Talon magazine, Vol. 6, Issue 3, February 2014

talon

Staley High School | Kansas City, Mo. Volume VI Issue III | February 2014

Inside This Issue: Opinion - Disney Controversy P. 5 Feature - High-School Sweethearts P. 9

Fashion - Date-Night Fashion P. 11 Volume VI Issue I | Talon | 1 Sports - A Special Kind of Love P. 12

Table of Contents

talon

Opinion

(04) YOUNG LOVE (05) DISNEY CONTROVERSY

Lifestyles (07) CYBERSTALKING

Feature (09) HIGH-SCHOOL

SWEETHEARTS

Fashion

(10) DRESS TO IMPRESS

Sports

(12) A SPECIAL KIND OF LOVE (14) LOVE HURTS

Cover Photo by managing editor, Abbi Atwell 2 | Talon | Volume VI Issue III

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The thing about love is that it takes more than one person. It takes two people to love each other enough to continuously work on making a relationship work. It takes two people to keep a friendship healthy. It takes an entire family to make living together seem bearable.

Just as one person can’t have a healthy relationship on their own, one person can’t create a magazine on his or her own. It takes an entire staff to get all of the stories written and have all of the photos taken on time.

The idea to make the third issue lovethemed was so exciting to me. I couldn’t wait to show our readers the ups and downs of love. Love is, in my opinion, evasive, wonderful and sometimes painful. I also think that’s the beauty behind love. Trying to illustrate this to our readers has been a challenge. There are so many sides to love. As a staff, we had to decide how to show the joy, pain, loss of love, finding someone to love: all of it.

Managing editor Abbi Atwell Photo by Hannah Crites

Staff Page/Opinion

Staff Editorial Prom Attendance Requirement Should Go

The new rule that says students must have 90-percent attendance to go to school dances is pretty silly. It makes sense that students are getting upset about the rule. School dances should be considered more of a right than a privilege.

The purpose of prom, homecoming and court warming is to create memories and have a good experience with friends. No one should have that stripped away because they got sick or had to miss school.

The purpose of school dances is to create experiences. Students don’t want their only memories of high school to be classes and homework. It’s important to also have some memories of our time here that we can remember and think of fondly.

The other problem with the new attendance rule is that it takes money from student council.

Student council hosts all of the school dances, and they make money, which goes to different philanthropy opportunities and the back to the school. StuCo members said administration didn’t ask student council for permission to enforce this rule, and they didn’t tell anyone in student council before instating this rule.

If the rule was against people coming to dances after getting ISS or OSS, it would be reasonable. The solution to the problem is to get rid of the rule. Students need a time to have fun and be able to look back on high school without a scowl on their face. Dances are some of those rare opportunities. Opportunities that should not be taken away.

talonStaff Managing Editor Abbi Atwell

Multimedia Editor Isabella Davis

Layout Editor Destiny Wilborn

Business Manager Isabella Davis

Sports Editor Paige Hawkins

Lifestyles Editor Isabella Davis

Fashion Editor Dallas Beaulieu

Staff Kaleigh Bentz Hannah Crites Logan Dawson William Epperson Catherine Garman Bryttany Holovach Marissa Hubbard Adrianna McLean Mistie Morgan

Anthony Pace Jacob Phillips Quiana Reliford Tiffani Rosenberg Christopher Russell Carollena Silivio Hafsa Sheikh Hussein Jake Testerman J’avon Weaver Rachael Williams

Adviser

Cherié Burgett

“Talon” is published quarterly during the school year. “Talon” will accept letters to the editor in CR202 or at aburgett@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 business manager at aburgett@nkcschools.org, (816) 413-4100 X7077 or at 2800 NE Shoal Creek Parkway, Kansas City, MO, 64156-1313.

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

Subscriptions are available, $20 for a mailed copy, $10 for an emailed pdf version, or $25 for both.

