Titan Scroll 2021 Senior Edition by LSWestTitanScroll

titan scroll senior edition

when life gives you lemons...

Senior Polls pg. 27-42

May 18, 2021 | Vol. 17 | Issue 12 | Lee’s Summit West High School 2600 SW Ward Road | Lee’s Summit, MO

Contents Pg. 6 Everett Wimberly and Vincent VanBebber’s band adds a new sound to their world

Pg. 12 Keeton Holder pursues his passion of graphic design Pg. 24 Jordan Brown writes her own future

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Pg. 16 Brennan Wright polishes up an old truck with family ties

Pg. 52 Emma Jauernig becomes the first student at West to receive the Seal of Biliteracy for two languages Senior Issue artwork by McKenna Bell and Vanesa Nhotharack titan scroll | 05.18.21

Staff:

Titan Scroll staff says Goodbye to seniors:

Editor in Chief: Anna Long Associate Editor: Anna Eulinger Design Editor/Web Director: MadelinCantrell Photography Editor: Vanesa Nhotharack Chief Copy Editor: Ella Skelsey Sports Editor/Web Director: Josh Wood Social Media Manager: Natalee Still Copy Editors: Emily Gerhart Mia Guidolin Hayden Peters Staff Artist: McKenna Bell Campus Photographer: Sarah Hall Sports Staff: Keaghan McDaniel Social Media: Haleigh Davis Meghan Cox Reporters: Victoria Newman Caroline True

Editor in Chief: Anna Long Associate Editor: Anna Eulinger Design Editor/Web Director: Madeline Cantrell Photography Editor: Vanesa Nhotharack Advertising and Billing Manager: Christina Jarvis Sports Editor/Web Director: Josh Wood Staff Artist: McKenna Bell Sports Staff: Keaghan McDaniel Social Media: Haleigh Davis Meghan Cox Reporter: Victoria Newman

Editorial Policy Intro Staff: Kennedy Birmingham Logan Bishop Ellie Johnson Jacob Jones

Ciara Lewis Conor Lueck Ella Melton Peyton Osborne

Publications Adviser: Carol Ullery Business Adviser: Karrie Smythia

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Titan Scroll is a student publication of Lee’s Summit West High School. The Titan Scroll is a practicing public forum for student expression. We welcome all letters to the editor, but reserve the right to edit for libel and for space. No unsigned letters will be printed. Letters may be emailed to the editor, dropped off in room 2048 or mailed to 2600 SW Ward Road, Lee’s Summit, Mo. 64082. Volume 17 of the Titan Scroll is published twice each month during the 2020-2021 school year. Student editors make all content decisions. The opinions contained do not in any way represent the Lee’s Summit West faculty, administration, or the R-7 school district administration or school board.

A presidential goodbye Dear Class of 2021, Our time has finally come to say our goodbyes, and for me it has been a tremendous blessing to be able to serve West as the student body president my senior year. I like to imagine our high school career as a game of chess, and as freshmen we were most definitely the pawns on the board, getting in each other’s way, attempting to gain the respect of the upperclassmen, and trying to find where we fit in. We became more aware of who we would hang out with, and more anxious of letting a 30 day Snapchat streak go. And just like the game of chess, we strived to stay up, trying to find where the best classroom for Titan Time was, what clubs would suit us, and if we could play varsity sports as a freshman. By the time our freshman year was over, we would have only advanced a few pieces on the board. Sophomore year was more or less an obscured memory. We would always hear the same phrase from our older peers, “Enjoy these blissful times. They will fly by in a blink of an eye.” Our timid selves always shrugged it off knowing that we still had years to go, and as we went into our sophomore year, we were promoted to bishops and knights. Though nervous, we knew more about high school, but were still grouped as underclassman. Then junior year rolled around and we obtained a sense of superiority as upperclassmen. We got promoted and began playing as rooks. Those clubs we joined as a freshman started looking to us for guidance. Classes got harder, and we pulled our first all nighters from underestimating the rigorous curriculums we chose. But then the board got pulled out from underneath us and we were “blundered” into a pandemic. We had virtual learning, spring sports were canceled, prom was a no-go, and class of ‘20 graduation was postponed. The pieces on the board were scattered and there was no remembering where they first were.

However, it wasn’t all bad. Remember those hard classes? March 13th grades solved those issues. Remember that zero hour some of us dreaded? Virtual courses resolved that. Though we were in self-isolation, we had a very restful spring break, and to keep our spirits up, we were told we always had next year to go to prom and do senior things. Well, now we are here, and we think back to our sophomore year and finally understand what the upperclassmen were saying when time flies. New Year’s feels like yesterday, but when we’re in a zoom breakout room, time finally wants to slow down. We have at long last been promoted to the most powerful piece in the game of chess, the queen, but the board (representing LSW) is gone and all the pieces (meant to represent our peers) are dispersed. And it’s true a lot of us have grown apart. Even so, our junior year selves remind us that we are a part of a Titan family. We understood that it wasn’t just about us, and that our teachers, underclassmen, and our administration all yearned for a return to normalcy. Our high school career has come to an end and we have to come to terms with the importance of our legacy. Though we all have left our marks on our school individually, with either academics, sports, extracurriculars, etc., those aren’t how our senior class will be remembered. The class of ‘21 holds a strong legacy, which is our ability to endure and overcome. These two characteristics ensure that when we all go on in life, whether that be college or a different path, we will know how to overcome hardships that get thrown our way. Make no mistake that we will trip up from time to time, but in those moments, let’s think back to these past years and how we conquered the uncertainty of them. Class of ‘21, it has been a thrill being your student body president and spending these last 4 years with you all. Thank you.

Letter from the Editor Seniors, we finally did it. These past four years at West have been a wild ride and I can truly say that it went faster than I ever could have imagined. The time has come for us to turn to the next page of our lives. Some may feel hesitant to take on the real world, but guys, we made it through 2020, so we can practically conquer anything. As the Editor in Chief of the Titan Scroll, I had the privilege of getting to know more about the incredible human beings that wander the halls of West. I wrote and edited stories about the athletes, intellectuals, artists, leaders, and so many more unique individuals that make up our senior class. I am honored to have the opportunity to stand among each and every one of you.

These past two years of high school have been far from ideal. The challenges we endured have allowed us to learn the importance of not taking the little things for granted. This past semester, I have never been so grateful for an in-person education and spending quality time with my family and friends. I hope that this senior edition of the Titan Scroll serves as a memoir of your high school experience. While I am sad to give up this title of Chief, I have confidence that the Titan Scroll will be in good hands. Thank you to everyone who has allowed me to write their stories. Here’s to the next chapter.

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Producing his future Senior Everett Wimberly uses his passion for performing to find a new angle on music Madeline Cantrell Everett Wimberly didn’t want to play piano at the age of five. Thirteen years later, Wimberly said that without piano, he would never have found his passion for music; a defining part of who he is. He got his first keyboard for Christmas in 2008, and after years of piano lessons and a stint playing the saxophone, Wimberly switched his focus to percussion. “And it took me a few years to actually enjoy piano, but I had started playing saxophone in fifth grade, and then got bored of that. I honestly thought I wasn’t gonna do music anymore. But then on a whim, I wanted to join percussion,” Wimberly said. From freshman year on, Wimberly has played in the percussion section of the Titan Pride Marching Band, and this year became a section leader. “I just like to be creative with it. So I found my rhythm and there’s people in mu-

sic that I really like to be around ... I just like playing percussion, and now there is a chance for me to make my own music. And that’s where I found the thing that I really like is making music and performing it too,” Wimberly said. Outside of school, Wimberly worked with the music ministry at his church, where he met band mate Quin Nofzinger. The two started to rock out together, and quickly developed a close friendship. Wimberly and Nofzinger have collaborated on several projects, one of which led to a 2nd place finish at the Emagine music video competition. Through their class at Summit Tech, Wimberly and Nofzinger met and formed a friendship with senior Vincent VanBebber, who joined in their musical adventures. Wimberly said, “We all really liked music. We all can play instruments fairly well. It’s like, ‘Why don’t we do stuff together?’” The new band worked on songs that Wimberly and Nofzinger had written earlier this year, and in February, they performed together on a Summit Tech live stream for the first time. Nofzinger said their songs are inspired by some of the experiences that Nofzinger and Wimberly shared earlier this year, and Wimberly said that the process helped him feel better about the whole situation. “I’d say our songs are kind of like the personal sort, we were experi-

“That’s one thing I’m probably going to do next: keep going along, and actually enjoy it. And then if something doesn’t work out, I still have these other things that I enjoy.” — Everett Wimberly 6

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encing some of the same things at the same time, relationship wise with other people. So that was kind of cool, because it was an outlet for our feelings making some of our songs,” Nofzinger said. As for Wimberly, he said that he is inspired to continue to perform — not just because of the validation a good reception can give you, but also because of the people he’s performing with. “There’s really joy just sitting down with someone, writing about something or just jamming out. It’s really fun,” Wimberly said. Nofzinger and VanBebber said that Wimberly is also extremely detail oriented, something that they think will help W in the future for his degree. However, VanBebber said, “[I’d describe Everett as] being very critical with himself. I think he’s a lot better than he thinks he is. I think he might overthink some stuff with just how he does things.”

Seniors Everett Wimberly and Vincent VanBebber record a demo of their song, “Car Song,” with Lee’s Summit High School Junior Quin Nofzinger. Wimberly, VanBebber, and Nofzinger decided to play together after working on projects in their STA digital media class. Photo by Madeline Cantrell

As for after high school plans, Wimberly will be attending the University of Central Missouri, to pursue a degree in music technology. Music tech is a degree that covers everything from live performance mixing to computer music (computer instruments in an ensemble). VanBebber will be pursuing a degree in Music Composition at UMKC, something VanBebber said he is excited about.

Wimberly said, “Why I’m doing music tech is because I want to be surrounded by music, I want to be surrounded by that whole field. But, I don’t want to be forced to perform because that’s a lot of commitment and a lot of time. So, I’m helping people make their performance sound good.” Wimberly is planning to pursue his passion for music to the next level, and said, “I don’t want to expect highly of myself until

I get there. So, that’s one thing I’m probably going to do next: keep going along, and actually enjoy it. And then if something doesn’t work out, I still have these other things that I enjoy. I guess that’s kind of my whole philosophy.”

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Preparing to take on the music business industry Peyton Osborne Senior Megan Brown said she knew she would one day be working in a music career, but it has taken sometime to find exactly what that could be. Brown said she’s been playing music since she was six-years-old. “I play piano and guitar and that kind of stuff and so I always knew I wanted to do something in music, I just couldn’t see myself doing anything else.” Her mom, Trish Brown, said she remembers Megan’s love for music as a child. “Megan has been a musical kid as far back as I can remember. She was rhyming words and making songs out of them since she could talk.” Theatre teacher Brad Rackers said it’s been exciting to watch Megan realize her passion for the music industry. “I feel like she had decided at the start of her junior year exactly what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go. She has been working toward that ever since.”

