The Harbinger Issue 3 2026-27

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the harbinger

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 VOLUME LXIX ISSUE 3

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As cha respi ng rato ing r vac y viru cin s se e g aso uid n anc app e a roa nd che ske s, f pti am cis m a ilies n bo avig ut w at ho e to tru s

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

online preview

cover design by MICHAEL YI page design by SLOANE HENDERSON art by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

political cartoon

political cartoon by SYLVIE DEGALAN

Read about SM East’s National Merit Scholar semifinalists. story by MARY KATE RUANE

staff list EDITORS

PRINT EDITORS Avni Bansal Michael Yi ASST. PRINT EDITORS Alex Harden Sloane Henderson ONLINE EDITORS Caroline Beal Christopher Long ASST. ONLINE EDITOR Bridget Dean HEAD COPY EDITOR Grace Pei ASST. HEAD COPY EDITOR Reese Dunham DESIGN EDITORS Evelyn Bagley Lucy Swope ASST. DESIGN EDITORS Maddie Glasier Kennedy Moore ART EDITORS Julia Campbel Francesca Lorusso ASST. ART EDITORS Eisley Foster Hudson Terreros PHOTO EDITORS Addie Clark Sylvie DeGalan Tyler Russell Ava Towner ASST. PHOTO EDITORS Sophia Cicero Molly McDermed

VIDEO EDITORS Evelyn Geheb Emma Weidman ASST. VIDEO EDITORS Lucy Cattano Ana Schaefer

ART STAFF ARTISTS Abigail Baltzell Kennedy Garwood Trip Hagman Lila Henry

DESIGN

PHOTO

PAGE DESIGNERS Adyson Cooper Chloe Criss Sara Garry Anya Hudson Olivia Knighton Grace Marin Tillie Paisner SECTION EDITORS EDITORIAL Kennedy Moore NEWS Jack Fitzpatrick OPINION Lucy Cattano FEATURE Claire Troutwine

PHOTO MENTORS Vivien Glenski Liv Ruecker Bella Thompson Charlotte Walton

A&E Emily Enger SPORTS Alex Harden

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Holland Baldassaro Allie Beaulieu Anastasia Flower Graham Gehab Lincoln Godfrey Sadie Jolicoeur Layla Love Ashley Ramos Maggie Rogers MULTIMEDIA STAFF Porter Anderson Eli De La Cruz Rowan McGill EQUIPMENT MANAGER Tyler Russell

WRITING

STAFF WRITERS Vanessa Blades Anne Bowser Aynslee Douglass Grace Gould Eliot Higgins Elena Hull Evie Lewis Mary Kate Ruane Willow Roberts Ashlyn Van Becelaere Sienna Williams COPY EDITORS Effie Roper Addy Newman

DIGITAL MEDIA

DIGITAL MEDIA EDITORS Evelyn Bagley Ashtyn Ingram ASST. DIGITAL MEDIA EDITORS Eisley Foster Devon McFadden DIGITAL MEDIA STAFF Libby Fitzpatrick Lainey Hunter Olivia Knighton Berkeley Robinson Anna Sullinger

Read a review over Ryan Reynolds’ recent move, “Madyday”. story by CHRISTOPHER LONG

BUSINESS ADS MANAGERS Aynslee Douglass Maggie Rogers CIRCULATION MANAGER Lainey Hunter CONTEST COORDINATORS Sloane Henderson Charlotte Walton PROMOTION MANAGER Zac Russell ASST. PROMOTION MANAGER Avra Welling

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 of Shawnee Mission East High School or the Shawnee Mission School District. The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content outside of staff, but quoted 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, multiple letters on the same topic or any commentary deemed insensitive within the letter. The Harbinger will not edit content, though letters may be edited for clarity, length, mechanics or profanity. Letters should be sent to Room 400 or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.

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news

AP decision

SM East awaits district decision of possible shift from AP Euro to AP World History

SM EAST IS in the process of making a decision

on whether AP World History will replace AP European History next school year so SM East’s class offerings would align with sophomore AP classes across all SMSD high schools. The decision will be announced in the next month or two. AP Euro teacher Andrea Franklin said that SM East is the only Shawnee Mission School District high school that has yet to switch. She explains that the switch would create a consistent AP history track for sophomores across the district. “It’s kind of trying to get [sophomores] on the

same type of schedule [and] this is [one of ] the AP classes that are offered in the social studies department [at other schools],” Franklin said. “So, it’s very likely [that] it will happen.” The transition would require teachers to learn new content and attend AP World training since the class covers a broader range of topics and regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas and begins earlier in the historical timeline. Sophomore Lillian Van Doren thinks AP World corresponds with world regional studies and supports the potential change.

back to the village

“For sophomores, I definitely think AP World makes more sense because we would’ve just come from world regional studies, so we can bring some of the knowledge from freshman year into AP world,” Van Doren said. History teacher Emily Fossoh explains that she expects minimal impact on students beyond adjusting to unfamiliar material, since AP World would become the only AP history class offered to sophomores, and Modern World History and the electives would remain the same.

After two years of construction, SM East students are excited to enjoy the Shops of Prairie Village

AS CONSTRUCTION AT the Prairie Village Shops nears completion, SM East students and residents say they’re excited to reconnect with the community and spend time in the new gathering spots opening throughout the area after 11 months of construction. Sophomore Lucy Daly, who often stops by the village after school or on weekends, explains that the updated spaces and outdoor seating has made it easier to meet up with friends. “All the new spaces make hanging out and gathering a lot easier, that helps welcome the Prairie Village community,” Daly

said. For many students The Village is one of the closest walkable shopping areas for food, studying or meeting up before school events. For Daly, the construction changed her family’s habits, and many businesses became difficult to reach. “It limited the amount of times we would go during the week because a lot of businesses were hard to get to,” Daly said. “So we would go somewhere else, and I think that hurt a lot of the businesses that couldn’t get people to come.” Caffetteria’s director of operations John Heldibrand said that the restaurant struggled

with inconsistent power, limited parking and unpredictable closures due to the construction. Those disruptions changed customer behavior. “People couldn’t come here and park and be able to get their food and eat and go back to their cars,” Heldibrand said. “Their habits changed. They had to go to other places.” Daly says that the addition of Big Grove has also shifted the Village’s dynamic, bringing more families, more traffic and a livelier atmosphere. She expects that student traffic will also increase as the weather cools. “I like all the new places to gather with friends,” Daly said. “When it gets cooler I’ll go a lot more.”

messages from “Cat in the Hat” accounts reach SM East students, an unknown threat Anonymous concerning the community due to their personal invasiveness A

SOCIAL

MEDIA

trend involving anonymous “Cat in the Hat” accounts has recently spread to the SM East community, leading to concern among students and staff. What began as a playful TikTok joke quickly escalated into a series of anonymous messages that crossed the line from harmless fun to invasive and personal. Several students reported receiving messages from AI generated accounts impersonating the “Cat in the Hat” character, with some messages including unsettling personal details. “At first, I thought it was kind of dumb but also funny,” junior Mabel Brent said. “But when the messages included my home

address, it got scary.” While the trend is widely recognized online as an AI prank, Brent emphasized that people should be aware of these trends and the possible danger. “It’s important for people to know what to do in these situations because you can’t always rely on other people to do stuff for you or keep you safe,” Brent said. School officials at SM East have responded by reinforcing safety protocols, including communication updates, code red drills and the presence of SROs. Brent explains that those measures make her feel safer and she trusts the SROs because they are trained for emergencies.

“I do trust the SROs because they are specifically trained to handle dangerous or suspicious situations,” Brent said. “If something dangerous or threatening were to happen at our school we would be in good hands.” Brent hopes that students will become better at recognizing scams and fake threats, especially in an era when AI like this often makes pranks feel disturbingly real. “Students should be taught how to identify scams and misinformation, and I think guidelines or laws should be put on AI so that it isn’t being used to spread fear or misinformation,” Brent said.

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news

SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

Shot Down The Rules KSHSAA regulations for student photography and videography Home schools may have unlimited number of student production personnel in designated areas Home schools are responsible for training their students The away school is limited to three student production personnel in designated areas This limit applies to all Sunflower League contests unless otherwise approved by the host school administration All student production personnel must wear: a visible vest clearly displaying their school name or logo, and an official badge or credential worn around the neck Students without proper identification may be denied sideline access at the discretion of the host school administration or event management

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HE SUNFLOWER LEAGUE

had capped the number The Sunflower League has capped the number of photographers at away games to three school media personnel — yearbook and newspaper — at varsity, JV and C -Team games. Along with the limit, all student media personnel must wear a school specific vest, and non-student media personnel need to get a media pass from the Athletic Director at the home school, even if they attend the home school. The goal is to ensure safety on the sideline after concerns expressed after multiple crowded Sunflower League basketball games, according to athletic director Ryan Johnson. “After big Sunflower League games outside of [SM East], [media limits] became a topic of conversation [at Sunflower League meetings] then once there’s a topic of conversation, there’s proposals and things like that,” Johnson said. “The policy was developed and then the AD’s, they implemented it. It was late in basketball season, so this is the first year it’s actually taking effect.” The SM East athletic department ordered bright, neon yellow vests for the student media photographers. They currently have 15 total, but are open to getting more, according to Johnson. Each Athletic Director in the Sunflower League is able to determine the amount of photographers from their school to allow at home games. “If [SM East] is the home school, we can have as many [photographers] as we want,” Johnson said. “I’ve worked with Dow [Tate], and so the Sunflower League has the vest policy, we’ve made it so it’s bright [and] it’s East color, we got a whole bunch of them. So for me, any kiddo that wants one [a vest] for our home games, for outdoor sports, specifically, we should be fine.” Normally there are three to six photographers around the sidelines of the football field and they are able to spread out according to junior and photographer Will Maher. “For me as a photographer [not affiliated with SM East journalism], I know what I’m getting into,” Maher said. “I know if I get on the sideline, I have that risk of getting hit, and I’m choosing to take that risk. I think all photographers think the same. A high

