Vol. 23 | Issue 1

Olathe East Hawk’s Eye Volume 23//Issue 1 September 2014

The Meaning Behind the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Pages 14 &15

Find Out the Perks of Being 18 Page 16 Get Creative When Asking Your Date to Homecoming Page 20

#PRAYFORJAMES

[September] 2014

TABLE

Soccer: The Uprising in the United States

OF CONTENTS

SPORTS

Uprising in Soccer....................................................3

Jacob Stofer Fall Sports Preview................................................4-5

Camille Denis and Matthew Gwin

The Future of Soccer in America is Bright

T Cover Courtesy of Patrick McGinnis Follow us!

Instagram: @oehawkseye Snapchat: @oehawkseye Twitter: @OEHawksEye

NEWS

New OE Faculty.........................................................6-7

Logan Brockschmidt Summer School Trips............................................8-9

Natalie Friend and Katie Thompson

FEATURE

Summer Selfies....................................................10-11

Courtney Child and Paige Schick The Depression Epidemic..................................12-13

Jordan Meier ALS Challenge....................................................14-15

Alexa Buechler and Lauren Hart The Age of Freedom.................................................16

Brenna Thompson

EDITORIAL

Pressure to Pick a College as a Junior....................17

Brock Holmes Ferguson: A Black and White Issue...................18-19

Matthew Gwin and Aaron Rhodes

ENTERTAINMENT

Cute Ways to Ask Your Date to Homecoming.....20

Lauren Heinrich Marvel Movie Craze...................................................21

Gavin Miller Olathe East Bucket List............................................22

Amy Du and Hannah Cruise Book Club Recommendations................................23

Annie Beurman On The Flipside.........................................................24

pgs. 4 & 5

pgs. 8 & 9 A student-run publication Olathe East High School 14545 W. 127th Street Olathe, KS 66062 ADVISER PUBLICITY MANAGER

Karen Bourland

EDITORS

Courtney Child Paige Schick

BUSINESS MANAGERS Hannah Cruise Amy Du

STAFF WRITERS

Logan Brockschmidt Alexa Buechler Jordan Meier Gavin Miller Jacob Stofer

Aaron Rhodes

SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Annie Beurman Camille Denis Natalie Friend Brock Holmes Brenna Thompson Katie Thompson

COPY EDITORS Lauren Hart Lauren Heinrich

CREATIVE EDITOR Matthew Gwin

his summer, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The United States had an amazing run, from John Brooks’ shot against Ghana in the 86th minute of a group play match, to the heartbreaking loss in the round of 16 against Belgium. Although the USMNT didn’t make it into the Quarterfinals, soccer fever in the United States did not stop in Brazil. In fact, the craze started 20 years ago, back in 1994.

In 1994, the United States hosted the World Cup, and soccer fever launched across the nation. Two years after the World Cup, Major League Soccer (MLS) formed in 1996, with 10 teams total. One of those teams was the Kansas City Wizards (now known as Sporting Kansas City).

Before the MLS was founded, there was the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1968-1984. The league consisted of 24 teams, including the Kansas City Spurs, which existed from 1968-1970. In the years following the folding of the NASL, three other soccer leagues in America were formed: The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), The United Soccer League (USL), and The American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA). Only the MISL and the USL still exist. The AISA folded in 2001.

With soccer on the rise in the United States, most of the population has been hooked on the phenomenon for quite some time.

“Every four years all of America unites to watch the World Cup, people are appreciating the sport more,” said Olathe East sophomore soccer player Kyle Gabrielson.

“I think the numbers speak for themselves -- the number

Jacob Stofer//Staff Writer

of people watching the World Cup, the increased participation in youth soccer, consecutive sellouts at Sporting Park, quality of fields at Overland Park, the increase of quality coaches, and the success of pro, collegiate, high school and youth teams. It’s becoming more popular,” said Olathe East boys’ soccer head coach Terry Hair.

The numbers do speak for themselves. More than 4,457,000 American’s watched the 64 matches that ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC broadcasted in American households. 25 million Americans tuned in to watch the 2-2 draw against Portugal in a group play match on Monday, June 22, 2014.

More than 26.5 million Americans tuned into to watch Germany’s extra time win against Argentina on July 13, 2014 in the World Cup Final.

Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter also played a major role in the success of the World Cup. More than three billon Facebook posts and 627 million tweets were posted during the one month long battle for the World Cup. With soccer fever in full swing in the United States, the popularity will continue growing in the years to come.

United States Soccer Logo Expansion teams in New York City and Orlando have been Courtesy of founded and are expected to begin playing in 2015. Atlanta www.insidemnsoccer.com will bring a soccer club to the city in 2017. A soccer club in Las Vegas is rumored to hit the city in the near future.

The United States Mens The expansion of MLS clubs in the United States will hit Soccer team take a photo 24 teams by 2020. Fans in these new expansions cities will undoubtedly be ecstatic that soccer has hit their cites. There during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is no question that soccer’s popularity in the United States Courtesy of Ebru.tv will not be ending anytime soon.

4 [Sports]

[September] 2014

Fall Sports Across the Board Seven Squads Striving for State

Camille Denis//Senior Staff Writer

The Byers sisters prepare for a point Courtesy of Camille Denis

enal with a phenom is team ended nn te cond se ks ed aw H pions, finish The Lady were city cham and e, ey at Th St . r ar fo ye s st er season la ified five play al qu , ue ld ag hi Le er ney C in the Sunflow hang and Court Seniors Erica C s. aylee Byers al K on or gi ni Re ju rs on te w ong with sis al l, ta en ad the m le ru to st return will be in e Byers who will is El e every day or rd ha om g ph in and so s been practic ha t, am te e ur Th ria to namen young squad. er League, Empo ow nfl Su e th in to compete ue teams. st Kansas Leag nging schedand against Ea about the challe ed ri or w t some no is me lumps and Coach Hulse ey may take so “Th , of id lt sa su e H re . ule though get better as a tter, but we will n.” bruises to get be have a lot of fu to t s... We wan am te od go g in play

bbles Mark Vanlandingham dri d fiel the up the ball Courtesy of Camille Denis

last y team had a successful run The Hawks cross countr ion Reg t igh stra h ning their fift season with the ladies win ed ish fin and gue Lea er Sunflow als. They also captured the side qualified for State and n’s me e Th te. sta the in third brought back ninth place. e in the record-breaking 19th tim Last year marked the lified for qua has m tea y ntr cou ss past 21 years that our cro million Schmeeckle, Allison Ver State. Kayla Davis, Emily ividual ind n wo o wh y Hawks are some key returning Lad h HerJos er, nn Ski k Nic n, the me State titles last year. For ad. squ d r will lead a talente nandez, and Jeremy Kable are to “Our goals on both sides d, sai th zar Head coach Bo the reue tin con and gue Lea flower be contenders in the Sun ionship.” contend for state champ gional winning streak and

The offense matriculates the ball down the field Courtesy of Logan Brockschmidt

Last year the men’s soccer te am had a record ing season with -breaka record of 20-1 . Their only loss the State semifi was in nals, but they re bounded to take State. This year third in the team has st rong leadership returning senior with 10 s including capt ains Zac Marqu Reynolds, Mar ess, Lucas k Vanlandingha m, and Chris Ly Coach Hair on. said, “I like our work ethic righ have a good blen t now, we d of senior lead ership and yout The team will h.” have difficult co mpetition agai of the participan nst most ts in the Sunflow er league, but es against Shawne pecially e Mission North west, Shawnee East, and Olath Mission e South. They ar e working hard to get better an at practice d hope to adva nce farther in th playoffs than la e State st year.

