Staley Talon, Volume 13, Issue 1, December 2020

iOS14 P.7

Hybrid Education P.13

The ‘New Normal’ P.19

EQUITY IN THE DISTRICT P. 10-11

TALON Staley High School Kansas City, Mo.

Volume 13. Issue 1 December 2020

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Talon Issue 1 Table Of Contents

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

10-11 LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENT 12 TikTok Inspires Students To Make Unique Earrings 13 LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENT Protective Fashion Sparks Creativity 14 LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENT Thrifting Trends Spread Amongst Teenagers 15 LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENT New iOS 14 Update Leads To Customizations 16 LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENT Staff Editorial

Lenient Classwork Disadvantages Students

NEWS

Current Events Affect Education Tactics

NEWS

Students Work During School Hours

NEWS Virtual Schooling Creates Obstacles For Learning

OPINION

Leave Gatekeeping At The Gate

SPORTS Sports Make Changes Due To Covid-19

FEATURE

Male Cheerleader Shares Experience

Nutrition Brownie Batter Shakes Compared

LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENT Gaming Gains Popularity In Quarantine

TALON STAFF EDITORS-IN-CHIEF HANNAH MOORE RACHAEL MUELLER MANAGING EDITORS CASSIE FORD CHARLIE WARNER COPY EDITORS RACHAEL MUELLER CHARLIE WARNER

STAFF ADVISOR AUTUMN ADAMS CHERIE BURGETT ARCHIE DINWIDDIE ISABELLA DORRINGTON LANDYN GOLDBERG EMANI HATCH FALLYN KOWALSKI DAMIEN VARGAS JUPITER MARIER GRACE WINKLER BRIANNE TREMPER COOPER WYGLENDOWSKI

ON THE COVER While students are navigating this school year, Talon took a look into what it is like in the classrooms with the new circle activity.

Junior Cassie Ford took this photo to show the new circle discussions.

ON THE WEB StaleyNews.com

Staley News

@StaleyNews

@staley.news

Talon Issue 1 Staff Editorial

Editorial: The 2020 Grading System

Lenient Classwork Disadvantages Students

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hat was previously considered to be normal isn’t really the reality anymore. Students have so many different responsibilities and distractions that some believe they shouldn’t have to worry about their education and schoolwork during a time like this because they have so much on their plates.

But school should still be high priority and taken as seriously as if it were any other school year. The majority of students are just as capable of doing their schoolwork as they were before, but they must choose to prioritize it.

Students shouldn’t be able to just breeze past this school year with As and Bs by not putting in their best effort. Other students work hard to achieve their well-earned grades and class rank.

The new late work and grading policy is going to challenge all of that by making it to where students can receive full credit for an assignment -- even if they turn it in weeks after the due date. That doesn’t seem fair, especially to students who do the assignments and turn them in on time.

And it’s highly possible that a good portion of the student body is sitting at

home choosing not to do the work on time knowing they can do it whenever they want to with little to no grade penalty.

The leniency is understandable for students who are struggling due to being accountable for responsibilities in their home life like jobs, housework or taking care of younger siblings.

Another harsh reality is that students’ school and home lives have collided, which can make the learning environment hard and stressful. And those stressful environments can make a student’s stress and anxiety worse when they’re trying to accomplish and do everything they need to for their home responsibilities and their schoolwork.

Those types of feelings and situations can happen with students not even knowing that they’re mental issues which is what stress and anxiety are. But it can be a very serious problem and very hard to deal with in certain situations involving schoolwork.

Those students deserve to get the help and attention that they need. But there are different approaches that can be taken to help individual students with that balance of home and school life because it shouldn’t be assumed

that the entire student body can’t get the work completed and on time or are having the same family or health issues when many students are fully capable but are choosing not to do what is needed for school.

The new grading and late work policy aids the lack of participation, and far more assignments will be turned in late and sloppily knowing it really can’t hurt their grades.

The policy is setting students up for future failure. What kind of example is this? Students will think even if they do the work and don’t complete it correctly or up to teacher expectations that they deserve an A even with lack of effort and bare minimum participation.

In the real world, that isn’t how colleges work. It’s not how careers are going to work. People can flunk out of college, and people can get fired from occupations. These blanket policies could make a lot of students overlook the concept of working hard to succeed and achieve great things in life. They should be applied on a case-by-case basis.

Editorial Cartoon by Rachael Mueller

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Talon Issue 1 Lifestyles & Entertainment

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Never Fully Dressed Without Style

TikTok Inspires Students To Make Unique Earrings

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fter seeing the trend on TikTok, sophomores Hailey Moorehead and Nadine Osborne started making their own earrings out of little things like thumb tacks or tiny toy dinosaurs.

Moorehead started to make them because she thought they would be a stylish touch to her everyday look.

