The Budget Issue #5

Students line up for rare

presidential visit to Lawrence

page 6

1901 Louisiana St., Lawrence, KS 66046

Volume 122, Issue 5, Feb. 4, 2015

2 Briefs

Winter court dream-team A dozen seniors make the royal cut, rest up for a star-dazzeled week Andy Dominguez

Jared Fangman

John Barbee

Ben Rajewski

What are your future plans?

“Become a music educator. I want to be a band director.”

What was your most recent dream? “I was directing the freshman band and then Mr. Hunt, Mr. Jones and Taylor Webb ran in with saxophones and started throwing them at me for some reason.”

What’s your most embarrassing moment? “Parking in two parking spots in the staff parking lot.”

If you could take anyone, alive or dead, to Winter Formal, who would you take? “Reese Witherspoon.”

What would be an ideal day?

“My best day would be playing basketball, probably going for a swim after, going to the candy store after the swim and sleeping until the next day.”

How many hours of sleep do you get? “I usually get about seven.”

How did you react when you found out you were on court?

“I was sleeping on the bus on the way to a basketball game. Jackson Mallory woke me up and told me.

I was happy, but I went back to sleep.”

What did you sleep with as a child? “Stuffed manatee.”

Kennedy Dold

Haley Hobbs

What will you miss about high school? “Living in this country since I’m moving away. I’m moving to Scotland.”

What was your most recent dream? “One time I had a dream where I was looking at some artwork and ice cream appeared. I was double happy because it was artwork and then ice cream.”

What will you miss about high school? “I’ll miss the sporting events and knowing everyone on the team and knowing who you’re supporting and the games.

I think I’ll just miss the little stuff like tha.”

What would be an ideal day?

“Laying on my couch watching Netflix.”

Langston Bush

Sara Ahmed

Emily Easum

Mona Ahmed

What are your future plans?

“I want to attend college and major in exercise science and physical therapy.”

What was your most recent dream? “I was on a class field trip.

I go to the top of the stairs and start flying. Then I find myself in a field walking around and not being able to fly. That was a bummer.”

Why do you think you were nominated? “I’m in band and NHS and some other clubs...so I think people got to know me in those.”

What’s your most embarrassing moment? “We were in band and our teacher...cut off the fermata, and I kept playing the note for another measure and everyone was quiet and staring at me.”

What legacy will you leave behind at LHS? “My legacy would be that one cheerleader that plays that tuba in marching band.”

What was your most recent dream? “Me and all of my friends were talking dogs. There was this one dog named Schnauzer. I don’t think he was a schnauzer but his name was schnauzer, and he had a British accent.”

How did you react when you found out you were on court? “I was so humbled...that my peers actually voted for me or they really liked me that much to vote for me. I was excited but shocked.”

What did you use to sleep as a child? “A blanket, which I call ‘Blanky,’ and to this day, my dad still refers to it as a ‘Blanky.’ ”

lhsbudget.com

Ivan Davidson

What would be an ideal day?

“My ideal day would be to sleep in. I would go bowling, eat a lot of food and hang out with my friends and go back to sleep.”

How many hours of sleep do you get? “Weekends, 10. School, I try to get eight. When I’m busy, I get six.”

Dana Bequette

What is your best memory of LHS? “My favorite moment at LHS was when I got to be part of Sucio (the dragon) in marching band.”

If you could take anyone, alive or dead, to Winter Formal, who would you take? “I’d take Ansel Elgort because he’s one of my favorite actors.”

Feb. 4, 2015 3 through advertising and staff fundraising.

The editorial staff is solely responsible for the content of this newspaper, and views expressed in The Budget do not necessarily reflect those of the administration of Lawrence High School or USD 497.

MISSION STATEMENT The Budget is committed to providing the Lawrence High community with objective, inclusive news coverage that ensures relevance to its entire spectrum of readers. The staff devotes itself to the exercise of First Amendment rights and upholding the highest of journalistic standards. While the paper is a vessel to publish student voice, it conjointly acts as an educational entity holding the intent of bettering student journalistic ability and reader’s access to information.

ABOUT US

The Budget is published every four weeks and distributed free of charge to students and faculty at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana, Lawrence, Kan. 660462999.

The Budget is produced by students in the Digital Journalism and Digital Design and Production courses with occasional contributions from 21st Century Journalism and guest columnists. The newspaper’s goals are to inform, entertain and present a forum of expression for students, faculty, administrators and community members.

The newspaper is financed

Editor-in-chief: Zia Kelly Webmaster: Jacob Parnell Online Editor: Cortlynn Stark Copy Editor: Kansas Gibler Photo Editor: Joseph Anderson Assistant Photo Editor: Cooper Avery Captions Editor: Jaycee Mountain Design & Layout Editor: Allie Fischer Graphics Editor: Joaquin Dorado Mariscal Sports Editor: Colton Lovelace Ad Sales Representatives: Nicole Owens and Keeli Billings

Journalism staff members: Brittany Archer, Emma Bentzinger, Hunter Boehle, Meredith Chapple, Savanna Chino, Dakota Collins, Abigail Damron, Jensen Edwards, Cynthia Falley, Hannah Gaines, Jacob Goodwin, Adam Graham, Dymtro Guzhva, Shawn Han, Brandon Hegeman, Krista Hopkins, Ian Jones, John King, Madyson Locke, Lizzy McEntire, Griffin Nelson, Riley Nelson, Ben Rajewski, Kate Rettig, Aidan Rothrock, Madeleine Stegman, Luna Stephens, Nicholas Steichen, Anna-Marie Turner, Matthew Walter, Julia Wilson, Margaret Wiseman, Ryan Yowell.

