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Sporting the mascot costume, a newspaper staff member takes on the role of Chesty. For more information, see Page 9.
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Athlete makes comeback after surgery
Senior returns to court after having her thyroid removed By Ashley Hocking Unable to catch her breath, senior Caitlin Broadwell struggled to hit, set and spike with her usual intensity as a feeling of numbness engulfed her. Broadwell’s thyroid levels had sky-
rocketed during a club volleyball game in February 2011. Broadwell was diagnosed with Graves’ disease a few hours later. “Graves’ disease...causes the thyroid to over-produce the thyroid hormones,” Mike Broadwell, Caitlin’s father, said. “In an overactive state, it can wreak havoc on the body and in the most serious cases — called a thyroid storm— can cause heart damage and death.” She was taken into the care of her primary doctor but was ultimately transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
1901 Louisiana St., Lawrence, KS 66046
“We were in shock,” Mike Broadwell said. “We were unfamiliar with the disease and didn’t even know where the thyroid was.” In Broadwell’s fragile state, she was advised to avoid physical activity for three months to reduce the risk of inducing a thyroid storm. “It was really upsetting . . . It was during softball season too, and volleyball season,” Broadwell said. “So I was really stressed out and not doing any physical activity at all, so I went home and basically slept because that’s all I really felt
like doing.” For the next three years, Broadwell spent as much time off the court as she did on. Every three weeks she visited her doctor to see if she was healthy enough to play. “She was not allowed to get her heart rate above a certain level, so she was very limited on activity,” varsity volleyball coach Stephanie Magnuson said. “She did a great job of becoming a student of the game while sidelined.” After having her thyroid gland surgically removed in August, Broadwell no
Screaming in excitement, senior Caitlin Broadwell and her teammates huddle at the Lawrence Tri on Oct. 10. The varsity volleyball team won every match at the Tri . Photo by Ashley Hocking longer has to worry about producing excess hormones. “I now have hypothyroidism,” Broadwell said. “It means you’re not producing enough [hormones], so you take medicine that gives you lots of hormones.” Continued on Page 2
Vol. 124, Issue 3, OCT. 23, 2013
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OCT. 23,2013
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Budget Letter from the editors-in-chief
The Budget is published every three 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. Co-Editors-in-Chief Ashley Hocking and Kendra Schwartz lhsbudget.com Zach Spears (Online Editor) Staff Charles Backus Roscoe Bradt Brooke Braman Courtney Cooper Joaquin Dorado Michaela Durner Brandon Ellis Ryan Hutchins Zia Kelly Gage Nelson Vail Moshiri (Social Media Editor) Harley Phelps (Opinion Editor) Kendall Pritchard Alexis Riner Matt Roe Peter Romano (Copy Editor) Nia Rutledge Genevieve Voigt Advertising designer Nico Palacio Adviser Barbara Tholen Business manager Pat Treff
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Dear Readers, In the month of October, fuchsia and blush paint the halls of Lawrence High representing Breast Cancer Awareness month. We believe it is important to cover the topic of “boobs” this issue as it relates to the newspaper’s coverage of Pink Out. We feel personally connected to this issue’s topic because we both have grandmothers who fought and defeated breast cancer. In fact, the majority of the stu-
dent body is likely to have a connection. One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer sometime in their lives. The Pink Out game was established as a tradition at LHS four years ago by the student body to raise money and awareness in honor of teacher, Shannon Wilson, who had been recently diagnosed with cancer. Wilson is now a survivor of breast cancer. As the news article “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” states, the spirit squad has been working with Dale Willey Automotive to raise money for chemotherapy patients’ wigs and mammograms by selling pink bracelets. The spirit squad launched this project in honor of their coordinator Gwen “Junior” Wedd’s triumph over breast cancer. While these women fought for their lives, other females fight for their right to show cleavage. While some women fighting breast cancer often have to endure one or two mastectomy surgeries, it
Volleyball: Senior athlete undergoes thyroid surgery Continued from Page 1 While recovering from surgery, the entire varsity volleyball team visited Broadwell in her home bearing gifts to show their support. “I went to the store and bought her like eight huge bags of candy and gave them to her,” sophomore and teammate Kyleigh Severa said. “I know she was happy to see us when we came and visited her at her house. It was surprising because she was still happy Caitlin, showing everyone her scar and wondering if we wanted to touch it.” Broadwell will continue to visit her doctor on a regular basis and have blood tests conducted until her hormones have fully stabilized. For the first few games of the season, Broadwell was still in recovery and unable to play for the beginning of the season. But her commitment, dedication and leadership to the team were not lost. Broadwell