Livewire Vol 5 Issue 8 May 2015

EPiLOGUE

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Contents

May 2015 Volume 5, Issue 8

Student Life

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Dynamic Duo | Sam Lowe and Nick Cooper share the story of their friendship over the years.

Kalie Hahn’s “Dramatic” Life | A look into the life of Kalie Hahn.

GSP 2015 | The new Governor’s Scholars discuss the process

of applying to the program along with their feelings of acceptance.

Summer 2k15 | Check out things to do this summer.

Teacher of the Year | Livewire’s survey revealed that Dona Hare won BE Teacher of the Year.

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May 2015

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Sports

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New Conditioning, New Year |

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Heading To The Next Level | A look at all the seniors who have signed to play sports in college.

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A Sports Year At A Glance | A comparison of girls and boys sports this year.

A feature the girls soccer team, who has been conditioning at Club Fitness.

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Academics

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It’s A Long List | A look at East’s

progress with college and career readiness this year.

Opinion

20 21 22 24 26 27

Kill The Death Penalty |

Staffer Sydney Riley discusses her thoughts on capital punishment.

Hands Up Don’t Shoot | Haley Snyder shares her opinion on police brutality.

Rape | Haley Steinmetz and Rachel Grant discuss rape culture.

2016 Presidential Preview | A

preview of the 2016 presidential election.

16 18 19

College Map | A map of some of the colleges that East’s seniors are attending.

Seniors Speak Up | Seniors open up about their high school experience.

48 Words, 8 People | Two students from each class share a six word memoir about their year.

College Costs | A breakdown of the cost of college.

adviser editor-in-chief executive editor assistant executive editor business & advertising cocopy editor cocopy editor copy editor copy editor copy editor sports editor creative editor photo editor

Larry Steinmetz Haley Steinmetz Layne Cutler Eliza Love Allison Drake Rachel Grant Isaac Shelton Jessica Mattingly Lindsay Renneisen Sydney Riley Grant Skaggs Kim Flaherty Gavin Blain

staff writers Tiffany Prell Brooke Collins Jasmine Meeks Derek Rogers Kyleigh Payne Jaiden Gividen Maggie Wisdom

Taylor Hollifield Savanah Hagan Luke Young Eric Sanchez Haley Snyder Brennah Denkhoff

Livewire was re-founded in 2001 by journalism teacher, Larry Steinmetz. In the past, the Livewire has been a weekly newspaper, but moved to a newsmagazine published five times a year in 2011, and increased to eight in the 2014-15 school year. The staff remains committed to bringing the Bullitt East community the most up to date news in a quality format and timely manner. To get breaking news, sports updates, and more go online to belivewire.com.

The staff appreciates your patronage and, as a public forum, encourages any feedback you care to offer. Letters to the editor must be typed and submitted via e-mail, to Mr. Steinmetz’s mailbox, or directly to room 324 within one week of the publication to which you are responding. Letters will not be censored, but must be deemed appropriate by the editor and advisor in order to be published. In order to be eligible to appear in the paper, all letters must be signed and verifiable. Names can be withheld upon request, but must be submitted with the original letter.

Livewire is published by the students and for the students of Bullitt East High School, E-mailing Mr. Steinmetz directly is the best way to reach the staff. His address is larry. steinmetz@bullitt.kyschools.us. The Livewire is printed by Publishers Printing Company.

Bullitt East High School 11450 Highway 44 East, Mount Washington, Kentucky, 40047.

(502) 869-6400.

Can’t Let Freedom Ring | The editorial board discusses a new law and whether or not it is fair.

EPILOGUE Layout: Haley Steinmetz NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 3

Cover: Haley Snyder

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dynamic duo

BY ERIC SANCHEZ

NamesSanchez@gmail.com | @NamesChiz

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atman and Robin, Bonnie and Clyde, Sam and Nick.

A.M. and we end up back at his house at like 4 A.M. I think. We were standing in front of his porch and we were coming up with excuses. I said we should tell his dad we fell asleep and Nick’s dad comes out of a shadow like Batman and says, ‘Is that what you’re gonna do’ and we got busted big time,” said Lowe.

Seniors Same Lowe and Nick Cooper have a tremendous friendship that has lasted throughout their high school careers.

Lowe and Cooper initially met at the end of 8th grade year. Sports and crazy antics have helped fuel their friendship over the years of high school. The two are attending the same college in the fall and hope to continue their lives enjoying each others company.

Following into the future, Lowe and Cooper hope to continue their friendship as they will both attend college at Western Kentucky University. Cooper will be enlisting into the army/ROTC while Lowe will be attending regular school. “Nick will be in the army so I’ll be his support system while he’s home,”said Lowe.

This dynamic duo’s friendship began in 8th grade when the two met at a track meet. “We were both the same relay, so we were working on the handoffs we met,” said Lowe. The inclusion of sports would continue to define their friendship, however they got off to a rocky start.

After the first semester Cooper will be back from basic training and the two plan to room together eventually. “I think we plan to room together during college and maybe a bit after,” said Cooper.

“Sam didn’t like me at first, even though I thought he was really cool. I just asked him to spend the night at my house and we basically just became best friends after that,” said Cooper.

Their freshmen year, both joined the BE football team, and all of their time was spent together. “When we joined football I had to learn to rely on him, and it just helped with everything else. I know I can rely on Nick for anything whether it’s emotional advice, relationship advice, friends, school, anything I need,” said Lowe.

“Sam and Nick are pretty much brothers, they spend all their time together. I’ve never even seen them fight with all the time I’ve spent with them,” said senior Cherish Hodge.

As for pushing each other in sports, both credit each other for helping them with their paths. “In the weight room we always pushed each other. If it wasn’t for Sam I wouldn’t be May 2015 NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 4

“We just want to stay friends because Nick’s one of the most positive people I know. I tend to help control him and he tends to let me have fun,” said Lowe.

Best ds frien

forever

The two hold an inseparable bond that cannot be broken, and plan to stay friends forever.

the athlete I am today. And if it wasn’t for me, Sam wouldn’t be as big as he is today,” said Cooper.

When not in football, the two have crazy adventures that they have experienced. “It was in the eighth grade, Nick’s dad said we had to home by 1 www.belivewire.com 5/15/2015 2:17:26 PM

KALIE HAHN’S “DRAMATIC” LIFE B y T i f f any P re l l tiffany.prell23@gmail.com

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ll this talent is no “nuisance”.

Kalie Hahn isn’t an average high school student, she has many talents that she shares.

Hahn has been acting in a various amount of plays since she was very young. She has her own punk band named Nuisance that she performs in with her friends. Along with her own personal talents, her personality is also something like no other.

Acting has always been a huge part of Hahn’s life. Her goal is to be in as many plays as possible and get as much experience as she can.

This summer she will be performing at Derby Dinner Playhouse along with being in other plays. After high school, she plans on going to the University of Louisville to get her undergraduate in design and then going to Actors Theater to be part of their apprenticeship for nine months. After all that, she plans on going to an acting college and getting her training to be a professional actor. “My inspiration for acting would have to be Jim Carrey because he’s so funny and out there and that’s a lot what I’m like,” said Hahn.

Aside from acting, Hahn also has her own band, Nuisance, that she’s had for about a year. She is the lead vocalist and also plays the keyboard and the guitar. She attends tons of

shows. “She’s an amazing singer and [is] really good in front of people,” said one of Hahn’s close friends, freshman Kia Nikolai.

Something else unique about Hahn is her personality. She’s described by many as being a very upbeat, happy person that’s always trying to put a smile on someone’s face. “People are really drawn to me. I’m really understanding and a good listener and I care about people,” she said.

When it comes to Hahn caring about people, it’s evident she has a very big heart. “She’s taught me to never give up. She’s very, very strong and she’s really independent. She’s practically the reason that I’m still at this school because I’ve wanted to be home schooled,” explained Nikolai.

