The Harbinger Issue 14 2023-24

THE

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SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 APRIL 8, 2024 VOLUME LXVI ISSUE 14

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YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE IS PENDING S t u d e n t s a n d their familie s weigh life-changing college decisions without knowing their f u t u re f i n a n c i a l situation due to delays and technical difficultie s wit h the newly revamped FA FS A — th e go v er nm ent ’s ga tew a y to a ny f ed era l a i d f o r p ro sp ective college student s

A LOOK INSIDE:

page 6...

Youth and Government club hosts a panel of local politicians

16...

27...

Junior Lincoln King volunteers at St. Paul’s Breakfast every Saturday

Varsity girls swim trains to bounce back from a third place state finish

02 | APRIL 8, 2024

THE HARBINGER

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A curre n t e v e n t h a p p e n i n g i n S t . C h a r l e s M O, according

de sig n b y ave r y an d e rs o n

c o v e r d e s ig n b y a d d i e m o o re

V i si t sm ehar b i nger. net to vi ew ad d itiona l storie s, ga lle rie s, podc a st s a nd v ide os

to FHN To d a y Ed itor- i n - Ch i e f Mc K e n n a Hudson

Last Thursday the Francis Howell School Board held an election for the replacement of two board members.

This school year, the district has been receiving backlash for their decision to remove the Black History and Black Literature courses but members of the community hope these new board members will change those policies.

SCAN ME WEBSITE Visit this link to view more stories from FHN Today

ʼnőÁƅ ěĆʼnő PRINT EDITORS K atie Murphy Greyson Imm

ONLINE EDITORS Aanya Bansal Maggie Kissick

HEAD COPY EDITORS Greyson Imm Aanya Bansal

FHN TODAY FRANCIS HOWELL NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

DESIGN EDITORS Veronica Mangine Bridget Connelly

ASST. DESIGN EDITOR K ai McPhail

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS Maggie Kissick Bridget Connelly

ASST. PRINT EDITORS

ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS

ASST. ONLINE EDITORS

ART EDITOR

Addie Moore Avery Anderson Connor Vogel Larkin Brundige

ASST. HEAD COPY EDITOR Ada Lillie Worthington

HEAD PHOTO EDITORS Riley Scott Liv Madden Kenna Harrington

VIDEO EDITORS Abby Lee Ryder Hendon

ASST. PHOTO EDITORS Caroline Martucci Clara Peters Amelie Wong

ASST. VIDEO EDITORS Mason Sajna Alex Sajna

Isabel Balsassaro Lyla Weeks

Bridget Connelly

ASST. ART EDITOR K ai McPhail

PODCAST EDITOR Emma Krause

PHOTO MENTORS Molly Miller Paige Bean Will Griffith Mason Sajna

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ONLINE POST MANAGER Luciana Mendy

COPY EDITORS

K atie Murphy Greyson Imm Maggie Kissick Aanya Bansal Ada Lillie Worthington Addie Moore Emmerson Winfrey Libby Marsh David Allegri Sophia Brockmeier Larkin Brundige Lucy Wolf Connor Vogel Avery Anderson Luke Beil Neva Hudson Luciana Mendy

STAFF WRITERS

Mary Gagen Isabel Baldassaro Maggie Condon Christian Gooley VIDEO MENTOR Preston Hooker Preston Hooker Lucy Stephens PRINT SECTION EDITORS Emma Krause EDITORIAL | K ai McPhail Michael Yi NEWS | Sydney Eck Reese Dunham FEATURE | Sophia Brockmeier Mya Smith SPORTS | Libby Marsh Neil Williams OPINION | Isabel Baldassaro Carl Sutton A&E | Lucy Stephens

Read an opinion on how Easter baskets have become too extravagant, a news story on the newlyfounded “Lancer University ” and a news story on the KC Current playing their first game and the history being made by the team.

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STAFF ARTISTS Larkin Brundige Zane Laing Julia Campbell Hallie O’Bryan Bella Broce Francesca Lorusso

PAGE DESIGNERS Emmerson Winfrey Zane Laing Lyla Weeks Clara Burdick Lorelei Galles Julia Campbell Bella Broce Francesca Lorusso Hallie O’Bryan

MULTIMEDIA STAFF Mary Gagen Luke Beil Paige Bean Ryan Dehan Mason Sajna Alex Sajna Emma Krause Preston Hooker Christian Gooley

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Alex Sajna Maggie Condon Lyla Weeks Molly Scott Francesca Lorusso Addie Clark K atie Cook Caroline Hoffman

;gZZg© g g H Z `'#H ͢ SME Harbinger

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SM East Harbinger

EDITORIAL POLICY The Harbinger is a student run publication. Published editorials express the views of the Harbinger staff. Signed columns published in the Harbinger express the writer’s personal opinion. The content and opinions of the Harbinger do not represent the student body, faculty, administration or Shawnee Mission School District. The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content, but quotes material may be confirmed with the sources. The Harbinger encourages letters to the editors, but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple letters of the same topic and personal attacks contained in the letter. The Harbinger will not edit content though letters may be edited for clarity, length or mechanics. Letters should be sent to Room 400 or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.

APRIL 8, 2024 | 03

THE HARBINGER

de sig n b y k a i m c p h a i l

ga' a Hga UNDER

GOD The recent rise of Christian

nationalism in politic s needs to be quelled before it trans forms

;g ͢ ̩̫ < Ha ͢ ̨ The members of the editorial board who agree with the viewpoint of the editorial are represented by for, and those who disagree with the viewpoint are represented by against.

t he state o f o ur co unt r y

F

IRST,

ROE

V.

WADE

was

overturned. Now, frozen embryos

ways of perceiving the world are impressed

fit the ideologies of the Seven Mountain

and lead to a dominance of the Christian

upon others outside of their community.

Mandate. The flag should not be hanging in

faith. This would send the message to current

the Capital.

students that Christians get a louder voice

Specifically when it comes to politics,

count as children — according to

shouldn’t

The Seven Mountain Mandate is essentially

presidential candidate Donald Trump has

take precedence over all others. It is entirely

a prophetic belief that categorizes society

been closing rallies with 15-minute prayer-

within one’s rights to be opposed to abortion

into seven core groups and claims that God

Young people need to vote against policies

like sermons.

because of religion, but limiting access to in

wants Christians to rise to the top of each of

that are direct reflections of a select group’s

the Alabama Supreme Court — and

one

group’s

guiding

principles

in the government than other religions and denominations.

these

vitro fertilization for everyone because of one

the groups, and from there, Christianity is

religious beliefs. It’s important to remember

political events: the evident rise and influence

group’s morals has blurred the line between

intended to spread throughout every aspect

the vitality of maintaining the distinction

of Christian nationalist beliefs in politics.

religion and government.

of society.

between religion and politics. Even if you

One

common

thread

connects

The recent rise of Christian nationalism in

ONE COMMON

Laws and policies should provide equal

identify with ideas proposed by politicians

protection to all citizens regardless of race,

who

thread connects these political events: the evident rise and influence of the Christian nationalism beliefs in politics.

gender, religion or sexual orientation. In

agendas, take a step back and remind yourself

March, a bill eradicating state funding for

of the slippery slope that comes with a biased

teaching diversity, equity and inclusion in

and subjectively-ruling government.

principles. In a democracy where church and

Along with having “An Appeal to Heaven”

state are supposed to remain separate this is simply unacceptable.

politics needs to be quelled before it upends core American values of equality and diversity or distorts society into operating under a Christian belief system for generations to come.

Christian nationalism is when Christian values

permeate

policy

making

and

are

also

support

Christian

nationalist

all public schools was passed by Alabama

This mindset is particularly important for

Republicans. This also prevents transgender

first-time voters, who may be planning to

students from using the gendered bathrooms

make an “educated” guess when casting their

that they identify with despite contradicting

vote, and who are susceptible to be swept up

the core value of equality that America was

by the same beliefs as their parents or skip

flag hanging in his Capitol Building office,

built on.

voting all together. Now more than ever,

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has been

In

allowed to hold equal value to constitutional

his

2024

campaign,

Trump

has

it’s imperative to go into any election with

In a year when political tensions are

quoted saying “go pick up a Bible off your

capitalized on religious conservatives using

a strongly developed understanding of all

already high — the imminent presidential

shelf and read it. That’s my worldview,”

a blatant technique to appeal to these voters

candidates and perspectives in order to form

election, polarized political parties and a

according to The New York Times. This

by selling bibles. Many of his supporters

your own opinions.

ballot full of hot button issues — the rise

kind of blatant assertion of a viewpoint that

are evangelical voters who support him for

of support for politicians actively working

promotes the supremacy of one religion over

the conservative Supreme Court he helped

Christian nationalism, its infiltration hasn’t

to

others is dangerous.

to facilitate which can be connected to the

gone so far that we can’t re-strengthen the

overturning of Roe v. Wade, according to The

separation between church and state through

New York Times.

more conscious voting practices and not

push

Christian

agendas

is

negatively

The “An Appeal to Heaven” flag was

impacting our generation’s ability to establish much-needed trust in our government.

first created amidst the Revolutionary War,

The problem isn’t with religion in general

adorned with an antiquated phrase from the

— individuals should be allowed to believe in

1700s. Since then, it’s morphed to represent

more

and practice the ideologies of their choosing

the

Christian

legislation, this will be detrimental as it

— the issues arise when these subjective

American society and has been twisted to

would not be inclusive of all perspectives

NATIONALISM

Vo c a b ulary used

VOCAB

vision

of

an

exclusively

c o m m only when ta l k i n g about C h r i s ti a n nat i o nal i sm

If the government starts to implement biased

and

'¨'a g ' < g R eligion, f amily, government , educa tion, ar t s, med ia an d b usin e ss.

religiously-based

Despite

the

negative

implications

of

letting Christian nationalist beliefs guide our country.

Dg ga H '

A n i s s u e t h a t c au s e s p e o p l e to f e e l s t ro n g e m o t i o n s ( s u c h a s a n ge r ) a nd to a rgu e w i t h e a c h ot her.

storie s b y isabel baldassaro

Briefs...

04 | APRIL 8, 2024

d e s ig n b y s yd n ey e c k

ARE YOU ATTENDING THE KSHSAA REGIONAL SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL ON APRIL 13TH? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 4 8 v o t e s

YES NO

smeharbinger.net/category/news

THE

lancer

minute

A vide o s e r i e s h i g h l i g h t i n g

9%

91%

KSHSAA REGIONAL SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL IS ON APRIL 13 THE ANNUAL KSHSAA Regional Solo &

but instead is something to look forward to

practice, and says this is her first year playing

Ensemble Festival on April 13 is an opportunity

and practice for that’s not just what you’re

the french horn after playing the trumpet last

for students around the region to participate

working on in school, according to Moon.

school year.

Moon will be performing a solo piece called

in Solo and Ensemble band performances.

Students present pieces to judges at a

“Chanson et Passepied.”

“I’m excited for the fun opportunity it brings because you can’t really lose anything,”

photo s f ro m g a l l e r i e s a n d

middle or high school and are rated on a scale

“I’ve spent most of my time practicing my

recap pi n g rec e n t e v e n t s

of 1-4. One being the best rating, granting

piece outside of school because when you’re

She thinks her trio has a good chance of

an opportunity for students to attend the

in school for your band piece you’re going to

making it to state, but she really wants to just

state competition and four being the worst,

play at band concerts,” Moon said. “This is

focus on trying her best.

according

more of your own project you work on in the

to

Alto

Saxophone

player

and

spring season.”

sophomore Eli Moon.

“This is our last thing to really focus and

Sophomore Jordin Newell is attending the festival playing a french horn solo, as well as

the auditions for the district and state bands,”

a trio with senior Charlie Muehlberger and

Moon said.

freshman Annabel Burkhardt.