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

Cartoon by J’avon Weaver

Volume VI Issue III | Talon | 3

Opinion

Keep Your Mind Wide Open Written by Mistie Morgan

What you gain from a relationship doesn’t have to be a deep inner meaning to life or about what you want from a relationship, but it helps you realize that there’s more to love than there may appear.

Though contrary to some people’s belief, there are some people who prefer to be single.

They already have a wonderful group of friends who they would take a bullet for, so

why get romantically involved with someone?

Sometimes people might think of why they would put themselves through the stress of having a partner, so they stay single until they’re ready to mingle.

On the other side of the fence, some people just can’t get enough of relationships. They get out of a relationship, and rush right back into a new one after a couple of days. There are many possibilities as to why people jump from relationship to relationship, but it is their personal preference and it’s not necessarily a horrible thing. They just

can’t seem to find the right one.

Sometimes what we care most about isn’t a person; maybe it’s something we feel very passionate about. Many people are single and express their love of T.V. shows, movies, and video games. The way that they speak of every aspect with such caring tone is sublime. It’s that kind of love that is inspiring to give life a new perspective as if anything can be beautiful.

As to the people who refer to themselves as “friend zoned,” there is no such thing that exists.

If you see a romantic future with someone who you are friends with,

and they don’t, that in no way entitles you as stuck in the friend zone. It just means that he/she isn’t interested in a romantic relationship with you. It isn’t an insult, so long as they are a part of your life, so why treat it as such?

All of these factors are not directed to just teenagers, but to people of all ages, of any race, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. Every relationship, no matter what it may consist of, can be beautiful. It just takes an open mind to see it as such.

It’s Not the End of The World Written by Quiana Reliford

to maintain a temporary relationship.

Teens put too much pressure, time and energy into relationships.

Relationships take up a lot of time that teenagers just don’t have. Teens should

From all the back-and-forth be focused on school, Facebook, Twitter, homework and trying Instagram and text to get to an institute messages, to the endless of higher education or phone conversations that toward their dreams and come along with insults, aspirations.

The pressure accusations and name calling, teenagers go that’s put on teens to be perfect, wear the right through hardships just 4 | Talon | Volume VI Issue III

outfit, say the right thing, “Did I turn my head the right way during our kiss?” is ridiculous.

I just got out of a relationship where my boyfriend wasn’t happy about my choice to go to Alabama for college. I promised him that we’d stay in touch; I promised him that I’d spend holidays with him.

I promised him that we’d talk every night, but for some reason that wasn’t enough for him. I cried and almost changed my

college plans until my mother sat me down and told me: “Quiana, it’s just high school. Men are going to come and go. If he can’t be happy for you for doing well in life then he doesn’t deserve you.”

In that moment, I realized he wasn’t worth my time or tears. So ladies and gents, don’t trip over high-school relationships. They were never going to last forever in the first place.

Opinion

The Fairytale Effect Written by Destiny Wilborn

Children are easily influenced by what they see and hear, which is probably why most people blame Disney for giving young kids “high standards” of what a relationship should be. I don’t think that we should be so quick to put all of the blame on Disney. We are exposed to the stereotypical Disney fairytale movies from the moment we are introduced to the entertainment industry.

The story might go something similar to this: there’s a beautiful girl (even though she is most likely insecure

about herself ) who is unhappy with her lifestyle, until she meets a gorgeous prince. It is now the prince’s job to save the princess from whatever turmoil she may be facing and fall in love with her along the way, whether he knows it or not. That may not be the case for all Disney princesses, but it’s commonplace.

I have no doubt that this has piqued the attention of feminists.

I’ve read several articles on how Disney has given people false stereotypes (ie: love at first sight, happily ever after) and higher hopes than what reality is prepared to give us.

What I don’t understand is why Disney is being mentioned in particular.

