Lawrence High School's The Budget, Issue 2, Oct. 24, 2019

LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL

LAWRENCE, KS

VOLUME 127, ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 24, 2019

PAGE 6

INCREASED VAPING LEADS TO CHANGES IN HEALTH CURRICULUM

PAGE 14 TEACHER ENTERS CANCER REMISSION PAGE 28 OPINION: PUT FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN ALL BATHROOMS

THE BUDGET NEWS

IN THIS ISSUE

LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL

LAWRENCE, KS

VOLUME 127, ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 24, 2019

School Board candidates weigh in page 5

‘Clue’ opens curtain on fall theater season page 16

Gender neutral bathrooms during construction page 8

Volleyball player forced to sit out due to gender page 20

Students participate in global climate strike page 10

Football managers gain career experience page 22

Emergency protocols looked at following incident page 12

Opinion: Pay college athletes page 24

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INCREASED VAPING LEADS TO CHANGES IN HEALTH CURRICULUM

PAGE 14 TEACHER ENTERS CANCER REMISSION PAGE 28 OPINION: PUT FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN ALL BATHROOMS

LHSBUDGET.COM STORIES

PHOTOS

Electrical malfunction leaves portable classrooms out of service for weeks

Football team’s undefeated streak continues

FOLLOW US @lhsbudget

ON THE COVER — From taking care of a warming planet to taking care of ourselves, this issue of “The Budget” takes a closer look at issues impacting the health and well-being of students.

ILLUSTRATION BY SAMI TURNER

NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALIST NAMED

BY ARIEN ROMAN ROJAS

STAFF WRITER

Senior Lisa Yang was the only Lawrence High Lion chosen as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist.

Next spring, Yang has the opportunity to become a finalist and win a $2,500 scholarship as part of the prestigious program.

“It can potentially pay for my college, so that’s really good,” Yang said. “It’s like one thing that’s checked off my list that I don’t really have to worry about as much.”

To select its scholars, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation looks at PSAT scores from 1.6 million entrants and chooses 50,000 for recognition. Among those honored were Yang and senior Amelia Vasquez, who was named a commended student. Yang reached the next level to be one of about 16,000 semifinalists. About 15,000 will become finalists.

Qualifying to be a semifinalist may be a rare feat, but it was not Yang’s main focus while taking the PSAT. “It wasn’t necessarily something that I was working for, but it was also something that I

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sort of knew about in the background,” Yang said. “I didn’t focus on it specifically.”

Yang attributed much of her success to the adults in her life.

“In school my teachers have always pushed me to study hard for stuff and do well on tests,” Yang said.

Yang’s teachers and counselor said they weren’t surprised by her success.

“I think if you were to tell me that a handful of students from this senior class got it, Lisa would absolutely be in that list, if I had to guess,” said Kelsey Buek, Yang’s counselor.

Yang may not be sure where she is going to college or what she will study, but as anyone who knows Yang can tell you, great things are expected.

“She truly has the potential to do whatever she sets her mind to,” calculus teacher Matthew Ellis said. “As for our future, I know that we at LHS will miss her greatly.”

SCHOLAR — National Merit Scholar Semifinalist Lisa Yang poses with her school supplies.

PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

NEWS THE BUDGET

“THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT’S CHANGING LIVES, AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.”

PROUD PARTNERS

—DR. CYNTHIA JOHNSON, INTERIM PRINCIPAL

LHSBUDGET.COM

SRO WINS GOLD AWARD

BY BENJAMIN ALAN ALLGEIER

STAFF WRITER

For demonstrating courage beyond the call of duty, school resource officer Sgt. Gwyn Fogarty was awarded the Gold Award on Sept. 6.

Fogarty and fellow officers Brad Fry and Dustin Lister received the gold award for their role responding to an accident scene when a woman drove her car into the Kansas River.

Fogarty and Fry went into the river to rescue the vehicle’s occupants. They found two children in the car. Lister was able to rescue one child, who bobbed up to the surface. The second child was unable to be saved and died at the scene.

The driver also survived.

Officers Fogarty, Fry and Lister all received the Gold Award for going beyond the call of duty. This was the first

time any officer from Douglas County received the award.

“It’s very humbling to have your peers stand up and start clapping for you,” Fogarty said. “We just did what we did because that’s what we needed to do.”

Fogarty was recently promoted to sergeant, and left Lawrence High earlier this month. The school’s other school resource officer, Jim Miller, was also promoted to sergeant and has moved on from LHS. “I’m sad, but I’m excited because I’m moving forward in my career, so this is a promotion, but I feel sad leaving,” Fogarty said. “I’m happy here. I love being here, but the good news is, I can stop in.

I’m not leaving town. I’m just going back to the street.”

MOVING ON — Sgt. Gwyn Fogarty works in her LHS office during her final days as a school resource officer. Her recent promotion pulled her away from LHS. PHOTO BY ALEX STARK

SAVE THE DATE: 5 EVENTS YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

1

OCT. 24

BOYS SOCCER V. OLATHE WEST LHS SOCCER FIELD, 6:30 PM

2

OCT. 24

FALL PLAY OPENING NIGHT LHS AUDITORIUM, 7:30 PM

3

OCT. 25

FOOTBALL GAME V. FREE STATE LHS STADIUM, 7 PM

4

OCT. 30

NHS INDUCTION CEREMONY LHS AUDITORIUM, 7PM

5

NOV. 5

GALA CONCERT LHS AUDITORIUM, 6:30 PM & 8 PM

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER OCT. 24, 2019

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Join the

FIVE STAR TEAM today!

Offering part-time positions. We are looking for caring, qualified individuals to serve our senior adults in a professional manner.

APPLY IN PERSON Human Resources: 501 Inverness Drive Lawrence, KS 66047 EOE/ Drug Free Workplace APPLY ONLINE http://careers.fivestarseniorliving.com Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer: MIN/FEM/VETS/DIS

GREAT FUTURES START WITH

GREAT MENTORS Now hiring group leaders and front desk staff! Work after school, no nights or weekends — and get paid!

Kids in Lawrence look up to you. Help make an impact in their lives!

Apply at bgclk.org/careers

OF LAWRENCE

Order senior yearbook ads early for the best prices.

Go Lions!

FOLLOW US @lhsbudget

The final deadline to guarantee your spot in the yearbook is Jan. 10, but you will SAVE significantly by turning in your ad earlier.

NEXT DEADLINE: Friday, Nov. 15 FINAL DEADLINE: Friday Jan. 10

NEWS THE BUDGET

MEET THE CANDIDATES

NEWS Reporting by Nadia Sanburn & Sami Turner

School board candidates share plans for supporting mental health

CAROLE CADUEBLACKWOOD “My background is in clinical social work, and I am a long-time volunteer for the Willow Domestic Violence Center. I am in favor of promoting mental health in all of our schools.

The 2018 Douglas County Health Equity Report highlighted the socioeconomic and health disparities that exist within our community. I hope to use my knowledge as a social worker to close these gaps.

I would envision a partnership with local non-profits and the health department to promote mental health first-aid for our students...”

ERICA HILL “Enhance mental and behavioral services for students and encourage health lifestyles.

Every scholar should have at least one adult outside of their household that they connect with. This is why strengthen community partnerships is key component to my campaign. All scholars should feel and know that they belong in our school district...As a community member, I’ve already taken accountability for this through my work at LMH in partnership with the school district, by creating the Leadership Academy. As a board member I will continue this work in a greater capacity.”

SHANNON KIMBALL “I have been a steadfast supporter during my eight years on the board of the district’s partnership with Bert Nash and the WRAP program.

I believe it is an essential component of the services we must provide, and expand, to support students’ mental health needs. If reelected, I will continue to advocate for students’ mental health and other social/emotional needs through expansion of services, supports, and building social and emotional learning into our curriculum...”

