The Harbinger Issue 5 2026-27 by The Harbinger

the harbinger

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 OCTOBER 26, 2026 VOLUME LXIX ISSUE 5

SECOND NATURE

Junior Jake Billingsley wants to be seen beyond his visual impairment and does many activities

cover design by LUCY SWOPE page design by SLOANE HENDERSON

OCTOBER 26, 2026

political cartoon

political cartoon by KENNEDY GARWOOD

staff list

EDITORS

ART

PRINT EDITORS Avni Bansal Michael Yi ASST. PRINT EDITORS Alex Harden Sloane Henderson

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

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

DESIGN

PHOTO

PAGE DESIGNERS Adyson Cooper Chloe Criss Sara Garry Anya Hudson Olivia Knighton Grace Marin SECTION EDITORS EDITORIAL Kennedy Moore NEWS Jack Fitzpatrick OPINION Lucy Cattano FEATURE Claire Troutwine A&E Emily Enger SPORTS Alex Harden

PHOTO MENTORS Vivien Glenski Liv Ruecker Bella Thompson Charlotte Walton

PHOTO EDITORS Addie Clark Sylvie DeGalan Tyler Russell Ava Towner ASST. PHOTO EDITORS Sophia Cicero Molly McDermed

STAFF ARTISTS Abigail Baltzell Kennedy Garwood Trip Hagman Lila Henry

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Holland Baldassaro Allie Beaulieu Anastasia Flower Graham Gehab 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

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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design by JACK FITZPATRICK stories by ASHLYN VAN BECELAERE photos by LAYLA LOVE

news

excellence starts here East for Excellence, a program to improve students’ learning, started back up in early October

EAST FOR EXCELLENCE offers after-school tutoring from a variety of SM East teachers. It takes place in the library from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday, with the exception of preplanned cancellations. Different teachers come on different days to help with specific subjects. On Wednesdays, teachers from math, English, social studies, science and world language departments can be found in the library. As for Thursday: math, English, science teachers attend. Many students find this program beneficial to learn concepts they need extra guidance on. It has helped junior ABOVE Junior Meredith Wacha works on her Claire Martin receive help the last two IB Chemistry homework in the library. years with her French work to get tutoring

beyond the badge ANY CITIZEN OF Prairie Village over the age of 18 can take part in the Citizens Police Academy, a program created by the Prairie Village Police Department with a goal to improve the relationship between the community and its police officers. The program started on Sept. 2 and ends Nov. 4. It’s a 10-week commitment, meeting every Wednesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Anyone interested had to apply and be selected by the PVPD, and such applicants have to commit both time and energy, and have an interest in law enforcement in the community, according to the Citizens Police Academy website. “The academy gives citizens a better understanding of how the department operates behind the scenes,” PVPD Sergeant Travis Gray said. The academy aims to go over a variety of topics — traffic

before tests and during projects. “[East for Excellence] is a great tool to help me further my learning,” Martin said. “I’ll go after school for French class to talk to Madame Baker when I’m confused on [French] topics.” On Sept. 30, East for Excellence started for the year, but not many students have been given information about the program or how to utilize it, according to junior Charlotte Wellman. “I’ve never been to East for Excellence and I don’t really know what it involves,” Wellman said. Since it’s started, not much more than a Canvas announcement has been sent to students about it. However, once students are informed about the studies taking

place, it could be a helpful tool, Wellman believes. However, chemistry teacher Gerrod Bardwell believes it is a great way for students to have equal access to learning help, as opposed to individual tutoring. The program also fosters a sense of community within the students and promotes teamwork. Since everyone is there at the same time and all need help together, students can help each other, according to Martin.

The Prairie Village Police Department holds an academy to foster relationships within the community

enforcement, Kansas law, officer safety tactics, crime scene, communications and use of force. These are taught to the students in many different ways, including: hands-on, field work and lectures with visual aides. The hands-on work includes getting to drive an authentic police car, an experience exclusive to the Academy. The students also get the opportunity to interact with the police dogs and practice at a gun range to obtain an interactive experience about what it means to become a police officer. According to Sergeant Gray, members also get to visit the Johnson County Criminalistics Laboratory to learn how evidence is processed. “[The Academy provides] resources, specialized assignments and coordination it takes to investigate crimes and provide police services 24/7,” Gray Said

The participants meet with officers and have personalized conversations to gain a better firsthand understanding. This includes the day-to-day operations of the modern-day police department. The students get to understand what it’s like to become a police officer and simulate being one themselves through the training and classes. “My favorite part is seeing how engaged and satisfied participants are with what they learn each week,” Gray said. “It’s rewarding to see their appreciation grow for what we do.”

ABOVE The Prairie Village Police Department on Mission Rd.

design by ELENA HULL photos by AVRA WELLING & ELENA HULL & ALEX HARDEN story by ALEX HARDEN & ELENA HULL

news

WE THE PEOPLE P

Donald Trump held a rally in Park City, Kansas on Oct. 19 in support of Republican candidates

they’re destroying that country, and we’re not going to let Senior at Andale High School in Andale, KS, Gretchen that happen to this country.” Raple, despite being “not really a political person,” rally in support of Republican candidates Outside the arena’s parking lot, law enforcement set up attended the rally to gain first-hand experience of the U.S. Roger Marshall, for senate, and Ty Masterson, for governor, at the Heartland Credit Arena in a designated protesting area, attracting groups of people political system and educate herself in current politics, coming to protest Trump and Marshall. Protestors also before she reaches voting age in four months. Park City, near Wichita, on Oct. 19. “I don’t want to just be thrown into [voting], I want to Speakers primarily focused on topics such as stood near the entrance to the arena on East 77 Street — have some knowledge going in,” Raple said. immigration policy, economics, taxes, transgender youth, which the presidential motorcade used to “So I just think seeing [the rally] in person is gas prices, the war in Iran and the current protests in reach the arena. WE’RE GONNA Kai, a queer and disabled senior in an a really great opportunity not many people France, while also promoting Republican candidates for THROW fraudsters anonymous Kansas high school drove 30 get.” the upcoming midterms. From an Instagram poll of 249 votes, Notable speakers included Trump, Masterson, minutes to protest the event. Crediting their in jail; we’re gonna roll Marshall, Attorney General of Kansas Kris Kobach, desire to go into early childhood education back regulations; we’re 89% said they were against Marshall, who is endorsed by Trump, and 11% said they were Kansas Representatives Derek Schmidt and Ron Estes and and resulting fear of school shootings as gonna keep America their primary motivator. for Marshall. musician Ted Nugent. ”Being educated on politics is important safe for our children and Junior Ben Wilson, who describes himself A line formed from the arena into the parking lot while as a Democrat, is a part of the group who is 6,000 people entered the arena, according to the Sedgwick because whether or not you do politics, our grandchildren against Marshall and Trump. County Sheriff ’s Office, with hundreds watching the event politics are going to do you,” Kai said. ROGER “[Teenagers] are getting to the age where “Trump going to Kansas is harmful from a screen set up outside. Food trucks and vendors MARSHALL because of the political insinuations of him selling Make America Great Again, Charlie Kirk and other you’re going to be voting soon and politics are going to affect college, it’s the world you’re growing up coming here, especially since we are a historically red state political merchandise also set up outside the arena. Despite the majority of the attendees being adults, into. Policies that are made today are going to decide your and live in one of the only blue areas,” junior Ben Wilson said. “To think that people, even from our school, could teenagers still showed up to involve themselves in the future.” Despite the majority of protestors have come and supported him, that that is something that event. obeying local law enforcement, one was I personally disagree with and find to be really harmful and Ian Nye, junior at Abilene High School in [TEENAGERS] arrested for failure to comply with a lawful scary.” Abilene, KS, is a supporter of both Trump and ARE GETTING to order. Eleven people were escorted from Sophomore Landon Rogers considers himself a Marshall, specifically supporting Trump’s the arena for causing disruption, with some Republican and a moderate Trump supporter and views war in Iran, his border policies and the low- the age where you’re gas-prices from his first term as president. going to be voting soon protesters entering the arena and heckling Trump rallying in Kansas as a positive thing. the speakers, according to the Sedgwick “I think it’s important for all candidates to try and get “As a high schooler with a job making and politics are going County Sheriff ’s Office. a vote and I think being in-person definitely has more around $11 an hour, I need to be able to pay One of the Kansas-specific policies impact than just speeches on TV because you get more for my gas, and the war in Iran has made to affect college, it’s the discussed was the promise Trump made of a real-world connection with the president and other that go up, but before the war in Iran it was world you’re growing candidates,” Rogers $2.50, around $2 a gallon, which I’m a big fan up into. Policies that are to allow Kansans to sell E-15 diesel taxfree, if Marshall was elected, turning the said. of,” Nye said. “And that’s what it’s been the made today are going to current waiver into a “year-round” order. whole time Trump has been in office.” The president also promised to give Alexis Boyd, senior at Goddard High decide your future. all American adults $5000 “if the School in Goddard, KS decided to attend the KAI Republicans win.” rally to help educate herself on politics and senior Alongside those promises, law, especially since she is pursuing a career in law. Boyd described herself as a conservative, but not taxes and government regulations were also MAGA, saying she agreed with the president’s pro-life brought up by the officials — both politicians have been supporters of lower taxes and stance and immigration policies. lessened government “As a woman of color, I agree with [limiting illegal regulations. immigration], and I feel like a lot of people are sitting

