The class of 2025 leaves high school to embark on a new journey
PAGE 20
FEATURE: 25 YEARS OF MVHS
Volume 25, Issue 6
16
Hudson
Penner said. photo by hannah ste-
Senior Josie Mason was voted most likely to be on the cover of Vogue photo by eva hernandez
Professional Associations
Kansas Scholastic Press Association
National Scholastic Press Association
Journalism Education Association
Journalism Educators of Metropolitan KC
The JagWire earned a 2024 All-Kansas rating from KSPA and were 2023 NSPA Pacemaker finalists. It is also a member of the NSPA All-American Hall of Fame.
Editorial Policy
We value your opinions. If you wish to submit a column or a letter to the editor to 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.
Editors in Chief
hailey gussio
editor in chief
avery clement
editor in chief
madelyn mulryan editor in chief
Online Editors in Chief
maddie martin
online editor in chief
online editor in chief
evan leroy
online editor in chief ian chern
Copy Editor
maddie martin
online editor in chief
Staff
ryan bloomer writer/photographer
kennedy botkin writer/photographer
jake brown writer/photographer
natalia castillejos-ramírez writer/photographer
oliver feiring writer/photographer
mya franco writer/photographer
eva hernandez writer/photographer
doreen mahugu writer/photographer
quinlyn peters writer/photographer
gracyn schreiber writer/photographer
hannah stephensen writer/photographer
abby stidham writer/photographer
Seniors Reece Miller and Jada Winfrey are rooming together at KU next year. photo by abby stidham
Students attended haunted disco themed homecoming dance on Saturday, Sept. 25. 2021. photo by damara stevens
Seniors Alonnah Gage, Brooklyn Markovich, Laura Hickman, Maggie Wieland, Seville Skinner, Charlotte Caldwell, Callie Cahoy, Isabel Cherrito, Meg McAfee, Calista Marx photo by thomas helm
Holding their trophy overhead, the Mill Valley boys soccer team celebrates winning the state championship title on Nov 8, 2022. photo by damara stevens
MOVING FORWARD
Graduating high school marks an important transition in one’s life
Walking across the stage at graduation and grabbing the high school diploma is the event that marks the end of childhood for many seniors. It is akin to closing the chapter of childhood and beginning adulthood. The world is now an open book, ready for you to dive in and write your own story.
The newfound freedom and all the opportunities are exciting. However, as Eleanor Roosevelt said, “With great freedom, comes great responsibility.” Whether the future of seniors entails college, the military, entering the workforce or more, it will be a journey of increased independence.
Many seniors have always had their parents or guardians there to help teach them new things, work through problems and help provide for them.
However, in these new journeys, parents, guardians and systems of support will not be as prominent. Being more independent means gaining new responsibilities.
There will be a great deal of changes but that is nothing this
senior class cannot work through. If this class can get through COVID-19 changing some of the most crucial moments in their young lives, then we can get
“Change is inevitable; no year of high school was the same and no year of the rest of our lives will be the same either.”
JagWire Staff
through anything.
Although these journeys will be your own, that does not mean they have to be entirely independent. With all of these changes, there will be a good amount of stress. However, seniors should not forget they still have those people who love and want to help them as they learn to write the rest of their story.
by jagwire staff
Remember to be open and adaptable to those coming changes. Change is inevitable; no year of high school was the same and no year of the rest of our lives will be the same either.
Although change may be scary, try to embrace it. Avoiding change will ultimately end up costing you many opportunities and experiences. Being open to change will lead to improvements and achievements in your life.
Learn your new responsibilities, say goodbye to your childhood and realize everything in front of you.
Although the senior class may be excited to begin their new journey and assume new responsibilities, make sure to cherish the final moments of the time left in childhood.
The present moment is where memories are made; don’t overlook it. Enjoy the last days of high school and the final summer with family and friends.
Spend time making lasting memories and be ready to breathe in the new air of freedom.
