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1 STRENGTH IN UNITY
2 MARCHING INTO THE NEW YEAR EMPOWERING FUTURE LEADERS
4 LEADERSHIP BLOSSOMS
6 BOUNDING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
8 COOKING UP SKILLS
14
15
16 YOUTH EQUITY STEWARDSHIP
12 INSIDE THE DAWG HOUSE o f T a b l e DID YOU KNOW?
18 SECURING TOMORROW
10 MULTIPLE PATHWAYS FROM ASPIRATION TO ACTION
20
Running the Rabbitat
Learn more about how Lexi Mathes combines her skills in architecture and biology to create a home for these furry friends on page 6.
C o n t e n t s
Strength in Unity Amplifying Student Voices
Through the Sources Of Strength Club.
“Sources [of Strength] helps all students feel included,” Laura Columbatto, a Sources of Strength sponsor at Ray-Pec said She and her club members work together to ensure that every student has an opportunity for their voices to be heard
Sources of Strength is a nationwide program dedicated to youth mental health promotion and suicide prevention among children and teens. According to a study by Today, 70% of teens believe anxiety and depression are major issues among people their age, and many schools in the KC Metro area have Sources of Strength chapters established to combat these issues.
Schools work to get many a variety of different students involved, and not just the same students who are members of every club Administrators encourage people who may not be involved in other activities to be a part of Sources of Strength
“Sources of Strength works to reach out to a variety of students We don't just want a club that consists of the same cliques, we work to reach students in every social group.” Columbatto said.
The Sources of Strength officers are known as peer leaders, and they pride themselves on being a shoulder to lean on for other Sources of Strength members and the rest of their peers at school. Sources of Strength is very focused on improving the mental health of students at each school. Addison Kesler, a Junior and Sources of Strength member at Ray-Pec, said the first step is inclusion
“Sources helps all students feel included kids have [come] out of their shells during their time as a Sources of Strength member,” Kesler said
Although Sources of Strength is a great resource for students who are struggling with their mental health, it should be acknowledged that in some cases, students should seek medical help in order to have access to medicine and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that could greatly impact their mental health. Columbatto agrees,
“We cannot 'Sources of Strength' our way out of mental illness,” but that “it's important for people to know what tools they need to have in their toolbox.”
Being a Peer Leader for Sources of Strength has its challenges One of the responsibilities of the Peer Leaders is referring a potentially suicidal peer Columbatto said she realizes it’s a big ask for her Peer Leaders Still, through their Sources of Strength training, they have been equipped with the skills necessary to help students facing potentially dangerous situations. Peer Leaders are always there for others in moments of crisis.
In a study published by NPR, in 2022 there was a decline in suicide rates for people aged 10-14 and 15-24 falling by eighteen percent and nine percent respectively. It was the first decline in over ten years with teenagers and young adults. Sources of Strength could be one of the reasons suicide rates declined
Sources of Strength is working to share stories of hope, health and strength with their school and community In schools throughout the country, Sources of Strength has had an incredible impact on students
There are many hotlines available for students who are struggling to combat the negative side of their mental health, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) and National Mental Health Hotline (866-903-3787)
Ray-pec SOS students lighting up Ray-pec You Matter Night! Making a difference through real-world learning and showing that every voice counts Together, we shine brighter!
Courtesy Photo
Marching Into the New Year Marching Into the New Year
London’s Parade Kicks of 2025 in Style
Watch out London, here comes Blue Springs South! Posing together, band members had just gotten news that they would be performing for London’s New Year's Day Parade. They will be travelling there next January, ready to perform their hearts out.
“It’s London you are being invited to!” yells Robert Bone, the Founder and Chairman of London’s New Year’s Day Parade.
The whole gym, filled with South’s orchestra, band, choir, and their parents, erupts into cheers.
On September 25, Blue Springs South’s band, orchestra and choir were invited to participate in the 2025-2026 London’s New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP)
The Jaguar Pride Band will march in the parade and the choir and orchestra will perform in London’s venues and music halls
Bone and Steve Summer, the Chairman of the Mayor’s Association Councilor, had traveled from London to Blue Springs, to invite South’s music department personally.
The department reached out to Ken Hansen, the Band Director for the Jaguar Pride Band, and he extended the offer to Choir Director Jason Bean and Orchestra Director Jamy Mitchell.
“They [the LNYDP] reached out to us and invited us to be a part of it,” Hansen said. “So, then I started finding some colleagues who had been a part of it. I probably called like, three or four different people and asked them about it That's kind of what also helped us understand that there's a whole festival and that the band, the orchestra and choir could go and, you know, then trying to start talking to those folks, that whole part of the process was pretty cool ”
Freshman Bella Secundino, who’s part of the Freshman Treble Choir, is excited to be able to perform in London.