RESIDENT DONALD TRUMP hosted a

“

here and they want to be in denial about that,” Boyd said. “Obama did the same thing and it didn’t become an issue until Trump was in office.” Both Trump and Marshall have supported or implemented policies that seek to combat illegal immigration, such as the Secure America Act — a law that funds $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement — which Marshall voted for and Trump signed into law in June. The president and Marshall heavily discussed illegal immigration at the rally, with both promoting strengthened borders. Trump, specifically, implied that the French protests are due to the country’s border policies. “As we’re seeing in Europe, globalist left wing politicians have treasonously imported millions and millions of Third

“Republicans stand for secure borders, strong military, lower taxes,” Marshall said. “We’re gonna cut wasteful spending. We’re gonna throw fraudsters in jail. We’re

news

THE HARBINGER

SNAPSHOTS

LEFT A truck at the rally holds Trump and MAGA flags on its bed BELOW Attendees watch a prerecorded Fox News segment while waiting for entry into the rally

Polaroids taken by staffers while reporting at the Trump rally Protesters dressed as Handmaids from The Handmaid’s Tale march while holding signs that say “SHAME”

LEFT Attendees wait in the parking lot to enter the stadium BELOW Protesters march towards the arena, holding signs that protest the actions of the Trump Administration and Marshall

A truck with “Trump” and “MAGA” flags sits, parked in the rally’s parking lot

Protesters stand in the designated “free speech” area, holding signs that protest Trump and Marshall

Attendees wait outside the arena, alongside merchandise stands

news

OCTOBER, 26, 2026

design by SARA GARRY photos by FRANCESCA LORUSSO story by MICHAEL YI

POTENTIAL MACBOOKS The district pilots MacBook Neos to potentially replace current student laptops, though they offer similar performance

NSTEAD OF REPLACING Instead

of replacing student MacBooks this year as part of their regular four-year cycle, the district’s IT department is waiting an extra year to test if Apple’s new budget laptop, the Neo, could meet student needs while cutting costs. The Neo is Apple’s first MacBook under $1,000, at $699, and competes with many Windows machines in the education market. Kansas City Public Schools bought 4,500 Neos in May, according to Digital Trends. Associate Principal Anna Thiele wrote that she was asked to identify three SM East students to pilot the Neo as the IT Department continues to weigh their options. However, two Video Production students declined due to performance concerns. One was junior Will Maher, who worried about the 256 GB on the Neo, which is the same as current models, not being enough for the football videos he edits. “The storage is just too small,” Maher said. “Especially with all these [Adobe] apps like Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop and Lightroom. They take

up so much space. I feel like the Neos opening apps. couldn’t hold all of that data.” The Neo launched in March and costs The other, junior Benon Kusiak, $599 per unit at education pricing. A worried that the weaker processing power district quote from December 2021 for the of the Neos would render coursework purchase of 11,700 M1 Air MacBooks — the difficult to run. current student model — received a 20% “They’d probably discount for bulk purchase be good for everyday IF THE DISTRICT and still cost $1,058 per unit. students, but our class is were to replace every If the district were to replace a video production class,” student’s Air with a every student’s Air with a Neo Kusiak said. “It would be next year, buying that same Neo next year, buying hard to use Neos since number of computers would they have less processing that same number of be $4.5 million cheaper, power than [current] computers would be without considering bulk ones.” discounts. $4.5 million cheaper, Testing by tech website Video Production teacher without considering bulk Hannah Kipp wrote that “the Geekbench revealed that the current student discounts. MacBooks that we use now laptop has multi-core and already have issues running graphics scores similar to software we use in Video the Neo. That’s the metric Production, especially Adobe that affects heavy video After Effects; the program editing and creative softwares, such as crashes often on the Air. MacBook Neos students in journalism, digital art or would only create more issues. It’s likely video production courses. By contrast, that Video Production students, or any the single-core score of the Neo is about students working with Adobe programs, 33% higher, which could raise the speed will not have the proper resources to of everyday tasks like browsers and create content.”

“

MACBOOK AIR

This is East’s current Macbook

District Director of Information and Communications Technology Drew Lane, who presented the plan to test the Neo in March to the Board of Directors, didn’t respond to an invite to comment. Seniors Charli Ralston and Emma Weidman were selected to pilot the Neos this year. Both feel the laptops have been similar to the old ones, but admitted to not having extensively used the machines for their Adobe workloads yet. Weidman noted that the most frustrating part of her old computer was the scratch disks filling up. She’d often have to delete photos each time she’d edit a new one with only 256 GB. If selected to replace current student computers, the Neos would last until 2031, along with the IT department’s fouryear refresh plan. Current laptops were refreshed in 2022. As video editor of the newspaper, Weidman expressed concerns about student laptop performance staying similar over two cycles, a nineyear span.

VS MACBOOK NEO This is the proposed Macbook

*CPU stands for central processing unit, and it is the core engine of the computer system

*GPU stands for graphic processing units, which processes multiple data at a time

CPU: 8 GPU: 8

CPU: 5 GPU: 6

FEATURES:

- Touch ID - Mag Safe charging and two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C

- No touch ID (depending on version) - Two USB-C charging ports

opinion

design by LUCY CATTANO story by BRIDGET DEAN

hot take

Students and adults alike should exclude “like” and “um” to sound more intelligent and professional

I ALWAYS FEEL bad for the kid who’s up at the front of the classroom presenting, silent as the shock of not knowing what to say looms on their face during a presentation. They stand there, face turning red and the word “ummmmm” being drawn out in monotone. I see — or rather, hear — this all the time in my classes. Sometimes, the student knows what they’re going to say, but loses their train of thought, which is understandable if they’re a nervous speaker. It’s when they’re underprepared when unnecessary

words are added in, such as “this is why you should like be safe, super safe, on like the internet.” Other times, it’s during a class discussion or when they’re called on by the teacher. Yes, take time to organize your thoughts so you don’t spew out gibberish, but please, don’t start dragging out “uhhhhhh” while trying to come up with something to say next. These added filler words are unnecessary and should be controlled. In a professional setting, if someone is giving a presentation on the increase

in shareholdings in the stock market and how it affects the economy, they’re not going to be the type of presenters saying “like” and “um” to fill time. Prepared presenters have enough information that they’re saddened when time runs out and they aren’t able to share all of their thoughts. This is how every high schooler, even all students in general, should think about presenting, like it’s a professional speech. Students don’t type “um” in an essay, and they shouldn’t type “like” unless writing a simile like I did above. No one writes

a speech with those words either. They only come out of someone’s mouth when the fear of presenting or unpreparedness takes over the person’s ability to present their opinions and information in a logical way. If teachers penalized students’ presentations for such filler words, it would teach students to omit filler words from their vocal vocabulary. They’d likely find themselves less embarrassed to present and more confident in speaking with others — one of the most important skills in the professional world.

would you rather Students’ responses to Halloween-themed polls *Instagram poll of 123 votes

GOING TO A PARTY OR WATCHING A MOVIE? PARTY WATCH A MOVIE 15%

*Instagram poll of 123 votes

CHOCOLATE OR GUMMIES?

FUNNY COSTUMES OR SCARY COSTUMES?

CHOCOLATE

FUNNY COSTUMES

*Instagram poll of 291 votes

85%

GUMMIES

56%

SCARY COSTUMES 27%

44%

comic strip word search bat werewolf goblin mummy

witch zombie ghost vampire

73%

editorial

OCTOBER 26, 2026

THE

WAITING

GAME

HORDE OF students

rush into the front office on Thursday morning trying to get out of the rain and inside before the bell. Sally Sue* gets her foot in the door. The bell rings. 8:40 a.m. Sighs and sounds of annoyance fill the main entrance. Sue gets into the line behind the tardy kiosk. A few try to slip in the building. An administrator sends the stragglers back to the attendance line. 8:43 a.m. Some students reach the security desk. The rain is pouring harder. 8:52 a.m. Finally, Sue punches in her student ID, the all-powerful pass is printed. 8:55 a.m. Students who walked in the door at 8:40 a.m. finally make it to class, handing over the 2x1 inch crumpled-up receipt to their second-hour teacher. Some teachers inspect late passes like detectives, others throw them away. Some don’t even acknowledge them. These passes are supposed to protect instructional time and encourage getting to class early. But in reality, they eat into class time for those marginally late. In short, the system is counterproductive, going against the administration’s previously stated absenteeism priorities. Teachers can just mark students tardy. We’ve seen them do it. The intent behind the policy is understandable — to keep tardies standardized and protect teachers’ class time.

SM East’s tardy kiosk system unnecessarily keeps students from class

But, current system causes students to miss more instructional time than necessary Now teachers have to reexplain directions multiple times. Students who enter the building at 7:42 a.m. would have received the 7:45 a.m. directions instead, they get past the tardy line at 7:50 a.m. Yes, the tardy system has been in place for years, but the context it exists in has changed. Recently, the lines have been excessive. Especially on mornings with traffic and stormy weather. Students end up waiting in line for 10 minutes or more. Instead of having a grace period or immediately letting slightly late kids to class, the tardy line forms outside the doors, making students miss even more class time. In the Oct.16 Principal Newsletter, a new subsection popped up, “Attendance Matters” explaining the school’s absenteeism goals and reasoning. “When students are at school we have more opportunities to support them,” the newsletter said. “They’re able to connect with teachers, participate in learning and build relationships available to them.” But the current kiosk system, which inefficiently filters students into the building and postpones their learning, doesn’t align with this principle. Students can’t connect with

Later than Usual

Steps students take to get into the school when late

1. get ID or Skyward out to be 4. wait for ticket to checked at the door print and grab ticket 2. wait in line to get your 5. go to class and ticket hand ticket to 3. type your number in the kiosk teacher

teachers if they’re standing by the security desk. Students can’t participate in learning if they miss the vocabulary review, notes or assignment directions while waiting for a pass. The system also hasn’t been consistently enforced. On Oct. 8, students waited in line, only to be allowed to go to class without passes 10 minutes later. If the school can’t effectively use the current kiosk system, we need to change it. The solution is to add another kiosk, so students can clock tardies quicker, or to allow teachers to mark tardies themselves — as they can do all other hours. Another kiosk will keep things standardized while

