Lawrence High School's The Budget, Issue 3, Nov. 26, 2019

LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL

LAWRENCE, KS

VOLUME 127, ISSUE 3 NOVEMBER 26, 2019

THE BUDGET

FUTURE

THE BUDGET NEWS

IN THIS ISSUE

LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL

LAWRENCE, KS

VOLUME 127, ISSUE 3 NOVEMBER 26, 2019

Early graduates share their future plans page 5

Student overcomes tumor on parathyroid page 18

Principal ‘Mama J’ plans to stay another year page 6

Winter sports seasons begin page 20

Students guide to the impeachment inquiry page 8

Underclassman gymnast ranks top in the state page 22

Debater takes on leadership role within the squad page 16

Opinion: End ex-felon disenfranchisment page 28

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THE BUDGET

FUTURE ON THE COVER — Lawrence High and its students are soaring into the future with plans for a new dress code, continued renovations and early graduation plans.

Meanwhile, the nation’s future is up in the air as the impeachment inquiry unfolds.

ILLUSTRATION BY RILEY UNEKIS

BATTLE OF THE BRAINS

BY DANIEL DAVIDSON

ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Four students have advanced to the top 20 in the Battle of the Brains competition with an idea for an interactive science exhibit called Abili-Tech.

On the line is a $1 million full-scale implementation of their project design in Science City, an interactive-exhibit museum in Kansas City, MO, and a $50,000 STEM grant for the winning team’s school.

The engineering company Burns & McDonnell holds the Battle of the Brains competition every two years to take K-12 students’ ideas and transform them into reality.

The team of sophomores Clara Bode, Asha Hanson, Judith Hogan and Joseph Bash collaborated during the span of a month to research and design Abili-Tech, a project focused on assisted technology.

The exhibit allows individuals to experi-

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ence using wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, canes and exoskeletons as they attempt everyday tasks such as setting a table or simply moving around.

Gifted facilitator Emily Beecham advised the students as they created a commercial, an official plan proposal and design plans for their project. This also included researching the costs of implementing their idea.

Their proposal, along with 850 other team’s, was judged by Burns & McDonnell engineers and advanced to the top 20. Out of those top 20, several groups can win grants for their schools but only the first place winner will see their project implemented by Burns & McDonnell. Announced on Dec. 4, final judgements are based upon a combination of official judging and public votes.

Bode, who originally conceived the idea for Abili-Tech, believes their proposal could help children better understand disability.

NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

“It would be really good to see the representation of people for what it’s like,” Bode said. “I thought maybe showing people what it’s like to just do normal tasks while having different disabilities that make that harder would be very interesting.”

One requirement for the project was that it be interactive and kid-friendly.

“I have been to a lot of science museums, and I have never seen anything like their idea,” Beecham said. “Because I have little kids, I know that the parts of the museum that they go to that just have things to read aren’t that fun for them.”

For Bode, who forsees herself pursuing a career in a STEM field, Battle of the Brains offered an opportunity to experiment with engineering and team-collaboration.

“I like the innovation, I like the creation and I just thought it sounded fun,” Bode said.

NEWS THE BUDGET

“TWO IDIOTS LOSE THEIR SPAGHETTI, AND ON A MAGIC QUEST, THAT ISN’T QUITE MAGICAL.”

FILM FESTIVAL

Students take on 24 Hour Film Festival

—SENIOR JOESPH BRAUN DESCRIBING THE PLOT OF HIS GROUP’S 24 HOUR FILM PROJECT

LHSBUDGET.COM

BYOD DEBATE CONTINUES

BY BENJAMIN ALAN ALLGEIER

STAFF WRITER

The fate of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is up in the air while the district considers alternatives to the WiFi network.

Although initially introduced several years ago as a way to increase internet accessibility for learning purposes, the district is now expressing doubt over the network’s necessity. According to assistant superintendent Jerri Kemble, who is leading the district discussion on BYOD, the network is not used for education by most students.

“As we researched and looked deeply into the BYOD network,” Kemble said, “We found that a large amount of the data being used was being used for social media.”

Bandwidth is another issue with BYOD. With such a large number of students connecting to the network, bandwidth can get stretched thin, which makes the internet slower for everyone.

“As we explored further, we could see that shutting down the BYOD network would open our internet and increase the speed for students,” Kemble said. “Our goal was to increase the speed and efficiency of the network.”

Kemble has also been involved in talking to students and faculty of both high schools about the network to get perspectives and hear concerns.

Coach Jeff Plinsky is concerned closing BYOD could affect the debate team.

Several students bring their own laptops because the debate software Verbatim runs better on Windows.

“If the BYOD network goes away, we’re going to have to figure out a way for them to access the internet using those personal machines,” Plinsky said. “And that raises some questions.”

The network was closed for a short span of time before being re-opened by the district. Kemble expects a “solution” in the next few weeks.

“We are working with the team to find out how we can create a situation that will meet the needs of our students and staff, and keep our network and people safe and secure while they are using the internet,” Kemble said.

SAVE THE DATE: 5 EVENTS YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

1

DEC. 3

CLUB PHOTO DAY MAIN GYM

2

DEC. 3

FINAL PHOTO RETAKES MAIN GYM, 8 AM-12 PM

3

DEC. 5

ORCHESTRA CONCERT AUDITORIUM, 7:30 PM

4

DEC. 10

CHOIR CONCERT AUDITORIUM 7:30 PM

5

DEC. 11

ADOPT A FAMILY GIFT COLLECTION 9 AM

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER NOV. 26, 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!

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Extended Deadline Friday, Dec. 6 FINAL DEADLINE: Friday Jan. 10

NEWS THE BUDGET

NEWS REPORTING BY TREVOR ARELLANO

SEMESTER SENIORS

Seniors plan early exit after wrapping up classes in December COLE MORRIS What are your plans next semester?

“Probably work a lot and start getting prepared for the Marines.”

What are your plans after the Marines?

“I’ll take free college from the Marines and then be a welder.”

Is a full senior year needed for everyone?

“I don’t see a lot of the benefits of it. I see it as getting a head start on what everyone else is going to be doing.”

STELLA TUNGE Why are you graduating early?

“To go to China with my dad. My dad is a chemist, and he has a grant with the Chinese government. It’s his sabbatical.”

What will you do next semester?

“I move in March. I was going to stay in school until I had to leave, but you can’t stay in school for a little bit of the semester and not give you an F on every single assignment that you miss.”

RYAN SACK What are you going to do next semester?

“I’m going to Haskel. I am already accepted and ready.”

What are your plans after college?

“Hopefully, by then I will have my astronomy degree... I want to go and work for the Canadian space agency.”

Why Canada?

“Because I don’t want to stay here. I much prefer Canada.”

AVERY WARD Why are you graduating early?

“Money.”

When did you finalize that you were going to graduate early?

“End of junior year. I did all the stuff to graduate early this year.”

What are your plans?

“I do want to go to college for veterinary science or psychology.”

DEVIN FARRIS Why are you graduating early?

“So I can move on with my education. I already have all of my things done, so I can continue my education at Johnson County Community College.”

What are your future plans?

“After JCCC I’m either going to Wichita or KU. I am going to study to become a speech/language pathologist so I can work with the disabled and the deaf.”

ANOOSHA REDD Why are you graduating early?

“So I can get a job...and earn some money before college.”

What are your work plans?

“I’m not completely sure yet, but I might try to become a teacher’s assistant at the Lawrence Arts School Preschool or work as a para...”

What are your future plans?

“Going to India with my mom. Then after hopefully go to college.”