THEA PERRY “Expansion of health care, including mental health care, has been central to my advocacy work for the past several years. In 2019, I organized a grassroots effort to keep attention on Medicaid expansion in Kansas. Those actions resulted in national attention and an ACLU First Amendment lawsuit, and the results of lawsuit increased public access to the legislative process. ...Expanding access to mental health care for staff and students, including access in foster care, juvenile incarceration, and post incarceration, is a critical component of increasing positive outcomes and reducing traumatic stress...I will advocate for increasing mental health support, including increasing mental health staff, in our schools.”

PAULA SMITH “My ideas for recognizing and supporting mental health for students are increasing online supports, help ensure a positive and safe environments.”

THERE’S MORE!

Scan for an extend Q& A with the candidates Early voting is underway.

Election day is Nov. 5. The four candidates with the most votes will be elected.

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER OCT. 24, 2019

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THE BUDGET NEWS

New curriculum, conversations address increases in vaping among teenagers

BY DANIEL DAVIDSON

director Denise Johnson says there were 12 vaping incidents between the two high schools in only the first two weeks of school. s the death toll climbs, vapSeveral board members expressed ing faces increased scrutiny their support for the Tobacco 21 Iniby a school district hoping to tiative, which raises the minimum age curtail its impact. to purchase tobacco According products to 21, in an to the Center for Disease effort to prevent teen Control, more than 1,000 “BECAUSE IT’S SO NEW, WE DON’T KNOW vaping. people have experi“As we are finding enced vaping-associated ALL THE LONG TERM respiratory illness. In 29 EFFECTS… BUT WE KNOW out about this epidemic, the resources have defiof those cases, including nitely lagged,” Johnson two in Kansas, the illness ENOUGH TO BE VERY said.

CONCERNED.” resulted in death.

Discussions of —SARAH HARTSIG, Ongoing investigaimplementing vaping LAWRENCE-DOUGLAS COUNTY tion by the CDC has detectors in restrooms HEALTH PROMOTION SPECIALIST been accompanied by and finding ways to betincreasingly vocal calls ter gather local data on for regulation at the state vaping were also a part of the ongoing and national levels. It has also promptdiscussion by the school board. ed USD 497 to tackle the problem in Although much of the discussion was Lawrence. centered on nicotine vaping products According to Lawrence-Douglas such as Juul, the CDC has discovered County health promotion specialist increasing evidence that illicit THC carSarah Hartsig, national e-cigarette use tridges are another likely suspect behind jumped 78 percent from 2017 to 2018. respiratory illnesses.

Hartsig addressed the school board on These conversations have entered the Sept. 9 to discuss what risks this posed classroom, where an updated freshman to Lawrence students. health curriculum addresses the rela“The frequency of teens vaping is tively new phenomenon of vaping in the really skyrocketing now,” Hartsig said. new textbook “Comprehensive Health.”

“Because it’s so new, we don’t know all “While young people have been the the long term effects… but we know victims of the harmful practice of tobacenough to be very concerned.” co and vape companies, they can also be Although there is a relative lack of part of the solution,” Hartsig said. local data, district health and wellness

ONLINE EDITOR IN CHIEF

A

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OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY ELIJAH PADEN

The textbook points out that, despite claims e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to smoking, evidence points toward similar risks from vaping. That same claim has gotten Juul Labs in hot water with the Food and Drug Administration.

“The government has not approved e-cigarettes as a successful and safe form of smoking cessation,” the book reads. “Because of these risks, the use of e-cigarettes is opposed by the Food and Drug Administration, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association.”

Hartsig also talked to Free State and Lawrence High health classes about the ways that the e-cigarette industry has

NEWS THE BUDGET

QUICK TAKE

Number of lung injury cases associated with vaping

1,299

Number of Deaths.

26

Percent of patients who are male.

70%

purposefully targeted teens, who are especially prone to addiction from nicotine use. The Olathe School District is one of several across the nation that have filed lawsuits against Juul for their marketing practice.

Health teacher Adam Green said he was learning about the harmful effects of vaping alongside his students, but was skeptical whether students knowing the facts would actually stop them from vaping.

“The manufacturers of these products are insulting your intelligence if you think some research has to tell you it’s bad for you,” Green said.

Green believed having an expert helped engage students during the presentation.

“I think [the presentation] made a pretty good point,” freshman Maria Pollington said.

“It did a great job sharing about the serious consequences vaping has.”

Although vaping isn’t a phenomena confined to Lawrence High, Green says it has become a problem that must be addressed by schools.

“We get dumped on a little bit to try and fix society’s ills,” Green said. “But that’s not our main job. Our job is to teach and have people learn. Now when that starts to affect the learning environment… that’s an issue.”

VAPE — Vaping remains popular among students even as officials are sounding the alarm. Additional health risks are posed by an outbreak associated with vaping.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

Percent of Victims under age 18.

15%

Use the QR Code to see all the data.

SOURCE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, data current as of Oct. 8.

PAGE DESIGN ELIJAH PADEN OCT. 24, 2019

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THE BUDGET NEWS

MAP IT OUT These maps show where all-gender and possible future all-gender bathrooms will be located following construction.

KEY

Bathrooms that can be converted to all-gender restrooms Planned all-gender restrooms Current all-gender bathrooms Please note: Because the map shows future construction, some bathroom locations can’t be accurately portrayed. There are also all-gender restrooms near the auditorium, in the nurse’s office and in the main office.

1ST FLOOR

2ND FLOOR

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GRAPHIC BY RILEY UNEKIS OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY RILEY UNEKIS

NEWS THE BUDGET

RENOVATIONS LEAD TO CHANGES FOR

RESTROOMS All-gender restrooms change with school construction

BY ZORA LOTTONBARKER

NEWS EDITOR

R

enovations are leading to changes with gender-neutral restrooms.

While the school year began with the loss of one gender-neutral bathroom, new gender neutral restrooms have opened or are planned as part of school-wide renovations currently underway. Assistant Principal Mark Preut was a member of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee that met with the architects to provide feedback on the all-gender restrooms and locker rooms as part of the bond project.

“It has been awhile, but my recollection of the discussion was to create something akin to what people are used to using at home,” Preut said. “Namely, a private space where an individual could use the bathroom where gender identity makes no difference.”

Early this year, the all-gender communal restroom in the math hallway was closed because of sanitary issues. That meant the new all-gender bathroom options were single-use restrooms, such as the faculty restrooms in the main office and outside the auditorium.

“The effect of the gender neutral bathrooms being shut down is that there was only one available gender neutral bathroom so it created overcrowding because there wasn’t any other available,” junior Tobin Ishmael said.

After newly renovated spaces opened last month, students got additional access to an all-gender

restroom on the second floor near men’s and women’s restrooms to what will be a connection to the use the bathroom, and it alleviates annex. Eventually, plans call for the overcrowding a little bit bethe all-gender restroom in the cause they are single use,” he said. math hallway to reopen as well as The school isn’t being built an additional all-gender communal with more gender-neutral restroom near the gym. restrooms to start because of “When I met with members of current building codes, which the TEA Club several years ago to don’t allow for all restrooms to be identify an all-gender bathroom gender-neutral. But several new there were several considerations,” restrooms are being built with fuPreut said of the Total Equality ture conversion to gender-neutral Alliance Club. “One element that facilities in mind. was expressed is that the students Preut said architects are trying involved wanted the communal to think strategically about the elements of a bathplacement of the room.” restrooms.

The restrooms “THE BATHROOM “They have tried mean more than to be strategic in the REPRESENTED just a place to use placement of all-genMORE THAN JUST der restrooms so the toilet, but are also safe spaces for A PRIVATE PLACE that they are easily students who idenaccessible from any tify all points of the TO USE A TOILET” part of the building, —MARK PREUT, gender spectrum. but keep in mind “I remember we are just completASSISTANT PRINCIPAL the comments of ing phase one of a one specific student seven-phase project who talked about wanting a place so this will not be evident at the to put on makeup with friends,” outset,” Preut said.

