Talon magazine, Volume 10, Issue 2, November 2017, Staley High School

2017 MISSOURI CHEERLEADING COACHES ASSOCIATION STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

SUPER LARGE

Staley High School

TALON

Kansas City, Mo.

Volume 10, Issue 2

November 2017

Queen Bee: 4-5 Let’s Go Falcons! Here We Go!: 10-11 Through The Heart Of Kansas City: 18-19

Inside This Issue...

Feature

New Librarian Wants Students Involved p. 4-5

Sports

Fall Sports Seasons Come To A Close p. 6-7

Sports

Softball Team Places Third p. 8-9

Sports

Cheer Team Wins State Championship p. 10-13

News

Take Action During Active Shooter p. 12-13

Opinion

Banning Guns Will Not End Violence p. 14

Opinion

Gun Laws Keep America Safe p. 15

Feature

Journalism Students Earn Awards p. 16

Feature

Program Helps Students Graduate p.17

Lifestyles

Streetcar Carries Kansas Citians p. 18-19

Feature

Robotics Places Second p. 20 While competing at the district meet at Liberty North High School Oct. 21, junior Preston Wheeler races downhill. Wheeler placed sixth at districts, 13th at sectionals and ended his season with 38th place at the state meet. “We really took our training up a level and stayed a lot more focused on our end goal,” said Wheeler.

Photo by Macy Nixon

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TALON STAFF

Editors In Chief Haylee Roberts Leidy Venegas

Section Editors Cover: Kelsey Bennett News: Alexa Schulte Trends: Alexis Howard Photo Editor: Emilie Kerr Opinion: Leidy Venegas Copy Editor: Haylee Roberts Feature: Leidy Venegas Online Editor: Kyla Gaines Makenzie Hooton Sports: Haylee Roberts Adviser: Cherié Burgett Entertainment: Emilie Kerr

Staff Paxton Donaldson Jacob Dyke Jen Hulen Dawson Parks Madelyn Phillips Christopher Spry Jack Warner Staff Artist: Kelsey Bennett

Editorial: Fix Vending Machines Being hungry is normal for a typical teenager, and vending machines are a convenient way to get cheap food quickly. So, students arrive at school and look to the vending machines, but the contents are anything but satisfying.

The machines do not turn on when students start arriving at school; in fact some do not turn on at all. The ones by the front door are always open, but the power is off due to the elevator construction, so why are they there? To take up space?

Even after the machines turn on, it seems as though half of the vending machines in the school don’t work because they just take the money without releasing

the food, or they just spit the money back out, leaving students empty handed either way.

Even when the machines do what they are supposed to, which is dispense food or drinks, the food is stale, the drinks are diet, and there are no plain water bottles.

Most of the food in there is something most students would not regularly choose to eat. There is a bunch of lowcalorie or fat-free snacks that are not satisfying.

Since the school is focused on student success, administration should easily be able to fix the vendingmachine problem. It is proven that students do not perform as well if they are hungry. We are always told to get a good night’s rest and eat a big

breakfast before a big day at school, but not everyone has that ability, and many are not dropped off early enough to eat the breakfast the school has available, while also not having any food at home. The machines should be changed to accommodate the average teenager’s needs.

Why deprive students of something that could help them get through the school day? The machines should be available at all times throughout the school day and have better options for the students to choose from, so in the end they perform better in school.

Administrators should fix the vending machines to change them from an inconvenience back to what they should be, a convenience.

On the Cover...

The graphic represents the cheer team’s state championship win. Cover by Kelsey Bennett

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. 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 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.

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Get To Know Queen Bee Favorite Book Series:

Harry Potter

Favorite Author:

J.K. Rowling

Favorite Genre:

Fantasy

Favorite Book:

“The Giver”

by Lois Lowry

Queen Bee

New Librarian Wants Students Involved

Written by Jen Hulen Graphic by Kelsey Bennett Photo by Dawson Parks

The new library media specialist Allie Bernskoetter, otherwise known by students as Queen Bee, has made changes to the LMC to make it more student oriented so all students feel included in the school.