Disney is not the only factor in society that will teach us that physical appearance is rewarded and accepted more often than anything else. Sure,

we see these movies as children, but it doesn’t just have an end-point where filmmakers cut off stereotypical movies, especially ones about love. We go from watching Disney fairytale movies to awkward preteen angst movies with inevitable love plots, and then it continues as we grow in to young adults. I would even say that the media has gone as far as glamorizing pointless love stories in the most inappropriate ways, such as in the “Hunger Games” series where Hollywood has set the focus on the rivalry between Team Gale and Team Peeta, rather than the original intent of the author.

Having movies with unnecessary love stories takes away from the original plot. Just because it doesn’t have a love story, doesn’t mean it needs one. As someone who loves evaluating

movies, that bothers me a lot.

Although Disney leaves an impression on us as children, the media continues to affect us as we grow up.

We might have fewer problems with the false expectations of relationships if the film industry would stop assuming what they think appeals to their audience. However, the industry will not correct itself. Change can only happen when the people it affects act upon the problem.

Cartoon by J’avon Weaver

Volume VI Issue III | Talon | 5

Lifestyles is your “What worst break-up story? “ sweetheart. We “school were dating from junior It was with my high-

year in high school until freshman year in college, so about three years. It was long distance, so it didn’t really work out. So I had to end it.

“

art teacher Manabu Takahashi

dating this one guy “Iforwasabout a month, but

then I found out that he was cheating on me, so I had to break it off.

“

sophomore Brooke Bannister

“

I broke up with this girl, and she was good friends with my mom while we were dating. But after I dumped her, she would come over and hang with my mom while I was there. It was awkward.

They would talk about the breakup, too.

“

junior Trevor Lamb

broke up with my “Igirlfriend.

Then I went

out of town for wrestling, so she broke in and smashed all my pictures, broke my lamp, smashed my guitar, and all my clothes were thrown everywhere. She left a note that said ‘I hope you are happy.’

“

senior Robert Bastarache

6 | Talon | Volume VI Issue III

Teen Love

Certain Qualities Make Lasting Relationships Written by Isabella Davis Photo by Isabella Davis

In order to be in a teen relationship and make it work, both people have to be honest. Trust in any relationship is also an important key to success together. Trust is something that must be built into a relationship, and it needs to be valued and maintained, according to life coach Jonathan Wells.

“You need trust in a relationship, because if you don’t trust someone it makes you insecure when you’re with someone you can’t trust,” said junior Lauren Faitz.

Communicating with each other is something that teens are going to have to be able to do to make a relationship work. Teenagers can communicate by texting, but over-communicating can be disastrous for

relationships.

“Communication has to go both ways,” said Community Resource Specialist Tammy Slauson.

“It can’t be one sided in a relationship.”

Friendship is also a key to success in teen relationships. When teens are friends with the person they are in a relationship with, their relationship will be a lot better because they will be able to trust each other and be honest.

“I think it is good to be best friends on top of your relationship because then you can be yourself, and you will have that connection, and your relationship is just there on top of that,” said Faitz.

Teens who are controlling and dishonest in their relationships are the ones who are going to end up heartbroken in

the long run. Relationships that start in high school have been known not to carry out of high school.

“Lack of communication, dishonesty, and inability to communicate are just a few reasons that relationships get ruined,” said Slauson.

Teens are staying connected through social media, however Slauson said that it is one of the worst things out there for teen relationships. Social media affects the way people look at others, especially in negative ways, depending on what both people Tweet and post.

“Things people say can be misconstrued.

Nothing can replace good old communication, talking face to face with somebody,” said Slauson.

Lifestyles

e v o L of eens

e Among T d i S rk rends

a alking T D e Th yberst C

Although social media has opened doors to communication with seemingly good intentions, it has also given easier access to those with harmful intentions.

Cyber stalking has seen an upward trend in the past decade, and according to the Cyberbullying Research Center, there are an estimated 2.2 million students in grades 6-12 who were cyberbullied in 2011 alone.

“Cyberstalking is when people use any type of electronic means to bully or intimidate another person,” said Community Resource Specialist Tammy Slauson.

“Along with that, making someone feel uncomfortable.”