design by EVIE LEWIS photo by SOPHIA CICERO story by AYNSLEE DOUGLASS The Sunflower League implemented new limits on student media sideline access for sports [visibility] vest isn’t gonna stop a football player running 15 miles an hour straight towards you.” This photographer limit only applies to student media programs, but schools in general have become more strict when giving anyone — hired photographers, other students and freelancer — sideline access. Maher has been making videos for SM East athletics for the last year after enrolling in the Beginning Video Production class. This rule has created many new barriers in order to film. “Last year it was honestly pretty straightforward, I just let somebody know,” Maher said. “This year it has gotten much harder.” The once easier process to get sideline access has become a series of complicated steps for all photographers. This makes it harder for photographers who do not already have a relationship with Johnson to get access to games according to Maher. “I’m worried that my words get jumbled up [or] lost in translation, and then I don’t get a media pass, miss out on a great game, and miss out on my grade, so that’s scary,” Maher said. SM East alumnus and photographer Will Griffith, who is now a creative intern for University of Oregon’s Athletic Department, has been photographing games before leaving for college. According to Griffith, he has been able to get access to the games because of his ongoing relationship with Johnson and his respected photography career. The media personnel limits and rules also apply for sub varsity events causing younger and less experienced photographers to miss out on experience shooting. “My downside

to it though is I got into photography being able to kind of walk onto a field,” Griffith said. “I just had an okay from a teacher, and it was okay.” Johnson and other athletic directors in the Sunflower League have been accommodating non-student media outside photographers, while also trying to protect SM East access. “For as many [photographers] that we had there [the Rockhurst game], there were quite a few that were turned away too,” Johnson said. “[We’re] really trying to prioritize the access for the East people.” The Sunflower League has been allowing most people into games, but they will tighten the regulations once the basketball season starts, according to Griffith. This rule was developed with the problem of inconsistent media regulations and increase in sports media personnel according to the Sports Media Guideline Proposal. “It’s just a solution to [something that’s] not even a problem,” Maher said.

news

design by LAINEY HUNTER art by KENNEDY GARWOOD story by ANNE BOWSER

THE HARBINGER

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CAN’T HANDLE THE WBGT WATCH

Wet-bulb globe temperature or WBGT levels issued by KSHSAA Less than or equal to 79.9° -Normal activities 80-84.6° -Minimum of three separate rest breaks each being at least four minutes -Rapid cooling method should be prepared and ready 84.7-87.7° -Two hour maximum length of activity -Minimum of four separate rest breaks each being at least four minutes -Implement competetion alternations whenever possible 87.8-89.7° -Delay or reschedule any activity until cooler WBGT is reached -If activity does take place, one hour maximum and minimum of 20 minutes of rest breaks -Implement competition alterations greater than or equal to 89.8° -No outdoor activity

The recent heatwave is negatively impacting high school sports by making practices, matches and games difficult to plan

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N INTENSE heatwave

is traveling through Kansas, according to KCTV5. Recent weather patterns resulted in the cancellation or rescheduling of various afterschool sports throughout the early weeks of September. One of the teams impacted is the girls tennis team; the cancellations force coaches and athletes to sacrifice valuable practice time, trading it for competitions, according to head tennis coach Andrew Gibbs. Practices have been being cancelled in order to accommodate rescheduled matches and tournaments. “We would like to have had more time in practice to teach and drill,” Gibbs said. “Right now, we have been teaching primarily [during] competitions.” Not only do the cancellations harm the tennis team as a whole, they make it more challenging for each athlete to get time on the court. Every high school in the Shawnee Mission School District follows the KSHSAA Recommended Practice and Modification Policy. The policy is based on different colored “zones” that correspond with different temperatures. As temperatures increase, various guidelines are put in place to match the severity. Once temperatures hit the orange zone — 84.7-87.7 degrees — some

HEAT

teams have to take specific measures according to the KSHSAA Practice and Modification Policy. For football, they are required to remove protective equipment like helmets and shoulder pads. If temperatures reach the red zone — 87.8-89.7 — no protective equipment is allowed. To avoid these measures altogether, football opts to practice early in the morning or later in evenings so they can have a full hour to practice, according to senior varsity football player Drew Lash. Despite these additional measures, morning practices are still hot. “Most people are just making sure to drink lots of water and electrolytes,” Lash said. Cross country follows similar regulations; when in the orange or red zone, cross country is required to shorten the length of courses or races, according to the KSHSAA Practice and Modification Policy. The main “zone” impacting tennis is the black zone; 89.8 degrees or above means immediate cancellation or delay for any athletic activity. For the varsity tennis match against Olathe East on Sept. 14, the team had to shift the match from Olathe East to Harmon Park and reduce the number of players to fit the court size and time frame according to Gibbs. When the JV/varsity team does practice in the heat, they take longer

breaks alongside shortened, less intense practices to combat the heat according to senior varsity tennis player Annie Trenkle. “With less intense practices, they [don’t] directly reflect [our] match speed,” Trenkle said. This makes improvement challenging because of the less-thanideal practice conditions. In tennis, players have periods of heavy exertion and then 20 seconds to recover for the next point. The heat makes the recovery — lowering heart rate, managing breathing, dealing with additional sweat — harder, according to Gibbs. “Tennis is played on concrete, and courts often [don’t] have shade around them,” Gibbs said. “Temperatures on courts are often 10-15 degrees higher than the air temperature.” Despite the challenges the team faces, the coaches have done an “amazing job” giving the players ways to prepare for the heat and taking care of them, according to Trenkle. “They are constantly reminding us to drink water throughout the day in order to make sure we are ready for the weather,” Trenkle said.

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opinion

hot take Video games should have more film adaptations QUICK, GUN TO your head, name a good video game movie. Not just okay, not just a fun time, not so bad it’s good. Name a video game turned movie that exceeds both audiences and critics definition of average. If you said “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” or Zach Cregger’s latest film, “Resident Evil” you’d see another day. If you said anything else then your last words would probably be something like, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” or “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” All of which scored above an 80% on the audience meter of Rotten Tomatoes fail to even graze the 70s in the critics section. Ever since 1993’s “Super Mario Bros.” came, video game movies have been destined to flop causing the term “video game movie curse” to be passed around among gamers and movie-goers alike. Although the “Sonic the Hedgehog” and the newest “The Super Mario Bros. Movies” have been massive hits at the box office breaking the curse according to the internet, neither of them have broken it

according to the most important scale and story of the games, Cregger includes imaginable. what makes the games so iconic such as My personal opinion. first person camera angles that make you No, the only video game movie feel like you’re in the movie or the limited that can be considered good, maybe even resources the protagonist has to account great is Cregger’s third film for. “Resident Evil.” Which not IF VIDEO GAME For years fans have put only created, what I think, a choke hold on directors movies follow what I’m because they’re too hung should be the new formula of video game movies, but coining here now as up on how they’re gonna also proved to fans that a “the Cregger formula,” fit 70 hours of lore into a video game movie doesn’t video game movies feature film. But from here need to be faithful to be on, if video game movies will continue to be good. follow what I’m coining Cregger got a successful both by box here now as “the Cregger lot of hate from die hard office standards and my formula” which is to be “Resident Evil” fans who faithful to what makes the standards. complained the film could games great, disregarding barely be considered a unnecessary or overdone “Resident Evil” movie because it doesn’t plot points, video game movies will follow the continuity of the games and continue to be successful both by box doesn’t feature the main characters of office standards and my standards. the series. In all fairness, they’re right, and maybe if I’ve played more than 30 minutes of the seventh game of the series I might have actually cared. written by ELIOT HIGGINS Instead of relying on the lore

design by LUCY CATTANO

pixel too picture Recent video game movie adaptations

RESIDENT EVIL

2026

1996

THE MINECRAFT MOVIE

comic strip word search word bank - birdie - caddy - hole - putter

2025

2009

UNTIL DAWN

- cart - club - driver - green

read more on page 22

2025

2015

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

editorial

Room room for ERROR

design by KENNEDY MOORE cartoon by HUDSON TERREROS 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.

FOR: 10 AGAINST: 0

The school safety system has repeatedly caused false alarms, causing harm to students and reaction fatigue

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HE GRADUATING CLASS of

2027 has seen more than 2,000 school shootings in the U.S. since kindergarten, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. And code-red drills instilled the fear of a school threat from the moment students had to hide in the dark corners of elementary school classrooms. Don’t speak. Don’t move. Stay hidden. These safety drills are required by the Kansas State Department of Education. Prior to high school, most SM East students did just that — participated in practice drills. That was until spring of 2025, when SM East installed a new safety system, Centegix. The first code-red, or “lockdown,” false alarm occurred on May 6, 2025. Wireless strobes on ceilings around the school started flashing red. An audio alarm played through speakers, telling staff to “recover students,” stay away from doors and follow procedure — over and over again. This wasn’t another drill. While some people immediately started barricading doors and hiding in corners, other classrooms stayed seated, waiting for further information. Some students prayed together; others were sure it was a fluke. After minutes of waiting, students were assured over the intercom that they were safe. Turns out, it was an alleged accident involving a building substitute trying to get help for an injured student. Since then, there have been two more false code-red alarms, all after the implementation of Centegix, which the school board purchased for $2.6 million. The safety system isn’t reliable, and SM East needs to address Centegix as a whole, not just further training. With three clicks of a button, teachers can signal “I need help,” setting off a code for medical emergencies, fights or

contained emergencies, and eight or more clicks to set off a code red for school-wide threats, all done with a special badge that teachers are required to wear. When the Centegix system was first rolled out, building staff received initial training, along with refreshers each semester, further clarifying procedures. There’s been training and practice drills, but the problems persist. Even after explaining prior to the start of school how long to wait between pressing the badge three times — 60 seconds — there was another false alarm not even a month later. On Sept. 4, during the latest false alarm, some students stacked desks near doors, held metal water bottles as weapons and tried to grab their phones out of backpacks to text their loved ones. But others began to question whether the alarm was real, and some didn’t react at all — false alarms had already happened twice before. This false alarm was a “result of an inadvertent press,” according to an email sent out by Principal Leah Vomhof to building staff, students and parents. A quick confirmation of no threat, and the administration expected students to get back to class like they hadn’t been just fearing for their lives. The false alarms at SM East aren’t a one-off situation. In North Carolina, CharlotteMecklenburg schools sued Centegix in 2020 for repeated “CrisisAlert” failures and an accidental trigger of a lockdown, after a teacher tried to get help for a fight — in response, Centegix claimed its product “works as promised,” according to WFAE. Green Bay West, Preble High School, East Cobb Middle School and Washington Middle School have all had false alarms, and the list goes on. Clearly, training teachers can’t be the only way to ensure the safety system

works. There needs to be a distinct way for teachers to call for a lockdown instead of having to press one button for multiple types of emergencies. In a high-stakes scenario, teachers shouldn’t have to keep track of how many times they signaled for help. Not only does that take away from the teacher being able to help, but there’s bound to be mistakes. After three false alarms, kids don’t expect to be met with a threat; they expect a little less class time and a funny story to tell their parents at home. What about students? Maybe a teacher will explain how the badges work. Maybe they won’t. But if it comes down to a teacher needing help or a threat in the hallway, how are students supposed to alert someone? With no phones and no access to the badges, students don’t have a clear way of getting fast assistance in case of an emergency. There’s too much room for error. Yes, the system works fast. You press eight times, and the alarms go off around the school, the School Resource Officers receive an alert with the exact location of the emergency and local law enforcement gets notified. But no matter how well the response works, if students don’t believe the alarms, the millions spent on Centegix seems worthless. With a new system, there will be mistakes. But these scares can’t just be something that happens every once in a while. That’s how people become immune to SM East safety procedures. The few seconds students take to decide if the flashing red lights are just another false alarm, are the same seconds that could mean life or death in a real emergency.

