The Newtonian, Issue 2 (2017-18)

THENEWTONIAN NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MAGAZINE

IN-DEPTH

Students impacted

by DACA repeal SERIES 95 | ISSUE 2 | SEPTEMBER 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS

FEATURES

District salary increase proposal 3 Jason Flatt Act awareness 4 School lunch additions 5

Student drug addiction stories 10 Follow Aurasma directions below to bring photos to life

OPINIONS Impacts of meat industry 6 Helicopter parents detrimental 6

Howard’s stained glass-making 12 Sloan audits AP calculus 12

SPORTS Bullying and private social media 7

IN-DEPTH DACA repeal affects students Cover photo by Gracie Hammond

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Woranun’s tennis success Baldwin teaches bal-a-vis-x

13 13

Newtonian staff Top 5

15

ARTS & CULTURE

STAFF INFORMATION Editor-in-Chief Lauren Mitchell Asst. Editor-in Chief Online Editor Payton Fenwick Content Editor Photo Editor Gracie Hammond

News Editor Sports Feature Editor Faye Smith Features Editor Erica Beebe Opinions Editor Macy Rice Online Sports Manager Ben Crump

Letters to the Editor The Newtonian may accept letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty, administrators, community residents and the general public. Submissions should be 300 words or less and contain the author’s name, address and signature. All submissions will be verified.

The Newtonian editorial board reserves the right to withhold a letter, column or other submission and/or return it for revision if it contains unprotected speech or grammatical errors that could hamper its meaning.

Letters to the editor and guest columns can be given to the editor-inchief or adviser, delivered to room 1-113 or be e-mailed to nhsrailernews@ gmail.com. The deadline for publication in the next issue is 9/15/17 to allow sufficient time for verification of authorship prior to publication.

2 | STAFF | SEPTEMBER 2017

Graphic Manager Arts & Culture Editor Caroline Barger Asst. Features Editor Addie Lindenmeyer Asst. Opinions Editor Ellen Garrett Asst. Arts & Culture Editor Kaete Schmidt

Reporter Meya Green Reporter Emma Pulaski Reporter Taylor Tasaka Adviser Robin Montano

Aurasma directions 1. Download the Aurasma app 2. Set up a free account 3. Allow the use of your location.

4. Search for “RailerNews” and click follow 5. Click the “square” icon at the bottom to activate the camera 6. Whenever you see a photo with the logo, scan it to view the video’s “aura”

District IBB team works to negotiate salaries

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espite a proposal that would have given USD 373 employees approximately 3 percent larger paychecks, 63 percent of teachers and staff members voted it down on Sept. 18.

“Now, we go back to the bargaining table. We have already sent a survey to the teachers to gather information on why they voted ‘no’,” Newton NEA president Cathlina Bergman said.

“We’ve had over 180 responses so far.

We’ll take that information with us, and we’ll sit down with the Board to try to find solutions. Until then, the teachers will keep working on last year’s contract.”

Following a Kansas Supreme Court decision regarding the inadequacy of education funding, the legislature voted to add $488 million to school allocations for the 2017-18 school year.

The funding systems from the state government changed from block-grant funding back to a weighting formula and added full funding of all-day kindergarten.

According to USD 373 director of business services Matt Morford, the district is estimated to receive an additional $806,000 — the bulk of which will be allocated to raising the salaries and benefits for district staff once a proposal is finalized.

Along with the eventual increase in salary for teachers and classified staff, the budget increases will allow for the addition of instructional aide positions.

“So that accounts for approximately $650,000 and then that is just on teachers. Any classified staff, so instructional aides, paraeducators, building administrative assistants, we try to give them the same thing, so roughly 3 percent increase. That was another approximately $200,000 so that ate up a good chunk of the portion. We did increase instructional aide positions throughout the district, we added 16 additional instructional aides, so that was I think $320,000. Between those three, that is more than the $800,000 to $1 million, but there is give and take in other departments,” Morford said.