by maddie martin online editor in chief
FUTURE TOWARD THE FUTURE
ARIZONA
ARIZONA STATE
UNIVERSITY
Christina Baumgart
Business Marketing
Calista Marx
Marketing
Jackson Sprecker
Biology
Hannah Weis
Marketing
GRAND CANYON
UNIVERSITY
Cole Huffman
Business Management
Mollie Smith
Broadcast Journalism
POST GRADUATE SPORTS
BASEBALL
Ronnie Hendrix
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Miranda Hakes
Nursing
Geneva Musolf
Marketing and Finance
ARKANSAS
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
Talia Delperdang
Political Science
Evalyn Dill
Graphic Design
Lily Folendore
Psychology
Josie Mason
Biology
Audrey Mulloy
Criminology
Jenna Newman
Business Economics
Seville Skinner
Special Education
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
PINE BLUFF
Owen Gietzen
Undecided
COLORADO
COLORADO MESA
UNIVERSITY
Callie Cahoy
Graphic Design
COLORADO STATE
UNIVERSITY
Elly Hayes
Health and Exercise Science
Saida Jacobs
Marketing
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
ACADEMY
Laura Hickman
Biology FLORIDA
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
UNIVERSITY
Clayton Sondgeroth
Marketing
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY
Ashlyn Blazer Kinesiology
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
Kennedy Howe
Accounting
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY
Alex Grace
Business Management
PALM BEACH ATLANTIC
Jackson Fisher
Sports Broadcasting
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Jayden Woods Kinesiology
INDIANA
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Shubh Patel
Aerospace Engineering
Jackson Pursell
Astronautical Engineering
Carter Tollman
Computer Engineering
IOWA
WARTBURG COLLEGE
Averie Landon
Business
KANSAS
BUTLER COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Terran Marshall
Sports Management
COWLEY COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Jake Hobbs
Business Management
EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Avery Cole
Elementary Education
Blake Gray
Elementary Education
Alyssa Hogg
Elementay Education
Lexus Pennel
Special Education
Alaina Sweany
Undecided
FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
Alonnah Gage
Nursing
Grayson Moore
Sports Journalism
Halle Nelson
Diagnostic Imaging and Sonography
Andy Watts
Construction Management
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Isaac Lightcap
Finance
HIGHLAND COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Hudson Powers
Construction Management
JOHNSON COUNTY
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Caiden Anderson
Undecided
Sophia Benedict
Undecided
Colton Bendure
Radiology
Sam Bolan
Electrical Technology
Jackson Busch
Emergency Medical Technician
Zach Casper
Arts
Drew Christensen
Business
Ashlyn Collene
Psychology
Brian Comer
Graphic Design
Moon Coulter
Emergency Medical Technician
Zoe Engelhart
Radiology
Cheltone Ford
Psychology
Hailey Gussio
Undecided
Jacqueline Gutierrez
Biology
James Haase
Undecided
Parker Haist
Marketing
Katie Hall
Undecided
Micheal Handlin
Liberal Arts
El-Roi Hasabu
Sports Marketing
Braden Keeler
Web Development
Laiyah Kirkpatrick
Nursing
Hannah Lewis
Undecided
Alex Martin
Emergency Medical Services
Janessa Mayorga
Photography
Jennifer Melendez
Business Administration
Nahashon Njenga
BROADENING OUR
SIGNINGS
Basketball
Baseball
Pre-Pharmacy
Shawn Njoroge
Computer Sciences
Jack Redden
Electrical Technology
Lilly Rugenstein
Undecided
Vincent Sauro
Undecided
Lillian Schleicher
Undecided
Mads Shimmel
Recreational Sports Management
Christoph Tilley
Civil Engineering
Alivia Thatlor
Health & Medicine
Daniel Vaca Criminology
Victoria Vanderhoorn
Undecided
Hayden Wood
Arts and Design
Leila Yousse
Undecided
KANSAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Denver Smith Undecided
KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE
Bradon Dinkel
Undecided
KANSAS CITY KANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Gabriel Coleman
Advanced Manufacturing
Ryan Handy
Construction Management
Junior Luna
Construction Technology
Landon Muehlburger
Automotive Technology
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Marissa Akehurst
Environmental Science
Dylan Bauer
Business
Josie Benson
Health Sciences
Charlotte Caldwell
Biology
Garret Clark
Symbol key for students that signed to do their sport or activity in college
Powerlifting
Construction Science
Maddie Dibble
Business Administration
Colby Eckhoff
Construction Management
Reid Ellis
Computer Science
Brendan Eyberg
Computer Engineering
Elaina Fagen
Animal Science Industry
Emmy Gaschler
Kinesiology
Payten Hansen
Entomology
Ethan Hartshorn
Computer Science
Reese Hartwick
Nursing
Marissa Hoelting
Business Administration
Alayna Huber