“I thought they would be a cool accessory to go with my outfits,” said Moorehead.

Osborne wanted to make earrings for her friend and started to make them for herself as well.

“I had to get supplies for my friend’s birthday party and decided to make them for myself,” said Osborne.

Some of Moorehead’s favorite pairs include safety pins, tiny flower

pots and little swords. Dollar Store and thrift stores are popular places to find objects for earrings.

“Most of the time I find something at the Dollar Store that is small enough to fit on my ear,” said Moorehead.

Moorhead and Osborne don’t sell the earrings, but there are many who sell these type of earrings on eBay. “With all the time people had during quarantine, they saw ways to make money off of it,” said Osborne.

Popular with TikTok users are baby figurines, clothes pins and paperclips.

“I’ve made a few earrings I saw on TikTok that I thought were cool,” said Moorehead.

Moorehead and Osborne explained the process of making the

earrings as getting jump rings, hook rings and drilling whatever object they want on it.

“There’s so many different ways you can make them, and you can either do it in a really complicated way or a simple way, and it’s cool to see the variety of how people are creative with it,” said Osborne.

Supplies for making the earrings can be found at craft stores like Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s.

“It’s an easy hobby that almost anyone can do because you can find things all over the place to make earrings out of,” said Moorehead.

Written by Isabella Dorrington Photos by Nadine Osborne Graphics by Rachael Mueller

Talon Issue 1 Lifestyles & Entertainment

Surviving In Style

Protective Fashion Sparks Creativity

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asks are in. Students have a whole new item to incorporate into their style.

Withcountless pattern options, there are so many ways to make wearing a mask trendy. With no clear maskless future in sight, students are looking chic while staying safe.

Some have found joy incorporating masks into their wardrobes, such as senior Makena Thomas who uses her masks to enhance her outfit.

“I like matching colors to my mask, or if I have a solid color outfit a mask with a fun pattern,” said Thomas.

Thomas said she has utilized the masks as a fun new accessory.

Sophomore Malary Scaggs said she understands the importance of wearing the masks and has chosen to make the best out of a new situation.

“If it is helping our community and country, then it is important to follow guidelines and have some fun while doing so,” said Scaggs.

Since the start of the pandemic, people have acquired masks from a number of places: big name stores, local businesses or family friends. Many people have rolled up their sleeves and learned to make masks themselves from the safety of their homes. Scaggs uses recycled materials to make her own masks.

“Most of my masks are store bought masks my mom got for me, but a few of them I have made at home from old clothes my little sisters have outgrown,” said Scaggs.

With an unforeseeable end to the pandemic and mask wearing, it is time to adapt styles to the mask.

For sophomore Maddie Wright, it is all about making her masks versatile.

“I’ve made sure to get masks that I could use with multiple outfits,” said Wright. “I also get colorful ones to add extra color to just a simple outfit.”

Wright said she liked to show individuality with her masks.

“I have a tie-dye mask that I like, and it’s one I haven’t seen on many people here,” said Wright.

Wright acknowledges the troubles some have with the masks, but she feels there is a silver lining.

“I feel like even though they annoy most people, it’s just another way to show your style,” said Wright.

Junior Haley Johnson said she didn’t put as much thought into the incorporation of masks into her everyday style.

“Honestly, most of the time I just grab one and go,” said Johnson.

On the other hand, Johnson uses her masks to display some of her favorite things.

“I can wear masks that have fun things on them,” said Johnson.

“For example, I love ducks, and I have a duck mask I can wear.”

Mask wearing is fairly new for people and has taken some adjustment, but many students have used this time to show their originality, add to their style and to stay safe.

Written by Rachael Mueller Photos by Grace Winkler

Makena Thomas, 12

Maddie Wright, 10

Malary Scaggs, 10

Haley Johnson, 11

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Talon Issue 1 Lifestyles & Entertainment

Reduce, Reuse, Rewear Thrifting Trends Spread Amongst Teenagers

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hrift shopping has become popular, in part due to TikTok where users make videos of themselves thrifting and showing off the inexpensive finds.

This has encouraged teenagers to go thrifting to purchase clothes while saving money, allowing them to completely change their wardrobe as well and find unique pieces.

“I don’t have enough money to go out and buy a $30 T-shirt. They also always look good, too,” said sophomore Nakeah Mugala.

Some aren’t as impressed by what thrift stores have to offer.

“I don’t know. I feel like you can find some really cool stuff at thrift stores. You can’t really find very much modern stuff, and that’s how I mainly dress,” said sophomore Chase Kiel, who doesn’t thrift. “I am mainly in athletic wear.” said Kiel.

It takes about 650 gallons of water to make a brand-new cotton T-shirt, and it takes about 1,800 gallons of water to make a new pair of jeans, according to the water calculator on the website of Grace Foundation, a non-profit working to raise awareness about how people in the United States use water throughout their day.