Senior Megan Brown prepares for her piano lesson. She has been piano since she was six. Photo by Peyton Osborne 8

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ery other school I applied to is in California. And then I’m thinking about it and I was like, I don’t really want to go to California.” For her the choice was clear. “I was talking to some people that I know, and ...my parents know about Columbia College Chicago, and every single person we talked to was like, ‘Oh my God, my friend, neighbor, cousin, child goes there, they love it.’ And so there wasn’t a bad review of the place ... Their program is very widely respected. So it just seemed like kind of the obvious choice.” Trish Brown said Megan is an incredible leader and that even her preschool teacher knew she would do something amazing. “The degree allows her to pair her love of all things music with her natural leadership qualities! There are so many minor degree options that will allow her to explore some other areas as well,” Trish said. Rackers said that Megan had spent a long time trying to find the college for her and agreed that Chicago was a good fit. “Chicago definitely has the schools and the connection to the industry. It is a thriving city for all things performing arts,” Rackers said. Megan said she’s never really planned on staying in Missouri and that Chicago would be a better place to fulfill her future plans. “I want to be in the city, I want to be around people and there’s not a very big music industry space in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Then you go to Chicago and there are all these independently owned record labels, they all have little, like music spots and concert venues. It just makes a lot more playing the sense for a person like me than Missouri.”

Even though she knew she wanted to do something in music, Megan said she didn’t want to perform necessarily but, instead work more behind the scenes. “For a while I wanted to be like an audio engineer and then I tried that and I was like, ‘oh, I don’t know about this.’ So I was talking with my teacher and he said a roadie kind of concept, but, professionally, and I was like, oh, cool. So basically, I want to be a touring manager, which is being in charge of making everything on a tour work,” Megan Brown said. To help prepare her for that career, Megan said she will be studying music business with an emphasis in live and touring music at Columbia College Chicago. Megan said trying to find schools with music business major proved to be difficult because the major was a rare one. However she said she learned that Columbia College Chicago would be a good school. “I literally Googled ‘Music business schools.’ I applied to a couple of them. Ev-

Even though Megan is ready to leave, Trish said it will be a mix of emotions when she leaves. “The years really do fly by and it’s hard to believe she will be heading to college in a few months. But I think our excitement for her future trumps the sadness by far,” Trish said. She also said that she feels that as Megan’s parents, they have succeeded in preparing her for leaving. While it’s a mix of emotions about leaving, Megan said she’s been prepping for a music business Senior Megan Brown has been workig toward the next step since degree while in high school. “So last she was a child. She plans to attend Columbia College Chicago to year, I did an off-campus digital media program at Summit Tech, and study music business with an emphasis in live and touring. so that was kind of like the whole Photo by Peyton Osborne techie side of music and that whole should major in to help make that career things music. We supported her with sevsituation, and then I was in choir classes for true. She said music business was the an- en years of piano lessons, and so far seven a couple years.” swer. years of guitar lessons!” Trish said. Megan has big plans to put her music “Megan is a girl who knows what she Rackers also said Megan will be successbusiness degree to use. “I would like to start wants, so she has told me all about it,” her ful with any future plans. “Megan is sure to as a touring manager, which is kind of a mother said. “She plans to tour with a band, be a success in anything she decides to do crazy lifestyle, because you’re on the tour. maybe work for a record label and even- with her life. She is extremely dedicated to So you’re in a tour bus, you’re on a plane, tually get into artist management. Maybe the work and willing to do everything posyou’re going to all these different places all even have her own record label someday!” sible for success.” the time. So when I get tired of that I would Looking ahead, Trish said Megan will turn Megan said she’s excited to live in Chilike to be an artist manager. And then even- a music business degree into an amazing cago and is really looking forward to living tually, I want to work in music law or own career. there. “The campus is literally just downa record label, which kind of go hand in Megan Brown said her parents have been town Chicago, which I think is the coolest hand.” cheering her on when making decisions thing. So it’s not gonna feel like I’m trapped Megan said she looked up what she for the future. “They’ve in like some university bubble you know,

“Megan is sure to be a success in anything she decides to do with her life. She is extremely dedicated to the work and willing to do everything possible for success.” — Brad Rackers

been super supportive of all of my crazy little ideas my whole life. So definitely they fostered a space where I could be like, ‘I’m gonna move to Chicago and go to this private liberal arts school and do this crazy career.’” Trish agrees that they’ve been supportive of Megan’s decisions. “We are super supportive of Megan’s love of all

like, ‘These are the places you eat, this is your dining hall,’ so on and so forth. It’s literally like living in the city, you’re in an apartment, you’re in the South Loop and that’s just really appealing to me,” she said. “It has been a dream come true. Not all kids know their path when they head off to college and not all are ready to know it. But to see Megan transform over the years with such a clear direction of her future it is amazing!” Trish said.

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Saying good-bye to retiring staff

Greg Swaggart

Retiring counselor Greg Swaggart has spent the past 16 years helping students at west. His future plans are to volunteer, garden, play some golf with friends, and work on guitar playing. Photo by Madeline Cantrell

Larry Whittlesey

Retiring Teacher Larry Whittlesey plans to spend time with his family and grandchildren after his retirement. Whittlesey worked with engineering and industrial technology students for 11 years at West. Photo by Madeline Cantrell

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Seniors express teacher appreciation Austin Shewmaker to engineering teacher Wesley Wiskur I just wanted to say thank you for being such welcoming and helpful teacher. You have exposed me to so many new ideas and possibilities. Thank you. Mason Ekstrand to debate teacher Matt Good Dear Matt, I don’t know if it is possible to convey in words the sense of gratitude I feel. Participating in debate, having you as my mentor, teacher, and friend over the past four years has been one of the best things to happen in my life. You have inspired me to achieve at a level higher than I though possible. And the encouragement you gave me throughout has enabled me to pursue goals I would have previously labeled impossible. Alyssa Wyrick to English teacher Megan Goss Thank you for always caring about me even after I wasn’t in your class. You always take the time to listen and make sure I’m okay, I really appreciate that. Tabby Hardman to social studies teacher Jeff Hardin I loved having Hardin as a teacher and he definitely deserves appreciation. I had his class when we were in person and online going in and out of both last semester and he always gave everything he had to make it fun an a great sociology class to be in. Also my mom passed near the end of first semester and he was there for me and if I was ever having a rough day he would let me vent before class and would stay on zoom just to make sure I was okay. Savannah Cato to art teacher Kathryn Graves Just a shout out to one of my best teachers ever who always pushed me to challenge myself and was always a fun teacher to be around all through high school.

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Behind the lens Keeton Holder strives for perfection in the world of videography and photography

Anna Long Senior Keeton Holder said he planned to join the film program at West from the getgo. Four years later, Holder has developed his own brand, won countless awards for his projects, and has even been published by a national media company. Advanced Video Technology teacher, Karrie Smythia, said “Keeton has been around it [film] a lot longer than he’s been in the program because of his brother.” Holder’s older brother and Titan Alum, Cale, was in the film program and is now attending Columbia College in Chicago. Holder said that although he spends

multiple hours of his school day in Smythia’s classroom, he has also put in the effort outside of school. “I think it was my freshman year, I bought a camera,” Holder said. “And then ever since then, I was kind of doing photography on the side. And then eventually, that kind of grew into more of a videography and graphic design business as well. And so on the side I’ve kind of been able to develop other skills in terms of different forms of media, but also I’ve been able to improve on the skills that I learned in here by practicing that with clients.” One of his most recent endeavors has

Senior Keeton Holder has been in the West film program the past four years. He will pursuing a career in graphic design at DePaul University in Chicago. Photo by Anna Long

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been the creation of the “Studio 2081” Instagram account. He said he uses this platform to share all things movies and films. The Olathe Northwest High School eMagine Festival awarded the account for its branding. Another highlight for Holder was when he created a documentary for the All-American High School Film Festival in New York. He worked on the project the summer leading up to the event, where the documentary was played in Time Square’s AMC Theater. Holder was even asked by the school department to create a video on bus safety. “We went out one Saturday to the fire station. And they have old buses, and they lit them on fire. And they did training exercises, it was really, really cool,” Smythia said. A more recent accomplishment was last semester, when one of Holder’s photos was published by CNN. More notable accomplishments include placing first four times for his silent films at The Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting. Junior Lucas Campbell has worked with Holder on several projects. Campbell said, “I think that he’s found so much success, because he is just a genuinely creative person. And I think the more that he can express himself, the better.” While competing in so many contests, Smythia said his work typically stands out because of Holder’s ability to think outside the box. “He’s artistic. I’ve had a lot of art teachers and design and graphic arts teachers talking a lot about his talent,” Smythia said. “He’s just, he’s one of those kids that just goes out and makes things on his own.” In competitions, Campbell said, “His

Photo by Anna Long

ideas can be like, very weird at times. But like, either in a really great way or really just interesting way. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a really bad idea from him. It’s just a different way of looking at things.” Holder said besides his passion for film and graphic design, he enjoys the class because of the freedom it gives him, and how it allows him to explore his strengths and weaknesses. “That [AVT] not just allowed me to become more interested in it, but also to become better at it. And I think a large part of being good at whatever it is, is to love what you’re doing,” Holder said. “And the amount of freedom that I’ve gotten in the

program has probably led to a lot of the passion that I had for it.” In the past four years Holder has created short films, documentaries, music videos, and graphics. He has also been hired for photography and videography for different events, including a wedding. Though there may be moments where he doesn’t have it all figured out, Smythia said Holder’s creativity is not the only attribute that has gotten him this far. “He just has a willingness to learn. If he doesn’t know the answer to a question, he would be the first one to figure it out,” Smythia said. According to Smythia, a student with Holder’s characteristics is rare. “Someone

with the talent like that, I would say I only see every several years. I could say in my 20 some years of teaching, I can count on two hands, how many Keeton types I’ve had.” In the fall, Holder will be moving to Chicago to pursue a major in graphic design at DePaul University. “After college, I don’t necessarily have a specific graphic design career that I want to do, just because I haven’t explored all of the career field options yet,” Holder said. “And because it’s such a broad field, it’s kind of hard to know exactly what you want to go into until you’ve explored everything. But yeah, school is my next step.”

