Band Ends Season on High Note Page 9
Do a Random Act of Kindness Today Page 21
Addressing the Anxiety
Are you Obeying Olathe East’s Unwritten Rules? Pages 22 & 23 Issue 4//Volume 22
TABLE OFCONTENTS SPORTS
An NFL Controversy....................................3 Brock Holmes Inside A Concussion.............................4 & 5 Matthew Gwin
NEWS
My Parent Is A Teacher.........................6 & 7 Jessica Goddard & Katie Thompson Restricted Websites......................................8 Logan Brockschmidt Grand Band Champs...................................9 Paige Schick
Feature
p. 4 & 5
p. 6 & 7
Stressed Out..........................................10-13 Hanna Melton, Lauren Hart, & Paige Schick Gettin’ Spooky 2K13.............................14-17 Amy Du, Heather Burton, Lauren Heinrich, & Lauren Merino
editorial
Forever Alone....................................18 & 19 Aaron Yuratovich & Brenna Thompson East’s Injured Players..................................20 Courtney Child
Entertainment
Random Acts of Kindness........................ 21 Kelsey Knecht Unwritten Rules Of East................ 22 & 23 Austin Porter & Jordan Meier
A student-run publication Olathe East High School 14545 West 127th Street Olathe, KS 66062 ADVISER
PUBLICITY MANAGER
EDITORS
STAFF WRITERS
Karen Bourland Lauren Merino Zack Neuman
Aaron Rhodes
BUSINESS MANAGERS
Logan Brockschmidt Amy Du Matthew Gwin Brock Holmes Jordan Meier Brenna Thompson Katie Thompson
SENIOR STAFF WRITERS
Courtney Child Lauren Hart
MANAGING EDITOR Jessica Goddard
PHOTOGRAPHER Heather Burton
Maddy Branstetter Sean Fiore
COPY EDITORS
Aaron Yuratovich Kelsey Knecht Austin Porter Hanna Melton
PAGE EDITORS Lauren Heinrich Paige Schick
The Offensive Line
[October] 2013
Should The Washington Redskins change their name? Brock Holmes//Staff Writer
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his week, the Washington football club defeated the Chicago Bears 45-41.” Many media outlets, including the Kansas City Star, reported the most recent victory by the Washington Redskins in this fashion. A recent outcry on social media demanded that the team change its name due to the name’s racially offensive history. Dan Snyder grew up in the Washington D.C. area. In 1997, he became the youngest CEO of a New York Stock Exchange listed company. In 1998, his net worth passed $1 billion, and in 1999 he bought the team he grew up adoring: the Washington Redskins. Since his tenure as the owner, the team has been surrounded by controversy. Washington saw seven coaches come and go in the past fourteen years; fans of the team expressed dissatisfaction towards the rising prices of tickets and the increase of parking charges. When the rescession hit Washington in 2008, Snyder sued season ticket holders who could not pay up despite an extensive waiting list for season tickets. The Courtesy of Flickr last fourteen years have been rough for the Redskins since Snyder took the reins. He boldly stated that the name will remain, despite backlash and boycotts. “We will never change the name of the team”, Snyder told USA Today,“[I am] a lifelong Redskins fan, and I think that the Redskins fans understand the great tradition and what it’s all about and what it means, so we’re pretty fortunate to just be working on next season.”
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It’s an issue that shouldn’t be an issue, not with all the problems we’ve got in our country” -Rick Reilly 2013 does not mark the first time Snyder dealt with controversy. A poll from 2004 showed that nine out of ten Americans were fine with the
name “Redskin”. A similar poll from April of this year found that eight out of ten Americans are fine with the name. While the polls show that a majority of Americans believe the name is acceptable, they also show a rising tide of people who disagree with the name. Others who do not believe the name should be changed include ESPN writer Rick Reilly. “It’s an issue that shouldn’t be an issue, not with all the problems we’ve got in this country” Reilly wrote in a recent article. The most notable sportswriter to stop using the term “Redskin” is Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. “I’ve been increasingly bothered by using the word, and I don’t want to be part of using a name that a cross-section of our society feels is insulting” King wrote. The team started out in 1932 as the Boston Braves (they would move to Washington D.C. in 1937). George Marshall, the original owner, changed the name to the Redskins in honor of the coach, William “Lone Star” Dietz, who was part Sioux. Dietz only coached one season, 1933-34, with the Redskins before Eddie Casey replaced him. Many who oppose the team changing their name commonly ask for the difference between the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, or the Kansas City Chiefs. The difference is that the terms Indians, Braves or Chiefs have names that could be used in conversation not about sports and be deemed inoffensive. To some, Washington continues to allow its racially offensive name to be tolerated.
Courtesy of Flickr
4 [Sports]
Hitting Close to Home
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Concussions Bring Their Deadly Effects to Olathe East
n a couch in his home in utter darkness and complete silence sits a teenager. The room remains pitch-black and noiseless; it must, as any noise or light rushes unimaginable agony to the boy in an instant. He cannot turn on the TV, surf the web, or even check his phone because the light from any screen so intensifies the throbbing of his headache. This headache is no run-of-the-mill, take-some-Tylenol-and-get-back-to-work headache. No, this headache constantly blasts mind-numbing pain even more severe than the worst of migraines. This hellacious beast of a headache prevents the teen from carrying out the simplest of tasks, such as reading, doing homework, and attending school. However, after a few days or weeks of rest and the proper treatment, the excruciating pain subsides. The boy returns to school and resumes his “normal” routine. But things are far from normal. The headache still lingers, although not being nearly as potent, and chronic mental health problems could begin to take their grip on the boy. Symptoms range from more minute issues such as chronic headaches and poor memory to matters of grave concern such as depression and suicidal thoughts. All these nasty effects on the brain stem from concussions, which are ending NFL careers, igniting lawsuits and feuds, and wreaking havoc even at Olathe East. This August, over 4,500 former NFL players reached a $765 million settlement with the league to fund medical expenses related to concussions. In the book, League of Denial, authors Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru revealed the dirty truth of how the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, which was assembled by the NFL, withheld and even lied about information regarding the seriousness of concussions. Even worse, many ex-NFL athletes have committed suicide in the past few years, possibly as a result of repeated head injuries. Several Olathe East football players have suffered from concussions over the past couple years, and their stories, symptoms, and struggles prove that concussions should not be taken lightly.
