The Harbinger Issue 8 2025

THE HARBINGER

DECEMBER 10, 2025

online preview

staff list

PRINT EDITORS

Sophia Brockmeier

political cartoon

STAFF ARTISTS

DESIGN EDITORS

Bella Broce

Libby Marsh STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Sydney Eck

Luciana Mendy

Lucy Stephens

ASST. PRINT EDITORS

Avni Bansal

Michael Yi

ASST. ONLINE EDITOR

Christopher Long ONLINE EDITORS

HEAD COPY EDITORS

Libby Marsh

Luciana Mendy

ASST. HEAD COPY

EDITOR

Grace Pei

PRINT PHOTO EDITOR

Paige Bean

Griffith

ASST.

Addie Clark

Molly Scott

Ava Towner

Tyler Russell

PHOTO MENTORS

Addie Clark

Katie Cook

Sylvie DeGalan

Zac Russell

VIDEO EDITORS

Preston Hooker

ASST. DESIGN EDITORS

Evelyn Bagley

Lucy Swope

DESIGN MENTORS

Lyla Weeks

Miranda Liberda

Julia Campbell

Tillie Paisner

PAGE DESIGNERS

Madeline Glasier

Devon McFadden

Ella Slicker

Kennedy Moore

Eisley Foster

SECTION EDITORS EDITORIAL

Ashtyn Ingram NEWS

Addy Newman OPINION

Adyson Cooper

Campbell

Paisner

Liberda EDITORS

ART EDITOR

Francesca Lorusso

Annie Trenkle

Simon Shawver

Evelyn Geheb

Emma Weidman

Molly McDermed

Vivien Glenski

Anastasia Flower

Lexi Madden

Maggie Rogers

Layla Love

Sophia Cicero

Avra Welling

Darcy Kroening

Charlotte Walton

RJ Kordalski

STAFF Lexi Madden Evelyn Gehab

Alex Harden

Avra Welling

Griffith

Emma Weidman EQUIPMENT MANAGER

Julia Campbell

STAFF WRITERS

Vanessa Blades

Reese Dunham

Alex Harden

Sloane Henderson

Sienna Williams

Anya Hudson

Bridget Dean

Hannah Rosemann

Effie Roper

Preston Hooker Adyson Cooper

Tillie Paisner

Ella Slicker

Eisley Foster

COPY EDITORS

Preston Hooker

Caroline Beal

Addy Newman

Mya Smith

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS

Bella Broce

Lucy Stephens

ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS

Evelyn Bagley

Ashtyn Ingram

SOCIAL MEDIA STAFF

Ashtyn Ingram

Evelyn Bagley

Adyson Cooper

Madeline Glasier

Devon McFadden

Sydney Eck

Lyla Weeks

Lucy Swope

ADS MANAGERS

Preston Hooker

Molly McDermed

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Zac Russell

CONTEST COORDINATORS

Christopher Long

Tyler Russell

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

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

follow our social media:

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

SME Harbinger

Check out a gallery from the girls JV basketball game

Read a feature about students in the teacher’s education class story by HANNAH ROSEMANN

cartoon by EISLEY FOSTER story by PRESTON HOOKER

page design by MICHAEL YI

NEWS

stories by AVNI BANSAL

EXAMS A BOOST

BEFORE

Columbia Brew’s finals-week punch cards increase business and help support local charities

THE COLUMBIA BREW Coffee Shop will be busier than usual during finals week because of “Finals Fuel Cards,” according to business and marketing teacher and Columbia Brew adviser Amanda Doane.

The fuel cards are $10 punch cards that parents can buy for their kids and add a personal note. If students don’t use the entire $10 to purchase drinks and snacks during finals week, they can still use it for the rest of the year.

The coffee shop will be open on Wednesday and Thursday from 7:15-7:40 a.m., and on Friday from 7:30-9 a.m., according to the @ smecoffeeshop Instagram.

“We get new faces in the shop, and that’s super important to us to get new customers and build those relationships,” Doane said. “It’s the time of year when maybe students have never been to the coffee shop before, but now we get

to see them.”

The main organizers for the fuel cards are SHARE coordinators Erin Billingsley and Sheryl Kaplan. SHARE buys the $10 fuel cards from the coffee shop at a discounted price, which are then sold to parents for $15, according to Billingsley.

Through the fuel cards, SHARE raised $2,704 for the coffee shop, $868 to purchase 24 Angel Tree gifts for the Salvation Army, $630 for the Love Fund and $1,200 to help fund school lunches for students in the Shawnee Mission School District, according to Billingsley and the @sme_share Instagram.

“It’s a win-win, because we get to help out the local community with Shawnee Mission lunches and then the Kansas City community with the gifts and also let kids give back to the coffee shop and have a little perk for finals week,” Billingsley said

CHILI SHOWDOWN

The staff chili cookoff this Wednesday aims to unite faculty

“SPUDTACULAR,” THE STAFF chili cookoff, will take place on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in foods teacher Samantha Abel’s room.

Ten to 20 teachers will bring home-cooked chili and admin and support staff will bring toppings and baked potatoes — inspiring the name “Spudtacular.” The competition has been held for the past three years and usually lasts about two hours, giving staff time to socialize and eat during their lunch periods, according to math teacher Elizabeth Landry.

change each year, but in the past, school resource officers, cafeteria ladies and paraeducators have served as unbiased judges.

THIS GIVES TEACHERS

an opportunity to talk and eat lunch with people from all over the different departments that we don’t get to see regularly, and just laugh and close out the first semester.

ELIZABETH

LANDRY MATH TEACHER

“A lot of times when we only get 20-25 minute lunches, we’re just in our little circle,” Landry said. “But this gives us an opportunity to talk and eat lunch with people from all of the different departments that we don’t get to see regularly, and just laugh and close out the first semester.”

The judges for the chili cookoff

This is the first year that the department with the winning chili will receive points that go toward Staff Olympics — an annual series of staff competitions between departments, such as charades and cornhole.

“[Staff Olympics] might change the stakes a little bit,” Landry said. “Some more people might play along, but I would say there’s plenty of chili to go around.”

Landry plans to wake up at 5 a.m. on the morning of the competition to prepare and cook her chili.

“My chili is the bomb-dot-com, but it does take eight hours to cook,” Landry said. “[Spudtacular] is fun and food. How can you go wrong?”

ABOVE The Finals Fuel Card is available for purchase. It allows students to purchase items from the coffee shop in hopes to raise money for SHARE and to help give students a boost for finals. photo by KATIE COOK

TRAILS OF LIGHT

FUN FACT:

The Finals Fuel Cards used to be half a page big, until they were changed to be business-card sized.

A festive city-organized holiday walk in Overland Park is on Friday and Saturday

THE OVERLAND PARK

Luminary Walk will take place on Friday and Saturday at six different time slots between 5 and 7:30 p.m. at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, according to showclix.

General Admission is $17, and children 5 and under are free, with tickets available on showclix. The walk features candlelit pathways and gardens, with holiday lights, musical performances and gnome and fairy villages throughout.

“My mom used to go on the Luminary Walk every year with her seven-person friend group, and my younger brother and his friends,” junior Claire Rosen said. “She really loves it.”

SCAN ME LINK

MY FAVORITE

part about going is the gigantic Christmas tree and all the Christmas-y decorations.

Literally everywhere you look, there are crazy bright decorations, and it’s so festive.

CLAIRE ROSEN JUNIOR

SCAN ME LINK

Rosen herself hasn’t been to the Luminary Walk since eighth grade, but she’s planning on returning this year with her brother and mom. She recommends going with a group of friends to take Christmas photos.

“My favorite part about going is the gigantic Christmas tree and all the Christmas-y decorations,” Rosen said. “Literally everywhere you look, there are crazy bright decorations, and it’s so festive.”

Google Map directions to get to the Luminary Walk in Overland Park, KS.

Link to the Luminary Walk website for more information about the event.

PATH

A NEW PATH

PLANNING

AHEAD PLANNING

Changes which will be made to busy streets in the SM East area

story by LUCIANA MENDY

IN RESPONSE TO recent accidents and concerns from Corinth Elementary parents about safer streets, the Leawood City Council approved a lane restructuring for 103rd Street on Dec. 3. In addition, the Leawood Public Works department plans to present a project to the City Council in January involving new sidewalks along 83rd Street.

Current narrow sidewalks paired with the heavy traffic are the root of parents’ concerns, according to Corinth Elementary School parent Leah Maugans, who has been advocating for change with other parents in the community since her son was hit by a car years ago.

“As you’re driving by, you can see kids falling into the street, because it’s a volume issue,” Maugans said. “There are pedestrians and so many different modes of transportation and not any designated spots for them. That’s kind of where the whole concern came up.”

After extensive feedback from parents and past accidents, the city of Leawood is making changes to busy streets to ensure the safety of kids walking/ biking to school

83rd Street

Narrowing street to 29 ft.