Not Just a

COLOR Meanings of different colors and number of times a badge is clicked

RED

Code red, turn out lights, lock doors and hide

ORANGE Evacuate, meet on practice fields

YELLOW Lockdown, lock doors and continue teaching

BLUE Drill, only a drill, do what the directions say to do

PURPLE Shelter, tornado, go to tornado shelter location

Three clicks alert staff for assistance

Continuous clicks alerts a code red lockdown

opinion

design by SARA GARRY photos by SOPHIA CICERO story by VANESSA BLADES

RETHINK LEARNING J

THE HARBINGER

name: _ ___

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__ hou Altern r:_____ atives _ that sc instea d of te hools could sts 1. Pre use senta tions High school class structure should be accommodating for all students a. Pres ent t e a c h on all of the er wha ations give UNIOR YEAR I took algebra example and through discussion. oppor t they In math, we were responsible assignments and tunitie two and have never realized learne b. The s to sh d y wou for taking our own notes, which I then fails a test public how hard taking a class with no ow the l d g i l v y e stud understand as that is what we will have shouldn’t be an breathing points can be. There e nts a c to do in college, but when the teacher indicator that a c. The hance were no retakes, no test corrections, y allow to spe moves too fast student is not and no extra credit. took algebra studen ak t s to when you’re u n d e r s t a n d i n g 2 t o . Proj two and have b WHEN e more ects just writing stuff the material. It’s creativ Yes, I’m sure I could have SOMEONE’S e a . down trying to not fair as many Allow gone in more on my own time to studen l e a GETTING a 100% on r keep up with students deal n ed try and get help, but even when ts to s how w the instruction, with anxiety I did it was still impossible, all of the assignments hat the b . G ive stu I can’t retain which can y have which is when I realized im and then fails a test indep d ents a enden any of the make it hard c not understanding anything h ance t tly shouldn’t be an i n f o r m a t i o n to recall o wor c. Allo because his teaching style isn’t k w s given. I’m not information indicator that a student t u how I learn. dents t o utiliz they quickly. 3. Ess We would have a 100 point is not understanding the saying e diffe ays need to make rent sk test around every month and no material. ills a. Allo the curriculum As I was matter how hard I studied I could w e xpla easier, but when in seminar b. Hel never get the score I wished for, p imp nation of th 50% of the taking a and I’ve never struggled in math rove e to c. Give class is failing, test that teache writing ski pic in detai that much, sure it was a harder l lls rs a be maybe try new ways to get students to I missed, class than sophomore year, but not tter un dersta understand. my teacher asked me hard enough for me to fail every test nding And don’t get me started on tests, “are you a bad test taker?” and I even with studying. This is when I realized the curriculum needs to be more accommodating to students. Everyone learns differently, some students prefer hands-on activities while some prefer learning b y

“

for any class. I am the worst test taker out there, I will study for hours the night before, even the class before and still forget everything when the test is put in front of me, and I know I’m not the only one. How well you understand s o m e t h i n g should not be judged by a 30 question test worth 80% of your grade. When someone’s getting a 100%

replied “yes, very” and all I got was “that’s unfortunate.” I was hoping he would give me extra credit or let me do anything to try and raise my grade, but I was wrong. I think students need to accommodate that students have different strengths as someone might be good at memorization while another is good at explaining ideas, presenting, writing or directly applying information. Curriculum should allow students to demonstrate what they learned in multiple ways to which is the best fit for them. Possibly giving students the option to do a test or a presentation but both being worth the same amount of summative points. Changing the ways students learn doesn’t mean changing what they learn, but how they learn it. Even in the real world, most employees aren’t required to take a 30 question test where they have to memorize information without any

HOIC

ES

resources. People use notes and technology to solve problems. That goes with the A.I use, most teachers prohibit A.I but in reality most careers are trying to incorporate their employees to use A.I to make their jobs easier such as accountants. I understand it’s not all the teachers fault as they do have curriculum requirements they need to follow but the district needs to give them more flexibility in how they teach the material.

opinion

design by ELENA HULL art by PORTER ANDERSON story by ASHLYN VAN BECELAERE

COPY & PASTE

RATHER THAN...

Instead of a workout set, try these more dressed-up options

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REMEMBER

LOOKING around during Lancer Launch this year, seeing copies of the exact same loungewear outfits over and over again. The Alo skirt, a Parke sweatshirt, the My Time Tee Free People shirt or a Coco Lillys skirt and top set. Where is the variety? Students should start dressing with intention for school. This means wearing many different outfits, and not for a reason like a sports home game day — just because. In a world of workout clothes, those who dress up shouldn’t have to feel out of place. The outfit culture at our school is copy and paste of the same thing, and it’s all “athleisure” clothes. Things that are comfortable and easy to replicate.

ATH LEISURE Casual clothing designed to combine the comfort and functionality of athletic wear with the style of everyday apparel

For a dressy, feminine option, try a blouse or sweater paired with jeans or a skirt

For a formal, masculine outfit, jeans or dress pants with a button up shirt works well

I’m a student too, I get it. Sometimes in the morning I would never want to put on jeans either. Just a cozy sweatshirt and go. School starts early, which means many students are waking up at least an hour before. It’s so hard to want to dress up and put on a “full beat” every morning. I understand part of the current outfit choices are comfort, but I also know my choices, like others, are built upon the fear of being different. The pressure to fit in. The outfits could be a range of different pieces and should be decided upon what students want to showcase. Jeans and a top, cute sundresses and shoes that aren’t just flip flops. As someone who follows the trends, but also tries taking my outfit to the next level, I really want to be able to feel comfortable enough to dress up at school once in a while. The clothing culture at SM East is static; it can be scary to dress up. Sometimes I’ll wear a sweater or dressy top and it feels like a big jump. I know I can’t be the only one that feels this way. More people want this

THE HARBINGER

10

Students should start dressing up instead of wearing the same thing as everyone else

to be changed than are willing to change it the biggest thing for me is variety. It would themselves. be much better to see everyone at school I know more than just myself would expressing themselves differently every appreciate the dress culture changing to day, through clothing. Not only that, but become more stylistic. I love a good pair of seeing this changed gives the opportunity for jeans, I can always go for a inspiration on what kinds of cute top and would appreciate outfits the students like and STUDENTS being able to show that, even don’t like. SHOULD START during school. There are many pros to Currently, it seems students dressing up nice for dressing nice — the diversity, only dress up on occasions. school. This means the expression, and the Game days, events and things cleanliness of the student wearing many different of that sort. For me, it’s hard body. I believe the few cons to justify only dressing up outfits, and not for a are worth looking past for because I’m required to by reason like a sports home a more diverse, clothinga coach or captain. I want to game day — just because. inclusive community. dress up on my own. I want What I’m saying isn’t to wear things that aren’t just Those who dress up that dressing nice has to be different variations of leggings shouldn’t have to feel out an everyday thing, nor am I and a top. against following trends that of place. Social media has such a big students may truly like. influence on this issue. Trends But those who choose on TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest spread to dress themselves outside of the current so fast and as soon as certain clothes become culture shouldn’t have to feel like outsiders. the “next big thing,” almost everyone is wearing them. However, I do think even just wearing a nice top makes not only the outfit, but myself, look more put together. For me, taking the time to look put together makes me feel better and is probably deemed more respectful to teachers too. It could be nice to see the student body doing the same. B u t

photostory

design by TYLER RUSSELL

THE HARBINGER

11

A SHARED SCAN ME PHOTO Scan the QR code to purchase photos from the Renovation Sensation gala

Celebration The Renovation Sensation gala on Sept. 15 brought together the SHARE community

$66,000 RAISED

SHARE collected this money from both donors and $40 tickets per person to visit the Renovation Sensation houses

RIGHT Senior Vada Walsh and the SHARE Execs split Skyscraper Shakes at Winstead’s after the closing of the gala. “A lot of us come from a lot of different friend groups and different activities, but being with them during second hour, and then volunteering outside of school, we’ve all bonded so much, and we know so much about each other,” Walsh said. photo by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

*according to SHARE Coordinator Nicole Rolofson

ABOVE Senior Ellie Fisher talks

ABOVE An Indian Hills student plays classical music on the

keyboard during the reception in the garage of the venue. photo by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

ABOVE The SHARE Execs and event

*Instagram poll of 151 votes coordinators give their closing speeches to

DO YOU KNOW RENOVATION the Renovation Sensation sponsors. “Since we a nonprofit, we get to see who’s making a SENSATION IS SHARE’S are real impact on our program and community [at BIGGEST FUNDRAISER? the renovation sensation],” senior SHARE Exec NO Vada Walsh said.