Another friend impacted by Hahn is junior Chloe Britt. “She’s definitely made me happier because she’s just such a goof ball and she’s silly and it just brightens up my day everytime I see her,” said Britt.

High school has been a learning experience for Hahn. “I learned that you have to be independent and rely on yourself more than others and that people are mean sometimes.

Also, don’t change for anybody. Don’t change yourself to make people like you,” she said.

INSURANCE Options Dust-B-Gone

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DAVID LANGLEY

Cleaning Services

Toni Cissell (502)523-6959

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Haley Steinmetz

1. I’m thrilled and very proud to have been accepeted into GSP. 2. I would love to go to Murray, but I’ll be happy at any campus.

3. I think it sounds amazing, and my parents really pushed me to apply.

4. My parents helped me a lot, along with Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Harris. I couldn’t have made it without them.

GSP 2

Emily Miles

1. Incredible! It is such an honor!

2. I want to attend Murray State this summer- beautiful campus!

3. I wanted scholarship opportunities.

4. My sister inspired me to apply and helped me with my application.

BY GAVIN BLAIN

gavin.blain@gmail.com

Each student chosen for GSP 2015 was asked the same four questions listed below responses are numbered accordingly.

1. How does it make you feel knowing you made it through the entire application process to be chosen as a member of GSP 2015?

Olivia Myers

1. It feels amazing to know that all my hard work paid off.

2. I don’t have a preference; I’m just glad to be going.

3. It is an amazing honor to get accepted. I had heard great things about this program and I wanted to be a part of it.

4. My brother, Aaron Myers, attended GSP and he loved it. He inspired me to work hard in school and to apply for GSP. May 2015 NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 6

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P 2015

Alyssa Hiemer

1. It feels extremely rewarding and humbling knowing I completed the application and was chosen.

2. I hope to attend Murray State over the summer.

3. I had heard of a previous scholars experience.

4. Both of my parents inspired and helped me through the process.

Charlotte Mason

1. I feel very excited knowing that I made it into GSP. 2. I hope to attend Bellarmine for GSP so that I can also attend the Commonwealth Honors Academy.

3. I wanted to attend GSP when my aunt, who is a GSP alumni, told me about it.

4. My aunt was also the one who helped me through the application process.

2. Out of the colleges offered to attend over the summer which one do you hope to attend for the five week summer program?

3. What made you want to apply for GSP 2015?

4. Who inspired you to apply and heped you along through the application progress?

Joel Huether

1. Knowing I made it through the GSP process makes me feel satisfied and happy.

2. I hope to attend Murray State GSP. 3. I applied for scholarship opportunities.

4. Mrs. Molter was the one who inspired me to apply and who encouraged me along the way.

Layout: Gavin Blain NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 7

Maddie Wilson

1. I cant even put into words how ecstatic I am.

2. I would like to attend Murray State for GSP. 3. I always though it would be neat to be surronded by others that share the same goal as me in regards to learning.

4. Christa Sego, a GSP alumni, and my mom played a big role in keeping me positive and motivated.

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SUMMER 2K15 B Y B R E N N A H D E N K H O FF bdenkhoff83@gmail.com

If you ever get bored of spending your 77 days of summer watching Netflix, here are some local alternative places to go:

Holiday World

Kings Island

Kentucky Kingdom Slide the city

Kentucky Kingdom

Kings Island

Slide the City

Holiday World

Open daily starting May 30th, this park has even more new attractions to enjoy this year than they did since their reopening last year. Season passes are $79.95 at Kroger and day passes are $39.95 online. For more info go to www. kentuckykingdom.com.

Located a couple hours from Louisville in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kings Island opens daily May 8th. Season passes cost 6 monthly payments of $15.00 and daily passes cost $62.50 each. For more information go to www.kingsisland.com.

Coming to Kentucky on June 13th, slide the city is a 1000 foot water slide that will stretch across the city of Elizabethtown. Sliding only once costs $20 each but sliding however many times all day costs $55 each. For more information, go to slidethecity.com.

Located less than two hours from Louisville in Santa Claus, Indiana, Holiday World opens May 20th.

Season passes cost $149.99 each until May 25th and day passes are $40.99 each online. For more info, go to www.holidayworld.com.

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livewire teacher of the year Hare selected as 2015 winner by ha l ey stein m etz

haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz

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he ballots are in and the votes are counted: the Livewire’s 2015 Teacher of the Year has been decided.

Dona Hare, health teacher and member of Charger Nation for 14 years now, has been named Teacher of the Year.

Hare, who has taught at East for 14 years now, said that she did not expect to win the poll.

Her students, on the other hand, feel the opposite and voted for her for a variety of reasons.

Although Hare did come in first place, the poll was very close, and several other teachers trailed just behind her.

Hare attended high school in Brownsburg, Indiana and then graduated college from DePauw University, where she played basketball, in 2000. She has taught at Bullitt East for 14 years now, and has never held a teaching position anywhere else. She started off her career teaching Physical Education and even an aerobics class her first couple of years, but soon after she started, she began teaching health.

Although she is happy with her career choice, she did not always want to be a teacher. “I ran away from it for a long time. My mom is a teacher. I went to college to be a sports psychologist and got a degree. At the time, I was volunteer coaching, and I loved it. That was the first time I’d ever really worked with kids, and so I kind of rethought my entire career,” she said.

The Teacher of the Year award came as a total surprise to Hare. “I was really shocked. It was very humbling,” she said.

As a teacher, Hare wants her students to leave her room with more than just new knowledge about health. “I care about them as a person, not just their test scores, or their GPA, but just as a person. I don’t expect them to be perfect,” she said.

Her students are not the only ones learning from her class; they teach Hare plenty, as well.

“From a mother’s standpoint, I’ve learned how imperative it is that kids feel understood and valued,” she said.

The fact that she feels this way about her students is more than apparent to them.

The “Why?” portion on all of the ballots that voted for her overflowed with comments like, “She is more than just a teacher to all her students,” and, “She brings joy into the class and makes every day a positive one.”

One student said, “She’s really nice and funny. She cares about the students and makes them feel wanted, and she always gives us second chances.” Another said, “She has helped me grow as a student and as a person. She

Layout: Brennah Denkhoff, Haley Snyder, and Haley Steinmetz NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 9

has helped me through a lot.”

In addition to teaching at East, Hare also helps out with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is on the Site Based Decision Making Counsel. She also used to coach girls basketball, cross country, and track and field. Outside of school, she attends and is very involved with Fern Creek Christian Church and has three children.

Hare came in first place of the poll by eight votes. Leo Craven, who teaches college reading and freshman English, came in second place. Kenny Thornsberry, geometry teacher, came in third only one point behind Craven.

One point behind Thornsberry was Chelsea Mullennex in fourth place, who teaches world civilizations.

4810 North Preston Hwy, Shepherdsville, KY 40165 9 5/15/2015 2:17:49 PM

NEW CONDITIONING, NEW YEAR B y Maggie W isdo m

maggie.wisdom4154@gmail.com | @_maggielorraine

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et fitness with it.

The Bullitt East soccer team has started getting their ‘fitness’ on by starting their season at Club Fitness, conditioning two days a week.

The soccer team started conditioning on April 13th, ever since then they have been conditioning every Monday and Wednesday from 2:45-4:15. When they’re not at Club Fitness, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they’re on the field practicing. The first few weeks of their season consist of conditioning.

Current Sophomore, Grace Jackson said, “The work we are doing at Club Fitness has been really beneficial to us. It is making us work hard during off season so that we can kick butt and be in great shape during the season when we have a lot more games and less time to practice and condition. It’s hard and it makes me want to die 99% of the time, but I still love it and it has given me the drive to work harder,”

In the lady chargers 2013 soccer season they won 17 games and lost 8 games. A year later the team ended their season with 12 wins and 9 lost games. Shelby Holt, a senior on the team, explains conditioning will not help improve the wins, of their games. That the conditioning is meant to cut down the number of injuries that could occur, therefore increasing the odds that more wins due to the availability of key players.