Making all sidewalks at least five feet wide

Goal: Give pedestrians more sidewalk room to prevent accidents involving children

to 83rd Street, according to City Council member Debrah Filla. But due to parent concerns, the city is changing the original plan and redesigning the street to be more pedestrian-friendly by narrowing the street to 29 feet wide and making all the sidewalks at least five feet wide, compared to the original four feet.

Filla and Maugans believe this design change is important because the city of Leawood’s infrastructure was not originally designed for pedestrians and the streets have not been updated for decades. Heavier, faster and larger cars, as well as the rise of children driving electric scooters, are contributing to parents’ concerns.

FOR ANYONE IN

the [SM] East feeder pattern, we all live in different municipalities, but we’re all one county. The more that we look at our transportation system as a county issue, and all of us together, it would help connect us.

At least 15 times in the past five years, someone walking or riding a scooter or bicycle in Leawood has been struck or endangered by a moving vehicle, according to Strong Towns — a non-profit that advocates for safe cities. Three of those incidents have happened in the past three months, one of which was a fatal accident involving 10-yearold Duke Ommert in October.

LEAH MAUGANS PARENT

The majority of these accidents have been happening at or near the same locations: 83rd Street, 103rd Street and Lee Boulevard, all of which are common routes for kids traveling to school at Brookwood Elementary and Corinth Elementary.

The Leawood City Council already had money in the budget to make changes

“We’re trying to accommodate where we are in terms of when this road was built back in the 50s, and the school was built way back,” Filla said. “Everybody’s being more active [pedestrians], so that’s good news, but now we have to redesign and accommodate this increase in traffic.”

The Leawood City Council Public Works department has been in communication with the Prairie Village City Council when making these plans, to allow for diverse input and ensure a smooth transition between the cities.

The Leawood City Council also plans for a “road diet” on 103rd Street, converting the four-lane road to a three-lane road with one lane in each direction and a single turning lane in the middle, along with adding a bike lane to serve as a buffer for pedestrians.

Brookwood Elementary School parent Liz Monahan has been part of a group of parents attending city council meetings to share concerns about pedestrian safety. Her three children, all under the age of 12, often walk along 103rd Street to get to school, and the heavy traffic has been a concern of Monahan’s since moving to Leawood.

Make the four-lane road into three lanes, with a right, left and middle turning lane

Adding a bike lane

“I mean, that’s the goal, right? Is that we give kids freedom to wobble [on the sidewalk]?” Monahan said. “Kids are going to misstep, they’re going to break wrong on a bike. That should not come at the cost of their life.”

The Ommert family established the DoLikeDuke Foundation last month to raise awareness for pedestrian safety in the Leawood area. The foundation celebrated the city’s actions to improve safety on 103rd Street on an Instagram post earlier this month.

A map of 83rd Street, where many car crashes have occurred, and significant locations around it 103rd Street

“The city heard the calls for safer sidewalks and streets,” the Instagram post read.

Even before Ommert’s accident, Corinth’s parents were raising concerns about their children traveling on 83rd Street. Corinth principal Kasey Weishaar, concerned parents and Leawood and Prairie Village city officials held a meeting at Corinth Elementary on the Wednesday before Ommert’s accident to discuss the issue.

“It’s great to see Prairie Village and Leawood working together along with different organizations to really take this issue seriously,” Weishaar said. “I think people want safety for kids, and I think they’re willing to work together. That’s the biggest value of this. People are having conversations, and there are actually outcomes that are happening.”

According to Filla, the hope is that the construction will start early next year and be over around the fall of 2026. The city is also still open to exploring additional pedestrian protections along busier streets. Parents like Maugans and Monahan also want some faster actions, such as lowering speed limits, installing pedestrian islands and greater visibility lines.

“For anyone in the [SM] East feeder pattern, we all live in different municipalities, but we’re all one county,” Maugans said. “The more that we look at our transportation system, so that’s walking, biking and stuff like that, as a county issue, and all of us together, it would help connect us so much.”

Goal: Adding a buffer between traffic and pedestrians

NEW

Overland Park Raquet Club has implemented a new Electronic Line Calling system on their courts

A APPROACH

Improves accruacy in the game by showing where the ball lands using cameras

The upswing of

AI

The improvements of AI in tennis

Shows the shot speeds, court positioning and percentage of shots hit in or out

Gives players fast feedback and coaching

story by PRESTON HOOKER

THE OVERLAND Park Racquet Club debuted their new AI-powered Electric Line Calling system for the first time in the Boys 18 National Tennis Tournament. The system was used in games from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 after the club earned approval from the United States Tennis Association.

The system acts as a line judge, determining if a ball is hit in or out of bounds. Usually, line judges are simply an appointed umpire or the players themselves: humans, not machines.

If there is a disagreement between players about where a ball landed, they can challenge the call by checking the tablet on the side of the court that determines the exact spot the ball landed.

Junior Brody Feldman participated in the tournament, using the system for the first time in-game after practicing with it for two months prior.

according to OPRC owner and SM East parent Elliot McDermed.

The company that creates the system, PlayReplay, has been partnered with the USTA since January 2024, but outreach and installation at OPRC began in October 2025. The USTA first proposed that the club install these smart courts to McDermed, where installation began thereafter.

“It really diffused any drama that we usually get in tournaments about player-line calls and disputes; all of that went away,” McDermed said. “The matches actually went faster; they were more efficient. There was almost no controversy, so I think the umpires that we have at the tournament were very appreciative of that.”

In addition to the line calling, players are also able to measure exactly how fast each ball they hit goes, as well as how high above the net a ball is as it crosses over. These measurements allow players to work on more specific skillsets with immediate feedback. If a player wanted to consistently put the ball at the very back corner of the court, or wanted to keep the ball as close to the net as possible, they could measure their progress with each attempt using the ELC system.

“Sometimes people make wrong decisions, and you usually just give them the benefit of the doubt,” Feldman said. “If you have some real technology that can help you out, then, you just move on and [don’t] have to think about it anymore.”

Feldman has played tennis since he was 6, and began playing at OPRC at age 10. He says the addition of the linecalling system has vastly improved his experience and alleviated the pressure of making the correct call in the heat of a stressful tournament.

USTA Board member Bill McGugin is enthusiastic about the opportunities the system presents to its users, according to usta.com.

“We believe that the PlayReplay system has the potential to significantly enhance the playing experience across the country, offering an affordable technology solution to tennis facilities where electronic line calling has previously not been feasible,” McGugin said. “This investment also represented an opportunity to invest in a company

“[My] initial thought [when learning about the system] was ‘how fast can I hit my serve?’” Feldman said. “[That was] the first thing. We used to have this radar thing that would never work, so I was like ‘there’s no way I’m not testing how fast I’m hitting my serve.’”

With the positive reception from players like Feldman (who serves at 117 miles per hour), McDermed expects to see the system expand in the tennis world.

“This is an inevitable advancement in tennis, at least in privately managed facilities or even a public tennis center like Plaza Tennis Center,” McDermed said. “It’s like you’ve opened this Pandora’s Box and you can’t close it now, and why would you want to?”

ABOVE The user-interface of the Electric Line Calling system for players to utilize.

photos by DARCY KROENING

OPINION

Students respond to this issue’s opinion stories we asked you...

*Instagram

*Instagram

*Instagram

called out too much, but I also think people don’t because going to school can feel like a chore for people, and the system only allows you to miss a certain number of days.

ANNA JOHNSON SOPHOMORE

YES, IT DOES. I feel like [Winter Break is] the thing I look forward to during my final so I can study harder and just finish the semester off with good grades.

comic strip hot take

People should wait longer to take down their holiday lights

story by ADYSON COOPER

DEC. 26 ROLLS around and Dec. 26 rolls around and suddenly everyone seems to think it’s time to hide away all holiday joy. Instead of questioning why your neighbor still has their lights up in the middle of January, start questioning why you don’t.

Dazzling lights lining houses are my favorite part of the holiday season. The way they sparkle against the fresh snow fills me with joy. I love to drive around candy cane lane with my family or friends for the sole purpose of looking at lights.

While everyone else strips their decorations down the minute they can, my family leaves them up for much longer. Some years we take them down at the start of January, while other years it’s as late as mid-February.

And I have no shame about it.

Not only are lights a hassle to put up, but they’re also a hassle to take down.

So, instead of taking them down the second the holiday season is over, rethink the haste and postpone.

Some people like to start decorating on Nov. 1. If they get to enjoy their lights before December even starts, why shouldn’t I be allowed to keep them up for an extra month after?

January and February are often dreary long months causing “seasonal depression,” often known as “winter slump.” Keeping the lights up in your house not only brightens everyone’s moods, but adds a cozy appeal to your home.

Even more, lights shouldn’t belong to the holidays only. Keeping lights up reframes them from being just for holidays rather than winter decor. This allows people to celebrate warmth, togetherness and coziness far beyond the holiday season.