Newell

is

“If you enjoy band and you enjoy playing, there’s really no reason for you not to do it,”

work on because after it’s over we just have

The competition is not for any prize,

Newell said.

taking

private

lessons

Moon said.

to

NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY VOLUNTEER DAY OCCURED ON APRIL 6 EAST’S NATIONAL HONORS

A B O V E Freshman Junior Board group presents their presentation over the United Women’s Empowerment organization. photo by katie murphy

Society

for people to gain volunteer hours, but also

Bledsoe was very happy with the successful

Chapter hosted a volunteer session on April

a great way to support the Ronald McDonald

outcome and appreciated how many people

6 where students created breakfast kits for

House foundation,” Bledsoe said.

showed up to help.

Ronald McDonald House.

The team made breakfast kits with protein breakfast

bars,

cereal

and

This event was also a unique opportunity

other

for the new junior officers to experience what

NHS sponsor and English teacher Melinder

snacks along with kind notes to give out to

it will be like for them next year, according to

DiGirolamo worked on gathering supplies,

families in need.

junior officer Porter Stein.

The junior and senior officers along with

shakes,

booking the SME Commons and advertising

Both juniors and seniors attended and

“It was a great chance to work with the

the event for over a month, according to

successfully filled all 250 breakfast bags

current senior officers and build our skills for

junior officer Mae Bledsoe.

required by the Ronald McDonald house,

the rest of the year,” Stein said.

“I think it was a really great opportunity

according to Bledsoe.

NOCHE DE BAILE TOOK PLACE ON MARCH 27 THE NOCHE DE Baile dance took place on

East has ever [held] and we really did a good

March 27 at SM North planned by North’s

job organizing and planning it,” Reyes said.

Hispanic Heritage Program and other Shawnee Mission School District students.

East senior Yahir Reyes helped promote the event and attended it to get together with

SCAN ME VIDEO Visit YouTube to hear staffer Emma Krause discuss these events and see more photos

the DJ’s appreciation for each school and the other fun activities.

Christina Calvano offered extra credit for attending the dance.

Rose and her friends tried new foods such as chamoy fruits and candy, horchata and

“It was a great success,” Reyes said. “A lot

bread pudding. They also learned how to do

“We wanted to host a dance that would

of people told us it was super fun and everyone

different dances from students from other

incorporate and focus on a lot of Spanish

was so supportive. For a lot of people this

schools.

culture and tradition,” Reyes said.

isn’t their usual culture and seeing them go

other Hispanic students.

A B O V E The varsity baseball team poses during spring media day. photo by riley scott

He also said that people complimented the authentic music played, food provided,

Junior Kate Rose said her first introduction to the dance was when her Spanish teacher

When the time came for the actual dance,

and experience it was really nice.”

“I attended the dance with some of my friends who wanted to see what it was like

Reyes said he had more fun than he expected

While East promoted the event over the

and we had the time of our lives,” Rose said.

with so many people showing up, as it was

seminar announcements and through Spanish

“We danced in the congo lines, ate all the fun

open to all Shawnee Mission high schools.

classes, Reyes and his friends also hung up

foods and met so many new people.”

“I had a lot of people at East come up to me and say the dance topped any school dance

flyers and reposted them on social media to spread the word.

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by liv madden

RHYTHMS OF THE

DISTRICT

APRIL 8, 2023 | 05

SCAN ME PHOTO Scan this QR code to access photos from this event

SM Nor th held a Hispanic dance called “Noche De Baile” for all Shawnee Mission schools on March 2 2, w hi ch the orga nize rs pla n to ma ke a n a nnu a l e v e nt

T O P East senior Yahir Reyes smiles towards the camera while dancing.

“I couldn’t remember a time where I stopped, I felt like I was nonstop dancing,” Reyes said.

“Also I think it was a really good move trying to include people from different backgrounds to kind of experience new things and explore new cultures.” photo by alex sajna

A B O V E SM West student K arla Osorio dances with a group of people during the first-ever district-wide Noche De Baile dance. photo by alex sajna T O P Reyes and a group of people we were dancing a traditional dance called merengue. “ You can do it with yourself or a big group,” East junior Kevin Gomez said. “ When we started doing that everyone started to get the gist of the dance and started to do their own circles.” photo by alex sajna

A B O V E Gomez helped plan this event and danced during the mixer. “ This capitalized on all of our traditional dancing and it’s a really good way to bond with people you don’t even know,” Gomez said. “ We tried to grab people’s attention and get everyone involved. I’ve had people tell me this was way better than any other dance because of the engagement everybody was doing there own thing.” photo by alex sajna

̨̮ | APRIL 8, 2024

THE HARBINGER

story b y l u c i an a me n dy

d e s ig n b y b e l l a b ro ce

POLITICIANS

IN-PERSON IN PERSON

Yout h a n d G o v e r n m e n t c l u b i s h o l d i n g t h e i r annual political panel with the hope to educate s tud ent s a b o u t p o l i ti c al to p i c s f ro m th e p e rsp ect i ve s o f b i p ar t i san p o l i t i ci ans

T

HE YOUTH AND Government

struggle due to their busy schedules and the

adjudicatory proceedings or legislative

Club is holding their annual

fact that the Johnson County area is blue.

session — according to Benditt. This

local

“It’s so important to have a balanced

will allow politicians to have room in

politicians will answer political

perspective at an event like this,” Benditt

their schedule for the panel. However,

questions from students in the Little Theatre

said. “It’s really easy to say this is a dark

this means the panel will happen at the

on April 23 during seminar.

blue area so all we want to hear from are

same time as the Multicultural Fair,

Students will be able to submit questions

people who are Democrats, but you can’t only

which might make students miss one to go

in advance on a Google form available on the

hear from people that agree with you, it’s just

to the other. Although the situation is not

club’s Instagram page, @smeyouthandgov,

going to reinforce preconceived notions.”

what Benditt wants, the club has no choice

political

panel

where

two weeks before the panel. The Youth and

Senior Maddie Doyle plans to attend the

Government Board will decide what questions

panel to learn more about local politicians

are chosen based on the frequency of the

and educate herself on certain topics. Doyle

Students will be able to enter and leave

questions and their relevance to current

believes Republicans should come to the

quietly throughout the panel to be able to see

events,

panel because East still has a significant

the Multicultural Fair as well, but the panel

amount of right-leaning students and she’s

won’t have any intermissions or breaks.

according

to

YAG

co-leader

and

senior Emma Krause.

“The panel is a pretty unique opportunity,” YAG co-leader and senior Eve Benditt said. “I don’t think anything similar is really offered

concerned about potential repetitiveness in the session if no Republicans attend.

“I’m

afraid

that

it’s

just

gonna

because all other available times are during Senate sessions.

Some social studies teachers like Brenda Fishman and Ben Hendricks are also offering

be

extra credit to students who attend the

at other schools [in] Shawnee Mission or

redundant policies and agreements,” Doyle

panel.

otherwise. It’s a really awesome chance for

said. “Although agreements are good to

handwritten notes about the discussion for

Fishman’s

students

can

complete

people to have these direct conversations.”

an extent, when it comes to politics, it

five points of extra credit.

Last year, the panel consisted of three

can be pretty difficult because people can

“It’s really good to generate interest in

local Democrats who answered the pre-

become really one-sided. So without having

local and state elections, because those are

written questions on topics like abortion and

a Republican there to contrast the high-

the ones that really affect us,” Fishman said.

gun rights. This year, the club wants to have

yielding Democrats, it’s really just gonna be

“Kids need to understand that local elections

both Democratic and Republican politicians

a one-sided lecture.”

are really significant. The local stuff really

present on the panel since the club is

The club has chosen to hold the panel on

bipartisan. However, according to Benditt,

April 23 because that’s when the Senate will

getting Republicans to come has been a

be in recess— taking a break in a trial, other

in

the

upcoming

November

election, the panel will give them more information and perspective through meeting politicians in person, according to Doyle.

“This panel will be influential in who I vote for, and also in just educating myself,” Doyle said. “Seeing them in person will help with the cognitive biases from family and friends who are saying [politicians] not the best’ and actually connect with them on like a human level.”

Although the panel helps prepare seniors for their first opportunity to vote in elections, student-picked topics the politicians discuss will still be beneficial to underclassmen.

“Honestly, there’s no one at East who isn’t going to benefit from the panel,” Benditt said. “I think that the younger [students] can get involved [and become] more wellrounded voters at the polls in a few years.”

affects us [because] you’re talking about your roads or schools for the most of the taxes.”

With many seniors being able to vote

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM? g e t R e p u b l i c a n p o l i t i c i a n s to p a r ticipate in the panel

45%

b e c a u s e o f h o w l e ft - l e a n i n g t h e East area is

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 2 6 8 v o t e s

Democratic Republican 29%

71%

Democratic

DO YOU LEAN TOWARDS DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN VIEWS?

Republican

26%

28% Independent

T h e Yo u t h a n d G o v e r n m e n t c l u b has struggled to

KANSAS POLITICAL VIEWS

Last year, no Republican candidates were at the panel

s tor y by mich ael yi

APRIL 8, 2024 | 07

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by h al l i e o’bryan p h o to s by fran ceca lorus s o

MULTICULTURAL

FAIR

S tudent leaders in the Multicultural S tudent Union are planning a Multicultural Fair on April 2 3 for t he first ti m e i n o v e r 2 0 ye a rs

T

HE MULTICULTURAL STUDENT

which

Union is hosting a Multicultural

countries. Although a similar event was held

“Being a part of the East area growing

Fair on April 23 with 20 student-

at East by Student Council in 2002 called the

up, there isn’t a lot of appreciation for

led

worldly

“Diversity Festival,” this will be the first

other cultures and in fact, at times, there’s

cultures from the Dominican Republic to

event celebrating cultural diversity at East in

some pushback,” India stand leader Shubra

the Philippines, each bringing in snacks and

over 20 years.

Durgavathi said. “I really hope that [the fair]

stands

representing

artifacts like Moroccan gummies, white rabbit

mainly

represents

South

American

Murphy and co-leader senior John Mendy secured funding for fair decorations and food

candy and Gambian wooden carvings.

average.

is appreciated and that people have a positive

S ome of the culture s that will be

response to it because it is East.”

featured at the Multicultural Fair

SM North’s Hispanic Heritage Program

after presenting a $2,000 funding proposal

will perform a traditional fast-paced dance,

at a STUCO meeting on March 6, securing

and Samantha Feinberg however, are more

and Chinese Club will perform a lion dance.

enough funds to subsidize every stand with

optimistic about the fair’s potential because

MCSU is hosting the fair to celebrate the

$50.

of the quality of the work of the volunteers.

diverse backgrounds of our community and expose the student body to global cultures.

“We believe in helping some of the other

MCSU

“I

teacher

really

hope

sponsors

that

Anna

when

Thiele

encounter somebody else’s culture, they do

“I hope students will get to see their peers

off the ground and have some good ideas but

so with respect and a willingness to listen

don’t have the funds to do them,” STUCO

and learn,” Thiele said. “If East students

different elements of their diversity will

sponsor Brenda Fishman said. “It’s a good

maintain that attitude, this will absolutely

be highlighted in a positive way,” District

thing we were about to help them out.”

be a success because the work that the MCSU

Equity

and

Inclusion

Director

The

MCSU

was

established

following

backlash caused by the racial assault in East’s

awesome, and should be celebrated.”

hallways in November, which triggered a

Although MSCU and the culture fair has

during

series of meetings with student leaders, East

been mostly led by seniors, Murphy and

seminar in the auxiliary gym. All stands are

administration and Shulman to create a safe

Mendy hope that the club will become self-

led by student volunteers from MCSU, and

space for everyone at East.

sustaining and that the culture fair will happen

grade

will

cycle

through

“The incident really sparked a lot of

every year, without the need of administrative

pictures, decorations, fun facts and music.

activism and unrest with a lot of students,”

supervision or financial support. Murphy’s

After making the Year of the Dragon mural

Mendy said. “A lot of different groups were

vision is for MSCU to have representation

for Lunar New Year and designing a bulletin

trying to start their own student unions

in many of East’s programs, giving input at

board of underrepresented historical figures,

like Black Student Union and Latinos of

Student Council and Pep Club meetings and

the 65-member club has spent the past two

Tomorrow, but there’s not so much diversity

helping plan school-wide events.

months preparing for the culture fair in the

at East, so we decided to bring all of those

“I’ve always wished that there was some

cafeteria.

groups together so we could stay unified and

sort of Asian affinity group at East or a culture

organize events like [the fair].”

club in general, but that never existed when I

“We wanted to find a way to celebrate focusing

on

[discrimination],”

MCSU

co-

leader and senior Katie Murphy said.

