Issuu

the harbinger

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST 7500 MISSION ROAD PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS 66208 NOVEMBER 9, 2026 VOLUME LXIX ISSUE 6

Many dyslexic students have found their own strategies to navigate school and have built understanding of what having dyslexia really means

cover design by AVNI BANSAL cover photo by SYLVIE DEGALAN page design by ALEX HARDEN

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

online preview

political cartoon

Read about senior Avery Folger, who works Read a review over k-pop artist, LISA’s new EP, “Press Play” three jobs story by REESE DUNHAM story by WILLOW ROBERTS

political cartoon by HUDSON TERREROS

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.

SCAN ME WEBSITE Scan here to visit the Harbinger website with stories, multimedia, videos, photos and more.

follow smeharbinger SME Harbinger

SCAN ME INSTA Scan here to visit the Harbinger Instagram account to view galleries, stories, videos and more.

SM East Harbinger The Harbinger

design by JACK FITZPATRICK stories by EVIE LEWIS photos by SOPHIA CICERO

news

pillars of excellence The NHS induction will be held on Nov. 16 The process to be accepted consists of writing an essay and reaching 15 hours of community service. “It also goes beyond the ceremony and students are expected to maintain academic excellence, to do the right thing when no one is looking, be actively involved in student leadership and also service,” NHS sponsor and ELA teacher Melinda DiGirolamo said. At the ceremony in November, senior officers Avni Bansal, Anne Bowser, Ella Lewis and Michael Yi will give speeches

THE SM EAST chapter of National Honor Society will hold its induction on Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. in the auditorium, recognizing 151 students, juniors and seniors, into the program. The inductees, along with all other eligible upperclassmen not previously inducted, received a letter this summer inviting them to join NHS. After accepting the offer and meeting the requirements the students received an envelope in their first hour on Oct. 14 letting them know they had been accepted.

out of stock STUDENTS

ABOVE An empty Macbook

NEEDING

to represent the four pillars: Scholarship, Leadership, Character and Service. Lewis is filling in for senior Tyler Russell, who is unable to attend. “[In my speech] I want to stress the idea of doing a lot at and participating in a lot of activities and just putting yourself out there,” Bowser said. “That’s really what helped me grow as a leader and also learn how to manage a lot of different things at once.”

ABOVE The NHS acceptance letter students received.

There’s a shortage of replacement MacBooks

replacement MacBooks must wait due to lack of available computers. The district sets aside extra MacBooks to be kept in the library as replacements for 1.5% of the student population. However, the rate of students with damaged computers is increasing this year, and IT is constantly surpassing the number of MacBooks set aside. IT sends MacBooks out of the building to be repaired. The district won’t provide more

than the established percentage so the only way to resolve the shortage is mitigating damages. Associate Principal Anna Thiele said she cannot pinpoint a specific reason for the increased damages. “I have students that come to me all the time and say, ‘It was totally fine but then I just took it out of my backpack and the screen had the green lines on my screen or whatever,’” Thiele said. Thiele says students should keep the

protective cases on their MacBooks. If the case has already been removed, students should go to the IT help desk to get it put back on properly. “Make sure there’s nothing on the keyboard when you close it,” Thiele said. “Even a few sheets of paper can cause a crack.”

storage rack in the library.

making their case SM EAST SENT a delegation of eight students, freshmen through seniors, to the annual YMCA Youth and Government Conference on Nov. 2, hosted in Topeka. The event was held at the Capitol building for the first time in seven years. Last year, it was held at the KU Edwards campus, after a four year hiatus for COVID-19. Ninety-one delegates from nine schools reported to the Capitol at 8 a.m. The students split into the Senate and House chambers to debate bills written

The annual Youth and Government conference returned to Topeka after seven years

by the delegates. Once a bill is passed by one of the chambers, it was to the other chamber for approval. If approved by both, the presiding officer sent the bill to the presiding governor, who could either sign or veto the bill, similar to an actual congress session. The motto of the program is “democracy must be learned by each generation.” “I think that the best way that you can learn something is by experiencing it and I think that’s what this program

provides,” YMCA Civil Engagement Program Manager Jim Welty said. Sophomore Joel McClelland said he learned about how the Senate works and how bills are formed and passed. “It was very cool to be in the actual capitol building,” McClelland said. “The architecture was very impressive and all the murals in the chambers were awesome.” Welty said he hopes that the amount of attendees at the conference grows

significantly in the future, because the bigger the program, the more likely that the Capitol building can continue to host the conference. “I want more bills, more debate and more program areas,” Welty said. “It’s a program that teaches students both to know the institution of governance that we have and to learn to appreciate it by navigating it.”

news

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

design by JACK FITZPATRICK story by CHRISTOPHER LONG

PILOTING NEW TECHNOLOGY

SMSD’s ICT Team is using AI to deal with ever-changing app and website liability HE SHAWNEE MISSION

School District’s Informational Technology & Communication Technologies Team has been piloting a Claude-AI bot to sort through IT Help Desk Requests from teachers and administrators, according to SMSD Board Recaps. Executive Director of ICT Drew Lane declined to comment on their new program. This new program is part of a new SMSD perspective shift to embrace new technologies, according to SMSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher. “When [seniors] walk across the stage in May, we have a responsibility to have prepared you to be a member of a global society that relies on technology,” Schumacher said. “And part of that is artificial intelligence. So, what is the responsible way to embrace that? Can you find some efficiencies and then what part do you need to rely on your cognitive ability, your reasoning?” With over 26,000 students and 4,000 employees across the district, a team of four-five ICT team members managing help desk requests has become a challenge, Schumacher said. Although the program is in early stages, and a recent test to examine one potential website to unblock took 14 hours, this program would allow ICT employees to dedicate time to other aspects of the job, like examining the new terms of user agreements. This shift also comes after the

recent restrictions on Google-related applications and Youtube, due to changing terms in user agreements. SMSD currently uses LightSpeed as a content filter content, with separate blocks for kindergarten to 8th grade and high school. Since the user agreements changed, new features and potential shifts in liability have increased the ICT team need to investigate these changes further,

SMSD’S ICT TEAM

The Internal Technology & Communication’s Team is in charge of technology policy and defending network security

according to SM East Principal Leah Vomhof. “[Hacking] is a really concerning piece with school districts and they’re always going to err on the side of safety, student data being paramount” Vomhof said. “And then user agreements, if [the website] meant for somebody that’s 18 and over, obviously they can’t provide access to the minors. It’s just that senior class where you start turning 18, where you can’t just turn it on for one group and turn it off for the rest.” For other schools in the district, restrictions on certain Google platforms has had a direct impact on learning and the overall classroom experience, according to SM West ESL teacher Elizabeth Ault. Approximately 10% of SM West

students are English-Language-Learners and rely on Google Translate specifically, according to Ault. “The really cool thing about Google Translate is when it was first started, it would take community input,” Ault said. “And so if you were translating, you could review the translations, and so a lot of it has been seen by humans. It kind of becomes like a flower where the central idea is what you’re looking for, but you can look at the different petals, and figure out exactly what you need to translate.” According to Ault and other teachers at SMSD schools, the district’s ICT team knew of these updates in 2024 and didn’t warn teachers in time. Ault explained that she would’ve preferred the district to offer a consent form for students and their parents to accept the user agreement changes, rather than a long form investigation. “I found that Google had released that information and in 2024 told people it was gonna happen,” Ault said. “[Google Translate’s] a tool. Like all of [of these blocked programs] are tools, and we shouldn’t be gatekeeping the whole student body from tools. We should be teaching students how to use the tools.” These recent blocks and restrictions have also also extended into academicrelated extracurricular activities, according to senior and varsity debater Gray Snyder. For debate, Snyder explained

that Dropbox, a file organizational database used to store current and past arguments for debate, has altered its user agreement to 18+ and will be blocked on Jan. 1, 2027. “The prospect of switching has me somewhat worried that something somewhere would end up happening,” Snyder said. “Lawrence Free State migrated all their files off dropbox from OneDrive like, 2 years ago, and something went wrong, so all of their back files, like files that debaters had made in previous years, just disappeared.” Snyder also noted that the ICT team’s new AI pilot and the recent restrictions are “confusing.” “I know it’s supposedly in our best interests, but it feels silly that they’re doing all these things,” Snyder said. “I think we all take pride when we see SMSD is the X-rated best district in Kansas, right? But it feels a lot harder to do that when the district’s policies functionally hamstring us being the best in our field, whether that be academia or various extracurriculars.”

that have recently been blocked on district RECENTLY BLOCKED SITES Websites assigned MacBooks YOUTUBE

GOOGLE BOOKMARKS, BOOKS, EARTH, MAPS, NEWS, NEWS, PHOTOS, TRANSLATE

CHROME WEBSTORE YOUTUBE

DROPBOX

THIRD PARTY APP BACKUPS

MANAGED GOOGLE PLAY

SEARCH AND ASSISTANCE

MATERIAL GALLERY DATA STUDIO

opinion

design by LUCY CATTANO

hot take

by ELENA HULL Highschoolers need to be educated on American politics OFF THE TOP of your head, can you name one of your city council members? Can you name your district’s representative? Can you name a Kansas Senator? Most likely, the answer is no. Only 40% of Americans can name the U.S. representative that represents their district, according to New America. High school students need to be educated on American politics. Teenagers are the future of America, if they aren’t educated on even the basic structure of our political system, how will they cast educated, informed votes? Sure, you can look at a candidate’s website or read their flyers. This may help you determine if you support their views, but that isn’t where the decision ends.

CAN YOU NAME KANSAS STATE REPRESENTATIVES?