Scrolling through photos or posts on social media isn’t considered to be cyberstalking. However, when constant comments or messages appear, making someone feel distressed or threatened, it escalates into cyberstalking and can have legal repercussions.

“It depends on what you want to do with the information and what your intentions are,” said sophomore Rebecca Robbins.

“If you just want to learn more about them because you have a crush on them or you want to talk to them about something they’re interested in, then that’s one thing.”

According to a study

by “Working to Halt Online Abuse,” 80 percent of 304 cases of cyberstalking that were studied worsened over time.

“[The student] needs to tell a parent, especially if they’re an underage student,” said Resource Officer Landon Rogers, describing the steps a student should take once they know they are being cyber stalked. “Don’t delete the evidence. Block the bully if possible, then report it to a proper authority, which could be me or the police department.”

Students can take precautions against cyberstalking by not communicating with people they don’t know online or simply by changing settings on social media sites to “private.” Another way to see how well students are protecting themselves can be to do a search on their own names to see how much information a potential cyberstalker can find about them.

“It’s just creepy,” said senior Sarah Queen, who said she had been cyberstalked before. “It’s more comfortable, because it’s not an actual stalking. They cannot physically touch you, but it is still just as scary.”

Written by Marissa Hubbard Photo by William Epperson

Volume VI Issue III | Talon | 7

Feature

Written by Paige Hawkins

Teacher Finds Love In Flames

Graphics by Chase Vallejo, J’avon Weaver

On April 1, 1992, the stars aligned for then-college students Scott Anderson and Susan to come together. After months of finding reasons to run into the “beautiful and sophisticated” Susan, Anderson said he finally got the chance for which he had been waiting.

“I heard her fumbling around and muttering to herself. Then I saw orange. Orange everywhere. Flames! I jumped up and saw flames almost reaching the ceiling.

I ran out to my car to call 911,” said Susan.

Anderson said her apartment kitchen had caught on fire, due to her

“

8 | Talon | Volume VI Issue III I

roommate trying to cook her boyfriend a “real meal” for the first time. As her roommate Beth knocked on all of the apartment doors to warn everyone, Susan called 911. During this time, Anderson didn’t hesitate and took action immediately.

“I knew the fire extinguisher wouldn’t last long and my thoughts were that I needed to just keep the fire contained,” said Anderson.

While the fire department was being called, he said he contained the fire for as long as possible, saving the rest of the apartment complex from burning

down as well. After the fire died down Susan went to her car to call one of her friends about the whole incident.

“Scott saw me sitting in my car, and thought I was crying, so he came over to make sure I was OK. He seemed really worried and concerned. I thought that was so sweet!

That definitely got my attention,” said Susan.

Soon after, both Beth and Susan thanked Anderson and decided they would take him out for dinner one night during the week. The night of the dinner, the roommate, Beth backed out leaving Susan and Anderson alone for the

night.

“After that, we seemed to run into each other quite a bit. (Or was he stalking me?) He was always so cheerful and outgoing. I found myself coming home at the end of the day and hoping I’d see him! I was wondering if he was ever going to ask me out, and two months later, he finally did,” said Susan in an email interview.

That is how Anderson won over Mrs. Anderson with his heroic act of helping out with a fire. They now are happily married, have two children, and are celebrating their 20th university this July.

Feature

High School Sweethearts: [hahy] [skool] [sweet-hahrts]

A couple whose relationship has carried on since high school.

High-school relationships are known to not last, but some have endured through the hardships that come with being a young couple. Here are some teachers who married their high-school sweethearts.

“How long have you been together? “ “How did you meet? “

Gifted resource specialist Carol Toney and her husband Chad

24 years

Engineering teacher Aaron Dalton and his wife Rachel

ELA teacher Jackie Gosney and her husband Andrew

11 years “We worked together at 11 years Dated through high school. Red Lobster.”

“We meet through high- Married for 1 1/2 years. school cross country.”

“We started going to church together in the third grade.”

