StaleyTalon, Volume 11, Issue 7, May 2019

TalOn Staley High School

Kansas City, Missouri

Volume 11, Issue 7 may 2019

SENIOR SUPERLATIVES

Page 10-11

COLLeGIATE COMPETITORS 4-5 workouts with wilt 6

Special Edition

Adventures Abroad 15

Inside this issue COLLegiate COMPETITORS 4-5 Avoid The Freshman 15 6 7 8 throwin’ it back: dream jobs 9 10-11 Senior Superlatives 12-13 Class of 2019’s top 10 Reppin’ Red, White and Blue 14 Adventures Abroad 15 16-17 Looking back through the years 18-19 Senior stats ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PHOTO MOSAIC 20 SPORTS

LIFESTYLES & Entertainment

news

Greek myths debunked by staff feature

On the Cover

As the school year came to a close, Talon chose to honor the seniors who will be graduating and allow them to reminisce on the past four years. Throwing the caps is a symbolic moment after the graduation ceremony. Since it is all about seniors, yearbook editor senior Haley Anne Mahusay designed the cover.

TalOn Staley High School

Kansas City, Missouri

Volume 11, Issue 7 may 2019

SENIOR SUPERLATIVES

Special Edition

Page 10-11

teachers have impacted students over the years feature

FEATURE

FEATURE

FEATURE

FEATURE

COLLeGIATE COMPETITORS 4-5

workouts with wilt 6

Adventures Abroad 15

NEWS

FEATURE

FEATURE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from the editor: Dear Readers,

Wow. This is it. We are finally here. This is really the last issue of Talon for the 2018-2019 school year.

We seniors are just days away from graduating and are nearly done walking the halls of Staley High School. I don’t want to get too sappy, but, I mean, it is the end of senior year, and it’s a rite of passage.

I have loved my time on staff and being able to lead two fantastic, hardworking staffs to so many great accomplishments, like our first ever All-American and our first Pacemaker

nomination. This program also provided me with friends I otherwise never would have met, and it pushed me to do things I would have never thought possible, like publishing seven magazines in a year, but we did it.

But, saying I won’t miss the late nights stressing over deadlines and crying hysterically is not, and I repeat, is not an understatement.

However, seeing everyone’s hard work come together to create a beautiful and meaningful news source for the student body is something

I will miss greatly.

I have learned so many lessons over the four years I have been in the journalism program, from learning how to correctly format a story to knowing if we will get the Grandma’s Catering taco bar. It was bound to be a good work night.

Without these three long, very stressful, but educational years, I would not be who I am today. I can’t stress enough how thankful I am to have an audience who has been so positive toward Talon over the years.

I honestly never

thought I would get to this point. There have been many times where I have dramatically stormed out and said I quit, but always came back. It is weird to me to think that I will never write another Letter From the Editor or design another page or submit another magazine.

But all good things must come to an end eventually, and with that, like I always say, last one best one.

With love, Senior Haylee Roberts Editor-In-Chief

TALON STAFF Editor-In-Chief: Haylee Roberts Managing Editor: Makenzie Hooton Adviser: CheriE Burgett

Staff: Autumn Adams Sara Almansouri Lonyae Coulter Clare Cunningham Makanani Grace

Haley Anne Mahusay Hailey Milliken Kara Morley Kirea Obie Kayla Pospisil

CONTACT US:

Talon publishes seven issues 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 veritable disruption of the education process at Staley High School. Letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will be discarded. Advertisers may contact the adviser at cherie. burgett@nkcschools.org, (816) 321-5330 or at 2800 NE Shoal Creek Parkway, Kansas City, MO, 64156-1313.

Opinions expressed in Talon do not express the staff’s endorsement of the products or services.

Talon is a member of NSPA, MIPA , MJEA and Quill and Scroll. Talon is affiliated with JEA and JEMKC.