You need to also be aware of what their position entails. A governor has vastly different responsibilities from a representative, or even a senator. Many times I’ve heard, “we can’t even vote yet, it doesn’t matter,” from teenagers. While you may not be able to vote yet, you will be able to in, at most, four years, and I promise you won’t magically comprehend politics when you turn 18. Politics are actively deciding your future. Real estate prices are higher than ever, do you think they will magically drop when you want to purchase your first home? Have you ever gotten frustrated that your Chipotle bowl is $12 or you have to pay upwards of $70 for gas? All of those annoyances are a result of the choices

from the staff Staffer’s opinions on SM East’s water fountains

THE WATER’S COLD but every single water fountain says replace filter on it. Because of that I’ve stopped drinking water at East.

“ “

*Instagram poll of 190 votes

TRIP HAGMAN junior

I WISH IT was colder. It’s very lukewarm. It just feels very dirty to me.

AVRA WELLING junior

read SLOANE’S opinion on page 9

America’s politicians are making every day. But, you will soon have the power to impact their choices. You, along will every other American, can choose who leads our country. Do not take your ability to vote for granted. Educate yourself on your local senator, representative and governor. Learn how the different branches work, and what they do. Politics will affect you for the rest of your life. They are actively impacting how much you will pay for college, if you will get student loans for your degree, how much you pay for gas, if your family member in the military will get deployed. Even if you don’t care about politics, politics will affect you.

NO YES

57%

*Instagram poll of 228 votes

DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES?

art by eisley foster I LOVE BAKING IT’S relaxing and RELIEVES MY STRESS

43%

NO YES

18% 82%

comic strip

editorial

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

SECURITY, NOT

DYSTOPIA

design by KENNEDY MOORE cartoon by EISLEY FOSTER

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: 6 AGAINST: 1

Stronger, short-term and closed license-plate reading systems will promote safety without abuse

POLICE

DETECTIVE in Bonner Springs was fired in March, then charged with stalking two men and his wife last month. His tool? A network of cameras, tracking movement across neighborhoods. It wasn’t some elaborate plan that gave him the ability to see where all the city’s cars travel. As a detective, it was at his fingertips. He used the police department’s automated license plate recognition cameras, or ALPRs — systems designed to prevent crimes, used to commit them. ALPRs, which have been used in Johnson County since 2022 through providers such as Flock, Axis and Genetec, use stationary and moving cameras to capture and store every single license plate that passes by. These companies sell subscriptions to police departments all over the country, and these are meant to aid in criminal investigations. Yet ALPRs threaten privacy and the safety they aim to secure. According to KCUR, between April 24 and June 24, the Kansas City Kansas Police Department database was accessed 1.1 million times,

many of which were by enforcement agencies outside Kansas City. Any one of these searches could be used to stalk people driving as far as Los Angeles to New York. In order to protect the privacy and safety of those in Kansas City, all 14 constituent counties should ratify a set of rules limiting the use of ALPRs, including a fixed storage of data of 40 days, and crossmetro database access that doesn’t extend beyond Kansas and Missouri. The problem is that every city in the KC metro sets its own policies, including the duration data is kept, who can access the system and how or whether or not these records may be accessed by other enforcement agencies. The safety of all drivers depends on whether each department has responsible policies — difficult, as the technology is constantly evolving. Overland Park Police Department has used license plate readers since 2010, and today operates 38 cameras from Genetic and Axon, both stationary and mobile. OP’s data lasts only a month, while

T N O D E is h W t t n a w

Olathe stores for 90 days, and Shawnee Missouri, according to joco.gov. However, stores for half a year. standard law would help in current and When each city gets to decide how they future investigations by allowing agencies prohibit dangerous use of this technology, to access data quicker, while ensuring regulations aren’t consistent. Overland that only those with noble purposes have Park passed some of the metro’s harshest access. regulations last month, including a Ultimately, these new technologies need promise to enact monthly search audits, stronger central regulation to responsibly and requirements for formal agreements and safely enforce the law. Current lack when sharing data with other agencies. of regulation and restriction creates But if you drive to Prairie Village? There’s dangerous potential for abuse like in no guarantee of protection. Bonner Springs. By establishing a rigorous, These regulations need to be standard across all counties in the city. Limiting the length of data storage keeps potential stalking at bay, while preventing agencies outside of the city’s domain allows for the access of driver movement to stay in trusted hands. Some may argue that unrelated ALPRs are already working to Different ways cities in Kansas use prevent crimes, like in July, when license-plate readers an ATM robber was caught in

SURVEILLANCE

IN THE CITY

PLA C We’ E FIRS T l as w l figu , AND re eg o a it lon g

Prairie Village

store information for 90 days access is only to highly trained officers

Mission Hills used to look at crashes store information for 30 days used to solve crime

Leawood store information for 1 year

police

compare data

opinion

design by BERKELEY ROBINSON photos by SARA GARRY story by SLOANE HENDERSON

THE HARBINGER

FILTERED

School water fountains are poorly managed due to irregularly replaced filters and student disrespect

SUBHEAD

EXPLAINSSS

Interview One Explain explain ppppllllaaaiiiinnn

A CHANGE IN TASTE Opinions from different student athletesInterview from SME Two Explain explain ppppllllaaaiiiinnn

SOPHIA RITZ

Sophomore “I never drink from the school water, it tastes terrible. I always bring water from home, even before or after swim pratice Interview Three i would choose water over that stuff. Explainnoexplain No matter how desperate I am.” ppppllllaaaiiiinnn

MOLLY TRENKLE Sophomore

“I have found that the fountain water tastes so off, almost like grainy, as if you could taste the physical dirt in it. I usually get water from Dakotas before tennis practice. Her water tastes much cleaner, and more filtered, and I love her ice.”

HAD A HEADACHE. Again.

That meant it was time for my least favorite decision — a pick-your-poison kind of decision. I had run out of my “home” water already. So, on one hand, I could make a pass and go fill my orange Owala up in the fountain down the hallway from my fifth floor class. After all, dehydration was usually the cause of my headaches. On the other hand, though, it was already fifth hour. I only had to survive two more hours with the stabbing pain behind my eyes. That’s not too bad, right? And certainly a better decision than drinking whatever liquid comes out of the water fountain — I’ve stopped thinking of it as water at this point. There is no way the metallic, tangy aftertaste, warm liquid is the same substance that I drink at home. So, if you can’t tell by now, the poison I picked is living with the headache. ... School administration needs to create a better system to manage the water fountains. This will increase water fountain usage and prevent students from drinking an unhealthy vending machine or school-lunch Izze every day. Right now, the current system is that custodians file work orders when filters need to be replaced or a fountain is broken and bring workers in to fix the problem. But, when this is the system, it can take days or weeks to actually get the filter replaced or the fountain fixed. Additionally, student disrespect towards the water fountains make them being cleaned by at night a moot point because a

bag of carrots will inevitably be dumped on top of one during third hour. Is the water still technically drinkable? Yes. But I think I speak for everyone when I say that I’m using a different fountain for the rest of the day. ... I’ve had Seminar in the basement for the past three years. My freshman and sophomore year I was in Room 128 — one classroom down from the water bottle filler. This year, I’m in Room 113, still near the fountains. Naturally, filling up my Owala has become part of my seminar routine. It’s a great excuse to get out of the stuffy health classroom and go on a stroll with my friends. When I get to the bathrooms, there are two fountains to choose from. Option A: a newer fountain with a water bottle filler. But, of course, because there always has to be a catch, in the five semesters I’ve attended high school, the filter light has never been green. Not even yellow. More specifically, the filter light has been red for all 110 days I’ve spent in Seminar. And, even if you decide to overlook the red filter light, the first sip you take out of your water will be the most unpleasant taste of water you will ever taste. First, you’ll look into your bottle and realize all your fresh ice from home has been melted by the warm water. Then, you’ll take a sip. Nothing special about it, after all, it’s just water. But then it hits. The metallic, sour after-taste that follows you for the next 20 minutes. And just so you know, nothing gets rid of it. Not a bite of food. A sip of a friend’s water. Nothing. Trust me, I’ve tried everything. Option B: an older fountain without a water bottle filler feature — I’d only get half

TEST FOR YOUR SELF

First, purchase a bottle of water test strips from Amazon, a local convenience store, Target, or any where you can find it.

Use a single test strip from the bottle for each sample of water. Simply fully submerge the strip into your water sample, and observe your results when removed.

Finally, compare your strip to the content comparison on the back of your bottle. Each color lines up with a testing factor, including chlorine, PH and bromine.

OUT

of my bottle filled due to the small dribble of water that comes out of it. But, it’s certainly colder than fountain A and won’t melt all of your ice. Another perk, if you could call it a perk, is that it leaves you with only a slight metallic after-taste. Then again, it’s rarely clean. I’ve seen coughed up phlegm, a full sandwich slowly growing soggy and strands or balls of hair resting on the basin. I wish I was kidding. We have more than 20 water fountains in our school. I trust my Owala with only one of them — the fifth floor water bottle filler by the English classrooms. It’s the only one that doesn’t leave me gagging from the after-taste and stays relatively clean throughout the day. My Owala deserves better. We deserve better. Students shouldn’t avoid the water fountains because of their taste or quality or cleanliness. Students shouldn’t be able to count the amount of water fountains with a red filter during passing periods. Students shouldn’t be spending $3 almost every day for a sugary vending machine drink because we want something halfway decent to drink during a history lecture. Yes, we all need to make a better effort to be more respectful towards keeping the water fountains clean, but it’s also our school administration’s responsibility to change our water filters when they are red. No student should willingly choose dehydration in fear of bacteria.

opinion

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

design by MICHAEL YI photos by VIVIEN GLENSKI story by ANA SCHAEFER

HEAD ON A SWIVEL Teenage girls need to be more aware of their surroundings to protect themselves

ALK FASTER.