Adviser Barbara Tholen Business manager Pat Treff On the cover: In a rare Kansas visit, President Barack Obama delivers a speech at KU on Jan. 22. Photo by Joseph Anderson

Yearbooks

Order in the school finance office or at www.yearbookordercenter.com.

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GO LIONS! The Budget

4 Briefs

District revising schedule Consistent hours needed at both high schools for new CTE program

By Luna Stevens The introduction of the College and Career Center means students from both high schools will leave the school multiple times a week for different hours of the day. The current schedule will not meet the needs for the new CTE program because it is inconsistent from week to week, as well as between the two schools.

A committee of teachers and administrators from both high schools, administrators from the central office and representatives the teachers’ union are meeting to decide what changes will be made.

They should be releasing a suggested schedule in the next month.

“If nothing else, it is imperative that the two high schools follow the same schedule on the same day, otherwise the CTE center will not work,” assistant principal Mike Norris, a member of the committee said.

The schedule they are likely to propose looks a lot like our current block schedule, but rather than getting block weeks a few times a month, they would be every week. On normal days, school would end at 3:10 instead of 3:05.

Both late arrival and early release are still on the table, but the committee is unsure what days or times they will occur.

“I don’t think it’ll be a huge

impact on students. It’s not a radical schedule change,” Norris said, “I think parents will appreciate the consistency of knowing that the dismissal times stay the same each week.”

The new schedule must account for teachers’ plan time and the required 1,160 hours students are required to spend at school every year. Since block weeks have less time, if regular weeks are taken out, the lost hours will have to be made up another way.

“It’s not necessarily that every day starts at 8:05 and ends at 3:05, it’s more that the schedule is consistent,” debate coach Jeff Plinsky said, who is also on the

committee.

Students say they were not aware of the possibility of the schedule changing, but think having block every week would be better than the current schedule.

“We shouldn’t have a seventh hour,” senior Nate Holt said. “We should go back to how it used to be.”

Nothing regarding next year’s schedule is definitive, but the committee assures parents and students that it will be more consistent and easier to follow.

“We’re still trying to hash out the small details of what exactly that schedule is going to look like,” Plinsky said.

Scarcely occupied classrooms and frequent substitute teachers are some of the most noticeable results of the sickness pandemic making its way around LHS. The recorded cases of influenza are at the highest they have been in recent years, according to the Kansas Department of Health.

The amount of influenza-related doctor visits spiked up to nearly 9 percent in mid-January and remains higher than the past two flu seasons.

Graphic by Shawn Han

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Feb. 4, 2015 5

Gas prices plummet, students benefit Increase in US oil production drives prices down at the pumps Why is the price of gas decreasing?

Gas prices are going down. But why? There are a couple of factors that affect the prices.

One is that the U.S. oil production has increased to 11 million barrels per day. The other reason is that it is more beneficial for foreign oil producing countries to keep the prices down because more people will buy gas.

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

87 89 93

11,730,000 Per Day

87

11,110,000 Per Day

10,440,000 Per Day

CIA World Factbook

Graphic by Dymtro Guzhva

12 students will be chosen to receive $1,500 each!

Lawrence Lion Alumni Scholarship applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be involved in school activities.

For application information go to lhs.usd497.org Click on “Student Services,” then “Local Scholarships”

DUE MONDAY, FEB. 23!

The Budget

6 News

President addresses students in KU speech

Obama takes State of the Union to KU, discusses changes to education

By Zia Kelly LHS graduates Eric Martinez, Kayven Pottker and Natasha Hurt queued up at the doors of the Anschutz Athletic Pavilion at 1:30 on the morning of Jan. 22, braving sub-freezing temperatures.

The reward? A front-row spot to see the leader of the free world.

“It was unbelievable,” Martinez said. “Watching the President give a speech in person is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I wanted to make sure my friends were the closest we could possibly get to the President.”

Coming off of his State of the Union address, President Barack

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Obama came to Lawrence on Feb 22 to speak about his plan for his final two years in office. His speech focused on his middle class economics principles, from creating high-quality, affordable childcare to raising the minimum wage.

The initial press release for the President’s visit went public a week before the KU address. Students, faculty and alumni were among the thousands of people who stood in line ­— first to receive tickets at the Douglas County Fairgrounds and then in front of the sports pavilion.

“I found out I was getting a

ticket at 7:50 this morning [Feb. 22], and when I got there, I found out I got a VIP ticket, so I was super close to him,” sophomore Julia Randolph said. “It was really exciting.”

President Obama was the fourth sitting president to visit the campus — the first in more than a century. The rare presidential visit came to a city he said “totally gets it.”

“There is a strong Democratic base in Douglas County, so that makes this friendly territory for the President,” said debate coach Jeff Plinsky, who was in the audience.

Obama opened his Lawrence speech by sharing he had just met up with Bill Self and the rest of the KU basketball team. He referred to himself as a “Kansas guy,” sharing family history tracing back to his grandparents and his mother, who was born in Kansas.