Jack Warner Alexa Schulte

Names for back page mosaic: Bailey Kinder Elija Weaver Hannah Pham Finley Hossack Dalton Nugent Elle Wilkinson Clare Cunningham Evan Fox Hunter Zeigler Preston Wheeler Joe Harrison Brooklyn Hannan Haley Anne Mahusay Mark Newman Carly Hays Jacob Stewart Joseph Garcia Jacob Dyke Emma Downs Kayla Pospisil Evan Corda Hannah Peterson Parker Johnson

Lonyae Coulter Stefanie Ruskievicz Hannah Garcia Tim Goering Maddie White Payton Revis Haylee Roberts Alexis Theoharidis Nathan Graham Breanna McGilton Roman Trickey Alexis Bannister Jade Greene Sam Queen Xochitl Saenz Charlie Duffy Alyssa Freeman JP Young Taryn Clark Quentin Arello Alexa Schulte Bailey Wilson Jackson Pfender

STAFF

Abby Hall Jacob Ferguson Jason Nguyen Haydan Heuermann Hanna Aydogan Justin Watanabe Tyler Sally Victoria Godinez Jack Jennings Kennedy Kooi

TALON

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Southwest Baptist University Crowd rUpUniver BCCeaBaker # sity Drury University#Rough JC

Crowder College University of San Diego #Go Panthers #Roughriders #DUwork #GoWildcats #GoBison Indiana St

i ate Maryv St a an di In r ve re lFo ra nt Ce # ts ca #Bear COLLEGIATE COMPETITORS P o #G s y' ar M t in Sa rsity of UniveStudent Athletes Sign To Play Sports In College University #G #GoW Indian #DUw Benedicti Photos by Makanani Grace Interviewed by Jack Warner

Gaby Abbott

Softball // University of Saint Mary

“It’s a really good school for nursing, and I want to be a nurse, so that was kind of one of my main things when picking a school.”

Katelyn Kiser Softball // Central Methodist University

Alana Vawter

Ellie holloway

Softball // Stanford university

GOLF // Drury University

“I love softball. I love the team “My favorite memory would aspect of it and just getting to be winning state my freshman play it every day.” year. It was a super fun group of girls, and the trip itself was just so much fun, and it was definitely unforgettable.”

“My favorite memory would be winning conference my senior year because it was a harder division than last year’s. I’d won it sophomore year, so it was nice to come back and prove that I could still win it with a harder conference.”

#B

Southwest B JC Baker U #Centr #Be University o Crowde #Rough Maryvi Morning Misso #GoG #Sp #SpireNation Central Methodist Universit Un ive rs ity M is of Dartm Ill outh in Colleg ois e 4 University of Minnesota Oklahoma Baptist U Hayden Thornton

Jake Wilson

Baseball // Maryville University

Baseball // Indiana State University

Donovan Meloy

Carter Rustad

Baseball // Maryville University

Baseball // University of San Diego

“My favorite memory of high school baseball was the spring break trip to Tucson my junior year.”

“My favorite memory was watching our team fight back and win in extra innings against Liberty this year. That moment made me realize this team is going to be able to do special things.”

“I chose Maryville because it’s a great school with a really good business program, and I loved the coaches and campus.”

“I love baseball, and it’s always been a lifelong dream of mine to play in college.”

Christine Harpe

Hannah Peterson

Evan Manivong

Victor Perez

Soccer // Drury University

Soccer // Missouri State University

Gymnastics // University of Illinois

Gymnastics // university of Minnesota

“I wanted to play in college because I’ve always wanted to and dreamed of that since I was little when I started playing soccer.”

ISSUE 7 VOLUME 11

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SPORTS

“I chose Mo. State because their academics are great and their soccer program is amazing, and I really like all their coaches.”

“I want to compete in college because it’s the next step of gymnastics and the last step really. It’s been my dream since I was a kid, and that was the goal.”

“I wanted to compete in college because I love the sport, and that’s really the only way that I would be able to pursue it.”

QuintEN aRELLO

Jason Simcoe

fOOTBALL // dARTMOUTH college

Football // Morningside College

“My favorite Staley High School football memory was easily winning state. That game was full of ups and downs. You didn’t know who was going to come out on top, but thankfully we did.”