Walk faster. He’s getting closer. These are words I’ve repeated all too often since 7th grade. No matter what time of day, or where I am, there’s always a chance they’ll roll off my tongue. My most recent use was 9 a.m. on a Saturday after leaving a coffee shop with my friend, a regular fall outing. This time, I noticed a middleaged man crossing the street to follow us. “Speed up a little and take a right,” I said to my friend, who was oblivious to the threat. “Hey ladies,” one of four men called out. The others followed with various other catcalls. M e a n w h i l e , footsteps grew louder behind us. I checked over my shoulder and saw the middle-aged man running towards us. Walk faster. Walk faster. He’s getting closer. The disturbance ended after speed walking to a busier road. On the way back to the car, my friend turned to me. “Why’d you keep telling me to walk faster?” she said. What? She can’t be serious. She was completely unaware of what had happened. But this was only one of countless occurrences I’ve experienced when a friend or family member failed to recognize a situation

that could’ve led to physical harassment, kidnapping or even worse. It’s not their fault. But because of those who pose threats, teenage girls need to be more aware of their surroundings, no matter what time of day it is, or where they are. I don’t have much experience walking at night, because my parents don’t let me. Yet the possibility of being followed, catcalled, or something worse is just as present during the day — just less anonymous. Daytime visibility is false protection. Teenagers can distract themselves by being on their phones, listening to music on noise-cancelling headphones or just tuning out their surroundings. Some of the best ways to be situationally aware both during the day and after dark are staying off your phone, identifying people and objects around you, having entry and exit points, predicting other people and trusting your gut, according to SGS Self Defence. Growing up, it was critical for my brother and I to learn these skills. I still hear “make sure to keep your head on a swivel,” from my mom every time I leave the house. As a resident in both Kansas and Missouri, I’ve connected with high schoolers around the KC metro area to determine that the lack of situational awareness among my peers is all too common. Even though Prairie Village has less crime than the state average, it’s easy to forget that it’s still 1 in 29 people who are victims, according to a report by CrimeGrade. It’s ridiculous and upsetting that we need situational awareness training to be safe.

BE AWARE

1) IDENTIFY OBJECTS 4) NOTICE OTHERS

Why can’t I just go for a walk outside unbothered? Why can’t I go shopping with friends without getting “compliments” from strangers? Why do I have to be on edge every time I try to leave my house by myself ? Going on walks and being alone used to be my main method of relieving stress — now it causes it. I feel anxious and helpless because the majority of the times me or my friends get catcalled or followed, it’s by someone in a car moving faster than I can. Scrolling on TikTok, a video popped up where they asked women and men what they would do if they were guaranteed safety for one night. Almost every woman said they would go on a walk outside at night alone while most of the men commented they would have reckless experiences like climbing the Empire State Building. In order to change these disturbing answers, education needs to go both ways. If you notice friends engaging in this type of behavior and believe it to be harmless, do not be afraid to speak up before it progresses. When in a similar situation to mine outside of the coffee shop, give your friends skills to avoid danger. Don’t feel bad making them aware about the possible outcomes of the situation because they won’t forget in the future. Unfortunately this is what teenage girls live through every day, and we need to practice situational awareness and educate those around us to stay safe. silnerf econsis nonfecis haberfirmil vis comnius ocremur aucta sero et pervit? Ductum medo, quonsil conloct urnimpl icaedis contem im ium auconsum publica pesceri oremus ia? Do, noventrarid ante facchic erceps,

Ways to improve your situational awareness, according to SGS Self Defense

2) PRACTICE PREDICTION 5) TRUST INTUITION

ENTRY 3) IDENTIFY AND EXIT POINTS

6) PRACTICE SELF-DEFENSE

feature

design by ADDIE CLARK

HAUBERK IN THE

THE HARBINGER

Hauberk held a late-night on Oct. 28 where staffers dressed in Halloween costumes and worked together on the yearbook

DARK

LEFT Senior Hallie

Pfeiffer writes a caption for a photo, sitting in the back room wearing a Mike Wazowski onesie. photos by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

LEFT Junior Ella Wilkens

draws fish scales on her face. Wilkens and junior Meg Eakes both painted their faces and dressed as fish. photos by MAGGIE ROGERS

ABOVE Head Photo Editors

juniors Zella Hanzel, Stella Fredrickson and senior Charlotte Reintjes click through football photos with seniors Hallie Pfieffer, Ava Slocum and junior Henley Ganz to choose photos for a spread. Late Nights are held every other Wednesday during the evening. Staffers work together on pages, photos and to proof before deadlines. photos by ADDIE CLARK

SCAN ME VIDEO Scan this QR code to purchase photos from Hauberk’s Halloween Late Night

ABOVE Junior Paige Wildman and Seniors Halle Klocke,

Grace Deschaine, Charlotte Reintjes and Ellie Burgess discuss this year’s Pep Club spread for the yearbook. photos by AVRA WELLING

ABOVE Juniors Hayes Helvey and Katie Robinett work on a page while dressed up as the Sanderson sisters from “Hocus Pocus.” photos by AVRA WELLING

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

local lancer

design by KENNEDY MOORE photos by TYLER RUSSELL & GRAHAM GEHEB

CAMPBELL

MCKEE

What was training like? “I started training at the beginning of August and I was already running five miles because of soccer, so I would do one long run on the weekends. “

Junior Campbell McKee ran her first half marathon in hopes of one day running a full

What was the atmosphere like? “It was such a good vibe with all the people and there were so many signs and people were dressed up. There were also so many bands on the street.”

what made you want to run a half marathon? “My brother was signed up to run the full one and Sloane Henderson texted me and convinced me to sign up.”

what would you say to someone thinking about running a marathon? “One thing I would tell someone is just do it. It was such a great experience and right after I was done I told my friend who was thinking about it to just do it. “

The sponsor of the race

Flips down and shows the date of the race

The race ended at the Nelson

“

HAVING MY FRIENDS there was so much fun and they were so supportive. It was also so much fun and made the run easier when I was running with a friend.

after the race

Items Campbell got after she finished the race

The distance Campbell ran (13.1 miles)

feature

design by CLAIRE TROUTWINE

new connections this week in photos

Through the National Charity League, NCL, mothers and daughters volunteer together and strengthen bonds NCL IS IMPORTANT because it allows young girls to get out there and help their community. It helps organizations have more volunteers and spread awareness of nonprofits. Every time I try to schedule volunteering, it’s always booked, so I know that girls are signing up to volunteer at organizations and they’re going out making an impact.

“

RAINEY ALLEN sophomore

TO HAVE THIS with my friends

LEFT Therapy dog Clover greets students in the hallway during sixth hour. photos by LIV RUECKER

BELOW Sophomore Lyla Speicher is mixes her paint colors together during art class for a project. photos by MOLLY MCDERMED

BELOW Sophomore Shiloh Kincaid mixes together vegetables while cooking in foods class. photos by ALLIE BEAULIEU

and our moms to go to meetings and volunteer together has grown our connections closer. My mom and I always had a very close relationship, but we both are busy and it’s hard to find things for just me and her to do. To have something that’s just us has been really rewarding.

“

HENLEY GANZ

junior

AS A LEADER with NCL, my mom has helped me a lot because she has leadership experience. It’s helped our relationship grow and I’ve learned how to lead and work with other people.

“female a cappella choir meet the LUCY DILLON sophomore

IT GIVES ME a lot of courage knowing that I

have so much support from other women around me. It helps me apply myself and stay accountable in the things I commit to. It’s good practice. Like a team sport, you learn how to collaborate with the team and know people are depending on you. It’s so powerful to be up there with your girls and perform something really incredible.

“

TORI ROLAND senior

Through Stage Right performing arts group, the choir goes to competitons and builds bonds through singing

Competitions & Performances

big competition every year in Indianapolis in January They have a theme for the songs and dances they will perform

Past themes: Wizard of Oz, Barbie

with Stage Right: 2 performances Winter and Spring Performance Competition season is some of the most fun times I’ve had. Every year, you become so close so quickly because you’re rehearsing every day, you’re just around each other so much more, and you get to have fun.

“

TORI ROLAND senior

I WAS GIVEN the incredible honor to be president of the group, and I get to interact with people from Missouri, Kansas district. It is so amazing because I don’t think I would have met these girls otherwise and they are the sweetest people ever.

“

GRETCHEN ANAST senior

design by EVELYN BAGLEY art by FRANCESCA LORUSSO story by CAROLINE BEAL photo by SYLVIE DEGALAN Many dyslexic students have found their own strategies to navigate school and have built understanding of what having dyslexia really means

HEN JUNIOR MEG Eakes was in elementary school, she could read the words. The individual words. But words weren’t the problem, paragraphs were. She skipped over letters and vowels; b’s and d’s seemed impossible to differentiate and when she looked at books, she struggled to see the sentences rather than the “rivers” — the alignment of spaces between words that create lines, going down pages. “I couldn’t read multiple sentences after each other,” Eakes said. In fourth grade, Eakes skipped a day of school to be tested by a psychologist for possible learning struggles — looking at shapes, spelling words, writing and reading comprehension. Her parents promised her Chick-fil-A, and for 10-year-old Eakes, the day couldn’t have been better. A few months later, Eakes’ parents sat her down in her living room — she had been diagnosed with dyslexia. “I cried,” Eakes said. “I just kind of thought it meant I was dumb. But then finding out, it helped me realize [getting diagnosed] helped me get the help I needed.” After years of English tutoring and a 504 plan — a written plan for accommodations — Eakes now writes for the school yearbook, takes AP classes and doesn’t settle for a grade below a B — she’s learned how to live with dyslexia as a high school student.