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: 8 AGAINST: 1

speeding up the process and help make sure kids get to class quickly and efficiently. Even with the added kiosk, administration still needs to make quick decisions. Administration should allow students to go straight to class and have teachers mark them tardy, if there was road constructions, an ice storm or another event that leads to unnecessary long lines. If the school has teachers mark tardies and teachers find it too disruptive, we can reconsider the kiosk. We need consistency. Students should be able to arrive at school at 7:41 a.m., be marked tardy and be in their seats by 7:43 a.m.

opinion

design by CHLOE CRISS art by CLAIRE TROUTWINE story by REESE DUNHAM

RUSHING TOWARDS STRESS

The pressure for high school students to rush leaves them feeling as though there are no other options to get involved in college

OTD FOR PHILANTRHOPY

day one at Bama” “I need three more recommendation letters for Tri Delt” “Ooh you are a Chi-O, I heard that’s touse at Arkansas” Video after video, conversation after

TOUSE

top or most desired sorority house at a specific school conversation, statement after statement. Rushing fraternities and sororities is all I hear about anymore, especially as a senior girl. It never seemed like that big of a deal to me, until I hit summer before senior year. All of a sudden all my friends started stressing about whether their Instagram feed looked perfect for rush next year, which houses were the best at the school they wanted to attend and were constantly looking to see what houses SM East alums were joining. Here’s the thing: I don’t think rushing in itself is bad. Lots of people

meet lifelong friends in their fraternity or sorority. In theory, it’s an amazing way to meet and connect with people who share values and interests. But in reality, Greek life has become a place for girls to obsess over outfits they’ve dropped $1,000 on, and for guys to force each other into insane levels of drunkenness and hazing. I’m not saying that I would never ever be caught rushing. Who knows? Maybe my new personality will be my sorority this time next year. The problem with this “rush culture” is that it causes high school students to think they have to rush to make friends in college. Now, if you don’t know anything about

RUSHING

the process of joining a fraternity or sorority rushing, here’s some of the lesser-known preparation needed. Recommendation letters are one of the first pieces of planning girls need in order to rush. Letters are written by alumni or a current sorority member

of each house and are mainly meant to highlight the new recruit and their involvement. This is so houses can learn more about new potential new members — otherwise known as a PNM — before the actual recruitment process starts. Also, making it even easier for PNMs, the women who write these letters can be anyone — it doesn’t have to be someone who knows your personality inside and out — as long as they’re an alum of that particular sorority. They also don’t need to have gone to that school. Other things seniors can do to feel more prepared include researching the houses at the colleges you’re looking at and planning outfits based on the chapter’s dress codes can help get some last-minute worries out of the way. Many girls spend their entire senior year stressing over all that goes into recruitment the following year, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Why does it seem like worrying about rushing is more important than the actual education at said college? This pressure, for mainly girls, makes it seem like there’s no other way to be involved at your school. It’s not like you decide not to rush and suddenly you’ve been shunned, receiving the silent treatment among classmates. Instead, deciding not to rush can actually give students a much less restrictive college experience, freeing themselves from the rules placed on members of sororities and fraternities. Rushing takes time, effort and money. Fees range from $1,000 to $4,200 for one year, excluding housing, and even more for bigger SEC schools like Ole Miss or Alabama, according to Greek Gear. While these factors can differ at every school, visiting numerous houses and meeting more people than you probably did all of high school in just a few days is exhausting. Especially without a guaranteed spot waiting for you at the very end of it all. While it’s rare that someone wouldn’t

THE HARBINGER

SORORITY RUSH:

The steps for joining a sorority Sign up for recruitment 1. through your respective school website

through recruitment 2. Go rounds, where new members visit different chapters, meet members and learn about each house’s social life, philanthropy and activities.

down house choices 3. Narrow based on preference will then determine 4. Sororities whether they would like to give new recruits an invite or “bid” to join their house

to accept a bid or 5. Option decide not to join

get a single bid — an invitation to join a house — it can happen, making it seem like all that effort, whether emotional or monetary, was a complete waste. Not to mention, your self-esteem takes an extreme hit, wondering why none of the houses wanted to give you an invite or, even if you do get an invitation, filtering yourself at every interview to make sure they like you. Rushing shouldn’t be something you have to structure your entire Instagram feed around, or worry about for the months leading up to college when your priority should be preparing for college classes. Nor should it be something you feel peerpressured into. Let’s stop making it seem like the only way to be involved in college is to rush. There’s endless other opportunities schools haWve to meet people, like clubs catered to your specific interests or rooming with people on campus. Rushing is one opportunity, not the only opportunity. And you can make TikToks about anything, not just your sorority events.

OCTOBER 26, 2026

opinion

design by EVELYN BAGLEY art by PORTER ANDERSON story by ANNE BOWSER

VOTE WITH KNOWLEDGE High school social studies courses should be taken seriously, especially by prospective first time voters

Y SECOND HOUR is AP

Government. The day’s lesson: partisan gerrymandering. A very relevant topic, especially with elections on Nov. 3.

GERRY MANDERING

The practice of redrawing political voting district boundaries to give one political party or group an unfair advantage. Once again, only a handful of students are paying attention, and even fewer are taking notes. The majority of the “civic leaders of tomorrow” are watching YouTube, doing homework or staring off into space, counting down the minutes for the so-called “b*llsh*t class” to end. Many of these students will soon be old enough to vote and some are already registered. This is nothing out of the ordinary. At least in this social studies class, people aren’t taking naps before class has even started. In a poll of 223 students, when asked if they care about what they are learning in their social studies class, more than half said no. Sadly, this checks out. In almost every social studies class I have taken, the majority of students lack a single ounce of passion for their education. I find this horrific. High school students’ lack of interest in social studies alarms me for the future of the United States. If students aren’t taking the time and effort to learn the three branches of government or the impact of 9/11 on the

21st century, it’s frankly terrifying that States Constitution. they’ll be voting in the upcoming election. In AP United States History, juniors If students don’t care about what they further their knowledge on the history of are learning in social studies, there’s no way our country, the figures who have shaped they will be able to apply it to the real world. it and learn to recognize its strengths and Nonetheless, in a poll of 101 seniors, flaws. 48% said they are going to be voting in the The list of fantastic and informative upcoming midterms. classes goes on. Midterms give students a chance to test But none of this knowledge fostering the knowledge they’ve supposedly acquired occurs if kids are AI-ing all of their from social studies classes, to weigh the assignments and dead-eyeing the teacher pros and cons of candidates and determine when asked a question. moral standpoints. Students who learn about civics are more In Kansas, the US senate race between likely to vote and take part in civic action incumbent Republican Roger Marshall and according to the National Conference of Democrat Adam Hamilton is incredibly State Legislatures. competitive. Ballots cast by first-time But if you aren’t taking the time and voters will likely play a key factor in election effort to learn from your social studies class, results and subsequent policy changes. your civil participation will be futile. But I can’t help but question the logic So I beg you, go to social studies and behind some students’ political beliefs. learn. Students aren’t even taking the time to Social studies isn’t a throwaway class: do a five minute quiz on the Indian Removal it shapes your perception of the world. The Act or creating a one pager about famous knowledge you will acquire is essential to enlightenment thinkers. They definitely being an American citizen. aren’t taking the time to research the issues *Instagram poll of 129 votes or candidates they plan to vote on. I worry that many of my classmates voting in the election aren’t utilizing the resources public education provides — an array of informative and thought provoking NO 17% social studies classes. In World Regional Studies, freshmen YES 83% discover cultural and political climates across the world. They learn the value of *Instagram poll of 223 votes perspective. In AP European History, sophomores get an extensive overview over the Italian Renaissance, the explosion of art and NO 49% creativity across Europe and enlightenment 51% ideals that eventually inspired the United YES

KNOW YOUR CLASSES

A walk through various social studies classes offered at SM East

World regional studies Studies world regions through geography. This improves the students understanding of various regions.

AP European History

Explores European culture, economics and politics to understand Europe’s development and global influence.

AP United States DO YOU THINK THAT TAKING History UNITED STATES RELATED HISTORY CLASSES ARE IMPORTANT TO TAKE

Studies American identity, migration and politics to understand how the nation developed.

AP United States DO YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT Government

YOU’RE LEARNING IN YOUR Explores democracy, SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSES? constitutionalism and policymaking

to understand how government functions and citizens participate.

design by ADDIE CLARK

photostory

THE HARBINGER

SHARE D IMPACT

SHARE hosted its first Service Seminar of the year on Oct. 13 in the cafeteria, connecting East Against Gun Violence with local community partners

FAR LEFT Senior Spencer

Thornhill signs into the service seminar upon his arrival. Thornhill has participated in each Service Seminar throughout his time at SM East. photo by ZAC RUSSELL

LEFT Senior and SHARE

Executive Ellie Fisher makes an announcement for students to sign up and come to SHARE’s first seminar of the year, taking place during second session in the cafeteria. photo by VIVIEN GLENSKI

SCAN ME PHOTO Scan the link to purchase photos from the October Service Seminar

RIGHT Senior Charlotte Hardy makes beaded bracelets during the first session of Service Seminar. Sophomores Aisha Patel and Ranumi Perera sell the bracelets and the profits go to local charities. photo by ADDIE CLARK

ABOVE SM East students put together bracelets for the Bracelets for All project. photo by ZAC RUSSELL

LEFT Sophomore Addie Guggenmos packs gun locks for Grandparents for Gun Safety. The organization partnered with East Against Gun Violence, a SHARE project. photo by ANASTASIA FLOWER

design by CLAIRE TROUTWINE

feature

spooky spotlight

Students are anticipating haunted houses in the area that are open for a limited time this season

this week in photos

WHEN I FIRST go into the haunted house, I am nervous and hesitant to go in. But halfway through the haunted house, I want to get scared. In the Edge of Hell house, I moved in the front so I could get scared the most. I love the suspense. It’s very exhilarating to be inside of the haunted house.