KU students and faculty were honored to host the president during his State of the Union circuit with many saying it reflected well on the institution’s name.

“It was a huge honor that he selected KU as a site to advance his agenda for middle class economics,” KU social welfare professor

Feb. 4, 2015 7

Online Go to www.lhsbudget.com to watch a video about President Obama’s speech.

Page 6: Greeting the 7,000 people who crowded Anschutz Athletic Pavilion, President Barack Obama waves to the audience before giving his speech at KU on Jan. 22 after his State of the Union.

Photo by Joseph Anderson Top: Seeing over the crowd, senior Christian Espinosa spotted a Budget photographer in the press box before the speech. Photo by Joseph Anderson.

Bottom: Giving his speech, Obama quotes much of his State of the Union address but adds the occasional basketball reference or family anecdote. Photo

by Joseph Anderson Anne Williford said. “I think it speaks to the national reputation of the university.”

The content of the President’s address was suited to the student audience, as the basis of his middle-class economics campaign includes an emphasis on education, from affordable childcare to universal two-year postsecondary degrees.

In a direct address to the students, the President addressed the evolving economy’s way of changing the job market. He told students they will “have to be taking advantage of opportunities” and “adapt to new circumstances.”

The upcoming generation’s ability to fill new jobs, he said, is dependent on the education and certifications they can receive. The President’s agenda for his final two years includes “a new plan to lower the cost of community college to zero.”

He also addressed people who currently struggle with student debt, assuring them he will push for lower monthly payments and lower interest rates on student loans.

The President’s education policies begin with creating

high-quality, affordable childhood care accessible to all parents. He referred to education as “the best investment we can make.”

He bolstered his emphasis on childcare when he visited the Lawrence Head Start chapter on Vermont Street.

Williford sees a significant con-

nection between access to childcare and middle-class economic success.

“Too often, students are unable to complete their education because of barriers related to childcare and college tuition costs,” she said. “It disproportionately affects women, particularly low-income and ethnic minority women,

which is an issue that we as social workers care deeply about.”

In the state of Kansas, education has persisted as a hot-button issue that is often associated with partisan agendas. Plinsky noted that the President’s plans for education are not consistent with current state leadership.

Obama addressed his lack of popularity in conservative-voting Kansas, joking “Coach Self won 10 straight [in Kansas] ­— I lost two straight” in Kansas, where “the only blue stands for KU.” Aside from middle-class economics, the President also spent time advocating for bipartisan cooperation. KU student and former LHS student body president J’Qui Audena said that seeing the President was an important opportunity regardless of party affiliation.

“There is no one alive in this community who has welcomed a sitting U.S. President to Lawrence,” he said. “Regardless of your politics, this is a part of our role to play in the legislative process.”

Reporting contributions made by Cortlynn Stark, Kansas Gibler and Lizzy McEntire.

The Budget

8 News

That’s a rap Rap battles draw crowds, attention from school staff

By Ryan Yowell

lhsbudget.com

Close to 300 students pack the staircases

by E2. In the center of the crowd, two students prepare for a clash of skill and poise. They strive to entertain but also to declare a winner in a challenge where only the most composed will walk out with pride and title The crowd is going crazy.

“You don’t want to go in there nervous,” said senior Tae Shorter, who organizes the rap battles. “I mean, most people say they’re nervous, but I don’t think it’s nervousness as much as just being anxious. You got to go in there ready saying, ‘I’m going to hit him with this line and that line.’ ” The rap battles started small this semester but grew in size as students used SnapChat and other social media to promote the rap battles and draw new opponents. Yet as battles grew, they also drew concerns from school staff and parents.

“We didn’t care that they were having rap battles, we just don’t want people leaving

Staring down the competition, junior Dareon Allen gets ready to initiate a rap battle. Photo by Ian Jones classes to cause a distraction,” security guard Shawn Ledford said. “And that was causing a distraction having it up in E2 with 300 people blocking the stairs from people trying to get to class.”

Battles have taken place during lunch and after school. During battles, students crowd around opponents who throw down lines that wouldn’t be in your typical dinner conversation.

“Oh man, there’s not a lot of school appropriate stuff,” senior Solomon Mattic said. “One time, I told him, I was like, ‘I say it to your face, I ain’t even got an issue, you be actin’ hard, but we all know you’re softer than a tissue.”

Students generally have some time to plan their lines.

“Well, if you’re going against somebody

Feb. 4, 2015 9

Online Go to www.lhsbudget.com to watch a video about the rap battles.

Recovering from battle, junior Dareon Allen has shocked the crowd, including rap battle “producer” senior Tae Shorter, who covers his mouth during a rap battle after school on Friday. Photo by Ian Jones.

Discussing strategy, senior Stevin Hays, a rap-battle rookie, prepares to face a seasoned competitor on Friday afternoon, near the gym. Photo by Ian Jones

that you know wants to go against you, the day before you’re going to go home and think some stuff up,” Shorter said. “So unless it’s like right there on the spot and you gotta go boom boom boom boom — then it’s a freestyle.”

Allen, who is undefeated and

looks to pursue a future in the genre, said he draws on the experiences of his opponents.

“Mostly I talk about my opponents role at the school and what all they have done here,” Allen said. “That usually makes for a good verse or rap.”