Social Studies teacher Carrie Bowman and her husband Andy

“I took his role in the children’s play our junior year. We were doing ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’ and he wanted the role of Mr. Tumbnus the fawn. I auditioned, and the director decided to make it Mrs. Tumbnus the fawn, and I stole his role. He then asked me out.”

Graphic created by Catherine Garman

Fashion

Dress To Impress Hoping to catch a special someone’s eye this Valentines Day, but not wanting to make it too obvious? Here are some ideas that might help.

When choosing an outfit, you must remember to stay true to yourself and whatever you feel most comfortable in. With that, you also want to make sure to accentuate your figure while making your percieved problem areas work for you. For example, if your problem area is the lower half of your body, then try and add a pop

of color to the top half, or even a statement necklace.

Try not to “over-do” the outfit by adding too much jewelry or caking on all of your makeup. Remember “less is more,” so keeping it casual in a sweater and some leggings will work too.

Junior Jessica Hurtado’s style consists of “girly clothes with a twist of

Not only do girls often worry about what they are wearing, but also what a guy is wearing goes a long way in a girl’s mind.

It benefits to show off your best features. So if you have received compliments on your toned shoulders, try wearing something fitted

weird staple pieces.” When she and her boyfriend senior Hunter Holly are together, the way she dresses depends on what they are doing. She said that the great thing about their relationship is that they both appreciate the other’s style, which keeps their relationship going.

to highlight them. Making a mistake and wearing something baggy, which can appear to make you look larger than you are, doesn’t go far. You don’t have to rent a suit to grab a girl’s attention. When in doubt, a nice pair of darkwash jeans and a crisp

white T-shirt is a winner.

Showing that you made an effort in your style reflects on who you are.

Written by Dallas Beaulieu Photos by Carollena Silvio

What Are You Really Receiving For Valentines Day? Flowers Reflect On Relationships Receiving a If you are given the Receiving this Gerbera Daisy lovely Alstroemeria, classic bud or more commonlywould reflect symbolizes love, known as the Peruvian beauty and romance and Lilies, you might hink innocence. beauty within a of your relationship as The bright relationship. a form of long-lasting colors of the With great beauty friendship. Don’t expect Daisy give comes a grand that the giver of these price. Many flower growers hold off on selling roses and them the additional cheerfulness, which would flowers spent all their savings on them, because they can then raise the price right around the time of Valentine’s define your relationship as easy and non-stressful. easily be found at any store.

Day to keep that high-class reputation.

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Fashion

You’ve Got a Date; We’ve Got an Outfit Outfit Ideas For Specific Date Scenarios Night Out With Friends

FUN SOPHISTICATED BOLD

1

Relaxed Evening

CUTE COMFY CASUAL

2

Romantic Dinner

CHIC GLAMOROUS FLATTERING

3

Volume VI Issue III | Talon | 11

Sports

A Special Kind of Love STUDENTS, COACHES BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPATING IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Written by Abbi Atwell

The Special Olympics creates an opportunity for coaches to help students who have special needs make connections, have fun and get some exercise.

Participating in the Special Olympics also teaches the students new skills and allows them to have new experiences. Coaches involved in the Special Olympics also have the opportunity to learn many valuable life lessons.

“Never, ever judge an athlete’s potential based on their label,” said coach Pamela Rohlfing.

“Every student has hidden potential; it is up to the coach to help him/her find it.”

Among the things that coaches are able to learn from the athletes is not to let small things upset them.

“These students have some very legitimate reasons to get down or frustrated, but they

12 | Talon | Volume VI Issue III

don’t,” said Special Olympics coach Monte Harmon. “As a coach, what more could you ask for?”

The students who participate in the Special Olympics receive the same benefits of exercise and team sports that any student gets when playing on a team. Taking part in this event teaches teamwork, as well as giving students higher levels of self-esteem and increased balance, flexibility and muscle growth, according to Kid Companions Online. The Special Olympics also help students maintain positive attitudes and work hard.