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Libby Jackson
Psychology
Jett January
Kinesiology
Kenzie Johnson
Philosophy
Emersyn Jones
Biology
Grace Kepper
Undecided
Logan Koester
Accounting and Finance
Rylee Koppa
Finance
Gracie Kurzejeski
Nutritional Sciences
Chole Lancaster
Nursing
Addison Long
Dietetics
Sierra Manning
Architecture
Brooklyn Markovich
Biology
Arye Meyer
Biology
Logan Miller
Political Science
Jacob Muntzel
Personal Financial Planning
Grace Pedroza
Mechanical Engineering
Cade Rayle
Business Management
HORIZONS
HORIZONS
Blake Rieke
Mechanical Engineering
Addie Riffel
Kinesiology
Graeson Scott
Biology
Pat Segura
Biology
Brynn Shideler
Nutrition and Health
Evan Wendler
Finance
Aislyn Wittmer
Marketing
Conner Wood
Construction Science/Management
KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Molly Griffin
Nursing
Thatcher Ivey Undecided
MCPHERSON COLLEGE
Byron Hays
Sports Studies
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Aubrie Barton
Radiologic Technology
Bella Supica
Radiologic Technology
Piper Wendler
Radiologic Technology
MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
Aiden Lehr
Elementary Education
Desmon Williams
Sports Medicine
PITTSBURG STATE
UNIVERSITY
Joah Clark
Music Education
Brayden Prebble
Mechanical
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Wren Altis
Sports Medicine
Ashley Ayers
Interior Architecture
The post-high school plans for the 2025 graduates
Source: Student information found through JagWire/counseling surveys
Raji Bassi
Law
Brody Brigham
Computer Science
Ellen Chen
Business-Finance
Ian Chern
Chemical Engineering
Emmie Chezem
Social Work
Carter Cline
Civil Engineering
Ava Bittner
Marketing
Joseph Bollella
Human Biology
Davis Borchardt
Business
Audri Brizendine
Biochemistry
Carter Coup
Exercise Science
Ayden Brown
Visual Communication Design
Alex Buckmaster
Anthropology
Kayla Bumm
Exercise Science
Kai Burford
Computer Science
Mariel Casper
Biochemistry and Exercise Science
Sawyer Clark
Music Production and Technology
Hank Danielson
Business Administration
Colin Devery
Civil Engineering
Taryn Dixon
Exercise Science
Anderson Doyle
Mechanical Engineering
Drew Enloe
Exercise Science
Calvin Erude
Buisness Major Brayden Evans Music
Lily Friedman
Nursing
Abigail Gafney
Mechanical Engineering
Aiden Harb
Radiology
Braylon Harrison
Undecided
Max Henson
Business Administration
Caroline Hooper
Biochemistry
Jonas Humphrey
Fine Arts in Animation
Kye Jegen
Business Administration
Cadence Kerr
Pre-Medicine
Gunnar Knight
Business
Loren Larson
Nursing
Zane Lauer
Music Education
Jace Lee
Biology
Rylie Maguire
Nursing
Ronan Meyers
Exercise Science
Reese Miller
Speech Language and Hearing: Science and Disorders
Joey Nightingale
Pre-Nursing
Tiya Nyirenda
Criminal Justice
Braden Peter Finance
Noah Pham
Mechanical Engineering
Dalamar Read
Chemistry
Annabel Ralls
Psychology
Carson Reynolds
Aerospace Engineering
Jasroop Sarai Finance
Jaikub Srivisay
Exercise Science
Aiden Standley
Finance
Waylon Stewart
Business Marketing
Reagan Swartz
Undecided
Brayden Sword
Construction Management
Gillian Szymczak
Pre-Physical Therapy
Matthew Tieman
Political Science
Katie Umana
Business
Yazid Vazquez
Economics
Keisey Walker
Psychology
Maddox Walker
Architectural Engineering
Brekhan Waters
Exercise Science
Porter White
Finance
Emily Wills
Microbiology
Jada Winfrey
Marketing
Zach Zaldivar
Supply Chain Management
Remi Ziebell
Pre-Pharmacy
WICHITA STATE
UNIVERSITY
Molly Barhorst
Psychology
Briar Hood
Music
Aiden Johnson
Aerospace Engineering
Jackson Kindhardt
Welding
Trinity Wilson
Art Education
MASSACHUSETTS
BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC
Kai McGarry Professional Music
MICHIGAN
LAWRENCE
TECHNOLOGICAL
UNIVERSITY
Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick
Chemistry
MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA WEST
Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick
Chemistry
COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA
Parker Novay
Accounting
UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA TWIN CITIES
Juliyana Laws
Finance
MISSOURI
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
Amaya Gooley
Undecided
NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE
Kyra Nelson
Animal Science
Abram Shaffer
Business
ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY
Nicolas Schrag
Finance
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI
AnnMarie Geise
Business Administration
Carter Kaifes
Undecided
Owen Kalmas
Professional Pilot
Kate Martin
Biology
Brynn McGillicuddy
Nursing
Lauren Welch
Business
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Isabel Cherrito
International Business
Aubree Ermisch
Broadcast Journalism
Ava Lamothe
Kinesiology
