percent decrease of unexcused tardies due to early release

WHAT’S INSIDE News

3 School lunch changes

Feature

5 Supporting local business 6 Local crossing guard 8-9 Legality of music

Opinion

10-11 Internet filters, threeday weekends, making your mark

Sports

12 Sports managers 13 Baseball fanatic

A&E

14 Fall television previews 15 The Flip Side

Photo Essay 16 Insect collections

Cover illustration by Kristina Milewski

2 BRIEFS

AP TEST RESULTS INCREASE

BY BAYLEE OWEN

jagwire.bayleeowen@gmail.com

Advanced Placement test scores have increased over the last two years. Of the 153 AP students that participated in the AP tests at Mill Valley, roughly 137 scored a passing grade of a three or higher in the 2011-2012 school year. This equals 89.4 percent, compared to the state average of 62.1 percent in the same year.

The amount of students that earned a three or above grew by about five percent as compared to the 2010-2011 students who participated in the exams. Likewise, there was about a one percent gain of passing scores from the 2010-2011 school year in Kansas.

Last year, over 200 students enrolled in AP courses to gain college credit by taking a national test at the end of the year.

COMPUTER PLAN APPROVED

BY ANNIE CROUCH

jagwire.anniecrouch@gmail.com

The Board of Education agreed to purchase $1.3 million worth of new technology for the district on Monday, Aug. 13.

Director of Professional and Program Development Jessica Dain is optimistic about the new purchases.

“Our goal for year one was to have an immediate positive impact on teachers and students,” Dain said.

According to the five-year technology plan, 24 Mac Book Pros and 150 Mac desktop computers will be distributed

for students in the 21st Century Career and Technical Education programs at both high schools. Along with those additions, 600 Dell laptops and 500 Dell desktops will be distributed for students and staff use.

Dain has a plan to keep the technology in the district up to date.

“Our goal is to utilize and dedicate $1 million a year of our capital outlay fund towards technology,” Dain said.

Broadcast teacher Cindy Swartz is looking forward to the new technology.

“I’m really excited, we’ve been waiting for a long time to get new computers,” Swartz said.

EARLY RELEASE SUCCEEDS

BY CONNOR OSWALD

jagwire.connoroswald@gmail.com

The early release program made its debut last year and was successful in decreasing tardies and absences.

Last year, early release decreased excused tardies by 83 percent and unexcused tardies by 46 percent. It also decreased excused absences by 30 percent while lowering unexcused absences by seven percent.

Early release gives students holding a C-minus or higher, no disciplinary problems and no tardies or absences the option to leave school during seminar.

Junior Mariah Kalma remains excited for the time off gained by early release.

“It gives me a chance to go home before cross-country practice and relax,” Kalma said.

However, students who did not qualify for early release, such as senior Brett Logbeck, may not share the same excitement as Kalma.

“It’s kind of hard [to be excited] when you have two Fs and a D,” Logbeck said.

For students like Logbeck, who didn’t qualify for the first early release opportunity on the 21, first semester offers eight more opportunities, the last one being on Friday Dec. 14.

Language and Composition teacher Kristen Crosbie prepared her AP Language and Composition students for the exam during the majority of class. This helped students become familar with the type of questions and essay prompts asked on the exam.

“We practiced all year by writing in class and out of class essays on things they would have to know. We also practiced multiple choice tests,” Crosbie said.

“Really the only studying my students could do that we didn’t study in class was to study terms that could be on the test.”

Senior Stephanie Ciston recalled her study methods that helped her pass the tests.

“I took the AP US History and the AP Language and Composition tests,” Ciston said. “I bought note cards and an AP book to study.”

WHAT’S UP

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE Seasonal drinks are back at Starbucks for the year.

APPLE IPHONES The new iPhone 5 and iOS 6 software update are stellar.

BRITNEY SPEARS She cleaned up her act and started judging The X-Factor.

WHAT’S DOWN

ICED COFFEE Because it’s just getting too chilly outside for iced drinks.

ANDROID PHONES The Jelly Bean update isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

LINDSAY LOHAN She recently got in trouble for a hit-and-run.

Not classy.

Photos by Stepahnie Hudleston, Baylee Owen, and MCTCampus

NUTRITION AT LUNCH TAKES A NEW District changes lunch policy to enforce recent federal law

BY RYAN FULLERTON

jagwire.ryanfullerton@gmail.com

BY katherine white

jagwire.katherinewhite@gmail.com

In order to coincide with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, new changes have been implemented to the district lunch policy.

Each student is required to take a full serving of either a fruit or a vegetable with his or her hot lunch each day to avoid having to pay a higher price for their meal. The Garden Bar has been added to every school, which provides students with a greater selection of both fruits and vegetables. Also, daily calorie limits have been put into place in all district schools. The calorie limit for the

TWIST

high schools is 700-800 calories.

District nutritionist Amy Droegemeier said the new changes have affected the amount of food used by the district, and that she believes the policy has been successful in increasing the amount of produce consumed by students.

“We are going through a lot more food than we ever had, especially produce, so we’re assuming that [the students are] taking them and eating them,” Droegemeier said. “I was at Starside Elementary today and I watched them dump their trays and their trays were clean. They ate everything they took. I was shocked.”