Matthew Gwin//Staff Writer
Concussions can lead to brain diseases which are caused by the spread of the protein tau, represented above by dark stains in brain tissue of two deceased NFL players and an unknown deceased boxer Courtesy of Boston University School of Medicine
[October] 2013 Rob Wall Senior
Concussions: One diagnosed, two minor School Missed: Two weeks Football Missed: Four games, equaling a month. Life with Concussion: Banned from looking at screens, reading, and doing homework; intense headaches.
“If I went outside for ten minutes, my head would just start throbbing.”
Matt Blais Senior
Concussions: Three School Missed: Only a couple days Football Missed: Unable to play for OE during his senior year due to recurring concussions. Lingering Symptoms: Memory loss, chronic headaches, and risk of future problems.
“I loved playing football, but things {with my head injuries} could get worse, so playing football probably isn’t worth it.”
James McGinnis Junior
Concussions: Two diagnosed, possible others School Missed: Five weeks; struggled to bring up grades which were low because he missed an extended period of time. Football Missed: Out for four-six weeks; did not play for OE this year, but plans to play as a senior. Life with Concussion: Not allowed to watch screens or read, so he mostly sat around on his couch.
“The headaches are worse than migraines.”
6 [News]
Chip off the Ole’ Hawk
I
n high school there will be arguments, slamming of doors, and yes, occasionally a teenage tantrum. As a high school student, you are not always going to get along with your mother or father. School seems to act as an escape from all the nagging for at least eight whole peaceful hours, unless, of course, your parents discover texting and/or Snapchat. Imagine if this time were wiped clean from your plate-no privacy. At any moment your mom or dad could walk into the room you are sup-
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unior AJ Stephens sees his dad, who teaches history everyday at least once. He said. “At first having my dad work here was different, but I do not really mind it anymore,” said AJ. Having his parent teach at his school has taught AJ to work harder knowing someone is always on his grades. “If I want Chipotle or money for the vending machines I usually can get some from him.” AJ said this the most enjoyable part of his dad teaching at East. “I can actually see family because he works here.” The most negative part of the situation for AJ are the constant grade checkups.
Jonie and Mrs. Beth Welland
pose to be learning in and comment on how cute your outfit is or ask what your plans for lunch are. However, having a parent that works where you go to school can’t be all bad. Having a parent constantly in the same building as can have major perks. Some students experience sharing a workplace with their parents every day. Each student with a parent working here has a different perspective.
Aj and Mr. Mike Stephens
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r. Thuston is a well known history teacher, and his son Matt is a junior at Olathe East. “It is not that different except for people constantly asking me questions about him.” He said. Matt has had his dad already for two years. He admitted, “He called me black bum in the middle of class once, but I have certain privelleges that others do not have.” Matt does not enjoy people always asking him to change their grades in his dads class. “The common question is. “Have you ever smoked weed with your dad?” He said.
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his year is Senior Connor Bosworth’s last year going to school where his dad works. “It is not bad; I have a built in hall pass,” Connor said. “I want to have him as a teacher, he teaches at home.” Connor does not enjoy that he cannot get away with anything. Connor stated, “Teachers talk.” Connor’s very favorite thing about his dad working here is getting cold Mountain Dew every day. “My dad working where I go to school is really not a problem. I have a go-to ride for school,” he said. Connor admits it can be a struggle sometimes, though. “They will find out everything you say or do. You sneeze twice and they probably know about it,” he stated.
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onie Welland said, “It is kind of weird sometimes, but most of the time it is all right.” Jonie’s mom is, her Quest teacher on Fridays. “I learn what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ of a teachers life, and what it is really like. Also, I hear about all the things that annoy teachers and problems that occur.” “She can give me rides, let me store my lunch in her fridge, bring things I forgot, and is always there if I have a question or need something,” she said. Jonie enjoys her mom working here. “She only works half time, so it is not that weird. Sometimes we see each other in the halls and it is a little awkward. Also, she knows everything that happens at school, and all of my teachers,” she stated.
Matt and Mr. Nathaniel Thuston
Connor and Mr. Kevin Bosworth
Jessica Goddard//Managing Editor Katie Thompson//Staff Writer
[October] 2013 Cammie and Sra. Pam Valentine
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Maggie and Mrs. Michelle Jacobson
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ammie has never had her mom as a Spanish teacher and never wants to. “We would fight all the time and it would just be bad,” she said. Cammie admitted if she needed to, she could completely avoid her mom. “I go up there if I need her or to talk,” said Cammie. “Kids always look at me funny in the hall when I say mom to her, but that is about the only weird thing about having her work here.” “I think for the most part I do like it. If I forget something I can go up to her room and get it, it just makes things easier for me.” Even though Cammie enjoys having her mom work here, she admitted there are some negative aspects. “She talks to my teachers or calls them. That sucks, especially if I am behind or got a bad grade,” Cammie said.
aggie sees her mom, Michelle Jacobson Sophomore english teacher, everyday, as she aids for her seventh hour. She also admits she gets food and money from her moms room all of the time. She said, “It is weird because everyone (even my friends) call her Mrs. Jacobsen, and I call her mom. My friends have had her as a teacher.” “One of her years working here she decided to show all of her classes how she can do a “pterodactyl” noise.” This is the funniest story Maggie can recall of her mom. Maggie enjoys her mom working here. “She always has food in her room and gets me lunch. From noodles and Co,” Maggie said. Sometimes are more fun than others though. “I get picked on by teachers (Mr. Super) that I have known since I was ten.”