was elected as one of the two co-captains of the volleyball team this season alongside senior Sami Buffalomeat. “It’s great . . . having another great leader on the court,” Buffalomeat said. With Broadwell’s health in check for the time being, she returned to the volleyball court on Sept. 11. “She came back just as strong as she left,” Severa said. Eight days into her reinstatement, the annual face off with Lawrence High’s crosstown rival took place. With a new-found vigor, Broadwell helped lead her team to a victory over Free State. “Battling through something and beating Free State in return makes it a lot better,” Broadwell said. “I had to go up a tough road. It was very special.” From the stands, Broadwell’s parents saw how far their daughter had come since her diagnosis three years prior. “Given the pain we all went through when she had to basically be sedated for six months, just seeing her out there again was a feeling of being blessed,” Mike Broadwell said. Broadwell’s positivity and work ethic throughout her health ordeal has been an inspiration to the members of the volleyball program. “She is an extremely active young lady and
is common for women to criticize other women for appreciating their own bodies and displaying them liberally. As Nia Rutledge’s opinion article “Being deemed a slut is not a bad thing” illustrates, it is important to allow women to show their bodies in any way they are comfortable with. But it is more important to avoid the double standard that men have freedom in their sexuality and women do not. Whether you’re choosing to show some skin to support Breast Cancer Awareness or simply because you’re demanding control of your own body, your peers should allow you the freedom to do so — in accordance with school dress code — in any way you want. Sincerely,
Kendra Schwartz and Ashley Hocking
Fox finds a home at LHS
Students and faculty members come in contact with canine By Kendall Pritchard Huddling closely with teammates, members of the varsity volleyball team discuss strategy. Photo by Ashley Hocking
to have that taken away from her was devastating,” Magnuson said. “Her poise through the entire process has been amazing. [I’m] not sure I would have been able to face it with the same positive attitude.” Choosing to maintain optimism and enthusiasm like his daughter, Mike Broadwell, has watched his family grow closer and stronger. “We have a shared understanding how good health can disappear in an instant,” Mike Broadwell said. “It puts life into perspective. We often would talk about the other children in Children’s Mercy that were not so lucky. Caitlin has been incredibly strong throughout this process and has been a good example for all of us.” Following in her older sister Kelsey Broadwell’s footsteps, Broadwell plans to continue her eight year volleyball career at the university level next year. She has committed to the University of Nebraska Kearney. “My sister plays at Fort Hays,” Broadwell said. “But, we’re in the same conference, so we’ll play each other.” After being sidelined by Graves’ disease on-and-off for the past three years, Broadwell has grown to cherish every moment with her teammates and coaches. “I’m a lot more thankful to be on the court and really not taking anything for granted,” Broadwell said. “I have a good volleyball team to back me up and a coach that really cares about me.”
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It’s not every day students and faculty see a fox roaming around school grounds. They usually see a nearly empty campus. Some students use the vacant sports fields for Friday or Saturday night fun, including the four-legged friend. Juniors Matt Mantooth and Celie Davison are two of many students who have spotted the fox. “I was playing night soccer with friends when I first saw it in the school parking lot by the softball fields,” Mantooth said. “I’ve seen it more than once.” The fox has had no problem coming into close contact with these students. “We started taking pictures of it from the car and then I got out and started getting closer to it,” Davison said. “Eventually, I got so close he began to bite my shoe.” Like students, faculty members have spotted the fox as well. “My kids and I saw the fox after the IPS tailgate. It was right where my kids had been sitting and eating, probably eating the food they’d dropped,” special education teacher Heidi Woods said. “It was really cool.” Biology teacher Lisa Ball said there are potential problems when students come in contact with the fox. “Foxes do not pose a danger to humans unless they are rabid — which would be a rare event — or they are trapped or attacked,” Ball said. “Foxes frequently coexist with humans in both urban and rural settings. If you see a fox, give it the space that you should give any wild animal and enjoy the moment, as they are often nocturnal, solitary hunters.” Foxes are attracted to the campus mostly because of food. “They are very adaptable and easily coexist with humans as they have an incredibly general diet, ranging from rodents, birds, earthworms and fruit, to scavenged human food,” Ball said. “Foxes living in urban areas often live longer lives than their rural counterparts due to the range of food items available to them. They are a benefit to city dwellers because they provide rodent control.” Although foxes pose no real threat to the LHS population, Ball believes it’s in students’ and faculty members’ best interest to stay clear.