Inspiration is key to succeeding in a rap battle, whether it be from the crowd or a rapper that you admire.

“I like Jay-Z, Jay Cole, Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa,” Mattic said. “I mostly am just inspired by all the excitement though.”

Still, originality is a major factor in performing well in battles.

Rap battlers must come up with lines of rap in a matter of seconds to keep the crowd interested. Allen said you might have 30 seconds to come up with a new line.

“I mean it’s pretty fast,” Mattic said.

As hundreds gathered in E2 last month, Allen and Mattic prepared to face off.

“It was pretty good,” Mattic said. “Dareon hit me with a few nice lines.”

Eventually, the large crowd drew too much attention.

“Security told us we had to

leave and then we started going into the gym,” Mattic said. “And then that’d get too packed, then they’d tell us to leave. Then we went outside. The last time they had to tell us to leave because parents were getting worried thinking that there was a fight.”

Eventually Allen won, Shorter said.

“The crowd said it was a tie, but it came down to Dareon being the winner,” Shorter said. “So he’s still undefeated.”

After a couple quiet weeks, Ledford said the battles may be a passing fad — although a new rap battle happened after school on Friday.

“I would just say just keep it cordial and respectful,” Ledford said. “I mean, I know it’s a battle and that things are going to be said to diss one another, but just don’t do it if you are going to get someones feelings’ hurt.”

“One time, I told him...‘I say it to your face, I ain’t even got an issue, you be actin’ hard, but we all know you’re softer than a tissue.”

— Solomon Mattic, senior The Budget

10 News

Court says schools need more funding

State under pressure for failing to meet constitutional duty

By Zia Kelly Science teacher Jo Huntsinger prepares for her anatomy class by ordering 60 cats for dissection and 70 boxes of latex gloves for her students. After the week-long unit is finished, so is her annual classroom budget.

Huntsinger has been teaching and coaching at LHS since 1982, and she has seen some drastic changes to the school’s funding source.

“Things have really changed in the last 30 years,” she said. “We used to be able to get what we really needed, but now we have to be much more frugal. You can’t always get what you need for your classes.”

Educators across the state have struggled with the same issue, and recently the judicial system responded to their call.

In the final days of 2014, a Shawnee County district court panel ruled the status-quo level of state education funding is insufficient. The current funding was deemed, under state law, unconstitutional. The decision is being appealed to the Kansas Supreme Court.

The Kansas constitution requires the legislature to allot enough money toward public schools that student performance standards are satisfied. But the district court decided that Governor Sam Brownback’s tax cuts have jeopardized this constitutional obligation.

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“As we have analyzed, it is inadequate from any rational perspective of the evidence presented or proffered to us,” the court said.

State education funding dropped drastically after the economy tanked in 2008, causing the district to cut spending. The cuts were intended to be temporary and replenished when the economy improved, however, when state coffers began to refill as the economy improved, the money was not put back into education, but rather helped facilitate one of the largest state tax cuts in history.

According to district finance director Kathy Johnson, the district prioritizes its budget cuts by choosing what affects the classroom least. This often includes administrative duties, custodial work, student-to-teacher ratios, teaching positions and staff salaries.

“I’ve pretty much made the same thing since 2008, which is pretty much taking a pay cut since my salary has stayed the same for a long time,” Huntsinger said.

“We don’t really get raises like you might in other professions.”

USD 497 lost $2 million in state aid for the 2014-15 school year due to a small piece of the funding formula. The district has been able to make up for some lost funds with an influx of students to the district.

Funding is tied to the base state aid per pupil — literally based on the number of students in classes.

In addition, the state funding formula provides additional funds for students with special needs, who speak English as a second language, who receive free lunches, take career and technical education classes and so on.

Some legislators suggest that a new funding formula is necessary to accurately calculate district budgets.

In his State of the State speech, Gov. Sam Brownback elaborated on his intent to champion a new school funding formula.

“For decades now, Kansas has struggled under a school finance formula which is designed not to be understood, to frustrate efforts at accountability and efficiency,” Brownback said. “A formula designed to lock in automatic, massive increases in spending unrelated to actual student populations or improved student achievement.”

The block grant program Brownback went on to propose would lead to a $127.4 million cut in school funding.

Robb sees no problem with the current formula, but said the lack of money in state coffers is the issue.

“The courts did not find the formula unconstitutional,” he said.

“To the contrary, they found the formula just fine. They found the underfunding of the formula to be the problem. Much like operating a car, you have to put gas in it.

When it stops, you don’t need a

new car, you simply need to put the appropriate amount of gas in it.”

To make up the difference, Douglas County has raised taxes for its local option budget (LOB).

In principle, LOB funds are designated for supplemental education enhancement, but district officials say the money is used for more basic needs. The LOB is currently at its legal cap of 33 percent of the general budget thanks to a decision upheld by Douglas County voters in the recent mail ballot election.

However, the district court discredited the use of local funds as a source for the necessary yearly budget.

“The need to establish a failsafe [funding source] is not an option if the LOB is to be relied upon as a pillar of constitutionally adequate funding,” the court opinion stated.

It is unlikely school districts will see immediate effects from the court decision, since the case is being appealed. Robb projects the process could take a year. However, he believes the state’s obligation to uphold the constitution will drive a positive outcome for schools.