PAGE DESIGN TREVOR ARELLANO NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET NEWS

HEY, HEY HERE TO STAY

Interim principal announces plans to stay for another year

“I’m excited that Dr. Johnson is staying for another year,” he said. “She’s helped spark a lot of positive changes, NEWS EDITOR and I think we need her here to keep us on that track.” ynthia Johnson will stay on Junior Eila Deavours is excited to see as the interim principal of the changes Johnson will make with her Lawrence High for another extra time at Lawrence High. year.

“Dr. Johnson has already implementShe was initially named ed many changes in order to make the interim principal after former principal school a more positive environment,” Dr. Mathew Brungardt declared that he she said. “I’m sure that she will continue would be leaving to become principal at to be involved and improve the school in Salina Central. A district press release the next two years.” sent to staff and parents on Nov. 1 conFreshman Perrin Goulter said the firmed she would stay an additional year. school has improved from Johnson’s Students and staff alike have presence. remarked on the impact on the atmo“Having Dr. Johnson stay another sphere and inner workings of Lawrence year is exciting, because I think she does High that Dr. Johnson has had in the a good job at making the school a better short time that she has been here. place to attend,” he said.

Superintendent Anthony The press release conLewis praised her for those THERE’S MORE! cluded with a quote from changes in a press release Johnson. sent to the public.

“I’m honored to continue “Our board members, serving the LHS Chesty Lion district administrators, and students, families, faculty I have been receiving lots of and staff,” she said. “I will positive feedback from stucontinue to work with all ‘Hey, hey it’s Mama J’ — dents, staff and parents about new principal leads with stakeholders. Together, we Dr. Johnson’s leadership,” P.O.W.E.R have the POWER to lift each Lewis said. “Our initial look student to greatness.” at Lawrence High’s school Junior Abby Lingwall said that conclimate data shows positive results that sideration is the most important trait for are a cause for celebration. In order to a principal to have. keep that momentum going and provide “I think the most important trait for continuity through the completion of a principal to have is a genuine considerconstruction, I am glad that ‘Mama J’ is ation for the well-being of their students happy here and has agreed to stay.”

— and reflecting that consideration Lawrence High staff and students in their actions,” she said. “I think a said they are looking forward to another principal should be assertive, passionate year with Dr. Johnson. about the school and what they do, and Andrew Bricker, a science teacher at have a well-rounded plan for how they LHS, said the changes Johnson has made want to improve on the school during have been good for the school.

BY ZORA LOTTONBARKER

C

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NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

their time.”

Sophomore Kate O’Keefe said it’s important to have an administrator who cares about students.

“I think caring about students is a very important trait for a principal to have,” she said. “Not only should they say they care, but I think their actions should reflect that, and students should feel that they care.”

Lingwall is appreciative of the engagement Johnson has portrayed and the enthusiasm she has shown.

“I appreciate that Dr. Johnson makes it known that she cares about us,” Lingwall said. “Even if not everyone agrees with all the new policies, I believe that she is trying to make an overall positive change to LHS.” Johnson said her biggest accomplishment at Lawrence High has been building relationships with students and staff.

“The thing I am most proud of is building relationships with students and the community and staff,” she said.

“When you have a strong foundation in relationships, everything else follows, but if you don’t have a foundation in relationships, nothing is possible. You start seeing that things fall apart. I think that is something that is important to me. It is something that I focus on every single day. It is an everyday thing.”

Johnson has done several things to show her support for Lawrence High students, including going to athletic team dinners, accompanying ROAR on its trip to Kansas City, enforcing rules about lunch and before and after school use of the building, greeting students in the hallways, and talking to students about how their days are going.

Johnson believes that communication is the key to success when dealing with

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challenges like construction. municating with them,” Johnson said. “We “I think one of the first things that I also gave them a map so they will know can do is be completely transparent, and where everything is. We went through a communication is definitely the key to walk-through, not with teachers, but with ensuring that complete administration so that transparency is there,” we can have eyes on all she said. “Keeping people “...‘I MAY BE IN AN of the new spaces. Our INTERIM PRINCIPAL, next round, for phase informed upfront rather than later, I think is very BUT I’M NOT DOING two, will be take teachers important.” in so that they can see Johnson has been com- INTERIM WORK.’ ” their new spaces and see —CYNTHIA JOHNSON, exactly where they want municating with teachers their whiteboard to be, who will be moved in INTERIM PRINCIPAL and exactly where they the upcoming phase of want their projector to construction so they are be. We want everything to be in place and prepared for the move. working before people move in.”

“We’ve already met with teachers to The opportunity to serve another year prepare for phase two, and we are com-

as interim principal has expanded Johnson’s goals for the school.

“It’s added to my goals and the plan that I have for my life,” Johnson said. “I believe that things happen for a reason.

I didn’t know that I was going to be at Lawrence High School, but I am glad to be here and I am excited to be here. I am excited to be able to lead the school in an interim way, but I always say, ‘I may be in an interim principal, but I’m not doing interim work.’ ” LOUD AND PROUD — Ready for the rivalry game, Principal Cynthia Johnson flashes a smile at the Lawrence High vs Free State City Showdown on Sept. 27.

PHOTO BY CAM BOHMANN

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET NEWS

YOUR GUIDE TO

IMPEACHMENT

DESIGNED BY SAMI TURNER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Impeachment inquiry raises questions about nation’s future INFORMATION GATHERED FROM A SURVEY OF 187 STUDENTS

PRO

CON

“The impeachment inquiry is the legal process to hold the President accountable, and I think it is important that we use the constitutionally established process to hold our President accountable for their actions, regardless of political affiliation. If we don’t stand up as a nation and follow through with the inquiry, then we are allowing blatant corruption to continue in our country.”

SENATE

“It’s unconstitutional what the Democrats are doing. Trump deserves due process and deserves to see the evidence the Democrats have against him.”

4. HOLD A TRIAL IN THE SENATE

“Trump and all his affiliates need to be removed from office.

They are corrupt and overall a danger to society.”

“He’s unqualified and works under the table [for] other nations to further his agenda.”

STUDENT OPINIONS “...if Democrats take over, all the guns will be taken away from the good guys and be left to the bad guys.”

The Senate body votes on the procedures and rules of the trial. In the trial, the Senate acts as the jury, House as the prosecutors, Chief Supreme Court Justice as the judge, and the president’s lawyer as the defense counsel.

5. FINAL DECISION “There is little time left in his term, so what’s the point in doing it now?”

After the trial concludes, the Senate votes on each article of impeachment.

In order for the president to be removed from office two-thirds of the Senate must vote for one or more of the articles. This has never happened before.

IMPEACHMENT GLOSSARY QUID PRO QUO

UKRAINE Former Soviet Republic that has relied on U.S. aid to deter Russian aggression.

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Latin term meaning a favor for a favor. In a call to Ukraine’s President Zelensky, President Trump asked for Zelensky to publicly announce an investigation into a company that former Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, had served on the board of. At the same time, the Trump administration was holding up congressionally approved military aid. The White House was also offering a visit to the White House.

NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

NEWS THE BUDGET

STUDENT SURVEYS STUDENTS’ PARTY AFFILIATION

IMPEACHMENT PROCESS

DEMOCRAT

42%

UNAFFILIATED REPUBLICAN

HOUSE

42%

LIBERTARIAN

12% 4%

KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS WORKS 37%

DO KNOW

1. INTRODUCE IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION Any member of the House can call for an impeachment inquiry. It is then left to the Speaker of the House to move forward with an investigation in a committee.