504 PLAN

A written plan that includes the accommodations students with disabilities use so they can learn alongside their peers While dyslexia seemed so foreign to Eakes in elementary school, she’s not alone in her diagnosis. Dyslexia is the most commonly diagnosed learning disability, affecting up to 20% of the population, according to the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. Students with dyslexia at SM East are learning to navigate high school despite initial drawbacks. The technical medical term for dyslexia is a “specific learning disorder in reading,” according to Dr. Karen Jordan, a licensed psychologist and founder of the Jordan Psychological Center in Overland Park. “Fundamentally, [dyslexia’s] trouble figuring out how those squiggles that we’ve made up to represent the sounds of the language, how they correspond to the sounds we’re making, and then build into words that build into meaning,” Jordan said. “Dyslexia, at the heart of it, is

AMONG TH

freaking two; I was [on the] struggle bus every problems with reading.” When people, primarily children and teens, day,” Fair said. “I feel like the 504 [plan] gave me come in with suspected reading difficulties, a sense of self and made it so I could function Jordan isn’t looking for just one thing to rule normally with my peers. If you just advocate for as dyslexia. Patients take tests that cover IQ, yourself, it will happen.” Both Fair and Eakes were pronunciation, writing and even with dyslexia by math to make a determination, FUNDAMENTALLY, diagnosed professionals, but according to according to Jordan. [dyslexia’s] trouble Associate Principal Tara Mahoney, With these scores, Jordan can figuring out how those SM East isn’t required to give them then tell whether the patient has 504 plans without a school-given a milder or more severe case of squiggles that we’ve made up to represent evaluation first, showing their dyslexia. disability “substantially limits one “Recently I had a third grader the sounds of the or more major life activities,” like who didn’t know her alphabet, language, how they reading or writing. that’s pretty significant for a Even if students haven’t been third grader to not even know the correspond to the medically diagnosed with dyslexia, alphabet yet,” Jordan said. “She sounds we’re making, students can still request a 504 was much more on the severe and then build into and receive accommodations, side. [Maybe we] have someone words that build into according to Mahoney. who just reads more slowly and The Shawnee Mission School has to repeat something. So that meaning,” Jordan said. District screens all students from might be a milder case.” “Dyslexia, at the heart Pre-K to ninth grade three times There are two main types of it, is problems with a year, which helps to identify of dyslexia — developmental students who need help, according and acquired. Developmental reading.” to SMSD Executive Director of dyslexia is inherited or present context. at birth, while acquired dyslexia KAREN JORDON Curriculum and Instruction Jason Peres. develops later in life, often after a psychologist These screeners include brain injury or illness, according tests to determine reading to the Cleveland Clinic. Junior Margot Fair has “severe” comprehension, phonemic awareness, basic spelling, pronunciation and other literacy skills, developmental dyslexia. Fair was born three months premature, according to Peres. “On all of those [screeners] is really a weighing only two pounds. Her twin brother, comprehensive screening of whether or not David, learned to walk before she could crawl. “I wasn’t supposed to live when I was born,” a student needs extra support with literacy,” Fair said. “I have a lot of mental issues and Peres said. “While we don’t diagnose dyslexia, some of those skills are indicative of someone physical issues from [that].” At Indian Hills Middle School, despite Fair’s who might struggle with dyslexia.” However, the screeners differ from an actual efforts, the school never set up a 504 plan, and diagnosis. Screeners look at how students are she never received official accommodations. doing specifically at school, while medical “No one really believed me,” Fair said. It took months to set up a meeting to ask for evaluations look more broadly to see if other a 504, and since her grades were “fine,” Fair had factors are at play, like ADHD or depression, to ask teachers for extra help without an official according to Jordan. Jordan said she will see patients for written plan. Only a few days after arriving at SM East for evaluations after they receive poor screener her freshman year, though, Fair was finally able scores, especially if they want a faster, more to set up a 504 plan with the help of Associate professional diagnosis. Senior Sahana James was diagnosed with Principal Anna Thiele. “I went to Dr. Thiele, and she was like, ‘I dyslexia in fifth grade after her mom and teachers had concerns about her testing totally understand you,’” Fair said. Now, Fair gets accommodations like time and scores. “I almost failed fifth grade,” James said. a half on tests, such as the PSAT, can work in the In sixth grade, she was diagnosed with library or testing center during exams, receive modified math assignments and doesn’t get ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, making concentrating on points off for spelling errors on assignments. And while it took years to get the help she schoolwork much harder. Since then, James has had math and needed, Fair believes advocating is the most English tutors for more one-on-one important thing students with dyslexia can do. “My GPA in middle school [was] like a instruction.

“

featu

“Someone can’t just tell me someth have to show me,” James said. “Someti teacher goes too fast, it’s harder for [me up.” Now, she has a 504 that gives her time half on standardized tests, and she has f classes, like IB English, that focus mo in-class discussion. James knows having dyslexia requ more discipline — studying ahead asking teachers for help after school. The constant effort isn’t what both James; it’s the stigma around the learn disability. “I feel like when people think of dysl they’re like, ‘Oh, well then you can’t learn,’” James said. “I can learn, [it] just takes me longer than other people.” James, Fair and Eakes all believe dyslexia isn’t just a disability, but something that has made them more dedicated workers with all that they do. And even though stigmas of dyslexia, like letters floating around on pages, are still common, people are becoming more informed about the learning disability, according to Jordan. “People have done a lot to raise awareness, and [dyslexia is] a lot less stigmatizing,” Jordan said. “I think that people in the general community kind of have a sense now of what dyslexia is, and that helps people to be able to identify and to share that.”

ure

ing; they imes if a e] to keep

e and a found re on

uires and

hers ning

lexia,

LETTERS

THE HARBINGER

MEET THE

DOGS DYSLEXIC DOGS

An unlikely group formed at Prairie Elementary after they received little support for their learning disability

E N I O R S HUDSON BACON and Emma Weidman are at McDonald’s every Tuesday to meet their d y s l e x i a tutor, Kristin Dickinson, or as her students call her, Ms. D. But for B a c o n , Weidman and senior Oscar Ordonez, this is an upgrade from where they met Dickinson for lessons almost 10 years ago — a Prairie Elementary resource closet. Bacon, Weidman and Ordonez were diagnosed with dyslexia early in elementary school, but at that time, there wasn’t a place for students with the learning disability to get help. So Dickinson, a full-time dyslexia tutor, came to them and other students who had dyslexia. “There wasn’t a huge support system for dyslexia,” Weidman said. “So [Dickinson] was allowed to come into our school and we would meet her during school hours.” Eventually, the group of students who worked with Dickinson almost every day gave themselves a name: “The Dyslexic Dogs.” But after a few years, Prairie Elementary stopped inviting Dickinson back. Instead, the school sent students who relied on Dickinson for help to the resource room. “[It] didn’t feel okay. You’re so isolated,” Ordonez said. “Half the people that were in the [resource] room at the same time as me or that I would overlap with had more serious needs than I did.” They weren’t being taught how to learn with dyslexia, and were often just given extra work, according to Weidman. “There was no support for us,” Weidman said.

But even after Dickinson left, she still tutored the “Dyslexic Dogs,” but only outside of school. Sometimes it was at the Village Presbyterian Church, at students’ houses or Panera. Dickinson even got them matching “Dyslexic Dog” T-shirts and threw them a pool party at Fairway Swimming Pool. During her actual tutoring sessions, Dickinson has one goal: to treat her students as human beings, not just people who need help. “They have the stigma of their classmates saying, ‘Hey, you’re dumb. You can’t read,’” Dickinson said. “And that’s what we really need to change, that stigma, and we always try to make it fun. And that’s what my whole sessions are. It’s not just reading. It literally is [a] confidence booster. It’s ‘How was your day today?’ Talk to them as a human.” Dickinson primarily uses the Barton System during her tutoring sessions, which specifically targets a student’s senses to make connections between sounds and words. “I always tell my kids it’s like soccer,” Dickinson said. “You go to practice to get better and get new skills. That’s exactly what I am, I’m [a] reading coach. You know how to read, but I want to [look at] fluency rate, or maybe how you look at comprehension questions and strategize.” Ordonez, Bacon and Weidman all went through the various levels the Barton System provides. “I stopped seeing her after fifth or sixth grade, so it was a good chunk of time,” Ordonez said. “[Dickinson] helped target a good foundation for what we needed.” While Ordonez had a 504 plan during his freshman and sophomore years, he no longer needs accommodations. Weidman and Bacon still receive tutoring from Dickinson to get extra help with schoolwork, according to Weidman. And although many of the “Dyslexic Dogs” no longer need tutoring, their group remains united as what they describe as a “trauma bond.” “We were too young to know what all went down when it came to Ms. D not being able to see us anymore [at Prairie Elementary], then us being sent to the resource room,” Weidman said. “We joke about it now because we all shared pretty much the same experience.”

A description of the Dyslexic Dogs’ time with Dickinson and some of their favorite perks

EMMA WEIDMAN

Tutors with Dickinson every Tuesday and loves the fidgets provided during her sessions

HUDSON BACON

Meets with Dickinson, alongside Emma, at McDonald’s and has enjoyed the occasional Filet-O-Fish

OSCAR ORDONEZ

Finished tutoring with Dickinson at the end of elementary school and enjoyed the gift cards she gave her students

$$ %

made the right decision to become a teacher when the world shut down due to COVID-19 on March 15, 2020. Though his first year teaching at SM East wasn’t the most traditional, it was “perfect timing” when Weisner decided to leave working for his parents’ real estate group and get a job with a consistent salary. “If I hadn’t made the switch [to teaching], I don’t know how I would’ve survived financially,” Weisner said. “No one was buying real estate during COVID and [the] market was really slow.” Weisner was unsure whether real estate was what he wanted to spend his life doing, so he began to look into other careers after his first child was born in 2015. Not only did the real estate market decline during the pandemic, but the pay had been quite unstable for some time as it’s 100% commission based. He returned to college through Fort Hays State University’s online program for teaching in 2018 — his third time in college after dropping out of the University of Kansas and attending Johnson County Community College for a couple years to get an associate’s degree in real estate. “I don’t think I was excited to go to work as a realtor every day because it was just kind of bleh,” Weisner said. “Every day [at school] is a new adventure [and] I’m glad I’m here.” When he was asked if he had any interest in building the curriculum for an investment class, Weisner responded “absolutely.” Investing is now his favorite class to teach, and he frequently keeps in contact with former students who have gone into the business field. Weisner has brought his first-hand real estate experience and knowledge into the classroom to give his financial literacy, business law and investing classes more than just a textbook example. He also emphasizes that people can have a mid-life career change, like him. “I went to college with no real plan because I thought that was what you were supposed to do out of high school, racked up a lot of student debt and ended up dropping it out,” Weisner said. “I try to tell [students] don’t put yourself in a box right out of high school because everybody changes.”