“This school is very sports centered, which is fantastic, but not all students are involved in sports,” said Bernskoetter. “I want to create a space where students who are not involved in something have a safe space in the school where they feel they belong.”

There are book clubs and themes for each month. In October, the theme was Harry Potter, and Star Wars is the theme for November.

Bernskoetter said she wants to get students involved with other things, even if it doesn’t involve reading.

“I’m working on ordering ukuleles that we can check out to students to target some students that want to try an instrument that

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they’ve never tried and to just have a new experience,” said Bernskoetter.

Bernskoetter wants the library to become more student oriented and be more of what the students want from a library.

“I’m wanting to form something called the Student Library Advisory group, so I can have students who are interested in giving me feedback on decisions,” said Bernskoetter.

“It’s not my library; it’s everyone’s library, and I want to make it amazing for people. That’s the goal.”

-- LMC specialist Allie Bernskoetter Students have had positive reactions to the new changes to the library.

“The library this year is much more student friendly and gets all of us involved more in reading and in school in general. We get to talk to new people through book clubs and stuff like that, that we wouldn’t usually talk to,” said junior Kayla Pospisil.

Not only does Bernskoetter want to incorporate the students into the library, but she wants to get the community involved as well.

“I’m wanting to get local pizza companies to hopefully donate pizzas, and people can try little slices and vote for which ones they like.

And we can give those pizza companies awards such as ‘Falcon Favorite.’ So, I’m thinking of ways to maybe incorporate the community into the school community around us,” said Bernskoetter.

Bernskoetter said her goal for the library is to create a positive environment for students to feel welcomed.

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Leaving A Legacy

Fall Sports Seasons Come To A Close Soccer: Taking the ball down the field, senior captain Gibson Hanke runs all over the North Kansas City High School field leading them to a 4-0 win Sept. 22. The boys varsity team went 16-8, losing to North Kansas City High School 3-2 in the first sectional game. “We grew as a team,” said Hanke. “Ending it all with a district championship felt great.” Photo

by Laura Rosario

Cross Country: Racing at state Nov. 4, sophomore Alex Hamre places 12th, earning All-State Honors. The girls varsity team won conference and had two sophomores, Hamre and Delaney McPherson, represent at state. “I feel really blessed and thankful for everyone who has helped me along the way,” said Hamre. Photo

by Haylee Roberts

Cross Country: Running for it all, senior Tyler Rodvelt competes at state Nov. 4 in Jefferson City, Mo. Rodvelt placed 13th in the race, earning All-State. The boys varsity team qualified for state, including freshman Dawson Walker, sophomores Jack Warner, Luke Winkler, Nathan Nguyen, Brandon Luke, junior Preston Wheeler, and Rodvelt. “I’m pretty proud that we made it as a team,” said Rodvelt. “As a senior, I think I did a good job setting it up for our sophomores and juniors for next year.” Photo by Taryn Clark

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Golf: At the Superintendent’s Cup Aug. 24, junior Ellie Holloway prepares to chip. The team ended the season as conference champs and won their first major tournament in school history.

“The team was all super close this year,” said Holloway. “I think it was partly because the leadership from the upperclassmen.” Photo

by Haley-Anne Mahusey

Swim: At state swim Nov. 3, freshman Spencer Adamson competes in the butterfly, finishing sixth in the 100 fly. Junior Charlie Duffy placed 11th in the 200 IM, and three relay teams also placed. “The big thing that helped us get this far was our coaching.

They were both amazing,” said Adamson. Photo by Ruth Hylton

Football: Against Liberty North High School Aug. 18, seniors Joe Cantrell and Dominic Raybourn dance as they prepare for the game. Varsity was undefeated with the record of 12-0 going into the semi final game Nov. 18.

“We all play together, and we all have a passion for the game,” said Raybourn. Photo by Ruth Hylton

Tennis: During a match against Winnetonka High School Sept.

21, freshman Claire Thimgan returns a serve before a 9-0 win.