UNIVERSITY OF
MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY
Joe Bassi
Chemistry
Zach Chesser
Music Composition
Kennedy Goertz
Nursing
Autumn Graves
Pre-Medicine
Cora Jones
Business
Chole McCully
Biology
Alison Spieker
Art History
Rosie Yancey
Media, Art and Design
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
IN ST. LOUIS
Sophie Hsu
Political Science
WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
Brandon Brown Biochemistry
Madison Lehr
Exercise Science
Eric Penner
Business Management
Isaac Sauder
Business and Finance
WILLIAM WOODS
UNIVERSITY
Drew Hannam Exercise Science
NEBRASKA
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY
Thomas Helm
Paramedicine
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
UNIVERSITY
Morgan Speciale
Elementary Education
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA KEARNEY
Connor Bohon
Biology
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
Emma Mahoney
Psychology
Brett Spandet
Golf Management
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKAOMAHA
Elise Davis
Engineering
Brady Robins
Business
NEW JERSEY
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
Celeste White
Nursing
NEW YORK
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Gina Fourney
Mechanical Engineering
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Allyson Makalous
Acting
NORTH
CAROLINA
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Ammon Hill
Civil Engineering
OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
Maura Fleming Psychology
SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
Macy Fothergill
Psychology
OREGON
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Davin Bickerstaff Undecided
TENNESSEE
RHODES COLLEGE
Zak Petterson
Business/Finance
TREVECCA NAZARENE
UNIVERSITY
Joel Hayes Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
UTAH
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
Trey Skeeles Kinesiology
VIRGINIA
THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY
Abby Riggs Political Science
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Maggie Wieland Political Science
WISCONSIN
UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE
Stella Platt Marketing
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STEVENS POINT
Meg McAfee Family and Consumer Sciences Education
WORKFORCE
Angel Brooks
Dylan Burgess
Electrician
Nevaeh Lammons
Childcare
Alex Lorhan
Pipefitter
Alleya O’Bannon
Jordan Pyle
Cole Stone
Wyatt Wardle
Keiran Wong
TRADE SCHOOL/ CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Jalon Easley
Plumbing
Josh Elson
Electrician
Callan Herman
Pilates Instructor
Mia Modrcin
Bellus Academy Cosmetology School
Jonathan Riveria Perez
Real Estate License
Callie Rule
Automotive Engineering
Blake Stephens
Missouri Welding Institute
Ryan Trauernicht
Electrician
Benton Weber
Lineman
MILITARY
Cole Allen
Navy
Korvin Brown
Air Force
Justice Bussell
Air Force
Raina Frantz
Navy
Xavier Graham Army
Malachi Oldham
Air Force
Christopher Puello
Army
UNDECIDED/GAP
YEAR
Robiya Abdurashidova
Nicholas Alexander
Cooper Allee
Natalee Burson
Luis Cardona
Aleksa Desic
Connor Emo
Chase Gerling
Max Hasenyager
Bridget Howes
William Jonasson
Antonio King
Jordyn Knight
Sydney Layne
Caden Lorfing
Evey Maniquis
Daniel McDowell
Austin Miller
Zane Nelson
Brayden Neville
Aidan Parks
Grace Scott
Skylar Smith
Alexa Spellman
William Springer
Riley Urban
Bralyn Winn
SENIOR STATS
by maddie martin
online editor in chief by ryan bloomer writer/photographer by jake brown writer/photographer
VOTED IN THE 2024 ELECTION
SENIOR PARTICIPATION
VALLEY VERIFIED
Add up points for each MV activity you have done
Ever attended a state football game
Ever gotten a fresh cookie at the Catty Shack
Been late because of traffic
Done donuts in the parking lot
Taken an AP class
Said hi to Dr. Holder in the hallway
Played a sport
Qualified for state for a sport or activity
Cried at school
Tripped going up a staircase
Been on a float in the homecoming parade
Been interviewed by yearbook or newspaper
Gotten lost in C-hall
Printed an essay in the library
Stormed the field after a sports game
Been in an MVTV episode
Been on a Relay For Life team
Joined a new club or activity
Participated in a spirit day
Taken a class at CTEC
0-5 pts: You might as well go to De Soto. Go Wildcats!
5-15 pts: You are the average student at MV. Congrats!
15-20 pts: Direct relative of JJ the Jaguar. You ARE Mill Valley!
SHUBH PATEL
“It feels great to win, but I don’t know why I did. I’ve never pulled an all-nighter in my life.”
MAGGIE WIELAND
“I think I won because everyone associates me with getting good grades and being smart in school. I’m happy I won, but the latest I’ve stayed up studying is probably 12:30.”