“[It’s] crazy that we have this opportunity to go and to perform in, like, a worldwide event, yeah, London New Year's Day Parade,” Secundino said.
Bean is thrilled to be able to have this opportunity
“I think it’s really, really, really exciting We've never been able to travel outside the country as a group, and so it's amazing And the coolest thing is that it's band, orchestra and choir So, we are coming together as a music department to perform,” Bean said
Bean is also especially delighted to be able to bring his students to another country
“I'm just really excited because I think travel changes kids’ lives,” Bean said, “and I think it changes their minds about the world and about other people and about other cultures. And so, I'm just really excited for the opportunity.”
During the announcement of the location, junior Alex Saddler was invited onstage and was given an umbrella. He was told to make sure to always have that umbrella on him, or else it would rain during the parade.
“I was very surprised that I was chosen as the most trustworthy person,” Saddler said, “I'm very prone to losing things, but thankfully, I haven't lost it yet ”
Though the trip and performing will be difficult, Saddler said it will be worth it
“I'm very happy I mean, it is very expensive, but also, considering we're spending a week in London and getting to perform in one of the biggest parades in the world, like, yeah, that's the kind of opportunity you give everything for,” Saddler said.
Hansen is confident that the music department will be ready to perform in London when the time comes.
“I think we'll be ready. I think the component of that for us is, how do we put the band, choir and orchestra, maybe together to play in one of those venues and perform, sing and perform in one of those venues overseas?” Hansen said
Though overwhelming, Hansen is honored to be a part of the parade
“[It’s] unbelievable, like a goosebump moment for us as a program It's just so cool to be able to go overseas; [it’s] the first time we've ever done that Little nervewracking, little scary, but a huge honor,” Hansen said Though the music department hasn’t started to prepare for the trip musically, they are currently planning transportation and the specific music halls that South will play in.
The Performance of Our Lives: The Blue Springs South orchestra plays before the announcement of next year's trip for the music departments Soon, it would be announced that Jaguar Pride Band, along with the choir and orchestra, would perform in London for the New Year’s.
Blossoms Leadership
What is the Shawnee Mission Leadership Program?
The Leadership Shawnee Mission Program is an invitation-only summer program. A teacher must have nominated a student to apply for this opportunity From there, 30 kids from around the Shawnee Mission School District are selected to participate in the leadership development program This program possesses a diverse population of students who demonstrate outstanding potential in leadership roles and academics. Who have exhibited remarkable resilience and grit when a challenge has crossed their path.
Making Students into Leaders
Students selected will spend two weeks working to learn conflict-resolution skills, communication, responsibility, and, most importantly, trust. However, they can also converse with local leaders through different activities, which can help them create valuable tools such as networking and mentorships They are given one-on-one help to build their resume for future endeavors
They learned what a leader is Many thought a leader was someone with a higher title or position than others However, because of the program, they now see that being a leader is being able to work with others, problem-solve successfully, and get everyone involved.
Through an activity that students categorized as too many circles; they went to Timberidge and Wildwood to embark on various team-building and trust exercises. From these courses, they were able to formed a bond by helping each other solve problems and overcome fears when faced with a significant rock wall with a fear of heights Now, what was the Leadership Shawnee Mission from the student's perspective?
“I learned leadership and teamwork, as well as how important determination is,” said Carter Smith My’Shon Mitchell describes the program as opening doors that traditional learning often kept closed, “It has helped my future by opening up opportunities that I didn’t have before.” Mitchell said
In a final testimonial, Octavious Her noted that an opportunity that he received as a result of the Leadership Shawnee Mission Program was the ability to be on the Shawnee Mission Technology Action Team, where a group of parents, teachers, administrators, and students came together to create a recommendation for the Districts phone policy.
The After Math?
From the end of the program, these 29 students stayed connected, having numerous hangouts because of how great of a connection they had made. So far, the final thing of their program was the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation Fall Breakfast. Here, all of the Program students were invited to come and meet and create connections with influential people around Kansas. Five students from the program were selected to be the student hosts for the Fall Breakfast, giving the opportunity to speak in front of numerous people and giving great practice on how to talk and work with adults and others when giving big speeches like this
BoundingIntotheSpotlight
Lexi Mathes’ Story
As the students gather around the table Blue Valley Northwest senior Lexi Mathes carefully picks up a skittish floppy-eared bunny At that moment she knew that she had made the right choice to enroll in the Bioscience strand at the Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) The class she enrolled in was the Environmental Science and Animal Health class
“I started out in the CAPS program pretty set on architecture, but with my time [in CAPS] I think I want to pursue a biology degree now because of how much I enjoy the Bioscience program and I look forward to class every day,” Mathes said.
Through CAPS, Mathes said she has been exposed to many opportunities to work with professionals in the Bioscience field, but one opportunity in particular has been the most beneficial to her. The Kansas City Hope Garden is a federally recognized not-for-profit organization founded by Emma Entwistle in 2023.