71%

29%

YES

photo by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

with SHARE coordinators and event planners during the event reception. The Renovation Sensation was planned and hosted by SM East parents and community members. photo by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

LEFT The event coordinators provided SM East sugar cookies and dinner catering from Scratch Kitchen throughout the gala. photo by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

FALL MEDIA DAY PHOTOS OUT NOW HARBIEPHOTO.SMUGMUG.COM

feature

concert craze

Devoted fans of the popular artist, Harry Styles, travel to New York to see the concert.

design by CLAIRE TROUTWINE

this week in photos LEFT Sophomore Pheobe Gordon paints her project for Intro to Studio Art. photo by SADIE JOLICOEUR

MOST FUN CONCERT ever. It was top two for sure. It was really fun because I went in Madison Square Garden, so it was big and there’s a bunch of people.

“

HARPER FIESER sophomore

I THINK I can remember listening to Harry Styles in the car with my mom when I was in 2nd grade. My mom and I always said that if he toured again we would 100% go. So I have been wanting to go for a really long time.

“

CHARLIE HARRIS sophomore

ABOVE Sophomore Olympia Crafton stares at her computer after she completed her water coloring in art class photo by CHARLOTTE WALTON

cars in focus

ABOVE Senior Marcel Famous inflates a tire in auto-tech class. Students can work on their own cars in their hours. photo by LIV RUECKER

Freshman Korbin Johnston combines his passion for cars with self-taught photography.

*photo courtesy of Korbin Johnston

How did you start photography?

“

Me and my dad have always gone to car shows and stuff, and I just decided I wanted to get into photography and videography. I just really liked [cars] , and I went to car shows and met people, and these people asked me to take photos of their cars, and they would pay me.

Social Media:

“

Korbin started his Instagram account in March of 2024. I’ve had some of my photos be posted by bigger brands, of cars and different modifications.

Self Taught:

“

Korbin had no background when he became interested in car photography I just went out and taught myself. I got my own camera and would take photos at car shows or air shows. I don’t really have a specific style, I kind of just go with it.

SCAN ME INSTA Scan to view Korbins Instagram account, where he posts automotive photos.

ne

design by LUCY SWOPE story by AVNI BANSAL

L

AST WINTER, SENIOR Campbell Griffin was in a haze. She missed her finals, her fever over 100 degrees. She was so out of it, she says there are moments she doesn’t even remember. “It was really horrible,” Griffin said. “I just remember thinking about when I could breathe normally and walk around and be outside.” Griffin never questioned getting vaccinated. She had received a flu vaccine a month or two before getting sick, and she’s getting a vaccine again this year. Many vaccine-hesitant people point to cases like Griffin’s as evidence that vaccines don’t work. However, vaccination doesn’t guarantee that someone will avoid infection, but it can make an illness less severe, according to a local pediatrician, who requested anonymity due to concerns about personal safety. After decades of making similar recommendations, The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are not offering the same 2026 childhood immunization schedule, creating confusion for families. Now, as respiratory virus season approaches, families are navigating which vaccine recommendations to follow.

SHARED CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING

recommendations that are individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian The CDC moved six vaccines into categories only for high-risk groups or “shared clinical decision-making,” such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines, on Jan. 5. In other words,

PO NT OF UN

instead of recommending these six vaccines for all children, the CDC suggests to use them only for certain groups of children on a caseby-case basis. Based on the revised CDC immunization guidelines, Griffin would not have received the flu vaccine. “Vaccines aren’t just for yourself,” the local pediatrician said. “They can definitely help you to not get sick, or if you do get sick, to not get it as bad. But it also helps a lot of people who can’t get vaccinated.” If specific vaccinations are only given to certain groups of children, then the benefit of herd immunity could be lost, increasing the risk of serious infections in the community at large. The AAP published its own 2026 schedule on Jan. 27 and said it “no longer endorses” the CDC’s modified schedule. The AAP schedule continues to recommend routine vaccination against 18 diseases, including the six vaccinations that were modified by the CDC. University of Kansas Health System infectious disease doctor and SM East parent Dana Hawkinson said respiratory virus season typically runs from October through April, and families should start thinking about vaccination as fall begins. “As we get further through September into October, it’s really time to start thinking about getting vaccinated,” Hawkinson said. The disagreement between the CDC and AAP guidelines has led to questions from parents who may not know why the recommendations changed or which schedule their doctor follows. “There’s a lot of confusion about what the recommendation is because they’ve heard that there’s a new recommendation from the CDC,” Amanda Hostetler, Village Pediatrics pediatrician and SM East parent, said. “Our practice, and I’m sure most practices, still follow the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule, which is based on decades

NOT FOR EVERYONE

The six vaccines which switched from being recommended for all children to high-risk populations or “shared clinical decision making”

a split in

GUIDANCE

Differences between the AAP and the CDC

of research and evidence-based medicine.” The differences are especially relevant heading into respiratory virus season. Hostetler sees flu and RSV affect children every year. “Flu and RSV are always our biggest concerns in respiratory season,” Hostetler said. “We see severe illness from flu every year. We see children hospitalized every year with RSV.” Hostetler said the severity of a respiratory season can depend partly on which strains are circulating, making it difficult to predict how serious illnesses will be. She said vaccination can’t guarantee that a child will never become infected, but it can reduce the chance that an infection leads to hospitalization or other serious consequences. The CDC’s updated schedule organizes vaccines into three categories: those recommended for all children, those recommended for certain high-risk groups and those based on “shared clinical decisionmaking.” Hawkinson said the tiered system can make recommendations harder for families to interpret and can contribute to mistrust and reduced access to vaccines. “These are just further steps to help confuse the public, sow mistrust, create an environment where vaccines are used less and less, or the access to vaccines is decreased as well,” Hawkinson said. Hawkinson said medical organizations such as the AAP, the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have historically brought specialists into vaccine recommendation decision-making because of their expertise in infectious diseases and immunization. “To speak frankly, being an infectious disease physician, the recommendations [the CDC is] making right now are really not based on science and medicine,” Hawkinson

said. “Certainly based much more on opinion.” In a release, the CDC stated that its revised schedule followed a scientific assessment comparing U.S. recommendations with those of other developed countries. The assessment included looking at Denmark, which recommends routine vaccination against fewer diseases than the U.S. did previously. The CDC also found that the U.S. was an outlier among developed countries in the number of diseases addressed and total doses recommended. Hostetler questioned how recommendations developed in another country can be applied to the U.S., where disease patterns and the population differ. According to Primary Care Alliance, the reason for the CDC’s changes are to “increase vaccine uptake and trust” by recommending fewer vaccines and removing vaccines which are “unnecessary for healthy children.” However, Hawkinson believes the “easiest and biggest reason” the CDC is diverging from AAP recommendations is due to secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “RFK Jr. is an admitted and known vaccine hesitant supporter or someone who really just doesn’t believe or like vaccines,” Hawkinson said. “He’s said that over and over. He certainly believes that no vaccine is good — he has said that. So it’s really a function of the head of health at human services, which is RFK Jr.” A poll released in June found that there was a 27% decrease in adults saying they trust health recommendations from the CDC — dropping from 77% in spring 2025 to 50% — due to division between parties, according to Harvard’s School of Public Health. Hawkinson

ROTAVIRUS

MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

COVID-19

HEPATITIS A

INFLUENZA

HEPATITIS B

CD

AA

AAP: The American Academy of Pediatrics

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Pr

a scientific organization

a governmental organization run by RFK

the nation’s leading advocacy organizition for children’s health, policies, legislation, and public health standards

reports directly to the U.S. Department Health and Human Services (HHS)

ews

THE HARBINGER

NCERTAINTY

15

As respiratory virus season approaches, families navigate changing vaccine guidance and skepticism about who to trust

said recommendations from the federal government affect access and coverage. If a vaccine is no longer routinely recommended, families may wonder whether their insurance will still cover it. “Historically, once the government recommends a vaccine, it’s covered under insurance plans,” Hawkinson said. “It’s covered under other programs that wouldn’t otherwise be covered. So I think a lot of people are concerned, if the CDC is not recommending this, will it be covered? Will people have access?” Interpreting these recommendations and getting properly informed on which vaccines to get can further confuse families. “If people don’t know what they’re supposed to do, then that could decrease access,” Hawkinson said. Along with this uncertainty, doctors are also dealing with broader questions about trust in vaccines. Hawkinson, the local pediatrician and Hostetler said distrust and misinformation about vaccines have become increasingly prevalent. Hawkinson used measles as an example to show what can happen when vaccination rates fall. After the measles vaccine became available in 1963, cases, hospitalizations and deaths dramatically reduced, according to Hawkinson, but preventable cases have returned as vaccination coverage has declined in some communities. There have been 3,471 measles cases and 39 new outbreaks reported in the U.S. in 2026, as of Sept. 17, according to the CDC. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage among

DC

AP

kindergartners fell from 95.2% in 2019-20 to 92.4% in 2025-26, while the share receiving non-medical vaccine exemptions more than doubled since 2020-21, according to Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.

NON-MEDICAL VACCINE EXEMPTIONS

exemptions for religious and personal reasons

The effects of vaccination extend beyond whether one person gets sick. Hawkinson said higher vaccination rates can make it harder for viruses to move through a community, protecting people who are more vulnerable to serious illness. This includes young children, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions and people whose immune systems prevent them from receiving certain vaccines or responding to them normally. SM East parent Kristin Rosen was hospitalized with meningitis at 9 months old. She says she spent a significant amount of time in the hospital, but recovered physically and developmentally. However, she was left without being able to hear in one ear. She’s unsure whether the hearing loss came from the meningitis itself or its treatment. Hearing loss is part of how she navigates everyday life. Though Rosen has adapted to her hearing loss, she avoids particularly noisy rooms, positions herself strategically at tables and often prefers one-on-one conversations. The experience has shaped how she views vaccines. “When I’ve heard about the meningitis vaccination, there really is no hesitation for me that, yes, definitely, for sure, my kids will be vaccinated,” Rosen said. Rosen said she worries that parents may not realize