Preut said. “The bathroom repAssistant Principal and Facilresented more than just a private ities Director Quentin Rials said place to use a toilet. We already he hopes the new restrooms will had several of those spaces but the provide a safe space for students. students also wanted the commu“Hopefully with the new nal space...I am hoping the new all all-gender restrooms, students feel gender restrooms are able to meet safe and comfortable addressing both the need for privacy and also all of their needs at Lawrence the need for a somewhat private High.” communal space as well.”

Freshman Katherine Price, a Ishmael said there are signifimember of TEA Club, is one of cant benefits to having new genmany students looking forward to der-neutral restrooms in school. the updates.

“The effect of the new gen“I just really hope that they will der-neutral restrooms is that there be accessible to everyone in the are more places for the students school,” Price said. “I think that’s that are uncomfortable in the really important.”

PAGE DESIGN RILEY UNEKIS OCT. 24, 2019

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THE BUDGET NEWS

CLIMATE STRIKE Students participate in international climate strike event

BY MERIEL SALISBURY & ZORA LOTTON-BARKER

“I know realistically there’s not much advocacy and a greater interest in we can do as just like a small group of climate change. She was pleased to learn students from a high school,” she said. of LHS students participating outside FEATURES EDITOR “But I hope we helped City Hall, but wishes that & NEWS EDITOR people who were maybe the event had been better in the dark about climate organized so more could “...WE’RE GOING n Sept. 20, an estimated change get a little bit more TO NEED NEW have participated.

1.4 million people, most of aware of what’s actually “It makes me really them students, participated VOICES, NEW going on or see a visual proud. I think that’s what in global climate strikes, representation of how it’s VOTERS MAKING we need for change,” Ball and Lawrence High affecting people’s lives and AN IMPACT...AND said of the international students were part of the crowds. how many people actually climate strikes. “All of Junior Eva Markoulatos was among ACTUALLY TAKING the adults have had all the care about it.” the students that left school to go to the Mayor Lisa Larsen also chances in the world to ACTION.” rally at City Hall. Participants held signs, believes in the impact that —LISA BALL, change things, and they’re yelled protest chants and encouraged local actions can have. not making much of a dent, passing cars to honk.

Larsen said it was important SCIENCE TEACHER so we’re going to need new “I’m here today because climate to communicate with voices, new voters making change is a really important part of our Lawrence residents at the City Hall rally an impact and putting the message out society that we’ve been ignoring for and at the Climate Strike in South Park there and actually taking action.” a really long time,” Markoulatos said. later that day organized by the Sunrise Little actions matter, reminds “The time for action has come upon us, Movement and the Wakarusa Group of Markoulatos, even alongside global and we can’t just push it in the corner the Kansas Sierra Club. activism projects. anymore. We’ve got to stand up and “I didn’t even know this was going “I know on KU they have those bikes spread awareness.” on at City Hall today, and that you can rent out, I think those are Internationally, students THERE’S MORE! I just happened to check a really good idea,” she said. “That’s just were inspired to strike my Twitter feed and I saw a small step we can take. Other than because of the “School Strike this and I’m like, ‘Oh my that, it’s pretty much just changes that for Climate” movement God! Why am I not there?’,” you can make in your life like not using started by 16-year-old Larsen said. “ I just buzzed plastic straws and using a reusable water Swedish climate activist down here and wanted bottle and stuff like that.”

Greta Thunberg. Thunberg to make sure I’d have the PHOTO GALLERY: confronted global leaders at Climate Strike opportunity to interact with ACTION NOW — Protesting for the planet, the U.N.’s Climate Action some folks because I do senior Anoosha Redd demands action to combat Summit days after the Sept. plan on being at South Park climate change during the Climate Strike Walkout 20 strikes. tonight for a little while.” on Sept. 20. Students and others gathered in front Locally, however, Markoulatos Lawrence High biology and AP of City Hall as part of the Global Climate Strike believes the Lawrence strike was useful Environmental Science teacher Lisa Ball Day. as well. hopes that what she teaches inspires PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

O

QUICK TAKE Source: 350.org

500,000

7.6 million

People who took part in People who took part in climate strike in the US climate strikes worldwide

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6,100

Climate strike events around the world

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

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Countries that had climate strikes

1.5 million

Strikers in Italy, the most of any country

FOR THE FUTURE — Focused on change, junior Daniel Sikes, senior Stella Tunge and sophomore Ava Tunge participate in the Climate Strike Walkout on Sept.

20 in front of City Hall. “I am on the Kansas executive board for high school Democrats and a lot of the people on that were going and participating, and I am really passionate about climate issues,” Sikes said. “The planet is dying.”

PHOTO BY CARLY COOPER.

SAVE OUR PLANET — Juniors Eva Markoulatos, Isaac Ngoh, Reece Wohlford and Donnavan Dillon take part in the international climate strike on Sept. 20. “...I felt like the environmental movement is our big chance as a generation to make an actual change for the better,” Wohlford said. “I didn’t want to miss out on being a part of something so lasting and necessary.“ PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER OCT. 24, 2019

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THE BUDGET NEWS

COMMUNICATION

CLARIFICATION District works to update security protocol after incident at LMCMS

BY ZORA LOTTONBARKER

NEWS EDITOR

A

lockdown at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School last month was so confusing that students panicked and a parent broke a classroom window to help students out of the building.

In the end, there was no crisis.

But this is not the first time confusion has wracked a school during a lockdown. Lawrence High experienced similar problems last year in the midst of a lockout.

At LMCMS, police were called by the school after what turned out to be an unfounded report that a student had a weapon at school, according to a district release. LMCMS Interim Principal Sabrina Tillman Winfrey announced a lockdown over the intercom, but the circumstances were unclear, and some students and teachers began to panic, according to the Lawrence Journal-World.

English teacher Molly Fuller said she tried to follow ALICE protocol to the best of her ability given the information she had.

“It was impossible to hear the entire announcement in my room, so I don’t know exactly what was communicated by intercom,” Fuller said. “I heard the words lockdown, drill and ALICE, so I sent an all-school email asking for clarification about whether it was a drill or not. Many teachers in the building replied back to me that it was not a drill and that we were to follow ALICE lockdown protocol, so I did that, and waited for further information.”

One worried parent used a fence post to break a classroom window in

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an attempt to rescue students from the school, according to the Journal-World.

His daughter’s class had been taught by a substitute that day, who didn’t appear to have followed procedures.

found our substitute had locked herself in the orchestra teacher’s office.”

TEXT NOTIFICATIONS

Another issue that arose during the LHS lockout was communication. StuLHS LOCKOUT dents were returning from the College At Lawrence High last year, another and Career Center at the same time the substitute didn’t follow protocols during lockout was beginning, but there was no a lockout prompted by an armed robway to notify them to avoid campus. bery at a business a couple blocks away.

According to Julie Boyle, communiUnlike lockdowns when all classroom cations director for the district, there doors are locked, lockouts merely mean is no current way to alert kids at the students should stay inside the building, College and Career Center if there is although many teachers a threat in the main locked their classroom building. doors as well.

“Unless students “THROUGHOUT In the orchestra are under the superclassroom that day, LHS THE ENTIRETY OF vision of district staff, students couldn’t find receiving information THE LOCKDOWN their substitute during from friends or family WE HAD NO the lockout. members, following the “Our class heard the district’s social media IDEA WHERE THE announcement over the accounts, or using local SUBSTITUTE WAS intercom that we were media accounts, or usgoing into a lockdown, ing media sources, they AND WERE LEFT and so we all headed to may not be notified of ALONE AS A tomato room, which is school emergencies,” CLASS...” what we call the room Boyle said. connecting the band In light of these —EMMELINE SNYDER, SENIOR and orchestra rooms, incidents, the district is and is where we have looking into a Powerbeen told to go during any lockdown School system to store cell phone numsituation,” said senior Emmeline Snyder. bers of high school students and district Snyder said she and other students employees. thought the substitute would follow.