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Traveling back to 2017 A throwback to our freshman year

Shayla Flowers and Lilli Tattershall

Freshman Transition Day 14

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Grant McAtee, Abigail Moore, Shane Fredrickson, and Madison Staples

Baker in the kitchen Mia Guidolin happy when she told me she was going and travelling the world to try different Senior Elizabeth Baker’s passion for to apply to Herndon and went on to take cuisines cooking sparked freshman year when culinary at Herndon Career Center,” Rebekah Hartwig has been friends she took a culinary foundations class McNelly said. with Baker since fifth grade. “I was new and said she really fell in love with it. Baker is the type of person that knows to the school at the time and she and Baker said the food itself inspired her what she wants to do, and will go out and her friends invited me to hang out with to cook. “Culinary is a form of art and do it, according to McNelly. “She is very them. The rest is history,” she said. it’s very unique,” she said. responsible, she is a very hard worker, Hartwig said that at the beginning of Baker’s favorite part about cooking is she is very conscientious of her grades, her knowing Baker, she didn’t know she “adding spices and herbs because aro- and about anything that she does, and was interested in culinary, but that as matics are the most essential part of a wants to always do her best.” the years progressed and Baker entered dish.” McNelly said that Baker’s confidence eighth and ninth grade, she noticed that Baker is planning on pursuing a ca- since freshman year has grown not only her interest increased with the classes reer in food sciences, starting with at- in her persona, but also in the kitchen. she took. “I was definitely not surprised tending Johnson County Community “She’s kind of come out of her shell, I when she decided to go to Herndon for College, and applying for their Culinary noticed that she’s more talkative. In the their culinary arts program,” Hartwig Arts program. She is also currently part beginning I always thought she was kind said. of the Culinary Arts program at Hartwig said that Baker grew Herndon Career Center. not only socially, but also in her To get into the culinary arts personal style. She laughed as program at Herndon, one must she remembered the “really short meet the prerequisites. Includrainbow hair” phase she had back ing a minimum of 2.0 GPA, 90% in middle school. “But now I attendance record, and reading, think her style pays more homage writing and math at a 10th grade to the 70’s. I think she’s very styllevel. ish,” she said. Before moving on to Hern Hartwig said that Baker’s pasdon, students must also complete sion for cooking has always been the one-year ProStart, culinary very prominent. “I think it realpreparation curriculum that’s ly grew during junior year and available at their high school. I think it’s thanks to her time at Baker said culinary teacher, Herndon.” Jocelyn McNelly, played a role Hartwig agreed with McNelElizabeth finishes preparing a dish for her ly, and said that Baker is a very in helping Baker find her career culinary class at Herndon Career Center. hard worker. “She takes on many path. Photo courtesty of Raytown School District McNelly said that she met Eliprojects, mostly cooking for her zebeth a couple years ago when church, family and friends.” she took her culinary foundations class. of shy, but once you get to know her she’s Hartwig also describes Baker as tolElizabeth later became her CA for one of really not,” she said. erant and sassy. “I chose these words her culinary classes. Baker said that her plans after college because Elizabeth always puts a smile McNelly said that when Baker ex- would be to hopefully get started as a on my face when she makes sassy jokes pressed an interest in the culinary field, chef at a restaurant. “My dream job right and she brings life in our conversations. she started to have conversations with now would be to own my own restau- Tolerant because she has to deal with me her about what it would be like. “And rant eventually,” Baker said. and our friends’ weird quirks. She stays the way that she talks about food, and Baker is excited for her future, but very calm and has a lot of patience.” preparing food. I just feel like she has a knows that there will be challenges that Hartwig is excited that Baker is so passion for food and for culinary,” Mc- pop up along the way. “Not just money, passionate about her career. “Everyone Nelly said. but also location and many other fac- usually finds their “calling” towards Baker had been a member of West’s tors. It’s going to be very difficult,” she something during their life and I think culinary team when it was a thing two said. Elizabeth found hers which I’m very exyears ago, which McNelly said she had Baker said that she is currently look- cited about.” encouraged her to join. “I was really ing forward to learning about culinary titan scroll | 05.18.21

Here comes “The Hoopty” Emily Gerhart Known for its obnoxious engine and signature color — lime green — Senior Brennan Wright’s truck is hardly discreet. This 1974 Chevy pickup truck has gathered a few nicknames since Wright purchased it his sophomore year, including Greeny, Green Machine, The Hoopty, Tractor, and the list goes on. The truck was originally green when he bought it, and he said he debated giving it a new paint job. “I’ve had ideas to paint it a different color, but everyone’s always saying, ‘You got to keep the green.’ At this point, I’ve had it be lime green for so long and it sticks out so well to other people that it’s probably just going to be green for as long as I’ve got it,” Wright said. When given the option of a newer Ram truck or a fixer upper pickup, Wright chose to go retro. He said as he started looking for a car, older models appealed more to him. He said his mindset was: “If it’s lasted this long, it can probably last through its time with me.” He chose to take on the challenge of having an older automobile, and said he has rarely looked back, as it sparked an interest in restoration that has never gone away.

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“I was like, there’s obviously gonna be some things that are wrong with it. It’s old. The wipers didn’t work, and there was no fluid coming out of them. So I was like, hey, well, I’ll try this,” Wright said. “So then I started kind of fixing up little things. And then it just grew and grew and next thing I knew, a year later, I’m replacing the motor. And then a year after that, I’m putting air conditioning in it and I’m putting a stereo in it. I’m putting lights in it. I had the whole bed of the truck off of it, so I could just paint the dang thing. There hasn’t been a bolt that’s not been touched on it.” He said it has never been to the auto shop, besides for an inspection license. With every issue that has come up, Wright, his father, Jay Wright, and his uncle, John Wright, have found the root of the problem and fixed it themselves. From front to back, Brennan said there was always something to tinker with or replace completely. “From a younger age, I had a very mechanical mindset. I like to think about how everything is built. How is everything made? How does everything work?

And because of that, I’m able to know the main basic problems and how to fix things,” Brennan said. Most of the hands-on work has taken place in his uncle’s at-home workshop. “It’s a rare truck ... when I was his age they were a dime a dozen. They’re pretty scarce and highly sought after,” his uncle said. They said they bought it for $4,400, and have invested an estimate of $5,000 back into it. Brennan said that he has put around $4,000 of his own money into renovations and updates. “There’s still a lot more things to get done, things are constantly kind of wearing down and then you have to replace them and then sometimes replacement parts don’t really work. So you have to just make modifications,” Brennan said. “Even though you might have thought you fixed everything, no one’s perfect. There’s things that are gonna break even after you fix them. I think there’s always going to be something.” He said that his father bought the basics to get the truck driving, but all of the enhancements were from Brennan’s own pockets. “Everything that was optional was me, like the fuel injection, air conditioning...” Brennan said. “I saved up all of the money, and every penny I could find.”

Wright said he is proud of how far his truck has come, and he enjoys showing it off. He has been making rennovations on “The Hoopty”, and is planning on keeping it running as long as he can. Photo by Emily Gerhart This money didn’t come from trees, and Brennan said he had to sacrifice his time working long hours through the summer. “He’s got a great work ethic. He’s done a lot of hard work too, with landscaping companies and things. It’d be hot and miserable, and he’s out there doing 10-12 hour work days to save his money to do work on the truck,” his uncle said. Brennan said he has always been drawn to manual labor and hands-on work. “I can’t sit still. I find it very enjoyable to be outside. I really enjoy mowing yards. And being able to be my own boss, and just do the things I like to do over the summer,” Brennan said. He said that his manual labor, and working for a landscaping company for two summers was not easy money. “I was swinging a pick axe and digging ditches in the summertime, and just things that I don’t think that kids my age really should be doing. I was getting paid less than what you would probably get paid at McDonald’s,” Brennan said. He said he kept his mind set on one goal per summer, starting by aiming to afford air conditioning. Then, fuel injection. “This is how it’s been for the last couple of years. It’s just kind of working towards my goal,” Brennan said. Because of all of the hard work that has gone into this truck, Brennan said it means more to him than just a car. It is something that he spent countless hours on, and he said he wants to keep it running for as long as he can. He said just the memories he has made working on the car as a family, and a team, makes it special. “I’ve tried to instill more patience, where he takes the time to figure it out. A lot of times I knew the solution, but I wanted him to figure it out himself, because it just teaches you to think better, and to become more mechanical. At first he used to get real flustered and stomp off, but now he’s gotten to where he takes the patience and does it

right,” his uncle said. “Anybody can go buy a new Honda Accord,” John said, but renovating an old truck is something that he thinks Brennan should take pride in. Jay said that he is very proud of Brennan’s drive and persistence. “He reminds me a lot of myself. He makes me proud about everything he does.” Wright’s father said that while working on the truck they have learned how important having patience truly is. Things don’t always go as planned, and he said that getting frustrated isn’t the answer, but rather keeping patience and knowing things will come together in the end. Brennan said the only time he has thought about giving up is when he is stuck on the side of the road. He recalled a time where he broke down while driving twice in the same week, “That’s when I was saying, ‘I’m gonna give up, I’m gonna give up!’ But then the light bulb pops back in your head, and everything goes back to normal, and you kind of forget about it.” He said getting towed every once in a while is bound to happen, and that you just have to fix the problem, learn from it, and move on. “Not everything has to happen all at once. When I bought this truck, I didn’t think it was going to need all this work. But I just kinda grew in love with being able to drive the only one that you probably see around here. I felt like it was my job to restore it and just make it back to how it was back in the day, or even better than that,” Brennan said, “It all takes patience and even though

it might suck sometimes, you still got to do it.” Not many other cars in the area are lime green, so Brennan stands out wherever he goes. “A lot of my friends send pictures of me just driving on the road. I think it’s kind of creepy, but they think it’s funny. But I mean, I enjoy standing out.” While at school, many classmates recognize Brennan’s car before it even pulls into the parking lot. “It’s very loud. I don’t think a whole lot of people want to hear me flying by when they first wake up to go to school,” Brennan said. “Everyone that’s close to me enjoys it. That’s not to mention the other people that may not enjoy the fact that it’s very obnoxious, and bright green. Everyone knows what it is. No one’s ever really given me any ideas that they hate it, but I have a feeling that there’s someone out there that does.” Brennan shows off his hard work by bringing “The Hoopty” to car shows with his uncle. He said that he enjoys car shows because he is able to show off something that he accomplished with his family. “I take a lot of pride in the fact that what gets me to and from place to place is something that we’ve all come together to do.”