Off to the races Courtesy of Logan Brockschmidt

did very well, qualifying for Last year the football team a row. The team currently State for the thirteenth year in Kansas for making the holds the longest 6A streak in y of influential returning State playoffs. They have a bev son, Jalen Branson, and Hin cen Bry senior leaders such as team captains Max McClelAnthony McCray, along with lan and Chase Miller. , “I am really excited to see Head coach Jeff Meyers said how this group performs.” will be their toughest Olathe North and Lawrence e been preparing all hav opponents, but these players camps, weights, and ng ndi atte ally summer by continu year are to work hard, get two-a-days. Their goals for this , according to Coach offs better, and reach the State play Meyers.

ss f succe nacle o t record, in p e h t es g the b reached son ll team e and collectin nters this sea a b y e ll t e in a vo t h S m e t a g n e Th et nin

ntee son, win ast history. Th ague and seve a e s t s E la Le Olathe flower no 38-5, in rst in the Sun pee has fi ach Rip ccess again. o ranked .

C , g rnin d su ion re the nat ix seniors retu have unrivale alley-who we s l V il h y e e it w lu W e Vall team l be B ith Blu hat the ion wil doubt t ghest opposit t year-along w are striving to s ou State la st. The ladies best last year’s Their t to win e d w nd e h t t r ic ague, a pred the No la O wer Le o d fl n a n t u s S e W the ace it, te, win e embr w , it win Sta d pecte “We ex record. team motto is intain g to ma ey can Their ” . in it k r d o n fe th ew will de they ar nowing that and we k ure on, e s s m e r a p g the ach Withtum throughout e goals. y n e eir loft mom each th r d n a succeed

Setting up for a spike Courtesy of Camille Denis

­­Building on their pre vious seaso team is loo n, the Lady king to com Hawks golf pete in the qualify in St Sunflower ate. Caroly L ea n gue and Schmidt an turn this ye d Emily Kae ar looking to improve mmer rewhere they on their Stat won Region e appearan als and qual will have a ce. ified for Stat challenging e. The ladie sc hedule faci Coach L s ng them. illey said, “I ’ve got just with ...and exceptional even thoug kids to work h it is an in together as dividual sp a team.” o rt , they come The team will compet e against cr Shawnee M oss-county ission East rivals and Blue V the season. alley North west later in

Last the year the gymnastics team finished fourth in State.

Coach Bayha said, “We missed the trophy by one five-hundreth of a point which in the gymnastics world is like losing by a free throw.”

This loss proved difficult for them to take, but this year the team looks to continue to improve their skills and get farther in State. Seniors Maddie Sand ers and Shannon Sewell, junior Darby Gertsema, and sophomore Sam Bond are returning gymnasts that are ready to step up.

Their most difficult opponents will likel y be Lawrence Free State and Olathe Northwest. The gymnastics team is working on adding more difficult skill s into the routine to hopefully achieve their goals.

6 [News]

[September] 2014

New Faculty Join the Nest The Skinny on the New Faces around OE

Logan Brockschmidt// Staff Writer

Katrina Carey, a new French I teacher, received her undergraduate degree at KU, earning a B.G.S. in theatre performance and a minor in French. She earned a Masters in Education from Rockhurst and taught overseas in France, and has been teaching seven years in Olathe.

Her two little boys, ages four and one, keep her busy. In her free time, she likes to sew, run, dance, and watch Netflix,

Lisa Custer is a new programming teacher at both Olathe East and Olathe Northwest. At OE, she teaches Fundamentals of Programming and C++ Programming this semester, and will teach C++ and Advanced C++ next semester. She previously worked at a programming job.

Custer said, “The more you understand how a computer works, the better you can do your job in the business world.”

with her favorite show being Doctor Who. She splits her time between Olathe East and Pioneer Trail, where she coaches the dance team. “[I work on changing] the world one student at a time, hopefully by opening their minds to what is around them and making them think about what a difference they can make with their lives,” she said.

Lately in her free time, she attends concerts and sporting events. One routine that she always keeps is to take her dog for a walk. She originally started as a substitute, but moved to teaching at Olathe South.

“Sometimes when I would sub I would teach a lesson, [but] you wouldn’t be able to see them get it. When you get to see someone get it is really cool,” she said.

The newest resource teacher, Susie Fairley, teaches in the 300 hallway. Both of her parents taught when she was growing up, and her mindset going into college was, “I want to do something different.” With that in mind, she worked in corporate America. After many years, she decided that she wanted to go into teaching.

She said, “I wanted to work with kids because it is very rewarding to work with kids and watch them develop,” she said.

She received her Masters in Special Education at Pittsburg State University.

This time of year, her free time consists The Special Education Department welcomes Richard Fergola. This year marks his 18th year teaching after graduating from Emporia State University with two masters: one in physical education and the other in building administration. Fergola currently is working on his doctorate in building administration. “[Pursuing a doctorate] is a good way to challenge yourself to be a teacher everyday.

You get to work with other teachers and learn about new teaching methods,” said Fergola.

He previously taught and served as an administrator in a smaller school system in Gardner, KS, but he wanted to teach in a bigger school system.

For many years, Fergola has coached

wrestling. He said, “My philosophy with coaching is that a good coach is made by being a good teacher. I have always felt that I can set an example for the kids that they can use every day.”

One reason he loves teaching is receiving a letter or email from a former student telling him how much he was able to help them.

In his free time, Fergola enjoys watching Florida Gators college football and enjoys participating on a competitive barbequing team.

He and his wife, who teaches at Prairie Learning Center, have three children. Their oldest son is a freshman in college, followed by his only daughter in eighth grade, and his youngest son, a fourth grader.

Shelly McNerney, the new librarian, received her undergrad degree a in English and Secondary Education at Boston University.

Her first Masters was in Curriculum and Instruction at KU, her second in library science at Emporia State.

Growing up, she always loved books and thought she’d be a teacher. She previously taught kindergarten, eighth grade English, high school, and in the University of Kansas School of Education.

“It’s pretty funny when I taught kindergarten, I was teaching them to behave in school.

The OE administration welcomes Jennifer Noteboom as a new Vice Principal. Noteboom assists those with a 504 plan, and those with the last names M-Ri. She is the Special Education contact for the building, and for the Center Based Resource students.

“I work with Ms. Faunce on activities.

