Staley Talon, March 2015, Volume 7, Issue 4

Opinion

Volume VI Issue IV | Talon | 1

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Feature

Sports

News Lifestyles

Working Overseas

(12) State

Celebrations

(4)

Lifestyles Fashion Sports

Bouchard and Lite

(6)

(10)

Trends

(8)

Social Anxiety All Mixed Up

Playing Through the (16) Pain

2 | Talon | Volume VII Issue IV

(14)

Talon is published quarterly during the school year. Talon will accept letters to the editor in CR202 or at cherie.burgett@nkcschools.org. Before the letter is published, we will need to verify the writer’s identity with a photo identification. Letters may not exceed a length of 350 words. We will not publish letters that are libelous, obscene or that may cause a verifiable disruption of the education process of Staley High School. Letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will be discarded.

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Staff Page

Fights Behind a Keyboard

ARGUING IS NOT THE WAY TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA

Written by Abbi Atwell

TalonStaff Editor-in-Chief Abbi Atwell

Managing Editor Dear Social Media Fighters, Paige Hawkins

Your private life is personal and should be kept personal. To tell your closest friends about the drama going on Multimedia in your life is one thing, but to blatantly argue with someone Editor over social media instead of confronting them directly is anBryttany Holovach other. Social media is a tool to help people connect with their Photos Editor friends and maybe even follow a few celebrities to see what Destiny Wilborn they’re up to. The purpose of social media is not to “call out” Lifestyles Editor other people you don’t agree with, and yet people continue to Sean Fender fight on the Internet on a daily basis.

While it might be annoying for you to see someone’s Features Editor ignorant tweet, it’s annoying for everyone else to see your Paige Hawkins fights that don’t even use real words half of the time. If you want to share a cheerful post about your holidays or a new Opinions Editor pet, or even share something about a loss in the family, your Abbi Atwell followers will probably understand. Don’t be that person who picks on someone else’s posts because you aren’t happy Sports Editor about what they have to say.

Sean Fender

Instead of engaging in pointless conflicts, just unfolFashion Editor low them. Unfriend them. Stop paying attention to what they Dallas Beaulieu have to say on the Internet. It does you no good to curse at them in a tweet. As soon as you do that, you become the Copy Editor person who doesn’t know when to quit, and instead gets inMarissa Hubbard volved in silly fights, hiding behind a keyboard.

Sincerely, Reporters Talon Staff Hafsa Hussein Hannah Crites Adrianna McLean Social Anxiety in the Classroom Amber Engle Cartoon by Adam Freese

Photographers Tiffany Thompson Jamil Thomas-Nunn Logan Dawson Alayna Lopez Graphic Artist Chase Vallejo Adviser Cherié Burgett

More on social anxiety on page 6 Volume VII Issue IV | Talon | 3

Opinion News

State Celebrations

Students Have Success at Competitions for Science Olympiad, DECA, FCCLA and Debate Written by Abbi Atwell

FCCLA

Displaying her project in sewing, junior Jillian Turner poses for the camera at the FCCLA state competition. Turner sewed a ball gown style dress for the competition, which she began during first semester. “This is my first time competing in my high school career,” said Turner. “It’s exciting to be a part of a team and competing when it’s only my first year.” Junior Stephanie Graviett also earned the top gold medal and will represent Missouri in the FCCLA national competition. Senior Kayla Rausch-Santee, sophmores Lexi Taylor, Alex Smith, Erica Woolery, and freshman Mila Garza earned siver medals.

Photo courtesy of Christian Winn

Science Olympiad In a group outside of MCC Penn-Valley, the Science Olympiad team displays their first through fifth place individual medals after just having come in fourth place as a team. The team will be advancing to the state competition on April 18. Junior NiNi Troung and senior Stacey Bonderer took first place in the event Dynamic Planet. Partners junior Abigail Atwell and senior Dalton Nelson were among the first place winners for the Science Olympiad team, taking first in Compund Machines. “State is just an awesome experience because it more than just going for a competition,” said Nelson, who has been involved for two years. “You get to be there with your teammates, like last year was one of the most amazing experiences that I’ve had.” Photo courtesy of