the AAP and CDC recommendations have make me confused because I know what I diverged. She hopes families will talk with should be doing, but it makes me concerned pediatricians who can explain what the for people that rely solely on misinformation from this current administration,” Griffin differences mean for their children. Hawkinson believes families should use said. “And it makes me a little scared for the medical organizations and their own doctors people that are just taking that and following as sources of information rather than relying it blindly.” Hostetler sees the effects of respiratory on social media or isolated claims about illness on students each year, particularly vaccines. He also mentioned that the evidence around finals and winter break. As a parent surrounding vaccine safety and effectiveness and physician, she makes sure her own has been collected over decades and continues children receive their flu vaccines because to be monitored. Vaccine injuries are tracked she has seen teenagers become sick for days, through multiple safety-monitoring systems, forcing them to miss finals, Homecoming and he said, while claims that routine childhood other events they’d been looking forward to. According to Hawkinson, one of the vaccines cause autism have not been biggest factors that vaccines help deal with supported by scientific evidence. is reducing severe illness. This The degree of evidence decreases the number of missed is rated “high” to refute THESE ARE JUST days of work and school, which is the link between vaccines further steps to help especially important for families and autism, according to confuse the public, that are struggling financially. an Agency for Healthcare Hawkinson encourages Research and Quality/ sow mistrust, just RAND review of detailed create an environment vaccination even for people who expect they would recover from an analysis of published where vaccines are infection. studies. Additionally, the used less and less, or “Most of the time, you’re original 1998 publication the access to vaccines probably going to be healthy,” in the medical journal Hawkinson said. “Even if you get The Lancet that linked is decreased as well. DANA sick, you’re probably not going childhood vaccinations to to have severe consequences or autism was subsequently HAWKINSON severe illness. But why would retracted. doctor you want to play that game? Why “Right now, the injuries in general, which are being touted, we don’t would you want to roll those dice?” SM East nurse Stephanie Ptacek said have a lot of evidence for,” Hawkinson said. “It’s one more illusion to create the barrier to most families still want their children to be up to date on vaccinations, although she getting vaccines and access to vaccines.” The debate over vaccines has also become noticed more pushback during the COVID-19 more visible among students. Griffin thinks pandemic. She said that current measles many high school students simply repeat outbreaks are reminders of the consequences the beliefs of their parents rather than of lower vaccination rates. “I think one of the most important things researching vaccine recommendations themselves. The current disagreement families can do is have a trusted healthcare between the CDC and AAP concerns her provider,” Ptacek said. “Whether or not it’s a because people may rely on misinformation pediatrician or a general practitioner or just a source that is involved in medicine.” when trying to decide what to believe. “[The conflicting recommendations] don’t

“

PROTECT THE HERD

Percentage of people that need vaccination for a community to reach herd immunity

revention

K Jr. of

measles:

95%

polio:

80% influenza: 83% *according to Cleveland Clinic

design by LIBBY FITZPATRICK photos by MAGGIE ROGERS story by GRACE PEI

CAN YOU CONQ CON QUER IT? Different obstacles Payne competes on

feature

VERTICAL LIMIT

SALMON LADDER

16

NINJATRAINING IN

T

VERTICAL LIMIT

THE HARBINGER

Junior Parker Payne becomes his own “American Ninja Warrior” through ninja training, including competing at Worlds

Greensboro, North Carolina where contestants wall didn’t seem so difficult to from 15 different countries met. He competed scale as then-9-year-old Parker against 17 others in his age group: 16-17 years old, Payne watched “American Ninja a smaller number of competitors than other age groups, because the sport is less common for his Warriors” from his living room TV. Payne, who started ninja training age. Before competitions, Payne mentally walks himself a few months later, at his introduction lesson found himself through the course, carefully planning his way staring up at the same warp wall, like the through the difficult obstacles, covering his hands with chalk to cover the contestants he’d admired on TV. sweat and improve his grip. With the wall towering over him, ITS ALWAYS ONE “Competitions, they’re a he thought to himself, “Oh my god, of the best feelings bit scary leading up to it,” I’m never gonna be able to do this.” you’ll get in [ninja Payne said. “I get a bit nervous Then Payne’s instructors beforehand, but once you start demonstrated how to climb the wall, training] because you it’s just all gone, and you’re the first time he’d seen it done in completed the course entirely focused on [the course].” person. and it’s just the feeling Payne wants to apply to the “Watching them do that made of getting done and “American Ninja Warriors” me realize it was possible and that I really wanted to do it,” Payne said. [knowing] how you did. show next year as a contestant, requiring an application and So over the next few years, he worked on his PARKER PAYNE video about why he wants to participate. technique. Use long junior What started as asking his s t r i d e s parents to start ninja training b e f o r e l e a p i n g instead of because he thought the TV show was cool became short ones. Know where driving to competitions in different states and competing with peers from all over the world. to step. Now, he trains at Motus Ninjas on Metcalf L a s t season — Payne’s f i r s t two to three days a week for a couple hours and competition season — he is also an instructor. Much like “American Ninja Warriors,” at made it to Worlds. Worlds this year, ending the three-and-a-halfWith a minute course, he scales the warp wall and slams the buzzer, smoke effects surrounding him. “It’s always one of the best feelings you’ll get qualifying in [ninja training] because you completed the third place at regionals course and it’s just the feeling of getting done t h r o u g h and [knowing] how you did,” Payne said. “The the Central feeling of accomplishment that you completed States Ninja the course.” And the same 14-foot, 6-inch wall he saw on Association and World Ninja the screen three years ago — he can now scale in League, Payne 8 seconds without a second thought.

HE 14-FOOT, 6-INCH warp

ABOVE Payne jumps while pulling a bar on a salmon ladder.

“

traveled

ABOVE Payne jumps from bar to bar performing a “link”.

to

KALEIDOSCOPE ABOVE Payne hangs from a

kaleidoscope, which has rotating grips.

photostory

design by AVA TOWNER

SCAN ME PHOTO Scan the QR code to purchase photos from Senior Sunrise

The Class of 2027 gathered on Sept. 15 to watch the sunrise together

THE HARBINGER

senior

17

SUNRISE

BELOW Senior Haydan Van Meter signs Ava Slocum’s shirt. The student store made 150+ shirts for event, that

came with a pen for signing shirts. “The store had so much fun making shirts for a day that is fun for the seniors,” Slocum said. “I’m happy we also included a pen to sign shirts with, which makes it special.” photo by AVA TOWNER

ABOVE Seniors Braxton Jeffrey and Gray Snyder play

bags during the sunrise. “Senior Sunrise is awesome because we as seniors get to make the most of our high school memories,” Jeffrey said. “I enjoy seeing everyone becoming closer during our last year together.” photo by AVA TOWNER

RIGHT Seniors

Sylvie DeGalan Anne Bowser, and Julia Campbell smile for a picture while holding up a “Senior Sunrise” sign made by senior Ellen Lund. photo by AVA TOWNER

LEFT Senior

Student Council provided Chick-fil-A sandwiches for all in attendance. photo by AVA TOWNER

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

feature

FIXING TO DRIVE

design by SLOANE HENDERSON photos by SYLVIE DEGALAN story by REESE DUNHAM

Senior Gray Snyder restored cars with friends and worked on his own project this past summer

S

ENIORS GRAY SNYDER and

William Meyer walked out to the 1989 grey Saab 900 Turbo convertible they’d spent all summer after their sophomore year repairing. With Crunchwrap Supremes from Taco Bell in hand, they hopped into the front seats and Snyder put the key into the ignition and twisted. No start. He twisted again. No start. He tried one more time. No start. At this moment, they came to the conclusion the car wasn’t going to start. Gray never thought that he’d be using any free time he could get to restore a gray convertible — let alone be stranded in a Taco Bell parking lot with William. Gray hadn’t been interested in cars whatsoever until he began to drive midsophomore year. Then, he was introduced to the world of car restoration through William, who grew up working on cars with his dad, Bill Meyer. “[The car two summers ago] was actually Gray’s idea,” William said. “I didn’t think that I was ready for my own project car at that time, [but] Gray came

to me and he wanted to get a bunch of guys he acquired through his project in on a car project, and I was like, ‘Yeah, during the previous summer with that sounds awesome.’” William, he’s mostly fixed up this car by Gray and William searched for three himself. weeks on Facebook Marketplace for a car “I had to do a lot less work [on this car],” to fix, with no specific car model or type Gray said. “I painted the wheels. I took the in mind, and when they came across the roll bar out because the previous owner gray Saab convertible for $1,700, they had installed one which didn’t fit very immediately went to go well with the roof, so check it out. that wasn’t great. Then A torsion spring bar that reduces When they thought I tuned the carb and did they’d finished some minor stuff with vehicle roll, typically located near repairing it, they took the wheels on opposite sides of a car the transmission. That it for a drive before was really about it. And realizing they only temporarily fixed the since then I’ve just been doing cosmetic brakes and it wasn’t starting, which was stuff.” their Taco Bell fiasco. Because the car was manufactured They sold the convertible at the end of in Great Britain, some of the tools he the summer when there was no hope in needed to fit its parts were different sizes getting the car to run well, splitting the compared to those he owned and typically $2,600 they earned from the sale. used. “We split the money and Gray put it Moss Motors was one local auto shop into the car that he got this summer and that carried the British sized supplies he I put it into a car that I got on my own,” needed to fix the car, and though it wasn’t William said. too much of a problem in the long run, Gray’s newest project began in January his preference going forward would be to of 26’ with another Facebook Marketplace stick to American vehicles. search, purchasing a small British By late summer, Gray could be found sportscar — a red 1979 Triumph Spitfire cruising around near the Village Shops 1500 — for $3,300. Using the knowledge in his bright red Spitfire, that he could

ROLL BAR

barely fit into according to his dad Andy Snyder. “It’s not really big,” Andy said. “I don’t think it’s the most comfortable ride. When he bought it, he went with a friend’s dad, and the dad couldn’t even fit in it. Gray had to drive it home, ‘cause he was the only person who could fit in and drive the stick shift.’” Gray had to learn how to drive stick shift last summer when working on the Saab because he drove an automatic car day-to-day. It came in handy though when the Spitfire ended up also being a stick shift. The Spitfire will most likely go into hibernation for the winter and Gray plans on selling it after a few joyrides this upcoming spring. He also hopes to continue this as a hobby when he is an adult and has a “stable” job and living conditions. “We always encourage kids to hang out at our house because then we have a better understanding of what they’re doing, so when he said, this summer and this spring that he was going through the same thing again, we were supportive,” Andy said.

special features Unique parts of Gray’s car similar to British cars STICK SHIFT

The car has a manual transmission, with six different gears

GAS CAP

Rather than on the side of the car, the gas cap is on the top

LUGGAGE RACK

On the back of the car is a luggage rack to strap bags or duffles to, due to limited space in the trunk

feature

design by ANYA HUDSON photos by LAYLA LOVE story by MICHAEL YI

Drawn Together Senior studio provides student artists an independent workspace and interlaced community