“In any circumstance, you can control two things, your effort and your attitude. If you maintain a positive, determined attitude and give your best effort, you can live with the results,” said Harmon.

The Special Olympics are beneficial to the coaches who

participate as well.

“One thing being around Special Olympics athletes has taught me is, ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff,’” said Harmon.

Rohlfing said that students in Special Olympics show pride when they win a medal or a varsity letter.

“I am grateful to be involved,” said Rohlfing.

Students in the Special Olympics are also given an opportunity to create new friendships and build stronger bonds. Harmon said there are lots of hugs, high fives and fist bumps at the practices.

“Many of our athletes are very expressive,” said Harmon. “As I have said many times, ‘Never a bad day at Special Olympics.”

Sports

Volume VI Issue III | Talon | 13

Sports

Love Hurts

Wrestlers Overcome Injuries For the Love of Their Sport Written by Jake Testerman Photos by Isabella Davis

There are an estimated 167,606 wrestling-related doctor’s visits among males’ ages 7-17 and under per year, according to the National Institutes of Health. But even after injuries, many wrestlers decide to keep competing.

“It is my senior year, and I am still looking forward to winning a state title,” said senior Trey Nelson.

Nelson dislocated his shoulder twice, but said that he still wasn’t worried about coming back into wrestling.

Nelson said he would

14 | Talon | Volume VI Issue III I

do anything to help his team.

“I have been wrestling since a young age, and my teammates and coaches make it even more important to me,” said Nelson.

Wrestling is more than just a sport to these athletes. There is a lot to be learned from people who show this much dedication. Each person has his or her own reasons for thinking the pain is worth it.

Senior Robert Bastarache said that he loves it and could not imagine his life without

wrestling.

Injuries are tough, but coming back from injuries is even tougher. Bastarache said he was not nervous at all because he had plenty of time to recover and made sure he was at 100 percent before wrestling again.

For many wrestlers, wrestling is more than just a sport: it’s a passion.

“I love wrestling and I could not imagine myself doing anything else,” said junior Jayden Bears.

Senior Robert Bastarache stands

by North Oak with an injured leg holding a car wash sign to support the wrestling team. Many athletes, like Bastarache, have such strong dedication to their sport that injuries won’t stop them from helping their team.

Sports

Written by Anthony Pace Graphic by Chase Vallejo

Many couples find it difficult to make time for each other with sports and activities filling up their schedules, but startingvarsity quarterback Jordan Robben and varsity cheerleader Kara Bradshaw have a unique way of making time for each other. Robben said he spends 10 hours per week participating in football practice and Friday-night games during the season.

“Kara and I spend 5 to 6 hours a week when we are not doing sports and activities,” said Robben.

Someone who is dedicated to a sport may spend the majority of their time on it.

This takes time away from their boyfriend or girlfriend. Some may say sports can make or break a relationship, but according to Robben, they build the relationship and help to show that each person cares about the other’s interests.

“We go to

Athletes Make Time For Relationship every activity we can depending on our schedule. We send ‘good luck’ texts and also wear each others’ shirts with each others’ last name on

special is cheering, it can be motivating. It can make athletes want to play even better for them. Bradshaw said the games bring their

it,” said Bradshaw.

Supporting each other can be beneficial because when someone

families closer together and it’s a great way for the families to bond together.

“Cheering at the games make our relationship fun, because we can support each others activities while doing what we love,” said Bradshaw, describing how going to each other’s games can help both people feel more appreciated and it can help to create a stronger bond.

Playing sports helps teenagers develop a healthy sense of competition within a friendly, team-oriented environment, according to the University of Florida.

Communication is essential in making a good team and making a healthy relationship. Having a common interest, such as sports, between companions can make communication a less daunting task.

Junior Kara Bradshaw and junior Jordan Robben stand together after a football game.

Although sports can drive couples apart, it can bring another way for couples to spend time together. “We just try to support each other as much as we can,” said Bradshaw.

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