So, the next time you drive by a house with their twinkling lights hung up in January know they’re not lazy, they’re just celebrating a little extra holiday joy.

design by ADYSON COOPER photos by MAGGIE ROGERS

comic strip by ADYSON COOPER

DEGREE DEGREE

The Trump Administration’s reclassification of professional degrees should be reversed to prevent the possibility of job losses in those fields

JOBS AT RISK

NURSES

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

AUDIOLOGISTS

*information courtesy of news week

LET’S PICK A different job that has more loan opportunities.”

“Sorry, we just can’t afford for you to go into nursing.”

These are phrases no student wants to hear about the field they’re passionate about. But now, because of the U.S. Department of Education’s reclassification of degrees and professions, SM East students are facing problems with affording their schooling more than ever before.

Due to these new classifications, careers such as nursing, accounting, social work and education aren’t classified as “professional” — instead, they’re just classified as graduates, according to a regulation of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill carried out by the U.S. Department of Education. Students pursuing these degrees and entering these fields have a cap on federal student loan grants, depending on field and circumstance, starting next July.

Even though the long-term effects are currently unknown, this could make education for these careers less accessible, deterring students from pursuing vital professions.

It’s also no secret that people who can afford these degrees, even after this bill, come from families of higher income. If these higher-income families are the only people who can afford to go into these fields after the reclassification, then it could have the effect of broadening the wealth gap in the United States.

To clarify, this bill doesn’t mean that Trump thinks these degrees are unprofessional in the traditional sense of them not being worthwhile jobs. Rather, the Trump Administration uses the terms “professional” and “non-professional” to refer to the different programs that “qualify for higher loan limits,” according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Jobs that are in jeopardy because of President Donald Trump new job classification

ARCHITECTS

ACCOUNTANTS

EDUCATORS

SOCIAL WORKERS

Even though this bill, which stated the new nonprofessional degrees, wasn’t passed with malicious intent, it will still have negative effects, such as worker shortages, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.

Reclassifying these degrees as non-professional isn’t an effective way to decrease the cost of graduate programs. Neither is it a productive method to reduce the debt students are put in after postsecondary education, which was supposed to be the goal of the regulation. The side effects of this reclassification heavily outweigh the real purpose, to the point where it isn’t even worth it to reclassify these degrees.

expenses with federal loans, according to Federal Student Aid.

Along with classifying these degrees, the U.S. Department of Education also stated how much financial support students entering these fields can receive after this bill regulation is put into effect for their studies. Trump cut the Grad PLUS program simultaneously with the degree reclassification. The program provided loans to graduate students to cover expenses for school and related costs, which is vital . This decision was a huge oversight by the Trump Administration.

The termination of this Grad PLUS program leaves lower-income students without an option to receive financial assistance for educational costs that these federal loans no longer cover, according to the American College of Education.

The Parent PLUS loans have also been terminated, which in the past had helped parents cover their children’s schooling

SM East students currently training to become Certified Nursing Assistants at the Center for Academic Achievement are frustrated about this decision to lower the loan amounts possible to receive, according to these students. Also, careers like the nursing field already have a shortage of employees, according to Spring Arbor University, and the effect of this reclassification could very well cause a bigger shortage.

For occupations like teaching, it’s widely known that educators already don’t earn adequate salaries, so lowering the amount they’re able to get loans for isn’t practical. It could then discourage more students from going into an already severely understaffed role that literally shaped their education.

Another notable point is that the majority of these are woman-dominated

fields, such as healthcare and education, according to Statista. By classifying these degrees as “non-professional,” it comes off as degrading women in the professional or corporate world.

Many women, such as accountants, would probably be incredibly disappointed to enter a corporate world where they’re already undervalued, according to Equal Rights Advocates, only to hear that the degree they spent four or more years studying for is no longer considered “professional” by people who don’t actually know what the term means in the context of the bill regulation.

Even if this reclassification reduces any student debt, naming degrees as professional and non-professional has a much larger effect for graduate students, and the government should find other solutions to the significant debt issue that don’t prevent students from trying to pursue a career.

design by MADDIE GLASIER

by EISLEY FOSTER

AHEAD BELL OF THE

AHEAD BELL

Constantly skipping the same classes and frequently getting called out of school shouldn’t be normalized

story by ADDY NEWMAN

DOZENS OF TIMES each month, parents receive the same texts.

Mom, can you call me out of school? I just finished my math test and have nothing else important to do today.

Please, can I go home? I didn’t sleep well last night, and all we are doing in my English class is watching the movie for the book we just read.

Something as important as school shouldn’t be seen as a burden. Students shouldn’t be asking to leave school constantly, but parents shouldn’t be lenient in the first place.

During class periods when the day’s work is light or after a test when there’s free time, going home shouldn’t be a student’s first thought. Students should make use of the time they have to work on other homework, or to just be present for the teacher who showed up for them.

Wanting to skip a class because it’s “too easy” shouldn’t be a problem in the first place. Students need to challenge themselves with classes that fill the hour; if a class is too easy for them, to the point that they can constantly skip it and maintain a high grade, then they shouldn’t be in it in the first place. Unless they are taking the class for its fun advantages and enjoyment.

Classes that are fun and more individualized, such as art classes or food classes, are valuable if students actually benefit and learn from the class. However,

problem.

Missing one period for an appointment, or a day off sick, isn’t a problem. It’s the constant skipping of class and the need to have parents call them out that shouldn’t be normalized.

The best days in school have come from the days with work time; such as collaborations with friends, watching movies or having food and treats in class.

While reading “The Great Gatsby” for my AP Lang course, I looked forward to watching the movie for the instead of looking forward to skipping the hour to go home. It added a much needed other perspective to the book, and taught me more than the book had to offer.

Further, it’s disrespectful to teachers when students aren’t present and don’t put in the effort to show up to class. And it’s even worse when students expect teachers to fill them in on what was done in class, after they chose to skip it.

SOMETHING

as important as school shouldn’t be seen as a burden. Students shouldn’t be asking to leave school constantly, but parents shouldn’t be lenient in the first place.

Week-at-a-glance and Canvas are resources that most students don’t even bother to check before bothering teachers with questions. If a student doesn’t put in the effort to show up to class and learn, the teacher shouldn’t be expected to help them or put in effort on their behalf.

The opposite is also true. In classes where there are substitute teachers multiple days a week, students have less motivation to put in effort for the class and actually learn the topics covered.

There are counselors for a reason; to help out students and make their schedule doable for everyone’s needs. Students can’t

POLICY HIGHLIGHTS

So instead of typing out a text to parents to skip a class for no valid reason, think about using the time at school for its benefits to education and the fun aspects.

The six district-approved reasons for an absence, according to the SMSD High School Student Handbook

Serious illness or death of a family member

Obligatory religious observances

Emergencies

Participation in Kansas High School Activities Association activity, a districtapproved function or school-sponsored activity

6. Absences must be approved and students are expected to attend school daily

design by MIRANDA LIBERDA

WHAT

MOTIVATES YOU?

THE

FINAL

MOTIVATION

We asked students what motivates them to get through finals season

GRACELYN FLANIGAN SOPHMORE

MY PARENTS PAY me a certain amount of money for each of my grades, so the better my grade is the more money I get in return.

LEIGHTON FULGHUM SOPHMORE

I JUST LIKE getting good grades because it shows me and gives me the validation that I can be the best version of myself.

Students have various motivators during finals, some of the biggest being getting good grades, looking forward to break and seeing family and friends

BRIDGET DEAN

FINALS SEASON IS rough.

Most students have at least four core classes, plus elective finals to study for. If a student spends only four

hours studying for each of their seven finals, they’ll spend over a full, 24-hour day preparing for seven of the most important tests of the year.

So, how do students survive this infinitely long week of the year?

They resist daydreaming about

GOOD GRADES

GETTING A GOOD enough grade on a final to pass classes is the reason high school students find the time to lock themselves in their rooms and study for their exams. Every day leading up to the dreaded week, I do my textbook questions, worksheets and AP classroom problem sets to

help keep my straight As, but that’s no easy task.

Depending on the class, teachers weigh their finals differently, leading students to use online grade calculators to determine what they need to get on the final to pass.

However, students who have any hope of getting accepted to a good college shouldn’t be trying to get the minimum score that will get them a passing grade. Students should put effort into studying to do well on

WINTER BREAK

I LOVE CHRISTMAS time. I look forward to decorating all four of my Christmas trees, the bright, colorful lights lining the houses and blasting “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey from my Alexa for the millionth time. However, before I get to actual Christmas Day, I must get through finals.

The second most motivating factor for students to get through finals season — according to my

close friends and Instagram polls — is the prospect of winter break. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one of my peers who counted down the minutes until the 7th-hour final was over last year.

The anticipation of finishing the test and not having to think about school for the next two weeks is what keeps me, and other students, going when stumped on a question. Using winter break as a reason to

FRIENDS & FAMILY

IT’S EARLY MORNING on a Tuesday during my math class when my teacher calls on me to come answer the problem on the whiteboard. I turn and look at my friends, asking them if they know how to graph the function. They just laugh as they walk me through the problem.

Having friends in all my classes has been one of the best parts of this school year so far for me.