In 2017, about 17 million tons

Ava Guerra-Harris, 10 Shirt Jean Skirt Stockings

$4.00 $5.00 $2.00

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of textiles were put into landfills while only 2,570 tons were recycled, even though 95 percent of textiles can be recycled. It can take up to 200 years for clothes made out of synthetic materials to decompose, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Another Benefit to thrifting is not supporting fast fashion. Fast fashion is clothing made at fast rates and sold very cheap.

“Speedy supply chains rely on outsourced and often underpaid labor from factory workers overseas,” according to VoxMedia articles.

These people who make clothes are usually women and children, and they often are treated poorly, according to the New York Times.

Shopping at local thrift stores could also help the community as well as those in need. The Hillcrest thrift shops are a nonprofit organization.

“We have an open heart and open mind to those who are in trouble,” said Lou Warner, director of Hillcrest thrift stores.

Their goal is to help people get back on their feet.

“Our primary objective is to move clients from homelessness to self-sufficiency by addressing the total life situation of homeless families we

serve,” said Warner.

During the pandemic they have opened their doors to even more people in need by using a voucher system.

“We are serving to young adults and families who are having trouble getting back up on their feet,” said Warner.

The uptick in prices have made it harder for people who need thrifted clothes to buy them. Thrifting can also be more difficult as a plus sized person due to the lack of flattering plus size clothing and the oversized clothing trend.

“As a plus sized person, when you find clothes, you’re not trying to give them away. One, to find them and they’re really expensive when you do find them. So it’s rare that you’re just going to be giving your good stuff away,” said Alesha Bowman, owner of a plus sized thrift store UnLEShed+.

“And then, for some reason if there is a thrift shop where you do find your size, you’re taking everything.”

Written by Bri Tremper Photos by Rachael Mueller Graphics By Rachael Mueller

Eryn Perkins, 12

Zoe Williams, 10

Full Outfit $20.00 Dr Martens $50.00

Blue Shirt Black Shirt Shorts

$70

$8.00 $0.99 $3.00

$11.99

Talon Issue 1 Lifestyles & Entertainment

Aesthetic iPhone 101

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New iOS 14 Update Leads To Customizations

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pple’s newest system update for iPhone, iOS 14, was released Sept. 16. With the update, Apple added a new part of the home screen called widget. Widgets help provide various information without having to open up an app, such as battery level for your phone and connected Bluetooth devices, calendar, clock or weather. People found a way to make their screen have a certain aesthetic using a free third-party app for widgets called Widgetsmith and using the Shortcuts app to change the way app icons looked. The trend grew rapidly due to videosharing app TikTok. Now, teens throughout the country are making their own versions.

Jackson Phelps,10 Sophomore Jackson Phelps based his off of his favorite college football teams.

“I’ve always loved college football, ever since I was a little kid,” said Phelps.

“Ever since this new iOS 14 came out, I was like, ‘Man, I can really spice this thing up.’”

Phelps took his three favorite teams, the Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners and Air Force Academy Falcons and matched app icons with the teams’ main colors.

“I was trying to match the app icons to the team colors,” said Phelps.

“So like, Mizzou I did yellow, Oklahoma I did red and the Air Force Academy I did blue. I was trying to match the icons with the sports team, so it didn’t look too crazy, and it looked overall clean.”

Alex Secaida,11 Junior Alex Secaida made her home screen based off of the “Harry Potter” book and novel series.

“I’ve just always liked Harry Potter, ever since I was little,” said Secaida.

“It started getting really popular on TikTok, and I saw a lot of home screens about Harry Potter, so I just decided to make one myself.”

Secaida decided to make each individual home screen relate to something different about Harry Potter.

“The first one is just overall the Hogwarts school theme. The second one is a Gryffindor theme, and the third one is a Slytherin theme.”

Written by Landyn Goldberg

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Talon Issue 1 Lifestyles & Entertainment

Brownie Batter Up Nutrition Brownie Batter Shakes Compared

Isabella Dorrington

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utrition smoothie bars have been very popular lately among students. North Oak Nutrition and Brighton Nutrition are similar due to the fact that they sell the same types of nutrition shakes. I went to both and ordered their brownie batter shake to see what makes them different. They market their drinks as a healthier option. Most of the drinks have protein and vitamins they claim help with digestion.

North Oak Nutrition North Oak Nutrition is the most well-known among our students, with several people going there almost every day. I had high hopes for this shake, but I now have mixed feelings about it. The shake was very thick. It really tasted like I was drinking brownie batter. I enjoyed the sweetness. It wasn’t too sugary or too bitter. I was pleased with the drink until the bland after taste with protein powder, which I was expecting because it is a nutritional drink.

I would definitely get it again if it wasn’t so expensive. The one shake was $9.76.