“I've always had a great passion for environmental care and sustainability, and I've always felt like there's more we could do with our six acres,” Entwistle said. After speaking with an instructor at CAPS about her
vision for students to help out and gain valuable hands-on experience through working at the Hope Garden, different classes came out to meet with her and tour the property located in Stilwell, KS
“We all as a class went to a meeting at her farm and we went around in a circle and she asked us what we were interested in and gave us each something we could help her out with at the farm,” Mathes said.
Students then emailed Entwistle for a spot to work with her at her farm. Currently each of the six students are interning at the Hope Garden is working on a thesis project specific to their interests
Bouncing into the spotlight.
Lexi Mathes is holding one of the bunnies she helps Lexi has created a “rabbitat” for the bunnies to feel like they have a safe space
Hoppy for food.
Lexi Mathes feeding one of the bunnies she gives a chance to shine. Lexi wants the bunnies to not only have a home suitable for them but a place to run and play
An important aspect of the farm is collaboration between students so there is a sense of community and teamwork Entwistle said.
“The really cool thing that's just excited me tremendously is how with all six students who are out here, every student, there might be some overlap, but every student has a very specific and different passion project,” Entwistle said
Blue Valley Northwest senior Addie Wight is another CAPS student at the Hope Garden
“A lot of our projects have crossover so if someone is doing something and you’re doing something else they’ll still in some way connect and we can work together,” said Wight
Mathes said for a project she is working to create a rabbit habitat or “rabbitat” for baby bunnies that were born on the farm in August.
“I kind of wanted to combine something with architecture and biology because it’s what
I plan to major in,” Mathes said.
“I have to be considerate of how I am going to design it because if the bunnies don’t feel safe I want them to have a space to run away to, but also I don’t want them to get bored in the rabbitat so I have to keep a lot of things like that in mind when building it ”
The rabbitat will not only house rabbits Mathes said, but will also bring more people to the Hope Garden Through that, Entwistle can help teach visitors about sustainable practices and learn about how positive farming can be for the community
Photo taken by: Ashley Phelps
Photo taken by: Ashley Phelps
Cooking Cooking
UP UP SKILLS SKILLS
On November 5, the student-run TEMPLATES restaurant had their grand opening in the LEAD Center. After a long process of meetings and product development, the TEMPLATES team has finally seen their hard work come to fruition
Through this business students are learning business skills that will serve them in the future
“Through this process, students are gaining handson experience in essential business skills like project planning, market research, and strategic decisionmaking,” said Coach Kara Kestner, the Entrepreneurial Coach for Templates
“They’re also learning to adapt based on feedback, communicate their ideas effectively, and collaborate with mentors This approach develops both their entrepreneurial and foundational business skills, preparing them for realworld challenges in the business world,” said Kestner Though Kestner provides the students with resources, skills and guides them, the students themselves make the magic happen
Seniors William Villena, Austin Robinson, and Taner Cherry along with graduated Bryce Nickel were the cofounders of the TEMPLATES restaurant.
“In January this year, Bryce Nickel, who has since graduated, came up to me and asked if I wanted to make a restaurant with him, Taner, and Austin. I said yes, as owning a restaurant is my dream job and it would be good to get the experience,” Villena said.
Robinson wanted to create the business to put his cooking skills into practice as well as help other students have healthy meals
“I wanted to bring our culinary techniques into the LEAD Center,” Robinson said
“Having taken all the culinary classes the school offers I wanted to put those skills to use Also, I felt that, as student-athletes, many students lacked the proper nutrition to have the energy to continue to learn throughout the day We wanted to give the students a safe learning environment while also filling a nutritional problem in the LEAD Center.”
The TEMPLATES restaurant is split into two parts. The morning shift, which is headed by Villena and the afternoon shift is led by Cherry Robinson is the project manager, working behind the scenes and communicating between the two sessions.
Though the team has succeeded in opening up, there are still many challenges
“The hardest part of opening this business has been getting people outside of TEMPLATES to help TEMPLATES,” Villena said,
Austin Robinson serving his first customer Melissa Hadley who ordered a sandwich
Landen Cason and Brielle Atwell eating their first bite of TEMPLATES
Robinson has run into issues with publicizing the business.
“The hardest part has really been getting customers in the newly built back area. Being located in the back of the LEAD Center we have been focused recently on marketing to the students of the LEAD Center, letting our presence be known,” Robinson said
“It meant that TEMPLATES was finally becoming a reality and that all of our work would not be in vain That was a very happy day for all of us,” Villena said
The team had previously struggled to raise the necessary funds for TEMPLATES However, the Raymore-Peculiar Public School Foundation, a nonprofit that provides educational opportunities, had given the team a grant.