( ((

Hallstrom stepped foot on the world’s largest vegetable oil processing plant in the world — a major in chemistry and minor in physics in her back pocket. On day two, she was promoted to supervisor and tasked with designing and running her own chemistry lab. “I loved being part of something where we were sending our oil all over the world,” Hallstrom said. Hallstrom can explain every step in the process of making vegetable oil to her students, including how to use hexane — a common compound used in Chemistry 1 labs — to extract oil from pressed seeds. She also learned how to gauge whether an injury in the plant was severe enough to send the worker to the nearest hospital nearly 30 minutes away. After managing the lab for almost eight years, Hallstrom moved to Minnesota to work as an environmental chemist with a group that combatted oil spills in Cape Canaveral and Patrick Air Force Base through NASA, among other contractors. Her team’s job was to ensure environmental regulations were being followed to prevent the spread of oil through spills. She would use simple math calculations to determine the amount of contaminants being emitted into the nearby communities — a concept she can easily teach her Honors Chemistry 1 students. “I was really happy [with] the work that I got to do at NASA because it was truly eye opening for me,” Hallstrom said. “These were the most brilliant people, just purely brilliant that I’ve ever run into.” Hallstrom “rarely puts in less than 10 hour days” at both of her previous jobs, and even now as a teacher, she dedicates her time before and after school to work with kids, and spends weekends grading and prepping assignments. Teaching has given her the stable job and schedule that supported her when she was raising her kids, while also aligning with her true passion: chemistry. “I can make connections,” Hallstrom said. “Other teachers probably haven’t had that same experience, [and] I’m a vegetable oil processing queen.”

((

BUSINESS TEACHER KEVIN Weisner knew he’d

((

ON DAY ONE of her first job out of college, Susan

Leaving real estate was the best decision business teacher Kevin Weisner made

((

INVESTED IN TEACHING

Chemistry teacher Susan Hallstrom brings real-world lab experience into her classrooms

( ((

CONCOCTING HER DREAM

(( (

design by LUCY SWOPE photos by LIV RUECKER story by BRIDGET DEAN

((

feature

((

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

(( (

SERVING HIS FAMILY

Math teacher Adam Cumley followed his family’s footsteps by serving before becoming a teacher SITTING AROUND ON the deck of a U.S. Navy ship near the coast of San Diego, now math teacher Adam Cumley was ready to move on with his life. He hadn’t been deployed at any time during his four years serving in the Navy. His job was to build platforms that would allow goods to be moved from the pier to the boat at sea. “The Navy was the easiest job I ever had,” Cumley said. “You’re told where to be, what to wear and what time, and that’s really all you gotta do. If you do those three things, you’re not screwing up. And then they’d pay for your college education.” Though Cumley joined the Navy to honor his family and get his college education paid for, he garnered lifelong skills and friendships from his time there, including a friend from the Navy who lives in Georgia that he still visits today. Cumley had always wanted to serve in a field, choosing the Navy because his grandpa was in it. He also followed in his family’s footsteps by getting a degree in education at the University of Kansas after his time in the Navy. “[There’s] definitely more of a career here than in the Navy,” Cumley said. “I had a bunch of people ask me when I got out why I didn’t stay in the Navy because I was good at my job, but I just had no desire to deal with that. It just wasn’t what I wanted to do with my day-to-day life.” Now Cumley spends his days teaching AP Statistics and Integrated Algebra-Geometry 2 in the basement of SM East. When deciding which subject to teach, he chose math because it “makes sense.” He also chose to leave the temperate climate of California and attend KU instead of the University of San Diego in order to be closer to his family. From the Navy he gained leadership experience, friendships and pride in completing service time before becoming a teacher, just like his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, though it isn’t much of an asset when teaching math. “I really enjoyed my time in the Navy,” Cumley said. “I’d do it all again.”

*read about more teachers’ stories on smeharbinger.net

TEACHING THEIR PASSIONS Stories about teachers who left their past jobs and found their passion in education

design by AVA TOWNER

photostory

THE HARBINGER

TREATSTREET STUCO hosted their annual Trunk or Treat on Oct. 25, inviting the community to enjoy candy and games hosted by different clubs and sports

LEFT Senior SHARE Execs Max

Bradley, Vada Walsh and Grace Deschaine dressed up as zombies and played funnel ball with the kids who came by the SHARE trunk. “We had the game to make our trunk more interactive”, Walsh said. “Some of the kids were scared of our makeup, so it was a way for us to stoop down to their level and get involved. Our trunk ended up overflowing with the line of kids, so I’d say it was a success.” photo by AVA TOWNER

SCAN ME PHOTO To view more photo of STUCO’s Trunk or Treat scan this QR code

TOP Senior Carter Wild passes out candy to a kid dressed as a minion at

the Physics Club trunk. “We were trying to find a good balance of doing something that’ll keep their attention while also including Physics concepts with everyday things,” Wild said. “We showed things the kids are very familiar with, how they work, and why Physics is interesting.” photo by AVA TOWNER

ABOVE Junior Alex Hall holds out the candy box for the boys

ABOVE Freshmen Isla Roberson, Arya De La Cruz, Sasha Paddock and

LEFT Elementary school students participated in the

sophomores Claire Wilk and Daisy Rowland pose for a photo with a kid also dressed as a hot dog. Girls flag football’s Lancer Day theme was Hot Dog Eating contest, so the theme carried over for their trunk and the players wore their hot dog costumes. photo by AVA TOWNER

lacrosse team’s trunk. Hall and senior lacrosse captain, Ben Bagby, dressed as Formula 1 drivers while running the team’s trunk. photo by CHARLOTTE WALTON Trunk or Treat from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the main parking lot, where SM East clubs and activities decorated their car trunks and hosted activities. photo by CHARLOTTE WALTON

feature

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

design by FRANCESCA LORUSSO photos by HOLLAND BALDASSARO & ALLIE BEAULIEU story by GRACE GOULD

SM East costume crew brings Godspell to life

which features photos from the original as movie to give them the inspiration they handmade flower crowns and need. Rather than simply pulling clothes bandanas, to thrifted clothing, from their costume loft, members have SM East’s costume crew spends hours spent additional time thrifting, sewing putting together the colorful 70’s inspired and repurposing already existing pieces. “This is one of our harder shows to put outfits for this year’s musical “Godspell”, together because [it’s] so chaotic, but in premiering Nov. 9. a way that you can understand it,” Welch Costume crew members are in charge of sewing and assembling the outfits that said. For costume crew co-chief and senior bring the musical’s characters to life. Lucy Costello, creating the outfits Senior Skye Welch, the costume crew’s involves more than selecting clothing co-chief, spent approximately 65 hours preparing the costumes for “Godspell.” that matches the theme. Each one of the She works on her costumes after school, pieces must also be accommodated to the actors movements and the comes into the theater choreography. seminar and even comes WE’VE DONE A Costello and the costume to school every Saturday to bit more thrifting than crew constantly have to continue her work. we have in past shows, adapt to new developments “We’ve done a bit more regarding choreography and thrifting than we have in and we’ve made more staging of the musical. past shows, and we’ve made costumes than we did “We put all the dancers in more costumes than we did normally. skirts this year, but then we normally,” Welch said. SKYE WELCH had to change that because Unlike the past two SM senior the dance instructor, Bubba, East productions, “Bye Bye told us it wasn’t going to Birdie” and “Zombie Prom,” work because of a certain move they’re which used more easily attainable 90’s going to do,” Costello said. inspired clothing, “Godspell” follows a Beyond the unexpected changes in “funky clown 70’s” aesthetic. The niche theme has required the costume, organizing the crew’s workload crew to experiment with different colors, has also presented another challenge for accessories and patterns while also having them. With several experienced members to make sure all the costumes correlate graduating and new students that have and fit the productions overall vision. “It’s very hard because we have to find joined this year, Costello has said the crew ugly outfits and turn them into something this year has had to adjust to different skill levels and availability. cute,” Welch said. “I feel like in past years, there was just The crew has created a vision board like a set group of people that could come that they hang in the dressing rooms in and now it’s not a set team working

ROM HANDMADE ACCESSORIES , such

“

on specific things that you make,” Costello said. To combat these challenges, the costume crew head, Summer Finkelston, helps organize the responsibilities and ensures that members receive assignments best suited to their abilities. “[Finkelston is really good about giving people jobs that they can feel confident doing,” Costello said. Welch credits Finkelston for teaching Welch many of the skills that she still uses today, she describes her as an essential part of the costume department. “[Finkelston] really helps you, I think she is the core of costumes,” Welch said. “She’s taught me a lot.” As opening night comes closer, the crew makes any last minute adjustments or alterations after the “costume parade,” when the actors try on their costumes prior to the dress rehearsal. Although all of their work happens away from the eyes of the audience, both Welch and Costello hope viewers will recognize the effort behind each and every outfit. “I hope they see our effort that we put in,” Costello said.