EACH STUDENT HAS a different studying tactic for finals. Each student has a slightly different schedule than their peers. But all

Friends can be one of the biggest motivators during finals week. They help keep each other on track with schoolwork during what’s become the most stressful and depressing week of the school year.

My family is also very supportive of me during finals week. Last year, I woke up to a warm Starbucks coffee my mom got me on the first morning of winter finals, making my day.

The kind gestures friends and

students can agree that there are multiple motivators that help get them through finals week. Thinking about the break from

the holidays during their language finals, tell themselves “I just have to get a 68% on the final to get an A,” drink an unhealthy amount of energy drinks with their friends and cram in study sessions during family dinner.

their finals to feel good about all the work they’ve put into their classes throughout the semester.

Though I can’t focus after I’ve spent an hour or two rereading through my notes, trying to fill out the infinite study guide my teacher gave, I push through. I, along with many other students, aim to get at least an 89.5% in all my classes for self-fulfillment and that letter “A” on my gradebook.

study can be beneficial for students, too. Studying more before their finals in exchange for not doing any schoolwork once they finish their finals.

I like to have Christmas music quietly playing in the background while I practice my math problems, reminding myself that by the next morning, I’ll be one day closer to sleeping in without having to go to school.

family do, whether it be parents offering to help quiz their kids on vocab, or friends making each other laugh, can help students stay upbeat and feel supported.

I know I’ll get sidetracked thinking about getting to see my family who’s coming to town for Christmas during at least one of my finals this year, lifting my spirits just a little before I go back to reading the question.

school, studying with their friends or even the basic goal to just get good grades can help students survive finals week.

photos by RJ KORDALSKI

design by PAIGE BEAN

Bûche de Noël

French 4 baked Bûche de Noëls, also known as Yule Logs, in teams to be judged by French 6 students on Dec. 8

SCAN ME PHOTO

ABOVE Sophomore Claire Martin pours the cake batter into a sheet pan to bake in the oven. The cake requires a thin consistency to be rolled into a log, and are usually baked in shallow baking pans for cookies. photo by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

BELOW Sophomores Logan Bretell, Loïck Vinaimont and Mason Hunter laugh while presenting their baking video to the class during sixth hour.

photo by PAIGE BEAN

ABOVE French teacher Madame Baker cuts a cake made by sophomores Anya Hudson, Avra Welling, Claire Martin and Ana Schafer. photo by LAYLA LOVE

RIGHT Sophomore Ana Schafer cracks an egg into a bowl containing egg yolks required to make a traditional Bûche de Noël. photo by VIVIEN GLENSKI

art by FRANCESCA LORUSSO

by JULIA

FEATURE

this week in PHOTOS

A look inside student life during the past two weeks

RIGHT Senior Jacob Winfield hangs up a snowflake to decorate his AP Calculus class for “Calcmas.”

Each year the AP Calculus kids have a Christmas party to decorate the room, including a Christmas tree made out of calculus textbooks.

WALKING

THROUGH THE WALKING

COUNTRY

Learn about sisters Emma and Esther Walker’s travel history as they are trying to visit all 50 states

Emma and Esther have visited 47 states

Haven’t been to Minnesota, North Dakota or Alaska yet

Both view New York as their favorite state trip

ABOVE Sophomores Sydney Feldman, Charlotte Wellman, Jessie Hill and Audrey Rose gather together in the hallway to look at this year’s yearbook portraits.

JUNIORS’ GOT TALENT

Three juniors and their special talents

DREW LASH

Skilled at tying fly fishing lures

SPENCER THORNHILL

An expert in bottle flipping

They favor New York because: It offers a variety of shops

Staying on Times Square is a great experience

The food is so good. The whole atmosphere of New York City is great.

BURT SHEETS

At a high level in the popular video game Clash Royale’s arena with a dedication to his homemade deck

photos by ANASTASIA FLOWER,

photo by TYLER RUSSELL

photo by VIVIEN GLENSKI

design

CAMPBELL

photo by MOLLY MCDERMED

ABOVE Senior Eric Schlote uses a bowl gauge to hollow out the inside of a bowl during wood shop.

MOLLY SCOTT & TYLER RUSSELL

photo courtesy of BURT SHEETS,

DREW LASH & EMMA WALKER

EMMA WALKER

bound through

WHERE THEY MAY VISIT

Cities where previous seasons of “The Amazing Race” have been held

extreme sports.

story by SLOANE HENDERSON

SENIOR SKYLAR Niang-Trost watches “Jeopardy” whenever it’s on, trying to keep his mind sharp, and builds up his endurance on the stationary bike in his basement.

His older brother and SM East alum, Trevin, has carried a map and compass in hand since he was little, always marking their location on family roadtrips.

Together, the two’s mental, physical and navigational skills make for the perfect team on their family’s favorite show, “The Amazing Race” — a TV series where duos compete in mental and physical challenges while traveling around the globe to an unknown finish line.

Every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., the Niang-Trosts gather around the TV, ready for the next episode.

Now Skyler and Tevin are applying to be a part of the 12 teams in the 39th season airing in 2027.

“It’s been a thing that brings us together,” Skyler said. “It’s always something that at night, after school and [activities], we’re able to come together.”

Traveling to England to see where their mom grew up fostered their love for traveling. As did visiting Ireland where their grandma went to college. And their pitstops in France, Portugal and Spain along the way.

PARENTS want us to do what makes us happy, and they think it’s good because from a young age they traveled also, so they thought it’d be a good idea for us to experience the world.

SKYLAR NIANGTROST SENIOR

Ready to watch teams partake in challenges like learning a cultural dance, cooking traditional food, finding different landmarks and competing in

“Ultimately, I think the real experience is just being able to travel place to place around the world,” Tevin said. “Just getting the real taste of what the different cultures and the different ways of life are.”

Not to mention, they want to make up for that one time in Germany.

His dad, the only family member who speaks fluent German, was in the train station bathroom. And, when Skyler, his mom and siblings — none of whom are fluent in German — attempted

North America:

VEGAS

BROTHERHOOD

BROTHERHOOD

Senior Skyler Niang-Trost fosters his love for traveling by applying for the reality TV show, “The Amazing Race” with his older brother

The steps of auditioning for “The Amazing Race”

Fill out the application form on the CBS casting website Film a one to three minute audition video with your teammate

to read the signs to find the right train, the doors were closed before they could realize their mistake. And they were headed in the opposite direction than planned.

Now, everytime Skyler and Tevin talk about their application video, they vow not to get lost on the show like in Germany. Part of their plan to avoid a similar fiasco has been learning Japanese and Spanish, which has cultivated Skyler’s love for reality TV in an unexpected way.

Spanish teacher Gina Baker was going through a regular class lecture when she used her love of reality TV as an example. Immediately after class, then-sophomore Skyler approached her to learn what her favorite show was.

Now, every week, Skyler walks into room 515 to talk about the most recent reality drama they’ve watched, whether it be “The Amazing Race,” “Survivor” or another reality TV show.

“He comes in, and we’re always talking back and forth on which characters we like, who thinks who’s gonna win, and what stupid things are happening,” Gina said.

Gina said she was ecstatic when learning about Skyler’s plans to apply to “The Amazing Race,” knowing his

personality, intelligence and sharpness would be effective in winning the entire show.

Skyler and Tevin plan to give Gina a shoutout during their application video, thanking her for fostering Skyler’s interest in reality TV.

Along with Gina, the brothers said their parents have always been supportive.

“They want us to do what makes us happy, and they think it’s good because from a young age they traveled also, so they thought it’d be a good idea for us to experience the world,” Skyler said.

Whether it be on the personal computer they’re building, Skyler’s math homework or picking up items for their mom’s interior design business, the two are frequently working together. And for the inevitable argument the two will have once on the show, they hope their practiced teamwork will pay off.

“Ultimately, we’re working together and just figuring out solutions to problems,” Tevin said. “So I think any fighting that we do have [or] disagreements — which should be pretty minimal — we’ll be able to work through them pretty quickly.”

3.

Upload your audition video through the CBS casting website

CBS casting will contact you to schedule a series of interviews

Only after passing the digital interviews can you be chosen

AND WE’RE LIVE!

SM East alum and father Nick Vasos anchors the FOX4 morning news, which serves as both a source of news and family bonding

WAIT, WHAT?”

JUNIOR Dane Schwartz said, during the choir concert this past October.

“That’s your dad?”

Scanning the crowd, Dane had recognized a man with short, gray hair and glasses lined in thick metal strips. A man he recognized from Channel 4. Who he’d seen covering weather forecasts and traffic on countless mornings.

Turning to his fellow bass singers, he whispered “that’s Nick Vasos!” to his friend senior Gus Vasos — Nick’s son.

Gus is used to the dramatic reactions when peers discover that his dad is an anchor for FOX4KC’s morning news. When Dane found out, he couldn’t believe the man on TV with the deep, rolling radio voice reporting every day before dawn was his friend’s dad.