E

Three years ago, art teacher Adam Finkelston asked the district senior studio is its own for permission to clear out the universe. Take senior Lauren Power’s station. computer lab and create a studio for Against her wall, a print of a psychic senior artists. With printers in the hand and a transparent photo of a fly, center and wood panels dividing the a cross-section of the human brain. perimeter into stations, room 217 Navy spider-webs. More prints of serves as both individual workspace lighters, grenades. A portrait of a beef and community hotspot for seniors in IB, AP and independent study art package. “I need to switch up my medium classes. They’ll often stay an hour or every couple of days, so I don’t two after school to keep working. “In the arts, just having a space is get bored,” Lauren said. “I kind of so, so valuable,” Finkleston said. “Just circulate through painting, and then having a place to keep all your stuff. I have a couple days of ceramics, and then a couple days of linocut. Then I Because you generate so much, and you use so many different materials, circle back around.” Lauren made the dozens of you’re constantly getting new things pieces laying and hanging around out and making little messes.” Standing before easels, or her in the last three weeks. She’s currently chipping away at a linocut balancing on exercise balls, the of a scuba helmet from the video artists around Lauren sketch, paint game Subnautica, scattering brown and bend metal. The room hums with clippings in the process. To focus, she clanging and chattering. Paper chains wears construction-grade earmuffs. line the ceilings and stretch across the barriers. It gets loud in the studio. Each station is manned by a pair. Seniors Amani Wambura and Amalie A printmaking technique in which a sheet LaMonica share the cubicle in the back corner — complete with pink, of linoleum is used for a relief surface. red and yellow chains, corner suns with googly eyes on the cabinets and a poster from the anime Jujitsu Kaisen. “Actually, I think our studio space has influenced a lot of other people,”

ACH CUBICLE IN the

LIN O CUT

ARTWORK Page artwork courtesy of senior Lauren Power in IB Studio Art.

THE HARBINGER

Types of Projects: Some forms of artwork students can create

1. Printmaking 2. Painting 3. Drawing

Amani said. “I’m not kidding. We put the chains up, and everyone put them up.” “Cash’s wall is unique,” Amalie chimed in. “Cash’s wall has spoons taped up as well. Plastic spoons.” The room gives the artists a lot more space than Finkelston’s photography classroom. Artists like Amani can leave their substantial projects out, like her 36x36 painting of a Kenyan girl walking through slums, symbolizing the false gift of colonization. “A lot of people here are working on different types of pieces,” Amani said. “Having 30 people in a small little classroom would be really chaotic, so senior studio is really helpful. If someone has a canvas the size of a table, where are you going to do your artwork?” After Finkleston probes students through workbook sketches on essential questions, the seniors are free to migrate to the studio. For IB, this involves a public exhibition and feedback. For AP, students need to create a portfolio of five pieces in a specified 2D or 3D medium centering around a theme, like Amalie’s theme of the loss of childhood. She sits with her knees up when working, fidgeting with glittery putty. Some bring in iPads to watch movies, as the action figures lining

ABOVE Senior Lauren Power observes her painting during her IB Visual Art class. photos by LAYLA LOVE

19

the cabinets can testify. For Lauren, her time in the studio is the reward after 10 visual arts classes. After three years at SM East, having her o w n space gives her the time to focus on her work before hopefully attending the Art Institute of Chicago, and pursuing teaching or tattoo design. Though the spaces are personal, visits — from each other and other friends — is the norm. Senior Cash Renfro walks by Claire Henley, as she hammers ovals of metal for jewelry. B e l o w her Pinterestthemed decorations, Claire’s desk is adorned with broken blades. “Every time Cash walks over, I break a saw blade,” Claire says, then turns to Cash to her left. “We’re talking about you. You d o n ’ t even know the chaos you cause.”

ABOVE Senior Michael Christiansen and junior Oliver Martinez work on their IB Visual Art projects. photos by LAYLA LOVE

design by EISLEY FOSTER photos by LAYLA LOVE

ELLEN

LUND

Senior Ellen Lund frequently helps out at Shawnee Mission Athleteic Complex Threads, working to make it feel welcoming and like a real boutique

local lancer

20

THE HARBINGER

Q: What is SMAC Threads? A: “SMAC is Shawnee Mission clothing exchange, set up kind of like a storefront where you can volunteer. Clothes are mainly what’s their needed, and if you’re volunteering, you go through the clothes, hang them up and then put them in the shopping area. Anyone in the Shawnee Mission district can shop for free on shopping days, which are every other Thursday.“

Q: What have you recently done with SMAC Threads? A: “The biggest thing this summer was that we needed a dressing room. We had this

makeshift one that was just really not working. We found curtains on Facebook Marketplace, and they helped created a real dressing room, like one you would see in a store. Just to make it feel less like a thrift store and more like a place where people felt confident to come.”

Q: What is your favorite part of being so involved with SMAC Threads? A: ”My favorite part is on shopping days, when people come in and they start to shop

they’ll find something and their whole face will light up, and they’ll get so excited about something that they found. I feel like the whole goal is just that people feel confident in what they wear to school. I feel like everyone should have clothes, and everyone should be able to feel confident, secure, and what they’re wearing.”

Q: What is your hope for the future of SMAC Threads? A: ”My sister is pretty involved whenever I go she’ll sometimes come and help with me. She will be a freshman next year. I hope that she will take it over and continue it on. I do have two other reps who are hoping to be SHARE chairs with me, Harper Reed who is a senior and Chloe Rettenmaier, who is a junior. So they will both help me this year. Hopefully, Chloe will like it and stay as a part of it next year. I would love for anyone to come help and get involved.”

ways members in the WAYS TO HELP Different community to help SMAC Threads

.Join the SHARE group to stay informed and updated on what’s new

.Donate clothes to SMAC Threads . Volunteer by organizing and sorting

clothing items prepping for Thursday shopping days

. Spread the word to get other people to volunteer, donate, and get the word to those who need it

SCAN ME INSTAGRAM The Instagram for SMAC Threads, which Ellen Lund runs.

design by EMILY ENGER photos by MOLLY MCDERMED

a&e

pilates at Power Life is pointless pointless pilates Hot unless you have the right instructor by EMILY ENGER

I’VE BEEN TO almost every type of class

Power Life offers. Sculpt, barre, hot flow and now hot pilates. Power Life added this new type of class in June to select locations across the Midwest including Corinth Square and Town Center. At first, they offered around four classes a week with two possible instructors. But since Power Life offers hot pilates, more instructors want to work there. So, as more `instructors get certified in hot pilates, more hot pilates classes are being added to the schedule. The best way to describe hot pilates at Power Life is performing pointless motions (that you don’t actually need your muscles for) in a hot room. I’ve been to class three times and from my experience the difficulty and benefits of a hot pilates

class at Power Life really depends on the instructor you have. The first time I went was the first week hot pilates was added to Power Life’s schedule. I walked out of that class thinking it was totally pointless — that was the worst workout of my life. However, during the class, I sat right next to the open door blasting AC on me the entire time so maybe I didn’t get a good workout because I was cold. So I decided I should try again and maybe actually sweat this time. I went back a week later with a different instructor and I was thoroughly humbled. I’ve never sweat that much in my life. We did a crazy plank series with plastic sliders on the laminate floor, and my core was killing me. It was a full body workout, the

instructor chose sequences that actually made you use your muscles and the floor sliders made your core shake. It was much different from the first class where there were no sequences that made your muscles shake. After the second class, I was sore for days. Hot pilates has gotten very popular at Power Life since then; there are at least four classes a day 5 days a week and many teachers who are only certified to teach hot pilates. Because of its popularity. I went back. My experience was the same as the first time. I was basically moving in a hot room. Was I sweating? Yes. But I was sweating just as much sitting on the mat before class as I was during the class? Also yes. My muscles weren’t working at all. I was

literally just moving in a hot room. Now, were there certain movements where I was like, “this is actually kind of challenging?” Yes. But one movement in 45 minutes that I actually have to use my muscles for isn’t worth it. It was so pointless to get that sweaty while it did nothing for my muscles or actual strength. Ultimately, you can have a good experience in a hot pilates class at Power Life, but only if you get the right instructor. Otherwise, you’re just moving in a hot room.

a lot of criticism Comparing the Alo in Town Center to the Alo on the Plaza

I HAVE BEEN

The Plaza - opened on May 28. Since it is the first Alo in the Kansas City area, it has been very busy, it also is run very smoothly.

to other Alos, and so I wanted to go to see if this one was nice. It was super clean, and well laid out and the staff was super helpful, they came up to me multiple times to see if I needed anything. They also had a great selection of clothes.

“

THE STAFF SEEMED a

Town Center

MAE HESS - opened on Sep. 12 and has sophomore

received criticism during its first two weeks regarding their staff not being helpful as well as not accepting Alo membership discounts.

little nervous but overall they were very helpful, however, they had so much staff working there was more staff in the store than customers. It’s definitely not run as well as the other one. They also didn’t really have a good selection of seasonal stuff, they just had a lot of coats and winter merchandise.