“I want to play in college because it’s a great way to continue to play football and just be able to hit somebody when I get mad.”

BearUp

Sierra Smith

Soccer // Johnson County Community College

“It was hard for me to get my name out there, and I got picked up by JCCC last season, and it was just a match made.

I really liked it, and it’s going to be nice.”

Johnson County Community College #Go Ravens#SpireNation Stanford University Oklahoma Baptist University University of Minnesota #GoToreros University of Illinois Dartmouth College University of Saint Mary's Central Methodist University

der College University of San Diego #GoGophers hriders #DUwork #GoWildcats Missouri State ille University Benedictine College Morningside C Panthers y of San Diego GoBison Wildcats na State work ine College Brooklyn Hannan soccer // Benedictine University

“My favorite memory from high school was winning the Platte County tournament this year because it’s something we haven’t done in seven years.”

Baptist University CCC University ralForever earcats of Saint Mary's er College hriders ille University gside College ouri State Gophers pireNation ty #GoGophers Johnson County Community Coll ssouri State Morningside College #Go Ravens5ary University #GoToreros University of Saint M Frankie Circello

Cameron Wilson

Zac Brehm

Baseball // Crowder college

Football // Southwest Baptist University

Bowling // Baker University

“I want to continue my baseball career and become a better player overall and to get me to the next level.”

“My favorite memory would probably be my first high school sack I got last year.”

“I want to bowl in college because I wanted to play a sport in college. And then, I enjoy bowling, so I just wanted to continue doing that.”

Not Pictured:

Justin Watanabe

Cross Country & Track // Park University

Dustin Hatfield

Chase Kirby

“My dad was a big influence.

He wrestled in college.

My mom played sports in college, and wrestling makes going to college easier.”

“It’s been such a huge part of my life for so long. I’ve been swimming for nine years, and I had this competition with my dad, and he swam for nine years, and I wanted to beat that.”

Wrestling // University of Swimming // Oklahoma Baptist University Saint Mary

Only students who participated in school signing ceremonies are pictured

Sydney Horton

Bowling // Drury University “I want to further my knowledge of the sport because I want to pursue a career in bowling, and so this is just the next step along the way.”

SPORTS

TALON

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Avoid the freshman 15

Teacher Provides in-dorm workouts for college students

Complete 3-4 times a week

Workout #1 - Legs and Core Graphics by autumn Adams Photo by Makanani Grace

Warm Up: jumping jacks zombie squats lunges high knees butt kickers 30 secs each x2 sets

Set 1: 10 squats 20 pulse squats 15 squat jumps 10 lunges 10 lunge jumps 10 froggy burpees As many reps as possible for six minutes

Active recovery:

Set 2:

Core:

1 min 90 secs crunches 45 secs cross mountain climbers 30 sec burpees Repeat after both sets

20 sumo squats 20 plie squats 20 squat jumps X4

10 push-ups 20 sit-ups X4

Workout #2 - Upper-Body and core Warm up:

Set 1:

bear crawl crab crawl inch worm plank shoulder taps slow mountain climbers 20 secs x 4

10 tricep dips 10 wide push ups 10 tricep push ups 10 crab crawl kicks 10 burpees X4

Active recovery: mountain climbers, push ups, tricep push ups, cross mountain climbers 30 secs each Repeat after each set

Set 2: 20 plank shoulder taps 10 plank walk (each way) 10 burpees 10 push ups 20 mountain climbers As many reps as possble in 5 minutes

Eating Healthy in College “In college, it can be tough, but try really hard to stay as close to the earth as you possibly can. Instead of French fries: grab carrots and ranch or veggies and hummus. Instead of pizza: grab that Chipotle bowl (no sour cream). Instead of sugary energy drinks: grab a coffee with half the sugar (creamer) or a tea. Instead of Taco Bell (my go-to in college): Chic-fil-A grilled chicken sandwich. Eat your veggies and fruits and proteins and make sure to drink water. I live by the rule 80/20, 80% of the time eat healthy and clean and 20% of the time eat what you want in moderation. Stay active. Drink water. Eat healthy. Get your sleep. “ -Missy Wilt, Ferried Personal Trainer, Nutritionist and Group Instructor

Eating Healthy Eating What you want

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lifestyles & Entertainment

Rush

or

run?