The idea for a culture fair was inspired

by SM North’s annual “International Night,”

Some stand organizers are worried about

was an underclassman,” Murphy said. “Now,

how effective the fair will be at educating the

even as a senior who’s about to graduate, it’s

student body and how well it will be received.

important to me to help start up a sustainable

East’s minority enrollment is 15.9%, more

club to be the kind of safe space I wish I had.”

than

three

times

less

than

the

national

INDIA

JUDAISM

RUSSIA

PANAMA

VIETNAM

CHINA

KOREA

HAWAI’I

really consistent.”

each stand will have a tri-fold poster with

people’s different cultures instead of always

GAMBIA

students have been putting in has been really,

Kaitlin Shulman said. “That’s beautiful and Each

TAIWAN

students

organizations that need some help getting

in a light they don’t normally see and that

Diversity,

FEATURED CULTURES

Opinion

08 | APRIL 8, 2024

smeharbinger.net/opinion

hot take

B

d e s ig n b y i s a b e l b a l d a s s a ro a r t b y b e l l a b ro ce & ka i m c p h a i l

COMIC STRIP a r t b y b e l l a b ro ce

story by m ol l y mi l l e r

Block d a y s a re d rai n i n g a n d do n’ t al l o w s tu dent s to m o ve t hro ugho ut t he d ay.

EING FORCED TO

sit through

90-minute-long classes four days

different The

a week is draining. It’s simply ridiculous — we don’t need that

much time in class.

classrooms

and

walking

through

different halls every hour does exactly that. shorter

lectures

and

change

of

scenery engages me in more than just math class. Feeling the temperature change on the

Being expected to not check my phone or

different floors and seeing what mood my

listen to a lecture for that lengthy amount

teachers are in makes me feel like I’m starting

of time is simply absurd, I don’t have the

over. Meanwhile during block days, the air

attention span or level of interest. I refuse to

grows musty and my eyes get heavy so I have

let my day go to waste when I could be jumping

to find excuses to use the bathroom every 30

from class to class every 45 minutes-staying

minutes.

Administration should consider moving to

focused and constantly on my toes.

I’d much rather travel back to 2020 when

only seven period days. The constant change

three days a week consisted of seven-period

in scenery might give me the opportunity to be

days and only two useless block days. I need

less drained all the time.

this or that?

a change of scenery and moving to seven

trending topics

R ecent Instagram polls related to storie s in this issu e’s opinion se c tion

Polls and information about current

SHOULD FEMININE PRODUCTS BE OFFERED IN EAST’S BATHROOMS FOR FREE?

t re nd ing topic s in m e d ia

tankinis

A s s p r i n g a n d s u m m e r w e a t h e r g e t s c l o s e r, t h e o l d “ t a n k i n i ” h a s re t u r n e d a n d i s i n s t y l e .

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 24 4 v o t e s

YES NO 7%

DO YOU LIKE THAT TANKINIS ARE TRENDING AGAIN?

93%

IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A HOBBY OUTSIDE OF SPORTS?

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 6 0 v o t e s

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 2 9 v o t e s

YES 16% 84%

NO

YES NO 9%

91%

TAKE OUR POLLS HAVE YOU MADE A CANDY SALAD? * I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 2 1 9 v o t e s

candy salad

T h e n e w s n a c k t h a t i s c i rc l i n g T i k To k re c e n t l y i s t h e i c o n i c c a n d y s a l a d t h a t c o n s i s t s o f ex a c t l y w h a t y o u w o u l d t h i n k : c a n d y.

YES NO

35% 65%

Follow the Harbinger on social media to participate in our polls @smeharbinger

@smeharbinger

@smeharbie

@smeharbingerr

s tor y by sophia brock m ei er

APRIL 8, 2024 | 09

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by em m erson winfrey p h o to s by l y l a week s & molly s cott

HOOKED ON CROCHETING

A r t i s t ic hobbie s, such as crochet , improve time manageme nt and m ental he a lth

S

ITTING ON MY bed, I squint to loop a needle

outfits for the next week or contemplate upcoming club

around the fluffy, green yarn wrapped around

meetings — crocheting is basically my free therapist.

my hand. As I crochet the leaves of a miniature

Crocheting, and all textile crafts, can bring joy to

plant, my phone lights up with a notification

people to clear their minds and fuel their creativity through one fun task. Since picking up crocheting, I can

from Instagram: You have one new message. my

stay focused for longer and stay in a calm mindset even

concentration from crocheting but continue to stitch

after I finish the next couple of rows on my octopus or

anyway. Instagram will have to wait, I’ll check later.

towel.

I

wince

as

the

notification

has

broken

Three weeks before picking up a crochet hook and

And I’m not alone in the positive effects I’ve seen

some yarn, I would’ve immediately gotten on my phone

from my new hobby, or other kinds of hands-on crafts.

and fallen into an hour-long doom scroll on Instagram.

According to a 2024 study by Harvard Health Publishing,

“

Not only would I have completely lost my motivation to continue crocheting, but I would’ve yet again surrendered all my time to my phone.

Artistic hobbies, like crocheting, can be outlets

to promote positive mental health and improve time

management. Crocheting has become my outlet to decompress and increase productivity after a strenuous track workout or grueling math test.

Two hours and 24 minutes. That’s how long I spent

I COULD PICK UP

a ball of yarn and a hook sitting in a rocking chair as a 98-year-old woman or on the sidelines of my child’s soccer game. I can’t say about running a 3.1-mile cross country course

watching Instagram reels each day prior to spring break.

Don’t get me wrong, I knew I needed to stop but I never

hobbies that “involve creativity, sensory engagement,

knew how. I tried all the cliche tips: don’t get on your

self-expression, relaxation and cognitive stimulation

phone in the morning or set screen time reminders, but

are linked to good mental health and well-being.” These

none of them actually stuck with me.

feelings of productivity and mental clarity aren’t some

That is, until I picked up the simple craft of crocheting.

fabrication of my mind — they’re scientifically based.

A 15-minute YouTube video retaught me the basics

It’s important for me to find a hobby such as

of crochet, as my mom had originally taught me in third

crocheting in high school because I won’t do sports

grade, and I had my first fuzzy crimson, tiny octopus

forever. I see myself quitting my current “hobbies” like

cranked out in 30 minutes. Since the completion of my

cross country and track shortly after high school, but

first creation, I’ve made a towel, headband and miniature

I’m convinced I won’t quit crocheting. It’s easy to bring

plant. All in two weeks. Oh, and my daily Instagram

my hook and yarn anywhere with me and the activity is

screen time? 29 minutes.

inexpensive compared to $250 running shoes.

The decrease in screen time, specifically Instagram, I

I could pick up a ball of yarn and a hook sitting

found directly correlates to my productivity. Now, when

in a rocking chair as a 98-year-old woman or on the

I get assigned a long-term project I work on it that same

sidelines of my child’s soccer game. I can’t say the same

night instead of waiting until the day before it’s due.

about running a 3.1-mile cross country course.

The thought of being able to crochet another 10 rows of

The action of staying dedicated to an artistic hobby

my octopus or miniature plant motivates me to finish

for long periods of time helps to build positive mental

my work.

health through releasing built-up emotions in the

cro•chet

a h a n d i c ra ft i n w h i c h y a r n i s m a d e u p i n t o a p a t t e r n e d f a b r i c b y l o o p i n g y a r n w i t h a h o o ke d needle The beauty of crochet is the repetitive motion. I get to sit back and let my hands go on auto-pilot while I plan my

repeated task.

Crocheting isn’t the only hobby that can reap the benefits of mental health and time management. Pick up cross knitting or collage-making on the side, either way, it’s time we all focus on our creative sides and begin an artistic hobby.

HOTTEST HOOKS

S o p h i a’s f a v o r i te p ro j e c t s s h e’s croch eted

DOT THE OCTOPUS TIME: 30 minutes DESCRIPTION: one-inch tall burgundy octopus named Dot

SOPHIA’S CUTEST PROJECT

HANGING PLANT TIME TAKEN: 36 hours DESCRIPTION: five-inch tall hanging potted plant made from YouTube video SOPHIA’S PROUDEST PROJECT WASH CLOTH

TIME TAKEN: 4 hours

DESCRIPTION: small

washcloth that Sophia uses

SOPHIA’S MOST REWARDING PROJECT

10 | APRIL 8, 2024

THE HARBINGER

s to r y b y ma ry g a ge n d e s ig n b y ma g gi e ki s s i c k p h o to s b y mo l l y s cot t

A BASIC

NECESSITY

Fe m i n i ne p ro d u c t s s h o u l d b e a v a i l able free of charge in all of East ’s re strooms

S

to ensure ever y stud ent is com for table HIFTING IN YOUR seat, you discreetly text your

spreads to the bladder. Women are more likely to contract

friends a plea for help mid-class. Your period

a UTI due to their anatomy. When a woman isn’t able to

came early, and you just weren’t prepared. None

clean herself, bacteria spreads more easily, increasing

of your friends have a pad or tampon you could

the risk of infection. UTIs can result in complications

use, so you’re forced to craft something with toilet paper

down the line in birth or in becoming pregnant, among

or fill out a nurse’s pass, leaving you in discomfort until

other issues, according to WebMD.

the nurse is able to see you or walk around for the rest

Scarcity of menstrual products in public schools

of the day with toilet paper shedding over your newly-

proves adverse to academic success, according to East’s

stained underwear.

supplier of menstrual products, Aunt Flow.

Students have to do all of this just because your

Nowadays, educational environments are shifting

school doesn’t stock the bathroom with essential period

towards student-focused learning, catering learning

products, free of charge.

towards student-specific needs but wet underwear isn’t

Menstrual products should be present in all of East’s

conducive to a focused learning environment, nor is it

bathrooms free of charge, providing hygienic products

hygienic. Period hygiene is a necessity, just as using

to students so they can learn and feel comfortable at

the restroom is for everyone else. If anything, providing

school.

menstrual products for students and staff would benefit

Paying for materials that you need to take care of your

the productivity of students.

personal business in a public setting is unreasonable.

To East’s credit, there are two restrooms in our

It’s simply a basic human need. Just as schools don’t

building with free menstruation products available

charge for your use of toilet paper, menstrual products

to students. But there are 11 restrooms for female-

need to also be free of charge.

identifying students including the locker room and

Schools are places for education, and it’s unreasonable

gender neutral restrooms — we can do better.

to expect students to focus on a lesson when they can

According to school nurse Stephanie Ptacek, the

feel the blood soaking into their pants because they

current products available in 2/11 of the restrooms cost

don’t have access to tampons or pads. This leaves

$150 per 500 tampons. Having the products provided

students physically uncared for, and unable to focus

in all of the restrooms would cost only $1650 in total.

on their education. At East, lack of menstrual products

That equates to only 0.09% of the district’s $1,897,149

leaves students in nine of the 11 restrooms uncared for.

available under the Health Reserve (Fund 057), making it

The lack of provided products isn’t due to the

not only a feasible solution, but the obvious one.

disinterest of students, either. In an Instagram poll of

According to East bookkeeper Joan Burnett, items

254 people, 93% agree that menstrual products should

such as soap and toilet paper are provided by the district

be offered free of charge in East’s facilities.

Operations and Maintenance Department, which has

In addition to the physical detriment caused by the

a separate budget. Because of this, providing period

lack of menstrual products, unavailability can cause

products wouldn’t disrupt the supply of other products

emotional and, in a school setting, academic damage.

necessary for physical hygiene.