[Faunce] does the performing arts, cheer, and drill teams. I work with the clubs,” said Noteboom.

This is her first year as an administrator, but she spent the previous seven years at Olathe Northwest.

“I taught FACS in Denver at a high school, then taught at a middle school for one year before going to Olathe Northwest.”

She received her undergraduate degree at North Dakota State, her Masters in Counseling at University of Phoenix, and then her Masters in Administration at the University of Kansas.

She formerly lived in Minot, North Dakota, which has a nearby airforce base and a population of about 40,000 people. In her free time, she likes to spend time with my husband and two daughters.

The new choir teacher Susan Scheibler teaches the advanced choir classes. She received her Masters degree at Baker University.

In her high school years, she played a variety of instruments in the band and played piano, while singing in the choir as well. She also taught kids’ piano lessons. In her limited free time, she enjoys watching cycling.

Previously teaching at BVSW, she was a part of the opening of

mostly of watching college football. She has a love for traveling, and loves to try new restaurants in the places she visits.

She grew up locally, raised in the Kansas City area, but she hasn’t been in the United States for her entire life. While her husband was working as an engineer on a power plant, they lived in China and Thailand.

“I love being in different places, and living around people that are different than me,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to watch someone who doesn’t think they can do something and then they can.”

Michael Thomas is a new Algebra I and Applied Geometry teacher. He attended Benedictine University where he played football and studied to become a math major.

Thomas has been head coach in football, volleyball, and women’s basketball, as well as an assistant men’s basketball, and football coach.

“I love coaching, but I also love teaching.

I was a teacher that got into coaching,” he said.

His large family includes three children, and 14 grandchildren.

“We normally have two or three Thanksgiving dinners. One of my daughters likes

Then when I taught 8th graders, you would think they would know how to do that, but I found myself pulling out a how-to-do-school book and it would work on them.”

Two of her best friends are librarians in the Blue Valley school district, and they convinced her that she would love being one herself.

“I’ve been looking for the perfect job, but I think I’ve found it here in the library.” In her free time, she presides on a committee for the American Library Association, for which she reads one book a day.

having me and my wife over for dinner, so we go there for our first. We then have our Thanksgiving dinner [just my wife and I].

Then we have dinner with my wife’s family, which consists of ten siblings, most of whom are in town, Thanksgiving together where there is about 100 people.”

He previously taught at Saint Thomas Aquinas for 26 years, 19 of which he was an assistant football coach and then five years as the head coach.

In his free time, he enjoys reading and building model cars, including his favorite, a model ’57 Chevy. At Olathe East, he is on the varsity football staff for the Offensive Line and Outside Linebackers.

the school. Before that, she was the district coordinator for the Performing Arts office.

“Whenever I went to high schools and saw the choir teacher, I always thought to myself, ‘I want to be that person.’”

“Part of teaching music is how much you have to love it. You can’t fake that; you can’t force that,” she said.

Her only son enrolled at Kansas State this year to study mechanical engineering.

8 [News]

[September] 2014

It’s All Foreign to Me Olathe East Students Travel Abroad

Spain

Natalie Friend//Staff Writer Katie Thompson//Senior Staff Writer

T

his summer consisted of just less than three months, adding up to 12 weeks, 84 days, and 2,016 hours of pure freedom. Some Hawks used this time to work, relax, or binge watch Netflix.

However, some students stepped out of the box, or rather l the country.

This past summer, dozens of Hawks took Olathe East pride over the oceans.

With trips all over the Northern Hemisphere, including France and Spain, a lucky few experienced not only the summer of their lives, but made memories they will carry with them forever.

Emily, also a junior, felt very similarly. When the group visited Sacre-Ceure, the highest lookout point in Pairs, she said “Just being in that moment.” was the best part of the trip for her. Both girls appeared to enjoy the everyday French experience; as Emily said “It was the simple things that were really cool to me over the entire trip.”

Surprisingly, they saw no berets, no mimes, and no grouchy French pedestrians. Likewise, the French friends she made were surprised to find that Americans aren’t all cheerleaders and athletes, don’t only eat at McDonalds, and we aren’t actually constantly binge eating and drinking. As Emily said, “The stereotypes have been disproved.” Both Emily and Kaylen fondly recalled that although they missed having a summer with their friends, it was worth it. When asked if they would return next year, both girls said, “YES!”

France

“En roll!” Or, in more popular words, “let’s roll!” That phrase became the motto of 18 excited French students and two teachers as they boarded their flight early this summer that would take them to their future- and France. They spent 15 packed days exploring different areas of France- hitting places like the coast of the English Channel, the island of Mont Saint Michel, the D-Day Beaches of Normandy, and Versailles. Within Paris, they visited Notre Dame, the Louvre Museum, the Tuileries Gardens, and of course- the Eiffel Tower.

Students also spent an entire week with a French family in a homestay experience. Juniors Kaylen Gurwell and Emily Shukai went on the trip and found themselves having the time of their lives on what Kaylen calls “a life-changing experience.”

Although she says she was nervous at first, Kaylen said she found herself warming up and enjoying her time, especially when she realized how accommodating everyone was, because she said “they’re a lot like us…the only thing that separates us is a language and an ocean.”

Some of her favorite memories begin on the very first day they were there, when they visited Mont Saint Michel. Kaylen said at that point they were “really emerged in the French culture and hearing people walking by you talking in French and you were like- I’m not in America anymore!”

As the trip continued, she says that not only were her bonds with friends-both new and old- growing stronger, but her French skills were too. One day she fell down some stairs and then stood up and exclaimedcompletely in French. That’s when Kaylen said, “I didn’t translate-I just knew. It just clicked.”

Barcelona, Madrid, and Toledo are three of the most beautiful cities not only in Spain, but also the world. Over a dozen of our students got to experience these incredible cities on a vacation they would never forget. One of these lucky kids was senior Brent Krull.

“My neighbor had gone on the trip two years before and came home with gifts and stories of all the great times he had, and I believe it is a once in a lifetime chance to go on a trip like that.” Brent’s most unforgettable moments all revolved around soccer.

“The most memorable experience was the night of the first world cup game with Brazil vs. Croatia when all of us were in my roommate I’s room watching the game.”

Brent, being a rabid soccer fan recalls the best tourist attraction being the one of a kind Bernabeu stadium.

“My favorite place we visited was the stadium, where Real Madrid plays.”

Although Madrid was his favorite attraction, he said he would return to a different city.”

Another of the students on the trip, junior Jake DeJong, had similar sentiments. Jake said that one of his favorite parts of the trip was “the free time, just walking around the city” as he enjoyed the experience and soaked in the sun with his friends. On the trip, he and the others enjoyed delicious food, fun things to do, and friendly locals.

Jake most definitely didn’t come home with just memories and empty-handed; instead, he said he bought “the cheapest, coolest option-a real sword.”

How he managed to get that through security still remains a mystery. He and the other adventurous students experienced a completely different summer than us Hawks back home as they navigated the stunning cities and sights of Spain.