“The courts are charged with interpreting the constitution,” he said. “Through a series of court cases going back 25 years the courts have said that the constitution places a positive duty on the legislature to adequately fund the schools. ”

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14 Features

Government teacher takes lessons to polls

Students benefit as faculty member make run for city commission position

By Luna Stephens Seniors in Matthew Herbert’s government class learn the importance of citizens’ participation in government. They will now be provided with a real-world example as they watch their teacher run for office.

With spring elections right around the corner, Herbert is working overtime — teaching his classes during the day and campaigning for the Lawrence City Commission after school.

“I would love to have the opportunity to teach students government during the day and actually create change in the government at night,” he said.

While Herbert has discussed the possibility of running before, he decided to pursue the position this election to bring change to recent commission decisions.

“I have always been a very opinionated person,” he said. “The trouble is, up until my run for city commission, I didn’t really have a soapbox to stand on. The biggest change the city commission would bring for me is the ability to actually put my words into action and affect change around me.”

Along with getting authority in city government, Herbert hopes

that being an elected official would make his lessons more impactful by setting an example with his candidacy.

He wants students to see “democracy coming alive before their eyes.”

“The ideas I teach them are not just words in a textbook,” he said.

“With my campaign, I hope they get to see politics come to life.”

Current and former students have heard extensively about Herbert’s campaign. Senior Lynne Oyler had him as her civics teacher freshmen year and recalls him discussing his plans even then.

“I would be really excited for him [win],” she said. “He seems really excited to run and he is putting in a lot of effort.”

Students notice his dedication to both the campaign and the City of Lawrence and say that his experience in a combination of different fields would make him ideal for the job.

Senior Alex Ginsburg has Herbert for her government course and said he is an ideal candidate, and she “would vote for him if [she] had the chance to.”

She also sees the benefit of his campaign to the classroom.

“I think it’s really interest-

Taking his campaign to the streets of Lawrence, government teacher Matthew Herbert is taking his cause around town which often includes putting up yard signs or talking to voters door-to-door. Photo by Joseph Anderson

ing because I feel like you get a first-hand experience seeing how it works,” she said. “I feel like it’s a positive influence on everyone taking the class.”

Herbert knows first-hand the positive influences that having elected officials as educators can have.

City government election schedule March 3: City Commission Primary Election April 7: City Commission General Election

Graphic by Hunter Boehle

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Feb. 4, 2015 15 His own freshman civics class was taught by former Lawrence mayor Sue Hack and he had former senator Christine Downey as his fifth-grade social studies teacher. He said having politicians as examples made his lessons seem more applicable to the real world.

“I hope that by seeing me campaign and actively taking part in representative democracy they [my students] get a greater sense of buy-in to what I teach in my classroom,” he said.

Herbert hopes that even if he doesn’t win, both him and his students will be able to take a lot away from the process.

However, if elected, will donate all of his commission salary to local charities. He would also continue to teach, and will maintain his position at LHS as long as possible.

“I am very blessed to have so many supportive people surrounding me in this community. There is no place else on Earth I’d rather live than Lawrence, Kansas.”

City commission candidates Douglas County : Kansas

General Election

April 7, 2015

Lawrence Candidates For Douglas County City Comission Vote For ONE

Stan Rasmussen Matthew Herbert Stuart Boley Leslie Soden Justin R. Priest Mike Anderson Bob Schumm David Crawford Kristie Adair Gary W. Williams Rob Sands Terry Riordan Cori Viola Gregory C. Robinson

Graphic by Hunter Boehle Graphic by Shawn Han

The Budget

16 Sports

Kicking it across the pond Senior signs with English academy to prepare for international play

By Colton Lovelace

Every soccer player’s dream is to one day end up playing their beloved game across seas in Europe, the premier spot to play the sport worldwide Last season’s leading scorer from the varsity team, senior forward Jakob Burdett, will travel overseas this summer to Leeds, England, to go to school at the Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy [RIASA] where he will get his education while beginning his soccer career against other top academies from across Europe.

He visited the school last year and immediately signed.

“When I went down there for my visits and played against others for a couple of days I thought I did really good,” Burdett said. “I’m not trying to sound cocky, but I wasn’t surprised when they offered me. I had a really good feeling

lhsbudget.com

about getting offered.”

Although the academy is new, it has had a few players sign professional contracts, including Huddersfield Town FC forward Nahki Wells and Kemi Kings player Ryan Jones.

“They’ve not been around for that long, around 10 years,” Burdett said. “But I know they’ve had people sign professional contracts, so the opportunity is definitely there for me.”

Burdett has been preparing for the jump in talent level from here to England, where he will be up against greater competition.

“I’ve definitely been working out a lot more lately,” he said.

“Just been practicing a lot more and getting ready to head over there later this year.”

His dream has always been to go

overseas and play.

“It’s been my dream since I was like 6, it’s a huge deal,” Burdett said.

Lions varsity coach Mike Murphy said he is proud to know his former forward is going to play the game at the next level.

“I am very proud of Jake for all of his accomplishments,” Murphy said. “He is a talented player and deserves to play at the next level. It will be especially fun for him to do that in the country that invented the game, where soccer is the most popular sport.”

Murphy said he will keep up with Burdett while he is in England, just like he keeps up with all of his former players.