PULL AN ALL NIGHTER STUDYING MOST LIKELY TO... HAVE THE BEST BROMANCE
SCHOOL SUPERLATIVES
LOWER C
MOST LIKELY TO BE THE BEST BATHROOM
HUDSON POWERS
“[I think we won] because we hang out a lot [and] we’re really close to each other and have been for a long time.”
ERIC PENNER
“It feels great to be seen as a good friend from outside people and be recognized for that.”
The senior class gave superlatives to features and elements of the school
BATHROOM MOST LIKELY TO BE FULL UPPER A
madelyn mulryan editor in chief
by mya franco writer/photographer
The senior class voted on which of their fellow students best fit each superlative by
HAVE SCHOOL SPIRIT
HANK DANIELSON
“I won because of how involved I am with the school and how I help in the student section and JLC class that I’m involved with and that I’m around the school and usually show up and have spirit and support all the activities that we do at school.”
AIDEN LEHR
“It’s awesome, it’s my goal to attend all the sport events and be the most hype I can be.”
BE ON THE COVER OF VOGUE
EMERSYN JONES
“I’m very excited that I won and very surprised. My friends say I have a good sense of style and I’m very appreciative of that.”
JOSIE MASON
“I actually have no idea [how I won this] but I’m glad that I did.”
MOST LIKELY TO FAIL THIS CLASS CALCULUS
JagWire Survey of 237 seniors
CLASS MOST LIKELY TO GET STRAIGHT A’S IN ENGLISH
WIN THE HUNGER GAMES
MATT TIEMAN
“I’m strong, I lift weights a lot, and I think I’m pretty fast.”
PAT SEGURA
“Everyone knows I play paintball, [so] I have a feeling that’s the main reason.”
WIN THE VOICE
BLAKE GRAY
“I’m really involved in the play and theater and that’s how most people know me.”
REECE MILLER
“I’m super involved in choir and I love to sing and everybody knows that about me.”
WATER FOUNTAIN MOST LIKELY TO HAVE COLDEST WATER GYM
MOST HYPE STUDENT SECTION FOOTBALL
COME BACK TO TEACH AT MV
JOAH CLARK
“I’m going into music education, and during the signing, Steiner made a joke about me coming back and replacing her, and I’ve just kind of run with that joke because I think it would be something fun to do.”
MEG MCAFEE
“[It’s] cool, I saw it coming and I want to be a teacher so it’s a compliment.”
BE A SHOULDER TO CRY ON
MARISSA AKEHURST
“I’m so surprised I won. I texted my mom and she told me I’m really empathetic and that’s why.”
ELLY HAYES
“I think I won because I’m always there for my friends and I love to support them. I’m so humbled to win and I want to thank all my friends that voted for me.”
TEACHERS MOST LIKELY TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH CHAD BROWN ASHLEY AGRE
STILL SEARCHING
High school is a time to figure out what you want to do and graduating without that final decision is okay by hailey
gussio editor in chief
Throughout high school, especially in my junior and senior years, I’ve been asked what I plan to do with my life a lot. It’s a reasonable and expected question. However I haven’t given a single person a straight answer. Or a true one for that matter because I don’t know. I didn’t know at 16 and I still don’t at 18 and I’m learning that it’s okay. I do have some ideas, but I’m not dead set on anything yet. I think it’s important to know that people don’t need to have their whole life figured out at 16, 18 or even 20. High schoolers get so wrapped up in school and the looming presence of adulthood that they forget they’re young and that this is the time to explore.
I know a number of people who have used high school less as an exploratory period, but more as a preparation for college and their future career. They know what
they want to become one day and I think that is awesome, however I have been the other person in the room. The one who wishes to have such a set path for their life. I’ve felt behind compared to my peers because I’m still trying to figure out my future. I’ve gotten extremely stressed out because of this, and I felt like nothing was going to go right for me. I felt that I needed to hurry up and just pick a passion as my future. However, I’m learning that there is no deadline to figuring
“However, I’m learning that there is no deadline to figuring out your life.”
JagWire editor in chief Hailey
out your life. When the clock hits midnight on your 18th birthday you are still the same teenager you were the day before.
I’ve always had a wide range of interests. As a kid I liked dancing, exploring and reading, but most of
42 27 24
all I loved to draw and paint. I was obsessed with art, I drew constantly and it was my dream to become an artist or art teacher one day. For a long time those were my top career choices. As I got older, -late middle school and into high school, my wide range of hobbies took over and I drifted away from drawing more and more. I still enjoyed art and creative hobbies, but it wasn’t necessarily my passion. I had been so set on drawing being who I am that I felt lost when I started to grow out of it and found different interests.