Senior Jordan May feels that the newlunch policies will benefit the student body.

“I think the mere fact that they offer... more of healthier foods will make students eat better,” May said. “We’re teenagers, we’ll eat anything you give us.”

May says that her own eating habits have become healthier since the new changes.

“I trust in the school to give us healthier foods,” May said. “Now I don’t feel guilty when I finish my entire meal.”

On the other hand, sophomore Cody Deas feels that the changes will have a negative effect.

“I think forcing people to take fruits and vegetables that they don’t like could lead to more wasted food,” Deas said.

“Also, more people will probably want to switch to getting pizza, which won’t make lunch any healthier.”

Droegemeier said she and her staff are always willing to listen to students’ suggestions.

“We’re always open for ideas, so if a student has an idea, they are always welcome to talk to me or my staff,” Droegemeier said. “We exist for you guys.”

ABOVE: Senior Derrick Paxton goes through the lunch line on Wednesday, Sept.

12.“I like the changes,” Paxton said, “we have better food.” RIGHT: Juniors Alexis Riedel, Olivia Phillips and Marinela Koleva enjoy lunch on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

FAR RIGHT: Lunch is prepared for students on Wednesdsay, Sept. 12 following the new lunch policy. Photos by Annie Crouch

A

TASTE

OF THE NUMBERS

Effect of the new lunch policy on student purchases

77 38 69

percent of 220 students get a fruit or vegetable at lunch

percent of 211 students only get a fruit or vegetable because it makes thier lunch cheaper

percent of 202 students actually eat the fruit or vegtable they buy at lunch

NEWS 3

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uNIQUE BUSINESSES ATTRACT LOCALS Local companies offer an array of original products and services to their customers

BY kristina milewski

jagwire.kristinamilewski@gmail.com

Moon Marble Company

600 East Front Street, Bonner Springs Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

What started out as a custom woodwork shop 30 years ago, Moon Marble Company became a place for children and adults alike to reminisce and enjoy the marvels of marbles and marble making. Moon Marble, located in Bonner Springs, offers a variety of marble products, wooden toys and board games for people of all ages. Moon Marble Company began in December of 1997 when owner Bruce Breslow realized marbles were not available in stores anymore.

“I needed marbles for one of my projects, and while I was out looking for some, I found out that kids don’t play with marbles anymore,” Breslow said.

Breslow decided to learn how to make marbles and devoted his time to becoming a marble artisan.

“I thought about my own childhood,” Breslow said. “I started thinking about making marbles then.”

Aside from marble making, Breslow also has a large portion of his store dedicated to building shields and swords for the Bonner Springs Renaissance Fair.

“I’m busy all the time, and I like to stay busy,” Breslow said.

Board games and other toys are also available at Moon Marble Company.

“I think it’s good to mix it up and change it up. Sure you can play with your electronics, but I think we’re getting too connected to the electronics,” Breslow said. “It hasn’t always been that way.”

The store also often offers marble making and history demonstrations.

During the demonstrations, Breslow explains the process of glass work and marble history.

“I don’t really think about business too much,” Breslow said. “I think about people’s joy they get here. They remember stuff they used to do as children.”

ABOVE: Moon Marble Company in Bonner Springs offers customers a variety of marbles and toys to choose from. Customers picked a jar to fill on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Photo by Miranda Snyder

Junque Drawer Studio & Boutique 11270 South Ridgeview, Olathe Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

B|E Boutique 12213 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Located behind Little Monkey Bizness and Yogurtime on Shawnee Mission Parkway, B|E Boutique has dresses for every occasion. As an extension store of Bridal Extrordinaire, B|E Boutique offers homecoming, prom, and other special occasion dresses at a variety of prices.

“We have a little bit of everything,” manager Fee Landu said. “We understand that some girls can’t afford the expensive

dresses, so we have less expensive dresses as well.”

Senior Morgan Battes found her homecoming dress at the boutique. A register is kept of all the dresses sold, so dresses won’t be sold to multiple people at the same school.

“I really liked that no one had a dress like mine,” Battes said. “It’s great that they keep a registration of all of them.”

ABOVE: Looking through the many pieces of jewelry scattered across the store, customers have a wide variety of options to choose from on Friday, Sept. 14. Items at Junque Drawer Studio & Boutique range from inspirational signs to home décor. ABOVE LEFT: B|E Boutique offers dresses for a variety of occasions. On Friday, Sept. 14 manager Fee Landu works alone in the quaint boutique. Photos by Miranda Snyder

Tucked away in a beautiful location in Olathe right off K-10, Junque Drawer Boutique & Studio offers a variety of knick knacks for people of all ages.

Owner Jane Stern opened Junque Drawer in 2011 with the idea in mind of having a creative workspace as well as a boutique for all of her creations and designs.

“I’ve always made a lot of art and done crafts,” Stern said. “It makes me happy.”

The boutique is filled with jewelry, clothes and crafty home decorations.

Stern designs many of her own original pieces. She also has different classes that teach people how to make interesting crafts and designs.

“It’s so great to meet all the people that come in the boutique and come for the classes,” Stern said. “It’s gotta be the people that make me love this job.”