Greek myths debunked by staff Expectation

Written by hailey milliken graphics by alexa schulte photos by makanani grace

Reality Charity work & business skills

Signing your life away

Kelly lewis - zeta tau alpha

Kareem Hill

“I thought it was so rewarding to be in a sorority. We did so much charity work while I was in college and basically learned the basics of running a business.

It gave me a lot of communication skills, and overall it was just a valuable experience.”

“When you join a sorority or fraternity it’s like you sign your life away to a group of people for however many years you’re in college.”

no hazing

Hazing & Parties

darryl johnson - sigma phi Epsilon

Chloe Turner “Probably the biggest stereotype would be hazing and big parties, especially in fraternities. I think mainly because that’s what you typically see in movies, so that’s just kind of what you expect it to be like in real life.”

Make friends & slack on school work

“I was extremely hesitant to join a fraternity. I wasn’t even going to go to college in the first place. I was expecting the hazing and degradation when I pledged, but it just never came. I was very firm in stuff that I wouldn’t do, but it really wasn’t a problem for me.”

gpa requirement & leadership skills

victoria godinez

brett clawson - sigma chi

“I think the biggest stereotype is that girls are just joining sororities to make friends, not focus on school work, and just have fun. Even though in reality, I know this really isn’t always true. It’s just what everyone thinks automatically.”

“A lot of people think guys in frats are just dummies who are there to party, but there were guys there who are now big-time engineers. We had a GPA requirement and a lot of regulations that kept us on track.”

strong sense of community

Party houses

jessica hoffecker - gamma phi beta

Brody geist “Well, I honestly just think of fraternities being like party houses and that kind of stuff.”

why not to go greek

by the numbers

39 teachers responded to a survey on greek life

41%

were in a fraternity/sorority remained a member recommend greek life

44%

“Pledging for my sorority became such a positive, genuine experience for me.

It made such a large campus become very small for me. I definitely valued the sense of community my sorority gave me.”

94%

Carrie Bowman - Alpha Delta phi

“I went to William Jewell,” said Bowman. “Because it was such a small community, I didn’t really need that extra layer of guaranteed friends, and it was also pretty expensive, and I just didn’t like being told I had to wear this at this time or this place at this time. Some of the events were fun. It just wasn’t my thing.”

NEWS

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Behind the bond

teachers have impacted students over the years

B

Written by kara morley & haylee roberts photos by kara morley

y telling stories through art in AP Studio Art, senior Summer McDaniels and art teacher Chelle Cox have grown together.

McDaniels said Cox helped her to be prouder of her art and herself as a person.

“She’s all around a really good motivator as a teacher,” said McDaniels.

At the beginning of the year, McDaniels was struggling with her art and felt it wasn’t up to usual standards. She said Cox talked with her and told her art comes from yourself and that it doesn’t matter what other

Summer Mcdaniel & Chelle Cox

B

etween debate tournaments and three classes, senior Michael Johnson and debate teacher Shiloh Dutton spent a lot of time together.

“It’s probably just a product of a lot of time that I spend with certain kids more so than others,” said Dutton.

Johnson has had Dutton as a teacher all four years. He participated in policy debate which is what Dutton did when he was in high school, so they related to each other, and

Dutton helped him out with his cases.

“He’s made me a harder working person. He keeps me on task all the time,” said Johnson.

Dutton said he tried to help him with whatever he could and even timed a running test for Johnson’s ROTC application.

“I’m not a gym teacher, but we went to the gym, and I timed him run a mile and a half,” said Dutton.

Johnson said Dutton was joking with him and telling him to run faster.

T

aking a class for three out of four years of high school can help build more trust between a student and a teacher than just a typical one-year class would. Senior Corbin Peters participated in culinary classes taught by FACS teacher Rachel Mitchell since sophomore year.