“

CAROLINE BALLARD sophomore

22

IN DRIVING SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

RANGE

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design by EVELYN BAGLEY photos by GRAHAM GEHEB & LIV RUECKER story by ALEX HARDEN

GolfTRK is a fun local golf simulator place to improve your golf skills

PUTTVIEW • • • • •

A brief overview of the technology used in the largest Puttview course in the country Uses augmented reality, camera and projectors Acts as a topography map, allowing golfers to read the green Gives golfers instant feedback on their putts Helps improve aim, speed and accuracy Used for training, coaching and practice

I

from $249 to $419 per month, and the 50-minute I hear the passion of a seven-piece drumline lessons for members range from $100 to $120 banging and clanging away. A crowd of people for lessons for minors and $125 to $150 for adult in golf polos gather, and like a tower above lessons. Lessons are $20 to $45 more expensive for them all is a 7-foot, maybe 8-foot tall wolf, running non-members. Hmm. At first it did seem fairly expensive — the on its hind legs with massive scissors in its paws. thought of me paying more than the around $13 I saw the beast. With my own two eyes. a month I already pay for Spotify OK, maybe it was just the Chief ’s freaks me out. But for golfers, this mascot, KC Wolf, and the KC Rumble [GOLFTRK] is drumline at the ribbon cutting of the gonna contribute to the seems to be a fair deal. The other golf simulator clubs in the area are new GolfTRK in the Prairie Village overall high quality of just about the same price range, and life by adding another shops, but hang on, because this story the price definitely beats the several really interesting is still important. thousand dollar monthly payments GolfTRK is a members-only indoor recreational amenity, some people fork over just to golf at a golf simulator club where golfers ERIC MIKKELSONcountry club. can come to improve their skills. The Prairie Village Since they opened their first location opened on Sept. 11 and is Mayor location in Lenexa in 2023, GolfTRK equipped with eight simulators and has sold 65 locations that are opening the nation’s largest PuttView — a 2000-square-foot up from coast to coast. Out of the four locations in augmented reality putting green. Now, I can’t answer why I — the least athletic of Kansas City, the Prairie Village location is to be their the writers — was sent to check this place out, but flagship store. And, it’s just a few minutes from SM I had a great time. The simulators worked great, it East. At the ribbon cutting, Mayor of Prairie Village felt clean and modern and I even liked the ‘70s yacht Eric Mikkelson said that having a headquarters of rock they were playing. I understand why this could be important for such a fast-growing company will help out the area golfers in the community. The fact that it’s open by making it a more desirable location and giving from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. for 365 days a year and is people something fun to do. “[GolfTRK] is gonna contribute to the overall high indoors, means that you can slam some golf balls with a lot more flexibility than a traditional golf quality of life by adding another really interesting recreational amenity,” Mikkelson said. course or driving range. One of the founders and future SM East parent The simulators run off of Trackman software, one of the leading golf simulation companies in Alex Reed believes that this club is a great space for the world. Golfers can choose from over 450 digital golfers in the area to improve their skills. “Our concept is we are creating a platform where golf courses, many modeled after real-world golf anybody from age agnostic, gender agnostic, skill courses. You can track club speed, attack angle, ball speed and a plethora of other details on how to level agnostic, can come and use modern technology, correct your shots. If you’re looking to improve your premium technology and everything we’re building to help them get better at the game,” Reed said. golf skills, then this could be a good place to go. For our community’s big golfer population, this PGA-certified golfers, Joe Kinney and Sally Krystyn, are also available to be booked when club could definitely be important. It’s also a big available for in-person lessons in the golf simulators. deal for the headquarters of such a fast growing company to be so local. Even though I won’t be back, But how much does it cost? I got invited to check it out before it opened, so I did have fun for a bit, whacking some golf balls I didn’t pay anything, but the memberships range against a screen.

’M IN THE Shops of Prairie Village. Nearby,

“

ABOVE GolfTRK implements the largest Puttview course, an interactive putting green technology, in the middle of the brand’s 11,000-square-foot facility. photo by LIV RUECKER

ABOVE There are a total of eight simulators equipped with Trackman technology, stocked with tees and allow for multiple people to play with chairs to relax while waiting for your turn. photo by GRAHAM GEHEB

ABOVE A new member practices on the Puttview green while focusing on his ball trajectory and speed toward the hole. Each member is allowed unlimited usage to the facilities in the building. photo by LIV RUECKER

23

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SEPTEMBER, 28 2026

STRUTTING TO

design by ADYSON COOPER photos by MAGGIE ROGERS & IMDB story by EFFIE ROPER art by ABIGAIL BALTZELL

Perfection THEJudges Season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars” has a solid foundation for upcoming episodes to improve upon

SM East students answer questions about season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars”

What are your opinions on season 35 of Dancing With The Stars? I THINK IT’S going to be a really good season, but I think it’s going to be hard for me because there’s nobody I think should go home.

“

LILA ELWOOD

senior

Who is your favorite dancer and star couple? MY FAVORITE DANCER and star couple are Ezra Sosa and Julia Stiles I also really like Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold.

“ THE

TEAGAN O’BRIEN junior

Stars

A glimpse into four of the stars that are dancing on season 35 of Dancing with the Stars

amber GLENN A figure skater who won the gold medal at the 2026 for the USA Team at the Winter Olympics in Paris.

connor WOODS

A stand-up comedian who is also a co-host for the podcast Brooke and Connor make a Podcast with Brooke Averick.

maura HIGGINS A reality TV star on Love Island, Cooking with the Stars, I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and The Traitors. Higgins also hosted the Irish version of Glow Up, Love Island After Sun and Love Island Games

T

HERE ARE FEW television

shows where someone can get a score of 10 out of 30, cry and then be immediately followed by judge Derek Hough’s spunky salsa dancing to “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston. Yet somehow, “Dancing With the Stars” makes it all feel completely normal. Every week, celebrities trade their jobs for spray tans, rhinestones and the terrifying realization that millions of people are watching them attempt the cha-cha. The show pairs celebrities with professional dancers who choreograph and perform a different dance every week to compete for the Mirroball trophy. Season 35 returned with a two-night premiere on Sept. 15 and 16, introducing 16 new celebrities to the ballroom. While the show is still unmistakably “DWTS” — with glamorous costumes, dramatic camera angles and judge Bruno Tonioli screaming words that I can’t understand half the time — this season’s cast gives the competition enough personality to keep it from feeling like a repeat of past seasons. I’ve heard from almost all my friends that the new season is so bad, with unrecognizable celebrities and boring episodes. But I actually like the new season, and it will only grow from its start. While the celebrities might not be extremely famous, their dancing and passion brings out their “star-like” quality that people should recognize and appreciate. After all, they can only get more famous from here. The first night obviously belonged to actor Harry Shum Jr., who immediately looked like he had been waiting for this exact opportunity his entire life. Paired with Jenna Johnson, Mirrorball Trophy winner in 2024, Shum Jr. earned a 21— the highest score of the night — for his cha-cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove.” Ezra Frech was the other major surprise. The Paralympic track star earned a 20,

dancing a tango with Daniella Karagach, another pro-dancer. His movement was sharp, confident and emotionally surprisingly fast, proving enough with a that the choreography can rumba. be adjusted without making the At this point, trying to performance feel watered down. predict what the judges will say is its Then there was Guillermo Rodriguez. own competition. The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” sidekick After the first two nights, Season 35 isn’t earned only a 10, but somehow perfect. Some routines are forgettable, remained one of the most entertaining some scores feel questionable and people on the floor. His cha-cha with the amount of glitter involved should Whitney Carson was not exactly a probably be studied by Stanford technical masterpiece, but watching University. him completely commit to the But that’s also why “DWTS” remains so ridiculousness of the situation was easy to watch. more fun than watching someone It doesn’t matter if someone completely execute every step perfectly. nails a routine or spends two minutes “DWTS” needs looking like they just contestants like discovered what a Rodriguez because ONE “pirouette” is, there’s without them, the show CONTESTANT always something to be risks becoming a strict, CAN wobble through interested in. boring two-hour ballroom an entire routine and And, unfortunately for my competition. homework, that makes The first night was receive a speech about it very easy to say, “I’ll already plagued by voting their “journey,” while just watch one dance,” issues, forcing viewers another can perform a and suddenly realize it is to vote through text. 11 p.m. on a Tuesday and nearly flawless dance For a live competition I’m emotionally invested where audience votes routine and somehow in a celebrity I didn’t matter, that’s about as get criticized for not know existed three hours convenient as forgetting connecting emotionally earlier. your choreography five The biggest question for enough with a rumba. seconds before the music Season 35 is whether the starts. show can make its large Night two introduced cast feel like a competition instead of even more personalities. Maura Higgins a collection of celebrities taking turns and Mark Ballas earned a 21 for their performing. So far, the answer is mostly foxtrot, while Jenna Dewan scored a 19, yes. There are legitimate dancers, and Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn complete beginners, athletes, actors and actress Julia Stiles each earned an and reality stars who are all clearly here 18. for very different reasons. The judging remains one of the show’s That variety is what makes the new greatest forms of entertainment. One season interesting. “DWTS” doesn’t contestant can wobble through an entire need every contestant to be good. It just routine and receive a speech about their needs every contestant to give viewers a “journey,” while another can perform reason to care what happens next. a nearly flawless dance and somehow And after two nights, Season 35 has get criticized for not connecting done exactly that.

sports BELOW Senior Ava Murray warms up her hitting a few minutes before the start of the game. photo by CHARLOTTE WALTON

design by ALEX HARDEN

recent galleries

three girls volleyball looking What players are looking forward ahead to most in the season

I’M LOOKING forward to winning more games this season and getting to sub-state.

“

CONNELLY ZUBECK

ABOVE Freshman Cohen Nielsen is ready to kick the ball, while an SM South player is ready to do the same. photo by GRAHAM GEHAB

freshman

I’M REALLY looking forward to senior night because chiefs players come to the game.

“

HARPER JOHNSTON junior

I’M REALLY looking forward to [the] Oct. 5 game, which is senior night and the Chiefs are reffing that game.

“

LAINEY BARRETT

ABOVE Sophomore Lulu Ozmun hits a forehand down the line. photo by ASHLEY RAMOS

upcoming events SEP.

28

GIRLS TENNIS 3:30 p.m. @ Harmon Park

OCT.

03

Sporting events to look forward to

OCT.

06

FOOTBALL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

7 p.m. @ SM North

7 p.m. @ SM East

game recap

senior

A rundown of the girls volleyball game on Sept. 16

by MOLLY MCDERMED The varsity girls volleyball team fell to BV North 2-0, on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Blue Valley Northwest. The score of the first set was close, but slowly the Mustangs gained a lead of 14-9 and SM East called their first timeout.

The Lancers end up losing the first set to the Mustangs 25-18. The second set was a two point game with the Mustangs barely in the lead at 16-12. The Mustangs end up breaking away and winning the final period 25-17. BV North won the match 2-0.