Some of the things the girls soccer team does to condition, at Club Fitness include weight-lifting, boot camp, spin class, yoga, and running on the treadmill.

Business Hours Monday-Friday Saturday Sunday

9 AM - 5 PM 9 AM - 1 PM CLOSED

327 Eastbrooke Pointe Drive, Suite 1 00 Mount Washington, KY 40047 Phone: (502) 538-4362 Fax: 502-538-3551 myeyedoc@mooneyeyecare.com

Sophomore, Amy Gentry said, “It’s a very tough and intense workout, but it will make the whole team stronger and more fit.”

Behind every workout and hard push, there is a goal each team member is working towards, and Christian Foster shared hers. “I’m just looking forward to getting on the field with the girls and playing for the school. We also have a really good chance at winning districts and regionals, so I’m looking forward to playing in those tournaments,” she said.

Condition goes through the rest of the year, until the season is over.

Junior Emily Potts and a few other members from the girls soccer team weight lifting for the 2015-2016 season.

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photo cred

Jacob Bowles University of Southern Indiana

Loren Roby Georgetown College

photo credits to Sydney Riley

HEADING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

BY LINDSAY RENNEISEN

Kelli Rae Alcorn BirminghamSouthern College

lindsay.renneisen@gmail.com | @lindsaymarie_9

A

thletes over mathletes.

As the school year is coming to an end, several students have signed to play college sports at a variety of schools.

The end of senior year can be a really stressful time when students are trying to meet their benchmarks. Making the commitment to a college can also be a tough choice, but it’s even harder when there are sports in the mix.

Signing to a college is one of the most accomplished things in a student-athlete’s career.

came to the conclusion that he would attend USI.“The campus is beautiful, and the success their baseball program has had [drove me to choose USI]. Watching them win a national championship made me want a chance to do that one day,” said Bowles.

Playing high school sports can take up a lot of time, but in college it is a huge chunk of time out of a student’s life. The student-athlete has to make sure the school is the right fit for them academically and for their sport.

Jeff Bowles, Jacob Bowles’ dad and head Keeping up with grades, meeting necessary baseball coach said, “I think it was a tough requirements to graduate, and trying to decide decision. He [Jacob] really liked both Spalding a college really is a hard task for seniors. Also, and Bellarmine as well. They are both good being able to play in college is very rare. Many schools along with fine baseball programs and athletes don’t make it to that level. our family developed good relationships with their coaching staffs. It came down to what “I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to was really the best ‘fit’ for Jacob both academipay for college anymore,” said senior football cally and athletically. I feel he made a good player, Justin Parsons. Parsons recently signed decision.” to Union College to play football. He made the decision when he realized he wanted to continue football throughout college. Parsons Being able to say that you have made it to play came in contact with the coach through Bran- a particular sport in college can be one of the best feelings ever. “I’m excited and gratified don Rodgers, who is also playing football at Union. Rodgers and Parsons have been friends knowing that all the hard work and dedicathroughout high school and have played foot- tion has finally paid off,” said volleyball player Johna Fackler, “I’ve continued to play so that ball together.

I could play the game I love and pay tuition with the scholarship I received.”

Another college commit is senior baseball player, Jacob Bowles. He had a tough decision between Spalding, Bellarmine, and the University of Southern Indiana (USI). Bowles Layout: Maggie Wisdom and Lindsay Renneisen NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 11

Johna Fackler Christendom College

Justin Parsons & Brandon Rodgers Union University

Spencer Warren University of the Cumberlands

Anyone can do what they love in college if they set their mind to it.

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A SPORTS YEAR AT A GLANCE COMPILED BY GRANT SKAGGS

cg.skaggs11@gmail.com | @gucci___guap Photo credit to the endeavor staff.

Boys

Girls

Bowling-Their season ended at regions, though they still sent Austin Sanford, Robby Smith, and Michael Harville. They ended the regular season on a 1-8 note.

Bowling-Ended the season on becoming runner up in regionals. and also placing 5th in state.

Jessica Heicken placed 25th in indiviudal competition at state. As a whole, they finished the regular season with a 7-2 record.

Basketball- Ended the season as a semi-finalist in regions, and ended with a record of 21-10.

Football-Ended the season with a loss to John Hardin High during the playoffs, and ended with a record of 7-4.

Golf- They went undefeated in match play and placed 20th in state this year. Zach Taylor was the only one to get to the second round in individual competition this year at state.

Soccer-Ended the season with a loss to Fern Creek in districts, and ended with a record of 4-14-2.

Wrestling-This year the team sent Logan Henry, Nathan Sneed, Dalton Priddy, Spencer Warren, and Andrew Mattingly to state, and the team also won the tri-county tournament this year.

Baseball- So far the team has had major wins over Beechwood and Butler. They also competed in the Louisville Invitational Tournament and came out with a 2-0 record.

Tennis- They finished the regular season with a record of 7 wins, 6 losses, and 2 ties. The team tied for 5th in the region with St. Francis, and also has a state qualifer in Jacob Staples.

Track-This year some major key runners for the boys are: Nick Cooper, Trace Milburn, Michael Montgomery, and Issac Shelton.

Cross Country-The team had both Cole Green and Issac Shelton compete at state.

Basketball-Ended the season as a runner up in regions, an1d ended with a record of 21-7.

Cheerleading-Both Co-ed and All Girl teams won state championships this year. Both even placed 6th at nationals.

Golf-Ended the season with a loss in regionals. Over the season they won the Two County Cup tournment.

Soccer-Ended the season with a loss to Mercy High in the regional championship, and ended with a record of 12-9-3.

Volleyball-Ended the season in the first round of regions, and ended with a record of 25-12.

Softball- So far the team has gotten some big wins over Mercy, Fern Creek, and Assumption.

Tennis-This year the team has gotten some key victories over St. Francis, Butler, and Bullitt Central.

Track-The girls placed second in the Bardstown Invitational.

Cross Country- The whole team competed and finished 10th at state this year.

SALON 10223 Kentucky 44, Mount Washington, KY 40047 (502) 538-4538

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IT’S A LONG LIST

BY LUKE YOUNG

clyoung1234@gmail.com | @camlyoung

A

s college and career scores start to become a main focus at BE, they continue to rise through the roof

This year’s seniors are doing very well in the way of college and career readiness. Only 38 seniors out of approximately 330 have not reached the standards that BE has set in place to prepare the graduates for success in their lives after college.

When students don’t meet their benchmarks, the staff does everything they can do, scheduling wise, to make sure that those seniors graduate.

This is just one way our staff has helped a student pass.

Bree Floyd also was helped throughout the year by McCutcheon. Floyd, who very recently became career ready, through Workkeys and IC3 certification, and followed the business pathway.McCutcheon said ”We made sure she got in the right classes, and she passed her Workkeys this year with me, and her teachers continued to stress upon her, in industry certification or a KOSSA.”

Wendy McCutcheon, East’s career readiness coach, has done a lot to make sure that seniors are prepared for the real world, but she said, “What is different about this year than the previous years is the student buy-in. We have set a goal for our student population and said, ‘This is what I need from you’ and the students stepped up to it.”

Floyd was asked why she chose to become career ready rather than college ready “Because I don’t plan to go to college.”

McCutcheon believes that the reason seniors have such a high passing rate is because they know that benchmarks the school has set will benefit them. “They understand that it’s a necessary objective because in the long run, we want our students to graduate, and be able to go on somewhere,” she said.

“College and Career ready are equal.” said McCutcheon, “It’s a misconception, that people think that being career ready is less than being college ready.”

With only 11% of seniors not currently meeting the benchmarks, BE has set in place, the staff feels as if they have done an excellent job, but they plan to reduce that percent to 0. “They have different opportunities still remaining, we are not done,” said McCutcheon.

There are still many opportunities for seniors to pass such as Compass Testing, COYOTE, and Workkeys/ academic requirements. Workkeys and KOSSA testing are still going on for those who need to meet their career ready benchmarks. McCutcheon says, “We only have four or five total seniors that do not have an academic component to graduate.”