“I’ll miss her a lot when I graduate,” said Peters.

High school is a time of growth, and Peters was one of the students Mitchell has gotten to watch mature and navigate the ways of being a teen over multiple years.

“It’s been a unique experience.

corbin peters & Rachel Mitchell

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Feauture

people’s standards are. This boosted McDaniels’ confidence in herself and her art abilities.

In September, McDaniels was dealing with the loss of her grandmother. Cox was someone she could go to who provided support. McDaniels said Cox encouraged her to remember the good times she had with her grandmother and to know she will always be with her.

“She’s helped me to be able to cope with that loss,” said McDaniels.

Cox admired McDaniels’ work ethic and attention to detail.

Cox said McDaniels was always “He pushed me through it,” said Johnson.

Johnson and Dutton said they have a common bond through both debate and sports. They’ll sometimes talk about sports during debate tournaments.

They talked about March Madness, and both agreed on their love for the Chiefs.

“One thing I would take away would be that your input equals the output, so pretty much the harder I worked in debate the higher I placed in tournaments,” said Johnson.

He’s one of the few I’ve had to have that opportunity to grow with,” said Mitchell.

After spending multiple years with the same teacher, a student often begins to feel more open and comfortable in the classroom. Peters took his longtime teacher’s advice to heart to help him learn and mature.

To him, Mitchell was more than a teacher. She acted as a mentor to him through the college decision process and even helped him apply for scholarships.

Mitchell said Peters has always stood out in many

eager to learn and worked to the best of her ability, and AP Studio Art can be stressful since it is a college-level class. Bonds come out of that stress, and they had conversations in this class that don’t usually happen in other classes, said Cox. Since AP Studio Art also entails a lot of storytelling through art, personal stories and thoughts come out of that, said Cox. “Those conversations that we have one on one together lets me in, and I share with the students too,” said Cox.

michael johnson & Shiloh dutton

ways, whether it be helping during Falcon Time or his positive attitude in class. It has cultivated a bond that developed from a love of cooking.

Culinary arts involve a lot of mistakes both from the students and teacher, so Mitchell and Peters grew through failures.

“We’re able to learn from those mistakes as a whole,” said Mitchell.

Peters found what everyone hopes to find in high school, a place to belong. He was even escorted by Mitchell’s 21-month-old daughter at the 2019 Mr. Falcon competition.

Throwin’ it back: dream jobs Seniors reflect on dream jobs as a kid to now Written by Kirea Obie Graphics by Autumn Adams Photos by Lonyae Coulter

Elija Weaver, 12

Olyvia Young, 12 “My dream job when I was younger was an interior designer. Now, it is an physician assistant. I was very creative as a kid, so that’s why I wanted to be an interior designer, but that kind of changed because I want to help the community more.”

Ashlyn koontz, 12

“My dream job as a kid was a doctor working in the pediatrician or the cardiovascular department. My dream job now is to become an accountant, where I open up my own business to help urban organizations in Kansas City or wherever I land in the future. I wanted to be a pediatrician then because I liked health, science and the body. With accounting, I’ve always been good with numbers, and I like to learn about taxes and how it affects us to help others.”

“My dream job as a kid was to be a teacher. I wanted to be a teacher up until last year. My dream job now is to be a lawyer for estate law. I want to be a lawyer now because I thought about my Hispanic background and how my grandma was in the hospital and didn’t have a will executed, so it was kind of like, ‘What are we going to do?’ I got inspired to help out the Hispanic community for those that don’t have the resources like others in the country.”