2. DRAFT ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT

Once the inquiry is complete, the Judiciary Committee will decide if there is enough evidence to convict the President and draft article of impeachment. Article 2 of the Constitution indicates that is to be removed from office for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

SOMEWHAT KNOW DO NOT KNOW

20%

SUPPORT FOR THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP 17% DO SUPPORT 32%

3. IMPEACH PRESIDENT

The Judiciary Committee votes on impeachment articles to send to the whole House. A majority of the House must vote for at least one article of impeachment to impeach the president.

BURISMA Ukrainian company on which Hunter Biden, the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, served. That role was at the center of Trump’s request that the company be investigated.

43%

51%

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH TO FORM AN OPINION DON’T SUPPORT

WHISTLE BLOWER A person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical or not correct within an organization that is either private or public. The 1989 Whistle Blower Protection Act was enacted to protect federal employees who disclosed government illegality, waste and corruption from adverse consequences. This act provides protection to whistle blowers who may receive demotions, pay outs or a replacement employee.

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET NEWS

CHANGE IN

WARDROBE District updates dress code to be more inclusive, consistent

can’t be see-through. I hope everyone or convey hate messages, endanger the will understand the changes and learn to student or others, or distract to the compromise.” point of interfering with the teaching NEWS EDITOR The changes will create continuity and learning process. throughout the school district, which Students shouldn’t expect to see a big SD 497 is implementing a new previously had six different versions change after implementation of the new dress code policy across all of dress code policies at its secondary policy. district schools that aims to be building.

Freshman London Scholz attended a more inclusive.

“Also, enforcement meeting in which student School board members of the dress code council members were gave final approval to the policy at their “IT ISN’T SUPER was subjective and at allowed to give their Nov. 25 meeting. opinions about the dress RESTRICTING AND times did not meet the School board member Shannon expectation that it be code before the policy was Kimball said the new dress code policy STILL ALLOWS applied neutrally and finished. will be more inclusive. fairly,” Kimball said. “The “At the StuCo meeting, US TO EXPRESS “It will establish a single dress new code will apply to all Mama J came and talked code policy, applicable to all schools,” schools, but typically the to us about the dress code OURSELVES BUT Kimball said. “The policy is designed to levels it is most used are and allowed us to give our IN THE SAME be gender-neutral, to acknowledge that middle and high school.” input. She really honors each member of the school community MANNER...”

Kimball said the our opinions and cares is responsible for managing their own district needed to update what we have to say, which —LONDON SCHOLZ, distractions and to emphasize that dress FRESHMAN the dress code so that is nice,” Scholz said of code enforcement, when necessary, it was more inclusive Principal Cynthia Johnson. should be carried out in a way that does to ethnic minorities as “She let us read over the not remove students unnecessarily from well. Many of the proposed changes rough draft and make any final changes instructional time and does not subject are meant to address issues that arise before it was finalized.” them to being called out for their attire from dress code enforcement that Student body secretary Hadley Bird in front of their peers.” disproportionately impact students said she thought students would adapt Under the soon-to-be-dismissed of color or other groups of students. easily. school dress code, clothing Kimball said the district sought input “I thought the dress code THERE’S MORE! that has the potential to cause from the district’s Equity Advisory was very reasonable,” she a disturbance isn’t allowed.

Council and the Parents of Color said, “and I don’t think many That means teachers have a Advisory Team. students will have a problem large part in determining if The language of the new dress code with it.” a clothing item is causing a has been tailored so that it will not Scholz said the dress code disturbance. negatively impact any sort of group, is a good compromise.

It also stated that teachers according to Kimball.

“It isn’t super restricting Newly elected school may allow hats in their classes.

“The language of the proposed dress and still allows us to express board members Attire connected to religious code, the language around enforcement, ourselves but in the same practice must be allowed. and the guidance and training that will manner it also ensures that we are Also, that code has prohibited several be provided to staff will emphasize that dressing appropriately for school,” types of clothing, including those that the dress code should not be applied Scholz said. “For example, girls can still have references to alcohol, drugs or or interpreted in a way that targets wear tank tops, halter tops, tube tops gangs, have offensive language, promote particular groups of students,” she said. etc. but they can’t be too revealing and

BY ZORA LOTTONBARKER

U

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NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY RILEY UNEKIS

NEWS THE BUDGET

PROPOSED DRESS CODE “The student dress code...should not create, reinforce, or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, household income, gender identity, or cultural observance. “...Students should be able to dress and style their hair for school in a manner that expresses their individuality without fear of unnecessary discipline or body shaming... Students and staff are responsible for managing their own personal distractions without regulating another student’s

clothing/self-expression.

“The district’s dress code is designed and intended to ensure that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, and that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student.

“Students dressed in alignment with the dress code can be free to learn and not face unnecessary barriers to school attendance; staff can focus on teaching and learning without the additional burden of dress code enforcement.

“Students have the right to be treated equitably and with dignity; these rights extend to application and enforcement of the district dress code. The restrictions included in the dress code are necessary to support the overall educational goals of the district and its schools.

“Students must wear: Top (shirt, blouse, sweater, sweatshirt, tank, dress, etc.); Bottom (pants, athletic pants, shorts, skirt, dress, leggings, etc.); and Shoes.”

Source: USD 497

DRESSING RIGHT — A new dress code is coming for students in USD 497 aimed at making the code more inclusive.

PHOTO BY CARLY COOPER PAGE DESIGN RILEY UNEKIS NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET NEWS

IN THE SWAMP

Construction seeks to fix chronic issues with Carl Knox facilities

BY DANIEL DAVIDSON

A

ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF nyone who has swam at Carl Knox Natatorium knows exactly why students call it “the swamp.”

Past and current swim team members report that Lawrence High’s pool faces problems unlike any other they have swam at. Inadequate facilities and poor communication throw doubt that current construction plans will alleviate these issues.

Central to swimmers’ complaints

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NOV. 26, 2019

are air quality and chemical imbalances in the water. According to swim coach Kent McDonald, especially high or low levels of chlorine and failures in the water pump system have frequently occurred. When the facility was under the management of the city, it was common to have chlorine levels very high at the start of the week and gradually dip to low levels by the end.

For 2019 graduate Morgan Jones, the imbalanced levels of chlorine would make her break out in hives a few times a week.

“It felt like my skin was on fire,” Jones said. “The only thing that would make it go away was Vaseline.”

Several other swimmers reported the pool drying out their skin to a significantly more extreme level than other facilities they have used, worsening acne or causing rashes.

McDonald recalled a particularly severe example where a swimmer’s new blue swimsuit was bleached white after about an hour of being in Carl Knox. Another student said swimmers avoid wearing their competition suits

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several years and difficulty in recruitper the recommendations made by when they compete at Lawrence High the city during the master-plan phase to avoid damage. ing lifeguards to staff the pool during of design.

Poor air quality in Carl Knox is public operations,” said Julie Boyle, “My direction to our construction exacerbated by lack of circulation, district communications director. team when I stepped in was we need causing a buildup of fumes. According In the past, communication over to have that pool ready for our winter to McDonald, swim teams opened management of the facilities has been sports,” said Tony Barron, executive the windows in Carl Knox until the sparse, according to McDonald. In director of facilities and operations for windows became permanently stuck. one instance, several fans appeared to the district.