Since Gus was a baby, his dad has been anchoring and covering traffic — a routine that wakes Nick up at 2:12 a.m. sharp, sends him live on air to thousands at 4:30 a.m. and tires him to sleep by 8 p.m. every night. Growing up, his dad’s job has been more than just an anecdote. It’s been a way for the two to bond over storytelling.

After Nick wakes up and showers, he dresses and

prepares some food, usually leftovers from the night before. He lets the dogs out and gives them a treat.

When Gus wakes up at 6 a.m. on school days, he’ll turn on his dad’s show, watching the end of his father’s segment with his mother — a ritual the two have shared together since he was little.

“I watch [the show] all the time,”

Gus said. “Pretty much almost every day, with my mom in the morning before I go to school. Like, ‘Oh, there’s Dad.’”

Nick — an SM East alum who played club baseball and cheered on the cheer team — studied communications at University of Missouri Kansas City. He loved listening to local and national sports, especially Don Fortune, a renowned local radio personality. In 1993, he started interning at an allsports radio channel.

me an internship.”

In 1996, Nick started doing play-by-play announcing for the KC Comets, an indoor soccer team. He’s been calling their games for 30 years. Gus and Nick often watch games together, and discuss the team and their prospects.

IT’S THE BIG things that bring us all together. The community things that create so many great memories for me and our new team.

NICK VASOS FOX4 ANCHOR

“I’ve been going to [Comets] games since I was a little kid, and me and him love to bond over the Comets, because we both love the team so much,” Gus said. “Whenever I’m home it’s like, ‘Hey Dad, did you hear this player got traded?’ or ‘Hey Dad, did you see that play?’”

aims to tell community stories, from the upcoming World Cup Draw to previous Royals playoff seasons.

“It’s the big things that bring us all together,” Nick said. “The community things that create so many great memories for me and our new team.”

Nick leaves his work at 11 a.m. He cooks dinner at 5 p.m., and the Vasos family watches shows together before bed. On Sundays, the family watches “CBS Sunday Morning,” a decade-old family tradition. From the script writing to the stories, the Vasos love the show’s quality journalism.

“I asked the general manager if there was anything that I could do, whether [I could] clean the windows, take the trash out or cut the grass,” Nick said. “Anything I could do to get in the door at this radio station. And he must have liked that, because he offered

When he joined FOX4 in 2002, Nick began by doing traffic coverage, and in 2011 he began anchoring sections of the morning news as well. In traffic, he learned to use 380 different cameras and modular software to cue graphics and report on road conditions five or six times an hour.

In anchoring, he learned to improvise, with his current early and late morning segments taking different roles. In the former, he covers the headlines, weather and traffic, while in the latter he co-anchors from the coach and

“The show is so well written and produced,” Nick said. “And the stories that they tell will make the hair on your arm stand up. These stories are for everybody. I mean, these are stories that anybody would be interested in.”

Although Gus wants to go into real estate instead of following in his dad’s footsteps, he can’t help but smile when talking about how proud he is of his father’s career. And Nick encourages his son to pursue what he loves.

“I want him to do what he wants to do, and I want him to enjoy what he’s doing,” Nick said. “I found a profession that I love and enjoy and [I] feel like I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

CAMERA

THE JOURNEY TO THE 1993

Began working in broadcast journalism after pursuing an internship with all sports radio

1996

Started doing play-byplay announcements for the KC Comets soccer team

2002

Joined FOX4 News as a general assignment and traffic reporter

Transitioned to anchoring the 9 a.m. show, and has since then 2008

The timeline of FOX4 Anchor Nick Vasos and his news career

story by MICHAEL YI

ABOVE FOX4 anchor Nick Vasos sits at the reporting desk where the morning news is set.

CENTER Vasos types at his computer at the reporting desk.

BELOW FOX4 anchor Nick Vasos stands in front of the studio background, which can be used to project graphics.

CAREER

TIMELINE

A timeline of Kaplan’s career

1987

Graduated from Mizzou with a degree in Special Education

1987-1997

Taught special education in Kansas City school districts

1997-2018

Stayed at home with her kids

2018-present

Came back to SM East as the SHARE co-coordinator

THE

MOTHER OF SHARE

What current and past SHARE Execs have to say about Kaplan’s commitment to SHARE

SHARE Co-Coordinator, Sheryl Kaplan, serves as an influential staff member specifically to SHARE Execs

KAPLAN

What is your role as the SHARE co-coordinator?

“I WOULD SAY it’s more of a leadership training class, and so we kind of set up situations so the the execs can take the leading role of whatever project is going on. We’ve taken them on field trips to different organizations to see the different programs [and] different organizations around town, so they have a better understanding of the different sides of philanthropy. It’s just learning how to lead a project and how to get your friends excited about coming and what it means to help others and getting your hands dirty and doing all these different things that are so needed in the community.”

What’s your favorite part of the job?

“I JUST LOVE connecting with the kids. I feel like we have a different relationship because we have eight students in our class, rather than 28 students in our class. And I just love kind of showing them the things that are important and then [I hope] that they’ll be able to carry for carry these things forward as they go to college. It’s my best day when one of my former students will text me from college.”

I JUST HOPE that I’ve made some sort of an impact on the kids that I have had throughout the years, whether they’re execs or project chairs or freshmen connection execs. If you touch that many people’s lives throughout the year, you hope that they can pay it forward and keep on doing good in the world, and that’s all I can hope for.

SHERYL IS SOMEONE that I can always count on. She will help her students achieve anything that they put their minds to and is a role model to all of us. SHARE Exec

SHERYL HAD SUCH a big impact on me and my time at SM East and she really showed me what authentic leadership looks like. Former SHARE Exec

design by LUCY STEPHENS

photos by ANNIE TRENKLE

VIVIAN FRALEY FRANCIE GARRISON

photos courtsey of SME HAUBERK & PIXABAY

Whisking up

Students share memories of their favorite holiday family recipes

Memories

BEL GIAN COOKIES

Through making Belgian cookies, sophomore Anna Johnson connects with her heritage

SOPHOMORE ANNA JOHNSON and her family have a recipe for curing a bad day:

1 TV Show.

1 playlist.

12 spontaneous dance sessions — as a family, of course.

And, odds are, dozens of light brown, waffle patterned Belgian cookies.

“They definitely bring us all much closer together,” Anna said. “[Making Belgian cookies] brings very happy and very warm memories.”

According to Anna, the name Johnson is synonymous with Belgian cookies. In fact, Belgian cookies are the first food Anna remembers eating — even one of the first memories

she recalls as a newborn.

But the Johnsons don’t only make Belgian cookies to brighten their mood. They’re also a way to connect with their Belgian heritage. Anna’s grandfather immigrated to the United States from Belgium as a child and brought the recipe for Belgian cookies with him.

Four years ago, when Anna’s grandfather passed away, she and her family made the dessert to give to family members in remembrance. Now, Anna enjoys exploring her Belgian heritage through the cookies during the holidays — especially around Christmas.

“Heritage is a really important thing, at least with me, because I think it helps reflect who you are,” Johnson said. “It’s comforting to know where you come from and what kind of heritage you’re in. It brings families together because there’s always something to talk about with [heritage].”

I C KER S A LAD

Snicker salad brings sophomore Addie Guggenmos’s family together, as the only food that they can all agree to eat

of the annual Guggnemos Thanksgiving dinner, and there are leftovers on the

Well, with the exception of one dish: Snicker

Even sophomore Addie Guggnemos’s cousins, who are notoriously picky eaters and “refuse to eat anything,” loaded up on the salad.

The untraditional side is a sugar-filled mix of apple, whipped cream and Snickers bars, and although many of Addie’s friends haven’t heard of the dish, it’s Addie’s holiday favorite. Partly because there’s nothing “salad” about it, but also because it’s the only dish that can’t be burnt.

“It’s definitely a big deal when you’re the one

who’s asked to help make [Snicker salad],” Addie said. “We’ve had some competitions, like ‘Who can make the best one?’ You wouldn’t think about it, but it’s one of the things that it’s not Thanksgiving without.”

Addie’s tried to change the recipe before, but it’s just not the same. The original white, gooey dish is always a crowd pleaser. The whole extended Guggnemos family races to scoop it up before it’s gone.

“There’s really no one who doesn’t like it,” Addie said. “[With] stuffing there’s like a 50/50, if people like it. But with Snicker salad, no matter who you really give it to, everyone will like it.”

design by BELLA BROCE art & photos by BELLA BROCE

stories by SOPHIA BROCKMEIER

P I N W HEE L COO K IE

S

Junior Gretchen Anast and her family make German Pinwheel cookies and connect with their extended family

EACH TIME ONE of her family members makes traditional black and white “swirled” German Pinwheel cookies, junior Gretchen Anast’s grandmother swears they taste different.

Yes, they’re all chocolate and vanilla buttery swirls of dough, but there’s just something different about each batch.

However, it doesn’t matter if Gretchen’s aunt or mother makes the Pinwheel cookies; they always sneak their way onto the holiday dinner table.