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816.604.3587

feature

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SENIOR SUPERLATIVES

Photos by Haylee Roberts Graphic by haley Anne Mahusay

Most Likely To Travel The World Alexis Theoharidis & Preston Wheeler

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FEATURE

Most Sass

Paris Taylor-Mahone & Jason Nguyen

Next Einstein

Keshvi Mahalingam & Parker McCracken

Next Picasso Devin Judin & Karson Davis

Most Likely To Have A Reality TV Show

Most Likely To Win A Grammy

Alexis Theoharidis & Blaine Morales

Sam Queen & Alyssa Freeman

Most Likely to Do Anything For A Retweet

Most Likely To Be Late To Graduation

Jason Simcoe & Alana Vawter

Tristan Kimzey & Kennedy Kooi

Most Likely To Win An Oscar

Best To Bring Home To Meet The Family

Cade Martsching & Alyssa Freeman

Carly Hays & Quinten Arello

FEATURE

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REPPIN’ red, white and blue WHY seniors DECIDED TO ENLIST

Photos by Rami LeRoy, Cole Roberts & Maddie White Graphics by Maddie White

jACOB DYKE, 12 NAVY

“My dad and my grandfather both were in the Navy, so that was definitely a driving factor for it all.

When I went and started talking to my recruiter, I was looking more for what opportunities would come up for me. Going through my medical and looking at the jobs and qualifications I can get, I made a conscious decision to just go ahead and enlist and take this opportunity. And I’m really excited.”

alexander weisbach, 12 MARINES

“I’m joining the Marines, and I’ll have to serve four years, but after that I’ll decide from there. There are great benefits, good schools, and you can learn all the things you need in life, especially for the job I want to do. My grandfather was in the Marines, and my brother was in the Air Force, so I just want to carry another generation.”

TATUM THOMAS, 12 army national guard “I’m joining the Army National Guard, and my contract is six years, but I don’t think I’ll be in it afterward. I’ve wanted to do something different for a long time, and it’s part of my family. I just want to be a part of something bigger than just going to college.”

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Michael Johnson, 12 air force

“I decided to join the Air Force because my cousins and my grandparents on both sides were in the Air Force. I’m taking a different route than they did because I am going to college before I actually go into the Air Force. The reason for this is because if you go through college first, you’ll more than likely be commissioned as an officer, and you’ll get paid more. It’s also a little bit more important of a job.”

DANIEL SMITH, 12 army national guard “I plan on joining the Army National Guard. My goal is to do a life term, so until I’m 40 or 50.

There’s great benefits, but it’s about being a part of something bigger than who you are. I’m the first to join in my family.”

Adventures Abroad

Foreign Exchange seniors reflect on time in United states

L

illy Vogt is a foreign exchange student from Hennweiler, Germany, and she is 17 years old.

“I’ve learned to be more independent and being more open when you talk to new people because I never had to do that in Germany since I grew up with those people, and you already know everyone,” said Vogt.

Vogt loved extracurricular activities like theater and soccer because she didn’t have anything like that in Germany.

“There’s a lot that’s different here, but they’re just small things. But you know if I went to China it’d be really different,” said Vogt. “Here, people are more open.

But in Germany, you don’t talk to people if you don’t have to.”

At home, Vogt lived with her older brother and her parents.

“It was worse before I left. At the

Lily Vogt Germany

F

Lisa karlsson Sweden

rom Frillesås, Sweden, is 17-yearold foreign exchange student Lisa Karlsson. Since coming to the United States, Karlsson has learned a lot.

“I’ve learned a lot more responsibility because the school system is so different back home,” said Karlsson. “We don’t have homework or anything anymore.

They got rid of that, and there’s a bunch more stuff you can do here. So, you have to learn more time management.”

Karlsson participated in the theater department and made friends that way.

“Everything is different here. The culture here is a lot different. People are a lot more approachable here. We don’t talk to strangers back home at all,” said Karlsson. “Things are a lot more spread out here since the country is a lot bigger, and you can drive when you’re 16, which is weird because we have to be 18.”

O

Petr Martinek Czech republic

ne of the foreign exchange students is 18-year-old Petr Maritinek from Czech Republic.

“Coming here was just a big culture shock,” said Maritinek. “Everything’s just so different, and everything’s bigger. And I think Americans are much nicer than Europeans. It’s just something I’ve noticed.”

He learned how to do things on his own after being away from his family.

“Since I am not here with my family and just on my own, I had to deal with things on my own and be more independent,” said Maritinek.

Back home, Maritinek lived with his mother and sister in the capitol city Prague.