“The grant came about as a result of the school district's commitment to supporting student-led projects. The Foundation recognized the potential impact of these student projects and saw an opportunity to provide funding that would enhance learning experiences beyond what the building's typical budget would cover,” Kestner said
The whole team is incredibly grateful to receive the grant
“I feel that this marks a significant change in high school education Instead of sitting in a boring classroom all day learning pointless material, my group and I got the opportunity to help other students learn vital culinary techniques for everyday well-being while getting the chance to put our professional skills that we learn here at the LEAD Center onto display,” said Robinson.
Cherry also sees this grant helping the other businesses in the LEAD Center.
“For instance, we purchased aprons that could be used by the other groups such as Spill the Beans, the LEAD Center's coffee shop, or Broadway Popcorn.” he said.
Cherry also hopes to see this business grow and thrive in the future.
“The major goal that I have in mind for TEMPLATES is to pass the project on to other students to continue next school year, managed by a new team of students My personal goal is to eventually come back in the future and find the TEMPLATES project thriving, even if it's under a different name and branding,” Cherry said
Kestner is proud to see how far the team has come. “The students have shown remarkable growth in taking ownership of the business, from developing a comprehensive business plan to understanding the importance of community impact. They’ve worked collaboratively to learn about financial management, marketing, customer service, and leadership, all while keeping the focus on providing healthy food options. It's exciting to see them grow as entrepreneurs and leaders, and they’re eager to continue building on the foundation they've created for future students to follow,” said Kestner
Taner Cherry using the new point of sale system bought with their grant to take Landen Cason’s order on TEMPLATES opening day
Taner Cherry stocking sauces and putting out silverware for Templates first day of opperation.
Enriching Students’ Passions
Nowadays students have many hobbies and feel pressured to pick one interest to pursue for their career without knowing if that's truly a path they want to take The emerging real-world experiences school districts are offering students are changing that.
Recently, students have begun enrollin multiple real world programs to become versed in all the industries that they passions for.
Keeton Scrivener, a senior at Ray-Pec School attends his district's LEAD Center. He completed a year of carpentry within enterprise school, and this year he is contin real world learning by enrolling in the L Center’s new HVAC program
“Ever since I have done multiple prog they have really guided my way of thinking about what I want to pursue with my life,” said Scrivener
RIVENER
“The reason that I chose to enroll in multiple programs was because in my mind the more experience that I have in more than one trade, the more useful I can be to a company that needs me,” said Scrivener Scrivener is not the only student who thinks this way Another HVAC student, Brayden Hulen, is taking another real world learning opportunity to further his work experiences beyond the LEAD Center agenda. His day consists of going to LEAD and being a part of the HVAC program they offer, then using that experience to work at Comfort Systems. He believes that implementing his real world learning into an actual real world job will set him up for the future.
“It will push me the extra step forward in front of everyone else,” Hulen said
EN HULEN
Brayden Hulen is working on installing electric wiring into wall frames Hulen attends Raymore Peculiar HVAC Enterprise “I think it will set me up for the future ” said Hulen
Keeton Scrivener is working on installing electric wiring into wall frames. Scrivener has been enrolled in both of Raymore Peculiar HVAC and Carpentry Enterprise “My favorite part about the realworld learning is that when we are learning something there is a goal in mind that is for the future of yourself ” Scrivener said
When students like Scrivener and Hulen take advantage of enriching themselves with multiple real world learning opportunities that they are interested in, they begin to have a better idea of what they want to do long term. Some feel pressured to pick one path and don’t think they can immerse themselves in what “could be.”
Advancing Students’
Summit Tech alumni, Sydney Nelson, finished high school by completing two Summit Tech Real World learning programs
“I wish I could've gone every year Doing multiple programs allowed me to get a more well-rounded education,” Nelson said
During Nelson's Time at Summit Tech, she began her own learning with Business Finance and Fintech courses. She thought that this was the path she was going to choose as a career.
SYDNEY NELSO
Sydney Nelson with her award at the Family, Career, Community Leaders of America(FCCLA) competitive event “All of us were able to complete 11-week internships at a property/industry of our choosing” said Nelson when talking about her time at Summit Tech
“Summit Tech highlighted my skills and let me decide how I wanted to utilize them. I was able to take control of my education,” Nelson said.
Then, in Nelson’s senior year, she decided to pursue another interest and enroll in Summit Tech's Paradise Park campus for Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation Management. Because Nelson stepped out of her comfort zone and invested time in another interest of hers, she found a career path that she ultimately wanted more than business
“Summit Tech helped me narrow down my path to Economic Development for the Hotel Industry I recommend that everyone do multiple programs,” Nelson said
Nelson is now attending the University of Missouri and studying marketing and economics.
“[I am] elevating my experience in the Bloch School of Management,” Nelson said.