According to Morford, the change

Matt Morford evaluates the budget for salary increases

Superintendent Deborah Hamm approves figures

Proposal distributed to the IBB team

Teaching IBB team presents agreement to district teachers

IBB team agrees on final numbers

IBB teachers and district administration negotiate

Teachers vote

Proposal goes to school board for total finalization

back to a weighting formula Surrounding districts’ results in a $154 increase per student and additional funding 2016-17 base salaries for other programs.

“A weighting would be we $40,700 get funding if students are considered ‘free’ by the USDA guidelines. Students enrolled $39,948 in vocationally funded courses $38,439 at the high school based on $37,700 $36,000 clock hours would generate ‘x’ amount of dollars. Bilingual learners and students who Newton Maize Goddard Andover Derby are non-English speaking students, students who live about by law, we are always going to more than 2.5 miles away from talk about salary and benefits and we school and ride the bus would generate always talk about the hours teachers funding,” Morford said. work and how much they have to,”

The district’s proposal for Bergman said. allocation of the additional funding

Morford said that the hope to salaries is only the first step in the with the salary increase is to make USD process of setting the salary schedule.

373 competitive with other districts The Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB) for quality teachers. However, although team, comprised of Newton National Bergman said teacher salaries are Education Association teachers and headed in the right direction, she said district administration, first met to there is still room for improvement. negotiate terms and will continue “I don’t think it’s enough in the long meeting until they can agree on an run because we as a school district are adequate salary schedule.

“It’s our job as the official recognized behind other schools around us. We are not able to compete as much for the group to negotiate and that means that good teachers, but we are getting there. we sit down every year with the school We are making steps,” Bergman said. boards team and we meet as many times as we need to and we talk about.

There are certain issues we have to talk NEWS SEPTEMBER 2017

Salaries

Lauren Mitchell, Editor-In-Chief Addie Lindenmeyer, Asst. Features Editor

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Jason Flatt Act implemented in Kansas

Act calls for new school protocols concerning teen suicide Payton Fenwick Online Editor

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he Jason Flatt Act was brought to attention to the first state, Tennessee, in 2007.

It was then passed by 17 other states through out the next nine years. Finally, in 2016, Kansas was the 19th state to pass this bill.

“It deals with awareness, and what responsibilities teachers have when they become aware,” counselor Jana Crittenden said.

This bill pertains to the prevention and intervention of teen suicide. Jason Flatt was a 16-year-old who was seen as unlikely to ever commit suicide. It came as a shock to his family, friends and teachers.

He became another statistic toward the ‘Silent Epidemic’ of teen suicides across the nation.

The training is intended to help staff members notice the signs of possible suicidal ideation.

Awareness is key in preventing suicides.

“I think it is something that has just taken a tragedy or trauma to bring this to light and I think schools are finding more and more instances of suicidal ideation or completion of suicide. So, this came about because of someone, unfortunately, who had completed suicide and I think by more states getting involved, and Kansas finally getting involved, I think it’s about awareness,” school psychologist Jeanne Harper said.

By Kansas entering the fight against this ‘Silent Epidemic’, any adult who works in any school in Kansas must complete special training that

will help the staff recognize the signs of suicidal ideation. Not only will this training help with recognizing signs, but it will also bring a level of consistency to how the staff handles these sensitive situations.

“I think before it fell to counselors and social workers primarily to do any reporting or interventions. Anything that was done, could’ve been different in each building depending on what the administration, counselors or social workers wanted to do, or how they wanted to inform their staff. It has brought a lot more consistency to the reporting and to the followup and informing of parents,” Crittenden said.

The suicide prevention protocol is headed by the District Crisis Team. This team will evaluate any suicidal ideation threat and provide intervention as needed. They are also committed to taking care of every possible threat to the best of their abilities.

“We are transitioning to a new structure. So, in the new structure team, the safety team, would be the school psychologists, social workers, the counselors and the administration. As you look at the district umbrella, the crisis team is going to be Dr. Hamm, the asst. Superintendents and the principals,” Crittenden said.