“I ask all of my former players to send me an update from time to time and let me know how they are doing,” he said. “I also try to catch up when I see them in the

summer [at the Alumni game for example].”

Burdett said his top-choice team to play for would be in La Liga, the premier Spanish soccer league.

“I’d say [I would like to play for] Real Madrid because they have Cristiano Ronaldo,” Burdett said.

“He’s my favorite player because he’s the best.”

Although Burdett will separated from friends and family, he is eager to get in the game.

“I’m going to miss my friends and family while I’m over there, but I’m still playing my favorite game.”

Setting up a shot, senior Jakob Burdett led the varsity soccer team in number of goals scored and earned a spot on the All-Sunflower League team.

Photo by Joseph Anderson

Feb. 4, 2015 17

Rolling in from the north

Senior bowler excels in new competitive climate

By Ben Rajewski

When the first bowling tournament of the year wrapped up Jan. 10, the leading scorer for the girls team was not one who had appeared atop the scoreboard last year.

Newcomer Ashlee Erickson posted a 604 in the Free State Invitational and has stepped up in a big way for the girls to start the year.

Erickson transferred to LHS from Alaska to start her senior year.

“It was hard to move my senior year,” Erickson said. “But the bowling team has really helped. It’s easier to be new at a bigger school than a smaller school.”

Both her teammates and coaches agree she has made a big impact on the success of the team.

“She pumps everyone up and makes us feel like a family,” junior Miranda Krom said. “She cheers us up when we aren’t doing our best.”

Erickson has also scored series of 429, 500 and 538 in the Lansing, Topeka Seaman and SMS/ SME Invitationals respectively, but she influences the team in more ways than just knocking down pins.

“She is a positive presence and she encourages the younger bowlers,” Coach Paula Bastemeyer said, “She is able to provide extra guidance in a positive and reaffirming way.”

Erickson bowled in Alaska and reached the fourth ranking in the state but competed in a league, not at the high school level.

“My biggest adjustment to Lawrence High is the [weight of my ball] went up in poundage” Erickson said. “I used to throw a 14 but now I throw a 15.”

Still, Erickson’s strengths help her to make adjustments to her game.

“My form is my biggest

strength,” she said. “Compared to most girls, I'm lower to the ground and the lower to the ground you are, the more accurate you are.”

Bastemeyer sees Erickson’s biggest strength in her work ethic.

“Her dedication to the sport makes her so good,” Bastemeyer said. “She puts in far more hours than most of my girls.”

Bastemeyer expects the girls to have a solid season behind the arms of Erickson and other experienced bowlers.

“We have some really strong girls, and can have a strong season” Bastemeyer said. “I look for us to do well in the postseason.”

Erickson has made plans to pursue her bowling career after high school but has not specified where. One thing, however, is certain: her love for the game.

“Bowling has been my backbone,” she said.

Top: Reaching back, senior Ashlee Erickson applies training she did in Alaska to the LHS bowling team. Photo

by Joseph Anderson.

Bottom: Getting praise from the team, Erickson has propelled the team forward both on the leader boards and in raising morale. Photo by Joseph Anderson.

The Budget

18 Sports

Bonner bound for D1 Senior develops leadership skills as he prepares for future at Colorado State

By Kate Rettig

Junior year, Anthony Bonner averaged 16.1 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game and shot 84 percent from the free throw line. This caught the attention of Colorado State.

The D1 school gave him an offer he couldn’t resist. On Nov. 11, Bonner signed a letter of intent to play with the Rams.

“I found the right place. I always planned to commit before senior season,” Bonner said. “It just came along, and it was a good opportunity. It takes the stress off of me, and I can relax and play now.”

Bonner first got interested in basketball watching his brother and father play.

“Starting in second grade, I was playing in Kansas City with various teams,” Bonner said. “I ended up with Team YoBo from Kansas City as my last four years.

[I played] mainly in Kansas City, but we traveled all around the country.”

Bonner has been apart of the jv/varsity team since freshman year, and coaches have noted his evolution as a player “He’s been very steady,” boys

lhsbudget.com

varsity basketball coach Mike Lewis said. “Each year, he’s gotten better and better — not only physically but from a leadership standpoint.”

The 6-foot-2 shooting guard stood out to many colleges, including Florida Gulf Coast, Missouri State, University of Missouri-Kansas City and University of California Davis. After examining his options, Bonner decided to play at the Colorado State.

“They’ve been recruiting me pretty hard since sophomore year,” Bonner said. “They were my first solid offer, but just visiting up there [helped me make a decision].

I built a really good relationship with the coaches and with some of the guys that are going to be there next year along with me.

Fort Collins is really beautiful, and there’s a lot of really good people up there, and I’ll have a lot of opportunity coming in there as a freshman.”

With the love and support of his friends and family, Bonner said he made the right decision.

“Starting with my parents always being there for me, traveling me, taking me everywhere,

looking for new opportunities if ones don’t work out,” Bonner said.

“My dad just keeps me in the gym and working with me. My friends, same with them. They’ve always been supportive with whether it’s coming to watch my games or texting me good luck before a game and stuff like that. I’ve got a really good support system.”

His teammates weren’t surprised to find out that Bonner was D1-bound.

“I was happy for him,” varsity player senior John Barbee said. “It wasn’t much of a surprise because he told me how much he loves it there. I know it was a big weight off his shoulders to go there. Division 1 is big.”