Brighton Nutrition I just recently heard of Brighton Nutrition because my friends have been going there lately. I ordered their brownie batter shake, and it was topped with chocolate sprinkles, and North Oak Nutrition’s shake looked very similar but without sprinkles.

It smelled very chocolatey like it was going to be rich with flavor, but it wasn’t. It tasted watered down, and it had hardly any flavor. The texture wasn’t as thick as North Oak Nutrition’s, but it was smoother. The one shake was $7. While it wasn’t as expensive, it still was more than I would have liked to spend. The North Oak Nutrition shake tasted better, and I would rather have their shake, but if I wasn’t feeling like paying an extra $2, I wouldn’t mind going to Brighton.

Written by Isabella Dorrington Graphics by Autumn Adamns

DO YOU PREFER NORTH OAK NUTRITION OR BRIGHTON NUTRITION? $9.76 Kaci Needham, 11

Prefers North Oak Nutrition “I really like it because I don’t feel bad after eating it, and it’s something that tastes really good.”

Mia Ramirez, 12

$7

Prefers Brighton Nutrition “I think it’s fun to try all their different drinks. I like doing them as meal replacements to try and be healthier.”

Talon Issue 1 Lifestyles & Entertainment

Lockdown Entertainment Gaming Gains Popularity In Quarantine

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uring the COVID-19 Pandemic, people have been stuck indoors, which has led to people having to find different ways to entertain themselves.

One way people have been entertaining themselves is through video games, making them grow in popularity. “Fall Guys” and “Among Us” were two games that did just that.

“Fall Guys” was released Aug. 4, and recenly the rating was at 4.4 stars by users with 12,436 Google ratings. It’s available on PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Platforms. It is an ultimate survival game that flings hordes of contestants with online players as they dash through rounds of escalating chaos until a single victor remains.

“I like that it can be team based, and it could just be you on your own

team, and I think it’s yet again become popular because it’s very simple,” said sophomore Austin Clark.

One of the older but more recently popular games is “Among Us.” It was released June 2018. At last check, “Among Us” has more than 100 million downloads and has beat “Fall Guys,” but this game had already been released for two years.

There is a serious science behind “Among Us” with gaining people’s trust in game. To explain, there is a person who is deemed the “Imposter,” and their goal as the imposter is to eliminate the rest of the crew mates who are “innocent.”

When a crewmate thinks they know who the Imposter is, they talk among their other crewmates, and once they reach a decision, they vote out the crewmate they think is

the imposter. If they are wrong, they go back to doing their tasks until they figure it out. Both sophomore Austin Clark and junior Ariana Dukes both liked “Among Us” and “Fall Guys”. Dukes said she thinks that “Among Us” has gotten the hype it deserves.

Sophomore Austin Clark said there was some level of a psychological aspect to the game.

People liked these games during lockdown because they were both simple to play and required strategy and concentration, according to Clark. Clark and Dukes both said they played and enjoyed these games Written by Archie Dinwiddie Graphics by Rachael Mueller

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Talon Issue 1 News

Current Events Affect Education Tactics

EQUITY IN THE DISTRICT

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he topics of systematic racism, racial diversity, social justice and discrimination are in the news, on social media and in conversations. They are also concerns the school district is addressing.

North Kansas City School District superintendent Dan Clemens, Ed.D., said he and his team brought their plans regarding equity in the district to be acknowledged and discussed with the board of education to help students during this time and address current racial issues.

“My participation is to ensure that we’re treating kids well. I think a thing that we can take credit for is introducing the policy on equity and having them adopted,” said Clemens.

“It’s making sure that it’s in our strategic plan that we are going to continue to work on these areas. We have also increased the number of diversity councils we have within our schools and as districtwide councils.”

Sophomore Lucas VanKeirsbilck, who is a part of the school and district’s diversity councils said that they really give students a voice to talk about important topics.

“We get to come and be more than just a student, we get to be treated like adults by adults,” said VanKeirsbilck.

“I think at times so many teachers and adults assume that racism is such a big and important topic that students can’t handle it and that we don’t have a very educated opinion, but that’s just not true. We do, and we all have our opinions, and they’re very worth sharing.”

Principal Larry Smith,

Ed.D., said reports of discrimination or harassment incidents are not a common occurrence, and they’re not something that the school tolerates, and receiving any word about students having a negative experience at school is something very concerning to him.

He said it’s been an important goal of his to make sure every student has a positive experience.

“It’s my goal to work with our entire Staley community: students, teachers, community members, parents, etc., to ensure that we have a very welcoming and inclusive environment,” said Smith. “I want my students to know how important this topic is to me and that Staley is a great place for all students.”

Sophomore Kirah Frieson said she has never had a negative encounter regarding her ethnicity at Staley and that the school makes everyone feel included and like they belong.