The discomfort of bleeding through your pants and stress

Additionally, per Week 7 of the 2023 session of the

of your peers noticing the stain is enough to ruin a day,

Kansas Health Institute HB 2009, sales tax exemptions

and distract from any learning. Students shouldn’t have

are provided for diapers and period hygiene products,

to leave school due to the embarrassment of bleeding

effective on July 7, 2023. Because of this, the price of

through.

products are lower, making it all the more reasonable for

If someone on their period can’t access the necessary

East to provide them for free.

materials to care for themselves, they can face health

Considering that these products provide physical

concerns like reproductive and urinary tract infections

comfort and care for many of our students there’s no

which may result in future complications. Schools

valid reasoning behind East not providing products to

should have free menstrual products because it’s best

students.

for the students.

Students shouldn’t have to panic when their periods

According to the Mayo Clinic, UTIs occur when

come early, they should have a solution: period products

bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and

should be available, free of charge, in all of East’s restrooms.

A B O V E Dispensers like this one provide free menstrual products. They are present in two out of 11 restrooms for female students.

WHAT’S

AVAILABLE?

Menstrual product s that are currently available for fre e a nd how to a c c e ss the m

AUNT FLOW

PRODUCTS

Tampons and pads can be found in the women’s restroom by the main gym and in the library

OTHER

BRANDS

Students can fill out a virtual nurse pass and get products from the nurse’s office

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n and pho to s b y ke nn a h ar r i n g t o n

The g i r l s s o c c e r p ro g ra m h e l d it s 1 7 t h a n n u a l a l u m n i g a m e for fo r m e r p l a y e rs o n S a t u rd a y, Marc h 30

APRIL 8, 2024 | 11

FAMILIAR PLAY TOP RIGHT Junior Sophia Griggs battles for the ball with alum Emily Moseley.

“I think this tradition is important because it’s a good bonding experience for the whole team, including the coaches and past players,” Griggs said.

TOP LEFT Varsity Coach Jamie Kelly hugs alum Helen Holzbeierlein as she steps on the field.

“It’s great to see [the alumni] in person face to face and let them know that even though they graduated, they ’re still a part of the program and our community,” Kelly said.

photo by kenna harrington

photo by kenna harrington BOTTOM LEFT Alumni Ashley Koch, Ava Weiland, Emily Mosely and Grace Hastert talk in a circle at halftime of the game. “Once you graduate after you have been on varsity for a few years it’s really fun to be able to play with the older girls after they leave,” Weiland said. “It was really fun to be able to mess around and just have fun playing soccer.” photo by kenna harrington

B O T T O M R I G H T The team lines up, bowing to the fans that came to watch the game. It’s tradition for the team to bow after every game — win or lose. photo by kenna harrington

SCAN ME PHOTO

Scan this QR Code to view photos from this event.

̟̠ Ϧ APRIL 8, 2024

smeharbinger.net/category/feature

de sig n b y so ph i a bro c kme i e r

Feature

THIS ISSUE I N

photos

UNDER THE

p h otos b y kati e co o k

MASK

Two student s recount being in a ma sc ot c ostu me for a n e v e nt

Ug ©HZ ga΅D' # Ϧ JUNIOR

A look inside student life at East in the past two weeks of school

*p h oto cou r te sy of sme ban d

“

I WAS THE Lancer in the London New Year’s parade with the band. It was hard to see but I had such a fun time. Somebody gave me a couple of Union Jack flags to wave around and I ran up to a little kid and gave him one in the costume.

'##¯ ¯Zg Ϧ SENIOR *p h oto cou r te sy of t e ddy s ayl or

T O P Junior Gavin Baird prepares to hit a volleyball in his sixth hour team games class. photo by katie cook

FOR

THE

W' Students share what’s on their East-related bucket list

T O P R I G H T Senior Annabelle Stinson looks at special education teacher Rachel Kirby after feeding the fish in the library at the end of sixth hour. photo by caroline martucci

B O T T O M Freshman Ella Siengsukon creates a watercolor painting in painting class. photo by addie clark

BI A N CA T H O R N BU RG

N ORA HILL

J U NIO R

S E NIOR

“

I REALLY WANT to try out

for Lancer Dancers. I’m really looking forward to trying out for my sophomore year. I went to my first football game and [knew] I wanted to do [dance].

“

RUN A FLAG at a game. I have

seen Pep Club do it for all these years, and I just want to be that person who runs a flag. Maybe I’ll do it during soccer season for fun.

“

MY MOM TOLD me her

friend needed someone to be the Easter Bunny for her clients’ work thing. It was funny when random parents just handed newborn babies [to me], and I had to hold them being inside the costume.

CHECK IT OFF

A por tion of Nora’s bu c ke t list

Letter in something Run a flag at a game Be the Lancer mascot Interview for the Student Store Flash mob Start a club

s tor y by ma g gie ki ssi c k

APRIL 8, 2024 | 13

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by br i dget co nnelly p h o to s by carol i n e hoffman

THE

BEHIND

BADGE

S c h o o l R e s o u rc e O f f i c e rs Tony Woollen and Jeremy

S h u l l’s d e s i re to c o n n e c t with student s make s them m o re a p p ro ac h ab l e and l e ss i nt i m i d at i ng

TRIPLE DUTY

1 2 S

3

Th e t hre e re s p o ns i b ilit ie s t h e o f f ic ers take o n EDUCATOR

LAW RELATED COURT COUNSELOR

CHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS Tony Woollen and Jeremy

Shull

Thursday

kick

off

morning

truthful and honest. And we have a good

dressed

time being here every day.”

a

as

law

enforcement

they’re still humans.”

officers,

While on duty, the duo makes a point

Woollen feels proud seeing students

to have fun and connect with students

who started high school making “stupid

every

with

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

along the way. Every morning, the two

decisions” end up “making significant

Before classes start at 8:40 a.m.,

walk around the school to ensure that all

improvements”

they turn on the skillet in their third

of the doors are secure. But this task isn’t

graduated.

floor office and start scrambling eggs

complete without fist-bumping students

and cooking sausage to put in 30 to 35

in

breakfast burritos for any students who

classrooms to say hello.

flavorful tradition: burritos.

the

hallways

and

stopping

inside

remembers

the one

time

they

student

who

started high school being involved with drugs and getting in fights. Through

“You’d be amazed if you walked with

arrive before the bell.

He

by

mentorship with the SROs, the student

This tradition started in 2019 when a

us,” Shull said. “Every time we walk by

ended

former student would bring burritos to

a classroom, the teacher literally stops

grades,” started working out and stopped

eat with Woollen and former SRO officer

what they’re doing to say ‘Hi’ to us,

getting into fights or using drugs. Even

Seth Meyer. After the student graduated,

whenever their door is open. Even if you

after the student was done with their

Woollen continued making burritos —

don’t know us and we say good morning

court-ordered probation, they still went

and students started showing up and

to you and give you knuckles, it makes

in to hang out with the SROs because of

supplying

people smile.”

their positive demeanor.

ingredients

like

eggs

and

Woollen

with

“awesome

“[Getting people in trouble] is the last

demeanor has made the SRO office —

thing that we want to do,” Shull said. “I

to meet the demand of how many kids

a place students can go to if they have

mean, we’ll do our jobs. But that’s the

are coming in [the office],” Woollen said.

a pass or during lunch — a welcoming

last thing, we would much rather work

“We have so many people eating burritos

space for mentorship and support. It’s

with somebody one-on-one.”

in here, and it’s just a flipping blast.”

always packed with students cracking

Shull is in his first year at East. But

Woollen and Shull don’t want to be

jokes with the officers — and that’s how

because of the large amount of time he

seen as “scary cops.” Sure, their job

they want it to be. There’s no one in the

and Woollen have spent together, the

description

school they don’t want to get to know,

two have become close extremely quickly

according to Woollen.

— making them even more successful

them

to

enforce

laws, provide criminal counseling and

Shull’s

school

“We had to get [a] bigger griddle just

requires

and

high

approachable

cheese to enjoy them.

A B O V E Officer Tony Woollen hangs out in the office with senior Caroline Townsend and junior Leila Zotinca during lunch period.

educate students or parents in classrooms

Senior Caroline Townsend appreciates

in their jobs. Shull remembers getting

or assemblies. But through burrito days,

how easy Woollen and Shull are to talk

comfortable with Woollen on the job just

fist-bumping students in the hallways

to. Townsend started getting close with

by walking around the school together or

and supervising sports events, the two

Woollen her sophomore year, and she

playing their occasional rounds of golf.

are able to push past the traditional

loves going to their office to talk to him

“If we have to deal with something,

scary police officer stereotype to build

and Shull — whether it’s chatting about

he’s got to be able to trust me and I’ve

relationships with students.

her day or asking for advice.

got to be able to trust him,” Woollen said.

“We want the East community to look

“[The SROs] are like father figures

“And that’s only built by spending time

past our [uniforms] and be able to see

in my life,” Townsend said. “They’re

together. That’s the backbone of why

our hearts,” Woollen said. “And that’s

people I’ve gone to with family problems

people trust us, because we spend good

probably the biggest thing that we do is

or other situations in my life. They’re

quality time with each other and with

we’re vulnerable with our hearts. We’re

very welcoming, and even though they’re

them.”

MEMORIES PINNED

K eepsake s that the officers keep on their office pinboard

GRADUATION PARTY INVITES SELFIES WITH STUDENTS THANK YOU NOTES FROM STUDENTS PHOTO BOOTH FILM STRIP INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES ART FROM STUDENTS RALLY TOWELS FROM GAMES

THE HARBINGER

s to r y by k at i e murphy d e si gn by avery an de rs on

WAITING FOR

S t ud e nt s a nd the i r f a m i l i e s w e i g h l i f e - c h a n gi ng co l l ege d eci si o ns w i t ho ut k no w i ng t hei r f ut ure financial situation due to delays and te chnica l d if f ic ul ti e s wi th th e re vamp e d FAFSA — the gover nm ent ’s gatew ay to any fed eral aid for prospectiv e college student s

I

NSTEAD OF BEING out with friends

its opening was delayed to December, then

in decades. In December 2020, Congress

at 10:30 p.m. on a Saturday night in

January. Now, thanks to further delays in

passed the FAFSA Simplification Act as part

Her commitment deadline of May 1 was

January, senior triplets Adam, Chris

processing time, only a fraction of colleges

of the end-of-year budget, so Williams

pushed back to May 15 in consideration of

On

and Reid Minto sat hunched over their

have received FAFSA data necessary for

saw the changes coming and anticipated an

the FAFSA issues. Still, McDermed says her

have pr

financial aid decisions.

colleges she can realistically afford.

about pa

is makin

easier FAFSA this year. The Department of

stress about college has doubled due to the

complet

Financial Aid Expert Brendan Williams at

Education was allocated funds and tasked by

FAFSA issues, even compared to the athletic

around

uAspire, a national nonprofit committed to

legislators to implement a new form using a

recruiting process itself with tournaments,

complet

increasing college access, calls the FAFSA the

more modern coding language that doesn’t

campus visits and calls with coaches.

Nationa

“No, reload again.”

“key to unlocking financial aid for college”

run on an archaic IBM mainframe, as well as

Five computers were open to the same

because it can determine the three main

reducing the questions on the form from 100

online form: the Free Application for Federal

sources of funding: federal, state-based and

to less than 40.

Student Aid, that was redesigned this year

institutional aid. He says the unprecedented

for the first time in decades.

changes

laptops in the family living room with their parents.

“Adam, have you tried yet?” Page refresh.

“I’m trying, Chris are you in?”

The technical glitches making the form take weeks to finish — instead of the hour it

this

year

have

caused

a

great

“Most of the issues are honestly with the rollout and implementation of the changes,

increase in stress for the dozens of families

not

exactly

the

changes

themselves,”

he works with.

Williams said. “It certainly seems like the

million

ARE YOU CONFUSED BY THE FAFSA THIS YEAR?

this yea

FAFS

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 1 1 9 v o t e s

Kansas

YES NO

Missour

55% 45%

Network

access p

would’ve taken in past years — were a minor

Department of Education needs a little bit

annoyance to the Mintos. A new formula

more funding to make a better product. If

“Two months ago, I realized that all I’m

years, a

we’re passing laws and requiring the DOE

waiting for is the FAFSA,” McDermed said.