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OCT. 23,2013
Facebook and YouTube unblocked Administration allows access for the purpose of higher learning
3310 Mesa Way Lawrence, KS 66049
By Zia Kelly Last month, USD 497 made the decision to unblock the full use of YouTube and Facebook, allowing students to browse these sites at all times. Two years ago, USD 497 blocked Facebook for everyone, and YouTube for students. Students and teachers alike dealt with limitations that some argued hindered the educational value of the internet. When assistant superintendent Jerri Kemble was hired in July, the district had already begun discussing the policy regarding some of the blocked websites. The district finally took action early in the school year to make these websites available for student use. “Social media is not going to go away,” Kemble said. “It’s an area that we can really help kids become responsible in.” While the decision may have seemed surprising to students and teachers, the motion to unblock Facebook and YouTube has existed within the district for some time. But it really picked up traction when Kemble joined the administration and took the initiative to get approval to take action. Many factors were considered when making decision to unblock these two websites, but perhaps the most significant factor was the impact social media has on society and its newfound ties with education. “The catalyst for me was hearing from principals that we really need to open these websites up so that we can use them for education, this is the way we learn today,” Kemble said. “Do you hear people talk about 21st century learning? Yeah, well we are already 13 years into the 21st century, so we need to be using these kinds of things, because we need to make it engaging for you.” Although the opposition is obvious, with the distractions the websites can provide, the district is confident that their involvement will ease the minds of skeptics. “In school, we put kids out on the playground to play, and we send adults out there to monitor what they are doing, and sometimes they do things they shouldn’t do,” Kemble said. “We help them understand what they should be doing. We help them learn the right way.” Teachers and administrators see the use of the websites as a new resources for higher learning. “I see great potential with YouTube especially,” Kemble said. “Sometimes I will get a problem, maybe with a new computer program or something, and I can just go to YouTube and look it up. I think that kids can use it that way too.” Film teacher Jeff Kuhr plans to use YouTube for his students projects. “I think in some ways it’s cool for my class, it gives students the opportunity to look up different sound effects and different music they might want to think about including in their films,” Kuhr said. “Although they are encouraged to use
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The district has unblocked Facebook and YouTube for students citing the educational opportunities the sites offer. Photo illustration by Ashley Hocking
music that has no copyright, there is some of that on YouTube as well. It does give them the opportunity to look at that and hear it.” Marketing and Entrepreneurship instructor Lisa Burns plans on using Facebook profiles as examples for her business classes. “We can look up and see how businesses have created Facebook pages and use them as examples,” Burns said. In journalism Barbara Tholen’s classroom, the publication staffs have countless uses for Facebook and YouTube. The Budget maintains a full website, including videos uploaded to YouTube and direct connections with social networking sites. The Red & Black yearbook staff also maintains a Twitter account and posts additional material. While the accessibility to these resources has beneficial implications, the realistic effects have to be taken into account. “I would be concerned that it’s going to distract the students, like Twitter does, right now,” Burns said. Social networking is not the only classroom distraction. There is also a worry about YouTube videos causing problems. “I don’t understand how the security will work around that if those types of videos will be blocked,” Burns said. “Also, if it’s causing any sort of harassment type issues with videos that may be inappropriate and offensive to other students.” While online bullying and harassment are growing problems in a technology driven society, part of the district’s decision was based in the grounds that it could have an effect in healing this issue. “[Opening Facebook and YouTube to schools] is a good way to let the school know that those things are happening, and then we can address them,” Kemble said. When it comes to internet access, Kemble said the district must abide by safety regulations of online content by censoring anything the district believes is inappropriate. Because the school receives funding from the government, it has to be careful of what content it allows students to view. The districts’ fire walls are constantly looking for and blocking websites that are deemed inappropriate. When first approached about the unblocking of Facebook and YouTube, sophomore Andrew Bell addressed the step the district made regarding student content access. “In light of recent current events, such as the NSA surveillance scandal and the foreign wiretaps by the United States, it’s nice to see a change in pace: the school moving away from censorship and moving toward more freedom for its students,” Bell said.
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Fall play reflects on the past
‘Do Not Go Gentle’ wows audience members By Courtney Cooper As actors got into costume, excited parents and students filed into the auditorium to watch the annual fall production on Oct. 17 and 18. The dramatic comedy “Do Not Go Gentle” is a play about a deceased woman, Lillian Barron, who finds herself among her mourning relatives as they discuss her passing. Although they all have strong opinions of their late relative, they find themselves coming together as a family by the end of the play. Freshman Tehreen Chandry was cast as the character, “Nobody.” “It’s about kind of tying up loose ends and all those family ties,” Chandry said. “Everyone is just broken apart. They don’t know how to feel about the grandma, but it’s supposed to bring them together and make everyone see that they do love each other in the end.” As the audience watched the play, they may have noticed the strange, humorous and psychedelic sets. They were built by Jeanne Averill’s stagecraft class and designed by junior Brandon Kongkingdavong. It
took the class two weeks to build, draw and paint all the flats and platforms. “I was really surprised when they chose my designs,” Kongkingdavong said. “It’s definitely better than doing the class work.” Henry Elliott, play director, was in charge of choosing the play and actors. “I had seen ‘Do Not Go Gentle’ a few years ago at an International Thespian convention and thought it would be a good fit for Lawrence High,” Elliott said. Although being in front of large groups of people can intimidate some people, a select number of students prefer to be put in the spot light. “I started acting in middle school, and I really loved it,” Chandry said. “So I decided I might as well take a chance and audition.” Many of the acting students agree that the theater is a place where you can take a step out of your life, meet new people and try new things. Sophomore Nicole Berkley played Joanna, Lillian’s niece in the play. “You get to be a different person than who you are,” Berkley said. “Like if you’re having a bad day
you can step outside that and be someone else.” Senior Rachel Woolery received the leading role of the grandmother, Lillian. “I like acting, and I thought it would be fun senior year just to do it again,” Woolery said.
Looking into a crystal ball, senior Rachel Woolery (right) gives her “granddaughter,” a psychic reading during a dress rehearsal of the play “Do Not Go Gentle.” Photo by Courtney Cooper
Twins bond despite their differences Sixteen sets of twins dominate the halls of Lawrence High, sets deal with struggles in unique ways By Ryan Hutchins There are 16 sets of twins at LHS this year: four are freshmen, two are sophomores, five are juniors and five are seniors. We even have two sets of triplets, the Hierls and the Ahmeds, although only two of the Hierls attend Lawrence High. For fraternal twin and senior Kakra Boye-Doe
having a twin can be strenuous, but it’s worth it. “Being a twin feels normal. I’ve never thought about being a twin, but I guess it’s just like having someone be there all the time and a best friend,” Boye-Doe said. “There are very few times where being a twin can be hard, but I’ve never not shared a twin. It’s truly a blessing. ” Junior Kaitlyn Applegate said having a twin is just like having another sibling.