With the Jason Flatt act now being brought into light in Kansas, the district crisis team and district staff members are committed to preventing suicides. With the issue of stopping the ‘silent epidemic’ that is teen suicide, the Jason Flatt foundation can be credited to bringing awareness.

4 | NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2017

19

states have adopted the Jason Flatt Act

Suicide is the

second

leading cause of death for ages

12-18

Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs Each day in the U.S, there are an average of over 3,470 suicide attempts by young people grades 9-12

More teenagers and young

adults die from suicide than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined *www. jasonfoundation.com

School lunches provide healthier choices Macy Rice Opinions Editor

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n order to accommodate students’ requests, many changes have been made to the food offered, as well as organization in the cafeteria .

“The biggest change this year has been the removal of the a la carte line,” director of food services Elaine Gaeddert said. “A la carte items are still available with the exception of the hot entreé. I have replaced the a la carte hot food items with fresh items such as specialty sandwiches, salads, food bowls and wraps. The items offered daily are fresh fruits, chilled fruit and a vegetable bar. The line option known as plat du jour (plate of the day) offers made-fresh daily and less-processed foods.

Gaeddert collected data from students regarding food preferences in a survey conducted last year and based the new changes around the results.

“I believe the students enjoy the food more this year than previous years. I have received very positive feedback not only from students, but parents as well,” Gaeddert said.

In addition to parents and students,

Gaeddert said she is pleased with the changes that have been made.

“I personally think these changes are great. My goal was to make good nutritious meals for students and I believe I have accomplished this. I will continue to strive to improve the meals and menus so that students enjoy them,” Gaeddert said.

The proof is in the amount of food waste. Students are wasting less than previous years, which goes to show they enjoy the changes.

“There is less food waste this year than previous years. Students are more conscious about what they eat. Students are eating more fruits and vegetables which considerably cuts down on waste,” Gaeddert said.

Of those who are enjoying the changes, senior Abby Hatch, like many students, eats lunch at school everyday.

“I like how we have more options.

The salad bar is a great addition for students who want something healthier than what is offered,” Hatch said. “The first lunch line has a good variety of quality food for the same price as normal school lunches. I appreciate that this is offered and I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth.”

Aside from changes made to the food, Hatch enjoys other changes in the lunchroom as well.

“I enjoy the new entreés and I really appreciate that going through the line is less hectic and seems more organized by the staff,” Hatch said.

While Gaeddert determines the menu for each day, she is given guidelines on what kind of items are to be served.

“There are requirements regarding red and orange vegetables, dark greens, legumes, starchy, or ‘other’ vegetables, as well as other requirements,” Gaeddert said.

Once Gaeddert plans out what she wants to put on the menu, she then orders it from one of the schools’ vendors.

“We receive food from three vendors.

The vendors are Sysco Foods, Evco [Wholesale Food Corporation] and US Foods,” Gaeddert said.

When the food arrives, it is held until it is ready to be prepared. Then, preparation requires the help of the lunch staff.

“At the high school, there are 14 lunch staff members working to prepare food,” Gaeddert said.

From vendor to students: Lunch preparation process

1. Food arrives from US Foods, 2. Food is 3. Students choose 4. Leftovers Sysco Foods and Evco and is held prepared fresh menu items through and waste are until preparation each day by each lunch line thrown away at food services end of day NEWS

| SEPTEMBER 2017 | 5

Meat industry causes negative impacts F Ellen Garrett Asst. Opinions Editor

The average American consumes 270 pounds of meat per year.

This adds up to 55 percent of a cow. *npr.org, agro.org

Four-fifths of deforestation across the Amazon rainfoest is linked to cattle ranching. *Scientific American

or some, vegetarianism is seen as saving the lives of animals.

For others, vegetarianism is seen as expensive, unhealthy and hurtful to the meat industry. Either way, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) the meat industry causes over 51 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. A global shift towards vegetarianism/veganism is necessary for combating global warming and the other environmental impacts of meat production.

Global warming is not the only problem that meat production feeds into.

According to PETA, it takes 2,400 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.