The varsity team ended with a 10-4 record, while Thimgan placed 16th at state. “My coaches definitely helped get as far as I did. We practiced every day after school, and I would practice with my personal coach, too,” said Thimgan. Photo by Laura Rosario Volleyball; Taking on the Liberty North Eagles, sophomore Meghan McElwee serves the ball, leading the team to a 24-22 win. They ended the season 21-10-3. “At the beginning of the season, I was really nervous,“ said McElwee.

“But by the end of the season, we were beating teams that I never would have thought we had a chance against.” Photo by Ruth Hylton Softball: In the sectional game against William Chrisman High School Sept. 28, senior Alyssa Ramirez throws the runner out at first base. The softball team finished the season with a record of 27-3, placing third at state.

“This season was unforgettable.

Everyone was so fun to be around and made everything fun,” said Ramirez. Photo by Caroline Bonacorso

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Choo-Choo All The Way To State Softball Team Places Third Written by Haylee Roberts

STATE QUALIFYING SOFTBALL TEAM Gaby Abbott Cassidy Boord Paxton Donaldson Lou Gilbert Hannah Gregg Morgan Herman Gabby Hernandez Katelyn Kiser Lauren Lauvetz Ravin Moore Kelena Oots Alyssa Ramirez Paige Shelley Brittanie Shepherd Marissa Stepp Kayley Thomas Alana Vawter Lauren White Coaches: Kasey Martin Lynne Maddox Jeff Cain Matt Schweitzer

Graphic by Kelsey Bennett

The softball team capped off their 2017 season with a third-place finish at state. The girls were 27-3 at the end of it all, their best finish since they won the 2015 state championship.

“To only lose three games is a very big accomplishment to have for a team and to play in the most games possible,” said second baseman senior Kayley Thomas.

The team lost 3-5 in the final-four round to Blue Springs South High School, but they came back in their next game to win 12-1 against Francis Howell High School.

After getting knocked out of the state tournament early in the 2016 season, they were determined to come back with a vengeance

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and get back to state.

The girls began working toward their goal over the summer, led by head coach Kasey Martin as well as the seniors playing a key role in the team’s culture and determination to get back to state.

“Through the process of making our way back to state, the momentum on our team just kept growing more and more with each win,” said centerfielder senior Lou Gilbert.

Many of the starters also had the chance to play at the 2015 state tournament, giving the team an even bigger reason to reach their goal of state.

“Upperclassman knew what we were expecting, and it helped settle the nerves as we had already

been there before,” said pitcher junior Alana Vawter.

Working as a team is an important factor in being successful in the long run.

The softball team quickly realized that when they started back in June. The team adopted the quotes “never settle” and “choochoo,” based off a story coach Martin told them, both representing the importance of working together “I think the biggest factor in us getting to state was our team chemistry. On top of all the talent we had, when we stepped on the field, we played for each other and not for ourselves.

I believe this is what ultimately led to our thirdplace finish,” said Vawter.

2017 COMMITS

Senior Lou Gilbert Baylor University “It was in Texas, and that’s my favorite state. They are competitive in the Softball World Series and can make a good run every year. They also have a fantastic medical program, and I plan to go to medical school after I get my bachelors degree.”

Senior Lauren Lauvetz University of Nebraska Omaha “I chose UNO because it was home away from home. I love the coaching staff and the campus environment.

I knew right when I stepped on campus it would be my future home.”

Senior Brittanie Shepherd

Emporia State University

“When I went for my unofficial visit, I fell in love with the school and knew I could see myself there for four years. It felt like home away from home.”

Photos courtesy of Lou Gilbert, Lauren Lauvetz, Brittanie Shepherd

The seniors celebrate winning third place at state. The team defeated Francis Howell High School 12-1 at Killian Stadium Oct. 20. “I felt a sense of accomplishment and joy because it was a goal we wanted to reach in the beginning,” said senior Kayley Thomas. Photo

by Jacob Dyke

Leadoff batter Lou Gilbert sprints to first base at the semifinal game Oct. 20. It was played in Springfield, Mo. “The emotions I felt during the last couple games before we earned our bid to the state tournament were amazing,” said Gilbert. Photo by Emilie Kerr