“

LEFT Sophomore Teddy Sullivan uses a machine to carve into his wood shop project. photo by LIV RUECKER

BELOW Junior Zi Zhang and freshman Kaia Pelton create their light painted portraits in Digital Photo. photo by LIV RUECKER

MOLLY SCOTT senior

I’VE BEEN GOING to haunted

BELOW Senior Nick Apprill laughs at senior Jack Attebery’s houses like for so long. It’s not joke while they are working on their wood shop project. normal, but I think I’ve been going photo by CHARLOTTE WALTON since I was 8. For my first time, I went with my family, and I was terrified to go in and thought, ‘I can’t do it.’ Finally, I was like, I’ll be brave. Then, I went in. My hat fell off, and then I started freaking out, crying, and they had to turn on the lights. But, as I went further, I was obsessed. By the end of it I was asking to do another one.

“ immersed in culture HARPER WEAVER sophomore

In Leigh Rysko’s Spanish classes, students participate in Pasaporte Cultural – a semester long cultural immersion requirement that gains perspective and appreciation for Spanish culture

IT IS SO cool because at all these events, you

I THINK TO know the language is one aspect of our classes, but to

see people who are native Spanish speakers. So just to be exposed to all these things is perfect. Especially at East, I don’t really know any native Spanish speakers other than our teachers and maybe a few other kids, but you don’t really get to talk to them that much. Being able to interact with people who are native speakers is really important and is really good experience.

understand the people and to humanize, like it’s not just this abstract culture that we only study about, but to actually meet and see them and hopefully interact with them. To show that we’re interested and we’re accepting and we’re welcoming, especially in these times when that’s not always the default message. I think it’s really important to continue that. Appreciating others’ ways of being in the world and being open to learning and recognizing that our way is not the only way.

“

NELL STECHSCHULTE senior

“

LEIGH RYSKO spanish teacher

feat

design by AVNI BANSAL photos by AVA TOWNER & CHARLOTTE WALTON story by GRACE PEI

“

JUST WATCH ME DO IT. I’LL BE FINE. JAKE BILLINGSLEY

e Jake was diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis — a rare eye disorder that causes severe visual impairment — when he was 1.

He doesn’t need to see the sheet music, he just listens. His nearperfect pitch will tell him which notes to play after hearing a song, he memorizes the order, replaying the notes in his head. And it makes sense to him. And if someone doesn’t believe it’s possible for him to play decently with his vision? He’ll MAYBE say he’s Stevie Wonder. care what “[Music is] something that I can thinking ab do as well as everyone realize the else, if not better.” can do abo His memory doesn’t nothing an only help him learn music. At work in the [do]. So, if Carriage Club, as an doing that expediter — someone It’s not rea who runs food to a deal. tables —he’s already memorized every table JAK location and where all jun the condiments are in the kitchen after only having worked there since the start of summer. From the sections outside to the tables near the fireplace to the adult sky box. Take a step down, there’s tables 14-18. “And then there’s a higher table down the section of the tables, like it goes up a step, and then you take, make a left, and it’s 27, 20, 29, 30,” Jake recites from memory. Jake has to match each table number to the receipts and transfer the right meal. The “tiny” font receipts are too small for Jake to read normally — so he snaps a picture on his phone to zoom in, his camera roll now at “a million” pictures of receipts. His friend and coworker junior Charlotte Walton calls him impressive for the way he can remember where everything is, weave around tightly packed tables carrying a large platter fitting five large plates and help her do mental math. Charlotte makes 15% of what she sells overall. So Jake and

“

HE REST HAD given up.

Junior Jake Billingsley was 9 when his summer camp peers with visual disabilities talked about living off disability and choosing not to go to college or get a job. They said there was no point. “And I just thought that was stupid,” Jake said. Being diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis — a rare, genetic eye disease that causes severe vision loss or blindness — at 1 year old, Jake’s vision is blurry, with his right eye having significantly more blind spots than his left, a visual he describes as trying to look through his elbow — something that’s gotten worse since he was an infant, but is stable now. But he didn’t let his blurred vision stop him when he tried out for the football team and made it on varsity as a JV starter. He didn’t let

his blind spots hold him back when he started playing piano even if he had to switch teachers twice to find the right fit, even if he could never read sheet music. Since he’s legally blind, some people think that means everything is completely black to his vision. That he couldn’t perform normal activities. They said, “It’s not gonna work. How can he play football if he can’t see? He can’t be successful in school.” But Jake didn’t need to respond. “Just watch me do it,” he said. “I’ll be fine.”

***

Jake’s piano teacher Joyce Randolph slowly plays the first measure of “Piano Man” during the lessons he started in fifth grade. But Jake’s not looking at the stand where sheet music would normally sit. He’s looking at his

hands, which he says doesn’t really do much, and zones out — thinking about where his hands should go next and knowing how the song sounds next he plays back the notes. “He’d pick it up almost immediately,” Joyce said. Then the next measure, and the next. Since 5th grade, when he started learning piano with Joyce at Village Music Academy, he’s learned songs completely by ear, because he can’t see sheet music well. Even though he’s the first person with visual impairment she’s taught, Joyce says he never felt sorry for himself. Sometimes, Joyce would give him options to “water down” the piece if it seemed tough. “No, no I want to do it,” Jake would respond. “And so I stopped asking,” Joyce said. “He always wanted [the song] to sound the best that it could.”

ture

UST WATCH

his coworkers race to find that percentage. Jake’s the first to answer almost every time. His fast thinking helps him in school. He has to teach himself most subjects because he can’t see the board and often uses his Meta glasses to I SHOULD read assignments — though most of people are the time he uses bout it, but I the glasses to listen ere’s nothing I to music. While out it. There’s his classmates use notecards on tests, nyone else can Jake memorizes the people are material instead. But he still has to t, who cares? ally that big of ask where someone is in the room, or what the roll call KE BILLINGSLEY question written on the board asks, or nior approach strangers he doesn’t know at stores to find products. “Sometimes it’ll make me anxious or something, trying to ask for something,” Jake said. “If it’s someone I don’t know, I’d probably be like, ‘Yeah, you’re gonna think I’m stupid.’” But Jake never minds asking his teammates what’s happening during varsity football games. He knows the friends he’s known since middle school will be there. While watching varsity games from the sidelines in full gear, the crowd erupts suddenly. Jake, who plays on JV as part of the defensive line, but is officially on varsity, turns to his teammate, junior Shepard Davis. “What just happened?” ‘l’ll just say, like, ‘We had a 50 yard touchdown run.’” Shepard said. “And I’ll just explain what the play was or I’ll be like, ‘We got a sack.’” The football team watches film together on a large projector, which Jake can’t see. So every night before, Jake spends around 25 mins

watching the film by himself on his phone. Even though it takes him a bit longer to react to hand calls, he relies on voice rather than seeing the hand signals. “I can’t tell the difference watching him play and between someone else with perfect vision,” Shepard said. And every day after football practice, one of his teammates drives him home. Jake always offers to buy his friends QuickTrip on the way — he feels bad to have them go out of their way. “It means a lot, because I know a lot of people, they understand my circumstances and want to help,” Jake said. “I just have great friends.” To and from football practices, work and school Jake’s always found a ride with friends since it’d be illegal for him to drive. But last year, his friend junior Parker Anderson had parked in an empty church parking lot across from Jake’s house when they were hanging out. “Hey, you want to drive my car?” Anderson asked. “I’m like, ‘Sure.’” Jake set his hands on the wheel nervously. He looked out the front and saw what he always did. The trees were blurs. The blind spots in his vision obscured what he saw through his right eye mostly. But he hit the gas pedal anyway. After doing loops around the parking lot he realized driving wasn’t as hard as he expected. “I just hoped I didn’t mess up the car,” Jake said.

***

The black CCTV Magnifier, a machine used to magnify writing, sat a few inches taller than 7-yearold Jake on a desk. Wearing thickframed glasses, he’d put a piece of paper under and the tool, which enlarged the writing for him on a monitor.

“I didn’t really care what everyone thought,” Jake said. “I thought it was cool. I thought I was ‘the man’ for it.” But Jake started getting weird stares in middle school. “Why do you look like that?” But Jake’s learned to not pay attention to what others would say. “Maybe I should care what people are thinking about it, but I realize there’s nothing I can do about it,” Jake said. “There’s nothing anyone else can [do]. So, if people are doing that, who cares? It’s not really that big of a deal.” Because like everyone else, he shows up to football practice every day and works extra to not let his vision affect him. Because he can’t read sheet music but learns, memorizes just as well — even better — by ear. Because though he’d hesitate to say “Yes” to playing pickleball with his friends, he still goes even if he “sucks” because of his vision. “Jacob is certainly an extraordinary person, but he’s also just the same as everyone else,” Jake’s mom Lisa Billingsley said. “His vision impairment certainly does not define him.” Though Jake’s condition is degenerative, Lisa is confident scientists will develop a treatment later on, while Jake doesn’t want to get his hopes up. He says his condition is stable so far and continues to go to Iowa every year to get his eyes checked. Until then, he doesn’t let it bother him. “Really, I just gotta go suck it up,” Jake said. “Well I have to just accept it’s the circumstance I’ve been given, and I can make the best out of it.”