By going vegan or even vegetarian, one person can save about 219,000 gallons of water per year. If the entire population of Newton went vegetarian, it would save over four billion gallons of water annually. According to science.time.com, the meat industry uses one-third of the world’s freshwater supply.

Water usage and global warming are only the tip of the iceberg. According to time.com, 30 percent of the world’s ice-free surface is used to house cattle,

poultry and pigs. The majority of the additional land is used to feed those livestock. According to PETA, it takes 20 times less land than what is currently used for livestock to support a vegan lifestyle. Our meat consumption habits also cause deforestation. According to Scientific American, four-fifths of deforestation across the Amazon rainforest can be linked to cattle ranching.

These huge environmental concerns caused by producing meat not only affect our land, they also affect our oceans. This takes form in not only overfishing, but coral reef destruction and maintaining factory farmed fish. Factory farmed fish are carnivorous, this enhances overfishing because it takes three to six pounds of fish meal to create one pound of farmed salmon according to BeWell. com.

Going vegetarian or even just eating less meat in general can go a long way. If going vegetarian or cutting back is not a viable option, even just choosing organic, pasture-raised, grass-fed meat and dairy products can go a long way towards helping the environment.

‘Helicopter parents’ harmful to growth Erica Beebe Features Editor

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here is endless debate surrounding the ‘right’ way to raise a child. Parents play a significant role in a child’s life, so it would be no surprise that they could affect their brain development in negative ways, and often do. Recent studies show that many parents are crossing the line between being supportive and too involved, which could lead to issues like anxiety and depression later in a child’s life.

These parents have earned the name ‘helicopter parents’ because of their constant hovering over their children.

A study conducted by Florida State University researchers showed that students who had a so-called ‘helicopter parent’ reported low levels of self-

efficacy, higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower life satisfaction and physical health. In contrast, students who had parents who allowed them more freedom reported higher life satisfaction, physical health and self-efficacy.

Parents setting a curfew or occasionally grounding their child does not make them overbearing, but shows they care. However, a parent who goes as far as controlling their child’s diet or emailing their professors when they receive a bad grade is simple going too far. It may be challenging to watch a child struggle or fail, but this is a necessary part of childhood. Shielding a child will only negatively affect them later on. If parents are simply being supportive, they allow their children to make independent decisions, rather than deciding for them. There are good intentions behind ‘helicopter’ behaviors,

6 | OPINIONS | SEPTEMBER 2017

Editorial carton by guest cartoonist Christina Bruce.

but at the end of the day, parents should not hinder their child’s development.

Private social media normalizes bullying Meya Green Reporter

Do you or your friends have a private account separate from your main account?

58.4% In a school survey, 58.4 percent of students reported that either they or their friends have a private account in addition to their main account.

Do you believe that cyberbullying is worse on private social media accounts?

67.4% In a school survey, 67.4 percent of students said they believe cyberbullying is worse on private accounts than public accounts.

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yberbullying has been an issue since social media became prevalent in today’s society. However, private social media accounts result in increased cyberbullying and harassment that not everyone may be aware of.

In a school-wide survey, 58.4 percent of students reported that they or their friends have a private account in addition to their public account.

These private accounts have a tendency to be used as a forum to torment and attack other students and post sensitive or controversial material.

Bullying is not a new concept, and now that social media is so apparent in everyday life, people are more common to get on their account and use it in a negative way. Additionally, no one is exercising self-control in regards to degrading their peers. Social media, especially private accounts, has given teens a unique way to attack from behind a screen.

Teens with private accounts only let a select few follow them. Just because the account owner may be talking negatively about someone that does not have access to the account, that does not mean they will not find out about it. That also does not mean they do not care. It is still cyberbullying, and it still hurts. People have a difficult time thinking about others feelings and how it may affect that person.

Even if someone is not criticizing a person, starting rumors and creating drama is wrong. Instead of going up to the person they have a problem with and talking about it face-to-face, they are letting everyone that follows them know about unnecessary drama. The problem with our society today is that no one can personally figure out problems; they have to include other people and make drama bigger than it should be.