WHERE THEY WORK Costume crew work in the dressing rooms and above the auditorium in the lofts before and during shows

The Props Loft: A shared loft space above the auditorium

The Costumes Loft: Rack space above the props loft

Dressing Rooms: Workspaces across from room 208

design by ANNE BOWSER photos by AVRA WELLING story by ALEX HARDEN

feature

D N O SECCHA ES NC

AMES TATE

IS SM East’s

model student. The school’s only individual Pulitzer Prize winner. Recipient of the National Book Award for Poetry. One of the most influential poets of the 20th century. But in 1961, he graduated 478th — in a class of 525. Tate went on to be one of SM East’s most celebrated alumni, despite his academic struggles, according to his classmate and friend Gary Gradinger. Gradinger, along with his graduating class, wants to help support students who struggle academically, due to scenarios outside of their control, but show high potential for success.

Their plan? To award them with a scholarship in honor of Tate. “I just have a feeling that there’s a James Tate in every class,” Gradinger said. “I know there’s one in every class, ‘cause there [was] not just one in my class. There were a number in my class.” The idea for the scholarship began in 2021 at the class’ 60th reunion. The class gifted Tate’s collected works to SM East to honor Tate, who passed away six years earlier. Since then, they’ve gradually collected money from primarily private donors and friends of Tate. Though setting up the scholarship was simple, finding donors has been more of a struggle, since many of the initial investors have passed away. Although Gradinger was friends with Tate, or as he calls him, Jim, he says his classmates didn’t know about the hard scenario Tate faced, his rough home life. His father, a pilot, died in WWII and his dad’s shoes were filled by two stepfathers that his obituary describes as abusive. One fired a .45 pistol in the home, one often beat his mother. Tate once had to defend himself by raising a gun to the head of his stepfather. Growing up in such a hostile environment, Tate naturally had struggles in school. Still, Gradinger says Tate’s talent was always apparent, even in the midst of his troubles. “You could definitely tell from that wit and that sense of humor that those wheels [were] really turning up there,” Gradinger said. “Just maybe not in math, or chemistry, or something like that, but they were really there.” The scholarship, which Gradinger is thinking of calling something similar to, “The James Tate Rebound Award,” is to be awarded to students, who, like Tate, show promising talent, despite what the blemishes on their gradecards suggest. Gradinger imagines that there will be enough money to begin awarding students the scholarship within the next few years, as they’ve raised around $15,000, half of their goal, planning to give $1,500 to one senior every year. By awarding a senior $1,500 every year,

THE HARBINGER

The class of 1961 is working on a scholarship for students with poor academic performance, yet high potential to succeed

the scholarship will foster the talent they have that might be obscured by their subpar academic performance. “Our scholarship ambitions, in Jim’s name, are a nod to a worthy current senior, through circumstances beyond their control, that have immeasurable potential,” Gradinger said. “But find themselves blooming a little late.” Similar to Tate, senior Stella Alberino is a student who struggles academically, specifically failing math and AP Psychology. “No matter how hard I try, sometimes it feels like it’s never good enough to actually get a good grade,” Alberino said. But just like Tate did, she shows creative potential. Being passionate about fashion, Alberino is enrolled in Fashion Apparel and Interior Design and in her free time she sews and creates her own clothes and accessories. For example, she’ll take a pair of jeans that “looks weird,” and turn it into a purse. One of Alberino’s potential career plans is to work in fashion merchandising. And though she’ll graduate before the scholarship is ready for applicants, she said if she were awarded the money, she would put it towards tuition at Kansas State University. “[The scholarship] would make me feel pretty good because I consider myself someone with a lot of potential,” Alberino said. “I think I have big dreams and I have a good work ethic. I think [the scholarship] would definitely be a good thing, especially not even just for me, but for a lot of kids who deal with struggling academically.” So many students just like Alberino could benefit from this scholarship. Gradinger believes Tate could have “desperately used” $1,500 for him to help pay for college. It wasn’t until after high school when Tate saw success, when he was accepted into the Yale Series of Younger Poets at just 23 years old after writing his poetry collection, “The Lost Pilot,” with the title poem being about his late father. “You could tell he was highly, highly motivated, just not academically,” Gradinger said. “He had all kinds of questions, always asking questions. Obviously, he was

beginning to find answers after he got out of high school.” Gradinger’s advice to those struggling in school is to just keep going, just as Tate did. “It’s a product of their circumstance,” Gradinger said. “And I think all one can do is just persevere. Things will get better.”

BAR FOR BAR Reviews over a variety of Tate’s works

“The Eternal Ones of the Dream” “Tate’s poems are meditative, introverted, self-reliant, funny, alarming, strange, difficult, intelligent and beautifully crafted.” The New York Times “Memoir of the Hawk” “His poems are mostly similar to one another, almost always funny and surreal, and almost always entertaining and mysteriously sad — without stomping the life out of his imagination.” - NPR “Worshipful Company of Fletchers” “No other writer is quite like Tate. His earnest verbal anarchy is visual, musical and difficult to characterize or resist.” - Publisher’s Weekly

feature

design by SLOANE HENDERSON photos by GRAHAM GEHEB story by ADDY NEWMAN TOP LEFT

A student photographer checks out and assembles a camera to shoot student life in the halls and classrooms.

FAR RIGHT A student leans over a booth to talk to two students. On the right is Feature Editor Francie Bergman. The booths are her favorite place to work in the classroom. BOTTOM LEFT Adviser Liz Epstein starts off her

fifth hour journalism with an introductory lesson on folios — how page numbers are presented in a newspaper or yearbook — and showing examples of other schools’ yearbooks. After her announcement and mini-lesson, Epstein realeases the class to continue working on their individual assignments.

meet the leaders A look into the head editors and the adviser of The Knightly News HEAD PHOTO EDITORS

PREPARING TO

PUBLISH S

igsby

Campbell R

Brody Lash

EDITOR IN CHIEF ADVISER

Margot Nelson

Liz Eps

tein

be able to do when they come to your and so was the deadline for all program?” Confidence. They both said they 104 pages for the Indian Hills Middle School yearbook to be wanted students to be able to go out turned in. The 11 journalists enrolled in and confidently and comfortably talk Intro to Journalism, a year-long course, to people. “Journalism can give you experience needed something to do in the real world and not for the last quarter. JOURNALISM being scared to go and “I saw the [Shawnee then talk to people, just FOLLOWS ME Mission] East online talking to people can newspaper and thought everywhere. I think be frightening for some it was great,” Intro to about it all the time. I people,” photo editor Journalism teacher Liz love it. The best part of Brody Lash said. Epstein said. “And so Nelson and the rest of I decided to set up a my day is coming into WordPress site where my this classroom, everyone the staff frequently use The Harbinger website little group could write loves it. and print copies for articles and post some FRANCIE inspiration and ideas — things.” BERGMAN the Hauberk yearbooks From here, the Indian feature editor and print issues of The Hills Middle School Harbinger are spread Knightly News took off. When beginning the program, throughout the classroom. “[Reading The Harbinger] has Epstein asked SM East journalism instructor Dow Tate and SM Northwest taught me that the point of articles is to journalism instructor Tucker Love, take your reader on a journey,” editor“What would you most want kids to in-chief Margot Nelson said. “You want

PRING BREAK WAS over

“

The Indian Hills middle school journalism program sets students up for high school journalism

to introduce them to something and then make them see it in a way you have it.” Epstein has been an English teacher for seven years and she began additionally teaching Intro to Journalism in January 2026, after being asked to step into the role mid-year — the program went from 11 kids to 58 this school year. Now, Epstein has two periods of Intro to Journalism, two periods of English and one period of creative writing. “Everyone’s doing something different, which is very different from English, which is very structured,” Epstein said. “I’ve got photographers, designers and writers doing all different things. I’m often thinking to myself, ‘What am I doing right now? What should my focus be right this minute?’”

feature

THE HARBINGER FAR LEFT Adviser Liz

Epstein helps a student navigate his assignment.

MIDDLE A journalist sits on a window sill in the hallway outside of the classroom while working. The hallway is where the editors meet to brainstorm or discuss the newspaper or yearbook.

LEFT A tower is stuffed

full of The Harbinger’s newspapers from the past two years. The students use these for references and inspiration.

the process of WRITING

The system the journalism program uses to write, edit and publish stories Collect information and interviews

Choose a story

Epstein chose students to be editors for every section on the online website. She also chose a student, Nelson, to be the editor-inchief. At the end of the school year, after Nelson wrote her first few articles and was super active on the website, Epstein asked her to be her editor-in-chief. Nelson had discovered The Harbinger during a school field trip to the Center for Academic Achievement. When Epstein started the newspaper, Nelson was excited for the versatility and for the work to feel less assigned. “In journalism, there’s so much sharing,” Nelson said. “When you’re writing articles, someone else is taking the photos and doing the design and you always have people to help you. I also love journalism because our community here is different from all my other classes. I

Editor of that section edits it

Write the story

Adviser Liz Epstein edits it and gives final approval

Editor-inChief edits it

Publish story on the website

Receive group for a spread

Use Canva to

could just go up and talk to anyone, and our goal is to get you ready for design the page it’s very much a community.” that.” For feature editor Francie For these young journalists, the Bergman, journalism is a creative importance of their work and outlet where she gets to be a leader, impact is not lost. talk to people about how they truly “I truly think that when it’s feel about a student The system the yearbook things and get inter viewing uses to create spreads to share that a n o t h e r, for the book information. people are Check out Indian Hills’ “Journalism so honest, Knightly News website Adviser Liz follows me they tell you which includes stories, Epstein signs opions and photo e v e r y w h e r e ,” how they off on it galleries B e r g m a n really feel,” said. “I think Bergman about it all the said. “I time. I love it. The best part of my love hearing about how day is coming into this classroom, amazing other people everyone loves it.” are and how we notice Epstein hopes to prepare middle it more, especially school students for the program in at this age, when high school. sometimes adults, it “My goal is to have these kids slips under the radar be ready to jump into the SM East with what students program,” Epstein said. “I’ve told are truly doing.” them that we have a lot to live up to,

the process of

DESIGNING

SCAN ME WEBSITE

Get finished page checked by the editor of the section

Put the final page into Jostens

a&e

this week’s a&e *Instagram poll of 178 votes

design by EMILY ENGER

on the radio

Recent releases by popular artists

HAVE YOU LISTENED TO THE NEW ZACH BRYAN ALBUM? 72%

NO YES

28%

*read more on page 23

*Instagram poll of 180 votes

HAVE YOU SEEN THE DOCUMENTARY “THE ONE ABOUT MATTHEW PERRY”?