FEATURE 5

crossing

paths Crossing guard Ed Vance dedicates time to help students

BY HANNA TORLINE

jagwire.hannatorline@gmail.com

Shawnee resident Edward Vance smiles and waves to a bus driver as she passes under the stop light. He never imagined he would be spending his mornings and afternoons as a crossing guard at the age of 85. But when he retired from working for 56 years as a minister at Argentine Assembly of God Church, he needed to find something to fill his time.

“I wanted something to do and I was told from a contact at the police station about this job,” Vance said. “This is just part-time work and something extra to do. I never thought about it until I had the opportunity to do it.”

As an elementary student rides toward him on her bicycle to cross the street on the corner of Monticello and Johnson Drive, Vance asks her how she’s doing.

She smiles and says “good” as she rides away.

“I always say ‘good morning’ or ‘have a nice day’ and they respond,” Vance said.

“These are just nice kids to deal with.”

Although Vance enjoys the job, he also takes it very seriously.

“I’m very careful,” Vance said. “I watch, [but] the traffic up here is real good. They watch this area. I’ve never had anything scary happen.”

Vance has been working as a crossing guard for six years, but likes the job just as much now as he did when he started.

“I just enjoyed it then,” Vance said.

“And I enjoy doing it now. There is a

good bunch of kids up here. They are well-mannered. The parents are nice too.”

Vance believes that his initial attitude towards the students is part of what makes them so easy to deal with. That, as well as the fact that he has four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“One thing people should know is that kids will treat you like you treat them,” Vance said. “I started when I first got up here saying ‘Did you have a nice day?’ And now if I don’t say it, they’ll say it to me.”

While the conversations he has with kids are many times the most enjoyable parts of Vance’s job, the weather is often his least favorite.

“I don’t like the real hot,” Vance said.

“I dress accordingly for the real cold. But I don’t mind the weather. It don’t bother me too much.”

His simplicity is something else that makes Vance stand out. He says that if his house were burning down, he knows what he would grab first.

“My papers,” Vance said. “My personal papers.”

Although he has lived in Shawnee for 35 years, Vance has yet to attend a game at the school, something he hopes to do eventually.

“How’s that football team up there this year?” Vance asked. “I enjoy a good high school football game.”

DOMINANT: After school, crossing guard Ed Vance stands at the corner of Monticello Road and Johnson Drive on Monday, Sept.

24. Vance greeted everyone that crossed, with a friendly smile and a ‘How are you?’ Photo by Ashley Kitchen ABOVE LEFT: Vance helps bikers cross Monticello Road on Thursday, Sept. 13. “I enjoy [working],” Vance said. “I just enjoy it.” ABOVE RIGHT: Vance waits for students to cross the road early morning on Thursday, Sept. 13. Photos by Alec Santaularia

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you know about crossing guard Ed Vance?

“He seems so sweet. He looks like such a nice old man.”

“He seems so nice and talkative. He looks like he really likes his job.”

“He’s really sweet I feel bad for him whenever he has to stand out there in the cold.”

“It’s so sweet of him to give his time to helping those children.”

freshman margaret hempleman

sophomore Emily Weiss

Junior hope riedel

senior blake correll

6 FEATURE

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ADS 7

IS YOUR MUSIC

ILLEGAL?

BY RYAN FULLERTON

jagwire.ryanfullerton@gmail.com

BY katherine white

jagwire.katherinewhite@gmail.com

BY CALLEE LINTON

jagwire.calleelinton@gmail.com

BY sydney wilson

jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com

With illegal music downloading on the rise, potential risks for consequences increases

OVER THE

YEARS

How illegal download systems have progressed 1990: World Wide Web was created, making it easier for people to post things for others to see and share 1999: Peer-to-peer file sharing systems allow users to download media files 2000: Limewire was created, part of a peerto-peer file sharing system that was created to download music for free 2005: The YouTube to MP3 converter was created, allowing people to take videos from YouTube and convert them so that they were able to be played MP3 players.

2009-Present: Mega Upload was established, which runs many online services related to file sharing and viewing

8 FEATURE

With the rise of the Internet came the ability to download music, a method that proved to be much more efficient and cheaper than more traditional methods like buying CDs. Approximately 50 percent of music sales in 2011 were from Internet downloads.

However, as the amount of music on the Internet rose, so did the amount of people who share and download music illegally. Although illegal file-sharing had been around since the 1970s, the Internet made sharing music for free much easier and more accessible. According to the Recording Industry Accociation of America, illegal downloads were 63 percent of total downloads in 2009, and the number continues to rise.

Senior Avery Laluk claims that 95 percent of his music was downloaded illegally.

“I don’t think it’s wrong,” Laluk said. “The main argument is that you’re stealing from the artists, but the artists are still profiting... because they sell it to the recording studio who then sells it to iTunes. The artists don’t benefit as much as the studio does [from download sales].”

Laluk was caught with various illegal d loads two years ago. He was given a wa which meant that his cable company took his Internet and made him delete all o downloaded content. Consequences for ill downloading material can mean fines $250,000 and up to five years of jail time.