In the previously mentioned survey, 67.4 percent of the 442 students that responded, believe that cyberbullying is worse on private social media accounts than main accounts. That is over half of the people that responded to the survey, so obviously this is a problem. People should be able to have private accounts, but when they start using them to harass and tear down others, it crosses the line. Even if the bullying is taking place on a private account, it is still relevant and people should still care. It was not until high school that these private accounts gained popularity, and it has now become the norm for teens to have separate accounts.

Parents should be able to trust their children, but with private accounts, they are not seeing what their kids are posting and may not be aware that their child has a private account. Parents should have a general awareness of what their child is putting out onto the internet.

Just because it is private does not mean that the people who follow the private accounts will not share the posts with others. Instead of continuously letting people get away with cyberbullying, students should report any signs of cyberbullying when noticed. They may not only be hurting others, they could potentially be hurting themselves.

OPINIONS

| SEPTEMBER 2017 | 7

AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE ‘Dreamers’ face the unknown after Trump’s DACA repeal Pending changes for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Gracie Hammond Content Editor, Photo Editor

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n 2012 President Barack Obama first announced his plans for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This policy allowed minors who immigrated to the country as children to receive deferred action for deportation as well as grant them the ability to attend school and obtain work permits. As of 2017, the program had roughly

800,000 recipients.

However, the program has been put on the chopping block with the new administration. President Donald Trump issued a statement on Sept. 5 announcing his plans for an “orderly transition and winddown of DACA.” Trump states his reason for the repeal of DACA being the question of its legality and a need for immigration reform that better benefits Americans.

Current recipients will

D - Deferred A - Action for C - Childhood A - Arrivals

not see any immediate change to their status, as the administration will honor existing work permits for up to two years and applications that were already in process.

Despite the possibility of reform, recipients and others are concerned over the consequences of removing or changing DACA. Without DACA, recipients stand to lose the ability to make a legal income, obtain a driver’s license and enroll in college.

What is DACA?

“A federal government program created in 2012 under Barack Obama to allow people brought to the US illegally as children the temporary right to live, study and work in America.” *www.theguardian.com

8 | IN-DEPTH | SEPTEMBER 2017

The policy currently lies in the hands of Congress, which has six months to come up with a replacement before the phase out begins.

Although school administration was unable to confirm statistics regarding students who currently have DACA protections, two students, interviewed anonymously for their protection, shared their personal stories and concerns.

Those protected by DACA are known as

‘Dreamers’

787,580 had been granted program approval at the time of repeal

*www.theguardian.com

In their own words: Students affected by DACA repeal Student A

Student B

From Durango, Mexico

From El Rosario, Sinaloa, Mexico

I turned five here in December. I think I got here when I was four.

We had to come here because... we were poor, left with nothing. I think the equivalent would be like $5 a day. He (my dad) would sell churros and beans in stuff in parking lots so that we could eat. We still had a house, but mainly it was just all day in the car selling. So we had to come here obviously because we were struggling. My dad come here first and then we came a year later.

My brother came here when he was a sophomore and he went to Wichita because my older sister was already here. He was just lonely so we came across on a visitors visa, like a tourist visa. Then, that expired a while ago and the whole DACA opportunity came up and so me and my sister were able to get that.

I mean, the worst case is if one of my family members does have to leave it would probably be my sister and she has kids here. If I end up leaving, I have a lot of family in Mexico so I’m not too worried. It would just be starting life over there, it would be a lot different

Right now my family is not too worried because since we’ve been here so long, a lot of people won’t be sent back and they’ll replace it with something. (I believe) Another act is gonna replace daca for right now we’re not really worried, we’ll just see what happens.

My family lives in a duplex. My mom cleans houses and my dad is a finish carpenter. They can’t drive because they’re undocumented, so I either have to walk or get rides everywhere and they have to too.

I would have no future (without DACA). I wouldn’t be able to go college, I wouldn’t be able to work or even drive. My future would either look like me being adopted or finding some way to study in Canada or going back to Mexico...