THE HARBINGER

Junior Jake Billingsley doesn’t let his visual impairment stop him from being a normal person

PLEASE DON’T STOP THE

MUS C

Some information about Jake’s musical interest in piano Jake started playing piano in fifth grade

Jake often plays music for his friends. “He’ll randomly start playing [piano] whenever he sees one,” junior and friend Charlotte Walton said. “One of our friends have a piano and he played for all of us on Homecoming.”

After hearing a song, Jake can tell which notes were played and he memorizes the order.

feature

OCTOBER 26, 2026

OVER the

MOON

OR THE MOON family, the days leading up

to Halloween aren’t just about stocking up on candy, last-minute costumes or putting decorative cobwebs on their front door. Instead, the Moons adorn their front entryway as if it’s Christmas, craft paper mache coconut costumes or, this year, learn Michael Jackson’s 1983 “Thriller” dance — all for their yearly family Halloween costume. Freshman Henley Moon, the oldest of the Moon children, says the whole-family costume tradition started before he can remember. But compared to 2012, with Henley’s solo costume in a lion onesie, the Moon family now has eight people to account for — Henley’s younger siblings, Lindy, Davis and Charlie; as well as their parents, Dan and Kristen; and Dan’s parents, Alan and Betty. And rather than dressing up only on Halloween, the Moons usually dress up as a family a week early and then head to a friend’s Halloween party in costume. “It’s definitely a family affair,” Dan said. While the tradition of elaborate Halloween costumes goes back to Dan’s parents in the ’80s and ’90s, when they dressed up as “‘Star Wars’ characters [and] ‘Austin Powers,’” the family now shares their costumes with millions on social media. Since 2022, Dan has posted Instagram Reels of the family’s costumes on his account, @danmoon — most of which have received over 1 million views. Their 2024 “Beetlejuice” costume has over 13 million views, even receiving a “perfection” comment from actor Alec Baldwin. The family’s first video that went viral was in 2022, when Dan reposted the previous year’s costume: “The Addams Family.” “One year, I was like, ‘Hey, let’s do a transition video,’ just for the fun of it,” Dan said. “I had like 1,000 Instagram followers, all just [friends], and that’s the first year it went [viral]. I think it got like 8 or 9 million views, and it’s so funny because we look back on it and it’s so cheesy.” Inspiration for the costumes happens “organically,” according to both Kristen and Dan, like the “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” sequel coming out a month before the Moons did the costume. As for preparation, it happens in less time than people think, according to Kristen. “[In 2022], we were like, ‘Let’s take a year off. We’re kinda exhausted,’” Kristen said. “Then two weeks before, all the kids were like, ‘We have to do something,’ so we let Lindy pick.” In just a couple of weeks, the Moons put together costumes, inspired by “Moana,” for eight people, including handmade paper mache Kakamoras, coconut creatures from the animated film, that Alan made. Last year, they dressed up as characters from the live-action “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” which Dan said they’d had in mind for “years.”

design by LIBBY FITZPATRICK photos courtesy of DAN MOON story by CAROLINE BEAL

The Moon family does elaborate Halloween costumes every year and has gone viral on social media

“We knew that if we were g o i n g to do that, that would require m a j o r commitment,” Dan said. “We d i d n ’ t want to do it just 50%. We wanted to go full Grinch.” Since Dan’s past videos had gone viral, the family received their Grinch makeup for “next to nothing,” in return for a tag on their Instagram post, according to Dan. The The entertainment company even posted a video of the family getting ready on their Instagram account. An entertainment service, SA Entertainment KC, does the family’s prosthetics and makeup. They first started getting professional makeup done by SA Entertainment KC in 2021, after they reached out to the company that they were introduced to by Indian Hills Country Club for face paint. For the costumes, Kristen says they get them from places “all over,” such as Amazon and Etsy. And while the dedication to the costumes is important, recording the actual transition video for Instagram can sometimes be the hardest part of the night, according to Henley. “I get really, really annoyed because somebody will always do something that’ll mess up the video, and we have to keep doing it,” Henley said. Every year, the eight Moons film a clip of themselves in their normal, everyday attire outside their home, lined up on the front steps. Then someone, usually Lindy, makes a quick movement that transitions the video instantly, and the whole family is dressed up, along with the house. Last year, above their front door was a “Whobilation 2025” sign that Alan made, a Max stuffed animal, carved Christmas trees and other Grinch-themed decorations. The Moons’ “Thriller”-themed costume this year differed from the past in one way — dancing. “We had somebody come over and teach us,” Henley said. “Our neighbor, she was a dancer at [the University of Kansas], so she came over and taught us a chunk of it.” While social media recognition has surprised the Moon family, Dan says their yearly Halloween videos aren’t just for views. “Everything on social media is so toxic,” Dan said. “I feel like [posting is] our way in this world of negativity and bullying and, you know, tearing people down, [to] somehow [create] unification.”

DYING TO KNOW

Guess what the Moons’ 2026 hallow een costume will be befo re reading

1. 2.

THIS PERSON HAS HAD FOUR SOLD OUT STADIUM TOURS

THE COSTUME IS INSPIRED BY A VIDEO WITH 1.2 BILLION VIEWS

THE MOVIE ADAPTATION OF THIS STORY CAME OUT IN APRIL OF 2026

design and photos by SYLVIE DEGALAN

photostory

EXTRA

THE HARBINGER OCTOBER 26, 2026

CONCESSIONS Students in science classes are eligible for extra credit if they work the concession stands at football games

ABOVE Rusty Debey, who teaches

ABOVE

zoology and environmental education, works the credit card section of the concession stand. Here, Debey rings up a purchase for seniors Hadley McKinney and Maya Monyakula.

Junior Sawyer Gabriel paints eye black onto junior Hunter Sharkey, a zoology student.

LEFT Junior Adyson Cooper, working the cash side of the register, counts out change for a customer. Cooper, a current environmental education student, managed this station the first half of the football game.

SCAN ME PHOTO To view more photos of the concession stand, scan this QR code.

ABOVE Juniors Quinn Laing and Ben Ravis work to help customers at the counter

on the opponent’s side of the stadium. This side is run by Jennifer Davis, the AP biology and freshman honors biology teacher. Laing is a student in anatomy and physiology taught by Carolyn Bossung, and Ravis is an AP biology student.

news-feature

OCTOBER 26, 2026

design by MICHAEL YI photos by VIVIEN GLENSKI story by ELENA HULL

ESSENTIAL SHELVES SM East job coach Amanda Danforth has created a shelf with free hygiene products

PRODUCT STATS

Statistics about hygiene product scarcity

TOOTHPASTE

HERE WAS A new addition

to the fourth floor on Oct. 2: a shelf with free hygiene products for students or teachers to take, started by job coach Amanda Danforth. At the start of the year, Danforth set mini deodorants, donated anonymously, outside of room 403. they were gone almost immediately, which made HER want to create a more permanent resource for students, according to Danforth, After realizing the demand for the deodorant, Danforth asked Head Nurse, Stephanie Ptacek if she grab any for the students that go to her office. Ptacek told her that she had a whole closet full of hygiene items that went unused. Surprised by both the demand and the availability of such items, Danforth came up with the idea to create an accessible shelf with free hygiene items for students. “I literally couldn’t keep [the deodorant] in stock,” Danforth said. “I got more boxes, and those were gone too. That’s when we came up with the idea for me to figure out a way to get these items out for students to easily access.” Danforth started with an Amazon wishlist, adding items to put the idea together. After meeting with the admin team, the idea was approved. Once the shelf arrived, Danforth assembled it herself and then had Career Exploration — a class for students in the special education

program to gain real-world experience — students help stock the shelf. The items were donated by Giving the Basics, a local nonprofit that focuses on providing free hygiene products to people in need, or students who simply need an item. “I took three deodorants because I always need deodorant in my car or during school and I never have it in my backpack,” junior Mabel Brent said. “It’s honestly been really helpful because I now have deodorant literally whenever I need it. I’m really glad they set it up.” Items on the shelf include lotion, shampoo, soap, dental care items and others. However, if others wish to contribute, donations are welcome and can be brought to room 403. Alongside everyday toiletries, the shelf holds menstrual products such as hygiene pads and tampons. 500 million women are in period poverty every month, according to Women in International Security, . This means they do not have proper access to menstrual products or washing facilities. Period poverty can often result in missing school and work. Approximately one-fifth of American adolescents have missed school due to period poverty, according to Concern Worldwide US. Alongside the menstrual products available in SM East’s female bathrooms, access to hygiene products can easily help those without access to menstrual products.

“ I want everyone to know that this shelf is for all Lancers —students and staff, everyone is welcome to grab what they need, whenever they need it,” Danforth said. “My hope is that everyone feels comfortable stopping by and taking what they need, whenever they need it. No explanation needed, no questions asked, just a little something to make your day easier.” The shelf doesn’t just provide free items for the SM East community; it also gives Career Exploration students — whom she also works with — something to be responsible for in the school, according to Danforth. The students are responsible for taking inventory, stocking and ordering supplies for the shelf. “It gives our students real-world experience in independence and follow-through, while supporting the entire Lancer community.” Danforth hopes that the resource will be a permanent fixture at the school, and something that will be continuously run by her students. Danforth is optimistic that the shelf will provide for the SM East community and reminds students that there is always help available, if they need it. “I want every student and staff member to know that if they need something, it’s here for them, no questions asked,” Danforth said. “Kindness and helping others matter deeply to me, and this shelf is one simple way to put that into practice.”

39% of low-income families brushed their teeth without toothpaste, according to a study by the University of Illinois.

TAMPONS At least 500 million people experience period poverty each month, according to WIIS.