One concern with piracy is the mon artists receive. While those who are again racy say that illegal downloading takes money from the artists, people who don’ a problem with it try to justify their actio claiming that the artists don’t receive as of the money as the recording company Music artists typically receive around 15 p of their music sales.

“Artists make money from concert CDs,” Laluk said. “Not iTunes.”

A freshman who prefers to remain mous downloads music illegally because t dent believes that music online shouldn anything.

“I think that people shouldn’t be requ pay, but have the option to donate mone

downarning, down of the legally up to . ney the nst pis away ’t have ons by much y does. percent

ts and

anonythe stun’t cost

HEFTY

RESULT Consequences one might face if caught illegaly downloading

Lawsuits

Fines

Jail time with fines

Sued for up to $150,000 by the copyright holder

Minimum civil penalty of $750 per story

Up to five years in prison and $250,000 of fines Information from RIAA

What is your main method of getting music?

student said. “In a concert you’re paying for the performance, and with CDs you’re paying for the format. Downloading, you just want to be able to listen to music.”

However, some people share different views. “[Illegal downloading] is basically like stealing,” sophomore Margo Wieschhaus said.

“When you download illegally, everyone who has worked to get that song on the market isn’t getting paid for it.”

Wieschhaus buys all her music legally through iTunes.

“I download legally because I never have to worry about getting caught, since I’m not doing anything wrong,” Wieschhaus said.

Although organizations like the RIAA have been trying to crack down on illegal downloading, it is difficult to catch as it is done on such a large scale, and it doesn’t seem to show any signs of going away. Some people hope that this will lead to illegal downloading becoming legal, but it doesn’t seem likely.

iTunes/Amazon Illegal downloading CDs

Have you ever downloaded music illegally?

Yes No

uired to ey,” the

If yes, do you think you’ll ever get caught?

Yes No

Survey of 173 students

Photo illustration by Kristina Milewski

FEATURE 9

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

MEMBERS OF Kansas Scholastic Press Association National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Education Association The 2012 JagWire was named an All-American newspaper by the NSPA and earned an All-Kansas rating from KSPA. CENSORSHIP POLICY Kansas Sentate Bill 62 guarantees the same rights for student journalists as are guaranteed for prfessional 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, may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity.

EDITORIAL POLICY We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or letter to the editor for the JagWire, you can do so by handing it in to a member of the staff or the print journalism room. Additionally, you may e-mail any member of the staff with opinions, as well as tweet us at mvjagwire. Anonymous content will not be accepted. Please understand that we have the right to edit all copy that runs in this publication.

STAFF SETS GOALS FOR YEAR JagWire staff looks forward to a new school year with a new staff

BY JAGWIRE STAFF

jagwirenewspaper@gmail.com

Ever since the very first student newspaper was published, student journalists have had one goal in mind: to educate the school about newsworthy or relevant topics. This school year, the JagWire staff plans to continue doing just that.

That’s not our only goal, of course. Obviously we’d love to win awards. However, we essentially want to continue reaching out to our readers and challenging them to think about current issues and open their minds. Whether it be a news article about a new policy, a feature on a student with a unique hobby or a review of a local ballet, we wish to expose readers to something new. Hopefully you, the reader, can finish reading through an issue having learned something you didn’t already know.

Last year, JagWire seemed to have a stigma surrounding it that made us known for being “controversial.” However, we never published stories with the intent of creating conflict or of-

STAFF STATS

RETURNING MEMBERS

JAGWIRE STAFF

Photo editor Kelsey Floyd Copy editor Sydney Wilson News editor Ryan Fullerton Feature editor Regan Jones Opinion editor Jack Lopez Sports editor Alana Flinn A&E/Social media manager Mackenzie Eckman

10 OPINION

Briefs editor Katherine White Web editor Alec Santaularia Miranda Snyder Ads manager Austin Gude

“This is a school newspaper; it is written by students, for students.” covering topics in a different way or being more direct about the purpose of an article, we believe we will grow this year.

Regarding our website, Mill Valley News, we are working hard to make it as high-quality as our print issue. By aiming to post stories and photographs every day, we are trying to reach a broad audience and provide a place where we can highlight many different activities and hear reader feedback. Website comments are always

13

NEW MEMBERS

11

welcome; we want to hear your thoughts and opinions.

We also want you to know that we work hard to put out a strong paper. No article is printed without being edited countless times and we discuss the content of every single page to be sure that it is portrayed in the right way. We hope that, if anything, you appreciate our hard work and respect our genuine passion when it comes to journalism and JagWire.

On a less serious note, watch out for a higher quality paper that includes more students and more coverage of different clubs, sports and groups. We want to tell people’s stories and shed light on unknown topics.

We hope that when you finish an issue of JagWire you have gained a new perspective on an important topic at school. This is a school newspaper; it is written by students, for students. We want your opinion. If you would like to make a comment about the paper or share an idea, we would love to hear it. Thank you for supporting the paper and its staff. We appreciate your readership and hope you enjoy this year’s JagWire as much as we know we will.

TOTAL MEMBERS

24

INTERNET FILTERS IMPROVE SCHOOL

SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @millvalleynews Facebook: Mill Valley News

Editors-in-chief Austin Gillespie Kristina Milewski Hanna Torline

fending any individual or group. Or goal was, and continues to be, to provide accurate, relevant and important information to those involved in the school and its activities. We want to make you think and be informed.