LHS
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1,463 (total population)
32 (twins)
Graphic by Matt Roe
314,000,000 (total population)
10,363,000 (twins)
“Honestly, it’s not much different for me besides having the same birthday,” Applegate said. As they grow up together, twins can often be grouped together instead of being seen as individuals with separate interests and hobbies. “I guess you could say that and not just because of our looks. We act the same and finish each other’s sentences,” junior Yelena Birt said about her bond with her identical sister, Anna. “I like artsy stuff and she’s medical, but that kind of like works together. I guess we kind of are the same.” Because they spend so much time together, being apart for even short periods of time can be difficult. Applegate often misses her twin, Logan, after only a short period of time apart. “We were away from each other for two weeks,” Kaitlyn Applegate said. “I kind of missed him honestly. It wasn’t the same not having him there to beat me up everyday.” The longest length of time the Birt sisters have spent apart is a week. Because their sibling bond is so strong, it felt much longer.
“We were apart for a week,” Anna Birt said. “I really didn’t like it because it felt like I was missing a piece of me. We always used to talk, and it was different.” For identical twins it is almost inevitable to be confused as one another at some point or another throughout their lives. “We do on occasion get confused,” Kakra Boye-Doe said. “My parents actually thought I was P [Panyin] and P was me for about a week, until the doctor clarified.” Some cite switching classes as an advantage to being an identical twin. “There was once a time when P didn’t want to be in class, so I switched classes with him,” Kakra Boye-Doe said. As they get older and leave for college, twins often separate and start to go on their own paths. This is not the case for the Boye-Doe brothers. They both plan on attending the University of Kansas together. “As of now we plan on going to the same college, and that’s very exciting,” Kakra Boye-Doe said.
Order now. Pick up in May. www.yearbookordercenter.com or in the finance office
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OCT. 23,2013
Students get their ghoul on
Halloween charity event gives students a chance to zombify themselves By Vail Moshiri Once a year, the living hide inside and the dead roam up and down Massachusetts Street. The Lawrence Zombie Walk is an annual event that occurred for the seventh time on Oct. 3 to raise money for local charities. The event raised more than $2,000 for organizations, such as the Lawrence Humane Society and Arc of Douglas County. The walk has drawn a crowd of more than 1,000 people in recent years. With so many participants, students and citizens alike ran into several zombies they knew. Junior Skye Yoder knew what to expect and went by herself this year. “I did not specifically go with anyone because I knew that I would end up with some of my friends if I just showed up, which is exactly what happened,” Yoder said. “I love watching how people mimic zombies and all of the people you run into that you know, and I especially love when there are tourists who don’t know of the Zombie Walk and get freaked out.” Whether you’re a fan or not, the Zombie Walk has become a Lawrencian tradition. Small children with ghoul masks and adults with intricate makeup enjoy the chance to get their ghoul on and parade on Massachusetts Street. Although this event has been around for nearly a decade, it gained popularity in recent years. Senior Nico Groth was handed a flier in the park one day and decided to participate. Senior Scott Morrison was told about it three years ago in The Zombie Survival Club, while others were pulled out of their houses by friends and zombified the day of the walk. Everyone has their reasons for dressing up. Some do it for charity, but the majority just like seeing how dead they can look. Senior Maegen Hiersche participated in the event for her third time. “I think it is a blast to dress up. I love the zombie theme, even if there are some survivors that show up,” Hiersche said.
“It is neat to see everyone come together as a community to share in the experience.” Overall the event is well received each year, but students still had reservations. “Sometimes people are rude or mean when they don’t like what you wear,” Hiersche said. “But that shouldn’t be what it’s about.” Students agreed they weren’t fans of the heat. “What I dislike most is how the Zombie Walk isn’t always on the weekends which it totally should be,” Yoder said. “Best day would be on a Friday.”
Graphic by Michaela Durner
Art teacher utilizes fruitful home
Apple orchard provides students and teacher with part-time job By Roscoe Bradt When art teacher Wendy Vertacnik comes home, she is greeted by an orchard full of both apple and peach trees that arches over a freshly cut lawn ready for excited families to come pick their share. Vertacnik and her husband, David, work at their apple orchard south of town along side their artistic teaching careers. In 1983, David Vertacnik planted a group of 50 apple trees, which have now doubled. In recent years, the Vertacniks have diversified the orchard to contain roughly 100 peach trees on their three acre plot. The orchard contains a large variety of apples including Johnathan’s, Granny Smiths and Honey Crisps. With the abundance of apples collected in each crop, 40 bushels are put toward making cider and selling them at their fair and market. On the weekends, a few students go to the orchard to work. Seniors Thomas Afful and Isabella Waite both started working at the apple orchard during the orchard’s farm tour on Sept. 5 and 6. Afful helped with the kids. “I patrolled with the kids and made sure they weren’t climbing on the trees or yanking on the apples,” Afful said. Meanwhile, Waite started by working out in the orchard. “Thomas came out, and I was put in with Miranda [Pratt], and we did cashier work,” Waite said. For upkeep, the farm work is labor intensive. During the harvest season, the Vertacniks keep pests away
Serving as a pathway, the trees open up into the Vertacniks’ orchard. Photo by Roscoe Bradt by mowing and spraying, staying on top of the fallen apples and keeping trees supported from the weight of their fruit. Along with the strenuous upkeep during the harvest months, they have to prune the trees in the early spring and late winter. David Vertacnik has a little saying about the how thin the branches must be. “You have to be able to throw a cat through it,” David Vertacnik said. This year’s crop was very successful. At the orchard, you could see that some of the tree limbs broken from the load of their fruit.