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Senior L ife Anna Eulinger and Vanesa Nhotharack

Ashley Briese and Aly Gurtiza

Keaton Weiss and Grace Church

Michaela McCommon

Sheryah Gavel and Taylor Benson

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Karadan Kirkpactrick and Sadie Baich

John Doyle, Taylor Wilson, Vance Avila, Tyler Colbert, and Achor Afodu

Mason Salmond

Sebastian Smith and Bethany Danley

Photos by Ella Skelsy and Sarah Hall

Pacey Thompson, Kyler Gher, Emily Graber, Morgan Mathison, and Alyssa Lozano

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Carter brothers run into Raiders

Twin brothers, Alex and Andrew Carter, unite through their love for the JROTC Ellie Johnson Alex and Andrew Carter, twin brothers, have always been competitive. Whether they’re racing each other on the track field or hauling the most weight, the pair have strived to push themselves and each other to be better. Andrew (Andy) Carter is Lee’s Summit West’s JROTC senior master sergeant, a title he earned after he transitioned between extracurriculars his junior year. The mental struggle he faced was the most difficult challenge when he stepped outside his comfort zone, he said. “I was already in cross country, so I didn’t have a problem with that [physical aspect]. But mentally going from an ‘Okay you’re doing great’ to a ‘You need to go faster’ is definitely the biggest challenge,” Andrew said. At the beginning of their sophomore year, the Carter’s moved from Iowa and transferred to Lee’s Summit West. Having already participated in cross country and track and field throughout middle school and their freshman years, the boys had a knack for running, Cadet Col. Tessa Polzin, the JROTC corps commander, said. “They were both very good at running already, which is the hardest part in Raiders,” the special forces and JROTC Army program that follows ranger training. “So, they were already physically inclined compared to everyone else around them when we all first joined,” Polzin said. For Alex, leaving behind the sport he knew for three years of his life was a big change, but one, he said, he felt like he needed to make.

“I thought: I had the years of experience, so I might as well transfer to something else. It wasn’t as important since I was still getting the running aspect of cross country and now I can do more than just running,” Alex said. In contrast, Andrew’s experience was a lot different from his brother’s. He joined the JROTC at the semester cut during his junior year. “The incoming freshmen were a lot

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faster than I was and there was no point in me being on the team. It wasn’t that big of a change. They harassed him [Alex] more than me because I was with them an extra year. I told them I was not going to be doing it anymore and they understood why,” Andrew said. Master Sergeant Ray Northcutt said that he thinks that Alex may be the one to thank for introducing the world of the JROTC to his brother. “After Alex led his team to victory in Raiders’ Nationals, his brother came out and started hanging out with the ROTC kids. That was in 2019. I think he [Andrew] got Alex and Andrew Carter stand with involved in it after we the JROTC’s trophy they won at did Raider Nationals. state in 2019. He saw that it was more Photo by Ellie Johnson than just wearing uniforms,” Northcutt said. But, in my history and my time teaching, After the brothers signed on, it was time it has definitely been better when they can to show that they could put in the work. choose. It really pulls out someone’s leadFor the past two years, both boys have been ership when they are selected,” Northcutt putting in the hours and working their way said. “It’s not a choice, the team votes you to the top. and you’re it.” “I was a lot faster for cross country, but Northcutt also said that he was proud of he was a lot stronger for Raiders,” Andrew how Alex stepped into his role and what he said. “With cross country it was run, get has accomplished as a leader so far. a minute break, and run again. It was just “He went from being more in the backrunning. With this it’s flipping tires, runground to all of the sudden being put in ning, running with a truck, and multiple charge. Alex got his team down to a little different aspects. He joined a lot earlier under 21 minutes for a 5k. His team was than I did, so he helped me get to the point number one at that. Nobody could beat where I am now.” them,” Northcutt said, “He has to accept In the three years that he has been a their failures as his own and their successes member of the corps Alex has managed as theirs. That’s part of the deal of being in to earn his rank of cadet captain and is the charge.” leader of the Raiders’ boys’ team. Polzin said that while she also compli “If the team does not find their leader, ments Alex’s leadership, she is moved by then I will appoint and direct. Andrew’s kindness.

Andrew’s kindness. “You could barely know Andy and he would drop everything to help,” Polzin said. Polzin’s observation seems to be true according to Northcutt and other members of the corps. Andrew’s position in the rank involves him staying up-to-date with the lower officers. “When it comes to Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Carter [Andrew], he works hand in hand with our commanders to watch out for any enlisted cadets or lower officer cadets. They can talk to him and he will bring those concerns to myself, Lieutenant Colonel Lyon, or our corps commander,” Northcutt said. Andrew said he believes “anything can be a family if you want it to be. If you want someone to like you, then you have to be nice and respectful. It’s one of those things where if you work together and are also able to joke with each other, that’s a family.” Both boys have also taken their disciplinary training and used it to apply their skills in the fire department by volunteering. Andrew has been volunteering for Central Cass Fire the past three to four months and Alex has joined him the last couple of months. After school, Andrew Carter said that they both attend EMT classes. Andrew even wants to become a paramedic and has a dream job of working for the Belton Fire Department. Alex’s plans after high school are focused on not only attending college, but his enlistment in the Army. “Alex joined the [National] Guard because he still wanted to go to college, and help pay for it. I fully support that. Him and I have discussed going on fully active duty and how it affects your college life. So, he chose to go Guard so that he could pursue his educational goals and I am so thankful for that,” Northcutt said. “He wanted that particular job. He

wanted to go to school. The National Guard was able to give him that. Most other branches make you wait until you’re 18, except the Army. That’s why Alex was able to get a jump on it,” Northcutt said. While Alex’s decision to pursue the Army after high school is respectfully looked upon by Northcutt, Northcutt stresses that he doesn’t encourage enlistment straight out of high school. “I don’t let recruiters into the classroom because I don’t want children or students to give up their educational goals just because somebody’s promising them $25,000 to join the military. I actually push college first because education is key. You need to be educated prior to making any big decisions,” Northcutt said. Andrew, also, seems to have his eyes set on the military. The difference: he’s chasing the Marines. “I am trying to get into the Marine corps, but I got denied a couple of times because they said I had eczema. Which is common, but it’s a disqualifier. You can usually get a waiver to say that it’s fine,” Andrew said. “After more thinking about it, I probably will not go this year. I want to go after I’m a paramedic and can be a combat medic to help people.” Polzin said that she supports and believes in the boys through everything they do. “I’m proud of both of them. I see them both succeeding in that [military environ-

ment]. Alex definitely has the physical part down and he has the mental aspect of pushing forward. So does Andy. Andy definitely has the physical capability of doing it. I think what it comes down to now is if they are ready to leave everyone,” Polzin said. Northcutt said he sees how both boys are leaders and has no doubt they will both continue to excel. “I am very proud of them both. I’m extremely proud of how they come in early and stay late. Every weekend we are always doing something and they are one of the go-to groups of cadets that will be there for leadership for all the cadets,” Northcutt said. Both Alex and Andrew Carter said that they took valuable lessons from their countless hours spent in the corps. “You will enjoy it, but you have to have a thick skin,” Andrew said. “Don’t come in here and think that this is going to be a normal hand holding experience. You are going to put in the work, but it will be the most rewarding thing you will do. It was definitely a challenge, but a fun one to endure.” “It’s taught me to work more as a team. You’re not going to get anywhere without the help of anyone else. You’re going to need someone in life to help you out, no matter what,” Alex said. “I was just a little sophomore transfer. I had nobody, and now I have a whole group of people that I can depend on.”

Alex and Andrew Carter flip tires at JROTC state competition in 2019. Photo courtesy of MSgt. Ray Northcutt titan scroll | 05.18.21

Serving the red white and blue Meghan Cox res said. “I would be able to complete the turn.” As Titan seniors move on to the next training successfully ... as long as I work for Bryce Farris will also be serving in the chapter of their lives, a few have decided to it and want it.” Air Force. “In my opinion, it’s the best of serve the country. Torres said she chose the Air Force be- the branches and provides the most oppor Wyatt Muchmore is joining cause she didn’t want tunity.” However, he will first be going to Uniform 25 in the Missouri a career sitting be- Kansas State Univesity to study mechanical National Guard. Uniform 25 is hind a desk. “I like to engineering in the fall. a job title that involves taking be out there fighting Farris is a recipient of the J 100 scholarapart, diagnosing, and fixing the good fight,” Tor- ship for the Junior Reserve Officers Trainelectronics on the military base. res said. ing Corps at Kansas State University. “Out Muchmore will begin his ca She will do basic of 981 cores, each one with a minimum of reer with basic training at Fort training at Lackland one hundrend people, only two hundred Jackson in Columbia, South Air Force in San An- cadets out of the entire program got selectCarolina on Sept. 7. Basic traintonio. After basic ed,” said ROTC Instructor, Master Sergeant ing is “two and half months, training, Torres will Ray Northcutt. and they whip you into shape,” complete Sere train- Along with the J 100 scholarship, Farris Muchmore said. ing, where she’ll also received the “Air Force JROTC Flight After basic training, learn basic survival Academy, Chief of Staff Private Pilot ScholMuchmore will start his 22 week skills. “You’re always arship from the Air Force to receive his Artificial Intelligence training at going to be briefed private pilots license. “It’s going to be six Fort Gordon in Georgia where Senior Amelia Torres over something,” days a week, 12 hours a day of studying and he will complete certifications holds the rank of Torres said, flying.” for Uniform 25. Cadet Cornal. “But the Farris said the Muchmore hopes to discover core learnlast four years of his career path in the military. ing is going ROTC learning “I am hoping that I really enjoy and use to happen in the first one to two about the physthis to find me a career path that I like,” years.” ics of flight, and Muchmore said. Torres said she wants to be in about the mil Muchmore said he chose the National the Air Force Special Operations. itary have preGuard because it has lots of benefits with This position usually collaborates pared him for the fewer obligations than other branches.“Ba- with the Army, Navy SEALS, or the Air Force. sically, you get a lot of benefits but you don’t Joint Special Operations Group. Farris hopes have to stay away from home for three or For example, the Air Force Special to become a pisix years,” Muchmore said. He will receive Operations worked with the Joint lot or lawyer in money monthly and free college tuition as Special Operations Group to capthe military. “I a benefit. After eight months of service, “I ture Saddam Hussein. know that the can come home and do my own thing and To become a part of the special skills I’m going my responsibility is only one weekend a operations, Torres will complete Senior Bryce Farris to learn when I month,” Muchmore said. tech school. After, there is more am there are goholds the rank of Amelia Torres has decided on a different on-the-job training at the first ing to transfer to Cadet Cornal. path than Muchmore. Torres is going into duty station. pilot or lawyer,” the Air Force as an Aerial Gunner. Torres Torres hopes to complete 20 Farris said. chose to be an Aerial Gunner because “it’s years of service like her sister and dad. “It’s shooting on a helicopter and it’s cool,” Tor- a family thing,” Torres said, “I guess it’s my