Several swimmers reported getting be installed in the ceiling of the nataAlthough he did not personally nauseous because of the fumes comtorium suddenly one day. Although oversee the design process, which was presumably intended to be a fix to bined with the hot air of the natatoinformed by committees of faculty the lack of circulation resulting from rium. and Lawrence High families, Barron the windows being stuck shut, the “During some practices, girls have expects the new pump to improve fans blew air in the wrong direction, to stop swimming because they can’t conditions in this upcoming boys and half were never breathe or are coughswimming season. operable. ing too bad during our “The former system was extremeAnother time, reps,” said senior Haven “... GIRLS HAVE TO an electrician was Bellerive. ly old and had several maintenance STOP SWIMMING sent to fix the swim Some problems are issues,” Barron said. “The intent BECAUSE THEY team’s defective the result of misuse, obviously would be to eliminate those scoreboard, resulting rather than failure of problems with pumps and everything CAN’T BREATHE...” in other parts of the the facilities. Several which has been replaced. Time will —HAVEN BELLERIVE, scoreboard becoming classes throughout the tell moving forward, but our intention SENIOR defective. day use the pool, which is to eliminate all the issues…”

Lawrence High’s can result in a buildup With the loss of several important ongoing $48 million construction of chloramines, the chemical product players in the construction process, project, however, may do little to of chlorine mixing with natural body such as chief operations officer Kyle address these problems. Design plans oils, sweat and personal care products.

Hayden, assistant principal Mike include a new HVAC system and This can create a thin layer on top of Norris and principal Matt Brungardt expanded deck space, both of which the water and make the water cloudy — all of whom have moved on to other are projected to be finished in phase and challenging to see through. school districts — several new adminseven, the final phase of the 2021 “If you’re in the water and looking istrators have just now joined the conproject. at the other end,” McDonald said, struction process. Speaking generally “Nobody ever asked me what I “you can’t see the other end… there’s about ongoing construction, interim needed,” McDonald said. times when it’s a little difficult doing principal Cynthia Johnson THERE’S MORE! expressed the importance “There’s about a hundred a turn because you can’t see the wall things I would have rather really well when you’re coming up to of communication now had before those [improveit.” that her and Barron have a On more than one occasion, issues more hands-on role in the ments].” with pool quality forced practice to process.

One thing McDonald be held at Free State’s Indoor Aquatic “[During phase one] was hoping to receive was Center. Although McDonald and sevwe were just coming in, new bleachers. About four Fall facilities update: Improved security, leaky and now [Barron and I] years ago, black mold was eral swimmers report conditions have ceilings and further delays have made that commitfound in the bleachers, reimproved in recent years, McDonald believes these issues with Carl Knox sulting in their removal and ment to learn this projhave played a factor in pushing some replacement with smaller ect,” Johnson said. “We swimmers to quit the sport. metal bleachers. are doing stuff completely different in Earlier last year, Lawrence Parks “I’m hoping these are just longregards to how we communicate with and Recreation formally ended its term temporary bleachers that they staff members.”

39-year relationship with Lawrence gave us,” McDonald said. “[They are] High that involved co-management of grade school bleachers, people sitting CAUTION — Carl Knox is closed to the public Carl Knox. and their knees around their ears. It’s while being refilled after being utilized as “[The city] cited as reasons: low uncomfortable to watch.” storage during phase one of construction. daily admission usage, lack of offered During phase two, however, new PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS programs meeting class minimums for water filtration systems were installed,

NOV. 26, 2019

13

THE BUDGET NEWS

STANDARD SUPERSCORE

ACT will enact new policy helping students’ superscore

BY ADDIE LONDON STAFF WRITER

CT testing is changing drastically.

Starting in September next year students will be able to retake portions of the test, super scores will be more commonly used, and some testing centers will have the test online. These changes are taking place after years of complaints from high schools and colleges.

Currently, students retaking the ACT must take the entire test. This can be done up to 12 times. With the changes, students will no longer have to study for the whole test, and instead, be able to retake specific portions of the ACT. “If you kicked butt on the test but didn’t do so hot maybe on the math section, you can just sign up to do that

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section,” Kelsey Buek, counselor and ACT test coordinator, said. “That will expedite it and be less money.”

This makes the ACT more like the SAT in its retake policy, and will likely make the test more accessible to students.

“I think that that’s a good thing for students that are looking at specific types of programs, like an engineering program that you need a certain math score for,” AVID teacher Jeff Lyster said.

Retaking the test in this way will not only change the score on that specific section but the whole test. The new score will take the highest score from each section to configure a “superscore.”

Superscores are going to be accepted by more colleges as the years progress .

“Not all schools accept a superscore, but a lot are heading that direction,” Buek said. “The superscore has helped a lot of our students here at Lawrence

NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY TREVOR ARELLANO

High School get bigger scholarships, or get accepted to programs that didn’t think that they were going to get to.”

These superscores will continue to help students excel, and will be adapted for the new way of taking retakes.

The ACT is also slowly moving toward being solely online. Some center will have them online starting in September. However, most testing centers, USD 497 included, will keep administering ACT tests on paper for the foreseeable future.

“I think they’re doing things that help all students be successful instead of letting some people flounder,” Buek said.

TEST TIME — The offical ACT book helps many students on their journey through standardized testing. An approved calculator and No. 2 pencils are the only things test takers are allowed to use on the test.

PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

NEWS THE BUDGET

LATE START TIME TALKS ADVANCE

BY DANIEL DAVIDSON

ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

T

he school board plans to vote on a motion to push back high school start times from 8:05 to 9 a.m. during the board’s next meeting in December.

The board initially showed interest in delaying start times for the 2015-2016 school “WE’RE year when the LOOKING FOR original late start THE PERFECT committee was TIME TO formed. Although the board took IMPLEMENT THIS. THERE WILL no action at that time, a new comNEVER BE A mittee reported PERFECT TIME.” results of studies conducted on —RICK INGRAM, the policy to the SCHOOL BOARD board on Nov. 25.

MEMBER The research process involved surveying hundreds of administrators, teachers, students in eighth through eleventh grades and families on interest in late start and taking zero hour classes. Community members were

asked about after school activities and transportation needs.

Although enrollment in zero hours remains at 12 percent now, more than 60 percent of students surveyed reported interest in taking a class at 7:30 or 8 if school began at a later time. With the focus of late start to be increased flexibility for student needs, an increase of students taking a zero hour raises concerns over transportation and staffing costs.

Another primary concern for board members is how sports and other after-school activities would be affected by a later start time. To reduce class time missed and reduce how late practices go, the committee has considered flexible policies.

Several options mentioned by the board to resolve this include counting sports as gym credits, a mandatory online off-campus course and forcing students in sports to take a zero hour.

For board member Rick Ingram, the research makes the answer clear.

“If you look at the research, there’s less depression and anxiety,” Ingram said. “They do better in class, there are less tardies, there are less absenteeisms.”

Other members, however, sup-

ported the policy in concept but had reservations about implementation.

Board member G.R. Gordon-Ross said he was concerned that the committee’s estimated costs could be too inaccurate and strain other parts of the budget. Exact numbers cannot be accessed until students actually enroll.

Because enrollment for next year’s classes begins around February/March, Ingram said passing the policy now is important to give schools plenty of time to adjust to the change.

“We’re looking for the perfect time to implement this,” Ingram said.

“There will never be a perfect time.

We will never do it if we wait...”

The current disparity between Lawrence High and Free State’s zero hour course options concerned board member Jessica Beeson. Beeson worried students would not see zero hour as a possibility because of limited selection. Currently, Lawrence High only has two zero hour classes: weight training and student council.

Agreeing a 9 a.m. start time was ideal, board members decided to vote on a motion by the committee during their next meeting on Dec. 9.