“The only thing that separates us is a language and an ocean.”

-Kaylen Gurwell

“I believe it is a once in a lifetime chance to go on a trip like that.”

- Brent Krull

Allegro

Allegro is not the average school activity here at East. In fact, Allegro is not strictly an Olathe East club.

Allegro, a choir consisting of members from over half a dozen schools in the Overland Park area, takes an international trip every three years. This summer the destinations were France and Switzerland.

Lauren Howell, a senior at OE, has been a part of the group for several years and had the opportunity to attend the trip that left the second of June and lasted a week.

“We spent the first three days in Paris, the next two in Strasbourg, and the last two in Lucerne, Switzerland.” Lauren recalled her favorite city being Strasberg, a beautiful city in France.

“The people went out of their way to welcome us. Strasberg was the smallest area of the three and there were posters all around saying what we were there for and when our concert was,” she said.

Jenna Lillian was another Hawk part of this experience. Lauren and Jenna both share a common memorable experience: singing at the cathedral de Notre Dame in Strausberg.

Jenna, a junior, grabbed her only chance for an international trip. “I have been in Allegro for seven years so when the chance came to go on this trip it just seemed like the right choice,” Jenna said.

The girls were not in agreement, though, about the best tourist attraction.

Lauren said, “The best tourist attraction was the palace of Versailles.” However, Jenna said, “The Eiffel tower was definitely the best tourist attraction.”

Although the girls might not have agreed on everything about the trip they agree on one thing: “It was an experience I will never forget,” said Jenna.

10 [Feature]

[September] 2014 Courtney Child//Co-Editor Paige Schick//Co-Editor

Front row at the Mothership Tour concert! #dillonfrancis #skrillex @RobbieMcCarthy

Went to a Royals game! #beroyalKC @JohnBorum @AustinNeighbors

Went to Cincinnati for a ballet intensive! #dance @JohnMichaelDonley

Louisburg parade fun! #facepaint @TimmyRoberts

Took a selfie with Matt Besler! #SportingKC @SCLarson

Ziplining at Kanakuk Kamp in Branson, Missouri! #ziplining @HunterGrosz

At Olathe Young Life camp this summer! #goodtime @OlatheYoungLife

Hiking the Denver Glacier Trail in Skagway, Alaska! #hiking @OliviaMangual

At the leaning tower of Pisa this June! #Italy @QuinnCole

Selfie with Captain Jack Sparrow! #piratesofthecaribbean @BriStates

Went to the beach! #ocean @HalleMelton

Made Native American wardrobes at Camp Geiger! #boyscouts @AndrewRome

2014 Boys State Track Champions! #statechamps @OETrack&Field

Went to the lake of the Ozarks! #lake @AveryMatthews

Went dirtbiking over the summer! #dirtbiking @JustinGassmann

Worked the 5:00 am shift! #lifeguarding @BaileyTerry

trip to Pittsburg State!

Road tripRoad to Pittsburg State! #roadtrip #roadtrip @DelfinoVasquez @DelfinoVasquez

Went on vacation to Colorado! #topoftheworld @BrianPercival

12 [Feature]

The Depression Epidemic A Look at the Disorder Sweeping Across the Nation

Jordan Meier//Staff Writer

O

n August 11, 2014 Robin Williams, iconic comedian and beloved actor, was found dead in his suburban San Francisco home. The cause — suicide. His tragic death has shed light on a disorder that many suffer from, but few know about: depression.

Nearly 1 in 12 teenagers in the United States has depression, and that number is rising. People all over the world live with this disorder, including Olathe East students.

“Chronic Depression, [like Robin Williams had] unfortunately, often does end in a tragic way,” said Nancy Tjaden, Olathe East’s psychology teacher.

“Depression, typically, is not something that just goes away in a couple [therapy] visits, and a lot of times those people may need some sort of medical intervention,” school psychologist Roger Pitts said.

Most experts believe that due to the increase in stress and chaos going on in the world today, this disorder has become a major problem. People are just trying to do too many things.

Despite how common this disorder has seem to become, most people who have depression feel the need to hide that this disor-

der is something they suffer from.

“It is getting better, but there still seems to be a negative stigma towards mental illnesses. And in America, people, for some reason, believe you are weak if you have a mental illness, or that it’s your fault, versus if you have a physical illness people think it’s been given to you,” Tjaden stated.

Medications have been developed to help those with depression, but the effectiveness of the medicine often varies person to person. And even with all the medical attention psychiatrists are giving to this disorder, some people with depression still feel the need to “self-medicate” through a number of ways including self-harm and substance abuse.

“A lot of times they get a temporary fix, and they don’t hurt as much,” Pitts explained. “They don’t feel as much pain, and they feel a little less connected from all of the discomfort and chaos they’re in.”

This disorder has complicated the lives of millions of people all over the world, some even walk the hallways of this school.

Their faces may be familar, but their stories remain unknown, until now.

N

ate Hornung’s first year of high school was less than ideal. Attending St. Thomas Aquinas, the current Olathe East senior was bullied, and as his freshman year trudged on, he slowly slipped into depression.

“I kept to myself a lot. I wasn't as outgoing at school. I wouldn't really talk to people. I was just kind of going through the motions.

I wasn’t really living life. I was just waking up every day and doing what I had to do,” Nate said.

As his first semester ended, Nate knew he had a problem. Luckily his parents did too, and that February he was taken to the doctor and diagnosed with depression.

“My parents could definitely tell something was up. They knew I would get home from school and just lock myself in my room and not come out until dinner,” Nate commented.

Despite the help he was receiving, the disorder still complicated his life, as it had been for the past few months. “[Depression] sucks the life out of you. You don't feel like doing anything. It's really gloomy. It’s dark and can be pretty terrifying at times,” he said.

Then, after having the disorder for almost three years, during his junior year, he started getting better. As he progressed, Nate made it his mission to make sure no one had to feel the way he did.

Nate said, “When I first started feeling depressed I was so wrapped up in my own sadness and I was like 'Hey this sucks. I don't like feeling like this. I don't want anyone else to feel like this.' That's when I changed and started being generally nicer to people because I didn't want anyone to feel like or go through what I had been through.”

Now Nate is very open about his experiences with depression, but he was not always like that.

“I hid it from a lot of people for a long time. I thought people were going to treat me differently or judge me for having depression.

But now I’m pretty open about it.

I realize that a good number of kids in America have depression,” he said.

Thanks to the support of his friends and family, Nate's condition is quickly improving and he has never felt better.

“It’s just something I live with now,” he said.

GET HELP

If you’re feeling depressed or considered suicide please...

-Find someone who you feel comfortable talking to.

-Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

-Talk to a professional, like our school pyschologist Mr. Pitts.

If you think one of your friends has depression look for these key signs: In memory of Robin Williams (1951-2014) Courtsey of Google

-Excessive sadness they can’t get over that lasts longer than two weeks -Noticable changes in their sleeping or eating habits -They are no longer interested in activities or people.