Winding for a pitch, junior Alana Vawter pitches in the semifinal game Oct. 20. It ended in a 3-5 loss against Blue Springs South High School. “These are the moments and the memories that I will never forget alongside some of my best friends,” said Vawter. Photo

by Paxton Donaldson

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Let’s Go Falcons! Here We Go! Cheer Team Wins State Championship Written by Alexis Howard

STATE CHAMP CHEER TEAM Sydney Allard Hannah Asper D’Karia Bascom Pierson Beaulieu Serene Brenneman Isabella Camacho Tatum Carroll Angelina Chapman AnnaMarie Circello Kelsey Davis Brianna Duke Mariah Edde Makanani Grace Elaina Hood Dajana Johnson Indy Krohne Kylee Kiernan Delaney Kretsinger

Isabella Lampe Sadie LeMunyon Alyssa Malena Kaitlyn McConnell Trinity Perry Ekua-Janea Quagraine Rylee Sapp Juliana Schaedel Lauren Spolec Paris TaylorMahone Vada Thomas Shelby Walker Coaches: Jordan Brown Taylor Glenn Jenn Newman

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The cheer team brought home a state title, beating all the other schools in the competition Oct. 28 in Columbia, Mo., earning the superlarge division state championship.

“My favorite part about going to state this year was watching the freshmen on varsity experience the nerves and excitement that come with the competition,” said senior Hannah Asper. “I loved keeping them confident in the routine and calming them down whenever they were nervous to go out on the mat.”

The girls practiced from April to August, putting in more than 157 hours of practice during the summer, cheering at 25 games and spending 93 hours cheering at events from August to October.

“We have a great senior leadership this year. The

incoming freshmen helped increase the talent level on the team, and the girls worked hard all year,” said cheer coach Jennifer Newman.

“That’s just been our goal all year is to win state.”

The state champ cheer team was recognized and showcased their state championship trophy during a schoolwide assembly Nov. 3.

During the assembly, Newman surprised the team with the fact that not only were they state champs and beat all the schools in their division, but they had the highest scores of all 102 teams that competed at state.

“To be able to lead this year’s cheer team to a state title was honestly amazing,“ said senior captain Kaitlyn McConnell. “I know all the girls really deserve it, and it made my senior year that much better.”

At the Aug. 25 football game against North Kansas City High School, freshman Rylee Sapp performs an arabesque stunt.

Sapp is a freshman on varsity cheer.

“Being a freshman and going to state is something I thought I never would’ve experienced,” said Sapp. Photo by Rami

Leroy

Cheering alongside freshman Rylee Sapp, junior Sydney Allard pumps up the crowd at the Aug. 25 football game. It was a 44-6 win against North Kansas City High School. “It felt like all our hard work had paid off. Lots of long, hard summer practices spent trying to learn and throw together a routine was finally all worth it,” said Allard. Photo by Rami Leroy

During the blackout game Oct. 6, senior Kaitlyn McConnell cheers on the football team. McConnell is one of the three cheer team captains. “Senior year just feels bigger. I think it’s the fact that now we are in playoff games, and any game could be my last,” said McConnell. Photo

by Caroline Bonacorso

Doing a chant, senior Brianna Duke hypes up the student section at the Aug. 25 football game. Duke has been on the cheer team for all four years of high school. “Being a senior on the cheer team is very bittersweet,” said Duke. “Everyone on the team looks up to you and asks you for advice, but being a senior and knowing that you won’t ever do this again is always hard.” Photo by Rami

Leroy

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Student Q & A

Do you feel prepared for how to react in case of an active shooter? What would you do?

Hide? Fight? Run?

Take Action During Active Shooter Written by Alexa Schulte Graphic by Haley-Anne Mahusay Photos by Alexa Schulte and Leidy Venegas

“I feel decently prepared. I’d probably go under the table and hide. I’d make sure that the whole classroom is blocked off and make sure I’m not indanger at all.”

Freshman Tony Abbott

“No I do not feel prepared for an active shooter. If there was a shooter, I’d probably run out of the school.”