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET FEATURES

WINNING WORDS Student takes on leadership role to grow debate squad

BY MERIEL SALISBURY

forensics season.

“She brings good energy, and I think she serves as a mentor for any underclassman, and she just brings leaderne of Kansas’ strongest ship,” Viloria said. competitors in debate and When debating, Vasquez is impeccaforensics is again bringing ble with her deliverance and clarification success to the debate squad of evidence. Her successes are reflective her senior year. of both her work ethic and strong morAmelia Vasquez’s began building a als, said LHS alumni and assistant coach foundation in debate and forensics her Shane Billig. freshman year.

“A lot of debaters will find an argu“I got really invested in debate ment that they think is strong, prepare it because I am really competitive and so and then move on,” Billig said. “Amelia I was really motivated to research more is never happy until she’s found an arguand practice more, and I just started putment that she not only thinks is strong, ting a lot of time into it,” Vasquez said. but is right, and is something she truly Vasquez has won first, second or believes and supports. This means that third place 15 times in debate and she not only has thought about and preforensics competitions since her freshpared more arguments than most other man year. She is certified through the debaters so she’s very rarely surprised in National Speech and Debate Association a round, but it also lets her argue with with a degree of outstanding distincmore conviction. You can tion — the second highest win on any argument, but honor — and competed “AMELIA IS NEVER Amelia wants to win on at the National Catholic the right argument.”

Forensics League tourna- HAPPY UNTIL Vasquez appreciates SHE’S FOUND AN ment in Lincoln-Douglas this year’s debate topic of debate in Milwaukee, WI, ARGUMENT THAT United States arms sales this past summer.

SHE...TRULY BELIEVES because it allows her and “I feel very confident her debate partner, senior in my ability to perform AND SUPPORTS” Daniel Davidson, to adin round just because I’ve —SHANE BILLIG, dress intersecting topics. had so much experience ASSISTANT DEBATE COACH “There’s so many at this point debating hundifferent parallel topics dreds of times and doing a that we get to talk about in round, like ton of research,” she said. capitalism, or settler-colonialism or the Head debate and forensics coach Jeff military industrial complex,” Vasquez Plinsky has enjoyed watching Vasquez said. develop into an experienced debater.

Vasquez hopes to debate at the colle“By nature she’s a pretty quiet kid, giate level and major in political science. and when she first started debating, her “I’ve always wanted to be some sort quietness led to her being a little uncerof activist or politician or someone that tain… now she’s competing against the makes tangible changes in the world,” strongest debate teams in the state of she said. “I’ve really loved debate for Kansas,” Plinsky said. “She debates withgiving me a lot of these skills and the out fear. She debates without stepping stones to becoming a polititimidity. Watching her courage cian or a figure head or anything like grow has really been fun.” research and speaking skills. I think it’s Sophomore Helen Viloria really impacted me and pushed me has appreciated Vasquez’s toward becoming a politician.” advice during the

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Plinsky said he believes Vasquez will rise to the top of whatever career she chooses.

“It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if 15 or 20 years from now her’s is the name we’re reading on a regular basis of being in charge of or responsible for big, important policy decisions,” Plinsky said. “I hope she finds a place to do that and to be happy at the same time.”

Vasquez’s character and debating skills will continue to impact those who know her in her final year as part of the LHS debate and forensics program.

“While I’ve focused a lot on Amelia as a debater and student, she’s genuinely one of the nicest and most caring students we have in debate,” Billig said. “She’s an absolute joy to work with and it’ll be a very bittersweet moment when she graduates and moves on to bigger and better things.”

Vasquez’s experience in debate has changed her vision of the world and plans for the future. But it has also left a lasting impact in other ways.

“A lot of people probably think debate is just like grueling, non-stop academic work, but a lot of the time we spend at tournaments, or traveling to tournaments, or goofing around with each other,” she said. “I met so many great people through debate. I met most of my closest friends through debate, had really wonderful experiences with everyone that does debate.”

MULTITASKER — Getting the point across is important to senior debater Amelia Vasquez.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SAMI TURNER

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FEATURES

PAGE PAGE DESIGN DESIGN SAMI SAMI TURNER TURNER NOV. OCT. 21, 26, 2019

15

THE BUDGET FEATURES

RESET TO RECOVERY Tumor on parathyroid caused student mental, physical ailments

BY MERIEL SALISBURY

resulting mental health challenges.

“Two of the very strong symptoms of primary hyperthyroidism are depression and anxiety, and that has or weeks, senior Keaton Hoy certainly been the most difficult part endured dizziness, numbness to deal with aside from the physical and anxiety with no answers complaints, which is like muscle aches, about the cause. muscle weakness, things like that,” he Hoy first knew something said. was wrong in early July, and indicaHoy’s surgery date was moved up tions of illness got only more prevalent to Sept. 13 to prevent further mental as the summer progressed. harm. A normal parathyroid is about “About a week and a day after I had a centimeter in length, but Hoy's was started feeling sick, parts of the right much larger. side of my body were starting to get “It was big, meaty, like at least these strange sensations,” Hoy said.

10 times the size of a normal one,” When a concerned Hoy visited the Hoy said. “So they basically cut into ER, doctors scanned Hoy’s brain in my throat and pulled it out and they three different ways to look for signs tested it to see if the cells were canof a stroke and ran another blood test cerous.” that showed abnormal calcium levels.

The tumor was not cancerous, and He was discharged with no diagnosis, Hoy said he recovered physically from and his condition worsened. the surgery in about a week. Recov“I found myself forgetting a lot of ering from the experience overall has things," Hoy said. “I felt like I was pronot been as speedy a process. cessing much slower. I felt like I was “I still have to recover a lot as forgetting names, words, far as lost time because sort of a lot of short-term I was really dealing memory as well.”

“I FELT LIKE I WAS while with it I missed out on The morning after he doing a lot of things that I left the hospital, Hoy flew FORGETTING to Los Angeles to attend NAMES, WORDS, otherwise would’ve been doing, especially in regard the GRAMMY Camp SORT OF A LOT to applying for colleges for students interested in and working toward my music careers. His illness OF SHORT-TERM future,” Hoy said. distracted him from the MEMORY AS Hoy said he is grateful overall experience.

WELL.” for the support he re“I could not soak up —KEATON HOY, SENIOR ceived. nearly as much of it as I “Sometimes it was really wish I would’ve been really difficult because my able to had I not been ill when I was family and I had different ideas about there,” Hoy said. how best to help me and how best to After arriving back to Lawrence, get me the best treatment,” Hoy said.

Hoy underwent a scan of this throat “Ultimately I think this panned out in that used radioactive dye to reveal his a way that has been able to get me the parathyroid in detail. Doctors found help that I’ve needed.” one of his parathyroid glands was enReturning to school and normal larged and had an adenoma, a benign routine was difficult, Hoy said, but his tumor. He had primary hyperparathyteachers and friends at LHS helped. roidism.

“I think Keaton is really empathetConfirmation of what was causing ic,” said Hoy's English teacher Melissa Hoy’s illness was helpful, he said, Johnson. “He’s incredibly intelligent but did not outweigh his continued and a good person. I tried to do for struggles with the side effects or with

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NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

him what I do for anyone who is having a special circumstance, which is being really understanding about missing assignments.”

Friends like senior Cameron Bohmann tried to support him by encouraging him to “be strong and offering him help if we could.” Throughout, Bohmann said he has noticed his friend change.

“He’s more calm and I wouldn’t say closed, but he’s more confined on himself and sees that his future is not guaranteed; that anything can happen to him,” Bohmann said. “I think it taught him to not take things for granted.”