Gregory Spiegel

4 | Talon | Volume VII Issue IV

Opinion News

DECA

Holding his second place award on stage, senior Nicholas Taphorn is recognized as one of the team’s state medalists. Junior Marissa Eismont, junior Joe Eller and senior Nathan Bass were also state medalists. Taphorn competed in Principles of Finance at the DECA state competition on March 17. “Being able to give students an opportunity that they might not otherwise have is what being an educator is all about,” said DECA sponsor Kelly Rule. Photo courtesy of Kelly Rule

Debate

Displaying their awards, junior Jacob Harris and sophomore Sumaiya Alam pose for a photo at the state tournament for debate on March 14, where they qualified for nationals.

Seniors Kenna Stark and Kylee Nissen qualified as alternates for national competition. Alam and Harris were in the Lincoln-Douglas debate, which focuses on writing a case that supports the resolution for a situation and a case that is against the resolution. “I didn’t think I was going to make it,” said Harris. ”I’m just excited that I get to be able to represent Staley and myself at the national tournament in Dallas."

Photo courtesy of Shiloh Dutton

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Volume VII Issue IV | Talon | 5

Lifestyles

Living With Social Anxiety w

Students Open Up About the Disorder Written by Hannah Crites Photo by Destiny Wilborn

Meeting someone new. Being in a room full of people. Answering the phone. These may seem like simple concepts, but to someone with social anxiety, it’s not always so simple.

These seemingly simple tasks can cause them to feel extremely awkward and uncomfortable, and they become unable to communicate normally because of their anxiety, according to psychologist Sandra Laughlin

“Social anxiety isn’t unusual or uncommon, and it’s not the same for every individual,” said Laughlin. “It can develop after a bad experience in a social setting, but many are born with it.”

It was very easy for senior Jamil Thomas-Nunn to overlook his anxiety until he arrived at Staley his freshman year. Thomas-Nunn said he had been homeschooled most of his childhood, so there was never 6 | Talon | Volume VII Issue IV

much of a push for social interaction.

Going from a school of one to a school of more than 1,400 students took quite the toll on his anxiety, and his life in general.

“When I first got to this school, I couldn’t even concentrate in class because my anxiety was so powerful, and I had so many other thoughts running through my head,” said Thomas-Nunn. “It was so hard to make friends because I couldn’t talk to anyone. I felt invisible.”

After overcoming social anxiety, junior Nick Barbeau said he has made it a personal mission of his to help people like Thomas-Nunn not feel invisible or excluded.

“I’m very adamant about trying to make someone feel included if they look shy or left out because I’ve been in those situations countless times before, and it’s not fun,” said Barbeau.

“The trick for me was to always remind myself that it’s all in my head; those people probably aren’t laughing at me, and those people probably aren’t staring at me. My anxiety was causing me to make these assumptions.

It’s amazing how much of a difference it has made in my life once I got the help I needed.”

Even with people like Barbeau around to lend kind words and helpful advice, a lot of the struggle for people with social anxiety comes from within the classroom.

“Sometimes the hardest part is getting the teachers to understand what I have to deal with in a classroom setting,” said Thomas-Nunn.

Some teachers, like Scott Anderson, choose not to single students out in class who look like they may be more reserved or shy.

“My job is to try and draw students in, call on

them in class or something, but I don’t think it’s right to do that if it’s going to put them in a weird spot,” said Anderson. “I’ll wait until after the lesson or in between classes to make sure they know what’s going on without making them uncomfortable. I think that if they get more comfortable with me, they’ll get more comfortable with their classmates.”

According to Laughlin, it’s very important to let people with social anxiety come around on their own.

“I show kids how to help themselves because ultimately that’s how they’re going to overcome social anxiety, not by being pushed into social situations unwillingly and unequipped,” said Laughlin. “It’s about mental confidence, and after you practice it for a while, you’ll start to believe it.”

Lifestyles

Social Anxiety by the Numbers 75% said social anxiety affected their ability to do ordinary activities

12% of American adults suffer from social anxiety

36% of people who suffer from social anxiety wait 10 or more years before seeking help

58% of people were embarrassed about their disorder

Source: Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Volume VII Issue IV | Talon | 7

Top 6 Picks

Trends Define The Year Written by Destiny Wilborn Photos by Destiny Wilborn

1

Top Beverages BEFORE SCHOOL

Purchasing one 32 oz. drink from QuikTrip every morning before school adds up to about

$200 by the time school is out for the summer.