“I feel like Staley has a real equal environment where everybody’s treated the same,” said Frieson. “In my experience, I would say that Staley does a really good job of making it so every student, no matter the race, feels welcome in the school and feels represented.”

Clemens said after reviewing social media posts from Staley alumni about experiencing racial injustice, he felt disappointed that students in the district would treat each other that way, but it also brought light to the fact of how important the topic of race is to address so the same kind of behavior doesn’t occur again.

“We have 21,000 kids

that attend our school district, and my job is to make sure that 21,000 kids have a good experience with North Kansas City schools and to ensure that all kids feel welcome here and can excel,” said Clemens.

On the first days of this school year, Smith said his beginning of the year welcome back message over the announcements and also read the district’s equity statement.

“I wanted to make sure that they knew Staley High School was a safe place for all students and is a place where we’re all one to be Falcons, and we’re all going to be accepting of each other,” said Smith.

“I wanted our students to know that will continue, and that here, regardless of what’s happening outside the rest of the world, I want this to be a place where everyone feels like they belong.”

Clemens said he and other district administration helped build the idea of the equity statement and also put in place equity policies and processes involving any incidents regarding the topics of racial harassment or discrimination.

“I don’t know why we never had an equity policy, but it was something that the board and I feel strongly needed to be in place,” said Clemens. “North Kansas City, you talk about being champions for all students, and it’s very hard to have a tagline that says you’re champions for all the students but don’t have an inclusion policy to make sure all students are welcome within our school district.”

Written by Cassie Ford

Talon Issue 1 News Engaging in their class discussion circle Oct. 15, freshmen Maddie Malena, Chloe Monzon, Ayanna Owens, Keirra Reaves, Sammy Smith, Audrey Taylor and Taylar Thomas participate in the classes sharing circle. Taylor said she wasn’t comfortable talking in front of her class and said there were a lot of students she didn’t know. “I am so scared to open my mouth about anything that we talk about that relates to politics or mental health or just anything in general because I know that people won’t agree with me,” said Taylor.

Photo by Cassie Ford

Sharing Their Voice

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Sharing In Class Circles Adds Meaning

etting their voices be heard, students have been participating in schoolwide class discussion circles talking about different topics about their personal lives, school lives and about their opinions on more serious current events.

Sophomore Lucas VanKeirsbilck said the circles that have been talked about since the Diversity Council formed last year are an opportunity for students to share their experiences and opinions with their peers and discuss deeper topics.

“It kind of gives you a different perspective on the topic so you can learn more about yourself and others through the topics, and the Diversity Council makes plans to address those issues,” said VanKeirsbilck.

District superintendent Dan Clemens, Ed.D, said the circles were brought about by the Equity and Inclusion committee to make students feel more comfortable with their peers and be able to feel safe and welcomed while sharing.

“It’s really just about making sure people are heard and that we are

understanding what their struggles might be in the end so that we can address them collaboratively. That we are not ignoring the students which we educate, and they have a voice,” said Clemens.

Principal Larry Smith, Ed.D., said the whole purpose behind the circles is to help students feel more accepted and know they belong in the school’s community, and since starting them this year, he has heard positive things about how well they were going.

“It goes back to creating a sense of togetherness; that sense of belonging; that sense of creating a welcoming environment for all kids. That was really important to me when I started here,” said Smith. “It’s important that we all soar together, and I think it’s having some really positive effects from something that has been in the works for a while.”

As the circles continue to be practiced in classrooms, it is the hope that they will benefit students both inside and outside of school.

Written by Cassie Ford Graphic by Cassie Ford

At the beginning of Multicultural Literature Oct. 7, senior Brayden Day talks with English Language Arts teacher Jaime Fox one on one during the class sharing circle. Day said he enjoyed sharing his responses to the different topics they discussed in the circle, and that helped him keep in mind things that he typically wouldn’t give a second thought to. “I don’t talk to a lot of people about some of the things that we talk about in the circles. I don’t usually think about, and when I did and shared it with everyone it made me feel better about myself and made me feel more comfortable talking to my teachers and classmates,” said Day. Photo by Cassie Ford

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Talon Issue 1 News

Workin’ The Day Shift Students Work During School Hours

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Outside of Sunfresh grocery store where senior Jessica Reese works, she puts up shopping carts Oct. 25. One of Reese’s duties is to tidy up the carts that are put in the parking lot. “We often like to do carts to pass the time at work, it’s a good opportunity to enjoy the weather and get some fresh air,” said Reese. Photo by isabella Dorrington

During senior Najma Said’s shift at Old Navy she folds clothes in the kid section Oct. 17 Said worked part time but said she spends more time at work han she does at home. “The most important part of my job is tidying up the sales floor and interacting with customers. My job allows for me to take a break from the stress of my classes,” said Said. Photo by Isabella Dorrington

orking 9 has its perks, it has to 5. As of also shown to have recently, some downsides.