“I skipped lunch to go somewhere else to eat, and I went to Freddy’s. My mom was there... What are the chances?” -Taylor Schmit
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Taylor and Mrs. It is good and Cheryl Schmidt bad, but mainly bad because I cannot get in trouble! And that is the best part about high school.” Taylor Schmit explained. He sees his mom everyday. “I say hey all the time,” he said. Taylor said he has one specific funny memory about his mom. “I skipped lunch to go somewhere else to eat, and I went to Freddy’s. My mom was there… What are the chances?” He said. Taylor does have some benefit to learning in the same place where his mom is. “I get a lot of food and drinks,” Taylor said. In the end he said he likes having his mom work at East. Taylor said, “All of the teachers like me and I get away with a lot of stuff.”
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ailey Larkin and his brother Jordan, are used to going to school where their parent works. “It is not as weird as you would think, but then again, I have never not had a parent teacher so I am used to it,” Bailey said. Jordan added, “My dad has worked here since I was an infant. It is always funny to hear my teachers have babysat me.” Bailey admitted he has learned quite a bit from his dad. “Having my dad teach here has taught me responsibility. I hate hearing that one of my teachers has informed my dad about an NHI in casual conversation,” Jordan said. The funniest memory Bailey has heard about his dad was when he did a cartwheel in class. “Sometimes having my dad at school is great and sometimes not so much. I like having him in the building, but I do not like my dad being so involved with my school whereas others have more privacy,” admitted Bailey.
Bailey, Jordan, and Mr. Keith Larkin
8 [News]
I
RESTR CTED NTERNET I
Logan Brockschmidt// Staff Writer
n the chaos of typing an in-school paper, a multitude of students have come across the dreaded yellow triangle. The triangle blocks access to certain pages. This causes many papers that could have been typed in school to be have taken home through a USB drive, adding on to the already numerous hours of homework. This dilemma causes questions such as, “Why is this restricted, this is harmless!” The divide between students and the people who set these rules aren’t as far apart as you might think. Jennifer Cutler from the Olathe School District’s technology department answered some of the most frequently asked questions. The technology department works closely with directors of multiple divisions to make sure that the sites are regularly updated and checked.
Why do certain key words restrict access from viewing websites? “The Technology division of the Olathe School District uses a filtering agent that protects the users, and the equipment, from malicious, intentional and unintentional, harmful, or inappropriate websites. Online access and electronic privileges are associated to groups of network users, including adults and students. The web-filtering product continually sweeps the Internet in a comprehensive search for sites that contain, or link to, malware, viruses, or inappropriate material. This web filter updates daily, and re-examines frequently to meet curriculum needs. There are more adult requests denied than student requests. Filtering in required by law through CIPA (see bottom).”
Why are there rumors that people can access restricted websites? “The Technology Division regularly receives reports of students who ‘find a way around’ the protections put in place on the network. Such misuse of electronic resources is dealt with at the building level, but often involves the technology division’s monitoring or examination of suspected abuse of network privileges. District leadership proudly views students in Olathe Public Schools as intelligent, creative, and technologically savvy; some have the tools and the interest to subvert the safety measures in place. While they comprise a very small minority, students with intentions to access websites that are deemed inappropriate at school will inevitably find a way. Rumors as well as truthful accounts of ‘people allowed on blocked websites’ circulate, and are usually exposed in time. That behavior isn’t a technology issue, its non- compliance with the Student Code of Conduct.”
30,000
students that use the system each day
5,000
adults that use the system each day
50,000
requests to view non-permitted websites daily
Why does the school restrict video content from websites like CNN? “The video streaming of content is prohibited by students to provide the best distribution of bandwidth across all of Olathe. Video content from websites are not blocked; the delivery system is regulated. This system allows nearly 30,000 students and 5,000 adults to use the system.” Are there websites that even teachers are not allowed on? “Yes, there are sites that are routinely prohibited for adults as well as students because they contain malware that could be transmitted to the computer or network, or because they have been categorized as inappropriate for all users, and therefore not allowed on any district-supported equipment. Regardless of the demographics of the requestor, some material on the Internet cannot be displayed at school.”
Why are videos restricted?
“There are many different sources of video on the Internet. Popular websites like YouTube contain a wide range of material: some is curriculum-related and could be valuable; some is inappropriate. The web filter cannot categorize every video posted, so the sites are categorized as ‘video-sharing.’ District stakeholders decided to prevent students from viewing videos posted on such sites. However, if a student locates a video that both teacher and student agree is worthwhile, the teacher can login and open the site to share that particular video.”
CHILDREN’S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT (CIPA) CIPA requires that K-12 schools and libraries use filters and other measures to protect children from harmful online content as a condition for the receipt of certain federal funding. It was signed into law on December 21, 2000 and was found to be constitutional by the United States Supreme Court on June 23, 2003.