I have learned to remind myself that there’s still time. I explored interests in high school and I will continue to narrow down those interests in the first two years of college. I enjoy history, photography and reading most of all right now and I plan to explore those deeper in the next two years to decide what I want the rest of college to entail.
It’s important to keep an open mind and remember you’re only a teenager, so there is still time ahead of you to figure things out. Not everyone is going to have the next 20 years of their life planned, and that’s okay. Go on the path that is right for you, even if it’s different from the paths of the people around you. In high school it is so easy to forget that you are young and there is an entire life ahead of you.
photos submitted by Hailey Gussio Number of assignments in Hailey’s newspaper career
MEASURED BY YOU
Instead of comparing everything you do to your peers, stay focused on your own accomplishments
After taking a test or quiz during my time in high school, one of the first things I would do is ask my peers what grade they got on the test. Many times, I would use their score to make me feel better or worse about my own score. If I scored higher than them I felt a sense of pride, even if I knew I could have done better. If I scored lower, I felt unsatisfied with my score, even if I was originally happy with it. I originally thought that this was just my competitive nature which was a good thing. However, at some point, the habit of comparing myself with others started to make it harder to appreciate my accomplishments. I wasn’t learning for myself; I was learning to stay ahead of others.
Especially in high school, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. Things like test scores, grades and class ranks are all designed to sort and compare students. This makes it easy to believe that being successful means being better than other people. However, comparing our own success with other people’s success ironically overlooks a large factor – our differences. Everybody has unique circumstances and different ways they learn. Just because someone did better than you on a test doesn’t mean that you were unsuccessful. Addition-
by ian chern online editor in chief
ally, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are successful if you do better than a friend. Do not use someone else’s results to determine how you did. When you start comparing yourself to other people, you will begin to chase their results and not focus on improving your own. You shouldn’t use someone else’s success or failure to define your own terms of success.
During my early years of high school, I always compared myself to others regarding class rank. It
“When we stop comparing ourselves to others, we can see learning as a personal journey instead of a competition”
Online editor in chief Ian Chern
got to a point where I began taking classes I was not even excited about. Later, I found out that focusing on myself gave me more satisfaction in my accomplishments and I had more fun. Focusing on yourself
doesn’t mean not being competitive or not trying. It doesn’t mean to ignore advice or feedback. It simply means to improve yourself by following your own definition of success. Instead of comparing yourself to others, you should compare yourself to yourself. Ask yourself: “Did I give ev- erything I had? Did I learn something new? Was I better prepared than I was last time?” These are the important questions to ask instead of what someone else got. These questions will lead to true improvement and growth. When we stop comparing ourselves to others, we can see learning as a personal journey instead of a competition.
This mindset applies not only to school but also to life. There will always be people who seem never to fail, achieve things fast- er or score better. Whether this is in academics, sports, work or life achievements, there will always be people who seem to be better than you. However, as long as we focus on our personal journey and give
photos submitted by Ian Chern
Number of assignments in Ian’s newspaper career
STILL HERE AFTER
How the school has changed since it opened in 2000, told by the teachers who have worked here since its opening
CHANGES SINCE 2000
Things that have been added to the school throughout its 25 years
The jaguar statue in the main hallway was created and designed in 2006 by CTEC principal Tim Mispagel.
Catty Shack, run by the marketing class, was officially opened in 2013 to sell food, drinks and accessories to students during seminar.
Main C hall mural was painted in 2014 by a 2015 graduate. It took about 20 hours to paint from start to finish.
The school has been open for 25 years, and there are six teachers that have been here since the beginning. They have seen the school grow and change; they’ve seen traditions come and go, and the school grow. They are the school’s roots, their influence and curriculum has reached generations of students.
For Registrar Deana Thom, one of the most noticeable differences is the size of the school, both physically and in population.
“When the school first opened there were three secretaries, and at that point, we only had one counselor,” Thom said. “There were 750 ish students when we opened the building.”
Since the school has grown so much, Spanish teacher Edith Paredes is grateful for the sheer number of students she has been able to reach with her teaching.
“The one thing that I’m very grateful for is the fact that the
culture with more kids,” Paredes said. “I can reach out to more kids and teach them all about Spanish and the culture and how they would benefit from learning a different language. The [students] that stick around until AP Language and Culture have learned to appreciate the culture and the language and they have fallen in love with it.”
In the past 25 years, the school isn’t the only thing that has changed; the students that fill the halls have also grown. This is something science teacher and football coach Eric Thomas has noticed.
“Great kids [who] still have pretty high academic accountability, and we just continue to grow and grow, and things get better and better,” Thomas said. “We have the most awesome kids in the state.”