“This would enable us to upload that “After waiting for a bit and seeing contact information to our emergency no sign of her, we decided to close the notification system, SchoolMessenger, door of the room and barricade as we Boyle said. “When that data is in place, had discussed if a situation like this were we plan a rollout of emergency text ever to occur,” she said. “Throughout alerts for high school students, district the entirety of the lockdown we had no employees, and all parents and guardidea where the substitute was and were ians, with an opt-out option provided. left alone as a class...Once the lockdown This will be an addition to our current had been cleared, we left tomato and automated capabilities of calling and

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

NEWS THE BUDGET

GRAPHIC BY SAMI TURNER emailing staff and parents/guardians who have up-to-date contact information on file with the district.”

CLEAR COMMUNICATION

During the incident at LHS last year, according to Snyder, many students checked the Lawrence Journal-World to get new information about the lockout.

“The only communication our class had about the emergency was the general announcements made over the intercom to the entire school,” Snyder said. “This was a big factor which contributed to many students’ confusion and fear over what was going on, not just in the orchestra but the entire school as well. In order to have more information on what the situation was, many of us were checking Lawrence-Journal World and contacting our parents.”

Boyle said that using concise language is the most effective way of communicating information.

“Any employee with information about a safety concern should alert the proper authorities and others in the building using clear and concise

language to communicate the nature of procedures, and provides a handbook the concern,” Boyle said. “Our ALICE that includes the school district’s emertraining, for example, includes instrucgency protocol,” Boyle said. tions on using plain language and sharThe district is currently looking at ing updates as the situation the consistency of the trainchanges.” ing given to substitutes, THERE’S MORE! For example, if there is according to Samrie Devin, a threat inside the building, the district’s director of ALICE training calls for human resources who announcements to state works closely with Hunter as much information as Morgan. LHS teachers were possible about the nature told that the district was and location of the threat working on signs to post in Scan to catch up on past so teachers can determine classrooms that would help safety coverage if their students should stay clarify procedures for subs behind locked doors or evacand other faculty members. uate the building — a decision that can “Our district is currently working to change depending on the situation. develop a consistent process that would provide more information and training for substitutes,” she said.

SUBSTITUTE TRAINING Snyder said she didn’t feel like the Substitute teachers, like those at substitute did her job when LHS experiLHS and LMCMS, receive some ALICE enced a lockdown. training.

“The sub didn’t take any accountabil“As part of its employee training proity of where her students were or at least gram Hunter Morgan, the company that check the sub plans to know what our the district contracts with to provide class procedure would be for a situation substitute teachers, shares an ALICE like this,” Snyder said. video, reviews lockdown and lockout PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER OCT. 24, 2019

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REMISSION THE BUDGET FEATURES

RETIREMENT Health teacher retires after fighting B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

BY MERIEL SALISBURY

FEATURES EDITOR

A

fter about six months of fighting large B-Cell nonHodgkin’s lymphoma, health teacher Don Durkin announced he is in remission and retiring.

Durkin found out about the cancer in March and underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy called R-CHOP. “It takes all day long, so I’d go one day every three weeks, and all day long they would give me these drugs,” Durkin said. “I wouldn’t have any energy. I’d just sit in my chair at home, and I couldn’t even watch TV. I’d just sit there.”

Durkin said that he and his wife felt completely supported by Lawrence High’s community during his treatment.

Faculty brought meals and gave financial donations to his family, and T-shirts were made in Durkin’s honor for the volleyball team to wear.

“That’s one great thing about Lawrence High School, they all help out and come around when somebody needs it,” Durkin said. “The school district’s been great. I’ve used up all of my sick days, so I use from what they call a pool of teachers that have given days to people that were sick… They took care of everything.”

Durkin’s absence has been, and will continue to be felt by many at school.

He is known for his positivity, humor and kindness.

“He’s a motivator, and he has a great sense of humor, and so he always sort of

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helped me look at the positive even in Rivera said, before Durkin announced some of the really long weeks,” biology his retirement. teacher Ann Foster said. “[I miss] Durkin said he would miss teaching hearing his voice, seeing him smile, his health and being around students. caramel corn and his humor.”

“I miss all my kids,” he said. “I always Freshman in health classes also have feel they’re not just, you know, parents’ appreciated these characteristics as they kids, they’re my kids too when they navigate their first year at Lawrence come to my classroom. I want to help High. Among the things he was known them, and I miss being with them, and I for was having freshmen write letters to miss the activities… that they’re involved themselves that he then handed back to with and seeing everybody in the hall.” them in the final days of Durkin’s experience their senior years. fighting cancer has “I THINK “[He’s] very funny reiterated an already and genuine because he’s [CANCER’S] MADE important quality in his just so lighthearted and life: kindness.

ME REALIZE THAT doesn’t take anything “I think [cancer’s] I’M VULNERABLE too serious,” sophomore made me realize that I’m BUT ALSO THAT Daniellia Rivera said. vulnerable but also that “He’s one of the greatest IF YOU DON’T if you don’t give up you teachers. He’s so nice can conquer anything GIVE UP, YOU and funny, like I think or you can succeed,” he everybody needs that as a CAN CONQUER said. “I always like to see class and him as a teacher, ANYTHING OR YOU everybody take care of because he’s great.” each other, and not just CAN SUCCEED.” On Sept. 26, Durkin me as I’m sick, but your learned that he is officially —DON DURKIN, friends and take care of HEALTH TEACHER in remission. everybody else because “That’s good, it’s all there’s a lot of people that gone for right now,” he said. “They were hurt sometimes and have problems.” concerned with some spots in my chest, Lawrence High, he said, already or in my stomach, my abdomen, earlier possesses these characteristics, and did this week and they took some biopsies even when Durkin was first at the school and found out that they were OK.” in the ‘90s. He returned to LHS in 2011.

This news was well received at “I always knew Lawrence High was a Lawrence High. Durkin shared his plans special place, and I knew there was only to retire in a school-wide email after one place I’d want to go back to when announcing he was in remission.

I went back into teaching,” he said.

“I’m really glad and hope that he gets “That would be Lawrence High because better because I want him to come back of how close the people are and how so that my little brother and my little supportive they are of each other and brothers will have him as a teacher,” how they take care of each other.”

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

FEATURES THE BUDGET

QUICK TAKE Source: Durkin and cancer.net

6 months

Duration of Don Durkin’s cancer fight

8

Rounds of chemotherapy Durkin went through

2011

Year Durkin returned to Lawrence High

3

Sports Durkin has coached at Lawrence High: wrestling, track and football

74,200

People diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2018

GRAPHIC BY SAMI TURNER

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER OCT. 21, 2019

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THE BUDGET FEATURES

ON THE RUN

REPORTING BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS ‘Clue’ actors answer the question: If you were on the FBI’s most wanted list, where would you flee to and what would your alternate identity be?

ELLIE BATES

(MISS SCARLET) Absconding to: ”...

OSCAR SCHMIDT

(MRS. PEACOCK) Absconding to:

(PROFESSOR PLUM) Absconding to: “I

TIAL IDEN

IAL

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY RILEY UNEKIS

JOSH WOOLVERTON

CONF

ENT

FID

CON

L

ENTIA

CONFID 16

”I would go to France or England.”

New Life: “I would be a pastry chef.”

Alias: “Fredrick… what’s a French last name?...

Jaqueuax.”

maybe some unknown European country; somewhere like Herzegovina.”

Alias: “...something like Gershwin Peaeck-Evacado.”

New Life: “I would just roam around and make sure everyone knows who I am so that way when the FBI tries to find me I would overthrow the country and then they can’t.”

think I would go somewhere in the Caribbean.”

New Life: “Live a nice island life on the beach.”

Alias: “I think I would make my alternate identity something funny like Joe or Ben Dover.”

FEATURES THE BUDGET

GET A CLUE Fall play takes a hit and spins in a new direction

BY ELYSSA HANCOCK & MERIEL SALISBURY

STAFF WRITER

A

fter some initial confusion, Lawrence High theater members, and their new director, Craig Fisher, are ready to perform “Clue” this week.

The transition from former theater director Jamie Johnson to Fisher, who is also an English teacher at Lawrence High, has gone well.