Marching Into First Place
[October] 2013
Olathe East band and drill team walk away as grand champions Paige Schick//Page Editor
Olathe East marching band and drill team performing Courtesy of Amaysing Graphics
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f you arrived to school in the early hours of the morning, you just might have had the pleasure of hearing and seeing the Olathe East marching band practice. You could hear the echoing beat of the drums, Mr. Smikahl yelling out directions, and see a jumble of students dancing and playing their hearts out. Hard work and dedication is nothing that the marching band doesn’t know. Participating in before-school practices, after-school practices, band camp, and the half-time shows at football games, these students dedicate their time to perfecting their show. These Orange and Blue Brigade members chose to spend their time like this during the height of marching season and even before in preparation. And it paid off. On October 12, some 150 band students piled onto a cramped bus headed for the Heart of America Marching Festival at Kansas University. Hopeful and excited, the marching band and drill team performed their field show “Tribal Dances.” From the captivating rhythm of the band, to the eye-popping wooden pyramid and in sync dances, their outstanding performance made the sound of Olathe East’s name no stranger in the
awards ceremony. They rounded up a total of six awards including Grand Champion; a first-time achievement for Olathe East band and drill team members in this competition. Senior Luke Evans stated, “I was really proud [when we won] because of all the hours and hours upon hours of work we put into it and because it’s something we really wanted.” Senior dance captain Haley Pickert stated, “The most memorable moment of this year’s field show season was when the drum majors and dance team captains were on the track at KU waiting to hear who won the Grand Champion award. When the announcer called ‘Olathe East,’ the Orange and Blue Brigade members and all our parents were cheering and screaming. It was an amazing moment that I will never forget.” But that’s not all. On October 15, the group traveled again to Northwest Missouri State University for the Tournament of Champions. And who, might you ask, took Grand Champion? You guessed it; none other than your fellow Olathe East students. In a span of only four days, these dedicated students managed to bring back nine awards for Olathe East between the two competitions—a feat worth celebrating. “Getting to share the win and spending time with[the band] and feeling like someone appreciates us was the best part,” sophomore Ashley Hill stated. On behalf of the Olathe East Hawk’s Eye, we congratulate the marching band and drill team on their phenomenal achievements. Olathe East drum majors and dance team captains Courtesty of The Kansas City Star
anx·i·e·ty
Lauren Hart// Copy Editor Hanna Melton// Senior Staff Writer
/aNGˈzī-itē/ (Google Dictionary)
noun
1.a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Courtesy of Lauren Merino
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tudies have shown that today’s high school students have the same anxiety levels as 1950’s psychiatric patients. Anxiety levels in high school students are climbing rapidly from one generation to the next. Five times as many students today are dealing with anxiety than those who were studied in the Great Depression era. So why are stress levels rising so drastically? Could it be that the expectations from both parents and society are putting too much pressure on today’s youth? Education systems are having to adjust to the climbing stress levels shown within families. Counselors are noticing a rising amount of troubled and anxious students walking into their offices each day. Today’s society has created a generation of stressed out students. “There is so much pressure on students to perform at a high level for long periods of time,” said Ms. Shelly Shaw, school counselor. Societal pressures are brutally affecting the mental health of teens in our country now more than ever.
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There is so much pressure on students to perform at a high level for long periods of time.”
Shaw has been working as a school counselor for 12 years and has noticed a very evident growth in students coming to her with high levels of unease. “I believe anxiety levels increased with the collapse of the economy,” she said. “Parents have lost their jobs and families are in desperate need. These things put tremendous stress on students.” “I had a lot going on with my parents’ divorce this year,” said Aren Utter, a fellow student. “I became stressed about having to move to two different homes and I also felt that my family became very hostile. We got into arguments very easily. My parents also became very touchy, so I felt like I was walking on eggshells around them.” As our economy has worsened, our society as a whole has felt its negative effect. Everyone is making the mad dash to success, in fear of falling and not being able to get back up. “Our society is fast-paced and competitive,” said Shaw. “It’s like a rat race.”
12 [Feature]
“Students are dealing with pressure to succeed along with a full schedule,” said Ms. Tammy Robinette, school social worker. “Anxiety is a normal human trait, but I have absolutely noticed an increase.” Robinette has been working as a social worker for 25 years now and is noticing student anxiety in larger numbers every day. The demand for success is prevalent in all aspects of a high school student’s everyday life. Being told to strive for perfection every day, students are bending over backwards to meet expectations. Is this a good thing? Students over-involve themselves in various activities in order to live up to the high expectations put upon them. When eliminating the stress students do have control over does not seem to improve conditions of anxiety, students often times resort to medication to restore that calm state of mind we all desire. “I have taken two types of medication for severe anxiety attacks,” said Utter. “I had and still struggle with anxiety due to my personal insecurities.” Between school, outside of school activities, part-time jobs, and pressures from various sources, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed in our chaotic society. Students often express the feeling of not being good enough; not being acceptable. Depression can go hand-inhand
Courtesy of Hanna Melton
with anxiety if levels continue to rise. “The anxiety medication seemed to help at the time,” added Utter. “I no longer require any anxiety medication, as I have developed skills good enough to cope with it myself.”
The anxiety medication seemed to help at the time.”
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Many different medications are used for various types and stages of anxiety. A large portion of teens today are on medication to treat this condition, which allows these teens to perform well while in a serene mental state. For some, alternative treatments and methods allow them to abandon the drugs while still being able to function without stress.
For others, the medication has the power to make them completely dependent upon it, causing teens to have to take these medications for long periods of time in order to steer clear of their old, anxious patterns. Such medications became available in the 1960’s and have rapidly grown in use over the past several decades. Today’s teens are overloaded, overscheduled, overworked, and exhausted. The expectations and pressures put on high school students are becoming worse with each generation. Contantly being on edge causes high school students to become uneasy over extremely minor details that may not have been issues in previous years. The pressures beating down on modern-day teens are causing apprehension like never before. Whether those be pressures from schoolwork or society, parents or peers, stress is taking over. What does the future of anxiety look like for approaching generations of high school teens? Will stress levels continue to climb until every single high school student is on medication for the reduction of angst? When will the madness subside, if ever?
[October] 2013
The Pressure To Be
PERFECT Paige Schick//Page Editor
Cour
tesy of
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Paig e Sch ick
he’s the girl with a 4.1 GPA, the star athlete on the varsity track team, and the girl who always has a smile on her face. The girl who, from the outside, seems to be the ideal teenager with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Does this girl even exist? Mistakes. Everyone makes them. Everyone experiences them. Everyone struggles with them. But you learn from them. You live, you learn, and you move on. Our society—and people within this society—are far from errorless. In fact, we are the exact opposite. But yet the idea is still drilled into our heads: perfection—to make the impossible, possible. It seems teenagers get hit the hardest. We have to have perfect grades, perfect relationships, perfect friends, perfect actions; the list goes on and on. “I struggle to find time for everything,” Taylor Roberts, junior, stated. According to ABC News, 92% percent of teens say they’ve felt pressure to be perfect. Whether the pressure is from a teenager’s parents, friends, teachers, or coaches, the effects are the same. Junior Natalie Kopplin added, “There’s a lot of pressure and stress from sports and school.” But since when does society’s view on perfection affect our own? Since when is making billions of dollars playing a sport perfection? Since when is making varsity perfection? And since when is keeping up with the “cool” trends perfection? It shouldn’t be.