DEODORANT Of the one in three lowincome families who found it difficult to afford hygiene necessities, many substitute baking soda for deodorant.

SOAP 33% of low-income families report bathing without soap, according to Provision Promise.

feature

design by EMILY ENGER photos by MOLLY MCDERMED and ASHLEY RAMOS story by WILLOW ROBERTS

THE HARBINGER

BEYOND the BADGE SM East school resource officers open their door to students for lunch and late start breakfast

from the

STUDENTS

Student perspectives on SRO lunch and how it impacts their school day

I GET TO talk and hang out with everyone who is in there and it really makes my day. It is so nice to be able to talk to people who you may not have classes with.

“

AINSLEY AGNIEL senior

GOING INTO THE SRO office is one of the highlights of my day because it’s a space where they support you and don’t judge you. It’s like having a second family.

“

AFTON STEVENS senior

I ENJOY HAVING my lunch in here because I see all my friends. We get to play basketball and it makes lunch go by much faster.

“

ASADULOAH GUL MOHAMMAD

RRIVING AT SCHOOL

at 7:20 a.m. on a latestart morning, sophomore Berkeley Robinson beelines to the foods room with a few other students, gathering all the necessary ingredients for the Student Resource Officers to mix up pancakes in their office. After they collected flour, milk, eggs and other components for the pancakes, they stopped by the cafeteria to pick up silverware from the lunch ladies. When they got back to the Student Resource Officer’s office, Robinson and her friends watched the officers pour the batter and cook up the pancakes to perfection. They then ate the pancakes while hanging out with the officers and other students. Later that morning those same students handed out pancakes after more people stopped in to say “hi” to the officers. For Robinson, this opportunity turned a normally boring morning into a chance to build a closer relationship with SROs Spencer Patrick and Alexander Flores. “We got really close with them that day,” Robinson said. “It just felt like they were more like a second pair of parents.” On every Thursday morning, the officers provide breakfast, which could be burritos, pancakes or donuts. For students that visit, the

appeal extends beyond the food. The sound of students laughing spills from the hallway outside the SROs’ office during lunch. Much like the Thursday breakfast, students drop in to visit with the officers, grab candy and eat their sandwiches or Pizza Hut pizza in a different place than the crowded lunch room. Patrick said he loves to hear all the “tea” when the kids come into their office. “First is to hear all the drama going on between students,” Patrick listed while explaining what he enjoys when students come into his office. “Second is just the interaction between law enforcement and students, to bridge the gap, to let them know that all cops aren’t bad, we are just people too.” During lunch, the students can talk with the SROs, play Wordle or catch up with friends, Robinson said. When students get the opportunity to have lunch with Patrick and Flores it allows them to see the officers as people they can approach and have honest conversations with. “I would say that anytime a student trusts us enough to explain their problems, [it’s] a win in our book,” Patrick said. For students who might feel intimidated by law enforcement, the informal setting offers an opportunity to get to know the officers outside of their typical school day. The officers make an effort to welcome students rather than limiting lunch in their office to a specific

group of regular students, according to Robinson. “It’s nice if you just want to not be around a bunch of people you don’t know,” sophomore Keely Shuck said. Interacting with students is valuable for the SROs and is an important part of their role at SM East, according to Patrick. Having students around provides a change in pace from spending the day working alone in their office. “Its fun to talk to the students.” Patrick said. “Sometimes it gets pretty boring with just the two cops.” Having lunch with the students has allowed the officers to strengthen their relationships with students tremendously and when students come into their office they get to decompress from being in the classroom, according to Patrick. “It’s a debrief area where kids can just come in and let out any anger they have, spill any tea they might have,” Patrick said. The officers estimate about 50 students visit their office, across all three lunch periods. Some stay to talk while others stop in briefly before heading back to class. The lunch tradition offers a chance to see the people behind the uniforms and provides an opportunity to build connections with the officers and students outside their usual responsibilities or the students’ usual lunch. “Kids can be their self,” Patrick said. “They don’t have to act different.”

senior

WHEN I GO in there we get to talk and they always give me alive, we get to hear about old cases which is so cool. I have been in here since my freshman year with Tony and Jeremy so it has been cool to get to know all of the officers throughout my years at SM East.

“

MARNI THURSTON senior

detective

PATRICK

officer

FLORES

local lancer

OCTOBER 26, 2026

design by ANYA HUDSON photo courtesy of ANDIE BRADLEY

What are your artistic aspirations?

ABOVE Bradley performed as Rona Lisa

Peretti in the 25th Annual County Spelling Bee for Stage Right Performing Arts.

ABOVE Bradley performed as Cosette in Les Miserables for Stage Right Performing Arts.

“I’m trying to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre in college and also minor in marketing. So, the dream would be able to go on tour or do Broadway. I want to live, I want to travel. So I’d love to do some sort of national tour. I’m glad to do marketing as well so I can have a baseline because, it’s a very unstable career.”

Senior Andie Bradley is serious about singing and musical theatre and hopes to pursue it in college

What have you gained from singing and acting? “It has helped my confidence so much. Growing into the person I am, I really don’t think I would be Andie Bradley [if I didn’t sing]. It’s a part of who I am, you know? I mean, so much is what makes up me. And I think that the artistic quality of me gives me a certain flair. Pink and singing and sparkles are kind of what all my friends see. And I’m glad. That’s kind of what I hope people see. It just gives me a place to think and it helps me come into a space [with] a completely good mindset because its my place, singing and acting is my place to reset. “

Techniques: Bradley learned a new acting method from her virtual coach in New York

U TA HA GEN

A technique where actors are instructed to connect to their own experiences and bring it into their acting.

design by EMILY ENGER

a&e

this week’s arts &

*photos and information courtesy of IMDb

newest releases

entertainment

EAST OF EDEN

ARE YOU WATCHING THE FINAL SEASON OF TED LASSO? 66%

YES

34%

*Instagram poll of 171 votes

HAVE YOU WATCHED THE OTHER MOMMY? 92%

YES 8%

LA BOLA NEGRA Released on Oct. 23, a psycho-horror film from DC studios

*read more about this on page 22 Coffee features a latte in a local spotlight Scout real pumpkin

by ADDY NEWMAN

E ALL KNOW the usual

fall activities: making the painful drive to a pumpkin patch, just to end up covered in mud holding a rotting pumpkin. Or maybe, drinking steaming hot apple cider paired with a lukewarm pumpkin donut and convincing yourself that the Starbucks pumpkin cream chai doesn’t hurt your stomach. But what if these fun activities could all be combined into one? Scout Coffee in Blue Springs, Missouri, is where you’ll find the perfect fall activity. The reason to go to Scout coffee is simple: coffee inside of a pumpkin. Yes, a latte inside of a real carved out pumpkin instead of a generic plastic cup. Now, I’m one for convenience, and Scout Coffee takes the cake for the longest

SOCIAL RECKONING Released on Oct. 23, an animated film with fantasy and epic adventure

CLAYFACE

*read more about this on page 23

WILDWOOD

Released on Oct. 1, a Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel

*Instagram poll of 162 votes

Films and TV shows that have been released or will be released this month

Released Oct. 9, a thriller following up on “The Social Network” from 2010

ANIMALS

Released on Oct. 16, a historic drama following different Spanish time periods

Released Oct. 9, a political thriller directed by Ben Affleck

photos by AVA TOWNER

RIGHT

LEFT

The pumpkin cookie batter I’ve ever driven to satisfy my taste buds. latte inside of But once you get over the 40-minutea pumpkin, drive, it becomes an amusing road-trip the apple pie homemade experience. And, if you’re willing to drive that pop tart and the far for the nearest pumpkin patch, maybe chocolate chai in consider getting that perfect-looking the boo basket.

The barista at Scout Coffee pours the dairy-free chocolate chai made with oat milk and chocolate syrup into the cup to serve.

pumpkin at the grocery store and go to Scout Coffee where they carve out the pumpkins for you and it doesn’t smell like manure and isn’t infested with bugs.

SCAN ME STORY Scan to read the rest of the story on Scout Coffee on the Harbinger’s website

ABOVE The counter to order at Scout Coffee filled with fall decoration and a Chalkboard menu.

OCTOBER 26, 2026

a&e

Worse Than Slop? W

HAT’S A WORSE word

than slop? Vile? Detestable? Odious? Walking into “Other Mommy,” I fully expected the movie to be nothing more than the same horror movie slop that Blumhouse has been

ON THE

TICKET

Rates and low reviews for “Other Mommy”

Rotten Tomatoes

Poor CGI Repetitive jumpscares Confusing ending

pumping for years. Blumhouse productions like “Insidious: Out of the Further” or “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” come to mind as the film industry’s equivalent to a $5 McDonald’s meal. While a $5 McDonald’s meal isn’t horrendous, they are a million things better — an In-N Double-Double Burger, a Chipotle bowl, a Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich. But similarly to purchasing a ticket to something like “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” you know what you’re paying for. But, if I were to compare “Other Mommy” to food, it would permanently ruin my appetite for the rest of my life but, in culinary terms, eating a glass Coke bottle would probably be most fitting. “Other Mommy” stars Jessica Chastain as a mother who, along with her husband, are forced to protect their 7-year-old daughter from a supernatural entity that takes the form of Chastain’s character. This seems like a simple enough concept that the movie should have been straightforward and easy to follow. But of course, it wasn’t. The movie asks countless questions that it never answers. By far the most glaring one is, what is this Other Mommy monster? Throughout the movie everyone is asking, “What is Other Mommy?,” who, for some reason, has god-like powers and can teleport itself and other people seemingly at will. Other Mommy is practically invincible so, of course, the movie goes with t h e most cliché conclusion

possible where our protagonist triumphs against the antagonist without a gun or holy water but a heartfelt speech. As if the movie couldn’t get any worse, the heartfelt speech –– without spoiling it –– has such an obvious pro-life agenda, it practically slapped me in the face. One of the most mind-boggling aspects of the movie was how botched the plot structure was. Not in a cool experimental way, more like in a really stupid dum-dum way. There were three separate points where the Other Mommy revealed herself to the whole family. And each time, it felt like I was watching the climax. I won’t lie, when my older brother pitched me this doppelgänger-esque premise, I got excited. Even though I think doppelgänger’s are terrifying, I never had exactly watched a good doppelgänger horror movie. The little hope I had of seeing a good doppelgänger horror movie was quickly snuffed out in the first five minutes when the Other Mommy revealed herself to the entire family and the movie immediately went full action-horror. If you want to make a scary horror movie you don’t completely rely on cheap jumpscares. You build tension throughout while sprinkling intentional, thought out, well-crafted jumpscares. Obviously director Rob Savage didn’t get the memo when he decided to include 34 jumpscares in an 90-minute-movie, which averages to a jumpscare every two and a half minutes. The best aspect of the movie was Chastain’s performance as the “Other Mommy.” Though, it’s weird to say “best” for anything in this movie, it sounds too positive.