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DECA students head to nationals Logan Bishop Two seniors from Lee’s Summit West have made it all the way to the nationals of the DECA program. DECA is a competition where marketing students from around the country go through certain scenarios that deal with managing a business. Senior Addie VanBuskirk made it to nationals for the hotel management portion of the competition. Her and junior Mariela Silva-Lozano are both in the hotel lodging and management competition, VanBuskirk said. Senior Grant Coleman is the third contestant who headed to nationals, but for accounting. “I am a part of the accounting portion of the competition where there is a lot of number crunching,” Coleman said. VanBuskirk has a two part event with the first being a 100-question written test, and the second a 20 minute problem and scenario segment. “So you start out with a test which is very challenging considering its 100 questions about hotel management, but it gets easier with the part where you get the scenario you get, they give you 10 minutes to read your problem and 10 minutes to present your solution to the judges,” VanBuskirk said. The accounting section is not much dif-

ferent than the hotel management section, there is a test and problem and solution scenario, but with more math and numbers than the hotel management. “So I got a scenario where I had to come up with a financial solution for a company with financial depreciation,” Coleman said. With COVID-19, the past two years of DECA nationals has been canceled or virtual for VanBuskirk; last year the competition was canceled all together, and this year they were supposed to go to Anaheim, California for nationals, but it was moved to virtual. “It was going to be exciting to go to Anaheim since we usually do something fun like go to Disney or something like that,” VanBuskirk said. Coleman has also had the last two years canceled or changed to virtual for the competition, but was able to travel to Orlando for nationals in 2019. “I got to go to Orlando Seniors Addie VanBuskirk and Grant Colemy sophomore year which was one of my favorite high man are headed to nationals for DECA for school memories because the first time in two years. VanBuskirk will we got to compete and go to compete in hotel management while ColeUniversal Studios a couple of man will compete in accounting. days,” Coleman said. Photo by Logan Bishop Going virtual has changed a lot there is so much time it gives the competiof ways the competition works from districts, tion time to run all of their numbers. all the way to nationals, allow- According to VanBuskirk, hotel maning more time to prepare for agement has helped her with understandnot only Vanbuskirk but other ing real life situations and how hard it is to competitors like her teammate manage a business big or small. “It really Silva-Lozano. “Going virtual helped me to see what it’s like to run a comis definitely way easier just be- pany because you constantly have to solve cause normally I would get my problems,” VanBuskirk said. situation and have to come up Even though Coleman did the accountwith a situation but now I get ing portion he plans to go to college for multiple days but it doesn’t real- hospital administration. “DECA helped ly change the competition level me figure out what I wanted to do because because everyone gets a couple I started with accounting but that led me to of days too,” finance which led me to hospital manageSilva-Loza- ment which led me to get the opportunity to go to college and get a masters for hospi“DECA helped me figure out what I no said. tal administration,” Coleman said. G o i n g wanted to do because I started with virtual has These seniors have worked to make it accounting but that led me to... get the had quite all the way to nationals in their last year of opportunity to go to college and get the oppoa masters for hospital administration.” site effect high school, and have learned life advice and lessons along the way. Photo provided by Grant Coleman for Coleman since titan scroll | 05.18.21 23

Writing through high school Victoria Newman Ever since the release of her first book, senior Jordan Brown said she has committed to changing the world through her writing. “My goal is to promote overall like representation in diversity in everything that I do. ... Growing up, reading books and watching so many films and not seeing someone who looks or acts like me or someone that I can’t relate to in any kind of sense, really like kind of skewed my view of life for a long time,” Brown said. Released in late March of 2019, Brown’s first novel, “The Broken Vow of Silence,” kick started her future in the writing business. Brown said, “It was so stressful because I don’t like leaving so much time open and especially like waiting for something this big.” Brown and her family read contracts, discussed promotion tactics, and Brown even hired an agent for herself. Life hasn’t been all highlights for Brown though. “This year has been really hard, like, going from junior to senior year ... dealing with all the senior year craziness.” Brown has been writing her second book, a commentary on what life is like living as a person of color (POC) in a suburban area.

Photo by Victoria 24

“I also want to create kind of like a safe space for people, because for me, music, film and writing is all in my safe space. ... If I need to escape from the world if I’m stressed or anything, I have those three mediums to do so,” she said. Brown said she sometimes finds herself struggling with her personal image, especially when it comes to academics. “You don’t have to be perfect, this doesn’t have to be perfect ‘cause my version of perfect might not be someone else’s version of perfect ... I can’t stress myself out about that.” Brown said she was recently diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which has affected the way she views life, and her writing style. OCD is a treatable disease, but can complicate things. “Something that my parents have taught me is that it’s okay to not be the best at everything, all the time.” Brown said she has shifted the way she views herself, due to her own self love and through her parents advice. Brown is going to Florida State University for film, and she plans to work on writing and film at the same time, having considered turning some of her novels or writing pieces into screenplays. Senior Jordan Brown said after having read some Brown works of her short stories, people have said “‘This should be like a show that I on the Titan would love to watch this.’ and that TV senior makes me feel so good about myself, video. Brown but I also like kind of already kind of is attending mix those two things like into each Florida State other because I’m a writer and a film University to student,” Brown said. Brown said she wouldn’t be here study film. without the support from her dad, Gordon Brown. Gordan helped Jordan with the publishing process. “I just want her to continue to be focused in and have faith and positivity Newman & art by McKenna Bell within yourself. No one

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is going to give you a handout with that to tell you time and time again, you have to have faith in yourself, everybody’s not gonna like what you’re right, everybody’s not gonna pat you on the back,” he said. Brown has changed her mind a few times on her possible career. “Throughout my life I’ve said I wanted to be a whole bunch of different things. Like I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to be a lawyer. And then I kind of thought, ‘Hey I actually want to be a writer.’ I was kind of scared to tell them, I was afraid they’d be like, ‘Well no, because you can’t really make money off of that’ or ‘No you can’t,’” Brown said. Constant support by those around her has helped her achieve her goals, both academically and creatively. “Whatever I told them they were behind me 100% are like okay, what can we do like how can we support you, and then that kind of made me realize how blessed I am to have the parents that I do that support me no matter what,” Brown said. Brown said her parents have helped her in many different ways, including finding props for her short films, using their house to film, and they have always been there for her when she is overwhelmed with her workload. “That familial support is always what keeps me driving, because if I didn’t have the support for my family that I have, then I probably wouldn’t be pursuing what I actually want to pursue.” Gordan said he continuously supports his daughter, and acts as her voice of reason in rough times. “Nobody’s going to be perfect. Sometimes things in life are trial and error. I tell her you know, you have to stay focused on what’s going on; that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy some things in life and things of that nature.” “She’s gonna grow up ... you know it is what it is, it’s a part of life. And I just wanted her to know, to always be vigilant in what she knows is right,” Gordon said.

Thank you Titan Scroll Seniors!!

Row 1: Maddy Cantrell, Anna Long, Christina Jarvis, Ian McDonald, Keaghan McDaniel, Josh Wood Row 2: Anna Eulinger, Meghan Cox, Haleigh Davis, McKenna Bell, Victoria Newman, Vanesa Nthorack

You’ve made the best of the most difficult year in recent history, and met the challenge to truly transform the Titan Scroll to be the Titan voice of tomorrow, rather than a whisper from the past. Never let your voice be silenced! Congratulations Titan Scroll / lswestonline Senior Class of 2021.

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Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to have a job as a history teacher, sharing my love of the subject with others. Also it would be kinda sick to be like a billionaire or something on some Richie Rich type stuff. — Josh Wood

In five years I see myself making a career out of my art and stories. If I’m very lucky, I’ll have my own studio right off the bat. — Ewan Lee

CLASS OF 2021

I see myself being a free spirit and trying to figure out myself. I also hope to increase my love for Disney and travel to the Disney locations of the world. — Haleigh Davis

WWE world champion. — Colton Owen

In the next five years, I see myself training to be a physical therapist and soon starting up a family. — Keaghan McDaniel 26

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2021 Senior Polls On behalf of the Titan Scroll Staff, thank you to all of the parents who participated in sharing photos of their seniors.

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Most likely to Change the World

Mohamed Haji

Most likely to win a Grammy

Max Twogood

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Most likely to Change the World

Dera Okafor

Most likely to win a Grammy

Lizzie Marshall

Most likely to be elected President

Mohamed Haji

Dera Okafor

Most likely to win an Oscar

Connor Kelly-Wright

Emily Lyon

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Future Reality TV Star

Blake Lilly

Anna Long

Most likely to become a Millionare

Anna Long

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Kyle Rooney

Graham Hayes

Most Artistic

Kyler Gher

Joshua Lewis

Most Optimistic

Adi Bruton

Connor Kelly-Wright

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Best Laugh

Brady Pezzetti

Kylie Haas

Best Smile

Anna Long

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Graham Hayes

Best Eyes

Madison Staples

Garrett Sattman

Best Hair

Grant Coleman

Anna Long

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Best Dressed

Jaden Paulson

Olivia Berens

Best Shoe Game

Coralyn Caldwell

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Vance Avila

Class Hottie

Kylie Haas

Cam Careswell

Class Flirt

Reese Ratty

Ian McDonald

Maddie Mall

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Class Clown

Christina Jarvis

Chiedozie Osuagwu

Drama King

Connor Kelly-Wright

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Drama Queen

Abigail Moore

Best to Bring Home

Adi Bruton

Mason Salmond

Biggest Partier

Kenzie Park

Biggest Partier

Grant McAtee

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Teacher’s Pet

Braden Taylor

Madeline Cantrell

Biggest Gym Rat

Dera Okafor

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Robbie Simmons

Class of 2021 Favorites Favorite Quarantine Trend

Favorite Song

Favorite Bingeworthy Show

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Iconic Duo

Anna Long and Riley Selby

Favorite Teacher

Matt Good Read more about this year’s favorite teacher on page 51 40

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Thank you to our

Silver Sponsors

for supporting this edition of the Titan Scroll Careswell & Anderson Dental Lee’s Summit West Lacrosse Seniors Michael and Carey Hall Natalee Still Faulkner’s Ranch

Wood Brothers Construction Rodger’s Mole & Gopher Trapping ProGreen Lawn and Landscape, Inc. Sarah Hall Summit Eye Center

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Academic Awards

Marlena Davis, Leah Schroer, Olivia Foster, Olivia Berens Josh Hughes

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Drew Hurt, Thomas Gray

Clockwise: Lauren Akason, Molly Andrews, Payton Easley, Morgan Pietig, Daelyn Hahn, Trey Sharp, and Drew Hurt titan scroll | 05.18.21

We are so proud of our smart and beautiful granddaughter, Anna Eulinger. We wish her the best future wherever it takes her. Love, G&G

Alex Gerhart, congratulations! We are beyond proud of you! Your hard work and dedication are inspiring! Now onto MIZZOU! Love, Mom, Dad, & Emily

Brooke Rechelle Ellis — to say we are proud of you is an understatement. Always remember who you are. Love you so much! Mom, Dad, & Brylie

Dear Cam (Cambo) Careswell, we are so proud of your academic and athletic achievements! You’ve developed into such a good-hearted, caring person. We love you so much! Mom, Dad, & Boston

Make it a great day at the barn, Cameron Selbe! We love you and are very proud of you! Mom & Dad

Dear Emily Mettlach, congratulations on your achievement! We are so proud of you and wish you a very bright future! Love, Mom and Dad

Watching you grow has been an absolute joy! Smile always, laugh often, and keep your eye on the ball! We love you, Isaac McCullough! Mom, Dad & Luke

You make me laugh every single day Keaghan McDaniel. You are kind to others, & love God. Can’t wait to see what you will accomplish with baseball, & your career. This isn’t the end, it’s only the beginning. Love you the most! Momma

YOU DID IT, Kyler Gher! We are all so proud of the hard work you put into your years at LSW, and of your accomplishments! Watch out WORLD! <3 Mom, Dad, Charlee

Ashley Briese, we are so proud of your hard work & are excited for your new adventures at U of A. We love you. Mom and Dad

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Congrats, Kyle Stratman on all of your accomplishments at LSW! We are so proud of you and are excited for your future!