Top

2

Picks

AFTER SCHOOL The opening of the Sonic at 152 and North Oak gave an oppurtunity for students to stop by after school for food and drinks.

$450

is what it would cost to buy a medium shake every day after school.

3

Top Apps

The top three apps around Staley include the recently debuted Mr. Jump, Trivia Crack and Candy Crush Saga.

These apps all have an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars on the Apple store.

4

5

Brightly Colored Locks

Bright hair colors set the tone for hair fashion.

Juniors Anna Schuetz and Eden Nielsen and sophomore Taylor Dunn like to show their individuality with unique hair color.

Favorite Quick Bite Founded in 1993, the restaurant has become popular with many teens because of their quick, reasonably priced and healthy menu.

Top Songs

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars‘ “Uptown Funk” is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and on iTunes. According to Nielsen Music, total U.S. sales for Taylor Swift’s album 1989 were 4.5 million as of the beginning of March, making it the most popular album of her career. It is currently the second best-selling album on iTunes.

6

Fashion

Volume VII Issue IV | Talon | 10

All Mixed Up

Fashion

A fun, fashion-forward trend that we have seen a lot of for the new season is mixing prints. While it may be difficult to do, when done right, mixing up prints makes for an amazing outfit.

When waking up in the morning and looking in your closet, once again trying to decide what to wear, mixing up prints is a great solution. One important tip to remember when mixing prints is to make sure there is one cohesive theme or color scheme to the outfit. Depending on your personal style, you can choose to mix these prints in a bold, adventurous way or enjoy it in a subtler look.

Mixing these prints is a great trend for any occasion or style that shows your true, personal style.

Written by Dallas Beaulieu Photo by Keirceten Nelson Volume VII Issue IV | Talon | 11

Lifestyles

Risks of Working Overseas

STUDENTS, TEACHER TRAVEL ABROAD FOR MISSION TRIPS Written by Abbi Atwell

With unrest in many parts of the world, working overseas can be incredibly dangerous but still offer many ways to grow as an individual. Through breaking cultural barriers and experiencing a new culture, many villages have received assistance from teams traveling around the world to help in a myriad of ways from building to volunteering in orphanages.

Senior Taylor Hartman broke down some of those cultural barriers during a trip to Guatemala in July 2014. Hartman and her youth group volunteered to help build a church building in the Chuaxan village.

“While we were there, we built a foundation of a church and a playground for the kids,” said Hartman.

During a trip to Honduras in July 2014, senior Madison Ferrara helped a local church with running their children’s program and helped the village of Carpintero with construction efforts to install the first septic tank the village had seen, bringing the first working toilet to the area. The experience left Ferrara with a sense of how much excess she is used to in her life in comparison to what the Carpintero people live with every day.

12 | Talon | Volume VII Issue IV

“I’m more conscious of how much I use certain things,” said Ferrara. “I’m more careful about how I spend my money and my time.”

Hartman was also impacted in her home life by the trip that she took. She went on the trip with no cell phone and no access to social media. Upon returning, Hartman stopped using social media for several months.

“Not using social media as much made me more aware of what was important and what wasn’t,” said Hartman. “I have a better self-discipline and awareness of when it is a distraction an when it is appropriate.”

Hartman wasn’t the only person who learned some helpful perspective from her time volunteering abroad. Engineering and Intermediate Algebra teacher Jeanella Clark was part of a trip to a Haitian orphanage over winter break. Clark said she was kept awake at night during her recent stay in Haiti.

“I’d wake up to someone yelling in French creole and think it was an emergency,” said Clark.

“They were just making a political statement.”

Culture shock came in many forms

Hugging a child close and carrying a baby on her back, senior Taylor Hartman poses for a picture.

Hartman travelled to Guatemala in July 2014 and plans to return this summer. “I went with a really clear mind so I didn’t experience a lot of culture shock,” said Hartman. Photo courtesy of Taylor Hartman

for Clark. She said that the housing in Haiti isn’t what is normally expected in the United States and that people do not follow normal rules of the road.