While Hoy’s three remaining parathyroids are functioning perfectly without their fourth counterpart, he is working on recovering mentally.

“It was a very traumatic event and so essentially what I’m trying to work on now is reconciling with that trauma and reconciling with that,” Hoy said.

“I really did think that this would prevent me from my entire future and that… somehow this whole event had somehow cleaved a divide between now and before it instead of just allowing it to be a part of my continuum.”

During the rest of his senior year, Hoy plans to work on a post rock experimental album that will channel some of what he has dealt with in recent months.

“I don’t really think that I need to look at it like a before and after,” he said of his illness. “This is just another part of my story. This is another part of my growth, and my maturing, and my development, and I’m happy for that, and I’m glad to be able to grow in that way.”

RECOVERY — Resting, Keaton Hoy sits after undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidsm. “I really struggled to do any of my school work because I was constantly exhausted,” Hoy said. “The biggest thing for me is just dealing with the psychological impact.”

PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

FEATURES THE BUDGET

QUICK FACTS PHPT

PHPT involves elevated calcium and parathyroid hormone levels in blood

The four parathyroid glands are located on the thyroid in the throat

The function of parathyroid is to regulate the amount of calcium in blood and tissues

CA

Calcium helps transmit signals to nerve cells and is involved in muscle contraction

Parathyroid is a part of the endocrine system, that produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and sleep Source: Mayo Clinic

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER NOV. 26, 2019

19

THE BUDGET SPORTS

BRR. LET’S PLAY SP

Student athletes get ready for winter sports as break nears

GENTRY DENNISON BOYS WRESTLING

LEIANNA POETTKER GIRLS WRESTLING

ANDREW FLYNN BOYS BOWLING

EMILIE RODMAN GIRLS BOWLING

HOW LONG THEY’VE PLAYED

“Since I was 6. I’m 16 now. “

“Since seventh grade, so this will be my fourth year.”

“Three years.”

“...I started bowling when I was 7, so I think 13 years. “

PREGAME HYPE UP

“Music definitely. I play some Kanye, get me in the mood.”

None

“Breaking it down as a team before we bowl.”

“Typically as a team we usually gather, the coaches, do a little pep talk, and then we do the football thing that’s like, ‘Lions on three — one, two, three.’...I usually get the girls together, and we kind of just do a hype up talk.”

PREGAME SNACK

“I like Goldfish. They kind “Usually seeds or of get me hype.” nuts. I don’t really like eating before matches though, because it kind of makes me sick.”

“Pineapple.”

“... I drink a lot of Mountain Dew while I bowl, and I have to keep room for that. If I had to pick probably either the bowling alley French fries extra crispy or a bag of Sour Patch Kids.”

INSPIRATION

“Lord Farquaad is pretty cool.”

“My seventh grade social studies teacher got me into wrestling...”

“My grandpa.”

“Definitely my family. My grandma bowled for awhile. My mom bowls still. She’s been bowling since she was in high school. She bowled on the high school team for LHS.”

BEST COACHING ADVICE THEY’VE RECEIVED

“When I’m on the mat, and Coach Naughton’s yelling at me that’s some pretty good advice. He normally says something like, ‘Get up.’ ”

“...Coach Shaumberg always tells us to do our best, and it doesn’t matter if we lose. You still learn something from every match.”

“Keep my step size equal.”

“Always just take your time. Just be the ball.

She always said be the ball, be the pins. Just be in focus, always focused. It’s not hard once you get it down. “

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NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

RTS

JJ SMITH BOYS SWIM & DIVE

SPORTS THE BUDGET Reporting by Henry DeWitt Photos by Katherine Williams, Carly Cooper & Alex Stark

MATTI STENGER CHEER

EMI NEILSON POM

PAIDEN BELL GIRLS BASKETBALL

MAYSON QUARTLEBAUM BOYS BASKETBALL

“Four years.”

“... I used to dance at dance gallery like five years ago”

“I actually started dancing my freshman year so four years.”

“Since I was 5.”

“I’ve been playing basketball since I was like 5 or 6.”

“We sing the National Anthem again. We do it twice.”

“‘L Pump It Up Pump It Up HS,’ it’s our little get together thing before.”

“I personally listen to music.”

“We just blast really loud music in the locker room.”

“Before every game, our team huddles around. We do the Chesty Song. The Alma Mater. I guess that’s hype. It hypes me up.”

“A couple handfuls of granola.”

“Probably Chipotle and guacamole with chips”

“Most of the time we go out to eat Canes. A lot of us like to eat there before games.”

“I eat gummy worms a lot.”

“Twix, Snickers, some Skittles maybe.”

“Zach Andregg [LHS graduate and recordsetting swimmer].”

“Definitely my team, like we just all hype each other up and we’re just like a family, so they inspire me definitely.”

“I like to perform well for the team because if one of us messes up, it reflects badly on the whole team.”

“I want to be like my sisters.”

“My dad actually. He played basketball in college. And [he’s ] a coach now, so he’s pretty inspiring.”

“The only way to swim faster is to swim faster.”

“Just to keep my head up as a captain and to show my leadership”

“Point your toes.”

“I always tell myself to go as hard as I can for as long as I can.”

“Just to play free and have fun.”

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET SPORTS

TOP TUMBLER

Sophomore gymnast makes herself into a state leader

BY HENRY DEWITT

SPORTS EDITOR

P

aris Spotted Tail is no stranger to the podium. Vault. Bars.

Floor. Whatever it is, she excels.

Through work ethic, athleticism and leadership, Spotted Tail has made herself into one of the best gymnasts in the state. All while being a sophomore.

Spotted Tail’s love for gymnastics started when she was 4. Watching her sister’s gymnastics practices inspired her to join the team at the Lawrence Gymnastics Academy as quickly as possible.

“I don’t really remember much,” Spotted Tail said. “But my sister told me I would always try and go out to the big floor with her and tumble because I just loved watching her.”

Spotted Tail continued to improve her gymnastics skills with the Lawrence Gymnastics Academy throughout elementary school and most of middle school. In eighth grade, Spotted Tail stopped practicing with the Lawrence Gymnastics Academy due to a lack of people her age on the team. She began to focus on high school gymnastics.

Last year, Spotted Tail began her Lawrence High School gymnasts career with almost a decade of gymnastics experience under her belt. But she still didn’t know what to expect.

“I was really nervous because there was Eden [Kingery] and Josie [Hickerson] on my team, and I was kind of intimidated by them,” Spotted Tail said.

The nerves started to fade as the season went on. Spotted Tail quickly recognized her place on the team and started to stand out at meets.

22

“High school gymnastics is vastly difher second year, she knew she was going to have to step into a leadership role. ferent than club gymnastics,” said head But for Spotted Tail, leadership came coach Katrina Farrow. “It takes quite a easily. recognition and shift mentally for any “Whenever any of us are nervous or incoming freshman that is new to the in our heads, she’ll just be like, ‘Hey, team and the program. What is not comyou got it,’ ” said teammate Caroline mon is how well Paris adapted and how Dunlap, a junior. well she was able to fit right in.”