Layout: Grant Skaggs and Luke Young NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 13

are Courtney Comstock, and Bree Floyd .Comstock has passed three KOSSA tests, administrative support, culinary, and accounting. “I did not want to at all.” commented Comstock “Ms. Wendy said i had to take them.”

When she graduates, she plans to go to the air force. “My soon to be husband is going into the air force , so I’ll be traveling with him, and going to Red Cross for my CNA.” As the school year winds down, the staff is cracking down on students who still need that final test or grade to go on to college.

BE staff believes that they already use the best method with our seniors. “We have put into place the most efficient way to get it done. I dont know that their is alot more ways that we can get the kids there,” said McCutcheon.

In the future our staff still hopes to improve the system for the new seniors, even though we currently have many more juniors that have met the requirements, then we had at this point last year, and even some sophomores.

Two seniors, who have both met the requirements to pass 13 5/15/2015 2:18:13 PM

B Y A LL I S O N D R A K E

Allison.drake14@gmail.com | @allisondrakee

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ust thirteen years ago, August of 2002, I took my first steps through the doorway of a world of possibilities.

I remember it well, but only because my mom has a picture of me in the most embarrassing floral pink sundress hugging my younger brother as I start my first day of kindergarten. It’s serendipitous, ironic if that fits your fancy, that I started the organized chaos known as public school education being featured on the front page of Dover Air Base’s weekly paper, and closing it with an ode to senior year. Everything has come full circle- what were the odds of that.

It’s crazy to think that 2030 is just as close to now as 2000 is, and it’s even crazier to think about everything that has changed. We used to have to log off the internet just to make a phone call from our landline house phones, but now we can call mom, Google homework questions, post selfies from last night’s party, and tweet about how OOMF grinds your gears, all at the same time, while eating cereal in bed. Classes used to be about learning to color in the lines and what’s the difference between red and blue; now it’s us being pushed to think outside of the lines and what did the author mean when he said the curtains were blue, or why didn’t he make them red. We came in to school full of creativity and the who’s, when’s, where’s, why’s and how’s of the world, only to leave it with structuralized originality and more questions than answers.

What’s even crazier is how people changed; kindergarten everyone was your friend unless they picked their nose or didn’t share their crayons. You could go outside and play (with mom’s permission, of course) with any other kid on the street without peers juding who you were with. But now, there’s a million different reasons why Becky and Tammy aren’t friends and why James will fight Danton, even though just last year they claimed they were closer than family. Or Heaven forbid you’re seen with somebody’s ex-boy/girlfriend in a snapchat story, and chaos breaks loose over social May 2015 NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 14

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media, and friends are made through the common bond of hatred fueld by petty twitter drama.

What I’m getting at is that people will change, and so will you, but don’t change for someone or something that isn’t permanent. You have to accept yourself, before others change you to meet their acceptance. There will be so many criteria that people will want you to meet, but the only requirements you need to focus on are your own. That’s not only my advice for underclassmen, but also to the senior class as we graduate; your circle of friends will change just like it did throughout high school, and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice who you are to become who they want you to be.

And now, here we are; at the closing of “the best years” of our lives. After months of wishing for time to go faster, major fits of senioritis, multiple occasions of wanting to drop out, and being summarized as every choice we’ve made over the past four years, we have finally reached our end. No matter which way you’re going- college, occupation, a year of “finding yourself”- life is going to be really different for us all. A lot will happen in these next few weeks, just make the most of your last few moments in high school, your childhood epilogue, before you are casted into the real world. It’s been one heck of a ride, from working with three different schedules and being the pioneers of the “college/career readiness”, to starting the infamous food fight of 2014, there hasn’t been a dull moment for our class. I may sound sappy, but I am thankful to have spent my high school career surronded by the sass and crazy and talent that is the class of 2015.

As always: BE safe, BE responsible, BE respectful. Here’s to the Charger Way.

Layout: Allison Drake NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 15

15 5/15/2015 2:18:15 PM

NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 16

5/15/2015 2:18:15 PM

NamesSanchez@gmail.com | @NamesChiz

BY ERIC SANCHEZ

College map

NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 17

5/15/2015 2:18:15 PM

Kayla Buckler Mikayla Calhoun

Jefferson Community & Technical Collge

Trase Millburn Leslie Norman

Northern Kentucky University

Morgan Judd Greg Vincent Gabby Childress

Eastern Kentucky University

Nick Cooper Sam Lowe Alex Elkins Alexis Dixion Alexis Walsh Sophia Tellman Samantha Cheser Hannah Perdew Samantha Gentry Jennifer Cischke Daria Reynolds

Western Kentucky University

Allison Drake Katelyn Kelley Addy Capito Josh Dierson

Bellarmine University

Tyler Bacon Michael Montgomery Tate Hatfield Dylan Gensheimer Austin Jewell Teekay Brown Abigail Feldkamp Kristen Dadisman Christina Daugherty

University of Kentucky

Brooke Anne Armstrong Brayden Blair Austin Rhodes Paige Himes Robert Neal Kiley Johnson Emily Brumley Katie Bryant Shelby McNutt Amanda Edelen Haley Burton

University of Louisville

Jefferson Community and Technical College

Emily Harris

Alabama University

Kelli Rae Alcorn

Birmingham-Southern College

Kristen Darby

University of North Alabama

UNA

Brooke Collins

Oklahoma State University

www.gamedaygraphicsky.com

(502) 251-5359

153 North Bardstown Road Mount Washington, KY 40047

Jacob Bowles

University of Southern Indiana

‘ ‘‘ ‘ ‘‘‘‘

Seniors Speak up

B Y T A Y L O R H O LL I F I E L D

What is

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taylor.hollifield0@gmail.com | @TayTay_Marie01

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What will you miss most about BE?

I will miss the unity. We live in a small town and everyone knows everyone. It’s like we all know each other so well and we are a family.

-Brayden Blair

your Who has been ghout u ro th nd ie best fr l? oo h sc h hig

entry and Samantha G heser.

Samantha C ew n -Han ah Perd

Desc r scho ibe your ol ex high p in th ree w erience ords ?

Can I lea ve?

-Alli son D rake

, what g back d in k o o L ne ou lear high have y m o r f e if about l ? school iends your fr k ic p To n wisely. y Brow -Teeka

Wha t mos will you t abo ut BE miss ?

All t he fr iend mad s I’ve e.

-Lau ren T urne r

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NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 18

ice adv y n n? ea hav assme u l o c y n eo Do under nat ei r t o s b f a ocr ork ack t pr mew me b ’ n Do g ho ill co ney n Mo doi se it w s i v a cau ou.

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te ori fav r u s yo hy? wa nd w o Wh her a e is d c se h ck, an u tea a ec id ba ey sb k wn us, la Cros s you o c che D rio M . a a l hil y rea he te es Him ver ause s s. e n -Paig bec lesso e f i l

What is your favorite high school memory?

Sitting in Mr. Fosters office and watching the food fight that we planned on monitor.

-Trenten Smith www.belivewire.com 5/15/2015 2:18:17 PM

48 WORDS, 8 PEOPLE

BY JESSICA MATTINGLY

jrm99253@gmail.com | @jmattingly_

S

tudents at Bullitt East are taking a stroll down memory lane.

Eight students at BEHS were randomly chosen and asked to write a six word memoir summarizing their school year.

Sean Woods, freshman.

Six word memoirs were originally made for people to tell their stories and experiences. In this case, the students were asked to use six words to sum up their school year. For the seniors, the six words were used to sum up their four years at East. The idea originally came from Larry Smith, the editor of SMITH magazine. SMITH’s mission statement reads, “SMITH magazine celebrates the joy of passionate, personal storytelling.”

Seniors

Jordan Tandy- “Ask me again in a month.”

Jared Guillaume- “I’m just waiting for the weekend.”

Juniors

Olivia Napier- “Good friends helped me love myself.”

Austin Zurschmeide- “The all-out grind never stops.”