Despite cultural differences, Clark says that she was not concerned for her safety during the trip.

“I really felt like God asked me to go,” said Clark. “I thought that if he was asking me to go, he would protect me.”

Clark has been a part of previous

trips to Haiti, during which she said there were armed men guarding the hotel in which she stayed. The week before Hartman traveled to Guatemala, a group of Americans was robbed.

Hartman and her group were given a police escort from the airport to their hotel and told not to travel at night.

“We were contentious so we stayed safe,” said Hartman.

Ferrara said she felt safe during her

Lifestyles During a volunteer trip to Honduras in July of 2014, senior Madison Ferrara gathered together with a group of kids for a picture. Ferrara said she did not experience much culture shock in traveling to Honduras. “I speak enough Spanish to have a conversation and be able to hold my own,” said Ferrara.

Photo courtesy of Madison Ferrara

Holding two young girls, Intermediate Algebra and Civil Engineering teacher Jeanella Clark smiles during a trip to Haiti in December of 2014. Clark traveled with a student group to volunteer at an orphanage. “We did Bible stories in the morning, and in the afternoon we did a sports and dance camp,” said Clark. Photo courtesy of Jeanella Clark

trip to Honduras, despite the high crime rates. Honduras has the highest intentional homicide rate in the world, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The three were unharmed during their travels. It was an adjustment for each of them to return to their everyday lives.

Clark said that even after that experience, the most culture shock she experienced was when she came back to the United States and began to realize how lucky she is.

“I made the mistake of going to Target the day after

we got back,” said Clark. “I was really overwhelmed.”

Clark addressed some of the challenges she faced during the trip when she said that the new language was a shock to her.

“The heat is stifling,” said Clark.

“Water is your best friend, but you can’t drink water from the tap because you’ll get sick.”

After facing the challenges and dangers that linger during a volunteer trip to underdeveloped parts of the world, Clark, Ferrara and Hartman each expressed a desire to go on another trip, knowing that traveling

to these areas is not always safe.

Hartman said she was able to gain some perspective on what is most important to her because of her volunteer work in Guatemala.

“Seeing the people there inspired me to be a doctor,” said Hartman. “I want to send medical mission teams to Guatemala.”

Based off of their previous experiences with volunteering overseas, Clark, Ferrara and Hartman each said they would like to go on a similar trip in the future.

Hartman plans to return to Guatemala

this summer and help finish building the church, as the congregation in Chuaxan has continued to work on building it since Hartman and her team left Guatemala. Clark said she will probably go on a trip to another country entirely. Ferrara said she would like to return to Honduras.

Overcoming cultural differences and the possibility of being put in dangerous situations did not stop Clark, Ferrara or Hartman from volunteering to help strangers. Each of them had an opportunity to gain perspective on their lives and to help people.

Volume VII Issue IV | Talon | 13

Sports

Bouchard Takes Central Office Position Administrator Leaving After Seven Years Written by Paige Hawkins

After being assistant principal and head football coach for seven years, Fred Bouchard is saying his farewells to students and staff.

Bouchard will start a new job as Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations at Central Office for the 20152016 school year.

“I’ve been considering Central Office positions the past few years and this particular one allows me to stay in the NKC Schools and still coach one more season,” said Bouchard.

Bouchard has been a key player in the growth and development of the football team since the school first opened. During Bouchard’s coaching career, he has lead five teams to a victory in the state championship, Staley being one of them in 2011.

“Coach Bouchard is a man of integrity, high character, kindness, and joy,” said former player Trent Hosick.

“And because of these things, it’s made him a successful man. He was destined to be a successful coach.”

Bouchard said he plans on making his last season as memorable as he can for the seniors and up and the next team. The coaches said they are antic14 | Talon | Volume VII Issue IV

ipating a successful season.

“It’s really not about me, rather a lot more about this upcoming team and this group of seniors having a memorable season,” said Bouchard. “We’ll continue to do business in a high level manner.”