Megan’s Story

[September] 2014

Nate’s Story

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hink of the worst day you had in your life, and think of how awful and upset you felt. Now make that every day of your life, but with no escape. It’s like you are in a prison of extreme sadness and loneliness,” said Megan, Olathe East senior.

When Megan was in eighth and ninth grade, she suffered from depression, and that is how she felt on a day-to-day basis. During the first few years of her struggle, family issues, which initially sparked the depression, some days made the disorder even worse.

“Everything that was happening, from the fighting, to them putting me down, made me worse and worse every day,” she said.

She knew something was wrong so she eventually was taken to the doctor to seek help.

“I was constantly putting myself down, crying a lot, sleeping in my bed all the time, and not the same happy girl I used to be,” she stated.

Upon visiting the doctor she was prescribed an abundance of anti-depressants and other medications, ones that she didn’t even need.

She said, “They gave me lots of medicine which actually made things a lot worse and I still deal with the effects today, even though I stopped taking it over two years ago. People treat you a lot different, and it makes you feel like you aren’t a person anymore, but a specimen and a science

experiment.”

Along with her depression, Megan also dealt with urges to harm herself, and though she would never act on those thoughts, they still haunted her.

“I have had urges before to hurt myself in the past...the main reason wasn’t the depression, but that the medicine doctors put patients on doesn’t make you feel anything. You just feel like you are just floating in space, thinking and feeling nothing. Self-harm is so people can actually feel something and know that they still exist. The thought of feeling something was very tempting and I got close at times but I would always stop myself,” she said.

After the doctors realized she didn’t need the medication, Megan was taken off of them and started the road to recovery.

“It has basically gotten better and been gone since then, but on my bad days, they feel a lot worse than I know they should,” she said.

Megan wants people who think they are suffering from depression to know that there is always hope.

She also advises to confide in an adult that you trust to get help.

“I don’t want you to go through the horror I went through when I was around people who did not understand me, and that I simply needed help with my family issues,” she said.

14 [Feature]

[September] 2014

Behind the Scenes: The Ice Bucket Challenge

All About ALS

How the Ice Bucket Challenge Started and How Olathe East Has Been Affected by ALS

ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Alexa Buechler//Staff Writer Lauren Hart//Copy Editor

T

he Ice Bucket Challenge has swept throughout the United States, becoming popular after Boston College baseball player Pete Frates was recently diagnosed with ALS. His family and friends poured a bucket of ice water over each other’s heads and donated to the ALS foundation.

Not long after, this national sensation went viral. Why a bucket of ice and water? The shock mimics a brief feeling of what someone diagnosed with ALS deals with on a more severe scale each and every day. So far, $113.6 million and counting have been donated toward research of ALS. Up to 300,000 new donors have stepped up.

ALS goes by another name, Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player.

In his farewell speech on July 4, 1939, Gehrig said, “I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for.” He died two years later at age 37.

Pete Frates and Lou Gehrig aren’t the only famous people with ALS. Stephen Hawking and John Stone, the director of Sesame Street, also have this disease. Hawking holds the record for living with ALS of 40 years.

Anyone can be diagnosed with ALS, but it most commonly affects adults ages 40-70 Approximately 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year

Thea Britton and her brother Dan Nelson Courtesy of Thea Britton Pete Frates in his wheelchair taking on the Ice Bucket Challenge Courtesy of Google

What some don’t realize is that students at Olathe East have been affected by this disease.

Junior Dash Schneeberg’s grandfather also lived with ALS. He said, “I was young, but I still knew it was sad.” When he described ALS, he said, “It’s a very sad disease that can’t be treated. It’s really scary.”

His grandfather was in his late 80s when he passed away. “I didn’t know what ALS was at the time because I was young. But it’s very sad.” Dash said, “He used to be very active, and he loved gardening. After ALS, he was put in a wheelchair and could never do the things he enjoyed.”

“It’s a disease that melts you.”

-Madison Byrd, junior

Dash Schneeberg and his grandfather Courtesy of Dash Schneeberg

#ALSIceBucketChallenge #StrikeOutALS #IceBucketChallenge

People in the military are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS

Another person affected by ALS is junior Madison Byrd. Her father Brian Byrd suffered from the terrible disease.

She said, “He was diagnosed in 2005 and lived till 2012. He passed away at age 48.” She found out when she was only seven years old, and said, “It’s a disease that melts you. There’s no cure, and no one knows how you get it either.”

Madison added, “It was really weird to see the change from when it started Madison Byrd and her father, Brian, in 2004 to when it ended, and it was really sad Courtesy of Madison Byrd seeing someone you love go through that.”

Olathe East history and AVID teacher Thea Britton experienced the effects of ALS firsthand when her brother was diagnosed in 2009. Britton took a 15-month leave of absence from teaching to become her brother’s primary care giver.

The job certainly proved to be difficult at the start. “It was almost as if all his muscles wasted away,” said Britton.

Britton’s brother, Dan Nelson, first lost the use of his hands and then his arms and legs.

Britton explained, “At first I helped him with things like cutting his food, getting dressed and all bathing and toileting.”

Later along in his two-and-a-half year battle with ALS, Dan Nelson was unable to do anything by himself, including walking, talking, or going to the bathroom.

To accommodate her brother’s ALS, Britton and her sister-in-law kept strict records of all medications Dan needed to take.

“Dan was put on mucus-thinning drugs, anxiety medication, and several experimental drugs that were being tested to try to slow the development of the disease,” she said.

Dan eventually was given a feeding tube and put on a machine to help his lungs. Morphine was also used to help him stay as comfortable as possible.

Although Dan experienced an immense amount of pain, he never lost his sense of humor.

Britton said, “It was my privilege and honor to serve and care for him. I learned so much about myself and I grew to know my brother in a way I would never have if he had not had this disease.”

Taking care of her brother turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of Britton’s life. On January 23, 2012, Dan Nelson lost his fight with ALS. “I miss my brother very much, but I recall with much fondness the time we spent together,” she said.

“It was my privilege and honor to serve and care for him. I learned so much about myself.”

-Thea Britton, history and AVID teacher

About 90% of people diagnosed with ALS as an adult have no family history of the disease There is no known cure for ALS The life expectancy after diagnosis is two to five years Those suffering from ALS lose control over muscle movement especially in the arms and legs ALS patients may have difficulty swallowing, breathing, or speaking For more information on ALS, visit www.alsa.org

16 [Feature]

The Age of Freedom

Brenna Thompson//Senior Staff Writer

The Privileges of Turning Eighteen

E

ighteen. The golden age every child dreams of as the day he becomes an adult. The day he sets his childish ways aside to blossom into a mature, self-sufficient citizen. For some, turning 18 allows them to begin their sleeve of tattoos, or get the nose job they’ve always wanted. Although body modification sounds a bit outrageous, many teenagers fantasize for years about this age of independence. For numerous kids, 18 means tattoos, a way they can finally express themselves through body art.