Rissa Sageser, sophomore.

Sophomores

Rissa Sageser- “Halfway over, you can breathe now.”

Noah Wilson- “Don’t be afraid, try new things.”

Freshman

Erika Bolton- “I have senioritis as a freshman.”

Sean Woods- “So much in such little time.”

Shear Pleasure Austin Zurschmeide, junior.

502-538-3218

Monday-Saturday

Lola Roy, Theresa Dunn, Cindy Ward Cosometologist

771 N Bardstown Rd. Layout: Taylor Hollifield, Haley Snyder, and Jessica Mattingly NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 19

Mt. Washington, KY

Jordan Tandy, senior.

19 5/15/2015 2:18:23 PM

KILL THE DEATH PENALTY

BY SYDNEY RILEY

sydney.riley99@gmail.com | @sydgirl99

The death penalty has become a hot topic around the United States.

The death penalty is a wrongdoing of the American government that does not help prevent crime. This form of capital punishment goes against almost all forms of religion practiced in the United States. Studies show that the death penalty is more expensive than time in prison.

“Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.

Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate.In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes.

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. These wise words from MLK indicate that violence is no way to punish someone for another act of violence.

Coincidentally, the death penalty refers back to the Law of Retaliation, otherwise known as “eye for an eye.” However, there is one major difference. The Law of Retaliation actually helped decrease crime; the death penalty has no effect on crime rates whatsoever.

Studies show that states without the death penalty have lower crime rates than those that do.

32 states in America have the death penalty and 18 have banned capital punishment.

According to the eighth amendment, cruel and unusual punishment is prohibited by the federal government. The 32 remaining states who still have the death penalty on the books are technically going against what is written in the Constitution.

Not only does it go against what our nation was built upon, but it goes against almost all religions practiced in the United States. The immorality of capital punishment is believed 9ews, Catholics, etc. As a follower of Christ, one may believe that murder is wrong because

In Kansas, just the death penalty trial alone costs over $400,000 whereas it would only be around $100,000 if the death penalty was not considered.

As cruel as it may sound (though it cannot be near as cruel as the death penalty), I would much rather see someone get life in prison without parole and restitution. In other words, they should have to sit in an enclosed jail cell all by themselves and have to live with what they did. Capital punishment would be “the easy way out” because the defendant does not have enough time to regret what they did.

Also, it’s not right for our government to be committing a crime. It doesn’t quite make

Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Life Without Parole & Restitution

May 2015 NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 20

Death Penalty

N

o

Life

Wi th

Pa

rol

it goes against the Ten Commandments.

Some may argue that the death penalty is cheaper, easier, and our tax money doesn’t have to go toward the prisoner’s food. What they do not know is that the death penalty is actually more expensive than someone spending 40 or more years in prison.

sense that our government gets to murder someone for murdering someone else. The best way to punish someone is to take the easier, cheaper way for the government and let them die in a jail cell.

In November of 2012, the state of California let their citizens vote on whether or not the death penalty should be abolished. The results showed that 52.8% of Californians were in favor of keeping the death penalty. If the bill would have been passed, they could have saved up to a yearly total of $100 million. A recent study shows that since 1978, California has spent over $4 billion on death penalty cases.

e

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ill death-by the government-do us part.

Life Without Parole

op

in

on

According to a 2010 poll by Lake Research Partners, 61% of people would choose a punishment other than the death penalty.

www.belivewire.com 5/15/2015 2:18:23 PM

C

HANDS UP DON’T SHOOT

“

The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” -John F. Kennedy

Controversy over police brutality has been stirring for months on end, and there seems to be no light at the end of this tunnel.

Allegations and suspicion of the use of excessive force surround U.S police departments and continue to circulate more than two decades after the first notable incident, the Los Angeles riots in 1992. These riots began after an amateur video was released of 4 police officers beating an unarmed African American motorist. The police officers were acquitted of no wrongdoing in the arrest, and hours after the the verdict was announced, outrage turned to violence, as protesters took to the streets, beating motorists and blocking freeway traffic.

More than two decades later, the problem still exists. The attacks have gotten more serious, bringing this issue to the front of newspapers everywhere.

The most common incident took place in Ferguson, Missouri. The shooting of Michael Brown occurred on August 9, 2014, in a suburb of St. Louis. Brown, an 18-yearold black man, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer.

Many argue that Wilson shot Brown out of spite, and had Brown been of another ethnicity, the cop would have handled the situation differently. Others argue that regardless of his skin color, Wilson felt threatened and reacted in the way that he was trained to do so.

At the end of the day, police officers endure high cali-

N O I T U CA

ber physical, mental, and emotional training to ensure that they can effectively and efficiently handle trying situations. They are trained to react immediately and with appropriate force, but that is where the grey area lies. How much force is too much?

Eric Garner, 43, died July 17 after being confronted by police on Staten Island for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally. Yes, Garner was illegally selling the cigarettes, but this is where the question of too much force is brought into play.

A video was released of the incident after the fact. During the encounter, Garner asks officers to not touch him. Seconds later, the video shows an officer behind Garner grab the 350-pound man in a choke hold and pull him to the sidewalk, rolling him onto his stomach. Garner repeatedly says “I can’t breathe” clear enough for the officers to hear. The attack doesn’t end until Garner has passed out on the sidewalk.

The cause of Garner’s death was “compression of neck, compression of chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police,”.

The most recent incident took place in Baltimore, Maryland. Freddie Gray was arrested on 12 April and died a week later of a spinal injury he allegedly sustained either while being arrested or while being transported in the police van. Grays funeral on the following Monday was followed by violent riots, leading the mayor to announce a weeklong curfew and public schools to be cancelled.

NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 21

At the end of the day, police officers endure high caliber physical, mental, and emotional training to ensure that they can effectively and efficiently handle trying situations.

They are trained to react immediately and with appropriate force, but that is where the grey area lies. How much force is too much?

The problem lies in the fact that the officers involved in all three of these arrests and most of the other cases labeled under “police brutality” endure no legal ramifications from the arrests.

In 2012, there were 313,910,000 people living in the U.S. (according to the 2012 U.S population census.).

In comparison, there were abnut 669,974 sworn peace officers according to the FBI’s CJIF Division for 2012. This aquaints to be less than two and a half police officers every 1,000 people.

Over this time, 670,439 cops had contact with 53,050,790 citizens.

These contacts could include traffic stops, issued a citation, given a warning, intervieweas as witness, requesting a service, involved in a collision, reporting a crime, witnessing a police action,or even being a arrested. Of those millions of encounters, the Bureau

@haleylsnyder@gmail.com|@haleysnyder3

of Justice last identified 26,000 complaints of the use of excessive force by an officer. This is not quite half (0.049%) of all police contacts.

Of those complaints, only 8% were sustained, meaning 2,080 sustained complaints, or 0.0039% of all law enforcement contacts.

To put things in perspective, in the same time frame, 84,376 have been reportedly raped, 30,800 were killed in traffic collisions, and 14,827 were murdered. So in regards to true excessive force used by police, you are seven times more likely to be murdered, fifteen times more likely to be killed in a car or traffic incident, and forty two times more likely to be raped.

So, saying that the entirety of the United States police force is corrupt is a false statement.

At the end of the day, police officers endure high caliber physical, mental, and emotional training to ensure that they can effectively and efficiently handle trying situations.

They are trained to react immediately and with appropriate force, but that is where the grey area lies. How much force is too much?

N O I T N CAU

O I T U A ION C

T U A C TION

U A C N O I T U CA

Layout: Sydney Riley and Haley Snyder

The rioters set police cars and buildings on fire in several neighborhoods, looted a mall and alcohol stores, set fire to shops and buildings, and threw rocks at police with riot gear. At least 15 police officers were harmed in the riots.