Congratulations Lauren Miller! We are so proud of your accomplishments and can’t wait to see you spread your wings! Love — Mom, Dad, Kara, Evan, Mimi, and PopPop

Congrats Maddy Cantrell! We can’t wait to see your future at University of Oklahoma! Boomer Sooner! Love, Mom & Dad

Nathan Lightfoot, Congratulations! We are so proud of you and everything you accomplished! We know you are destined for great things! Love, Mom, Dad, & David

Vanesa Nhotharack — You are going to do great things and I can’t wait to see it! Congratulations! So proud of you! Love, Mom & Dad

Congratulations Meghan Cox! We are so proud of you. The best is yet to come. We love you, Mom & Dad.

Neena Lorenz, congratulations on graduating high school. You will do great at college and beyond! I’m proud of you! Love, Kyra

To the entire class of 2021, you did it. It was a far from ideal year, but you took those lemons and made lemonade. We wish you the best of luck! — Titan Scroll Staff

A message to the class of 2021 from Dr. Hertzog To the Class of 2021, First of all...congratulations. That cannot go without saying. No matter what the last 12 months have looked like, you deserve to be congratulated for reaching the pinnacle of your K-12 education. Each of you have had a different path to this point, but on May 22, each of you will stand as equals as you become high school graduates. I am so excited for each of you and so proud of this class. The pandemic has caused much of your senior year to look different. You have had to adjust to changing learning modes, canceled events, events without spectators, and an overall feeling that you have missed out on the normal senior experience. You certainly deserve better and I wish the pandemic had not caused so many issues during your senior year. What I hope you take away from this year is that challenges in life are inevitable. Unfortunately, we do not always have the choice of which challenges we face. The choice you always have is whether to rise to the challenge or not. I believe the class of 2021 has shown, through your response to this pandemic, that you are ready to face any obstacle life can put in front of you. As you transition to the next stage of your life, do so with the knowledge that not one senior class before you at Lee’s Summit West High School has had to endure what you have. If you can achieve what you have this year, there is no limit to what you can achieve in the future. Congratulations to each member of the class of 2021. With Titan Pride, Dr. Hertzog titan scroll | 05.18.21

Yearbook Seniors

Landry Edwards

Claire Gaffney

Abi Green

“Congrats Class of 2021 Yearbook Seniors! The lab will not be the same without you next year!“ Love Owensby and Epic Yearbook Staff.

Broadcasting and Film Seniors

Congrats to the class of 2021!

“You have made an everlasting impact on our program and we will miss you!” Love Smythia and Epic Broadcasting and Film Staff.

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Kickstarted careers

Lorince Walker Senior Lorince Walker is making an early start into the real estate world. Walker said he has always had an interest in becoming a real estate agent, and he is ready to begin his career as early as possible. “As soon as I can start making my own money and begin working, I want to. I’m getting a head start ASAP,” said Walker. As soon as Walker hit is 18th birthday, he began planning out the steps he would take to earn his license and certification required to become an agent. To obtain a real estate license, it’s mandatory to take a month-long class and pass a realtor’s exam. Walker said his drive comes from the appeal of being his own boss and bringing in a large salary. “If I work in an area with bigger properties, I can bring in not only more money, but also connections and clientele,” said Walker. “I owe my success to myself honestly. I’ve had the dream of making money and getting rich for a long time, and I’m finally at the age where I can start grinding. I will say I was prepared by my teachers here at West to push myself with hard work, but without a strong work ethic, I wouldn’t be pursuing my dream,” Walker said.

Tessa Duncan Senior Tessa Duncan is kickstarting her future career as a nurse anesthetist by planning out her next steps early on. Duncan is currently working as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens Pharmacy.

Hayden Peters As the days until graduation begin to tick away, many seniors find themselves making plans for the next chapter of their lives. The years after high school are when many begin to find their way towards individual career paths and occupations, but some are already ahead of the curve.

“I’ve gotten to know all the different medications and their use. and even how to do the math for dosages. As for internships, you can apply at Walgreens as soon as you turn 18 and they teach you everything you need to know about the job, even with no experience,” said Duncan. Duncan encourages anyone who is interested in nursing, health care, or any like of work having to do with medical focus to explore different internship options. She said that programs like Summit Tech are a great way to get your foot in the door, and she is thankful for the opportunities that were accessible to her. Duncan will attend nursing school and earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing before getting her doctorate to become a CRNA.

Today, she is driven by her passion for working with pets, and it’s turned into much more than a childhood hobby. Waller plans to attend the University of Missouri and apply for the veterinary program. Her objective after college is to continue to work at a veterinary hospital or possibly a zoo in the area. “In 10 years I’d like to be working at a practice or in whatever field needs me the most. I could definitely see myself at the KC Zoo, but I’ll be fresh out of vet school so I’m happy to be wherever life takes me,” said Waller. With years of life ahead of them, these seniors are prepared to take it all on with passion and drive. Walker, Duncan, and Waller have their futures laid out for them, as their childhood dreams turn into reality in the years to come.

“...without a strong work ethic, I wouldn’t be pursuing my dream,” - Lorince Walker

Avery Waller Senior Avery Waller also has solidified plans for her next step in her education. She plans to attend veterinary school after getting her undergraduate degree. Currently she works full time at the Lee’s Summit Animal Hospital. Growing up, Waller was around animals constantly, and she said it developed a love for taking care of all types of dogs, cats, birds, and more.

Senior Avery Waller interns at Lee’s Summit Animal Hospital. She will attend veterinarian school at the University of Missouri. Photo by Hayden Peters

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Cutest Couple

Ella Skelsey A middle school crush led to almost four years of dating for seniors Anna Long and Cam Careswell who have a strong high school romance and are looking to the future. The pair, who were voted the class of 2021’s cutest couple, will head to the University of Missouri together, where Careswell will play baseball and Long will attend the journalism school there. According to Long, she first knew about Careswell through his mom, who was her

dentist and her mom’s childhood friend; but they started dating because she liked him in middle school. “I had a really big crush on him, and so I kind of put myself into situations where I knew I would see him. Like if he was on the lake I would try and follow him on my Sea-Doo, so I definitely was the one that pursued him first,” Long said. Aimee Long, Anna’s mom, said her friendship with Cam’s mom didn’t contribute to Anna and Cam’s relationship, but the moms did become closer again after their

kids started dating. Aimee said she and Holli Careswell “were good friends growing up in elementary school. I rode my first horse at Holli’s farm ... It’s been wonderful getting reconnected with Holli and we even went horseback riding again last fall!” This support from family grows not only out of love, but also experience. Anna said her parents were high school sweethearts, allowing them to know that high school relationships can last a lifetime and put aside “certain ideas about people who date the same person all through The class of 2021 voted Anna Long and Cam Careswell as their “Cutest Cou- high school.” These “ideas” or “stereople.” The pair said they enjoy spending time on the lake, the place that helped types” as Cam put it, are not spark their relationship. Photo courtesy of Holli Careswell always true. “I think people think that ‘It’s just high school, it’s not serious,’ but ... I think everyone knows someone who were high school sweethearts,” Cam said. Anna added that because they’ve been able to grow with each other, their relationship has grown more serious too. “It also would be super different if we were controlling of one another. But I think that because he can go out with his friends whenever he wants and I can go out with mine,” Anna said, “It’s really allowed ourselves to grow with each other rather than holding ourselves into the same freshman bubble.” Having a lot of trust early on will help them stay strong as they go to Mizzou, Aimee said. “Anna and Cam are already respectful of one another’s time and friendships beyond their own relationship. Knowing that they have healthy boundaries and are not controlling, I think they will thrive at college.” Heading into college, Cam said they will stick together because they trust each other, but also because 48 titan scroll | 05.18.21

they’ll be living close by. “We’re living in the same building. That’s what he means by ‘close by.’ He’ll literally be two floors above,” Anna joked. Going from meeting on the lake in middle school to going to college together, the couple truly has grown up together, and have had their lives changed no matter what the future holds. Cam said Anna has been his best friend and helped open him up over the years. “She kinda helped break me out of my shell. I used to be really shy, and scared of girls. I think I needed someone who was more outgoing, who could help me out a little bit,” Cam said. Holli said she’s been able to watch Cam adapt and “get dressed up once in a while,” as well as making healthy compromises. “A true test of his dedication was when one of her pageants was on the same day as a Chiefs playoffs game. He went to the pageant but watched the game on his phone in the audience with her dad and brother.” Aimee said she’s seen both Anna and Cam change throughout their relationship because of their differences. “I think Cam and Anna both challenge each other to see people and the world through a wider lens and to have a greater understanding of others.” Anna also said that their differences are what make their relationship so secure. “We are very opposite, but also we have a lot of the same core values. So I like how whenever I get hot-headed about something, he’s always so mellow and can calm me down really fast. And I also like how he works really hard at everything he does and holds himself to a really high standard,” Anna said. While Anna looks to Cam for balance, Cam said he loves how supportive Anna is. “My favorite qualities about Anna are that she’s my best friend. And she’s always someone I can count on and she’s always there for me.” Being years in their relationship also means having years of memories. Some traditions they have kept include having dinner together on “Christmas Eve Eve, on the 23rd of December,” Anna said, as well as attending every school dance together. For Cam, “I think going to dinner on Christmas is really fun, really special. And yeah, I can’t just pick one. I think just every date we go on, and getting to spend time together.” Holli said she enjoys seeing them together, especially at school dances. “I love tak-

ing pictures for all their formal events together and seeing them dressed up. The way they look at each other is pretty amazing, I feel very fortunate that he has someone who cares about him as much as she does,” Holli said. One strategy to keep making memories is finding time for each other. Both Anna and Cam said they’ve been finding time for each other for years and will continue when they reach Mizzou. Anna said, “Even though we live three minutes away from each other in the same neighborhood, we’ve been used to balancing super chaotic schedules, and we’ve always found a way to make time.”