In the 20162017 school year, Bouchard’s position

“I’ve been blessed to be sourounded with great assistant coaches and wonderful players who cared deeply about our team’s success,” said Bouchard. as head coach will be taken over by physical education teacher and multi-sport coach Phil Lite, who has been the assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator for the last seven years.

Over the course of his coaching career, Lite has been part of winning three state titles; two for Harrisonville High School in 2006 and 2007 and one for Staley in 2011.

“Football is my passion,” said Lite.

“I feel extremely honored and grateful for the opportunity to become the next head coach.”

Lite will be working closely with Bouch-

ard in the 2015 football season to learn and prepare for the coaching position before taking over the following year.

“Coach Bouchard is a coach that has brought a high level of expectation to our program, our players, our coaches, our school and our community,” said Lite.

Lite said he plans to continue the success that Bouchard will leave the team with by preparing athletes mentally and physically.

“My entire goal right now is to prepare our kids mentally and physically for the up and coming season,” said Lite. “There is nothing more that I want than to see the seniors and coach Bouchard to come out on top.”

The last seven years have been successful for Staley High School’s Football team, and although Bouchard will be moving to Central Office, the success is sure to continue with Lite’s excitement and enthusiasm for the new head coach position.

“Football teaches many life lessons,” said Lite.

“Football is a lot like life; the more you put in the more you get out.”

Coach Phil Lite -Has been a part of state titles 06, 07, and 11 -Has been an assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator for the last seven years -Coaches football and track -Prior to Staley opening, he coached in Harrisonville, Mo. -Has won district coach of the year three times

“Football teaches many life lessons,” said Lite. “Football is a lot like life; the more you put in the more you get out.”

At Fort Osage High School on Sept. 19, coach Fred Bouchard talks to a referee. He’s been head coach for the football team since the school opened in 2008. He is leaving his administrator position after this year, but will remain head coach for one more year.

Coach Phil Lite will shadow Bouchard for the 2015-2016 season and will take over as head coach the following school year. File Photo by Jonny Greene Coach Fred Bouchard yells across the field on Sept. 19 at Fort Osage High School.

Bouchard is known as a big personality on and off the field.

Volume VII Issue IV | Talon | 15

Playing Through The Pain Athlete Battles Rare Disease

By Jacqueline Anzalone

Working on overexcept that it gets Nicole Gravett said coming the obstacles worse at a much he pushes through it of a rare disease, slower rate, and it is and works hard even sophomore Ryan less common. This though he can’t Walker has to fight happens when the run as much as his through Becker’s genes in legs cut off peers.

Muscular Dystrophy. too soon and they “He says it doesn’t Since he was born, it don’t produce dysbother him that has been a struggle trophin, according to much; it’s just rare for Walker to be able the National Library occurrences that it to run for a long of Medicine. This hurts,” Gravett said. period of time or do rigorous activi“What is awesome about ty. Despite that, he still plays on the Ryan is he won’t make any sophomore baseexcuses.” - Coach Wilson ball team.

“It limits me from pitching because disease can restrict The varsity baseball sometimes my legs people from many coach, David Wilson, get really sore and activities—even said he appreciates tight to where I walking. how hard Walker can’t even walk on “Most people are in works. the field myself,” wheelchairs by age “What is awesome Walker said. “I’ve 18,” said Walker. about Ryan is he had my coaches The rare case of won’t make any excarry me on the Becker’s works at cuses; he just jumps field before during a a slower pace so in and does pretty game.”

Walker will be able much everything This is the rarest to walk and run for a everyone else does. kind of muscular lot longer than most He’s a very diligent dystrophy. It is very people with this disand hardworking similar to Duchene ease. Walker’s girlkid,” Wilson said.

Muscular Dystrophy, friend, sophomore Even though it is

more difficult for Walker than many people on the team, he said that he likes it and it makes him more determined.

“If I can, I plan on playing baseball all four years,” Walker said.

He said he would rather be pushing through and still playing sports than sitting in a wheelchair by age 18.

Walker takes medicine three times a day, once when he wakes up, once after lunch and once right before he goes to bed. He has been doing that for about seven years.

“I think it’s made me more determined to not give up because my legs are stronger to be able to go through it, and not to sit around and play video games all day,” Walker said.