Senior Madison Walden said, “I’m totally pumped to turn 18 because I can finally get the tattoos I want. I just think being a legal adult is the most exciting thing. We’re no longer kids. We are

now unrestricted to make our own decisions.”

Junior Evan Parton said, “I am most looking forward to being able to move out and live on my own.”

Senior Sydney Ricklefs said, “Turning 18 means that I’m much closer to graduating. I’m also excited all the extra freedoms that come with being an adult.”

So what are all these liberties that teens clamor about? What all can 18 years old do, or not do?

Teenagers usually fall under the impression that at 18the world is their oyster, and they can do whatever they please.

However, sadly some pearls will have to wait to leave their oyster longer than others.

Aftershock tattoo artist (below) doing what he does best.

Courtesy of Brenna Thompson

Top Freedoms of Turning 18

[September] 2014

A Guide to Beating Pre-College Anxiety

Brock Holmes // Senior Staff Writer

Steps to Take Before College

-Smoke tobacco/ cigarettes -Get tattoos/piercings -Get plastic surgery without parental consent -Enroll in the army -Open your own checking account/ get a credit card -Buy adult films

18 Liberties and Limitations for Age 18

Can

Life after High School

Can’t

Lease an apartment

Book a hotel room

Buy a lottery ticket

Gamble at a casino

Buy a plane ticket/fly unaccompanied

Rent a rental car

Serve alcohol

Drink alcohol

Go to a shooting range

Purchase a weapon

Get married

Adopt a child

Buy fireworks

Set off fireworks (legally)

Vote in any government election

Run for president

Sign yourself out of a hospital

Become a practicing doctor

H

igh school can be a time of difficult decisions that often frustrate and intimidate students. On top of social pressure and extracurricular activities, the actual schoolwork can seem like a mere inconvenience. Choosing a university or a career may seem like an unnecessary annoyance to some, and a looming nuisance to others. Seeing older friends thrown into the disorder of college may seem like a frightening fate. Either way, college may seem to exacerbate the already stress-ridden culture of high school. Many college officials have a similar message regarding college: do not panic.

Some preparation needs to be done for this next stage of life, but the need for alarm is frequently hyperbolized. Determining a career may be treated like a decision that needs to be made prior to leaving high school. According to many universities, the average student changes their major two to four times during his/her residence at university. Many students do not know what they want to study or what field they want to go into, which is perfectly acceptable, because college is meant as an investment in its students.

“[Students] need to keep their options open, and not close any doors. One of the required electives may spark an interest.”

-OE Counselor Natalie Ryan “Having an idea of where you want to go and what you want to do is important, but it is also important to keep an open mind”, said school counselor Natalie Ryan.

“If you have an idea of what you want to go into, pursue that idea, but be open to options and do not close any doors.” Ryan said, “I want [students] to find that job, that if they have to get up in the morning, they enjoy going to.”

Courtesy of Google The urgency to decide on a future should be nothing to stress about, contrary to the beliefs of close family and friends. A decision of this magnitude should be made in a calm, supportive atmosphere, as opposed to the fast paced and negligent atmosphere this decision commonly gets made in.

Preventable anxiety frequently gets pushed on high school students for unnecessary reasons regarding this matter, which -- if handled improperly -- can result in a skewed life-altering decision.

•Finish requirements for graduating high school You cannot move on to college before graduating high school.

•Complete high school on time Universities are more impressed by students that complete high school in a timely fashion.

•Apply for the FAFSA Any money that you receive will help in the long run.

•Contact schools for information Make sure the school you attend is one you will enjoy.

•Take College Visits It would be a good idea to visit a university before commiting to a college.

• Apply for scholarships Money should be a large factor in deciding a school, and scholarships will ease the burden of debt.

18 [Editorial]

A Black and White Issue The Situation in Ferguson Reveals America’s Race War

Blame the Music.

Music has divided Americans among racial lines as far back as the slavery age. African folk songs and hymns often provided a rare bright spot in the otherwise dreary life of a slave. Harsher plantation owners were even known to ban singing in order to keep morale low.

During the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, jazz became almost synonymous with black culture. In the 1950s, part of the reason for the backlash against rock-n-roll was fear among whites that their children would “fall in love” with black children.

Finally, in the modern era, rap has supplanted jazz as the genre closely associated with African American society. Much like rock-n-roll, though, rap music tends to carry negative associations, especially among whites.

Police Brutality: An American Tradition A Closer Look at Those Who Protect and Serve Aaron Rhodes // Publicity Manager

This was made tragically obvious on November 23, 2012, when Jordan Davis, a 17-year-old black high school student, was fatally shot at a Jacksonville gas station.

His shooter, Michael Dunn, parked next to the car occupied by Davis and his friends and asked them to turn down their loud rap music, which he reportedly called “thug music.” The group complied initially, but Davis then turned the music back up and engaged in a shouting match with Dunn.

Dunn, believing he saw Davis pull a weapon, drew his handgun and shot Davis three times. As the car backed out of the parking lot to evade more bullets, Dunn got out of his vehicle and continued firing at the car.

Davis lost his life and Dunn faces up to 75 years in prison, all caused by something as trivial as music.

Blame the Fashion.

Like any subculture, the African American community has a certain style associated with it, especially in regard to hair and clothing.

Blacks often sport unique hairstyles such as Afros, jerry curls, dreadlocks, and cornrows. White people occasionally attempt to mimic these hairstyles, normally without much success.

However, blacks often receive unfair treatment or perception as a result of their hair, while whites just look goofy.

For example, Oakland teen Akintunde Ahmad -- who now attends Yale after scoring a 2100 on his SAT and racking up a whopping 5.0 high school GPA -- had to keep pictures of his grades on his phone as proof of his intelligence to his numerous doubters. Ahmad was doubted not because of his reputation, but because he was a black teenager from Oakland with dreadlocks.

Of course, the most famous example of violence as a result of clothing prejudice was the Trayvon Martin shooting.

Everyone knows the story by now. Martin was walking home Akintunde Ahmad on February 26, 2012, wearing Courtesy of SFGate a hoodie. George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman, believed him to be a suspicious character and reported him to the police before eventually confronting and killing Martin.

Millions of people -- black and white, kids and adults -- wear hoodies every day. But sometimes a young black male isn’t afforded even that basic luxury.

Blame Ourselves.

Although America has made significant strides toward ending racism, the ‘war’ is far from over.

Ask yourself: Would a white kid be accused of flashing a gang sign in a picture where he actually threw up a sideways peace sign? Would a white kid be stopped by a police officer for jaywalking? Would a white kid be shot in the face while lying unarmed, on his knees, begging for mercy?

White privilege, whether we want to admit it or avoid it, has established itself as the norm in modern-day America.

Dr. King dreamt that one day black children would hold hands with white children, and today they do.

Maybe the rest of us should follow their lead.