FAFSA s

to make certain changes, we need to ensure

“I’m in contact with schools, and I need to

Ivory

that we’re funding them.”

tell these coaches my plans soon but I’m still

local sc

change,

giving

families

with

multiple

children less aid, has caused more major distress.

But the worst part for the family is not knowing where the brothers can afford to go to college with less than a month until college enrollment deadlines. The triplets have been checking their financial aid portals every day since March to see if their delayed financial decisions have arrived.

“I understand that they wanted to make the application easier, but these changes are painful,” Adam said. “The not-knowing is incredibly stressful. It’s highs and lows — we’re getting accepted to colleges, but then it’s anxiety of how much are these schools going to cost?”

The FAFSA — the government’s gateway to any federal aid for prospective college

I UNDERSTAND THAT they wanted to make the application easier, but these changes are painful. The not-knowing is incredibly stressful.

It’s highs and lows — we’re getting accepted to colleges, but then it’s anxiety of how much are these schools going to cost?

A DA M MI N TO SENIOR

students — is delayed and strewn with

helping

The FAFSA has historically begun to send

waiting for FAFSA. For someone who is a

families

financial information to colleges by Oct.

student athlete who maintains high grades,

She say

4 and has been due on June 30. This year,

I just wish I was done with this instead of

have lef

the application is still due on June 30, but

being stuck.”

successf

colleges

only

began

receiving

financial

Senior Ayden Beverage-Calvin is already

information from the FAFSA in mid-March,

committed to the University of Kansas to

errors.

worksho

according to the Department of Education.

study pre-business, but he’s still concerned

their FA

“Students used to have financial aid

by the delayed FAFSA. He’s set to receive his

“My

offers by this time of the year, so they could

financial aid package in May. But to him, May

and find

actually understand how much they’re going

is too late — his housing accommodations

most of

to pay for college,” Williams said. “But

deadline already passed on April 1, forcing

issues,”

right now colleges don’t have the FAFSA

him to make decisions about where he’s

a financ

information. Financial aid offers might not

living next year without complete financial

consulta

come out until from the early to mid-May

information.

professi

at the earliest for schools that rely on the

Plus, he’s worried about making enough

answer

FAFSA, forcing students to make one of the

money this summer to cover both housing

wait to

most expensive decisions of their life in a

and tuition, but he believes that the worst

I can’t g

shrunken timeline.”

part is that he doesn’t know how worried to

technical difficulties this application season

“With the delays and other technology

due to a legislation-mandated revamp of an

issues, it’s been the hardest FAFSA year that

The delay in aid packages has caused

outdated form, forcing students and their

I’ve ever been a part of in over 10 years,”

stress for students like senior tennis player

“If I had my financial aid information, I

replacem

families

to

Ellie McDermed, who is waiting for her

would know how many jobs I need to work

Contribu

decisions

without

weigh

be.

Anot

this ye

life-changing

college

Williams said. “The FAFSA hasn’t undergone

knowing

future

an overhaul of this magnitude in at least 30

FAFSA results before committing to a college.

this summer,” Beverage-Calvin said. “Maybe

formula

years.”

She submitted the form in January and all of

I should be working more now, but I don’t

Unlike

their

financial situation.

The Mintos had originally planned to

The FAFSA overhaul began four years ago

her athletic and academic scholarship offers

know. At this point, I’m assuming that I’ll be

account

complete the FAFSA in October, when the

during a bipartisan push to reform a financial

were finalized last month, but she’s waiting

working two jobs from graduation until the

that are

form has opened for the past 40 years, but

aid application that hadn’t been updated

for

first day of college. I was already stressed

multiple

need-based

aid

to

determine

which

$ $ $ APRIL 8, 2024 | 15

NEWS

aying for college, and the uncertainty

ng it that much worse.”

guaranteed more federal financial aid.

top of delays, technical problems

change,

but

revented students from successfully

changed

quite

ting

the

1.9

FAFSA.

million

In

first daughter three years ago without issues,

Williams

said.

but the family has been unable to file a form

“When we did the FAFSA with [our oldest

years,

“This is seriously impacting families with

this year due to technical issues. They’ve

daughter], we used the calculator beforehand

nationwide

multiple kids, especially twins, triplets and

been trying to submit since the first day the

which gave us an estimate of what would be

quadruplets.”

form opened.

reasonable for us to pay for her college,”

a

backend

reliability of the calculators, including the

also

te a form by March, according to the

the

in the meantime, but some don’t trust the

O’Bryan remembers filing a FAFSA for her

formula

recent

students

before the switch to SAI.

“It was presented sort of as a name bit,”

Mintos and the O’Bryans.

al FAFSA Tracker, but so far only 1.3

For the Minto triplets, this new lack of

“Over the past two months, we haven’t

students have submitted the FAFSA

aid is devastating as they wait to hear back

been able to link my IRS data and account to

from the delayed FAFSA.

Hallie’s to submit the form,” O’Bryan said.

Ivory hopes that this is the “worst FAFSA

enough,

“I’ve sent multiple emails, many chats and

season ever” and that the form will be

ar — a 30% decrease.

SA Consultant Camry Ivory is the City-area

college

is

hard

the

but paying for three colleges all at once is

have been calling but there’s a message of a

improved for next year. In the meantime,

tough,” Adam said. “In November, I had a

high volume of calls and there isn’t even an

as college commitment deadlines approach

k, a nonprofit that helps students

list of colleges that I was interested in, and

option to hold. It’s a loop with no answers

this May and June, Ivory recommends that

postsecondary education. She’s been

cost was not on the forefront of my mind.

that really stresses me out.”

students having trouble filing a FAFSA reach

students submit the FAFSA for 15

Now that I understand the FAFSA changes,

and she partly attributes the drop in

I’ve started to keep a spreadsheet of tuition,

experienced

submissions to technical issues.

room and board and other expenses and have

student accounts due to the Department

y runs weekly FAFSA workshops at

narrowed it down to only a few affordable

of Education’s new collaboration with the

chools where she helps around 30

options.”

IRS

College

&

Career

for

for

a lot more than the estimate.”

Attainment

ri

representative

“Paying

O’Bryan said. “And I’ll just say we’re paying

s fill out their FAFSA forms at a time.

ys the majority of families this year

ft the hour-long workshops without

fully submitting due to unresolved In

previous

years,

most

of

her

op attendees would successfully file

AFSA in less than 15 minutes. job is to help students apply for aid

d scholarships, but recently I spend

f my time troubleshooting technical

” Ivory said. “I’ve become less of

cial aid expert and more like an IT

ant. It’s been really hard for us

ionals to constantly not know the and tell families that they have to find out life-changing information.

give them any guarantees anymore.”

ther

major

change

to

the

FAFSA

ear, according to Williams, is the

According to Ivory, many families have

meant

issues

to

linking

transfer

parent

parent

and

financial

information directly to the FAFSA. Though

IF I HAD my financial aid information, I would know how many jobs I need to work this summer. Maybe I should be working more now, but I don’t know. At this point, I’m assuming that I’ll be working two jobs from graduation until the first day of college.

the change was meant to streamline data

AYD E N B E V E R I D G E - CALV I N SENIOR

ment of the former “Expected Family

out for help through online resources and contacting MOCAN experts for free.

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE APPLYING FOR FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE THIS YEAR??

entry, she says the rollout has been riddled

* I n s t a g ra m p o l l o f 7 0 v o t e s

with errors.

YES NO

“In past years, technically one person could go in and do everything,” Ivory said.

33% 67%

“But this year, the student has to do their section and the parent has to do their section,

“Ultimately,

families

shouldn’t

feel

they’re completely separate. Unfortunately,

defeated or that they aren’t smart or don’t

oftentimes the student and parent are doing

deserve financial aid,” Ivory said. “This

everything right but the connection won’t go

is a challenge for everybody this year. It’s

through.”

really important that students advocate for

Senior Bella Stowe is experiencing this

themselves if they’re going to miss deadlines

error and worries about exactly how many

and communicate that with colleges. We’re

loans she’ll need to take out next year to

finding that most colleges understand that

afford

Drake

the FAFSA issues are out of our control. The

University to study nursing in December and

best thing families can do is just reach out

has been trying to file a FAFSA since January.

for help.”

school.

She

committed

to

“On my end, the form says that my mom needs to finish her portion,” Stowe said.

ution” calculation with a different

The lessened aid for multiple children

“But on her end, it says that I need to finish

a yielding a “Student Aid Index.”

families is also stressing East parent Beth

my portion. I’ve tried every week, and I

the EFC, the SAI doesn’t take into

O’Bryan’s family as her high school senior

guess I’ll keep trying.”

t the number of children in one family

daughter Hallie applies for federal aid with

The Department of Education recommends

e in college, meaning households with

an older daughter already in college. She’s

for families waiting for FAFSA results to

e children in college are no longer

nervous to receive less aid than she expected

use financial aid calculators to estimate aid

SCAN ME HELP SITE Resources for help with the FAFSA and people to contact with questions or issues

16 | APRIL 8, 2024

THE HARBINGER

d e s ig n b y ve ro n i c a m a n g i n e s to r y b y a a nya b a n s a l p h o to s b y p a i ge b e a n

Junior Lincoln King spends his Saturday morning handing out food for St. Paul’s Breakfast with his father and K ansas City resident Dennis Wilson.

KING OF SERVICE J u n i o r a n d f u t u re S H A R E E xe c u t i v e L i n coln K ing spends every S aturday volunteering

A

at S t . Pau l’s B re a k f ast i n No r t h K ansas C i t y LL

OF

JUNIOR

King’s

broke and they can’t afford a new one, and you

bags

Saturday mornings are booked. He

can help them out,” Lincoln said. “You can give

like donuts and cakes. When

arrives at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

them two weeks worth of groceries. It just leaves

Dennis arrives, he and Lincoln discuss topics

in North Kansas City at 8:20 a.m.

you with a good feeling that you can go home and

ranging from the weather to the welcome sign

be happy the rest of the day.”

Lincoln has been building for the Donderdag

Lincoln

with an assortment of family members — always his dad and sometimes his uncle, brother and

Every week when Lincoln arrives at St. Paul’s,

include

Cyclocross

sweet

Bike

treats

Park

in

Western

Shawnee.

the organizers of St. Paul’s Breakfast, Kathy and

According to Lincoln, the two will talk about

Breakfast

Trish, greet him with a smile. They’ve gotten to

whatever’s on their minds.

volunteers, his family spends the next couple of

know him over the span of seven years and have

“Just last week, he came up and we were

hours preparing, packaging and bagging food to

both written Lincoln recommendation letters for

talking,” Lincoln said. “He was like, ‘You know

hand out to low-income Kansas City residents.

Eagle Scouts and band leadership roles.

what? I’m really proud of you. You come out here

grandma when she’s in town.

Along

with

other

St.

Paul’s

“There are a lot of people I recognize that

“Whenever I walk in, they recognize me,”

every week and you work so hard. I just can’t

come by every week,” Lincoln said. “There’s

Lincoln said. “They go, ‘Lincoln, what’s up?

imagine this without you.’ That was really nice

also a lot of new faces. Unfortunately, a lot of

How are you doing? I knew you’d come. We were

[to hear].”

the people that don’t return we see come back

waiting for you.’ So it’s great because I know

months later or [are] in jail. I’ve had maybe 50

them and they know me.”

Dennis has known Lincoln for two years and considers him to be like an “adoptive son.”

people that have disappeared and come back and

Another recurring person Lincoln talks to at

“I love this man’s attitude,” Dennis said. “I

been like ‘Oh yeah, sorry. I was in jail for a little

St. Paul’s is Dennis Wilson — a religious man

love his fortitude. I love his integrity because he

bit.’”