Dolly Parton’s catchy Senior Drew Jones song has become said working while a reality for some being a virtual students. Since their student has given switch to online, him less time to many students spend focus on schoolwork. the time during “I haven’t fallen the day that they behind at all, but my would typically be grades tend to slip,” in school at work. said Jones. ”It takes Some have found the away focus, and I flexible schedule and don’t have as much newfound freedom time.” to be beneficial to their education, while others feel “I FEEL the constant cycle SUFFOCATED WITH between work and THE DUE DATES. school draining.

IT REALLY FEELS For some LIKE I CAN’T students, working BREATHE.IT during their online FEELS LIKE WE classes gives them more freedom with DO MORE ONLINE their work schedule.

WORK THAN WE Senior Jessica EVER DID WHILE Majhor utilizes her WE WERE IN online days to get SCHOOL.” work done.

“I’m able to NAJMA SAID, 12 schedule work on the days that I don’t have school so I won’t have burnout At the end in comparison to if I of their shifts, worked and went to sometimes students school on the same feel too worn out day,” said Majhor. to do all the work One student, assigned to them that senior Najma Said, day. even fits schoolwork ”I do try to into her time at work. catch up, but after “I have Canvas coming back from on my phone, so a nine-hour shift, I if I’m on my lunch, really don’t feel like I can easily knock completing the eight out a couple of assignments I have assignments while at due in three days,” work,” said Said. said Said.

While working For Said it is during online school hard to find the

energy to do the work for her rigorous course load.

“I feel suffocated with the due dates,” she said. “It really feels like I can’t breathe. It feels like we do more work online than we ever did while we were in school.”

Whether online school is a blessing or a burden, students feel that this has been a learning experience.

For senior Jessica Majhor, getting work done ahead of time has become essential.

“It’s helpful to get things done ahead of time in case you end up working on a day that a lot of stuff is due,” said Majhor.

And communication is key. This is a learning experience for everyone.

“Reach out to teachers while you can, as you do not have normal classroom direction,” said Jones.

For those working during online classes, finding a balanced schedule that works for them is important as well as communicating with teachers.

Written by Rachael Mueller

Talon Issue 1 News

HYBRID EDUCATION

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Virtual Schooling Creates Obstacles For Learning

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ell into first semester, students were still getting used to the different learning environments and digital classrooms. All students were learning online in some capacity because most face-to-face students attended in person two days a week, leaving the other three days for virtual learning.

“We continue to track and monitor our students’ performance and reach out to students and families that need support,” said principal Larry Smith, Ed.D. Smith also said a students’ engagement with school wasn’t determined by whether they were in-person or virtual.

“We have some 100 percent virtual students that are logging in every day to every course. We have some whose level of engagement is less than that and the same with our students who are in a hybrid model,” said Smith. “It really just depends on the student.”

Smith also said he wanted to make sure that learning was happening for all students and that they were engaging with their classes, were able to learn the material and that teachers were doing whatever they could to help.

Junior Grace Cress said she was at high risk if she caught COVID due to previous heart issues, so she went all virtual and has struggled keeping up. She said being at home sometimes affected her

motivation.

“It is definitely different thanbeing able to be in the classroom and have help available right then and there,” said Cress.

Cress said she got a lot of work during the week and worried about finishing her assignments.

“I’m trying to make myself a schedule so that I do get it all done,” said Cress. “But I do feel that there is, at times, a lot of work to where I don’t think that I will get it done on time.”

“IT’S HARDER FOR ME TO GET MY WORK DONE AT HOME BECAUSE I’M NOT BEING REMINDED TO DO IT IN PERSON, AND IT’S JUST A LOT OF ASSIGNMENTS FOR ONE WEEK.” GRACE CRESS, 12 Cress said at home there were other distractions and responsibilities.

“I don’t have as much accountability at home, and I sometimes also have to help my younger siblings with schoolwork,” said Cress. “It’s harder for me to get my work done at home because I’m not being reminded to do it in person, and it’s just a lot of assignments for one week.”

Face-to-face freshman Christina Black said being in-person helped her because she’s an auditory learner.

“I learn and understand better when I can actually hear the teacher talking straight at me,” said Black.

She also said it wasn’t hard navigating Canvas, but the classwork could be a bit much.

“I feel like some classes give me a lot more than others,” said Black. “Most of the work is just busy work anyway.”

Black said going all virtual would negatively impact her learning because time management wasn’t her strongest skill and being in-person helped her motivation.

“I have a very short attention span, and since nobody is on me about doing my homework, I’m procrastinating more instead of doing my work like I would in class,” said Black Smith said he hoped every student had all they needed to learn and succeed, and if not, they would let someone at school know.

“We just need them to visit with their counselor, visit with their teacher and let us know, and then we will do everything that we can to support them,” said Smith.