T

o many of its citizens, America is the greatest country in the Instead of taking him to the police station, a group of six ofworld. Many consider it a global symbol of freedom and prosficers took Torres out into the bayou and beat him. When perity. they finally did take him to the police station, they were told But to the pragmatic, those days are long gone. For many, those to take him to a hospital instead. Instead of doing that, they things never even existed. Millions of Americans live in poverty. No took him back out to the bayou, and dumped him in the water. prosperity. Millions are wrongfully stereotyped, mistreated, and im He was found dead two days later. Only two officers were convicted prisoned. No freedom. of their crimes. They spent less than one year in prison and were fined The police enforce these inequalities every day, and every day, they one dollar each. continue to worsen. Hailed as their cities’ “finest,” they brutalize their communities, becoming completely out of touch from their citizens Many people would argue, “Not all police officers are corrupt.” My and their needs, as well as humanity in generto that is, “You’re wrong.”

We want to put a na- answer al. Below are two examples of law enforcement Just because the officer that pulled you over didn’t give going too far. you a ticket does not mean he is a good cop. It means he is tional spotlight being nice to you, a suburban teenager who could probon the pattern of Amadou Diallo was a 23-year-old black man ably have your parents sue him if anything wrong was to police brutality living in The Bronx, N.Y. when on February 4, happen. Think about what he would be doing if you were 1999 a group of police officers attempted to arrest around the country. in the wrong neighborhood and had the wrong skin color. him outside of his apartment, as he fit the descripThat is where the difference lies.

-Rudy Giuliani, Racism, misconduct, and corruption have been docution of a serial rapist in the area.

As they shouted “NYPD” at him, he ran up the NYC Mayor in 1999 mented -- or have definitely happened unknowingly -- in stairs to his apartment. He reached into his jacket almost every city in America. All the time, cops see these to pull out his wallet. An officer mistook the wallet for a gun and bethings happening and don’t take a stand or become disgusted enough gan firing at him. One officer fell down the steps while firing his gun, to quit. letting the others believe that he had been shot.

That is what makes most cops corrupt. Unless they’re fresh out of Forty-one shots rang out. Nineteen of those hit and killed Diallo, the academy or in some unknown utopian city, they’re probably corwho had been innocent and unarmed all along. rupt.

Diallo’s family sued for $61 million. They received $3 million. None I’m not saying there should be complete anarchy. I’m saying that of the officers were punished. there needs to be a fundamental change in the way law enforcement officers are trained, the powers they have, and the way they are treated In May of 1977, Joe Campos Torres -- a 23-year-old Vietnam War once hired. veteran living in Houston, Texas -- was arrested for disorderly conduct Choosing silence is choosing the side of the oppressor, and these at a local bar. oppressors killed Amadou Diallo, Joe Torres, Michael Brown, and

countless others.

“

“

M

ichael Brown Jr. loomed large at six-foot-four and nearly 300 pounds. However, his death last month in Ferguson, Missouri was larger than life.

But Brown was more than a mere statistic. He was a high school graduate, set to begin technical school in a matter of days. One day he hoped to own a heating and cooling business. In his free time, Brown was an amateur rapper, posting tracks online under the fitting name Big’Mike.

He was only 18 years old.

Most importantly, though, Mike Brown was black. Not just black, but a young black male.

Brown’s race should not be -- or have been -- his most notable characteristic. Over 150 years have passed since Abraham Lincoln emancipated all slaves in the Confederate States of America. Over 50 years have come and gone since Martin Luther King, Jr. told the world about his dream, and over five have A protestor in Ferguson persists passed since the dream despite tear gas thrown by police was (seemingly) realCourtesy of Slate ized with the election of Barack Obama as the 44th United States President.

Yet today, no group in America -- minority or otherwise -- is more stereotyped than young black males.

“I’d say 99 percent of black males are stereotyped,” African American junior Ryan Njenga said. “Usually it doesn’t end this badly, but it always ends with hurt feelings. The stereotype puts in the mind of the black male ‘I’m worth nothing.’”

In an interview with CNN, film director Spike Lee said, “I just think there’s a war on the black male, and it’s tearing the country apart. It’s not just killing us. It’s the educational system, it’s the prison system, it’s these young black men growing up with no hope. It’s systematic.”

Although ‘war’ may seem a bit like hyperbole, it unfortunately describes the situation quite accurately. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and citywide curfews don’t exactly bring to mind olive branches and peace doves.

But the real roots of this war lie deeper beneath the surface.

Shaking off the ghosts of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and white supremacy is a long and painful process. Racism, unlike slavery, cannot be abolished with the stroke of a pen.

In order for this racial gap to be bridged, white Americans must work to better understand the issues that continually create the racial tension that leads to these tragedies.

Matthew Gwin//Creative Editor

[September] 2014

20 [Entertainment]

How-to Homecoming

Box Office Kings

Superhero Films Reign as the Most Popular Breed of the Big-budget Blockbuster Gavin Miller//Staff Writer

Different Ways to Spice up Asking Someone to Homecoming

A

[September] 2014

Courtesy of wegeekgirls.com

Lauren Heinrich//Copy Editor

h, homecoming, the time of the year where girls and guys dress up all fancy in dresses and tuxedos and get together to dance the night away.

Some guys think asking a girl to homecoming is a daunting task and not worth the risk. In the end, the rewards outweigh the risk.

Ladies, you can ask guys, too. Don’t be afraid to ask the person you enjoy being around. If friends have dates as well, go in a group. Going to a dance happens to be more fun—and less awkward—if you’re with friends. That way, nothing has to be too serious, and everyone will have a grand ole time.

Creative ways to ask someone to Homecoming as suggested by OE seniors:

“I was just sitting in my living room doing my homework and the doorbell rings and it’s like ‘Who could that be? It’s Sunday. No one comes to my house.’

I looked out and saw people and [said] ‘Oh my God, it’s him. Oh, my God, it’s him.’ …

So I answered the door and [Dominic, my boyfriend, is] standing there with a rose and a little stuffed panda bear and [said,] ‘Do you want to go to homecoming with me?’ and I’m like, ‘yes.’”

Courtesy of Madison Wiles

-Madison Wiles, junior

6) 7)

Write with chalk on her/ his driveway

If they play a sport, write ‘HC?’ on the ball

9)

Give them food and then pop the question Give them a bouquet of their favorite flowers and ask

10)

Have friends hold posters and you ask

2)

Leave a rose in each class with a note attached to each one

3)

Put balloons in a room at school or in her house with a sign saying “Homecoming?”

4)

Make a puzzle that spells out ‘Homecoming?’

5)

Spell out ‘Homecoming?’ with glow sticks or glow stickers in their room

“Well, I was having a really bad day and he, [Trenton, my boyfriend] was like, ‘Okay, well, I have a doctor’s appointment and I have to leave.’ I was like, ‘Of course the day that I need you to stay and talk to me, you have to leave.’ My dad came and picked me up (because my parents knew) and I was yelling at him about my day and I was telling him how awful my day was. Then I get home and there is this giant banner in my front yard and it said ‘Will you go to homecoming with me?’ He walks out [of my house] with these really pretty flowers. I almost started crying because it was one of those things when you’re having a bad day.