“We know at least my great, great grandma started [making them],” Gretchen said. “It could’ve gone back farther, but we don’t know that for sure.”

Gretchen learned how to make the cookies when she was 11, surrounded by her mom and grandmother — they made the process of measuring, mixing and folding look easy.

Gretchen took turns flattening out the chocolate and

vanilla portions of the dough and then her mom carefully lined up the pieces and rolled them together to form the classic “swirl,” or “pinwheel,” of the cookie.

“It was kind of terrifying, honestly, because you don’t want to mess it up,” Gretchen said. “But once I got the hang of it, it was really fun.”

Now, Gretchen and her family are celebrating a new tradition — making cookies in Colorado with her cousins each holiday season. In fact, she leaves on a flight for Colorado this week.

The younger kids will make the dough, the adults will tediously roll out the dough and Gretchen will clean up.

It’s how it’s always been done.

“I love being around that side of my family so much,” Gretchen said. “Mainly because they’re closer to me in age, but just connecting with them and hearing about their lives when I don’t see them a whole lot, it’s really fun.”

OREO BALLS

Sophomore Margot Fair makes Oreo balls for her neighbor after years of receiving them

Donna.

now-sophomore Margot Fair would go over to her neighbor’s house every day for a tea party and to play on their DIY rope swing. Her neighbors have always just been Dave and Donna — in fact, Margot doesn’t even know their last name.

And, right before Christmas, Margot would receive a treasured gift from Donna: Oreo balls, round sweet clumps of cream cheese and chocolate crust.

Up until two years ago, Donna made the Oreo balls for the Fair family around Christmas time. Now, however, she’s not able to anymore due to her husband’s health.

So, Margot took it into her own hands and learned how to make the dessert. Margot walked next door to Donna and Dave’s house before Christmas for the first time two years ago and handed the tin of Oreo balls to

Since you don’t make these often anymore, I have a surprise for you.

“She was like, ‘Oh, my God, it’s full circle,’” Margot said. “She cried because she’s been giving them to my family since I was born, and now I’m 16.”

Yes, the Oreo balls are delicious. But to Margot, they’ve been more than just a small treat around the dinner table; forming the balls helps her form community as well. Thanks to Donna’s recipe, Margot has a passion for caring for those around her.

“Everyone wants to be seen and everyone wants to be heard, but no one wants to ask for it,” Margot said. “That’s why making someone’s favorite treat just mentioned once is so important. The food is a good plus, but it’s also just about visiting people.”

The Harbinger hosted media day for winter sports in the Commons on Dec. 6, giving athletes the opportunity to get photos, videos and promotional content for their upcoming season

SEASON SEASON FOCUS

ABOVE Social media staffers pull inspiration from various online sources and print them out to give athletes inspiration when posing. “It helps because sometimes [athletes] need help or are confused on how to pose,” media day manager and junior Julia Campbell said.

IN FOCUS

BELOW The varsity boys swim team takes input from the Harbinger photography staff on how to pose in a star-like figure at 11 a.m. Three backdrops were set up for portraits, action shots and group photos.

photo by ADDIE CLARK

photo by ADDIE CLARK

LEFT Assistant photo editor and junior Tyler Russell sets up a light for a backdrop. “I put the bedskirt around the umbrella which helps diffuse the light,” Russell said.

photo by ADDIE CLARK

ABOVE Juniors

Owen Wantland, Fritz Kostner and Ben Alt pose with basketballs while junior Layla Love takes their photo.

photo by SYLVIE DEGALAN

design by ADDIE CLARK Scan this QR code to purchase photos from behind the scenes of media day SCAN ME PHOTO

A&E

what’s on the

radio?

The most played songs recently on the radio

what’s been on

your tv?

Pluribus

- A alien virus threatens humanity. - Few immune individuals try to maintain identity in hopes of saving humanity

Stranger Things

- The fifth season of Stranger Things was released.

- The show is about teens in 1980s Indiana. The teens unravel government secrets and crazy mysteries.

THE PUZZLE PAGE

Enjoy playing a series of puzzles based off the A&E stories featured in this issue

Draw by Number

connect the dots by following by order to reveal the picture

LITERALLY WHAT WAS going though my head was ‘oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh.’ I didn’t expect that and was so excited to watch the next episode.

Stranger Things Character Crossword

ACROSS

A shy boy who disappears to the Upside Down at the start of the show

Known for his “nerdiness,” this character is beat up by a group of jocks

The sister of Mike Wheeler who’s taken to the Upside Down

An ex-investigative journalist turned conspiracy theorist who helps the kids

The first name of the actress who plays Joyce Byers DOWN

This character goes by the name of a character from “A Wrinkle in Time”

The lead scientists in military operations in Hawkins

The kids’ new friend Steve met while working at Scoops Ahoy Eleven’s real first name

She fell into a coma afer being attacked by Vecna

Giving Her Away

Luke Combs

Port A Treaty Oak Revival

Looking Down Proud Pecos & The Rooftops

BACK

HAWKINS to

HAWKINS

A review of Volume One of Season Five of Stranger Things

story by EFFIE ROPER

THE FAMILIAR MIX of suspense, nostalgia and unease settles in as I click the play button on Netflix at exactly 7 p.m. for Stranger Things season five. As the “New season” sign on the series cover opens, the giant Netflix logo pops up on my screen with the memorable “tudum” sound.

The first episode picks up 18 months after the final events of season four, as the show’s rag-tag team deals with the after-effects of the “destruction” of last season’s villain, Vecna.

New and unsettling events ripple through the town, with weird occurrences resurfacing, including demogorgons attacking people and children going missing. All hinting that something dangerous, and possibly even worse than Vecna, will appear.

Instead of sticking together, the characters split up across Hawkins, each group uncovering different aspects of the mystery. Mike’s group begins noticing weird military activity near the edge of town, while Lucas and Erica stumble into rumors about a new power struggle forming beneath the surface. Eleven and Hopper run into signs that the

government hasn’t fully shut down the experiments that caused earlier chaos in the past seasons.

There were no bad plot points this season. The small-town unease, with everyday life immediately going upside down — pun intended is what the show always felt like — now more than ever. As the people of Hawkins try to go back into their usual lives, small clues start to surface that something isn’t right.

soundtrack never disappoints, with popular and catchy 80s songs like “Fernando” by ABBA, “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes and “Upside Down” By Paloma Faith, and I think we’re along now” by Tiffany adding to the tension and vibe of the scenes.

THE SERIES IS showing its twohour and 30-minute finale in theaters. It’s obvious the show is preparing for its biggest finale yet.

More characters are finally getting their screen time. Tina Turnbow — Erica Sinclair’s “best friend,” played by Caroline Elle Abrams — appears for the first time after being referenced in earlier seasons but never shown. Her brother, “Dips--t” Derrick Turnbow, is introduced as well. Holly Wheeler, the younger sister of Mike and Nancy, played by Nell Fisher, is no longer just a side character; she plays a major role this season.

Throughout the first 20 minutes of the first episode, I was confused by random adventures planned called “crawls.” As the episode progressed, I eventually caught on and was immediately hooked.

And the Stranger Things

Along with the music, the wardrobe is spot on like it is every season. Each piece of clothing perfectly complements each character, with striped outfits, big poofy hair and old 50s-styled dresses in throwback scenes. I’ve always loved the series’ wardrobe, but this one really topped it off for the last season.

But the new characters that were introduced, Mr. Whatsit and Derek added to the plot in the best way possible. New characters were also added this season. I usually hate new characters because they typically ruin the plot and add unnecessary scenes that bore me.

Mr. Whatsit brought a new layer of mystery with his strange behavior, acting as an “imaginary friend” to children, but really, he’s using them for his goal of getting them into the Upside Down.

Each episode ended with a significant plot twist that

practically forced me to watch the next one. The final episode left my jaw on the floor. As soon as I finished, I immediately made theories on what’s going to happen next, counting down the days until Dec. 25 when volume 2 releases.

There are multiple parallels, especially between Dustin Henderson and Eddie Munson. Actions, scenes, or random clips, like eating at the school lunch in a “Hellfire” club shirt, resemble their appearances like their curly hair and roles in the season.

What impressed me most was how well the season blended emotion with suspense. Some scenes made me die of laughter, and others had me holding my breath without even realizing it.

Volume one is a huge step forward for the show. The directors, the Duffer Brothers, clearly put time into balancing nostalgia with new storytelling, and it shows in every episode. It was expected, though, with it taking about three years to make the season, so every episode should be amazing.

The series is showing its twohour and 30-minute finale in theaters. It’s obvious the show is preparing for its biggest finale yet.

*Instagram poll of 187 votes WAS SEASON 5 OF STRANGER THINGS YOUR FAVORITE?

SCHEDULE:

When each volume of Stranger Things Season Five releases

VOLUME 1: NOV 26 episodes 1-4

VOLUME 2: DEC 25 episodes 5-7

SERIES FINALE DEC 31 episode 8

design by MICHAEL YI

EXPENSIVE THRILL

EXPENSIVE THRILL

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games was entertaining, but declared war on my wallet

story by ALEX HARDEN

WOOHOO!” YELLED A man who sped by me in his go-kart. I just got lapped.