It’s time for
Turn in ads by Wednesday Oct. 30 for the best prices. Final deadline is Dec. 6. Pick up an order form in Room 139 or download from www.lhsbudget.com/about/advertise.
And this year, ads are in COLOR!
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OCT. 23,2013
@LHS_Admirer turns secrets into tweets Anonymous user answers questions concerning uplifting twitter handle By Vail Moshiri In lieu of negative Twitter accounts trending, one student launched an account that reflects a positive twist. “It’s kind of whatever, you know? But, it’s pretty funny,” senior Alex Ewy said. It’s a simple process: follow the LHS Secret Admirer, wait until they follow you back, then send them a direct message with your secret. It doesn’t need to be serious. The Admirer will tweet it through their account for you. The LHS Secret Admirer was created on April 16. The account took an estimated three days to reach minor fame throughout the school. However, for @ LHS_Admirer, fame wasn’t expected. “I really went in with no expectations. I didn’t know if it was going to shoot off really quickly or if people were just going to be like ‘that’s stupid,’ ” @LHS_Admirer said. “It wasn’t really my style, but I just saw all the hate out there like [@StupidLHSTweets]... I just wanted something nice going around,”@LHS_Admirer said. “I just wanted there to be a way people could say nice things about each other.” The Admirer said that they often overhear people talking about the account around them and smile to themselves knowing their secret is safe. This year, the account had a bit of a surprise:
most of the DM’s are coming from freshmen. “They weren’t exposed to it last year. It’s new to them everyone else is pretty used to it at this point. It’s like been around for a while and [students] have said what they wanted to say,” @LHS_Admirer said. “I feel like it’s kind of a younger thing to do. You know send something privately to someone that you don’t want to say to their face.” Online profiles don’t generally give an honest reflection of who we are in reality. “I’m a very happy person, but I think [the account] is kind of a separate thing from me. I wouldn’t say I’m quite as proper or sweet as the account is,” @LHS_Admirer said. The Admirer talks about how the account has (or hasn’t) affected his or her life. “It’s so much of a secret that I don’t know that it really has affected me that much. The way I look at everything,” @LHS_Admirer said. “I guess it gives me more of a positive feel toward my high school career, but I’d like to think that it’s just a different part of me. It’s not really me doing it. It’s me being the stand in so other people can say things.” With an account like this, a sense of responsibility accompanies it. “I try not to post sexual things and hold off on cursing. I try to keep it as appropriate as possible,” @LHS_Admirer said. More common themes are someone saying
‘This guy doesn’t get girls,’ or ‘I’d never be like that person.’ “Sometimes people send me things, and I don’t know if they’re offensive or not. For a while, I got a series of direct messages about this guy that people were saying ‘If I was a freshman I would totally be with [guy],” @LHS_Admirer said. “I wouldn’t post it because I didn’t know if it was some kind of inside joke I didn’t know about or what. I just don’t want to offend anyone.” Senior Chase Oehlert takes a different perspective. “It’s high school. I don’t think it matters very much,” Oehlert said. “I mean honestly, if somebody really had a crush on someone you might as well just tell them.” The Admirer is a senior and has to figure out what to do next year. If he or she did decides to keep it running, who would run it? “Someone with good judgement that’s a genuinely nice person and won’t abuse it,” @LHS_Admirer said. “I think it’d be someone that I’m close to. Like a grade or two grades below me. I would just pick someone who I think would care. I think I know who I’d pick if they’ll do it.”