For now, Bonner is focused on the LHS court. With a 12-1 record, the varsity team continues to shoot toward state.

“I hope we continue to get better as a team,” Lewis said. “I hope we continue to get to our goal of going to the state basketball tournament and to win the Sunflower League.”

Players and coaches have repeatedly said the team’s success comes from the group dynamic.

“It’s the first time that our team has been working together for years now,” Bonner said.

“We’ve come together, and we like each other. We mesh well. We really have our eyes on the prize this year more than other years.”

Teammates said Bonner’s influence has affected the team’s work ethic.

“He makes me want to work harder,” varsity player junior Justin Roberts said. “I see how hard he works, so I really envy that about him. I just try to work harder keep up with my game.”

With only eight district games left to play this season, Bonner’s high school basketball career hasn’t come to an end yet.

“I think he’ll be great,” Roberts said. “He’s a great player and he’s only going to get better in college. The sky is the limit for him.”

Leading his team to a win over Olathe South, senior Anthony Bonner looks to pass the ball during the Jan. 9 home game. Bonner scored 23 points and had five rebounds. Photo by Joseph Anderson

Feb. 4, 2015 19

New location

coming soon!

The Budget

20 Entertainment

Students hatch a production Students bring Dr. Suess’ books to life, relive childhood memories through performance

By Abbey Damron Theater and music students geared up to perform the winter musical, “Seussical the Musical,” which opened at 7 p.m. last Thursday.

Seussical the Musical, by Lynn Aherns and Stephen Flaherty, features Seuss’ collection of children’s books. Seussical joins Horton Hears a Who, Horton Hatches an Egg, The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, The Butter Battle and many more of Seuss’ tales.

“It’s really interesting how they intertwined all these different

“

stories,” sophomore Crosby Dold said. “I grew up on those books, so all the bright colors and the weird words have kind of affected me.”

Cast members who didn’t know much about the musical before rehearsals began found they had already been introduced to many of the stories with bedtime readings or through movies based on the books.

“When I was little, I would see the movies on TV,” sophomore Emily Walthall said. “Personally, I like the movie Horton Hears a

Who.” While the musical incorporated different stories, it focused on one tale, Walthall said.

“The main storyline is Horton Hears a Who but it also includes the Butterside Up Wars, the Lorax and more,” Walthall said. “It’s actually really cool because it doesn’t switch from story to story.

It kind of combines them all into one.”

Cast members said Seuss fans enjoyed the production.

“It is extremely humorous, ” junior Jesus Rodriguez said. “It’s a

bunch of stories mashed together.

It’s really funny.”

Freshman Colin Bradt, who played Jo Jo, agreed.

“It’s a really funny spin,” he said. “It’s all the stuff and stories we heard when we were little. It’s Seuss brought to life.”

Harmonizing, sophomores Kara Jaye, Crosby Dold, freshman Gwentessa Alfie and senior Emily Easum, sing “Amayzing Mayzie” during a dress rehearsal for ‘Suessical’. Photo by Joseph Anderson

It’s really interesting how they intertwined all these different stories...”

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— Crosby Dold, sophomore

Feb. 4, 2015 21

Right: Playing the Sour Kangaroo from the book “Horton Hears a Who,” sophomore Jazmyne McNair sings solos in both acts.

Students offered three performances, Thursday through Saturday. Photo

by Ian Jones

Top left: Flying off with the clover carrying the Whos, freshman Jaiden Younger plays Vlad Vladikoff, the evil vulture during “Seussical The Musical.” Photo by Jaycee Mountain

Upper left: Being lectured by his Who-parents, freshman Colin Bradt plays the young Who, JoJo, during a dress rehearsal. JoJo could talk to Horton the Elephant. Photo by Ian Jones

Lower left: Looking off in the distance, sophomore Amelia Dunlap plays a jungle citizen during the musical, which combined Dr. Seuss stories. Photo by Jaycee Mountain

Bottom left: Watching over the Whos, freshman Gavin Jones literally carried the show as the faithful elephant that saved “the speck” carrying Whoville. Photo

by Joseph Anderson

The Budget

22 Entertainment

Artists to watch this year Top rap artists expected to release new albums, content in 2015

By Kansas Gibler

Kanye West

The follow up to West’s “Yeezus” has proved itself to be heavy in featuring artists. Already this year, Kanye has released “Only One,” a collaborative single with Paul McCartney. His work with McCartney continued and the duo released “Four Five Seconds” with Rihanna. The latter single is expected to be on both Kanye and Rihanna’s upcoming albums.

“He’s just the best you know,” senior Langston Bush said. “[I’m excited for the new album] because he always drops some serious fire.

I liked ‘Yeezus’ for the most part.

It was pretty different compared to his other stuff. But I have a good feeling about this one just from the recent release.”

Frank Ocean

After releasing the widely acclaimed Best Album of 2012, Frank Ocean began work on his sophomore album. According to an interview with BBC’s Zane Lowe, the album was intended to carry the feel of the previous album’s closing song “Golden Girl.” Ocean, however, has yet to release any work under his own name since Channel Orange. He has, however, been working with Lil B, so content from either of them will be expected to drop this year. “I think some of his music is really touching, and [working with] Lil B — that’s crazy awesome,” sophomore Logan Stone said. “But Frank spits.”