BY HALEY SNYDER

21 5/15/2015 2:18:23 PM

It’s on us

As rape culture gains more attention, it is more important than ever to get informed. by ha l ey stein m etz

haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz

W stay safe.

ith summer right around the corner, it is more important than ever to always take special precautions to

Summer always brings great things in its wake; warm weather, the beach, no school, swimming, and of course the promise of a carefree, fun-filled two months. However, don’t be too quick to forget all your worries and responsibilities.

According to the RAINN organization (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network,) summer is the season with the highest rates of rape and assault. In this day and age, rape is no longer being thrown into the trunk of a car by a stranger in a parking lot. As society has changed, this is no longer a viable option for the perpetrator, as it would be nearly impossible for them to get away with it considering all of the technology and knowledge law enforcement now has available. But even as law enforcement has improved and grown to start eliminating this type of rape, the most common form of rape has shifted. What used to be grabbing the victim by the hair or arm is now spiking their drink at a party; what used to be forcing them to keep quiet and not scream turned into taking advantage of them while they lay unconscious. Rape is no longer a stranger in a mask; rape is the charming boy that brought you a drink and talked to you at a party where you knew no one else.

Since this situation has become so common, there has been some controversy regarding whether or not this is actually considered rape.

The fact is that the dictionary definition of rape is, “unlawful sexual intercourse or any

other sexual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person, with or without force, by a sex organ, other body part, or foreign object, without the consent of the victim.”

Also, according to rapecrisis.org.uk, “If a person is unconscious or their judgement is impaired by alcohol or drugs, legally they are unable to give consent. Having non-consensual sex with a person who is intoxicated is rape.”

That being said, the situation at hand is indeed considered rape.

One of the most alarming facts involving rape is that, according to rainn.org, 68% of rapes are never reported to the police. This means that all of those horrible people who have taken advantage of someone else are walking free paying no consequence for the horrible crime they have committed. Often, this means that the perpetrator will commit the crime more than once. The most important thing to remember if you are raped is that it is not your fault, and that you need to turn the person in.

One out of every six American women will be a victim of attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. This is an awful and huge problem, but there are ways to decrease the number. There are many ways to prevent rape, such as keeping someone else with you at all times, pouring your own drinks, and not going to parties by yourself. In addition to these three tactics, there are plenty of other ways to take precaution to stay safe. Please see the sidebar on the right and the statistics below to get informed about how to have a safe summer.

Prevention Here are some tips in order to stay safe this summer.

1. Avoid dangerous situations.

Go with your gut. If it feels sketchy, it probably is.

2. Watch out for your friends. If they are intoxicated, get them to a safe place as soon as possible.

3. Do not accept drinks from people you do not trust. Always pour your own drink. Also, don’t drink from open punch bowls or anything that could have been easily spiked.

4. Do not leave your drink unattended. If you have accidentally left it alone, pour a new one.

5. Do not be a bystander. If you see a sketchy situation going on, step in.

%

Yearly victims of sexual assault

RAPE

May 2015 NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 22

According to rainn.org...

Of victims are under 18.

293,000

Statistically speaking

44%

17.7

27% of rapes are by a stranger.

73% of rapes are by a nonstranger.

Million American Women

Are victims of attempted or completed rape.

www.belivewire.com 5/15/2015 2:18:23 PM

an

ESCAPING RAPE: MY STORY

BY RACHEL GRANT

@rachelgrantt@gmail.com | @rachel_grantt

R

ape is often thought of as being kidnapped and thrown into the back of a car or being drugged at a party through your own drink, but in reality, rape happens in a much more casual way than most people assume.

his hand touched my knee I got out of the car. Realizing I had no other way of getting home I got back in and demanded to be taken home. He must’ve thought I was a joke. Ignoring all my shouting and pleas he went on with his business as if I wasn’t saying a thing.

I remember my mother always telling me, “The people you wouldn’t suspect, a neighbor, an old friend, maybe even a relative; those are the people you have to watch out for.” Even in my own mind I always imagined rape as something you would see in a movie; something really dramatic. My perspective on this cruelty changed when I came face-to-face with the situation itself. Rape can happen at the most unexpected time, in the most unexpected way, with the most unexpected person.

I honestly do not understand what could possibly make a person be enabled to commit such a cruel act as rape. How does it not take a toll on their conscience and make them feel guilty? Someone crying and begging them to stop and they continue to hold them against their will? It will never make sense to me.

There was this guy that used to live beside my best friend. When we were in elementary school we used to go swim at his house, play in his yard; he was just a regular neighbor. Even later I found out that my mother knew his family from when she was growing up. He moved and was forgotten, nothing out of the ordinary. Around eight years later I got in contact with him again. I thought, “The boy next door with the swimming pool! Can’t hurt to catch up, right?” Being a 16 year old girl of course, I got caught up in my feelings and the next thing I know I had my first date. Little did I know the boy with the pool would be my attacker.

Even my parents weren’t worried, and were excited, having known his mom and dad before. He was nice and really polite in front of them, but as soon as we got in the car I knew something was weird.

That’s one of the major problems. You don’t suspect anything because of the show people put on in front of you.

Parents aren’t even worried for their kids because of the front a person can deceive you by. You think you know a person and you give them your trust, but they aren’t the person you believe them to be.

The plan was to get something to eat and go see a movie, though that’s not what we did at all. After driving for about 30 minutes or so, we ended up on a side road, right in front of a highway.

Even now whenever I drive by I can’t look at it.

I remember thinking, “I know what’s going to happen to me,” The only thing running through my mind was how I was going to stop him. I assume the look on my face gave away my thoughts and all of a sudden the boy next door had disappeared.

I can truly say that I’m one of the lucky ones. Not every victim’s imploring and shouting gets their attacker to stop. I was taken home without another word between us and to this day, over a year later, we’ve had no contact.

It seems so long ago from when I was a victim of attempted rape, but to this day it still has effects on me. It took me a long time to be able to give someone my trust again. Even when I did end up in my first, real relationship, it had its setbacks.

I can only imagine what kind of physical and emotional damage rape can leave on a person. You don’t want to meet new people, you don’t want let people get to know you, and you surely don’t want to trust anyone. Talking about it may even be one of the worst parts. You don’t want to relive that memory, but you also don’t want to have to remember it all alone. Letting someone hear your story makes you feel vulnerable and embarrassed- makes you feel weak. To this day my mother doesn’t even know of my experience; I’ve only ever told one person.

Rape is one of the most callous moments a person can experience. It’s not at all like it’s portrayed in the movies- being date-raped at a party or stolen by a stranger. Rape is more common than ever expected by anyone. It doesn’t have to be dramatic, it still haunts the victim in many ways.

Although this experience was one of the most fearful moments of my life, I realize that I survived it. It did come with effects and battles for me to overcome, but when I think about it, I fought the battles and won, and am now stronger for it. No, I am not thankful for the attempted rape I was victimized in, but I am grateful that I got through such a situation that made me smarter and tougher than I was before.

I don’t how other victims of rape react when they first realize what is happening to them. Some may panic and break down in tears, other’s fight or flight instinct may kick in and they try and attack back, and some probably just feel helpless and alone, knowing there’s nothing to be done. I guess I’m in the fight or flight category because as soon as Layout: Haley Steinmetz and Rachel Grant NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 23

23 5/15/2015 2:18:26 PM

2016 PRESIDENTIAL P

BY LAYNE CUTLER laynec17@gmail.com

DECLARED

*As of May 7th, 2015

Hillary Clinton (D)

Former First Lady and former Secretary of State, Clinton has made her way around DC. Clinton also made a strong presidential run in 2008, but was defeated for the Democratic ticket by Barack Obama.

While she doesn’t seem to have much strong opposition in 2016 within her own party, Republicans are looking to tear her down using not only her political viewpoints, but also with recent scandals that have surfaced in the media. Clinton is a big woman's’ rights advocate, and many expect her to be the first woman president of the United States.

Bernie Sanders is a senator of Vermont. He has also represented Vermont in the House. Sanders is an independent, but intends on running for president for the Democratic party. He is an advocate of expanding voting rights, and protecting the environment. Sanders is a major supporter of universal health care in the US. He is also a social liberal, supporting all LGBT rights.