Written by Cassie Ford Infographic by Cassie Ford

WEDNESDAY DEPARTMENT OFFICE HOUR TIMES Science: Studies:

Social 10:30-11:30 9:30-10:30 Math: 1:30-2:30 ELA: 12:30-1:30 Electives/Special Education: 11:30-12:30

14

Talon Issue 1 Opinion

Leave Gatekeeping At The Gate Charlie Warner

People Are Allowed To Enjoy Their Preferred Tastes

“I

really like the Grateful Dead. They’re such a good band and have really cool shirts,” said Person A. “Yeah, me too. What song is your favorite?” asked Person B. “‘Casey Jones”’ I don’t know a lot of songs. I’ve only listened to the ‘ Workingman’s Dead’ album, but I have two of their shirts,” replied Person A. “Well you must not be a real fan then,” claimed Person B. “A real fan knows every album and has listened to every live album they have released.

My favorite song is ‘What’s Become of the Baby’ from the ‘Aoxomoxoa’ album.”

This is a prime example of gatekeeping. Gatekeeping is when a person claims someone else isn’t as big of a fan because they don’t meet the standards they have.

Gatekeeping is also when a person sort of hides something they enjoy to keep it underground and special. This often happens with musical artists, TV shows, movies or other

types of entertainment. In this example, Person B is holding Person A to a ridiculous standard to listen to every live album released by the Grateful Dead (there are about 167 live albums, according to Guinness World Records).

Gatekeeping is selfish and bad because it prevents the thing being gatekept from getting more exposure.

For example, if a person has a new favorite band that only has 500 followers, and they actively tried to keep it that way, they are hurting the band by not giving them exposure.

A true fan of a band would try to get more listeners because at the end of the day, it’s about the music and supporting the artists who make the music.

In addition to being selfish, gatekeeping can also be rude and arrogant.

Gatekeeping is also when fans hold other fans to a certain standard to consider them a “true fan.” In reality, telling someone they can’t enjoy “Star Trek” because they haven’t seen every cartoon, movie, live action

tv show, etc. (of which there are 783 episodes across 36 seasons as of Oct. 7), is just plain rude.

And if a person has to belittle someone for trying to enjoy something, they probably need to rethink some aspects of their life.

Life is too short to worry about who enjoys the same artists and hobbies.

People should spend life enjoying what they love, learning more about their interests and exploring new things, instead of just sitting on their interests and puppy guarding it from other people.

It can be hard for a person to see someone else listening to an album that helped them in a hard time, that they’ve spent hours listening to and developing a personal connection to -- or seeing what feels like the whole school starting to watch a show that they have loved and watched since season one.

It’s an awkward experience, and it can feel like being cheated on. But all in all, it’s a good thing

someone might listen to that life-changing album.

It’s a good thing the show this person loves is getting more views because then it’ll get picked up for more seasons.

It can be hard to avoid gatekeeping. People may not even realize they do it, but it’s truly a bad thing. It can hurt the people who created these projects they worked on and keep them from getting the attention they deserve.

In addition to that, it just comes across as being a rude person, and most people don’t want to come across as that type of person.

At the end of the day, keep on enjoying what you enjoy, whether it’s music, TV shows, movies or anything else. Learn about some new types of media and enjoy them. Share and create conversation about them.

Written by Charlie Warner Cartoon by Rachael Mueller

The New Normal

Talon Issue 1 Sports

15

Sports Make Changes Due to COVID-19

At morning cross country practice, freshmen Nicholas Buschschulte, Miles Boyce and Raef Kurbin run Aug. 25.

After a season of training, junior Madison Bebel finishes fifth in the varsity conference red division championships at home Oct. 17. “Physically, the course was hard, but I’ve ran it a lot, so I was prepared,” said Bebel. After the boys varsity soccer game win against Raytown High School 3-0, the team has a talk Sept. 14. At home against Truman High School, varsity volleyball Ady Horn asissts in the win of 3-0 sets Sept. 8.

C

OVID-19 has left the world trying to adapt to a “new normal.”

Schools have changed their daily schedules and the way sports are happening with added precautions to ensure the safety of all.

“We just go with the protocols set forth and do everything we can to abide by those protocols and make sure our student athletes are safe,” said activities director Jason Fowler.

There are various regulations for each sport. For boys soccer, masks were the big key.

“There’s some preparation that goes in,” said head soccer coach Johnny Chain. “Players having to wear masks on the bench, being masked up when we’re talking to each other.”

Players were able to adapt to these changes.

“Nobody likes wearing masks, but I will say they have not been confrontational. They’ve been open to it. It’s just a lot of reminders, which we all need,” said Chain. “There is nothing wrong with that.”

Players learned that the only way to play was to get used to all the changes.

“If we want to have a season, then this is what we’re going to have to do,” said sophomore varsity soccer player Braden Hannan. “I think we all understand that and are doing that and are being as responsible as possible with it.”