design & art by GRACE MARIN story by ELIOT HIGGINS

“Other Mommy” solidifies itself as the worst movie of 2026 Let me rephrase. The only not completely horrid, somewhat okay, even maybe pretty decent aspect of this movie was Chastain’s performance as the Other Mommy. That’s better. I honestly feel bad for Chastain. Her uncanny and facial expressions were pretty disturbing at first, before it got overdone. Even then, that’s not her fault, she just wasn’t properly utilized. Whoever the film could have casted, nobody, and I mean nobody could have saved that script. This year has been filled with incredible and innovative films. “Backrooms,” “You Can See Everything” and “Digger,” which — not so fun fact — made less than “Other Mommy” opening weekend despite being tremendously better in every aspect. I’ll leave it at this: “Other Mommy” is the worst movie of 2026. Please, please, please don’t watch this vile, detestable and odious movie.

a&e

design by ADYSON COOPER photo courtesey of IMDb story by SLOANE HENDERSON

LASSO-ING S

INCE

THE HARBINGER

season four

2020, “TED Lasso” — a sports comedy series on Apple TV — has been one of my favorite shows. It checks every box: bingable, heartwarming, funny and authentic. So, when the final episode of season four came out on Wednesday, I savored 90 minutes of uninterrupted peace to enjoy the finale. “Ted Lasso” stars Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, an American Football coach who moved to London to coach a Premier League Team, AFC Richmond. The first three seasons center around Lasso’s journey with the men’s team before deciding to move back to Kansas to spend time with his son and ex-wife. I loved the ending of season three; it was one of the most fulfilling endings of a show I’ve watched. Then, they announced season four and I was ecstatic — my comfort show was

coming back to life. At 10:13 p.m., after finishing the final episode, I was able to say that “Ted Lasso” hasn’t lost its charm. It might not be the innovative show it once was, but it still captures what “Ted Lasso” is known for — portraying humans as perfectly imperfect with humor and heartwarming relationships. The new season starts with Lasso working in his hometown. His son’s struggling in school and soccer, and his ex-wife hates her job. So, when Rebecca Welton, Keeley Jones and Leslie Higgins — the owner of AFC Richmond, PR consultant and the Director of Football Operations — come to Kansas to convince Lasso to coach their new women’s team, he says yes. I did appreciate how the show paid homage to Kansas City, highlighting barbeque, the Plaza and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. After Lasso leaves Kansas and readjusts to London, we start to meet the women’s team, and there’s certainly some things done right and some things done wrong. What’s done right? Well, put simply, we’re given the classic “Ted Lasso” feel-good show. The audience learns and grows with the players during each one of Lasso’s

Though season four of “Ted Lasso” has lost originality, it remains a feel-good show anyone can fall in love with

motivational and easily relatable speeches Not to mention, Coach Beard — AFC that highlight important parts of life. Richmond’s assistant coach and Lasso’s Additionally, the show touches on a large best friend — took the backseat this season problem with women’s sports: their pay. and the only moments we get with him are Many of the players, the Lady Greyhounds, his midlife crisis appearance changes. work additional jobs or are still in school Where did Lasso’s best friend and because playing can’t fully support them confidant go? financially — a problem many teams in Finally, the season’s “villian” was some the NWSL faced in 2016 that’s still being woman named Zelda, who I still don’t resolved today. understand. Now, knowing the series ALTHOUGH I don’t She secretly tries to buy inside and out, there were love the men-centered all of AFC Richmond’s shares some things that didn’t quite to try and seize the club from plot in a woman-focused Welton, all to control the fit with it. Instead of small moments season, I give Sudeikis men’s team. with players and Lasso giving props for outlining real The main question we short words of advice like, “Be should be asking though, is problems women in a goldfish,” — which quickly why are we focusing a whole gained popularity — it seems sports face. season on a women’s team like every episode is centered just to have the villain be around one big speech in the centered around the men? locker room. Although I don’t love the Are the speeches still motivational, men-centered plot in a woman-focused deeply profound and everything in between? season, I give Sudeikis props for outlining Yes. But though their message may ring real problems women in sports face — being true, it doesn’t mean the writers should underpaid, always being overshadowed by force these moments into the show. the men’s team and constantly facing press In the past seasons, Lasso had thorough backlash. individual character building, from teaching But, don’t get me wrong, I did truly love people to “be curious, not judgemental” to season four of “Ted Lasso.” helping players understand their team is Yes, it was cheesy at times. more important than individual glory. Yes, it had some plotholes. But, after 10 episodes with the Lady And yes it lost some of its original Lasso Greyhounds, I feel like I only know what originality and charm. would be on their Instagram bios. The But, it remains my favorite show to closest we get is with a player named Lizzie, rewatch and a heartwarming comedy that a divorced mom of two who struggles to anybody can fall in love with. balance her kids, her flakey ex-husband and soccer.

“

KC mentions

Memorable Kansas City locations in the new season of Ted Lasso

Gates Bar-B-Q 3205 Main St.

KC Current Stadium 1460 E. Front St.

The Plaza

4750 Merriam Dr.

Negro League baseball Museum

1616 E. 18th St.

iver

sR ansa

sports

recent galleries

design by ALEX HARDEN

BELOW Freshman Sebastian Perez-Verdia kicks the ball upfield and away from a Blue Valley forward. The score was 6-0 SM East. photos by CHARLOTTE WALTON

making memories Two athletes share their favorite moment of the season so far

MY FAVORITE moment was probably senior night with all the Chiefs players and just getting to celebrate. It was really nice to have a lot of supporters there.

“

LAINEY BARRETT

senior and volleyball player

MY FAVORITE moment

“

of the season is when I scored a goal off a corner. It felt pretty good, espcially cause I play defense so I dont get to score and get shots off a lot.

SEBASTIAN PEREZ-VERDIA

ABOVE Senior Owen Tyler runs down the field in the first round ABOVE Seniors Ava Murray and Lainey Barrett go up for of the course with senior Harrison Lock following behind him. photo by ASHLEY RAMOS

meet recap

a block against Bishop Miege’s outside hitter. The score was 3-2 Miege. photo by SOPHIA CICERO

An overview of the boys JV cross country meet on Oct. 15

by ASHLEY RAMOS THE BOYS JV cross country team had a meet on Thursday, Oct. 15. The course of the race went up in the middle of the field from one end to the other. Then the racers went down on the left side making their way to the right at the end of the field. They ran up on the right side of the field and around to the left again. In total, they made two laps around the whole field.

Going down the middle of the field, the race was almost over. After twenty minutes of running the two laps the audience encouraged the racers and some of them even started sprinting down the field. The SM East Lancers ended the race being fourth place overall. Afterwards most of the racers were found working on catching their breath with some even lying on the field.

freshman and soccer player

events to upcoming events Sporting look forward to

OCT.

7 p.m. @ SMSD Soccer Complex

3 p.m. @ KC Bowl

OCT.

BOYS SOCCER UNIFIED BOWLING GIRLS VOLLEYBALL @ Advent Health Sports Park at Bluhawk

sports

design by ALEX HARDEN photo by MAGGIE ROGERS story by EFFIE ROPER

THE HARBINGER

ONE FOOT AFTER ANOTHER After discovering an interest in rock climbing, junior Sam Weaver created a rock climbing club to teach students how to climb

NE FOOT AFTER

another, junior Sam Weaver continued to climb, moving from the third all the way to the seventh carabiner.