Students may not have a clear path of what they want to do for the rest of their lives. But most students have multiple hobbies and interests that can lead them down a certain path, yet they only expose themselves to one thing and think that's the career for them Students shouldn’t be afraid to step outside their comfort zone and try new programs if they are interested in another experience You never know if a student's “I wonder” could be a future career
Inside the DAWG HOUSE DAWG HOUSE
HOW STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS ARE SHAPING SCHOOL SPIRIT
Fifteen years ago, a random idea was brought to life Students at Blue Valley Northwest High School, put together a business plan to start the “Dawg House,” a school spirit merchandise store Now the store has taken off and is a Blue Valley Northwest High School staple
The store is run by students in marketing management with teacher Meghan Trader. Each year the class brainstorms new ideas for the store like bringing in new products and designs. Over the years, they have expanded to selling short-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, long sleeves, polo shirts, quarter zips, pants, shorts, hats, stickers, cups, and some Nike products. They have even expanded to selling merchandise for their elementary school, Oak Hill
Senior Keaton Humphrey is the apparel manager responsible for making new ideas available to the community At the beginning of this year, the Dawg House had an abundant number of orders from their online store that were hard to keep up with. To overcome this situation, the 24 student staff worked together and used this as a learning experience.
“I am learning how to interact with the vendors and with unhappy people. This can help me in the future because I will be able to handle difficult situations," expressed Humphrey.
Since starting the Dawg House in 2009, students have been able to learn many things from being on the staff The opportunity exposes students to different business careers and real-world scenarios of working in a store
“I am learning how to run a business and how to lead other students.
I am also learning proper email etiquette. This will help me in the future because I will have the general ideas on running a business and etiquette which will give me an advantage over others,” said Dawg House special order manager, senior Kennedy Shank.
The Dawg House gives students the hands-on experience to achieve their goals and set them up for success
Trader expressed, “I love seeing students get excited about bringing an idea to fruition There is a lot of autonomy for students to dream and imagine how they can make their mark on the store Students bring enthusiasm to the staff, and it is so fun to watch them run with new ideas.”
The Dawg House has more than just clothing in store, they also have a variety of food and snacks Purchasing a sucker at the Dawg House counter, a student assesses his candy options before paying
Photo By: Avery Davenport
Students who work at the Dawg House not only get the benefits in the classroom, but also in the store itself When students work outside of the school day for school events, they earn $5 per hour, which can only be spent on Dawg House products Additionally, the students get a 20% discount on all their purchases
Since the store is open for events, people from the community have been able to support the school by buying merch.
“Many students, teachers, and families through the BVNW community wear apparel purchased through the Dawg House. It is fun for my students (and me) to go to BVNW events and see so many people wearing things our staff designed, ordered, and packaged It makes me proud of the work my students do and shows them the extent of their reach,” said Mrs Trader
The student-run store has impacted the overall school spirit at Blue Valley Northwest since the start The large variety of items allows all students to find something to match their style With the store being open during lunch, before, after school, and having an online store, its accessibility makes it easy for students to purchase their merchandise.
“The store has impacted school spirit because we have things that people can buy and wear to the games. People see others wearing things that they like and want to come to the Dawg House to get what they see others wearing,” said Humphrey
Not only has the Dawg House flooded the hallways with school spirit but it has shaped students' futures
“I was looking at finance before and now I want to go into marketing management I love what I do in the Dawg House and it is my favorite class and I would love to do something similar to what I do now,” says Humphrey.
For some students it has shifted their focus; for many others, the Dawg House has motivated them to pursue a future in business.
“I think it has made me want to go on more of a business track with whatever I do. Before joining the Dawg House, I had very little of an idea of what I wanted to do; however, once I joined I realized I enjoyed the environment and the real-world experiences we have,” said Shank
The Dawg House has been a positive addition to Blue Valley Northwest High School, enhancing the school’s atmosphere and providing a stronger sense of community between students, faculty, and families The impact continues to encourage school spirit and engagement. With future plans in store, the Dawg House will proceed to reach students and their community.
Courtesy Photo
Empowering Future Leaders Through
DECA DECA
Blue Valley High School’s (BVHS) DECA (Distributive Education Club of America) has experienced an overwhelming amount of success over the years including winning the Kansas State DECA Competition in 2022. Leading the program is Kathy Peres, BVHS business, marketing, and accounting teacher. Over her 20-plus years of leading DECA in the Blue Valley school district, she has seen numerous students succeed.
“DECA provides students with real-world skills needed for any career they might pursue. It also pushes students outside their comfort zones and increases their public speaking skills, problem-solving abilities, and overall task completion and professionalism,” Peres said.
DECA provides students with experiences in business and marketing while allowing students to work together and take on leadership roles.
Senior Mariah Rutler has seen significant growth in her skills since joining DECA in her sophomore year.
“Before joining I was terrible at presenting and always super nervous. I wanted to grow in that area so I decided to join,” Rutler expressed.