If you could say one thing to someone who supports repealing DACA, what would you say?

Just think about if you would be in our position. How would you feel if this were to be taken away and you’d have to go back to, if you come from where I come from, where there are no paved roads, houses made of concrete, and cold nights? If you were coming from where I’m from, you would know how would it feel if you lost all the opportunities that D.A.C.A has given us. You wouldn’t be able to work, drive, or make a legal income.

I think DACA is a chance. It affects my life because I can have a chance to accomplish my dreams and just have a shot at having a normal life in the US. If you could say one thing to someone who supports repealing DACA, what would you say?

Be aware of your privilege and don’t be so ignorant.

Program Eligibility Requirements

1. Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 2. Came to the U.S. before 16th birthday 3. Have continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15,

6. Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a

2007, up to the present time

certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and

4. Were physically present in thwe U.S.

7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant

on June 15, 2012, and at time of making request for consideration

5. Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012 *U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (www.uscis.gov)

misdemeanor,or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

IN-DEPTH

| SEPTEMBER 2017 | 9

Brewer and Moore tell all: True stories

Emma Pulaski Reporter

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ountless lives have been affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The U.S. dedicates each September to raising awareness and preventing addiction to these stimulants. According to a 2015

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services survey, 39 percent of high school students reported they had used marijuana at least once and 17 percent of high school students said that they had consumed alcohol before the age of 13. Teenagers reported peer pressure, stress relief, and enjoyment as reasons for becoming involved with substance abuse.

Many times students do not actively seek help. Instead, those students who administration suspects may use drugs and alcohol are referred to a counselor.

“What we like to do is provide

When senior Devin Brewer suffered an injury in a football game his freshman year and could no longer play, he turned to marijuana and alcohol as a distraction. It was not until junior year that Brewer started to genuinely notice the toll it was taking on him and others. Brewer knew he needed to make a change.

“I got tired of how I felt with it. I could never be happy any other way, it would just make me more miserable,” Brewer said. His friends and family were there for him when he started to rehabilitate and motivated him to stay clean.

“I let him [Brewer’s grandfather], my brother and my mom down when I started doing stuff like that so they helped,” Brewer said.

Brewer said his proudest moment throughout the journey was seeing his son smile, and it encouraged him to make better decisions. He advises those struggling with substance abuse to find someone to talk to.

“I saw this quote that said ‘happiness doesn’t just happen to you, it’s a choice of mind, you have to want it,’ so I stuck to that.” Brewer said.

10 | FEATURES | SEPTEMBER 2017

resources for them. There’s this new Drug-Free Youth Coalition that we’re starting to get involved in. It’s just starting here and so hopefully that will be a resource that we can give to students to help them if they’re using,” counselor Alex Tyler said.

Now, four years after their substance abuse began, seniors Michael Moore and Devin Brewer have taken a stance to stop using drugs. They decided to share their testimonies at freshmen orientation in order to prevent other students from having similar experiences. Read their stories below.

Devin Brewer

“

I just got tired of how I felt with it.

I could never be happy any other way, it would just make me more miserable.

“

National Drug Addiction Month

of addiction, recovery and achievement Commonly abused drugs among teens

Brewer presents his story of addiction to freshman during orientation. Photo credit Gaby Lara

21 percent 6 percent of 6.1 percent 23 percent of high school high school seniors of high school of high school students reported seniors report use students use report daily use of binge drinking marijuana of narcotics tobacco products

Michael Moore

It’s not worth it - any of it; losing friends, tearing your family apart, it’s not good.

“

“

*www.pathwaytoprevention.org

As senior Michael Moore sat at home after being expelled freshman year, he contemplated the actions that led him there. Before, he acted callous to anyone who tried to offer help. The expulsion helped Moore realize he needed to change.

“I started paying attention to my mom more, I tried to do the best I could everyday.” Moore said.

With the support Moore received from friends and family, he took a stance to stay clean and cut off all bad influences. Before entering high school, Moore decided he would not follow the negative path he had seen many of his friends go through.