Bernie Sanders (D) He is the junior senator of Kentucky. Paul has been accused of being a libertarian, as he is very big on constitutional liberties. He is also a Tea Party favorite (the Tea Party is a branch of the Republican party). Paul is often criticized on being an isolationist when it comes to foreign policy, and many Republicans want a stronger stance than that. Paul is pro-life, supports gun rights, and is big on balancing

Rand Paul (R)

Marco Rubio (R)

the budget. Also, his dad Ron Paul has ran for president in the past.

Florida senator Marco Rubio is all about restoring the American Dream and helping people achieve it.

Some say he lived it himself, as he came from humble beginnings with his mom being a maid and his dad being a bartender. Rubio is also of cuban descent. He doesn’t agree with same-sex marriage, but he also thinks that being homosexual isn’t a choice. Rubio is big on balancing the budget, stood up against the Affordable Care Act, and is well-spoken. Also, Jeb Bush, potential Republican candidate, was Rubio’s mentor.

Ted Cruz is probably the most conservative in traditional views of the announced candidates so far. He is a big Tea Party favorite, as well. Cruz is pro-life, against same-sex marriage, and against amnesty. He has a definite stance on immigration and supports strong foreign policy.

Ted Cruz (R)

Ben Carson (R)

Ben Carson is best known for being a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon with education from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He has no political experience, but some think that is a good thing, as they are sick of Washington “insiders”. Like Rubio, Carson came from nothing and some might say he achieved the American Dream. In 2008, Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian honor). He is a strong believer in education, is against the Affordable Care Act, and is for traditional marriage.

Carly Fiorina is the CEO of Hewlett-Packard. She doesn’t have much political background, but ran for California senator in 2010- Fiorina lost. She was also an advisor to McCain in 2008. Some people, though, like the thought of not another Washington “insider”.

Carly Fiorina (R) Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas, and ran for president in 2008. Huckabee is very conservative and also a former pastor. After his presidential run, Huckabee hosted a successful talk show on Fox News, but recently quit the show to think about his possible run in 2016. He is against same-sex marriage and abortion.

Mike Huckabee (R) May 2015 NewsmagazineBEHSmay2015issue8.indd 24

www.belivewire.com 5/15/2015 2:18:30 PM

U

L PREVIEW

D

UNDECLARED Martin O’Malley (D)

Jim Webb (D)

Lincoln Chafee (D)

Jeb Bush (R)

Martin O’Malley is the former governor of Maryland. He believes in marriage equality, ending the death penalty, and expanding voting rights. He is also a women’s rights advocate and is pro-choice.

Jim Webb is the former Virginia senator. He is a veteran and his family has a long military background. Webb heavily supports the armed forces. Webb is pro-choice and supports same-sex marriage.

Lincoln Chafee is the former governor of Rhode Island. He served as a Republican in the senate in 1999 to 2007, then became an independent, and then transitioned to the Democratic party. Chafee is pro-choice and opposes the death penalty. He supported Obama in 2008.

Jeb Bush is best known for his father, George W. Bush, and his brother, George H.W. Bush, both former presidents.

This could pose possible problems, as many in both major parties oppose his father and brother. But, as the successful governor of Florida, Jeb holds political experience. He is a good orator, but is also a big advocate for common core education, which many conservatives disagree with. Jeb is also a little more liberal with immigration, another issue in which Republicans might not agree with.

Scott Walker (R)

Scott Walker is the Wisconsin governor. Walker is fairly new in the presidential running field, but he isn’t afraid of challenges. He has been tough on unions in his state and advocates a strict budget. Also, Walker had to face a recall election in 2012 for governor, but he prevailed.

Chris Christie (R)

Chris Christie is the governor of New Jersey and known for being brash. Christie said he “wasn’t ready” in 2012 for a presidential run, but that he’s ready now. He has a big personality, but is more moderate than some other Republicans. Christie used to be pro-choice, but is now pro-life and against same-sex marriage.

Rick Santorum (R)

Rick Santorum is the senator of Pennsylvania. He is also a previous presidential candidate. Santorum is a social conservative who opposes same-sex marriage and artificial birth control. He is a licensed attorney and endorsed Mitt Romney in 2012.

Rick Perry (R)

Rick Perry is the governor of Texas. He dealt with the humanitarian/immigration crisis in 2014, which brought national eyes on him and Texas. Under him, Texas thrives in a stunning economy. This will be Perry’s second time running for president. He wants a strong foreign policy, disagrees with the Affordable Care Act, advocates gun rights, and is pro-life. Perry feels very strongly about border security, and is one of the more experienced candidates.

Bobby Jindal (R)

Bobby Jindal is the governor of Louisiana. He is somewhat new in the presidential field, but is conservative. Jindal is against Obamacare, but claims that Republicans need to focus on solutions instead of complaints. He is enthusiastic and doesn’t worry about Democrats; he’d rather focus on his own party. Jindal is against same-sex marriage and abortion.

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letter to the editor

feminism: Justified

by gwendolyn boyer in response to “Feminism: Just Don’t Do It” by Eric Sanchez which was published in our April 2015 magazine Feminism is an often controversial topic, where it should not be. The entire point of the movement is to achieve gender equality – “gender equality” is interchangeable with “feminism” – and it is overall a positive social reform movement. To make a statement that “feminism is fascism” is fairly harsh considering the fact that men have generally been the ones establishing fascism in any given society. Men, who throughout history have dictated the lives and roles of women, and continue to do so to this day, have created a dilemma which feminists are trying to resolve. The reason you hear the phrase “you run like a girl” as an insult, the reason a woman gets blamed for being raped, and the reason why it’s a joke for a man to face domestic abuse is called inequality. This is what feminists are fighting against.

The word feminism essentially means being a supporter of women’s equality socially, politically, and economically to men. What’s so controversial about that? Does the word “feminism” need to be more manfriendly? The answer is no. Feminism is a word that’s associated with struggle and conflict and because this struggle is an issue that’s specific to women, feminism seems like a fitting term.

The problem that anti-feminists have with the word feminism is that to use that term would be a definite admission that there is a problem on the spectrum of gender equality that needs to be solved. People who oppose the word feminism aren’t really concerned about how “equal” the word is, they simply don’t like having to admit that there’s an issue.

Feminism is a movement that is central to the idea that women have faced oppression and adversity so actually, the word is very appropriate.

The fact of the matter is that even if feminism was called something else, to change the name would not change what feminists stand for and the movement would continue to face harsh criticism. As Albus Dumbledore once said, “fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself.”

Within the movement itself, there are different beliefs and perspectives on how gender equality might be obtained. Individuals can have opposing views regarding the same feminist issues. The way that a portion of feminists go about their practices can sometimes be radical and irrational but these feminists, also known by today’s culture as “femi-nazis,” or the ones Eric Sanchez refers to as “fascists,” support different views with the similar goals.

The main goal is to achieve gender

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equality, but the practices can differ based on what each person believes.

If an abolitionist in the 19th century wanted to free African American slaves by enslaving the entire white population, then his end goal is justifiable whereas the means is not. It’s the same way with feminists. Depending on the person, feminism can be used to justify good practices but can also be used to justify practices that many may not agree with.

Feminism should not be stopped because there are many changes that need to be made to this world that favors men; however the methods and approaches in which some more radical feminists use can be a little unreasonable. While these methods can be argued over, the methods of each individual person vary, and therefore not all feminists can be blamed for their practices. Fighting fire with fire is not the way to approach social reform, but many feminists fight the patriarchal society in more effective ways.

This can be exemplified through feminists such as Emma Watson, Beyoncé, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Maya Angelou, John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, Harry Styles, Tom Hiddleston, and Ellen Page. As long as the conversation is open-minded and informed, then having different opinions can be a positive thing. And while there may be some feminists who support the cause with unreasonable methods, feminism is generally an effective and significant social reform movement.