Sophomore Jaylen Newberry

“I don’t feel prepared. We’re told in drills to just sit there. If there is an actual shooter, no one would do that. The teachers tell us what we should do, like grabbing chairs.”

Junior Bristol Riley

“I would listen to what the teachers say. I feel prepared enough. I’ve been in school long enough to know you hide and try to stay as safe as you can.”

Senior Abi Sheehan

Students used to be told to in the event of an active shooter to hide under tables with the door locked, until Columbine. That changed everything.

“The librarian at Columbine went back to her training of hiding under tables. She was doing what she thought was the correct thing to do, so I don’t fault her for that,” said Clay County deputy Cody Thomas, the school resource officer.

At Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., 13 people were killed, and 21 were injured on April 20, 1999.

Most victims were shot in the library where students were hiding under tables, with a door right behind them where they might have escaped, according to Thomas.

This massacre helped change safety regulations in schools all over the United States. Local law enforcement recently improved their active shooter protocols, and students are just learning about it.

“I thought the rules with an active shooter were the same as the rules about an intruder, which are stay in a classroom with the lights off and remain quiet,” said junior Nick Ridpath.

Many students don’t know the exact procedure around an active shooter situation.

“Do we have a shooter policy? I know we have an intruder policy,” said junior Daniel Smith.

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For an active shooter or intruder situation, teachers have been trained and will tell students the safety procedures.

“This is a tough topic to talk about, but unfortunately it’s happening more and more. People need to be aware of what to do.” -- Clay County deputy Cody Thomas Teachers will have students hide where they can’t be seen from the window and remain quiet while the teacher locks the door and shuts off the lights. While hiding, students should look around the room to see if there is anything that could be used as a weapon in the event that the shooter breaches the classroom, according to Thomas.

“The point of us doing the new drills is to be prepared in case something like this happens, so the students need to take it seriously. Even look around and see if there are things in the classroom that could be used as a weapon in case a shooter was to break through the door,” said Thomas.

Teachers are being taught to know which direction their door opens, and based on

that, know what to use to block the door.

“Students can help during the drills too. They can talk to their teachers and say what worked and what didn’t work,” said assistant principal Sharon Roberts.

The students giving the teachers feedback about a drill could help the teacher know what works or what doesn’t work along with some new ideas.

“It is up to the teacher to tell the students what to do,” said Thomas. “If the shooter is in the other end of the school, and the teacher knows this, they may have you evacuate.

But be prepared for the possibility of more threats.

However, you don’t know what’s outside, so it is best that everyone follows the lockdown procedure.”

In some situations, if you can get out of the building, then, get out. But it is the teacher’s decision whether to hide, fight or run.

“We have a button we would push, and it will yell lockdown. We want this person to know that we are onto them, because we want that person to leave,” said Roberts.

School shootings are happening more often than they used to, but law enforcement and school staff are being trained for these incidents.

Types of Lockdowns

Full Lockdown: Teachers would move as many students as possible out of the view line, locking the doors and remaining silent. This is the kind of lockdown where, if able, get out of the building and run, with the teacher’s permission.

An example of this would be a school shooter or anyone possessing a threat to student’s safety.

Instructional Lockdown: Allows the teachers to continue teaching but with the doors locked. An example would be bringing drug dogs through the building, or the recent incident involving students from another school entering the school without permission.

Hide Lockdown: An intruder gets into the building, potentially being a threat to safety. This would result in a lockdown where students need to hide and be quiet while the teacher locks the door.

Sources: Clay County deputy Cody Thomas, assistant principal Sharon Roberts

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Gun Control

Banning Guns Will Not End Violence Written by Jack Warner

In the wake of recent mass shootings in Las Vegas and at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, the question remains, can we stop these mass shootings, as well as shootings of any kind? Is there truly an answer?

Should guns be banned completely?

First of all, banning guns completely will not eliminate the issue of gun violence. Guns will still be circulated illegally. There will never not be guns in society.

“Handguns are easily concealable, and as most illegal weapons are handguns, most illegal weapons will remain undiscovered,” according to Gunlaws.com.