“He has a completely different perspective on theater,” senior Rylie Stellwagon said.“He’s an amazing director. [He and Johnson] are really different — not in a bad way or anything like that — they just have very different approaches to theater.”

Senior Noah Stussie is also pleased with the switch, but says that Johnson and Fisher share similar directing tactics.

“They’re actually surprisingly similar,” he said.

“They’re both really fun to work with. I think the only major difference is just the rate at which we’re going with everything. I think this year it’s moving a bit faster with just memorization and getting through our lines and getting everything ready to go.”

Fisher has admired Lawrence High theater students since he began at the school in August.

“I’m really impressed with how talented the students are, how dedicated they are, and how much they want to put on a really great production,” Fisher said. “The fact that students are willing to work hard and do whatever they can to make the school great has been what has stood out to me so far.”

Originally, the play that theater students auditioned for and were cast in was “Puffs,” a Hufflepuff-themed Harry Potter spinoff. However, because The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City is performing the same play in March and is within an 80-mile distance of the school, the Lawrence High theater program lost its rights to the show.

“It was pretty tough at first,” Stussie said.

“I think after reading through ‘Puff,’ a lot of us really fell in love with the show, so we were all really excited to do it. And then to immediately find out that it was canceled in favor of another

show wasn’t that fun, but I think most of us stayed enthusiastic about it, and we were able to switch pretty well.”

As a result, theater students and Fisher had only a couple of days to switch to a new production.

“We had literally a day and a half to pick a new play,” Stellwagon said. “So we read script after script after script to try to figure it out.”

Finding a new play that required the same number of cast members as “Puffs,” an ensemble-based play, did was a challenge. Fisher gave students a list of viable new options.

“None of them were ideal, but we had to pick something so we chose ‘Clue’ because we all knew it, and it is really fastpaced just like ‘Puffs,’ ” sophomore Salam Aljishi said.

“Clue” is an exciting whodunit that revolves around blackmail, murder BEAMING, junior Oscar Schmidt prepares for the fall and humor. play, “Clue,” alongside fellow cast members, senior “It’s a great way to Jasper Mumford, senior Rylie Stellwagon and junior start the school year Ellie Bates. “We were originally going to do ‘Puffs,’ and because it’s happening I was a huge Harry Potter fanatic,” Schmidt said, “but I right before Hallowthink I might like ‘Clue’ more.” PHOTO BY ARI WILKE een,” Stussie said. “It’s perfect. Come see it.”

The play will be 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 26 and 2 p.m. Oct. 27 in the auditorium.

Nola Levings, Sami Turner contributed to this report.

ON THE RUN, Senior Jack Malin speeds around Senior Josh Woolverton, both rehearsing for the fall play, “Clue.” Based on the famous board game, the play consists of a murder mystery storyline.”Working on the play can be very stressful.”

Woolverton says, “We have a lot of things to think about and it’s often physically and mentally demanding. but the people and connections make it worthwhile.” PHOTO BY ARI WILKE PAGE DESIGN RILEY UNEKIS OCT. 24, 2019

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THE BUDGET FEATURES

BRACELET MAKER Crafting skills help senior raise money for trip

BY ADDIE LONDON

STAFF WRITER

S

enior Allie Grammer has made more than $400 selling beaded bracelets.

She is raising money to go on the choir trip; a trip that she has been hearing about since freshman year when she joined the choir. The trip is to Memphis, Nashville, and Franklin, TN, for both sightseeing and performance opportunities.

“They’re going to go to the Civil Rights Museum, the site where Martin Luther King was assassinated, and going to visit the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville,” Choir Director Dwayne Dunn said.

“And we’re going to do a joint High School concert with Centennial High School in Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville. So hopefully we sing some things, they’re going to sing some things, and maybe get to sing some things together.”

Once Grammer decided to go, she had to think of a fast, simple way to make money. The trip has to be paid off by March, and she didn’t want to make her parents pay for her trip.

“I always encourage students to find a way to make some extra monies if this is important to you,” Dunn said. “So I say, you know, find some babies to sit, some yards to mow and, and you know, we do have students

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OCT. 24, 2019

who have jobs in businesses around town and some of them are stocking those monies away for the trip.”

Grammer decided to make beaded and threaded bracelets because they were popular over the summer. She knew how to make them and knew they would sell.

“I have separate types,” Grammer said. “I make some that are just beads, they also have elastic around them. I saw them on Tik Tok. Then I have the thread ones that have just the letters. So you pick two types of thread, and I do the letters in the middle.”

The starting price for the elastic bracelets is $3, while the starting price for the thread ones is $4. She charges differently depending on the type of beads and letters you want. Fellow senior and pom team member Emi Neilson has bought two from her.

“One of them was more like a keychain type thing. It said something about California ’cause that’s where I’m from,” Neilson said. “And then I have one for pom that says ‘Senior 2020.’ ” Grammer has sold to about 200 people, a large majority of that number being from her dance studio. Besides the 150 bracelets she sold to her dance studio, she is advertising to friends and peers. She has made a promotional Instagram, advertised on Snapchat, Twitter and her personal Instagram story.

She will likely continue to sell after she raises all the money she needs for the trip.

“I like it because it’s kind of therapeutic,” Grammer said. “Just to like sit and do something for a little bit like over and over again.”

ENTREPRENEUR — To fund her choir trip to Texas this year, senior Allie Grammer is making bracelets out of beads and selling them to classmates. In addition, she also made bracelets for Student Council to sell and raise funds for the Pink Out game. “So basically I don’t want to have like my parents to have to pay for my choir trip that I’m going on,” Grammer said.

PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

FEATURES THE BUDGET

ROOKIE SOLOIST

Junior goes from orchestra to band, lands solo on his new brass instrument

BY IRIS SHERRON

STAFF WRITER

A

fter picking up the trumpet only a year ago, junior Raef Landes quickly landed a solo in the marching band competition show.

While he was still in orchestra freshman year, Landes decided to pick up his dad’s trumpet for fun.

“I didn’t like orchestra. I wasn’t very good at it,” Landes said. “And I thought I had the ability to do this, so I tried it.”

It isn’t common for students go from playing cello to trumpet with as much success as Landes.

“Not many people go from orchestra to band,” Clayton Goodell, one of the 30-some trumpet players, said, “so it’s cool to have someone make that change.”

Landes, who didn’t know he even had the opportunity to have a solo, received the solo to play in the first and last movement of the band’s show.

“He [band director Mike Jones] texted me and sent me the sheet music, and I just thought this is awesome and then he sent another picture, which was a second solo during the

show, and I was like, ‘Wow, that’s cool,’ but it’s also kind of scary,” Landes said.

As only a junior, Landes could have more solo opportunities in future shows.

“I am defi“NOT MANY nitely in position to have another PEOPLE GO FROM ORCHESTRA TO solo,” Landes said. “But that BAND, SO IT’S depends on if COOL TO HAVE Mr. Jones wants to have them in SOMEONE MAKE the show.”

THAT CHANGE.” Learning an —CLAYTON GOODELL, instrument takes SENIOR a lot of practice and hard work, especially practicing for a solo.

“Just taking the time to learn how to do it because it took like daily practice and it took a lot of will power to be like, ‘OK, I need to do this everyday,’ ” Landes said.

SOLOIST — At practice, junior Raef Landes practices his trumpet solo during marching band rehearsal. “I just gotta play well,” Landes said. The band was preparing to play a show called “Beatbox” for competition season.

PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

PAGE DESIGN RILEY UNEKIS OCT. 17, 2019

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THE BUDGET SPORTS

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OCT. 17, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

SPORTS THE BUDGET

STAR BENCH WARMER SPORTS

Avid volleyball player has to sit out because of gender

BY HENRY DEWITT

SPORTS EDITOR

N

ick Cordova does everything he can to help the Lawrence High School volleyball team.

Whether that be managing, helping coach the girls during games or playing as part of the team during practices.

Cordova may be listed as simply a manager; however, teammates and coaches know that Cordova’s contributions are far greater than just being a manager.

During practices, Cordova is treated like just another player, practicing with the girls everyday to get better, improve his skills and ultimately be the best player he can be.