Life in itself has enough flaws without putting pressure to be faultless on top of that. Junior Leah Bluhm stated, “Way too many people undervalue what they are, and overvalue what they are not. You can do anything, just not everything. It’s okay to fail sometimes, just remember to pick yourself back up. You don’t have to be perfect; mistakes happen.” There is no perfection, only perfect imperfections. Because every time you slip up and make a mistake, that’s one step closer to being better than you were yesterday. It’s not the mistakes that define a person. It’s what you choose to do after them that does. If you make a mistake, admit it and do what you need to do to make it better. Everyone makes mistakes. We’re only human.
14 [Feature] Carve pumpkins
No one is too old to participate in the activity of finding the perfect pumpkin, hauling it home, and creating a masterpiece out of this big orange fruit. For that reason, ripping the guts out of a pumpkin and cutting it apart remains a tradition we should appreciate. Their delicious seeds made to roast are also easy to fall in love with. We only get one chance a year, so take advantage of this ghoulish opportunity and start pumpkin hunting now.
Worlds of Fun Halloween Haunt Lauren Merino//Co-Editor
Louisburg Cider Mill
If you’ve never been to Louisburg Cider Mill, October 2013 is the time to visit. The pumpkin patch and corn maze are open all day on Fridays and Saturdays, and on Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm up until Halloween. Their country store offers a variety of homemade treats such as 100% apple cider, jelly, salsa, soda, popcorn, and trail mix. After finding your way through the maze and choosing your favorite pumpkin for carving, make sure to save yourself some room for famous Louisburg apple cider.
Downtown haunted houses
From mazes with horrifying monsters around every corner to live snakes waiting to make you scream, the haunted houses of downtown Kansas City will haunt your dreams, (in a good way). Hair will stand up straight on grown men’s’ necks; women will shriek and hide behind the nearest visitor. Young children should not attend. Being known as the most elaborate haunted houses in the Kansas City area, there is no point in visiting just one of the four terrifying attractions. If the downtown haunted houses appeal to you this Halloween season, you might as well go big or go home.
Each weekend night, at everyone’s favorite local amusement park, not only are thrill rides a daring option, but several haunted houses await you as well. Worlds of Fun is no longer Worlds of Fun, but Worlds of Terror. A feeling of no escape will fill the dark trails, and creatures will be delighted to make arms surface with goose bumps. Halloween Haunt can be an excellent October option for those of you that like thrilling fun, but don’t like to be scared to death.
Trick-or-Treat
Keeping the long-living practice of “trick-or-treating” alive can be achieved most easily by those of us who love having Halloween spirit. If you love dressing up goofy, funny, ugly, creepy, cute, or questionable, it doesn’t matter. Get out there and turn some heads. Most people, when asked, will agree that teenagers are not too old to participate in the popular playfulness. An hour of fishing for candy and impressing people with your costume is better than none. Remember, anyone that questions you doesn’t know how to have fun.
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ry Baby ck ut e Bridge is a spooky legend that Ch is O Olathe students have challenged for years. Located h T north of Olathe Lake, the story claims that babies were sacrificed on this bridge. If you turn your car off with the windows down, people say you can hear babies crying. Then, supposedly, when you try to turn on your car it won’t start. Another common experiment is to place baby powder on the ground or your car. Baby” foot and handprints are supposed to appear in the powder. Even if you try and still see no scary results like this, visiting the creepy spot could be worth the scare you’ll get no matter what.
“I like to watch the movie Halloween on Halloween night.”
–Drew Coyle, Senior
“I always dress up for Halloween and I like to make caramel apples sometimes.”
–Sayde Woten, Senior
“My family and I go to Louisburg Cider Mill, pick out pumpkins, and then eat the apple cider donuts.”
–Mr. Gunn, Science Teacher
[October] 2013 Amy Du//Staff Writer What Kind of Halloweener are You?
Halloween is my favorite holiday
re
e
t r a St
H
It’s not my favorite....
Yes!
Unicorns are real!
orn s Un ic
y
Homewo rk
S ec on dar
You Are...
A punny genius that gets a laugh out of Halloween every year. From cereal killer to cat burglar, your cunning costume ideas and fun outfits are a yearly favorite for sure. The class clown of Halloween. Everyone loves you for your creativity.
A dreamer.
To you, Halloween is the one magical day of the year when you get to dress up like the hero/heroin of the latest sci-fi movie and trick-or-treat whilst saving the world from the dangers of evil. You may even spot a Darth Vader out of the corner of your eye and run after him with a
light saber.
Primary
Awesome!
V
l!
Every year there’s that one kid that goes all out and throws together a costume that scares the living daylights out of everyone. When you trick or treat, you tend to be a natural child repellant. You absolutely love Halloween and you’re definitely not afraid to show it. It’s bloody, it’s gory, and it’s just plain creepy. But that’s what makes you so great!
Out-of-the-box.
Favorite colors?
My grades are mostly
hT atc W
fu Aw
Downright horrifying.
s
First thing I do when I get home
Horror movies are...
rse Ho
r ve Ne
co Of ur se
I prefer movies over books
The classic. Halloween might not be your very favorite holiday, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress up! You’re just sticking to the vintage costumes of legend. We all know the traditional vampires and witches. You’re just keeping it classy.
Art Credit to Lauren Merino
16 [Feature]
Heather Burton//Senior Staff Writer
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rom oversized pumpkins as a baby, to matching ketchup and mustard costumes with your spouse, our ideas and opinions throughout our lifetime drastically change when it comes to Halloween costumes. Check out the progression of costumes throughout the years.