If guns were totally banned, it would be nearly impossible for all of the guns in the United States to be confiscated. There are an estimated 55 million gun owners in the United States, according to Fortune magazine.

Furthermore, because someone is a gun owner that doesn’t mean they only have one gun. So, using that statistic, there are at least 55 million guns that would need to be collected. This would take a very long time, and it would be ineffective. If someone has an illegal gun, then there is no record of them

Mass Shootings: Infographic by Leidy Venegas Graphic by Alexa Schulte

owning it. So, this gun would most likely not be collected.

Then, there’s the problem of security.

If someone’s gun is gone, then they have no way to protect themselves from a person whose weapon went undetected.

The Second Amendment allows us to bear arms to ensure the security of the state. This makes it possible to protect oneself from the government.

Without guns, people would still get killed. Guns don’t kill people, crazy people with guns do. This is very cliché, but it is accurate.

Without guns, the recent Texas church shooter may have not been stopped when he was stopped. A resident with a firearm chased the shooter after having a gunfight that stopped the church shooting.

This is why guns are important to have. There will always be someone who intends to cause harm with a gun, so there needs to be other people with guns to keep everyone safe. If guns are taken away, the world will be a more dangerous place.

As long as people have guns, there does need to be stricter regulation on guns. Not only will this decrease the number of mentally unstable gun owners, but it will make guns more traceable. As of right now, there are places where it is easier to buy a gun than it is to buy a puppy. When trying to buy a puppy, in many cases, a person must be 21, show ID and sometimes have a personal reference and undergo a home visit.

If someone is buying a gun illegally, there is no personal reference required

Jun. 12, 2016 Orlando 49 killed

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or home visit. Similarly, it is easier to buy a gun than get a driver’s license as well. To get a driver’s license, people must give proof of identity, as well as pass a vision and written test. People also have to drive for some time while having their learner’s permit, creating a waiting period. Then, they have to pass the driving test.

In the case of getting a gun, they don’t need to take a test on proficiency or knowledge. They also may not need a license or permit, depending on what state they’re in. As of now, gun owners do not even need a license or permit to carry a gun in Missouri.

Gun violence will not decrease if guns remain easily accessible as well as loosely restricted. In all states, gun owners should undergo background checks as well purchase their weapons legally. This will ensure that the person getting a gun is not known to be unstable, and it will create a record of the gun going to that person.

Once someone has a gun, what can they do with it? Legal gun owners should be able to carry their gun as they please. However, gun owners who choose to open carry should undergo more background checks as well as carry a license and permit.

It all comes down to protecting yourself and those around you. And the truth is, many unstable people own guns today. However, we can help eliminate this problem through cracking down on illegal guns and increasing the control on guns. Guns will never go away, but gun violence can be decreased dramatically. Keep guns out of the hands of unstable people.

Oct. 1, 2017 Las Vegas at least 58 killed

The Time To Act Is Now Gun Laws Keep America Safe Written by Chloe Wallen

While the right to bear arms is a constitutional right, there need to be more restrictions. Being pro-gun laws doesn’t mean that I am advocating to remove second amendment rights; I am advocating for tighter laws to help people of this country stay safe from the harms that a fire arm can cause.

In 2016, nearly 49,000 incidents occurred due to firearms. This includes death and serious injury. Whether it has occurred to a single person or a large group of people, enough is enough. The seriousness that comes with owning firearms is one that is often overlooked, unfortunately.

When it comes to buying a gun, just about everyone of age can purchase a firearm. During gun shows, when

a private seller sets up a booth, any person can decide they want the gun and take it home that very day. This allows people to stockpile guns with no waiting period.

How is there justification in letting a person that has no guarantee of using that gun for a good reason take it home right away? The answer is simple, there is no moral backing behind letting anyone and everyone take a gun home.

According to Laws.com, the longest amount of time a background check can take is three days, and a majority of the time they occur right then in there when a person walks into an establishment that sells firearms.

This is simply not enough time to fully examine someone and then to determine whether they are mentally stable enough to own a firearm.