Discreetly meeting, @LHS_Admirer stayed anonymous while dishing details. Photo Illustration by Vail Moshiri
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Sports
OCT. 23,2013
Making strides against breast cancer Spirit Squad sells pink bracelets to raise money for American Cancer Society campaign By Brooke Braman Spirit squad members will be splitting their time between cheering at sporting events and selling bracelets for the rest of the semester as they work to raise money for the American Cancer Society. In a joint charity fundraiser with Dale Willey Automotive, spirit squad members will sell individual pink wristbands for $3 or two wristbands for $5. The money raised will go to the American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign. “All of the money that we collect stays in Kansas City area. It helps fund the Hope House, which provides lodging for a survivor and her family… It also provides for free wigs and mammograms,” said Gwen “Junior” Wedd, the spirit squad coordinator. In addition to providing these bracelets, Dale Willey Automotive has also pledged to donate $100 for every car sold this month to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Breast Cancer Center. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of women in America. This year, it is estimated that 220,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 will die. Though more common in women, breast cancer can develop in men as well. In order to raise awareness about and money for research and treatment of this disease, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, celebrated annually in October, was established in the 1980s by the American Cancer Society and AstraZeneca, a global pharmaceuticals company. Breast Cancer Awareness month has blossomed into a global event characterized by extravagant
pink displays and vigorous fundraising. Whether it’s the local “Bras Across the Kaw” event or the Tokyo Tower being lit up in pink, communities across the world contribute to this public health event. Spirit squad members, together expected to raise at least $1000, were eager to contribute to this worthy cause and to make the fundraiser a success. “I’m happy to help and get involved,” freshman cheerleader Emma Posler said. “We are working really hard to raise as much money as we can.” Several spirit squad members who are also on Student Council are excited about the coordinated effort to raise awareness for breast cancer and raise money for treatment and research. “It will go hand-in-hand and support StuCo. Both [senior] Abbey Berland and I are members of the executive board of Student Council and the spirit squad. This fundraiser is meant to just build upon our partnership,” senior pom squad member Anna Meissbach said. Freshman Student Council member, DJ Davis, also viewed these coordinated breast cancer awareness month events in a positive light. “StuCo’s work is focused on raising awareness and the spirit squad is really working on fundraising, so the two work well together,” Davis said. Though the spirit squad participates in several charity fundraisers throughout the year, like AdoptA-Family and the canned food donations at Pack the House, this one is special. Wedd, who organized the spirit squad’s involvement in this fundraiser, is a breast cancer survivor. “I am going on five years free of cancer,” Wedd said. “I was lucky that I had regular physicals and
that my doctor caught the tumor before even having a mammogram. My first grandchild was born just after my cancer was detected, that made me even more determined to take care of business. Almost five years later I have three awesome grandchildren and I want to set a good example and be around a long time.”
Performing a chant at the Little Lions Clinic, senior pom squad member Ashley Hutton cheers at the annual Pink Out football game on Oct. 11. Proceeds from the Little Lions Clinic are donated toward breast cancer awareness. Photo by Kendra Schwartz
School mascot costume filled Button addiction Anonymous student steps in to bring pep to sporting events The following is an interview conducted with a staff member who took on the role of Chesty for the Oct. 12 football game. Q: Why did you want to be the mascot? A: “I always thought that being a mascot is one of the best ways you can represent your school and show how much you care.” Q: What is your favorite part of the job? A: “Seeing the smile of a little kid telling you that you’re funny is my favorite part of being Chesty. Having a little kid who is afraid of the mascot become unafraid and want to give me a hug is an awesome feeling.” Q: How has your perception of mascots changed now that you’ve become one yourself? A: “I see how hard the job is. You have to be a complete different person. You can’t be yourself because you don’t want to give yourself away. Doing
that, you have to act differently and you have to be extra nice to people. If they call your name, you have to stop what you’re doing, turn around and pose for pictures.” Q: What misconceptions do you believe your peers have about “Chesty” or being a mascot in general? A: “They tend to think that it’s a girl, but I assure you that Chesty is a he. Students tend to think that because I’m the mascot, they can do whatever they want to me. Some students roughhouse me, push me around and try to punch me. I’m more or less like a big plush toy. It’s almost as if they know there’s a person in there, but it’s not a person to them.”
By Matt Roe The popularity of buttons has taken hold. Students and teachers alike can be spotted with large collections of buttons of friends, family members and symbols.
Junior Kelli Sturm “I like what the buttons symbolize to me and what they stand for. I think it’s important to support what you believe in.”
Junior Keeli Billings “I like having something to remember each of my friends by and having something to spice up my outfit for game days.”
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Q: What does it mean to you to be a Chesty Lion? A: “Aside from the sports team, you’re representing the school. You’re showing what it means to be Chesty and what kind of a school Lawrence High is. You’re basically representing the whole student body.
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Graphic by Matt Roe
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OCT. 23,2013
Football team reads to elementary students Senior football players visit Broken Arrow Elementary School, read to students By Genevieve Voigt It’s Friday. Game day. The football players are wearing their jerseys and their next class is weights. But they’re not going to weights; they’re headed back to grade school. At Broken Arrow Elementary School, the second and third graders are hoping that they’ll get to see the big kids today. So far, the senior football players have gone to Broken Arrow to read books and play games with the children twice. Head football coach Dirk Wedd organized the program before the season started. Wedd recognizes the importance of giving back to the community and wants to give his players the opportunity to be seen as more than just a position on the field. “I love for our kids to get more out of football than just playing,” Wedd said. The football team organizes a food bank with a local church as well, but Wedd was determined to create more opportunities to give back. “I asked the seniors what they felt were some possibilities,” Wedd said. “We put our heads together and came up with: ‘Well, it’s fun to read to kids.’ So I called Broken Arrow. . . and they welcomed it with open arms.” The young students at Broken Arrow enjoy having the football players visit them. It’s always exciting to have something new during class, and the students look up to the players. Wedd hopes that being around younger children will make the players aware of their influence. The players can
become role models for younger students. “You never know when you may make a difference in a child’s life. When they came back the other day, I made them tell the team what they gained from it. Drew [Green] said, ‘Well I got a big hug from one of the kids,’” Wedd said. Senior Nick Benton enjoys going to read to the children. The players and the younger students all gain from the experience. Wedd brainstormed with a couple of seniors, but Benton didn’t hear about the program until later. “I felt kind of cool,” Benton said. “They were holding on to our legs as we were leaving and it was a lot of fun.” After helping the kids and playing games with them, Benton had the opportunity to read a story about Barbie to the children. At first, the players seemed unfamiliar. Before meeting the players reading to him, third grader Asa Douglass wasn’t sure what to think. “I was kind of nervous, because I didn’t really know [them],” Douglass said. The students quickly warmed up to the football players. After meeting the players and listening to the story, Douglass had a lot of fun. “You can think and you can actually listen,” Douglass said. Though the students enjoy being read to, the football players are sometimes more interesting than the story. Senior Zay Boldridge questions how much the story matters. “They’re kind of eager to know who you are after the book,” Boldridge said. “I
mean, sometimes I think that they don’t care about the book, they just want to talk to you afterwards.” Both Benton and Boldridge have noticed how much the children look up to them. The football team has received letters from the kids thanking them. The players have gone twice, and another trip is planned for later in the
season. Lawrence High School and Broken Arrow want the program to continue in the future. The program may expand next year, but Benton is looking at his last opportunity to go. He wishes that the players could go every game day. “The first time, I thought it was kind of crazy, and then after everything got
Senior Zach Alderman reads a book with a second grader at Broken Arrow Elementary School. Photo by Genevieve Voigt settled, it was a lot of fun. Just little kids running around everywhere, flashbacks of kindergarten,” Benton said. “I enjoy doing it a lot, and I’d like to do it a lot more than we’re doing it now.”