Baby
Child
“ What do you think I’m going to be for Halloween? Of course Frankenstein!” -Gretl Swyers (English Teacher)-Gretl Swyers (English Teacher)
“Princess costumes will always be my favorite. In Jr. High I was Little Red Riding Hood.” -Kelsey Cambern (Senior)
“My wife and I always match costumes like Han Solo and Princess Leia, Fred and Daphne, and an angel and devil.” -Tim Weible (Art Teacher)
“My first Halloween my brother and I dressed up as clowns.” -Evan Green (Senior)
Teenager
Adult
“The sexy bunny costume has worked on me for years.” -Mark Vanlandingham (Junior)
“Two years ago, I was the classic half angel/half devil.” -Karen Muthure (Sophomore)
“At age two, I was a lamb and my mom was Mary. I had that lamb costume forever; it was too cute!” -Mikayla Blunt (Sophomore)
“At age four, we were Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz.” -Glendy, Nicky Papedo (Sophomore)
[October] 2013
The Costume Policy
Why students aren’t allowed to come to school in their Halloween costumes
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ne night to get free candy. One night to have a killer costume party. One night to scare the snot out of kids without being punished or judged. All Hallows’ Eve comes alive only once a year. People put on costumes of things or people they’re not. Those costumes cost between $30-$45 and even though it may not seem like a ton of money, the cost can add up when you can only wear the costume one night out of the whole year. If students wear a Halloween costume only once, shouldn’t they be allowed to wear it all day instead of only for a few hours at night? You might as well get your money’s worth, right? Halloween parties occured every year in elementary school. Students get to dress up at the end of the school day and go home hyped up on sugar before the real fun begins after dinner. After junior high, those dress-up times become faded memories. Some teachers have little class parties, but those aren’t quite as exciting as they used to be. Now, in high school, teachers don’t acknowledge this “special holiday” and students definitely don’t dress up. Honestly, most high school students don’t put on costumes and trick-or-treat anymore. However, they might if they were allowed to wear their costumes to school.
Lauren Heinrich//Page Editor
Why are students not allowed to come to class as Dr. Who or Katniss on Halloween? OE principal Dr. Weber told the Hawk’s Eye, “As long as I’ve been doing this, it’s been district policy not to allow [students to wear costumes]...as far as any specific details as to why that is the case, I don’t know if I can necessarily put my finger to it.” Imagine if the student body could dress up. People running around in masks scaring people or ‘shooting’ or hitting each other with fake weapons are just some of the distractions to add into the school environment. “[A costume is] kind of a distraction piece quite honestly... as we get older, our costumes change, and so then it’s kind of the similar debate with dress code of where you draw the line. So then if we were to have Halloween costumes, how do we decide what is appropriate and what’s not appropriate?” Dr. Weber added. Don’t let district policy discourage you from getting in the Halloween spirit. Places like Target and Wal-Mart have Halloween-themed shirts and head wear for cheap prices. Wearing a shirt with cat ears may not be the full-out Halloween look, but at least it will still feel like the holiday.
Shirts at Wal-Mart and Target Courtesy of Lauren Heinrich
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The worst part about being single is having your extremely whipped friends ditch you for their boyfriends.” -Junior Nikki Kuhn
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Jus’ spitin’ game all of the time” -Senior Adam Theis
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My favorite part about being single is that I can do whatever I want. It is sometimes nice to not have to worry about making a mistake.” -Sophomore Miah Lindsey
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Being single gives you a lot more freedom to be with your friends and do whatever you want” -Senior Andres Cooper
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Being single gives you more time to focus on school and not have as many distractions” -Junior Jake Butler
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Perspective Sorry ladies, but you won’t catch us single guys at home, cuddled up in our pink snuggies, lying on the couch, eating ice cream straight from the container, and watching the Notebook. Guys, unlike the stereotypical single females that stay at home, stuff their face with ice cream, subtweet about their past flings, and mourn about being alone, don’t feel the excruciating need to always be wrapped up in a relationship. Senior Colton Kennedy said “Being single means less stress for me and during the most stressful time of my life, the extra stress isn’t needed”. Being single also allows you to explore your options; Senior Chase Moyer favors being single and says “You can play your cards with as many people as you want”. One of the worst situations your best friend can throw you in too, but something that happens to all of us one time or another; being the dreaded third wheel. We have all been begged to go see that new movie, maybe even bribed with free dinner or set up on a blind date, with your best friend and his crush, but it all ends the same way; sitting in the theater devouring that delicious movie theater popcorn, trying to not listen to their secret whisper conversations and wondering “when will this night be over?” Most high school students would be open to getting in a relationship if the opportunity presented itself, but some high school students have deemed themselves “forever-aloners”. Whether to spend time focused on schoolwork or to prepare for the future, some students have no plans of hoping on the relationship wagon anytime during high school. So, although being locked up in a relationship under lock and key may have its positives, like someone to spend your Saturday nights with, someone to watch your favorite TV shows with, and of course someone to buy your dinner, the freedom you will procure to do whatever you want, when you want, and the stress that will be lifted from your plate is far more enjoyable.