Stricter gun law advocates don’t want to take away the right to own firearms, but they do want tighter regulations on who and who can’t be in posession of a firearm.

One topic that is being discussed heavily right now is whether teachers should be allowed to carry weapons at school. The answer to this question

is a no, and here’s why. It is highly unnecessary. There are a lot of situations that could go wrong when it comes to putting guns in the classroom.

If there was to be a situation in which the teacher needed to access the gun, and it was locked up in a safe, then the whole intention of using the gun is meaningless because then there would be more time used in order to access the firearm.

Then, comes the discussion of the fact that there is a lot of training that has be involved with firearms. This training is something that not everyone has to do, nor should a teacher be required to do. Allowing firearms in the class is an idea that is not ideal regardless if it is elementary or beyond.

While the right to own firearms is guaranteed by the second amendment, gun ownership must be monitored and regulated due to the fact that it is in the nation’s best interest to keep every single person safe.

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Success Behind The Scenes Journalism Students Earn Awards Written by Emilie Kerr

Yearbook

Legacy yearbook earned an AllAmerican ranking, the highest national ranking from the National Scholastic Press Association.

The staff put in more than 500 hours

of work outside of class to produce the “United” themed yearbook.

“I was really excited to hear that we won because we have only won it two years, and I was on

staff for both of them.

I was really proud of myself and us for being able to do that level of work,” said editor-in-chief senior Caroline Bonacorso.

Photo by Cherié Burgett

Left to Right: Catherine Anderson, Mya Alleman, Bailey Kinder, Laura Rosario, Megan Stribling, Chloe Sinning, Haley Anne Mahusay, Clare Cunningham, Drew Simms, Grace Duddy, Caroline Bonacorso, Lindsey Norby, Trudy Swegle, Madeline White and Angel Newman

Magazine

Left to Right: Rita Sargent, Jen Hulen, Jessica Jordan, Leidy Venegas, Maddy Benda, Emilie Kerr, Amber Lewis, Christopher Spry, Alexis Howard, Hannah Zank, Haylee Roberts, Kyla Gaines and Kelsey Bennett

Photo by Cherié Burgett

Left to Right: Kyla Gaines, Michael Logerwell and Karson Davis

Photo by Leidy Venegas

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Talon magazine earned a First Class ranking with two marks of distinction in visuals and presentation from the National Scholastic Press Association.

This is the secondhighest ranking in the nation.

The staff put in

STTV

Nine students from the STTV staff attended the Academy Scholastic Broadcasting four state convention in Springfield, Mo..

Student journalists from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas learned

more than 300 hours of work outside of school hours throughout the year.

“I am really proud to say that we as a staff have won this award,” said senior Leidy Venegas.

“Everyone worked really hard to get where we are.”

and competed at the regional level.

“At the convention, there were a lot of highly-educated speakers that lectured on things that we don’t necessarily do in class, so we learned more than expected,” said co-executive producer Kyla Gaines.

Three students earned awards. Gaines and sports producer

They are working toward the highest ranking, All-American, this year and plan on achieving that by redesigning and taking all of the judges critiques into consideration.

Michael Logerwell placed second for a sports feature.

Logerwell also earned second place in the live reporter category, and junior producer Karson Davis came home with third place for her news feature short.

Chain’s Academy

Program Helps Students Graduate Written by Leidy Venegas Graphic by Makenzie Hooton

Room 115 isn’t just where the soccer players gather during Falcon Time, it’s also the room where head soccer coach and Academy teacher Johnny Chain teaches. Academy is a program where students are able to recover credits and graduate.

“We just give them another avenue to be successful. It’s a positive approach to an educational setting.

I review their credit history and look at what they need.”

-- Academy teacher Johnny Chain It’s a smaller classroom with a family atmosphere, which allows Chain to communicate better and guide students on receiving their needed credits. Students work on Plato, which is online credit recovery.

This program provides an opportunity for students to get necessary help in order to graduate and receive a highschool diploma. Senior Alan Marquez started Academy second semester of last year. It takes up two blocks of his day

and allows him to not become as distracted as if he would be in a bigger classroom. He said an average Academy class is about 10 students or fewer.