Lincoln

often

keeps coming. A lot of young boys are home with

their

swings by the church to pick up food to pass out

the video games or still asleep. But [he’s here],

problems, he enjoys having a positive impact

around the neighborhood. Lincoln’s dad Scott

and I applaud him for that.”

on the residents’ lives by talking to them and

King believes that Dennis hits all the bus stops

Lincoln has enjoyed meeting new people,

providing them with hot meals. Volunteering at

along Minnesota Avenue, but most of what he

whether that be KCK residents or other volunteers,

St. Paul’s allows Lincoln to form connections

does is a “mystery” — neither Lincoln or Scott

and says that it’s important to spend time in a

with both his fellow volunteers and families who

have ever gone with him.

community apart from the one you live in.

Though

Lincoln

can’t

solve

all

of

calls

“the

Reverend.”

Wilson

“He loads up his little car from floor to ceiling

“It’s easy to get in an East mindset,” Lincoln

People will walk or pull their car up to the

with food and takes off and he’s always got

said. “If our heaters break, we can buy a new one

drive-through system at the church and Lincoln

stories about people that he’s taking it to and

or repair it. But it’s really important to go and

will hand them plastic bags of potatoes, eggs,

going up and down the street and finding little

see that not everyone is that same way. There’s a

ham, oatmeal and toiletries.

bus stops,” Scott said. “He’s just always got

difference between the East community and the

stories about something.”

middle of KCK. St. Paul’s really broadened my

are there to pick up food.

“A family will walk up and tell you that they’ve had a bad week and their heater just

Every week, Lincoln helps prepare food for Dennis to take around the city. Sometimes the

mindset.”

past projects S ome of L incoln’s pa st v olu nte e r jobs

• Marathons • Cyclocross bike races • Union Station Exhibits • Science City Maker Studio • SHARE Chair for Pack of Pals and St. Paul’s Breakfast SCAN ME SIGN UP Scan this code to sign up for upcoming volunteer opportunities at East

Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold — Don’t worry we’ve got both!

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024!

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW

perpetuakc.com

instagram: @perpetua.kc

18 | APRIL 8, 2024

GAME

STATION

An ove r v i e w o f Ha n k ’s g am in g set u p

GIGABYTE MONITOR 2019 PRE-BUILT ASUS PC XBOX CONTROLLER RAZER GAMING HEADSET

THE HARBINGER

HANK

Fre shman Hank Dodderidge practice s and compet e s in e spor t s and competitive game s of Rocket League

DODDERIDGE

HOW DO YOU PRACTICE FOR ESPORTS?

‘‘

I normally warm up for around a half hour with music or something and then I just try to play for about two hours to just try and get reps in. After, I’ll look over one of the games and just try to get a review to see where my decision-making is off, that type of thing. Other days I am in a program where I practice with about five other people and our coach, which is really helpful because I get to play with people who are better than me and our coach helps us with our mistakes. So whenever I’m not in practice I try to work on the things that he gives me to work on.

HOW DO YOU COMPETE IN ESPORTS?

‘‘

I’ve played on a few esports teams, but never really for a long time. The league that professional teams play in has open qualifiers where anybody can play, so I’ll just go in with a few people that I know are around my skill level and try and do well because if you make on top 128 you get paid. It’s not that much, but getting there is still pretty cool.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED GAMING?

‘‘

I had older siblings who had an Xbox 360 when we were younger, so I was put on to [gaming] by them. And over time, I watched more video games on YouTube and got another Xbox later. It’s just fun that I get to hang out, talk and play with friends.

GAMING

SCHEDULE

2

An look at Hank ’s practice and com p etition schedule f or e sp or t s

DAYS A WEEK

{

1v1 league of weekly matches where players report their scores

Mon. 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Wed.

7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

3

WEEKS UNTIL PRO LEAGUE QUALIFYING GAMES

de sign and copy by greyso n i mm

p h o to b y a m e l i e wo n g

de s ig n by l ucy st ephe ns pho to s cour te sy of im d b.co m , katie cook & jul i a fi s her

&

APRIL 8, 2024 | 19

smeharbinger.net/category/a&e

RECENT Look out for these new music and movie releases

MOVIE PREMIERE

CIVIL WAR Release Date: April 12

Genre: Action

Running Time:

STUDENT

Sophomore and advanced art student Julia Fisher uses beads to bedazzle the photos she takes

EVERYTHING THAT

I made use pictures that I’ve taken. I used these plastic shimmery, chrome beads and glued them on of the people in the photos.

I’ve done them by color because I kind of see people match certian colors J UL I A FI SH ER SOPHOMORE

1 hr 49 mins

Starring:

Nick Offerman, Kristen Dunst, Wagner Moura

ALBUM RELEASE

MATERIALS USED: Cardstock Paper E-6000 Glue Plastic Beads

THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Artist:

Taylor Swift

Release Date: April 19

Tracks Include:

Down Bad, Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me? and Clara Bow

UPCOMING

Mark your calenders for these local and school events

LANCER DANCER SPRING SHOWCASE Featuring routines from JV and Varsity Lancer Dancers and the male “Mancer” Dancers

APRIL 11

WE GOT LOTS OF HER MUSIC

last year like ‘Midnights’ and her re-recordings, so I was surprised that she announced a whole new album.

M O L LY MI NO R SOPHOMORE

@ 7 p.m.

APRIL 11-14

KC Film Fest

@ AMC Ward Parkway

APRIL 16

SME Auditorium

Fountain Day

$10

AJR Concert

ADMISSION

Free entry with a student ID

APRIL 19

@ T-Mobile Center

PROM

APRIL 20 Starlight

@ 8 p.m.

Theater

THEME: A Space Odyssey SCAN ME FOLLOW Scan to follow @sme_prom for updates and additional information about the dance

20 | APRIL 8, 2024

THE HARBINGER

story b y e mme rso n wi n frey

d e s ig n b y z a n e l a i n g

p h o to s b y a l ex s a j n a

CHEERS TO MOCKTAILS Popul a r m o c k ta i l s ta k i n g o v e r t h e s o c i a l m e dia platform TikTok have some health benefit s but don’t fully

I

live u p to t he hy p e ALWAYS HAVE a drink in my hand. Whether

suspicions right. It was somehow bitter, sweet and

it’s a Celsius in the morning, my mandatory

tart all at once. You couldn’t pay me to drink it

Starbucks coffee or a night time Sonic run,

again.

I’m always sipping on something.

After assaulting my taste buds, I was expecting the

But most of my drinks are filled with caffeine or

“de-stressing” results to be equally disappointing.

sugar — which I’ve realized isn’t the best for me.

However, soon after finishing the drink I did notice

Healthy mocktails have been flooding my TikTok

I felt more relaxed and my procrastinated AP

For You Page, so I took that as a sign to switch my

Language homework seemed slightly less daunting.

nightly Sonic drink to a cherry juice or a tea filled

While this drink isn’t a new go-to, if you’re in desperate need of a little more zen during AP testing

mocktail.

The first mocktail I tried was the one I saw most often on TikTok — a “sleepy girl mocktail.”

It included tart cherry juice, a raspberry Poppi soda and magnesium powder. It’s recommended by the influencers to drink this around an hour before bed to help you get better sleep and relax.

However, sipping on this drink woke me up more than it put me to sleep thanks to the drink’s overpowering sour taste and the grainy texture from

season, this drink is worth a shot. Just prepare your taste buds first.

Bu•tter•fly Pea Pow•der B u t t e r f l y p e a f l o w e r i s s o m e t i m e s re f e r re d t o a s “ b l u e m a t c h a .” I t i s a c o m m o n i n g re d i e n t i n m a n y h e r b a l t e a s a n d i s r i c h i n a n t i ox i d a n t s .

ENTICING MIXERS A closer look at some of the ingredient s and benefit s that co m e fro m moc kta ils

TRANQUIL BLUEBERRY BASIL

the magnesium powder. Yuck. Even though I choked it down, I’d never choose this drink solely for its

“ taste.

Finally, I tried the “witches brew mocktail”

decreases anxiety and stress

which is supposed to help with blood sugar levels,

SIPPING ON THIS

drink woke me up more than it put me to sleep thanks to the drink’s overpowering sour taste and the grainy texture from the magnesium powder. Yuck.

After chugging a whole glass of what tasted

along with hair, skin and even gut health.

Butterfly Pea Flower.

Poppi. Even if this drink has no health benefits I’d happily swap it out with my usual Starbucks.

effects would make up for it, but I was severely disappointed. I felt slightly more relaxed than

others that give results after just one drink.

I had this mocktail every day for a week and while I didn’t notice any huge differences, my skin

The idea of this mocktail is more appealing than

felt slightly less dry than usual. While I can’t speak

the final product, especially considering the cherry

exactly for my blood sugar levels or gut health, I

juice alone was $10. It’s simply another overhyped

also noticed feeling less sluggish throughout the

TikTok drink people make for the aesthetic.

day or after meals.

The next day after my very average sleep, I gave This one was made of simpler ingredients including blueberries, basil leaves, lavender honey

cocktail shaker for the taste and appearance alone — the effects are simply a bonus to this delicious concoction.

Going out of your way to try every TikTok

natural benefits of foods rather than supplements.

concoction you see isn’t anything I’d recommend,

It supposedly relaxes and de-stresses you with

but if you’re looking to change up your regular

noticeable effects appearing on the first day of

beverages or even some extra wellness in your day

drinking, according to influencers.

these drinks may be worth a try — just don’t get

After mixing this drink, I was suspicious of its

CHERRY TART

increase sleep duration

cherry juice magnesium powder sparkling water

This drink is well worth whipping out your

syrup and sparkling water — a focus on the

off-blue color. The first sip tragically proved my

sparkling water

The taste matched its beauty with its sweetness from the lemonade mixed with the bitter tang of the

The “witches brew mocktail” however, should be

a tranquil blueberry mocktail a try.

lavender honey syrup

me over with its beautiful purple tint from the

dr consistently over time to show results unlike the

nighttime tea.

blueberries

The appearance of this drink immediately won

like warheads juice, I hoped the rumored relaxing

normal — but nothing I couldn’t get from a cup of

basil leaf

This recipe called for lemonade, a ginger lime Poppi and the star of the show: Butterfly Pea Flower.

your hopes up.

WITCHES BREW

boost immune system

butterfly pea powder lemonade sparkling water

stor y by avery anders o n

de s i g n by ree se dunham p h o to s by cl ara pe t ers

APRIL 8, 2024 | 21

THE HARBINGER

muni IN THE muni MARKET

I

LOVE

THE

convenience

of

The new Thai-Mexican fusion re staurant in the River Market called Muni is a spicy and f l a v o r f u l hi t o w ne d b y Ea s t p a re nt s

their meal.

The presentation was also clean

restaurants in the East area like

I ended up ordering the City Market

and well-thought-out. The dish was

Spin and BRGR, but sometimes

Rice Bowl, made with seasoned jasmine

plated in a simple white bowl with the

it’s worth it to try a new spot and

rice, braised pork, Asian slaw pickled

ingredients separated into their own

explore a different style of food — even

onion, radish and fried shallot — a dish

piles on the bed of rice in a salad-like

if it means driving 30 minutes to the

I felt would encapsulate the food served

format with the sauce in a cup on the

River Market for a rice bowl.

at Muni due to its array of ingredients

side. It was easy to mix and in turn

THE CRUNCH OF the coleslaw

easy to eat making it a fast yet delicious

“

The newly-opened restaurant and bar Muni, owned by East parents Ted and Pam Liberda, is seated in the heart

of the ever-growing River Market area

and provides a unique mix of Thai and Mexican food.

Muni takes advantage of the River Market location — filled with concerts

and activities year-round — through large

windows

lining

their

corner

building and an exposed brick interior

I’d say it was relatively worth it.

without the option of a starter.

types of food in their other restaurant

The food arrived at my table less than

In

contrast

with

the

entirely justified but for one night out,

and softer rice base contrasted nicely with the beef and various vegetables such as radishes and onions it came with.

which mirrors the aesthetic of the River Market.

meal. At $18, I’m not sure the price was

ten

minutes

later.