Another change with COVID affecting sports was fan attendance.

Some of the sports switched to a ticket system where the player got a specific

number of tickets. For example, football got two tickets per player. For soccer, players didn’t have much of a change because their club games were similar.

“The guys are used to going to club games on the weekends, and the only people watching them are their parents sitting in a chair,” said Chain.

Cross Country was another sport affected by changes.

“The biggest differences that we have right now are that races are a lot different,” said coach George Adair.

“We have to go out in waves of four to five other teams, and there will be 40 teams there, and we have to wait for results, sometimes until 5 in the afternoon so they can tabulate everybody and put everybody together.”

Like soccer, cross country runners had to wear masks while not running.

“The main mask rule is that when going to meets and racing, we always have to wear a mask on the bus and just whenever we’re huddled around,” said sophomore Kyla Nguyen. “But once we get to the starting line and are about to start racing, we can take them off. And while racing, we can have them off.”

While competing, runners did not need to keep their masks on.

“They’re supposed to put them right back on when they’re done,” said Adair.

Adair said the coaches went to the starting line and got the masks and took them to the runners at the finish line.

Indoor sports like volleyball went through some bigger changes.

“Our routines, like starting practice and ending practice especially, have changed,” said head coach Olivia Cooley. “We do temperature checks every day before coming into practice, and we do the pre-practice screening.”

Along with health checks, players were also required to wear masks while practicing and playing games.

“For all of our games, they wear their masks the whole game, unless they’re drinking water or like at a timeout, if we spread them out and they just hold them out just so they can breathe for a minute and then immediately put them back on,” said Cooley.

Sports themselves changing are not the only effects COVID has had on athletes. Fowler said the changes in the schedule with school could have an impact.

“I just think the biggest change is not the normal school day, the hybrid schedule,” said Fowler. “Kids are having to keep sleep patterns when they’re not in school. Kids not being in school all day and then having to get here for practice.”

Many saw these small changes as necessary for sports to keep going.

Athletes were adapting in order to continue playing the sports they loved.

Written by Landyn Goldberg Photos by Autumn Adams, Selena Escutia and Morgan Garrison

16

Talon Issue 1 Feature

During a home football game, sophomore Kyran Fish along with the rest of the cheer squad cheered Staley to victory against Oak Park High School 43-12 Oct. 9. Fish was the second male cheerleader in school history and said he enjoyed being part of the team. “It’s fun, and you have a blast,” said Fish.

Photos by Bri Tremper

Who’s Got Spirit!?

Male Cheerleader Shares Experience

W

hile sitting on the bleachers during a girls varsity basketball game his freshman year, sophomore Kyran Fish realized he wanted to try out for cheer.

He said that he had been pondering the idea for a while but had never acted on it.

“I saw the cheerleaders that night, and I just sat there thinking,‘I’m going to do cheer,’” said Fish.

“It looked like they were having a blast.”

Head Coach Jenn Newman said Fish was really excited to be part of the team and learn new things.

“He is always willing to try new things and work hard to improve,” said Newman.

Fish held the position of back spot on the junior

varsity cheer team. This position was known as one of the trickiest in cheerleading according to Fish.

He said his position is key to guaranteeing the safety of the flyer. The flyer is the person lifted into the air performing the stunts in the routines.

“Every position can be hard; you just have to work at it,” said Fish.

He gave an example of what he meant by hard work. He set two personal goals for himself after he made the cheer team.

“My first goal when I started was to do a round off, then I got it,” said Fish. “My other goal is to improve my toe touches.”

Coach Newman described Fish as very hardworking, dedicated and enthusiastic.

“His personality and work ethic help to push his teammates to have great attitudes and to continue to work hard,” said Newman.

“He leads by example and is a hard worker.”

Cheer allowed Fish to socialize and get to knowteammates better.

“You get to make new friends and new memories,” said Fish.

Fish became close to his teammates on both junior varsity and varsity -- specifically sophmore Bridget Duke on junior varsity and junior Marypaige Miller on varsity.

“They are there for me and push me to do my best,” said Fish. “In total all the girls on both teams are so nice and so sweet.”

Fish made a big impact on the cheer team.

“His personality is

amazing, and he’s always so happy and excited, and I think everyone feeds off of that, and everyone enjoys having him as a teammate,” said Newman.

Covid-19 has made cheer difficult. The team had to wear masks at all times except for stunting.

“Wearing masks and doing cheers and motions is very hard,” said Fish. “It’s tough. It really is tough.”

Fish said he enjoyed cheer and the experience of being on a team andsaid both junior varsity and varsity were amazing girls and the coaches were amazing as well. He said he was crossing his fingers and hoping that next year he would make varsity cheer.

Written by Fallyn Kowalski Graphics by Cassie Ford