Although we stand by the articles previously published in JagWire, we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. Whether by

Social networking restrictions are a catalyst for student productiveness

BY ANNIE CROUCH

jagwire.anniecrouch@gmail.com

As administration cut down on the access of social media, many students became irritated with the banning of Facebook and Twitter. Before the additional filters were in place, I tweeted during school any chance I got. After they came into play, I remember being so mad and frantically searching for alternative ways to get on Twitter through the school computers.

As much as I hate the stringent Internet bans, I understand why they are in place; Twitter and Facebook are major distractions. It is a teacher’s job to educate and it is a student’s job to learn. We are expected to be listening and learning while in class and it isn’t likely that we’ll get much learning done if reading our Twitter timeline and updating our Facebook sta-

tuses is our main concern.

The filters are in place to prevent social media distractions as well as other online distractions. I would much rather be reading my newsfeed over reading my history book, however, school is school. We are here to learn and in the long run, I know that limiting the distractions on the internet will help students with understand curriculum and put forth more effort into learning.

In the real world, people won’t put up with you putting social networking before work so why would it be any different at school? Even though these strict filters prevent us from checking social sites, they are also in place to improve productivness and help us in the long run.

RILEY’S REEL

Artist Riley McDonald Staff Annie Crouch Devynn Harris Stephanie Hudleston Ashley Kitchen Callee Linton Amber Nguyen Connor Oswald Baylee Owen Kate Schau

Cartoon by Riley McDonald

SCHOOL WEEKS SHOULD BE FOUR DAYS

Shortening average school weeks to four days should be considered

BY ALANA FLINN

jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com

As I begrudgingly dragged myself out of bed this morning for school, I came to what I thought was a near-brilliant conclusion: let’s have school four days a week.

The extensive benefits of shortening a five-

day school week down to four have been proven in school districts across the country. A study performed by the Center for Education Policy at the University of Southern Maine stated that morale and spirit throughout the student body increased as well as overall GPA and the number of daily absences decreased and overall GPA increased.

When they started early release at our school, the percentage of excused tardies decreased by 83 percent, unexcused tardies decreased by 46 percent and overall time out of class was decreased by an average of two days per student. The obvious correlation between a mass improvement among students was the chance of having 45 minutes removed from an average Friday.

Along with boosting overall school performance, districts would save immense amounts of money. I believe that a shorter school week would be one of the most economically brilliant choices a school district could make. Imagine how much money could be saved if 12 schools

didn’t serve lunch for an extra day, didn’t provide transportation via bus, and didn’t have to power 12 entire buildings. The extra money saved from not having a fifth school day could help fund anything the district needs.

Of course the statistics show the pros of a shorter school week. However, there is one major fault in the idea. While we’ll be given an extra day off, classes would essentially have to be lengthened to make up lost time. Or, if we kept the same length of our school days, we might even have to give up summer breaks. However, as the country falls behind in educational status, a longer day could be the educational turnaround this country needs.

In our very school district, a reward system of a shorter Friday has boosted GPA and lessened unexcused absences. If schools in the country takes our reward system a step further by removing one day in the school week, then there will be what can be considered as the biggest improvement ever seen by the educational system.

STUDENTS MUST REACH FOR SUCCESS

Students need to become more proactive in order to benefit school

BY ALEC SANTAULARIA

jagwire.alecsantaularia@gmail.com

As the new school year begins, returning students reminisce about those who graduated from Mill Valley in years past. Yet when I walk through the hallways, I rarely hear mention of the class of 2012. Why does it seem as if the class of 2012 has already been forgotten? What is it that has caused other senior classes to be more memorable than last year’s seniors?

The class of 2012 had many prominent effects on the way the school operates and how the students can participate in and make an impact upon it. StuCo senior class president Josh Duden led the committee focused on removing the dance policy, removing the document from students enrollment packets. Last year’s NHS president Carly Granato revised the club’s constitution, allowing for them to have more flexibility in the services they could provide for the students, including their financial aid seminars and other information sessions. Senior class president Rachel Mills and the committee she led also rewrote the StuCo bylaws, giving them privileges to host more activities to benefit the school, other than the regular pep rallies.

But I have a question for you: why is it that when a student does something that has a lasting effect on the school, they are rarely recognized for their actions? The change is often not announced to the student body. Their actions have made a huge impact on how the school operates yet no one so much as bats an eye; they deserve so much more than that. They took a risk and should be rewarded for their efforts.

There is no way that anyone can say that the class of 2012 has not left a huge impact on this school. They have done more for Mill Valley students and the school itself than many of the other classes that have graduated in years past.

The students of this class cared for the school and did whatever they could to improve it and make it better for future students.

We need more students like this at Mill Valley. We need students who aren’t afraid to step up and take control of a situation, as well as

GET INVOLVED

A look at the different clubs that students can get involved with

SPEAK OUT What do you think about the school’s internet filters?

“I hate them. I haven’t been on Twitter in so long because of them.”