26

sports

SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

OFF THE GREEN

design by CHLOE CRISS photos by LAYLA LOVE story by ELIOT HIGGINS

Junior Katie Robinett is a nominee for the Midwest Junior Student-Athlete Award for her excellence in both academics and golf

J

UNIOR KATIE ROBINETT was on the weekends. Katie needed to make her heart drop to her stomach as she stepped up to the first tee. at the place where she, during a decision – golf or WWdance. Katie landed on golf. This isn’t unusual for Katie, who the week, spends more time “It was a hard decision, but in the usually gets a little jittery for the first than in her own house end, I decided that I liked golf better, couple putts, but things felt different – the golf course. Katie, alongside a couple of and it was something that I could do all this time. When she stepped up to putt, she heard her heart blast in her ears her friends, was walking to the chipping of my life,” Katie said. Last year Katie scored 156, which like the beat of a drum. She swung, and green when one of the Milburn Country Club golf professionals, Dakota got her ranked second-best on the SM missed. Katie did manage Soukup, pulled her aside and told her East Girls Golf team. She to make pars on the that he and another golf professional, finished right behind IT WAS A hard next three holes but Zach Proffitt, nominated her for the Ella Slicker’s 156 who Midwest Junior Student-Athlete graduated last year to decision, but in the end, according to her, “they play golf at Colorado I decided that I liked all should have been Award. University. In birdies.” The Midwest Junior Student- State golf better, and it was After weeks of not Athlete Award is an award that isn’t 2024, Slicker was also and then something that I could playing tournaments, solely based on being the most skilled nominated Katie realized how golfer in the Midwest; it’s a lot broader awarded the Midwest do all of my life. Student-Athlete important it was for her than that. The award is given to one Junior KATIE ROBINETT to frequently play under Kansan or Missourian student athlete Award. junior “It would be pretty pressure. that excels in five different areas of Katie’s work ethic character: athleticism, sportsmanship, cool to follow her in her was a driving factor for why she got leadership, citizenship and community footsteps,” Katie said. Proffit and Soukup have known nominated according to Soukup. outreach. Everyday, Katie scrambles home to “She’s a great golfer,” Proffitt said. Katie for years and in that time they’ve “And she’s an even better human seen how she always brings her friends change into her golf attire and practices out to Milburn, introduces them and from 3 to 7 p.m. Then, she comes home being.” Four years before she started lessons, helps them improve at the sport. and does any homework she needs Katie stepped on the green for the first Katie’s tendency to “[grow] the game to get done. If she has any more time of golf even more than after, she’ll try to squeeze in one more time at 2 years old — just it already is,” as Proffitt golf related workout. Right now Katie’s one year after taking her puts it, is one of the missing one to two school days a week first ever steps. Katie’s PRESSURE IS main reasons she got due to golf tournaments leading to an dad, Trent, who received HOW you grow, and nominated. extra workload. a scholarship to play golf it’s a fundamental of life. Katie’s sisters “I have to really make sure I text at University of MissouriKansas, would take Katie You’ve got to learn how Hannah and Hope, both my friends and email my teachers and received offers to play make sure that I’m still getting my and her older twin sisters to overcome it. golf in college. Hannah academics done,” Katie said. “Because out to Milburn Country played for the University you’re a student athlete. The student is Club. Trent wanted KATIE ROBINETT of Tulsa, while Hope before the athlete.” to avoid throwing the decided she didn’t want With a 4.5 GPA, Katie’s routine junior girls headfirst into golf, to play in college. seems to be working pretty well. causing them to have no According to Proffit, Katie may not Katie is in the process of meeting interest in it, so he leaned towards a be the most skilled player he knows, with coaches and setting up college more passive, welcoming approach. visits. With a 4.5 GPA, numerous “When we went to the golf club the but “she [has] the best mental game.” Growing up with golf cemented extracurricular activities, an answer [was] always yes,” Trent said. ”‘Can I drive a golf cart?’ ‘Yes.’’Can I into Katie’s last name brings an extra abundance of passion for golf –– not have a Sprite?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Can I have a candy weight to her shoulders, but she turns to mention a nomination for a student athlete award that’s reserved for bar?’ ’Yes.’ ‘Can I do snow angels in the that pressure into fuel. “Pressure is how you grow, and it’s a people that excel at both academics bunker?’ ‘Yes.’ I wanted [golf to] always fundamental of life,” Katie said. “You’ve and golf –– it’s safe to say Katie’s got be associated with fun.” options. Katie started playing golf when she got to learn how to overcome it.” In the first tournament of the “I have a few visits set up,” Katie said. was 6 years old. She didn’t love it at first, in fact she preferred competitive season, after not being able to play “I don’t really know where I’m going to dance. However, by eighth grade, dance due to the heat for the three weeks, end up but I want to play in college, so was taking up 12 hours of her week, not Katie has played 80-plus tournaments it’ll be exciting.” including competitions and rehearsal in her career and despite that, she felt

“

“

KATIE ROBINETT BY THE NUMBERS: Katie Robinett’s statistics this season

75 - 18 hole low 76.00 - 18 hole average 38.25 - combined average 2 - rounds recorded

design and art by GRACE MARIN photos by ZAC RUSSELL story by SLOANE HENDERSON

feature

THE HARBINGER

27

SHADOWING HER FUTURE Senior Bella Tilgner has used shadowing SM East’s athletic trainer to determine that she wants to be a nurse anesthetist

W

HEN SENIOR BELLA Tilgner

first went under anesthesia for knee surgery, she was terrified. It was this part of the procedure, a osteochondritis dissecans repair, that scared her the most, along with the months-long recovery and surgeons drilling two holes in her knee to put in bone marrow from her hip. Meeting with her anesthesiologist face-to-face before the procedure was the only thing that quieted her mind. And now, two years later, Tilgner is committed to Regis University for soccer and is on the nursing track, hoping to one day become a nurse anesthetist — one part of the surgery that frightened her the most. “The idea [is] that I don’t want others to be scared of [anesthesia] because it isn’t scary,” Tilgner said. “I don’t want people to be scared of it or be unsure of it. I want to help people with that.” The reason for becoming a nurse anesthetist was simple: being an anesthesiologist was just too much extra school. And having been a soccer player for most of her life and surrounded by injuries, Tilgner had always known she wanted to work in medicine. But the other part of what helped her narrow down the field of nursing to nurse anesthetists was Dakota Orlando — SM East’s athletic trainer.

WHAT’S IN BELLAS BAG?

When training on the field, Bella has some necessities she takes with her ICE PACKS HEAT PADS TURF TAPES

A concussion freshman year first landed her in Orlando’s office in the basement. Knee surgery sophomore year did the same. And junior year, Tilgner found herself back in the small training room again, but not for another injury. This time, to shadow. “[Shadowing] teaches leadership [and] responsibility,” Orlando said. “But, it’s also building relationships with other people and it’s forcing [students] to talk to each other, even though you might not be in the same friend group or be the same age.” Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 2:40 to 5 or 6 p.m., Bella is surrounded by waves of athletes coming in for treatment before and after practice. The rush before practices at 3 p.m. usually has 10-20 athletes filling the tables, mat and counters around the room. Everyone has a different story. Whether it’s someone recovering from surgery or a football manager cleaning and filling up waters for practice. “I enjoy being in the room because there’s so many different, interesting people in there and there’s so many different stories going on, whether that’s something with school, something outside of school, something sports related, something injury related,” Tilgner said. “There’s always stuff going around and there’s always people in there.” With over 900 fall athletes, Tilgner helps Orlando manage the flow of patients and performs smaller tasks, allowing Orlando to focus on more attention seeking injuries. Tilgner does turf tape for athletes, teaches them how to use hot packs and ice bags and helps with physical therapy exercises. With anything from cuts and bruises to concussions and surgeries, seeing a spectrum of injuries has also allowed Tilgner to see the broad field that’s athletic training. She’s found her favorite parts of medicine — interacting with patients and learning the story and science behind the injury — and also discovered what she doesn’t like about the medical field, pointing her to anesthesiology, a perfect combination of the two. Standing on the sideline of a football game, Tilgner thinks through Orlando’s signals. That way if Orlando is on the field with an injured player, she knows what to bring. Drawing a rectangle in the air for a crutch, motioning hands back and forth from shoulders to hips for the cardiac backpack. On the same sidelines, Tilgner also has the

opportunity to meet other doctors. “I really like the [surgical] side of things and I think it’s really interesting and really cool to be a part of that,” Tilgner said. “I always have liked the idea of being able to put back into this world and do something for others.” Building bonds with “the regulars” is another reason for Tilgner’s passion. Daily physical therapy or soreness brings in the same few athletes on a regular basis, allowing Tilgner to get to know them and learn the patient/doctor relationship aspect of the medical field. Juniors Harvey Mariner and Annika Berg are some constants in room 115. Berg, varsity flag football quarterback, was in every day for PT after spraining her rotator cuff. Tilgner helped Berg go through various exercises to stretch and work her shoulder. “It’s nice to have another student, someone my age, that’s in the room,” Berg said, “She knows what’s going on and with [Orlando] as the only actual trainer she’s really helpful.” Though athletic training isn’t her field of passion, shadowing had been a meaningful part of the past two years and helped Tilgner eliminate other fields to finally settle on being a n u r s e anesthetist. “My favorite part is just the relationships I’ve built with p e o p l e that I probably wouldn’t h a v e communicated with before and also being able to see some of the injuries I’ve seen,” Tilgner said. “I’m gonna go into college with a lot more stories and a lot more experience than classmates that I’ll go in with.”

BELLA tapes junior, Chase Rolofson’s forearm with turf tape as a precaution to prevent turf burns. photos by ZAC RUSSELL

28

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SEPT. 28, 2026

design by JULIA CAMPBELL photos by ADDIE CLARK, CHARLOTTE WALTON , HOLLAND BALDASSARO, ZAC RUSSELL & photo courtesy of HAYLEY BOYER

Which FNL Character Are You? Follow along this quiz to find out which Friday Night Lights participant you are

START HERE It’s Friday night, what are you most excited for?

Finally executing a skill/play you’ve been preparing for

Being apart of an event that gets the whole crowd engaged

The crowd is a little quiet. What’s your instinct?

Join the crowd and bring the energy back up

Cheerleader

You’ve been working on technique in your hobby for weeks. What feels most rewarding? Seeing all the little details come together

You’re a part of a group performance. What matters most to you? Everyone moving together with flawless execution

Dancer

Putting everything you’ve practiced to the test

Pep Exec

Quickly figure out a way to involve everyone in getting loud Fostering a set tone for the stadium

Band Member

FOOTBALL PLAYER