Former football coach inducted into hall of fame Five-time state champion coach recognized for hard work By Zia Kelly During halftime of the Pink Out game on Oct. 11, an important figure in LHS history was recognized. Every year, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) acknowledges a handful of educators and coaches that exhibit excellence in their field by inducting them into its Hall of Fame. This year, former head football coach Dick Purdy, leader of five LHS state championship teams, was the recipient of this award. Purdy coached at Lawrence Dick Purdy, former head football coach, smiles as he is inducted into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame. Photo by Kendra Schwartz
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High from 1990 to 1998. He worked at the school as a math and physical education teacher. During his 43 year career, Purdy had a win-loss record of 273-140 and six ties. Athletic administrator Emily Cates commented on what Purdy’s award means to LHS. “I think it looks good for Lawrence High,” Cates said. “It shows how well thought of our coaching staff is in general. It’s a great honor for Lawrence High and Purdy himself.” Before the game started, crowds of people gathered near the shot put and discus rings to honor Purdy. “It’s good to be back here at Lawrence High because we had some great success, and we had a lot of fun while we were here,” Purdy said.
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Purdy coached at other schools during his career, but he believes that his time at LHS played a large role in his recognition. “My time at Lawrence High had a lot to do with that award because we won five state championships here. That is really important in the scheme of things,” Purdy said. “I had the chance to work with a lot of really great people here at Lawrence High, but I suppose the great thing about it is the great assistant players and the great coaches we have had.” While his many wins and championships were a defining factor in Purdy’s acknowledgement, he was also considered for the character he exhibited towards his players. During his induction, vari-
ous career statistics and facts blared from the stadium speakers. However, also mentioned was his notable mentality, always crediting his players for wins and taking the fall for losses. Purdy is the third LHS football coach to be acknowledged in the KSHSAA Hall of Fame, after Al Woodland in the ‘50s and ‘60s who won 12 state championships and Bill Reeman in ‘70s and ‘80s who won five state championships. Purdy’s continuation of the legacy was felt throughout the stadium at the game and lives on with the current football program. “It just shows the tradition that Lawrence High has and has had in the past, and how the tradition continues,” Cates said.
OPINION
OCT. 23,2013
Principals must connect with students
Lack of administrative presence in the hallways leaves students feeling disconnected By Charlie Backus The relationship between students and administrators has never been one of camaraderie. Most students do not have any relationship with principals. Instead, they see them as silent rulemakers of the school. In the hallways, administrators are rarely seen. When they are, they seem to huddle together like a gang of nervous high school freshmen, afraid to branch out. Administrator must show they care. A simple, “How are you doing?” or “How has the school year been?” would be enough to make students think that the administrators are more involved in their lives. Principals care -- at least we hope they do -- but they need to demonstrate that to students every day. Administrators are rulemakers, and students must respect and acknowledge them as the disciplinary force of the school. Something as simple as reaching out to students in the hallways would not disintegrate that view in any way. A step forward was made this year to try and better student-administration relationships. This
came in the form of cards freshmen collected from each of the principals to make sure students knew who the principals were. When all principal cards were collected, the students received small prizes. The main problem with the principal cards program was that it was actually organized by LINK Crew and not the administrators themselves. There was work done between LINK and the administration in order to better the reception of the principal cards, but still, it was a flop. Part of that problem was that in the first month of high school, freshmen are usually focused on staying alive and getting to class more than they are focused on finding every principal. But that doesn’t mean the effort should end there. When asked about the administration’s attempt to better the relationship with students, Principal Matt Brungardt said he “greets students all the time [and that associate principal] Ms. [Margene] Brohammer greets students all the time.” He also included that he and other administrators try to “have a good relationship and try to work with student council.” That doesn’t always come across to students.