While Spotted Tail issues encourageSpotted Tail’s success in meets made it clear early on that she would be comment to the team, leading by example took her impact on the team to the next peting in the state meet. Expectations level. for her were high. But Spotted Tail was “She is a quiet leader who leads by still just a freshman. A lot of work had to her actions,” Coach Farrow said. “Paris be done. is always early, and she is almost always Leading up to the state meet, Spotted the first person out there as soon as Tail and the gymnastics team worked warm-ups start.” harder, day in and day Spotted Tail took a out. No time for messing “SHE IS DEFINITELY step up her sophomore around. Practices were ONE OF THE TOP year. At the state meet longer. Team members this year, she performed attended open gyms at GYMNASTS IN even better than her the Lawrence Gymnastics OUR REGION, AND freshman year, placing Academy. The grind was EVERYONE IS EXCITED top 20 in every event on.

“I had no idea how I TO SEE HOW SHE WILL and getting fifth overall.

The future looks was going to do because DO.” bright for Spotted Tail. there were a lot of juniors —KATRINA FARROW, She hopes to do well and seniors that have GYMNASTICS COACH enough to do gymnasbeen doing it and had a lot more experience,” tics in college. said Spotted Tail.

“She is definitely one But when she found out the results of the top gymnasts in our region, and from state, she was shocked. Second on everyone is excited to see how she will vault. Seventh on bars. Second on floor. do,” Farrow said.

Seventh all around. As a freshman.

“I was so excited,” Spotted Tail said.

COMPETING — Arms outstretched, sophomore “I was not really expecting that, espeParis Spotted Tail performs her floor routine cially on floor, I love floor. I think I got during a September home meet. Spotted Tail second on floor, and the person that beat finished floor with a score of 8.95 to claim her me was a senior.” second place spot. An overall gifted gymnast, Fast forward a year. Spotted Tail Spotted Tail said she was especially invested in enters her second year on the LHS gymfloor. “I love it because I get to dance,” Spotted nastics team. Knowing expectations are Tail said. high after her strong showing at state. In PHOTO BY CARLY COOPER

NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY SAMI TURNER

SPORTS THE BUDGET

QUICK TAKE

4

Age at which Spotted Tail started gymnastics

7th

Place Spotted Tail got at state in 2018

5th

Place Spotted Tail got at state this year

6 of 9

Meets in which Spotted Tail placed higher than 9th on floor this year

9.3

Score Spotted Tail got on floor at state this year

PAGE DESIGN SAMI TURNER NOV. 26, 2019

23

THE BUDGET SPORTS

INTENT — Working hard, senior Ryan Lauts does chin-ups with a chain for added weight. A long-time Evolution Athletics member, Lauts admires the atmosphere the gym provides. “It’s a great place,” he said. “The coaches are amazing. Everybody is just super fun.” PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

WORKOUT — Dropping it low, sophomore Grant Cleavinger front squats during his workout at Evolution Athletics. “I wanted to get stronger because I was pretty weak at one point,” he said. “They’ve helped me develop in like all aspects of sports and athletics.” Cleavinger works out at Evolution multiple times a week to work on producing power and learning to lift safely. PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS AIR TIME — Soaring, sophomore Chayse Burghart performs a hang jump shrug for the first part of her workout. To Burghart, Evolution Athletics is not just another gym. “It is more group based,” Burghart said. “You still have one-on-ones with a coach when needed, but [there are] also other athletes to workout with. You see everyone there.” PHOTO BY KATHERINE WILLIAMS

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NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY KATE TILGHMAN & STAFF

EVOLVING

SPORTS THE BUDGET

IN THE GYM

Student athletes build community around private gym

BY CUYLER DUNN

STAFF WRITER

L

ocal athletes are increasingly turning to local sports performance center, Evolution Athletics, to help them perform their best.

Evolution Athletics began in 2017 and focuses on developing the whole athlete through strength training, speed training and injury prevention. It boasts the training of a professional golfer, MLB draft picks and many collegiate signees in its short tenure in Lawrence.

Tyler Naylor has been a head trainer at Evolution since it started. He explained that the goal is to promote the highest level of training for its students.

“It’s important that our athletes understand how performance training can improve athletic development and reduce the rate of injury,” Naylor said, “but also how the skills that are learned in the weight room can help build life skills that carry further beyond sports.”

Evolution focuses on using science-based information, physical assessments and fundamental movements to best train athletes.

“We want all of our athletes to be strong,” Naylor said, “but most importantly they have to be able to go through quality, pain-free range of motion and have good form before we even worry about how much weight they can lift.

Each athlete has different needs and limitations so we make sure to take an individualized approach to all their programs.”

Evolution has big plans for the Senior Ryan Lauts agreed that future as it continues to expand.

Evolution can make a big differ“We want to continue to grow ence in sports performance. He our coaching staff with knowlemphasized the role that the staff play in helping develop all athletes. edgeable coaches and increase the “The coaches are phenomenal,” number of athletes we can serve,” Lauts said. “They all know exactly Naylor said. “We also have plans to what they’re doing. Everything you open a second location soon.” do they make you do it because Sophomore Andrew Phalen it’s in your best interest depending trains at Evolution two to three on what you’re dotimes a week and has seen the iming and what you play. Since I play pact in all aspects “THEY HELP YOU IN baseball and am a of his athletic JUST ABOUT EVERY catcher, they make performance.

WAY POSSIBLE. NOT me do a lot of leg “They help a lot of care me succeed by ONLY ARE YOU LIFTING work, for the hips and working with AND GETTING BETTER, knees to make sure me on mobility they’re not getting and helping me IT’S SUPER FUN.” strained.” get stronger,” —RYAN LAUTS, SENIOR Lauts said the Phalen said. “I’ve fun atmosphere been faster after and culture at Evolution make it completing speed school, and I’ve different from other gyms. seen improvements in my mobility “They help you in just about evand strength.”

They have one-on-one training, ery way possible,” Lauts said. “Not small group and full-team proonly are you lifting and getting better, it’s super fun.” grams. Programs are customized Overall, Evolution Athletics to each athlete and their sport. provides student athletes of all “They have different strength sports a fun atmosphere with programs depending on how many access to top class coaches where times you go per week, and they they can reach their highest levels. also have a speed training class,” Evolution continues to grow and Phalen said. bring in more athletes due to the Phalen recommends Evolution unique bond that forms between to an athlete looking to start traintrainers and athletes. ing or take the next step in their “Over the last three years we athletic performance. have created a culture where “It is a good, organized way athletes enjoy coming in to train to do weight training in a fun and see us as their second home,” atmosphere,” Phalen said. “They Naylor said. “No athlete walks in [the staff] are really personable or out of our facility going unnoand very knowledgeable about weightlifting.” ticed by our coaches.”

PAGE DESIGN BY KATE TILGHMAN & STAFF NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET OPINION

OPINION

NOT A JOKING MATTER

Movie poorly represents mental health

BY TONY RACY

Joaquin Phoenix’s killer performance, which will likely receive an Oscar nomination.

But there is one GIANT problem s it just me, or is it getting crazier I have with the movie, and it’s quite a out there? dangerous one.

The credits began to roll, and The movie gets everything wrong I was left flabbergasted. I had just about mental illness. witnessed a spectacle that left my The movie makes a terjaw on the floor. rible connection between We truly live in a “THE MOVIE mental illness and violence. society in which the Joker MAKES A TERRIBLE It’s clear that the Joker is depicted as a hero. is diagnosed with some The self-titled movie CONNECTION kind of mental illness — as directed by Todd Phillips BETWEEN MENTAL evident of the fact that he starring the infamous records about it in his jourclown from DC comics ILLNESS AND nal writing, takes medicaas an anti-hero is now the tion and meets with social highest-grossing R-rated VIOLENCE.” workers — but the movie movie ever. doesn’t make any attempt to distinguish Many people my age really liked the what that mental illness is, which opens movie. Some even go to say that it’s a the door for any mental illness to be true reflection of society. This is heavily interpreted. The movie even makes it contrasted with critics, who have negaexplicitly clear that his mental illnesses tive thoughts regarding the film. They are the reasoning behind his violence, say the film is boring and that it can’t which is simply wrong. focus on a theme.