As

I

dug

My favorite part of the whole meal was just how different it was than my typical dinner. The mix of traditional Thai and Mexican flavors stems from the owners’ roots in both cultures and their experience with selling both Buck Tui, a Thai and barbeque fusion restaurant.

more

in, I was immediately met with an

It’s safe to say their experience in the food industry shows in this

the

overwhelming level of spice giving the

ceiling

greenery

impression I was downing a bottle of

business because despite how new it

lights

that

add

hot sauce, possibly cooked into the

is, any kinks typically associated with

dimension and visual appeal to the

meat or the sauce. I pride myself on

opening a restaurant such as slow

space.

the plethora of hot sauce in my fridge,

service or a poor interior design are

the

but this dish was still too much for my

seemingly nonexistent.

restaurant’s decor and settling into my

spice-loving taste buds. I found myself

Between

the

table, one of the first things I noticed

downing three glasses of water just to

atmosphere,

different

was the length of the menu. With

get through the meal.

food and helpful staff who were there

minimalistic interior and

design

showcased

large

After

pendant

concept,

thoroughly

admiring

comfortable categories

of

no appetizers, mocktails or desserts

Despite not being able to feel my

in sight, my choices and ability to

tongue, I loved the combination of

table,

diversify my experience were limited to

flavors in the dish. The mix of Thai and

finds themselves in the River Market

the 14 menu items.

Mexican was atypical, but they worked

area to make the trip to Muni for

together

flavorful dishes and an exciting dining

I

understand

the

more

concise

in

splendid

unison.

The

nature of typical bar or restaurant

crunch of the coleslaw and softer rice

menus but I would’ve loved the

base contrasted nicely with the beef

option of appetizers or even a

and various vegetables such as radishes

small starter to ease guests into

and onions it came with.

FUSION DISHES THAIQUITOS fried spring rolls with braised pork, salsa verde, crema, cotija cheese and lettuce

to refill my water and check on my I’d

recommend

anyone

who

experience.

Thre e othe r dishe s tha t Mu ni se rv e s

STICKY RIBS grilled smoked pork ribs, honey hoisin glaze, spicy peanuts and Asian slaw

BIRRIA DUMPLINGS fried birria beef dumplings, cheese crust, consume, queso chihuahua and cilantro

22 | APRIL 8, 2024

THE HARBINGER

story b y ma g gi e co n do n

d e s ig n b y c l a ra b u rd i c k

p h o to s b y m a g gi e co n d o n

R eview of three pastrie s from K ukiss Bakery, a local bakery i n O ver l and Par k

PASTRY PRICING

The p r i c e s o f t h e d i f f e re n t pastri e s a s w e l l a s t h e averag e p r i c e to ex p e c t f ro m th e ba kery

KUKiSSES I’M

A

TOTAL

for

orders where a customer selects

pastries, especially ones with

a time to pick up their items

delicious chocolate or vanilla

from Kukiss’s home bakery in

Croissant Rose, and it was

fillings. So when Venezuelan-

Overland Park. Orders are ready

one of the best croissants

inspired

for pickup within a day of being

local

sucker

Kukiss

Bakery

placed.

FIRST

a

This a r t i s a n p a s t r y w a s w o r t h every c e n t w i t h t h e a m o u n t of det a i l c l e a r l y p u t i n w i t h the f la v o r a n d p re s e n t a t i o n , and I w o u l d d e f i n i te l y consid e r p u rc h a s i n g a g a i n .

three pages filled with a variety

works “to innovate with new

vanilla

of

$7

L ike th e R o s e C ro i s s a n t , I don’t re g re t s p e n d i n g $ 7 o n this b a ke r y i te m , a s I f e e l f o r the am o u n t o f f l a v o r i n t h i s item t h e p rice is ju s t i fi e d .

$ 10

I woul d s a y t h i s p a s t r y defini te l y l i v e d u p to it ’s pri c e . T h e d e l i c i o u s ha zeln u t f i l l i n g m a d e t h e $ 1 0 croiss a n t a g re a t p u rc h a s e .

10 $AVERAGE

On av e ra ge a c ro s s t h e online b a ke r y m o s t i te m s a re arou nd $ 1 0.

Eugenia who was born in and

hazelnut filling, I immediately

owned a bakery in Venezuela.

saved the post so I could go try

She says her passion for baking

the treats for myself.

started with making her kids

The

website’s

cookies,

pastries.

I

menu

bread

and

other

recipes

picked

out

three

of

that

and

vanilla

filling.

croissant

was

decorating the outer half of

This

the pastry caught my eye

aesthetically pleasing with

immediately.

the flower petals delicately

The croissant itself had

placed on the outside and

sweet

the

had an all-around delightful

white

taste that made the trip

taste

from

filling

and

with

— dyed pink to match the

croissant

rose theme. The rich flavor

it.

flavors

website.

according

to

her

worth

and the thin, aerated layers of pastry made for a fluffy

The bakery only accepts online

HAZELNUT

mix

flavors

market,”

THE CROISSANT

chocolate

had

out to the bakery for a $7

— either through its described visuals.

pink

a

flakes

chocolate on the outside

croissants that caught my eye appealing

bite

buttery

best

the favorites of the American

or

Each

the

unite

Venezuelan

out of the oven.

and

birthday desserts and now she

hazelnut croissant stuffed with

a

texture that was straight

refreshing

has

The bakery is run by María

with

the

I’ve had. The rose petals

$7

flaky

page

TRIED

of

popped up on my Instagram explore

I

alongside

THE FINAL CROISSANT

Roll

donuts, cinnamon rolls or

I tried was the Croissant

my

coffee cake in my book. It

was

was like a donut between

scrolling through Instagram

the chocolate-like filling —

beforehand — the satisfying

but better, because of the

frosted top. The $7 pastry

delicious addition to what

pull-apart video displaying

flaky crust of the dough.

was eye-catching, with a

I tried. The croissant itself

colorful visual aspect that

held the high standard of

set

the others with the crunchy

immediately attention

how oozed

the

caught

when

I

hazelnut

out,

and

I

filling wasn’t

breakfast

treats

This will be a breakfast option

I’ll

be

dreaming

pieces of croissant.

This might have been

Limone. It was decorated

different

with green stripes, topped

of

the

by

croissants

but

a

white

it

apart

and

from

yellow

other

bite

about until my next visit

made for a satisfying crunch

for the $10 treat — a small

from

price to pay for the exquisite

The creamy consistency

flavors featured in each bite.

was similar to a key lime

that

pie

the

disappointed. another

Each fresh

and

fluffy croissant.

I

always

appreciate

from

flavors

croissants

I’ve

seen

at

with

a

sweet

first

two

was

$7

a

price

stamp. The yellow topping

bakeries.

creamy

texture

the

consistency

had a pungent lemon taste lasted treat.

throughout Overall,

each

when bakeries aren’t stingy

similar to that of key lime

croissant is a must-try and

with their fillings and was

pie, accompanied with just

worth

pleased to find this croissant

the right amount of lemon

tag.

loaded with hazelnut filling.

from the yellow topping.

The rich and buttery flavor

Each bite had a balance of

made

tart lemon and fresh buttery

it

rank

high

in

the

price

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smeharbinger.net/category/sports

9

9

3:30 p.m.

APRIL

4 p.m.

APRIL

Girls Varsit y Swim Quad

Boys Varsit y Ba seball Game

@ ZÁūŅäĢÚä ;Ņää őÁőä

@ ` ńŖÁőĆÚ äĢőäŅ

ʼnőÁőä stats

SCAN ME CALENDAR

11

Boys Varsit y Golf Tournament

@ ŅÁĆěʼn ©äʼnő <ĩěù ĩŖŅʼnä

S tate qualifications made at the swim a nd dive meet on Ma rch 2 3

SWIM

all relay t eams Ella Howard

Look at SME’s athletic calendar for a list of all upcoming sports events

DIVE

Anne B owse r Emmy B arret

Riley S cott

łěÁűäŅ review

B O T T O M R I G H T Senior Claire Goettsch performs an inward 1 1/2 somersault tuck. The Lancers won the meet with 1,050 points and less than a week later, on March 2 9, Goettsch qualified to compete at state. photo by addie clark B O T T O M Junior Gracie Tackas enters the water on dive 401 C. Senior Riley Scott was the only dive competitor from East to qualify for state at this meet. photo by addie clark

KAT E LU CA S VA R S I T Y S OC C E R

“

WE LOST SEVEN starters, and we lost some big senior

captains that could help organize. People haven’t really filled those shoes yet, but people are starting too and everything’s starting to be more smooth, which is good.

úÁġä recap A rec ap of t h e va rsit y soccer ga me on Ap ril 2

THE VARSITY GIRLS soccer

halftime

team defeated Shawnee Mission

began. halfway through junior

North-West

Sylvia

1-0

after

two

the

second

MohrSting

overtime

scored

with

overtimes on April 2. The game

an assist from freshman Lauren

remained tied for the regulation

Mercer. The team has had a three

period and went into sudden

game winning streak after this

death.

minute

game. Their next game is today

overtime period once again went

at 5 p.m. at the Shawnee Mission

scoreless and after a five minute

Soccer Complex followed by a JV

The

first

10

game at 7 p.m.

1 p.m.

APRIL

d e s ig n b y l i b by ma rs h

ays läf

ʼnĩùőÙÁěě ʼnŖĢƉĩūäŅ

3 tournament t

Sports

24 | APRIL 8, 2024

Mark your calendars for the se

12

UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL

3:30 p.m.

Varsit y Track & Field Invit ational

@ SM South

B O T T O M Sophomore Abby Hunt performs dive 101 C, a forward dive tuck on March 23 at the varsity district meet. photo by addie clark

stor y by addi e moore

APRIL 8, 2024 | 25

THE HARBINGER

de s i gn by l i bby mars h p h o tos by mol l y miller

STINGING

NEW to the

COMPETITION

COURT

HE NATIONAL PICKLEBALL League

and the fact that [we’re] getting a team doesn’t

the league.

added the Kansas City Stingers as a

really surprise me,” Sun said. “The [50 years and

“Every

part of a six-team expansion for the

older age requirement] is really different and that

Kansas City was just

2024 season, adding to Kansas City’s

makes the team super unique for the city.”

all [KC professional]

according to offers.bet.

Stingers co-owner and owner of the SW19 pickleball facility on State Line Daryl Wyatt

com•bines

N’

an athletic competition to test skills to identify top player in a sport

Pickle

Pickleball

Coordinator

Lindsay

I think it’s a natural

quantity of facilities and courts around the

well.”

aHUSTON die hard HAMMERS fan of

Texas Chicken teams,”

Wyatt originally wanted to join the league as

“

P COLUMBUS a r t n e r s h i p s HOTSHOTS

Vermillion Ohiosaid. “So fit to have

For the first year,

just a player, but after talking to other members

Chicken

N’

Pickle

of the league, he noticed there was an opportunity

the

with

courts

The NPL is made up of 12 teams and was

for him to make his own team. Eventually, Wyatt

host events on, food for

established in 2023. The league will play monthly

got on a waitlist until one team dropped out in

players and hosted parties

weekend-long tournaments in various facilities

mid-January — making the Kansas City Stingers

for the players the night before

across the country, which will be live streamed

an official NPL team.

the tournament. But, now that the

Pickleball and for the club,” Wyatt said.

either on CBS Sports or the NPL’s YouTube.

After combines in Florida and Texas and a

NPL

league has doubled in size, the NPL

“We’re really excited about the growth of

outgrew Chicken N’ Pickle’s facilities

pickleball,” NPL co-owner Michael Chen said.

set to draft players later this month. According

and host smaller events like combines there.

“Our mission has really changed lives and people

to Chicken N’ Pickle President and East mom

“They gave us hope for the first year,” Chen

are sticking to the game of pickleball.”

Kelli Alldredge, Kansas City has a high amount of

said. “They gave us a place to play and without

pickleball courts compared to other cities.