“My mom was crying when I left, but otherwise it was pretty fun, but stressful,” said Maritinek. “They didn’t tell me where

airport, I was crying and sobbing really ugly, but when I came here and arrived, then I was like, ‘Ok, this is fine now,’” said Vogt. “And since then, I haven’t felt really homesick. I miss them, but it’s not like I’m depressed or something.”

Vogt lived with her host mom, host dad, a 3-year-old host brother and a 5-yearold host sister.

“I loved my host family. It’s different because here I’m the oldest, but back in Germany, I’m the youngest. So it’s just a weird dynamic change,” said Vogt.

Vogt explored Kansas City with her host family and newfound friends.

“I’ve been to the Nelson Atkins museum because I really like art. I’ve seen a Royals game and a Chiefs game, and that was cool. I didn’t really understand a lot of the rules, but it was nice to see it,” said Vogt.

Karlsson got to visit not just Kansas City but other places in United States as well.

“I’ve been to Iowa. That was actually pretty cool. I went to Branson over spring break which was also cool because I had never been to a place like that. It was a giant tourist trap, but still it was kind of cool. And before I got here, I went to New York for three days,” said Karlsson.

Back home, Karlsson lived with her mom and dad, and her older brother lived on his own.

“I actually have only cried once since I got here,” said Karlsson. “But when I left them at the airport back home and walked out through security back home in the airport just bawling my eyes out.”

Karlsson said she really wants to come back to the United States again someday.

I was going because of some troubles, so first they told me I’m going to Arizona.

Then they told me I’m going to Missouri.

So, I didn’t even know where I was going untilI was at the airport and they gave me the ticket.”

Since living in Kansas City, Maritinek has gone to Worlds of Fun, a rodeo, paintballing, the movies and a Royals game.

“I think my host family is absolutely perfect, and I think that is the biggest luck I’ve ever had in my life because I was stressed about if I would fit in with them,” said Maritinek. “But they are absolutely amazing and supportive. I’ve never met such a nice family in my life, and I’m grateful for them.”

Written by Alexa Schulte Graphics by Autumn Adams

While preparing for the production of “Annie” backstage, senior Lily Vogt poses with sophomores Mackenzi Mason and Rachael Mueller Nov. 15. Vogt said her favorite thing she did during her time in the United States was being part of the theater department. “I had a great time and met some amazing friends,” said Vogt. Photo Courtesy of Lily Vogt

One week after landing in the United States, senior Lisa Karlsson takes her first kayaking trip with her host family at Smithville Lake Aug. 5. Karlsson said her favorite thing she did during her time in the United States was the kayaking trip she took with her host family. “It was the first time I’d ever been in a kayak. It was really cool,” said Karlsson.

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Karlsson

Flying high above Kansas City, senior Petr Martiniek rides in a helicopter with his host brother Feb. 16. Martinek said his favorite thing he did during his time in the United States was the helicopter ride he took with his host brother for his birthday. “It was really unexpected and overall awesome,” said Martinek.

Photo Courtesy of Petr Martinek

feature TALON

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looking back through the years

a timeline of major events of the last four years

Written by Alexa Schulte Graphics by Autumn Adams & Makenzie Hooton

Charleston shooting

2015

June 17: Shooting occurred inside a church at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. A 21-year-old white supremacist attended one Bible study in a predominately black church before opening fire. He was later arrested and tried for 33 counts, including murder, firearm charges and hate crime charges. The shooter pleaded guilty and was charged with nine life sentences in state prison, according to CNN and NBC News.

Mass Shootings attacks in paris Nov. 13: Minutes apart, terrorists attacked eight targets in Paris, France, using bombs and shootings. There were 130 people killed and hundreds injured. The terrorists hit the Paris Stadium, four restaurants and a concert venue before pledging allegiance to the Islamic State militant group, according to CNN.

July 16: Five people were shot and killed at a military recruiting office in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Oct. 1: At Umpqua Community College campus in Roseburg, Oregon, 10 people were shot and killed.