Junior parker hunt

“I guess a lot of things get done now. I never really used it. I just used my phone.” senior emily brigham

“I’m really mad because I liked to tweet during school when I was bored.” junior madison plouvier

“We need students who are able to make this school the best it can be.” finding a solution for it. We need students who aren’t afraid to fight for what they believe in.

We need students who are able to make this school the best it can be for everyone.

That is what I am challenging you to do. This is your school; therefore it is your responsibility to make it the best it can be. I am challenging you to get involved and to make an impact. Do something that will be remembered. Records will be broken, the old champions forgotten in time. But if you do something that affects every person in the entire student body, you will be remembered. Be proactive and be involved. This is your school, so make it the best it can be.

“I don’t really care because I have it on my phone.” sophomore jackson rosner

SPORTS

ACTIVITIES

CLUBS = two sports/ activites/clubs

OPINION 11

MANAGING THE SIDELINES

BY ALANA FLINN

RIGHT: Seniors Mckenzie Koch and Carlie Howe talk to boys varsity soccer coach Arlan Vomhof. Koch and Howe are managers for the team, their obligations include getting water and playing defense, among other things. Photo

by Kelsey Floyd

jagwire.alanaflinn@gmail.com

Soccer Managers Carlie Howe, Kayla Hamner and McKenzie Koch Three girls soccer team members manage boys team for more exposure to the game As senior soccer manager Kayla Hamner bends her knees and keeps her eyes on the ball, senior right midfielder Hugh Ebb harshly kicks at the ball at her while she guards the goalie net. One of Hamner’s jobs is to play defense or goalie against the players.

“Daily jobs are rarely ever the same,” Hamner said. “Every day is something different.”

Hamner manages the boys’ soccer team along with seniors Carlie Howe and McKenzie Koch. All of the girls play soccer for the school which drove them to manage the boys’ team.

“I enjoy watching soccer more than anything,” Howe said. “I thought this would be a fun way [to get involved].”

Hamner said the best part of her job is getting to know and be friends with all of the players.

Football Managers Michaela Jamison and Maddie Bangs First year managers discuss the rewards of dedicating their senior year to football Numerous players and coaches scream in unison for water as senior football manager Maddie Bangs lightly jogs across the field. Bangs holds out the drink carrier that contains newly filled water bottles and several hands reach towards her.

“It is really overwhelming,” Bangs said. “When the coaches are screaming at you as the same time as the players, it just feels stressful.”

Both Bangs and senior Michaela Jamison are dedicating the fall of their se-

nior year to managing the football team.

“The best part of my job is being able to see what the boys put into winning,” Bangs said.

Jamison agreed with Bangs that the atmosphere of games are one of the main reasons she manages.

“Watching the boys get amped up is such an amazing sensation,” Jamison said.

The girls are required to perform various jobs such as filming plays for the players to watch, sweeping out the locker

room after practices and bringing equipment to the film.

While Bangs said spending every day after school at practice is the worst part of being a manager, she knows that her choice of being a manager was a good one.

“When they lose, it’s more personal to me because I’ve seen all that they go through,” Bangs said. “I enjoy getting to see the hard work that the boys put into winning games.”

ABOVE: Senior football managers Michaela Jamison and Maddie Bangs laugh as they prepare ice buckets for a day at practice on Thursday, Sept. 20. Photo by Jack Lopez

SEASON CATCH UP VOLLEYBALL

FOOTBALL

Currently 6- 2

Currently 3-1

All new coaching staff

Ranked 42nd in the state

Plays Eudora High School at home on Thursday

Plays at Bonner Springs High School on Friday

12 SPORTS

CROSS COUNTRY Girls school 4K record beat by freshmen Ellie Wilson and Amber Akin Runs at TopekaSeamen on Saturday

TENNIS

SOCCER

GOLF

Seniors Joylyn Kennedy and Taylor Brunson Number 1 doubles team

Currently 5-3-1

Currently 8-0

15 returning varsity players

Took first place overall at 8 meets

Varsity/JV League meet at home on Monday

Plays at Lansing High School on Thursday

Plays at the Gardner Invitational on Monday

not your average

FAN

LEFT: Senior Brennan Mense cheers for Royals player Jeff Francouer as he steals a base on Sunday, Sept.

16. “Being a Royals fan is just who I am,” Mense said. “I grew up surrounded

by Royals fans so I never knew anything else.”Photo by Alec Santaularia

ABOVE: Senior Brennan Mense shows off his extensive collection of memorabilia on Saturday, Sept. 22. “I’m really proud of what my collection has become,” Mense said. “It grows all the time and I’m going to keep adding to it.” Photo by Devynn Harris

Senior Royals fan Brennan Mense gives an inside look into his baseball memorabilia

BY HANNA TORLINE

jagwire.hannatorline@gmail.com

What is it you like best about baseball?

I just fell in love with baseball in 2003 when the Royals were in first place for most of the season, and I just kind of got sucked into it.

What has been your most exciting moment as a Royals fan?

Even though it didn’t really have anything to do with the Royals, I would say when I was here for the Home Run Derby…because it was a big, nationally televised event.

Does it matter to you that the Royals haven’t been very successful?