But come gametime, Cordova is forced to sit on the bench and watch his teammates due to Kansas State High School Activities Association rules not allowing boys to play volleyball.

Volleyball wasn’t new to Cordova when he came to Lawrence High School.

Not at all. Volleyball has been in his life since kindergarten when he went to his sister’s volleyball practices.

“It was just a normal, everyday thing,” he said. “She would go after school, and I would come along just because your parents bring both of you because they can’t leave you in two different places. I would just come play with them. I’d have a good time.”

Cordova continued to support his sister, Michaela Cordova, at practices and games. When he turned 10, he learned of an opportunity to play on a club team. Since then, he has shined as a player.

Cordova has bounced from the Kansas City Mavs club team to the Topeka Six Pack club team and now back to the

Mavs, excelling on both teams. team during practices.” Scarbrough said.

“Two years ago I played for Six Pack “Defensively it is difficult to get a ball and went to Nationals with Mavs,” Cordown with him in the back row. He puts dova said. “Last year I played with Six up a big block for us to work around, Pack and went to Nationals with them.” serves aggressive and swings with a The accolades and accomplishments purpose to improve our game.” are clearly there for Cordova, and that is Cordova doesn’t only help with what makes him such a valuable asset to making the LHS volleyball team the best the LHS volleyball team, even though he it can be. He also helps give more opporcannot play. tunities to men trying to play volleyball, During games, he acts as an assistant most recently, working to create a team coaching figure. in Lawrence to compete in a new men’s “He does a great job being an incredleague in the Kansas City area. ible teammate from the bench, helping However, in an ideal world, he said, the girls find holes in the opponent demen’s volleyball would be offered as a fense or seeing opportunities to improve school sport. That would provide more an individual’s game.” Coach Stephanie opportunities for boys to be recruited Scarbrough said, “We by colleges that may not have a lot of confidence be looking at clubs. in his knowledge of the “Boys, most of them “BOYS, MOST OF game and his ability to here aren’t trained since THEM HERE AREN’T communicate that to the they’re young,” Cordova TRAINED SINCE girls in a positive and said. “You just get into it, constructive manner. He THEY’RE YOUNG...IF and if you’re athletic, you is a vital member of our WE STARTED A BOYS can pick it up pretty fast. team.”

So I think if we started a TEAM, THAT WOULD Coaches praise his boys team, that would be ability to work with the BE REALLY COOL ” really cool.” team and get players to As Lawrence High —NICK CORDOVA, SOPHOMORE reach their full potential.

School hopes to gear up According to teammates, for another state run, this in-game advice is valuable.

Cordova will continue to prove a key “[He] tells you in a positive way, facet of the team’s success. like ‘Instead of doing that you could “I really think we have a good chance have done this and next time you could of going to state,” Cordova said. “I think do this to get the point or to be more we’ll have a good set-up at sub-state and strategic’ and everything like that,” team a really good chance to go to state.” captain Haven Bellerive said. “He just SIDELINED — Cheering on the team, sophomore pushes us to be the best we can be, but Nick Cordova helps the team from the sidelines. he’s not soft with us. He’s not afraid to Head coach Stephanie Scarbrough speaks highly hurt your feelings.” of Cordova’s contributions to the team. “We have Cordova practicing with the team a lot of confidence in his knowledge of the game gives the girls a nationally competing and his ability to communicate that to the girls outside player to try to score on, which in a positive and constructive manner. He is a can prove difficult. vital member of our team.” PHOTO BY TREVOR “Nick is a great opponent for the ARELLANO PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER OCT. 24, 2019

21

THE BUDGET SPORTS

SIDELINE SUPPORTERS

Football managers prepare for life after graduation

BY CUYLER DUNN

STAFF WRITER

T

he football team is off to a strong start this season thanks to strong team play, good coaching and helpful work by this year’s managers, including AJ Sanders and Sky Wilkerson.

They have been helping everything run smoothly for the team in practice and on game day. Whether it is refilling water bottles, organizing practices, or taping players up before a game, Sanders and Wilkerson keep the team ready for the physical challenges that football poses while also gaining work experience.

Junior linebacker Karson Green said the team’s early success benefits from the work the managers do.

“It has been really fun,” Green said, “we’ve been very successful lately and we’ve just got to keep working and try to keep it going. [The managers] refill water bottles, help organize practices, and help us out on game days.”

Green understands the physical toll football can have, especially in the heat.

“On the sidelines, they do a really good job of keeping us hydrated and making sure the players have whatever they need,” Green said. “They help tape the players before games, they sometimes make us Gatorade. They do a lot behind the scenes.”

Sky Wilkerson is happy to be helping

22

the team as manager and watching the team win.

“I wanted to be waterboy,” Sky said. “I want to help out the football team.”

Sanders and Wilkerson connected with the team thanks to Matthew Klein, who helps students find places where they can explore careers.

“I look for opportunities for our students to participate in things that help get them closer to their goals,” said Klein, who works in the special education department.

“So if students want to work in sports, that’s a great opportunity to figure out what that’s like.”

Klein explained that a task like managing can give students a glimpse of the kind of work that a career in sports would bring. It is an opportunity for the students to experiment with what they want to do after high school. He said he works with students in many different ways so that all students can find a passion to explore.

“They take career development class which is preparing for life after high school,” Klein said. “We work on a whole bunch of skills whether it’s budgeting, problem-solving skills, independent living skills, or social skills and things like that.”

Wilkerson explained his role includes giving the team water, high fives and helping out the coaches. He is happy to be able to build relationships with the players. “[I want to] make friends with the football team,” Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson is ready for the season and

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY TREVOR ARELLANO

is hoping the team will continue to do well and he can keep helping out the team in the process. Sanders is also enjoying his first experience as a manger.

“I really like football,” Sanders said. “I bring the water to the football players, fill up the water bottles and play football with the team.”

Sanders is excited for the Free State game this season and is enjoying the perks of being a part of the Lions football team.

He was asked what had happened to him since he became a manager.

“New interest from the ladies,” Sanders said.

Mostly, Klein said the experience is one Wilkerson and Sanders will learn from.

“You always have to start from the bottom,” Klein said. “If you’re a manager and you’re getting water and you’re helping with towels and you’re helping with stats and stuff like that it gives you a good sense of the type of work you might have to do after school. It also gives you good practice so you can decide whether or not you like it and you can show that you’re building skills that are helpful in achieving some of those goals.”

FLEXING — Football managers AJ Sanders and Sky Wilkerson pose with the water bottles they fill up and give out to the football team during practice. The students manage the team to help gain work experience.

PHOTO BY CARLY COOPER

SPORTS THE BUDGET

FRISBEE FOR FUN Senior starts Ultimate Frisbee Club after playing for 6 years

BY TONY RACY

OPINION EDITOR

M

atteo Kalusha-Aguirre, a senior in Ultimate Frisbee Club, was told to step out to the side, lower his center of gravity, align his wrist with his waist and just flick it. And that’s exactly what he did.

“Magically, everything changed,” Kalusha-Aguirre said.

The club has become an instant success, and that’s all thanks to senior Anoosha Redd, who began playing when she was in sixth grade.

“When I was younger, my mom had a student at the university who was on the women’s Ultimate Frisbee team, and she started a neighborhood thing. I loved to play in it.”

When she realized that there was no Ultimate Frisbee Club at LHS, she just knew what had to be done.

“I thought it would be a very fun club, it’s a very fun sport, it’s very approachable, and it would create a fun community of people that would want to play in it,” Redd said.

Redd recognizes that the community aspect of the club has certainly been enjoyed.

“I love playing Ultimate Frisbee because its a team sport, of course,” she said.

She explained how the sport differs drastically from any other sport in the way that rules are decided.

“It’s different because it doesn’t have referees and the players have to work out issues between themselves,” she said.

This has allowed for the most optimal levels of cooperation within the game. Redd emphasizes that it’s “a really good skill to have.”