With consistent commitment, Rutler is now the Kansas DECA Eastern Region vice president and the Blue Valley business president. These positions have allowed her the oppurtunity to attend the Empower Leader Summit where DECA students across the nation meet together and learn leadership skills. In the past three years, Rutler has had a phenomenal time with DECA. Not only has she developed life-long skills but she has also formed lasting friendships.
“DECA has become an amazing way to connect with people in my community and across the nation. Honestly, when I think of DECA I think about all the memories I have with my friends," Rutler said.
While Rutler has had many rewarding accomplishments, including countless podium placements in regional and state competitions, she believes DECA has given her one thing that tops all of her achievements.
“The best achievement I have received from DECA is the ability to present and speak to other people without feeling terrified,” Rutler said.
The impact of DECA extends past the high school level into the college level Recent BVHS graduate, Charlotte Warren, is now thriving at Purdue University and is exemplifying the impact of DECA in her business studies.
“DECA is the main reason that I am studying business. It allowed me to explore different careers umbrella of business and discover what I am sionate about and enjoy doing,” Warren said.
e Warren filled out applications for colleges asked why she was choosing a business major, she talked about her positive experience with DECA and how it was extremely helpful.
To maintain success in college Warren has used many of her acquired skills as leverage.
“Being able to act in a professional manner is definitely something I’ve used in college. Also, the foundational business knowledge required to compete in the different events that I did has carried over into some of my coursework in college,” Warren explained.
Warren also expressed how many other Purdue business majors were in DECA. However she believes her strong passion for DECA distinguishes her from other students.
“DECA is an experience that will help me secure internships throughout college by talking about my experiences, successes, and skills I learned with problem-solving and business scenarios,” Warren said.
Overall, the lasting impact DECA makes on students extends beyond the program and paves the path for students’ future. This impact can be seen in current BVHS senior Mariah Rutler to BVHS graduate Charlotte Warren at Purdue’s School of Business. Each of them are now equipped with skills they learned in DECA forever.
At the Leavenworth DECA Competition hosted at St Mary University, teams of students presented their ideas to their judges.
Photo by: Avery Davenport
Did You
KNOW? KNOW?
WHAT STUDENTS WISH ADULTS UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THEIR GENERATION LEARNING PROCESSES.
The rise of new learning styles has been increasingly prominent, especially in schools in the Kansas City Metro area Unfortunately, these new learning styles have received pushback from teachers and administration alike. Hope Kelly, a junior at Olathe East High School, has seen firsthand how modern learning approaches are transforming the classroom. With more hands-on activities and a greater emphasis on technology, students like Kelly are better able to identify and utilize their individual learning styles, leading to a more effective and engaging educational experience.
“THEY HELP ME LEARN THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEARNING AND THAT IT’S OKAY TO LEARN IN DIFFERENT STYLES,” SAID KELLY.
Every student has their own preferred way of learning, and while it is difficult for teachers and administrators to cater to everyone's needs, communication with students would be a great first step to understanding the best ways to effectively communicate important lessons and information that will resonate with students.
Kelly describes how she finds it difficult to work to the best of her ability when she is held back by nonprogressive teaching styles.
“It's hard to be the best I can and do the best I can when adults can't get behind the new ways of learning,” Kelly said
Emyrald Dabdee, a junior at Olathe East, emphasized that she wishes adults could understand that incorporating diverse learning approaches would greatly enhance her educational experience.
“I wish adults realized that learning is not just onesided,” Dabdee said, “I wish they knew that the traditional method is not the only method and that there are so many ways to learn rather than learning through books.”
There is also controversy between teachers and students on technology in the classroom and the practical benefits it has. Dabdee wishes adults realized technology isn’t going away, so they should take advantage of it rather than implementing harsh restrictions that impede students’ learning.
“Adults should know that the use of technology will not decline, it will only grow from here,” Dabdee said.
In recent years, substantial developments have been made in the learning styles that better cater to the needs of different students
According to the Lean Competency System, there are four main types of learners: logical, social, solitary, and naturalistic.
Catering to these different learning styles is vital for providing each student with adequate education Embracing these differences enhances individual potential and enriches the overall educational environment, allowing every student the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Olathe East High School juniors, Hope Kelly and Emyrald Dabdee share their beliefs about different learning styles Ph t T k b K ti H l
Sorting success. LEAD Center Teacher Academy students learning about the components of lesson plans
Photos sourced from Carma Richey, Ray-Pec Teacher Academy Instructor
Dr. Slagle welcomes scholar teachers to the Teacher Academy.
Photos sourced from Carma Richey.