Tate McRae

95%

HERE YOU COME, THERE YOU GO

HOUSEWIFE

LIES

Zach Bryan and Lana Del Ray

Gracie Abrams

YES 5%

*read more on page 24

SUPER BOWL

WEEK 5: 10/13

DEDICATION

dancing to the last STAR

HORROR

Maura & Mark

WEEK 6: 10/20

Harry & Jenna

*NO ELIMINATION

*DOUBLE ELIMINATION

Maura & Mark

Ezra & Daniella

Harry & Jenna

WEEK 8: 11/2

Jackson & Emma

Ezra & Daniella

Harry & Jenna

Jenna & Val

Ezra & Daniella

Tatyana & Jan

Jackson & Emma Jackson & Emma Maura & Mark Jenna & Val Jenna & Val Jenna & Val

Amber & Pasha

Tatyana & Jan

Connor & Rylee

Julia & Ezra

Amber & Pasha

Amber & Pasha Maura & Mark

Connor & Rylee

Julia & Ezra

Tyler & Sharna

Connor & Rylee

Ezra & Daniella Tatyana & Jan

Guillermo & Witney Tyler & Sharna

Tyler & Sharna

Connor & Rylee

WEEK 7: 10/27

DISNEY

Follow along and fill out your predictions for the next week’s episodes and finale of “Dancing with the Stars”

GRAMMY

WEEK 9: 11/10

SEMI-FINALS 11/17

Jenna & Val

FINALE 11/24

Amber & Pasha Harry & Jenna

YOUR SEASON 35 CHAMPION: GRACE’S ANDREW’S ADDY’S WILLA’S CHAMPION: CHAMPION: CHAMPION: CHAMPION: Amber & Pasha Connor & Rylee Ezra & Daniella Connor & Rylee

HALIMA’S CHAMPION: Connor & Rylee

ISLA’S CHAMPION: Connor & Rylee

STELLA’S CHAMPION: Connor & Rylee

design by CLAIRE TROUTWINE story by ELENA HULL photos courtesy of IMDB & Associated Press

a&e

THE HARBINGER

Beyond Chandler CAMEOS “The One About Matthew Perry” provides a sincere look into the life and personality of Matthew Perry

AMED FOR HIS role as

Chandler Bing on the hit 1990’s sitcom, “Friends,” Matthew Perry made history on Oct. 23 2023 with his unexpected death due to the acute effects of ketamine. “Friends” was how I, and many others, had known Perry but, when I mentioned the news to my dad, the first thing he said was how sad it was that his addiction ended his life, having spent so much time trying to prevent and spread awareness of it. So, when I first heard of how his Netflix docuseries “The One About Matthew Perry” would focus on his life and his battle and advocation for addiction, rather than just his role in “Friends,” I was glad. I wanted to hear about the man behind Chandler. After watching the three-part series, I can safely say I learned much about him. The series was released on Oct. 27 and features testimonies from Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, close friends and former NBC entertainment president Warren Littlefield, among others. Each of the three episodes focuses on a different part of Perry’s life: part one showcases his early life and rise to fame, part two speaks of his increased fame and his public battle with addiction, while part three expresses his advocacy against addiction and his ultimate death due to it. I loved how the docuseries mixed testimonies with Perry’s own words. They frequently intertwined archived interviews or recordings of Perry talking within the different parts, which gives the series an emotional pull. You can tell through their words and tone how much they miss him,multiple of the interviewees even start crying while speaking of him. Alongside that, having so many of his close relations in the series — specifically his sister — made the docuseries feel authentic, rather than some money-grab made to exploit his legacy for views. The interviews from his friends and family were by far my favorite part of the show. Perry struggled with extremely touchy topics — including his addictions and struggles with depression — throughout his life, which

could have easily been mishandled. But having genuine, often teary testimonies within the episodes kept a sense of humanity. The show focuses heavily on the highs and lows of Perry’s addiction. The series provides a timeline of his battle — specifically with alcoholism — from his first sip of alcohol at age 14, to his active substance abuse in the later seasons of “Friends” and his eventual death while on Ketamine. What I really appreciated about the show, though, was that it never shamed Perry for his problems. They always intertwined interviews or testimonies that spoke of the reasons behind his addictions, such as his reported depression. They use one of his most famous quotes — a prayer he made as an aspiring actor — to show his relationship with fame and its negative effects: “God, you can do anything you want to me, just make me famous.” Perry later said in his 2022 memoir that, though he soon after got casted in “Friends”, God didn’t forget about the other part of the prayer, alluding to his addictions and struggles with mental health. While he might’ve not lived an easy life, I enjoyed how the series always made light of his experiences. Every time they talked about events like him going to rehab, they’d include a happy memory. Every time the show mentioned his struggles with addiction, they’d also include his work in helping others recover from their addiction. The series often also focused on positive parts of his life; the interviewees frequently recounted happy memories with him and his love for life with videos of him

joking and smiling in the background. His friends and sister clearly look back on their memories with Perry fondly, really focusing on his sense of humor and generosity. My personal favorite story came from his sister’s testimony in part one. One Christmas, Perry surprised her with a red Ford Mustang convertible. You can actually hear the fondness in her voice when she talks about her brother — it’s really touching. Another highlight of Perry’s life was his advocacy for recovery. The series describes how he helped establish a men’s sober-living facility and received the Champion of Recovery award from the White House in 2013 — an award given to individuals who advocate for addiction recovery and help reduce stigma surrounding substance abuse. I loved that they spent so much time highlighting how he helped others, especially considering how he once said, “When I die, I don’t want ‘Friends’ to be the first thing people talk about... I want helping people to be first.” The show honors his wishes in such an intentional, meaningful way. If you’ve watched “Friends” or know Perry just for being an actor, this series does a wonderful job of portraying all aspects of Perry’s life and would be an emotional roller coaster for you to watch.

Important relationships in Matthew Perry’s life that appear in the documentary

MIA PERRY BOWICK

Relationship to Matthew: Sister “He was always one of my main confidants, and he still is.”

TIM HARRINGTON

Relationship to Matthew: Best friend “He saved my life right there in that moment. I believe that.”

WARREN LITTLEFIELD

Relationship to Matthew: Former NBC president and colleague. “It’s still very difficult to believe that Matthew isn’t with us. It still doesn’t seem real.”

a&e

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

design by ASHTYN INGRAM photos by GRAHAM GEHEB story by SIENNA WILLIAMS

heartfelt

SONGWRITING “Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs” takes a slight turn from Zach Bryan’s typical music style

lancer

INSIGHTS

Students provide their opinion on Zach Bryan’s new album

I LOVE THE new

album because of the song ‘Lives’ with Lana Del Rey because their voices sound really good together. HALLE KLOCKE senior

“

I REALLY LIKE his new

album because it was way different and unique from his other ones.

“

AVA ADAMS

sophomore

I WAS A fan of Zach

Bryan’s new album because the style was a really good mix, but added in new modern sounds.

“

LAUREN MEEK junior

ANA DEL REY and Zach

Bryan are two artists I never imagined hearing on the same track, given their distinctly different music styles. I first heard Zach Bryan’s country music through my mom’s speakers when I was 13. “Dawns” became one of my favorite songs, forever tied to that period of my life. Now, at 17, “Lies ft. Lana Del Rey” plays almost every time I get behind the wheel. When Bryan released his latest Extend Play, “Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs,” On Oct.16, I pressed play expecting something similar to “Dawns” and his other music. But the opening track, “Lodi When,” immediately caught me off guard. Bryan’s music usually pairs an acoustic guitar with a violin in the background. This time, however, the song opens with a much brighter, almost pop-like instrumental. The higher-pitched sound and layered production made it sound different from anything I expected. I’d never guessed the electronic elements would work particularly well in Bryan’s music, but I was surprised with how naturally they fit. Once the song moves past the opening, it settles back into the

country style he’s best known for. “Dog Days,” another track on the EP, incorporates some of the same pop-like tunes. Although the two tracks don’t sound identical, both offer a different feel from work Bryan has released in the past. When I first saw Lana Del Rey featured on “Lies,” I was skeptical. I’d always associated the two artists with completely different styles of music. Bryan’s country sound and Del Rey’s softer, more mellow and almost dream-like style seemed like an unlikely combination. I had focused so much on their differences that I hadn’t really considered how their voices might complement each other. After listening, I felt the collaboration worked because neither artist had to change their style to fit the other. Bryan maintains his recognizable country sound, while Del Rey brings a softer vocal tone that blends naturally with his. The two tracks that especially demonstrate Bryan’s songwriting are “You’ll Get By,” and “Robot Killed the Working Man.” “You’ll Get By,” the closing track on the EP, takes a more simple approach. Its message centers on perseverance, and I appreciate that Bryan doesn’t make it sound as though getting through life is always easy. The line “Never let your hands work for a rich man’s dime” especially stood out to me. It touches on independence and the importance of not losing yourself in the process of making a living. “Robot Killed the Working Man,”

takes a different approach. The song opens with professional wrestler, Dusty Rhodes, discussing workers who lose their jobs to computers. Bryan builds on that idea by describing a family home and garden that no longer look the way they once were meant to. Rather than discussing technology in broad terms, he connects it to the changes people experience in their everyday lives. This song was one I found especially interesting because of how relevant the subject has become. Technology continues to change the way people work more and more throughout our society, which is why the song was particularly fitting with the time he released it. The two tracks approach two different subjects, but both reflect the wide capabilities of Bryan’s writing. He can take something as personal as getting through a difficult period of life or something as widespread as technological change, and spread his message while still incorporating that catchy aspect to a song. For me, that’s what makes this EP stand out. The production is different from what I initially associated with Bryan, but the writing gives the track a sense of familiarity without making it feel like a repeat of his previous work. Yet, no matter how much his music evolves, the EP still feels unmistakably like the work of Zach Bryan.

sports

recent galleries

design by ALEX HARDEN

BELOW Freshman Bo Keller catches the ball one

handed as an opposing player attempts to tackle him. SM East’s JV team lost 34-28. photo by SARA GARRY

athletes share their student’s Two strongest skill in the sport strengths they play

I DON’T NECESSARILY have a strongsuit, I would just say my work ethic. [My best skill is] pace abusing. Ultimately speed and working hard.