The feeling of community mixed with a willingness to welcome all people has lead to students from all grades joining Ultimate Frisbee Club, including Kalusha-Aguirre and sophomore Josh King.

“The physical aspect of it, just being able to run around, to play Frisbee is fun,” King said.

Ultimate Frisbee has been an exciting way for students to live out their competitive needs. King recalls his team beating another team 5-0 as his favorite moment at club.

A combination of both competition and community has made Ultimate Frisbee Club a draw for the casual athlete. Redd expects to see great success for the future of her club.

“It’s just simply fun,” Redd said. “I hope that people continue the club, and I hope that it grows and more and more people come. It’s a supportive diverse community of people that like to have fun.”

The Ultimate Frisbee Club meets at 5 p.m. on Saturdays at the LHS football field. If you are having trouble deciding whether or not to go, Redd offers simple advice: “It’s just a fun thing to do.”

LAUNCHED — Looking ahead, senior Anoosha Redd passes the Frisbee to a teammate downfield in hopes of scoring a point. “It’s [Ultimate Frisbee] been going really well,” Redd said. “We have a large variety of people who come including seniors that I know, sophomores and even some freshman.

It’s really fun, we play games, we scrimmage, and we bring snacks.” PHOTO BY ALEX STARK PAGE DESIGN TREVOR ARELLANO OCT. 24, 2019

23

THE BUDGET OPINION

OPINION GRAPHIC BY SAMI TURNER

0

ZER

Z

0

NOT CONCERNED ABOUT ATHLETES

NO PAY, NO GAME The National College Athletic Association should pay its athletes

BY HENRY DEWITT

SPORTS EDITOR

T

he National Collegiate Athletic Association is the most American organization in the country, if you believe America was founded on the exploitation of minorities.

In late September, California passed a bill that will allow for college athletes to profit off their name and personal

24

likeness. This is quite possibly one of the most no-brainer acts of legislation in recent memory. This bill gives athletes the ability to get money for their own self image, like every other human being in the country.

“I think it’s been long overdue to give student-athletes the same opportunities that general students possess,” KU coach Bill Self told reporters of the bill.

Somehow, this bill is still controversial. Somehow, people believe

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

players shouldn’t be allowed to profit off their own names and images because they are talented at sports.

However, this bill is only a first step.

At some point in the future, preferably in the near future, college athletes need to be paid.

To some, that might sound like a bold statement. But it shouldn’t be. At all.

Some people believe what the NCAA says about paying college athletes. And to be honest, it is hard not to. When

OPINION THE BUDGET people hear that the athletes are being paid in your name. This includes brand deals, education, or that it is important to preserve sponsorships and even college sports video amateurism in college athletics, it seems games. If a college student sold a poster of logical. But in execution, it is completely the basketball team at a basketball game, the immoral and backwards. student selling the poster would be paid more The NCAA is firm on three big things: money from the university than the players athletes cannot receive compensation, whose faces are plastered on the poster. accept gifts or profit off their likeness (what However, when a college athlete gets California is changing). If they fail to meet a career-ending injury, at least they have these requirements, they can be suspended, their education. Except that’s not true. If stripped of their scholarships and even kicked an already low-income student athlete were out of school. to sustain a severe injury, they would have The first violation is compensation. to pay for their own medical bills because Athletes cannot get paid. If you believe that the NCAA made it so schools don’t have to education is fair compensation, this violation compensate for injuries. Also, the NCAA is might make sense. However, within its rights to completely according to the National revoke scholarships at any time College Players Association, “THESE ATHLETES because the production on the 86 percent of college athletes OFTEN HAVE TO field is not there. So now the live below the poverty line. already poor student athlete GO TO SLEEP So when many of these is having to pay for not only student athletes are being HUNGRY BECAUSE their medical bills but now pulled from low income their college tuition. This cycle homes, an education cannot THEY DON’T HAVE often leads to talented athletes keep the water running in dropping out of school because ANY SOURCE OF their homes. An education they are not rich enough to INCOME.” cannot buy them food. pay for their school without “There are hungry the scholarships they were nights that I go to bed, and I’m starving,” promised, as was the case with Kyle Hardrick Shabazz Nabier, a former UConn guard, who was stripped of his full ride scholarship told reporters after winning the NCAA after tearing his ACL his freshman year. championship.

It is clear that the NCAA cares more These athletes often have to go to sleep about the product on the field than the actual hungry because they don’t have any source athletes themselves. They have shown that of income. So what if a fan offers them a year after year, and they will continue to sandwich because they haven’t eaten in some prove that until people stop believing the lies cases days? NCAA violation. and deception that they preach.

Athletes cannot accept gifts. What if Next time you put money on your March a college athlete is getting married? They Madness Bracket realize that you just bet better not have a regular wedding with a more money than that star college athlete is guest registry because that would be an allowed to make in all of their college career.

NCAA violation, as was the case with Kyle It could have helped keep their parents lights Guy, former Virginia Cavalier. on for the month. And maybe they might not The ability to profit off your name or be performing to your standards because they personal likeness just means the ability to haven’t eaten in days. receive money from something sold under But, hey, at least they have an education.

RO

0

QUICK TAKE Sources: The Atlantic, CDC and LA Times

1%

Of college basketball players get drafted into the NBA

47,199

College football players sustained injuries from 2009-2013

$10 billion

12%

$2.9 million

Growth of revenue from Of revenue from college Spent on federal college sports from sports go to athlete lobbying from 2014-2018 2003-2018 scholarships by the NCAA

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER OCT. 24, 2019

25

THE BUDGET OPINION

OPINION

Current government action won’t stop vaping crisis

BY TONY RACY

OPINION EDITOR

P

eople are dying. Vaping has never been so obviously destructive, yet people my age still don’t understand what’s so bad about it.

Many become addicted to vaping because of the nicotine, which is a real problem people struggle to control. Big vaping corporations find many ways to convince you stay on or continue vape so that they can make more money.

The government believes they have found the answer to this problem, and while the Trump administration thinks it’s a great idea to outright ban vaping, I believe that would outright backfire.

Banning vaping will not actually stop the use of vaping. Teenagers will continue to find access to vape, and it would only drive the industry underground. A black market for vape would make things worse, since there would be no enforcement on what can go into vape. This would also put many kids in danger as they would end up making shady deals for vape

26

with shady people.

If the administration goes a much darker route on this ban and chooses to criminalize vaping — like the state of Michigan has already done — it could lead to a scary problem. That scary problem is called mass incarceration.

This would be devastating on a nation in which mass incarceration has plagued the innocent and non-violent.

This ban would disproportionately target poorer teenagers who are addicted to vaping and give them criminal convictions, affecting the rest of their lives and likely keeping them in a cycle of poverty. This ban would truly deepen the scars of America.

I believe America must take a different path on the issue of vaping. We must first properly educate the youth on not only the effects of vape, but address the reasons behind why many fall into vaping, and the physical and mental damage that may encompass from that. We must then tighten restrictions on the industry. Ensuring that chemicals are made public and all sales are done safely is the best way to reduce the sales of vapes.

The most important thing America must do is to hold the vaping

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY MORGAN MARSH

industry accountable in court for the damage it has caused. These corporations have branded themselves as an escape from nicotine and “THE MOST have completely disillusioned our IMPORTANT generation. The people were able THING to sue big cigarette AMERICA companies for more than $100 MUST DO million in damage they caused in the IS TO HOLD 20th century. The same could happen THE VAPING with vaping. The INDUSTRY best way to stop these large indus- ACCOUNTABLE tries is to take their IN COURT FOR money and put it back in the hands THE DAMAGE of the people.

The vaping IT HAS crisis will not be CAUSED.” solved by an outright ban. This will only end when the people can effectively become aware of the big corporations and hold them accountable.

OPINION THE BUDGET

GENDER-NEUTRAL BATHROOMS

NECESSARY More all-gender restrooms needed for student body

BY NADIA SANBURN

LHSBUDGET.COM CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

T

he first gender-neutral bathroom was implemented at LHS in February 2017.

This was the first all-gender bathroom in a high school in the district.