Well I like them because they’re the hometown team, plain and simple. It doesn’t really bother me because I’m thinking that with all of the quality stock they have in the minor league system, they’ll be good before too long. I know I’ve been saying that for the past few years, but they will.

How upset do you get if the Royals lose?

Being a baseball fan, playing a game every day for six months you can’t just enjoy one win or be crushed about one loss for very long. You just have to move on.

Is there someone that you would credit with sparking your interest in baseball?

I would say my dad and my grandma.

My grandma’s been a Royals fan since day one and my dad’s been a fan since the mid-1970s so they’re kind of the two people who got me into baseball.

Of all your memorabilia, what is your most prized possession?

Probably my ball that I got signed by Mike Sweeney in spring training in 2006.

He was my idol when I was younger because he was a good player for so many years and in general a good guy to look up to. Value-wise I have a lot of baseballs signed by Hall of Famers. If I had to sell all but one of them, it would probably be my Hank Aaron ball.

Do you think you will still be a Royals fan even if you move away from Kansas City?

Oh yeah. I mean it’s definately tougher

to be a fan of a team if you don’t live in the same city. [But] even if I lived in St. Louis I probably couldn’t wear a Royals shirt in public, but I’d definitely still be a fan.

How are you planning on continuing your baseball interest after high school?

I want to go to Kansas State University and major in some sort of broadcast and hopefully become a sports broadcaster.

I definitely want to go into something sports or media related. But I would rather do radio than TV. For one, I wouldn’t have to wear makeup every day because you actually have to look good on TV.

Which sports broadcaster do you look up to?

I’d say I look up to Denny Matthews.

[He’s] a Royals guy who was already broadcasting Major League games by the time he was 25, and he was one of the best in the business at it.

How are you planning to become a sportscaster?

I’m not sure exactly what I’m going to do leading up to that. Whatever comes my way and whatever happens happens.

SEASON STATS

150 1,200 18

Mense’s Royals season by the numbers

Hotdogs consumed at games

Dollars spent on ticket purchases per season

Royals clothing articles owned

SPORTS 13

THE VOICE

NBC, Monday at 7 p.m.

Photo from NBC

The Voice, a singing competition where team leaders compete to add new members to each team, premiered on NBC on Wednesday, Sept. 12. As the weeks progress, singers from each team will “battle” each other and compete to see who stays in the competition. From there, the contestants will be narrowed down to the final four, who will compete in the finale. The team leaders are still the same from last season. Blind auditions continued this week as the Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton competed to add new members to their teams.

GO ON

NBC, Tuesday at 8 p.m.

FA L L

INTO THIS SEASON’S TELEVISION JagWire takes a look at fall television shows BY mackenzie eckman

jagwire.mackenzieeckman@gmail.com

BY KATE SCHAU

jagwire.kateschau@gmail.com

THE NEW NORMAL NBC, Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.

THE MOB DOCTOR FOX, Thursday at 9 p.m.

Photo from Fox

Fox’s The Mob Doctor introduces us to yet another no-nonsense doctor with a blatant disregard for the legal system and a personalized code of ethics, with one shiny new trait: this doctor’s being forced to work for the mob on the side. The show follows her as she tries to save lives on all sides and avoid ticking off the head mobster guy, lest he send some hired goons after her family.

The best part of this show for me was the way it combined aspects of crime dramas and medical dramas to make a show that I’m pretty sure I’m going to keep up with.

REVOLUTION

NBC, Monday at 9 p.m.

Photo from NBC

Photo from NBC

Revolution TV Show

Go On, Matthew Perry’s newest comedy, premiered on NBC on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The show charts sportscaster Ryan King’s (Perry) adventures in a support group after his wife dies in a texting-related car accident. Most of the humor comes at the expense of the dysfunctionality of the support group. Perry stands out among his other cast members, not only because he is the main character but because of his keen eye for comedy. Overall, I’m really looking forward to this series.

NBC’s The New Normal looks into what makes up a family as it follows a gay couple looking to start one of its own and a single mother who volunteers to be their surrogate, hoping to start a new, more meaningful life. As this show is a comedy, there’s the obligatory motley crew of dynamic characters supporting or hindering the efforts of our protagonists in a variety of comical ways. The somewhat controversial ideas of the show were portrayed very well, matter-of-factly, but with a certain level of charm and universal sentiment.

NBC’s Revolution explores a post-apocalyptic world in which all technology has stopped working. This throws civilization back into the dark ages, complete with a feudalistic system of government, crossbow-toting protagonists and trench coat-clad villains gallivanting across the countryside on horseback. The premise seems promising, but the writing and acting just didn’t do it for me. Or maybe I was distracted by the leading lady’s love interest and his truly uncanny resemblance to both President Barack Obama and Star Trek’s Spock.