“I’ve seen too many people get into drugs and all my friends drop out of school. I told myself I wasn’t going to do that,” Moore said.

Moore now understands the effects substance abuse and bad decisions can cause. He said that he spent freshman year in a state of depression and hopes that no one makes those same mistakes.

“It’s not worth it - any of it; losing friends, tearing your family apart, I tell myself that everyday as soon as I wake up,” Moore said.

FEATURES

| SEPTEMBER 2017 | 11

Substitute Howard creates glass artwork Ben Crump Online Sports Manager

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ubstitute teacher Dennis Howard has been making stained and etched glass for many years. Howard started making glass in 2001; it was something that he had been interested in for a while.

“I always wanted to, I have a lot of different hobbies and that was something I had never done so I thought I’d try it,” Howard said.

Howard, a Kansas State wildcat fan, has made many

Powercat logos in the past for his friends, but he has also used his own creativity when making stained glass art.

“I use my own designs a lot. I use a lot of mosaics, different shapes and glass,” Howard said.

The art of stained glass making requires certain specialized equipment.

“You have to have specialized tools like glasscutters, breakers and caming.

Caming is the lead part that goes between your glass,” Howard said.

Howard did not have to travel too far to learn how to make stained glass.

“I took a glass-making class down at Bearden’s down in Wichita…I took their introductory course. I went there a few years later for an advanced class,” Howard said.

Howard said the art of glass-making has challenges, depending on the glass.

“When you have a bigger sheet of glass, getting it to break where you want it to is a problem sometimes. All glass is a little bit different

and if there is an air bubble or something in there and it breaks at the wrong angle then you have to grind it to the shape that you want,” Howard said.

While Howard has many other hobbies, he can still get his glass designs done in good time.

“I can usually cut the glass the way I want it one day and start putting it together in three to four days so I can have something done,” Howard said.

Gifted facilitator Sloan audits AP Calculus Faye Smith News Editor, Sports Features Editor

A

uditing a class is a way for students to take a class without receiving a grade or credit for the class. In education, it is not uncommon to find adults who audit college courses for multiple reasons. Gifted facilitator Sheri Sloan found herself auditing AP calculus for a more important reason instead of benefiting for herself.

“Last year I was frustrated that I couldn’t help any of my students that were in that class. Since I did really well in math in high school and college, I decided I would see if I could sit in and audit,” Sloan said.

Sloan said she excelled in math courses throughout high school and college, but without refreshing her knowledge from “about thirty years” prior to having taken AP calculus, she felt that she should take a step and better herself.

“As far as the actual class, a lot of [students] came to me and had problems with it. I thought I understood [students] had problems with it, I just couldn’t do anything about it. Although the teachers have study sessions and all of that I wanted to be able to help them,” Sloan said.

With the help of principal Lisa Moore, Sloan was given the opportunity to audit the class. Students were not aware

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of her participation in the class, because she “wanted to sit in the corner and not be noticed”, but senior Creighton LaRose had a positive view on her refreshing her knowledge.

“I didn’t really know at first, but the more I thought about it, it was really cool that she was actually trying to learn it so she can help students,” LaRose said.

Although Sloan does not speak up in the class, she does feel that she will be content to finish out the school year, even if it is difficult.

“If I make it through the entire year I will be very proud of myself. If it really is too tough I may go sit in a trigonometry class because I missed a lot of background,” Sloan said.

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12 | FEATURES | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Woranun sends rivals ‘down the line’ Taylor Tasaka Reporter

S

ince she was 6 years old, foreign exchange student Woranun “Rae” Normai mastered her tennis skills by practicing for two hours a day. At the age of 12, her hard work paid off and Normai achieved a number one ranking in her home country of Thailand.

Those skills are serving Normai well in the United States, bringing her success as a member of the girls’ tennis team.

“We realized that she was going to be our top varsity player. At our first meet, she took first and that’s when we all fully realized that she is really good,” teammate Kailei Sidebottom said.