Without feminism, women would have no voice in society, no rights to their own lives and property, and less respect than they are given in modern day America. Although some feminists give the movement a bad reputation, most feminists will agree that the concept of feminism is to achieve gender equality. Simply put, no matter how differently each person may choose to support the cause, every feminist stands for one thing: gender equality.

There are many reasons why feminism is still needed and why it is still effective today. There is still an imbalance in power in today’s society, just as there always has been. This is obvious.

The third wave of feminism was born following the perceived failures of the second wave of feminism. According to the New York Times, more men named “John” run big companies than all women who run companies.

That still exists, as well as domestic violence, workplace issues, and sexual objectification/abuse/harassment/degradation. Why is it okay for a woman to hit a man, but not okay for a man to hit a woman? These are both wrongful acts. Why do people make fun of men

who have a more feminine image, but are apathetic when it comes to women having a more masculine image? Why is it normal for men on the streets to catcall and degrade women? Feminine terms are often synonymous with weakness and frailty. Rape is often considered a woman’s fault, the offender usually being discredited because “she was asking for it.”

In spite of this, feminism has accomplished a lot in the way of gender equality. For example, during second-wave feminism in the 1970s, there were very few women serving in congress; however, as a result of the feminist movement, there are over 100 women serving in congress today, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. This wave of feminism is also more inclusive, offering support for women of color, transgender women, disabled women, and many others. Feminists share knowledge and educate others to dispose of the notion that feminism is pointless. Overall, feminists want to combine forces to strive for the equal opportunity to attain self-actualization.

So how is feminism for men too?

Allow me to explain. Feminism is important for men because the patriarchy is harmful to a male’s capability of achieving self-actualization, as well.

A primary example of this would be representation of men in the media.

The media constantly represents men as violent, dominant figures who are physically aggressive and show no emotion whatsoever. To deviate from this model of masculinity (which is socially reinforced in the media), would make a man feminine, which is considered a terrible thing to be.

Media also reinforces rape culture by insisting that men can’t control their sexuality (“boys will be boys”) and thus it’s the duty of women not to be raped. This is harmful to men because if a male is not dominant over a female, the female becomes a threat to the male’s masculinity. It’s to the point where a man getting raped or

physically abused by someone of the opposite sex is a joke. For a woman to be a lesbian is “hot,” whereas for a man to be gay is a joke. Men are always trying to prove their masculinity and this doesn’t allow them the freedom to self-actualize. A class of 9-year-old boys was asked what their least favorite thing about being a boy was. Their response? Boys are not allowed to express emotion, they are supposed to like violence and be athletic, they are supposed to do all the work, they are “mean” and have negative representations, and they cannot be cheerleaders or do anything feminine “or else you’re a sissy.” Gender equality would directly affect men and women alike because men would not be trying to prove their masculinity all the time and this would empower women without effecting men in a harmful way.

So why is feminism necessary?

First off, because feminism is not fascism and does not need to be eradicated from the world. But I mean, why should people support women at all? It’s not as if men have always been the ones in power or anything.

If more people were (open-minded and civilized) feminists then gender inequality would begin to decrease and to expect feminists to not support this idea would be unrealistic. Feminism is less about trying to force other people to be feminists and more about trying to make people realize that they already are feminists. If you state that you are for gender equality, you are a feminist and that is purely factual.

That’s not an argument involving opinions. In America, white men are the ones who have always had power in society and women and minorities are the ones who have been treated unfairly. Women have been affected by misogyny and oppression throughout history and across the globe. Feminists fought/fight for voting rights, the right to hold public office, workplace issues, fair wages, property and contract rights, education, maternity leave, and bodily autonomy and integrity. Feminism also frees men from the obvious

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CAN’T LET FREEDOM RING sta f f e d ito r ial

social gender roles to which men and women alike are bound. Women in America in 2015 have more rights than women before this time, but what about other women around the world? Women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to drive, rape is not punishable by law in Nepal, and thousands of women in Europe are still trafficked for sexual exploitation. Our world is far from equal and just. Nonetheless, if all women had the same rights as men then that does not automatically mean that women would be treated equally.

If equal rights meant equal treatment, then racism would have disappeared long ago.

To any man who fails to see why they have to give up some of their privileges in order to live in a free and equal world, it can be easy to ignore sexism when it works in your favor. And to any woman who feels perfectly equal to men please take into consideration that just because you haven’t faced adversity doesn’t mean other women haven’t. Feminists fight the concept of men holding all power in order to reach equality. They are not hairy, wild, man-hating women who run around yelling big words with no purpose. Being anti-feminist means you do NOT want women to vote, you do NOT want women to have rights or a voice in society; you just want women to shut their mouths, take a step back and let men do all the work. Also, even if they don’t think of themselves that way, ALL movements that work towards women’s rights are considered feminist movements. So if you hate gender equality, feminism is not for you. But if you really want men and women to be considered equal then congratulations: you are a feminist!

Feminism is about equality. Without feminism, whichever wave of it you may choose, women wouldn’t have any rights, nor voice, and would basically still be a man’s property. Feminism is a vast movement with many voices and a variety of viewpoints, but it is an effective way of striving for equality in today’s society.

A

ll in favor of this morally corrupt bill say I.

States across America are passing a debatable act between different political parties The Religious Restoration Act (RFRA) was designed to give citizens religious rights. There are different opinions whether this act is constitutional. The real question is whether or not the act is morally wrong.

From the time America was considered a country there were already questions on what kinds of rights citizens should have. Even to this day, that question is still unanswered. Most likely, that question will never be completely answered because there are always different views and topics, like race, sex, religion, and sexual orientations, that will come around with every new generation. One up and coming factor that has already made an impact in millions of Americans lives is the RFRA. From 1993, the year the act was created, to 2015, twenty one states, including Kentucky and Indiana, have already passed the act. The RFRA entitles citizens to additional religious rights not exactly specified in the constitution. For example, this act protects entrepreneurs from lawsuits that pertained to their religious beliefs in their business.

There is a large debate between the Republican and Democratic Parties on whether the act should be allowed.The Republican Party explains that the entire country was founded upon a religious freedom principle, so the act will always be constitutional. A lot of conservative citizens are comforted by the act because they believe that the government has been trying to take rights away from them over the past few years. “ I would be in favor of anything that would secure my religious freedom.

Overall, I would say it’s constitutional. That’s what our country was founded on, religious freedom,” stated Kariann Whicker.

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Just because this act is considered constitutional doesn’t mean that additional states should pass the act. The democratic party fights the RFRA because of possible discrimination towards homosexuals and other ethnicities due to the act itself. For instance, pastors can refuse to marry any homosexuals. Businesses can refuse to provide service toward gays because they don’t believe in their way of life. This act might appear to be helping Americans, but it doesn’t benefit the entire American population, because no two religions have the exact same beliefs.

The American people have an opportunity to stop history from repeating itself.

This is no different from business owners that segregated their establishments based on race in the sixties. Even to this day there are still riots and protest over racial inequality.The emotional impact of being discriminated is hard no matter where or who it is.

Now, It’s no secret that the majority of Bullitt County has conservative views, and this act only adds to the discomfort of minorities.

Alexis Young is an openly gay student at Bullitt East and doesn’t agree with the act in place. “It’s [the RFRA] definitely discrimination to the people they turn away, but they do have the right to do it. I think businesses is businesses, just take the money and get over it,” stated Young.

No matter if it’s homosexuals, Muslims, Christians, or Jewish citizens, it’s offensive to create an act that would eventually discriminate them because of another’s opinion. In order to grow as a country the citizens need to focus on their own lives instead of others.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” - Matthew 7:1-2. Even if a certain religion does not agree with the Bible, this verse is still what everyone needs to strive for.

Not one person has the right to judge another, and by doing this, the act would be irrelevant.

Do you think that East’s study halls are beneficial or a waste of time?

Let us know. Send all letters to:

larry.steinmetz@bullitt.kyschools.us Editor’s Note: The editorial board is compiled of 11 selected journalism students.

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