Careswell and Long have attended every school dance together. Their first high school dance was homecoming in 2017 (top photo), and they most recently went to this year’s prom (bottom photo). Photos courtesy of Anna Long

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Drawing out their future What the winners of most artistic for the senior class are planning after graduation Conor Lueck Seniors Kyler Gher and Joshua Lewis are two very familiar names in the Lee’s Summit West art community. However, neither know whether they will be continuing their art career after high school, even though they were voted by their classmates as most artistic. Kyler Gher has been practicing their art skills since they were able to hold a pen, and said it’s been a passion ever since. “I think a lot of the skills came naturally to me, but it took a while to nurture them. Again, I’ve been drawing since I was little but it takes practice and years of like, changing art styles and everything like that. But really, and truly, I think I’ve just, I’ve had that skill and I’ve been growing it for so long that

some people would see it as natural talent, but I think it’s just hard work that I’ve actively done,” Gher said. Similarly, Joshua Lewis began art when he was young, starting in elementary school, when he was put into a more advanced art class than the rest. Ever since then, he has taken some sort of art class. Gher said they know they can always continue to get better. “I know that I’ll look back in six months, and then six months after that, and I will see just how much more, I’ve gotten better. And I know that I can always keep going. And I know that as I continue going, I can inspire other people like artists have inspired me.” Lewis said that when he makes a bad piece of art, it’s motivating. “I realized when I made a terrible painting, actually a very terrible painting. All I did was write one word on it, which was like K.C. But my elementary school art teacher said, this doesn’t look good. So I motivated myself to actually get better. And so that’s why I just kept on drawing and painting.” Gher hadn’t planned on taking any art classes throughout high school, but when they had shown their art to a senior in their sophomore year, that all changed. Gher began taking art class junior year and is currently enrolled in three. Lewis has had multiple art classes throughout all of his school years, but he said the one who has pushed him the hardest was Mrs. Suzanne Smith. “She’s a great teacher who wants the best for all of her students,”

Senior Joshua Lewis said he creates art everyday. He enjoys both realism and abstract pieces. Photo by Conor Lueck 50

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Lewis said. Smith also played a part in Gher’s life. “Mrs. Smith treats me more like a friend than a student, and she pushes me to be the best artist I can be. I’m very grateful for her,” Gher said. Smith, currently in her seventh year teaching at Lee’s Summit West, said “I didn’t have the greatest art teachers while I was in high school, and I think that makes me the teacher that I am and want to be.” “Honestly, in my free time, I just do a lot of raw art, it’s a beautiful thing,” Lewis said. When he’s not at school, he said he’s either making art or brainstorming. Along the way of his art career, Lewis has also picked up boxing. Despite Gher having over 100,000 followers on their TikTok and almost 10,000 followers on Instagram, Gher is facing a dilemma between art and theatre. They just performed in the school’s musical production of “Grease” as Rizzo. “I’m taking a gap year after this year to take time and think on whether I want to do theater or art,” Gher said. Lewis knows that for him to become the best artist he can be, he needs to keep working and experiment with his work. “I work on my sketchbook dang near every day, the time that I have chances to So I mean, that’s a good part of the way, how I get better, and also looking at my color schemes and how to get better with color. I’ll do all types of art ranging from realism to abstract.” Gher also knows that for them to continue growing as an artist, they need to experiment with different types of art. “Typically, it’s either just drawing with pencil and paper, or it’s digitally. I’m just now getting into painting, but I want to do more of that going on. I’m very big on digital art and animation. It’s really what I’m best at.” Both artists know that they have the skills and learning ability to become an artist for their career. But both are examining their options – Gher who could be doing theater or art, or Lewis who hopes his boxing career will take off.

Not just “Good,” the best

Natalee Still There was no “debate” when it came to who won this year’s favorite teacher superlative. The 2021 senior class voted Matt Good for this title. Senior Trey Sharp has been in Good’s class for all four years of high school. Mr. Good’s class is enjoyable because “the environment is lighthearted, but the things we do matter to the students,” he said. “I go to that class everyday and know that something funny will happen, that I won’t be stressed, and that I will get to do something that I actually enjoy.” Good said he has his classroom set up to be comfortable for his students. He said he displays awards, plaques, and trophies around his room to show the “unique nature of the debate program.” Then he includes other decorations and fun items that he is interested in. Besides the positive classroom environment, Good said he believes creating relationships with his students is important. He said, “Research is pretty clear that students learn better from teachers who they feel care about them and are invested in them.” He checks up on his students and gets to know them as much as he can. Sharp said Good is “real” with his students and “has the best teaching style of any teacher that I have ever had.” His teaching is a loose leadership style—he is direct, but still easy-going. He uses a lot of humor in his teaching, whilst being serious. Good said, “I generally don’t take myself or anything too seriously. I’m pretty laid back. There is a lot of silliness and lightness. I also use lots of directness.” But, he said the directness partly comes from the relationships that he has built. Senior Iqra Talib has also been with Good all four years. “Mr. Good is super relaxed and that’s probably my favorite thing about his teaching style. He doesn’t

get angry or annoyed if you don’t complete an assignment and is always willing to be flexible.” His students said they are comfortable with his teaching and how he is patient with them. Senior Cameron Greenwell, who spent his high school career with Good, said he agrees that his teaching style is one of the best. He said Mr. Good sets a great example for all of his students, This is debate teacher Matt Good’s first time and admires how being voted the favorite teacher by the senior smart and intellectual class. Photo by Natalee Still Good is. Talib said she likes sets and knew it “benefited students who how kind he is and how he understands different students’ participated.” needs. She said he’s a funny guy that gets Good said teaching has taught him how to be a good person. He has learned what along with pretty much everyone. Greenwell said he sees him as an amaz- people need from an authority figure in ing person, but also respects his generosi- their life, so has used his teaching to “make ty within debate. “Regardless of differing a socially positive experience” for his stuviewpoints, which are inherently present in dents. a debate class, he teaches and conversates Good said himself how he wants to be a with each student happily and kindly,” he good example to his students and to everysaid. “In an increasingly political society, one around him. He said there’s more than in a class consumed by current events, Mr. teaching his students how to debate and the Good sets the perfect example of how we strategies to win. should unify, rather than divide ourselves. He said, “They need somebody who is If we could all take a little bit away from excited that they’re there. They need somehow he treats people, our school would be a body who affirms for them that they belong in that environment. They need somebody much better place.” Good has taught debate for 21 total years, who will compassionately hold them to nine of those at LSW. “I’ve kind of always standards and expectations in a reasonable wanted to be a teacher since late elementary way.” He said he wants to relate to who he school or middle school,” he said. He also teaches, and help his students become not said he decided to teach debate because that only smarter, but good people. had always been one of his passions. He said debate is one of his strong skill titan scroll | 05.18.21 51

Doubling down on language

Emma Jauernig becomes the first student at West to receive the Seal of Biliteracy for two languages Anna Eulinger “My husband’s side of the family is Ger- doubted myself in my language abilities, This year, 45 seniors will receive the Seal man. His grandpa came over from Germa- but this really makes me feel like, ‘Okay, I’m of Biliteracy, an award given to students ny in the late twenties, and I think that she on the right track,’” Jauernig said. who have become proficient in two or is really proud of that and she really loves Some of this push to learn two languages more languages. Of those 45, senior Emma that heritage, so I think that kind of helped came not just from herself, as Jauernig said Jauernig will receive two Seals of Bilitera- to influence her to want to learn German it also came from both of her teachers along cy — German s p e c i f i c a l ly, the way. and Mandarin but there was “My Chinese teacher, she really ignited Chinese. She no push from my passion for languages, I guess, because will become the home at all,” she’s such a great teacher and she makes first student at Kelly said. learning really fun. Then Herr Wallace is West to hold In the fu- really good at … like I can tell that a lot this honor. ture, Kelly said of his teaching styles are based in linguis “I decided she thinks she tic research. So, that’s really interesting to to get it in two could even see watch,” Jauernig said, “Seeing two different languages beher daughter sides of it, whereas my Chinese teacher is cause I have living abroad. a native speaker of Chinese, my German been taking “I know she teacher learned German. So, getting to see both languages says that she’s both perspectives of somebody who alin school and not exactly ready spoke the language and then someeven though sure what she body who had to learn it themselves, it realI’ve been takwants to do, ly helps to inspire me.” ing Chinese for Jauernig traveled to Germany during but that if she German teacher Dakota Wallace said he longer, I figwere to have can see Jauernig’s passion for foreign lanher sophomore year. She said she hopes her dream job, guages and interest in other cultures. Along ured I should try for German to live abroad when she is older. Photo it would be with that, he said that she encourages other because why courtesy of Emma Jauernig living abroad students to do the same. not?” Jauernig and teaching “When she came to Germany with us, said. English as a she was very encouraging to interact with In eighth grade, Jauernig said she start- second language. I know that she’s always the Germans there. Actually when we first ed taking Chinese, putting five years in the wanted, always landed, we books by the time she graduates. Overlap- thought that it were headping those five years of Chinese is three would be really, ing over to “It feels really good beyears of German. really fun to live the train cause I’ve been passionate “A lot of people think that Chinese is in Germany. station … about languages for a long more difficult, but I’d say that they are That wouldn’t and they around equal difficulty. It’s just different as- surprise me,” had some time now and I finally have pects of them are difficult. So in Chinese, Kelly said. time to grab something to show for it.” obviously, reading and writing are more Through all something difficult because you use characters, but in of the years of to eat. And — Emma Jauernig German, grammar is very difficult, where- work to learn when we as Chinese is simple. So, it’s kind of a trade German and met back off of which aspects of it are difficult, but Chinese, Jauup, she had they’re, in my eyes, both about equal,” Jau- ernig said she feels it has paid off. “It feels this story that she met a bunch of Chinese ernig said. really good because I’ve been passionate tourists at the train station, they were chat Jauernig’s mother, Kelly Jauernig, said about languages for a long time now and ting up in Chinese, too. So, she’s willing to she knew Jauernig always had an apprecia- I finally have something to show for it. I put her neck out there and use the language tion for languages and her decision to take just feel validated because especially when to build connections,” Wallace said. on learning two was all a personal choice. I mean, obviously I’ve had times where I’ve Wallace said he thinks that it is import52

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Seal of Biliteracy Recipients

ant to learn different languages and cultures, and encourages Jauernig to continue doing the same. He said he could see Jauernig using her ability to speak two other languages in the future. “I think she’s already doing a whole lot of good stuff. She’s got close contact with friends she’s made in Germany. I’ve encouraged her to reach out to German culture like in movies, films, music. Just engage with that. I think she’s engaging a lot with the friends she made and that’s really good,” Wallace said. Similar to Wallace, Mandarin Chinese teacher Liang May Lee said she could see Jauernig using her language skills in the future. “I am so proud of her … she is going to go very far with this language skill. It’s not just knowing how to speak, but both languages also taught her how to be open and global-minded so that she can exit and enter any culture with a very broad mindset,” Lee said. Beyond Jauernig’s language abilities, Lee said she will be a memorable student due to her personality. “She’s one of a kind. Always learning

languages with a big smile on her face, always so open, always willing to share, always someone I can count on when the class is quiet. When no one feels like talking, I’ll be watching her and she goes, ‘Oh, I’ll do it,’” Lee said, “By being the first person who’s not afraid to share her personal stories, it just makes the whole classroom environment more inviting, and then we will have a second person and third person willing to try.” As the class of 2021’s senior year comes to a close, Lee said she hopes for the best for Jauernig. “Emma, I hope that you will continue learning Chinese Mandarin. It’s a long process, but I’m happy to be the coach during your high school life. I would love to see you continue with your passion of languages.” As for Kelly Jauernig, she said she and her husband have similar wishes for their daughter. “We’re just really proud of her, and I think that what means the most to me and her dad is just that, like I said, she’s found something that she really loves and she’s just taking it as far as she can. So, that’s a pretty great life skill.”