Youth Stewardship Equity
SHAWNEE MISSION SCHOOL DISTRICT
The YES (Youth Equity Stewards) Program is a Shawnee Mission School District initiative that strives to create inclusive and diverse learning environments in all district classrooms
After becoming DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) coordinator in the summer of 2023, Kaitlin Shulman redeveloped the YES program and made it into what it is today a safe space for SMSD high school leaders and teachers to discuss how to improve DEI in their schools
"A big piece of YES is that we are working alongside students and making sure it's not just adults in the program we want students and adults to be working together and creating the solutions," Shulman said.
Mya Williams has been the intern for Shulman since the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Her job includes making social media posts for YES, setting up meetings, recording information, and brainstorming ideas with Shulman. During her time as an intern, she has developed several important skills that will set her up for success.
"It has made me more confident in myself and my ability to collaborate with other people, my ability to be more understanding, and it has helped my public speaking skills," Williams said.
Shawnee Mission North senior Alba Sandoval Lima has been involved in YES since her freshman year of high school after being nominated by a teacher to join.
"I think it really has made me comfortable We have difficult discussions sometimes in our meetings, and we just choose a hard topic to discuss over and that has helped me prepare for my future because now I'm comfortable to have those certain difficult conversations and I'm able to work with adults or administrators," Lima said
Throughout her four years of high school, Lima has noticed a visible improvement in the perspective of SMN students because of YES YES PROGRAM IN THE
Mya Williams directing fellow YES students to their next topic
All YES members pose in front of the “All in SMSD” sign
"More students are more open-minded, they can have more comfortable discussions, and they're not afraid to stand up for any problem that they see in our school," Lima said
Five high schools from the SMSD participate in the YES program, and district-wide meetings are held three to four times a year, which is when Shulman is able to connect with the students and make fundamental plans for the future of their program
Last year, members of the YES program noticed how the SMSD discipline matrix and student handbooks lacked preventive measures against racial slurs and the severity that derogatory language had in their schools, so they needed to change that After addressing the problem, they met with district administrators and ultimately made positive changes to the discipline matrix through a Say Something protocol
"We've launched a Say Something protocol that helps encourage students and staff members to speak up when there are challenging situations around derogatory language," Shulman said
For the 2024-2029 strategic plan, Shulman not only hopes to continue creating an inclusive environment for all students and staff in the SMSD, but she always hopes to expand the YES program
"For the November 19th district meeting, our YES students are actually going to engage in a little bit of creating and brainstorming time together on how they can reach down to their middle school and elementary students," Shulman said
YES students will be co-creating presentations to launch to the middle schools and elementary schools during the springtime, which will hopefully commence an all-grade level YES program that strives to create inclusive learning environments in all SMSD classrooms
Kaitlin Shulman expressing the importance of the YES program
YES students from all SMSD schools talking about the impact in their schools.
SECURING
TOMORROW
The future can be a daunting and uncertain thought, especially for high school students who are beginning to think about their post-graduation paths Fortunately, several educational institutions in the Kansas City Metropolitan area are taking proactive steps to implement comprehensive programs designed to adequately prepare students for the career or educational journey they plan on pursuing
According to recent data from the U S Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 60 percent of students transition to college after completing their high school education With an increasing number of schools making substantial investments in students' futures through various preparatory programs, a percentage shows promising growth potential
Schools across the region are implementing various innovative and forward-thinking programs specifically designed to support and enhance student success. One particularly notable initiative is a freshman seminar program, which provides students with early career exploration opportunities and equips them with the tools needed to make well-informed decisions about their course selections based on their interests and aspirations. Another significant program making waves in student preparation is OATC (Olathe Advanced Technical Center), which offers invaluable real-world experience through carefully cultivated internship connections.
Through this comprehensive program, students can earn career-specific certificates across various professional fields, providing them with a substantial competitive edge in their chosen career paths
Despite these advancements, students continue to encounter significant challenges in their career preparation journey A particularly common source of frustration among students is the dismissive response of "just google it" from educators when seeking specific guidance and mentorship
“WHEN TEACHERS SAY “WHEN TEACHERS SAY
‘JUST GOOGLE IT’, IT ‘JUST GOOGLE IT’, IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE MAKES ME FEEL LIKE
THEY'RE TEACHING ME THEY'RE TEACHING ME SOMETHING THEY DON'T SOMETHING THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW. WHEN THEY EVEN KNOW. WHEN THEY SAY JUST GOOGLE IT, IT SAY JUST GOOGLE IT, IT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE THEY'RE NOT PUTTING IN THEY'RE NOT PUTTING IN THE EFFORT,” THE EFFORT,”
- KELLY - KELLY
BY: OLATHESCHOOLS.ORG
When students seek insights from teachers and they elect to not answer their questions, it creates a poor student/teacher relationship Emyrald Dabdee, a junior at Olathe East describes how she feels teachers are dismissive when she asks questions
“It makes people feel less important, saying ‘just google it’ instead of actually like putting the time and actually talking to me,” Dabdee said
This approach proves inadequate as it fails to provide the personalized support and detailed guidance many students require for their unique situations Additionally, students frequently encounter difficulties in establishing meaningful connections with professionals who work in their fields of interest, creating a substantial roadblock to gaining authentic, first-hand insights into potential career paths of interest. Looking toward the future, students have developed well-thought-out ideas regarding how educational institutions could better prepare them for their post-graduation lives. There exists a strong and growing desire for comprehensive personal finance education that extends well beyond basic concepts taught in current classes. Students are expressing keen interest in learning about in-depth financial management strategies, including crucial life skills such as effectively navigating college expenses and mastering the occasionally confusing scholarship application process. Furthermore, students are increasingly advocating for expanded career exploratory classes that would provide detailed insights into the day-to-day across various professional fields
These enhanced educational offerings would assist students in better aligning their skills and interests with suitable career paths, potentially incorporating daily discussions about different career opportunities to substantially broaden their understanding of the diverse professional opportunities available to them
SOURCED
From Aspiration To Action
Transforming into an Effective Leader
Real World Learning is a way to prepare yourself for a real job. To find out what your interests are and what they are not. You don’t have to do an internship or a client-connect project to get Real World Learning experience. Real World Learning could be anything: Getting your first job, college classes, client connect projects, internships, etc Extra-curricular activities could also be considered as real-world experiences So what does real-world learning do for leadership growth?