Not only did the population growth evolve the kinds of students the school had, but it also
CTEC, the Cedar Trails Exploration Center, was built in 2021. It provides career pathways that the school doesn’t offer.
PAC, the Performing Arts Center, was built in 2020 and seats 750 people.
THECATTY SHACK
25 YEARS
by hailey gussio editor in chief by mya franco writer/photographer
Travis Keal, has seen this firsthand.
“When we first started here, we were a 4A school,” Keal said. “Grey Oaks wasn’t even here yet. Houses were starting to be built, [which made the] population go up, and we went from 4A to 6A.”
Additionally, the school’s traditions have also evolved in many ways. Thom noticed that one of the biggest changes in these traditions was homecoming.
“Back when everyone had lockers, and kids hung out in the locker banks by grade level [during] homecoming [week], they would, and still do, decorate the halls,” Thom said. “We would judge the decorations of the hallways. The homecoming parade used to be during the day, we would take the afternoon [off], and we would start [the homecoming parade] by the elementary schools. The elementary schools and Monticello Trails Middle School would bring all their kids out and line the roads.
nity thing. It was so much fun to see the roads lined with all of these kids from our district, and kind of pepped them up to be a Jaguar someday.”
Thom, Keal, and Sedgwick miss some of the lost traditions of the school, however, Keal recognizes that there are new traditions that have made a positive impact.
“We [now] recognize a lot of the [school] programs, whether it be football, volleyball, wrestling, debate, cross country, band, dance or cheer,” Keal said. “People do good and it needs to be recognized, and we do a good job of that.”
With new traditions, and more generations of students, the school has become more like a community. English teacher Sara Sedgwick has noticed students being more united.
“When the school first opened, no one really had any pride,” Sedgwick said. “Now I
MV MOMENTS
2001 yearbook photos and favorite memories from the original staff
Spanish teacher
Edith Paredes
Registrar Deana Thom
P.E.
teacher Travis Keal
“I get sad when I have to say goodbye to my seniors because I’m so lucky to work with the best students. This is why every year is special. There’s something to celebrate and something that I can do better the next year.”
“One year, I got to ride in the homecoming parade with Officer Wilburn in the Camaro. And that was so much fun. We did it for several years. He drove it in the parade, and we all took turns riding with him.”
“I’m a forward moving person, so I like the growth that’s happened. I don’t miss anything from the beginning; just watching things grow and get better each year is pretty cool.”
Science teacher
Eric Thomas
Kathy Habiger
“The last several years have just been awesome. This year has been one of the best years. Kids are engaged, they’re fun, they’re happy.”
“During homecoming week, we used to have the parade during school, and it rained, and so instead of floats in front of the school we decorated grocery carts and pushed them through the halls.”
“I love all those memories of those really fantastic [journalism] kids that have come through here. They’re always so motivated and hard working, and just super fun, and they make my job so much easier, and so worthwhile.”
English teacher
Sara Sedgwick
Journalism teacher
photo by maggie kriks
SPLIT AT THE CAP
Friends who have stuck it out through high school together come to the realization they will be seeing each other off to different colleges soon
On May 1, seniors officially made their college decisions. Afterwards, many large friend groups had a startling realization. These friend groups that have survived much of high school together are suddenly splitting up.
Senior Charlotte Caldwell’s friend group had the same realization. Before they made their decisions, the group had only talked about the schools they were touring and didn’t discuss their final decisions.
“We didn’t really talk about what colleges we’re all going to until we had all decided where we were going, and it ended up that no one wanted to go to the same place,” Caldwell said
While it can be hard to say goodbye, senior Brooklyn Markovich and her friend group have plans to stay in contact with each other by texting and having group FaceTimes. They also plan to meet up while on breaks to keep the friendship alive.
“The people close to me have talked about planning to visit each other,” Markovich said. “Then, when we come back during winter
break, we’ll hang out, and during Thanksgiving break, we’ll get together for a friendsgiving.”
Caldwell knows that leaving all of the certainty of a stable friend group can be difficult, however, she’s excited for the change. “I’m gonna miss a lot of my friends be- cause I am really close with them and I like to hang out with them all the time,” Caldwell said. “But I’m excited to meet new people and be in a new environment.” Senior Seville Skinner agrees that the new community is gonna be a great part of the college journey.
“It’ll be hard to leave the friend group that we’ve had for so long, but it’ll be good to go out and make some more community and some more friends,” Skinner said. “I’ll definitely miss the friend group that I have here, too.”