Perspective
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N E
Everyone has, at one time or another, been
that dreaded third wheel, that one friend always sitting in the corner playing Candy Crush as their infatuated friend mocks them with their attractive boyfriend and adorable relationship. For some people that time spent at home watching reruns of Modern Family, with their pint of Ben and Jerry’s lasts so long it seems as if one will be, yep you guessed it, “Forever Alone”. Society has coined the term forever alone, making this phrase something single girls joke about as they are stuck cuddling with their super soft pillow, rather than a strong, comforting man. Although forever alone seems to have a connotation of self-pity and loneliness, does being the single friend have its perks? How are girls dealing with the seemingly never-ending singleness? We’ve all been part of this tragedy, whether you like to admit the fact or not, what I like to call the “third wheel phenomenon”. Don’t be ashamed ladies; we have all been that friend. In fact, this weekend I caught myself yelling, “Stop the car!” and demanding my sister and her boyfriend to climb to the top of a dirt pile to get the perfect sunset kissing picture (which I took.) Senior Cassie Otte said, “I sometimes like being single, but I do also like having someone, but not being tied down is good.” However that singleness is not always a good time. She remembered “All of last year my friend was dating a guy, and we always had to hang out with him. They’d go upstairs and leave me downstairs with the cat.” Although cats happen to be great cuddle buddies, they don’t buy roses or send good morning texts. Sometimes you just have to embrace the third wheel, live it up, and take full advantage of being the lonely friend. Hopefully the nights of avoiding seeing your friend’s make out sessions won’t last forever. There are also major downfalls to forever-aloners. For Junior Nikki Kuhn, “The worst part about being single is having your extremely whipped friends ditch you for their boyfriends.” Nikki said “My most forever alone moment has been my whole life.” However depressing or disheartening being single for months on end can seem to be, look on the bright side. While your friends are getting yelled at by their man for texting their guy friend a smiley face, you can text as many boys as your heart desires. Sophomore Miah Lindsey said “My favorite part about being single is that I can do whatever I want. It is sometimes nice to not have to worry
20 [Editorial]
Bright Side Up
Turning an injury into a positive experience
Courtney Child//Copy Editor
T
he sticky-sweaty grip of a racquet, the triumphant feel of an ace, the continual whack of the ball as it hits the strings, the squeak of shoes on concrete—these are the things I miss about tennis. Tennis practices consume many precious hours of my week, cutting into family and friends and homework time, but yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Tennis is my life. It feels as much a part of me as my personality. I feel most comfortable in my tennis shoes, racquet in hand, on a court. I was totally on top of my game. Then the bomb dropped. “No tennis,” my doctor said. WHAT?! Sorry, I don’t think he understands correctly. I can’t just cut my passion out of my life. This is my most important season, coming back after playing my best season yet. But alas, my ears don’t deceive me. No tennis. What kind of madness took away my favorite sport right before tryouts? That can’t just happen. But it can, and does, with the help of a superior labrum anterior to posterior tear. That’s the bomb. I overused my unstable labrum, a tendon in front of the shoulder, so it partially tore and frayed, leaving me a fish out of water without tennis. Now, a labrum tear isn’t something that’s fixed overnight. I’ve done physical therapy for three months now and it’s nowhere near stable or healed. Most labrum tears need surgery and six to nine months of recovery, which I can’t afford to give with collegiate tennis applications coming up. But of course, mine’s a special case, being only a partial tear. Partial tears can’t really be fixed with surgery and don’t really heal with physical therapy either. When I wanted more power for my serve, my shoulder has to shift farther back, and that wears down on the labrum, consequently, tearing it. The fraying comes from the shoulder bone moving farther on the labrum, and pushing harder. I had a cor-
tisone shot to see if that was the solution. Nada. It didn’t do squat. The next step of this long journey concludes the list of my options: surgery. In November, I’ll have a scope, which is like a mini surgery--less invasive and less recovery. The doctor will shave off the frayed part of the labrum so it’s smooth again, because that’s my center of pain. Since my 2012 tennis season last year, I’ve looked forward to this year. My doubles partner senior Carley Mitus and I snatched up fifth place at state last year. This was our last year. Still, injuries don’t care about that sort of slag. They come whenever they please and wreck havoc while they take over your life. But I was determined to show this injury that it couldn’t claim my happiness. No amount of crying or pleading could take the tear away, so why waste time on them? I need to prove my own strength. So, in order to do this right, I must channel my passion on the court into a different activity. I chose photography. Instead of bouncing a ball, I was clicking a camera. Photography doesn’t fill the void that my injury created, but it allows me to continue to be a part of my team. I travel with them; I cheer with them; I celebrate with them. Those girls are my second family, and I am not able to go two months that I always spend with them, without them. Snapping shots of some of my favorite girls makes me feel like a part of their season in a way I wouldn’t have otherwise. The moral of my story is that when life hands you lemons, make the best lemonade life has ever seen. Blow life’s socks off with your kick-butt lemonade. Even though I was handed a really awful situation, I figured out how to turn it bright side up. So did Logan, Robby, and Jackson. Next time life hands me any unfortunate situation, I’ll show life that I can make it into a positive.
Name: Logan Coates Occupation: Junior soccer player Injury: Broken fibula (one of two shinbones) Part of your team how?: Goes to every practice and game and “plays from the sidelines” Injury has taught you what?: Soccer takes up a lot of time, and even though it was a nice break, it sucks to be away for so long.
Name: Robby Tipton Occupation: Senior football player Injury: Torn ACL, twice Part of your team how?: Goes to all practices and games. Teaches his team what he knows about football, supports and encourages his teammates. Injury has taught you what?: What it’s like to lose something you love. For him, it’s competing.
Name: Jackson Stone Occupation: Senior cross country runner Injury: Fibula stress reaction Part of your team how?: Goes to all practices and meets and rides the bus with his teammates. Injury has taught you what?: How much he actually likes cross country and how much he wants to do it.
[October] 2013 Random Acts Of Kindness: Twenty Ways to Make Someone’s Day Better 1.