When they are, they seem to huddle together like a gang of nervous high school freshmen, afraid to branch out. Senior Puja Shah, a member of student council for the past three years, has never felt a strong connection between student council members and the administration. “[Assistant principal Mark] Preut is the only one who has regularly shown up to official meetings and the only one we work face to face with,” Shah said. “We do work with all the administration, but it is never face to face and always feels really disconnected.” Certainly, there are challenges. With a big student body, it’s harder to foster close relationships with students. During his first year at LHS, Preut noted that when he attempted to recognize students in the hallway they “looked right through me” and that “part of fostering that close relationship is a
two-way street.” Preut also recognizes the stress put on high school students and the continual anxiety over keeping up in their classes. In the hallways, he said, they may be thinking more about getting to their next classes than talking to their principals. Yet, Preut is probably at his best when he relaxes with students and kicks a hacky sack around the hallways with them. But that sort of connection is too rare. Freshmen come to high school with the fresh experience of often being friendly with their middle school administrators. In high school, they find a different relationship. But should the relationship really be that much different? It would take time, but fostering the same relationship is possible with more effort from administrators. Spread out and stand in different parts of the school. Say hello. Ask us about our weekend. Or that goal we made at the soccer game. Or the club we just started. The bottom line is administrators need to show they care about every student and not just the students who stand out.
Being deemed a slut is not a bad thing With Halloween around the corner, fishnets and short skirts consume costume stores By Nia RutlEdge On Halloween, costumes are short and tight, and labels like “slut” are brushed aside. If a woman was to wear a sexy Halloween costume any other day, she would certainly be shamed for it. But should she be? “Slut” is a demeaning word that is too familiar and common in feminine society. The word is thrown around and slapped on the foreheads of females as an insult. What I don’t understand is what is so bad about dressing provocatively? What is so bad about being promiscuous? Personally, I’m not the kind of girl who hooks-up. But, does that make me any better than girls who do? Women are called sluts whether they talk about having sex or not, and women are called sluts whether they have sex or not. To some, clothing choices may merit labeling a girl as a slut. “I typically like to wear clothes that some people would call slutty, like thigh-high socks and short skirts,” senior Sadie McEniry said. “I definitely have been told I am a slut for wearing those clothes.” In society, appearances seem to be the only trait people can focus on. Magazines, commercials and ads constantly douse women with pressure to look the way society wants
them to look. “I believe that people can do whatever they want and nobody should be judging them on what they do,” senior Brendon Maxey said. Girls are slandered purely for their appearances. Interestingly enough, it’s as if Halloween is a free pass for girls who want to be sexy. “Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it,” Cady Heron said in Mean Girls. But, it is hard to say whether the sexiness of Halloween is forced upon women or not. “I guess society today thinks women should just expose themselves,” freshman Kyle Brey said. In Halloween stores and online, it’s difficult to find a costume that isn’t sexy. The costumes are all short skirts and tight tops. “It’s probably run by men,” sophomore Mariah Howard said. “They’re like, ‘Hey, let’s take out all the clothing and put in nipple tassels!’ ” It’s as if being sexy is promoted on Halloween but looked down upon any other day. But looking sexy is not the problem. The problem is we judge people based on their appearances. It is socially accepted to verbally abuse those who do not dress the way society says they should. “I think that you should show what you got, [and] flaunt what you
got,” sophomore Blyss Yunger said. The word “slut” is just one example of how women face a double standard. For example, men are not scolded as harshly as women for their sexual activity. If a man hooks-up with multiple girls, it is often not looked down upon. If I called a man a “player” — which is almost the male equivalent of a slut — the term has a more positive connotation and is predominantly used as a compliment. So this opens a question. Why is it acceptable for a guy to have a lot of sex, but unacceptable for a girl? “Girls want guys with experience and not all guys want girls with experience,” sophomore Broxton McGee said. I cannot speak for all women, but I don’t particularly like a guy more because he is a sex connoisseur. If a woman has sex with multiple people and does it often, there’s nothing wrong with it. As people, we make choices for ourselves. As long as we are happy with those choices and they don’t have negative effects on others, we should not be judged. As long as the person is happy and being safe with their decisions, it’s not any one else’s right to judge. We need to stop trying to moderate people’s choices and focus on our own.
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OCT. 23,2013
Pink Out packs a punch
Students and staff come together to raise awareness Every year, one varsity football game in the month of October is dedicated to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. Football players, members of the spirit squad and many spir-
ited fans don shades of pink from head to toe. The tradition was started four years ago in honor of a teacher diagnosed with breast cancer.
(Top) Tossing pink paper into the air, the student section supports raising awareness for breast cancer at the annual Pink Out game. The varsity football team lost 28-0 to Olathe North. Photo by Annakate Kleibohmer
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(Left) Teaching Little Lions the fight song, freshman cheerleader Sydney Haralson participates in the annual Little Lion Clinic at the Pink Out football game. Eighty-three Little Lions cheered on the sidelines on Oct. 11. Photo by Gage Nelson
(Bottom left) Participating in the roller coaster simulation, juniors Lizzy McEntire and Keeli Billings enjoy the peppy atmosphere of the student section. Photo by Kendra
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(Bottom right) Holding hands before kickoff, Austin Magdaleno (82), Jacob Nation (63) and Braxton Cooper (23) honor Andre Maloney, a Shawnee Mission West football player who died the previous week. Photo by Annakate Kleibohmer
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