TUBE TIME

Find out the best method for watching your favorite television shows based on your schedule Hulu or network websites: Use Hulu or network websites which allow you to view episodes for up to a week after their orginal air date

Netflix: Instant streaming on your computer, iPhone or TV makes Netflix a great, flexible alternative

FREE

BUSY Watch it live: If you’ve got the time, watch it live. If you do, you don’t have to worry about your favorite show getting spoiled the next day

14 A&E

DVR: DVR allows you to record and keep shows saved until you have the opportunity to watch them

Survey of 130 students

FLIPSIDE Your sideways trip around the world

BY AMBER NGUYEN

jagwire.ambernguyen@gmail.com

BY sydney wilson

jagwire.sydneywilson@gmail.com

SONG SWITCH-UP

Photo by Amber Nguyen

Photo from Arcade Fire

(Canada) Song: “We Used to Wait” Album: The Suburbs

Arcade Fire

Photo from We Are Phoenix

(France) Song: “1901” Album: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Phoenix

Photo from Of Monsters and Men

(Iceland) Song: “Little Talks” Album: My Head is an Animal

Of Monsters and Men

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

What you’ll need:

For the dipping sauce: ½ cup of hoisin sauce 1 cup of water 3 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter 1 ½ tablespoon sugar

Directions:

For the spring rolls: 1. Start by boiling two pots of water, one for the shrimp and the other for the vermicelli.

2. Follow instructions on the package of vermicelli for cooking time. Drain and rinse.

Set aside.

3. Peel and devein the shrimp and boil in water until fully cooked.

4. Thoroughly wash the lettuce and cilantro.

Set aside.

5. Get a bowl of warm water to prepare the rice wrappers, dip each rice wrapper into the warm water so that is completely wet and set enough wrappers on enough plates for however many that you are feeding.

6. On top of each wrapper, on one of the sides, not in the middle place a leaf of let-

For the dipping sauce: 1. Boil the cup of water.

2. Whisk in the hoisin sauce, peanut butter and sugar.

3. Simmer for 5 minutes.

4. If your sauce does not thicken, whisk for one minute over medium heat.

5. Pour into individual serving cups and enjoy.

tuce, a sprig of cilantro, a little portion of vermicelli, and 3-4 shrimp pieces on top of it all.

7. Be sure not to overstuff the rolls, because they will rip if overstuffed.

8. Enjoy with dipping sauce.

Staff member shares recipe for authentic Vietnamese spring rolls

had to take English tests, write essays, go to interviews and stuff like that.”

Koleva said that her first few days in the United States were a bit difficult as she learned about America.

“I didn’t know lots of stuff, like what to order in restaurants,” Koleva said. “I asked many questions of my host family.”

Koleva’s host family, the family she’s staying with while in America, chose her to come live with them, so she did not know where she would be going until she learned who her host family was.

Although she hasn’t had too much trouble adjusting to life in America, Koleva did admit that the new school was “a little confusing.” “[The school] is very different… and I got lost on my first day,” Koleva said.

All in all, Koleva is grateful for the opportunity she has had to study in America.

“It’s a new experience,” Koleva said, “but I think it’s worth it.”

International artists rise in popularity in the United States

What country was your shirt made in? (check your tag)

40% OTHER 33% ASIA 14% USA 8% MEXICO 5% INDIA

For the spring rolls: 1 package of rice wrappers 1 package of rice vermicelli 1 pound of peeled, boiled shrimp Fresh bunch of cilantro 1 head of red leaf lettuce

SAUCY SPRING ROLLS

A foreign exchange student from Kardzhali, Bulgaria, junior Marinela Koleva has been adapting to life in America.

“It was really overwhelming at the beginning, because I didn’t know anyone,” Koleva said.

“But it’s been over a month now, and I’m getting used to [living here].”

Koleva got the opportunity to come to the United States through an organization called American Councils for International Education, which helps students around the world interact with other cultures, usually through foreign exchange programs. Koleva said that she had to do a lot to be able to come to America.

“I won a scholarship,” Koleva said, “but [to get the scholarship] I

Junior Marinela Koleva shares exchange experiences

THE STUDENT SURVEY

Photo by Miranda Snyder

A&E 15

Left: In Blue 4 Plants and Environment, junior Brayson Christopher pins his insects he collected from the insect collecting outside on Thursday, Sept.13.

In the class student learn about different types of insects, and go outside to collect different types.

Photo by Ashley Kitchen

Above: Starting out his Plants and the Environment class by drying out the insects he caught, senior Derek Beyer pins his recently caught insect. After learning about various species, of insects Beyer and his classmates went outside to collect them. “Catching bugs is my favorite thing,” Beyer said. Photo by Miranda Snyder

Catching The grade Students collect a variety of insects for a Plants and the Environment class Above Right: Trying to catch bugs to take back to his class, junior Daniel Ward tries to scare them from hiding, on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

After Ward catches his bugs he began to identify and pin them. “I’m actually learning more than I thought I would,” Ward said, “It’s fun.”

Photo by Miranda Snyder

Below Right: During Blue 4 Plants and Environment class, junior Alex Lauderdale works on pinning insects she caught. Lauderdale said collecting bugs was her favorite part because “It’s interesting and exciting.” Photo by Ashley Kitchen

Above: After letting her bugs soak up some moisture on Thursday, Sept. 13, junior Dominique Vann looks through a book to identify the bug before she pins it. Vann said that the identifying and pinning are the hardest parts of the entire process. “It’s interesting to see all the different bugs,” Vann said. Photo by Miranda Snyder

16 PHOTO ESSAY

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