Markovich knows that leaving her friend group will be sad, but she is
by evan leroy online editor in chief
looking to all th fun experiences college has to offer like joining a sorority and meeting new people. “I know that it’s going to be easy for me to find my people since college is so big,” Markovich said.“If I can find a good group of girls at my high school, which is much smaller, I know I’ll find people who are right for me [at college]. I’m not really worried about mak- ing friends even though I’m definitely going to miss my [high school] friends a lot.”
Seniors Alonnah Gage, Brooklyn Markovich, Laura Hickman, Maggie Wieland, Seville Skinner, Charlotte Caldwell, Callie Cahoy, Isabel Cherrito, Meg McAfee, and Calista Marx stand in front of Mill Valley to get senior photos taken together photo submitted by thomas helm
ROOM TO GROW
by natalia castillejos-ramírez writer/photographer
Finding someone to dorm with can be intimidating since students spend so much time with their roommate. However, seniors Reese Miller and Jada Winfrey have a strong foundation as friends, which made them choose to room together when attending Kansas University in the fall.
Both decided to attend KU for different reasons. Winfrey wanted to go because she felt it was where she was destined to be. Miller wanted to attend because they are ranked sixth in the nation in speech pathology, her field of study.
Immediately after deciding to attend KU, Miller and Winfrey wanted to find a good roommate. Winfrey believes it is better to room with a friend than a stranger.
“[It is so] nerve-wracking to meet a complete stranger,” Winfrey said. “Reese and I have been friends since sixth grade. We haven’t been super close, or best friends, so we still have a lot more getting to know each other, which is good.”
Knowing they will have each other’s company makes it easier
Seniors Reese Miller and Jada Winfrey plan to keep strengthening their friendship by being roommates
for Winfrey to leave her home.
“I think Reese will always be there, and she’s definitely a big piece of home,” Winfrey said. “Because we live close we can come home and can visit our families.”
Miller appreciates having her friend as a roommate due to the sadness of leaving behind other
“Having one friend I know I can rely on and who has been in my life for so long will be a good transition going into college.”
Senior Reese Miller
friendships.
“I think [having Jada with me] will to help so much, because a lot of my friends aren’t going to KU,” Miller said. “Having one friend I know I can rely on and who has been in my life for so long will be a good transition into college.”
They are also eager to room
with each other because of their qualities. Winfrey is relieved to dorm with Miller because she is responsible and orderly.
“She’s super organized and super on top of things, and more put together than even I am, which I appreciate,” Winfrey said.
Further, Miller is grateful to room with Winfrey because she is truthful and humorous.
“She’s super funny and keeps life honest,” Miller said. “It’s such a good quality to have in a friend, because I think, ‘Oh, I really needed to hear that.”
Although being friends was important in deciding to room together, their friendship still has room for growth. Miller is looking forward to growing closer.
“Our bond and the things we do together and growing as people are probably the biggest things
2021
Senior McKarly Johnson and freshman Kenzie Johnson pose in their tropical outfits for homecoming spirit week Sept. 22, 2021. photo by aidee aarronmendez
“I like spirit days because it’s an easy way to show my school spirit.”
-Senior Kenzie Johnson
2022
Freshman Joah Clark plays the trumpet while holding down her music sheet at spring jazz band concert March 7, 2022. photo by aidee barron- mendez
“It was a pretty fun concert. We played some fun songs in jazz band so I was able to really enjoy the performance.”
-Senior Joah Clark
2024
“It made me emotional knowing that it was my last show in high school.”
-Senior Allyson Makalous
2022
“It was a great bonding experience for us and it’s amazing to feel like your hard work has payed off.”
-Senior Ashley Ayers
2023
“I held up the five to show that we had just 5-peated. A lot of excitement and emotions were running through me at that time.”
-Senior Abe Shaffer
2025
2025
“I really enjoyed prom. My friends and I had a lot of fun.”
-Senior Taryn Dixon
MV WE ARE OUR MOMENTS
“PLACEHOLDER e creative, mess around with the design, and the layout of the entire page and the layout
-Senior Ronan Myers
The class of 2025’s defining moments throughout their high school experience
Holding up five fingers, junior Abe Shaffer celebrates the Jaguars’ fifth straight state championship April 28, 2023. photo by thomas helm
Filming for the Relay for Life instagram, senior Maggie Wieland interviews senior Ronan Myers about being a Mr. Relay contestant March 29, 2025. photo by emma ronning
Hands in the air, senior Taryn Dixon dances with her fellow classmates at prom April 12, 2025. photo by alex powell
Being held up by senior Blake Gray, senior Allyson Makalous, does the splits in the musical Footloose Nov. 12, 2024. photo by callie cahoy
Gathering around the trophy, the Silver Stars celebrate their second state win on Nov 20, 2021. photo by emma adams