CA RA BI NER

a D -shaped ring with a spring catch on one side, used for fastening ropes in mountaineering

ROCKY RANKINGS:

How rock climbing difficulties are ranked

Easiest: 5.6 Beginner: 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9 Intermediate: 5.10- 5.10 flat, 5.10+, 5.11- 5.11 flat, 5.11+ Advanced: 5.12- 5.12 flat, 5.12+, 5.13- 5.13 flat, 5.13+ Elite: 5.14- 5.14 flat, 5.14+, 5.15- 5.15 flat, 5.15+

With each move, the ground beneath him became farther and farther. Just before he grasped the eighth clip, his foot slipped. Suddenly, he’s free falling 20 feet before he’s caught by his rope. “I’m in a free fall for a few seconds, and it’s just terrifying, like ‘What am I going to do?’” Sam said. The fall shook his body and rattled his nerves, but it didn’t stop him from trying again. When his older brother, SM East graduate, Clayton Weaver, invited him to go rock climbing in mid-July this year, what once was a fun trip turned into something Weaver started to pursue multiple times a week, both indoors and outdoors. When he learned that his English teacher, Brandi Krahulik, climbed in high school, he asked her to sponsor a rock climbing club. “I found the application form and filled it out,” Krahulik said. “And then he helped me form the plan because he’s the one running it, and then it was

approved that day.” Sam’s dad, Kevin, enjoys the sport because people are able to have fun while still working out and burning calories. However, he is a little uneasy about Sam starting his club, thinking he wouldn’t follow through. But as time progressed, he was glad when the club became a success. “I’m happy he was getting more involved in the world and with school and sport activities,” Kevin said. The club’s first event was on Oct. 15, alternating between tallwalls and bouldering, according to Weaver. Tall-wall is a climbing technique where the climber is hooked onto a belay — device that releases rope to allow the climber to ascend. When they fall, the belayer catches their slack before the climber can hit the ground. Once the climber reaches the top, they’re gradually released back to the ground. Unlike tall-wall climbing, bouldering is what he calls “free climbing,” where there are shorter routes but no rope to support your fall. Weaver experienced this firsthand when he took a road trip with his brother to Horse Shoe Canyon in Jasper, Arkansas. There, he climbed the course Squirrel Deck on a boulder called Titanic Boulder. Sam has a membership to three indoor rock climbing facilities called ROKC, that allows him to boulder and

practice on tall walls. He goes two to three times a week to climb routes of varying difficulties. One of the goals of the club is to educate students on the dangers of the sport, allowing them to choose which type of climbing they enjoy most, while knowing the risks and safety measures to take. “At some time in your life in rock climbing, you will get injured,” Sam said. “I’ve seen climbers break their limbs, which is terrifying, but as long as you’re climbing safely and doing what you’re supposed to do, you’ll be fine.” Meetings will continue to meet every Thursday at 3 p.m. in the library, where they’ll have a 10 to 15-minute discussion of the climbing-plan followed by carpooling to an indoor rock climbing location, Sam chooses. Additionally, he plans to take club members on outdoor trips in the summer to places like Horse Shoe Canyon and Crab Cove, to allow them to experience climbing techniques like free water solo — bouldering above water. “I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie, I have a lot of fun,” Sam said. “It’s my favorite sport I’ve done because it’s one of the nicest communities I’ve met in a long time.”

OCTOBER 26, 2026

sports

design by JULIA CAMPBELL photos by HOLLAND BALDASSARO stories by VANESSA BLADES

FOUR LEADERS,

ONE GOAL W

The four senior soccer captains reflect on their soccer journey and this seasons progress ILL BYKOWSKI HAS played

soccer since he was 5-years-old when his dad, Rob, began to coach him. Bykowski stuck with the sport since he started on the team “Briarwood Boys,” where he fell in love with the team’s competitive spirit. He was one of the few who w e n t on to play

competitive soccer and is now committed to Washington University in St. Louis. “As I started playing on higherlevel club teams, my coaches were pushing me to look into playing in college,” Bykowski said. “Seeing all the other upperclassmen, like my cousin who went to play baseball at Tennessee, and seniors that were on the team when I was younger, was pretty cool and [made it] something I wanted to do.” Bykowski has grown as a leader, according to the team. Despite not having much playing time junior year, he managed to win the award for having the Art Newcomer Award

for soccer at the end-of-the-season banquet. Bykowski was looking forward to his senior season playing for SM East. Smaller high school programs give more playing time to underclassmen. Sometimes players even make varsity as an underclassmen — a rarity at SM East. Being a senior, Bykowski said he hopes to play every minute of every game. “You’ll always remember your senior year of high school,” Bykowski said. “Senior soccer season was always something we had circled on our calendars so, can we make it end how we want it to.”

#4 WILL BYKOWSKI

ENRY MARIENBROVONT DIDN’T

start the season off as a captain, but was recently elected by his team to step-up and help the team end their season on a high note. “Before games [during warm-ups] I just want to praise everybody,” Marien-Brovont said. “If they make a mistake I just tell them to keep their head up and go to the next play, and if they do something good I like to hype them up and celebrate them.” Marien-Brovont has played soccer since he was 3-years-old. He fell in love with the sport as he loves the feeling of winning and being a part of a team.

Being a part of the SM East varsity team has taught MarienBrovont accountability. He’s had to show up to practice along with putting in the work to be able to play well on the field. “There’s some pressure from last year, especially because we got second at state,” MarienBrovont said. “But, that has taught me how to reserve pressure and how to focus better, which comes with the importance of practice and trusting yourself.” With it being his senior year, Marien-Brovont is noticing how quickly time is running out. Compared to freshman year, he’s seen more of an urge to win. He also feels more confident senior

year compared to freshman, as he has turned into a completely different player, according to Marien-Brovont. “It was definitely a quiet freshman year,” Marien-Brovont said. “But now as a senior, I want to lead the team. I want the boys to be excited to go out there and play and I wanna keep the feeling of winning.” MarienBrovont is now in the recruiting process and weighing his options.

#7 HENRY MARIEN-BROVONT

# 10 WILL WALLACE ILL WALLACE STARTED on

the C-team as a freshman, working his way up to being a varsity captain this year. Wallace started playing soccer over 10 years ago, inspired by his dad who used to be a soccer player. Wallace has always enjoyed the competitiveness of the sport, especially this season. His goal for the team this year is to hopefully make a run in the playoffs and have success in the postseason, according to Wallace.

“As a captain I try to help bring the energy to the games,” Wallace said. “I feel like that’s what we’ve been inconsistent with and that’s a big part of our success.” Wallace personally tries to pull the team by bringing the energy up during warm-ups and rallying everyone together, making sure players come off the bench with enthusiasm and on the field working really hard to encourage everyone, according to Wallace. One reminder he tries to preach to seniors, is to make the best of their last season, no matter what. Next year, Wallace will miss playing the sport he has grown up playing and loving, along with being with his friends. “Soccer has always been a huge part of my life,” Wallace said. “Since I was young, it’s upsetting to know that I only have a few weeks left to play.”

#5 JUSTIN JONES USTIN

JONES

JOINED

the team junior year where he also was elected captain. Prior to SM East Jones was on the Sporting KC team. “They had just won state and JV was undefeated at this point,” Jones said. “I knew it would be a great opportunity to compete at the highest level and have another chance to win state, so that’s why I initially joined and some of the seniors really pushed me and believed in me.” By junior year, Jones was aware of his presence on the team, so he tried to start leading in his own ways by connecting with upperclassmen and other teammates, and building trust. “Both years [being captain] has been a big responsibility,” Jones said. “On the field you have to be vocal and communicative, you have to help the guys throughout the game telling them different plays

and build them up when they make mistakes.” Jones has always looked towards his senior season and tries to remind underclassmen that time flies. For him it’s definitely special and exciting that they have the opportunity to be in the playoffs and make and hopefully end it off on a high note. “[I think I would tell underclassmen] to be consistent on the field as you only have so many opportunities,” Jones said. “Even if you have a bad season, stay with it and grow from it and get better in any way you can. Soccer is hard physically and mentally, so showing up everyday helps even if you think it doesn’t.” Jones is continuing his soccer journey at Furman University. He’s always had a passion for recruitment and meeting the coaching, going on visits then going to a school to play pro.

design by TYLER RUSSELL

photostory

THE HARBINGER

FARMS TO HILLS

Mission Hills residents gathered on Oct. 17 for an afternoon of fall festivities and community fun

RIGHT Lead

Singer Travis Gibson performs an electric version of “Country Roads (Take Me Home, Country Roads)” by John Denver with his three band members. The group performed modern and western country songs to suit the fall atmosphere of the event. photo by TYLER RUSSELL

ABOVE A Mission Hills

kid watches in excitement as two goats eat the grass in front of him. He named the two goats “Joe” and “Billy” while hanging out with them. photo by TYLER RUSSELL

SCAN ME PHOTO To view more photos from the Mission Hills Fall Fest scan this QR code

ABOVE Junior Alex Hall gets his face

ABOVE Senior Owen Wagstaff holds up his golden-doodle Nala while his mom snaps a photo of him. Wagstaff was with his family listening to the music along with over 50 other families. “I liked the music,” Wagstaff said after clapping for the musicians. photo by TYLER RUSSELL

painted by a Mission Hills patron working the event. He chose to get the mustache. “I wanted something fun and my friend Sophie told me I should get it,” Hall said. photo by MAGGIE ROGERS

alt-copy

OCTOBER 26, 2026

design by EISLEY FOSTER photos by BELLA THOMPSON

SCARY An in-depth overview of the science classes that are doing Halloween-themed projects and labs

Experimenting

AP BIOLOGY

Biology teacher Jennifer Davis answers question s over AP Biology’s “bloody chlorophyll” lab they will do on Oct. 30

How do you make the chlorophyll bloody?

“The lab isolates the pigment chlorophyll from spinach leaves. Under our “visible light” it appears green, but under ultraviolet light it appears to be a deep “blood red” color.”

Have you noticed the students liking this lab more than others?

“We do a lot of fun labs, but it’s one they rememb er for sure.”

Why do you like doing this lab with your class?

“The students just think it’s cool [and] link s to the material and just something fun to do before Halloween.”

ANATOMY

Science teacher Carolyn Bossung explains how anatomy classes are studying skeletons using real human bones

What do you enjoy about the bone unit? “The bones unit is fun because students get to learn about their body and really dive into the anatomy. It’s fun that it always falls during spooky season.”

How are human bones different than plastic ones? “Real bones are very different from plastic models. They are lighter and you can see the differences in structure from person to person.”

How does having real bones help with students learning? “This allows us to discuss how everyone’s bones are different based on how they lived their life, their body size, etc. Students can also see inside the bones to the spongey bone. They can also see examples of how bones are living, lightweight and strong.”