Nov. 27: Three people were shot and killed at Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dec. 2: The San Bernardino, California, shooting at the Inland Regional Center during a Department of Public Health conference and holiday luncheon was the deadliest mass shooting of 2015 out of 468 shootings in 2015 with 14 killed and 22 injured, according to ABC News.

Zika Virus

2016 Orlando night club shooting June: An American-born man went into a gay nightclub in Orlando and shot and killed 49 people and wounded at least 53 others and said he pledged allegiance to ISIS, according to CNN.

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July 29: The Centers for Disease Control and prevention found four cases in Florida of the Zika Virus, a virus that is spread by mosquitos and became an outbreak in the United States. In pregnant women, Zika can cause birth defects and other neurological defects. There were a total of 36,512 cases in U.S. territories and states, and there were 1,107 cases in Florida alone, according to the Center of Disease and Prevention Center.

Rio olympics Aug. 5-21: The summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Team USA took home a record number of medals with 121 total and 46 gold, according to Team USA.

Obama visits cuba March 20: President Barack Obama was the first U.S. President to step foot in Cuba since 1928. This was after the United States and Cuba signed an agreement to let commercial flights between the countries resume for the first time in more than 50 years.

Trump’s Inauguration

2017

Jan. 20: At 11 a.m., Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States.

Solar Eclipse Nfl Anthem Protests Several National Football League players started kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial bias, police brutality and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Aug. 21: A total solar eclipse crossed the United States from coast to coast which hadn’t happened since 1918.

Las Vegas Shootings

REcord-setting Hurricanes

Oct. 1: Stephen Paddock opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest music festival from a nearby hotel killing 58 people and wounding 500. Paddock killed himself before being discovered by police.

Aug. 25: Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast, and on Sept.

10 Irma hit southern Florida. The Atlantic hurricane season had 17 named storms and 10 hurricanes and caused more than $2 billion in damage.

2018

#Metoo Royal Wedding May 19: American actress Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and they announced in October of 2018 they were expecting their first child.

This movement started in Hollywood after director Harvey Weinstein turned himself in after being charged with rape and sexual assault against dozens of women from Hollywood. The movement caused people to stand up against sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment and more.

Mass Shootings Midterms November: The U.S. midterm elections had record numbers of voters for a midterm election and gave the Democrats control over the House of Representatives.

Source: CNN

Winter olympics

Feb. 14: 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. May 18: 10 people were killed at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas. Oct. 27: 11 were killed at synagogue in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Nov. 8: At Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, 12 people were killed.

February: The Winter Olympics was held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Team USA left with 9 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals.

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Senior stats Survey reveals senior truths Survey by Kayla pospisil Graphics by Makenzie Hooton

Have you ever gotten a ticket in the school parking lot?

23.1% 76.9% NO

If you were stuck on an island and had to bring one teacher, who would it be?

1. Nevels 2. Anderson

Yes

3. helwig How many hours of sleep do you get a night?

4. Tapp

6-8 hours 70.7% 5 or fewer 27.2%

Have you ever parked on the curb during the school day?

More than 8 2.1%

no

67% What year of high school was the hardest?

yes 33%

42.9% 57.1% Senior 35.2%

Junior 42.9%

Sophomore 17.6%

Freshman 4.3%

Yes

Survey of 98 seniors

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Have you ever been late to school but still stopped for coffee?

NO

Have you ever pulled an all-nighter studying?

What is your Go-to shoe brand?

58.2%

yes

41.8%

no

What was your longest relationship with a significant other during high school?

Nike 37.3% vans 27.5% Converse 12.7% birkenstock 8.8% other 7.8% New Balance 5.9%

less than a month 3.3% less than 6 months 14.1% single 25% Over 6 months 28.3% over a year 29.3%

How many paying jobs have you had while you were in high school?

What is your favorite genre of music? other 29% Alternative 20.4% R&B 11.8%

pop 23.7% rap 15.1%

3 or more 18.7%

2 33%

1 34.1%

Zero 14.3%

Have you seen students in a fight at staley?

16.7% 83.3%

Yes NO

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