Spanish Fisher Atkins Sadie Baich Jillian Belvin Alexia Charlton Orion Cummins Bethany Danley Kyra Duarte Payton Easley Jordan Fields Olivia Foster Shane Fredrickson Imani Gasaway Sheryah Gavel Yamile Jimenez Simmy Kandola Jazmine Knight Keisha Kodidhi Annaliese Lee Nathan Lightfoot Maddie Mall Isaac McCullough Mike McKnight Abigail Moore Annelise Oster Jaden Paulson Emma Polly Arie Rollins Kyle Rooney Cameron Selbe Tristan Russell Trey Sharp Savanna Starke Hogan Stoker Braden Taylor Grant Weiner Tierricka Woods Arabic Hala Alsousi French Quinn Cox Abby Massengill German Elizabeth Kerschen Brennan Mowery Mandarin Chinese Quinn Engel Alana Green Rebekah Hartwig titan scroll | 05.18.21

Prom night Photos by Hayden Peters and Vanesa Nhotharack

Hogan Stoker, Olivia Berens and Marlena Davis.

Alana Freeman and Bri Chism

Nathan Lightfoot, Shane Fredrickson, Cam Caresewell, Everett Wimberly, Anna Long, Riley Selby, Emily Graber and Kylie Haas

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Aniya Glenn and Jake Grider

Madalinn Otis and Ryan Gibson Quinn Frazier

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Flippin’ Awesome Josh Wood The ball goes out for a throw in. Senior Connor Brummett picks up the ball and takes his three steps back, preparing to launch the ball toward the net. It’s something he said he’s done thousands of times, but this one will be different. Brummett has played soccer since he was six-years-old, and eventually began playing competitively. By eight, he had begun learning the skill he is most known for on the field: a front handspring throw in that sends the ball towards the penalty box at a speed and height far higher than most corner kicks. According to Brummett, it took him years to master, but it has propelled his teams to new heights every year. In the 2020 season alone, the Titans scored five goals from his throw-ins, some being redirected into the net, and others coming straight from Brummett. Senior Parker Jenkins, his teammate since elementary school, had the most goals off the throw than anybody on the team, something he attributes to their chemistry on the field. “I’ve played with him for ten years, so I know every single move he’s gonna do on the field, and I know exactly what the ball is going to do coming out of his hands and everything,” Jenkins said. Brummett said he began developing the technique at his sister’s gymnastics practices when he was eight-years-old, and thanks to his background in taekwondo, it came naturally to him. “I’d be the little brother always trying out everything they were doing, and eventually I got pretty good at somersaults and handsprings and stuff. Eventually I did it at a soccer practice and my coach told me to try to throw the ball with it, and the rest was history.” Jenkins said that at first, it was far from the weapon that it is today. Jenkins said the two would spend their free time at practices and games working on it, Brummett on one end of the field, Jenkins on the other. “Even at that age it was pretty incredible to watch, but he was only getting a third of the distance he can now, if that,” Jenkins said. “There were times he would just spike it into the ground or fling it into the air and 56

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completely miss, it was pretty funny.” It took years of practice, but in his age 14 season, he began to use it in games. “At some point in that season it just clicked for me, the motion and everything. After that I wanted to do it as much as I could, every single throw,” Brummett said. For Brummett and his teammates, the throw is more than just a trick he can do. At tryouts and scouting tournaments he said

flagship TV program. This naturally came as a huge surprise to both Kirtley and Brummett, the latter of whose phone began blowing up seemingly out of nowhere. “It was definitely crazy, everyone on the team was freaking out and everything,” Brummett said. This wasn’t Brummett’s first time getting attention for his throw however. The previous year, a video filmed by a parent at his game caught the attention Brummett flip throws against Pembroke Hill in 2018. of Overtime, He plans to continue his soccer career at Rockhurst and was reUniversity next year. Photo by Anna Long posted onto their Instagram account. In the video, he scored directly off the throw, with the ball slipping through the goalkeepers hands and into the net. “The first time it happened, I was he would do it as much as he could, so he like ‘Wow this is crazy,’ but didn’t think could stand out and try to stick in coaches’ much would come after,” Brummett said. heads. For Jenkins and the other members of It didn’t just stick in coaches heads how- the team, seeing their teammate getting naever. Many soccer players in the Kansas tional attention was surreal. “Overtime FC City area know about the throw, including for soccer fans is huge, it’s like our own perPark Hill junior, Will Kirtley. In October, sonal Sportscenter, so that itself was amazKirtley posted a video from the sidelines ing. Then it was actually on Sportscenter of Brummett’s throw onto TikTok, and it and we all went like ‘What in the world is quickly began going viral on the app. happening?’” Jenkins said. “Then after that “My teammates and I knew about the we sort of had to downplay it. It was pretty throw, so I said that if he did it I’d film it. I funny how fast we moved on because we put it on TikTok that night and by the next didn’t want it to mess us up the rest of the morning it had like 500,000 likes, and from season.” there it went even crazier,” Kirtley said. After the video made it to ESPN, the Ti In total, the video got over 14 million tans kept on winning. They finished with a views on TikTok, and within a day of post- record of 15-6, and beat Lee’s Summit in the ing the video, ESPN and Overtime both district finals 2-1 in overtime. reached out to Kirtley about the video. He The winning goal? A header. By Parker gave them both rights to the video, and Jenkins, off a Connor Brummett flip throw. from there it went even further. Both fea- A fitting end to both of the player’s high tured it on their TikTok and Instagram, school careers. and ESPN even put it on Sportscenter, their

Article Retraction

Collegiate career kicks off at Arkansas My name is Ian McDonald. I was a sports writer for the Titan Scroll. I am writing this to retract an article titled “Collegiate career kicks off at Arkansas.” It was written by me, then published on page 57 of the printed version of the May 18, 2021 Senior Edition of the Titan Scroll. This entire article was fabricated and made up entirely of my words. I take sole and full responsibility for this article. My advisor Carol Ullery and my Editor in Chief Anna Long, along with the rest of my staff, had zero knowledge or anything to do with the making of this article. I understand that what I did is wrong in every way and goes against everything that was taught to me in journalism. This piece is not at all representative of what the Titan Scroll is. I want to apologize to Sadie and Olivia first for using made up quotes and attaching their names. It’s completely disrespectful and is portraying an image of them that is not true. I also want to apologize to Mrs. Ullery, Anna, and the rest of my staff for allowing this to be distributed and for lying and portraying a negative image of what the Titan Scroll is. I also want to apologize to the student body and anyone who might have read this article. I misled and gave uncredible information to you all. Once again I am sorry for the decision I have made and take full and sole responsibility for my actions.

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Athletes’ Final Words Football: Taylor Wilson “I came from nothing, so I mentally never lose. Everything is a win or a lesson.” Photo by Madeline Cantrell

Boys Soccer: Alex Gerhart “One Word: Hard Work.” Photo by Vanesa Nhortharack

Boys Basketball: Luke Jordan “A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” Photo by Keaghan McDaniel

Boys Swim: Jesse Ailshire “Sports have had a big impact on me and have shaped me into who I am today.” Photo by Keaghan McDaniel

Boys Cross Country: Quinn Frazier “When you can’t run you need to run with your heart.” 58

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Boys Tennis: Tyler Rodgers “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” Photo By Mia Guidolin

Baseball: Logan Boenker “Go hard every time...so others may everytime.” Photo by Ellie Johnson

Boys Golf: Jack Dorrian “No matter how good you get you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.” Photo Courtesy of Bret Wagner

Boys Lacrosse: Nathan Davis “Work Hard, play hard, it’s not hard if you practice like you want to play.” Photo By Madeline Cantrell

Boys Track: AJ Russo “To all the young kids out there that’s not the biggest, not the strongest: keep pushing.”

Boys Volleyball: John Doyle “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” titan scroll | 05.18.21

Athletes’ Final Words Girls Tennis: Tristen Caskey “Titan tennis has taught me the importance of teamwork and working together while always supporting each other.” Photo by Christina Jarvis

Girls Soccer: Megan Barr “Shake and bake.” Photo by Keaghan McDaniel

Girls Cross Country: Devyn Dancy “My favorite memory on the cross country team is going to Colorado every year and getting to run and hike with all my friends in the mountains.” Photo by Keaghan McDaniel

Cheer: Chloe Carmen “Being a varsity cheerleader for the last four years has taught me more than I imagined it would and given me so many opportunities to excel in my life.” Photo by Vanesa Nhotharack

Girls Track and Field: Cydney Banks “Always put in 100% no matter what you do because at least you can always say you gave it your all.” Photo by Sarah Hall

Girls Golf: Lindsey Horvath closed out her senior year on varsity.

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Swimming: Faith Salamone “Never be afraid to ask, the worst anyone can say is no.” Photo By Anna Eulinger

Girls Lacrosse: Marlo Tatum “While being a high school athlete I’ve learned how to keep pushing. Some days are harder but being a part of a team is like a family.” Photo by Meghan Cox

Volleyball: Ashley Briese “The bond the team created is one I’ll never forget.” Photo by Lilly Salmond

Westside Girls: Jada Graves “Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. You can do anything with hard work and self discipline.” Photo By Madeline Cantrell

Wrestling: Kaylee Harker “My favorite thing about high school was my titan wrestling team. They were my family and stuck with me through thick and thin.” Photo by Ella Skelsey

Softtball: Jillian Belvin Best program and because of titan softball I had the best four years of my life! I wouldn’t trade the memories for anythng. Photo by Anna Eulinger titan scroll | 05.18.21

Top 10 Athletes 2021

Colby Baggett

Hogan Stoker

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Cam Careswell

Shane Fredrickson

Cole Stewart

Selected and voted on by the Titan Scroll staff.

Morgan Pietig Payton Easley

Brooke Ellis

Aly Gurtiza

Madison Staples

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This edition of the Titan Scroll is dedicated to the class of 2021. The end of high school may seem bittersweet, but we hope this Titan Scroll helps you to remember your times here at West as you set your sights on your future. Our senior year was far from what we may have dreamed. Nevertheless, we made it. And when life gives you lemons ...

you have to make lemonade.