Head coach Nick Sisson agreed that Normai is a valuable asset to the Newton team.

“She’s been a wonderful addition to

the team and the team has all bonded together nicely,” head coach Nick Sisson said. “She can play with a lot of power, which is rare in girls’ tennis in Kansas.

I’d say her best stroke is her serve or her forehand down the line.”

Normai attributes her success on the court to the amount of time she has spent practicing over the years.

“You have to practice really hard and improve your skills that you think are not good. I think that I practice really hard and practice has paid off,” Normai said.

She also noted the benefit of having formed a positive bond with her teammates.

“The team, we help each other and practice together all the time and have a good relationship,” Normai said.

The relationship Normai has formed with the team extends to the coaching staff as well, even though she

Senior Rae Woranun competes in the Ark City Invitational on Sept. 14. Woranun placed 5th at the meet. Photo by Faye Smith

acknowledged beating Sisson in practice play.

“We haven’t had a girl player with her training in about a decade,” Sisson said.

Baldwin assists in teaching bal-a-vis-x Kaete Schmidt Asst. Arts & Culture Editor

D

uring a student-athlete’s season, visits to the athletic trainer are not uncommon. They have experienced what it is like from the athlete’s point of view. This year senior Jenna Baldwin has gotten to experience what it is like from the trainer’s perspective. The opportunity to be a student assistant for the school’s athletic trainer arose on the first day of Baldwin’s sports medicine class. Students were informed that the athletic trainer, Elizabeth Brown, was interested in having student help. Baldwin took advantage of the opportunity and met with Brown the same day after school.

“I go out with her to football practice everyday to facilitate and that kind of thing. So, right now, it is pretty hands off but I am hoping by the end that it will be a little bit more interactive for me,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin believes that interacting with Brown will provide her with many unique benefits and experience for her future.

“I am looking into going into athletic training or physical therapy. I think it’s going to look good on a college resume and will benefit me in the long run. I might see things here that they might not teach about in college or that I won’t see in an internship setting. I think that’s a big benefit,” Baldwin said.

Outside of school and athletic training, Baldwin is involved in teaching Bal-a-vis-x. Baldwin explains Bal-a-vis-x as an acronym for balance auditory visual exercise. It consists of about 300 to 350 exercises using sandbags and racket balls to integrate both sides of the brain.

Baldwin learned Bal-a-vis-x from her mother as well as watching other people do the exercises. She then began helping her mother teach it alongside Bill Hubert, the creator of Bal-a-vis-x.

“My younger brother went to Bill’s studio in Wichita so I watched and picked up some little things here and there. Then, one night he [Hubert] asked me, ‘hey would you like to learn how to teach Bal-a-vis-x’,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin believes that Bal-a-vis-x has multiple benefits and is able to clearly

see changes in behavior and composure of the students.

“The rhythm is really grounding. So, if you’re out of control or you aren’t able to regulate yourself then that helps ground you and bring you back down from that high,” Baldwin said. “It can really make you focus and that is just an amazing thing to see.”

SPORTS

Senior Jenna Baldwin demonstrates a Bal-a-vis-x exercise she teaches to others.

Photo by Ellen Garrett

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Newtonian’s top five pop culture picks

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The iconic 1990 movie was recreated and produced as a brand new movie released in September. Based on the original novel by Stephen King, the movie includes all the same characters. Pop-out scares and gore are placed strategically throughout the film. In this rendition, directed by Andres Muschietti, a bit of humor is mixed with frightening scenes.

Baby Driver Released this summer, this movie, featuring Ansel Elgort and Kevin Spacey, includes action and comedy that is intriguing to the audience. This film brought in 20.5 million dollars to the box office opening weekend. Director Edgar Wright leads his actors into success during this action-filled movie.

American Teen 19-year-old Khalid’s first album debut, “American Teen” has gained increasing popularity. Some of the more well-known songs from the album include “Young Dumb and Broke,” “Location,” “American Teen,” and “8TEEN.” Khalid’s music is a well-liked addition to the R&B and contemporary genre.

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