“If I didn’t take the Academy, I wouldn’t graduate this year. This program puts me where I need to be,” said Marquez.

Students must have a reference in order to be in the Academy. Each Academy class is individualized for each student’s preference in order to succeed in their required classes. Each Academy student’s schedules is different; they attend both academy classes as well as regular classes.

“I started in the academy when I was a sophomore. Before that, my ninth grade, I was not in school. I didn’t come because of health issues. I was a year behind, but now I’m a semester ahead,” said senior Nina Sustaita. “We are kids who have harder struggles than others sometimes, coping with school at least. And they just work around us.”

Academy is a comfortable environment where students are able to finish their school work while getting help from an instructor. It also allows students to get the help they need in order to graduate.

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Through The Heart of Kansas City Streetcar Carries Kansas Citians

By Emilie Kerr

Going through the heart of Kansas City, the streetcar is a free way to experience everything about downtown KC. Starting at the City Market, it takes people all the way to Union Station and back. It has a total of 10 stops, three of them on the perimeter of the City Market.

At each stop, there is a kiosk that will say how long it will take for it come back and lists nearby restaurants and shops. There is even a camera to take selfies, and it’ll send it to visitors’ phone if requested.

All of the stops include: City

Market, City Market West, Rivermarket, Northloop, Library, Metro Center, Power and Light, Kauffman Center, Crossroads, and Union Station.

The City Market’s shops and restaurants are open daily; check individual ones for the specific hours of operation. But the farmer’s market is open every weekend on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Some shops and restaurants around the City Market include: Sportibles, Habashi House, Bo Lings, Cascone’s, Dragonfly Tea Zone, Carollo’s Gourmet

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Grocery and Deli, Dutch Flowers, KC Soda Co., and many more.

Power and Light is located at 14th and Main by the Sprint Center. There is also a Chipotle, Insomnia Cookies, Pizza Bar and several other places around the stop.

The Kauffman Center at 16th and Main, is where the Kansas City Symphony and “The Nutcracker” will be held this year.

Crossroads is located at 19th and Main. Every month on the first Friday, local businesses feature local, regional and national artists

as well as live entertainment.

There are also several food trucks featuring dishes of all sorts.

There are several restaurants, including LuLu’s Thai Noodle Shop.

Riding the streetcar can be stressful, especially if someone is new to the city. But between all of the 10 stops and Kansas City’s welcoming atmosphere, there is something for everyone.

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‘Moo’ving On Up

Robotics Places Second At Cow Town Competition

By Makenzie Hooton

Competing against about 50 different teams, the Millennium Falcons ended up taking home second place at their first off-season robotics competition. Cow Town Throw Down was held at Lee’s Summit High School Oct. 27 and 28.

To advance in the competition, their robot accomplished a series of tasks and obstacles to score ranking points, which determined their overall place at the end of the competition.

“We had to make sure all the programming was in check and load everything up.

It looks like a car workshop,” said the team’s business lead junior Noelle Green.

Before each match, the robot was required to complete a 15-second autonomous period in which the robot was completely powered by code rather than driven by an operator. After this, the operators used the robot to place various gears on pegs, shoot Wiffle Balls

into hoops and climb up a tower.

The Millennium Falcons did make one mistake. The team forgot to put a wingnut back on a bolt for the climbing mechanism, and thus were unable to climb, costing them first place, according to team captain Stephen Rippee.

Despite this, the robotics team still felt they did a good job overall.

“I think that most of our team is very content with our results. Although we got very close to winning, we feel like we played well, and that’s what really counts,” said Rippee.

The Cow Town Throw Down is a competition to get the robotics team ready for their big season competition later on in the year. From now until the season starts, they will continue to teach the newcomers, practice and advertise their robot.

The Millennium Falcons tweak their robot at the Cow Town Throw Down competition Oct 28. The Millennium Falcons meet every Wednesday after school in preparation for their big competiton at the end of the year. “Robotics isn’t just building a robot; its building up your community,” said junior Noelle Green. Photo by Noelle Green

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