When talking to Willow Wooldridge from Staley High School, she points out the importance she feels about her volunteer work She gets real-world experience from volunteering and experiences she couldn’t get anywhere else
“With the elementary school volunteering, being able to take charge in a classroom, being able to be a leader for those kids, and being someone they can look to as they need help. And being able to be a leader and be able to be in charge, is something that I think is really important. I think being a good leader is really that important,” Wooldridge said. Elise Nguyen, also a Staley High School Student ties professionalism with confidence.
“This might sound kind of weird, but having good posture or not fidgeting or anything like that is just more professional if you do that and people are gonna take you more seriously But that's also something I need to work on as well,” Nguyen said Jaelyn Woodley is a senior at Park Hill South High School “My experience with Real World Learning has been truly amazing. I currently have an internship at a law firm with my school. Here, I learn how to be professional, problem solve, and learn what the law field is like. I work very hard and they ended up hiring me as a Legal Assistant,” Woodley said. Woodley said that she feels honored to have the opportunity to do such a thing and she’s happy to be able to advocate for these types of opportunities. “As a leader, it has shown me how to speak up and ask questions. I used to hate asking for help, but I realized I could get more done with my community if I spoke up I’ve learned how to be a follower, which is very important to know I see how it feels to be taking orders from others and how I should change my leadership style and mindset,” Woodley said
In conclusion, Real World Learning has many perks and helps with leadership roles It prepares you for the real world and lets you see what it’s like to have a role with responsibility. It can help you with how you should present yourself when in a position that is any form of leadership.
Jaelyn Woodley, State Representative Jamie Johnson, and Brandy Woodley (mom of Jaelyn) at a NAACP conference
Jaelyn Woodley completes her 2nd activity, presenting to elementary students about her law internship and future aspirations
MEET THE TEAM MEET THE TEAM
Co-Editor in Chief
It has been an honor working on the Real World Learning P.O.V. magazine this year. I had a great time as a writer last year, and I am so grateful to take on the role after Izabella Martin I am so thankful for my amazing team and all of the hard work that they have put into the winter edition of the magazine I am also thankful for Stefani Russ, Angee Simmons, and Rachel Thomas for guiding me through this process. I cannot wait to keep working with everyone into the next editions of this magazine, and I cannot wait to see all of the amazing stories we will continue to tell.
Jadynne Brady
Sofia
It has been an amazing experience to work on the Real World Learning P.O.V. Magazine team this year. This is my first time leading and designing in such a capacity and I have absolutely loved it! I am so thankful to Angee Simmons, Rachel Thomas, and Stefani Russ for how kind they have been while guiding me through this whole process The other students I work closely with make this experience much more worthwhile! They are engaging and all have interesting stories to tell. I can’t wait to see how our stories grow.
Emma Bisby Creative Director
Norah McMains T L d
Shaylee Hare Designer
Angelina Crosby
Annalyn Carver
Co-Editor in Chief
Breanna Cobb Designer
Taylor Marksz Team Lead
Cervantes Team Lead
Team Lead
Emma Clark Designer
Olivia Moore Writer
Aneesah Jameel Copy Editor
Lucy Boyle Copy Editor
Katie Helzer Writer
Avery Davenport Writer Writer
Ashley Phelps
Jack Jimenez Designer Mylee Schroeder Designer Fiona West Designer Laila Coleman Photographer
Parker Mendel Writer
Get on the Bus!
E A L W O R L D L E A R N I N G
Courtesy Photo
Photo Credit: Jasiana Tyler
Photo Credit: Emma Bisby