No matter what that mental illness I personally enjoyed the movie. The might be, it is important to recognize production was fantastic, the plot was that mental illness doesn’t guarantee great, and even the soundtrack was violence whatsoever. Studies show that fun. What I liked the most though was

OPINION EDITOR

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NOV. 26, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY ELIJAH PADEN

the general population is just as violent as people with mental illnesses. Many of these studies even go on to say that people with mental illnesses are more susceptible to being the victims of violence.

These messages from the movie can create a stigma against mental illness that can be damaging and long-lasting.

This has literally happened with a movie before. The 1975 film One Flew

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Over the Cuckoo’s Nest damaged an entire generation’s perspective on mental illness. A study conducted by psychologist George Domino in 1983 shows that college students who saw the film saw mental illness in a more negative light.

Many psychiatrists have even linked this stigma to an uptick in electroconvulsive therapy.

I do agree with the Joker movie’s attempt to say that society should provide

more help for those with mental illness, but it doesn’t seem like the film makes any attempt to make that its central message, and its focus on how a mental illness causes a clown to become a serial killer seriously weakens this argument.

These stigmas have been used to justify preventing gun control. Many far-right proponents have argued that mental illness is what contributes to gun violence the most, and that gun control

would not do anything to stop that, despite the fact that most shootings are committed by people without mental illness. Joker gives this a justification and teaches people my age that this is true.

Mental illness does not make a supervillain, and I think we’ve had enough of these jokes. These stigmas are incredibly harmful. It’s important we don’t allow this comic book movie to change our generation’s perspective.

PAGE DESIGN ELIJAH PADEN NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET OPINION

E T VO

VO TE GRAPH IC

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BY RILEY U

EKIS

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NOV. 25, 2019 PAGE DESIGN BY RILEY UNEKIS

TE O V

OPINION THE BUDGET

OPINION

VOTES FOR ALL

Voting rights should extend to everyone, even felons State Legislatures.

This disenfranchisement affects roughly 6.1 million Americans, and bars one in 13 African Americans from the ballot box, according to oters went to the polls in a 2016 report from the Sentencing November to exercise the Project, a nonprofit. fundamental right to elect This denial of a right so inherent representation for their to democracy is not based on respect communities. for the law, but is rather a historic But many in said community and deliberate effort to prevent black weren’t given the opportunity to use people from voting. this most basic American right.

Voter disenfranchisement is In Kansas, felons aren’t allowed rooted in our country’s racist history. to vote until they complete their full It was meant to destroy the power sentence, including probation and finally attained by newly freed slaves. parole. In other states, voting rights During the Antebellum period, black are even more people were targeted limited. and accused of crimes Yet, this most — often with the goal “VOTING IS AN foundational right of trapping them in a ELEMENTARY isn’t just about criminal justice system rewarding good that mimicked slavery.

RIGHT THAT citizens. It’s about Convict leasing making sure SHOULDN’T COME was a system of penal everyone in this labor practiced in the ATTACHED TO democracy has a Southern United States voice. Voting is an ANY CONDITIONS and overwhelmingly elementary right targeted African that shouldn’t come OTHER THAN American men. Convict attached to any leasing provided CITIZENSHIP.” conditions other prisoner labor to than citizenship. private parties, such as The government should instill plantation owners and corporations. power in the people rather than The lessee was responsible for politicians. Voters hold people in feeding, clothing and housing the power accountable to do what’s best prisoners. for all people — including those who These ideologies live on today and have made big mistakes. have led to a continuously skewed Even so, nearly all states have representation of America within denied the right to vote in all or governmental institutions. Those in part to citizens with felony affected by disenfranchisement are convictions. Only Maine and Vermont disproportionately minorities and lownever take away the right to vote, income citizens. according to National Conference of

BY ZORA LOTTONBARKER NEWS EDITOR

V

Proponents of felony disenfranchisement argue that felons have disregarded the law, and therefore must demonstrate respect for the law before gaining voting rights back.

But there is no system in place to allow for any sort of redemption.

Many citizens with felony conviction records find themselves with no means to push for tackling corruption in the criminal justice system. Yet, their experience means they know its flaws best. With representation, they could influence policies that might help address staggering rates of reincarceration.

Citizens can no longer accept the argument that efforts to block the vote for millions are about preserving respect for the law. It is simply not true. Felony disenfranchisement has nothing to do with the law and everything to do with politics.

It is a flimsy excuse to deny voting rights, just like today’s voter ID laws and the literacy tests and poll taxes of previous generations. This injustice forever makes these Americans second-class citizen in their own country.

When a person is incarcerated, they serve the punishment that our society has deemed fit for them. But they should never surrender the basic right to vote.

It’s impossible to fix problems within the criminal justice system if there is no way for those who have experienced them to advocate for reform through voting. If these serious and pervasive issues are not solved, the future of our nation is in serious jeopardy.

PAGE DESIGN RILEY UNEKIS NOV. 26, 2019

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THE BUDGET OPINION

OPINION

WARNING: THE FUTURE IS HERE

BY SAMI TURNER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I

s it just me or has this month been a whirlwind?

Many seniors, including myself, were struck with panic at the start of the month as early decision deadlines for college applications rolled around. I don’t think I’ve ever shared so much about myself until I had to write more than 20 supplemental essays. My head has been stuck in the future, so I figured there couldn’t be a better theme for this issue.

The future of the school? “Mama J” staying another year, the dangers of Carl Knox pool and winter athletes preparing for the upcoming season.

The future of college applications?

ACT testing updates. The future of our nation? Impeachment and ending

we were fortunate enough to win a ex-felon disenfranchisement. We Pacemaker, one of just 19 schools even showcased students like nationally to do so; place second Amelia Vasquez and Paris Spotted in three national contests; finish Tail, who are shaping their third in five national contests; own futures through their and take home three honorable respective extracurriculars. mentions. I couldn’t be I’ve realized throughout more proud and honored to the making of this issue be part of such a dedicated that to get to the future, and talented group. I hope whatever that may be, I can’t to continue to carry on that do it alone. Whether that be legacy throughout the rest of relying on my fellow staffers Letter from my tenure and pass it on to the to shape the future of this publication or receiving the editor future editor-in-chief of this publication. assistance in navigating I’m extremely grateful for everyone the conundrum of college admissions who helped create this issue, the (special shout out to Stella Tunge, Mrs. editors who took on extra last-minute Tholen and Ms. Schrag). assignments and those who helped get As you’re reading this, myself and me through the college process. The other staffers are still riding high after future can be scary, but having you all by a trip to Washington, D.C., for the my side makes it less daunting.

JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Now, buckle up for issue four.

Journalism Convention. This year,

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

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NOV. 26, 2019

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

OPINION THE BUDGET

NOV. 26, 2019

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH CENTER STAGE — At attention, percussionists junior Will Haynes, junior Mac Sanmiguel, junior Guthrie Bricker, senior Keaton Hoy and senior Ben Hoopes are set to perform their competition show “Beatbox” for the last time at the annual Gala. During show season, drumline members put in extra work outside of the already time-consuming marching band schedule. “[We practice] pretty much twice as much,” Bricker said. “We march differently than everybody else. We play differently. We are a part of the band but also apart.” Photo by Carly Cooper