[Chicken N’ Pickle], we would’ve never had a

“

person that I met in Kansas City was just a die hard fan of all [KC professional] teams, So I think it’s a natural fit to have those built in die hard fans for pickleball as well LIN D SAY VE RMI L LI O N CHI C K E N N ’ P I C K L E P I C K L E B A L L PA RTN E RS H IPS C OORDI N AT OR

“Kansas City has proven over and over again

This year, the league will host six tournaments

all of] our professional teams, I have no doubt

in larger locations, including in Kansas City at

that we’ll take our Midwest values and support

the KC Convention Center at PickleCon from Aug.

this pickleball team like we do everything else

9-11.

“The league is successful not only because

According to Wyatt, the intention of hosting

of the players in the league, but because the

a local combine along with the league-wide ones

community embraces it,” Chen said. “We just felt

was to give locals a chance to be on the team

that [Kansas City] really has a community that

and bring in more local attention from players’

will raise the Kansas City Stingers.”

family and friends.

When Chen had the idea to start the league

Pickleball Club Co-Captain Autumn Sun is

in 2022, he contacted Vermillion and Chicken

excited about the new team and the 50+ age

N’ Pickle — a Kansas City-based pickleball

requirement for the Champion-Pro league.

entertainment

“I think that Kansas City’s a big pickleball hub

chance to launch our league last year.”

that we’re a sports town,” Alldredge said. “[With

in the city.”

venue

with

eight

locations

nationwide — for assistance with kickstarting

WE’R E REA LLY

excited about the growth of pickleball.Our mission p r o v i d e d has really changed lives and t o people are sticking to the t h e game of pickleball.

local combine in KC last month, the league is

EVERY SINGLE

pic kle ba ll le a gu e

person that I met in

those built in die hard fans for pickleball as

“It creates a lot of excitement for Kansas City

the national

PRINCETON BRUISERS New Jersey

single

says pickleball’s popularity is displayed by the metro-area.

who joined

SEATTLE UNITED PICKLEBALL CLUB Washington

to K ans a s C it y w it h th e i r se aso n star ti n g l ater this m onth

reputation of the “most pickleball obsessed city,”

new teams

COACHELLA VALLEY SCORPIONS California

The K a n s a s C i t y S t i n g e rs , a n e w p ro f e s s i o n a l pickleball team, is coming

T

The five other

MICH AEL CHEN NPL CO-O WNER

26 | APRIL 8, 2024

THE HARBINGER

story b y l u c y st e ph e n s

DOWN &

d e s ig n b y ka i m c p h a i l

Derby

p h o to s b y a l ex s a j n a

F re s h man Clementine G ogol plays on the junior roller derby team for the

T

K a n s a s C i t y R o l l er War r i o rs H E N - 1 0 - Y E A R - O L D CLEMENTINE GOGOL sat in front

said. “There’s hitting and contact, but there are

of

you’re playing.”

her

mirror,

streaking

vibrant

Clementine has been playing roller derby for

by doing the best that I possibly could in that

painting intricate makeup all over her face.

bout,” Clementine said. “It was a confidence

She was replicating the character’s looks from

practice her roller skating skills but still wasn’t

boost for me because winning MVP blocker at

the graphic novel “Roller Girl’’ — a book

confident enough to play roller derby yet. It

an away bout feels great to anyone.”

highlighting a female protagonist learning the

wasn’t until her friend finally pushed her to

She started playing in more advanced bouts

sport of roller derby.

join that her parents signed her up for KC Roller

when she was in eighth grade, while attending

Warriors in Jan. 2022.

her first “St. Patty’s Day Smashup” — an event

middle of her living room and attempted the

KC Roller Warriors has three different levels

complex moves illustrated in the book —

ranging by skill — 100, 200 and 300. Starting in

usually running herself into walls, tables and

the club, she was ranked at level 100 and after

At that point, Clementine had only been

chairs in the process.

only a few months at the club, she was moved

playing roller derby for one year and only

up to the 200 level due to her natural skill for

expected to play in the beginner bouts. She

the sport. She was also offered to practice with

watched the advanced players from the stands

for all of her roller derby bouts — just like the

the 300s.

pushing and shoving each other against the

and

elbow

“I’m

pads and her shiny gold helmet.

a person who dresses in a very

alternative style, and a lot of times I didn’t feel a lot of sports allowed a safe space for that,” Clementine said. “A lot of other sports have a certain body type associated with them and out of all the sports roller derby is definitely a more body-positive one.”

In the past two years, Clementine has leveled up to the highest level of junior roller

signif i ca n ce o f h er ro l l e r derby n a m e

in a series of roller derby bouts.

Now-freshman Clementine applies streaks

look with a pair of fishnet tights, rainbow knee

G ogo l s h a re s t h e

where roller derby clubs around the region play

of eyeliner, topped off with a layer of glitter

her interest in roller derby. She completes her

Fre sh m a n C l e m e n t i n e

“I was experiencing a dip in self-esteem at that time and I was trying to counteract that

two years. In 2021, she went to Skate City to

characters from her book that initially sparked

PIXIE

award the hosting team’s coach voted on.

hair chalks into her brown hair and

Then she laced up her roller skates in the

POISONOUS

also rules about how to conduct yourself when

“

sides of the rink — leaving bruises on their

A LOT OF other

opponents arms and legs to win the jam.

sports have a certain body type associated with them and out of all the sports roller derby is definitely a more body-positive one.

advanced bout right now.”

Clementine’s heart was racing as she skated out to the court. This would be her first time playing against older players in the highest level of bouts, allowing fewer penalties for roughhousing and harder plays she had little experience with.

C L EMEN TI N E G OG O L

“It was extremely chaotic and I was very

F R ES H M A N

nervous,” Clementine said. “I felt like I had no clue what I was doing, but the people on my

derby at KC Roller Warriors — the only roller derby club in the KC area. She finds roller derby

Until her coach called her over: “There’s not enough players, we need you to play in the

She’d come home with sore muscles and legs

from

training

with

the

team definitely helped me a lot.”

to be a sport catered to her passion and style,

bruised

older

Whether it’s a bout she has been anticipating

something she hasn’t found in any other sport.

advanced players. But despite the struggle, she

for months or a bout she was thrown into during

Roller derby is a fast-paced contact sport

learned many essential tactics through training

halftime, Clementine’s immense training for

played on a skating rink with roller skates,

alongside the more experienced players. In

roller derby allows her to be recognized as a

according to Clementine. The game’s premise

the advanced practices, she learned how to

crucial aspect of her team. She hopes to continue

is to have the one jammer get around the rink

communicate effectively on the rink, yelling

her love for the sport and eventually play for the

as many times as possible while the opposing

out to her teammates about what they should

adult league.

team’s blockers are doing everything in their

be doing and footwork strategies to use when

power to stop the jammer.

blocking or jamming.

“I’d say [roller derby] is analogous to

She was even noticed by the other team’s

football,” Clementine’s father, Peter Gogol,

coaches, which eventually led her to win MVP

“

“I’m just happy to see her out there on the floor,” Peter said, “I think it’s fun when she is skating alongside the teammates that have been on this journey with her.”

blocker at an away bout in Oklahoma — an

I wanted something original and I wanted something with alliteration and to be something with pixie. At first I thought of “poisoned pixie” and then I thought poisonous pixie would be better because it implies that I’m poisoning people, not the other way around.

FRESHMAN CLEMENTINE GOGOL

s tor y by carl sutt on

APRIL 8, 2024 | 27

THE HARBINGER

d e si g n by mya smi th p h o to s by carol i n e mar tu cci

SWIMMING FOR GLORY

G i r l s s w i m a i m s to p l a c e i n t h e top t wo at state this year following their lo we s t te am f i n i s h i n o ve r a decad e l ast y ear w i t h a t hi rd p l ace fi ni sh

T

HE VARSITY GIRLS swim team is aiming to rebound from an unsatisfying season last year — placing third at state, the lowest

team finish since 2009 — and placing in the top two at state.

For most teams, finishing third at state is a major accomplishment, but for East, it’s only average, according to girls swim head coach Chris Copeland.

“We had lost quite a few seniors the year before,” Copeland said. “So [last year] we just didn’t have the depth that we have this year.”

Team captain and senior Ella Howard believes the reasoning for the disappointing finish was adjusting to a new coach. In addition to having to learn Copeland’s style of coaching, the team also lost valuable swimmers when the class of 2022 graduated. “

We had lost quite a few seniors the year

before,” Copeland said “So [last year] we just didn’t have the depth that we have this year.”

She says one of the team’s biggest advantages this year is its depth, the

year, while normally the team has closer to

competitive team, according to Copeland

20 swimmers, according to Howard. Fellow

“Our team is a little bit more diverse this

captain and junior Emmy Barrett believes the

year in terms of specific stroke capabilities,”

new freshman class has added to that depth.

Copeland said. “So we’re a little bit more

“All of the freshmen have been really, really good right off the bat,” Barrett said.

well-rounded.”

The roster has gone through some changes

A B O V E Varsity Girls Swim Captain senior Ella Howard dives off the block to begin the 200 freestyle race.

STATE CUTS

Freshman Anne Bowser has already

this year with the addition of the freshman,

qualified for state along with three other

but the coaches are still focusing on helping

freshmen — Addie Clark, Coco Reiser, and

swimmers who are struggling, by giving them

The girls that have qualified

Vada Walsh — who had state consideration

tips, or helping them with their techniques

for sta te so fa r

times.

one on one, according to sophomore Natalie

To qualify for state, a swimmer must

Jones

record a certain time, which differs between

“It feels like everything we do is super

events. A state consideration time is a couple

team-oriented, especially for an individual

seconds slower than the state qualification

sport,” Jones said.

time.

So far the team has had four meets, winning

The current success of the freshmen,

their district meet by over 700 points and

along with the success of previous freshman

winning a dual meet against former state

classes allows for the team to continue to

champions Lawrence Free State by 27 points.

be among the best teams in Kansas over the

East then finished in second at the Olathe

coming years, according to Copeland.

Invitational, with seven more meets until

Because of the larger team, there are a

state.

variety of swimmers who are skilled in

“We’re just trying not to [think ahead] on

every event, leading to a stronger and more

expectations,” Barrett said. “We still want to finish top

at state, but we’re focusing on

- ELLA HOWARD:

100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle

- EMMY BARRETT:

200 individual medley, 100 backstroke

- ANNE BOWSER: 100 fly

- RILEY SCOTT: dive (345.65)

what’s happening day to day.”

team has a variety of swimmers with different

strengths.

The

varsity

team has 29 swimmers on it this

B E L O W Varsity Girls Swim Captain junior Emmy Barrett starts backstroke for the medley relay race.

28 | APRIL 8, 2024

SOAKED

d e s ig n b y s ydn ey e c k

THE HARBINGER

p h o to s b y c l a ra p e t e rs & a m e l i e wo n g im a ge c o u r te s y o f a d o b e

A s the annual senior assassins

water g un fight is underway, senior players nominated each other for superlative s via a G oogle Form poll

SUPERLATIVES

BEST RIVALRY

“

WE’RE BOTH ON

“

the baseball team. We’ve been friends for a long time, about six years.

I DEFINITELY WANT

to win. But I think that there’s a lot of other really good competitors and people that are good at not doing a whole lot.

ANTHONY MAZZA

“

MOST LIKELY TO WIN

PATRICK FLINT

EASIEST KILL IVA RODRIGUEZ

WE BOTH WANT to

“

make it to the end so that we can beat each other in the final. That way we can make it even more intense.

for lunch on the very first day, which I should not have done. [Margot Beaver] knows that I go to Chipotle for lunch a lot, so she came in and shot me.

MATTHEW YARLAGADDA

MOST KILLS

STRATEGY FOR GETTING PEOPLE OUT

“

YOU HAVE TO figure

out what their plans are for the week, and I usually hide in their front yard and wait for them to come out.

2 KILLS

LAUREN GAHAGAN

I WENT TO Chipotle

OUT FIRST DAY

ASSASSIN STATS S tat i st i c o f t he o ngoing senior assassins game

58%

OF SENIORS ARE PARTICIPATING IN ASSASSINS

124

SCAN ME VIDEO Watch The Harbinger’s predictions about the senior assassins

PLAYERS GOT OUT DURING THE FIRST ROUND