Kendrick Lamar

Lamar’s last album, “good kid, M.A.A.d city”, was his first major-label studio album. The majority of the album speaks to Kendrick’s life in Compton. “If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?”

This compares his success coming out of Compton. The success is apparent, as the album has sold more than a million copies since its release. Since then, he’s been working on a follow-up to be released this year. The album was rumored to be released on Jan. 27, but really the album has no publicly known name or album cover.

Drake

Drake has put out arguably my favorite hip hop albums. “Nothing Was the Same” has been one of the biggest rap albums since its release, and will be until the upcoming “Views From the 6.” “If it had to be between Drake and Kanye, I really like Drake because he’s a mix between R&B and rap,” senior Ivan Davidson said. “I really like Kanye because he’s so innovative and he wrote my favorite album, ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.’

But I really like Drake. Drake’s new stuff has been pretty tight, like ‘Six God’ and ‘How About Now,’ and I like his most recent album.

I hope [his new album] comes out soon.”

Drawing the line between studio albums and mixtapes

mixtape breakdown

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Graphic by Allie Fischer

By Kansas Gibler There is a fine, confusing line that separates hip hop artists’ studio albums and mixtapes.

Mixtapes, at least recently, have been an artist’s collection of non-formal songs that weren’t recorded in a studio.

Artists typically release mixtapes to exhibit their recent work.

In doing this, they are free from record company guidelines on what they can release.

Mixtapes are a more collaborative form of an album, so they usually have more songs with featured artists.

Studio albums bring in a lot of income for artists as well as their labels, but mixtapes are sometimes released for free online. This way, the artist can get new music out to fans for free.

Additionally, songs can be released whenever an artist feels they’re ready. Mixtapes are more about the artist and less about the profit.

Junior Delano Jackson prefers mixtapes because of free content.

“Mixtapes mainly aren’t pointed at money,” he said. “They’re usually used just to show the music.”

Feb. 4, 2015 23

Opinion

Courts begin to favor equality for gay couples Senior says nation is making progress with marriage recognition, work not done Graphic by Allie Fischer

Jordan Avery, senior Guest editorial In a recent fury of legal battles based on appeal court circuit rulings, the number of states that allow gay marriage is now at a whopping 36. Among the large list is our very own sunflower state.

Kansas got the thumbs up on Nov. 12 for one of the most progressive changes our Bible-belted, primarily-red state has ever seen.

Couples across the state are seizing their opportunity to marry immediately. Same-sex couples are still clamoring for spots to be married in chapels across multiple counties since they are finally able to make their dreams a reality.

Why does this matter?

It allows people like me to have the same rights as any other citizen in the US. As much as people like to claim marriage is a sacred bond that excludes the queer population, they fail to see the discrimination and downright lack of power it gives to those committed to their long-term partners.

Allowing gay marriage stops the use of legal terms such as “domestic partnership” and “spousal equivalent,” which were the previous legal terms for same-sex couples that only caused legal confusion and imbalance in marital status. They only provided a new “separate but equal,” which is obviously not enough.

For example, right now unmarried same-sex partners are denied joint filing benefits and are often forced to misrepresent their family, requiring each separate parent to claim one child in the tax exemption process. In the case of a spouse’s death, the partner almost always isn’t permitted to handle the will of the deceased.

They are directly denied a title that holds both an emotion and legal meaning which gives them less rights as people. Allowing gay marriage gives power back to

LGBTQ+ individuals that straight people automatically receive because of societal norms.

The recognition of these unions is essential for the representation of our nation. Canada, Norway, Spain, France, South Africa and others have already stepped up to decide what is fair for their people.

This nation’s tendency to discriminate against minorities has led to the mistreatment of its people and has caused a battle of morals based on the “sanctity of marriage.” Marriage should be based on the love and commitment that two people can share together, not about religious bias and heterosexual beliefs.

Ultimately, queer people are the only ones affected by this issue, but religious extremists have been kicking and screaming to maintain what they think is theirs.

Under the Constitution, church and state are separate, yet religious groups try to pass legislation to stop the gay movement.

In order to get our own say in the way we want our lives to go, we have to keep fighting. We’re very close, but we still have a long way to go.

However, same-sex marriage is

only a small step on the road to full equality. With this new progression in civil rights there will continue to be a stigma that ravages our country. I’ve personally experienced enough discrimination to know this to be true.

Strangers on the street have muttered passive-aggressive statements based on my attire. Homophobic slurs have been yelled at me from passing cars on numerous occasions just because of an equality bumper sticker.

I worry for our society and the way we’ve been raised to treat people. If someone can’t follow their dreams because of the ignorance of others, it’s a violation to our right to happiness. Marriage rights should be guaranteed for all people despite their sexual preferences.

They don’t define you and do not hurt the future of society.

For the 14 states that still haven’t legalized it: I still have hope.

Being human requires tolerance and equal opportunity, and I have no doubt justice will prevail.

Our strides have been long and are only getting longer. But until I can walk down a public street with my boyfriend or husband hand-inhand without being discriminated against, I won’t be satisfied.

The Budget

yEARBOOKs

9

$ 99

At all 3 Lawrence Great Clips salons.

e , 2013.

March 30,3 2015

9

$ 99

At all 3 Lawrence Great Clips salons.

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