“

NOLAN MURRAY junior and soccer player

[MY STRONGSUIT] IS probably just working

TOP LEFT Junior Nolan Murray, along with two

other SM West players, look up at sophomore Ethan Zickefoose while he heads the ball to return the goalkeepers kick. SM East’s varsity team lost 2-1. photo by CHARLOTTE WALTON LEFT Senior Addie Bykowski, sophomore Nora Elwood and freshman Kate Fisher perform the Fight Song portion of the routine. The routine consisted of three parts, the Band Dance, the Situational Cheer and the Fight Song. photo by TYLER RUSSELL

cheer recap

An overview of the first cheer competition of the season

by TYLER RUSSELL THE 28 VARSITY cheerleaders, including three alternates, jumped up and screamed as the competition coordinator came over to present the Best Sportsmanship trophy to the girls. The competition at Olathe West on Oct. 31 started at 8 a.m., with warmups and team morales for the middle school and youth groups. By 10:50 a.m., the first high school teams began their performances. The Lancers waited and debuted their routine

at 11:10 a.m., lasting around five minutes for the entire set. The Lancers received a superior rating which was an improvement from last year when they got an excellent rating — a placement below superior. After the ratings, the announcer recognized the best team overall, as well as the best stunt group and, finally, the Lancers received the best sportsmanship award.

with teammates, making everyone around me better, just holding everyone to a high standard and just having fun. I would say I’m a good runner, I’m tough and I can break tackles.

“

BO KELLER

freshman and football player

events to upcoming events Sporting look forward to

NOV.

CHEER COMP.

5 p.m. @ Park Hill South High School

NOV.

DANCE COMP. 6 p.m. @ Stormont Vail Events Center

NOV.

CHEER COMP.

6 p.m. @ Stormont Vail Events Center

sports

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

design by ANNA SULLINGER art by FRANCESCA LORUSSO story by MARY KATE RUANE

FRESH from drive to

STATE

Tournaments the girls golf team played in to qualify for the state championship

01.

The girls golf team won the Sunflower championships on Oct. 6, sending them to the sub-state tournament.

02.

The team won the sub-state championship on Oct. 12 at Deer Trace Golf Course, which led them to the state championship.

03.

The girls golf team won the state championship at Firekeeper Golf Course on Oct. 20, bringing SM East’s state championship count to 115.

the R

UGH

The SM East girls varsity golf team are the 2026 6A KSHSAA champions

HE GIRLS VARSITY

golf team won the 2026 state tournament on Oct. 20, making them the 6A Kansas State High School Activities Association State Champions. As the season went on, the team’s culture and chemistry grew stronger, culminating in their victory. However, there was an issue at hand before the season even began. With a third of last year’s state team having graduated, the coaches were tasked with filling their spots on this year’s team. Sophomore Harper Anderson, who was an alternate at the state tournament last year, competed, as well as freshman Samera Doel. Doel had never played competitive golf before her first tournament at the beginning of the season, with the JV team. After her victory in the tournament, Doel was moved up to the varsity team, continuing her season until their victory at state. She was thrown into an entirely new environment, not only being the only freshman on varsity, but also having never competed in a golf tournament before. “I thought I wouldn’t play in any tournaments and I would just practice and try to get better, then I would come back sophomore year and see what I can do,” Doel said. “But I got thrown into the tournaments and it was so scary, but it was so much fun.” The season was already intense for the entire team, with the girls constantly missing school for golf. Coaches and captains focused

on keeping the team’s minds off individual shots, making golf more celebratory and focusing instead on helping the girls appreciate the moment. The coaches would point out the nature on and around the course, or just make small talk during practice. The team was led to the championship by captains and juniors Katie Robinett and Paige Wildman. As captains, their goal was to encourage and support the team in any way they could. Whether it be a rough test score, an argument with a friend or a tough round of golf, they would be there for the team. “[Robinett and I] really pushed to be motivating for all the girls,” Wildman said. “If someone had a bad round, a bad day or is just maybe struggling at practice. Maybe it had nothing to do with golf. I feel like we always had something positive to say to someone if they needed it.” Despite the typical school troubles, the girls were determined to push through. In the 2024 season, the SM East girls’ golf team

SUB-STATE

The competition leading up to state came in as runner-up, as well as in 2025. After finishing second last year, the team was determined to come back stronger than ever. Robinett was in the final group of golfers for the tournament. She hit the last putt; the pressure was on. “A s I hit that final putt, I started

breaking down crying because it’s a lot of stress and there’s a lot of pressure,” Robinett said. “Also, I thought that we had lost.” As she stepped off the field, her teammates and their families came rushing towards her. “When Katie hit her last putt, we were so excited,” Doel said. “Once that happened, we ran over to Katie, gave her a hug.”

“AS I HIT that final putt, I started breaking down crying because it’s a lot of stress and there’s a lot of pressure.”

“

KATIE ROBINETT junior

Golf has built a lifelong bond for the team. As the girls play, sportsmanship and friendship blend. The team is building a legacy, one that will hopefully push more young girls to play golf. According to head coach and teacher Benjamin Hendricks, more young girls should play golf. It’s good to know socially and for making connections in one’s career, and the SM East team’s victory promotes it. “I really want to inspire more girls to play golf,” Hendricks said. “I think we have lots of boys, especially in elementary and middle school, that are really, really into golf. We haven’t seen the same number of girls.”

Office, dining, events, performance, and retail. 1900bldg.com (913) 730-1905

Modern-American cuisine from award-winning Chef Linda Duerr. therestaurantat1900.com (913) 730-1900 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, KS 66205

sketch sessions sketch sketchsessions essions sketch sessions alt-copy

NOVEMBER 9, 2026

design by MADDIE GLASIER photos by MOLLY MCDERMED & LIV RUECKER

Students share their sketching habits and artistic interests

vanessa kramer senior

vanessa’s supplies

What Kramer commonly uses to draw:

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ART STYLE? My art style is chaotic. I like to show how the world isn’t perfect. Even with all of the chaos in the world, there is still beauty in it.

acrylic markers

HOW DO YOU STAY ORIGINAL WITH YOUR WORKS?

I like to use Pinterest for inspiration, but I make a board of multiple inspirations and some sort of combination of that. Especially when making an art piece that has meaning to it, I think about how I can connect to my audience about what the inspiration makes me feel and how I can express that.

rainbow gel pens

HOW DOES YOUR ARTWORK REPRESENT WHO YOU ARE? My art is a representation of myself. I internalize a lot of things, and showing that the world [has flaws] has made me accept myself. It’s taught me that it’s okay to be messy and have fun.

boston caylor-pryor junior

WHO IN YOUR LIFE HAS IMPACTED YOU ARTISTICALLY?

My dad. When he was young, he used to draw a lot of realistic flowers, so that [influenced] the types of things I like to draw too. I’ve [also] taken up a lot of my personality traits, interests and things that I do, so I wanted to [draw].

I DO LIKE

WHERE DO YOU GET IDEAS FOR ART PIECES?

A lot of it comes to me in the car. I think the music I listen to, driving around and the scenery. I want to interpret how there’s people living their lives in [the art I make].

clay more, but drawing is just easier to set up [and more accessible].

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU PUT YOURSELF INTO YOUR ARTWORK? It shows a lot of what goes on inside my head. I put what I think about into figures and words. Some of my drawings are just random lines that somehow make something because that’s how I’m feeling. I’ll use my emotions to do it.

sketch sessions sketch sessions sketch sessions

chloe caldwell junior

chloe’s supplies

What Caldwell commonly uses to draw: sharpie

colored pencils

HOW HAS THE PHONE BAN CHANGED YOUR SKETCHING HABITS?

I would always just be scrolling on my phone during Seminar, but now that we can’t do that anymore, if I’ve finished all my homework and don’t really have anything else to do, sketching is a great way to pass the time and not get super bored.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO DRAW?

I listen to all types of music while I draw. It kind of just depends on what I’m drawing or what mood I’m in. Sometimes I’ll listen to chill music, like The Smiths, Phoebe Bridgers or The Smashing Pumpkins. I’ve really been into Slaughter Beach Dog recently.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY TRYING TO IMPROVE IN YOUR ART?

I’m really working towards getting better drawing different perspectives and anatomy and full bodies. It’s really easy to get good at drawing a particular pose or facial expression, but what’s difficult is branching out and making yourself get better at different poses and perspectives.

pencil