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Compliment every person Give the pizza delivery Kelsey Knecht//Senior Staff Writer Bake some brownies and you see in the hall with some- bring them to your first hour. guy twenty dollars instead of five. thing cute on. You know you would love it if He might scream and cry of joy. Hold the door open for That’s always worth the money! someone else did the same. someone. Pay for the tab of someone Put the tabs from the dozLet that car take that Every time you buy a new behind you at Starbucks. It’ll ens of soda cans you drink each good parking spot. You can get it piece of clothing, donate an old piece make them want to do the same week into a baggie and send tomorrow. to the Salvation Army. It’s fast, easy, for someone else. them to the Ronald McDonald and a good way to clean out your Introduce yourself to a House. Renew a friendship. You closet. stranger. Everyone loves new Roll those trashcans don’t want that hanging over your friends. . Tell one of your favorite around the cafeteria and pick shoulders your whole life, and it teachers at East how much you love Send a friend or loved one up people’s trash. You’ll feel might come back to bite you. them and are thankful for what they a note saying how blessed you good and get some good convos taught you. They love compliments! are to have them in your life. in while you’re walking around. Offer to carpool for a game or choir concert. It’ll save Volunteer at the Hawk’s Tell someone the truth. gas and you’ll have an amazing Say, “ I love you” at least coffee shop during A.R.T. ride with your buds. once a day to your family, friends, You’ll make new friends, get a . Call your grandparents New neighbors? Whip up or loved one. And really mean it. free cup of coffee, and help out and say hi. They love you and your tastiest recipe, stroll on over, people in need. just want to hear about your and welcome them to the neighlife. Sit with new people at borhood. Nothing feels better than lunch. You’ll learn something having a friend in a foreign place. new about them and make a handful of new friends.
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Lauren Heinrich, one of our staff writers, decided during lunch that she was going to buy cookies from the lunch line and give them to random people. “Giving cookies to different people felt good. I like doing nice things for others. Even if it wasn’t a huge way to spread kindness, it’s the little things that can brighten someone’s day. Everyone I gave a cookie to smiled and making someone smile is a great feeling.”
We Challenge You to Complete a Random Act of Kindness this week. Write down your act and send it to room 612 - We’ll send you something sweet!
photos courtesy of Google Images
“Picture it: suburban modern-day Olathe, Aldi parking lot. Customers must put a quarter in the shopping cart to get it loose from the cart pen. Then patrons shop, return the cart and get their quarter back. I always feel a little weird when I hold out my hand for someone to give me their quarter if I meet them before I have shoved the cart back in its place. My solution? I gift them with a free cart that they don’t have to rustle around in their purse for a quarter, or be frustrated if they have incorrect change.” Karen Bourland, Publications Advisor
22 [Entertainment]
R
ules: Being teenagers, we are bombarded with masses of them at an attempt to keep us in line. We, naturally, on most occasions, only make sure to follow the guidelines printed out on paper for us, discarding any others that are deemed irrelevant. But what about all those unwritten rules, those rules that you cannot find, even in the fine print? You can find rules everywhere: in the hallway, at games, in the lunch room and even in the bathroom. At East, some of these unwritten rules are common knowledge, but for many of these “common courtesies” only a handful of people are aware of their existence, so some of our fellow Hawks gave their own verisons of the these rules .
The Hallway
1)Walk on the correct side of the hallway. 2)Do not walk at a snail-like pace. 3)If you think the hallway is the right place to stop and have a conversation, “you’re wrong and I hate you.”
The Bathroom
1)My eyes are up here, bro. 2)This isn’t weights; step away from the mirror.
P.D.A.
1)Please just don’t do it. 2)Keep it classy..... 3)If you wouldn’t do it in front of your grandma, don’t do it in the hall. 4)Keep your hands out the cookie jar
Unwritten R
The unwritten rules we can find and are expected to follow at Olathe East
Sporting Events
1)If you wear the wrong color to a game, you’re going to have a bad time. 2)Stand in the correct order. (seniors, juniors, sophomores, freshmen) 3)Cheer until your throat bleeds. 4)DESPISE SOUTH!
The Lunchroom
1)Throw away ALL your trash, we are classy, not trashy 2)Do not steal someone else’s chair. 3)If an upperclassmen cuts you in line, let them. Remember that they rule the school.
[October] 2013
Austin Porter//Senior Staff Writer Jordan Meier//Staff Writer
Model: Luke Evans Photo Courtsey of Jordan Meier
Calendar
Teacher Trivia
October 25 Varsity Football vs. BVNW October 26 Orchestra-thon October 29 21st Century Open House October 31 Varsity Football vs. SMS November 7-9 Fall Mainstage Performance November 11-14 Hawk-A-Palooza November 14 Blood Drive
TOP FIVE
Kinds of candy you loved getting on halloween as a kid
1) Anything full-sized 2) Giant Pixy Stix 3) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups 4) Starburst 5) Skittles
? Which Olathe East teacher’s relatives own a chain of doughnut shops? Last Issue’s answer:
Mr. O’Grady met Ashton Kutcher before he was famous.
Notification Statement of Non-discrimination: TheOlathePublicSchoolsprohibitdiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin, sex,age,religionordisabilityinitsprograms,activitiesoremployment,andprovidesequal accesstotheBoyScoutsandotherdesignatedyouthgroupstoitsfacilitiesasrequiredby: TitleIXoftheEducationAmendmentsof1972,TitleVIandTitleVIIoftheCivilRightsActof 1964,theAgeDiscriminationActof1975,theAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA),theIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct,Section504oftheRehabilitationActof1973and otherrelevantstateandfederallaws.Inquiriesregardingcompliancewithapplicablecivil rightsstatutesrelatedtoethnicity,gender,agediscriminationorequalaccessmaybedirectedtoStaffCounsel,14160BlackBobRoad,Olathe,KS66063-2000,phone913-7807000.AllinquiriesregardingcompliancewithapplicablestatutesregardingSection504of theRehabilitationActandtheIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationActandtheAmericans withDisabilitiesActmaybedirectedtotheAssistantSuperintendentGeneralAdministration, 14160BlackBobRd.Olathe,KS66063-2000,phone(913)780-7000.Interestedpersonsincludingthosewithimpairedvisionorhearing,canalsoobtaininformationastothe existenceandlocationofservices,activitiesandfacilitiesthatareaccessibletoandusableby disabledpersonsbycallingtheAssistantSuperintendentGeneralAdministration.(04/13)