I laid my heavy foot on the gas pedal, propelling myself around a tight corner. The sound of rubber burning against the track filled my ears.

“If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough,” the quote on the wall from Mario Andretti, the namesake of the Andretti Indoor Karting & Games in Overland Park that opened on Nov. 18., rang throughout my mind.

I refused to lose, so I went faster.

Soon after, the worker waved the checkered flag. I pulled into the pit. I was ready to see the results.

Number 6, Bob Jones.

Number 7, Sally Smith.

Number 8, Alex Harden.

Number 9, John Clark.

Number eight: me. I came in second to last, and if you’re not last, you’re first. Baby, I was a winner.

grand entertainment center. Activities were abundant, and the whole building was bathed in brilliant blue and green LED lights.

The place was alive with people scattered throughout. There were families conversing, arcade machines singing jingles and music blaring from the loudspeakers.

I stepped into the packed line to buy tickets. I decided to do the adult race instead of the intermediate race, since the idea of me racing against adults who take go-karting seriously was very funny. But things weren’t funny once I saw that one adult race was $25 — $5 more than the $20 weekday price.

BUT WHEN

I grabbed my wallet, I noticed it felt lighter — so I opened it up to see a $25-shaped hole was burned right through the center.

I went back to the lockers to retrieve my phone, keys and wallet. But when I grabbed my wallet, I noticed it felt lighter — so I opened it up to see a $25-shaped hole was burned right through the center.

The intense race made me forget about the insane $25 ticket price. My wallet was now missing the presidential presence of Abe Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. I traded them in for a single race that lasted around seven minutes.

Now, let me backtrack to how I left Andretti disappointed and $25 poorer on a Saturday afternoon.

Saturday, 3:00 PM, I walk into Andretti. Opening the doors, I was greeted by a

the go-kart.

And at around 5 p.m., the race ends.

Y’know, I suppose if you need to kill two hours, love waiting in line and not racing much, then I’d recommend Andretti.

Yes, I know, Saturday evening is probably their busiest time of the week, so if you go another day, it’ll hopefully take less time.

But hey, waiting around wasn’t all bad; the place was very nice.

Andretti has successfully catered the white-trash world of racing to the Overland Park yuppie.

With their insane pricing and workers clad in black button-up dress shirts, it was

After waiting in line for maybe five minutes, the cashier rang me up. I went to pay with my card, and its high ticket price caused my card to they take cash.

The cashier told me the earliest race I could join was at 4 p.m., so I took a look around the place.

I was just walking around aimlessly, waiting. I explored the entire building and saw all the separately ticketed attractions, including the arcade, bowling, racing simulator, VR games and the “7D Experience.”

I decided to order some food to pass the time. I chose the buffalo chicken flatbread, which was shockingly good for go-kart food.

At 4 p.m., I walk over to the racetrack, but I’m told to come back at 4:05.

4:05 to around 4:53 p.m.: Workers debrief us with some videos, I put my helmet on, put my stuff in a locker, wait in line for a while and sit down in

OTHER ATTRACTIONS OTHER ATTRACTIONS

was clean, lively, modern and classy. The go-karts weren’t old and slow. They were quick, electric, handled well and were fun to drive.

Despite the long wait time, the race was a good time. But don’t expect a traditional, high-stakes toe-to-toe race. It wasn’t based on who finished first; instead, it was who got the fastest lap times within the seven minutes.

If you ask me, “Alex, would you recommend Andretti?” I’m going to say no. It was a load of fun, but to me, the ticket prices were just unacceptable for a single race.

Instead of spending $25 for one race at Andretti, I’d recommend you go somewhere else in the area.

The Rush Funplex in both Shawnee and Kansas City, Missouri, is a good choice. They offer two hours of free play for $25, which includes, you guessed it, go karts.

But Andretti isn’t the most expensive go-karting in the area; if you do the go-karts at K1 Speed in Lee’s Summit, it’s $29.99 for one race! Disgraceful.

Dear Mario Andretti, I had a good time, and your quote that was plastered on the wall gave me hope during my race. But let’s face it, I still lost the race, and my precious $25.

photos by ZAC RUSSELL

NAVIGATING

A look into part of the counseling staff and program

COUNSELING COUNSELING

A poster of where the 2024-25 graduating class is attending college

WHO’S CALLING?

Bizarre questions counselors get asked that they aren’t responsible for How much chlorine is in the pool?

COUNSELOR

DUTies

Some tasks counselors manage as their role is primarily academic

Apply academic achievement strategies

Filling out senior audits to check if seniors are missing graduation requirements

Making sure all kids have classes

Listening to students and guiding them

Assisting students in postsecondary options

SUSAN FRITZMEIER COUNSELOR

KIDS COME TO our office for all sorts of things. No one is in trouble when they’re coming to the office, there is a wide variety of reasons. We want to encourage students to make appointments at any time. They can come to the counseling office to make an appointment with their counselor or social worker. We can typically see everyone

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a counselor? How available are counseling resources to students?

YOU HAVE TO wear a lot of different TRACI YBARRA COUNSELOR

photo courtesy of PIXABAY

design by JULIA CAMPBELL photos by TYLER RUSSELL

SPORTS

GAME RECAP

JV GIRLS BASKETBALL

VS. NOTRE DAME DE SION ON DEC. 5

by CHARLOTTE WALTON

THE SM EAST JV girls basketball played their first home game of the season against Notre Dame de Sion on Dec. 5. The game started off with freshman Tulie Zahner scoring the first point and was followed by sophomore

Audrey Rose scoring the second point of the game making the score 5-0. The end of the first quarter was 14-1. The final score of the game ended up being 49-11. The Lancers will have their next game on Dec. 10 against De Soto at De Soto high school.

SWIM & DIVE

then passed the

to junior Bella Tilgner for a three pointer.

BOTTOM Senior Quentin Ochs drives the lane to score a layup after a pick and roll play.

BASKETBALL

LANCERS TO WATCH

Lancers share their season feelings going into their season of winter sports

BOYS SWIM & DIVE

WE HAVE A really good strong group of guys this year and we’re starting this season off by putting a lot of work in. I personally think we might have a good shot at state this year.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

THERE ARE SO many things coming up for us this season. I think skill wise this is the best our team has been so I am excited to see where we can take that. In my opinion, this is the most hardworking and dedicated group we’ve had so far and we all get along very well.

LEFT Junior Rowan Heryer dribbles the ball past a Sion defender and towards the basket. Name

ball

photo by MAGGIE ROGERS

AADI MALHOTRA JUNIOR

FINA KESSLER SENIOR

FAR LEFT Freshman Lucy Dillon pushes past a Sion player before shooting and scoring a lay-up.

photo by CHARLOTTE WALTON

BOTTOM LEFT Junior Trey Dehaven swims freestyle down lane three, which is the first of the two designated varsity lanes.

TOP LEFT Freshman Henry Heinrich turns at the wall with a two-hand touch while he swims breaststroke during practice.

photos by SOPHIA CICERO

photo by ANASTASIA FLOWER

photo by ANASTASIA FLOWER

A G C E

story by VANESSA BLADES

AFTER COMPLETING THEIR preliminary performance at the KSHSAA game day spirit showcase (state), the SM East cheer team felt ecstatic. It was an almost perfect routine, everyone screamed their loudest, the movements were sharp and each cheerleader was count for every beat which gave them a strong chance of making it to finals.

Soon after, head coach Laura Buckman sat the girls down to tell them there had been a deduction made — one extra eightcount had made the routine too long but nobody knew that was a rule.

“We were kind of stressed [about the deduction],” Buckman said. “We were just proud of what we’ve done so far. Even if we didn’t [make] it to finals, it would be ok.”

They sat down for awards to hear the announcer tell the arena of fans and teams from across Kansas that SM East placed fourth and would advance on to the finals round for the first time ever.

“I was so happy [about making finals] because I had the biggest pit in my stomach before,” junior Hallie Pfeiffer said. “When we found out about the deduction we were

just like ‘okay we have worked our butts off for three months and we have to be happy with whatever the outcome is.’”

Once, they announce the finalists, usually the athletes get a 15-20 minute break before they head back onto the practice mats. That wasn’t the case for SM East. They were running behind schedule, causing their supposed 20-minute break to be cut down to five minutes before they had to be back onto the practice mats as they were the second team to compete in the final round.

Luckily, getting rid of the eight count was not as hard as they expected. The move that caused the routine to be too long was a shoulder sit. They shifted it one eight count up in the routine to make the routine the correct length.

The cheer team makes school history by making it to the state championship finals for the first time ever

from cheering so loudly. During the performance, she completely blacked out, and couldn’t remember anything except for how she gave that routine her all.

“I fully blacked out for such a long time,” said Perez. “I don’t know how I performed and I don’t know how I performed. I don’t remember seeing anything like I fully do not to this day.”