Then I went to dance [and after] we went out for a late dinner.”

Get a really big, heavy rock and write ‘no’ on it, and get a small rock and write ‘yes’ on it. Leave a note asking ‘Will you go to Homecoming with me? Bring your answer to school tomorrow.’

8)

1)

Courtesy of Ashley Hill

-Ashley Hill, junior

Courtesy of schmoesknow.com

S

ince Iron Man and The Dark Knight came out in 2008, superhero movies and comic books adapted to the screen have ruled the box office. When Marvel released Iron Man, the film’s combination of thrilling action and witty humor made for a huge hit, and since then, seventeen more Marvel films have sprung up. The genre is seeing unprecedented popularity and proliferation. Guardians of the Galaxy was the most successful film of the summer with its whopping box-office draw of $306,566,055 (as of September 15).

DC Comics has also made its mark on the genre in recent years, with director Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy becoming a massive pop-culture phenomenon. The film additionally impressed critics and earned incredible numbers domestically and worldwide at the box office.

To say that both studios are going to be very busy over the next decade would be quite the understatement. Marvel is releasing a sequel to The Avengers next year, as well as a reboot of the Fantastic Four series and the first ever Ant-Man film.

In 2016 and 2017, Marvel will release Captain America 3, Doctor Strange and a sequel to this year’s Guardians of the Galaxy, just to name a few. After 2012’s Man of Steel, DC will be busy developing their Justice League universe as well. The studio has a vast slate of Justice League tie-in films planned for the rest of the 2010s and beyond.

Despite these films’ popularity and loyal fanbase, it is unsure whether or not their popularity is a healthy step for modern blockbuster cinema.

Some seem to never tire of these special-effects heavy stories. Junior Nicky Padedo said, “I think that Marvel movies are the best movies in theaters.”

However, others have started to find them stale.

“They’re enjoyable, summer-fun movies, but most of them are also kind of average”, said junior Ryan Njenga.

With original movies becoming more and more sparse, some find it agitating that almost all films that make money are based on comics, young adult novels, pre-existing films or other popular fiction with a hungry fanbase. Like them or not, it does not appear that comic book films will be dethroned anytime soon—they are the true kings of the modern blockbuster.

Courtesy of Gavin Miller

22 [Entertainment]

E

A “Series” of Choices

18 Before 18

If You Liked One, then You Might Like the Other

ach person gets only four years in high school, and they go by pretty quickly. Changes will inevitably occur from year to year, but not before a collage of memories are created. High school offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so in order to gain the most out of these eight-hour days, here is a bucket list of things to do before you graduate.

Hannah Cruise// Business Manager Amy Du// Business Manager

1. Participate in every day of at least one spirit week.

2. Go to senior breakfast on the morning of the practice ACT for underclassmen.

7. Listen to the announcements all the way through.

15. Enjoy parking lot traffic before and after school.

14. See art on display in the hallway.

4. Storm the court after we beat South.

8. Buy a low-fat, gluten-free, no carb, multigrain, all natural school lunch.

6. Go to the homecoming football game.

11. See a musical/ play and stay after the show to congradulate the cast and crew.

3. Go to prom your senior year.

12. Persuade a teacher to have class outside.

16. Experience a low-income job.

5. Endure eight-hours with no inschool wifi.

17. Go to homecoming at least one year.

Annie Beurman// Senior Staff Writer

ave you recently finished one of the latest hit books? If you’re suffering from post-book depression and are looking for a cure, then you are probably going to like these alternatives. Whether you are into romance, quests, defiance against society or prejudice, or even monsters, these books will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you like the books on the left, you might like the books on the right.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young follows the story of Saba and her home, the wasteland, Silverlake. When her twin brother is kidnapped, she joins the group of revolutionaries known as Jack and the Free Hawks to stage an ultimate showdown. Divergent, like Blood Red Road also involves a corrupt society and teens daring to take risks against it.

You may also enjoy The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher relates the story of Clay and his first love, Hannah, who had recently commited suicide.

Clay discovers thirteen cassette tapes on his doorstep and each one contains a reason for her suicide. One of the reasons is Clay himself. This book resembles The Fault In Our Stars due to the romance and complicated lives of Hannah and Clay, as well as losing a loved one.

10. Devise the perfect senior prank.

9. Join a club/sports team.

H

[September] 2014

You may also enjoy It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.

Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan begins the first book of the 12-part saga. A boy named Darren gets a ticket to the Cirque Du Freak and gets thrown into a world of abnormal creatures, crazy adventures, and most of all vampires. Both books involve demons, monsters, and both main characters gain powers due to what they have become.

You may also enjoy Angelology by Danielle Trussoni.

13. Relax and enjoy your last year of high school.

18. Graduate high school!

The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats takes place in Wales during the medieval times. This tale follows both Cecily and Gwenhwyfar who have to find a way to survive through a series of adventures involving prejudice, heritage, and more. Other than taking place in medieval times, both books involve the main character(s) breaking away from the prejudice of society to folow their own paths.

You may also enjoy Katana by Cole Gibson.

Seven Wonders: The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis starts the four-part series. Jack McKinley will die if he doesn’t find the seven magic loculi to cure him. However, they haven’t been seen in thousands of years because they are hidden in the Seven Wonders of an Ancient World. Seven Wonders compares to The House of Hades in that the main character(s) go on a quest to escape a terrible fate.

You may also enjoy Pegasus and the Flame by Katherine O’Hearn.

ON THE FLIPSIDE Calendar Tuesday, September 23 7:00pm Soccer: Boys Varsity Game Leavenworth @ Leavenworth High School

Teacher Trivia

Wednesday, September 24 6:30pm- 8:30pm Homecoming Extravaganza @ Olathe East South Parking Lot Friday, September 26 7:00pm Football: Varsity Game vs. Shawnee Mission North @ ODAC Saturday, September 27 8:30pm- 12:00am Homecoming Dance Auxiliary Gym

Top 5 Songs About September 1) “See You In September” by The Happenings 2) “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire 3) “September Morn” by Neil Diamond 4) “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day 5) “September Song” by Willie Nelson

Which Olathe East teacher has his or her pilot license?

Last Issue’s answer:

Mr. Williams spent most of his life in South Korea.

Notification Statement of Non-discrimination: The Olathe Public Schools prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability in its programs, activities or employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups to its facilities as required by: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other relevant state and federal laws. Inquiries regarding compliance with applicable civil rights statutes related to ethnicity, gender, age discrimination or equal access may be directed to Staff Counsel, 14160 Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66063-2000, phone 913-780-7000. All inquiries regarding compliance with applicable statutes regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act may be directed to the Assistant Superintendent General Administration, 14160 Black Bob Rd. Olathe, KS 66063-2000, phone (913) 780-7000. Interested persons including those with impaired vision or hearing, can also obtain information as to the existence and location of services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by disabled persons by calling the Assistant Superintendent General Administration. (04/13)