The first all-gender bathroom was a huge success for Total Equality Alliance Club, which had advocated for the implementation of an ungendered bathroom.

That bathroom fell into disrepair and was shut down at the start of this school year. Two single-stall staff bathrooms near the auditorium were relabeled as gender-neutral, and have stayed that way. For the first three weeks of the school year, they were the only options Since the newly renovated section of the building opened, there have been two new single-stall gender neutral bathrooms in the school. They’re pretty hidden on the south end of the second floor, and it took me a while to find them when I went

looking, but they’re there. They’re both spacious and seem to be working out well for students.

It’s exciting to have these bathrooms as an option in our school.

They will be a great resource for trans and nonbinary students who are uncomfortable using gendered bathrooms, whether it is a safety issue or a personal preference. Research shows that it is unhealthy to restrict trips to the bathroom, but if there aren’t spaces to feel safe, it can be a real issue for trans and nonbinary people.

Gender-neutral bathrooms are extremely important for LGBT+ students. According to a study done

by GLSEN, two-thirds of transgender and nonbinary students avoid school bathrooms due to feeling uncomfortable based on gender segregation.

The implementation of gender neutral bathrooms are a sure way to combat the discomfort that trans and nonbi-

nary students feel in regards to school bathrooms. Although what we have is good, we must not stop at these two new additions to the school. More gender neutral options for restrooms need to be available throughout LHS. As of now, the only gender neutral bathrooms are on at either end of the school — two in the new area, and two near the auditorium.

This is not enough.

The construction blueprints must include plans for even more gender-neutral bathrooms in our school, for both the safety and comfort of LGBT+ students.

THE BUDGET OPINION

OPINION

PENNILESS PERIODS

All school bathrooms should have free menstrual products

BY SAMI TURNER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

S

urprise! It’s that time of the month.

Did I bring tampons to the bathroom? No, of course not. The only thing I brought was my phone so that I can reply to Snapchats while chillin’ on the toilet. So what can I do? Hope that I don’t bleed through my pants until I can return to this cold, cobwebbed bathroom next hour.

Forgetting a tampon or pad is not unique to me. Anyone who goes through a menstrual cycle has had the horrid moment of going to the bathroom, seeing that their period started and not having a solution. This stress that half of the Lawrence High community faces each month could be saved if all bathrooms had free pads and tampons.

Free menstrual products in all bathrooms isn’t a foreign concept.

Many high schools and universities across the nation are implementing such policies, like our neighbors up the hill, the University of Kansas.

Society has put a big red X on the topic of menstruation. There were probably people

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who flipped right past this because they didn’t want to be “grossed out.”

Somehow, a normal part of life has been made to seem abnormal. We’ve resorted to talking about periods in hushed tones, quickly checking our friends’ backsides to make sure they didn’t bleed through and passing along tampons to one another like anxious drug dealers. Yet, literally everyone is alive today because someone once menstruated... and then didn’t for nine months.

Putting menstrual products out in the open opens up the topic of menstruation as well. We need to begin normalizing menstruation and alleviating the anxious stigma surrounding it.

Menstruation isn’t something to be ashamed of.

It means you’re healthy (and not pregnant)! Free pads and tampons in all bathrooms is one major step toward destigmatizing menstruation.

These products must be made available in all bathrooms: women’s, men’s, gender neutral and staff.

It’s time to move on from the archaic notion that genitals match gender. They don’t. Menstruation isn’t subjected to a certain gender, and neither should access to free hygiene products.

OCT. 24, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

Not regularly changing hygiene products while menstruating can be dangerous to people’s health. Some students have financial constraints that prevent them from buying menstrual products and may use a single product a day. Free products in the bathrooms would benefit students and faculty who can’t afford to buy them. If someone needed to, they could take extra pads and tampons from the basket for the road. It’s hard to ask for help, but having a stationary basket open to everyone breaks down the barrier of having to ask someone for a tampon or pad.

We have free menstrual products in the nurse’s office, but it’s time to expand.

Let it rain tampons and pads. I want our bathrooms to be the Oprah of menstrual products. You get pads!

And you get pads! Everyone gets tampons and pads!

No one should feel like they are less because of their natural menstrual cycle, nor should hygiene products be kept out of reach because of someone’s gender identity or socioeconomic class.

Period.

“I WANT OUR BATHROOMS TO BE THE OPRAH OF MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS”

OPINION THE BUDGET

PHOTOS BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER OCT. 24, 2019

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THE BUDGET OPINION

OPINION

PASS THE TISSUES AND TAKE CARE

BY SAMI TURNER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

W Letter from the editor

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SEPT. 25, 2019

hile planning for this issue I noticed most of the pitches were centered around one theme: construction. I wasn’t going to do that again. Don’t get me wrong, the renovation of our school is important, but I knew there were other important stories that are being hidden under the rubble.

After a story walk and further brainstorming, we

came upon a plethora of ideas, some expanding on issues we’d covered in the past, like safety.

We found that all these ideas were tied together by one central idea: health. The physical health of students vaping, the school board candidates discussing mental health and the health of our planet with the climate strike. We were also able to work a new angle on construction by examining the effects of construction on bathrooms.

A week into the making of this issue, the theme of health became ironic as I and two other

editors got sick for the rest of the month. I’m incredibly grateful for staffers pushing through and problem-solving while I was bedridden. I also appreciate staffers working hard and being patient with me when I asked them to go back and rewrite stories or redesign pages. I want us to be proud of the product we put out, and I can say I’m proud of this issue.

As the first quarter ends and the second begins, I want this issue to serve as a reminder to take care of yourself and others around you.

OPINION THE BUDGET

JOURNALISM STAFF MISSION STATEMENT The Budget newspaper is committed to providing the Lawrence High community with objective, inclusive news coverage that ensures relevance to its 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 tool to publish student voices, it also works to help students grow as journalists and help readers access 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. 66046-2999.

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 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.

STAFF Benjamin Alan Allgeier, Trevor Arellano, Cam Bohmann, Ashleigh Nichole, Carly Cooper, Cuyler Dunn, Josefine Graven, Elyssa Hancock, Jon LaRue, Andrew Liebegott, Addie

London, Nancy Mai, Morgan Marsh, Caitlin Mooney, Arianna Myers-Arenth, Elijah Paden, Arien Roman Rojas, Iris Sherron, Kate Tilghman, Ari Wilke, Elyzebeth Workman THE BUDGET NEWSPAPER EDITORS Sami Turner �������������������������������������� Editor-in-Chief Katherine Williams ������������������������� Photo Editor Riley Unekis �������������������������������������� Design Editor Zora Lotton-Barker �������������������������� News Editor Meriel Salisbury ������������������������������� Features Editor Tony Racy ������������������������������������������ Opinion Editor Alex Stark ������������������������������������������� Assistant Photo Editor LHSBUDGET.COM EDITORS Daniel Davidson ������������������������������ Editor-in-Chief Nadia Sanburn ��������������������������������� Editor-in-Chief Mia Robinson ����������������������������������� Video Editor Jackson Yanek �������������������������������� Video Editor RED & BLACK YEARBOOK EDITORS Megan Drumm ��������������������������������� Editor-in-Chief Sophia Kaufman ����������������������������� Editor-in-Chief McKenna White ������������������������������� Photo Editor Alex Lane............................................

Design Editor Kenna McNally ��������������������������������� Managing Editor JOURNALISM EDITORS Henry DeWitt ������������������������������������� Sports Editor Nola Levings ������������������������������������� Marketing Manager/ Social Media Editor Barbara Tholen...................Adviser

SEPT. 25, 2019

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH COACH — Defining school spirit, Sophie LaPoint, Ashley Wildeman, Asjah Harris, and Haven Bellerive represent the class of 2020 at the Homecoming Parade. Wildeman said she loves flexing her school pride, especially when it comes to athletics, and her senior year is no exception. “This is the loudest student section I have been a part of out of all my years here. It is always a lot of fun, and it brings people together.” PHOTO BY CAITLIN MOONEY