AFTER FINDING OUT

everyone’s crying, screaming and jumping, just so happy and excited.

HALLIE PFEIFFER JUNIOR

“After finding out everyone’s crying, screaming and jumping, just so happy and excited,” Pfeiffer said. “And all of the sudden we just have to have this quick switch where we have to completely lock back in.”

After they completed finals, senior Ava Perez’s voice was completely gone

PrActiCe times

This year, they changed the cheer program from having a competition team and a varsity team to combining them into one team. The combination of the two gave the coaches more practice time and made their main focus one team instead of two which contributed to them performing so well according to Buckman.

Practicing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at 7:00 a.m. delivered strong results, as well with having four extra practices the two weeks before state at nights from 6-8 p.m..

Along with combining the teams, the program added another assistant coach, Beth Marsden, who is a mom of cheerleader Mary Marden, as an extra set of eyes.

“That’s been incredible [having another

coach],” Buckman said. “I mean, two sets of eyes to see things that we need to fix and change, and two ideas, like two brains to work together and she can work with a group while I work with another, it just allows us to be more hands-on across the board.”

Together, all these changes have gotten the team to where they are today, making them sixth in the state and making finals for the first time.

“We came off so strong,” Perez said. “I was like, oh my god this routine could actually get us to finals, then it did and it was the best feeling ever.”

The team just sent in their video of regionals on Dec. 12. Regionals was where they filmed a video and sent it in to be judged and then they received feedback and critique to get it ready for nationals.

The goal for regionals is to get one of the banners awarded to the top ten teams as well as getting a bid for nationals. Overall, hopefully doing the same or better with the eight-count taken out.

“I’m confident we’ll get the score that we need to get a bid,” said Buckman. “I feel like we can do great at it, if we didn’t have that deduction we would have been second going into finals.”

MONDAY TUESDAY FRIDAY THURSDAY WEDNESDAY

No practice

7-8:30 a.m. practice No practice 7-8:30 a.m. practice 7-8:30 a.m. practice 8:15 a.m. filming regionals routine

story by MYA SMITH

WAIT, DO YOU want me to ask my coach if you can join the football team?

Then second-grader Annika Berg hesitated before answering the question while playing football at recess with the boys in her class on Highlands Elementary’s football field.

“I didn’t think he was being serious,” Berg said. “But then his dad texted my mom and his dad said they had

FLAG ON THE PLAY

said yes. Eight years later, now a sophomore, Berg continues to play flag football as a quarterback for an all-girls team, the KC Shockers.

Berg played with all boys up until sixth grade. Then she joined her first allgirls team.

“We [girls] can understand each other a little bit better and we can build better friendships,” Berg said.

Berg joined the Shockers just last year, an organized league with both girls and boys teams. Berg has had many opportunities, such as being around professional football players, getting more playing time and competing out-of-state at times.

“We got to play on the field during halftime of a Chiefs pre-season game,” Berg said. “And then just a couple months ago we got to go to the Nebraska Cincinnati game that was played here at Arrowhead, and we got to present the trophy to the winning team.”

Almost every month is football season for Berg, with May and February being the only months of the off-season.

Practices with her team are typically once a week, but when preparing for a larger tournament, Berg practices three to four times a week. Usually, each practice lasts

about two hours, focusing on different skills — like offensive and defensive work — needed on the field.

Most recently, Berg has been training for the Oakley Alliance tournament in Las Vegas.

“My football team is sponsored by [Oakley],” Berg said. “So we get discounts and stuff, but because we got sponsored by them we got to be at this tournament. We got invited to try out for it, and then we ended up getting accepted.

to their coach’s — Kayson Mathews — social media presence. Mathews often films and posts videos of the team’s drills and highlights with hype music, and the account has roughly 1500 followers on Instagram.

stuff for the girls because I hope it helps them get recruited for college and possibly the U.S. national team,” Mathews said. “In previous years I had a girl who I thought was the best player in the country but at the time wasn’t getting the social media push so people couldn’t see her play outside of Kansas City people who watched her live.”

Mathews’ posting, since it increases her chances of being noticed by recruiters.

THE BIG THREE

Annika’s three favorite rings she has won in the past year

End of Season Tournament

Midwest Classic

Preseason Tournament

“My coach’s biggest goal for us is to help us get to the next level of potentially playing in college if that’s something that we’re looking at,” Berg said. “So he always has someone videoing or taking photos, sometimes the videos are just one of the parents recording on their phones.”

design by ADYSON COOPER photos by FRANCESCA

Sophomore Annika Berg has grown through playing flag football for eight years

SOPHOMORE Annika Berg goes over different reads on the field with injured quarterback Mill Valley junior, Kate Mikuls, before going back on the field for offense.

30 SPORTS

PLAYING THEIR WAY

A group of sophomore boys is creating a basketball team through The Great American Basketball League

story by SIENNA WILLIAMS

WHAT STARTED AS a group of close friends slowly including a game of basketball into their hangouts, soon led to one idea: creating a league where they could all play each other. The Great American Basketball League — GABL made that possible for them.

The GABLis a recreational youth basketball program that allows players to create their own teams and schedule games wherever the program offers space to play. GABL gives kids ranging from first grade to high school a chance to play basketball, develop skills and enjoy the sport.

As basketball season approaches,

got the idea that we could all start our own team and end up recruiting kids who wanted to join,” sophomore and Hooters Elite member, Hunter Sharkey said. “And then more of our friends started to make other teams, so that’s when we decided the teams would just play each other.”

After the initial idea, each team selected a parent to officially register the squad with GABL, with that parent also serving as the coach.

Once the boys were registered, they finalized their teams, taking final offers from others who wanted to join. Soon after, a simple idea among friends turned into squads ready to compete. They plan to start their matches at the beginning of January.

With teams formed and the season started, the players turned to Instagram — to showcase their squads, highlighting their personalities and adding a playful, humorous element to their personal league. Their league has one main instagram account, as well as each team having its own. The team posts daily about each player, introducing them to followers. Every post included funny photos of players and captions about them, adding humor and excitement to their team.

As the

season approaches, the accounts have begun gaining more followers, attracting attention from classmates and fans across the community. Right now all teams are roughly sitting at roughly 100 followers.

“I think the accounts are funny and add good entertainment to each of our teams,” sophomore and Sauced Elite member Owen Rook said.

Now that the teams are shining online, the players are turning their attention to the court.

Coaches from all four teams provide advice and encouragement to their team on and off the court. But with each squad determined to win every game and ready to challenge one another, it also comes with some rivalry.

Each team’s Instagram bios play into the competition, with messages jokingly branding themselves as “Hooters Elite hate account,” or other jabs.

The two teams, Hooters Elite and Sauced Elite, have quickly emerged as a head-to-head matchup, with both squads eager to beat each other in every game this upcoming season.

Their rivalry is fueled not just by competition on the court, but also by their different approaches to preparation for their games.

Sauced Elite plans to practice as a team weekly, to ensure their victory, while Hooters Elite only practices

COACHES IN ACTION

How the student coaches of Hooters Elite are preparing their team for the recreational season

OUR TEAM IS pretty good, but we definitely need to practice because a lot of our [players] are just general athletes, and they don’t play basketball. I’m pretty excited because it’s [just] for fun.

occasionally, believing they already have what it takes to win, according to Sharkey.

“Sauced Elite really wants to win, so we’re going to practice and scrimmage with our team,” Rook said. “I think without doing this, it’ll be harder to play in the game.”

Despite their confidence, Hooters Elite faces early challenges with players Sharkey and sophomore Chase Kavpil sidelined due to injuries.

In addition to the rivalry between the two teams, some players have tried to bribe members of other teams with money, in hopes they would switch to their team.

Despite the competitiveness between Hooters Elite and Sauced Elite, players from all four teams say the league is ultimately about having fun and making the season something to look forward to.

The teams plan to bring their full effort to the court, each determined to win, while still ensuring they enjoy the sport — no matter the outcome.

“It’s just something fun we’ll do, it’s just a way we can enjoy playing basketball with each other,” Sharkey said.

DESI PERRY SOPHOMORE

I’VE PLAYED BASKETBALL

my whole life, so I know a thing or two. [Practices] aren’t mandatory, but I tell the team that we will be practicing — I want to win.

DREW STEIN SOPHOMORE

2025EAST EAST EAST EAST

WRAPPED WRAPPED

What the students of SM East listened to this year, according to their Spotify wrapped

WHAT WAS YOUR LISTENING AGE FOR SPOTIFY WRAPPED?

WHY WAS YOUR SPOTIFY WRAPPED UNIQUE?

BRETT KRAMER TEACHER

BILLY JOEL WAS my number one artist. I listened to 49,800 minutes which put me in the top .001% listener. I really enjoy listening to his music and I’ve seen him in concert six times as well.

MARGOT FAIR

I WAS IN the top 9,000 and .006% listeners of Shawn Mendez. He was my favorite artist growing up and I love listening to him because it’s very nostalgic. I was very shocked when I saw my Spotify wrapped.

design by EVELYN BAGLEY